Sexy angels and sexy twins. What's not to like?

Well, L'Engle's The Zeppo might be an exception. In this work, the concept of sexy angels and sexy twins takes on a different dimension. It's not just about the allure and physical attractiveness. The story delves deeper into the characters and their relationships. The sexy angels might have hidden qualities and purposes that go beyond the surface level of sexiness. Similarly, the sexy twins might have their own complex dynamics and backstories.

Perhaps the author is using these elements to explore themes such as identity, desire, and the nature of beauty. It could be that the sexy angels and sexy twins are symbols that represent something more profound in the narrative.

So, while the initial idea of sexy angels and sexy twins might seem appealing, L'Engle's The Zeppo shows that there's more to it than meets the eye. It challenges the reader to look beyond the surface and discover the hidden depths within the story.

N.B.: Rating 3.5 ★ rounded down.

Many Waters is the fourth and penultimate book in the Time Quintet series penned by Madeleine L'Engle. The main protagonists of this story are Sandy and Dennys Murry, twin brothers who seem a bit out of sync within the diverse and eccentric Murry family. The plot follows the events of A Wind in the Door and precedes the climactic, apocalyptic happening in A Swiftly Tilting Planet.

In the midst of a harsh New England winter, the identical twin brothers, Alexander "Sandy" and Dennys Murry, inadvertently disrupt an experiment in their parents' laboratory and are then teleported to a sandy desert. There, they are picked up by a water-prospector named Japheth and led to an oasis. However, Dennys gets separated from the others. Sandy stays with Japheth and his elderly grandfather Lamech. At the oasis, Sandy is cured of heatstroke by a variety of unlikely beings, including seraphim.

Dennys shows up in another tent and is tossed into a refuse heap. Later, he comes under the care of a friendly family in the center of the oasis, headed by a gruff yet kind patriarch named Noah. It quickly becomes evident that the boys have been inserted into the story of Noah's Ark, just before the Flood. Both Noah and Lamech receive mysterious instructions from God (referred to as El) regarding the building of the Ark. Understanding that they can't alter the past, the twins assist Noah in reconnecting with his father, Lamech, and in the construction of the ark.

Meanwhile, sinister supernatural beings known as the nephilim distrust the twins, and their human wives try to gather information about them. Suspense builds when it becomes clear that there is no space on the Ark reserved for Sandy, Dennys, or the girl they both love - Yalith.

Many Waters is written moderately well. L'Engle's narrative mainly focuses on the emotional maturation of the teenaged twins, incorporating elements of fantasy and Christian theology. The seraphim, a celestial race of angels, and the nephilim, a race of giants resulting from the union of mortal women and angels, are the main antagonists. The twins' struggle to believe in things beyond their empiricist world is a trait they must overcome, as it is by believing in a unicorn that they can secure transportation back to their ordinary world.

All in all, Many Waters is a moderately well-written continuation of what has the potential to be a remarkable series. I am looking forward to continuing this series in the very near future.

I found myself oddly moved by this story of modern teenage boys meeting Nah and his family just before the flood. It was truly a captivating narrative that took me on an unexpected journey. What was even more surprising for me was the unusual blend of faith and science that she weaves into her stories. It was a unique combination that I had not encountered before. This blend added a depth and complexity to the story that made it all the more engaging. The way she intertwined these two elements was both touching and comforting. It made me think about the relationship between faith and science in a whole new way. I was left with a sense of wonder and a desire to explore more of her work.

It was truly such a disappointment when compared to the first three books in the series, which I had greatly enjoyed.

Unfortunately, this book focused on the two most boring and flat characters in the series. The reading experience was so terrible that it took me a whopping 3 years to finally muster up the courage and bring myself to finish it.

I have a great love for the author and her writing style. However, this particular book simply did not appeal to my taste and was extremely disappointing.

I firmly believe that it really let the series down. It seems as if the magic and charm that was present in the earlier installments was completely lacking in this one.

Perhaps the author should have chosen to develop other characters or explore different storylines to keep the series fresh and engaging. As it stands, this book is a significant setback and a source of disappointment for fans of the series.

I just realized that I accidentally skipped book 3 - ha! Oops.

