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The Tapestry #1
The Hound of Rowan
An imaginative fantasy adventure full of magic, mythology, brilliant new friends, and deadly new enemies . . .
Twelve-year-old Max McDaniels lives a quiet life in the suburbs of Chicago—until the day he stumbles upon a mysterious Celtic tapestry. Many strange people are interested in Max and his tapestry, and his discovery will lead him to Rowan Academy, a secret school where great things await him.
But dark things are waiting, too. When Max learns that priceless artworks and other gifted children are disappearing from around the globe, he finds himself in the crossfire of an ancient struggle between good and evil.
Twelve-year-old Max McDaniels lives a quiet life in the suburbs of Chicago—until the day he stumbles upon a mysterious Celtic tapestry. Many strange people are interested in Max and his tapestry, and his discovery will lead him to Rowan Academy, a secret school where great things await him.
But dark things are waiting, too. When Max learns that priceless artworks and other gifted children are disappearing from around the globe, he finds himself in the crossfire of an ancient struggle between good and evil.
448 pages, Paperback
First published September 25, 2007
310 people are currently reading
18250 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 952 reviews
March 4, 2010
Reading the first few chapters, I found myself comparing this book to Harry Potter. As one of the most avid reader of H.P. I have to say that I was a little disappointed. But when I got past reading chapter 4, I found myself falling in love with this book.
There's a significant difference between this book and H.P.
The main plot, unlike H.P, this book does not exactly use "magic" per say, it's based more on the real stuff like science fiction and folklore.
I was also amazed by the author's imagination. I loved how he imposed "charges" into this book and the how he uses "tapestry" as a means of both good and evil.
The only frustration I felt reading this book was that the author seemed to cut the chapters quite abruptly and move on the the next from time to time. I wished very much for him to explain more deeply about some of the incidents.
But overall this book is awesome. I just pick up the second book and can't wait to start it. I guess for the H.P. fans it is important not to be bias and just sunk into it. The book itself will do the rest of the work for you.
There's a significant difference between this book and H.P.
The main plot, unlike H.P, this book does not exactly use "magic" per say, it's based more on the real stuff like science fiction and folklore.
I was also amazed by the author's imagination. I loved how he imposed "charges" into this book and the how he uses "tapestry" as a means of both good and evil.
The only frustration I felt reading this book was that the author seemed to cut the chapters quite abruptly and move on the the next from time to time. I wished very much for him to explain more deeply about some of the incidents.
But overall this book is awesome. I just pick up the second book and can't wait to start it. I guess for the H.P. fans it is important not to be bias and just sunk into it. The book itself will do the rest of the work for you.
April 8, 2008
Wow! Harry Potter, look out! Max McDaniels rocks Rowan Academy! This book reminds me of Harry Potter because it is a boy hero going to a magical school learning to battle evil, but don't let yourself be suckered into thinking this might be some cheap Harry Potter imitator. Max and Rowan Academy stand on their own as the beginning of an incredibly good series! All of the characters are amazingly well-drawn and the world that Max McDaniels lives in feels so real. It's a world of magic and mystery, overlaid by Celtic mythology and folklore, monsters, fairies and mystical animals and abilities. Read this book, be ye child or adult, and pass on the word! Check out Henry Neff's great site that is filled with his beautiful hand-done illustrations: www.henryhneff.com and Random House's site that has info and a cute game to discover if you are eligible to attend Rowan Academy: www.rowanacademy.com You're going to love this one, and you won't have long to wait before the second book is released in late September of 2008!
February 19, 2011
A decent first effort. I see these books as a cross between Harry Potter and Fablehaven. The story is fast paced and interesting. The characters are a bit flat but I expect will flesh out a lot over the course of the series.
I have a difficult time not comparing these books to Harry Potter and that is unfair since I've read all 7 of the books in that series. Going back and reading the first book shows that the Tapestry first effort is on a similar level. The key will be whether or not Neff can really pick up steam like Rowling did through the course of the books. The story became deeper, more interwoven, and I understood how all of the books worked together and were laying groundwork for the conclusion.
I'm a bit worried that Neff is already placing so many similar thematic elements in these books and plot vehicles that smack of Harry Potte i.e. a school for kids that are "different" with a whole hidden society that "regular" people don't know about. If I see an invisibility cloak or a Marauders Map show up, I may give up entirely. That is perhaps unfair since a lot of the elements of Harry Potter can be found in Lord of the Rings and imitation isn't new. Still, Harry Potter was so recent and so widespread it is hard not to feel slighted by authors who roll out the same artifice in their stories.
I have a difficult time not comparing these books to Harry Potter and that is unfair since I've read all 7 of the books in that series. Going back and reading the first book shows that the Tapestry first effort is on a similar level. The key will be whether or not Neff can really pick up steam like Rowling did through the course of the books. The story became deeper, more interwoven, and I understood how all of the books worked together and were laying groundwork for the conclusion.
I'm a bit worried that Neff is already placing so many similar thematic elements in these books and plot vehicles that smack of Harry Potte i.e. a school for kids that are "different" with a whole hidden society that "regular" people don't know about. If I see an invisibility cloak or a Marauders Map show up, I may give up entirely. That is perhaps unfair since a lot of the elements of Harry Potter can be found in Lord of the Rings and imitation isn't new. Still, Harry Potter was so recent and so widespread it is hard not to feel slighted by authors who roll out the same artifice in their stories.
September 21, 2019
A solid start to one of my MOST FAVORITE Middle Grade series!!!
August 23, 2013
I was originally going to go 4 stars on this book, but on reflection I decided I had to go 5. We'll call it a borderline 5. I try to give few 5 star ratings as any book I give a 5 needs to be exceptional or the rating fails to mean much.
