booksncrannies_official's reviews
88 reviews

'The Great Wide Sea' is an epic, dynamic, and powerful novel. The story is vividly and articulately written. Having multilevel conflict makes the plot suspenseful and dramatic. Characterization is round and dynamic adding more depth to this already powerful plot. This novel clearly sets forth the importance of strong family bonds especially during a conflict. Bordering tear-jerking excellence, the denouement of this novel is soooo good! With its suspenseful plot, excellent characterization, and multilevel conflict, 'The Great Wide Sea' is one of my top reads.

*(One or two swear words occur in the story.)

The first book in the Hardy Boys® series, 'The Tower Treasure' proved to be a classic, fast-paced mystery. Characters don't have much time to be developed making them seem a bit impersonal and vague. Also, the plot seems to move too quickly for the reader to become involved in the suspense. Excitement and a surprise ending do help to redeem this story for me. Overall, 'The Tower Treasure' is an intriguing mystery. I still heartily recommend this novel for those who like a fast-paced mystery.

A great resource. So many answers explained in a simple manner. Well balanced.

'Black Beauty: The Graphic Novel' is my first read in the graphic style. In this novel Anna Sewall clearly portrays the many harsh cruelties animals experienced at the hand of man in the 1800s. Because she characterizes the horses in a more humane way than their owners, the need for reform in animal treatment really comes home to the reader. Although graphic novels may have the their place in the literature world, I did not find this style to be my thing. If you enjoy graphic novels, I highly recommend 'Black Beauty: The Graphic Novel.'

A story of survival based on a true event, 'Cabin on Trouble Creek' gives a realistic portrayal of life in the early 1800s Ohio wilderness. Through a string of events, two brothers must survive alone in a partly built cabin by using their inventiveness and ingenuity. Jean Van Leeuwin uses personification in clever way to further enhance the conflict. 'Cabin on Trouble Creek' packages these true events into a thoroughly researched and realistically written tale.

'War in the Wasteland' delivers a most realistic portrayal of life in the trenches of WWI. Through the eyes of both a private in the trenches and a WAAC nurse attending the maimed and wounded, the stark realities of this war are shown in their realistic and awful proportions. The whole novel makes for an adrenaline-producing read, especially through some intense battle scenes. The war's psychological effects on the soldiers are keenly felt as they wrestle with the horrific scenes they witness and the life ending choices and actions they encounter. Douglas Bond writes this novel realistically without romanticizing brutality; thus, some scenes are graphically portrayed in their depiction of war violence. Throughout the storyline a question is asked: Can God be found in the midst of the atrocities and horrors of war? This question is answered with a resounding "yes." 'War in the Wasteland' is one of my top reads of WWI.

'Blind Descent' gives a gripping account of a mountainous test of faith. A realistic and insightful account about summitting Mount Everest, this memoir is sure to capture the reader's attention. The climb is laced with some pulse-pounding scenes. After Dickinson reaches the summit, he now has the task of descending to camp alone. The action and suspense really pick up here as he realizes he can't see anything! This blind descent is truly an example of the miraculous ways God works in times like these. 'Blind Descent' gives readers an experience that will long be remembered.