onetrooluff 's review for:

4.0

This is a beautiful book, in many ways. Joyce has given a nice twist to the traditional folklore and we are seeing the origin of how Santa Claus came to be (although it's never said in those words, actually). Far from being the traditional jolly fat man, he's a Russian ruffian whose heart transforms from that of a notorious outlaw to that of a protector. I really like the mythology Joyce has set up in this book, and I'm looking forward to reading the other books in the series.

Joyce also provides the artwork, and it is fabulous. I picked up this book because I so loved the movie based on it - Rise of the Guardians - and I remembered seeing the three novels on a display when the movie came out. This book is just lovely, something I would be happy to hand to my child (around age 8 or 9, I would say). I think it encourages creativity and compassion and courage in both children and adults.

Two small side notes. One: this book needed a more through proofreader. Badly. Two: I don't think the word "Guardians" ever appears in the text, even though the series is called "The Guardians." Interesting.

On to book 2: E. Aster Bunnymund and the Warrior Eggs at the Earth's Core!

(The title includes the exclamation point at the end. Doesn't it sound like a 1920s Edgar Rice Burroughs novel? I can't wait!)