5 comments about Artemis Fowl (Artemis Fowl, Book One).

1. My nine year old son and I have read the entire series to each other at bedtime. This is a wonderful series--one of the best we have ever read. The series is a bit dark as other reviewers have suggested (there is a death of a major character in one of the subsequent books). But it is also laugh out loud funny, often in a scatological way particularly appealing to my nine year old. My daughter read this entire series when she was 13 and also loved it.



2. Ok, I have never seen so many reviews for one book (900?!?!?!) so I'll be brief:
   
   Good book. Worth the read- certainly suitable for young adults.
   I LOVED the sections that focused on the faeries.
   I don't really have to say more great stuff. I'm sure it's all been said.
   
   Couple issues I had:
   
   - It was clearly a series opener as there was a little lack of focus. There were other story lines being set up throughout this one.
   
   - I found myself torn and a bit confused as to who to route for. I struggled with Artemis' lack of morality. I wasn't ready to see him win in the end. Was I hoping he would get bamboozled by the faeries? Did I want him to win back the family fortune? Not really sure- I didn't warm up to him as much as perhaps others do.
   
   I'll read the next book because I'm hoping I'll get to know Arty better, but I found I was far more drawn to the other characters. Artemis was a bit too amoral and arrogant to win my affection the first time around. Though the couple times he cracked and acted like a real boy, I found it charming.



3. Artemis Fowl (Artemis Fowl, Book 1)The Time Paradox (Artemis Fowl, Book 6)The Arctic Incident (Artemis Fowl, Book Two)The Eternity Code (Artemis Fowl, Book Three)The Opal Deception (Artemis Fowl, Book Four)The Lost Colony (Artemis Fowl, Book Five)Artemis Fowl: The Atlantis Complex



4. Spoilers!
   This book is about a 12 year old criminal mastermind by the name of Artemis Fowl. For once we are actually on the side of the villain! Now, the book summary is a little bit misleading and sounds rather cheesy to me:
   "These aren't the fairies of bedtime stories. These fairies are armed and they're dangerous."
   This does not do the book justice in my opinion. I would never have read the book if the librarian hadn't recommended it. Many of the one star reviews go on and on about how there are so many typos. Well, in almost every book there are typos, and I found I didn't notice them unless I was actually looking for them. Plus, I see them in Harry Potter, Nancy Drew, and many other noteworthy books.
   I thought it was very nice to be rooting for the villain for once, and the fact that he wins in the end is even better. I love Butler the butler, and I thought how Eoin Colfer gave background info on every character was wonderful. I thought that he did a really good job describing the characters emotions and what motivates them. Artemis wants more money because he believes it will make him happier. Butler wants to be a good bodyguard, and Holly Short wants to please her commander and do a good job in LEPrecon, her job. Mulch (perhaps one of my top three favorite characters) just wants to escape prison, and he manages it!
   I have recommended this book to several of my friends and they love it, also I think adults would enjoy it as well, my mother did. I thought that the ending was very well done with Artemis sacrificing half the gold to have Holly heal his mother, who is very sick, and doesn't always recognize him. I also thought that Holly was a very well done character, and I enjoy seeing a girl portrayed as tough and smart. Overall a very good book, which has made it into my top ten books of all time.



5. Once I started it, I couldn't stop.
   
   My favorite type of book contains plenty of action, mystery and sometimes humor, and this book is exactly that. Not only did I like it, I loved it. I longed to get more information from the book. This book is very intriguing and is interesting. I am looking forward to reading the next in the series.

5 comments about The Arctic Incident (Artemis Fowl, Book Two).

1. Honestly, I am not a fan of this series, but I have to hand it to this book: it was much more satisfying than the first!



2. No problem with the content, just the binding was sloppy. We returned the first book thinking it was just a bad copy but in both books some pages were bound so far into the pages it cut into the text. What looked like a security device was glued into the middle of a page in the first one and in the replacement book 2 pages were glued together obliterating the text on both pages where they stuck together. We will definitely not be buying any more books with "Turtleback School & Library Binding". We got a refund and will look for the book in a brick and mortar store so we can inspect the quality before we buy it.



3. Story told well by Colfer and Donkin and the art and colouring by Rigano and Lamanna is excellent. Easier on the eye than the black and white graphic novels and the complicated jigsaw pictures of the manga series. Marvelous tool for visual learners.



