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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
I've been dying to get my hands in this book for a very long time.
And after reading six chapters, I couldn't help but to feel a huge pang of disappointment.
No matter how much I tried to get on with the plot of the story, I just couldn't grasp it thus making me put it down.
Usually Mythology and Young Adult Fantasy books get along with my taste but The Alchemyst totally didn't comply with my liking.
And after reading six chapters, I couldn't help but to feel a huge pang of disappointment.
No matter how much I tried to get on with the plot of the story, I just couldn't grasp it thus making me put it down.
Usually Mythology and Young Adult Fantasy books get along with my taste but The Alchemyst totally didn't comply with my liking.
Sorely disappointing; perhaps it was not the right time for me to read it. I read this based on strong recommendations from multiple friends and I wonder if they maybe read it when they were younger (maybe when it first was published?).
The contradictory and repetitive language is really unnecessary. How many times does Scott need to note that Flamel is the Alchemyst? Once should be sufficient.
I like that Scott incorporates many belief systems and history, but not how he creatively and explicitly assigns historical events to mystical origins. Leave it to the reader's imagination. It's exactly what teachers repeat over and over, "Show the reader, don't tell them!" Informing is important, but the reader probably isn't dumb. Maybe it's really for 9 year olds, but even the Harry Potter books aren't this dumbed down.
Scott's intention is on point, but, for me, his writing misses the mark.
P.S. Fave quote, "There were just holly empty sockets where eyes should have been, and nestled in the sockets were perfect ovals of reflective glass." ARE THEY EMPTY OR NOT? And what is that comma doing in the middle of the sentence? Just hanging out?
The contradictory and repetitive language is really unnecessary. How many times does Scott need to note that Flamel is the Alchemyst? Once should be sufficient.
I like that Scott incorporates many belief systems and history, but not how he creatively and explicitly assigns historical events to mystical origins. Leave it to the reader's imagination. It's exactly what teachers repeat over and over, "Show the reader, don't tell them!" Informing is important, but the reader probably isn't dumb. Maybe it's really for 9 year olds, but even the Harry Potter books aren't this dumbed down.
Scott's intention is on point, but, for me, his writing misses the mark.
P.S. Fave quote, "There were just holly empty sockets where eyes should have been, and nestled in the sockets were perfect ovals of reflective glass." ARE THEY EMPTY OR NOT? And what is that comma doing in the middle of the sentence? Just hanging out?
As my experience with books grows, so does the difficulty of giving a high rating. Unlike many other adventure books i have read, this book, although quite enjoyable and creative, was not as good as i was hoping for.
My rating: 3.5
My rating: 3.5
This is the second or third time I've read this. It's a very quick read. The books covers about three days in the lives of our main characters. There are six books in the series and this is the first.
I started this series because it was on the list of "what to read next if you like Harry Potter". There was at some point a plan to turn it into a movie. I don't think there's enough in one book for a movie.
I like how this book weaves myths and legends into the real world. It's full of info on mythical creatures, places, and times. The characters seem accurately drawn. I find Josh to be petulant and annoying, but that's probably a good thing.
Will probably definitely read this again.
I started this series because it was on the list of "what to read next if you like Harry Potter". There was at some point a plan to turn it into a movie. I don't think there's enough in one book for a movie.
I like how this book weaves myths and legends into the real world. It's full of info on mythical creatures, places, and times. The characters seem accurately drawn. I find Josh to be petulant and annoying, but that's probably a good thing.
Will probably definitely read this again.
Despite the fact that the kids read more like twelve-year-olds than fifteen-year-olds, I did really enjoy this book. The mythology is well-researched and seamlessly woven together, and the adult characters are (mostly) a lot of fun. Definitely would highly recommend this one for young readers. I imagine at the very least it would interest them in a lot of world mythology and that's always a good thing. :)
I gave it to page 100, as I do most YA books I'm on the fence about, and then tossed it aside. Didn't engage me, and there was tremendous overuse of "they knew exactly what the other was thinking" kind of lines due to the main characters being twins. It was too much to take. The plot seemed interesting, just not written in a way that kept (or commanded) my attention.
I enjoyed this book almost as much as I enjoyed the first Harry Potter book! If you're looking for something with as much magic and fun as that series, I highly suggest this one!
Its starts slow at first but a friend said just get through it and get into the 2nd book. It picks up at the end as was as the end does end in a cliff hanger which I like so you have to want to get the 2nd book right away.
One of my facorite books of all time!! This is a must read, it will really make you step back and think things over.
All in all it was a good book. There was a point in the middle that I had to put it down for a while because I just couldn't get into. The mythology references add great dimension to the story. I think I will read the rest of the series because this was quiet the cliff hanger.