Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best novels I've ever read... and I'm an adult!, August 28, 2008
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I cannot recommend this series enough. It's ingenious, wildly inventive, laugh out loud funny, touching and poignant at times. Within the first 50 pages, I laughed out loud dozens of times and actually had tears in my eyes on one occasion.
For you parents out there (and I am one): There are a number of important themes running through the book - the Seemsians, especially our protagonist Becker Drane, have strong ethics, remain true to their goals and doing the right thing, and they understand and buy into doing your part for society and following the rules that accompany life.
For you "kids" out there (I still consider myself one, too) - ignore the parent-ish stuff I said above. Yes, the goal of the Seems is to Fix(tm) problems in the World, and to ensure that people and the planet not only survive but prosper. And yes, this requires a lot of people who work at the Seems to do their jobs with a dedication and love rarely seen in the world today. Regardless, this is NOT a mind-your-manners-and-study book! The Seems is a world beyond our World, an organization dedicated to Fixing(tm) problems that arise in the world you and I think of as "real." The Tools(tm) used by the Fixers and other Seemsians are some of the most inventive and exciting fastasy concepts I've ever encountered, particularly in one book. The witty turns of phrase, the connections between real science and fantasy, make this book unbelieveably fun to read.
As an aside, I am surprised the book is only recommended for eight to twelve year olds, since I feel that (1) adults who enjoy fantasy and science fiction will love this series, and (2) the writing style might be a little complex for an average eight year old to follow, in my opinion. All of the capitals and trademark symbols(tm) that I've used in this review are simply copied over from the series, which relies on this type of language/device heavily (and very successfully). While I found these devices hysterically funny (especially since I'm an attorney - the trademarked names and footnotes kept me in stitches), they might slow down the youngest kids who aren't used to reading jargon filled books. After my own eight year old reads the series, I'll report back with my conclusions.
Also, there is a very funny glossary and other exhibits attached to the novel. Don't forget to use these references while you read about the Seems: The Split Second.
In conclusion: Buy this book! You will love it. RECOMMENDED.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
SEEMS a good sequel, September 13, 2008
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
THE SEEMS: THE SPLIT SECOND is the sequel to The Seems: The Glitch in Sleep (Seems), by the just-a-bit-deranged co-authors John Hulme and Michael Wexler. And if you can get past the massive infusion of concepts and themes set in puns and tons of Words in Caps (and nearly all of them trademarked), then this could be a massively fun read.
More of the Seems, that fantastic hidden world so much older than ours, where Meanwhile and the Middle of Nowhere are actual places and The Time Being happens to be one of the oldest creatures in Creation. The good folks at the Seems diligently work behind the scenes to ensure that our own world runs smoothly and according to the enigmatic Plan. We catch up with the first book's protagonist Becker Drane, now 13 years old and in the eight grade. Becker still holds down the best gig in the world. He lives out his life as a normal teenager in New Jersey, but when there's a dire crimp in the fabric of reality (oh, excuse me, that's Fabric of Reality), then Becker takes on his other guise, that of the youngest Fixer in the Seems, working for the Institute for Fixing & Repair. This time, the agents of Tide - that messed-up underground organization determined to undermine each of the Seems' good works - have set off a temporal bomb at the Seems, inducing unnatural rapid aging and many fatalities. Fixer #37 (of 38) Becker Drane is tapped to fix things. And, if he doesn't, then our world is next on the list of casualties.
Nowadays I'm fairly used to the premise of our world not being the real, true world, C.S. Lewis being the first writer to expose me to this concept with his classic Narnia series, followed later by Roger Zelazny's incredible Amber novels. But, man, it never gets old, anyway. John Hulme and Michael Wexler have created a sci-fi/fantasy series for pre-teens (and other ages) which is tremendously fun and exudes a cool, tongue-in-cheek vibe. And if you don't think it's offbeat, then maybe you've already met artists who everyday paint masterpieces translating to glorious sunsets and sunrises in our world. Or teenaged secret agents who boast 12 senses at their beck and call (including those of direction, style, and common).
And Becker's adventures may play out with a lighthearted touch, but the authors know enough to weave layers of depth into their characters. From the engaging lead, Becker Drane, to the ambitious Briefer Shan Mei-Lin to veteran Fixers Lucien Chiappa, who's about to retire until this whole ball of disaster dropped, and the legendary Tom Jackal, long missing and reluctant to return to action. Even Becker's rival and Tide agent, Thibadeau Freck, is a complex cat, never mind that he's French. Back to Becker, I also like that he isn't nearly as self-sufficient as James Bond. He's still young and learning and, here, he needs all the help he can get to save the world (and he gets it).
The only downside to this book is that new readers may have to play some catch up, what with the authors cheerfully thick into dropping Seemsian terminology, plenty of which are plays on words and Capitalized. The Seems, despite its cool sci-fi conceits and whizbang gadgetry, is still an environment of bureaucracy and can be a bit bewildering. And, again, watch out for the puns, which come fast and frantic (don't be afraid to groan). As a bonus, at the end of the book, several much-appreciated appendixes are provided, including a glossary (where you can find out the exact date of when The Day Time Stood Still) and a breakdown of the Fixers' tools of the trade. You can also take a peek at Becker's post mission report.
I have to confess that I've been on the outs with books which rely heavily on puns (I got tired of Piers Anthony's Xanth series a while ago). But Hulme and Wexler offer up a fresh series, and I've gotten swept along by the authors' enthusiasm, energy, and inventiveness, to the point where I'm actually digging the puns (even as I groan). The book's ending makes us somewhat privy to what's in store for Becker Drane and the hard-working staff at the Seems. Naturally, Hulme and Wexler did this to keep us on the eager for the next volume. And, naturally, because they're pretty good writers, it worked, and I'm all eager.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not all that it SEEMS to be!, December 11, 2008
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
My 11 year-old son and I have read this and the other SEEMS book together and while they are interesting and have some great new insights to think about, they are, as my son put it "too full of details". They use Trademarks for certain words and have definitions at the bottom of the page, all making for additional reading and recalling.
This might be fun & unique for older kids, teens and even adults, but I think that the average younger child might agree with my son. It can sometimes feel like the story is bogged down in explanations & details about gadgets, etc., to the point that, like my son, I feel it might be more fun to just "get on with the story".
I do feel it is definitely better geared toward an older audience who might appreciate the humor and the way it is written. They are entertaining stories, just keep in mind that they will be best enjoyed by those who like to be pulled into another world with a language of its own, absorbed by the fantasy of it all.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
