The Spiderwick Chronicles

Originally posted on March 8, 2008

I finished the five cute books two weeks ago! The series is really nice. If I were still a kid I would be "spiderwick" crazy right now…but I’m not, so… Oh well, it is not as enjoyable as "The Series of Unfortunate Events" but I have always believed that you could never go wrong with fairies, trolls, ogres, dragons, brownies, elves, and funny old great aunts. The author was able to convey the eeriness of the Spiderwick estate and the endearing craziness of Aunt Lucinda quite well. So, I give her a big "thumbs up" for that. The Jared children were also quite lovable, even the often angsty Jared was cute. As usual, the parent was portrayed as a clueless adult right up until she got kidnapped by things she didn’t believe existed…that should appeal to children everywhere. Hahaha!

   

I recommend these books to both children and parents (after all, parents should read beforehand what their children read, especially if they’re fond of all kinds of censorhip…LOL!). The series has a nice story and the books are quite easy to read, especially for children who are just starting to get acquainted with the wonderful world of books.

Now, if only I finish the Narnia series as quickly as I did this one. I’m still stuck with "The Horse and His Boy". Wish me luck!


Note: I did find a bunch of figures being sold at a local fastfood. They’re so cute that I bought all of them…and I bought some for my nieces and nephew, too.

What can I say? I can’t help being a kid sometimes.  :P

M. Hoffman's City of Masks

Originally posted on June 2007

Mary Hoffman; didn’t know about her until a few months ago. When I saw a synopsis of her Stravagante Series, I got curious. So I looked the books up at our local bookshop, and ‘lo and behold’, I found that they have all the books. I could hardly wait for the shift to end so I could buy them. But when I did, it took me a while to set aside my other obssessions at that moment before I could start reading the first book. The book’s concept is quite good, but I guess I was just expecting something monumental such as of “Harry Potter” proportions. But, strangely, I persevered and I finished the book about two days ago. It was nice. Just that, “nice”. I actually got excited in some parts. But on the whole, the experience was a bit bland. I hope the next book [City of Stars] would be better. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying the “City of Masks” is crappy. I’m just saying it is not as full of adventure as I expected. Maybe the problem is with me.  Maybe I expected too much. It is a children’s book after all, and I have been preoccupied these past few weeks with school and work. The problem may have been “me”. I’ll try reading it again when my schedule has “calmed” a bit.

At least I have finished a book; a thing which has been becoming rarer lately.

I’ll be putting aside my fiction for now. I have to study for the Teacher’s Board Exam. I have so many things to read. On top of that, I have so many deadlines at work…Man! Do I need a lot of luck or what!?