Review: The Dragon Whisperer by Lucinda Hare

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Quenelda has always had a magical bond with dragons, and her greatest wish is to fly one and fight alongside her father in the war against the hobgoblins. Root, on the other hand, wishes only to avoid the fearsome creatures, so the role of Quenelda's esquire is the last thing he needs.

Review:

The Dragon Whisperer by Lucinda Hare was an interesting read. It began well, with a gripping prologue which made me want to read more. It tells the story of an aristocratic girl named Quenelda and her dream of becoming a dragonrider and fighting alongside her renowned father against the hobgoblin swarm. What Quenelda does not know is that she has many more enemies than she could imagine who are much closer to home and her extremely rare abilities as a dragon whisperer places her in even more danger.

The Dragon Whisperer is exciting and packed with action and suspense. There are also a few shocking deaths and Hare does not shy away from describing extremely traumatic events in minute detail.

The characters are well-rounded. The main characters, Quenelda and her esquire Root, undergo dramatic and profound character development over the course of the book. The hobgoblin enemy however, seems to be 1D. They are, like in many other books, indistinguishable from the monotonous legions of the dead or the demon host, which is disappointing. I also think that there is plenty of scope for certain characters to be developed further as they have only been briefly shown in this book (such as the Queen).

The Dragon Whisperer contains quite a lot of modern military style vocabulary although it is set in a medieval world. Hare also assigns new names for the hours of the day and for the months of the year which takes some getting used to and forces one to do some rapid calculations. The book is well paced but ended abruptly as this book is only the first in a series. I definitely think The Dragon Whisperer is well worth a read and I am eager to begin the next.

Book Rating: 5/5
Cover Rating: 5/5
Author: Lucinda Hare

Review: The Maze Runner (Maze Runner #1) by James Dashner

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Imagine waking up one day in total darkness, unsure of where you are and unable to remember anything about yourself except your first name. You're in a bizarre place devoid of adults called the Glade. The Glade is an enclosed structure with a jail, a graveyard, a slaughterhouse, living quarters, and gardens. And no way out.

Outside the Glade is the Maze, and every day some of the kids -- the Runners -- venture into the labyrinth, trying to map the ever-changing pattern of walls in an attempt to find an exit from this hellish place. So far, no one has figured it out. And not all of the Runners return from their daily exertions, victims of the maniacal Grievers, part animal, part mechanical killing machines.

Thomas is the newest arrival to the Glade in this Truman-meets-Lord of the Flies tale. A motley crew of half a dozen kids is all he has to guide him in this strange world. As soon as he arrives, unusual things begin to happen, and the others grow suspicious of him. Though the Maze seems somehow familiar to Thomas, he's unable to make sense of the place, despite his extraordinary abilities as a Runner. What is this place, and does Thomas hold the key to finding a way out?

In The Maze Runner, Dashner has crafted a creative and engaging novel that's both mysterious and thought provoking.

Review:

I read The Maze Runner by James Dashner due to positive reviews which were highly complementary and because I love dystopian fiction. Though I was wary that the book would end in disappointment, I was trapped by the maze of the book. It kept promising to deliver answers and positive action but unfortunately, it did not do so on both accounts. It was a dead end.

I have a rule where I stop reading a book if I don’t think it has promise by page fifty. However, just as I was about to stop reading The Maze Runner; something dramatic happened through the appearance of the only female character in the entire maze. So I persevered- but my valiant effort was not rewarded.

The characters were 2D. They spent a lot of time swearing. Dashner changes the conventional swear words into made-up terms of his own. Only one term is explained; ‘clunk’ means shit and words such as ‘shank’ are never explained. The Maze Runner would have been better with less swearing, it just got in the way of the story. I’m sure the book would have been reduced by at least thirty pages if it had cut the swearing out.

The other characters constantly tell the main character, Thomas, to wait till later to find out answers which are never given. The Maze Runner was also so long-winded because the characters did not have any memories from before the Maze. Even when Thomas can get his questions answered from Theresa on several occasions, he instead runs away, leaving me infuriated.

Theresa, the only female character in the Maze, was a disappointment. She was two-dimensional like the other characters and didn’t do anything unless she was told to. She did not use her own initiative as can be seen at the end of the book where Thomas has to tell her (while fighting a monster) to push a very important button. Also, there was no point in the telepathic link that Thomas and Theresa shared as they did not say anything of great import to each other.

