The Illmoor Chronicles : The Ratastrophe Catastrophe (Stone, David Lee, Illmoor Chronicles, Bk. 1.)

Rating:
Summary: It was okay
Review:
When I bought this book, I was prepared to get a not very genius experience, and so I didn't.
The book is a humourous fantasy-book, but rather than developing his own style, David Lee Stone adopts a style too close to Pratchett, making this book like a childish version of Pratchett's.
When looking away from that, though, the humour is okay. I must admit I never laughed - just smiled sometimes. But where this could have saved the book, the rest collapses.
The fact that the story isn't even his own, makes me really gross. I expected some new twist about the story, making it new and more original, but no - only a bunch of creative characters is to find, and though they are funny, they are not enough to save the story.

The main character is hard to find; I thought it was the boy (can't remember his name, sorry), but onwards through the book we barley see him at all, even though he's the one causing all the trouble. And when I was waiting for an intense and exciting end, I was yet again dissapointed by some clichés.

The book is not terrible. I DID read it through, though mostly beacuse I so wanted to see something original.
The reason I give it a 2 instead of a 1 is because of the writing in general; it's easy to read and understand, without too long descriptions.
And also, I think, because I'm nice.



Rating:
Summary: LOVED IT!
Review: I can honestly say that I loved this book. The humour is twisted in a Tim Burton/Beetlejuice way and most of the characters are completely deranged. The plot, a reworking of the Pied Piper tale, cracks along at high speed, but tends
to swerve violently just when you think you KNOW what's going to happen next. The town of Dull Itch has been infested with giant rats and only the moronic trio of Groan, Gordo the dwarf and the ancient wizard called Tambor can handle the trouble. The story also has an evil duke, who I absolutely loved (though who reminds me a lot of Edmund Blackadder). This book was an total joy to read, though it is primarily for kids. Still, if you're like me and you can't get on with Anthony, Asprin or Pratchett, then go for it: I'm sure you wont be disappointed!

Rating:
Summary: A Pratchett Rip Off
Review: Readers who enjoy Terry Pratchett's Discworld series might be tempted to try Stone's The Ratastrophe Catastrophe which with the notation Vol.1 threatens to be a series. Resist the temptation. Like Pratchett he takes an old tale (the Pied Piper here) and tries to put a new and different look on the work with a bit of wry wit. That Pratchett is a master at. Stone really strains at it making the overly obvious joke (which often falls flat)or character name. The imagination, pacing and real wit that marks Pratchett's series is really quite missing. Basically a third rate knock off for which Stone should thank his stars that one cannot be sued for bad theft of an artistic premise. If so Pratchett should haul him into court.