| Book Review | ||
STORMCHASER |
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| . | By
Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell |
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| This is the second book in the Edge Chronicles and it is
certainly best to have read book 1 first so that you understand the world and its
creatures. Book 1 spends a lot of time explaining the different areas and the creatures,
what they look like and what sort of natures they have, so if you have not read book 1 -
go get it! I thought this book was MUCH better than the first one. The text flowed much better and there was a proper storyline threaded through the book. I thought book 1 was more a collection of short stories linked in a common journey. This book was about Twig and his father and the need for Stormphrax. Twig gets to be a sky-pirate at last and joins his father on journeys of daring adventure. We are told a little more about the world of "The Edge" and about the role of Stormphrax and Phraxdust. I like the ideas in this book, I like the way the rock floats and the way people live up in Sanctaphrax. Later in the story, the evil Slyvo Spleethe shows himself for the villain he is and puts the whole skyship crew in danger. It is very exciting and worrying! The story has a few surprises too and lots of new characters like Mother Horsefeather and the misunderstood Screed Toe-taker and the pitiful Forficule but it keeps the old favourites left over from the last book like the Caterbird. Screed Toe-taker is a great character. He is built up to be nasty and disgusting till you end up hating him and wanting him killed. The authors give you this satisfaction and then reveal that he has been completely misjudged and that he is, in fact, a victim himself who is no longer in control of his actions. Then you feel guilty for hating him. It is very cleverly done and very annoying! Twig makes an excellent main character because he is very ordinary. He has problems, he makes mistakes, he's sometimes too trusting, he is sometimes a little stupid and he is not wonderfully strong or skilled. Yet, despite all that, he is friendly, honest - mostly - and brave. You can feel sorry for him at times and proud for him at times. It makes it very easy for you to pretend that you are Twig and to think about what you would do in his situations. It makes you want to rush on and read it all and I read this book in 2 days while I was home ill with flu. I have a soft spot for Banderbears so I liked Hubble very much. Just one question for the authors though ... what have you got against Banderbears!??% Leave them alone please! The illustrations are excellent again and I cannot wait for book 3 - Midnight Over Sanctaphrax - to come out in paperback! Iestyn Evans - January 2001 |
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