Kirsty Cabot
First read to Ivy 21/06/2016
A lovely little story aiming to teach kids to pass on a little bit of happiness, and then when they are feeling blue perhaps it'll come back to them!
I love Ernest Cline. I really do.I loved this book, almost as much as [b:Ready Player One 9969571 Ready Player One Ernest Cline https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1406383612s/9969571.jpg 14863741], but not quite as much, though I wouldn't be able to explain exactly why! I felt sometimes that the book made quite big leaps in the development of the story, but as soon as this thought entered my head I was carried off and away from the thought quickly. I felt that Zack's character was really well written, and “honest” in his reactions and feelings on most occasions.References. Oh the references... this has got to be what I love about Cline's writing. Star Wars, Ender's Game, Star Trek.... Film, games and songs. Genius. Further thoughts:I was definitely a bit reticent about picking up this after I'd read the blurb, as it felt in someways so similar to Ready Player One, and I loved that book so much i was worried that Armada just wouldn't live up to it. But I'm so glad I did, it's different enough in enough ways that although the similarities in style (and to some extent form) are there, it's still totally enjoyable. I think that the references (of which i probably understood/heard of 80-85% of them) just add a whole extra layer of immersion to the story. When you understand what kind of environment/world/psyche the character lives in it gives you a deeper appreciation and involvement in the story.I added the “Raid the Arcade” playlist to my Spotify, again I know a lot of the songs already. As I was listening in the shower this morning, I was just transported right back into the book. Having a soundtrack, that wasn't just written for the book (/film/game), added yet another level of immersion to the experience. I've been a gamer in my time (having a baby has put that somewhat on hold) and I can just imagine sat there playing a game, having the soundtrack on and being totally in the zone.A book that can immerse me with real life references, music, as well as awesome imagery is certainly a winner in my mind. Looking forward to seeing how the film develops.Also Xavier Ulysses Lightman. What an awesome name!!
This was an excellent finish to a complete masterpiece of a series. These books will stay with me. I feel grief that they've finished!
Oh my oh my oh my oh my.
I've certainly picked some good books recently. WHAT A READ. I mean I'd been told it was good. They made a goddam film out of it. No disappointment here. I went through so many emotions reading it, totally along for the journey.
I enjoyed the different perspectives of writing, the different people working on things. I love love loved Watney's humour, the way he writes had me laughing on lots of occasions.
Brilliant.
This was my first encounter with the Wild Cards world. It was a pretty good, though quite straight forward story, with some good characters. The concept of mutants being turned into “Aces” and “Jokers” and how this affects them was interesting, and it certainly peaked my interest to follow up investigation of other Wild Card works.
Anyone who's read The Dark Tower will understand why I've read this.
Chilling and a good read.
4.5 stars. Spent so much of this book going WTF is going on. But excellent and satisfying story. Moved straight on to no.3.
A really interesting book! At times hard to follow but some great ideas mixing language/communication and political/cultural co-operation taking place in the future in a far off world. Sometimes I felt certain characters or plot points were neglected at stages throughout the book, but most of that resolves as the story unfolds. I will definitely pick up more books by [a:China Miéville 33918 China Miéville https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1243988363p2/33918.jpg] in the future!
A nice, well illustrated, quick read telling some of the stories that involved Hera from Ancient Greece, mainly focusing on her role in Heracles story.
I loved returning to the world of his dark materials. But I found parts of the writing problematic. Cringeworthy even. I'm in two minds at the minute whether I'll read the next. Will see.
Absolutely stunning. Illustrations are so incredibly detailed, a book that you read through looking. No words needed.
Strange, and a bit odd. This was a good read, but it wasn't amazing. The book tells the strange and mysterious story of the Blackwood family, as told by Mary Katherine Blackwood. “Strangeness” and “otherness” are two main themes of the book. A good short read.
I read this book in one sitting of about two hours. I don't think I have ever cried so much at a book in all my life, much to the surprise of my partner who was sat there on his laptop and finds me sobbing my heart out. I'm a bit lost for words.... the book was so masterfully written, the range of emotions portrayed are exceptional. I feel i should recommend it, but it made me cry so much I would feel mean for doing so! Just wow, i'm in awe of a book that could move me so much.
I love the illustrations, and the way in which the interactions between Conor and the monster are framed. The realistic nature of the real life encounters vs the questionably dreamlike state of the monster encounters are wonderfully written. I really struggle to put into words how highly I rate the writing and storytelling in this book!
I recommend it, but don't hate me for what it will do to you!
I really enjoyed this Sci-Fi short story by Brandon Sanderson, he continues to show what a talented story teller he is! Good work.