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Showing posts with label fantasy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fantasy. Show all posts
27 November 2015
Title
| The Talisman (Part 1) |
Author
| Stephen King and Peter Straub |
Publisher
| Viking |
Publication Date
|
November 1984
|
Pages
| 786 |
Genre
| Dark Fantasy |
Synopsis (from Amazon)
In a terrifying trip across America, young Jack Sawyer is searching for the Talisman, the only thing that can save his dying mother. His quest takes him into the menacing Territories where violence, surprise and the titanic struggle between good and evil reach across a mythic landscape.
My thoughts
This book is a collaboration of Stephen King and American Novelist and Poet Peter Straub. There is a Part 2 to this book ('Black House'). Part 1 gives an ending which is not a cliffhanger, and therefore can be read on it's own. I have yet to read Black House, but so I understand, whereas in Part 1 our main protagonist, Jack Sawyer, is a 12 year old boy, in Part 2 he is an adult who will have to re-visit his previous adventures. So I kind of guess that it may be helpful to have read Part 1 before going into Part 2.
At 786 pages, this is not a quick read, but then many of King's books are about this size. (The Kindle edition has actual page numbers which is nice.) I have not read anything else of Straub's work. You would not be able to say that this was a book written by two different authors, and the story flows without an obvious difference in style.
The story is a typical 'quest' where our main protagonist (12 year old Jack Sawyer) leaves his home (as it happens, a hotel he stays with his mother) and goes in search for a particular item (a talisman), has to overcome obstacles and at the end, returns to his initial place, the hotel. There is the personal reason for Jack to find the Talisman - to save his mum's life, but, as he learns in his travels, this also has wider implications for the world. It is again a struggle between the good and the bad.
It is also a story of a parallel world, the 'Territories' , where everyone in this, our world, seems to have a 'twinner'. As Jack will find out, his father and also his father's business partner were well aware of the Territories.
I know that many King fans love this book, but I have mixed feelings. For some reasons, I have not taken like I do to most other of his works. Part of the problem might be that I am not a great fan of fantasy worlds. I did not always properly understand the Territories and the concept of Twinners. Are they two people, are the the same person in different worlds? How exactly does it work in the Territories? There were certainly parts as well which I liked a lot. The concept of the Territories, a parallel world, is so interesting and has great promise. I could often image that strange, different world and who Jack moved between the worlds. And the characters are all so wonderfully drawn out. I loved the character of wolf. Maybe I should re-read it at some stage
I occurred to me that King used the idea of a parallel world again in 22/11/63 - I absolutely loved that book and fully understood the concept there which is more time travel then parallel world.
12 September 2015
Title
| Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince |
Author
| J K Rowling |
Publisher
| Bloomsbury Children's |
Publication Date
|
July 2005
|
Pages
| 560 |
Genre
| fantasy, children's |
Description (from Amazon)
When Dumbledore arrives at Privet Drive one summer night to collect Harry Potter, his wand hand is blackened and shrivelled, but he does not reveal why. Secrets and suspicion are spreading through the wizarding world, and Hogwarts itself is not safe. Harry is convinced that Malfoy bears the Dark Mark: there is a Death Eater amongst them. Harry will need powerful magic and true friends as he explores Voldemort's darkest secrets, and Dumbledore prepares him to face his destiny.
My thoughts
The 6th instalment in the Harry Potter series, and it just gets better and better. I have to say it again - I was not a great fan of HP when they first came out, because I just simply was not into children's book. But what a wonderful story teller JK Rowling is. The plot now thickens, and everything comes together, or gets unravelled even further. The Dark Lord is back - that much is confirmed, and all hell seems to break loose, though some still deny it initially. And yes, a major character dies in this book which I shall not reveal here, for all those who have not yet read the book nor watched the movie. I had seen the movie, but honestly, reading the book is just a completely different experience.
JK Rowling is simply a master in weaving her plot (and this over several books), and all the characters are unique. We are talking about a fantasy world, but they still face the same problems like us (or like us Muggles shall I say) and thus are completely believable. It is a skill to create characters which appeal both to a child/teenage audience and also to adults. Also, all the magical creates are so well drawn out - even if you have not seen the movies, it is easy to form a picture in your imagination, and this is what reading is all about.
By the way, Stephen King has the Harry Potter Books in his recommended list of books to read if you want to be a writer.
