Welcome to the Obernewtyn Chronicles Reading Marathon 2012 introduction post! If you’re new to the series, you’re in for a treat. If, like me, you’ve been reading it since Obernewtyn first came out in the late 80s and you’ve been waiting FOREVER for the final book, this is a great opportunity to re-read the books in preparation for the release of The Red Queen, currently scheduled for September 2013. So, even though it won’t be available for this challenge, we Obernewtyn fans know what waiting is all about, so a gap of another year won’t make much difference (though I was hoping this read-along would also be a celebration of finally, finally, finishing the series!).
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the series, here’s the synopsis from book 1:
In a world struggling back from the brink of apocalypse, life is harsh and secretive. But for Elspeth Gordie, born with enhanced mental abilities that would see her sterilized or burned if discovered, it is also fraught with danger. There is only survival by secrecy, and so she determines never to demonstrate her forbidden powers. But it is as if they have their own imperative, and their distribution inevitably brings her to the attention of the totalitarian Council that rules and controls the Land with sadistic intentions.
Sent to the remote mountain institute of Obernewtyn where escape is impossible, she must throw off her safe cloak of concealment and pit herself against those who would resurrect the terrible forces of the Apocalypse.
Only then will she learn most truly who and what she is…
Wow that really doesn’t do it justice!
This is a hugely evolving story, and each book takes you deeper and farther into the post-nuclear disaster world – it’s a fascinating world too, especially as it’s partly reverted back to a Middle Ages-like era, and no history of the Time Before has been retained. Just please, please don’t call this “dystopian”! It really doesn’t fit that sub-genre. I’ve always considered it Fantasy, but the futuristic setting and some other points sees it labelled Science Fiction.
I was originally going to have this read-along run from June to December so that the last book would definitely be out, but after Penguin Australia informed me it had been pushed back, we can do the six (or seven, for North American readers) books anytime we like! But we do want flow, so I’m structuring this like the Harry Potter one:
JUNE: Obernewtyn
JULY: The Farseekers
AUGUST: Ashling
SEPTEMBER: The Keeping Place
OCTOBER: The Stone Key (U.S. & Canada readers: Wavesong and The Stone Key)
NOVEMBER: The Sending
[2013: The Red Queen]
As far as I can tell, it doesn’t look like the U.S. publisher is splitting the last two books, but The Sending hasn’t been made available in North America yet so it’s hard to tell. It should definitely be out in time for this challenge, though.
So, are you interested? First timers and long-standing fans alike, let’s read!
Utter crap
It was okay
Liked it but ...
Really liked it
LOVED it!
Fabulous! Cannot wait to read all of these again, especially one after the other. I know there’s a LOT from earlier books that I’ve forgotten, esp The Keeping Place, which I think I’ve only read twice since it came out and The Stone Key & The Sending, both of which I’ve only read once.
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Shannon Reply:
April 9th, 2012 at 9:22 am
@Bree, Oh me too, I used to read them several times over in the intervening years between books, but considering it’s been over two decades…!!
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Seriously tempting. I haven’t actually read any of these books but I have heard lots of good things about it!
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Shannon Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 10:05 am
Oh Marg, you definitely have to read it! Come join us, it’s always extra fun to read books with others.
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I think I should join in this one (after my utter failure to finish the Harry Potters). I’ve never read them, and it sounds like they’re worth the effort. And, bonus: Amy probably has them on her shelf anyway.
Also, hello, how’re things? I’ve completely failed at everything internetty lately, but a little switch flicked over in my head last night, and I suddenly wanted to write things. It’s a nice feeling, actually wanting to keep a blog again. Reading more might help that, too. So many books! It’s so hard to know where to start.
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Shannon Reply:
April 11th, 2012 at 1:09 pm
I think you should read this series too! The libraries should have them too I would think.
Things are good, and don’t worry, I can barely keep up with the internet too! I’ve been thinking of you and Amy lately, wondering how you’re going (and I finally thought of something to send you, too! I just have to get there…). I’m happy to hear you’re getting back into blogging, your entries are always so much fun to read (even if I have no idea what TV show you’re talking about)!
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[...] another one wasn’t there? Just as well I’ll be re-reading the series this year with the Obernewtyn Chronicles Readalong, starting in [...]
Awesome challenge! I just re-read them all last year before The Sending was released so I won’t join you for this, but I hope you enjoy re-reading them all
Can’t wait for Red Queen!
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Oh no, I’ve just finished The Keeping Place on Sunday and I only saw this now. Not sure if I can wait for October to read The Stone Key though. Its not like I haven’t read it as the series is one I’ve re-read again and again. Although this year it is in anticipation of The Red Queen (despite the delay). I hope everyone who is reading it enjoys it! One of the best series ever!
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Shannon Reply:
June 16th, 2012 at 8:41 pm
If you’ve been reviewing them you’re welcome to link up here, Tien. As my favourite book and series, I want to spread the word!
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[...] them. If you’d like to know more about the series, they’re having a read-along over at Giraffe Days with a review of Obernewtyn up [...]
[...] month, June, marks the start of the Obernewtyn Chronicles Reading Marathon! Each month we are reading a book in the series, though predictably the release date for the final [...]