Book Review: "Peter and the Star catchers" by Ridley Pearson & Dave Barry

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

Peter is forced, along with his fellow orphans, to board a ship and head for employment for a not-too-nice king in a far away land. On board, he meets Molly, a young girl who seems to know something about the ship's contents. Peter becomes determined to find out more, only to become involved in a dangerous mission.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Peter considers himself the leader of his group. Although he is not that close to them and even considers leaving them if he could. Later, he becomes a real leader, trying to provide food for them and keep them safe.

Molly is the daughter of a Starcatcher and from a wealthy English family. She is can be bold but when it comes her father she can also be quite fragile. She worries about him a lot.

Slank is the acting captain, since the actual captain of the Neverland is an idiot.

Black Stache is the captain of a ship called the Sea Devil. It's obvious he will become captain Hook because of his first mate named Smee.

Captain Leonard Aster, Molly's father, is a brave and kind man who tries to keep his daughter out of harm's way. He does his best to protect the starstuff.

PACING

The pacing is good because it goes back and forth between multiple stories. We get mostly Peter's view and Black stache. But we also get Molly's, some scenes from Leonard Aster's and from Slank and his crew.

THE ORIGINS OF THE STAR STUFF

There is a scene where Molly finally decides to tell Peter the truth. I found some of it fine and some of it cringe worthy.

Mainly the part about gods and goddesses and how these stories came about because of star stuff. And then it evolved into kings and queens who did great things...because of star stuff.

I had no problem believing people had used the substance to gain power and keep it. However the idea that mythology was true because of it seemed rather convoluted. After all, there is no evidence that these people ever existed in these myths.

MERMAIDS

Starstuff seems to have the ability to create intelligent life, but only from other already existing life. Molly already mentioned that star stuff creates centaurs when it comes into contact with horses. I did find that kind of convoluted but it only plays a small part in the story. And to be fair, it is necessary, as it causes fish to sort of evolve into mermaids. And these mermaids play a larger part in the plot.

USE OF HUMOR

There is a good sense of humor used throughout the story. Little things like Molly messing up her porpoise and always saying “My teeth are green” as well as other aspects. The conversations between Black Stache and Mr. Smee are often silly but not overkill because they are few and far in between.

THE DOLPHINS

A dolphin named Amm plays a key role as he sends messages between Molly and her father. The dolphins also save someone who falls overboard.

MOLLY NOT BELIEVED

There is a scene where Molly tries to warn Slank about Captain Stache and is ignored. It could have easily made all of the adults look like idiots but it didn't. It didn't seem like a mere child would have this knowledge and of course, Slank later realizes that she was right.

MOLLY & PETER

Molly and peter's friendship starts off tentative. Molly warns him about trying to escape and he realizes she was right.

Later, she keeps him away from the trunk but gives him food for the boys. Eventually the two argue because Peter wants to know the truth. About the trunk, about the flying rat he saw, and about what she was doing with a dolphin. When she refuses his feelings are hurt because he thought they had formed a friendship. This leads Peter to being angry, determined to find out the truth without her.

Later on, they have another fight. This one about their priorities. Molly thinks the trunk is the most important, while Peter thinks his friends are. Because of this they actually separate.

What's nice about their relationship is that they make mistakes and learn from them, continuing to grow throughout the story.

MOLLY'S ROLE

Molly's main role is revealing the truth about the trunk and its contents. She also sends messages to her father to warn him and does her best to keep the trunk from being found. Another important role she has is when someone goes overboard she takes them to shore.

PETER'S ROLE

Peter becomes Molly's ally and helps protect the trunk when she finally reveals the truth to him. But eventually they work together to do more than that, as Peter's friends get in trouble. He risks his life not just for his friends, but for Molly as well.

THE MOLLUSK TRIBE

Upon landing on an island, we eventually come to learn that it is inhabited by a tribe. This tribe is called the mollusk tribe. It made sense to have an indigenous people instead of throwing in odd copies of Native Americans (which we all remember from the disney movie).

STAR STUFF-SPOILERS

The dust that makes you fly is not in fact Pixie dust, as there are no faeries in the story. Instead we get star stuff, which in itself creates an origin for Neverland, as well as the creation of Mermaids.

I liked how it was an original idea, but didn't take too many liberties with the original story. After all, we don't really know how James Barrie envisioned an origin story for the island, or even if he thought of one. But it was obvious that in a series about Peter Pan, we needed to see his beginning, as well as the islands.

FIGHTING PRAWN

This tribe has a leader who is actually an Englishman, or he was. Now he resides in the island with no desire to leave, as their leader. It turns out he was enslaved and forced to work for the navy, so he considers the English to be the barbarians.

I thought this was kind of silly to blame an entire society for one aspect which many had no control over. Especially since he now resides in a society where they haven't discovered the wheel.

I understood the main purpose, we needed to be able to communicate with the tribes in order to further the story. Without this ability they wouldn't have been able to play any real role.

But he came across just as barbaric as the English when he makes a decision that condemns innocent children to die.

CLIMAX-SPOILERS

Slank kidnaps Molly and threatens to kill her if Peter doesn't hand over the trunk. Peter does as he says but he takes Molly back to his ship. Eventually Molly manages to get off his ship after Peter attempts to save her, but fails. But there is a twist, Molly survives and the trunk is saved from Slank.

AFTERMATH

Revelations about Peter are given, and because of this, he decides to stay on the island, rather then returning. His friends choose to remain with him. Peter is given a gift by Aster that is a familiar sight to all Pan fans.

CONCLUSION

Barry and Pearson create an original origin story for Neverland and Peter Pan while at the same time creating likable characters in Molly and Peter with a relationship that slowly develops. Not to mention a fast paced story.

Their sense of humor is sprinkled throughout, so as not to overwhelm the plot but remind you this is a childrens' story that doesn't take itself too seriously.

My only real critique is portion Molly's star stuff origin story and Fighting Prawn's illogical actions (perhaps if he was given a more detailed backstory, this would have been believable. I give “Peter and the Starcatchers” four stars.

Book Review: "The Shadowlands" by Emily Rodda

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

After retrieving the first two pieces pf the Pirran pipe, Lief and his friends go on to get the third. But the shadowlands proves dangerous, with enemies on all sides. They head to the center of trouble, learning some secrets while discovering new ones.

NEW CHARACTERS

Emlis ends up coming along after Lief has the third piece of the pipe. He says they need him because he can play the pipe and none of them know how to. But he gets injured rather fast and ends up being carried. He does play an important role in the climax.

Brianne of Lees is a character that helps them go to the factory. Lief finally remembers why her name is familiar.

Claw is a man who has been experimented on by the shadow Lord's men.

PACING

The pacing is good. In the beginning we get new information and a new party member before the action starts. But when it does, it's fast and suddenly we have enemies on both sides. From then on it goes back and forth between action and new mysteries being presented.

LIEF & JASMINE

Jasmine thinks to herself that she has forgiven Lief for lying to her. But she hasn't had any real conversations with them. They are too busy trying to survive. And later on she still seems mad at him.

There isn't much communication, which drives me mad. Lief wonders if Jasmine is getting them lost, then if she is leading them into danger on purpose.

