Don't Bother, 12 Oct 2008
Unless you're 13 or younger dont bother reading this book. I'm really disappointed in Paolini...after getting off to a great start with Eragon book 2, Eldest, slipped a bit but was still readable. Brisingr however is a total waste. The dialogue is so childish I cringed with every page. I gave up on this book halfway thru. If you're smart you'll give this one a pass. Save your money, complete rubbish...grow up Chris, maybe even get a girlfriend and try again in a few years once you've matured a bit.

Better than Eldest, 11 Oct 2008
After reading Eldest (and being heartily disappointed), I comforted myself with the thought that things could only get better. Well, they did. But not by much.

The first sentence of the book shattered my hopes. I had expected that being older might have cured Paolini of his verbosity, but sadly not. The first sentence contained the word 'wherein'. Enough said.

The first half of the book was not much better than Eldest. Nothing happened, and it seemed to lack fluidity. The reader is also presented with a lot of pointless information. There are also the chapters devoted to the dwarves in the later half of the book, which are (to be blunt) mind-numbing.
The scenes with Arya, however, are vastly improved. Eragon no longer acts like a lovesick owl.

The thing that bothered me most about the book is that Paolini retains his 'anti-Christian' stance. Eragon is always looking for evidence, which shows that the author is sadly ignorant of the difference between evidence and faith. Most religions (as far as I know) are based on faith, not evidence.

Lastly, the end of the book did not fulfil expectations. Eragon is not even present for the most exciting scene in the whole book! In a nutshell, it was an anticlimax. Paolini seems to be developing a talent for those.

All in all, the book was miles better than Eldest but is nowhere near the standard we were led to expect it would be. Still too much verbosity, wooden dialogue and pointless scenes. I hope he improves in the last book.

Great Book, but why not end it?, 08 Oct 2008
I enjoyed the book immensely. The characters were well formed, the dialog flowed well and the action sequences were described with just enough accuracy to remain fast paced and interesting, without dulling us with too much detail.

My fault with the book is that it should have been the last on of the TRILOGY! There were at least 6-7 chapters that were not needed within this book, if not more. Within this time the book could have been ended and a conclusion given. Instead, the author decided to extend the series by another book. Why? ££££ I suppose, but I can't speculate. It could be that he truly found himself in a position where he needed to create another book to do his work justice. Either way I find myself frustrated at having to wait probably another 2 years to read the next book and conclusion... if in fact that is the last book?!

However, if you are not at all bothered by that then I definately recommend reading this. While its not Tolkien (though, nothing ever will be), it is enjoyable and an escape from reality every so often.

Loved. It., 06 Oct 2008
Better than the first two put together (and bigger, too!)- it was a great break from my Uni studies and I wasn't disappointed! Paolini is certainly becoming a better writer as the series progresses; I think ending the trilogy here would have been a bit rushed- Brisingr allows Eragon to develop as a person and a Rider, and the result doesn't feel as if everything is being crammed in before the inevitable final conflict. Instead we have the continuing adventures of Eragon and Saphira as they mature and struggle to find Galbatorix's weakness (yes, he has one ^^)- there's enough revelations and action in this to satisfy any Inheritance Cycle fan.

And to those moaning about extensions for commercial reasons, etc... WE GET ANOTHER BOOK AFTER THIS!!! YAY!!!

Recommended 100% ;D
xoxo

A big dissapointment., 05 Oct 2008
After having thoroughly enjoyed the first two books, Eragon and Eldest, my expectations for the third were admittedly high. Even so, when I was reading Brisingr, the only thought that kept me reading on was that these rather lame side plots were building up to a "gripping" scene. To my dismay, this scene never came.
Paolini's influence from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings is clearly noticeable, and this put me off the book. There is no doubt about it that the Paolini's creation of Alagaësia is very impressive, but it needs to be completely original, (gosh I sound so stuck up and pessimistic)!
In addition, some of the scenes were very long and I found myself losing concentration, and i'm not one for having a short concentration span. Despite the long scenes, it is not as detailed as I imagined it to be, and I believe that some stages of the book are completely unneccessary. Sorry, but parts of Brisngr have been poorly written.
To justify these perhaps hypercritical views, I came up with a thoery that, being 17, i was perhaps not young enough, and too critical to enjoy the book.
If this is the case, although i strongly doubt it, I am dissapointed that Paolini hasn't aimed Brisingr to the age group who were "the right age" when Eragon was released. But I will repeat again, "i strongly doubt it."

WELL... I think it is quite clear that I found Brisingr a big dissapointment, so I am surprised by my rating and my urge to buy the last book of the cycle. so I suppose Paolini's technique in dragging the 3rd book out has been to keep readers hopeful that the last one of the series will be worth the bore of the third.

Don't Bother, 12 Oct 2008
Unless you're 13 or younger dont bother reading this book. I'm really disappointed in Paolini...after getting off to a great start with Eragon book 2, Eldest, slipped a bit but was still readable. Brisingr however is a total waste. The dialogue is so childish I cringed with every page. I gave up on this book halfway thru. If you're smart you'll give this one a pass. Save your money, complete rubbish...grow up Chris, maybe even get a girlfriend and try again in a few years once you've matured a bit.

Better than Eldest, 11 Oct 2008
After reading Eldest (and being heartily disappointed), I comforted myself with the thought that things could only get better. Well, they did. But not by much.

The first sentence of the book shattered my hopes. I had expected that being older might have cured Paolini of his verbosity, but sadly not. The first sentence contained the word 'wherein'. Enough said.

The first half of the book was not much better than Eldest. Nothing happened, and it seemed to lack fluidity. The reader is also presented with a lot of pointless information. There are also the chapters devoted to the dwarves in the later half of the book, which are (to be blunt) mind-numbing.
The scenes with Arya, however, are vastly improved. Eragon no longer acts like a lovesick owl.

The thing that bothered me most about the book is that Paolini retains his 'anti-Christian' stance. Eragon is always looking for evidence, which shows that the author is sadly ignorant of the difference between evidence and faith. Most religions (as far as I know) are based on faith, not evidence.

Lastly, the end of the book did not fulfil expectations. Eragon is not even present for the most exciting scene in the whole book! In a nutshell, it was an anticlimax. Paolini seems to be developing a talent for those.

All in all, the book was miles better than Eldest but is nowhere near the standard we were led to expect it would be. Still too much verbosity, wooden dialogue and pointless scenes. I hope he improves in the last book.

Great Book, but why not end it?, 08 Oct 2008
I enjoyed the book immensely. The characters were well formed, the dialog flowed well and the action sequences were described with just enough accuracy to remain fast paced and interesting, without dulling us with too much detail.

My fault with the book is that it should have been the last on of the TRILOGY! There were at least 6-7 chapters that were not needed within this book, if not more. Within this time the book could have been ended and a conclusion given. Instead, the author decided to extend the series by another book. Why? ££££ I suppose, but I can't speculate. It could be that he truly found himself in a position where he needed to create another book to do his work justice. Either way I find myself frustrated at having to wait probably another 2 years to read the next book and conclusion... if in fact that is the last book?!

However, if you are not at all bothered by that then I definately recommend reading this. While its not Tolkien (though, nothing ever will be), it is enjoyable and an escape from reality every so often.

Loved. It., 06 Oct 2008
Better than the first two put together (and bigger, too!)- it was a great break from my Uni studies and I wasn't disappointed! Paolini is certainly becoming a better writer as the series progresses; I think ending the trilogy here would have been a bit rushed- Brisingr allows Eragon to develop as a person and a Rider, and the result doesn't feel as if everything is being crammed in before the inevitable final conflict. Instead we have the continuing adventures of Eragon and Saphira as they mature and struggle to find Galbatorix's weakness (yes, he has one ^^)- there's enough revelations and action in this to satisfy any Inheritance Cycle fan.

And to those moaning about extensions for commercial reasons, etc... WE GET ANOTHER BOOK AFTER THIS!!! YAY!!!

Recommended 100% ;D
xoxo

A big dissapointment., 05 Oct 2008
After having thoroughly enjoyed the first two books, Eragon and Eldest, my expectations for the third were admittedly high. Even so, when I was reading Brisingr, the only thought that kept me reading on was that these rather lame side plots were building up to a "gripping" scene. To my dismay, this scene never came.
Paolini's influence from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings is clearly noticeable, and this put me off the book. There is no doubt about it that the Paolini's creation of Alagaësia is very impressive, but it needs to be completely original, (gosh I sound so stuck up and pessimistic)!
In addition, some of the scenes were very long and I found myself losing concentration, and i'm not one for having a short concentration span. Despite the long scenes, it is not as detailed as I imagined it to be, and I believe that some stages of the book are completely unneccessary. Sorry, but parts of Brisngr have been poorly written.
To justify these perhaps hypercritical views, I came up with a thoery that, being 17, i was perhaps not young enough, and too critical to enjoy the book.
If this is the case, although i strongly doubt it, I am dissapointed that Paolini hasn't aimed Brisingr to the age group who were "the right age" when Eragon was released. But I will repeat again, "i strongly doubt it."

WELL... I think it is quite clear that I found Brisingr a big dissapointment, so I am surprised by my rating and my urge to buy the last book of the cycle. so I suppose Paolini's technique in dragging the 3rd book out has been to keep readers hopeful that the last one of the series will be worth the bore of the third.



A Large Diamond Among Gems, 05 Oct 2008
More than 20 years ago now, a good friend pressed a copy of "The Colour of Magic" into my hands that launched a love affair with Terry's books that lasts to this day. Like most frustrated authors who lack the talent to deliver themselves, I read a lot, and I think I have read pretty much all that Terry has written since 198whatever, and yes some of it is quite a lot better than some other bits, but his work has never once been a disappointment.

So I was delighted to see Nation appear on the shelf last week and have just used a rainy Sunday morning to finish it.

