Tag Archives: fantasy

January 28, 2007 · 2:37 pm

The Last Dragon

Author: Silvana De Mari; translated by Shaun Whiteside
Rating:
Reading Level: 4th – 6th

Pages: 361
Publisher: Miramax/Disney
Edition: Hardcover, 2006

I have not that much good to say about this book. It annoys me to read the compulsive “listing of stuff” (yes, I realized that it was intended to represent how the Elf and the Dragon would think and organize their inner worlds) page after page: what kind of books there are in the library (many kinds and you’re sure to be told a FULL page of the various subjects or how readers should think of anyone or any event (it’s never just one descriptor, almost as if the author cannot make up her mind how to describe a character or an emotion, but a “list” of adjectives. I cannot imagine that it is the device of the translator, but a slight possibility remains.

If I hadn’t had to read it for a group discussion — I would have probably dropped the book midstream. Only one out of a few professional review sources agrees with me that this is a very message-heavy tale dressed in a fake fantasy clothing, and the humor is often crude and unfitting for the tragic tone of the underlying tale. Look for the VOYA review on this B&N page.

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December 26, 2006 · 10:56 pm

Titan’s Curse

Author: Rick Riordan
Rating:
Reading Level: 4th – 6th

Pages:
Publisher: Hyperion
Edition: Hardcover Galley, 2007

Reading the 3rd installment in the Percy Jackson series is now like drinking a can of regular soda – there is the sugar rush and the addiction! It’s fun, it’s full of fast paced actions, it’s familiar, and it does leave you wanting more – especially with Percy having a new enemy and Luke might not be all that he seems! Although it will not be considered exactly the healthiest choice by “reading dieticians” (this term here refers to the literary purists who think reading only exists to improve one’s literary taste and heighten one’s intelligence or humanity).

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November 26, 2006 · 2:35 pm

Endymion Spring

Author: Matthew Skelton
Rating:
Reading Level: 4th – 6th grade

Pages: 392
Publisher: Delacorte
Edition: Hardcover, 2006

A book about the Book of All Books (All Stories) and set in the labyrinth of Oxford Libraries, highly atmospheric and not lacking in the action department… how could I resist! It was definitely an entertaining and gripping read. I wanted to find out what’s going on both in the 21st Century and in the 15th. All the highly imaginative magical elements are very enjoyable, as well. However — as the end of the book approached and finally arrived, my anticipation of an illuminating resolution which would have raised Endymioin Spring high above the other “fantasy outputs” now saturating the children’s book marketplace is sadly unrealized. With the singular villain out of the way, the parents’ happy reunion, and the easy explanation of everything else, Blake Winter’s story is a solid, although still just run-of-the-mill, fantasy read, no more.

Will Skelton write a sequel to this volume? The last pages seem to be testing the water. I imagine it all depends on the readers’ reaction and the market demand.

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November 26, 2006 · 9:41 am

The King of Attolia

Author: Megan Whelan Turner
Rating:
Reading Level: 6th grade and up

Pages: 387
Publisher: Greenwillow
Edition: Hardcover, 2006

Such an intriguing, subtle, and exciting book! Since I did not read the first two in the trilogy (The Thief and Queen of Attolia,) the first chapters of this one are somewhat confusing because all the relationships between characters and the political complications are presented in the most ambiguous way. I know this is Turner’s style and became appreciative of this ambiguity as the tale unfolded in front of me. I learned to just sink into the story, follow the lead of the narrator and let go of my impulses to make sense of everything, trusting that all will make sense eventually. And it delivered: all the threads are gathered at the end and the knot is tied up neatly, very satisfying! And I couldn’t help but falling in love with the characters — all of them, but mostly, of course, with the King and the Queen, whose love for each other rises out of the page and grabs hold of me, almost physically. This read is quite an “experience.”

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November 11, 2006 · 8:40 am

The Harsh Cry of the Heron

Author: Lian Hearn
Rating: – for the first 300 or so pages
Rating: – for the last 200 or so pages
Reading Level: HS and up

Pages: 528
Publisher: Riverhead
Edition: Hardcover, 2006

If I hadn’t wanted so much to finish the series of Otori tales, and hadn’t heard that the ending is truly worthwhile, I would have put down the book at page 215 or so. The first half of the book needs so much editing! Hearn’s static character descriptions (a long paragraph on the appearance and the personality of each major and minor character), while charming in small doses, become an annoyance when too many new (or old but forgotten by book 4) characters are introduced this way. And the repeated explanation of “The Way of the Houou” leaves me feeling that Hearn cannot trust her readers’ intelligence to have grasped the philosophical underpinning of the way of peace. The plot development is also painfully slow.

