Book Review: "The Coming of Dragons" by A.J. Lake

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

When Edmund is sent on a ship for the first time on his own, he meets a girl named Elspeth. And the two end up together after some unfortunate events. They have to learn rely on each other strengths in order to defeat a man named Ogrim. But there is also the matter of a certain dragon.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Edmund is a young prince from another land who has lived a rather sheltered life. He is well aware of his own failings and is afraid to be seen as a coward.

Elspeth is the daughter of a captain of a ship who sails with him on his journeys. She is rather close to her father as he is her only family.

Aagard is a mentor to Elspeth and Edmund, who reveals information about Ogrim. And also reveals that if they go on a ship, the dragon will find them. He used to work for his land's King.

Cluaran is a wandering minstrel who ends up guiding and protecting the main characters, but he does it begrudgingly, as a favor to Aagard. He informs Edmund about an imporant aspect of Ripente's that helps Edmund in the climax. He says he has his own agenda.

Ogrim is the main villain of the story. But we don't meet him till near the end of the story.

PACING & POV

Although the story jumps right into a storm, I didn't find it very fast paced.

The perspectives randomly jump back and forth between Edmund and Elspeth not in different cliff hanger paragraph endings, but in the same part of the story.

The story does have action though: being chased by guards on horseback as well as on foot happens throughout. I just didn't feel it was the fastest pacing.

THE RIPENTE-SPOILERS

We learn rather fast the Edmund is something called a Ripente, a person who can see though others eyes. In Edmund's case, the dragon who attacked his ship.

THE CHEST AND THE SWORD

After being brought to Aagard's home, Elspeth opens a chest and ends up summoning a magical sword on accident. So Aagard explains he found that chest washed up from their ship. He then explains a prophecy about it and a hero who will use it.

The sword talks to Elspeth in riddles and even comes when it isn't summoned, causing them to be captured. I never learned much about it and it all felt too vague. I wanted to learn something specific about it.

EDMUND's ROLE

Edmund can dream and see through the eyes of the dragon as well as psychic skills. While Elspeth ends up with a weapon.

I thought it was kind of strange to put the physically weaker female in the role of protector, when any woman could easily be overpowered by a man. There is no mention of the sword giving Elspeth amazing strength. So perhaps we are supposed to believe she can fend off men stronger then her.

Also, Edmund reiterates the feelings that he is a coward. Wielding a sword and having to risk his life would be a good way for him to gain bravery. And he could question if the bravery and skills was his own, or the swords.

ELSPETH'S ROLE

Elspeth has her sword that she can summon and use. Also, she saves Edmund from drowning, before she even gets her sword.

Elspeth is different than Edmund that she doesn't think of being strong or brave much. Although she is confused about the sword and why it won't let her go. This comes for her rational desire to be safe and not get involved in some dangerous mission with a magical sword that speaks in riddles.

Also, speaking her being a girl, she ends up cutting her hair off and dressing like a boy. But she doesnt' find any discomfort in this. I felt she should have, having spent her entire life with long hair and a skirt, to have to pretend to be something so different from herself should have given her pause. But perhaps I should be glad she didn't complain about being oppressed in her skirt.

ELSPETH'S LOSS

Elspeth's father supposedly died in this book. I say supposedly because she never found his body. And yet I felt nor sorrow for her because there isn't any scenes with them together.

If we hadn't rushed so fast into the story, we may have been able to set up a relationship with him.

The same thing happens with Edmund and his mother, we just get told about her in past tense. No flash backs or anything. But it's fine for him, because his relationship with his mother has nor baring on the plot. Although it may have served the story to refer to how sheltered she kept him or how her upbringing affected him.

However it would have greatly helped if we had at least one flashback of Elspeth and her father to witness their relationship and the tension of the scene.

ELSPETH & EDMUND

I don't feel like much binds these two characters together. Edmund starts out defensive and mad at being seen acting cowardly. They later become friends but I didn't feel like they had much in common. There was no natural progression from this defensive manner to their friendship. Perhaps revealing how they had a close relationship with their single parent's would have helped.

EDMUND'S REVEAL

Edmund eventually reveals who he truly is...and we don't get to see the immediate reaction of the person most close to him, Elspeth. She is in the same room with him so there is no reason to ignore her. In fact it's to the detriment to their relationship and the tension of the scene.

CAPTAIN CATHBAR-SPOILERS

Turns out the captain is one of the king's men. I didn't know anything of him, so this wasn't a surprise to me. Turns out he knows of Aagard.

THE HUNT OF THE BOARS-SPOILERS

They end up hunting some evil boars where Edmund learns that if an animal is killed while you are seeing through its eyes, you will go blind.

CLUARAN THE TRAITOR?-SPOILERS

Cluaran seems to wander off a lot and we don't know much about him. But because of that, when Edmund points out that he abandoned them, I wasn't really shocked. I just didn't care nor did I have any defense for Cluaran. So when he shows back up, my reaction wasn't surprise or happiness. I just didn't care.

A TWIST?-SPOILERS

Edmund reveals to the reader his one friend growing up, his mother's brother. It's only one mention and about a page or so long. Not enough to really understand the importance of this relationship or develop any depth.

So when it turns out that Ogrim is actually his mother's brother, I felt nothing. Even worse, there were no hints leading up to it. It just seems thrown in there for shock value. But how could I be shocked when I barely even knew anything about this man? Perhaps the clue was he was a foreigner from Venta, but Edmund is from Sussex.

THE PROBLEM OF OGRIM-SPOILERS

Ogrim reveal hatred for Edmund but we never witnessed their previous relationship. So it all just falls flat. How could I feel bad for Edmund when I hadn't seen any closeness between him and this man?

CLIMAX

The guards capture Edmund and Elspeth but with the help of a friend, they attempt to free her. Edmund manages to defeat Ogrim with information he received from Cluaran.

CONCLUSION

I don't mind the story being unoriginal. If characters are distinct and likable I find that more important. As well as the relationship dynamics and character arcs.

But unfortunately the characters were all rather bland. I never got to know them well enough to understand their motivations.

I found the whole idea about the prophecy and Ogrim rather vague. And the twist reveal didn't have the intended affect upon me. I give “The Coming of Dragons” two stars.

Book Review: "The Princetta" by Anne-Laure Bondoux

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

After being humiliated by her father the King, Malva decides she will run away from home and be free. So with the help of her maid and teacher, she does just that. But things keep going wrong and Malva finds herself facing danger on all sides. Luckily there is a young man named Orpheus who is on a ship sent to save her.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Malva is a princess who is rather naive and stubborn. She dreads the idea of marriage and dreams of freedom without any hardships.

Philomena is Malva's maid and only close friend. She is much more practical and realizes the possible dangers that her princess could face. She would risk her life for her friend and is crucial to the plot.

Orpheus is a young man who has dreamed of sailing his own life. When he finally gets the chance he is thrilled to prove himself.

Lei is a young woman who has skills in healing. She latches onto Malva right away and is crucial to the princess' safety. As well as Orpheus.

Hob and Peppe are twins who sneak onto Orpheus' ship. The are rather excitable and naive.

PACING

The story goes back in forth between two characters, Malva and Orpheus. The story starts slightly slow, but it soon picks up. We get action then recovery, then finally when things seem to calm down, we get more action. This was definitely the strong part of the first half of the story.

FATHER ISSUES-SPOILERS

When we first meet Orpheus, he is being told by his dying father that he has lied to him his whole life. Turns out he doesn't have an illness that would make it impossible to go to sea (sounded kinda fishy anyway, no pun intended). And the reason for this lie was because if Orpheus went to see he would learn that his father was a pirate and not an honorable man.

