Can you believe that i'm STILL reading Jane Eyre? *sigh* i read a few pages but then i get distracted and put it down. One of these days i'm just have to force myself to read it because i really want to get on to forcing myself to read the sequel to this book.
I read the Amulet of Samarkand in the middle of the winter last year, right after the holidays when i was spazzed out with all the gifts i got. The Amulet caught my eye because it wasn't something that i had seen before: i was unique and, as i learned, uniquiely written. I like that it told a story of magicians and didn't call them 'wizards' and that there 'magic' was all based on demons, dangerous creatures they enslaved for their own selfish means. I liked that it sounded more realistic than the Harry Potter universe and in my opinion is better. it may not have as many details or as complicated a plot, but in many ways it is certainly a better adventure than any of the Potter books.
Jonathan Stroud weaves a brillant tapestry of character in the voice of Bartimaeus, an ancient djinni tricked into the service of a young apprentice magician, Nathaniel. Bartimaeus is witty, sarcastic and infinetly amusing, so much that i found myself rooting for him instead of the main character, the boy Nathaniel, known to the world of magicians as John Mandrake. The story revolves around the ambitions and revenge inspired plots of Nathaniels, where he desperately uses Bartimaeus to prove his extraordinary worth to the magicing world. But with a companion like Bartimaeus things envitably go wrong and Nathaniel "finds himself caught up in a whirlwind of magical espinage, murder, and rebellion."
Honestly, this book was amazing. i dare you find a funnier "wizard" book. Bartimaeus is BRILLANT!
Monday, August 18, 2008
The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Washington Post Review of Breaking Dawn
Absolutely amazing review. This author points out alot of things that i have to, as student of quality literature, agree with. Even she goes overboard, at times to the point of ranting, she makes such a good point about the overall quality of the Twilight books.
*BEWARE OF SPOILERS!!!*
Washington Post Review of Breaking Dawn: Read here.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
"...The Meek shall inherit the Earth, but for now it belongs to the conceited."
~Jace
I read this book about two months ago, when my friend, the same one that i convinced me to buy Pride and Prejudice (we'll call her "G") also bought and read it with me. It's been sitting on my bookshelf, staring at me, glaring at me really, since i read its sequel, City of Ashes. So now i'm doing something about, i'm taking it down and writing its review so i can get on to finish Jane Eyre.
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare has a plot that for this day and age when all we hear about in literature are wizards and witches, vampires and werewolves, is exceptionally unique. It's the story of Clary Fray who lives with her artist mother in New York City. Clary is relatively normal (at least for Young Adult Fantasy Fiction): she has bright red hair, a father-like neighbor named Luke, and a single best friend named Simon who is obviously and expectantly in love with her. But one she and Simon sneak into a Gothic club and witness a murder committed by three teenagers with strange weapons and tattoos. Most disturbing of all, the body and the kids are invisible to all but her. Equally startled by her ability to see them, they explain themselves as Shadowhunters: "warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons." And the rest of the book is about Clary and an obnoxious, confident blond named Jace with whom there are quite a lot of romantic innuendos trying to figure out who she is and why her mother was stolen right after Clary met the Shadowhunters etc. etc.
Its a good book. Not great, but good. PERFECT for when you're feeling down because Clare does a fantastic job at capturing the teenage language of sarcasm. Trust me, the witty comebacks that go flying between Clary and Jace will have you LOL. But like i said, its not great. Even though the plot line is refreshing, there are a lot of things that are just SO OLD. Like the whole "red-head-so-im-magical-look-at-me-wiry-hair-thing". Yeah. *yawn* I guess the thing that i don't like the most is that the publishers make it sound like it SO SERIOUS when its not. If you take this book seriously it will suck. But it IS hilarious. Especially Jace.
Oh, but the ending sucks. REALLY, REALLY, BAD. I almost ripped the book in half. Ask G, its true.
I read this book about two months ago, when my friend, the same one that i convinced me to buy Pride and Prejudice (we'll call her "G") also bought and read it with me. It's been sitting on my bookshelf, staring at me, glaring at me really, since i read its sequel, City of Ashes. So now i'm doing something about, i'm taking it down and writing its review so i can get on to finish Jane Eyre.
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare has a plot that for this day and age when all we hear about in literature are wizards and witches, vampires and werewolves, is exceptionally unique. It's the story of Clary Fray who lives with her artist mother in New York City. Clary is relatively normal (at least for Young Adult Fantasy Fiction): she has bright red hair, a father-like neighbor named Luke, and a single best friend named Simon who is obviously and expectantly in love with her. But one she and Simon sneak into a Gothic club and witness a murder committed by three teenagers with strange weapons and tattoos. Most disturbing of all, the body and the kids are invisible to all but her. Equally startled by her ability to see them, they explain themselves as Shadowhunters: "warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons." And the rest of the book is about Clary and an obnoxious, confident blond named Jace with whom there are quite a lot of romantic innuendos trying to figure out who she is and why her mother was stolen right after Clary met the Shadowhunters etc. etc.
Its a good book. Not great, but good. PERFECT for when you're feeling down because Clare does a fantastic job at capturing the teenage language of sarcasm. Trust me, the witty comebacks that go flying between Clary and Jace will have you LOL. But like i said, its not great. Even though the plot line is refreshing, there are a lot of things that are just SO OLD. Like the whole "red-head-so-im-magical-look-at-me-wiry-hair-thing". Yeah. *yawn* I guess the thing that i don't like the most is that the publishers make it sound like it SO SERIOUS when its not. If you take this book seriously it will suck. But it IS hilarious. Especially Jace.
Oh, but the ending sucks. REALLY, REALLY, BAD. I almost ripped the book in half. Ask G, its true.
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