The Various: #1 in the Touchstone Trilogy

by Steve Augarde

Book Overview

"Now available in paperback with gorgeous new cover art "A captivating story of courage and strength against terrible odds, this is the story of Midge, left to stay with her eccentric uncle during the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0440420296
• ISBN13: 9780440420293
• Release Date: November 2005
• Publisher: Yearling Books
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.3" x 7.7"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

The Various by Steve Augarde

I read this book while I was on vacation, and once I started, I couldn't stop! In an age where original and innovative fantasy novels are difficult to come by, I'm usually a little bit wary when I pick up a new fantasy book. The idea of "faries" has been used so many times that I put off reading this book for a long time. I thought I could guess the entire plot by the book jacket. But I was wrong.Steve Augarde takes the idea of "faries" and turns them into something new and unheard of. "The Various" have a unique culture of their own- different groups, social classes, and even a funny accent! You are easily drawn to the Various, even though they are so different. However, there are many noticeable similarities, too. The Various are not all good or all bad; Little-Marten is the cutest, most likable character in the book, while Scurl is evil, nasty, and should be stepped on. The book was woven together nicely and flowed- some of the descriptions seemed almost poetic! The characters were well developed, and the story moved at a fast pace. I can't wait to read more of Augarde's writing!MargaretP.S Even though this takes place in England, you definitely don't have to live there to understand this novel!

A magical and wonderful book

The Various was a most amazing read! I couldn't put it down from the first page -- the story sucked me in from the opening chapter. The heroine of the book, twelve year old Midge, is a bright, sensitive girl who is unknowingly drawn into a magical and dangerous world of a tribe of mystical little people who have lived amongst her family for years and years in the adjacent woods on her uncle?s farm. These are The Various ? a group of two foot tall creatures consisting of a class system parallel to real life -- the Ickri ? or the hunters and ruling class, the Tinklers ? artistic cave dwellers, and the Troggles, who were considered the lower rung of society. But all existed peacefully together in their common struggle to survive in a modern, ever-changing world alongside the humans, or Gorgi giants as they are humorously called by the author, without being detected. Every single character was original and distinct and made an instant impression. The tale begins with Midge?s discovery of an injured tiny winged horse in an old barn on the property and takes the reader on an incredible journey from that point on. Will she discover the secrets of The Various? Will she help them survive? Or will they turn on Midge and her family as the enemy? The author is a master of setting up a scene and then drawing out suspense. There was an element of fear in some sections which had me on the edge of my bed, biting my nails, but nothing that would frighten a child?it was more like ghost story scary. I turned page after page, wondering where it all would lead. and I never had a clue as to where it was headed, which added to the great enjoyment I had as a reader. This book has everything ? it?s chock full of beautiful images, unique and startling characters, and dialogue that was offbeat, brilliant, and at times, very funny, making it one of the best I've ever read and I highly recommend that you pick this one up, whether you are an older child or teenager or even an adult.

The Various is Enchanting

I bought this book at the request of my daughters but before either had a chance to read it, I picked it up, admiring the beautiful artwork on the cover. As I read the inside of the jacket, I thought to myself Hmmm...this looks interesting and opened to page one. Needless to say, neither of my girls have had the chance to read this book yet as I simply could not stop reading once I'd started. There are parts of the book that read like poetry and the artwork throughout, which was done by the author himself as well as the aforesaid cover, is just gorgeous. This is a beautiful, charming tale and what's really exciting is that apparently it's only the beginning - I see the author plans a trilogy. If you want to be completely caught up in a magical and miraculous world which combines both old-fashioned fantasy and a contemporary reality, this is a must read.

The Various - You Can Not Put This Book Down

I did not buy this book, it was a gift. A gift for which I shall be forever grateful. The start is a little slow whilst the author sets the scene. This is necessary for the future understanding of the happenings to come, but get passed this and I guarantee you will not wish to do anything else until you finish the book. You are drawn into this story so much so that at times you feel you are actually there watching and feeling their emotions and experiences such is the richly descriptive narrative. A book for me has to hold you spellbound and every page must say to you, `read the next page quickly'. The Various does this and more and I have to admit there were many mundane chores that were seriously neglected before the book was finished. The good news is that this is the first of a trilogy and I can go thru this wonderful experience all over again - twice. More please......... quickly............

A magical first novel

Midge, a bored 12-year old city girl, is sent to spend a holiday with her Uncle, who lives in a converted mill high above the Somerset Levels. Midge finds herself unaccountably at home in her new surroundings, but soon her patience and resourcefulness is challenged, when she encounters a trapped and wounded tiny winged horse in an outhouse, a creature with which she feels an immediate affinity.Midge's encounter leads to a meeting with members of the tribes of the Various, who inhabit nearby woodland and she discovers that these diverse creatures' habitat and, consequently, their survival is threatened by their gorji (human) neighbours.This magical and often amusing first novel by Steve Augarde is written with a light and assured touch which will delight both adult and younger readers: - a book not to be missed.