Customer Reviews

The Treekeepers

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

 

 

The Treekeepers is one of the best fantasy novels I have read. Susan McGee Britton's use of language is captivating. The closest match I could name would be Tolkien, but Britton's writing style is fresh and unique. It is not a pale imitation of Tolkien, as so many fantasies seem to be. The "quotations" at the beginning of each chapter are poetic and fascinating.

Bird, Dren, Farwender, Soladin and the other characters quickly became real people to me as I read. Although a fantasy, I was caught up in their courage, fear, love, anger and jealousy. I found myself caring deeply about them, and what happened to them. Again, I compare this to so many fantasies whose characters seem wooden or cartoonish.

The story itself was fascinating, with numerous subplots woven in. Britton created a unique world, yet as I read I was constantly reminded of the struggles, betrayals and adventures we experience in our world. Her characterization of the evil king Rendarren was great, and I thought the scenes with Sebeelyo and Benwin were extraordinary.

This book stands by itself. The ending was unexpected and satisfying, but enough mysteries were hinted at to make me hope a sequel is in the works.

I agree with Booklist (American Library Association) and the School Library Journal: This book is riveting and believable, enriching the traditional conventions of the fantasy genre.

I wanted Treekeepers to go on forever--I couldn't put it down. The story is told in a vivid way that makes it more like watching a movie than reading a book. The main character is an orphan girl named Bird who thinks of herself as tough and brave, which she is. But she also has a tender heart. As she battles her way through life, looking for her father and a way to heal her land, her heart slowly grows in tenderness. She finds people she can love--and who love her. But also, she fails miserably in her quest, until in the end, well, you have to read the book. There is something comforting about the way this story is told. It's like being wrapped up in a warm blanket in front of a fire on a cold night. I will soon be 40, but I still crave such stories.

I live with a thirst that is seldom quenched, a hunger that is nearly impossible to satisfy. At the age of ten, I began reading the greats of fantasy - T.H. White, Lloyd Alexander, Tolkein, Lewis, etc. - and so developed a taste for tales of other, magic worlds. Those authors fully removed me from earth and placed me elsewhere, enthralling me with their rich, powerful works. Since then, I have not stopped questing for works of similar power, but the pickings have been slim. It is with great pleasure, then, that I read Britton's work: here, finally, is another volume to add to the list of treasured fantasies that I read and re-read through the years.

I love this book, and I can not stop thinking about it. Both my daughters have read it and could not put the book down. As a Christian, I loved all the symbolism. The thalasse makes me think of the Holy Spirit, the "mark" all believers bare. It is nice to be able to read this book as a great fantasy, but also enjoy its deeper meanings.

My daughter and I both read The Treekeepers and enjoyed everything about it. The writing, the characters, the story, the emotion. It was an amazing first novel and one that neither of us wanted to put down. Here's hoping for more from Susan Britton, and a sequel of The Treekeepers.

I picked up this book because the description looked interesting--it seemed that this book had all the elements of my favorite kind of story: child protagonist with a great but unknown destiny, animal companions, magical plant lore, a dangerous quest, etc. I was not disappointed. The story is excellent. But I gave the book three stars because the writing didn't transport me the way I feel truly great writing should. If the whole book had been written with the same magical quality as the "excerpts" at the beginning of each chapter (which were wonderfully captivating and fantastically written), this would have been a five star book. But with such a great story for this author's debut novel, I expect great things from her--including a great sequel--and hopefully with each book her writing becomes more developed and transporting until we can rightfully categorize her with the likes of Lloyd Alexander and Philip Pullman (as the dust jacket says).

If you love fantasy, read this book! You'll be glad you started reading Susan McGee Britton at the beginning of her career. :)

I got this book with the intention of giving it to my second-grade daughter, who is an extremely advanced reader. However, the description and front cover intrigued me and I began the book myself first. I am so glad I did!

While the book is very entertaining and engaging, the themes are rather harsh and the violence fairly brutal. This would have been entirely too mature for my seven-year-old, and the images of throats being ripped out and heads chopped off to roll at a child's feet disturbed me, as well. The idea of a parent who kills all his offspring is rather upsetting, too.

I do understand that this is geared towards grades five and up, but I wanted to put in this review so that this aspect of the book is clear. Again, the book is well done, the characters are well-developed and grow over the course of their adventures. The religious themes are a bit overt and, as a non-Christian, I found them a bit chafing. Yes, there are definite aspects that reminded me of Philip Pullman's Golden Compass series.

So, as long as a reader is forewarned to these aspects of the story, the reader may choose intelligently and most likely enjoy the book, should he or she choose to read it.

Throughout the story, The Treekeepers held me captivated with the story of Bird, the land of Wen, and Bird's companions. But the ending left me feeling unsatisfied, and the story felt unresolved. I got the sense that the author rushed through the ending, or tried to blur it because she was unsure of how it should go. All in all, I thought this was a very good book, but unless there is a sequel, I think the ending was a let down.