This is the story about a bat named Shade who becomes separated from his family while they are migrating to Hibernaculum, the bats' summer colony. While Shade struggles to rejoin his mother and the rest of his kind, he meets up with a Brightwing bat named Marina. Marina has been expelled from her colony because she wears a mysterious band, given to her by the humans. Shade and Marina have to avoid their deadly enemies the birds, particularly the owls, while trying to figure out the right path to take so they can rejoin Shade's colony. On their journey they pass through a city and meet two enormous South American bats who hide a deadly secret. This story has all the elements of a great fantasy; a quest, a secret, and a band of travelers. I really liked it.
Oppel has created his own unique mythology for this compelling story about bats. It involves the great winged spirit Nocturna, and the reason why bats are forbidden to see the sun.
Oppel is a Canadian writer who first began writing at age 14. He has recently written a sequel to Silverwing called Sunwing.
I would recommend this to fans of Redwall, and fantasy fans of every sort.
Sunwing - Kenneth Oppel
Shade is back in this action-filled sequel to the wonderful Silverwing, and he is more determined than ever to find his father. This time Marina, Chinook, Shade's mother Ariel, and the chief elder Frieda, join Shade on his quest.
Unknown to them, while they are away the owls break the hibernation laws, attacking Hibernaculum as the colony slept through the cold winter. When the exhausted search party eludes a group of vengeful owls, they discover the promised land. It is a warm indoor forest where each morning the many bats watch the dawn.
It seems as if Nocturna's promise has been fulfilled but Shade is dissatisfied. Having seen the sun, he knows that is should be brighter. And what about his father? Somehow he imagined that paradise would include his father, Cassiel. It doesn't take long for Shade to realize that things are not as they appear. "If it's paradise, why isn't there a way out?" he asks.
Shade's relentless determination to find his father leads him to far off lands where the secret of the bands is finally, and terribly, revealed. There, in that hot country, Shade finds himself facing an enemy from his past - the new King of the Vampyrum.
The truth of Cassiel's disappearance is finally solved in this story, and Oppel's excellent myth making makes this story even better than the first one. Though the truths we learn may be bitter sweet, they ring true. For this reason adults and children alike will appreciate this adventure.
Update July 18/2002: Oppel has recently added another story to Shade's chronicles: Firewing! According to Quill & Quire, since it was first published on April 20th, Firewing has been the number one best-selling children's book in Canada. Visit Oppel's official site and enjoy a preview of this exciting new novel!
Vancouver's Bardel Entertainment is producing a 13-episode animated television series of Kenneth Oppel's novel, Silverwing. The show is slated for broadcast on Teletoon in Fall 2003.
| Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire |
|
J. K. Rowling |
When I first read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire I had two major problems with it. One was that it was too long, and the other was that the Quidditch World Cup didn't seem like it belonged in the book. After reading a lot of opinions in various message boards, I've decided that most people disagree with my two criticisms. I've had a chance to reread book 4 again and have revised my opinions somewhat.
I think most people were glad that the book was so long because it was double the pleasure with double the length. I guess I can't argue with that, since I hate waiting for books to come in myself. I still think that the Quidditch World Cup was awkward, but I can understand why it was included. It was a springboard for meeting new creatures and characters, and for broadening the scope of the story in general.
For those of you who haven't read it (what planet did you say you were on?) The Goblet Of Fire (hereafter known as GOF) is full of changes. We meet more evil characters, and experience first hand what they're capable of. There are no Quidditch matches at Hogwart's this year because of the reintroduction of the Tri-Wizard Tournament, which is a contest between three student's from three different magic Schools. Hogwart's plays host to students from Beauxbaton and Durmstrang, who have come to put their names in the Goblet of Fire, along with the eligible Hogwart's students in hopes of being chosen as a competitor. Three names were chosen, but unexpectedly Harry's name is spat out as a fourth competitor, which causes a lot of problems for Harry, and strains his friendship with Ron.
Harry and the others face three dangerous trials, and are graded on their performance. As expected, Harry does well, but that's about all that was expected. The more you read the GOF, the more you realize that J. K. Rowling is moving the story beyond what we were comfortable with, poking fun at the Dursley's and Quidditch, towards the showdown between good and evil. Compared to GOF, it seemed as if Voldemort was hardly even trying to win in the other stories.
Many people think this is her best book yet! Other readers have pointed out that this is a 'bridge' type of book because it falls in the middle of the series, and is probably a difficult story to write for that reason. Perhaps like me, you thought that GOF was a bit disappointing, but try reading it again. I think it gets better.
I
would recommend this series to young and old alike. Start reading them in
the correct order though.
