Threads
Nonie loves fashion, Jenny is in a famous movie with the latest Hollywood heart-throb, and Edie wants to change the world. and then they meet Crow, a pretty little refugee girl wearing stranger clothes than even Nonie, and sketching a dress. Suddenly, their world is turned upside down as the little girl turns out to be as good a fashion designer as you get, at the tender age of ten. But Crow has had a tragic upbringing, a night-walker, an invisible child, walking to safety, a town miles away, each night to escape from the adults which capture children to use as child-soldiers and worse... Can all of their dreams come true? Can Nonie become an assistant to a famous fashion-designer? Can Jenny catch the eye of her famous co-actor? Can Edie change the world for the better? And can Crow make it in the world of fashion, and find her brother Henry, taken by soldiers back in Africa?
This book was amazing, I couldn't put it down. My only criticism was that it was quite predictable. I also didn't like Jenny.
9/10
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
Monday, 1 November 2010
TimeRiders
TimeRiders
Just before they died, three children are saved by a mysterious man with a promise of escape. A girl in a plane crash, a boy on the Titanic and a girl from a fire. They are TimeRiders, people whose work it is to correct time when people try to change it. Based in a time bubble in New York on the day on and before 9/11, they, along with Bob, the robot, are expected to detect a change, find what has changed, and travel back in time to correct it. But he small incidents of the past, are nothing compared to to what the week-old team is going to have to face - a change involving time travel, and a dangerous vision of a Utopia achieved using the Second World War and Adolf Hitler...
A creative book with an amazing essence of complete originality and imagination, with just a hint of history and normal life that gives a scarily realistic ring to the story...
7/10
Just before they died, three children are saved by a mysterious man with a promise of escape. A girl in a plane crash, a boy on the Titanic and a girl from a fire. They are TimeRiders, people whose work it is to correct time when people try to change it. Based in a time bubble in New York on the day on and before 9/11, they, along with Bob, the robot, are expected to detect a change, find what has changed, and travel back in time to correct it. But he small incidents of the past, are nothing compared to to what the week-old team is going to have to face - a change involving time travel, and a dangerous vision of a Utopia achieved using the Second World War and Adolf Hitler...
A creative book with an amazing essence of complete originality and imagination, with just a hint of history and normal life that gives a scarily realistic ring to the story...
7/10
Ruby Red
Ruby Red
Ruby seems like every other rich white African schoolgirl of her time - if very popular and beautiful. But her home life is far from the ordinary - her mother is a gallery owner who takes on and looks after the poor, black artists that no one else will, and her father is a defence lawyer for black people. Secret meetings regularly take place at her house, and she can never invite any of her friends round. She lives a life of play-acting and white lies, never showing her true beliefs in equality and freedom beyond her front door. Life seems tough enough, but then she falls in love with a handsome and compassionate Afrikaans boy from another school, and things only go downhill. Rejected by her friends and community, because she pushed the boundaries of the three groups of society, blacks, whites and Afrikaans, it looks like she'll never escape the the prejudiced community she lives in...
This is a truly amazing story of a girl who is not afraid to stand up for her beliefs. Easily earns a place on my 'favorite books' shelf.
9/10
Ruby seems like every other rich white African schoolgirl of her time - if very popular and beautiful. But her home life is far from the ordinary - her mother is a gallery owner who takes on and looks after the poor, black artists that no one else will, and her father is a defence lawyer for black people. Secret meetings regularly take place at her house, and she can never invite any of her friends round. She lives a life of play-acting and white lies, never showing her true beliefs in equality and freedom beyond her front door. Life seems tough enough, but then she falls in love with a handsome and compassionate Afrikaans boy from another school, and things only go downhill. Rejected by her friends and community, because she pushed the boundaries of the three groups of society, blacks, whites and Afrikaans, it looks like she'll never escape the the prejudiced community she lives in...
This is a truly amazing story of a girl who is not afraid to stand up for her beliefs. Easily earns a place on my 'favorite books' shelf.
9/10
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
The Declaration By Gemma Malley
The Declaration
Anna is a Surplus, someone who shouldn't have been born. Everyone who is a Legal takes Longevity, a drug that makes people live forever, but if they have children, the world becomes over populated, so the government came up with a solution. No one who takes Longevity can have children, but if they do, they are put in prison, and their child becomes a Surplus, living only to serve, to cook and wash and organise the Legals lives. Anna is all set to become a Valuable Asset, to live down her parents decision, and become Useful, when along comes Peter the rulebreaking boy who swears he kows her parents, and that they love her, and want her back...
This book is one which caught me in its amazing plot surrounding this terrible distopia, where noone new can have a happy life, and the old live on forever, way outstaying their time with Mother Nature...
9/10
Anna is a Surplus, someone who shouldn't have been born. Everyone who is a Legal takes Longevity, a drug that makes people live forever, but if they have children, the world becomes over populated, so the government came up with a solution. No one who takes Longevity can have children, but if they do, they are put in prison, and their child becomes a Surplus, living only to serve, to cook and wash and organise the Legals lives. Anna is all set to become a Valuable Asset, to live down her parents decision, and become Useful, when along comes Peter the rulebreaking boy who swears he kows her parents, and that they love her, and want her back...
This book is one which caught me in its amazing plot surrounding this terrible distopia, where noone new can have a happy life, and the old live on forever, way outstaying their time with Mother Nature...
9/10
RuneMarks By Joanne Harris
RuneMarks
Maddy Smith is a lonely and strange girl, blamed for everything that goes wrong in her village, all because of the rusty marking on her hand that the villagers call a "Witch's Ruin" a sign that she is strange and dangerous, lonely, evil, stubborn... and worst of all, magic. This is a self fullfilling prophesy, as Maddy, shunned and taunted never makes any friends. Until, that is, she meets One-Eye, a strange man with an eyepatch, who tells her she is magic, and shows her how to cast Runes, and speak incantations, and use Glamour. He tells her stories of the Gods, and the old days, before the end of the world. And one day, she goes down into the World Below, and tings get even more magical than before.
This book is a brilliant story woven with old legends, and yet is something new and fresh.
9/10
Maddy Smith is a lonely and strange girl, blamed for everything that goes wrong in her village, all because of the rusty marking on her hand that the villagers call a "Witch's Ruin" a sign that she is strange and dangerous, lonely, evil, stubborn... and worst of all, magic. This is a self fullfilling prophesy, as Maddy, shunned and taunted never makes any friends. Until, that is, she meets One-Eye, a strange man with an eyepatch, who tells her she is magic, and shows her how to cast Runes, and speak incantations, and use Glamour. He tells her stories of the Gods, and the old days, before the end of the world. And one day, she goes down into the World Below, and tings get even more magical than before.
This book is a brilliant story woven with old legends, and yet is something new and fresh.
9/10
North Child By Edith Pattou
North Child
Rose is supposed to be an East Child - quiet, studious, hardworking and happy to stay at home. But she is out for adventure, always away, and her only East Attribute seems to be her love of weaving and sewing. One day, the truth about her birth is finally told - she is a North Child, adventurous, wild and different. Only, she never expected to find out because of a talking polar bear turning up at the door, offering to cure her mortally ill sister and reverse her family's bad fortunes if she were only to come with him - with him to a castle in the mountains, filled with magic and mystery...
I first read this book many years ago, and instantly became entranced by this amazing story of Norse magic, trolls, superstition, courage and romance.
10/10
Rose is supposed to be an East Child - quiet, studious, hardworking and happy to stay at home. But she is out for adventure, always away, and her only East Attribute seems to be her love of weaving and sewing. One day, the truth about her birth is finally told - she is a North Child, adventurous, wild and different. Only, she never expected to find out because of a talking polar bear turning up at the door, offering to cure her mortally ill sister and reverse her family's bad fortunes if she were only to come with him - with him to a castle in the mountains, filled with magic and mystery...
I first read this book many years ago, and instantly became entranced by this amazing story of Norse magic, trolls, superstition, courage and romance.
10/10
Monday, 4 October 2010
books to do
eragon seiries
blood ties and girl:missing
the help
the chosen one
envy
tanglewreck
the lion tamers daughter
tears of the salamander
blood ties and girl:missing
the help
the chosen one
envy
tanglewreck
the lion tamers daughter
tears of the salamander
Sovay By Ceelia Rees
Sovay
Sovay has grown up in a new way - aware and supportive of the ideas of equality and freedom, nurtured by her father, who has a strong belief in them. But he has been charged of treason, and has had to run away, and Sovay is left to run the house alone. Testing the faith of her current love, she takes the guise of a highwayman, and soon carries on in this way, enjoying the freedom. But the revolution across the water is building to the Terror, and a dark plot emerges. Sovay is heading in a direction she never meant to come...
This is one of my favorite books - a beautiful teenage girl who wants to have rights and freedom, who dresses up as a highwayman, and ends up in France, where things are getting worse. Many men in love with her, and as yet her heart undecided this is an amazing twisting story of freedom, terror and romance!
10/10
Sovay has grown up in a new way - aware and supportive of the ideas of equality and freedom, nurtured by her father, who has a strong belief in them. But he has been charged of treason, and has had to run away, and Sovay is left to run the house alone. Testing the faith of her current love, she takes the guise of a highwayman, and soon carries on in this way, enjoying the freedom. But the revolution across the water is building to the Terror, and a dark plot emerges. Sovay is heading in a direction she never meant to come...
This is one of my favorite books - a beautiful teenage girl who wants to have rights and freedom, who dresses up as a highwayman, and ends up in France, where things are getting worse. Many men in love with her, and as yet her heart undecided this is an amazing twisting story of freedom, terror and romance!
10/10
Sunday, 3 October 2010
Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Hush Hush
Nora Grey is an ordinary girl with an ordinary life, albeit the fact her father was murdered, until, one day, her teacher decides that everyone should change biology partners, and she ends up with the quiet, mysterious Patch, a transfer from another school. Gorgeous, dark, but emitting a strong signal of danger, Patch is not what he seems, and sometimes appears to be stalking Nora. And meanwhile, a lot of strange things are happening to her, her best friend to her worst enemy being beaten up by a stranger in a hockey mask, visions that seem to be true appearing, and a strange attraction to Patch no matter how much her instincts scream "DANGEROUS!"
I really enjoyed this book, which I borrowed off a friend, and loved the characters! Subtly hints at imitation twilight, and yet very different, featuring fallen angels instead of vampires. Loved it!
Nora Grey is an ordinary girl with an ordinary life, albeit the fact her father was murdered, until, one day, her teacher decides that everyone should change biology partners, and she ends up with the quiet, mysterious Patch, a transfer from another school. Gorgeous, dark, but emitting a strong signal of danger, Patch is not what he seems, and sometimes appears to be stalking Nora. And meanwhile, a lot of strange things are happening to her, her best friend to her worst enemy being beaten up by a stranger in a hockey mask, visions that seem to be true appearing, and a strange attraction to Patch no matter how much her instincts scream "DANGEROUS!"
