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Twilight (Twilight Saga)
Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
*Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £2.49
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 Customer Reviews
Twilight., 02 Dec 2008
Bella Moves to froks to live with her dad charlie, she falls in love with somone she is not supposed to...
This book is amazing, in my opinion even better then the harry potter ones and that is saying something. i would recomend this book to anyone reading this review and urge them to buy it and the rest in the saga!
Jane Austen meets the Addams family, 01 Dec 2008
Well, I don't know if I am Twilight's oldest fan, but I am 50 in 2 days time, and I stumbled on this book whilst trying to find interesting new reads for my daughter (who hasn't had a look in yet). I think it is wonderful. Plot aside, it draws me in and the tension is amazing. The prose does have a hint of Jane Austen about it and Edward is like an old fashioned romantic hero. A very clever idea - fine romantic literature for the 21st century. I wish it had been around when I was 14 - I would have devoured it! I'm ready for the next books. Girls - keep them away from your Mums!
Surprisingly good, 30 Nov 2008
Having seen a lot of rather negative reviews around, I was understandably a little uncertain when starting this book. I had been dithering over whether to get it for months, stuck between reviews singing its praises and others damning it to the depths of hell.
However, I am glad to say I was not disappointed. Whilst the book does, admittedly, have a few flaws, the characters and the plotline drew me in, and I ended up re-reading it the day after I'd finished it. It certainly overturned all my rather negative expectations.
That said, I wouldn't say it was perfect. I think Bella's intstant "OMG I am in love" from the moment she sees Edward is a little... Sudden. And some parts of the book are just so easy to guess... But then, in some ways that adds to the charm.
Overall, I found this book to be a wonderful read, and I will certainly be getting New Moon after Christmas if someone doesn't buy it for me...
I Worship this book!!!!, 30 Nov 2008
First of all let me say one thing-BEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN. it caught everything a book should. page after page it gave me a warm fuzzy feeling inside and at night i dream about them and in my mind wondering what happens next!
Heart gripping novel-pre-pare to eat you heart out.After you've read the book i am almost definite you will become obessed & drooling over edwar cullen just like the rest of us!
Brillian read-recomenned for ALL ages!
Fresh, riveting - wildly entertaining., 30 Nov 2008
Okay, yes, it's a gushy YA romance. And yes, it treads yet again over the already-muddied territory of bloodsucking-monster-as-misunderstood-tortured-sex-symbol (how's that for hyphenation?!) But despite that, and being exactly as silly as I feared, this is also the most compelling novel I've read in a long, long time. Why, I'm not really sure. It might be as simple as the skill with which Meyer drags out the 'Will he sleep with her, suck her dry, or both?' dilemma upon which the sexy vampire genre is founded. Or it might not. Either way, I'm tapping my fingers waiting for amazon to deliver the sequel...
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The Graveyard Book
In stock soon. Order now to get in line. First come, first served.
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Amazon: £6.49
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Customer Reviews
Twilight., 02 Dec 2008
Bella Moves to froks to live with her dad charlie, she falls in love with somone she is not supposed to...
This book is amazing, in my opinion even better then the harry potter ones and that is saying something. i would recomend this book to anyone reading this review and urge them to buy it and the rest in the saga!
Jane Austen meets the Addams family, 01 Dec 2008
Well, I don't know if I am Twilight's oldest fan, but I am 50 in 2 days time, and I stumbled on this book whilst trying to find interesting new reads for my daughter (who hasn't had a look in yet). I think it is wonderful. Plot aside, it draws me in and the tension is amazing. The prose does have a hint of Jane Austen about it and Edward is like an old fashioned romantic hero. A very clever idea - fine romantic literature for the 21st century. I wish it had been around when I was 14 - I would have devoured it! I'm ready for the next books. Girls - keep them away from your Mums!
Surprisingly good, 30 Nov 2008
Having seen a lot of rather negative reviews around, I was understandably a little uncertain when starting this book. I had been dithering over whether to get it for months, stuck between reviews singing its praises and others damning it to the depths of hell.
However, I am glad to say I was not disappointed. Whilst the book does, admittedly, have a few flaws, the characters and the plotline drew me in, and I ended up re-reading it the day after I'd finished it. It certainly overturned all my rather negative expectations.
That said, I wouldn't say it was perfect. I think Bella's intstant "OMG I am in love" from the moment she sees Edward is a little... Sudden. And some parts of the book are just so easy to guess... But then, in some ways that adds to the charm.
Overall, I found this book to be a wonderful read, and I will certainly be getting New Moon after Christmas if someone doesn't buy it for me...
I Worship this book!!!!, 30 Nov 2008
First of all let me say one thing-BEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN. it caught everything a book should. page after page it gave me a warm fuzzy feeling inside and at night i dream about them and in my mind wondering what happens next!
Heart gripping novel-pre-pare to eat you heart out.After you've read the book i am almost definite you will become obessed & drooling over edwar cullen just like the rest of us!
Brillian read-recomenned for ALL ages!
Fresh, riveting - wildly entertaining., 30 Nov 2008
Okay, yes, it's a gushy YA romance. And yes, it treads yet again over the already-muddied territory of bloodsucking-monster-as-misunderstood-tortured-sex-symbol (how's that for hyphenation?!) But despite that, and being exactly as silly as I feared, this is also the most compelling novel I've read in a long, long time. Why, I'm not really sure. It might be as simple as the skill with which Meyer drags out the 'Will he sleep with her, suck her dry, or both?' dilemma upon which the sexy vampire genre is founded. Or it might not. Either way, I'm tapping my fingers waiting for amazon to deliver the sequel...
not up to his usual standard..., 16 Nov 2008
I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one, but when i did... i wasn't satisfied.
This book isn't bad at all, and if you are a neil-fan, by all means read it. But, this book just wasn't as inventive, as surprising, touching or original.
the concept is great... the excecution.. not that great. There is nothing new, and i felt that i'd seen all the tricks before.
(Strangely, the book read as a script. i could just see the film sequences in my head.)
Also having read M is for Magic, i was already familiar with a great deal of the story. i almost skipped that part, but forced myself to read it again.
I sometimes thought: this is a real children's book, don't be so critical, but then characters such as victor hugo and the 66th president of U.S.A. are introduced, and i can't imagine kids being that familiar with french literature... It felt like Neil was sending me straight to wikipedia, to read up on some elemental history.
and the end... well... i suppose it was poignant, but i was not satisfied.
i remember being shattered coming to the end of neverwhere, wanting it to go on forever... i hardly dare pick up coraline again, because it disturbed and frightened me so.
The Graveyard book left me... unimpressed.
A children's classic in the making, 11 Nov 2008
Structured so that each chapter works as a short story in its own right while also contributing to the overriding story arc of the novel, this novel includes all the wit, subtlety and bittersweet touches that you expect from a Gaiman book. It begins with the murder of Bod's family and his 'escape' to a nearby graveyard, where he is adopted by the ghostly inhabitants and Silas, a vampire in all but name, agrees to serve as his guardian. Subsequent chapters pick out incidents in Bod's life - one for each year as he ages, including his friendship with a little girl called Scarlett, a centennial dance involving the living and the dead, Bod's accidental visit to the Land of the Ghouls and his encounter with the ghost of a young woman murdered for being a witch. Permeating it all is the threat from The Man Jack who murdered Bod's parents and who, together with The Jacks, is still searching for Bod.
Characterisation is great, particularly Silas and Miss Lupescu (an East European woman who looks after Bod when Silas is on his travels) who are superb and utterly credible. Bod himself is likeable, and the incidents that Gaiman highlights from his life are interesting and believable - the chapter where Bod tries to go to a school for living children is particularly moving.
I would have liked to have seen more of Silas and Miss Lupescu's adventures as the Hounds of God, which Gaiman gives tantalising details of without ever really expanding (what's there works, but I'd have liked more description). I also wasn't enamoured with the introduction of the prophecy element towards the end of the book - it came far too late and I really needed to see it developed more and earlier for it to work and I couldn't help but wish that The Jacks had some other motive for hunting down Bod instead.
That said, I really admire Gaiman for not going for the easy happy ending here. Without going into spoilers, it would have been very easy for him to give the readers what they want and expect and wrap up his novel in a neat little bow. Although he doesn't do this, the ending he does provide is satisfying and fits in well with the characters and hopefully, will set up the possibility of their returning in future novels.
Beyong the Grave..., 06 Nov 2008
Hate to be the one (slightly)dissenting voice here, but just finished The Graveyard Book, and thought I'd offer a differing opinion than those already below...
I don't think this piece of work is accomplished as some are claiming. For me, the opening was wondeful: atmospheric, an interesting tilt to the language, full of colour and excitement and oddness. But after that (and in particular, the middle section), the narrative fell away, exposing what is merely a collection of fantasy cliches (though well-embroidered with Gaiman's imagination), doled out in the form of short stories. This brings me to perhaps my biggest problem with the book - the structure did not serve the story well. As a kind of Bildungsroman, it should have given more of a sense of continuity; change; development. Breaking the narrative into fragments (seemingly without rhyme or reason) does not serve the story well enough as a coming-of-age piece, and the momentum was largely lost...abandoned when it was just gaining pace. As a result, each section resolved itself into a kind of "fable"; each chapter summed by the "lesson" learned in each.
The ending was a major disappointment though: a prophecy? Really? After Harry Potter et al, is this all Mr Gaiman could come up with? And a secret society of (effectively) murderers? His story-telling skills simply weren't up to the task of orchestrating a big ending; it felt shamelessly cinematic, and much too concerned with a contrived tying-up of loose ends. Though on the plus side, the denouement was suitable poignant...
On the whole, I wouldn't recommend NOT to buy this book. I'm just not convinced of its already-touted status as "an instant classic!".
A Ghoulish Delight for Both Adults and Kiddies, 25 Oct 2008
Gaiman is a master story-teller, there is no doubt about that, but it's very hard to think of him as a children's story-book writer (and yes I know he has written other children's books before, but they always seemed...not quite right). However, after reading through this novel of his one can clearly see that he has the skills necessary to delight and educate the young ones without dulling it down too much or losing the young ones on the way.
