Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
Całkiem fajna, przyjemna i lekka lektura ale zdecydowanie dla młodszego czytelnika, tak więc raczej nie będę kontynuować czytania kolejnych części. Natomiast młodszym pokoleniom, jak najbardziej polecam - jest co czytać.
Most of the time when I buy just the first book in a series I kick myself later for not just getting all or most of the rest of the books already published. Usually the first book is really good, enough to continue reading at least.
This was, surprisingly, not one of those times.
I've been seeing this series on bookstore shelves for a long time and was always intrigued simply because I like the cover treatment. For some reason I never picked it up until a couple weekends ago while on vacation. I read it and have no strong desire to continue the series. I'm not sure why; it's not a bad book (I'd like to give it 2.5 stars really). It's written very well and there's plenty of action and it has a neat premise.
I think the my lack of interest is because of the characters. I had absolutely no strong connection to any of them. Not the main characters, not the supporting ones, not the antagonist. None. I didn't care all that much what I was reading or who I was reading about. This book had a very strong omniscient presence, flittering around from character to character. Sometimes the description spoke of a specific character's thoughts in one paragraph and the next it was someone else's. It didn't really focus on one character per chapter, it focused on all of them at once, which left me feeling disconnected. There weren't a lot of secrets to motivation, I can already imagine where the rest of the books go in their plots.
I can't help but compare this to Rick Riordan's writings because they both use an influx of mythology mixed with modern day situations and characters. But I care so much more for Riordan's characters, and I think it's because he focuses on them closely. The Percy Jackson books were all first person, from Percy's point of view, so the reader really gets to know him. The Kane Chronicles are also written in first person, but every other chapter or so they switch between the two main characters (which can get confusing). The Heroes of Olympus books have one chapter per main character. Riordan's used all sorts of different ways to tell his stories, and his style is different from Scott's, but he didn't scatter internal monologues all over the place. He didn't focus on Percy and his thoughts in one paragraph and then on Annabeth's feelings in the next.
Sometimes I can forgive a cliche or weak plot if the characters are fun to read about, so much so I'll continue along in a series. Such is not the case here.
This was, surprisingly, not one of those times.
I've been seeing this series on bookstore shelves for a long time and was always intrigued simply because I like the cover treatment. For some reason I never picked it up until a couple weekends ago while on vacation. I read it and have no strong desire to continue the series. I'm not sure why; it's not a bad book (I'd like to give it 2.5 stars really). It's written very well and there's plenty of action and it has a neat premise.
I think the my lack of interest is because of the characters. I had absolutely no strong connection to any of them. Not the main characters, not the supporting ones, not the antagonist. None. I didn't care all that much what I was reading or who I was reading about. This book had a very strong omniscient presence, flittering around from character to character. Sometimes the description spoke of a specific character's thoughts in one paragraph and the next it was someone else's. It didn't really focus on one character per chapter, it focused on all of them at once, which left me feeling disconnected. There weren't a lot of secrets to motivation, I can already imagine where the rest of the books go in their plots.
I can't help but compare this to Rick Riordan's writings because they both use an influx of mythology mixed with modern day situations and characters. But I care so much more for Riordan's characters, and I think it's because he focuses on them closely. The Percy Jackson books were all first person, from Percy's point of view, so the reader really gets to know him. The Kane Chronicles are also written in first person, but every other chapter or so they switch between the two main characters (which can get confusing). The Heroes of Olympus books have one chapter per main character. Riordan's used all sorts of different ways to tell his stories, and his style is different from Scott's, but he didn't scatter internal monologues all over the place. He didn't focus on Percy and his thoughts in one paragraph and then on Annabeth's feelings in the next.
Sometimes I can forgive a cliche or weak plot if the characters are fun to read about, so much so I'll continue along in a series. Such is not the case here.
I found this book by chance and immediately fell in love with the cover. and as a Harry Potter fan I was intrigued about the idea of reading a story around Nicolas Flamel.
So glad I took this book with me when I found it.
The characters, the settings, the mythology are all building an intricate web that makes you want to read this in one go. Just the right amount of detail to not make you feel bored. Love the concept so much of it is based on true facts and then brought together in this fascinating story.
So glad I took this book with me when I found it.
The characters, the settings, the mythology are all building an intricate web that makes you want to read this in one go. Just the right amount of detail to not make you feel bored. Love the concept so much of it is based on true facts and then brought together in this fascinating story.
I listened to this book in the audiobook version and I really enjoyed it! It's very Harry Potter-esque with its sense of magic, mystery, and wonder, but I was especially impressed with the historical references and how they were molded to fit the story! Great book to listen too!
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Interesting concept but the pacing was too slow for me
I've wanted to read this book for sooooooo many years, that by the time I finally started, I just didn't feel like it anymore. Wasn't an issue with the book, just a case of I probably should have read this back when it was more pertinent to me. Maybe I will try again in the future.
Veel belovend begin van deze serie, maar de volgende boeken hebben niet alles waargemaakt.
The Alchemyst had a lot of potential, but suffers from quite obviously being the set up to a longer series. It was frustrating that I read 300+ pages and none of the conflicts were ultimately resolved. Every time that it looked like we were going to get some answers or some closure, more questions come up and it was just a hair-pulling experience. In fact, it was so disappointing that, rather than wanting to read the sequel to find out what happens, I am left eeling like the rest of the series won't be rewarding.
Furthermore, though the mythology kitchen sink has the potential to be interesting, stealing a bit of this and a bit of that left the mythology feeling kind of haphazard and shallow. Scott obviously knows what he's talking about when it comes to myths and legends, but they could have been used to better effect.
Also damning was that the characters felt rather flimsy and tallow. It was hard to get invested in any of them. Overall, the effect of the book was one big "meh," but I read the whole thing and didn't hate it, hence two stars rather than one. To be honest, sometimes I prefer it when a book can give me something to hate, rather than just leaving me feeling indifferent.
Furthermore, though the mythology kitchen sink has the potential to be interesting, stealing a bit of this and a bit of that left the mythology feeling kind of haphazard and shallow. Scott obviously knows what he's talking about when it comes to myths and legends, but they could have been used to better effect.
Also damning was that the characters felt rather flimsy and tallow. It was hard to get invested in any of them. Overall, the effect of the book was one big "meh," but I read the whole thing and didn't hate it, hence two stars rather than one. To be honest, sometimes I prefer it when a book can give me something to hate, rather than just leaving me feeling indifferent.
It bothered me that Josh didn't trust Nicolas right from the start. But Josh worked for him at the bookstore AND said he was like an older brother. Wouldn't you give him the benefit of the doubt? Plus the teens are just dragged along without any really input. This is why parents are usually not around for teen books.
adventurous