I had not read the first story in this series. I enjoyed it though, so I will borrow the first to read!
I liked how the story was told by the alternating point of view of Winnie and Miss Drake. It allowed me to connect with both of the main characters. This may confuse younger or inexperienced reader, however.
The intricate illustrations at the beginning of each chapter are wonderful! I love that they are in the pen and ink style. This adds to the old magic feel of the story.
I really liked Liberty Frye and the Sails of Fate. It did not disappoint and was just as exciting as the first book. The author, J. L. McCreedy, masterfully crafted a book full of action, adventure, and suspense that commanded my attention from beginning to end.
The descriptions were also outstanding; they made me feel as though I was experiencing the journey for myself. Just one example of the detailed descriptions was, “Uncle Frank saw something just as incredible outside, because now, that electric blue cloud pulsed and throbbed with renewed energy until suddenly, the cloud burst apart like a million shooting blue stars, each star falling directly from the sky...”
The themes of family and friendship were woven throughout this book. I could relate to the characters; they were believable and felt very realistic. I would recommend this book to ages 12 and up or to anyone who has read and enjoyed book one, Liberty Frye and the Witches of Hessen.
This story kept my interest, and I found it engaging. While I did enjoy reading this book, there were several elements the author could have improved upon. I liked the intertwining of the three plots, and I felt that the author did a great job keeping them balanced so that one plot didn’t feel more important than another. However, I did not think that each of these plots was needed or as flushed out as they could have been. Yes, they were well balanced, but the fact that they were happening simultaneously caused the story to switch between them many times throughout the book, which became somewhat distracting. I do, however, appreciate the messages behind each of the plots.
At the end, Brooke explained what we should have learned throughout the book. I wish it had been done more subtly instead. Subtlety with morals tends to remain with people longer than obvious morals.
This book was heavy with the pop culture references. While I know a lot of people like having these references in books because it makes them relatable, this relatability doesn’t last forever. Making a book specific to the current time usually makes it dated very soon, which can cause it to be less appealing in a few years. This doesn’t make the story bad; it just makes it date more easily as culture evolves and changes.
Overall, this book was enjoyable, but it presented some issues in its structure and content. I would recommend that parents consider the content of this book before allowing pre-teen or young teen girls to read it. It contains many sex references, some of which are essential to the plot. This is a fun book, but I can easily see younger readers being confused or distressed by all of the sex references.
I think the author, James Thibeault, had a good idea in Deacon’s Folly, but it didn’t quite live up to its full potential. The characters were fairly developed, but I felt like they all shared one personality instead of each having their own. If each character could have been unique, it would have been better. A lot of violent things began to happen a little past the middle of the book, which I didn't like. I did, however, enjoy the theme of perseverance that was woven throughout. All in all, I think this book had tons of possibilities, but it fell a little flat. I would suggest this book to ages 14 and up or to people who like books that take weird twists but end in a positive way.
Pigsticks and Harold and the Incredible Journey could be a little bit more exciting. There wasn't enough action for me. I think that all or at least one of the characters should tell their feelings. I do not like that the author brought up characters but did not tell much about them in the beginning of the story when Pigsticks was interviewing assistants. The book has many pages without much writing because of the many illustrations. I do not suggest this book for 7 year-old and older readers.
I liked this book a lot; it shows what it’s like to have a family that is always too busy for you. Knowles combined a lot of themes in this book: family, sexuality, tragedy, and bullying. She didn’t put all of these things into one person; she put them in a dysfunctional family. I think that Knowles could’ve improved this book by adding a point of view from each member of Fern's family. Have a chapter for Sara, then one for Holden, one for her mom, one for her dad, and one for Charlie. It would’ve allowed more people to relate to the characters. We’d get to know more about the rest of her family, and we’d be able to relate to the rest of them.
I liked this book because it felt real in a variety of different ways. Although I have never been through any of the experiences that Ashley had, I still felt a connection to her. While I didn’t agree with her actions at times, she had gone through so much that it was usually easy to understand why she did what she did. Even though I couldn’t relate directly with Ashely’s experiences, I could relate because I am a teenager, so I know many of the things that teenage girls have to go through.
I am not a fan of swearing, and this book had a lot in it. But I know that swearing is part of real life, so that gave it a more realistic feel.
I believe that people who have been in similar circumstances as Ashley will definitely have a connection to this book and will perhaps enjoy it even more than I did. Overall, this was a good read, and I recommend it for those looking to find some light at the end of the dark tunnel of their current life situation.
I liked this book because it felt real in a variety of different ways. Although I have never been through any of the experiences that Ashley had, I still felt a connection to her. While I didn’t agree with her actions at times, she had gone through so much that it was usually easy to understand why she did what she did. Even though I couldn’t relate directly with Ashely’s experiences, I could relate because I am a teenager, so I know many of the things that teenage girls have to go through.
I am not a fan of swearing, and this book had a lot in it. But I know that swearing is part of real life, so that gave it a more realistic feel.
I believe that people who have been in similar circumstances as Ashley will definitely have a connection to this book and will perhaps enjoy it even more than I did. Overall, this was a good read, and I recommend it for those looking to find some light at the end of the dark tunnel of their current life situation.