Rating: 
Summary: Takes the prize
Review: "Prince Ombra" is one of the more obscure, unusual fantasy books that will have people blankly staring if you mention that you enjoyed it. However, it is also an insightful study of human nature, good and evil, and an intriguing philosophical fantasy.Bentley Ellicott was literally born to be a hero -- with a massive store of mythical knowledge and the information and a crippled leg. He knows that he was meant, like the thousand heroes before him since the beginning of time, to battle the incorporeal evil called Prince Ombra, who appears every so often to try to corrupt the world. Though he is considered peculiar and even dangerous by the inhabitants of his home town, he makes two friends: Slally, a girl who speaks in a nonsense language that only Bentley can understand, and Dietrich Kreistein, an elderly German shrink who gradually realizes who and what Bentley is. The town is gradually being corrupted by malice as Ombra draws ever closer with confrontation in mind. Despite the finding of a magical stone that is the key to defeating Ombra, Bentley is tempted and shocked by new revelations about his family, his friends, the people around him -- and about himself. Will the thousand-and-first hero with a "borrowed heart" overcome his weaknesses and fears, or will Ombra triumph? Perhaps the most moving message of "Prince Ombra" is that true heroes are not perfect, that they are tempted, sometimes fail, and need help like any other person. They also can't do everything: Bentley is unable to help everyone he loves. And defeating evil is more than simply getting rid of an evil person, but also overcoming one's own weaknesses as well. And while Bentley is the conflicted hero, the story also involves several subplots: Straitlaced Mrs. Tally and the much-maligned pretty girl Polly Woodhouse, the widowed, always-sad Mr. Ellicott and Slally's mother Ellen; McGraw, the embittered police chief who unknowingly combats Ombra's influence and questions his lack of faith; Slally, the lonely little girl who comes out of her shell for Bentley; Doctor Kreistein, the Merlin to Bentley's Arthur, who remembers Ombra's influence during World War II and is determined to help his charge. It's also quite pleasant that rather than outright scares and cartoonish badness, Ombra's influence is quite realistic and all the more chilling. He enhances rage and negative emotions in even the nicest, most well-meaning of people. And people who are already rotten at heart willingly become his pawns, a disturbing and realistic portrayal of evil. This book is more suited to young adults than to younger children, as there is some profanity (nothing too obscene), a tastefully-written but very disturbing scene of attempted child molestation, and a few sexual references (also discreet), and a truly horrifying scene with an insane pastor. Additionally, younger children may be confused by Bentley's confrontations with Ombra, and not catch on to the deeper undertones of this book. Fans of mythology will have a heyday with the variety of obscure hero stories from various cultures, and those who enjoy good writing will like the evocative, detailed language interspersed with small-town atmosphere. However, teen or adult fantasy/horror fans will undoubtledly give "Prince Ombra" a permanent place on their shelves. A fast-paced, thought-provoking, one-of-a-kind book.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the best books I have ever read!
Review: Bentley Ellicott embodies the soul of the child, wanting at the same time to grow up and remain young forever. He has an impossible task ahead of him from square one in his life and he's known it since before he traveled the birth canal to join this mortal coil! I have read the book over 10 times since I found it in 1984, and I never grow tired of it. Every character is so special--from Polly to the misguided Mrs. Tally, to Bentley and Slally, the rememberer. I don't understand why Roderick MacLeish didn't write hundreds of books--I was so disappointed to find that there are basically only two or three. However, even if Prince Ombra were the only one MacLeish ever wrote, he spoke VOLUMES to our hearts as readers and humans. Don't miss this book--keep a copy on your book shelves, give it to your friends AND your enemies. You'll be doing the greatest mitzvah of all--teaching people to love each other, even when all the odds tell you NOT TO. Peace. . .
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I have ever read!
Review: Bentley Ellicott embodies the soul of the child, wanting at the same time to grow up and remain young forever. He has an impossible task ahead of him from square one in his life and he's known it since before he traveled the birth canal to join this mortal coil! I have read the book over 10 times since I found it in 1984, and I never grow tired of it. Every character is so special--from Polly to the misguided Mrs. Tally, to Bentley and Slally, the rememberer. I don't understand why Roderick MacLeish didn't write hundreds of books--I was so disappointed to find that there are basically only two or three. However, even if Prince Ombra were the only one MacLeish ever wrote, he spoke VOLUMES to our hearts as readers and humans. Don't miss this book--keep a copy on your book shelves, give it to your friends AND your enemies. You'll be doing the greatest mitzvah of all--teaching people to love each other, even when all the odds tell you NOT TO. Peace. . .