26 July 2015
Title
| Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix |
Author
| J K Rowling |
Publisher
| Bloomsbury Children |
Publication Date
|
June 2003
|
Pages
| 901 |
Genre
| Fantasy, Children |
Description (from Amazon)
Harry Potter is due to start his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He is desperate to find out why his friends, Ron and Hermione, have been secretive all summer. But before he even gets to school, Harry survives a terrifying encounter with two Dementors, attends a court hearing at the Ministry of Magic and is escorted on a night-time broomstick ride to the secret headquarters of a mysterious group called the Order of the Phoenix
My thoughts
The more I read Harry Potter, the more I love it. I have
also realised how important and much more fulfilling it is to read the books
rather than just watch the movies. Just because there is, obviously, so much
more info, a lot more issues ‘clicked into place’ for me – concepts explained,
connections which clicked into place.
Therefore I would urge especially a young person who has only watched
the movies to definitely read the books. Yes, by book 5 they are big books, but
they are so worth it.
It can be a bit tricky in fantasy writing, but Rowling
creates a fantasy world which we can easily image. The writing is flawless and
easy to understand, with simple sentence structures and frequent returning to
previous occasions in the books to aid our memory (with such a big series and a
lot of characters, it is nice touch to be reminded every now and again: ‘ah,
yes, that’s what it was). And the basic
structure and storyline, of course, remains the same. Harry stays over the
summer holidays at the Dursley’s and returns to Hogwarts in September with his
friends Ron and Hermione and the adventures start). It can be a bit tricky in
fantasy writing, but Rowling creates a fantasy world which we can easily image
At this stage in the series, you would really have to have
read the other books though – you cannot start with book 5. Harry is now a young teenager, and becomes a
bit more rebellious, starts to question things.
What I have also enjoyed is that slowly, more gets revealed during this
book. We learn, for example, that there is a good reason why Harry has to stay
at the dreadful Dursley’s house every summer holiday. I had wondered before why
he would not simply go to his friend Ron’s. More starts to click into place
with book 5, and I can’t wait for the next book now.
9 June 2015
Title
| Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter 4) |
Author
| J K Rowling |
Publisher
| Bloomsbury |
Publication Date
|
July 2000
|
Pages
| 636 |
Genre
| Fantasy |
Description
The Triwizard Tournament is to be held at Hogwarts. Only wizards who are over seventeen are allowed to enter - but that doesn't stop Harry dreaming that he will win the competition. Then at Hallowe'en, when the Goblet of Fire makes its selection, Harry is amazed to find his name is one of those that the magical cup picks out. He will face death-defying tasks, dragons and Dark wizards, but with the help of his best friends, Ron and Hermione, he might just make it through - alive!
Book 4 marks for me a slight change from the previous 3 books. I felt that books 1 to 3 where mainly aimed at children, and this is reflected very much not only in the story line, but also in the writing (repeating information, explaining concepts, often telling rather than showing) and choice of words. But with book 4, I think J K Rowling now gets much more grown up with this series. This, of course, also cleverly reflects Harry and his friends growing up and facing more 'grown-up' tasks. And, of course, the book is much longer than the previous ones.
The same formula of course still works. Harry is spending the summer holidays with the dreadful Dursleys but of course returns to Hogwarts for his forth year, together with his best friends Ron and Hermoine. New challenges await him. This time, a tournament takes place at Hogwarts with two other wizard schools coming to Hogwarts as guests for the year and a host of new characters and student wizards. The tournament is dangerous and students have been known to get killed. But Harry is too young to enter. But then is name appears in the Goblet of Fire as being chosen to compete the tournament. While it is an honour, it is also very dangerous. Maybe someone wants him to be in danger?
Rowling has previously addressed stereotyping and discrimination (against the none-pure wizards with Muggle blood). Here, she takes it further when Hermoine starts a campaign to help house elf who have to work long hours and receive no pay. Also, Hagrid is revealed as 'one-half' giant, and giants are seen as brutes. Hagrid is of course, anything but a brute and tries to hide his heritage, knowing the negative stereotyping.
Finally, with book 4, I got into Harry Potter and can't wait to read book 5 now.
29 March 2015
Title
| Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter 3) |
Author
| JK Rowling |
Publisher
| Bloomsbury Children |
Publication Date
|
1999
|
Pages
| 317 |
Genre
| Fantasy, children |
Synopsis
Harry Potter, along with his best friends, Ron and Hermione, is about to start his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry can't wait to get back to school after the summer holidays (who wouldn't if they lived with the horrible Dursleys?). But when Harry gets to Hogwarts, the atmosphere is tense. There's an escaped mass murderer on the loose, and the sinister prison guards of Azkaban have been called in to guard the school.
My Review
It's the 3rd year at Hogwarts, and Harry and his friends are now 13 years old. This book follows in the successful formula of the previous 2 books, and the structure is exactly the same, with Harry spending the summer holidays at the Dursley's and he can't help to use magic which he shouldn't really do in the Muggle world. But of course, Harry makes it to Hogwarts and meets Hermoine and Ron in the Hogwarts express where the adventures start.
I think the fact that the books follow exactly the same layout with a different storyline makes it so successful for children. It's not hard to follow and the characters - while somewhat stereotypical - also hold surprises and interesting twists. Rowling cleverly re-caps whats happened before in the text which ensures you are never really lost. For me l the real value of the HP books is the fact that it gets children reading who may not have picked up a book otherwise. Of course, RJ Rowling has a wonderful imagination, and one which can be easily understood by children and build a fantasy world.
I have to say that I usually neither read children's nor fantasy books, but thoroughly enjoy the HP books as a change from my usual reading. I would also recommend the HP books if you are an aspiring writer (not necessarily of children's fiction only) and would like some ideas on how to build up a story, re-cap on a previous storyline and how the English language can be 'bent' for your story.
About the author
J.K. Rowling is the author of the bestselling Harry Potter series of seven books, published between 1997 and 2007, which have sold over 450 million copies worldwide, are distributed in more than 200 territories, translated into 74 languages, and have been turned into eight blockbuster films. She has also written two small volumes, which appear as the titles of Harry's schoolbooks within the novels. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Quidditch Through The Ages were published by Bloomsbury Children's Books in March 2001 in aid of Comic Relief. In December 2008, The Tales of Beedle the Bard was published in aid of the Children's High Level Group, and quickly became the fastest selling book of the year
30 June 2014
Title
| Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets |
Author
| JK Rowling |
Publisher
| Bloomsbury |
Publication Date
|
1998
|
Pages
| 251 |
Genre
| Fantasy |
Blurb:
The Dursleys were so mean and hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike.
And strike it does. For in Harry's second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockheart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girl's bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley's younger sister, Ginny.
But each of these seem minor annoyances when the real trouble beings, and someone--or something--starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects...Harry Potter himself.
And strike it does. For in Harry's second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockheart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girl's bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley's younger sister, Ginny.
But each of these seem minor annoyances when the real trouble beings, and someone--or something--starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects...Harry Potter himself.
Mini review
I didn't read the HP books when they first came out, but only in 2013, after I've seen all the movies, so I do knew the story of course. But that doesn't really matter - its the beauty and incredible drawn fantasy world of the books.
As before, the 2nd book in the series is, in my opinion, written with children readers in mind. At the beginning, Rowling skilfully re-caps the important bits from book 1 in her familiar style. Anyone wanting to write for a younger age group should read her first chapter and can learn how it's done.
Apart from the imaginative constructed fantasy world - nicely woven in with the 'real world' (= the muggles), I feel that the other real strength of the story lies in the great characters. Not too over the top, and still what we expect from a proper baddy (i.e. Malfoy) or the posh impostor (Lockheart), the poor Weasleys, the mean Dursleys.
I personally still prefer the later, darker HP books. The greatest contribution of the books for me is the fact that it brought children back to reading books who wouldn't have otherwise picked a book up and in fact, got a whole new generation reading.
16 June 2014
Title
| Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone |
Author
| JK Rowling |
Publisher
| Bloomsbury |
Publication Date
|
26 June 1997
|
Pages
| 223 |
Genre
| Fantasy |
Blurb:
Harry Potter thinks he is an ordinary boy. He lives with his Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and cousin Dudley, who are mean to him and make him sleep in a cupboard under the stairs. (Dudley, however, has two bedrooms, one to sleep in and one for all his toys and games.) Then Harry starts receiving mysterious letters and his life is changed forever. He is whisked away by a beetle-eyed giant of a man and enrolled at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The reason: Harry Potter is a wizard!
My review
This won't be so much of a review, but more like.. I would like to chat about the book. I hear you… you are saying: "Isn't that what a review is?"
I actually remember the first time that I can across Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone. I was on the bus, on my way to work, and a group of children, I would guess about 10-12 years old, where all reading the book and all chatting excitedly over it, discussing this and that detail. Now this was rather unusual - children discussing a book, and not whilst sitting in lessons or in the library, but actually out of school, in their leisure time. However, this didn't tempt me back than (was it around 1997/98) to buy the book, as it was obviously a children's fantasy book and that was not something I would normally read. I finally read it last year.
The book is beautifully written and at the same time, very accessible for children just starting out to get into reading a bit more seriously. At the same time, the first book is not too long. JK Rowling obviously has a very vivid imagination. All the things she comes up with, described beautifully and in details. The platform 9 3/4, the owls who deliver the letters, the stairs which change direction, Quidditch … too many things to mention. The other brilliant skill she has is to make it all understandable. She obviously didn't know at the start that there is going to be movies and she manages to make this completely 'strange' fantasy world come alive to us.
One of the best things for me is that this book made a huge difference to children's reading and encouraged whole generations to pick up books and that is for me the real legacy of Harry Potter.
Personally - for me it was a children's book and for my own reading, I prefer a more 'adult' world if that is the right thing to say. Not adult as in erotic, but prefer to have adult protagonists.
While it was an enchanting book, reading book 1 did not want me to continue reading the series to see how it continues with the boy wizard. But I did. And that is the story for another review.
14 May 2014
Title
|
The Gunslinger / Dark Tower Book 1
|
Author
| Stephen King |
Publisher
| Hodder |
Publication Date
|
10 June 1982
|
Pages
| 238 |
Genre
| Fantasy, Western |
Blurb:
Beginning with a short story appearing in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in 1978, the publication of Stephen King's epic work of fantasy -- what he considers to be a single long novel and his magnum opus -- has spanned a quarter of a century.Set in a world of extraordinary circumstances, filled with stunning visual imagery and unforgettable characters, The Dark Tower series is King's most visionary feat of storytelling, a magical mix of science fiction, fantasy, and horror that may well be his crowning achievement.
Book I
In The Gunslinger (originally published in 1982), King introduces his most enigmatic hero, Roland Deschain of Gilead, the Last Gunslinger. He is a haunting, solitary figure at first, on a mysterious quest through a desolate world that eerily mirrors our own. Pursuing the man in black, an evil being who can bring the dead back to life, Roland is a good man who seems to leave nothing but death in his wake.
In The Gunslinger (originally published in 1982), King introduces his most enigmatic hero, Roland Deschain of Gilead, the Last Gunslinger. He is a haunting, solitary figure at first, on a mysterious quest through a desolate world that eerily mirrors our own. Pursuing the man in black, an evil being who can bring the dead back to life, Roland is a good man who seems to leave nothing but death in his wake.
My review
There are two kind of Stephen King fans - the ones who love the Dark Tower Series and the ones who….just can't get on with it. I admit that I belong to the latter.
Book 1 introduces us to Roland, the Last Gunslinger (think John Wayne-type Western). He travels to the vastness of an empty world which is not unlike ours, but in an alternate / parallel universe. Roland is on a mission to find the man in black and the Dark Tower. Unfortunately, I never managed to get into the book. I didn't understand Roland's quest and even though the book is not very long, it seems to me not a lot was happening.
There are parts in the book which I loved, most notably when he meets a boy called Jake who was killed in our world whilst going to school and ends up in this alternative world with the Roland the Gunslinger. This is when I felt 'my usual SK' was coming through and I was glad I stuck with the book, but it didn't hold for me. Maybe because the Western genre is not really for me?
I read this book a while ago now, and I know that there are many King fans who are devoted to the Dark Tower series. Maybe I should give it another go.
6 April 2014
Title
|
Under the Dragon's Claw
|
Author
| Alex George |
Publisher
| Alphapex |
Publication Date
|
11 Jan 2014
|
Pages
| 488 |
Genre
| Fantasy |
From Amazon:
Dragons rule the skies over the western realms. In the bowels of the mountains, beneath Brakkand's Throne, lurk Ogres and trolls, tall as the Emerald Forest sacred oaks, with groping claws and sharpened fangs. Theo, a mere sorcerer's apprentice must face them all. To his will must bow Varwarker, Red Dragon Drake, favourite of the Warlock, Zarzbudin. For Theo has pledged to free Adelayne, Princess of Alcavia, descendant of the Shields of Alcavia, the elite group of Dragon Striders sworn to protect the kingdom at all costs.
Archon Thendelin, High Mage of Aldorn, has been tasked by King Aldorn, Overlord of the Midlands, to succeed in his clandestine mission, no matter the cost, for all are expendable for this greater cause. Theo can be of service to the High King...and the Council of Light. Just as his father before him, he will inadvertently be drawn into a web of deceit where foes cannot be parried with the sword or the gift.
A shadow has fallen on the land and the time has come for brave hearts to take a stand. Theo will be aided by his tenacious sister, Serilia, and his steadfast friend, Nem. Their combined efforts must hold the tide that threatens to destroy their world.
Archon Thendelin, High Mage of Aldorn, has been tasked by King Aldorn, Overlord of the Midlands, to succeed in his clandestine mission, no matter the cost, for all are expendable for this greater cause. Theo can be of service to the High King...and the Council of Light. Just as his father before him, he will inadvertently be drawn into a web of deceit where foes cannot be parried with the sword or the gift.
