Book Reviews; Titles I-P

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=100 BGCOLOR="#999933" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03900700ddwnfv.gif"> <div> <B><IMG SRC="38e251e0.jpg" border=0 width="293" height="30" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><B><IMG SRC="38d011e0.jpg" border=0 width="257" height="30" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:Bluesette3@aol.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:Bluesette3@aol.com"><U>E-Mail Matt, the Webmaster</U></A> Read a Book? 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Check out <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Genre Symbols"><U>Genre Symbols</U></A>.</div> <div> Click here to learn about our Age Appeal System</div> <div> Click here to learn about our Ratings Guide</div> <div> Click <A HREF="#star_of_approval" TITLE="Book Reviews Titles IP"><U>here</U></A> to learn about our Star Of Approval System</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="34ea3340.jpg" border=0 width="419" height="52" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>I am Jackie Chan - Jackie Chan<IMG SRC="3585a350.gif" border=0 width="90" height="53" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> As one of the biggest stars to burst into U.S. theaters, Jackie Chan has wowed audiences with death-defying stunts. But who really is this lightning-fast Charlie Chaplin of martial arts moviemaking? Now, in I Am Jackie Chan, he tells the fascinating, harrowing, ultimately triumphant story of his life: How the rebellious son of refugees in tumultuous 1950s Hong Kong became the disciplined disciple of a Chinese Opera Master. How the dying art of Chinese opera led Jackie to the movie business. And how he broke into Hollywood big time by breaking almost every bone in his body. </div> <bR> <div> Genre: <IMG SRC="2a432320.gif" border=0 width="50" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">, <IMG SRC="2a532320.gif" border=0 width="50" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Age Appeal: <IMG SRC="57a384e0.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Reviewed by: Liane</div> <div> Age: 15</div> <div> Rating: 8</div> <bR> <div> Surprisingly, I liked this book. It was interesting to see a side of Jackie Chan I had never seen before. I especially liked learning/reading about how he was originally trained in the opera hall thing. That was cool. Also, it was interesting to read about how he progressed through the movie industry. I don't really know what to write for this book, since.. well, I don't know why I don't know. Just tell Taishi to write a review. He's about as obsessed about this book as i am about Magic's Pawn and as obsessed about Jackie Chan as I am about Mercedes Lackey. lmao. Ok. bye.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Icarus Hunt, The - Thimothy Zahn</B> <B><IMG SRC="1c552670.gif" border=0 width="82" height="103" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> Jordan McKell, a renegade space pilot, and his unusual alien partner, Ixil, incautiously agree to fly a ship and its special cargo to Earth. The ship, Icarus, turns out to be a ramshackle hulk with a ragtag crew and a cargo so secret it's sealed in a special container inside the ill-designed ship. As if that weren't bad enough, it looks like the authorities already suspect something is afoot, there's a saboteur aboard, and the Icarus appears to be shaking apart at the seams. Things can, and do, get worse when McKell uncovers the true nature of the cargo. Their only chance to survive lies in staying one step ahead of their pursuers as they try to make it home. </div> <bR> <div> Genre: <IMG SRC="2a232320.gif" border=0 width="50" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">,<IMG SRC="2a332320.gif" border=0 width="50" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> </div> <div> Age Appeal: <IMG SRC="579384e0.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Reviewed by: Matt</div> <div> Age: 15</div> <div> Rating: 10.00</div> <bR> <div> Zahn shows why he is the Sci-fi master combining mystery, fantastic characters with an upredictable plot to create a unique, captivating adventure</div> <bR> <div> <B>Ice Limit, The - Douglas J. Preston & </B><B>Lincoln Child </B><B><IMG SRC="1c552670.gif" border=0 width="82" height="103" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> On a desolate island off the southern coast of Chile, an incredible discovery is made: a gigantic meteorite, the largest ever found, entombed in the earth for millions of years. Half a world away, billionaire entrepreneur Palmer Lloyd decides he must have it as the centerpiece of his grandiose new museum. He is willing to pay any price-in dollars and in lives. Getting it back to New York poses a particular challenge: It will be the heaviest object ever moved by humankind... </div> <div> Fueled by Lloyd's money, an audacious expedition takes shape. Disguising a state-of-the-art ship as a rusted freighter, the expedition secretly heads southward with a fail-safe plan to steal the meteorite from Chile. Leading the group is an inscrutable engineer hired by Lloyd, and a world-famous meteorite hunter whose career was shattered by a controversial theory. </div> <div> Genre: <IMG SRC="39f32320.gif" border=0 width="50" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">, <IMG SRC="3a032320.gif" border=0 width="50" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Age Appeal: <IMG SRC="579384e0.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Reviewed by: Matt</div> <div> Age: 16</div> <div> Rating: 9.91</div> <div> Effective Engineering Solutions (EES) has been hired by multibillionaire Palmer Lloyd to recover the largest meteorite ever found. To do this the well-financed group must go to the southern edge of the world and recover the meteorite from under the nose of the Chilean government, what could go wrong? Well for starters the zealous naval commander is out to stop the expedition and the meteorite seems to want everyone involved in the expedition dead. The characters in this book are brilliantly written for starters. The plot lags a bit with all of the sciency-speak (which I've heard is really well written if you are into that sort of thing). The Climax of this book might be a little boring for some people when you realize just how slow these boats move. However, I stayed captivated throughout. The island setting wasn't all that interesting, but I loved the way the <I>Rolvaag</I> was described. This book does not include a whole lot of style, pretty much just like watching TV. (However, a very good TV show). Outside of all of the science words the language is plain and sometimes boring.  