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Heroes of the Valley
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Review
...an author who can rightly be dubbed a master storyteller...Heroes Of The Valley is...epic, vibrant and colourful Bognore Regis Observer 20081214 As always, Stroud writes like a dream, passing from instant amusement to a sense of real suspense with apparent ease. Those who eagerly awaited this next novel after his super Bartimaeus trilogy will not be disappointed. Books for Keeps 20090101 Written out of a deeply felt world, and with a taut, disciplined voice that knows its Sir Gawain and the Green Knight as well as its Harry Potter, Jonathan Stroud's new book is, quite simply, stunning. The Guardian 20090110 While it is a totally new direction and a different type of tale to what pulls you right in, proving that the cream will always rise to the top. www.sci-fi-london.com 20090113 This is an entertaining book full of boyhood adventures, heroes and excitement. Bradford Telegraph and Argus 20090110 ... boys will love its twists and turns. Irish News 20090110 Stroud peppers his story with tales reminiscent of ancient Norse myths, giving this book the feel of an epic saga. Halli is a great lead character... Flipside 20091201 A high adventure with any twists and turns. Derby Evening Telegraph 20090114 An entertaining book full of boyhood adventures, heroes and excitement. East Anglian Daily Times 20090124 Jonathan is already building up a strong fan base among young lovers of fantasy fiction and his latest novel will certainly not disappoint his young readers. Hertfordshire Life 20090301 This is a real treat that will have children of 10 and over seeking out Stroud's other novels. The Telegraph 20090221 this latest novel will certainly not disappoint his young readers. Hertfordshire Life It is certainly an action adventure but the great fight scenes are tempered by humour and humanity and for that reason, although an excellent read for boys, it will be read by adventurous girls too. Carousel 20090301 The language is equisite in places and landscape is brilliantly evoked throughout the story School Library Association 20090301
Book Description
Blood feuds, epic battles and a undersized hero come together in this brilliant new fantasy adventure from the author of the bestselling Bartimaeus trilogy
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I consumed the Bartimaeus Trilogy like a man starved: I have never known a story so gripping, thrilling, intruiging and downright funny all at once. Naturally, when they came to an end, I clamoured for more from this extraordinary, unbelieveably underrated author. I have Buried Fire and The Leap on my shelf, but I was most interested in seeing where Stroud would go after the Bartimaeus Trilogy.
Like another reviewer mentioned, I too was both excited and nervous about reading new material from Stroud. Could it possibly be as good? Well, at first, the book throws you off balance: it reads nothing like Stroud has ever written; there's an old-fashioned, sweeping epic quality to HotV that echoes similar fantasy epics in style, most notably Lord of the Rings. So whilst it certainly didn't feel like classic Stroud prose, it is nonetheless impressive, different and an indication of just how talented he is as an author.
But what is classic Stroud here is just how criminally good the story and setting is. The world of the Valley is brilliantly realised in evocative prose that, for me, brought back memories of the time I hiked in the Lake District: the stark beauty, the harsh weathers, the looming mountains. The settlements, Houses, farmlands and Valley-folk, too, give off the vibe of Scandinavia in the Iron Age - it's all fantastically evoked.
But the real crux of where HotV will either fall or fly is in the story, and I'm safe to say it's as good, if not better, than anything he's produced, and believe me, that's saying something. The plot twists, turns, and leaves you guessing right up to it's climax, which is breathtaking, to say the least. You honestly have no idea where Stroud will lead you next. All the thrills, scares and laughs that made his previous work so brilliant are all present and correct, yet maintain a feel of freshness, that this is it's own beast of a book in it's own right. And, of course, Halli is an anti-hero who is as complex as they come, and I dare you not to punch the air when he succeeds, as well as feel for him in his darker moments.
HotV is precisely what I'd hoped for: which was, ironically, nothing like what I'd expected. It's everything a fan of Stroud (and downright awesome storytelling) could ask for, and yet is so different, layered and thought-provoking that you can see why it took so long to write.
