A few years ago I re-read the Old Kingdom trilogy after forgetting almost all of it from my younger years. I was mildly disappointed to say the least,A few years ago I re-read the Old Kingdom trilogy after forgetting almost all of it from my younger years. I was mildly disappointed to say the least, but presumably that was merely from growing up. Clariel, the prequel to that trilogy came and went without so much of a ripple and that world seemed too far away for me to care any more.
Goldenhand takes place almost directly after the Old Kingdom ends, once again following Lirael and her family. When you first pick this up you feel the familiarity of the Charter Magic and, unlike in Clariel, it does not leave you.
There seemed an atmosphere I did not remember in the original trilogy in this book. It is quick-paced and allows you to delve deeply in to this world very well, bringing the memories of the other tales back with it. It is an odd feeling, particularly if you have pretty much dismissed a series because you have outgrown it.
Goldenhand in a way follows Clariel more, even if it is set some 600 years after. The first half of the novel is rich with Charter Magic and Free Magic, and builds the world that we knew so well before up and up. It seemed wonderful to be back there again, in a place that was terribly foggy from passing years and growing-up. We meet the characters we loved in the original trilogy, and even meet the ones we possibly despised. But the atmosphere of magic was there, as was the familiarity of it all.
However, as the book moved along and the romance between Lirael and Nick-whilst not unwelcome-felt forced and overly done. It felt clumsy and, quite frankly, childish. Lirael and Nick may be young, but the ridiculous manner of their romance was too much. It plunged this magical book in to the realms of cheesy YA and that was a very unfortunate thing to happen.
And yet, having said that, if you remove the clumsy romance and the fairly dreary way in which the book seemed to peter out, we have a very lovely wholly encompassing ending that I feel is the most fitting to this whole series. We see what happens when Lirael returns to the Clayr and their glacier and we feel the magic once again. It's a nice ending, but not too strong. Perhaps it is one (or two) books too many.
I feel, rightly or wrongly so, that the Old Kingdom trilogy would be much better if Nix wrote it now. With his years of experience in life as well as in writing, it would be the series that you can see the potential of it being. Of course, that is neither here nor there, and it is what it is. Some things are just better left where they are....more
A prequel to the Abhorsen Trilogy, Clariel focuses on one young girl called Clariel who is forced to leave her rustic lifestyle besides the Great ForrA prequel to the Abhorsen Trilogy, Clariel focuses on one young girl called Clariel who is forced to leave her rustic lifestyle besides the Great Forrest and endure the pithy and carefully watched-over life of the city. Her parents are unsympathetic to her plight, both of whom seem only concerned with her mother's work as a Goldsmith. Instantly, Clariel tries to divise a plan to escape, but the operations of a possible creature from the Dead averts all of her intentions.
I preferred this novel over the original Abhorsen trilogy, but only just. I thought the characters were better developed, though the pathetic, natty nature of Clariel (like Lirael) grated on me slightly. The fundamental reason why I read this book, and will continue to read any book in this world, is because of that: the world. I think it's a wonderful world, with such great vastness of creativity that the sheer scope of what could happen anywhere is breath-taking. It should be expanded further and I really wished it would be, as opposed to being condensed in one simple place like Ancelstierre.
Garth Nix's writing style isn't great in this book. I've read various others of his (Shade's Children was one I particularly liked) and I've never felt like his writing style was lacking except when he delves in to the world of the Old Kingdom. I also found the book to be extremely slow (we could have entered the story around 150 pages in and it would have been thoroughly more exciting) and as a result, barely anything happened. I was also extremely confused as to whether this book took place before or after the events of the Abhorsen trilogy (something which only becomes clear once you research it and read the words 'prequel').
It wasn't a great read, but it was enjoyable for escapism and just one more dive in to the world of the Old Kingdom.
