Rating: 
Summary: From crap to king
Review: The story about a low life boy who is out on his own. The legend of the Red Keep is in his hand. The legend says that the person who takes the dagger from the Keep brakes the curse of the forest. But the problem is an hour upon stepping foot on the land he must get it out before he is trapped in that single day forever. The touch of the dagger burns his flesh. He wraps around the dagger in a bag. He escapes.He travels back to the castle for his prize but recieves much more than a prize. He is challenged to battle the evil he has released. Giving back the dagger he had won was an easy thing for him. Once then he will never be horded by evil no more.
Rating: 
Summary: A story which starts where most end
Review: This is a fantasy story which starts where most end: when the hero vanquishes the evil in the land and goes to claim his prize.The Ghostwood has been the evil in the heart of the kingdom for a thousand years, and for most of that time, the best, bravest and most noble heros have gone to try and vanqish it, for the prize is no other than any wish they may make of the king. For all that time none of these great heros succeded or came back - till Shielder's Mark did. And there's the problem, because Mark is no noble hero in the traditional sense, instead he is a pratical pesant with big dreams. Mark claims his princess and finds out how much the fairy tales *didn't* say. This is a well written novel. Aimed for "young adults" it can be read by anyone who enjoys an original, well written fantasy story. All the characters have a depth and honesty to them that is refreshing, and the writing style is descriptive without going overboard. Having read this book, I now plan to look up more works by this author, who appears to be a hidden gem of the fantasy/young adult market.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This unusual story succeeds on several levels. Plotting is good, with fast action and unexpected plot twists. Characterization is excellent, with 3 dimensional people. The psychological aspects of tensions between fathers and son are woven beautifully into the plot with several variations on the same theme. A very offbeat love story is also part of the plot. The book retains interest even on re-reading.
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