The Hunting of the Last Dragon by Sherryl Jordan
09 Nov 2009 1 Comment
in books, fantasy, Richard's Booklist
The plot in Short: It’s Britain in the 14th century. The last of the dragons was killed almost a generation ago. So how could an entire village be burnt to the ground, all its occupants killed in a night? Young Jude survives, homeless, friendless and terrified.
He meets tiny, fierce Jing-wei, crippled by her bound feet and trapped in the life of the freak in a travelling show. Jude is torn by guilt and fear, but Jing-Wei is more than willing to force him to turn and face his past, to hunt the last dragon.
(image from tripreportwww2008)
What I thought: This is a wonderful book. I’m a sucker for dragon books as it is, and this one is lovely.
Its a real story teller’s book. More
Stargazer (Roepman) by Jan van Tonder
30 Sep 2009 Leave a Comment
I’m not used to reading a book that is set in my own country. So reading Stargazer was like listening to the voice of an old friend.
Stargazer is a semi autobiographical novel. It’s set in the sixties; Verwoerd’s South Africa. It is told through the eyes of Timus, a thirteen years old boy. He is the youngest of seven children in a poor white family, living in a Railways house on the Bluff in Durban.
Now this is familiar territory. I grew up in the seventies, well after the assassination of Verwoerd. But South Africa under PW Botha was not that different. I recognise the smell of those times. More
Hugo Pepper by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
17 Sep 2009 2 Comments
in books, illustration, Richard's Booklist
I’ve been meaning to write about Hugo Pepper for a while. It fits into the same world as Corby Flood, and if possible, I enjoyed it even more.
In Short: Some years ago in the remote Frozen North, baby Hugo was found in the wreckage of a strange contraption; half sled, half balloon. Ten years later Hugo Pepper decides to return to the home he never knew – the town of Harbour Heights. He befriends the inhabitants of Firefly Square who remember his parents with love. They accept Hugo into their hearts as though he was family. But all is not well in Harbour Heights. Hugo’s new friends are at the mercy of an unscrupulous villain. Hugo hoped to learn more about his parents, but instead he uncovers a tangled web of tragic love, thwarted ambition, blackmail and lost treasure that ties all their stories together.
What I thought: This is a very special little book. It is a warm, absurd and funny story with just enough sadness to keep you hooked. It is a story about stories. The villain of the piece, Elliot de Mille, has taken the once wonderful publication The Firefly Quarterly – that used to be a collection of marvellous and rare folk tales – and turned it into a spiteful tabloid filled with lies and innuendo. More
Talon by Janet Lee Carey
16 Sep 2009 2 Comments
in books, fantasy, Richard's Booklist
Title: Talon
Author: Janet Lee Carey
Series : no, its a stand alone
In Short: Princess Rosalind is the heir to Wilde Island. It is 12th century. In nearby England, Empress Maud and King Stephen are fighting the long civil war. The war that Princess Rosie will end, or so everyone believes. Six hundred years ago Merlin made prophecy that the twenty first Queen of Wilde Island would “end the war with a wave of her hand.” But pretty Princess Rosie has a secret. Under her golden gloves she hides a “beast mark” – a fingers shaped like a lizards talon, tipped with a curving claw.
What I thought: It took me a little while to get get into the rhythm of this book. I was prejudiced by the cover, for some reason. Its a very pretty cover, but it made me expect a humourless and overly florid romance. I was wrong. This is probably one of the most down to earth descriptions of Medieval life I’ve read, even to the fleas in Rosie’s hair.
But the best thing about this book is hinted at by its cover. More
Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve
27 Aug 2009 4 Comments
in books, fantasy, Richard's Booklist Tags: steam punk
Title: Mortal Engines
Author: Philip Reeve
Series : First is a series of “The Hungry Cities Quartet”. Next is Predator’s Gold
Rating:
In Short: In a post apocalyptic world, humans have turned their cities into “traction cities” – huge mobile city sized machines. These monstrous city-machines move around the deserts that used to be oceans, scavenging one another. Cities eat towns, towns eat villages. This all seems right and proper to Tom, the apprentice Historian who lives in Traction London. But one day Tom saves his hero the chief archaeologist Valentine from an assassination attempt – and sets of a series of events that forces him to question everything he believes in.