This book is an excellent techno-thriller, however, hard-core Sci-Fi or Thriller fans might want to avoid it because it really isn't too thrilling and it seems too believable to be Sci-Fi. If you like Techno-thrillers though, make sure to pick it up. Younger teens might want to stay away from this book, though. It is pretty much an adult novel. There is a lot of profanity, some sex, and all of the complex science lingo. Also, if you thought the ending was you can read the epilogue that the authors added by clicking <A HREF="http://www.twbookmark.com/fiction/ice_limit_epilogue.html#start" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.twbookmark.com/fiction/ice_li"><U>here to visit the Ice Limit site.</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>Iron and Silk - Mark Salzman<IMG SRC="1ba20200.gif" border=0 width="32" height="32" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> Salzman captures post-cultural revolution China through his adventures as a young American English teacher in China and his shifu-tudi (master-student) relationship with China's foremost martial arts teacher. </div> <bR> <div> Genre: <IMG SRC="2ab32320.gif" border=0 width="50" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Reviewed by: Taishi</div> <div> Age: 15</div> <div> Rating: 10.0</div> <div> Age Appeal <IMG SRC="574384e0.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Despite there being only the selection of 11-13 age group, this book is good for everyone. Iron and Silk are a captivating memoirs, they seem more like fiction than reality. Very good book, read it! </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Jurassic Park - Michael Crichton</B></div> <div> State-of-the-art science and suspense combine in this uniquely exciting high-tension thriller from the author of The Andromeda Strain. Bioengineers create authentic, detail-perfect, real-life dinosaurs for a Pacific island theme park, but scientific triumph explodes into horrendous disaster as the first visitors encounter the unbelievable. </div> <bR> <div> Genre: <IMG SRC="27632320.gif" border=0 width="50" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">, <IMG SRC="2ad32320.gif" border=0 width="50" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">, <IMG SRC="2ae32320.gif" border=0 width="50" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> </div> <div> Reviewed by: Noran</div> <div> Age: 17</div> <div> Other Books in Series: The Lost World</div> <div> Rating 4 out of 10</div> <div> Age Appeal: <IMG SRC="579384e0.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> I think the dinosaurs should've eaten everyone. The Lost World is better. Jurassic Park the movie sucked.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="51b7f780.jpg" border=0 width="127" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><B>Keesha's House - Helen Frost </B><B><IMG SRC="1c552670.gif" border=0 width="82" height="103" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> Genre: <IMG SRC="52332320.gif" border=0 width="50" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">, <IMG SRC="52832320.gif" border=0 width="50" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Age Appeal:<IMG SRC="579384e0.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Rating: 9.67</div> <div> Reviewed by Matt </div> <div> Age 16</div> <bR> <div> Kesha's House was a really great read. I loved some of the characters, but some of the other ones just didn't quite do it for me. I felt that teen characters were represented quite well, and that was a very strong point of this novel. This book also makes the best use of the sonnet form. In the back, there is a section about how to write in a lot of different sonnet forms. Overall, great quick read.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="51b7f780.jpg" border=0 width="127" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><B>Locomotion - Jacqueline Woodson </B><B><IMG SRC="1c552670.gif" border=0 width="82" height="103" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> Genre: <IMG SRC="52e32320.gif" border=0 width="50" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">, <IMG SRC="29532320.gif" border=0 width="50" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Age Appeal: <IMG SRC="574384e0.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Rating: 8.00</div> <div> Reviewed by Matt</div> <div> Age: 16</div> <bR> <div> Locomotion was another poetry book. I don't think its the best one this year, or the worst. I think this book belongs on the "Most Average Books For Young Adults", but not the best books. The quality of poetry in this book is inconsistant. An OK quick read.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="51b7f780.jpg" border=0 width="127" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Macaroni Boy - Katherine Ayers</B></div> <div> Genre: <IMG SRC="53132320.gif" border=0 width="50" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">, <IMG SRC="27c32320.gif" border=0 width="50" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Age Appeal: <IMG SRC="572384e0.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Rating: 7.61</div> <div> Reviewed by Matt</div> <div> Age: 16</div> <bR> <div> This book would also win the award for "Most Average Book For Young Adults." As it is not the best. Not the worst. Just meh. The characters were pretty meh. The plot had a little intrigue to it, so it gets bonus points for that. But overall, its just so-so.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Magic's Pawn - Mercedes Lackey</B> <IMG SRC="357673d0.gif" border=0 width="103" height="61" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> In Magic's Pawn, an ancient age in the history of Valdemar comes to life--an age when the kingdom was ravaged by the ungoverned fury of bandit warlords, ferocious ice dragons, and the wild magic of wizards. A new addition to Lackey's Valdemar kingdom--and her most powerful series to date! Reissue</div> <bR> <div> Genre:<IMG SRC="27532320.gif" border=0 width="50" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">, <IMG SRC="27d32320.gif" border=0 width="50" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> </div> <div> Age Appeal: <IMG SRC="579384e0.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Reviewed by: Liane</div> <div> Age: 15</div> <div> Rating: 10.00</div> <div> There are no words to describe this great book. It invokes all the senses and feelings, causing one to smile sappily, weep sadly (I do this everytime I read any of these books), and laugh heartily. Misty causes the reader to really feel the characters emotions and get caught in the book. I would say more, and I will, if anyone asks, cuz I can rant about the greatness of this book for hours, but I have to go eat. n.n;; ciao babes.