Look out Harry Potter, we are entering into the world of the Chrestomanci!
At first I was disappointed to see the two volumes of this book didn't folloLook out Harry Potter, we are entering into the world of the Chrestomanci!
At first I was disappointed to see the two volumes of this book didn't follow the same characters. Then I got into the stories and saw why. One book perfectly dovetails with the other, and though there's a gap of years between, to understand just who and what becomes a Chrestomanci makes all the difference.
When the book opens you're asked to accept a couple of truths. The first being, the presence of magic everywhere. It seems just about anyone can work at least small magics. The second is the multiverse theory, that we exist in many places.
Except in the case of some people.
To someone who only exists in one world, they carry with them all the lives they could have lives on other planes. This means you can die many times and still come back to life. Well, until you run out of lives. This also creates an odd effect: these are the people who make for the most powerful magic users of all.
To a child who is found to have this many lives, they are offered only one course of action in their lives: to become a Chrestomanci, one who guards and protects how magic is used. You don't exactly get a lot of choices if you're a Chrestomanci.
Where the story goes from there is just a lot of fun. The young people destined for greatness don't always want to jump on board with the plans life has for them. Stuff happens. It's a lot of fun.
I can't wait to read the next books in the series!...more
What can I possibly say that has not already been said many times? The task that the author has set himself is awe-inspiring. The amount of time and eWhat can I possibly say that has not already been said many times? The task that the author has set himself is awe-inspiring. The amount of time and effort gone into world building, into histories and culture...is monumental. One has to respect that.
Yet the book does not leave you with a good taste in your mouth. I'm disturbed. And yes I want to read the next book (which I thankfully have) though I might wait...perhaps just a little bit...to let this all digest. Even with the things I'd heard before reading this (and I'm sure I'm one of the few who had not seen the series on TV, careful to not watch until I'd safely read past what they were going to show) I was unprepared for the tragedy and pain.
So what is there to do but to take a breath and keep moving forward. Feeling older and wiser, as one feels after experiencing great sorrow and loss.
Perhaps in the end, these books will cause me to grow in new and unimagined ways. For that reason alone I'm glad I read this....more
That out of the way, I have to say I really LOVED this book. I see so many bad reviews and find it sad that people were looking for linear storytelling when there is SO MUCH in every single picture.
The story isn't what you'd expect. There's an entire adventure in every single spread waiting for you to figure out. That makes this book wild, crazy. Unique. And different to every single person that reads it. Fantastic and surreal, I loved it...how each picture became more dark, more sinister. The brothers hold a bond so familiar to anyone who's had a sibling that alternately drove them crazy and still had your back when danger threatened.
For some reason I'd set this book aside for years, never getting around to reading it. Now I know what a mistake this was.
I grew up knowing the story For some reason I'd set this book aside for years, never getting around to reading it. Now I know what a mistake this was.
I grew up knowing the story of the Wizard of Oz. This book turns the entire movie on its ear, by delving very deeply into the backstory of the Wicked Witch of the West. First I must say the story is intense, very political and at times caustic when it comes to discussing social issues. It's also wickedly funny, and told in such a wry and witty language, I laughed out loud on many occasions. Truly this was a delight to read.
Of course, now I'm in trouble. There are other books in the series. It looks like I'm going to have to hunt them down!...more
I'd saved this book to read for years. I'm not sure if that statement makes sense, so please bear with with me.
When I find a book that looks especiallI'd saved this book to read for years. I'm not sure if that statement makes sense, so please bear with with me.
When I find a book that looks especially wonderful, I tend to save it. I want to read it under the right conditions, where I can savor it without interruption. I need to be in the right mood, the right mindset. When I finally do sit down, these books become those I typically treasure the most.
This particular book I've been dragging around with me through 14 moves over the last 40 years. When I finally sat down to read it, I was not disappointed.
Here we find the origin of the name "Muggles" in the form of a very steadfast character who has secret dreams of being something more than she is. The world of the Minnipins is a very regimented one, where everything is required to be done 'just so.' But history has been ignored for far too long, and no one believes a threat is possible except a handful of outcasts.
Told in such a way that draws you tightly into the story, the story of the Gammage Cup is one of friendship and bravery. It's about doing what's right even when the world says you're wrong. .Overall this is a delightful romp into a brand new world that is very hard to leave when you're done.
I'm so glad I finally sat down to enjoy this book!...more
Sweet and poignant, the story of a girl who can touch what no one else can, and how she uses that to fight for her family - at terrible cost.
I was surSweet and poignant, the story of a girl who can touch what no one else can, and how she uses that to fight for her family - at terrible cost.
I was surprised by this book - the illustrations were absolutely beautiful, the story poetic and stunning its own way. Cannot recommend this enough!...more
I feel like I've been indulging in a Twilight Zone marathon. Impressive collection of stories, some that will decidedly haunt you for a very long timeI feel like I've been indulging in a Twilight Zone marathon. Impressive collection of stories, some that will decidedly haunt you for a very long time after you close the book. Well worth picking up. ...more
This was a fun read on a theme that's become common recently but was new when this book came out.
Welcome to New York City the land of .... Fairy TalesThis was a fun read on a theme that's become common recently but was new when this book came out.
Welcome to New York City the land of .... Fairy Tales? Yes, it seems that all of fairyland (and a few other stories besides) has migrated to the New World at some point in time and taken up residence in plain sight. With a murder to solve. It's all good, in this fun series. Honestly I liked this a lot, even if the writing wasn't the best and the story plodded along sometimes. Because it's fun to see how the fairy tale characters interact with each other in a modern setting where all are forced to be allies.
Wow. Just wow. I'm going to have hunt down Mr. Rothfuss and absolutely BEG him to write the third book in this series, preferably while I'm reading thWow. Just wow. I'm going to have hunt down Mr. Rothfuss and absolutely BEG him to write the third book in this series, preferably while I'm reading the second book (which I must find immediately) so that I can just keep reading without any kind of real break.
This was absolutely amazing. I am enthralled with the story of Kvothe and his world, which right now seems more real to me than my own world does.
What can be said that hasn't already been said? If you love long epic stories, if you love magic and music and mayhem and all manner of interesting characters and creatures....well, read this book. I had this on my shelves far too long without recognizing what a treasure this book is. I will not make that same mistake again.
First of all the world-building here is amazing. Just amazing. Not only is the physical world intriguing and unforgettable (the ash, why isI'm amazed.
First of all the world-building here is amazing. Just amazing. Not only is the physical world intriguing and unforgettable (the ash, why is there ash?) but the inhabitants (are the Skaa inferior...?) but the amazing world of politics and how society functions just blew me away.
I don't normally like fantasy that hinges heavily on the political. So this book is a departure for me. And obviously amazed me enough to read it all the way through in a handful of sittings (also saying something because it's a nice FAT fantasy novel, another thing I love).
My only complaint is that there are just too many things left undone at the end of this. OK, I understand that it's the first in a series but I really did find myself wanting a lot more answers.
I'm not going into more detail, mostly because I'm tired and I'd stayed up until after 2:00 am to finish this and had no where near enough sleep to do this review justice. Besides there are much better reviews out there, with a whole lot more detail so go enjoy those if you're looking for answers. I'm just going to straight out recommend this book and go back to bed....more
Sorry, that person's shelf is private.
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