I really enjoyed this book, which I borrowed off a friend, and loved the characters! Subtly hints at imitation twilight, and yet very different, featuring fallen angels instead of vampires. Loved it!
Friday, 10 September 2010
Gormenghast By Mervyn Peake
A book centred on Gormenghast castle, it's new heir, Titus Groan, and the rest of it's inhabitants.
The most boring book I've ever read, it's wild range of odd characters are astounding. Unfortunately, little to nothing happens. I actually don't beleive it is worth the time it would spend to type out its many faults in the endless tirade I could write.
1/10
The most boring book I've ever read, it's wild range of odd characters are astounding. Unfortunately, little to nothing happens. I actually don't beleive it is worth the time it would spend to type out its many faults in the endless tirade I could write.
1/10
Saturday, 4 September 2010
The Pern Series By Anne McCaffery
(Organised by timescale not order)
DragonsDawn
Over 6,000 people of the Federated Sentient Planets spend fifteen years in deep sleep on a one-way trip to establish a colony on Pern. The landing is successful and proceeds for several years until the first arrival of Thread. The threadfall is devastating. Scientists determine that this is not a short-term problem. Realizing help cannot come from the FSP, the colonists discover they might be able to alter the genetic structure of Pern's fire-lizards. The scientists make the necessary alterations and wait with little hope for the final result... The Dragons.
This is the amazing story of the beginning of Pern, filled with action and heroes. My favorite character is Sorka, but I also like Sean and Red.
9/10
The Chronicles of Pern: First Fall
Travel back to the earliest days of Pernese history in this first-ever Dragonriders of Pern short-story collection. Join the original survey team as they explore Pern and decide to recommend it for colonization. Share the terror of the evacuation from the Southern Continent as a flotilla of ships, aided by intelligent, talking dolphins, braves the dreadful currents of the Pernese ocean . . . Building a new life on a distant world, braving the dreaded Thread that falls like silver rain from the sky only to destroy every living thing it touches, flying heroically on the wondrous dragons: The Dragonriders of Pern!
This compilation of short stories is brilliant. I particularly like the founding of Ruatha, and the founding of Benden. By favorite character of all of the stories is Torene, who can hear all dragons, is smart, funny and amazingly beautiful.
10/10
Red Star Rising (also known as DragonsEye)
Moreta Dragonlady of Pern
Moreta, Weyrwoman of Fort Weyr, attends the first Gather of Alessan, The Lord Holder of Ruatha Hold. Disaster strikes most of Pern in the form of a Plague. Both come down with the illness but recover to assist the other sick and dying. Because the sickness strikes both runner beast and humans, Master Healer Campian realizes that the infectious agent can be caught again by either party from the other. Moreta and several other dragonriders are called into service to travel across Pern to head off another outbreak - if they fail the destruction of Pern is likely.
This is one of the most famous figures in all of Pernese history: Moreta. It's nice to know the whole story, rather than parts from other books. However, the story is heartbreaking, and always makes me want to cry.
9/10
Nerilka's Story
Nerilka is left behind when her father, mother, and sisters attend the first gather of Lord Alessan of Ruatha. A plague strikes Ruatha and Nerilka's father breaks quarantine to come home. Word soon arrives of the deaths of her mother and sisters and Nerilka's father moves his mistress and her family in. Nerilka, not wishing to be subservient and degraded, and also ashamed of her father's actions, decides to leave her Hold, setting off on an adventure to a better life.
Crossing over "Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern"constantly, this book basically shows the same story from a completely different point of view. I love the ending, and my favorite character is Alessan.
9/10
The MasterHarper of Pern
Thread, the deadly destructive alien spore, falls on Pern with the close passing of the Red Star, but no thread has fallen for 400 turns. F'lar searches for a strong-willed female candidate for an upcoming impression and finds just the woman. Lessa is brought to Benden Weyr and impresses the gold dragon Ramoth. F'lar and Lessa set about rebulding the weyr and restoring it to its proper hierarchy in the society. With the return of thread, the severe inadequacy of the fighting strength of one weyr forces Lessa to a desperate move. If she fails she will die, and Pern will be lost.
Actually the first book, this is written in the "Present Pass". This book skillfully displays everyones feelings, and is packed with excitement and romance. My favorite character is Lessa.
9/10
DragonQuest
The ways of the oldtime dragonriders from Pern's past differ from the present. Their demands and takings from the craft and Lord Holders cause the Holder to resent the oldtimers. Open warfare is out of the question with threadfall a constant threat - to eliminate the need for oldtimers, the Holders and Crafthalls must eliminate thread completely by destroying it at its source. Trying to answer the great question, F'nor and Canth go between - to the Red Star!
"DragonQuest" is reasonably good, but not as good as the other books in the series.
8/10
DragonSong
Menolly has a talent for music matched by no one else in HalfCircle Seahold. Her parents do not approve of her musical interest but tolerated it while the Harper was alive. With the death of Harper Petiron her parents suppress her only real love - music. Menolly flees the hold to the seacaves to live with her music and fire lizards. One day she is caught out in the open during threadfall, trying to outrun the leading edge. She is saved by a thread-fighting dragon, and her rescue sets in motion events and meetings with people that will change her life and future.
This book makes me want to cry - Menolly misunderstood and shunned, her mother purposefully bungling the healing of her hand - eventually running away to live in a cave rather than stay another minute in her home Hold. Brilliantly written.
10/10
DragonSinger: Harper of Pern
Arriving in style on the back of a bronze dragon to her new life in the Harper Hall, Menolly has nine fire-lizards and little else. Shunned by all but one of the other girls, she still is learning and having the time of her life, and making friends with a young scamp called Piemur. Officially the Harpers Apprentice, she is eventually respected, especially when the malicious ringleader of the girls, Pona, is expelled.
This is a great book - I'm especially glad that Menolly Fulfills her dream of becoming a Harper. I especially like the part where she becomes a JourneyWoman. She and Sebell are my favorite characters.
10/10
The White Dragon
Jaxom and Ruth set out to discover Pern and themselves. Their growth to adulthood leads them into brave actions, and they prevent a war between dragons and their riders. Jaxom catches a major illness and while being cured finds the woman he wants as his companion. Knowing this, he takes the necessary steps to be confirmed as the Lord Holder of Ruatha. His life changes and so does Pern. Jaxom has made a startling discovery that will alter Pern's past and set it on a new path for the future.
Jaxom is an amazing character, and I like the way Anne McCaffery has linked in everything from his Past in the first book, and when he impressed.
9/10
DragonDrums
Renegades of Pern
All the Weyrs of Pern
When AIVAS - the Artificial Intelligence Voice Address System - was first discovered at Landing, the entire planet of Pern was awed at the knowledge it divulged. All the history of the people of Pern was there. Dragonholders, Lord Holders and Craftmasters crowded into the tiny inner room to learn the secrets of their beginnings. And AIVAS had other gifts to offer - stored information of old crafts that had been forgotten, or medicine, music and technology.
The people of Pern finally get some technology - and it turns out that AIVIAS can be very useful indeed. Different to the other books, because of the technology. I like the way Jaxom is brought into it.
9/10
The Dolphins of Pern
When Masterfisher Alemi took young Readis out to catch redfins for the evening feast, neither of them realized it heralded a new chapter in the history of Pern. For when a sudden black squall blew up, their mast splintered and broke and their boat capsized. It was the shipfish who saved them, swooping up from the deep, holding them firm above the water, guiding them back to land, and above all speaking to them. Alemi, called to the all-encompassing power of AIVAS, learned that the shipfish were dolphins - brought to Pern with the early colonists to help and guide man through the oceans of the new planet. Now all the old Dolphin lore had to be rediscovered . . .
I likethe way that Aramina and Jayge are brought in again, and how Alemi is part of the fishing hold. The end is magnificent, and perfect in so many ways.
9/10
The Skies of Pern
DragonsDawn
Over 6,000 people of the Federated Sentient Planets spend fifteen years in deep sleep on a one-way trip to establish a colony on Pern. The landing is successful and proceeds for several years until the first arrival of Thread. The threadfall is devastating. Scientists determine that this is not a short-term problem. Realizing help cannot come from the FSP, the colonists discover they might be able to alter the genetic structure of Pern's fire-lizards. The scientists make the necessary alterations and wait with little hope for the final result... The Dragons.
This is the amazing story of the beginning of Pern, filled with action and heroes. My favorite character is Sorka, but I also like Sean and Red.
9/10
The Chronicles of Pern: First Fall
Travel back to the earliest days of Pernese history in this first-ever Dragonriders of Pern short-story collection. Join the original survey team as they explore Pern and decide to recommend it for colonization. Share the terror of the evacuation from the Southern Continent as a flotilla of ships, aided by intelligent, talking dolphins, braves the dreadful currents of the Pernese ocean . . . Building a new life on a distant world, braving the dreaded Thread that falls like silver rain from the sky only to destroy every living thing it touches, flying heroically on the wondrous dragons: The Dragonriders of Pern!
This compilation of short stories is brilliant. I particularly like the founding of Ruatha, and the founding of Benden. By favorite character of all of the stories is Torene, who can hear all dragons, is smart, funny and amazingly beautiful.
10/10
Red Star Rising (also known as DragonsEye)
For two hundred years there had been peace on Pern - but now the signs were ominous. Violent winter storms and erupting volcanoes heralded the coming of the second Pass of Thread, when the red planet would rain down its horrifying harvest and destroy every living organism on the face of Pern. No human or dragon or animal or plant was safe from the hideous death inflicted by Thread.
They had to prepare as best they could, training the great flights of dragons and ensuring that the Lord Holders did their part by protecting their people in every possible way. Only Lord Chalkin, Holder of Bitra, refused to co-operate. He did not believe in Threadfall. It was a plot of the Weyrs to gain ascendancy over the Holds. He would do nothing to protect Bitra or its people. The Lord Holders and Weyrleaders were of one accord. Chalkin must be impeached and removed from his lands if the planet was to be made safe.
This book is about the second pass, when people still knew about Sean and Sorka, and Earth. It's quite different to the other books really, in that way. My favorite characters are Debera and Iantine.
10/10Moreta Dragonlady of Pern
Moreta, Weyrwoman of Fort Weyr, attends the first Gather of Alessan, The Lord Holder of Ruatha Hold. Disaster strikes most of Pern in the form of a Plague. Both come down with the illness but recover to assist the other sick and dying. Because the sickness strikes both runner beast and humans, Master Healer Campian realizes that the infectious agent can be caught again by either party from the other. Moreta and several other dragonriders are called into service to travel across Pern to head off another outbreak - if they fail the destruction of Pern is likely.
This is one of the most famous figures in all of Pernese history: Moreta. It's nice to know the whole story, rather than parts from other books. However, the story is heartbreaking, and always makes me want to cry.
9/10
Nerilka's Story
Nerilka is left behind when her father, mother, and sisters attend the first gather of Lord Alessan of Ruatha. A plague strikes Ruatha and Nerilka's father breaks quarantine to come home. Word soon arrives of the deaths of her mother and sisters and Nerilka's father moves his mistress and her family in. Nerilka, not wishing to be subservient and degraded, and also ashamed of her father's actions, decides to leave her Hold, setting off on an adventure to a better life.
Crossing over "Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern"constantly, this book basically shows the same story from a completely different point of view. I love the ending, and my favorite character is Alessan.
9/10
The MasterHarper of Pern
In a time when no Thread has fallen for centuries - when, indeed, many are beginning to dare hope that Thread will never fall again - a boy is born to Harper Hall. His name is Robinton, and he is destined to be one of the most famous and beloved leaders Pern has ever known.
The son of Petiron, renowned composer, and Merelan, one of Pern's most gifted singers, Robinton is a prodigy from birth. As a child, he is already composing music that the apprentice and journeyman harpers play with delight. And he also discovers another gift: he has the ability to speak with the dragons, who tend to reach out telepathically only to their riders.
But not everyone appreciates his talents. His own father, driven by jealousy, spurns the boy. And far to the north, in the High Reaches, trouble is brewing in the form of a despotic holder, Fax, who hates harpers in general - and Robinton in particular.
It is a perilous time for harpers. They sing of Thread, yet more and more people are beginning to doubt the return of that deadly scourge. They teach reading, writing, and history, yet Fax is determined to keep his growing area of influence free of the learning that might sow unrest...
This book always makes me want to cry, as Petiron spurns Robinton over and over again. Written skillfully, with a good plot, this is one of my all time favorites. My favorite character is Sebell.
9/10
DragonFlightThis book always makes me want to cry, as Petiron spurns Robinton over and over again. Written skillfully, with a good plot, this is one of my all time favorites. My favorite character is Sebell.
9/10
Thread, the deadly destructive alien spore, falls on Pern with the close passing of the Red Star, but no thread has fallen for 400 turns. F'lar searches for a strong-willed female candidate for an upcoming impression and finds just the woman. Lessa is brought to Benden Weyr and impresses the gold dragon Ramoth. F'lar and Lessa set about rebulding the weyr and restoring it to its proper hierarchy in the society. With the return of thread, the severe inadequacy of the fighting strength of one weyr forces Lessa to a desperate move. If she fails she will die, and Pern will be lost.
Actually the first book, this is written in the "Present Pass". This book skillfully displays everyones feelings, and is packed with excitement and romance. My favorite character is Lessa.
9/10
DragonQuest
The ways of the oldtime dragonriders from Pern's past differ from the present. Their demands and takings from the craft and Lord Holders cause the Holder to resent the oldtimers. Open warfare is out of the question with threadfall a constant threat - to eliminate the need for oldtimers, the Holders and Crafthalls must eliminate thread completely by destroying it at its source. Trying to answer the great question, F'nor and Canth go between - to the Red Star!
"DragonQuest" is reasonably good, but not as good as the other books in the series.
8/10
DragonSong
Menolly has a talent for music matched by no one else in HalfCircle Seahold. Her parents do not approve of her musical interest but tolerated it while the Harper was alive. With the death of Harper Petiron her parents suppress her only real love - music. Menolly flees the hold to the seacaves to live with her music and fire lizards. One day she is caught out in the open during threadfall, trying to outrun the leading edge. She is saved by a thread-fighting dragon, and her rescue sets in motion events and meetings with people that will change her life and future.
This book makes me want to cry - Menolly misunderstood and shunned, her mother purposefully bungling the healing of her hand - eventually running away to live in a cave rather than stay another minute in her home Hold. Brilliantly written.
10/10
DragonSinger: Harper of Pern
Arriving in style on the back of a bronze dragon to her new life in the Harper Hall, Menolly has nine fire-lizards and little else. Shunned by all but one of the other girls, she still is learning and having the time of her life, and making friends with a young scamp called Piemur. Officially the Harpers Apprentice, she is eventually respected, especially when the malicious ringleader of the girls, Pona, is expelled.
This is a great book - I'm especially glad that Menolly Fulfills her dream of becoming a Harper. I especially like the part where she becomes a JourneyWoman. She and Sebell are my favorite characters.
10/10
The White Dragon
Jaxom and Ruth set out to discover Pern and themselves. Their growth to adulthood leads them into brave actions, and they prevent a war between dragons and their riders. Jaxom catches a major illness and while being cured finds the woman he wants as his companion. Knowing this, he takes the necessary steps to be confirmed as the Lord Holder of Ruatha. His life changes and so does Pern. Jaxom has made a startling discovery that will alter Pern's past and set it on a new path for the future.
Jaxom is an amazing character, and I like the way Anne McCaffery has linked in everything from his Past in the first book, and when he impressed.
9/10
DragonDrums
Piemur's youthful soprano singing voice finally cracks. Singing was Piemur's main study at Harpercraft Hall. Depressed over his sudden loss, he knows full well it will take time for his voice to settle, if he is ever able to sing again at all. But Masterharper Robinton has other uses for the wily, conniving youth, sending Piemur on political fact gathering missions for the Hall. Then Piemur steals a queen fire lizard egg, thus setting a Lord Holder against him. The information Piemur has gathered on the Lord Holder and his dealings with the banished Oldtimers must be saved. Piemur must also save himself and the unhatched fire lizard egg as well.
This is a brilliant book about Piemur, but I have to admit, one of my favorite bits about it is that Menolly and Sebell, two of my favorite characters, fall in love!
10/10This is a brilliant book about Piemur, but I have to admit, one of my favorite bits about it is that Menolly and Sebell, two of my favorite characters, fall in love!
Renegades of Pern
Not everyone on Pern enjoyed the protection of a Hold. Some were excluded from holds for punishment. Others, like Jayge's trader clan, simply preferred the freedom of the roads to the security of a Hold. Aramina's family had lost their hold unjustly. For all the holdless, life was a constant struggle for survival. Then, from the ranks of the criminals arose a band of renegades led by Lady Thella. No one was safe from Thella's depradations and now her quarry was Aramina, reputed to have a telepathic link with dragons...
Thella is a great villian, conniving and brilliant, but eventually brought down. i like the way she was mentioned in the Masterharper of Pern. Amazing and action-packed, but still with romance.
9/10
Thella is a great villian, conniving and brilliant, but eventually brought down. i like the way she was mentioned in the Masterharper of Pern. Amazing and action-packed, but still with romance.
9/10
All the Weyrs of Pern
When AIVAS - the Artificial Intelligence Voice Address System - was first discovered at Landing, the entire planet of Pern was awed at the knowledge it divulged. All the history of the people of Pern was there. Dragonholders, Lord Holders and Craftmasters crowded into the tiny inner room to learn the secrets of their beginnings. And AIVAS had other gifts to offer - stored information of old crafts that had been forgotten, or medicine, music and technology.
The people of Pern finally get some technology - and it turns out that AIVIAS can be very useful indeed. Different to the other books, because of the technology. I like the way Jaxom is brought into it.
9/10
The Dolphins of Pern
When Masterfisher Alemi took young Readis out to catch redfins for the evening feast, neither of them realized it heralded a new chapter in the history of Pern. For when a sudden black squall blew up, their mast splintered and broke and their boat capsized. It was the shipfish who saved them, swooping up from the deep, holding them firm above the water, guiding them back to land, and above all speaking to them. Alemi, called to the all-encompassing power of AIVAS, learned that the shipfish were dolphins - brought to Pern with the early colonists to help and guide man through the oceans of the new planet. Now all the old Dolphin lore had to be rediscovered . . .
I likethe way that Aramina and Jayge are brought in again, and how Alemi is part of the fishing hold. The end is magnificent, and perfect in so many ways.
9/10
The Skies of Pern
It is a time of hope and regret, of endings and beginnings. The Red Star, that celestial curse whose eccentric orbit was responsible for Thread, has been shifted to a harmless orbit, and the current Threadfall will be the last. Technological marvels are changing the face of life on Pern. And the dragonriders, led by F'lessan, son of F'lar and Lessa and rider of bronze Golanth, and Tai, rider of green Zaranth, must forge a new place for themselves in a world that may no longer need them.
But change is not easy for everyone. There are those who will stop at nothing-not even violence-to keep Pern and its people pure. And now a brand-new danger looms from the skies....and threatens a catastrophe of unimaginable proportions.
The final book by just Anne McCaffery, brilliant and a perfect end, with a perfect job for future dragonriders - astronamists!
10/10
The final book by just Anne McCaffery, brilliant and a perfect end, with a perfect job for future dragonriders - astronamists!
10/10
Friday, 3 September 2010
The CHERUB Series By Robert Muchamore
CHERUB: The Recruit
James Choke is the spoilt delinquent son of one of the biggest shoplifters in London, until one day, everything goes wrong. His Mum tragically dies, and he is left an orphan, with his sister Lauren being cared for by his crook of a step dad, Ron. Sent to a kids home full of dodgy teens, it looks like James' world is being turned upside down. Then one day he wakes up in a strange place which looks like the best kids home ever. But with nobody who will talk to him, only a man called Mac can give him answers. He has woken up in CHERUB, a spy organisation with one critical advantage: no one ever suspects kids of spying on them. And CHERUB wants James to join...
These books are not the usual cheesy teenage-spy books, and you really want them to be true! They are realistic, and yet at the same time, wildly out of this world! I love the concept of CHERUB, a top secret organization of talented age 10-18 teenagers, living on a state of the art campus.
10/10
CHERUB: Class A
Keith Moore is Britain's biggest cocaine dealer, and CHERUB have been called in to put him behind bars. James is chosen along with his best mates Kyle and Kerry, and another agent Nicole. James' job is to make friends with Keith's son, Junior. Then he has to work his way up from the bottom, delivering the drugs. Nicole gets done for taking Coke, one of the highest crimes a CHERUB can commit, leading to immediately being expelled. They bust the gang, but Keith Moore is still out there, and invites James, as one of Juniors friends to take a trip to Miami. CHERUB sees this as a golden opportunity, and sends him along to unearth the gangs business...
I think that this is actually one of the best books in the entire series, simple but epic, with plenty of action, and maybe a little to much romance - James goes out with a lot of girls in this one!
