Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows
By J.K. Rowling
Synopsis:
The Final Chapter in the Harry Potter series. Harry and the gang set out for the final battle with Voldemort, the ultimate evil. Epic battle scenes ensue as questions are answered in this wizard free-for-all.
What makes this a YA crossover:
- Contains many adult themes such as: death, coping with it, and good not being absolute
- While geared towards teens in a fantasy/adventure level, adults can connect with the characters on a deeper level and still enjoy the adventure
- With this book especially, the writing is on a level adults can enjoy
- Contains a bit of romance, something that tends to attract older readers
- Characters age throughout the series, therefore the themes get more and more mature with each book
Check out this site for a great list of read-a-likes: http://www.flls.org/youth/harryra.htm
Showing posts with label Book review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book review. Show all posts
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Sci-fi Genre Read
2001: A Space Odyssey
by Arthur C. Clarke
Synopsis:
When a black slab is discovered on the dark side of the moon (insert Pink Floyd reference here), Mankind is lead on a journey out to Saturn. With a supercomputer along for the ride, the astronauts leading the mission are unaware of what they are really looking for.
How does this fit into Sci-fi:
- Advanced space travel and technology, but also maintains a sense of realism
- Ethics reexamined in light of new technology
- Science creates an important frame of the story
- Focus of story drives the pacing, set in space so seems somewhat slow at times
- Clarke is considered a key author in science fiction and 2001 a classic.
Read-a-likes:
- I, Robot by Isaac Asimov
- Mars by Ben Bova
- Starfarers by Poul Anderson
- White Light by William Barton
by Arthur C. Clarke
Synopsis:
When a black slab is discovered on the dark side of the moon (insert Pink Floyd reference here), Mankind is lead on a journey out to Saturn. With a supercomputer along for the ride, the astronauts leading the mission are unaware of what they are really looking for.
How does this fit into Sci-fi:
- Advanced space travel and technology, but also maintains a sense of realism
- Ethics reexamined in light of new technology
- Science creates an important frame of the story
- Focus of story drives the pacing, set in space so seems somewhat slow at times
- Clarke is considered a key author in science fiction and 2001 a classic.
Read-a-likes:
- I, Robot by Isaac Asimov
- Mars by Ben Bova
- Starfarers by Poul Anderson
- White Light by William Barton
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Horror Genre Read
For my horror genre book, I read House of Leaves.
I gave a potent intro to the book in my kirkus style review, so here is the additional info you may need:
Characteristics that fit into horror:
- Dark mood/tone
- Monster (maybe) and a supernatural element
- Many unresolved aspects
- Protagonist haunted
- Unexpected often happens
- Evokes emotional response, though with the typical style of horror, as this book has a large philosophical aspect
- Storyline does not follow a logical order
Some read-a-likes:
- The Raw Shark Texts by Steven Hall
- The Shining by Stephen King
- The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
- The House by Bentley Little
I gave a potent intro to the book in my kirkus style review, so here is the additional info you may need:
Characteristics that fit into horror:
- Dark mood/tone
- Monster (maybe) and a supernatural element
- Many unresolved aspects
- Protagonist haunted
- Unexpected often happens
- Evokes emotional response, though with the typical style of horror, as this book has a large philosophical aspect
- Storyline does not follow a logical order
Some read-a-likes:
- The Raw Shark Texts by Steven Hall
- The Shining by Stephen King
- The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
- The House by Bentley Little
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