Book Review: The Wolf Gift

The Wolf Gift
Author: Anne Rice
Published: Knopf, February 2012
Genre: Fantasy/Horror/Thriller
Rating: 4/5

Last summer, I embarked on my second journey of reading vampire novels. As much as I hate to admit it, The Twilight Saga was my first taste of vampire fiction. While I knew about Anne Rice's famous Vampire Chronicles (who doesn't?) I had never once picked them up. Long story short, after reading the first few pages of Interview with a Vampire Rice had gained a new fan. One day, at the Kinokuniya bookstore in Shinjuku, I saw the eyes of a wolf staring back at me from the cover of a paperback. The Wolf Gift came home with me that day.

Rueban Golding is a reporter on a assignment to write about the Nideck mansion on the rugged coast of Northern California. As he makes his way through the great mansion and all its treasures he begins to see the house as his fate. Being in that mansion will change his fate. A chance encounter will alter his body, his understanding, his relationships, and the existence he has called reality. Rueban seeks salvation in his soul as he attempts to find a balance between man and wolf. He has been given The Wolf Gift.

Rice touches on the human instinct to survive and protect, even if it means murder. While Rueban is a werewolf when he kills Rice bridges the link between animal and human. Somewhere, in modern civilization, man has lost the instincts that once helped to govern our lives. Or, is it buried somewhere, deep in the the humanity we have developed with civilization?

Readers will taste the setting of Rueban's world with with the eloquent prose Rice has once more rendered with her detailed descriptions. Rueban is a character that you can imagine standing beside you as you read the pages of his story. For those who revel in the legend and lore of the werewolf this is a novel that you must read.

(Book #5 for 2013)

Book Review: Chalice

Chalice
Author: Robin McKinley
Published: September 2008, Penguin Publshing
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Rating: 4/5

The first novel I ever read by Robin Mckinley was Pegasus. This novel was about the sacred bond between a princess and a pegasus who were the antithesis of each other and, despite their love, were  bringing their world to ruin. Intrigued by her interpretation of the Pegasus and her rich, detailed descriptions I decided to read another one of McKinley's novels. I chose Chalice because I was attracted to the simple title.

The demesne of the Willowlands is in a state of unrest after the former Master, who was a selfish tyrant, dies without issue. His younger brother is recalled from the Priests of Fire to rule the realm. The new Master is barely human as his body and soul have been given to the element of fire. His people fear him and so do the members of the Circle, except Mirasol. Mirasol has been called to act as the Chalice who binds the land, Circle and the people together with sacred rituals. Unfortunately, Mirasol never received any training and does not know how she will save the demesne from ruin. Her only hope is in trusting herself and the new Master as she pushes forward.

McKinley has a natural talent when it comes to writing descriptions. I enjoyed reading every word as I saw the surroundings of the characters through Mirasol's eyes. McKinley successfully brings her readers into the temporary existence of the novel's land. The characters were also well-rounded and enjoyable to get to know as the novel progressed. However, the ending was a bit rushed and incomplete which was a bit off-putting. Regardless, though, the novel is still a delightful read and I would recommend it to those who enjoy fantasy novels.

(Book #1 for 2013)

Book Review: The Flame of Olympus

Pegasus: The Flame of Olympus (Book 1)
Author: Kate O'Hearn
Published: 2012, Aladdin Publishing
Genre: Middle-Grade, Fantasy
Rating: 5/5

One of my favorite pastimes as a child was learning about horses in myth and legend. The most famous equine in legend beside the unicorn is Pegasus. Horses in ancient Greece were used for transportation, war, and sacrificed in religious ceremonies. The horse was a respected and revered creature and found a form of immortality in the religion of ancient Greece. Thousands of years later some writers, such as Kate O'Hearn, still look to these ancient stories and the power of a mythical equine to weave a new tale.

Emily is twelve and has suffered the recent loss of her mother to cancer. While her father works long hours as a policeman she finds herself alone during a storm. When she hears a crashing sound on the roof of her apartment building she goes out to discover a winged horse: Pegasus. With the help of a schoolboy, Joel, they nurse the injured immortal equine to health. They learn the Greek Gods are engaged in war on Mount Olympus and the two children soon find themselves in the middle. Only the power of Pegasus' bridle can destroy the Nirads. Will Emily and her companions be able to save their world and that of the Gods from destruction?

I found the writing of this novel very engaging and all the characters to be rounded. O'Hearn endears her readers to the characters through well developed scenes and dialogue. The relationship between Emily and Pegasus is the strongest among the characters in the novel. Through alternating 3rd POV she reveals the growing bond between them that will bind them together. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy novels inspired by Greek mythology.

Book Review: Castle in the Air

Castle in the Air
Author: Diana Wynne Jones
Published: 1990, (2001 Harper Trophy)
Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy
Rating: 5/5

I picked up this enchanting and whimsical novel one Saturday night at Barnes & Noble around three weeks ago. Castle in the Air is the sequel to Jones's Howl's Moving Castle but is novel that can stand alone from its predecessor. Indeed, this novel is equally charming as Howl's Moving Castle.

Abdullah is a young carpet dealer who loves to daydream. One day, he discovers his daydreams become reality after he purchases a magic carpet. He falls in love with princess and they plan to marry right before she snatched away by a wicked creature called a djinn. Abdullah embarks on a journey to rescue his princess and discovers his fate and desires is are intertwined with the desires, prophecies, and magic of others. Is fate and something preordained for him or does he have the power to control the outcome of such foretelling?

I enjoyed this novel and was reminded why I was attracted to the fantasy genre as a child. If anything this novel produced nostalgia in my heart as I fondly recalled other novels I read in my childhood. While Jones may no longer be alive her stories will continue to give joy to new and old readers of her work.

(Book #7 of the 100 Book Challenge)