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Matt's Note:</B> Liane has also read this book several times, several times, I'd say at least 12. So proceed with caution...</div> <bR> <div> Reviewed by: Frankie</div> <div> Age: 13</div> <div> Rating: 7.89</div> <bR> <div> Book was pretty good. I enjoy reading books with magic and like how each "system" varies, This book has a nice one. I didn't cry at all, And I kinda read it because Liane was pouting. Still a good book though. Its part of an 18 book series and its smack-dab in the middle and when I found this out. I was depressed. I always start from the BEGINING. ah well. The books endding could've made it a solo book instead of one in a series, unlike David Eddings' books which are like GIVE... ME... NEXT... BOOK.... But its still a series so I went on. libraies copy was "missing" i was not happy. I doubt this was a good book review but, gimmie a break, I'm new at this :Þ</div> <bR> <div> <B>Average Rating: </B>8.95</div> <bR> <div> <B>Men of Stone - Gayle Friesen </B><B><IMG SRC="1c552670.gif" border=0 width="82" height="103" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> </B></div> <div> By quitting dancing and retaliating against the bully who calls him "Ballerina Boy," Ben assumes he's acting like a man; but his great-aunt Frieda, who lived in Stalinist Russia and watched stony-faced soldiers take away her husband, helps him see otherwise. Ben is a likable narrator, but his story is constructed with a heavy hand to make the not-so-new point that sensitivity and masculinity aren't incongruous.</div> <bR> <div> Genre: <IMG SRC="28232320.gif" border=0 width="50" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Reviewed by: Matt</div> <div> Age: 15</div> <div> Rating: 9.14</div> <div> Age Appeal: <IMG SRC="573384e0.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Not bad, the beginning of the book was great, parts of this are very unrealistic, but in the end it was worth reading.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Misfits, The - Jame's Howe</B> </div> <div> Kids who get called the worst names oftentimes find each other. That's how it was with us. Skeezie Tookis and Addie Carle and Joe Bunch and me. We call ourselves the Gang of Five, but there are only four of us. We do it to keep people on their toes. Make 'em wonder. Or maybe we do it because we figure that there's one more kid out there who's going to need a gang to be a part of. A misfit, like us. </div> <div> Skeezie, Addie, Joe, and Bobby -- they've been friends forever. They laugh together, have lunch together, and get together once a week at the Candy Kitchen to eat ice cream and talk about important issues. Life isn't always fair, but at least they have each other -- and all they really want to do is survive the seventh grade. </div> <div> That turns out to be more of a challenge than any of them had anticipated. Starting with Addie's refusal to say the Pledge of Allegiance and her insistence on creating a new political party to run for student council, the Gang of Five is in for the ride of their lives. Along the way they will learn about politics and popularity, love and loss, and what it means to be a misfit. After years of getting by, they are given the chance to stand up and be seen -- not as the one-word jokes their classmates have tried to reduce them to, but as the full, complicated human beings they are just beginning to discover they truly are.</div> <bR> <div> Genre: <IMG SRC="2b732320.gif" border=0 width="50" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Age Appeal <IMG SRC="579384e0.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Reviewed by: Matt</div> <div> Age: 15</div> <div> Rating: 7.01</div> <bR> <div> I never really liked James Howe in the first place. This book was semi-OK. It was about a group of Misfits that decide to run for a school office. First of all, I never really thought that a school office was important, and I never thought that it had any real power. Thirdly, the popular kids always win school offices anyway. This book also puts a lot of emphasis on name calling. I have never thought it was as big of deal as this book made it. Another thing I disliked about it is that the characters behaved like adults and the adults like children.</div> <bR> <div> <B>New Suns Will Arise - Henry David Therou</B> <IMG SRC="1ba20200.gif" border=0 width="32" height="32" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Genre:<IMG SRC="29532320.gif" border=0 width="50" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Reviewed by: Taishi</div> <div> Age Appeal: <IMG SRC="575384e0.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Age: 15</div> <div> Rating: 10.00</div> <div> Infinitely inspiring and moving, this book sheds some much needed light on everyday issues. May be too advanced for some younger readers.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="51b7f780.jpg" border=0 width="127" height="120" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><B>Pool Boy - Michael Simmons </B><B><IMG SRC="1c552670.gif" border=0 width="82" height="103" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> Genre: <IMG SRC="28232320.gif" border=0 width="50" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Age Appeal: <IMG SRC="579384e0.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Reviewed by Matt</div> <div> Age: 16</div> <div> Rating: 10.00</div> <div> Yay for Pool Boy. In this novel all of the characters show a ton of dimension, and teens are represented quite well. I especially enjoyed the main character's hilarious narration. His family owes the government 11 Million Dollars *puts pinky to mouth* so he has to move in with his creepy aunt who loves Moo-moos. Eventually time goes on and he realizes whats really important. Sorta. Great portrayl of a teen. Great plot. Overall superb.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Under A War Torn Sky - L.M. Elliot</B><B> </B><B><IMG SRC="1c552670.gif" border=0 width="82" height="103" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> Genre: <IMG SRC="2a632320.gif" border=0 width="50" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">,<IMG SRC="2a732320.gif" border=0 width="50" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> </div> <div> Age Appeal: <IMG SRC="573384e0.