The story can be considered to be an homage to Kipling's "Jungle Book" with excellent references being made to Kipling's story that are easily recognizable. The hero of the tale, Nobody Owens, is endearing, while at the same time not a weak character. Except for the fact that he was raised by ghots of the graveyard, he is an entirely believable character, which makes the novel even more enjoyable.
Fans of Gaiman will not be disappointed by this novel, those new to him will definitely enjoy it, and those who are looking for a good book to read to a child will also be well served by this.
Raised *by* the dead? That doesn't sound right..., 20 Oct 2008
What one word best describes this tale of an infant whose whole family are murdered, and who toddles to the safety of a local graveyard, where he's raised and educated by the resident dead? That word, surprisingly, would be "charming".
And it is, in every sense of the word. It's eloquent without being condescending, comforting without being soft, sharp without being bitter, and it captivates your attention throughout its entirety, leaving you perfectly satisfied by the end.
The cast of characters are written to perfection. The dead maintain an eerie timelessness, whilst the other supernatural creatures are subtle yet distinct, ("Silas ate only one food, and it was not bananas"); the villains pull off the trick of being both evil *and* credible; the living have a refreshing mundane quality, and Bod the protagonist is left with the uneasy struggle of being neither fish nor fowl (nor dead).
A delight to read and a joy to think about.
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The Graveyard Book
Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
*Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £7.50
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|
Customer Reviews
Twilight., 02 Dec 2008
Bella Moves to froks to live with her dad charlie, she falls in love with somone she is not supposed to...
This book is amazing, in my opinion even better then the harry potter ones and that is saying something. i would recomend this book to anyone reading this review and urge them to buy it and the rest in the saga!
Jane Austen meets the Addams family, 01 Dec 2008
Well, I don't know if I am Twilight's oldest fan, but I am 50 in 2 days time, and I stumbled on this book whilst trying to find interesting new reads for my daughter (who hasn't had a look in yet). I think it is wonderful. Plot aside, it draws me in and the tension is amazing. The prose does have a hint of Jane Austen about it and Edward is like an old fashioned romantic hero. A very clever idea - fine romantic literature for the 21st century. I wish it had been around when I was 14 - I would have devoured it! I'm ready for the next books. Girls - keep them away from your Mums!
Surprisingly good, 30 Nov 2008
Having seen a lot of rather negative reviews around, I was understandably a little uncertain when starting this book. I had been dithering over whether to get it for months, stuck between reviews singing its praises and others damning it to the depths of hell.
However, I am glad to say I was not disappointed. Whilst the book does, admittedly, have a few flaws, the characters and the plotline drew me in, and I ended up re-reading it the day after I'd finished it. It certainly overturned all my rather negative expectations.
That said, I wouldn't say it was perfect. I think Bella's intstant "OMG I am in love" from the moment she sees Edward is a little... Sudden. And some parts of the book are just so easy to guess... But then, in some ways that adds to the charm.
Overall, I found this book to be a wonderful read, and I will certainly be getting New Moon after Christmas if someone doesn't buy it for me...
I Worship this book!!!!, 30 Nov 2008
First of all let me say one thing-BEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN. it caught everything a book should. page after page it gave me a warm fuzzy feeling inside and at night i dream about them and in my mind wondering what happens next!
Heart gripping novel-pre-pare to eat you heart out.After you've read the book i am almost definite you will become obessed & drooling over edwar cullen just like the rest of us!
Brillian read-recomenned for ALL ages!
Fresh, riveting - wildly entertaining., 30 Nov 2008
Okay, yes, it's a gushy YA romance. And yes, it treads yet again over the already-muddied territory of bloodsucking-monster-as-misunderstood-tortured-sex-symbol (how's that for hyphenation?!) But despite that, and being exactly as silly as I feared, this is also the most compelling novel I've read in a long, long time. Why, I'm not really sure. It might be as simple as the skill with which Meyer drags out the 'Will he sleep with her, suck her dry, or both?' dilemma upon which the sexy vampire genre is founded. Or it might not. Either way, I'm tapping my fingers waiting for amazon to deliver the sequel...
not up to his usual standard..., 16 Nov 2008
I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one, but when i did... i wasn't satisfied.
This book isn't bad at all, and if you are a neil-fan, by all means read it. But, this book just wasn't as inventive, as surprising, touching or original.
the concept is great... the excecution.. not that great. There is nothing new, and i felt that i'd seen all the tricks before.
(Strangely, the book read as a script. i could just see the film sequences in my head.)
Also having read M is for Magic, i was already familiar with a great deal of the story. i almost skipped that part, but forced myself to read it again.
I sometimes thought: this is a real children's book, don't be so critical, but then characters such as victor hugo and the 66th president of U.S.A. are introduced, and i can't imagine kids being that familiar with french literature... It felt like Neil was sending me straight to wikipedia, to read up on some elemental history.
and the end... well... i suppose it was poignant, but i was not satisfied.
i remember being shattered coming to the end of neverwhere, wanting it to go on forever... i hardly dare pick up coraline again, because it disturbed and frightened me so.
The Graveyard book left me... unimpressed.
A children's classic in the making, 11 Nov 2008
Structured so that each chapter works as a short story in its own right while also contributing to the overriding story arc of the novel, this novel includes all the wit, subtlety and bittersweet touches that you expect from a Gaiman book. It begins with the murder of Bod's family and his 'escape' to a nearby graveyard, where he is adopted by the ghostly inhabitants and Silas, a vampire in all but name, agrees to serve as his guardian. Subsequent chapters pick out incidents in Bod's life - one for each year as he ages, including his friendship with a little girl called Scarlett, a centennial dance involving the living and the dead, Bod's accidental visit to the Land of the Ghouls and his encounter with the ghost of a young woman murdered for being a witch. Permeating it all is the threat from The Man Jack who murdered Bod's parents and who, together with The Jacks, is still searching for Bod.
Characterisation is great, particularly Silas and Miss Lupescu (an East European woman who looks after Bod when Silas is on his travels) who are superb and utterly credible. Bod himself is likeable, and the incidents that Gaiman highlights from his life are interesting and believable - the chapter where Bod tries to go to a school for living children is particularly moving.
I would have liked to have seen more of Silas and Miss Lupescu's adventures as the Hounds of God, which Gaiman gives tantalising details of without ever really expanding (what's there works, but I'd have liked more description). I also wasn't enamoured with the introduction of the prophecy element towards the end of the book - it came far too late and I really needed to see it developed more and earlier for it to work and I couldn't help but wish that The Jacks had some other motive for hunting down Bod instead.
That said, I really admire Gaiman for not going for the easy happy ending here. Without going into spoilers, it would have been very easy for him to give the readers what they want and expect and wrap up his novel in a neat little bow. Although he doesn't do this, the ending he does provide is satisfying and fits in well with the characters and hopefully, will set up the possibility of their returning in future novels.
Beyong the Grave..., 06 Nov 2008
Hate to be the one (slightly)dissenting voice here, but just finished The Graveyard Book, and thought I'd offer a differing opinion than those already below...
I don't think this piece of work is accomplished as some are claiming. For me, the opening was wondeful: atmospheric, an interesting tilt to the language, full of colour and excitement and oddness. But after that (and in particular, the middle section), the narrative fell away, exposing what is merely a collection of fantasy cliches (though well-embroidered with Gaiman's imagination), doled out in the form of short stories. This brings me to perhaps my biggest problem with the book - the structure did not serve the story well. As a kind of Bildungsroman, it should have given more of a sense of continuity; change; development. Breaking the narrative into fragments (seemingly without rhyme or reason) does not serve the story well enough as a coming-of-age piece, and the momentum was largely lost...abandoned when it was just gaining pace. As a result, each section resolved itself into a kind of "fable"; each chapter summed by the "lesson" learned in each.
The ending was a major disappointment though: a prophecy? Really? After Harry Potter et al, is this all Mr Gaiman could come up with? And a secret society of (effectively) murderers? His story-telling skills simply weren't up to the task of orchestrating a big ending; it felt shamelessly cinematic, and much too concerned with a contrived tying-up of loose ends. Though on the plus side, the denouement was suitable poignant...
On the whole, I wouldn't recommend NOT to buy this book. I'm just not convinced of its already-touted status as "an instant classic!".
A Ghoulish Delight for Both Adults and Kiddies, 25 Oct 2008
Gaiman is a master story-teller, there is no doubt about that, but it's very hard to think of him as a children's story-book writer (and yes I know he has written other children's books before, but they always seemed...not quite right). However, after reading through this novel of his one can clearly see that he has the skills necessary to delight and educate the young ones without dulling it down too much or losing the young ones on the way.
The story can be considered to be an homage to Kipling's "Jungle Book" with excellent references being made to Kipling's story that are easily recognizable. The hero of the tale, Nobody Owens, is endearing, while at the same time not a weak character. Except for the fact that he was raised by ghots of the graveyard, he is an entirely believable character, which makes the novel even more enjoyable.
Fans of Gaiman will not be disappointed by this novel, those new to him will definitely enjoy it, and those who are looking for a good book to read to a child will also be well served by this.
Raised *by* the dead? That doesn't sound right..., 20 Oct 2008
What one word best describes this tale of an infant whose whole family are murdered, and who toddles to the safety of a local graveyard, where he's raised and educated by the resident dead? That word, surprisingly, would be "charming".
And it is, in every sense of the word. It's eloquent without being condescending, comforting without being soft, sharp without being bitter, and it captivates your attention throughout its entirety, leaving you perfectly satisfied by the end.
The cast of characters are written to perfection. The dead maintain an eerie timelessness, whilst the other supernatural creatures are subtle yet distinct, ("Silas ate only one food, and it was not bananas"); the villains pull off the trick of being both evil *and* credible; the living have a refreshing mundane quality, and Bod the protagonist is left with the uneasy struggle of being neither fish nor fowl (nor dead).
A delight to read and a joy to think about.
not up to his usual standard..., 16 Nov 2008
I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one, but when i did... i wasn't satisfied.