THE VRALL

One of my favorite parts is the scene where the Vrall returns. You might remember him from the last series, where Lief barely got away with his life. Once again we run rather then fight but I loved that scene. It was very reminiscent of Jurassic Park.

THE GIFT OF GLOCK-SPOILERS

When Lief and company meet a group of strangers in a secret tunnel, Jasmine is shocked to see one of the men looks just like Glock. Turns out he is a Jalis. When they start to turn against the group Jasmine shows the talisman that Glock gave her and what he said to her when he died. Because of this the group decides to trust them and escort them to the west.

PREDICTABILITY

The one thing that bothered me in the first book was Jasmine's obviously fake sister. So when it turned out...that she was fake I wasn't surprised. Barely even annoyed. I still don't think she was necessary for the plot. Jasmine already had felt distanced from Lief, and the secret bride just made it worse.

Lief mentions that feels that Jasmine wants to go into the shadow Lord's headquarters. But couldn't they have ended up there another way?

THE MYSTERIOUS ASSASSINS

As Lief and his friends go through the factory they hear hints of something called a “conversion” as well as learn some secrets about the grey guards. Secrets mount as Lief recognizes one of the people in charge and is horrified. This is comes to a head when they make another discovery and we finally learn the truth about the assassins sent to kill Lief.

LIEF

We actually learn about how Lief feels about the object he had to hide away. How he suffered and how he tried so hard to destroy it only to fail.

CLIMAX

Everyone ends up at the arena, with a plan that is set in place but should be canceled. We learn exactly what the Conversion is and we finally test out the pipe.

MYSTERIES SOLVED

We learn just who Marilen is and why she was brought to Deltora.

We learn as to why Jinks died (which may have been obvious) and as to why Marilen went to Sharn in the first place. Once we learn this, we understand why Marilen was so important and why she was to be protected.

CONCLUSION

The pacing is good and mysteries are finally solved. Some hinted throughout, others not mentioned until the very end. Glock's death serves another purpose while we face new monsters as well as an old one in the vraal. My only criticism is the same I had for the first book: Jasmine's motivation and her fake sister. Even near the last portion of the book, her and Lief still hadn't talked. I give “The Shadowlands” three and half stars.

Book Review: "The Isle of Illusion" by Emily Rodda

SPOIL FREE SUMMARY

After receiving the first part of the pipe, Lief is onto the second Island where he meets a group of people that have lived in darkness after being expelled from their original home. There they are told the pipe is impossible to get to. But they don't let that stop them.

NEW CHARACTERS

Penn is one of the descendants from the Island of Auron. She is crucial to the plot as she shows them where the island is, lets them stay at her home and reveals their history.

PACING

The pacing is good. Right off the bat we encounter a group of monsters that take their prey and create clay coffins for them. Lief and co have to figure out a way to escape and once they do, they have to figure out how to save Barda while not being able to get close to him.

We learn about the Aurons, then see why the pipe is so well protected. Not long after we're moving again, going after it. The story only slows to tell us important information.

A CHANGED LIEF

In the beginning of the the story, Lief recalls the attempts on his life. He gives more details then in the first book where it was mentioned rather briefly. He mentions how the attacks came from people whom no one suspected and no one could believe. And that's why he worried about who he could trust.

JASMINE'S ROLE

Jasmine plays a key role again, as she says something that gives Lief an idea as to how to retrieve the next piece of the Pirran pipe. Also, she being the confident climber, easily leads the way.

PUZZLES

This time, the puzzle is not so obvious. It has to do with a history story that Barda, Jasmine and Lief get to read. There are a few hints that they are not being told the whole truth.

LIEF & JASMINE

There is a disagreement between Lief and Jasmine when Jasmine says he can be ruthless when it comes to his people. Lief doesn't understand her hostile behavior. But there isn't much discussion between them. There is a certain moment where we learn Jasmine thinks that people must hate her delaying his wedding.

THE RETURN OF JINKS

Jinks returns to Deltora only to tell everyone that Lief and Barda are dead. Sharn treats him well but it's revealed she doesn't' believe him. Neither does Marilen. He tries to cause more trouble but only adds a mystery.

THE SPIDERS

Once again the spiders play a role. When Barda is trapped, one spider is with him, so the other tries to break in to get to him. It inadvertently ends up distracting the giant spiders so Lief can escape.

MYSTERIOUS MARILEN

Jasmine initially hears that Marilen is to be Lief's bride. She ends up being a side character as she has quite a few scenes with other characters in the castle. She seems innocent and meek but eventually it's revealed she is brave and can be bold. There are a few mysteries that are set up, besides the question if she is really Lief's bride.

CLIMAX-SPOILERS

Lief and his friends finally get inside the area where they believe the pipe is. They start to suspect that they haven't been told everything. They accidentally end up destroying the city and having to try and escape the giant spiders outside it. Afterwards they confront the Auron about the lies.

CONCLUSION

Rodda creates a fast paced story with scary, new monsters and a side story that keeps you guessing. My only complaint is the lack of communication between Lief and Jasmine. I give “The Isle of Illusion” four stars.

Book Review: "Cavern of the Fear" by Emily Rodda

SPOIL FREE SUMMARY

The Shadow Lord has fled, but he taken prisoners with him. Lief has grown distant from Jasmine and Barda and become reclusive thanks to multiple attempts on his life. But when a mysterious Pipe is revealed Lief decides to set out and retrieve it.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Lief feels overwhelmed with the throne. Because attempts on his life have been made by people who have previously been loyal citizens he is confused about who to trust.

Jasmine feels cut off from Lief and that he has changed, no longer trusting her. She also feels out of place in the castle, still going barefoot and still getting odd glances from people.

Glock is from the race of Jalis, a warrior tribe. He is brave but sometimes rash. He seems to see it his duty to look after Jasmine.

Barda is the same character. Still a mentor/big brother to Lief.

<>Marilen is a girl that Lief brings from Tora. She seems meek at first but quickly becomes bold, confiding in the queen.

Azan & Clef are two goblins who rescue Barda and Lief.

PACING

The pacing is slower at first. Because in order for the story to get set in motion, we must see Lief going to Tora, Jasmine finding a lost item, and then both learning from it.

JASMINE'S ROLE-SPOILERS

Jasmine ends up being led to a man who has a valuable item to the kingdom. She then brings this man and the item to Lief and is surprised that everyone is so grateful. This is crucial to the plot because Jasmine then secretly gets information while Lief later gets information. Both set out on their journey's because of that item.

PUZZLES

There are a few puzzles in the story. They occur when Barda and Lief are in trouble and Lief has to solve two puzzles. The first being one with spotting words in a maze of letters. And the second is a riddle.

FIGHTING SPIDERS

There is a scene in the beginning where both Glock and Jinks are seen fighting with spiders. These spiders are vengeful, and whenever one loses it won't stop until it finds the other. It can sense the other and will find it no matter where it is. This later plays a big role, as Lief and Barda take Jinks along with his spider, to find Glock's spider.

PREDICTABILITY-SPOILERS

Jasmine discovers a hidden chamber in the castle. Being restless and upset about Lief she goes forward and finds an item that communicates with a prisoner of the Shadow Lord. To spoil it, the girl claims to be the little sister of Jasmine's. Jasmine is furious that Lief would keep this secret from her (she thinks he must know and have learned about it).

I was kind of annoyed because I knew the moment I read it, there was no sister and this was a trap. The odds of her mom being pregnant without her knowing about it seemed zero. I understand the need was to put Jasmine and Lief at odds, but couldn't it have been less obvious? Jasmine is usually the smartest of the group, saving there lives in the majority of the books. And yet not only did she believe something with so little evidence but she assumed the worst of Lief and never even confronted him.

LIEF'S BURDEN

It's mentioned that Lief wishes he could tell his friends the truth about a certain issue. This helps set up suspense.

CLIMAX

Lief, Jasmine, Barda and Glock have to face the Fear, a huge monster. Although Jasmine attempts to kill it, it's Jalis who deals the killing blow. Everyone narrowly avoids getting crushed by the huge tentacles and Jasmine and Glock share a sad but sweet moment.

TWIST ENDING

We finally get the first piece of pipe from an unexpected source thanks to a story from Doran the dragonlover.

CONCLUSION

The world has expanded with a new group of islands and a new race of people. The monster is terrifying and the way the first piece of pipe is retrieved is surprising and poetic. My only gripe was the motivation of Jasmine with a ploy that every reader can see through. I give “Cavern of the Fear” three and a half stars.

Book Review: "Dark Lord of Derkholm" by Diana Wynne Jones

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

In a magical world, the residents are forced to entertain people from our world on events called “Pilgrim parties”. On these parties they are led through the towns where people play the part of warriors in massive battles and others play the villains to be defeated. A man and his family's lives are turned upside down when they are forced to organize these events and he has to play the role of the Dark Lord.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Derk is a wizard who attended university but hated it as he was mistreated. He lives on a huge property where he creates distinct animals like flying horses and pigs with wings. His main pride are his griffons who can speak and have human intelligence.

Blade is Derk's son. He wants to go to university even though his dad dislikes the idea. He ends up leading the tours as the pretend wizard, complete with fake beard.

Mara is Derk's wife. She is rather tolerant of her husbands eccentricities and treats the griffons like her own children.

Shona is Derk's daughter. She wants to go to Bard university and loves playing her violin and singing.

Kit is one of the many griffons that Derk hatched. He plays the biggest role of the griffons, helping Blade and Shona. He is rather rebellious and known for causing trouble.

Querida works at the university and is one of the many wizards involved with setting up the pilgrim parties.

Scales is a dragon that shows up at Derk's house and ends up playing an important role in the pilgrim parties.

Mr. Chesney is the man from our world demanding the pilgrim parties. He is incredibly powerful and not only demands the parties, but sends over convicts again their will to fight in the wars. He also requests certain party members get killed off. The source of his power is eventually revealed.

PACING

The pacing of the story is rather slow. There are lengthy detours where you get long history lessons about things that don't really matter. I didn't need to know about every animal that Derk had created, but we get a tour anyway. I didn't need to know about the priests story about seeing a god, but I got that anyway. There is so much excess in the story.

GRIFFONS ARE FAMILY

On the inside of the book, I read a summary asking what it would be like to grow up with griffons as brothers and sisters. I don't know what it's like. Because neither Shona nor Blade ever bring it up. There is no history of how they first got to meet a griffon. On how living with them was like, traveling with them, and how people thought of their strange family. How their relationship started and if it was ever strained. How did it effect the marriage? Did Mara think her husband was nuts? It was all left to my imagination.

TOO MANY CHARACTERS

There are so many griffon brothers and sisters that I cannot recall them all. I certainly can't recall what makes them different. I think there was one named Don, and one called Calette. I think Calette liked to build gadgets. There were also two other griffons named Lydda and Elda.

WORLD

The world is detailed to the extreme, being Jones' strong point. She creates a world with its own gods, demons, priests, universities and races. There are elves and even werewolves. It's easy to get lost in all of the details. From the way they used magic to stretch the house and the way that transporting from one area to another had a certain sound it left. Nothing is neglected.

DERK & MARA

In the beginning of the story, Derk mentions that he thinks his wife, Mara is going to leave him. And something about her borrowing money. But the thing is, there is no interaction between them to suggest such a thing. Although to be fair, there is not much interaction between them at all.

BLADE

Blade wasn't a very distinct character I am afraid. In the beginning we see the argument with him and his dad about university. And then he talks to his mom about it. And then he never talks about it again. Something that was painted as so important and the first thing we learn about Blade vanishes into the wind. He does mention about the name the oracle gave him in the beginning, and in the end we learn about who that is. But by then I forgot and no longer cared.

SHONA'S ROMANCE

Shona eventually meets a man from the pilgrim parties named Geoffrey. It's mentioned that the two take an interest in each other the moment they see each other. But we don't get one sentence of their relationship. We are just told they are in love.

Shona was already a two dimensional character and I was sad that I couldn't at least learn why she and Geoffrey got on so well. After all, Shona is certainly more of main character then the characters of Sukey and Reville. And yet they both get distinct personalities and character development, albeit not believable development, but at least they got some.

WHO'S THE MAIN CHARACTER?

I was kind of confused at the beginning, because we see everything from the University professor's perspective. When Blade and Derk were introduced, I didn't know if they were main characters or not. I kind of felt that they weren't important and that the whole set up was a mess.

I wish we had started the story from their perspective, living their own lives with their own troubles and then stumbled upon the professors. Even after we met them, Querida was often the perspective the story was told in. When Blade gets his own side story later I was surprised to see he was a main character too.

YOU SHOULD CARE

There are things throughout the story that I believe were supposed to be important. Like Kit learning that there are other griffons then him and his siblings, but they live in another land. Blade knows Kit will want to meet them. But I didn't know why.

There was no mention of the griffons being sad that they were the only ones of their type. I know I would be unhappy to learn I was a freak and there were no others like me. I might even resent my creator. But there is no mention of any such feelings.

FORESHADOWING

There are aspects of the story that fit together. Like the blue demon mentioned in the first few pages and then summoned by Derk. It ends up coming back in near the climax and being important.

We learn who Blade's magic teacher is supposed to be and learn at the end of the book.

Derk thinks that Mara will leave him and we learn out why she was acting that way (although the reader actually never gets to see her act any way) near the climax.

I GUESS HE KILLED HIM

A character who ends up being in league with Mr. Chesney is killed by a demon. But no one even blinks at the murder, thinking they could have stopped it or should have. The only thought it: “so that's how demons eat.” I found it kind of unsettling. Is murder wrong, or only when Mr. Chesney does it?

THE DEATH OF A FAMILY MEMBER

Derk witnesses one of his children die, but doesn't go to retrieve the body. I was left confused. No one could have died, I thought. There should have been a more emotional reaction; A longer scene. Something! In the end I just chalked it up to bad writing.

CLIMAX-SPOILERS

Chesney shows up and eventually a distraction is made, suggested by Reville (so he could swipe the demon in Chesney's back pocket). He is distracted by a stampede of animals and trapped like he trapped the demon.

CONCLUSION

The idea for the story is original but it just wasn't executed well. The world is overly detailed to the point where the characters are dull and unimportant. They not only have no personalities but no real relationships either. Certainly their relationships have no history. They just are. We get long scenes that have no real reason to be there, that just add unnecessary length to the story. I was 70% through the story and I just wanted it to be over. I give “The Dark Lord of Derkholm” two stars.

