peppypenguin's reviews
222 reviews

This was a great read! I fell in love with Neil Gaiman after I read the Sandman comic series he wrote/scripted. His writing has a wonderful rhythm to it, and he accentuates it with phrases, dialogue and narrative that at times makes me say, "Oh snap" (to myself of course not out loud). He laces his work with philosophical inquiries that make the reading even more interesting. As with the Sandman series the book is rather dark and it's certainly not lacking in themes of sex and violence (perhaps younger readers should beware).

I wonder what it's like in the man's head.

Specifically for this book, I felt it dragged towards the middle, but it's all worth it in the end, where everything read has in someway a significance. The entire concept of gods that Gaiman presents is very interesting, at times confusing and not very clear or obvious, but this can be fixed with a little research. and if anything it helps you to relate to the confused position of the main character. The ending is nicely rounded and well done, though perhaps a little extended and a touch cliché. But other than this it's a great story and journey and I believe most will enjoy every step.

This was an amazing read! I think its strength comes from its uniqueness. It's written like an old fairy tale: beautiful, poetic, rhythmic. It is based off of Russian folklore, and the way it was modernized was very interesting and I feel well done.

It was also very, very, very messed up. One of my friends recommended this book to me and she put it perfectly: the relationship between the two main characters is one that you simply do not see in many novels. It's horrible yet beautiful, and it works.

There is also a lot of character development for the female lead, which I feel is very important. Though she is at first weak and helpless she soon becomes a strong force to be reckoned with. I love strong female leads.

So, just as my friend strongly recommended this to me, I strongly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a unique story, and who loves the rhythms of a good fairy tale. Slowly ingest every word and enjoy.

A very exciting sequel where you learn a lot more, but where you're also left with many questions.

In a way I can see why people are frustrated with the series because there's a lot of unanswered questions, and sometimes the way the answers come out does not feel natural, but I really enjoyed reading this and I couldn't put it down.

It's action packed like its predecessor but it's very different at the same time in terms of the trials they go through. I don't think anyone who liked the first book won't like this one. I look forward to reading the next instalment!

This was an absolutely amazing read. It's one of those books where the underlying themes are very relatable. Who can't relate to the trouble of responsibility, and growing up, and being conflicted with your very being, caught between who you are and who you want to be?

I felt the characters were very interesting, but what really intrigued me was the brilliance of the story and the plot. The writing but simple but brilliant as well.

I'm not sure what else to say, except that to was a thoroughly enjoyable read that I couldn't easily put down. I had never even intended to read this book: it was there at this little store when I needed something to pass a few hours, but it was a great thing that I did. I don't know if the movie can do this book justice, just because there's so much emotion and internal turmoil going on within Ender that it's difficult to display visually. But I hope they do a good job, and I strongly recommend this book to everyone, adults and teenagers alike.

I have to say that I, surprisingly, enjoyed this book! Of course I wouldn't say it's a literary masterpiece, but it was a fun, action packed, fast-paced read that kept me interested the whole time. I love the connection the author provides the readers to Thomas, and I love the entire concept. Most of all I love that by the end of it everything made sense, even though nothing was completely solved (hence the sequels). Perhaps four stars seems rather high, but I'm rating it for what it is: a quick read for teens. I'm past those years and this book still kept me up thinking at night. Overall I enjoyed this book and I hope that the sequel will not disappoint. :)

Wow. How do I begin? Reading this book was, to me, like taking a leisurely stroll through a museum. Each chapter was a work of art, so intricate and detailed and beautiful. Each piece is connected in various ways, and though there is underlying mystery by the end of it you come out with an understanding and sense of completion. Morgenstern's writing is absolutely amazing. I was so enthralled with each chapter, that I pulled out the book every chance I got. The book is beautiful but it is a slow read: I appreciated each beauty at intervals, taking it chapter by chapter and pausing in between. Except for when I reached the end, as I'm the kind of person who gets a sudden rush at that point, I feel like this is perhaps the best way to read the book. I enjoyed the characters and the choice of timeline and way of presenting the story. I think the strength comes from this beauty I've been describing, as well as the entire idea and world that the author presents. This book is most certainly worth a read, though it should be said that this isn't for those who are looking for a romance or adventure novel. I recommend it for those who read for the appreciation of reading, and especially for those who enjoyed being whisked away from their daily lives into fantastical worlds that keep you dreaming long after the last page has been read and the book firmly shut.

Definitely a really interesting book. The science was fascinating and Mark is a funny, light-hearted narrator. My problem was I felt every single character was very two-dimensional, and despite the fact that it's a suspenseful, epic story of survival, I didn't feel tired along with the character by the end of it, and sometimes the science just got tedious because I felt it replaced a lot of possibly interesting psychological depth. Like Mark as narrator did not change his tone at all the entire time he was trapped, and given that it was over a year I find it impossible that it wouldn't have changed even in the slightest. The last bit of the optimistic view of humanity was nice, but to be honest, it felt very slapped on at the end, and I would venture to say it was almost childish. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed this, but I think it was lacking some depth.

A truly beautiful story that I had a very difficult time putting down. It's heartbreaking and inspiring, and I felt like Rose and Ruby were so REAL. Admittedly the story is told a little messily, but it still manages to work really well, and I think it only makes it feel more real. Strongly recommend.

Both these stories are an absolute must read for any lover of the science-fiction genre, or even anyone who enjoys intelligent, well-written, thought provoking literature.