While the blog is normally used for reviews, I decided to write an article on a popular topic: the supposed "plagiarism" of the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini. This segment will be called Leon's Literary Thoughts #1. Depending on the success of this, I may try to do a Thoughts biweekly.
Now, for many years, I've been an avid reader of the Inheritance Cycle and have vehemently argued to any such notion that the books were heavily plagiarized. Sure, I figured; I'm sure there are some parallels between other fantasy novels. After all, I figured... Dragons, wizards, elves - what's new? But I argued it was a great book series and awesome. (Hey, give me a break! I was ten when I began reading them). And they were good, I'm not contesting that. (Exempting the fourth book Inheritance, but that's not what I'm talking about now.) But who says they can't be good and blatantly plagiarized?
Not me, any more.
If you've been reading our reviews quite religiously, you'd know that I've been reading the Belgariad by David Eddings. I've enjoyed them thoroughly, but I nearly dropped the book in astonishment when I read an amusing scene in the third novel, Magician's Gambit. Belgarion had finally accepted the fact he would have to learn sorcery if he actually intended to control it, and his grandfather (well, many-a-great-grandfather) was teaching him. He explained to him to take out the energy from the environment in order to cast his spell. If you've not read the Inheritance Cycle, then this may not mean anything to you.
However, if you have... Then hold on. This ride's about to get bumpy! Belgarion obeys and begins to take energies from his surrounding, and guess what? He takes it from Belgarion, his teacher. Why is that significant?
Because, in the second book of the Inheritance Cycle, Eldest (I believe, it may be Brisingr), Oromis was teaching Eragon a particular spell. He encouraged him to take energy from his surroundings in order to cast his spell. And guess what? He took energy from his master, Oromis... and Oromis' reaction was quite identical to that of the incredibly-old Belgarath the sorcerer.
There were many examples that have been cited by various people, but that was the only one that particularly stuck out to me. Now, down to my thoughts, which I know you're just dying to hear about. What does this mean for the Inheritance Cycle? Nothing, unfortunately. It just means that all the people who have accused him of blatant plagiarism are correct. I recommend you reading that part of the Magician's Gambit, if for no reason other than to see how unoriginally Paolini adapted that idea into his own story.
Do I still like Eragon, Eldest, and Brisingr? (And yes, the fourth book Inheritance was left out for a reason: it sucked.) Yes, I do. They were good books to read when I was growing up, leaving elementary school and going into middle school. Could I re-read them, like I do most books? Knowing the degree of copying Paolini has done, I probably couldn't. It would just be too much, because it's a "rip off". He has made a lot of money off of a series that many have accused him of ripping from Star Wars, McCaffery, and various other literary geniuses.
(Note: the Magician's Gambit was published in 1983; Eldest was published in 2005.)
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Friday, July 20, 2012
Queen of Sorcery
The second book in the Belgariad series by David Eddings is called Queen of Sorcery. It is slighter larger than the first book, Pawn of Prophecy, but I think it was probably more interesting, and I found the first one to be simply wonderful.
It's basically the same cast of characters as in the first novel, except this time, there is the introduction of a chivalrous knight and a young insurrectionist-lord, but the insurrectionist only plays apart for a short while. They both provide some interesting plot lines, and expand and add some depth into the backdrop of the new country that is introduced.
A lot is left in this book to be assumed, but assumptions can easily be drawn. Garion, though properly called Belgarion - a name which he meets with a degree of hesitation and revulsion - is most certainly the boy who this "Prophecy" hinges on. Furthermore, he will take to bride the Imperial Princess.
As readers, we're presented with the opportunity to see just how powerful is. At one point, he finds the person - albeit accidentally - who killed his parents, and Mistress Pol encourages him to set them afire. When he kills the man, they all realize just how powerful he is. Later on, Mistress Pol even remarks at how powerful he is.
There is a degree of unrealism in this book, though, despite its glowing parts. The party is captured twice (perhaps three times), and they manage to escape almost effortlessly. And when they are confronted to be captured, they usually just go quietly and without putting up a fight. Maybe it's just me, but I find that very unrealistic. If you're being captured by the "bad guys", you're not going to go quietly and subserviently. You're going to let everyone know that they will die if they try to take you.
Regardless, the Queen of Sorcery was a fine novel and complemented the Belgariad series quite nicely. It, like the first novel, definitely deserves a 5/5 stars!
It's basically the same cast of characters as in the first novel, except this time, there is the introduction of a chivalrous knight and a young insurrectionist-lord, but the insurrectionist only plays apart for a short while. They both provide some interesting plot lines, and expand and add some depth into the backdrop of the new country that is introduced.
