The Half Men Of O

I can't praise this book enough! I first read it as a class book when I was eleven and was totally drawn in by the vivid imagery and the wonderful story of good over evil. I read it again when I was fourteen and was equally enthralled. At seventeen I read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings and don't know how I ever lived without them before, and I would put The Halfmen of O up there with Tolkien (seriously!). Now at twenty-eight I still get visions from the book (the Halfmen) coming to me from time to time - quite regularly in fact, so much so I'm in dire need of reading it again. I couldn't remember the authors name and I was pretty sure it was set in New Zealand. Knowing that it is set in NZ makes it feel more 'local' to me and makes me wanna cheer for the the fab Aussie and Kiwi talent. I'm going to send a copy to some young friends who are fans of Tolkien and Harry Potter, I know they will love it.

I first read this book when I was eight years old and was required to read it at school aged twelve. I love it and have read it many more times since. I am currently getting the books to read to three of the children I look after, promising them a story equal to the Harry Potter Stories. I am a Kiwi living in the States and am glad to see such a favourite is being read here if only more people would do so. Battling classic elements of good and evil there are important messages in these books as well as being enjoyable to read and have read to. The opening gives a glimpse into the New Zealand landscape but from then on is fanatsy, a book to be enjoyed by all nations and ages.

I first read the story when I was only ten years old, it's as heart warming now as it was then. A Fantasy adventure set in a parallel world, similar to the Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Beginning in New Zealand, it is a story about Susan Ferris, chosen at birth by the guardian of O she is the worlds last hope. She is kidnapped and taken to O, but with the help of friendly natives is rescued and begins her task to unite the Halves, the good and evil inside the inhabitants of O and bring order to the chaotic realm. 'The Wizard of Oz' with a New Zealand charm 'The Half Men of O' is a wonderful story for children and adults alike, you will be taken in by the poetic beauty Maurice Gee adds to this wonderful story and hopefully you will love this story as much as I have. Prequel to 'The Priests of Ferris' and 'Motherstone'.

The Halfmen of O is a stunningly powerful novel which places the force of evil up against Susan Ferris a small girl who is magically whisked away from her beautiful home in Southern New Zealand to a land of good a evil, along with her cousin Nick she must claim the "halfs" (mysterious relics of power)before it is too lat for them too save O and even earth along the way they'll meet friends like Jimmy Jaspers,Brand,Breeze and many other well described characters.

The Halfmen Of O is A stunning fantasy book. It takes you through the land of O which is ruled by a ruthless killer called Otis Claw. Nick and Susan are the main characters who are the only humans on O. As Nick and Susan travel through O to defeat Otis Claw they have great friendships with Brand and Breeze the woodlanders they also make friends with the Stonefolk, Birdfolk and the Seafolk. It has a great climax and it is a very powerful book I recommend this for anyone who likes a good fantasy book. A great read.