The Book of Lies (Hardcover)

by James Moloney (Author)
Key Phrases: old wizard, Lord Alwyn, Book of Lies, Old Belch (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 4–8—When Marcel is delivered to an orphanage in the middle of the night, the wizard Lord Alwyn and his magical Book of Lies take away his memories of his previous life. Only the intervention of another orphan, Bea, allows Marcel to remember his true name. It soon becomes apparent that while he doesn't remember his past, it has followed him and links him to two other orphans, Nicola and Fergus. The three soon escape and become involved in the politics of their kingdom and the conflict between King Pelham and his rivals, Prince Damon and Princess Eleanor. Marcel and the other children discover that they play a key role in the conflicts that will shape their land's future, but first they must understand the treachery and lies that surround their own identities. Marcel is a sympathetic main character, though his reactions to the changes in his life seem shallow at times and the discovery of his own powers lacks drama. Supporting characters tend to dramatic gestures, but they lack depth and motivation. Moloney has created a number of unusual magical creatures that will catch readers' imaginations, including the sorcerer's unique flying horse and the Book of Lies itself, which becomes more mysterious and sinister as the story progresses. While this novel lacks the emotional depth to be truly outstanding, Marcel's search for identity will ring true to readers on the verge of adolescence.—Beth L. Meister, Pleasant View Elementary School, Franklin, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
One dark and stormy night, four hooded men deliver an unconscious boy to a home for orphans and foundlings. There, a wizard awaits, ready to erase the boy's memories and implant new ones with the help of a magical book, The Book of Lies.^B A small girl watches the scene from her hiding place, plugs the boy's ears with wax to limit the damage, and later tells him his actual name, Marcel. Throughout the book, Marcel's challenge is to peel back the layers of deception that lie between him and the truth as he struggles to determine his identity and his allies amid warring factions grasping for a kingdom. First published in Australia, this fantasy offers an assortment of adventures, from magical flights to brutal swordfights, as well as tender moments as Marcel comes to know his kin and his friends. Readers who enjoy the mixture of mystery, riddles, action, and camaraderie will be pleased that the open-ended conclusion leads to a planned sequel. Good fun for middle-grade fantasy fans. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (April 3, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060578424
• ISBN-13: 978-0060578428
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #829,516 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling!, June 11, 2007

By	Erika Sorocco (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Mrs. Timmins's Home for Foundlings and Orphans is known for providing care and shelter for those children unfortunate to lose their parents, or be left behind. But when Mrs. Timmins's newest charge awakes, he is instantly overcome with the feeling that he's not who he says he is. Left with no memory of his prior life, twelve-year-old Marcel - aka Robert - is convinced that something fishy is lingering around Mrs. Timmins and her creepy home. Sure, she's a kind old woman, and her son, Albert, isn't too demanding, but there's something not right surrounding her. Marcel believes that his unsettled feelings can be primarily blamed upon Lord Alwyn, a bizarre presence whose obsession and knowledge with magic and the mysterious arts has Mrs. Timmins, as well as her young charges, shaking in their boots. Unfortunately, Marcel has no solid proof that there's something missing from his history. Something that could change his life for the better. Until, that is, he meets up with tiny Bea. Bea has the ability to disappear into the shadows, and her small stature makes it easy for her to come and go as she pleases with everyone none the wiser. Marcel instantly takes to the elfin girl, and finds her fascinating. The fact that she is aware of the strange happenings that took place between Marcel and Lord Alwyn on the first night of his arrival at Mrs. Timmins's Home for Foundlings and Orphans, only works to renew his interest in her, and claim her as his confidant and closest friend. With Bea's help, Marcel discovers that the large, musty old book that Lord Alwyn carries with him wherever he goes is known as the Book of Lies. The Book of Lies is home to Marcel's past, and the truth that will help him forge on in the future. Unfortunately, with Lord Alwyn guarding the book with his life, Marcel sees no way to delve into the book, and learn the secrets of his prior life - before the aging wizard locks them away forever - without being caught. The fact that the Book of Lies is so unattainable, however, only works to make Marcel more determined to get his pauper-like hands upon it. And, with the help of Bea, a mangy horse with dreams of soaring among the clouds named Gadfly, and two unlikely fellow orphans, Marcel embarks on the journey of a lifetime that will take him through hunger and famine, war and flame-ridden dwellings, and through the lands of elves, and corrupt royals with plans to destroy their kingdoms. It is only through these trials, tribulations, and tests that Marcel will finally have the chance to discover his true history, and learn to depend upon others to help him through misery, magic, and mystery. But if he doesn't watch his back, he and his companions may not make it through their adventure alive.

