by Chris D'Lacey (421 pgs)
Scholastic 2003
Rating: 4
What do polar bears, hedgehogs, and dragons have in common? David Rain must find out because he's rolled up in the middle of it somehow. On the slightly more normal scale, David's girlfriend has gone away to Africa and a gothy new love interest named Zanna has appeared to confuse matters and a mysterious and sinister Aunt Gwyneth seems to be creating odd lapses in David's memory.
Ice Fire takes a slight sinister turn. While the reading level remains the same as the previous book, Fire Within, some of the concepts are much more complex. Despite being more convoluted, the plot remains easy to follow. The feel of the story is almost completely different, however. Fire Within was light-hearted and cute. Ice Fire is darker and more serious.
Recommended to mature middle schoolers and high school kids. This is a nice introduction to fantasy literature and appropriate for any school setting.
Monday, December 17, 2007
4. Eclipse
by Stephenie Meyer (640pgs)
Little, Brown Young Readers 2007
Rating: 4
Edward is back, much to Bella's relief. However, Edward's presence causes a rift between Bella and, her best friend, Jacob. For those just tuning in, Edward and Jacob, by virtue of their very natures, don't like each other and, on top of that, are both in love with the same girl.
Despite the supernatural elements, Eclipse is primarily a romance. Meyer's characters continue to be realistic and interesting. The love triangle between Edward, Bella, and Jacob is handled masterfully. Even though, as a reader, I was aware of where the story was headed, following the path of discovery with the characters was both fascinating and enjoyable instead of irritating. The one complaint I have is that it seems that this is likely the end of this series and I am loath to say good bye to these characters.
Recommened as a continuation of Twilight and New Moon. Appropriate for most school settings.
Little, Brown Young Readers 2007
Rating: 4
Edward is back, much to Bella's relief. However, Edward's presence causes a rift between Bella and, her best friend, Jacob. For those just tuning in, Edward and Jacob, by virtue of their very natures, don't like each other and, on top of that, are both in love with the same girl.
Despite the supernatural elements, Eclipse is primarily a romance. Meyer's characters continue to be realistic and interesting. The love triangle between Edward, Bella, and Jacob is handled masterfully. Even though, as a reader, I was aware of where the story was headed, following the path of discovery with the characters was both fascinating and enjoyable instead of irritating. The one complaint I have is that it seems that this is likely the end of this series and I am loath to say good bye to these characters.
Recommened as a continuation of Twilight and New Moon. Appropriate for most school settings.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
3. New Moon
by Stephenie Meyer (563 pgs)
Little, Brown, and Co. 2006
Rating: 4
Edward and Bella are the perfect couple. You know, the one that was so happy it made you want to gag. Everything is perfect for them, except Edward is a vampire and Bella's blood smells powerfully yummy. Beyond that though, despite best intentions, Edward's vampire family also is having a hard time with keeping their base instincts under control. Edward's protectiveness leads him to leave Bella for her own safety, and Bella falls apart.
Sequel to Twilight, Meyer lost none of her believability or characterization skill. The plot rambles a bit and probably could be condensed a little, but the New Moon was still, overall, a highly enjoyable read. Meyer's development of formerly minor characters was masterful.
Recommended to anyone who enjoyed Twilight. Appropriate for most school settings
Little, Brown, and Co. 2006
Rating: 4
Edward and Bella are the perfect couple. You know, the one that was so happy it made you want to gag. Everything is perfect for them, except Edward is a vampire and Bella's blood smells powerfully yummy. Beyond that though, despite best intentions, Edward's vampire family also is having a hard time with keeping their base instincts under control. Edward's protectiveness leads him to leave Bella for her own safety, and Bella falls apart.
Sequel to Twilight, Meyer lost none of her believability or characterization skill. The plot rambles a bit and probably could be condensed a little, but the New Moon was still, overall, a highly enjoyable read. Meyer's development of formerly minor characters was masterful.
Recommended to anyone who enjoyed Twilight. Appropriate for most school settings
2. Twilight
by Stephenie Meyer (498 pgs)
Little, Brown, and Company 2005
Rating: 5
Bella Swan, daughter of Chief Charlie Swan, made the difficult decision to forsake her beloved Phoenix sun and move in with her dad. Unfortunately, Chief Swan lives in the rainiest place in the country: Forks, Washington. Forks is a very small town and Bella, as a fairly attractive girl, quickly makes a whole host of friends, including the enigmatic Edward Cullens. All the Cullens are a little strange: pale, aloof, good at everything. Edward, however, seems to quickly flip between fascination of Bella and hatred.
The writing style was clear and engaging. Meyer's true strength is in her characterizations. Her characters are brilliantly painted and distinct from each other. Despite the fantastical nature of the subject matter, the characters and events feel real and a swoon-worthy love story doesn't hurt any.
Recommend to a broad female audience and anyone who got hung up on Buffy. Appropriate for most school settings.
Little, Brown, and Company 2005
Rating: 5
Bella Swan, daughter of Chief Charlie Swan, made the difficult decision to forsake her beloved Phoenix sun and move in with her dad. Unfortunately, Chief Swan lives in the rainiest place in the country: Forks, Washington. Forks is a very small town and Bella, as a fairly attractive girl, quickly makes a whole host of friends, including the enigmatic Edward Cullens. All the Cullens are a little strange: pale, aloof, good at everything. Edward, however, seems to quickly flip between fascination of Bella and hatred.
The writing style was clear and engaging. Meyer's true strength is in her characterizations. Her characters are brilliantly painted and distinct from each other. Despite the fantastical nature of the subject matter, the characters and events feel real and a swoon-worthy love story doesn't hurt any.
Recommend to a broad female audience and anyone who got hung up on Buffy. Appropriate for most school settings.
Monday, December 03, 2007
1. The Fire Within
by Chris D'Lacey (340 pgs)
Scholastic Books, 2001
Rating: 4
David, a college student, rents a room from a single mother, Liz, and her daughter, Lucy. The only requirements are that he be neat and quiet. Oh! He must also 'not mind dragons.' The dragons, as it turns out, are actually a collection of clay figurines that Liz makes and sells at craft fairs. They are everywhere and she makes David a special dragon of his very own. Lucy draws David into her obsession with the local squirrels and David slowly begins to realize that there's something very strange about these clay dragons and their keepers.
The reading level is pretty simple with a few challenging words thrown in regularly. The overall tone is not particularly childish. This is an engaging story that is well written. The points that are confusing are obviously meant to be confusing. The fantasy elements are presented well and subtly.
Recommended to adults as a quick read and to most young adults.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Index 2008
December's Book Menu
1. Fire Within by Chris D'Lacey
2. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
3. New Moon by Stephanie Meyer
4. Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer
1. Fire Within by Chris D'Lacey
2. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
3. New Moon by Stephanie Meyer
4. Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer
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