Book Review: The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper.

Publisher:  The Folio Society
ISBN: not available for this edition
Format:  Quarter-bound in buckram with Modigliani paper sides, illustrated by Laura Carlin.

Well, after Over Sea, Under Stone there was nothing else to do with myself but grab the second book with both hands.  I wasn't disappointed, man that woman can write!!  You may have seen the film and thought it was OK, as I did, or that it wasn't OK and you won't bother with the book.  You'd be wrong on both counts.  When compared to the book the film is pretty dire and there are some pretty major differences in the story.

Will Stanton is the seventh son of a seventh son, and is the last of the Old Ones, a special group of people destined to fight for the side of the Light in the eternal battle between the forces of light (good) and dark (evil).  On the eve of his Eleventh birthday Will starts to experience strange phenomenon that others don't see or experience.  Guided by various characters like Merriman Lyon (Uncle Gumery from Over Sea, Under Stone), Will's task is to gather the six Things of Power and strengthen the power of the light against The Rider and other characters who've come to the fight.

Though there were eight years between the first and second books Cooper doesn't fail to deliver and her panache at storytelling is ever present. This is a brilliant book, though I think having seen the film I was spending a fair amount of time trying to recall the film and how it compares to the book.  Had I not seen the film first I think I would have had a similar reaction to Over Sea, Under Stone.  When you see a film first and then read the book the film version can help your mind process the familiar images, but when the book and the film deviate from each other so much it becomes a distraction rather than an aid.

At the time of writing this review I am reading the third book in the series, though will probably have finished it by the time this review gets published.  What I've read so far just goes to show Cooper has staying power when it comes to these books.

What I liked most:  Excellent sense of threat, the swarming rooks were quite disturbing.  There were also terribly sad moments with Hawkin and Merriman Lyon.

What I liked least:  The film was a constant source of comparison in the back of my mind, and not in a good way.  

Book Review: Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper.

Publisher:  The Folio Society
ISBN:  not available for this edition
Format:  Quarter-bound in buckram with Modigliani paper sides, 9" × 6¼"
Illustrated by Laura Carlin (7 illustrations)

Like my earlier review of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief I first came across the Dark Is Rising sequence as the result of seeing a film.  Fellow book club members recommended the books, and the sequence was added to our suggestions list.  There are five books in the sequence, of which this is the first.  I would definitely read them in order, now that I am half way through book three I can see how important it is to have read them in sequence.

As I have mentioned on the blog before I joined the Folio Society recently, and I chose the first four books in the sequence as my obligatory four book purchase this year.  I just have to get the fifth book now, before they run out of stock!!  When I saw them on the FS list I thought if the FS thinks they're good enough to publish then I should definitely give them a try.  I could wax lyrical about the wonderful special editions the FS have produced, but any edition will do.

Short Synopsis:  A young family are travelling for a family holiday to Cornwall, land of Arthurian legend.  They're on their way to meet their strange Uncle Gumery, and little do they know it but their also about to take part in the eternal battle between the forces of light (good) and dark (evil).

The style of language used is very of it's time (written in the 60's), something Susan Cooper mentions herself in the preface to the special edition.  A few too many 'Gosh's' for a modern audience, but though I have found this a distraction in other books, here it just feels utterly charming.  The thing that makes this truly an outstanding story for me is the way that Cooper is able to make the story seem so real.  The characters of Simon, Jane and Barney are so well drawn that the whole book feels incredibly believable.  In the very best tradition of the very best books you really do lose the words on the page as your imagination takes over and paints the story in images for you.  You lose yourself and become Simon or Jane or Barney.  That's me, a nearly 40 year old woman feeling like a young boy running for my life across the hills of Cornwall.  I swear my heart was racing.  When the children are in danger you really feel it yourself.

What I liked most: Everything!  But mostly that I haven't been this engrossed in a book in possibly ever!

What I liked least:  Nothing.  Really.  I loved the whole thing.  This is probably in my top three books.  The only reason it might not make the top spot is because it didn't make me cry.

Book Review: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Publisher: Hyperion Books
ISBN13: 9781423134947
Format: Paperback

I first came across Percy Jackson when the film of this book was released, but at that time I didn't realise there was a book series behind the film.  I haven't been into children's literature for nearly 30 years, so when the film came out it was completely new.  Then once I'd started this blog and the Top Ten lists I kept seeing Percy Jackson here, there and everywhere.  I thought I enjoyed the film well enough, and it's well received by many fellow bloggers, so I might as well give it a chance.

So glad I did!

