Monday, November 12, 2012

Mini Reviews: The Eleventh Plague + Magisterium

THE ELEVENTH PLAGUE
Jeff Hirsch
Young Adult/Post-apocalyptic
278 pages
Scholastic Press
Available Now
Received from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
In an America devastated by war and plague, the only way to survive is to keep moving.

In the aftermath of a war, America’s landscape has been ravaged and two-thirds of the population left dead from a vicious strain of influenza. Fifteen-year-old Stephen Quinn and his family were among the few that survived and became salvagers, roaming the country in search of material to trade. But when Stephen’s grandfather dies and his father falls into a coma after an accident, Stephen finds his way to Settler’s Landing, a community that seems too good to be true. Then Stephen meets strong, defiant, mischievous Jenny, who refuses to accept things as they are. And when they play a prank that goes horribly wrong, chaos erupts, and they find themselves in the midst of a battle that will change Settler’s Landing--and their lives--forever.


MY THOUGHTS
The Eleventh Plague introduces us to a reality we can easily see happening, an act of bio-terrorism decimating the human population and leaving behind a new humanity in its infancy – vulnerable, fragile, and susceptible to a variety of predators. Many times with books that feature a world post-devastation, we can’t help but crave all the little details that led us to this place, wanting a full accounting of just how the world we know became the world we currently see depicted in ink before us. In this case however, though Mr. Hirsch does not spend a great deal of time recounting the history of the Collapse, we never really feel that keening desire to know more, instead we’re given just enough that we can easily picture how a world thriving quickly became a world desolate and struggling.

While Stephen’s story is a well-written and intriguing one, our investment never reaches that deepest level where our heart seems to beat in time to the rhythm of our fingers flipping the pages, and sheer desperation to uncover the fate of beloved characters never quite takes hold the way we’d like it to. Stephen’s journey to redefine the words "home" and "family" as they pertain to the world he thought he knew feels very even keel despite the action taking place – our adrenaline failing to spike when events get tense and death is meted out – and we remain safely removed from the fighting, curious as to the outcome without being ravenous with desire for it. Overall, The Eleventh Plague is sure to be a quick and fascinating read for those who like survival stories, but those who crave character intimacy and complexity may be left a touch wanting.

Rating: 3.5/5


MAGISTERIUM
Jeff Hirsch
Paranormal Young Adult
310 pages
Scholastic Press
Available Now
Received at BEA

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
On one side of the Rift is a technological paradise without famine or want. On the other side is a mystery.

Sixteen-year-old Glenn Morgan has lived next to the Rift her entire life and has no idea of what might be on the other side of it. Glenn's only friend, Kevin, insists the fence holds back a world of monsters and witchcraft, but magic isn't for Glenn. She has enough problems with reality: Glenn's mother disappeared when she was six, and soon after, she lost her scientist father to his all-consuming work on the mysterious Project. Glenn buries herself in her studies and dreams about the day she can escape. But when her father's work leads to his arrest, he gives Glenn a simple metal bracelet that will send Glenn and Kevin on the run – with only one place to go.


MY THOUGHTS
Magisterium is a story that demands our attention from the first page and continues to hold it throughout, fascinating us with a world bisected; on one side of a lit border a futuristic world of technology and invention thrives, and on the other a world of magic and myth battles for survival. While comparing and contrasting each side of the divide keeps our minds blissfully occupied, constantly questioning whether we support Glenn’s desire to go home or Kevin’s desire to stay and explore, our young protagonist causes us no shortage of frustration.

Glenn often comes across selfish and sometimes even cruel in her dealings with others, the blinders she strapped on after her mother’s disappearance ten years prior forcing her eyes forward at all times so that her view of the world becomes incredibly narrowed, and she can see nothing of it save how the happenings around her apply to the goals she’s set for herself. Every once in a while she’ll pull a blinder from one eye and peek out, but what she sees often triggers an instantaneous fear response, causing that blinder to snap back into place and be secured even more tightly than it was before, and because she’s once again only looking in one direction, she doesn’t see how much her actions hurt those around her.

