The Magician's Nephew

The Magician's Nephew (TMN) is the first book in CS Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia. But it was the second book to be written (the first one was The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe). So you can say that TMN is a sort of prequel.

The nephew that the title refers to is Digory, the nephew of Uncle Andrew Ketterly, a demented recluse who thinks he is a magician. Although his parents are still alive, Digory is forced to live with his old maid aunt and bachelor uncle, Ms and Mr. Ketterly. While with the Ketterlys he befriends their neighbor's daughter, Polly Plummer. Together, Digory and Polly are sent into different worlds commencing with the brand-new world of Narnia. Along the way they experience various adventures, and meet Jadis the White Witch, who, unlike other white witches, is evil. They also meet Aslan, the majestic leader of the Narnians.

TMN gives a breath-taking preview of the world of Narnia and the adventures that await every child who ventures into its world. The story-telling is detailed but fast-paced and the book is just the right length for children. While it is categorized as a children's book, TMN (and the rest of the Narnia Chronicles) is for everybody. Older readers might read more into the book and give it a different appreciation, but the experience for both young and old is the same: one of wonder and fantasy. Reading TMN makes the reader anticipate and be excited about the 6 next books.

Rating: 10 ;)

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Tw7sted

The first-ever Jessica Zafra book I read was the second installment of Twisted. I was a senior in high school back then. And I got the book because my cousin gave it to me as a gift for Christmas. And I loved it. I read it over and over again. I eventually got to read the first installment and the four others in the series. I remember reading the entire fifth book in Powerbooks in SM Megamall. I was standing the entire time.

The Twisted series is actually compilations of her column entries on a national daily.

After reading seven books of bitching, whining and gushing, you'd think that I'd be bored with it. But, NO. This seventh book (eighth if you count the Twisted Flicks book) is proof that Jessica Zafra just continues to get better each time. And after I read it, my mind just screamed for more.

Jessica Zafra is not only witty, she is interesting. She makes the mundane interesting. And she does not simply bitch and whine. She substantiates her every emotion. And as I read about it, I too become convinced that her words are wisdom that should not be questioned. And what's even more attractive is her impeccable manner of writing and her use of language is simply flawless.

For this seventh book, her essays are categorized into seven categories. Journal is obviously about her personal experiences including tidbits about her cats, a house burning down and defrosting the refrigerator. Meanwhile, Current Events are all about politics and other news-worthy events. In Exercising Your Brain, Zafra suggests ways to prevent brain atrophy such as learning to be ambidextrous, writing backwards and learning a new language. Whacking is all about tennis and her tennis gods. Essays under Hearing are about music, Eminem and Kurt Cobain. Reading is about books and Watching about movies.

This book is certainly a ten. ;)
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Deception Point

I first read DECEPTION POINT months ago. And I liked it. Although the topic was a far departure from those in Dan Brown's earlier and more popular books--Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons, it basically had the same elements: deception, twists, turns and a good dash of trivia and knowledge here and there.

This novel, however, deals more with politics and science. Instead of the Catholic Church, the institution in question is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The book reminds me of Michael Crichton's writing. Except of course, for the obvious pending romance between two of the main characters. Dan Brown kinda gives me the impression that he secretly wants to be a romance novel writer. Anyhow, the romance is kept to a minimum (although it is distracting and annoying at times).

The story revolves around the upcoming presidential elections and the bizarre events that can make or break the two contenders for the presidency. Senator Sedgewick Sexton is aspiring for the presidency. He criticizes NASA's overspending and the president's (Zach Herney) tendency to bail out NASA from their blunders. Sexton’s campaign is gaining steam from the public's surprising positive reaction to his hard stance against NASA. NASA, however has a discovery of meteoric proportions which could easily rob the momentum from Sexton. In a wise, political maneuver, Pres. Herney calls upon intelligence analyst Rachel Sexton to be one of select civilians to verify NASA's discovery. Not so coincidentally, Rachel is Sen. Sexton's somewhat estranged daughter who harbors hatred and bitterness towards her ruthless father.

The book's back cover has the following summary:

"When a new NASA satellite spots evidence of an astonishingly rare object buried deep in the Arctic ice, the floundering space agency proclaims a much-needed victory--a victory that has profound implications for NASA policy and the impending presidential election. To verify the authenticity of the find, the White House calls upon the skills of intelligence analyst Rachel Sexton. Accompanied by a team of experts, including the charismatic scholar, Michael Tolland, Rachel travels to the Arctic and uncovers the unthinkable: evidence of scientific trickery--a bold deception that threatens to plunge the world into controversy. But she can warn the President, Rachel and Michael are ambushed by a deadly team of assassins. Fleeing for their lives across a desolate and lethal landscape, their only hope for survival is to discover who is behind this masterful plot. The truth, they will learn, is the most shocking deception of all."

Pulse-pounding? Not quite. But it is a good read. Very intriguing. And yet, dull at times. Nonetheless, if you're a Dan Brown fan, or simply want to read something good, do read Deception Point.

In a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest, DUH!), I think this deserves an 8. Good plot and pacing but points off for being boring at certain parts and even more points off for the icky, cheesy and not so subtle romantic angle.



NOTE: This was originally posted in my other blog: Random Ria.
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Struggling with Sophie's World

I am reading Jostein Gaarder's SOPHIE'S WORLD right now. I've been reading it for almost 10 months. No, I am not a sloooow reader. It's just that after reading the first few chapters, I got bored. But I've wanted to read it for the longest time, that I think I owe it to myself and the person who gave it to me (after I asked for it), to simply finish it.

I do like Sophie Amudsen's story, but I find the Philosophy lectures boring. I loved Philosophy when I was in AdMU but I think the way Gaarder presented it was cumbersome. I thought that she subtly put it in Philosophy tidbits within the main story. But that is not the case. Somebody has mentioned that it might be the fault of the translator. But I think not. It has something to do with the format, the flow of the novel itself It was structured in such a way that I think I am reading two books, a fiction novel and a Philosophy textbook.

My disappointment might also stem from my total love for Gaarder’s Solitaire Mystery.

I don't think I already have the right to pass final judgment on this book. I have to finish the book to justifiably do that. So for the mean time, bear with me if I rant more about it.



For more about Sophie's World, read these reviews here, here and here. You may also join this discussion project. And the latest blog posts about Sophie's World are here and here.
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