I read some of CS Lewis’s Narnia books when I was a youngster (The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and Prince Caspian) and enjoyed them and have been re-reading them recently as an adult and have become very uncomfortable with their content. I am currently listening to The Last Battle on audio-book and am finding them racist and full of upper class snobbery. I have read criticism before on CS Lewis’s works but that was always based upon the books being labelled as ... read more
Posted: January 8th, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed under C.S. Lewis, David Farland, Philip Pullman, Ursula Le Guin
After having read and loved Ursula Le Guin’s Earthsea books I read that there was a Taoist theme running through them that lead me find out more about Taoism and to see if I could understand what teachings , if any, Le Guin was putting into her work. Taoism is also known as Daoism and a rough translation into English is either “the Path” or “the Way”. That there is a natural balance to all things is mentioned and this is definately something that is clearly part ... read more
Posted: January 6th, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed under Ursula Le Guin
Some books are best read when you are still young and your imagination is still at its strongest. The following 10 books are either a stand alone novel or series that is a must read for every fantasy genre reader. JRR Tolkien - The Lord of the Rings Ursula Le Guin - The Earthsea Quartet JK Rowling - The Harry Potter series Philip Pullman - His Dark Materials Trilogy CS Lewis - The Chronicles of Narnia David Eddings- The Belgariad & The Elenium Garth Nix - Sabriel (The Abhorsen ... read more
Posted: January 6th, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed under C.S. Lewis, J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien, Philip Pullman, Raymond E. Feist, Ursula Le Guin
Joe Abercrombie’s second book in his fantasy trilogy The First Law is a real cracker. Before They Are Hanged book review This book has been awarded 8.9 / 10 and has entered the top #100 at #6 alongside Steven Erikson’s Memories of Ice and Ursula Le Guin’s Earthsea Quartet … not too bad a book then from the Lancaster lad. ... read more
Posted: January 3rd, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed under Joe Abercrombie, Steven Erikson, Ursula Le Guin
After finishing Ursula Le Guin’s The Other Wind I am lucky enough to have the second book in the excellent Liveship Traders trilogy to start on. Already a hundred pages in and Robin Hobb’s writing is as excellent as ever, this book is building up to be even better than the first instalment, hopefully this will be as rewarding a trilogy to read as The Farseer Trilogy was. Fingers crossed. Update - 30/10/2008 Ship of Magic book review The Mad Ship book review Ship of Destiny book ... read more
Posted: December 28th, 2007 by admin | No Comments | Filed under Robin Hobb, Ursula Le Guin
The review of The Other Wind is now complete and highly praises Ursula Le Guin’s latest edition the the Earthsea collection. You can read the review here http://www.fantasybookreview.co.uk/Ursula-Le-Guin/The-Other-Wind.html The Other Wind has entered the Top 100 fantasy books at #8 http://www.fantasybookreview.co.uk/top-fantasy-books.html ... read more
Posted: December 28th, 2007 by admin | No Comments | Filed under Ursula Le Guin
I have finished the book and am readying myself to write the review but I’m finding it quite difficult to put the reading of the book into words. It is a short book when compared to Steven Erikson, George RR Martin or Robin Hobb put more than long enough to get the story across. It is more thought-provoking than action packed and the book is still with me a few days after completion which is always a good sign. I will try and put all these feelings into the review but a nice thing ... read more
Posted: December 24th, 2007 by admin | No Comments | Filed under George R.R. Martin, Robin Hobb, Steven Erikson, Ursula Le Guin
Ryan Grohsmeyer very cleverly displays how the word earthsea can be read both downside up and upside down. It took me a few moments to understand what was going on but I’ve never been the sharpest knife in the drawer. http://www.ursulakleguin.com/Graphics/Ambigram.html ... read more
Posted: December 19th, 2007 by admin | No Comments | Filed under Ursula Le Guin
I have already mentioned in an earlier post the great fantasy books that were in the top 10 ten books of the BBC’s Big Read poll. I thought I would revisit the list and see what other fantasy classics appeared. The Harry Potter series is in the top 100 in its entirity and The Hobbit has a high placing too. Artemis Fowl appears after the 50 mark as does Terry Pratchett’s Mort ( my favourite Pratchett novel ). Raymond E Feist’s wonderful Magician can also be found in ... read more
Posted: December 18th, 2007 by admin | No Comments | Filed under General Interest, J.R.R. Tolkien, Raymond E. Feist, Robin Hobb, Terry Pratchett, Ursula Le Guin
I am halfway through this book and so far so good. It is a well written as the preceding novels and has made me want to go back and re-read the earlier books. Great characters and a very involving, deep storyline. ... read more
Posted: December 18th, 2007 by admin | No Comments | Filed under Ursula Le Guin