Fellowship of the Ring - Book Recommendation

Rating: 10/10

In the Fellowship of the Ring you follow a large group of characters in their quest to destroy The Ring of Power, forged by the Dark Lord, Sauron. Frodo, the hobbit who is given the ring, unknowingly, by the wizard, Gandalf, is suddenly thrown into a world far from his homeland in the Shire. He travels across the world of Middle-Earth and encounters, dwarves, elves and many other races of men and orc.

In this book, you are given a very different style of writing compared to today. The diction used is very old so as to seem it actually came from this older, mythological world.

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy longer, and well thought out novels. Also, for those who enjoy fantasy, fiction and medieval based worlds and languages. Along with the books are the three movies that give you a perfect visual for the world Tolkien created.

Eragon - Theme and Summary

Theme:

In the book, Eragon I believe that throughout the story the central theme is, "To continue to fight after being taken down."

This is the theme I found because in the beginning of Eragon you find that two marauders burn down Eragon's house along with his Uncle, Garrow, inside, who perishes not long after. Even after this crushing effect on his emotions he sets out with the story teller, Brom, and follows after the two hooded villains.

 I found this theme very similar to real life because you can see today that even if you lose a battle that doesn't mean you've lost the war, or if you lose someone close to you, you take time to grieve and fight on in life.

 I think the author wrote this story to show that even the most unlikely people have the courage to spread justice and are able to pick themselves off the ground in even the most difficult situations. 

Inheritance - Analysis

Analysis:

In the book Inheritance (fourth book of the series) you once again follow the main character Eragon on his conquest to rid the throne of the malevolent, Galbatorix. I believe the text was trying to show a vague example of natural rights, by presenting a world ruled by a corrupt king, and showing that through determination, hard work, and the need for justice, the people of Alagaësia can revolt against the immoral and dishonest tyranny. 

In the beginning a large group of rebels set up a "safe haven" far from the reaches of the Empire, in hopes to strike against it and overthrow Galbatorix. During this time you are introduced to many characters who often comment on the effects of the oppression on themselves, their families and their races as the Empire seeks to stomp out any ideas or actions that they don't agree with or believe will benefit themselves. You see the determination when these rebels decide to bring the battle out of their own territory and fight on unfamiliar territory. You also see their need for justice as they go as far as to threaten to kill the King in order to create a virtuous government. I believe that with these qualities that they will be able to successfully earn a free life and a say in how their new empire is ruled.

In this hyperlink you can read, the Enlightenment Thinker, John Locke's ideas on the "right to rebel".

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Characters

In the book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry must face many life threatening ordeals, and during these challenges Harry is forced to change dynamically over time. For example, he's usually "quick-to-anger", personality had to change/configure in order to receive help from his close friends. Also he's had to become much more courageous in order to face the dangerous situations that were ahead of him.

Harry's interactions with other characters are usually as hostile, friendly or questioning. A few examples are when Harry is speaking with people who criticize, frustrate or insult him he tends to lash out and brings out that "quick-to-anger" personality. He can be friendly when there isn't any or little stress around close friends or compassionate characters. One last element of Harry's character is his ambition, which drives the plot forward and moves at a relatively even pace and gets to the conflict in a timely manner.

Annhilation: Star Wars (The Old Republic) - Reading Skills

Book Summary:

In Annihilation you follow two separate story lines. First, you are introduced to Theron, a Republic field agent on a classified mission to take out the Ascendant Spear along with the Jedi Knight, Gnost-Dural, who hoped to bring his old apprentice back to the "Light Side", and a recruit and criminal from the Old Tion Brotherhood, Teff'ith. Another character you follow is a Sith Lord named Darth Karrid, who pilots the Ascendant Spear.

Predictions:

I predict that when the trio are attempting to infiltrate the Ascendant Spear, Theron will successfully compromise the war ship. Though I think in Theron's success, Gnost-Dural will encounter Darth Karrid and be overwhelmed.

Questions:

A few questions I have for the author or the book are:

• What drove Theron to risk his life for this mission?
• Can they trust Teff'ith with her history of crime?
• Will Gnost-Dural spare Darth Karrid?
• Will the Commander Jase become corrupt with his new power?

Textual Connections:

In Annihilation I found a text-to-text connection with The Hobbit. The connection I found was that Theron and Bilbo both have to bring up large amounts of courage to do what's right for themselves and the people they know. They both also take command when others stray away. Finally, I found that even though they are in the complete opposite of worlds, they have similar personalities. 

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The Infernal City (The Elder Scrolls Novel) Greg Keyes - Book Recommendation

Book Rating: 9/10

In the book The Infernal City you follow the two characters Annaïg, a young women, and Mere-Glim, an Argonian (Lizard-like Humanoid), on an adventure that takes them far from their homeland in the Black Marsh, to an enigmatic island suspended in air called Umbriel. Once "aboard" this island they are discovered and immediately put to work in the kitchens and the sumps. As they struggle in their new lives, you also find yourself along with the Prince of the Empire, Attrebus, who is determined to solve the mystery if Umbriel along with the Dark Elf, Sul.

In The Infernal City you stumble upon many classical fantasy styles, as well as some new styles that will remind you of Lord of the Rings or The Ranger's Apprentice. You are taken to the world of Nirn, a continent ruled by the great Empire which successfully united all of the races and homelands in an endured harmony. You are taken to a time with little technology, but to a strong and magical history and the conflicts that differ from our own world.

 I would recommend this book to those who enjoy novels that introduce fantasy, medieval ways of life, or books that take you to an unfamiliar location. I would also recommend it to those who have played the game this book is based off of, for a greater understanding of the world of Nirn.

The World of Nirn