Harry
Potter and The Philosopher's Stone Harry
Potter and The Chamber of Secrets Harry
Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban Harry
Potter and The Goblet of Fire Harry
Potter and the order of the Phoenix (forthcoming) Another
review - USA
Today, Deirdre Donahue Another
review - NYT,
Janet Maslin
another review - NYT Stephen King
| Ella Enchanted |  Newberry Honour Book |
Gail Carson Levine |
This is a book I've heard quite a bit about on the UHPFC message board. So many people said that they liked it, that I had to read it for myself. I guess I will have to add my voice to the crowds of people who were enchanted by Ella. I loved this book.
Ella is a young noble woman who was given a well intentioned but horrible gift by a dim-witted fairy. The "gift" was that Ella should obey any order given to her. As you can imagine, the gift of obedience soon became a horrible curse that would have driven the average person mad, but not Ella. Her strong will and her loving mother help to keep Ella's spirit strong.
Ella's life changes dramatically after her mother's death. Her father decides it would be a financially sound move to remarry, and her stepmother and stepsisters are almost a great a curse as the fairy's gift. Only her friendship with Prince Char, her fairy godmother Mandy, and her magic book, keep Ella from despair.
Ella decides to pursue her own destiny and break the curse encountering elves, ogres, and giants along the way.
This
book reminds me a lot of one of my most favourite books ever: The
Ordinary Princess,
by M. M. Kaye. Ella's strength and determination to break her curse is an
inspiration to those of us who longed for a fairy tale where the girl didn't
hang around in a nice dress waiting for the Prince to show up and do his
thing. I think this book would be a great read for any girl approx. 8 -12
years old, but I have to say that as an adult I read it through twice the day I
bought it. Boys might enjoy this as well, but I think it would be more
appealing to girls. (That is just my opinion.)
Some
of her other titles include: The
Wish The Fairy's
Mistake The
Princess Tales: Cinderellis and the Glass Dave
at Night Lord
Brocktree - Brian Jacques
Lord Brocktree is the thirteenth Redwall novel. It takes us back not the founding of Salamandastron, since we learn the there were other Badger Lords before Lord Brocktree, but to one of the high points in its glorious history.
There is always a really terrible bad guy in a good fantasy, and in this case it is the dastardly Wildcat, Ungatt Trunn. He can "make the stars fall from the sky, the very earth shake underfoot, and with a horde of vermin numerous as the leaves in autumn."
As the old Badger Lord is nearing his death he longs for the return of his youthful successor, Brocktree. Salamandastron is full of aging warriors. When Ungatt Trunn attacks with his blue-haired horde of rats, many of these valiant old-timers manage to elude Trunn. Their plan is to send someone out of their hiding place to find the young fighting hares who have left their childhood homes and return with an army to overthrow Ungatt Trunn.
While Salamandastron is under siege, Lord Brocktree feels something is calling him back to his old home and he begins his journey back. Along the way he befriends a brash young haremaid, Dotti. Together they try to gather a force of woodland creatures to face the enemies Brocktree senses await him at Salamandastron. Complications abound for our heroes, but if Brocktree can unite the various factions of creatures together, they may stand a chance.
Personally, I enjoyed the story, but I found the various accents of the furry creatures in this book really got on my nerves after a while. I originally thought the effect was charming, but it soon became annoying. I also think that the Redwall books are all starting to sound like the same story told with slightly different characters. I hope Redwall fans don't get to upset by that statement. I love the stories and I recommend them to people. It is just that after thirteen books it is hard to keep things fresh.
Redwall fans will no doubt enjoy this, but for those who have never read any Brian Jacques (pronounced Jakes) I would start with one of his earlier books, like Martin the Warrior or Mossflower.
|
The Redwall stories are as follows: |
|
|
*(The Great Redwall Feast, A Redwall Winter's Tale, Redwall Map & Riddle book and the Tales of Redwall are not novels, though they are about the world of Redwall.) To learn more about this exceptional series go to:
For information on Brian Jacques |
|
The Hunter's Moon - O. R. Melling One of Canada's best fantasy writers for children, O. R. Melling has woven a coming-of-age tale set in an Ireland where fairies still work their magic. Two cousins, Gwen the Canadian cousin, and Findabhair the Irish one, meet together in Ireland to pursue their favourite quest: to find the magical world of the fairy. They begin their journey by hitchhiking to Tara, the seat of the high kings and the ancient assembly place of the tribes of Ireland. Findabhair (pronounced finn-ah-veer) is plagued by a feeling that she is being lead to Tara for a specific purpose. They decide to try sleeping on a sacred Sidhe-mound, a tried and true way to enter the Faërie realm according to poets and legends. As they sleep a ghostly barrow Wight comes to warn Gwen of danger, but when the fairy king Finvarra appears, Findabhair accepts his seductive offer and dances away in her dreams to join the fairy hosts. When Gwen awakens, Findabhair is gone. Gwen is determined to rescue her cousin from the fairy king. Of course, she has to convince Findabhair to leave the world of the Faërie first. Gwen chases the King's court from one magical place to another. As she crosses Ireland searching for her cousin, she makes some valuable friends. Finally, a fateful meeting on Inch Isle reveals the terrible truth of Findabhair's disappearance. There, as the Hunter's moon approaches, Gwen must decide her cousin's destiny and the fate of the Faerie world itself. This is a complex story in many ways, though I think it would be appropriate reading for people ages 12 to whatever. The themes of destiny, growing up and loss are dealt with in a way that both children and adults will appreciate. By this I mean the author doesn't candy coat her message. She presents her story with a realism that makes this story a true gem. The books by O. R. Melling include
O. R. Melling (she is a literary critic under the name G. V. Whelan) was born in Ireland, but raised and educated in Canada. Melling is a novelist, screenwriter and literary critic. She is not only a novelist, but also screenwriter and literary critic. |
|
Quidditch Through the Ages - Kennilworthy Whisp
Written by alter-ego Kennilworthy Whisp, Quidditch Through the Ages was loaned for reprint from Hogwart's library (with little cooperation, it might be noted, from the school's librarian, Madam Pince) and offers a bit of everything about the game.
