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The Tale of Thomas Farrell #1
The Serpent in the Glass
On his eleventh birthday Thomas Farrell is informed that the deceased father he never knew has provided for his education at Darkledun Manor, a school for gifted children. Thomas, however, feels he's just an ordinary boy, but Darkledun Manor proves to be anything but an ordinary school...
In this work of fiction the reader is transported into a world of myth as the young protagonist, Thomas Farrell, seeks to understand who his mysterious father was, and why he left him a strange glass orb containing a serpent. As the story progresses, Thomas and his friends become increasingly caught up in a world they never knew existed - a world beyond the standing stones.
In this work of fiction the reader is transported into a world of myth as the young protagonist, Thomas Farrell, seeks to understand who his mysterious father was, and why he left him a strange glass orb containing a serpent. As the story progresses, Thomas and his friends become increasingly caught up in a world they never knew existed - a world beyond the standing stones.
234 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2011
85 people are currently reading
1888 people want to read
About the author
D.M. Andrews
19 books58 followersD.M. Andrews has been drawing maps, writing stories, and coming up with weird ideas since the age of twelve. Although fantasy features in most of the author's writing, he also has a keen passion for history (especially for his native land of England), genealogy, mythology and even political philosophy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
April 10, 2012
This is an excellent story, allegedly for young readers but interestingy told so that it will appeal to adult fantasy readers too. I always feel you need to be at least as good a writer and possibly better to write for the young, who do not suffer fools gladly. They are not prepared to wait for long expositions or scene setting and demand action, sense and a darned good story. They get them all here. Thomas Farrell, an orphan, goes to boarding school after his 11th birthday and for the first time, has friends other than his adopted sister.
We find out, with Thomas, about the school he attends, the place it 'joins' in another world and his father's place there. We meet other races from this world too, which to me, harked back a little to Alan Garner's wonderful creations. There are echoes of Celtic mythology too - very nicely done. There is some lovely writing here, especially when Thomas first discovers Darkledun Grange. The pace of the story is just right and there were exciting episodes in there that kept me reading much longer than I should have been! I enjoyed this very much and I was pleased to see from the ending, that the way is left open for more from these believable characters.
We find out, with Thomas, about the school he attends, the place it 'joins' in another world and his father's place there. We meet other races from this world too, which to me, harked back a little to Alan Garner's wonderful creations. There are echoes of Celtic mythology too - very nicely done. There is some lovely writing here, especially when Thomas first discovers Darkledun Grange. The pace of the story is just right and there were exciting episodes in there that kept me reading much longer than I should have been! I enjoyed this very much and I was pleased to see from the ending, that the way is left open for more from these believable characters.
April 21, 2012
I originally got this book thinking it would be great for my daughter (12 yrs). I try to skim through the books before I let her read them, and this book just sucked me in. The other reviewers were right in saying that it had a similar feel to the Harry Potter series. In the first few chapters it did feel that way, but then it took a totally different turn from the HP books. I loved the originality and the twists in the book. It kept me guessing the whole time. Also my daughter fell in love with the book. She ranked it up there with the Harry Potter Series and the Lightning Thief Series. We would love to see a sequel!!
June 28, 2012
Thomas Farrell grew up not knowing who his parents were (they were both deceased) and had been adopted by a couple who treated him more as a servant than as a son. This is the background to this story of searching for who you are, where you're from, and what you're destined to be. On Thomas' eleventh birthday he is informed that his father had left something for him before his death. He is given a key to a safety deposit box and once there, opens the gift to find a glass orb with a serpent inside it as well as a letter stating that he is to be enrolled at Darkledun Manor. But what he finds there is more than an education. He finds the answers he has been looking for all along...plus a lot more.
Deep at the heart of this book is the gripping reality that we are all long to know that we were made for something more than our everyday mundane lives. It's a finding out who you are and fulfilling your destiny tale. The writing was fantastic and left me dying to know what would happen next. A very satisfying read!