Book Review: "Dial-a-ghost" by Eva Ibbotson

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

When young Oliver discovers he inherited a huge mansion, he has to leave the orphanage he has come to love and know. Turns out that his new guardians might not have his best interests at heart. But a mix up allows a friendly family of ghosts to turn up and suddenly Oliver might find his fortunes change.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Oliver is rather odd, because he likes his home at the orphanage. He is also rather innocent as well and is very kind, developing a desire to help ghosts.

Frieda and Felton are two relatives who would have inherited the mansion if not for Oliver. They are not too thrilled about that.

Adopta “Addie” is a young girl ghost who found her way to the Wilkinson family. She has no memory of her past but loves her new family. She is rather blunt and far more skeptical than Oliver.

The Shriekers, Sabrina & Sir Pelham De Bone are two ghosts who apparently went crazy in real life. Although we don't learn why until much later in the book. They hate children for some reason. They are rather cartoonish but develop later on.

The Wilkinson family consists of the father, Henry; the mother, Maud, the grandma and their son, Eric. The grandma is rather proud and doesn't like the idea of being looked down by wealthy people. As for Eric, he used to have a girl who rejected him and made him quite unhappy (it's a running gag).

PACING

The pacing is the same as her other books, not terribly slow but not fast paced. It's not an action story, and we get introduced to the Wilkinsons in the first chapter, and then their predicament when they move to London and can't find a nice play to live. Eventually Addie finds the ghost agency and from there we meet all the other characters.

THE DE BONES

It seems at first that these characters are just there to be cartoon villains. They are amusing, but that is really all. But eventually Frieda and Felton turn out to be the main villains and the De Bones change. They don't completely change, as they are still rather stuck up but they do develop and we learn more about them.

HILARITY

There are plenty of scenes that are funny, one of my favorite being when Frieda and Felton bring a doctor to Oliver. Turns out people are saying that Oliver has gone crazy and now talks to himself all the time. When it turns out the doctor happens to be able to see ghosts too it was incredibly amusing. You get to see the whole plan blow up in their faces.

There are plenty of smaller moments that I found silly too from Addie telling Oliver she'll kick him when he snores to Eric finally seeing his long lost love and it not being what he expected.

PREDICTABILITY

There are certain aspects of the story that are predictable. It's planted pretty fast that there is going to be a mistake because of the assistant of the ghost adoption agency. It is revealed he has a secret. So I knew there was going to be a mix up.

Also, since Addie has no memory and we don't know anything about the other ghosts, once they got together it was obvious what was going to happen.

However, not all aspects of the book were easy to predict. When it came to the climax, I was surprised. Not that I expected a sad ending, I just didn't know how it would get there.

ADDIE'S ROLE

Addie has an important role because she finds the agency that helps ghosts as well as she is the one who defends Oliver when the Shriekers show up. She is much more up front and bold than her adopted family.

CLIMAX-SPOILERS

Oliver returns to the mansion only to find that his ghost friends seem to be dead. He vows revenge and becomes quite bold. Only there is a twist in the end. After this, we see how Oliver intends to help other ghosts and do research.

CONCLUSION

The main characters are likable and Ibbotson has her usual sense of humor that made me smile quite often. And although many aspects of the story were predictable, some were not. It was certainly better than “the secret of Platform 13” but not nearly as intricate and well thought out as “The Star of Kazan” or “Journey to the river sea”. I give “Dial-a-ghost” three and a half stars.

Book Review: "I, Coriander" by Sally Garner

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

In 1600s England, Coriander lives happily with her parents unaware of her mother's heritage. But events lead her to learn that her mother isn't from her world, and that she has left behind an item of immense power that must be protected.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Coriander Hobie is the only child of a wealthy English couple. She grew up near the thames and was taught to read and right.

Thomas Hobie is a sea merchant who grew wealthy after he met and married his wife.

Eleanor Hobie is Coriander's mother. She helps heal people from ailments through her own herbs and potions.

Danes has worked for the Hobies and taken care of Coriander since she was small.

Maud becomes Coriander's stepmother. She seems to be apart of a christian cult. She physically abuses her own daughter.

Hester is quite frail and weak from being abused by her mother. She is actually kind and sweet though, and becomes friends with Coriander.

Arise Fell is a supposed Reverend (who has neither a church or a congregation). He shows up and makes Coriander's life a living hell.

Tycho is a prince from the other world. He is forced into marriage with Princess Unwin by Queen Rosmere.

Queen Rosmere is evil, manipulative and demanding. She comes off as rather cartoonish especially when she tells Coriander about how she hates her mom because her mom heals people. Rosmere hates people who are nice and heal people, apparently.

PACING

The pacing is slower but that doesn't ruin the story. I found myself very interested in Coriander's exploits as a child as well as the going-ons of England in the 1600s. It feels like a lot is being set up for later on by Coriander and the silver shoes, as well as meeting the old woman and her raven.

CORIANDER THE PROPHET?

In the first part of the story, while Coriander is still very young she blurts out about a woman's children wanting to be born. Later, she tells her mom she just knows that she will have two children. It seems she has the gift of prophecy. But this is never mentioned again. It seemed like it was there to inform the reader that Coriander was special and little thought went into it.

TYCHO & CORIANDER

Coriander get's three scenes with Tycho.

One where she first meets him and asks why he would marry someone he doesn't want to.

The second when he stands up the Queen and is attacked by her and she asks if he is okay.

And the third when she time travels (somehow, it's not really explained how) and finds him with scruffy, long hair and a beard.

By then they are portrayed as being madly in love but I kept thinking that they were mere acquaintances. There wasn't any real relationship between them.

CORIANDER THE BRAVE?

Coriander is told she has to retrieve and protect her mother's shadow and she freaks out. She says she is not brave or a hero but is told she is. She is told that she saved the prince (which she didn't) and she braved a charger (she pet the prince's horse) and she faced the queen (she didn't do that either, she accidentally ended up in the room with the Queen).

It was obvious that Gardner was trying to prove that Coriander was a hero, when in reality she hadn't done anything but be a victim in her own world then explore some of the fairy world. There she wasn't really in danger because she was basically invisible. And when the Queen vows revenge on the invisible intruder it makes no sense. It was Tycho alone who rebelled. Coriander did next to nothing.

It's not as though Coriander does not become brave later, she does. But all of this is after her journey to the other world. And logically, this didn't really seem to be because of that journey and any courage she supposedly got then.

PURITANS OR CULT MEMBERS?

All throughout the story Maud and Arise are painted as Puritans who believe Jesus is coming back to take the throne of England. Thomas is told he needs to marry a good Puritan woman because Puritans are the ones who have the power. So this important to the plot.

And yet at the end of the book, Gardner gives a history lesson. Turns out that only one particular cult in the 1600s thought that Jesus was coming back to England to be king. And yet she never bothers to mention this in her actual story. I didn't just find this odd but dishonest. I was left confused with what the author intended. She didn't seem to care about history.

She could have had basically every other character point out that Maud was nuts as this was 1600s England and no doubt everyone in this story considered themselves Christians. Coriander was taught to read, and would have no doubt been familiar with the teachings of the Bible.

Perhaps Gardner didn't want to bring religion in to the book. That would have been fine but she did it anyway. For example there are random lines that make me think it's her talking and not the characters.

