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daedelys - - Reviews

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1001 Nights
1001 Nights
Author: Gertrude Chandler Warner
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 1/2/2010


I've always loved any telling of these stories. This book was no exception and it made for a good read. I found it to be delightfully politically incorrect at times due to the non-bubblegum versions of scenarios in the stories.


The 10th Kingdom: Do You Believe in Magic?
The 10th Kingdom: Do You Believe in Magic?
Author: Kathryn Wesley
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4.5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 2/10/2009


This book runs very parallel to everything that happens in the movie, which I've watch at least a couple of dozen times (marathon the DVD while playing on the computer or something. :D). I think without having seen the movie, a lot of the dialogue would be really boring because the inflections just aren't well described at all. Luckily, I could hear the dialogue from the movie in my head as I read this one, which is what made the book better to me. If someone were to read it alone without the movie, it may seem a little boring or overly cheezy. I did like that they had some extra personal thoughts for the characters, which I'll keep in mind the next time I watch the movie, because it helps to give them more depth. There were also some differences, like where Acorn takes Clay Face's place in the swamp, but it works well either way. This book is a definite read if you loved the movie and just want to re-experience it in a different way.


300
300
Author: Frank Miller, Lynn Varley
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3.4/5 Stars.
 21
Review Date: 5/16/2009
Helpful Score: 1


This book was mediocre at best. I've watched the movie several times and really enjoyed it so I thought that I would like the book more (since that's how is "usually" goes). No such luck. It was a very quick read and the artwork was okay, but nothing as enjoyable as some graphic novels I've seen. The movie did a good job staying with the storyline in the book and even added more to it, so this is one where I feel you can take it or leave it unless you're a big fan of the authors who wrote it.


Across the Nightingale Floor
Across the Nightingale Floor
Author: Hearn Lian
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 4
Review Date: 3/20/2009
Helpful Score: 2


I have to admit that I bought this series because the covers on the books looked beautiful and the description in the inner sleeve sounded intriguing. The story starts out decent enough, but it is simply written without a lot of detail that could make the story so much better. The characters are quite bland and neither they nor the plot has a lot of depth to it.

A big complaint I did have for this story is the lack of Japanese "flavor" the story has. I just didn't get a feel for the culture in which this tale was supposed to being taking place in. The author does a poor job in making the background of the world and the characters come to life. Granted, there are Japanese names and places in the book, but the writer should've incorporated some local dialect and phrases into the character's dialogues and thoughts because I feel this would have given it that little extra something. Especially since it's noted in the blurb about the author how he's studied the Japanese language... not using this knowledge seems a bit of a waste.

However, even though it's mediocre, it's interesting enough to compel me to read the next book in the series since I have it on hand. Hopefully the author will have grown some in his writing skills.


Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori)
Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori)
Author: Lian Hearn, Lian Hearn
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.5/5 Stars.
 3
Review Date: 3/20/2009


I have to admit that I bought this series because the covers on the books looked beautiful and the description in the inner sleeve sounded intriguing. The story starts out decent enough, but it is simply written without a lot of detail that could make the story so much better. The characters are quite bland and neither they nor the plot has a lot of depth to it.

A big complaint I did have for this story is the lack of Japanese "flavor" the story has. I just didn't get a feel for the culture in which this tale was supposed to being taking place in. The author does a poor job in making the background of the world and the characters come to life. Granted, there are Japanese names and places in the book, but the writer should've incorporated some local dialect and phrases into the character's dialogues and thoughts because I feel this would have given it that little extra something. Especially since it's noted in the blurb about the author how he's studied the Japanese language... not using this knowledge seems a bit of a waste.

However, even though it's mediocre, it's interesting enough to compel me to read the next book in the series since I have it on hand. Hopefully the author will have grown some in his writing skills.


Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, #1)
Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, #1)
Author: Lian Hearn
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 29
Review Date: 3/20/2009


I have to admit that I bought this series because the covers on the books looked beautiful and the description in the inner sleeve sounded intriguing. The story starts out decent enough, but it is simply written without a lot of detail that could make the story so much better. The characters are quite bland and neither they nor the plot has a lot of depth to it.

A big complaint I did have for this story is the lack of Japanese "flavor" the story has. I just didn't get a feel for the culture in which this tale was supposed to being taking place in. The author does a poor job in making the background of the world and the characters come to life. Granted, there are Japanese names and places in the book, but the writer should've incorporated some local dialect and phrases into the character's dialogues and thoughts because I feel this would have given it that little extra something. Especially since it's noted in the blurb about the author how he's studied the Japanese language... not using this knowledge seems a bit of a waste.

However, even though it's mediocre, it's interesting enough to compel me to read the next book in the series since I have it on hand. Hopefully the author will have grown some in his writing skills.


Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Bk 1)
Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Bk 1)
Author: Lian Hearn
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 56
Review Date: 3/20/2009
Helpful Score: 5


I have to admit that I bought this series because the covers on the books looked beautiful and the description in the inner sleeve sounded intriguing. The story starts out decent enough, but it is simply written without a lot of detail that could make the story so much better. The characters are quite bland and neither they nor the plot has a lot of depth to it.

A big complaint I did have for this story is the lack of Japanese "flavor" the story has. I just didn't get a feel for the culture in which this tale was supposed to being taking place in. The author does a poor job in making the background of the world and the characters come to life. Granted, there are Japanese names and places in the book, but the writer should've incorporated some local dialect and phrases into the character's dialogues and thoughts because I feel this would have given it that little extra something. Especially since it's noted in the blurb about the author how he's studied the Japanese language... not using this knowledge seems a bit of a waste.

However, even though it's mediocre, it's interesting enough to compel me to read the next book in the series since I have it on hand. Hopefully the author will have grown some in his writing skills.


Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book One)
Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book One)
Author: Lian Hearn
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 157
Review Date: 3/20/2009


I have to admit that I bought this series because the covers on the books looked beautiful and the description in the inner sleeve sounded intriguing. The story starts out decent enough, but it is simply written without a lot of detail that could make the story so much better. The characters are quite bland and neither they nor the plot has a lot of depth to it.

A big complaint I did have for this story is the lack of Japanese "flavor" the story has. I just didn't get a feel for the culture in which this tale was supposed to being taking place in. The author does a poor job in making the background of the world and the characters come to life. Granted, there are Japanese names and places in the book, but the writer should've incorporated some local dialect and phrases into the character's dialogues and thoughts because I feel this would have given it that little extra something. Especially since it's noted in the blurb about the author how he's studied the Japanese language... not using this knowledge seems a bit of a waste.

However, even though it's mediocre, it's interesting enough to compel me to read the next book in the series since I have it on hand. Hopefully the author will have grown some in his writing skills.


Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book One)
Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book One)
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 3/20/2009


I have to admit that I bought this series because the covers on the books looked beautiful and the description in the inner sleeve sounded intriguing. The story starts out decent enough, but it is simply written without a lot of detail that could make the story so much better. The characters are quite bland and neither they nor the plot has a lot of depth to it.

A big complaint I did have for this story is the lack of Japanese "flavor" the story has. I just didn't get a feel for the culture in which this tale was supposed to being taking place in. The author does a poor job in making the background of the world and the characters come to life. Granted, there are Japanese names and places in the book, but the writer should've incorporated some local dialect and phrases into the character's dialogues and thoughts because I feel this would have given it that little extra something. Especially since it's noted in the blurb about the author how he's studied the Japanese language... not using this knowledge seems a bit of a waste.

However, even though it's mediocre, it's interesting enough to compel me to read the next book in the series since I have it on hand. Hopefully the author will have grown some in his writing skills.


Affaire Royale (Cordina's Royal Family, Bk 1) (Language of Love, No 35)
Review Date: 9/13/2008


This story was so-so. It didn't really grab me in a big way, since it was pretty easy to figure out who the kidnappers were and how the story was going to end. It's not enough to get me to read the rest of the series.


Affaire Royale (Cordina's Royal Family, Bk 1) (Large Print)
Affaire Royale (Cordina's Royal Family, Bk 1) (Large Print)
Author: Nora Roberts
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 5
Review Date: 9/13/2008


This story was so-so. It didn't really grab me in a big way, since it was pretty easy to figure out who the kidnappers were and how the story was going to end. It's not enough to get me to read the rest of the series.


Affaire Royale (Cordina's Royal Family, Bk 1) (Silhouette Intimate Moments, No 142)
Review Date: 9/13/2008


This story was so-so. It didn't really grab me in a big way, since it was pretty easy to figure out who the kidnappers were and how the story was going to end. It's not enough to get me to read the rest of the series.


The Age of Bronze (Pirates of the Caribbean: Jack Sparrow, Bk 5)
Review Date: 9/14/2008
Helpful Score: 1


This was another cute book in the series. It's a great read for any age!


ALANNA: THE FIRST ADVENT (Pierce, Tamora. Song of the Lioness, Bk. 1.)
Review Date: 5/28/2009


This story was very interesting and fast-paced. A little short (I didn't want it to end so soon!) but very enjoyable regardless. I this this would be a great read for fans of Harry Potter-like books or any stories that have that type of world.


Alanna: The First Adventure
Alanna: The First Adventure
Author: Tamora Pierce
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4.9/5 Stars.
 5
Review Date: 5/28/2009


This story was very interesting and fast-paced. A little short (I didn't want it to end so soon!) but very enjoyable regardless. I this this would be a great read for fans of Harry Potter-like books or any stories that have that type of world.


Alanna, the First Adventure (Song of the Lioness)
Review Date: 5/28/2009


This story was very interesting and fast-paced. A little short (I didn't want it to end so soon!) but very enjoyable regardless. I this this would be a great read for fans of Harry Potter-like books or any stories that have that type of world.


Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, Bk 1)
Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, Bk 1)
Author: Tamora Pierce, David Wyatt
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.3/5 Stars.
 120
Review Date: 5/28/2009
Helpful Score: 2


This story was very interesting and fast-paced. A little short (I didn't want it to end so soon!) but very enjoyable regardless. I this this would be a great read for fans of Harry Potter-like books or any stories that have that type of world.


Aldous Huxley's Brave New World (Bloom's Guides)
Aldous Huxley's Brave New World (Bloom's Guides)
Author: Aldous Huxley
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 2/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 2/18/2009


I know this book is considered a "classic" but after having read it in high school and trying again as an adult, I still didn't like it. Luckily, this time, I could quit halfway through because I didn't need to take a test afterward. I still find the book to be full of paranoia and preaching. It's like the author tries to say that the more technologically advanced we become, the more "depraved" (according to certain religious teachings) we will be. It fails to point out that humankind, before technology, was full of bigots who liked to burn non-Christians at the stake. This book tries to make everything just seem like the future will be full of bad people because these people rely on science instead of religion. Having said that, I don't agree with the ethics these people have developed in the story, but I just don't see it to be a "masterpiece" when it's full of such paranoid speculation.


The Alien (Animorphs, Bk 8)
The Alien (Animorphs, Bk 8)
Author: K. A. Applegate
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 36
Review Date: 4/21/2009
Helpful Score: 1


Another interesting book in the series. Even though these are written for younger readers, I find them quite enjoyable.


All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire (Love at Stake, Bk 5)
All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire (Love at Stake, Bk 5)
Author: Kerrelyn Sparks
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 436
Review Date: 4/14/2009
Helpful Score: 6


Good addition to the series, although all the "super" powers everyone seems to get in this series gets a little old after awhile. The book also feels like it's borrowing themes from other series that I've read, so it kinda makes me feel like maybe this one has run its course. Other than that, it was an overall funny read.


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