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Reviewed by: Matt</div> <div> Age: 15</div> <div> Rating: 8.65</div> <bR> <div> This is an interesting WWII novel set in WWII Europe. Henrey the books main character, is a farm boy from Virginia who rushes off to join the American Air Force. He is the co-pilot of a B-24 Bomber. His plain gets shot down in the French alps on a deep bombing mission to Germany. Badly wounded Henry find help, and enters Switzerland. Switzerland was a neutral country during the war. Henry could enroll in college classes, play tennis, and relax until the war ends. Henry, however, chooses to find his way through the Macquis (Mah-KEE) (The french resistance) to escape into Spain, then Portugal, and finally return to Britain. The characters in this book excluding Henry were very entertaining. Henry was a little boring and drab however. I also enjoyed the wealth of foreign languages in this book, Itallian, German, French, Russian, and Spanish all found their way into this book. Unfortunately most of this books excitement is at the beginning.</div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <A NAME="star_of_approval"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <IMG SRC="359a0340.jpg" border=0 width="416" height="52" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Each member that reviews books for this web site has their very own "Star of Approval". You can find a complete listing of all of the member's Stars of Approval <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Member Bios"><U>here.</U></A> You can look through the bios and try to find a member that has the similar taste as you, then look for their Star of Approval on every one of the books they have reviewed and would recommend to others.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Each member that reviews books for this web site has their very own "Star of Approval". You can find a complete listing of all of the member's Stars of Approval <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Member Bios"><U>here.</U></A> You can look through the bios and try to find a member that has the similar taste as you, then look for their Star of Approval on every one of the books they have reviewed and would recommend to others.</div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="guide_to_age_appeal"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <IMG SRC="355c93b0.jpg" border=0 width="457" height="59" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="572384e0.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <IMG SRC="573384e0.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <IMG SRC="574384e0.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  <IMG SRC="575384e0.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <IMG SRC="579384e0.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <IMG SRC="57a384e0.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> Throughout the Rating Section of this site ( <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Book Reviews: Numerical Titles"><U>Numerical Titles</U></A>, <A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Book Reviews: Titles AH"><U>Titles A-H</U></A>, <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Book Reviews Titles IP"><U>Titles: I-P</U></A>, <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Book Reviews: Titles QZ"><U>Titles: Q-Z</U></A>.) You will see the "Age Appeal Rating" What does it mean?</div> <div> This "Guide to Age Appeal" was created by Matt and is meant to resemble the other parental guides used in other forms of media specifically Video Games, Movies, TV, Music and The Comics Code. Please remember that this site reviews <I>teen and adult</I> books, so books intended for children will <U>not</U> be reviewed here.</div> <bR> <div> The Purpose of our Age Appeal guide is to help teens or their parents choose what is right for them. This guide is <U>not</U> to advocate censorship in any form it is simply a guide.</div> <bR> <div> Note: Book, Story, and Novel are used interchangeably on this site and are meant to mean the written work that we review.</div> <bR> <div> These ratings are also not meant to indicate if a book is good or bad. They are designed to give readers an independent look at the content of a book</div> <bR> <div> The ratings are not enforced by anyone and are only meant to help teens read what is right for them.</div> <bR> <div> Books are often subject to several interpretations so while as objective as possible, this guide is still subjective. Our </div> <bR> <div> Our members rate books on several factors to determine the age appeal including: reading level, maturity level, level of gambling, level of violence, level of crude language, level of descriptions of sexual scenes or themes, level of drug use (or reference), Descriptions of Crime, level of sensitivity (i.e. to race, religion, gender, etc.), Morals and level of mature humor.</div> <bR> <div> In our reviews our teen reviewers will try to list as many of the following descriptors as possible.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Detailed Description of Descriptors</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Reading Level: </B>To what grade(s) does this book apply to?</div> <bR> <div> <B>Maturity Level:</B> Overall attitude that the writer takes to the readers. Is the book something that parents would want you to read? Are some offensive words or phrases, descriptions, or sentences emphasized? or are they part of the "background" of the story?  Does this book involve lurid or unsavory descriptions or has an amoral character presented favorably possibly creating a desire to emulate that character? Does this book involve creatures associated with Satan-worship i.e. werewolves, vampires, etc. or instruments pertaining to those creatures?