This book isn't bad at all, and if you are a neil-fan, by all means read it. But, this book just wasn't as inventive, as surprising, touching or original.
the concept is great... the excecution.. not that great. There is nothing new, and i felt that i'd seen all the tricks before.
(Strangely, the book read as a script. i could just see the film sequences in my head.)
Also having read M is for Magic, i was already familiar with a great deal of the story. i almost skipped that part, but forced myself to read it again.
I sometimes thought: this is a real children's book, don't be so critical, but then characters such as victor hugo and the 66th president of U.S.A. are introduced, and i can't imagine kids being that familiar with french literature... It felt like Neil was sending me straight to wikipedia, to read up on some elemental history.
and the end... well... i suppose it was poignant, but i was not satisfied.
i remember being shattered coming to the end of neverwhere, wanting it to go on forever... i hardly dare pick up coraline again, because it disturbed and frightened me so.
The Graveyard book left me... unimpressed.
A children's classic in the making, 11 Nov 2008
Structured so that each chapter works as a short story in its own right while also contributing to the overriding story arc of the novel, this novel includes all the wit, subtlety and bittersweet touches that you expect from a Gaiman book. It begins with the murder of Bod's family and his 'escape' to a nearby graveyard, where he is adopted by the ghostly inhabitants and Silas, a vampire in all but name, agrees to serve as his guardian. Subsequent chapters pick out incidents in Bod's life - one for each year as he ages, including his friendship with a little girl called Scarlett, a centennial dance involving the living and the dead, Bod's accidental visit to the Land of the Ghouls and his encounter with the ghost of a young woman murdered for being a witch. Permeating it all is the threat from The Man Jack who murdered Bod's parents and who, together with The Jacks, is still searching for Bod.
Characterisation is great, particularly Silas and Miss Lupescu (an East European woman who looks after Bod when Silas is on his travels) who are superb and utterly credible. Bod himself is likeable, and the incidents that Gaiman highlights from his life are interesting and believable - the chapter where Bod tries to go to a school for living children is particularly moving.
I would have liked to have seen more of Silas and Miss Lupescu's adventures as the Hounds of God, which Gaiman gives tantalising details of without ever really expanding (what's there works, but I'd have liked more description). I also wasn't enamoured with the introduction of the prophecy element towards the end of the book - it came far too late and I really needed to see it developed more and earlier for it to work and I couldn't help but wish that The Jacks had some other motive for hunting down Bod instead.
That said, I really admire Gaiman for not going for the easy happy ending here. Without going into spoilers, it would have been very easy for him to give the readers what they want and expect and wrap up his novel in a neat little bow. Although he doesn't do this, the ending he does provide is satisfying and fits in well with the characters and hopefully, will set up the possibility of their returning in future novels.
Beyong the Grave..., 06 Nov 2008
Hate to be the one (slightly)dissenting voice here, but just finished The Graveyard Book, and thought I'd offer a differing opinion than those already below...
I don't think this piece of work is accomplished as some are claiming. For me, the opening was wondeful: atmospheric, an interesting tilt to the language, full of colour and excitement and oddness. But after that (and in particular, the middle section), the narrative fell away, exposing what is merely a collection of fantasy cliches (though well-embroidered with Gaiman's imagination), doled out in the form of short stories. This brings me to perhaps my biggest problem with the book - the structure did not serve the story well. As a kind of Bildungsroman, it should have given more of a sense of continuity; change; development. Breaking the narrative into fragments (seemingly without rhyme or reason) does not serve the story well enough as a coming-of-age piece, and the momentum was largely lost...abandoned when it was just gaining pace. As a result, each section resolved itself into a kind of "fable"; each chapter summed by the "lesson" learned in each.
The ending was a major disappointment though: a prophecy? Really? After Harry Potter et al, is this all Mr Gaiman could come up with? And a secret society of (effectively) murderers? His story-telling skills simply weren't up to the task of orchestrating a big ending; it felt shamelessly cinematic, and much too concerned with a contrived tying-up of loose ends. Though on the plus side, the denouement was suitable poignant...
On the whole, I wouldn't recommend NOT to buy this book. I'm just not convinced of its already-touted status as "an instant classic!".
A Ghoulish Delight for Both Adults and Kiddies, 25 Oct 2008
Gaiman is a master story-teller, there is no doubt about that, but it's very hard to think of him as a children's story-book writer (and yes I know he has written other children's books before, but they always seemed...not quite right). However, after reading through this novel of his one can clearly see that he has the skills necessary to delight and educate the young ones without dulling it down too much or losing the young ones on the way.
The story can be considered to be an homage to Kipling's "Jungle Book" with excellent references being made to Kipling's story that are easily recognizable. The hero of the tale, Nobody Owens, is endearing, while at the same time not a weak character. Except for the fact that he was raised by ghots of the graveyard, he is an entirely believable character, which makes the novel even more enjoyable.
Fans of Gaiman will not be disappointed by this novel, those new to him will definitely enjoy it, and those who are looking for a good book to read to a child will also be well served by this.
Raised *by* the dead? That doesn't sound right..., 20 Oct 2008
What one word best describes this tale of an infant whose whole family are murdered, and who toddles to the safety of a local graveyard, where he's raised and educated by the resident dead? That word, surprisingly, would be "charming".
And it is, in every sense of the word. It's eloquent without being condescending, comforting without being soft, sharp without being bitter, and it captivates your attention throughout its entirety, leaving you perfectly satisfied by the end.
The cast of characters are written to perfection. The dead maintain an eerie timelessness, whilst the other supernatural creatures are subtle yet distinct, ("Silas ate only one food, and it was not bananas"); the villains pull off the trick of being both evil *and* credible; the living have a refreshing mundane quality, and Bod the protagonist is left with the uneasy struggle of being neither fish nor fowl (nor dead).
A delight to read and a joy to think about.
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Demon Apocalypse
Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
*Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £1.61
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Customer Reviews
Twilight., 02 Dec 2008
Bella Moves to froks to live with her dad charlie, she falls in love with somone she is not supposed to...
This book is amazing, in my opinion even better then the harry potter ones and that is saying something. i would recomend this book to anyone reading this review and urge them to buy it and the rest in the saga!
Jane Austen meets the Addams family, 01 Dec 2008
Well, I don't know if I am Twilight's oldest fan, but I am 50 in 2 days time, and I stumbled on this book whilst trying to find interesting new reads for my daughter (who hasn't had a look in yet). I think it is wonderful. Plot aside, it draws me in and the tension is amazing. The prose does have a hint of Jane Austen about it and Edward is like an old fashioned romantic hero. A very clever idea - fine romantic literature for the 21st century. I wish it had been around when I was 14 - I would have devoured it! I'm ready for the next books. Girls - keep them away from your Mums!
Surprisingly good, 30 Nov 2008
Having seen a lot of rather negative reviews around, I was understandably a little uncertain when starting this book. I had been dithering over whether to get it for months, stuck between reviews singing its praises and others damning it to the depths of hell.
However, I am glad to say I was not disappointed. Whilst the book does, admittedly, have a few flaws, the characters and the plotline drew me in, and I ended up re-reading it the day after I'd finished it. It certainly overturned all my rather negative expectations.
That said, I wouldn't say it was perfect. I think Bella's intstant "OMG I am in love" from the moment she sees Edward is a little... Sudden. And some parts of the book are just so easy to guess... But then, in some ways that adds to the charm.
Overall, I found this book to be a wonderful read, and I will certainly be getting New Moon after Christmas if someone doesn't buy it for me...
I Worship this book!!!!, 30 Nov 2008
First of all let me say one thing-BEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN. it caught everything a book should. page after page it gave me a warm fuzzy feeling inside and at night i dream about them and in my mind wondering what happens next!
Heart gripping novel-pre-pare to eat you heart out.After you've read the book i am almost definite you will become obessed & drooling over edwar cullen just like the rest of us!
Brillian read-recomenned for ALL ages!
Fresh, riveting - wildly entertaining., 30 Nov 2008
Okay, yes, it's a gushy YA romance. And yes, it treads yet again over the already-muddied territory of bloodsucking-monster-as-misunderstood-tortured-sex-symbol (how's that for hyphenation?!) But despite that, and being exactly as silly as I feared, this is also the most compelling novel I've read in a long, long time. Why, I'm not really sure. It might be as simple as the skill with which Meyer drags out the 'Will he sleep with her, suck her dry, or both?' dilemma upon which the sexy vampire genre is founded. Or it might not. Either way, I'm tapping my fingers waiting for amazon to deliver the sequel...
not up to his usual standard..., 16 Nov 2008
I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one, but when i did... i wasn't satisfied.
This book isn't bad at all, and if you are a neil-fan, by all means read it. But, this book just wasn't as inventive, as surprising, touching or original.
the concept is great... the excecution.. not that great. There is nothing new, and i felt that i'd seen all the tricks before.
(Strangely, the book read as a script. i could just see the film sequences in my head.)
Also having read M is for Magic, i was already familiar with a great deal of the story. i almost skipped that part, but forced myself to read it again.
I sometimes thought: this is a real children's book, don't be so critical, but then characters such as victor hugo and the 66th president of U.S.A. are introduced, and i can't imagine kids being that familiar with french literature... It felt like Neil was sending me straight to wikipedia, to read up on some elemental history.
and the end... well... i suppose it was poignant, but i was not satisfied.
i remember being shattered coming to the end of neverwhere, wanting it to go on forever... i hardly dare pick up coraline again, because it disturbed and frightened me so.
The Graveyard book left me... unimpressed.
A children's classic in the making, 11 Nov 2008
Structured so that each chapter works as a short story in its own right while also contributing to the overriding story arc of the novel, this novel includes all the wit, subtlety and bittersweet touches that you expect from a Gaiman book. It begins with the murder of Bod's family and his 'escape' to a nearby graveyard, where he is adopted by the ghostly inhabitants and Silas, a vampire in all but name, agrees to serve as his guardian. Subsequent chapters pick out incidents in Bod's life - one for each year as he ages, including his friendship with a little girl called Scarlett, a centennial dance involving the living and the dead, Bod's accidental visit to the Land of the Ghouls and his encounter with the ghost of a young woman murdered for being a witch. Permeating it all is the threat from The Man Jack who murdered Bod's parents and who, together with The Jacks, is still searching for Bod.