A lot is left in this book to be assumed, but assumptions can easily be drawn. Garion, though properly called Belgarion - a name which he meets with a degree of hesitation and revulsion - is most certainly the boy who this "Prophecy" hinges on. Furthermore, he will take to bride the Imperial Princess.
As readers, we're presented with the opportunity to see just how powerful is. At one point, he finds the person - albeit accidentally - who killed his parents, and Mistress Pol encourages him to set them afire. When he kills the man, they all realize just how powerful he is. Later on, Mistress Pol even remarks at how powerful he is.
There is a degree of unrealism in this book, though, despite its glowing parts. The party is captured twice (perhaps three times), and they manage to escape almost effortlessly. And when they are confronted to be captured, they usually just go quietly and without putting up a fight. Maybe it's just me, but I find that very unrealistic. If you're being captured by the "bad guys", you're not going to go quietly and subserviently. You're going to let everyone know that they will die if they try to take you.
Regardless, the Queen of Sorcery was a fine novel and complemented the Belgariad series quite nicely. It, like the first novel, definitely deserves a 5/5 stars!
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Pawn of Prophecy
Let me begin with saying this: IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THIS BOOK, READ IT!
The book, Pawn of Prophecy, is the first book in the Belgariad series by David Eddings. It is a relatively short book, around two hundred pages, but it is full of action. Unlike many fantasy books, it doesn't take seven chapters to travel from one city to another, which is basically mindless filler. Instead, they travel relatively quickly - they let you know time has passed, without making you read pointless nonsense along the way.
The book begins with Garion, a simple farm boy. He lived on Farmer Faldor's freeholding, under the care of his Aunt Pol. He was an inquisitive boy, who was confused as to why he had no parents, and he wanted to know their whereabouts. Unfortunately, the reader doesn't find out the real "reason" why he doesn't know all the details in this book, but plenty is left to be assumed and understood quite easily.
There is a man, Mister Wolf, who is thought to be a foolish old storyteller. As it turns out, however, the old storyteller is in fact Pol's father - her very old father. He is actually hundreds of years old, and he is the fabled sorcerer Belgarath.
The company that they originally set out with was one full of power and influence. It didn't seem, originally, that any of them were people of importance. As it progressed, however, we realize Garion's aunt is actually a very competent sorcereress, Mister Wolf is a well-respected sorcerer, Silk is actually a prince, and Barak is an Earl. So far, though, the smith who accompanied them is nothing more than an average, lowborn smith.
Eddings provides for plenty of depth in the story. There are the makings of a possible love-triangle between Silk and his uncle's second wife the queen; even Garion has picked up on it and spoken of Silk's supposed love for his uncle's wife. Furthermore, Barak is having troubles with his own wife, Lady Merel. Originally, it seems, Barak wasn't any one of importance. But when his cousin became king, and Barak was granted an earldom, suddenly, the woman he loved, Merel, consented to marry him. Yet when he became her husband, he realized that she was very shallow, and nothing like he had originally thought her to be.
The author's prose is simply amazing. I finished this book very quickly; it's a light-read, with just enough humor to keep it amusing and to keep you going at a steady pace. I highly recommend this book, and simply cannot wait to start the second book in the Belgariad. I would certainly give this book a 5/5 stars!
The book, Pawn of Prophecy, is the first book in the Belgariad series by David Eddings. It is a relatively short book, around two hundred pages, but it is full of action. Unlike many fantasy books, it doesn't take seven chapters to travel from one city to another, which is basically mindless filler. Instead, they travel relatively quickly - they let you know time has passed, without making you read pointless nonsense along the way.
The book begins with Garion, a simple farm boy. He lived on Farmer Faldor's freeholding, under the care of his Aunt Pol. He was an inquisitive boy, who was confused as to why he had no parents, and he wanted to know their whereabouts. Unfortunately, the reader doesn't find out the real "reason" why he doesn't know all the details in this book, but plenty is left to be assumed and understood quite easily.
There is a man, Mister Wolf, who is thought to be a foolish old storyteller. As it turns out, however, the old storyteller is in fact Pol's father - her very old father. He is actually hundreds of years old, and he is the fabled sorcerer Belgarath.
The company that they originally set out with was one full of power and influence. It didn't seem, originally, that any of them were people of importance. As it progressed, however, we realize Garion's aunt is actually a very competent sorcereress, Mister Wolf is a well-respected sorcerer, Silk is actually a prince, and Barak is an Earl. So far, though, the smith who accompanied them is nothing more than an average, lowborn smith.