I'm not a huge fan of science fiction, yet I'm easily drawn in by fantasy novels that test the waters, and dip into untouched subjects, and clever concepts. James Moloney's THE BOOK OF LIES manages to fulfill both of these requirements. Moloney's descriptive dialogue, and captivating characters work hand in hand to create a daring novel that takes the reader on the adventure of a lifetime. Marcel is a curious character, whose determination to discover the truth about his past is admirable; while his refusal to turn his back on his friends, or abandon his quest - even when the waters turn rough - makes him extremely likable. His relationship with Bea - a character who, in my opinion, steals the spotlight - is very refreshing, as it is close, and loving, yet doesn't delve into anything romantic. Bea's ability to blend in with the shadows surrounding her, and the fact that she possesses no scent, and creeps around as silently as a cat make her an extremely fun character from beginning to end. She is such an innocent, friendly face, whose presence leaves the reader feeling a sense of familiarity between her and themselves, and truly makes her irresistible. Gadfly, a horse who is wild and beautiful, and dreams of stealing the spotlight of saving the world, and gracing the skies with her agility and heroics from Hercules' companion, Pegasus, is quite humorous; yet also borders on the adorable, as it shows that animals too have dreams that, while oft-times far-fetched, are an important aspect of their lives. While Marcel is lovable and impossible to ignore, I found that both Bea and Gadfly - working together - managed to overshadow his character, and capture my heart instantly. Moloney's various other characters - from the Princess-like Nicola, to the brazen, stout roughneck, Fergus; and even to the mad scientist-like Lord Alwyn, to the mother hen ways of Mrs. Timmins - are an important addition to the tale, who provide conflict and companionship to our hero and heroine. The fact that Moloney doesn't focus too harshly on the life of an orphan is another plus, as he gets straight to the main focus of the story, and keeps you captivated from start to finish. Thrilling!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars With magic and dragons, elves and a flying horse, readers' imaginations will explode!, June 5, 2007

By	Kidsreads.com (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

As the morning dawns, a 12-year-old boy named Robert wakes up from a deep and disorienting sleep. At least he thinks his name is Robert, though for some reason it doesn't feel right. He finds himself at an orphanage nestled far out into the countryside but forgets how he got there. In fact, he can't remember much of anything, except that perhaps his mother is no longer alive. A fellow orphan by the name of Bea quickly fills him in on the mysterious events of the previous night.

Robert arrives in the darkness and is immediately carried upstairs to the tower. Bea witnesses the sleeping newcomer mumble protests as an old, bent man in flowing robes stands over him with a huge book. The book begins reciting a history to the boy, starting with the name of Robert. But Bea knows this is false; she just heard the old man call him Marcel. After he leaves, Bea tries to stop the book's magic, but it stubbornly continues its false history lesson. Finally, Bea resorts to stuffing Marcel's ears with candle wax and sneaks back to bed.

After hearing the story, Marcel is eager to discover the truth about his identity and family. When he admits knowledge of his true name to the old man, Marcel is forbidden to leave the orphanage grounds. More determined than ever to reveal his history, Marcel, with the help of Bea, steals the strange book to look for answers. It is called THE BOOK OF LIES, which records every lie told in its presence and glows red when hearing the truth. With it, they discover that two other orphans have been lied to as well, given a false history to replace the truth.

Then two strangers appear over the fence claiming they have all the answers and promising to help them escape. They say that the three memory-replaced orphans are mixed up in an evil plan to take control of the kingdom. But whom should Marcel and Bea trust? Marcel and his friends set out on a life-threatening adventure, a race against time to save their histories and their futures.

Hang on tight to this fast-paced story, which contains more twists and surprises than a haunted house. With magic and dragons, elves and a flying horse, readers' imaginations will explode!

--- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, April 19, 2007

By	L. Stone (Rochester, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I read this book three years ago, with my then-10 year old son, in the UK edition. It's one of my favorite children's books ever, perfect for pre-teens, but intriguing enough to be a page-turner for this adult (and I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel). It's also a much-needed entry in this segment of the market; most of the magic/fantasy sorts of books are too old for pre-teens... or not very smart or well-written. The Book of Lies is both smart and well-written, with a trio of central characters that every child will identify with. And it's a great read and a lot of fun!