Chunkster Challenge 2009

Chunkster Challenge 2009

When: Whenever you want to start - November 15, 2009
What: Read books of 450+ pages. There are different options to choose from. See complete rules at the link above.

I will be doing the Chubby Chunkster which is two books:

Raymond E. Feist. The King's Buccaneer (523 pp.) -- finished 1/20/2009
Kate Mosse. Labyrinth (694 pp.) -- finished 10/13/2009

Labyrinth by Kate Mosse

First sentence:

"A single line of blood trickles down the pale underside of her arm, a red seam on a white sleeve."

Description:

"July 1209: in Carcassonne a seventeen-year-old girl is given a mysterious book by her father which he claims contains the secret of the true Grail. Although Alais cannot understand the strange words and symbols hidden within, she knows that her destiny lies in keeping the secret of the labyrinth safe. . .

July 2005: Alice Tanner discovers two skeletons in a forgotten cave in the French Pyrenees. Puzzled by the labyrinth symbol carved into the rock, she realises she's disturbed something that was meant to remain hidden. Somehow a link to a horrific past - her past - has been disturbed." -- from the back cover

My thoughts:

This was a good fictional account of the 13th century Albigensian Crusade (also known as the Cathar Crusade) in which the French Catholics in the northern part of France attacked the Cathars, a Christian sect, in the Languedoc in the south. I liked how these events were portrayed in the lives of Alais, her sister Orianne, her husband Guilhelm, and her father, Bertrand.

The 21st century scenes were not as good as the 13th century ones. I wanted to know more about how various characters were counterparts to the 13th century ones and many characters had similar names which added to the confusion. Still, I liked how Alice discovers the truth about her ancestor, Alais.

Date read: 10/13/2009
Book #: 51
Challenges: Celebrate the Author Challenge 2009, Chunkster Challenge 2009
Rating: 3*/5 = good
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy

ISBN-10: 0752877321
ISBN-13: 978075287327
Publisher: Orion Books
Year: 2005
# of pages: 694
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
LibraryThing page

The King's Buccaneer by Raymond E. Feist

First sentence:

"Ghuda stretched."

Description:

"Long recovered from the ravages of the Riftwar, the land and people of the Kingdom of the Isles thrive. Nicholas, youngest son of Prince Arutha, is intelligent and gifted but vastly inexperienced. In hopes of hardening him, his father sends him and his irreverent squire, Harry, to live at rustic Castle Crydee to learn of life beyound the halls of privilege. But within weeks of Nicholas and Harry's arrival, Crydee is viciously attacked by unknown assailents, resulting in murder, massive destruction, and the abduction of two young noblewomen. The raiders have come from a pirate haven and are no ordinary foe. . .but an enemy connected to dark magical forces that threaten the lands Nicholas will someday rule -- if he survives." -- from the back cover

My thoughts:

This was a good fantasy in the Riftwar series. I liked how the characters Nicholas, Harry, Brisa and Anthony became more confident and sure of themselves. I also liked how they and their friends faced the many challenges in their path.

Date read: 1/20/2009
Book #: 7
Series: Krondor's Sons, #2 / Riftwar Saga, #6
Challenges: Naming Conventions Challenge, Chunkster Challenge 2009, 999 Challenge
Rating: 3*/5 = good
Genre: Fantasy

ISBN-10: 0553563734
ISBN-13: 9780553563733
Publisher: Bantam Books
Year: 1994
# of Pages: 523
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
LibraryThing Page