The Merchant of Death (Pendragon Series #1)

Rating:
Summary: Honest and Truely a MUST READ for the sci-fi/fan-fic reader!
Review: Initially I thought and thought and thought some more about reading the pendragon series. After reading Harry Potter and becoming an avid fan of it I didn't want to spoil it with another series. So I pondered for about a month wondering whether I should buy the merchant of death or not and I finally gave in and bought it. Now the entire series is on my list of favorite books ever read... No kidding!! I have read all five books since about a month ago when I got the first one. I literally couldn't put these books down and I thought about them everywhere I went. I couldn't get them out of my head and now I can't wait until "The Guide to the Territories of Halla" is released in May of 2005. It will be a fully illustrated recap of the first five books before the rest of the series is completed. Speaking of which there are ten books in all. So for those who have read the books I say to you, "Hobey-Ho and away we go on another five book adventure!" I can't wait to read Bobby's Journals once again. My point is... Um... GET THE BOOKS!!!! And READ THEM!!!! They are the greatest. As for D.J. Machale... I've actually liked this guy for longer than I originally thought... I used to watch "Are You Afraid of the Dark" on Nickelodeon as a kid and I'd never miss an episode and to find out he was a writer on the show well that surprised the heck out of me. This guy has never ceased to entertain me as it goes. D.J. If you are reading this "Hobey-Ho Mate... You're Awesome!!!" "And so we go..."

Rating:
Summary: If there is one book I recommend reading in your life time..
Review: I first came upon the, "Pendragon," boxed set in Superstore. I was like, 'hmm.. the cover looks interesting. And it's only 15.99!' I had just finished, "The Last Herald Mage," trilogy, so I thought, 'this sounds interesting. Why not give it a shot?'

For children, I think this is an excellent book; it won't be a very challenging read for adults. The horror factor is pretty low compared to some other children's/teen's books I've read; for those parents who worry of such things. The book has a lot in common with Harry Potter(which I prefer), but has many original aspects as well. Such as time travelling, dimension travelling. Not that that is an original idea, but the way Bobby travels through it, is. However fantastic the events in the story were, I can't help but dislike the diction choice of the author. Bobby records the events on Denduron in a journal, (which are chapters long)it is written in First person pov and entirely in slang. Then when we go back to Earth, where Bobby's friends are, it suddenly changes to omniscient, without slang.

For those of you looking for a Christmas present for someone aged 9-14, this is an excellent choice (for girls and boys). Those adults out there who want a light, and imaginative read, I recommend this book.

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