But it's revealed before this that Orpheus loves the ocean and spends time at the docks. He didn't seem shy and I don't think it would be presumptuous to assume he would make friends. So couldn't he have learned the truth anyway? It felt kind of silly.

Did he really need to hate his dying father? Couldn't he have been a rookie sailor who simply ended up being on the crew that looked for Malva? He could still easily have had an arc. After all, he needn't have been a captain who had already proved himself in bravery and skills.

Perhaps the author thought he needed this added drama to be more interesting, but he never has to overcome his hatred of his father and it seemed little to motivate him on his quest to save Malva.

THE BRIGHT SIDE

I thought it was a little odd that Malva was so positive. After all, she has never worked a day in her her life and suddenly she is constantly working and walking. And instead of being overwhelmed and having to adjust, she is overly happy.

I wanted her to question herself. To wonder if she knew what she was doing but she seemed so naive. I kept waiting for that naivete to be squashed. But even nearly dying in a shipwreck and a storm didn't cause her hesitation.

FATHER LIKE SON?

After Orpheus helps rescue Malva, the captain says something about knowing who his father was. I thought it was a stretch for him to assume that Orpheus would be a criminal because his dad was. He didn't have more than one conversation with him and yet he was dumb enough to think he would just go along with his evil plans?

AN UNGRATEFUL GIRL

After being rescued from torture and death, Malva's first reaction isn't gratitude. She has no time for that. Because she learns that she is being taken home.

I wish there had been a gap between the time this information was given and when she learned that she had been rescued. Some gratitude would have become her. Maybe even some wondering if it was better to be alive and married to a stranger than dead.

ALL THE ARCHONT'S FAULT?-SPOILERS

Malva is helped by Philomena and her teacher. Turns out he has taught her a lot about the outside world. So when things go south, she immediately blamed him.

I thought this was a stretch. I mean, was all of this information a big secret? Was she forbidden to learn about how the world worked? As a future queen, wouldn't it be in her education to learn not just about her own country, but others?

She recalls him telling her that she will have to marry soon, and says its unfortunate that someone as independent and young as her will have to marry an old man. Such thinking should have been foreign to everyone, as young girls often married older men because older men can still have children, but older woman cannot. It's merely a fact of biology and no doubt Malva had known her entire life she would have her marriage arranged.

And yet she acts as though its unthinkable. I also thought it odd how she said all her freedoms would go away (no doubt her life would change) and she wouldn't be able to read. Why exactly would she be prevented from reading? Obviously she would have more important duties, but to say that she would never have any free time and actually be forbidden to read sounded crazy.

TRAPPED BEFORE A BEAST

Malva ends up slipping her breakfast rolls into her pocket and it later saves her from a monster. I thought it was odd that she didn't eat her breakfast and thought she should have been portrayed as always doing this or having a specific reason for doing so.

Instead it just came across as really, really lucky. Which is unfortunate, because so far Malva has been completely taken care of by others. First Philomena, then Lei. She finally saves herself and its not by any real effort, but by sheer chance.

THE ARCHIPELAGO

The problem with the archipelago is that it feels like it's tossed in from nowhere. Even the characters seem taken aback, admitting never hearing of such a place, not even in legends.

There is some guardian named Catabea who rules the area and shows up proclaiming the rules and giving the two choices, to try to escape and face punishment if they fail, or just stay in the islands for the rest of their lives.

I think the place was added to make Malva's dream of Elgolia a reality. But it's connection to the archipelago seems tenuous at best.

THE TESTS-SPOILERS

Each character has to go through a so-called test.

Orpheus gets a replacement for his dead father and has to give him up. But it was all a spell and the guy was crazy, so I don't think Orpheus was giving much up.

Lei has to try and heal a whole population on an island.

The cook has to give up a fish which apparently he wanted to prove was real. In the end, Orpheus has to step up and let the man get himself killed or he would get everyone else killed as well.

The twins...are kind of confused. I will explain later. I will also explain Malva's test in her own area.

BABILAS EXPLAINED-SPOILERS

One of the sailors in the story is named Babilas. He is very strong and responsible for saving Malva. Because he is mute we don't really get to know him or his motivation. It isn't until one scene where he starts crying that he writes down his past and Malva tells us.

We learn about a past romance that ended tragically (kind of out of the blue and shoved in) and that is all we know about Babilas. I didn't really feel anything about his past because it was so detached.

I went want from knowing nothing to knowing something dramatic and personal. And yet I never got to know this character at all. It's like, okay, we're done now, you don't need to know anything else and this makes up for before.

ELGOLIA-SPOILERS

Malva's test ends up being her dream, the mythical land she was told about. But she is there all alone and gets to see the world going to hell without her. So she gives it up and goes back to the ship.

But the thing is, I don't feel like this really developed her. I mean, who would want to live all alone on an island, even if it was gorgeous and you would be safe there, with food and shelter at your disposal?

The place has some kind of magic so Malva is seen as strong when she overcomes it. It just never really felt like an option to stay there.

MALVA & ORPHEUS

My first sign that the story was going downhill was when the romantic relationship became apparent. They don't gradually get to know one another and learn to get along. For the most part, they just notice each others physical attractiveness.

Their only conflict is when Malva refuses to go home and is not grateful for being rescued from death. Also when Orpheus is under a spell. But other than that, it's Orpheus thinking that Malva is amazing and deserves to be happy (even though he hasn't seen her do anything but be rescued and burn some flutes).

A FORTUNE TELLER-SPOILERS

Turns out there was a reason the twins snuck aboard the ship. A fortune teller told them they would marry the princess. They just never thought about how they would both marry the princess...because apparently they are idiots.

TWO DEATHS-SPOILERS

I have certain rules about deaths of characters in story.

First rule, the death must make me feel something. Shock. Sadness. Anything. But preferably sadness (I admit I don't much care for shock for the sake of it, and it seems to be rarely used well, as in making a point).

I also can't stand the deaths of animals and children. If they must happen, I don't care for them described in detail (again, I don't like things done for shock value, I think its distasteful).

Second rule, the death must serve a purpose. As in, someone dies for another; something important is learned by the death (like how to escape from a danger).

Third rule, the death makes sense.

Unfortunately, I felt nothing for any of the deaths in the story. I never felt they were necessary or added anything to the story either. The cook dying was a character that was basically just in the background so I didn't care that he died. Orhpeus' dog dies...I guess he needed a test too? Or maybe he was just protecting them. I don't really know.

As for the third rule...

AN INEXPLICABLE DEATH-SPOILERS

The immuration (the punishment they were threatened with if they failed) shows up when time has run out. It's a giant hole or vortex or something.

Anyway, the twins blame themselves and Peppe jumps in and kills himself (I thought it was a place of punishment, but maybe the punishment was death?).

This was so inexplicably stupid that for a moment I didn't even realize what had happened. What was the logic behind this? How could Peppe have known that throwing himself in would have saved the others? There wasn't any deal made nor anything explained beforehand that would give him the idea that him dying would save the others.

It seems as though the author realized she had no idea how everyone would escape the archipelago so she threw this in last minute, but forget to go back and write in an explanation or a hint that such a sacrifice could save them, even if they ran out of time.

AWKWARD WRITING

There is a scene where Orpheus gets stabbed. It's portrayed as quite dramatic, but only the reader sees it. Then we zoom away to another activity and I was left confused.

I had just been told of a dramatic event only to go away to another activity, in the same scene. Not a cliffhanger ending and a switch of scenes. The same scene.

I had to wait for a shocked reaction from Malva and the moment was lost.

If no one saw it, as it's written right after, then we should have seen the whole scene from Malva's perspective. Instead of being omniscient and suddenly switching to Malva's limited perspective.

