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Heroes of the Valley
Halli Sveinsson has grown up in the House of Svein, listening to the legends of the heroes as all his forefathers did. His is a peaceful society where the violence of the past has been outlawed and disputes are settled by the Council.
483 pages, Hardcover
First published January 27, 2009
139 people are currently reading
3260 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Stroud
63 books11k followersJonathan Anthony Stroud is an author of fantasy books, mainly for children and youths.
Stroud grew up in St Albans where he enjoyed reading books, drawing pictures, and writing stories. Between the ages seven and nine he was often ill, so he spent most of his days in the hospital or in his bed at home. To escape boredom he would occupy himself with books and stories. After he completed his studies of English literature at the University of York, he worked in London as an editor for the Walker Books store. He worked with different types of books there and this soon led to the writing of his own books. During the 1990s, he started publishing his own works and quickly gained success.
In May 1999, Stroud published his first children's novel, Buried Fire, which was the first of a line of fantasy/mythology children's books.
Among his most prominent works are the bestselling Bartimaeus Trilogy. A special feature of these novels compared to others of their genre is that Stroud examines the stereotypes and ethics of the magician class and the enslaved demons. This is done by examining the perspective of the sarcastic and slightly egomaniacal djinni Bartimaeus. The books in this series are The Amulet of Samarkand, The Golem's Eye, and Ptolemy's Gate, his first books to be published in the United States.
Stroud lives in St Albans, Hertfordshire, with his two children, Isabelle and Arthur, and his wife Gina, an illustrator of children's books.
Stroud grew up in St Albans where he enjoyed reading books, drawing pictures, and writing stories. Between the ages seven and nine he was often ill, so he spent most of his days in the hospital or in his bed at home. To escape boredom he would occupy himself with books and stories. After he completed his studies of English literature at the University of York, he worked in London as an editor for the Walker Books store. He worked with different types of books there and this soon led to the writing of his own books. During the 1990s, he started publishing his own works and quickly gained success.
In May 1999, Stroud published his first children's novel, Buried Fire, which was the first of a line of fantasy/mythology children's books.
Among his most prominent works are the bestselling Bartimaeus Trilogy. A special feature of these novels compared to others of their genre is that Stroud examines the stereotypes and ethics of the magician class and the enslaved demons. This is done by examining the perspective of the sarcastic and slightly egomaniacal djinni Bartimaeus. The books in this series are The Amulet of Samarkand, The Golem's Eye, and Ptolemy's Gate, his first books to be published in the United States.
Stroud lives in St Albans, Hertfordshire, with his two children, Isabelle and Arthur, and his wife Gina, an illustrator of children's books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 733 reviews
January 30, 2009
Jonathan Stroud simply is not a fan of innocent protagonists as pure as the newly driven snow. He has little patience for innocents as main characters. No time for guys like Harry Potter or Frodo, who find themselves thrust into dangerous situations that were not of their own making. Give Stroud a nicely corrupt kid or a wildly headstrong hero any day of the week. Having burst upon the juvenile writing scene with his breathtaking Bartimaeus trilogy, Stroud now scales himself back a little with a slightly more conservative fantasy going by the name Heroes of the Valley. Masquerading as yet another boy-shepherd-learns-how-the-world-really-works tale, Stroud's newest book may seem to tread a well worn path but in fact it has all the zip, panache, and intelligence you would expect of the man who made footnotes a literary technique (outside of Pale Fire and Jonathan Strange, of course . . .). It has a slow start, but stick with Heroes of the Valley and you will discover a smart bit of storytelling that knows how to suck in its readership.
Halli has grown up hearing the stories. How the heroes of the Houses in the valley drove back the horrible monstrous Trows and that's why no one can ever leave the valley again. Halli yearns for those old days, when violence and fighting could solve problems, particularly since in this current world Halli stands out. He is rough and short and ugly and prone to getting into trouble. Pranks come to him easily, but when a particularly keen one leads to the death of someone he loves, Halli vows to avenge the murder. Yet the boy has no idea what lies in store for him, or just how important it will be to remember those old stories and find out the truth (and lies) behind them.
Trying to compare Heroes to other children's books isn't difficult, but I did find that it broke certain rules. Like Taran from the Prydain Chronicles), Halli yearns for battle and glory. As such, the first half of this book takes on a distinctly Don Quixote flavor, with Halli in both the role as the deluded would-be knight and his much put upon squire. Halli meets odd characters, goes against all rhyme, reason, and sense and then only finds himself facing the truth about the world around him when given exactly the thing he has been searching for. This is a quest novel where the quest keeps changing. If it reminded me of anything it was of the smart fantasy writing of Nancy Farmer in her The Sea of Trolls. But it's hard to find anyone to compare to the hero in this book.
Generally as heroes go, usually they can at least fight a little bit. But Halli, aside from being one of the uglier bandy-legged protagonists out there, is both short and incapable of fighting someone. To his credit, he's pretty good at escaping from death (though in truth a lot of that is probably due to the fact that swords pass a fair foot above his head half the time). But how many books have you read where the hero's short legs prevented him from making a clean escape time and time again? It's kind of novel, really.
And now let's talk about female characters a bit, shall we? For all that Stroud likes his boys flawed and wretched, he does a darn good girl. This may not sound too remarkable. Many a fantasy writer for kids knows how to write strong women characters. But I would go so far as to say that male fantasy writers for kids almost always make those same girls humorless. Not always (a tip of the hat to Neil Gaiman here) but more often than I would like. Not Stroud, though. No sir, when you first meet Aud she is falling out of trees, laughing, and mocking Halli in a truly humorous fashion when his ridiculousness comes to be too much. Aud is the daughter of one of the lords from another House. She has all the spunk and verve you would expect, but that's not extraordinary. I was far more interested in how funny she could be. It's a trait that serves her well in the tale.
There is an interesting lack of religion or spirituality to this book's world, which is probably a necessity for many a children's author (Fly by Night aside). It also makes one of the book's central themes stand out without raising too much controversy. I doubt very much that you will hear that a parent has attempted to ban Heroes of the Valley because the story argues vehemently against a blind allegiance to past beliefs and ideas. The slow reveal of the truth behind the stories Halli has loved for so long grows more delicious as the tale carries on. There is much to be said here about cultural traditions and a society that fails to question its own rules from time to time. Consider Halli the Harry Beaton of his own private Brigadoon.
The writing itself proves to be similar to the Bartimaeus books, even if the story is so vastly different. Stroud excels at ending a chapter on a tense note. There's a wonderful moment when Halli leaves a sick man's bedside, convinced that the fellow (who wants to kill him) is helpless. Then, in the dimming light, all Halli hears is the sound of a mattress that has just had a weight removed from it. Coo. Aside from basic competencies in producing a strong plot, metaphor, storyline, and smattering of character development, Stroud is also keen in including small amusing asides. At one point Aud and Halli are discussing various Heroes from he past and she makes a reference to how one of them came home with some outlaws' heads in a little string bag. Halli says, "A little string bag? . . . Sounds a bit girly. Who did that? Arne?" Aud replies, "No, no, I think it was Gest, or one of the other rubbish ones." I don't know why but I love that little throwaway scene. These two characters are in the midst of a serious conversation and Stroud has the wherewithal to include a dash of humor. It's a pretty British move, and more than welcome considering the circumstances.
I run a homeschooler bookgroup, and my kids recently complained to me about fantasy novels that are parts of a series. For once they wanted to read something that could stand on its own. Now insofar as I can tell, Heroes of the Valley isn't slapping large signs that say "VOLUME ONE" all over its covers. And when you read the book it certainly remains self-contained, without any difficulty. But that ending . . . oh, don't worry. No spoiler alerts here. I won't say a thing except that it certainly wouldn't be impossible if Stroud felt inclined to go about making a sequel or two in his spare time. There certainly is more story to tell, and I for one would be first in line to buy if he felt inclined to carry on.
I was a little perturbed to find that one of the book's major villains takes his leave of this earth off-screen, so to speak. Seemed a bit unsporting of Stroud. And there is also the little matter of the book's beginning being so slow. My advice is to encourage child readers to strive ever on. In fact, by the end of the story you will find yourself hard pressed to pry the title from well-clenched hands. I came within an inch of missing my subway stop the other day because I had had the misfortune to be reading Chapter 26 at the wrong time. All that aside, this is a fine frisky novel. A book that comes to a full boil about 3/4ths of the way in and is worth the wait. If you have ever wanted a fantasy for kids that shows a character learning and growing, this is one of the best examples I've found to date. Worth the reading. Extremely enjoyable.
Ages 10 and up.
Halli has grown up hearing the stories. How the heroes of the Houses in the valley drove back the horrible monstrous Trows and that's why no one can ever leave the valley again. Halli yearns for those old days, when violence and fighting could solve problems, particularly since in this current world Halli stands out. He is rough and short and ugly and prone to getting into trouble. Pranks come to him easily, but when a particularly keen one leads to the death of someone he loves, Halli vows to avenge the murder. Yet the boy has no idea what lies in store for him, or just how important it will be to remember those old stories and find out the truth (and lies) behind them.
Trying to compare Heroes to other children's books isn't difficult, but I did find that it broke certain rules. Like Taran from the Prydain Chronicles), Halli yearns for battle and glory. As such, the first half of this book takes on a distinctly Don Quixote flavor, with Halli in both the role as the deluded would-be knight and his much put upon squire. Halli meets odd characters, goes against all rhyme, reason, and sense and then only finds himself facing the truth about the world around him when given exactly the thing he has been searching for. This is a quest novel where the quest keeps changing. If it reminded me of anything it was of the smart fantasy writing of Nancy Farmer in her The Sea of Trolls. But it's hard to find anyone to compare to the hero in this book.
Generally as heroes go, usually they can at least fight a little bit. But Halli, aside from being one of the uglier bandy-legged protagonists out there, is both short and incapable of fighting someone. To his credit, he's pretty good at escaping from death (though in truth a lot of that is probably due to the fact that swords pass a fair foot above his head half the time). But how many books have you read where the hero's short legs prevented him from making a clean escape time and time again? It's kind of novel, really.
And now let's talk about female characters a bit, shall we? For all that Stroud likes his boys flawed and wretched, he does a darn good girl. This may not sound too remarkable. Many a fantasy writer for kids knows how to write strong women characters. But I would go so far as to say that male fantasy writers for kids almost always make those same girls humorless. Not always (a tip of the hat to Neil Gaiman here) but more often than I would like. Not Stroud, though. No sir, when you first meet Aud she is falling out of trees, laughing, and mocking Halli in a truly humorous fashion when his ridiculousness comes to be too much. Aud is the daughter of one of the lords from another House. She has all the spunk and verve you would expect, but that's not extraordinary. I was far more interested in how funny she could be. It's a trait that serves her well in the tale.
There is an interesting lack of religion or spirituality to this book's world, which is probably a necessity for many a children's author (Fly by Night aside). It also makes one of the book's central themes stand out without raising too much controversy. I doubt very much that you will hear that a parent has attempted to ban Heroes of the Valley because the story argues vehemently against a blind allegiance to past beliefs and ideas. The slow reveal of the truth behind the stories Halli has loved for so long grows more delicious as the tale carries on. There is much to be said here about cultural traditions and a society that fails to question its own rules from time to time. Consider Halli the Harry Beaton of his own private Brigadoon.
The writing itself proves to be similar to the Bartimaeus books, even if the story is so vastly different. Stroud excels at ending a chapter on a tense note. There's a wonderful moment when Halli leaves a sick man's bedside, convinced that the fellow (who wants to kill him) is helpless. Then, in the dimming light, all Halli hears is the sound of a mattress that has just had a weight removed from it. Coo. Aside from basic competencies in producing a strong plot, metaphor, storyline, and smattering of character development, Stroud is also keen in including small amusing asides. At one point Aud and Halli are discussing various Heroes from he past and she makes a reference to how one of them came home with some outlaws' heads in a little string bag. Halli says, "A little string bag? . . . Sounds a bit girly. Who did that? Arne?" Aud replies, "No, no, I think it was Gest, or one of the other rubbish ones." I don't know why but I love that little throwaway scene. These two characters are in the midst of a serious conversation and Stroud has the wherewithal to include a dash of humor. It's a pretty British move, and more than welcome considering the circumstances.
I run a homeschooler bookgroup, and my kids recently complained to me about fantasy novels that are parts of a series. For once they wanted to read something that could stand on its own. Now insofar as I can tell, Heroes of the Valley isn't slapping large signs that say "VOLUME ONE" all over its covers. And when you read the book it certainly remains self-contained, without any difficulty. But that ending . . . oh, don't worry. No spoiler alerts here. I won't say a thing except that it certainly wouldn't be impossible if Stroud felt inclined to go about making a sequel or two in his spare time. There certainly is more story to tell, and I for one would be first in line to buy if he felt inclined to carry on.
I was a little perturbed to find that one of the book's major villains takes his leave of this earth off-screen, so to speak. Seemed a bit unsporting of Stroud. And there is also the little matter of the book's beginning being so slow. My advice is to encourage child readers to strive ever on. In fact, by the end of the story you will find yourself hard pressed to pry the title from well-clenched hands. I came within an inch of missing my subway stop the other day because I had had the misfortune to be reading Chapter 26 at the wrong time. All that aside, this is a fine frisky novel. A book that comes to a full boil about 3/4ths of the way in and is worth the wait. If you have ever wanted a fantasy for kids that shows a character learning and growing, this is one of the best examples I've found to date. Worth the reading. Extremely enjoyable.
Ages 10 and up.
