When I first started this book, I thought it was corny and soon put it down. But later I got bored and picked it up again. Soon, the story hooked me. I finished it in two days! It was about two high school sweethearts, the gifted football player Luke Muldenhower and beautiful, smart Julie Ellis. They seemed to have the perfect teenage existence until the day Luke discovered that he had cancer. Julie was his cheerleader throughout his illness, refusing to accept defeat. This crisis strengthened their love, but would it break their hearts?

The book is excellent. It was true-to-life, if somewhat predictable and mushy. It taught many life lessons. My favorite parts were when Julie and Luke went to California to visit Luke's uncle and the discovery Julie made at the end.(I won't give it away, you'll have to read it and find out yourself!)

However, there were a few things I didn't like about the book. First of all, Julie was too obsessed with Luke. Unlike him, she had no other interests in her life but their relationship. Also, Julie's mother was a very flat character, appearing mostly to hound her daughter about finding the right college. But overall, this was another great Lurlene McDaniel novel and I reccomend it to all romantics at heart.

I recently had the absolute pleasure of reading "Don't Die,My Love" by the astounding author Lurlene McDaniel. The book is so captivating and sad that i couldn't put it down.... sort of a Romeo and Juliet but with a few switches. Lurlene uses her wonderful creative mind to show two people , very much in love , that face a life threatening medical problem that tears them apart. As i was reading i started to feel as if i was the girl in the story, i was the one losing the one person that meant more to her than her own life... I hate to admit it but i was crying my eyes out by the last 50 pages of the book ... I used to not be very into romance novels like this... i used to be more of a R.L Stine person but now that i've had the chance to read some of Lurlene's work I will never go back to cheap horror again! So HURRY UP!! get your hands on this book as fast as you can, YOU WON'T BE SORRY!!!

I must confess I have read this book 15 times (I'm not exaggerating!) in the past two years! It is extremely sad and even if you have read it so many times that you can quote it, as I can, you will still cry your eyes out whenever you read or reread it!

Luke Muldenhower, a handsome, talented football player, and beautiful Julie Ellis are deeply in love and have been ever since middle school. Now, in high school the whole school knows they are a couple. Luke is sure to get an athletic scholorship to a top college and despite what her parents think, Julie is determined to go wherever Luke goes. But, when Luke can't ditch what he suspects is a cold, Julie convinces him to go to the doctor. Nothing prepared her for the news that Luke had Hodgkin's Lymphoma (a rare type of cancer). Julie is determined that Luke will get well, especially now when they have so much going for them...they are going to get married, go to college, and prepare to spend the rest of their lives together! Can their amazing love for each other hold tight through whatever life hands them?

If you like romantic, tear-jerking teen novels, you will love this book as I did!

I have read all Tamora Pierce's books so far and I think this is her best yet! This book is about Daine a 13 year old who has 'Wild Magic' which means the power to communicate, change into, and heal animals. In this book she faces off to the evil stormwings and their queen, Zaneth Bitterclaws. But she is not alone in this fight for she soon teams up with Cloud a horse with strong opinions, Numair who teaches her about her 'Wild Magic', Onua who hires her to help with the horses, King Jonathon, Queen Thayet and the Riders and Kitten a baby dragon. They all know the emporer of Carthank is involved somehow with all the 'Immortals' running about but they can't prove how. Alanna is also in this book so if you've read the 'Song of the Lioness' series this is a must read. This book is full of magic and fantasy and is my favorite book so far

Even now, at age 13, riffling through the well worn pages of my beloved Immortals series, I wonder how it is humanly possible to write books so amazing. I've always loved fantasy, and Tamora Pierce is my favorite author, and always has been. This entire series is a must read for any fantasy nut. It's just like a good smoothie - the perfect blend of everything. Humor, adventure, a touch of romance and a whole lot of enchantment, I consider the Wild magic story one of Ms.Pierce's finest. The young girl Daine, who has the wonderful gift of animal speech, and even shape shifting, starts out as a sad orphan who's lost her family.It was wonderfull to "watch" her slowly heal, and discover herself shinig through her past. But I really felt myself connect with all the characters, and I consider that one of the most important things about novels. I recommend this book for anyone who likes a good fantasy.

