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Friday, June 20, 2003
I have just finished reading The Ratastrophe Catastrophe' which is book one in a new fantasy series called The Illmoor Chronicles by David Lee Stone. I had heard a great deal about this author who is meant to be the brave new exciting face of British fantasy writing. He got an incredible advance of GBP 500,000 for this book and I have to say I am greatly, greatly disappointed in it. It is essentially no more than a retelling of the Pied Piper of Hamelin but set in a made-up land and peopled with new characters. However, I am deeply disappointed that such unoriginal work is so highly praised by others. The book received a rave review and 5 stars in SFX magazine - but then again he does write for that magazine! So 'nuff said. Terry Pratchett reworked the same story with 'Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents', but with far more originality and ingenuity. The cover and illustrations are also very amateurish.
Drew Buddie 3:21 PM
Dreadful news earlier in the day as I found out out with a great shock that Lesley Reading, much respected Deputy Head at RMS and Shona's Godmother, was found in her office early this morning having suffered a stroke. The thoughts of the family and all my colleagues are with her and her family and we all wish her a speedy recovery.
Drew Buddie 2:53 PM
After a year or two of waiting since I saw them at GENCON in the States and put off buying them, I've got 2 stashes of Icehouse pyramids from those nice people at Leisure Games. The sets are made by Looney Labs and I can't wait to try out the 'heavy' strategy games that you play with them. The pieces look fabulous and are a great talking point irrespective of their functionality.
Drew Buddie 2:49 PM
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