Tag Archives: 5-stars

Review: Eoin Colfer – Artemis Fowl

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Artemis Fowl
Eoin Colfer
Artemis is a criminal mastermind – and he’s only 12. Set to restore the family fortune by crook, he is prepared to separate fairies from their gold to do it. Guarded only by Butler and Juliet, he needs to outwit a troll and the rest in order to get his gold. And in the end, will he be able to escape death?

249747Artemis is rather a flat character, in which the reader knows little about him except that after being left to his own devices after his father’s disappearance he is determined to not lose the family home despite his mother’s disabilities. You know that there must be something deeper going on in his mind, because he can’t be a bad guy all the way through, right?

This is a plot driven novel, with little attention given to landscape details and the like. You will find yourself liking the characters though, and Colfer guides the reader through different perspectives nicely through use of a detached faux scientific journal. There is an ‘introduction’ which introduces you to Artemis, but it don’t pay nearly enough homage to his brilliance (and Colfer’s by extension).

There are constant references to things that will occur in the future, and will be detailed in other books, which I think is a good way of putting a hook in for the reader. Younger readers are sure to enjoy it, male or female. Adults are unlikely to appreciate Artemis in the same way, but oh well, it’s not intended for them!

I hesitated to file this book under ‘action’, but it was the closest I could get under my current labeling scheme. I’ve also labelled it fantasy, due to the fairy aspect, but perhaps it is more like urban fantasy. I struggle with the definitions, I either like a book or I don’t!

I can still remember bringing my copy of this book to high school with me in maybe grade 7 or 8, and reading it with a close friend of the time. We both had copies, but we found it sociable to read the same copy! I always remember being jealous of his copy, because it was in so much better condition than mine. My copy is pictured above – the cover is really shiny and hard to photograph! I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t find the same cover anymore anyway, as the design changed after the first 3 books.

This is one of the first books I ever remember reading that I really enjoyed, and have kept reading over again and enjoying each time. Totally worth it to buy the rest of the books in the series (that I am going to read + review next), although I feel that the last couple of books don’t pack the same zing.

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Review: Katherine Paterson – Bridge to Terabithia

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Bridge to Terabithia
Katherine Paterson
Jess and Leslie are making their own secret world, where no one else can find them. It’s perfect for them, where they can escape from their problems. It is marred though as the outside world demands more of their attention. I feel like this doesn’t capture the book’s essence at all – if you’re curious (and feel up to being immersed in a childish consciousness) read it yourself! Hit the jump for more…

821162Paterson captures the childish pleasure in playing with your friends beautfiully. She paints Jess sympathetically, and I feel like she really remembers what it was like to be a child. Jess’s drawing is something that makes him unique, and you find yourself longing for him to be successful, and be able to break out of the rut of his life.

The language used by Paterson paints a beautiful picture and it is possible to imagine everything in your head. The words used by Jess typify a poorer country setting, and give the reader instant insight into what he thinks in his head. Jess realizes his insufficient grasp of English, but is unable to improve it. It’s something that you hope he will be able to improve in the future. He knows so little about everything, he isn’t well read.
I felt like the school was perhaps a little large for the area, but the very crowded classes typical of a school that brings a huge area together rang true. Also, it is distinctly American, and Australian children are unlikely to understand the importance of visiting Washington. It’s not a perfect book, but younger readers aren’t going to be able to analyse it in the same way I do either.
When I read this book for the first time in primary school I cried at the ending, and was disturbed for days. I couldn’t believe it had happened. I think it touched me so much because I come from a rural background, and so I could empathize with everything that was going on and relate it to my own childhood. Instead of being ripped away from the city, I was removed for the country, but reading this books brings back so many memories!
I believe that this has now been made into a film, but I haven’t seen it. I probably don’t want to either, as I usually find I hate the movies of books. I would be so sad if they wreaked the perfect storyline and didn’t keep the secret country as I expected it to be.
I’d recommend this book for children, and advise parental supervision and comforting if required. The ending is so sad!