</div> <bR> <div> <B>Level of Gambling/Reference:</B> Overall level or reference to betting-like behavior</div> <bR> <div> <B>Level of Violence/Reference:</B> Overall level or reference to descriptions of blood, gore,  or mutilation of body parts, killing of humans and/or animals unsafe/violent situations, rape, deliberate damage to objects, deliberate injury to humans or animals, deliberate damage to objects, implied violence, aggressive conflict, brutal torture/ physical agony, excessive bloodshed, gruesome crimes, depravity, use of guns, knives, or other weapons or objects as weapons i.e. (fireworks) or cannibalism</div> <bR> <div> <B>Level of Crude/Indecent Language:</B> Overall level of explicit references to sex, alcohol, drug use, violence. Or profanity, obscenity, smut, coarse language, vulgarity, symbols with acquired undesirable meanings, use of offensive slang, promotion of discrimination or harm against people, promotion of alcohol, drugs or tobacco, promotion of harm against people or animals, promotion of weapon use,  discussions involving stereotypes, racial epithets, bigotry or offensive colloquialisms</div> <bR> <div> <B>Level of Sexual Descriptions/Reference to: </B>Overall level of and/or reference to provocative material or references and graphic descriptions or  images of artistic, technical or general nudity (full or partial), genitals,  sexual touching, erections, illicit sex relations,  sexual content that is supposed to be artistic, medical, or education,  suggestive phrases, sexual situations,  lust, erotic material, masochism, pornography, extreme romantic passion, passionate kissing,  seduction, perversion, or rape</div> <bR> <div> <B>Theme:</B> Overall maturity of the message from the writer to the readers</div> <bR> <div> <B>Level of Drug Use/Reference to:</B> Overall level or reference to the use/consumption of illegal drugs/controlled substances these substances might include but are not limited to: Hashish/Marijuana, Depressants, Anesthetics, Hallucinogens, Opiods and Morphine Derivatives, Stimulants including Nicotine, Steroids, and inhalants and/or descriptions that create a desire in the reader to use those substances, drug abuse, use of tobacco products by a minor, and/or descriptions that create a desire in the reader to use tobacco products, or consumption of alcohol by a minor, alcohol abuse and/or the consumption of alcohol in excess, and/or descriptions that create a desire in the reader to consume alcohol.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Level of Mature Humor/ Reference to:</B> Overall level or reference to Vulgar or crude jokes or "bathroom humor" that some age groups would not understand but might be offended by.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Level and severity of of Crime/Reference to: </B>Overall level or reference to descriptions that inspire others to commit a crime, a book that describes in detail the committing of a crime, the portrayal of crime as a glamorous activity, books that inspire others to emulate criminals,  information on concealing weapons, books which posses disrespectful portrayal of established authority, the triumph of evil over good, the failure to punish the villain's deeds (if any), the portrayal of kidnapping in detail, the dying of established authorities as the result of a criminals actions, brutal torture, excessive knife and gun play, physical agony, and gory gruesome crime or instructions on weapon making</div> <bR> <div> <B>Level of Sensitivity:</B> Overall level of tolerance to other genders, religions, cultures, races, sexual orientations, people or animals which physical afflictions or deformity, the sanctity of marriage, or family structure etc.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Morals:</B> How do the morals in this story relate to the rest of society's morals? Or does this book discuss social issues i.e. abortion, adoption, animal rights, alcoholism, assisted suicide, birth control, capital punishment, child abuse, cloning, civil rights, crime, death,  drugs, divorce drinking,, eating disorders, ethnic relations, euthanasia, family relationships, gambling, genetic engineering, gangs, genocide, hate crimes, medical ethics, pornography, rape, racism, religion, sexual behavior, smoking the occult/Satanism, suicide, violence, sex education, homosexuality, etc.? Is this book slanted towards one sort of viewpoint on a social issue? Do the characters present themselves in a way reasonably acceptable to society? Would there be any reason that a parent would feel that a certain age group should not read this book?</div> <bR> <div> What do our different ratings mean?</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="572384e0.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">11-13 (Pre-teens)</B></div> <div> The book appeals to preteens. This book is mature enough for anyone 11-13. The book uses words that a 5th to 7th grader should be familiar with. The levels of violence, gambling, drug use, mature humor, descriptions of crime, crude language, descriptions of crime and sexual descriptions are kept to a minimum are in no way offensive and are not the main focus of the story. The writer stays sensitive to his audience. The theme is generally kid-friendly. This book generally goes along with society's morals. However, our reviewers feel that these books are not complex enough for people 14-18 (grades 8th-Adult).</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="573384e0.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">13-15 (Junior High Students)</B></div> <div> The book appeals to Junior High Students. There is probably violence, gambling, drug use, mature humor, descriptions of crime, crude language, and sexual descriptions involved in this book. However, this is not the main focus of the book. The book uses words that a 7th to 10th grader should be familiar with. The theme most likely is middle school friendly. The writer might stay sensitive to his audience. This book might agree with society's morals. However, our reviewers find that this book may not be enjoyed by people ages  11-13 (grades 5th-7th) because the book is too crude or complex or people 16-18 (grades 10th-Adult) because the book is too simple.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="574384e0.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">11-15 (Young Teens)</B></div> <div> This book appeals to everyone except later teenagers. This book might include violence, gambling, drug use, mature humor, descriptions of crime, crude language, descriptions of crime and sexual descriptions. However, this is not the main focus of the book. The theme is teen friendly, but also caters to preteens. The theme could be kid friendly. The writer stays sensitive to his audience. This book generally agrees with society's morals. The words are simple enough that anyone from grades 5-10 can understand them, but they will not bore or insult older readers. However, this book may be too simplistic to be enjoyed by people 16-18 (grades 10th-Adult).</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="575384e0.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">16-18 (Mature Teens)</B></div> <div> This book only appeals to later teenagers/early adults. This book is likely to include violence, gambling, drug use, mature humor, descriptions of crime, crude language, descriptions of crime and sexual descriptions. These factors are likely to appear often in this book and might be dealt with in an offensive way. These factors could also be the main focus of the book. This book might not agree with society's morals. Also, the writer may not always be sensitive to his audience. The words are complex and intended for grades 10th-adult. The theme might have dark or immoral overtones. This book could be too complex or offending for ages 11-15 (grades 5th-10th)</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="579384e0.