Elves Books

There is just a bit of sadness in reading Rowan Hood Returns as it brings to conclusion a simple but charming series featuring Rowan Hood of the Rowan Wood (daughter of Robin Hood). Both my daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed this series (and read through it quite quickly). We enjoyed reading each book in turn, learning a bit more about each member of her band of outlaws and their exploits. In this final book, we return (having come full circle once again) to Rowan, formerly Rosemary (she changed her name when her mother was murdered and she set out to find her father, the infamous outlaw Robin Hood). As we join the merry band once again, Princess Etty returns having learned the name of the killers of Rowan's mother. Having already sensed that "something" was about to happen, Rowan's heart fills with anger and rage and she vows (once again) to avenge her mothers' death. The band sets out...because none will allow the still injured Rowan (injury occurred in the first book) to make the journey herself. For all the action of this book, the true conflict is mainly internal. Rowan must explore within herself the conflicting emotions...she is a healer, the daughter of a woodwife, yet her gifts have all but fled as anger filled her and as she journey's forward, she seems hindered at every step. Her legs betray her, she can hardly walk, the trees and vines practically assault her...as if they do not want her to go and in her own heart she is conflicted between waiting to help and heal people and an overwhelming desire to put an end to the men who heartlessly killed her mother. How will it all end and will she ever find peace again if she takes the life of another in anger? Young readers will delight in discovering how all the details come together in the end.

This last book is perhaps, contains the most twists of plot yet. There are two levels to the story, the first being the actual physical conflict and second being the emotional turmoil that Rowan experiences as the journey progresses. As with the other stories in this series, there is graphic detail about the cruelties of the age this book is set. Women are largely treated as property (as evidenced by Etty's description of the Knights advances toward her), peasants are made into outlaws often for the slightest "offences," winters and life are harsh and food is hard to come by. I think Springer did a wonderful job of depicting age appropriate material that gives young readers a realistic look at what life would have been like in this period for all classes, while maintaining a focus on the lower classes. I would definitely recommend this, and I give it four stars...I won't call it "fun" because there is a lot of tragedy and hardship...but it's definitely interesting and provides a window of insight into life in another time. I think readers aged 9-12 would most benefit from reading this, given the amount "mature" material that is covered in this book, and the series as a whole (murder, maiming by "man traps" - a punishment against poachers, threat of death, and so on). Rowan Hood Returns is a bit of a melancholy tale with a mostly happy ending that I think will charm many readers.

This is truthfully one of the best books I have EVER read, next to Midnight for Charlie Bone (Jenny Nimmo), Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (J.K. Rowling), Molly Moon's Hypnotic Time Travel Adventure (Georgia Byng), Lionboy: The Chase (Zizou Corder), and Charmed Life (Diana Wynne Jones). Maybe it's even better than those. It is about a fifteen year old girl who you will be familiar with if you have read the last four Rowan Hood books (Rowan Hood, Outlaw Girl of Sherwood Forest; Lionclaw; Outlaw Princess of Sherwood; and Wild Boy.) Her real name is Rosemary, but she changed it to Rowan when she became an outlaw and met her real father, Robin Hood. Why did she do this? Her mother was horribly killed by people who Rowan does not know of. In a previous book, Rowan's legs were broken and weakened by a horrible invention of yeomanly England called a man-trap. In a different book, Ettarde, the princess of Sherwood, goes home with her mother. However, at the beginning of this book she returns with the news that she has found the names of those who killed Rowan's mother, Celandine, of Celandine's Wood. Rowan, in the other books, is gentle and kind, with a bow and arrows made of aelfin flint (she is part aelfin.) She also has the aelfin powers of healing, sensing her father, Robin hood, and speaking to the Rowan trees and the rocks and the springs. But when Etty returns with this news, Rowan's powers disappear and her legs grow weaker than they were (which is fairly weak.) She can no longer walk, but her fury rages on. She commands her cohorts, Lionel, Ettarde, Rook, and Beau to go to Celandine's wood and find the four men who Ettarde has named: Guy Longehad. Jasper of the Sinister Hand. Hurst Orricson. Holt, also Orricson, brother of Hurst. As Rowan can no longer walk, she rides Beau's white horse, Dove, who they die black and then yellow for the long journey to Celandine's wook. Rowan's faithful wolf-dog, Tykell, also comes along. The outlaws have a difficult journey with little food and shelter- and many dangers. When Rowan finally finds the men who killed her mother- well, you'll have to read the book. But I really wish Nancy Springer would write more Rowan Hood books. It is really unfair that this one is the "Final Chapter." She hasn't even written one about Beau.

