The first person storytelling in The First Collier is unique among the Guardians of Ga'Hoole books, and helps to immerse the reader in this world of ice and constant warfare. The hero, Grank, is also unique, in that he tells the whole narrative as though aware that he is not its main player--merely setting the stage for his arrival. It is a short book, but one in which Lasky's knowledge and characterization shine through while maintaining an interesting story about the conflict between good and evil, but also the more complex conflict between reason and superstition.
The fantastic prequel trilogy to the bestselling series GUARDIANS OF GA'HOOLE begins!
It is a time of Legends and a time of chaos. Warlords vie for power and marauding outlaws roam the land. Good King Hrath and his queen, Siv, noble Spotted Owls struggle to keep peace in their kingdom. Grank, noble Spotted Owl, friend and supporter of King Hrath, has exiled himself to Beyond the Beyond, where he has developed his firesight and learns how to work with embers, fire and how to forge metals. He is the First Collier. Deep in a volcano in the farthest reaches of…
Dragon Outcast is a classic rags to riches tale, with the stakes being not so much wealth as absolute power. In this fascinating story of the maimed and unnamed "Copper" dragon. His hard-earned courage, determination, and fierce loyalty to his friends makes him in some ways the most lovable of Knight's protagonists despite his dark past. The constant challenges, intrigue, and plot twists keep the reader turning the page right up to the stunning conclusion, all while continuing to build on the world Knight so carefully laid out in the previous stories. It is hard to pick a favorite book from the well-written Age of Fire series, but this one is certainly a top contender for me.
The young, nameless Copper dragon was an outcast from his own kind, but he survived his trials by fire to prove himself equal to any enemy-and to finally take his place among those who abandoned him.
Lord Brocktree is one of the more unique Redwall books, in that it takes place well before the founding of Redwall itself. This alone makes it a worthwhile read, as it is a rare instance of Jacques filling in some historical detail in the world he created in the rest of the series. It also relies less on stock characters than the later books, and contains a villain who, while clearly evil, has more depth to him than usual. The different factions and their cultures add another level of depth not frequently seen in the Redwall world, from the barrack-room culture of the Salamandastron hares to roving adventurers and, my personal favorite, a tribe of mercenary squirrels who fight only for profit. The thought and heart put into this adventure definitely set Lord Brocktree apart from its sequels, and put it in the realm of good standalone reads for fantasy lovers everywhere.
The thirteenth book in the beloved, bestselling Redwall saga - soon to be a major Netflix movie!
Salamandastron, under the guardianship of old Lord Stonepaw, is under threat from an enemy of immense and terrifying power. Ungatt Trunn, the wildcat who can make the stars fall from the sky, has attacked with his Blue Hordes and is determined that the fortress should be his. The mountain's defences are weak and it seems that nothing can stand in his way.
Nothing, that is, but the badger Lord Brocktree, who is drawn to Salamandastron by an undeniable sense of duty. But if…
Ten years have passed since the Saltrak War. The dinosaurs of Cardolin once again enjoy a prosperous peace under the wise King Henrik. But the peaceful times are over!
When a mysterious stranger arrives injured on the night of a fearsome blizzard, the kingdom's fortunes take a turn for the worse. Rumours abound that the stranger is somehow responsible for the ill turn in the weather. And when his old nemesis on whom he has sworn vengeance turns up to steal both the crown and the heirs of Cardolin, tensions rise to the surface.
It is once more up to Astron and his friends to save the day. Battling bandits, disease, and the whims of nature alike, the brave Saurahallers must pull together to ensure their kingdom’s future and right past wrongs…or else watch everything they have worked so hard to build crumble before their very eyes.
