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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
Maybe it's me, and I'm getting to be too critical about things, but this book didn't do anything new for me: three "orphans", a prophecy, a magic book, dwarves and other creatures, miserable orphanages, the human/non-human worlds shifting and moving apart, and a house with mysterious passages (not to mention a Misselthwaite Manor-like family of mice in the pool table). That, plus the fact that this is the start of a trilogy?
That's not to say this was all bad - there were some good things. I liked the idea of the Atlas being a vehicle for time-travel (although the Professor's explanations of how the timeline did and didn't shift were confusing). Michael's pleasure at finding that dwarves were real and his knowledge of their customs was humorous. I can see younger readers who like series like the Inheritance Trilogy enjoying this because many of the elements will seem new.
ARC provided by publisher.
That's not to say this was all bad - there were some good things. I liked the idea of the Atlas being a vehicle for time-travel (although the Professor's explanations of how the timeline did and didn't shift were confusing). Michael's pleasure at finding that dwarves were real and his knowledge of their customs was humorous. I can see younger readers who like series like the Inheritance Trilogy enjoying this because many of the elements will seem new.
ARC provided by publisher.
I'm looking forward to the rest of this series. Had everything a good fantasy shoud have-wizards,dwawfs,bad guys,heros,a big mystery to solve!
Kate, Michael and Emma P. (Penguin, Perkins, Parisomony?) Have no idea what their last name is or where their parents are. The three siblings have been raised in series of orphanages since they were very little. But they insist they are not orphans - one day their parents are coming back for them. Unfortunately, it's been ten years since the children were abandoned and the orphanages have been getting progressively worse. When the children end up at an orphanage in the tiny backwater of Cambridge Falls they stumble into a magic world and discover that they each have an integral part to play in saving Cambridge Falls from an ancient evil as they search for a lost magical book.
The plot-line of this novel sounds similar to many middle-grade reader fantasies, however the execution is so well done it's hard not to fall in love. I was very strongly reminded of the Harry Potter series in the tone and feel of the writing throughout. Stephens creates a host of characters that stand out and are easy to identify with and he fills a fully-fleshed out world with them. The world building in this book was very well done and I loved all the little details. Stephens brought the story to life with just enough description to set the scene but not so much that the reader is bogged down.
This is a fun, fast read that will appeal to fantasy fans and reluctant readers. I think it will do equally well with boys and girls and I can't wait to pass this book on to my children. I'll be eagerly waiting for the next two books in the series.
I have only one real criticism of the book - it's spoilery, however, so I'll share that below for all who care to read on.
SPOILERS BELOW
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Like many middle-grade and early YA books there are few real consequences for the main characters in this novel. Emma is badly injured early on and is miraculously healed with only a tiny scar and no other lasting effects. Another main character, Gabriel, supposedly dies but then in the end it turns out he's just fine and dandy. The lack of consequences, of any real lasting impact of various actions and sacrifices lessened the appeal of the book for me.
I would have respected the book and author more if he'd been willing to let even one character stay injured or even, *gasp* die. There is a tendency to sugar-coat children's literature as though kids are too fragile to handle any lasting consequence or outcome befalling their beloved characters. I'd argue that on the contrary, as you see with books like the later Harry Potter novels and all 3 of the Hunger Games novels, audiences appreciate when an author lets bad things happen and deals with it rather than waving a magic wand and making everything perfect. Life is not perfect and it's possible to show that while still having a happy and satisfying ending.
The plot-line of this novel sounds similar to many middle-grade reader fantasies, however the execution is so well done it's hard not to fall in love. I was very strongly reminded of the Harry Potter series in the tone and feel of the writing throughout. Stephens creates a host of characters that stand out and are easy to identify with and he fills a fully-fleshed out world with them. The world building in this book was very well done and I loved all the little details. Stephens brought the story to life with just enough description to set the scene but not so much that the reader is bogged down.
This is a fun, fast read that will appeal to fantasy fans and reluctant readers. I think it will do equally well with boys and girls and I can't wait to pass this book on to my children. I'll be eagerly waiting for the next two books in the series.
I have only one real criticism of the book - it's spoilery, however, so I'll share that below for all who care to read on.
SPOILERS BELOW
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Like many middle-grade and early YA books there are few real consequences for the main characters in this novel. Emma is badly injured early on and is miraculously healed with only a tiny scar and no other lasting effects. Another main character, Gabriel, supposedly dies but then in the end it turns out he's just fine and dandy. The lack of consequences, of any real lasting impact of various actions and sacrifices lessened the appeal of the book for me.
I would have respected the book and author more if he'd been willing to let even one character stay injured or even, *gasp* die. There is a tendency to sugar-coat children's literature as though kids are too fragile to handle any lasting consequence or outcome befalling their beloved characters. I'd argue that on the contrary, as you see with books like the later Harry Potter novels and all 3 of the Hunger Games novels, audiences appreciate when an author lets bad things happen and deals with it rather than waving a magic wand and making everything perfect. Life is not perfect and it's possible to show that while still having a happy and satisfying ending.
De laatste keer dat ik dit boek, en de serie, las was ik denk ik 14. Ik ben blij dat het nog even goed was als ik me herinnerde.
goat's milk
morum cadi = montrous screeching muppets?
Jim Dale = GENIUS.
Love John Stephens' imagination--can't wait to meet him at http://bit.ly/whyboysread !
morum cadi = montrous screeching muppets?
Jim Dale = GENIUS.
Love John Stephens' imagination--can't wait to meet him at http://bit.ly/whyboysread !
Ages 9+
For HP or Percy Jackson fans, this doesn't break any new fantasy ground but it IS good escapist distraction when you've eaten too much Chinese food and are focusing on not barfing.
Grade for vom prevention: A
Grade for general enjoyment: B- (Even though it seems to be a mishmash of Snicket, Riordan, Rowling and Lewis, the plot would have kept reading had I not needed a distraction technique)
And I thought it was more enjoyable than The Red Pyramid.
For HP or Percy Jackson fans, this doesn't break any new fantasy ground but it IS good escapist distraction when you've eaten too much Chinese food and are focusing on not barfing.
Grade for vom prevention: A
Grade for general enjoyment: B- (Even though it seems to be a mishmash of Snicket, Riordan, Rowling and Lewis, the plot would have kept reading had I not needed a distraction technique)
And I thought it was more enjoyable than The Red Pyramid.
Not fair to rate a book I didn't finish and don't intend to.
I was told by a friend to listen to this on audiobook and it turned out to be a great way to hear the story. Jim Dale is the narrator and he is fantastic. I think the narration by Dale really added a lot to the overall story for me. It is one I would recommend as an audiobook.