What I thought: Mortal Engines is a rattling good adventure book. It contains all the elements of the standard “boys own” story, but just when you are lulled into a seemingly familiar pattern, the story punches the air out of your lungs. More
Riding Tycho by Jan Mark
16 Aug 2009 Leave a Comment
Title: Riding Tycho
Author: Jan Mark
Series : First in a series. Sequel is “Voyager”
In Short: Eleven year old Demetria lives on the High Island with her mother and her older brother. Her life is dominated by unspoken rules. People do not speak about the prison island on the horizon – Low Island. Sometimes there is an escape attempt, and the sirens keep her awake all night – but nobody mentions it the next day. There are prisoners on the High Island too. They are called “Politicals” and live with the village families. One day, the soldiers bring a Political to live with Demetria’s family. But Political 37250 does not obey the unspoken rules. And as she gets to know him, Demetria’s view of her world changes forever.
What I thought: This is a powerful book. It is very short – only 215 pages – but it succeeds in creating a thoroughly chilling vision of Demetria’s world. More
Heaven Eyes by David Almond
29 Jul 2009 4 Comments
Title: Heaven Eyes
Author: David Almond
Series : No this is a stand alone book.
Other books by the same author: Skellig, Clay, The Fire Eaters
In Short: Erin, Mouse and January are running away from the Whitegates children’s home. They float down river on a raft made of doors aiming for freedom far beyond the horizon - but are soon drawn into a hidden riverside world on their doorstep. They meet the wild and gentle Grandpa, forever searching for treasure in the black mud, and Heaven Eyes who finds treasure in everything she sees.
What I thought: Initially I was a bit skeptical. I found the voice of Erin Law – the first person narrator – not quite convincing. She seemed a bit too controlled, too smoothly knowing, too adult for my complete belief in her as a young teenage girl.
But as the book progressed, this became unimportant. More
The Weathermonger – Peter Dickinson
27 Jul 2009 Leave a Comment
in books, fantasy, Richard's Booklist Tags: children's books, peter dickinson
Title: The Weathermonger
Author: Peter Dickinson
Series : First of the three “The Changes” – but they can be read as stand alone books as well.
Rating:
In Short: Five years ago, a mysterious change took place in Britain. Thousands fled the country, and those left behind reverted to a medieval way of life. Machines are hated and feared. Anyone associated with modern technology is stoned as a witch. So far, all missions sent by the outside world, have failed to find the cause of the phenomenon. Pilots forget how fly, or are struck by lightning. Soldiers turn upon one another. And now, two children – Geoffrey and Sally -are travelling to the heart of “The Changes” on the Welsh border to discover and if possible destroy it’s cause.
What I thought:
The Weathermonger is another favourite book from my childhood. I first read it when I was about 10 years old and I found it frightening but fascinating. I still do. Geoffrey and Sally are both very young and have been orphaned by the Changes. They live in a world where magic is real. Geoffrey is the village Weathermonger; he can make it rain, change the wind, or call up a mist. This is a dangerous skill in a world where witches are stoned, drowned or burnt to death. More
Corby Flood by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
23 Jul 2009 8 Comments
in books, illustration, Richard's Booklist
Title:Corby Flood
Author:Paul Stewart
Illustrator: Chris Riddell
Series : Part of the “Far Flung Adventures” Not so much a series as a set of related books that can be read separately too.