A quick summation, of the important points; this is not a Disc World novel, it is a book aimed at anyone over about 9 who can read. It deals with the not inconsequential questions of being us, whoever or wherever that may be, and it does it by telling a good story. It is in fact, very good indeed.

I think this is a book Terry has wanted to write for a while, it has a highly polished feel to it, and I have to say represents a stand out piece of work even for his well known if remarkable talent to make us laugh and ponder for a while.

This should be essential reading for all youngsters who might go on to rule a nation, guard a border, expand our knowledge of the universe, join the priesthood or just decide to go fishing.

It certainly will be in my house.

Thanks (again) Terry
Trev Harvey

Not as good as I had hoped, 04 Oct 2008
I had high hopes for this book, possibly too high. Despite the majority of readers giving this rave reviews I'm afraid I'll have to stick with the opinions of the few nay-sayers. I really couldn't get into this book as much as I had hoped - it meanders along at a fairly gentle pace and has a very different 'feel' to Pratchett's other works, but it rarely engaged my emotions or imagination and I didn't feel like I could 'connect' to any of the characters. There are good moments of course, but it really does feel like it's lacking something.

Maybe I'll enjoy it more when (if) I ever re-read it. You can't please all the people all the time. I generally love Pratchett's books and thoroughly look forward to the next one.

Wonderful - and this is a kids book???, 04 Oct 2008
What a fantastic book, I had already read the pre-amble when I ordered the book so I wasn't expecting a discworld novel. This is fabulous though and in it's own way as good as or better than the discworld books. Rather than ride just the frothy waves of humour, this book often dives below the surf into the deeper darker world of real emotions.
The storytelling is magical and I could easily have read this in one sitting but instead I made it last 4 days :)The characters were fantastic and you really get to know and care about Mau and Daphne.
This book will sit on my bookshelf forever and every so often I will take it down and go and vist Mau and Daphne again.
I cannot reccomend it enough, just don't ruin it for yourself by expecting a discworld novel - it's better even that that in it's own way :)



A Classic in the truest sense, 02 Oct 2008
I want to add my review here of Nation but it's actually an extraordinarily difficult thing to do. The reason is that I don't want to appear to be `gushing' with praise for it. If ever I read such a review, it normally has the effect of turning me off the book completely, as it's obviously written by a fan who hasn't read a different author or genre since they left primary school. In view of this, here's what I genuinely thought of it:
I finished the book last night and my immediate thought was `Oh my gosh, this is a classic'. This is a book that will be discussed, debated and written about for years to come. It's a bit like being around when a new Dickens or Jane Austin novel came out.
The plot has been mentioned here already, so I won't repeat it again. I see that some reviewers have said that Nation is pitched at older children in their teens, but don't be fooled. This book has so much depth and can be read at so many levels, there's enough here to keep 10 year old Harry Potter fans to Academic Philosophers happy. The writing style is as clear and sparkling as cut crystal and while reading it, Pratchett takes your conscious mind out of this world and into his. You become each character, looking through their eyes, thinking their thoughts and feeling their every emotion. It is a fully immersive experience. The book also engages the brain by making you think about how societies and belief systems are created and our place in them. It is also a book to make you think about what makes you, you. If ever there was a book that could provide software upgrade for your brain, this is it.

Terry, I'll probably never meet you in person, but thank you for such a special gift.


One of those feel-good experiences, 01 Oct 2008
Every so often you come across a book that just makes you feel good. The first time I read "The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency" was like that, and even though I've been reading Terry Pratchett's books for many years now, this book was another of those experiences.

That's not to say that this is all warm, fuzzy stuff. Indeed, there's death aplenty (and since this isn't a Discworld book, no DEATH) but the way that Pratchett handles all the less palatable aspects of life and death still gives you a good feeling. (I read somewhere recently that he'd had an experience where he suddenly felt that all was right with the world and there was no reason to worry - not something he would describe as a religious experience, but similar in some ways. I wonder whether that was before, after or while he was writing this book, because a lot of it seems to seep through).

Highly recommended both for people who are already Pratchett fans, but also for those who have never read him or avoided him - stop being snobby because he's a popular author and find out WHY. This is a fine piece of work.

Don't Bother, 12 Oct 2008
Unless you're 13 or younger dont bother reading this book. I'm really disappointed in Paolini...after getting off to a great start with Eragon book 2, Eldest, slipped a bit but was still readable. Brisingr however is a total waste. The dialogue is so childish I cringed with every page. I gave up on this book halfway thru. If you're smart you'll give this one a pass. Save your money, complete rubbish...grow up Chris, maybe even get a girlfriend and try again in a few years once you've matured a bit.

Better than Eldest, 11 Oct 2008
After reading Eldest (and being heartily disappointed), I comforted myself with the thought that things could only get better. Well, they did. But not by much.

The first sentence of the book shattered my hopes. I had expected that being older might have cured Paolini of his verbosity, but sadly not. The first sentence contained the word 'wherein'. Enough said.

The first half of the book was not much better than Eldest. Nothing happened, and it seemed to lack fluidity. The reader is also presented with a lot of pointless information. There are also the chapters devoted to the dwarves in the later half of the book, which are (to be blunt) mind-numbing.
The scenes with Arya, however, are vastly improved. Eragon no longer acts like a lovesick owl.

The thing that bothered me most about the book is that Paolini retains his 'anti-Christian' stance. Eragon is always looking for evidence, which shows that the author is sadly ignorant of the difference between evidence and faith. Most religions (as far as I know) are based on faith, not evidence.

Lastly, the end of the book did not fulfil expectations. Eragon is not even present for the most exciting scene in the whole book! In a nutshell, it was an anticlimax. Paolini seems to be developing a talent for those.

All in all, the book was miles better than Eldest but is nowhere near the standard we were led to expect it would be. Still too much verbosity, wooden dialogue and pointless scenes. I hope he improves in the last book.

Great Book, but why not end it?, 08 Oct 2008
I enjoyed the book immensely. The characters were well formed, the dialog flowed well and the action sequences were described with just enough accuracy to remain fast paced and interesting, without dulling us with too much detail.

My fault with the book is that it should have been the last on of the TRILOGY! There were at least 6-7 chapters that were not needed within this book, if not more. Within this time the book could have been ended and a conclusion given. Instead, the author decided to extend the series by another book. Why? ££££ I suppose, but I can't speculate. It could be that he truly found himself in a position where he needed to create another book to do his work justice. Either way I find myself frustrated at having to wait probably another 2 years to read the next book and conclusion... if in fact that is the last book?!

However, if you are not at all bothered by that then I definately recommend reading this. While its not Tolkien (though, nothing ever will be), it is enjoyable and an escape from reality every so often.

Loved. It., 06 Oct 2008
Better than the first two put together (and bigger, too!)- it was a great break from my Uni studies and I wasn't disappointed! Paolini is certainly becoming a better writer as the series progresses; I think ending the trilogy here would have been a bit rushed- Brisingr allows Eragon to develop as a person and a Rider, and the result doesn't feel as if everything is being crammed in before the inevitable final conflict. Instead we have the continuing adventures of Eragon and Saphira as they mature and struggle to find Galbatorix's weakness (yes, he has one ^^)- there's enough revelations and action in this to satisfy any Inheritance Cycle fan.

And to those moaning about extensions for commercial reasons, etc... WE GET ANOTHER BOOK AFTER THIS!!! YAY!!!

Recommended 100% ;D
xoxo

A big dissapointment., 05 Oct 2008
After having thoroughly enjoyed the first two books, Eragon and Eldest, my expectations for the third were admittedly high. Even so, when I was reading Brisingr, the only thought that kept me reading on was that these rather lame side plots were building up to a "gripping" scene. To my dismay, this scene never came.
Paolini's influence from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings is clearly noticeable, and this put me off the book. There is no doubt about it that the Paolini's creation of Alagaësia is very impressive, but it needs to be completely original, (gosh I sound so stuck up and pessimistic)!
In addition, some of the scenes were very long and I found myself losing concentration, and i'm not one for having a short concentration span. Despite the long scenes, it is not as detailed as I imagined it to be, and I believe that some stages of the book are completely unneccessary. Sorry, but parts of Brisngr have been poorly written.
To justify these perhaps hypercritical views, I came up with a thoery that, being 17, i was perhaps not young enough, and too critical to enjoy the book.
If this is the case, although i strongly doubt it, I am dissapointed that Paolini hasn't aimed Brisingr to the age group who were "the right age" when Eragon was released. But I will repeat again, "i strongly doubt it."

WELL... I think it is quite clear that I found Brisingr a big dissapointment, so I am surprised by my rating and my urge to buy the last book of the cycle. so I suppose Paolini's technique in dragging the 3rd book out has been to keep readers hopeful that the last one of the series will be worth the bore of the third.



A Large Diamond Among Gems, 05 Oct 2008
More than 20 years ago now, a good friend pressed a copy of "The Colour of Magic" into my hands that launched a love affair with Terry's books that lasts to this day. Like most frustrated authors who lack the talent to deliver themselves, I read a lot, and I think I have read pretty much all that Terry has written since 198whatever, and yes some of it is quite a lot better than some other bits, but his work has never once been a disappointment.

So I was delighted to see Nation appear on the shelf last week and have just used a rainy Sunday morning to finish it.

A quick summation, of the important points; this is not a Disc World novel, it is a book aimed at anyone over about 9 who can read. It deals with the not inconsequential questions of being us, whoever or wherever that may be, and it does it by telling a good story. It is in fact, very good indeed.

I think this is a book Terry has wanted to write for a while, it has a highly polished feel to it, and I have to say represents a stand out piece of work even for his well known if remarkable talent to make us laugh and ponder for a while.

This should be essential reading for all youngsters who might go on to rule a nation, guard a border, expand our knowledge of the universe, join the priesthood or just decide to go fishing.