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Review: Julie Anne Peters – Luna

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Luna
Julie Anne Peters
‘Luna’ tugs at your heartstrings. It is told from the perspective of Regan, Luna/Liam’s younger sister. Luna longs to transition into being a girl full-time, yet society and her family doesn’t seem ready. In the end, Luna must do what is best for her, and so leave life open for Regan. Hit the jump for more…

 

316445Regan feels like Luna is sucking the life out of her own life. Luna is a girl born in a boy’s body. Regan has been covering for her sister for years, and yet no-one else seems to notice or care – they just think Luna is gay. In the end Regan is able to accept that Liam/Luna is different, but different is good and normal in a way.
Peters uses flashbacks wonderfully to enrich the narrative. I loved seeing just a little bit more about how Luna has been different from the start, it’s not something she has grown into. The novel tries to abolish the myth that being trans is something that people ‘choose’, when this isn’t the case at all.
I love this book. It’s a wonderful, non-threatening introduction to transsexual lifestyles. I wouldn’t say it was representative of what trans-people go through, and as it is told by the sister instead of Luna the impact is less. This makes it less confusing and confronting for the reader.
The ending leave you longing for more, but at the same time satisfied. The cover of the book is well worked in with the text (or the other way around). It’s pure craftsmanship! I felt like the butterfly had so little to do with the story, but really it does. Luna must emerge from her nighttime wanderings into the light of day to find her true self.
‘Luna’ is great reading, it should open the mind of any teenager reader. It’s written sympathetically, just like the rest of Peter’s works. Any teenager should read this, and maybe some adults too in order to open their minds. At the back of the novel are some questions for broadening discussions in a high school class setting, which are probably also worth thinking about.
I will be sure to review the rest of Peter’s novels! I have almost all of them on my shelves (which I just built more of) but am missing some of the most recent hard copy ones. They are all equally heartrending and painful, yet great reading at the same time.

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Review: Christopher Paolini – Inheritance

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Inheritance
Christopher Paolini

‘Inheritance’ is the thrilling, gripping conclusion to the Inheritance Cycle. Paolini has crafted a beautiful narrative that keeps you reading until the very end. Entirely readable, very enjoyable and an almost satisfying ending! Hit the jump for more…

7664041Once again, Paolini has started to play around with the narration. At points in the novel, I found myself wanting to skip ahead to the next part where Roran spoke. In the first half of the book, he’s definitely doing a lot more exciting things than dear old Eragon. Eragon’s role does get more significant though, as indeed it must.

Initially I felt some frustration with Eragon. Him and his damn lighting up sword! Also, he still doesn’t seem to have caught on about thinking ahead. With the great golden dragon teaching him, he’s getting there, but why didn’t he just do all his learning earlier!? There are so few things he knows, and some he forgets too!

Angela and Elvi continue to be enigmas, and it’s very interesting to see Paolini gradually exposing their characters. He’s managed to fit in a lot of plot twists, and as soon as your heart has died from one trick or another, he restarts it with another shock.

The book is very readable, and I got through the first half in around 2 days of evening only reading. Annoyingly enough, I don’t let myself take it to uni with me as otherwise I find that I’ll read instead of doing work! It frustrated me all day that I couldn’t read it.

The ending is great. Even after the final battle, I felt compelled to keep reading past my bedtime. It was a relatively satisfying ending, although there are still mysteries left over. In the Afterword, Paolini says he will return to the world of Eragon for sure. I won’t be holding my breath, but I’d personally love to see first hand the showdown of Brom and Morzan, or perhaps the original time of the elves.

While I’ve tagged this for teenagers, I think this is a series that would appeal to all age groups, provided that you can get past the slightly immature writing style of the first book. This novel is a great conclusion to the series. It may lack in depth for adult readers, and skirt on the edges of too much blood-shed for children in other books, but it’s a great series overall.

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Review: Christopher Paolini – Brisingr

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Brisingr
Christopher Paolini
Brisingr continues the tale of Eragon and Roran, cousins that pit their strength to overcome the evil king. Eragon must atone for past wrongs, and Roran must fight past his misgivings. It’s a thrilling book that is going to keep you wanting to read, even if you aren’t convinced that the Varden should be winning. Hit the jump for more…

2248573This is another one of those ‘it was a trilogy but it became a four book set’, but it’s ok, because I didn’t go into it thinking it would be the conclusion! All the same, it’s a breathtaking ending that has you worrying for Arya and Eragon alike. It seems like Paolini crammed in as much as he could.

