christianreader | Kiwiria's July reads (Reply)

Among the Imposters - Margaret Peterson Haddix, 4/5, 172 pages

lizziey told me that I had been wrongly informed and that Shadow Children indeed is one series rather than a bunch of companion novels. Naturally I couldn't let that pass without consequence, so I immediately picked up the second book in the series.

I'd have to say it was just as good as the first one. The universe is still being built, as Luke/Lee is getting used to life outside his family home. Somehow I didn't find it quite as dark as the first, but I think Jen had a lot to do with that.

Again a quick read, so I'll probably stick with the series until the books start to get too boring or repetitive.

Among the Betrayed - Margaret Peterson Haddix, 3/5, 160 pages
This had rather a surprising start. At least, I hadn't seen it coming, but then how could I? Anyway, still good, but not quite as fascinating as the two first. I don't know if that's because I just like Luke/Lee better than Nina or because the world building is mostly over now.

Among the Barons - Margaret Peterson Haddix, 3.5/5, 208 pages
It took a long time for the story to take off, and so I wasn't too impressed with most of this book. But then came the ending... and I just adored the ending. Smit's a good kid. Can't wait to see what happens next.

Among the Brave - Margaret Peterson Haddix, 3.5/5, 240 pages
Gotta say that even though I prefer the books where Luke/Lee is the main character, Trey is growing on me. He showed real character development in this one. Glad Mr. Talbot's back - I liked him.

Gregor the Overlander - Suzanne Collins, 4/5, Audiobook ~6.5hrs
Very sweet story about a boy on an unusual quest to find his father. It was a fun 'read', and the narrator (Paul Boehmer) did an excellent job reading it. I fell completely in love with Boots and loved seeing her interact with the various characters of the Underland. She was absolutely adorable :)

The plot itself isn't anything out of the ordinary, but it's well-written and entertaining.

Among the Enemy - Margaret Peterson Haddix, 3/5, 240 pages
It gets tricky trying to find new things to write about this series. Still good, still entertaining, but the plot is getting thinner and thinner... Probably a good thing that the next is the last.

Lee/Luke was mentioned all of twice in this book! I missed him :(

Knit One Pearl One - Gil McNeil, 4/5, 396 pages
I do hope Gil McNeil is planing more books in this series. It's comfort reading of the best kind. You really grow to love the characters with all their quirkiness.

I liked seeing a resolution with Daniel, and adored Pearl - she's a perfect description of a two-year-old with all their charms and horrors ;)

I wish I had a yarnshop like McKnit nearby!

Among the Free - Margaret Peterson Haddix, 3/5, 208 pages
As the final book in the series, it was actually a bit of a let-down. Everything seemed to happen so swiftly, with no real rhyme or reason. It seemed as if Ms. Haddix knew she needed a resolution of some kind, but couldn't figure out how to make it happen. Rather disappointing, after having waited 7 books for this.

Welcome to Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop of Dreams - Jenny Colgan, 4.5/5, 465 pages
"Friday Night Knitting Club" only with a sweetshop. It's utterly charming and made me want to rush out to see if I could find one of the old-fashioned sweetshops around here. I was glad to have a box of filled chocolates to eat while reading it though.

I fell in love with the village and the people in it. Lillian and Moray especially. It's a delightful and cozy tale that doesn't require much of the reader, but still provides a very satisfying read.

I'll definitely be checking out more of Jenny Colgan's work.

The Stolen Child - Keith Donohue, 3/5, 327 pages
I've had this standing on my tbr-shelves for ages, and finally got around to reading it. Unfortunately it wasn't quite as good as I had expected, although still good enough to hold my attention nicely the few days it took me to finish it.

The book is really two intertwining stories, with every second chapter being told by "Henry Day" and every second chapter by "Aniday". Unfortunately I found Henry Day's story a LOT more interesting than that of Aniday, which made for a bit of a sledge through the other chapters. My biggest problem was that it was so depressing! No real happiness was found by neither Henry nor Aniday and it just made the entire thing seem... pointless, really.

Fortunately the book ended on an optimistic note, which caused me to add that last star, but as a whole, I don't think it's a book I'll be in any rush to reread.

Fifty Shades of Grey - E.L. James, 0.5/5, 514 pages
I've already subjected you to a long review of this here, so I won't rehash that. Suffice to say this may be the worst book I've ever read. Not because it started its life as a fanfic. Not because it's erotica. Simply because it's bad.

The Key and the Fountain - John Pinkey, 3.5/5, 98 pages
Very charming story for kids. Most of all it seemed like an Australian version of "The Secret Garden" with a bit of magic tossed in for good measure. I think I would most possibly have adored it if I had read it as a kid. As it was, I was definitely taken in by its charm, but did find the ending a tiny bit lacking.

Free-Range Knitter - Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, 4.5/5, 228 pages
I loved this essay collection :) It's the first book I've read by the Yarn Harlot (although I've read some of her blog), but it definitely won't be the last. I've only knitted "for real" for two years, but already I could see far too much of myself in it, and she gave me a lot of new ideas for how to 'knit on the go'.

It's a cozy read whose only fault was that it kept making me want to put down my Kindle and pick up my knitting instead.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - Deborah Moggach, 4/5, 281 pages
I went to see the movie, "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel", not knowing that it was based on a book (although originally published as "These Foolish Things"). Upon discovering that it was, of course I had to find and read the book as well.

I'm glad I did :) Though I think I may actually have preferred the movie, the book was pleasantly charming as well. I especially liked Evelyn (who was also my favourite in the movie) and Dorothy.

Code Name Verity - Elizabeth Wein, 4/5, 452 pages
I knew nothing about this book when I started it, so I had no idea what to expect, and even so it managed to surprise me. It started out as a fairly average WW2 spy novel (somewhat similar to Connie Willis' books in writing style, actually), but quickly changed into something very much out of the ordinary.

It is very, VERY slow to start, and I actually considered giving up on it once or twice, but I'm glad I stuck with it, because it definitely becomes worth it, and I think I read the last 50% in one or two sittings.

Not at all the book I had thought it would be, but very interesting and very thoughtprovoking.

I wish I owned the book as a book-book though, and not just as an e-book, because certain events in the second half of the book made me want to flip through the first half again, to pick up clues. And that's just not as easily done in an ebook!

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams, 5/5, Audiobook
I felt it was time for a reread ;) Well... re-listen anyway. I love the BBC radio broadcast version :)

The Yada Yada Prayer Group Series - Neta Jackson, 5/5, 2584 pages total
Apparently buying a house is something I find more than a little stressful ;) so I needed some comfort reading. And this series is comfort reading of the best kind. I LOVE it, and only wish it were longer :-)

23 books read, 8 rereads, 1 non-fiction. A total of 6473 pages read.

Book of the month: Welcome to Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop of Dreams - just plain sweet :)
Stay far, far away: Fifty Shades of Grey