My
goal this year was to commit to longer books. So, I read A Game of Thrones by
George R.R. Martin. It was not too long, but it was too dry. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, however, is Martin’s saving grace - it’s light, relatable, humorous, fun, and atmospheric.
What makes it so
great is that it hones in on the story of just two characters whom you get to
know intimately: Dunk, a failing hedge knight, and Egg, a royal in
disguise.
Martin
constructs a narrative of blind optimism in the face of constant failure for
Dunk, which is something I strongly identified with. Almost everything I’ve
done as a creative has failed, yet I keep pushing forward – nothing will stop
me. Seeing this attitude in a book character compelled me to keep reading.
A century before A GAME OF THRONES, two unlikely heroes wandered Westeros...
A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS compiles the first three official prequel novellas to George R.R. Martin's ongoing masterwork, A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE.
Before Tyrion Lannister and Podrick Payne there was Dunk and Egg.
A young, naive but courageous hedge knight, Ser Duncan the Tall towers above his rivals - in stature if not experience. Tagging along with him is his diminutive squire, a boy called Egg - whose true identity must be hidden from all he and Dunk encounter: for in reality he is Aegon…
Monstrous Regiment is a work of anti-war propaganda and, despite being set
in a whimsical fantasy world, outlines a compelling argument.
Men go to war to
die, with or without honor, it doesn't matter, they die fighting someone
else's war. In this book, however, it's the lives of a group of
women that are put at risk as they enlist disguised as men.
This
book isn't just about the brutality of war, but also equality, the women in
this book do great things, yet the men are reluctant to recognise them for it,
even after they learn that they are women. So, it's also a feminist piece.
Despite
all its strong messaging, the part that stays with me is the main character's
realisation that the story isn't about her, and her fellow soldiers are their own
protagonists, too. As an absurdist, I smiled at this.
A new stage adaptation of one of Pratchett's best-selling novels The Monstrous Regiment in question is made up of a vampire (reformed and off the blood, thank you), a troll, Igor (who is only too happy to sew you a new leg if you aren't too particular about previous ownership), a collection of misfits and a young woman discovers that a pair of socks shoved down her pants is a good way to open up doors in a man's army."One of the funniest English authors alive" (Independent)
As a 23-year-old, I’m a bit late to the Harry Potter
party, having only started reading the series last year, but in thinking
of my third favourite book, The Philosopher’s Stone was the one
that stood out.
Not only did Rowling’s simple writing style reassure me that my
own is just fine, but Harry Potter also ignited a love for children’s
and teen books that I never knew I had. Since reading Harry Potter, I turned my sights on
Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, and Douglas Adams, revelling in the child-like
imagination that these authors, including Rowling, bring.
Everyone relates to
the Harry Potter series, and it’s almost impossible not to find a character you
can identify with. However, I’m not sure who I’d be if I were an HP character, though I’d probably be a member of Slytherin.
Galloping gargoyles ... 2022 is the silver anniversary of J.K. Rowling's magical classic Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone!
The boy wizard Harry Potter has been casting a spell over young readers and their families ever since 1997. Now the first book in this unmissable series celebrates 25 years in print! The paperback edition of the tale that introduced us to Harry, Ron and Hermione has been updated and dressed in silver to mark the occasion. It's time to take the magical journey of a lifetime ...
Harry Potter has never even heard of Hogwarts when the letters start dropping…
The
Holy Stein O' Kin Beer is missing, the Grand
Lord of Beer is dead, and an entire village has been transformed into
emerald-eyed ogres, but all Ser Bubbles wants is an ice-cold pint.
If Ser Bubbles wants to retrieve The Stein, restore order to his hometown, and
get his cool pint, he'll need to travel across The Land of Linear - a
treacherous yet remarkably straight road - and defeat the dark forces plaguing
the lands.
Only, embarking on such a journey alone would be nothing short of dull, so
he'll need some friends to join - a not-so-merry band of thieves with a flare
for the dramatic (and a levitating mule).
