Tintin reports a good rating.

Today I will be reviewing Tintin, by the artist and author, Herge. This one of the first graphic novels i read, and it was a great one to start on. The story, (or stories, as there are multiple issues) focuses on a young reporter, Tintin, solving  mysteries with his dog, Snowy.

On the last cover of the series, we see the dog, Snowy, and from left to right, Tintin, Professor Calculus, and Captain Haddock running away from an unseen force.

The series The Adventures of Tintin are usually focused on Tintin solving various mysteries. Sometimes these mysteries span issues, other times they are contained in a single issue. Midway in the series, we are also introduced to two characters: Professor Calculus, a hard-of-hearing genius, and Captain Haddock, a good-at-heart captain with a drinking problem. Together they go to solve anything, from trivial mysteries, like finding a jewel, to vitally assisting a revolution over a merciless dictator.

I love this series. There is not much depth to the story, like Maus, or Lord of the Rings, but it is one of the most fun books I have ever read.  Every single character is likable, including the villains. The art is amazing. The characters looks are simple, elegant, and you can tell what s/he is feeling. The background, by contrast, is amazingly detailed. If not for the simple colors popular at the time this comic was made, it would have looked incredibly real. In fact, it does so already. The mysteries are dark, complex, and do have some basis on reality. The solutions always make sense, but they are unexpected. People might wonder why I’m not giving this a 10 out of 10. I would, except for the fact that there was some racism in the book. Sometimes, especially in early issues, it was blatantly obvious. However, like I said, every character was likable, so the series still remained popular. Still, it left a stain on the book that was hard to remove. Other than that, this series was wonderful.

This book is great for all ages, especially those looking for a book on a lazy sunday.

This book gets a 9 out of 10

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Asta’s son never had much, not even a name.

 

Today I am reviewing Crispin: The Cross of Lead, written by Avi. It is the story of a pheasant boy framed for stealing money from a manor in medieval England. This book won the Newberry award  in 2003. 

 

On the cover is Crispin, chased by a mob.

 

The son of a pheasant named Asta, nicknamed Asta’s son by his town, never had much. He didn’t even have a father or a name. But when his mother dies, and he runs into the forest in depression, he hears something he isn’t supposed to hear from the steward of the manor in a hushed conversation. He is framed for stealing as punishment, and labeled as a wolf’s head. With the help of the local priest, he escapes with nothing but his life, a cross of lead, and his name, Crispin. On the way he befriends a bard, who also on the road. Will Crispin, with the help of the bard, avoid execution?

 

This book has an okay plot and a pretty good setting. However it’s strong point is the characters. As is with most first person books, the main character has the best development, and the Bard is also strongly developed. The only weak point is the descriptions. This book is great for fans of historical fiction,  and also good for fans of Robin Hood.

 

I rate this book an 8 out of 10

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The world’s youngest detective cracks the town’s biggest mystery.

 

Today I am reviewing Half-Moon Investigations. It was written by Eoin Colfer, the author of Artemis Fowl. It was a nice book for a rainy day, however I didn’t need to read it more than once.



On the cover is Fletcher "Half" Moon

 Half-Moon Investigations is the story of a twelve year old detective. He takes pride in knowing he is a real registered detective, and even has the badge to prove it. He is known as a great detective and he is living a great life until his badge is stolen on the same day he gets another case. Both events point toward a moody kid called Red Sharkey. However, when he starts to get involved, he gets framed for arson and has to find the real culprit before it is too late.

 

This book has wonderful characters, and a nail- biting plot. However, the setting is not that good, and neither are the descriptions. This for mystery lovers who are fans of the works of Eoin Colfer. This would also be great for people 8 and up.

 

I would rate this book an 8 out of 10

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Like Alice in Wonderland, yet completely different.

I hate Alice in Wonderland. I was bored out of my mind with the book. So when I picked up this parody of Alice and Wonderland, I was expecting a even more horrible book. I have never been more wrong.

 

On the cover are the card soldiers.

In the Looking Glass Wars, Princess Alyss Heart was living a nice life with two wonderful parents, a wonderful teacher, Bibwit Harte, a wonderful  body guard, Hatter Madigan, and a budding romance with her best friend, Dodge. But all of that was changed when her parents were brutally killed by card soldiers, an assassin called The Cat, and Redd, the queen’s jealous sister. In order to escape, Alyss and Hatter Madigan jumped into the Pool of Tears and ended up in our world. However, they are separated. Can Hatter find Alyss and stop Redd’s evil reign of terror? 

 

As I have said, this book surprised me. I liked it so much, I read it through in two sittings. This book would be great for fantasy lovers, and tremendous for the people who like Alice in Wonderland. The only thing bad about it is that half the book is Alyss’s upbringing in our world. It’s not bad, but you always just want to get back to Wonderland. This book is for people 9 and up.

 

I would rate this book 8 out of 10.

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