My goal is to finish this book this weekend. It slowed in the middle with a lot of "hobbit-type" traveling (for fans of Tolkien. Once I got past the middle of the book, it started to get more interesting. The main characters Jebel, the boy, and his slave, Tel Hesani have been spearated, rejoined, and now with about a quarter of the book to go are separated again. There are some great passages I'll have to post. Tel is the voice of reason, compassion, and maturity. Jebel is growing through the book from his impulsive and spoiled temperment to more maturity as the two are tested by some pretty extreme situations.
This mildly fantastic world has so many cultures to study and understand, so far Shan has done an excellent job of walking us through little villages and meeting with strange,unusual peoples, all with different religions, that it seems like a book of anthropology mnore than a novel.
Major focus in the story has been an acceptance of differences and questioning beliefs. Are we loyal to our beliefs because of where we were born? or who we really are?
The lessons are nothing new, but for a Young Adult novel, these messages at the correct time in a teen's life might just chnage their thinking for the better.
An interesting story, a bit of adventure, an homage to Mark Twain, and a few lessons to learn create a somewhat quick paced and fun read.
Darren Shan is probably better known for his "Cirque Du Freak" and "Demonata" series for Young Adults So, he is not a stranger to unveiling a dark fantastic world. Maybe I'll try those series next.
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