4. In the previous story of Artemis Fowl, we have a boy with a sick mother and a lost (presumed dead) father. The family happens to have a history of thievery, and Artemis takes advantage of his position in the most peculiar way: by going after Irish myths, which just so happen to contain a certain amount of truth. One of which is the existence of elves and "LEPrecon" gold. Things didn't go the way he had hoped, but in the end, Artemis was victorious.
   
   Story overview:
   
   Artemis is a year older and a little wiser. In fact, for a thirteen-year-old, his IQ has no equal, but he is still a child and the desire to find his father continues to burn. One day, while frustrating the school's psychologist, Artemis receives a call from Butler, his faithful body guard and closest friend. Artemis learns that his father was captured by the Russian Mafia and is being held for ransom.
   
   Thankfully for Artemis, several leagues underground, the LEPrecon is experiencing troubles of their own when goblins show up with outlawed weapons. Captain Holly Short suspects Artemis as their supplier, but soon discovers his innocence. The situation puts Artemis in a good position to offer aid to the LEPrecon in return for their help with his father.
   
   Things go from bad to worse as the true minds behind the attacks are discovered by Foaly--the intelligent centaur in charge of technology--but a little too late, as Foaly is setup to take the blame for the incident. With help from the dwarf, Mulch Diggums; Artemis; Commander Julius Root; and Butler, put away their differences to try and save the Lower Elements and Artemis's father.
   
   My thoughts:
   
   I was surprised that I actually liked this book better than the first one. The story took on an entirely different plot scheme from the last novel, and was even more exciting. Both are page turners and worthy of a good mention. I will for sure be putting the third novel on my list of must reads. As of now, a seventh book is scheduled to be released on July 20, 2010, so I have some catching up to do.
   
   Things to consider:
   
   There is very little I would consider questionable in this book. Safely share this with your twelve-year-old, teens, and even your peers. Enjoyable for all ages.
   
   James D. Maxon
   
   Author of, [...]
   
   Manga and speculative fiction reviewer:
   [...]



5. Many readers in our house enjoy this series of books. If you like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, you probably will like this.

5 comments about Point Blank (Alex Rider Adventure).

1. Very hard to find but you can order for much cheaper from amazon.co.ca, even if you live in the states.



2. This is the best one in the series it's got boat loads of actions and keeps you hanging the whole time. It's a combination of humor and action. A non-stop thriller!



3. yeah. this one is as good as stormbreaker.....granted some parts were pretty predictable. but it was none stop action from the very beginning. fyi: i think mr. blunt is a selfish person from the very beginning when he blackmailed alex in stormbreaker.



4. this book was AWSOME! the gadgets are better, the villin is crazyer, pluss it has all the clasic spy stunts that keep you on the edge of your seet throughout the book :)



5. I am 38 years old, but I have a young cousin who has read all the Alex Rider books, and I decided to read them myself so that the two of us would have something to talk about the next time he visits.
   
   Having read all of the original James Bond novels by Ian Fleming, I am amused by how Anthony Horowitz continues paying homage to Fleming. This time around, Horowitz clearly models Point Blank on Fleming's On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Both books are set in an isolated mountaintop hideaway from which the villains carry out their evil and elaborate plots, and both books contain narrow escapes, exciting downhill chase sequences, and over-the-top action. Both books are also a lot of fun. I can see why my cousin enjoys them.
   
   While I liked the first Alex Rider book (Stormbreaker), I think I enjoyed Point Blank more. The story seemed to move along faster, especially the last half. The violence, though tame by adult fiction standards, continues to surprise me but not in a negative sense. This is an action/adventure series, after all.
   
   I don't want to give anything away, so I will simply say that I liked the ending, which sets up some interesting villainous possibilities for future books in the series. Could Dr. Hugo Grief become Alex Rider's own version of Fleming's Blofeld? Certainly Eva Stellenbosch, Dr. Grief's right-hand gal, bears some similarities to Blofeld's long-time companion and co-conspirator, Irma Bunt (both women are noted as being especially ugly and completely devoted to their men).
   
   I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

5 comments about The Body Finder.

1. The idea of this book was so intriguing to me that I decided that I had to put it on my "must buy" list. After reading the story, I realized I could have easily passed on this one.
   
