Fantasy novels are deep, and they all go outside the boundaries of what’s possible and what’s not. Extreme characters and new universes transport the reader into a fantasy world where anything is possible. Mythology books take an ancient belief and expand on their versatility. Anything is possible, considering that mythology has deep roots.
The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien
It’s a shame that I couldn’t read this classic earlier. With The Hobbit being released as a movie this 2012, and my love for fantasy at an all time high, this was the perfect time to read this book. For those who don’t know, it’s about Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit. Hobbits are quiet people, who love food and parties and their warm homes. Bilbo is taken by Gandalf and thirteen dwarves to slay the dragon Smaug, who needs to be killed for the dwarves. But hobbits aren’t a very adventurous people, and so this isn’t exactly Bilbo’s forte. This is a prelude to the Lord of the Rings as well, so it gives you a look at the Middle Earth lore. The two key points to this classic are the characters and writing. The characters carry this book like I would carry Scarlett Johansson up a flight of stairs. I would carry her powerfully and nobly. These characters are built powerfully and nobly. Bilbo and the dwarves, as well as the minor characters, are Porsches. (metaphorically, of course) You get connected to them, and you maintain that connection because they don’t die one by one on the journey. No. Tolkien truly loved his characters and expanded on them as much as possibly. Gandalf is truly a smart character, and extremely believable. The characters and creatures are introduced and explained simply, but you understand the lore as much as I understand Megan Fox’s talent. (i understand that it is at zero) The writing absorbs you and makes you feel like you’re on an adventure with Bilbo, as corny as it sounds. You feel like this is a true adventure. There were abrupt pauses in the writing where there was a lack of dialogue or character interaction for pages at a time, but that’s only the third quarter of the book. The only gripe I have about the writing is how rushed the final battle was. Also, the ending series of events, right before the climax, felt like a story being told, the details pushed aside. The battle wasn’t explained deep enough, but it could be because it wasn’t exactly about Bilbo. Nonetheless, the Hobbit is a Filet. It is very well written, the characters are very strong, and it has a ring of adventure. I recommend it to all fantasy and adventure lovers.
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Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
Incarceron was given to me by my cousin, and so as soon as I got it, I read the first chapter. After that, I put the book down because I was distracted, and reading when you’re distracted is frustrating. A year later, I picked up the book again, and I must say, I waited a year too long. Incarceron is about two people, Finn and Claudia. Finn is imprisoned in Incarceron, a super-prison where there is no authority, no people to watch over the prisoners. All there is is Incarceron, the prison. The Prison sees all, knows all. Incarceron is alive. Finn believes that he came from Outside, because he can see the scars. Outside of Incarceron, Claudia, the prison Warden’s daughter, is doomed to an arranged marriage with a prince who she cannot stand. Finn wants out, and so does Claudia, and Incarceron is the story of these two people and their companions trying to achieve freedom. This sounds like some romantic drama, but I promise, it’s anything but. The three key points are the plot, the writing, and the characters. The plot contains many surprises, and there is a lot of conspiracy and plotting. Because of this, there is a whole sense of paranoia that looms in the air as you read it. The plot takes many turns which will leave your jaw dropped and the pages ripped because you turned them so hard. The writing is very descriptive, and easy to understand. It isn’t for younger kids, however, considering there is handful of bad words as well as some violent parts. It isn’t exactly an easy read, but the author paints pictures for you so easily. You can feel the book as well as hear it, and you always fully understand the small sensations your character is feeling. With clear descriptions and busy words, the writing is very satisfying. Lastly, the characters all have a quality to them. You can FEEL that a character is protective, and that a character is crazed, and that a character is deceitful. The personalities are all understandable and projected clearly through actions and dialogue, and the clarity blows me away. Over all, Incarceron is a high T-Bone. If you are looking for a book full of substance and surprises, pick up this book and read it. You’ll be trapped in your own world.