I thoroughly ejoyed this book and constantly am recommending it to others. Even though it comes after the Lioness Quartet, you didn't have to read that series to enjoy these books!.
The story takes place in a far-off Medival Europe known only to readers and Tamora Pierce the author. Daine Sarrasi, is hired by Onua Chamtong to take a band of ponies to the headquarters of Queen Thayet Rider's, Tortall. The city is the biggest place Daine has ever seen, as she trades her skirts for "active wear" breeches and a cotton shirt. ALong the way, they gang up with the most powerful sorceror, Numair Saliman who helps Daine train and bend her wild magic to her will. Daine's wild magic helps her to heal, and talk to animals. I won't tell anything else-you'll have get the book.
Now, where is the movie???? With Hollywood producing numerous fantasies, I think that the Immortals series could seriously do well at the box office. Enjoy the book, I did!...

This novel begins and ends with death, but Vicky Austin celebrates life. L'Engle's sensitive portrayal of adolescence struggling to accept death rings true. Vicky is, as always, an open and honest narrator. This novel probably shows us more of her development as a character than do L'Engle's other novels, and we are also treated to a lovely setting. Vicky finds joy even in the midst of great pain, in the last summer she knows she'll have with her grandfather, and she teaches us by example a productive and mature method of dealing with death. L'Engle's drawing of the grandfather is exquisite, and as always, her characterization of the Austins gives me supreme faith in humans' ability to form close, wonderful bonds. Note: I read A Ring of Endless Light just after my own grandfather passed away and after I got engaged; this book helps me grieve and gives me hope. Plus, L'Engle's science has always intrigued me (Arm of the Starfish, Charles Wallace's mitochondria and farandolae), and the dolphins are fabulous.

A Ring of Endless Light has got to be one of my all time favorite books! If you've read Meet the Austins then you already know the characters, but for those of you who haven't, it's about a girl named Vicky Austin who has moved with her family into her grandfather's house because he is sick and they want to be with him when he,well,dies. At her new location Vicky meets Adam, her older brother's friend from work. Adam is studying dolphins and soon, Vicky gets to be apart of his project where she meets Basil, a wild dolphin. Vicky also re-unites with Zach, a rich boy who is not happy with his life. When Zach tries to commite suicide and ends up causing the death of a local life gaurd, Vicky must begin to face death, and heart ache.This is a wonderfully dramatic book that will keep you in tears, and in smiles. If you like dolphins, I gaurantee you will love this book. I've read it many times at the library already and now I'm buying it. This book is dramatic, sad, heart-wrenching, yet at the same time, fun and interesting. This is a must-read book! One of L'Engles best!

Dolphins have taught us many new ways of communication, thinking, and learning about what's around us. But to Vicky Austin, dolphins have taught much more. The lesson they teach her is something that she will never forget. A lesson that takes most people a life time to discover; something that has baffled scientists for years. The lesson of life and death.
Vicky has a gift. A rare ability, that comes with her beautiful sense of poetry. She can communicate with dolphins. And because of Madeleine L'Engle's poetic and descriptive writing style, Vicky's blessing seems to come alive. This is one of the most powerful elements of the book because it has such an effect on the reader's view of the plot.
Another contribution to the novel's effectiveness is the characterization. L'Engle does a fine job of creating diverse and interesting characters that almost anyone can identify with. Take for example the character Zachary. Zachary is your average "bad boy" stereotype. But because of Zachary's luxurious but troubled childhood, this characteristic that he seems to have is really a mask that only Vicky can see through. Zachary's character plays an interesting role in the book by teaching Vicky that some people are not always truly as they seem.
Packed with detailed descriptive writing and interesting plot elements, A Ring of Endless Light is a must read. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who has a desire to read a heart-warming tale of self-discovery. Read it and experience for yourself the beauty of the sea.

