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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
SERIES REVIEW:
Doesn't really compare to Narnia (few books do), but I quite like this series. It's unique and fun and full of all the fantasy elements I love, with some new, surprising, humorous quirks. Plus one of my favorite ships of all time in bk 2.
Recommended for middle grade and YA readers. Content: romance/kissing (teens), violence, main character death, distinctly anti-Christian view of the afterlife.
To a casual passerby, his appearance would not have inspired much confidence. His overcoat was patched in spots and frayed at the cuffs... and his tie- this was perhaps the strangest of all - was knotted not once, but twice, as if he'd forgotten whether he'd tied it and, rather than glancing down to check, had simply tied it again for good measure.... All in all, he looked like someone who'd gotten dressed in the midst of a whirlwind and, thinking he still looked too presentable, had thrown himself down a flight of stairs.
It was when you looked in his eyes that everything changed.
Reflecting no light save their own, they shone brightly in the snow-muffled night, and there was in them a look of such uncommon energy and kindness and understanding that you forgot entirely about [everything else]. You looked in them and knew that you were in the presence of true wisdom.
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read 2/14/2016
reread 1/21/2017
Doesn't really compare to Narnia (few books do), but I quite like this series. It's unique and fun and full of all the fantasy elements I love, with some new, surprising, humorous quirks. Plus one of my favorite ships of all time in bk 2.
Recommended for middle grade and YA readers. Content: romance/kissing (teens), violence, main character death, distinctly anti-Christian view of the afterlife.
To a casual passerby, his appearance would not have inspired much confidence. His overcoat was patched in spots and frayed at the cuffs... and his tie- this was perhaps the strangest of all - was knotted not once, but twice, as if he'd forgotten whether he'd tied it and, rather than glancing down to check, had simply tied it again for good measure.... All in all, he looked like someone who'd gotten dressed in the midst of a whirlwind and, thinking he still looked too presentable, had thrown himself down a flight of stairs.
It was when you looked in his eyes that everything changed.
Reflecting no light save their own, they shone brightly in the snow-muffled night, and there was in them a look of such uncommon energy and kindness and understanding that you forgot entirely about [everything else]. You looked in them and knew that you were in the presence of true wisdom.
---
read 2/14/2016
reread 1/21/2017
For all my love of all things Harry Potter, fantasy/magical novels--regardless of which age they are written for--aren't usually my thing. The premise for The Emerald Atlas, however, intrigued me. While it was a bit slow starting and it took some time to get into it and learn the setting, I think that is often true of fantasy stories. This certainly didn't lessen my enjoyment of it
Those who love fantasy and magic and books like Lemony Snicket or Percy Jackson will enjoy this one. The story has a familiar feel and with shades of Harry, Narnia and even Tolkien, this is a book full of magical, mystical creatures and time travel, and there is definitely a British flavor to it.
The story has something for everyone and Kate, Michael and Emma are terrific characters. I think I liked Michael the best! Dr. Pym is their mysterious benefactor and Gabriel is Emma's hero. There are evil wizards and good wizards. There are dwarves and witches and battles with swords and weapons. And there are three children who must discover their own destinies as they save the world.
The book is aimed at the middle grades (ages 6-12).
Those who love fantasy and magic and books like Lemony Snicket or Percy Jackson will enjoy this one. The story has a familiar feel and with shades of Harry, Narnia and even Tolkien, this is a book full of magical, mystical creatures and time travel, and there is definitely a British flavor to it.
The story has something for everyone and Kate, Michael and Emma are terrific characters. I think I liked Michael the best! Dr. Pym is their mysterious benefactor and Gabriel is Emma's hero. There are evil wizards and good wizards. There are dwarves and witches and battles with swords and weapons. And there are three children who must discover their own destinies as they save the world.
The book is aimed at the middle grades (ages 6-12).
It took awhile to get into, I felt it moved kind of slow. I also felt the writing had several weak points, and it's off-putting that the author was apart of film production, you can tell in the writing. Some things were not explained well and dialogue was very patchy and vague. I did enjoy the story overall though
Loved this book! Looking forward to the next two!
Ok, I loved this book. There are of course similarities between this and Harry Potter - the kids are orphans (sort of) who learn that there's a prophecy about them and their Very Important Destiny, they're hidden away in a comically awful situation for their safety, they meet an old wizard and a very large man who both turn out to be lovable and awesome. There are villains being controlled by much worse villains, there are monsters and dwarves, and magic that is deliciously complicated and ancient. And the line was blurred even more for me because I listened to the audio version read by Jim Dale - who does all the voices (brilliantly as always) with British accents which makes you forget that the story is taking place in America.
But I didn't mind any lack of originality because the more important similarity is the style of the writing itself, which like JKR's is full of both humor and seriousness and themes about right and wrong, life and death, loyalty, bravery and love. Each of the three main characters - yes, another trio, but this time with two girls and they're siblings - are richly complex and fascinating to watch as they grow and bond tightly together. There aren't all the fun literary references that some of us nerds adore about JKR, but otherwise it felt so much like one of her books, I almost wondered if she had secretly written it.
I was in tears by the end and immediately downloaded the next book in the series. I'm hooked. John Stephens is my new love.
But I didn't mind any lack of originality because the more important similarity is the style of the writing itself, which like JKR's is full of both humor and seriousness and themes about right and wrong, life and death, loyalty, bravery and love. Each of the three main characters - yes, another trio, but this time with two girls and they're siblings - are richly complex and fascinating to watch as they grow and bond tightly together. There aren't all the fun literary references that some of us nerds adore about JKR, but otherwise it felt so much like one of her books, I almost wondered if she had secretly written it.
I was in tears by the end and immediately downloaded the next book in the series. I'm hooked. John Stephens is my new love.
It may be a YA book, but I LOVED every second of it! Super fast read and good story. Reminds me a little of the Lemony Snicket books - especially the sibling characters!
I enjoyed reading this book more than I thought I would. I borrowed it from my local library because I read on a blog that this was an excellent read. I didn't realize from the blogger that this was a fantasy children's book. I figured I've read the entire Harry Potter series what's one more children's book.
It was thrilling! I could not put the book down. I must admit that I am one those people who will read the ending just to see how it ends...yes I did. But even knowing the ending didn't deter me from wanting to keep reading to see how it will end. There were a few times that I almost missed my stop on the subway because I was so absorbed in the book.
I was terribly disappointed that the next book in the trilogy is not yet published. I'm actually considering buying this book. I don't want to wait to read it.
I highly recommend this book to everyone.
It was thrilling! I could not put the book down. I must admit that I am one those people who will read the ending just to see how it ends...yes I did. But even knowing the ending didn't deter me from wanting to keep reading to see how it will end. There were a few times that I almost missed my stop on the subway because I was so absorbed in the book.
I was terribly disappointed that the next book in the trilogy is not yet published. I'm actually considering buying this book. I don't want to wait to read it.
I highly recommend this book to everyone.
I enjoyed reading this book more than I thought I would. I borrowed it from my local library because I read on a blog that this was an excellent read. I didn't realize from the blogger that this was a fantasy children's book. I figured I've read the entire Harry Potter series what's one more children's book.
It was thrilling! I could not put the book down. I must admit that I am one those people who will read the ending just to see how it ends...yes I did. But even knowing the ending didn't deter me from wanting to keep reading to see how it will end. There were a few times that I almost missed my stop on the subway because I was so absorbed in the book.
I was terribly disappointed that the next book in the trilogy is not yet published. I'm actually considering buying this book. I don't want to wait to read it.
I highly recommend this book to everyone.
It was thrilling! I could not put the book down. I must admit that I am one those people who will read the ending just to see how it ends...yes I did. But even knowing the ending didn't deter me from wanting to keep reading to see how it will end. There were a few times that I almost missed my stop on the subway because I was so absorbed in the book.
I was terribly disappointed that the next book in the trilogy is not yet published. I'm actually considering buying this book. I don't want to wait to read it.
I highly recommend this book to everyone.