Amy

• Rated 2 stars

“Recommended Age: WARNING 18+ (due to language, sex, and drug/alcohol content)

After one hundred nine pages, I almost stopped reading. I literally debated for an entire 24 hours whether or not to send the book back…

I didn’t. I decided that not all reviews can glow. So I read the entire book, and I’ll be honest and let you make a decision for yourselves.

This story portrays a world in which “vampyres” have always existed. Zoey Montgomery is being forced to live with a religious fanatic step-father whose aim is to control her mother so completely that Zoey isn’t allowed to exist in her Marked form, when she comes home with a blue crescent moon “tattoo” on her forehead, the sure mark of a fledgling “vampyre.” He’s an Elder for the People of Faith and would rather see her die slowly than to take her to the school that will save her life and prepare her for the Change into an adult “vampyre.”

Zoey flees to her grandmother’s house, has a religious experience with the Goddess of Night, Nyx, then wakes up at the House of Night where her teen adventures begin as Zoey Redbird, adopting her grandmother’s surname. Zoey faces a buxom blonde bully, shakes an obsessed old flame, starts anew with Erik (the hottest guy at school – which is mentioned several times), and becomes the leader she was meant to be in the group called the Dark Daughters and Sons.

With its spiritual roots right out of a handbook for new Wiccans, this book expresses contempt for “religion,” which seems to encompass any faith that includes the idea of God as a singular. Elements and cardinal directions are encouraged to join in their ritual circle, after each person has had a pentagram drawn on their forehead with oil, and exchanged the proclamation, “Blessed be.” Rituals are a regular part of their schedules. Freedom to choose your faith and beliefs seems to be lost to all who carry the genetic marker for “vampyrism.” They must all worship Nyx, without question. And nobody does question, which totally takes me out of the book’s reality. In the real world people get to choose. Human nature can’t be altered to fit the conveniences of authors who don’t want to deal with tough issues. It’s like they’ve all been fitted with mind control chips in their brains: I. Will. Worship. Nyx.

My biggest problem with the religious aspect is that it’s so exclusive. As soon as you exclude part of your audience, you risk losing an entire sector of potential readers. If it wasn’t so blatantly hateful toward what they call the “People of Faith,” then I might be able to scrounge an ounce of quality from the writing, which is not entirely ridiculous. If this book didn’t include the dialogue, the overdone teen themes, and could make me care an iota for any of the characters, then maybe I’d consider letting a friend read this. But unfortunately, I can’t.

The teen-speak is insulting to the intelligence of today’s teenagers and tedious to the adult audience it had potential to harvest some readers from, given the success of another famous vampire franchise with a wide range of age-appropriateness. Marked: A House of Night Novel just doesn’t have the sophistication or depth to share air with the big boys.

The swearing was gratuitous: f*** was used quite a few times, as well as sh**, dam*, b*tch, sl*t,and God’s name was taken in vain several times within the first page as well as being littered throughout, h*ll is Zoey’s “favorite word.” There’s more, but I’ll leave it at that for now.

Drugs and Alcohol. There’s talk of kids smoking p*t. The first conversation Zoey has with her first best friend of the book is about Zoey’s “almost ex-boyfriend” getting “drunk” the night before. (In the end, Zoey’s best friend was secretly seeing the drunk-guy and had been with him on the night in question.) Zoey gets rid of her entire life, family and friends with the exception of her too-understanding grandmother, and gets new friends and feels they’re her real family.

Sex. On Zoey’s first night of school, she witnesses a sex act in a hallway. Sex is referred to casually on several occasions. This book also contains scenes of “making out,” but not in the tender way Edward brushed his lips along Bella’s cheek, but in an animalistic bloodlust-induced frenzy.

The specific overall worldview of the author is clear, which doesn’t always bring an audience in, but that is merely the beginning of this book’s many unresolved issues. I guess the most disappointing part for me was the anticipation of receiving this book (which, btw, came highly recommended from a few Shelfari readers whom I must now hunt down), and the subsequent let-down after realizing I had not discovered some great new vampire series, just recycled bits of Harry Potter, Twilight, and Mean Girls all rolled into one.”

Amy wrote this review Wednesday, October 7 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“This whole series is so much more than a story about a boy-wizard. It develops and deepens with each successive book, drawing us further into the Wizarding World and the intricately woven web of relations and pitfalls that await the main character. With very few scenes of pure happiness, and many of a much darker nature, Harry winds his way into what ends up to be his life's ultimate purpose. Will he defeat the dark forces calling his name, while destroying wizards and muggles alike? Or will his own weaknesses and dark wizards using those weaknesses finally defeat him?”