CLIMAX

Only the twins haven't been tested, but time is up and the immuration shows up. They manage to get saved and Malva returns home.

TIME PASSAGES-SPOILERS

When Malva finally returns home it seems a decade has passed, even though for her it was only months. I wasn't quite sure why this was necessary. It hardly seems long enough for the city to decay.

But everything fell to pieces when she left and this way her father had a long time to realize his mistake. Not that he wasn't a jerk (he was) but he truly looked like a broken man and this seemed like overkill. I felt worse for him than I ever did for Malva. He seemed so pathetic.

IT WONT END-SPOILERS

After the climax, the story goes on for way too long. A short epilogue should have been all that was necessary, if at all. Orpheus gets to see his old maid again, who saved all of his money (even though its been a decade). So he gets to be rich, but never really forgive his father.

Malva learns her mother died and her father gets to tell her she was right to run away and did nothing wrong. It's all his fault.

It's easy to forgive someone for abusing you when they not only admit they were wrong, but they basically lose everything and everyone and clearly are a broken person.

WHO NEEDS 'EM?-SPOILERS

The Archont returns, having mysteriously escaped after conveniently hobbling off, dying, but not quite dead.

I think the only reason was so that Orpheus could die. Why, you ask, when it was so obvious that he and Malva were madly in love? I was thrown for a loop. Surely I wasn't forced to read a poorly written romance for half the book just to kill one of the lovers off?

Not to worry, Malva perseveres. Time passes. Her people love her, calling her kind and wise. They say she doesn't need a king.

It's not as if a Queen has never married (Queen Elizabeth, anyone?) But for the most part, they do. It's just a fact of monarchy. You need an heir and an alliance with another country.

It was as if the author changed her mind at the last minute and decided that in order for Malva to develop fully, she must not depend on anyone. So Orpheus had to go.

I was left confused and angry. I would have rather had an overly sappy, happy ending. At least that would have been consistent with the story.

THE PROBLEM WITH MALVA

Malva never develops in any meaningful way. She never has to admit she was foolish to run away nor does she have to do anything she didn't want to do before. She gets to be independent and do what she wants, just as a Queen.

Saying no to staying alone on a pretty island is not character development. Going home after running away would have been, if she actually had to do something she previously had not wanted to.

But she never had anything against being a queen, just giving up the freedoms of her childhood. And she never gives up anything as far as we see. She just becomes a great Queen, who happens to be great because now she can do whatever she wants without anyone telling her what to do.

CONCLUSION

Malva & Orpheus start off likable and sympathetic (if a little bit two-dimensional). And the pacing is good in the first half of the story full of storms, shipwrecks, fighting nomads, slavery and a giant monster.

Unfortunately the second half of the story eventually descends into mediocrity. Malva and Orpheus have a shallow love affair where they worship one another and never have an actual relationship.

All the side characters are cardboard and never fleshed out except in a rushed attempt.

The lore of the archipelago seems like it came out of nowhere and never really feels like it belongs in the story.

The ending lasts way too long, wrapping up things that I didn't care about. I would have liked to pretend the story ended after they escaped the archipelago and Malva told Orpheus she was growing up and going home. I could have imagined the rest.

I give “The Princetta” one and half stars.

Book Review: "Ragwitch" by Garth Nix

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

When Paul's sister Julia is possessed by an evil witch, Paul ends up being sent to another world. There he must find and rescue his sister. But before he can do that he has to seek help.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Paul is reluctant to be a hero. He is confused and scared about what happened to his sister and for a long time, only moves forward because he doesn't know what else to do. Eventually he develops into a brave character.

Julia is horrified at the ragwitch taking over her body as well as what she witnesses. However, she is also quite stubborn and gradually develops into a heroine.

The ragwitch is an evil woman who has no sympathy for her victims. Her goal is ultimate power and she doesn't care who she has to kill to get to it.

Lyssa ends up being a mentor and comforter to Julia. She helps her learn to move through the ragwitch's mind.

Quigin is a young man that was told to assist Paul by master Thruan. He also serves Master Caegel. He has the ability to communicate with animals, which comes in handy. His title is an apprentice to “Friends of Beasts”.

Anhyvar is a woman that Julia is sent to find by Lyssa. She can help defeat the ragwitch.

Tanboule is a mentor character. He is rather stubborn and kind of vague. Eventually he directs Paul to what he needs to defeat the ragwitch and how to do so. Also he reveals some of the ragwitch's past.

PACING

The story's structure is set up going back and forth between the two main characters. This helps the story feel faster, the closer we get to the climax. Also, the story jumps right into things, and we get only a few pages before Paul is confronting the ragwitch, herself.

THE BOND OF SIBLINGS

My one issue is the relationship between Julia and Paul. It essentially drives the story. Paul's love for his sister pushes him to rescue her, even though he is scared and has no real confidence in his abilities.

I mentioned how fast the story jumps into the plot, which can be a positive thing. Unfortunately, I never got to understand the closeness and the dynamics of their relationship.

We see that Julia is bold and wants to explore, while Paul is much more hesitant. But that is all we see. Paul actually says later that he is a follower and needs Julia there with him (just in case you missed this in the beginning).

There is maybe one other scene where he misses her and thinks of her while witnessing the caring behavior of others around him. But it's so far and few in between. I would have liked a longer, more drawn out introduction that revealed their relationship. Or some flashbacks. Maybe even Paul explaining an important moment in his and Julia's relationship.

Were they really so close at all? Maybe they weren't and Paul deeply regrets it, and that's what pushed him forward. Or maybe he realizes he was the older one, and the boy, so it was he who should have had the role of the protector (being that he is more wise, stronger physically, and has an obligation to protect the younger, physically weaker, Julia).

Maybe there were issues regarding their parents and they learned to rely on each other, because they were all each other had. Any mention of their relationship would have been greatly appreciated.

THE WORLD OF MEMORIES

Julia spends her entire time in the Ragwitch's mind. There she meets people who have been her victims, as well as explore her past. I think it was important that the beings there were a real threat to Julia, so as to make her journey as dangerous as her brother's.

THE ELEMENTALS-SPOILERS

Paul has to meet the Masters of Air, Water, Fire and Earth. None of them are friendly, straight forward, or happy to help him. He meets the master of air while up in a balloon with Quiglin. He finds Paul amusing so gives him an item. I thought that was kind of silly, but he was only the first one we met.

Then meets the water Lord down in the depth so the ocean, thanks to a water witch that allows him to swim underwater. The journey is long, but he retrieves the item rather easily. It's the journey back that proves more difficult, when sharks show up.

The Fire Queen asks him to dance on fire coals, and he has to trust her to do so. I thought it was kind of silly that thinks he shouldn't say he will do anything for her, then says it anyway. Regardless he shows bravery and does it.

Lastly, he meets the Earth Lady, who oddly enough, gives him the last item after she finishes harvesting potatoes

Honestly, I didn't find the elementals all that interesting or entertaining. I kind of wish there had been more to the tasks that were required.

SIDE CHARACTERS

A weak point is that many of the side characters are not very distinct in personality. None really have a history. The best ones are probably Tanboule, for it's obvious what his role is (as well as his distinct personality). And Lyssa, who is obviously Julia's guide, while being kind and experienced.

Quigin has a distinct personality, being that he is rather energetic, sometimes pouty, whining about his lack of abilities. But he has no history, no family and no explanation to his motivations.

As for Alyene and Rellan they don't really have personalities. Perhaps its unfair, as many characters get such small roles that there is no time to develop them in any meaningful way. Like the waterwitch, who is barely in the story at all.