It certainly will be in my house.

Thanks (again) Terry
Trev Harvey

Not as good as I had hoped, 04 Oct 2008
I had high hopes for this book, possibly too high. Despite the majority of readers giving this rave reviews I'm afraid I'll have to stick with the opinions of the few nay-sayers. I really couldn't get into this book as much as I had hoped - it meanders along at a fairly gentle pace and has a very different 'feel' to Pratchett's other works, but it rarely engaged my emotions or imagination and I didn't feel like I could 'connect' to any of the characters. There are good moments of course, but it really does feel like it's lacking something.

Maybe I'll enjoy it more when (if) I ever re-read it. You can't please all the people all the time. I generally love Pratchett's books and thoroughly look forward to the next one.

Wonderful - and this is a kids book???, 04 Oct 2008
What a fantastic book, I had already read the pre-amble when I ordered the book so I wasn't expecting a discworld novel. This is fabulous though and in it's own way as good as or better than the discworld books. Rather than ride just the frothy waves of humour, this book often dives below the surf into the deeper darker world of real emotions.
The storytelling is magical and I could easily have read this in one sitting but instead I made it last 4 days :)The characters were fantastic and you really get to know and care about Mau and Daphne.
This book will sit on my bookshelf forever and every so often I will take it down and go and vist Mau and Daphne again.
I cannot reccomend it enough, just don't ruin it for yourself by expecting a discworld novel - it's better even that that in it's own way :)



A Classic in the truest sense, 02 Oct 2008
I want to add my review here of Nation but it's actually an extraordinarily difficult thing to do. The reason is that I don't want to appear to be `gushing' with praise for it. If ever I read such a review, it normally has the effect of turning me off the book completely, as it's obviously written by a fan who hasn't read a different author or genre since they left primary school. In view of this, here's what I genuinely thought of it:
I finished the book last night and my immediate thought was `Oh my gosh, this is a classic'. This is a book that will be discussed, debated and written about for years to come. It's a bit like being around when a new Dickens or Jane Austin novel came out.
The plot has been mentioned here already, so I won't repeat it again. I see that some reviewers have said that Nation is pitched at older children in their teens, but don't be fooled. This book has so much depth and can be read at so many levels, there's enough here to keep 10 year old Harry Potter fans to Academic Philosophers happy. The writing style is as clear and sparkling as cut crystal and while reading it, Pratchett takes your conscious mind out of this world and into his. You become each character, looking through their eyes, thinking their thoughts and feeling their every emotion. It is a fully immersive experience. The book also engages the brain by making you think about how societies and belief systems are created and our place in them. It is also a book to make you think about what makes you, you. If ever there was a book that could provide software upgrade for your brain, this is it.

Terry, I'll probably never meet you in person, but thank you for such a special gift.


One of those feel-good experiences, 01 Oct 2008
Every so often you come across a book that just makes you feel good. The first time I read "The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency" was like that, and even though I've been reading Terry Pratchett's books for many years now, this book was another of those experiences.

That's not to say that this is all warm, fuzzy stuff. Indeed, there's death aplenty (and since this isn't a Discworld book, no DEATH) but the way that Pratchett handles all the less palatable aspects of life and death still gives you a good feeling. (I read somewhere recently that he'd had an experience where he suddenly felt that all was right with the world and there was no reason to worry - not something he would describe as a religious experience, but similar in some ways. I wonder whether that was before, after or while he was writing this book, because a lot of it seems to seep through).

Highly recommended both for people who are already Pratchett fans, but also for those who have never read him or avoided him - stop being snobby because he's a popular author and find out WHY. This is a fine piece of work.

I fell in love with this book just like a love sick teenager., 12 Oct 2008
This book was absolutly fantastic!! I stumbled across Stephenie Meyer's Twilight on sale in a local supermarket, after reading the first chapter I was hooked! I rushed around to find New Moon and then waited for Eclipse full of excitment. The wait for Breaking Dawn was a tough one but very worth it, this book did not let me down. It was beautiful and I wanted to be every part of it. In 3 days I finished Breaking Dawn and however much I am kicking myself for that now, I am looking forward to reading it all over again!! Stephenie Meyer not only knew how to capture my attention and hold it there but drew me into a world that I could not forget about through out my day to day life. I am in my late 20's and have / would recommend the 4 books to any age group who enjoy true passion for love and life. Am only sad that the story is now over. I could only hope that maybe Stephenie Meyer would come up with a story of Reneesme & Jacob, cause no matter how old I would be at this time I would run to buy it. If you are a young girl at heart who loves to lose themselves in a mystical fantasy of true passion then this is the book to go for. Am finding it very hard to locate a book that is anywhere near as good as Stephenie Meyer.

The holes are gaping., 12 Oct 2008
Breaking Dawn (Twilight Saga)
This isn't hate filled or Psychotic like some others However my point is that the holes in her writing ability as so much more prominent thatn they were in the first 3 books.
I also belive that this book has been written so badly becasue SM has been so desperate be over and done with the whole Twilight saga...
Anyone else think so?


What's the point?, 11 Oct 2008
Admittedly I read New Moon before Twilight, but that wasn't my fault. I came to love the series of books, begging my mum (I'm only 13) to buy me each book practically as soon as it came out. Yet Breaking Dawn came as a disappointment.

The first two books in Breaking Dawn I enjoyed, yet when Bella opened her eyes to immortality I was a little disappointed. Where was the main excitement in it? Renesmee is fine and dandy, Jacob is staying with the Cullens for as long as he lives, and Bella has exceptional self-control, so she can still see Charlie. And as for the 'fight' with the Volturi, where was the grand battle? Where was the bloodshed? They just ran away with their tails in between their legs.

I found that everything was too fine and dandy, all happy and jolly. It was almost definitely rushed, like in the moments before class starts and you haven't completed the homework. Whether this was Stephenie Meyer's fault or ATOM's it doesn't matter. The book was definitely ended wrong.

I want another book - one that ends not all jolly and joyful but on a sad note, one where someone dies. Whether it be Bella, Charlie, Jacob or Renesmee, I want some form of carnage.

WOW!, 10 Oct 2008
This is the 4th and final book in the Twilight series and it was not a disappointment, apart from the fact that there are no more books in the series. I am so sad to say goodbye to the main characters, Bella, Edward and Jacob because they were described in such a way that I felt they were a part of my circle of friends.

I loved this book but had to keep reminding myself that it was fiction, it was supernatural and as such, ANYTHING CAN happen, and it does!

I loved the whole story from begining to end and I am not going to describe what happens - you can read the synopsis for that. I loved the romance, the intrigue and the brewing fight..... I really did not know what to expect at each turn of the page.

An exciting read!


Really cute...., 07 Oct 2008
Frankly, I dont know what you haters are going on about. For me I think I have to say book 4 was The Climax for me. A beautiful happy ending book. Honestly didnt want to put it down and didn't want it to end!!
Loved the way we had a little bit of prespective from Jacob's point, that was cool, wish Meyer could have done the same for Edward as well...
All in all a lovely end to the Bella, Edward and Jacob saga. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.

Don't Bother, 12 Oct 2008
Unless you're 13 or younger dont bother reading this book. I'm really disappointed in Paolini...after getting off to a great start with Eragon book 2, Eldest, slipped a bit but was still readable. Brisingr however is a total waste. The dialogue is so childish I cringed with every page. I gave up on this book halfway thru. If you're smart you'll give this one a pass. Save your money, complete rubbish...grow up Chris, maybe even get a girlfriend and try again in a few years once you've matured a bit.

Better than Eldest, 11 Oct 2008
After reading Eldest (and being heartily disappointed), I comforted myself with the thought that things could only get better. Well, they did. But not by much.

The first sentence of the book shattered my hopes. I had expected that being older might have cured Paolini of his verbosity, but sadly not. The first sentence contained the word 'wherein'. Enough said.

The first half of the book was not much better than Eldest. Nothing happened, and it seemed to lack fluidity. The reader is also presented with a lot of pointless information. There are also the chapters devoted to the dwarves in the later half of the book, which are (to be blunt) mind-numbing.
The scenes with Arya, however, are vastly improved. Eragon no longer acts like a lovesick owl.

The thing that bothered me most about the book is that Paolini retains his 'anti-Christian' stance. Eragon is always looking for evidence, which shows that the author is sadly ignorant of the difference between evidence and faith. Most religions (as far as I know) are based on faith, not evidence.

Lastly, the end of the book did not fulfil expectations. Eragon is not even present for the most exciting scene in the whole book! In a nutshell, it was an anticlimax. Paolini seems to be developing a talent for those.

All in all, the book was miles better than Eldest but is nowhere near the standard we were led to expect it would be. Still too much verbosity, wooden dialogue and pointless scenes. I hope he improves in the last book.

Great Book, but why not end it?, 08 Oct 2008
I enjoyed the book immensely. The characters were well formed, the dialog flowed well and the action sequences were described with just enough accuracy to remain fast paced and interesting, without dulling us with too much detail.

My fault with the book is that it should have been the last on of the TRILOGY! There were at least 6-7 chapters that were not needed within this book, if not more. Within this time the book could have been ended and a conclusion given. Instead, the author decided to extend the series by another book. Why? ££££ I suppose, but I can't speculate. It could be that he truly found himself in a position where he needed to create another book to do his work justice. Either way I find myself frustrated at having to wait probably another 2 years to read the next book and conclusion... if in fact that is the last book?!

However, if you are not at all bothered by that then I definately recommend reading this. While its not Tolkien (though, nothing ever will be), it is enjoyable and an escape from reality every so often.