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The Wheel of Time Series: The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
I was told to read this book by two people, and both of them are awesome. My cousin JTrain handed me the book one day, and he said, “If you don’t like the book by chapter 5, give it back.” He never got that book back. It’s still at my house, and I’ve been done with it for months. This book is one of about 14 books in this epic fantasy series, and it is an engaging, rich novel. Before you get any ideas to read this series after reading this review, know that it will take dedication. For example, most of these books range from 700 pages to 1000 pages. It will take long to finish these books, and if you don’t have time to read, you’ll be so confused when you get back to the book, because there are tons (And I mean TONS) of characters. Also, this book isn’t for you if you scan the page when you get bored. If you do that, you’ll be lost, because suddenly there’s a new conflict and new character. Lastly, it takes a lot of thinking and speculation. This book isn’t very straightforward, and it is a whole new universe, with lots of new ideas, so getting adjusted to it takes will. I could name a thousand more reasons why this book isn’t for everyone, but let’s get to the review. The three key points are plot, writing, and characters. The plot is so advanced and so filled with different people and groups and morals and ethics that it is nearly impossible to summarize it. If you’re thinking, Just look at the back of the book and throw me a bone here, I get it. That’s the first place I looked for the summary, but the plot is so advanced that there isn’t even a summary on the back of the book! It’s like trying to explain a great spider web: I can describe the center, but once it branches out, I can’t explain what I see. Oh, and this spider-web is on some crazy planet which is unknown. Still, because you guys are the best, I’ll try my hardest to summarize it. Book 1 of the Wheel of Time series is an series closest to The Lord of the Rings, but in a more modern time. When I say modern, I don’t mean cities and skyscrapers, I mean more of civilization being unified by kings and queens, and stable. These people live in cities, but not in modern day, if that makes sense. For more clearance, ask somebody who has read it, or, read up to chapter 5 to get an idea of the plot. See, the plot takes so many turns, and is seen by so many perspectives, that it is hard to explain the story. There are a lot of different races, divisions, history, beasts, protagonists, heroes, countries, etc. I can go on and on. What you need to know about the plot is that it is extremely rich with story and character and writing, and is a whole new universe. All of it is made up, but it could be believed as true. What makes the stories work is that because there is a whole delay of communication, or even lack of communication, there is tension. You know what is going on at most times, but your favorite characters don’t. It keeps you turning pages and rooting for them, or cursing at them for their idiocy. Bottom line is that it’s extremely advanced and extremely packed with stuff. You won’t be disappointed. Next is the writing.
Robert Jordan’s writing is like nothing you’ve seen before. Some books can create pictures in your mind, which is difficult to do, but this book can paint pictures in your mind, throw you into the picture, and have you lick every inch of it until you can smell the world your in. In other words, you feel as if your there. This isn’t a mere exaggeration. I mean it. Robert Jordan spends huge paragraphs, sometimes pages, to describe the room, or to describe the characters, or to set the scene. He makes sure that no matter how boring the situation, you can see what’s happening, and that is extremely important, because Robert Jordan’s writing is slow. It takes him chapters to get to the point, and back in a world where there are no cell phones or Facebook, traveling is a long process, and traveling is shown fully. Some books are slower than others. For example. Lord of Chaos is extremely fast, where Fires of Heaven is trudging through slime. This is why it takes getting used to comprehend Jordan’s writing. He uses words as needed, and he is very professional about the way he writes. He can take the role of a young man, and then alternate to the role of a queen, in one page. His range of writing is very huge, which is why it seems like his writing is throwing you into this universe. Basically, his writing is astounding, and though it is slow at times, it is very well done. Lastly is the characters. The characters in this series total over 100, probably over 200, and I’m almost halfway through the series. It’s crazy. Still, Jordan doesn’t throw them at you as randoms. He gives them each roles and dialogue, and spreads their book-time out evenly. It’s fun meeting a new characters, because you know that you will learn more about them. Also, you could pick favorites. In the Hunger Games, for example, there weren’t many characters you could group into one bunch and say, “These are my favorites.” In that book, you KNEW who you should root for and who had the best motive. Here, you can choose which characters are your favorite, and elaborate on it. Every reader will perceive the characters differently, so it is great for discussion. The personalities range from stubborn to angry to humble to proud, from crafty to humorous to serious to evil. This book is chock full of characters, and they catch your heart. Oh, and if you’re worried about a ton of apostrophes in the names, chill out. This isn’t hardcore unicorn fantasy. This book is hard to explain, and it isn’t for everyone. It takes an open mind, time, and dedication to read it, and patience as well. This book is a Filet Mignon, as are the other books in the series. Robert Jordan has a magical touch with writing. His pen was his sword. May he rest in peace.