Sancho the Snowboarder is a great children's book written in prose and beautifully and colorfully illustrated. We have gifted several copies to our young nieces and nephews. They all were delighted with Sancho and his magic snowboard. Looking forward to the next book from Anthony and Jennifer. Dan & Maria, Southern Vermont

Delightful. I own the first edition of this book and truly enjoy it. Readers of all ages are always entertained by the colorfully detailed illustrations and poetic verse. With the popularity of snowboarding, this story is timely. I know of no other snowboarding character in the realm of children's books. Sancho takes readers to New York City landmarks on a magical journey. I look forward to Sancho's future adventures. I highly recommend it for the coming holiday season and beyond.

We are a little late with this book. It starts out sort of sad. None of the other big santas will let the littlest help out. They not only leave him out but also make fun of him. In the end he finds a job that is perfect for him. This book could be used for helping children understand how it feels to be left out and how to look for a place they belong when they are left out. While it was not a favorite of my 8 year old's, I felt it had a lot to say. I have it recommended for ages 4-8 years.

Santa's littlest helper is always the first of the helpers to bake sweets, clean his sleigh, polish his boots and have all presents for the children wrapped and ready to go... but every year, the biggest helper always tells him no, he can't go with the others to help Santa deliver presents because he is just too small.

But one year while venturing outside alone, sad that he never gets to visit the children, the littlest helper hears voices in the great forest. The animals were complaining that they never get Christmas presents - but the littlest helper can change that...

This is a beautifully illustrated and heart warming story that reminds us that even the smallest of people can make a big difference.

This book, the first in another series of Shannara books, is well read by Sam Fontana, his creating different voices for the characters, lends a more exciting reading of the book, than just plain reading. His snake like, hissing, voice for the character of Truls Rohk is particularly good. I haven't finished it yet, but what I've heard so far makes it good. I look forward to the next part of the series Antrax. Charles Keating is good when he reads, but Fontana is a close second. Worth a listen.
This erratum/addendum to a prior review I did for this was, in addition to Truls Rohk, which I said had a snake like hiss, to his voice, provided by Sam Fontana, in the reading of this, was Cree Bega, another character in this excellent title from Terry Brooks.

I think the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara series were wonderful. Full of character development and great plot. The only thing that really bothered me about the book are the girl characters. I don't understand why they are so annoying, the author portrays most of the girl characters as whiny, naggy, stubborn, obnoxious and overall just plain annoying. Don't get me wrong, I'm not being sexist because I'm a chick myself but these characters are the reason I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5. But for other readers, if you are not bothered by these character's traits, by all means read this series because it is very enjoyable.

In this first of the series, author Terry Brooks brings us back to his world of the Shannara series. When a blinded and muted elf washes up on the coast, carrying a mysterious map, the Druid Walker is summoned. Walker organizes a mission, peopled by an unusual collection of elves, humans, a dwarf, and a mysterious man of unknowable powers. But, an evil witch, the Ilse Witch, with powers to rival Walker shadows the party and dread prophecies bode ill for the mission. Undaunted, the party sets off in a new airship, into the unknown depths of the Blue Divide.

Being the first book in a series, this book contains a good deal of character introduction and development. Through it all though, Terry Brooks keeps the story moving, with the pace of the story accelerating as the chapters roll along. His introduction of the magical/technological airships is a fascinating development. Overall, this is a great book, and well worth you time and money.

I have read everything in the Shannara epic leading up to this novel, and while not blown away, the previous books were entertaining enough to keep me reading. However, this latest installment makes is apparent that Brooks is out of good ideas (flying ships doesn't quite cut it) and continues to repackage even his own stuff. After reading this book, I draw a line in the sand and refuse to spend any more time with Brooks' writing. I can only recommend this with the disclaimer to expect nothing fresh from Brooks here.

Having read the High Druid of Shannara series prior to reading this series, the Voyage of the Jerle Shannara, I knew I was going to be cheated of some of the revelations, since the High Druid borrows a lot of background from the Voyage. And, in hindsight, it really kills me to have read them in the order I chose. How could I enjoy this series knowing the connection between the characters? But I was really surprised. Despite this potentially lethal fact, I still loved Isle Witch, this start of what promises to be a wonderful series!

The Isle Witch begins a premise which is entirely new to Brooks, where the focus is a voyage and a quest, rather than simply saving the world, or some part of it from imminent danger. Compounding this new idea for Brooks is the having two parties competing for the same goal, with the parties sharing an adversarial history. And, even further compounding this plot, we add multiple main characters with mysterious connections and only partially revealed histories. Add in the setting of the scantily revealed Old World and you have a recipe for intrigue and adventure of the highest order.

Wing Riders, Rovers, Highlanders, a Druid, Elves and Dwarves all come together in interesting ways to make this book stand out from typical fantasy. Really, this has been one of my favorite visits to Shannara, with wonderful build ups to the clash between technology and magic, and between sci-fi and fantasy. The characters are interesting, and well developed and the setting is at its best. I would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone looking for a change from the ordinary...

In an odd departure, this book picks up 6 years after the end of the last one - Siege of Darkness. Drizzt Do'Urden, the dark elven ranger, and Catti-brie, the human adopted daughter of the dwarven king Bruenor Battlehammer, have spent the years chasing pirates aboard the ship Sea Sprite with their friend Captain Deudermont. After Duedermont is attacked by a doppleganger, they embark on a quest to locate a mythical island. Once there, Drizzt and Catti-brie are given a poem by an old witch, which hints that someone dear to Drizzt is held captive by a creature of the Abyss. Despite the 16 or so years that have passed, and knowing that his father's spirit was released from the evil deity Lloth's grasp when he destroyed his reanimated body, Drizzt nevertheless assumes that it is his father who is held captive. This struck me as odd for one as wise as Drizzt.

Errtu, the balor demon, is an old nemisis of Drizzt, and has arranged this message to lure Drizzt in, in the hopes of being released from his banishment, killing the drow and regaining Crenshinibon, the crystal shard.

In many respects, the book is an odd reunion of many of Salvatore's characters, such as Cadderly, Danica and the Bouldershoulder brothers from the Cleric Quintet. Considering the convoluted journey, I'm surprised Salvatore didn't try throwing Artemis Entreri and Jarlaxle in there for good measure.

If the reasoning behind the plot seems a little hazy, and the reader feels a little disappointment at Salvatore's desire to resurrect a dead character, Salvatore does redeem it with some excellent battles - namely the pirate chases and the final showdown in the last section of the book.

While not his best, it is always good to follow the adventures of Salvatore's characters, in particular Drizzt, so I recommend this book.

This series was a little tough to get through. The first book was pretty good, but the next two books spent way too much time underground with nothing really happening, and there was some pointless subplot about magic leaving then coming back for no apparent reason.

In Passage to Dawn, we finally get out of the mountain and back to the fun parts of these books, the adventuring. There are pirate battles, magic fights, clever problem solving, and the cool, if somewhat forced, return of one of my favored characters.

I wasn't sure I was going to keep reading these books until I got to this one. Now, because I enjoyed this one so much, I have the next group of book sitting on my shelf, waiting for me to get to them later this year.

R A Salvatore has been my favorite author for a reason and this book defines this reason. The story details just enough for my imagination to take over and it reads smoothly. He did it again with this book. MJ Grothoff

I am loving this entire series and have been completely enthralled with this world he has created. Can't wait until I receive the next one.

The story flowed nicely. Full of action and personal glimpses of the characters struggles. Ending I hoped for more. Look forward to the next book.

The final book in Brooks' first trilogy is, unsurprisingly, his best of the three. There are still times that I find his stories become a bit too bogged down with lengthy, repetitive battle scenes. I also became a bit put off by the fact that the plot device of having Allanon withhold secrets and the protagonist reluctant to use magic is repeated in all three books. But, these two criticisms are overall minor. I loved the use of sibling protagonists in this book, and also appreciated that, once again, a female was a main character--and in this case, an even stronger one than her male counterpart. It's refreshing to see in fantasy series whenever I come across it, although refreshing might be the wrong term for a book written in 1985. The character Cogline is a welcome addition to the series, and he adds the perfect amount of comedic charm that this dark and often sad book needed. A great finish to a series!