I went there in this case as I think it will remain a reread book for me if I ever have time to do a reread. I have less time to reread books now as there seem to be so many I haven't read yet...go figure.
So, what do we have here? Why did I come to the decision that it should cross over into the 5 star range?
First, it's just well written. I've mentioned before that most plots, characters and so on that "can" occur in stories have at some time. That's true here. I occasionally go on a "YA reading stint". I have lately and most have hit me as mediocre. Many of the teen books I read tend to bleed over into YAPNR (Young Adult ParaNormal Romance).
This one didn't do any of those. Of course the "youths" in it are around 12 and 13 I assume we'll see more "interpersonal relationships" as the series goes on.
As I said, it's a well written book and draws in the reader. Where I often find these books fading in and out as I started this one I got to know the character(s) and liked many of them. So first, the writing appeals, it flows.
Secondly the plot. After Harry Potter hit there were a rash of books about young people in magical worlds and in magical schools. Not all were good, not all were bad. many were so-so.
I doubt anyone who's a fan of the Harry Potter books will be able to escape the comparison. There's a lot of things to compare but it doesn't rip the story off. It's not a copy of the book at all but there are several places where they...cross into the same neighborhood. What have here is a story that draws on mythology (I just read some of the "Frost" ya books and they hit some of the same ground. Of course the Percy Jackson books use Greek) mostly Celtic and/or Norse mythology. From there we spring into the magical world where these myths and legends are of importance today. Young people (or "YAs") come to school to be trained in many things from the mystical to tactics and strategy.
We'll meet kids of all types from the friendly to the obnoxious and outright evil. Our young hero is forming a circle of friends buy for now he's still young. The action of the book moves along pretty seamlessly and springs into a climax that doesn't have any of the "tacked on" feel a climax can have when you get a young hero facing some great evil. The story works well so far and I enjoyed their set up and back story. There's no pacing problem where the book starts out interesting and then slows down only to pick up again later.
I have my doubts about how some of the story elements may be used later...but their fine now so we'll wait and see. With enough action, some humor, and a well written story this one is good and I can recommend you try it.
I already plan to follow it up. If I still had "youths" at home I'd read it with them.
Enjoy.
I went there in this case as I think it will remain a reread book for me if I ever have time to do a reread. I have less time to reread books now as there seem to be so many I haven't read yet...go figure.
So, what do we have here? Why did I come to the decision that it should cross over into the 5 star range?
First, it's just well written. I've mentioned before that most plots, characters and so on that "can" occur in stories have at some time. That's true here. I occasionally go on a "YA reading stint". I have lately and most have hit me as mediocre. Many of the teen books I read tend to bleed over into YAPNR (Young Adult ParaNormal Romance).
This one didn't do any of those. Of course the "youths" in it are around 12 and 13 I assume we'll see more "interpersonal relationships" as the series goes on.
As I said, it's a well written book and draws in the reader. Where I often find these books fading in and out as I started this one I got to know the character(s) and liked many of them. So first, the writing appeals, it flows.
Secondly the plot. After Harry Potter hit there were a rash of books about young people in magical worlds and in magical schools. Not all were good, not all were bad. many were so-so.
I doubt anyone who's a fan of the Harry Potter books will be able to escape the comparison. There's a lot of things to compare but it doesn't rip the story off. It's not a copy of the book at all but there are several places where they...cross into the same neighborhood. What have here is a story that draws on mythology (I just read some of the "Frost" ya books and they hit some of the same ground. Of course the Percy Jackson books use Greek) mostly Celtic and/or Norse mythology. From there we spring into the magical world where these myths and legends are of importance today. Young people (or "YAs") come to school to be trained in many things from the mystical to tactics and strategy.
We'll meet kids of all types from the friendly to the obnoxious and outright evil. Our young hero is forming a circle of friends buy for now he's still young. The action of the book moves along pretty seamlessly and springs into a climax that doesn't have any of the "tacked on" feel a climax can have when you get a young hero facing some great evil. The story works well so far and I enjoyed their set up and back story. There's no pacing problem where the book starts out interesting and then slows down only to pick up again later.
I have my doubts about how some of the story elements may be used later...but their fine now so we'll wait and see. With enough action, some humor, and a well written story this one is good and I can recommend you try it.
I already plan to follow it up. If I still had "youths" at home I'd read it with them.
Enjoy.
September 28, 2015
So I think just about any premise involving a young boy going to a school filled with magic and the extraordinary would set up an automatic comparison to Harry Potter, just as any obscure title would be compared to its genre's classic. Knowing that, I did not going in here drawing comparisons; I'm rating this book totally as its own work, giving it the respect it deserves. That being said, maybe I read this with the wrong perspective in mind because I found several issues with it.
First off, Max McDaniels is an interesting protagonist. I like that his friends have skills superior to his own, like Conner with his charisma or David with his intelligence. I liked that he tries to do the right thing, but there are several instances that allude to his past that really add complexity. Particular his anger was really interesting to read. I also loved his dad, and the characters I named earlier. However, there were so many characters in and a lot of them are disembodied because it's hard to keep track. Part of me wondered why so many names were thrown in there other than to world build, but I couldn't remember a characteristic, or a physical trait, or really anything. This pertained to students and teachers alike, I only remembered the main ones because the rest of it felt rushed, especially when at random intervals they would appear, do something minor, then disappear. Was that necessary? Did it drive the plot forward? It felt more like, "Oh hey it's be cool to have someone appear right now and say this, here's Faculty Member X. Okay I said my two cents, bye!" And... I don't know I felt like the story could be tightened.
