saralowww's reviews
834 reviews

I would rate this book somewhere between mediocre and great. I know the range is a little broad, but that's the best I can do. I enjoyed the beginning of the novel, and getting to know both Silas and Bod. But several of the mini-adventures Bod has are ill introduced and confusing. For example, the time when bod was kidnapped by the goblins. I truly enjoyed the illustrations, I thought the pictures truly added to the story. This book would be a great resource for teaching unusual vocabulary. There were some words that I had to look up myself. I'm sure the story line and characters would be able to grasp some of my students' attention, but teaching it to a class would be a little far-fetched. However, this is a great book to have on my shelf for my students that are interested in this genre. I will say that I did have a far greater appreciation of this novel after listening to the author read it himself.

I am in love with this novel. I may even give it the title of "best book of the semester," and that is a compliment next to The Hunger Games. I began to feel a huge connection to Cole in the first 3 chapters and when most readers probably denounced him as another teen delinquent, all I could see was a troubled student that needed help. The fact that there was so much room for improvement really kept me going with this novel.
I loved the idea of healing as a means of justice. I loved the clique ending in which Peter and Cole came together and forgave each other. I am so tickled with just the thought of this novel that my review is coming out in odd spurts.

Can I say one more time that I LOVED this novel. The character development was fabulous, and I want to be just like Garvey when I grow up.