Beka Cooper

I have read the first 42 pages of Beka Cooper Terrier by Tamora Pierce. This book is by one of my favorite authors. I have enjoyed reading Tamora Pierce's stories about Alanna, Diana, and all of her other characters. Beka Cooper Terrier is the first book in this series and I am really excited to read the next book Bloodhound, when it comes out. Beka Cooper Terrier is written in the form of diary entries, it starts with a few diary entries from people who know Beka (the main character). These entries give more depth to Beka's character because you learn about her past. Beka Cooper at the start of the story is a16 year old girl who dreams of becoming a policewoman. In the story she is a policewoman in training and has been apprenticed to two full fledged policemen. She is really excited to be assigned to them because they are famous. The story is set in ancient Tortall, the main country of Tamora's books. In this world there is a lot of magic and mages, Beka has the ability to listen to the dead and uses that ability to help her with her job. One thing that I really like about this book is that it is all in Beka's perspective because it is Beka's diary entries that you read. It allows the reader to understand how Beka feels and know what she is thinking. It allows you to follow along really well with the story because you know what Beka knows and can try and puzzle out who is the person behind all of the kidnappings and robbings in the city.

1984

I have read the first 186 pages of 1984 by George Orwell. 1984 is a book about a world where there are 3 countries that are constantly at war with each other. This is because all the countries need the war for their economy and government to work. The main country in this book is Oceania. All the countries have basically the same political, social, and economic policies. They have a government that brainwashes its citizens and can constantly watch them from telescreens that are everywhere in the country, even in people's homes. The main character in this book is Winston Smith. He is against the government, known as the Party, and wishes that it would be overthrown. He has always wanted the Party, and the main political head of the Party Big Brother, to be destroyed. He goes from thoughts to actions by writing down his thoughts and opinions in a diary. After that he meets a woman, Julia, who was also against the party, and they fall in love. They love each other, but they know that someday they will be captured, tortured, and killed by the party. They knew this was inevitable because the party always found out who was against them and would capture them. They also knew that they would confess to their crimes because they would be tortured and everyone always confessed. The last step that caused the party to catch them was their trusting a man named O'Brien. They believed that they could trust him and that he was part of an organized group of people who went against the party. However, it turns out that he is a member of the secret police force and he turns them in. I have ended with the spot where Julia and Winston have been arrested.

1984 is an interesting book that is against totalitarianism. It is a warning against the government getting too powerful and taking away all the freedoms of the people, making them into thoughtless followers who just do what they are told. It is also about people who are trying to revolt against this government in any way they can, even though they know that eventually they will be caught and tortured. It is about their struggle to be who they are in a country where conformity is everything.

Brisingr Part 2

I have finished Brisingr by Christopher Paulini. I enjoyed reading it. It was a rather long book, containing 748 pages total, but it was a pretty good book. However, after reading it I kind of feel that nothing really major or has a lot significance happened until the last 100 pages or so. I think that it focused a little too much on Roran fighting, instead of what Eragon is doing to keep the story moving. I feel that Roran's battles could easily be shortened, which would allow the book to continue and get to significant events. I also feel a large part of the book is finishing up what has happened in the previous two novels. Such as Eragon and Roran killing the Raz'ac, or Eragon repaying his debts to people, and Eragon trying to correct his mistake of accidentally cursing a baby instead of blessing it (he misspoke a word in the magic language). I also believe that there are too many remaining mysteries, like what did the Menoa tree take from Eragon? And how is Eragon going to defeat the evil dictator? The dictator seems to have limitless power and Eragon can't even defeat one of the dictator's minions alone, so how is Eragon ever going to defeat the dictator? Another thing that was annoying was the stupidity of Eragon and even at sometimes Saphira. Eragon doesn't seem to think before he says things and seems to have severe difficulty having the slightest bit of control over his emotions. He continues to act irresponsibly and without thinking ahead. But what is even worse is that Saphira has started being stupid as well. She has become extremely vain and believes that she is really special and that she is the most beautiful creature in all of the land. She was also really stupid when she attacked the Menoa tree that then would have killed her and Eragon if Eragon hadn't managed to talk the tree out of killing them. However, overall the book was enjoyable to read. Because nothing to significant happened till the end, it made the book fun to read without having a need to read it and find out what happens.

Brisingr

I have read the first 486 pages of Brisingr by Christopher Paolini. It is the newest book in the Inheritance series. I have really enjoyed reading the Eragon series, although it can be annoying how stupid Eragon can be at times. In the Inheritance series my favorite book is Eragon, however I have really enjoyed reading Brisingr so far. I plan to finish this book soon because I like the Inheritance series and I am looking forward to reading the last book of the series when it comes out. My favorite character is Saphira, the dragon that bonded with Eragon. Saphira is very powerful and intelligent, unlike Eragon. Saphira will always try and think things out and not make rash plans. She will try and be careful and won't do many stupid things. This is very unlike Eragon. Eragon always charges into battle without any idea about what to do. He constantly makes rash decisions without thinking them through thoroughly. He always binds himself to people by swearing oaths to them, so that he ends up being trapped by all the promises he has made. Eragon will also cast spells that require too much energy and nearly kill him, making it so that he has to either rely on someone else to help him, or take energy from plants and animals near by. He is also very quick to anger and take offense and he won't forgive very easily. But, Eragon does have some good points. He and Saphira are very caring and always want to help people. Together they have teamed up with another group of people, the Varden, to fight against the evil dictator of the land. They also try and help everyone however they can.