It’s interesting to finally have some insight into Saphira’s consciousness, and it is obvious why Paolini has done this. I can’t really tell you more about spoilers, but for Riders and their dragons, death is not really the end.
Paolini covers a lot of ground in the book, which is very satisfying. The dwarves crown a new King, Roran gets around to marrying Katerina, the Razac are finally killed. Eragon struggles to find a new sword, and to find himself. Others get a chance to change their own true names.
I can’t say that Paolini really changes the style of his writing, nor could I want him to. What he writes in compelling, but also easily accessible. I occasionally found myself frustrated by the repetition of seemingly meaningless details – what’s Eragon eating this time? Oh, fruit again… The characterisation is great, and there is more focus on that rather than the endless landscapes that Eragon and Roran find themselves traversing. I don’t find the shifts between consciousness jarring, which is something that not all authors can do.
In my own heart of hearts, I hope Roran gets to bond with the last dragon for himself, but I think it is more likely that his son or daughter will get the chance. Roran already has Katrina, and there isn’t room for more love in that heart. I can still hope!
I’m waiting to get the fourth book, it’s currently at my partner’s house, and I want it now! But no, I’ll have to wait, and it’s probably a good thing for getting my study done. It’s likely that from this point, the number of books I am reviewing will drop, but I will still try to post a review every two weeks. Sorry there is no better way of telling you this!

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Review: Christopher Paolini – Eldest

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Eldest
Christopher Paolini
‘Eldest’ is the next breathtaking book in the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini. The series was originally intended to be a trilogy, but after this novel Paolini declared he was going to make it a quartet (or his publisher decided to let him). The story splits between Eragon and his cousin Roran, adding a nice balance to the narrative. Hit the jump for more.
1339888‘Eldest’ follows on almost continually from ‘Eragon’, which makes it nice that there is a quick synopsis of the first book in the first couple of pages. I skipped that and moved on as I’d just read it. In the aftermath of the battle, Eragon must recover from his back wound and continue his training. Beset by his desire for the unattainable Arya, he follows her to the forests of the elves so that the eldest may teach him.
At the same time, Eragon’s cousin Roran is fighting to save their home town – they can fight or flee, but something must be done. We see a distinct development of his character, which was great as Eragon can be a little stupid at times. Often I wonder why Saphira puts up with him! Personally I hope Roran gets a dragon of his own, but time will tell.
Eragon’s personality further develops, and he also has some physical characteristics change on him. His time with the elves is peaceful, and he takes his dwarf friend with him. It is somewhat frustrating that Eragon misses things right under his nose, and his instruction is painful to watch as he struggles with things the discerning reader knows will be expected of him.
The final battle is almost nail-biting, except that you know Eragon must triumph for the next two books to be written! Nevertheless, the twist at the end is shocking, if expected by more canny readers. I’m hanging out to read the next book (I really don’t remember it from last time I read it), but I have a new Mercedes Lackey waiting for me from the library.
I’d recommend ‘Eldest’ for more mature children (there is a lot of gore, although it is not really gratuitous and the value of life is addressed), and teens. It does continue nicely from ‘Eragon’, although it is disappointing that there is not much development in Paolini’s style.

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Review: Christopher Paolini – Eragon

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Eragon
Christopher Paolini
So to be fair, I did start rereading this a while ago (think 2011) but got interrupted. So since my disappointment with my Julia Gray books, I though I should reread the Inheritance Cycle, because I haven’t read the fourth and final book yet. Rereading Eragon was a bit of a revelation, but it was enjoyable all the same.
113436Eragon is just a simple farm boy, who happens to enjoy exploring the Spine – where noone else dares venture. Imagine his surprise when a fantastic looking rock suddenly appears. Sloan, the butcher, hates Eragon which leads to tension, conflict and ultimately betrayal. Eragon must enter the wider world to fulfill his destiny!

Eragon is a good character, but not fantastic. When typing ‘Eragon’ on my phone, my phone predicts ‘Dragon’. There really isn’t much between the two words. For Paolini to have created the ancient language, but not to have bothered creating a better name for his main character is a little disappointing. Eragon does develop over time, and he does develop strong relationships with the other characters, but there always seems to be a certain something missing. I can’t put my finger on what, but there is for me.

Perhaps it is the borrowed and time-honoured setting of the farmlands, the cities, the desert and finally the mountains and the dwarves. Nothing new to see here. The way the different elements are put together (setting, narrative and character) produces a satisfying book. Nothing here that a less well read reader would dislike.

