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drblockbooks's reviews
92 reviews
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
5.0
I've read this book at least 4 times. I think it is one of the classics of fantasy literature.
The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K. Le Guin
4.0
The book by itself merits 5 stars, but as book 2 in a Trilogy merits 4. We spent all of book 1 learning about Ged, but then do not see him again until halfway through this book. Still, the story of Tenar is wonderful and worthy of its own telling.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
5.0
I've read this book as a child and as an adult. It is wonderful. Highly recommended.
The Farthest Shore by Ursula K. Le Guin
5.0
This is book three in the original Earthsea trilogy. It follows the final years of Ged and his new companion, Arren. The story is wide-ranging for such a slim volume and, at times, the prose feels opaque and the story a bit muddled. However, the final chapter in this book is one of the best in any fantasy novel I have read.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
5.0
I listened to this book -- as well as the other two books in the trilogy -- on audio a couple years ago when I was driving a lot for my job. I had already seen the movies. I really liked the first movie, but thought the other movies in the series were a bit of a let down. The books were SO MUCH better. There were several important and compelling subplots that were mostly or completely ignored by the movies. If you liked the movies but have not read the books, do yourself a favor and read them.
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
5.0
I read this book several times as a child. It was a thrilling story about a world completely alien to me, a surfing beach kid, but at its heart, it is a classic story about a boy and his dog. It was the first book I ever read that made me cry. Highly recommended.
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition: How to Edit Yourself Into Print by Renni Browne
5.0
This is one of those books that you have to read at the right time in your life. If I had read this ten years ago, I would have said, "Very helpful. I'll be sure to remember this when I finally become a writer." Now that I've published a few dozen books, I read this book and thought, "This is the Holy Grail. This book is absolutely amazing."
I guess, what I am trying to say is, if you want to be a writer or if you already are one, READ this book. Then, read it again at least once per year until everything inside its covers have been integrated into your being. Great stuff.
I guess, what I am trying to say is, if you want to be a writer or if you already are one, READ this book. Then, read it again at least once per year until everything inside its covers have been integrated into your being. Great stuff.
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
5.0
This is a very good book. The prose is crisp and spare. There is no wasted time. And despite its economy with words (or, perhaps, because of it), it is a beautiful, haunting, and occasionally frightening book.
Because I saw the movie version several times before reading this book [my children love it, by the way], it is difficult for me to review it beyond saying that it is great and I recommend reading it.
I will add this for those of you who have seen the movie: I found it fascinating to see what was added in the movie version in order to tell the tale. In fact, one of the characters in the movie does not exist at all in the book. I won't say which one, but it makes sense why that character was added.
Because I saw the movie version several times before reading this book [my children love it, by the way], it is difficult for me to review it beyond saying that it is great and I recommend reading it.
I will add this for those of you who have seen the movie: I found it fascinating to see what was added in the movie version in order to tell the tale. In fact, one of the characters in the movie does not exist at all in the book. I won't say which one, but it makes sense why that character was added.
Scythe by Neal Shusterman
5.0
I really liked this book and am excited to read the next two books in the Arc of a Scythe Trilogy.
SCHYTHE ticked most of the boxes for a story I like. It was a thoughtful exploration of a possible future for humanity. A society where death and disease have been conquered, but where a small portion of the population must still be "gleaned" each year to make room for newborns. It reminded me in some ways of Brave New World.
Some readers might find the story a bit "boring" because it isn't action-packed like some YA novels, but I thought it was the right balance of drama and introspection. There are hints of romance between two of the characters, but the romance plot line is a very small part of the book. I think some YA novels focus too much on the romance stories -- which they all seem to have -- at the expense of the world-building and character arcs. That is NOT the case with this book.
I recommend this book for ages 12+ (or precocious younger readers), but must note that there are some brief, very violent scenes. So, if you don't like reading realistically violent scenes, you may want to skip this book or skip ahead a few pages once the blood starts to flow.
SCHYTHE ticked most of the boxes for a story I like. It was a thoughtful exploration of a possible future for humanity. A society where death and disease have been conquered, but where a small portion of the population must still be "gleaned" each year to make room for newborns. It reminded me in some ways of Brave New World.
Some readers might find the story a bit "boring" because it isn't action-packed like some YA novels, but I thought it was the right balance of drama and introspection. There are hints of romance between two of the characters, but the romance plot line is a very small part of the book. I think some YA novels focus too much on the romance stories -- which they all seem to have -- at the expense of the world-building and character arcs. That is NOT the case with this book.
I recommend this book for ages 12+ (or precocious younger readers), but must note that there are some brief, very violent scenes. So, if you don't like reading realistically violent scenes, you may want to skip this book or skip ahead a few pages once the blood starts to flow.
Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
5.0
At the beginning of this book, I was a bit concerned. The pacing seemed a bit slow. It seemed like I was going to be reading about byzantine political intrigue more than anything else. I was convinced that this book would not be as enjoyable as the first book in this trilogy and that it was going to stumble through its pages in order to set up the third/final book of the trilogy.
I was VERY wrong.
The last third of this book was absolutely incredible, picking up threads from the first part of the book and increasing the pacing to a fever pitch. In addition, this book ends on one of the most insane cliffhangers I've ever encountered. Fortunately, the third and final book of the trilogy is already out and I just checked out the ebook from my local library. :) I have to know RIGHT NOW what happens next.
Highly recommended.
I was VERY wrong.
The last third of this book was absolutely incredible, picking up threads from the first part of the book and increasing the pacing to a fever pitch. In addition, this book ends on one of the most insane cliffhangers I've ever encountered. Fortunately, the third and final book of the trilogy is already out and I just checked out the ebook from my local library. :) I have to know RIGHT NOW what happens next.
Highly recommended.