If you are a fantasy or fairy-tale lover and have never read this story then you must (I emphasize) MUST go right over to your nearest library and borrow it immediatly! It has everything traditional fairy tales do kings, queens, handsome princes, flaxen-haired princesses, wizards, knights, and dragons. But Cimorene (the main character) isn't your normal empty-headed, perfect, princess. No, Cimorene isn't a normal princess. Though she takes as many princess lessons as she can bear once in a while she just can't stand it and slips off to secretly take fencing, cooking, or magic lessons. She is repeatedly told "Princesses don't do that sort of thing." The last straw is when her parents try to make her marry handsome but boring Prince Therindill and Cimorene runs away and becomes princess to the dragon Kazule. For once she is glad she is a princess! Life is exciting being a dragon's princess though the knights are bothersome. Once you meet Cimorene and her friend Aleanora you'll want to visit them everyday

Cimorene is a character that comes around once in a blue moon! Though I believe that the second book (Searching for Dragons) is my favorite, this first book in the series, the Enchanted Forest Chronicles, gives a satisfing beginning. The other books follow in this order- Searching for Dragons, Calling on Dragons, and Talking to Dragons. Half the fun of these books are noticing the mixed-up fairy-tales! The story: Princess Cimorene of Linderwall is not your odinary princess. She doesn't like being a princess and when her parents want her to marry a boring, rather uncharateristic prince, she decides to run away. Accepting some advice for a frog, she offers to be a dragon's princess, and the dragon Kazul takes her in. She finds herself happily setting in to a life of cooking cherries jubilee, visiting witches and meeting jiins. But, when wizards turn into up in her life and the King of the Dragons is suddenly killed, Cimorene and her new-found friends decided to take matte! rs into her own hands. This book will leave you dying for more, so I guess you'll have to read the others.

Cimorene isn't your everyday fairytale princess and Dealing with Dragons isn't your everyday fairytale, although you will recognize many allusions to them. Patricia Wrede tweaks the old-fashioned, well-known stories without getting embroiled in a politically correct mood-killer. The traditional characters retain their charm beginning with this first book of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles. With her trademark light touch, Wrede creates a charming world with wizards and dragons and knights, giving you details to make your imagination take flight.

And the places she takes your imagination! It all begins with a talking frog and an exasperated princess of Linderwall. Ever practical, Cimorene, plans her escape and decides she will be a dragon's princess. Adopted by Kazul as her Chief Cook and Librarian, Cimorene starts a whole new life filled with cherries jubilee, Latin, fire-proofing spells, challenging would-be rescuers, and intrigues for the dragon throne.

Cimorene is joined by other delicious characters, like the cool witch Morwen, allergy-prone Roxim, fellow dragon princess Alianora, and the pretentious Society of Wizards. The action is fast-paced and exciting, but what really makes these Chronicles memorable is Wrede's witty, smooth humor. She slips in tongue-in-cheek references to conventional fairy tales everywhere, from chapter headings to bit characters without drawing unnecessary attention to it. The plot also doesn't leave things unexplained. Wrede is a tight writer, accounting for all her details in the end. Dealing with Dragons is thoroughly satisfying, completely engrossing, and totally fun, as are the sequels. A must read, at any age, especially if you like whimsical fantasy with a touch of humor and a dose of common sense!

The third novel written in the Redwall series, -Mattimeo- relates the journey of Matthias (my favorite character) and company in a quest to rescue the kidnapped children of Redwall. Along the way, new characters are met, old ones are slaughtered at an alarming rate, startling revelations are thrown at the reader, and a familiar location arises.

Jacques must have poured his heart and soul into writing this masterpiece. He delves into every battle, riddle, and encounter with remarkable detail and never skimps on description. However, the action is set at a furious pace, which keeps you speed-reading to learn what happens to both Matthias and Company and back home at the Abbey. Even so, don't expect to blow through this book in two days. Four-hundred-odd pages of nonstop adventure and mayhem are wrapped in a small package, just waiting to explode in your face (what was that old adage about dynamite?).

The one problem this novel has is that, according to the aging of other characters in other novels, Matthias is still a young mouse, seemingly just old enough to have a son the age of Mattimeo without much of a problem. Because of this fact, I am disappointed that the title of Abbey Warrior was bestowed upon someone else when Matthias is still young. Also, with the same fact, I expected another novel or two with Matthias as the hero, but it hasn't happened so far.

