This is a hard one to categorize, as a number of the books deal with fairly mature themes. The series focuses on the plucky young heroine Dido Twite and her friends Simon and Is, as they rise from the depths of poverty and struggle against corrupt villains and powerbrokers, right up to the throne of the King of England. The books are set in 19th century England, so there is a lot of Dickens’ influence here, and more…

The great twist of the series is that author Joan Aiken has set everyone down in a twisted alternate world where the Stuarts hold the throne despite the efforts of “Bonnie Prince Georgie” and his “dastardly Hannoverians”. In one story, The Stolen Lake, Dido encounters the immortal Queen Guenivere of Arthurian legend, now residing in “Roman America” after her Romanized-Celtic warriors stole the ships of the invading Saxons and fled across the Atlantic Ocean to found a new colony in the deep Amazon. While the crazy world is an obvious highlight, fans will stick around to see plucky Dido Twite and her half-sister Is face down their adversaries with extreme gumption and great heart.

• The Wolves of Willoughby Chase - $9.99 / 200+ soft.
• Black Hearts at Battersea - $10.99 / 192 soft.
• Night Birds on Nantucket - $9.95 / 150+ soft.
• The Stolen Lake - $7.99 / 272 soft.
• Dangerous Games a.k.a. Limbo Lodge - $17.83 / Library Binding.
• The Cuckoo Tree - $7.99 / 256 soft.
• Dido and Pa - $7.99 / 256 soft.
• Is a.k.a Is Underground - $7.99 / 240 soft.
• Cold Shoulder Road - $7.99 / 240 soft.
• Midwinter Nightengale - New! / $7.99 / 256 soft.

Note that Midwinter Nightengale is the latest book in the series, which finally brings Dido Twite (missing for Is and Cold Shoulder Road) back from America and reunites her with her childhood friend Simon.

• $17.59 - Paperback - 224 pages Reissue edition (January 18, 1991)

Being a fantasy, The Last Unicorn tends to be marketed for kids. It's deeper than such a reputation would suggest. This is a classic of the genre, dealing seriously and fantastically with love, death and regret. Good for children of all ages.

• Box Set of 3 Books: ($29.95 paperback)
• Single Paperback: ($19.95 paperback)

Susanna Clarke’s epic masterpiece describes an alternate version of England in the early 19th century: a country where magicians used to stand alongside clergymen in nobility and where the roads to the kingdoms of Faerie were open. But magic has been long out of England… until the reclusive Mr. Norrell comes forward, claiming to be the country’s only practicing magician and making it his life’s mission to restore magic to England.

To Norrell’s chagrin and delight, he is joined by the younger, more flamboyant Jonathan Strange, whose raw talent for magic more than equals Mr. Norrell’s booksmarts. The two help England face the threat of Napoleon Bounepart, and add magic to the great Battle of Waterloo, but then comes the falling out, and the battle between England’s last two practising magicians could dwarf the military campaigns of Wellington.

This is a fantastic novel steeped in the style of the period. It’s is a daunting read at over 1000 pages, but if you can invest yourself in the first 100, you will be rolling along after reading 100 more. The time Clarke invests in the characters and in the complex plot pays incredible dividends.

A full review can be read here.

After Tolkien, Susan Cooper’s Dark is Rising sequence is one of the strongest fantasy series around. Four of the five books focuses on young Will Stanton who, on his eleventh birthday, discovers that he is the last in a long line of immortal, magical “Old Ones” whose duty it is to fight back the rising forces of the dark. Mixing Welsh and Old English legends with youthful heroes and heroines, the five books are a fun read. You can start the series equally well with The Dark is Rising as you can with Over Sea and Under Stone

• Over Sea and Under Stone - $6.99 / 150+ soft.
• The Dark is Rising - $6.99 / 150+ soft.
• Greenwitch - $6.99 / 150+ soft.
• The Grey King - $6.99 / 150+ soft.
• Silver on the Tree - $6.99 / 150+ soft.
• Box Set of all Five - $24.95.

