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"A stunning debut from a master story-teller"
Candara's Gift is such a masterpiece of fantasy writing that it's
hard to believe this is Cooper's first book.
Like any good children's novel, it contains all the necessary
ingredients: beautiful imagery, hidden treasure, an epic battle
between good and evil, the essential cast of wizards, a dragon, a
king, queen and prince and princess, and a journey into the dark
unknown.
The story reminded me of the Narnia Chronicles or Lord of the
Rings, but it's more exciting, shorter, and more accessible. Cooper
has an easy style that flows and reads easily, making it ideal for
today's short-attention-spanned youngster, yet with its own
complexity and with some clever innovations such as optional riddles
and puzzles.
The characters are powerfully vivid, and Cooper lets his
imagination run wild, weaving in unicorns, the odd mysterious
character, and a fantasy land full of colour and mystery. But most
striking of all is the goodness this book exudes -- and its good
humour.
It's a book that will not only inspire and entertain children,
but educate them at the same time. In short, this is a made superb
start to children's story writing - a book that could well give JK
Rowling a run for her money.
Edward Pentin
Rome,
Italy |