Well, the thing is, these books don't rely too much on the previous ones. I really liked book 4. I enjoy creative imaginings of what life would be like in a different yet similar culture. The fact that there is a biblical layer makes it even more fascinating.

I was actually shocked at how adult this book was. I can only imagine that some of it might go over the kids' heads. In any case, I also like how the adventure just kind of ends. Some things are wrapped up, but others are left as they are. They return to normal life and don't tell their family. In a way, it enhances the "fairytale" aspects of L'Engle's writing.

PS: The other thing I really enjoyed was the way in which Faith is dealt with, as "listening to the stars singing". It gives a unique and beautiful perspective on faith, adding another layer of depth to the story. Overall, I found book 4 to be an interesting and engaging read.

Madeleine L'Engle's books are truly remarkable.

No matter what one might say about them, they are incredibly readable. I breezed through this particular one in just a few hours.

Among the four books in the Time Quintet series that I have read so far, this one stands out with its most linear and straightforward storyline.

In the previous books, I have adored Sandy and Dennys. Although they are side characters with little to no influence on the plot, I find them highly amusing.

Therefore, it was really nice to see them take the spotlight in this book. There were some interesting morality decisions made, which added depth to the story.

Overall, I had a great time reading this book and would rate it 4 stars.

It's a must-read for fans of Madeleine L'Engle and anyone who enjoys a good adventure with a touch of moral exploration.

Many Waters is, in many respects, a reimagining of the Biblical account of Noah's Ark, but with a science fiction flair.

After a mishap occurs in their mother's laboratory, twins Sandy and Dennis are transported back in time to a world thousands of years before their own. In this world, which is divided between humans, Nephilim, and Seraphim, the twins stand out显著. There is a powerful undercurrent of hatred towards them, as they are seen both as a threat and a potentially useful ally due to their much greater height compared to the people of the land they have found themselves in.

To make matters more complicated, Noah is constructing an ark, and the twins are familiar with this story. The question remains: can they find their way home in time, and what will become of those they leave behind?

I must confess that I was not a fan of the first few books in Madeleine L'Engle's Time series. I simply could not connect with the characters, and to be honest, they rather bored me. However, when I discovered this fourth book in the series, which is not entirely chronological as the books can be read independently, I was intrigued by the premise. As someone who is well-versed in Biblical tales (being Catholic), the idea of a science fiction twist on the story of Noah's Ark appealed to me.

The prose is straightforward yet charming, with the two twin boys serving as the main characters. The book is rich in history, enhanced by elements of the supernatural, and progresses steadily towards an outcome that we are all likely familiar with.

Sandy and Dennis were refreshing protagonists. They maintained a very boyish voice, which I find is often lacking in many male MC books today. The secondary characters, such as Adnarel, Yalith, and Grandfather Lamech (along with all the adorable little mammoths!), were also wonderful. I adored the cast of Nephilim and Seraphim, and I particularly enjoyed how they could shift shapes into animals, beasts, or insects, mirroring their own personalities.

It was indeed the intricacies within Many Waters that propelled it towards the climax. The touch of love that led to a sad but beautiful climax was well-written and not overly done, unlike much of the YA romance we see today. The themes of destiny, belief in the unseen, and fate were also prominent, adding depth to the story.

I read Many Waters a long time ago, but I have kept it on my shelf and have purchased multiple copies as I wear out the original through re-reading. I loved it then, and I still do. I give it a solid 4.5 out of 5 and would highly recommend it to all YA fans, especially those who enjoy a blend of sci-fi and fantasy with religious undertones.

In a departure from the main characters of the first three books, Madeleine L'Engle's Many Waters follows Sandy and Dennys Murry. They are the twin brothers of the Murry family who had little to do in the first three novels.

This was quite unexpected. However, L'Engle recaptures a great deal of the mythic tone in this novel. That tone was so clearly present in the first of her Time novels.

And it is precisely because of that mythic quality that I like this novel so much. L'Engle sends her protagonists back to the biblical era of Noah. She uses this setting to touch more directly on the underlying theological roots that these novels have running through them.

