Customer Reviews

Emlyn's Moon - Audio Library Edition (The Magician Trlogy)

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`The Snow Spider' trilogy by Jenny Nimmo (made up of `The Snow Spider', `Emlyn's Moons' [also published as 'The Orchard of the Crescent Moon'] and 'The Chestnut Soldier') are some of the best children's fantasy novels out there - and so inevitably they are virtually unknown. Set in the mountains of Wales, the books chronicle the experiences of Gwyn Griffith, a young boy magician dealing with the gift and burden of inheriting magical powers from his legendary ancestors. Before immediate comparisons are made with that other boy-wizard, rest assured that 'The Snow Spider' was published several years before Harry Potter hit the scene.

In the previous novel `The Snow Spider', Gwyn became aware of his abilities as a magician, using his gift to summon several magical artefacts from another world, including Arianwen, a tiny silver spider who helped him uncover the mystery of his sister Bethan's disappearance several years ago and save his best friend Alun from a malevolent force he mistakenly unleashed.

Surprisingly, Nimmo chooses to take a step away from Gwyn in this sequel and tell the story from the point of view of Nia Lloyd, the little sister of Gwyn's best friend. She is the middle child in a very large family, and suffering from the belief that she's no good at anything, as well as sadness at the fact that the Lloyds are leaving the beauty of their mountainside cottage for a butchery in the town. But once there, she befriends the mysterious Llewelyn family who live in a renovated chapel; Emlyn and his artistic father. Feeling her worth for the first time when amongst them, Nia ignores the warnings from her family that are used to begin the book:

"Don't go into Llewelyn's chapel!" they told Nia. 'No good will come of it. Something happened there!' But Nia disobeyed. If she hadn't, nothing would have changed. She's still be plain Nia, dull Nia, Nia who couldn't do anything!"

From this meeting flows the rest of the novel; beautifully written to explore issues such as loneliness, self-worth, family and relationships, in a story filled with missing mothers, mysterious children and hidden orchards of icy-cold flowers. I can't help but compare it favourably Harry Potter; whilst the world of magic is central to the "Harry Potter" series, magical workings are on the periphery here and so appears more mysterious and unknown. Don't get me wrong, I love the "Harry Potter" books, but Nimmo's subtle treatment of magic and her concentration on the more human elements of the novel is wonderful (and somewhat ironic considering her latest novels "Children of the Red King" are obviously inspired by the success of Harry Potter and not nearly as good as this previous trilogy).

The best thing about the trilogy is that although each one is a separate story, similar themes, storylines and character arcs are present throughout all three. Therefore, though the disappearance of Bethan was resolved in the first book, it is not completely forgotten here and her backstory and continuing influence plays a major part in `Emlyn's Moon'. Likewise, the malevolent force that was halted in `The Snow Spider' will not finally be put to rest until the third book `The Chestnut Soldier', though it does not impinge on the action here. The overriding theme throughout all books is one becoming increasingly rare in children's fiction; that of the family unit and its power. Therefore, as Gwyn managed to heal his immediate family in the previous book, it is now up to Nia to mend the rift between Gwyn and his cousin's families.

The family is not presented as a difficult, cruel environment, nor as an overly comfortable, too-good-to-be-true unit, but realistically, with all the messy, busy, bickering, stable familial bonds you'd expect in real life. Since the books were first published in the eighties, perhaps some of the language and family roles may feel a little dated, but no one can fault them for their realism and familiarity. The families aren't perfect, but they are worth fighting for.

The books can best be compared with Susan Cooper and Lloyd Alexander, both of whom instigated the use of Welsh legends as the basis for their books ('The Dark is Rising` sequence and `The Chronicle of Prydain`). `The Snow Spider' trilogy is sadly not as popular as either of these books, but they are well worth the effect of finding. Delicately written and with touching illustrations by Joanna Carey, `Emlyn's Moon' is a book that should be on every child's bookshelf, along with the rest of the trilogy.

Emlyn's Moon is the second book in The Magician Trilogy (the first book was The Snow Spider), which draws from Welsh mythology. We rejoin Gwyn two years after the events of the first book, he has learned that his is a wizard (a legacy from his family line), but this story doesn't focus so much on Gwyn...his best friend Alun's family is moving into town. His father was never much of a farmer and has his heart set on being the town butcher. In this move Nia, the middle child of the Lloyd clan becomes somewhat displaced and winds up befriending Emlyn Llewelyn (who it turns out is Gwyn's cousin) and visiting with him in his strange lighthouse home...which she was warned not to do....something happened there she's told by her father and Gwyn's father, but no one will elaborate and when she meets Emlyn's father, he seems nice enough...she can't understand and continues to go there despite the warnings.