Characterisation is great, particularly Silas and Miss Lupescu (an East European woman who looks after Bod when Silas is on his travels) who are superb and utterly credible. Bod himself is likeable, and the incidents that Gaiman highlights from his life are interesting and believable - the chapter where Bod tries to go to a school for living children is particularly moving.
I would have liked to have seen more of Silas and Miss Lupescu's adventures as the Hounds of God, which Gaiman gives tantalising details of without ever really expanding (what's there works, but I'd have liked more description). I also wasn't enamoured with the introduction of the prophecy element towards the end of the book - it came far too late and I really needed to see it developed more and earlier for it to work and I couldn't help but wish that The Jacks had some other motive for hunting down Bod instead.
That said, I really admire Gaiman for not going for the easy happy ending here. Without going into spoilers, it would have been very easy for him to give the readers what they want and expect and wrap up his novel in a neat little bow. Although he doesn't do this, the ending he does provide is satisfying and fits in well with the characters and hopefully, will set up the possibility of their returning in future novels.
Beyong the Grave..., 06 Nov 2008
Hate to be the one (slightly)dissenting voice here, but just finished The Graveyard Book, and thought I'd offer a differing opinion than those already below...
I don't think this piece of work is accomplished as some are claiming. For me, the opening was wondeful: atmospheric, an interesting tilt to the language, full of colour and excitement and oddness. But after that (and in particular, the middle section), the narrative fell away, exposing what is merely a collection of fantasy cliches (though well-embroidered with Gaiman's imagination), doled out in the form of short stories. This brings me to perhaps my biggest problem with the book - the structure did not serve the story well. As a kind of Bildungsroman, it should have given more of a sense of continuity; change; development. Breaking the narrative into fragments (seemingly without rhyme or reason) does not serve the story well enough as a coming-of-age piece, and the momentum was largely lost...abandoned when it was just gaining pace. As a result, each section resolved itself into a kind of "fable"; each chapter summed by the "lesson" learned in each.
The ending was a major disappointment though: a prophecy? Really? After Harry Potter et al, is this all Mr Gaiman could come up with? And a secret society of (effectively) murderers? His story-telling skills simply weren't up to the task of orchestrating a big ending; it felt shamelessly cinematic, and much too concerned with a contrived tying-up of loose ends. Though on the plus side, the denouement was suitable poignant...
On the whole, I wouldn't recommend NOT to buy this book. I'm just not convinced of its already-touted status as "an instant classic!".
A Ghoulish Delight for Both Adults and Kiddies, 25 Oct 2008
Gaiman is a master story-teller, there is no doubt about that, but it's very hard to think of him as a children's story-book writer (and yes I know he has written other children's books before, but they always seemed...not quite right). However, after reading through this novel of his one can clearly see that he has the skills necessary to delight and educate the young ones without dulling it down too much or losing the young ones on the way.
The story can be considered to be an homage to Kipling's "Jungle Book" with excellent references being made to Kipling's story that are easily recognizable. The hero of the tale, Nobody Owens, is endearing, while at the same time not a weak character. Except for the fact that he was raised by ghots of the graveyard, he is an entirely believable character, which makes the novel even more enjoyable.
Fans of Gaiman will not be disappointed by this novel, those new to him will definitely enjoy it, and those who are looking for a good book to read to a child will also be well served by this.
Raised *by* the dead? That doesn't sound right..., 20 Oct 2008
What one word best describes this tale of an infant whose whole family are murdered, and who toddles to the safety of a local graveyard, where he's raised and educated by the resident dead? That word, surprisingly, would be "charming".
And it is, in every sense of the word. It's eloquent without being condescending, comforting without being soft, sharp without being bitter, and it captivates your attention throughout its entirety, leaving you perfectly satisfied by the end.
The cast of characters are written to perfection. The dead maintain an eerie timelessness, whilst the other supernatural creatures are subtle yet distinct, ("Silas ate only one food, and it was not bananas"); the villains pull off the trick of being both evil *and* credible; the living have a refreshing mundane quality, and Bod the protagonist is left with the uneasy struggle of being neither fish nor fowl (nor dead).
A delight to read and a joy to think about.
not up to his usual standard..., 16 Nov 2008
I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one, but when i did... i wasn't satisfied.
This book isn't bad at all, and if you are a neil-fan, by all means read it. But, this book just wasn't as inventive, as surprising, touching or original.
the concept is great... the excecution.. not that great. There is nothing new, and i felt that i'd seen all the tricks before.
(Strangely, the book read as a script. i could just see the film sequences in my head.)
Also having read M is for Magic, i was already familiar with a great deal of the story. i almost skipped that part, but forced myself to read it again.
I sometimes thought: this is a real children's book, don't be so critical, but then characters such as victor hugo and the 66th president of U.S.A. are introduced, and i can't imagine kids being that familiar with french literature... It felt like Neil was sending me straight to wikipedia, to read up on some elemental history.
and the end... well... i suppose it was poignant, but i was not satisfied.
i remember being shattered coming to the end of neverwhere, wanting it to go on forever... i hardly dare pick up coraline again, because it disturbed and frightened me so.
The Graveyard book left me... unimpressed.
A children's classic in the making, 11 Nov 2008
Structured so that each chapter works as a short story in its own right while also contributing to the overriding story arc of the novel, this novel includes all the wit, subtlety and bittersweet touches that you expect from a Gaiman book. It begins with the murder of Bod's family and his 'escape' to a nearby graveyard, where he is adopted by the ghostly inhabitants and Silas, a vampire in all but name, agrees to serve as his guardian. Subsequent chapters pick out incidents in Bod's life - one for each year as he ages, including his friendship with a little girl called Scarlett, a centennial dance involving the living and the dead, Bod's accidental visit to the Land of the Ghouls and his encounter with the ghost of a young woman murdered for being a witch. Permeating it all is the threat from The Man Jack who murdered Bod's parents and who, together with The Jacks, is still searching for Bod.
Characterisation is great, particularly Silas and Miss Lupescu (an East European woman who looks after Bod when Silas is on his travels) who are superb and utterly credible. Bod himself is likeable, and the incidents that Gaiman highlights from his life are interesting and believable - the chapter where Bod tries to go to a school for living children is particularly moving.
I would have liked to have seen more of Silas and Miss Lupescu's adventures as the Hounds of God, which Gaiman gives tantalising details of without ever really expanding (what's there works, but I'd have liked more description). I also wasn't enamoured with the introduction of the prophecy element towards the end of the book - it came far too late and I really needed to see it developed more and earlier for it to work and I couldn't help but wish that The Jacks had some other motive for hunting down Bod instead.
That said, I really admire Gaiman for not going for the easy happy ending here. Without going into spoilers, it would have been very easy for him to give the readers what they want and expect and wrap up his novel in a neat little bow. Although he doesn't do this, the ending he does provide is satisfying and fits in well with the characters and hopefully, will set up the possibility of their returning in future novels.
Beyong the Grave..., 06 Nov 2008
Hate to be the one (slightly)dissenting voice here, but just finished The Graveyard Book, and thought I'd offer a differing opinion than those already below...
I don't think this piece of work is accomplished as some are claiming. For me, the opening was wondeful: atmospheric, an interesting tilt to the language, full of colour and excitement and oddness. But after that (and in particular, the middle section), the narrative fell away, exposing what is merely a collection of fantasy cliches (though well-embroidered with Gaiman's imagination), doled out in the form of short stories. This brings me to perhaps my biggest problem with the book - the structure did not serve the story well. As a kind of Bildungsroman, it should have given more of a sense of continuity; change; development. Breaking the narrative into fragments (seemingly without rhyme or reason) does not serve the story well enough as a coming-of-age piece, and the momentum was largely lost...abandoned when it was just gaining pace. As a result, each section resolved itself into a kind of "fable"; each chapter summed by the "lesson" learned in each.
The ending was a major disappointment though: a prophecy? Really? After Harry Potter et al, is this all Mr Gaiman could come up with? And a secret society of (effectively) murderers? His story-telling skills simply weren't up to the task of orchestrating a big ending; it felt shamelessly cinematic, and much too concerned with a contrived tying-up of loose ends. Though on the plus side, the denouement was suitable poignant...
On the whole, I wouldn't recommend NOT to buy this book. I'm just not convinced of its already-touted status as "an instant classic!".
A Ghoulish Delight for Both Adults and Kiddies, 25 Oct 2008
Gaiman is a master story-teller, there is no doubt about that, but it's very hard to think of him as a children's story-book writer (and yes I know he has written other children's books before, but they always seemed...not quite right). However, after reading through this novel of his one can clearly see that he has the skills necessary to delight and educate the young ones without dulling it down too much or losing the young ones on the way.
The story can be considered to be an homage to Kipling's "Jungle Book" with excellent references being made to Kipling's story that are easily recognizable. The hero of the tale, Nobody Owens, is endearing, while at the same time not a weak character. Except for the fact that he was raised by ghots of the graveyard, he is an entirely believable character, which makes the novel even more enjoyable.
Fans of Gaiman will not be disappointed by this novel, those new to him will definitely enjoy it, and those who are looking for a good book to read to a child will also be well served by this.
Raised *by* the dead? That doesn't sound right..., 20 Oct 2008
What one word best describes this tale of an infant whose whole family are murdered, and who toddles to the safety of a local graveyard, where he's raised and educated by the resident dead? That word, surprisingly, would be "charming".
And it is, in every sense of the word. It's eloquent without being condescending, comforting without being soft, sharp without being bitter, and it captivates your attention throughout its entirety, leaving you perfectly satisfied by the end.
The cast of characters are written to perfection. The dead maintain an eerie timelessness, whilst the other supernatural creatures are subtle yet distinct, ("Silas ate only one food, and it was not bananas"); the villains pull off the trick of being both evil *and* credible; the living have a refreshing mundane quality, and Bod the protagonist is left with the uneasy struggle of being neither fish nor fowl (nor dead).
