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thegreatgabsby's review against another edition
3.0
Story is quite run-of-the-mill but the inclusion of Maori elements and mythology is interesting.
pwbalto's review against another edition
4.0
You know, I miss rock stars.
Nowadays, when there's a good-looking, seemingly unattainable, arrogant boy in a teen novel, he's not Peter Frampton. He's not Morrissey. He's not even Dave Grohl, who, after all, is all daddied-up nowadays and so I suppose is not nearly as unattainable as he used to be. No, nowadays that gorgeous bad boy is bound to be a vampire. Or a werewolf. A changeling, say. In Guardian of the Dead, he's patupaiarehe.
Entire review on Pink Me: http://pinkme.typepad.com/pink-me/2010/01/guardian-of-the-dead-by-karen-healey-review.html
Nowadays, when there's a good-looking, seemingly unattainable, arrogant boy in a teen novel, he's not Peter Frampton. He's not Morrissey. He's not even Dave Grohl, who, after all, is all daddied-up nowadays and so I suppose is not nearly as unattainable as he used to be. No, nowadays that gorgeous bad boy is bound to be a vampire. Or a werewolf. A changeling, say. In Guardian of the Dead, he's patupaiarehe.
Entire review on Pink Me: http://pinkme.typepad.com/pink-me/2010/01/guardian-of-the-dead-by-karen-healey-review.html
emjay24's review
3.0
Yay a YA Fiction book! However, although entertaining, it wasn't as good as those types of books tend to be. What i did love about this was that it's set in New Zeland and I got to learn a bit about their folk culture. This is a fantasy fairy type story, but instead of reading about the usual fairies who are in britain and even sometimes the US, these are a whole different set of fairies, gods, etc. although i'm oversimplifying with these terms. It's one of those teen girl discovers myth is real type things. The heroine isn't too likeable, not even to herself. She spends half the book putting herself down. Always complaining about how fat and dumpy she is, even while being a black belt in martial arts, and one who can actually use it functionally. Who cares what size you are, you must be very strong to be able to do that, and that's what counts! She's good to have around in a crisis, but not any other time, due to her complaining. Still, nice to see a girl in these books who can take care of herself. Cute, very quick read.
saidtheraina's review against another edition
4.0
Healey uses a really unique twist on the paranormal genre. The setting and primary mythology for the paranormal elements in this adventure are from New Zealand. But there's also a delicious postmodernism here. Somehow, everyone's mythologies are what is true for them, and there are fabulous scenes of characters making choices based on deciding which mythologies to believe for now.
This is all underlying a boarding school romp, some complex female relationships, the requisite teen romance(s), an asexual character (!), a protagonist who does not (think she) fit(s) the current standards of beauty, some sexual violence, and a good old fashioned spooky creature feature.
Really good stuff. So much going on, I kinda want to read it again to wade through the thick storytelling, although I'm not sure things would be much clearer. When I heard it was based on Maori myth, I was expecting it to be more of a jungle tale, but this is probably much more true to contemporary society in New Zealand. The characters could be a touch more believable, the writing isn't the best ever, but it's very accessible, very enjoyable, and very readable. Combine those adequate features with the truly unique ones, and we've got a winner!
This is all underlying a boarding school romp, some complex female relationships, the requisite teen romance(s), an asexual character (!), a protagonist who does not (think she) fit(s) the current standards of beauty, some sexual violence, and a good old fashioned spooky creature feature.
Really good stuff. So much going on, I kinda want to read it again to wade through the thick storytelling, although I'm not sure things would be much clearer. When I heard it was based on Maori myth, I was expecting it to be more of a jungle tale, but this is probably much more true to contemporary society in New Zealand. The characters could be a touch more believable, the writing isn't the best ever, but it's very accessible, very enjoyable, and very readable. Combine those adequate features with the truly unique ones, and we've got a winner!
_rusalka's review
4.0
I was so incredibly, pleasantly surprised by this book. I needed one more book for a 2016 challenge, that was set in NZ. I wasn't enjoying my original pick, and was ready to throw in the towel on the challenge on the 29 Dec. However, Lexx thought that was stupid, and found rec for this book. Māori mythology? Sign me up! And our library who I have never been able to find anything before on their online systems had it available. It was so easy, so I of course prepared myself for a terrible YA book.
And... it didn't happen. It was actually one of the better YA books I've read. Unlike other YA, and other around the world YA I've read, it was one of the strongest, female, teenage protagonists I have read in awhile. Did she have an attitude I wanted to smack her for now and then? Of course. Did she have a boy she liked? Yup, but she wasn't simpering. Was there a bit too much of a teenage build up before the fantasy kicks into play? Yes, but you need a world and a story before you can challenge it. Again, I was surprised I wanted to devour the book in a day in a half.
Ellie is a 17 year old girl in boarding school in Christchurch. Her best friend has dragged her into helping with a Shakespeare production while dealing with his own sexuality issues, and they meet some interesting characters at Uni of Canterbury beside the usual drama nerds. Add that to the boy at their school who also seems to have some weird magical things going on around him. Soon you have Ellie, Kevin and Mark's world colliding with the Māori mythologies and stories, with a lot more occurring in the world around them then you and I can see. And she's studying Classics at school too, so there is so much in this book I love. Debates about Homer, A Midsummer Night's Dream, myths and legends. Rusalka crack.