Eddings provides for plenty of depth in the story. There are the makings of a possible love-triangle between Silk and his uncle's second wife the queen; even Garion has picked up on it and spoken of Silk's supposed love for his uncle's wife. Furthermore, Barak is having troubles with his own wife, Lady Merel. Originally, it seems, Barak wasn't any one of importance. But when his cousin became king, and Barak was granted an earldom, suddenly, the woman he loved, Merel, consented to marry him. Yet when he became her husband, he realized that she was very shallow, and nothing like he had originally thought her to be.
The author's prose is simply amazing. I finished this book very quickly; it's a light-read, with just enough humor to keep it amusing and to keep you going at a steady pace. I highly recommend this book, and simply cannot wait to start the second book in the Belgariad. I would certainly give this book a 5/5 stars!
Monday, July 16, 2012
Bitterblue
This is a book that is related to Graceling, another book I reviewed. Princess Bitterblue - now Queen Bitterblue of Monsea - was mentioned in Graceling and played a role in the end of the novel. Here, she is the point-of-view character. The book was written by Kristin Cashore.
It tells the story of Bitterblue as she tries to undo all the damage her psychopathic father, King Leck, did to the people and the kingdom. During his thirty-odd year long reign, he limited his citizen's education, and forced his noblemen to give him young girls and some boys for his experiments. While she originally thought that her father raped them after he was done "experimenting", she later learned that people much closer to her did that for him, even though they did it on behalf of the King. If they hadn't, chances are, they would have probably died, too.
Unlike in Graceling, where the readers are left to assume Prince Raffin is gay, it is confirmed here. Bann is certainly his lover, beyond a doubt. But Cashore also introduces another gay character in Prince Skye, Po's brother.
Without giving away some of the key points in the novel, Bitterblue realizes her advisors weren't necessarily political geniuses when they were made Leck's advisors. They were actually professional healers, not advisors. The reasoning behind this is unique and I admit, I certainly never expected that the Queen's advisors were anything but political counselors.
The book is very good. It contains less action, perhaps, than Graceling. But it alludes to some action on behalf of the Council, which adds for a little unrest in the Seven Kingdoms. It contains many twists along the way, such as the Queen becoming friends with peasants who were being basically hunted. Along the way, Queen Bitterblue has her crown stolen by someone she counts as a dear friend. And she also discovers she is not the only living daughter of King Leck!
It has a few slow spots like Graceling, but I have seen drastic improvements in Cashore's writing, as compared to Graceling, which was her first published novel. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy. There are a few brutal parts, when recounting Leck's past, but it's nothing too major. This is actually the *third* book in this series, but each book is technically a standalone, so it's not too big of a deal. The second book is Fire, which takes places decades and decades before Graceling and Bitterblue, so I didn't even read it. I may at a later date, though; I just thought I'd mention it for people who wish to read them in published order. I give this book a 4.5/5!
It tells the story of Bitterblue as she tries to undo all the damage her psychopathic father, King Leck, did to the people and the kingdom. During his thirty-odd year long reign, he limited his citizen's education, and forced his noblemen to give him young girls and some boys for his experiments. While she originally thought that her father raped them after he was done "experimenting", she later learned that people much closer to her did that for him, even though they did it on behalf of the King. If they hadn't, chances are, they would have probably died, too.
Unlike in Graceling, where the readers are left to assume Prince Raffin is gay, it is confirmed here. Bann is certainly his lover, beyond a doubt. But Cashore also introduces another gay character in Prince Skye, Po's brother.
Without giving away some of the key points in the novel, Bitterblue realizes her advisors weren't necessarily political geniuses when they were made Leck's advisors. They were actually professional healers, not advisors. The reasoning behind this is unique and I admit, I certainly never expected that the Queen's advisors were anything but political counselors.
The book is very good. It contains less action, perhaps, than Graceling. But it alludes to some action on behalf of the Council, which adds for a little unrest in the Seven Kingdoms. It contains many twists along the way, such as the Queen becoming friends with peasants who were being basically hunted. Along the way, Queen Bitterblue has her crown stolen by someone she counts as a dear friend. And she also discovers she is not the only living daughter of King Leck!
