July 30, 2011

On My Wishlist : The Lorien Legacies

On My Wishlist is a weekly meme hosted at Book Chick City.
On My Wishlist

Do you have any books that you desperately want but haven't bought yet? The books can be old, new or forthcoming.

The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore

The Power of Six (Lorien Legacies)

From Amazon :
I've seen him on the news. Followed the stories about what happened in Ohio. John Smith, out there, on the run. To the world, he's a mystery. But to me . . . he's one of us.

Nine of us came here, but sometimes I wonder if time has changed us—if we all still believe in our mission. How can I know? There are six of us left. We're hiding, blending in, avoiding contact with one another . . . but our Legacies are developing, and soon we'll be equipped to fight. Is John Number Four, and is his appearance the sign I've been waiting for? And what about Number Five and Six? Could one of them be the raven-haired girl with the stormy eyes from my dreams? The girl with powers that are beyond anything I could ever imagine? The girl who may be strong enough to bring the six of us together?

They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They tried to catch Number Four in Ohio—and failed.

I am Number Seven. One of six still alive.

And I'm ready to fight.

July 27, 2011

Review : Partners in Crime by Agatha Christie

Title : Partners in Crime
Author : Agatha Christie
Reading Dates : 19 Jun - 25 Jun 2011
AGATHA CHRISTIE - PARTNERS IN CRIME
Tommy & Tuppence
The books in the series include :
  • The Secret Adversary
  • Partners in Crime
  • N or M?
  • By the Pricking of My Thumbs
  • Postern of Fate
From goodreads :
Tommy and Tuppence Beresford adopt the methods and manners of every major literary detective from Hercule Poirot to Sherlock Holmes to piece together an increasingly complex series of delightfully different-and deadly-misdeeds.


Book Review of Partners in Crime.
Partners in Crime was another fun read, although I did approach it with a bit of trepidation. I’ve only read 3 other Agatha Christie books, all Hercule Poirot mysteries, which unfortunately I did not enjoy as much as I wanted to. In any case, Tommy & Tuppence seems to have hit the spot for me.

The Beresfords are fun, both as a couple and in their endeavours to solve the mysteries they encounter. Neither takes themselves too seriously and enjoy life and cases so much, that you can’t help but share the same feelings. After this book, I definitely want to read more about Tommy & Tuppence.

The only cases which were a bit of a let-down for me was The Unbreakable Alibi, The Ambassador’s Boots and The Man Who Was No. 16. All 3 had such obvious and typical solutions which I spotted immediately at the beginning that it just did not do the rest of the cases justice. The others though often presented interesting twists, especially The Case of the Missing Lady. I would never have imagined that resolution no matter what.

One thing else I learned from the book is how woefully ignorant I am of the mystery or suspense genre. The stories here are supposed to be spoofs of other fictional detectives, but the only ones I actually recognized by name was Sherlock Holmes and Poirot. Partners in Crime definitely has me curious about the detectives now though.

All in all, a fun read, but I’m guessing fans of the genre would be a better judge.

My conclusions :
  • Would I re-read the book ? Yes.
  • Would I want to read the next book in the series ? Definitely. I'm already planning to buy other books in the same series.
  • Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? Maybe not. I'd be satisfied if I could borrow it occasionally.
  • Who would I recommend this too? Fans of suspense fiction.
  • For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? Mystery fans should buy this. Other readers would enjoy this too, but borrowing the book should be sufficient.

Read another review on the book or other related links of interested :

Books alluded to :
Alice in WonderlandThe World As Will and Representation, In Two Volumes: Vol. IThe Critique of Practical ReasonThe Big Four (Poirot)The Hound of the Baskervilles By Sir Arthur Conan DoyleThe Dr. Thorndyke Short Story OmnibusThe Return of ClubfootThe Clue in the Air; A Detective StoryThe Problemist: The Complete Adventures of Thornley Colton, Blind DetectiveThe Complete Father Brown (Volume 1)The Essential Edgar Wallace Collection [Illustrated]The Old Man in the Corner: Twelve Classic Detective StoriesThe Broken RoadThe Pit Prop SyndicateThe Layton Court Mystery (A Roger Sheringham case)Black Land, White Land: A Mr. Fortune Novel (Rue Morgue Vintage Mysteries)

July 26, 2011

Teaser Tuesdays : Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Teaser Tuesdays is hosted at Should Be Reading.
Teaser Tuesdays

Share 2 teaser sentences from your current read. Be careful not to include spoilers
***

She found the door, the metal handle; turning, she seized on it thankfully, and pulled. Nothing happened. A sob rose up in her throat.
Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1)

July 25, 2011

It's Monday, What Are You Reading ?

It's Monday What Are You Reading ? is hosted at Book Journey.

It's Monday What Are You Reading?

Where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.
***

What I Read:
  • Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Stardust


What I Reviewed:

What I’m Reading:
Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1)


What I Plan to Read next:
The Passage: A Novel

July 23, 2011

Review : Swiss Family Robinson by J.D. Wyss

Title : Swiss Family Robinson
Author : J.D. Wyss
Reading Dates : 15 Jun - 19 Jun 2011
The Swiss Family Robinson; or Adventures in a Desert Island
From goodreads :
A terrible storm strands a Swiss pastor, with his wife and four sons, on a tropical island. Luckily, the Robinsons are optimistic and inventive, and with what they salvage from the wrecked ship, and the island's abundant fruits, plants, and animals, they soon adapt--each day discovering new dangers, skills and delights in their strange new life.


Book Review of Swiss Family Robinson.
This is the first time I’ve re-read the book in over a decade, maybe more. And while I still enjoy it, most of my enjoyment this time is derived from sentimental reasons than the storytelling.

Previously, I had enjoyed it as a simple adventure story. One where I shared the shipwrecked family’s trials and tribulations as they encountered wondrous creatures and used their ingenuity to create a safe and comfortable home for themselves on the island. This time around though, I couldn’t help but notice how improbable that the varied creatures they encountered could co-exist on the same island or how incredibly knowledgeable the patriarch of the family was. It surely puts this tale in the realm of fantasy. This doesn’t mean that I didn’t like it, just that it requires the suspension of disbelief.

Aside from that, I also thought that with regards to the purpose or objective of this tale, the story falls far from its aims. I can’t say how it affected other young readers but on reflection,as a child I never gave much attention to the lessons The Swiss Family Robinson was attempting to impart. It was no more and no less than just a story to me then. Without re-reading this now, I would never have realized that the author might have something else in mind.

As a final note, the story here was a nice break from some of my recent reads. Fun, without need to expend too much though on it.

My conclusions :
  • Would I re-read the book ? Yes.
  • Would I want to read the next book in the series if there were one? No, any longer and the tale would become boring.
  • Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? Not really.
  • Who would I recommend this too? Young readers who like adventure stories.
  • For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? Borrow it.

Read another review on the book by :

Books alluded to :

Gulliver's TravelsThe Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe (1808)

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