Category Archives: Fantasy

Review: Juliet Marillier – Daughter of the Forest

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Daughter of the Forest
Juliet Marillier
Juliet Marillier is completely new to me, so I was feeling a little apprehensive about reading ‘Daughter of the Forest’. The first 100 pages or so were a struggle, and then I really got into the narrative and couldn’t put it down. I stayed up past my bedtime reading to find out whether the story ended as I expected it to.

13928‘Daughter of the Forest’ is the first book in the Sevenwaters Trilogy. It follows the growth and trials of Sorsha, a seventh child who should have been a seventh son of a seventh son. After he father remarries, Sorsha and her six brothers are destroyed one by one, until the final transformation. Then follows the most difficult period of Sorsha/Jenny’s life, where she may die for her love for her brothers.

I initially thought this was a completely new novel, but soon realized that it was based on a fairy tale or myth I had read a long time ago. Nevertheless, the first person narrative is brought to life beautifully after the first couple of chapters. It seems like Marillier was unsure of her technique, but then warmed up to her protagonist. Sorsha is lovable, and a strong, convincing heroine. The opposing ‘bad man’, who isn’t obvious from the beginning was evil, but not necessarily surprising.
I would recommend this novel for older teens and adults only – there are some disturbing parts (rape, vicious murder) that are not suitable for younger readers in my opinion. The ending is a comparatively happy one, but there are sections where it seems like all hope is lost.

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Review: Diana Wynne Jones – House of Many Ways

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House of Many Ways
Diana Wynne Jones
‘House of Many Ways; is another sequel to ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’. Similarly to ‘Castle in the Air’, Howl and Sophie feature less prominently and the novel is about a new character – Charmain ‘Charming’ Barker. More after the jump…

3267466Charmain has so far lead a sheltered life, going to the most respectable school, keeping her hands clean and reading many books. So when she finds herself ordered to look after her sick Great Uncle William’s house, she finds herself a bit lost – even with his unearthly directions. Charmain finds herself going in every dimension, but then things are complicated further by the arrival of Peter and a Lubbock.

While elements of this novel are funny, I wouldn’t have said it was up to the standards of Jones’ usual masterpieces. Charmain is engaging, but you feel like she’s too much of a lazy idiot (despite her interjections to the contrary) to be too likeable. This isn’t a fault with Jones’ characterisation – indeed Jones has said that the characters often write themselves, so she has done the best she could with what she had. The narrative builds similarly to the other two books in this series, but it is certainly not formulaic in any kind.

I’d recommend this novel again for teenagers, and older children. At times it can be quite scary for a young child, so I would advise supervised reading.

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Review: Diana Wynne Jones – Castle in the Air

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Castle in the Air
Diana Wynne Jones

‘Castle in the Air’ is officially a sequel to ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’, however to me it is more like a loosely connected novel in the same world. Sophie and Howl play minor parts as themselves, although they do feature in the text playing interesting roles.

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The novel concerns Abdullah, a young carpet dealer who spends his time daydreaming about a princess. Much to his surprise, he finds himself one night floating on a magic carpet to the castle (and princess) of his dreams. Some laughter occurs, as the princess accuses him of being a female. However they both sort out their differences, and things are going along smoothly until Flower-in-the-Night is snatched away.

The narrative builds quickly, and the reader finds themselves enjoying Abdullah’s relationships and personality more as the plot progresses. This is a fast paced narrative that crescendos to a satisfying finish with many unexpected twists.

This novel is likely to suit younger readers for being read aloud to, and for teenagers. I’m not so sure of its appeal to adults, but if you enjoyed ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ it’s probably worth reading.

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Review: Diana Wynne Jones – Howl’s Moving Castle

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Howl’s Moving Castle
Diana Wynne Jones
I am so glad I got this book, and gave into the temptation to read it. The movie, which was made by Studio Ghibli, is one of my favourite movies of all time. It seems to pick the most important and interesting elements from the novel, and merge them into a seamless whole. Normally I’m disappointed with movies made from a book (like the Harry Potter franchise), but this one is good in its own right.