Short synopsis:  Percy Jackson is a troubled pre-teen, sufferer of ADHD, Dyslexia and so on.  He kills his maths teacher on a school trip when she turns into a monster.  His mother takes him away on a trip during which they're attacked by a Minotaur and his mother disappears in a flash of light, presumed dead.  As it happens this is just outside a camp for special kids, the half human children of the Greek Gods.  PJ is one such child and soon finds himself on a quest to save his mother and find Zeus's stolen Lightning Bolt.  Along for the ride are his half goat friend Grover and fellow half-blood Annabeth.  On his journey he meets many mythical creatures, only most of whom try to kill him.

What I liked most: The Greek myths are fascinating, I definitely want to learn more!  Also I loved the chapter titles, they really made me want to read on.

What I liked least:  Not much to dislike as far as I'm concerned.  I would like to read a more adult equivalent I think.  If anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear them.


A little bit of controversy:  I've read some brilliant reviews and also some complaints about the similarities with Harry Potter.  Personally I don't see anything to suggest that Percy Jackson is a complete rip off of Harry Potter, there are some commonalities, true enough, but those also predate Harry Potter by a long way!  I've read the second Percy Jackson book as well, and can honestly say I like both HP and Percy J.

Book Review: W.A.R.P. The Reluctant Assassin by Eoin Colfer

Publisher: Puffin
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 978-0141341750

For a few years I've been meaning to pick up the Artemis Fowl books, but it seemed like a big deal to start a new series when it was so far along.  When it was announced that Colfer was starting a new series (first saw here it on Fennell Books) I thought I would check it out as soon as it was published.

I picked it up and loved it instantly, and now that I've sampled some of Colfer's writing, I'm definitely going to look closer at the Artemis Fowl books, as well as keep an eye out for the next in the WARP series.

Short Synopsis:  The FBI has access to Wormhole Time Travel technology and so they hide witnesses in the past, supposedly safely.  One such witness meets Albert Garrick, magician and Assassin and his apprentice Riley in Victorian London.  Garrick and Riley travel through time and encounter teenage FBI agent-in-training Chevie Savano and wreak havoc in modern day London.

Albert Garrick is just about the best villain I've come across in a long time.  He's gruesome, remorseless, clever, calculating and a very challenging opponent for Riley and Agent Savano.  My niece and nephew (ages 12 and 14) would love him if I let them near the book.  They'll have to wait for it in paperback though, as there's no way they'll get their paws on my hardback copy!

What I liked best:  I have a soft spot for Time Travel stories, people out of their place etc...  Albert Garrick is a fabulous character, Evil as evil can be, but fab nonetheless.

What I liked least:  The idea of a teenage FBI agent being so gung-ho and all that.  I found it ever so slightly unbelievable.

I had a look to see what others are saying about this, and it seems other reviewers are more familiar with Colfer's previous works, and have been comparing this with them.  I don't have that background.  In summary if you like Artemis Fowl and his other stories you'll probably like WARP The Reluctant Assassin, but it won't be unfamiliar territory for you.  If you're like me and not familiar with Colfer's writing/previous novels then this is probably a great introduction.  Either way I think it's enjoyable.

Book Review: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Publisher:  Harper Collins
ISBN: 0060530928
Illustrations by Dave McKean (Adult Edition)

Website:  http://www.thegraveyardbook.co.uk/

I saw this in a book-haul on a post on Fennell Books the other day and though I don't yet own every Neil Gaiman book I could not believe I missed this one, it's right up my street!  So the next time I passed a bookshop I headed in and they had one last copy left.  My copy.

Short Synopsis:  A toddler escapes from his home while the rest of his family are murdered, and ends up in a graveyard. The ghosts of the graveyard take him in and raise him.  He has no name, no family, and he's a nobody.  So that's what they call him - Nobody, or Bod for short.  This is the story of Bod's life in the graveyard, a coming of age story, with that brilliant Gaiman supernatural twist.

Though written for a teen audience I think young-at-heart adults will thoroughly enjoy this one too.  It's delightfully grim, and for younger readers it would be pretty scary.  Night gaunts, Ghouls and Ghoul-gates, witches, ghosts, werewolves, and Silas.  FAB!

What I liked most:  Everything.  It's charming and entertaining, there are moments of genuine threat and you don't know how it will turn out exactly.

What I liked least:  I've just checked and it said 312 pages for this edition.  Maybe it's because it contains a fair few illustrations that take up a few pages, or that the font size is quite large, but it really didn't feel like a 300+ page book.  I wanted it to be longer, and I now wish I hadn't read it so quickly.

Favourite Quotes: 

“ 'Name the different kinds of people,’ said Miss Lupescu. ‘Now.’
Bod thought for a moment. ‘The living,’ he said. ‘Er. The dead.’ He stopped. Then, ‘... Cats?’ he offered, uncertainly.”

" 'I want to see life. I want to hold it in my hands. I want to leave a footprint on the sand of a desert island. I want to play football with people. I want,' he said, and then he paused and he thought. 'I want everything.' ”