The Owl's Nest Books & Gifts

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

On Tuesday, Fledglings had their first meeting of the year.  The book up for discussion was City of Bones by Cassandra Clare.

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder — much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing — not even a smear of blood — to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

Comments included:
Picked up as the book progressed.
The opening drew reader in.
Excellent imagery. 
Liked writing style.
Secondary characters were the extremely well-drawn.
Underlying current of humour…very subtle.
While romance is part of the story, it is not taking primary place.
Characters are very complex.
Enjoyed how author used different mythologies in the story.
Demons were more true to recognized original forms. 
Liked the author’s writing stle and language. 
Stands up to a second reading. 
Lots of attention to detail — ie: rune mark and scarring. 

Final score: 6.7195714

The Amanda Project by Amanda Valentino and Melissa Kantor

The next Fledglings meeting will be Tuesday, October 18 at 4:30pm.  The book selected is The Amanda Project by Amanda Valentino and Melissa Kantor.

Mysterious, charismatic, and one of a kind; the only way to find Amanda is to think like Amanda.When enigmatic freshman Amanda Valentino arrived at Endeavor High, she chose three people; Callie, Hal, and Nia; to guide her through the choppy waters of her new school. Except she didn’t tell them about each other. When Amanda leaves, the three must reluctantly work together to figure out why. But once they start piecing together the cryptic clues that Amanda herself is leaving for them, they realize that everything they thought they knew about her is false. The more they dig, the mystery of where — and who — Amanda is deepens.

If your a teen in grades 10 through 12 and are interested in joining Fledglings, please email us at owlsnestbooks@shaw.ca, call us at 403-287-9557 or just drop into one of the meetings.

The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon got a score of 6.65 out of 10 from the Senior Owlets

Senior Owlets held their first meeting of the year yesterday afternoon.  On the table for discussion was The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. 

Max Carver’s father decides to move his family out of the city and onto the seacoast during the Second World War.  Right away, Max senses the strangeness of their new home.  The clock at the station keeps perfect time, but it is running backwards.  There is a creepy garden with statues.  The house they’ve moved into has a shady past, and with the new family living there, old secrets are starting to resurface. 

Here are some of the comments from the Senior Owlets. 

It explains the writing when you know that Zafon was a screenwriter. 
The transitions would work in a movie, but lost ground in the writing. 
Liked the premise, but the writing lacks. 
Liked the building of suspense.
Wanted more details.
Disconcerting to change narrators although needed to see things from their perspecitves.
Good idea, but didn’t live up to its full potential. 
Writing style more appropriate for younger audiences, but subject  matter isn’t. 
Doesn’t stand up to a second reading. 

Final score: 6.65

Aarial, by Calgary author Collin Paulsen, will be the October Senior Owlets selection

The next Senior Owlets meeting will be on October 4th at 4:30pm.  The book under discussion is Aarial by Collin Paulson and will include a visit with the author!  (Be sure to bring your questions!) 

Dylan has never known a loving home and family.  He has been passed around through different group homes his entire life.  He is a troubled boy, miserable with his life and its challenges.  Dylan creates a fantasy world where he can do anything.  He is no longer at the mercy of others.  He is able to control is own destiny and make decisions for himself as the power of Aarial guides him on his quest. 

If you’re in grades 7-9 and are interested in joining Senior Owlets, please give us a call or visit us to register, or just drop into one of the meetings!

Impossible by Nancy Werlin, paperback, $12.50

Yesterday, the third of our book clubs, Fledglings, wrapped up a year’s great reading with Impossible by Nancy Werlin. 

Comments included:

Really enjoyed the book.
Liked the mix of realism with fairytale
Pierre was a great dog.
Book did slow down as Lucy’s pregnancy progressed.
Very well written.
Liked the concept of linking the story with the song “Scarborough Fair”.
Pace sped up in the last third of the book.
Excellent description of relationships.
Liked depiction of many different loves.
Zach is the best love interest ever. 
Very believable relationships. 
Slowed down in the middle of the book. 
Really liked the relationship development. 

Final score: 8.355

Still to be annouced: The Fledglings Best Book of the Year and summer reading for all three book clubs.