I consider myself an anti-hypist. I don't usually care for hype; the more something is talked about and popularized, the less I am interested in it. (I don't go in for hype-bashing, either, but that's a different thought-train for another time). However, there are those rare times when the object actually lives up to the popularity, and Percy Jackson is one of those times. In fact, I think that the hype does not do enough justice to the awesomeness of Percy Jackson. With the first series, it was quirky humor, great action, a little introspection, and inspiring re-telling of ancient myths and cultures. This second series has been even better, culminating in the Platonic perfection that is The Mark of Athena; that is more than just hype (and there is still one book to go!).
Much like another reviewer on Goodreads, I am having a hard time breaking this down for a review. Where to start? The plot? The characters? The setting? The development? Every aspect at this point is so complex; it's like trying to name the individual notes in a symphony that define the entirety of the piece. It's not just one aspect; it's the whole, acting in concert, creating a masterpiece.
All the same, I have to analyze the parts, to show just how they make up such an outstanding story. The story opens in Camp Jupiter/New Rome near San Fransisco. Percy, Hazel, and Frank have successfully returned from their quest, fought off the invading giant army, and are getting ready to greet the airship from Camp Halfblood. Annabeth and Percy are finally reunited; sadly Reyna finds Jason has moved on with a new girlfriend, Piper. Leo is as crazy and ADHD as ever. Hazel and Frank are still very new to their own relationship; it doesn't help that Leo looks exactly like Hazel's first love. Admittedly, these guys are all teens, but their life experiences have added a bit of maturity. Still, as youth is, youth does. The tensions, doubts, and resolutions are wonderfully done. Everyone questions themselves and their peers at this stage in life. Piper wants to believe she is the kind of girl Jason wants as a girlfriend, but there is always doubt. Hazel is conflicted between her new life and her new boyfriend, Frank, and that Leo represents about her past. Annabeth is caught between her mother, Athena's, need for vengeance, and her new friends from Camp Jupiter. Percy's disappearance and reentry has also left herein some doubt about his feelings for her. Jason and Percy are both leaders of their respective camps, and both feel the weight of it pressing down on them. It's only when they realize they need to work together that the job gets done. Frank fears Leo, both for his ability to make fire and his connection to Hazel. Enough drama to please a theater full of ancient Greeks.
All of these tensions play out well; there is humor and vulnerability in equal measure. The author did an incredible job of balancing these threads within the overarching plots. It is challenging navigating these emotional sandbars as a normal teenager. Riordan uses extraordinary circumstances to show that as a common denominator, we can all relate to this angst. He also ingeniously orchestrates the plot as a method of examining other big life lessons.
During the first series, Percy originally had a hard time seeing Luke's point of view about their omnipotent parents. At twelve and thirteen, you realize that while your parents may be flawed, they still care about you, and do their best to raise you. As Luke points out, not every parent does their best. In fact, some parents do their worst. At sixteen and seventeen, you begin to envision what the rest of your life could be, should be, and the steps you might need to take to get there. With the gods, or bad parents in general, their children are merely extensions of their own egos. The child's life, desires, and dreams are always secondary to the needs of the parent. At thirteen, Percy couldn't grasp this idea; Luke's outlook was selfish to Percy then. However, Percy is now beginning to understand what Luke was getting at; the gods don't care much about the demigods, whether or not they are their own children. They care about what the demigods can do for them, like pawns on a chess board. The epiphany that comes to Percy is that while the gods may be deeply flawed and terribly selfish, they care what happens to the human race (loosely speaking). Every enemy Percy has faced has been in favor of destroying the human species. Percy finally comprehends the totality of the phrase "better the devil you know". This is a deep philosophical concept (and a necessary one to becoming an adult).
Another deep concept that is necessary for adult relationships occurs towards the end of the book. Annabeth has to face her quest alone; lucky for Percy doesn't always follow the rules. As they are reunited, Percy tells her that everything is alright because they are together. One of the most important hallmarks of any lasting relationship is the willingness to continually meet challenges together, as a team. Personal injuries, emotional baggage, doubts and fears- none of these matter as much as facing those things with one's partner.
As usual, I am left in awe of Riordan's use of mythology in complimenting and completing these stories. His research is thorough; he brings the world of the ancient Mediterranean to life. When mythology and ancient history are taught in school, the dryness of the subject is usually stereotyped. But much like Shakespeare's plays manifesting as teen movies, the subjects rely on accurate reinterpretation. Taking ancient myths and putting them in modern scenarios breathes new life into a once "boring" subject. Riordan's storytelling will kindle a desire to read more stories and books on these topics; no longer complex genealogies or impossible-to-pronounce names, these characters and people are accessible because of this modern introduction.
I gave this book five (out of five) stars, which is truly high praise. Magnificently well done, I encourage anyone with a love of mythology and adventure to tackle this series. The hype is warranted, and I am eagerly awaiting the next book. I hope that ones lives up to the stupendous cliffhanger on which this ones ended.
"Then suddenly Percy was next to her, lacing his fingers in hers. He turned her gently away from the pit, and wrapped his arms around her. She buried her face in his chest and broke down in tears.
'It's okay,' he said. 'We're together.'"
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Trapped, like rats!
Much like the Crab that is my astrological sign, I am a defensive
creature by nature. I don't go out looking for fights; I try to avoid
them as much as possible. I'll get into a defensive scuffle when
necessary, but by and large, I avoid conflict. This has it's own share
of problems, and they are ones I think Atticus O'Sullivan can relate
to. As the Iron Druid, and the last of his kind, Atticus has done his
fair share of hiding and avoiding conflict. He's had to pretend, to live an illusion of who he is, for millenia. However, once he decided to face down Aenghus Og, the Celtic god of love (Hounded, book 1), he has put himself out there in a way that cannot be taken back.
In Trapped, book 5 of the Iron Druid series by Kevin Hearne, Atticus is finally recognizing the consequences of his actions, both positive and negative. On the positive side, he has finally finished training his apprentice, Granuaile, and she is ready to become a full-fledged Druid (and thereby doubling the number of Druids in existence). However, the negative column is much fuller. After facing and defeating Aenghus Og, Atticus figured he could go back to his quiet life of hiding, sidestepping conflicts and avoiding lasting entanglements. Sadly, as the only Druid in the world, and now having his presence back on the map, Atticus is a solitary man of unusual talents. Some deisre those talents, and some fear them. In addition to these talents, his own archaic sense of honor has also played a role in bringing him trouble. Promises made become promises kept, despite the cost to himself and others around him. In truth, by this book, Atticus has learned some measure of the humility as a result of those consequences; some promises might be better left broken.
Trapped finds Atticus desperately trying to bind his apprentice to the earth. The only place open to him at the moment is in the land at the base of Mt. Olympus. This wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for Bacchus having sworn to literally tear him limb from limb. Though Atticus's own pantheon was a little upset to find him still after twelve years after his supposed death, they did what they could to help render aid to the cause. Plots within plots, Atticus finds himself and his apprentice the target of attacks by Roman gods, vampires, dark elves, and faerie creations. Each group has their own vendetta against him and his apprentice, or they have been paid to stop them from completing the Druidic rituals. Karma has come to Atticus's doorstep, and it isn't pretty.
In the realm of (minor) plot spoilers, all I can say is- Hallelujah, they finally did it! The tension between Granuaile and Atticus has been present since book 1 and has only become more blatant in the last book and novella. Admittedly, this is an entirely PG show, with little of the gratuitous gratification one might find in other books of the same genre. All the same, I for one cheered when they finally succumbed to their desire.
The continued violence and fallout from books 2&3 is amazing. Defeating Aenghus Og in book 1 was personal, a vendetta finally cleared. For that, I think the pantheons of the world were willing to let Atticus slide for killing a god. However, the battle against the Norse and destruction of half their pantheon put Atticus at number one on the wanted lists for gods and goddesses everywhere. Not only that, but the death toll for that is still mounting, two books later. It is the karmic equivalent of Fukushima. The author is very strongly making the point that your actions, your choices every day, always have consequences. You can't anticipate them all, and the bigger the choice, the more deeply felt the repercussion will be. And though Atticus himself might say he had little chance to deviate from the path he is now on, I don't think that was the case. We always have alternatives, but we may not always be willing to change our ways. In choosing to remain uncompromising in his sense of honor and duty, to one person, he has condemned many others to death and destruction, at his own hand or that of another.
The book has neatly wrapped up a few plot lines that have been running for awhile now. As usual, the wit and humor were riveting, though it got a little annoying to keep bouncing between foes. The action, at times, was almost too constant, without enough in-between time for analysis or introspection. Overall, a great start to the new year for me; I am eagerly awaiting the next book, Hunted, which is due out this summer. The next one appears to be more consequences and repercussions for "it seemed like a good idea at the time", and of course, the wit that is Atticus and Oberon! Brilliant!
"'You must be thinking of stories from other cultures. Irish women tend to kick ass and do whatever they want. For exhibits A, B, and C, I give you the Morrigan, Brighid, and Flidais.'"
In Trapped, book 5 of the Iron Druid series by Kevin Hearne, Atticus is finally recognizing the consequences of his actions, both positive and negative. On the positive side, he has finally finished training his apprentice, Granuaile, and she is ready to become a full-fledged Druid (and thereby doubling the number of Druids in existence). However, the negative column is much fuller. After facing and defeating Aenghus Og, Atticus figured he could go back to his quiet life of hiding, sidestepping conflicts and avoiding lasting entanglements. Sadly, as the only Druid in the world, and now having his presence back on the map, Atticus is a solitary man of unusual talents. Some deisre those talents, and some fear them. In addition to these talents, his own archaic sense of honor has also played a role in bringing him trouble. Promises made become promises kept, despite the cost to himself and others around him. In truth, by this book, Atticus has learned some measure of the humility as a result of those consequences; some promises might be better left broken.
Trapped finds Atticus desperately trying to bind his apprentice to the earth. The only place open to him at the moment is in the land at the base of Mt. Olympus. This wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for Bacchus having sworn to literally tear him limb from limb. Though Atticus's own pantheon was a little upset to find him still after twelve years after his supposed death, they did what they could to help render aid to the cause. Plots within plots, Atticus finds himself and his apprentice the target of attacks by Roman gods, vampires, dark elves, and faerie creations. Each group has their own vendetta against him and his apprentice, or they have been paid to stop them from completing the Druidic rituals. Karma has come to Atticus's doorstep, and it isn't pretty.
In the realm of (minor) plot spoilers, all I can say is- Hallelujah, they finally did it! The tension between Granuaile and Atticus has been present since book 1 and has only become more blatant in the last book and novella. Admittedly, this is an entirely PG show, with little of the gratuitous gratification one might find in other books of the same genre. All the same, I for one cheered when they finally succumbed to their desire.
The continued violence and fallout from books 2&3 is amazing. Defeating Aenghus Og in book 1 was personal, a vendetta finally cleared. For that, I think the pantheons of the world were willing to let Atticus slide for killing a god. However, the battle against the Norse and destruction of half their pantheon put Atticus at number one on the wanted lists for gods and goddesses everywhere. Not only that, but the death toll for that is still mounting, two books later. It is the karmic equivalent of Fukushima. The author is very strongly making the point that your actions, your choices every day, always have consequences. You can't anticipate them all, and the bigger the choice, the more deeply felt the repercussion will be. And though Atticus himself might say he had little chance to deviate from the path he is now on, I don't think that was the case. We always have alternatives, but we may not always be willing to change our ways. In choosing to remain uncompromising in his sense of honor and duty, to one person, he has condemned many others to death and destruction, at his own hand or that of another.
The book has neatly wrapped up a few plot lines that have been running for awhile now. As usual, the wit and humor were riveting, though it got a little annoying to keep bouncing between foes. The action, at times, was almost too constant, without enough in-between time for analysis or introspection. Overall, a great start to the new year for me; I am eagerly awaiting the next book, Hunted, which is due out this summer. The next one appears to be more consequences and repercussions for "it seemed like a good idea at the time", and of course, the wit that is Atticus and Oberon! Brilliant!
"'You must be thinking of stories from other cultures. Irish women tend to kick ass and do whatever they want. For exhibits A, B, and C, I give you the Morrigan, Brighid, and Flidais.'"
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Ring-a-ding, it's the New Year!!
