The book series 'Guardians of Ga'hoole' by Katherine Lasky has always left me feeling very disappointed. And reading it again has reminded me just how close she got to writing a very good book series. Intriguing characters, a strong plot and very interesting sub-plots are all found in the story but are left unfulfilled by a lack of book length and quality of writing.
Now I'm not saying it's poorly written, because for a children's story it is well-written, but I just wish that it had been written for an older audience. The ideas just feel too complicated for a children's story (eg. Fleckasia, Higher Magnetics, shattering and moon blinking).
I just can't get over how good her ideas were.... St. Aegolius Caverns, A rogue smith from Silverveil, even the way she describes the air and how the owl's mold it to aid their flight is incredible (to me).
That is probably one of the strengths of her story. The way she describes the air. Each kingdom has different patterns and ways that the air moves and even fire has it's own air patterns. The young owls are taught how to find updrafts, how to create, almost, vacuums to carry injured owls, and especially how to fight and use the wind to their advantage.
There are so many great things about the books and that is why I am left feeling disappointed whenever I read them because it could have been a great series but instead it isn't quite good enough.....
"Are you really an owl, Aunty? he wanted to ask. are you really a true Snowy Owl descended from Glaux, come from the North Kingdoms - or are you a white demon?
-The Capture
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