March 17, 2015
I read Stroud's Bartimaeus trilogy and liked it pretty well, the writing and the originality of the book (especially the ending) impressed me. THIS BOOK I think I can sum up (at least in my humble opinion) in 3 words... "OH GOOD GRIEF".
Now I am tempted to let my one star rating and those three words sum up my feelings here and move on. I see many enjoyed this book (actually, predictably I think). I didn't, so to be fair to those who would like more detail let me add another phrase, seven words this time, "been there, done that, got the T-shirt".
This book, like several other "youth books" I've come across (many of which have what Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn would call a "whole raft of awards") is far more "youth indoctrination" than "youth literature". This story exists solely to drill the desired "lesson" into minds of it's readers. Now while that in itself is a huge problem for me a worse one is...it doesn't even do it while telling a good story. The story begins somewhat slowly, becomes repetitive and beats the reader over the head with it's "persuasion" (brainwashing?), and it does it with all the finesse and delicacy of a howitzer shell.
So, should I tell the BIG lesson of the book? That would of course constitute a spoiler and therefore negate the necessity of you finishing the book. I could be doing you a favor...still there are some of you who I'm sure will want to read it for yourself, heck some will wholeheartedly embrace the indoctrination. So, I'll cover that below a spoiler warning. For now I give the book one (1) star. Why do I give the book one star? Because I can't give it less without it looking like I just read the book and didn't rate it.
I can't recommend this one.
Now I am tempted to let my one star rating and those three words sum up my feelings here and move on. I see many enjoyed this book (actually, predictably I think). I didn't, so to be fair to those who would like more detail let me add another phrase, seven words this time, "been there, done that, got the T-shirt".
This book, like several other "youth books" I've come across (many of which have what Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn would call a "whole raft of awards") is far more "youth indoctrination" than "youth literature". This story exists solely to drill the desired "lesson" into minds of it's readers. Now while that in itself is a huge problem for me a worse one is...it doesn't even do it while telling a good story. The story begins somewhat slowly, becomes repetitive and beats the reader over the head with it's "persuasion" (brainwashing?), and it does it with all the finesse and delicacy of a howitzer shell.
So, should I tell the BIG lesson of the book? That would of course constitute a spoiler and therefore negate the necessity of you finishing the book. I could be doing you a favor...still there are some of you who I'm sure will want to read it for yourself, heck some will wholeheartedly embrace the indoctrination. So, I'll cover that below a spoiler warning. For now I give the book one (1) star. Why do I give the book one star? Because I can't give it less without it looking like I just read the book and didn't rate it.
I can't recommend this one.
July 26, 2011
Heroes of the Valley turned out to be a good book to listen on audio. At first I wasn't sure how much I'd like it, but I ended up enjoying it immensely.
Halli is a roguish, endearing young hero who wrapped himself around my heart. Although he was quite a prankster, he was a good kid at heart. He didn't really get a chance to shine until he broke free from the mold of his family and their expectations for him. This took him on a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment about his world. Everyone in the Valley lives in the shadow of their great ancestors, who all died in a standoff with trolls that were plaguing the humans of the Valley. Now, they are nearly worshipped by each of the twelve houses founded in their names. Halli grew up with tales of the bravado of his ancestor, Svein, and wishes to commit similar feats of bravery to have his name listed in the hall of heroes. That's a bit hard to do with the current situations. All weapons are outlawed and any disputes are judged by the Lawgivers, women of the twelve houses.
When Halli's uncle Broda is murdered by Olaf of the Hakonsons, Halli is determined to avenge his uncle. He goes on a journey deeper into the valley, and comes to realize that heroism and bravery is not the way it sounds in the stories he was weaned on.
Halli makes it on my heroes I love shelf because he is a great kid. He is brave in a real life way. He gets himself into some very sticky situations, but he fights his way through with his ingenuity and his determination. He's not unaware that others view him in a negative light, but he doesn't let that stop him from doing what he believes is right. He stands up for himself, and others, and I loved his pluck. He's an outrageous kid who tells it like it is, and that's a trait that I can't help but admire. And Halli saves the day in a great way, not just to be labeled as the Hero, but because it's the right thing to do.
Jonathan Stroud keeps the reader guessing where Halli's adventures will lead him next, and this makes for a book that is nothing like I expected. I'm still trying to work my mind around the twist near the end that I completely didn't expect.
Heroes of the Valley has some good messages for younger (and older readers) about being true to yourself, standing up for what you believe, and using your wits instead of resorting to violent actions. There is violence, yet it's not pointless. Instead, violence in this story is used to illustrate something important. Violence doesn't make you a hero just because you are capable of using brute force to harm others and end lives. There is a place for it, but we must all question when is violence necessary, and count the cost of that violence, which can be a lot greater than we previously anticipated. In this story, the reader sees what kind of man Svein really was, and you have to wonder if he's truly a hero. Or do our heroes truly have feet of clay that merely make them the humans they were all along, despite their fantastic, lauded deeds. I truly believe that each person has it in them to be the hero, merely by standing up and doing what's right when they find themselves in those situations that don't even seem very grand. But their actions can be crucial, and how they react to those situations can define them and how confrontations end up being resolved, for the better or worse.
I didn't have a lot of expectations for this, but I ended up a satisfied listener. I think the narrator did a good job, and he brought the characters to life in a distinctive manner that fits the story, and had me listening intently. I am glad I was able to meet Halli, and his young girl friend Aud. They are definitely the true heroes in this story.
Halli is a roguish, endearing young hero who wrapped himself around my heart. Although he was quite a prankster, he was a good kid at heart. He didn't really get a chance to shine until he broke free from the mold of his family and their expectations for him. This took him on a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment about his world. Everyone in the Valley lives in the shadow of their great ancestors, who all died in a standoff with trolls that were plaguing the humans of the Valley. Now, they are nearly worshipped by each of the twelve houses founded in their names. Halli grew up with tales of the bravado of his ancestor, Svein, and wishes to commit similar feats of bravery to have his name listed in the hall of heroes. That's a bit hard to do with the current situations. All weapons are outlawed and any disputes are judged by the Lawgivers, women of the twelve houses.
When Halli's uncle Broda is murdered by Olaf of the Hakonsons, Halli is determined to avenge his uncle. He goes on a journey deeper into the valley, and comes to realize that heroism and bravery is not the way it sounds in the stories he was weaned on.
Halli makes it on my heroes I love shelf because he is a great kid. He is brave in a real life way. He gets himself into some very sticky situations, but he fights his way through with his ingenuity and his determination. He's not unaware that others view him in a negative light, but he doesn't let that stop him from doing what he believes is right. He stands up for himself, and others, and I loved his pluck. He's an outrageous kid who tells it like it is, and that's a trait that I can't help but admire. And Halli saves the day in a great way, not just to be labeled as the Hero, but because it's the right thing to do.
Jonathan Stroud keeps the reader guessing where Halli's adventures will lead him next, and this makes for a book that is nothing like I expected. I'm still trying to work my mind around the twist near the end that I completely didn't expect.
Heroes of the Valley has some good messages for younger (and older readers) about being true to yourself, standing up for what you believe, and using your wits instead of resorting to violent actions. There is violence, yet it's not pointless. Instead, violence in this story is used to illustrate something important. Violence doesn't make you a hero just because you are capable of using brute force to harm others and end lives. There is a place for it, but we must all question when is violence necessary, and count the cost of that violence, which can be a lot greater than we previously anticipated. In this story, the reader sees what kind of man Svein really was, and you have to wonder if he's truly a hero. Or do our heroes truly have feet of clay that merely make them the humans they were all along, despite their fantastic, lauded deeds. I truly believe that each person has it in them to be the hero, merely by standing up and doing what's right when they find themselves in those situations that don't even seem very grand. But their actions can be crucial, and how they react to those situations can define them and how confrontations end up being resolved, for the better or worse.
I didn't have a lot of expectations for this, but I ended up a satisfied listener. I think the narrator did a good job, and he brought the characters to life in a distinctive manner that fits the story, and had me listening intently. I am glad I was able to meet Halli, and his young girl friend Aud. They are definitely the true heroes in this story.
June 3, 2011
Stroud's best book.
This a fantasy set in an isolated valley above a fjord where farming and feuding are the primary occupations. The culture is based on what can be found in Icelandic sagas, complete with a heavy emphasis on legal disputes. The protagonist, a boy with a quick wit and a way with words, is fascinated by the legends of the Heroes who settled the valley and made it safe from the monsters that lived underground and preyed on the new-comers. He hopes for a more exciting life than being a tenant farmer and has a talent for making mischeif and a set of ideals that eventually leads him away from home and into an adventure like and yet unlike those in the tales of the Heroes.
Stroud brings the humour of the Bartimaeus books and the seriousness of The Last Siege together and blends them excellently to give us a sympathetic yet flawed protagonist, whose dialogue is a delight and whose journey is as much about self-discovery as learning the true nature of the society he lives in. The story is unpredictable, with an ending I would never have guessed and is about stories themselves: how legends form and our relationship to them. Excellently realised, thought-provoking and fun.
This a fantasy set in an isolated valley above a fjord where farming and feuding are the primary occupations. The culture is based on what can be found in Icelandic sagas, complete with a heavy emphasis on legal disputes. The protagonist, a boy with a quick wit and a way with words, is fascinated by the legends of the Heroes who settled the valley and made it safe from the monsters that lived underground and preyed on the new-comers. He hopes for a more exciting life than being a tenant farmer and has a talent for making mischeif and a set of ideals that eventually leads him away from home and into an adventure like and yet unlike those in the tales of the Heroes.
Stroud brings the humour of the Bartimaeus books and the seriousness of The Last Siege together and blends them excellently to give us a sympathetic yet flawed protagonist, whose dialogue is a delight and whose journey is as much about self-discovery as learning the true nature of the society he lives in. The story is unpredictable, with an ending I would never have guessed and is about stories themselves: how legends form and our relationship to them. Excellently realised, thought-provoking and fun.
May 23, 2011
*maaf, tulisan berikut ini adalah dongeng semata, bukan sebuah review*
Kisah Bangsawan Bunga Mawar dan Bocah Salah Asuhan
Mari, mari sini semua mendekat. Ya, Sobat, kau juga. Kau yang sempat membelalakkan matamu tanpa hasil yang keren. Kau langsung tahu siapa aku, tentu saja. Memang kecantikanku tidak mungkin melayu dalam tiga tahun ini. Sekiranya pun pandangan menyedihkanmu ternyata makin kabur, begitu langkahku melewati pintu masuk Penginapan Suka Tidur ini kau bisa mengendus wangi patenku, Moroccan Rose -kubeli di Body Shop, tentu saja tidak kuekstrak sendiri. Kurang kerjaan banget. Memang masih dirikulah ini, sang Bangsawan Lembut Hati nan Berduri, satu2nya dengan Cap Bunga Mawar Merah yang masyhur.
Ya, ya, kau juga tahu siapa aku, wahai Tuan bertopi pelaut di pojok sana. Tentu aku mengenali rambut keriting yang gagal kau rebonding saat mencoba naik pangkat menjadi kelasi pertama di The Flying Dutchman. Tahu tidak, si tengkorak tua sial itu kini terdampar di Benua Putih, dihempas badai selepas meloloskan diri dari Selat Magelhaens. Biarkan saja, kataku, biar tahu rasa dijepit es Antartika dan diolok2 penguin abad 21.
Ah ya, terimakasih, Bung. Ini minumanku sudah tiba. Kuharap persis sama dengan yang kuminum tiga tahun lalu, teh tawar hangat seduhan daun teh cap mawar. Ngomong2, dalam pengembaraanku rakyat Sari Wangi menyuguhiku teh nikmat, Gold Selection aroma jeruk. Sayang aku tak bisa membaginya dengan kalian. Beli sendiri saja, ya. Kalian tentu tahu aku tidak mengunyah tembakau, ganja, menenggak bir. anggur atau ale. Aku masih konsisten dengan diet golongan darah. Kalau tidak terpaksa, aku takkan menggoreskan duriku pada nyamuk. Kurang higienis, kalau boleh kuingatkan.
Nah, baiklah. Kalian sudah mendekat semua, sudah yakin bahwa aku ounya sesuatu untuk telinga2 kalian yang haus jeweran, Aku terharu, sungguh. Terasa perjalananku tidak sia2 walau begitu melelahkan. Maka aku akan tidur sekarang. Pelayan! Sudah kausiapkan kamar terbaik? Baiklah, terimaka... Apa??? Aku mendengar desah kecewa dari bawah meja itu! Siapa itu berani mengeluh? Tolong, tarik dia dari sana!
Yaaa... rupanya seorang bocah kecil, ha? Berapa umumrmu, Nak? Empat belas tahun? Pantas kau begitu tak paham etika. Kaukira seorang wanita baik2 sepertiku mau semalaman duduk bercerita tentang pengalamanku yang bersimbah darah? Di malam purnama begini, di mana roh2 durjana melayang dan mengintai di dahan sambil cekikikan? Rupanya ayahmu harus memukulmu lebih keras, Nak, alih2 menyerahkanmu pada emban pengasuh tua yang mendongengimu kisah kepahlawanan palsu. Atau kau akan berakhir seperti tokoh yang kutemui sebelum turun ke sini.
Sekarang, pulanglah. Ya, pulanglah kalian semua. Jangan lupa membayar tagihan makan malam kalian. Sudah kubilang aku harus tidur sekarang! Apa lagi? Ceritaku tentang si bocah salah asuhan tadi? Baca sendiri, sana!
Sudah. Jangan usik aku lagi.
