Count Karlstein

Rating:
Summary: Philip Pullman takes on a new field of literature.,
Review: Although not one of Pullman's best novels for children, Count Karlstein is a very well written, suspenseful tale that has both horror and fantasy in it. When the evil Cout Karlstein of Castle Karlstein plots to let his two nieces be killed by the legendary, frightful Zamiel the Demon Huntsman, in order to save his own soul, the two nieces find out from a caring nanny in the Castle, who will do anything to save the children. They become frightened at once. Hildi, the nanny, takes them into hiding, and leaving the children up to themselves, she hopes that they will survive the terrible night in which the Demon Huntsman will arrive. This was a funny and scary book in one, with many page turning events, a frightening climax, and characters that are brave, good, and true. Horror blends into this book perfectly, with a twist of a very good tale told with Phiip Pullman's wonderful mind.

Rating:
Summary: not in the same league as The G. Compass & The Subtle Knife
Review: Count Karlstein is a step above the R.L.Stine horror books for children, but not a great deal better. The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife have so much more depth to them, that, comparing them to his other books, I sometimes wonder how the same author could have written them. I have argued at several book stores that these two books should be put in the adult fantasy section- they are certainly not for children in lower school, although I really believe they are the stuff that classics are made of.[They are like Madeleine L'Engle's Wrinkle in Time Series, in that they are readable on a lower level, but so much better when read as a young adult or adult.] On the other hand, Count Karlstein could easily be ready by a fourth or fifth grader, as long as the child is not confused by the style. Each chapter is written by a different character, reciting happenings as they see the events in their eyes. The book spans only a couple of days in time, so there is a bit of "jumping around". I would not recommend this book, even to a child- there are certainly a lot of other books in the same genre that are much better.

Rating:
Summary: wow
Review: It is 19th century Switzerland. Two young sisters, Charlotte and Lucy, are under the watch of Count Karlstein. The young girls' parents died when they were very little; the count was their only relative. He is a mean, cranky old thing and has a very haunting effect to his personality. The whole thing started long, long ago. The count made a deal with Zamiel, the demon hunter, to sacrifice 2 human souls to him in order to keep his own soul and all his riches. So guess whom Count Karlstein chooses- that's right, his annoying little nieces. (They're actually quite sweet; he's just scared he might die if he doesn't sacrifice someone so he resents them.) Hildi, a maid at the castle overhears his plan one night- he is going to invite the girls to his hunting lodge with him for a vacation. He'll lock them up there, midnight, on All Souls Eve, when Zamiel comes, and then he'll be stress-free. All his life he's been afraid, for if he doesn't offer up a sacrifice, he will go instead.
Since Hildi is such a good friend of the girls, (she's like a nanny to them, although she's only about 5 years older) she immediately goes to tell them. They run away and as soon as the Count finds out that they are gone he sends out a search. Dogs and patrolmen are looking everywhere for them. Lucy and Charolette get cold and hungry in their little hideout in the mountains, since it is the middle of winter, so they go out to find food and shelter. Charolette gets caught. After multiple captures, escapes, and who-knows-what other shenanigans, the three girls come up with a plan, with the help of some friends. The girls are to return to the castle in time for the vacation. They will go with Count Karlstein to the lodge and just before midnight on All Souls Eve, they will be rescued, Hildi's brother is to be the miraculous rescuer and come get them. If all else fails, he will kill Zamiel with an arrow to the heart or with garlic. All goes as planned until, on the way to rescue them, Hildi and her brother are seen by the castle guards. They catch Hildi and chase her brother. He gets away but he is put far behind schedule. He may not make it before midnight. Luckily, he does and the girls are freed. Count Karlstein leaves the human world with Zamiel to become demon food. All ends well and everything is back to normal.