kailey_luminouslibro's Reviews (3.79k)

A fun little story, and some good writing. Nothing fantastic, but an enjoyable read.

I can always tell my true level of stress by what book I choose to read. The more stressed I am, the simpler and shorter the book. Examples: When I'm not stressed, I'm reading "Daniel Deronda" (900 pages) or some huge Dickens novel. When I'm very stressed, I read "Little Women" and "Anne of Green Gables." Guess my level of stress now.... I'm reading "Paddington Bear."

Simple children's books soothe and calm me when I'm stressed. Dear old Paddington!

I adore this writer! She certainly knows how to weave a good story. This one is a bit gloomy,(someone or other dies or is ill in practically every chapter) but I love the unspoken moral about friends and family sticking together and comforting and helping one another through thick and thin. The suspense over the murder trial kept me up reading in the wee smas. I love the main characters; The author really digs deep into the hearts and motives and thoughts of each person, and gives a beautifully clear picture of them. I'm a character-driven reader, so I love it!

I didn't like the bit with the snakes. I hate snakes! Deathly terrified of them. I skipped those parts.

Most of the book is terribly boring. Nothing happens, and then just for a change.... nothing happens. I did not identify with any of the characters either. bleh. Disappointing b/c I liked the first two books.

Not as funny as some of his other books, and I didn't like the short story format. Still.. the stories are great and imaginative!

I like the characters, and the plot, but the writer just seems to lack the talent to bring her ideas to fruition. The writing is sometimes confusing, and I'm unsure why the characters react as they do. The politics between the Holds bores me to tears, but I love the dragons, and the author has wonderfully inventive ideas about dragons.
Her later writing is better.

For those considering giving this book to a kid.....
This book has some slight references to sex, but nothing graphic at all. Just that "she took off her robe and he embraced her." That's it. One reference to wondering who had impregnated a woman b/c she'd had so many partners. No descriptions though, no mention of body parts.