The Hound of Rowan: The Tapestry, Book 1
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that there is some moderately rough violence here. More disturbing is that Max is encouraged by his teachers and headmistress to lie to and deceive his caring father, and they magically manipulate his father's feelings and memory when he doesn't go along. Max is also left alone overnight at home, only to allow in two strangers, one of whom lies to Max's friends so that he can spend the night at Max's house.
Families who read this book could discuss the inevitable comparisons to Harry Potter. What are the similarities, both large and small? What are the differences? Does it matter if a book is similar to another? Is this different from movies or TV shows that are similar to each other?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Matt Berman
Ok, let's get the obvious out of the way first. Yes, there are many, many, perhaps too many, similarities to the Harry Potter series. If that bothers you, then don't even bother picking this up. On the other hand, if something like Harry is just what you've been looking for, then this is the series for you.
While the characters could be more clearly delineated, the setting and set-ups are vivid and fascinating. The author takes the time to explore the school: the bedrooms that change to suit their occupants; the Sanctuary, wherein live magical creatures, sometimes the last of their kinds, that the students are assigned to care for and bond with; and the Smithy, where the students undergo combat training in holodeck-like simulations of increasing difficulty. One could spend a great deal of time finding both favorable and unfavorable comparisons between the Tapestry and Harry Potter series, but it's a pointless exercise: on its own merits, this is an exciting and clever story, and a promising debut of both a new author and a new fantasy series.
From The Book
More threads came to life, plucked from their slumber in a rising chorus of light and music. Some arrived individually, in a sudden snap of light and sound; others emerged together in woven harmonies of silver, green, and gold. To Max, it seemed he had dusted off an alien instrument that now resumed a strange and forgotten song. The song became richer. When the last thread sang into being, Max gave a sudden gasp of pain. The pain was sharper than a stitch and was caused by something deep within him.
That something had been with Max ever since he could remember. It was a lurking presence, huge and wild, and Max was afraid of it. Throughout his life he had fought with great difficulty to keep it walled within him The struggles caused headaches, including unbearable stretches that lasted for days. Max knew those days were over as he felt the presence burst free. Unfettered at last, it glided slowly through his consciousness before sounding deep within his being to stir the silt.
Plot Summary:
Max McDaniels discovers he has magical powers when he receives an invitation to attend Rowan Academy, a secret school of magic. But he also learns that other children with similar talents have been disappearing, and that an ancient enemy may be reawakening and searching for him, in fulfillment of a prophecy, as a means of reentering the living world.
Related Books:
More Kids Learning Magic:
Nightmare Academy series by Dean Lorey
Wizard's Hall by Jane Yolen
So You Want to Be a Wizard by Diane Duane
The Lives of Christopher Chant by Diana Wynne Jones
A Wizard of Earthsea: The Earthsea Cycle, Book 1 by Ursula K. Le Guin
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Midnight for Charlie Bone:Children of the Red King, Book 1 by Jenny Nimmo
Skin Hunger by Kathleen Duey
Simon Bloom, the Gravity Keeper by Michael Reisman
Related Web Sites:
Author's Site
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Sexual ContentA mooning; some kissing. |
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ViolenceSeveral rough fistfights, and one that involves a knife; animals eat live prey; a boy kills a dog; another kills a monster with a spear; a boy is cut with a knife and bitten by a monster; a shotgun is used. |
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Language |
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Message |
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Social BehaviorMax deceives and lies to his loving father, and encouraged to do so by his teachers and headmistress. He is left alone at home overnight, allows strangers into the house, and lets one of them spend the night. |
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CommercialismPop-tarts. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoAn adult smokes a pipe, children and adults drink wine and champagne. |
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