15 April 2011

The Hound Saga

by Mette Ivie Harrision

Intro: I decided to post all three book reviews at once. I didn't want to have to wait like I did with the previous series I reviewed. That being said, this will be a long post.

The Princess and the Hound 
I read this book shortly after it came out a couple of years ago. I wasn't sure exactly what to expect but I was drawn in with the book flap about the author, Mette Ivie Harrison. When she said she reread favorites such as THE QUEEN OF ATTOLIA and THE BLUE SWORD I knew I had to give the book a try. The story is about Princess Beatrice, Prince George, and the princess's hound. Forced into an arranged marriage the two of them try to work together if only for the good of their kingdom. They all have secrets which could be the downfall of everything they have worked to achieve. Throw in a little animal magic that people mistrust and the story takes off from there.

This book is unique not just with the intricate little plot twists and turns but with the characters themselves. While this story is as much about the princess and the prince it is also about animals, in particular the hound and a bear. Most of the time when I read books involving animals they are humans in animal forms, (I have nothing against these books. I love BUNNICULA) but this story isn't about taking humans and giving them animal forms and saying, there you go, she is obviously a dog because she walks on four legs, likes to chase rabbits, and is faithful to her master, it doesn't matter if she thinks like a human. Mette Ivie Harrison captures the essence of animals and the motivations behind their actions and thoughts. While the animal magic and human characters are all unique and interesting, I will always use this book as a guidepost when reading, or writing, animals.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants a fun fantasy story with a cute romantic theme. I also strongly recommend this book for anyone who wants to see an amazing way of portraying animals not as humans on four legs.

The Princess and the Bear 
It is rare for me to say this, but I actually liked this book by Mette Ivie Harrison better than the first one in the series. That is because it has my favorite character, the bear, as one of the protagonists of the stories. Part of me was hoping this story would involve more of Princess Beatrice and Prince George but while they are mentioned in the book, they aren't integral to the story.

Not only does this book continue with the spot on portrayal of how animals think different than humans, but it showed me that dialogue isn't necessary to keep a story flowing. The chapters alternate between Chala, the hound and King Richon, the bear. While in their animal forms, there is no dialogue. The animals will act certain ways which shows their feelings or what they are thinking. Even without dialogue for good portions of the story, we still see the characters grow and develop. This story has few characters beyond Chala and Richon but the plot of the story is still strong and even more involved, I would say, than the previous book. The connecting thread of the novels is the green magic. While green magic is still not readily accepted in the land the "unmagic" is even worse. If the unmagic spreads everywhere there will be big problems so Chala and Richon try and figure out what is happening and how they can fix it.

While this book is called a sequel to THE PRINCESS AND THE HOUND it can technically be read by itself. To me this book shows the best qualities of Chala and Richon and what they are willing to sacrifice for each other and the understandings they come to both as animals and as humans.

The Princess and the Snowbird 
This is the third book by Mette Ivie Harrison about the same world. While Chala and Richon are in the story, this book revolves around their daughter Liva. She is more animal than human but can take any form she wants using the aur-magic. The other protagonist of the story, Jens, has no magic whatsoever and has a pretty rotten life. Though he has an affinity for animals without magic, there is little he thinks he can do to help them.

While this book once again focuses on magic in a human society, to me the romance played a bigger role. Liva was raised by two people who had lived more of their life as animals, she doesn’t understand the feelings that she and Jens have towards each other. They just aren't logical to her. I am impressed that Jens has the patience to put up with her especially after everything he has been through. I was worried at the end for a while but everything was cleared up, better than I hoped and not in the way I expected.

After I finished reading this book it took a day for me to decide if I liked it as much as I liked the other books. I think one of the reasons why I wasn't sure I liked the book was because this was the first time you meet Liva. THE PRINCESS AND THE HOUND introduces the characters to THE PRINCESS AND THE BEAR. I liked the introduction to the non-human characters before we were actually in their head because it is a little jarring to have characters who have animal behaviors. Jens balances Liva out nicely and after I got over the fact that Liva just didn't think the same way I did, I like everything the story has to offer. I hope that there are more books from this same world, especially since each story is stand-alone.

2 comments:

  1. Great reviews I was thinking that when I finish a novel that is worth publishing I will have you write the review :) You are such a good writer! Now to be honest I don't like animal books. I hate the new disney model of talking animals basketball playing animals the list goes on. But you have intrigued me with your review and I may actually try reading one :)

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  2. This is definitely not what is prevalent in the world today (a sword fighting horse that acts like a dog). These animals act like animals. For some readers, the non-human thinking and reasoning may be a turn off, but I really thought that Mette caught the true nature of animals well.

    I am more than happy to read your work. I'm still really enjoying the one you sent me.

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