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nebulous_tide's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
sammymus's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
duriangray's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
elegantmechanic's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Was plodding and meandering for most of the story but the final act gathers focus and momentum and lifted it from 2 to a 3 star.
doritobabe's review against another edition
4.0
3,5/5
I quite liked this novel. I think I was reading an article about [b:Underland: A Deep Time Journey|41817481|Underland A Deep Time Journey|Robert Macfarlane|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1553019903l/41817481._SY75_.jpg|68561061] wherein a geologist was describing his love for the underground coming in part from a scene in this book. The description and its memorability for the writer inspired me to pursue it and I was not disappointed.
The Weirdstone of Brisingamen was a fun children's fantasy novel about two siblings (a brother and a sister) who spend the summer in the country. Here, they learn about local mythology and have an adventure based on it and an inherited heirloom.
This book has all of the classical fantasy elements (elves, witches, evil warlocks, dwarves, and some unknown fantastical types) and is based heavily in the lore that Garner was told as a young boy. I think that I would have loved this book even more as a child than I did now.
The low-ish rating is based off of the feeling that I had around a certain scene dragging on for way too long, and that the ending was a bit too abrupt for my liking. When my friends have older children, I will probably purchase this for their reading pleasure.
I quite liked this novel. I think I was reading an article about [b:Underland: A Deep Time Journey|41817481|Underland A Deep Time Journey|Robert Macfarlane|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1553019903l/41817481._SY75_.jpg|68561061] wherein a geologist was describing his love for the underground coming in part from a scene in this book. The description and its memorability for the writer inspired me to pursue it and I was not disappointed.
The Weirdstone of Brisingamen was a fun children's fantasy novel about two siblings (a brother and a sister) who spend the summer in the country. Here, they learn about local mythology and have an adventure based on it and an inherited heirloom.
This book has all of the classical fantasy elements (elves, witches, evil warlocks, dwarves, and some unknown fantastical types) and is based heavily in the lore that Garner was told as a young boy. I think that I would have loved this book even more as a child than I did now.
The low-ish rating is based off of the feeling that I had around a certain scene dragging on for way too long, and that the ending was a bit too abrupt for my liking. When my friends have older children, I will probably purchase this for their reading pleasure.
gingerliss's review against another edition
5.0
This book had me hooked from the very first page. It was tremendously gripping. Every now and again I'll go for a children's book and more than often I will feel that yes it is definitely written for children and I would have probably enjoyed it as a child myself but as an adult it is just not all that interesting. This book though was totally different. Fast-paced and exciting. Yes the book is written for children, but it doesn't particularly feel that way. One of the most interesting in its genre and type I have read in a long long time. Garner's description of landscape and nature were an amazingly powerful part of the novel. The folklore intertwined throughout the story was to me very original. The characters were well written and the book never hung around in one place for too long. I look forward to picking up the sequels and will definitely be sharing with my future kids.
cazinthehat's review
5.0
Re-reading before the final installment, a copy of which is currently sitting on my shelf... eep!
...and it's every bit as good as I remember! The bit in the cramped tunnel is still so scary, I must have had nightmares as a child.
...and it's every bit as good as I remember! The bit in the cramped tunnel is still so scary, I must have had nightmares as a child.
nicki_in_nz's review against another edition
3.0
I don't think I read this as a child, though I know I did read some Alan Garner books. It's too similar to Tolkein for me and nowhere near as atmospheric as I hoped. But then maybe you have to read it as a child :)