I love a good Saturday read, and I love a good romance novel... This is the sequel to The Iron King, and both are Harlequin Teen Fiction. Based on characters from Much Ado About Nothing, we have Puck, Queen Mab, Oberon, and a host of other Fey who are in NeverNever and locked in a dance between the upper Sidhe and Unseelie Court. This is definitely Faery Fiction at it's finest. This is not Shakespeare.
Our plucky romantic lead is played by Meghan Chase, daughter of Oberon, and a member of the Summer Court (a half-human Sidhe) and she is the Juliet to our Romeo, Prince Ash, son of Queen Mab of the Unseelie Winter Court. Meghan is currently a prisoner in the Winter court...
1. It's an up and down love story, and it does require reading the first book in the series. However, it's not predictable and has several nice twists in the story. While the characters might feel predictable, the story is new. There are two lovers who are forbidden to be together, not just for one reason, but for several, and they aren't all clear from the outset. That's one of the nice twists of the story. 1 star.
2. The characters are nicely rounded. The heroine is strong. She spends the entire story discovering that she doesn't need the men to rescue her, she doesn't need magic to rescue her, and she doesn't need her father or her parents to rescue her. All of those things are nice, but everything necessary is inside her. She can choose any one of those things as extras, but who she is inside is enough. That's a message not often found, and is so incredibly rare in a romance novel that I'm going to give this book 2 stars just for having the message at all! She fights the demons, and all of the most important, most strong characters, including powerful characters in the book, are female. Love it. Love it, love it. Julie, you are clever. That the male characters are also nice people is great, too. Don't get me wrong. The two men who are in love with her are nice men. She has a choice between two nice men, and it's not an easy choice. Julie. Again. A great reason for 2 stars.
3. I like that Meghan's story has a happy ending at this point. At the end of book 1, she had a good resolution. At the end of book 2, she has a great resolution. However, it's very obvious to me where Kagawa is headed with this story. I know what the only possible truly happy ending can be. I hope there's a twist I haven't seen yet. I'm pulling for ya, because I've just read book 4 Radiant Shadows in Melissa Marr's series, and I want something new. Give me something new... No, really.
At this point, it's a really solid series. Girls will enjoy it. I did. It's also a clean read, which is hard to find!! There was NO SEX in it!! It gets another star for that. You don't find that very often in teen lit...
4 stars, recommend.
28 August 2010
The Atlantis Complex (Artemis grows a conscience)
It's been two full years since I read The Time Paradox, time enough to cleanse my palate and want to revisit Atlantis and my favorite teen villain, Artemis. In fact, time enough to hope Coulfer had reinvented Artemis and re-energized the series.
After the tragic epic fail of The Time Paradox, either nothing could be worse, or Artemis had only one last chance... So, here we were.
1. Most of the plot is once again in the arctic. Brrr. I was concerned at the start of the novel with several things. Let me outline them quickly so that I can get them out of the way: global warming (yawn), OCD/mental complex (over-done?), rehash of old villains (blah, blah, blah). However, Coulfer quickly convinced me that he was not going to bore me, preach to me, or give me something that sounded like a trip to the psychologist's chair. I also was interested in all the characters. They didn't sound old to me, even though I knew I knew them. They were new again. Kudos to Coulfer. 2 stars.
2. Artemis is definitely growing up. Coulfer could choose to do one of two things with the Fowl series. He could choose to do as several other writers do, and firmly ground Artemis in the 9-12 arena and leave him there as many writers do. Instead, Artemis is growing and evolving, more in the Rowling-Potter style. The books are getting longer, and Artemis is growing and learning. Artemis is much, much more complex than when book one was written in 2003. I must say, I adore him, and what pours out of him in several sections, while it may appall him in certain sections is delighting to the reader. Artemis is a round, amazing character. He's why I read Coulfer and very possibly my favorite fictional character of all time. Criminal mastermind, devoted son, bespoken suit, faery friend, demon defender. He's a total package. There are other darling heroes out there in books, but Artemis Fowl is quite possibly the best one in print. 1 star.
3. Captain Holly Short always saves the day. Give her a situation, and she can make it happen. She never gives up, she never gives in, and she can fly anything. Oh, and give her a weapon, and she'll usually use it against Artemis, not in malice, of course. The fact that she's a strong female character tickles me pink, and that she's always saving the day, and that she's round and not flat as a side-kick is also great bonus material. She and Foaly are fantastic back-up characters, but in this novel, Holly is worth her weight in gold. She moves the plot along, and she's the "driving" force in more ways than one. I'm pulling for Holly, and she's always dragging Artemis into doing the right thing. This time, Artemis drags Holly into the right thing, and the flip is just so delicious. Coulfer, I love you. 1 star.
4. Meh items? Colfer had some other plot items that I don't think he liked, and he did a bit of cleaning house. I think that's what the last book was about. The Time Paradox seemed a lot about cleaning up plot issues, or it was simply a mis-step. This time, there was a lot right in the Artemis Fowl world. I definitely enjoyed this book.
It's not my favorite book of the series, it's a strong one in this series. I adore who Artemis is becoming, and it had some funny moments. Recommend for the junior high set who like modern fantasy with gadgets in their mix. If they liked Anthony Horowitz's Alex Rider, they might like Artemis Fowl. I know I do.
4 stars
After the tragic epic fail of The Time Paradox, either nothing could be worse, or Artemis had only one last chance... So, here we were.