HotV isn't perfection: what is? But it comes pretty close. Thank you once again, Mr. Stroud, for taking me places beyond my dreams. Now hurry up and get another on the shelves.
Like another reviewer mentioned, I too was both excited and nervous about reading new material from Stroud. Could it possibly be as good? Well, at first, the book throws you off balance: it reads nothing like Stroud has ever written; there's an old-fashioned, sweeping epic quality to HotV that echoes similar fantasy epics in style, most notably Lord of the Rings. So whilst it certainly didn't feel like classic Stroud prose, it is nonetheless impressive, different and an indication of just how talented he is as an author.
But what is classic Stroud here is just how criminally good the story and setting is. The world of the Valley is brilliantly realised in evocative prose that, for me, brought back memories of the time I hiked in the Lake District: the stark beauty, the harsh weathers, the looming mountains. The settlements, Houses, farmlands and Valley-folk, too, give off the vibe of Scandinavia in the Iron Age - it's all fantastically evoked.
But the real crux of where HotV will either fall or fly is in the story, and I'm safe to say it's as good, if not better, than anything he's produced, and believe me, that's saying something. The plot twists, turns, and leaves you guessing right up to it's climax, which is breathtaking, to say the least. You honestly have no idea where Stroud will lead you next. All the thrills, scares and laughs that made his previous work so brilliant are all present and correct, yet maintain a feel of freshness, that this is it's own beast of a book in it's own right. And, of course, Halli is an anti-hero who is as complex as they come, and I dare you not to punch the air when he succeeds, as well as feel for him in his darker moments.
HotV is precisely what I'd hoped for: which was, ironically, nothing like what I'd expected. It's everything a fan of Stroud (and downright awesome storytelling) could ask for, and yet is so different, layered and thought-provoking that you can see why it took so long to write.
HotV isn't perfection: what is? But it comes pretty close. Thank you once again, Mr. Stroud, for taking me places beyond my dreams. Now hurry up and get another on the shelves.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As a fan of Jonathan Stroud's Bartimaeus Trilogy, my feelings were a little mixed when I discovered that he was publishing a new book. Although there is the expected excitement, there is also a concern that anything new will fail to live up to expectations or maybe even be too similar to previous books.
In this case, however, I should not have worried. Stroud has stayed with fantasy, but with a very different setting. In this book, we are taken to a valley, somewhere that feels like Northern Europe. As with previous books, however, there's no specific time frame.
So onto the story - the residents of this valley are divided into `houses', with their own areas, and their own tales of heroes past. From a background of violence, when their heroes all came together to defeat the dreaded `Trows', they are now very peaceful people, with all their weapons melted down.. although jealousies still exist.
The children are brought up listening to tales of heroic deeds, and Halli finds himself longing for a return to these days. When an ancient feud is re-started, he may just get his wish - but in doing so, will he learn what it truly means to be a hero?
Halli's journey kept me hooked to the book, aided by Stroud's wonderful humour. It's a little more subtle than the wonderful one liners found in the Bartimaeus Trilogy, and yet it kept me smiling, and keeps a fun feel to the book.
However, there is a darker, slightly scary side to this book, and I would imagine it suiting slightly older teens.. as well as adults, of course!
Jonathan Stroud is certainly one of my favourite young adult fantasy writers, and this is a great addition to his books. I hope now we don't have to wait too long for the next one!
In this case, however, I should not have worried. Stroud has stayed with fantasy, but with a very different setting. In this book, we are taken to a valley, somewhere that feels like Northern Europe. As with previous books, however, there's no specific time frame.
So onto the story - the residents of this valley are divided into `houses', with their own areas, and their own tales of heroes past. From a background of violence, when their heroes all came together to defeat the dreaded `Trows', they are now very peaceful people, with all their weapons melted down.. although jealousies still exist.
The children are brought up listening to tales of heroic deeds, and Halli finds himself longing for a return to these days. When an ancient feud is re-started, he may just get his wish - but in doing so, will he learn what it truly means to be a hero?
