Red Moon and Black Mountain

Rating:
Summary: Role Models in Fantasy
Review: I came across this book in a used book store, and when I finished, I was astounded that I had never run across this author before. As the mother of three sons, I found the lessons of this story about honor, responsibility and commitment to be very valuable. Perhaps it is old-fashioned to want those virtues for your child in today's world, but I intend to try and impart them. This book was as exciting and action filled as any Lloyd Alexander ever wrote, with a bitter-sweet ending highlighting the theme of sacrifice of self for a greater ideal.

Rating:
Summary: Role Models in Fantasy
Review: I came across this book in a used book store, and when I finished, I was astounded that I had never run across this author before. As the mother of three sons, I found the lessons of this story about honor, responsibility and commitment to be very valuable. Perhaps it is old-fashioned to want those virtues for your child in today's world, but I intend to try and impart them. This book was as exciting and action filled as any Lloyd Alexander ever wrote, with a bitter-sweet ending highlighting the theme of sacrifice of self for a greater ideal.

Rating:
Summary: This book was the beginning to my love for sci. fiction.
Review: I first read this book when I was in about the 7th grade. While not an experienced science fiction reader at that point, I knew then that this was an excellent book. I have read many since (Tolkein jumps to mind) and have always remembered this book. It is one of only a few that I have read more than once.

Chant writes a story of three unlikely heros who are adolescents on the verge of growing up. These three are swept into another world where they meet all sorts of races, beings (magical and just plain interesting), and forces. All of these things are instrumental in shaping these children's characters as the children become instrumental in saving or dooming this world and possibly ours.

The vivid portrayal of the three heros (or victims as the case may be) is a spellbinding and action-packed journey for each one of them. Not only does Chant keep you wondering what's going to happen next, but also she weaves lessons into the story with which helps the children mature into adults that we all wish we could be. This book is by far a must read for adventurers, romancers, and any fiction reader. It is an excellent book to introduce to a young person!

Rating:
Summary: Underrated classic fantasy
Review: I have been reading science fiction for many years. Most of the time, I do not enjoy pure "fantasy" novels, Tolkien being a major exception. This novel is the other major exception. While not as "deep" in some ways as Tolkien's work, the mythic and archetypal qualities of the characters are just as moving. The writing is superb, as well. This is more than a book for children! Even if you don't usually like fantasy novels, try this one!

Rating:
Summary: Underrated classic fantasy
Review: I have been reading science fiction for many years. Most of the time, I do not enjoy pure "fantasy" novels, Tolkien being a major exception. This novel is the other major exception. While not as "deep" in some ways as Tolkien's work, the mythic and archetypal qualities of the characters are just as moving. The writing is superb, as well. This is more than a book for children! Even if you don't usually like fantasy novels, try this one!

Rating:
Summary: An Old Favorite
Review: My father owned this book in hardcover, and it was one of the first fantasy books I ever read, and still one of my favorites. No one I know has heard of it, and I always recommend it to them. It is thrillingly well-crafted, the characters have real depth and the mythology of the world Joy Chant created is rich, fulfilling, and believable. This book is a definite must-read for anyone who considers themself to be a fantasy fan. Trust me, you will not be disappointed!

Rating:
Summary: An Old Favorite
Review: My father owned this book in hardcover, and it was one of the first fantasy books I ever read, and still one of my favorites. No one I know has heard of it, and I always recommend it to them. It is thrillingly well-crafted, the characters have real depth and the mythology of the world Joy Chant created is rich, fulfilling, and believable. This book is a definite must-read for anyone who considers themself to be a fantasy fan. Trust me, you will not be disappointed!

Rating:
Summary: It's one of the most complete fantasy books I've ever read.
Review: The book, Red Moon and Black Mountain, by author Joy Chant is a fairly good book. It introduces three children, who somehow find themselves in another world where good, evil, and other fantastic forces are clashing on battle to gain control over the world. These children are sent to this world by a strange force unfathomable to them, which had turned a simple childish expedition nearby their home into a fantasitic adventure where each of them has a special role preordained by some greater force. The older one finds himself among a warrior race in the plains, where they are considred the lords because of the power of their armed forces, and dexterity and speed of their mounts, which are unicorns. The younger brother and sister are about to fall over a cliff when they encounter a lovely princess and her fierce warriors going on a expedition of immense importance which would somehow foretell the growth of the evil force they would be fighting against in the future. Each of them have a special purpose in this unknown land which will define the fate of, not only the meaning of death, but of live, its perils, difficulties, hopes, goals and losses.

Now, of course I can't tell you any more of the book because the I would be ruining the story for you. But what I can tell you is that the plot is highly intricate and addictive. It has all the characteristics and qualities of a true fantasy story, various kinds of races spread throughout the entire strange world, magical beings, sorcery and impossible or inexplicable events. The language used in the story is adequate and defines each character clearly making one's imagination emphasize many traits and characteristics of a character. Considering other authors that write incredible fantasy books like David Edding, Richard E. Feist and Terry Brooks, in my opnion Joy Chant could be in their category. I have long read these authors and found their work exquisite and charming, fun(I can't describe the feeling). I highly recommend Joy Chant because her book has giv! en me the same feeling.

Rating:
Summary: One of the greats
Review: This is a jewel. When I first read it thirty years ago, more than a decade after I'd discovered Tolkien and fantasy fiction, it did not particularly touch me. While it remained in my bookcase, I never revisited it as I have so many other books of that era. How fortunate, then, this rereading.
What Red Moon/Black Mountain gives up to Tolkien in, say, scope and history, it recoups in anthropological richness. Ms Chant thoroughly understands the culture of her peoples and their day-to-day lives in the way that Tolkien knows their languages. At the same time, she gives up nothing at all to C. S. Lewis in the realm of religion and allegory. And she surpasses all fantasy writers I have read in character development. Oliver's journey from child to warrior to something beyond, though stilted at first, takes on the heartbreaking beauty of the best of Cormac McCarthy.
I was puzzled when the great confrontation with the evil one came with 60 pages remaining. But it is those last 60 pages that takes this book from fine fantasy into the realm of fine literature.
Not to be missed!