Life of Pi

Review by Edan
Title: Life of Pi
Author: Yann Martel
Published: 2006
Publisher: Seal Books

Quick Summary:
Pi Patel lives in Pondicherry, India on a zoo owned by his father. He loves to study two subjects, animals and religion. Pi is a devote Hindu, Catholic and Muslim. He has his own opinions and thoughts that aren't always excepted. Finally, his parents are forced to sell the zoo. They go on a cargo ship called the Tsimtsum with the zoo animals heading to Canada. Soon, the ship sinks and Pi is thrown onto a lifeboat with a bengal tiger. He realizes he will have to work twice as hard to find a way to alive with the tiger (Richard Parker). As Pi struggles to survive, he learns to love his companion Richard Parker and they both experience amazing scenes and mystical events. Will these two castaways survive on a adventure they will never understand?

Edan's Review:
Life of Pi is a crazy, nerve racking story. The first half was a little boring and confusing as Pi describes his ideas, beliefs and life in Pondicherry, but is still interesting and intriguing. The second half is an amazing unbelievable story about a boy and tiger. Because the reader is in Pi's head, it is hard to look at the scenario in someone else's perspective. You are tested to see what you believe as Pi sees many crazy and amazing things. By the end of the book, the reader has a connection with not only Pi, but also Richard Parker. The story takes many unexpected twists and has many different ideas. I loved reading this fascinating, colorful, a bit gruesome, mysterious and interesting adventurous book.

Rating:*****

Eragon

Review by Edan
Title: Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle, Book 1)
Author: Christopher Paolini
Publisher: Knopf Books
Published: 2005

Quick Summary:
Eragon is just a small farm boy from the Palancar Valley in Alagaesia. One day he stumbles upon a blue stone in the forest. Eragon is soon swept  into confusion and doubt as the stoned hatches into a dragon, turing Eragon into one of the long gone Dragon Riders. He names his dragon Saphira and together they learn their path as a dragon and Rider. The only Rider left is Galbatorix, the immortal and evil ruler of Alageasia who wants to have Eragon as his own Rider. Eragon soon is off on a journey with his town storyteller, Brom, to track down the creatures who killed his uncle. Eragon soon has to face dangerous choices of allegiance, trust and friendship, for what he chooses will slant the prospects of an ever brewing war...

Review:
I love Eragon. This is the second time I have read it and still love it. It is a book filled with secrets and adventure. The ideas about dwarves, elves, dragons, magic and other creatures of the sort are different, more realistic and believable than other perspectives. If I had to choose the most believable type of magic that I have read about (wands, charms, spirits, potions, ect.) I would choose this one. Eragon changes a lot throughout the book, turning from a illiterate farm boy to a Dragon Rider, swordsman and magic user. He gains knowledge and cautiousness, but still remains the stone headed fool that he was. Like Saphira says, Eragon is like a hatchling always getting into trouble. The never stopping excitement  leaves me reading for hours on end. Re-reading it had made somethings clearer than before, and I think I wouldn't mind re-re-reading this series once I done with it again. Eragon is never ending, adventure, trust, battles, information, thoughts and choice.

Rating:*****

The Hobbit

Review by Edan
Title: The Hobbit
Author: J. R. R. Tolkien
Published: 1937
Publisher: George Allen & Unwin

Quick Summary:
Bilbo Baggins lives an easy life in his cozy little hobbit hole. He doesn't have a care in the world, until a group of dwarves sweep Bilbo off his feet and into an adventure that changes this little hobbit's life forever. The dwarves (and their announced "burglar" Bilbo Baggins) set off on a quest to take back the dwarfish gold stolen by the dragon Smaug. On their journey to the Smaug's lair, Bilbo encounters giant spiders, a ring of invisibility, goblins, trolls and many twisting riddles and problems. To get to the Lonely Mountain, slay a dragon and return alive seems unlikely, but can this small troop do it?

Review:
I loved the fantasy, adventure and never stopping excitement. Bilbo changes a lot through out the story, at first always needing his handkerchief, to later making do with his one meal a day. There is a lot of imagination though out the story and many twists on the different ways mythical creatures look like and act. The journey is expectable, hardships and obstacles blocking their way, but when they reach the Lonely Mountain the story takes another turn. Bilbo begins to act more unexpectedly and has more surprises and secrets. All the characters are interesting, but because Bilbo is traveling with 13 dwarves, you really only get to know some of them. It takes longer to read because each page is crammed with as many words that can fit on it. At first it feels like it is going to take forever, but then it just flies by. I really enjoyed reading The Hobbit and can't wait to read The Lord of the Rings next.