The final instalment of the Traitor Spy trilogy was vaguely mediocre. It was a fantasy story that held no surprises, though it carried the weight of tThe final instalment of the Traitor Spy trilogy was vaguely mediocre. It was a fantasy story that held no surprises, though it carried the weight of the generic fantasy novel very well. I enjoy reading generic fantasy in between chunkier reads, or when I don't wish to read something that is defying genres and making the fantasy genre look a bit wobbly. It was much as the first two were: unmemorable except in parts (I had purchased the second book on my Kindle, not remembering that I had read it previously), with a run-of-the-mill style that was welcome at this stage. Reading Far-Fetched-Fiction with a surrealist grasp can make one crave something ordinary.
I first read these when I was much younger, probably just a few years after they were published. I must confess, before I started them I could barely I first read these when I was much younger, probably just a few years after they were published. I must confess, before I started them I could barely recall them at all, aside from a few episodes from the first book, Sabriel. I had hastily added 3 or 4 stars to them when I transferred them to GoodReads, so they must have had a lasting impression on me for me to do that.
Second re-through and I could see a little why I liked them, but they weren't the kind of thing I would love to read nowadays. I have thought about this a lot recently and I think my taste in almost all aspects of my life have changed dramatically since I was younger, so much that, although I absolutely adore Terry Pratchett's Discworld series and would probably count it as my favourite ever, I can remember being younger and not liking it at all.
Sabriel was my favourite out of the three. Although it was much shorter, and barely had any plot or character development, it read like a short story and was enjoyable. Lirael and Abhorsen were much the same, though somehow longer. Garth Nix's other series, like the The Keys to the Kingdom are more Young Adult orientated and are far better, probably because he had a bit of practise beforehand.
To me, the Abhorsen Trilogy, unlike quite a few other children's books, are written very much with children in mind and I wouldn't consider calling them Young Adult. Whilst there is nothing wrong with that, I personally didn't enjoy them as much as I had when a child myself.
I was very impressed with 'The Edge of the Woods', particularly since it is a first-time self-published (and I actually**Recieved through a giveaway**
I was very impressed with 'The Edge of the Woods', particularly since it is a first-time self-published (and I actually believe this would have done well with agents/publishers). I'll probably come back and make a better review out of this, but for now I'll bullet-point a few things (good and bad.)
- The beginning was strong and I found myself drawn to the main character, Emma, rather early on. This is rather odd for me to do, especially with a first-person novel such as this. I found myself disliking her towards the only a little, only because she became rather impudent and repetitive, though if I had to live her life I'm sure I would be, too.
- I found the book waned slightly towards the ending; perhaps slightly rushed with a desire to reach the conclusion too quickly. The chapters seemed to rush by without much happening and I felt the ending was slightly more clichéd than this book deserved. Despite this, I do think that the ending it did have was very much the only ending this book could have had, and it was perfectly suited for such a story.
- Almost zero typos (!) and written so well for a first-time book. This I find pleasantly warming, especially, as already stated, it's a self-published novel. I have read many first-time novels from authors who have successfully gained an agent and publishing contract that are lack-lustre in the whole "i rite gud" area.
- Character development in those who were not the protagonist was lacking. Whilst I appreciate the first-person writing style makes this hard to do, the way Emma realises character development herself was a bit wooden. I firmly believe that more time could have been devoted to Emma's own thoughts on other characters and her interaction with them.
- Which leads me to the next point; too short! I thought each scene used was useful, with the exception of being told Emma wakes up after falling asleep (if she's washing herself we kinda know she's awake). Some of the segments could have been elongated rather nicely, and I find there is scope for this in almost every chapter.
- The Strangers and the... monsters (?) could have been much more involved in this book than they were. I felt left hanging about both these species (for lack of a better term right now) and would have loved to learn more about both (again, perhaps the first-person narrative is to blame)
- The odd implementation of swear words. There were three from memory; bastard twice and another. I found the sudden use very abrupt and wayward. By no means do I disprove; in fact, I actively encourage swear words in novels (I challenge anyone to get 5 random people who ALL agree that all swear words are terrible and should never be used ever), but the sudden use and then sudden disappearance was off-putting. The situations Emma and indeed Mona found themselves in could very well allow for such language, but in this case I found it to be unnecessary because of it's inconsistency.