Rating:
In Short: Corby Flood is travelling with her family aboard the decrepit cruise ship the SS Euphonia. There is plenty to keep Corby’s mind off the new school waiting for her at the journey’s end. Who is the man from Cabin 21? Why is Mr Times New Roman, leader of the Brotherhood of Clowns, in such a foul temper? And above all – what is the source of the saddest song echoing out of the cargo hold?
What I thought:
I loved this book. It is simply crammed with fabulous characters and places. More
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate di Camillo
07 Jul 2009 5 Comments
in books, fantasy, Richard's Booklist Tags: children's books
Title: The Tale of Despereaux
Author: Kate di Camillo
Series : No, this is a stand alone book
Rating:
In Short: This is the story of Chiaroscuro the rat who longs for light, Midge the deaf servant girl who desperately wants to be a princess, and Despereaux the tiny mouse who believes in fairy tales, honour and happy endings. All of them are drawn, by love or hate to royal daughter, Princess Pea.
What I thought:
The Tale of Despereaux is much darker than I expected. More
Birdwing by Rafe Martin
28 Apr 2009 1 Comment
in books, fantasy, Richard's Booklist Tags: fairy tale, fantasy
Title: Birdwing
Author: Rafe Martin
Series : No, this is a stand alone book
Rating: 
Do you know the Grimm Brother’s fairy tale “The Six Swans”? That’s the one about the six brothers who were turned into swans, and how their sister undid the enchantment. At least – she almost succeeded. At the end, the youngest brother’s left arm remained a swan wing.
Birdwing is the story of what happens next, as Ardwin grows up and tries to make sense of his divided loyalties – his memories of the wild life of a swan, and his need for acceptance in the world of humans.
detail from Eleanor Abbot’s illustration
Rafe Martin asks if it is possible to live “happily ever after” when your family has been so spectacularly torn apart. More
Moonheart – Charles de Lint
26 Apr 2009 1 Comment
in books, fantasy, illustration, Richard's Booklist Tags: Charles de Lint, fantasy, moonheart
Title: Moonheart
Author : Charles de Lint
Series : Nope, this one is a stand-alone.
Rating:
In Short: Sarah Kendell’s comfortable life is derailed when she discovers an ancient Native American medicine bag at the back of her uncle’s second-hand shop. She and her friends become entangled in a centuries old conflict between a Welsh Bard, a Druid, and the old gods of pre-colonial America.
This was my first Charles de Lint book, and now I have a new author to look out for – I loved it. Moonheart drew me firstly because of its evocative title and the cover: More
Inkdeath
29 Mar 2009 8 Comments
in books, opinions & reviews, Richard's Booklist Tags: book review, cornelia funke, fantasy, inkdeath, inkheart, young adult
Title: Inkdeath
Author: Cornelia Funke
Series : Third book in the “Inkheart” trilogy
In Short: A compelling story set in a glorious fantasy world. This is a dark, grim book about difficult choices, lit with moments of beauty.
Other books by author: “The Thief Lord”, “Dragon Rider”.
Background: Inkdeath is the final book in the trilogy which began with “Inkheart”. It follows the story of the book restorer Mo and his young daughter Meggie. Early in Inkheart we learn that Mo has a very special talent: when he reads out loud, his voice beguiles the characters to step right out of the story into our world. And sometimes, people are swept from our world and into the book… More
Richard’s Booklist
12 Mar 2009 2 Comments
in books, Richard's Booklist Tags: Abhorsen, fantasy, Garth Nix, His Dark Materials, Lireal, Phillip Pullman, Sabriel
My colleague Richard is in the throes of finishing his masters. Or rather – he should be. I am not allowed to give him any distracting books to read. In the mean time, I’m compiling a list for him to enjoy once that masters is submitted.
I’ve already got Richard to read Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” series. These are easily the best books I’ve ever read. You can read more about them here.
So, Richard, if you liked those ones, you will definitely love Phillip Pullman’s “Sally Lockhart” series. Four books follow the life of a young orphaned girls in Dickensian London. Sound a bit humdrum? Just read the first paragraph: More
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