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1.83k reviews by:
alyshadeshae
See my full review here: http://alyshadeshae.com/2015/10/07/blog-tour-simulation-by-tara-tyler/
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review.
Warning: This review will contain spoilers for “Pop Travel” the first book in this series and possibly a few spoilers for this book. Nothing major for this book, but just in case that was your warning. It will also be a bit more scattered than usual because I’m just going to talk about things that popped (hehe) out at me in one way or another. :-)
I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars because, while I did really like it, things just seemed a bit too contrived at times. Also, there were several errors in this book including some wonky formatting. That’s not to say that I won’t continue reading the series if it continues, because I certainly will and I’m looking forward to the next book, but hopefully the editing tightens up.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review.
Warning: This review will contain spoilers for “Pop Travel” the first book in this series and possibly a few spoilers for this book. Nothing major for this book, but just in case that was your warning. It will also be a bit more scattered than usual because I’m just going to talk about things that popped (hehe) out at me in one way or another. :-)
Spoiler
By the way, Geri is a bit of a dork in a few spots. That’s not a bad thing, I actually quite like it, but it’s it so randomly out of place with what else we see in her personality. I can easily see how she and Cooper had issues in their relationship. Something that really bothered me about Geri, though, were the mentions of how important she was while Hasan was fixing the transport stations for pop travel. What?! She’s completely useless with anything science-y in this book, but she was vital to fixing pop travel? How does that make any sense. There was one passage that sort of implied she was there more for security purposes, but it wasn’t explicitly stated and other passages implied that she was actually helping fix the transport stations. Besides, even if she was there for security purposes, wouldn’t there be someone better suited for that job? Like actual body guards? I imagine that she is overqualified for that position…I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars because, while I did really like it, things just seemed a bit too contrived at times. Also, there were several errors in this book including some wonky formatting. That’s not to say that I won’t continue reading the series if it continues, because I certainly will and I’m looking forward to the next book, but hopefully the editing tightens up.
Last book of 2012 for me... And I finished it right before my midnight kiss, too!
I'm rereading the Acorna series and still loving them, but I'm noticing things that I've not noticed before about the characters - namely that they aren't as well developed as I remember them to be. I guess it's a good thing they're already fleshed out in my mind! :-p The story is still great, though.
I'm rereading the Acorna series and still loving them, but I'm noticing things that I've not noticed before about the characters - namely that they aren't as well developed as I remember them to be. I guess it's a good thing they're already fleshed out in my mind! :-p The story is still great, though.
While never really consistent, the story in the Acorns books keep me reading and loving them!
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This seemed a little stilted compared to the way I remembered it in the past, but it was still very enjoyable. Considering that it's been over a decade since I've read this book, I'm pleased that I do still like it as much as I do.
Don't hate me, but I have to do some Twilight comparisons for this review...
Yes, I know they're separated by two decades, but Lestat and Edward are disturbingly similar. Let's start with a few quotes that refer to one of the most laughed about things from the Twilight series: the glittering skin.
By the way, the definition of "glitter" is "to shine with a bright, shimmering, reflected light."
I have heard far too many people whine about Twilight vampires being unrealistic because they sparkle and glitter, but I don't remember hearing that about these vampires... As it is, it makes perfect sense for a vampire to sparkle.
My main complaint about this book is that Lestat was freaking boring. I loved this book when I first read it back in middle school, but the only way I managed to muddle through it this time was when Lestat started recounting the stories of other vampires - specifically Marius. It took me almost a month to read this book. Some of that time was because I had lots of stuff to do, but most of it was just putting the book off because I didn't want to read it and that's not something I normally do.
Sorry for the Twilight part above, but as I was reading this I couldn't help but draw comparisons. Edward is moody; Lestat is moody. Edward thinks he knows best; Lestat thinks he knows best. Edward sparkles; Lestat sparkles. See, they're practically the same person! Lestat even lived off of animals for a while.
Okay, I'm bored with comparisons already. Conclusion? I'm disappointed that this book did not live up to my memory of it, but it wasn't horrible (thanks to Marius) so it gets three stars. :-)
Yes, I know they're separated by two decades, but Lestat and Edward are disturbingly similar. Let's start with a few quotes that refer to one of the most laughed about things from the Twilight series: the glittering skin.
My vampire nature reveals itself in extremely white and highly reflective skin that has to be powdered down for cameras of any kind.
By the way, the definition of "glitter" is "to shine with a bright, shimmering, reflected light."
