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kailey_luminouslibro
2.5 stars: It was okay. I enjoyed this story about siblings Tim and Martie who find an ancient Star relic that transports them through time. The teens are on a mission to find spiritual help for their father, who is suffering from PTSD after being wounded in the army, and for their mother, who is dealing with depression. With their family falling apart, they wander through history seeking answers, but mysterious Shadow men are trying to steal the Star from them, and Tim and Martie will need help if they are going to return safely to their own time.
I liked all the history in this book! Some of the plot points and settings are drawn from true history, and some of it is, of course, imagined. I was disappointed that one of the first places the characters travel to is Valley Forge where they meet General George Washington. Extremely trite.
But the rest of the historical settings, such as a WWI medical ship and a wagon train traveling the Badlands of the American West, are more diverse and interesting.
I love the adventure in this book! It starts out slow, but picks up in the middle and ending of the book with spies, bombs, sabotage, wilderness survival, and of course the evil Shadow men who will stop at nothing to gain the power of the Star. There are some really well-written action scenes that draw you into the story.
The characters have some development as they learn their spiritual lessons, but it feels very stiff somehow. They have these abrupt attitude changes that feel unnatural.
There is also very little foreshadowing of certain events that would have made the story better. A little backstory or preparation could have given some key scenes more tension.
There are several appalling spelling errors that made me cringe.
One example: "Here, here!" said the gathered officers in response."
Instead of "Hear, hear". That is just sad.
Anther example: "I'll make due," she said."
Someone please kill me now. That is terrible. Where was the copy editor?
Don't even get me started on the grammar. Don't use the word "shined" when you actually mean "shone". The grammarian inside me is dying here.
The author has a definite tendency to "tell" instead of "show" which makes the writing stiff and hinders the reader from attachment to the characters. And the writing is extremely preachy! The messages ARE inspiring and follow the structure of the story, but there is a lot of preachy dialogue that gets redundant since we are told the same spiritual lesson over and over in different scenes.
I was personally inspired by the spiritual themes of the book, but I feel like I read a sermon instead of a novel.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher/ author in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own personal thoughts and are not influenced by anyone.
I liked all the history in this book! Some of the plot points and settings are drawn from true history, and some of it is, of course, imagined. I was disappointed that one of the first places the characters travel to is Valley Forge where they meet General George Washington. Extremely trite.
But the rest of the historical settings, such as a WWI medical ship and a wagon train traveling the Badlands of the American West, are more diverse and interesting.
I love the adventure in this book! It starts out slow, but picks up in the middle and ending of the book with spies, bombs, sabotage, wilderness survival, and of course the evil Shadow men who will stop at nothing to gain the power of the Star. There are some really well-written action scenes that draw you into the story.
The characters have some development as they learn their spiritual lessons, but it feels very stiff somehow. They have these abrupt attitude changes that feel unnatural.
There is also very little foreshadowing of certain events that would have made the story better. A little backstory or preparation could have given some key scenes more tension.
There are several appalling spelling errors that made me cringe.
One example: "Here, here!" said the gathered officers in response."
Instead of "Hear, hear". That is just sad.
Anther example: "I'll make due," she said."
Someone please kill me now. That is terrible. Where was the copy editor?
Don't even get me started on the grammar. Don't use the word "shined" when you actually mean "shone". The grammarian inside me is dying here.
The author has a definite tendency to "tell" instead of "show" which makes the writing stiff and hinders the reader from attachment to the characters. And the writing is extremely preachy! The messages ARE inspiring and follow the structure of the story, but there is a lot of preachy dialogue that gets redundant since we are told the same spiritual lesson over and over in different scenes.
I was personally inspired by the spiritual themes of the book, but I feel like I read a sermon instead of a novel.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher/ author in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own personal thoughts and are not influenced by anyone.
This book and CD set puts me in the Christmas mood! I love how the 12 Days of Christmas gets a new and unique revamp, telling the true story of the Christ-child's birth. The illustrations are beautiful, the song is catchy, and I love the attention to detail in the story.
This book makes me want to sing along!
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher/ author in exchange for a free and honest review.
This book makes me want to sing along!
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher/ author in exchange for a free and honest review.
This ABC book gives three words for every letter of the alphabet, and definitions of those words. Some of the definitions are too complex for children learning their ABCs, and some of the words are either too obscure or too complicated for a child that young. Many of the words are very long or difficult to spell. This might be good for an older child to learn those words in a glossary, but will only frustrate a young child just learning their alphabet.