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">13-18 (Teens)</B></div> <div> This book appeals to teens. This book is likely to include violence, gambling, drug use, mature humor, descriptions of crime, crude language, descriptions of crime and sexual descriptions. These factors are likely to appear often in this book and may or may not be dealt with in an offensive way. However, these descriptions are dealt with so as not to offend early high school students. The theme is generally middle school friendly. This book might not agree with society's morals. Also, the writer may not always be sensitive towards his audience. The words are complex enough for grades 10th-adult. This book may be too complex or offending for ages 11-13 (grades 5th-7th)</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="57a384e0.jpg" border=0 width="56" height="78" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">11-18 (All Readers)</B></div> <div> This book appeals to all readers. This book could include violence, gambling, drug use, mature humor, descriptions of crime, crude language, descriptions of crime and sexual descriptions. However, only what is central to the story is included. In all instances these descriptions are handled inoffensively and responsibly by the author. The words are neither simplistic or too complex for any age. The writer is sensitive to all age groups. The book generally agrees with society's morals. The theme is friendly for all ages. This book is suitable for all ages 11-18 (grades 5th-Adult).</div> <bR> <div> Who gives ratings? Our teenage reviewers.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> If you have questions or comments about our Age Appeal system or feel that a rating needs to be corrected you can contact me by e-mailing me at <A HREF="mailto:Bluesette3@aol.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:Bluesette3@aol.com"><U>Bluesette3@aol.com</U></A>.</div> <div> <B>Age Appeal Form</B></div> <div> <B>Part 1:</B></div> <div> What is the reading level of this book (reading level should be based on the complexity of words, the length and complexity of sentences, and the overal length of the book and its chapters, also reading level should be completely seperate from the book's maturity level. For example the Scary Story series has a low reading level, but the content is much older.):</div> <div> A. 5th Grade-6th Grade (Ages 10-12) Books on this level: Harry Potter Series</div> <div> B. 7th Grade-8th Grade (Ages 12-14) Books on this level include: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes</div> <div> C. 9th Grade-10th Grade (Ages 14-16) Books on this level include: To Kill A Mockingbird and 1984 </div> <div> D. 11th Grade-12th Grade and Beyond (Ages 16-18+) Books in this level include: The Great Gatsby and the Scarlet Letter This book should not be considered for all readers</div> <bR> <div> What is the overall Maturity Level of this book? (What is the Attitude of the writer to his readers? How offensive and lurid is the language of this book?)</div> <div> A. Maturity Level 1 (Ages 10-12)  The book's author takes a generally sensitive approach creating affable and law-abiding characters, this book also avoids thing like satan-worshiping, and does not show a direct connection between witches, werewolves, ghosts, etc. and satan</div> <div> B. Maturity Level 2 (Ages 12-14) The book's author loses some of his naivity towards his audience. However, many lurid and unsavory aspects of life might appear in the book, but they are represented with sensitivity</div> <div> C. Maturity Level 3 (Ages 14-16) The book's author has no shame about showing some of the lurid and unsavory parts of life, however it avoids using an amoral character</div> <div> D. Maturity Level 4 (Ages 17-18+) The book's author makes it a point to display the unsavory and lurid, with an anti-hero character and an amoral theme. This book should not be considered for all readers</div> <bR> <div> <B>Part I Scoring: A's 0 points, B's 1 point, C's 2 points, D's 3 points</B></div> <div> <B>Also make sure to use your best judgement when scoring</B></div> <div> <B>* Points = All Readers (The one to choose if you are sure this book is complex enough for older readers, but simple and inoffensive enough for younger readers)</B></div> <div> <B>0 Points = Children's should not be reviewed</B></div> <div> <B>1 Point = Preteen</B></div> <div> <B>1-2 Points = Young Teens</B></div> <div> <B>3 Points = Junior High</B></div> <div> <B>3-4 Points = Teens</B></div> <div> <B>5-6 Points = Mature Teens</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Part II:</B></div> <div> How much gambling or gambling reference does this book contain?</div> <div> A. Level 0 This book does not mention gambling at all.</div> <div> B. Level 1 This book contains some references to gambling, but for the most part it is a minor part of the background of the story</div> <div> C. Level 2 This book has many of its characters involved in gambling, but it is not central to the plot</div> <div> D. Level 3 This book is centered around gambling</div> <div> E. Level 4 This book is centered around gambling and gambling for illegal or imorral things.</div> <bR> <div> How much violence or reference to violence does this book contain?</div> <div> A. Level 0 This book contains no violence whatsover</div> <div> B. Level 1 This book contains references to violence, but the actual details are not mentioned in this book</div> <div> C. Level 2 This book has many of its characters involved in violence, however the use of blood/gore and weapons are limited</div> <div> D. Level 3 This book is centered around violence, it might actively describes brutal crimes, physical torture and agony, violence done to animals, blood and gore, a large amount of unsafe behavior</div> <div> E. Level 4 This book takes an amoral and unsensitive stance on violence, it contains longand detailed descripions of violence, unsafe behavior, weapons, rape, painful torture,  general mutilation to animals or people, cannibalism, or very large and extremely detailed sections on blood and gore</div> <bR> <div> How much crude/indecent language does this book contain?