The Purple Emperor (The Faerie Wars Chronicles) [Library Binding]

Herbie Brennan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 18, 2008 | Series: The Faerie Wars Chronicles

When Henry gets called back to the Faerie Realm to help his friends Holly and Pyrgus he has to be more resourceful and brave than he could ever have thought possible. When Pyrgus and Holly are confronted with their greatest fear they too have to prove themselves to be courageous beyond their own expectations. With the help of Mr Fogarty and the marvellous Madam Cardui the futures of these brilliant young protagonists are worked out in a masterful plot that will hold the reader gripped from start to finish.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-10–In the sequel to Faerie Wars (Bloomsbury, 2003), trouble stirs again in the Faerie Realm. The Emperor is dead, and Prince Pyrgus has doubts about whether he is ready to rule. Machinations by evil Lord Hairstreak threaten to take that decision away; the Emperor's body disappears while lying in state and reappears as an animated zombie who disinherits Pyrgus in favor of his half brother, Comma. Pyrgus, his sister Princess Blue, Henry (a human teenager who has access to the Faerie Realm), and Mr. Fogarty (another human and Pyrgus's advisor) team up with the feral Forest Faerie, who are led by Nymph, another strong princess who comes across remarkably like Blue. As in the first volume, pacing and inventiveness offer a rollercoaster ride; unfortunately, characterization and plot are often thin. The subplot concerning Henry and his family problems in his (our) world is dropped completely, and he does little but feel useless and pine after Princess Blue. Blue is still a strong female character, but events are rarely shown through her eyes, making it difficult for readers to identify with her. Subplots that involve a wangaramas wyrm (a telekinetic parasite intent upon revolution) and Brimstone (a demonologist) and his continued dealings with Hael (Hell) are by far the most entertaining portions of the novel, but don't stand alone. Overall, this story will please fans of the first volume but is not likely to win new readers.–Karyn N. Silverman, LREI–Elizabeth Irwin High School, New York City
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 6-8. With the loathsome villains introduced in Faerie Wars (2003) still advancing toward crown prince Pyrgus Malvae, this sequel is off to a galloping start, and the fast-paced action continues throughout the story. Now that his father, the Purple Emperor, is dead, reluctant Pyrgus is expected to become emperor. Unfortunately, Lord Hairstreak, leader of the Faeries of the Night, has resurrected the Purple Emperor to denounce Pyrgus. Hairstreak, who seeks to control the Faerie realm, wants his malleable brother, Comma, on the throne instead. Once again, Henry Atherton finds himself transported back to the Faerie realm, where he helps Pyrgus and his sister, Holly Blue, defeat Hairstreak and his minions. There's plenty of humor as well as dangerous adventure--and the conclusion promises more to come. Sally Estes
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Library Binding: 431 pages
• Publisher: Paw Prints 2008-04-18 (April 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1435248937
• ISBN-13: 978-1435248939
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,097,638 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A professional writer whose work has appeared in more than fifty countries, Herbie Brennan is enjoyed by children and adults alike -- sales of his books already exceed 7.5 million copies.

Herbie has an well-established career writing for the children's market -- from picture books to teenage fiction, from game books to school curriculum non-fiction. His keen eye for novelty, both in technology and market development, made him among the very first writers to create adventure gamebooks and his GrailQuest series was an international bestseller.

His teenage novel, Faerie Wars, also rocketed to international success, achieving best-seller status in more than 20 overseas editions, and was voted No 1 Top Ten Teenage Pick in the United States and listed as a New York Times Best Seller title.

Equally prolific in the adult market, Herbie has a powerful reputation for challenging conventional assumptions with penetrating intelligence and a clear, easy style. This is reflected in his interests, which range from transpersonal psychology, spirituality, reincarnation and psychical research to comparative religion and quantum physics. His reappraisal of ancient history has stirred lively debate on TV and radio as well as in the Press. He broadcasts and lectures regularly throughout the UK and Ireland.

Herbie became interested in mysticism as a child and was studying books on the subject virtually from the time he was able to read. He found himself pursuing several unorthodox lines of research, including hypnosis, and actually hypnotised his first subject -- a school friend -- at the age of nine!

He began a journalistic career at eighteen and at twenty-four became the youngest newspaper editor in his native Ireland. His early career path included magazine work, hypnotherapy, counselling, advertising and market¬ing.

His first book, Astral Doorways, an exploration of out-of-body experience, became a specialist best-seller and went on to become a classic in its field -- it is still in print some thirty-five years on.