I really enjoyed the beginning of the book because the pacing allowed me to get to know Max and his father, and set up for the story. When Neff slows down specific moments to relay information while still moving the story forward, he really does it well! But the pacing gets really wonky further in the book because so many concepts are being introduced! We're here now here's classes, here's 20 characters, now an obscure sport, now an awesome match and a dance in the same day, oh there's also pets... Did the author know he would have a series? Would there have been a better way to further flesh out some concepts because they are pretty interesting! But I have a vague idea of some because so much is thrown at you, which is really saying something in a 400 page book. And because so much is thrown at you, things are glossed over and you're expected to believe that "hey, this is now a thing." Hey, this regular human was assaulted, now they can just live at Rowan Academy when it was such a big deal to keep normal people in the dark about Old Magic and this world.
... Was it necessary for Max to have a pet? It didn't move the story forward and already there was so much happening, was that really something to focus on? I know I'm harping on the little things but there was attention placed on this when the idea could've been scrapped and more attention could've been paid to something else.
Also, the amount of information that is relayed didn't feel earned, if this makes sense. Half the time the faculty withheld information for... I'm not sure, safety? To not create a huge stir? Which then left the children in the dark, and after people were injured then information could be relayed? And instances where I'd really like to read more about, are summarized and we're being moved forward without creating a connection at all. And when it's convenient Max runs out of magical reserves, but in other instances he's all drained? I wish Max and crew went out and did things, but instead things are told to them, things happen to them, and the story doesn't feel character driven. I did like that David went out of his way to do research, but for how renounced the faculty is, they relied on the knowledge of a first year to get them through. If they were trying to keep secrets/appearances, shouldn't they have found his sources and then banned him from continuing?
I don't know. I love magic, the extraordinary and overall fantasy, but this story felt like a hot mess. I gave it two stars because I was invested enough in a good few characters which is why I saw it through to the end. Maybe these concepts are more elaborated on in the later books, or hey, maybe the issues I have aren't huge in the eyes of a younger audience. Either way, I might borrow the sequel from a friend but it's not on my priority list.
First off, Max McDaniels is an interesting protagonist. I like that his friends have skills superior to his own, like Conner with his charisma or David with his intelligence. I liked that he tries to do the right thing, but there are several instances that allude to his past that really add complexity. Particular his anger was really interesting to read. I also loved his dad, and the characters I named earlier. However, there were so many characters in and a lot of them are disembodied because it's hard to keep track. Part of me wondered why so many names were thrown in there other than to world build, but I couldn't remember a characteristic, or a physical trait, or really anything. This pertained to students and teachers alike, I only remembered the main ones because the rest of it felt rushed, especially when at random intervals they would appear, do something minor, then disappear. Was that necessary? Did it drive the plot forward? It felt more like, "Oh hey it's be cool to have someone appear right now and say this, here's Faculty Member X. Okay I said my two cents, bye!" And... I don't know I felt like the story could be tightened.
I really enjoyed the beginning of the book because the pacing allowed me to get to know Max and his father, and set up for the story. When Neff slows down specific moments to relay information while still moving the story forward, he really does it well! But the pacing gets really wonky further in the book because so many concepts are being introduced! We're here now here's classes, here's 20 characters, now an obscure sport, now an awesome match and a dance in the same day, oh there's also pets... Did the author know he would have a series? Would there have been a better way to further flesh out some concepts because they are pretty interesting! But I have a vague idea of some because so much is thrown at you, which is really saying something in a 400 page book. And because so much is thrown at you, things are glossed over and you're expected to believe that "hey, this is now a thing." Hey, this regular human was assaulted, now they can just live at Rowan Academy when it was such a big deal to keep normal people in the dark about Old Magic and this world.
... Was it necessary for Max to have a pet? It didn't move the story forward and already there was so much happening, was that really something to focus on? I know I'm harping on the little things but there was attention placed on this when the idea could've been scrapped and more attention could've been paid to something else.
Also, the amount of information that is relayed didn't feel earned, if this makes sense. Half the time the faculty withheld information for... I'm not sure, safety? To not create a huge stir? Which then left the children in the dark, and after people were injured then information could be relayed? And instances where I'd really like to read more about, are summarized and we're being moved forward without creating a connection at all. And when it's convenient Max runs out of magical reserves, but in other instances he's all drained? I wish Max and crew went out and did things, but instead things are told to them, things happen to them, and the story doesn't feel character driven. I did like that David went out of his way to do research, but for how renounced the faculty is, they relied on the knowledge of a first year to get them through. If they were trying to keep secrets/appearances, shouldn't they have found his sources and then banned him from continuing?
I don't know. I love magic, the extraordinary and overall fantasy, but this story felt like a hot mess. I gave it two stars because I was invested enough in a good few characters which is why I saw it through to the end. Maybe these concepts are more elaborated on in the later books, or hey, maybe the issues I have aren't huge in the eyes of a younger audience. Either way, I might borrow the sequel from a friend but it's not on my priority list.
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April 23, 2020Don't you hate that moment when you've just finished reading an amazing, fun book with an immersive storyline, well-developed magic system and deep characters and you naturally and eagerly decide to check out another one of the author's books in hopes of more amazingness only to have said other book end up falling far far short of your Reasonably High Expectations, so far in fact, that it can only be described as a Gargantuan Disappointment?
Yeah, me too.
For me that amazing, fun book is Impyrium. And the Gargantuan Disappointment that came after is The Hound of Rowan.
I won't be rating the Gargantuan Disappointment because I didn't actually finish it...I got about 61% of the way through and I finally had to ask myself, "Why am I reading this? What's the point?" I was bored and had been for quite an alarming amount of chapters. I now realize I only kept slogging on because I was hoping to glimpse something like the brilliance that was Impyrium, and that maybe the flat characters would turn out to be not quite so flat and maybe, just maybe something exciting enough to rekindle my interest would happen.
