Most fantasy books draw upon myths and legends in some way or another, even if only in their use of such fantastical creatures as dragons and elves. Lloyd Alexander’s The Chronicles of Prydain is one such series, based on the Welsh legends in The Mabinogion. While the plots of his Chronicles are original, Alexander draws …
Category: Fantasy
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Aug 02
Book Review: The Foundling and Other Tales of Prydain
The Foundling and Other Tales of Prydain By Lloyd Alexander The Foundling and Other Tales of Prydain is a collection of short stories set in the world of The Chronicles of Prydain. First published in 1973, five years after the last book in the Chronicles, this collection of short stories is set before the events …
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Jul 24
Book Review: The King of Elfland’s Daughter
The King of Elfland’s Daughter By Lord Dunsany In the kingdom of Erl, the citizens appear before the king and ask for a magic lord to rule over them, thinking that magic will make Erl known throughout the world. Though the king knows they will come to regret their decision, he agrees to send his …
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Jun 06
Book Review: The Tolkien Reader
The Tolkien Reader By J.R.R. Tolkien Published in 1966, The Tolkien Reader is a collection of shorter works by the father of modern fantasy, The Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien. I was about ten years old when I bought my copy at a local used book store, the same store where I bought …
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May 31
Book Review: Ranger’s Apprentice: The Emperor of Nihon-Ja
The Emperor of Nihon-Ja Ranger’s Apprentice, Book 10 By John Flanagan The friends’ adventures take them to the farthest reaches of the world in the tenth novel in the Ranger’s Apprentice series. While in Nihon-Ja learning new swordfighting techniques, Horace and George find themselves on the wrong side of a government coup. Choosing to remain …
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May 30
Book Review: Ranger’s Apprentice: Halt’s Peril
Halt’s Peril Ranger’s Apprentice, Book 9 By John Flanagan Halt, Will, and Horace pursue the inner circle of the Outsiders as they make their way towards Araluen. While tracking them through a drowned forest, Halt is wounded by a Genovesan assassin’s arrow and soon begins acting strangely. When Halt falls unconscious, Will and Horace fear …
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May 29
Book Review: Ranger’s Apprentice: The Kings of Clonmel
The Kings of Clonmel Ranger’s Apprentice, Book 8 By John Flanagan Crowley, commandant of the Ranger Corps, reassigns Will to Redmont Fief while Halt enters semi-retirement with his wife at Redmont Castle. Meanwhile, a group of religious charlatans known as the Outsiders sweep across nearby Hibernia, gradually undermining and overthrowing the rulers of the five …
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May 28
Book Review: Ranger’s Apprentice: Erak’s Ransom
Erak’s Ransom Ranger’s Apprentice, Book 7 By John Flanagan Set between The Battle for Skandia and The Sorcerer of the North, Erak’s Ransom deals with the final months leading up to Will’s graduation from Apprentice Ranger to a full member of the Ranger Corps. Redmont Fief is celebrating a marriage long in the making, the …
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May 27
Book Review: Ranger’s Apprentice: The Siege of Macindaw
The Siege of Macindaw Ranger’s Apprentice, Book 6 By John Flanagan With the traitor Keren holding Alyss hostage in Castle Macindaw, Will joins forces with the shipwrecked crew of a Skandian wolfship. The small force is soon joined by Horace, posing as an unattached knight, and they begin plotting to retake the castle. The two …
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May 26
Book Review: Ranger’s Apprentice: The Sorcerer of the North
The Sorcerer of the North Ranger’s Apprentice, Book 5 By John Flanagan Five years after helping the Skandians defeat the Temujai, Will is a full-fledged Ranger, newly assigned to Seacliff Fief. A few months into his assignment, Alyss arrives at Seacliff with a message for Will to meet with Halt and Crowley for a secret …
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