The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss

"I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep."

Well that's a summary and a half right?! Despite the somewhat cheesy cover, this is a book that grabbed my attention from the shelf on numerous occasions. I didn't finally get around to reading it until a close friend had read and recommended it, and kindly lent me his copy. As you might imagine from the summary, this was a book that one can get sucked into very quickly and very easily.

The Name of the Wind is Book 1 of the Kingkiller Chronicles, a proposed trilogy, Book 2 of which, Wise Man's Fears, has just been published. This is Kvothe's story, as dictated to a scribe by the man himself, while he lives in hiding in a small backwater town with his assistant and friend, Bast, who has a story of his own. The arrival of the scribe prompts Kvothe to recount his life from childhood, as a record of his experiences - the truths, not the legends.

The story then takes us to Kvothe's childhood, recounting his life as he tells it, from happy memories as a child with his family, to shocking tragedy and finally to Kvothe's experiences at the famous University. Kvothe recounts these events, allowing the reader to become completely immersed in his life and the characters he meets along his journey, following his trials and tribulations as he attempts to survive the University and uncover the truth of his childhood tragedy. Kvothe's story is entirely gripping, as he makes both friends and enemies, finds romance, and narrowly escapes death on more than one occasion.

The success of this book for me was that although there were enough characters to keep the story interesting and drive the narrative along, I never felt overwhelmed or confused by the number of names and personalities introduced during the story, unlike others I have read recently. Kvothe is an intriguing character, both passionate and reckless, while struggling with his own ambition and desires, yet always seeking answers to his past. Definitely a character you can root for, though also be frustrated with when he makes a rash decision. I was also particularly taken by the mysterious, powerful yet somewhat odd Master Namer Elodin, and his riddles and strange sense of humour, and Kvothe's loyal yet mysterious assistant Bast. I look forward to unravelling their stories in the next instalment of the trilogy.

Although this tale had elements of your usual fantasy series, with its magics and musics, at no point did the tale feel clichéd or overly familiar. A truly excellent début Mr Rothfuss!

The Mortal Instruments - Cassandra Clare

The Mortal Instruments is a six-part series written by the infamous and apparently prolific author Cassandra Clare. The first four books in the series are already available, with City of Lost Souls and City of Heavenly Fire due for release in 2012 and 2013.

As mentioned in my review of Clockwork Angel, the Mortal Instruments series was imagined first, although set in present day New York. In City of Bones we meet our main protagonist, a young teenager named Clary Fray, at a club with her best friend Simon. Clary encounters a group of teenagers whom no-one else can apparently see, while she witnesses them murder another young man. Clary returns home to find the apartment wrecked and her mother missing, shortly before she is attacked by a demon. She is rescued by one of the mysterious teenagers, Jace, who takes her to his home and reveals that he is a demon hunter, known as a a Shadowhunter. Clary soon learns that her mother was also a Shadowhunter, who had apparently been trying to protect Clary from the same fate.

The Mortal Instruments is an ongoing saga revolving around Clary, Jace and their family and friends, in a tale of demons, warlocks, vampires, werewolves, faeries, magic and romance. Nothing new there you might say. And while the typical stories in this series are generally similar to much of the fantasy fiction that is available for young adult readers at present, Cassandra Clare has certainly proved herself to be a highly entertaining storyteller. Indeed this series delves into some of the more darker aspects of the genre, with gruesome murders, tragic loss and forbidden (and inappropriate!) love between two central characters.

Although somewhat predictable, the Mortal Instruments series is enjoyable, with humour and heart where it is needed. I may have fallen more for the world created in Clare's Infernal Devices, but I shall certainly be seeing this series through to the end.

(I've recently heard that Clare is working on a set of sequels called The Dark Artifices...watch this space!)

Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel - Cassandra Clare

The Infernal Devices is a trilogy of prequels to the bestselling Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. While the Mortal Instruments series is set in modern day New York, the Infernal Devices is firmly set in Victorian England.

Although a prequel, Clockwork Angel was my first foray into Clare's world of Shadowhunters and Downworlders, demons and warlocks. The titular Clockwork Angel is a necklace that belongs to Tessa, a young orphaned American girl who travels to England in search of her missing older brother Nate. However, when she arrives at Southampton, instead of her brother she finds the Dark Sisters, who take her prisoner, subjecting her to experiments and preparing her for marriage to the "Magister". Tessa soon discovers she is a shape-changer, able to take the shape of any person whose belongings she can touch.

Tessa is rescued from captivity by Will Herondale, a handsome and arrogant Shadowhunter, who introduces her to the Institute, his "family" and the world of demon-hunting. The Institute members utilise Tessa's unusual skill to find Nate and find the Magister and reveal his sinister plot. Of course there must be a sinister plot!

Clockwork Angel is a world of supernatural beings, magic and mystery, but had such intriguing characters that I was completely hooked within a matter of pages. Tessa herself is a mystery, her nature as a shape-changer - is she a demon or some other kind of creature? Will Herondale is reckless and self-destructive, drinking, gambling and womanising, while demonstrating unnatural skill as a demon hunter and moments of barely hidden tenderness to his loved ones. Will's best friend and fighting partner Jem is an even more interesting character, with a mysterious illness and dark secret.

Clare's Victorian London is dark and gloomy, with sinister organisations, dark magics and flesh-covered automatons. With seedy drinking establishments and glamorous parties, dark alleys and gothic buildings, I can well believe this London may have existed. With the pre-requisite revelations, betrayals and romantic triangles, Clockwork Angel is a gripping and enjoyable story, with a very intriguing ending! The next two books in the series, Clockwork Prince and Princess will be released at the end of 2011 and 2012, and I for one am very excited to read them.

Monsters of Men - Patrick Ness

Wow...third and final book in Patrick Ness's fabulous Chaos Walking series. I actually read this several months ago now, but it was so hard to write this review at the time and then life caught up with me.

I can't say too much without spoiling events that occur in this book. Todd and Viola are caught in the conflict between three warring armies, all converging on New Prentisstown, desperate for dominance, or freedom.

The narrative of this final book is what makes it stand out, with Todd, Viola and the Return each telling their own stories. Each character brings their own distinct voice, making the story a very personal one and giving it a powerful emotional impact.

Monsters of Men is devastating, showing the horrors of war, and the terrible choices of those caught up in it. Ness continues to shock and horrify me, at one point I found myself completely disbelieving the events he had written...how could he do that to the characters I had grown to care about! I can't believe this is the final book in the series, but look forward to reading more of Ness' work. Wonderful stuff.

1. The Knife of Never Letting Go
2. The Ask and the Answer
3. Monsters of Men

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Excalibur - Bernard Cornwell

Read for: Arthurian Challenge; A Tournament of Reading

The final chapter of Bernard Cornwell's Warlord Chronicles, and what an ending! Continuing the themes of love, loyalty and betrayal, Excalibur begins with the aftermath of Lancelot's rebellion and the devastating effect on Arthur and Guinevere's marriage.

Without giving too much away, this chapter of the famous legend sees Arthur's greatest victory while many of his promises come back to haunt him. Whilst the tale is narrated by Derfel, we know what fate awaits him, yet how he comes to that point is revealed. Much is left unsaid, as of most great stories, but the true joys of this series are the characters. Cornwell is not afraid to reveal everything about them, including their darker sides, which makes for gripping reading.

This series has rapidly made its way to being one of my favourites. The characters, plot and description of everyday life make this fabulous reading. I can not recommend it enough, and am already pondering which Cornwell novels to read next!

The Warlord Chronicles:
1. The Winter King
2. Enemy of God
3. Excalibur

Enemy of God - Bernard Cornwell

Read for: Arthurian Challenge; A Tournament of Reading

The second book in Cornwell's renowned Warlord Chronicles is possibly even better than the first! Starting off where The Winter King left off, Enemy of God begins with the aftermath of Arthur's victory. The book also focuses on Derfel's romance with the Princess Ceinwyn, and on the burgeoning relationship between Lancelot and Guinevere.

With some truly heartbreaking scenes, and some dark and disturbing descriptions of battle, Enemy of God is an exciting and engrossing read. Although heavily weighted towards politics and warfare, magic still has its place in this series. The powerful Merlin and his damaged and angry priestess Nimue search for the ancient Treasures of Britain which, when united, will bring forth the old gods of Briton, to overthrow the Saxon incursion and the ever-growing number of Christians.

Fact, fiction and legend mingle together so beautifully in this series from the incredibly talented Cornwell, bringing a large array of characters brilliantly to life.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - J.K.Rowling

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the last in JK Rowling's fabulous Harry Potter series. Whether or not you enjoy the series, I defy anyone to not fall for Stephen Fry's narration!

Portraying each of the characters in these unabridged audiobooks, Fry embues his own vitality, his own personality, while maintaining the characters that the world has come to know and love. My particular favourite is Fry's take on Hermione Granger, and his whimsical rendition of the strange but likeable Luna.

Still convinced that this was the (almost) perfect ending to a truly excellent series (I'm still somewhat heartbroken over one character in particular), this audiobook has given me a new appreciation to Rowling's storytelling, and enhanced my admiration of the indomitable Stephen Fry. Not to mention making the constant DIY in my new house almost bearable!

Thank you Jo Rowling and thank you Stephen Fry!

The Winter King - Bernard Cornwell

Read for: Arthurian Challenge; A Tournament of Reading

I wanted to include both the original cover (left) and the new cover of the copy I own (right) for this review, as I really like them both.

Certain bloggers (who shall remain nameless) have been telling me to read Bernard Cornwell's Warlord Chronicles for longer than I can say. Well, I can finally say that I have made a start and finished the first book, The Winter King. And oh boy am I glad I bought all three the same day!

The Winter King is the tale of Britain after the death of Uther Pendragon. This Britain is less a tale of magic and myth, and more one of war and politics. The throne of Dunmonia is reserved for Uther's infant grandchild, Mordred, with several of the senior warlords pledging an oath to protect the child and his kingdom until he comes of age. Arthur, Uther's bastard son, and the most loved warlord in Dumnonia and beyond, makes the pledge and so begins the long struggle to govern and protect the kingdom without a king.

The trilogy tells Arthur's tale, through the eyes of his follower, friend and fellow warrior, Derfel Cadarn. The Winter King introduces us to the elderly Derfel, a monk living in a monastery in Wales, who spends his days chronicling the years of Arthur for his young Queen, Igraine. It is this tale that we get swept up into, brutal and unforgiving. Derfel was a young orphaned boy, adopted by the Druid Merlin, and raised in his home on Ynys Wydryn. Derfel witnesses betrayal of the child king's guardian and his attempted murder, and escapes with the king and some of the survivors. From that moment on, Derfel is plunged into a world of warriors, honour and lies. He becomes close friends with Arthur, who's ultimate aim is to unite the British Kingdoms against the Saxon (Sais) invadors. But peril and intrigue follow them at every turn.