I know The Hound of Rowan was written several years before Impyrium and is the first book Neff published. However, I don't think excusing the faults of this book simply because it's a debut would be reasonable. I've read many well-written debuts that didn't have flat characters or plot slowness or even really any problems to speak of.
I've heard that The Tapestry gets better with each book and with that in mind, I may pick up the second book one day. But I don't know. For sure, I won't be continuing any time soon.
I'll be going to have a quiet weep of bitterness now.
Yeah, me too.
For me that amazing, fun book is Impyrium. And the Gargantuan Disappointment that came after is The Hound of Rowan.
I won't be rating the Gargantuan Disappointment because I didn't actually finish it...I got about 61% of the way through and I finally had to ask myself, "Why am I reading this? What's the point?" I was bored and had been for quite an alarming amount of chapters. I now realize I only kept slogging on because I was hoping to glimpse something like the brilliance that was Impyrium, and that maybe the flat characters would turn out to be not quite so flat and maybe, just maybe something exciting enough to rekindle my interest would happen.
I know The Hound of Rowan was written several years before Impyrium and is the first book Neff published. However, I don't think excusing the faults of this book simply because it's a debut would be reasonable. I've read many well-written debuts that didn't have flat characters or plot slowness or even really any problems to speak of.
I've heard that The Tapestry gets better with each book and with that in mind, I may pick up the second book one day. But I don't know. For sure, I won't be continuing any time soon.
I'll be going to have a quiet weep of bitterness now.
February 27, 2008
I love when I pick up a book, knowing very little about it, and discover that it is just what I was looking for. Because this is a book about a young teenager who goes to boarding school to learn magic, the comparisons to Harry Potter are inevitable, but this is so much more than a Harry Potter read-alike.
Basically, this is the story of Max. While visiting an art museum with his father, Max sees a vision in a tapestry. This vision draws attention to Max, both favorable and negative. Ultimately, Max is sent to Rowan Academy, a boarding school where gifted teens are trained to use their powers.
While at school, Max and his new friends discover that other, potentially gifted students have been disappearing from all over the world, as are famous works of arts. The students -- going against all the rules -- must determine the correlation between the disappearances and save the world. Between classes and football games, of course.
Basically, this is the story of Max. While visiting an art museum with his father, Max sees a vision in a tapestry. This vision draws attention to Max, both favorable and negative. Ultimately, Max is sent to Rowan Academy, a boarding school where gifted teens are trained to use their powers.
While at school, Max and his new friends discover that other, potentially gifted students have been disappearing from all over the world, as are famous works of arts. The students -- going against all the rules -- must determine the correlation between the disappearances and save the world. Between classes and football games, of course.
April 9, 2009
Okay, it might turn out to be what some reviews keep saying "a Harry Potter knockoff", with no merits of its own. But since Jo Rowling stole freely from her predecessors, and just happens to be a good writer who revived an old formula at the right time, I'm willing to give this one a chance....
UPDATE (4/7/09)And I'm glad I did. Lots of wonderful touches--people keep mentioning "Mum" the reformed (well mostly)hag cook with good reason--she's wonderfully funny. Well told, well thought out and I'm glad the sequel is on my new book shelf because I'm ready to read it.
UPDATE (4/7/09)And I'm glad I did. Lots of wonderful touches--people keep mentioning "Mum" the reformed (well mostly)hag cook with good reason--she's wonderfully funny. Well told, well thought out and I'm glad the sequel is on my new book shelf because I'm ready to read it.
August 20, 2021
Novels about magical boarding schools were ubiquitous following the 1997 release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, and I suspect Henry H. Neff's The Hound of Rowan partly owes its existence to J.K. Rowling's success. Twelve-year-old Max McDaniels from Chicago, Illinois seems to be an ordinary boy. His mother disappeared some time ago and may be dead, but Max's father refuses to forget about her, which leads to the paranormal encounter at the Art Institute museum that changes Max's life. He has no idea of the latent magic he possesses until he comes in proximity to a glowing tapestry that imparts a vision of his own future battling demons beyond anything he could imagine. Max then receives an invitation to attend the mysterious Rowan Academy, and it isn't an offer one turns down lightly; his supernatural gifts place him among the most extraordinary youths on earth, and only this boarding school can nurture those gifts. Mr. McDaniels knows nothing of Max's special abilities and is reluctant to say goodbye to his son, but agrees to let him go to Rowan Academy, opening the door for an adventure with enough enchantment to fill a dozen lifetimes.
Just getting to the school is fraught with danger, though Max's escort, Nigel Bristow, attempts to conceal it from Mr. McDaniels. Enemy agents are observing Max's route and will employ any resources necessary to abduct him before arrival. Once at Rowan Academy, however, Max fits in fairly well. He rooms with David Menlo, a scrawny, pale boy who soon shows himself to wield considerable powers of magic and intelligence. Connor Lynch, an Irish boy always ready with a quip, often hangs around in Max and David's spacious room. The school's Old Magic created a dazzling room for Max and David, a strong indicator they aren't run-of-the-mill First Year students. Rowan Academy is filled with peculiarities—including Mum and Bob, a pair of ogre-like cooks who frighten the students despite their insistence that they've sworn off eating children—but Max's adjustment to boarding school could be worse. If only he knew the danger ahead.
Max wasn't the recruit targeted for kidnapping on their journey to Rowan Academy. Numerous kids were taken, and Ms. Richter, the school's Director, fears the return of Astaroth, an evil being who was thought dead for centuries. If he indeed still lives, what is his plan for the abducted recruits, and are the kids on school grounds safe? Ms. Richter and her faculty are tight-lipped on matters related to Astaroth, but Max is a top prospect at the academy and may be able to help solve the mystery. He and his roommate David have an idea where Astaroth could be hiding, but eliminating him may prove impossible for a pair of First Year boys, however brave and talented they are. There's plenty of drama at Rowan Academy just getting along with girls and resisting bullies, but is Max ready to shoulder responsibility for the safety of everyone at the school?
