Customer Reviews

RULER OF THE REALM

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Some little minion told me in advance about something that happens in this third book of the Faerie Wars chronicles... and so I set it aside for six months. Dang it, I should never have listened! When I finally picked it up, I enjoyed it more than the first two. It is more of the cheeky humor--and more fanning of the flame between Blue and Henry... sigh....--and more violence, though not the cruel-to-kitties type from the first book, thank the Light. I think my favorite part is... um... How can I state this without creating a spoiler? Let's see: the validation of Mr. Fogarty's claims regarding alien abduction. There. Loved this one. (Please don't purchase for kids below high school age; they understand the violence but they may have questions about the s-e-x parts that you aren't ready to answer yet.)

Another fast paced adventure in this series. The same characters are seen, and Henry's life on Earth is still just as confused. At the opening of the novel he is trying to convince himself that the Fairie Realm is his reation to stress and that he created it all in his mind. Of course he and the reader get to be really confused as he is abducted by aliens and later transported a la Star Trek into the Fairy Realm.

The love Henry and Blue feel for each other is exploited in this and Blue is having a hard time dealing with the pressures of being the Ruler.

While these books are about fairies and magic they have alot more of a tomboyish bent to them than a girly froofy fairy tale. Some very fun scenes happen and clearly this is not the last book in the series.

A new 'Faerie Wars Chronicles' title for middle-school fantasy enthusiasts will reach both prior fans of The Faerie Wars and newcomers, who will find most accessible the story of the newly crowned Queen Blue, who is trying to rule her new kingdom. Her visit to the Spicemaster brings a warning and when her brother discovers a secret weapon just when Lord Hairstreak offers peace, trouble ensues, furthered by Blue's disappearance just as Henry returns from the Analogue world. It's the third adventure in the chronicles, but leisure readers will find it quite accessible.

Title: Ruler of the Realm by Herbie Brennan

Pages: 423

Time spent on the "to read" shelf: 2 or 3 years.

Days spent reading it: 4 days.

Why I read it: I first purchased Faerie Wars for my wife as a Christmas present. I was experimenting with a book I thought she might like. Turns out it was a phenomenal book. This is the third book in that series.

Brief review:
I loved Faerie Wars and its sequel The Purple Emperor. So I was expecting good things from Ruler of the Realm. I was not disappointed. The target audience for these books is definitely teenage readers, however it is also being marketed to adults (I've seen mass paperbacks in the Fantasy/Science Fiction areas that are aimed at adults, not teens). These books are definitely worth being read by any fantasy reader.

Herbie Brennan has great characters. However, the real selling point for me from that book on is Herbie Brennan's mastery of plot. I will not reveal much about the plot, because it is so great and fluid that even talking about basics gives away the plot from previous books. His books take 2 or 3 complete story shifts through the book. NOTHING is ever as it appears, and great revelations are made throughout the series. Ruler of the Realm has some great seismic shifts.

My biggest complaint about this book is that Henry (who I would consider the main character from the first two books), is sidelined during most of this book. His character just is not doing much. A little disappointing, because Henry is such a likable character.

My only caution to readers: This series does have demon characters and sometimes odd (or scary) rituals that reflect a pagan worldview. I was put-off by some of the events, but not so much that I would not recommend this book to teenagers whose parents would talk about the content.

Favorite quote: He was reaching for another crystal bloom when the guards fell on him like a tree.

Stars: 4.5 out of 5.

Final Word: Surprise!

Faerie Wars was an all-around great book. Purple Emperor wasn't quite as good, but I still liked it. This one...I would classify most of the plot of this one as weird. It was still interesting, and it was actually REALLY good at the very end, but there were a few places where I felt like I was plodding through.

However, I did really enjoy some of the character growth. I'm getting kind of annoyed at the Henry-Blue relationship, and wish that Brennan would do something already. This book didn't finish it, but made some progress. I also really liked the way the plot came together, but it did start out slow.

If you liked the way the first one was structured, this one is better than Purple Emperor, but still not as good as Faerie Wars. I'm hoping Brennan returns to his original structuring for Faerie Lord.

So I would Recommend it, but not highly recommend.

If you liked Faerie Wars, you'll like this one. It continues Henry and Blue's "like me or love me" relationship as they try to save the Faerie Realm from both Blue's uncle and the demon Beleth. Lots of action and surprises that make it an easy entertaining read.

I guess you could say this was a science fiction/fantasy blend. I can easily see why Artemis Fowl fans like it, and know that it is a great tale. Yet, Herbie Brennan does not give you history about the Realm. His names for characters, places and things are uninteresting and sometimes boring. However, once you get over the fact that it is an unhistorically backgrounded realm, then you will enjoy it.

The first book was gory, and strangely horror-filled. I knew someone who read it who, although they liked it, thought it was VERY freakish and mean to animals. I admit, this series is NOT for the faint hearted, and defintely not for fans of epic description, lagging five or so pages on a character's appearance, while he dies the next chapter.

Yet, Harry Potter fans will delight: the humor of this story is almost exactly like that. The characters were the best part, and although their names are aforementionedly boring, they themselves have nothing to regret. I give you a short list of important characters, and someting destictive about them:

Mr. Fogarty--The most humorous charcter in the book, an old WWII veteran brought to the Realm.
Henry--The main character in the series, Henry has a crush on Blue (see Blue) and continually is brought to the Realm, sometimes against his will.
Pyrgus--My personal favorite character is Prince of the Realm, and continues to try to protect Blue, the Empress.
Blue--Empress of the Realm, she hones a secret crush on Henry, and gets herself into a heck lot of trouble.

If there's to be another chronicle in this series, I will get it the first day.

This is a fantasy that, strangely alike with AF, does not descend from Tolkien.

I liked this even better than the first two books in the trilogy.

My favorite books are fantasy and while I may not put this right next to the dragon lance series, I thoroughly enjoyed the set.

Although I have not read this story in the epic, I have read the other two. They are very good. Herbie Brennan tells a very scary, but gripping tale of war, love, secrets, and lies. This is not a book for young children, but for ages 12 and up, it is a great read.

The last chapter of the 2nd book has left me begging for more. I hope to get this book from my public library, although I don't think they have it...

This is a great read for any believer or lover of sci-fi fiction, or fantasy involving Faeries and demons and light and dark forces. I recommend this for any young adult or fan of fantasy, but I repeat, this is not for the light-hearted or those who believe books are not meant for scare.