I doubt very much that The Winter King could have been better written. I was hooked from page one and would have been mortified to find myself at the end, had I not already got books two and three in my possession. This is by far my favourite of the Arthurian fiction I have read so far, and I was so excited to read the next book, Enemy of God that I have not been able to write this review until finishing the series! To describe more of the events in this series would likely cause confusion and I imagine would put anyone off reading such a complex tale. So you'll have to find out for yourself...

Other familiar characters making an appearance in this series, include Nimue, Morgan, Lancelot, and Guinevere. Rather than a complete retelling of the Arthurian legends, this is more a reworking, with some of the older legends intermingled with newer ones, focussing more on the power struggles in the aftermath of the Roman exodus from Britain, and on the conflict between the old pagan religion and the new christian one. Sometimes hard to stomach, this book was always gripping and exciting. Thoroughly recommended for anyone interested in Dark Age and Arthurian fiction.

Ghost Hunter - Michelle Paver

All good things must eventually come to an end.

Those who read my review last year of books four and five, Outcast and Oathbreaker, will already know how excited I have been about the sixth and final installment of Michelle Paver's Chronicles of Ancient Darkness.

Set 6,000 years ago, Paver's series follows the young Torak in his fight against the Soul Eaters and save the clans of the Forest, Mountains and Sea from evil. Torak is accompanied in his journey by his Raven clan friend, Renn, and his pack-brother, Wolf.

In the final novel, Torak finds himself up against the last and deadliest of the Soul Eaters, the Eagle Owl Mage, Eostra. Wolf is now a fully grown adult and has his own family and cubs with mate Darkfur. Eostra is casting a dark cloud of evil over the clans, and Torak leaves to stop the evil mage and exact revenge for his father's death. When Wolf's pack is mortally attacked, he too is forced to leave the Forest, and all three friends find themselves on a dark journey. Without giving anything away, suffice to say that Ghost Hunter is possibly the most exciting book of the series. With characters old and new, Paver expertly takes the story down new paths with Torak and his companions again forced to make some difficult choices.

It is the tangible nature of Paver's world that is so compelling. The smell of the trees, the feel of the earth, the method of making a bow, knife or skin paddle boat. These are not words pulled from thin air, but observations made by the author as she spent time with the Inuit and Sami peoples of the Arctic. Paver's storytelling is intricate, as she draws together these details while weaving a tale full of beauty and horror. Torak's plight is unimaginable. An orphan struggling to survive in a world he little understands, his mission against evil thrust upon him, Torak is forced to find his own way and confront his greatest fears.

I consider myself a spiritual person, one with a deep connection to the world around me, something I share with the clans in Paver's world. These hunter-gather tribes have a solemn reverence for and understanding of Nature, something which should appeal to the young audience that Paver is aiming for. I was never afraid that this series would disappoint, though I was very intrigued with how the series would be ended. With this wonderful tale carried expertly through six books, we are granted a finale so thrilling and heart-wrenching, that this particular reader considers well well worth the wait.

Although satisfied with the outcome of the tale, there is an inevitable sense of loss when such a beautifully crafted series comes to an end. I cannot recommend this fabulous series enough and hope that it will reach the wider audience that it deserves.

The Ask and the Answer - Patrick Ness

Read for: No other reason than being the sequel of a very good book, and finally being available in the library (and thus pipping Mr Beagle's book to my first of the year)!

Rarely does a sequel outdo its predecessor. Not necessarily because the writing is bad or the story less enjoyable. But because the feeling that the reader gets when reading the story for ths first time is incomparable...the original can rarely be replicated, and is even less likely to be bettered.

That being said, The Ask and The Answer does all that, and more. The Knife of Never Letting Go was an excellent first novel; full of original ideas, excellent storytelling and characters who it was easy to care about. Left on a cliffhanger ending (to say the least!), it was hard not to rush out and read the sequel to Knife straight away. Hard that is because the library copies had been reserved for what seemed like eternity, and I couldn't justify buying it when I already had so many books on my shelf. So I waited, and low and behold, The Ask and The Answer became available and was subsequently devoured in a matter of days.

Gripping is an understatement. Ness has the ability to take your average characters, your far-from-extraordinary plot and turn it into an absolutely riveting read. With one emotional rollercoaster after another and a corker of a plot twist at the end (I'm sure some readers saw it coming but I certainly didn't!), Ness deftly navigates the somewhat busy field of young adult fantasy and created something truly special. Suffice to say, if you enjoyed the Knife of Never Letting Go, I guarantee that you will love the sequel. Oh yes.

Characters developed throughout the first novel have been fully fleshed out in the sequel. Without giving too much away, our protagonists, Todd and Viola, have been dragged through the most dire of circumstances and find themselves in deadly peril from the first page. Having suffered the most tragic of personal losses, and running from one danger to another, Todd and Viola are forced to face the darkest of situations and worse, the darkness inside themselves. What they each are willing and capable of doing...and sacrificing. It is this that makes the book so enjoyable and so gripping, better than any suspense film that I have seen over the past years. The Ask and The Answer is dark, darker than I expected and far darker than the covers of either book suggest.

