Stardust

This is ever bit a fairytale. But somehow just a little bit edgier and contrasted than even the Brothers Grimm stories I have read. No, not the general happily ever after ones- the tales about journeying for years on impossible quests and risking (losing) life or limb on the way.

I was surprised that the beginning was there to set purpose and tone, I fully expected Dunston to be the main character. However, we are given his illegitimate son. Don't give me a look like I spoiled something for you, its obvious from the first 30 pages of the book. I hardly call that a spoiler.

Around two hundred pages this figures heavily into the plot and is rather hard to miss. But with the way some events come around, you wonder if Tristan will manage to live that long. He finds his star relatively early, but loses her. On top of that, three brothers want her for the possession of her topaz that will determine who is the successor to the throne of Stormhold. Worse, three witches want her pure heart so they can be young again. Everything comes together in slightly unexpected ways that are so fated not even the moon knows what will become of her daughter star.

I enjoyed every minute of this book, but I regret to say that the minutes totaled up to a little over three hours. Neil has definitely earned another read to me. Stardust is the first book of his I have read, I suppose I will pick up Good Omens or something of the kind. Hopefully it will be longer than 350 pages.

The story was complete and whole but I wouldn't have bought such a small hardcover book myself. Softcover more likely. Just on the principal of how much they charge for hardcover being ridiculous. Each page announcing the chapter is a large page filling graphic with fleur de lis and expansive script. So in reality the book with slightly smaller font would be 300 pages.

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Son of a Witch

I begin by saying that "Son of a Witch" was traditional Maguire. Read that as "nothing like I thought it could have turned out to be". Maguire appears to have the talent to not only make mesmerizing storytelling, but to twist away the traditional formula of the craft.

Son of a Witch follows the formula that Wicked did. We watch Elphaba grow not into the Wicked Witch of the West, but the Witch of the West. She loved and presumably gave birth, she had a brother and a sister, and an unlikely cast of Animals, Nanny, and Yackle. In Son, Liir acknowledges that he might be Elphaba's son, but how would he know? Other than the homage of some claims his resemblance to Elphaba's nature and Shell's features, which is where his lineage ends. Except for the peculiar way he can ride her broomstick.

I'm in awe of the book, not in an adoring manner- but that creativity still exists, even in sequels. Banish all thoughts of revivals, and traditional revenge. Liir is a moving force of his own unsure devices. But it is still a tale worth telling with all of Maguire’s tongue no so subtly in cheek humor. The heavily satirical work that was in Wicked is heavily absent, which is gracious since Liir has no satellites in that orbit. But he still manages to find himself in Oz quite often around the likes of Glinda, dragons, and the Home Gaurd.

A small but successful romp through the lands after the death of Elphaba. Worth a pick-up for the very least at the scathing view on Dorothy and he bumpkin glory! Hail, Liir- the unlikely anti-hero!
Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire

The Iron Tower

Rating: Very good, could have done without some references that the story decided to hinge on- but excitingly original journey and easy to approach. A light read for a collegiate (I was done within a week easily between my normal work), excellent choice for high school or ambitious middle school age.

Back in July I posted about having to return the Iron Tower by Dennis McKiernan due to time constraints. I picked it up around the same time as I did the Runes of Elfland as I was finishing Lord of Chaos.

I was determined at the time to even blow through Crown of Swords in the same manner, but I admit that my ambition exceeds my ability in this case. Perhaps if I still were in high school with fewer activities taking up my time. If only I knew that most people end up spending far more time at work than they ever did at school I would have been even more fervent with my reading and art. Obsessively so.

In any case, my mother in my middle school days after I conquered the Lord of the Rings guided me to the Dark Tide, the first book of the Iron Tower trilogy. I was never able to find Shadows of Doom or the Darkest Day in that little library. Being as young as I was and the internet being still in its infancy, I had no means to track them down or hold them in my mind. The impression was good though.

Nice to know that I had some gauge of taste back then. The easiest comparison IS to that of Tolkien if you made him bearable, a story-teller, and dropped a lot of the extra words. Two pounds of paper worth of words. This makes the tale a lot more approachable than LoTR. The theme is similar, but the tale is unique and apart from Frodo and the One Ring. I can tell that it was heavily influenced though, and I begrudge that Dennis couldn't repress this 'hat-tipping'. Thankfully there are no wizards or Gandalf to be found.

Offender #1, the use of Elf, Dwarf, Halfling (most of the time referred to as waerling), and Man as the main characters.

Offender #2, some vaguely Ring-Wraith called Ghola

Offender #3, our Mines of Moria, Kraggen-Kor These abandoned dwarf-halls must be trod through while avoiding enemy Ruhks and the Gorgon (hail Balrog).

These were the main ringers (no pun) to the LoTR, but all the rest is purely McKiernan. To say this book is nothing but a rip-off is grossly unfair. Reading the Tolkien-purists crucify this book is painful. Tolkien was a powerful man for his time and inspired many people. To hold him as an originator of the genre bloats him when in memoirs he admits to having read the multi-colored fairy books. These books are treasure troves of many cultures and ethnicities that go beyond Hans Christian Anderson.

I agree with one amazon review

The author was influenced by Tolkein, but they have two completely different styles of writing. From the first page to the last it will keep you guessing and moving along. If you like fantasy books you'll have a hard time putting this book down, but don't worry, this series isn't even half as long as the Lord of the Ring. He skips all the long winded descriptions that Tolkein forces down our throats. -JetsFanMT

All in all, this is a good book that is comfortable to read. It is not pretending to be Tolkien or anything it all. There is a journey to be had, a princess to be found, a dire evil to fell, with a whole world at stake. Things could swing one way or another at any time, and who can say that the Norse-ish gods of Mithgar would even know the outcome.

The Iron Tower Omnibus by Dennis L. McKiernan

The Runes of Elfland

Highly Recommended, but a short read. Good for a day spent at the beach or holiday.

When I first picked this book up from the library I was a little dissapointed. I was trying to hold this book to the standards of the Good Fairy, Bad Fairy book. My mistake. Perhaps a week ago I realized how long I'd had this in my home and gave it a second chance beyond the gruesome and charming watercolors.

I advise that the forward be skipped, it shades the book into a more new age feel than it really delivers. In reality the runes are merely excuses for the shamelessly decadent Froud art to be paired with a rune and tale. The tales are of the fairy kind, but lean to be telling of morals and ancient customs. Whimsical minor fae decorate the pages around the introductory page gaurdians, twisting themselves into the runic alphabet.

Not without a few dark tales, this book is fairly safe to read to any member of the family. The dialog of forgotten realms and deeds is irresitable and inspiring, which of course is due in no small part to the pens of Ari Berk. No doubt the Froudian collector will cherish this 110 page book, but also find home in many more hearts with the classic touch of story telling.

The Runes of Elfland by Ari Berk & Brian Froud