Ironhand

Book received quickly and in great condition. Price was great and son loves it.

I bought this book for my 10 year old son, hes just starting to like reading but it's still a fight to get him to read most of the time. He read the first book in this trilogy last school year and loved it. When I got this one for him he read the whole thing in TWO WEEKS!!! He loved it and can't stop talking about it.

Ironhand is the sequel to Stoneheart, and I was worried that it might be a letdown after such an amazingly good first book - but it wasn't! Both books are good, they almost stand alone, and they are full of deep and complex patterns and issues. The really great part about this book (and Stoneheart) is that the plot and the story are gripping and any, or all, deeper meanings wait patiently on the sidelines for you to muse over when not reading the action packed books. I can't wait for the third book. This series seems likely to end up on school reading lists and summer booklists; in spite of magic and fantastic elements (or maybe because of the way Fletcher uses these elements) there is so much common ground for adolescents to relate to via the characters and plot. The final thing that makes these books sooo very good is the way that the author succinctly describes things and events in a way that makes you really feel them. There were parts that made me shiver at the evilness taking place - and not becuase of a bodycount or gore or foul language - the sheer persuasive writing grabs you and gives you the creeps about the bad characters and makes you root for the good guy. Have fun reading these books!

There's a general, or at least repeated consensus that sequels rarely, if ever, live up to the installments that came before them. There are exceptions to the rule, but overall, I feel that such a meme is justified. Luckilly, Iron Hand is an exception to this rule, exceeding its former installment of Stone Heart. Some of the same issues remain-pace of the writing, depth of the characters, but the issues that plagued the previous novel have been improved upon. I found Iron Hand far more readable than its predecessor. The writing isn't perfect, though if you managed to get through Stone Heart, Iron Hand makes a good read.

Bravo to Mr. Fletcher. Those of us who fall deeply in love with certain books always proceed with trepidation when we are about to crack open the next installment in a series or trilogy--and perhaps we are a wee bit more critical of subsequent books because our expectations are so high. Suffice it to say, I was not disappointed in the least with Ironhand, loving it as much and reading it as quickly (must say sorry here to the kitties for the afternoon I read nonstop for 2 hours and was late feeding them--oops--bad mama human) as I did Stoneheart. What I love is this: Fletcher gives us plot and tension and suspense and the pages turn quickly. But he also gives us characters, 'real,' complicated characters, with adults who sound like adults and children who ring true as children. Add to that the little historical bits thrown in every once in awhile (but not so's you'd know it--and most kids certainly won't pick up on them--my apologies, loves, not trying to insult your intelligences, but there it is). One caveat: There are dark scenes. I get uncomfortable with knife-wielding adult males around little girls. But that Edie... well, let's just say, she is the epitome of a strong female. Gotta love her. In fact, she is by far my favorite character. Wish I'd had her as a role model growing up. I've got her now, though--and can't wait to see what happens next. Come on, Charlie, get that last book finished!!!