A delight to read and a joy to think about.
Courtesy of Teens Read Too, 05 Aug 2008
Grubbs Grady is back, and he wishes he wasn't.
There are two things that Grubbs regrets the most: letting his transformation take away the lives of the ones he loved, and trusting Juni. When we last left him, Grubbs was on a plane ride with Juni, who promised to take care of him and love him. But while on board, Juni's true colors appeared, and they weren't so pretty.
Turns out she had been working for Lord Loss and had used Grubbs' secrets and trust against him, lying to not only him but also to Dervish, who had fallen for her as well.
Now Grubbs is trying to fend for himself, which isn't looking so bright since Lord Loss' little helpers are happily feeding on the passengers on the plane, while Lord Loss himself is trying to take Grubbs into his realm. Of course, Grubbs would rather die than to have to go with Lord Loss. But there isn't much he can do since no one is there to help him fight off all of the demons.
Then an unlikely hero comes and saves Grubbs. Yet Grubbs knows that this isn't the end of Lord Loss, who is furious at him for ruining his game of chess. He knows that Lord Loss will not let anything stand in his way while trying to take revenge, but Grubbs isn't giving up without a fight. He survived more than once. He can surely survive again, right?
Edgy, intense, and more gruesome than the other novels in THE DEMONATA series, Darren Shan does it again with DEMON APOCALYPSE, creating a captivating novel that will leave you speechless. Darker than ever, we are just glad to see Grubbs be the one to save the world, because without him, who can?
Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen
Another shining success for Darren Shan, 12 Mar 2008
Barcode: 9780007231331
The Demonata series is fantastic, truly gripping and every novel is fascinating from start to end. Demon Apocalypse, the 6th book in the series is no exception - while i think i still prefer the previous one, Blood Beast, Demon Apocalypse is epic in it's scale and was immensely enjoyable. In essence it is a coming together of the three main characters - Grubbs, Kernel and Bec all meeting for the first time.
This is also one of the darkest of the series so far. Following staright on from where Blood Beast left off, we rejoin Grubbs in the plane, confronting Lord Loss. As things progress we meet Beranabus, a fascinating, immensely powerful character. His duty above all is to protect the human race, always making decisions for the greater good, something he often comes to odds with Grubbs with and the dynamics between the two are fantastic.
Beranabus in many ways takes over from Dervish as Grubbs tutor-esque character but represents a far stricter, serious approach and is determined for Grubbs to embrace his magical powers, something he is reluctant to do. Some of the themes dealt with and represented here are extremely powerful and moving in their depth and maturity - i'd recommend this book to someone of any age, as with all of Shan's work it is extremely inspiring in its vision.
Amidst all this, the demon threat becomes greater than ever before. I don't want to spoil things but what follows is a truly epic confrontation against seemingly impossible odds. It represents an extremely bleak scenario and the bravery and selflessness of the characters is admirable. Darren Shan has always been a master at allowing us to associate with his characters and Demon Apocalypse is no exception.
This is an amazing book and yet more proof to me that Darren Shan is one of the finest authors of modern times. Bring on book seven! I can't wait!
Fantastic, 04 Feb 2008
This book was amazing, probably the best in the series so far, and thats saying a lot considering how great all the other books were! I thought that "Bec" and "Blood Beast" were a little dissapointing after the brilliance of the first three books (although the ending of Blood Beast was excellent) but this was GREAT!
DEFFINATLY the goriest in the series so far, some of the more graphic scenes are sickeningly gory! And it FINALLY brings together Grubbs, Kernel and Bec (although this book is told entirely from Grubbs' viewpoint, continuing directly from the aeroplane scene at the end of the previous book).
Brilliant book and with a good ending that leaves you desperate to get your hands on Book 7, which will be published in May. A great read, highly reccomended.
Perfect Destruction, 03 Feb 2008
An amazing and incredible vivid story interlocking all the previous book into one amazing and thrilling book which encorporates everything of importance from Lord Loss to Bill-E to Bec to basically everything. The previous books were so subtle as to not give away too much information for the big finish and that's what makes Darren Shan such an excellent writer. If you have read the other books then this is the ultimate one in the collection.
The book is just simply packed with action starting from the cliffhanger at the end of Blood Beast (which is also brilliant is you haven't read it). The book's warning does not lie when it says 'seriously scary'. The book goes into to huge bloody details from being burnt to being sucked alive to have maggots eating your brain!!! The sheer horror that Darren writes is just simply amazing (or simply twisted).
The brilliant ending (not the very very ending...if you've read it you know what I mean) is so very sad (like all the other books) but this one inparticular really does make you care and feel really sorry for Grubbs Grady and also Dervish who also suffers a great deal. Darren also just puts salt in the raw wounds when he does what he always does... the idea of false hope.Although sickening it is also extremely effective.
A simply must read book that just perfectly finishes off the perfect series.
awsome, 10 Jan 2008
this seiries is by far the best.i started reading shan at an early age and ive grown up with the dementor but i moved to china so cant get this book ive tried to get my sister to get me it but she didnt aw well,the last book was one hell of a clif hanger who would have thought that juni had turend evil!its really awsome.cant wait to get this book
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Customer Reviews
Twilight., 02 Dec 2008
Bella Moves to froks to live with her dad charlie, she falls in love with somone she is not supposed to...
This book is amazing, in my opinion even better then the harry potter ones and that is saying something. i would recomend this book to anyone reading this review and urge them to buy it and the rest in the saga!
Jane Austen meets the Addams family, 01 Dec 2008
Well, I don't know if I am Twilight's oldest fan, but I am 50 in 2 days time, and I stumbled on this book whilst trying to find interesting new reads for my daughter (who hasn't had a look in yet). I think it is wonderful. Plot aside, it draws me in and the tension is amazing. The prose does have a hint of Jane Austen about it and Edward is like an old fashioned romantic hero. A very clever idea - fine romantic literature for the 21st century. I wish it had been around when I was 14 - I would have devoured it! I'm ready for the next books. Girls - keep them away from your Mums!
Surprisingly good, 30 Nov 2008
Having seen a lot of rather negative reviews around, I was understandably a little uncertain when starting this book. I had been dithering over whether to get it for months, stuck between reviews singing its praises and others damning it to the depths of hell.
However, I am glad to say I was not disappointed. Whilst the book does, admittedly, have a few flaws, the characters and the plotline drew me in, and I ended up re-reading it the day after I'd finished it. It certainly overturned all my rather negative expectations.
That said, I wouldn't say it was perfect. I think Bella's intstant "OMG I am in love" from the moment she sees Edward is a little... Sudden. And some parts of the book are just so easy to guess... But then, in some ways that adds to the charm.
Overall, I found this book to be a wonderful read, and I will certainly be getting New Moon after Christmas if someone doesn't buy it for me...
I Worship this book!!!!, 30 Nov 2008
First of all let me say one thing-BEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN. it caught everything a book should. page after page it gave me a warm fuzzy feeling inside and at night i dream about them and in my mind wondering what happens next!
Heart gripping novel-pre-pare to eat you heart out.After you've read the book i am almost definite you will become obessed & drooling over edwar cullen just like the rest of us!
Brillian read-recomenned for ALL ages!
Fresh, riveting - wildly entertaining., 30 Nov 2008
Okay, yes, it's a gushy YA romance. And yes, it treads yet again over the already-muddied territory of bloodsucking-monster-as-misunderstood-tortured-sex-symbol (how's that for hyphenation?!) But despite that, and being exactly as silly as I feared, this is also the most compelling novel I've read in a long, long time. Why, I'm not really sure. It might be as simple as the skill with which Meyer drags out the 'Will he sleep with her, suck her dry, or both?' dilemma upon which the sexy vampire genre is founded. Or it might not. Either way, I'm tapping my fingers waiting for amazon to deliver the sequel...
not up to his usual standard..., 16 Nov 2008
I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one, but when i did... i wasn't satisfied.
This book isn't bad at all, and if you are a neil-fan, by all means read it. But, this book just wasn't as inventive, as surprising, touching or original.
the concept is great... the excecution.. not that great. There is nothing new, and i felt that i'd seen all the tricks before.
(Strangely, the book read as a script. i could just see the film sequences in my head.)
Also having read M is for Magic, i was already familiar with a great deal of the story. i almost skipped that part, but forced myself to read it again.
I sometimes thought: this is a real children's book, don't be so critical, but then characters such as victor hugo and the 66th president of U.S.A. are introduced, and i can't imagine kids being that familiar with french literature... It felt like Neil was sending me straight to wikipedia, to read up on some elemental history.
and the end... well... i suppose it was poignant, but i was not satisfied.
i remember being shattered coming to the end of neverwhere, wanting it to go on forever... i hardly dare pick up coraline again, because it disturbed and frightened me so.
The Graveyard book left me... unimpressed.
A children's classic in the making, 11 Nov 2008
Structured so that each chapter works as a short story in its own right while also contributing to the overriding story arc of the novel, this novel includes all the wit, subtlety and bittersweet touches that you expect from a Gaiman book. It begins with the murder of Bod's family and his 'escape' to a nearby graveyard, where he is adopted by the ghostly inhabitants and Silas, a vampire in all but name, agrees to serve as his guardian. Subsequent chapters pick out incidents in Bod's life - one for each year as he ages, including his friendship with a little girl called Scarlett, a centennial dance involving the living and the dead, Bod's accidental visit to the Land of the Ghouls and his encounter with the ghost of a young woman murdered for being a witch. Permeating it all is the threat from The Man Jack who murdered Bod's parents and who, together with The Jacks, is still searching for Bod.
Characterisation is great, particularly Silas and Miss Lupescu (an East European woman who looks after Bod when Silas is on his travels) who are superb and utterly credible. Bod himself is likeable, and the incidents that Gaiman highlights from his life are interesting and believable - the chapter where Bod tries to go to a school for living children is particularly moving.
