Ranger's Apprentice: Book One: The Ruins of Gorlan - John Flanagan

Recommended for ages 8-18.

Ranger's Apprentice is a great fantasy series which follows Will as he learns the craft of being a Ranger and then proves his courage hundreds of times. Book One is full of mysterious creatures and sets the reader up for later books in the series by tempting us with snippets of information about Morgarath (the evil guy).

Although the prologue didn't draw me in at all, after the first chapter I was hooked. I didn't want to put the book down at all because it's so fast-paced and interesting! The characters have wonderful depth, the plot is pretty clear (for the most part) and the protagonist (Will) has so many qualities I could relate to.

Grab a copy of Ranger's Apprentice from your local library if you're a fantasy buff in need of some good reading.

PS> It's not as dark as the cover implies.

Stormbreaker - Anthony Horowitz

Recommended for ages 8-18.

Stormbreaker is an example of an excellent graphic novel: it has a rocketing plot, its characters hold your attention, and the illustrations merge perfectly with the text to tell the story. Like other graphic novels, it's a fast read, and makes a great intro to graphic novels for readers new to the genre.

The story itself focuses around Alex Rider - a regular kid who is suddenly plunged into the dangerous world of spies and secret agencies. I'm not going to say more, other than this: if you want a fast-paced, action-filled story then this book is for you!

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Vol 1 The Pox Party - M.T. Anderson

Recommended for ages 8-adult.

Thought I'd tackle this book with a ridiculously long name as it was on the New York Times bestseller list a while ago.

I don't see why.

Anderson explores the concepts of slavery and human dignity amidst the setting of the Boston Tea Party et al, while commenting on the incompetence of philosophical societies at the time. Sadly, Anderson's attempts to replicate the language of the past has made his book somewhat inaccessible for the average reader. I don't know why he makes such an effort, given the thematic complexity of the book. It's a challenging book in terms of its length, its vocabulary and its perspectives. That's not to say that challenging books aren't worth reading, but I just didn't enjoy this one.

I didn't really connect with any of the characters, and found the end quite unsatisfying. I also got bored reading during the battle scenes, and thought the overall storyline wasn't too well though out.

BUT I did think Anderson was clever in employing the device of scratching out pages of Octavian's thoughts - it really told the reader more about Octavian's grief than words ever could.

Perhaps this is a book better suited to boys, or readers particularly interested in American history...

Inkheart - Cornelia Funke

Recommended for all ages.

So this book was recommended to me by an avid reading youngster who knows I love fantasy novels. This is the ultimate fantasy story that everyone has imagined at some point - what if there was a portal between the world inside a book and our world? What if characters could simply slip between the two worlds? How would it change us and how would it change them? And most importantly, how can you stop it?

These are the questions that Meggie asks of her dad throughout the novel, and these are the questions that must be answered if the world as we know it is to survive.

Funke has tied all the loose ends up in a very kid-friendly way and I guess that's my main problem with this book. It all seemed a little TOO fairy-tale-ish for my liking. Yes, I know it's a kids book, but I want my fantasy novels to really transport me to a different time and place.

I didn't get that this time.

I don't even know if I should read books 2 and 3 in the series...

I'm not really feeling sorry for myself, but when you invest the time and energy into reading a book this thick, you want it to be worthwhile. Are books 2 and 3 really worth the time?

Recommended for kids of all ages. Adults, you may be disappointed.

The Golden Compass: His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman

Recommended for ages 8 to adult.

This book reminded me of how much I LOVE good fantasy novels. It has everything that a gripping book should, and more. The plot is original and developed in a realistic manner. While complex, Pullman has you keep in mind that there will be at least 2 sequels in which all will be revealed.

This first book, His Dark Materials sets the scene and provides much of the background knowledge that (I assume) will be required for the later books. It tells of the birth and early years of Lyra and the origins of the curious alethiometer. It paves the way for the further development of the unsatisfied relationship between Lyra's powerful mother and father. And it gives us a powerful understanding of the symbiotic relationship humans have in this universe with their daemons.

Pullman's writing style is clear and easy to follow, although he doesn't paint some of his most interesting characters in enough detail. I wanted to know how Lord Asriel got to be so evil, and why Mr Scoresby is so like Hans Solo. Too many characters and worlds are introduced for Pullman to give us a detailed explanation of every character, but I think he should've thought of that at the time of writing and either pared the character list down, or chosen to focus on the characters surrounding the protagonist Lyra. At any rate it is an exciting plot with loads of other-worldly action.

Recommended for ages 8-adult because none of the themes are too dark, nor is the language too verbose. Particularly recommended for Obernewyton lovers. 

Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins

Recommended for 14 years-adult.

It seems like I was waiting for this book for AGES and then when it finally came out a few weeks ago I felt like my world was coming to an end. Well, a small part of my world at any rate. I suddenly realised I hadn't even thought about what life after finishing The Hunger Games would be like.

Fortunately Collins catered for people like me, creating a book which lingers with you long after you turn the final page.

Mockingjay is the third and final book in The Hunger Games trilogy, and it packs a heavy punch. The pace of the narrative is fast, with major events happening left, right and centre. Of central concern to the reader is WHAT HAPPENED TO PEETA AFTER KATNISS ESCAPED FROM THE HUNGER GAMES RING? The answer will leave you shocked.

Although the ending feels somewhat rushed, and Katniss does end up with (choose?) the wrong guy, Collins kind of wrote herself into a corner after the dramatic events of the finale. All the loose ends are tied up, but not with the narrative finese of her earlier two books. Still, it was a satisfying resolution to the trilogy.

Recommended for kids over 14 because there is a fair bit of gore - flesh-eating muttations etc etc. Very entertaining.

Lirael - Garth Nix

Recommended for ages 15-18.

This is the second book in Nix's "Old Kingdom" trilogy. As far as second books go, it maintained the original plot and concerns in 'Sabriel' and introduced another level of characters. On the down side, it was quite lengthy and not as engaging as the first book. Based 14 years after the events of 'Sabriel', 'Lirael' focuses on two new characters - Lirael, a Daughter of the Clayr who lacks the visionary gift of Sight, and Sameth, son of Sabriel and Touchstone, and Prince of the Old Kingdom.

Lirael and Sameth unexpectedly find themselves thrown on a quest neither is prepared for. To succeed, they will need to shoulder new responsibilities and follow the advice of two unlikely Free Magic mentors - Mogget and the Disreputable Dog.

'Sabriel' was an amazing read when I first found it four years ago, but 'Lirael' fails to live up to the action and suspense of the first. The main characters in 'Sabriel' are effectively sidelined, and even the evil which threatens to wipe out all forms of life is hardly explored. Also, the cross-hatching method Nix uses to meld the stories of Lirael and Sam in the early part of the book is disjointed and rudimentary. I would much rather have followed Lirael without the annoyance of Sam.

On saying all of that, the book does to a certain extent what Tolkein does in The Two Towers - he slowly pushes the reader deeper and deeper into a fantastical world of prophecies, visions and unexplored realms. Throughout this book you get the feeling that Nix is gearing you up for a complex and engaging third book which will use all of the subtle clues you have been gathering throughout 'Sabriel' and 'Lirael'. I hope this is true!

Recommended for ages 15-18 because of some of the fantasy elements which deal with the world of Death might creep out younger readers.

Obernewtyn - Isobelle Carmody

Recommended for ages 10-adult.

Very few avid readers have not heard of Isobelle Carmody and her Obernewtyn series. I only recently got around to reading the first book, Obernewtyn, and immediately wondered what on earth I had been waiting for. Carmody is known for being a skillful storyteller who asks punchy questions about humanity and the nature of good and evil, but Obernewtyn is so much more than that.

Set in a fantastical post-apocalyptic world, the story follows the early life of Elspeth - a girl with mysterious powers and a very good reason to hide them. The world in which she lives is governed by the cruelty and false religion of the Council who seek to find and destroy everyone who threatens to oppose their rule. As the narrative unfolds, we join Elspeth's quest to understand her growing abilities and the threat they pose to her life.

Full of suspense, this book will lead you from clue to clue as you discover Elspeth is facing a MUCH bigger problem than her own survival. As she finally learns, some things are worth more than one person's life...

PS. Check out the comprehensive fan site at http://www.obernewtyn.net/e107/news.php for the latest news on Carmody and the series.

The Wizard of Earthsea - Ursula le Guin

Recommended for ages 10-adult.

The Wizard of Earthsea is one of those remarkable fantasy novels which make you suspend all disbelief and take you on a journey of epic proportions. The Wizard of Earthsea is the first in a series of books which explore the growth, development and adventures of an unlikely wizard called Ged.

Engaging and quick to read, the novel is a classic example of the power of fantasy literature to make you believe in the unbelievable.

Although it was first published in 1964, The Wizard of Earthsea is fast becoming part of the classic young adult canon (read: list of great books). Readers of any age who enjoy fantasy literature will be satisfied with this book.

PS: Once you've read the book, check out le Guin's amazing website at http://www.ursulakleguin.com/