Deep at the heart of this book is the gripping reality that we are all long to know that we were made for something more than our everyday mundane lives. It's a finding out who you are and fulfilling your destiny tale. The writing was fantastic and left me dying to know what would happen next. A very satisfying read!
April 1, 2012
Merely OK. Got off to a very slow start -- the action happens in the last tiny portion of the book, and that feels rushed.
It's the story of an orphan boy, Thomas, living with people who treat him like servants, who are penny-pinching even to their own daughter, Jessica, who considers him to be a brother.
For his 11th birthday, he finds out that his father has left him something, and that he will be going to a special school in Scotland. His adoptive parents, or specifically, the husband (because the wife can't talk to the boy directly) only want the stipend money promised to them while Thomas is in school.
Thomas requests that Jessica be allowed to come with him to the school, and seeing as his father's estate apparently has enough money to pay for her too, she's allowed to go.
The school itself seems to be slightly odd but nothing happens, at first. Then Thomas, Jessica and their new troupe of friends start digging a little deeper. Until they uncover a magical gateway. Of course.
All I could think as I read this story is that it tried to be Harry Potter, but without the charm. I found myself wishing for the story to be over. I understand the entire world had to be set up for us -- but there's far too much exposition once that happens, and they cross over into a parallel academy for youngsters in another world. Lots of creatures, new words and lore, but perhaps too much.
Certainly you can tell there will be more books, but I doubt I would bother. Slow pace until the very end, coupled with not being particularly original or gripping, would dissuade me from reading the next one.
It's the story of an orphan boy, Thomas, living with people who treat him like servants, who are penny-pinching even to their own daughter, Jessica, who considers him to be a brother.
For his 11th birthday, he finds out that his father has left him something, and that he will be going to a special school in Scotland. His adoptive parents, or specifically, the husband (because the wife can't talk to the boy directly) only want the stipend money promised to them while Thomas is in school.
Thomas requests that Jessica be allowed to come with him to the school, and seeing as his father's estate apparently has enough money to pay for her too, she's allowed to go.
The school itself seems to be slightly odd but nothing happens, at first. Then Thomas, Jessica and their new troupe of friends start digging a little deeper. Until they uncover a magical gateway. Of course.
All I could think as I read this story is that it tried to be Harry Potter, but without the charm. I found myself wishing for the story to be over. I understand the entire world had to be set up for us -- but there's far too much exposition once that happens, and they cross over into a parallel academy for youngsters in another world. Lots of creatures, new words and lore, but perhaps too much.
Certainly you can tell there will be more books, but I doubt I would bother. Slow pace until the very end, coupled with not being particularly original or gripping, would dissuade me from reading the next one.
March 24, 2013
As other reviewers have stated, this book starts off with a very Harry Potterish feel to it, but then it veers off into its own magical realm and becomes a fun, exciting adventure all on its own.
Thomas and his newfound friends at the Darkledun Manor knew that something exceedingly strange was going on at the boarding school for "gifted children". Being curious, adventurous, slightly disobedient young people, they decided to take it upon themselves to find out exactly what the school's secrets were. For Thomas, it was even more important because he knew that somehow his father and his strange gift to his son of a tiny serpent suspended in a glass ball were connected to the strange goings-on. And, Thomas wanted desperately to find out everything he could about the father he had never known.
Most of the characters were well-developed and likeable. The relationship between Jessica and Thomas was sweet and heartwarming. Unlike her parents--the cold, stingy, reprehensible Westhrops--Jessica treated Thomas like a brother and was his only friend until he arrived at Darkledun Manor. Penders was a comic-relief character, constantly eating and wise-cracking and infusing a lot of humour into otherwise tense situations.
The book was well-written and descriptive, albeit a bit slow in the beginning. But, the ending was fast-paced and exciting. I loved the rather unique names for the various races mentioned in the book!
This is a delightful, magical adventure story I would recommend to anyone who enjoyed the Harry Potter or Percy Jackson series.