It has a few slow spots like Graceling, but I have seen drastic improvements in Cashore's writing, as compared to Graceling, which was her first published novel. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy. There are a few brutal parts, when recounting Leck's past, but it's nothing too major. This is actually the *third* book in this series, but each book is technically a standalone, so it's not too big of a deal. The second book is Fire, which takes places decades and decades before Graceling and Bitterblue, so I didn't even read it. I may at a later date, though; I just thought I'd mention it for people who wish to read them in published order. I give this book a 4.5/5!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Graceling
In Kristin Cashore's debut novel, she wrote about Katsa, a Graceling. Gracelings are people who have a Grace, which is basically something that they excel in - to a magical degree. Katsa believes throughout the beginning parts of the novel she is a fighting Grace, though as the novel progresses, she realizes, with the help of Prince Po, she is not a fighting Grace. Her Grace is survival.
The story is very good, and I highly recommend it. She begins her life in her uncle King Randa's realm as his assassin and enforcer. Any time one of his underlords disobeys his orders or upsets him, he sends her, and the underlords know her by reputation and are terrified of her. She hurts all the people in his name, obeying his every command. It's only when Prince Po comes around that she realizes perhaps she should quit obeying her uncle, and she realizes that what she's doing isn't only wrong, it's manipulative. Just because Randa is her uncle and the king doesn't mean what he is suggesting - or ordering - is proper.
Though she remains King Randa's loyal thug for the beginning, she also is working in favor of the Seven Kingdoms. With the help of her underlord-friend, and the assistance of her cousin Prince Raffin, she has founded the Council, an organization that exists to help people. It is interesting, really. She works as a thug for Randa and yet she orchestrates rescues and such on behalf of her Council.
It is full of political intrigue and twists, especially with the seemingly benevolent King Leck. Beware - all is not as it seems!
I think Graceling definitely deserves a 4/5 stars. The ending is a bit slow, and I was very disappointed in it, which is probably what prevented this novel from getting a 4.5 star. But that doesn't mean it isn't still a good novel; it just didn't necessarily end the way I pictured it.
The story is very good, and I highly recommend it. She begins her life in her uncle King Randa's realm as his assassin and enforcer. Any time one of his underlords disobeys his orders or upsets him, he sends her, and the underlords know her by reputation and are terrified of her. She hurts all the people in his name, obeying his every command. It's only when Prince Po comes around that she realizes perhaps she should quit obeying her uncle, and she realizes that what she's doing isn't only wrong, it's manipulative. Just because Randa is her uncle and the king doesn't mean what he is suggesting - or ordering - is proper.
Though she remains King Randa's loyal thug for the beginning, she also is working in favor of the Seven Kingdoms. With the help of her underlord-friend, and the assistance of her cousin Prince Raffin, she has founded the Council, an organization that exists to help people. It is interesting, really. She works as a thug for Randa and yet she orchestrates rescues and such on behalf of her Council.
It is full of political intrigue and twists, especially with the seemingly benevolent King Leck. Beware - all is not as it seems!
I think Graceling definitely deserves a 4/5 stars. The ending is a bit slow, and I was very disappointed in it, which is probably what prevented this novel from getting a 4.5 star. But that doesn't mean it isn't still a good novel; it just didn't necessarily end the way I pictured it.
Friday, July 6, 2012
The Alchemist
I usually don't enjoy assigned readings that I get in school, and most of the time I don't even read them. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is an exception to that precedent though, and it is one of the best books I have ever read (for class at least).
The book is about a shepherd boy named Santiago who lives in Andalusia, Spain. Santiago has a dream and that dream leads him on a journey into Egypt and he's in search for his "Personal Legend." The boy meets many people along the way who help discover his legend and the ending is really well written and delivers a powerful message to everyone.
Lots of events occur while Santiago is on his journey, and he handles them very well. From thievery to being lost to warfare, the shepherd boy takes readers on their own journey through their own lives while he's on his. It's a historically accurate book, though it's also a fictional story.
Some of the critics of The Alchemist claim it's just a giant fortune cookie, and in a way it is, but who said that had to be a bad thing? There are many great messages within the book and I encourage everyone to give it a read, as it is definitely a very quick book to read through. Once you get past the first few pages, you'll be so engrossed that you won't want to put the book down.
Paulo Coelho changed my life and my outlook on things, and I'm sure he'll change yours as well, by reading his novel The Alchemist. Don't just read it, absorb it and reflect on it, you won't regret it if you do.
The book is about a shepherd boy named Santiago who lives in Andalusia, Spain. Santiago has a dream and that dream leads him on a journey into Egypt and he's in search for his "Personal Legend." The boy meets many people along the way who help discover his legend and the ending is really well written and delivers a powerful message to everyone.
Lots of events occur while Santiago is on his journey, and he handles them very well. From thievery to being lost to warfare, the shepherd boy takes readers on their own journey through their own lives while he's on his. It's a historically accurate book, though it's also a fictional story.
