The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King
Publication date: 2/1/09, Flux.
Rating: 4.5 purrs of 100 cats
Summary:
In the late seventeenth century, famed teenage pirate Emer Morrisey was on the cusp of escaping the pirate life with her one true love and unfathomable riches when she was slain and cursed with the dust of one hundred dogs, dooming her to one hundred lives as a dog before returning to a human body -- with her memories intact.
Now she's a contemporary American teenager and all she needs is a shovel and a ride to Jamaica.
Now she's a contemporary American teenager and all she needs is a shovel and a ride to Jamaica.
Thoughts:
Yay this book was awefreakingsome!
The Dust of 100 Dogs was a Cybils awards finalist and it easy to see why. This book is written so well it deserves to be on many more best lists. I know that It is definitely on mine now. What makes this book so great? I'm glad you asked because I'm about ready to burst.
My favorite thing about The Dust of 100 Dogs was the usual and insanely (trust me it is insane) unique plot. I have never read a book like this before. I just got lost in Emer/Saffron's story. Her personality literally leaps out of the pages. I especially loved how Saffron would daydream about ripping the eyes out of people who annoyed her. I know that sounds very brutal, but it was actually quite funny! I never imaged that I could find such a crazy and violent so endearing. There is just something about her that is so darn lovable. Thought I might just be afraid of her who knows.
Another thing that I loved about this book was the format. I've mentioned on here numerous times before how much I love books with alternating viewpoints. The Dust of 100 Dogs starts off from Saffron's pov which was great. But after a hundred pages or so we finally get to see things from Emer's point of view. Emer's story was far and away the most enjoyable part for me. I think that her story alone would have been enough to make this just a good book. However the combination of the two stories is what made this an awefreakingsome book.
I also liked the little pages of dog facts in between the chapters. If you really pay attention to these you will see that they usually have something to do with what is about to happen next. A.S. King seems to know a lot about dogs and probably almost as much as I know about cats. I have to respect my fellow animals lovers.
The only thing keeping this book from getting a purrfect score was the creepy guy that kept popping up every once in a while. Seriously this guy was creepy with a capital CREEP. I thought that it was also a little bit out of place in a young adult novel. I also had minor issues with the ending. I'm not sure if this was because I didn't want the book to end, or that the ending felt somehow rushed. I honestly think I was just sad to no longer be a part of Emer's world.
With a market currently filled with dozens of paranormal books The Dust of 100 Dogs provided a welcome and refreshing change. The Dust of 100 Dogs is the kind of book that reminds you why you love reading in the first place. Add it you tour tbr pile asap!
Posts
February 17, 2010 2:21 PM
Great review! I've been curious about this one!
February 17, 2010 3:07 PM
I am dying to read The Dust of 100 Dogs. Although, whenever I check the book store, they never have it (or Hate List... LAME). May have to order this one online, especially if it'll remind me why I love reading :-P
February 17, 2010 3:23 PM
I am SO glad to hear this book was great. I am obsessed with the cover art and was worried it would be a case of a pretty cover-bad story. It is on my shelf waiting for me. Great review.
February 17, 2010 3:25 PM
Nice review!
Yeah, the creep was creepy. But I think that was the point, wasn't it? I actually sort of liked him as a villain; he was a nice change from the usual bad guys that populate the rest of YA lit.
February 17, 2010 4:52 PM
Great review, but eh I still don't wanna read it.
February 17, 2010 5:51 PM
Good review. I have seen it in other blogs, but i wasn't really interested. But then i read your review, and you seem to like it sooo much!! I must try it, because a lot of people says its a great book. ;)
February 17, 2010 5:58 PM
I got this book sometime last year and still haven't gotten to it. I might boot it up soon. Thanks for the review!
February 17, 2010 10:11 PM
I won this in a contest and only recently picked it up and added it to the TBR pile. Your review will make me move it up!
February 17, 2010 10:17 PM
I've heard so many good things about DUST OF 100 DOGS. I really need to read it! And lololol at the ripping people's eyes out--ahem.That does sound oddly funny.
Great review :)
February 18, 2010 12:14 AM
Have never heard of this book, but really great review!!
February 18, 2010 4:32 AM
I am sooo relieved that you enjoyed it! One of my very favorites (despite creepy guy with a capital CREEP - LOL).
February 18, 2010 8:01 AM
I definitely want to read it now..Great review..
February 18, 2010 10:12 AM
I loved this too. I've never read anything like it before!
February 18, 2010 11:17 AM
Sharon! I am so pleased that you loved the book. Thanks so much for spreading the word.
And yeah--creepy guys. Can we ever escape them?
February 18, 2010 11:25 PM
Great review, this has been in my TBR pile forever.
Thanks for checking out my blog, and deciding it's worthy to follow. It's always great to know that someone enjoys it!
By the way, love your blog!