I would have liked to have seen more of Silas and Miss Lupescu's adventures as the Hounds of God, which Gaiman gives tantalising details of without ever really expanding (what's there works, but I'd have liked more description). I also wasn't enamoured with the introduction of the prophecy element towards the end of the book - it came far too late and I really needed to see it developed more and earlier for it to work and I couldn't help but wish that The Jacks had some other motive for hunting down Bod instead.
That said, I really admire Gaiman for not going for the easy happy ending here. Without going into spoilers, it would have been very easy for him to give the readers what they want and expect and wrap up his novel in a neat little bow. Although he doesn't do this, the ending he does provide is satisfying and fits in well with the characters and hopefully, will set up the possibility of their returning in future novels.
Beyong the Grave..., 06 Nov 2008
Hate to be the one (slightly)dissenting voice here, but just finished The Graveyard Book, and thought I'd offer a differing opinion than those already below...
I don't think this piece of work is accomplished as some are claiming. For me, the opening was wondeful: atmospheric, an interesting tilt to the language, full of colour and excitement and oddness. But after that (and in particular, the middle section), the narrative fell away, exposing what is merely a collection of fantasy cliches (though well-embroidered with Gaiman's imagination), doled out in the form of short stories. This brings me to perhaps my biggest problem with the book - the structure did not serve the story well. As a kind of Bildungsroman, it should have given more of a sense of continuity; change; development. Breaking the narrative into fragments (seemingly without rhyme or reason) does not serve the story well enough as a coming-of-age piece, and the momentum was largely lost...abandoned when it was just gaining pace. As a result, each section resolved itself into a kind of "fable"; each chapter summed by the "lesson" learned in each.
The ending was a major disappointment though: a prophecy? Really? After Harry Potter et al, is this all Mr Gaiman could come up with? And a secret society of (effectively) murderers? His story-telling skills simply weren't up to the task of orchestrating a big ending; it felt shamelessly cinematic, and much too concerned with a contrived tying-up of loose ends. Though on the plus side, the denouement was suitable poignant...
On the whole, I wouldn't recommend NOT to buy this book. I'm just not convinced of its already-touted status as "an instant classic!".
A Ghoulish Delight for Both Adults and Kiddies, 25 Oct 2008
Gaiman is a master story-teller, there is no doubt about that, but it's very hard to think of him as a children's story-book writer (and yes I know he has written other children's books before, but they always seemed...not quite right). However, after reading through this novel of his one can clearly see that he has the skills necessary to delight and educate the young ones without dulling it down too much or losing the young ones on the way.
The story can be considered to be an homage to Kipling's "Jungle Book" with excellent references being made to Kipling's story that are easily recognizable. The hero of the tale, Nobody Owens, is endearing, while at the same time not a weak character. Except for the fact that he was raised by ghots of the graveyard, he is an entirely believable character, which makes the novel even more enjoyable.
Fans of Gaiman will not be disappointed by this novel, those new to him will definitely enjoy it, and those who are looking for a good book to read to a child will also be well served by this.
Raised *by* the dead? That doesn't sound right..., 20 Oct 2008
What one word best describes this tale of an infant whose whole family are murdered, and who toddles to the safety of a local graveyard, where he's raised and educated by the resident dead? That word, surprisingly, would be "charming".
And it is, in every sense of the word. It's eloquent without being condescending, comforting without being soft, sharp without being bitter, and it captivates your attention throughout its entirety, leaving you perfectly satisfied by the end.
The cast of characters are written to perfection. The dead maintain an eerie timelessness, whilst the other supernatural creatures are subtle yet distinct, ("Silas ate only one food, and it was not bananas"); the villains pull off the trick of being both evil *and* credible; the living have a refreshing mundane quality, and Bod the protagonist is left with the uneasy struggle of being neither fish nor fowl (nor dead).
A delight to read and a joy to think about.
not up to his usual standard..., 16 Nov 2008
I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one, but when i did... i wasn't satisfied.
This book isn't bad at all, and if you are a neil-fan, by all means read it. But, this book just wasn't as inventive, as surprising, touching or original.
the concept is great... the excecution.. not that great. There is nothing new, and i felt that i'd seen all the tricks before.
(Strangely, the book read as a script. i could just see the film sequences in my head.)
Also having read M is for Magic, i was already familiar with a great deal of the story. i almost skipped that part, but forced myself to read it again.
I sometimes thought: this is a real children's book, don't be so critical, but then characters such as victor hugo and the 66th president of U.S.A. are introduced, and i can't imagine kids being that familiar with french literature... It felt like Neil was sending me straight to wikipedia, to read up on some elemental history.
and the end... well... i suppose it was poignant, but i was not satisfied.
i remember being shattered coming to the end of neverwhere, wanting it to go on forever... i hardly dare pick up coraline again, because it disturbed and frightened me so.
The Graveyard book left me... unimpressed.
A children's classic in the making, 11 Nov 2008
Structured so that each chapter works as a short story in its own right while also contributing to the overriding story arc of the novel, this novel includes all the wit, subtlety and bittersweet touches that you expect from a Gaiman book. It begins with the murder of Bod's family and his 'escape' to a nearby graveyard, where he is adopted by the ghostly inhabitants and Silas, a vampire in all but name, agrees to serve as his guardian. Subsequent chapters pick out incidents in Bod's life - one for each year as he ages, including his friendship with a little girl called Scarlett, a centennial dance involving the living and the dead, Bod's accidental visit to the Land of the Ghouls and his encounter with the ghost of a young woman murdered for being a witch. Permeating it all is the threat from The Man Jack who murdered Bod's parents and who, together with The Jacks, is still searching for Bod.
Characterisation is great, particularly Silas and Miss Lupescu (an East European woman who looks after Bod when Silas is on his travels) who are superb and utterly credible. Bod himself is likeable, and the incidents that Gaiman highlights from his life are interesting and believable - the chapter where Bod tries to go to a school for living children is particularly moving.
I would have liked to have seen more of Silas and Miss Lupescu's adventures as the Hounds of God, which Gaiman gives tantalising details of without ever really expanding (what's there works, but I'd have liked more description). I also wasn't enamoured with the introduction of the prophecy element towards the end of the book - it came far too late and I really needed to see it developed more and earlier for it to work and I couldn't help but wish that The Jacks had some other motive for hunting down Bod instead.
That said, I really admire Gaiman for not going for the easy happy ending here. Without going into spoilers, it would have been very easy for him to give the readers what they want and expect and wrap up his novel in a neat little bow. Although he doesn't do this, the ending he does provide is satisfying and fits in well with the characters and hopefully, will set up the possibility of their returning in future novels.
Beyong the Grave..., 06 Nov 2008
Hate to be the one (slightly)dissenting voice here, but just finished The Graveyard Book, and thought I'd offer a differing opinion than those already below...
I don't think this piece of work is accomplished as some are claiming. For me, the opening was wondeful: atmospheric, an interesting tilt to the language, full of colour and excitement and oddness. But after that (and in particular, the middle section), the narrative fell away, exposing what is merely a collection of fantasy cliches (though well-embroidered with Gaiman's imagination), doled out in the form of short stories. This brings me to perhaps my biggest problem with the book - the structure did not serve the story well. As a kind of Bildungsroman, it should have given more of a sense of continuity; change; development. Breaking the narrative into fragments (seemingly without rhyme or reason) does not serve the story well enough as a coming-of-age piece, and the momentum was largely lost...abandoned when it was just gaining pace. As a result, each section resolved itself into a kind of "fable"; each chapter summed by the "lesson" learned in each.
The ending was a major disappointment though: a prophecy? Really? After Harry Potter et al, is this all Mr Gaiman could come up with? And a secret society of (effectively) murderers? His story-telling skills simply weren't up to the task of orchestrating a big ending; it felt shamelessly cinematic, and much too concerned with a contrived tying-up of loose ends. Though on the plus side, the denouement was suitable poignant...
On the whole, I wouldn't recommend NOT to buy this book. I'm just not convinced of its already-touted status as "an instant classic!".
A Ghoulish Delight for Both Adults and Kiddies, 25 Oct 2008
Gaiman is a master story-teller, there is no doubt about that, but it's very hard to think of him as a children's story-book writer (and yes I know he has written other children's books before, but they always seemed...not quite right). However, after reading through this novel of his one can clearly see that he has the skills necessary to delight and educate the young ones without dulling it down too much or losing the young ones on the way.
The story can be considered to be an homage to Kipling's "Jungle Book" with excellent references being made to Kipling's story that are easily recognizable. The hero of the tale, Nobody Owens, is endearing, while at the same time not a weak character. Except for the fact that he was raised by ghots of the graveyard, he is an entirely believable character, which makes the novel even more enjoyable.
Fans of Gaiman will not be disappointed by this novel, those new to him will definitely enjoy it, and those who are looking for a good book to read to a child will also be well served by this.
Raised *by* the dead? That doesn't sound right..., 20 Oct 2008
What one word best describes this tale of an infant whose whole family are murdered, and who toddles to the safety of a local graveyard, where he's raised and educated by the resident dead? That word, surprisingly, would be "charming".
And it is, in every sense of the word. It's eloquent without being condescending, comforting without being soft, sharp without being bitter, and it captivates your attention throughout its entirety, leaving you perfectly satisfied by the end.
The cast of characters are written to perfection. The dead maintain an eerie timelessness, whilst the other supernatural creatures are subtle yet distinct, ("Silas ate only one food, and it was not bananas"); the villains pull off the trick of being both evil *and* credible; the living have a refreshing mundane quality, and Bod the protagonist is left with the uneasy struggle of being neither fish nor fowl (nor dead).
A delight to read and a joy to think about.
Courtesy of Teens Read Too, 05 Aug 2008
Grubbs Grady is back, and he wishes he wasn't.
There are two things that Grubbs regrets the most: letting his transformation take away the lives of the ones he loved, and trusting Juni. When we last left him, Grubbs was on a plane ride with Juni, who promised to take care of him and love him. But while on board, Juni's true colors appeared, and they weren't so pretty.
Turns out she had been working for Lord Loss and had used Grubbs' secrets and trust against him, lying to not only him but also to Dervish, who had fallen for her as well.
