jump to navigation

Labyrinth February 26, 2007

Posted by sadiejean in Book Reviews, General Fiction.
Tags: ,
add a comment

Labyrinth

—3— 

At a 2005 archaeological dig in France, Alice Turner discovers a hidden cave, unvisited for 800 years, in which she has the strange feeling of being in before. She finds two skeletons, a labyrinth painted on the wall, and a strange ring. This triggers visions of the past, and of a young woman, Alais, who lived in 1209. She lives in a town known for being tolerant towards the Cathars, a group recently claimed to be heretical by the Catholic Church. When the town comes under siege, Alais is entrusted with a book that holds the secrets of the Grail, which she must protect from those who would misuse it, including her own sister. Alice’s and Alais’ stories become entertwined, and the result is an interesting look at the quest for the grail and those who wish to protect it.

Kate Mosse’s Labyrinth is DaVinci Code-esque in that its a thriller about the Holy Grail, but after this the similarities stop. The history in this book is very interesting, and the two strong female characters refreshing. At points the book was hard to follow; characters were easy to confuse due to the switching between time periods.

3/5

New York Times Bestsellers 2.26.07 February 26, 2007

Posted by sadiejean in Randomness.
add a comment

HARDCOVER FICTION

Top 5
1. STEP ON A CRACK, by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
2. SISTERS, by Danielle Steel
3. THE DOUBLE BIND, by Chris Bohjalian
4. PLUM LOVIN’, by Janet Evanovich
5. FOR ONE MORE DAY, by Mitch Albom

HARDCOVER NONFICTION

Top 5
1. THE AUDACITY OF HOPE, by Barack Obama
2. A LONG WAY GONE, by Ishmael Beah
3. THE INNOCENT MAN, by John Grisham
4. ABOUT ALICE, by Calvin Trillin
5. MARLEY & ME, by John Grogan

I am the Messenger February 1, 2007

Posted by sadiejean in Book Reviews, General Fiction, Young-Adult Fiction.
Tags: ,
1 comment so far

I am the Messenger

—4.5— 

This book was actually sitting on my mom’s nightstand forever, and I never really paid any attention to it, because–I’ll admit it– its cover didn’t catch my attention. Embarrassing, I know. However, one day she pulled it out, and I noticed it was written by Markus Zusak, author of The Book Thief, which I read –and loved– previously in the year.

So I brought it back to school with me and started reading it. And finished it. In just a little over 24 hours. As with The Book Thief, I am the Messenger is one of those books that is just about perfect. The main character is Ed Kennedy, nineteen year old cabbie, going nowhere in life, spending his days with his similarly up to nothing friends. That is until he receives his first Ace card in the mail. On each Ace are adresses or clues, directing Kennedy to people he is supposed to “save”, all the while saving himself.

This book is just about anything anybody could want it a book. It’s heartbreaking, tense, frustrating, joyful, ridiculously funny, quirky and weird, and written very very well. And it really captures what its like to be a young adult and have absolutely know idea what you’re doing, what you’re gonning to do, or if it even matters. I wish I had stole Mom’s book earlier.

4.5/5

Try I am the Messenger if you enjoy Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief.