Month: June 2019

Background

Abhorsen is the 3rd and final book in the Old Kingdom Series by Garth Nix. It is the conclusion of the story put forth in Lirael and is need to put closure to that book. Lirael discovers she will be the next Abhorsen, the guardian who puts the dead back where they belong.

My Thoughts

This continued on the series and left plenty of room to make more additions to the world of the old kingdom. I enjoyed the surprises of the dog and Moggot and thought it wrapped up nicely.

Recommendation

A must read if you read the book before it.

Background

Lirael is the 2nd book in the Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix. Lirael is the name of the main character who was raised by the Clayr. A group of seers who are all descended from the first Clayr. Their power is deluded now but Lirael has never been able to “see”. Her destiny lies down a different path.

My Thoughts

Lirael was a good example of a book that was able to move on to other characters rather than stay with the same developed in the first book. Those characters were still there but were not central to the story or how it moved forward. I liked the dog in particular.

Recommendation

It was a good read. One could pick up this book and move forward with it without reading the first. However, why would you do that?

Background

Sabriel is book one of Garth Nix’s “the Old Kingdom” series. Published in 1995, it finds a young woman, trained as a necromancer since she was just a child, has lost her father. Her father was the Abhorsen, the protector of the living from the dead. Now he is trapped in death and his daughter must find him if she is to find her way forward.

My Thoughts

I stumbled across this series because Tim Curry did the narration. I wasn’t disapointed. This was an interesting spin on the usual magic novel. The main character goes through the usual hero’s journey and somehow makes it out the other side. However, it is the dead tracking her. This made for an unusual and interesting enemy. The book was fun but I found the romantic touch to be a little forced.

Recommendation

A little different but a good read.

Background

The Ruins of Gorlan is the first book of the Ranger’s Apprentice series written by Australian author John Flanagan. It follows the story of Will who is a 15 year old orphan who is has to choose his profession. He wants to become a warrior but ends up apprenticed to one of the enigmatic rangers.

My Thoughts

This book was given to me by a friend of mine and it’s taken me forever to just sit down and read it. I can thank this book for a sleepless Father’s Day morning. It was a good book with a good story behind it. I enjoyed it.

Recommendation

A good read.

Background

The Lost Hero is the continuation of the original Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series. This time there was an exchange of leadership between Camp Half-blood and the heretofore unknown Roman camp for demigods. Jason, Piper, and Leo take the lead as they fight against mother nature herself.

My Thoughts

Another enjoyable easy read from Rick Riordan. The book read a lot like spin off it is by giving us just enough of the old story to keep the fans interested and giving new characters to keep the new story ark going.

Recommendation

Great for the young fantasy reader

Background

Inheritance is the 4th book in the Inheritance Cycle. It wraps up the tale of Eragon and the dragons.

My Thoughts

While still a good book and a must read for anyone who is going through the series, I thought it had everything wrapped up in too neat and tidy of a bow. I didn’t like that Arya became a rider AND the queen of the elves. Seriously, it should have been one or the other.

Recommendations

I had to get through it but I’m glad I didn’t quit.

Background

Book three of the series of unfortunate events “The Wide Window” was written in 2000 following “The Reptile Room” and “The Bad Beginning“.

This time around Count Olaf dresses as “Captain Sham” who bullies the children’s new guardian into giving the kids over for adoption.

My Thoughts

This book went by fast. The genre of “absurdest fiction”, which I’ve seen these books placed, isn’t something with which I have much experience. I like the style of the books and do enjoy them.

Recommendation

It’s worth the read.