Some of the words include "chrysanthemum", "Wallaby", "uvula ", and "rutabaga". That's just a bit much! I can't imagine reading this to a three-year-old.
The illustrations for each word do not look professional, and some are done in different styles. It would look nicer if there were a uniform style of drawing through the entire book. Each letter is in a font that looks like slats of wood. I just think that looks weird. I don't know.
Pat the Gnat gives little aside comments for every letter that are very cute, but sometimes it's difficult to know what he is referring to.
I like that this book is imaginative in the selections of the words, but it might be better marketed as a glossary book for older children instead of an alphabet book for little children.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for a free and honest review. The thoughts expressed here are my own true opinions, and are not influenced by anyone.
Some of the words include "chrysanthemum", "Wallaby", "uvula ", and "rutabaga". That's just a bit much! I can't imagine reading this to a three-year-old.
The illustrations for each word do not look professional, and some are done in different styles. It would look nicer if there were a uniform style of drawing through the entire book. Each letter is in a font that looks like slats of wood. I just think that looks weird. I don't know.
Pat the Gnat gives little aside comments for every letter that are very cute, but sometimes it's difficult to know what he is referring to.
I like that this book is imaginative in the selections of the words, but it might be better marketed as a glossary book for older children instead of an alphabet book for little children.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for a free and honest review. The thoughts expressed here are my own true opinions, and are not influenced by anyone.
Pride and Prejudice with Related Readings
Daniel Pool, Henry Grunwald, Margaret Atwood, Edith Wharton, Susan B. Kelly, Jane Austen
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Elizabeth Bennett and her sisters are eager to make the acquaintance of their new neighbors, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy. They meet and dance together at various country balls and events. However, Elizabeth is frequently embarrassed by her mother's vulgar manners and her little sisters flirtations with army officers. Elizabeth must navigate the social criticism of her sisters' romances, while fending off a few proposals of her own.
I just love the witty dialogue between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. There is so much sparkling dialogue in the whole book, and it is a delight to read. The entire writing style is so polished and easy to read! The plot flows along so naturally and with so much energy that you barely notice all the little genius sub-plots that are happening.
This book also has some of the funniest lines in all of literature! I always laugh when I reread this book. I really love that Elizabeth and her father, Mr. Bennett, have the same sense of humor. There is such a close relationship between them which is lovely to read about.
I think the best part about this book is the character development of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. They start out with some bad behavior and personal flaws, but over the course of their rocky relationship, they are like the description of friendship in the Bible; "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." -Proverbs 27:17
Elizabeth learns to discern other people's characters more carefully, and Darcy learns a little humility. They both begin to value the other's persons good qualities. They both have very independent and complex personalities. It's so interesting to see all the little steps in their development.
I think one of the most genius things about this book is the balance between characters' personalities. Mary is too serious, Lydia and Kitty are too flirty, so Jane and Elizabeth appear to advantage. Our main characters are balanced right in the middle, and that makes them more attractive to the reader.
This book is a perfect masterpiece! Every time I reread this book I love it more and more, and see more depth in the characters, and more humor in the sarcastic writing style. Jane Austen's writing never fails to amaze me. She has such a perceptive way of laying bare every thought and action of each character with exquisite insight into the little vexations and desires of human nature.
I didn't enjoy much of the related readings at the back of this edition. There was one excerpt from Daniel Pool's book What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew: From Fox Hunting to Whist—the Facts of Daily Life in 19th-Century England that I did like since it added to the knowledge about this historical time period. But the rest of the short stories, article, and one poem were either not "related" to Jane Austen at all that I could see or were just unenjoyable.
I just love the witty dialogue between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. There is so much sparkling dialogue in the whole book, and it is a delight to read. The entire writing style is so polished and easy to read! The plot flows along so naturally and with so much energy that you barely notice all the little genius sub-plots that are happening.
This book also has some of the funniest lines in all of literature! I always laugh when I reread this book. I really love that Elizabeth and her father, Mr. Bennett, have the same sense of humor. There is such a close relationship between them which is lovely to read about.
I think the best part about this book is the character development of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. They start out with some bad behavior and personal flaws, but over the course of their rocky relationship, they are like the description of friendship in the Bible; "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." -Proverbs 27:17
Elizabeth learns to discern other people's characters more carefully, and Darcy learns a little humility. They both begin to value the other's persons good qualities. They both have very independent and complex personalities. It's so interesting to see all the little steps in their development.
I think one of the most genius things about this book is the balance between characters' personalities. Mary is too serious, Lydia and Kitty are too flirty, so Jane and Elizabeth appear to advantage. Our main characters are balanced right in the middle, and that makes them more attractive to the reader.
