Sunday, February 24, 2008

The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman

subtle-knife.jpgThe Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman

Genre: Preteen Fantasy Fiction

Published in 1997

Recommended Age Group: 9 and Up

Summary: The Subtle Knife (His Dark Materials book 2) begins in our own world and then moves between worlds. In our world we follow the life of William Perry, the son of the famous explorer John Perry who disappeared shortly after Williams birth. William killed a man in his home in an effort to keep his mother and some documents safe. It is when he is on the run that Will finds the window into another world and into a city known as CittĂ gazze (shortened to Ci’gazze) that is only inhabited by children. It is while he is in Ci’gazze that he runs into Lyra who crossed a bridge from her world to this one.

Lyra and Will band together and move from world to world trying to get answers. Lyra is looking for information on Dust and Will is trying to find his father. Along the way they meet up with enemies and friends, some new and some old. One of their new friends is Dr. Mary Malone, who comes from our world and is working on Dust, called shadow particles. She gives Lyra some information Dust that helps her in her quest. Will finds more about his father’s disappearance in the library and learns whom to trust.

Serafina Pekkala, the witch who helped save Lyra in the first book, goes to learn what Lord Asriel’s purpose is and discovers that “he’s aiming a rebellion against the highest power of all. He’s gone a-searching for the dwelling place of the Authority Himself, and he’s a-going to destroy Him” (p. 46). Basically he wants to recreate the Great War in heaven and ensure victory for the rebel angles (p. 198). After discovering this Serafina goes of in search of Lyra and finds her and Will being attacked by the children of Ci’gazze. Serafina helps them to escape and they go in search of Lord Asriel with Mrs. Coulter following behind with an army of zombies. In the end Will finds the answers he’s looking for but his joy is cut short and we find out more about Lyra’s purpose and what her and Will are to accomplish.

Personal Notes: This was an amazing book. I read with awe at the scope and magnitude of not only the plot but also changing setting and the underlying story for each main character. It is a truly great and original endeavor. Pullman sets out to recreate history and the war in heaven. Dr. Grumman says, “this time the right side must win… It’s time to start again but properly this time” (p. 319). Most of the main characters side with the rebel angels who were cast out of Heaven into Hell after the last war. They believe that destroying God will give them more knowledge, wisdom, and strength (p. 320). I can’t wait to read the conclusion of this trilogy.

I have a few things for those who are worried about the content of these books affecting their children and their belief in God and His power. There are a few things that are concerning. The fact that the main idea is to destroy God and give power to the devils may not be a message that you want your children to read about. It is also troubling how one of Pullman’s characters describes the Church he says, “That is what the Church does, and every church is the same: control, destroy, obliterate every good feeling” (p. 50). This is an amazing story and one that I don’t think I want my children to miss out on. I think the best thing to do is tell them how you feel about God and your church. Make sure they know how you feel and try to discover how they feel too. Tell them that this is a story and that the power and authority of the real God has never been in question. One of the witches in the books says that she is not worried about their God being destroyed because he is not her God. That is the way I choose to read these books. He’s not my God. He may represent him or sound a lot like him but he’s not the same, thus reading a story about someone killing their God doesn’t bother me. I hope that helped.

-- All page numbers are from the paperback edition with isbn: 0-440-41833-x.

Other reviews available:

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman

Sunday, February 17, 2008

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

golden-compass.jpgThe Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

Genre: Preteen Fantasy Fiction

Published in 1995

Recommended Age Group: 9 and Up

Summary: The Golden Compass is the first book in the series His Dark Materials. It is “set in a universe like ours, but different in many ways.” One of the major differences is that all people have daemons, they are always animals and usually the opposite gender of the person they belong to. Children’s daemons can change shape but once the people get older their daemon assumes a permanent animal. Lyra and her daemon Pantalaimon are our guides through this story which beings with Lyra and Pan at Jordan College in Oxford. Her parents left her at Jordan to be raised by the scholars who worked there and Lyra grew up a half-wild child who learned bits and pieces of everything.

Lyra’s world changed dramatically when her Uncle Asriel came for a visit and brought news about Dust and a mysterious city in the sky up North. Lyra is captivated at once and has thoughts only for going North until the Gobblers strike. The Gobblers kidnap children and though no one knows exactly why everyone ventures a guess. When the Gobblers strike in Oxford and take Lyra’s best friend she decides to go up against them only to discover later that she nearly became one of them. After a few course corrections Lyra finds herself heading North with a group of men sent to reclaim their children and if possible free Lord Asriel who was wrongfully imprisoned. It is on this adventure that Lyra learns the true purpose of the Gobblers and of other unbelievable mysteries.

Personal Notes: I read this book before the movie was made and I enjoyed it a lot. The plot was interesting and there were many fun elements that I hadn’t encountered before which made the book even more exciting. The talking armored bears were a highlight as were the many good guy/bad guy twists. Once I heard all the controversy about Pullman being an atheist and using his books for that cause I had to read it again to see if I missed something on the first go around. After reading it twice I can honestly say let your children read this book and don’t worry. It’s exciting and fun and it has nothing in it about trying to overthrow God. I hear the third book is the one to look out for but I’ll let you know when I get to it. Right now I’m moving on to the second one.

