Started: 27 November 2012 Finished: 28th November 2012 Excellent continuation of the overall story, but…I had some definite “Disney” issues with this one. On the front cover of the book (hardcover edition at least) is a picture depicting a scene from the book (starts somewhere around page 128). This image depicts Judge Claude Frollo from The Hunchback of Notre Dame threatening one of the Kingdom Keepers. But when he actually makes his debut in that scene…it’s really weird. He is described as wearing clothes that sound more like something Captain Hook would wear. And then he’s speaking in a French accent! How is that a realization of the character Disney created (voiced by the phenomenally talented Tony Jay)?!? On page 290, the Keepers are back in EPCOT and are splitting up into teams to get to two pavilions: China and Morroco. But as we follow them past the pavilions: they’re … Continue reading →

Started: 31 October, 2012 Finished: 3 November, 2012 Another excellent addition to the saga, although it was a bit like leaving us waiting for the other shoe to drop at the end. Thankfully the other book was already available and we were able to move right along to it! And as far as I can remember, nothing really “wrong”, at least not that this Disney nerd noticed.

Started 29 October 2012 Finished 31 October 2012 Great/quick/fun read and an excellent sequel/second book in the saga. Just as solid story/character-wise as the last book, and very fun to explore the backstage areas of Animal Kingdom this time around. Of course though, it once again comes with it’s share of Disney nerd problems that are puzzling and frustrating to endure. The biggest one (to wit) is this: Page 369: “…while black webbing formed under the thing’s arms like…bat wings” Excuse me? Chernabog doesn’t have glider wings like Lexington from Gargoyles. Click for full size. He’s got giant black wings on his back! Click for full size. Sad panda!

Started 9/10/2012 Finishes 11/10/2012 Heck of a good story. So much fun to have the worlds of Disney and technology merged and to hear so many exciting background details around Disney World! Makes me want to go re-read Cory Doctorow’s Down and Out In The Magic Kingdom. Laura brought up an interesting point in comparing this teen series with the beloved teen series of my youth (K.A. Applegate’s Animorphs) – the teenage protagonists feel much more real here. The things they say, the way they react to events, the choices they make; she find them more believable. My friend Nik (Disneyland Cast Member / fellow Disney nerd) brought up an interesting point as well: how could Walt have placed the quill clues in attractions that weren’t built until years after his passing (to be even more exacting, the Magic Kingdom was just a gleam in his eye when he passed)? … Continue reading →