   The general premise is a good one. The main character is a girl who can "sense" dead bodies. How does Violet manage to sense such things? Well, the reader does get some explanation, but the deeper core reason seems to be glossed over. What I did like about the story was the chemistry between Violet and her best-friend-turned-boyfriend Jay. Their relationship was a bit cliche, but believable. Also, I thought it creative that the author switched the narrative from Violet to the eyes of the killer. The reader was able to understand about the compulsions that drove the killer to do what he did.
   
   What I didn't like about the plot was the absolute cliche of the identity of the killer. I don't want to give too much away on this score, but it seems that this sort of plot twist can be found on any basic crime drama on TV. It's been done before to exhaustion. Honestly, after finishing the book, I drew the conclusion that the author must have read Intensity by Dean Koontz one too many times and that was where she got the ideas about the killer.
   
   Hopefully, Ms. Derting's next novel will be better. She does have a knack for creating suspense and chemistry. Hopefully, the rest will develop in time.
   
   If you are looking for a slightly intriguing, but predictable read, give this a try. Just keep in mind that if you are looking for a YA read with something unpredictable and new, this may not be the right book for you.



2. I loved this book. Violet's story captures you from the start and you don't want to set the book down. I kinda almost want to have Violet's unusual gift, because it would be kinda cool...almost. Can't wait for the second one!



3. I got this book as an ARC and did not read it for a while, because I was not immediately drawn in by the story so I kept putting it off. Well, yesterday I finished up a series and I was looking for another book to read so I picked this up around 10:00pm last night thinking I would read a couple of chapters and put it down, yeah no, I read 150 pages looked at the clock realized it was midnight and I had to work in the morning so I had to put it down. Immediately after work today I came home and finished the book, I just had to know how it ended.
   
   I loved the relationship between Violet and Jay, their friendship was so cute and the way they interacted with each other made me smile and laugh out loud at points. The way they developed from friendship into a relationship flowed so naturally because you were rooting for them and you get to see their progression was just beautiful. There were also some points throughout the book where their connection was so intense you could almost feel it coming out from the book.
   
   The book was suspenseful and kept me wanting to read on because I could not leave not knowing who was safe and who the killer really was. I also like how you got the killers point of view throughout the book, Kimberly did a great job of getting into a series killers head and really gave you insight into their thought process, which I think really added to the tension of the story. There were a couple of parts in the middle where I thought I had things figured out and was almost disappointed, but then I kept reading and realized I did not have everything figured out and Kimberly Derting still had a few plot twists up her sleeve. Overall great book and I read online that there will be a squeal so I look forward to reading that!



4. First off I must say I was very glad I read this! I loved so many things about this book. Here is just a little list....
   
   The characters weren't cliche. He wasn't some football stud and she wasn't a cheerleader. I hate stories like that....they are not very realistic. They were normal down-to-earth teenagers (besides the fact that Violet could find dead bodies, haha).
   
   They had known each other since childhood. They were best friends who were comfortable being around one another. Neither of them tried to become someone else, they just acted like themselves.
   
   Violet and Jay were cute. How to describe it??? They just were. How can you not like their playfulness, their jokes, their complete comfort around each other? They just work together.
   
   There were no vampires or werewolves. Those stories are great and all but this was different. Ms. Derting didn't jump on the oh-so-popular band wagon of the day, she came up with something else.
   
   The author made the story seem real, which is weird considering the book is, among other things, about Violet finding dead bodies. The supernatural element didn't seem too far out there, it was really believable.
   
   I hope everyone else likes this book as much as I did :)



