Fantasy. It’s just not my cup of tea anymore. I’m sure the book is as great as others say, but it’s not for me. Oh well.

Although normally I’m not into the fantasy genre this book was very intriguing, well-written and has a complexity that goes beyond the average fantasy novel. A book where the main character is very unlikeable but still drags you along on his epic journey to defeat evil from destroying the land.

I first read this book when I was 11 or so, and I enjoyed it immensely, although I don’t recommend letting anyone under, say, 16 read it – mature themes! If I’d been a little older, I probably would’ve been disturbed by the beginning. Nevertheless, this remains one of my favourite fantasy books. The world is very well-constructed and interesting, and Dondaldson does an excellent job of exploring the protagonist’s inner struggles with being ripped out of his home environment. Read it with a dictionary handy, though – I find the vocabulary to be pretty advanced.

One of the best fasntasy novels ever written!