Review – Divergent

Leave a reply

Author:  Veronica Roth

Genre:  Sci-Fi

Ratings

Enjoyability/Awesomeness:  4

  • Action:  5
  • Suspense:  4
  • Boredom:  5
  • Romance:  7
  • Magic:  2
  • Thrills:  4

Recommended Age Range:  13+

  • Violence/Fear:  6
  • Mature Content:  7
  • Language:  2
  • Alcohol/Drugs:  2
  • Advertising:  1
  • Positive Messages:  4
  • Role Models:  4

While Divergent has received rave reviews, it does not meet one’s expectations.  While the concept of divisions of humanity into factions based on virtues is clever and original, this is not used to the extent desired.  Only three of the five factions are discussed with any detail, and only two from an inside view.  The primary conflict of the story is one-sided and poorly justified.  Ultimately, one of the primary message of the story seems to be that humanity cannot resist its vices and will ultimately become evil, and that pursuit of knowledge is the doorway to evil.  Finally, reading is dull as attempts at foreshadowing are heavy-handed and reveal future events prematurely, and plot is already predictable.

Review – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Leave a reply

Author:  J.K. Rowling

Genre:  Fantasy

Ratings

Enjoyability/Awesomeness:  10

  • Action:  10
  • Suspense:  9
  • Boredom:  1
  • Romance:  5
  • Magic:  10
  • Thrills:  9

Recommended Age Range:  12+

  • Violence/Fear:  4
  • Mature Content:  2
  • Language:  1
  • Alcohol/Drugs:  2
  • Advertising:  1
  • Positive Messages:  9
  • Role Models:  10

Overview

The final battle with Lord Voldemort awaits!  Harry Potter is not returning to Hogwarts this year.  Harry, Ron, and Hermione are hunting the pieces of Voldemort’s soul known as Horcruxes.  On their quest, they lose many friends to the Death Eaters and Voldemort himself.  The battle draws to a close as Voldemort and his army attack Hogwarts itself, and Dumbledore is no longer there to protect them.  Who will emerge victorious in the final battle between Harry and Voldemort?  This is the final epic conclusion to the Harry Potter series.

Review – Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Leave a reply

Author:  J.K. Rowling

Genre:  Fantasy

Ratings

Enjoyability/Awesomeness:  9

  • Action:  9
  • Suspense:  8
  • Boredom:  1
  • Romance:  3
  • Magic:  10
  • Thrills:  8

Recommended Age Range:  11+

  • Violence/Fear:  4
  • Mature Content:  2
  • Language:  1
  • Alcohol/Drugs:  3
  • Advertising:  1
  • Positive Messages:  9
  • Role Models:  10

Overview

Harry Potter is taken by Headmaster Dumbledore to the home of Horace Slughorn, with whom Dumbledore convinces Horace to return as a teacher to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for mysterious reasons.  Harry himself the returns to Hogwarts after seeing Draco Malfoy enter a Dark Arts supplier, which convinces Harry that Draco is a Death Eater, a minion of the evil Lord Voldemort.  Harry now is taught about Voldemort’s past by Dumbledore, and is asked to retrieve a memory from Horace of critical importance, but evil is inside the walls…

A thrilling addition to the Harry Potter series.

Review – Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix

Leave a reply

Author:  J. K. Rowling

Genre:  Fantasy

Ratings

Enjoyability/Awesomeness:  9

  • Action:  9
  • Suspense:  8
  • Boredom:  1
  • Romance:  4
  • Magic:  10
  • Thrills:  7

Recommended Age Range:  11+

  • Violence/Fear:  3
  • Mature Content:  2
  • Language:  1
  • Alcohol/Drugs:  2
  • Advertising:  1
  • Positive Messages:  9
  • Role Models:  10

Overview

Harry Potter is home in Little Winging before the school year when he and Dudley are attacked by Dementors, the guardians of the wizard prison Azkaban.  He is then summoned to the Ministry of Magic and is very nearly kicked out of Hogwarts.  With the help of Dumbledore, he is able to return for his fifth year to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  There, he meets Dolores Jane Umbridge, the new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, who was also one of the people who wanted him expelled at the Ministry.  She refuses to teach the students how to defend themselves.  The Ministry defies Harry and Dumbledore that Voldemort, the most evil sorcerer in history, has risen again.  This leaves the wizarding world vulnerable to the shadows creeping in…

Review – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Leave a reply

Author:  J.K. Rowling

Genre:  Fantasy

Ratings

Enjoyability/Awesomeness:  9

  • Action:  8
  • Suspense:  6
  • Boredom:  1
  • Romance:  3
  • Magic:  10
  • Thrills:  7

Recommended Age Range:  11+

  • Violence/Fear:  3
  • Mature Content:  2
  • Language:  1
  • Alcohol/Drugs:  2
  • Advertising:  0
  • Positive Messages:  9
  • Role Models:  9

