Monday, April 02, 2007

Review of Faerie Wars by Herbie Brennan

I've finished the first book for my Once Upon A Time Challenge. Faerie Wars by Herbie Brennan was a lovely, quick read. It definitely belongs in the juvenile/teen category. It had all the best elements of a young reader fantasy, a slightly confused hero, the old teacher, conflict at home and different world to explore and learn to grow. I'd give it 3 stars (on a 5 star scale)

One of the parts that bothers me is Henry's (our hero's) home problem. Just because it is odd (his mother is having an affair with his father's female secretary, that's a new one to me) and that it really wasn't important to the story. All of that plot line could have been edited out of the story. It didn't have any affect on Henry's actions in the story. I would have liked to see Henry have to struggle more, grow a little more character. Overall, I enjoyed the story and would encourage my 8 year old niece to read it. Herbie Brennan has written a couple of other books in the series, I'll borrow them from the Library rather than buying them. Not something I would reread.

Next Up on my reading list is Eldest by Christopher Paolini. I've already started it, so it shouldn't take too much longer.

6 comments:

mormar said...

I have to get my book list up. Great job on the challenge!!

Kailana said...

I have seen this book around but I haven't bought it yet. One of these days I might have to check it out.

Carl V. Anderson said...

I hadn't heard of this one before the challenge. Good review. That plot line you mentioned sounds like it was thrown in for shock value more than anything, but maybe it was important to the author in some way but its presence in the book wasn't conveyed as well as it should have been. Who knows. Good job on completing a book for the challenge. I'm falling woefully behind!

mormar said...

Carrie, I will find out where you can order it. I got it when I was in MOntana. I will send the infor. Don't you love it!!

Fence said...

I've just finished this one, I don't think I would have picked it up myself, but it for a group read, and I was pleasantly surprised. Much more enjoyable and fun than I expected.

I think the conflict at home issue was to show that by the end Henry had grown enough and was now able to say what he wanted. Plus, there are more books in the series, so maybe more development there?

Carrie said...

fence...I think you have a point there. I'm going to head back to the series after I'm finshed with my current list.