10/10
CHERUB: Maximum Security
So far, in James' experience, missions are about putting people away - not breaking them out. But that's exactly what James' next mission is to do - to break the son of a brilliant mastermind out of an American Maximum Security Prison along with Lauren and Dave, a renowned agent. CHERUB need to create a realistic situation in which the boy will lead James to Jane Oxford. After breaking out, James is forced to take a young woman and child hostage. They find a safe house in Canada, and much to Lauren's distaste, James cheats on his girlfriend, Kerry, with a horse-loving girl called Becky. But they have to move on, and Jane has something up her sleeve...
This is a very good book, like all of the CHERUBs, but this one is very different, breaking OUT of prisons and besting criminal masterminds. Amazing. But I feel very sorry for Kerry, constantly cheated on.
10/10
CHERUB: The Killing
Leon is a small time crook, watched by the cops, but not arrested. But then he is in the big money, and the police are desperate to find out where it comes from, and enlist the help of CHERUB. It seems like the standard job - make friends with his kids, infiltrate his come. But first glances can be deceiving, and there is something deeper to this, and only one eighteen-year-old boy knows the answer. There's only one problem. The boy in question fell to his death thirteen months earlier...
Deep and more complex than you first expect, this book is a brilliant mystery, only to be solved by the CHERUBs. But it really makes me sorry for Kerry...
8/10
CHERUB: Divine Madness
CHERUB: Man vs. Beast
Some think that testing on animals is a necessary evil to save lives, while others will kill to stop it happening. The Animal Freedom Militia, who are ganging up on a research centre that uses animal testing, are at the bottom of James, Lauren and Kyle's next mission. They plan to shock the nation into action, by capturing a celebrity chef, and force feeding him his own brand of acidic kitchen product, to show what happens to animals. They have to stop them...
This CHERUB is a forceful and shocking book, that truly made me consider vegetarianism. Of course, I'm against animal testing, but the vivid description really grips and sickens you. Amazing, but I wouldn't read it before a meal...
10/10
CHERUB: The Fall
When James' mission in Russia utterly fails, and the two adult agents he was working with prime suspects, James is suspended from missions, to his outrage. He asks Dana, another CHERUB, to help him go through Ewart's files. Meanwhile, Lauren is recruited to help investigate a brutal human trafficking operation, and make friends with a girl called Anna, targeted by the traffickers. But things don't go quite to plan, and Lauren is captured and taken, too, and she has to get out before something happens to her...
I believe that this book, as the other CHERUBs do, raises awareness on important issues. The CHERUBs are very good at that, and have influenced me, and I'm sure many others, about animal testing, gangs, human trafficking and drugs.
7/10
CHERUB: Mad Dogs
When Gabrielle is sent back to a campus following a stabbing during the turf war she was investigating, the Ethics committee want to pull the plug, but decide to send in Bruce and James, who has connections with the other gang involved, Mad Dogs. Contacting his old friend and target, Junior Moore, James gets back to work, quickly flying up the ranks. But what is going on, and can James, Bruce and Michael, Gabrielle's coworker in Slashers Boys, stop the gangs?
This book revisits the place where "Class A"was set, and also Junior, one of the characters. This one is more into the gang side of the story though.
9/10
CHERUB: The Sleepwalker
When a plane crashes over the Atlantic, no one suspects terrorism, despite the 345 people killed. After all, what's the point of terrorism if the group doesn't own up? But Dr McAfferty, ex-CHERUB chairman, who lost his family to the crash, thinks otherwise. A phone call to the police was recorded of a frightened young boy, starting to accuse his father of causing the crash, but hurriedly declaring the call a prank. Lauren and Jake are sent to find out what really happened. But what really happened isn't quite what they were expecting...
Other books are better, but this one is alright. Different, involving not a terrorist but a crooked and violent salesman...
8/10
CHERUB: The General
On New Year's Day a select team of CHERUB agents including James and Lauren fly to Las Vegas for a brief vacation on the way to Fort Reagan, the world's largest urban warfare training compound. They are to take part in a two-week exercise along with forty British commandos, posing as insurgents in an area controlled by an American battalion - a thousand soldiers. Weapons are restricted to paint guns and grenades. Under the leadership of the Ukrainian trainer Kazakov, who is bitterly anti-American, the 'insurgents' soon make their first move, knocking out aerial surveillance by wrecking the American spying drones. During this raid, James and the Sarge sneak into the army base to add a powerful laxative to the base's water system. Before long around nine-tenths of the American troops are disabled by violent diarrhoea. But will that be enough? it seems like it's over already. But more importantly, how will the well-trained American troops take to being beaten that quickly by a bunch of kids, an old man and the well-known but well-despised Kazakov?
This CHERUB is one of my favorites, one, huge, complex training exercise, in which the CHERUBs win hands down in a matter of days.
10/10
CHERUB: Brigands M.C.
Dante - a CHERUB agent's family was killed by the Fuhrer and his biker gang - Brigands M.C. When He, Lauren and James are sent on a mission to infiltrate the same biker gang, he is determined to kill him. James gets into the Rebel Tea Party, a biker festival, but an enemy gang attacks, and it goes nowhere. And Dante still can't get a lead to put the Fuhrer behind bars, and James, though making progress, could take months to get anywhere. Dante is frustrated, and there still isn't any foreseeable way, to get the Fuhrer well and truly locked up for good...
This is a complicated but good book. However, it annoys me that the Fuhrer isn't put behind bars. I like the Rebels Tea Party the best, action-packed and funny at the same time.
10/10
CHERUB: Shadow Wave
It's been years of excitement and spying, and James is on his last mission. But, for once, is CHERUB in with the wrong side? James' job is to guard the family of a wealthy businessman visiting Britain - a businessman who got his millions from cheating the poor. Not only this, but Kyle, James' friend, wants James to do differently to CHERUB, to break the rules, and help the poor, and one of Kyle's friends. Which is stronger - James' loyalty to CHERUB? Or his loyalty to his oldest friend?
This one is complicated but important, and very exciting. All the ends are tied up neatly, from the little matter with the Fuhrer, to James' relationship with Kerry, as well as his future after CHERUB. And a little something about his dad...
10/10
James Choke is the spoilt delinquent son of one of the biggest shoplifters in London, until one day, everything goes wrong. His Mum tragically dies, and he is left an orphan, with his sister Lauren being cared for by his crook of a step dad, Ron. Sent to a kids home full of dodgy teens, it looks like James' world is being turned upside down. Then one day he wakes up in a strange place which looks like the best kids home ever. But with nobody who will talk to him, only a man called Mac can give him answers. He has woken up in CHERUB, a spy organisation with one critical advantage: no one ever suspects kids of spying on them. And CHERUB wants James to join...
These books are not the usual cheesy teenage-spy books, and you really want them to be true! They are realistic, and yet at the same time, wildly out of this world! I love the concept of CHERUB, a top secret organization of talented age 10-18 teenagers, living on a state of the art campus.
10/10
CHERUB: Class A
Keith Moore is Britain's biggest cocaine dealer, and CHERUB have been called in to put him behind bars. James is chosen along with his best mates Kyle and Kerry, and another agent Nicole. James' job is to make friends with Keith's son, Junior. Then he has to work his way up from the bottom, delivering the drugs. Nicole gets done for taking Coke, one of the highest crimes a CHERUB can commit, leading to immediately being expelled. They bust the gang, but Keith Moore is still out there, and invites James, as one of Juniors friends to take a trip to Miami. CHERUB sees this as a golden opportunity, and sends him along to unearth the gangs business...
I think that this is actually one of the best books in the entire series, simple but epic, with plenty of action, and maybe a little to much romance - James goes out with a lot of girls in this one!
10/10
CHERUB: Maximum Security
So far, in James' experience, missions are about putting people away - not breaking them out. But that's exactly what James' next mission is to do - to break the son of a brilliant mastermind out of an American Maximum Security Prison along with Lauren and Dave, a renowned agent. CHERUB need to create a realistic situation in which the boy will lead James to Jane Oxford. After breaking out, James is forced to take a young woman and child hostage. They find a safe house in Canada, and much to Lauren's distaste, James cheats on his girlfriend, Kerry, with a horse-loving girl called Becky. But they have to move on, and Jane has something up her sleeve...
This is a very good book, like all of the CHERUBs, but this one is very different, breaking OUT of prisons and besting criminal masterminds. Amazing. But I feel very sorry for Kerry, constantly cheated on.
10/10
CHERUB: The Killing
Leon is a small time crook, watched by the cops, but not arrested. But then he is in the big money, and the police are desperate to find out where it comes from, and enlist the help of CHERUB. It seems like the standard job - make friends with his kids, infiltrate his come. But first glances can be deceiving, and there is something deeper to this, and only one eighteen-year-old boy knows the answer. There's only one problem. The boy in question fell to his death thirteen months earlier...
Deep and more complex than you first expect, this book is a brilliant mystery, only to be solved by the CHERUBs. But it really makes me sorry for Kerry...
8/10
CHERUB: Divine Madness
When CHERUB uncovers a link between eco-terrorist group Help Earth and a wealthy religious cult known as The Survivors, James Adams is sent to Australia on an infiltration mission. It's his toughest job so far. The Survivors' outback headquarters are completely isolated and the cult's brainwashing techniques put James under massive pressure. Making friends with Rat, the leaders son is easy, but the question is, can James complete the mission while hanging on to his sanity and loyalty to CHERUB?
This book is perhaps one of my least favorite CHERUBs. There is less action, and more about James and Lauren combating The Survivors' hypnosis and brainwashing techniques.
7/10
Some think that testing on animals is a necessary evil to save lives, while others will kill to stop it happening. The Animal Freedom Militia, who are ganging up on a research centre that uses animal testing, are at the bottom of James, Lauren and Kyle's next mission. They plan to shock the nation into action, by capturing a celebrity chef, and force feeding him his own brand of acidic kitchen product, to show what happens to animals. They have to stop them...
This CHERUB is a forceful and shocking book, that truly made me consider vegetarianism. Of course, I'm against animal testing, but the vivid description really grips and sickens you. Amazing, but I wouldn't read it before a meal...
10/10
CHERUB: The Fall
When James' mission in Russia utterly fails, and the two adult agents he was working with prime suspects, James is suspended from missions, to his outrage. He asks Dana, another CHERUB, to help him go through Ewart's files. Meanwhile, Lauren is recruited to help investigate a brutal human trafficking operation, and make friends with a girl called Anna, targeted by the traffickers. But things don't go quite to plan, and Lauren is captured and taken, too, and she has to get out before something happens to her...
I believe that this book, as the other CHERUBs do, raises awareness on important issues. The CHERUBs are very good at that, and have influenced me, and I'm sure many others, about animal testing, gangs, human trafficking and drugs.