For it is here that we can see beauty and goodness in more elemental forms. Yet, it is in ways that continue to be accessible to human beings. Her clever rendering of many of the unspoken details of the Noahic story exhibits close attention to the biblical account. It also shows creative solutions to some of its more puzzling elements.

This book touches on the grand tradition of myth-making. It reminds us of the fundamental importance of the old stories. And it affirms that not all change or "progress" is necessarily for the better. Truly, a wonderful novel.

Not having read any of the other books in the quintet, I have to say this was very interesting but confusing.

It might be due to the fact that I didn't read the others, lol.

The story presented here had its own charm and allure, with unique characters and a somewhat complex plot.

However, without the context provided by the previous installments, I often found myself scratching my head, trying to figure out certain relationships and events.

Despite the confusion, I was still engaged enough to keep reading, curious to see where the story would lead.

I can only imagine that if I had read the other books first, this one would have made much more sense and been an even more enjoyable read.

Nevertheless, it has piqued my interest in going back and reading the entire quintet to fully understand the complete story.

3.75 stars.

This is a truly strange book in numerous aspects, and yet, I have a genuine fondness for it. It presents a retelling of the Biblical story of Noah and the Flood, but from the perspective of Sandy and Dennys, the Murry twins, who have hitherto been secondary characters in the other books. In this narrative, they are nearly 16 years old, and several times, they express their anticipation of obtaining their drivers' licenses.

Ms. L'Engle has crafted an incredibly imaginative and atmospheric setting along with characters - some of whom are mentioned in the Biblical account while others are not. Similar to all well-written historical fiction, I derived great enjoyment from it. Despite the fact that Sandy and Dennys are males, Ms. L'Engle zeroes in on the routine, domestic life within Lamech's and Noah's tent. In this regard, it rather brings to mind Anita Diamant's The Red Tent. Sandy and Dennys discuss the fact that the Bible is written from a patriarchal viewpoint and display a predominantly feminist attitude towards the ancient society.

This pre-Flood world is populated by mythical beasts such as miniature mammoths, griffins, and manticores, not to mention seraphim and nephilim (fallen angels).

A significant portion of the story revolves around the sexual awakening of Sandy and Dennys. They both fall in love with Noah's youngest daughter, Yalith, and she loves them equally, unable to choose one over the other. There is another young woman who attempts to seduce Sandy (she has an ulterior motive), and he has conflicting feelings for her. He acknowledges her beauty and allure but is also repelled by her blatant attempts to entice him.

The one aspect that troubles me about this book is the "WHY?" There seems to be no reason for Sandy and Dennys to travel back in time. As far as I can discern, nothing in the Flood narrative alters because of their presence. I am willing to suspend disbelief - in fact, I actually LOVE the time-traveling unicorns! - but I desire a logical premise. Consequently, I deducted .5 stars.

I am truly surprised by the extent to which I have enjoyed this.

Previously, I had found the first three to be rather mediocre. However, this one has emerged as my favorite thus far.

There is just one more to go, and I suspect that the reason for my enjoyment might be related to the twins and Yalith's little romance.

It has been extremely interesting to follow their story and see how their relationship develops.

The dynamics between the twins and the addition of Yalith's romantic subplot have added a new layer of depth and excitement to the overall narrative.

I am eager to see how the final installment ties everything together and whether it will live up to the expectations set by this particular one.

Overall, this has been a pleasant surprise and has made me look forward to the conclusion with anticipation.

Ya’ll, I was truly taken aback by how good this book turned out to be. When compared to the others in this series, it would, without a doubt, come in second place. (Although I might be exaggerating a little here because, seriously, have you read the last book? This one is at least much better than that.) Sandy and Dennis surely had the most exciting adventure of them all. Lol.

Similarities with the other books: Just like the others, it takes the readers on an adventure. However, the way of explaining things is much too complicated for the recommended age-group, and it also involves a significant amount of time.

But other than that, this is the book that I would highly recommend to anyone with an interest in history. It had me on the edge of my seat whenever they mentioned past real happenings. (Maybe that's precisely why I liked it so much.) And it also provides us with sensible reasons.

Fav. Character: It's really hard to choose just one favorite character. But if I had to, I'd say Yalith. She deserved better, and thankfully, that's exactly what she got.

Overall, I would rate this book a solid 5/5.