Loved. It., 06 Oct 2008
Better than the first two put together (and bigger, too!)- it was a great break from my Uni studies and I wasn't disappointed! Paolini is certainly becoming a better writer as the series progresses; I think ending the trilogy here would have been a bit rushed- Brisingr allows Eragon to develop as a person and a Rider, and the result doesn't feel as if everything is being crammed in before the inevitable final conflict. Instead we have the continuing adventures of Eragon and Saphira as they mature and struggle to find Galbatorix's weakness (yes, he has one ^^)- there's enough revelations and action in this to satisfy any Inheritance Cycle fan.

And to those moaning about extensions for commercial reasons, etc... WE GET ANOTHER BOOK AFTER THIS!!! YAY!!!

Recommended 100% ;D
xoxo

A big dissapointment., 05 Oct 2008
After having thoroughly enjoyed the first two books, Eragon and Eldest, my expectations for the third were admittedly high. Even so, when I was reading Brisingr, the only thought that kept me reading on was that these rather lame side plots were building up to a "gripping" scene. To my dismay, this scene never came.
Paolini's influence from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings is clearly noticeable, and this put me off the book. There is no doubt about it that the Paolini's creation of Alagaësia is very impressive, but it needs to be completely original, (gosh I sound so stuck up and pessimistic)!
In addition, some of the scenes were very long and I found myself losing concentration, and i'm not one for having a short concentration span. Despite the long scenes, it is not as detailed as I imagined it to be, and I believe that some stages of the book are completely unneccessary. Sorry, but parts of Brisngr have been poorly written.
To justify these perhaps hypercritical views, I came up with a thoery that, being 17, i was perhaps not young enough, and too critical to enjoy the book.
If this is the case, although i strongly doubt it, I am dissapointed that Paolini hasn't aimed Brisingr to the age group who were "the right age" when Eragon was released. But I will repeat again, "i strongly doubt it."

WELL... I think it is quite clear that I found Brisingr a big dissapointment, so I am surprised by my rating and my urge to buy the last book of the cycle. so I suppose Paolini's technique in dragging the 3rd book out has been to keep readers hopeful that the last one of the series will be worth the bore of the third.



A Large Diamond Among Gems, 05 Oct 2008
More than 20 years ago now, a good friend pressed a copy of "The Colour of Magic" into my hands that launched a love affair with Terry's books that lasts to this day. Like most frustrated authors who lack the talent to deliver themselves, I read a lot, and I think I have read pretty much all that Terry has written since 198whatever, and yes some of it is quite a lot better than some other bits, but his work has never once been a disappointment.

So I was delighted to see Nation appear on the shelf last week and have just used a rainy Sunday morning to finish it.

A quick summation, of the important points; this is not a Disc World novel, it is a book aimed at anyone over about 9 who can read. It deals with the not inconsequential questions of being us, whoever or wherever that may be, and it does it by telling a good story. It is in fact, very good indeed.

I think this is a book Terry has wanted to write for a while, it has a highly polished feel to it, and I have to say represents a stand out piece of work even for his well known if remarkable talent to make us laugh and ponder for a while.

This should be essential reading for all youngsters who might go on to rule a nation, guard a border, expand our knowledge of the universe, join the priesthood or just decide to go fishing.

It certainly will be in my house.

Thanks (again) Terry
Trev Harvey

Not as good as I had hoped, 04 Oct 2008
I had high hopes for this book, possibly too high. Despite the majority of readers giving this rave reviews I'm afraid I'll have to stick with the opinions of the few nay-sayers. I really couldn't get into this book as much as I had hoped - it meanders along at a fairly gentle pace and has a very different 'feel' to Pratchett's other works, but it rarely engaged my emotions or imagination and I didn't feel like I could 'connect' to any of the characters. There are good moments of course, but it really does feel like it's lacking something.

Maybe I'll enjoy it more when (if) I ever re-read it. You can't please all the people all the time. I generally love Pratchett's books and thoroughly look forward to the next one.

Wonderful - and this is a kids book???, 04 Oct 2008
What a fantastic book, I had already read the pre-amble when I ordered the book so I wasn't expecting a discworld novel. This is fabulous though and in it's own way as good as or better than the discworld books. Rather than ride just the frothy waves of humour, this book often dives below the surf into the deeper darker world of real emotions.
The storytelling is magical and I could easily have read this in one sitting but instead I made it last 4 days :)The characters were fantastic and you really get to know and care about Mau and Daphne.
This book will sit on my bookshelf forever and every so often I will take it down and go and vist Mau and Daphne again.
I cannot reccomend it enough, just don't ruin it for yourself by expecting a discworld novel - it's better even that that in it's own way :)



A Classic in the truest sense, 02 Oct 2008
I want to add my review here of Nation but it's actually an extraordinarily difficult thing to do. The reason is that I don't want to appear to be `gushing' with praise for it. If ever I read such a review, it normally has the effect of turning me off the book completely, as it's obviously written by a fan who hasn't read a different author or genre since they left primary school. In view of this, here's what I genuinely thought of it:
I finished the book last night and my immediate thought was `Oh my gosh, this is a classic'. This is a book that will be discussed, debated and written about for years to come. It's a bit like being around when a new Dickens or Jane Austin novel came out.
The plot has been mentioned here already, so I won't repeat it again. I see that some reviewers have said that Nation is pitched at older children in their teens, but don't be fooled. This book has so much depth and can be read at so many levels, there's enough here to keep 10 year old Harry Potter fans to Academic Philosophers happy. The writing style is as clear and sparkling as cut crystal and while reading it, Pratchett takes your conscious mind out of this world and into his. You become each character, looking through their eyes, thinking their thoughts and feeling their every emotion. It is a fully immersive experience. The book also engages the brain by making you think about how societies and belief systems are created and our place in them. It is also a book to make you think about what makes you, you. If ever there was a book that could provide software upgrade for your brain, this is it.

Terry, I'll probably never meet you in person, but thank you for such a special gift.


One of those feel-good experiences, 01 Oct 2008
Every so often you come across a book that just makes you feel good. The first time I read "The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency" was like that, and even though I've been reading Terry Pratchett's books for many years now, this book was another of those experiences.

That's not to say that this is all warm, fuzzy stuff. Indeed, there's death aplenty (and since this isn't a Discworld book, no DEATH) but the way that Pratchett handles all the less palatable aspects of life and death still gives you a good feeling. (I read somewhere recently that he'd had an experience where he suddenly felt that all was right with the world and there was no reason to worry - not something he would describe as a religious experience, but similar in some ways. I wonder whether that was before, after or while he was writing this book, because a lot of it seems to seep through).

Highly recommended both for people who are already Pratchett fans, but also for those who have never read him or avoided him - stop being snobby because he's a popular author and find out WHY. This is a fine piece of work.

I fell in love with this book just like a love sick teenager., 12 Oct 2008
This book was absolutly fantastic!! I stumbled across Stephenie Meyer's Twilight on sale in a local supermarket, after reading the first chapter I was hooked! I rushed around to find New Moon and then waited for Eclipse full of excitment. The wait for Breaking Dawn was a tough one but very worth it, this book did not let me down. It was beautiful and I wanted to be every part of it. In 3 days I finished Breaking Dawn and however much I am kicking myself for that now, I am looking forward to reading it all over again!! Stephenie Meyer not only knew how to capture my attention and hold it there but drew me into a world that I could not forget about through out my day to day life. I am in my late 20's and have / would recommend the 4 books to any age group who enjoy true passion for love and life. Am only sad that the story is now over. I could only hope that maybe Stephenie Meyer would come up with a story of Reneesme & Jacob, cause no matter how old I would be at this time I would run to buy it. If you are a young girl at heart who loves to lose themselves in a mystical fantasy of true passion then this is the book to go for. Am finding it very hard to locate a book that is anywhere near as good as Stephenie Meyer.

The holes are gaping., 12 Oct 2008
Breaking Dawn (Twilight Saga)
This isn't hate filled or Psychotic like some others However my point is that the holes in her writing ability as so much more prominent thatn they were in the first 3 books.
I also belive that this book has been written so badly becasue SM has been so desperate be over and done with the whole Twilight saga...
Anyone else think so?


What's the point?, 11 Oct 2008
Admittedly I read New Moon before Twilight, but that wasn't my fault. I came to love the series of books, begging my mum (I'm only 13) to buy me each book practically as soon as it came out. Yet Breaking Dawn came as a disappointment.

The first two books in Breaking Dawn I enjoyed, yet when Bella opened her eyes to immortality I was a little disappointed. Where was the main excitement in it? Renesmee is fine and dandy, Jacob is staying with the Cullens for as long as he lives, and Bella has exceptional self-control, so she can still see Charlie. And as for the 'fight' with the Volturi, where was the grand battle? Where was the bloodshed? They just ran away with their tails in between their legs.

I found that everything was too fine and dandy, all happy and jolly. It was almost definitely rushed, like in the moments before class starts and you haven't completed the homework. Whether this was Stephenie Meyer's fault or ATOM's it doesn't matter. The book was definitely ended wrong.

I want another book - one that ends not all jolly and joyful but on a sad note, one where someone dies. Whether it be Bella, Charlie, Jacob or Renesmee, I want some form of carnage.

WOW!, 10 Oct 2008
This is the 4th and final book in the Twilight series and it was not a disappointment, apart from the fact that there are no more books in the series. I am so sad to say goodbye to the main characters, Bella, Edward and Jacob because they were described in such a way that I felt they were a part of my circle of friends.

I loved this book but had to keep reminding myself that it was fiction, it was supernatural and as such, ANYTHING CAN happen, and it does!

I loved the whole story from begining to end and I am not going to describe what happens - you can read the synopsis for that. I loved the romance, the intrigue and the brewing fight..... I really did not know what to expect at each turn of the page.

An exciting read!