In his mid twenties, Herbie had his first novel published, an historical romance brought out by Doubleday in New York. At the age of thirty he decided to devote most of his time to writing and has since gone on to produce more than 100 books, many of them international best-sellers.

When he can be persuaded to take a break from his writing, Herbie give lectures and seminars, which have included modules on reincarnation research, the astral plane, dreamwork, healing, spiritual development, psychical research, quantum physics and magical training..

With a background that includes writing for radio, the creation of boxed games and computer software, perhaps his greatest strength lies in the realm ideas, particularly in the diversification of publishing product into allied fields like audio and CD-ROM.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Definately worth a try..., February 6, 2005

By 

Selena (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Purple Emperor: Faerie Wars II (Faerie Wars Chronicles) (Hardcover)

I found the first book, Faerie Wars, pretty interesting so I decided to read this one. In many ways it had excellent qualities such as suspense, mystery and a bit of romance. I'll have to admit, I finished the book pretty quickly because I got hooked onto it and didn't want to put it down. There were many twists and turns of the plot, and it was practically impossible to guess what would happen next at times.

I did, however, find the ending a tad abrupt. It was such a shame to finish the book without any more information on Pyrgus, Mr. Fogarty, Henry or Blue. But overall the book was an excellent one..... it will certainly capture your interest.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Ehhh.....it's OK, September 10, 2005

By 

~GothLoveBlue~ (Eugene, Oregon USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Purple Emperor: Faerie Wars II (Faerie Wars Chronicles) (Hardcover)

WHAT I DON'T LIKE: Its a great story, except for the lack of an ending. Herbie Brennan has got a wonderful story going, but I'm sorry, I cannot stand it when a book does not answer most of my questions by the end. I read this book almost a year ago, so although I dont remember exactly what questions I had, i still remember being highly confused. I am sure many people do not feel the same way I do about this book, I do not intend on offending anyone who has already read this book and loved it, I am simply stating my opinion. Although I did not enjoy these books as much as I had hoped I would, I still recommend it. As I said before, this is a great story.

WHAT I DID LIKE: Henry and Blue actually kiss, (it was bound to happen sooner or later)Pyrgus meets a woman and falls in love, and Mr. Fogary meets a woman, also. The plot was great, and the characters likable. ( If only it were not for the ending, I would give this book 4 stars. )

I hope my review was in any way helpful =)

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Action-Packed but Lacking as a Sequel ..., April 23, 2006

By 

T. J. Jones "TJ" (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Purple Emperor: Faerie Wars II (Faerie Wars Chronicles) (Hardcover)

In his sequel to 'Faerie Wars', Herbie Brennan offers up plenty of action, thrills, chills, and suspense, but 'The Purple Emperor' sadly does not stand up to the standards set by its prequel.

Pyrgus Malvae is about to be crowned Purple Emperor, and he is dreading every part of his new found power. All to suddenly, the body of the soon-to-be-burried former Purple Emperor, Pyrgus and Holly Blue's father, has been stolen and resurrected back to life by their old enemy, Black Hairstreak. Meanwhile, former characters are plotting their own schemes, as Jasper Chalkhill, the flamboyant spy for Hairstreak, is pulled out of jail and has a physchic wyrm inserted into his bottom (no joke) in order to help assasinate Pyrgus for Hairstreak. And also, the old demonologist Brimstone has been hiding out with his new, and very temporary, wife until Beleth makes him an offer he can't refuse. Eventually, all of these character's paths cross in a monumental battle of wits and danger.

Sounds confusing, but Brennan weaves the multi-plot strands relatively well. The story unfolds in short chapters, unlike its prequel, and the majority of the story is furiously-paced, almost too fast. The whole beginning was a blur, and Brennan rushed it way too quickly. The characters are so quickly thrown in the action, I felt as if I was on the sidelines watching instead of actually involved in the story. Brennan's own demise is the rushed pacing and how fast he tried to set up the plot and action, as it stopped him from forming the solidity of a good beginning and base for the remainder of the story. The faerie realm felt very empty as I was pulled along by the fast pace, but once you get past the bad beginning, the rest of the story is a action-packed adventure that leads to a shocking ending.

Bogged down by a rushed beginning, 'The Purple Emperor' eventually closes with a strong conclusion and I only recommend it to fans of the first book who like Brennan's use of suspense and action. Here's hoping the third book, 'Ruler of the Realm', returns to the qualities that made the first book enjoyable, yet believable, fantasy.