Bunga MawarMVerah
Kisah Bangsawan Bunga Mawar dan Bocah Salah Asuhan
Mari, mari sini semua mendekat. Ya, Sobat, kau juga. Kau yang sempat membelalakkan matamu tanpa hasil yang keren. Kau langsung tahu siapa aku, tentu saja. Memang kecantikanku tidak mungkin melayu dalam tiga tahun ini. Sekiranya pun pandangan menyedihkanmu ternyata makin kabur, begitu langkahku melewati pintu masuk Penginapan Suka Tidur ini kau bisa mengendus wangi patenku, Moroccan Rose -kubeli di Body Shop, tentu saja tidak kuekstrak sendiri. Kurang kerjaan banget. Memang masih dirikulah ini, sang Bangsawan Lembut Hati nan Berduri, satu2nya dengan Cap Bunga Mawar Merah yang masyhur.
Ya, ya, kau juga tahu siapa aku, wahai Tuan bertopi pelaut di pojok sana. Tentu aku mengenali rambut keriting yang gagal kau rebonding saat mencoba naik pangkat menjadi kelasi pertama di The Flying Dutchman. Tahu tidak, si tengkorak tua sial itu kini terdampar di Benua Putih, dihempas badai selepas meloloskan diri dari Selat Magelhaens. Biarkan saja, kataku, biar tahu rasa dijepit es Antartika dan diolok2 penguin abad 21.
Ah ya, terimakasih, Bung. Ini minumanku sudah tiba. Kuharap persis sama dengan yang kuminum tiga tahun lalu, teh tawar hangat seduhan daun teh cap mawar. Ngomong2, dalam pengembaraanku rakyat Sari Wangi menyuguhiku teh nikmat, Gold Selection aroma jeruk. Sayang aku tak bisa membaginya dengan kalian. Beli sendiri saja, ya. Kalian tentu tahu aku tidak mengunyah tembakau, ganja, menenggak bir. anggur atau ale. Aku masih konsisten dengan diet golongan darah. Kalau tidak terpaksa, aku takkan menggoreskan duriku pada nyamuk. Kurang higienis, kalau boleh kuingatkan.
Nah, baiklah. Kalian sudah mendekat semua, sudah yakin bahwa aku ounya sesuatu untuk telinga2 kalian yang haus jeweran, Aku terharu, sungguh. Terasa perjalananku tidak sia2 walau begitu melelahkan. Maka aku akan tidur sekarang. Pelayan! Sudah kausiapkan kamar terbaik? Baiklah, terimaka... Apa??? Aku mendengar desah kecewa dari bawah meja itu! Siapa itu berani mengeluh? Tolong, tarik dia dari sana!
Yaaa... rupanya seorang bocah kecil, ha? Berapa umumrmu, Nak? Empat belas tahun? Pantas kau begitu tak paham etika. Kaukira seorang wanita baik2 sepertiku mau semalaman duduk bercerita tentang pengalamanku yang bersimbah darah? Di malam purnama begini, di mana roh2 durjana melayang dan mengintai di dahan sambil cekikikan? Rupanya ayahmu harus memukulmu lebih keras, Nak, alih2 menyerahkanmu pada emban pengasuh tua yang mendongengimu kisah kepahlawanan palsu. Atau kau akan berakhir seperti tokoh yang kutemui sebelum turun ke sini.
Sekarang, pulanglah. Ya, pulanglah kalian semua. Jangan lupa membayar tagihan makan malam kalian. Sudah kubilang aku harus tidur sekarang! Apa lagi? Ceritaku tentang si bocah salah asuhan tadi? Baca sendiri, sana!
Sudah. Jangan usik aku lagi.
Bunga Mawar
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2016
I liked it though it wasn't that good in the beginning and was boring sometimes. overall though, it wasn't bad.
February 24, 2009
So, halfway through this book I wasn't really sure I was enjoying it all that much. I could admit that it was probably a good book, but I was annoyed that it was so departed from the Bartimaeus trilogy, which I LOVED. Mostly, I think I was annoyed that it just wasn't funny. It wasn't supposed to be funny, but I wanted it to be.
The other problem was that I was having a hard time cheering for a main character that I didn't really like or relate to in any way, a foolish young boy who derides responsibility and spends his time playing pranks, some with dire consequences, and who desires glory and fame for avenging his uncle's death. Or so he thinks...
And then Halli got a dose of reality, and then he grew up a little bit. And then his newfound maturity didn't win him any points with a lot of people who disliked him for his previous childish antics. And then he grew up some more, and then he took responsibility- for his actions, for his non-actions, and for a whole lot of people that pretty much despised him. All because it was the right thing to do.
While the ending wasn't all that happy, it was fantastically satisfying. The evolution of Hallie from beginning to end was logical, yet at the same time, clarifying. When I finished this book, I realized that I liked it very very much, and I would definitely recommend it.
The other problem was that I was having a hard time cheering for a main character that I didn't really like or relate to in any way, a foolish young boy who derides responsibility and spends his time playing pranks, some with dire consequences, and who desires glory and fame for avenging his uncle's death. Or so he thinks...
And then Halli got a dose of reality, and then he grew up a little bit. And then his newfound maturity didn't win him any points with a lot of people who disliked him for his previous childish antics. And then he grew up some more, and then he took responsibility- for his actions, for his non-actions, and for a whole lot of people that pretty much despised him. All because it was the right thing to do.
While the ending wasn't all that happy, it was fantastically satisfying. The evolution of Hallie from beginning to end was logical, yet at the same time, clarifying. When I finished this book, I realized that I liked it very very much, and I would definitely recommend it.
December 4, 2009
What a great read! Spanning the edges of several different genres, Heroes of the Valley is so delightfully Stroud-esque that I couldn't put it down.
Halli Sveinsson lives in a valley founded by 12 Heroes long ago, who fought the vicious Trows for mastery of the land. Now 17 generations later, Halli questions the Hero stories he grew up with, and seeks to know the truth. Through a strong friendship, revenge, and many adventures involving courage, quick thinking (and as always with Stroud, a lot of wit that had me laughing out loud but never seemed out of place), this story will have readers entertained - and constantly delightfully surprised at the outcomes.
Although it seemed a little young for the Printz age group, I could easily see Heroes being enjoyed by a wide range of readers with various interests - this story could easily fit for lovers of adventure, fantasy, and historical fiction, both young adult and adult.
Halli Sveinsson lives in a valley founded by 12 Heroes long ago, who fought the vicious Trows for mastery of the land. Now 17 generations later, Halli questions the Hero stories he grew up with, and seeks to know the truth. Through a strong friendship, revenge, and many adventures involving courage, quick thinking (and as always with Stroud, a lot of wit that had me laughing out loud but never seemed out of place), this story will have readers entertained - and constantly delightfully surprised at the outcomes.
Although it seemed a little young for the Printz age group, I could easily see Heroes being enjoyed by a wide range of readers with various interests - this story could easily fit for lovers of adventure, fantasy, and historical fiction, both young adult and adult.
December 23, 2015
Short comment, 'cause I feel lazy tonight.
1) Lys <3 (as always :3)
2) My jaw is still literally on the floor because...THAT ending. I reached the end and when the plot twist was revealed I felt so stupid. I didn't expect that at all, Stroud, you evil genius.
3) Halli you TONTO.
4) This was so different from Bartimeus (read it if you haven't, people). I liked it less than Barty (because Bartimeus' ending still makes me want to go in a corner and cry like ther's no tomorrow) but more than Lockwood &co. Heroes of the valley is a fantasy with a main protagonist that is completely different from your average hero and a breathtaking ending. Maybe I would have liked to see a bit more world-building, but I can't complain, really.
1) Lys <3 (as always :3)
2) My jaw is still literally on the floor because...THAT ending. I reached the end and when the plot twist was revealed I felt so stupid. I didn't expect that at all, Stroud, you evil genius.
3) Halli you TONTO.
4) This was so different from Bartimeus (read it if you haven't, people). I liked it less than Barty (because Bartimeus' ending still makes me want to go in a corner and cry like ther's no tomorrow) but more than Lockwood &co. Heroes of the valley is a fantasy with a main protagonist that is completely different from your average hero and a breathtaking ending. Maybe I would have liked to see a bit more world-building, but I can't complain, really.
May 31, 2012
I really, really like Stroud’s protagonists. They’re not like the others. In other YA fantasy series we have heroes like Harry(Potter) and Percy(Jackson) who are hardly responsible for the situations they get into. They are ordinary, unambitious guys who were thrown into adventure by fate. They did not wish to be famous or save the world but when the need arose they rose to the challenge. Harry survived the killing curse because of his mother and Percy got into scrapes because of who his dad was. These characters are like blanks. Anyone can fit into their shoes and imagine they’re the ones doing the heroic deeds. But oh no, not Stroud’s heroes. They are a horde of wonderfully flawed characters who are utterly responsible for the scrapes they get into. They are (over)ambitious, scheming and hungry for fame and yes, they did get what they asked for even if it didn’t turn out to be quite the way they thought it would be. And you love them for being so vibrant and a pleasant change from characters as bland as oatmeal. Meet Halli, a rowdy, ambitious, ugly and (best of all) incredibly short hero who was born a trouble maker intent on getting in everyone’s way and dying to be famous. Halli is born into the house of Svein, one of the twelve founding heroes who fought the vicious Trolls long ago and thus brought the valley to safety. Each of these twelve heroes had founded a house during their times and now their descendants rule over their lands and their people, their livelihood being agriculture. The warring days of the heroes are long gone and all the houses live in peace and harmony, the only swords ever made are those which are to be buried along with the dead. No ones strays across the valley boundaries marked by the cairns of their ancestors, fearing that if they so much as touch the shadow of the mounds of the heroes the trolls would come and eat them. Everyone is happy with the life they now lead.
Except Halli. He longs for the day when he can ride out and meet the other houses, see the valley and yes, earn fame and honour by doing great deeds. On the year of his fourteenth birthday his house hosts the Gathering, a festival which is attended by the members of the other eleven houses. The leaders of the twelve houses and their families meet, there is music, food, drinks, dancing and wrestling—none of which Halli is allowed to take part in because of a prank he played on his brother. A dejected Halli is moping about in the orchard when he meets Aud, the gorgeous daughter of the house of Arne. Did I mention the other thing about Stroud I love? His heroines. Aud is this adventurous, lively, charming, pretty girl who yearns for adventure as much as Halli does and regards the stories of Trolls with much contempt and disbelief. And she seems to have a point. No one has ever seen Troll. Not really. All they know are stories passed from generation to generation which speak of the fearsome trolls. But none has ever seen any. True, animals which are lost and go beyond the boundary do turn up dead the next day but as Aud points out, couldn’t that be the work of eagles or wolves? Furthermore, even in the times of Svein and the other great heroes, no one but the heroes ever saw the fearsome creatures. The heroes went, fought with something , came back covered in blood and told everyone else to stay clear of the boundary. And then of course at the great battle they all left and fought together and were found dead the next morning but then again no one saw what exactly killed them. Aud tells Halli her theories and though Halli refuses to see eye to eye with her at first(his mind being more preoccupied with thoughts of feuds) she finally manages to convince him that there maybe adventure beyond the boundary and all that talk about Trolls tommyrot.
I liked this book. I didn’t like the end but we’ll get to that later. It starts a bit slow but that’s okay because you get to know the lives of the people in the valley in that time. I liked the legends, the simple minded people with their love of food and good music. I liked old Katla the nurse maid and her belief that Halli will die a tragic death(him being a mid winter baby and all), and the matter of fact way she deals with it. It felt real that Halli didn’t get along too well with his family even though he did love them.
The book gives a good insight to what courage really is and challenges the notion that heroes are always what they hyped up to be. Stroud of course takes an unorthodox approach to the subject of role models and shows that the people society tells us to look up to may not be as great as they are reputed to be.
An enjoyable read that I would recommend to all Stroud fans
Except Halli. He longs for the day when he can ride out and meet the other houses, see the valley and yes, earn fame and honour by doing great deeds. On the year of his fourteenth birthday his house hosts the Gathering, a festival which is attended by the members of the other eleven houses. The leaders of the twelve houses and their families meet, there is music, food, drinks, dancing and wrestling—none of which Halli is allowed to take part in because of a prank he played on his brother. A dejected Halli is moping about in the orchard when he meets Aud, the gorgeous daughter of the house of Arne. Did I mention the other thing about Stroud I love? His heroines. Aud is this adventurous, lively, charming, pretty girl who yearns for adventure as much as Halli does and regards the stories of Trolls with much contempt and disbelief. And she seems to have a point. No one has ever seen Troll. Not really. All they know are stories passed from generation to generation which speak of the fearsome trolls. But none has ever seen any. True, animals which are lost and go beyond the boundary do turn up dead the next day but as Aud points out, couldn’t that be the work of eagles or wolves? Furthermore, even in the times of Svein and the other great heroes, no one but the heroes ever saw the fearsome creatures. The heroes went, fought with something , came back covered in blood and told everyone else to stay clear of the boundary. And then of course at the great battle they all left and fought together and were found dead the next morning but then again no one saw what exactly killed them. Aud tells Halli her theories and though Halli refuses to see eye to eye with her at first(his mind being more preoccupied with thoughts of feuds) she finally manages to convince him that there maybe adventure beyond the boundary and all that talk about Trolls tommyrot.
I liked this book. I didn’t like the end but we’ll get to that later. It starts a bit slow but that’s okay because you get to know the lives of the people in the valley in that time. I liked the legends, the simple minded people with their love of food and good music. I liked old Katla the nurse maid and her belief that Halli will die a tragic death(him being a mid winter baby and all), and the matter of fact way she deals with it. It felt real that Halli didn’t get along too well with his family even though he did love them.