And though people couldn't discern such secrets on inspection, they sensed other things, an unnatural gleam to my eyes, too many reflected colors in them, and a faint luminescence to my skin.
Too smooth the face, yes. It had the sheen of scar tissue, it was so smooth, and it might have startled, even frightened, in a dark street. It gave off a faint light.
I have heard far too many people whine about Twilight vampires being unrealistic because they sparkle and glitter, but I don't remember hearing that about these vampires... As it is, it makes perfect sense for a vampire to sparkle.
My main complaint about this book is that Lestat was freaking boring. I loved this book when I first read it back in middle school, but the only way I managed to muddle through it this time was when Lestat started recounting the stories of other vampires - specifically Marius. It took me almost a month to read this book. Some of that time was because I had lots of stuff to do, but most of it was just putting the book off because I didn't want to read it and that's not something I normally do.
Sorry for the Twilight part above, but as I was reading this I couldn't help but draw comparisons. Edward is moody; Lestat is moody. Edward thinks he knows best; Lestat thinks he knows best. Edward sparkles; Lestat sparkles. See, they're practically the same person! Lestat even lived off of animals for a while.
Okay, I'm bored with comparisons already. Conclusion? I'm disappointed that this book did not live up to my memory of it, but it wasn't horrible (thanks to Marius) so it gets three stars. :-)
My full review is here on my personal website. I'll post a few excerpts here, though:
2.5 out of 5.0 stars
The very worst thing about this book is the formulaic approach to this book. Change a place, change an adult character, change a disguise and voila! Instant new story. Wait, that’s not how it works, Handler.
The very best thing about this book is the consistency of the series. There are so many series where the quality decreases from one book to the next; this series stays at about the same level for readability.
2.5 out of 5.0 stars
The very worst thing about this book is the formulaic approach to this book. Change a place, change an adult character, change a disguise and voila! Instant new story. Wait, that’s not how it works, Handler.
The very best thing about this book is the consistency of the series. There are so many series where the quality decreases from one book to the next; this series stays at about the same level for readability.
My full review is here on my personal website. I'll post a few excerpts here, though:
3.0 out of 5.0 stars
The very worst thing about this book is the constant defining of “big” words. At first, I really liked the fact the Snicket (Daniel Handler) defined certain words, it very quickly began to wear on my nerves. It began to feel as though he was including a definition to pad the word/page count instead of to add anything meaningful to the story.
The very best thing about this book is all the creepy and evil things that happen. I also like how everything ties back to Count Olaf; although, as the series progresses, this too gets tiresome.
3.0 out of 5.0 stars
The very worst thing about this book is the constant defining of “big” words. At first, I really liked the fact the Snicket (Daniel Handler) defined certain words, it very quickly began to wear on my nerves. It began to feel as though he was including a definition to pad the word/page count instead of to add anything meaningful to the story.
The very best thing about this book is all the creepy and evil things that happen. I also like how everything ties back to Count Olaf; although, as the series progresses, this too gets tiresome.
My full review is here on my personal website. I'll post a few excerpts here, though:
2.0 out of 5.0 stars
The very worst thing about this book is the obvious set-ups that every single adult seems to miss. I mean, really?
The very best thing about this book is that Sir is a complete jerk and doesn’t die. Yep, you heard right. The only guardian so far that doesn’t die (not including Olaf, of course) is the jerk.
Oh, um, spoiler alert? Too late, sure, but really, who cares at this point!
2.0 out of 5.0 stars
The very worst thing about this book is the obvious set-ups that every single adult seems to miss. I mean, really?
The very best thing about this book is that Sir is a complete jerk and doesn’t die. Yep, you heard right. The only guardian so far that doesn’t die (not including Olaf, of course) is the jerk.
Oh, um, spoiler alert? Too late, sure, but really, who cares at this point!
My full review is here on my personal website. I'll post a few excerpts here, though:
2.5 out of 5.0 stars
The very worst thing about this book is Aunt Josephine. How is it that a woman who is terrified of everything is not scared of a strange man coming on to her?
The very best thing about this book is, um… I’m not sure, really. Josephine’s attention to spelling and grammar, perhaps?
2.5 out of 5.0 stars
The very worst thing about this book is Aunt Josephine. How is it that a woman who is terrified of everything is not scared of a strange man coming on to her?
The very best thing about this book is, um… I’m not sure, really. Josephine’s attention to spelling and grammar, perhaps?