It is inexplicable, but the world of Shannara has a potentially world shattering crisis every generation or so, and it all unfolds in basically the same way. You get the feeling that you are reading the same story over and over and over. And it's true. You really are, and he even admits it a little bit in this story.

The biggest problem with the "Shannara" trilogy I've seen, is that all three books start the exact same way, which just happens to be a condensed version of the way the Lord of the Rings starts. All three books model many of the traits of Tolkien's world and the heart of each of the stories share the same fundamental plot tree (although each plot has some unique twists and turns to get from A to B).

If you can ignore this annoyance, each book has its own merits and its own lands to reveal, and they each make some token (if not Tolkien) effort to differentiate themselves as their stories progress. However, having the same intro and same base plot to all three stories really makes a lot of people kinda wishing that he had tried a little harder there, myself included. Still, if you let this frustrating fact consume you, it is hard to appreciate what Brooks has done here with 'Wishsong.'

'Wishsong' gives us Brooks best use of magic to date, with a creative form of magic performed with a song containing some phenominal abilities. This seems to be the norm for this book, where Brooks tries hard to flex his creative muscle, while still in too many ways remaining bound to his 'formulaic' approach to storytelling.

'Wishsong' takes some risks, by allowing major characters to die, and changing the plot up enough at various points to make it somewhat more interesting than previous attempts. Overall, you really get the sense that Brooks wanted this one to be something different, something better and more original than the previous works, while recycling what he felt was his some of his better stuff. Almost like, "Wouldn't 'Sword' would have been better if I did this, instead of this... etc." Sword of Shannara: Director's Cut.

Yet, 'Wishsong' struggles hard to assert its independence of the other three through improved character development, with the best Ohmsford yet with Jair, and a good vote for the best pair with Brin and Jair. Not does he manage to pull of some interesting characters in the two, but their names don't actually sound utterly ridiculous. Brooks also pulls off three of his most memorable sidekicks with Slanter, Garrett Jax, and Cogline. Rone Leah could have been the best Leah character yet, if he had been properly developed. But, if that had been done, he could have easily outshined his quest buddy Brin, and that might have broken Brooks' magic formula for novel writing. Alas, we will never know. As is, Rone is nothing special, and Brin gets diluted by the split story.

The Kracken was not new to literature but new to the story, and the Jachyra was definitely something interesting. Other than that, having a book as the main bad guy led to an interesting finish, even though the Mord wraiths and the mutens seemed a little too generic.

'Sword,' 'Elfstones,' and 'Wishsong' should never win any awards for plot line. 'Sword' was really quite weak with plot, 'Elfstones' was creative, but also full of holes, and 'Wishsong' is really a more creative retelling of 'Sword.' People who would like a complex plot that doesn't seem to have been created by a 'fill in the blank' approach should try some of Brooks more recent works, or better yet, avoid Brooks altogether. It just isn't his strong suit.

Overall, thanks to the great characters and interesting reimagining of the plot line, this book was really quite good. I loved it, but I love this same old tired plot for some reason. The reason it falls short of expectations is it is a rehash, and therefore has no real potential on its own. If you were going to read one book of the three, this would probably be the best one to read. It explains all that happened (the net effect) in the first three anyway. Recommended.

This audio version of the third book in the series features the fine voice of Charles Keating bringing to life Mr. Brooks' characters. Brin Ohmsford and her brother Jair and their quest to destroy an evil book, the Ildatch. With fine characters and a strong story, this is a great conclusion to a fantastic series, began with the Sword Of Shannara and continuing with the Elfstones Of Shannara.

I was told that this books was not very good by a friend. I also had my doubts after reading the Elfstones and wondering how anyone could counter after a book like that. But I was glad to find out that this book is not bad at all, infact, its great! Definitly worth reading!!

This novel continues the ambivalence that I feel toward Brooks' writing. He is a good writer as far as style, plot progression and character development go. All of these strengths are present in this book. However, his glaring weaknesses of unoriginality and being too simplistic also show up strongly. Brooks is the kind of writer I feel like I should like but he always gives me reasons to view him as just an average fantasy writer. If you've read the series this far, go ahead and read this to finish the triology--just expect more of the same.

I have loved every Shannara book Terry Brooks has written; except this trilogy. While it had all the necessary components of a good story, I felt it lacked depth. It seemed like it was a story that had been edited severly in order to make it into three books. I think the story could have been expanded into a four-book series in order to tell the story in better detail. Those of you who read the third book will understand what I mean. I do have one question: What happened to Atalan? Was he killed or not? This is just one instance of many that bothered me. Good job, Terry, on your other books. Boo on this one.

I started reading Shannara books in November (First King), and I vowed not to stop until the library had run out of books. Well with Straken my journey has been completed. And i have to say it was an enjoyable one. Straken was easy to read and fast paced, Brooks' writing had really evolved since the Sword. The book has a great ending, there was nothing I wanted to see more than what happened. If you have followed the whole Shannara epic like I have, you have no reason not to read this book. I was just really sad when it was all over.

I enjoyed this story, but some of the pages were hard to read due to printing errors: fingerprint smudges, faint print across the page, ink blotches. If I were to do it again, I'd fork out the money for the hardcover.

I could write this review for all three books in the series. Perhaps I'll just copy and paste it. The unfortunate thing is I could probably write this review for most of his relatively recent works.

What we have here is an author who had some *really* clever ideas way back when, (i.e. Magic Kindom for Sale), had an o.k. and likable writing style, but just kind of leveled off creatively at some point.

I've read nearly every Terry Brooks book ever written, and I can say I've generally felt like it was worth the time and interesting enough to bring me back for another one, but it's really not much more enriching than watching some pointless Star Trek episodes or maybe another hour of "Friends".

Consider that I've actually picked up and started reading TB books, only to realize 100 pages or so in that I've actually already read this one. They're just that unremarkable.

I'd love to see Terry come up with some new and creative ideas (and I'm sorry, but NO... having air ships with all these loose nautical terms simply isn't creative enough to stand on its own), but I wonder if he can do it at this point.

I know it's kind of a blah review, but then it's kind of a blah book. :) They're fine. You won't hate yourself for it, but you may want to pick up a copy of Moby Dick or something to fill the void when you're done.

Terry Brooks has a lot of critics out there, and I can't quite figure out why. Perhaps it is just the fact that he is a one of the few consistently good authors out there in the fantasy business. Perhaps we expect to be dazzled with his books like we were when were so so so much younger reading the Sword of Shannara. I don't know. But I am going to give him some slack. This book is great. It resolves all the conflicts in an action packed unpredictable way that leaves you mesmerized from beginning to end. Perhaps people wanted the more predictable ending. I haven't read the other reviews, so I don't know.

There are very few areas in Terry Brooks writing where I feel he is weak. Perhaps the worst area is in coming up with names. Sometimes the climax is kind of silly, or anticlimatic (which is a lot like Stephen King sometimes). You seldom get a peek into the innermost thoughts of the characters (unlike Robin Hobb who absolutely drowns the reader in every thought of her protagonist) and a lot of the story is left the imagination. Perhaps, this is the fault most people find. That their personal lack of imagination ruins their appreciation of the story. And, I'll admit, I've suffered from this problem myself at times when reading his work. But, overall, he writes a well crafted plot, and paces it expertly, so that you never have a chance to get distracted. In fact, you can hardly put these books down. The characters are interesting, if perhaps a bit stereotyped, and the world is sufficiently developed to create a sense of intrigue as well as a very real sense of plausibility.

This series is drawn to a great conclusion, and I find the writing between all the books in the series to be remarkably "tight" in the sense that the pacing and style is identical in all three books. Which is important to note, as reading any of the other series from Terry Brooks, you will notice each series has its own pacing and feel. This is pretty good, considering he is using virtually the same setting in most of his series, and he could try to be formulaic in his approach to each series. I find he hasn't done that at all, but he tries to reinvent the world with each book by bring in a different tone, or approach, which ends up lending each series its own special flavor.

The High Druid of Shannara is more like an action movie than anything else I have read that he has written. Straken is like the big finale third movie of the trilogy. An immense number of loose ends are all tied up satisfactorily, in this unpredictable and dramatic conclusion. This series lacks some of the emotional buildup of the previous series, and builds a lot of that drama into the last book, though the second book lent a little more to the emotional investment than the first one.

Overall a very satisfying read.

