Ennara and the Fallen Druid: A Book Review

Please note: Regular posting from the residential female will start again August 21, 2013. Until then, have a fantastic rest of the summer!!! Love you all, Jenn 

Hi everyone!

Today, I'm going to review one of the books I've had the pleasure to read: Ennara and the Fallen Druid (book one). My rating system, for those who are unfamiliar to it, is based off of 5 areas, each worth 5 points, totaling twenty-five points. The areas are: Writing Style, Plot, Characters, Conflict, Wrap Up. BUT, there's a slight change in plans for this one. Instead of the 25 point system, we're just going to talk about it.

First, though, a huge shout-out to Goodreads.com and a thanks for this: 

"When a mysterious curse threatens to transform everyone into shadowy demons, a magical eleven year-old girl must travel to a sunken city ruin—fighting pirates, monsters, and an undead sorcerer along the way—to find a weapon that can save her world."

Okay. So, moving upward and onward, let's begin talking about this book. 

First: I wasn't given an age range (which is something I will be asking from now on), but given the content matter I did think it would be for an older audience. There is dark magic involved, and even the BBC show Merlin, which has dark magic in it, waited until its audience was older before introducing true dark magic. But, alas, this book was what I believe intended for 8-12 years old. Which is not bad at all! I just wished I would have known that before hand.

Next: The content was difficult to get into. If I was the intended age range, I believe I would have enjoyed the book a lot! It reminded me of Judy Blume, only based in a Medieval setting and not having to do with small, annoying younger siblings. But the writing style had a lot of resemblance to Mrs. Blume's. The only thing I would have liked to see was the cliches be-gone. This seems to be a common problem among new writers--Dessen's first books had a ton of cliches, and I do firmly believe this author has great potential. A few more years and she'll be right on track!

Lastly: I wasn't brought into the plot as much. Again, if 

I were younger, I believe it would have been easy for me to get involved in. But because of my age--and how little I interact with young people--I don't think I enjoyed it as much as I could have. It has fantastic potential for the younger audiences, and I hope younger people do read it. It deserves a lot more than a silly teenager's review, for sureness.  

Verdict: If you're 15 and over, this may not be the series for you. But, if you have a younger sibling or a young reader in your house, this is perfect for you! PLEASE READ THIS DURING BEDTIMES!!! :) 

I 100% support this new author and I hope you all try her out, too. If you baby sit, read this to your youngsters! It'll be a fresh, new, entertaining read that your family will enjoy. 

Cheers! 

Jenn

P.S. This author is on Goodreads! Go stalk her! 

First Book Review! (The Moon and More)

I obviously dislike the manliness of this blog. To show my dislike, I will be discussing the novel The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen. It's my first novel this summer (read), and worthy of this blog. Because, honestly, this place needs to be less machine-y and more read-y.

WHICH IS WHY I SOLEMNLY SWEAR TO NEVER ATTACH AN ADD TO ANY OF MY POSTS EAT THAT YOU CO-BROS!

*leaves to make some Mexican hot cocoa, because, I'm Mexican an' stuff*

Okay, well, that took about fifteen minutes and WE GOOD. Mmm, bet you white boys are jelly, huh? (okay, just kidding. To my knowledge, none of my co-bros are actually albino, and we do not discriminate against albinos! Live long, well, and respected.)(I once dated an albino... he was, like, white-white. Could see his--



RIGHT. Book. Blogging. NOW!

So, here's the book synopsis as according to Goodreads.com:

"Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.
Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo's sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.

Emaline's mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he's convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?

Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she's going?

Sarah Dessen's devoted fans will welcome this story of romance, yearning, and, finally, empowerment. It could only happen in the summer."

*nods head to Goodreads* What would I do without them? 

Well, let's begin at the very beginning! 

I love Sarah Dessen, first of all. But this novel--like her last one--didn't appeal very much so to me. I don't know if it's because I'm growing up or because the books weren't as appealing as I hoped they would be. But, I have a few very pure points before diving into this (and if you haven't read the book, I SO URGE YOU to go read it before reading this! But... you can read this if you have no interest in reading the books.)

First, the writing style was good. I did like that--while I wasn't as captivated as I have been by some of her other books, it was still very good. Score: 4/5 

Second, the plot. Most of her other books have good plots--but this one was the perfect summer read in the way that it had no plot. If you are a reader who has to have an incentive at the end, this may not be the read for you. But, if you have a busy life and want an easy, still mature read, this is the books for you! Score: 2/5 for average readers, 5/5 for busy readers. 

Third, characters. I actually had a hard time connecting to the main character, Emaline. But while I couldn't connect, she was amazingly thought-out. Emaline was brilliantly written in the way that she avoided her situations and faced them in the exact way that any teenager would. A high-five to Mrs. Dessen for not being a teenager, but portraying one perfectly! The other characters? Very well done. Though Dessen has over-used some traits, she has managed to make them real and as human as possible--much like people I know! Score: 4/5 

Fourth, conflict. There was, amazingly, a conflict. And while the conflict had a place--there was about half a chapter dedicated to it. No real rising action, and not much meat to it. It was disheartening, and a little sad that there was no better conflict--especially because there was meat for the conflict! I didn't dig it as much as I would have liked to. Score: 1/5 

Fifth, wrap-up. The ending was so short! And while I would have liked to say that all of her endings are short so it was okay, it was about five pages of actual happiness. For the first time in the world, I will say: I'd rather be forced to read Percy and Annabeth fall into Tartarus than read that ending again. I was disappointed in Dessen. Just this once. Score: 1/5 

Finaly Score (for average reader): 14/25 

I hope Dessen's next book will bring her up! :) I really, really love her writing and style, and this review makes me sad--but I'd rather not lie. 

Cheers! 

Jenn