Becky's Book Reviews

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

97. Star Splitter

Star Splitter. Matthew J. Kirby. 2023. [April] 320 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I don't care how many prep classes you take, or how many counseling sessions you go through, or how many waivers you sign, none of it actually prepares you to be burned apart by a laser, atom by atom. But Jessica Mathers was one of the most prepared travelers I ever had the privilege to meet. Not eager, but prepared. I've seen pretty much the full spectrum of human reaction to teleportation and talked countless travelers through their emotional and psychological barriers. I have a pretty spectacular record, too, with a voluntary abort rate of 8.2 percent; my department average usually hovers near fifteen. Some people just can't be talked into the machine come departure time.

Premise/plot: This young adult science fiction novel opens and closes in Earth's orbit on the OS Liverpool. Jim Kelly is a liason for ISTA. He is NOT a main character per se, just part of the framework. Jessica Mathers is--right or wrong--full of angst. Her scientist/explorer parents left her on earth six years ago while they went off adventuring. Now she's to join them on some planet (Carver 1061c)--for a year--to "help" them. She is NOT happy with the idea. She has a love-hate relationship with her parents. They will both be "printed" (have their bodies printed) on a ship, DS Theseus. But Jessica wakes up ALONE on a ship that is not in orbit at all, but crashed on the planet below (she's nicknamed it Hades). There are graves outside the lander. She hasn't a clue WHY she's alone and things did not go off according to plan, but someone....a familiar-yet-not-familiar someone...has the answers to all of her questions. If the person is willing to share...

My thoughts: This one alternates between "before" and "after." Both "before" and "after" sections have a vague, suspenseful, creepy Twilight-Zone feeling to them. Readers may be being given clues to piece together, but it isn't one puzzle--but two.

I kept reading because of the suspense and creepiness. Definitely Twilight Zone vibes. But in true Twilight Zone fashion, there weren't really any answers to any of the questions--not really. Especially as to the WHY. Some of the more matter of fact questions are answered. But not any that would help anyone--characters or reader--make sense of this world.

I honestly don't know how I feel about this one. I kept reading it. I had to know how it all fit together. But I'm not sure it was ultimately satisfying. And I'm not sure that I want it to be ultimately satisfying. Maybe I'm okay with not having answers. But definitely ambiguous in nature.

96. Peter and the Starcatchers

Peter and the Starcatchers (Peter and the Starcatchers #1) Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. Illustrated by Greg Call. 2004. 452 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The tired old carriage, pulled by two tired old horses, rumbled onto the wharf, its creaky wheels bumpety-bumping on the uneven planks, waking Peter from his restless slumber. The carriage interior, hot and stuffy, smelled of five smallish boys and one largish man, none of whom was keen on bathing. Peter was the leader of the boys, because he was the oldest. Or maybe he wasn't. Peter had no idea how old he really was, so he gave himself whatever age suited him, and it suited him to always be one year older than the oldest of his mates.

Premise/plot: Peter and the Starcatchers is the first in a prequel series to Peter Pan. This first one establishes many of the origin stories associated with Peter Pan, Captain Hook (aka Black Stache in this one), and Never Land (a ship in this one). In addition to Peter and other orphans (soon to be Lost Boys by the conclusion of this one), we have Molly Aster, who is a spunky girl who knows what's what. And what's what is a treasure of stardust (starstuff???) that has great power. It's incredibly dangerous to possess. In very small doses it can heal or transform. In larger doses, it's more lethal. There are pirates after this treasure--but the pirates don't know which of two British ships is carrying the treasure.

My thoughts: This one slowly builds until secrets are revealed connecting this story to Peter Pan. (Not that it was a big secret.) I first read this one nearly twenty years ago. I loved it in 2004. I don't know that I love it just as much all these years later. But I still really enjoy it/like it. I'm not sure that I'm ready to commit to rereading the whole series. (I may. I may not.)

I recommend this one to those that like long fantasy books.

Monday, May 08, 2023

95. Honest June

Honest June. Tina Wells. 2021. 272 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I don't know everything about life yet, but I know at least one thing is true--life's easier when you make people happy.