Some of the critics of The Alchemist claim it's just a giant fortune cookie, and in a way it is, but who said that had to be a bad thing? There are many great messages within the book and I encourage everyone to give it a read, as it is definitely a very quick book to read through. Once you get past the first few pages, you'll be so engrossed that you won't want to put the book down.
Paulo Coelho changed my life and my outlook on things, and I'm sure he'll change yours as well, by reading his novel The Alchemist. Don't just read it, absorb it and reflect on it, you won't regret it if you do.
Monday, July 2, 2012
First Lord's Fury
The sixth and final novel in Codex Alera, written by Jim Butcher, is the First Lord's Fury. It was a fast-paced novel - much more so than the disappointing Princeps' Fury - and it contained a high degree of political intrigue. I must admit, at times I was surprised by the unexpected turn of events.
To begin with, Lord Aquitaine was adopted as Gaius Aquitaine by Sextus before his death. So, he is the Princeps of Alera, and he is making decisions and determined to go to war on the Vord. Each novel on average has enemies putting their differences aside to fight for a greater cause, which happens here, when Isana agrees to support the Princeps Aquitaine, even though he caused the Marat to invade her homeland. It is a little unrealistic, because people do hold grudges, and often can't set aside something that drastic aside for the greater good, however.
Aquitaine attempts to convince Isana to marry him, somewhat consolidating Gaius Octavian's claim with his own. He agrees to name Tavi his heir, but Isana scoffs the offer aside, due to her love of Araris Valerian, and also because she doesn't trust him.
Tavi's furycrafting powers develop significantly here... perhaps even unrealistically so. He goes from a farmboy to the young First Lord who eventually saves his people. It is undeniably cliche, but it still makes for an interesting story, even if a bit predicable, in that sense.
The story line with Sir Ehren ex Cursoi was a surprising twist, one that I honestly hadn't predicted. He didn't seem like a very important character throughout Codex Alera, so when it was said he was dead, I believed it true and never doubted it. I am pleasantly surprised, however, with the way Butcher executed the Cursor's story line, though.
Crassus's dilemma with Tavi over his mother is something, though, that doesn't sit well with me. Yes, he neglected to inform Crassus Antillus that High Lady Dorotea was indeed alive and a collared slave posing as a healer, but it also prevented her from being executed. After all, if it was public knowledge Dorotea was alive, she would likely be sentenced to death for treason. If anything, Crassus should be grateful Tavi "looked away", so to speak.
First Lord's Fury receives a well-deserved 4/5 rating. I was a bit anxious after reading the dreadful Princeps's Fury, but Jim Butcher pulled through for me, returning to the same brilliance exhibited in the earlier novels.
To begin with, Lord Aquitaine was adopted as Gaius Aquitaine by Sextus before his death. So, he is the Princeps of Alera, and he is making decisions and determined to go to war on the Vord. Each novel on average has enemies putting their differences aside to fight for a greater cause, which happens here, when Isana agrees to support the Princeps Aquitaine, even though he caused the Marat to invade her homeland. It is a little unrealistic, because people do hold grudges, and often can't set aside something that drastic aside for the greater good, however.
Aquitaine attempts to convince Isana to marry him, somewhat consolidating Gaius Octavian's claim with his own. He agrees to name Tavi his heir, but Isana scoffs the offer aside, due to her love of Araris Valerian, and also because she doesn't trust him.
Tavi's furycrafting powers develop significantly here... perhaps even unrealistically so. He goes from a farmboy to the young First Lord who eventually saves his people. It is undeniably cliche, but it still makes for an interesting story, even if a bit predicable, in that sense.
The story line with Sir Ehren ex Cursoi was a surprising twist, one that I honestly hadn't predicted. He didn't seem like a very important character throughout Codex Alera, so when it was said he was dead, I believed it true and never doubted it. I am pleasantly surprised, however, with the way Butcher executed the Cursor's story line, though.
Crassus's dilemma with Tavi over his mother is something, though, that doesn't sit well with me. Yes, he neglected to inform Crassus Antillus that High Lady Dorotea was indeed alive and a collared slave posing as a healer, but it also prevented her from being executed. After all, if it was public knowledge Dorotea was alive, she would likely be sentenced to death for treason. If anything, Crassus should be grateful Tavi "looked away", so to speak.
First Lord's Fury receives a well-deserved 4/5 rating. I was a bit anxious after reading the dreadful Princeps's Fury, but Jim Butcher pulled through for me, returning to the same brilliance exhibited in the earlier novels.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)