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ellakatherine_'s review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
eponineeurydice's review
4.0
I liked it! Suspenseful, well-written, interesting plot and a touch of humor and romance. The only thing that could be improved is the characters. They're not memorable or lovable. Maybe I'll get attached to them in the next book.
tale_of_tales's review
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
audreyallen20's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
faeonyx's review against another edition
4.0
As the second book in the series, Disney at Dawn was able to start in the middle of heightened action. Though the first book left readers with a sense that something had been accomplished, the setting in the first pages of the second book assure readers that the situation has only gotten worse since the last time they were in the park. We learn that the program has been patched so the Keepers can no longer cross over at night. This was seen as a glitch in the programming by those that were not in the know about the threat to Disney World and the rest of the world.
The book is still a little dialog heavy, but there seems to be an improvement in the way this dialog is utilized. In the first book, it seemed that parts contained heavy dialog simply for the sake of dialog, but most of the information passed between characters in this second book helped move the plot forward or reveal important characteristics of each character. It felt much more story driven than the first book, and the action was heightened in an entertaining and enjoyable way as well.
It seems that the sense of danger was much more real for everyone involved in this book. The first book treated the threat more like a video game that could be escaped from by the simple press of a button. Though there were times when the threat was vividly real, there was always an escape only moments around the corner. In this second book, the villains are learning and seem to be adapting to the environment they find themselves in. They are experimenting with the technology available and have figured out ways to work around the programming and the organizations that are after them. Tricky.
There is a strong sense of foreboding throughout the book. The urgency is clear through much of the story, which creates a much nicer and more dynamic setting than the tone of the first book. The pacing seems to be a little on edge, quick and choppy, but it fits with the urgency of the Keepers and the story. Overall, I felt much more grounded in this book and less like I needed an intimate knowledge of the park to really understand the setting.
Once again, overall, Pearson has been able to deliver a thrilling and intriguing story that will make me look at the parks around me in a very different light.
The book is still a little dialog heavy, but there seems to be an improvement in the way this dialog is utilized. In the first book, it seemed that parts contained heavy dialog simply for the sake of dialog, but most of the information passed between characters in this second book helped move the plot forward or reveal important characteristics of each character. It felt much more story driven than the first book, and the action was heightened in an entertaining and enjoyable way as well.
It seems that the sense of danger was much more real for everyone involved in this book. The first book treated the threat more like a video game that could be escaped from by the simple press of a button. Though there were times when the threat was vividly real, there was always an escape only moments around the corner. In this second book, the villains are learning and seem to be adapting to the environment they find themselves in. They are experimenting with the technology available and have figured out ways to work around the programming and the organizations that are after them. Tricky.
There is a strong sense of foreboding throughout the book. The urgency is clear through much of the story, which creates a much nicer and more dynamic setting than the tone of the first book. The pacing seems to be a little on edge, quick and choppy, but it fits with the urgency of the Keepers and the story. Overall, I felt much more grounded in this book and less like I needed an intimate knowledge of the park to really understand the setting.
Once again, overall, Pearson has been able to deliver a thrilling and intriguing story that will make me look at the parks around me in a very different light.
kathydavie's review
4.0
Second in the Kingdom Keepers fantasy adventures series for children.
My Take
Maleficent plans to take over Disney World. Again.
I enjoyed the adventure and Pearson does provide an interesting series of action adventures for the kids as they work out the clues and reconfigure the computer feeds and follow the network path. That alone makes it a worthwhile read. I'm just irritated with the rather "dumbed-down" level of writing. There's no reason Pearson couldn't have upped the quality to a Harry Potter level. They certainly could have used an editor for some of the minor glitches I ran across.
The story does promote teamwork. It's pretty cool how the kids use a virtual game to meet up and exchange information; Philby can use it to trace data traffic to find the server as well as redirect the security feeds to just one camera so Amanda can track the entire park. Then they make good use of IMs to keep in touch with each other. It makes you feel like you're actually participating.
The odd note is that Wayne is able to find them adult helpers and it's really only Finn who has the ability to phase in and out of his holographic mode so I don't really see why Wayne needs the kids at all except it makes a great kids' story and we get to tour Disney World behind the scenes. I sure enjoyed the talking recycling can!
The Story
Since their earlier adventures (see Disney After Dark, Kingdom Keepers 1), the Virtual Magic Kingdom (VMK) has been shoved behind a firewall and the Imagineers had "corrected the problem" of the DHI hosts being able to cross over into the Magic Kingdom in their sleep. A definite drawback if you need to protect the Kingdom!
It's the opening day parade celebrating the DHIs coming back online that starts off the action. The five Kingdom Keepers: Finn, Charlene, Maybeck, Philby, and Willa are on one of the floats when Philby notices the weather balloon, Finn catches sight of Amanda and Jez, and the character on one of the floats is suddenly missing---the most villainous Disney character that exists! Then they notice the monkeys following...Amanda and Jez! Where would the monkeys have come from?? Then Amanda realizes that the real Jez has disappeared and been replaced by a DHI! And Maleficent has escaped.