CREATURES OF THE WORLD

The magical world of the ragwitch is full of strange creatures. Paul meets strange beings called May Dancers, who are covered with leaves. Then he witnesses a huge creature, summoned, called an Ornware. The glazed beings are those that the Ragwitch has killed and then uses for her own purposes, basically zombies. Some animals are used by elementals as guides, like dolphins, while others are threats, like sharks.

THE TRUTH ABOUT ANHYVAR-SPOILERS

Julia is sent to go find a woman called Anhyvar. But she must go alone. Eventually, it is revealed to her by another just who this woman is. Turns out she is the ragwitch, but a younger version of her, before she was corrupted.

JUST LIKE THE RAGWITCH

Julia has to fight the ragwitch's ability to influence her and eventually absorb her. Lyssa helps her at first by creating a twig-maiden that is taken to be Julia so the real Julia is left alone. And by giving her a wand. She tries to act like the ragwitch in order to protect King Mirran. And she is surprised how much she sounds like her, and even feels like her, yelling orders to her slaves.

Eventually she is attacked directly by the witch, and has to fight her off. I think it would have been interesting if this had happened more gradually.

PAUL'S DECISON-SPOILERS

Eventually Paul is forced to make a decision when the meets the Patchwork King. He can only ask for one spell. At first he asks for a way for him and Julia to go home. But then he thinks what Julia would think if they left without helping.

I thought that was interesting, because he felt held accountable by his sister. He then thinks of the other people he would be leaving behind, but only Julia seems like she convicts him. Which makes sense, I suppose, as he didn't get particularly close with any one person. Though I still wish he had.

It is essentially this moment in the story where he fully evolves, consciously making the decision to stay and risk death, rather then go home.

IDEAS-SPOILERS

There are many different aspects of the book that I thought were interesting and original. For instance, Julia gets told that Lyssa cannot promise her life back, only that they could truly die and no longer be attached to the ragwitch. Most childrens' stories never touch on the idea of failure and of accepting death in any meaningful way.

Also, after their adventure is over, both Julia and Paul get the choice of forgetting everything, but decide that they want to remember. I have read stories where all memories, and even all sacrifices were wiped away, completely destroying any meaning from their story.

Julia completes her character arc by taking over the ragwitch and allowing Paul to kill her. And Paul never really knows if Julia will live, because he doesn't ask the Patchwork King. While Julia never knows what Paul's plan is. I wish this had been acknowledged as it would have deepened their characters. Their was either faith in each other, or perhaps sacrifice on both their parts.

CLIMAX

After receiving a weapon, Paul returns to battle, where he faces the ragwitch. With help from Julia and her friends, she is defeated. He and Julia are reunited.

AFTERMATH

I admit to being disappointed with Paul and Julia's reunion. I kind of wanted Julia to step back, maybe even during the battle and be in awe of how much her brother had changed. She does see him earlier and seem proud. But it's all very rushed and vague.

CONCLUSION

The world that Nix creates is detailed and the characters are likable. They both develop from scared kids to brave heroes. And the ragwitch is creepy, merciless and terrifying.

And yet the story has weak points. Mainly the relationship between the two siblings-they spend the entire book apart. And no real relationship is shown before they are separated.

I liked both Tanboule and Lyssa as mentor characters. Unfortunately, all other side characters were rather lacking in personality as well as any real relationship with the main characters.

There were many original ideas that had great potential. Unfortunately we barely skim the surface and I was left feeling disappointed. Still, it's a worthy read if you love fantasy. I give “Ragwitch” three stars.

Book Review: "Hatching Magic" by Ann Downer

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

When her father goes off for work, Theodora is left without any friends. Instead all she has is her obsession with wyerns. But fate has more in store for her when a real wizard crosses over to her world to find a missing creature.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Theodora is a young girl who loves the fantasy creature Wyvern. It's rather an obsession.

Gideon is an important sorcerer in the service of the king. He ends up going after his Wyvern when she disappears.

Merlin is a sorcer in Theodora's world. He is a professor and has a tendency to ramble on.

Mikko works for Theodora's dad cooking and keeping house. She lives with them and ends up being important by introducing her to a woman named Dr. Naga.

Kobold is a sorcerer and a rival to Gideon. He wants to find the wyvern before Gideon.

Febrys is Kobold's servent. She is often verbally abused and rather timid.

PACING

The pacing is rather slow. I think a part of this has to do with the fact that the author, often under the guise of Merlin, has a habit of jumping in and giving details that have nothing to do with the story. Perhaps it was meant to show how much detail was put into the world, but it is never relevant. Nor that interesting. Perhaps if it had been done half as much it wouldn't have slowed the story so much.

WHOSE WORLD?

Throughout the story, we are told that Theodora is obsessed with a magic card game as well as the magical creature called a Wyvern. But it is obvious that in her world, there is no actual magic. There are merely video games, movies and video games about it.

And eighty percent of the story, Theodora and Merlin are not together. I kept wondering if Merlin's world was really Theodora's. After all, Merlin never explains how everything is kept secret. He talks so openly that I got no sense of secrecy. It seemed unclear. It could easily have been an alternative world to Theodora's, and they would have to cross over to hers.

When it turned out they lived in the same world I was confused. I wish it had been explained better. Like maybe Theodora had seen hints of magic being real, or something.

CHARACTER DEPTH

The biggest attempt made at character depth is giving Gideon and Theodora a brief history. Theodora lost her mother a few years ago. Gideon had a rivalry with another wizard and a falling out over a girl.

Mikko is a mystery who is never fully explained. And Merlin has no real history.

WYCCA

We get multiple instances of where the female wyvern wishes to have her baby. I thought it was kind of amusing, but not exactly essential. As she doesn't meet Theodora until she is accidentally summoned. Theodora never meets her where she has her baby.

A TRICK

Kobold hears a phone message from Theodora's dad and comes up with a plan. Theodora eventually figures it out when she recalls out when he phrases something wrong, by saying “would you like to hold?” instead of “wait”. I would have liked various small hints instead of one clue.

FEBRYS' OFFER

After Febrys fails to trick and entrap Theodora, she inquires about a photo. Theodora explains it was her mom who has died. It thought it was kind of unlikely that Febrys would go gazing at photos, or even seek out one. Perhaps she should have almost knocked one over, and Theodora brought attention to it by grabbing it or being upset over its demise. Febrys could be curious about her emotional reaction and then inquire about it.

THEODORA'S MOTHER

There is a mention that Theodora's mother died but not much about it. In one scene, Theodora suddenly recalls a memory of her and instantly becomes depressed. It's framed like she has been trying to suppress these memories to be happy but before that instant, it's never implied. So I was left feeling that the story was demanding an emotional reaction from me it hadn't earned.

CHARACTER ARC-SPOILERS

Theodora is shown to be lacking in confidence. She wants to be accepted by a group of kids and ends up storming off when she is rejected.

She goes off alone to get help about the Wyvern and Mikko, and ends up fighting Kobold. Not physically, but mentally.

This was actually a brilliant idea, because it helped her let go of her mother and reveal her abilities. Unfortunately there are no hints at all about her lineage so its feels shoved in and way too reliant in coincidences. And like I previously stated, we don't really address Theordora's feelings about her mother except for one scene in the book.

CLIMAX

Kobold confronts Theodora. Merlin and Gideon show up and attempt to help. The problem is solved thanks to Theodora's unexpected abilities.

COINCIDENCE-SPOILERS

The main reason that Theodora's gets involved with the main plot (Gideon and Merlin) is when she accidentally summons a Wyvern. She basically just makes up a spell, asking that a Wyvern be brought to her. I don't know who or what would bring it. How could Theodora summon one?