7/10
CHERUB: Mad Dogs
When Gabrielle is sent back to a campus following a stabbing during the turf war she was investigating, the Ethics committee want to pull the plug, but decide to send in Bruce and James, who has connections with the other gang involved, Mad Dogs. Contacting his old friend and target, Junior Moore, James gets back to work, quickly flying up the ranks. But what is going on, and can James, Bruce and Michael, Gabrielle's coworker in Slashers Boys, stop the gangs?
This book revisits the place where "Class A"was set, and also Junior, one of the characters. This one is more into the gang side of the story though.
9/10
CHERUB: The Sleepwalker
When a plane crashes over the Atlantic, no one suspects terrorism, despite the 345 people killed. After all, what's the point of terrorism if the group doesn't own up? But Dr McAfferty, ex-CHERUB chairman, who lost his family to the crash, thinks otherwise. A phone call to the police was recorded of a frightened young boy, starting to accuse his father of causing the crash, but hurriedly declaring the call a prank. Lauren and Jake are sent to find out what really happened. But what really happened isn't quite what they were expecting...
Other books are better, but this one is alright. Different, involving not a terrorist but a crooked and violent salesman...
8/10
CHERUB: The General
On New Year's Day a select team of CHERUB agents including James and Lauren fly to Las Vegas for a brief vacation on the way to Fort Reagan, the world's largest urban warfare training compound. They are to take part in a two-week exercise along with forty British commandos, posing as insurgents in an area controlled by an American battalion - a thousand soldiers. Weapons are restricted to paint guns and grenades. Under the leadership of the Ukrainian trainer Kazakov, who is bitterly anti-American, the 'insurgents' soon make their first move, knocking out aerial surveillance by wrecking the American spying drones. During this raid, James and the Sarge sneak into the army base to add a powerful laxative to the base's water system. Before long around nine-tenths of the American troops are disabled by violent diarrhoea. But will that be enough? it seems like it's over already. But more importantly, how will the well-trained American troops take to being beaten that quickly by a bunch of kids, an old man and the well-known but well-despised Kazakov?
This CHERUB is one of my favorites, one, huge, complex training exercise, in which the CHERUBs win hands down in a matter of days.
10/10
CHERUB: Brigands M.C.
Dante - a CHERUB agent's family was killed by the Fuhrer and his biker gang - Brigands M.C. When He, Lauren and James are sent on a mission to infiltrate the same biker gang, he is determined to kill him. James gets into the Rebel Tea Party, a biker festival, but an enemy gang attacks, and it goes nowhere. And Dante still can't get a lead to put the Fuhrer behind bars, and James, though making progress, could take months to get anywhere. Dante is frustrated, and there still isn't any foreseeable way, to get the Fuhrer well and truly locked up for good...
This is a complicated but good book. However, it annoys me that the Fuhrer isn't put behind bars. I like the Rebels Tea Party the best, action-packed and funny at the same time.
10/10
CHERUB: Shadow Wave
It's been years of excitement and spying, and James is on his last mission. But, for once, is CHERUB in with the wrong side? James' job is to guard the family of a wealthy businessman visiting Britain - a businessman who got his millions from cheating the poor. Not only this, but Kyle, James' friend, wants James to do differently to CHERUB, to break the rules, and help the poor, and one of Kyle's friends. Which is stronger - James' loyalty to CHERUB? Or his loyalty to his oldest friend?
This one is complicated but important, and very exciting. All the ends are tied up neatly, from the little matter with the Fuhrer, to James' relationship with Kerry, as well as his future after CHERUB. And a little something about his dad...
10/10
The Harry Potter Series By J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry Potter lives with his Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin Dudley, some of the most normal, least imaginative people ever to have graced the earth. But Harry has never fitted in, and has unintentionally done some very strange things indeed that simply can't be explained. He lives in the cupboard under the stairs, watching his obese and spoilt cousin receive anything at the blink of an eye, wondering what it was that made these people dislike him so much, and wishing his parents hadn't died in a car crash, when, on his eleventh birthday, a ginormous man turns up and gives a very different explanation - that his parents had been murdered, and that he, Harry Potter - was a wizard.
I have always loved the Harry Potters; I always will. This is the first one, and contains lots of amazing description of Hogwarts - and a plot that twists and turns, and yet links together to make complete sense! Full, satisfying and utterly brilliant for seven-year-olds to seventy-year-olds.
My favorite character by far is Hermione, throughout the series, who reminds me of me.
10/10
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry is back at Hogwarts, but something is wrong - he's had a visit from an eccentric but determined house-elf, and everything keeps going wrong, from getting on to platform 9 and 3/4 to rogue bludgers, but something even darker lies beneath the hustle and bustle of Hogwarts, and students have fallen prey to some unknown monster...
I have always adored this story, with Dobby the house-elf and Gilderoy Lockheart, the famous and ever-smiling slimy cheat. Yet another mystery for Harry, Ron and Hermione to solve, and yet the same dark wizard behind it all. Brilliantly written and amazingly famous.
10/10
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban
Returning to Hogwarts once again, something is going on that no adult will reveal... Except Mr Weasley. Sirius Black, the crazy, Voldemort supporting, mass-murdering wizard is on a rampage, and it seems Harry is his target. Escaping from Askaban, the famous and supposedly inescapable wizard prison, he wants revenge for the death of his master. But there is something more about Black that can wound Harry far more than any spell. Sirius Black is his Godfather. His parents dearest friend. The one who betrayed them to Voldemort. But things are not quite as they seem...
The third book in the series delves deep into Harry's past. I love the way the characters develop, and how Black isn't who he is being accused of being. In this book, Time is turned back, and the dead come to life...
10/10
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
The Quidditch World Cup comes and goes, with Harry, surprisingly in the crowds. But an event more ancient, more exciting, is next on the agenda for the students of not just Hogwarts, but Bauxbatons and Durmstrang as well. three Champions are set a series of tasks to decide their competence, marked by judges. Harry does not expect to even see his name put in the cup - after all, he is under age - but someone has it in for him and has tricked the powerful magic into accepting him- against his wishes. Struggling through the tasks, he must face Ron abandoning him. but there is something more to this, already extraordinary occurrence, something dark...
This book is exciting and action-packed, with a new array of amazingly original characters. Brilliantly exciting, and just as well-selling as its three predecessors, this one truly tops he charts. It's only fault: the hardly relevant title. "Harry Potter and the Triwizard Tournament" would be a better choice.
10/10
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Attacked by Dementors when still in Little Whinging, Harry is getting angry. But a trial, led by the stupidly unbelieving Minister of Magic, Cornelious Fudge, is instigated for use of apparently needless defensive magic - in front of his muggle cousin. But Dumbledore saves him and he goes back to Grimmauld Place - HQ of the Order of the Phoenix, the Anti-Voldemort Order. But when he finally gets back to Hogwarts, there is a new teacher - the ministry instigated, ever-pink and hated Dolores Umbridge. Who is going to make life for Harry very hard indeed...
Yet another amazing Harry Potter. One of the best parts being the DA - the student defence group, formed by Harry against the rules to teach spell - Dumbledore's Army.
10/10
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry is back at school, and with Snape as Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, and the new Potions Master as Slughorn. But you-know-who is bak and Dumbledore is teaching Harry everything he knows about Voldemort. But everything is getting complicated and not everyone is going to survive as Harry, Ron and Hermione are going to find out, as several murder-attempts are carried out, and nobody will believe Harry's suspicions involving a certain Malfoy...
I like this Harry Potter, and certainly love the Quidditch Match where Ron thinks he has taken Felix Felicis.
9/10
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Harry is on the run from the Ministry, with Ron and Hermione, trying to find the rest of the horcruxes. But they don't even know where the real locket is - they only have the initials found in the locket Dumbledore died for - R.A.B. and that gives no help at all. The going is hard and they would all love to go back, but that is not meant to be. And they soon will wish they had never started, but the mystery that Dumbledore left as his legacy will soon untangle...
The final Harry Potter is amazing, tying up all the loose strings, in what seems like one huge fight. Action-packed and exciting, this brilliant book, unfortunately ends with many deaths, but finally ends with a satisfactorily sentimental round off...
10/10
Harry Potter lives with his Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin Dudley, some of the most normal, least imaginative people ever to have graced the earth. But Harry has never fitted in, and has unintentionally done some very strange things indeed that simply can't be explained. He lives in the cupboard under the stairs, watching his obese and spoilt cousin receive anything at the blink of an eye, wondering what it was that made these people dislike him so much, and wishing his parents hadn't died in a car crash, when, on his eleventh birthday, a ginormous man turns up and gives a very different explanation - that his parents had been murdered, and that he, Harry Potter - was a wizard.
I have always loved the Harry Potters; I always will. This is the first one, and contains lots of amazing description of Hogwarts - and a plot that twists and turns, and yet links together to make complete sense! Full, satisfying and utterly brilliant for seven-year-olds to seventy-year-olds.
My favorite character by far is Hermione, throughout the series, who reminds me of me.
10/10
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry is back at Hogwarts, but something is wrong - he's had a visit from an eccentric but determined house-elf, and everything keeps going wrong, from getting on to platform 9 and 3/4 to rogue bludgers, but something even darker lies beneath the hustle and bustle of Hogwarts, and students have fallen prey to some unknown monster...
I have always adored this story, with Dobby the house-elf and Gilderoy Lockheart, the famous and ever-smiling slimy cheat. Yet another mystery for Harry, Ron and Hermione to solve, and yet the same dark wizard behind it all. Brilliantly written and amazingly famous.
10/10
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban
Returning to Hogwarts once again, something is going on that no adult will reveal... Except Mr Weasley. Sirius Black, the crazy, Voldemort supporting, mass-murdering wizard is on a rampage, and it seems Harry is his target. Escaping from Askaban, the famous and supposedly inescapable wizard prison, he wants revenge for the death of his master. But there is something more about Black that can wound Harry far more than any spell. Sirius Black is his Godfather. His parents dearest friend. The one who betrayed them to Voldemort. But things are not quite as they seem...
The third book in the series delves deep into Harry's past. I love the way the characters develop, and how Black isn't who he is being accused of being. In this book, Time is turned back, and the dead come to life...
10/10
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
The Quidditch World Cup comes and goes, with Harry, surprisingly in the crowds. But an event more ancient, more exciting, is next on the agenda for the students of not just Hogwarts, but Bauxbatons and Durmstrang as well. three Champions are set a series of tasks to decide their competence, marked by judges. Harry does not expect to even see his name put in the cup - after all, he is under age - but someone has it in for him and has tricked the powerful magic into accepting him- against his wishes. Struggling through the tasks, he must face Ron abandoning him. but there is something more to this, already extraordinary occurrence, something dark...
