What do you think?
Rate this book
Windows on Our World: Hope
THE LAND The first part of the trilogy ‘Hope’ tells of the arrival of Squire in Thorland and ‘The Quest for the Teeth of the Upper Jaw’.
THE PROPHECY After many centuries, Squire has returned to Thorland, summoned there by the good Wizard Tobin in order to fulfil an ancient prophecy.
THE PEOPLE As the quest begins, the other members of the company described in the prophecy join Squire. They also encounter many friends who assist them on the quest.
THE MAGIC Tobin gives Squire a shield to protect him in times of great danger, but warns that whenever he uses it he will also get a glimpse of his own world - an unpleasant experience.
THE QUEST Their quest takes the company to every part of West Thorland. Every time they locate one of the teeth, they also receive instructions for finding the next tooth. Throughout the quest, the wicked Wizard Gordeve tries to abduct Squire, destroy his friends, and thwart the quest.
THE PROPHECY After many centuries, Squire has returned to Thorland, summoned there by the good Wizard Tobin in order to fulfil an ancient prophecy.
THE PEOPLE As the quest begins, the other members of the company described in the prophecy join Squire. They also encounter many friends who assist them on the quest.
THE MAGIC Tobin gives Squire a shield to protect him in times of great danger, but warns that whenever he uses it he will also get a glimpse of his own world - an unpleasant experience.
THE QUEST Their quest takes the company to every part of West Thorland. Every time they locate one of the teeth, they also receive instructions for finding the next tooth. Throughout the quest, the wicked Wizard Gordeve tries to abduct Squire, destroy his friends, and thwart the quest.
312 pages, Paperback
First published January 4, 2014
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 6, 2016
Hope (Windows on our World) by Les Bill Gates
“Hope” is a classic fantasy. It is the first in a trilogy, known as Windows on Our World.
The classic quest begins as a man wakes from a dream to find himself delivered by an eagle into a strange world, and into the centre of a prophecy. Apparently he is the long-awaited Squire who will fulfil an ancient prophecy, guided by the Wizard Tobin. On a quest to find each of the teeth that must be returned to an ancient skull, Squire and his group of friends move from one scenario to another, through Thorland, to combat the evil Gordeve with her plans to rule the land.
The story is full of wonders. Stories that reveal a world, piece by piece, are always fascinating. The names of the places within the world and the names of the characters echo the names in our own world and the worlds of other stories and other fantasies. They conjure up images and the echoes of scenarios. The themes of good versus evil, and of camaraderie against a shared evil are also reassuringly familiar.
The plot moves reasonably quickly. There are references to veiled, mystical undercurrents which keep the story intriguing, and strong plot twists. And there is no shortage of creatures and landscapes both fearsome and friendly. The narrative is reasonably sparse, emotionally. Imbued as I am with the writings of the likes of JRR Tolkien and David Eddings, I missed the emotional intensity of plot conflict points. But then, if Gates had built each of his climaxes to that extent for each tooth, the story would have gone for thousands of pages. Maybe there needed to be a different set of objects to find, with less of them, than the number of teeth in a mouth! Or maybe the plot is fine as it is and it moves quickly and succinctly from point to point with just the necessary build to make sense and excitement. I certainly felt myself drawn back to it, as each chapter heralded the next.
Originally I found the dialogue rather strange, perhaps stilted. But then it fits with the style of writing which, itself, seems to be setting a more formal atmosphere of ‘old-world tale’ and continues throughout the book.
I grew to like each of the characters, despite the fact that, again, they are described only sufficiently to make the plot work. But by the end of the book, I found myself glad for each of them as they participated in the final gathering, sad at not meeting them all again in another piece of the adventure and quite relieved that there was to be a sequel so that I could join them on the next part of their quest.
This is a book that an advanced primary school reader could read. It really is a kind of fairy tale. That did not, in any way, reduce the pleasure I had in reading it. It simply indicates that this book will reach a wide audience, who will enjoy it for what it is – an intriguing, exciting, easy-to-read fantasy.
“Hope” is a classic fantasy. It is the first in a trilogy, known as Windows on Our World.
The classic quest begins as a man wakes from a dream to find himself delivered by an eagle into a strange world, and into the centre of a prophecy. Apparently he is the long-awaited Squire who will fulfil an ancient prophecy, guided by the Wizard Tobin. On a quest to find each of the teeth that must be returned to an ancient skull, Squire and his group of friends move from one scenario to another, through Thorland, to combat the evil Gordeve with her plans to rule the land.
The story is full of wonders. Stories that reveal a world, piece by piece, are always fascinating. The names of the places within the world and the names of the characters echo the names in our own world and the worlds of other stories and other fantasies. They conjure up images and the echoes of scenarios. The themes of good versus evil, and of camaraderie against a shared evil are also reassuringly familiar.
The plot moves reasonably quickly. There are references to veiled, mystical undercurrents which keep the story intriguing, and strong plot twists. And there is no shortage of creatures and landscapes both fearsome and friendly. The narrative is reasonably sparse, emotionally. Imbued as I am with the writings of the likes of JRR Tolkien and David Eddings, I missed the emotional intensity of plot conflict points. But then, if Gates had built each of his climaxes to that extent for each tooth, the story would have gone for thousands of pages. Maybe there needed to be a different set of objects to find, with less of them, than the number of teeth in a mouth! Or maybe the plot is fine as it is and it moves quickly and succinctly from point to point with just the necessary build to make sense and excitement. I certainly felt myself drawn back to it, as each chapter heralded the next.
Originally I found the dialogue rather strange, perhaps stilted. But then it fits with the style of writing which, itself, seems to be setting a more formal atmosphere of ‘old-world tale’ and continues throughout the book.
I grew to like each of the characters, despite the fact that, again, they are described only sufficiently to make the plot work. But by the end of the book, I found myself glad for each of them as they participated in the final gathering, sad at not meeting them all again in another piece of the adventure and quite relieved that there was to be a sequel so that I could join them on the next part of their quest.
This is a book that an advanced primary school reader could read. It really is a kind of fairy tale. That did not, in any way, reduce the pleasure I had in reading it. It simply indicates that this book will reach a wide audience, who will enjoy it for what it is – an intriguing, exciting, easy-to-read fantasy.
March 10, 2014
I think Marie Seltenrych, Irish/Australian author said it best: "Les Bill Gates, masterminded adventurer, takes his readers on an unforgettable journey through the imaginary Thorlands. Led by Helge, a small group venture into unchartered waters, where dangers lurk moment by moment from ferocious cougar ‘eyes’ to rats, locusts and bears. Gates keeps his readers on edge as he unfolds this magnificent story page by page, introducing fascinating characters to bring rainbow colours into a sometimes ‘dark’ and sinister plot."
June 14, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
I found ‘Hope (Windows on Our Word) Book I’ by Les Bill Gates, to be a fantastic fantasy read. The author did a superb job in creating the characters. Each one is well-rounded and of full benefit to the unlikely group of characters sent on a quest.
Les Bill Gates writes with great clarity and descriptions, which hold the reader spellbound. ‘Hope’ pulls the reader in and sends them down many lanes, with many twists and turns, keeping the reader on the edge of his, or her, seat.
Of course, there is a prophecy that will keep readers looking forward to the next book, and the next in this trilogy.
Personally, I loved ‘Hope’ and am looking forward to the next book in the trilogy
I recommend ‘Hope’ to fantasy lovers, young and old.
I received a PDF copy of this book to read and give an honest review.
http://mauldinfamily1.wordpress.com/2...
I found ‘Hope (Windows on Our Word) Book I’ by Les Bill Gates, to be a fantastic fantasy read. The author did a superb job in creating the characters. Each one is well-rounded and of full benefit to the unlikely group of characters sent on a quest.
Les Bill Gates writes with great clarity and descriptions, which hold the reader spellbound. ‘Hope’ pulls the reader in and sends them down many lanes, with many twists and turns, keeping the reader on the edge of his, or her, seat.
Of course, there is a prophecy that will keep readers looking forward to the next book, and the next in this trilogy.
Personally, I loved ‘Hope’ and am looking forward to the next book in the trilogy
I recommend ‘Hope’ to fantasy lovers, young and old.
I received a PDF copy of this book to read and give an honest review.
http://mauldinfamily1.wordpress.com/2...
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews