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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Posted to my Livejournal in January 2009:
This is one of those rare books that I enjoyed the hell out of even as I recognized one cliché after another and disparaged over the amateurish writing. (It's never a good sign when the author has the main character look into a mirror or window and reflect on his or her own appearance, which in my opinion is an unforgivable cheat.) Alex sees a sign in a shop window -- Adventurer's Wanted: Apply Within -- and he's intrigued enough to go inside. The shop owner soon steamrolls Alex into his first adventure, making him fill out an application and then sending him off to become the eighth member of a party journeying to the dragon Slathbog's lair, where they will defeat the evil dragon and get hordes of treasure. This adventure plays out very much like a beginner's game of Dungeons and Dragons, with the reader playing the role of Alex. I think this premise is kind of cool and could have been so much more then it was: it could have been a parody of genre conventions, or at least a book that was a little more winky-winky self-aware of just how much it "borrowed" from other well-known fantasy authors, Tolkein being the main one. Parts of the plot felt almost directly lifted from LotR. Though I will admit many of the details of how the "adventuring" job works, including the laws in the Adventurer's Handbook that govern the group, including things like the division of treasure among the group members and how long to look for comrades who go missing before you can continue adventuring, are an entertaining re-mix of the laws that govern RPGs. While the characters are by and large stock types -- the elf, the dwarf, etc. -- the camaraderie among the group as a whole made it work. The fantasy world Alex is sent to is a kind of basic setting that would provide a decent basis for lots of adventures, again, kind of like a game environment in WoW or something. In this alternate plane, time passes differently: even if Alex gets old adventuring in this world, when he returns to home, he'll be the same age he was, and when he starts his next adventure, he can choose to be any age he was on a previous one. (Maybe I think too much, but I have major logistical problems with this premise, not the least of which is that Alex will one day be the most precocious kid ever, having lived several adulthoods in the other world; and the idea that Alex can basically live forever this way.) But what really annoyed me about this book was Alex himself -- it is impossible for one character to be so perfect, have so many things go right without effort, be the source of so many prophecies, and be so continually humble about it (half the book is people praising Alex for the amazing, miraculous things he does accidentally or without any effort). He is a Mary Sue. Period. Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading it. Go figure. It was satisfying in that weird way some fanfiction is satisfying, where nothing really goes wrong and the characters are all agreeable and/or perfect and even when someone is hurt you know the main character will suddenly have amazing healing powers or whatever. I'll read the second one, if only to find out how this premise continues to play out.
This is one of those rare books that I enjoyed the hell out of even as I recognized one cliché after another and disparaged over the amateurish writing. (It's never a good sign when the author has the main character look into a mirror or window and reflect on his or her own appearance, which in my opinion is an unforgivable cheat.) Alex sees a sign in a shop window -- Adventurer's Wanted: Apply Within -- and he's intrigued enough to go inside. The shop owner soon steamrolls Alex into his first adventure, making him fill out an application and then sending him off to become the eighth member of a party journeying to the dragon Slathbog's lair, where they will defeat the evil dragon and get hordes of treasure. This adventure plays out very much like a beginner's game of Dungeons and Dragons, with the reader playing the role of Alex. I think this premise is kind of cool and could have been so much more then it was: it could have been a parody of genre conventions, or at least a book that was a little more winky-winky self-aware of just how much it "borrowed" from other well-known fantasy authors, Tolkein being the main one. Parts of the plot felt almost directly lifted from LotR. Though I will admit many of the details of how the "adventuring" job works, including the laws in the Adventurer's Handbook that govern the group, including things like the division of treasure among the group members and how long to look for comrades who go missing before you can continue adventuring, are an entertaining re-mix of the laws that govern RPGs. While the characters are by and large stock types -- the elf, the dwarf, etc. -- the camaraderie among the group as a whole made it work. The fantasy world Alex is sent to is a kind of basic setting that would provide a decent basis for lots of adventures, again, kind of like a game environment in WoW or something. In this alternate plane, time passes differently: even if Alex gets old adventuring in this world, when he returns to home, he'll be the same age he was, and when he starts his next adventure, he can choose to be any age he was on a previous one. (Maybe I think too much, but I have major logistical problems with this premise, not the least of which is that Alex will one day be the most precocious kid ever, having lived several adulthoods in the other world; and the idea that Alex can basically live forever this way.) But what really annoyed me about this book was Alex himself -- it is impossible for one character to be so perfect, have so many things go right without effort, be the source of so many prophecies, and be so continually humble about it (half the book is people praising Alex for the amazing, miraculous things he does accidentally or without any effort). He is a Mary Sue. Period. Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading it. Go figure. It was satisfying in that weird way some fanfiction is satisfying, where nothing really goes wrong and the characters are all agreeable and/or perfect and even when someone is hurt you know the main character will suddenly have amazing healing powers or whatever. I'll read the second one, if only to find out how this premise continues to play out.
Another 3.5 —I wish they had half stars. Interesting concept—nice turn of events at the end. Dragged a bit at points— but the last half moved along. I think I have a few boys in my class who will enjoy it.
Boy goes on treasure hunt and learns that he may be a wizard. He travels with an elf and a dwarf and other Tolkien-type character's. As a matter of fact, one character has a Hobbit name. There is no real tragedy, only good, so it is a light read though an interesting one, and I'm not one to grab fantasy books. This was a high school book club read. There are more in the series.
I really enjoyed this one... If you're in the mood for a simple hero's quest type of story...and wondering what to read after The Hobbit...this is a good recommendation.
This was a book my son has really wanted me to read, as he's into the series and had wanted to talk about it with me.
It's a heartwarming story about a boy who's lost his Mom and Dad, and lives with his Stepfather. The Stepfather is good to him, but the boy just doesn't feel like he belongs or that his life is much of anything.
This is a tale of how he becomes an adventurer, and furthermore, one of particularly uncommon power and status, although he hasn't come into that power just yet.
Through friendship and trial and error, he makes his way back to his Stepfather who has a surprise for him too, regarding Adventure status, and his parents.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series. It's reminiscent of a Brandon Mull type of series, and you can't go wrong with that. Ha ha.
- CJ
It's a heartwarming story about a boy who's lost his Mom and Dad, and lives with his Stepfather. The Stepfather is good to him, but the boy just doesn't feel like he belongs or that his life is much of anything.
This is a tale of how he becomes an adventurer, and furthermore, one of particularly uncommon power and status, although he hasn't come into that power just yet.
Through friendship and trial and error, he makes his way back to his Stepfather who has a surprise for him too, regarding Adventure status, and his parents.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series. It's reminiscent of a Brandon Mull type of series, and you can't go wrong with that. Ha ha.
- CJ
my husband chose this as one of our audio in the car books. It was pretty good!
If you're looking for a book that reads like a video game, this is the book for you.
I fell in love with this book. The only thing I regret is that it took so long for me to read it.
Yes, there are some minor nuances (that some have equated to being DnD like), but overall, this is quite an original plot with some wonderful writing worked in. I love the characters and only wish the adventure could have lasted longer.
Yes, there are some minor nuances (that some have equated to being DnD like), but overall, this is quite an original plot with some wonderful writing worked in. I love the characters and only wish the adventure could have lasted longer.