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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
adventurous
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
slow-paced
The whole plot revolves around “a wizard did it” trope.
Also Daniel was so frustrating and has no character arc. I’m not sure how this could retain a kid’s attention span and how it won any awards.
Also Daniel was so frustrating and has no character arc. I’m not sure how this could retain a kid’s attention span and how it won any awards.
I didn't realize before starting The Bronze Bow that this 1962 Newberry winner is actually Christian fiction, a testimony of Christ. It's the story of a young Zealot's heart being changed through his interactions with the Savior. It's not complex, as it's written for young readers, but I still enjoyed spending my Sunday afternoon in its pages.
3.5 stars.
3.5 stars.
challenging
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I actually really enjoyed this book, which came as a surprise to me. While I sort of wanted to punch Daniel in the face for being so whiny, I found myself saved by the nature of the story itself. Not bad, 1962. Not bad.
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was all right. It is about a boy living during Jesus' time. I found some of it interesting, but I also got bored a little. I know it's a children's book or at least a young adult, but I don't think my kids would find it that interesting.
I had high hopes for this one, considering I love Speare's [book:The Witch of Blackbird Pond|703292] so much, but I ultimately found it too long and too simplistic for my taste. Daniel is a fairly compelling protagonist, although I always find characters motivated solely by revenge to be a little overblown and one-dimensional. However, I couldn't shake the feeling that this whole book was Christian propaganda. I honestly don't think that was Speare's intention, but it was the result.
One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the historical-novel aspect; I enjoyed reading about how people at the turn of the millennium lived. I also enjoyed Speare's rendering of the political atmosphere during Jesus' life, which felt very relevant to contemporary times. However, ultimately, the story just wasn't quite compelling enough for me to feel like it wasn't just proselytizing.
One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the historical-novel aspect; I enjoyed reading about how people at the turn of the millennium lived. I also enjoyed Speare's rendering of the political atmosphere during Jesus' life, which felt very relevant to contemporary times. However, ultimately, the story just wasn't quite compelling enough for me to feel like it wasn't just proselytizing.
I can see why this won the Newberry award, but I didn't really feel like anything got resolved in the end. Decent enough book and I'm glad I read it, but in the end, I just didn't feel satisfied.