Any halfwit can see for him/herself that these novels are NOT FOR CHILDREN. Jacques takes the gratuitous violence and grim massacres to too much of an extreme for children to read this without having nightmares. Swashbuckling and even dark along the same lines as -Redwall-, -Mattimeo- is a rip-roaring descent into the veritable realm of evil and cruelty which Jacques artfully imparts in a grim-yet-humorous fashion.

"Mattimeo" is another wonderful visit to the world ofRedwall. The characters were once again top notch, with new heros tocheer for and enjoy, such as Orlando The Axe, a brave badger warrior and Sir Harry, a poetic owl. A return of earlier characters includes Matthias, the hero from "Redwall", Logalog, leader of the shrews, Constance the badger, Basil the hare with his quick wit and voracious appetite, and others. Jacques continues to top himself in terms of the wickedness of his villians. Slagar the Cruel, a masked fox who is also a slaver is truly chilling in his madness for revenge and General Ironbeak, a power crazed raven, brought to mind another notorious animal general, Woundwort from "Watership Down". One wonders where Mr. Jacques culls his characterizations from! The story itself is exceptional, and the imagery of the writing was many times truly amazing. Another fine entry in the "Redwall" saga. May Brian Jacques write many, many more of these wonderful books. Redwallll!

"One day, you will wield the Sword, my son... But it will not make you a Warrior." says Mattimeo's father, Matthias. This is a truly thrilling book to read over and over again and you'll never get tired of it! This story is about a cunning fox, Slagar the Cruel, and he and his evil followers sneak into Redwall Abbey to kidnap the Woodland children along with Mattimeo, the son of the warrior Matthias. The evil creatures makes them slaves to sell them to the mysterious kingdom of Malkariss where an equally mysterious king rules. As Matthias and a few more brave parents and friends starts searching for their lost young ones, Redwall Abbey is being invaded by General Ironbeak's ravens.........

My favorite character in this book is Basil Stag Hare who has an ENORMOUS appetite and I love the way he acts. I also like Cheek, the very cheeky otter who accompanies Matthias and the other parents.

This is a book you have to read! This is just GREAT!

I first read Robin McKinley's book "Beauty" some years before, before the Disney movie came out. It's definitely one of the best variations I ever read of the classic fairy tale (though I like Disney's version as well).

What's so intersting about this version is that this Beauty isn't the most attractive of the three sisters! In fact, to hear her tell it, as she grows up, she becomes the least attractive one! Also, her sisters are good and kind, not bad and cruel like most versions have them be (there were no sisters in the Disney version). But Beauty is very much a bookworm (as am I), and the story is still familiar and very consistent.

It's fun to see the efforts of Lydia and Bess to find a dress for Beauty that the girl doesn't think is too beautiful for her, especially the princess dress! It's great to see the relationship between Beauty and the Beast develop gradually. And I love the way the story's ultimately resolved, giving us a different reason for Beauty's return, a nerve-wracking (for Beauty) search for the Beast, and an interesting reason for the Beast's enchantment.

I suggest that anyone who's read any version of "Beauty and the Beast" or seen the Disney version, read "Beauty". It's a very interesting and great version!

Belle Book

This is one of the most perfect books I've ever read. The only other two completely perfect books I can think of are The Last Unicorn and Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite fairy tale. I read Rose Daughter first and thought that it was a lovely book, magical and delicatly written. When I found out that she had written another book about Beauty and the Beast I couldn't wait to read it. Beauty is much superior to Rose Daughter, the character of Beauty in Rose Daughter is very quiet, pallid, and the tiniest bit dull. The character of Beauty in Beauty however is wonderful, an awkward, boyish teenager who values her intellegence more than her looks and who also loves horses. The relationship between Beauty and the Beast is better written in Beauty than Rose Daughter, The Beast in Rose Daughter wasn't too interesting and was a bit too mild and limpid but I could feel real sympathy for the beast in Beauty and he also had a stronger personality. I also liked the ending of Beauty much better, I was so glad that he turned into a handsome prince! In Rose Daughter he stayed a beast and that was kind of a let down. This was a wonderful book, I couldn't put it down and felt sad when it ended. Like all of Robin McKinleys books it is beautifully written and imaginative. My goal has now become to buy and read all of her books.

