The latest young adult fantasy reviews: The Lost Barkscrolls and In The Hand of the Goddess
The last two reviews to go up on Fantasy Book are both from the young adult fantasy category. First off there is The Lost Barkscrolls from the wonderful Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell.
“The Lost Barkscrolls is a fine collection of stories that will be of great interest to fans of the Edge Chronicles. The writing and illustrations are of the highest quality and the themes that link these four seemingly disparate tales together are the abhorrence of slavery and the damage that greed and the manufacturer of weapons can have on lives and the environment.”
Read the full review of The Lost Barkscrolls
Julia Knight covered Tamora Pierce’s In The Hand of the Goddess:
“So, in conclusion – sympathetic characters nicely done for the most part, clear, engaging prose, let down by a too-simple plot. Although this is billed as teen fantasy, even my 11-year-old found it a tad too bland and predictable on the plot side. Nicely written, but nothing really new.”
Read the full review of In the Hand of the Goddess
Synopsis
Pursuing her desire to be a knight, Alanna learns many things in her role as squire to Prince Jonathan, but fears Duke Roger, an ambitious sorcerer with whom she knows she will one day have to deal.
Posted: November 24th, 2009
Author: Lee
Categories: Fantasy Book Review, The Edge Chronicles
Latest Review: Midnight over Sanctaphrax
Synopsis
A ferocious storm threatens the magnificent city of Sanctaphrax. Only Twig knows of the approaching danger. But his perilous voyage destroys his sky ship, hurling his crew beyond the Deepwoods, and robbing Twig of all memory…
Read the full review of Midnight over Sanctaphrax
The Twig Trilogy has been an uninhibited journey into the fantastic, a voyage made captivating by an author and illustrator working together in faultless harmony. The three books are all subtly different and complement each other perfectly. Beyond the Deepwoods, Stormchaser and Midnight over Sanctaphrax should be read in order for maximum enjoyment and should also be read soon!
Paul Stewart is a highly regarded author of books for younger readers – everything from picture books to football stories, fantasy and horror. Together with Chris Riddell, he is co-creator of the Far-Flung Adventures series, which includes Fergus Crane, Gold Smarties Prize Winner, and Corby Flood, Silver Nestle Prize Winner. They are of course also co-creators of the bestselling Edge Chronicles series that has sold over a million books and is now available in over thirty languages.
Chris Riddell is an accomplished graphic artist who has illustrated many acclaimed books for children, including Pirate Diary by Richard Platt, and Gulliver, which both won the Kate Greenaway Medal. Something Else by Kathryn Cave was shortlisted and Castle Diary by Richard Platt was Highly Commended for the Kate Greenaway Medal.
You can also join The Edge Chronicles Fan Club, it is free and features an excellent character gallery plus an interactive map and wallpaper downloads. Visit www.kidsatrandomhouse.co.uk/edgechronicles.
Posted: August 15th, 2009
Author: Lee
Categories: The Edge Chronicles
Funke, Donaldson, Riddell and Kerr at the Edinburgh festival
The Edinburgh International Book Festival brings writers, poets, thinkers, politicians, photographers and artists from around the world to debate, discuss, argue and inspire. Over 800 events take place in the wonderful setting of Charlotte Square Gardens in the historic heart of Edinburgh, the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature.
There’s a big bag of events for children this year: recommended are a rare appearance from Inkheart author Cornelia Funke (Aug 17), as well as Gruffalo writer Julia Donaldson (Aug 24, 29 and 30). Chris Riddell talks about the end of The Edge Chronicles (Aug 22), while Judith Kerr (The Tiger who Came to Tea) remembers her childhood fleeing from the Nazis (Aug 20). All at Charlotte Square Gardens (0845 373 5888).
For more information, visit http://www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk/festivals/book.
Posted: August 1st, 2009
Author: Lee
Categories: Cornelia Funke, Julia Donaldson, The Edge Chronicles
Fantasy Book Review: The Curse of the Gloamglozer
Looking for a superb young adult fantasy series?
Last year Random House kindly sent a review copy of The Immortals by Paul Stewart & Chris Riddell. It was the 10th instalment of the popular series and was magnificent. I was so impressed that I plan to go through the preceding nine books in the coming months.
I have started with The Curse of the Gloamglozer, not the first to be published (I believe it was the fourth) but it marks the beginning of the Quint books and is an excellent place to begin your adventure on The Edge.
I cannot recommend these books highly enough. I honestly believe that this series is better than Harry Potter in regards to imagination and storyline.
So, if you are looking for a brand new fantasy series perfect for ages 11+, you really must give The Edge Chronicles a go.
Synopsis
Quint, son of sky pirate captain, and new apprentice to Linius Pallitax, the Most High Academe, has been set some highly important tasks. Just how important, Quint is about to find out as he and Linius’s only daughter, Maris, are plunged into a terrifying adventure that takes them deep within the rock upon which Sanctaphrax is built. Here, they unwittingly invoke an ancient curse – the curse of the gloamglozer…
Review
The Curse of the Gloamglozer is the perfect place to begin your journey within The Edge Chronicles. It also marks the beginning of the Quint trilogy, promising – and indeed succeeding – in taking your imagination to The Edge. The story, narration, settings, characters and illustrations are uniformly excellent and provide the complete fantasy experience.
Read the full Fantasy Book Review of The Curse of the Gloamglozer
Paul Stewart is a highly regarded author of books for younger readers. Chris Riddell is an accomplished graphic artist who has illustrated many acclaimed books for children.
Posted: July 21st, 2009
Author: Lee
Categories: Fantasy Book Review, The Edge Chronicles
Book of the Month
Dust of Dreams by Steven Erikson
On the Letherii continent the exiled Malazan army commanded by Adjunct Tavore begins its march into the eastern Wastelands, to fight for an unknown cause against an enemy it has never seen. The fate awaiting the Bonehunters is one no soldier can prepare for, and one no mortal soul can withstand - the foe is uncertainty and the only weapon worth wielding is stubborn courage.
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Book View Cafe is a cooperative site created by a group of writers - including internationally renowned authors Katharine Kerr, Ursula Le Guin and Vonda N. McIntyre - who want to take advantage of the internet's possibilities for reaching a wider audience and to distribute their work directly to their readers. The Book View Cafe is a place where you can find free, original fiction plus the authors' best and out-of-print work for a fee. Fantasy Book Review spoke to Book View Cafe member, science fiction author and memoirist Chris Dolley in February 2010.
Special Feature: Understanding the author of Alice in Wonderland
Lewis Carroll, the elusive author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, has been the subject of enduring fascination for the past hundred years. The destruction of many major documents about his personal life by his descendants has only magnified the mystery. Jenny Woolf's biography, published to coincide with the release of the new Tim Burton Alice in Wonderland film, lays waste to the myths and suspicions that have obscured Carroll's reputation by placing him firmly in the context of his own time.
