I couldn't even wait a whole day to read this book. I bought it yesterday, and then I think I ate it for lunch. Actually, yes, now that I think of it, that's the truth. I'm only realizing now that I am rather hungry, and it is entirely John Green's fault that I read my way through lunch and didn't even care.
It's everything that I wish I could write. In these past few minutes after I finished the book, I can only describe my feelings as breathless. It's the best feeling in the world, and it's always how I want to feel when I've finished a book.
And, it's given me a clever phrase to think when I can't figure out what to say, "My thoughts are stars I can't fathom into constellations."
This is exactly why I want to be a writer, and if I can't be a writer, then I'm going to be an editor. More books like this one need to exist. My advice is, if you haven't read this book yet, stop whatever you're doing (eating, sleeping, nothing) because you won't care about whatever is was that you were doing until you finally read all the way through to that final page.
And now, I must to go because I really am starving.
Showing posts with label Book Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book Review. Show all posts
Friday, April 4, 2014
Saturday, March 8, 2014
The Rithmatist
I just finished reading Brandon Sanderson's The Rithmatist. It was a pretty good read. World building is definitely one of Brandon Sanderson's strong points as a writer. The Rithmatist is a steampunk/gearpunk YA novel that takes place in a world very similar to ours, but different. The United States is actually the United Isles. I believe there are about 60 islands total. We join the main character, Joel, at Armedius Academy, where they train Rithmatists to defend the world against wild chalklings--yeah, wild creatures made of chalk. But they're pretty dangerous. A couple of times, we find out what happens to someone attacked by these chalklings, and it's not very pretty. Like I said, Brandon Sanderson is great at building new worlds and then taking us into them.
That being said, I think I prefer his adult novels. The Mistborn trilogy is still my favorite, but I haven't yet been able to dive into The Way of Kings. I'm waiting until I graduate for that one--I think I'll need the extra time. And, getting back onto my train of thought, his YA novels aren't as compelling to me as his adult novels. The endings was still surprising and good (I've never been disappointed at the end of one of his books). I was pleased that things weren't wrapped up quite in the way that I was expecting. There was just enough resolution of conflict to satisfy me, but at the same time "the plot thickens."
I'm not quite sure that Joel has the voice of a 16 year old, especially since he often is accompanied by a girl of his same age, yet he rarely thinks about her in a romantic sort of way. Maybe there are some teenage boys that don't think about that, but I would guess that plenty do. He does seem to be pretty engrossed in Rithmatics, so perhaps that obsession pushes all romantic notions out of his head.
Those are my only complaints. I'm curious to see what happens in the next installment.
Brandon Sanderson is a pretty big name in fantasy these days, but if you do't know who he is, you should check out his website. And if you haven't read Mistborn, put down what you're reading (if it's boring) and pick that one up!
http://brandonsanderson.com/
That being said, I think I prefer his adult novels. The Mistborn trilogy is still my favorite, but I haven't yet been able to dive into The Way of Kings. I'm waiting until I graduate for that one--I think I'll need the extra time. And, getting back onto my train of thought, his YA novels aren't as compelling to me as his adult novels. The endings was still surprising and good (I've never been disappointed at the end of one of his books). I was pleased that things weren't wrapped up quite in the way that I was expecting. There was just enough resolution of conflict to satisfy me, but at the same time "the plot thickens."
I'm not quite sure that Joel has the voice of a 16 year old, especially since he often is accompanied by a girl of his same age, yet he rarely thinks about her in a romantic sort of way. Maybe there are some teenage boys that don't think about that, but I would guess that plenty do. He does seem to be pretty engrossed in Rithmatics, so perhaps that obsession pushes all romantic notions out of his head.
Those are my only complaints. I'm curious to see what happens in the next installment.
Brandon Sanderson is a pretty big name in fantasy these days, but if you do't know who he is, you should check out his website. And if you haven't read Mistborn, put down what you're reading (if it's boring) and pick that one up!
http://brandonsanderson.com/
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Maladaptive Bind
I just finished Sarah E. Seeley's book, Maladaptive Bind, and I must say that I enjoyed the read! I don't want to give away too much of the story for those who haven't read it, but I was particularly interested in the internal conflict of the main character.
Angela (the protagonist) is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as LDS or Mormons. As a member of this church myself, it was very interesting to be in Angela's point of view as she encounters a darkness that she had never imagined and struggles with her desire to embrace it but at the same time push it away. A huge part of the struggle involves her own physical transformation into something she considers a monster and the emotions and desires that accompany the physical change.
I mean, it's difficult enough at times to obey God's commandments as a normal human being. So what would happen if our bodies changed yet again, bringing with them a change in needs and a changed mindset? How much more difficult would it be to control our actions and our emotions? You can't help but sympathize with her as she battles within herself to live as she did before.
It was definitely worth the read!
You can get it in paperback or on your kindle at Amazon:
http://amzn.to/1cdBDmp
Or it's also at Barnes and Noble
http://bit.ly/1k1IFT2
Angela (the protagonist) is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as LDS or Mormons. As a member of this church myself, it was very interesting to be in Angela's point of view as she encounters a darkness that she had never imagined and struggles with her desire to embrace it but at the same time push it away. A huge part of the struggle involves her own physical transformation into something she considers a monster and the emotions and desires that accompany the physical change.
I mean, it's difficult enough at times to obey God's commandments as a normal human being. So what would happen if our bodies changed yet again, bringing with them a change in needs and a changed mindset? How much more difficult would it be to control our actions and our emotions? You can't help but sympathize with her as she battles within herself to live as she did before.
It was definitely worth the read!
You can get it in paperback or on your kindle at Amazon:
http://amzn.to/1cdBDmp
Or it's also at Barnes and Noble
http://bit.ly/1k1IFT2
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