Now Grubbs is trying to fend for himself, which isn't looking so bright since Lord Loss' little helpers are happily feeding on the passengers on the plane, while Lord Loss himself is trying to take Grubbs into his realm. Of course, Grubbs would rather die than to have to go with Lord Loss. But there isn't much he can do since no one is there to help him fight off all of the demons.
Then an unlikely hero comes and saves Grubbs. Yet Grubbs knows that this isn't the end of Lord Loss, who is furious at him for ruining his game of chess. He knows that Lord Loss will not let anything stand in his way while trying to take revenge, but Grubbs isn't giving up without a fight. He survived more than once. He can surely survive again, right?
Edgy, intense, and more gruesome than the other novels in THE DEMONATA series, Darren Shan does it again with DEMON APOCALYPSE, creating a captivating novel that will leave you speechless. Darker than ever, we are just glad to see Grubbs be the one to save the world, because without him, who can?
Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen
Another shining success for Darren Shan, 12 Mar 2008
Barcode: 9780007231331
The Demonata series is fantastic, truly gripping and every novel is fascinating from start to end. Demon Apocalypse, the 6th book in the series is no exception - while i think i still prefer the previous one, Blood Beast, Demon Apocalypse is epic in it's scale and was immensely enjoyable. In essence it is a coming together of the three main characters - Grubbs, Kernel and Bec all meeting for the first time.
This is also one of the darkest of the series so far. Following staright on from where Blood Beast left off, we rejoin Grubbs in the plane, confronting Lord Loss. As things progress we meet Beranabus, a fascinating, immensely powerful character. His duty above all is to protect the human race, always making decisions for the greater good, something he often comes to odds with Grubbs with and the dynamics between the two are fantastic.
Beranabus in many ways takes over from Dervish as Grubbs tutor-esque character but represents a far stricter, serious approach and is determined for Grubbs to embrace his magical powers, something he is reluctant to do. Some of the themes dealt with and represented here are extremely powerful and moving in their depth and maturity - i'd recommend this book to someone of any age, as with all of Shan's work it is extremely inspiring in its vision.
Amidst all this, the demon threat becomes greater than ever before. I don't want to spoil things but what follows is a truly epic confrontation against seemingly impossible odds. It represents an extremely bleak scenario and the bravery and selflessness of the characters is admirable. Darren Shan has always been a master at allowing us to associate with his characters and Demon Apocalypse is no exception.
This is an amazing book and yet more proof to me that Darren Shan is one of the finest authors of modern times. Bring on book seven! I can't wait!
Fantastic, 04 Feb 2008
This book was amazing, probably the best in the series so far, and thats saying a lot considering how great all the other books were! I thought that "Bec" and "Blood Beast" were a little dissapointing after the brilliance of the first three books (although the ending of Blood Beast was excellent) but this was GREAT!
DEFFINATLY the goriest in the series so far, some of the more graphic scenes are sickeningly gory! And it FINALLY brings together Grubbs, Kernel and Bec (although this book is told entirely from Grubbs' viewpoint, continuing directly from the aeroplane scene at the end of the previous book).
Brilliant book and with a good ending that leaves you desperate to get your hands on Book 7, which will be published in May. A great read, highly reccomended.
Perfect Destruction, 03 Feb 2008
An amazing and incredible vivid story interlocking all the previous book into one amazing and thrilling book which encorporates everything of importance from Lord Loss to Bill-E to Bec to basically everything. The previous books were so subtle as to not give away too much information for the big finish and that's what makes Darren Shan such an excellent writer. If you have read the other books then this is the ultimate one in the collection.
The book is just simply packed with action starting from the cliffhanger at the end of Blood Beast (which is also brilliant is you haven't read it). The book's warning does not lie when it says 'seriously scary'. The book goes into to huge bloody details from being burnt to being sucked alive to have maggots eating your brain!!! The sheer horror that Darren writes is just simply amazing (or simply twisted).
The brilliant ending (not the very very ending...if you've read it you know what I mean) is so very sad (like all the other books) but this one inparticular really does make you care and feel really sorry for Grubbs Grady and also Dervish who also suffers a great deal. Darren also just puts salt in the raw wounds when he does what he always does... the idea of false hope.Although sickening it is also extremely effective.
A simply must read book that just perfectly finishes off the perfect series.
awsome, 10 Jan 2008
this seiries is by far the best.i started reading shan at an early age and ive grown up with the dementor but i moved to china so cant get this book ive tried to get my sister to get me it but she didnt aw well,the last book was one hell of a clif hanger who would have thought that juni had turend evil!its really awsome.cant wait to get this book
Demon Thief, 25 Oct 2008
I think this book is absolutely great and is one of the best reads for about 11 - 13 year olds.A very adventurous and exciting book.Full of horror!!
Great horror series, 29 Aug 2008
From the first moment in book one, Lord Loss, when Grubbs Grady encounters the Demonata and their evil minions it is obvious to the reader that Darren Shan books are from a different dimension. You really have to read them with an open mind, and a slightly twisted one too! The heroes are constantly changing, from Grubbs in book one to Kernel Fleck in book two, back to Grubbs in three and then Bec in some of the later episodes. Whoever is in charge you can absolutely guarantee a frightening ride through another world, which Shan depicts so very well. As far as teenage horror goes this is about as entertaining as it gets. You cannot compare it to the real horror masters, such as James Herbert, Shaun Hutson, Brian Keene or Conrad Jones, but they are truly entertaining, even though the storylines are flimsy to say the least, they are still excellent reading.
Demon Theif review, 18 Jun 2008
The wonderful Demonata series continues...I absoloutly adore the way Darren Shan has gone back in time to the 1970's in this story- feature at least one character from the previous book who we all know as Dervish Grady as a punk, a new recruit to the Demon slaying team of Disciples.
Buy the book- it's brilliant.
not as good as the last one i read..but GREAT, 28 Feb 2008
I read this book after reading the fifth (or fourth?) series of the demomnata - Bec as it was displayed in the library and ididnt actaully realzie it was a series so I kind of jumped ahead.
reading backwards, the quality of this book is lower compared but still has the same twists and turns as bec. And because I read bec first, i got a few mroe surprises when I read this book.
leaves you thinking.
great book!
Chilling, 31 Jan 2008
a very un predictable tale with lots of gore and humore
a fantastic shock @ the end of the book
cheers shan
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Customer Reviews
Twilight., 02 Dec 2008
Bella Moves to froks to live with her dad charlie, she falls in love with somone she is not supposed to...
This book is amazing, in my opinion even better then the harry potter ones and that is saying something. i would recomend this book to anyone reading this review and urge them to buy it and the rest in the saga!
Jane Austen meets the Addams family, 01 Dec 2008
Well, I don't know if I am Twilight's oldest fan, but I am 50 in 2 days time, and I stumbled on this book whilst trying to find interesting new reads for my daughter (who hasn't had a look in yet). I think it is wonderful. Plot aside, it draws me in and the tension is amazing. The prose does have a hint of Jane Austen about it and Edward is like an old fashioned romantic hero. A very clever idea - fine romantic literature for the 21st century. I wish it had been around when I was 14 - I would have devoured it! I'm ready for the next books. Girls - keep them away from your Mums!
Surprisingly good, 30 Nov 2008
Having seen a lot of rather negative reviews around, I was understandably a little uncertain when starting this book. I had been dithering over whether to get it for months, stuck between reviews singing its praises and others damning it to the depths of hell.
However, I am glad to say I was not disappointed. Whilst the book does, admittedly, have a few flaws, the characters and the plotline drew me in, and I ended up re-reading it the day after I'd finished it. It certainly overturned all my rather negative expectations.
That said, I wouldn't say it was perfect. I think Bella's intstant "OMG I am in love" from the moment she sees Edward is a little... Sudden. And some parts of the book are just so easy to guess... But then, in some ways that adds to the charm.
Overall, I found this book to be a wonderful read, and I will certainly be getting New Moon after Christmas if someone doesn't buy it for me...
I Worship this book!!!!, 30 Nov 2008
First of all let me say one thing-BEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN. it caught everything a book should. page after page it gave me a warm fuzzy feeling inside and at night i dream about them and in my mind wondering what happens next!
Heart gripping novel-pre-pare to eat you heart out.After you've read the book i am almost definite you will become obessed & drooling over edwar cullen just like the rest of us!
Brillian read-recomenned for ALL ages!
Fresh, riveting - wildly entertaining., 30 Nov 2008
Okay, yes, it's a gushy YA romance. And yes, it treads yet again over the already-muddied territory of bloodsucking-monster-as-misunderstood-tortured-sex-symbol (how's that for hyphenation?!) But despite that, and being exactly as silly as I feared, this is also the most compelling novel I've read in a long, long time. Why, I'm not really sure. It might be as simple as the skill with which Meyer drags out the 'Will he sleep with her, suck her dry, or both?' dilemma upon which the sexy vampire genre is founded. Or it might not. Either way, I'm tapping my fingers waiting for amazon to deliver the sequel...
not up to his usual standard..., 16 Nov 2008
I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one, but when i did... i wasn't satisfied.
This book isn't bad at all, and if you are a neil-fan, by all means read it. But, this book just wasn't as inventive, as surprising, touching or original.
the concept is great... the excecution.. not that great. There is nothing new, and i felt that i'd seen all the tricks before.
(Strangely, the book read as a script. i could just see the film sequences in my head.)
Also having read M is for Magic, i was already familiar with a great deal of the story. i almost skipped that part, but forced myself to read it again.
I sometimes thought: this is a real children's book, don't be so critical, but then characters such as victor hugo and the 66th president of U.S.A. are introduced, and i can't imagine kids being that familiar with french literature... It felt like Neil was sending me straight to wikipedia, to read up on some elemental history.
and the end... well... i suppose it was poignant, but i was not satisfied.
i remember being shattered coming to the end of neverwhere, wanting it to go on forever... i hardly dare pick up coraline again, because it disturbed and frightened me so.
The Graveyard book left me... unimpressed.
