Official Review: Voyage of Pearl of the Seas

MsTri · Post by **MsTri** » 29 May 2018, 11:39

NL Hartje wrote: ↑20 May 2018, 14:35
BookishCreature wrote: ↑14 May 2018, 17:06 As it stands, the writing style took me out of the story instead of drawing me in,
It's interesting to me when authors use poor grammar and syntax choices. I acquaint this with singer's singing with no reference to key or tonality. It just doesn't work. How do these choices get made and moreover, make it past editors?!

I have a feeling that these books are "self-published", and hence, don't actually need to make it past anyone. What I wonder is how these awful books get chosen as BotDs! Surely there must be better out there without repeating the same books ad nauseum!

Nikki Dewing · Post by **Nikki Dewing** » 29 May 2018, 11:40

I have to agree with the reviewer. I only had the 2 pages of the sample offered to us, but even in this short reading, the writing style was already confusing. Although I normally love the writings of C.S Lewis, the Narnia collection was not my favorite. This book doesn't sound like something I would enjoy.

Siadith · Post by **Siadith** » 29 May 2018, 11:41

Ruth Finnegan’s Voyage of Pearl of the Seas book is a lyrical poetry of YA fantasy. I’m sure some of the readers that will absolutely adore it especially readers who love lyrical poetry, I will rate this book 3/5

Farmgurl1 · Post by **Farmgurl1** » 29 May 2018, 11:42

Based on the review, I have to say this book is not one for me. I do like commas and sentence structure is important. After reading the sample, the narrative is a little hard to follow due to the writing style. Thanks for the honest review.

NL Hartje · Post by **NL Hartje** » 29 May 2018, 11:44

MsTri wrote: ↑29 May 2018, 11:39 I have a feeling that these books are "self-published", and hence, don't actually need to make it past anyone. What I wonder is how these awful books get chosen as BotDs! Surely there must be better out there without repeating the same books ad nauseum!

You know what, Tri, I couldn't agree more! So often I feel pressured into making a "kind" comment on social media because I know OBC is offering book marketing/promotion as one of their products to authors. It's hard to belittle my true feelings as an editor to please the internet pony.

gkgurley · Post by **gkgurley** » 29 May 2018, 11:44

I personally love poetic and metaphorical writing, but I think that could be challenging for younger readers. I think it's important to read such stories at a young age as that is how books were written in the past, but I understand that it's fewer and fewer people's preference. I have only sampled it and didn't mind the punctuation changes, but I found the constant use of parentheses off-putting.

Sometimes a story isn't about the specific details of exposition but the beauty of the journey, so I don't find it problematic that the specifics were hard to understand. Authors want you to see what they want you to see for a reason. I hope that's true for this book. Thanks for sharing your review.

desantismt_17 · Post by **desantismt_17** » 29 May 2018, 11:46

I reviewed this one, too. I found the writing a bit confusing but charmingly lyrical. A very cute read overall.

rusyalana · Post by **rusyalana** » 29 May 2018, 11:48

The book sounds interesting and if it really resembles C.S. Lewis's book then I'm in. I aso like that the author used some questions in the book that will lead to a discussion which is very good. Congratulations on becoming BOTD!

dtb · Post by **dtb** » 29 May 2018, 11:48

After reading your review, I am curious and would like to see the illustrations. Thanks for a good and honest review.

JessNWheeler · Post by **JessNWheeler** » 29 May 2018, 11:53

A story about adventurous kids and the sea sounds like a great summer read. I enjoy poetic writing, so I might like this one. Great review! Thanks.

asaltares · Post by **asaltares** » 29 May 2018, 11:55

Although the way it's written maybe a little confusing. I think it's a fun book to read. Love this kind o voyage type stories. It remembers me of the books I read as a kid. Congrats.

Emilyflint · Post by **Emilyflint** » 29 May 2018, 11:56

Great review! I agree with how it is written. It wouod probably take me a long time to actually get thru the book. I am not sure that I would enjoy that.

Amy+++ · Post by **Amy+++** » 29 May 2018, 11:57

I like that this book makes kids think and that the author has included some quotes from some very, well known, authors. That's a plus. But that excerpt, I'm with you on that one. It could have been written in a way that it did not sacrifice grammar and punctuation within the story. But I'm sure young readers will love this book.

Kankana Mondal · Post by **Kankana Mondal** » 29 May 2018, 11:58

Following is the review of Pearl of the seas by Ruth H Finnegan (no spoilers) which is a prequel of the black inked pearl.
It follows the story of two kids who finds a log burried in the beach sand and plans to build a boat from it. After building the boat they set off for some adventures to far off fantasy worlds with their dog Holly.
Honestly I did like the poetic manner in which the tale is told and the concept too but it's not something that would completely blows off your mind and I would give it a 3/5.

Laura Ungureanu · Post by **Laura Ungureanu** » 29 May 2018, 12:00

I don't think I was ever that conflicted about a book like I am about this one. It has a plot I should like, but I don't like lyrical books. I think I will try it though.