Of all the books I've readÑand there are many, I assure youÑthis is still one of my favorites. Since I first read it in third grade (or was it fourth?) I've been enchanted by the touching retelling of such a classic fairy tale. I must have read and re-read it a hundred times since then (wellÑthat might be a slight exaggeration), but I love the book dearly!

Robin McKinley is one of my favorite authors, weaving wonderful characters, eloquent descriptions, true humor and imaginative plots together in the way only a true fantasy author can. And she does it better nowhere than this book! (Though I am also smitten with all her other booksÑthis was the first I read, and is probably still my favorite. Probably.)

Anyone who loves fantasy, or any great book for that matter, should read this as soon as possibly (and make sure to start at a time when you don't have anything you have to do for a whileÑI gaurantee you won't be able to put it down!)

This is a darker YA book then I ussually read but I loved the Silver Kiss so I had to get it and after hunting it down and having it in my hands I wasn't sorry I bought it.
Vivian is a 15 year old girl who just want's to know what it feels like to fit in and be normal.
Except she can't-under the light of the full moon her true nature is revealed. She's a werewolf.
Vivian at first made me uncomfortable because she's very straightford and very instinct driven and not shy about what she want's. She's a unique of a character as I've ever read and once I stopped thinking of her as a normal human character I started to get her a little more but it was still a strange ride.
Like a normal girl though, Vivian feels the pain of losing her father to a fire and the hurt at not being accepted by her classmates. When Aidan comes along she thinks she might have found happiness and acceptance but Aidan is a human who is completly clueless that he is not in love with a human girl-but a werewolf, a thing of fairytales and bad horror movies. Aidan is facinated by the occult, the mysteries of life but can he accept that his girlfriend is a wild thing with the forest in her blood? Or will he act like a...boy with brains and guts of jello?

Vivianne is what people would call a werewolf. She is sleek and beautiful, and at night her body transformes into something beyond human comprehension.
It is only one day at school, when she submits her "wolf art" into a school newspaper, that she notices the poem next to it. A poem that describes the change and what it is to be a wolf. It is written by a boy named Aiden, and who she initially seeks out to meet.
Aiden has an unusual interest in magick. All things wierd. Him and Vivianne fall in love despite the fact that Vivianne knows that she is forbidden to date a "meet boy" and she belongs to the clan leader Gabriel.
But will her and Aiden's relationship survive? Will love conquer all, as they say? What will Aiden do when he finds out what and who Vivianne really is?

Woo hoo!! Great read!! I have to say that, unlike some people, i LIKED Gabriel. He was strong, aggressive, and the gorgeous bad-boy type. This was an AWESOME book!!

)))))~~)O(Aurora)O(~~(((((

Vivianne is not a "normal" teenager. She is a sleek and powerful predator. She is a wereworlf. But one day at school she notices a poem describing the change into a wolf next to a picture she has drawn in the school newspaper. She immediately seeks the author out wanting to know how some human should dare know the change into wolf form. The author turns out to be a boy named Aiden, who with his bohemian looks and interest in magaick and all things weird intruiges Vivianne like no human ever has before. Aiden and Vivian start to fall in love even though she knows it's forbidden bcause he is a "meat boy" and only half a person for Moon's sake! Not to mention that she is now Queen B and belongs to the leader of the clan, Gabriel. Vivianne decides she no longer wants to hide herself from Aiden and decides to show him her true self. What will happen? Will Aiden still love her?

What a GREAT book. Man, I thought that Gabriel was awesome and Aiden was a real wimp. What is it with hott dangerous guys named Gabriel (see Dark Visions by: LJ Smith)? Anywayz buy this book. You wont regret it.

If you were an orphan and all your life you continued to move from house because no one wanted to keep you,then finally,all of a sudden you find someone who actually likes you and wants you. That's exactly what L.M. Montgomery's novel Anne of Grenn Gables is about.