Like how one character says magic doesn't belong in this world with the cross and crucifixion.

Or when Thomas points out how Christians want comfort and an afterlife, but turn to superstitions when they aren't happy. And that God doesn't provide, he does.

These lines feel shoved in the story and take me out of Coriander's world. After all, Christianity and morality are simply not themes in this book. It just happens to be a convenient backdrop so Coriander's father can remarry a psycho then be persecuted and abandon her.

THE VICTIM COMPLEX

It was very fairy tale like that Coriander would be abused by her stepmother. Add Arise Fell to the story and this went to absurd levels. But the real reason I couldn't swallow it was because her father abandons her. He is completely oblivious to the abuse his daughter goes through apparently. I had a hard time respecting him, because he seemed like an idiot.

A WAY WITH WORDS

Gardner paints the world of Coriander beautifully. England is detailed and Coriander is portrayed as rather charming as a child. I enjoyed the first portion of the story immensely.

THE FAIRY WORLD

Not much is explained about the fairy world. We see that they have kings and queens. And time works differently there. It just felt uninspired. Perhaps the story should have been longer and Coriander could have stayed there longer, so as to learn more about it.

THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO LITTLE

I already mentioned how stupid Thomas Hobie comes across when he abandons his daughter to be abused. But before that he lets Coriander wear the silver shoes that Eleanor doesn't want her too. I couldn't make sense of it.

This would only be logical if he had no idea who his wife was. But he explains later, in a daze that his wife gave him her shadow after they married. So he knew that she was a magical being that came from a magical world. So there was no reason why he wouldn't trust his wife about the shoes.

Also, after he is left a widower, Thomas sinks into depression and completely neglects his daughter. And he marries the first so called “Puritan” woman he meets without any hesitation. After he brings her home, he asks what he has done. He just comes across as an idiot. There were no doubt plenty of single Puritan woman, but he had to marry an ugly fat one with black teeth, because?

It just feels like in order to make Coriander a victim, her dad has to be an imbecile. Now, this could have been made believable.

Maybe Maud was a really good actor and they met multiple times and he thought he got to know her. Maybe she was actually pretty and he was taken in. But it's so obvious from the first moment we meet Maud that she is evil and stupid and has no redeeming qualities.

Later when we learn why Maud married him, it would have been the obvious point to jump in and say Thomas had been under a spell. But no such luck.

PLOT HOLES

Besides Thomas seeming like an idiot (which is just as much of a plot hole as bad writing) when Coriander returns, she tells Danes about her journey to the fairy world. And Danes doesn't hesitate, instantly believing her. I just found this odd. I was surprised Coriander didn't.

She had kept her journey a secret for good reason. Danes reveals she once saw her mother's shadow, so she knew she wasn't human. But that was all. It would still be natural for her to be slightly skeptical at the outlandish tale that she was told.

And before that, Coriander falls asleep after Tycho runs away from the wedding. She wakes up somewhere else, in a different time.

This is never explained. Can she time travel? Is someone guiding her? Does it have to do with the man, Medlar? He says he is the king's magician and that he has to bring her back to London. Later we learn exactly who he is. But those other questions aren't really addressed.

CLIMAX

Coriander faces Maud and Arise and one is killed without any sympathy from her. Queen Rosmere fades away (for some unknown reason). She later faces Queen Rosmere, defeating her with her anger (I didn't quite get this). She says goodbye to Tycho even though she has a crush on him (it's portrayed like a real relationship).

LET THEM DIE

In the climax, Coriander watches one of the antagonists stand on the edge of possible death. It never crosses her mind to forgive, or maybe to let this person live and be dealt with by the police.

I wanted to root for her, because she had been so abused by this person. But when this person perished, she didn't even put her hand out. There was nothing but hatred in her heart. I don't think the author thought that hatred was bed, because she points out that's how Coriander defeats Rosmere.

AFTERMATH

Coriander meets Hester's and Gabriel's new born baby. And she meets her brother, who likes her but she rejects him. Then has another, more annoying Suitor who won't leave her alone. It's dragged out for far too long (again, making Coriander look like a victim with an insanely stupid suitor). Finally Tycho shows up on the last page.

CONCLUSION

Gardner has a way with words and Coriander is likable. But the victim complex is taken too far and the fairy world is rather uninspired.

The romance between Coriander and Tycho is nonexistent and awkwardly emphasized; Thomas Hobie came across as not just an idiot but useless. His only purpose it seemed was to make Coriander a victim, completely abandoned.

And the use of crazy cult members as villains was rather cringe inducing and did a disservice to actual history. I give “I, Coriander” one and a half stars.

Book Review: "Spirit Hunter" by Michelle Paver

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

Eostra is the only soul eater left and Torak is determined to face her. But Renn has fears about him going and will do anything to make sure he doesn't face her alone. But both Wolf and Renn face issues that may keep them from Torak.

PACING

The pacing continues to be great. Multiple stories are going on at once, Wolf's, Torak's and Renn's. There is even a small section for Fin-kedinn and there are plenty of mysteries and plot twists that keep you guessing as well as things unrelated (such as Wolf making a mistake on a hunt) that are exciting. Also a ticking time bomb is eventually revealed so Torak knows he has to face Eostra by a certain date.

EOSTRA'S PLANS

Eostra seems to want to get Torak to come alone to the mountain. It's interesting to watch the characters get separated and then brought back together. Wolf suffers a grave loss, which causes him to lose his will to live. Renn causes an incident where she must stay behind. But eventually they all come back together, and then are torn apart again. It's interesting to watch the choices each character makes that lead to these decisions.

THE RETURN OF FA-SPOILERS

In the end of the first chapter, Torak thinks he sees the ghost of his father. He starts to think he is being haunted, because he chose finding Wolf over avenging his father. I thought this would have been a bigger component, but it kind of faded away after Torak thinks he father left behind a piece of fur to send him a message. I think maybe this was supposed to tie into the climax, but I didn't real feel like it did.

A GREAT LOSS

Wolf goes through depression and Torak must rescue him and try to heal him. It was rather overwhelming, but I fully believed he had lost everything. So when it's later revealed not to be completely so I was relieved but surprised. I thought without these things, Wolf would never have a life separated from Torak.

RENN'S ROLE

Renn is important because she reveals the location of Eostra, when she seeks him out a midst a dangerous storm. She also realizes that Eostra want's Torak on Soul's Night and is the one who tries to figure out everything about Eostra, as well as what to expect and when to be confused.

For example, she believes that Torak is to be kept alive until Eostra takes him but then it seems like his life is threatened. These things keep the reader interested by wanting the mystery to be solved. She also learns about the consequences of Torak breaking his oath to Bale and reveals it to him, as well as figuring out Eostra's one flaw.

WOLF'S ROLE

Wolf is important because he saves Torak's life a few times, as well as creating a distraction so Torak can go to the mountain without being chased by certain dangerous creatures. I admit though that I was surprised how things ended, as a part of me expected wolf to have to say goodbye, or at least a change in his and Torak's relationship.

FIN-KEDINN's ROLE

He isn't in the story much but he does play an important role. There are a few scenes where we witness him on a journey but we don't know why. It's not revealed until the climax.

