This would be my least favorite book of all in the series. It progresses with a lot of ramblings instead of focusing on the main plot. I know I did not enjoy this one as much as the others, however towards the end, there was a slight twist in which I kinda bump my ratings up just for that. Yes, my initial rating was suppose to be 2 stars. I did not hate this book per se but it kinda drags on for me.
No offense to many readers who enjoys this series, but I find this book has too much rambling going on, especially on the water cycle and others. I get that this book is aiming towards the middle graders or the younger ones but the metaphor description is just a tad bit too much for me, considering this is the 11th book in the series.
I sense that this series is the near the end, and I find that the author is taking his time to end the series with a slight struggle to drag on. I might be wrong but I think that's how I felt while I was reading it. Lastly, I think it is still a good book for kids who enjoys some good mysteries fun with new characters.
Ratings: 3 out of 5 stars
Goodreads Review Link
And... we're back into the world of Wax and Wayne. I'm just gonna dive into this without delay. So many characters building was laid out with care in this book. Took me quite awhile to finish this but then again this is what Brandon does best, a generous well-thought character and world building in an Epic Fantasy genre per se.
I was skeptical that the second installment of the Mistborn series would be as good as the first. Boy, I was wrong. Some of the honorable characters from the first trilogy came back as a living proof to the current skeptical minds of these generation of Steam Punked-ness Allomancy, Feruchemy and Hermalurgist! Some of these great characters during the time of the Final Empire pops up with great shocking moments.
What's even worse was how much Wax has to unveil the ugliest truth in this series, and it is so strong of him for not being able to crack (emotionally) when he is dealing something so supernatural that he might not be able to comprehend the magnitude of the real truth of what this "God" has in planned for them in this particular world.
Honestly, I'm restricted in so many ways to review this book because I'm trying so hard not to spoil anything from the original series and this one as well. So much has happened, and so much to love. And I can't wait for the upcoming release, "The Bands Of Mourning".
Ratings: 4 out of 5 Stars
Goodreads Review Link
Yep, this book tore me apart. The fact that this book ended so well, I was beginning to think whether I'm able to do this book justice by reviewing my thoughts.
So, I would just put in my favourite quotes and further explained my thoughts from there, here goes:
Quote 1
"He was constantly whistling a tune called the Radetzky March, and all the kids in town would call out to him and duplicate that tune."
The life in Himmelstrasse Molching (Heaven Street), Germany was described with bursting colours, life goes even during times of oppression. Kids are seen here were mischievously rascal to many of the folks in this street. How beautifully it has been described as the story progresses...
Quote 2
"Papa looked up. “Mistakes? I’ve made many mistakes in my life, but not joining the Nazi Party isn’t one of them."
A very powerful statement from a fellow German himself. Many of the bad eggs has joined this so-called party in view of Hitler's vision. However, Hans Hubermann here proves to be a veteran in the army, whom he has served during World War I and never once agree that Jews are any different from the rest.
Quote 3
"The word communist + a large bonfire + a collection of dead letters + the suffering of her mother + the death of her brother = the Führer"
An equation was formed by Liesel Meminger during her Nazi Youth parade gathering. As the session further develops, the creation of this equation sums up her tragic life story in which she cannot control her hatred towards Hitler. This was where the truth sets on Liesel. I can't help but to feel the sorrow in her eyes with the crowd chanting endlessly.
Quote 4
"He was not well-educated or political, but if nothing else, he was a man who appreciated fairness. A Jew had once saved his life and he couldn’t forget that. He couldn’t join a party that antagonized people in such a way."
In reference to Quote 2, Papa Hans Hubermann was a good man. A very good man indeed that I have bonded with this character ever since Liesel Meminger stepped foot in his house. He is a character that carries that fatherly warmth and loving care and as a human being, his personality was written so beautifully.
Quote 5
A SMALL EXCERPT FROM THE WHISTLER (a made up book)
"She lay there, frightened, in a pool of blood, a strange tune singing in her ear. She recalled the knife, in and out, and a smile. As always, the whistler had smiled as he ran away, into a dark and murderous night."
There were so many good things happened through out the course of the book and while Liesel read this excerpt, this mental image of cold blooded murder just robbed away so many good things that has happened in her life. As in during this war period, many of the good things has been robbed away by just a WORD vision. Was Markus asking his readers to get ready for the ugly?
Quote 6
"What? Is there a monster down there?" Papa asked
Max, the Jew has been placed in their basement to seek refuge. Whilst Papa ask Liesel to stick back to her routine by reading the book, she was afraid and when Papa asked this question in which made me, as the reader, smile, everything was restored by the mere fact Quote 5 literally stomped me by a down hill surprised.
