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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
My daughter (age 9) read this and recommended it to me. It's a great young-adult book--original setting, very imaginative, suspenseful. Looking forward to reading Kenneth Oppel's other books.
I will be honest, I was not really 100% interested in reading this book. I'm not sure why, but it just didn't seem interesting! HOWEVER, after the first couple of chapters, I really started to enjoy the adventure and story. I love how there was adventure, trains, and best of all a circus (thank goodness for no clowns!). I was really happy with how well the author made this book interesting for many different readers by including fantasy, trains, circus, and adventure. This book can really relate to anyone.
This is a great middle read because it's about a boy trying to find his way in the world. He's trying to figure out his story. So many kids are trying to figure out their stories of what they want to be when they grow up, or who they want to be in middle school (am I the class clown? The jock? The nerd?). Also, this is the age where kids start wanting to date, so a little romance is included between the main character Will and the Maren (but nothing to where parents should worry).
This is also a great adventure book! From the hammering of the last spike in the railroad, to fighting sasquatch and avalanches, to being a part of a train heist; Will keeps you thouroughly entertained from beginning to end. I could definitely see many of my sixth grade friends, both male and female, enjoying this book and I recommend it to anyone who has a thing for getting caught in the right place at the right time to create their story.
This is a great middle read because it's about a boy trying to find his way in the world. He's trying to figure out his story. So many kids are trying to figure out their stories of what they want to be when they grow up, or who they want to be in middle school (am I the class clown? The jock? The nerd?). Also, this is the age where kids start wanting to date, so a little romance is included between the main character Will and the Maren (but nothing to where parents should worry).
This is also a great adventure book! From the hammering of the last spike in the railroad, to fighting sasquatch and avalanches, to being a part of a train heist; Will keeps you thouroughly entertained from beginning to end. I could definitely see many of my sixth grade friends, both male and female, enjoying this book and I recommend it to anyone who has a thing for getting caught in the right place at the right time to create their story.
An interesting fictionalization of some key events in Canadian history. I really liked this book, it was unique and kept me engaged throughout. I will share it with intermediate students in the future.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Cultural appropriation
"The moment is just a moment, but it contains multitudes."
That was disappointing.
I really wanted to like this book, and at first I did, but then it went downhill from there. It felt like it was building up for something that never came. It was too descriptive when it didn't need to be, and not enough when it didn't, and felt lacking somehow. Almost as if this wasn't the final copy of the book, and they accidentally printed that version instead of the fully edited one.
The concept was very interesting. Running on top of a 'boundless' train with a killer on your tail? Sounds fun. (Or at least to me). Yet, it ended up feeling more like a middle grade book than a young adult book, as it just didn't have much depth.
The characters were pretty boring. And I was so annoyed that Will felt the need that he had to protect Maren. Maren was such a bada** and she did NOT need Will's help. And besides Mr. Dorian, (who I actually really liked, he was such a morally grey character), all the other ones were boring. I kind of wished that I DNF'ed this one, but it's one of those books where you're itching to find out what happens, so you just rush through it. Now, I didn't rush through it by any means, but when I was reading it, I did find myself reading faster than normal, and not because it was really good.
The plot was fairly interesting in the beginning, but then everything slowed down until the final 'showdown' at the end which really wasn't that interesting. It's so sad because this book has an absolutely gorgeous design, and even more so in person, but I was really disappointed.
I really wanted to like this book, and at first I did, but then it went downhill from there. It felt like it was building up for something that never came. It was too descriptive when it didn't need to be, and not enough when it didn't, and felt lacking somehow. Almost as if this wasn't the final copy of the book, and they accidentally printed that version instead of the fully edited one.
The concept was very interesting. Running on top of a 'boundless' train with a killer on your tail? Sounds fun. (Or at least to me). Yet, it ended up feeling more like a middle grade book than a young adult book, as it just didn't have much depth.
The characters were pretty boring. And I was so annoyed that Will felt the need that he had to protect Maren. Maren was such a bada** and she did NOT need Will's help. And besides Mr. Dorian, (who I actually really liked, he was such a morally grey character), all the other ones were boring. I kind of wished that I DNF'ed this one, but it's one of those books where you're itching to find out what happens, so you just rush through it. Now, I didn't rush through it by any means, but when I was reading it, I did find myself reading faster than normal, and not because it was really good.
The plot was fairly interesting in the beginning, but then everything slowed down until the final 'showdown' at the end which really wasn't that interesting. It's so sad because this book has an absolutely gorgeous design, and even more so in person, but I was really disappointed.
What a fantastic adventure. It reminds me of Airborn (in its sense of fun and grand adventure), but it's definitely its own story. I especially loved the part about the Muskeg hag. Shiver.
Two good books in two days... heck, this is another Oppel steampunk novel after all. Highly reminiscent of his [b:Airborn|428042|Airborn (Matt Cruse, #1)|Kenneth Oppel|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388350089s/428042.jpg|2519210] series with Will & Maren here instead of Matt & Kate.
There was also a rather interesting literary reference to [b:The Picture of Dorian Gray|5297|The Picture of Dorian Gray|Oscar Wilde|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1546103428s/5297.jpg|1858012] 4/5th of the way through, and I was pleased about it.
Also like the actual historical things Oppel placed in the book (like the Chang siamese twins!)
There was also a rather interesting literary reference to [b:The Picture of Dorian Gray|5297|The Picture of Dorian Gray|Oscar Wilde|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1546103428s/5297.jpg|1858012] 4/5th of the way through, and I was pleased about it.
Also like the actual historical things Oppel placed in the book (like the Chang siamese twins!)
This book was fantastic. The story kept me guessing and hooked the entire time. I loved the way he wrapped everything together. I will gladly read anything he writes.