Sibling rivalry is a tricky problem at the best of times. Between vampire brothers things get even more complicated. And bloodier.
My favourite vampire, small and podgy Nicu (sending you hugs, Nicu) is made to feel even smaller and podgier by his slim, stylish older brother Adam. Grrrr and double grrrr! I can completely identify with Nicu's feelings of frustration. Most kids will be able to as well. If they can't and they're like Adam they shouldn't be reading this book but showing off their superior strength by going on an ogre hunt. In the quest for bigger fangs, Nicu has to do this all by his podgy self. Go on an ogre hunt, that is. I'm not saying what happens next but it does involve biting. In `Big Fangs', his second `Nicu' book, Elias Zapple gives us lots of insight into vampire life. So much insight, that I'm beginning to wonder if he sleeps in a coffin himself. Kids will love all the genuinely bloodthirsty details. And my favourite character, the horrible Fang Fairy is back, so I'm happy too! Plus Reimarie Cabalu's illustrations are perfect, and show Nicu in all his podgy adorableness. A perfect read for anyone who has ever suffered from bullying. Go Nicu! http://smarturl.it/BigFangs ‘The Course of Blades’ is a storm of a book, a whirlwind of action. It’s as wild as being hit by a flying rock from the torrent. Be prepared for shocks. ‘Dark times and strange days’ as one of my favourite characters, the Defender, Nassir Toljem, states in the opening chapter.
Thar’Kuri warriors, the dreaded voidwalkers, are held prisoner inside the Ring, by ‘crystal restraints that swallowed the voidwalker’s pale arms to the elbow’. In spite of this, events suggest that corruption seeps outwards from these ruthless creatures, polluting the noble aims of the Ring. In the Thar’Kuri, DaVaun Sanders has caught the essence of negativity. Their violence is bad enough but the voidwalkers greatest weapon is the thrall, a transmitted feeling of intense fear and sorrow that destroys the minds of their victims. This proves to be far more effective than a physical weapon, and is a truth only too apparent in our 21st century world. The opening chapter contains the first of the shocks. Dayn Ro’Halan, the Seedbearing Prince, faces the voidwalkers in their prison cells and this leads to.... events that I cannot reveal. The tension builds and builds as we follow Dayn on his quest. Dayn is a black hero, one of many black characters. More plus points for DaVaun Sanders. He has created strong female characters, such as Adrian Toljem, Nassir’s wife and his sharp tempered sister, Pararsha. We also get to meet Soong, the Heiress High, a gentler strength, and another of my favourites. As with the first two books DaVaun Sanders' visual imagination is fired up. The brilliant cover shows the kind of images that are so vividly described inside the book. The actual race itself, the Course of Blades of the title, is an amazing experience. This isn’t a standalone book, but I can highly recommend reading the first two books, ‘The Seedbearing Prince’, parts one and two. See my previous reviews for further information. DaVaun Sanders has woven an underlying message of unity into his books but world peace cannot be achieved without pain and sacrifice. A hero's sacrifice. I dare not say more, in case of plot spoiling. The ending really got me, such powerful complex truth. DaVaun Sanders creates amazing stories, but I especially appreciate that his work has wider meaning. This makes the ‘World Breach’ series my favourite ever Science Fiction books. Amazon US http://www.amazon.com/Course-Blades-World-Breach-Book-ebook/dp/B00O5D6YXU |
AuthorMy ideal job description would be Merlin’s Categories
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