The book gives a good insight to what courage really is and challenges the notion that heroes are always what they hyped up to be. Stroud of course takes an unorthodox approach to the subject of role models and shows that the people society tells us to look up to may not be as great as they are reputed to be.
An enjoyable read that I would recommend to all Stroud fans
December 10, 2021
Eroi in cui credere
"Chi può dire dove stia il confine fra la verità e la miriade di pensieri che, insieme, danno forma ai ricordi? Distorciamo deliberatamente la realtà; confiniamo un vasto contenuto nelle limitazioni della necessità immaginata. Nell'abbandono della verità forgiamo, a torto o ragione, il significato universale. Lo specifico lascia il posto al generale; il particolare lascia il posto al grandioso."
La citazione, tratta da I cacciatori di ossa di Steven Erikson, coglie appieno l'essenza dell'opera di Stroud, fantasy autoconclusivo passato in sordina rispetto alla celeberrima tetralogia di Bartimeus.
Intendiamoci, La valle degli eroi non vanta un grande sviluppo narrativo (invero scolastico e dal ritmo piuttosto compassato); i personaggi sono ben lungi dal vantare una buona caratterizzazione; persino la prosa risulta fin troppo elementare e guidata.
Inevitabile la delusione che scaturisce al cospetto di un finale tutt'altro che banale, purtroppo viziato dall'impalpabilità di quanto letto in precedenza. Belli i flashback di apertura capitolo che vanno a forgiare la leggenda.
"Chi può dire dove stia il confine fra la verità e la miriade di pensieri che, insieme, danno forma ai ricordi? Distorciamo deliberatamente la realtà; confiniamo un vasto contenuto nelle limitazioni della necessità immaginata. Nell'abbandono della verità forgiamo, a torto o ragione, il significato universale. Lo specifico lascia il posto al generale; il particolare lascia il posto al grandioso."
La citazione, tratta da I cacciatori di ossa di Steven Erikson, coglie appieno l'essenza dell'opera di Stroud, fantasy autoconclusivo passato in sordina rispetto alla celeberrima tetralogia di Bartimeus.
Intendiamoci, La valle degli eroi non vanta un grande sviluppo narrativo (invero scolastico e dal ritmo piuttosto compassato); i personaggi sono ben lungi dal vantare una buona caratterizzazione; persino la prosa risulta fin troppo elementare e guidata.
Inevitabile la delusione che scaturisce al cospetto di un finale tutt'altro che banale, purtroppo viziato dall'impalpabilità di quanto letto in precedenza. Belli i flashback di apertura capitolo che vanno a forgiare la leggenda.
April 14, 2022
Incredible storytelling that is also thought-provoking. This is my first time reading Stroud's work so I am coming to this as a newbie. Mr. Stroud is an amazing world builder and he has layered this fantasy tale with a little incisive and philosophical meat for readers young or old to chew on. In the beginning, it took a while to get used to Stroud's layout for this story. We bounce back and forth between this world's past and the present. The narration at times is a bit tongue in cheek but really got me invested in the misadventures of Halli Sveinsson. This is a great stand-alone fantasy for lovers of timeless tales of trolls, dragons, swords & sorcery. Stroud seems to be pulling the tone of this tale from Norse myth but it cleverly feels fresh. Heroes of the Valley is a tale about reality versus legend. There are times when you want to believe in the validity of its heroes but then like Halli real life is not as extraordinary. Halli at times does not behave like a protagonist. He is a believable teenage boy who through this journey discovers what courage truly means and what a hero actually is. The cast of characters all have a distinct voice. Even the female protagonist, Aud, is not one-dimensional, Stroud gave her a lot of layers. I would put this tale in the same category as stories like The Princess Bride, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and maybe even Peter Pan. It just has that timeless quality to the storytelling. It makes for a great book to read to your kids at night. I really enjoyed and highly recommend this book.
May 9, 2023
As usual, Jonathan Stroud's writing style is on point. I loved the prologue and the bits of legends at the beginning of each chapter. I'm always fond of stories with monsters, heroes, unexpected deaths and discoveries . Are the heroes really like in the legends? What does even make a person a hero? This is what Heroes of the Valley explores well.
However, the main character was the problem for me. I know the author is known for writing about antiheroes - which I usually love - but I really couldn't stand Halli. He makes the dumbest decisions! . I found Halli's flaws interesting: he is obsessed with the idea of becoming the hero Svein was, of traveling like his uncle, and he wishes to escape the boring duty his community expects from him. Nothing children haven't dreamt of. But where were the qualities though? I couldn't name one. That's why the character was unlikeable and frustrating to follow.
However, the main character was the problem for me. I know the author is known for writing about antiheroes - which I usually love - but I really couldn't stand Halli. He makes the dumbest decisions! . I found Halli's flaws interesting: he is obsessed with the idea of becoming the hero Svein was, of traveling like his uncle, and he wishes to escape the boring duty his community expects from him. Nothing children haven't dreamt of. But where were the qualities though? I couldn't name one. That's why the character was unlikeable and frustrating to follow.
May 17, 2011
Jonathan Stroud emang slalu bikin kaget!
sebelumnya crta ttg bartimeus yg endingnya lumayan bikin hati tersayat2..
dan sekarang, certa ttg Halli Sveinsson, keturunan salah seorang dari 12 pahlawan, bikin emosiku naik turun..
Jonathan Stroud kayaknya bukan pengarang yg suka menjabarkan klo tokoh utama certanya itu sempurna, atau kuat, atau hebat. malah si Halli ini awalnya dia terkesan lemah banget.. kecuali fakta ttg dia yg suka berbuat onar dan nakal di kediaman klan-nya..
ketika malam terbunuhnya Brodir, paman Halli yang suka menceritakan dongeng tentang pahlawan klan kepadanya (Sang Svein yang agung), Halli bertekad membalas si pembunuh. kebetulan pembunuh itu sendiri dari klan Hakon, klan kaya dan berkuasa di lembah. Halli yg berangkat dengan bekal seadanya, di jalan bertemu dengan si tua Snorri dan pedagang licik Bjorn, seiring dengan perjalanan itu membuktikan kalau Halli bukanlah anak umur 14 tahun yang lemah. fisiknya yg pendek, gembul dan item slalu dicerca oleh org2 bahkan klan-nya sendiri, tapi terbukti si Halli ini keturunan Svein yg terkenal kuat itu.
dan ada juga Trow, makhluk pemangsa manusia yg tinggal di rawa2 balik makam2 pahlawan. tapi sekarang udah nggak nyerang penduduk lembah lagi gara2 pengorbana yg dilakukan 12 pahlawan dahulu kalan
tapi jujur deh, aku bukan penggemar tokoh kayak Halli ini. (lumayan mirip Nathaniel, soalnya akhirnya dia nggak jadi bunuh Olaf Hakonsson, tapi si olaf ujung2nya mati jg sih karna kebakaran di balairung klan Hakon). Halli juga penakut, dan nggak cekatan pas ngadepin musuh. butuh ditolong berkali-kali oleh Aud, putri dari klan Arne.
tapi akhirnya Halli yang berhasil mengalahkan penyerbuan klan Hakon ke klan Svein, gara2 klan Hakon yg nggak terima dengan keputusan Dewan gara2 pembunuhan Brodir.
dan akhirnyaaaa... Halli emang ngasih "rasa" sendiri biar para pembaca nggak ngelupain dia. dengan kecerdikan dia. dan pengorbanan buat klan-nya. walaupun klan dan keluarganya sendiri tidak meyakininya.
dan ttg trow? makhluk itu benar2 ada seperti yg dicrtakan dongeng! tapi bahkan bukan makhluk itu yang menetap di rawa2 di balik makam2 pahlawan! waaah,, novel ini emang bikin kejutan!
jadi kangen Nathaniel >.<
sebelumnya crta ttg bartimeus yg endingnya lumayan bikin hati tersayat2..
dan sekarang, certa ttg Halli Sveinsson, keturunan salah seorang dari 12 pahlawan, bikin emosiku naik turun..
Jonathan Stroud kayaknya bukan pengarang yg suka menjabarkan klo tokoh utama certanya itu sempurna, atau kuat, atau hebat. malah si Halli ini awalnya dia terkesan lemah banget.. kecuali fakta ttg dia yg suka berbuat onar dan nakal di kediaman klan-nya..
ketika malam terbunuhnya Brodir, paman Halli yang suka menceritakan dongeng tentang pahlawan klan kepadanya (Sang Svein yang agung), Halli bertekad membalas si pembunuh. kebetulan pembunuh itu sendiri dari klan Hakon, klan kaya dan berkuasa di lembah. Halli yg berangkat dengan bekal seadanya, di jalan bertemu dengan si tua Snorri dan pedagang licik Bjorn, seiring dengan perjalanan itu membuktikan kalau Halli bukanlah anak umur 14 tahun yang lemah. fisiknya yg pendek, gembul dan item slalu dicerca oleh org2 bahkan klan-nya sendiri, tapi terbukti si Halli ini keturunan Svein yg terkenal kuat itu.
dan ada juga Trow, makhluk pemangsa manusia yg tinggal di rawa2 balik makam2 pahlawan. tapi sekarang udah nggak nyerang penduduk lembah lagi gara2 pengorbana yg dilakukan 12 pahlawan dahulu kalan
tapi jujur deh, aku bukan penggemar tokoh kayak Halli ini. (lumayan mirip Nathaniel, soalnya akhirnya dia nggak jadi bunuh Olaf Hakonsson, tapi si olaf ujung2nya mati jg sih karna kebakaran di balairung klan Hakon). Halli juga penakut, dan nggak cekatan pas ngadepin musuh. butuh ditolong berkali-kali oleh Aud, putri dari klan Arne.
tapi akhirnya Halli yang berhasil mengalahkan penyerbuan klan Hakon ke klan Svein, gara2 klan Hakon yg nggak terima dengan keputusan Dewan gara2 pembunuhan Brodir.
dan akhirnyaaaa... Halli emang ngasih "rasa" sendiri biar para pembaca nggak ngelupain dia. dengan kecerdikan dia. dan pengorbanan buat klan-nya. walaupun klan dan keluarganya sendiri tidak meyakininya.
dan ttg trow? makhluk itu benar2 ada seperti yg dicrtakan dongeng! tapi bahkan bukan makhluk itu yang menetap di rawa2 di balik makam2 pahlawan! waaah,, novel ini emang bikin kejutan!
jadi kangen Nathaniel >.<
April 20, 2012
Well written, but somewhat unsatisfying.
One thing I always look for in a young adult book is what ideology the author is presenting to the intended young reader. This book is a cleverly written story of the progression of a restless young boy into a responsible, if adventurous, young man. The author belittles violence borne of pride and considers self-sacrifice and self-defense (even deadly) as noble and honorable. This book (similar to the Bartiemeus trilogy) certainly encourages questioning the status quo and not simply accepting and respecting "authority" that does not demonstrate it is worthy of such respect.
The folklore theme to this book is also something I find interesting. The story is told in the context of a set of lore regarding an ancestral hero. Throughout the book, you see the tidbits of stories both as chapter introductions and through tellings by the characters. You also see one of the most striking layers of the author's intent in how he shows the faults and truths of such lore. One one hand, you see multiple groups claiming the same great deeds on behalf of their own ancestors. You see some foolishly allowing claims of "oh now that was MY ancestor" inciting boastful banter, hostile replies, and even violence. You see, through the telling of the main (would-be-hero) character's adventures how disparate actual events, the perception of events, the telling of events, and the hearing of events can be. I found it quite masterfully done.
What did bother me about this book is the lack of relational emotions. The main character experience rage, fear, horror, terror, doubt, and sense of failure. But he expresses nothing but disdain for his family (save 1) or the townspeople he is willing to honorably and nobly sacrifice his own life to defend. There is a hint that he has warm feelings for his co-conspirator friend, but that is really the only instance where he seems to experience true emotion related to another person. All the rest of his emotions are tied up in his own self-pity and ideas of grandeur.
One thing I always look for in a young adult book is what ideology the author is presenting to the intended young reader. This book is a cleverly written story of the progression of a restless young boy into a responsible, if adventurous, young man. The author belittles violence borne of pride and considers self-sacrifice and self-defense (even deadly) as noble and honorable. This book (similar to the Bartiemeus trilogy) certainly encourages questioning the status quo and not simply accepting and respecting "authority" that does not demonstrate it is worthy of such respect.
The folklore theme to this book is also something I find interesting. The story is told in the context of a set of lore regarding an ancestral hero. Throughout the book, you see the tidbits of stories both as chapter introductions and through tellings by the characters. You also see one of the most striking layers of the author's intent in how he shows the faults and truths of such lore. One one hand, you see multiple groups claiming the same great deeds on behalf of their own ancestors. You see some foolishly allowing claims of "oh now that was MY ancestor" inciting boastful banter, hostile replies, and even violence. You see, through the telling of the main (would-be-hero) character's adventures how disparate actual events, the perception of events, the telling of events, and the hearing of events can be. I found it quite masterfully done.
What did bother me about this book is the lack of relational emotions. The main character experience rage, fear, horror, terror, doubt, and sense of failure. But he expresses nothing but disdain for his family (save 1) or the townspeople he is willing to honorably and nobly sacrifice his own life to defend. There is a hint that he has warm feelings for his co-conspirator friend, but that is really the only instance where he seems to experience true emotion related to another person. All the rest of his emotions are tied up in his own self-pity and ideas of grandeur.