Rating:
Summary: I usually don't take the time to do these....
Review: But Prince Ombra has stayed with me ever since I read it many years ago. The climax of the story, the confrontation between the champion of light with his most feared enemy (an event which has occurred many times in history), was a stunning revelation to me personally. The writing style is swift and yet deep. I got my teenage kids to read it and it was a hit with them too. Great stuff!
Rating: 
Summary: Not the best book I've read
Review: I gave it 3 stars because although it wasn't an extremely captivating book, I was able to finish it without a problem. I thought the idea of the of the story was fantastic but the story itself was pretty boring. I also felt there was a lot of unanswered questions. All and all, it wasn't horrible but there is a lot better reads out there.
Rating:
Summary: Favorite of Three Generations
Review: My mom and I absolutely loved this book when I was a kid, and I'm now introducing it to my son. What a treat to revisit this story and to share it among three generations!
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best
Review: Prince Ombra has appeared in the world a thousand times in the form of the greatest and most evil foes of history. And a thousand times, a special person has been born into the world to attempt his defeat. These stories are well known: David and Goliath, King Arthur, etc. However, Roderick MacLeish tells a less memorable story of one such warrior who is only 8 years old. The tale is set in modern times. The child is hunted by a lunatic with a gun. His "Merlin" is a doctor. The dangers and perils are not so grand, and the form that Prince Ombra takes isn't very fantastical. The idea behind the story was interesting, but it could have been developed better. Yes, I suppose it was entertaining, but what kept the pages turning for me was knowing I could get on to a better book when I finished this one.
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Summary: Interesting Story About the War Between Good & Evil
Review: This book takes place in the late 20th century in a town on the northern coast of America, called Stonehaven. Here a bright, slightly crippled 8-year-old boy (Bentley Ellicott) has been chosen before birth to combat the evil in this world, like so many heroes before him. With him are two friends who will help prepare him for his destiny--Slally Drake, a 7-year-old "mute" girl who is Bentley's rememberer (a person who passes on history to weaken Prince Ombra's power on Earth), and Dr. Dietrich Kreistein, an old German psychologist who teaches Bentley through myths and stories how to defeat Prince Ombra. Out of all the characters in this book, Dr. Kreistein has to be my favorite. As one reviewer on the back of this book wisely put it, Prince Ombra is "a combination of Tolkien and Stephen King". Although I've never read anything by Tolkien, there is a sense of fantasy and magic in this story. As for King, this book reminded me of Needful Things with the intertwining of small-town life. So, if you're a fan of either writer, then I highly recommend this book. It's a very interesting look at the continuous struggle between good and evil--and the overwhelming power of hope.
Rating:
Summary: Ssslllloooowwww
Review: This book was a little slow for me at times, or boring. I must confess, I never finished it. But when I read a book I don't like I always seem to remember all the parts that I DID like. Some fave details were the 'philtrum' myth. You know that little thing above you lip and below your nose? Well you supposedly get it before birth when an angel presses her finger there and says 'shh' to keep you from telling the secrets of the world. Bently doesn't have one. One of my fave characters was Slally, the girl who talked in gibberish. Well, Bently UNDERSTOOD her gibberish. I never finshed the book but near the end I saw a sentence that added suspense to the book. I won't tell you what it is though. :) But I've seen good reviews for this book. Some like it, I didn't. Whether or not you like this book depends on your taste in style of writing. So it could be your fave food or that yucky stuff that Mom insists that you'll love and 'eat it up now you'll thank me later.'
Rating:
Summary: This is the best book I have ever Read!!!
Review: This is the best book I have ever read! I love all the references to mythology and the depth of the characters. The characters are so well written that buy they the end of the book they seem like real people who you've known your whole life. I loved the plot of A little boy being a warrior of the borrowed heart and having been all the great heros of the world in his past lives. This book is the classic good versus the shapeless evil. I WOULD RECCOMEND THIS TO ANYONE AND EVERYOONE NO MATTER YOUR AGE! THIS IS THE BEST BOOK EVER!!
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