Thomas and his newfound friends at the Darkledun Manor knew that something exceedingly strange was going on at the boarding school for "gifted children". Being curious, adventurous, slightly disobedient young people, they decided to take it upon themselves to find out exactly what the school's secrets were. For Thomas, it was even more important because he knew that somehow his father and his strange gift to his son of a tiny serpent suspended in a glass ball were connected to the strange goings-on. And, Thomas wanted desperately to find out everything he could about the father he had never known.
Most of the characters were well-developed and likeable. The relationship between Jessica and Thomas was sweet and heartwarming. Unlike her parents--the cold, stingy, reprehensible Westhrops--Jessica treated Thomas like a brother and was his only friend until he arrived at Darkledun Manor. Penders was a comic-relief character, constantly eating and wise-cracking and infusing a lot of humour into otherwise tense situations.
The book was well-written and descriptive, albeit a bit slow in the beginning. But, the ending was fast-paced and exciting. I loved the rather unique names for the various races mentioned in the book!
This is a delightful, magical adventure story I would recommend to anyone who enjoyed the Harry Potter or Percy Jackson series.
March 29, 2013
I absolutely loved this book and read it in one sitting. My only problem, as another reviewer said, is that there is no sequel yet.
The book is aimed at young adults and I am *ahem* 'slightly' older than that. Having teenagers means that there are plenty of YA books lying around the house. I've read every last one of my childrens' books. Some were brilliant, some merely ok and some were absolute dross. This was, most definitely, one to put in the 'brilliant' box.
I noted that a few reviewers have put this book firmly in the 'Harry Potter knock off' category. Yes, there is an orphan, rotten guardians, magic, and a wonderful old headmaster of a school for 'gifted' children. However, to call this book anything other than it is; a wonderful, imaginative, magical piece of creativity; is to do the author a grave injustice.
It is true that most of the action takes part in the last part of the book, but isn't that always the way? If it all took place at the start, what would we have to look forward to? This part of the book is also where we meet Ghillie Dhu. I won't spoil it by telling you about him. Go, meet him yourself.
To the author: Write the sequel! We're all waiting to find out what awaits Thomas in Avallach.
The book is aimed at young adults and I am *ahem* 'slightly' older than that. Having teenagers means that there are plenty of YA books lying around the house. I've read every last one of my childrens' books. Some were brilliant, some merely ok and some were absolute dross. This was, most definitely, one to put in the 'brilliant' box.
I noted that a few reviewers have put this book firmly in the 'Harry Potter knock off' category. Yes, there is an orphan, rotten guardians, magic, and a wonderful old headmaster of a school for 'gifted' children. However, to call this book anything other than it is; a wonderful, imaginative, magical piece of creativity; is to do the author a grave injustice.
It is true that most of the action takes part in the last part of the book, but isn't that always the way? If it all took place at the start, what would we have to look forward to? This part of the book is also where we meet Ghillie Dhu. I won't spoil it by telling you about him. Go, meet him yourself.
To the author: Write the sequel! We're all waiting to find out what awaits Thomas in Avallach.
March 1, 2012
Darren Andrews has written a delightful tale that is well-told. The Serpent in the Glass is engaging, fun, meaningful, and is the kind of tale I love to see my children enjoy. The Serpent in the Glass is entertaining to me as an adult, and left me wishing other books in this series were already available so I could continue the saga. I look forward to more of about Thomas Farrell from Darren Andrews.
July 10, 2012
FINALLY. I thought there were no longer any good books available in this poor world of young adult fiction. I'd almost given up -- everything was about some vampire or werewolf "heartthrob" ... but finally. Finally, just a good ole fantasy novel. At first, I was afraid it was similar -- almost too similar -- to the Harry Potter series, but I think the author pulled through in the end and made it his own. And wow! Self-edited and self-published? That's amazing! It was a great book.
January 13, 2013
Would like to read #2. Now please. So get writing/editing/publishing or whichever needs to be done so I can find out what happens. Pleeeeaaaasssseeeee.
A bit Harry Potter-esque at the beginning, but soon becomes gripping, fantasy, magical, and other such adjectives. And then it stops. So my earlier plea is repeated. #2 pleeeeeeeaaaaasssssseeeee.
A bit Harry Potter-esque at the beginning, but soon becomes gripping, fantasy, magical, and other such adjectives. And then it stops. So my earlier plea is repeated. #2 pleeeeeeeaaaaasssssseeeee.
January 3, 2015
Disappointing
It lingered too long on details not relevant to such a short story and I felt it was striving to be like the Harry Potter series ( many parts of the story could be mirrored) and the ending left me muttering "WTF"
It lingered too long on details not relevant to such a short story and I felt it was striving to be like the Harry Potter series ( many parts of the story could be mirrored) and the ending left me muttering "WTF"
December 13, 2012
Full review pending. Loved it. Want more!
December 22, 2017
I find it a little sad that any book featuring a school, children and magic must now be compared to Harry Potter, or at the very least, marketed to HP fans, as though there were no books in this wide genre before JK Rowling's efforts. It suggests copy cats and jumping on bandwagons and I think that's quite unfair.
This book has its own rich world and back story, with characters and storylines completely different from those I've read elsewhere.
I warm to the main cast, and to the side characters too and the story line is enough to keep me reading at good pace.
Simplistic yes, this is essentially a kids' story, after all, but one written in intelligent enough a way that it's a decent read for adults too.
This book has its own rich world and back story, with characters and storylines completely different from those I've read elsewhere.
I warm to the main cast, and to the side characters too and the story line is enough to keep me reading at good pace.
Simplistic yes, this is essentially a kids' story, after all, but one written in intelligent enough a way that it's a decent read for adults too.
December 19, 2018
Okay, but lacking depth to characters
A good storyline. It started out with very strong echoes of Harry Potter - an orphaned boy living with an unpleasant, cheapskate couple who use him as free labour until he is given a place at a mysterious boarding school. From that point it veers off into different tracks, enough to give the book its own world. As I was reading, though, I found myself uninvolved and unable feel any empathy for the characters. As an adult reader I would only give it 3 stars and not be inclined to pursue the series further. I think children would probably enjoy it more, hence the 4 star rating.
A good storyline. It started out with very strong echoes of Harry Potter - an orphaned boy living with an unpleasant, cheapskate couple who use him as free labour until he is given a place at a mysterious boarding school. From that point it veers off into different tracks, enough to give the book its own world. As I was reading, though, I found myself uninvolved and unable feel any empathy for the characters. As an adult reader I would only give it 3 stars and not be inclined to pursue the series further. I think children would probably enjoy it more, hence the 4 star rating.
June 23, 2017
I've been reading a fair amount of youth/tween fiction lately, previewing for my kids. As a rule, they are formulaic and easy to predict. With that caveat, I found the book a pretty good read. There were a few contrivances to keep Thomas' secret to the end that were hard to swallow, yet, I could forgive them. While, I could foreshadow the future story lines that might come out of the story and the likely ending, it was still an enjoyable read.
December 29, 2020
This fantasy YA novel started slowly and seemed overly evocative of Harry Potter without the charm. Once the action finally began, divergent worlds and creatures from those worlds were interesting. However, the model of the worlds was poorly described and a map would have been helpful. It also ended rather abruptly.
April 13, 2018
Meh
Definitely for those 12 and younger. Middle school aged was about right. The story wasn’t necessarily super well written, but it wasn’t bad enough not to finish the book. Clean read.
Definitely for those 12 and younger. Middle school aged was about right. The story wasn’t necessarily super well written, but it wasn’t bad enough not to finish the book. Clean read.
November 24, 2022
May be a “kids” book but it’s great for adults too
Loved this book. It’s not just a kids book, it’s an adult book about kids… Mr. Andrews built the story well and there is lots of mystery and excitement. Wish Book 2 was available to continue the story.
Loved this book. It’s not just a kids book, it’s an adult book about kids… Mr. Andrews built the story well and there is lots of mystery and excitement. Wish Book 2 was available to continue the story.
September 28, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent in this story. The only disappointment is there is currently no sequel to allow more time spent with Thomas and friends. I’ll likely re-read this one at a later date.
February 26, 2020
3+. Very good back. Definite call backs to Harry Potter, but it's it's own story. Well written and kept me interested.
May 22, 2021
Exciting story. Twist turns
I really liked this story. I wasn't sure what to expect but the twists and turns
The friendships. I can't wait to read the next book
I really liked this story. I wasn't sure what to expect but the twists and turns
The friendships. I can't wait to read the next book
March 28, 2023
I got all the way to page 118 and just couldn’t read anymore it was so boring. It was a really bad Harry Potter story
September 19, 2025
wonderfully written
A story full of new worlds and people plus magic that will keep you turning pages as Thomas Farrell learns of his true lineage.
A story full of new worlds and people plus magic that will keep you turning pages as Thomas Farrell learns of his true lineage.
October 19, 2018
Okay, not really for me
March 6, 2017
The Serpent in the Glass borrowed heavily from ideas found in Harry Potter as well as other fantasy series (but mostly Harry Potter). The story starts slow, but really takes off once all the characters and settings have been introduced. It’s fun to read (if a little too similar to Hary Potter). My 8 and 10 year old sons liked it a lot. It makes an very nice read aloud for families.
April 27, 2013
I was hooked by the description of this book which clearly indicated that it was based around Celtic mythology which is a subject I am quite interested in.
As other reviewers have indicated there are similarities between Thomas Farrell and Harry Potter. Some of these similarities are mythic archetypes - the orphaned child with a mysterious destiny - but others seem to be more unnecessarily derivative. This is unfortunate as it might well deter some readers in the early stages of the book.
Once Thomas and his friends discover the secret of Darkledun Manor the book really does take off. The author has an interesting take on Celtic mythology which I found interesting and enjoyable. My only reservation being the depiction of Cernunnos as the 'bad guy'. Obviously the demands of narrative tension are such that somebody has to be set up in opposition to the De Dannan but this does mean that the real Cernunnos of Celtic mythology is very much misrepresented. Nevertheless I do feel that the treatment of the mythology is a strength of the book.
The character of Thomas Farrell is well written however not all of the supporting cast are as well developed. In particular Thomas' schoolfriends seem rather two-dimensional. However there are also stronger characterisations; I was impressed by Trevelyan and Ghillie Dhu.
The Serpent in the Glass is a slow starter but the world created by DM Andrews really comes into it's own in the later stages of the book. I would definitely look out for the sequel. Hopefully it will be quicker to 'get going' than this series opener.
As other reviewers have indicated there are similarities between Thomas Farrell and Harry Potter. Some of these similarities are mythic archetypes - the orphaned child with a mysterious destiny - but others seem to be more unnecessarily derivative. This is unfortunate as it might well deter some readers in the early stages of the book.
Once Thomas and his friends discover the secret of Darkledun Manor the book really does take off. The author has an interesting take on Celtic mythology which I found interesting and enjoyable. My only reservation being the depiction of Cernunnos as the 'bad guy'. Obviously the demands of narrative tension are such that somebody has to be set up in opposition to the De Dannan but this does mean that the real Cernunnos of Celtic mythology is very much misrepresented. Nevertheless I do feel that the treatment of the mythology is a strength of the book.
The character of Thomas Farrell is well written however not all of the supporting cast are as well developed. In particular Thomas' schoolfriends seem rather two-dimensional. However there are also stronger characterisations; I was impressed by Trevelyan and Ghillie Dhu.
The Serpent in the Glass is a slow starter but the world created by DM Andrews really comes into it's own in the later stages of the book. I would definitely look out for the sequel. Hopefully it will be quicker to 'get going' than this series opener.
