Nida B.

• Rated 2 stars

“an abrupt and disappointing ending to what could have been, potentially, a great trilogy. ”

Nida B. wrote this review Wednesday, September 2, 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“I read this book with an open-mind (without any comparisons to "Twilight") and found that it was actually extremely enjoyable; with it's literal use of light and dark; and everyone - espeacially the 'SOF' - being not what they seem. I was in turn laughing at the quirky jokes, pleasently disgusted by the amount of blood and gore and even intrigued by the eccentric cast of chracaters, namely Constantine and Yolande. All the while, I couldn't help but appreciate the clever use of sympolism and the exploration of themes like 'friendship and it's boundaries'.

However, the downside to this novel is that Sunshine - or rather McKinley - has a habit of going off on very long (though interesting) tangents in the middle of conversations. This becomes quite confusing, espeacially if you last put the book down in the middle of one of these tangents. You end up going back several pages and having to re-read from where the conversation started.

But overall, it is evident how well Robin McKinley has grown as a writer and "Sunshine" is everything a dark magical story ought to be. In the words of Neil Gaiman, it really is a cross between "Chocolat" and "Interview with a Vampire". And I truely wish that there was - or will be - a sequal to "Sunshine". ”

Nida B. wrote this review Tuesday, May 19, 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“Cashore has created a world with a vast amount of imagination and potential. The plot is extremely engaging: having finshed the novel within 3 days of first opening it is proof of that. The novel also encorporates depthful themes like the struggle between control and freedom and I feel that Katsa's search for direction and herself reflects the authors own personal search. In addition the characters: Po, Katsa and Bitterblue, a very memorable and I espeacially like the idea of different coloured eyes.
However, the writing style is simplistic and bland; lacking any interesting use of adjective, metaphors and even imagry. I think that this is quiet a set back but on the whole this is a good debut novel for Cashore and should be read just for the captivating stroy itself. Hence I look forward to reading 'Fire' and finding out about the secret past of the psychotic king Leck. ”

Nida B. wrote this review Tuesday, March 31, 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Margeret Hale and Mr. Thornton have taken a place in my heart right beside Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Recommended to me recently by a new friend I wasn't so sure what to make of it through chapter 1 but after Margeret's removal from Helstone, it became a much more captivating read. I also thoroughly enjoyed the way in which Gaskell brought together two very different sectors of Victorian society and threw them in the midst of a heated strike, metaphorically and literally. The cascade of unfortunate events that follow the strike conversely seem to bring Margeret and Mr. Thornton together, even through their appearent antagonism. Another human aspect of this novel that I admire is that despite the firmness - or rather stubborness - of character of both Margeret and Mr. Thronton; each was able to subtely change the other in their drive for better understanding of society, literature, themselves and each other. Initially, the ending does seem a little rushed but Gaskell cannot be begrudged this as it was out of her hands (see introduction). It is also a beautifully written piece with an emphasis on Gaskell's descriptive technique which evolves with Margeret's personal, social and intellectual development. ”

Nida B. wrote this review Thursday, February 7, 2013. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“An absolutely enchanting book; completely relatable for any book lover like me. I often find myself walking through the pages of a book with it's characters beside me and 'Inkheart' was no exception. I venerate Funke's comment on the affliation between the writer, reader and characters while indulging her own readers with action, suspence, warmth and humour. I also admire Funke's reference to beloved classical fairy-tales that bring back long-forgotten memories of childhood and how I first fell in love with literature. Yet, no matter how encapturing a book is, I cannot help but agree with Mo that sometimes it is better to be able to close a book and return to the safety and staity of life, where demons like Basta and Capricorn are only heard of in the news.”

Nida B. wrote this review Monday, January 5, 2009. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 4 stars

“- Niel Gaimen meets Jane Austen - With vivid descriptions of all the splendour and vulgarity of early 19th century London and the Napoleonic Wars, Clarke displays and extraordinary talent to so encapsulate the reader, that reality begins to seem surreal while the surprising notion of rational victorian magicians becomes commonplace.
Adimttedly the first volume and Mr. Norrell seem quite tedious, however the second volume is filled with ironic humour, leaving the final volume with page-turing horror, at time reminiscent of the Romantics.
The plot itself has sufficient enough twists to keep the reader captivated; while the foundation of the story exhales a sense of British patriotism, which i feel is quiet lacking in modern society. Despite all of this, the novel ends on a heart-warming note, true-to-form with Austen. This book is, quite literally, a 'modern classic' for all English classic lovers. ”

Nida B. wrote this review Saturday, November 22, 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Despite the controvercial political and religious background of this novel, it is niether about politics nor the Islamic religion. It is about two women and their struggle in a country that passes from the hands of one terroriser into another's. It is about mothers' love and a father's regret; about endurance and long forgotten dreams. At times the brutality and grief faced by Mariem and Laila is shockinmg and thier courage and determination is admirable.
The depth of the characters' relationships are also accentuated by Hosseini's vivid description of Afghanistan over three decades.But what stands out for me the most is how the novel ends with a sense of hope.
This is truely an auspicious and unforgettable tale. ”

Nida B. wrote this review Sunday, October 26, 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“I don't believe I've read a more tragic tale. I'd often close this book in a dark mood, filled with grief. But always picking it back up moments later, intrigued by the way it's written, in suspence to know the fate of the dragon Glaurung and of Turin; who's cursed to bring death to all who love him and destruction to wherever he is harboured.
Despite Tolkien's greater ambitions for Narn I Chin Hurin, I think that this narrative is a minorf master-piece in it's own right. ”

Nida B. wrote this review Sunday, October 26, 2008. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 2 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 5 stars

“Hillarious from the beginning to the end. Prachett and Gaiman have put a wonderful and modern twist on the 'Book of Revelations'. 'Good Omens' is also overflowing with suspence, intelligence, the mysitcal, sinister humour and - most of all - imagination, with it's "full chorus of Tibetans, Aliens, Americans, Atlanteans and other rare and strange creatures of the Last Days." But what I personally loved the best were the nonsensical - but at times helpful - footnotes and the eccentric cast of characters. This book is deffinately a recomended read for everyone. ”

Nida B. wrote this review Wednesday, March 11, 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“This trilogy is very well plabnned with lovable characteres, an epic plot, a cataclasmic ending, a laughable epilogue, all within a magical world where even the gods are schememing. It is evident that there are elements of the 'ying-yang' theory within this trilogy, to express the idea that a whole nation of people can not be entirely good or evil, it is all dependent on perspectives and circumstances. The excessive use of symbolism also highlights the fact that stereotypes can not be trusted. Therefore it is important to read the entire trilogy to understand the depth of Canavan's message. Despite this, the triology can be at times humorous and ironic, and one of the great things about Canavan's style is that she does not spend a tedious amount of time explaining the customs of her worlds but instead enlightens the reader on the central conflicts of the trilogy from the first page of the first book, which conversely makes the world more believable. Also, I was personally touched by Liard/Mirrar's infatuation and Auraya's compassion ”

Nida B. wrote this review Wednesday, March 11, 2009. ( reply | permalink )