The author also ends the book acknowledging that the stories and myths have been changed and simplified somewhat. That these stories in this book were being relayed to us from the perspective of a 17 year old Pākehā (non-Māori). But she then gives a comprehensive reading list for those who want to know more. More about the myths, and more about YA fiction with a Māori bent to it. I love that.
Now, my gushing aside. It is still a YA book. Some resolutions are too simplistic. The romance is fast and unbelieveable and slightly unnecessary. The build up was a bit too long. But. For a book I had no expectations for, mind blown. I need to read more with no expectations.
And... it didn't happen. It was actually one of the better YA books I've read. Unlike other YA, and other around the world YA I've read, it was one of the strongest, female, teenage protagonists I have read in awhile. Did she have an attitude I wanted to smack her for now and then? Of course. Did she have a boy she liked? Yup, but she wasn't simpering. Was there a bit too much of a teenage build up before the fantasy kicks into play? Yes, but you need a world and a story before you can challenge it. Again, I was surprised I wanted to devour the book in a day in a half.
Ellie is a 17 year old girl in boarding school in Christchurch. Her best friend has dragged her into helping with a Shakespeare production while dealing with his own sexuality issues, and they meet some interesting characters at Uni of Canterbury beside the usual drama nerds. Add that to the boy at their school who also seems to have some weird magical things going on around him. Soon you have Ellie, Kevin and Mark's world colliding with the Māori mythologies and stories, with a lot more occurring in the world around them then you and I can see. And she's studying Classics at school too, so there is so much in this book I love. Debates about Homer, A Midsummer Night's Dream, myths and legends. Rusalka crack.
The author also ends the book acknowledging that the stories and myths have been changed and simplified somewhat. That these stories in this book were being relayed to us from the perspective of a 17 year old Pākehā (non-Māori). But she then gives a comprehensive reading list for those who want to know more. More about the myths, and more about YA fiction with a Māori bent to it. I love that.
Now, my gushing aside. It is still a YA book. Some resolutions are too simplistic. The romance is fast and unbelieveable and slightly unnecessary. The build up was a bit too long. But. For a book I had no expectations for, mind blown. I need to read more with no expectations.
sausome's review against another edition
I've gotten a third of the way through this book, and I'm still wondering what the story is. I'm also, honestly, sort of bored. I feel badly saying this after so many 5-star reviews, but maybe it just wasn't my cup of tea this time around. Sorry, book!
kaitrosereads's review against another edition
5.0
Guardian Of The Dead is an absolutely awesome debut. The summary gave nothing away and I loved that. I went into the book not knowing anything and it helped me form my own opinion. And my opinion is that everybody needs to read this. =]
Ellie is in no way your typical YA heroine and that might have been the thing I liked best about her. She was very tall and she was chubby. She was insecure and totally easy to love. She was also a black belt in tae kwon do and she was not afraid to defend herself. There wasn't a whole lot not to like about her. Mark was also unusual. He wasn't completely gorgeous and popular like most male love interests. He was vulnerable and he wasn't afraid to ask for Ellie's help. He was great!
My favorite part of the story was definitely the setting and the mythology. I have never read anything about New Zealand or it's culture but that didn't stop me from getting into Guardian Of The Dead. The setting was so descriptive and I really want to visit New Zealand now. The setting also tied together with the mythology. I did know some of the myths but I loved the new ones that I learned about. Everything tied together wonderfully and I love books that teach me something new.
Overall, Guardian Of The Dead is another fantastic debut. If you love mythology and all things paranormal I suggest picking up a copy of this one very soon. I am hoping it may even have a sequel!
Ellie is in no way your typical YA heroine and that might have been the thing I liked best about her. She was very tall and she was chubby. She was insecure and totally easy to love. She was also a black belt in tae kwon do and she was not afraid to defend herself. There wasn't a whole lot not to like about her. Mark was also unusual. He wasn't completely gorgeous and popular like most male love interests. He was vulnerable and he wasn't afraid to ask for Ellie's help. He was great!
My favorite part of the story was definitely the setting and the mythology. I have never read anything about New Zealand or it's culture but that didn't stop me from getting into Guardian Of The Dead. The setting was so descriptive and I really want to visit New Zealand now. The setting also tied together with the mythology. I did know some of the myths but I loved the new ones that I learned about. Everything tied together wonderfully and I love books that teach me something new.
Overall, Guardian Of The Dead is another fantastic debut. If you love mythology and all things paranormal I suggest picking up a copy of this one very soon. I am hoping it may even have a sequel!
git_r_read's review against another edition
4.0
I am fairly certain this is my first fantasy taking place in New Zealand. Very glad that I listened to it with a Kiwi narrator, definitely added to the atmosphere. And since it's a story of high school student getting involved in New Zealand mythology of fae and gods, I was glad to have the narrator pronounce the names of the fae and gods.
A bit uneven, but I did enjoy my time with this fascinating look into an unknown-before-to-me world.
A bit uneven, but I did enjoy my time with this fascinating look into an unknown-before-to-me world.
imnobody's review against another edition
Eh, didn't finish it. Couldn't get into it.
emilybriano's review against another edition
4.0
Urban fantasy with Maori legends/mythology. Kinda creepy because a major plot point involves a massive earthquake on the North Island, and I started reading it the day of the Christchurch earthquake. Overall, it was surprisingly funny and compulsively readable.