This is the first "Shannara" related book i've read (read "The Magic Kingdom.... series some years ago)& thought it to be a very enjoyable book. I will now want to eventually read the other books in the "Shannara" storyline!

The Elf Queen, predictably, follows Wren in her quest to find the missing Elves and bring them back to the Westland. She and her Rover protector and friend, Garth, are taken by a Wing Rider to an island many hours off the coast, where she has learned the Elves relocated without word to anyone more than a hundred years ago. The island had been a reclusive paradise, an escape from the encroaching Federation rule and the dark Shadowen that had started infecting the land. But all is not well, anymore, on Morrowindl, the once-paradise refuge. While the Wing Riders and the Land Elves had corresponded for years during the Elves self-imposed exile, no Elf has come out of Arborlon (the relocated version of the city!) in decades. The island has become overrun with all sorts of horrendously bad demons, and the Elves are trapped in their city behind a wall of magic...which happens to be failing. Meaning soon, the demons could invade the city and destroy them. Wren insists on making her way to the Elves and fulfilling her charge. I won't give any more plot away, but this also is a fairly entertaining and unique book in the series. At times I felt there were actually too many deaths, and that the sadness for these deaths was a bit contrived. Characters that other characters had just met are horribly devastated over the loss. I mean, I've never been in a battle, facing deprivation, exhaustion and the constant threat of death. Maybe it's natural to form...unnatural...connections to people in a situation like that. But at times it just felt like Brooks was trying to pull my heartstrings. I think that's the only reason this wasn't my favorite over Druid, there was just too much insincerity.

Well, I read the Magic Kingdom series years back, and that was fun and lively story. I haven't read the original Shannara series. This is my first. Book 1 of the series was good with some action. Brooks did an average plus job of introducing the story line; enough to keep me wanting to read. Book 2 continued on with the average plus. Good story line and engaging characters. You can almost feel Walker Boh's plight. However, Book 3, the story of Wren, is nearly horrid in reading. This book made me want to quit reading the series. Poor Wren has to use some magic pebbles(the Elfstones) to get her out of trouble. And she must cry about it every time. The storyline would be pretty good, if Brooks would not stop every other page to show us Wrens crybaby attitude. OK already, we know her history, quit reminding us after every other scene. Brooks skips over much of the action, and fight scenes are usually done in a sentence or two, while Wren's continuous fretting over growing up and having to use magic goes on page after page. If you take out Wren's constant crying and descriptions of acacia trees, you might have 150 pages of story. Uggh!!! Boring!!! I'm just starting Book 4 and already we are back to almost good plot and action. I hope Wren dies in this book. Will be the last time I read Brooks. Anybody want these books???

I love Brooks, i love all his stories, but this one was no so great. I was so sick of Wren and Garth in the jungle by the end i almost couldnt take it. I love Brooks' descriptive writing but i think he should have shortened this series up a bit.

This book deals mostly with Wren and Garth and their struggles to follow Allanon's commands and move the Elves back to the four lands.

At first I didn't think I would like this book as much as I did because they were the most uninteresting characters in the first two books. However, I thought this book was very enjoyable. This book is mostly non stop action/peril sequences and will not go down in history as a literary masterpiece but it is very entertaining, the action is great (although a little less action and more character development would have been a little better)and the characters are for the most part well developed. It's a little predictable but still a good addition to the Heritage series.

I think this is a great book for kids over the age of 5 or so. I think you could take some of the stories about real people such as King Arthur, Attila the Hun and Clermont Morgan. It gives parents the opportunity to sit down with the child and learn about histoy along with the life of Santa Claus. I however found that all the reality characters to be joining up left and right to be unreal. It's sad that what Christmas is about...Christ is almost put to the side. I enjoyed this book but it was a little too long and the main characters weren't developed enough.

I bought this book for my 20 year old niece who loves to read. I chose it so she can keep believing! Perfect for someone to add to their book collection.The Autobiography of Santa Claus

My husband bought me this book due to my love of all things Christmas. I read it on a coast to coast flight a few years ago. It was an easy read, but so worth it. It is historically accurate and a great book for anyone who doubts the existence of Santa Claus.

I have just recommended this book to my 11 year old brother and know he will love it.

