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HomeShop at BookSurgeBiography & AutobiographyPersonal MemoirsThe Spider Gem: Book One of the Portal Chronicles (Bk. 1) |
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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 4 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Excellent Read !!!! Pass it on your teenagers will love it ! May 18, 2006
By Katmann
A friend passed on a copy of The Spider Gem and I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this first novel from Taff Lovesey.
The story is fast flowing and ideally pitched to interest teenagers but also with enough depth to keep adults guessing and hooked.
From the author's web page I see that he is writing book two for release during 2006. I for one can't wait.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Interesting... Mar 12, 2007
By Maxites
"Diocrides"
Not that great of a read though. I was expecting a more elevated style of writing that would be similar to Lord of the Rings but this feels more like a children's fantasy book. If that is indeed the case, then buy it for your children, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
US and UK teenagers united! Jul 10, 2006
By J Hunt
"JH"
As an amateur author myself I sometimes purchase books from new authors. Often I am disappointed but, in the case of The Spider Gem, I have stumbled across the first of a new series of books that I feel will eventually enjoy wider circulation.
The Spider Gem is a fast moving story written in a classic fantasy style but given a strong contemporary feel through the use of modern and believable characters. Essentially aimed at the 'young adult' reader, the series should appeal to female and male readers from age 12 through to adult.
So if you like your fantasy fast moving and entertaining with a dash of realistic characters which you can relate to then this is the one for you.
Well done Mr Lovesey. I'd wish you luck but I don't think you are going to need it.
JH
My favorite Dec 12, 2006
By Reader Views
"Reviews, by readers, for readers"
Reviewed by Ian McCurley (Age 12) for Reader Views (12/06)
The story begins when two Welsh boys, Rhys and Michael, go exploring in Salty's Cave. As they explore the cave, they have no idea that they are about to become part of an extraordinary adventure. With the help of some magic pendants, they are transported into the magical world Portalia. They meet three new friends inside Portalia: Ashley, a girl from Oregon, Lan, a senile old man and Kyrie, a young Centaur. With the help of the Portalians, they must defeat the evil warlock Shangorth. Shangorth commands an army of Graav, lava rock monsters and, using the Spider Gem, controls a gigantic horde of spiders. He also controls the vicious Black Eagles.
The five friends team up with the Centaurs and travel to Forttown where they meet the Pinn Warriors who ride the mighty Fire Eagles. As they reach the town, they find the Warriors burying most of the town's occupants. No one knew exactly what happened, but all suspected that Shangorth was behind it. They are joined by those who escaped and the army of dwarves led by King Swiftaxe. With the Penn infantry and cavalry plus the added bonus of expert Elvin archers with enchanted arrows that could pierce metal, they prepared for a last stand against the approaching army of Shangorth which would soon lay siege to Forttown.
The emphasis of "The Spider Gem" was that the various peoples of Portalia could come together to defeat a common enemy. The author was quite straightforward in getting this point across. Taff Lovesey writes very eloquently and is an overall good story-teller.
This book is a good read for all audiences. Children and adolescents will love the magical world, and adults will enjoy a brand new approach to an age-old topic. Everyone will like the epic battles, creative creatures and colorful story. My favorite parts of the book were the epic siege of Forttown and when the nasty spiders got squished (I personally hate spiders).
I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who is interested in fantasy novels. "The Spider Gem" has everything a reader could want. From colorful characters to a spell-binding story, "The Spider Gem" is an overall good book.
Book received at no charge.
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