A children's classic in the making, 11 Nov 2008
Structured so that each chapter works as a short story in its own right while also contributing to the overriding story arc of the novel, this novel includes all the wit, subtlety and bittersweet touches that you expect from a Gaiman book. It begins with the murder of Bod's family and his 'escape' to a nearby graveyard, where he is adopted by the ghostly inhabitants and Silas, a vampire in all but name, agrees to serve as his guardian. Subsequent chapters pick out incidents in Bod's life - one for each year as he ages, including his friendship with a little girl called Scarlett, a centennial dance involving the living and the dead, Bod's accidental visit to the Land of the Ghouls and his encounter with the ghost of a young woman murdered for being a witch. Permeating it all is the threat from The Man Jack who murdered Bod's parents and who, together with The Jacks, is still searching for Bod.
Characterisation is great, particularly Silas and Miss Lupescu (an East European woman who looks after Bod when Silas is on his travels) who are superb and utterly credible. Bod himself is likeable, and the incidents that Gaiman highlights from his life are interesting and believable - the chapter where Bod tries to go to a school for living children is particularly moving.
I would have liked to have seen more of Silas and Miss Lupescu's adventures as the Hounds of God, which Gaiman gives tantalising details of without ever really expanding (what's there works, but I'd have liked more description). I also wasn't enamoured with the introduction of the prophecy element towards the end of the book - it came far too late and I really needed to see it developed more and earlier for it to work and I couldn't help but wish that The Jacks had some other motive for hunting down Bod instead.
That said, I really admire Gaiman for not going for the easy happy ending here. Without going into spoilers, it would have been very easy for him to give the readers what they want and expect and wrap up his novel in a neat little bow. Although he doesn't do this, the ending he does provide is satisfying and fits in well with the characters and hopefully, will set up the possibility of their returning in future novels.
Beyong the Grave..., 06 Nov 2008
Hate to be the one (slightly)dissenting voice here, but just finished The Graveyard Book, and thought I'd offer a differing opinion than those already below...
I don't think this piece of work is accomplished as some are claiming. For me, the opening was wondeful: atmospheric, an interesting tilt to the language, full of colour and excitement and oddness. But after that (and in particular, the middle section), the narrative fell away, exposing what is merely a collection of fantasy cliches (though well-embroidered with Gaiman's imagination), doled out in the form of short stories. This brings me to perhaps my biggest problem with the book - the structure did not serve the story well. As a kind of Bildungsroman, it should have given more of a sense of continuity; change; development. Breaking the narrative into fragments (seemingly without rhyme or reason) does not serve the story well enough as a coming-of-age piece, and the momentum was largely lost...abandoned when it was just gaining pace. As a result, each section resolved itself into a kind of "fable"; each chapter summed by the "lesson" learned in each.
The ending was a major disappointment though: a prophecy? Really? After Harry Potter et al, is this all Mr Gaiman could come up with? And a secret society of (effectively) murderers? His story-telling skills simply weren't up to the task of orchestrating a big ending; it felt shamelessly cinematic, and much too concerned with a contrived tying-up of loose ends. Though on the plus side, the denouement was suitable poignant...
On the whole, I wouldn't recommend NOT to buy this book. I'm just not convinced of its already-touted status as "an instant classic!".
A Ghoulish Delight for Both Adults and Kiddies, 25 Oct 2008
Gaiman is a master story-teller, there is no doubt about that, but it's very hard to think of him as a children's story-book writer (and yes I know he has written other children's books before, but they always seemed...not quite right). However, after reading through this novel of his one can clearly see that he has the skills necessary to delight and educate the young ones without dulling it down too much or losing the young ones on the way.
The story can be considered to be an homage to Kipling's "Jungle Book" with excellent references being made to Kipling's story that are easily recognizable. The hero of the tale, Nobody Owens, is endearing, while at the same time not a weak character. Except for the fact that he was raised by ghots of the graveyard, he is an entirely believable character, which makes the novel even more enjoyable.
Fans of Gaiman will not be disappointed by this novel, those new to him will definitely enjoy it, and those who are looking for a good book to read to a child will also be well served by this.
Raised *by* the dead? That doesn't sound right..., 20 Oct 2008
What one word best describes this tale of an infant whose whole family are murdered, and who toddles to the safety of a local graveyard, where he's raised and educated by the resident dead? That word, surprisingly, would be "charming".
And it is, in every sense of the word. It's eloquent without being condescending, comforting without being soft, sharp without being bitter, and it captivates your attention throughout its entirety, leaving you perfectly satisfied by the end.
The cast of characters are written to perfection. The dead maintain an eerie timelessness, whilst the other supernatural creatures are subtle yet distinct, ("Silas ate only one food, and it was not bananas"); the villains pull off the trick of being both evil *and* credible; the living have a refreshing mundane quality, and Bod the protagonist is left with the uneasy struggle of being neither fish nor fowl (nor dead).
A delight to read and a joy to think about.
not up to his usual standard..., 16 Nov 2008
I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one, but when i did... i wasn't satisfied.
This book isn't bad at all, and if you are a neil-fan, by all means read it. But, this book just wasn't as inventive, as surprising, touching or original.
the concept is great... the excecution.. not that great. There is nothing new, and i felt that i'd seen all the tricks before.
(Strangely, the book read as a script. i could just see the film sequences in my head.)
Also having read M is for Magic, i was already familiar with a great deal of the story. i almost skipped that part, but forced myself to read it again.
I sometimes thought: this is a real children's book, don't be so critical, but then characters such as victor hugo and the 66th president of U.S.A. are introduced, and i can't imagine kids being that familiar with french literature... It felt like Neil was sending me straight to wikipedia, to read up on some elemental history.
and the end... well... i suppose it was poignant, but i was not satisfied.
i remember being shattered coming to the end of neverwhere, wanting it to go on forever... i hardly dare pick up coraline again, because it disturbed and frightened me so.
The Graveyard book left me... unimpressed.
A children's classic in the making, 11 Nov 2008
Structured so that each chapter works as a short story in its own right while also contributing to the overriding story arc of the novel, this novel includes all the wit, subtlety and bittersweet touches that you expect from a Gaiman book. It begins with the murder of Bod's family and his 'escape' to a nearby graveyard, where he is adopted by the ghostly inhabitants and Silas, a vampire in all but name, agrees to serve as his guardian. Subsequent chapters pick out incidents in Bod's life - one for each year as he ages, including his friendship with a little girl called Scarlett, a centennial dance involving the living and the dead, Bod's accidental visit to the Land of the Ghouls and his encounter with the ghost of a young woman murdered for being a witch. Permeating it all is the threat from The Man Jack who murdered Bod's parents and who, together with The Jacks, is still searching for Bod.
Characterisation is great, particularly Silas and Miss Lupescu (an East European woman who looks after Bod when Silas is on his travels) who are superb and utterly credible. Bod himself is likeable, and the incidents that Gaiman highlights from his life are interesting and believable - the chapter where Bod tries to go to a school for living children is particularly moving.
I would have liked to have seen more of Silas and Miss Lupescu's adventures as the Hounds of God, which Gaiman gives tantalising details of without ever really expanding (what's there works, but I'd have liked more description). I also wasn't enamoured with the introduction of the prophecy element towards the end of the book - it came far too late and I really needed to see it developed more and earlier for it to work and I couldn't help but wish that The Jacks had some other motive for hunting down Bod instead.
That said, I really admire Gaiman for not going for the easy happy ending here. Without going into spoilers, it would have been very easy for him to give the readers what they want and expect and wrap up his novel in a neat little bow. Although he doesn't do this, the ending he does provide is satisfying and fits in well with the characters and hopefully, will set up the possibility of their returning in future novels.
Beyong the Grave..., 06 Nov 2008
Hate to be the one (slightly)dissenting voice here, but just finished The Graveyard Book, and thought I'd offer a differing opinion than those already below...
I don't think this piece of work is accomplished as some are claiming. For me, the opening was wondeful: atmospheric, an interesting tilt to the language, full of colour and excitement and oddness. But after that (and in particular, the middle section), the narrative fell away, exposing what is merely a collection of fantasy cliches (though well-embroidered with Gaiman's imagination), doled out in the form of short stories. This brings me to perhaps my biggest problem with the book - the structure did not serve the story well. As a kind of Bildungsroman, it should have given more of a sense of continuity; change; development. Breaking the narrative into fragments (seemingly without rhyme or reason) does not serve the story well enough as a coming-of-age piece, and the momentum was largely lost...abandoned when it was just gaining pace. As a result, each section resolved itself into a kind of "fable"; each chapter summed by the "lesson" learned in each.
The ending was a major disappointment though: a prophecy? Really? After Harry Potter et al, is this all Mr Gaiman could come up with? And a secret society of (effectively) murderers? His story-telling skills simply weren't up to the task of orchestrating a big ending; it felt shamelessly cinematic, and much too concerned with a contrived tying-up of loose ends. Though on the plus side, the denouement was suitable poignant...
On the whole, I wouldn't recommend NOT to buy this book. I'm just not convinced of its already-touted status as "an instant classic!".
A Ghoulish Delight for Both Adults and Kiddies, 25 Oct 2008
Gaiman is a master story-teller, there is no doubt about that, but it's very hard to think of him as a children's story-book writer (and yes I know he has written other children's books before, but they always seemed...not quite right). However, after reading through this novel of his one can clearly see that he has the skills necessary to delight and educate the young ones without dulling it down too much or losing the young ones on the way.
The story can be considered to be an homage to Kipling's "Jungle Book" with excellent references being made to Kipling's story that are easily recognizable. The hero of the tale, Nobody Owens, is endearing, while at the same time not a weak character. Except for the fact that he was raised by ghots of the graveyard, he is an entirely believable character, which makes the novel even more enjoyable.
Fans of Gaiman will not be disappointed by this novel, those new to him will definitely enjoy it, and those who are looking for a good book to read to a child will also be well served by this.
Raised *by* the dead? That doesn't sound right..., 20 Oct 2008
What one word best describes this tale of an infant whose whole f | | |