RENN & TORAK

They have the same trust issues they always have. Renn keeps a secret from Torak, about his fate. He reveals he cannot remember his dreams.

TORAK'S FEARS

They are multiple times where Torak thinks he is going to die if he goes to Eostra. He has bouts of panic, which I though was nice. I have read so many stories where the characters don't experience any real fear or doubt. They seem to get over things very fast, like witnessing a death or learning they have to risk their lives.

LAST MINUTE DARK

Torak has finally made it to the mountain, when he is knocked out and wakes up in a cave. Turns out he was rescued and nursed back to health by a boy named Dark. To avoid spoilers, lets just say that he is lonely so he ties up Torak and refuses to let him go.

This speeds up the timetable, as Torak realizes that days have passed and his deadline is near. Torak eventually gets free and Dark plays a crucial role, showing Torak the entrance he would otherwise have to take a long time searching for. And then showing Renn a small, secret entrance that allows her to aid him.

It was interesting to have a character be introduced so late and yet be so crucial to the plot.

CLIMAX

Torak faces Eostra in the mountain caves, where he is exposed to her amazing power. Dark guides Renn inside through a small hole where eventually they find Torak, but are not able to get near him. Eostra is eventually defeated, but not without help from a surprising person.

AFTERMATH-SPOILERS

Torak returns to Raven Clan after being healed on the mountain. Renn fears he will leave because people still treat him with fear. There communication skills still leave something to be desired, which annoyed me because I knew this was the last book.

Renn gets to leave with Torak because her mage duties are now optional. She says Fin-kedinn gave her the option. I think it was a good idea in theory, to give Renn a choice. I just didn't like how it was executed. I wanted Renn to make her own choices without an easy way out, as it would be hard to reject tradition and the role that she essentially had no choice in.

CONCLUSION

Paver creates a well paced finale with plenty of mysteries and plot twists. The scenes where Renn and Torak were being hunted by crazed dogs were some of the best action and suspense scenes I have read. Unfortunately, Renn and Torak have the same issues they have had since book one: trust issues.

And as much as I wanted everyone to live happily ever after it felt like cheating when a character that was introduced so late had such a huge impact on the plot. I give “Ghost Hunter” three and a half stars.

Book Review: "Chronicles of Ancient Darkness" series overview

SUMMARY

Detailed look at the series full of spoilers.

CHARACTER LIKABILITY

Both of the main characters were likable.

Torak started out knowledgeable of how to hunt and live in the forest but ignorant of the ways of the clans and their beliefs. He consistently faces tough situations but is never portrayed as an amazing person. It was always pointed out whenever he felt unsure of what to do and when he felt fear. He felt real.

It would have been easy for him to be swallowed by victimhood. After all, he is always abused by the clans. First with their kidnapping him and trying to kill him, and then with their not treating him like a clan member. Even when Fin-kedinn foster's Torak, the treatment doesn't change much.

Renn wasn't a weak damsel just there to be pretty nor was she portrayed as a perfect girl who could do everything on her own (these two extremes occur quite often). She had strengths and weaknesses and didn't instantly like Torak or Wolf. In fact throughout the series she struggled with the feeling of being an outsider to their special relationship.

Wolf was charming and original. I remember first reading about him and thinking how I had never read anything like it. It stuck with me. I loved listening to how he described fire, lightening and water. And what he considered rude behavior and how to properly greet or comfort someone. It was a truly unique perspective.

CHARACTER GROWTH

This is actually one area where the story suffers.

Torak grows brave and selfless in the first book, but from then on he seems to learn to do this in every book.

Fin-kedinn eventually grows, confiding in Torak and fostering him, but most other characters don't grow.

Bale grows from disliking Torak to respecting and then liking him.

Renn and Torak struggle with the same issues over and over. And after four books, I was annoyed. I understood Renn's frustrations with feeling like an outsider, but she never voiced them, so there wasn't any actual development. I suppose the feeling went away eventually, but there is no development from this occurrence.

And whenever the characters would keep secrets from each other, there would be little discussion as to why this kept happening. And how to make it stop. I went from thinking the characters had communication issues to thinking maybe the author thought these scenes would slow down the book.

Yes, they do end up together and they kiss each other a few times before the end of the series. But it all feels quite rushed and not thought out.

Like, see how much they have been through and that they have no other friends? They love each other, it's obvious. So we don't need to ever talk about it. Ever.

PACING

The pacing is a very strong point of the series. Each story has a distinct set of dangers, even when I knew the new villain in the book would be the next Soul eater. There were always other clans to deal with, those territorial of their land and those who didn't trust strangers. Nature always had to be contended with.

PHILOSOPHY

I feel that the reasons I disliked some aspects of “Oath Breaker” were rather subjective. I felt like the author wasn't equipped to handle deep issues. That's why it came across as rather cartoonish when the two clans were manipulated by Thiazzi and thought everyone but them was doing the religion wrong. I kept trying to see allusions to present day problems or more recent problems but honestly I think I was trying too hard. I just don't believe that much thought was put into it.

Why? Because there didn't seem to be too much thought put into certain aspects of the world, mainly when Fin-Kedinn points out that no one really knows the truth so we all have different ideas. This idea is presented and kind of tossed aside until “Oath Breaker”. But it just never felt consistent, because when it came down to it, everything the clans belief is right, as far as it's presented.

People have three souls. We know because we've seen them.

There are demons. We know because we've seen them.

There are hidden people, we know because we've seen them.

There is a World Spirit, we know because we've seen it.

Even breaking an oath has consequences as well as saying a name of a loved one after death. I kept wanting there to be something the clans were wrong about, something Torak could see because he was an outsider not bogged down by tradition.

I at least wanted the clans to learn from each other, that maybe each one was wrong about something and hard something to learn from a different clan.

THE WORLD

The world is detailed, from the beliefs of the clans to the different ways they hunt and live. I learned so much from each book, not just of how to survive in different situations but also some amazing things about animals. It's hard not to admire the amount of research that had to go along with writing these books. Not to mention the myriad of different problems you could come into while traversing the wilds. And in each book we got to experience a new one.

CONCLUSION

Paver creates not just a detailed world but a fast paced plot that almost never lets up. Each story presents unique challenge and she does a great job of separating characters and bringing them back like puzzle pieces. She consistently wrote four books in a row that I gave four stars which basically never happens. Book series' are notorious for starting good and then slowly going downhill with each book often remaining on the three or three and a half star status. Renn, Torak and Wolf are all likable and my only real grudge is that they never quite develop. I still give the series as a whole four stars.

Book Review: "Oath Breaker" by Michelle Paver

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

When a close friend is killed and Torak feels at fault, he vows revenge. But things get more complicated as he tracks the killer. Turns out he has gone into the deep forest, where the rules are different and the clans not so friendly.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Torak is filled with self-loathing and anger at the world around him. He is rather rash and doesn't seem to be learning.

Renn still struggles to communicate with Torak. She still loses her temper and feels disconnected from him.

Fin-kedinn goes on the journey with Renn and Torak, even though Saeunn warns against it.

Thiazzi is discovered to be the villain rather fast. But there are a few twists involving him.

Wolf plays a key role as helps save Torak in one scene with Thiazzi. After the climax a secret is revealed about him that makes a great ending.