This book is a perfect masterpiece! Every time I reread this book I love it more and more, and see more depth in the characters, and more humor in the sarcastic writing style. Jane Austen's writing never fails to amaze me. She has such a perceptive way of laying bare every thought and action of each character with exquisite insight into the little vexations and desires of human nature.
I didn't enjoy much of the related readings at the back of this edition. There was one excerpt from Daniel Pool's book What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew: From Fox Hunting to Whist—the Facts of Daily Life in 19th-Century England that I did like since it added to the knowledge about this historical time period. But the rest of the short stories, article, and one poem were either not "related" to Jane Austen at all that I could see or were just unenjoyable.
I was so impressed with this little book, especially because every page quotes Scripture! There are so many positive messages of encouragement in this book. Instead of making people feel guilty about their cravings, and their eating habits, or how their body looks, this book offers healing, positive attitudes, triumphant freedom, and constantly points the reader to Christ.
I think this book could apply to any craving or addiction, not just eating food. The messages in this book would help with anything that draws us away from God, forms a bad habit, or entices us to harm our health in some way.
The best thing about the writing is how Christ is made the center of every page. The focus is all about our relationship with Christ, and how that makes us free from our physical desires.
The author writes funny personal anecdotes that are appropriately intermingled with more serious truths from the Bible.
I recommend this book to any Christian who wants a deeper relationship with Christ, and who wants to develop healthy habits that are God-centered.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for a free and honest review. All opinions expressed are my own thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
I think this book could apply to any craving or addiction, not just eating food. The messages in this book would help with anything that draws us away from God, forms a bad habit, or entices us to harm our health in some way.
The best thing about the writing is how Christ is made the center of every page. The focus is all about our relationship with Christ, and how that makes us free from our physical desires.
The author writes funny personal anecdotes that are appropriately intermingled with more serious truths from the Bible.
I recommend this book to any Christian who wants a deeper relationship with Christ, and who wants to develop healthy habits that are God-centered.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for a free and honest review. All opinions expressed are my own thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
![美少女戦士セーラームーン新装版 1 [Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon Shinsōban 1] by Naoko Takeuchi](http://65.108.96.136/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBCSlpnS0FFPSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--955ed19782bb53023aa6f74ebc98df6fc2258d36/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaDdCem9MWm05eWJXRjBTU0lJYW5CbkJqb0dSVlE2RkhKbGMybDZaVjkwYjE5c2FXMXBkRnNIYVFISWFRSXNBUT09IiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJ2YXJpYXRpb24ifX0=--00c37adcced4a8550a6710e57b1d4208998aafcc/%E7%BE%8E%E5%B0%91%E5%A5%B3%E6%88%A6%E5%A3%AB%E3%82%BB%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0%E3%83%BC%E3%83%B3%E6%96%B0%E8%A3%85%E7%89%88%201%20%5BBish%C5%8Djo%20Senshi%20Sailor%20Moon%20Shins%C5%8Dban%201%5D.jpg)
I watched the anime when I was a kid, but I had never read the manga before. So happy to be diving into it now!
Usagi got on my nerves a little at the beginning, because she's a cry-baby. I guess it's supposed to be cute, but that always annoyed me. Also, she doesn't care about getting good grades in school, and I was one of those students who HAD to excel in school as my purpose in life. So even when I was a kid, I never really related very much to Usagi as a main character. I always liked Sailor Mercury, Ami, better, because she's a brain! Usagi annoys me less in the manga though, because I don't actually have to LISTEN to her whining and crying. haha!
I love the pretty sailor suits, and the mysterious plot, and magical powers awakening!
I wish there were more everyday things though; the girls having problems at school, and learning how to solve them through friendship or something. The focus is very heavily on defeating evil magic guys and very little on the everyday relationships and normal routines of the girls.
Ah, the mysterious Tuxedo Mask! I had such a crush on him when I was little. He's so dashing and handsome and enigmatic! No wonder Sailor Moon is drawn to him.
Usagi got on my nerves a little at the beginning, because she's a cry-baby. I guess it's supposed to be cute, but that always annoyed me. Also, she doesn't care about getting good grades in school, and I was one of those students who HAD to excel in school as my purpose in life. So even when I was a kid, I never really related very much to Usagi as a main character. I always liked Sailor Mercury, Ami, better, because she's a brain! Usagi annoys me less in the manga though, because I don't actually have to LISTEN to her whining and crying. haha!
I love the pretty sailor suits, and the mysterious plot, and magical powers awakening!
