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racheln23's review against another edition
3.0
I was definitely disappointed with the second installment of this series. I would have liked to have seen some more fantastical elements.
I disliked the way that Daria’s language acquisition was explained. Even as an evolved person, it just wasn’t believable. What if the characters encounter other ancient people at some time in the next few books? Maybe there should have been a language key - like a magical Rosetta Stone. I think it would have been more plausible to explain Daria’s language with adding a little more magic... something like if she touched someone’s forehead or lips, their language understanding (or vocabulary) was transferred to her... it’s plausible to think a select can quickly understand grammatical structure of a language but not that she can acquire so much vocabulary.
Another thing I disliked was that the split in time part was a little confusing. Were we in the real ancient babylon but time moved differently? Were we in an alternate ancient babylon? The author didn’t seem too concerned about leaving footprints in the past (if indeed it was the past), something which made it all a bit confusing. Of course, I imagine kids who are reading these books take the info at face value and don’t think too deeply. But to satisfy a curious parent, the author should have been a little more prepared with explanations.
I disliked the way that Daria’s language acquisition was explained. Even as an evolved person, it just wasn’t believable. What if the characters encounter other ancient people at some time in the next few books? Maybe there should have been a language key - like a magical Rosetta Stone. I think it would have been more plausible to explain Daria’s language with adding a little more magic... something like if she touched someone’s forehead or lips, their language understanding (or vocabulary) was transferred to her... it’s plausible to think a select can quickly understand grammatical structure of a language but not that she can acquire so much vocabulary.
Another thing I disliked was that the split in time part was a little confusing. Were we in the real ancient babylon but time moved differently? Were we in an alternate ancient babylon? The author didn’t seem too concerned about leaving footprints in the past (if indeed it was the past), something which made it all a bit confusing. Of course, I imagine kids who are reading these books take the info at face value and don’t think too deeply. But to satisfy a curious parent, the author should have been a little more prepared with explanations.
literallykalasin's review against another edition
3.0
Cas, Aly, and Jack pursue the missing Marco to Iraq where they discover that the key to finding the second loculus is not in the present, but to traveling back in time to visit the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
This is the first audiobook I've listened to in probably five years, and I forgot how much they force you to pace yourself. There's no speeding up at the good parts or skimming over boring bits; you "read" at the discretion and timing of your narrator.
With that said, I liked this book as an audiobook. The story itself is fast paced and action packed, and the narrator was good at capturing the tones and attitudes of children on the cusp of adolescence. Where it was weak was character differentiation -- the adults all had their own voices, but the only one of the kids that really had his own characterised voice was Marco. Cas, Aly, and Jack all blended together in their similarities, forcing you to wait for the verbal cues telling you who was speaking.
This is the first audiobook I've listened to in probably five years, and I forgot how much they force you to pace yourself. There's no speeding up at the good parts or skimming over boring bits; you "read" at the discretion and timing of your narrator.
With that said, I liked this book as an audiobook. The story itself is fast paced and action packed, and the narrator was good at capturing the tones and attitudes of children on the cusp of adolescence. Where it was weak was character differentiation -- the adults all had their own voices, but the only one of the kids that really had his own characterised voice was Marco. Cas, Aly, and Jack all blended together in their similarities, forcing you to wait for the verbal cues telling you who was speaking.
jscarpa14's review against another edition
3.0
I tried listening to this as an audiobook before right after listening to the last one and I just couldn't get into it. The first book really gripped me but this one I don't know quite how to explain it because logically I should have been more drawn into this one than that less, however that really wasn't the case for me.
The action is upped in this second installment and so is the magic. This time the select are in search of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and what they find in that search is incredible -- a people lost in their own pocket of time that moves so much slower than our own that going there for two days their time is six months in ours.
Oddly I think it was Babylon itself that kept me from really getting into this story. You never really know what most of the characters were saying, only what Daria bothered to translate for them and while her language skills were impressive she didn't completely understand English herself, so you don't really know how much is getting lost in the translation.
The book seems to feature betrayal on top of betrayal and the characters are put through an emotional ringer of both loss and wondering who they can trust. Marco becomes even more obnoxious than he was in the first novel as you progress through this one.
The book is from a series where you have to read each piece in order to understand the story, one book picks up right where the last leaves off. That said if you liked the last book in the series you kind of have to read this one and the book does have it's strong points, but I wouldn't call it the best installment of the series.
The action is upped in this second installment and so is the magic. This time the select are in search of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and what they find in that search is incredible -- a people lost in their own pocket of time that moves so much slower than our own that going there for two days their time is six months in ours.
