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Review: Raven's Gate by Anthony Horowitz PlayAway
This is actually a review of two things. It is a review of Anthony Horowitz' book, Raven's Gate and of the system that I recently listened to the book on called 'Playaway.'
First, I'll talk about the "Playaway". If you can get a "Playaway" book by checking it out of the library, I think they are great little gadgets. The convenience of the IPOD without having to get the book onto the IPOD and without having to purchase the IPOD in the first place. The "Playaway" is easy to carry and only uses one AAA battery. The controls are simple and it definitely has its advantages. I can see it being useful in nursing homes, as a resource at a library, or a gift to someone who can't read for one reason or another. Whether they will take off is anyone's guess. Here is one opinion that they are landfill items. But if you are interested in checking out what's available, here is the website where you can see the titles and learn more. Personally for me, I probably won't buy "playaway" books, but I will be looking to borrow them from the library.
Now on to the book review....
We have loved the Harry Potter series in our house for many years and with the last installment fast approaching, I am wondering what lies on the horizon. Well, The Gatekeeper series by Anthony Horowitz is a possible direction for you to turn in. I just finished listening to Raven's Gate and I enjoyed it so much, I went online to the library website to reserve the next book, Evil Star, in the series.
If you don't like horror stories or you don't like to read about witches and warlocks and magic, please stay way far away from these books. If however, you enjoy reading or listening to a well-crafted story along those lines, then this series will thrill you.
A young boy loses his parents when he is only 8 years old and ends up becoming the ward of an aunt who is only interested in his inheritance. He seeks acceptance with an older kid who gets him into trouble time and again. Finally the trouble is big and the boy is sent to a foster family in the country in order to start afresh.
Unfortunately, the foster 'mom' has her own agenda and her aim is not to benefit Matt or help him turn over a new leaf. Matt soon realizes that things are not as they should be and time and again he seeks to find away out. All roads lead back to the start and all attempts by others to help him end badly. At last, Matt realizes he has the power to help himself, but is dismayed to discover that what he hoped was the end is in fact, just a beginning...
