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Brisingr (Inheritance Cycle)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Childrens Books
by: Christopher Paolini

September 20, 2008
Better than the first two put together (and bigger, too!)- it was a great break from my Uni studies and I wasn't disappointed! Paolini is certainly becoming a better writer as the series progresses; I think ending the trilogy here would have been a bit rushed- Brisingr allows Eragon to develop as a person and a Rider, and the result doesn't feel as if everything is being crammed in before the inevitable final conflict. Instead we have the continuing adventures of Eragon and Saphira as they mature and struggle to find Galbatorix's weakness (yes, he has one ^^)- there's enough revelations and action in this to satisfy any Inheritance Cycle fan.

And to those moaning about extensions for commercial reasons, etc... WE GET ANOTHER BOOK ... Read More:

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The Tales of Beedle the Bard, Standard Edition

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Childrens Books
by: J. K. Rowling

December 04, 2008
Better than the first two put together (and bigger, too!)- it was a great break from my Uni studies and I wasn't disappointed! Paolini is certainly becoming a better writer as the series progresses; I think ending the trilogy here would have been a bit rushed- Brisingr allows Eragon to develop as a person and a Rider, and the result doesn't feel as if everything is being crammed in before the inevitable final conflict. Instead we have the continuing adventures of Eragon and Saphira as they mature and struggle to find Galbatorix's weakness (yes, he has one ^^)- there's enough revelations and action in this to satisfy any Inheritance Cycle fan.

And to those moaning about extensions for commercial reasons, etc... WE GET ANOTHER BOOK ... Read More:

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Nation

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Childrens Books
by: Terry Pratchett

September 11, 2008
More than 20 years ago now, a good friend pressed a copy of "The Colour of Magic" into my hands that launched a love affair with Terry's books that lasts to this day. Like most frustrated authors who lack the talent to deliver themselves, I read a lot, and I think I have read pretty much all that Terry has written since 198whatever, and yes some of it is quite a lot better than some other bits, but his work has never once been a disappointment.

So I was delighted to see Nation appear on the shelf last week and have just used a rainy Sunday morning to finish it.

A quick summation, of the important points; this is not a Disc World novel, it is a book aimed at anyone over about 9 who can read. It deals with the not inconsequential questions ... Read More:

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The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (Definitions)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Childrens Books
by: John Boyne

September 11, 2008
I have two major criticisms of this book, only one of which can really be leveled directly at John Boyne: his writing sucks, and needed another couple of drafts.

It's great that Boyne has written a book for children which is designed to make its audience engage with the world (a la His Dark Materials; in sharp contrast to Harry Potter), but (and here's the second criticism, not something that is directly Boyne's fault) the subject matter is really not as edgy as most people pretend it to be. Most of us think the Holocaust was a pretty dreadful thing, just like most of us think that a world without organised religion would be a better place; we don't need Boyne's book to tell us the former, just like we didn't need His Dark Materials to tell us the latter. ... Read More:

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The Tales of Beedle the Bard, Collector's Edition (Offered Exclusively by Amazon)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Childrens Books
by: J. K. Rowling

December 04, 2008
I have two major criticisms of this book, only one of which can really be leveled directly at John Boyne: his writing sucks, and needed another couple of drafts.

It's great that Boyne has written a book for children which is designed to make its audience engage with the world (a la His Dark Materials; in sharp contrast to Harry Potter), but (and here's the second criticism, not something that is directly Boyne's fault) the subject matter is really not as edgy as most people pretend it to be. Most of us think the Holocaust was a pretty dreadful thing, just like most of us think that a world without organised religion would be a better place; we don't need Boyne's book to tell us the former, just like we didn't need His Dark Materials to tell us the latter. ... Read More:

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Breaking Dawn (Twilight Saga)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Childrens Books
by: Stephenie Meyer

August 04, 2008
Although my favourite book in the series is probably Eclipse, I still really enjoyed Breaking Dawn and thought it came to a conclusion that the majority of readers will be satisfied with. I think there would have been more uproar if it had gone any other way!

I was completely engrossed and didn't put the book down till it was finished. I really don't see how it could have gone any other way - unless fans wanted to see 90% of the characters they love be destroyed in a blood thirsty ending that really doesn't fit with the tone of the rest of the books!

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Stick Man

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Childrens Books
by: Julia Donaldson

September 01, 2008
Just read this to my kids (8 & 4) and we ALL loved it. Beautiful pictures and a lovely story. I am not ashamed to say I had a little tear in my eye at the end.

I know this is a book I will be reading many a time from now on.

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Twilight (Twilight Saga)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Childrens Books
by: Stephenie Meyer

September 09, 2006
I wont describe the plot because it very comlex and ultimatley i think it would be best left as a suprise. Although i will say this. If your prepared to fall in love with a book charactor (Edward Cullen) and are looking for something with romance, action and drama then this is the book for you! (cheesy i know lol). Its one of the best books ive read in a long time and would reccomend it to everyone. (myself and my girlfriends think every boy should read this book and look to Edward as a sort of role model). The story line to this will be on your mind at all times during the reading and its an amazing book. i would say read the book before the film comes out (yes there is a film out soon) as watching a film before reading the book generally ruins the book and i wouldnt want that ... Read More:

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Wolf Island (The Demonata)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Childrens Books
by: Darren Shan

October 01, 2008
This is a VERY good series, definately one of my favourites, if not the favourite, and it hasn't finished yet.
So, here we have the 8th instalment of this epic story, beginning slightly after the end of no. 6, Demon Apocalypse, and once again it is told from the point of view of Grubbs, which is good because he's the main main character but we havn't heard from Kernel since book 2, so I very much hope the next book will tell his story in the latest turn of events.
The book gets straight into the juicy demon-slaying action that is spread around these books *yay* but it does take a while to re-cap and such when we already know what happened, but I suppose dear Mr. Shan has to remind everyone in case they forget, good good. And Then a scene is repeated from book 7 0_o like whaaat, ... Read More:

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Eclipse (Twilight Saga)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Childrens Books
by: Stephenie Meyer

July 03, 2008
Unlike the other reviewers, I thought that Eclipse was the best in the series so far. (It is the third in a set of four). The love triangle between Bella, Edward and Jacob was so sad and frustrating because we all know that she made the foolish choice in the end but the chemistry between her and her "choice" was so electric, you cant condemn her for it.

What woud you choose? A vampire or a werewolf? hmmmmm difficult choice....

I thoroughly enjoyed the action in this book and found every page an enthralling read. The emotional scenes between Bella and Edward left me with a spine tingling sensation but the one between Bella and Jacob just made me sad.

The characters were really good, the plot was excellant but I would agree with the other reviewers that Bella ... Read More: