Can you believe I hadn't read this book yet? :) A very easy, fun novel to read. Rowling's imagination can't be beat.Can you believe I hadn't read this book yet? :) A very easy, fun novel to read. Rowling's imagination can't be beat....more
The Crescent Stone has one of the prettiest covers I've seen in a long time, and it's even better in the physical book (versus the ebook.) Cover asideThe Crescent Stone has one of the prettiest covers I've seen in a long time, and it's even better in the physical book (versus the ebook.) Cover aside, Mikalatos has drawn me into his stories before. I read his "The Sword of Six Worlds" and "Capeville: Death of the Black Vulture", enjoying each one with its unique milieu. "The Crescent Stone" continues in the Mikalatos tradition of imaginative, fantastical tales with humorous zest and an underlying depth that threads underneath the surface of the tale like tree roots.
Madeline and Jason end up in the Sunlit Lands thinking they've agreed to one year of service for the desires of their hearts. In Madeline's case that is her very life itself, and Jason . . . well, let's just say Jason has his own demons from the past. But things are definitely not as they first seem, which creates some terrific intrigue as the pair slowly discover the truth. The references to well-known fantasy worlds like Narnia as well as other novels pleased me as a reader.
Mikalatos does delve into social commentary at times that while not forced did seem like agenda. But after all, most authors have a particular message to convey in their tale, and it definitely made me think. That's always a good thing. I enjoyed my journey into the Sunlit Lands, and I daresay Mikalatos will gain many more fans with this series. Yes, there's an excerpt to the next book in the back!...more
With each Paolini book I read, the one thing that stands out to me the most is his vocabulary. Oh, to be able to write like that! His world-building iWith each Paolini book I read, the one thing that stands out to me the most is his vocabulary. Oh, to be able to write like that! His world-building is amazing too. I'm not a huge fan of epic fantasy, but I was interested enough in this book to keep reading. Saphira the dragon was my favorite character, and I ended up writing down 5 pages of quotes from the story that inspired me. At times it felt like the plot moved a little slowly, but I get that's the idea with this genre. It's just as much about the journey as where you end up. I mean, pages and pages were spent on the process of making a sword. Only problem... I didn't realize there was a 4th book and that I'd be left hanging at the end!...more
3.5 stars. I'm really glad I finally read this book! It's amazing how Paolini created such a vivid world at such a young age (I believe he was a teen 3.5 stars. I'm really glad I finally read this book! It's amazing how Paolini created such a vivid world at such a young age (I believe he was a teen when he first started writing this book.) That to me is worth applauding. The world-building is one of the book's strongest points. I also loved Eragon's relationship with Saphira. It's what made the novel shine. Their interactions made me smile more than once. The first half of the story did seem to move very slowly, so much so that I ended up putting the book down for several weeks before returning again. It felt like the pace matched Eragon's uncertainty and journey, which perhaps was the author's intention. Things picked up at about the halfway point and really got going, but the ending wasn't quite as satisfying as I would have hoped. I'm glad there's a Book 2 as a lot was left hanging in the balance. Eragon felt like Paolini was just revving his engines for the trilogy. It'll be interesting to see where the rest of the series goes. ...more
How many times have you watched a movie and then asked yourself, "How did they do it?" Filmmaking can seem like a mystical task to the average movie vHow many times have you watched a movie and then asked yourself, "How did they do it?" Filmmaking can seem like a mystical task to the average movie viewer. What flies by in two hours on the screen could have taken two years to produce. While we were raving about The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe in 2005, Director Andrew Adamson, Producer Mark Johnson and their vast team were already hard at work on its sequel, Prince Caspian. And author Ernie Malike had probably already started writing this book, a look at the making of Prince Caspian.
If you read the official movie companion for the The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe you have an idea of the visual and textual delight awaiting you in the companion book for the latest Narnia movie. Think of it as a 4 disc DVD collector's edition, only on paper. Which is better in many ways. You can take your time reading and feasting your eyes on the behind-the-scenes and on-the-set photos. Between the leaves are the nuts and bolts of making installment #2 of perhaps the largest movie franchise ever.