Really cute...., 07 Oct 2008
Frankly, I dont know what you haters are going on about. For me I think I have to say book 4 was The Climax for me. A beautiful happy ending book. Honestly didnt want to put it down and didn't want it to end!!
Loved the way we had a little bit of prespective from Jacob's point, that was cool, wish Meyer could have done the same for Edward as well...
All in all a lovely end to the Bella, Edward and Jacob saga. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.

Great book, 12 Oct 2008
The 2nd volume of the void trilogy continues the saga started in last years "The Dreaming Void". As before this, is a complex multi-threaded narrative combining the machinations and intregue of the Commonwealth factions and their stooges with the ongoing story of the Waterwalker inside the void itself. As the book progresses both the capabilties of the void and the threat posed by it become clearer leading to the final positioning of the characters before the concluding volume.

I can't rate this book highly enough though I found that in contrast with the last volume, the waterwalker's narrative strand was somewhat more engageing that the wider positioning strands outside the void. I can't wait for the final volume, this is a mighty space opera and really sets a standard for sci-fi everywhere. I think this trilogy is shaping up to be even better than the naked god.

This certainly lays down the gauntlet for other sci-fi writers. , 05 Oct 2008
Hamilton continues his story of humanity in the 36th century, leading his cast of bio-engineered characters across vividly imagined worlds into impossible situations that even their advanced technology and knowledge cannot protect them from.

* Plot
The book begins with the Commonwealth facing dual external threats from an invading alien fleet and an expansion of the mysterious sun-eating "Void". Internally various factions are becoming increasingly brazen in their struggle to to advance their belief systems and gain control of people who can communicate with those living in the Void. However, the bulk of this book concentrates on recounting Inigo's dreams of life in the Void, a fantasy tale following the adventures of Edeard and his friends as they struggle against the gangs of Makkathran.

* Style
As usual, Hamilton's skill with imaginative composition of the sci-fi elements is excellent. The fantasy element is also very good. The split between these two elements is good insofar as the Void storyline could stand on its own, but it does limit coverage of the rest of the characters (there are about ten squeezed into a third of the book).

There are occasionally small spoilers which foreshadow events in Edeard's storyline. In some ways these enhance the suspense, in others they spoil it a bit and make some of the twists less shocking. However, the twists were still enjoyable with various clues about the factions' agendas slowly woven together... to leave us waiting for the next book.

I was not expecting this to extend to a trilogy and I'm a bit puzzled (in a good way) about how he's going to find enough material for a same-sized third book. On the other hand, this does seem to take the story away from a worrying deus ex machina ending, which is good (the mysterious Commonwealth "deterrent fleet" is surely a nod to critics).

* Characterisation
This is well done, and he has certainly taken criticism over certain elements to heart. Most of the main cast are well fleshed out, the author using our knowledge of them from Judas Unchained to avoid starting over. However, the imbalance in coverage hurts some of the secondary characters and some of them don't come across particularly well. I suspect the spot light will focus on them more in the next instalment.


Overall this is an enjoyable page-turner. Inventive, stylishly written, and even emotive (I still can't believe she did that to him!).

A wonderful continuation and very impressive novel, 29 Sep 2008
The Centaurion Station, the base of the Void observation for countless millennia, is torn apart as the Raiel machines move to counter the Void's expansion. Justine, who is at the station as it is destroyed, makes a decision that will affect the whole of humanity; to enter the Void in an attempt to negotiate with the Skylord. Will the Second Dreamer be able to get her safe passage, even if it means exposing herself?

After rejecting the Skylord's offer Araminta now comes to the full realisation that she is indeed the Second Dreamer, the one Living Dream say is destined to lead them into the Void and the life they so desperately wish. However, along with this discovery Araminta now knows she is the target of everyone who wishes to use her to their own advantage. But she will not bow to the pressures put on her and is on the run, unsure where or who to turn to.

Paula is continuing her mission to track down Troblum who holds crucial information about the Accelerators and their plans. Desperate to get hard evidence, Paula tracks him down and comes to the very harsh realisation of how far the Accelerators are prepared to go to fulfill their plans. Meanwhile, the Ocisen Empire are on their way to Commonwealth space to enforce the threat they previously issued: cease the pilgrimage or face the consequences.

After his spectacular display of power and unwavering belief of what is right, Edeard now faces increasingly difficult obstacles in his bid to bring peace to Makkathran. With the gangs planning to undermine the Waterwalker he must stand for what he believes, even if it means unwanted political manoeuvring, and the events that take place in Makkathran lead down the path that will reveal the full potential of the Void.

Continuing from The Dreaming Void, The Temporal Void picks up events immediately following the revelations and keeps the sense of wonder and urgency we were left with. This helps in keeping the story going at a strong pace and it feels that all the groundwork laid in Dreaming is really starting to pay off.

The Commonwealth sections are particularly impressive. We still know what we were told in Dreaming - the Void is expanding, the Ocisens are one their way to stop the pilgrimage, the Second Dreamer knows she is communicating with the Skylord and many other things. What we are given is a situation that reached a climax and now the after effects are being felt. Throughout the whole of Temporal, the Commonwealth sections are consistently entertaining with a couple of nice surprises in there. There are also even less detours this time around which means we get a very nicely focused story.

The Void sections are just as enjoyably and Edeard's story continues in glorious fashion. We are now treated to a more confident Edeard and one who has gained both popularity and notoriety within Makkathran. His ideas are not something the council are used to and his stance against the criminals results in some interesting and page turning action. The powers within the Void exhibited by Edeard, both the ones he discovers and the ones he learns of through others, are amazing and go to show why so many Living Dream members want to pilgrimage to the Void.

This comes to the main revelation of the book: the true nature of the Void. Without giving anything away, the Void becomes a very appealing place to go to. It also effectively ties up that main sub plot, although I fully expect to see more of the Void in the last book with some very interesting things left hanging.

The characters carry through from Dreaming, but the Commonwealth ones do suffer a little in this volume, simply due to short time most of them are on the page. Where Dreaming was around a 60/40 split in favour of the Commonwealth, Temporal is 70/30 in favour of the Void. This gives a great follow through for Edeard and builds on what I think was the strongest element in Dreaming, and probably the strongest in Temporal too.

It's already been confirmed by Peter that The Evolutionary Void will return more to the Commonwealth, and with promises of it being larger again than Temporal I can barely wait the 18 months or so until its release. The setting up for Edeard's story done in Dreaming paid off very well in Temporal, but it feels that we're still awaiting that payoff for the Commonwealth and all the dangers now facing it.

There are a couple of bits that I wasn't entirely convinced about, but without giving away spoilers it's very difficult to put them into words. Nevertheless, these are small concerns that didn't affect my overall enjoyment. The format also follows the same principle of Dreaming - we get a chapter in the Commonwealth followed by another of Inigo's dreams of the Void. It works again this time around, although the size of the Void chapters can be huge, one coming to over a hundred pages.

The Temporal Void delivers a lot of what space opera is good for, just not in huge amounts. Who will enjoy it will depend very heavily on what they thought of Edeard's story in Dreaming - if it's something they loved (like me) then Temporal will make them very happy indeed. But if it was the plot they least enjoyed then Temporal may not live up to their expectations. Either way, the stage has been set for an action packed and very promising conclusion. Another highly recommended novel.

Don't Bother, 12 Oct 2008
Unless you're 13 or younger dont bother reading this book. I'm really disappointed in Paolini...after getting off to a great start with Eragon book 2, Eldest, slipped a bit but was still readable. Brisingr however is a total waste. The dialogue is so childish I cringed with every page. I gave up on this book halfway thru. If you're smart you'll give this one a pass. Save your money, complete rubbish...grow up Chris, maybe even get a girlfriend and try again in a few years once you've matured a bit.

Better than Eldest, 11 Oct 2008
After reading Eldest (and being heartily disappointed), I comforted myself with the thought that things could only get better. Well, they did. But not by much.

The first sentence of the book shattered my hopes. I had expected that being older might have cured Paolini of his verbosity, but sadly not. The first sentence contained the word 'wherein'. Enough said.

The first half of the book was not much better than Eldest. Nothing happened, and it seemed to lack fluidity. The reader is also presented with a lot of pointless information. There are also the chapters devoted to the dwarves in the later half of the book, which are (to be blunt) mind-numbing.
The scenes with Arya, however, are vastly improved. Eragon no longer acts like a lovesick owl.

The thing that bothered me most about the book is that Paolini retains his 'anti-Christian' stance. Eragon is always looking for evidence, which shows that the author is sadly ignorant of the difference between evidence and faith. Most religions (as far as I know) are based on faith, not evidence.

Lastly, the end of the book did not fulfil expectations. Eragon is not even present for the most exciting scene in the whole book! In a nutshell, it was an anticlimax. Paolini seems to be developing a talent for those.

All in all, the book was miles better than Eldest but is nowhere near the standard we were led to expect it would be. Still too much verbosity, wooden dialogue and pointless scenes. I hope he improves in the last book.

Great Book, but why not end it?, 08 Oct 2008
I enjoyed the book immensely. The characters were well formed, the dialog flowed well and the action sequences were described with just enough accuracy to remain fast paced and interesting, without dulling us with too much detail.

My fault with the book is that it should have been the last on of the TRILOGY! There were at least 6-7 chapters that were not needed within this book, if not more. Within this time the book could have been ended and a conclusion given. Instead, the author decided to extend the series by another book. Why? ££££ I suppose, but I can't speculate. It could be that he truly found himself in a position where he needed to create another book to do his work justice. Either way I find myself frustrated at having to wait probably another 2 years to read the next book and conclusion... if in fact that is the last book?!

However, if you are not at all bothered by that then I definately recommend reading this. While its not Tolkien (though, nothing ever will be), it is enjoyable and an escape from reality every so often.