Oddly I think it was Babylon itself that kept me from really getting into this story. You never really know what most of the characters were saying, only what Daria bothered to translate for them and while her language skills were impressive she didn't completely understand English herself, so you don't really know how much is getting lost in the translation.
The book seems to feature betrayal on top of betrayal and the characters are put through an emotional ringer of both loss and wondering who they can trust. Marco becomes even more obnoxious than he was in the first novel as you progress through this one.
The book is from a series where you have to read each piece in order to understand the story, one book picks up right where the last leaves off. That said if you liked the last book in the series you kind of have to read this one and the book does have it's strong points, but I wouldn't call it the best installment of the series.
readinglife's review against another edition
4.0
Not as much of a page turner as the first one, but still really good. Although I must say I now have a really bad relationship with one specific character (if you read it you'll probably know who), even if I feel like later on the author will turn things around for them (most likely still gonna dislike the character though).
One thing I got to say is that this author makes awesome endings to this books. To be honest my enjoyment really spiked up near the end and that's why it became a four star read. Just like it happened with the first book his endings are so well written that I can't wait to pick up the next one.
One thing I got to say is that this author makes awesome endings to this books. To be honest my enjoyment really spiked up near the end and that's why it became a four star read. Just like it happened with the first book his endings are so well written that I can't wait to pick up the next one.
tankica_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
licensetoshelbs's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
atlantiareads's review against another edition
4.0
The adventure continues in "Seven Wonders: Lost In Babylon" by Peter Lerangis. Let me start off by saying this is book two in a series and these books cannot be read out of order.
Now for my thoughts on this new installation in the Seven Wonders series. I didn't like this book as much as I would have expected. It might have had something to do with Marco, one of the main characters, being incredibly annoying in this book. I mean from the very first page he was getting on my nerves. But other than that I found this book to be one heck of a wild adventure that anyone could love.
I found that with the turn of a the next page a new quest and mystery lay ahead for the young hero's of "Lost In Babylon". This made the book just fly by. Another aspect I really enjoyed was all of the puzzles that were incorporated into the story. Mr. Lerangis has created a series of novels that are very creative and unique to their genre, and any young reader would love the stories he has to tell.
This book picks up right where book 1 left off. The set of friends are once again let loose into the world to find the next wonder and Loculus. I have to admit I was constantly surprised by plot twists within this book. So many new things were discovered in this sequel and I'm once again left eagerly awaiting the next book!
After returning to the KI the disappearance of Marco and the first Loculus is weighing heavenly on the shoulders of Jack and his friends. But there is little time to wallow in sadness for what they've lost. Their lives depend on finding all seven Loculi, so Jack, Cass, and Aly set out on the next leg of the quest.
With only a couple clues to follow, the heroic band of friends set out to find a whole new wonder, The Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Only through friendship and trust will this group be able to find the next Loculus. Be sure to join the adventure to see what happens to these brave kids next!
Reviewed on Night Owl Reviews:
http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Reviews/Orangepeacock-reviews-Lost-In-Babylon-by-Peter-Lerangis
Now for my thoughts on this new installation in the Seven Wonders series. I didn't like this book as much as I would have expected. It might have had something to do with Marco, one of the main characters, being incredibly annoying in this book. I mean from the very first page he was getting on my nerves. But other than that I found this book to be one heck of a wild adventure that anyone could love.
I found that with the turn of a the next page a new quest and mystery lay ahead for the young hero's of "Lost In Babylon". This made the book just fly by. Another aspect I really enjoyed was all of the puzzles that were incorporated into the story. Mr. Lerangis has created a series of novels that are very creative and unique to their genre, and any young reader would love the stories he has to tell.
This book picks up right where book 1 left off. The set of friends are once again let loose into the world to find the next wonder and Loculus. I have to admit I was constantly surprised by plot twists within this book. So many new things were discovered in this sequel and I'm once again left eagerly awaiting the next book!
After returning to the KI the disappearance of Marco and the first Loculus is weighing heavenly on the shoulders of Jack and his friends. But there is little time to wallow in sadness for what they've lost. Their lives depend on finding all seven Loculi, so Jack, Cass, and Aly set out on the next leg of the quest.
With only a couple clues to follow, the heroic band of friends set out to find a whole new wonder, The Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Only through friendship and trust will this group be able to find the next Loculus. Be sure to join the adventure to see what happens to these brave kids next!
Reviewed on Night Owl Reviews:
http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Reviews/Orangepeacock-reviews-Lost-In-Babylon-by-Peter-Lerangis
tara_dear's review against another edition
4.0
For most of the book, I expected to give it 3 stars. And I would have, but I loved the last chapter. If you read it, don't cheat.
mafs3's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
archvine18's review against another edition
Not bad. Though it'd be as boring as the other authors of 39 Clues.