The Hound of Rowan is less than electrifying, but I think there's a good chance the Tapestry series improves as the plot deepens and Henry H. Neff develops as a writer. We've only scratched the surface of this magical world and its lore, and the next book, The Second Siege, is positioned decently to excel. Max and David are likable, smart, reasonably realistic kids with a lot left to accomplish before their work is done. The Hound of Rowan will never rival the popularity of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, but the Tapestry series is not without potential.
Just getting to the school is fraught with danger, though Max's escort, Nigel Bristow, attempts to conceal it from Mr. McDaniels. Enemy agents are observing Max's route and will employ any resources necessary to abduct him before arrival. Once at Rowan Academy, however, Max fits in fairly well. He rooms with David Menlo, a scrawny, pale boy who soon shows himself to wield considerable powers of magic and intelligence. Connor Lynch, an Irish boy always ready with a quip, often hangs around in Max and David's spacious room. The school's Old Magic created a dazzling room for Max and David, a strong indicator they aren't run-of-the-mill First Year students. Rowan Academy is filled with peculiarities—including Mum and Bob, a pair of ogre-like cooks who frighten the students despite their insistence that they've sworn off eating children—but Max's adjustment to boarding school could be worse. If only he knew the danger ahead.
Max wasn't the recruit targeted for kidnapping on their journey to Rowan Academy. Numerous kids were taken, and Ms. Richter, the school's Director, fears the return of Astaroth, an evil being who was thought dead for centuries. If he indeed still lives, what is his plan for the abducted recruits, and are the kids on school grounds safe? Ms. Richter and her faculty are tight-lipped on matters related to Astaroth, but Max is a top prospect at the academy and may be able to help solve the mystery. He and his roommate David have an idea where Astaroth could be hiding, but eliminating him may prove impossible for a pair of First Year boys, however brave and talented they are. There's plenty of drama at Rowan Academy just getting along with girls and resisting bullies, but is Max ready to shoulder responsibility for the safety of everyone at the school?
The Hound of Rowan is less than electrifying, but I think there's a good chance the Tapestry series improves as the plot deepens and Henry H. Neff develops as a writer. We've only scratched the surface of this magical world and its lore, and the next book, The Second Siege, is positioned decently to excel. Max and David are likable, smart, reasonably realistic kids with a lot left to accomplish before their work is done. The Hound of Rowan will never rival the popularity of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, but the Tapestry series is not without potential.
January 14, 2018
Оцена је 3,5*.
Књига је мешавина Харија Потера и Уточишта за бајке. Замисао је сама по себи добра али јој фали оно "нешто" што те одмах ухвати када је стварно добра књига у питању. Доста тога је позајмљено, мало промењено, а онда остављено без објашњења зашто то функционише на тај начин, укључујући и магијски систем и саму способност извођења магије, за коју не разумем како прескаче генерације ако је наследна. За неке ствари постоји превише, а за неке премало објашњења.
У сваком случају, довољно је занимљиво да прочитам и наставак, а и имам слабост према књигама у тврдом повезу...
Књига је мешавина Харија Потера и Уточишта за бајке. Замисао је сама по себи добра али јој фали оно "нешто" што те одмах ухвати када је стварно добра књига у питању. Доста тога је позајмљено, мало промењено, а онда остављено без објашњења зашто то функционише на тај начин, укључујући и магијски систем и саму способност извођења магије, за коју не разумем како прескаче генерације ако је наследна. За неке ствари постоји превише, а за неке премало објашњења.
У сваком случају, довољно је занимљиво да прочитам и наставак, а и имам слабост према књигама у тврдом повезу...
February 28, 2011
I was pretty excited reading the back of the book--it seemed like it had all the qualities of a children's fantasy novel that would entrance me. It did captivate in some ways, however, in many others it was sadly lacking.
I felt myself more compelled to focus on the supporting character (the main character's roommate) than the actual main character, Max. He was sadly disappointing in many ways, and continued to irritate me throughout the book. It was only towards the end of the book that he even showed any potential as a leading character--and even then it was so hurried and slapped together that it didn't really end the story at all. I always wonder why writers use the 'intelligent one' as a supporting character and not the main one?
The characters were undeveloped, and the plot was not well outlined for me. Of course in the first chapter I was completely taken aback by the Harry Potter knock-off happening and there really is no way that anyone having read Rowling will not do the same. I found "The Hound of Rowan" almost intolerable, both as a Rowling wannabe and as a stand alone adolescent fantasy novel. If Neff could have mined the Harry Potter series for one more cliche to imitate, I would be hugely surprised. If you sat Rowling's plot outlines next to Neff's--without character names--you'd have identical creations. Of course, Neff did (1) name the school bully Alex instead of Malfoy (though why he would end both the protagonist and antagonist's names with 'x' I can't fathom), (2) change Harry's male Headmaster to a female Director (copying the role down to the bedside summary 'talk' after Max/Harry's heroic injury), and (3) dissect Harry's brains-vs-brawn dichotomy by splitting them between Max and David.
I'm also mystified why Neff chose to allow Max to open the door to complete strangers and allow them in the house for tests and such. The complete parental deception was a little unnerving for me as well.
All in all it was a rather poor read and I know I won't continue reading the series.
More of Purplycookie’s Reviews @: http://www.goodreads.com/purplycookie
Book Details:
Title The Hound of Rowan (The Tapestry, #1)
Author Henry H. Neff
Reviewed By Purplycookie
I felt myself more compelled to focus on the supporting character (the main character's roommate) than the actual main character, Max. He was sadly disappointing in many ways, and continued to irritate me throughout the book. It was only towards the end of the book that he even showed any potential as a leading character--and even then it was so hurried and slapped together that it didn't really end the story at all. I always wonder why writers use the 'intelligent one' as a supporting character and not the main one?
