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sirdedlock's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
booksong's review against another edition
4.0
This series is amazing in that you feel so much like you're living the book...as everything begins to change and get more serious, you feel it.
Saint Dane is changing the rules. After toppling Veelox, the dark demon heads to Eelong, a world unlike anything Bobby could have prepared for. In this massive, jungle-like territory, the dominant species are intelligent predator cats that walk and talk and call themselves the klees. And on Eelong, they keep humans as pets.
But the food source on Eelong is failing, and Saint Dane is planning to unleash a deadly plague on both the cat-creatures and humans of Eelong. The only way to stop him may be to break the rules; to bring an antidote from another territory, a Traveler taboo. It is a dilemma that will change Bobby Pendragon's entire view of his duty and himself.
With Mark and Courtney brought into the action from Second Earth for the first time, the return of Travelers Gunny and Spader, and a host of brand new characters, culture concepts, and places, "Black Water" is another totally original tale in this hugely creative series.
But by the end, things are still looking bad, and the familiar territory of Zadaa may be next...
Saint Dane is changing the rules. After toppling Veelox, the dark demon heads to Eelong, a world unlike anything Bobby could have prepared for. In this massive, jungle-like territory, the dominant species are intelligent predator cats that walk and talk and call themselves the klees. And on Eelong, they keep humans as pets.
But the food source on Eelong is failing, and Saint Dane is planning to unleash a deadly plague on both the cat-creatures and humans of Eelong. The only way to stop him may be to break the rules; to bring an antidote from another territory, a Traveler taboo. It is a dilemma that will change Bobby Pendragon's entire view of his duty and himself.
With Mark and Courtney brought into the action from Second Earth for the first time, the return of Travelers Gunny and Spader, and a host of brand new characters, culture concepts, and places, "Black Water" is another totally original tale in this hugely creative series.
But by the end, things are still looking bad, and the familiar territory of Zadaa may be next...
aribel2805's review against another edition
5.0
God bless Bobby. I mean, does MacHale want us to be totally speechless? because if he was, he did a wonderful job. The last book leaves me unsatisfied and I think maybe I was overvaluing the series and I can say with the pain in my heart ... I WAS COMPLETELY WRONG. By far the best of the series, referring to the first five books. There is a lot of information revealed and a kind of sequence structure from Dan Brown, talking about a lot of scenes and missions happening at the same time and on the other hand, the change of the writing point of view was very useful and fit perfectly into the plot, The last book (The Reality Bug) was that book that you think you will never finish and at some point I got really mad at the book (but I finished it). If you are a fan of the series, you will want to scream. Fantastic book, highly recommended.
Dios bendiga a Bobby. Quiero decir, ¿MacHale quiere que estemos totalmente boquiabiertos? porque si lo fue, hizo un trabajo maravilloso. El último libro me deja insatisfecho y creo que quizás estaba sobrevalorando la saga y puedo decir con el dolor de mi corazón ... ESTABA COMPLETAMENTE EQUIVOCADA. De lejos el mejor de la saga, refiriéndose a los cinco primeros libros. Hay mucha información revelada y una especie de estructura de secuencia de Dan Brown, hablando de muchas escenas y misiones que ocurren al mismo tiempo y, por otro lado, el cambio del punto de vista de escritura fue muy útil y encajó perfectamente en el trama, el último libro (The reality Bug) fue ese libro que crees que nunca terminarás y en algún momento me enojé mucho con el libro (pero lo terminé). Si eres fanático de la serie, querrás gritar. Libro fantástico, muy recomendable.
