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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
First of three -- enjoyed the adventures of the kids -- reminded me of Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising books.
adventurous
challenging
Storyline/Plot: 5/5
Concept/Ideas: 5/5
Characters: 3/5
Writing style: 4/5
Concept/Ideas: 5/5
Characters: 3/5
Writing style: 4/5
Intriguing, fresh, and suspenseful. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and couldn't want to start book 2!
'The Emerald Atlas' is what you'd get if J.K Rowling and Lemony Snicket hooked up and had a baby.
I got this as an uncorrected proof last year and decided to read it because the sales rep absolutely raved about it. As children's lit goes, it's pretty good. It gets a teensy bit lost along the way, but all in all it was a really enjoyable read. It's plain to see that an average 10-12 year old reader will absolutely adore it for it's action-packed plot, mystery and funny dialogue. And I have to admit that I will be in line to buy the sequel.
I got this as an uncorrected proof last year and decided to read it because the sales rep absolutely raved about it. As children's lit goes, it's pretty good. It gets a teensy bit lost along the way, but all in all it was a really enjoyable read. It's plain to see that an average 10-12 year old reader will absolutely adore it for it's action-packed plot, mystery and funny dialogue. And I have to admit that I will be in line to buy the sequel.
I happened upon this book at a thrift store and just liked the cover. Said it was like a "teeny" Narnia. Sooo like well yeah oll give it a go.
So, after these three siblings parents disappear leaving nothing not even a last name they get tossed from orphanage to orphanage for 10 years until they end up in a orphanage with a odd old man and they are the only 3 kids there
So, after these three siblings parents disappear leaving nothing not even a last name they get tossed from orphanage to orphanage for 10 years until they end up in a orphanage with a odd old man and they are the only 3 kids there
Overall, lackluster. I'm finding out, I don't think I like many "middle-grade" books. This had interesting concepts, I love time travel fantasy, and it even had some dark stuff-unfortunately, there was just too much corny and supposed to be funny moments and themes. And the ending was also too happy for me. Plus, the story lacked a good arch-it was kind of just problem after problem instead of building to something large-too much action makes the reader not care about any of it. Also, this audio reader makes me want to hit my head on the steering wheel when I'm driving. I hated all this voices and sound effects-I DO NOT want to hear people chewing dramatically on candy-and for some reason when this guy is reading, it happens a crap load (I've listened to him in a number of audios and I can never stand him-glad I read the Potter books instead of listened...)
There's a character in this book that's a lot like Alice's Queen. If I had to choose a favorite character, it'd be Emma or Gabriel, but I didn't really care about any of them. And the dwarves were really typical and annoying.
There's a character in this book that's a lot like Alice's Queen. If I had to choose a favorite character, it'd be Emma or Gabriel, but I didn't really care about any of them. And the dwarves were really typical and annoying.
This has quite a few flaws. It definitely feels like a first novel, and could've benefited from more editing. Too many plot elements, not tight enough. The author is a screenwriter and it shows; his dialogue is good and snappy, but the rest of it needs work. Pretty derivative (or perhaps paying homage?) in many places, hard to follow (I still don't understand all of the time travel 100%), and fully of so. much. telling rather than showing. I don't know why dwarves from (granted, magical) North America speak with a Cockney accent? Scottish brogue?
That said, it's also charming and enjoyable and reasonably exciting, and while the time travel plot is hard to follow, it's interesting at least. I think I could get kids to try this one. The emotional subplot is pretty affecting and well-done, even though the emotional descriptions themselves can get tedious. The villain is good too (although villains are pretty easy to do). A little long (again, more editing pls!), but nothing a Harry Potter fan can't handle.
That said, it's also charming and enjoyable and reasonably exciting, and while the time travel plot is hard to follow, it's interesting at least. I think I could get kids to try this one. The emotional subplot is pretty affecting and well-done, even though the emotional descriptions themselves can get tedious. The villain is good too (although villains are pretty easy to do). A little long (again, more editing pls!), but nothing a Harry Potter fan can't handle.
I adore Jim Dale’s voice. This is the only reason I chose this book. It started out really good... but lost me at the end and I am disappointed.