This book is exciting and action-packed, with a new array of amazingly original characters. Brilliantly exciting, and just as well-selling as its three predecessors, this one truly tops he charts. It's only fault: the hardly relevant title. "Harry Potter and the Triwizard Tournament" would be a better choice.
10/10
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Attacked by Dementors when still in Little Whinging, Harry is getting angry. But a trial, led by the stupidly unbelieving Minister of Magic, Cornelious Fudge, is instigated for use of apparently needless defensive magic - in front of his muggle cousin. But Dumbledore saves him and he goes back to Grimmauld Place - HQ of the Order of the Phoenix, the Anti-Voldemort Order. But when he finally gets back to Hogwarts, there is a new teacher - the ministry instigated, ever-pink and hated Dolores Umbridge. Who is going to make life for Harry very hard indeed...
Yet another amazing Harry Potter. One of the best parts being the DA - the student defence group, formed by Harry against the rules to teach spell - Dumbledore's Army.
10/10
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry is back at school, and with Snape as Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, and the new Potions Master as Slughorn. But you-know-who is bak and Dumbledore is teaching Harry everything he knows about Voldemort. But everything is getting complicated and not everyone is going to survive as Harry, Ron and Hermione are going to find out, as several murder-attempts are carried out, and nobody will believe Harry's suspicions involving a certain Malfoy...
I like this Harry Potter, and certainly love the Quidditch Match where Ron thinks he has taken Felix Felicis.
9/10
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Harry is on the run from the Ministry, with Ron and Hermione, trying to find the rest of the horcruxes. But they don't even know where the real locket is - they only have the initials found in the locket Dumbledore died for - R.A.B. and that gives no help at all. The going is hard and they would all love to go back, but that is not meant to be. And they soon will wish they had never started, but the mystery that Dumbledore left as his legacy will soon untangle...
The final Harry Potter is amazing, tying up all the loose strings, in what seems like one huge fight. Action-packed and exciting, this brilliant book, unfortunately ends with many deaths, but finally ends with a satisfactorily sentimental round off...
10/10
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
The Belgariad By David Eddings
Pawn of Prophesy
Garion is just a simple farmboy, living his life happily on Faldur's Farm, until one day, his Aunt Pol and a story teller named Mister Wolf take off to find a mysterious object nobody will name, accompanied by a blacksmith named Durnik. They soon meet up with a small Drasnian named Silk, and a huge Cherek named Barak, and the adventure begins in earnest. But what they are looking for, Garion does not know...
A classic coming of age tale, this is a mysterious and magic book where legend comes to life. This fantasy book is written skillfully in third person, and is a book that my dad loved as a child, as I do now. My favorite part is when Silk is teaching Garion Drasnian sign-language.
9/10
Queen of Sorcery
Mister Wolf and his companions chase after the mysterious object. Along the way, they are joined by three more companions while traveling through Arendia: Hettar, an Algar warrior who has telepathic contact with horses; the Mimbrate knight Mandorallen; and the Asturian archer Lelldorin. Garion develops a strong friendship with Lelldorin after traveling with him.
This book is similar to the first one, allowing more characters, a thickening plot and more clues to what they're following. My favorite part is in the Dryads wood. My favorite character is Polgara or Silk
9/10
Magicians Gambit
After learning that Ctuchik has stolen the Orb of Aldur from Zedar, The companions Go to Ctuchiks Headquarters via the Vale, where they meet Aldur, a god, Maragor where they meet Mara, another god, and Ulgo, where they meet UL another god, and leave Ce'Nedra behind.
This book involves a lot more magic and gods, and they infiltrate Ctuchik's headquarters. My favorite part is when they take the Orb from Ctuchik.
9/10
Castle of Wizardry
Leadership is thrust upon Garion for the first time when Belgarath and Polgara are incapacitated, the former by his battle with Ctuchik and the latter by maintaining a shield to protect the innocent boy Errand, as they escape. Garion destroys the focal point of the power of the Hierarchs of Rak Cthol in retaliation for an attack upon Durnik. With Errand continuously trying to give the Orb of Aldur to everyone in the company (its donation being the source of his name), they return to Ulgo for Ce'Nedra and eventually reach the Isle of the Winds.
My favorite part is when Garion becomes King of Riva.
8/10
Enchanters End Game
Garion, Silk and Belgarath proceed to sneak through Gar og Nadrak, and despite a few incidents (such as being forced to join the Nadrak army at one point), finally reaches the land-bridge and crosses into Mallorea. Despite repeated dreams of temptation by Torak to accept him as a father and Polgara as his true mother, he loudly rejects Torak and manages to reach Cthol Mishrak unchallenged.
Ce'Nedra's plan is less successful. Despite a victory at Thull Mardu, she, Polgara, Durnik, and Errand are captured by Mallorean forces and taken to Kal Zakath, who gives them to Zedar. This is particularly disastrous because Torak wishes for Polgara to be his bride; with the self-confidence her love would give Torak, his strength would become such that the Rivan King would be unable to stop him.
I like the ending of this book, because everything does turn out all right really.
9/10
Garion is just a simple farmboy, living his life happily on Faldur's Farm, until one day, his Aunt Pol and a story teller named Mister Wolf take off to find a mysterious object nobody will name, accompanied by a blacksmith named Durnik. They soon meet up with a small Drasnian named Silk, and a huge Cherek named Barak, and the adventure begins in earnest. But what they are looking for, Garion does not know...
A classic coming of age tale, this is a mysterious and magic book where legend comes to life. This fantasy book is written skillfully in third person, and is a book that my dad loved as a child, as I do now. My favorite part is when Silk is teaching Garion Drasnian sign-language.
9/10
Queen of Sorcery
Mister Wolf and his companions chase after the mysterious object. Along the way, they are joined by three more companions while traveling through Arendia: Hettar, an Algar warrior who has telepathic contact with horses; the Mimbrate knight Mandorallen; and the Asturian archer Lelldorin. Garion develops a strong friendship with Lelldorin after traveling with him.
This book is similar to the first one, allowing more characters, a thickening plot and more clues to what they're following. My favorite part is in the Dryads wood. My favorite character is Polgara or Silk
9/10
Magicians Gambit
After learning that Ctuchik has stolen the Orb of Aldur from Zedar, The companions Go to Ctuchiks Headquarters via the Vale, where they meet Aldur, a god, Maragor where they meet Mara, another god, and Ulgo, where they meet UL another god, and leave Ce'Nedra behind.
This book involves a lot more magic and gods, and they infiltrate Ctuchik's headquarters. My favorite part is when they take the Orb from Ctuchik.
9/10
Castle of Wizardry
Leadership is thrust upon Garion for the first time when Belgarath and Polgara are incapacitated, the former by his battle with Ctuchik and the latter by maintaining a shield to protect the innocent boy Errand, as they escape. Garion destroys the focal point of the power of the Hierarchs of Rak Cthol in retaliation for an attack upon Durnik. With Errand continuously trying to give the Orb of Aldur to everyone in the company (its donation being the source of his name), they return to Ulgo for Ce'Nedra and eventually reach the Isle of the Winds.
My favorite part is when Garion becomes King of Riva.
8/10
Enchanters End Game
Garion, Silk and Belgarath proceed to sneak through Gar og Nadrak, and despite a few incidents (such as being forced to join the Nadrak army at one point), finally reaches the land-bridge and crosses into Mallorea. Despite repeated dreams of temptation by Torak to accept him as a father and Polgara as his true mother, he loudly rejects Torak and manages to reach Cthol Mishrak unchallenged.
Ce'Nedra's plan is less successful. Despite a victory at Thull Mardu, she, Polgara, Durnik, and Errand are captured by Mallorean forces and taken to Kal Zakath, who gives them to Zedar. This is particularly disastrous because Torak wishes for Polgara to be his bride; with the self-confidence her love would give Torak, his strength would become such that the Rivan King would be unable to stop him.
I like the ending of this book, because everything does turn out all right really.
9/10
The Hunger Games Trilogy By Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games
When Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister, Prim's place in the yearly sadistic reality TV show, she doesn't expect to survive for long. Not to say that she was going to go down without a fight, but, against 23 other teenagers, some of whom have been training their entire lives, she doesn't think she's ever going to win. But coupled with her hunting skills, her magnetic presence and her extraordinary stylist she might just stand a chance in this sadistic game with only one rule: KILL OR BE KILLED. And she might possibly have a chance of being the victor.
This magnetic and dark book was one of those that you literally can't put down. This series might just be the next Twilight. My favorite part was the bit when Rue died, and my favorite character is Katniss, throughout.
10/10
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
If you thought Katniss's round of the Hunger games was over, then you are very wrong indeed. Forced by President Snow to put on a show that she was madly in love, and not revolutionary in her gesture of power, swallowing the berries, Katniss goes on a tour of the continent with Peeta, making victory speeches. But Snow is not impressed, and he rigs the Quarter Quell to throw her back in the games against other victors, along with Peeta. But there's something fishy going on...
This book is very different with the tick-tock arena and the second revolution of the districts. And Katniss is stuck in the middle with the role of the Mockingjay to play. The plot thickens... My favorite part is when Peeta gives Katniss the locket. Not quite as good as the first book.
8/10
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay
Katniss is now part of district 13, and still has a concussion and a medical bracelet proclaiming her 'Mentally Unstable'. But this time it's not the Capitol controlling her, but the revolution, dressing her up, putting makeup on her, wanting her to say and do things. But Katniss has her own agenda, and first thing on it is Peeta.
I'm not sure if I like this book as much as the first one, it's darker, and next to no happiness. Peeta comes back, Hijacked by the Capitol, so that he is programmed to kill Katniss. And Gale is moody and revolutionised, possibly indirectly killing Prim. This book is a disapointment.
7/10
When Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister, Prim's place in the yearly sadistic reality TV show, she doesn't expect to survive for long. Not to say that she was going to go down without a fight, but, against 23 other teenagers, some of whom have been training their entire lives, she doesn't think she's ever going to win. But coupled with her hunting skills, her magnetic presence and her extraordinary stylist she might just stand a chance in this sadistic game with only one rule: KILL OR BE KILLED. And she might possibly have a chance of being the victor.
This magnetic and dark book was one of those that you literally can't put down. This series might just be the next Twilight. My favorite part was the bit when Rue died, and my favorite character is Katniss, throughout.
10/10
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
If you thought Katniss's round of the Hunger games was over, then you are very wrong indeed. Forced by President Snow to put on a show that she was madly in love, and not revolutionary in her gesture of power, swallowing the berries, Katniss goes on a tour of the continent with Peeta, making victory speeches. But Snow is not impressed, and he rigs the Quarter Quell to throw her back in the games against other victors, along with Peeta. But there's something fishy going on...