It is Ness' expert handling of his characters' plight and the truly devastating effects of their decisions that make the book stand out from its contemporaries, especially in a time where run-of-the-mill YA fantasies seem to be churned out by the dozen. Understated, powerful, heartfelt yet sharp as a knife, Ness' writing really delivers. My only complaint is that we are yet again left with a cliffhanger. And this time, I do not have the next installment readily available to read at my leisure. I guess I'll have to wait with the rest of you! Mr Ness, you have certainly set the bar very high.

I was slightly concerned that a childrens fantasy would not live up to the standard of my first reads of the past three years...I need not have worried. Cracking stuff.

Other blog reviews:
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Moon Called - Patricia Briggs

Read for: Challenge with Rhinoa

Mercedes (Mercy) Thompson is a Native American mechanic with her own auto repair shop in the Tri-Cities of Washington State. A pretty damn good mechanic, Mercy also has a secret...she is a walker, a shapeshifter who can take the form of a coyote. In this world, many of the lesser fae have revealed themselves to the wider public, although werewolves and shapeshifters still keep themselves hidden. Mercy lives next door to the Alpha of the Tri-Cities werewolf pack, Adam, and is fast friends with his daughter, Jesse. Another friend is a local vampire, who manages to blend into the community but drives around in a replica of the Scooby Doo Mystery Machine!

Moon Called is the first in the Mercy Thompson series, in which Mercy becomes embroiled in deadly werewolf business when she gives a teenage runaway werewolf a job as her assistant. She soon discovers a deeper plot, and when Adam is gravelly wounded and his daughter kidnapped, must resort to returning to the clan of werewolves who raised her in Montana. Mercy is forced to confront her feelings for her lost love and work alongside the werewolves and vampires in order to find Jesse and save the day.

The story itself didn't particularly inspire me, but Briggs' characterisation was excellent, with really enjoyable characters. I became completely involved in Mercy's plight and found the book very difficult to put down. Mercy herself was an interesting character, although the heroine, she is forced to concede to the Alphas decisions though she may not like it. However, as she is not part of the pack, she can often go against werewolf tradition and make her own choices.

I found the werewolves particularly enjoyable to read about, and was very taken with Adam and his relationship with the feisty mechanic. I will certainly be reading more of the series and hope that Stefan the vampire makes another appearance! A really enjoyable book.

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The Forest of Hands and Teeth - Carrie Ryan

"In Mary's world, there are simple truths.
The Sisterhood always knows best.
The Guardians will protect and serve.
The Unconsecrated will never relent.
And you must always mind the fence the surrounds the village..."

I blame Darla D of Books and other thoughts for this entirely. But with a title and book description like that, who could blame anyone for being tempted.

Mary lives in a small, fenced-in village surrounded by the Forest of Hands and Teeth, where the Unconsecrated wait for the opportune moment to strike, to kill. Living her sheltered life with her mother and brother, mourning the loss of her father, Mary dreams of the world outside the fence, the world lost to her people, and the ocean she longs to see with her own eyes. Her quiet existence is shattered one day, when she is proposed to by her childhood friend, Harry, when it is his brother whom she longs for. When tragedy strikes, Mary finds herself at the mercy of the Sisterhood, the mysterious group of nuns who maintain their society and way of life, but whom she soon discovers bear some terrible secrets.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth was not the book I was expecting. From the reviews and blurb that I had read, I imagined it to be a run-of-the-mill fantasy, set in a small village where a girl finds the truth about her ancestors and origins. It is all that, but also so much more. Forest is gripping and suspenseful, harrowing and sad, and I could barely put it down; reading the entire book on Christmas Day. But it is not your typical zombie story either, and it is these differences that truly make the book worth reading.

This is a tale of longing and loss, of growing up, and of making choices. And yes, it is the first in a possible series. The second book, The Dead Tossed Waves, will be published in the spring, and a film adaptation of the first book is likely for 2011. I have read many comparisons with Twilight, and though Forest is as readable ad exciting as the vampire series, I found it to be far better quality writing and a more enjoyable set of characters with real tangible flaws.

Most definitely a series I will be following. Thanks Darla!

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(Have I missed yours?)

Graceling - Kristin Cashore

Read for: YA Challenge

Although the first in yet another fantasy series billed for young adults, Graceling would certainly appeal to adult readers. I won't say too much about the plot because, lets face it, you've all read the book itself or other reviews, so you probably know everything you need to.

Set in the Seven Kingdoms, where a small number of people are born with a Grace, or special talent, the book revolves around a feisty heroine, Katsa. Born with a killing Grace, Katsa acts as an assassin for her uncle, the King of the Middluns, and as such, is feared by most of her people. Katsa gets close to noone, except her eccentric cousin, that is until she meets Po, a Graced fighter from the kingdom of Lienid. Searching for Po's kidnapped grandfather, Katsa must travel far across the Kingdoms and come to terms with her feelings towards her own Grace.

Graceling is yet another exciting and entertaining fantasy novel with a strong and interesting female leading character. Although nothing particularly original, the story was gripping and the characters flawed but passionate enough for the reader to become engrossed in their journeys. Yet again, I felt myself drawn to the leading male character, Po, and his burgeoning relationship with the somewhat difficult Katsa. His journey felt slightly less predictable to me, and the development of his character and his relationship with his family was somewhat more intriguing.

A very enjoyable read. I shall certainly be reading the sequel, Fire.

