Tag Archives: Allison W. ’16

The Lost Books of The Odyssey by Zachary Mason (review by Allison W. ’16)

The Lost Books of The OdysseyThe Lost Books of The Odyssey by Zachary Mason
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Lost Books of the Odyssey consists of short stories that center mainly on well-known parts of The Iliad and The Odyssey, with twists that create new perspectives on well-known mythology. Although each story is engaging and worth reading, the work as a whole is disconnected. Every “book” is independent, with some even contradicting others, which is consistent with the oral tradition of The Iliad and The Odyssey; however, this organization also causes the novel to lose its momentum between stories. A chronological ordering would have been less confusing and potentially more compelling, but even without any clear arrangement, The Lost Books of the Odyssey is worth reading for its interesting additions and alterations to Greek mythology. – Allison W. ’16

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Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (review by Allison W. ’16)

The Shadow of the Wind (The Cemetery of Forgotten Books,  #1)The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In Carlos Ruiz Zafon’s The Shadow of the Wind, Daniel tries to uncover the truth about Julian Carax, an author whose books are being burnt. As he visits people in Barcelona who know about Carax, he learns that some people do not want him to discover what happened to Carax and his work. At the same time, Daniel grows up and finds many parallels between his life and Carax’s life as he makes new friends and finds the danger in his quest for knowledge. Daniel’s maturation during his search also serves to make the story more realistic than other books which cover many events and realizations in a short period of time. By itself, The Shadow of the Wind is a wonderfully gripping story, though it is similar to some of Zafon’s other books, such as The Midnight Palace. – Allison W. ’16

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How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming by Mike Brown (review by Allison W. ’16)

How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It ComingHow I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming by Mike Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming Mike Brown discusses his search for new planets which ultimately led to the decision that Pluto should not be considered a planet. Although the book does discuss some astronomy, it focuses on the process of scientific discovery and what Brown did on his path to discover the dwarf planet Eris. Starting with his bet that someone would find a new planet within five years, he discusses not only his work but also his home life with an infant daughter. How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming is a humorous book which should appeal to anyone who wants to know why Pluto is not a planet. -Allison W. ’16

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Lady Macbeth’s Daughter by Lisa Klein (review by Allison W. ’16)

Lady Macbeth's DaughterLady Macbeth’s Daughter by Lisa M. Klein
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Lisa Klein’s Lady Macbeth’s Daughter revolves around Albia, the supposedly dead daughter of Macbeth and Grelach (Lady Macbeth). Growing up, she leaves Wychelm Wood, where she was raised, to live with another family. Eventually, she learns who her true parents are and works against them. A twist on Shakespeare’s play, Lady Macbeth’s Daughter has an interesting start, but by the end of the book, the plot is not very exciting. In addition, the ending is unsatisfying and leaves many important questions unresolved. Lady Macbeth’s Daughter has the potential to be an excellent book, but it will most likely appeal only to fans of Macbeth. – Allison W. ’16

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Moonglass by Jessi Kirby (review by Allison W. ’16)

MoonglassMoonglass by Jessi Kirby
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jessi Kirby’s Moonglass follows Anna as she becomes acquainted with her new home in Crystal Cove, the place where her father and her late mother first met. After nine years of avoiding the truth about her mother’s death, Anna is shocked to meet people who knew her mother. Anna and her father struggle to face the past they have been ignoring as she slowly learns more about her mother’s life and suicide. Despite the book’s slow start, it slowly gained momentum until I could not stop reading it. This book should appeal to people who want to know the answers to their questions. Overall, Moonglass is a great book, and it was definitely worth it to read through the slow beginning. – Allison W. ’16

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