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If you like adventure books (I love them) you might also like to know that WH Smith are selling the new Max Gordon - Danger Zone book by David Gilman for one month before the official release - it is available elsewhere from July 3. I really enjoyed the first book 'The Devil's Breath' so I had to have this one - and it's huge. Here's the Ice Claw blurb: "A thundering rumble echoes round the mountain peaks of the Pyrenees as a deadly avalanche speeds towards the oblivious competitors in an X-treme sports challenge. Max Gordon's race to win has just become a race to survive. But Max has been betrayed. Sayid, Max's best friend, is injured and missing. Max is accused of murder and the evidence seems conclusive - the hunt for Max Gordon is on. "In a life-or-death struggle, a mysterious monk passes on a vital clue, which plunges Max into the heart of an ancient secret, foretelling of a cataclysmic event that will kill thousands and destroy the entire ecological balance of Europe." David has a fantastic blog and does a lot of hands on research around the world for his books. He is also about to go on tour for 'Ice Claw' beginning Monday 29 June. His blog says; "We start in Preston, then Lancaster, Manchester, London, Devizes and Plymouth. If you see a man carrying a tree trunk it's me - and the tree trunk is the tube I'm using to carry my picture of a massive bear." So far I haven't been able to find out which bookshops he's visiting - I'll update on this post if I hear anything. Check out www.davidgilman.blogspot.com or www.thedangerzone.co.uk for Max Gordon updates. BOOK SIGNINGS * Henry Winkler AKA The Fonz will be signing copies of his new childrens book HANK ZIPZER NIAGARA FALLS OR DOES IT? at WHSmith, Arndale Centre, Manchester on July 6 between 1 and 2pm. * Children's author Patricia Jones who will be signing copies of her latest (fifth) book, at Waterstone's Preston on Saturday July 19 between 2 and 3pm. 'Circles of Blood' is a teenage crime story set in France. Children of all ages are very welcome and there's no need to book. Find out more at www.patriciajones.co.uk

The Book of Three (The Chronicles of Prydain) by Lloyd Alexander

Rating:
This is the first book in the Prydain Chronicles. It is an excellent book for younger readers that like fantasy, but it is also great for older readers. It is very appropriate and not only delivers a great story, but also does a good job of teaching the importance of growing up and learning responsibility.

Description:
Although Taran is an orphan who spends his days caring for the prophetic pig Hen Wen under the watch of the Enchanter Dallben, he desires nothing more than to do great deeds and earn glory. He soon learns that glory isn't exactly what he thought. When Hen Wen goes missing, it is up to Taran and his unlikely allies to find her before she falls into the hands of the Horned King and his master Arawn Death-Lord.

The Black Cauldron (The Chronicles of Prydain) by Lloyd Alexander

Rating:
This is the second book in the Prydain Chronicles. It is an excellent story just as the Book of Three and we again see Taran learning what it means to become a man. This book is still very appropriate for younger readers, but it also deals with some tougher issues like loss, betrayal and death.

Description:
Even though Arawn Death-Lord's army of deathless warriors cannot be stopped by any known weapon, Taran and his companions are determined to capture the Death-Lord's means of creating more of these monsters. Taran will face the most difficult challenges and decisions of his life if he is to rid the world of the Black Cauldon.

The Castle of Llyr (The Chronicles of Prydain) by Lloyd Alexander

Rating:
This is the third book of Prydain and I have to say that it is my least favorite. That is not to say that I don't still love it, but I don't care for it as much as the other four. In this book Taran has a new challenge to overcome, his feelings for the princess Eilonwy. The book is a pretty easy read and it shows another side to Taran, but I feel that it's main usefulness is in setting up Taran's motivation in the next book.

Description:
The princess Eilonwy doesn't really act like a princess. For this reason Dallben is sending her to another kingdom to be trained as a "young lady" which is not to her liking at all. Taran and the faithful Gurgi travel with the princess, but when they discover a plot that could endanger her life they must remain until the threat has ended.

Taran Wanderer (The Chronicles of Prydain) by Lloyd Alexander

Rating:
This is my favorite book in the Prydain Chronicles. I think that this is the book in which Taran learns the greatest lessons about glory and honor. It does an exceptional job of showing that true glory is not in battle and war, but in honest hard work and benefiting those around you. Ultimately Taran discovers the greatest truth about his own identity. This book is full of the usual characters and adventure and is so much fun to read!

Description:
Taran now knows that he loves the princess Eilonwy, but he is an orphan without station. Taran will journey throughout the kingdom to discover what he needs to know about his past, but when he learns the truth about who he is, will he still feel fit to marry a princess?

The High King (The Chronicles of Prydain) by Lloyd Alexander

Rating: This is the last book in the Prydain Chronicles and it is somewhat different than the others. Taran has learned many things throughout his travels and he now puts them to the test as he leads an army against the Death-Lord. This is an exciting book and the most fast-paced of the series. There is a lot of fighting and death, but it is handled in way that keeps it a great book for young readers. It is an excellent finish to an outstanding series.

Description: Prince Gwydion's powerful weapon, the sword Dyrnwyn has been captured by Arawn Death-Lord. Now, Taran and his companions are in a deadly race to recover the sword and prepare for the final onslaught from Arawn. Taran will be tested as never before and in the end his ultimate destiny will be revealed.

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George

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Rating:
My husband and I both read this book and neither of us could decide if it was a two or three angel book. Since I have to decide right now I would say it's probably a lower three. It's close to the top of my favorite books list, it's just not the very top. The story was based on the fairy tale "East of the Sun, West of the Moon." It was enchanting, captivating, and beautifully written. The story could have been longer with more detail at the end of the book because I wanted to know more. I cared about the characters and the story and really wanted to understand everything. I hope Jessica writes a prequel to the book, telling about the Lass's brother's journey.

Description:
The Lass's mother refuses to name her at birth, putting the Lass in jepoardy of being taken by the evil things of the world. At home the Lass is ignored and given the chores nobody wants. But when the Lass rescues a mythical white reindeer, the reindeer gives her a gift - a secret name and the ability to speak with animals. When an enchanted isbjorn breaks into the Lass's home and finds he can communicate with the Lass, he asks her to live at his castle for a year and a day. The Lass accepts and returns with the isbjorn to an enchanted ice castle in the far north. On her second night in the castle, something or someone begins to share her bed. Her curiosity grows to much for her, and she devises a plan to uncover the mysterious man. Her actions force her to take a grueling journey on the back of the four winds. The Lass must find the troll queen's palace before she loses the man she didn't know she loved.