Hey Y'all!
I did pretty well with four books this month (plus the magazines). I pulled almost all of them from the library sale stack. There in the giveaway pile now, even though I enjoyed them all. We can't be keeping every book, especially now. I still prefer a physical book, but the kindle is something I'll have to get used to.
Anyhow, this month's books...
Maximum Ride and her "flock" -- Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman and Angel -- are just like ordinary kids, only they have wings and can fly. It may seem like a dream come true to some, but their lives can morph into a living nightmare at any time.
Angel, the youngest member of the flock, is kidnapped and taken back to the "School" where she and the others were experimented on by a crew of whack jobs. Her friends brave a journey to blazing hot Death Valley, CA, to save Angel, but soon enough, they find themselves in yet another nightmare: fighting off the half-human, half-wolf "Erasers" in New York City. Whether in the treetops of Central Park or in the bowels of the Manhattan subway system, Max and her adopted family take the ride of their lives.
Along the way, Max discovers that her purpose is save the world. But can she?
Angel, the youngest member of the flock, is kidnapped and taken back to the "School" where she and the others were experimented on by a crew of whack jobs. Her friends brave a journey to blazing hot Death Valley, CA, to save Angel, but soon enough, they find themselves in yet another nightmare: fighting off the half-human, half-wolf "Erasers" in New York City. Whether in the treetops of Central Park or in the bowels of the Manhattan subway system, Max and her adopted family take the ride of their lives.
Along the way, Max discovers that her purpose is save the world. But can she?
Spoiler.. Nothing about saving the world comes up in book one. Still more than enough going on, but it's mentioned toward the end that this is her job, but that's about it.
This review is spot on with the "problem" in the book(s) though I didn't think they were the worst books ever:
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2011
I really didn't like this book. I thought I would like it, because it seemed to get a fairly good reception from others (YALSA even chose it as a quick-pick for YA readers). But this is honestly one of the worst books I've ever read.
The biggest problem I have is that I don't think it gives pre-teens and teens enough credit. Every single character in this book is superficial, even Claire, who is supposedly the average, normal sort of girl. To me, they all seemed to be different versions the same character. They're all petty and selfish; they all only care about boys, make-up, and clothes. What about activities? Favorite TV shows? Books? Granted, Massie rides horses, but right away this activity turns into a device to attract an older boy. What I love about YA is that it shows that just like adults, young adults are complex people. They have varied interests and they have real problems. This book doesn't portray that at all. The characters are down-right mean and don't show significant growth throughout to redeem themselves by the end.
Also, the stuff they have to deal with is trivial. For example, Massie doesn't want to be friends with the new girl, but her parents are trying to force her to be nice. I don't see why or how we're supposed to relate to such an awful character. Then there's Claire who is the new girl and would have a legitimate problem about trying to fit in and be friends with Massie, but then she ruins it by playing horrible pranks on Massie and her friends and trying to fit in with them even after she realizes how awful they are.
There are some redeeming factors, though these don't make up for all the bad stuff in this book. The writing itself isn't bad and it's a quick, easy read. Also, there are some funny moments that don't have anything to do with mean-spirited pranks. At moments I thought we were going to see into a deeper side of the characters, but these moments were fleeting and didn't follow through. Maybe they are more fully developed in later books, but from what I've skimmed through, I doubt it.
The biggest problem I have is that I don't think it gives pre-teens and teens enough credit. Every single character in this book is superficial, even Claire, who is supposedly the average, normal sort of girl. To me, they all seemed to be different versions the same character. They're all petty and selfish; they all only care about boys, make-up, and clothes. What about activities? Favorite TV shows? Books? Granted, Massie rides horses, but right away this activity turns into a device to attract an older boy. What I love about YA is that it shows that just like adults, young adults are complex people. They have varied interests and they have real problems. This book doesn't portray that at all. The characters are down-right mean and don't show significant growth throughout to redeem themselves by the end.
Also, the stuff they have to deal with is trivial. For example, Massie doesn't want to be friends with the new girl, but her parents are trying to force her to be nice. I don't see why or how we're supposed to relate to such an awful character. Then there's Claire who is the new girl and would have a legitimate problem about trying to fit in and be friends with Massie, but then she ruins it by playing horrible pranks on Massie and her friends and trying to fit in with them even after she realizes how awful they are.
There are some redeeming factors, though these don't make up for all the bad stuff in this book. The writing itself isn't bad and it's a quick, easy read. Also, there are some funny moments that don't have anything to do with mean-spirited pranks. At moments I thought we were going to see into a deeper side of the characters, but these moments were fleeting and didn't follow through. Maybe they are more fully developed in later books, but from what I've skimmed through, I doubt it.
The Clique Series (Lisi Harrison):
Claire Lyons, the new girl from Florida in Keds and two-year-old Gap overalls, is not Clique material. Unfortunately for her, Claire’s family is staying in the guesthouse of the one and only Massie Block — Queen Bee of Octavian Country Day School. Claire’s future looks worse than a bad Prada knockoff. But with a little luck and a lot of scheming, Claire might just come up smelling like Chanel No. 5.
Harmony is a picturesque small New England town. On the surface, things may look peaceful and normal in Harmony, but that couldn't be further from the case. "Passions" explores the lives, loves, and losses of four core families who reside in Harmony: the Cranes, the Lopez-Fitzgeralds, the Bennetts and the Russells.
The book takes place from the witch Tabitha's POV. The diary is written about events that transpired 20ish years before the soap opera begins. It gives a lot of backstory to some of the older main characters of the show. While not necessary to have watched the show, I think it reads best knowing something about the leads beforehand.
What are you reading? Let me know in the comments below!
Have a great day,
Craftin' Wife
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