The Maze Runner had too much suspense and not enough answers. It is necessary to give the reader enough information to keep them going. Even when some information was given in the last few pages, it was not sufficient and I felt cheated. The storyline in the Maze should have been interspersed with scenes from the outside world and the scientists. This would have made it more bearable.

You would have thought the inhabitants of the maze who had been stuck there for two years would have attempted to compare the different sections of the maps together, however they only analysed the maps individually which I thought was odd.

I was not surprised by the ending as I had figured out that the survivors of the Maze had gone from one experiment to another. I think the characters would have been wary that this could have been a possibility. We never did find out what the Maze was meant to prepare them for, but looking at reviews for the next two books, it sounds really farfetched.

The Maze was a completely pointless exercise and I do not want to waste any more time reading the next books, The Scorch Trials and The Death Cure. At the end of The Maze Runner, Thomas and the others are lulled into a false sense of security which I thought they should have been smart enough to see through. I did not get a great sense of what was going on in the real world as this was rushed at the ending.

I would not have written a review of this book as I have wasted enough time reading it, but I thought I should give an accurate picture of my opinion of this book. The Maze Runner was not a worthwhile read and I do not recommend it, however if you liked The Knife of Never Letting Go- it’s more of that.

Book Rating: 1/5

Cover Rating: 4/5

Author: James Dashner

Review: The Dead and The Gone (Last Survivors #2) by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Susan Beth Pfeffer’s Life as We Knew It enthralled and devastated readers with its brutal but hopeful look at an apocalyptic event--an asteroid hitting the moon, setting off a tailspin of horrific climate changes. Now this harrowing companion novel examines the same events as they unfold in New York City, revealed through the eyes of seventeen-year-old Puerto Rican Alex Morales.

When Alex's parents disappear in the aftermath of tidal waves, he must care for his two younger sisters, even as Manhattan becomes a deadly wasteland, and food and aid dwindle.

With haunting themes of family, faith, personal change, and courage, this powerful new novel explores how a young man takes on unimaginable responsibilities.

 
Review:

I really enjoyed Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer, so I was looking forward to reading The Dead and The Gone, the second in the trilogy. It follows a male protagonist living in New York when the asteroid hits. Not knowing whether his parents and older brother are alive or not, Alex has to make sure he and his sisters survive.  

I was hoping for something more than a repeat of the first book and though it isn't the same, it pretty much follows the same pattern of the first book. I even felt that some of the characters from this book were identical from the previous book, such as Alex's sister Briana and Miranda's friend Megan. They were both religious, they both ate less than their share of food and... the third point is a spoiler.

What I liked was seeing survivors in a different setting; a city. New York felt like a ghost town, a city of the dead. There were many shocking points which I still remember, such as when a baby is trampled in a riot and when a man commits suicide by jumping off a building right in front of Alex and his sister Julie. The suicide isn't the shocking thing. The man hadn't even died and Alex was already 'body shopping' him.

Body shopping; stripping possessions from dead/dying bodies, really shocked me, even though it seems like a foregone conclusion in apocalyptic situations. Alex has a moral and religious dilemma throughout the book. Should he body shop? Should he steal from others' apartments? Was he really doing the right thing for Briana and Julie?

Though the style of the book is still dated entries, it is in third person, which is a big change from the first book and I didn't like this change at all. I didn't feel as if I knew Alex as much as I wanted. I really wanted to get into his thoughts more. His sisters felt 2D and we don't get to see the other characters for that long. I would have liked to have seen flashbacks of family moments and Alex's life before the asteroid. 

Also, I wished Alex had learnt to cook something. No point in being smart if you can't feed yourself. I wondered what he'd have done if both his sisters (the cooks) had to leave.

This book felt so much darker and colder than the first one which I think was the aim.  Unfortunately, the ending felt rushed and set up and I felt let down. There should have been more of a build up and a few more chapters after the 'end'. Overall, The Dead and The Gone was a good sequel, however, the characters weren't memorable and it didn't explore much more new ground than Life As We Knew It. There were some scenes which made the book worthwhile but I'm not sure I'll read the third book in any hurry.

Book Rating: 3.5/5
Cover Rating: 5/5

Author: Susan Beth Pfeffer

Review: A Tale of Time City by Diana Wynne Jones

Synopsis from Amazon:

When Vivian is evacuated from London in 1939, she expects to be staying in the countryside. Instead, she is whisked away to Time City – a place that exists outside time and space.

It is a strange and remarkable place, where technology rules – yet important events of both past and future are marked by the appearance of mysterious Time Ghosts.

