Heroes of the Valley by Jonathan Stroud - OPTIONAL

Stroud, Jonathan Heroes of the Valley, 483 pgs. Disney Hyperion, 2009. $18

Mature Content: PG; Language: PG (5 swears); Violence: PG.

MS, HS – OPTIONAL

Halli Sveinsson plays the unlikely hero who has grown up in a peaceful community listening to the violent stories of heroes who conquered the valley centuries before. When his uncle is murdered by a rival family, Halli is determined to kill the murderer. Halli has never left his house or used a weapon, but he manages to travel across the valley to the rival family’s house. Can he kill a man in cold bold? Can he live with the consequences of his actions?

Author Jonathan Stroud’s creates a civilization with a unique culture, maps, and history is reminiscent of J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings series. Despite the promising premise, the plot plods along slowly and predictably. Only patient fantasy fans will keep turning the pages.

Samantha, Public Librarian.