Anne Shirely is a smart talkative,very imaginative little girl who lived all over until one day the Cuthberts of Avonlea,Canada adopted her. Deciding to kepp her didn't come easily. They finnally did decide and she was so happy about it. During her stay she got into lots of trouble. Anne then has something that happens that is very nice but sad. In order to find out whatg happened,you will have to read the book.

I liked Anne of Green Gable because the character was very smart and had a big imagination. I also liked it because the plot was excellent. I recommend the book to anyone who is into reading stories with lots of plots and if so you will sure love this book!

A few weeks ago, I got really sick of today's children's literature. I had read enough mysteries and trashy books about romance to last me a lifetime. So I wanted something else to read, something well-written with a good plot and lifelike characters. I had to look no further than the first book I picked up- Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery.

Anne of Green Gables is the first book in the Anne of Green Gables series. It takes place, as most of L. M. Montgomery's books do, on Prince Edward Island in Canada. This particular story takes place in the town of Avonlea. It follows young Anne Shirley, an orphan brought to Green Gables to help Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert on their farm. Much to Anne's dismay, Marilla tells her that they wanted a boy to help around the farm, not a girl. However, Marilla changes her mind and decides to keep the dynamic young girl who would become Anne of Green Gables.

This novel is incredibly written, with well-developed characters and an intricate plot. I absolutely loved it. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a great example of children's literature at its height.

first of all, let me begin with I LOVE THIS BOOK! I have read this book more times than I can remember...easily more than a dozen...thus, I am going to set my mind to write a glowing review of it.

This book portrays a stunning sketch of Canadian History and Culture in the late 1800s to early 1900s. The character personalities are so real and so amazingly "human" that one cannot help but fall in love with them. You really get a taste of PEI in its glory.

This story is set in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island (Canada), a fictional settlement which is really Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, the place where Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author grew up.

The main character is Anne Shirley...and eleven year old, enigmatic, imaginative, sparkling, highly intelligent orphan who is sent to Green Gables, a farmhouse in Avonlea, under the impression that she was to be adopted by a pair of elderly siblings, Matthew and Marilla Cuthburt. But, apon arrival to Green Gables, Anne discovers that there had been a horrible mistake...the Cuthburts never wanted a girl...they wanted a boy who could do the chores and help Matthew with the farm. Anne was was in the "depths of dispair". Matthew, on the drive home from the train station had taken a great shine to Anne and had his heart set on keeping her, regardless of any mistake. Marilla, however, was not so easily enchanted. She agreed to let Anne stay at Green Gables on trial, to see if she would behave herself and lend a helpful hand to Marilla. After the trial, Anne is welcomed to Green Gables and flourishes under the love of the Cuthburts and all Avonlea folk. Anne, however, has one big problem. Her Hair. It is a hopeless shade of carrotty red and Anne felt that it was the ugliest hair anyone could imagine. She was extremely sensitive about it and she was horribly embarrassed about it. On her first day of school, Anne's hair was made fun of by Gilbert Blythe, the smartest and handsomest boy in school. "Carrots! Carrots!" he said. Anne's temper got the better of her and she was so angry she broke a slate over his head. After that, for many years, she snubbed Gilbert every time he spoke to her and he developed a boyhood crush on her.

Ah, but to keep this review interesting and the book mysterious, I will stop telling you the story and begin reviewing. The characters in the book are so well-defined that it seems to you that you know every character personally, like an old friend or neighbour.

And by all means, don't let the age recommendation fool you either...this book can be read by all ages alike...and I have no doubt that this book will still be my avid favorite at the age of 85.

The book is not boring, contrary to many opinions of those who read the first chapter of small print and historical settings. The discriptions will place you right into the heart of the story and you find you will laugh and cry while reading this story. Every time I read it I cry at a certain part which I'm not sure if I should reveal to you for fear of spoiling the good parts in the story, but it is dreadfully sad. If you read the book, then you will know what part I am talking about. The one saddest part in the whole story.

Although this book has some old ideas and ways of expressing them, you will learn a great deal of Canadian history through them and there's no doubt in my mind that this book will still be popular decades and most likely even centuries to come.

At the moment the world appears to be Harry Potter crazy and yet I think there is a far better series of books just waiting to be discovered by todays children.