Here, a Time Patrol works to preserve historical events – but unknown rogue time-travellers are plotting to take control and are stealing the wards that protect the city. If they succeed, Time City and History as we know it will both be destroyed.

Jonathan and Sam are convinced that Vivian can help to save their home – for, astonishingly, she appears as a Time Ghost herself in a forgotten part of the city. But how can she possibly know what to do, when the important event hasn’t even happened yet?!

Review:

A Tale of Time City by Diana Wynne Jones was amazing! It was full of so many great ideas that I was always left surprised. I am impressed by the new world that Jones built, a city living out of time but watching over all of humanity's history and keeping it stable.

I wasn't disappointed on any account. I was awed by Time City just as Vivian, the main character was and loved discovering its many secrets along with her. Jones' descriptions were so wonderfully vivid that it wasn't too hard for me to imagine the unique city.

Vivian is mistakenly kidnapped out of time and taken to Time City. When her kidnapper, Jonathan, realises the mistake he's made, he can't help but be puzzled by a Time Ghost (an imprint of an important event) of her in Time City.

What I liked most was the interaction between Vivian, Jonathan and Sam. As they slowly became friends, I loved how they were funny, witty and adventurous. I even enjoyed all the bickering! Jones didn't just invent the awesome Time City, but also, the rest of history.

As Vivian, Jonathan and Sam travel through time and into the future, it was great to see how the future might play out-ending with the Depopulation of Earth. What I was really interested in-and what could have been further developed- was the Mind Wars, a time in the future where opposing sides fight with the power of their minds and can destroy others' minds.

I found Elio, the android- very interesting and wanted to know even more about him than was said. I would also have liked to know more about Faber John and The Time Lady. Even though it was a totally satisfying book which answered all of the questions posed, I thought Jones could have explored more of her ideas if she wanted to.

There were twists and turns at the end and some surprises that I didn't see coming. I have read a few of Jones' other books and I look forward to reading more. All in all, I loved reading A Tale of Time City by Diana Wynne Jones and highly recommend it!

Book Rating: 5/5
Cover Rating: 5/5

Author: Diana Wynne Jones

Review: Fat Cat by Robin Brande

Synopsis from Goodreads:

You are what you eat. . . .Cat's smart, sassy, and funny—but thin, she’s not. Until her class science project. That’s when she winds up doing an experiment—on herself. Before she knows it, Cat is living—and eating—like the hominids, our earliest human ancestors. True, no chips or TV is a bummer and no car is a pain, but healthful eating and walking everywhere do have their benefits.

As the pounds drop off, the guys pile on. All this newfound male attention is enough to drive a girl crazy! If only she weren’t too busy hating Matt McKinney to notice. . . .

This funny and thoughtful novel explores how girls feel about their bodies, and the ways they can best take care of their most precious resource: themselves.

Review:

Fat Cat by Robin Brande was a fantastic novel. I stayed up late into the night to read it. Sometimes all you want is a story that will make you smile, but Fat Cat was more than just that. It was insightful, thought-provoking and clever.

Cat is fat; hence the name of the book. All she wants to do is beat Matt-her ex-best friend- at the science fair and get the top spot. However, to do this, she knows she'll need to pull out all the stops. So begins her 207 day project of living like the hominids (homo erectus).

Luckily, she doesn't have to eat raw or putrid meat or light fires to cook dinner (that is, if the hominids even discovered fire), but instead, she eats healthily, walks everywhere (if possible) and cuts herself off from as much technology as possible (emergencies permitting).

With some struggles, Cat's project begins to go well and her healthy eating and exercise means that the pounds drop off and she begins to get varied male attention. But she knows that in the end, all that matters is that she makes Matt pay for hurting her.

I really enjoyed Fat Cat and read it in one sitting. It was funny, clever and unique. I liked the spin on the usual plot of 'fat girl becomes thin and avenges herself' by having it to do with a school project. I liked the fact that Cat developed her confidence throughout the book. I found the project interesting and educational. Most of all, I liked the characters, especially Cat's friend, Amanda, who pushed her to come out of her shell. Doesn't every girl need a friend like that?

Now that she can, Cat analyses boys, something that was unknown territory not too long ago, but the more she learns, the more confusing it all gets. I loved seeing Cat grow as a character, get rid of her insecurites and confront Matt. Though her hate for him was slightly disproportionate to what he did (I'm not condoning it. Only, it is a few years later and the hurt of what he did should have ebbed slightly).