I have no problem with the fact that this is a story of Takeo and Kaede when they are adults — but it really would have been better for me if there has been a better balance of politics and tribe skills (up the fantasy element, down play the political struggles). Someone mentioned on Amazon.com that it is disappointing how Kaede is reduced to a plain character troubled by traditional prejudice (against the twins), the lack of a male offspring, and other petty feelings. I can agree with that — Takeo continues to be a fully drawn character but Kaede becomes quite shadowy. Her feelings are told without the possibility of deep understanding by the reader. Her final actions, however, are in keeping with her passionate nature. Her old coolness in facing adverse situations sprang from her love and trust for Takeo. Thus, she cannot possibly keep her cool when that foundation is destroyed.

But… the ENDING — the last 150 pages or so… MY GOODNESS. I often shed tears over incidents and characters in books, but the violent sobs and non-stoppable stream of tears are uncommon, even for me. Two days after closing the book, the sorrow still tinges my mood.

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October 17, 2006 · 10:54 pm

Fragile Things: Short Fiction and Wonders

Author: Neil Gaiman
Rating:
Reading Level: HS/Adult

Pages: 355
Publisher: William Morrow
Edition: Hardcover, 2006

This book is such a treasure — from the cover design to the very interesting, informative introduction, to each of the 30+ stories and poems. It is odd to think of this book with such fondness and deep, comforting satisfaction when most of the stories are unsettling, dark, often with unrestrained gore and tragic situations. I wanted to write my reaction to each of the story… but simply didn’t have time. Here are some of my favorite pieces. The short summary is just so I won’t forget what the stories are about…

October in the Chair
(the little boy running away, meeting a little ghost boy…)
Forbidden Brides of the Facelss Slaves in the Secret House of the Night of Dread Desire
(meta-fiction of a young writer, living in a world of fantasy and trying to write his own “realistic fiction”)
Bitter Grounds
(a “zombie” like traveler, assuming another’s identity…)
Other People
(very short and philosophical piece of demons in hell)
Harlequin Valentine
(tricking and being tricked — do not lightly give away your heart — pinning it on the door, with blood dripping..)
The Problem of Susan
(what happens to Susan after the Last Battle from the Narnia books…)
Instructions (poem)
(instructions to one who finds herself trapped inside a fairy tell)
My Life (poem)
(tall-tale goth and funny)
Feeders and Eaters
(a really creepy cannibal story)
Goliath
(a possible story from the world of the movie Matrix)
The Day the Saucers Came (poem)
(humorous accumulative love letter)
Sunbird
(what happens when you have eaten all the rare and precious foodstuff – and not so-foodstuff – in the world)

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October 16, 2006 · 4:23 pm

Archer’s Quest

Author: Linda Sue Park
Rating:
Reading Level: 4th – 6th

Pages: 167
Publisher: Clarion
Edition: Hardcover, 2006

This flimsily structures fantasy presents a slight introduction to legends from Korean and Chinese cultures. I wish the book is more moving, more imaginative, more convincing, richer in characters, with more inherent “importance” (for lack of a better expression)… but, then, maybe that is never the intent of the author. I’d like to get some feedback from the kids!

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September 30, 2006 · 7:49 am

Sandman: The Dream Hunters

Author: Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano
Rating:
Reading Level: 7th and up

Pages: 128
Publisher: Vertigo
Edition: Paperback, 2000 (1999)

Beautifually haunting, both in text and illustration. Typically Gaiman. And I am a sucker for his style. The tenderness of a tragic love is revealed with poetic, dream-like prose. Gaiman is masterful in conjuring up not only paradoxical phrases, but paradoxical imagery and emotions: we find beauty in the macabre, humor in the tragic, hope in the despairing…

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September 26, 2006 · 8:28 am

Wish List

Author: Eoin Colfer
Rating:
Reading Level: 5th – 6th

Pages: 252
Publisher: Miramax/Hyperion
Edition: Hardcover, 2003 (2000)

Eoin Colfer has not quite redeemed himself in my view, via this book, either. I have to go back and re-enter the world of Artemis Fowl series to see if he is a brilliant writer, as so many of my young readers seem to believe. This book has a great premise, an explosive and grabbing beginning, some very witty commentary on the human nature, and many moments of cool actions. However, plenty of stylish flaws can be spotted. When the narrative is taken over by Meg Finn, the teenager who died and couldn’t enter Hell or Heaven, she does not sound anything like herself as a character — she sounds just like the 3rd person narrator that we presume as Eoin Colfer, the author. Page 200: “A semi-inebraited mind sinks all th emore readily into the mire of satellite stations”; “Franco saw himself in the tragic hero mold.”

