Sometimes I read a book, and I even enjoy it, but I don't have much to
say about it. I jot down a few thoughts and then I move on. Some of those are starting to pile up so I thought I
would put them all together in one post.
Here are some MG Fantasy books I have read recently with my thoughts.
I downright hated the end of two of these books and they filled me with quite a bit of rage.
The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson
Honestly if I were rating purely on liking
the book this would be a 1 star for me. But I also take into
consideration author craft and Johnson wrote the heck out of this book.
It is well plotted and paced. Fans of The Name of the Star
will find the same thriller-mystery goodness we got in that book.
(Which I really enjoyed.) BUT. The end. I know there were people who
found it devastating, but could go with it. I am not one of them. I
suspected what she was going to do, but was still bitterly disappointed
when she did it. I have some major issues with the choices made and the
direction the story is going in. So I'm done. I won't be reading book three. Not everyone will have
this same issue.
The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd
I've read The Island of Doctor Moreau,
and I was pretty excited to read a reworking of it. I wanted a tale
that was chilling and horror filled, like the original. One that subtly
asked questions about life and science. There is plenty of the former
and a little of the latter. But. My problems with the book started with
not liking any of the characters. Not because they are wholly unlikable
but because I felt their motivations were being twisted for the plot in
ways that were contradictory. Also they were just pretty unlikable. I
was okay though because I did like the descriptions of the island, and
the suspense and horror elements were good. Though most of my urgency
while reading was due to my desire to have the characters realize what
was up faster than they were. And then there was all the long
monologuing. But it was entertaining enough. Until the last page. I couldn't deal with how this book ended for reasons that are spoilers, but it nearly sent it soaring across the room. Probably would have if it hadn't been on my Nook.
Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff
For a book where serial killings are a major part of the plot this was kind of boring. Yovanaff is one of those writers really good at conveying mood and doing atmosphere and setting, but those are elements I don't care so much about personally. The plot was slow and most of the book has a bleak and empty feel to it. The characters were hard for me to access and get to know. I think the writing is decent and those who like this sort of book will eat it up. It just wasn't for me.
Here are some MG Fantasy books I have read recently with my thoughts.
I downright hated the end of two of these books and they filled me with quite a bit of rage.
The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson
Honestly if I were rating purely on liking
the book this would be a 1 star for me. But I also take into
consideration author craft and Johnson wrote the heck out of this book.
It is well plotted and paced. Fans of The Name of the Star
will find the same thriller-mystery goodness we got in that book.
(Which I really enjoyed.) BUT. The end. I know there were people who
found it devastating, but could go with it. I am not one of them. I
suspected what she was going to do, but was still bitterly disappointed
when she did it. I have some major issues with the choices made and the
direction the story is going in. So I'm done. I won't be reading book three. Not everyone will have
this same issue.The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd
I've read The Island of Doctor Moreau,
and I was pretty excited to read a reworking of it. I wanted a tale
that was chilling and horror filled, like the original. One that subtly
asked questions about life and science. There is plenty of the former
and a little of the latter. But. My problems with the book started with
not liking any of the characters. Not because they are wholly unlikable
but because I felt their motivations were being twisted for the plot in
ways that were contradictory. Also they were just pretty unlikable. I
was okay though because I did like the descriptions of the island, and
the suspense and horror elements were good. Though most of my urgency
while reading was due to my desire to have the characters realize what
was up faster than they were. And then there was all the long
monologuing. But it was entertaining enough. Until the last page. I couldn't deal with how this book ended for reasons that are spoilers, but it nearly sent it soaring across the room. Probably would have if it hadn't been on my Nook. 
Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff
For a book where serial killings are a major part of the plot this was kind of boring. Yovanaff is one of those writers really good at conveying mood and doing atmosphere and setting, but those are elements I don't care so much about personally. The plot was slow and most of the book has a bleak and empty feel to it. The characters were hard for me to access and get to know. I think the writing is decent and those who like this sort of book will eat it up. It just wasn't for me.
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