Showing posts with label wizardry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wizardry. Show all posts

School of Wizardry (Circle of Magic, Book 1) Review

School of Wizardry (Circle of Magic, Book 1)
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In 6th grade I read my first of the Circle of Magic books, the School of Wizardry. It started me into realm of fire breathing dragons, arrogant wizards, and gallant knights. Here I was hiding the book under my notebook at school, because even then I felt embarrassed at the size and childness of the book. The books have the reading level set at the age of 9-12 and because of this many might look over them. Though these books inspired me as a youth to explore the wide variety of literature out there, I feel it can do the same for ANYONE. Debra Doyle has found a way to reach out to ALL audiences. The publicity was down, so thence the sales. But the books themselves are magnificent. As I have not so forcibly made my younger brother read them, he has become a fan at the age of 14. As he checked them out of my old Junior High, I got the chance to read them once more as a Senior in High School. Of course this time I didn't have to hide them, but flaunted them as the occasion permitted. Now this review is quickly becoming unhelpful, but the point I am trying to put across is that these books appeal to ALL ages. I love them. On my list are classics like The Hobbit, A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court, and the Wheel Of Time series. But the circle of magic (though somewhat adolescent) stand out among the best. I can't think of another book I would rather have my children read in the future, and for anyone with the love of fantasy and imagination.

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ADVENTURES OF WILLY THE WIZARD: LIVID LAND NO. 1 Review

ADVENTURES OF WILLY THE WIZARD: LIVID LAND NO. 1
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Haven't read the whole book, and at $95 am unlikely to, but I have read all the online excerpts and the full text of the Harry Potter lawsuit. I see no resemblance other than a character solves a puzzle in the bathtub. Archimedes, anyone?
I'm betting all the alleged plagiarisms turn out to be common story elements. There certainly isn't any comparison in the plots or characters.
Just for fun I did a web search on underwater rescues and found a 1960 Tom Swift book in which Tom invents artificial gills and competes against the Bungarians. Harry, of course, gets artificial gills and competes against a Bulgarian.


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The Book of Wizard Craft: In Which the Apprentice Finds Spells, Potions, Fantastic Tales & 50 Enchanting Things to Make Review

The Book of Wizard Craft: In Which the Apprentice Finds Spells, Potions, Fantastic Tales and 50 Enchanting Things to Make
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I'm 28 years old. I have no children. I don't even have any small children anywhere in my immediate family. And here I am, buying and writing a gushing torrent of praise for a children's book.
This is the best book in the whole world. No, really. Okay, except maybe the proper Harry Potter books, but. It's still a darn fine book.
The crystal ball lamp is really what I'm itching to make. Meanwhile, I've been busying myself with churning out wizard money, rings, and baby unicorn horns to dole out to Potter-loving friends. And you bet I'm going to try the Every Flavor Be--ah, I mean, All Flavors Gumdrops recipe posthaste. Can't wait to see the look on my boss's face when I slip him a tabasco one. Ahem.
Kids WILL need help from grownups for most of this stuff, but that's not a bad thing. And, if I may make a suggestion: if you help your kids whip up a batch of Dragon Blood, put it in little plastic bottles from the craft store--and glue the caps on. Messy stuff

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Under the Spell of Harry Potter Review

Under the Spell of Harry Potter
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Stephen Dollins owes JK Rowlings money. Seriously. The bulk of this book is his rephrasing of her exact story, peppered with the most ridiculous photos I have ever seen. (Page 38 shows three children, obviously posed, and having nothing to do whatsoever with the Harry Potter novels - except someone has scribbled a curse on the wall.) The back of the book contains photos from the movies, photos of current Harry Potter toys, and photos of book covers containing other Harry Potter critques.
Stephen Dollins also believes that Teletubbies were sent to us by Satan (while they annoy me, I doubt that Satan is involved) and sadly, he also used The Onion as one of his resources. (The Onion is a satirical newspaper with headlines like: "Ozzy Osbourne Wins Tickets to OzzFest" -- it's NOT REAL.) To me, this ends ANY credibility this author may have had.
My advice: don't give this guy any more money. Don't encourage his narrow-minded views. Read Harry Potter for yourself. Read The Onion (it's free) and donate your money to charity.

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The Book of Wizardry: The Apprentice's Guide to the Secrets of the Wizards' Guild Review

The Book of Wizardry: The Apprentice's Guide to the Secrets of the Wizards' Guild
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This is a cute book that has obviously been designed for a young novice in the magical arts, sort of a Harry Potteresque instruction book. It's hard to tell whether this is a serious book on the subject at first, but it does have real magic and techniques for increasing concentration and such, and half of the book is taken up by a "Choose Your Own Adventure" type of novella.
The only annoying thing about it this book is that it mixes fantasy and real magical techniques, but I suppose that might be fun for a younger reader. It's a bit like telling children about Santa Claus, though.
In short, this is a good book for a young adult who is interested in magic and fantasy (and most likely a Harry Potter fan) but doesn't know where to begin, and/or if you want to teach a young adult magical technique but want to do it in a fun way.

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Tongue-in-cheek and deliciously droll, "Cornelius Rumstuckle" is the fictional narrator of The Book of Wizardry. Now featuring a new cover, this highly entertaining guide to wizardry makes genuine magical ideas accessible to young adults.

Brennan's fun wizard training manual is filled with interactive activities: how to make a wand and other wizard tools, discover your Wizard's name, switch on Wizard's Power, read the future in the Wizard's Oracle, and more. Those who successfully complete the Wizard's Adventure and crack the code in this book can become an accredited member of the Wizard's Guild.

A YALSA Teen Top Ten Title (2003)




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Ha li po te - shen mi de mo fa shi ('Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' in Traditional Chinese Characters) Review

Ha li po te - shen mi de mo fa shi ('Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' in Traditional Chinese Characters)
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Of course, JKR's first book was the most eye-widening book among the 5 books (up till now) and it's more exciting to read in mother language as it takes time for a chinese to read an english book. (I guess there's no need for me to explain the greatness of the Rowling books) So lets go back to the translation. It's nice (but not great) as this edition is translated by Taiwanese which use lots of slang language which other Chinese-speaking people do not understand. So, personally, I would suggest the Simplied Chinese editon for nicer translation.

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Friends and Foes of Harry Potter: Names Decoded Review

Friends and Foes of Harry Potter: Names Decoded
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Written by two sisters who, themselves, are voracious Harry Potter fans, the book contains detailed insights into the origins of the mysterious names of the characters in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. As a special treat, this book also contains numerous illustrations that are so good, they might possibly warrant having their own book.
I believe you will enjoy this book if you enjoyed any of these:
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Book 4)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)


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Thanks to their intellectual curiosity, Nikita and Chitra have revealed a deeper level of meaning in the names and symbols of the world of Harry Potter. Harry Potter's Friends and Foes is a work of serious research and imaginative wonder. It will delight new and faithful readers as another window on a magical world. -Jeanne P. Whitman Eugene McDermott Headmistress The Hockaday School, Dallas This informative guide, exquisitely illustrated, celebrates the world of Hogwarts in a style that will appeal to Muggles as well as die-hard fans.-Hazel Spire Author Secret of Seventh Gate Adventure on Arrowhead Island This delightful read, written by precocious youth, takes Harry Potter to deeper levels of meaning with intriguing discoveries behind each character's name.-Reverend Fran Shelton Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, Dallas

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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) Review

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire  (2005)
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Unlike the first two potter films released in "Ultimate Edition" form, the second two versions do not include their extended editions. This might not be a legitimate complaint if these versions of the films didn't already exist. In the US, they are aired quite regularly on ABC Family, and are quite good.
These extended editions of the film make the price point of the first two versions palatable, but their absence makes you wonder what exactly you're paying for with both this and the ultimate edition of PoA.

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When Harry Potter's name emerges from the Goblet of Fire, he becomes a competitor in a grueling battle for glory among three wizarding schools - the Triwizard Tournament. But since Harry never submitted his name for the Tournament, who did? Now Harry must confront a deadly dragon, fierce water demons and an enchanted maze only to find himself in the cruel grasp of He Who Must Not Be Named. In this fourth film adaptation of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, everything changes as Harry, Ron and Hermione leave childhood forever and take on challenges greater than anything they could have imagined.

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