Well, after the climax Gideon and Merlin discuss it, saying that Theodora's is a descendant of Gideon's lost love. This is the first major example of coincidence. They don't tell her, by the way.

The second major example is that Theodora is obsessed with a card game. She only needs one card to finish her collection. Also Gideon has a set of cards he uses, and has one of a wyvern. Which he happens to lose. And Theodora happens to find.

I don't mind in coincidence if it is rarely used, and characters end up being in the same place at close times because important events bring them together. Like puzzle pieces. Unfortunately, that wasn't how it was used in this story.

CONCLUSION

I found Theodora, Mikko and Febrys likable and sympathetic. Unfortunately, they didn't have much depth to them.

While the other characters seemed rather boring and lifeless. Merlin has no past, no family, no friends. He seems to exist mainly for the story and have evaporated out of thin air. With vague description of him being a knowledgeable professor. Gideon and Merlins' pasts seem unimportant, until its revealed and becomes crucial to the plot. And yet it feels inserted without much time spent on it.

The story relies too much on coincidence for my liking. It's not a well put together puzzle, its a convenience.

My favorite part was the climax. The idea was good, unfortunately because I knew so little about Theodora's relationship with her mother (nor had any hints about her lineage been made) it had less of an emotional impact then I would have liked.

I give “Hatching Magic” two stars.

Book Review: "The Supernaturalist" by Eoin Colfer

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

Cosmo lives in a dystopian world called Satellite City. There he meets a group of kids who explain it's their mission to save the city, and it turns out that Cosmo has a special ability that can help.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Cosmo is a young orphan who only dreams of being free. He is socially awkward but brave.

Stefan is the leader of a group of kids. He is the oldest and the most passionate about his job, to the point of being obsessive.

Mona is a young Hispanic girl who loves working on cars.

Ditto is a bartoli baby, a being who was experimented on and resembles a small child, even though he is actually much older. He is usually sarcastic and rarely lets down his guard.

PACING

The pacing is decent. The story jumps straight into action with a short introduction to Cosmo and his world. We learn different things about the world as we go along.

MONA & COSMO

Cosmo ends up saving Mona's life early on, so she admits she owes him. This also causes her to defend him to Ditto and say that he's different. Although I felt this was kind of forced, as they had only spent a short time together.

COSMO & STEFAN

Cosmo admires Stefan, realizing he has to make tough decisions. As well as wanting his approval. And yet I never felt that Stefan was any sort of mentor figure, not even a big brother.

Not to mention that Stefan admits he doesn't want to be responsible for Cosmo, so he doesn't quite feel like a leader.

To be fair, it's not as if Cosmo goes along full heartedly with what Stefan wants. He wonders if hunting parasites is really what he wants to do. Stefan does eventually confide in Cosmo, but I feel as though its because we were getting closer to the climax, not because they had grown any closer.

MONA'S HESITATION

There is a scene where Mona asks if they should try to prevent a disaster. The parasites show up only where trouble is. I thought it was strange that Mona was asking this as if they had never hunted before.

THE WORLD

Cosmo's world is one full of overpopulation, pollution and most other catastrophe claims that we have all heard made over and over through the decades. We learn some over time, but most of it is summarized by Faustino when she explains what she is doing in trying to save the world.

POINT OF VIEW

For the most part, Cosmo tells the story and we stay in his head. But there a few scenes completely told by other characters. Ditto, for example, explains his past to the reader. And we also jump inside Stefan's head a few times. Mona gets a short time.

I think the point was to share with the reader about the characters. We learn that Mona hasn't felt pretty for a long time. I just think I would have preferred hints, like Cosmo saying she was pretty and Mona being surprised.

SPELL IT OUT-SPOILERS

It turns out that Stefan used to work for the police but after his mother died in an accident, he quit. He blames himself and the parasites for her death. We don't learn these specific details until later.

But we do get a scene right off the bat, where Stefan goes to his mother's grave and imagines her telling him that whenever he saves someone from a parasite, he's saving her.

I thought this was kind of on the nose, and would rather it had been hinted at, and perhaps Cosmo has to investigate, or earn Stefan's trust. And then the reader would be rewarded.

WELFARE FOR ALL

In the beginning of the story, when we see the orphanage that Cosmo is at, there is a brief mention that it has to run by its own money, not others. It gets no welfare from the government. I thought it was odd to mention, as if getting the government involved would magically make it better. When in reality it would most likely be run by bureaucrats who would just throw money at the problem.

Later on, welfare is mentioned again, and its put center stage when we meet Ella Faustino. It's so strange, because the center of the story is about the parasites, the corrupt cops and the corrupt corporation. And yet the solution to the messed up city is...welfare. It's just so random and illogical.

It's political and feels shoved in. Same with the idea that nuclear power is the greatest evil, has caused the most harm and must be destroyed. Kind of just thrown in near the climax.

THE ADULTS' FAULT

There is one scene where Stefan points out that the adults have screwed things up (so a stranger can trust them). And apparently...it's the fact that they are adult that makes them bad? Not greed. Not narcissism. Just being adult. Luckily children are immune to such things.

It came across as childish and naive.

In another scene, Stefan thinks that a character could not want him killed, because they are a scientist. Not for any any actual reason, like being longtime friends and a mentor. It was just another example of stupidity.

COSMO'S IDEA-SPOILERS

Stefan make a huge decision, telling everyone they have to quit hunting parasites. And then two seconds later changes his mind. I get its because Cosmo has to contribute something important to the plot. He is crucial, but it just makes Stefan look weak willed. And he was anything but, before this.

Later on, Cosmo ends up being important. He realizes that he is the only one who can go on a mission because of the size of a uniform. Not to mention he helps them find a maintenance hatch to get in. In that way, he is important twice. I don't actually think we needed the first part, since we had the second.

OUR CARTOON VILLAIN-SPOILERS

It turns out that Ella has always been working for Myishi, and was simply pretending to work for the Police academy, when she knew Stefan. She ends up making a speech about not caring about anyone and just wanting money (after she has been exposed).

But the thing was, she already made a speech before this. A better one, where her intention was clearly to save the world, even if she had to give herself way too much power to do so.

If Ellen had been shown to believe what she was doing was right and if that had stayed that way, she would have been a convincing villain. Instead she comes off as silly stereotype of the greedy corporation owner.

THE TRUTH ABOUT PARASITES-SPOILERS

Blue beetle looking creatures that only some can see, appear whenever people are injured and close to death. They cling to those and seem to kill them faster.

There is a twist, where Stefan finds out he was wrong about them. And then he finds out both he and Faustino were wrong. I actually would have liked if there hadn't been a second twist, and Stefan had indeed been manipulated to do Faustino's dirty work. And had been helping the parasites grow. To live with that would be tough.

THE TRUTH ABOUT DITTO-SPOILERS

It is eventually revealed that Ditto has the power to heal and knows the truth about the parasites. When Mona finds out, Stefan does too. And he is furious at being lied to. I felt bad for Ditto but never felt any real closeness between him and Stefan. Both never got beyond their masks, Ditto with his sarcasm and Stefan with his obsession.

Also, I thought that Stefan was overreacting. After all, it was not as if Ditto ever put any of them in danger. And I just didn't feel like this added anything to the story. I know the others had to learn the truth about Ditto, I just didn't care for how it was done.

MAIN CHARACTER

Cosmo wonders about his parents and who they were, but for the most part, he has no past. And he has no real goals, other than to be free. Because of this, I found Stefan the most interesting character and also the character that pushed all of the other characters.

