Quite an original story
938945
Check the negative reviews of "3 Idiots"...they're merely complaints of the DVD quality, not of the movie itself. This one's a gem in the Bollywood film industry.

People from inside and outside the Indian subcontinent will love this one. It contains romance, comedy, plot twists, and a decent soundtrack. I especially loved the story. Hindi films are often praised for their dances, colors, and other cultural aspects, but they are seldom applauded for actually making the audience think. This movie raises issues about the shortcomings of traditional education in countries like India, while still being an entertaining feature film.

I admit, it still has its cheesy moments, and it is a very long movie for those not used to Bollywood films, but give it a chance anyway and you'll most likely enjoy it. If you enjoyed this movie, consider seeing other recent ones produced/starring Aamir Khan, like&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Like-Stars-on-Earth-Two-Disc-DVD-CD/dp/B001N6FPRI/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Like Stars on Earth (Two Disc DVD + CD)</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Ghajini/dp/B001TLWRBO/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Ghajini</a>.
2996017
As a former English teacher and reader of all genres, I started this book not knowing what to expect. I can guarantee, however, that this story was not it. At a time when it seems 'new' books are often clones of former ones, the author has created an incredibly unique setting and story line. On the one hand, it seems pure fantasy and science fiction, but the characterization makes it very believable and real. The story pulls the reader in, leaving one wanting to know how it will resolve. Of course, it doesn't finish with this book, but moves forward into the next, which I will be purchasing as soon as I finish this review! Highly recommend!
3462342
Although there are a few parts that seem to drag on, the book tells and original and engaging story, makes you want to keep reading to find out what happens, and has a very clever ending.
920646
This is a great story. Very unique at times. Lags a bit at certain points, but definitely worth a read.
2541064
My Thoughts:
  This is a wonderfully creative story.  Well planned and well paced.  I enjoyed the characters immensely.  What I fell in love with though was the idea behind the story.  The idea of people's perceptions: of themselves, of others and of what the world should be like.
  I love the comparison of the belief systems of the two main characters, Zoe and Noah.  Noah's belief in faith and God drives him while Zoe believes in science, technology and the absence of religion.  Although they appear to be as different as two people can be, they find themselves believing in each other.
  This is not your typical "good vs evil" story.  Although there is an obvious bad guy, the story isn't necessarily about him or even a battle against him.  This also is not your typical YA love story.  It is a love story, it is about battles against good and evil, right and wrong.  Perception seemed to me to be more of a story of the battle each character has within themselves, what they believe and who the believe in and why.
  Lee Strauss has created a fantastic and harsh world.  She has filled that world with characters that fall into two categories, Naturals and GAPS, and the two groups are worlds apart on almost every level.  To achieve this variety takes insight, imagination, an open mind, and dedication to detail in every aspect of the story.
  This is the beginning...I can't wait to read the rest!
214432
A very original story that describes chaos in a very interesting and colorful way; From its followers to its worlds and artefacts. While reading you get the impression that too many new story lines are established to deal with in a single book, but in the end it all comes together. It deals with the lowliest imperial and choas servants upto the mightiest demons, and even the emperor himself!
3177570
I enjoyed Walks Through Mist and have purchased the second book in the series (it's not a cliff hanger, but the story does continue in Wind Talker).  I found the story very original and unlike any other time travel story I have read. So many stories are like the author follows a formula, but this was very unique and fresh.  The author clearly did some research prior to writing the story, which I appreciated.  I don't normally like first person narration, but the story was so good, it didn't bother me. I hadn't read anything from this author prior to reading this story, but will be searching out her other books.
2986851
I enjoyed this book because the story was original. The characters were captivating and relatable. This was a very amusing story. I look forward to reading the other 2 in the series.
19948
Never read a book quite like this one. The characters were originals and quite fun to get to know. The storyline was so unusual and rewarding that I can't even say it made unexpected twists or turns. It simply unfolded beautifully. I recommend it!
3742049
I loved this story...  I found it so original that it almost must be based on true events.  Real life of course is as original as it gets.
2418888
There are a great many fantasy books that tread and re-tread the same territory, some very well and some less well. This is not one of those books. This is a markedly original tale that creates a world of crocodile gods, river cities, labyrinthine palaces, cruelty, torment, terrible sorcery, and the art of illuminating manuscripts. The story and its narrator wander through time as well as space, pausing for tales within tales, returning to earlier strands in the story. The writing is often beautiful, reminiscent in quality to Sofia Samatar's "A Stranger in Olondria." The main story is framed by poems, both of which are excellent.