Overview

Harry Potter returns for his fourth year at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry in the (duh) fourth book in the Harry Potter series.  This year, two groups of students from two other schools have come to Hogwarts to compete in the Triwizard Tournament, a competition between the wizards and witches of the three schools.  The names of the students are selected by the Goblet of Fire, which prevents anyone younger than a 7th year from competing, or so we think…  A mysterious presence is behind the Tournament, lurking in the shadows. (Cue dramatic music…)

Review – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Leave a reply

Author:  J. K. Rowling

Genre:  Fantasy

Ratings

Enjoyability/Awesomeness:  9

  • Action:  8
  • Suspense:  8
  • Boredom:  1
  • Romance:  4
  • Magic:  10
  • Thrills:  7

Recommended Age Range:  10+

  • Violence/Fear:  2
  • Mature Content:  2
  • Language:  1
  • Alcohol/Drugs:  2
  • Advertising:  1
  • Positive Messages:  7
  • Role Models:  10

Overview

The third in the Harry Potter series, and just as good as the others.  Harry Potter discovers he is being pursued by Sirius Black an old ally of Voldemort’s and the only man ever to escape the wizard prison of Azkaban.  Harry and friends then discover a horrifying secret which means Sirius is more closely linked to Harry than he knows.  This book is filled with excitement and more than a few plot twists.  A must for anyone who enjoyed the first two books.

Review – The Silmarillion

Leave a reply

Author:  J.R.R. Tolkien

Genre:  Fantasy

Ratings

Enjoyability/Awesomeness:  7

  • Action:  7
  • Suspense:  6
  • Boredom:  5
  • Romance:  7
  • Magic:  8
  • Thrills:  4

Recommended Age Range:  15+

  • Violence/Fear:  6
  • Mature Content:  2
  • Language:  1
  • Alcohol/Drugs:  1
  • Advertising:  1
  • Positive Messages:  3
  • Role Models:  4

Overview

This is the prequel (in a fashion) to The Lord of the Rings, providing background to the Elves, Sauron, and Middle-Earth.  There is a lot of information packed into this book for true LOTR fan(atic)s, but be warned: this book is not for the easily bored.  J.R.R. Tolkien’s typical third-person style is difficult to follow for many, but persevere and the secrets of Middle Earth will be revealed.  As a side note, reserve at least a few weeks to read this book, you will need frequent breaks.

Review – The Ice Limit

3 Replies

Authors:  Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Genre:  Sci-Fi and Thriller

Ratings

Enjoyability/Awesomeness:  10

  • Action:  6
  • Suspense:  10
  • Boredom:  1
  • Romance:  7
  • Magic:  4
  • Thrills:  10

Recommended Age Range:  15+

  • Violence/Fear:  4
  • Mature Content:  8
  • Language:  7
  • Alcohol/Drugs:  3
  • Advertising:  4
  • Positive Messages:  4
  • Role Models:  3

Overview

This is the thrilling story following meteorite hunter Sam McFarlane, who is hired by an eccentric billionaire who is opening a museum of colossal  proportions.  Sam is sent on the trail of his old partner who discovered something big on an island not far from Antarctica.  When he reaches the island, assisted by a mysterious but effective engineering firm known as EES (Effective Engineering Solutions),  He discovers a massive meteorite, larger than anything discovered before by humans.  Its size is not its only distinguishing factor.  As they try to move the space rock, people begin to die.  They aren’t taking the asteroid anywhere.  (To quote the back cover) It’s taking them.

Review – The Hobbit

2 Replies

Author:  J.R.R. Tolkien

Genre:  Fantasy, Classic, and Adventure

Ratings

Enjoyability/Awesomeness:  9

  • Action:  8
  • Suspense:  8
  • Boredom:  4
  • Romance:  1
  • Magic:  10
  • Thrills:  9

Recommended Age Range:  10+

  • Violence/Fear:  5
  • Mature Content:  1
  • Language:  2
  • Alcohol/Drugs:  3
  • Advertising:  1
  • Positive Messages:  10
  • Role Models:  10

Overview

This is one of the best classic fantasy books of all time.  The prequel to J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, this story is a bit faster paced than its followers, which makes it a better fit for young readers, or anyone wishing to break into the LOTR books.  Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who is invited on the journey of a lifetime.  His quest if filled with dwarves, wizards, elves, dragons, and the other creatures of Middle Earth.  The movies made from this book, while still excellent, are a poor representation of the book.  Our suggestion, as always, is to read the book first.

Review – Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

1 Reply

Author:  J. K. Rowling

Genre:  Fantasy

Ratings

Enjoyability/Awesomeness:  9

  • Action:  9
  • Suspense:  7
  • Boredom:  1
  • Romance:  3
  • Magic:  10
  • Thrills:  7

Recommended Age Range:  12+

  • Violence/Fear:  5
  • Mature Content:  1
  • Language:  1
  • Alcohol/Drugs:  3
  • Advertising:  1
  • Positive Messages:  8
  • Role Models:  9

Overview

Harry Potter returns in the second title in his series.  This year at Hogwarts, mysterious attacks begin as soon as Harry arrives.  Students (and a certain cat) are found petrified in hallways, literally scared stiff.   He and his friends Ron and Hermione must track down the culprit before the school is forced to close.  For the full list of books in the series, see the review of the original:  Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.