Overall, I liked Matt and Cat's relationship. Fat Cat was a great book and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a light and funny read.
Book Rating: 5/5

Cover Rating: 3/5

Author: Robin Brande

Review: Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

Synopsis from Goodreads:

In Caitlin's world, everything is black or white. Things are good or bad. Anything in between is confusing. That's the stuff Caitlin's older brother, Devon, has always explained. But now Devon's dead and Dad is no help at all. Caitlin wants to get over it, but as an eleven-year-old girl with Asperger's, she doesn't know how. When she reads the definition of closure, she realizes that is what she needs. In her search for it, Caitlin discovers that not everything is black and white - the world is full of colors - messy and beautiful.



Review:

I loved reading Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine because it was stunning in its honesty. Caitlin has Asperger's syndrome and it makes her see the world differently to others. After her brother Devon is killed in a school shooting, Caitlin does not know how to Deal With It or how to find the closure that she so desperately wants.

With the help of the school counsellor, Mrs Brooks, Caitlin begins the journey to slowly come to terms with Devon's death through finding closure. Closure is hard to achieve though when you see the world so differently and I found Caitlin's struggle so inspiring.

Not only that, but Caitlin also has to learn to socialise with her peers and to make friends. The amount of miscommunication between characters in the book expressed perfectly how difficult it is for Caitlin to come to terms with Devon's death. Her father, though loving, does not want to talk about Devon's death and the unfinished chest that was Devon's project, is a barrier between them; an obstacle that they must knock down.

Mockingbird was fantastic because it taught me more about Asperger's syndrome. I loved seeing the world through Caitlin's eyes, understand the world in the way she understands it and I especially liked observing Caitlin develop throughout Mockingbird in her search for closure.

I also enjoyed the references to To Kill a Mockingbird because I found it paralleled the story well. I was so emotional when I read this story; one sad moment I remember in stark detail is when Caitlin scrapes bark of an oak tree in her attempt to get a piece of wood she believes she needs to complete Devon's project and hurts herself.

Mockingbird was amazing and would recommend it to everyone. Mockingbird teaches us about Asperger's syndrome, but it does so in an informative, sensitive and emotional way. It is about one young girl's difficult journey to find closure in her life.

Book Rating: 5/5

Cover Rating: 4/5

Author: Kathryn Erskine

Review: The Mysterious Benedict Society and The Perilous Journey

Synopsis from Goodreads:

The fabulous foursome readers embraced as The Mysterious Benedict Society is back with a new mission, significantly closer to home. After reuniting for a celebratory scavenger hunt, Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance are forced to go on an unexpected search--a search to find Mr. Benedict. It seems that while he was preparing the kids' adventure, he stepped right into a trap orchestrated by his evil twin Mr. Curtain.


With only one week to find a captured Mr. Benedict, the gifted foursome faces their greatest challenge of all--a challenge that will reinforce the reasons they were brought together in the first place and will require them to fight for the very namesake that united them.


Review:

Set a year after their previous adventure The Mysterious Benedict Society, The Mysterious Benedict Society and The Perilous Journey is just as great. Reynie, Kate, Sticky and Constance, the members of the MBS set out to follow a trail of cryptic clues left by Mr Benedict who has been kidnapped by his odious brother, Mr Curtain, in the hope that they will eventually find him.

The beginning started off in a similar way as the first book, with Reynie on his way to a rendezvous. The beginning was a little slow, with the characters dwelling on and reminiscing over their previous adventure, however, once it got going, it gripped me to the end. The book was engrossing. It was action-packed and the members of the Mysterious Benedict Society travelled across the world to locate Mr Benedict. The trail of clues was intriguing and well thought out in Stewart’s usual style.

Constance suddenly developed extremely powerful psychic abilities and extra-fast pattern recognition skills. She did not have this in the last book where her stubbornness was her saving grace. The origin of these abilities remained unexplained and I hope it is explained in the next book. I wonder whether she is someone’s laboratory experiment as she has no memory of her family and she is very advanced for a three-year old.

The Mysterious Benedict Society and The Perilous Journey was very humorous and entertaining. Even the villainous characters had their little jokes. There was one occasion where Mr Curtain would not have helped one of his henchmen because he is not that type of person- but he did- which was convenient as it got him out of the way for the main characters to make a bid for freedom. This was out of character for him.

The book went into more detail about Mr Benedict and Mr Curtain’s narcolepsy and how it affects their lives. This was interesting and frightening. If you read the first book, I am sure you would want to read The Mysterious Benedict Society and The Perilous Journey as it was a highly enjoyable read and laugh-out-loud funny. If you haven’t started the series, I highly recommend it. You won’t regret it.

Book Rating: 5/5
 
Cover Rating: 4/5
 

Author: Trenton Lee Stewart

Review: The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Young readers who have worked their way through Lemony Snicket may well find their next obsession in The Mysterious Benedict Society, a dandy YA debut by novelist Trenton Lee Stewart. This engaging tale has all the elements tweens find intriguing: gifted kids, a dangerous mission, and a secret society where nothing is as it seems. Stewart throws plenty of challenges -- physical, mental, and moral -- in the path of his young protagonists, and readers will have fun solving the riddles and unraveling the clues in this smart, unconventional mystery. Complex, unpredictable, and deeply respectful of children's innate intelligence, The Mysterious Benedict Society is highly recommended for thoughtful preteens.

Review:

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart is a very interesting book as it is reminiscent of a 1920s spy story, though it is set in the present. It has a wide array of strange and intriguing characters, with Reynie Muldoon as the main character. After being initiated into a secret society, Reynie and his friends must discover who is sending sinister messages through media broadcasts and communication devices to everyone in the world.

The Mysterious Benedict Society was a humorous book and allowed the reader to see the strength of the various characters. The tests that the characters had to go through to be accepted into the mysterious society were very unconventional and challenging and lead the characters to think outside of the box.

The book kept up the mystery and suspense without becoming monotonous or frustrating at any point. Enough information was given to satisfy the reader and keep them gripped until the very end. The end was shocking, surprising and full of twists.

The book was well paced and the characters were three-dimensional, except for a few caricatures. The Mysterious Benedict Society is from Reynie Muldoon's perspective, in third person narration. Reynie was the leader, a good puzzle solver, a great mediator between the difficult team members and kept them focussed. Kate Weatherall was entertaining to read about. Her strength was escaping and getting past tricky obstacles. This skill proved to be invaluable in this adventure.

Sticky Washington had an impeccable memory. There wasn't much he didn't remember and he absorbed facts like a sponge. Constance Contraire was an enigma. I wasn't sure what she was good at until the climax where her strength became evident. These four had one thing in common and that was that they were all alone and only had each other.

Mr Benedict is also a mystery for much of the novel. I was unsure whether he was good or had sinister motives. There were also a number of other interesting characters such as Ledroptha Curtain, Number Two, Rhonda Kazembe and Milligan.       

Morse code was used in the book which was quite unexpected but Mr Benedict insisted that that is the reason why they should use it. Mr Curtain's Whispering Machine was a strange contraption which was powerful but limited- in the sense that it was pedantic.

There was one shocking pronouncement at the end of the book which was the age of one of the characters which I felt was unrealistic. However, for the most part, The Mysterious Benedict Society was a well-rounded adventure where all the puzzle pieces fitted perfectly and all the loose ends were tied. Most importantly, there is further scope for plenty more adventures in the future as their journey has just begun.

The Mysterious Benedict Society was a worthwhile book to read as it was full of action, adventure and humour. If you liked Half Moon Investigations by Eoin Colfer, you'll enjoy this. I recommend The Mysterious Benedict Society for a bit of light reading. I look forward to reading the next book, The Mysterious Benedict Society and The Perilous Journey.

Enjoy!
Ledroptha Curtain!:)

P.S. The reason for why Kate carries a bucket is still a mystery. Why doesn't she have a bag? Though- it is pretty useful.

Book Rating: 5/5
Cover Rating: 5/5
Author: Trenton Lee Stewart

Review: Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl is a millionaire, a genius—and, above all, a criminal mastermind. But even Artemis doesn't know what he's taken on when he kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit. These aren't the fairies of bedtime stories—they're dangerous! Full of unexpected twists and turns, Artemis Fowl is a riveting, magical adventure.

Review:

 Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer was a great book. It tells the story of a young, intelligent boy who discovers the existence of a secret world inhabited by fairy folk from legend. This is extraordinary in itself; however, the plot thickens when the twelve year old mastermind, Artemis, decides to exploit the fairy people for his own ends.

First and foremost, Artemis Fowl was entertaining and humorous. I loved how all the characters interacted and how funny and sarcastic some of them, such as Foaly, were. I found the story really unique and Colfer’s ideas fresh and welcome. The fairy people live in underground cities as the surface has been taken over by humans. It was easy to visualise the world that is created in Artemis Fowl. This story focuses on the attempts of the Lower Elements Police (LEPrecon) to foil Artemis’ extortionate plan. Artemis Fowl is well written, the characters are 3D and the setting vividly depicted.

Importantly, Artemis Fowl also had times when it dealt with serious issues. The novel explores the way in which the most thought out plans can change in an instant and the consequences which result from making certain decisions. Artemis is so focused on restoring his family fortune and finding his missing father that he loses sight of how other people might be affected by his actions. Artemis is also forced to consider how important money really is if he doesn’t have happiness.

There are many interesting characters in the book such as Captain Holly Short, Commander Root, Butler, Foaly and Mulch Diggums. The varied characters made the book really exciting. It would be too difficult to choose a favourite character as I liked them all.

The word fairy is a collective term used to refer to an assortment of unusual beings including elves, gnomes, pixies, sprites, goblins, dwarves and centaurs. These beings have various powers but they also have certain rules which they cannot break such as not being able to enter a dwelling without permission. They also have much more advanced technology which is extremely sophisticated which gives them an added advantage over humans.

Artemis Fowl was a very interesting book and I enjoyed it a great deal.  It is well worth a read as it is laugh-out-loud funny. Those who enjoy reading about villains as a main character will love this as well as those who enjoyed H.I.V.E by Mark Walden. I can’t wait to read the next books in the series.

Book Rating: 5/5

Cover Rating: 4/5

Author: Eoin Colfer

Review: Life As We Knew It (Last Survivors #1) by Susan Pfeffer

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Miranda’s disbelief turns to fear in a split second when a meteor knocks the moon closer to the earth. How should her family prepare for the future when worldwide tsunamis wipe out the coasts, earthquakes rock the continents, and volcanic ash blocks out the sun? As summer turns to Arctic winter, Miranda, her two brothers, and their mother retreat to the unexpected safe haven of their sunroom, where they subsist on stockpiled food and limited water in the warmth of a wood-burning stove.


Told in journal entries, this is the heart-pounding story of Miranda’s struggle to hold on to the most important resource of all--hope--in an increasingly desperate and unfamiliar world.


Review:

Life as we Knew It by Susan Pfeffer was a deeply moving struggle for survival. The book opens as Miranda, the sixteen year old protagonist, watches with her family as an asteroid crashes into the moon and displaces it out of its orbit and towards Earth. This increases the moon’s gravitational pull and sets off tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanoes. Life as we Knew It, written in a diary format, is the story of how Miranda and her family survive in the aftermath of this terrible disaster.

I really enjoyed Life as we Knew It because it showed how lives could be changed in a single moment and the plans that people once had for their futures could become impossible. I found it realistic in the sense that it focussed on the day to day worries of having enough food and water; things that are taken for granted. I enjoyed reflecting on this issue as I was fasting at the time I was reading this book as it was Ramadhan. Though Miranda's family have stockpiled everything they need, they ration everything so that it can last as long as possible. They are better off than others however and I wish that more less-fortunate people had been shown.

One of the saddest moments for me is when Miranda is so (understandably) hungry that she goes into the seemingly overflowing pantry and eats from a pack of chocolate chip cookies. The resulting confrontation with her mother was terrible to read as Miranda’s actions not only hurt herself, but the rest of her family. However, by the end of the book, Miranda has grown up and she becomes selfless.

I liked all the characters. Miranda was lucky to have such a brilliant family. The focus of the book was on food and family, however her friends do play a part. Miranda’s friend Sammi leaves the area with an older man to try to find a better place and her other friend Megan prays to God to help save them all. I found Megan’s story really troubling as she was starving herself and thought this issue could have been explored further. Also, the Church wasn’t shown in a good light.

I think that the asteroid hitting the moon should have been taken more seriously by the world. Asteroids probably hit the moon often, but this one was really big and could be seen with the naked eye. The scientists should have had some clue as to what could (and did) happen and made sure there were contingency plans in place. Of course, it wouldn’t save everyone, but some good would have come out of it.

Also, I really thought people would try to break into Miranda's home and steal food but this did not happen. Furthermore, it seemed unrealistic that people would allow the family of the deceased to go through the relative's house first and take everything they wanted, as when you are starving and on the verge of death, manners are the furthest thing from your mind.  

 Other than that, I really enjoyed reading Life as we Knew It and look forward to reading the next book, The Dead and The Gone. I would recommend this to those who like to read post-apocalyptic books, diary format books and books about the environment. You could also read this if you liked Children of the Dust.

Book Rating: 5/5
Concept: 5/5
Cover Rating: 5/5

Author: Susan Pfeffer