The characters were undeveloped, and the plot was not well outlined for me. Of course in the first chapter I was completely taken aback by the Harry Potter knock-off happening and there really is no way that anyone having read Rowling will not do the same. I found "The Hound of Rowan" almost intolerable, both as a Rowling wannabe and as a stand alone adolescent fantasy novel. If Neff could have mined the Harry Potter series for one more cliche to imitate, I would be hugely surprised. If you sat Rowling's plot outlines next to Neff's--without character names--you'd have identical creations. Of course, Neff did (1) name the school bully Alex instead of Malfoy (though why he would end both the protagonist and antagonist's names with 'x' I can't fathom), (2) change Harry's male Headmaster to a female Director (copying the role down to the bedside summary 'talk' after Max/Harry's heroic injury), and (3) dissect Harry's brains-vs-brawn dichotomy by splitting them between Max and David.
I'm also mystified why Neff chose to allow Max to open the door to complete strangers and allow them in the house for tests and such. The complete parental deception was a little unnerving for me as well.
All in all it was a rather poor read and I know I won't continue reading the series.
More of Purplycookie’s Reviews @: http://www.goodreads.com/purplycookie
Book Details:
Title The Hound of Rowan (The Tapestry, #1)
Author Henry H. Neff
Reviewed By Purplycookie
January 29, 2019
This was an excellent read-- like Harry Potter mixed with Celtic mythology and a good spy school novel. The characters are distinct and interesting, and the worldbuilding in this book WOW I love it so much. 12-year-old me would have given anything to attend Rowan. Also ALL the mythological animals.
The one thing that confused me was the characterization of the father. Mr. McDaniels is a slightly controlling, confused, lonely man, but I think the reader is supposed to view him as caring? I'm not really sure how to feel about him. Maybe that gets cleared up in other books. At any rate, Max shows a lot of sympathy and grace towards his father. That's the part that counts.
The one thing that confused me was the characterization of the father. Mr. McDaniels is a slightly controlling, confused, lonely man, but I think the reader is supposed to view him as caring? I'm not really sure how to feel about him. Maybe that gets cleared up in other books. At any rate, Max shows a lot of sympathy and grace towards his father. That's the part that counts.
June 3, 2017
Just goes to show you that when you read a book almost 10 years later your opinion can change. I completely believe this book is better than my original review. Not a 5 star but it is better.
********************************************************************
(old review from 2008)
I really tried to not compare this book to Harry Potter and I went in with an open mind. But the truth is this is a Harry Potter knock off. That wasn't my main problem with the book though.
The problem with the book I had is not one character did I feel close to. The chapters and activities jumped with no connection to each other. In almost every good book you get close to a character and feel bad/sorry for them whatever. This book there was no emotional connection to any of them. In fact at the end of the book I was wondering why I even bothered to read this, the boy was crying and I'm like.... I should care because.
I know its fantasy and all, but I can't get over the unbelieveablity of this book. Kids have schedaels from 6 am till 6 pm. They get these animals that play no part of the book. This book might have been great had it been about 200 pages less and less trying to throw things out there.
Lastly, the whole concept of the book was confusing. I know it's good vs. Evil but what was evil and why was really hard for me at 24 years old to understand there is no way a child would understand it.
********************************************************************
(old review from 2008)
I really tried to not compare this book to Harry Potter and I went in with an open mind. But the truth is this is a Harry Potter knock off. That wasn't my main problem with the book though.
The problem with the book I had is not one character did I feel close to. The chapters and activities jumped with no connection to each other. In almost every good book you get close to a character and feel bad/sorry for them whatever. This book there was no emotional connection to any of them. In fact at the end of the book I was wondering why I even bothered to read this, the boy was crying and I'm like.... I should care because.
I know its fantasy and all, but I can't get over the unbelieveablity of this book. Kids have schedaels from 6 am till 6 pm. They get these animals that play no part of the book. This book might have been great had it been about 200 pages less and less trying to throw things out there.
Lastly, the whole concept of the book was confusing. I know it's good vs. Evil but what was evil and why was really hard for me at 24 years old to understand there is no way a child would understand it.
January 5, 2011
If you like Harry Potter and you like Lightening Thief, I can almost guarantee that you'll like this book. There are some striking similarities between this and Harry Potter... not quite passing the plagiarism border. They're both about magic schools, both main characters have dark hair, Series starts around the same age (this guy's 12), they're going through the whole hero cycle thing where they're destined for a dangerous and probably fatal world-saving mission. Despite all of these similarities, I never FELT like I was in a knock off of Harry Potter. The writing wasn't quite as good as HP, but wasn't merely as amateur as LT. Overall, I feel like I found a little gem because I picked it up off the library shelves at random and haven't heard anything about it, but it was engaging, endearing, and entertaining.
November 1, 2011
This book is basically a Harry Potter rip-off. While it has some differences (for example, technology is embraced not eschewed; the kids have animals that they care for; the kids come from across the world, not just the UK), it’s pretty similar – ie: the kids have untapped powers, the kids are specially selected, the kids go through a process similar to the sorting, there is a school sport (soccer-esque), there is a powerful yet charming headmistress, quirky teachers, and a villainous group that seeks to thwart them. Basically Harry Potter. The story follows Max as he starts his new life at his new school, has some adventures, figures out a mystery, saves the day, etc. I could see why kids would enjoy the book, but for me, it was too similar to Harry, and no where near as good.