Loved. It., 06 Oct 2008
Better than the first two put together (and bigger, too!)- it was a great break from my Uni studies and I wasn't disappointed! Paolini is certainly becoming a better writer as the series progresses; I think ending the trilogy here would have been a bit rushed- Brisingr allows Eragon to develop as a person and a Rider, and the result doesn't feel as if everything is being crammed in before the inevitable final conflict. Instead we have the continuing adventures of Eragon and Saphira as they mature and struggle to find Galbatorix's weakness (yes, he has one ^^)- there's enough revelations and action in this to satisfy any Inheritance Cycle fan.

And to those moaning about extensions for commercial reasons, etc... WE GET ANOTHER BOOK AFTER THIS!!! YAY!!!

Recommended 100% ;D
xoxo

A big dissapointment., 05 Oct 2008
After having thoroughly enjoyed the first two books, Eragon and Eldest, my expectations for the third were admittedly high. Even so, when I was reading Brisingr, the only thought that kept me reading on was that these rather lame side plots were building up to a "gripping" scene. To my dismay, this scene never came.
Paolini's influence from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings is clearly noticeable, and this put me off the book. There is no doubt about it that the Paolini's creation of Alagaësia is very impressive, but it needs to be completely original, (gosh I sound so stuck up and pessimistic)!
In addition, some of the scenes were very long and I found myself losing concentration, and i'm not one for having a short concentration span. Despite the long scenes, it is not as detailed as I imagined it to be, and I believe that some stages of the book are completely unneccessary. Sorry, but parts of Brisngr have been poorly written.
To justify these perhaps hypercritical views, I came up with a thoery that, being 17, i was perhaps not young enough, and too critical to enjoy the book.
If this is the case, although i strongly doubt it, I am dissapointed that Paolini hasn't aimed Brisingr to the age group who were "the right age" when Eragon was released. But I will repeat again, "i strongly doubt it."

WELL... I think it is quite clear that I found Brisingr a big dissapointment, so I am surprised by my rating and my urge to buy the last book of the cycle. so I suppose Paolini's technique in dragging the 3rd book out has been to keep readers hopeful that the last one of the series will be worth the bore of the third.



A Large Diamond Among Gems, 05 Oct 2008
More than 20 years ago now, a good friend pressed a copy of "The Colour of Magic" into my hands that launched a love affair with Terry's books that lasts to this day. Like most frustrated authors who lack the talent to deliver themselves, I read a lot, and I think I have read pretty much all that Terry has written since 198whatever, and yes some of it is quite a lot better than some other bits, but his work has never once been a disappointment.

So I was delighted to see Nation appear on the shelf last week and have just used a rainy Sunday morning to finish it.

A quick summation, of the important points; this is not a Disc World novel, it is a book aimed at anyone over about 9 who can read. It deals with the not inconsequential questions of being us, whoever or wherever that may be, and it does it by telling a good story. It is in fact, very good indeed.

I think this is a book Terry has wanted to write for a while, it has a highly polished feel to it, and I have to say represents a stand out piece of work even for his well known if remarkable talent to make us laugh and ponder for a while.

This should be essential reading for all youngsters who might go on to rule a nation, guard a border, expand our knowledge of the universe, join the priesthood or just decide to go fishing.

It certainly will be in my house.

Thanks (again) Terry
Trev Harvey

Not as good as I had hoped, 04 Oct 2008
I had high hopes for this book, possibly too high. Despite the majority of readers giving this rave reviews I'm afraid I'll have to stick with the opinions of the few nay-sayers. I really couldn't get into this book as much as I had hoped - it meanders along at a fairly gentle pace and has a very different 'feel' to Pratchett's other works, but it rarely engaged my emotions or imagination and I didn't feel like I could 'connect' to any of the characters. There are good moments of course, but it really does feel like it's lacking something.

Maybe I'll enjoy it more when (if) I ever re-read it. You can't please all the people all the time. I generally love Pratchett's books and thoroughly look forward to the next one.

Wonderful - and this is a kids book???, 04 Oct 2008
What a fantastic book, I had already read the pre-amble when I ordered the book so I wasn't expecting a discworld novel. This is fabulous though and in it's own way as good as or better than the discworld books. Rather than ride just the frothy waves of humour, this book often dives below the surf into the deeper darker world of real emotions.
The storytelling is magical and I could easily have read this in one sitting but instead I made it last 4 days :)The characters were fantastic and you really get to know and care about Mau and Daphne.
This book will sit on my bookshelf forever and every so often I will take it down and go and vist Mau and Daphne again.
I cannot reccomend it enough, just don't ruin it for yourself by expecting a discworld novel - it's better even that that in it's own way :)



A Classic in the truest sense, 02 Oct 2008
I want to add my review here of Nation but it's actually an extraordinarily difficult thing to do. The reason is that I don't want to appear to be `gushing' with praise for it. If ever I read such a review, it normally has the effect of turning me off the book completely, as it's obviously written by a fan who hasn't read a different author or genre since they left primary school. In view of this, here's what I genuinely thought of it:
I finished the book last night and my immediate thought was `Oh my gosh, this is a classic'. This is a book that will be discussed, debated and written about for years to come. It's a bit like being around when a new Dickens or Jane Austin novel came out.
The plot has been mentioned here already, so I won't repeat it again. I see that some reviewers have said that Nation is pitched at older children in their teens, but don't be fooled. This book has so much depth and can be read at so many levels, there's enough here to keep 10 year old Harry Potter fans to Academic Philosophers happy. The writing style is as clear and sparkling as cut crystal and while reading it, Pratchett takes your conscious mind out of this world and into his. You become each character, looking through their eyes, thinking their thoughts and feeling their every emotion. It is a fully immersive experience. The book also engages the brain by making you think about how societies and belief systems are created and our place in them. It is also a book to make you think about what makes you, you. If ever there was a book that could provide software upgrade for your brain, this is it.

Terry, I'll probably never meet you in person, but thank you for such a special gift.


One of those feel-good experiences, 01 Oct 2008
Every so often you come across a book that just makes you feel good. The first time I read "The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency" was like that, and even though I've been reading Terry Pratchett's books for many years now, this book was another of those experiences.

That's not to say that this is all warm, fuzzy stuff. Indeed, there's death aplenty (and since this isn't a Discworld book, no DEATH) but the way that Pratchett handles all the less palatable aspects of life and death still gives you a good feeling. (I read somewhere recently that he'd had an experience where he suddenly felt that all was right with the world and there was no reason to worry - not something he would describe as a religious experience, but similar in some ways. I wonder whether that was before, after or while he was writing this book, because a lot of it seems to seep through).

Highly recommended both for people who are already Pratchett fans, but also for those who have never read him or avoided him - stop being snobby because he's a popular author and find out WHY. This is a fine piece of work.

I fell in love with this book just like a love sick teenager., 12 Oct 2008
This book was absolutly fantastic!! I stumbled across Stephenie Meyer's Twilight on sale in a local supermarket, after reading the first chapter I was hooked! I rushed around to find New Moon and then waited for Eclipse full of excitment. The wait for Breaking Dawn was a tough one but very worth it, this book did not let me down. It was beautiful and I wanted to be every part of it. In 3 days I finished Breaking Dawn and however much I am kicking myself for that now, I am looking forward to reading it all over again!! Stephenie Meyer not only knew how to capture my attention and hold it there but drew me into a world that I could not forget about through out my day to day life. I am in my late 20's and have / would recommend the 4 books to any age group who enjoy true passion for love and life. Am only sad that the story is now over. I could only hope that maybe Stephenie Meyer would come up with a story of Reneesme & Jacob, cause no matter how old I would be at this time I would run to buy it. If you are a young girl at heart who loves to lose themselves in a mystical fantasy of true passion then this is the book to go for. Am finding it very hard to locate a book that is anywhere near as good as Stephenie Meyer.

The holes are gaping., 12 Oct 2008
Breaking Dawn (Twilight Saga)
This isn't hate filled or Psychotic like some others However my point is that the holes in her writing ability as so much more prominent thatn they were in the first 3 books.
I also belive that this book has been written so badly becasue SM has been so desperate be over and done with the whole Twilight saga...
Anyone else think so?


What's the point?, 11 Oct 2008
Admittedly I read New Moon before Twilight, but that wasn't my fault. I came to love the series of books, begging my mum (I'm only 13) to buy me each book practically as soon as it came out. Yet Breaking Dawn came as a disappointment.

The first two books in Breaking Dawn I enjoyed, yet when Bella opened her eyes to immortality I was a little disappointed. Where was the main excitement in it? Renesmee is fine and dandy, Jacob is staying with the Cullens for as long as he lives, and Bella has exceptional self-control, so she can still see Charlie. And as for the 'fight' with the Volturi, where was the grand battle? Where was the bloodshed? They just ran away with their tails in between their legs.

I found that everything was too fine and dandy, all happy and jolly. It was almost definitely rushed, like in the moments before class starts and you haven't completed the homework. Whether this was Stephenie Meyer's fault or ATOM's it doesn't matter. The book was definitely ended wrong.

I want another book - one that ends not all jolly and joyful but on a sad note, one where someone dies. Whether it be Bella, Charlie, Jacob or Renesmee, I want some form of carnage.

WOW!, 10 Oct 2008
This is the 4th and final book in the Twilight series and it was not a disappointment, apart from the fact that there are no more books in the series. I am so sad to say goodbye to the main characters, Bella, Edward and Jacob because they were described in such a way that I felt they were a part of my circle of friends.

I loved this book but had to keep reminding myself that it was fiction, it was supernatural and as such, ANYTHING CAN happen, and it does!

I loved the whole story from begining to end and I am not going to describe what happens - you can read the synopsis for that. I loved the romance, the intrigue and the brewing fight..... I really did not know what to expect at each turn of the page.

An exciting read!


