What I liked about this book was the engaging style, the intense events, and the emotion that is naturally drawn out by those events. The inward stru...more What I liked about this book was the engaging style, the intense events, and the emotion that is naturally drawn out by those events. The inward struggles that Katniss must constantly face are things that just about any person can sympathize with.
As with most books, however, there are many things that I disagree with. I understand that without conflict and problems there would hardly be a story, but as one reads a story like this you can't help but ask yourself what you would do in such a situation and think that you would do it differently. Sometimes it's a relief that we probably won't know until we get there.
I enjoyed it very much, and am eagerly awaiting the arrival of the second book from the library. (less)
Beginning with the continuation of the story of Llew Silver Hand, The Endless Knot tells of the golden age when all of Albion is united under the Aird...moreBeginning with the continuation of the story of Llew Silver Hand, The Endless Knot tells of the golden age when all of Albion is united under the Aird Righ (High King). Llew is established among the people, and even takes a bride. The book shows how he helps to build up his city and his people, until little things start showing up, saying that not is all right with the land. When his most beloved treasure is stolen, he goes on a journey that shows destruction and despair like never seen before, yet ends in the renewing of two worlds.
I must admit this third book was somewhat of a disappointment to me. It started out rather slowly, just following general life in Dinas Dwr. That was fine and dandy, but it was a change of pace from what the rest of the series had been and an unexpected one. As I mentioned with the previous two books in the series, I do not recommend this series for younger teens, and anyone else should be smart enough to use their own discretion. This last book in particular discussed married life a little more than I was interested in reading.
The end caused mixed feelings. I could see how it fulfilled everything that the author had intended from the beginning, but it left questions in my mind that I may never have answered.
Overall I would recommend the series, although the last book was certainly not my favorite of the three.(less)
The Silver Hand continues the story of Lewis Gillies, now called Llew a name he earned by noble deeds, and his task righting two worlds that are tied ...moreThe Silver Hand continues the story of Lewis Gillies, now called Llew a name he earned by noble deeds, and his task righting two worlds that are tied together. Prince Meldron, goaded on by Simon's treacherous words, is seizing all of Albion for himself, and bringing destruction and cruelty wherever he goes. His only quest now, however, is to slay Llew and assert his false claim to the kingship.
It is through the vision of Tegid the bard that we see these events happening. He has his own personal path to fulfill and that is to see Llew as rightful king of Albion. When the two friends are viciously maimed, he still keeps up his hope that Llew will be king, despite the fact that a king must be without blemish.
Also despite their wounds, Llew and Tegid strive to build something out of a vision. Tegid has seen a large city built on the waters of the lake that he and Llew have come to call home. They begin to create the vision in reality, and it is not long before they are joined by many who were driven away by the wicked Prince Meldron. The renown of their vision spreads, and it is not long before there are two groups in Albion. Those with Llew and those coerced to serve the Prince and it is not long before the Prince makes his way to Llew's northern stronghold.
Battle is made. Tegid struggles to make sense of things that have been floating on the edge of his mind, knowing that the culmination of these thoughts could be a deciding factor in the fight. When the battle is lost and all hope has been destroyed, the hope is reborn by the emergence of a silver hand. The Silver Hand
The second book in The Song of Albion Trilogy, I was enthralled with the story for the whole day, and stayed up late into the night to finish. After saying that, at this point in my journey through the trilogy I will say that while I enjoyed this second book, I would rank the first book first in a list. As I also mentioned in my review of The Paradise War, I would certainly not recommend this book for younger readers. It is an intense world, full of intense happenings. While I think that much of what is portrayed is more realistic than what is often portrayed, there were some moments where I felt the events could have been a little more subtly told.
Stephen Lawhead skillfully weaves words together to hold the reader's attention throughout the novel. The only sections that leapt through were the songs and verse, which is my own fault. On the whole, I enjoyed this book greatly, and am excited to read the third installment!(less)
The first in a trilogy, The Paradise War follows the amazing and fantastic adventure of a young college student by the name of Lewis Gillies. When he ...moreThe first in a trilogy, The Paradise War follows the amazing and fantastic adventure of a young college student by the name of Lewis Gillies. When he follows his friend on an sudden and unlikely urge to explore the strange appearance of a long extinct beast in Scotland, he is shocked when his friend disappears inside a cairn and does not return. It is only when he attempts to follow Simon that he understands why.
Albion is where he finds himself. It is the Otherworld, and he is thrust into it so quickly and violently that he doesn't even have time to protest the series of events that lead to his warrior training and the events that will follow. Lewis is in Albion, a land so steeped in Celtic myth, lore, legend, and culture that the novel resonates with this fantastic framework and thrills the reader with their own discovery of it.
Lewis comes to love Albion so well that the thought of returning to the drab, gray, meaningless life that he left behind him makes him sick. How could a person desire to take a shadow of a thing over the reality? He comes to realize, though, that the presence of strangers has brought a new influence in to the ancient ways and traditions of the country, and that it is steadily bringing about the downfall of the world. Simon is a changed man, and his greedy words of dissent whispered into the right ear causes waves that cannot be stopped. Lewis realizes that he must prevent anything else from taking place, and though it grieves his heart, he tries to force Simon back to their own world, only to be met with surprise.
This book is my introduction to the works of Stephen Lawhead, and I must say that I am very impressed. He has created a rich and colorful world that so thoroughly held me captive in a way that books have not done for a while. I fell in love with the beautiful descriptions, the wonderful lore that made the skillful foundation for the work, and the very characters themselves caught at my mind and are still clinging there.
I personally loved The Paradise War and can't wait to finish the second book in the series, The Silver Hand, although I would probably not recommend the series for younger teens and below.
Finally, I just want to say, I think I love Great Britain more than ever! At the very least I find the ancient history and mythology fascinating. (less)
I am normally very fond of the writings of C.S. Lewis, but although this book made some good and valid points, I don't feel that it would be necessary...moreI am normally very fond of the writings of C.S. Lewis, but although this book made some good and valid points, I don't feel that it would be necessary to read it in this manner. It is a completely unique and fascinating method of bringing up sins and such, but other methods have been just as, if not more successful in that. I simply felt that it wasn't necessary to "get into a devil's mind" in order to understand these things.(less)
Rudolf Rassendyll seems to be a no-account younger brother without much aim in life. When he indulges a sudden whim to visit the kingdom of Ruritania,...moreRudolf Rassendyll seems to be a no-account younger brother without much aim in life. When he indulges a sudden whim to visit the kingdom of Ruritania, he, and several others besides, are shocked to discover his unmistakable similarity to the King. An increasingly pleasant holiday turns into something much more dangerous and sinister, however, when the King is discovered drugged the morning of his coronation his advisors quickly urge Rudolf to take his place. For political reasons the coronation must not be put off any longer, and so Rudolf Rassendyll becomes a king for a day. Returning to the true king reveals disaster. He has been kidnapped and Rudolf and his friends must keep up their charade until he is found. What ensues is a rousing adventure full of impossible love and bold plans.
I really enjoyed reading this book, but it is more of a light/fluff read. Not that other adventure stories aren't fluff, but this seemed to be written expressly for the purpose of entertainment.(less)
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