• $11.69 - Seeds of Time paperback

The first of K.C. Dyer’s Eagle Glen Trilogy, which just wrapped up with Shades of Red. From the back cover: “Thirteen-year-old Darrell Connor is a troubled girl, still haunted by the motorcycle accident that took her father’s life and part of her leg three years ago. She is not pleased when her worried mother sends her to board at Eagle Glen School for the summer. But there is a sense of mystery at the school that appeals to Darrell, and as she investigates, she finds adventure and begins to form a few tentative friendships. When she stumbles upon a passage through time, she begins to wonder - is it possible to change her own past?”

A proper review will follow once I finish reading this story, but so far it is proving enjoyable, with strong characters and an emotive narrative. Darrell walks a fine line with her anger but remains sympathetic, and the setting evokes mystery very well.

• Book 1: Twilight ($11.99 paperback) ($21.99 hardback)
• Book 2: New Moon ($11.99 paperback) ($21.99 hardback)
• Book 3: Eclipse ($14.99 paperback) ($21.99 hardback)
• Book 4: Breaking Dawn (no paperback edition) ($23.99 hardback)

Stephanie Meyer’s fantasy-romance Twilight series is starting to attract some attention, possibly marking this woman as the next J.K. Rowling. Her series may not be for all tastes. In the first book, headstrong 17 year old Isabella Swan relocates to dreary, damp Forks, Washington and falls in love with the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, who happens to be a vampire.

The story is first and foremost a lovestory, but Meyer manages to keep this reader’s interest by giving Bella some bite (ha ha!), and making the high school setting, with all of its cliques and backbiting, authentic. It’s not Buffy, but as romantic escapism with a bit of bloodlust goes, this may be up your alley.

See a full review here.

• $30.45 - Paperback - 1168 pages Reprint edition - (c) 1946-59

Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast trilogy is a surreal, gothic fantasy set piece. The first two books is spent showing the Byzantine, tradition-bound kingdom of Gormenghast through the eyes of its inhabitants, in particular young Titus Groan, the 77th Earl. The deceptions and machinations between the characters drives this story, especially the Machiavellian Steerpike, an excellent villain who claws his way up from the kitchens to near the highest role in the land.

In the third book, Titus walks away from Gormenghast and ends up in a futuristic, fascistic world. The change in setting is possibly explained by Mervyn Peake growing up in 1930s China and then moving to England during the Second World War.

I'd considered the books to be unfilmable, but the BBC filmed them. The DVD of the mini-series is well worth watching.

• DVD - $39.98 - Release Date: July 3, 2001

• $10.79 - Hogfather paperback

It was the night before Hogswatch and all through the house, creatures were stirring, including the Death of Rats.

Terry Pratchett gives us a seasonal ride through his wonderful Discworld as Death faces off against the Auditors of Reality, out to eliminate human imagination by eliminating the holiday, right down to the last bah, humbug. As the auditors commission the creepy assassin Mr. Teatime, Death, who finds that Teatime can go places where Death is not allowed, manipulates his adopted granddaughter, Susan, to enter the fray. The poor, practical young woman just wants a quiet, normal, Hogswatch.

Pratchett’s Hogfather is a funny novel that allows easy access for newcomers to the Discworld series while at the same time providing plenty for fans to savour. A number of characters from Pratchett’s other novels make appearances here, but the narrative is such that all readers, whatever their discworld experience, are swept along.

• $11.99 Corgi paperback

Small Gods is a bit of an oddball within Terry Pratchett’s famous Discworld fantasy series. This book stands completely alone, featuring none of the characters from other books that Pratchett fans know and love. It is also deeper than most of Pratchett’s books, allowing him to say what he thinks about organized religion. It’s also extremely funny and genuinely compelling.

The Great God Om, hoping to do some miracle work and smiting to shore up his base, is alarmed to manifest himself as a small tortoise. His church is at the height of its power, commanding thousands of followers, but it seems that only one man, the lowly Brother Brutha, actually believes in him. Together, the two end up challenging the foundations of the faith. Even gods sometimes end up having to learn something new.

A full review of this book can be found here

• $10.79 - Soul Music paperback

In this sequel to Mort, Death’s granddaughter Susan doesn’t have much time to cope with her parents’ death and the sudden revelation of her terminal heritage. A strange music has invaded the Discworld, setting toes a-tapping and people questioning authority. As many Discworld regulars struggle to understand the new sound, events spiral out of control for the poor musicians.