As the story sets out, Nia is called plain Nia, dull Nia, Nia who couldn't do anything by her siblings and for much of the story this is the opinion she holds of herself...it is through her friendship with Emlyn and his father that she begins to see that she CAN do something and that she has talent outside of being the middle child of a large family...and outside of that she realizes that she must facilitate a reconciliation between Emlyn an Gwyn AND between Emly's family and Gwyns. The first 1-3 of the book is set up for the adventure that begins in the middle and wends it way to an exciting and heart-warming conclusion. As with the Snow Spider, it is children who ultimately set things right and being some measure of peace and tranquility to families that have been fractured and at odds for a very long time and in the end, Nia finds where she truly belongs as well. Finding a sense of self and new found confidence in who she is and what she can do, a strong and powerful message for all readers! Simply Delightful!

I do want to point out that Emlyn's Moon isn't just another Harry Potter knockoff (especially given that these are reprints of books published in the early 80's), here magic is integral but secondary and more subtle...it's more unknowable and mysterious...the REAL focus in the Magician's trilogy are individual struggles, quests to find self and most especially about family. A common occurrence in many children's books is family that is absent or so un-nurturing and supportive as to be abusive, putting the child hero of the story out on his own without any support...but these are not dressed up Cinderella stories...these are family dramas every bit as much as they are individual struggles. I love that family here is neither absent or abusive, nor is it fairy tale perfect, the adults and children alike are full of faults and mudding through life as best as they can and then magic comes into the picture and the struggles are still there, people are still not perfect, but there is a little bit of magic in the world and it's amazing! This series, and this book especially is one of the best children's book I've read in the last three years! I give Emlyn's Moon five big stars AND two thumbs up, these books should be read and loved by generations of children!! So what are you waiting for, get out and get yourself a copy and enjoy it!!

My grand daughter just loves this book and all of the trilogy. She is only 7, but can't wait to read more.

I think this book is a good book for fantasy lovers of all ages. This is the second book in the "magician trilogy" series so if you like it you should read the first or third book. This story is based in the welsh mountains in the present day. Gwen Griffiths lives a good life in the highest house on the top of the mountains in Ty-Bryn. But his cousin Emlyn is having problems. Emlyn's mom suddenly left without cause and he wants to learn why. But there are dark secrets in their past and when Gwen with the help of a family friend tries to help them, it will change their lives forever.

If you like Charlie Bone and Harry Potter this is another you should read. Great for Kids.

This review is for all three books in Jenny Nimmo's Magician Trilogy (The Snow Spider, Emlyn's Moon, and The Chestnut Soldier).

Jenny Nimmo's writing style is very powerful, and her characters come to life as you read these books. The descriptions of locations (people's houses, the Welsh countryside, the town, the school) are so vivid that you can immediately picture yourself there. These books have a few scary parts, but the endings are very positive and satisfying.

These books are recommended for anyone who enjoys fantasy or Welsh mythology. Similar books include Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising Sequence and Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicles.

Most of the reviews of and comments about "The Magician Trilogy" mention "Harry Potter", (because, well, it's "Harry Potter"), and the Charlie Bone series, (because it's also by Nimmo and it's very much like Potter). Be warned that "The Magician Trilogy" is not anything like those other two sets.

There is no wizarding world, there is no "magic system", there are no spells or incantations. In this series there may be old magic in the hills, and in the memory; there may be mystery in the bones of the earth or the bright eyes of unusual birds; the fog may bring passing enchantment with it on particular nights; but this is not wand waving magic.

These books are moody, indirect and ambiguous, like the old tales themselves. That's certainly not a bad thing, but I would hate to have someone disappointed by this wonderful series because they expected Hogwarts magic and cleverness.

I have read all of the Charlie Bone books that are out so far and bought this series afterwards and it is no disappointment, this is another great series from Jenny Nimmo. I would recommend this to all kids and any adults that want a good story that draws you right into it.

Like other reviewers, I liked the Charlie Bone series better, but I give this 5 stars because this series is still well written, and is still a good read. It actually got my 10-yr-old son to put Harry Potter down for a few days! LOL He did find the 3rd book a bit confusing-I think it's better for kids interested in dating because of all of the romance complications involved that one just can't understand until one has had a broken heart. But the 1st 2 books are fine for a tween.

It was nice that this middle book is told from a different person's point of view. The 3rd book ties the 3 books all together. But the 1st two books are able to stand on their own.

I liked the information on Wales also. It brought back memories of my visit there. I think it's a great way to introduce the country to kids.

This is the 2nd book in a trilogy. Jenny Nimmo is a great writer. This book follows very nicely with the first, but the first isn't necessary to get what is going on. My 10 year old enjoys them too. Jenny Nimmo writes to kids and makes the reading easy and fun.