Also, I found that events that were the most important, didn't have a strong emotional effect on me. Like when we reveal the truth about Stefan's mom. I would almost have had the story start with him as a cop then flash forward then back to the accident with his mom. Or flash back to a much longer scene about it. Either way, just make him the focus.

And when we meet Faustino, I wanted to be shocked. I wanted to have known Faustino and seen how close she had been with Stefan and his mother. Instead I felt detached because I watched it from Cosmo's view point. Seeing them hug and assuming they had been close. Though I knew nothing about it.

And when Stefan gets a revelation and has his world turned upside down, I felt as though he was supposed to be the most important character.

THE STEEL PLATE

In the beginning, after being rescued, Cosmo gets plate put in his head. This ends up playing into the climax. I like how it became important, like a puzzle piece put in last.

CLIMAX

The group decides to have one last mission, but not to harm the parasites, to strike a blow against the Myishi corporation. Things end up backfiring when they get caught and have to form another plan. Stefan makes a dramatic decision.

AN AFTERLIFE-SPOILERS

Ditto eventually reveals that there is an after \life and that he has seen it. I thought this was strange and just thrown in. Also, it kind of gave Stefan an out so he could get killed and not really care. It wasn't done out of bravery. It was done because he knew he could go see his mom.

PROBLEMS IN THE CITY-SPOILERS

The city moves around like a huge puzzle, and lately its been screwing up. Pieces going in the wrong place. This is important to the plot as its later revealed. Although it's not really solved.

In fact after the finale it feels like things just go back to normal. We get a scene where Ellen Faustino has survived, which doesn't make much sense. If she survived, then wouldn't Stefan have survived too?

She gets a scolding from her corporate overlord and the mayor (who is corrupt, but hopefully we'll still get welfare) and is sent away. But those in power don't seem threatened but what happened. They are still going forward with building another reactor.

CONCLUSION

The story idea was interesting. I liked the idea of the parasites being a confusing subject. And the pacing was good. Also there was some good use of humor throughout.

But I felt like Stefan should have been the main character, not Cosmo. Perhaps he originally was, but when the author decided on the ending he switched it to Cosmo.

Also the relationships seemed lacking. Stefan saved Mona, but he never comes off as a caring person, and I had a hard time understanding why he and his friends ended up together.

Also there were moments where the characters come off as stupid, which I don't think was intentional.

I give “The Supernaturalist” two and half stars.

Book Review: "Dreamquake" by Elizabeth Knox

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

Laura remains estranged from her family, even after explaining her suspicions about the government. Meanwhile she clings to Nown and Sand and even the return of a lost loved one does not fix things. Although Rose decides to investigate the matter herself.

PACING

Pacing is a problem for me. There are plenty of action scenes in the story, a big one being a fire that a main character is trapped in. I felt no real sense of urgency and no insight into the character involved.

Rose doesn't think, “no, I am going to die.” Or “I can't do this, I can't jump off a building. This is crazy!”

She never panics, hesitates, doubts herself or anything. She felt completely unrealistic. I felt like a disconnected third party, watching from afar and knowing nothing. As if I were watching a video posted on the internet, as opposed to being in a story.

WHY AUNT MARTA?

We met Chorely's estranged sister in the first book. I thought since Laura barely knew her it was strange for her to run to her aunt. Perhaps it would have been wise to reveal some sort of relationship between them that still existed or had at least once existed.

We get a view from Laura that looks down upon the Patriarch and the religion that Marta has faith in. Which is kind of odd, because Laura is more like her father, believing in a God. And the Patriarch kind of has a point about the Dream Palace being a place to experience second hand pleasures where there actions have no consequences. After all, we already know its being abused by the sexually perverse. But Laura seems not to realize this.

FATHER ISSUES?

Laura treats Nown like a loyal pet. Both Rose and Tziga are appalled by this. It's obvious that Rose believes him to be an unnatural creature, therefore her sisters' relationship is viewed as unnatural as well. While I think Tziga views it badly because Laura views Nown much different then her father viewed him as: a tool to be used. And there is a vague reference to Laura thinking Nown replaced her dad.

Rose never quite gets over this as this string is just left dangling. I can forgive that, but Tziga's view is quite important as his relationship to Laura is what spurred her on in the first book.

LAURA & ROSE

Rose reveals to her father that she is upset that Laura lied to her. She is also rather awkward around Nown when she meets him. When Rose finally confronts Laura, she tries to explain why she did what she did. She is rather impassioned about it but after that one argument never really tries to resolve anything.

Their whole relationship takes a back seat after that. Her priorities seem all screwed up and never resolved (caring more about Nown than Tziga and Rose).

LAURA & SANDY

The main problem I have is that the relationship is far too rushed. Sandy is upset that Laura never told him about what she was going to do at the dream palace. And yet he barely knew her. He tries to deny his crush, saying that he is only infatuated with her because of her famous family. But again, he barely knew her.

When he gets a letter from her he gets an impression that she is in a relationship with an unknown man and is furious. But why? He and Laura were merely acquaintances and neither revealed a desire for one another. It felt just so melodramatic.

WEIRD INFORMATION

At the boarding house where Sandy stays, there are two girls who are always flirting with him. He ignores them until he gets Laura's letter. Then he kisses one.

Later on, he recalls to the reader that he let that same girl put her hand down his pants. That he didn't want it but hadn't complained at the time. Basically he had been harassed and hadn't known what to do. This paints him as a victim and rather weak willed. It also felt completley random and unnecessary. This brings me to my next point.

LOVE OR LUST?-SPOILERS

Sandy and Laura barely know each other, but upon Laura's return, Sandy is chosen to work with her. So apparently they spend a lot of time together. I say apparently because we don't see them getting to know each other and their feelings developing. We merely see them at a table together, where Laura is being overly affectionate and Sandy is looking uncomfortable.

If that isn't bad enough, they go on a trip together (for work) and the moment they are alone, Laura manipulates him into sleeping with her. I say manipulate because Sandy is clearly uncomfortable. He says he wants to marry her and asks if he does. But Laura just seems annoyed that he won't just take his pants off and sleep with her on the dirt. Hardly the greatest love story of our time. He is actually described as almost being in tears.

Now, I do think Laura is supposed to be slightly confused because of her relationship with Nown (in her letter to him she seems overly attached to him). But it is all so vague and never expounded upon so that I never found Laura sympathetic in the least. She just seemed overpowering.

If the positions had been reversed I feel that readers would have called out Sandy's character for being an abuser. Example: a girl asks a man if he wants to marry her after her asks to sleep with her, but he ignores her, she starts crying and demands to know that he loves her. Then he tells her to lay down and shut up.

Yes, there are some instances where its revealed that dreamhunters like Laura seem to have no boundaries and can do whatever they want. But Laura never realizes this, herself. So I can't say it's obvious that the writer was trying to portray their relationship as unhealthy.

VICTORIAN MORALS?-SPOILERS

The story is supposed to take place in an alternative timeline in a Victorian world. All girls wear skirts, women have coming out balls and are expected to marry and have children. It wouldn't be too much to think that fornication and other sexual practices that have been normalized since the sexual revolution would be frowned upon.

And yet not only does Laura casually have relations with him, she gets pregnant and doesn't seem phased in the bit. So she comes off as rather arrogant and not the least bit regrets her actions. As for her family, well they don't seem that upset either. It's as if twenty-first century values are forced on this Victorian world out of the blue.

Although there is a point earlier where Chorley admits to himself that he almost expected them to have been intimate. He seems appalled at this, even though there is no evidence that Sandy would do such a thing, but perhaps Chorley thinks his niece is foolish and naive.

