Book reviews from fireflower537

Between the Sea and Sky

by Jaclyn Dolamore

It turns out that the guy and girl are not that so different after all...it ruined the whole "forbidden romance" for me.

The Unicorn Chronicles #1

by Bruce Coville

The first book of the Unicorn Chronicles is a short but wonderful tale. The series becomes much longer, deeper and complex with each book.

The Legend Of Holly Claus

by Brittney Ryan

The book went on for WAY too long and the violence was totally out of place in the story.

Poppy

by Avi

The first book of The Tales of Dimwood series and the first Avi book I ever read. There is one prequel and four sequels. It is a very cute series.

The House of the Scorpion

by Nancy Farmer

A thrilling and powerful story. A great read whether or not you like Sci-Fi. Avoid the sequel. It is nowhere near as good as the first book and there was no need to continue Matt's story.

The Lord of Opium

by Nancy Farmer

The disappointing and unnecessary sequel to The House of the Scorpion. Most of the book was nothing but Matt exploring his country of Opium!

Fool's Run

by Patricia A. McKillip

The author's only adult sci-fi novel is NOT worth reading. It is terrible. Read her fantasy books and her two YA sci-fi books instead of Fool's Run. You will be glad you did.

When You Reach Me

by Rebecca Stead

I did not like this book. Most of it was grade school drama and I could care less about the "problems" of children.

The Hunger Games

by Suzanne Collins

I feel this is a very overrated series. If Gale was a GAIL nobody would care about it. It also focused way too much on the violence.

One Dog and His Boy

by Eva Ibbotson

This is one of Ibbotson's best books. The dogs don't talk but they are still three dimensional characters.

The Secret Kingdom Jenny Nimmo

It was such a joy reading about the Red King's early life. Too bad the other two books in the series were nowhere near as good as this one.

The Secret Kingdom IIi Leopards' Gold

by Jenny Nimmo

This book was slightly better than the The Stones of Ravenglass...but it does not get going until the halfway point.

Horrible Histories

by Terry Deary

I think this book was the start of my love of ancient Egyptian culture. It is a fast but fun read...and educational too!

The Groovy Greeks

by Terry Deary

A funny look at the ancient Greeks. A good book...even for adults.

The Rotten Romans

by Terry Deary

History buffs of all ages will enjoy this funny romp through ancient Rome.

Mutts: The Comic Art of Patrick McDonnell

by Patrick McDonnell

A look at the early career and the start of Mutts. It is my favorite comic strip ever and this is a great book for any Mutts fan.

Toads and Diamonds

by Heather Tomlinson

A wonderful fairy tale re-telling set in pre-Colonial India. It is so refreshing to read a fantasy that is not set a quasi Middle Ages Europe.

Monster of the Year

by Bruce Coville

This is a cute and funny book about an unsual contest but it does have spelling and grammar mistakes. You will never guess who wins Monster of the Year!

Always October

by Bruce Coville

This is Bruce Coville's 100th published book. It is an amusing comical adventure about two kids who must save the human world and the world of monsters Always October.

Why We Broke Up

by Daniel Handler

I hated this book. The 16 year old girl talked like a 40 year old college professor. There were countless references to movie stars and movies that don't exist. The central relationship. did not even last two months!

Castaways of the Flying Dutchman

by Brian Jacques

The best part of the book was when it took place on the Flying Dutchman. Unfortunately that was only the first 50 pages, The plot then becomes a search for a document.

Voyage of Slaves

by Brian Jacques

Ben and Ned befriend a traveling troupe of players and must rescue them from a slave trader. It is too bad this is the last one of the series...there really should have been at least one more book.

It's the First Day Of Schoolforever!

by R L Stine

This is a terrible book. It was stupid and poorly written. It was almost as bad as A Midsummer Night's Scream.

Frogged

by Vivian Vande Velde

The plot is similar to The Frog Princess by E.D. Baker...but not as cute, clever or funny as Baker's book.

The Great Redwall Feast

by Brian Jacques

A good introduction to the series for younger readers...and a treat for older Redwall fans.

A Redwall Winter's Tale

by Brian Jacques

The second Redwall picture book is just as cute as the first one. The artwork is gorgeous.

Sarah Bishop

by Scott O'Dell

This is a wonderful book about a smart and brave teen girl's survival during the American Revolution.

I Am the Great Horse

by Katherine Roberts

The thrilling story of Alexander the Great and his horse Bucephalus...from the horse's mouth!

A Question Of Magic

by E D Baker

This is a bit darker than Baker's other books but it is still a cute and light-hearted story.

The Adventures Of Wu Han Of Korea

by Albert J Wiese, Kurt Nevins

It is a shame that very few people have ever read this great book. Nevins wrote other books about boys from different countries. I hope they get reprinted someday.

The Lovesick Salesman

by Margaret Gray

The prequel to The Ugly Princess and the Wise Fool. It is not as good, clever or funny as that one. It also has a lmae and boring title.

The Faerie Locket

by Susan Morris

I really wanted to like this book. Finally a Dungeons and Dragons novel for a female audience! It ended up being poorly wriitten and stupid.

A Midsummer Night's Scream

by R L Stine

This book was horrible. It was very very VERY stupid and totally not realistic in any way.

Nightmare At the Book Fair

by Dan Gutman

This book had a good idea that was ruined by awful writing and stupidity.

Ramona the Pest Ramona the Pest

by Beverly Cleary

I have to thank Beverly Cleary. for creating this character... for reminding why I never want to have children.

Dangerous

by Shannon Hale

This was a lesser effort from Hale. Maisie spends most of her time wondering about her feelings for Handsome Rich Jerk Boy.

Ella Enchanted

by Gail Carson Levine

Have you ever wondered why Cinderella put up with her stepfamily? The author's first novel gives you a perfect reason. The book is great but please avoid the movie version--it is garbage.

A Is For Aarrgh!

by William J Brooke

Don't be fooled by the silly title or the cover...this book is well-written and surprisingly deep.

Elfquest

by Wendy; Pini, Richard Pini

A well-written novelization of the first five volumes of Elfquest. The journey is only a very small part of the story...and then it becomes a love triangle.

A Long Walk To Water

by Linda Sue Park

A very short but powerful book of the true story of Salva Dut and the fictional girl Nya.

Triss

by Brian Jacques

There are not very many stories that have both a female hero AND a female villian. This is a great book but it marks a turning point for the series. I feel the Redwall books went down in quality after this one.

Glory Of Unicorns

by Bruce Coville

A beautiful anthology about unicorns. The first story is a tale from the world of Coville's Unicorn Chronicles series that takes place when Ivy is a little girl.

Summer Pony

by Jean Slaughter Doty

A short but really good book about that special bond between a girl and her horse. This is book and the sequel Winter Pony were reprinted in 2008.

Winter Pony

by Jean Slaughter Doty

I was so happy when this book was reprinted in 2008. I was finally able after many years to read the sequel to Summer Pony. It is just as good as the first one.

Fairy Wings

by E D Baker

E.D. Baker's charming novel is inspired by A Midsummer Night's Dream. This book is as cute and well-written as the author's Frog Princess series.

Lord Brocktree

by Brian Jacques

A Redwall book...that does not have any Redwall! It is actually one of the best books in the series. A wonderful tale about the Badger Lord who started the Long Patrol.

The Warm Place

by Nancy Farmer

This is a really cute book. A short but fun adventure tale about five friends trying to find their way home. There are not many books out there that have a young giraffe as the main character.

Finn Family Moomintroll

by Tove Jansson

This was the first Moomin book I read. The whole series is so adorable. The first four are fantasy adventures but then they become more mature and more realistic in style.