For the reading group the back of the book says ages nine to twelve but I wonder if that’s the best range. There were some parts that I had problems focusing on and a few words that I had to look up. I’m not worried about content I just worry that they might lose interest in the first part of the book. Once it moves on to parts two and three it picks up dramatically and gets more exciting so if you can make it through the first part then you’re home free. Overall it was a whirlwind adventure of suspense and excitement.

Other reviews available:

The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman

The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

eclipse.jpgEclipse by Stephenie Meyer

Genre: Juvenile Fantasy Fiction

Published in 2007

Recommended Age Group: 14 and Up

Summary: Eclipse is the most recent novel in the Twilight series. This book picks up right about when the last one left off. Bella is back with Edward and wonders what to do about Jacob. She is convinced that they can work something out in spite of the fact that Edward is a vampire and Jacob is a werewolf making them the fiercest of enemies. Edward refuses to let Bella see Jacob so she sneaks away to see him and eventually Edward decides it’s safer if he lets her go. Worried about how she is while she’s there Edward drops her off and picks her up from each of her visits making it feel like a custody agreement and not casual friendship.

The situation gets more complicated when Victoria, the vampire that’s been after Bella since book one, comes back into the scene and threatens Bella. The combination of problems from school, home, friends, and enemies is nearly too much for Bella and a temporary compromise is reached so everyone can work together to keep her safe and happy. In the end she discovers what Jacob already knew, she is in love with him and she must decide which boy’s heart to break and which to keep.

Personal Notes: Like with Meyer’s other two books I lost track of time while reading this one and really immersed myself in the book. It wasn’t as dark as the second one but darker than the first. I enjoyed the conflict with Bella and the two boys. It seemed like such a universal experience but with the fun twist that one is a werewolf and the other a vampire. I also appreciate how clean these books are, as in very little in the way of swear words and the couples only get as far as kissing. It’s definitely something I would recommend to anyone and I know it won’t upset his or her standards or morals.

Other reviews available:

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer


New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Sunday, February 10, 2008

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

new-moon.jpgNew Moon by Stephenie Meyer

Genre: Juvenile Fantasy Fiction

Published in 2006

Recommended Age Group: 14 and Up

Summary: New Moon, much like Twilight, begins with a peek at the climax of the novel where Bella is running though a crowded square to save the life of someone she loves. Bella turns eighteen in the first chapter and unlike most people she is upset at the milestone because her boyfriend Edward (a vampire) will always be stuck at age seventeen and she hates the thought of being older than him. Bella tries repeatedly to convince him to change her into a vampire but he refuses convinced that the transformation will cost Bella her soul, an idea that not everyone agrees is the case.

At her Birthday party she cuts her finger and everyone in Edward’s family (also vampires) try not to hurt her and Jasper, the newest member of their group who doesn’t hurt humans, tried to attack her. Shortly after this the whole family decided to leave Forks, Washington afraid that Bella might get hurt and that they would be exposed as vampires.

After they leave Bella falls into a zombie-like state and only her friendship with Jacob Black is able to pull her out of the despair. It is when Jake appears to join a cult and when Edward, thinking he’s lost Bella forever, does something rash that Bella’s world really begins to fall to pieces. Through a bit of luck and the help of a good friend Bella is able to get part of what she wants and also understands that her world and those of the people she loves will never be the same again.

Personal Notes: This second book in the Twilight series was darker than the first but no less enjoyable. There were parts where Bella was a bit depressed and I found myself once again so engrossed in the story that I was feeling what she felt.  I have heard some people say that it was too depressing and that if they were to read them again they would skip this book but I think they are all necessary to understand the story as a whole.  Meyer is a truly captivating writer and creates amazingly round and real characters.  New Moon was so well written and it captures the emotions so well without trying to hide from unhappy things.

Other reviews available:

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer


Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

twilight.jpgTwilight by Stephenie Meyer

Genre: Juvenile Fantasy Fiction

Published in 2005

Recommended Age Group: 14 and Up

Summary: Bella Swan’s parents separated when she was only a few months old. Since then she’d been living in Phoenix and spending the summers with her dad Charlie in the rainiest city in the US, Forks, Washington. When her mom decided to get married again to a minor league ball player named Phil Bella decided to go live with her dad in Forks. She wasn’t excited but knew it was better than watching her mom suffer being without Phil who was almost always on the road. With Bella living with her Dad her Mom was able to travel to the games with Phil. Bella adjusted quicker than she expected and made a lot of new friends that first week. Especially boy friends. One boy in particular made her excited and frustrated all at the same time.