All in all, a very enjoyable read. I'll reiterate the fact that I usually steer clear of first-person narratives, and YA as a general whole, because they usually involve whinging, soppy romantic females who can't think for themselves without males present. This put faith in me of the YA genre, and first-person narratives to an extent. I would have liked a more cliff-hanger ending (that's me assuming there'll be a second book?).
[Quick review from memory before I re-read and review at a later date:
Read for research purposes but a really nice collection of Irish myth, and older[Quick review from memory before I re-read and review at a later date:
Read for research purposes but a really nice collection of Irish myth, and older British folklore. Not an exhaustive collection and not in any particular order, but really nice to discover lost stories.]...more
I bought this book on my kindle a few days ago, not realising I had already read it. I think this pretty much sums up how much I enjoyed it; didn't evI bought this book on my kindle a few days ago, not realising I had already read it. I think this pretty much sums up how much I enjoyed it; didn't even remember reading it. On a second-flick through, I vaguely recalled a few parts....more
"Something strange and wonderful had happened at Number Seventeen, Cherry Tree Lane."
Mary Poppins arrives at No. 17 Cherry Tree Lane, the house of the"Something strange and wonderful had happened at Number Seventeen, Cherry Tree Lane."
Mary Poppins arrives at No. 17 Cherry Tree Lane, the house of the Banks', from out of nowhere just as their old Nanny disappears with even less announcement. This is the first book in a series of six about Mary Poppins, and in this instance she concerns herself with the Banks' children, Jane and Michael, and the twins Barbara and John. What follows after her arrival include days out that turn in to wonderful trips from fairytales and magical happenings that are only remembered in a dream-like trance.
Most of us will know Mary Poppins from the musical film, and that is where I first met the magical Nanny. I didn't even realise Mary Poppins had first been a novel until Victoria Coren Mitchell presented a programme about it before the Disney film Saving Mr Banks came out. I was never entranced by the film, however, but was content enough to hum the songs whenever the occasion arose.
Knowing it was first a book filled me with intrigued, as did the fact that P.L. Travers, author of Mary Poppins, did not like the film much. I found that quite brave and wanted to see why and I have to say that I fully understand why. The only part of the film that I can truly say is as beautiful as the book is the casting, acting and portrayal of Mary by Julie Andrews.
I feel it wrong to continuously compare the book to the film, since they are two different mediums completely, so here they shall part company. Travers manages to write a children's book that does not talk down to children at all, and those are the best kind. The words used are not simplified in to nonsense, nor are they prim and proper like any mother would wish their child to use. It is plain and simple and easy to read, but not so easy upon your imagination. Mary Poppins not only takes Jane and Michael on adventures but has adventures on her own, something which I found to be exceedingly charming especially considering her rather snobbish nature.
I considered giving Mary Poppins 4 stars, but found that I didn't want to, mostly because I haven't read the entire series and feel that I need to rate it as a whole, but also because it wasn't as magical as I was expecting it to be. It was quaint and charming, and I certainly enjoyed every minute of it, but I was not captivated quite as I'd like. Perhaps with more knowledge of this woman whom just blew in off the wind, but who knows?
Sonea lives in the slums with her Aunt and Uncle and is no longer allowed to associate herself with her friends and their gang. However, during the anSonea lives in the slums with her Aunt and Uncle and is no longer allowed to associate herself with her friends and their gang. However, during the annual Purge, she meets them again and gets mixed up in their stone-throwing hatred towards the Guild Magicians. When the deep, concealed magic she has within her is loosened, Sonea must hide herself because the Magicians are after her: no-one from the slums have ever showed magical potential and they are scared, but not as scared as Sonea.
I had read the Traitor Spy Trilogy previous and, whilst I didn't love it, I wasn't put-off completely from this author. I enjoyed grown-up Sonea in those books but found her to be completely different in this book: obviously that would be the case since she is a child here, but she's almost a completely different person. Perhaps in the next two you see how she will turn in to the only character from the other trilogy I liked, but I don't feel compelled to do so.
