25 April 2012

Inheritance – Christopher Paolini


The aptly named last book in the inheritance cycle was another brilliant escape. Filled with drama and cliff-hangers I found myself readily hooked from beginning to end.

Against logical reason I continued to hope for a development between Eragon and Arya, a hope in which I was both fulfilled and disappointed. There was a development, but it was a development which came too late and which could never be enacted. There were similar developments which I didn’t expect, but which I did welcome.

The book ended with an overwhelming sense of sadness in my opinion. Perhaps this could be seen as a pleasant change from the victorious stereotype of High Fantasy, for myself I wished for a happier ending.

In the acknowledgments Paolini stated that he is moving onto new pastures for the time  being, but that he isn’t finished with Alagaesia. I can’t see any way for him to return within the framework of the Eragon novels, I think their ending was too final, but I would be willing, even eager, to read any new book he was able to produce.

On a side note. That cover art, still stunning!!

Rowen
 

23 April 2012

The Lady Grace Mysteries: Assassin – Patricia Finney


It’s been a while since I’ve read any books so obviously aimed at children, however I work at a shop which sells second-hand ‘children’s’ items including children’s books.

We had a couple of sets of the Lady Grace Mysteries come through the shop in the space of a couple of days last summer. The covers are designed in a way which harks back to an old-fashioned library of leather-bound books. As such they appealed to me; it’s the kind of library I’ve always wanted. And for that more than for the content of the books I bought eight of them.

Assassin was the first of these 8 books, they are named alphabetically, and it was unsurprisingly about the assassination of one man by another man being blamed on a third man.

This book was unlike anything I’ve ever read. It is written from a child’s perspective and therefore it comes across as childish and in some respects petulant. It seems to have some historical inaccuracies, although it is not riddled with them, and they are acknowledged at the end of the book.

I thought that the plot was well set up and it was a story I enjoyed. However there were fictional elements in it which were left alone for too long. They should have been mentioned at least briefly earlier on and not left until the end as the crucial bit of evidence everything hung on. That is my only real criticism of the book and it exists because it made the book seem shallow in my opinion.

Rowen

5 April 2012

A Perfect Proposal - Liz Fielding



         This Mills and Boon novel was brought out as part of the collection written specifically to celebrate 100 years of the publishing house which changed Romance. It was exclusive to WHSmith.
         I’m reasonably confident I picked it up at the Church Christmas Bazaar.
        This book was a lot more sensible than most Mills and Boon books are. There was little love of the ‘at first sight’ variety. It was a love which had grown, on one side at least, very slowly between two people who had known each other for a period of time and knew each other well.
This book differed because there was no carnality. This book differed because it made a priority of the child in the life of the male half.
         It was brief. It was light hearted. It was a welcome break for a couple of hours from life.

Rowen

2 April 2012

Brisingr - Chritopher Paolini



         The third book in the inheritance cycle I don’t think the name could be more apt. It’s the first word of the ancient language Eragon learnt, one which describes the nature of Saphira and it’s the name of the fantastic new sword crafted both for and by Eragon in a roundabout way during the course of the book.
 
         In Brisingr I feel that both Eragon and Roran have grown as characters. I love many of the revelations which appeared during the novel. I love the fact that Roran’s long awaited wedding to Katrina took place, that they are going to be parents and that they couldn’t wait until after the wedding...
 
         I love that Orik is to take the place of Hrothgar as king of the Dwarves. I love the hilarity and simplicity of the punishment exacted by the Dwarven council on the Az Sweldn rak Anhûin Clan for their treachery.
         I love the fact that I cried when Glaedr and Oromis died, although it wasn’t unexpected, it’s been hinted at in the previous books, but it shows how much all of the Characters affect me I guess.

        I love Nausuada’s triumph and that Arya began to open up to Eragon. It gives me hope.
  
         Most of all I love that it gave me a diversion to my favourie genre. In fact the only thing I didn’t love about it was that it distracted me long enough to make me a week behind in the Reading Challenge.

Rowen