March 29, 2016
This is a middle grade story with magic and mythic elements.
It begins like this: “A badly painted garden gnome with a look of surprise upon its face sat atop a bright red toadstool. In its hand it held a fishing rod, the hook of which hung unmoving in the windless Hertfordshire air several inches above a small pond’s still surface. The gnome’s eyes seemed fixed on the other side of the garden where a greenhouse sat in the shade of a crab apple tree. Every other pane of glass had been painted lime green so as to create a checkerboard effect. Thomas stood on a large wooden box in the loft, his eye pressed against the hole in the roof as he stared down through a broken tile.”
The author, D. M. Andrews, is a skilled story teller. This novel is the first of a series of stories. It was hard for me to connect with the main character because of the detachment of the story teller. The mythic and magical elements of the story were confusing and took me out of the story. They were not woven into the story’s whole properly.
The device of an orphan going off to school is common to middle grade literature, but it should be handled in an unusual way to draw us into the adventure. The other characters were not realistically drawn. The dialogue was not age appropriate. The magical elements were very imaginative. It is too bad that the sum of the parts did not make a suitable whole.
I give it three stars out of a possible five.
June 26, 2013
Interestingly enough, I didn’t realize this was a YA book when I started reading it. By the time I realized it, I was hooked.
The beginning is a bit formulaic. The main character, Thomas Farrell, is an orphan. His adopted parents gave him a tiny room in the attic. He sleeps on a dog bed, cooks all the meals for the household, and is even given a chore of scraping up lichen on his birthday. His adopted mother won’t even speak directly to him, and only talks to him through his adopted sister.
On his eleventh birthday, a man visits with a letter. The letter tells him he has inherited a place at Darkledun Manor, a school for gifted children. He also finds he has inherited a small glass ball containing a sleeping dragon (the serpent in the glass).
So far, a lot like the beginning to Harry Potter. But only at first.
When he and his sister Jessica get to school, at first everything seems normal. Then the strange happenings occur. It seems something sinister is afoot in the Manor. While investigating, Thomas and his friends discover Thomas’s Serpent ball has magical powers. It takes them to the ‘Other’ half of the school, inside a Hollow Hill Sidhe mound.
Thomas and his friends learn more about the secret half of the school, all the while searching for clues about Thomas’s heritage.
I won’t give away any more, but I will say I am breathlessly awaiting the sequel.
The beginning is a bit formulaic. The main character, Thomas Farrell, is an orphan. His adopted parents gave him a tiny room in the attic. He sleeps on a dog bed, cooks all the meals for the household, and is even given a chore of scraping up lichen on his birthday. His adopted mother won’t even speak directly to him, and only talks to him through his adopted sister.
On his eleventh birthday, a man visits with a letter. The letter tells him he has inherited a place at Darkledun Manor, a school for gifted children. He also finds he has inherited a small glass ball containing a sleeping dragon (the serpent in the glass).
So far, a lot like the beginning to Harry Potter. But only at first.
When he and his sister Jessica get to school, at first everything seems normal. Then the strange happenings occur. It seems something sinister is afoot in the Manor. While investigating, Thomas and his friends discover Thomas’s Serpent ball has magical powers. It takes them to the ‘Other’ half of the school, inside a Hollow Hill Sidhe mound.
Thomas and his friends learn more about the secret half of the school, all the while searching for clues about Thomas’s heritage.
I won’t give away any more, but I will say I am breathlessly awaiting the sequel.
January 12, 2016
Good stater for a young reader. Some spoilers
The Serpent in the Glass is a good starting novel for readers who are just getting into fantasy. This is a "typical" coming to age story. You have your hero who spent know who he is. Then you have the all powerful magician. The strong m gruff come to the rescue person. The a mother figure who is a boot unusual. Our !ain character is an orphan who did not know his parents and is raised by some one else. His adoptive sister takes care of him. His adoptive parents could careless he is there and treat him like a servant. An the mysterious message is sent and the adventures begins. Is has some Harry Potteresque parts as stated before but differs in Tho!as is not just a wizard singled out. He is from another race and of noble birth whose duty it is to rid thee worlds from evil. The school itself is not a school of magic and so far it seems Thomas and few other like the headmaster can do magic. There is a stern deputy headmistress and a goodhearted caretaker.