Dios bendiga a Bobby. Quiero decir, ¿MacHale quiere que estemos totalmente boquiabiertos? porque si lo fue, hizo un trabajo maravilloso. El último libro me deja insatisfecho y creo que quizás estaba sobrevalorando la saga y puedo decir con el dolor de mi corazón ... ESTABA COMPLETAMENTE EQUIVOCADA. De lejos el mejor de la saga, refiriéndose a los cinco primeros libros. Hay mucha información revelada y una especie de estructura de secuencia de Dan Brown, hablando de muchas escenas y misiones que ocurren al mismo tiempo y, por otro lado, el cambio del punto de vista de escritura fue muy útil y encajó perfectamente en el trama, el último libro (The reality Bug) fue ese libro que crees que nunca terminarás y en algún momento me enojé mucho con el libro (pero lo terminé). Si eres fanático de la serie, querrás gritar. Libro fantástico, muy recomendable.
socialpsysteph's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I started reading this series because it was my husband's favorite book series when he was a kid so we have them all and he really wanted me to read them too. Given that the target demographic is young males, I didn't have too high of hopes but I have been pleasantly surprised. The stories are engaging and interesting, they aren't super predictable, and the characters aren't overly annoying and/or childish. I'm always super interested to learn about the new worlds and nefarious plots of Saint Dane in each installment.
In this book, there were definitely some twists and turns I didn't see coming. I enjoyed the overall story and found the plot around slavery and dehumanization interesting and deep, especially for a middle-grade novel. Things are definitely getting more complex and are looking pretty dire for Bobby and the Travelers at this point so I am excited to see what happens in the next one!
In this book, there were definitely some twists and turns I didn't see coming. I enjoyed the overall story and found the plot around slavery and dehumanization interesting and deep, especially for a middle-grade novel. Things are definitely getting more complex and are looking pretty dire for Bobby and the Travelers at this point so I am excited to see what happens in the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Confinement, and Slavery
deviki's review against another edition
4.0
Books I've read and provided detailed reviews over the years but all data is lost after accidental deletion and GD's refusal to restore it back.
Adding books back to my library for my own reference and tracking purposes
Adding books back to my library for my own reference and tracking purposes
rinn4's review against another edition
4.0
This book was so heart wrenching. The whole time I knew that what they were doing was going to get them into so much trouble but I just couldn't see another way to do it. This author is amazing. These books are written so well. They make you face moral delemas and the just confuse you in some parts because you just don't know what you would do in those situations. The ending to this one was really OMG!! I can't believe he killed her, it was really shocking, the characters are so relate able and Bobby is just so amazing with everything he does. I can't wait to find out what happens next. What I love about this series is that you actually have no idea what is going to happen, there are so many twists and each book just throws you away from what you thought was going to happen even farther. The first one was pretty strait forward but after that things just became insane and now there isn't a traveler for one of the territories, two of the travelers are stuck somewhere, and one of the territories is toppling. Who knows what is going to happen next, I am almost scared to find out.
a_menace_2_society's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
onecheesetoasty's review
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
itkovian_books's review against another edition
5.0
Eelong was an interesting world to visit in this book. In general, the various "territories" in this series have pretty shallow development, but given that it's a middle-grade series, I don't expect a lot of deep world building. Therefore, giving each territory an interesting quirk is good enough. I think making Eelong the one where humans weren't the dominant species was interesting, and perfect to introduce halfway through a 10-book series, where the story could run the risk of going stale. That's one of the greatest strengths of this series; by always moving to a new location each book, it continues to feel exciting.
Another great idea, given that this book is the halfway point of the series, was to start mixing elements from the various territories together. This leads to dramatic consequences as well as greater-level world building about how MacHale's universe works.
Lastly, I was glad to see Mark and Courtney enter the main plot, instead of being relegated to the side again. I've always been interested in these characters, so it was great that MacHale gave them more to do. I look forward to seeing how characters from previous books continue to re-enter the plot and interact with one another.
Rating: 9/10
Another great idea, given that this book is the halfway point of the series, was to start mixing elements from the various territories together. This leads to dramatic consequences as well as greater-level world building about how MacHale's universe works.
Lastly, I was glad to see Mark and Courtney enter the main plot, instead of being relegated to the side again. I've always been interested in these characters, so it was great that MacHale gave them more to do. I look forward to seeing how characters from previous books continue to re-enter the plot and interact with one another.
