rosa_cotton (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
rosa_cotton) wrote2007-01-30 02:45 pm
rosa_cotton) wrote2007-01-30 02:45 pm
Books, books, books II
The Ruby in the Smoke (A Sally Lockhart Mystery), by Philip Pullman (Four out of five stars)
In 1872 in Victorian England, sixteen-year-old Sally Lockhart is an orphan following her father’s death several months ago. But she becomes suspicious after receiving a message warning her about the Seven Blessings; and when she questions an employee of her late father about them, the man kneels over and dies of fear. “Without knowing it, she had shaken the edge of a web, and the spider at the heart of it had awoken.” Shaken it she has, and her life is in peril as she seeks not only the answers to the mystery of her father’s death, but those of a missing ruby of great value and the opium trade.
This is a marvelous historical mystery, a real page-turner. I really enjoyed Mr. Pullman’s style of writing and descriptions. I could picture sights and sounds and smells of Victorian England. His characters – especially Sally – are well written.
The reason for the four stars: the significant drug content (the opium trade is a major part of the plot and several characters use the drug), violence (nothing graphic, but there are many punches exchanged and a number of deaths occur), and a bit of British language scattered throughout the book.
This a very engaging read, but I would not recommend this book for those under thirteen.
~~~
Bad Connection (The Secret Life of Samantha McGregor), by Melody Carlson (Five out of five stars)
Samantha McGregor seems like your average teen, but she is unusually gifted. God gives her visions and dreams that offer unconventional glimpses into other people's lives and problems. It's a powerful gift with a lot of responsibility... When Kayla Henderson, a girl who lives on the edge goes missing, most people aren’t surprised. Samantha, too, assumes Kayla has run away. But then she has a vision where Kayla is tied up with duct tape over her mouth. Freaked by the image, Samantha wonders, Is Kayla alive or dead? Was the vision real or just a silly dream? Most important, can Kayla be found before it's too late?
This is a great suspenseful read. Written in the first-person, we travel with Samantha as she wonders if these dreams are from God and how she should act. She is a strong Christian surrounded by godly friends who encourage and pray for her. I enjoyed this immensely and hope there will be more books in this series.
In 1872 in Victorian England, sixteen-year-old Sally Lockhart is an orphan following her father’s death several months ago. But she becomes suspicious after receiving a message warning her about the Seven Blessings; and when she questions an employee of her late father about them, the man kneels over and dies of fear. “Without knowing it, she had shaken the edge of a web, and the spider at the heart of it had awoken.” Shaken it she has, and her life is in peril as she seeks not only the answers to the mystery of her father’s death, but those of a missing ruby of great value and the opium trade.
This is a marvelous historical mystery, a real page-turner. I really enjoyed Mr. Pullman’s style of writing and descriptions. I could picture sights and sounds and smells of Victorian England. His characters – especially Sally – are well written.
The reason for the four stars: the significant drug content (the opium trade is a major part of the plot and several characters use the drug), violence (nothing graphic, but there are many punches exchanged and a number of deaths occur), and a bit of British language scattered throughout the book.
This a very engaging read, but I would not recommend this book for those under thirteen.
~~~
Bad Connection (The Secret Life of Samantha McGregor), by Melody Carlson (Five out of five stars)
Samantha McGregor seems like your average teen, but she is unusually gifted. God gives her visions and dreams that offer unconventional glimpses into other people's lives and problems. It's a powerful gift with a lot of responsibility... When Kayla Henderson, a girl who lives on the edge goes missing, most people aren’t surprised. Samantha, too, assumes Kayla has run away. But then she has a vision where Kayla is tied up with duct tape over her mouth. Freaked by the image, Samantha wonders, Is Kayla alive or dead? Was the vision real or just a silly dream? Most important, can Kayla be found before it's too late?
This is a great suspenseful read. Written in the first-person, we travel with Samantha as she wonders if these dreams are from God and how she should act. She is a strong Christian surrounded by godly friends who encourage and pray for her. I enjoyed this immensely and hope there will be more books in this series.
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