I cared about the narrator, but he suffered repeatedly and to such an extent that the impact upon me lessened as the book went on. I also wished that his ordeals had allowed for more fellowship along the way.  The closing chapters draw together the various strands very effectively, and the ending moved me. I note that the edition I read contains quite a number of typos, which seemed jarring in a book otherwise so well written. But set that quibble aside. This is a striking, beautifully told tale.
900059
Many of the other reviewers have summerized the story, so I won't repeat that. I'll just throw in a couple other things to consider.

On the plus side, I've got to hand it to the author when it comes to creativity. The depth of his imagination appears to know no bounds. He created strong characters and even created new species that were amazingly well thought out and defined. The story was also incredibly well thought out, tremendously original and unbelievably expansive. If you want to read something you haven't seen before, here it is.

On the other hand, I found the book uneven. There were parts of the story where I couldn't put the book down, and parts that were so dull I could skim pages at a time without missing a thing (at least that's how it felt to me). The description of scientific detail was so in depth that he lost me a lot.(Just so you know who's saying this, I'm a college grad with master's level courses behind me. My career is not scientifically oriented.) Also the details of the time/alternative realities the main character found himself in were so in depth that I zoned out for pages. Still, the parts that were good for me were very, very good.

As a person who believes in God I'd like to add that there are points in this book where atheism is practically preached. The premise of this story includes a belief in evolution. Yet ultimately in the story there's recognition of some type of creator. I saw one reviewer label it the "human mind", but I don't think this is what the author meant. Perhaps I'm incorrect about this, but regardless of what the author thought this creator was, the way he revealed this creator and the nature of "reality" in the story helped me perceive the infinite and amazing nature of God.

So although it's not really at the top of my list, I would recommend this book if you've got some time. I've read most other books out there that have time travel as a premise, and there are others I enjoyed far more than this, but it was still a worthwhile read.
912099
A very original story line.  Sometimes a bit difficult to follow in parts and it took some getting used to the author's style of having everything in the first person but each chapter dictated by a different character.  A satisfying ending, too.  Would have given it 5 stars but the narration did drag in a few too many parts.
2944282
Quite a gripping story, original and inventive.
My one "complaint" is that the writing style is maybe a tiny bit less colourful than I would like. It's functional and certainly doesn't suffer from any faults, but it could use a bit more poetry to it.
That said, the story kept me glued to my Kindle.
3096327
I actually quite enjoyed this book, I was a little bit iffy at first when reading it but it soon grew on me.  The book is quite easy to read with each "chapter" being a different story.  Each one is entirely original and unlike the last which make them quite original.  The only thing I noticed was while reading them I would completely forget who was who due to the names.  I was still able to enjoy each story though!
4962354
A story like this could suffer from trying too hard. It's like making a soup and including the kitchen sink. But without suffering from being derivative, every magical and literary idea is thrown together stretching from Dickens to Rowling with a side of Kipling and Dahl, and out comes fully realized original story with orphans, evil wizards, genies and an authentic team of young heroes. There is treasure and disappearances, searches and the whole thing works wonderfully. This a novel of originality based on things we've all seen, that are all a part of our story consciousness and when it's this we'll it deserves applause.
2770651
Great story, well told! Very original with complex characters. I love the fact that the heroine is strong and out of the ordinary for the time setting. It's such a pleasure to read such good writing.