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Or is it a whimper?
This morning I wrote a negative response to a book review on Amazon. Unfortunately, I now realize I referred to the paperback reprinting date not the hardcover (and therefore earlier) date in rebutting one of the claims in the review. *face palm* Still... I think it's a good response to the all-too-present claims that Harry Potter is the best thing going and everyone else is just copying:
Noting the publication dates, I see that Pillage came out a full year before Deathly Hallows and its revelation of Snape's deep and abiding love of Lily. Oh no! Rowling must have copied that from Pillage!
Except that of course she didn't. It's merely an established trope, much like the orphan hero. Peter Parker is/was an orphan raised by his aunt and uncle. Frodo was Bilbo's ward. Both went on to make good friends through circumstance, which of course people never do in reality.
I try to read both negative and positive reviews when deciding whether or not to add books to my reading wishlist. Unfortunately, it appears that you've got your HP goggles so firmly affixed that you are incapable of giving fair criticism. This is all the more offensive when done in a review for a children's novel.
One train ride does not a Hogwarts or Hogwarts Express make, especially if the story is set in the UK (which is unclear, although if he goes to a prep school it's much more likely). A boy's mother being killed in an accident does not a Lily Potter make (nor is it truthful to state it was his 'parents', plural). An eccentric uncle does not a Dursley make (especially if said Uncle isn't abusive... which seems to be the case judging by other reviews).
I will be adding this to my reading backlog. I've liked Skye's books in the past, and if the best the most negative review (this is the only 2-star) can come up with is a pack of oversimplified generalizations, it's probably pretty good.
Except that of course she didn't. It's merely an established trope, much like the orphan hero. Peter Parker is/was an orphan raised by his aunt and uncle. Frodo was Bilbo's ward. Both went on to make good friends through circumstance, which of course people never do in reality.
I try to read both negative and positive reviews when deciding whether or not to add books to my reading wishlist. Unfortunately, it appears that you've got your HP goggles so firmly affixed that you are incapable of giving fair criticism. This is all the more offensive when done in a review for a children's novel.
One train ride does not a Hogwarts or Hogwarts Express make, especially if the story is set in the UK (which is unclear, although if he goes to a prep school it's much more likely). A boy's mother being killed in an accident does not a Lily Potter make (nor is it truthful to state it was his 'parents', plural). An eccentric uncle does not a Dursley make (especially if said Uncle isn't abusive... which seems to be the case judging by other reviews).
I will be adding this to my reading backlog. I've liked Skye's books in the past, and if the best the most negative review (this is the only 2-star) can come up with is a pack of oversimplified generalizations, it's probably pretty good.
On the other hand, though, I am still taking vicodin for my bursitis... I could be cracked.
Puppies:
Initially I thought Zoe was fairly brave, as she would investigate things that Biggles was afraid to go near. Now I realize that it was merely the new kid in town trying to appear tough so as not to show weakness. In reality, she's just as scared as Biggles when encountering something for the first time. The list of common items that are of the devil now encompasses plastic bags, trash cans, folding chairs, step stools, cardboard boxes, sliding shower doors, tape measures, mops, vacuum cleaners (that one was a gimme), hair dryers, treadmills and anything that moves when they thought it couldn't (like furniture and paintings).
They have completely different approaches to dealing with their fears, however. For example: we went to IKEA yesterday and bought a few things, including a full-length mirror. Both approached it and sniffed at it, and then made their evaluations. Biggles ran and hid on the bed. Zoe barked. A lot.
On the positive side, at last she's feeling better than last night when she had an upset tummy. She could, however, stand to be less vocal just the same.
I have some puppy video I need to edit and post, and I'm hoping to do that today. I was in stitches laughing while my husband filmed it.