I had no sympathy for any of the characters, except perhaps Lord Rothen, and even then I couldn't remember his name to write this review. But even so, he was just a nice man and I like nice men. It was also so incredibly slow. Half the book was just Sonea running about and hiding: you don't need 300 pages to show someone running from hideout to hideout. The first part (the book was parted in to two) could have honestly been condensed in to one chapter, if that, giving the excitement that almost peeped its head out at the end could have been put in to the first book.
I will not be reading the rest of the series, or any more from this author. There is nothing I want to go back to.
Acquired this book through GoodReads as a part of their First-Read giveaways, Half Moon combines war with magic in a tale that combines run-of-the-milAcquired this book through GoodReads as a part of their First-Read giveaways, Half Moon combines war with magic in a tale that combines run-of-the-mill fantasy with an original twist to it.
One of the main enjoyable aspects of this book is the way it keeps groups of characters seperate for much of the book. This isn't something you find in most books; usually you get a few main characters who meet by chance at the beginning and thus begins their tale together. Instead, we have around four groups who have their own tale to tell, but are all interconnected. It was also not full of annoying terms and names that fantasy writers create just because it's fantasy and therefore must be different - it was easy to read in this aspect, and also wasn't challenging to read in purely linguistic terms. Good English. (The least you expect from writers but you cannot deny that there are some who clearly weren't meant for it...)
The ending was... it was not anti-climatic, but it felt rushed after all the trouble that had been put into getting there. I believe that more could have been gotten out of the ending rather than what was there, though by all means this should not put you off. The ending is hardly guessable, particularly since often you are found to be guessing what might become toward the end.
One thing that did annoy me a lot was the use of breakers (marked with the ~ symbol). I thought these were overused and often in places that they didn't necessarily need to be used, which broke the story slightly inthose places and often left you wondering why such a breaker was used....more
[Quick review from memory until I re-read and re-review at a later date:
Mmmm you know I don't remember much about it and from the blurb it sounds very[Quick review from memory until I re-read and re-review at a later date:
Mmmm you know I don't remember much about it and from the blurb it sounds very cliché, but sometimes cliché is very good. Not expecting a huge amount from a re-read, just some nice escapism fantasy that might offer up something else.]...more
[Short and quick review from memory before I re-read and re-review at a later date:
Loved this series quite a lot, but I don't remember much from the l[Short and quick review from memory before I re-read and re-review at a later date:
Loved this series quite a lot, but I don't remember much from the latter two books. Definite re-read, and I think it was relatively quick-read fantasy, too, which is basically what it's there for.]...more
[Short review from memory before I re-read and review at a later date:
This was read at a time I almost exclusively read High Fantasy. I kinda miss tho[Short review from memory before I re-read and review at a later date:
This was read at a time I almost exclusively read High Fantasy. I kinda miss those days. I have fond memories of reading the book, just not the books that much. Good writing, a nice and intriguing plot and just excellent High Fantasy all round. Definitely worth a re-read if I find time.]...more
[Short and quick review from memory before I re-read and re-review at a later date:
I do recall being recommended this book by two dear friends, and I [Short and quick review from memory before I re-read and re-review at a later date:
I do recall being recommended this book by two dear friends, and I think this was more a book of Setting The Scene rather than anything else, but the rest of the series really picked up. I'm quite excited for the re-read.]...more
[Quick and short review before I re-read and re-review at a later date:
Again, I have little memory of the singular book story, but as a whole I know I[Quick and short review before I re-read and re-review at a later date:
Again, I have little memory of the singular book story, but as a whole I know I enjoyed it. Felt it was quite a quick read, but with a bit more depth than a lot of escapist fantasy. No memory of the characters, either, though it was years ago.]...more
Read this for either College or University, though I'm happy to say that I didn't dislike it purely because I was forced to read it. I am, in general,Read this for either College or University, though I'm happy to say that I didn't dislike it purely because I was forced to read it. I am, in general, very distrustful of any kind of Fan Fiction. Tolkien Fan Fiction is the only I am happy with, because he created that world for others to play in. Since Dickens has been dead for more than 70 years, apparently it's okay to take his world and twist it to your own desires and make money from that.
I'm sure it's clever, but I felt it was slow and dire. A small part was trying too hard to be Dickensian. Just not for me....more
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