So far the main characters (the children) are coming along and seem to be developing OK. Their friends are described and had some build up to their characteristics. The adults are less defined and hopefully come along later.
All in all this is a god story and I have put this on my 10year olds kindle.
The Serpent in the Glass is a good starting novel for readers who are just getting into fantasy. This is a "typical" coming to age story. You have your hero who spent know who he is. Then you have the all powerful magician. The strong m gruff come to the rescue person. The a mother figure who is a boot unusual. Our !ain character is an orphan who did not know his parents and is raised by some one else. His adoptive sister takes care of him. His adoptive parents could careless he is there and treat him like a servant. An the mysterious message is sent and the adventures begins. Is has some Harry Potteresque parts as stated before but differs in Tho!as is not just a wizard singled out. He is from another race and of noble birth whose duty it is to rid thee worlds from evil. The school itself is not a school of magic and so far it seems Thomas and few other like the headmaster can do magic. There is a stern deputy headmistress and a goodhearted caretaker.
So far the main characters (the children) are coming along and seem to be developing OK. Their friends are described and had some build up to their characteristics. The adults are less defined and hopefully come along later.
All in all this is a god story and I have put this on my 10year olds kindle.
January 27, 2013
On his eleventh birthday, Thomas Farrell finds out that his dead parents have left him a glass orb containing a mysterious serpent, and a scholarship to the Darkledun Manor school for gifted children. But the school turns out to contain a portal into a mystical and mythical land...
My first impression of this book was "Harry Potter meets Narnia", but the more I read, the more i was reminded of Lev Grossman's The Magicians, although for a younger audience. This is aimed squarely at older children, or the younger end of the YA scale. We don't get wizards and magicians, but instead worlds based on myth and legends, with a cast of mystical creatures and things that are not always what they seem.
If I have to be picky, I'd say that the book takes its time to get started, and then when it eventually does get going, it ends. At the end of the book we're left feeling that things have only got started. On the plus side that leaves us longing for more, but on the minus side I feel we could have had more.
My first impression of this book was "Harry Potter meets Narnia", but the more I read, the more i was reminded of Lev Grossman's The Magicians, although for a younger audience. This is aimed squarely at older children, or the younger end of the YA scale. We don't get wizards and magicians, but instead worlds based on myth and legends, with a cast of mystical creatures and things that are not always what they seem.
If I have to be picky, I'd say that the book takes its time to get started, and then when it eventually does get going, it ends. At the end of the book we're left feeling that things have only got started. On the plus side that leaves us longing for more, but on the minus side I feel we could have had more.
January 2, 2013
My heart sank when I started reading the first chapter of this book. The story begins with an orphaned boy turning 11... I really didn't want to read Harry Potter over again, however I found so many good reviews on here that I cynically continued. I'm really glad I did, once past the slow start, I found the feel of the book quite different to the Harry Potter series.
As others have said the book is focused on mythology and includes Celtic gods like Cernunnos, whose character portrayal deviates from the usual interpretation, but as so little is known about him, this is not by any means a criticism.
I found some parts of the book were much better written than others, the first chapters seemed to be particularly polished and it is a pity the rest wasn't quite to the same standard. Some parts felt quite rushed and it was hard to imagine the scenes and really feel a part of the action at those times.
As others have said the book is focused on mythology and includes Celtic gods like Cernunnos, whose character portrayal deviates from the usual interpretation, but as so little is known about him, this is not by any means a criticism.
I found some parts of the book were much better written than others, the first chapters seemed to be particularly polished and it is a pity the rest wasn't quite to the same standard. Some parts felt quite rushed and it was hard to imagine the scenes and really feel a part of the action at those times.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews