Mystic and Rider - Sharon Shinn

Mystic and Rider
Sharon Shinn
4 stars (out of 5)

Opposites attract, especially when those opposites are extreme.

Mystic and Rider, by Sharon Shinn, is a beautifully written tale of magic and rebellion with a strong underlying romance. Throughout the novel, the impending rebellion creates a perpetual tension, keeping the book moving at an energetic pace. The two main characters, who start out enemies, slowly develop affection and eventually love for each other. The contrast within this pair is elegant and sophisticated, lending the story a vibrancy which is seldom seen in a fantasy novel. Despite the beauty of this romance, Shinn refuses to let it overpower other elements of the novel. As a result, the book gains a larger audience, appealing to fantasy and romance lovers alike. Mystic and Rider is multi-dimensional story of love, friendship and rebellion. It displays a depth seldom seen in fantasy novels which will keep the reader enthralled from start to finish.

1. What do you think of the Romance between Senneth and Tayse?
2. Of the powers the characters have, which would you like to possess? Why?

Those Who Trespass Against Us - Toni O'Keeffe

Those Who Trespass Against Us
Toni O'Keeffe
4 1/2 stars (out of 5)

Legal systems often struggle to protect the masses at the cost of the individuals. While it is often very disturbing, Those Who Trespass Against Us, by Toni O'Keeffe, chronicles the life of one orphan at a time when the Irish government was essentially ignoring orphans. His life story, told through a very well written novel, will capture readers' hearts and minds from the very first page. Walter O'Keeffe, the author's father, and the main character of the novel, is hard not to fall in love with. The reader will feel an instant attachment to his childish speech and often crude behavior. For exactly this reason, the horrific conditions "Wattie" and his brothers are subjected to are particularly heart wrenching. Readers will want to keep reading simply to see if his life will ever improve. And it does. Slowly, through optimism and determination, Wattie struggles to improve his life, if only little by a little. It is this prevailing hope which makes the novel the touching memoir that it is. Those Who Trespass Against Us is an engaging but disturbing portrait of the life of Ireland's forgotten children. Toni O'Keeffe provides insight into what it means to be neglected and will enrich the perspectives of any reader.

1. Do you think Wattie's attitude was responsible for improving his life? How so?
2. Why do you think the Irish government chose to turn a blind eye to the treatment of children at residential schools such at Greenmont?

Hunted - P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

Hunted

P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

2 1/2 stars (out of 5)

Certain genres should not, under any circumstances, be combined. While Hunted, by P.C. and Kristin Cast, might appeal to the post-twilight preteen crowd, its attempt to combine fantasy and social drama results in an unappealing, shallow, mess of a novel. What could have been a moderately exciting plot is ruined by the bursts of teenage drama which appear throughout the book. Such interruptions effectively prevent the reader from developing any degree of interest in the storyline. In addition to the novel's lack of substance, the author fails to develop the characters, keeping the reader from acquiring an attachment to them. Not only are the characters shallow, but their lack of depth is reflected in the relationships between them. Characters who appear to have a strong friendship periodically turn on each other for seemingly trivial reasons, causing them to lose any respect the reader may have gained for them throughout the novel. With Hunted, P.C. and Kristin Cast were obviously writing to fill a niche between Stephenie Meyer's Twilight and Cecily von Ziegesar's Gossip Girl. However, readers looking for a more complex novel should steer clear of Hunted.

1. Do you think combining the two genres was a good idea? Why or why not?
2. Did you enjoy the other novels in the series more than this? Or less? Why?

City of Glass - Cassandra Clare

City of Glass

Cassandra Clare

4 stars (out of 5)

The difference between good and evil lies not in a person's background, but in their actions. Although it is science fiction, City of Glass by Cassandra Clare, carries this message while providing a riveting conclusion to the Mortal Instruments trilogy. City of Glass is a many faceted novel, containing elements of fantasy, science fiction, and romance. Clare's talent for weaving these very different threads into one story gives the novel a universal appeal. City of Glass neatly ties up all the loose ends which occur throughout the series. However, it does so in such a way that the conclusion does not come across as over done. The novel chronicles the growth of its characters, making it as much a coming of age story as a science fiction novel. Its characters fight many internal battles even as they face the external ones. City of Glass demonstrates the ability of any individual to triumph over the doubt within them.