October 10, 2014
This was an amazing book, with very likeable characters (despite their numerous faults!) and interesting events. It was written beautifully and had many elements of an old tale being told, the simultaneous legend of the "heroes of the valley" at the beginning of each chapter, and to a lesser extent, the story itself. I found the beginning a bit jumbled, since you weren't really sure who the story was about. But once it got started, I liked it more and more. The main character, Halli, seemed too unpredictable and bratty at first, but when he starts out on his adventure (the first one), you get to know him better and he is such a fun character to follow. One thing I didn't like was that pretty much all the young characters are brats, such as Halli's siblings, and Ragner, who reminded me of Draco Malfoy. Halli and Aud are too, but they have other noble qualities that make up for it. There were also so many insulting characters, especially insulting toward Halli for being so short and stout, which was alright overall, but got to be a bit too much at times.
It was, however, a really fun story to read, and I laughed a lot! The world of the story, which is reminiscent of Viking-era, is unique and well-crafted, centering on the valley, but there is the recurring question of what lies beyond the "boundary". This does, however, get addressed at the climax, if only partially, but I think satisfactorily for the story.
The end of the story was very unexpected (I won't give it away), but in a sense, it came back full circle with the beginning and connected to the parallel tales of the heroes of the valley.
The narrator was also great (I listened to the audiobook version), so if you can listen to it, it's worth it.
It was, however, a really fun story to read, and I laughed a lot! The world of the story, which is reminiscent of Viking-era, is unique and well-crafted, centering on the valley, but there is the recurring question of what lies beyond the "boundary". This does, however, get addressed at the climax, if only partially, but I think satisfactorily for the story.
The end of the story was very unexpected (I won't give it away), but in a sense, it came back full circle with the beginning and connected to the parallel tales of the heroes of the valley.
The narrator was also great (I listened to the audiobook version), so if you can listen to it, it's worth it.
July 6, 2014
Nothing like Stroud's other books but just as good.
This book reads more like a historical novel set in a time where people lived rather isolated lives for there's fairly little magic involved. The mythology of the people in this tale resembles stories told about Vikings but there are no direct clues that indicate the author really meant to create vikings. I'd rather like to think that they live in their own world, a world where wisps of magic are still lingering.
The story develops slowly, focusing on the internal growth (spurred on by external factors) of Halli the youngest son of the Arbiter (leader) of the House of Swein. Halli grows up believing his ancestor founded the biggest and the best and the richest House in the valley (which contains 12 Houses in total). So when he thinks his honor has been trampled he gets very irritated. Also, he's a boy who questions traditions which gets him into trouble more often than not.
What I liked about this book is the subtle world-building and the absolutely believable characters. Sometimes I really thought I was the rather stumpy but determined Halli. At those times, it was extremely hard to put down the book.
It'd be harsh to compare this book with Stroud's other works because it's so different (which I like). There's barely any magic in the tale and none of his sarcasm and dark humor that made the Bartimaeus-series such a success. However, the world, the plot, and the characters are just as well thought out and the prose has a lyrical touch that you won't regret reading the story. Just keep an open mind.
This book reads more like a historical novel set in a time where people lived rather isolated lives for there's fairly little magic involved. The mythology of the people in this tale resembles stories told about Vikings but there are no direct clues that indicate the author really meant to create vikings. I'd rather like to think that they live in their own world, a world where wisps of magic are still lingering.
The story develops slowly, focusing on the internal growth (spurred on by external factors) of Halli the youngest son of the Arbiter (leader) of the House of Swein. Halli grows up believing his ancestor founded the biggest and the best and the richest House in the valley (which contains 12 Houses in total). So when he thinks his honor has been trampled he gets very irritated. Also, he's a boy who questions traditions which gets him into trouble more often than not.
What I liked about this book is the subtle world-building and the absolutely believable characters. Sometimes I really thought I was the rather stumpy but determined Halli. At those times, it was extremely hard to put down the book.
It'd be harsh to compare this book with Stroud's other works because it's so different (which I like). There's barely any magic in the tale and none of his sarcasm and dark humor that made the Bartimaeus-series such a success. However, the world, the plot, and the characters are just as well thought out and the prose has a lyrical touch that you won't regret reading the story. Just keep an open mind.
March 19, 2012
Well, I know that I shouldn't get my hopes to high whenever I read a book from the same writer who previously wrote an amazing book in advance, that is to say my favoritism for the Bartimeus trilogy. And so, although I hope for the comical, humorous book in the Heroes of the Valley, I still tried to continue to read it further despite that it's just not as exciting as how I've read Bartimeus. I kinda like Halli because he's someone who develops his personality through experience, and I guess I like him for being hot blooded too. And I love Aud cos she's just very interesting, lively and daring, and funny too. But the thing that really bothers me is the slow beginning and the very rapidly wrapped ending. It's as if I was wishing that rather than detailing the beginning, wouldn't it just be better to elaborate the ending?
And I guess I was actually hoping that the Trows were just simply stories made by their ancestors, and both Halli and Aud would find a real history like some dark reasoning of why the Heroes want to kept the people in the dark by never stepping outside of their Houses, and so I was just sort of not appealed when the ending was just a bit too much. Zombie? No mention on how Hord ended up? How did the ancestors become these living dead?
I don't know, I like the middle part, but the ending for me seems to be too easily concluded. I thought that some complexity might be elaborated towards the end.
And I guess I was actually hoping that the Trows were just simply stories made by their ancestors, and both Halli and Aud would find a real history like some dark reasoning of why the Heroes want to kept the people in the dark by never stepping outside of their Houses, and so I was just sort of not appealed when the ending was just a bit too much. Zombie? No mention on how Hord ended up? How did the ancestors become these living dead?
I don't know, I like the middle part, but the ending for me seems to be too easily concluded. I thought that some complexity might be elaborated towards the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2021
I loved the Bartimaeus Sequence and was looking forward to reading more of Stroud’s writing when I cracked this open.
The story follows Halli Sveinsson, who through events (both outside of his control and those he’s actually responsible for) finds himself embroiled in a blood feud with the Hakonssons when his uncle is murdered.
Halli is also a boy who grew up loving the old stories about the heroes of the Valley who fought the Trows (monsters with an affinity for human flesh who’d pull you down into the earth) & decides to go on a quest not unlike the legends he grew up with. Story has it, that as long as nobody crossed he protective cairns where the heroes are buried, then no Trow may enter the valley.
Interspersed in the immediate story of Halli and his quest for vengeance, we’re also treated to the stories Halli grew up with. Turns out that things are rarely as good or noble as the stories would have you believe, and both the story of the heroes and Halli’s quest are bound to have some revelations.
I quite enjoyed this read and the Norse influence. As long as you don’t expect this to be another Bartimaeus story, I think you’ll come to enjoy this one as well.
The story follows Halli Sveinsson, who through events (both outside of his control and those he’s actually responsible for) finds himself embroiled in a blood feud with the Hakonssons when his uncle is murdered.
Halli is also a boy who grew up loving the old stories about the heroes of the Valley who fought the Trows (monsters with an affinity for human flesh who’d pull you down into the earth) & decides to go on a quest not unlike the legends he grew up with. Story has it, that as long as nobody crossed he protective cairns where the heroes are buried, then no Trow may enter the valley.
Interspersed in the immediate story of Halli and his quest for vengeance, we’re also treated to the stories Halli grew up with. Turns out that things are rarely as good or noble as the stories would have you believe, and both the story of the heroes and Halli’s quest are bound to have some revelations.
I quite enjoyed this read and the Norse influence. As long as you don’t expect this to be another Bartimaeus story, I think you’ll come to enjoy this one as well.
September 21, 2018
Jonathan Stroud ha sempre un modo tutto suo di rimescolare le carte e giocare con i topos classici del fantasy per dar vita a qualcosa di interessante e moderno per il lettore che non deve chiedere mai. Qui non siamo ai livelli della Trilogia di Bartimeus (non fosse che per il fatto che essendo quella di Bartimeus, per l’appunto, una trilogia, i tempi della narrazione sono dilatati e si ha quindi più tempo per far crescere i protagonisti e sviluppare la trama con la dovuta calma. Cosa che potrebbe avvenire se Stroud riprendesse in mano la storia, quindi non precludiamoci nulla), ma la storia fila che è un piacere, con personaggi lontani dallo stereotipo dell’eroe senza macchia e senza paura (i protagonisti di questa storia di paura ne hanno eccome, all’occorrenza non disdegnano la fuga, ma alla bisogna sono pronti a darsi da fare e a combattere per ciò che conta) e colpi di scena intriganti.
Un romanzo lontano dall’essere perfetto, ma che tuttavia non lascia delusi.
La valle degli eroi è un romanzo nato durante un viaggio di Stroud in Nuova Zelanda, luogo che ha offerto tra le altre cose le ambientazioni per la saga cinematografica del Signore degli Anelli, e non risulta quindi casuale il fatto che in questo libro si respiri la stessa atmosfera fantasy medievaleggiante, quell’alone di mistero e magia dietro sconfinate distese bucoliche e montagne impervie. Il che comunque non deve far credere che Stroud abbia fatto il suo compitino a casa per far eccitare il fan del fantasy medio, e che abbia semplicemente copiato a mani basse da Tolkien ed emuli vari per ottenere il massimo risultato col minimo sforzo.
Forse in quel caso questo romanzo sarebbe stato mediamente più apprezzato.
L’ambientazione di questo romanzo è una fantomatica Valle in cui in tempi remoti 12 valorosi eroi hanno sconfitto i Trow, mostri che seminavano morte e distruzione. Eretto un muro a difesa delle loro terre e riportata la pace, i 12 eroi vengono sepolti in tumuli di pietra appena al di fuori dei confini, a eterna protezione della Valle da ciò che si aggira lì fuori, in agguato. Sono passati secoli da quelle mitiche battaglie, ma ancora gli abitanti delle 12 case (discendenti di questi eroi) seguono rigidamente i precetti del mito, gli insegnamenti delle antiche storie.
Mai superare i tumuli degli eroi, specie di notte.
Mai dimenticare le gesta e il valore di quegli antichi guerrieri.
Ora, più che al fantasy medievaleggiante già qui si sente più il sentore delle antiche saghe nordiche, o della mitologia greca: sono gli antichi miti (rigorosamente tramandati per via orale) a determinare l’identità di un gruppo, e a dettare le regole di comportamento da seguire, pena la rovina e un pesante stigma sociale. E’ l’appartenenza a un’antica genia di sangue eroica e quasi divina a far detenere per via ereditaria il potere (equamente ripartito tra le donne, che custodiscono leggi tramandate oralmente, e gli uomini che le mettono in pratica). E non c’è nulla di meglio per il giovane abitante della valle del rivivere le eroiche gesta degli antenati e vagheggiare di sanguinosi scontri e vittorie gloriose.
Halli Sveinsson, nostro protagonista, è il figlio cadetto della casa di Svein, e come ci ha abituati Stroud è quanto di più lontano ci possiamo immaginare dallo stereotipo dell’eroe classico, il quale rispondeva al principio di kalokagathia, vale a dire un imprescindibile connubio di perfezione fisica e morale (laddove la morale va intesa come una morale di tipo guerriero). Halli non somiglia nemmeno un po’ agli eroi delle leggende, o agli altri membri della sua famiglia alti biondi e statuari: ha le gambe corte, è tozzo, sgraziato, poco incline a seguire le regole e incapace di accettare il destino che gli si prospetta in quanto figlio cadetto, vale a dire quello di prendere possesso di una fattoria e diventare mezzadro del fratello maggiore. Proprio per la sua assenza di bellezza fisica e morale l’intera casata di Svein, la sua stessa famiglia, ha una considerazione davvero scarsa di lui.
Saranno più le volte che Halli prende scappellotti in testa e calci nel sedere che complimenti.
Per quanto forse potrebbe essere facile accomunare il personaggio di Halli a quello di Nathaniel di Bartimeus, per me i due personaggi presentano differenze sostanziali. Nathaniel è un mago di incredibile talento, che intraprende senza difficoltà la strada che si è imposto, la carriera politica, e che sarebbe perfettamente in grado di integrarsi all’interno del sistema politico e sociale inglese se non fosse bloccato da una cosa che nasce da lui, vale a dire la sua stessa morale.
Halli invece vorrebbe integrarsi, ha nel cuore e nella testa il solo desiderio di emulare quei grandi eroi e di incarnare lo spirito guerriero che è alla base del lustro e del potere all’interno della Valle ma ogni sua ambizione viene frustrata dall’esterno: dalla famiglia, dagli altri clan che lo giudicano solo in base al suo aspetto ridicolo, da chiunque incontri sul suo cammino. E specie all’inizio è proprio il fatto che nessuno lo tiene in considerazione a causa della sua totale mancanza di Kalokagathia a scatenare in lui anche un carattere difficile e dispettoso.
Non è d’aspetto nobile, QUINDI non deve nemmeno essere coraggioso.
Halli è un anti-Nathaniel, ma entrambi dovranno affrontare un lungo e doloroso percorso di crescita scandito da un lutto, che nel caso di Halli è l’assassinio di suo zio Brodir per mano di un membro di una casa rivale. Halli a questo punto ha l’occasione che cercava: emulare gli antichi eroi, vendicare suo zio uccidendo il suo assassino.
Ma seguire le antiche vie si rivela del tutto fallimentare.
Questo perché, ed è il tema che preme a Stroud in questo volume, Il passato è passato. Se in Bartimeus a passare sotto l’occhio critico dell’autore era il potere nella sua forma degenerata, e proprio nella storia e nel passato si trovava la chiave per rovesciare uno status quo opprimente, qui a opprimere è un passato desueto, che non è più. E’ finito il tempo dei duelli e delle onte da lavare nel sangue, e chi continua imperterrito a seguire ciecamente questo cammino non può che finire male. E quindi anche un personaggio come Halli, che come eroe classico è davvero ridicolo (non riesce a sollevare una spada, è così basso da dover portare la cintura del suo antenato a tracolla, nel momento in cui gli viene data la possibilità di avere la tanto agognata vendetta non riesce a coglierla), può brillare e trovare il suo spazio nel mondo.
Ad accompagnare Halli in questo percorso di crescita e consapevolezza abbiamo la giovane Aud della casa di Arne, che mi ha ricordato molto la Eilonwy di Llyodiana memoria, anche nell’interazione molto ironica e alla mano col protagonista: una giovane molto graziosa dai lunghi capelli biondi che rifiuta il ruolo imposto alle fanciulle di nobile nascita, ovvero quello di essere una pedina politica, il cui unico scopo è contrarre un matrimonio vantaggioso. Fa quindi sfoggio di tenacia e acume (è l’unica a guardare oltre l’aspetto di Halli e a riconoscerlo per quello che è), di una lingua tagliente, e di coraggio. Ma laddove Eylonwin rimaneva un personaggio dal grande potenziale fondamentalmente inespresso (a parte far brillare una palla con la forza della tempra d’animo, farsi rapire e fare due magie in croce sotto ipnosi fa pochino a livello di trama), Aud è un personaggio che pur non disponendo di grandi poteri magici risalta e costituisce un valido aiuto per il nostro eroe, la forza che lo sprona nei momenti più neri.
E’ anche la voce razionale tra i due.
Aud infatti non crede alle antiche leggende, al confine automposto dalle genti della Valle in nome di un pericolo che nessuno ha mai visto. E’ lei a insinuare in Halli l’idea che le cose non debbano per forza restare sempre le stesse e che il passato, il mito, tutto quello che va sotto il nome di tradizione, non è solo il veicolo attraverso cui si sedimenta l’identità di un gruppo, ma anche quello attraverso cui (come si vedrà) lo si tiene avvinto nella paura e nell’immobilismo.
Stroud gioca col mito e lo rivolta come un calzino nel corso della narrazione: le antiche storie si rivelano tutt’altro che attendibili, dal momento che ogni Casa tende a far risaltare il coraggio e la nobiltà del proprio progenitore a discapito di tutti gli altri (al punto da usare il mito per offendere le altre famiglie); gli eroi si rivelano meno eroici del previsto e anzi proprio chi persegue gli antichi ideali di guerra e vendetta risulta solo ridicolo, ma nemmeno chi dovrebbe trionfare alla fine lo fa pienamente, ma a questo Stroud ci ha abituati, quindi non ci sorprende; anche il topos del viaggio dell’eroe è trasformato in una serie di accadimenti ridicoli e sventurati ai danni del povero Halli.
Tutto è dissacrato, non si salva nulla, e questa cosa è bellissima.
E’ giusto il finale a lasciare un po’ di amaro in bocca e non spiega quanto dovrebbe, o forse spiega troppo, andando a sgretolare quell’alone inconsistente ma intrigante che si era formato tra realtà e leggenda, e togliendoci ogni dubbio instillato fino a quel momento. Resta comunque un romanzo decisamente sopra la media, almeno per quel che mi riguarda, di cui consiglio la lettura.
Un romanzo lontano dall’essere perfetto, ma che tuttavia non lascia delusi.
La valle degli eroi è un romanzo nato durante un viaggio di Stroud in Nuova Zelanda, luogo che ha offerto tra le altre cose le ambientazioni per la saga cinematografica del Signore degli Anelli, e non risulta quindi casuale il fatto che in questo libro si respiri la stessa atmosfera fantasy medievaleggiante, quell’alone di mistero e magia dietro sconfinate distese bucoliche e montagne impervie. Il che comunque non deve far credere che Stroud abbia fatto il suo compitino a casa per far eccitare il fan del fantasy medio, e che abbia semplicemente copiato a mani basse da Tolkien ed emuli vari per ottenere il massimo risultato col minimo sforzo.
Forse in quel caso questo romanzo sarebbe stato mediamente più apprezzato.
L’ambientazione di questo romanzo è una fantomatica Valle in cui in tempi remoti 12 valorosi eroi hanno sconfitto i Trow, mostri che seminavano morte e distruzione. Eretto un muro a difesa delle loro terre e riportata la pace, i 12 eroi vengono sepolti in tumuli di pietra appena al di fuori dei confini, a eterna protezione della Valle da ciò che si aggira lì fuori, in agguato. Sono passati secoli da quelle mitiche battaglie, ma ancora gli abitanti delle 12 case (discendenti di questi eroi) seguono rigidamente i precetti del mito, gli insegnamenti delle antiche storie.
Mai superare i tumuli degli eroi, specie di notte.
Mai dimenticare le gesta e il valore di quegli antichi guerrieri.
Ora, più che al fantasy medievaleggiante già qui si sente più il sentore delle antiche saghe nordiche, o della mitologia greca: sono gli antichi miti (rigorosamente tramandati per via orale) a determinare l’identità di un gruppo, e a dettare le regole di comportamento da seguire, pena la rovina e un pesante stigma sociale. E’ l’appartenenza a un’antica genia di sangue eroica e quasi divina a far detenere per via ereditaria il potere (equamente ripartito tra le donne, che custodiscono leggi tramandate oralmente, e gli uomini che le mettono in pratica). E non c’è nulla di meglio per il giovane abitante della valle del rivivere le eroiche gesta degli antenati e vagheggiare di sanguinosi scontri e vittorie gloriose.
Halli Sveinsson, nostro protagonista, è il figlio cadetto della casa di Svein, e come ci ha abituati Stroud è quanto di più lontano ci possiamo immaginare dallo stereotipo dell’eroe classico, il quale rispondeva al principio di kalokagathia, vale a dire un imprescindibile connubio di perfezione fisica e morale (laddove la morale va intesa come una morale di tipo guerriero). Halli non somiglia nemmeno un po’ agli eroi delle leggende, o agli altri membri della sua famiglia alti biondi e statuari: ha le gambe corte, è tozzo, sgraziato, poco incline a seguire le regole e incapace di accettare il destino che gli si prospetta in quanto figlio cadetto, vale a dire quello di prendere possesso di una fattoria e diventare mezzadro del fratello maggiore. Proprio per la sua assenza di bellezza fisica e morale l’intera casata di Svein, la sua stessa famiglia, ha una considerazione davvero scarsa di lui.
Saranno più le volte che Halli prende scappellotti in testa e calci nel sedere che complimenti.
Per quanto forse potrebbe essere facile accomunare il personaggio di Halli a quello di Nathaniel di Bartimeus, per me i due personaggi presentano differenze sostanziali. Nathaniel è un mago di incredibile talento, che intraprende senza difficoltà la strada che si è imposto, la carriera politica, e che sarebbe perfettamente in grado di integrarsi all’interno del sistema politico e sociale inglese se non fosse bloccato da una cosa che nasce da lui, vale a dire la sua stessa morale.
Halli invece vorrebbe integrarsi, ha nel cuore e nella testa il solo desiderio di emulare quei grandi eroi e di incarnare lo spirito guerriero che è alla base del lustro e del potere all’interno della Valle ma ogni sua ambizione viene frustrata dall’esterno: dalla famiglia, dagli altri clan che lo giudicano solo in base al suo aspetto ridicolo, da chiunque incontri sul suo cammino. E specie all’inizio è proprio il fatto che nessuno lo tiene in considerazione a causa della sua totale mancanza di Kalokagathia a scatenare in lui anche un carattere difficile e dispettoso.
Non è d’aspetto nobile, QUINDI non deve nemmeno essere coraggioso.
Halli è un anti-Nathaniel, ma entrambi dovranno affrontare un lungo e doloroso percorso di crescita scandito da un lutto, che nel caso di Halli è l’assassinio di suo zio Brodir per mano di un membro di una casa rivale. Halli a questo punto ha l’occasione che cercava: emulare gli antichi eroi, vendicare suo zio uccidendo il suo assassino.
Ma seguire le antiche vie si rivela del tutto fallimentare.
Questo perché, ed è il tema che preme a Stroud in questo volume, Il passato è passato. Se in Bartimeus a passare sotto l’occhio critico dell’autore era il potere nella sua forma degenerata, e proprio nella storia e nel passato si trovava la chiave per rovesciare uno status quo opprimente, qui a opprimere è un passato desueto, che non è più. E’ finito il tempo dei duelli e delle onte da lavare nel sangue, e chi continua imperterrito a seguire ciecamente questo cammino non può che finire male. E quindi anche un personaggio come Halli, che come eroe classico è davvero ridicolo (non riesce a sollevare una spada, è così basso da dover portare la cintura del suo antenato a tracolla, nel momento in cui gli viene data la possibilità di avere la tanto agognata vendetta non riesce a coglierla), può brillare e trovare il suo spazio nel mondo.
Ad accompagnare Halli in questo percorso di crescita e consapevolezza abbiamo la giovane Aud della casa di Arne, che mi ha ricordato molto la Eilonwy di Llyodiana memoria, anche nell’interazione molto ironica e alla mano col protagonista: una giovane molto graziosa dai lunghi capelli biondi che rifiuta il ruolo imposto alle fanciulle di nobile nascita, ovvero quello di essere una pedina politica, il cui unico scopo è contrarre un matrimonio vantaggioso. Fa quindi sfoggio di tenacia e acume (è l’unica a guardare oltre l’aspetto di Halli e a riconoscerlo per quello che è), di una lingua tagliente, e di coraggio. Ma laddove Eylonwin rimaneva un personaggio dal grande potenziale fondamentalmente inespresso (a parte far brillare una palla con la forza della tempra d’animo, farsi rapire e fare due magie in croce sotto ipnosi fa pochino a livello di trama), Aud è un personaggio che pur non disponendo di grandi poteri magici risalta e costituisce un valido aiuto per il nostro eroe, la forza che lo sprona nei momenti più neri.
E’ anche la voce razionale tra i due.
Aud infatti non crede alle antiche leggende, al confine automposto dalle genti della Valle in nome di un pericolo che nessuno ha mai visto. E’ lei a insinuare in Halli l’idea che le cose non debbano per forza restare sempre le stesse e che il passato, il mito, tutto quello che va sotto il nome di tradizione, non è solo il veicolo attraverso cui si sedimenta l’identità di un gruppo, ma anche quello attraverso cui (come si vedrà) lo si tiene avvinto nella paura e nell’immobilismo.
Stroud gioca col mito e lo rivolta come un calzino nel corso della narrazione: le antiche storie si rivelano tutt’altro che attendibili, dal momento che ogni Casa tende a far risaltare il coraggio e la nobiltà del proprio progenitore a discapito di tutti gli altri (al punto da usare il mito per offendere le altre famiglie); gli eroi si rivelano meno eroici del previsto e anzi proprio chi persegue gli antichi ideali di guerra e vendetta risulta solo ridicolo, ma nemmeno chi dovrebbe trionfare alla fine lo fa pienamente, ma a questo Stroud ci ha abituati, quindi non ci sorprende; anche il topos del viaggio dell’eroe è trasformato in una serie di accadimenti ridicoli e sventurati ai danni del povero Halli.
Tutto è dissacrato, non si salva nulla, e questa cosa è bellissima.
E’ giusto il finale a lasciare un po’ di amaro in bocca e non spiega quanto dovrebbe, o forse spiega troppo, andando a sgretolare quell’alone inconsistente ma intrigante che si era formato tra realtà e leggenda, e togliendoci ogni dubbio instillato fino a quel momento. Resta comunque un romanzo decisamente sopra la media, almeno per quel che mi riguarda, di cui consiglio la lettura.
August 24, 2011
Ini kisah tentang Pahlawan di suatu lembah dimana 12 klan hidup berdampingan. Tersebutlah Halli Sveinsson, keturunan dari Svein sang Pendiri salah satu Klan. Halli lahir di pertengahan musim dingin. Kepercayaan di sana mengatakan bahwa anak-anak yang lahir di pertengahan musim dingin kelak akan menjadi anak yang berkaitan dengan hal-hal gaib dan rahasia.
Di sekeliling Klan-klan, ada deretan makam-makam batu yang memanjang membentuk barisan pertahanan. Tersebutlah Trow, jenis makhluk yang tidak ada satupun orang yang benar-benar pernah melihatnya. Trow adalah makhluk yang paling ditakuti di seluruh penjuru lembah. Cerita akan pertarungan para penguasa Klan dengan Trow di masa lalu terus diceritakan turun-temurun. Pantangan dinyatakan terang terangan, bahwa tidak ada seorang pun yang boleh melewati makam batu setelah matahari terbenam. Trow berkeliaran dan semua yang nekad melanggar peraturan itu telah dikabarkan hilang. Makam-makam batu itu adalah makam orang-orang yang dahulunya hidup di Klan, saat hidup mereka mengabdi pada Klan, dan setelah mati kehormatan besar juga disematkan kepada mereka. Makam mereka akan menjaga Lembah agar Trow tidak bisa memasukinya.
Halli tumbuh menjadi anak yang terkenal sering membuat keonaran. Ia tak bisa diam, nekad dan ceroboh. Ia selalu penasaran akan keberadaan Trow dan kagum akan cerita-cerita kepahlawanan Svein jaman dulu. Ia selalu ingin menjadi pahlawan seperti Svein, bertempur melawan Trow, melebarkan kekuasaan Klan dan menjadi sosok yang disegani semua orang.
