Ariel: A Book of the Change
Ariel: A Book of the Change book cover

Ariel: A Book of the Change

Mass Market Paperback – December 1, 1983

Price
$24.99
Publisher
Ace
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-0441029204
Dimensions
7 x 1 x 5 inches
Weight
8 ounces

Description

Audio, Google Earth maps, and additional information at arielbook.com --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. STEVEN R. BOYETT sold his first novel at 21 and went on to publish novels, short stories, feature screenplays, and comic books. In 1999 he took some time off from writing, and during this period he learned to play the didgeridoo, a unique Australian wind instrument. This led him to learn about digital recording, which led to composing electronica, which led to DJing. He produces three of the world's most popular music podcasts: the groundbreaking Podrunner and Podrunner: Intervals (workout music mixes), and Groovelectric (dance music mixes of what he calls New Old Funk). Steve has played clubs in Hollywood, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Reno, as well as Burning Man. He has been a martial arts instructor, professional paper marbler, advertising copywriter, legal proofreader, writing teacher, website editor, chapbook publisher, and composer. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two frighteningly intelligent parrots. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Part post-apocalypse, part road-trip, part sword-and-sorcery: ARIEL is one of my favorite adventure novels of all time. --Cory Doctorow, author of LITTLE BROTHER, co-editor of BoingBoing ARIEL sparkles without need of dusting--most great books do stand up to the test of time. Post-apocalyptic fantasies are rare and wonderful, and none more wonderful than this. Wish I could have written this well when I was nineteen. --Patricia Briggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author of HUNTING GROUND --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Read more

Features & Highlights

  • Five years ago the lights went out, cars stopped in the streets, and magical creatures began roaming the towns and countrysides of Earth.Pete Garey, a young loner who survived the Change and the madness that followed, spent two years wandering and scavenging the near-deserted cities and towns alone -- until the day he encountered an injured unicorn. He nursed her back to health and named her Ariel, and an unlikely friendship was formed.But unicorns are rare even in a Changed world -- and the power of their magic is highly prized. A necromancer in New York City covets that power and will stop at nothing to possess Ariel, dead or alive.Sought by bounty hunters both human and inhuman, Pete and Ariel decide to make a stand against their enemy -- and journey to confront the dark sorcerer in the ruined heart of the city he has made his own twisted kingdom.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
30%
(128)
★★★★
25%
(107)
★★★
15%
(64)
★★
7%
(30)
23%
(97)

Most Helpful Reviews

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Don't believe the hype

I have to say, on reading countless of "beloved masterpiece" reviews, including ones from respected sources, I could not wait to read this book. The technonogy-less newly-magical world itself plants many images and interesting questions, but the book ends on such a faltering second half you end up feeling sour about the whole experience.

The first half introduces the characters, history, and theme well enough while never leading you into fluffy territory (which is impressive being the story is about a boy and his unicorn). Along the journey that leads the characters to NYC for the second half of the novel, you're comfortable enough with the situation and those involved where nothing seems too out of place. But then the story of a unique and challanging relationship turns to an unsympathetic action movie.

Silly situations, rushed plot (he spends chapters leading up to an event that he pretty much throws away to a "nothing eventful happened on the trip" paragraph), and the most throw away ending I've ever read in fantasy really ruin everything you started loving about this story. I won't ruin plot points, and I'm not the type of reader who hates on killing major characters or twisting plot points (I'm a Game Of Thrones reader)... but what he actually does to the main trio is WORSE than killing them off... he just makes them all completely miserable. Worse yet, by the time you reach the end you've lost any affection you originally had for these potentially interesting characters is gone and you've just become as miserable.
12 people found this helpful
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A Favorite I revisit often. Needed a new copy because the old one had shredded.

One of my favorite books ever. EVER. Something about it keeps me coming back. I think part of it is the combination of the fantastical and apocalyptic elements, which really hadn't been common when Boyett wrote this. I recommend this book highly for those who enjoy post-apocalyptic stories, and it's a good story of a young man growing up.
I also appreciate the concise nature of the book. While I have enjoyed some of the more doorstopper sized tomes, it gets exhausting waiting 30 pages for something to happen while you wade through another description of wool gathering or kilt making.
6 people found this helpful
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Lovely Book!

I love this book. I keep losing it though! I would recommend this book to anyone that loves a good dystopian/fantasy. The relationship between the young man and the unicorn was heart warming and heart breaking at the same time.
4 people found this helpful
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Blast from the past

Read this book when I was a teenager and like the concept. Lost the book and found it again on Amazon, so I bought it and reread it. Would love to see this as a movie now that it could so easily be done with today's CG technology.
2 people found this helpful
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My favorite book of all time

I bought this book originally back in 1983-1986, I'm not sure which printing. It quickly came to be my favorite and I was heartsick a few years ago when it was lost during a move. Recently, I was able to get another copy. The fact it had such an impact on me as a teenager only adds to the enjoyment now. I don't think books read when you are younger should be given less acclaim than books read as an adult. I still like reading my old copy of A Wrinkle In Time, which I first read in grade school. Find a copy of this book, paperback or e-book and read it. Maybe you won't care for it, but it just might carry you to a fantasy world of a boy, his unicorn, and their spectacular adventures. It well could become your favorite, too.
1 people found this helpful
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order came as promised but no tracking number

It came a on time but out of all 5 books I had ordered that night, they were they only ones who didn't offer a tracking number. It was also the last book to come in as well.
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real ariel book

The original book, came in good condition, great book to read, book is fantasy, apocalypse the world stops no cars move time stops creatures only thought of appear like unicorns and griffons great book kept me wanting to read it, one of the only books I really enjoyed and have never forgot.
✓ Verified Purchase

real ariel book

The original book, came in good condition, great book to read, book is fantasy, apocalypse the world stops no cars move time stops creatures only thought of appear like unicorns and griffons great book kept me wanting to read it, one of the only books I really enjoyed and have never forgot.