Books to be tasted, swallowed, chewed and digested.


Someone once told me that books are like cars, the moment that you turn on the ignition, you know you'll be going somewhere. Of course, I didn't believe her then because who would think that books are 'like cars' when you are an eight-year-old girl whose sole desire then is to just re-organize her stationery collection.

But through the years, I did find reading books a great way to spend time. I've read from Sweet Valley, Love Stories, and the occasional book to film to book paperback. But thinking back on it now, I probably have read them because the people I hang out with think it's cool and told me to read them. And being the ignoramus that I was back then, I read and thought like them. Kinda sad really, but hey, every angst-ridden adolescent has their odd phase right?

As I grew up, not by height unfortunately, I've slowly learned to appreciate books, not because other people told me to. I read books because I, myself find them interesting and not because some trollop says I should read it. I read books because they form my nature, they bring me experiences and give my world view new directions. Though there were some books that I have only read in parts, others, just read, but not curiously. But there were some that I've read wholly and with diligence and attention; Here, There Be Dragons is one of them.

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

The book starts in a dark and rainy night in London when a young man from Oxford named John was summoned by his mentor to his side because of a serious matter that they both need to discuss in person. John, being on medical leave from his battalion in World War I, instantly took leave from his wife and traveled quickly to his professor but arriving at the professor's place, he horribly finds out that his favorite mentor is dead-murdered to be precise. Completely dumbfounded on the sudden events, John met two other Oxford men, Charles, a University Press editor and Jack, an Oxford student at the crime scene, both had a surreal link to the professor's work and life.

The three young men decided to talk the events of the night like the regular British men that they are---a drink at a local Oxford club situated at 221B Baker Street (Sherlock Holmes anyone?). There, after brooding over the fact that the murder happened in the date of March 15 (Shakespeare enthusiasts will know this date), they met an eccentric and mysterious little man named Bert and told them that they must come with him to his ship because the people who killed John's mentor is now after them. Being the British Scholars that they were, they asked why. Bert told them that they were now the caretakers of the Imaginarium Geographica- an atlas that has existed for thousand of years that we mere mortals thought has only existed in myths and legends, fable and fairy tales;

"What is it?" John asked.

The little man blinked and arched an eyebrow.

"It is the world, my boy," he said. "All the world, in ink and blood, vellum and parchment, leather and hide. It is the world, and it is yours to save or lose."

In the Archipelago, the boys found out that this realm is troubled, for the king—one of the Sons of Adam and a descendant of Arthur himself—has been killed and there is no heir apparent for the Silver Throne. Thus, making the four major races of elves, dwarves, goblins, and trolls into a steady beat of discord. Though, there was a man, with a hook for a hand, who called himself the Winter King, claimed that he is the rightful ruler of the Archipelago. But unbeknown to many, he stole 'shadows' of men and beast from the many islands of the Archipelago and turned them into ice-like creatures with no souls, making them his mindless soldiers.