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3.06 AVERAGE
3.06 AVERAGE
This book is kinda a mind-fuck. It doesn't do what you expect it to do. When I read the summary, I thought it'd be sort of a crazy Twilight revamp (especially considering the cover). It's nothing like that though.
To not ruin anything, it's just an example of how hard it is to get what you want. Even when it's given to you. Everything has a condition and nothing is free.
It wasn't an easy book to read, that's why it only gets 3 stars. I actually can't even figure out if I liked it or not. It just played so much with the mind. While the writing is clean, the descriptions are drawn out and boring. The conclusion is somewhat flawed. It's brilliant and yet boring..
The characters were in some ways hollow, and in other ways so developed. It's easy to see how they were pitted against each other, and totally dependent on their governess. Whereas if they weren't so blinded, they could have jointly accomplished all they wanted, and more.
To not ruin anything, it's just an example of how hard it is to get what you want. Even when it's given to you. Everything has a condition and nothing is free.
It wasn't an easy book to read, that's why it only gets 3 stars. I actually can't even figure out if I liked it or not. It just played so much with the mind. While the writing is clean, the descriptions are drawn out and boring. The conclusion is somewhat flawed. It's brilliant and yet boring..
The characters were in some ways hollow, and in other ways so developed. It's easy to see how they were pitted against each other, and totally dependent on their governess. Whereas if they weren't so blinded, they could have jointly accomplished all they wanted, and more.
**Review originally posted in November 2009.*
I have very mixed feelings on this book. On one hand, the idea was very thought out and well crafted. You can tell that Daniel and Dina put lots of time and thought into the story. They also put lots of time and thought into each one of the characters. Each one has their own personality and, basically, is their own character.
Yes, I realize how stupid that sounded. What I'm trying to say is that in some books, some characters seem just so... alike. But in Another Faust, each character is their own. I don't think there are two characters that I could name from this book that are even similar to each other. I think this was very well planning by the authors - it really makes the book unique.
On the other hand, I didn't really enjoy the book too much. The way it was written was just too... professional sounding, I guess I should say. At parts it was really hard to read because it seemed like there was almost too much thought put into it. At other parts, it was also hard for me to understand what was going on because the events weren't explained well enough.
Overall, though, a great idea written by Daniel and Dina, however I wish it was a little easier to understand. Three hearts.
I have very mixed feelings on this book. On one hand, the idea was very thought out and well crafted. You can tell that Daniel and Dina put lots of time and thought into the story. They also put lots of time and thought into each one of the characters. Each one has their own personality and, basically, is their own character.
Yes, I realize how stupid that sounded. What I'm trying to say is that in some books, some characters seem just so... alike. But in Another Faust, each character is their own. I don't think there are two characters that I could name from this book that are even similar to each other. I think this was very well planning by the authors - it really makes the book unique.
On the other hand, I didn't really enjoy the book too much. The way it was written was just too... professional sounding, I guess I should say. At parts it was really hard to read because it seemed like there was almost too much thought put into it. At other parts, it was also hard for me to understand what was going on because the events weren't explained well enough.
Overall, though, a great idea written by Daniel and Dina, however I wish it was a little easier to understand. Three hearts.
The first book in the Another series. One night in cities all over Europe five children disappear. They reappear in modern day New York as students in an elite private school. They seem to be orphans adopted by the beautiful, but creepy, Madame Vileroy. They begin to take over the school using their extraordinary gifts: reading minds, stopping time, seductive beauty, stealing power, and the ability to replay the past. The teenagers also begin to suffer the side effects of their appetites and are tempted to make other "deals with the devil" for even more power. But did all of the children really sell their souls for their gifts? What happens when two of the children begin to fight back and want out of the "deal"? A fascinating modern take on Faust, this story makes us think about the consequences of the choices we make. Teen readers will enjoy this series.
Let me start off by saying that I'd never heard of the Faust legend before reading this. Pretty simple idea: mortal, demon, soul, selling of said soul.
The prologue starts off five years before the rest of the book where we're introduced to our main characters who are Victoria from England, Christian from Scotland, twin sisters Belle and Bicé from Italy and Valentin from France who only have age and unhappiness in common. Then one night they all disappear from their beds.
