Entries Categorized as 'Review'

The Black Stallion and Satan

Our rating: ***

Abu Ishak has died, leaving Alec the Black. At the same time, Alec and Henry have entered Satan in a big race in which the top horses from around the world are going to compete. Then they discover that Abu Ishak had entered the Black in the same race. Taking the chance that they can overcome the Black’s viciousness towards other horses, Alec and Henry decided to take both the Black and Satan to the racetrack. But one of the entries is diagnosed with an incurable and highly contagious disease. All of the horses entered in the race are placed in quarantine. Then dangerous forest fires start ravaging the area…

This book is a pretty good read. It gets rather exciting near the end, though that’s not to say that the rest is boring. Also (can you believe it?) Walter Farley actually tells whether or not the Black is faster than Satan. This is the fourth book in the Black Stallion series.

The Outlaws of Sherwood

Our rating: *****

On his way to the fair Robin accidently kills a man, outlawing him. Robin’s friends convince him to hide in Sherwood forest and become a rallying point for the Saxons.

I really enjoyed Robin McKinley’s version of Robin Hood. I thought it was very interesting for Robin Hood not to be portrayed as a perfect shot with a bow. The characters seem much more lifelike in The Outlaws of Sherwood than in any other version of Robin Hood that I’ve read or had read to me.

Henner’s Lydia

Our rating: ***

Lydia, a girl in an Amish family, wants to go to Lancaster with her father like her older brother and sister. She can go as soon as her hooked rug is finished, but after a certain disaster I won’t mention so it isn’t spoiled, Lydia feels her chances are ruined for a long time.

This is a fairly short book with a fairly simple plot with fairly interesting speech. In regard to the latter, the Amish speak a mixture of German and English. I suppose this book might be hard to read aloud with their kind of talk, but I think it might make a good read aloud otherwise. Henner’s Lydia might be aimed for children younger than I am, but it’s alright. Not one of my favorites, though. If you’re looking for a simple, somewhat educational book to relax with, this book might be for you!

Babe: The Gallant Pig

Our rating: ***

When Farmer Hogget guesses the weight of a piglet at the fair, he has no idea that he will win the contest. But once he brings the pig home, things start happening. Who would have thought that his sheepdog Fly would adopt the pig? And who would have thought that the pig would be better at herding sheep than the dog?

Lots of fun here. If you’ve seen the movie, you will notice some differences between book and film. Babe is enjoyable, lovable, and a great family book. Kids love it, adults laugh more than the kids (but at wholesome jokes), and therefore, we have a winner.

Perelandra

Our rating: ****

Picking up right where Out of the Silent Planet leaves off, Perelandra finds Dr. Ransom preparing to go to space again. But this time, he’s headed for Venus (or Perelandra). Once he lands, Ransom discovers that Perelandra is a newly created world which still exists in a Eden-like innocence. However, this new created state won’t last forever, especially when Professor Weston shows up once again. Ransom must stop Weston from corrupting Perelandra before it’s too late.

I normally think of C. S. Lewis as the guy who wrote Narnia. Big misconception. He wrote much more, and this particular trilogy is just as good. I found that Perelandra dragged a bit at the beginning and end, but picked up in the middle enough to compensate for that. Some bits of the story are quite funny, although not nearly enough to leave you in stitches the whole way through. I must mention that I have enjoyed the third and final book, That Hideous Strength much more than the first two. But as I’ve always experienced with Lewis’ books, this one’s a definite keeper.