The Eyes of a King
Random House, 2008
Fantasy
ISBN: 0375838767
448 pages
Synopsis
Fifteen-year-old Leo North’s prospects in life are limited. He reluctantly attends military school because that’s what most boys do in Malonia. He grudgingly lives with his pious, fearful grandmother and looks after his young brother, Stirling. He resists his innate powers because those who demonstrate any sort of magical ability are considered enemies of the state. But when he finds a blank book in the snow, his typical indifference melts away. From the very first moment he touches the book, he senses its strange power. Passages start to appear on the pages—revealing family secrets, telling the history of Malonia, and uncovering the story of Ryan and Anna, two teens from a parallel world. When Leo’s seemingly narrow path takes an unexpected tragic turn, he finds himself on a journey from which he can never really return.
Critique
*This review contains spoilers.
First off, the given synopsis doesn’t really do justice to what this book truly is, which is a very dark journey through life under an oppressive government during the midst of war, and the psychological trauma of losing a family member who is the representation of hope and light in a family. Banner does a wonderful job of revealing the content throughout the novel, so as not to give the whole thing away immediately. However, it continues to move toward a very dark direction, and although I found myself wanting to continue reading in order to finish the story, personally, it became less enjoyable the further along I got in the book.
That’s not to say, certainly, that I don’t recommend this read, because I do, it’s just that I would definitely consider this more on the literary side of the fantasy fiction spectrum. If you’re looking for a fun, lighthearted fireside fantasy, this isn’t the book for you. However, if you’re looking for a well-written book with more of a literary bent that explores a world of magic and kingdom era war and weaponry in a more realistic way, then you will definitely enjoy this book.
Rating Rubric
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For the Classroom
Since this text operates in a parallel world with separate cultures, societal issues, natural laws and histories than our own, there’s not much to use as a classroom companion.
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