The Naming: The First Book of Pellinor
The Naming: Worth your while.
First of all, I noticed that several people have mentioned that they think the plot is "dull" or "slow". That is their personal opinion. And this is mine: the plot is far from slow. Perhaps it doesn't jump into the battles and flee-for-your-life scenes that quite a few recent fantasy books do, but this isn't your average fantasy novel - it's more along the lines of Tolkien's masterpieces: rich, with vivid characters and landscapes and with an underlying culture and history that peeks through the pages.
I won't go into detail about the book's plot: why should I? The professional reviews are at the top of the page, and everyone else's synopsis is down here as well. That should be enough for you. I'm merely here to tell you that I found this book to be a wonderful read that I could not put down - both times I've read it. True, some of the basic plot elements are the same as many other mainstream fantasy novels (again, look at the professional reviews up top), but Croggon writes well and with real, see-able compassion, and her characters are real and complex. I recommend it to you; please, read it. You'll probably be a better person for it (?), and if not that, have a glimpse of what, in my eyes, is a real fantasy novel. - Notice the "in my eyes"; this is my personal opinion, and yours may differ from mine. Still, try it. You may find that you like it just as much as I do.
Maerad (main character) is interesting and the story is great too. It has a classic stoyline with plenty of twists to spice it up. There are three more books in the quartet. The last one comes out this September.
Product Description
In the classic spirit of epic fantasy comes this glittering saga of a young girl who learns she possesses an uncanny gift - and is destined to use it to save her world from a terrifying evil.
Maerad is a slave in a desperate and unforgiving settlement, taken there as a child when her family is destroyed in war. She doesn't yet know she has inherited a powerful gift, one that marks her as a member of the noble School of Pellinor and enables her to see the world as no other can. It is only when she is discovered by Cadvan, one of the great Bards of Lirigon, that her true identity and extraordinary destiny unfold. Now, she and her mysterious teacher must embark on a treacherous, uncertain journey through a time and place where the forces of darkness wield an otherworldly terror.
The first book in a projected quartet, Alison Croggon's epic about Maerad and her remarkable yet dangerous gift is a beautiful, unforgettable tale. Presented as a new translation of an ancient text, THE NAMING evokes the rich and complex landscape of Annar, a legendary world just waiting to be discovered.
Gr. 7-10. A mysterious stranger comes to the miserable mountain outpost where Maerad is a slave and offers to help her escape. She leaves and finds herself in great peril. The adventures that follow revolve around Maerad's true name and her extraordinary magical powers; prophetic signs point to Maerad as the one who will defeat the "Nameless One." As Maerad travels, finding allies and confronting enemies, she discovers her heritage, recovers certain memories, and endeavors to use her powers to help her newfound friends. Most writers of high fantasy are indebted to Tolkien in one way or another, but few incorporate so many elements of his writing and his secondary world into their own: verse within the story; invented history as back matter; and the "Nameless One" or "Dark power," long ago defeated, who rises again to threaten civilization. There are, of course, differences in Croggon's handling of these elements, as well as her choice of a female protagonist. An Australian poet, she makes good use of imagery in her writing. Despite the derivative elements, many fantasy fans will look forward to following Maerad's adventures in the next volumes of this fantasy quartet. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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Product Description
In the classic spirit of epic fantasy comes this glittering saga of a young girl who learns she possesses an uncanny gift - and is destined to use it to save her world from a terrifying evil.
Maerad is a slave in a desperate and unforgiving settlement, taken there as a child when her family is destroyed in war. She doesn't yet know she has inherited a powerful gift, one that marks her as a member of the noble School of Pellinor and enables her to see the world as no other can. It is only when she is discovered by Cadvan, one of the great Bards of Lirigon, that her true identity and extraordinary destiny unfold. Now, she and her mysterious teacher must embark on a treacherous, uncertain journey through a time and place where the forces of darkness wield an otherworldly terror.
The first book in a projected quartet, Alison Croggon's epic about Maerad and her remarkable yet dangerous gift is a beautiful, unforgettable tale. Presented as a new translation of an ancient text, THE NAMING evokes the rich and complex landscape of Annar, a legendary world just waiting to be discovered.
Gr. 7-10. A mysterious stranger comes to the miserable mountain outpost where Maerad is a slave and offers to help her escape. She leaves and finds herself in great peril. The adventures that follow revolve around Maerad's true name and her extraordinary magical powers; prophetic signs point to Maerad as the one who will defeat the "Nameless One." As Maerad travels, finding allies and confronting enemies, she discovers her heritage, recovers certain memories, and endeavors to use her powers to help her newfound friends. Most writers of high fantasy are indebted to Tolkien in one way or another, but few incorporate so many elements of his writing and his secondary world into their own: verse within the story; invented history as back matter; and the "Nameless One" or "Dark power," long ago defeated, who rises again to threaten civilization. There are, of course, differences in Croggon's handling of these elements, as well as her choice of a female protagonist. An Australian poet, she makes good use of imagery in her writing. Despite the derivative elements, many fantasy fans will look forward to following Maerad's adventures in the next volumes of this fantasy quartet. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Find More Interesting Books at Book-Store