Rate the book: 10
I thought the book was amazing! If you
love fantasy with a dash of romance....then this is the book for you! A
MUST READ for all fantasy lovers!
----kara
Showing posts with label fantasy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fantasy. Show all posts
Friday, September 02, 2011
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Books - Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody
Rate the book: 20!!!!!!!
Obernewtyn is by far the most gripping book I have read. Isobelle Carmody is a fantastic author, and she really makes you believe in the characters. By the end of the book, I felt as though I had been best friends with the characters all of my life. Obernewtyn is written in such a way that you can imagine yourself there, and you feel the emotions of the characters as if they were your own, and see yourself wherever the characters go. The semi-dark setting of the book adds interest and leaves a longstanding impression on you, more so than a lighter one could.
The main character, Elspeth Gordie, is an orphan of Seditioners, people that oppose the iron rule of the council that controls the land untainted nby the "blacklands". The blacklands are a result of what is referred to as the "Great White", a holocaust that destroyed most of the Earth, making it uninhabitable for anything. Elspeth discovers that she has telepathic powers with the help of a cat named Maruman. If these powers are discovered, she could be sent to work on the councilfarms to treat a deadly poisonous substance called whitestick, burned at stake by the dogmatic and fanatical Herders (religious preist that worship their god, whom they call Lud), or sent to the dreaded Obernewtyn, from whence none return. When a guardian from Obernewtyn is sent to Elspeth's orphanage, she is taken to Obernewtyn and has to say farewell to everybody and everything she has ever known. I would highly recommend this book and its sequels The Farseekers, Ashling, The Keeping Place, The Stone Key, The Sending and The Red Queen to any lover of fantasy.
----reviewed by lani
Obernewtyn is by far the most gripping book I have read. Isobelle Carmody is a fantastic author, and she really makes you believe in the characters. By the end of the book, I felt as though I had been best friends with the characters all of my life. Obernewtyn is written in such a way that you can imagine yourself there, and you feel the emotions of the characters as if they were your own, and see yourself wherever the characters go. The semi-dark setting of the book adds interest and leaves a longstanding impression on you, more so than a lighter one could.
The main character, Elspeth Gordie, is an orphan of Seditioners, people that oppose the iron rule of the council that controls the land untainted nby the "blacklands". The blacklands are a result of what is referred to as the "Great White", a holocaust that destroyed most of the Earth, making it uninhabitable for anything. Elspeth discovers that she has telepathic powers with the help of a cat named Maruman. If these powers are discovered, she could be sent to work on the councilfarms to treat a deadly poisonous substance called whitestick, burned at stake by the dogmatic and fanatical Herders (religious preist that worship their god, whom they call Lud), or sent to the dreaded Obernewtyn, from whence none return. When a guardian from Obernewtyn is sent to Elspeth's orphanage, she is taken to Obernewtyn and has to say farewell to everybody and everything she has ever known. I would highly recommend this book and its sequels The Farseekers, Ashling, The Keeping Place, The Stone Key, The Sending and The Red Queen to any lover of fantasy.
----reviewed by lani
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Books - The Keys to the Kingdom Series by Garth Nix
Rate the book: 9
The first book in thsi series is Mister Monday. It is extraordinarily good and I would recommend it to anyone. It is about a boy named Arthur Penhaligon who is the Rightful Heir to the House, which is the epicentre of the universe. There is a Will by the creater of all, the Architect that Arthur must bond with and will help him fullfil it and defeat the Seven Trustees, named after the days of the week. Lady Friday would have to be my favourite by they are all great. If you love fantasy, you will love this. Recommended for ages 12-15.
----reviewed by AdZ
The first book in thsi series is Mister Monday. It is extraordinarily good and I would recommend it to anyone. It is about a boy named Arthur Penhaligon who is the Rightful Heir to the House, which is the epicentre of the universe. There is a Will by the creater of all, the Architect that Arthur must bond with and will help him fullfil it and defeat the Seven Trustees, named after the days of the week. Lady Friday would have to be my favourite by they are all great. If you love fantasy, you will love this. Recommended for ages 12-15.
----reviewed by AdZ
Monday, July 06, 2009
Books - The Gimlet Eye (Book Three in Quentaris: Quest of the Lost City) by James Roy
Rate the book: 9/10
Ford Street Publishing, 2009
ISBN: 978-1-87646-77-2
Price: AUD$16.95
The First lot of Quentaris books was a series of shared-world, stand-alone novels for kids, all set in the magical city of Quentaris. They had some recurring characters, but for the most part each book focussed on a new set of main characters. The second series Quentaris: Quest of the Lost City is a little different. The city has been magically uprooted and is now flying through the uncharted rift-maze with the aide of giant sails. And the novels are no longer quite so stand-alone, as they follow the adventures of the same set of characters, most notably — Tab Vidler, the orphan who can enter the minds of animals; her best friends, Philmon and Amelia; Fontagu Wizroth III, actor and scoundrel; Torby, the young boy rescued from the prisons of the rival city, Tolrush; and Captain Verris.