The children reappear five years later in New York with their beautiful governess, Nicola Vileroy who's only outward imperfection is an odd left eye which pretty much scares the hell out of everyone. About a quarter of the book takes place before they're enrolled at Manhattan Marlowe School where the kids wreak havoc using "powers or gifts" that Vileroy has given them...for a price. As we learn very slowly throughout Another Faust and don't know for sure until the last hundred pages (well I didn't at least), Madame Vileroy is a demon! Was I surprised much? Not really since I'd been guessing she was a witch or something since each chapter has a flashback to some of the others our governess has "helped". The woman literally has an EVIL EYE! xD
Overall it wasn't a bad story but I didn't enjoy the characters. Victoria was a bitchy hag, Valentin was a liar and kind of lost his mind/any decency he may have ever possessed at the end, evil Vileroy (I know I'm supposed to hate the bad guy but sometimes I don't) and Belle who was so vain to start off with. I did like the story idea but I might have connected better if it was someone who had sold their soul for family or love...maybe. My biggest problem was that I felt like there wasn't a real ending and I don't do well with maybe they had a happily ever after.
So if you enjoy books about evil governesses and pretty dumb kids who will sell their souls for petty reasons, then you should read Another Faust.
The prologue starts off five years before the rest of the book where we're introduced to our main characters who are Victoria from England, Christian from Scotland, twin sisters Belle and Bicé from Italy and Valentin from France who only have age and unhappiness in common. Then one night they all disappear from their beds.
The children reappear five years later in New York with their beautiful governess, Nicola Vileroy who's only outward imperfection is an odd left eye which pretty much scares the hell out of everyone. About a quarter of the book takes place before they're enrolled at Manhattan Marlowe School where the kids wreak havoc using "powers or gifts" that Vileroy has given them...for a price. As we learn very slowly throughout Another Faust and don't know for sure until the last hundred pages (well I didn't at least), Madame Vileroy is a demon! Was I surprised much? Not really since I'd been guessing she was a witch or something since each chapter has a flashback to some of the others our governess has "helped". The woman literally has an EVIL EYE! xD
Overall it wasn't a bad story but I didn't enjoy the characters. Victoria was a bitchy hag, Valentin was a liar and kind of lost his mind/any decency he may have ever possessed at the end, evil Vileroy (I know I'm supposed to hate the bad guy but sometimes I don't) and Belle who was so vain to start off with. I did like the story idea but I might have connected better if it was someone who had sold their soul for family or love...maybe. My biggest problem was that I felt like there wasn't a real ending and I don't do well with maybe they had a happily ever after.
So if you enjoy books about evil governesses and pretty dumb kids who will sell their souls for petty reasons, then you should read Another Faust.
I found Another Faust to be an intriguing read. I kept reading on through it because I wanted to know more about what was going on.
There's very little action in Another Faust. Basically, there's just a tiny little bit. So if you love books that aren't just action, action, action then this book would definitely intrigue you.
I didn't absolutely love Another Faust but I found it to be a really interesting concept. Overall I would say that it was a good book. If I ever see it in shops I'll definitely buy a copy.
The characters were all really interesting. I don't know if I have a favourite or not but I think possibly Victoria just because of how different she was to other characters I'd ever read about before.
Another Faust is based on the Faustian Legend the most famous of which is Faust written by Goethe. I'm not really familiar with it but I vaguely knew the idea of it and from what I knew I can say that I thought Another Faust was an interesting way of putting a spin on the Faustian Bargain.
I quite liked the ending of Another Faust. It wasn't too bad. I think that the way the ending couldn't really go any other way. But it also left an opening for a second book if there ever wanted to be one.
The next book in the series is called Another Pan and I'm not really sure what it's going to be about but I will definitely be reading it out of interest and curiosity.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this to other people. But if you are looking for a book full of action this one isn't really for you. But definitely check it out even if you're not familiar with the Faustian Legend.
There's very little action in Another Faust. Basically, there's just a tiny little bit. So if you love books that aren't just action, action, action then this book would definitely intrigue you.
I didn't absolutely love Another Faust but I found it to be a really interesting concept. Overall I would say that it was a good book. If I ever see it in shops I'll definitely buy a copy.
The characters were all really interesting. I don't know if I have a favourite or not but I think possibly Victoria just because of how different she was to other characters I'd ever read about before.