Edward, a member of the Cullen family, was the most gorgeous person Bella had ever seen. Even though he behaved oddly in their first class together, not speaking to her, seeming angry, and barely looking her direction, they soon became nearly inseparable. In spite of his odd behavior and constant warnings that she should stay away from him Bella looked forward to seeing him. She soon realized that he was right about her need to stay away but chose not to and had a lot of mysterious and excited adventures. Along the way she learned that Edward, along with all his family, is a vampire but not your average vampire. Instead of hurting humans they drink from animals. In the end we learn how she got to the odd place she was in the preface and we learn that even though love may not beat everything it’s sure worth the ride.

Personal Notes: I devoured this book. Even with two small children to take care of, a house to clean, and dinner to fix I read it in less than 24 hours. It was like falling in love all over again only with more excitement then I felt the first time, no offense honey. I found myself lost in the writing and felt my heart race along with the characters. The book begins, “I’d never given much thought to how I would die – even though I’d had reason enough in the last few months – but even if I had, I would not have imagined it like this.” Of course my interest was instantly piqued and I had to read on to find out what happened and how it all worked out. I was excited about the ending and loved the romantic and fascinating journey.

Other reviews available:

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Friday, February 8, 2008

Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli

maniac-magee.jpgManiac Magee by Jerry Spinelli

Genre: Juvenile Fiction

Published in 1990

Recommended Age Group: 10 and Up

Summary: Maniac Magee is a Newberry Medal winning book about a legend of the same name. Also known as Jeffery Lionel Magee, Maniac is the hero and unifier of Two Mills, Pennsylvania. When Maniac ran into town there was a great divide between the people. There were the black people who lived on the East End of Hector Street and the white people who lived on the West End of Hector. As a twelve-year-old boy Jeffery didn’t understand the difference between black people and white. He didn’t understand that the white people just did not cross over to the East End. So on his first day of town he walked right over to the East End and made friends with Amanda Beale. He borrowed a book from her and then proceeded to do other unheard of things like sit on Finsterwald’s front steps and intercept a ball one handed that was meant for James “Hands” Down these things, among others, earned him the nickname Maniac.

Jeffery was a wanderer without family or home, he was orphaned at age three, he lived with some relatives but he was so unhappy there he ran away and landed, after a year of wandering, in Two Mills. He proceeded to enact social change bit by bit one miracle at a time. In the end he was a legend with a home, which is what he longed for most of all.

Personal Notes: An insightful book on the power of one fantastic person. Jeffery was able to do more for that town than anyone ever dreamed because he was able to set aside perceptions and actually get to know the people. This book teaches great lessons about the basics of humanity in the process of telling fun and interesting stories. A great story, something that I think everyone would enjoy but especially boys.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Deception Point by Dan Brown

deception-point.jpgDeception Point by Dan Brown

Genre: Fiction

Published in 2001

Recommended Age Group: Adult

Summary: Deception Point is about an amazing NASA discovery in the arctic during an election year. Senator Sedgewick Sexton his opponent in the race for the oval office was attacking President Herney, a huge supporter of NASA, about NASA’s lack of success. The discovery of a meteorite with evidence of life on other planets couldn’t have come at a better time for the President or a worse time for the Senator. President Herney took enormous precautions to check the meteorite’s authenticity before going public with the information. Meanwhile Senator Sexton continued his attacks on the President and NASA only securing his fate once the information was finally made public.

In order to convince members of his staff President Herney asked Sexton’s daughter Rachael, who regularly briefs the White House Staff on important issues, to endorse the meteorite. Rachael finds herself alongside two civilian scientists who were called in to authenticate the meteorite. Michael Tolland, a famous oceanographer who had a national television show, and Corky Marlinson, a decorated astrophysicist. These three in an effort find proof for the meteorite continually find information that causes them doubt. They then find themselves in a whirlwind adventure trying to run for their lives while finding proof that the meteorite is a fake. While on the run Michael and Rachael begin to fall in love and wonder about the timing of life. In the end they are surprised to find who was trying to kill them and the mastermind of the whole plan, they also save one candidate's job while destroying that of the other.

Personal Notes: I enjoyed nearly everything about this book. I guess I'm a sensitive soul because I didn't like reading about the few deaths that occurred in the book but Brown wrote them so well that I truly felt for the victim. When scientist Wailee Ming drowned in the extraction pit Brown told it third person giving details of his thought process like, "The sheer terror of his own impending death was something he never imagined he would experience. And yet here he was...sinking slowly down the sheer ice wall of a two-hundred-foot-deep hole in the ice." It was so well researched; Brown seemed comfortable with complex scientific explanations and made them exciting for the reader. He talked about the meteorite like he was a member of NASA but kept it simple for us non rocket science types. I enjoyed all the plot lines and the different angles that we were able to follow at the same time. It made the story more full and interesting. I also enjoyed the hint of a love story between Michael and Rachael. It was more complex because of the situation and both of their pasts. Overall a smart and exciting book a definite page-turner.

Other reviews available:

Digital Fortress by Dan Brown