Howl'sMovingCastle_B_PB‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ concerns Sophie Hatter, the eldest of three daughters. While technically she should have been an ugly sister (the youngest sister is the product of a second marriage), instead she is just boring, and bored with her life. The whole town fears Howl, the resident ‘wicked’ wizard. Sophie goes out to visit her sisters, and meets Howl. The required ‘baddy’, the Witch of the Waste, takes a dislike to Sophie and casts a spell on her. Sophie isn’t the kind to give up easily, and she chooses to chase Howl instead.

This book is great. Ok, sure, it’s aimed at younger readers, but the characters are so engaging and funny that you’d have to have a stone heart to not enjoy it as a teenager and adult. I’d probably suggest it for independent reading 10 years and up, and for younger readers who are being read to.
Do yourself a favour, and buy this book and watch the movie. It’s something you won’t regret.

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Review: Mercedes Lackey – Beauty and the Werewolf

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Beauty and the Werewolf
Mercedes Lackey

As the name suggests, this is a sort of rewrite of the familiar fairytale: Beauty and the Beast. However, Lackey takes it and puts her own twist on the tale (as you would expect). Isabella has two stepsisters and a lazy step mother who you would expect to fit the story of Cinderella. Instead, Isabella finds herself bitten by a huge wolf. With a curse instead of being a true werebeast, Isabella may be saved from transforming every month, but will she be able to save the man she’s coming to respect?

10081055It’s probably not obvious from this blog yet, but I’m absolutely obsessed with Mercedes Lackey. If I had to choose a fantasy author who was my favourite ever, Lackey would be it. This book ‘Beauty and the Werewolf’ is the 6th novel in the Five Hundred Kingdoms series, and I pounced on the hard copy version at my local library. It has been preordered from The Book Depository though, and I can’t wait to have my own copy on my shelf.

I found the ending of this story very predictable, and the story itself quite predictable as well. Isabella is characterised nicely, and the reader does feel some empathy with her plight. Not too much though, as she seems to have things well in hand. Eric is a semi-convincing Woodsman, and the wizard acceptable. I just wasn’t blown away like I was for the rest of the novels in the series – not enough suspense and unexpected twists I suppose.

This novel of the Five Hundred Kingdoms lacks the sexual content which some of the other novels have, so I would confidently recommend it to older teenagers, as well as adults. I don’t think it’s necessary to read the novels in the story in order, but if you get the chance, it is probably better to read ‘The Fairy Godmother’ first.

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Review: Diana Wynne Jones – The Chronicles of Chrestomanci: Volume 3

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The Chronicles of Chrestomanci: Volume 3
Diana Wynne Jones
I have to say that by the time I got to reading this book, I was getting a little sick of Jones’ style and was dying to read something else. Probably just me though – younger readers will probably love it.

2141877‘Conrad’s Fate’ concerns Conrad Grant, a boy with a horrible fate that is ordered by his uncle to go and destroy another person who is purported to be causing all Conrad’s bad luck. This is complicated by the presence of multiple other magics in the mansion where he finds himself serving as an Improver (footman). Conrad and Christopher Chant (from ‘The Lives of Christopher Chant’) explore the mansion and the changing possibilities, often with quite humorous results. As usual, the Chrestomanci must step in at the end of the novel to save the day.

‘The Pinhoe Egg’ was really very enjoyable – who doesn’t love griffins? I empathised with the main characters, and enjoyed the struggle of the various witches vs enchanters. I found it a bit confusing to read straight after ‘Conrad’s Fate’, but by around half way through the book I started following on again. The ending could be seen as a little ambiguous and disappointing – but only because you longed to hear more about Cat and Marianne Pinhoe.