Premise/plot: June may be starting sixth grade, but, her mother treats her like a toddler and her father treats her like an extension of himself. Since June is 100% a people pleaser, she only lives to make her parents happy--at some cost to her own happiness. Her father dictates her hobbies, her after school activities, her future career, etc. Her mother doesn't dictate the future so much as live in the past. (Like what kind of mom would pick out teddy bears eating pasta in a matching shirt/skirt combo for their kid to wear? Like I can't imagine it. As if that wasn't enough, we're supposed to believe the ensemble continues with ruffled socks. I just can't see this exaggeration helicopter mom existing.) June has her own friends....or does she?

June is "blessed" with a fairy godmother (of sorts) who uses her magical powers to make it so that June cannot lie. She has to tell the truth. (But does she really?) June's get-around in parts is to become evasive, disappear in tough situations, avoid and sidestep, and keep a BLOG (a blog seriously????) of her private confessions.

Her friendships may not survive the honesty treatment. And her relationship with her clueless parents may not either. Especially her father who has a rigid, my way or no way, zero tolerance level. Like speaking up and saying you don't want to play field hockey results in him throwing a temper tantrum for days, weeks, where he's too mad to talk to her and he reluctantly says I love you but I'm still mad at you. Like REALLY? SERIOUSLY???

My thoughts: There is very little emotional maturity in this middle grade fantasy. I don't expect the protagonist, the actual middle grader, to be emotionally mature and super-stable or extremely wise. But the parents in this one--especially the Dad--is RIDICULOUS.

I liked this one enough to keep reading. But I wasn't really sure if I was liking or loving what I was reading.

Saturday, May 06, 2023

Sunday Salon #19 Spine Poems

I always intend to "write" spine poems. A spine poem is what it sounds like--a poem created by book titles (like on a spine of a book). I do not ever create literal spine poems which requires photographing books in a certain order. Here are some from this year's list of books I've read.

Poem 1

Jane & Edward
Pat the Bunny
When the Moon Turns to Blood

Poem 2

Harriet Spies
The Island
The World and Everything In It

Poem 3

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone
Go and Do Likewise

Poem 4

We Believe
Peace Is a Chain Reaction
Sounding Joy
Today, Tonight, Tomorrow

94. Snow and Poison

Snow and Poison (Cinder & Glass #2) Melissa de la Cruz. 2023. [April] 336 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The day had finally come. It was still very early when the sun crested over the Bavarian mountains, its light climbing up the walls of Duke Maximilian's palace to slip through its arched windows. But Sophie had been awake for hours.

Premise/plot: This retelling of Snow White is set in Bavaria circa 1621. Lady Sophie is coming out in society--making her debut--after her father's marriage ceremony. (Duke Maximilian, her father, is marrying Claudia. On this fateful evening, she falls in love (practically) with one of her dance partners, Prince Philip of Spain. He's technically/officially engaged to a princess of England. (Though it is an arranged marriage and Prince Philip has no say, no knowledge. In fact, when he meets Lady Sophie, I'm not sure he knows that his engagement has been announced or is soon to be announced by his father.) He is equally smitten with her. He has intentions to ask for her hand in marriage. But things get a little out of hand....hence the word POISON in the title.

But who is trying to poison Lady Sophie (aka "Snow White")???

My thoughts: If you are expecting a young adult adaption of the original Disney animated classic, then you may be disappointed. If you are expecting more of an "Ever After" treatment, then you'll probably be delighted. (Yes, I know Ever After is a retelling of Cinderella, but same guiding principles). The characters are all fleshed out. The world has a super-hazy touching upon of history. (Very fuzzy, hazy, but who cares if it barely ties into the real world.) I enjoyed the relationships. I loved the relationship between Sophie and Claudia. It was SO well done. I loved the relationship between Sophie and Philip. Disney animated films are often SO lacking in actual character development--especially of Princes.

How does it compare to Once Upon A Time's treatment of Snow and Charming? Well. That would be super tough. I really LOVE many of the character arcs of Once Upon a Time. I loved all the flashback scenes. It too differs from classic Disney. Will the intended audience have Once Upon A Time in mind when reading???? I'm not sure they will. They'd have been toddling around when the show started and barely tweens when it ended. (And that last season is pretty much a disastrous mess.)