That'd be me. Good to hear you liked it! I just finished Inkdeath this afternoon (awesome book by the way!),

What did you think of the series as a whole? Personally, they rank up there in my top three series of all times (following Narnia and Harry Potter). I just loved the way that Funke develops her characters throughout all of those books! *has said enough concerning the Ink trilogy in the past. . . so I shan't say it all again *

EDIT:: P.S., Lucy of Narnia, I totally didn't mean to quote you! Whoops! It's my terrible quoting skills that made for the messup.

That's okay, just didn't want others mistaking it for me, when I didn't say it.

*has been known to make more than a few mistakes in her time*

Lu

*edit*

BTW, I'm reading C. S. Lewis: Creator of Narnia . What's with all of the odd family nicknames?

What did you think of the series as a whole? Personally, they rank up there in my top three series of all times (following Narnia and Harry Potter). I just loved the way that Funke develops her characters throughout all of those books! *has said enough concerning the Ink trilogy in the past. . . so I shan't say it all again *

Yes, I'd definitely rank it up there with Harry Potter and Narnia! It was very cool - and very unique from a lot of other fantasy series I've read. I agree, the characterization was excellent! I like it when you're nearly done with the series but still learning about the characters.

So yeah, I liked it a lot! Actually, I have to thank you because I remember you talking so highly about them, and that's what made me want to read them.

Ooh! One of these I loved, and the other I disliked. The one I loved was Paradise Lost. I have loved Milton's work ever since I first discovered it as a freshmen in college.

I always wanted to read Paradise Lost, but I've read some people say that it portrays the Devil in a positive light? Is this true, or is it just a matter of option? If you or someone could help me on this, I would love to read the book I was just never sure what it contained.

I always wanted to read Paradise Lost, but I've read some people say that it portrays the Devil in a positive light? Is this true, or is it just a matter of option? If you or someone could help me on this, I would love to read the book I was just never sure what it contained.

Not necessarily. The Devil is definitely the protagonist of the story. The book/poem follows the story of Satan from the fall of Heaven. Languishing in Hell, he and his fellow demons devise a plan to try to "get even" with God. Rumours have been circulating about this new breed of being that He plans on creating, and how He already "loves" them, and so Satan elects himself to mess it up.

But I wouldn't say that it depicts Satan in a positive light. . . he's just more of a "sympathetic" character. You almost feel sorry for him. . . . a bit that is.

The Silver Wanderer, I'm so glad that you enjoyed the Ink trilogy! Nobody has ever taken one of my reccomendations seriously before!

I haven't read much of Paradise Lost but I have it in my reading pile. John Milton was a mature Christian, so I seriously doubt he was cheering on Satan throughout his book. It's more likely he made him an interesting character because that makes for good fiction and to help us look at familiar stories in a different light. I'll leave someone who's read the whole book to give you a conclusive answer.

@DiGoRyKiRkE: So is it sort of like the Screwtape Letters? You read from the devils point of view? Thanks for helping me out!

@Warrior 4 Jesus: Thanks, I'm glad to know he was a Christian, that makes me feel better about it.

It's along the same logical thinking of Screwtape, in which a point is illustrated by arguing the opposite, but it's so very different in style that I'd be hesitant to call it "similar" to Screwtape. And yes, Milton was a fabulous Christian man (not to mention a darn good author ). He writes awesome poetry too.

@DiGoRyKiRkE: Thanks so much! I feel better about reading it now, Thanks again!

Anyone else hear the news about the new edition of Huckleberry Finn that has all the stuff removed from it that upsets people? Makes me wonder what classic work of literature they'll take the scalpel to next. Shakespeare?

^^ If they took everything possibly offensive out of Romeo and Juliet, there'd be nothing left. Or next to nothing left.

~Riella

Honestly, I didn't expect to hear that the Inheritance Cycle's theology (or lack thereof) was so bad, but it doesn't surprise me. The reason I dropped the first book was Brom's relativistic advice in the early chapters of Eragon.

*actually enjoyed 1984 until the last few chapters*

I find it amazing that he dictated the book as he thought it, to his daughters (who actually penned the words due to the fact that Milton was blind).