5. First I'm going to start with the cover. It's pretty and I quite like it. I think it gives the book more drama than it actually has. It caught my attention and made me buy it. Unfortunately I had to get the Kindle version, so I don't get to see the pretty cover.
   Ok, story...
   The story starts right off explaining Violets odd ability, sensing death imprints on the dead and their killers, with 8 year old Violet's discovery of a murdered girl. This was a nice set up as the author had to explain Violet's need to put the dead to rest because she would otherwise always hear/smell/taste their death imprint seemingly forever. It also illustrated the fact that Violet is pulled into these imprints, following sounds or tastes to the source (i.e. dead body) without quite realizing it. It's important to remember this. Violet starts to follow an imprint before she even realizes what she's doing. She's so accustomed to finding dead animals that she hasn't learned that this could potentially get her into trouble with real killers. I had to remind myself of this fact when she started wandering off after a killer: it was part instinct that she acted without thinking.
   Teenage girls from Violet's town and the surrounding area start going missing and then turning up dead a week later. While it is never explicitly stated what is done to the girls, it is hinted at. As more girls go missing, Violet realizes that she is in a unique position to find the killer. She can sense (through sight, smell, or sound) a death imprint on the victims and on the killer. Her brilliant idea is to wander around until she finds somebody with the matching imprint. Not surprisingly, this does not go as well as anticipated. But being able to help these families find their missing loved ones and put the killer behind bars is a powerful motivator for Violet, that Jay and her family understand and reluctantly support.
   "The Body Finder" also revolves around Violet's changing feelings for her best friend Jay. At first Jay seemed like a clueless boy who always seemed to do whatever Violet wanted to do. The clueless part gets explained in a funny way, but he definitely isn't a pushover. Jay stands up for what he thinks is right or important, which made him a much stronger, likable character. He's also a very confident guy, I think much more confident than normal high school juniors. But I liked him.
   Violet, Violet, Violet. She's stubborn, acts without thinking, and was once so secure in her years long friendship with Jay that her new romantic feelings toward him confuse her. She's too afraid to risk herself to find out if Jay feels the same. I thought this part was realistic, sweet, and fun.
   There are some short chapters written from the serial killer's point of view. They seemed more of a lackluster attempt to make Jay seem like the serial killer than creepy.
   
   Verdict
   Generally I liked the story. It was light and fluffy, definitely not going to be on my "Best Book EVER!" list, but one I would recommend teenagers looking for something paranormal-ish, a bit of mystery, and a dash of romance. I think older readers would find the book, well, light and fluffy

5 comments about The Mysteries of Harris Burdick.

1. Fascinating pictures and captions! Wish I'd known about this book when I was teaching, as it would've been great for story starters. Chris Van Allsburg strikes again!



2. I paid very little for this great book because it was used. After getting it, I simply recovered the front with clear wrapping and it practically looks like new! I love using the book in my classroom and the kids LOVE trying to complete the stories. Thank you!



3. As an English teacher, I have been amazed by the creative writing The Mysteries of Harris Burdick has inspired. I use the book in conjunction with vocabulary units, having students create short stories (that include the vocabulary words we are studying) based off of the pictures, line and title Van Allsburg provides on each page. The intriguing beginnings he has created lend themselves to a plethora of plots; I've never read two stories that are similar though I've used the book for years now.
   
   I highly recommend this book as a way to encourage any aspiring writers, as well as those who struggle with writing. Even reluctant writers seem to enjoy the challenge of creating a story worthy of such a beautiful illustration. Students are often amazed and pleased with what they can create with a little help from this wonderful book!



4. The Mysteries of Harris Burdick is one of my favorite titles for teaching creative writing! My students cannot put this book aside. It's a must-read!



5. My students loved this book because it was "kind of creepy", as they put it. They loved to have it as an example of good leads for their own writing.

5 comments about Don't Judge a Girl by her Cover (Gallagher Girls).

1. The Gallagher Girls are once again up to their necks in trouble. Fun, suspense, and a little bit of mischief. Great stories for the tweens and early teens.



2. Summary: The third book in the Gallagher Girls series finds Cammie Morgan involved in a presidential campaign when her schoolmate Macey's father is running for vice president. When Cammie and Macey escape a kidnapping attempt, Cammie and the rest of the Gallagher Girls must protect Macey from those wishing to attack her. Old secrets are revealed, and the Cammie realizes Macey was not the intended target of the kidnapping...she was.
   
   My thoughts: I bought book four in this series, and I decided to reread book three before starting book four. I LOVE this series. The book's plot moves along swiftly with several twists, turns, and surprises. Ally Carter plans her novels out carefully, and the end product reflects that thought as characters are fully developed, the plot twists aren't contrived or expected, and the events are realistic (as realistic as having teens perform spy missions can be). There's also a little bit of age-appropriate romance involved. (I can't wait to see what happens next with Zach!)
   