Suatu hari terjadi tragedi, ketika Klan Harkon berkunjung ke Kediaman Klan Svein, Olaf adik dari pemimpin Klan Harkon membunuh Brodir, Paman Halli. Halli yang menyaksikan pembunuhan itu menjadi geram, ia berniat menuntut balas terhadap Klan Harkon. Darah dibalas dengan darah, Maka kematian Brodir harus dibalas dengan kematian pembunuhnya. Tetapi orangtuanya melarangnya, ini akan diselesaikan Dewan Hukum, Klan Harkon akan dimintai gantirugi berupa tanah, setelah itu selesai semua perkara.
Bukan Halli namanya kalau ia menerima begitu saja peraturan. Semangatnya untuk berkelana yang sudah lama terpendam akhirnya meluap, ia akan berjalankaki ke Lembah Bawah, ke Klan Harkon di dekat Laut untuk menuntut balas. Sudah saatnya Sang Pahlawan dilahirkan kembali, dan ia lah yang akan menjadi pahlawan tersebut.
Namun sanggupkah Halli bertahan dalam perjalanannya yang kelak melelahkan itu? Sanggupkah ia membunuh Olaf Harkonsson, dan kembali sebagai Sang Pahlawan? Lalu bagaimana dengan para Trow, mungkinkah suatu saat Halli bisa melihat makhluk seperti apa mereka sebenarnya?
Buku yang terdiri dari 4 Bab ini entah mengapa waktu awal membaca, ketertarikan saya sempat berkurang. Baru setelah di Bab 3 mulai terasa petualangannya. Tokoh Halli yang di awal cerita sering mendapat masalah juga diceritakan dengan baik, sampai saya cukup menganggap ia benar-benar Halli yang menyebalkan. Kisah yang berlatarkan suasana kepahlawanan ini menurut saya akan bagus bila dijadikan film. Tidak seperti Karya Stroud sebelumnya, Bartimaeus yang penuh visual efek kalo dijadikan film, Sang Pahlawan ini lebih mudah dibayangkan latar ceritanya. Sayangnya dari awal saya sudah sedikit kecewa, balas dendam bukanlah topik yang saya suka sebenarnya. Tapi saya menuntaskan membaca dan mendapati kecerdikkan Halli di akhir cerita.
Ternyata Ia tak semembosankan yang saya duga. :)
Di sekeliling Klan-klan, ada deretan makam-makam batu yang memanjang membentuk barisan pertahanan. Tersebutlah Trow, jenis makhluk yang tidak ada satupun orang yang benar-benar pernah melihatnya. Trow adalah makhluk yang paling ditakuti di seluruh penjuru lembah. Cerita akan pertarungan para penguasa Klan dengan Trow di masa lalu terus diceritakan turun-temurun. Pantangan dinyatakan terang terangan, bahwa tidak ada seorang pun yang boleh melewati makam batu setelah matahari terbenam. Trow berkeliaran dan semua yang nekad melanggar peraturan itu telah dikabarkan hilang. Makam-makam batu itu adalah makam orang-orang yang dahulunya hidup di Klan, saat hidup mereka mengabdi pada Klan, dan setelah mati kehormatan besar juga disematkan kepada mereka. Makam mereka akan menjaga Lembah agar Trow tidak bisa memasukinya.
Halli tumbuh menjadi anak yang terkenal sering membuat keonaran. Ia tak bisa diam, nekad dan ceroboh. Ia selalu penasaran akan keberadaan Trow dan kagum akan cerita-cerita kepahlawanan Svein jaman dulu. Ia selalu ingin menjadi pahlawan seperti Svein, bertempur melawan Trow, melebarkan kekuasaan Klan dan menjadi sosok yang disegani semua orang.
Suatu hari terjadi tragedi, ketika Klan Harkon berkunjung ke Kediaman Klan Svein, Olaf adik dari pemimpin Klan Harkon membunuh Brodir, Paman Halli. Halli yang menyaksikan pembunuhan itu menjadi geram, ia berniat menuntut balas terhadap Klan Harkon. Darah dibalas dengan darah, Maka kematian Brodir harus dibalas dengan kematian pembunuhnya. Tetapi orangtuanya melarangnya, ini akan diselesaikan Dewan Hukum, Klan Harkon akan dimintai gantirugi berupa tanah, setelah itu selesai semua perkara.
Bukan Halli namanya kalau ia menerima begitu saja peraturan. Semangatnya untuk berkelana yang sudah lama terpendam akhirnya meluap, ia akan berjalankaki ke Lembah Bawah, ke Klan Harkon di dekat Laut untuk menuntut balas. Sudah saatnya Sang Pahlawan dilahirkan kembali, dan ia lah yang akan menjadi pahlawan tersebut.
Namun sanggupkah Halli bertahan dalam perjalanannya yang kelak melelahkan itu? Sanggupkah ia membunuh Olaf Harkonsson, dan kembali sebagai Sang Pahlawan? Lalu bagaimana dengan para Trow, mungkinkah suatu saat Halli bisa melihat makhluk seperti apa mereka sebenarnya?
Buku yang terdiri dari 4 Bab ini entah mengapa waktu awal membaca, ketertarikan saya sempat berkurang. Baru setelah di Bab 3 mulai terasa petualangannya. Tokoh Halli yang di awal cerita sering mendapat masalah juga diceritakan dengan baik, sampai saya cukup menganggap ia benar-benar Halli yang menyebalkan. Kisah yang berlatarkan suasana kepahlawanan ini menurut saya akan bagus bila dijadikan film. Tidak seperti Karya Stroud sebelumnya, Bartimaeus yang penuh visual efek kalo dijadikan film, Sang Pahlawan ini lebih mudah dibayangkan latar ceritanya. Sayangnya dari awal saya sudah sedikit kecewa, balas dendam bukanlah topik yang saya suka sebenarnya. Tapi saya menuntaskan membaca dan mendapati kecerdikkan Halli di akhir cerita.
Ternyata Ia tak semembosankan yang saya duga. :)
July 28, 2010
Halli lives in a valley founded by 12 Heroes long ago who fought monsters, called Trows, for mastery of the land. As the second son in his family, he’s a bit of a prankster, seeking attention from a village that would rather see him remain quiet and out of the way than have fun. But when his uncle is murdered by the arbiter of another house, Halli embarks on a quest, seeking revenge for his fallen kin. Along the way he begins to question his family’s history, the legends of the Trows, and his feelings for a young girl named Aud.
I had high hopes for this book. Really, I did. After seeing “How to Train Your Dragon” in theaters this last spring, Viking stories have made it onto my list of things to explore. But this book was probably not the best story to start with, for multiple reasons.
Heroes of the Valley gets off to a slow start. For the first 75 pages or so, the events that take place and background information provided (mostly about Halli’s history with his family) have little—if any—importance to the actual plot. Eventually, things picked up around page 200 or so. But Halli himself was just a boring character. I found him unsympathetic and without much drive to do anything (except complain) until his uncle is killed, and even then I didn’t believe he was genuinely interested in regaining his family’s honor. The beginning of the book insisted on how witty Halli was but I had difficulty believing this as he made page after page of untactful and stupid choices. Not to mention that his dialogue was staler than a piece of dry flat bread. Sure, he had a few funny lines, but still lacked the charisma that you would expect an insisted “prankster” to have. I think this was partially due to his perfect grammar—for a fifteen year old kid, the guy spoke like an experienced noble, using diction beyond the intelligence of a Viking teenager. Really, it was the female lead, Aud, who had the personality he should have had. She was forward, charismatic, intelligent, attractive, brave, ect., and I was sad to see that she didn’t show up more. Stroud placed her in this story to be the love interest, but for those of you seeking romance, you’ll be disappointed by the end. Though it’s clear that Aud and Halli like each other, it’s never clear what happens to the two of them.
The beginning of the novel leads you to believe that the focus of Halli’s adventure will lead him to an epic battle with the Trows (just the ancestors of the 12 houses did), due to the emphasis on them throughout the story. (Trows are creatures of the earth that come out at night and eat people. They’re never really described, except that they are human like, have sharp claws, and smell like dirt) However, instead, the ending focuses on the dying relationship between the houses, rather than the union of them against a common enemy. Though I thought the ending was cut too short, I enjoyed Halli’s display of maturity in the end and his rise to become a hero. I would say that the story is an exploration in what makes a hero - how a legend it born, how it gets distorted and dies, and how a new legend can arise when seeking the truth - rather than your typical adventure story.
Overall, I didn't really care for the book. It wasn't the worst thing I've ever read, but it wasn't good either.
I had high hopes for this book. Really, I did. After seeing “How to Train Your Dragon” in theaters this last spring, Viking stories have made it onto my list of things to explore. But this book was probably not the best story to start with, for multiple reasons.
Heroes of the Valley gets off to a slow start. For the first 75 pages or so, the events that take place and background information provided (mostly about Halli’s history with his family) have little—if any—importance to the actual plot. Eventually, things picked up around page 200 or so. But Halli himself was just a boring character. I found him unsympathetic and without much drive to do anything (except complain) until his uncle is killed, and even then I didn’t believe he was genuinely interested in regaining his family’s honor. The beginning of the book insisted on how witty Halli was but I had difficulty believing this as he made page after page of untactful and stupid choices. Not to mention that his dialogue was staler than a piece of dry flat bread. Sure, he had a few funny lines, but still lacked the charisma that you would expect an insisted “prankster” to have. I think this was partially due to his perfect grammar—for a fifteen year old kid, the guy spoke like an experienced noble, using diction beyond the intelligence of a Viking teenager. Really, it was the female lead, Aud, who had the personality he should have had. She was forward, charismatic, intelligent, attractive, brave, ect., and I was sad to see that she didn’t show up more. Stroud placed her in this story to be the love interest, but for those of you seeking romance, you’ll be disappointed by the end. Though it’s clear that Aud and Halli like each other, it’s never clear what happens to the two of them.
The beginning of the novel leads you to believe that the focus of Halli’s adventure will lead him to an epic battle with the Trows (just the ancestors of the 12 houses did), due to the emphasis on them throughout the story. (Trows are creatures of the earth that come out at night and eat people. They’re never really described, except that they are human like, have sharp claws, and smell like dirt) However, instead, the ending focuses on the dying relationship between the houses, rather than the union of them against a common enemy. Though I thought the ending was cut too short, I enjoyed Halli’s display of maturity in the end and his rise to become a hero. I would say that the story is an exploration in what makes a hero - how a legend it born, how it gets distorted and dies, and how a new legend can arise when seeking the truth - rather than your typical adventure story.
Overall, I didn't really care for the book. It wasn't the worst thing I've ever read, but it wasn't good either.
July 2, 2014
How do you see your tale’s hero? Tall, handsome, a knight in shining armour, the one with the brains and the brawn to make things right. If you are interested in the typical heroes, then do not pick up a Jonathan Stroud book. But if you need something new, something different from the others, if you are willing to bear a protagonist who has a better chance of burning himself than achieving any of his goals, then you may very look forward to a Jonathan Stroud adventure. After having completed the Bartimeus trilogy, my admiration of author Stroud had risen multifold, and that has not diminished after completing Heroes of the Valley.
Heroes of the Valley is about the adventure of young Halli Sveinsson, the second son of the ruler of the Svein House. A lad hungry for adventure, though living in peaceful times, with only the tales of old heroes to dream about. Foolhardy in his ways, a bit too quick with his tongue, Halli has all the ingredients to stir up trouble when it can be avoided. And that is eventually what is bound to happen. When the Svein House hosts the annual Gathering where folks across all Houses are invited, Halli’s mischievous prank disturbs the delicate balance of peace in the valley. And from thereon begins his adventure, an adventure which will teach Halli much more about life, about honour and courage, and also about himself.
Heroes of the Valley is a joy to read right from the start. Jonathan Stroud begins the opening pages with an age-old tale of the dead heroes who fought the mythical Trows, and instantly you are hooked. What follows then is the beginning of the adventure which would change so much, as Stroud adroitly takes us through his chapters, building on the characters meticulously, and making you like Halli more and more with each passing page. Joining his adventure is Aud from another house, who matches Halli in her love for recklessness, and together they make for a wonderful partnership. As the book moves on, the layers of character of Halli that Stroud unravels is excellent, which gives this whole tale so much more depth and personality. Along with it he also brings the feel of living in a Norse mythological story, which gives it all a grandiose touch. It’s a wonderful story, beautifully written, worthy to be considered for a feature film at some point. Keep up the good work, Jonathon Stroud!
Heroes of the Valley is about the adventure of young Halli Sveinsson, the second son of the ruler of the Svein House. A lad hungry for adventure, though living in peaceful times, with only the tales of old heroes to dream about. Foolhardy in his ways, a bit too quick with his tongue, Halli has all the ingredients to stir up trouble when it can be avoided. And that is eventually what is bound to happen. When the Svein House hosts the annual Gathering where folks across all Houses are invited, Halli’s mischievous prank disturbs the delicate balance of peace in the valley. And from thereon begins his adventure, an adventure which will teach Halli much more about life, about honour and courage, and also about himself.
Heroes of the Valley is a joy to read right from the start. Jonathan Stroud begins the opening pages with an age-old tale of the dead heroes who fought the mythical Trows, and instantly you are hooked. What follows then is the beginning of the adventure which would change so much, as Stroud adroitly takes us through his chapters, building on the characters meticulously, and making you like Halli more and more with each passing page. Joining his adventure is Aud from another house, who matches Halli in her love for recklessness, and together they make for a wonderful partnership. As the book moves on, the layers of character of Halli that Stroud unravels is excellent, which gives this whole tale so much more depth and personality. Along with it he also brings the feel of living in a Norse mythological story, which gives it all a grandiose touch. It’s a wonderful story, beautifully written, worthy to be considered for a feature film at some point. Keep up the good work, Jonathon Stroud!