Kicking things off is a Foreword written by Andrew Adamson, Douglas Gresham (step-son of C.S. Lewis), and Mark Johnson that whets your appetite for the meat to come. And then we're off! Chapter One, titled "The Journey", sets the scene and explains Adamson's approach. "This time out," Adamson says, "I wanted to do it better."
For those unfamiliar with C.S. Lewis' book Prince Caspian (first published in 1951), Malik summarizes the story and includes numerous movie stills. The "Chronicles of the Chronicles" sidebar takes on the question, "Is Prince Caspian Book Two or Book Four?" of the series, a sticky wicket for some. So far the movies have followed the "by publication" route thus far to take advantage of the natural aging of the actors playing the Pevensie children.
Next we're shown what exactly goes into a screenplay, storyboarding, and previsualization. We also tackle the schedule, editing, and much more. Then we embark on an exhaustive trip through the beautiful locations of the film. From New Zealand to Poland to the Czech Republic, we learn of the difficulties filming outdoors and of the nasty critters who haunted the crew (snakes, ticks, sand flies, etc.).
All of the sections are fascinating, but I'll bet most of us will find "The Cast" chapter the most entertaining. How have the actors who played the Pevensies grown up? What have they been doing between films? Here many of our questions are answered. William Mosley (Peter) talks about his chance to do some of his own stunts and how he particularly relates to his character in Prince Caspian. Anna Popplewell (Susan) is now a freshman at Oxford's Magdalen College, the same college at which C.S. Lewis spent much of his career. "When I picked that college, I didn't know that," Anna says.
Skandar Keynes (Edmund), now 16, has grown probably the most notably of the cast physically, though he apparently hasn't lost his youthful, daredevil ways. And twelve-year-old Georgie Henley (Lucy) comes across as inquisitive as ever, but she hasn't let fame taint her sweet spirit.
We're given an inside look into the selection of Ben Barnes as Prince Caspian, as well as the film's two dwarf stars Trumpkin (Peter Dinklage) and Nikabrik (Warwick Davis). Ironically, Davis already had ties to Narnia. He played Reepicheep and Glimfeather the Owl in the BBC productions of Prince Caspian and The Silver Chair.
Really, I could go on and on here about the cast, but it's important to note that much time is given to the building of the sets, the armor, and how the musical score was created. Not to mention the vast special effects which exceed those of the first movie. Narnia afficionados will probably wonder the most about the gallant mouse, Reepicheep. Apparently much care was taken with his character. Because he's over a foot tall, they didn't want him to look like a rat. They also had serious difficulties finding the proper person to "voice" the creature. The final product is something all seem happy with. We'll see when opening day comes around May 16th.
Profusely illustrated, this movie companion can be read either before or after watching the movie. If you read it before, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat in anticipation. If you read it after, you'll know exactly what they're referring to when they reference scenes. I read this one before, but I read its predecessor after. Both ways have their merits.
As Ben Barnes says in the Afterword, "Every day on set uncovered fresh challenges working with our one-thousand-strong crew guided by Andrew Adamson. The talent, focus, enthusiasm, and kindness of everyone I met was truly overwhelming." After reading this companion you'll feel the same way. Further up and further in, Narnia fans! This book is a keeper....more
I loved this book. In the vein of Narnia, Mikalatos' fun tale of a girl who's more special than she realizes. Talking animals (my favorite part), adveI loved this book. In the vein of Narnia, Mikalatos' fun tale of a girl who's more special than she realizes. Talking animals (my favorite part), adventure, evil villains... all wrapped up in a redemptive story kids and adults alike will enjoy. ...more
After one chapter I was hooked, hooked, hooked! Authors like Morgan L. Busse will make a fantasy reader out of me yet. I looked forward to every sittiAfter one chapter I was hooked, hooked, hooked! Authors like Morgan L. Busse will make a fantasy reader out of me yet. I looked forward to every sitting where I read Daughter of Light, and that's saying something for me. She has created an imaginative fantasy world with so many awesome spiritual parallels to our own. Yet it's never heavy-handed. After finishing, I immediately went and bought the sequel, Son of Truth! ...more
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