Reading Race 2009

For the past few years I've had an annual reading race with my nephew in Michigan. Usually it's a book from the Agaron/Eldest series. But this Christmas, only the hardcopy was available and it was too pricey. So... in looking for alternative options that would interest both me and a teenager on the high school football team, who likes dragon stories... I found 'Furies of Calderon' by Jim Butcher. It wasn't too hard to find since I already enjoy the Dresden series.

'Furies' appears to be an interesting series of Fantasy adventures centering around... 'furies'. Wind, water, ground, wood, etc. entities which can be controlled by the people of Calderon. And... if he enjoys the book. There are already five books in this series, so I could be set for many years.

The race began Monday night, January 19th at 10:30PM. (I get home late on Mondays). This novel weighs in at just over 500 pages. Today is Tuesday, January 27th at 12:55PM, and I am on page 352 (i think).

This story is about a poor sheep herder boy Tavi, who is 15 years old and hasn't come into his fury yet. At 15... maybe he never will. In a land filled with furies and fury masters. Yet Tavi is pulled into a grand battle for the land of Calderon by the powerful furymasters who be. Tavi must use his abilities and wits to survive.

It's been a pretty interesting story so far. But... I have been worried that the themes are are little too, umm, 'grown-up' at times, which I didn't expect or I might not have gone with this series. At least there is nothing explicit in the writing. So if you are considering this novel for your nephew... be aware.

Will I win this year? I don't think so. He is usually done with his book by the first week-end. But I haven't heard anything yet so I'm still going for it. Only 150 pages left to go!

Read faster!

McDoogle

Your challenge: Set up a reading race with your children/nieces/nephews. Select a subject they are interested in and buy two novels. Then set a date and time and..... Go Dog, GO!