Having now read all 6 books in a row (I’m waiting to get my hands on ‘Mixed Magics’ a book of short stories set in the same world) I’d have to say I would have preferred to read them in strict chronological order. The order I would suggest (and will reread them myself in this order) is:

  1. ‘The Lives of Christopher Chant’
  2. ‘Conrad’s Fate’
  3. ‘Charmed Life’
  4. ‘Witch Week’
  5. ‘The Magicians of Caprona’
  6. ‘The Pinhoe Egg’

Books 1 and 2 are about Christopher Chant, Books 4 and 5 have only a secondary role of Christopher Chant as Chrestomanci and Books 3 and 6 involve Cat (Eric) Chant.

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Review: Diana Wynne Jones – The Chronicles of Chrestomanci: Volume 2

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The Chronicles of Chrestomanci: Volume 2
Diana Wynne Jones
After reading the first book in this pair, I realised that I hadn’t read either of them before. I was glad, as it would enable me to review the book from an adult’s perspective as well as a teen’s.
34290The first novel ‘The Magicians of Caprona’ is very similar in nature to Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ or the film ‘West Side Story’, although of course it is set in a world with magic. The protagonist, Antonio Montana, is able to speak to cats but his magical skills seem lacking. The spells in his part of the world are fading – Caprona is under internal and external attack. Then, when things just seem to be sorting themselves out, Antonio Montana and Angelica Petrocchi are kidnapped.
Although this book is in the same world as Chrestomanci, those hoping for a sequel to Volume 1 in these Chronicles will be disappointed. These books are chronicles, not sequels. That being said ‘The Magicians of Caprona’ was an enjoyable read, and I’d recommend it for ages 10 and up. Not a speck of bad language, and only a small fear element. You’ll probably never look at Punch an’ Judy the same way again though!

The second novel ‘Witch Week’ is still light hearted in tone, but deals with heavier issues, such as bullying and individualism. The four main characters who happen to be witches cause mayhem in school. This is in a world which burns witches where the worlds have no split correctly. It is a problem that only the Chrestomanci can solve, but he needs a lot of help as he’s out of his home world. Again, the Chrestomanci element comes in only at the end of the narrative to save the day.

It is the vivid characterisation that makes this book, rather than extensive descriptions of Larwood house. I would probably recommend this book for ages 12 and up due to the somewhat contentious themes.

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Review: Diana Wynne Jones – The Chronicles of Chrestomanci: Volume 1

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The Chronicles of Chrestomanci: Volume 1
Diana Wynne Jones
I read this book when I was much younger, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was introduced to the works of Diana Wynne Jones through ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ (which is now a film by Studio Ghibli) – I’ll get around to reviewing that when my new copy arrives.
34284This is a relatively new edition of the two novels ‘Charmed Life’ and ‘The Lives of Christopher Chant’. They concern the nine-lived enchanters called the Chrestomanci.
Within ‘Charmed Life’ Cat and Gwendolen are siblings orphaned in a tragic steamboat accident. Gwendolen is a powerful witch, foretold to rule the world. What she doesn’t seem to realise is that there are multiple worlds in the series. The Chrestomanci adopts her and Cat, and brings them to his wonderful castle – where magic is forbidden to beginners like Gwendolen. Thus begins the battle of wills for the lives of Eric Chant…
‘The Lives of Christopher Chant’ comes chronologically before ‘Charmed Life’, but Jones suggests the reading order for being the second book in the series. Christopher is a relatively ordinary boy, who just happens to be able to travel between worlds in his dreams. He has nine lives, but no desire to live in Chrestomanci’s castle – he would rather play cricket.
These two books are an enjoyable, honest read. The worlds are described in beautiful detail that manages not to be too overwhelming for the younger reader. Although some aspects are unsuitable for younger readers (such as the guns and mermaid deaths), they are dealt with delicately. Parents of children ages 10 and up can feel confident that their child will be introduced to concepts such as loyalty and honesty in a fantastical, sympathetic, enjoyable environment.

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