The Hound of Rowan: Book One of The Tapestry
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0375838945
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
Release Date: 2007-09-25
Average Customer Review: 
(From 34 total reviews)
List Price: $16.99
Amazon Price: $4.50 (35 new 14 used available)
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Editorial Reviews
Product Description:
MAX MCDANIELS LIVES a quiet life in the suburbs of Chicago, until the day he stumbles upon a mysterious Celtic tapestry. Many strange people are interested in Max and his tapestry. His discovery leads him to Rowan Academy, a secret school where great things await him.
But dark things are waiting, too. When Max learns that priceless artworks and gifted children are disappearing, he finds himself in the crossfire of an ancient struggle between good and evil. To survive, he’ll have to rely on a network of agents and mystics, the genius of his roommate, and the frightening power awakening within him.
Customer Reviews
Nice start to the series by David Edmonds
In Henry H. Neff’s The Hound of Rowan: Book One of the Tapestry, we are introduced to Max McDaniels, a thirteen year old boy who stumbles upon a room in the Chicago Institute of Art where he finds a strange tapestry, whose pictures seem to move and produce music. After discovering the tapestry, he finds a note in his pocket telling him to expect a visitor who happens to work for Rowan Academy, a school that specializes in nurturing the talents of kids with special abilities.
Setting aside the inevitable HP comparison, I found myself enjoying this book immensely. The book follows Max’s first year at Rowan, where he discovers that he may be in possession of powerful magic. There is a great, ancient evil that was thought destroyed but may not be, and a legion of followers who are working to help the ancient evil regain control. There are several other similarities to HP; Max turns out to be extraordinarily good at the school’s chosen sport; he has the possibility of having a huge amount of power at his disposal that he is unaware of; the school becomes his safe haven from the Enemy; the town next door is privy to the secrets of the school, and the students are allowed to spend some of their free time there; there is even a kind-hearted giant who the kids befriend (in this case, a reformed ogre who works in the kitchens); there are some other similarities to HP, but revealing those would give away some of the story. For as much as the book does seem to mirror HP, there are just as many differences within the story to make it stand on its own; Max loves his family and doesn’t want to stay at the school; the magic is tied directly to ancient Irish lore rather than a more fabricated background; there is also some science tied in with the magic behind the school, so while I can see where people would jump to the conclusion that Neff is trying to create his own version of HP, I just can’t see it that way. He is trying to create a world that is entirely his, and just so happens to be using some of the same techniques that JK Rowling herself borrowed from other stories to create hers; because in all fairness JKR didn’t come up with these ideas all on her own. She’s just become really famous for it.
I’m giving it 4 stars because Neff knows how to move his story along and ties up the plot lines nicely, leaving just enough questions to make the sequel worthwhile. I would like to see fewer plot devices akin to HP; while I understand that it is hard to not compare YA books to HP these days, there did seem to be a few too many similarities. Neff has proven that he can create a world all his own, now I’d like to see him take it further in his own direction.
Creative and Riveting by Jeannie Mancini
Yes, this a lot like Harry. I would say it was a cross between the Harry Potter series and the Charlie Bone series. But yet even though it IS similar to both, its has its uniqueness and enough new creative aspects for me to say it was a darn good read. I found it very exciting, and I couldn’t put it down. The story is very visual, the characters were well developed and very likeable. I am very much anticipating book two and cant wait to contine the story. So what if if it’s like Harry, we all loved Harry right? I found it riveting, adventurous, scary, sweet…just wonderful. Don’t pass this up!
I couldnt put it down by Renee
Henry Neff writes in a way that captures both your attention and your imagination. The Hound of Rowan is a brilliant coming of age story that takes the reader on an adventure that nicely weaves together a tale of fact and fantasy from beginning to end. A truly enjoyable read that makes it possible to believe that we all have a little magic within us. Brilliant first book, I can hardly wait for book number two.
Renee
Great New Book! by Orestes Tarajano
I had heard quite a bit about this book and decided to pick it up. In short, it’s a great read! However, I read some of the reviews and had a few thoughts. First, I believe it’s extremely unfair to compare this book to the Harry Potter series. While there are a few similarities that I believe are somewhat unavoidable given the primary target audience, there are vastly more differences. Second, the author has managed to create a brilliant story with wonderful classic themes but written with just the right balance of fantasy and reality that don’t supersaturate the reader with over-the-top magic. The author adds dashes of real-world boyhood issues which are tackled by your average ordinary everyday kid with whom readers, both young and old, will identify and appreciate. It was a delightful tale, very colorfully written and with interesting references to real history woven throughout. The author has hit a home run with his first book and I eagerly look forward to part two.
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