Don't get me wrong, I love Harry Potter but Susan Copper has depth and elegance in her writing that is hard to top. Although the series was written about 30 years ago it is still fresh and full of magic.

I was introduced to it as a shy 10 year old library monitor it primary school. Since then I have hooked my younger brothers and friends on the series and when my niece is old enough I will give it to her.

The books are about the merging of two worlds, our world and the world or magic and legend. The main character is a young boy called Will who discovers on his eleventh birthday that he has a gift, one that will be a times hard to carry.
If you love Harry Potter, read these books, starting with the Dark is Rising, they are well worth it.

My only question after all these years is where are the movies? The time is ripe especially with the sucess of Harry Potter!

I first read The Dark is Rising as a child, and was ensnared by Susan Cooper's enchanting story of Will Stanton and his quest for the Six Signs, ensnared more deeply than any other book I had read before it. This book introduced me to fantasy and the wonder of the Middle Ages--the author uses a unique blend of fact, fantasy, and history in this series, with some Celtic lore, some proven facts, and just enough pure magic to make it enjoyable.

The books related the quest of six people to stop the world from being taken over by the Dark after the Light has reigned in peace for so long. The series begins with the three Drew children, Simon, Jane, and Barney, who are set upon a quest under the guidance of their forbidding Uncle Merriman, in Over Sea, Under Stone, in which their quest is to find the Holy Grail. In the Dark is Rising, Will Stanton is introduced and, again under the guidance of Merriman, initiated as the last of the Old Ones, the guardians of the earth. His task is to find the six Signs. In Greenwitch, a traditional Celtic tradition is brought to light by Jane, the only girl in the group, that befriends the lonely spirit and asks for her help in deciphering the inscriptions on the grail. The Grey King is the fourth book, and perhaps the most powerful, for it introduces Bran, a freakish albino who has never been accepted. Will befriends Bran and finds out that Bran is not only part of the prophecies, he is key to their plans, for they must awaken the Sleepers, warriors who will aid them to fight the Dark. And finally, the last book, Silver on the Tree, in which all of them are reunited: Simon, Jane, Barney, Will, Bran, and Merriman. In it they discover how far the reach of the Dark is--and how powerful the Light can be.

All of the books start with poems that prophesize the actions in the books and give convoluted clues as to what will be needed to stop the dark forces of the earth from taking over the world. Mentioned are the Holy Grail, the Six Signs, Pendragon, the Greenwitch, Sleepers, harps, an entire verse in Welsh--don't try to understand them; just enjoy them in their beauty. When you finish the books, you'll look at them again and suddenly understand everything.

I first stumbled upon Susan Cooper's THE DARK IS RISING sequence when I was in sixth grade. I was required to read a Newberry Award-winning book and do a report, and the cover of THE GREY KING looked kind of cool, so I gave it a shot. Fifteen years later I still can't believe I haven't heard more about this series.

C.S. Lewis set the standard for children's fantasy literature with THE NARNIA CHRONICLES, and Susan Cooper has equaled Lewis' accomplishment in these books. In some ways, the stories are much better because Cooper's target audience is a bit older, wiser, and more mature. Evil characters are not always obvious in Cooper's world, nor are they always super-intelligent. Cooper weaves elements of Arthurian legend and Welsh mythology into modern day England in a way that tends to swallow the reader whole. Even as an adult I find these books rich and enjoyable; it is easy to forget that one is reading 'children's literature'.

Fans of THE NARNIA CHRONICLES or HARRY POTTER will find that THE DARK IS RISING is another series readers will enjoy no matter what their age may be. My one caveat would be to parents of young children: there are scenes in these stories that may not be appropriate for children under the age of 10 or so. As always, be aware of what your children are reading. Once your children have reached an appropriate age, however, I would highly recommend THE DARK IS RISING for both you and your children!

