shidoburrito's reviews
1534 reviews

This book went by so quickly, and I think most of it is thanks to the lyrical, flowing language, as well as the wonderful story it presents! I'll definitely be recommending this book to anyone over the age of 8, even adults would enjoy this original little tale!

These books will glue themselves to your hands. Seriously! You can't put them down, because if you do, then you will immediately start to forget the tons of details and revelations had by our time-traveling teens and their older soldier-friends. Don't worry, Card keeps the book moving well enough that you won't want to put it down. He jam packs a lot into each book in this series. I can't wait for the next one, but I hope it's soon before everything I just read fades away! So here Angie, here are notes to yourself:
-Don't trust Vadesh
-Don't trust the monkey-people
-Don't trust mice
-Don't trust Ram Odin
-Don't trust ANYONE!
-Having a parasite facemask dissolve your eyes and replace them with better ones is creepy
-Having an aquatic parasite facemask sounds better because it reminds me of the Zora Mask in Majora's Mask
-Who really sent the Destroyers?

A graphic novel like this is a great way to help someone visualize and enjoy this science fiction classic a bit more. I really recommend this to any readers that tried the book but gave up!

This is a great graphic novel for tweens and teens. I don't think I've read too many graphic novels for this age group that really presents a caucasian teen growing up in a poor household with a single dad. But that is what Cam's life is like, as his dad can only afford him a piece of cardboard for his birthday. Put on your imagination caps for this book, because only then will you be able to enjoy the strange and fun creations made by Cam and his new box(ing) friend. Or even the evil creations made by the greasy, bully Marcus, and the fun turn of events when these creations backfire on him. Either way, it's an odd tale, but it's a great lesson in letting go and making friends.

I will just say that while it was not nearly as good as the first book (which still gives me chills when reading it), it is an imaginative continuation and expansion on the world Shusterman created in "Unwind". There is a lot more detail and investigation that goes into how the world came to allow unwinding. You also meet a new character, Cam, who added a new element and plot twist to the story. I can't wait for the final installment, even if I think the first book can very well do just fine on its own.

This is one of those books I picked up thinking, "I'll read it if I ever feel like it". Well, it's a good thing I finally felt like it, because it was really good! The cover makes you think it's all sci-fi/paranormal with a girl being able to see the date a person will die. Nope, it turned out being more like "The Outsiders". Jem is a chav. This all takes place in the projects of London. This was my first big surprise when all I had was the cover to go by. Another great bit of writing is that her eventual, only friend, Spider, is black. Other than Spider-Man, this is a characteristic that seems to be lacking in teen books these days, well at least the fantasy type that I read, anyway. So Jem and Spider end up in a spot of trouble with the law and so they steal a car and run away in hopes of hiding in a small coastal town. That's the setup, you have to read the rest. I went in pretty blindly, but was so pleasantly surprised how awesome this book was, I feel it would be best to say little here, too. Even people who don't like paranormal or fantasy novels could definitely get into this one. Just imagine going through your life knowing when everyone you meet will die. Sheesh, now THAT'S tough!

I only got so far when much more enticing books arrived on my desk. Sorry "Team Human" I may never pick you back up. You just didn't hold my interest enough.

Not only was this book recommended by a fellow friend and Goodreads user, I needed something to read of Shusterman as I eagerly awaited the release of "UnWholly". I super-loved "Unwind" so much. This book series, also by Shusterman, was also unique and a fun read, but what started off great kinda just took a turn for silly and ridiculous. This is a story about two teens dying in a car wreck and getting knocked off course away from the light, ending up in a sort of limbo for children. It's a dark plot and it starts off really great, and the theme of "skinjacking" or possession was also a creepy twist. So why are they fighting a pirate who sounds like Sloth from the Goonies who strings up children from their feet to "chime" them? No one feels pain in this limbo. Another strange turn was when two of the main characters get sealed inside a pickle barrel for a couple weeks. Uh, okay. Anyway, it was a brilliant idea, and it does play out pretty nicely, but the dark vibe I got from it at first was ruined by too many juvenile and goofy happenings. It ended on a note that I can accept and not feel I have to read any more in the series. Oh well, on to "UnWholly"!

"A Monster Calls" is more of a work of art and a tale to be told rather than a novel or a book. It's a quick read, but so much is packed into the pages that you're left a bit stunned, teary-eyed, but applauding this book for telling its tale.

Well whattya know, this book was pretty snazzy! I judged the cover too harshly, since it looks like your basic, teen, occult romance novel. Occult? Not really. It's a time travel romance! Time travel and spies! And the romance doesn't involve the annoying love-triangle. Nope. One girl, multiple time lines, and her life is in danger in the time line Jackson can't jump back to. Instead he's stuck in 2007 when his girlfriend hadn't met him yet, but he's starting to learn more about his abilities and his Dad's true identity... I can't wait for the next one!