PACING

The pacing is as fast as the others. The death happens right away and not long after that the journey stars. Again, the threat is not just Thiazzi, but the clans, and nature. Their are good chapter endings as well as mysteries. Often times a plan is proposed, but the reader has to wait and read to see what the plan is. Paver knows of all the right ways to cause suspense.

BREAKING THE RULES

When Torak's friend dies, he is furious at himself as well as others. He breaks the rules by saying the dead one's name. You are not supposed to for three years after a person's death. I know Torak is supposed to be reckless so he can learn, but a part of me wanted to see him break clan rules.

After all, all clans have different rules. Fin-kedinn pointed out that no one really knows the right way. So perhaps they shouldn't be so stringent.

DEEP FOREST CLANS

The deep forest clans are secretive and separate from other clans. They seem to think they do things better then everyone else. They are rather prideful and arrogant.

I almost got the impression of country bumpkins, who looked upon anyone who thought differently than them as bad people.

CLAN VS CLAN

When it's revealed that the Auroch clan hates the Horse clan, it feels very much like two religions fighting each other, refusing to even be civil. I found it rather odd, since they both had many of the same practices in beliefs. So I suppose it was like two denominations of the same religion, rather then two completely different religions.

Either way, instead of each making valid points, they both came off as idiots and I had a hard time taking them seriously. The idea that they could be deceived was too easy.

Torak gets furious and asks “Have you forgotten how to think?”

At this point I think he should have been talking to a brain washed cult. People who had previously been abused, then searched for something, only to be given false hope and lied to all the while receiving love and protection. But there was no real depth in their depiction.

SAME PROBLEMS

I feel that Renn and Torak still have many of the same issues they have had since the beginning. Torak not trusting her or being too rash. It's obvious the two care about each other, but they almost never communicate. They don't seem to have grown closer since Renn's secret was revealed in the last book. They end up having a huge argument and separating. Although to be fair, Torak realizes his mistake and goes back for her. It's just annoying to see he isn't learning.

Before that Renn points out that she knows Torak will see it's too dangerous, and not her kin, ect. Also, Renn notes Torak has learned skills when he was an outcast. These things make her feel like she doesn't know him well.

I just feel like we have gone through these problems already, and solved them. So why do we have to solve them all over again?

LACK OF COMMUNICATION

Throughout the series, Torak and Renn have suffered when it comes to communicating with each other. They have secrets they keep from each other which when reveals cause arguments and lack of trust. Usually these are because of insecurities.

Their affection is shown through how much they worry about another, and how often they put their lives on the line for each other.

But this is second to the last book. And Torak ends up asking Renn a serious question. And instead of answering and explaining how she feels about him, she simply brushes it off and says “How could you think that?” It was a huge disappointment for me.

And near the ending of the book, Renn shows affection for Torak but says nothing about it. I couldn't help but feel annoyed.

It's not as though I haven't read many good books that were ruined by awful romance scenes. I have. Certain authors just can't handle the topic without inducing cringe or disbelief in their readers. Perhaps Paver tried to write out a scene like that and felt it was too cheesy or too unlike her characters. But I feel part of character development would be Renn and Torak learning to share their feelings better then they do now—which is non-existent.

SAVING A FOAL

There is a scene where Torak sees a foal trapped in the mud and finally decides to go and help it. I was kind of confused, because in a previous book he had seen an animal struggling but hadn't intervened. He said when the “Hidden People” had chosen an animal to kill it was bad luck to do anything. But that was near water, so maybe the “Hidden People” weren't involved with this foal? It just kind of confused me.

WOLF'S REVELATION-SPOILERS

When Torak explains his need for revenge, Wolf is confused. It is not the way of a wolf. The he realizes that his pack-brother is not actually a wolf. I kind of thought he always knew that Torak was different. He knew that he was a spirit walker before he did. Wolves can't do that. And yet he didn't figure it out then.

It just felt odd to me and left me confused. Paver must have felt that Wolf needed a crisis so he could grow closer to Torak, or maybe one day make the choice to leave and live with a pack for good.

CLIMAX-SPOILERS

Torak comes to face Thiazzi and save Renn. He renounces his oath for revenge (hence the title) as he wants to save Renn but ends up having to run from Thiazzi while looking for Renn. Eventually Thiazzi is killed but his fire-opal piece is taken by an owl. So we have the last villain, Eostra, set up.

AFTERMATH

Torak learns more about his birth and his mother. There is a sweet ending with Wolf, Renn and Torak.

CONCLUSION

The pacing is good and we meet new clans and explore new parts of the world. But the idea of religions arguing with each other and people being brainwashed seems an issue that Paver wasn't prepared to tackle. And Renn and Torak seem to be solving the same problems all over again, leaving me with the feeling that they haven't developed. I give “Oath Breaker” three and half stars.

Book Review: "Outcast" by Michelle Paver

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

When Torak's secret is revealed suddenly he is deemed an outcast. Now on the run, he desires nothing than to clear his name, but to do so he must face a Soul Eater.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Torak is still treated as an outcast, even bullied by some. He does his best to stay out of trouble but still struggles with trust issues. He learns about mysteries regarding his mother and eventually learns about her and his father.

Renn is mad about Torak's secret but she still wants to help him. She plays an important role as she explains how to remove the Soul eater mark and provides the right tools.

Bale visits the clan after Torak has become an outcast. He goes after Torak with Renn. He becomes a voice of reason and a a defender of Renn after a secret is revealed.

Seshru is the viper mage, introduced in the last book. She seeks to separate Torak from his allies and control him completely.

Aki is a young man from the Raven Clan who despises Torak. When Torak becomes and outcast he desires the most to hunt and kill him.

Wolf is separated from Torak from a time and returns to his wolf pack. But eventually Torak gets to meet them and this may set up a future for Wolf.

Fin-kedinn develops near the climax, finally showing his affection for Torak by putting his life on the line.

PACING

The main threat are people, as anyone who sees him can kill him but Torak has Aki as his specific threat. As well as the soul sickness and getting lost in unfamiliar territory. Not to mention the wolf clan who sees him as a dishonor. Basically threats are from all sides, and the story never slows.

We get Renn's perspective, as well as Wolf's and Torak's, so there are plenty of different stories going on at once to help the pacing stay fast.

SOUL SICKNESS-SPOILERS

A big part of the story has to do with a white stone that Torak painted for Renn. He takes it from her quarters then leaves it in the woods. Someone finds the stone and uses it to make Torak ill (his skin with the soul eater mark is used as well). I found this confusing at first, mainly because Torak should have been informed of the power of this stone. After all, it had existed since the last book. But I suppose he is ignorant of mage craft and would not think to destroy his skin after removing the mark.

RENN THE LONER

When Renn encounters a girl who used to live in her clan called Dyrati, she says some nasty things to Renn. Basically that Renn is bad luck and no one has ever liked her. Renn tries not to let it get to her but she realizes she has never had any friends.

This kind of surprised me. I just hadn't seen her among her clan because most of the books involved her and Torak running off somewhere else. I assumed she had acquaintances who were kind to her, and maybe just a few friends.

AKI & TORAK

There is a scene where Aki finds and confronts Torak. Seeing how barely gets away with his life, I wasn't surprised he didn't stop and check if Aki was alive. But Renn and Bale seemed horrified that he left Aki for dead. I just felt this was completely unreasonable. If it turned out Aki wasn't dead, he could have killed Torak.

