S.J. Parris
S.J. Parris writes about her inspiration for Heresy, which masterfully blends true events with fiction into a page-turning murder mystery set on the sixteenth-century Oxford University campus.
Adam Haslett
A conversation with Adam Haslett, author of Union Atlantic, a deeply affecting portrait of the modern gilded age, the first decade of the twenty-first century.
Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction
by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon
must travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for further training in the skills
of the Dragon Rider: magic and swordsmanship. Soon he is on the journey of a
lifetime, his eyes open to awe-inspring new places and people, his days filled
with fresh adventure. But chaos and betrayal plague him at every turn, and
nothing is what it seems. Before long, Eragon doesn't know whom he can trust.
Meanwhile, his cousin Roran must fight a new battle–one that might put Eragon in
even graver danger.
Will the king's dark hand strangle all resistance? Eragon may not escape with
even his life. . . .
Book Reviews
BookBrowse
Paolini appears to be firmly of the belief that one should never use one adjective when five will do. The reviewer for The Boston Globe sums up his writing style with the immortal words: "He is to English as a dog to a chainsaw: he worries it, and worries it, and devastation spreads around him."
Having said that, nothing that I or other reviewers say can take away from the fact that a multitude of children absolutely adore these books. Full Review (members only, 466 words).
Publishers Weekly
Readers who persevere are rewarded with walloping revelations in the final pages....The story leaves off with a promise...To Be Continued.
The Boston Globe - Sarah Smith
The high points of Eldest are a little higher than Eragon; the low points, unfortunately, are just as low. Paolini still writes drama that rises to a wet pop: a group of farmers attack evil soldiers, soldiers run away, the farmers kill only one of the soldiers and aren't very happy about it. The details of his world still don't hold together: in a city full of magic, a character is given a wooden alarm clock that he has to wind regularly.
San Francisco Chronicle - Michael Berry
It's clear that Paolini has drive and talent, and Eldest is, for the most part, competently constructed and written. The problem, however, is that anyone committed to reading a 2,000-page epic deserves more than competence and tropes that have been used countless times before.
Barnes & Noble
Paolini's fluid writing style, abundance of compelling characters, and utilization of age-transcendent themes like honor, friendship, responsibility, and forgiveness, will make this saga a huge hit with teachers and librarians, as well as lovers of dragon-powered fantasy a la Anne McCaffrey and Ursula K. Le Guin.
Amazon
Surpassing its popular prequel Eragon, this second volume in the Inheritance trilogy shows growing maturity and skill on the part of its very young author, who was only seventeen when the first volume was published in 2003.
You are about to travel to Edgecombe St. Mary, a small village in the English countryside filled with rolling hills, thatched cottages, and a cast of characters both hilariously original and as familiar as the members of your own family.
The Postmistress is an unforgettable tale of the secrets we must bear, or bury. It is about what happens to love during wartime, when those we cherish leave. And how every story-of love or war-is about looking left when we should have been looking right.
Masterfully blending true events with fiction, this blockbuster historical thriller delivers a page-turning murder mystery set on the sixteenth-century Oxford University campus.
Kostova's masterful new novel travels from American cities to the coast of Normandy, from the late 19th century to the late 20th, from young love to last love. The Swan Thieves is a story of obsession, history's losses, and the power of art to preserve human hope.
Lisa See has written a great book! This story is satisfying on many levels, some scenes horrifying, but seemingly truthful, and her handling of the ...
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I was sorry to see that there were so few reviews. I started reading COAL and could not stop. The only thing I am going to say is that I wish ...
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The tragedy, the sorrow, the loss, is almost too much for me to recommend this; on the other hand Mistry made me believe I knew these characters. I ...
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UK Orange Award longlist announced(Mar 17 2010) Hilary Mantel, Sarah Waters and Barbara Kingsolver have made the longlist for the 2010 Orange Prize, a 20-strong list described by chair Daisy Goodwin as...
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National Book Critics Circle Awards announced(Mar 11 2010) Each March, the NBCC present awards for the finest books and reviews published in English (in the USA) the previous year in six categories: Fiction,...
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Eldest
(members only, 466 words).
Publishers Weekly
The Boston Globe - Sarah Smith
San Francisco Chronicle - Michael Berry
Barnes & Noble
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