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Dead Until Dark - Charlaine Harris

Read for: RIP IV Challenge

Set in Bon Temps, Louisiana, Dead Until Dark is the first in the incredibly popular Southern Vampire Series. The heroine, Sookie Stackhouse, is a small town waitress with a gift (or disability as she sees it) of being able to read people's thoughts. She is a sweet natured and naive girl, who keeps people at arm's length and her psychic problem makes it hard for her to conduct a normal relationship. So all her prayers seem to have been answered when a vampire walks into her bar, and she can't hear a peep from his mind. Soon she becomes drawn to the mysterious vampire, though many people disapprove, perhaps one in particular. Women are being murdered in the local area, and all have one thing in common...their relationships or such with vampires.

What I haven't mentioned of course, though most people need no such explanation...is that in this series, vampires have "come out of the coffin" so to speak. This is the idea that appealed to me most for this series, as I love the idea of vampires wandering into a 7-11 to buy a four pack of synthetic blood! And these vampires are by no means the good, we're going to save the world a la Buffy/Angel type vampires. They are just the same as any other person, they have the ability to be good and the ability to be truly evil. Although they also have far superior strength, the ability to glamour and a thirst for your blood...

I really wanted to love this book. I enjoyed watching the first series of True Blood, which is perhaps the only reason I picked up the book in the first place, but I felt mightily underwhelmed by it. Sookie's character is indeed sweet and generally not one would expect for a heroine in a vampire series, and Bill is as expected every bit the Southern gentleman (for a vampire). But I could not bring myself to care particularly much for either character, and there was certainly no chemistry between them that leapt out at me from the page. Its's a shame, as I really enjoyed the series, which may have given me different expectations and thus ruined the book for me. Bill in particular, I fell for on the screen, but his character ironically comes across as quite 2-dimensional on the page. I am certainly in the minority here, as these books appear to be very popular, and I know I shouldn't judge a series solely by its first installment (look at potter), but let's just say I have a hunch that they won't grow on me.

Pre-Twilight, I have never particularly been into fictional vampire-romance series like this, so I very much doubt I will be reading more, though I am tempted to watch series 2 of True Blood and see how that goes...

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Once Upon a Time in the North - Philip Pullman

Read for: YA Challenge

To continue my short reviews, I'll get straight to the point!

Once Upon a Time in the North is another book set in the world of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. In the same format as Lyra's Oxford, this delightful little hardback is actually a prequel. The story follows aeronaut Lee Scoresby as he meets Iorek Byrnison for the first time.

Unlike Lyra's Oxford, Once Upon a Time in the North captured my interest from the very beginning. The fact that neither Lee nor Iorek were the most important characters in the trilogy actually made the book even better reading. It is often the minor characters that intrigue me and this was especially the case with Scoresby. Very little is revealed about him during the series, aside from his character and friendship with the armoured bear, little is told of his back story. A daring choice of follow up installment, I do not know if this was a particularly big hit or not, although I really enjoyed it. Beautifully packaged, the book also contains a game and some letters from Lyra herself.

Still earmarked with Pullman's excellent literary style, though not bogged down in the religious aspects that were a bit much for some in the later books, Once Upon a Time is an adventure through and through. This would certainly be understood if read with no prior knowledge of the series, though anyone who desires a little more insight into Scoresby's history and the tale of how he met Byrnison, will likely find the story more satisfying. As always, Scoresby's daemon, Hester, is a joy to read about and is most certainly my favourite daemon in the series. Sadly, as is often the case with such novellas, not enough is revealed and the reader is left wanting more.

Where is the Book of Dust I ask?

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Outcast and Oath Breaker - Michelle Paver

I was working as a children’s bookseller when Michelle Paver sold her six-book series Chronicles of the Ancient Darkness for a record-breaking advance of just under £2 million, so I vividly remember the hype that ensued! The first in this highly anticipated Stone Age series was immediately a modern classic, with everyone and his grandmother racing out for a signed copy. Wolf Brother began the tale of Torak, a young Wolf Clan boy who becomes violently orphaned and left to fend for himself, when he befriends a wolf cub. Each consecutive book has seen Torak face more trials and tribulations in his journey toward adulthood.

Outcast and Oath Breaker are the fourth and fifth books in the Chronicles of the Ancient Darkness. Following on from the end of the last book, Soul Eater, Torak has been branded with a tattoo by the Soul Eaters, mages corrupted by power and dark magic. Carrying their evil mark, Torak is suspected to be in league with the Soul Eaters and is cast out from the Raven clan, the place he had begun to call home. As he flees, Torak finds himself not only in a fight for his life, but for his very sanity as his link with the Soul Eaters triggers his descent into madness. In these two books, Torak must battle the impending ecological disaster that will shake the very core of his world, and face the death of someone very close to him.

Perhaps the best asset to Paver’s series is her attention to detail. She has spent several years meticulously researching prehistoric life, spending time with Inuit and Sami tribes living in the wilds of Finland and Greenland. But it is this research that gives her story such realism, such depth. Interestingly, I have been enjoying this series far more than Clan of the Cave Bear, where I personally felt that Jean Auel had become too bogged down in the details of prehistoric life. The society that Paver has created is that of the hunter-gatherer, but the people she describes are surprisingly, yet believable advanced, socially and spiritually as well as technologically. I can imagine myself being quite at home in the world she created (aside from the evil Soul Eaters of course!).

