Art has a saving magic of its own.

 I enjoy when Paul doesn't post often, because then I can try and kick his posts off of the front page. Except this is the last post I need to catch up on, so that probably won't happen anytime soon.

Here are the links for the other posts about this book, in case you missed them:

Paul's Pre-Reading

Paul's Review

Ashley's Pre-Reading

First of all, this book was definitely NOT "Hunger Games meets Harry Potter" as the cover suggests. I think that kind of quote on the front puts very high expectations on a book, and this one does not live up to that. Maybe "The children's version of Hunger Games meets Harry Potter." The only similarity to the Hunger Games is that the world is a dystopian society, and children "die." Except they actually do die in the Hunger Games and here, a Dumbledore-like character saves them and puts them in a magical world.

Secondly, although I went into this book with low expectations since it's a middle-grade novel, I was actually pleasantly surprised with the style of writing. Although it was very different from the other McMann novels that I read in September, I thought that this book flowed nicely and didn't have too many sections that dragged. If I had a 7 or 8 year old child, I think s/he would be able to read this book and not have too many problems with the sentence structure or the vocabulary. Although the novel did switch between Alex and Aaron a few times, I liked that most of the novel was from Alex's viewpoint. His world was, after all, more interesting than Aaron's.

The parallelism between Alex & Aaron and Justine & Marcus was a nice twist on an otherwise straightforward plot. Although I could definitely see that coming way before it was officially announced, I'm not sure that a young reader would have been able to figure it out. I think that it was hidden well enough for the intended audience to be pleasantly surprised, but not too hidden so that it's impossible to figure out on your own. 

I do have to agree with Paul that the characters were underdeveloped. Although this was a middle-grade book, that doesn't mean the characters don't have to have depth. It's not a "My First Reader" book. The romance between Lani and Alex is only briefly mentioned, and I think that it could have been expanded on a little bit. Also, the relationships between both sets of twins, as well as Alex's relationships with his friends, were very shallow. Aaron is only portrayed as the "bad" twin, and although he has a minimal amount of creativity, he refuses to use it or admit it. He, and Justine for that matter, apparently have no good qualities. Although there are people like that in movies and novels, I feel like McMann could have developed them a little bit more and had them show at least a little more weakness. 

Also, the cover artist needs to learn what a cheetah is. That thing looks like a panther/lioness with wings. 

Overall, I probably wouldn't recommend this book to someone who likes YA novels. Instead, I'd give it to a 6-10 year old to read. If I had to rate it out of 5 though, I would probably give it about a 2.5/5. I thought that it was fairly well written for being a middle-grade book, but that it could definitely have used some improvement. 

--Ashley

Paul's September Pick: The Unwanteds

Like I said, two quick posts! I still need to review Divergent, but after I do that I'll finally be all caught up. I haven't even read this book yet!


Paul's Pre-Reading
Paul's Review

Title: The Unwanteds
Author: Lisa McMann
Year Published: 2011


Synopsis: Every year in Quill, thirteen-year-olds are sorted into categories: the strong, intelligent Wanteds go to university, and the artistic Unwanteds are sent to their deaths
Thirteen-year-old Alex tries his hardest to be stoic when his fate is announced as Unwanted, even while leaving behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted. Upon arrival at the destination where he expected to be eliminated, however, Alex discovers a stunning secret--behind the mirage of the "death farm" there is instead a place called Artime.

In Artime, each child is taught to cultivate their creative abilities and learn how to use them magically, weaving spells through paintbrushes and musical instruments. Everything Alex has ever known changes before his eyes, and it's a wondrous transformation.

But it's a rare, unique occurence for twins to be separated between Wanted and Unwanted, and as Alex and Aaron's bond stretches across their separation, a threat arises for the survival of Artime that will pit brother against brother in an ultimate, magical battle.


Why?: Paul picked it for September, so now I have to read it too.


Expectations: I expect this to be a nice, easy read. From what Paul and other websites have said, this is a middle-grade book. I don't expect it to be as good as the Dream Catcher trilogy just by virtue of it being middle-grade, but I do expect to be entertained. I'm not expecting Harry Potter or The Hunger Games only because I know that if I do I'll be sorely disappointed.


Judging a book by its cover: There's a big flying kitty on the front! I like kitties :). I expect magic to be important, and probably the flying lion to be important as well. 


I will not have this book finished by the end of September... At least it gives me a little more time to pick a book for October though.


--Ashley

The Unwanteds

I finished this a few days, if not a week, ago and am just getting around to writing on it. I need to get some blue back on the homepage. Hopefully I remember enough about it to give an accurate review.

Pre Reading


Soon, I want to implement a rating system for my reviews, but for now I will just write about my thoughts and opinions. I enjoyed this book, but did not enjoy that it was praised as "The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter". There were similarities, but it constantly had me comparing two of my favorite series to this one book. If this one book had been separated into a series with the ending present, I think it would have had more impact. The characters were not developed enough. There was so much potential and I unfortunately think it fell short.


This is a middle grade level book. It sure reads like it. It is my opinion that even if a story is written for a younger audience, the plot and character development can still be there. There were so many bells and whistles and not enough subtle character attributes. 


Ashley, in doing research for her reading this I can only assume, let me know that there is a sequel in the works. I, of course, will read it but I believe this could have been a standalone. 


The current trend, or possibly the always trend, is making new things from parts of things that were popular. The vampire trend epitomized this and now this dystopian and magic trend continues. I enjoy reading/listening to/watching/using any of my senses on things I have never read/listened to/watched/used any of my senses on before, not combinations of things I already enjoy. Make it unique.  I watched the new series Terra Nova and it does just the same. A combination of Jurassic Park, Avatar, and so many others.


In conclusion, I actually did enjoy this novel but I expected more from what it could have been. I'm not sure what my rating system will be; maybe I will start it in October, but I would give this novel a 3/5.


-PAUL

September Pick: The Unwanteds

Title: Unwanteds
Author: Lisa McMann
Year Published: 2011 
When Alex finds out he is Unwanted, he expects to die. That is the way of the people of Quill. Each year, all the thirteen-year-olds are labeled as Wanted, Necessary, or Unwanted. Wanteds get more schooling and train to join the Quillitary. Necessaries keep the farms running. Unwanteds are set for elimination.
It’s hard for Alex to leave behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted, but he makes peace with his fate—until he discovers that instead of a “death farm,” what awaits him is a magical place called ArtimÉ. There, Alex and his fellow Unwanteds are encouraged to cultivate their creative abilities and use them magically. Everything Alex has ever known changes before his eyes, and it’s a wondrous transformation.
But it’s a rare, unique occurrence for twins to be divided between Wanted and Unwanted, and as Alex and Aaron’s bond stretches across their separation, a threat arises for the survival of ArtimÉ that will pit brother against brother in an ultimate magical battle.


 Why?: I had picked a book for this month, but have been distracted by A Clash of Kings. I saw this book at Target and spontaneously bought it. Ashley recently read the Wake series (spoiler alert), so she is familiar with the author. 


Expectations: This is a middle grade book, so I expect it to not take a very long time. The cover quote puts high expectations on it, but most books nowadays are merely mock-ups of past crazes. I expect a creative, fun story. 


Judging a book by its cover: I picked this book up because of its cover, so I guess that shows I like it. It is intriguing. I like the paper dragons and the Nittany Lion with wings. 


Maybe Ashley will post all the blogs she hasn't since she has read SO MUCH lately. 

-PAUL