This book is one of my favourite of the Discworld series, featuring Susan as an awkward (but powerful) teenager, and more rock-based puns than you can shake a stick at. Pratchett had a lot of fun with this one and you can tell. Who knew he knew how to rock?

Click here to read my full review.

• Going Postal - ($10.79 paperback)
• Making Money - ($24.95 hardcover)

Moist von Lipwig, alias Albert Spangler, sits on death row. Convicted of fraud and grand larceny, the irascible rogue and con-artist has charmed the Ankh-Morpork media and even his own prison wardens, but all avenues of appeal have been exhausted. It remains only to be led to his well-attended execution, put his neck through the noose and wait for the trap door to open. Which Moist does with a sigh and a shrug.

And so Albert Spangler’s story ends and Moist von Lipwig’s story… begins.

Moist wakes up to find himself in the Oblong Office, across the desk from Lord Havelock Vetinari, the Patrician (tyrant) of the city-state of Ankh-Morpork. Moist has been hung, literally, to within an inch of his life, and now Vetinari would like to offer the man a reprieve. With strings attached, of course.

And so begins Going Postal as Moist von Lipwig is manipulated into the task of resurrecting Ankh-Morpork’s moribund postal service. The story continues in Making Money as Vetinari assigns Moist the task of modernizing Ankh-Morpork’s largest bank. These books are your typical Pratchett, full of strong characterization and lots of wit. Making Money is a little uneven, but Going Postal is an excellent read, and Moist is a compelling character through both books.

Read here for a full review.

• $11.99 - Wee Free Men paperback
• $10.99 - A Hat Full of Sky paperback

Wee Free Men is advertised as a Discworld novel, but it stands completely alone and should appeal to first-time readers of Pratchett’s magical and funny prose. The story focuses on 9-year-old Tiffany Aching, a young witch coming into her own on her family’s sheep farm, as she faces off against a parasitic world led by the Queen of the Faeries, who has the power to make people’s dreams — and nightmares — come true.

Super-sensible Tiffany is a remarkable match for the Queen, but she can’t face off against the hordes of Faerie alone. Fortunately, she has the help of the Nac Mac Feegle, small Scottish Smurfs or, more correctly, Pictsies, who were kicked out of Faerieland because of their disruptive drinking and carrousing. The Nac Mac Feegle see themselves as the defenders of Tiffany’s world, but only if Tiffany accepts the incongruous post of their leader.

The writing is at once hilarious, poignant, disturbing and sad. Pratchett uses his comedy to great effect, enhancing as well as countering the book’s many chills. And don’t let the young age of the protagonist deter you. This is not a book for children, but for readers of all ages, twelve and up. You’ll delight in seeing Tiffany come into her own, and everybody makes an excellent straight-man for the Nac Mac Feegle’s comedy.

There is also a wonderful sequel to this novel featuring Tiffany at 11, entitled A Hat Full of Sky

A full review of Wee Free Men can be found here.

• $17.64 - Wintersmith hardcover

The third story in the Tiffany Aching sequence, picking up two years after Wee Free Men and A Hat Full of Sky leave off. Young Tiffany Aching is now thirteen, and well into her instruction as a witch. However, she bites off more than she can chew when she dances with the Wintersmith. And now the prince of winter is in love with her, and saying it with blizzards and avalanches. All very flattering, if it weren’t risking everything she knows and loves. Can Tiffany put things right when Winter stalks her? Fortunately, the Scottish smurfs, the Nac Mac Feegle, are here to help.

Tiffany Aching makes a welcome return, here, as Terry Pratchett allows us to see this fascinating character grow up. The book also contains much of the dry and witty humour that Pratchett fans know and love.

A full review of this book can be found here.

• Book 1: Mortal Engines ($8.99 paperback)
• Book 2: Predator’s Gold ($9.99 paperback)
• Book 3: Infernal Devices ($10.13 paperback)
• Book 4: A Darkling Plain ($15.85 paperback) ($22.89 library binding)

Philip Reeve describes a nightmare world, centuries after the American and Chinese Empires remodelled the planet in a conflict that came to be known as “The Sixty Minute War”. Now, cities have mounted themselves on caterpiller treads and troll the ruined lands of Europe and Asia, consuming smaller towns and cities in their great jaws in a scavenging practise known as “Municipal Darwinism”.

