Snapdragon's 3 favorite reads in 2024

Surprisingly funny and lighthearted despite taken place in a time when China is under a dictatorship (and still is to this day). The characters are fun to read about. I like how the boys try to get Four eyes to give them more western classic literature and they will do anything to get those books. So Four eyes send them to this old miller to get write down some folk songs which leads to them stealing the suitcase full of books. The way it plays out is hilarious. The way the two boys are in awe of western classics show how stories can transcend across different cultures.

The descriptions with just enough detail paints a picture of a pastel landscape with mountains and valleys fill with lakes of warm fresh water.Everyone lives peacefully. There no greed or war but there had been hnau that have gone bent (bad). There is also natural dangers to the world. Logically how come something be called peaceful or beautiful without there being an opposite component.

“And I say also this. I do not think the forest would be so bright, nor the water so warm, nor love so sweet, if there were no danger in the lakes.”
When first reading Out of the Silent Planet I thought Ogarsa represent God but, upon mentioning each planet has has an Ogarsa and the Ogarsa of Earth has gone bent. It is Maleldil is the creator of the universe.

Out of the Silent Planet is more of a first step in to philosophical discussions. Early in this review I mention how beautiful and ugly can not exist without the other. This can go further in to the nature of good and bad.

Giving this book a second read, I understand and appreciate it more. Despite what others have say about C.S. Lewis, I would like to read more of his books for myself and judge.

The story start out slow. Building up the mystery and strangeness that is notice through Dr. Burrows,(Will’s dad) perspective. Why is there a second chinny to houses that don’t have a second fireplace. What is beneath the ground in Highfields?

Will’s family is dysfunctional in terms that the parents are not involved in the kids’ lives. The only bonding is between Will and his dad going on archaeological digs. The friendship of Chester and Will is well done. I like how Will keeps thinking he needs to go back and save Chester. He can not live with the knowledge he left his friend behind. While there are interesting characters that come later. Chester is one of my favorite characters in this series.

The story picks up when Will and Chester start digging underground. When they get to the colony, the world building starts to take hold. It is not grand or awe. It does give you a general idea of how people in the colony live underground. What they eat, what they wear, what jobs they have.

The Styx looks like human but are not. Having read this series, I know what they turn out to be. Right from the first book, there are hints of who and what the Styx are.

This book does not hold your hand on the death of characters. I thought one character was going to die at the end of this book and was bracing for it. Turn out to be wrong but, I know this character is going to die soon.

While this is a book for teens, it does a great job of emerging you into the world and the characters without the troupe that are there having a feeling of repulsiveness.

Having this be the 2nd time I read this book. It just as good as when I first read it when I was fourteen. The world, characters, and plot have surprise me with how good this book is.