December 31, 2012
Terlambat sehari dari yang ditargetkan--sudahlah :D
Dari buku-buku Jonathan Stroud yang saya baca, ratingnya:
Bartimaeus Trology+Prequel: ASDFGHSAJJSA BAGUSNYA GAK NGERTI LAGI!
Heroes of The Valley: BAGUUUUUS!
The Leap: Pusing
The Last Siege: Meh, ngebosenin.
Setelah dibawa jungkir balik sama Bartimaeus, baca The Leap dan The Las Siege bikin saya kecewa, jadi saya tidak berharap banyak sama The Leap. Di luar dugaan, ceritanya oke, meski nggak segreget Bartimaeus Trilogy.
Halli Sveinson, gempal, berkaki pendek, keturunan kedua Arnkel--penguasa klan Sveinsosn, kecewa orang-orang di klannya kini hanya sibuk bertani. Padahal dulu, pendiri klan-klan yang ada adalah pahlawan, yang mengayunkan pedang dan bertarung, terutama melawan para Trow (monster bercakar pemakan manusia). Svein adalah yang paling berani dibanding semua pahlawan. Dia dibawa orang tuanya, orang-orang pertama yang datang ke lembah, dan sejak bayi telah menunjukkan takdirnya sebagai pahlawan: dia mencekik ular yang akan menyerangnya hanya dengan tangan kosong! Ketika dewasa, dia membangun balairung dan tembok-tembok, bertarung dengan Trow dan mencuri emas dari aula Raja Trow, mencabut pohon, dsb.
Pada masa Svein klan-klan bertarung dan saling bertikai, sampai kemudian Svein mengajukan gencatan senjata dan mengajak para pahlawan bersama-sama melawan Trow.
Yang pertama kali membuat saya tertarik dengan buku ini adalah sinopsis di belakang bukunya:
"Bersama Aud--gadis ceroboh yang keras kepala seperti Halli--ia ternyata malah menemukan kebenaran tenang legenda, lembah, dan diri mereka sendiri."
Gile, misterius banget gak siiih. Jalan cerita dan konflik yang disebutkan di sinopsisnya memang tidak sedramatis yang saya bayangkan, dan agak telat di belakang buku, tapi gaya-bahasa-khas-Stroud-(di-Bartimaeus)-nya boleh laaah, bikin betah bacanya. Deskripsinya yang detail dan kreatif. Suka. Endingnya juga ternyata nggak gampang ditebak, dan entah kenapa saya suka banget sama settingnya :D Lembah, klan-klan khas Inggris abad-18 (CMIIW).
Baca buku ini kayak baca cerita dongeng, tapi versi panjang satu buku. Meski nggak bisa ngalahin Bartimaeus, tapi empat bintang buat buku ini, tiga buat cerita dan settingnya, satu buat terjemahannya yang oke banget xD *nemplok ke Mbak Poppy*
Dari buku-buku Jonathan Stroud yang saya baca, ratingnya:
Bartimaeus Trology+Prequel: ASDFGHSAJJSA BAGUSNYA GAK NGERTI LAGI!
Heroes of The Valley: BAGUUUUUS!
The Leap: Pusing
The Last Siege: Meh, ngebosenin.
Setelah dibawa jungkir balik sama Bartimaeus, baca The Leap dan The Las Siege bikin saya kecewa, jadi saya tidak berharap banyak sama The Leap. Di luar dugaan, ceritanya oke, meski nggak segreget Bartimaeus Trilogy.
Halli Sveinson, gempal, berkaki pendek, keturunan kedua Arnkel--penguasa klan Sveinsosn, kecewa orang-orang di klannya kini hanya sibuk bertani. Padahal dulu, pendiri klan-klan yang ada adalah pahlawan, yang mengayunkan pedang dan bertarung, terutama melawan para Trow (monster bercakar pemakan manusia). Svein adalah yang paling berani dibanding semua pahlawan. Dia dibawa orang tuanya, orang-orang pertama yang datang ke lembah, dan sejak bayi telah menunjukkan takdirnya sebagai pahlawan: dia mencekik ular yang akan menyerangnya hanya dengan tangan kosong! Ketika dewasa, dia membangun balairung dan tembok-tembok, bertarung dengan Trow dan mencuri emas dari aula Raja Trow, mencabut pohon, dsb.
Pada masa Svein klan-klan bertarung dan saling bertikai, sampai kemudian Svein mengajukan gencatan senjata dan mengajak para pahlawan bersama-sama melawan Trow.
Yang pertama kali membuat saya tertarik dengan buku ini adalah sinopsis di belakang bukunya:
"Bersama Aud--gadis ceroboh yang keras kepala seperti Halli--ia ternyata malah menemukan kebenaran tenang legenda, lembah, dan diri mereka sendiri."
Gile, misterius banget gak siiih. Jalan cerita dan konflik yang disebutkan di sinopsisnya memang tidak sedramatis yang saya bayangkan, dan agak telat di belakang buku, tapi gaya-bahasa-khas-Stroud-(di-Bartimaeus)-nya boleh laaah, bikin betah bacanya. Deskripsinya yang detail dan kreatif. Suka. Endingnya juga ternyata nggak gampang ditebak, dan entah kenapa saya suka banget sama settingnya :D Lembah, klan-klan khas Inggris abad-18 (CMIIW).
Baca buku ini kayak baca cerita dongeng, tapi versi panjang satu buku. Meski nggak bisa ngalahin Bartimaeus, tapi empat bintang buat buku ini, tiga buat cerita dan settingnya, satu buat terjemahannya yang oke banget xD *nemplok ke Mbak Poppy*
August 28, 2009
A younger son, Halli Sveinsson rebels against his parents' and village's expectations through a series of endless (mostly harmless) pranks and escapades. But when his beloved uncle is murdered by a rival house, Halli sets out to avenge his uncle, a quest that will have startling repercussions for all of the residents of the valley.
I love Jonathan Stroud's books. He's the king of the snark, and he doesn't disappoint in this one. Halli has turned insult into an art. The dialogue brought tears of laughter to my eyes. The medieval, vaguely Scandinavian setting is also incredibly detailed.
I love the narrative structure here, of stories within stories. Each chapter is prefaced with a story of past heroes of the valley, their epic deeds and misadventures loosely foretelling what's to come. I also love the continual setup of cliffhangers that resolve themselves to be anything but--Stroud has mingled suspense and comedic timing beautifully.
There's also a true element of horror winding throughout the book. Halli's people and those of neighboring villages have long confined themselves to their valley, safe behind rock walls and cairns, for fear of the man-eating Trows that roam the mountainsides. Halli and his friend Aud(a spunky and appealing heroine) doubt the stories--no one, after all, has ever SEEN a Trow and lived to tell the tale. Surely they're only stories...or are they? Stroud leaves you guessing 'til the end. The two's attempts to push the boundaries of their peoples' beliefs, to break with tradition, and to find a place for themselves could lead ultimately to bloody death by tooth and claw.
I'm hoping this may be the start of a series--while it's utterly complete within itself, there's room to expand on Halli's story and what lies beyond the valley.
A coming of age story. An epic fantasy adventure. For any fans of Eragon, or Ranger's Apprentice, or even Sea of Trolls this one's a must-read.
I love Jonathan Stroud's books. He's the king of the snark, and he doesn't disappoint in this one. Halli has turned insult into an art. The dialogue brought tears of laughter to my eyes. The medieval, vaguely Scandinavian setting is also incredibly detailed.
I love the narrative structure here, of stories within stories. Each chapter is prefaced with a story of past heroes of the valley, their epic deeds and misadventures loosely foretelling what's to come. I also love the continual setup of cliffhangers that resolve themselves to be anything but--Stroud has mingled suspense and comedic timing beautifully.
There's also a true element of horror winding throughout the book. Halli's people and those of neighboring villages have long confined themselves to their valley, safe behind rock walls and cairns, for fear of the man-eating Trows that roam the mountainsides. Halli and his friend Aud(a spunky and appealing heroine) doubt the stories--no one, after all, has ever SEEN a Trow and lived to tell the tale. Surely they're only stories...or are they? Stroud leaves you guessing 'til the end. The two's attempts to push the boundaries of their peoples' beliefs, to break with tradition, and to find a place for themselves could lead ultimately to bloody death by tooth and claw.
I'm hoping this may be the start of a series--while it's utterly complete within itself, there's room to expand on Halli's story and what lies beyond the valley.
A coming of age story. An epic fantasy adventure. For any fans of Eragon, or Ranger's Apprentice, or even Sea of Trolls this one's a must-read.
March 14, 2009
The Bartemius Trilogy was a very complex young adult series--morally, in plot, and in theme--and it is good to see Stroud sticking to high standards. While this novel is aimed at maybe a slightly younger audience than the trilogy, it has enough exploration of "gray areas" to be a worthy successor.
In an isolated valley--between mountains and descending to the sea--are twelve houses named for each of the twelve ancient heroes who settled the valley and drove off the Trows--vicious underground creatures who eat humans. After hundreds of years, their stories and rules have become legends, laws, and tradition. For Halli, of the house of Svein, these tales of bravery guide his beliefs and he is sick of being trapped in a society that has given up the sword and turned toward law and negotiation. For Aud, of another house, being trapped in the valley by its myths, rules, and limits is similar to Halli's, but she will also be forced to marry.
Halli sets himself a quest to avenge the murder of his uncle and discovers who he is--or did he, really? For he and Aud decide to leave the valley, convinced that Trows do not exist. Soon, an enemy is closing in on House Svein and it is Halli who must save them.
Awesome at re-creating the reasoning of rebellious, questioning children and never descending into cliche or sap, this was great.
In an isolated valley--between mountains and descending to the sea--are twelve houses named for each of the twelve ancient heroes who settled the valley and drove off the Trows--vicious underground creatures who eat humans. After hundreds of years, their stories and rules have become legends, laws, and tradition. For Halli, of the house of Svein, these tales of bravery guide his beliefs and he is sick of being trapped in a society that has given up the sword and turned toward law and negotiation. For Aud, of another house, being trapped in the valley by its myths, rules, and limits is similar to Halli's, but she will also be forced to marry.
Halli sets himself a quest to avenge the murder of his uncle and discovers who he is--or did he, really? For he and Aud decide to leave the valley, convinced that Trows do not exist. Soon, an enemy is closing in on House Svein and it is Halli who must save them.
Awesome at re-creating the reasoning of rebellious, questioning children and never descending into cliche or sap, this was great.
January 2, 2011
I didn't hate this book and certainly it wasn't a badly written one but I couldn't connect with it either. I may come back and revisit the story so I could write a more proper review. But at this point I just felt that the plot was so disjointed that I had a hard time getting into it. By the time I managed to find a comfortable place to sit in the story, it was over very quickly not long afterwards. I may have picked the wrong Jonathan Stroud book to familiarize myself with his writing; I should have probably started with the Barthimaeus trilogy. it could also be I have little patience for Viking stories as I'm not all that familiar with the lores (give me Greek and Roman tales any time and I'll bite into them in no time). In any case, this book falls short of my expectations and I will now take another long break from Young Adult fiction so I can forget my disappointment.
March 23, 2011
What makes a hero? Halli is certainly an unlikely candidate - stocky, unattractive, and decidedly non-altruistic, he spends his days fighting with his family and creating general mischief. Growing up in the shadow of the Svein, the greatest hero of the valley, is no easy task. Halli yearns deep down for the dangerous days of the heroes of yore, when fearsome Trows terrorized the land and laws were meted out with a firm fist. When his uncle is murdered by the family of a rival house, he strikes out across the valley to seek vengeance...and perhaps become a hero in the process.
If you've ever wondered how much of myths and legends are really true, or if you're just tired of standard, predictable fantasy heroes, then this one is for you! It may take a bit to get going, but the plot delivers heavily on action, humor and tense situations once it does.
--Ian
If you've ever wondered how much of myths and legends are really true, or if you're just tired of standard, predictable fantasy heroes, then this one is for you! It may take a bit to get going, but the plot delivers heavily on action, humor and tense situations once it does.
--Ian
December 19, 2012
This is an unusual book, with the plot driven less by action than by character building and introspection. This may be the reason why I liked it so much: I tend to enjoy the exploration of the personalities at least as much as the story itself. Take this as both a recommendation and a warning: if you want a fast-paced, action-packed book, this isn't for you. If, however, you love a good character - a realistically flawed and self-aware person - as much as you like action, read this book.
I would also recommend this to any of the younger readers, not simply because it is the target audience, but because Jonathan's irreverent style is perfect for inspiring them to introspect on their own. This book is about challenging the status quo. Every person, young or old, should do the same.
I would also recommend this to any of the younger readers, not simply because it is the target audience, but because Jonathan's irreverent style is perfect for inspiring them to introspect on their own. This book is about challenging the status quo. Every person, young or old, should do the same.
December 14, 2019
Terrific meta-legend, sort-of fantasy, coming-of-age, young adult novel. It's all about what makes a hero - how a legend is born, how it dies, and how a new legend can arise out of its ashes. There's plenty of action and a good dose of humor, but there's also a depth to it that makes it more than it might seem at first. The tone is what you might expect in a classic legend and, perhaps partly because of that, it starts a little slowly, but once you immerse yourself in the author's world, it picks up nicely. It's a book that hooked me on the adventure, but has kept me thinking long after I've finished.
Re-read, 12/19. Such an amazing book.
Re-read, 12/19. Such an amazing book.
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