But this world seen through the eyes of young Tom Natsworthy and troubled Hester Shaw becomes one of highest adventure and noble struggle, as they fight for their lives against the machinations of the great cities and the militantly static settlements of Shan Quo. Tom and Hester are a particularly good match, as Tom naively but fervently fights for a fairer world, and Hester is violently pragmatic. Their struggles cannot help but touch the heart in this wild page turner.

Full reviews can be read here and here.

• $35.40, hardcover, 371 pages Largeprint edition (March 2003)

It's about time this book came back into print! This is Clifford Simak's little-known 60's classic sci-fi tale about aliens who attempt to take over Earth by a subtler method: buy it out. The book has a fifties style about it that comes across as charmingly dated, but mixed with the interesting aliens, and the effects of their invasion, it's makes for a very different read from your standard invasion thriller.

Well, of course The Lord of the Rings would be in my collection. What self-respecting bookstore owner would I be if I shunned one of the greatest works of literature of the twentieth century? And I’d say that Peter Jackson’s trilogy of movies based on these books represents the twenty-first century’s first masterpiece. You like to read? You like to read fantasy? If you read nothing else, read these books.

The Books

• The Hobbit - $10.99 - Paperback | $23.95 - Hardcover
• The Lord of the Rings (Box Set) - $29.95 - Paperback
• The Silmarillion - $10.99 - Paperback | $29.96 - Hardcover

The DVDs

• The Fellowship of the Ring $23.36 - Theatrical | $43.49 - Extended
• The Two Towers $25.16 - Theatrical | $43.49 - Extended
• The Return of the King $23.76 - Theatrical | $43.49 - Extended
• Box Set of all Three $47.99 - Theatrical | $114.50 - Extended

• $10.99 - Softcover - 256 pages (June 2, 1997)

Bellwether is a romantic comedy by this decade’s leading author of science fiction, Connie Willis. It features chaos theory, human psychology and long discussions about fads. It is also, believe it or not, impossible to put down.

Sandra Foster is a scientist hired by HiTek Corporation to discover what causes fads. She lives in a maddening world of fads; the scientists at HiTek are hard-pressed to work as their boss (known only as Management) is calling company meetings every other week to roll out the latest management fad. The city of Boulder, where Sandra works, has coffee shops and surly waitresses coming out of its ears. Everybody around her is falling under the influence of Barbie and the latest fads of fashion, except for one man, chaos theorist Bennett O’Reilly. Sandra suggests combining their projects in order to secretly study him, and in the chaos that ensues, she falls in love.

What makes Bellwether work is Flip, HiTek’s administrative assistant, and Sandra’s nemesis. Flip’s (Phillipa J. Orliotti) unbelievable incompetence sets the tone of the novel, providing great comedy and an atmosphere of barely controlled chaos that seems to define Sandra’s life. Indeed, Flip embodies chaos theory, and is primarily responsible for many of the things that goes wrong (and right) in Sandra Foster’s day.

Bellwether is an excellent read for those who have just escaped from dead-end jobs with faceless corporations, or who have dealt with incompetent assistants and surly supermarket cashiers. The novel is easy to slip into, warm and comforting throughout, and highly and remarkably intelligent.

• $13.99 - paperback

Fifteen-year-old Arianrhod Hyde (“Roddy” to everyone) is the daughter of the court weather magician for the King of the Isles of Blest, on a magical, parallel version of Earth. She cannot stand by while evil forces seek to corrupt the country’s state magician (the “Merlin”) and the magic of her kingdom, but while she has the support of powerfully magical grandparents, only she and her trusty friend Grundo can act.

She calls for help and finds it in fifteen-year-old Nick Mallory, a magical novice residing temporarily on present-day Earth. Nick falls in love with Roddy instantly and resolves to help her, but first he must find a way between the worlds, and a way past the dangers that line his path. And while he searches, the Merlin Conspiracy continues to unfold, forcing Roddy to act on her own to stave off the crisis.

The Merlin Conspiracy is the longest and most complicated of Diana Wynne Jones’ novels, with Nick and Roddy sharing the narrative in the first person. Readers may be confused by the many worlds Nick visits, or the constant switching of settings and narrators, but the book is well worth the effort.

A full review of the series is here.

See Also

• Diana Wynne Jones’ official website
• Diana Wynne Jones fan site