19

nineteen

the number does not describe my age but counts the number of books i have read so far this 2011.  This is in my quest for 100.  I recently finished the last two books, one the ending of a trilogy and the other the second book of one of Raymond E. Feist's numerous series.

the Amber Spyglass ends Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, a story of Lyra Belacroix, a young girl on the verse of adolescence as she moves from world to world in an adventure that will ultimately save the world.

this third book for me is the most thought provoking.  No wonder it was questioned by the Catholic church in some countries as a book not fit for young readers (as it rightfully is).  It presents the story of paradise lost in an entirely new vision.  Not only that, but it also questions the very basis of the catholic faith.

but remember that this is fiction and along with the premise and the superb writing of Pullman, I truly believe that this book is a must read.  Adventure, magic, suspense and the ultimate sacrifice that will always mean that good will always prevail.

lately, i have noticed that i have been reading a lot of Feist.  and with this title, the second in the Serpentwar Saga, i again realized why.  Raymond E. Feist presents young out of the way characters as the main personalities of his adventures.  what started with Pug and Tomas in the Riftwar Series, this story now has a different cast of characters in a setting that to me is almost more familiar than my own.

rise of a merchant prince is truly the story of Roo, an ambitious criminal turned soldier turned merchant as he rises from non-existence to that of being an important figure in Krondor, set of the story. with equal amount of wit, adventure, danger, and sexuality this is one novel that is truly Feisty (pun totally intended).

a compass & a knife

back in 2007, i got pretty interested in a movie called The Golden Compass.  not because i knew at the time that it was from a book, but because of Nicole Kidman whom I am forever in love with.  the movie was about a world that was like our own but entirely different.  for one, all the people there had a daemon, or an animal spirit that stays with them and is much like a conscience or a soul is to us.  I thought the story was different, interesting but different.  And since it had the right amount of fantasy and effects that made it a good watch, i considered it a success.

since then, i found out that the Golden Compass is the first book in a trilogy written by Phillip Pullman.  An award winner and bestseller, it has since then been completed with the next two books which I have only recently acquired.  in fact, I have only read the first one a couple of months ago.

however I liked the movie, I found the novel way better and totally satisfied my expectations and more.  not really meant as a standalone, it proved to be an effective introduction to the characters that will propel the story forward into places and ideas that you would not have thought possible in a YA book.  the main character, Lyra Belacroix is a young girl much too strong willed to be anything but a heroine.  the action, the suspense and her journey across what would be the Europe of another world will leave you breathless and asking for more.  the movie, in comparison is child's play.

its a totally great thing that I decided to read this series after I finally completed the three books in the collection.  after the last page of Golden Compass, all I needed was a few books as to debrief and I was back on Lyra's tail/tale (pun totally intended).

if the Golden Compass happened in a world much like ours but different, then the Subtle Knife happens in our very own world and a few others.  taking off right where the previous book left off, its a seamless adventure that introduces new characters and give old ones a lot more solid personalities.

from the very first pages, it will take you through twists, turns and unpredictabilities that one cant help but read it in one seating.  but then again, it also gives rise to a lot of questions.

i grew up in a christian country.  now, as the story of the Dark Materials become clearer, it shows a direct link to beliefs and religious ideas that I have found disturbing.  maybe because it questions a lot about things that might have reached my mind back then, or it could be a whisper of what i must have felt subconsciously.  

the thoughts are neither bad nor good.  in fact, it leaves a vague feeling that things are not what they should be.  maybe, an author's trick to read on to the next book.  

for all its worth, i truly enjoyed the book and would probably read it again soon.  too bad, the fate of the second film is still in question.  recommend the book? probably! but only to minds that are quick to judge what is fiction and what could be a voice that should have stayed hidden.

*The Subtle Knife is book 13 on the 100 books in 2011 challenge