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The story of a time when giants roamed the earth.
Finn the half-Great, Theo Caldwell’s first novel for young adults, tells the story of Ireland’s most beloved heroes with humor and heart. Finn McCool, at fourteen feet, thinks he is the tallest thing in the Emerald Isle. That is, until he ventures outside his childhood valley. Finn soon discovers that ancient Britain is a land of giants, dragons, wizards, and men, in which he is only one little fellow.
Despite treating those about him as decently as he can, Finn finds he has enemies all over. Even before he was born, cruel creatures known as the Frost Giants killed Finn’s father and tried to do away with his mother. When Finn learns what befell his parents, his first order of business is to seek out the Frost Giants and take revenge.
In later years, Finn becomes a calmer chap, living in idle bliss on his hill, known as Knockmany, with his beloved wife, Oonagh. But Finn the half-Great’s troubles are not over. Ireland and all of Britain are being overrun by mortal men, who have no patience for bigger fellows like Finn. When Knockmany is attacked by humans, and Oonagh is kidnapped by their leader, Finn sets out to rally Britain’s remaining giants and bring her back.
Steeped in legend, Finn the half-Great is completely thrilling as it introduces an unforgettable character and adventures both ancient and new.
I thought this story was beautifully written, extremely witty and full of charming characters that at times made me roar with laughter and other times warmed my heart. This book will appeal to young and old alike because of the creative and colourful use of language and a story line that captures your imagination. I would highly recommend reading this book not only for those interested in fantasy works but for those who love a book that makes you feel good and makes you smile from the inside. A fine job, Mr. Caldwell!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Executrix
Posted October 18, 2009
This might be the best book I have ever read. It has EVERYTHING - heroes, villains, love, hate, battles, dragons, wizards and, most of all, Giants! And it's VERY funny! Once I got started, I could not stop reading it. The mythology and characters are fascinating, and there are even hidden codes in the words of the book. It's a great story, beautifully written, with fun and inspiration for people of all ages.
I surely hope Theo Caldwell won't have us waiting long to read his next half-Great adventure!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Pea_Nut
Posted October 18, 2009
We LOVED this book! My kids are all about funny words and voices (we read a lot of it aloud!). There are so many interesting characters and themes and mythologies from all over the world (not just Ireland, but there is a lot of green!). Thank you!!!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.SAMH
Posted October 19, 2009
Finn the Half Great is a rollicking read. In the grand tradition of the Brothers Grimm but with a generous dose of "The Princess Bride", Theo Caldwell has created a vibrant unforgettable story based on the legend of a great Irish hero, Finn McCool. Finn is half-mortal, half-Giant, which basically makes him a bit of a misfit in a world where everyone is twice his size; yet, with determination and courage and the help of a few good friends, he prevails. The lesson of this book is that despite our various shortcomings, we are all of us capable of greatness, so long as we believe in ourselves and in each other. Centuries old, the myths of ancient Ireland are full of brave heroes, maniacal villains, fierce battles, and extraordinary friendships. Caldwell's Finn has all this, as well as talking birds, ferocious dragons, impish faeries, deadly sea snakes and more. We owe Caldwell a `giant' thank you for bringing beautiful old stories to new life with a deft wit and a light touch; this is a book which you won't want to end.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Kris70
Posted October 19, 2009
Finn the Half Great is a thoroughly entertaining and meticulously researched book that is sure to delight not only children and teens but kids of the adult variety as well. The author has conjured up richly detailed characters and creatures to populate this mythical Celtic world. Headlining the bunch is the very likable and self-effacing Finn McCool who embarks on Tolkienesque journeys while learning to embody an all important lesson of belief in self. Remaining true to it's fantasy roots the book is both witty and hilarious at the same time making it a delight for all to read. I highly recommend this book, the first from this author, and hope to see more of Finn's adventures in the future.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.motherof-4
Posted October 19, 2009
Finn the half-Great is a wonderfully intelligent and captivating read. The reader is immersed into a magical world of childhood dreams. I think this book is excellent for young adults, but it is a lovely book for reading to your children of any age. It reminds me of being read C.S. Lewis and Tolkien as a child. Thank you Theo Caldwell for developing such delightful characters, hope to see them again in another book.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.With the popularity of J. R. R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and C. S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia, fantasy fiction has become very popular. Set in Eire (Ireland), Fyfe (Scotland), and Alba (England) at a time when "There were Giants in the earth in those days" and apparently based on Celtic legends, this young adult fantasy novel is about the "half-Great" Finn, whose father was a Giant and his mother a human. Chapter one tells that before he was born, the Northern Frost Giant king Ymir kidnapped his mother, so his father went to rescue her, and she escaped, but his father was killed in the process. When Finn, who was raised by his aunts Liath and Bodhmall, and his uncle Finegas, is grown, he goes to destroy Ymir.
The rest of the book takes place many years later, after Finn has married Oonagh and settled down in his home at Knockmany. A group of humans under the leadership of the "Little King" Artek, his general Dunbar, and their assistant Jack in the Green, a notorious Giant-killer, attack his home and kidnap his wife while Finn and his friend Cuhullin of Fyfe are away visiting the Leviathan of the Black Loch in Fyfe. So Finn, Cuhullin, and another friend Iskander the Cyclops, set out to rescue Oonagh, receiving help from the Banshee, a necromancer, the blue wyvern, and a group of fairies known as Spriggans along the way, as they seek to locate other giants who will join them in their quest. Will they ever find Oonagh, and if so will they be able to defeat their enemies and save her?
While there are some fascinating features in this book, especially for those who enjoy fantasy based on folklore, it did not hold my attention as well as others, although it still has its exciting moments. The promotional material that I received with the book says, "One reviewer has suggested Finn the half-Great could do for Ireland what Tolkien has done for England, by creating and codifying national fairy tales." One problem that I have with Finn, the half-Great, is that the fantasy of Tolkien and Lewis has a definite good versus evil theme. The story of Finn has some of that, but it is a little murkier in that Finn seems more bent on simply taking vengeance than on righting a wrong, and the humans appear to have some just grievances in having been mistreated by the Giants.
Another minor complaint is the amount of references to cursing and profanity. The euphemistic "Blast it" is said often, and the euphemistic "darned" is found a few times. Thankfully, no actual curse words or profane language is used, but it is frequently mentioned that the Giants, especially Cuhullin, curse as though cursing is an accepted, normal activity, and on occasion Finn even smiles at it, which would imply that it is just something humorous and there is nothing really wrong with it. We do not curse in our house, and children's authors who want me to buy their books and read them to my children are going to have to keep the cursing and even references to cursing out. A final warning is that this book is for young adults, not small children. While not overly gratuitous, some of the battle scenes are especially descriptive and would not be appropriate for sensitive youngsters. However, from this standpoint, I would have no problem letting my thirteen-year-old read the book. It is not the best fantasy book that I have ever read, but it is certainly not the worst either.
Overview
The story of a time when giants roamed the earth.
Finn the half-Great, Theo Caldwell’s first novel for young adults, tells the story of Ireland’s most beloved heroes with humor and heart. Finn McCool, at fourteen feet, thinks he is the tallest thing in the Emerald Isle. That is, until he ventures outside his childhood valley. Finn soon discovers that ancient Britain is a land of giants, dragons, wizards, and men, in which he is only one little ...