This book is very different with the tick-tock arena and the second revolution of the districts. And Katniss is stuck in the middle with the role of the Mockingjay to play. The plot thickens... My favorite part is when Peeta gives Katniss the locket. Not quite as good as the first book.
8/10
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay
Katniss is now part of district 13, and still has a concussion and a medical bracelet proclaiming her 'Mentally Unstable'. But this time it's not the Capitol controlling her, but the revolution, dressing her up, putting makeup on her, wanting her to say and do things. But Katniss has her own agenda, and first thing on it is Peeta.
I'm not sure if I like this book as much as the first one, it's darker, and next to no happiness. Peeta comes back, Hijacked by the Capitol, so that he is programmed to kill Katniss. And Gale is moody and revolutionised, possibly indirectly killing Prim. This book is a disapointment.
7/10
The Red Necklace and the Silver Blade By Sally Gardner
The Red Necklace
Yann Margoza is a gypsy, an entertainer guarding his identity, and using true magic to make a wooden Pierrot see the future, just before the french revolution. But then one night something badly goes wrong and one of his friends is killed. That night he meets Sido, the Marquis de Villeduval's daughter, forgotten and alone. His guardian, Tetu the dwarf arranges for Yann's passage to England, to learn to be a gentleman, but while trying to escape, Tetu is shot. Yann struggles with his grief in England, but knows one day, he will return to his homeland whether he likes it or not...
This book is an astounding mixture of historical fact and mythical magic, spiced with a little adventure and romance. My favorite part is where Yann breaks Sido out of Kalliovski's clutches and returns her to her aunt and uncle in England. Sido is my favorite character along with Yann, throughout both this book and the next one.
10/10
The Silver Blade
Yann is helping get some of the the more innocent aristocracy out of France, under the name of the Silver Blade, while Sido is caught in the clutches of the unbearable world of petty rumours and afternoon tea. They communicate in secret through Yann's old tutor. But Kalliovski is not dead, but plotting underground with the Sisters Macabre and the dead head of the late Marquis de Villeduval, and soon Sidonie will find herself back in France under even unhappier circumstances than before...
This book delves even deeper into both magic and history than the prequell, brilliant and adventurous, filled with love and heartbreak, France and England, the doom of death by Guillitine and the promise of life.
10/10
Yann Margoza is a gypsy, an entertainer guarding his identity, and using true magic to make a wooden Pierrot see the future, just before the french revolution. But then one night something badly goes wrong and one of his friends is killed. That night he meets Sido, the Marquis de Villeduval's daughter, forgotten and alone. His guardian, Tetu the dwarf arranges for Yann's passage to England, to learn to be a gentleman, but while trying to escape, Tetu is shot. Yann struggles with his grief in England, but knows one day, he will return to his homeland whether he likes it or not...
This book is an astounding mixture of historical fact and mythical magic, spiced with a little adventure and romance. My favorite part is where Yann breaks Sido out of Kalliovski's clutches and returns her to her aunt and uncle in England. Sido is my favorite character along with Yann, throughout both this book and the next one.
10/10
The Silver Blade
Yann is helping get some of the the more innocent aristocracy out of France, under the name of the Silver Blade, while Sido is caught in the clutches of the unbearable world of petty rumours and afternoon tea. They communicate in secret through Yann's old tutor. But Kalliovski is not dead, but plotting underground with the Sisters Macabre and the dead head of the late Marquis de Villeduval, and soon Sidonie will find herself back in France under even unhappier circumstances than before...
This book delves even deeper into both magic and history than the prequell, brilliant and adventurous, filled with love and heartbreak, France and England, the doom of death by Guillitine and the promise of life.
10/10
Friday, 27 August 2010
His Dark Materials Trilogy By Phillip Pullman
Northern Lights/The Golden Compass
Lyra lives happily, half tame, half wild, playing outside Jordan College in Oxford, her home, with her friends, the Gypsies and Roger the kitchen boy, until the rumours came about he Gobblers, people who kidnap kids. one of the Gypsy boys and Roger are taken and Lyra is distraught. Then along comes Mrs Coulter, stylish, clever and beautiful, who takes Lyra away to live with her, but not before the master of Jordan college gives her an alethiometer, a truth teller, a golden compass. She finds out that Mrs Coulter is a Gobbler and runs away, stumbling into the Gypsies who ask her with them on an expedition north to Bolvangar, where the kids are taken to, so that she can find Roger. Along the journey they pick up Lee Scorseby and Iorek Byrnoson, The armoured Bear. The journey sets off to find the kidnapped children...
I think that this classic is one of those rare and extraordinary books that you simply can't put down, when, even the eighth time you read it, you take it with you around the house, reading at every opportunity. I particularly love the scene at Bolvangar, and my favorite character is Lee Scoresby.
10/10
The Subtle Knife
Willis on the run. He has inadvertently killed a man who had been harassing his sick mother, and he needs somewhere to hide. He stumbles into another world, empty, until he finds Lyra who has travelled to this world in persuit of Dust. they go back to Wills oxford to find some ''scholars'' to help her, and end up being robbed of the Alethiometer by a clever man called Sir Charles, who blackmails them into trying to attain a powerful and mysterious weapon in the world where they're hiding in, Cittagazze, called the Subtle knife, that can cut between different worlds...
Impossible although it is, this book is even better than Northern Lights. I like the elements of our world added to the rest, and the changing from world to world using the Subtle Knife. My favorite scene is when Will is given the Subtle Knife, and my favorite character is Will.
10/10
The Amber Spyglass
Lyra has been kidnapped by her mother and Will is supposed to be going to Lord Asriel's Fortress, but he won't rest until he saves her. He does this with the help of Iorek Byrnison, Who he manages to outsmart. After rescuing her, and being followed into another world by two minature spies, will admits to have accidentally broken the subtle knife, and Lyra to needing to go to the land of the dead to apologise to Roger for inadvertantly causing his death. After getting Iorek to fix the knife, they set off, swearing to go to the dead and to come back...
This one is not quite as good as the Subtle Knife, but still amazing, and very exciting. I love Mary Malone, the Mulefa and when Lyra and Will fall in love! My favorite scene is when Mrs Coulter and Lord Asriel sacrifice themselves to bring down Metatron, and my favorite characters are Will and the Mulefa.
10/10
Lyra lives happily, half tame, half wild, playing outside Jordan College in Oxford, her home, with her friends, the Gypsies and Roger the kitchen boy, until the rumours came about he Gobblers, people who kidnap kids. one of the Gypsy boys and Roger are taken and Lyra is distraught. Then along comes Mrs Coulter, stylish, clever and beautiful, who takes Lyra away to live with her, but not before the master of Jordan college gives her an alethiometer, a truth teller, a golden compass. She finds out that Mrs Coulter is a Gobbler and runs away, stumbling into the Gypsies who ask her with them on an expedition north to Bolvangar, where the kids are taken to, so that she can find Roger. Along the journey they pick up Lee Scorseby and Iorek Byrnoson, The armoured Bear. The journey sets off to find the kidnapped children...
I think that this classic is one of those rare and extraordinary books that you simply can't put down, when, even the eighth time you read it, you take it with you around the house, reading at every opportunity. I particularly love the scene at Bolvangar, and my favorite character is Lee Scoresby.
10/10
The Subtle Knife
Willis on the run. He has inadvertently killed a man who had been harassing his sick mother, and he needs somewhere to hide. He stumbles into another world, empty, until he finds Lyra who has travelled to this world in persuit of Dust. they go back to Wills oxford to find some ''scholars'' to help her, and end up being robbed of the Alethiometer by a clever man called Sir Charles, who blackmails them into trying to attain a powerful and mysterious weapon in the world where they're hiding in, Cittagazze, called the Subtle knife, that can cut between different worlds...
Impossible although it is, this book is even better than Northern Lights. I like the elements of our world added to the rest, and the changing from world to world using the Subtle Knife. My favorite scene is when Will is given the Subtle Knife, and my favorite character is Will.
10/10
The Amber Spyglass
Lyra has been kidnapped by her mother and Will is supposed to be going to Lord Asriel's Fortress, but he won't rest until he saves her. He does this with the help of Iorek Byrnison, Who he manages to outsmart. After rescuing her, and being followed into another world by two minature spies, will admits to have accidentally broken the subtle knife, and Lyra to needing to go to the land of the dead to apologise to Roger for inadvertantly causing his death. After getting Iorek to fix the knife, they set off, swearing to go to the dead and to come back...
This one is not quite as good as the Subtle Knife, but still amazing, and very exciting. I love Mary Malone, the Mulefa and when Lyra and Will fall in love! My favorite scene is when Mrs Coulter and Lord Asriel sacrifice themselves to bring down Metatron, and my favorite characters are Will and the Mulefa.
10/10
The Magicians Guild Trilogy By Trudi Canavan
The Magicians Guild
In Kyralia in the city of Imardin, there is a yearly round up of the vagrants, the poor, even the dirty, called the Purge. When one winter, Sonea gets so angry at the Magicians who made this possible, she throws a stone at their magical shields. To everyones amazement, including her own, it goes through, which means she must be a magician, too. On the run from the magicians who want to find her, she turns to the Theives, who hide her. but she can't hide for long from magic...
This is one of my favorite books of all time, written so skillfully that I lose myself in the story. I love the way Trudi Canavan has created a whole new world, with magic, adventures and theives. My favorite scene is the Purge, and my favorite character Rothen.
9/10
The Novice
When Sonea gets accepted into the magicians guild, she thinks the struggle is over, but it is harder to be accepted by her peers, sons and daughters of the rich, when she is from the slums. Led by a malicious novice named Regin, they gang up on her. Then the High Lord, Akkarin realises that within her memory is proof, although she does not know it, that he is practising Black Magic. She is forced to become his Novice, which brings her both more authority and more bullying. She is constantly being hunted by Regin and his followers, and at some point it is going to prove to be to much...
This book is every bit as good as the one proceeding it, filled with adventure, magic, crime, and something just a little bit darker. Written in the same extraordinary style as before. My favorite scene is when Sonea defeats Regin, and my favorite character is Dorrien.
8/10
The High Lord
Sonea is still captive to Akkarin, but is no longer bullied, and has gained respect in many peoples estimation after her defeat of Regin in the Arena. Gradually, she realises that the High lord is not evil but has been fighting for the good of Imardin for many long years, and she is determined to help him, even if it means becoming a black magician herself...
This book is full of twists and turns, throwing events and perspectives that you had never thought to question throughout the first two books into the limelight, yet somehow making them make sense. Small clues suddenly fit in with the rest of the story, such as the Sacchacan man Dannyl saw when searching the slums for Sonea, and what Cery has been doing all this time. My favorite scene is when Akkarin gives all of his power to Sonea to save Kyralia, resulting in his death, and my favorite character is Sonea.