Another Faust is based on the Faustian Legend the most famous of which is Faust written by Goethe. I'm not really familiar with it but I vaguely knew the idea of it and from what I knew I can say that I thought Another Faust was an interesting way of putting a spin on the Faustian Bargain.
I quite liked the ending of Another Faust. It wasn't too bad. I think that the way the ending couldn't really go any other way. But it also left an opening for a second book if there ever wanted to be one.
The next book in the series is called Another Pan and I'm not really sure what it's going to be about but I will definitely be reading it out of interest and curiosity.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this to other people. But if you are looking for a book full of action this one isn't really for you. But definitely check it out even if you're not familiar with the Faustian Legend.
It had some potential but ended up pretty darned lousy.
Booktalk:
Victoria doesn't win at everything. For this, her father is eternally disappointed in her. Christian's father has given up on life since the death of his wife. Everything is up to Christian now, finding shelter, stealing food, everything. Valentin's mother is a famous poet, and his father is a less famous drunk. He is well aware of what his father's lack of fame has cost him, even as his father is not. Belle knows she will never be as smart as her twin sister, so she irrationally hopes to become prettier. All that these four sad children have in common is their desperation, what they are willing to trade to get what they want and, more importantly, with whom.
Review:
This is a nice break from the current trend in paranormal/magic/otherworldly teen lit (or at least the stuff I've been reading). Instead of making a vampire or witch or werewolf into a good guy, Another Faust features four teens who actually make deals with the devil. And that's bad. None of them end up being good guys, though there are varying levels of bad. Two of them are saved from their hellish fate by the one teen in their group who never made the deal, a secret fifth. She was good in the beginning and she remains good through to the end.
Evil doesn't always look like evil, but once you realize who is evil in this book, they remain so. And they are really evil. I mean, these kids have traded their souls to the devil for beauty, fame, power, and wealth. The devil is their nanny. Living in high society New York, they call her their governess. Throughout the book, the teens are all doing their governess's bidding as she plans to bring powerful people into her grip through them. It never really becomes clear what the devil's big plan is, though it is clear that the plan is well thought out and complicated. Her plan is kind of abandoned as the teens break rank and try to regain their souls.
Even with some confusing moments and more than a few loose ends, I felt that this book ended in a satisfying way. I was completely sucked in to the story and glazed over the gaps and holes while reading. I would imagine that many others will do the same.
Victoria doesn't win at everything. For this, her father is eternally disappointed in her. Christian's father has given up on life since the death of his wife. Everything is up to Christian now, finding shelter, stealing food, everything. Valentin's mother is a famous poet, and his father is a less famous drunk. He is well aware of what his father's lack of fame has cost him, even as his father is not. Belle knows she will never be as smart as her twin sister, so she irrationally hopes to become prettier. All that these four sad children have in common is their desperation, what they are willing to trade to get what they want and, more importantly, with whom.
Review:
This is a nice break from the current trend in paranormal/magic/otherworldly teen lit (or at least the stuff I've been reading). Instead of making a vampire or witch or werewolf into a good guy, Another Faust features four teens who actually make deals with the devil. And that's bad. None of them end up being good guys, though there are varying levels of bad. Two of them are saved from their hellish fate by the one teen in their group who never made the deal, a secret fifth. She was good in the beginning and she remains good through to the end.
Evil doesn't always look like evil, but once you realize who is evil in this book, they remain so. And they are really evil. I mean, these kids have traded their souls to the devil for beauty, fame, power, and wealth. The devil is their nanny. Living in high society New York, they call her their governess. Throughout the book, the teens are all doing their governess's bidding as she plans to bring powerful people into her grip through them. It never really becomes clear what the devil's big plan is, though it is clear that the plan is well thought out and complicated. Her plan is kind of abandoned as the teens break rank and try to regain their souls.
Even with some confusing moments and more than a few loose ends, I felt that this book ended in a satisfying way. I was completely sucked in to the story and glazed over the gaps and holes while reading. I would imagine that many others will do the same.
This book was bizarre and it gave me unpleasant feelings but I ended up finishing it so that must say something. Cannot say whether I would recommend this to anyone though, because I didn't particularly enjoy it. Fascinating concept though.