First it outlines the history of the flying broomstick, essential to the sport, and then goes on to explain the game's origins, most of the information for which was taken from the diary of Gertie Keddle, a 12th -century witch who lived on the edge of Queerditch Marsh and frequently witnessed a rudimentary form of the game being played.
Whisp, with diagrams, letters, and reprinted newspaper articles from the Daily Prophet, traces the evolution of Quidditch, explaining the rules, the different player's roles, the different balls used, and all the other minutiae necessary for the avid nine to twelve year old reader.
He describes the 13 Quidditch teams currently competing annually in Britain and Ireland for the League Cup and, writing alarmingly similar to Rowling 's intelligent and humorous style, follows the game's growth through the world's magical kingdom. Canada, Whisp notes, has produced three teams in which we Muggles can be especially proud; the Moose Jaw Meteorites, the Stonewall Stormers, and the Haileybury Hammers.
Review by Bruce Deachman, The Ottawa Citizen, March 13, 2001.
Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them - Newt Scamander
Now in its 52nd edition, Newt Scamander's masterpiece has been a textbook at Hogwarts since its' publication. This particular edition comes directly from Harry Potter's own collection, annotated with hand-written notes that Harry, Ron, and Hermione have written in the margins. The author, Newt Scamander, who is now 104 years of age and retired from his job at the Dragon Research and Restraint Bureau, was awarded the Order of Merlin, Second Class, in 1979, for his contributions to Magizoology.
The book opens with some basic information concerning fantastic beasts, including the definition of a beast, which, as it turns out, is a matter of some controversy, a brief (also a matter of some controversy according to some) history of muggle awareness of fantastic beasts, and the Ministry of Magic Classification Table. The remainder of his textbook is an alphabetical catalogue of magical creatures.
Many of the beasts were familiar to Potter fans, but Newt Scamander also described many creatures that have, as yet, not been mentioned in any of J. K. Rowling's books. We learn how each beasts came into existence, where it can be found, it's habits, and what it likes to eat. Scamander also provides the M.O.M. classification of the beast, and where possible, how to deal with each creature.
Overall, Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them is a highly useful and informative volume. As Albus Dumbledore says in his introduction, "No wizarding household is complete without a copy of Fantastic Beasts, well-thumbed by the generations who have riffled its pages in search of the best way to rid the lawn of Horklumps, interpret the mournful cries of the Augurey or cure their pet Puffskein of drinking out of the toilet."
If you like Harry Potter, the chances are that you'll like Artemis Fowl. Eoin Colfer has a unique writing style that makes it impossible to put the book down.
From the moment Artemis himself is introduced, a twelve-year-old criminal mastermind, you are kept on your toes. Perhaps the most endearing part of this story is Colfer's insistence that the fairy-folk are not quite as fairy-tales would have us believe. They are more realistic - they have their faults. And do they have their faults! The writer's gentle sarcasm is a welcome change from the drippy nature of many children's books. Although, one shouldn't fall into the trap of classing any literature as being purely for adults or children. Older people will appreciate Artemis Fowl just as much as younger children, if not more.
There are some fabulously witty lines, one of my favourites being
'Don't worry, Foaly. I'm still running red hot. And I'll make up for my age with a really big gun.'
Artemis Fowl himself is an amazing character. Like all of Colfer's characters he is well drawn, and, in spite of his criminal activities, you can't help but love him. Perhaps the most cunning aspect of the book is the parallels that can be drawn between Artemis and Commander Root, who are on opposing sides of a war.
Once you have finished reading Artemis Fowl, with its remarkable blend of realism and futuristic fantasy, you can turn you head to deciphering gnommish, the 'old tongue' used by the fairy-folk. The code is a story in itself, and hopefully, it suggests that a sequel is eminent.
I'd advise anyone looking for something to read to pick up Artemis Fowl. The atmosphere created is upheld throughout the book, and it makes for great bedtime reading.
I'd like to extend a special thanks to Hallie for writing this review.