Her characters are also completely believable, each with their own story and own journey. By far my favourite character is Wolf, the cub rescued by Torak, whose love and devotion to the boy provide the true heart to this series. Wolf has his own journey, often separate to Torak’s, but their fates are always linked with the bond they share as wolf brothers. My favourite parts of the story are often from his perspective, with Paver using unique vocabulary to describe how Wolf sees the world around him, such as Fast Wet and Bright Beast-that-bites-hot. Wolf’s journey in Outcast and Oath Breaker is especially touching, as he discovers his own desire to be part of a wolf family, along with a shocking revelation about his friend, Tall-Tailless.

This is an excellent series, but I implore you to read it as such. Though Michelle Paver does make a considerable effort for new readers, true enjoyment of these stories comes from following the saga from its beginning. I can only guess what struggles Torak will face in the forthcoming concluding chapter in this epic journey. I do hope Torak finds peace at last!

The Black Jewels Trilogy - Anne Bishop

Rating: 5

Daughter of the Blood
Heir to the Shadows
Queen of the Darkness

"Seven hundred years ago, a Black Widow witch saw an ancient prophecy come to life in her web of dreams and visions.

Now the Dark Realm readies itself for the arrival of its Queen, the Witch who will wield more power than even the High Lord of Hell himself. But the Queen is still young, still open to influence - and corruption.

Whoever controls the Queen controls the Darkness. Three men - sworn enemies - know this. And they know the power that hides behind the blue eyes of an innocent young girl. And so begins a ruthless game of politics and intrigue, magic and betrayal, where the weapons are hate and love - and the prize could be terrible beyond imagining..."

I first read The Black Jewels Trilogy about 18 months ago, while on a ship in Libya of all places. It was recommended to me by Rhinoa, and I did really enjoy it, but it wasn't love. I have since read the follow-up books, Dreams Made Flesh and Tangled Webs, and suddenly found the desire, nay the need to reread the trilogy.

It is now official. I love The Black Jewels Trilogy, and indeed this entire world Anne Bishop has created. Few stories have gripped me in this way, even fewer upon reading them for a second time. I have actually found myself struggling to get into the car in the morning, because I couldn't put the book down. I even snuck away to a hidden corner in the office (a la Nymeth!) some lunchtimes to have a read.

Anne Bishop is a fabulous storyteller. There is no other way to explain what it is about these books that draws the reader in. It is not simply her writing, or her characters, settings or plots, it is a glorious combination of all the above that blend together forming a delicious concoction of fantasy, magic, with a large dollop of darkness that simmers with suspense, and a touch of the erotic. Set in a world where in each race, there are some people who are Blood, and some of these wear the Jewels, and possess the varying strength and power given to them by these Jewels. A trio of male characters form the backbone of this story, each wears a dark Jewel, and each has his own trials and tribulations throughout the trilogy. It is their shared desire to love, serve and protect Witch that brings them together and ultimately shapes their paths. Thousands of years pass, but when Witch finally appears, she is not what anyone expects, a mere child, vulnerable to physical and emotional attack and corruption. These men must pull together in order to help this young girl shape herself into the woman she must become if she is to rule and save the Blood who have been tainted by evil for millenia.

To describe Bishop's world as detailed would be an understatement. This may be a little daunting at first, but the reader soon gets used to it. Bishop has created a hierarchy amongst the Blood, Protocol by which the courts must abide, and an emotional intensity among her characters that rarely translates well onto the page. Almost every character here is somewhat unstable. Emotions are heightened, especially rage, loyalty and lust. Traditional gender rules have also been changed, with females generally more dominant. Two of the main male characters have spent centuries as pleasure slaves, making them bitter, resentful and dangerous. This danger is palpable. It practically leaps off the page and grabs you by the throat.

When I read Dreams Made Flesh, it was Lucivar's character that I enjoyed following the most, but upon rereading the trilogy, I find myself far more drawn to Saetan, the High Lord of Hell. He is the glue who holds this family, this alliance, together until Jaenelle is old enough to come into her full power and status as Queen, and more importantly as Witch. He is ancient by our standards, and yet youthful in comparison with other characters. He is a formidable opponent for most, yet trembles in the glory of Witch. His strength and vulnerability are what make him one of the most interesting characters. Just when I think I have his character pegged, he does something to surprise me. I still love reading about Lucivar, his impulsive and independent nature, yet his overwhelming desire to serve and protect Jaenelle, and his willingness to die for her, and what she represents. But the other part of the story that really captured my attention far more this time round was the Kindred, animals who are also Blood and wear Jewels, who are also responsibly for dreaming Witch into existence. They more than any other Blood in this story are the ones that trust and hope, placing their faith in the Witch, when even the best of men and women would doubt.

I dearly hope that Anne Bishop continues this saga. With Dreams Made Flesh and Tangled Webs, the author showed how a story can be continued and developed without detracting from the power of the original trilogy, and there is much more potential for character development within the world she created. It pains me that Bishop's work is largely unheard of in the UK, and I for one will definitely be sharing it with friends who are fans of fantasy fiction. I cannot recommend these stories enough.

Other blog reviews:
Things Mean A Lot
Confessions of a Book Addict (Daughter of the Blood)
Confessions of a Book Addict (Heir to the Shadows)

Have I missed yours?

