Rating: 
Summary: Locked Inside
Review: Locked Inside was an awesome book I would say. If I had to compare it to another book which I read over the summer, Catcher In the Rye I'd say "Catcher" and Locked Inside are two totaly different books. Catcher in the Rye is told in first person and Locked Inside is told by a narator. I, myself can relate to Locked Inside more, because I'm a computer geek just like Marnie was and I too get carried away in games and chatting.On the downside, it would have been better, had it more detail in Marnies and The Elfs thoughts. If you like a story that keeps you on your toes Locked Inside is an excelent book to read.
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing
Review: Marnie Skyedottir (it's ironically funny when you sound it out, which was Ms. Werlin's intent) has problems. Problems fitting in, problems at her prim and proper school, problems with her mother's death, problems with crazy people who lock other people in basements. And as if it's not enough, she's saddled with helping the gunshot-wounded Elf, an online comrade who came looking for her after her disappearance. Despite the fact that it's mainly a "thriller", this book is also about Marnie's self-discovery and acceptance of who she is and where she comes from; which is always present in the book, but isn't forced, thanks to the capability of the writer.This book has a lot of good points. It was an interesting read, and I had to keep myself from skipping ahead to see what happened to Marnie and Elf-boy, repeatedly. The online elements of Marnie's life were interesting, her banter with the Elf was fun; the small subplot of Paliopolis were especially good to an internet nut like myself. Marnie's avatar from Paliopolis, the Sorceress, helps her greatly during the course of the story, and I had to stop and wonder what this meant from a psychological standpoint - what else was the author trying to say? Marnie also gets encouragement from what she thinks her deceased mother might say or do in her situation, which plays out on several levels. Her conversations with the Elf in the basement were nothing less than what kept the book going the right way; Elf (we do learn his real name - don't want to spoil it) may have been a 'secondary' character, but he was sometimes more interesting than Marnie herself. Her lockdown with the Elf was probably the best part of the book, closely followed by Marnie's last scenes with Yertle (you'll find out if you read), when I couldn't help but laugh and admire the gusto of both writer and character. Then there's Ms. Slaight, who locked Marn in the basement to begin with. It's hard to decide if Slaight is purely off her rocker, or looking for love the wrong way (something about that reminds me of Stephen King's MISERY). Slaight, at least, was an interesting villain. Sometimes the characters were a little two-dimensional, and the fact that Marnie doesn't seem to see what a spoiled pain she can be does irk me, and some things were wrapped up too neatly; handed to Marnie too easily, but when all is said and done it was a real page turner!
Rating: 
Summary: Werlin just keeps getting better
Review: Nancy Werlin has surpassed her effort in "The Killers Cousin" with this gripping novel. The character of Marnie is both powerful and fragile - she is strong within her self, but she also feels the need to hide behind a false persona in the world of internet role playing games. The internet and the various activities you can get up to on the internet is a very hot topic. The way that the story twists towards the end is chilling - you are supposed to be able to trust the adults around you, not be afraid that they might be after you. I loved the way that Werlin managed to draw the two stories together by using a few of the same characters from "Killers Cousin". I had to read this book in one sitting because each chapter lead towards the gripping conclusion. Marnie is someone that leads you into her world and holds you there with a tight grip. This book is chillingly real because there are people out there who talk themselves into believing what they want to - even if there is no way that what they believe can be true. If you enjoyed the "Killers Cousin" then you can not miss this book because it reaches the same high level - and then some.
Rating:
Summary: Always unexpected and gripping to the end.
Review: Nancy Werlin's Locked Inside (0-385-32700-5, $15.95) is one of the most original tales to appear in some time: a wealthy but spoiled girl is sent to live in an oppressive boarding school after her mother's death, and tries to escape her surroundings via computer games. When she's kidnapped, it may be her ability to play which will make the difference between life and death. Always unexpected and gripping to the end.
Rating:
Summary: NANCY WELRIN IS JUST WONDERFUL !!!!!
Review: Of all of Nancy Werlin's books, this one is my favorite one. Marnie and Elf make a really good pair,and Elf teaches Marnie a big lesson, even if that is not what the book is based on. A book you must read. If you like it, you should aslo read The Killer's Cousin.
Rating: 
Summary: THIS BOOK LET ME DOWN!
Review: Ok, you guys. As I have stated, this book let me down! It practically ends on page 195, and there's still 65 pages to go! My advice-Don't even start it. Also, I tried The Killer's Cousin. I wasn't pleased with that, either. So, my conclusion: If you're looking for a good read, don't expect Nanxy Werlin to fulfill your needs. If you need good, suspenseful stories, try Lois Duncan or Caroline B. Cooney! One great, outstanding, wonderful book: Swimmer-Graham Masterton.
Rating:
Summary: the perils of having an attitude
Review: This is a really good read. The development of the main character is fascinating and very realistic. There are a couple of twists of the plot that stretch credibility, but those are easily overlooked in the general excitement.
Rating:
Summary: Fast paced and complex
Review: Werlin always puts a twist in her stories - just when you think you might have figured it out, she blows you away with the cleverness of the plot. In Locked Inside, a wealthy girl with few authority figures or lessons in trust has to learn some major life. Brainy Marnie has become a loner, finding a niche for herself in the world of Internet gaming, where she can be both anonymous and well known, powerful, and in control.
When she is kidnapped (her mother was famous and left her a lot of money) someone from her gaming community sets out to rescue her. This remains far from a damsel in distress type book. Fast paced with complex issues and detailed characterization, this is a not to miss pyschological thriller. I have to admit, it took second reading to warm up to the character (unlike Werlin's Edgar Award winning masterpiece the Killer's Cousin) but it was a worthwhile read.
|