A shadow has fallen on the land and the time has come for brave hearts to take a stand. Theo will be aided by his tenacious sister, Serilia, and his steadfast friend, Nem. Their combined efforts must hold the tide that threatens to destroy their world.
------
This book is Part 1 of the Heartstone Talisman Series by Alex George where he introduces us to the world of Thalagia. If you are a fantasy fan you are in for a fantastic ride. If you don't usually read this genre and want to give it a try, this is the book. But be prepared for some time investment , this is not a quick, one evening read but you need to emerge yourself into the story and characters due to the length of the book and the complexity and number of characters.
Theo's life with his parents is thrown into turmoil when the big sorcerer Archon comes to see him and his family. He will go on a journey with the sorcerer and become his apprentice, learning valuable skills as the different kingdoms in Thalagia are being threatened by a dark force trying to take over. Dragons, dwarfs, nymphs, ogres and other fantastic creatures will stand by his side or fight against him and his family and friends. He will meet the love of his life, Adelayne, a King's daughter, but is he the right one for her…after all, he is only a commoner. And than Adelayne gets abducted by the Dragon Lord and Theo will face to struggle to even get close to her again. Adelayne herself is a warrior and does not get easily defeated.
I think the author has created some wonderful characters here in this fantasy world. I like Theo because he is not your 'all powerful' hero, but in fact, it takes him a long time to realise he 'has the gift' and it is even more difficult for him to use it. Even than, it is not the case here as so often in some similar books where the fight seems to be lost and than the hero comes along, waves his sword around and all is won. No, the stories and battles are realistic. The author also has a real gift for describing characters and scenes which build up in front of your eyes (especially important for a fantasy novel - probably isn't so important when you have to describe a scene in NYC). My favourite character has to be Roxette, the mountain nymph. Without giving too much away, I can say that 'I was right about her all along!'
The cover is absolutely beautiful, it is a shame that we can't see it on Kindle… I mean, only if we scroll to that page. Would love to see it in front of the book all the time. There is a map of Thalagia provided at the beginning of the book. I also think it would be a good idea to maybe have a list of all the characters and their connections / relationships, especially as it is a series and there are quite a few characters which I had problems with distinguishing at the beginning. Having said that, you will become acquainted with the 'main players' within a few chapters.
I can see this becoming a movie series - you've heard it here first.
Theo's life with his parents is thrown into turmoil when the big sorcerer Archon comes to see him and his family. He will go on a journey with the sorcerer and become his apprentice, learning valuable skills as the different kingdoms in Thalagia are being threatened by a dark force trying to take over. Dragons, dwarfs, nymphs, ogres and other fantastic creatures will stand by his side or fight against him and his family and friends. He will meet the love of his life, Adelayne, a King's daughter, but is he the right one for her…after all, he is only a commoner. And than Adelayne gets abducted by the Dragon Lord and Theo will face to struggle to even get close to her again. Adelayne herself is a warrior and does not get easily defeated.
I think the author has created some wonderful characters here in this fantasy world. I like Theo because he is not your 'all powerful' hero, but in fact, it takes him a long time to realise he 'has the gift' and it is even more difficult for him to use it. Even than, it is not the case here as so often in some similar books where the fight seems to be lost and than the hero comes along, waves his sword around and all is won. No, the stories and battles are realistic. The author also has a real gift for describing characters and scenes which build up in front of your eyes (especially important for a fantasy novel - probably isn't so important when you have to describe a scene in NYC). My favourite character has to be Roxette, the mountain nymph. Without giving too much away, I can say that 'I was right about her all along!'
The cover is absolutely beautiful, it is a shame that we can't see it on Kindle… I mean, only if we scroll to that page. Would love to see it in front of the book all the time. There is a map of Thalagia provided at the beginning of the book. I also think it would be a good idea to maybe have a list of all the characters and their connections / relationships, especially as it is a series and there are quite a few characters which I had problems with distinguishing at the beginning. Having said that, you will become acquainted with the 'main players' within a few chapters.
I can see this becoming a movie series - you've heard it here first.
Book received from the author in return for an honest review.
About the author:
Alex George lives with his wife and two children in the historic Mediterranean island of Cyprus from which he draws his inspiration for his books. He is a University of London graduate now fully devoted to his writing. You can learn more about the world of Thalagia and the Heartstone Talisman series by visiting: www.authoralexgeorge.com
Alex George lives with his wife and two children in the historic Mediterranean island of Cyprus from which he draws his inspiration for his books. He is a University of London graduate now fully devoted to his writing. You can learn more about the world of Thalagia and the Heartstone Talisman series by visiting: www.authoralexgeorge.com
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