His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik. Random House Publishing Group Genre: Fantasy
In this Story, by Naomi Novik, a new twist is incorporated into the Napoleonic Wars. Not only will there be fighting through water and land now but air! Dragons have been tamed and trained to fight. Being the extraordinary advantage that they were dragons were incredibly valuable so you can be pretty sure in guessing the excitement from an English Ship’s Captain upon taking one from an enemy French ship out in the Atlantic. In the story the prize, as they call it, was actually a Dragon egg which they find out would soon hatch. The hatching was bad news as for a dragon can only have one master which it chooses upon hatching. This was unfortunate simply because everyone onboard the ship were seamen and knew nothing about dragons none the less owning and flying one other than a few books the ships surgeon had. In the end the hatchling, soon to be named Temeraire, chose the captain that had captured him, William Laurence. Temeraire and Laurence were soon sent to a training ground for dragons and aviators where the main part of the book takes place. Laurence must learn how to become an aviator and Temeraire must learn to fight so England may use their much needed assistance in the war.
“A completely authentic tale, brimming with… detail and richness [and] the impossible wonder of gilded fantasy.”
-Entertainment Weekly
I have read many books of the same genre as this and I must say in agreement with Entertainment Weekly the tale is completely authentic, but not only in plot. The writing style is unique having what I would describe as a slight resemblance to an older style much like how we know our founding fathers spoke and wrote. In many ways in combines what we see in modern writing and older writing. It takes a little time to get used to so you may read fluently but after the short period the novel is very intriguing.
“… he said at last, softly, knowing it was the only truth.” (Pg. 77)
In history class this year we studied World History. Obviously that covered one of the world’s greatest leaders Napoleon and his ever infamous war against the world. That created an immediate connection to the book with me. It certainly pulled me in. What kept me interested throughout the book was the extraordinary plot line and overall well developed writing skill. This novel contained action, drama, and touches of comedy all used appropriately to make one very good book to say the least.
Showing posts with label Book Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book Reviews. Show all posts
Monday, February 23, 2009
Monday, October 6, 2008
First Quarter Outside Reading Book Review
The Lake House by James Patterson. Little, Brown and Company, 2003. Genre: Murder Mystery
The Lake House takes place in the present across the US including the cities of Denver, Colorado and Washington D.C. Max, a girl who was genetically altered with wings knows a secret about her past that she is afraid to tell to the ones closest to her. She experienced horrible things as a child in an underground hospital called the school. She escaped from the school with five other kids like her. They lived with a veterinarian and her boyfriend who is an FBI agent for one year at the lake house before being exposed and brought home to their biological parents. Knowing that the school does not want them alive max takes her once family and flees to the vet, Frannie O’Neal’s house. They then go to the agent, Thomas ‘Kit’ Brennan’s house after trying to be killed. All the while, on the way and for some time later, trying to be murdered by a certain Dr. Ethan Kane, director of the once school.
“James Patterson knows where our deepest fears are buried…. There’s no stopping his imagination.” New York Times
James Patterson writes a book I can compare to the Harry Potter series where a person who has an ill brain that is not in touch with society tries to kill the main character. In this case it is Dr. Kane trying to kill Max and in the Harry Potter series it is Lord Voldemort trying to kill Harry Potter.
Since half the book follows Frannie O’Neal and the other half follows Dr. Kane there are different writing styles. When talking about Frannie the book is in first person. When talking about Dr. Kane the book is written in third person. James Patterson uses foreshadowing in his book constantly because the chapters switch from one point of view to another he hints at what the opposite person will be doing in the next chapter or what will happen upon returning to the current person. He also uses imagery while describing the scenery and does so with great detail. He gives you a wonderful picture of what is going on.
“A young and quite homely scrub nurse rounded the corner of the passageway and nodded her head deferentially as she approached him. She had a crush on Dr. Kane, and she wasn’t the only one.
“Doctor,” she said, “your still working.”
“Esther, you go home, now, please,” Ethan Kane said, pretending to be solicitous and caring, which couldn’t have been further from the truth. He considered the nurse inferior in every way, including the fact that she was female.”
James Patterson has a very captivating style of writing that drew me right in. This is the only book of his I have read but I will surely read more. The way he tells his story with very good and very bad experiences is amazing. He reminds us that everyone isn’t exactly nice in this world and that most people are at the same time. Something that is good for anyone every now and again.
The Lake House takes place in the present across the US including the cities of Denver, Colorado and Washington D.C. Max, a girl who was genetically altered with wings knows a secret about her past that she is afraid to tell to the ones closest to her. She experienced horrible things as a child in an underground hospital called the school. She escaped from the school with five other kids like her. They lived with a veterinarian and her boyfriend who is an FBI agent for one year at the lake house before being exposed and brought home to their biological parents. Knowing that the school does not want them alive max takes her once family and flees to the vet, Frannie O’Neal’s house. They then go to the agent, Thomas ‘Kit’ Brennan’s house after trying to be killed. All the while, on the way and for some time later, trying to be murdered by a certain Dr. Ethan Kane, director of the once school.
“James Patterson knows where our deepest fears are buried…. There’s no stopping his imagination.” New York Times
James Patterson writes a book I can compare to the Harry Potter series where a person who has an ill brain that is not in touch with society tries to kill the main character. In this case it is Dr. Kane trying to kill Max and in the Harry Potter series it is Lord Voldemort trying to kill Harry Potter.
Since half the book follows Frannie O’Neal and the other half follows Dr. Kane there are different writing styles. When talking about Frannie the book is in first person. When talking about Dr. Kane the book is written in third person. James Patterson uses foreshadowing in his book constantly because the chapters switch from one point of view to another he hints at what the opposite person will be doing in the next chapter or what will happen upon returning to the current person. He also uses imagery while describing the scenery and does so with great detail. He gives you a wonderful picture of what is going on.
“A young and quite homely scrub nurse rounded the corner of the passageway and nodded her head deferentially as she approached him. She had a crush on Dr. Kane, and she wasn’t the only one.
“Doctor,” she said, “your still working.”
“Esther, you go home, now, please,” Ethan Kane said, pretending to be solicitous and caring, which couldn’t have been further from the truth. He considered the nurse inferior in every way, including the fact that she was female.”
James Patterson has a very captivating style of writing that drew me right in. This is the only book of his I have read but I will surely read more. The way he tells his story with very good and very bad experiences is amazing. He reminds us that everyone isn’t exactly nice in this world and that most people are at the same time. Something that is good for anyone every now and again.
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