</div> <div> A. Level 0 This book contains no indecent langauge or reference to it</div> <div> B. Level 1 This book involves references to indecent langauge i.e. such and such a character swore</div> <div> C. Level 2 This book contains a small amount of indecent langauge</div> <div> D. Level 3 This book contains characters that have indecent langauge central to their speech patterns</div> <div> E. Level 4 this book contains very large amounts of indecent langauge, and langauge promotes non-tolerence and drug-use</div> <bR> <div> How much sex or reference to sex is in this book?</div> <div> A. Level 0 This book contains absoluetely no reference to sex</div> <div> B. Level 1 This book contains references to sex, but it is handled morally and only eluded to</div> <div> C. Level 2 This book contains a small sex however it is handled in a medical nature or in a moral manner</div> <div> D. Level 3 This book contains sexual situations, which are described and some detail and central to the plot</div> <div> E. Level 4 This book is intended to be pornographic and provocative to its audience</div> <bR> <div> What is the level of drug use in this book?</div> <div> A. Level 0 This book contains asolutely no drug use or reference to drug use</div> <div> B. Level 1 Drug use is referenced in this book, either by adults of legal age, or in a moral and educational manner</div> <div> C. Level 2 This book contains a small amount of drug use, either abuse of alcohol by an adult of legal age, or drug use by a minor, however the other shows all of the negative consequences</div> <div> D. Level 3 This book is centered around drugs and alcohol, and the characters recieve very few consequences from the use of the substances</div> <div> E. Level 4 The book is extermely involved with drugs and alcohol and it creates a desire in its readers to do drugs. It also inaccurately describes drugs as having positive effects.</div> <bR> <div> What is the level of vulgar jokes or "bathroom humor"?</div> <div> A. Level 0 This book contains no mature humor</div> <div> B. Level 1 This book has a sense of mature humor that would be funny to an 8 year-old (Captain Underpants-esque)</div> <div> C. Level 2 This book contains a sense of mature humor that would be funny to preteens, involving puberty, etc.</div> <div> D. Level 3 This book contains vulgar jokes that would be funny to teenagers (American Pie-esque)</div> <div> E. Level 4 This book contains adult-related mature humor</div> <bR> <div> What is the level of crime in this book?</div> <div> A. Level 0 This book conains no crime</div> <div> B. Level 1 This book references crimes like, traffic violations, or theft, breaking and entering, or a comical depiction of murder, a la clue</div> <div> C. Level 2 This book contains some crimes like murder in greater detail, or robbery</div> <div> D. Level 3 This book contains things like murder or rape, however, the violence involved in these crimes is not described in detail</div> <div> E. Level 4 This book contains violent crimes described in detail</div> <bR> <div> What are the morals like in this book?</div> <div> A. Level 0 This book is full of tolerence, a strong nuclear family, and no divorce or unpleasant parts of marriage</div> <div> B. Level 1 This book is mostly tolerent, however it might involve a divorce or "evil parents" a la Harry Potter</div> <div> C. Level 2 This book is mostly tolerent, however it deals with issues like divorce in greater detail</div> <div> D. Level 3 This book isn't completely tolerent, and it details with the far reaching psychological impact of divorce, and abusive parents</div> <div> E. Level 4 This book contains little or no tolerence for others, and might detail with violent divorces, and a non-supportive, violent, and abusive family</div> <bR> <div> What is the level of sensitivity in this book?</div> <div> A. Level 0 The writer is very sensitive and steers clear of all social issues</div> <div> B. Level 1 The author mentions some socail issues in passing, without offering his view on them</div> <div> C. Level 2 The author discusses social issues to some extent, but does it with a large sense of morals</div> <div> D. Level 3 The author talks about social issues in great length, but offers both sides of the story</div> <div> E. Level 4 The author is completely amoral and approaches socail issues with a sense of one-sidedness</div> <bR> <div> <B>Part II Scoring: A's 0 ponts, B's 1 point, C's 2 points, D's 3* ponts, E's ** points</B></div> <div> <B>*Anything with a D circled in this section should not be considered for the all readers category</B></div> <div> <B>** Anything with E's should be considered Mature Teens</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Add up the total points from section II and divide by 9. Take that number and round it up. Then add in the section 1 score and divide by 2. Finally, using your best judgement in cases of overlapping scores, choose one of the following sections.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>((Part II Score / 9 ) + Part I)/2</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>0 Points = Children's, should not be reviewed</B></div> <div> <B>1 Points = Preteen</B></div> <div> <B>1-2 Points = Young Teens</B></div> <div> <B>3 Points = Junior High</B></div> <div> <B>3-4 Points = Teens</B></div> <div> <B>5-6 Points = Mature Teens</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>* Points = All Readers (The one to choose if you are sure this book is complex enough for older readers, but simple and inoffensive enough for younger readers)</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="ratings_guide1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <IMG SRC="356df370.gif" border=0 width="479" height="55" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Note: Book, Story, and Novel are used interchangeably on this site and are meant to mean the written work that we review.</div> <div> <B>The 12-Point Criteria</B></div> <div> <B>Five-Trait Writing:</B> The Kent School District has pioneered six trait writing, they feel that is good writing will be based on six main concepts. (I have removed conventions because it should be perfect, or the novel shouldn't have been published.</div> <div> <B>Ideas and Concent:</B> The story should be clear and focused. The details in the story should be relevent, telling and quality. The writer should also appear knowledgeable and experienced about their topic. The story's ideas should be original and fresh. </div> <div> <B>Organization: </B>The overall organization of the story should enhance the theme. The story should be structured in a way that moves the reader through. The book should also contain an enthralling introduction and an ending that brings a sense of closure. The story also transitions well from section to section. The sequence of the story should seem logical, and the story should have a good pace.