The count of Monte Cristo

The Count of Monte Cristo is a very well known and fascinating book. It is written by Alexandre Dumas, who also wrote The Three Musketeers. Interestingly enough, both of these stories are based on some level of truth.

Edmond Dantes was living happily, until one day he traveled to the island of Elba to seek aid for his dying captain. During this time, Napoleon gives Edmond a letter that he was suppose to deliver to a Bonapartist in Paris. When he arrived back in France, he was cruelly betrayed by his “friends”. He is sent to a prison called Chataeu d'lf for being a traitor. While in prison he meets a priest who teaches Edmond reading, writing, philosophy, and many other valuable skills. He also tells Dantes of a secret treasure on the island of Monte Cristo. After Edmond successfully escapes from Chataeu d'lf he crosses paths with smugglers who take him aboard for two months. After he left the smugglers, he bought a dingy and headed to the island Monte Cristo. He eventually found the great treasure which the priest was speaking of. With his new found wealth and knowledge he planned revenge against his supposed friends, the men who imprisoned him.

Throughout the story the author would insert seeming minor details which turn out to be quite meaningful. The revenge stories are very complex and fascinating for each character. Edmond doesn't merely kill his enemies. He destroys them.

Every character in the book had more than one name, so I found it confusing at times . Some parts were very uninteresting, such as the details of financial dealings. The ending is unorthodox and not very satisfying. I actually felt pity for some of the evil-doers.

This was the longest book I have ever read. I'm not sure I can recommend this book because of its length and confusing message. 

City of Thieves

This book is 272 pages and is written by David Benioff. The narrator is a teenager name Lev who lives in Stalingrad, Russia during world war 2. He is put in Prison after he is caught looting a dead german parachutist. In jail he shares a cell with a deserter named Kolya. Instead of being hanged he and Kolya are sent on a journey for a colonel. Their mission is to retrieve 13 eggs. The eggs are to be used in a wedding cake for the colonel's daughter. This task is difficult because at the time Stalingrad was under Seige by the Germans.
This book was gripping because of the constant action and adventure. The characters were well developed. The plot was interwoven into the real history of World War 2. Some parts can get excessively violent and graphic. I would give this book 5 stars

Ender's Game

This book is 352 pages and is written by Orson Scott Card. The story takes place in the future.  The main character is a young boy who is a genius among geniuses. Because of his extremely high intelligence he is recruited into a a school for future army commanders.  During his stay at the academy he must undergo many tests that that will strain his mental and physical abilities. If Ender doesn't pass these tests all of humanity will fall.

I liked the fact that there was always something going on. Its interesting how the author creates characters who can never be trusted. I found the ending to be quite depressing and boring, so I think I wouldn't enjoy the sequels (there are four of them).

I would give this book three stars.

The Pearl

This book is 90 pages and is written by John Steinbeck. It is narrated by the main character, a hispanic native named Kino. In the book Kino is a poor diver who gathers pearls and lives in a small village in Mexico. One day he comes across "the pearl of the world", and he finally has a chance for a new and better life. While Kino possesses this treasure, jealousy and greed overcome the wealthy Spanish inhabitants. I enjoyed this book for one reason:

Throughout the story I wanted to keep on reading because I was eager to find out what became of the pearl and Kino.

Because the book is so short the author mainly focuses on the message rather than character development. The message is that wealth corrupts even the most innocent of people.