Rick Yancey's lovable Alfred Kropp returns in another escapade against evil-doers. Ancient forces of darkness have been released from imprisonment by power-hungry and dim-witted Mike Arnold (who incidentally is a Cubs fan and a total doofus, connection?). Now, Alfred is needed to rein in thousands of demons. He is not alone however, as Op-Nine, former priest and demonologist is there to assist him.
Like J.K. Rowling, Yancey presumes his audience matures with his characters. Alfred Kropp and the Seal of Solomon is darker and more intense than the Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp. Fighting demons is bound to be violent. The amazing thing here is that Yancey incorporates a character with a strong faith, and makes him a bad-ass. Think Indiana Jones with a rosary. Op-Nine feels unworthy of the priesthood for reasons unknown to the reader, but his reliance on prayer as means to fight the devil is a sure indicator that he has not lost his faith.
The personal development of Alfred is almost as fascinating as the plot. Alfred continues to struggle with his own beliefs, still grieving for his mother and blaming God for it. Op-Nine however is teaching him to see beyond his own point of view. Yancey scores another hit with the middle school and up crowd, and I look forward to reading Alfred's next adventure.
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Friday, August 3, 2007
Alfred Kropp and the Seal of Solomon
Rick Yancey's lovable Alfred Kropp returns in another escapade against evil-doers. Ancient forces of darkness have been released from imprisonment by power-hungry and dim-witted Mike Arnold (who incidentally is a Cubs fan and a total doofus, connection?). Now, Alfred is needed to rein in thousands of demons. He is not alone however, as Op-Nine, former priest and demonologist is there to assist him.
Like J.K. Rowling, Yancey presumes his audience matures with his characters. Alfred Kropp and the Seal of Solomon is darker and more intense than the Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp. Fighting demons is bound to be violent. The amazing thing here is that Yancey incorporates a character with a strong faith, and makes him a bad-ass. Think Indiana Jones with a rosary. Op-Nine feels unworthy of the priesthood for reasons unknown to the reader, but his reliance on prayer as means to fight the devil is a sure indicator that he has not lost his faith.
The personal development of Alfred is almost as fascinating as the plot. Alfred continues to struggle with his own beliefs, still grieving for his mother and blaming God for it. Op-Nine however is teaching him to see beyond his own point of view. Yancey scores another hit with the middle school and up crowd, and I look forward to reading Alfred's next adventure.
Like J.K. Rowling, Yancey presumes his audience matures with his characters. Alfred Kropp and the Seal of Solomon is darker and more intense than the Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp. Fighting demons is bound to be violent. The amazing thing here is that Yancey incorporates a character with a strong faith, and makes him a bad-ass. Think Indiana Jones with a rosary. Op-Nine feels unworthy of the priesthood for reasons unknown to the reader, but his reliance on prayer as means to fight the devil is a sure indicator that he has not lost his faith.
The personal development of Alfred is almost as fascinating as the plot. Alfred continues to struggle with his own beliefs, still grieving for his mother and blaming God for it. Op-Nine however is teaching him to see beyond his own point of view. Yancey scores another hit with the middle school and up crowd, and I look forward to reading Alfred's next adventure.
4 comments:
AnonymousAugust 20, 2007 at 1:03 PMThanks for another great write-up! Regarding our dear Samuel (Op Nine), a couple of things: he says he parted ways with the church because his "particular views" regarding demons and demonology made the church "uncomfortable." And, of course, the terrible events within Krubera has made him feel that the schism is unbreachable.
ReplyDeleteThanks for clearing that up, Rick. I hope to read more about Samuel in Alfred's third adventure. By the way, when will that be?
ReplyDelete- AnonymousAugust 29, 2007 at 9:30 AM
I'm finishing up Book Three: The 13th Skull now so my publisher will have it in Sept. From there, I think they intend to publish it around May or June of '08. And yes, Samuel plays a key role in the next book. Expect more "catholic" themes (though I like to think of them as "catholic" in the general meaning of the word), mayhem, and, of course, the saving of the world . . . updates will be posted on Alfred's myspace and the website.
ReplyDelete 
Gam zeh ya'avor is a Hebrew phrase meaning this too shall pass that is part of the Jewish wisdom. This phrase is part of a story that involves King Solomon
ReplyDelete
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Thanks for another great write-up! Regarding our dear Samuel (Op Nine), a couple of things: he says he parted ways with the church because his "particular views" regarding demons and demonology made the church "uncomfortable." And, of course, the terrible events within Krubera has made him feel that the schism is unbreachable.
ReplyDeleteThanks for clearing that up, Rick. I hope to read more about Samuel in Alfred's third adventure. By the way, when will that be?
ReplyDeleteI'm finishing up Book Three: The 13th Skull now so my publisher will have it in Sept. From there, I think they intend to publish it around May or June of '08. And yes, Samuel plays a key role in the next book. Expect more "catholic" themes (though I like to think of them as "catholic" in the general meaning of the word), mayhem, and, of course, the saving of the world . . . updates will be posted on Alfred's myspace and the website.
ReplyDeleteGam zeh ya'avor is a Hebrew phrase meaning this too shall pass that is part of the Jewish wisdom. This phrase is part of a story that involves King Solomon
ReplyDelete