Running from March 21st to June 21st this year is the seventh annual Once Upon a Time Challenge, hosted as always by the magnificent Carl of Stainless Steel Droppings.
I have, of course, already been reading fantasy for the last month during DWJ March but, going forward, I am choosing to attempt Quest the First -- to read five books that fall into any of the four OUaT categories -- fantasy, folklore, fairy tale, mythology.
First, I will be participating in the read-along of Neil Gaiman's Stardust. If you're interested, the details are here.
And here are the other books that I will choose from.
Advent by James Treadwell (fantasy) -- first in a trilogy
Rumo & His Miraculous Adventures by Walter Moers (fantasy) -- part of the Zamonia series
Greenwitch by Susan Cooper (fantasy, folklore, mythology) -- third in the Dark is Rising series
The Blood Binding by Helen Stringer (fantasy) -- novella from the Spellbinder series
The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor (fantasy) -- first in a series
Dream Angus by Alexander McCall Smith (mythology) -- from my Canongate Myths box set
The Song of the Quarkbeast by Jasper Fforde (fantasy) -- second in a series
Are you participating this year? Have you read any of these? Is it strange that they're all series books or is that par for the course these days with fantasy?
Setting off on another fulfilling journey,
K
I've been working my way through Neil Gaiman's stuff, so I may well join in with the Stardust read-along. I'll have to get it from the library, so I probably won't be able to catch everyone up until the first half discussion on the 10th, but I'd definitely like to participate.
ReplyDeleteThe only book that I've read off the list is Advent by James Treadwell. I found it to be just alright. It was pretty slow moving and darker than I expected. It was very atmospheric, though, and I liked it enough that I'm sure I'll read the next in the series when it comes out.
I need to finish another book for review first so I won't be starting Stardust for a few more days either. Hopefully I'm in the right spot by discussion time!
DeleteI got Advent for review too so I'm trying to fit it in sooner than later. It sounds a bit Jonathan Strange so I'm interested to see how it will compare.
Oh Stardust!! and what a beautiful copy you have. I read it for one of my first readathons and it was the perfect read. I haven't read any of the others but I've heard good things about the Fforde series. I'm still working through his Thursday Next series (and by working through I mean I've read the first and bought the others). ;)
ReplyDeleteI read Stardust once before, maybe three or four years ago? I'm really excited to read it again! And I might pick up the first Dragonslayer book again just to refresh because I'm sure I missed things (as is always the case with good old Jasper). Quarkbeast is, once again, my only unread Fforde. That man needs to write faster!
DeleteLooks like you have a lovely copy of Stardust! I'm joining in for the read-along too, so I look forward to seeing your thoughts. :) I haven't read any of the other books in your stack, but I'm intrigued by the title of The Looking Glass Wars...
ReplyDeleteOh, fun! I hope that everyone loves Stardust. I thought it was so magical the first time I read it. The Looking Glass Wars is a Wonderland-based book. I was advised that the first book is really the best of that series so it will be interesting to see how I enjoy it.
DeleteI've read Greenwitch - I enjoyed it, though The Dark is Rising is my favourite of all the books in that series.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Stardust, though I have seen the movie. I have read most everything by Gaiman, so not sure why not Stardust yet. You do have a lovely copy.
I've read Jasper Fforde's other series, Thursday Next, and have enjoyed most of them very much. I'll have to look into this new series you mention!
Enjoy the challenge. I am, too.
This is my first time through the series so I figure I have to read them all once and then I can choose favorites and just reread those. :)
DeleteI think Stardust is one that is going to grow on me more as I reread it. I thought it was "nice" the first time. You should definitely pick it up at some point.
And this series is a YA one so it is similar to his other series but also different. Well worth reading though!
I look forward to reading your reviews of these books! However, if I am being honest, the book I'm most intrigued with is The Song of the Quarkbeast. I absolutely adored the first one in this series and cannot wait to get my hands on this one!!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to read it. It'll be a sooner than later one!
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