The Settlers of Catan By Rebecca Gable Translated by Lee Chadeayne Based on Klaus Teuber’s wildly popular board game of the same name, The Settlers of Catan is a semi-historical/fantasy novel based on Norse cultures around the year 850 BCE. The novel was originally written in German, but has been translated into English. The tale …
Category: Fantasy
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Oct 12
Book Review: Brotherband Chronicles: The Outcasts
The Outcasts Brotherband Chronicles, Book 1 By John Flanagan Brotherband Chronicles is a companion trilogy to John Flanagan’s wildly popular Ranger’s Apprentice series. The trilogy follows a half-Skandian, half-Araluen boy, Hal, and his group of friends on their journey to be recognized as warriors by the Skandian adults. When his best friend Mikkel is killed …
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Oct 01
Book Review: Ranger’s Apprentice: The Lost Stories
The Lost Stories Ranger’s Apprentice, Book 11 By John Flanagan In honor of the release of The Royal Ranger, I’ve decided to post a review of the preceeding book in the Ranger’s Apprentice series, The Lost Stories, on the final novel’s Australian release date. Rather than a novel like the other books in the series, …
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Sep 02
Book Review: The Silmarillion
The Silmarillion By J.R.R. Tolkien Edited by Christopher Tolkien Published posthumously, The Silmarillion is the bible to J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth. Literally. Told mostly from an Elf-centric point-of-view, The Silmarillion covers the creation of Middle-earth, or Arda, through the rise and fall of the elf kingdoms, the rise and fall of Numenor, and the rise and …
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Aug 17
Book Review: Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth
Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-Earth By J.R.R. Tolkien Edited by Christopher Tolkien Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-Earth is the first book in a study of the many fragments of Tolkien’s writing on his legendarium. Tolkien’s son Christopher collects several lengthy fragments stretching from the First Age of Middle-earth to the beginning of the …
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Aug 08
Book Review: The High King
The High King The Chronicles of Prydain, Book 5 By Lloyd Alexander In the conclusion to the Chronicles, all Prydain is at war. Arawn, Lord of Annuvin, has attacked Prince Gwydion and stolen the magical sword Dyrnwyn. Gwydion rides to recover the sword, but the companions soon learn the threat is greater than they ever …
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Aug 07
Book Review: Taran Wanderer
Taran Wanderer The Chronicles of Prydain, Book 4 By Lloyd Alexander With Eilonwy learning to be a princess on the Isle of Mona, Taran is desperate to discover his parentage, hoping to be born of royalty. Dallben gives him permission to seek his parents, and Taran sets out with Gurgi by his side. Taran’s quest …
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Aug 06
Book Review: The Castle of Llyr
The Castle of Llyr The Chronicles of Prydain, Book 3 By Lloyd Alexander Princess Eilonwy is sent to the Isle of Mona to learn to be a lady, and Taran and Gurgi accompany her on the voyage. Shortly after their arrival, Taran is warned that Eilonwy’s life is in danger. Failing to protect her from …
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Aug 05
Book Review: The Black Cauldron
The Black Cauldron The Chronicles of Prydain, Book 2 By Lloyd Alexander Prince Gwydion calls a council of war at Caer Dallben and Taran is invited. To prevent Arawn, lord of Annuvin, from creating more of his deathless Cauldron-Born, Gwydion proposes an expedition to Annuvin to steal Arawn’s cauldron. While Gwydion, Coll, and Fflewddur Fflam …
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Aug 04
Book Review: The Book of Three
The Book of Three The Chronicles of Prydain, Book 1 By Lloyd Alexander Set in the fictional land of Prydain, The Book of Three follows the adventures of Taran, an Assistant Pig-Keeper, as he seeks to find his lost sow, the oracular pig Hen Wen. Frightened by the dreaded Horned King, Hen Wen escaped her …
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