10/10
In Kyralia in the city of Imardin, there is a yearly round up of the vagrants, the poor, even the dirty, called the Purge. When one winter, Sonea gets so angry at the Magicians who made this possible, she throws a stone at their magical shields. To everyones amazement, including her own, it goes through, which means she must be a magician, too. On the run from the magicians who want to find her, she turns to the Theives, who hide her. but she can't hide for long from magic...
This is one of my favorite books of all time, written so skillfully that I lose myself in the story. I love the way Trudi Canavan has created a whole new world, with magic, adventures and theives. My favorite scene is the Purge, and my favorite character Rothen.
9/10
The Novice
When Sonea gets accepted into the magicians guild, she thinks the struggle is over, but it is harder to be accepted by her peers, sons and daughters of the rich, when she is from the slums. Led by a malicious novice named Regin, they gang up on her. Then the High Lord, Akkarin realises that within her memory is proof, although she does not know it, that he is practising Black Magic. She is forced to become his Novice, which brings her both more authority and more bullying. She is constantly being hunted by Regin and his followers, and at some point it is going to prove to be to much...
This book is every bit as good as the one proceeding it, filled with adventure, magic, crime, and something just a little bit darker. Written in the same extraordinary style as before. My favorite scene is when Sonea defeats Regin, and my favorite character is Dorrien.
8/10
The High Lord
Sonea is still captive to Akkarin, but is no longer bullied, and has gained respect in many peoples estimation after her defeat of Regin in the Arena. Gradually, she realises that the High lord is not evil but has been fighting for the good of Imardin for many long years, and she is determined to help him, even if it means becoming a black magician herself...
This book is full of twists and turns, throwing events and perspectives that you had never thought to question throughout the first two books into the limelight, yet somehow making them make sense. Small clues suddenly fit in with the rest of the story, such as the Sacchacan man Dannyl saw when searching the slums for Sonea, and what Cery has been doing all this time. My favorite scene is when Akkarin gives all of his power to Sonea to save Kyralia, resulting in his death, and my favorite character is Sonea.
10/10
The Chaos Walking Trilogy By Patrick Ness
The Knife Of Never Letting Go
Todd is the last boy in the dying and woman less Prentisstown, where everyone can hear everyone else's thoughts. Until one day, Todd finds a spot of complete and utter silence. Which is impossible. And suddenly he is forced to flee town, when for his entire life, he has been told that Prentisstown is the last settlement on New World. He finds something he has never seen before. A girl, Viola. He can't hear her thoughts, and they are on the run together, running towards the Capital City, Haven, in front of the fast approaching army, led by the always immaculate, but utterly immoral Mayor Prentiss.
I love this book, with its unusual 1st person and present tense prose, and it's strange mix of almost believable sci-fi and magic. My favorite scenebis when Viola kills for Todd, and they are both my faorite characters throughout the entire trilogy.
9/10
The Ask And The Answer
Todd and Viola are cornered by their worst enemy, Mayor Prentiss, who has now made himself President Prentiss. They are seperated, Todd forced to be cruel to the intelligent indigenous aliens, branding them and putting them to hard labour, while Viola, recuperating in a House of Healing, is inadvertently placed in the centre of the female terrorist group, the Answer. When Viola escapes, with the Answer, she is not allowed to go back to Haven, now New Prentisstown, to rescue Todd, who despairing, is recruited to the Ask, the anti-terrorist, but horibly violent questioning unit.
This book is very different to the first one, with it's brand new, twisting, cruel and slightly dark side, such as all the women being branded like cattle, which can never quite prevail over the good. My favorite part is the Noise battle between Mayor Prentiss and Todd.
9/10
Monsters Of Men
The Spackle Army and the Answer are approaching New Prentisstown, the safehold of the formidable Mayor Prentiss. Violas Scout Ship has landed by the Answer, and Todd is staying by Mayor Prentiss to keep an eye on him. But war makes Monsters of Men - women and aliens, too, and things are about to get very complicated for Todd and Viola...
I like this book, split between Todd, Viola and 1017, each in 1st person. I love the great big mess, somehow still in order of everything happening, the Sky and the Return and the rest of the Land, at a standstill against New Prentisstown, who are at a wary alliance with the Answer, with everyone trying to get the scout ship on their side, and Todd and Viola in the thick of it, just wanting to be together. My favorite scene is the last battle of Mayor Prentiss.
10/10
Todd is the last boy in the dying and woman less Prentisstown, where everyone can hear everyone else's thoughts. Until one day, Todd finds a spot of complete and utter silence. Which is impossible. And suddenly he is forced to flee town, when for his entire life, he has been told that Prentisstown is the last settlement on New World. He finds something he has never seen before. A girl, Viola. He can't hear her thoughts, and they are on the run together, running towards the Capital City, Haven, in front of the fast approaching army, led by the always immaculate, but utterly immoral Mayor Prentiss.
I love this book, with its unusual 1st person and present tense prose, and it's strange mix of almost believable sci-fi and magic. My favorite scenebis when Viola kills for Todd, and they are both my faorite characters throughout the entire trilogy.
9/10
The Ask And The Answer
Todd and Viola are cornered by their worst enemy, Mayor Prentiss, who has now made himself President Prentiss. They are seperated, Todd forced to be cruel to the intelligent indigenous aliens, branding them and putting them to hard labour, while Viola, recuperating in a House of Healing, is inadvertently placed in the centre of the female terrorist group, the Answer. When Viola escapes, with the Answer, she is not allowed to go back to Haven, now New Prentisstown, to rescue Todd, who despairing, is recruited to the Ask, the anti-terrorist, but horibly violent questioning unit.
This book is very different to the first one, with it's brand new, twisting, cruel and slightly dark side, such as all the women being branded like cattle, which can never quite prevail over the good. My favorite part is the Noise battle between Mayor Prentiss and Todd.
9/10
Monsters Of Men
The Spackle Army and the Answer are approaching New Prentisstown, the safehold of the formidable Mayor Prentiss. Violas Scout Ship has landed by the Answer, and Todd is staying by Mayor Prentiss to keep an eye on him. But war makes Monsters of Men - women and aliens, too, and things are about to get very complicated for Todd and Viola...
I like this book, split between Todd, Viola and 1017, each in 1st person. I love the great big mess, somehow still in order of everything happening, the Sky and the Return and the rest of the Land, at a standstill against New Prentisstown, who are at a wary alliance with the Answer, with everyone trying to get the scout ship on their side, and Todd and Viola in the thick of it, just wanting to be together. My favorite scene is the last battle of Mayor Prentiss.
10/10
Fire and Graceling By Kristin Cashore
Fire
Fire is a human monster, impossibly beautiful and with the ability to read and control minds. Because of this she is loved to inordinate extents to the point that it is dangerous, or despised with extreme venom. She lives the the corner of the known world to protect herself from others, and others from her. But she is not the only threat to the Dells, and she will have to face Kings City whether she likes to or not, including a court of jealousy, deceit and romance if she is to save them. As the Dells fall to war, a mysterious boy, archer and several foggy-minded men wander in and out of the scene, and the king, and many other men fall head over heels in love with her, she attempts to penetrate the hatred of the one man she actually loves, Prince Brigan.
I love the Dells, the world created by Kristin Cashore, and the elements of politics, action, battle, romance and magic mixed up together in the court of King Nash. The style of writing ordinary 3rd person, but the overall effect of the story and style extraordinary. My favorite scene is when the squire has to wake up Prince Brigan, and Fire is asleep next to him. When Brigan says "Eyes on me, Ander" it makes me laugh, every time. My favorite character is Fire.
10/10
Graceling
Katsa is a Graceling, someone with two different coloured eyes, who has an extraordinary talent. But even Katsa despises her Grace - the Grace of killing. Exploited by her Uncle, King of the Middluns, she is used to bully people into doing his bidding, and for killing people who displease him. But in secret she sets up a secret society to help people called the council. One day, setting free the king of Lienid's Grandfather, she inadvertently steers her life in a different direction, fighting a Graced Lienid fighter - They fall in love on a journey to find out who kidnapped his Grandfather. Together they journey to the land of Monsea, to talk to the mysterious and supposedly benevolent, but actually utterly cruel King Leck, and rescue Princess Bitterblue from his clutches.
This book is written in the same style, and same world as Fire, but completely different. In this one there is seven kingdoms and much more politics. My heart almost broke when I found out that Po had gone blind! My favorite scene is either when Po and Katsa fall in love, or when Katsa started running fighting lessons for Bitterblue, Po, Skye and the guards. My favorite charcter is Po.
9/10
Fire is a human monster, impossibly beautiful and with the ability to read and control minds. Because of this she is loved to inordinate extents to the point that it is dangerous, or despised with extreme venom. She lives the the corner of the known world to protect herself from others, and others from her. But she is not the only threat to the Dells, and she will have to face Kings City whether she likes to or not, including a court of jealousy, deceit and romance if she is to save them. As the Dells fall to war, a mysterious boy, archer and several foggy-minded men wander in and out of the scene, and the king, and many other men fall head over heels in love with her, she attempts to penetrate the hatred of the one man she actually loves, Prince Brigan.
I love the Dells, the world created by Kristin Cashore, and the elements of politics, action, battle, romance and magic mixed up together in the court of King Nash. The style of writing ordinary 3rd person, but the overall effect of the story and style extraordinary. My favorite scene is when the squire has to wake up Prince Brigan, and Fire is asleep next to him. When Brigan says "Eyes on me, Ander" it makes me laugh, every time. My favorite character is Fire.
10/10
Graceling
Katsa is a Graceling, someone with two different coloured eyes, who has an extraordinary talent. But even Katsa despises her Grace - the Grace of killing. Exploited by her Uncle, King of the Middluns, she is used to bully people into doing his bidding, and for killing people who displease him. But in secret she sets up a secret society to help people called the council. One day, setting free the king of Lienid's Grandfather, she inadvertently steers her life in a different direction, fighting a Graced Lienid fighter - They fall in love on a journey to find out who kidnapped his Grandfather. Together they journey to the land of Monsea, to talk to the mysterious and supposedly benevolent, but actually utterly cruel King Leck, and rescue Princess Bitterblue from his clutches.
This book is written in the same style, and same world as Fire, but completely different. In this one there is seven kingdoms and much more politics. My heart almost broke when I found out that Po had gone blind! My favorite scene is either when Po and Katsa fall in love, or when Katsa started running fighting lessons for Bitterblue, Po, Skye and the guards. My favorite charcter is Po.
9/10
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)