As with The Eleventh Plague, Mr. Hirsch’s storytelling is captivating, the rhythm of the story easy to follow and enjoy, however, there’s a great deal of potential for emotional complexity in this story that remains untapped. First, we have a seemingly unrequited love situation between Kevin and Glenn, something that’s tense and painful but could easily have been pushed that much further to have us pressing our hands to our chests just to ensure our hearts don’t topple out onto the floor. There’s also the abandonment issues Glenn faces with her mother’s disappearance, as well as Glenn’s personal growth when her narrow viewpoint finally starts widening, but we remain on the surface of all these issues much to the chagrin of an emotional reader like myself, the physical battle between the Magisterium and the Colloquium taking center stage instead.

Rating: 3.5/5 

42 comments:

  1. I have yet to read Magisterium but, I agree with you on the emotional part. This was my main problem with 11th Plaque. I didn't fully connect with he characters and this held me back from loving this book.... I see that you have the same feelings about Magisterium so, I think I might not read it after all...

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    1. I loved the beginning of Magisterium - it got off to a great start, it was action packed, I was involved, and then Glenn did a series of things I just didn't care for and I continued to have trouble with her throughout:(

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  2. I've had the The Eleventh Plague on my tbr pile on my kindle forever..on the edge about it now.

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    1. It's a really quick read, and it was good, I just like to be really emotionally involved and I never quite got to that place:)

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  3. Oh, that unknown, was me Colette. :) Have no idea why my profile isn't coming up.

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  4. They both sound good but if I was to pick it would be the 2nd book :D lol

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    1. Even though I gave them the same rating, I preferred the second one as well:)

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  5. Myesh - I felt the same way about The Eleventh Plague. I enjoyed the writing, but when I compared it to my favourite post-apocalyptic stories, I found I wasn't nearly as invested in the characters and plot of the book. But I may still check out the sequel in audiobook form (I listened to The Eleventh Plague audiobook and enjoyed the narrator). And as for Magisterium - I just love that concept so it's a shame that the characters were a little lacking in complexity. And I'm pretty sure I would not enjoy Glenn as a character. Ah, oh well! I really appreciate the honest review anyways!!

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    1. I didn't even know there was a sequel! I fail. As far as Glenn goes, she just really frustrated me, particularly in her dealings with Kevin. She just came across as really selfish I thought, so I struggled with her.

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  6. I have yet to read either of these novels and I seem to keep adding them and removing them off my shelves. While I love the unique ideas of both stories, I'd definitely be disappointed by, as you mentioned, Hirch failing to tap into other aspects of the story. What a shame. Still, he has to be credited for his storytelling so perhaps I'll still pick this up someday. Incredible mini-reviews, Jenny! :)

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    1. There's no doubt he tells a great story, both we're engaging, I just saw the potential for so much more in Magisterium. For me personally, the emotional intricacies of any story always fascinate me more than the physical action, so that's what I craved with Magisterium:)

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  7. Beautiful mini-reviews Jenny, I like the sound of both of these books but think I will be leaning more towards Magisterium. I think the lack of complexity you mentioned in The Eleventh Plague would probably bug me. But both seem to sound like really promising reads! :)

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    1. Thanks Jasprit! I enjoyed both for sure, I was just left wanting a little more:)

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  8. I have Magisterium right here and it sounds like a very good read, but your rating seems fine. Too bad the love situation wasnt pushed enough to give this book an extra point XD but I think I will enjoy the plot and Glenn :)

    Great review Jenny! <3

    Wish you a beautiful week ^.^

    Happy reading!

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    1. I'm a sucker for an unrequited love situation, so that's why I wanted it pushed a little more. I don't think everyone will have that same problem and will prefer the conflict between the two sides of the barrier over the romantic conflicts, but I always pick romance when given the choice:)

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  9. Hey Jenny!

    It seems like this book and every review I read it gets low ratings. I don't think that this book would be for me. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Both were middle of the road books for me - fun to read, but not ones that have me craving more or will compel me to read them again and again. I did like his writing style though, and he tells a good story, so I will read more from him for sure:)

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  10. I'm not sure if I'd like to read these two, because I like emotional connections to the characters. I didn't enjoy Anna and the French Kiss for the same reason.. So probably not for me this time.

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    1. Probably not then:) I live for that emotional connection, and it just wasn't there for me with these two!

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  11. Great reviews, Jenny! I remember conferencing with many of my male students last year that thought the Eleventh Plague was a pretty good read. I think it's perfect for middle school students because, like you said, it lacks character intimacy. I didn't know he had another book out! I will have to see about getting Magisterium for my classroom.

