1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantasy or not?, 21 Feb 2010
By Joyce M. Gilmour "Copy Editor and Book Reviewer" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Court of Foxes (Paperback)
Court of Foxes is a great mystery read for adolescents and adults. The setting is in the Welsh village of Morredin and readers will feel as if they are visiting that country because author Brian Lux does a wonderful job of describing the area in Wales. Legend and magic are brought together to create a very exciting tale.
Mr. Lux tells the readers that Court of Foxes is "based on a true story of Dr. John Harries, a wizard, whose powers were legendary in a small village in Mid-Wales." Visit the National Library of Wales for proof of the photograph that is part of this story. This book could make readers question their own beliefs in wizards and magical happenings.
As a teacher, I often see what happens to students who move in to a new school district. The main character, Bryn, has this experience of moving with his mother from the city out to the village of Morredin to his grandfather's home. Being the "new kid" in town, leaving the city where "all the action is," experiencing language barriers, and the like, are all issues facing this teenager. Then on top of all of the "common" issues, he experiences nightmares, "sees things," and discovers much about the "happenings" of Morredin. People in this village are keeping secrets about many things and Bryn is led to seek out answers. In the end, it is up to Bryn to make decisions that could change the world forever. The theme of good versus evil is a strong part of this book, which is a part of everyone's life in small or big ways. We all can relate to this theme and learning to find courage within ourselves.
Author Brian Lux has created a wonderful book for middle school readers and beyond. He takes U.S. readers on a trip "across the big pond" and even with the sprinkling of the Welsh language within the book, does a masterful job of teaching us within the text. After reading this book, it is obvious why Brian Lux received the Welsh regional winner of the 2006 Undiscovered Authors novel competition. Here's hoping for more novels from this gifted writer.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Court of Foxes by Brian Lux, 26 Jan 2010
By Cheryl Carpinello "http://www.beyondtodayeduc... - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Court of Foxes (Paperback)
Young readers will be immediately drawn to thirteen-year-old Bryn as he suddenly finds his life turned upside down by a move to a small Welsh village where adults and children are not eager to welcome outsiders. Deep within the ancient Welsh village of Morredin lurks an evil that no one talks about.
When Bryn starts having strange dreams, sees people and animals that are not there, and hears voices, he has only two confidants: his dog Cadno (Welsh for fox) and Selwyn, a mysterious man that villagers avoid. It is Selwyn who knows that Bryn has been sent to Morredin to deal with the evil that inhabits the village and the Court of Foxes. Bryn alone must make the choice that will condemn or save the village and himself, a choice that faces each of us at some point. And, sadly, young people today are not immune to difficult choices like Bryn faces.
Court of Foxes is a fast paced story that will keep young adults and adults intrigued until Bryn's reckoning at the end. The believable situations that Bryn's finds himself faced with will sound home for many young readers.
Lux sets U.S. readers down in Morredin and immerses them in the Welsh culture. Welsh language is sprinkled throughout the novel, and the reader experiences some of the same frustrations as Bryn in trying to pronounce and understand the language. American audiences will also encounter British vocabulary that is unfamiliar. The word `biro' appears often, but eventually can be defined in context. Just part of the excitement in reading a story from a foreign author. If you read the American editions of the Harry Potter series, then you missed the British vocabulary.
This would be a great addition to middle and high school libraries.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply brilliant!!, 25 Jan 2010
By Stacey Pierce - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Court of Foxes (Paperback)
I extremely enjoyed reading Brian Lux's book, Court of Foxes, which focuses on good and evil in the world. The discussion about the Book of Revelations hits close to home because I, too, like the main character Bryn, don't feel at ease with its contents. I have difficulty with Revelations as some things occurring currently seem to be a reflection of things discussed--earthquakes detroying land, fires, wars, and floods--which is unsettling to me. Despite numerous warnings from his family and new friends, Bryn heeds the call of trying to figure out what secrets lie in Morredin.
Having never been anywhere close to Wales I found myself travelling with the same fervor as Bryn as he strolled around his new surroundings-caves, valleys, and mountains-sharing his curiosity, anxiety, fear and excitement about his new discoveries. Mr. Lux is an amazing storyteller in that I had vivid images of all of the characters and settings discussed but especially of Bryn's new friend Selwyn. In the village, people feared Selwyn and called him the "Mad Monk." Although they feared him I could feel his gentleness and as he walked. I could hear and feel the repeated "thud" of his staff as it hit the ground while he walked eagerly to assist young Bryn.
This book from start to finish was a wild journey through the mountains and valleys in Wales resulting with Bryn being faced with a life changing decision-choosing between good and evil-similar to challenges we all face in life. Bryn tastes power briefly-making the river flow backwards- while thirsty for knowledge about Emyrs and his hold on Morredin. Power in the hands of the wrong person can have a negative affect on everyone and Bryn, recognizes this in a brief second thus he is able to make the right decision.
This book is full of suspense and I look forward to taking another exciting journey with Mr. Lux in his next novel. As for Court of Foxes, I highly recommend it to both youth and adults alike looking to partake on a marvelous journey while never leaving their home.