10 The Soldiers of Halla

I have been reading these books for three years. Since I was fourteen! So as you can imagine, I approached the end of this series with mixed feelings of mourning, excitement and lots of screaming (yes, I was home alone while I read). Pendragon left us in the Raven Rise with terror that he had messed it all (and I mean ALL) up, and hope that him (he?) and the rest of the Travelers could "fix" things.

The bad: I would like to think that there is more to life than being happy, anyone else? I saw it coming, but it still bored me, the chapters of philosophical stuff that I thought was pretty much crap. People are pretty much good inside? I don't think so, pretty much good people don't do horrible awful things to each other...

The good: As much as I don't agree with D.J. MacHale's beliefs, I do respect the way he has his characters live them. As usual, Pendragon just keeps trying, even though it seems that everything he has done and is doing is just making everything worse. Keep at it dude! Only the series is done...

My view: This is just the kinda book that had to finish the series. Since I'm so emotionally attached to the characters, I'm just glad to see them all again. But this isn't the best book out of the series, and it almost couldn't be, with all the loose ends that needed to be tied up. Also, the end confused me. I don't like being confused. Did anybody else get it? But an all around necessary and decent book. My one word:

Hobey-ho!

8 The Raven Rise

Okay, so how many of you thought that it was over when Pendragon destroyed the flume? Yep, that's what I thought. So Pendragon's the only one who believes he's stuck; and he's given up being a Traveler. And Halla never needed him more.

There isn't really anything that I can remember that needs to go in the "bad section". Things in the book are pretty bad though. But bad choices have their consequences.

Always fight for what is good, that's the message. People should have a choice; that's what Pendragon believes enough to put his life on the line for again and again, kinda like what God does.

Loved this book! Loved it!

7 The Quillan Games

Pendragon flumes (is that really a word?) to Quillan, home of the psychotic gamers. Pendragon tries to go along with their insane culture, and nearly gets killed, several times over. How can he escape this maniacal circle?

Nothing new to report.

Pendrangon is trying to break free from Saint Danes endless circles, but everything he does always seems to lead exactly to be what he wanted. Frustrating, but he still tries.

In this one the author seems to want to be predicting what our future is in danger of looking like. This one has some unexpected twist that will definitely have you reading the next one (if you like the twists).

8 The Pilgrims of Rayne

How will Courtney and Pendragon be able to stop Mark from destroying Halla? When we left them Pendragon and Courtney had just jumped into a flume to try and save their future (or their past, it gets confusing). Mark had changed the past and may have opened a door to Saint Dane. As they move forward, it becomes more difficult to see the way.

I know this is getting old, but you could just read the past reviews. One thing I was reading about these books is that "Halla" is Allah spelled backwards. Something to ponder.

Courtney is hurt that Mark has left, but is ready to forgive him, in her own way. Pendragon is willing to do anything to save Halla, a thing we should emulate.

I am going to read the next one. As soon a possible! NOW! (I wish)

6 The Rivers of Zadaa

Pendragon is finally on Loor's home planet (if travelers have homes). Here he will learn more about himself, travelers, and being a warrior.

Swearing is still a bit of a problem. And I've just got to say that Courtney is being a DORK!

Mark is faithfully keeping Pendragon's journals and keeping his life up too. The Travelers are good people, they support their own.

This is my favorite book thus far, you'll see why once you read it.

5 Black Water

Flumed to the next territory, Pendragon is lower on the food chain than he's use to. Pendragon tries to figure out what's happening, like in every territory, but this time it's much worse. But persist through this book and you'll reach my favorite.

The quigs are cannibals. And more of the usual.

Pendragon makes mistakes, but he is trying to do the right thing. As he progresses through he life he picks up wisdom, understanding and deep kindness. Mark and Courtney also make mistakes, but they are really trying to help Pendragon.

You know the other books? Child's play compared to this! We're starting to get into the true reasoning behind Pendragon, and it's not easy, or always fun.

4 The Reality Bug

Yup, you guessed it, back to the creepy plant with the floating-head-girl. She doesn't really what Pendragon there, and he's just trying to figure out what's wrong. Because from were he's sitting (or laying, as it were) everything is back to normal. In VR he has his old life back; does he even want his new one?

Still swearing. Aja is kinda a dork, being nasty to Pendragon.

Pendragon is persisting in his quest to save the universe and he has his first really big temptation in this book. Mark and Courtney are keeping Pendragon's journals, not always an easy task. Loor is there for her friends when they need her, and Pendragon is the same.

Read the last review if you want a ending; I really can't think of something new to say! Hobey ho!

3 The Never War

Pendragon has lost his ring! Mark and Courtney are in for a twist in the story that already resembles DNA. When they do receive Pendragon's journals they are like nothing else yet. Their from First Earth, aka, Earth in 1937. Pendragon has never been very good at history, what event could Saint Dane have in mind this time? Can you think of it? (No cheating!)

Swearing is slowly getting better, leaps have been made since the first one. This book starts to brush on some deeper questions, do we really want to find answers in a non-Christian book?

Relationships are still strong between Mark, Courtney and Pendragon. Though some of Mr. MacHale's philosophies I don't agree with, some I think are really true, they match with the Bible, and are really applicable to our lives.

This book raises some interesting questions. If your a person who likes to talk about books it might be worth while to discuses these interesting points view. I have a recommendation: read the prefaces! They are really fun. He's not one of those author who acts like their books are not believable. He really gets into it! Hobey ho!

2 The Lost City of Faar

Poor Pendragon thought he was done, at least for awhile. No, you guessed it, he's off to the next territory in Halla. Cloral is a watery plant, with some pretty cool technology, and a hidden secret which could save it's future.

The swearing, which, surprisingly is less. Evolution, through out all of the books is the believed theory. Strangely this is countered by Pendragon's questions about who made the Flumes, or who made the Travelers. It is implied that there is 'someone' out there directing the Travelers, someone really good, and really powerful.

Mark and Courtney have hard times with their lives and each other, but they stick together. Pendragon, though not willingly, selflessly puts himself in harms way to save the world. Why does that sound so silly in print? Self control is show to be important.

Just wait, it gets better... Hobey Ho!

1 The Merchant of Death

Pendragon's day was going pretty good. He finds out that the girl he has liked for four years likes him back, and they kiss. Awwwww. Guys, please don't give up on the book yet, you'll like the next part better. But Pendragon's kiss is rudely interrupted by a surprise visit from his favorite uncle. The girl gets left behind as uncle and nephew begin a whirlwind adventure between space and time.

Really the most objectionable about this book is the language. It's more than I am okay with reading, the sad thing is these are REALLY good books.

Though Pendragon has not a clue about what he is doing, he does it because he trusts his uncle, and because he cares about other people. Through the series he gains wisdom, understanding and a deep kindness. Mark and Courtney are faithful and keep Pendragon's most important possessions safe.

Other than the langauge, these books are so very awesome. Ok, maybe the ideas aren't really that original, maybe the author is using these books as projections of some of his theologies, but they are pretty cool anyway. Hobey-ho, let's go!