I know Colfer probably didn’t set out to write a profound book, and he did not produce one, for sure. But it seems a bit of a waste when I sense so much potential based on what he has already achieved. This could have been both an action-packed, imaginative, humorous story AND a book that leaves the readers ponder about life, after-life, and the actions we take when we are living our lives. Instead, it’s just an amusing read.

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September 5, 2006 · 6:15 am

The Sea of Monsters

Author: Rick Riordan
Rating:
Reading Level: 4th – 6th

Pages: 279
Publisher: Miramax / Hyperion
Edition: Hardcover, 2006

Much like the first book of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians/The Lightning Thief, it is mildly amusing, light, full of cameo appearances from the Greek mythology: some work very well and others are a bit forced. The “guest stars” scenes work a little better in this one: they contribute to, rather than detract from, the momentum of the plot. The stake gets higher here and I presume, like many fantasy series, this one probably will progress from light to dark as the series progress. (Think Harry Potter.)

Riordan’s decision on using Percy’s first person narrative voice that is light, self-deprecating, and ironic has been effective but might make it more difficult to darken the mood. Of course, he (Percy, not Riodan) can grow up and mature a bit and hopefully we’ll see that his “voice” grows along with him. I was reminded of the Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander, with Percy gaining companions of various talents along his quests. But the similarity stops there – Alexander’s style differs drastically from Riordan’s.

The explanations of some modern day phenomena are actually funny: Chain stores sprouting due to the new birth of each monster; Internet being invented by Hermes, the Messenger God, etc.

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August 28, 2006 · 8:14 am

Beyond the Deepwoods

Authors: Paul Stewart & Chriss Riddell
Rating:
Reading Level: 4th to 6th

Pages: 278
Publisher: David Fickling Books/ Random House
Edition: Hardcover, 2004 (1998 in UK)

So. I couldn’t wait to finish this book! Not that I was so thrilled by it that I wanted to know how it all pans out. Nope. I basically could guess (there are quite a bit of not very subtle hints throughout the book) how Twig’s journey is going to end. I simply wanted the book to end so I didn’t have to keep reading chapter after chapter after chapter of descriptions of some form of gross, fantastic creatures who put Twig in mortal danger and, of course, from whom Twig eventually gets away. I even guessed the Gloamglozer part (which just shows how jaded an adult reader can be when reading a children’s book.) Their existence serves little to actually advance the storyline but a strong sense of self-indulgent from the co-authors/illustrators.

The writing is solid and fine. The illustrations are definitely fabulous and incredibly detailed: when I skimmed the creatures chapters, they tell me exactly what happens and how each creature looks like. Very helpful indeed.

To be absolutely fair, there are some good chapters and a few unexpected turns: the Banderbear’s demise is definitely sad. I can see young readers who enjoy imagining their own creatures find great examples and kindred spirits in the authors. I only wish that the binging of “creature presentation” is either curbed a bit, or serves some better purposes: as part of his self-discovery and growth, maybe? Time passes in the story, but the sense of Twig remains the same from the first page to the last. Even with the loss of his beloved companion, I do not feel that Twig has altered his sense of the world or of himself. It just got tiresome: like eating too much at a passable buffet dinner, just because I have paid and started the meal, not because I savor the many dishes.

I wonder if the following volumes, for this is the first of The Edge Chronicles series, are better or does the super-indulgence continue?

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August 15, 2006 · 1:23 pm

Ptolemy’s Gate

Author: Jonathan Stroud
Rating:
Reading Level:

Pages: 501
Publisher: Hyperion
Edition: Hardcover, 2006

Warning: Plot Spoiler Below

I’m still trembling minutes after finishing the final scenes of this ever-better trilogy. Shed much tear at the end. The nobility of the three main characters, growing more obvious as each moment passes, is both so cleansing and so real. My mild delight at seeing Nathaniel becoming more like his old, idealistic self in the middle part of the book turns into the gigantic admiration toward the end, when he calmly sacrifices himself and protects all that he loves. I’m still in shock! Stroud is gutsy in constructing this unexpected and utterly convincing ending. No wonder so many readers have told me how great this book is. Indeed.

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August 11, 2006 · 9:48 pm

Neverwhere

Author: Neil Gaiman
Rating:
Reading Level: Adult

Pages:
Publisher:
Edition: Paperback

— copied from old journal–

Keeping to the same grim, weird, dreamy, and at the same time breezy and light vein, this is yet another entertaining gothic fantasy. I don’t know why I’m simply not that affected by the images so gross in nature or the pains so extreme. Maybe it is because English is still my second language and I might never become fully immersed in its effects? I can’t judge whether I should be shocked, grossed out, or frightened — and all I felt was largely amusement at Gaiman’s imagination.

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August 9, 2006 · 11:54 am

Golem’s Eye

Author: Jonathan Stroud
Rating:
Reading Level: 5th and up

Pages: 562
Publisher: Hyperion
Edition: Hardcover, 2004

I couldn’t put this down half way through this intriguing story. The narrative definitely gains momentum midterm, when the Resistance’s efforts prove futile, when Nathaniel’s situation becomes more dire, and when Bartimaeus shows his concerns for Nathaniel’s waning integrity. Stroud definitely did a fabulous job joggling three points of views, flashbacks, and excitement and humor (sarcasm, mostly.) Although there are other books piling on my desk, waiting to be “evaluated” for my other commitments, I am going to be super indulgent and finish the Trilogy with Ptolemy’s Gate, eager to see how Nathaniel’s heart turns out and how Kitty’s fate intertwined with that of Bartimaeus’.

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August 2, 2006 · 9:38 am

River Secrets

Author: Shannon Hale
Rating:
Reading Level: 5th and up

Pages: 290
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Edition: Galley, 2006

This is the third installment in the series started with Goose Girl and followed by Enna Burning. I put down everything else I was going to read because I so enjoyed the first two books. I liked this one, but was slightly disappointed that the water magic (after wind and fire, water is a natural element to follow) is not as prevelant and powerful in this one as the other two in the previous volumes. It is also less satisfying that the main character is not the one who learns and wields this power — I missed the passages that would have been there to describe the sensation and emotion of the process of calling, forming, and controlling water, if Razo has been the water-speaker.

The characters are definitely well defined and likable; the secrets and the final revelation didn’t come to me as a total shock but made the read entertaininig; the puppy love is so sincerely and deftly presented that I had to smile at Razo and his love. There are a couple of holes in this “detective” story that should have been addressed (for instance, the girl who baked the tart was never questioned after the accidental death of the poisoned dog…)

Shannon Hale is a wordsmith, just reading these sentences made me happy: “People opened their doors and shutters, pulled chairs and tables outside, and gossiped with neighbors as they ate, serenaded by a crooked moon.” “Warehouses crammed together, elbowing for a bit of river side.” “The Ingridan autumn air was pleasant and cool and carried with it a round feeling like something complete — a full moon, a full plate, the end of a good day.” Many many more vivid imageries and poetic descriptions. Maybe some readers find this slowing down the pace, but I just enjoyed reading them.

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July 30, 2006 · 11:41 pm

Gregor and the Marks of Secret

Author: Suzanne Collins
Rating:
Reading Level: 4th and up

Pages: 343
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Edition: Hardcover, 2006

This 4th installment in the Underland series is more powerful than the previous. The plot is tight. The characters are more developed and complex and the dangers are even more real now. I don’t know how young readers without much knowledge of the holocaust might react to the scene where the Nibblers (the mice) are lured unsuspectingly to be mass-murdered. I was shocked at the brutality of this scene, although I think Collins did a superb job.

I believe this is supposed to be the second to last book and am eagerly awaiting the concluding volume!

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May 28, 2006 · 1:23 pm

Castle Waiting

Author: Linda Medley
Rating:
Reading Level: 6th and up (Graphic Novel)

This is truly a delightful illustrated light fantasy. (Graphic Novel?) Being a compilation of short stories that do not seem to have an overall structure of a longer “novel,” parts of it seem incomplete and others seem a bit too lengthy. It is a prime example, however, of how a graphic novel really works: the story of the bearded ladies really drives the notion that the graphics enhance the narrative. Each time the reader sees a panel with these bearded beauties (? haha,) the “shocking” impact is refreshed. In a plain text narrative, one can easily forget that Beatrice is a burly manly bearded woman but you simply cannot escape these images and ignore this fact here!

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May 28, 2006 · 1:22 pm

A Feast for Crows

Author: George R.R. Martin
Rating:
Reading Level: Adult

Pages:
Publisher:
Edition:

This is definitely not as well written or plotted as the previous ones in the Song of Ice and Fire sequence. However, it was fun to read about the other parts of the world Martin created — to know what Oldtown and Bravossi feel and smell like is fine.

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May 9, 2006 · 9:50 pm

A Storm of Swords

Author: George R.R. Martin
Rating:
Reading Level: Adult

3rd book in Song of Ice and Fire. Still amazing. Actually.. it is even more amazing than the second one. Certain scenes of bloodshed is engraved in my brain now…

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May 9, 2006 · 9:49 pm

A Clash of Kings

Author: George R.R. Martin
Rating:
Reading Level: Adult

Second book in the Song of Ice and Fire cycle. Oh, my, God! It is as exciting and surprising as the first one. I was trapped in the world of Westero and the outer regions, fascinated by the host of characters and the complex storyline.

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