Rating: 
Summary: the BEST book of all time
Review: I finished this book, put it down and the first thought that came to my head was "Richard Adams should sue". This site recommends Adams' books if you like this one for a good reason: Clement-Davies completely ripped him off. The book is entirely unorigonal, taking nearly everything from Watership Down. The concept is the same, which would be acceptable if the plot wasn't identicle as well. Authors rip each other off all the time and they can get away with it if thier at least clever about it, which Clement-Davies is definitely not. Not only are the situations exactly the same the order is too. The author took Watership Down changed names and species and sent it off to be published. Frankly, I'm suprised its not plagerism. And now people are reading it and thinking "Wow, what great ideas" when they have no idea that he didn't think of them. Just do me a favor and don't read this book, pick up Watership Down, a real classic.
Rating:
Summary: Masterfully written and powerfully intense
Review: While anthropomorphic books have always been favoured in my library there are few that would compare to the imagery and detail that has gone into producing a work like Fire Bringer. Rich in detail and wonderfully well researched it draws on the laws to which all 'herd' creatures are bound.
And though far different in its manner than the similarly named books of the Firebringer Trillogy - David Clenment-Davies spins his own web of magic and mystery with real world creatures, delves into their fears, laws and mythology as would any well researched fiction.
Exploring the trials of the Changeling fawn, Rannoch; who must realize and accept his role in the very existance of his kind, his friends and family and the tyrany that over-ran his home herd is sets stark and somewhat unnerving comparison to the horrors endured by so many during the Holocaust of WWII.
Beautifully written and elegantly versed; Fire Bringer is at once exciting, touching and tender while it never leaves one to wonder (as so many similarly written books have) what loose ends were left. There is no question of victor and vanquished. The entire circle of life is masterfully covered between its pages.
I would HIGHLY recomend this book to ANY animal lover and am certainly glad to have added it to my personal collection.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful and beautiful
Review: First off I'd like to say that anyone comparing this book to the Lion King may have trouble understanding the book. I admit that the plot is similar but the meening of the book is utterly different.
For centuries the prophecy of a stag with the mark of an oak leaf apon his head has been passed down thorough the deer or herla. It tells of this stag ending the reign of a cruel tyrant and restoring ways to their natural order.
When the Lore is bruised and broken
Shattered like a blasted tree,
Then shall Herne be justly woken
Born to set the Herla free.
On his brow a leaf of oaken,
Changeling child shall be his fate.
Understanding words strange spoken,
Chased by anger, fear, and hate.
He shall flee over hill and heather,
and shall go where no deer can.
Knowing secrets dark to Lera Till his need shall summon man.
Air and water, earth and fire,
all shall ease his bitter pain,
till the elements conspire,
to restore the island chain.
First the Highland grass shall flower,
As he quests through wind an snow,
Then he breaks an ancient power,
and reaturns to face his woe
When the lord of lies upraids him,
his wrath shall cloak the sun,
And the Herla's foe shall aid him
to confront the evil one.
Sacrifice shall be his meaning
He the darkest secret learn
Truths of beast and man revealing,
Touching the heart of herne
Fawn of moonlight ever after,
So shall all the herla sing,
For his days shall herald laughter,
born a healer and a King.
That stag is Rannoch. He is switched at birth and grows up not knowing his true mother. Drail the lord of the Herd has induced evil ways apon the heard and has forbidden Anloch, which ensures the change of leadership each year. When he hears about Rannoch he is determined to kill him. Rannoch and his friends flee the heard and journey to the highlands were Rannoch trully comes to understand his destiny and what he must do to set the Herla free.
Rating:
Summary: Addictive
Review: Anyone who likes The Lion King will love this book. Firebringer has a similar plot with The Lion King with added twists and turns. The book is so good that I finished it in three days. Before you read, grab some tissue papers. You'll feel so sympathetic for some characters that you will want to cry for their fate!
Rating: 
Summary: A Watership Down clone, basically.
Review: Hmm.. Well, it's definitely a pretty good book, and well-written in my opinion. I finished it in a day and a half.BUT.. having read Watership Down enough times over to be on my third hard copy, this book has too many parallels to make me see it as only coincidence. What, exactly? Well, here are the main ones: 1) Group of animals fleeing from their home to save themselves
2) Animals encounter a group of like animals who are fed by man, hunted in return, and think it's perfectly reasonable
3) Hero is injured and saved by man
4) Villain has one eye (c'mooon, how blatant can you get?)
5) Villain is boss of strict militaristic society with special circle and inner circle of trusted individuals. (Sgorrla and the elite corps vs. Owslafa/the Council)
6) Defiant battle after being chased ruthlessly with said overwhelming minions.
7) Hero brings victory through unexpected means (dog vs. fire/ravens/wolves)
8) Hero dies alone, and is called to the god's 'elite' group, goes off, end of book. So... yeah. Well-written, I suppose. It did keep me up at night, after all. But nevertheless, it's a copy of Watership Down for younger readers, with less bloody descriptions than Richard Adams' work. So: you decide.
|
