A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

Title: A Wrinkle in Time

Author: Madeleine L'Engle

Series: Book 1 of the Time Series

Publication Date: 1962

 

My Synopsis:

Meg Murry had a lot going on in her life. School life wasn’t good, despite having scientist parents she was on the verge of being held back. She was bullied about her strange little brother who everyone thought was stupid and mute, but in fact was the opposite. Her Father has also been gone a long time on some secret mission for the government.

With the help of Mrs Whatsit, Mrs Who and Mrs Which, Meg ad her youngest brother Charles Wallace set off to find her father.

Why I picked this book up:

I have heard so many good reviews of this book, and sometimes I just love a children’s book. This one had time travel in which I have been enjoying lately.

Did it live up to my expectations?

Not really, at first I it all just seemed a bit too strange to me. There wasn’t really much time travel, more travel through space.

What I thought:

I didn’t really connected with the main character Meg, and the others I never actually felt as though they were real, especially Charles Wallace, which was a bit of a problem.

I think the story line was okay, but not a lot happened for a while and then felt rushed during the second half. I liked the planet of Camazotz (well not liked but thought it was interesting) and would have liked to know more about it and the people in it. The other planets just seemed like page fillers to me.

I also didn’t realise it had such religious undertones, and not being religious, this but me off slightly.

How it stood as part of a series:

Well the main story line was wrapped up by the end, and nothing really made me want to carry on reading the series, it reads fine alone. I will continue the series, but only because I have them, if I didn’t I wouldn’t have bothered.

Read if:

Children might like this one as it would probably seem like quite a magical adventure to them.

Up next to be reviewed:
Dash & Lily's Book of Dares

Timepiece by Myra McEntire

Title: Timepiece
Author: Myra McEntire
Series: No.2 of Hourglass
Publication Date: 12th June 2012













My Synopsis:
Timepiece picks up right where Hourglass left off, with one exception, Kaleb is now the view point character. Kaleb and the other members of Hourglass have started seeing rips, not only that, they are also getting bigger. Then a mysterious man calling himself Poe appears, telling Kaleb that the space time continuum is compromised, and that they need to find Jack Landers. The members of the Hourglass pull together to try and find Jack Landers and figure out what is going on.

Why I picked this book up:

I loved the first book, so was hoping this would live up to it. 

Did it live up to my expectations:

Yes, it lived up to the first book, I actually preferred it.

What I thought:

I loved getting to know Kaleb a bit better, finding out the reasons behind his actions. I also thought the romance between him and Lily was much more realistic than the one between Michael and Emerson, two people slowly getting to know each other without any sparks and whistles.

The storyline in this one was much more involved than Hourglass, and moved along a lot quicker. I also like the fact that the other characters were more involved.

How did it stand as part of the series:

Well it followed straight on from Hourglass, so no problem there. Enough questions were answered at the end to make you feel satisfied, but enough left open to make you want the next one. (As soon as possible please!)

Read if:

You liked Hourglass.

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Title: Hourglass
Author: Myra McEntire
Series: No.1 of Hourglass
Publication Date: 14th June 2011













My Synopsis:
Seventeen year old Emerson Cole has been seeing strange hallucinations from the past since just before her parents died. No amounts of consultants that her brother hires can help, until maybe Michael Weaver. The only problem is, Emerson is immediately attracted to him. There are things he is not telling her, things he seems to be hiding, and a strange new man keeps turning up in her bedroom. What is Michael hiding, what does the strange man want, and can Emerson control her attraction to Michael.

Why I picked this book up:
I loved the cover and the premise sounded interesting enough to try.

What I thought:
Well the book had me hooked from the start with lovely language, “My small Southern hometown is beautiful in the haunting way an aging debutante is beautiful.” Who wouldn’t fall in love with a sentence like that? A few paragraphs later we are treated to this, “I reached our building only to find a wide-eyed Southern belle wearing a Civil War-era dress blocking the front door.” And a little later, “Sighing, I stuck my hand through her stomach to turn the knob, meeting no resistance. I rolled my eyes as she gasped, fluttered her eyelashes, and disappeared in a puff of air.” I was already in love and couldn’t put the book down. This book had everything I could want, mystery, romance, sci-fi elements (without being full blown sci-fi), and great characters. Emerson is a great female heroine, she can handle herself, but at the same time is unsure of herself, turns to people when she needs it, but doesn’t rely on anyone, and has a great supporting net of family/friends. The only downfall in the book was the attraction between Michael and Emerson, it was love at first sight for Emerson, sparks and what-not, all seemed a bit over the top, and after barely knowing him she already claimed him as hers. I prefer my romance with a bit more substance. Overall a great read, and at least for me, a quick one, can’t wait for the next one in the series (and lucky for me I don’t have to, review coming up soon!)

Did it Live Up To My Expectations:
No, it exceeded them, writing was just as beautiful as the cover, and the premise was more than interesting.

Read if:
You like light sci-fi/fantasy, romances with bells, whistles and sparks, YA, I think dystopian fans would like this too. Basically read if you like YA that isn’t realistic YA. Also fans of “The Time Travellers Wife” by Audrey Niffenegger and “When You Reach Me” by Rebecca Stead may like this.