This is cool, but he also taught them to read Greek to him without teaching them what the words meant. I've had trouble getting past that fact with Milton.

I'm sad to hear less-than-favorable reviews of Lawhead's books. I've heard mainly positive ones here over the years, which has led to my amassing a small collection of his books. All still to-be-read of course. I need to get Taliesin and then I can read the Pendragon cycle all the ay through, including the tacked-on book Avalon. I really want to read his book Patrick because St. Patrick is a historical figure I've always had a fascination for.

Shantih, I didn't find the ending of The Road worth everything it took to get there. It just wasn't enough of an up to balance out all the down of the book. I will admit it had lots of interesting little things, like the conversation about carrying the fire, that I thought were well done. It's just the book was too depressing for me to like it.

LOL, Ithilwen! A lot the Bard's plays can be like that.

I suppose I'll join the bandwagon and post my favorites and goals and such. I can't remember doing so already, so if I have, ignore this.

Favorite reads 2010: The King of Attolia (Re-read), Towers of Midnight, Storm Front, The Battle of the Labyrinth, and The Harp of the Grey Rose.

My most disappointing books read this past year: The Fire Rose and The Gates of Sleep both by Mercedes Lackey and both part of her Elemental Masters series. The first book in the series, The Serpent's Shadow, was a masterful work and these two just fell flat in the face of their companion. TFR just didn't have the gentle flow of TSS, and TGoS just didn't have enough action. Plenty of plot, but no real conflict.

My goals this year: one, to read at least two books I already have for each book I buy. This is basically to curb my book-buying urges in preparation to the money-less state I shall enter later this year as a graduate student. Two, to not read quite so much fantasy (in comparison with my reading in general). Three, to diminish my to-read pile by a good number.

Shasta'sTwin, I'm not sure what you're saying with reference to 'less than favourable reviews of Lawhead's books'. All I've heard here are glowing reviews, or at the very least people enjoyed them. We were discussing their content.

Yes, Eragon is quite troubling. HP got all the blame but Eragon is far, far worse. The worldview, the content, (the writing - tee hee).

Booky, that is worrying! I'm no fan of Twain's work or Shakespeare's but all the same, they should be kept intact.

Did you know there is a movie coming out based on The Eagle of the Ninth? They changed the name to "The Eagle" and I'm not sure how faithful they are to the book, but I will probably see it in theaters.

Yes, I know. When I first learned about it (not too long ago) I was so excited I actually jumped up and down.
After learning about some changes, I'm not so excited. (there's been some brief discussion about that in the Movie topic - page 36 SPOILERS!) But I'll probably see it (though most likely not in theaters - I've only ever seen Narnia movies in theaters! ).
Wisewoman, did you really read the whole City of God?! My dad is reading it right now. Sometimes he'll read parts aloud - it's pretty heavy stuff. Congratulations on reading it!!! You sure earned your username.

I meant to read ... The Eagle of the Ninth, but though I searched over and over in the uni library, I couldn't find it. ... It was declared 'Missing' and I filled out a report. I have since noticed that approximately a third to half of their Sutcliff books are also listed as missing.

That's because they're all so good, you see. No one can bring themselves to return them to the library.

*Likes Edge on the Sword too* Lady Haleth, Meltintalle, have either of you read the first one, Far Traveler? They're both quite interesting and enjoyable. Aside from those and the Henty, I don't think I've even seen any historical fiction for King Alfred's era.
Unless you count Sword Song, by Sutcliff. *is unsure of its time setting*
Recommendations, anyone?

I had to post as soon as I saw Lawhead's Pendragon Cycle mentioned. One of my favorites in fantasy and my absolute favorite retelling of the Arthurian legend. Although I much prefer to think of it as a trilogy (as it was originally, I believe) and ignore the later books. Taliesin is my favorite of the trilogy, mostly because Though I've enjoyed Lawhead's other books, The Pendragon Cycle is definitely his masterpiece, in my opinion.

Has anyone here read Andrew Peterson's book, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness? It's children's Fantasy and looks pretty great from the description on Amazon. I ordered it from his website and expect it to arrive tomorrow. I'll let you know what I think.