Books matching: character development, characters
100 result(s)
- #1
'His Excellency: George Washington' by Joseph J. Ellis is a concise biography that offers a portrait of George Washington, focusing on his character and personal life rather than just historical events. Ellis strikes a fine balance between biographical narrative and historical background, making Washington come alive through his military career and political rise to power. The author's writing style is easy and flowing, almost conversational, which helps in engaging the reader with Washington's life.
HISTORY FIRST noticed George Washington in 1753, as a daring and resourceful twenty-one-year-old messenger sent on a dangerous mission into the American wilderness. He carried a letter from the govern... Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor follows the story of Zachary, a Chinese American boy who just wants to live a normal life but is thrust into an extraordinary adventure when spirits attack him and steal his mother's spirit. To save her, Zach must travel to China, team up with kids possessed by former emperors, and face the first emperor of China through virtual reality. The book expertly weaves Chinese history, mythology, and culture into the narrative, introducing readers to unfamiliar figures in an engaging and accessible way. The writing style is fast-paced, action-packed, and filled with intriguing twists, making it a captivating read for both young and adult audiences.
- #3
'Characters & Viewpoint' by Orson Scott Card is a comprehensive guide that delves deeper into writing believable and engaging characters. The book covers various aspects of character development, including creating unique characters, developing their world view, manner of speech, and roles in the story. It also explores the importance of understanding different viewpoints, providing methods and examples to master them effectively. The writing style is clear, engaging, and structured, making it easy for readers to absorb the dense techniques, hints, and tips shared by the author. Overall, the book offers valuable insights on how to develop characters and tell compelling stories about them.
Yes, I know you make them up. But readers want your characters to seem like real people. Whole and alive, believable and worth caring about. Readers want to get to know your characters as well as they... - #4
'Raven's Strike' by Patricia Briggs is a fantasy duology that continues the story of Seraph and Tier, who are trying to save the world from dark magic. The plot involves the characters facing challenges, battling villains, and embarking on quests to protect their family and the empire. The writing style is described as engaging, with detailed world-building and character development. delves into themes of magic, family bonds, and the struggle between good and evil.
He’d two offers for her hand from neighboring farmers, but she hadn’t madeup her mind yet. He hoped she chose Daneel, who was soft-spoken and oldenough to have proved his mettle, but she’d been showin...
(Also, see 65 recommendations for the series Raven ) - #5
Readers are taken on a journey to Busman's Harbor, Maine, where Julia Snowden returns home to help her struggling family's clambake business. The plot unfolds with a murder at a wedding clambake, pushing the business to the brink of bankruptcy. As Julia investigates to save the business, readers are immersed in a well-crafted and skillfully told mystery with authentic characters and intricate relationships. The writing style of Barbara Ross is praised for its ability to create a sense of mystery and danger, while also offering delightful descriptions of the setting and characters.
She hadn’t seemed like a Bridezilla. Not in the least. Most brides who would celebrate their wedding with a clambake on an island in Maine were pretty relaxed. Just think about all that broth and butt... - #6
Parva by S.L. Bhyrappa is a retelling of the epic Mahabharata, offering a detailed, insightful, and logical explanation of the entire story. The author humanizes characters like Arjun, Bhim, and Draupadi, delving into their complexities and emotions, providing a fresh perspective on their actions and motivations. The book strips away the mythological elements of the Mahabharata, presenting a more realistic and socially relevant narrative that captivates readers with its philosophical depth and honesty.
- #7
Human civilization ends when a video game becomes reality. Only one in six have a chance to be players and most don't survive the first hour. Mark does and starts fighting back, trying to save his sister, and also the world. The story itself can get pretty dark and brutal with many characters getting killed off. It's also a bit slice of life and you follow the main character MC as he learns all the new rules and does whatever it takes to survive and tries to find and help his sister. The threats come not just from the monsters though, people can be just as deadly, and there are other mysterious enemies to mankind. All of which the MC eventually uncovers and has to deal with. There are some interesting twists that keep things challenging for the MC.
Game mechanic wise, things are pretty detailed and there some new mechanics that differ from the author's other series. Levels are gained not from killing but from completing system generated missions and finding caches or rare items. Coins are given for taking 1st picture of kills whether human or monster. Coins are used to buy weapons and power packs to run them, stat upgrades, skill upgrades, regeneration packs, and shields to protect from damage. Lots of good upgrades from items, stats, and tech keep the story from getting repetitive and makes the MC feel more and more powerful as the story goes on.
- #8
'Destiny's Champions' in the series 'Sigma Worlds' by D. Levesque follows the journey of the main character who, after a crippling car accident in real life, is given a new chance at life in a virtual reality game. The book explores the unique perspective of a normal guy meeting beautiful women in the game but all he desires is to lead a simple life of building a cabin, fishing, and hunting. The story unfolds with unexpected twists, character growth, and a mix of game elements and real-life challenges that keep the readers engaged.
The author's writing style in 'Destiny's Champions' introduces an interesting take on RPG harems, blending character development and well-crafted storytelling with a touch of game mechanics. The book is praised for its unique plot, intriguing main character, and supporting cast, setting the stage for a series that promises a mix of action, character growth, and an immersive storyline.
- #9
The Mercy of Gods (The Captive’s War) is a new sci-fi novel by James S.A. Corey, known for their acclaimed Expanse series. This book introduces readers to a unique world where humans are enslaved by an alien race called the Carryx. The story features a character named Dafyd, who rises to leadership among the captives, grappling with both the alien oppressors and the complexities of human survival. A fascinating element comes from a mysterious entity known as the swarm that inhabits some humans, adding layers of intrigue and perspective to the narrative.
- #10
When a plane en route to an Arctic research station crash lands on an ice floe, killing the pilot, its passengers are forced to make camp on the ice and wait for rescue. But it may not be the cold or starvation that threatens to kill them... for they're being stalked by a monstrous orca, one who was trained by the Navy to hunt and kill enemy soldiers but escaped its handlers and is rampaging through the ocean in search of human prey. And as the survivors are picked off one by one, they'll have to put aside old grudges in order to defeat this dangerous creature. The cold, unforgiving arctic environment is brilliantly captured, and the cast of characters is very well developed, with each person coming across as a believable human being with his or her own strengths and weaknesses. That makes the numerous death scenes all the more jarring, and the multiple killer whale attacks are brutal and terrifying. As if the killer whales aren't enough of a problem, the iceberg our characters find themselves stranded on is gradually melting away, and when it's gone there will be nothing between them and the cold waters all around them.