I was pretty excited when I found out a copy of A Confusion of Princes was coming my way. I've been a fan of Garth Nix since... well, doing maths like that is depressing, let's just say since I was a teenager and draw a discreet veil over those enquiries.

When I unwrapped my parcel (I actually went to the post office and stood in line with my little card that proudly proclaimed I was a recipient of something large, and therefore interesting, and mustn't I have an exciting life....) I was met by the shiny silver and blue cover-art and I stroked the smooth and sleek front cover almost lovingly. (I like books, ok. Stop judging me.)

And then I read the back cover and I thought "Uh-oh". A Confusion of Princes is a Sci-Fi novel and sci-fi is not really my thing (I read history, and fantasy, and Pratchett, who is so awesome as to be a genre of his own). But it's Garth Nix, and he's never steered me wrong so far. Plus I saw him interview Terry Pratchett last year, giving him an extra Awesome-By-Association edge. I decided I'd give it a shot. I prepared myself to wade through the book with minimal enjoyment, like eating brussels sprouts because you don't want to offend your friend's mum.

And then I read A Confusion of Princes and joined the ranks of People Who Have No Idea What They're On About because it was amazing!

I was engrossed from about page 10 when I met Master Haddad, and the smug little prince had his first taste of reality. And suddenly I was engaged and delighted. A Confusion of Princes is a vivid and imaginative tale, that delves into what it is to be human, explores the difference between knowing and understanding and contrasts astounding technological advancements with beautifully visceral human emotion. The novel is a chiaroscuro, humanity offset against technology, power and freedom, an almost dystopian future that is strangely hopeful, nevertheless.

I loved this book. After I finished reading it, I sat on the train and hugged the book to my chest and thought "Wow." And then I thought "Crap. My bookshelves are already groaning under the strain and this has just opened up a whole new genre for me." And then I petted the book cover lovingly for the rest of the ride home. (Look, I've already explained this, I just like books, all right?)

I would recommend A Confusion of Princes to anyone who enjoys the idea of thought-provoking adventure. Young or old (there's a lot of numbers between me and teenager, remember) sci-fi afficianado or total noob.

A Confusion of Princes knocked my socks off.

Garth Nix made me read Sci-Fi! And like it!