Steven Knight (1) (1959–)

A man's life falls apart while he drives to London.

I like when movies have fewer, longer scenes. And long conversations. Great actors getting a chance to just play a scene. (Not that I necessarily like that sort of movie more than other types of movies, but it's one of the things I like.) There's certainly no shortage of that here. It's the 12 Angry Men of character studies.

Concept: B
Story: B
Characters: A
Dialog: A
Pacing: A
Cinematography: C
Special effects/design: C
Acting: A
Music: C

Enjoyment: show more B

GPA: 3.1/4 show less

My thoughts:
I loved this book! You've got the Fell (who are similar to elves), shape shifters, wizards, and adventure - what more can you ask for? It's LOTR's for kids about 9/10 and up (and MUCH easier to read!). Toby is a boy living in a convent in East Finchley, London. Completely paralyzed since birth, abandoned by his mother, raised by Sister Mary who is a nun who loves him and makes the effort to read to him, talk to him, feed him and be someone who is visible in his life.

The show more beginning starts a little slowly as the book opens with Toby in his chair, paralyzed, Sister Mary reading to him and watching for the little birds, "Look and Leave", that migrate and live outside his window. That is Toby's life with only the occasional trip outside for long walks in his chair. He has NO friends, except for Shipley, the cat.

One night Toby is awakened by a boy who gives him a gift of speech and movement and tells him that the time has come. He is needed to save his (many, many greats) grandfather's kingdom and that he must come with him. (Keep in mind Toby has NEVER moved, walked, sat up or even held up his own head.) Follow Toby and his new friend to Iceland and below the surface into another world - one of shapeshifters, wizards, Thrulls, Fells, fellish power (magic) and a war for the Kingdom of Langjoskull all based on the final words of Will Wolfkin 100 years before. There are battles, swords, lava, geysers all leading up to the final battle, a battle to the death and the ultimate prize - either freedom or slavery for Langjoskull.

It's an outstanding book - and I'm seriously hoping a sequel is in the future. I'd love to read more of the adventures of Toby and Emma (his long lost sort of sister) the last surviving descendants of the great King Will Wolfkin. Each kid has a purpose and the ability to save the kingdom - but only by working together.

This would be a GREAT gift for boys/girls that enjoy fantasy, sci-fi or just loved to read adventurous books. show less

Based on the true story of William Wilberforce, "Amazing Grace" follows his courageous quest to end the British slave trade. Along the way, Wilberforce meets intense opposition from members of Parliament but his minister, John Newton, a reformed slave ship captain who penned the beloved hymn 'Amazing Grace,' urges him to see the cause through.

I enjoyed this book, but it wasn't exceptional. Toby and Emma are both likeable characters, and I loved Eigel, but the magic was just too much. Whenever magic can make food appear and injuries disappear, things end up being too easy, and I'm afraid this book had both of those things happening. And rocks warning of betrayal? Please. I also knew that one character was being a traitor chapters ahead of when the main characters finally worked it out (heck, they didn't work it out at all, the show more character revealed himself to be a traitor in full view of everyone.) One other problem that I expect others will find frustrating is the ending. If people can come up with crazy theories about how Harry Potter's adventures are made up Harry himself was crazy, then the ending of this book will certainly make people think that of Toby. Like I said, I didn't hate this book, and I did enjoy parts of it, but there were just too many flaws. show less