Quote 7
"The Jew stood before him, expecting another handful of derision, but he watched with everyone else as Hans Hubermann held his hand out and presented a piece of bread, like magic. When it changed hands, the Jew slid down. He fell to his knees and held Papa’s shins. He buried his face between them and thanked him."
From a reader's POV, a German who is also suffering from the events of World War II, this scene makes it even more gut wrenching-ly heartbreaking. I've teared. Simple act of kindness goes a long way regardless of race and religion. So beautiful!
Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads Review Link
**I was given this book with an honest review.**
It has been years that I've picked up a children's book to read. I do not remember myself reading any children's book for the past 10 years. I dare say this because I've volunteered in teaching English to the under privilege kids who doesn't have the opportunity by exposing themselves with the English language. Hence, I've read quite a bunch back then.
Alright, back to reviewing this book. This book is fun! It is easy to read, simple to understand, no hidden stories behind (unless it's in the second book). I like Little Jakey and his adventure in searching for his new house and home. There are some big words, which I think it's a good learning curve in which I assume the audience is maybe around the age of 7 to 8 which is during their first few years of elementary.
The art is vibrant and catches my attention on how adorable Little Jakey, the great panther can be. Many of the illustrations depicts the forest with great depths and how easy it is to distinguish trees and bushes. Might I say, the art on the river fall seems beautiful! This add to a great bed time story for the little ones too!
About the Author:
Richard Edgley grew up in United Kingdom on the outskirts of Chester. He has lived all over the world, working and travelling. This is the first book of a series.
Book Details
Genre: Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Big Cats
Author: Richard Edgley
Format: Paperback, 28 pages
Publisher: Strategic Book Publishing & Rights Agency (SBPRA)
Pub date: August 2014
Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads Review Link
Depression - feelings of severe despondency and dejection. (Google Ref)
Honestly, there were so much hype about his book. I would never have pick this one up if it wasn't in my list. Surprisingly, this was very much as engaging as all the books that I've read from Rainbow. It is so raw to the core when each of the characters were being built with the ugly reality side of life. Moreover, the more you read the more you felt that you were being part of their family. A real-life depiction of how family is journeying with a serious case of a depression patient.
This book is separated into 2 parts. It's more like 2 semesters in college years.
1st Half
An introduction of who Cath/Cather Avery is, and how she has this social awkwardness where college is a major change in her so-called perfect life. Although one suffers from this paranoia of social awkwardness (Sophisticated-Ly speaking, She's An Introvert...pffft), one does know how to make stupid decisions too. The first half has concluded that there is nothing wrong with making friends at all but it is always a big NO-NO in mixing with the wrong ones.
2nd Half
Here's where the deeps stuff comes in. We have already established that Cath and Wren are twins and they can never be apart. However, the reality of life does not show us life is a bed of roses. It is so poignant that siblings arguments are real and by patching things up needs a lot of self-shedding of our own pride.
Shock factor, I just knew that the book "Carry On" has just been released a week ago. Now I'm anticipating to read about the love story between Simon Snow and Tyrannus Basilton "Baz".
Quote:
"They could hear the engine; it sounded closer than the voices shouting inside the house. Her sister reached up like she might touch it. Like she might grab on. The girl squeezed her sister's other hand, trying to anchor her to the steps. if you leave, she thought, I'm going with you."
This quote had me all teared up! Since the book "Carry On" has been released, would Rainbow release anything on the ten thousand word Fiction by Cather Avery titled "Left"?
Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads Review Link
In such a short read, Brandon is able to pull off a Mistborn fight scene with Allomancy? How awesome is that? We are being brought back with how Kelsier was out from the Pits of Hathsin and is getting himself trained to be a Mistborn by his mentor, Gremmel. Although, it's a short read, the pacing was good enough to capture your attention of how Kelsier was a stubborn asshole nobility. Haha!!! All in all, it's a fun read, not great but fun.
And... the title it's called The Eleventh Metal. Guys, just read the Mistborn trilogy, it has so much to give while you're so bog down just by reading this mere 14 pages of the Mistborn saga. Moreover, the second part of the Mistborn trilogy is already on it's way... just give this a chance. It's that good!
Weblink: The Eleventh Metal
Ratings: 3 out of 5 stars
Goodreads Review Link
How? How in the world? Just 4 pages and I'm blown away by agnostic revelation! He's that good! Are we waiting for another one like this? This is so darn good!
Weblink: The Egg
Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads Review Link