1. What do you think was the turning point for Jace?

2. What do you think will happen to the newly formed relationship between the shadow hunters and the downworlders? Why?

Slumdog Millionaire (Q and A) - Vikas Swarup

Slumdog Millionaire
Vikas Swarup
5 stars (out of 5)

Even seemingly random events happen for a reason. While it is sometimes very dark, Slumdog Millionaire, by Vikas Swarup illustrates the potential of everyday occurrences to change a person's life. Throughout the novel, the Swarup portrays with terrible clarity, horrible conditions of the slums where the characters reside, giving the reader some grasp of the lives many people live. The author develops each character into a thriving personality, lending the book a spirit and animation which propels the story beautifully. Lastly, the seemingly random order in which the book is written enthralls the reader from start to finish as the hero goes from boy, to man, and back to boy again. Slumdog Millionaire is a realistic and sometimes disturbing portrait of life in India's slums. However, at the same time, it is a story of perseverance and success, demonstrating the many types of intelligence in our world.

1. Why do you think Vikas Swarup chose the write this book in such a random order?
2. How does Salim's character contribute to the development of the main character?

Slumdog Millionaire is set in the Dharavi Slum in India.

The Chronicles of Faerie - O.R. Melling

The Chronicles of Faerie
O.R. Melling
3 1/2 stars (out of 5)

What we gain from the world around us depends on how we see it. Despite being aimed at younger readers, The Chronicles of Faerie by O.R. Melling, carries a message for readers of any age: the world is best viewed with the innocence of youth. Melling utilizes a simplistic style of writing which adds to the youthful feeling of the novel. The sporadic and often scattered storytelling gives the book a playful feeling, even as its characters encounter difficult situations in their own lives. The true genius of the novel, however, is the way Melling infuses her characters with an eternal youth, lending the entire story a life of it's own. The Chronicles of Faerie is full of enchantment, beauty, and wonder. It challenges the reader to see the magic which is all around us.


1. Of the three books contained within this novel, which one is your favorite? Why?
2. How does the cover art of this book relate to the style of the story?

Nineteen Minutes - Jodi Picoult

Nineteen Minutes
By Jodi Picoult
4 stars (out of 5)

Horrendous events can occur where you least expect them. While Nineteen Minutes would be too shocking for some, Jodi Picoult tells an emotionally charged tale of heartbreak, torment, and retaliation. From the very first lines of the book, she highlights the contrast between the normality of everyday life and the awful reality of the school shooting which is the central event. The variation which results keeps the book moving at a riveting pace. Although the shooting happens at the beginning of the book, Picoult manages to retain an element of mystery which enthralls the reader on many levels. The greatest triumph of the novel, however, is the way in which the author enables the reader to feel sympathy for a character who is otherwise easily hated. Picoult provides an insight into the shooter's motives which turns him from monster to victim, giving the book a depth that would otherwise be lacking. Nineteen Minutes illustrates how tragedy can blossom from the most unlikely sources. Its heart wrenching plot and shocking conclusion will force the reader to redefine their beliefs about the appalling events which occur in the lives of those around us.

1. Do you feel sorry for Peter? Why or why not?
2. Why do you think Josie cannot remember what happened?

A brief history of school shootings around the world.

The Birth House - Ami Mckay

The Birth House

By Ami McKay

4 1/2 stars (out of 5)

Small town Maritime life in the 1800s was far from tame. Although it is fictional, Ami McKay's The Birth House paints a vivid picture of the life lead by Canadian women who lived during the revolutionary transition of medicine from faith to science. Its' strong, well developed characters propel the storyline forward in a style which is both riveting and emotional. The story's heroine, the midwife Dora, fights for what she believes in, while still maintaining her often soft and vulnerable nature. Largely based on facts, The Birth House reveals the well documented merits of natural methods of medicine. As the women of the community start to follow the new doctor in town, who preaches science as the new age of childbirth, they turn their backs on the midwifery they have entrusted their children to for generations. Throughout the book, there are underlying currents of the sexism and mistreatment of women that was commonplace for the era. The characters face the dark truths of the time, such as rape, child abuse, and oppression. The Birth House is and engaging story with a foundation rooted in fact. Bringing us valuable insight into an era far removed from our own, it reveals that despite these differences, the people of these trying times face the same question that is looming over us today. How can we thrive in a world which is changing faster than we can comprehend?

1. What did you think of the character of the doctor? Was he justified in trying to replace Dora as the caregiver for the town?

2. Dora is a very complex character. Why do you think the author chose to portray her as having a very soft side, even though she is such a strong person?

An article on the arrival of university educated doctors in Nova Scotia.

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog! My name is Alex, and I'm creating this blog for English 10. I love reading, writing, and music. I also play waterpolo, and I enjoy working with animals. I want to be an engineer or a doctor.