This month, July 2008, the sixth and fina book in the Artemis Fowl series will be released. Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox is now available for pre-order on Amazon. The Amazon page for the book lists the release as July 15.
Well that sure snuck up on me. I had no idea until I decided, randomly, to visit author Eoin Colfer’s website today.
In 2007, I read a lot of fantasy books (as usual). The best ones I read that year, in my opinion, are as follows.
Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
In Deathly Hallows, Harry leaves the Dursleys for the last time, going to The Burrow for Bill Weasley’s wedding. As soon as he sets [...]
Moist von Lipwig became the model citizen (mostly) in Going Postal. His fiancée, Miss Dearheart is out searching for golems, and he has to amuse himself, until Lord Vetinari assigns him his next task. The controlling owner of the Royal Bank is dying , and a stand-in is necessary to keep the bank out of the control of the hands of the Bank’s corrupt family. Lipwig is , of course, volunteered for the job with Vetinari’s usual style.
In an effort to rejuvenate the Bank, Moist introduces the idea of paper money and personally takes to the street to experiment with his theory. A nephew of the owner has a liquid model of the banking system which pinpoints problems or successes (and can be manipulated). An Igor assists him in his work. Mr. Bent keeps the books and supervises all bank employees. Lipwig’s interfering in his bank may be enough to topple his carefully balanced mind. Add in the expected attempts of the Bank’s family to grab control and Miss Dearheart’s golem find, and the book is as quirky as all Pratchett books.
Quite entertaining!
Pratchett’s characters are the highlight of the story-various and wonderful. The focus is on 3 of the witches in the Discworld series: Granny Weatherwax (the one who controls the whole show), Nanny Ogg (the no-nonsense matriarch to so much of the community, think mafia queen), Agnes (the large and insecure maiden with a skinnier [...]
In Arthurian legend, much of Merlin’s history is unaccounted for. What was he doing before? It seems he was busy in the fantastic realm of Fincayra. T.A. Barron’s epic, The Lost Years of Merlin, is a five-book series detailing Barron’s idea of the history of Merlin.
I wasn’t a huge fan of the first book, though it contains important storyline. The remaining books are great though, and who knows…maybe I’d like the first book better if I re-read it.
Terry Pratchett’s Going Postal is yet another tale from the mythical land of Discworld.
After faking con man Alfred Spangler’s execution, the lord of Ankh-Morpork gives him a job instead. As the new postmaster of Ankh-Morpork, Spangler (a pseudonym, actually) must re-start the post office after twenty years of inactivity. Along the way he employs his [...]
In this sequel to The Sea of Trolls, Jack returns from his adventures in the North, only to be met by more adventure and peril.
For several reasons, Jack and some others must go to The Land of the Silver Apples, a place where time doesn’t pass, to confront the elves. Their to-do list includes
Convincing the [...]
In a world full of necromancers, the Abhorsen reverses their work. When he gets trapped in Death by the necromancer Kerrigor, he sends a package to his daughter Sabriel, who resides across the Wall, a barrier separating the magical Old Kingdom from Ancelstierre.
When Sabriel receives the Abhorsen’s necromancy bells and ensorcelled sword, she sets out across the Wall, unwillingly assuming the title of Abhorsen. At first determined to find her father, she fights her way through Dead Hands and Mordicants, all the way to the Abhorsen’s House. There she finds Mogget, a Free Magic elemental in the shape of a cat. Mogget, who served the Abhorsens for thousands of years, sheds some light on the strange goings-on of the raised Dead, and helps her escape the Mordicant literally waiting at the gates.
Endymion Spring isn’t your average mystery.
In the year of 1453, Gutenberg and his apprentice Endymion Spring are setting the type for the book they will be mass-printing. Gutenberg’s financier, Johann Fust, shows up, bringing with him a locked chest.
In present day Oxford, Blake Winters finds a blank book in a library. Marked “Endymion Spring,” the [...]
In a world full of magic it is the Chrestomanci’s job to control the magical community, keep the magical from trampling the nonmagical, and limit travel between their world and others. Because of the risks involved, the Chrestomanci is always a powerful enchanter with nine lives-so he can afford to lose a few. He also [...]
