The Tapestry book 4: The Maelstrom

By Henry Neff

The world is at the brink of ruin…or is it salvation? Astaroth has been weakened, and the demon Prusias is taking full advantage of the situation to create and empire of his own. His formidable armies are on the move, and Rowan is in their sights. Rowan must rely on Max McDaniels and David Menlo and hope that their combined powers can stop Prusias’s war machine before it’s too late. But even as perils loom, danger stalks their every move. Someone has marked Max for death and no one is above suspicion. Should the assassins succeed, Rowan’s fate may depend on little Mina whose abilities are prodigious but largely untested. And where is Astaroth? Has he fled this world or is he biding his time, awaiting his next opportunity?

Henry Neff created a pretty awesome world when he began The Tapestry series. It was compared to Harry Potter when it first appeared, and was one of the many ‘magical boarding school’ novels to come out after Harry Potter. What makes The Tapestry special, is that it’s a series you honestly can’t predict. It’s got mythological creatures, secret warrior guilds, gods and demons, and so many twists and turns that it makes me giddy to read them. I still don’t think I’ll ever get over the third book’s well scene. That’s all I’m saying. Creepy. As. Heck. But awesome!

Finally I was able to grab the audiobook and listen to The Maelstrom (book 4) as I commuted to work and back every day. I had forgotten how much I love this series. It also made it great that the narrator was really good. The goblin voices were spot on, as well as Prusias’s oily voice. One of the things that genuinely surprised and delighted me was how this world that was created by Neff fell to demons. The good guys didn’t win, they’ve been hanging on for dear life and fighting for it for nearly the whole series. Max and David have gone on a secret mission to discover what they can about a supposed weapon that the demon Prusias has commissioned to destroy Rowan before they go to war. It’s a break neck ride and more than once I was afraid for the lives of my favorite characters.

This story is involved, and the penultimate novel in the series, ending with a war for Rowan’s survival. It’s amazing and crazy good. My only criticism is that the 5^th and final book of the series is only available in e-book format! Gah! I want it now, but have to save my pennies to buy it on my kindle. It’s one of those stories that I want to finish, but am also afraid to finish because I don’t want it to be over. I’m stretching this out as long as I can stand!

I give it a 4.25 out of 5

The Fiend and the Forge

By Henry Neff

Book Three, The Fiend and the Forge, is an unforgettable dystopian adventure across a landscape overrun with goblins and trolls. The world has changed almost beyond recognition, for with the Book of Origins firmly in his possession, the villainous Astaroth now has the power to reshape history at will. Plucking pivotal discoveries from mankind’s past, he has reduced the world to a preindustrial nightmare. But while most humans toil as slaves within four demonic kingdoms, Astaroth allows those at Rowan to thrive in peaceful isolation. Theirs is a land where magic and nature flourish . . . so long as none dare oppose the new order. That proves too steep a price for Max McDaniels. Unsure of his place at Rowan, Max sets out to explore the shifting landscape of the world beyond. In the course of his travels, he will become many things: Prisoner. Gladiator. Assassin. But can he become the hero that mankind so desperately needs?

I thought I would die waiting for this book to come out, and I wasn't disappointed in my wait. What a story and boy has it evolved into a creature I could never have predicted! There are so many different things that happen in this book that completely threw me for a loop. It's not often I'm suprised at plots, but I was shocked time and time again. It was so wonderful! I'll just say this: I think I'm going to be afraid of wells for a while. I don't know why more people haven't read this delightful series; Mr. Neff is super talented and I quite enjoy his art as well as his words. Can't wait for the next book to make its debut!

The Tapestry: The Hound of Rowan

By Henry H. Neff

Max McDaniels is your average kid. Living in the suburbs of Chicago, he goes to school, draws, and is embarrassed by, but also loves, his adoring salesman-father. On the anniversary of the disappearance of his mother, Max and his father visit her favorite museum. While there, Max discovers a Celtic tapestry depicting the famous Cattle Raid of Cooley. Weird thing is: he’s the only one that could see it. Suddenly strange people are interested in Max and he is whisked away to Rowan Academy, a place where there are fantastic creatures and rigorous training for the special abilities that are growing inside of him. When other children from around the world begin disappearing, Max is thrown into the fray and along with his genius roommate; they begin the fight in the ancient battle of good vs. evil.

I love this book. Now I’ll be the first to say that it reminded me a ton of Harry Potter, but it was also magically different in so many ways. I loved the creatures, the history, and the people in this book. Bob the Ogre is one of my favorite characters, a reformed ogre who is a great chef! Not to mention Mum, the reformed hag, who sniffs the kids so she’ll know they aren’t an afternoon snack. These are only two of the many memorable characters in this entertaining story filled with the struggles of good vs. evil and dark vs. light. Anyone who loved the world of Harry Potter needs to pick up this remarkable book, and enter the world of Rowan academy. I guarantee you’ll love it as much as I do.

Fun facts: The Tapestry series is actually a trilogy, and the second book is out with the third on the way. Henry Neff also illustrates his books, which you will see when you read at every chapter heading (and a few in-between) in a beautiful black-and-white ink

The Tapestry 2: The Second Siege

By Henry H. Neff

In the second installment of the Tapestry trilogy, Max and David are on a desperate quest to obtain the Book of Thoth; a book that is the key to creating-or unraveling- the very threads of existence, before Astaroth, the evil demon. Everything in the world outside of Rowan is darkening. Max and David visit the renowned Frankfurt Workshop, travel through the Black Forest, and even through the veils of this very world.

Fasten your seatbelts…this is incredibly different from the first book, which had a lighter tone. In this book Henry Neff takes his characters to a whole new level and challenges them to the brink of their own unraveling. You will question everyone and everything. And you will be begging for more. Generally I can predict how a story and plot will play out, but this had me completely floundering, with an ending that I never would’ve expected. Besides being highly entertaining, and beautifully written, this book has substance…which is a must for any literature that I end up loving. Wow. Just, wow.

Wahoo! My first contact! From Henry Neff himself!

Dear Staci,

"...Your in good company when it comes to your affection for Bob. My sister has implored me to treat him well while the foreign rights director at Random House (my publisher) has a little sketch of him in her office (she enjoys his quiet air of calm moral authority). He's a fun character and I can promise that you'll be seeing lots of Bob in Book Three.

Speaking of Book Three, I'm working on it now. It's a more complex, challenging story to write, but I think it promises to be the best book yet. To pique your interest, here are a few teasers:

1. A major character will die
2. A major character will become a vye
3. A male selkie will arrive at Rowan (what will Frigga and Helga do?!?)
4. The kitchen will be overrun with haglings
5. Rowan will seriously consider whether to banish David Menlo (!)

There will also be a new website (to replace the unequivocally sorry creation now out there) up very soon. You'll be able to find it at the new website: www.henryhneff.com..."

Warm wishes,
Henry Neff

(WAAA!!!! I was so excited. I did omit a few things that were more tailored toward my letter to him, but most of it is there. By the way, did anyone else notice he used the wrong ‘your’? It made me smile. ^_^ )