Mark Chadbourn

Advantages: Good Style, Strong Character
Disadvantages: Can't think of any

...‘World’s End’ is the first book by Mark Chadbourn that I have read. This book is a modern fantasy about as the title suggest the end of the World as we know it. Unlike other end of the world stories, Chadbourn’s ‘Worlds End’ has an excellent fantastic twist to it. Its ending isn’t by a meteor, volcano, or other natural disasters. In the story the age of science has passed and a return to the age of magic has begun. Not to give away anymore of the story, I thought this book was wonderful. His writing style and character development just sucked me into his story. I can’t wait for the sequel!!! The ancient gods of Celtic myth have returned to the land from which they were banished millennia ago, and following in their footsteps are creatures of folklore. As technology fails, it is up... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Fascinating blending of fantasy and horror, creating some unique scenarios and set pieces
Disadvantages: Fantasy readers may wonder whether they're reading horror in disguise at some points

...'World's End', by Mark Chadbourn, does a wonderful job of inverting the usual fantasy trilogy set-up. Ordinarily with these affairs, we find ourselves witnessing a group of character types we recognise from film, television and the world around us transposed onto a fantasy backdrop, usually medieval in nature, and struggling against various fantastical beasties and nasties to save their world. In this, the first part of the 'Age of Misrule' trilogy, the beasties come to us. As the 20th century draws to a close, the age of science, technology and rationality is usurped by one of magic and chaos, part of an ancient cycle of repetition. Across Britain (and presumably the rest of the world, although Britain is our focal point), creatures from Celtic myth and legend make themselves known, working towards some dark purpose. Magic runs... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Original Pacey thriller
Disadvantages: none

...Mark Swain is a young kid with an old head. Brought up in a trailer park by his mother he has learnt to look after his family after his father inflicted abuse on them. To escape from the reality of his life he sneaks off to the woods with his younger brother Ricky to smoke a cigarette. It is in these woods they come across a man trying to commit suicide, the man is in fact a lawyer on the mobs payroll. Mark showing his brother how brave he is repeatedly tries to stop the man being successful in ending his life. Eventually Mark is caught and learns the reason why the lawyer is so desperate. The lawyer knows the location of a murdered official killed by his employers. In sheer desperation the man kills himself and Mark hurries back to the trailer with Ricky. Ricky on seeing the man catch Mark suffers shock and is taken to hospital... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful