Merlin's Dragon

 

 

Author: T. A. Barron

Basil is a dragon like no other. He is as small as a bird, green in colour and does not breathe fire. Born in Woodroot - one of the seven Realms that make up the roots of the Great Tree of Avalon - Basil longs to find out what and who he really is.

The novel is about Basil's journey of self-discovery, and by the end (or very near it) he discovers that (big) size does not matter - it's what you do that counts. In fact, his small size worked to his advantage at the most crucial moment.

While I liked the message that the story was trying deliver, the narrative disappointed me somewhat. Basil spends a long time whining and reflecting all by himself (in between being chased by various creatures), and it isn't until the middle of the novel that something really significant happens (i.e. he meets Merlin) - and then the pace slacks again. When he finally sets off on his journey across the realms, there is very little time and pages left, so Basil (and unfortunately his reader) is forced to rush through all the different places.

I also found the dialogue awkward - the author could not seem to decide which type of tone to use: modern 20th/21st century high school or Elizabethan middle ages/typical myth & legend. Granted, the book is targeted for children (age group 9-12) but that inconsistency is still jarring. All in all, this is one trilogy that I shall not finish - not in a hurry to find the related books.

Twenties' Girl

Author: Sophie Kinsella

Lara Lington is a sweet girl trying to make it as an entrepreneur in the headhunting business. She has set up a partnership with her best friend, who unfortunately leaves her for a sudden vacation in Goa. To make things worse, she is also in denial over her break-up with Josh, which leaves her parents worried as they all prepare to attend the funeral of 105-year-old Great Aunt Sadie.

At the funeral, Lara sees the ghost of Sadie, who appears as a Twenties Flapper. Sadie is upset that her favourite necklace is lost, and will not rest until it is found. She enlists Lara for help, and thus begins a strange but ultimately deep friendship between the two.

This novel is written in typical Sophie Kinsella style, and I absolutely loved Sadie! Lara was also more likable than Becky Bloomwood, in that she truly wanted to believe the best of everyone. Except for her infatuation with ex-boyfriend Josh, she seemed to have her head screwed right throughout the story.

I would have rated it 3.5 stars out of 5 on Goodreads.com - very close but not quite up to a 4. Unfortunately it dragged a bit in the middle, and the ending rushed together towards a convenient, happy conclusion. I would have liked certain parts to last longer, especially when Sadie reconciles with her past (sort of, trying not to give the plot away here). It would have been nice to know more about her life, but I suppose going in that direction would require a bittersweet tone in the narrative, whereas Kinsella was probably playing it safe by sticking to her usual witty lighthearted dialogue.

I also wish the plot could have expanded more on the other characters, especially the relationship between Lara's father and her uncle. There was a nice sweet twist at the end involving Lara's mum though.

Water for Elephants

Author: Sara Gruen

Genre: Fiction

Film tie-ins are convenient. If I know who the actors and actresses are, I immediately imagine them playing the same characters in the movie - despite the fact that I have never seen the film myself. This usually sets me up for a potential disappointment when I DO get to see the film, as some scenes are not played the way I saw it in my mind, and some lines are inevitably changed.

However, reading this book disappointed me in a different way. If I were in Reese Witherspoon's shoes, I would feel insulted at being offered to play Marlena from this novel. Imagine - an Oscar-winning actress who has played such diverse roles since her teenhood reduced to playing a one-dimensional part (but hang on, didn't she do the same for 'This Means War'?).

Marlena is a circus performer caught in a love triangle between the circus' seasoned animal trainer and the new circus 'vet'. That's about all there is to her, as the story is told from the vet's POV.

It is set in the 20's or 30's, and is told in flashback by the vet who is now languishing in an old folk's home. The circus is a travelling circus, criss-crossing America on a train to perform shows or acquire new acts from bankrupt competitors. One of their acquisitions is an elephant that the circus owner insists on being made the star attraction, despite not being able to follow instructions.

The premise is interesting, and the novel started off quite well, but halfway through the pace dropped and things began to get quite humdrum. It was only in the last few chapters that the action picked up again, but even then it became a tad too predictable.