Two Great Books for 2011

Two of my favourite teen book series are winding to a close this year. While I am saddened by their ending, I am also content that their respective authors have the foresight and care to gracefully end the stories without succumbing to the scourge known as overkill.

First up is the final book in the Inheritance Cycle by teen writing sensation Christopher Paolini. His début novel, written when he was only 15 years old – Eragon – went on to becoming a New York Times bestseller, and was made into a motion picture. Paolini decided midway through Book 3 in the series (Brisingr) that the envisioned trilogy would have to be a four-part series to do justice to the world, characters and plot. I didn’t complain then, and I’m not complaining now either: the thing with the Inheritance Cycle is that you either love it, or you hate it. Critics will label it a knockoff of popular and classic science fiction sagas (Star Wars) and the epitome of fantasy literature, JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. And while I recognize Paolini’s influence by these giants of modern writing and film, I still enjoy his series. There’s an unmistakable richness to the world of Eragon that draws me in every time I read it.

Anyway, Book 4 finally has a name: it’s called, quite aptly, Inheritance, and it will invariably start where Brisingr left off. It’s difficult to speculate on the plot at this time, as with Paolini anything is possible. What us fans can look forward to is more swashbuckling action, daredevil flight sequences with Eragon and Saphira, and the introduction of another dragon – the mysterious green one. Being the final book in the series, expect the plot to be tied up – something I am both looking forward to, and in a sense dreading.

Release Date: NOVEMBER 8 2011

Another book I’m really looking forward to this year releases quite soon: Alex Rider – Scorpia Rising.

Here’s an excerpt from the official website:

Alex Rider wants his life back.

But when you’re the world’s most successful spy, there’s only one way out. Alex’s final mission will be the deadliest of all.

One bullet. One life.
The end starts here.

Alex Rider is written by one of my all-time favourite writers, Anthony Horowitz. In June 2007 I had the privilege of meeting Mr Horowitz in person at a book signing event in Durban. It was one of those defining moments that spurred my writing career and inspired many of my writing endeavours – even to this day.

In Scorpia Rising, the infamous organization is back, and this time the stakes are higher. They’re hired to return the Elgin marbles to Greece, and their plan involves inception a false trail to Cairo, blackmailing London, and, of course, killing Alex.
This will indeed be the final book in the successful Alex Rider series. Horowitz has confirmed that he will be writing a prequel to the series, called Yassen, that looks at how the young assassin came to be. It will not feature Alex, but will be part of the same universe, and will be the very final window into this wonderful world of teenage fiction.

Release Date: 31 March 2011.

What’s your thoughts on the books above? Got any of your own recommendation? Share them in the comments section below!