The Singing - Alison Croggon

Rating: 5

For those of you that enjoy fantasy novels in the style of Lord of the Rings or the Sword of Shannara, the Books of Pellinor are a must read. The Singing is the final part of this series by Australian author, poet, essayist and theatre writer, Alison Croggon.

The Books of Pellinor are supposedly a translation of the Naraudh Lar-Chane (The Riddle of the Treesong), an ancient but undateable document which is a classic in Annaren literature. The story is set in the world of Edil-Amarandh, home to a wide diversity of cultures, and reveals the fascinating history and culture of the Bards.

The Books of Pellinor have rapidly become one of my favourite fantasy series of all time, and I cannot recommend them highly enough. Written for young adults, the stories have the excitement, adventure, emotion and rich detail of work such as Lord of the Rings, with Croggon creating the 'Speech' and language of the 'Elidhu'. However, the writing is different and far more accessible for reader, who is drawn completely into the story. I found myself entirely gripped by Maerad's peril and enchanted by the lands and creatures that she encounters.

This rest of this review will contain spoilers for the earlier books in the series, of which my reviews are linked below. Part 1, The Gift, tells the story of Maerad of Pellinor's coming into her Gift as a Bard, with Part 2, The Riddle, continuing the story of her adventures, and Part 3, The Crow, detailing events in the South and the adventures of Hem, Maerad's brother.

The Gift
The Riddle
The Crow

In the Singing, we find Maerad reunited with her friend and mentor, Cadvan, and travelling in her form as a wolf. They journey from the North with their half of the Treesong, unaware that Maerad's brother Hem, travels up from the South with the other half. Maerad and Hem feel an uncontrollable pull toward each other, as the Treesong itself works to be joined, but they both find their journeys fraught with peril. Maerad and Cadvan become trapped in Innail as the full power of the Landrost is turned against them, forcing Maerad to confront the true power deep within her. Meanwhile, Hem and Saliman attempt to outrun the Nameless One's Black Army as it marches north from Den Raven, and Hem is forced to confront his own talents when Saliman becomes infected with the White Sickness.

Alison Croggon's work is compelling and bold. Her characters are engaging but by no means perfect, most of them be tempted by the Darkness at some point in the tale. Cadvan remains my favourite character, and I really enjoyed how he developed throughout his journey, and how his relationship with Maerad evolves. Maerad is still a fascinating character, often driving me to an intense dislike and frustration, but then to pity and empathy. Her struggle is certainly reminiscent of Frodo's epic journey in Tolkien's work, but with the intriguing difference of having far more power and control of her destiny. Even if the Riddle of the Treesong is discovered and the Nameless One destroyed, what fate will that leave for the Bards of Edil-Amaranth. Quite a burden.

I found myself quite bereft as I finished the Books of Pellinor. I have followed these characters throughout their journey, and was very sad that it had to come to an end. However, I have now begun to discover Alison Croggon's other work, and see a whole new world of poetry and essays opening up to me. Where one journey ends..another begins!

Other reviews/links:
Alison Croggon's blog

The Last Battle of the Icemark - Stuart Hill

Rating: 4 1/2

Last Battle of the Icemark is the last of the Icemark Chronicles, so be warned from reading any further if you have not read the first two! The Icemark Chronicles are the stories of Queen Thirrin and her battle to keep her tiny kingdom safe from enemy hands, and maintain her tenuous alliance with the werewolves, giant snow leopards and vampires.

Following the events of Blade of Fire, the Icemark is safe from the Polypontian Empire, which lies in ruins following the death of Scipio Bellorum. But there is a new threat which Thirrin and her family must face, a legion of Hypolitan warriors determined to wipe out their enemies, including every person in the Icemark, and all their allies.

Meanwhile, Medea, Thirrin and Oskan's daughter, has been banished to the Underworld, where she is bent on revenge, attempting to form an alliance with the most powerful sorcerer, Cronus, her grandfather and King of the Darkness. Oskan Witchfather is chosen by the Goddess, and tasked with saving the world from Cronus, who is determined to wipe out all creation, but Oskan finds it difficult, faced with possibly having to destroy his own daughter and the price of saving the world may be too high.

I have loved this series since the beginning, finding it absolutely impossible to put these books down once I have started reading them (which has caused numerous problems!). The allies are quite the motley crew, each with memorable and likeable characters, perhaps even the vampires. It has been quite a journey following Thirrin and Oskan from their youth, to their reign as Queen and Consort, and then to the birth of their own family. Oskan has always been my favourite character, especially when he allows himself to delve into the darkness, while attempting to remain good. I have also found myself intrigued by Medea and her conflicting desires for power and the love and acceptance of her father. Cronus himself is a little 2-dimensional, but his army of Ice Demons are fabulous! Sharley, as usual, irritated me a lot in this story, but luckily he is reduced to a minor role, leaving the bulk of the story to Thirrin, Oskan and Medea, with Cressida also having her own, amusing, sideline.

With lots of action and typical Norse style drinking celebrations, The Icemark Chronicles are fabulously inventive stories, and I would recommend them to anyone who enjoys children's fantasy.

Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer

Rating: 4 1/2

I think I must be one of the last people left in the blogging world to read and review this book! And yet, to my surprise, I managed to skilfully avoid any spoilers and thus my reading experience was entirely untainted. Since then, I have scanned a few reviews, and the inflammatory nature of some have been a great source of amusement!

