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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
Decent writing though no stellar literary gems to take away, weave a fairly interesting tale of fraternal twins Matt and Emily who are Animare: they can use their minds to animate what they draw. The concept was intriguing but the downside is that this is clearly a first book in a series and left so many loose ends that it really doesn't feel like a complete story in any sense so you're left hanging.
I did enjoy that one of the 3 main children characters is a boy who is deaf but feel they copped out of much of the interesting role he could have had; especially when he had a psychic connection to Emily and could therefore "talk" to her that way so as to get around having to sign or read lips all the time.
I did enjoy that one of the 3 main children characters is a boy who is deaf but feel they copped out of much of the interesting role he could have had; especially when he had a psychic connection to Emily and could therefore "talk" to her that way so as to get around having to sign or read lips all the time.
Matt and Em are twins, and they have a special ability - anything they draw comes to life. They can change things - like drawing a canoe and adding a motor - or create completely new things out of nothing. But there are people who have a lot of interest in the twins' ability, and not all of them have their best interest at heart.
This was a fun, action-packed story with enough funny or calm moments to keep the reader interested without overwhelming him/her. I really enjoyed this story, enough that I started it yesterday afternoon and finished it today. I might have to check out the sequel, too.
This was a fun, action-packed story with enough funny or calm moments to keep the reader interested without overwhelming him/her. I really enjoyed this story, enough that I started it yesterday afternoon and finished it today. I might have to check out the sequel, too.
Very entertaining! Don't love the omniscient POV, but an exciting story nonetheless.
3 stars.
I wanted to like this so much more than I ended up liking it, but there were several issues that plagued the book.
I would like to talk about the concept first, and the fact that it was really interesting.
Em and Matt are twins, and they have special powers. They can make things come to life when they draw them, using the power of their imaginations. They can even go in and out of paintings. The Animare (or people who can animate paintings) are helped by Guardians, who help them keep their powers under control. One day, Matt and Em and their mother have to go to their grandfather's to escape the dangerous people chasing them. This is a fascinating idea, and combining it with beautiful scenery and secret societies seems like it would be a home run.
HOWEVER, this suffered from a couple of pitfalls. First of all, I was annoyed by the main characters. Matt was such a bratty little kid, and I know I should feel bad for him, but I didn't-and I think that is a sign of something the authors failed to accomplish. I just wanted him to be quiet or listen to someone else for a change, and that greatly dampened the enjoyment of this book. More than that, the plot moved a little slowly, and some of the wording was clunky. It felt a little over-explained, and it felt like the authors were patronizing the audience, instead of connecting with them.
3 out of 5 stars. Sorry Captain Jack.
I wanted to like this so much more than I ended up liking it, but there were several issues that plagued the book.
I would like to talk about the concept first, and the fact that it was really interesting.
Em and Matt are twins, and they have special powers. They can make things come to life when they draw them, using the power of their imaginations. They can even go in and out of paintings. The Animare (or people who can animate paintings) are helped by Guardians, who help them keep their powers under control. One day, Matt and Em and their mother have to go to their grandfather's to escape the dangerous people chasing them. This is a fascinating idea, and combining it with beautiful scenery and secret societies seems like it would be a home run.
HOWEVER, this suffered from a couple of pitfalls. First of all, I was annoyed by the main characters. Matt was such a bratty little kid, and I know I should feel bad for him, but I didn't-and I think that is a sign of something the authors failed to accomplish. I just wanted him to be quiet or listen to someone else for a change, and that greatly dampened the enjoyment of this book. More than that, the plot moved a little slowly, and some of the wording was clunky. It felt a little over-explained, and it felt like the authors were patronizing the audience, instead of connecting with them.
3 out of 5 stars. Sorry Captain Jack.
What a fun read. This book is aimed at 8-13 year olds, but I can say without shame that this 40+ loved it and not just because of John and Carole. A clever story, fun characters, interesting and fast-paced plot. Bad guys, good guys who are bad guys, bad guys who are good guys, etc. etc. What more does one need? For those who know John and Carole's world (real world)there are a ton of "Easter Eggs" hidden all over the story. I laughed out loud a the line "You're not my Mother!" If that is a head-scratcher for you, read "Anything Goes" by John and Carole Barrowman...all will be explained. Hollow Earth is totally for children, no language warnings or awkward bedroom encounters. (Anything Goes is NOT for young childre, but it is a jolly fun read anyway!)
The story wraps up, but I see room for more. Bring 'em on, Carole and John. Hop in your car and drive from Cardiff to Glasgow this time!
The story wraps up, but I see room for more. Bring 'em on, Carole and John. Hop in your car and drive from Cardiff to Glasgow this time!
This was very nice and fun to read. John and Carole have the potential to be great writers. I hope they will continue to write.
Well, I will be honest, I picked this up because it was written by John Barrowman and his sister (who teaches in WI!) But within about the first 25 pages I was hooked! This series is geared to the pre-teen crowd, those ready for more indepth chapter books, but not ready for the true "Young Adult" where there be more violence or sexual content. (Think Rick Riordan, Susan B Cooper, Michael Scott)
Matt and Em live with their mom in London. As twins they have a strong connection/bond, but they also have a unique artistic talents. When we first meet them, they are able to draw themselves into a piece of artwork, while waiting for their mom. This realization sets off a series off events, as the powers of Matt and Em are more than even they know, yet.
Their mom, Sandie, must now quickly get them out of London and back to the protection of their grandfather, a Guardian. Matt and Em soon learn that what they can do, animating their art, is a unique talent. And Guardians are assigned to Animare to help guide and protect. Their mom is also an Animare and their father was her Guardian. It is against their practices to have Animare and Guardian's reproduce, as the powers of the children would be greater then each alone.
They also learn that there is a sect that believes in the Hallow Earth, a place where demons and creatures of nightmares live and that it can be opened. Those who could open it would have considerable power.
And of course...why did their dad run off when they were 3? And where is he?
This book kept me going! I could not put it down. The characters are well developed, there are enough supporting characters, but not so many you can't keep it all straight. There is enough story and mystery that you are kept engaged, but not so much that you feel like you have no idea what is going, or how to keep it all straight. And I want to know more, what happens next, where do these powers come from, what can they do, and what will happen when Hallow Earth is finally opened?
Matt and Em live with their mom in London. As twins they have a strong connection/bond, but they also have a unique artistic talents. When we first meet them, they are able to draw themselves into a piece of artwork, while waiting for their mom. This realization sets off a series off events, as the powers of Matt and Em are more than even they know, yet.
Their mom, Sandie, must now quickly get them out of London and back to the protection of their grandfather, a Guardian. Matt and Em soon learn that what they can do, animating their art, is a unique talent. And Guardians are assigned to Animare to help guide and protect. Their mom is also an Animare and their father was her Guardian. It is against their practices to have Animare and Guardian's reproduce, as the powers of the children would be greater then each alone.
They also learn that there is a sect that believes in the Hallow Earth, a place where demons and creatures of nightmares live and that it can be opened. Those who could open it would have considerable power.
And of course...why did their dad run off when they were 3? And where is he?
This book kept me going! I could not put it down. The characters are well developed, there are enough supporting characters, but not so many you can't keep it all straight. There is enough story and mystery that you are kept engaged, but not so much that you feel like you have no idea what is going, or how to keep it all straight. And I want to know more, what happens next, where do these powers come from, what can they do, and what will happen when Hallow Earth is finally opened?
This book make me can't wait to read for next book of this series..but I still need to be patient because my last book for this series is still not arrived and I don't want to wait longer to read for the last book after I finish the 2nd book...so my plan is to read my 2nd book slowly