Amy wrote this review Wednesday, July 29 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Recommended Age: 15+ (due to mature themes and content)

Twilight is not a typical vampire book, or a typical romance. I'm not into either, and I loved this series. The characters are believable, as are their relationships. The whole vampire thing is essential to the plot but not its main focus. The good guys are "vegetarian" vampires - they don't hunt humans. The rest of the vampires do, but the emphasis is more on self-control than about blood-sucking.

Essentially, the story follows Bella, a clumsy, all-too-human character who falls for an amazingly, dazzlingly, decidedly NOT human guy. His family is one of the only groups of vampires that don't hunt humans, and their story is deep and intricately woven into the story. Also, Bella's best friend, other than Edward, turns out to be a member of a tribe of mortal enemies to vampires. This causes a few issues that only their mutual love for Bella can overcome (later in the series).

The cast of characters from Bella's dad to all of Edward's "family" enriches the story and gives way to some elements of humor. The Cullen family all posess qualities to be admired, such as: unparalleled self-control, compassion, restraint, respect, strength, and loving enthusiasm.

Bella desperately wants Edward to turn her into a vampire, but he refuses. His only goal is to protect Bella and be with her for the rest of her mortal life. She wants to spend eternity with him and he wants her to have a normal life and not to be what he calls a "monster." That whole issue is seen throughout all four books.

In the end, the appeal of Twilight isn't vampires or romance, but tangible relationships that we can all relate to and become enthralled with, right alongside Bella. Stephenie Meyer's writing style is familiar, yet original. The pacing and plot of the books are easy and interesting at the same time. Each book holds its own mysteries and revelations, bringing the reader closer to the moment Bella, and all of us, are dying to reach.

Twilight is the first book of the Twilight Saga, which, in its entirity, and in order, includes: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn.”

Amy wrote this review Wednesday, July 29 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“The author successfully creates a whole new world that exists within a tree. From its Root-realms to the stars above the branches, each area has its own terrain and elements. The world is believable, the characters are endearing, and the story progresses well, yet with plenty of detail. This is book one in the trilogy.
”

Amy wrote this review Monday, November 10 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“This is the beautiful conclusion to the epic story of Harry James Potter. All lose ends are tied up, and the great mysteries that kept us all guessing and theorizing were revealed.

Action-packed and tantalizingly long, "Deathly Hallows" is a deserving ending to an amazing ride. I don't want to reveal any spoilers, but I will say that the ending is superb! There's no need for an eighth book; it's already summed up in an endearing epilogue.

Five stars all the way!!!”
”

Amy wrote this review Friday, April 24 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“In book 3 of the Inheritance cycle of 4 books, Eragon and Saphira face more challenges and trials in their quest to take down the evil King Galbatorix. Full of action and new revelations, this book easily lived up to the previous two.

Around half-way through though, there is a section that just didn't quite do it for me. Roran, Eragon's cousin, is repeatedly in battle, which gets a bit monotonous. You can really only read about blood spattering and soldiers' guilt so many times. Also, Eragon must witness a clanmeet of dwarves in a very long drawn-out process to pick a new dwarf king. Unfortunately, Paolini chose to spend a bit too much time showing us just how long and boring this process was.

After this lull though, revelations come to light as Eragon's life is altered in new ways and his mission to kill the evil king seems more attainable than ever. The exciting conclusion makes up for the slow spot in the middle, and the whole book ends with you clamboring for more.”

Amy wrote this review Thursday, October 9 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“I borrowed this book from the library. Within three days I'd finished it, and within a week, I owned it and its sequal "The Magician" (which I have yet to read). "The Alchemyst" is well-written, easy to follow, and incorporates figures from history and mythology into a modern-day story of magic and two twins who must help save the world from dark beings.”

Amy wrote this review Friday, October 3 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“An excellently written tale of a boy's quest for truth, Endymion Spring intracately weaves together history and captivating fantasy fiction.”

Amy wrote this review Thursday, August 14 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“This is a wonderful story and a fun read. It's adventurous, well-written, exciting, and beautifully allegorical. ”

Amy wrote this review Saturday, August 4 2007. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 4 stars

“Excellent! This book is worthy of all the praise it's recieved over the years. It was fun to read and Lewis' talent for subtle allegory shines. ”

Amy wrote this review Saturday, August 4 2007. ( reply | permalink )