Tag Archives: Easy Reading

The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan

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Overview

The Ruins of Gorlan

Title: The Ruins of Gorlan
Author: John Flanagan
Series: The Ranger’s Apprentice #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Random House Australia
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: Even after a few days, the strict regime of the Battleschool was beginning to show results with Horace.

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Synopsis

Will has always wanted to become a knight, but he is about to find more excitement and adventure than he could have dreamed of as an apprentice to the mysterious Rangers.

Thoughts

I have now managed to read this book four times. And it just keeps on delivering. John Flanagan is definitely one of my favourite Aussie authors.

This book takes the underdog (Will) and uses his talents to make him into an unlikely hero. Most medieval style books I have read focus on the knights as hero-supreme, but the idea of the Rangers as the hidden, secret force helping the kingdom is just brilliant.

As an archer, I can completely understand – and encourage Flanagan’s description of the sport. Even though the accuracy with which the arrows are shot is something that most people could only dream of, the descriptions of the equipment and the skill involved is spot on. As is everything in this book. It takes strands of reality and weaves them into this amazing fantasy world. The result? A beautiful mosaic of story that you can imagine happening in real life.

Will’s ability to triumph in spite of his perceived weakness was inspiring and definitely a book that I would encourage young children to read. The fact that Flanagan doesn’t have weak, female characters in constant need of rescue is just another tick in this book’s box.

<- Death of a Hero Review The Burning Bridge Review ->
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Arrows of the Queen by Mercedes Lackey

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

Arrows of the Queen

Title: Arrows of the Queen
Author: Mercedes Lackey
Series: Heralds of Valdemar #1, Valdemar #23
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Daw fantasy
Year: 1987
5th sentence, 74th page: Bright Havens, child, he’s your Companion now; if you really wanted to, you could sleep in his stall!

Synopsis

A KINGDOM IMPERILED!

Chosen by the Companion Rolan, a mystical horse-like being with powers beyond imagining, Talia, once a runaway, has now become a trainee Herald, destined to become one of the Queen’s own elite guard. For Talia has certain awakening talents of the mind that only a Companion like Rolan can truly sense.

But as Talia struggles to master her unique abilities, time is running out. For conspiracy is brewing in Valdemar, a deadly treason which could destroy Queen and kingdom. Opposed by unknown enemies capable of both diabolical magic and treacherous assassination, the Queen must turn to Talia and the Heralds for aid in protecting the realm and insuring the future of the Queen’s heir, a child already in danger of becoming bespelled by the Queen’s own foes!

Thoughts

Words can’t even express how awesome I found this book. I’m reading it for the second time in a week as I wait for the next one in the series to arrive. I think I’ve found my new favourite author! A good heroine, a great fantasy world and a fantastic story line. What more could you ask for?

It’s rare that I find a heroine that isn’t sassy, sarcastic and has a major attitude problem that I can love and admire. But, Talia manages to mix humility and insecurities in a quiet, withdrawn persona with a backbone of steel. Talia’s journey from ignorant, abused border girl to a strong and powerful Herald in her own right underpinned her adventures and experiences throughout the story.

This book was a great introduction to the Valdemar universe and the Companions that create such a peaceful realm. If you like fantasy, then this is a highly recommended series – an oldie, but a goodie.

<- Take a ThiefArrow’s Flight ->

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The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

The Blood of Olympus

Title: The Blood of Olympus
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: The Heroes of Olympus #5, Camp Half-Blood Chronicles #13
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Urban Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Penguin
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: Reyna couldn’t blame them.

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Synopsis

SEVEN HEROIC DEMIGODS. ONE FINAL QUEST. THE GREATEST SACRIFICE YET.

‘The ruins are up there,’ Piper promised. ‘I saw them in Katoptris’s blad. And you head what Hazel said. “The biggest -“‘
“‘The biggest gathering of evil spirits I’ve ever sensed,”‘ Jason recalled. ‘Yeah, sounds awesome.’

After battling through the underground temple of Hades, the last thing Jason wanted was to deal with more evil spirits. But the fate of the quest was at stake. The crew of the Argo II had a big decision to make.

If they chose wrong, they would fail, and the entire world would be destroyed…

Thoughts

I found this book a little slow to begin with. Which was a little odd considering how much I normally love Rick Riordan’s books. Needless to say, I was a little disappointed in the first few chapters – and it took me a lot longer to read than the preceding four books!

Bear with me though. I was well-rewarded for sticking with the first few chapters – Riordan again captured my imagination and heart as I followed my favourite demigods on their final, epic journey. I think that part of the issue was that I knew the final battle for the fate of the world was going to be in this book. (After all, it is the final book in the series). So the journey there held a little too much suspense – I just wanted to see (read) some good, old fashioned fight scenes!

The journey to the end was well worth it. Joining the ‘seven’, Reyna, Nico and Coach Hedge as they told of their stories and heartbreaks took me on a rollercoaster of emotions. I laughed, held my breath, chewed my fingernails, and at one point, even shed a tear. The final chapters gave such a sense of completion and future happiness that I could close the book, knowing that the characters I came to love and cherish were going to have a ‘happy ever after’ – or at least as much of one as a demigod can get.

Overall, I would recommend the entire Heroes of Olympus series. You get to reconnect with Percy Jackson and Annabeth, but you also meet a whole slew of new characters. I also love how this story bought back Nico and told his story in more depth. I finally understand so many of his actions in the Percy Jackson series!

For an easy, happy read with a good dose of suspense and humour, this is definitely a book worth reading (or rereading).

<- The House of Hades Review The Hidden Oracle Review ->
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