1. Most of the plot is once again in the arctic. Brrr. I was concerned at the start of the novel with several things. Let me outline them quickly so that I can get them out of the way: global warming (yawn), OCD/mental complex (over-done?), rehash of old villains (blah, blah, blah). However, Coulfer quickly convinced me that he was not going to bore me, preach to me, or give me something that sounded like a trip to the psychologist's chair. I also was interested in all the characters. They didn't sound old to me, even though I knew I knew them. They were new again. Kudos to Coulfer. 2 stars.
2. Artemis is definitely growing up. Coulfer could choose to do one of two things with the Fowl series. He could choose to do as several other writers do, and firmly ground Artemis in the 9-12 arena and leave him there as many writers do. Instead, Artemis is growing and evolving, more in the Rowling-Potter style. The books are getting longer, and Artemis is growing and learning. Artemis is much, much more complex than when book one was written in 2003. I must say, I adore him, and what pours out of him in several sections, while it may appall him in certain sections is delighting to the reader. Artemis is a round, amazing character. He's why I read Coulfer and very possibly my favorite fictional character of all time. Criminal mastermind, devoted son, bespoken suit, faery friend, demon defender. He's a total package. There are other darling heroes out there in books, but Artemis Fowl is quite possibly the best one in print. 1 star.
3. Captain Holly Short always saves the day. Give her a situation, and she can make it happen. She never gives up, she never gives in, and she can fly anything. Oh, and give her a weapon, and she'll usually use it against Artemis, not in malice, of course. The fact that she's a strong female character tickles me pink, and that she's always saving the day, and that she's round and not flat as a side-kick is also great bonus material. She and Foaly are fantastic back-up characters, but in this novel, Holly is worth her weight in gold. She moves the plot along, and she's the "driving" force in more ways than one. I'm pulling for Holly, and she's always dragging Artemis into doing the right thing. This time, Artemis drags Holly into the right thing, and the flip is just so delicious. Coulfer, I love you. 1 star.
4. Meh items? Colfer had some other plot items that I don't think he liked, and he did a bit of cleaning house. I think that's what the last book was about. The Time Paradox seemed a lot about cleaning up plot issues, or it was simply a mis-step. This time, there was a lot right in the Artemis Fowl world. I definitely enjoyed this book.
It's not my favorite book of the series, it's a strong one in this series. I adore who Artemis is becoming, and it had some funny moments. Recommend for the junior high set who like modern fantasy with gadgets in their mix. If they liked Anthony Horowitz's Alex Rider, they might like Artemis Fowl. I know I do.
4 stars
24 August 2010
Mockingjay! A Machiavellian Ride...
After back to school night, I came home to the most pleasant surprise: my copy from Amazon had arrived! Despite being absolutely knackered, I opened it about 10:30pm, and read it anyway. When I finished it... here are my thoughts:
1. Suzanne Collins did tie up all the loose ends. There's nothing to finish, no story, character, or plot to revisit. She tied everything up, and there are no plot holes. 1st star.
2. The characters are nicely rounded. Despite the book being told in first person, Katniss is not the only "main" character. The book is still deeply introspective, but Katniss is deeper, richer, and grows to be a likable character. She realizes who she is, what she wants, and the reader sees what they want for her in the future. Gale, Peeta, Prim, and the other characters are also nicely rounded out this time around. Even the more minor characters are likable. The villains are true antagonists vs nemesis, which makes them realistic. This is "real life" instead of "super heroes." Life in microcosm. 2 stars.
3. There was a lot of emotional appeal. I was torn about how it played emotionally. For its teen audience, I guess this is OK. Sometimes I wondered if this was more than needed. This will be great for the silver screen. Much of what happened in the book was a gigantic emotional appeal of "spots"--advertisements--promos (propo--propaganda) for either side of the revolution. "Tell me how to feel." One of the gigantic themes of the book is "Don't mess with how I feel". Real or not real? It plays on the philosophical idea that "reality exists in the mind" and that sanity is a state of mental clarity.
4. The book had a lot of action, jumped around in location, and went places. This was fine. It kept the reader waiting, wanting, and reading... Another star.
All in all, I give the book 4 stars. A good, solid finish to an excellent series. It had 2 plot twists I was not expecting (which is always good!) and tied up the series well.
1. Suzanne Collins did tie up all the loose ends. There's nothing to finish, no story, character, or plot to revisit. She tied everything up, and there are no plot holes. 1st star.
2. The characters are nicely rounded. Despite the book being told in first person, Katniss is not the only "main" character. The book is still deeply introspective, but Katniss is deeper, richer, and grows to be a likable character. She realizes who she is, what she wants, and the reader sees what they want for her in the future. Gale, Peeta, Prim, and the other characters are also nicely rounded out this time around. Even the more minor characters are likable. The villains are true antagonists vs nemesis, which makes them realistic. This is "real life" instead of "super heroes." Life in microcosm. 2 stars.
3. There was a lot of emotional appeal. I was torn about how it played emotionally. For its teen audience, I guess this is OK. Sometimes I wondered if this was more than needed. This will be great for the silver screen. Much of what happened in the book was a gigantic emotional appeal of "spots"--advertisements--promos (propo--propaganda) for either side of the revolution. "Tell me how to feel." One of the gigantic themes of the book is "Don't mess with how I feel". Real or not real? It plays on the philosophical idea that "reality exists in the mind" and that sanity is a state of mental clarity.
4. The book had a lot of action, jumped around in location, and went places. This was fine. It kept the reader waiting, wanting, and reading... Another star.
All in all, I give the book 4 stars. A good, solid finish to an excellent series. It had 2 plot twists I was not expecting (which is always good!) and tied up the series well.
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