Sunday, April 11, 2010

Finn the Half-Great review from Children's Book News


Finn the Half-Great
written by Theo Caldwell
Tundra Books, 2009
978-0-88776-931-3 (hc) $24.99 for Grades 7 and up


Fiction--Fantasy--Irish Legends

Theo Caldwell's first novel, based on the legends of one of Ireland's most famous heroes, is entertaining and inspiring. In a finely crafted tale, Caldwell keeps the reader on the edge of his or her seat as he explores the ancient world of Albion.

Finn the Half-Great grows up believing that he is the tallest and greatest person in the Emerald Isle. That is until Finn meets a real giant and struggles to understand his place in the grand scheme of things. When Finn learns of his father's brutal murder at the hands of the Frost Giants, he vows revenge and sets out on an adventure of a life time.

Caldwell's narrative genuinely captures the feelings of adventure, excitement and suspense. The story, though fast paced and plot driven, is full of detail that enriches the experience of the reader. The beautiful cover illustration by Victor Molev reflects the imaginative depiction of the story's central characters, locations and mysteries.

Finn the Half-Great is a thoughtful story filled with humour and mirth that will enchant the reader from the very first page. I look forward to reading the next installment in this series that promises to keep readers spellbound for years to come.

Trevor Froates

May I Recommend: FINN THE HALF-GREAT



FINN THE HALF-GREAT
By Theo Caldwell
Tundra Books
377 pages
$24.99
Ages 9 - 12

Reviewed by Steven Stanley
Steven Stanley is a Roanoke fan of fantasy, science fiction and various other genres.


For those who think mythology is a dry, dusty subject with no entertainment value, here’s a book that proves them wrong.

Finn McCool is the greatest hero in Irish history. Theo Caldwell has chosen to tell tales of a Finn never before known. His character has a giant father and a human mother, making him a half-great, some 14 feet tall and tremendously strong. Like his traditional Celtic namesake, he has tasted the Salmon of Wisdom and can call upon godlike knowledge in times of need. Even more importantly, he has a charisma that turns many potential enemies into allies or even friends.

The son of a great warrior, Finn has powerful enemies even before he is born. He is raised in secret by aunts and an uncle, who keep secret the full truth of his heritage. Once he sets out from their remote valley to face his father’s killer, he finds he is only a little fellow in a world filled with huge, dangerous creatures. Taking up his sire’s great red sword, he journeys to Tara in search of allies.
But this is only the beginning. When his bride, Oonagh, is stolen, Finn must gather friends and battle tremendous odds to find her. His enemies are legion and terrible. Along the way, he encounters numerous strange creatures, including the supremely dangerous Jack in the Green, whose inhuman speed and slashing shears have slain innumerable giants.

In his first novel, Canadian-born Theo Caldwell re-creates one of the great mythic heroes in a format that can be read by children. He introduces new elements to the tales that have circulated in Ireland for centuries. Characters such as the wary Escape Goat and the highly sociable Turducken are not mentioned in ancient writings, but they do make interesting additions to this blending of Norse, Irish, and Britonish sagas. What the book lacks is illustrations; with the author’s descriptive powers and light-hearted touch, it seems ready-made for adaptation as a graphic novel or comics series.
If you have children who enjoy fairy tales, “Finn the Half-Great” might well brighten their eyes for a few hours. Come to think of it, this book might brighten adult eyes, too.