I somehow made it long past adolescence without reading THE LORD OF THE RINGS books. I read THE RETURN OF THE KING and the others (in order, of course) because I wanted to before the movies came out. Somehow I didn't get into these books as much as I felt I should. I found the battle scenes no less boring than the over-extended descriptions of journey. The smaller-scale conflict, especially the part of the story revolving around Frodo and Sam were more interesting, but requiring a greater suspension of disbelief. The climatic moment in the final book (more than 100 pages before the actual end of the book) was anti-climatic in the extreme, and while a friend of mine who is a devotee of these books found Sauron's lack of appearance to be "brilliant," I was disappointed. The evil faced by our heroes had a name, but no face, I guess (the move got around this by explaining that he is non-corporeal).

Still, the last 100 pages, essentially a post-script, brought the whole series together for me. The allegory was strongest, or at least most obvious, here. The hobbits are a race of Cincinatuses, only wanting to mind their own business. They are totally innocent and un-ambitious. That's why they were the only ones who could be trusted with the evil ring. At the same time, they were all too quick to accept authoritarian rule without question or resistance. Frodo lost his innocence to save the world, but a little loss of innocence was needed to save the hobbits from their own apathy. The message of the last part of the book is that evil must be engaged; those who hope to ignore evil will be suppressed like everyone else, and ultimately give in to its ways.

As for the battles and daring escapes, they didn't do it for me. Battle participants are often built up as Davids and Goliaths, with Goliath always losing because of David's will, luck, outside help, or reasons unexplained. Seldom do our heroes' wits or cleverness get them out of trouble, more often they are saved by eagles dropping out of the sky. Still I will miss these characters and enjoyed the movies. I'm actually thinking of re-reading THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING. Maybe someday I'll re-read this one, too.

The mighty fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings comes to it's final conclusion in The Return of the King, a once-again stroll through brilliance and imaginative flair. Author J.R.R. Tolkien has definitely created something genuine. Though it's a little saddening that the last part of this fantastic story is once again diseased by it's predecessor's problems.

The Return of the King starts out with the wizard Gandalf as he rides to Minas Tirith, captital of Gondor (with Pippin in hand), to seek it's leader. Meanwhile, Aragorn and King Theoden march triumphantly into battle against the forces of Mordor along with Legolas, Gimli and Merry. The reunited six members of the Fellowship, joined by Eoywn, Eomer and Faramir, face off in a final war against the Dark Lord Sauron's forces.

In the dark depths of the tower of Cirith Ungol, Frodo has been captured by Orcs after the climactic battle against the spider Shelob, leaving Sam with the Ring. Gollum has slinked away, and Sam must brave through Mordor to fulfil his master's duties. But when Frodo escapes, both of the hobbits enter Mordor to finally finish the dreadful deed of having the evil One Ring destroyed.

Plot-wise, The Return of the King beats out both first and second parts of the story. Battles and fights in the final installment just steal your heart away, one coming from Merry defeating a deadly foe. However, the first part of the book easily suffers from the problems of The Two Towers and Fellowship of the Ring: Tolkien constantly tells of nothing that is crucial to the story, and unessessary dialogue. Indeed it doesn't hurt the book's main story, but it doesn't add to it either.

The characters, however, save this novel a great deal. One thing Tolkien succeeds mostly is his character creations. They are all likable and completely entertaining in originality and depth. With new characters and of course, Middle-Earth's wonderful landscapes, this is a triumphant end to the story. The Lord of the Rings is one of the greatest novels ever created, and The Return of the King fits with it perfectly.

Lord of the Rings reads like one very long book that the reader finds themselves unable to put down. It goes without saying that you must read "The Fellowship of the Ring" and "The Two Towers" before you read this one. This, the third segment, is the climax to what the other two stories built up. This was astonishingly real for a book about wizards, hobbits and elves and I loved it. It is the only book that I have ever found myself crying when it was over. It was a sad sort of ending, (I won't spoil it), but it wasn't because of that. These vivid characters whom I had come to know and love for the months that it took me to go through "The Hobbit" and the other Lord of the Rings books were abandoning me. They would go on with their lives and have glorious new adventures of which I could not be a part of...I miss Sam most of all. The afterward of this book is a gem as well, since you can learn to read and write in Elvish and in runes, and find out histories and afterwards behind the epic. This is a must read for anybody. You are missing out if you do not read this. (And I might add that if you haven't, you are among a shrinking number of people, since the series continues only to grow in popularity.)