One thing that does irk me about series/triologies/quartets is when the publisher changes the way the spines/covers on the books look. So some of my books, I own the first 3 books and they look the same, and then the fourth book is different. Luckily this isn’t the case for Eragon. However, since my partner and I both love Eragon, we actually have 3 copies of each of the books. He owns the larger sized books, which act as our reading copies. I then own the smaller size, which fit nicely on my shelf. Finally, we have the collectors hard-back editions, which don’t all match. I’m not sure if the fourth book will have a fancy collector’s version published, but I hope so!
I’d recommend this book for teens that are just heading into enjoying fantasy. It combines elements of Lord of the Rings and other popular adult fiction novels. To be fair, many critics find this offputting, but for a teen who hasn’t enjoyed anything in the fantasy genre yet, this is a great place to start. The language is easy, there is just enough bloodshed and tension, and Paolini does try and inject some twists into his writing. It could be suitable for children, but do keep in mind there is war and some horrific injuries (which Paolini doesn’t dwell on too much, but they are still there).

There is a movie made from Eragon, but it does not stay true to the narrative. Personally I prefer the book, but the people I saw the movie with had never read it and enjoyed the movie. I almost always prefer the book, being the reader that I am.

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Review: Juliet Marillier – Child of the Prophecy

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Child of the Prophecy
Juliet Marillier
‘Child of the Prophecy’ follows Fainne, which is interesting to the reader as the title of the book purports that this novel is about the Child of the Prophecy, thought to be a male. Nevertheless, Fainne is likable, if rather misguided. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and was sad when I had finished it.

13925Fainne is the granddaughter of Sorsha and Lady Oonagh and the forbidden child of Niamh and Ciaran. Fainne has had a sheltered childhood, but  she must leave her cosy home in Kerry to go out to perform her grandmother’s wishes. Travelling with her old childhood friend Darragh is difficult for Fainne, knowing the impossible task her grandmother has set her.

Similarly to the other two books in the trilogy, at the beginning I felt myself wanting to rush with my reading to get to some action faster. Mid-way through the books, things were finally happening, but I was torn as to what the conclusion of the book would be.
The ending is somewhat unexpected, but satisfying, and nail biting right to the end! Often in this novel the reader will notice something before the protagonist does, which makes it more exciting. Fainne is thrown this way and that by others’ wills, but it is up to her to make or break things – and not even the reader can tell what she will be able to do.
Marillier has crafted a beautiful narrative – the characters are engaging, the scenery convincing and the plot riveting. The only part I was unsatisfied with was that the book ended too soon! As a concluding novel for a trilogy, ‘Child of the Prophecy’ tied up the loose ends of the narrative nicely.
I’m hankering after the next two books set in the same world ‘Seer of Sevenwaters’ and ‘Heir to Sevenwaters’. One of these will be my reward for having read and reviewed 10 books from my shelf! I probably won’t read it until after review 20 though, as I will want to read the two books together.

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Review: Juliet Marillier – Son of the Shadows

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Son of the Shadows
Juliet Marillier
‘Son of the Shadows’ by Juliet Marillier is a gripping sequel to ‘Daughter of the Forest’. The plot is fast paced, the story completely enthralling and Liadan is a strong heroine. I cannot give higher praise to this author – I can’t wait to get onto the last book of the trilogy.

13927Liadan is the daughter of the beautiful Sorsha who saved her six brothers through her own strength. Liadan is a twin, and born outside of the pattern of Sevenwaters. Thus she has the capacity to choose her own path – and it is the rockiest path she could have chosen! Abducted early in the novel, she battles her own demons and those of others.

This is the first adult fantasy novel that has gripped me in quite a while. I’m very glad to have picked up this author on a whim. There are enough twists and turns in the plot that I think I will definitely reread this series later.
As said before, Liadan is a satisfyingly strong female protagonist. I was again utterly able to step into her shoes, but also had insights into the other characters. Marillier is able to make a good case using a first person narrator, and I feel like any other narration would have interferred with the tale telling.
The narrative is speckled with Irish myths and folk law similarly to the first novel in the series. Marillier has done her research well – it ties in with my independent reading of Irish literature. The inclusion of this makes the narrative richer, and is probably part of the reason I got so involved in this novel.
I’d recommend this book for adults, although older teens may also enjoy it. It is possible to read this novel without having read ‘Daughter of the Forest’, as the main points of that are subtly recapped in ‘Son of the Shadows’.

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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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