|
Absolute
power corrupts
Power
drives us all to some extent, but Obadiah Demurral, a power hungry
vicar and sorcerer, takes the need for power to the limit in this
dark thrilling fantasy about the battle between good and evil.
G.P.
Taylor, bravely in some people's opinions, foolishly in others,
has released his debut book Shadowmancer at the same time that J.K.
Rowling has released her 5th book in the best selling Harry Potter
series.
Some
people have expressed the view that G.P Taylor is to be the next
J.K. Rowling as his book does have certain similarities to the Harry
Potter series.
In
comparison
Comparing
the two authors I would argue that although both have written about
power, the battle between good and evil, wizardry, magical creatures
and some of life's prejudices, their styles are quite different.
I think
that Shadowmancer could be more reasonably compared with J.R.R.
Tolkein's Lord of the Rings which is too about a good young man,
setting out on a quest to battle evil.
Shadowmancer
is set quite a way back in history, which makes the slightly unbelievable
creatures a little easier to imagine.
The
book is very descriptive, painting fantastic images in your mind
and the story is full of action, adventure and fantasy.
In
the book, issues of different race and religions are brought in
and the way some people can be prejudiced towards these is looked
at.
I think
these are important topics in the book, perhaps trying to teach
us a thing or two about our own human nature and what we choose
to do with our lives.
The
story is very dark, reinforced perhaps by the use of vicar's devil
worshipping, which adds tension to the story as the two faced sorcerer
pretends to help his people.
Commendation
I would
recommend Shadowmancer to anyone who has enjoyed the Lord of the
Rings trilogy, and perhaps to older teenagers who are interested
in darker fantasy stories.
Reviewer:
Lauren Palphreyman of Burnholme Community College
Is your favourite
book reviewed in these pages? If not, get your slate and chalk to work, and make
yourself and your best book part of the Book Club! Write
a review.
|