When Finn gets an IM from Wayne, the true horror comes out. They must find Jez and locate and destroy a second computer server that contains cloned DHI data. Maleficent intends to take out the kids and Wayne so she can take over Disney World! And they have to do it without going to sleep!!
The Characters
Finn Whitman is a natural leader for the Kingdom Keepers. Charlene Turner is the "clean cheerleader type with uncanny physical ability. Isabella "Willa" Angelo. Philby is the geeky sports enthusiast with a talent for computers. Terry Maybeck is the oldest of the group and generally looks out for himself.
Amanda Lockhart and Jezebel "Jez" are Fairlies; something more than human and Jez has been having nightmares about the park for quite some time. Wayne Kresky is the old Imagineer who started them on their original adventures. Now he's in hiding within the Magic Kingdom trying to contact the kids. Rob Bernowski is Jez's boyfriend.
Maleficent is the evil witch in charge of the Overtakers plotting to take over the Kingdom Keepers and Wayne the way they had taken out Maybeck in Disney After Dark and get them out of the way.
DHIs is short for Disney Host Interactives. Holographic tour guides at Disney World.
The Cover and Title
The cover is of Finn whizzing along a zipline from the castle tower similar to the initial escape. The fireball chasing him along the zipline is strictly the cover artist blending later fireballs that Maleficent hurls...and not along a zipline. There are a few holographic touches in the buildings and in creating the title
The title refers to the time the Kingdom Keepers all plan to meet at Disney World to take Maleficent down. Yeah, baby, it's Disney at Dawn.
My Take
Maleficent plans to take over Disney World. Again.
I enjoyed the adventure and Pearson does provide an interesting series of action adventures for the kids as they work out the clues and reconfigure the computer feeds and follow the network path. That alone makes it a worthwhile read. I'm just irritated with the rather "dumbed-down" level of writing. There's no reason Pearson couldn't have upped the quality to a Harry Potter level. They certainly could have used an editor for some of the minor glitches I ran across.
The story does promote teamwork. It's pretty cool how the kids use a virtual game to meet up and exchange information; Philby can use it to trace data traffic to find the server as well as redirect the security feeds to just one camera so Amanda can track the entire park. Then they make good use of IMs to keep in touch with each other. It makes you feel like you're actually participating.
The odd note is that Wayne is able to find them adult helpers and it's really only Finn who has the ability to phase in and out of his holographic mode so I don't really see why Wayne needs the kids at all except it makes a great kids' story and we get to tour Disney World behind the scenes. I sure enjoyed the talking recycling can!
The Story
Since their earlier adventures (see Disney After Dark, Kingdom Keepers 1), the Virtual Magic Kingdom (VMK) has been shoved behind a firewall and the Imagineers had "corrected the problem" of the DHI hosts being able to cross over into the Magic Kingdom in their sleep. A definite drawback if you need to protect the Kingdom!
It's the opening day parade celebrating the DHIs coming back online that starts off the action. The five Kingdom Keepers: Finn, Charlene, Maybeck, Philby, and Willa are on one of the floats when Philby notices the weather balloon, Finn catches sight of Amanda and Jez, and the character on one of the floats is suddenly missing---the most villainous Disney character that exists! Then they notice the monkeys following...Amanda and Jez! Where would the monkeys have come from?? Then Amanda realizes that the real Jez has disappeared and been replaced by a DHI! And Maleficent has escaped.
When Finn gets an IM from Wayne, the true horror comes out. They must find Jez and locate and destroy a second computer server that contains cloned DHI data. Maleficent intends to take out the kids and Wayne so she can take over Disney World! And they have to do it without going to sleep!!
The Characters
Finn Whitman is a natural leader for the Kingdom Keepers. Charlene Turner is the "clean cheerleader type with uncanny physical ability. Isabella "Willa" Angelo. Philby is the geeky sports enthusiast with a talent for computers. Terry Maybeck is the oldest of the group and generally looks out for himself.
Amanda Lockhart and Jezebel "Jez" are Fairlies; something more than human and Jez has been having nightmares about the park for quite some time. Wayne Kresky is the old Imagineer who started them on their original adventures. Now he's in hiding within the Magic Kingdom trying to contact the kids. Rob Bernowski is Jez's boyfriend.
Maleficent is the evil witch in charge of the Overtakers plotting to take over the Kingdom Keepers and Wayne the way they had taken out Maybeck in Disney After Dark and get them out of the way.
DHIs is short for Disney Host Interactives. Holographic tour guides at Disney World.
The Cover and Title
The cover is of Finn whizzing along a zipline from the castle tower similar to the initial escape. The fireball chasing him along the zipline is strictly the cover artist blending later fireballs that Maleficent hurls...and not along a zipline. There are a few holographic touches in the buildings and in creating the title
The title refers to the time the Kingdom Keepers all plan to meet at Disney World to take Maleficent down. Yeah, baby, it's Disney at Dawn.
mcrome04's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
clindberg157's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0