I wish there were more everyday things though; the girls having problems at school, and learning how to solve them through friendship or something. The focus is very heavily on defeating evil magic guys and very little on the everyday relationships and normal routines of the girls.
Ah, the mysterious Tuxedo Mask! I had such a crush on him when I was little. He's so dashing and handsome and enigmatic! No wonder Sailor Moon is drawn to him.
I love that this manga adaptation of one of my favorite classics kept somewhat closely to the original story, even using some of the original dialogue. Jane Austen is one of my favorite classic authors, and "Emma" is my favorite of all her books, so I was really excited to read this one!
The artwork is really lovely and the characters are all so distinct. I love their costumes and the pretty scenery. Sometimes I think the drama goes a little bit overboard though, as though the characters are shouting at each other with wild expressions, or looking dramatically shocked and amazed with wide eyes and open mouths. It just ends up looking a little silly! But most of the time, the characters expressions match the dialogue in a more demure and subtle way.
I enjoyed this manga so much, and it's a great way to revisit one of my favorite stories! Can't wait to read more Manga Classics!
Disclaimer: I received an ecopy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts and are not influenced by anyone.
The artwork is really lovely and the characters are all so distinct. I love their costumes and the pretty scenery. Sometimes I think the drama goes a little bit overboard though, as though the characters are shouting at each other with wild expressions, or looking dramatically shocked and amazed with wide eyes and open mouths. It just ends up looking a little silly! But most of the time, the characters expressions match the dialogue in a more demure and subtle way.
I enjoyed this manga so much, and it's a great way to revisit one of my favorite stories! Can't wait to read more Manga Classics!
Disclaimer: I received an ecopy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts and are not influenced by anyone.
I loved this manga adaptation of Jane Austen's classic story! The manga follows the original story pretty closely, and the artwork is beautiful.
There's a lot of crying in this book! I mean, I suppose there's a lot of crying in the original story too, but seeing almost all the characters constantly collapsing into violent tears, hysterics, and/or fits of depression was over-the-top dramatic. Then again, Marianne Dashwood is the epitome of drama! haha!
The artwork is really lovely, and I liked seeing all the pretty costumes of the ladies. The villains and nasty people, like Lucy Steele, have ugly grotesque expressions sometimes that just make you hate them. I love the way the artwork really enhances the characters!
I think it's brilliant how the story is condensed into manga format without losing the integrity and feeling of the original story. I enjoyed revisiting this story, and loved reading this manga!
Disclaimer: I received an ecopy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
There's a lot of crying in this book! I mean, I suppose there's a lot of crying in the original story too, but seeing almost all the characters constantly collapsing into violent tears, hysterics, and/or fits of depression was over-the-top dramatic. Then again, Marianne Dashwood is the epitome of drama! haha!
The artwork is really lovely, and I liked seeing all the pretty costumes of the ladies. The villains and nasty people, like Lucy Steele, have ugly grotesque expressions sometimes that just make you hate them. I love the way the artwork really enhances the characters!
I think it's brilliant how the story is condensed into manga format without losing the integrity and feeling of the original story. I enjoyed revisiting this story, and loved reading this manga!
Disclaimer: I received an ecopy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
I liked how this manga presentation of The Jungle Book actually followed the real stories from the original book, including not just the story of Mowgli, but also Rikki-Tiki-Tavi, The White Seal, Toumai of the Elephants, and others. I wish they would make another one for Jungle Book 2 with even more stories!
The artwork is so beautiful, and really brings the characters to life! I loved seeing the facial expressions of Mowgli and Rikki-Tikki and the others, showing their fierce jungle spirit. The action was easy to follow, since each panel shows what is going on very clearly. Really well put-together and beautiful art!
Jungle Book has always been one of my favorite classics, so I came into this with some high expectations, and I was not disappointed! It can be difficult to organize a classic into a graphic medium, but the story flows along wonderfully with some of the original dialogue and poetry from the original book.
I really enjoyed revisiting this classic in graphic novel form!
Disclaimer: I received an ecopy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
The artwork is so beautiful, and really brings the characters to life! I loved seeing the facial expressions of Mowgli and Rikki-Tikki and the others, showing their fierce jungle spirit. The action was easy to follow, since each panel shows what is going on very clearly. Really well put-together and beautiful art!
Jungle Book has always been one of my favorite classics, so I came into this with some high expectations, and I was not disappointed! It can be difficult to organize a classic into a graphic medium, but the story flows along wonderfully with some of the original dialogue and poetry from the original book.
I really enjoyed revisiting this classic in graphic novel form!
Disclaimer: I received an ecopy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