These use this discovery to say that Torak isn't the same person he used to be. Of course not, he is an Outcast, all thanks to the clan. Why should he be concerned for his murderers?

OUT OF CONTROL-SPOILERS

Torak dreams of attacking Renn while spirit walking, only to wake up, knowing it really happened. This is the beginning of tearing him away from her. He is horrified and doesn't understand why this is happening. I found it interesting that Renn knew it was him, although she doesn't explain how.

THE WOLF CLAN

Fin-kedinn previously revealed there is a wolf clan but they are secretive. They show up in this story but only end up revealing a horrific truth to Torak about himself.

BALE & RENN

When Torak goes to check on Renn after he accidentally attacked her, he sees Bale there. There is a short scene where Bale defends Renn from an annoyance. And then later Torak thinks she doesn't need him because Bale is there. This didn't add up to me. Renn barely knew Bale, it was Torak who was friends with him. It really felt like jumping to conclusions that even youth and naivete couldn't be an excuse for.

SPLITTING UP THE TEAM

The main theme of the story is how Torak is separated, from Renn, Wolf and Fin-kedinn. He rejects Renn (thinking she doesn't need him) and doesn't want to trust Bale. The sickness ruins his relationship with wolf and destroys his memory.

RENN'S MAGECRAFT-SPOILERS

For the first time, Renn does real magecraft. This is a big deal because through the last three books she has shown her disdain for becoming a mage. Also, she doesn't just attempt it, she succeeds, managing to heal Torak from far away, inadvertently reuniting him with Wolf.

Also, all throughout the story she has seen signs, and she doesn't understand them. When she finally does she saves many lives by foreseeing a natural disaster.

FORESHADOWING

Renn tells Torak that it's hard to keep a secret. Also, when a truth is revealed about Torak, Renn asks Saeunn how she kept it. And Saeunn reminds her that she keeps a secret too. These are both hints about what is revealed near the climax.

THE GOAL OF SESHRU

Seshru the viper mage is the villain of this book. The goal of utopia may have gone by the wayside but her desire for power hasn't. Although she isn't revealed until much later in the book she is eerily beautiful and calmly rational in her explanations. We learn more about her and her insanity becomes apparent.

CLIMAX-SPOILERS

After a secret has been revealed, the group is scattered again. Only when Bale reasons with Torak do they reunite and work a plan. Torak and company head back to the Raven clan where Seshru confronts them. Working together, they kill her and destroy the piece of fire-opal.

CONCLUSION

Paver creates a theme of unity, of how to break it, and how to forgive. The story is as fast paced as usual and Renn reveals she has a secret as big as Torak ever had. Torak is also presented with new discoveries about himself and his mother. My criticisms are few and mostly minor.

Mainly Torak seeming dumb about thinking Renn doesn't need him (simply because he saw Bale with her once) and Renn revealing the fact that she has no friends other than Torak. It hadn't been hinted at previously, but perhaps there simply hadn't been a chance. I give “Outcast” four stars.

Book Review: "Soul Eater" by Michelle Paver

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

When Wolf is taken by a group of strangers, it's up to Renn and Torak to track and rescue him. But this leads them to the far North, a land of frost and snow. A place they don't know how to survive in. And when they learn the truth about Wolf's kidnappers, Torak's recklessness could get them killed.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Torak is determined to save wolf and rushes off without telling anyone. He is still used to only relying on himself and trusting no one.

Renn does her best to support Torak even when she disagrees with him. She also searches for him to warn him of danger. And she later plays an even more important role.

Wolf spends the majority of the story separate from Torak and Renn. Through him we learn a little bit about his captors. Also he eventually helps Torak escape from danger, and Torak later has to rely on Wolf completely when he becomes disabled.

PACING

The pacing is just as good as it's been previously. Good chapter endings and going back and forth between Torak and Wolf's perspectives. Once even Renn. Also threats come from not just Wolf's kidnappers, but from another clan as well as animals and the weather. Not to mention Torak's first try at Spirit walking since he learned what he could do.

TORAK & RENN

They have many of the same issues regarding trust. Torak keeps the information of the kidnappers from Renn because he admits he thought she wouldn't help him. But it turns out that she already knew and was waiting to tell him. So both feared the others reaction. But Renn does take offense, saying she would have come even if she learned the truth from Torak.

And when a prophecy is revealed, Renn admits she dreamed it too. Torak is mad that once again she didn't trust him (although he is guilty of the same thing).

RENN'S ROLE

Renn does play an important role. She convinces Torak to trust the White Fox clan and they help them find where Wolf is being kept. She also faces her claustrophobia multiple times to rescue Torak when she discovers a secret. For someone who suffers from claustrophobia, I could empathize with her extreme anxiety.

FORESHADOWING-SPOILERS

When a man from the White Fox clan rescues them and takes them to his clan village it turns out he was sent to prevent them from doing a great evil. Turns out their mage dreamed of him attacking a hunter (which is forbidden, you can only attack prey). A wolf, with an axe. It's an interesting use of foreshadowing to see how this will come to pass.

Also, Torak learns his father saved the life of one of the Soul eaters.

TORAK'S DECEPTION

Torak ends up pretending to be someone else in his search for Wolf. In doing so, he learns more about his enemies but ends up putting his life on the line. Eventually things come to a head and all hell breaks loose (quite literally, actually).

RENN'S SECRET-SPOILERS

After Renn and Torak are on the run, she reveals that she stole an item of great value. Torak is furious she didn't tell him. They do argue a lot, until they realize that this item is manipulating them. Regardless, it reveals a pattern of both characters doing things without telling the other, sometimes keeping secrets for a long time.

SOUL EATERS PLANS-SPOILERS

It is revealed for the first time that the clans don't all do things the same. Because of this, the Soul Eaters believe the Wold Spirit is mad. That's why bad things happen. If they gain power, they can convince everyone to do things the same, the right way. Then the world will be peaceful and safe. I thought the motivation was plausible but none of the mages seemed to be doing this out of the kindness of their hearts.

RENN'S SACRIFICE-SPOILERS

Renn is separated from Torak, but realizes she alone has the power to end a horrible evil. But to do so she must sacrifice herself. She struggles with this but seems determined to do so. It's hard not to admire her, especially when it's clear she is afraid.

CLIMAX

Torak tries to stop Renn who wonders if he has a plan. There is great tension between these two and I was shouting along with Torak. Torak eventually uses his skill to defend himself. A debt is repaid, an evil sealed away and a life taken.

AFTERMATH

Torak acts slightly strange towards Renn. Fin-kedinn shows up and explains that the Soul eaters are right about one thing, the clans do have differences. But no one speaks for the World Spirit. He also reveals a truth about what the Soul Eaters power. There are hints about something that is troubling Torak and eventually the reader learns a huge secret he has. No doubt this will come out.

CONCLUSION

Paver creates a worthy story in her series. It's just as fast paced as the previous two with danger coming from all sides. Renn and Torak still struggle to trust each other but risk their own lives for one another. And we learn more about the world that Torak lives in, as well as the possible dangers. Crucial information is revealed in the end, setting up Torak's future path. I give “Soul Eater” four stars.