   As I've said about every Ally Carter book, I respect how she treats the young adult character. The girls are strong and intelligent. I'm tired of books that show teen girls as superficial and concerned only with materials things. Although the Gallagher Girls are fictional, they are good role models for young girls who have big dreams--work hard and work together.
   I recommend this series to all teens and preteens. I let my sister borrow the series, and she's hooked too. So, it's a great series for a mom and daughter to read together.
   [...]



3. Cammie couldn't be more excited to visit her roommate Macey McHenry in Boston to watch the official nomination of the presidential and vice presidential candidates. But Cammie's end of summer turns out to be a little too exciting when Macey is nearly kidnapped. As the new school year at Gallagher Academy starts up, Cammie can't forget what happened in Boston. She's just not the same anymore, not after an attack like that. She can't shake the feeling of how close the girls were to losing to their assailants. But Cammie is not one to go down without a fight, and when the threat against Macey becomes realer than ever, she knows she must take matters into her own hands. With the help of her best friends Bex and Liz, Cammie sets out to learn the truth of why Macey is being pursued--but the truth may be more twisted and personal that Cammie is prepared for.
   
   I just loved Carter's I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You and Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy. Those spy stories are full of flirty fun and awesome spy tricks, but while those may be better classified as "guilty pleasures" or "romances," there is no doubt that Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover is a thriller. Carter takes her spy stories to the next level in this novel by embroiling the Gallagher girls in a mysterious plot. There isn't as much flirting and romance in here as there is espionage, sneaking around, secrets, and danger. I have to say I really like this change. The boy escapades were fun, but adding in danger that's closer to home for the Gallagher girls greatly helped develop particularly Cammie's character. I immensely enjoyed this super spy novel and look forward to the continuation of the Gallagher girls' spy adventures.
   
   Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover will be enjoyed by fans of its two prequels, I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You and Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy as well as by those who liked Model Spy by Shannon Greenland and the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz.



4. Let's face it, the moment Macey stepped out of that shiny black limousine when we first met her in I'd tell you I love you but I have to kill you. We were all expecting that her political background will be a good plot to write a kidnapping story. When's a better time to do it? Election day of course. And that's is how it all started.
   
   Cammie accepted Macey's invitation to go to her while she is attending the campaign for her Senator father. A detour via elevator to the roof top had them faced to face with kidnappers riding on a helicopter. But since they are no ordinary silly teenagers they got away via trash chute but not unscathed. Besides scratch and bruises Macey and Cammie were somewhat traumatized but when you are a spy in training this nightmares cannot hinder what is in front of you. A group of people is out there wanting to hurt them and they must find out who they are. Armed with their wits, girl power, disguise and other knowledge from their Covert Operations classes Cammie, Macey, Bex and Liz with the help of the mysterious Zac head on to the mystery that lead us to some shocking twist and a revelation that will completely change the course of this series.



5. My daughter is enjoying her book very much and mom is happy that she saved more than half off the cover price!

5 comments about A Northern Light.

1. I read this twice in two years. It was even better the second time. Realistic characters and a beautiful setting. It is a young adult novel, but I enjoyed it thoroughly and I'm a tad older than 15!
   Reviewed by Holly Weiss, author of Crestmont



2. Product arrived quickly and in much better condition than I expected for the price I paid. Would do business again with this seller. Great Amazon experience



3. I love historical fiction, so I expected I would love this book. It sounds a little like Anne of Green Gables crossed with a real-life murder mystery. What's not to like?
   
   The book is very well written. I loved the word duels. But I didn't like the book overall, because I strongly disagree with the theme. It is dark, darker than I would have wanted to read as a young adult. The theme is that marriage and motherhood are soul-killing. This theme is supported by graphic depictions of a difficult birth, a horrible depiction of breastfeeding and postpartum depression, and a dearth of decent gentlemen. Mothers who are happy in motherhood should be forewarned before passing this book to their daughters.



4. Two parallel threads comprise this story. One begins with Mattie's life on the farm, and the other starts when Grace's body is discovered, unleashing an investigation. This is an incredibly rich novel. It's a compelling coming of age story about a gifted young woman struggling to choose between her dream of becoming a writer, her duty to her family, and her desire for love in an era of one-dimensional gender roles. It also explores a spectrum of other issues. It probes into the fate of married women who step outside the bounds of marital expectations. It also explores racism, the Comstock Act, which triggered a flurry of censorship in the early 20th century, and many other issues. And bibliophiles and logophiles will relish Mattie's love of words and the wealth of literary allusions in this book.
   
   This novel explores a fascinating period of time, an era on the cusp of tremendous change. We see a rural, pioneer-type lifestyle, with horse-drawn wagons and simple lifestyles, converge with the urban world described by Edith Wharton and Theodore Dreiser, a society that is tipping toward the roaring twenties. Mattie's family life is deeply rooted in the traditions of the past, and her teacher, Emily Wilcox, gives her a glimpse into the possibilities of the future.
   
   I really enjoyed the period detail, despite a few anachronisms. For example, we see the well-loved "Serenity Prayer", which probably wasn't written until the 1930s. The book is a little edgier than some of the literature from which it draws inspiration. The sensibilities of the narrator struck me as somewhat modern. However, this didn't diminish the novel's historical accuracy; it fit the theme of living in a world which isn't always as it's portrayed in novels and is quickly moving into a future which will bring radical social changes.
   
   In addition to celebrating words and literature and offering rich fodder for discussion about social and historical issues, this novel is a captivating read. I fell in love with many of the characters, especially Mattie and Weaver, and I was sad to say goodbye to them after I closed the book for the last time. Ms. Donnelly, might there be a sequel? :-D The complexity of the plot, the twists in the story and the vivid dialogue and character development all made this novel, which I think will appeal equally to adult and young adult readers, difficult to put down.



5. What an engaging novel - I was pulled into the story from the beginning. The writing is beautiful and the author gives just the right amount of detail (enough that you can imagine the story but not so much that you start to tune out). The plot is woven brilliantly between the factual story of Grace Brown and the fictional story of Mattie Gokey and never feels contrived.

5 comments about The Woman in Black: A Ghost Story.

1. I must not have read the same book the others did. For me this book was very average. I don't usually do well at guessing what is going to happen, but I was way ahead of this book all the way through. The writing style is appropriately atmospheric, but I certainly wouldn't put this is a league with Shirley Jackson. I'm hoping the live theatrical version of the book will be a much better experience.



2. The Woman In Black"
   A Ghost Story, Written By Susan Hill
   
   Book Review by Jay Gilbertson
   Even though I'm not a big fan of the Boogey-man-in-the-closet-type stories, something about this particular tome grabbed me. And I mean--grabbed!
   
   Set in the late twentieth century--this creep-filled story has it all. Yes, there's the obligatory English moor, a narrow causeway to reach the dreaded manor house, a dilapidated graveyard, mysterious sounds and that all-important ghost. That would be, "The Woman In Black" and did I mention that she also has a terribly wasted face, skin the color of wax and yet never utters a single scary ghost-like word? She just appears and when she does, Holy cow, do things get a bit, shall we say, out of hand?
   
   The hero of the story is none other than Arthur Kipps, an up-and-coming young solicitor who journeys north to attend a funeral and then settle the estate of Mrs. Alice Drablow. She, naturally, is from Eel Marsh House. Or rather--was.
   The tale unfolds slowly, with a rhythm that is both refreshing and also deliciously maddening. Arthur secures a wonderful room atop an old Inn at the town of Crythin. A small, desperately quaint little village just filled to the gills with nostalgia and history. As if on cue, whenever Arthur questions any of the locals as to the comings and goings of the just-buried Mrs. Drablow, he is met with long, blank stares and told very little.
   
   But as Arthur journeys across the treacherous causeway at low tide to explore the dark and brooding Eel Marsh House, things begin to shake up a bit. Not only did the late Mrs. Drablow keep every scrap of paper that ever crossed her twisted path, but she also harbored several dark, sinister secrets. But as you well know, secrets have a way of coming un-done and as would be the case for dear Arthur, he gets smack in the middle of a real doosey.
   
   There's a mysterious locked nursery door, buckets full of eerie moonlight and a terrifying, recurring sound of a pony and trap (wagon) clip-clopping into the darkness always ending with a child's desperate scream as he is heard drowning in the marsh--over and over again. But there is also an evilness; a sheer hatred of anything remotely human at Eel Marsh House and it follows Arthur. And it waits for Arthur. And it strikes him in a way that truly will take your breath away. This evilness takes and takes and takes. It's taking still.
   
   In the end, it is "The Woman In Black" who has the last say, and oh man does she have it bad for Arthur. This story is a wonderful romp of spin-tingling horror and all-around ghost-fullness of the highest order. What I liked the most is the ending--there isn't one!
   
   Proof-on-paper that this rather neglected genre--the ghost story--is far from dead.
   
   Read it--if you dare



3. I keep searching for a scary book, but it just isn't happening for me. Same problem with movies. This book was so boring to me the first 105 pages, it felt like all filler. The book only has 138 pages so that should warn you. I hate that I wasted my money on it. The library didn't have any copies, that should have told me something also. I can only say I wish I could be so easily scared by a book as the readers that gave it 4 & 5 stars. If anyone can tell me a really scary book, please let me know. Thanks



4. If you're looking for a creepy ghost story, this book is fantastic. It is very well written, very descriptive,and keeps you guessing until the end, as well as highly entertaining. It's a fairly quick read (about 150 pages), but well worth it.
   I had the opportunity to see the theatrical play based on this book while on a recent trip to England, and just wanted to read it before going-I was expecting it to be good, and it definitely exceeded those expectations. A note to future purchasers: if you're in the UK area, definitely check to see if the play is running-it is a VERY well done production.



5. The Woman in Black is a very well-written, frightening and disturbing ghost story. It begins in London on Christmas Eve in the home of our narrator, Arthur Kipps. Arthur is surrounded by his family consisting of his wife and stepchildren. Telling ghost stories and creepy tales are an ancient tradition during the festive season and the kids want Arthur to join in and tell a story of his own. But all of this talk of ghosts has upset Arthur tremendously. And so here begins Arthur's story...
   
   It turns out that Arthur has had a real life ghostly experience in his past when he was a young solicitor working for Mr. Bentley. Mr. Bentley wants Arthur to travel north to Crythin Gifford, a small town, to represent the firm at the funeral of a Mrs. Alice Drablow. Mrs. Drablow was a widow who lived alone in a house called Eel Marsh house which is situated on a causeway which one can cross only at low tide. Once the tide comes in, one can not leave the house again until the tide goes back out. Besides attending the funeral, Arthur must also stay and sort out the paperwork and affairs of Mrs. Drablow.
   
   At the funeral Arthur sees an unusual woman dressed all in black. She looks sickly and her clothes look out of fashion. He begins to realize that the woman could not possibly be human. From this moment on, Arthur's life is forever changed.
   
   This is an excellent ghost story. It starts out tame enough, but is very well-plotted and slowly but surely makes your skin crawl and your heart pound as it leads you to it's climactic end. If you are looking for a well-written, old-fashioned ghost story, with all the added extras of scary noises and things that go bump in the night, look no further. This is your book!

5 comments about Killing Mr. Griffin.

1. The story is good and unfolds (or unravels) very well. Definitely a page turner and quite exciting, but the dialog is painfully dated and the characters are obnoxious. Some characters have unnecessarily lengthy back stories while others are wholly two-dimensional. BUT the lame dialog doesn't take away from the gripping and suspenseful plot. Lois Duncan is a classic!



2. High school students Jeff, Betsy, David, and Susan, under the coercion and direction of classmate Mark, plot to kidnap and scare their strict English teacher. The innocent prank turns deadly and leads to a series of lies and coverups. The characters represent stereotypes of a typical suburban high school setting. The realistic dialogue and peer interactions allow young readers to identify with the characters. The fast moving plot, with its twists and turns, keeps readers engaged. The author explores common themes such as peer pressure, family obligations, and academic expectations. The reader learns lessons such as standing up for what is right and the importance of establishing one's identity. This includes the continual battle between the self and the group. This internal struggle is shown throughout the development of Sue's character.
   
   One criticism is the abrupt ending that fails to show the long term consequences of their actions. This novel is appropriate for students in grades 7-12. A teacher covering this novel might address how one thoughtless decision can spiral out of one's control. Another teaching point might be the concept of group acceptance over personal integrity.



3. I'm using Killing Mr.Griffin in a high school Basic Reading class. The students can't put it down. It's a great tool
   for teaching characterization, shifting points of view, the plot's rising action, and symbolism, not to mention that it leaves readers with a thought-provoking message. It's not just about a killing; it's about peers blindly going along with the crowd and learning the consequences.