</div> <div> <B>Voice: </B> The reader should have a feeling that the writer is speaking directly to them through the characters in the story. The reader gets a sense of the person behind the text. The writer also takes risks in revealing themselves. The tone of the story also gives flavor and texture.</div> <div> <B>Word Choice: </B>The intended message of the story is given in a precise, interesting, and natural way. The words are powerful, specific, striking and acurate. The langauge is not overdone, but appears natural.</div> <div> <B>Senence Fluency: </B>The text should have an easy flow, candance, and rhthym. The sentences are well built with varied structure, and allow for expressive oral reading. Sentence vary in length with purposeful beginnings, and creative connections.</div> <div> <B>The Covington Library Teen Bookgroup's 7-Points of Good Writing :</B> Most of our reviews are largely base on these areas.</div> <div> <B>Plot:</B> The book should contain an interesting series of logical events. The plot is also not overly long and contains smooth transitions.</div> <div> <B>Setting: </B>The author should make the setting in integral part of the story, instead of making it "just there". Additionally, the author should use words to make the reader feel like they are there</div> <div> <B>Characters: </B>The characters should be interesting and interact in an exciting and natural manner. The characters should also be round and grow, change, and develop throughout the course of the story. The author should also write character descriptions in an interesting manner.</div> <div> <B>Theme: </B>The author should be successful in using the story to convey an important message about life. The author might also employ the use of symbolism to better exemplify his theme.</div> <div> <B>Style:</B> The author should also write with their own specific style and create a work that has a never-before-written quality to it. Imagery, figurative language, and alliteration also may be used to enhance the writer's style.</div> <div> <B>Tone: </B>The writer should take an attitude towards his audience in a manner that makes the overall message of the story more effective.</div> <div> <B>Point of View: </B>The author should use a point of view effective for the story. Either 1st person, 3rd person omnipotent, or 3rd person narrative.</div> <bR> <div> <B>10.00-9.50</B> The book is as close to perfect as possible. The plot is enthralling<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Garamond" > Plot. The characters are well-described, act realistically, and change and grow as the story continues. The setting is vivid. The story has a message or idea it does a good job of getting across. The story has a unique style. The point of view and tone fit the story. </FONT>The reviewer would recommend it.</div> <div> <B>9.49-9.00</B> The book is very excellent. The reviewer would recommend it. However, it could have been a little better written. One or two elements i.e. (<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Garamond" > Plot, characters, settings, theme,  style, point of view, and tone)</FONT> are not quite perfect.</div> <div> <B>8.99-8.00</B> The book is above average. You would recommend it. Could have been better written. Several elements i.e. (<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Garamond" > Plot, characters, settings, theme,  style, point of view, and tone)</FONT> need work.</div> <div> <B>7.99-7.00</B> The book is average. The reviewer might recommend it. Could have been much better written. Several elements i.e. (<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Garamond" > Plot, characters, settings, theme,  style, point of view, and tone)</FONT> need a lot of revision.</div> <div> <B>6.99-6.00</B> The book is below average. The reviewer would not recommend it. Major revisions would be required to make it average. Several elements i.e. (<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Garamond" > Plot, characters, settings, theme,  style, point of view, and tone)</FONT> are extremely poorly written. However, it is still salvageable.</div> <div> <B>5.99-5.00</B> The book is far below average. The reviewer would not recommend it. The book should have never been written in the first place. Just a bad idea for a book. To fix this book it would take a mircale that would constitute sainthood preformed by a member of the clergy who happens to be a book editor.</div> <div> <B>4.99-4.00</B> The book is extremely poor. The reviewer would not recommend it. The book is beyond help. Nearly every element i.e. (<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Garamond" > Plot, characters, settings, theme,  style, point of view, and tone) is unsalvageable.</FONT></div> <div> <B>3.99-3.00</B> The book is worse then extremely poor. The reviewer would not recommend it. At this point the author's career is in jeopardy. The reviewer would also rather have a major surgery then read this book again. Every single element i.e. (<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Garamond" > Plot, characters, settings, theme,  style, point of view, and tone) is very poor. This book was a bad idea to begin with, and the execution by the author was the icing on the cake of this bad novel.</FONT></div> <div> <B>2.99-2.00 </B>Reading this book is like going through a major dental surgery without sedation. The reviewer would not recommend it. Some of the elements i.e. (<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Garamond" > Plot, characters, settings, theme,  style, point of view, and tone) don't even make an appearance and the ones that are there are beyond terrible. </FONT></div> <div> <B>1.99-1.00</B> The word "book" begins to escape this "book" All other books have disowned it. The reviewer would personally enjoy burning every last copy of this book.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>0.99-0.01</B> This "book" should be locked in a vault and cast into the ocean, except the ocean would probably throw it back. The reviewer is currently undergoing hypnotherapy to erase every last memory of this book from their mind. Also this book has a great military application and could be deployed on a literate enemy causing them to go blind and eat themselves. In fact, Satan himself probably oversaw the creation of this book to drive people to suicide. The author of this book should be hunted down and killed, very slowly... Their career is over. Now. </div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>