Isobelle Carmody - Obernewtyn Chronicles
Overview:
Genre: Fantasy (Young Adult)
Stars: 3 out of 5
Author's Website: Fan Site - Obernewtyn.net
My thoughts: The Obernewtyn Chronicles are written for a young adult audience. This being said, it's a shame that they're taking SO long to come out. Having started reading the books in 1993 (aged 11), then having to wait two years for Ashling, then a further four for the Keeping place, and it's already been eight years of waiting for book 5! I have to say, I'm pretty much over the whole series, though at the moment I'd still buy the last book, just to see how it all turns out, though if it takes another few years to come out, I doubt I'll be even that enthused. I enjoyed the books when last I read them (when The Keeping Place came out, so I could remember what had happened) but only bother if you're patient enough to wait to find out what happens at the end.
The Books:
"Obernewtyn" - Published 1987
In a world struggling back from the brink of apocalypse, life is harsh. But for Elspeth Gordie, born with enhanced mental abilities that would see her sterilised or burned if discovered, it is also dangerous. There is only survival by secrecy, and so she determines never to use her forbidden powers. But it is as if they have their own imperative, and their use inevitably brings her to the attention of the totalitarian Council tht rules the Land.
Sent to the remote mountain institute of Obernewtyn where escape is impossible, she must throw off her safe cloak of concealment and pit herself against those who would resurrect the terrible forces of the Apocalypse.
Only then will she learn who and what she is...
"The Farseekers" - Published 1990
Since their takeover of Obernewtyn, the secret community of Misfits has flourished, protected by their remoteness. Led by Elspeth Gordie, whose extraordinary powers set her apart even among her Misfit friends, an expedition sets out to rescue a powerful Misfit in a distant part of the Land. Only she knows the enormity of their task. But for her is yet another challenge as she must fulfil her vow to find and dismantle the dormant deathweapons left by the Beforetimers.
"Ashling" - Published 1995
The powerful farseeker Elspeth Gordie is sent to Sutrium, seat of the totalitarian council that rules the Land, to seal an alliance between the secret Misfit community at Obernewtyn and rebel forces. The journey takes her far beyond the borders of the Land, across the sea and into the heart of the mysterious desert region of Sador. She will need help to destroy the weaponmachines, but before her dark quest can begin, Elspeth must learn the truth of her dreams: she must understand why the Beforetimers destroyed their world.
"The Keeping Place" - Published 1999
After a kidnapping, Elspeth Gordie and the Misfits are forced to join the rebellion against the oppressive Council, using their extraordinary mind powers. But Elspeth must also seek out clues left by the long-dead seer, Kasanda, vital to her quest to destroy the Beforetime weaponmachines. One clue is lost in the past, forcing Elspeth to travel the Dreamtrails, stalked by a terrifying winged beast, with the cat, Maruman, as her guide and guardian. Only there can she learn more of the Beforetimer Misfits and their enemy, Govamen. Gradually Elspeth realises that her quest is intimately linked to the Misfits' refuge Obernewtyn - its past and its future...
"The Stone Key" - Published 2008
When Farseeker Guildmistress Elspeth Gordie sets out from Obernewtyn to travel to Sutrium at the end of Wintertime, she quickly learns that not everyone welcomes the changes brought about by the rebellion. Captured by an old and vicious enemy, she is drawn deep into the heart of the Herder Faction, where she learns of a terrible plot to destroy the west coast.
To stop it, Elspeth must risk everything, knowing that if she dies, she will never complete her quest to find the weaponmachines that destroyed the Beforetime.
But if she succeeds, her journey will lead her to the last of the signs left for her by the seer Kasanda...
"The Sending" - To be Published at some point in the next 5 years, hopefully. Possibly late 2009/early 2010.
The conclusion of the series. No Information.
Isobelle Carmody - The Legendsong
Overview:
Genre: Fantasy
Stars: 3.5 out of 5
Author's Website: Fantastic Fiction - Isobelle Carmody
My thoughts: I liked this series better than Obernewtyn, possibly because it seems to be written for a slightly more adult audience, and possibly because there's still a slim possibility that the third book will come out within five years of the second having been published. But then again, it's been 10 years since the first book was published...
The Books:
"Darkfall" - Published 1997
After the death of her parents and her beloved instructor, Wind, Glynn devotes herself to the care of her sick twin sister, feeling her own life to be unimportant. One night, during a midnight swim, she is swept across the Void to the troubled watery world of Keltor, through a portal created to summon the mythical Unraveller. What is the mysterious connection between Glynn's world and Keltor? And why does the man who rescued her from the waves bear an eerie resemblance to Wind?
"Darksong" - Published 2002
After her crossing to the troubled world of Keltor, Ember develops the ability to soulweave - to dream of the past and of all possible futures - and learns that her twin sister is upon Keltor and in great danger. She must find Glynn and warn her before it is too late.
But Ember is dying and her only hope of healing lies upon the mysterious island of Darkfall, in the form of the soulweaver Chieftain Signe. Time is running out for both sisters and for Keltor, for unbeknownst to the twins, their fate is inextricably bound up in that of this world.
Only the mysterious manbeast Ronaall knows that the fate of Glynn and Ember's world is also at stake, for what befalls one world, will befall all worlds...
"Darkbane" - Not yet published - will not come out until after The Sending.
The conclusion of the trilogy.
Isobelle Carmody - Scatterlings
Overview:
Genre: Fantasy (Young Adult)
Stars: 3 out of 5
Author's Website: Fantastic Fiction - Isobelle Carmody
Published: 1991
My thoughts: A post-apoclypic world with psychic powers - fairly similar premise to Obernewtyn, but this is a stand-alone book, and thus better, as it's a complete story! Again, young adult, and not a bad read.
The Book:
"Scatterlings"
The main character, Merlin, wakes with a 20th century memory, however the world in which she has awoken is not the 20th century. A city that she remembers to be full and teeming with life is rotted away by acid rain, and in her head she hears voices that aren't her own.
Alone in a strange land Merlin first meets the Scatterlings, a group of people who are rebelling against the clans and reject the ways of the Citizen Gods. Merlin learns the ways of this new world while trying to find out who she is and in the process discovers that only she has the power to destroy the violence and lies of the Citizen Gods.
Isobelle Carmody - The Gathering
Overview:
Genre: Fantasy (Young Adult)
Stars: 3 out of 5
Author's Website: Fantastic Fiction - Isobelle Carmody
Published: 1993
My thoughts: A "young adult" book, fairly typical good will triumph over evil story... Not a bad read.
The Book:
"The Gathering"
Nathanial and his mother move around a lot, going from town to town. They arrive in a new town, which his mother seems to love. But Nathanial senses something is not right... The stench of death fills the air from the slaughterhouse near the school, and the school itself is enough to scare anyone; the headteacher is seriously creepy, and most of the children seem to be scared of Nathanial. But why? Surely it can't be because he won't join the school club, The Gathering?