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    1. I think both would appeal hugely to a male audience - lots of action and conflict:)

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  12. Thanks for your notes on the first one. I've been considering it and I do "crave character intimacy". Fab review as usual.

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    1. I can't help it, I have to feel like if something happened to that character, I would be distraught. If I don't get that feeling, it's hard for me to fall in love with the book:)

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  13. Bio-terrorism is everyone's worst nightmare, I was wondering when someone would write a YA dystopia about it. It sounds so promising in the blurb, too bad it's not exactly what one would call a compelling read. It still sounds worthy of reading, though.
    I'm pretty sure I'll be reading Magisterium even sooner. I've heard nothing but great things.
    Fantastic reviews!

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    1. Both were entertaining, and the Eleventh Plague was a short, quick read, so if you're in the mood for a survival story, it's a good choice:) Magisterium was great, I loved the world, I just had trouble with Glenn.

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  14. Nice mini-reviews, Jenny! Unfortunately, neither books seems to appeal to me so I think I'm not the right reader for them.

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  15. The Eleventh Plague was a book that I downloaded as part of the free audiobook event this past summer. I haven't listened to it yet, but your review actually makes me glad I gave the audibook to my boyfriend. Seems like something he might like more than I.

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    1. I think the Eleventh Plague will definitely work well for a male audience, the boyfriend would likely blow through it in no time:)

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  16. I have The Eleventh Plague and have wanted to read it but because of all the end of the world stuff going on I thought I had better wait until next year. That stuff hes just stressed me out a bit too much. I'm glad to hear that the story was told well and there wasn't overwhelming info or lack of info. I'm thinking my nephew the one that actually reads sometimes) would maybe enjoy it too.

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  17. I got Magisterium at BEA too. The cover sure is stunning. Too bad the emotional growth wasn't focused on more.

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  18. I haven't read The Eleventh Plaugue...but I agree with your assessment of Magisterium. There was room for a much larger emotional component which was missing. The world building and imagery however partially made up for that!

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  19. I didn't realize that he wrote both books. I have been eyeing both but have held back basically because they are just getting average reviews, I want something that will blow me away. They sound so promising but both seem to be lacking a bit of something special, Thanks for your input, Jenny.

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  20. I have the 11th Plague on my tbr and actually almost picked it up. I was wondering about the characters. That is disappointing. I'm sure I'll still enjoy it for the dystopian aspect, but will wait a bit longer to dive in. I didn't realize he also wrote Magisterium. Will also keep it in mind with that one.

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  21. I'm finding myself more drawn towards Magisterium, simple because I've read too many survival type stories for something like The 11th Plague to stand a chance at impressing me. While you couldn't fully lose yourself to either of these, I'm glad you enjoyed reading them nonetheless. Fantastic reviews, Jenny!

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  22. I liked the 11th Plague but didn't love it. Maybe it was the connection I missed. Haven't read the other one yet but it's on the shelf waiting for me. Hard when you can't sink deep into a story.

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  23. I'm not a huge post-apocalyptic/dystopian fan so I probably won't read The Eleventh Plague. Magisterium is a bit more up my alley but it's kind of disappointing that it doesn't have that much emotional complexity. Great mini reviews, Jenny!

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  24. I think I might like the Magisterium better than The Eleventh Plague although it seems like the MC in the former could be quite frustrating. Both books though sounds great and has a pretty promising plot. Great mini reviews, Jenny! :)

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  25. I started the Eleventh Plague and just couldn't get through it. Your review hit what I didn't like right on the head! :)

    Great mini-review...

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  26. Ok. So. These books both sound awesome. The ideas, at least, are fabulous. But what you said about it lacking something emotionally...I just can't get over that. I'll still try them out, but I'm not expecting anything magical, because honestly, that's what I love about good books: emotional depth. Hmmm very good reviews! Thanks for your honest opinions! :)

    Sierra @ Yearning to Read

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  27. I read 11th Plague a while ago. I enjoyed it and I thought it went by fast. I liked the way the characters changed and grew. I like your pov on the characters and how the emotional attachment wasn't there...I can see that, although I may not have been able to definite it at the time. Or, maybe it didn't bother me since I liked the story.

    I didn't realize Magisterium was the same author. I'm not sure I'm going to pick that one up.

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