Stephenie Meyer is huge in the USA. Far more so than in the UK. That is not to say she is unheard of here. Indeed, I went into my local Waterstones the other day and found that Breaking Dawn is the number 1 on the bestseller list at the moment, thus filled the front of store. The day I bought the book, they had to fish me one out of the window display as they had already sold out (and yet I managed to get a signed copy..curious!).

Needless to say, I am not the first to review this book, and thus am not too worried about spoiling the story for many people, but nevertheless I will warn you when spoilers are ahead.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series, which has been a special pleasure for me as I have never read a vampire series before. As with J.K. Rowling, Meyer is not the best writer in the world, nor are her ideas groundbreaking, but she is highly creative and imaginative and her stories are engrossing to say the least. For this reason, Twilight will always be my favourite of the series. It is where I was introduced to the characters and the story, and where I became hooked. New Moon was a fascinating exploration of loss, depression and what one person would do for love. Eclipse is about passion and friendship (as well as the newborn vampire attack story), but Breaking Dawn is where Meyer introduces a truly new vein of storytelling. Up until now, the Twilight series has been Bella's story. Breaking Dawn is split into three parts, telling Bella's story, then Jacob's story, then Bella's again. An interesting divergence from the author's usual style of writing, but very effective. The second part could certainly have been written from Bella's perspective, but probably would have become quite dull and repetitive. Using Jacob as the protagonist allows us some more insight into his mind and feelings, and allows us to see more of Edward also, as they struggle with the situation in hand (which I will get to!).

I found Breaking Dawn to be a mature exploration of family, as well as dealing with Bella's wedding and inevitably leading up to her transformation. As usual, Bella is faced with all kinds of obstacles, not to mention the self-proclaimed leaders of the vampire world...the Volturi. We are graced with the showdown that has been building since Bella first met the Volturi in New Moon, but it certainly wasn't what I had expected.

On that note..

~WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD~

Breaking Dawn starts where Eclipse left off, and we are rapidly swept through wedding arrangements into the wedding and then the honeymoon on a romantic isolated island. Here Edward has to fulfil another part of his bargain with Bella and attempt to safely have sex with her, without causing her injury or worse. I say safely, how ironic! Soon (very soon!) Bella discovers that she is indeed pregnant with Edward's child, and while he is fixed on aborting the foetus, Bella becomes ardently attached to it, and calls Rosalie to assist, who she knows will side with her decision to keep the 'child'. Upon their return to Forks, the story switches to Jacob's point of view, as he and the Cullens deal with Bella being pregnant, with the fact that the birth will likely kill her, and with the foetus itself, a truly unknown quantity. As the 'child' develops far more rapidly than a human, they discover that though it grows and has a heartbeat, it needs blood to survive, a true human-vampire hybrid. The birth draws nigh, and Bella is indeed mortally wounded, though the child itself survives. Edward is forced to bite and inject his venom into Bella in an attempt to save her, thus her transformation takes place.

I was not surprised that Bella becoming a vampire was a life-saving measure, it had been so for most of the other Cullens, Carlise, Alice and Jasper excluded. I was a little disappointed at first that Bella did not exhibit the famed newborn tendencies, the frenzied feeding and uncontrollable urges. However, her self-control seemed relevant, both for her and for Edward and his ability to be with her, without killing her, when she was human. This then leads to speculation about her 'special gift' which turns out to be far more special than anyone could have imagined. The child herself is irresistable, and everyone immediately falls in love with her, not least Jacob, who imprints on her, leaving him forever entwined in the lives of Bella and the Cullens, as Bella herself had previously suggested, he was meant to be part of her life. This was no huge surprise to me, and I was very glad that he did not end up with Bella. That to me would have been a huge disappointment, given Edward and Bella's supposed incomparable love for each other. I really like Edward, and am happy to say that I am not in and am nowhere near the Jacob adoring fan club! He really annoys me, less so in this book to be true, and though he and Bella probably deserve each others irritating nature, I have always wanted Edward to get his girl!

There was so much about this book that I liked. Alice's story sideline is interesting, as I always rooted for her and was glad to be proved right! The cottage that Bella and Edward are given is beautifully described, I only wish I could have had more time in it. And the vampires that join the Cullens to stand against the Volturi are all so varied and interesting. I particularly like the Amazon vampires, and Benjamin, but am glad that they were not all instantly likeable. No large group of people (or the undead) are all likeable, and the variety was more realistic, if I can possibly describe vampires as such! The ending was certainly not what I expected, but I was grateful for that, that after four novels, Meyer's story was not predictable (ok, except maybe the Jacob imprinting on the baby thing!). I have been rather amused by the uproar surrounding the conclusion to this series. It certainly was not perfect (there was never enough about Carlisle), but what series ever ends that way, and no author could ever please all their readers. I've enjoyed this little journey.

~SPOILERS END~

Though skeptical at first, I am now very much looking forward to Midnight Sun, the telling of Twilight from Edward's point of view. The first chapter (draft) can be found on Stephenie Meyer's official website, which has a particularly delicious banner very close to my heart! I am also looking forward to the film of Twilight (I think Robert Pattinson is perfect for Edward), though I am a little concerned that it will be a disappointment. Perhaps I should lower my expectations, just in case.







Other blog reviews:
Melody's Reading Corner
Becky's Book Reviews
Rhinoa's Ramblings
Maw Books Blog
the bookworm
Tripping Toward Lucidity
In Spring it is the Dawn