ARA Review by Revslammer of Medieval Gwennic and other Creatures of Corfe
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Revslammer
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ARA Review by Revslammer of Medieval Gwennic and other Creatures of Corfe
[Following is an OnlineBookClub.org ARA Review of the book, Medieval Gwennic and other Creatures of Corfe.]
Medieval Gwennic and other Creatures of Corfe
4 stars out of 5
John Parten has penned a fast-paced, plot-twisting, story full of well-executed humour, adventure, and a cat. Though this is YA fantasy, there are historical elements that feel vivid. The setting is a well defended castle in the West Country of Medieval England. The background is an imminent siege, the anticipation that feeds the tension throughout and (in a very contemporary sense) draws every creature into the drama that unfolds.
A host of ruthless invaders is hellbent destruction and death, with women being spared from the sword only for a fate that is worse still. King Athelstan’s heir is in danger. Gwennic must protect him. And not all the defenders can be trusted.
Whilst the book has a historical feel to it (something akin to Simon Scarrow’s writing), the fantasy elements enliven the narrative beautifully, with Gwennic (a hilarious magic-wielding protagonist tasked with guarding the king’s heir), a spy, an assassin, moronic guardsmen and a talking cat! Will the enemy breach the walls before the food runs out? They might not have to!
The story-telling is first class, but I was unable to give 5 stars because it does have a dated feel to it. There is a lot of head-hopping, making the flow feel disjointed at times. It feels a little over-written here and there. And please, please, please, this book deserves a better cover. (I was tempted to design my own for it, and attach it to this review!)
Nevertheless, it also deserves more than a 3 star rating, because the magic of the story-telling itself is absolutely first rate. The imagination behind this is breath-taking, the twists in plot work well but are easy to follow and make sense, and above all – the humour. This is a very funny book, and well worth the read. This is why I settled on four stars. It is worth every one of them!
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View Medieval Gwennic and other Creatures of Corfe on Bookshelves
Medieval Gwennic and other Creatures of Corfe
4 stars out of 5
John Parten has penned a fast-paced, plot-twisting, story full of well-executed humour, adventure, and a cat. Though this is YA fantasy, there are historical elements that feel vivid. The setting is a well defended castle in the West Country of Medieval England. The background is an imminent siege, the anticipation that feeds the tension throughout and (in a very contemporary sense) draws every creature into the drama that unfolds.
A host of ruthless invaders is hellbent destruction and death, with women being spared from the sword only for a fate that is worse still. King Athelstan’s heir is in danger. Gwennic must protect him. And not all the defenders can be trusted.
Whilst the book has a historical feel to it (something akin to Simon Scarrow’s writing), the fantasy elements enliven the narrative beautifully, with Gwennic (a hilarious magic-wielding protagonist tasked with guarding the king’s heir), a spy, an assassin, moronic guardsmen and a talking cat! Will the enemy breach the walls before the food runs out? They might not have to!
The story-telling is first class, but I was unable to give 5 stars because it does have a dated feel to it. There is a lot of head-hopping, making the flow feel disjointed at times. It feels a little over-written here and there. And please, please, please, this book deserves a better cover. (I was tempted to design my own for it, and attach it to this review!)
Nevertheless, it also deserves more than a 3 star rating, because the magic of the story-telling itself is absolutely first rate. The imagination behind this is breath-taking, the twists in plot work well but are easy to follow and make sense, and above all – the humour. This is a very funny book, and well worth the read. This is why I settled on four stars. It is worth every one of them!
***
View Medieval Gwennic and other Creatures of Corfe on Bookshelves
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JohnParten
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Hi RevSlammer,
Thanks for the review and the rating. I have noted your comments and I may well try to commission a new cover for the book. There is a website (www DOT gwennic DOT info) that supports artwork for the book so if you have some book cover ideas I would be interested to see them
... kind regards
... JohnP
Thanks for the review and the rating. I have noted your comments and I may well try to commission a new cover for the book. There is a website (www DOT gwennic DOT info) that supports artwork for the book so if you have some book cover ideas I would be interested to see them
... kind regards
... JohnP
