Jacks

• Rated 5 stars

“This is a YA book, but I enjoyed it so much I made my whole family read it. Several years in the future, when the technology to affix video games directly to a brain is available, a group of protestors storm a local video game store. Unfortunately, their destruction causes a malfunction for one teen girl attached to a game. She becomes "trapped" inside, and the only way to disconnect is to solve the game all the way to the end, which, in and of itself, is a dangerous risk! The writing is clever, the humor enjoyable, and I recommend this book to anyone who can read! ”

Jacks wrote this review Friday, February 8 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“How can you not love Jackie Chan? This is a fascinating look into a childhood Americans can scarcely comprehend. Chan, deposited into indentured servitude to Chinese theater, experienced relentless training and the sort of psychological reprogramming I would say is a close cousin to actual brainwashing. His charisma and surprising humility come through in this first-person telling of his life.”

Jacks wrote this review Friday, February 8 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“Maass theorizes on why some writers remain professionally untapped, wading through midlist careers. His insights into what makes a novel a "good" one vs. a "breakout" seem logical and easy to grasp as he explains himself. There's an accompanying workbook, as well, for the writer who wishes to put his advice into action. I gleaned much from this, and recommend it for any writer looking for more input on honing the craft.”

Jacks wrote this review Thursday, March 6 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Anything you can read about writing by Orson Scott Card is a must-do. This book is no exception. He's got a very practical and easy-to-understand approach that, as a reader, I appreciate, and, as a writer, rings an instinctive bell.”

Jacks wrote this review Thursday, February 7 2008. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 4 stars

“Anyone interested in knowing how to crank up the tension in their writing will benefit from this workbook (that is a partner to the book of the same name).”

Jacks wrote this review Thursday, February 7 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 2 stars

“I have been an avid fan of Butler for a long time, so I was surprisingly disappointed with "Fledgling". The premise is fascinating, but I felt Butler's writing betrayed her too often; she seemed so fascinated by her own intricate backstory she couldn't bring herself not to mention every minute detail. The plot often flagged, and I learned far too much about minor characters than I cared to know. However, the intrigue of her version of the "vampire" culture kept me reading, and I would recommend this book to anyone who can handle a little blood and a lot of backstory detail.”

Jacks wrote this review Thursday, February 7 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“This is one of my favorite Dickens tales. His style and voice really shine. The story itself speaks of rejection, ignorance, and redemption. Timeless.”

Jacks wrote this review Friday, March 7 2008. ( reply | permalink )