Entries Categorized as 'Adventure'

The Magician’s Nephew

Our rating: ****

While Digory and Polly, two friends, are exploring their London homes, they accidentally get into the study of Digory’s Uncle Andrew. Uncle Andrew is (or what he fondly imagines himself to be) a magician and he sends first Polly and then Digory into the woods between the worlds. Where they enter yet another world and find a witch, who they accidentally take back to London. In the scramble that ensues, they manage to get the witch, Uncle Andrew and several other people into a world that is just being created. The world that contains Narnia.

This is one of my favorite Narnian books. The tale of Narnia’s creation is definitely a classic. Good friends, Aslan, interesting adventures and some very funny parts. Definitely a must read.

King of the Wind

Our rating: *****

The crowds flock to see the race between Man o’ War, the great American horse, and Sir Barton, the pride of Canada. As Mr. Riddle, the owner of Man o’ War, watches, he knows that he is watching Man o’ War run his last race. Though friends want Man o’ War to run in the Newmarket race, Mr. Riddle wants to retire him in perfect condition. Man o’ War’s blood was traceable in unbroken line to the great Godolphin Arabian, Sham! It was hard to convince his friends that his plan was the right one. Often he had to go back two hundred years and tell the story of the Godolphin Arabian, who, though his pedigree was destroyed, was the King of the Wind…

I enjoyed reading this. Our copy is falling apart, but however tattered the book may be, there might be a wonderful story inside!

The Story of Freginald

Our rating: ***

This story of a young bear is very enjoyable. His parents couldn’t decide what to name him, so his great-grandfather, thinking he was a she, named him Louise. As the other young bears teased him about his name, Louise spent lots of time by himself, and began making poetry. He becomes a member of Mr. Boomschmidt’s circus, where they change his name to Freginald, and, with the aid of Freddy, uncovers an unscrupulous man who is attempting to put Mr. Boomschmidt out of business.

At first, I was sort of disappointed that this story’s star wasn’t Freddy, but there are so many fun parts that I couldn’t help liking it. The circus animals are back in full force, and Freginald has some humorous adventures.

Freddy Goes Camping

Our rating: ****

The mysterious Mr. Eha has been underhandedly trying to get Mrs. Filmore to sell her hotel. With the aid of rats, Mr. Eha is secretly making the hotel seem haunted and run-down. It’s up to Freddy, with the help of the Bean animals and his good friend Mr. Camphor, to defeat Mr. Eha and drive the rats away. Woven into the story is a funny subplot where Mr. Camphor’s two aunts, Aunt Elmira and Aunt Minerva have come to visit him.

Walter R. Brooks can certainly write an amusing story and this one is no exception. It’s not as hilarious as Freddy and the Flying Saucer Plans, but it is a gem of a Freddy. A quick tip: Freddy and the Baseball Team from Mars will make more sense if you read this one first.

High Rhulain

Our rating: ****½

Riggu Felis, the evil wildcat, has enslaved the otter tribes living on beautiful Green Isle. Back at Redwall, an injured bird arrives bringing news of the growing trouble at Green Isle. Tiria, a young ottermaid, receives a dream from Martin the Warrior urging her to learn all she can about the mysterious place. Along with some friends, she discovers a book containing riddles that, upon solving, provide her with the information she needs. Another dream from Martin convinces her that she must journey to Green Isle and free the otters. After traveling with shrews to Salamandastron, Tiria embarks on her quest with a reinforcement of hares to become, for the otters at Green Isle, their High Rhulain.

Hooray for the latest Redwall book! Brian Jacques did an excellent job, and I hope he continues to write Redwall books for as long as he can. Though not my favorite, High Rhulain is a great addition the growing series.