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| Foundling (Monster Blood Tattoo, Book 1) | 
 enlarge | Author: D.m. Cornish
Publisher: Puffin
Category: Book
List Price: $8.99
Buy New: $1.00
You Save: $7.99 (89%)
New (33) Used (13) from $0.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  32 reviews
Sales Rank: 84611
Media: Paperback
Reading Level: Young Adult
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 448
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 8.2 x 5.6 x 1.2
ISBN: 0142409138
EAN: 9780142409138
ASIN: 0142409138
Publication Date: September 6, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new condition
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Product Description
Meet Rossamuenda foundling, a boy with a girls name who is about to begin a dangerous life in the service of the Emperor of the Half-Continent. What starts as a simple journey becomes a dangerous and complicated set of battles and decisions. Humans, monsters, unearthly creatures . . . who among these can Rossamuend trust? D. M. Cornish has created an entirely original world, grounded in his own deft, classically influenced illustrations. Foundling is a magic-laced, Dickensian adventure that will transport the reader.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 27 more reviews...
 A vibrant and fascinating world July 3, 2006
24 out of 25 found this review helpful
"Monster Blood Tattoo: Foundling" is being pushed by its publishers as a great original: "fantastical without conforming to the generally accepted notions of fantasy" (by which they mean that it isn't peopled by wizards and unicorns living in a vaguely European, mock-medieval setting.) The book certainly achieves this goal, although fantasy readers will probably take offense at the insinuation that the genre has nothing but princesses and dragons to offer. Even if this isn't the first fantasy world you encounter with "tri-corner hats and flintlock pistols", there is no denying Cornish's originality. The Half-Continent is a world at war: humans and monsters have been fighting for centuries. Biotechnology supplies light, engine power and even, in some cases, superhuman powers. Our hero, Rossamund, leaves the protected, if not fully comfortable, world of the orphanage where he was raised to start a career as a lamplighter outside the city walls. Early in his travels he is diverted from his true path and we discover the Half-Continent and its inhabitants through his adventures. The world is rendered with thoughtful and convincing detail, complemented by the author's own illustrations and an extensive set of appendices (the "Explicarium".)
In truth, "Foundling" is more of a first act than a first book: characters are introduced, mysteries are suggested, the scene is set; but the arc is not complete. I, for one, eagerly await, Act II.
Promises to be a Monster Epic July 21, 2006
18 out of 19 found this review helpful
As a boy who was given a girlish name, Rossamuend has grown up as a foundling expected to become a sailor. When he was chosen to be a lamplighter instead, he grudgingly agreed. Tending lamps along lonely, monster-infested roadways doesn't sound thrilling, but it's a better prospect than staying with other orphans indefinitely.
Rossamuend sets upon his journey alone, with his few belongings strapped to his back. The first leg is a river journey with nasty surprises. After a perilous escape from smugglers, Rossamuend must travel on foot and alone, vulnerable to the monsters known for lurking in the wilds.
Scared but determined, he vows to join his employers as planned. The journey will be more of an adventure than he imagined. With the help of new allies, Rossamuend just might survive long enough to begin a new life.
With rich detail and a fresh voice, D.M. Cornish delivers a promising start to a new fantasy epic. Young readers will appreciate the reasonable length of the tale and the additional "Explicarium" at the end, which contains a glossary, diagrams, and more.
There is enough violence and "big ideas" to make this novel more appropriate to young teens and older, but it's not excessive or unduly disturbing.
Monster Blood Tatto, Book One: Foundling lays the groundwork for a potentially impressive series. It's clear that Cornish has thoroughly built his fantasy "Half Continent," and it will be a joy to further explore this creation.
Also s uitable for adults who enjoy a good fantasy.
Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer
7/21/2006
4-Books -or- 5-Stars (Amazon)
Very, very interesting June 13, 2006
13 out of 14 found this review helpful
It's very difficult these days to write a good fantasy novel. So many of the traditional themes have been so thoroughly thrashed out it takes a truly inspired imagination to come up with anything even remotely original.
It would seem D.A. Cornish has that kind of imagination. From the moment I picked up Monster Blood Tattoo I found myself in a world both utterly convincing in its every detail and completely different to anything I have encountered before. The Wizards wern't invited, it seems. They stayed at home with the Orcs and the Dragons and the Dark Lords. Instead I found Fulgars and Factotums, Foundlings and Skolds, Shrewds and Grinnlings, each living in a world of Flintlocks, Bothersalts, Thrice-Highs and, one of my favourites, "Small Beer". Every aspect of this fascinating new world is described with a masterly hand, from the cities to the lowliest flower, by an author who obviously knows its every blade of grass. The characters are complex, interesting, and totally convincing, from the adventurous Rosammund with his unfortunate name, to the dangerous and deep Europe, the cheerful and dependable Fouracres, and the host of other characters, minor and major who fill the world. It's all real, it's all new, and it's an absolute joy to read.
My congratulations to this first time author. I can't wait to read of our new Lamplighter's first day.
Amazing Tale June 8, 2006
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
This is the book I've been waiting for. Extremely fun and entertaining. Scary and exciting. A coming of age tale with high adventure, lessons and some great action sequences. I enjoyed this book more then the Harry Potters. The characters are well thought out and very well detailed. The best part is the author detailed the world with maps, pictures and a lexicon at the end of the book. I'm hooked! Can't wait till the second installment of this amazing new series!
Great Book May 30, 2006
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
Picked it up a day or two after it came out. I didn't realize that it was a childrens book, but really enjoyed it. It was a quick read and has set up an interesting world. I must praise the author for his creativeness and can't wait till the next one. I'd even start to say that it compares to Harry Potter but it seemed more complex and more entertaining. A nice summer read for anyone.
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