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Book Review: Myths and Legends: King Arthur by Daniel Mersey

King Arthur (Myths and Legends) by Daniel Mersey

Osprey Publishing, 2013

ISBN: 1780967233

Available: Paperback, Kindle edition, library binding

 

Osprey’s King Arthur is an ambitious undertaking. Attempting to synthesize the Arthurian mythos in 80 pages is no easy task, but Mersey does a fantastic job of hitting all the major beats. Lavishly illustrated, this is a book perfect for the young or young at heart, and properly evokes the mystery and majesty of one of Britain’s most compelling and enduring myths.

Mersey is able to capture the stylistic essence of classic Arthurian storytellers such as Geoffrey of Monmouth and Sir Thomas Malory, yet he leaves room to delve into the various theories regarding Arthur’s historical existence as well as the influences the legend has had on pop culture.

This is a positively wonderful book, both as a reference and as an enjoyable, exhilarating read; a perfect and necessary edition to the library of anyone who has an interest in the Arthurian legacy.

Highly Recommended for all ages.

Reviewed by Bob Freeman

 

Editor’s Note for Librarians: This book is part of the fantastic Myths and Legends series from Osprey. The books in the series cover some myths and legends that you won’t find covered in detail for the layperson anywhere else. An example of that is their book Jason and the Argonauts (reviewed here) There’s almost nothing out there unless you want to read the original or a children’s version, and this fills that gap. Many of them would be great reference material. I want to say that this series was a huge gamble for Osprey, and they are hoping that libraries will appreciate the books in this series. Without more of an audience, this beautiful and well-researched series likely will not continue. Please take time to take a look at these books– I don’t think you will be disappointed!

Posted on November 15, 2014 by , Reply

Book Review: Suspicion by Alexandra Monir

   Suspicion by Alexandra Monir

Delacorte Press, December 2014

ISBN: 978-0385743891

Available: Pre-order (hardcover and Kindle edtions)

 

Hot on the heels of her two previous books (Timeless, Timekeeper), author Alexandra Monir gives us Suspicion, a tale of secrets and suspense that lurk behind the iron gates of a modern day “Downton Abbey,” the magnificent and mysterious Rockford Manor.

Imogen lived in New York as a young girl, but she would often spend summers in Wickersham, England with her family at the grand estate known as Rockford Manor. One summer, while Imogen, her cousin Lucia, and friends Sebastian and Theo, are busy helping the groundskeeper plant flowers, Imogen accidentally discovers that she has supernatural powers – and a remarkable green thumb.

One night as she and Lucia are asleep in the boathouse, Imogen wakes to a raging fire in the garden, and sadly, both girls lose their parents to the devastating blaze. But not before Imogen’s father reveals there’s something special hidden within the garden’s curious maze. It’s decided that young Lucia will stay on at Rockford Manor in the care of her grandfather and a house full of servants, while Imogen is whisked back to New York, to live with friends of her family.

Over the years, the girls lose touch. Yet right before her high school graduation, Imogen’s past catches up with her. She receives word that both her grandfather and cousin have died, making Imogen sole heir to Rockford Manor and all of its twisted secrets.

For fans of The Princess Diaries or the classic Rebecca, this is a good fit —  and it looks like the author has left some wiggle room for a sequel, too. Recommended for ages 12 and over.

Contains: Teen Romance

 

Reviewed by Tina Mockmore

 

Posted on September 28, 2014 by , Reply

Book Review: The Troop by Nick Cutter

The Troop by Nick Cutter

Gallery Books, 2014

ISBN-13: 978-1-4767-1771-5

Available: Hardcover, paperback, Kindle edition

 

This story is an experience in terror. A very hungry stranger arrives in the town of Lower Montague, Prince Edward Island. The man becomes the talk of the town for eating huge quantities of food. The man then steals a boat and heads to a small island where Scoutmaster Tim Riggs and five scouts are having their annual weekend camping trip. The boys are all good friends and they get along with Scoutmaster Tim, as they call him, but Tim has a bad feeling about the camping trip this year.

 

After dinner, the boys go to their cabin to tell ghost stories. All the typical characters are present: there’s Kent, the popular one, son of the police chief in town; Newton, the nerd; Shelly, the odd one; Max, the boy next door; and Ephraim, the tough guy. While they’re talking, the stranger arrives on the small island. Scoutmaster Tim meets the man, who begs for help and food. Although Tim is afraid of the stranger, and feels there is something very wrong with him, Tim feels it is his duty to help, because in addition to being the Scoutmaster, he is also the town doctor. To make things worse, Tim’s never never seen anything quite like this stranger — he’s a genetically-altered nightmare.

 

Later that night, a storm comes in, and all hell breaks loose. Through no fault of their own, the boys are left all alone. One by one they must assess their situations, and are forced to do things that no one should ever have to do as they fight to survive and get home. What will happen as the scouts are faced with the elements, their own fears and suspicions, and the possibility of injury and infection?

 

This book gives the reader a perfect build-up of human horror. The stranger is just a guy who is down on his luck so agreed to submit to medical experiments in exchange for cash; a scary scenario in itself, and a situation with some real-life basis. The boys are all realistically written, and the reader can easily sympathize with their fear, doubt, and anger at what happens to them. The Troop is a very good, highly intense read. Highly recommended for adult readers.

 

Contains: violence and death, violence involving children

Reviewed by Diana Lord

Posted on July 18, 2014 by , Reply
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