Really cute...., 07 Oct 2008
Frankly, I dont know what you haters are going on about. For me I think I have to say book 4 was The Climax for me. A beautiful happy ending book. Honestly didnt want to put it down and didn't want it to end!!
Loved the way we had a little bit of prespective from Jacob's point, that was cool, wish Meyer could have done the same for Edward as well...
All in all a lovely end to the Bella, Edward and Jacob saga. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.

Great book, 12 Oct 2008
The 2nd volume of the void trilogy continues the saga started in last years "The Dreaming Void". As before this, is a complex multi-threaded narrative combining the machinations and intregue of the Commonwealth factions and their stooges with the ongoing story of the Waterwalker inside the void itself. As the book progresses both the capabilties of the void and the threat posed by it become clearer leading to the final positioning of the characters before the concluding volume.

I can't rate this book highly enough though I found that in contrast with the last volume, the waterwalker's narrative strand was somewhat more engageing that the wider positioning strands outside the void. I can't wait for the final volume, this is a mighty space opera and really sets a standard for sci-fi everywhere. I think this trilogy is shaping up to be even better than the naked god.

This certainly lays down the gauntlet for other sci-fi writers. , 05 Oct 2008
Hamilton continues his story of humanity in the 36th century, leading his cast of bio-engineered characters across vividly imagined worlds into impossible situations that even their advanced technology and knowledge cannot protect them from.

* Plot
The book begins with the Commonwealth facing dual external threats from an invading alien fleet and an expansion of the mysterious sun-eating "Void". Internally various factions are becoming increasingly brazen in their struggle to to advance their belief systems and gain control of people who can communicate with those living in the Void. However, the bulk of this book concentrates on recounting Inigo's dreams of life in the Void, a fantasy tale following the adventures of Edeard and his friends as they struggle against the gangs of Makkathran.

* Style
As usual, Hamilton's skill with imaginative composition of the sci-fi elements is excellent. The fantasy element is also very good. The split between these two elements is good insofar as the Void storyline could stand on its own, but it does limit coverage of the rest of the characters (there are about ten squeezed into a third of the book).

There are occasionally small spoilers which foreshadow events in Edeard's storyline. In some ways these enhance the suspense, in others they spoil it a bit and make some of the twists less shocking. However, the twists were still enjoyable with various clues about the factions' agendas slowly woven together... to leave us waiting for the next book.

I was not expecting this to extend to a trilogy and I'm a bit puzzled (in a good way) about how he's going to find enough material for a same-sized third book. On the other hand, this does seem to take the story away from a worrying deus ex machina ending, which is good (the mysterious Commonwealth "deterrent fleet" is surely a nod to critics).

* Characterisation
This is well done, and he has certainly taken criticism over certain elements to heart. Most of the main cast are well fleshed out, the author using our knowledge of them from Judas Unchained to avoid starting over. However, the imbalance in coverage hurts some of the secondary characters and some of them don't come across particularly well. I suspect the spot light will focus on them more in the next instalment.


Overall this is an enjoyable page-turner. Inventive, stylishly written, and even emotive (I still can't believe she did that to him!).

A wonderful continuation and very impressive novel, 29 Sep 2008
The Centaurion Station, the base of the Void observation for countless millennia, is torn apart as the Raiel machines move to counter the Void's expansion. Justine, who is at the station as it is destroyed, makes a decision that will affect the whole of humanity; to enter the Void in an attempt to negotiate with the Skylord. Will the Second Dreamer be able to get her safe passage, even if it means exposing herself?

After rejecting the Skylord's offer Araminta now comes to the full realisation that she is indeed the Second Dreamer, the one Living Dream say is destined to lead them into the Void and the life they so desperately wish. However, along with this discovery Araminta now knows she is the target of everyone who wishes to use her to their own advantage. But she will not bow to the pressures put on her and is on the run, unsure where or who to turn to.

Paula is continuing her mission to track down Troblum who holds crucial information about the Accelerators and their plans. Desperate to get hard evidence, Paula tracks him down and comes to the very harsh realisation of how far the Accelerators are prepared to go to fulfill their plans. Meanwhile, the Ocisen Empire are on their way to Commonwealth space to enforce the threat they previously issued: cease the pilgrimage or face the consequences.

After his spectacular display of power and unwavering belief of what is right, Edeard now faces increasingly difficult obstacles in his bid to bring peace to Makkathran. With the gangs planning to undermine the Waterwalker he must stand for what he believes, even if it means unwanted political manoeuvring, and the events that take place in Makkathran lead down the path that will reveal the full potential of the Void.

Continuing from The Dreaming Void, The Temporal Void picks up events immediately following the revelations and keeps the sense of wonder and urgency we were left with. This helps in keeping the story going at a strong pace and it feels that all the groundwork laid in Dreaming is really starting to pay off.

The Commonwealth sections are particularly impressive. We still know what we were told in Dreaming - the Void is expanding, the Ocisens are one their way to stop the pilgrimage, the Second Dreamer knows she is communicating with the Skylord and many other things. What we are given is a situation that reached a climax and now the after effects are being felt. Throughout the whole of Temporal, the Commonwealth sections are consistently entertaining with a couple of nice surprises in there. There are also even less detours this time around which means we get a very nicely focused story.

The Void sections are just as enjoyably and Edeard's story continues in glorious fashion. We are now treated to a more confident Edeard and one who has gained both popularity and notoriety within Makkathran. His ideas are not something the council are used to and his stance against the criminals results in some interesting and page turning action. The powers within the Void exhibited by Edeard, both the ones he discovers and the ones he learns of through others, are amazing and go to show why so many Living Dream members want to pilgrimage to the Void.

This comes to the main revelation of the book: the true nature of the Void. Without giving anything away, the Void becomes a very appealing place to go to. It also effectively ties up that main sub plot, although I fully expect to see more of the Void in the last book with some very interesting things left hanging.

The characters carry through from Dreaming, but the Commonwealth ones do suffer a little in this volume, simply due to short time most of them are on the page. Where Dreaming was around a 60/40 split in favour of the Commonwealth, Temporal is 70/30 in favour of the Void. This gives a great follow through for Edeard and builds on what I think was the strongest element in Dreaming, and probably the strongest in Temporal too.

It's already been confirmed by Peter that The Evolutionary Void will return more to the Commonwealth, and with promises of it being larger again than Temporal I can barely wait the 18 months or so until its release. The setting up for Edeard's story done in Dreaming paid off very well in Temporal, but it feels that we're still awaiting that payoff for the Commonwealth and all the dangers now facing it.

There are a couple of bits that I wasn't entirely convinced about, but without giving away spoilers it's very difficult to put them into words. Nevertheless, these are small concerns that didn't affect my overall enjoyment. The format also follows the same principle of Dreaming - we get a chapter in the Commonwealth followed by another of Inigo's dreams of the Void. It works again this time around, although the size of the Void chapters can be huge, one coming to over a hundred pages.

The Temporal Void delivers a lot of what space opera is good for, just not in huge amounts. Who will enjoy it will depend very heavily on what they thought of Edeard's story in Dreaming - if it's something they loved (like me) then Temporal will make them very happy indeed. But if it was the plot they least enjoyed then Temporal may not live up to their expectations. Either way, the stage has been set for an action packed and very promising conclusion. Another highly recommended novel.

By Angus Nicholson, 07 Oct 2008
Artemis Fowl is a fantasy book about a teenage criminal mastermind who discovered subterranean fairies. It is an action-packed book filled with wacky characters and jokes.
The plot is about Artemis having to travel back in time to find a cure to save his mother. The cure is a lemur which Artemis had killed when he was ten-years old because Mother had spent the money that Artemis was going to use to help try and get back his father who was taken by the mafia. This was a childish piece of revenge and he's now going to have to retrieve it from his younger-self's clutches.
Artemis, until recently, had been a criminal sought on becoming the most powerful one in the world until he discovered that that wasn't the most important thing in life. Now, he had a new outlook on life and was using his brains, power and wealth to help the environment and he had now given up his criminal lifestyle. You see that Artemis is now a family man with two younger brothers and is set on making his family's life as enjoyable as possible.
The storyline was brilliantly thought out with characters from the different books reappearing. However, you started to become slightly confused as you began to wonder who was from the present and who was from the past, so it started to turn into mayhem. Once having discovered where you were in the book (after reading it back a few times), it was a very entertaining read. The story kept going at a fast pace so you were always on the edge of your chair. I was gripped from start to finish so the author succeeded in that department yet the plot became, in some places, too thick to handle.
Overall, it was a great book and I would happily re-read it over and over again as it was a vastly enthralling experience.


Not one of the better AF books, 04 Oct 2008
I would definitely agree with Guest Reviewer Mo's write-up that this is the weakest of all the AF books, particularly after 'The Lost Colony', which was just brilliant. It does feel that Colfer is re-visiting old stuff and rehashing it, although there is a good twist at the end. Having said this, it was still a good read, and fans of the AF series will like it.

Fowl wishes, 19 Sep 2008
It's been two years since the last entry in the Artemis Fowl series, and although Eoin Colfer's Airman was enough to sustain me during that time I would prefer them to come once every year. But I do understand that authors need to try something new one in a while.

This entry has Artemis and Holly jump eight years into the past to find a cure for a rare disease that is about to be lost forever with an nearly-extinct species of lemur. But since Young Artemis was the one responsible for the animal's demise it's not going to be so easy for them to outwit and outmaneuver their rivals. Obviously the plan does not go smoothly and the mayhem escalates until the closing chapters.

Anyone who hasn't read the previous five books (and if not, why not?) won't have a clue what's going on here, and sound knowledge of the series is needed in order to fully keep up with the story. I did begin to notice a few plot holes here and there and a couple of bits that didn't make exact quantum physical sense, but that's why it's called 'The Time Paradox' after all. Colfer must have a wonderfully active imagination to keep a hold of all this in his mind before writing it down.

