Silvertongue
The Stoneheart Trilogy – Book 3
By Charlie Fletcher
Hyperion Books
2009
Hodder Children’s Books (U.K.)
2008
Audio read by Jim Dale
Target Age Group: Boys or girls, Ages 9 through 14
Must Read
Good Read
Should Read
Best Experienced: This book can best be experienced by listening to the CD
Synopsis
Evil has followed George and Edie to London, an evil so old that most of the taints or spits don't even remember it. Its presence stops time and brings a heavy snowfall to London. The only two people alive are George and Edie. The Evil has tipped the balance of power between the spits and the taints, and that means war. George has yet to finish his 3rd duel with the Last Knight, and the stone vine entwining his arm is inching closer and closer to his heart…and death.
Book Review
For most of the story, this book was fabulous, a gut-wrenching, realistic, roller-coaster ride of suspense and adventure as George and Edie battle the new Evil that came back with them at the end of Book 2, and the taints who have always hated them.
That being said, there were two points in the book that, in my opinion, weakened what otherwise would have been a great story.
The first is this: one character laments that his spouse has had an affair. However, the story implies – and George and Edie believe – that the lamenting character has also had an affair. If a man cheats on his wife, he can hardly complain about his wife cheating on him. It’s just not logical.
The second is that the author uses the same plot device that he used at the end of Stoneheart, Book One of the trilogy. While in real life, we are likely to repeat the tricks that have been successful in the past, this is not real life. It’s a story. And in stories, our heroes and heroines are supposed to be more creative, more inventive as the story progresses and they grow. This, more than anything else, brought the book down from being a great story to only being a good story.
Still, read it or listen to it, as there are many, many heart stopping and adventurous moments.
Audio Review
Jim Dale delivers another tour de force performance, bringing all the richness in this story to life.
Amazon Links
Silvertongue (Book 3 of The Stoneheart Trilogy) - Audio CD
Silvertongue (Book 3 of The Stoneheart Trilogy) - Hardback
Ironhand (Book 2 of The Stoneheart Trilogy) - Audio CD
Ironhand (Book 2 of the Stoneheart Trilogy) - Paperback
Stoneheart (Book 1 of The Stoneheart Trilogy) - Audio CD
Stoneheart (Book 1 of The Stoneheart Trilogy) - Paperback
Characters
George Chapman – George is our 12 year old protagonist. He grew up in Book 2 and now must face the evils in London as a man in Book 3, even if he is still just a boy.
Edie – Also 12 years old. She has found her mum’s heartstone, and it still glows. That must mean she’s alive, right? So Edie is going to do everything she can to find her mum, war or no war.
The Gunner – Still the stalwart World War I soldier, protecting Edie and helping George fight the darkness that has taken over London.
The Ice Devil – The evil that escaped from the Frost Fair with George and Edie at the end of Book 2.
The Last Knight – The knight with whom George must have his 3rd and final duel. Except that he’s been consumed by the darkness that escaped from the London stone, an Evil who wants to destroy George in the duel.
Dictionary Johnson – A statue of an 18th century man who wrote a dictionary. In prior books, he herks and jerks, slobbers and twitches. But in Book 3, he manages to find a consistent voice, a friendly cat, and courage to help.
The Red Queen – Riding in her chariot with her two daughters running along side, she received her name as the Red Queen because of the blood she spilled in battle seeking vengence for her daughters. She is the oldest royalty of the spits and can claim leadership over the others.
Spout – A gargoyle who used to be a taint and is now a spit – or at least he’s pledged his loyalty to George. Or has he?
The Raven – A bird loyal to the Walker. He’s been killed several times and always comes back. And he never forgets. Never.
No comments:
Post a Comment