The Beast of Noor

By Janet Lee Carey

Review by Alison

The opening paragraph grabs the reader’s attention.

·Put reader right into the action

·Make reader imagine the unimaginable (ie. It’s not everyday that a 13 year old girl is accused of murder…)

·Don’t start with “the book I read was…” That’s way too BORING! Hook us into the plot!

Outside, there are places with danger, with terrifying beasts of legend. There are the betrayed, and there are the untold secrets. For centuries, the Sheens have been living in fear, all because of one ancestor, who betrayed his faithful dog. Thus, the cursed dog roamed the land, and became known as the Shriker.

The title and author are worked in naturally

·Don’t say, “My book was The Giver” when you can say, “Jonas, a twelve year old boy and the main character of Lois Lowry’s Newbery Award winning novel The Giver, must make decisions that impact his entire society.”

There is a place called Noor, in which the Shriker haunts the people. His cries are luring, and bring death to all. With a haunting legend, and a mythical land, Janet Lee presents a spellbinding, heart-stopping tale, The Beast of Noor.

The overall idea and plot are discussed, without giving away the ending

·Keep it short and sweet, even if it’s a long book

·Just give the reader the gist of the book. Be clear, make sense, don’t give away the ending

Miles, 15, and Hanna, 13 must find away to break a curse, that all began 300 years ago, the day a dog was betrayed, and cursed. For the first time in 50 years, the Shriker has returned, bringing fear when a girl is killed, brought by his luring call.

Describe one exciting incident in detail

·Again, don’t give away the ending

·Be clear enough so that someone who HAS NOT read the book can follow

So, you’ve stolen a spell. What’s the point? Well, one, your not suppose to use spells, two, your not properly trained, three, you weren’t suppose to use any magic. When Miles steals a spell and uses it, he is brought to the world of fairies. With his flute, he plays a tune that sings through the air, winning the queen of fairies gift, well, a gift chosen by the wind that is.

End the review with your opinion and recommendation

·Who might like this type of book? (Sports fans? People that love to laugh? History buffs? Late night readers that like to be freaked out?

·What did you think? Is it worth reading? If it won an award, is it worth the hype?

I recommend this book for people who like to read fantasy books, and alternate dimensions. Although it has not won an award, it is definitely worth picking up to read. In the book, it tells you a spell, in which the Shriker cursed. Where his thirst must be quenched. How many ways are there to quench thirst? What does it mean by, ‘his thirst must be quenched? Wasn’t the Shriker supposed to be cursed forever? You can ask many questions now, but you won’t solve it until you have actually read The Beast of Noor.