The Charlatan's Boy

The Charlatan's Boy, Jonathan Rogers, WaterBrook Press, Fantasy, 2010, 305 pages.

Synopsis:  As far back as he can remember, the orphan Grady has tramped from village to village in the company of a huckster named Floyd. With his adolescent accomplice, Floyd perpetrates a variety of hoaxes and flimflams on the good citizens of the Corenwald frontier, such as the Ugliest Boy in the World act.

It’s a hard way to make a living, made harder by the memory of fatter times when audiences thronged to see young Grady perform as “The Wild Man of the Feechiefen Swamp.” But what can they do? Nobody believes in feechies anymore.

When Floyd stages an elaborate plot to revive Corenwalders’ belief in the mythical swamp-dwellers known as the feechiefolk, he overshoots the mark. Floyd’s Great Feechie Scare becomes widespread panic. Eager audiences become angry mobs, and in the ensuing chaos, the Charlatan’s Boy discovers the truth that has evaded him all his life—and will change his path forever.

Thoughts: I am getting a great hankering for the southern style of writing. Roger's character development is reminiscent of the style of Flannery O'Connor. The southern grammar and vocabulary were very entertaining!

I found it interesting that Grady had very wise insights, such as when he reflected that townspeople can learn more about themselves from their neighbors than from a "phrenologist," someone who can determine character traits from indentations in a skull. He only thinks of the feechie act as "an honest trade" while he thinks he really is a feechie. For a show assistant, he is quite honest.

Rogers' characters are great fun! Ranging from the trickster Floyd, to the compassionate Short Fronie, to the whooping drovers, I had a glimpse of a different world.

I recommend this to anyone who likes adventure and a show, because this book is full of it!

Rating: 4 stars

This book was provided free by the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.


Review taken with permission from www.noahsreads.blogspot.com. All rights remain with www.noahsreads.blogspot.com.

The Princess and the Goblin

Princess and the Goblin, by George MacDonald


Curdie is a young boy, trying to figure out what the goblins who live in his mining town are doing when he meets a seemingly insane eight year old. She claims she followed a string to him. A string that no one can see or feel; her grandmother- who doesn’t exist either-supposedly gave it to her. Curdie gets another surprise when he realizes this young girl is not a commoner but the princess.

      

Cons: The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald is a Christian allegory which portray the importance of being obedient, but yet seemed to be off in some areas. It deals with quite a few unnatural things and people. It also gives the idea that some people’s reality is different than other peoples’. In other words, if you think something exists, it does.

  
  I found the Princess and the Goblin tended to ramble in some areas, portray odd figures, and didn’t stick firmly to reality. But rather, flickered between the impossible, and the possible. It also blurred some lines between people who are disturbed and people who have extra abilities.

  
    Even though it was aimed for younger readers,the book seemed to drag and not have much conflict or plot almost as if there was quite a bit more the author planned on writing but never got around to it. Despite its length, it felt more like a short story than a novel.

Pros: I will give it that the author’s writing was excellent and superior to many award winning authors today and the characters were quite lovable, if a little flat. 
     And surprisingly, this novel contained no violence, swearing, or romance (With the exception of a kiss on the cheek). In fact, there was very little objectionable content in it. The main character is almost perfect: obedient, respectful, well mannered, and repentant for deeds wrongly done.


    The Princess and the Goblin lacked the excitement that novels nowadays contain, but still was a interesting story.

      
     In all it was a good read, but could have used more plot, explanation and conflict. But for a calming, undemanding read it was excellent. I would give the Princess and the Goblin a three out of five.

The Map Across Time

The Map Across Time, Gates of Heaven series, C.S. Lakin, Living Ink Books, Fantasy, 2011, 440 pages (uncorrected review copy)

Synopsis: The kingdom of Sherbourne is plagued by an ancient curse which must be halted before devastation results. The King's twin teenagers, Adin and Aletha, use a magical map to go back in time to discover the origin of the curse and its cure, but everything goes awry. Can Adin manipulate events in the stream of time to assure the salvation of his kingdom?

My thoughts: I wasn’t prepared for this book in any way. It caught me totally off guard, because of the plot’s complexity and beauty.

Cons: The first page or so had almost made me yawn, and needed more action. Don’t judge this book by the first page or so. The next few pages got more interesting, and from that point on, the story escalated with each chapter. Unlike the previous volume, the talking animal theme was less prevalent, to my disappointment. This qualm of mine wasn’t too important though.

Pros: I can’t say much about the storyline, other than it was fantastic, unpredictable, and unforgettable! There were so many hidden twists, I was impressed! Although not being an emotional guy, I was really stirred up by the end. Alethia’s devotion to her brother Adin, and his to her, were admirable, and were mostly what stirred me. Reading the last line, I though, “Where’s more!!!” Well done, Mrs. Lakin!! This easily ranks among my top favorites!

My rating: 5 stars

I received this uncorrected review copy free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.

Review taken with permission from www.noahsreads.blogspot.com all rights remain with www.noahsreads.blogspot.com

Book review: Corus the Champion(D. Briggs)

Corus the Champion by D. Barkley Briggs is a book that has a history. A long painful history of readers waiting seemingly in vain for it to be published. Well last month(June 2011), the wait ended. Returning to Karac Tor Mr. Briggs continues this fantasy epic.

 In Corus the Champion all four Barlow brothers are now involved in making the future of Karac Tor; and for Garret Barlow, literally making the future.  Unfortunately, the future is a precarious thing. Kr’Nunos in his many forms, is on the move after brooding for ages and the people are ripe for deception. The old cultic haunts have returned and blood sacrifices are allowing the Watches to regain flesh. While Nemesia may be gone, freeing her young hoard ,  Kr’Nunos is prepared to dominate the land with his own created beings, Quil.  And just when the need is greatest the missing champion Corus is prepared to turn his back on his quest to find the sleeping king—or kill him—after being beaten and starved in the bowels of the earth. In a story wrought with treachery, love, pain, honor, hope and despair; Mr. Briggs manages to write a fantasy reader’s masterpiece.

A champion who would not leave his chains, a great warrior king from another world, and a fey Queen who demands the highest price of freedom. Sacrifices are made, loyalties forged, and tears cried.

When final days- bring final woes
Doors shall open- doors shall close

Fate for one-For all unleashed

War of swords-Slay the beast

I very much enjoyed this book, even with it's heavy overtures.  I recommend The Book of Names and Corus the Champion to any fantasy lover. Can't wait for book #3.




Review taken with permission from www.onehundredelectricians.blogspot.com all rights remain with www.onehundredelectricians.blogspot.com