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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
This book was okay but not very well written. I regularly read middle grade books with outlandish premises but this one I had a hard time buying into. Also I found the asides to describe Will's crush on Maren to be jarring and often out of place. I really wanted to like this book but it left me feeling completely underwhelmed.
I wasn't really into it until about halfway through the book. For me, the killer was that the book was written in present tense. I did get into it and enjoy it quite a lot, but is it listworthy? I'm not sure.
adventurous
Good, quick pacing, not exactly gripping, but with enough interesting elements (gold rush, fantastical creatures, innovative train travel, circus details, chases, young boy as unlikely hero) to capture a young reader's attention.
I was completely charmed by this novel, which I listened to on audiobook. Honestly, I wasn't sure I'd like it. The opening scene is a little slow, but it quickly picks up. If I were to recommend this book to someone, I would tell them not to quit until they get to the "avalanche." That was the point at which I was all in. I also highly recommend the Brilliance Audio performance by Nick Pohdel, who does superb character voices.
I came to this book with practically no expectations, and that's probably why I was so delighted. I truly didn't know where each twist and turn would take things. I wasn't ever quite sure if the good characters were really good and if the bad characters were really bad. (But it all shakes out logically to a satisfying ending.)
It's a high-energy, fast-action story, which should entertain boys. (Think jumping from one train car to the next while someone is chasing you.) But there's also a lot of heart, and even a dab of romance. Like many middle grade adventure tales, it's also a coming-of-age story. A lot to like.
I came to this book with practically no expectations, and that's probably why I was so delighted. I truly didn't know where each twist and turn would take things. I wasn't ever quite sure if the good characters were really good and if the bad characters were really bad. (But it all shakes out logically to a satisfying ending.)
It's a high-energy, fast-action story, which should entertain boys. (Think jumping from one train car to the next while someone is chasing you.) But there's also a lot of heart, and even a dab of romance. Like many middle grade adventure tales, it's also a coming-of-age story. A lot to like.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Racial slurs, Violence, Murder
A fun fantasy with just the right touches of danger and darkness, similar to Oppel's other fantasy series. A good audiobook listen for the whole family and fans of adventure and fantasy.
"The Boundless" is a classic adventure story, packed with feats of daring, wild animals, a hint of magic, bloodthirsty criminals, and the promise of treasure. I loved the setting of the Canadian wilderness and the unimaginably huge train.
The only odd part of "The Boundless" was how much it reminded me of "Snowpiercer." There were just a few too many similarities to be comfortable, even the same particular cars on the train! Even though "Snowpiercer" is CLEARLY not a children's graphic novel or movie, it seemed like Oppel might have borrowed or been inspired by some plot features and settings from it. Either that or an odd coincidence...
The only odd part of "The Boundless" was how much it reminded me of "Snowpiercer." There were just a few too many similarities to be comfortable, even the same particular cars on the train! Even though "Snowpiercer" is CLEARLY not a children's graphic novel or movie, it seemed like Oppel might have borrowed or been inspired by some plot features and settings from it. Either that or an odd coincidence...
Honestly tho, if Kenneth Oppel had an endless supply of Jules Verne-esque books at the ready just for me, I would read nothing else.
4.5/5 stars
4.5/5 stars
I really liked this book.
Originally, we had to vote which one of the two books to read, and I voted for the other. Big mistake. The other book was... Inappropriate. Especially since there is a sixth grader in our book club. Definitely not appropriate for her. But anyway, my mother told me to grab a copy of the other book just before we left. When I got home, I started reading the other book, and I was soon bored. So, I cracked open this book, and I loved it. I felt as if there the perfect blend of history, legends, and fantasy. There wasn't much romance, and the author didn't rely on it much to keep the plot moving. That's was definitely a plus, as in this age category authors tend to base everything on the mushy gushy stuff.
Originally, we had to vote which one of the two books to read, and I voted for the other. Big mistake. The other book was... Inappropriate. Especially since there is a sixth grader in our book club. Definitely not appropriate for her. But anyway, my mother told me to grab a copy of the other book just before we left. When I got home, I started reading the other book, and I was soon bored. So, I cracked open this book, and I loved it. I felt as if there the perfect blend of history, legends, and fantasy. There wasn't much romance, and the author didn't rely on it much to keep the plot moving. That's was definitely a plus, as in this age category authors tend to base everything on the mushy gushy stuff.