April 28, 2016
'The Hound of Rowan' was a spectacular novel that I seriously loved to death but it just...lost something along the way - hence the four star. I loved the incorporation of real life events by the author and the childhood trivialities that we so often find embarrassing as children but then laugh later as adults. It was a fantastic story that made me laugh so often or just grin stupidly at the book. I loved the characters (the good ones) and got seriously creeped out by the evil ones. The story was well formed and the writing superb. It was a great work by the author and as a debut even more impressive. This work reminded me a lot of David Edding's 'The Belgariad' series which I loved. A great children's read!
Congratulations to Henry H. Neff on publishing a great debut!
Congratulations to Henry H. Neff on publishing a great debut!
August 14, 2019
'De wolfshond van Rowan' is een boek vol fantasie. Het bevat een mooie world-building en het verhaal is spannend. De personages gaan echter niet voor je leven; je hebt geen idee hoe hoofdpersoon Max zich voelt, wat hij denkt en ook niet echt hoe hij gaat reageren. Daar komt bij dat het soms lijkt alsof er bladzijdes uit mijn boek zijn gescheurd, het gaat soms van de hak op de tak en bepaalde gebeurtenissen worden hierdoor niet goed uitgewerkt.
Leuk boekje, maar het is het allemaal nét niet. Sowieso las ik het als een young adult en dat is het écht niet. Max is 12 en later 13 en het leespubliek moet niet veel ouder zijn om de grapjes nog grappig te kunnen vinden.
Leuk boekje, maar het is het allemaal nét niet. Sowieso las ik het als een young adult en dat is het écht niet. Max is 12 en later 13 en het leespubliek moet niet veel ouder zijn om de grapjes nog grappig te kunnen vinden.
March 20, 2020
This book is very similar to Harry Potter, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed The Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter) or The box and the Dragonfly (The Keepers).
Edit: In retrospect, I don't know why I enjoyed this so much, this book really wasn't that good. There were too many characters to keep track of, and it really was an all over the place book. I abandoned the series in this book, as I couldn't bear to continue.
Edit: In retrospect, I don't know why I enjoyed this so much, this book really wasn't that good. There were too many characters to keep track of, and it really was an all over the place book. I abandoned the series in this book, as I couldn't bear to continue.
December 14, 2016
শুরুর দিকে ধরে রাখছিলাম রেটিং ২ এর বেশি দিব না। অনেকটাই হ্যারি পটার টাইপ।বালক ম্যাক্সের হটাত করে ম্যাজিক স্কুলে আসা। স্কুলের নিয়ম কানুন ভংগ করে কালো শক্তির বিরুদ্ধে যাওয়া, মিনার্ভা টাইপ শক্তপোক্ত টিচার ব্লা ব্লা ব্লা .........
প্রথমটুকু থেকেই মনে হবে হ্যারি পটার টাইপ কিছু পড়ছেন কিন্তু ঠিক হ্যারি পটার মানের না।
পরের অংশে (শেষ দিকে) গেলে কিছুটা ভালই লাগবে.
আশা করি সিরিজটা শেষ করেই ফেলব
March 7, 2009
Max, a twelve-year-old boy from Chicago, receives a letter inviting him to attend a special school, which turns out to teach magic. Evil enemies immediately threaten the school.
September 10, 2019
going ✈✈✈ nostalgia
December 29, 2022
Good book good storyline gonna keep reading series
November 5, 2025
Big mess is all I can say. I think it’s meant to be a YA book, and it’s the author’s first. Keeping that in mind, even if I were to read this when I was younger, I think I would still have been confused and bored, much like the author must have been when he wrote it. The plot doesn’t know what it wants to be, so how should I know? I’ve heard the later books get better, but why would I waste my time finding out when I have much better things to do with my time…like watch paint dry.
Another review I read talks about how the characters are paired with magical pets to care for. Why? Don’t know. Doesn’t matter. Makes no difference to the overall story. Pretty much sums up this book and everything that happens.
Another review I read talks about how the characters are paired with magical pets to care for. Why? Don’t know. Doesn’t matter. Makes no difference to the overall story. Pretty much sums up this book and everything that happens.
July 19, 2024
Happy to report these books absolutely hold up, Seth. I love this book as a kid, and it’s rare my nostalgia rings true, but for the tapestry series? 10/10 going to have to reread them all now.
June 23, 2017
2.5 stars, rounded down to 2 stars for Good Reads. Not recommended.
I picked up this one after the series received a glowing recommendation from a friend in a book group, so I'm not sure if that led me to go into it with higher expectations than I perhaps should have, but unfortunately it did mean that I was a bit underwhelmed by the book as a whole.
Max is just your average kid (maybe?) when he stumbles across a secret room in an art gallery that shows him a magical tapestry. After this experience, he receives a letter inviting him to attend a magical school, which marks his entry into this new, fantastical world.
But things don't go smoothly. There's something sinister trying to snatch him away, and as Max learns more about this new world he has entered, he discovers an ancient enemy that seems about to wake up.
So the parallels to Harry Potter here are strong, and numerous, and (unfortunately) this story really doesn't stand up to the comparison. A first novel by author Henry H. Neff, his writing here is weak and the pacing inconsistent. While the world itself seemed interesting, we never really get the rules explained to us, so it becomes difficult to know what to expect or even when to be impressed by a character doing something. (Is it impressive to be able to run really fast? Is it unusual to bond with certain types of pets? I honestly had no idea).
The other area where this book disappointed was in character development. Despite being a school book, we never actually see Max struggling with anything and learning to overcome it. Occasionally we'll jump forward and he'll have learned something new, but we don't get to see the learning process, which is a missed opportunity. In fact there were a bunch of times where the author seemed to be working up to some interesting experience or activity, and then would suddenly jump over it and we'd be reading about an hour or day or week later. Very frustrating.