It sets up the story for another sequel but I would like to see Artemis and Holly move on as friends next time instead of them always falling in and out, I've had enough of that, and the lack of love between them cost this entry a star. Still, a solid 4/5 though.

Pure Genius!!!, 15 Sep 2008
I can't even explain the fantastic plot twists that riddle this book.
The tension of one Criminal Genius against another, with an old, surprise character from earlier in the series it's completely enthralling.
both Artemis's have trouble hanging on to life especially when K....... comes into the fray!

Best yet I'd say, 03 Sep 2008
A few people said this was one of Eoin Colfer's "weaker" books, I say they couldn't be more wrong. In my opinion this is by far the best Artemis Fowl so far. Considering I'm not exactly the target audience, at 19 years old, just adds further credit to how riveting, consuming and exhilarating this book is.

It is good that the style is slightly different with more in depth character development. We don't want the first book repeated again but in different words.

Well done Eoin!!

Don't Bother, 12 Oct 2008
Unless you're 13 or younger dont bother reading this book. I'm really disappointed in Paolini...after getting off to a great start with Eragon book 2, Eldest, slipped a bit but was still readable. Brisingr however is a total waste. The dialogue is so childish I cringed with every page. I gave up on this book halfway thru. If you're smart you'll give this one a pass. Save your money, complete rubbish...grow up Chris, maybe even get a girlfriend and try again in a few years once you've matured a bit.

Better than Eldest, 11 Oct 2008
After reading Eldest (and being heartily disappointed), I comforted myself with the thought that things could only get better. Well, they did. But not by much.

The first sentence of the book shattered my hopes. I had expected that being older might have cured Paolini of his verbosity, but sadly not. The first sentence contained the word 'wherein'. Enough said.

The first half of the book was not much better than Eldest. Nothing happened, and it seemed to lack fluidity. The reader is also presented with a lot of pointless information. There are also the chapters devoted to the dwarves in the later half of the book, which are (to be blunt) mind-numbing.
The scenes with Arya, however, are vastly improved. Eragon no longer acts like a lovesick owl.

The thing that bothered me most about the book is that Paolini retains his 'anti-Christian' stance. Eragon is always looking for evidence, which shows that the author is sadly ignorant of the difference between evidence and faith. Most religions (as far as I know) are based on faith, not evidence.

Lastly, the end of the book did not fulfil expectations. Eragon is not even present for the most exciting scene in the whole book! In a nutshell, it was an anticlimax. Paolini seems to be developing a talent for those.

All in all, the book was miles better than Eldest but is nowhere near the standard we were led to expect it would be. Still too much verbosity, wooden dialogue and pointless scenes. I hope he improves in the last book.

Great Book, but why not end it?, 08 Oct 2008
I enjoyed the book immensely. The characters were well formed, the dialog flowed well and the action sequences were described with just enough accuracy to remain fast paced and interesting, without dulling us with too much detail.

My fault with the book is that it should have been the last on of the TRILOGY! There were at least 6-7 chapters that were not needed within this book, if not more. Within this time the book could have been ended and a conclusion given. Instead, the author decided to extend the series by another book. Why? ££££ I suppose, but I can't speculate. It could be that he truly found himself in a position where he needed to create another book to do his work justice. Either way I find myself frustrated at having to wait probably another 2 years to read the next book and conclusion... if in fact that is the last book?!

However, if you are not at all bothered by that then I definately recommend reading this. While its not Tolkien (though, nothing ever will be), it is enjoyable and an escape from reality every so often.

Loved. It., 06 Oct 2008
Better than the first two put together (and bigger, too!)- it was a great break from my Uni studies and I wasn't disappointed! Paolini is certainly becoming a better writer as the series progresses; I think ending the trilogy here would have been a bit rushed- Brisingr allows Eragon to develop as a person and a Rider, and the result doesn't feel as if everything is being crammed in before the inevitable final conflict. Instead we have the continuing adventures of Eragon and Saphira as they mature and struggle to find Galbatorix's weakness (yes, he has one ^^)- there's enough revelations and action in this to satisfy any Inheritance Cycle fan.

And to those moaning about extensions for commercial reasons, etc... WE GET ANOTHER BOOK AFTER THIS!!! YAY!!!

Recommended 100% ;D
xoxo

A big dissapointment., 05 Oct 2008
After having thoroughly enjoyed the first two books, Eragon and Eldest, my expectations for the third were admittedly high. Even so, when I was reading Brisingr, the only thought that kept me reading on was that these rather lame side plots were building up to a "gripping" scene. To my dismay, this scene never came.
Paolini's influence from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings is clearly noticeable, and this put me off the book. There is no doubt about it that the Paolini's creation of Alagaësia is very impressive, but it needs to be completely original, (gosh I sound so stuck up and pessimistic)!
In addition, some of the scenes were very long and I found myself losing concentration, and i'm not one for having a short concentration span. Despite the long scenes, it is not as detailed as I imagined it to be, and I believe that some stages of the book are completely unneccessary. Sorry, but parts of Brisngr have been poorly written.
To justify these perhaps hypercritical views, I came up with a thoery that, being 17, i was perhaps not young enough, and too critical to enjoy the book.
If this is the case, although i strongly doubt it, I am dissapointed that Paolini hasn't aimed Brisingr to the age group who were "the right age" when Eragon was released. But I will repeat again, "i strongly doubt it."

WELL... I think it is quite clear that I found Brisingr a big dissapointment, so I am surprised by my rating and my urge to buy the last book of the cycle. so I suppose Paolini's technique in dragging the 3rd book out has been to keep readers hopeful that the last one of the series will be worth the bore of the third.



A Large Diamond Among Gems, 05 Oct 2008
More than 20 years ago now, a good friend pressed a copy of "The Colour of Magic" into my hands that launched a love affair with Terry's books that lasts to this day. Like most frustrated authors who lack the talent to deliver themselves, I read a lot, and I think I have read pretty much all that Terry has written since 198whatever, and yes some of it is quite a lot better than some other bits, but his work has never once been a disappointment.

So I was delighted to see Nation appear on the shelf last week and have just used a rainy Sunday morning to finish it.

A quick summation, of the important points; this is not a Disc World novel, it is a book aimed at anyone over about 9 who can read. It deals with the not inconsequential questions of being us, whoever or wherever that may be, and it does it by telling a good story. It is in fact, very good indeed.

I think this is a book Terry has wanted to write for a while, it has a highly polished feel to it, and I have to say represents a stand out piece of work even for his well known if remarkable talent to make us laugh and ponder for a while.

This should be essential reading for all youngsters who might go on to rule a nation, guard a border, expand our knowledge of the universe, join the priesthood or just decide to go fishing.

It certainly will be in my house.

Thanks (again) Terry
Trev Harvey

Not as good as I had hoped, 04 Oct 2008
I had high hopes for this book, possibly too high. Despite the majority of readers giving this rave reviews I'm afraid I'll have to stick with the opinions of the few nay-sayers. I really couldn't get into this book as much as I had hoped - it meanders along at a fairly gentle pace and has a very different 'feel' to Pratchett's other works, but it rarely engaged my emotions or imagination and I didn't feel like I could 'connect' to any of the characters. There are good moments of course, but it really does feel like it's lacking something.

Maybe I'll enjoy it more when (if) I ever re-read it. You can't please all the people all the time. I generally love Pratchett's books and thoroughly look forward to the next one.

Wonderful - and this is a kids book???, 04 Oct 2008
What a fantastic book, I had already read the pre-amble when I ordered the book so I wasn't expecting a discworld novel. This is fabulous though and in it's own way as good as or better than the discworld books. Rather than ride just the frothy waves of humour, this book often dives below the surf into the deeper darker world of real emotions.
The storytelling is magical and I could easily have read this in one sitting but instead I made it last 4 days :)The characters were fantastic and you really get to know and care about Mau and Daphne.
This book will sit on my bookshelf forever and every so often I will take it down and go and vist Mau and Daphne again.
I cannot reccomend it enough, just don't ruin it for yourself by expecting a discworld novel - it's better even that that in it's own way :)



A Classic in the truest sense, 02 Oct 2008
I want to add my review here of Nation but it's actually an extraordinarily difficult thing to do. The reason is that I don't want to appear to be `gushing' with praise for it. If ever I read such a review, it normally has the effect of turning me off the book completely, as it's obviously written by a fan who hasn't read a different author or genre since they left primary school. In view of this, here's what I genuinely thought of it:
I finished the book last night and my immediate thought was `Oh my gosh, this is a classic'. This is a book that will be discussed, debated and written about for years to come. It's a bit like being around when a new Dickens or Jane Austin novel came out.
The plot has been mentioned here already, so I won't repeat it again. I see that some reviewers have said that Nation is pitched at older children in their teens, but don't be fooled. This book has so much depth and can be read at so many levels, there's enough here to keep 10 year old Harry Potter fans to Academic Philosophers happy. The writing style is as clear and sparkling as cut crystal and while reading it, Pratchett takes your conscious mind out of this world and into his. You become each character, looking through their eyes, thinking their thoughts and feeling their every emotion. It is a fully immersive experience. The book also engages the brain by making you think about how societies and belief systems are created and our place in them. It is also a book to make you think about what makes you, you. If ever there was a book that could provide software upgrade for your brain, this is it.

Terry, I'll probably never meet you in person, but thank you for such a special gift.


One of those feel-good experiences, 01 Oct 2008
Every so often you come across a book that just makes you feel good. The first time I read "The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency" was like that, and even though I've been reading Terry Pratchett's books for many years now, this book was another of those experiences.

That's not to say that this is all warm, fuzzy stuff. Indeed, there's death aplenty (and since this isn't a Discworld book, no DEATH) but the way that Pratchett handles all the less palatable aspects of life and death still gives you a good feeling. (I read somewhere recently that he'd had an experience where he suddenly felt that all was right with the world