If you're familiar with my blog, you may be surprised by the fact that I wasn't expecting to love this book. I generally like every DWJ book I read, but I don't necessarily love them, and this one had both a bad cover and a crappy title going for it-- and you know how much importance I place on covers (though mine doesn't have the kids on it, actually)-- so I assumed it was one of her not-as-good books. But! Don't let the cover deceive you like it deceived me: this book is totally awesome.

As always with books rated five birds, it's hard to pick out specific things I love about those books. But I'll give it my best shot:

The characters. Pure DWJ, they are, and every bit as wonderful and real (yet magical) and adorable (or scary, depending) as you'd ever want in a character. They actually remind me a lot of the two main characters in Heroes of the Valley, so if you like that book you'll like this one, too.

The adventure. It's rather short-lived, actually, but there's a big twist near the last half that makes everything more intense and fantastic. And the end! I can't even talk about the end without spoiling things, but it's very, very good.

The writing. I think DWJ is particularly 'on' in Power of Three, much like the Chrestomanci books, or maybe Fire and Hemlock. When she does stuff well it's done well, if you see what I mean.

It takes place in an England-ish area but it feels very Saxon-y, and the overall tone of the book is very traditional German-type fairy tale-- Grimm-ish, but better. It does start off a little strangely, with a character who seems primary but becomes secondary, and a rather unnecessary death of a minor character (I hate it when she does that). But don't let that deter you! If you like myths and fairy tales, if you like hero tales with a bit of Anglo-Saxon in them, if you like DWJ at all, read this book! It's lovely and it's got funny bits in it (and some drama/tragedy) and adventure and action and broody heroes and strong females and it's WONDERFUL.

Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog ( )

Sons with problematic relationships with their fathers crop up a lot in Diana Wynne Jones's books. This one has three boys with similar parent issues. One of my favourite books. ( )

It's really very good to know that she hasn't lost it. Just as engaging and believable as ever-and it took me far longer than it should have to work out who the Giants actually were!

I am still in awe of this woman's skill. Her talent is stunning, and I am insanely jealous. ( )

A pretty good kids book. The three children of a clan leader have psionic powers, or, at least, all come to discover that they do.

They also have to deal with the feuds between their clans and others, as well as with the different non-human races that inhabit the same area.

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2007/04... ( )

Ought to be counted among the classics of children's fantasy. This is an AWESOME book, which I have read multiple times, and hope never to lose.