Rating: 9/10
bookhouseboi's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Puh...Schwierig. "Black Water" ist der Band der Pendragon-Reihe, auf den ich mich, basierend darauf, dass der Roman das erste englische Buch überhaupt war, das ich je gelesen und dementsprechend kaum verstanden hatte, am meisten gefreut habe. Ein Hype, dem der Text leider nicht ganz gerecht wird. Das liegt glücklicherweise am wenigsten an der Rahmenhandlung und der Bedeutung des Romans für die Reihe als Ganzes. Der Twist, mit dem Band 4 endete, wird hier direkt aufgegriffen und überragend weiterverarbeitet - mündend in einem Zusammentreffen alter und neuer Figuren und einem weiteren offenen Ende, das zwar nicht ganz an den Schock des vorherigen Buches ankommt, aber dennoch klar etabliert, dass die Regeln des Pendragon-Universums sich geändert haben und den Figuren jetzt eine Bedrohung ungeahnter Ausmaße gegenübersteht.
Bei all dieser Furore bleibt jedoch das auf der Strecke, was die bisherigen Bände (bis auf den mittelmäßigen Auftakt) ausgemacht hat: Die Kreativität der Universen, die Bobby aus dem Schlamassel retten muss. Eelong, eine wunderschön anmutende Dschungelwelt, in der humanoide Katzen regieren, die Menschen als Haustiere und Sklaven halten, ist unter seiner Furry-Fassade nicht viel mehr als eine simple Zweiklassengesellschaft, die genau wie in Band 1 auf eine unausweichliche Revolution hinausläuft. Dabei hilft es nicht, dass Bobby, der für einen Großteil der Handlung die Rolle des Untergebenen spielen muss, damit absolut nicht einverstanden ist und bei jeder Gelegenheit nicht etwa darüber meckert, dass Sklaverei ein grundlegend moralisch verwerfliches Konzept ist, sondern dass er die Welt kacke findet und viel lieber nach Hause gehen würde. Erst als er (wohlgemerkt als weißer, männlicher Durchschnittsamerikaner) sich als bedeutende Revolutionsfigur wieder über die Katzen stellen kann, hat er sich wieder einigermaßen unter Kontrolle. MacHale scheint sich dem jedoch zumindest bewusst zu sein, zieht man das Ende und das dem einhergehende Schicksal von Eelong in Betracht. Die Ausgangssituation auf Zadaa, wo Band 6 spielen wird und sich zum dritten Mal zwei Stämme im Klassenkampf befinden, macht mir leider wenig Lust auf mehr. Aber da ich diesen sowieso noch nicht besitze und die restlichen Bände in Deutschland überraschend schwer aufzutreiben sind, kann es durchaus etwas dauern, bis diese Lesereise weitergeht.
Bei all dieser Furore bleibt jedoch das auf der Strecke, was die bisherigen Bände (bis auf den mittelmäßigen Auftakt) ausgemacht hat: Die Kreativität der Universen, die Bobby aus dem Schlamassel retten muss. Eelong, eine wunderschön anmutende Dschungelwelt, in der humanoide Katzen regieren, die Menschen als Haustiere und Sklaven halten, ist unter seiner Furry-Fassade nicht viel mehr als eine simple Zweiklassengesellschaft, die genau wie in Band 1 auf eine unausweichliche Revolution hinausläuft. Dabei hilft es nicht, dass Bobby, der für einen Großteil der Handlung die Rolle des Untergebenen spielen muss, damit absolut nicht einverstanden ist und bei jeder Gelegenheit nicht etwa darüber meckert, dass Sklaverei ein grundlegend moralisch verwerfliches Konzept ist, sondern dass er die Welt kacke findet und viel lieber nach Hause gehen würde. Erst als er (wohlgemerkt als weißer, männlicher Durchschnittsamerikaner) sich als bedeutende Revolutionsfigur wieder über die Katzen stellen kann, hat er sich wieder einigermaßen unter Kontrolle. MacHale scheint sich dem jedoch zumindest bewusst zu sein, zieht man das Ende und das dem einhergehende Schicksal von Eelong in Betracht. Die Ausgangssituation auf Zadaa, wo Band 6 spielen wird und sich zum dritten Mal zwei Stämme im Klassenkampf befinden, macht mir leider wenig Lust auf mehr. Aber da ich diesen sowieso noch nicht besitze und die restlichen Bände in Deutschland überraschend schwer aufzutreiben sind, kann es durchaus etwas dauern, bis diese Lesereise weitergeht.