Halli's journey kept me hooked to the book, aided by Stroud's wonderful humour. It's a little more subtle than the wonderful one liners found in the Bartimaeus Trilogy, and yet it kept me smiling, and keeps a fun feel to the book.
However, there is a darker, slightly scary side to this book, and I would imagine it suiting slightly older teens.. as well as adults, of course!
Jonathan Stroud is certainly one of my favourite young adult fantasy writers, and this is a great addition to his books. I hope now we don't have to wait too long for the next one!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book was a tad slow going to start with. I thought it might be the first book by this author that I would not like, but by page 60 I was thoroughly enjoying it again and it went from strength to strength.
The hero of the story is Halli, a 15 year old boy in - presumably- a kind of alternate universe middle ages nordic fjord (Sweden perhaps). Halli has very short legs and is not comely, but he is born with wit and a mischievous streak that makes him an entertaining character, even if he makes an unlikely hero of legend. But through a series of circumstances he is thrust to the fore when a rival house in the valley reneges on an ancient treaty of non violence.
Written with all the author's trade mark wit, and a good deal of passion, this book is a very good and enjoyable read. If it were not for the slow start I would give it 5 stars, and I would like to give it at least 4 and a half!
The hero of the story is Halli, a 15 year old boy in - presumably- a kind of alternate universe middle ages nordic fjord (Sweden perhaps). Halli has very short legs and is not comely, but he is born with wit and a mischievous streak that makes him an entertaining character, even if he makes an unlikely hero of legend. But through a series of circumstances he is thrust to the fore when a rival house in the valley reneges on an ancient treaty of non violence.
Written with all the author's trade mark wit, and a good deal of passion, this book is a very good and enjoyable read. If it were not for the slow start I would give it 5 stars, and I would like to give it at least 4 and a half!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Excellent Book! A*
Another great book from Jonathan Stroud! Had the same amount of wit and ability to make you turn the page as his other books. Icould hardly put it down!
Published 17 months ago by Ms. Susan A. Skinner
An epic tale for the electric fireside generation
Stroud is a masterful storyteller and as such gets the reader to consider the interpretation of myths and legends and their formation from within the bards mythos within this new... Read more
Published 24 months ago by Gareth Wilson - Falcata Times Blog
Disappointed
Like so many other people I came to this book after having absolutely loved Bartimaeus. I was pretty excited by the prospect of Heroes of the Valley, but left it feeling rather... Read more
Published on 16 May 2010 by D. Walston
wrong introduction
Like another reviewer I was reluctant to read the follow up to the Bartimaeus Trilogy even though I had looked forward to the next Jonathan Stroud. Read more
Published on 6 Dec 2009 by Maire Callain
No Bartimaeus but still good
This book is quite different to the Bartimaeus trilogy, which I absolutely loved and would recommend to anyone who hasn't read them yet. Read more
Published on 11 Sep 2009 by Tina
It's no Bartimaeus.
Once again the name Stroud draws me to his books like a moth to a candle, but again disappointment. After reading the stunning Bartimaeus Trilogy this pales beside it. Read more
Published on 9 July 2009 by Colin Leacy
Not just for kids
I bought this book from Amazon after reading a couple of pages in the railway station bookshop, while waiting for a train. Read more
Published on 12 Mar 2009 by John Meanwood
Disappointing
Having loved the Bartimaeus trilogy, in fact I am re-reading it right now, I found this disappointing. The main character is so unlikeable it's hard to care what happens to him. Read more
Published on 26 Feb 2009 by Nick
Great Read
Hello
I am new to this
I like others thoroughly enjoyed the Bart Books
This was a refreshing change, characters that don't immediately fit any preconceptions, great... Read more
I am new to this
I like others thoroughly enjoyed the Bart Books
This was a refreshing change, characters that don't immediately fit any preconceptions, great... Read more
Published on 4 Jan 2009 by Mr. A. Higginson
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