"Typical! I break my neck trying to get here, and I find you peacefully tidying up!” ― Diana Wynne Jones, Howl's Moving Castle
Diana Wynne Jones was a British Fantasy writer, born in August 1934. The first Diana Wynne Jone's book I ever read was the "Power of Three". It was incredible; the character development was great, the setting immaculately described and the concept intriguing. This lead me on to some of her other books, such as "Howl's Moving Castle", "Deep Secret", "The Darklord of Derkholm", "Hexwood", "Archer's Goon", "The Dalemark Quartlet", "The Chrestomanci Series" and so many more. However, my favourite book of her's is "The Homeward Bounders". The book follows 12-year-old Jamie, as he discovers that there are multiple parallel universes. He stumbles upon "Them", using the worlds as a bored game, interfering with billions of lives. He, along with the other Homeward Bounders, are doomed to travel between the parallel worlds until they reach 'home'. The thing I really loved about this book was the idea behind it and the characters. The way Jamie feels and how he deals with his prediciment changes as his experineces change, and we get to see him mature into an individual that is capable of leading a revolution. Sadly, Diana Wynne Jones passed away in March 2011. She will be greatly missed.
Garth Nix
Garth Nix is an Australian Fantasy and Science-Fiction writer, born in July 1963. The first Garth Nix book I ever read was "Mister Monday". "Mister Monday" is the first book in the 'Keys to the Kingdom' series, and follows Arthur Penhaligon, an asthmatic who was supposed to die an early death, but is saved by a magical key in the shape of the minute hand of a clock. What ensures is a thrilling chase, a mysterious plague, a talking frog and a battle between good and corrupt. "Mister Monday" is a fantastic first book for a series, with a fast-moving plot, in-depth world building and impressive characterisation. Garth Nix has also written many other books such as Sabriel, Lirael, Abhorsen, The Seventh Tower series, Shade's Children and many more. Garth Nix currently lives in Sydney with his family.
Tamora Pierce
Tamora Pierce is an American Fantasy author, born in December 1954. She has written quite a few amazing books, such as the 'Protector of the Small' series, 'Beka Cooper' trilogy, the 'Circle of Magic' quartlet and the 'Immortals' series, just to name a few. The first book I read of hers was her debut novel 'Alanna: The First Adventure'. The book was the first of the 'Song of the Lioness' quartlet, and followed Alanna as she inpersonated her twin brother Thom as 'Alan', so as to be able to train as a knight, and so that her can train as a magic user. However, my favourite book of hers, or should I say books, is the 'Circle of Magic' quartlet. The quartlet follows Tris, Brair, Sandry and Daja as they come to terms with their powers and the pasts they left behind. I loved the way the characters grew and matured throughout the for books, literally combining their power together to save those they love and those they don't know. Tamora Pierce currently lives in Syracuse, New York with her husband of 31 years, Tim and their cats.
Michael Pryor
'Looking for whoever is going to interrupt us.'
'That's a pessimistic outlook.'
'Wars, especially, have a habit of ignoring the lives of people.'
'If you follow that through, it suggests living for the moment is best.'
'Live without planning? Without dreams? That sounds rather limited.'
'And that sounds rather like Aubrey.”
― Michael Pryor, Hour of Need
Michael Pryor is an Australian Speculative Fiction and Fantasy writer born in April, 1957. I found Michael Pryor by accident; whilst I was at the Library, I found his most recent book (at the time), 'The Extinction Gambit', and borrowed it on impulse. I enjoyed profoundly, however, my favourite book of his is 'Blaze of Glory', the first book in the 'Laws of Magic' series. In 'Blaze of Glory', the main character, Aubrey, tries to cast a spell but only succeeds in seperating his soul from his body, rendering him technically dead. As he tries to find a spell to rectify his situation, a war is unleashed, and Aubrey, along with his best friend George, because of their magically knowledge, must try and help. I really enjoyed this book because of the wit the characters use and the interesting plot. The characterisation was also supurb. They arn't perfect or shallow and they have flaws. they make mistakes; and because of this they are very relatable. Michael Pryor currently lives in Melbourne with his wife Wendy and two daughters Celeste and Ruby.
Jonathan Stroud
“In recent weeks it has come to my attention that many caravans have met with disaster; they have not gotten through."
I grunted wisely. "Probably ran out of water. That's the thing about deserts. Dry."
"Indeed. A fascinating analysis. But survivors reaching Hebron report differently: monsters fell upon them in the wastes."
"What, fell upon them in a squashed-them kind of way?"
"More the leaped-out-and-slew-them kind.” ― Jonathan Stroud, The Ring of Solomon
Jonathan Stroud is a British Fantasy writer born in October 1970. The First of his books I read was 'The Amulet of Samarkand". This novel follows Nathaniel, an apprentice magician, who summons Bartimaeus, a powerful five thousand year old djinni to seek revenge on Simon Lovelace for publically humiliating him. He does this by ordering Bartimaeus to steal the Amulet of Samarkand, which is currently in Lovelace's possesion. However, Nathaniel bites off more than he can chew and finds himself trying to prevent a sinister event. I really enjoyed this book and the rest of the Bartimaeus Trilogy (The Golem's Eye and Ptolemy's Gate). Nathaniel starts off with less than desirable intentions that leed to him doing a good deed. However, in the second book, he bcomes arrogant and power-hungry, mistreating Bartimaeus, leading to his epiphany in Book 3, where he realises his mistakes and tries to rectify them. The Bartimaeus trilogy sees so much characterisation from all of the characters, but especially Nathaniel. I also liked the footnotes that expand the meaning of some of the witty retorts. Jonathan Stoud lives Hertfordshire, with his children, Isabelle and Arthur, and wife Gina.
Doug Macleod
“You must think it strange that I'm digging up my grandfather."
"Not at all. I'm sure many young men dig up their grandfathers.”
― Doug MacLeod, The Life of a Teenage Body-Snatcher
Doug Macleod is an Australian Young-Adult writer born in January, 1959. He has written and co written for television programs such as 'Dogstar' and 'Kath and Kim', however, he has also written many books such as "I'm Being Stalked by a Moonshadow", "Clockwork Forrest", "Tumble Turns", "The Life of a Teenage Body-Snatcher" and "Siggy and Amber", just to name a few. My favourite book of his, however, is "The Shiny Guys". This book is set in a psyciatric ward and follows Colin Lapsley, who sees 'shiny red men'. It is because of this that he is admitted to the hospital, where he meets Mango, a teenage boy who has insecurities after being locked in the space of a wall by his parents and finds the Nestorians. However, as the plot progresses, we see the real reason Colin has been admitted to Ward 44. I loved this book because it dealt so well with mental illness after a traumatic event. It used humor well and the fact Colin used magic tricks to hide his emotions was well played. I liked how we saw the development of Colins character, as he goes from being a witty, self-assured teenage boy into a someone who has faced something he didn't want to and is trying to deal with it (even if he is in denial at first). Doug Macleod currently lives in St Kilda, Melbourne with his wife.
I love the quotes! Great job Ash!
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