Jericho Montellano Montellano itibaren Uskoplje, Hırvatistan
I originally read the short version of this years ago in high school, and it was one of the few things that stuck with me all the way up to last year, when I picked the full-length novel up. I was very glad that I did. This book's great success is that it show's the reader that Charlie is every bit as human, and as worth of respect as a human being, both before his intelligence is increased, and after he starts to regress. He is a sympathetic character, but this isn't a sympathy that is gained at the expense of Charlie's dignity.
I read this one initially back in junior high or high school and liked it quite a bit, and that hasn't changed over the years. Sabriel is a great heroine, Mogget is a great sidekick, and the depiction of Death is something I've never forgotten. The bells are cool, and there is good tension between the order of Charter Magic and the chaos of Free Magic. Because this is a shorter book, Nix doesn't fill in all of the bits of the history of this world or the details of how the magics work. But it's ok--it makes it feel like there is more to the world than just this story that the author is telling. I also found the mix of medieval fantasy-type land north of the wall and the WWI-era, science-type land in the south to be interesting. Fun juxtaposition. Rating: A heavier PG-13 for some violence, some intense moments, and an off-screen scene of sex noises. ***SPOILERY THOUGHTS*** (view spoiler)
I love all of Willan's Look and Cook books...it's like Eyewitness books for the cook in the family.