CONFIDING IN GRACE

After he gets upset about Laura's letter, Sandy ends up confiding in Grace. It's important to the story for Grace to find out about an unknown man but it makes no sense. Laura was an acquaintance and Grace was a complete stranger. And yet Sandy reveals very personal information. This seems to go against his character as he is supposedly defensive and in denial about his crush.

THE RETURN OF TZIGA

Tziga is alive. But the interactions between him and Chorely do not show any great chemistry or explain why two people so different are friends. I had hoped that would have been the case, since he was vacant from the first book.

But I don't even feel that I got to know Tziga as a character. He is very dramatic and obviously feels like he must be a savior, even though Grace is furious at him for it. Even his relationship with Laura seems lacking.

ROSE & MAMIE

It's never made clear about Rose and her relationship to Mamie. It really feels like she is her friend, and yet she also wants to make use of the fact that Mamie lives where she wants to investigate. I wish she had simply clarified that she truly made a friend, even though that was never her intention.

MAMIE'S BROTHER

While staying at Mamie's house, Rose ends up getting harassed by Mamie's brother. I don't know what the purpose was, except to perhaps to show that both father and son were corrupt.

Perhaps it was to victimize Rose so she could complain about having to always be sensible. I felt bad for her for being harassed, and yet I don't think she came out looking great. She actually seemed obnoxious. After all, instead of standing up for herself, she plays it down, and then complains about having to be sensible.

THE GOVERNMENT'S SECRET-SPOILERS

Laura ends up exploring and finding out about a secret facility where certain people are kept. In this prison they are constantly given a dream called Contentment. Like a drug, it keeps them dumb and happy so they don't try to escape.

RANDOM RELIGION-SPOILERS

There are a few instances where Laura makes religious comparisons between her actions and those of the Bible. They always came across as weird, as though the author wanted her readers to see religious themes but didn't trust them to figure it out. So Laura, being the religious character must spell it out.

Making Nown is like God making humanity and the planet. And her work was good, like his was. As a girl who seemed to have little interest in the Bible or church, I thought it strange that she make such comparisons.

There is also a philosophy discussion between Chorely and another about the purpose of the Place and the purpose of life. I found it interesting but disconnected from the story itself.

Also, I feel religious emotions are just shoved in half-hazardly, like when Laura decides now that Sandy is not dead, that her baby is a gift from God. She didn't seem to think of it that way before, in fact, she barely seemed to think at all about God, or the baby.

INSIGHTFUL LAURA

When Laura is faced with the man running the secret prison she suddenly seems overly perceptive. She describes his motives and how evil he is. The whole scene feels weird and out of the blue. This is a minor character, I don't need a psychological evaluation.

OUT OF THE PICTURE-SPOILERS

At the coming out ball, Sandy is targeted for being a nuisance. We are left for the rest of the book thinking that he is dead. I didn't see how he was any threat to the government but I didn't really care that wasn't in the rest of the story as he didn't really add anything. It all felt kind of silly, like, Laura's true love must be put in danger for dramatic effect.

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE PLACE-SPOILERS

We eventually learn that the Place is actually the future. The woman we thought of as Verity is actually an older Laura. I thought this was a great idea and I was very interested. One of the tortured prisoners is actually Laura's future son.

The way it is revealed, with Grace is shocking. But unfortunately, when Laura admits she knew it all along, its underwhelming. Not to mention the way it is used, as a tool to show how clever the author is.

Time travel is tricky, because so often the author comes off as pretentious. And in order for it to work, pieces must fit together perfectly like a puzzle.

It's okay if it's slightly confusing at first, but if you think about it over and over and it still doesn't make any sense, I think it's acceptable to assume the story is bad and not that the reader is just too stupid to understand the genius of the plot.

It's all so vague and confusing, especially when we get insight into how apparently Laura and Rose stay estranged in the future. Instead of puzzle pieces fitting together I felt like they were tossed aside and lost. The story ends seeming to be continued.

CLIMAX-SPOILERS

Laura goes to the Place to dig up a still living man and bring him back. The place disappear and a vague description of why it has happened is given.

CONCLUSION

I found aspects of the story interesting, like when Laura goes exploring and gets taken captive. And then has to find a way to escape. And the revelation about the truth about the place was quite interesting as well.

However the characters and the relationships between them are lacking. I never really believe the romantic relationship between Laura and Sandy. And Tziga feeling replaced by Nown is never addressed.

As for the ending, it feels like its trying desperately to be clever, but by then I was too confused and bored, just wanting it to be over with.

I give “Dreamquake” one and half stars.

Book Review: "DreamHunter" by Elizabeth Knox

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY (MOSTLY)

In the Victorian world where teenage cousins Rose and Laura, live, there is a location called The Place. And a certain set of individuals known as dream hunters can catch dreams located there, then sleep and share them with those sleeping in the same vicinity.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Laura Hame is described as a follower. She admits she follows her cousin and copies her because it's just easier. She is less confident then Rose.

Rose Tiebold is sure of herself and slightly entitled. She sometimes seems to see herself as a victim, even in the beginning of the story before her fate is decided.

Tziga Hame is famous and rather religious. He is very close to his only daughter, perhaps because he is her only parent.

Chorley Tiebold is a dashing and famous man. His sister married Tziga and even though they are not much alike (he's an atheist), they are close friends.

Sandy is a fellow dream hunter. He has a few appearances in the story and ends up an acquaintance of Laura's.

Doran Plasir, Mamie's father (student at same school as the girls) and head of a government agency involved with dreams.

PACING

The story for the most part is not an action story. But there are some parts that build suspense, such as when we see flashs of the events going on with Tziga in the start of the book. Also when Laura goes to the Place alone, there is a great scene where she senses someone watching her and runs away only to be pursued.

THE WORLD

The strongest point of the story is the world detailed within. Lots of thought went into to it and we don't get it all at once. Eventually we learn that The Place has only been in existence for a few decades and that Tziga Hame was the first to catch a dream and discover it. Not only are governmental agencies explained, but government workers play an important role in the story.

We learn of different aspects of dreams and dream hunting like the Penumbra (the area a dream hunter can spread a dream out) as well as amplifiers (which help spread a dream further than another dream hunter but don't have the dream themselves). As well as the Dream Palace, where people go to sleep and dream for entertainment.

UNLIKABLE CHARACTERS?

I can't say I really disliked Rose or Laura, but I have to admit, I often felt indifferent to them. At worst, I found them annoying, but only in small moments.

Both Rose and Laura are annoying to Sandy when they first meet him on the beach, and it doesn't come off as flirting or funny. I was left confused and wondering about their motivation.

Again, Rose is sarcastic to her father after the Try. I expected her to be angry, but then reveal her sadness and disappointment. Maybe her shock. But we never get any other reaction. They are often times sarcastic in strange moments where I found it off putting, like when they go see Plasir for crucial information.

Rose can come off as whiny as she tends to think she is being victimized when its not clear that she is.

Chorley comes off as a jerk once too, when he mocks Christians in an arrogant manner.

UNCLEAR CHARACTERS

For the most part I feel that the characters are the weakest part of the story. I never knew of their personalities. Multiple times Rose and Laura are sarcastic, which makes me think they must be cynical or silly. But I never get that impression fully. Because their sarcasm stands alone and I never get why it occurs.

An example is after the Try (an event to discover who can go into the Place) and a girl discovers she cannot pass through. She immediately runs away, hysterical, and puts herself in danger. Rose urges another boy to help her and together they keep the girl from harm.

I thought, that was brave, so Rose is kind as well as bold. But I never see that kindness manifest any where else. And she doesn't even try to comfort the girl in any real sense. I was left wondering why she even helped.