The Gimlet Eye takes things in a new direction, again. The Archon, who has ruled the city since the first set of books, dies. This signals a great change for the city of Quentaris, as the Archon’s spoiled and power-hunger nephew Florian takes charge. He exiles or imprisons many of the people who had previously held key positions in the running of the city, and puts into play is own secret agenda. Under his rule, Quentaris seems set on a course of piracy… unless Tab and her friends can put things right.
James Roy has done exceptionally well at taking characters created by another author and making them his own. This book really hits the mark in terms of characterisation and also delivers an intriguing fast-paced story. My only real reservation is that I found the conclusion a little too speedy and neat. But that certainly didn’t stop me enjoying the book.
The cover, by Les Peterson, is the best so far.
---- reviewed by George Ivanoff (www.georgeivanoff.com.au)
Reviewer Bio
George Ivanoff is a Melbourne based author who has written over 25 books for children and teenagers. Two of his books (Life, Death and Detention and Real Sci-Fi) are on the booklist for the 2008 Victorian Premier's Reading Challenge – this is their fourth year on the list. George used to regularly review books, CDs and DVDs for the now defunct Frontier Magazine. Check out George’s website at: www.georgeivanoff.com.au
Ford Street Publishing, 2009
ISBN: 978-1-87646-77-2
Price: AUD$16.95
The First lot of Quentaris books was a series of shared-world, stand-alone novels for kids, all set in the magical city of Quentaris. They had some recurring characters, but for the most part each book focussed on a new set of main characters. The second series Quentaris: Quest of the Lost City is a little different. The city has been magically uprooted and is now flying through the uncharted rift-maze with the aide of giant sails. And the novels are no longer quite so stand-alone, as they follow the adventures of the same set of characters, most notably — Tab Vidler, the orphan who can enter the minds of animals; her best friends, Philmon and Amelia; Fontagu Wizroth III, actor and scoundrel; Torby, the young boy rescued from the prisons of the rival city, Tolrush; and Captain Verris.
The Gimlet Eye takes things in a new direction, again. The Archon, who has ruled the city since the first set of books, dies. This signals a great change for the city of Quentaris, as the Archon’s spoiled and power-hunger nephew Florian takes charge. He exiles or imprisons many of the people who had previously held key positions in the running of the city, and puts into play is own secret agenda. Under his rule, Quentaris seems set on a course of piracy… unless Tab and her friends can put things right.
James Roy has done exceptionally well at taking characters created by another author and making them his own. This book really hits the mark in terms of characterisation and also delivers an intriguing fast-paced story. My only real reservation is that I found the conclusion a little too speedy and neat. But that certainly didn’t stop me enjoying the book.
The cover, by Les Peterson, is the best so far.
---- reviewed by George Ivanoff (www.georgeivanoff.com.au)
Reviewer Bio
George Ivanoff is a Melbourne based author who has written over 25 books for children and teenagers. Two of his books (Life, Death and Detention and Real Sci-Fi) are on the booklist for the 2008 Victorian Premier's Reading Challenge – this is their fourth year on the list. George used to regularly review books, CDs and DVDs for the now defunct Frontier Magazine. Check out George’s website at: www.georgeivanoff.com.au
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Books - I, Coriander by Sally Gardner
Rate the book: 10
I loved the book! It was set out in parts and chapters, so that it was easy to follow, and the print was a good size. I thought it was written cleverly due to the setting and time of the book, and well researched. It had a steady plot line that followed an idea, and developed well throughout the book. This book had my attention hooked the whole way through - I could hardly put it down! It was quite complicated with all aspects of the plot but easy to follow and not boring at all! I loved the fantasy side of this book, and also the setting!
Overall I thought this was an interesting, intruiging book that I thoroughly enjoyed!
----reviewed by another
From webgurl - The plot of I, Coriander from Wikipedia
I loved the book! It was set out in parts and chapters, so that it was easy to follow, and the print was a good size. I thought it was written cleverly due to the setting and time of the book, and well researched. It had a steady plot line that followed an idea, and developed well throughout the book. This book had my attention hooked the whole way through - I could hardly put it down! It was quite complicated with all aspects of the plot but easy to follow and not boring at all! I loved the fantasy side of this book, and also the setting!
Overall I thought this was an interesting, intruiging book that I thoroughly enjoyed!
----reviewed by another
From webgurl - The plot of I, Coriander from Wikipedia
It tells the story of a girl named Coriander, and her childhood. Coriander starts an adventure she cannot stop when she slips on a pair of silver shoes from an anonymous person. She soon finds out all her mother's deepest secrets and must fight the evil Rosmore to save her mother's power and her father's faith.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Books - Finnikin of the rock by Melina Marchetta
Rate the book: 9
This is a powerful new fantasy from the popular author of ‘Looking for Alibrandi’ Quite different from her earlier novels, this is an engrossing adventure story set in the cursed kingdom of Lumatere. Finnikin of the Rock and his guardian Sir Topher have been travelling through the land of their exiled people for ten years recording their losses in the Book of Lumatere and waiting for a sign that the terrible curse will be lifted. When they meet the young novice, Evanjalin, they begin the final part of their journey together with the belief that they will finally be able to return to Lumatere and reunite their people. This book has been nominated for the CBC Book of the Year in the Older Readers category for 2009.
----reviewed by sue
This is a powerful new fantasy from the popular author of ‘Looking for Alibrandi’ Quite different from her earlier novels, this is an engrossing adventure story set in the cursed kingdom of Lumatere. Finnikin of the Rock and his guardian Sir Topher have been travelling through the land of their exiled people for ten years recording their losses in the Book of Lumatere and waiting for a sign that the terrible curse will be lifted. When they meet the young novice, Evanjalin, they begin the final part of their journey together with the belief that they will finally be able to return to Lumatere and reunite their people. This book has been nominated for the CBC Book of the Year in the Older Readers category for 2009.
----reviewed by sue
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Books - Von Gobstopper's Arcade by Alexandra Adornetto
Rate the book: 5 stars
17 year old whiz author, Alexandra Adornetto, makes a wonderful and enchanting impression with her latest novel, the third and last book in her highly-acclaimed series, The Strangest Adventures. Yet again we meet our main protagonists, Milli and Ernest, who are very excited, along with the rest of the children of Drabville, after a toy arcade is opened by acclaimed toy maker, Gustav Von Gobstopper, in their very honor. Milli and Ernest and the rest of their class at their new school St Erudite visit there on an excursion and soon find themselves becoming allies with several amazing talking toys.
There, they learn of a macabre plot to destroy Christmas for the town, led by the, yet again, Lord Aldor, now transformed and going by the title of Dr Illustrious. Will the two children finally defeat Lord Aldor, or, will this be their final showdown …. ?
Adornetto’s book is amusing, enchanting, and quite original. The plotlines and characters are very quirky, which is a good thing. However, some of the too-big language used in the book and narrative rambling leads the reader out of the story.
Nonetheless, highly recommended!
----reviewed by Brenton
17 year old whiz author, Alexandra Adornetto, makes a wonderful and enchanting impression with her latest novel, the third and last book in her highly-acclaimed series, The Strangest Adventures. Yet again we meet our main protagonists, Milli and Ernest, who are very excited, along with the rest of the children of Drabville, after a toy arcade is opened by acclaimed toy maker, Gustav Von Gobstopper, in their very honor. Milli and Ernest and the rest of their class at their new school St Erudite visit there on an excursion and soon find themselves becoming allies with several amazing talking toys.
There, they learn of a macabre plot to destroy Christmas for the town, led by the, yet again, Lord Aldor, now transformed and going by the title of Dr Illustrious. Will the two children finally defeat Lord Aldor, or, will this be their final showdown …. ?
Adornetto’s book is amusing, enchanting, and quite original. The plotlines and characters are very quirky, which is a good thing. However, some of the too-big language used in the book and narrative rambling leads the reader out of the story.
Nonetheless, highly recommended!
----reviewed by Brenton
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Books - The Secret Life of Sparrow Delaney by Suzanne Harper
Rate the book: 7.8
Sparrow just wants to be a normal 15 year old. But its hard to be normal when you are the youngest of seven sisters all named after birds, your grandmother practices Karate on you, there are baboon skulls decorating your front porch, and four of granny's husbands buried in the backyard. And you can see and talk to ghosts. Unfortunately for Sparrow, she is an amazing medium, and every ghost in the world knows it; although she does her best to ignore their constant requests for help. However when she starts at her new high school she meets two very nice boys; one's alive, but the other is dead, and Sparrow is the only person who can help them both.
This was a great story, and I'd recommend it to 12+ readers. The supernatural theme is really nicely handled, and it's definitely worth a read.
----reviewed by kate
Sparrow just wants to be a normal 15 year old. But its hard to be normal when you are the youngest of seven sisters all named after birds, your grandmother practices Karate on you, there are baboon skulls decorating your front porch, and four of granny's husbands buried in the backyard. And you can see and talk to ghosts. Unfortunately for Sparrow, she is an amazing medium, and every ghost in the world knows it; although she does her best to ignore their constant requests for help. However when she starts at her new high school she meets two very nice boys; one's alive, but the other is dead, and Sparrow is the only person who can help them both.
This was a great story, and I'd recommend it to 12+ readers. The supernatural theme is really nicely handled, and it's definitely worth a read.
----reviewed by kate
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Books - Twilight by Stephenie Meyers
Rate the book: 5.5
I know this is the biggest book in the world at the moment, but it just wasn't as good as I'd hoped. I'd been really looking forward to it, and had waited ages in the huge library line, before I gave up and went and bought my own copy. I figured I'd love it and I wanted to own it. But now that I've read it...
It is long, and it doesn't have to be that long, because it's really repetitive, and overly detailed. The first half of the book is really slow. We read about every class Bella takes at school, every meal she eats, and every bit of homework she does - even on days when she doesn't see Edward! There's no need for those days to even be in the book! Finally about half way the action starts, but that's mostly just Edward saying "Are you scared of me?" and Bella saying "No", even though she really is. Neither of them have any personality at all - no one in the entire town has any personality!
Then there's a huge build up to the climax at the end, which just fizzles into nothing.
I know everyone wants to read this at the moment, and once the movie comes out, it will no doubt be even bigger, but it's just disappointing. If you have to wait in a line of 500+ people, you want to make sure it's worth it, and sadly this just isn't.
----reviewed by kate
I know this is the biggest book in the world at the moment, but it just wasn't as good as I'd hoped. I'd been really looking forward to it, and had waited ages in the huge library line, before I gave up and went and bought my own copy. I figured I'd love it and I wanted to own it. But now that I've read it...
It is long, and it doesn't have to be that long, because it's really repetitive, and overly detailed. The first half of the book is really slow. We read about every class Bella takes at school, every meal she eats, and every bit of homework she does - even on days when she doesn't see Edward! There's no need for those days to even be in the book! Finally about half way the action starts, but that's mostly just Edward saying "Are you scared of me?" and Bella saying "No", even though she really is. Neither of them have any personality at all - no one in the entire town has any personality!
Then there's a huge build up to the climax at the end, which just fizzles into nothing.
I know everyone wants to read this at the moment, and once the movie comes out, it will no doubt be even bigger, but it's just disappointing. If you have to wait in a line of 500+ people, you want to make sure it's worth it, and sadly this just isn't.
----reviewed by kate
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Books - Rangers Apprentice by John Flanagan
Rate the book: 10
This is a great series and it kept me in the story till the very end. I will not give anything away but I recomend this book/series to anybody who likes a little fantasy. The series has 7 books and every single book is as good or better than the last. I will definetly read the series again.
----reviewed by Soccershot
This is a great series and it kept me in the story till the very end. I will not give anything away but I recomend this book/series to anybody who likes a little fantasy. The series has 7 books and every single book is as good or better than the last. I will definetly read the series again.
----reviewed by Soccershot
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Books - The Giver by Lois Lowry
Rate the book: 9.5I really like it and (believe it or not I read) I'm reading it in class and it is so good I want to go ahead!
---- reviewed by Gold
Wow, you get to read Lois Lowry for school? That's cool.....cheers, Maryanne
Monday, July 23, 2007
Specials by Scott Westerfield
Rate the book: 8this book is a wonderful ending to the uglies 3 part series. it takes you somewhere only you can imagine, the future. ride on hoverboards and escape from becoming a normal pretty again with Tally Youngblood, a cruel special who tries to stop the world from destroying itself while dealing with friendship, love, death, and dangerous steps to saving her friends! read this book to find out what happens!!!!
---- reviewed by Rebecca
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Books - Tajore Arkle by Jackie French
Rate the book: 9Jackie French has once again spun a beautiful tale. The story is about a young girl Anya who may seem normal but is auctually very different. She has dreams of things that happened in the past. Dreams of fertiliser, bottles and fruit all the things that don't exsist in dull town Greycliffs. Eventually she is sent to the mountain were there are other people like her, called pastseers. However one girl is still missing, Melya. The book follows Anya and her friend Ib as they journey to find Melya.
---- reviewed by Molly
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