For all those who've ever wondered how a 3rd century Turkish bishop named Nicholas evolved into a fat, jolly man in red who lives at the North Pole and drives a reindeer-drawn flying sleigh -- this is the book for you.

A very interesting and entertaining story full of famous historical characters and Christmas cheer.

A little dry for children, a little simple for adults, but sure to be a hit with those who love Christmas and Santa.

I was intrigued by the title when I saw this in Borders last yeear, and pondered for a while whether or not to purchase it. After some consideration, and the thought that this could be a really good read, I spent my money on it, and in short order became quite disappointed.

The book seems more like a roll call of mysterious historical figures mashed together haphazardly with Santa from Atilla the Hun (who swears off a lifetime of warfare to make kiddy toys) to King Arthur, Leonardo daVinci St Francis, and a few others...

Over the course of the novel, Santa became quite whiny about his mission and how it would succeed and the public's portrayal of him. The author also had Santa swear off giving gifts to children in war-torn countries becase war weakened their powers.

This is my largest annoyance with this book. Why would a self-less man refuse to give gifts to those who need them most? According to this book, Santa only gave gifts to children who lived in peaceful countries, because it was easy for him. But those children who needed gifts the most, who suffered the most, were left with nothing. Absolutely absurd. That is tantamount to refusing medical treatment to those with cancer and severed limbs so that those who need bandaids and advil can be helped.

As the book progressed I felt less and less like I was reading a story about Santa Claus, and more and more like I was reading a cheap history book...

There was no charm, no mystique, none of that Christmas magic. Just a whiny old man and a bunch of historical figures who refused to help those in greatest need.

And am I to believe that it was Atilla the Hun who delivered gifts to me as a child? Or King Arthur? Or Amelia Earhart? I cringe at the absurd pretentiousness of Guinn's pen.

Do not waste your money. Go rent or buy "Santa Claus: The Movie" with John Lithgow in a supporting role, and see a proper origin of the right jolly old elf.

'The Ironwood Tree' is the fourth book of 'The Spiderwick Chronicles'. Like the previous books 'The Ironwood Tree' has wonderful illustrations by Tony DiTerlizzi, however unlike the previous books it does not have a strong story to match. This volume finds the Grace kids undertaking adventures in an abandoned quarry after Mallory is kidnapped by Dwarves. The larger story loses a lot of momentum as this book doesn't really serve to advance the plot. In most books a side adventure like this wouldn't matter too much, but with the books being as short as they are this amounts to 20% of the whole story wasted on, frankly a lackluster, digression. Hopefully things will pick up for the last book.

For a couple of weeks, things have been almost normal for the three Grace children (Jared, Simon and Mallory) - there have been no faerie sightings. But that changes quickly at Mallory's fencing competition and soon Jared is in serious trouble and he has a hard time explaining his actions. But there's even more trouble for Jared and Simon when Mallory disappears. Their search for her will take them to places they never imagined and they begin to wonder if they can fight the monsters by themselves.

"The Ironwood Tree" is the wonderful fourth book in the children's fantasy series "The Spiderwick Chronicles". Authors Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black step up both the action and fantasy elements in this, the fourth of five books. They add more fantastical creatures including dwarves and metal dogs as well as some mysterious beings (who was that girl rummaging through Mallory's bag and who was the boy that got Jared in trouble?) All three children are in real danger in this book - danger that will have children eagerly turning the pages to find out what happens next. Mixed in with the fantasy elements is a dose of reality - Jared is still having anger management issues and the thing that gets him in trouble in the book, while not his fault, happens all too often in the real world.

"The Ironwood Tree" is a well-done fantasy book for children of all ages.

In the Ironwood Tree Mallory grace discovers boys and is discovered by some boys she is really not very interested in. You will be introduced to Mulgarath the Troll, a kingdom of dwarves living in a supposedly abandoned mine, and a dire plot to... well, I'll let you find out. Needless to say this installment of the Spiderwick Chronicles is as fun as the others if not quite as original with heavy borrowing from a particular folk tale, but what could have been a flaw only adds to the story. Parents, watch out for the sometimes mean repartee between the Grace kids, but rest assured that this modern day fairy tale is definitely worth reading with your kids.

This is a great book. I just have the last book to read. I can't wait to get the book and read it.

We love this book. The series is so much fun. I have enjoyed it as much as my seven year old.