Finally, the author loved dropping lots of foreshadowy hints about things, but then didn't really resolve them in a neat way, if at all. There was a hint early on about Max getting headaches and fighting something 'inside him', but we never really learn what that is (or even get a sense of whether it's normal or not). Max also regularly seemed to be sketching or painting, but then didn't seem to have any knowledge about the paintings (despite that being a big part of the plot).
This is obviously a children's book and at 30yo I'll admit I'm not its target audience. But, while I'm willing to forgive a lot of things in children's stories (incompetent adults, 'whimsical' names for things, etc) the poor pacing, character development and general messiness to the writing were a big letdown here.
I've been told that I should push on and give the rest of the series a chance (seemingly there are some big plot twists coming in book 2 that raise it to the next level) but with so many other excellent authors out there I'm thinking I'll just leave it be.
I picked up this one after the series received a glowing recommendation from a friend in a book group, so I'm not sure if that led me to go into it with higher expectations than I perhaps should have, but unfortunately it did mean that I was a bit underwhelmed by the book as a whole.
Max is just your average kid (maybe?) when he stumbles across a secret room in an art gallery that shows him a magical tapestry. After this experience, he receives a letter inviting him to attend a magical school, which marks his entry into this new, fantastical world.
But things don't go smoothly. There's something sinister trying to snatch him away, and as Max learns more about this new world he has entered, he discovers an ancient enemy that seems about to wake up.
So the parallels to Harry Potter here are strong, and numerous, and (unfortunately) this story really doesn't stand up to the comparison. A first novel by author Henry H. Neff, his writing here is weak and the pacing inconsistent. While the world itself seemed interesting, we never really get the rules explained to us, so it becomes difficult to know what to expect or even when to be impressed by a character doing something. (Is it impressive to be able to run really fast? Is it unusual to bond with certain types of pets? I honestly had no idea).
The other area where this book disappointed was in character development. Despite being a school book, we never actually see Max struggling with anything and learning to overcome it. Occasionally we'll jump forward and he'll have learned something new, but we don't get to see the learning process, which is a missed opportunity. In fact there were a bunch of times where the author seemed to be working up to some interesting experience or activity, and then would suddenly jump over it and we'd be reading about an hour or day or week later. Very frustrating.
Finally, the author loved dropping lots of foreshadowy hints about things, but then didn't really resolve them in a neat way, if at all. There was a hint early on about Max getting headaches and fighting something 'inside him', but we never really learn what that is (or even get a sense of whether it's normal or not). Max also regularly seemed to be sketching or painting, but then didn't seem to have any knowledge about the paintings (despite that being a big part of the plot).
This is obviously a children's book and at 30yo I'll admit I'm not its target audience. But, while I'm willing to forgive a lot of things in children's stories (incompetent adults, 'whimsical' names for things, etc) the poor pacing, character development and general messiness to the writing were a big letdown here.
I've been told that I should push on and give the rest of the series a chance (seemingly there are some big plot twists coming in book 2 that raise it to the next level) but with so many other excellent authors out there I'm thinking I'll just leave it be.
December 7, 2018
One of the best books I've ever read, this book and the series as a whole has followed me throughout my childhood.
January 29, 2012
I picked this book up at the used bookstore yesterday. At first glance it seemed to be your typical Harry Potter copycat, you know which one i'm talking about. Young boy is magically discovered at the age of thirteen and sent off to a special boarding school. However, the author definitely puts his own spin on things.
He creates his own take on some Celtic mythology with a few twists and turns. The main character's name is Max McDaniels, and he's just found out he's got mystic powers. So, off to magical school he goes, but not without a certain amount of danger as someone, or something tries to kidnap him before he even passes the entrance exams.
As the school year progresses, we learn more about Max, his roomate David and his other friends, and enemies at school. This is a part of the book I would have liked to see fleshed out a bit more. We have suspicions about who David is, but we learn virtually nothing about him except that he wields great power.
Towards the end the expected happens (I'm not spoiling the whole book for you), however, this is an area in which I would like to have seen more details and descriptions. I mean, 37 days pass, and yes, the author wanted to show how out of it Max was, but I think it could have been done a little better.
As a YA read in the fantasy genre, I thought the book was well done for it being the authors first book. Although we've seen this plot fairly often in the last 10 years, I felt Henry Neff did a good job making it his own, and taking it in his own direction. I liked the fact that although David is clearly the more powerful of the two friends, he chose to write the book from Max's point of view.
He creates his own take on some Celtic mythology with a few twists and turns. The main character's name is Max McDaniels, and he's just found out he's got mystic powers. So, off to magical school he goes, but not without a certain amount of danger as someone, or something tries to kidnap him before he even passes the entrance exams.
As the school year progresses, we learn more about Max, his roomate David and his other friends, and enemies at school. This is a part of the book I would have liked to see fleshed out a bit more. We have suspicions about who David is, but we learn virtually nothing about him except that he wields great power.
Towards the end the expected happens (I'm not spoiling the whole book for you), however, this is an area in which I would like to have seen more details and descriptions. I mean, 37 days pass, and yes, the author wanted to show how out of it Max was, but I think it could have been done a little better.
As a YA read in the fantasy genre, I thought the book was well done for it being the authors first book. Although we've seen this plot fairly often in the last 10 years, I felt Henry Neff did a good job making it his own, and taking it in his own direction. I liked the fact that although David is clearly the more powerful of the two friends, he chose to write the book from Max's point of view.
June 18, 2021
After finding a mysterious tapestry, Max is quickly whisked away to a private academy where he must train in fighting and mystics if he hopes to keep him and his dad safe from an ancient evil, one that is secretly stealing away children and precious artworks...Neff begins an intriguing adventure weaving myth, magic and a charming cast, sure to keep readers glued to the pages. Can Max learn the ropes in time to face a danger that has its sights set on him?
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