A new student review of Scrooge and Marley

engineerphilip18 posted a new student review of Scrooge and Marley . See the full review.

I thought that this was an overall good book. It really captured what Scrooge would have done after the ending of A Christmas Carol. The book was a bit hard to get into, but the imagery was nice and the details made me feel like I was right there. There were some very confusing parts, especially about the shadows and how Marley planned to get out of them. I didn't really get how Marley came into the baby Fred and Kathleen were having. The ending was kind of funny, as it left you knowing something most of the characters didn’t know. The epilogue summed things up nicely. I would also try to “hook” the reader a little more in the beginning. Scrooge's daily life was boring at first. A flashback might have helped hook the reader. I think this book could have been better, but it was still well-written.

A new student review of A Monster Calls

crabby posted a new student review of A Monster Calls . See the full review.

As much as this tale may initially sound like a simple scary story about monsters and demons, it’s not. Conor’s monster is much more real--a larger-than-life manifestation of his real life problems. This book turns out not to be a horror story, but a touching, heart wrenching tale about accepting loss and letting go.  It manages to be realistic and fantastical all at once, with an imaginative creature alongside very real characters. All in all, this is a well-written and poignant story that will leave you with a very different view of the monster in your closet.

                        

A new student review of Pulled by Danielle Bannister

kten19 posted a new student review of Pulled by Danielle Bannister. See the full review.

I read Pulled in about one day and very much enjoyed it. I found that the book was well written. It was detailed, but not to the point where it was boring. I felt like I was in the book listening to real people talk; the conversations never seemed forced or fake. All the characters were unique and complex in different ways, one person was not like the other. This book will not be the next big thing, but it's a great book to read for fun and I would recommend it for anyone who enjoys a love story.

A new student review of Earth Girl by Janet Edwards

McTower posted a new student review of Earth Girl by Janet Edwards. See the full review.

Surely you remember reading your favorite book for the very first time.  Earth Girl is packed with thrilling and dangerous surprises, which is probably why your favorite book is your favorite book.  Earth Girl might not be your new favorite book, but being filled with some fun surprises, it will definitely be on the list of your “runner-ups”.  After all, it is on mine.

A new student review of Templand

VBat posted a new student review of Templand . See the full review.

I felt that Templand was a good book, especially due to its relevant themes. Templand embodied the horror with which young people eye the job market today, as well as their persistant hope for a great job that will enable them to change the world. With unemployment still an issue around the globe, many young adults are anxious about their future, and this idea was clearly present in Templand. 

The style of Templand contributed to making a serious topic more enjoyable to read about. Humorous temp jobs from Melanie's past are mixed in with her narration of the present, which provides comic relief and makes the book lighthearted rather than depressing. The crazy blood-bank manager and her endless professional failings balances out Melanie's awful stint in the asbestos-filled Annex.

Some characters were developed better than others, but on the whole they were likeable and relatable. Melanie's relationship with her grandparents, especially her grandfather, is described well and contributes to the reader's understanding not only of Melanie's past, but also of her work ethic and goals for herself. 

One thing I didn't like about Templand was the lack of dialogue. Most descriptions were narrated through Melanie's eyes, in a journal-type format. However, dialogue was used in these journal entries. I would have liked to see more of that, to break up some of Melanie's thoughts. 

Overall, Templand was a good book that I would recommend to teens and young adults who enjoy chick-lit. It is a great book option for a day at the beach or lazy weekend. 

 

A new student review of Daniel Locke and the Tower of Eden by Marty Longson

scifiguy posted a new student review of Daniel Locke and the Tower of Eden by Marty Longson. See the full review.

I personally enjoyed this book. Its fast-paced action and adventure is appealing to young readers. The plot had incredible twists and turns. I would recommend this book to young adults.

A new student review of Indelible

kaiyle posted a new student review of Indelible . See the full review.

I thought this book was pretty good.  There was fantasy, romance, mythology, adventure, and a little bit of everything else.  It was a little confusing sometimes trying to understand the “claims” that creatures could put on humans but it was not that bad.  I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare.

A new student review of The Silent Dragon

MIZZIQ posted a new student review of The Silent Dragon . See the full review.

This was a really intriguing book and reeled me in and wouldn't let me leave until I had read the entire thing. At times it jumps around, leading to confusing passages but for the most part it was pretty easy to follow. I would reccomend to older readers, solely because younger kids may not be interested.

A new student review of Majestica; First Glimpse

ReesaOnFire posted a new student review of Majestica; First Glimpse . See the full review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this “Chick Flick” turned science fiction-fantasy. I couldn't predict what would happen and had to read every detail. Mize did a wonderful job of creating not only a plot, but also ideal characters, realistic situations, and hints for a sequel (for example, whenever Mize mentions Jace’s older Brother).

The only compliant I have about the book is the slow middle. It felt like in the middle Mize put in a few “filler” chapters full of fluff—chapters that had nothing to do with the central story. But the reader will quickly forgive Mize for these “fillers” as she dramatically brings Jace’s past and future into the story. She weaves together betrayal, allies, enemies, and green eyed monsters.  She lets Lacey and the reader find out that Jace isn’t just a normal Tribesman.

Anyone who enjoys a good science-fiction or fantasy story with a wave of romance will love this book. They might get a little frustrated with a few ‘filler’ chapters toward the middle, but if they stick to it they will be rewarded with a great end.  

A new student review of The Language Inside

swimmer1430 posted a new student review of The Language Inside . See the full review.

I really enjoyed The Language Inside and thought that it was a beautiful read. I was not expecting the book to be written in verse, but it worked well with the story, especially since Emma spends part of the book writing poety. I was able to read The Language Inside very quickly because there weren't many words on each page and the pages flew by. Even with less words, the author is able to present a well-rounded story with developed and interesting characters. I loved reading about Japanese and Cambodian cultures and I felt like I learned a lot. This book would be great for a book club, fans of poetry and people who like to read about different cultures.