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thepeachmartini's reviews
464 reviews
A Boy Called Dickens by Deborah Hopkinson
3.0
I think I am in the minority in that I actually liked the illustrations as they were - gritty, hard backdrops of buildings and marketplaces combined with the cartoonish features of the characters.
The age range on the book is a bit wide, in my opinion (4-9); I'd go for the higher age range as I think the way the story is presented is a bit more complex than your average picture book.
The images are quite beautiful - I spent several minutes on each page just taking in the sights. The writing is good, don't mistake me, but I think for a children's book it's a bit over the top (another reason I'd stick to the older age groups).
The story line is great subject matter and really gets you thinking about who Charles Dickens was, and how his stories came to be.
The age range on the book is a bit wide, in my opinion (4-9); I'd go for the higher age range as I think the way the story is presented is a bit more complex than your average picture book.
The images are quite beautiful - I spent several minutes on each page just taking in the sights. The writing is good, don't mistake me, but I think for a children's book it's a bit over the top (another reason I'd stick to the older age groups).
The story line is great subject matter and really gets you thinking about who Charles Dickens was, and how his stories came to be.
Lady of Devices by Shelley Adina
3.0
I've had this on my "to read" list for a while now, but never bothered to pick it up…quite honestly because I thought the cover looked cheesy. I know, I know…how's that for shallow and judgmental?! I managed to snag it as a free download on Amazon, which made me happy. I don't know if this review contains spoilers, so consider yourself warned.
Right - on to the review. I feel like someone took "The Sound of Music" or "Mary Poppins" and mingled it with "Pride and Prejudice" and then glued gears and cogs all over it. I read this in two days (it helped our county was under an emergency-only travel advisory because of the weather and I couldn't go anywhere); it wasn't a bad read at all. It wasn't a great read. It held my attention, but I found myself getting irritated with all the babysitting and whatnot and just wanted Clare to get on with things.
I found it a bit hypocritical that Clare was so concerned with the ruffians she took under her wing doing the right thing by not stealing, etc…yet she clearly had no qualms about assuming the role of guardian and leader of the group, and imposing on them to shelter/feed her, etc. She used chemicals to get into their home…and was OK with them using the same chemicals on other people…but I guess we all have to draw the line somewhere.
I feel like the gang was too accepting of her…and she was too desperate - at the beginning of the book, she comes across as someone headstrong and sure of herself, but once she realizes she's on her own, she's a hot mess of neediness. I feel like taking on this gang wasn't really necessary to advance her in the story, but maybe it will come together with the rest of the series…I feel like it creates too much baggage for her, when she's so worried about going to university and making her own way. Like I said, maybe it is setting us up for something later down the road.
Will I read more in the series? Probably, just because I can't leave it well enough alone. Would I recommend it to anyone? Meh, maybe…though it's not at the top of my list.
What I liked:
Independent/Educated/Self-Assured Clare
steampunk aspects
The gentleman offering her as assistant's position in his lab…I am more intrigued by this story line than that of the gang she's trying to rescue.
What I didn't care for:
Needy Clare
Assaulting folks with noxious chemicals…just doesn't seem right.
The back-and-forth of righteousness and self-interest; does she really need to carry that ridiculous rifle around with her when she's trying to get the gang to clean up their act?
3 out of 5 stars
Spoiler
Right - on to the review. I feel like someone took "The Sound of Music" or "Mary Poppins" and mingled it with "Pride and Prejudice" and then glued gears and cogs all over it. I read this in two days (it helped our county was under an emergency-only travel advisory because of the weather and I couldn't go anywhere); it wasn't a bad read at all. It wasn't a great read. It held my attention, but I found myself getting irritated with all the babysitting and whatnot and just wanted Clare to get on with things.
I found it a bit hypocritical that Clare was so concerned with the ruffians she took under her wing doing the right thing by not stealing, etc…yet she clearly had no qualms about assuming the role of guardian and leader of the group, and imposing on them to shelter/feed her, etc. She used chemicals to get into their home…and was OK with them using the same chemicals on other people…but I guess we all have to draw the line somewhere.
I feel like the gang was too accepting of her…and she was too desperate - at the beginning of the book, she comes across as someone headstrong and sure of herself, but once she realizes she's on her own, she's a hot mess of neediness. I feel like taking on this gang wasn't really necessary to advance her in the story, but maybe it will come together with the rest of the series…I feel like it creates too much baggage for her, when she's so worried about going to university and making her own way. Like I said, maybe it is setting us up for something later down the road.
Will I read more in the series? Probably, just because I can't leave it well enough alone. Would I recommend it to anyone? Meh, maybe…though it's not at the top of my list.
What I liked:
Independent/Educated/Self-Assured Clare
steampunk aspects
The gentleman offering her as assistant's position in his lab…I am more intrigued by this story line than that of the gang she's trying to rescue.
What I didn't care for:
Needy Clare
Assaulting folks with noxious chemicals…just doesn't seem right.
The back-and-forth of righteousness and self-interest; does she really need to carry that ridiculous rifle around with her when she's trying to get the gang to clean up their act?
3 out of 5 stars
Forged in Blood II by Lindsay Buroker
5.0
The grand finale....the fat lady sang...it's over...fin.
I LOVE THIS!
I am still mulling over the events of this book so I can't get everything down I want to right now...I'll have to come back and write a more thorough review when I've recuperated :)
I LOVE THIS!
I am still mulling over the events of this book so I can't get everything down I want to right now...I'll have to come back and write a more thorough review when I've recuperated :)
Jack and Yani Love Harry Potter by Mary E. Twomey
5.0
delightfully sweet!
Read it in a day, which doesn't happen often! Characters are great, story is fun, and the romance is PERFECT! Perfect read for Valentines Day weekend.
Full Review here - http://www.thepeachmartini.com/?p=674
Read it in a day, which doesn't happen often! Characters are great, story is fun, and the romance is PERFECT! Perfect read for Valentines Day weekend.
Full Review here - http://www.thepeachmartini.com/?p=674
Soulless: The Manga, Vol. 1 by Gail Carriger
3.0
Honestly, I didn't truly 'read' this, but I thumbed through it at the bookstore...and I've read the full novel version.
The manga is visually pleasing, as it should be...the characters were depicted well from what image I've had in my head, only in manga form (duh). As I'm not well-versed in the world of manga, I imagine it isn't intended for young eyes (Alexia's rack is QUITE impressive, and Lord Maccon is very nicely anatomically depicted, all the special bits are strategically hidden though!) It's enjoyable, and I'll probably add this to the collection with the rest of my Gail Carriger books.
The manga is visually pleasing, as it should be...the characters were depicted well from what image I've had in my head, only in manga form (duh). As I'm not well-versed in the world of manga, I imagine it isn't intended for young eyes (Alexia's rack is QUITE impressive, and Lord Maccon is very nicely anatomically depicted, all the special bits are strategically hidden though!) It's enjoyable, and I'll probably add this to the collection with the rest of my Gail Carriger books.