Does Laura have a sense of humor? I don't know. We get a scene where Rose is embarrassed to see her touching a naked statue and I assumed she was supposed to have been silly. Later she explains why she did it but her character was so unclear that I couldn't make heads or tails of her.

A FRIEND FOR ROSE?-SPOILERS

There is a girl in Rose's class named Mamie. She debates the teacher and makes good points and comes off as very intelligent. I was impressed then surprised when Rose and the Teacher admit they don't like her. Are students supposed to agree with everything their teachers say? Or should they be encouraged to ask questions and think critically?

Apparently Mamie comes off as rude. She is rather plain, perhaps even described as ugly. But Rose ends up talking to her in the library and the two have an entertaining conversation.

It makes Rose look good because she seems to be making a genuine effort to befriend a girl who clearly has no friends. But right after we learn that Mamie's father works for the government and Rose doesn't really care about her. But just hopes to glean information.

This was fine, but we seem to see Rose start to care for Mamie, but never learn if this is still an act. I wanted her to admit that she was surprised to gain a friend. But she never does and I was left confused.

THE MAGICAL ROCK

There is a scene on a train where Laura sees a rock and pulls the emergency break. She jumps off and goes to grab a rock. She later explains to Rose that she felt like she put her feelings into that rock and felt relieved afterwards. I was left confused. There wasn't any precedent for such an ability. And it's never fully explained.

GOVERNMENT CONTROL

A theme of the story is the government. How much control should they have, how do they manipulate people and how they use the dreams. Mainly through the talent of coloring (putting specific thoughts about a person or idea into peoples minds before they enter a dream).

MARITAL PROBLEMS?

It's revealed that Grace laid in bed to give her dreams to an audience with two men beside her. We get told about how mad Chorley was, but we never see any discussion about it. I don't quite know why this was revealed at all. I fully expected a scene of drama to take place; an argument. I was left feeling like I wouldn't get to know these characters that well.

THE GRAND PATRIARCH

There is a large church in this world but it doesn't play a huge part in the story. Just mentioned that the church condemns dreams as immoral. Not much detail is gone into as to why this is, which is a shame because I thought it could have been fascinating. After all, we do learn about immoral acts done in dreams that are not a secret such as grafting, when a persons face is put on a character in a dream (often of underage girls). So an argument about sexual perversion could have been had.

ROSE DISPLACED (SPOILERS)

After they Try, Rose discovers that she isn't a dream hunter. I would say this is the first theme of the book, as it goes back and forth between Rose and Laura's point of view. Although Chorely has his own story as well.

Rose goes back to school and has to continue with life as usual. But she wonders why she should be nice and comes off as obnoxious. I think I understand what she was trying to express. She is unhappy with how things have turned out and mad that she just has to suck it up and go back to school. But I never felt like she was ever really nice. Like I said, her motivations are never revealed.

She doesn't' genuinely care about anyone but herself. She actually rants to herself, about what a great person she is, saying she has been an “advocate”. Who talks that way? She sounds like a self righteous politician.

CHORLEY'S STORY

Chorely has a smaller story where he investigates what happened to Tziga. If he is dead, what the government is up to, ect. He goes to meet Marta, an estranged sister who happens to work for a church. I thought their relationship could have been interesting, as there is obvious tension between them. But again, we are just vaguely told about them. So I was left wanting more.

Also Grace ends up wanting Laura's dream hunting license to be put off, so her and Chorley tie to manipulate the government. I felt like some of this was interesting but for the most part, kind of unnecessary. I never really felt like Grace had a personality but she did care for Laura.

LAURA & TZIGA

The relationship between Tziga and his daughter is paramount because it helps motivate Laura to follow his orders. Also Tziga's religious nature and his views on purpose and truth are supposed to have influenced Laura. I say suppose because they get one scene together in the book, a flash back where they are arguing. Tziga is leaving to go the Place and wont' be back in time for Laura's attempt at the Try. He makes her recall a rhyme.

Because of that, I felt I never felt any real relationship between them. Yes, Laura does recite what he dad said about the Place, and his ideas about it having a purpose more than people think. But it all comes second hand. And never feels like Laura believes anything herself, certainly not enough to motivate her to do something dangerous.

LAURA & ROSE-SPOILERS

Laura and Rose's friendship feels flat and lifeless to me. We jump into it slightly before the schism between them but nothing is set up. We are just told that Laura follows Rose's actions.

When Laura passes the Try but her cousin does not, there is no scene between them afterwards. It's as if the author doesn't realize what scenes should be crucial to developing characters and relationships and wants to focus only on the plot.

I never understood why they were close. They are the same age and same sex and go to the same school with dream hunter parents. But they don't feel like they have anything in common. They just feel like teenagers who got on okay and hung out.

Yes, sometimes they confide in each other but I never felt it was anything personal but more to show that they had some sort of semblance of a friendship. So later on Rose could be shocked to find her friend kept a secret from her.

VERITY-SPOILERS

Tziga lost his wife to illness. We eventually learn that he went to get her a dream that would comfort her only to come back to find her already dead. I thought it was interesting, sad and helped set up that Tziga would have lots of mental health issues to deal with.

However, I thought it was odd that Laura didn't resent him for leaving or if not, wonder how awful he felt about missing her last moments. Also, Tziga ends up saying some strange things about how his love for Verity was unhealthy. I was left confused. Marta ends up saying similar weird and vague things.

SANDMAN-SPOILERS

In the beginning of the story we get a prologue where we meet Tziga and learn of his predicament. It is all very vague and was intended to add suspense to the story. I just ended up thinking it was silly that Tziga referred to the evils done by “adults” as if children ran the world, this wouldn't have happened. Are children somehow immune from greed or stupidity and not easily manipulated by adults?

Early on, we get a small chapter about a ranger following Tziga (they work for the government) who ends up getting killed by some sort of sand creature. This helped add suspense.

Later on, Laura herself meets the monster. The rhyme helps her add a letter to make him become her servant. The word is never used, but he is a golem.

She turns NOW to NOWN on his body. Which isn't actually a word but pronounced like Noun. The rhyme didn't make much sense to me as I am not good with such things so it didn't strike me as clever. I stupidly thought that it should have been “know” because it is knowledge that is powerful and helped Tziga and Laura. Perhaps I misunderstood it.

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT?

Laura sees Sandy at the beach, and then again after the Try. Finally she sees him a third time and they really talk. Laura is sarcastic (which seems to be her and her cousins only trait) and Sandy feel she is hard to talk to. But apparently he likes her, although I don't know why.

When she sees him one last time near the climax of the book, she is rightly horrified that he is there because she knows what she is about to release. But it feels so melodramatic, because she touches him like a lover when she barely knows him, and him her. The relationship feels forced.

Also on a strange note, when Laura meets Sandy and has her first real conversation she says something that could be misconstrued as a sexual perversion. I had no idea why it was put in and just made the whole scene feel strange. Maybe it was supposed to be funny.

CLIMAX

Laura manages to follow her father's directions and obtain what she needs. She does as she is told, revealing a truth to a large crowd. And the story ends in a cliff hanger.

CONCLUSION

The world is incredibly detailed and it's obvious a lot of thought went into it. The story itself tries to deal with heavy themes but never quite grasps them fully.

The characters themselves dont feel real. I never understood their motivations nor their personalities. They are clearly secondary to the story when in reality they should be the most important part. After all, Tziga essentially creates the predicament and Laura makes a conscious decision to push it forward.

The relationships never felt very deep either. As for Chorley and Tziga, we never see their relationship, only hear of it. Apparently they are close, even though they are opposites. Rose and Laura are another important relationship that leaves something to be desired as well.

It's disappointing because I felt there was so much to work with and the author has such creativity.

I give “DreamHunter” two stars.