4. Four Stars
   I enjoyed reading this book. A lot of the book is about the plot to kidnap and scare the mean teacher Mr. Griffin. This book has a lot of different characters that are all included in this plan. The main characters involved are David, Mark and Mr. Griffin. Mark is nuts and comes up with the plan to kidnap Mr. Griffin. David is the senior class president who is just kind of fallowing along with the plan. Mr. Griffin isn't a nice teacher. He disrespected Mark numerous times. This is why Mark desires to kidnap him in the first place.
   My favorite part of the book is when David and Susan go, in the dark, up to the mountain to find Mr. Griffin near the waterfall where they had left him earlier with Mark. When they arrive, they find something they couldn't believe. This problem leads to a downward spiral of bad ideas and horrible mistakes that dig the students into a bigger hole then they were already in.
   I enjoyed this book because of the mixed emotions you can have towards the characters. In the beginning, Mark seems like the cool kid, who is daring and adventurous for wanting to kidnap Mr. Griffin, and Mr. Griffin is the evil teacher that deserves it. But at some point, my ideas changed, and Mark becomes, in my eyes, a crazy person who is fit for a straight jacked and Mr. Griffin did nothing to deserve his horrible fate.
   I recommend this book for male students in their teens. I think that male students would be able to follow this book and be interested in it. Students will be able to relate to this book, but I think that boys more than girls will be able to get past the title and the cold feeling you get while reading this story.



5. Killing Mr. Griffin is an older story, but still a compelling read. Once I started, I had a hard time putting it down. I don't see many psychological thrillers for teens today. It was a nice change of pace from wizards and vampire romances. While the outcome of the book was a little predictable, it was still an enjoyable read and it kept me turning the pages to see if I was right. I would certainly recommend Killing Mr. Griffin to teens and adults alike.

5 comments about Deathwatch.

1. The book was in good shape. It just took longer to ship then was expected.



2. Deathwatch is a wonderful book that any one can enjoy. It takes place in a desert, when a guide and a hunter get in a dispute over an accidentally killed prospector. Then, the hunter goes crazy, strips his guide, and hunts him in the desert. That is all the plot points that I want to give away, you should read this wonderful book and discover the rest for yourself. This book is short, so you can easily finish it it two or three days. Even though it is short, there is nonstop action and intense scenes all the way through it. From other reviews, there are two main complaints with this book that I can find, it is to rough for kids, and is boring. I think that it may be a bit rough for very young kids, but I first read it in sixth grade, and had no ill effects. The second complaints, that it is boring and wordy, is completely ridiculous. This is a great book, and it is not boring in any way. I highly recomend Deathwatch to anyone. I think that every person can get something wonderful out of this great story.



3. 
   A man named Ben who needs a bit of extra money, so he hires himself out as a guide. He takes a hunter with an attitude to the desert to shoot some deer. While they are there things get so mixed up after they find a dead body.
   
   Ben soon finds himself the prey, running for his life, naked in the desert while his partner calmly tries to kill him in order to protect himself.
   
   Will Ben make it to civilization and clear his name?
   
   Will he end up dead in the desert as food for the scavengers?
   
   Read on to find out in this fast paced action driven novel.
   
   
   The action was quick and how it flowed without slowing down. The description this book was amazing. I could almost feel the desert heat and taste the sand. You will not be dissapointed at all.



4. Ben, is a student who needs money to go to collage. He is hired by Madec, to guide him to the wild Big Horn. Ben does not like Madec but needs the money for school. After a few days of hunting they finally find a Big Horn. Madec aims, but before he can shoot Ben asks him if he has seen any horns. Madec says yes. He aims again and this time shoots. Something behind a cactus falls dead to the ground. Something that should never have been killed. Now Madec decides to play the game of death with Ben, only Ben is the only one who can die. Ben must find a way to escape being killed by Madec, starvation,dehydration, and the intense heat of the Arizona desert. This is one of the best books I have ever read! A cliffhanger until the last page!



5. I won't say it was a "Eminently engaging and hard to put down" because I don't work for a newspaper column. But I will say this: I read a lot, and this book was one of the top five I've ever read. It's 224 pages, to the point, and worth the time. Bad A$$, simply F-in Bad A$$