Well folks, here it is, 2013! Sweet jebus, how did I get here? It looks like the philosophy of one foot in front of the other serves well enough for getting through the days, but sometimes it's hard to see past that to the evolution of years. So here I am, at the start of another year, and another chance to explore new realms between the covers of books. As the widget on the side indicates, I have scaled back my goals this year, to allow for more flexibility. In 2011, I had more free time, I guess, or maybe smaller books, so I was able to get through 50+ new books. Last year, the goal of 50 books seemed possible again, yet by the fall it proved very difficult to achieve. This year, I am going for 45 books, allowing room for other events in my life. Who knows what will happen this year? I'm trying to remain open to all possibilities.
In turn, I would like to thank all of you that voted in my poll. I know it was long, but I really appreciate the input. Nine books, all so deeply tempting, and no way to choose between them! Such a conundrum. Now thanks to you, I have a list with which to start my year. This puts me one-fifth of the way through my challenge. Hopefully, I will be through February and into March before needing such assistance again.
Here, in the order you chose, is my beginning reading list for 2013:
First place- Trapped, by Kevin Hearne
Second place- Mark of Athena, by Rick Riordan
Third place- Ashes of Honor, by Seanan McGuire
Fourth place- Elantris, by Brandon Sanderson
Fifth place- The Serpent's Shadow, by Rick Riordan
Sixth place- Daughter of Smoke and Bone, by Laini Taylor
Seventh place- Alloy of Law, Brandon Sanderson
Eighth place- Iced, by Karen Marie Moning
Ninth place- Shadow of Night, by Deborah Harkness
Look for the first review in a few weeks!
In turn, I would like to thank all of you that voted in my poll. I know it was long, but I really appreciate the input. Nine books, all so deeply tempting, and no way to choose between them! Such a conundrum. Now thanks to you, I have a list with which to start my year. This puts me one-fifth of the way through my challenge. Hopefully, I will be through February and into March before needing such assistance again.
Here, in the order you chose, is my beginning reading list for 2013:
First place- Trapped, by Kevin Hearne
Second place- Mark of Athena, by Rick Riordan
Third place- Ashes of Honor, by Seanan McGuire
Fourth place- Elantris, by Brandon Sanderson
Fifth place- The Serpent's Shadow, by Rick Riordan
Sixth place- Daughter of Smoke and Bone, by Laini Taylor
Seventh place- Alloy of Law, Brandon Sanderson
Eighth place- Iced, by Karen Marie Moning
Ninth place- Shadow of Night, by Deborah Harkness
Look for the first review in a few weeks!
Friday, December 28, 2012
Book Battle Royale!!
Here we are at the end of another year, and in the course of my reflections, I am trying to not be disappointed in myself. Admittedly, over the course of the year, I have been very busy (what year isn't busy for me?!), and until October, my goal to read 50 new books seemed reasonable. I was ahead of the game before Halloween, and it seemed easy to keep up the momentum. Sadly, through a series of unfortunate events, I fell four books short of my goal. Oddly enough, it was not for lack of reading material; if anything, I had difficulty choosing between all the books I had pre-ordered that arrived between October and November (not to mention the ones I got in December). Indecision (and admittedly, a lack of time) kept me from finishing my Goodreads challenge.
In a fit of creative genius, I have decided to ask you to help me to choose the order of my book list for the new year. In this Book Battle Royale, I will list the books that are awaiting my attention. You will vote for the order they should go in, one through nine. Read through the descriptions (courtesy of Goodreads) below, and at the bottom of the page, respond to the polls. On New Year's Day, I will post the results. Please help me!! Don't leave me wringing my hands in another fit of indecision!!
In no particular order, here is my list of to-read books:
1) Trapped, by Kevin Hearne, Iron Druid series, book 5
After twelve years of secret training, Atticus O’Sullivan is finally ready to bind his apprentice, Granuaile, to the earth and double the number of Druids in the world. But on the eve of the ritual, the world that thought he was dead abruptly discovers that he’s still alive, and they would much rather he return to the grave.
Having no other choice, Atticus, his trusted Irish wolfhound, Oberon, and Granuaile travel to the base of Mount Olympus, where the Roman god Bacchus is anxious to take his sworn revenge—but he’ll have to get in line behind an ancient vampire, a band of dark elves, and an old god of mischief, who all seem to have KILL THE DRUID at the top of their to-do lists.
2) Ashes of Honor, by Seanan McGuire, October Daye series, book 6
It’s been almost a year since October “Toby” Daye averted a war, gave up a county, and suffered personal losses that have left her wishing for a good day’s sleep. She’s tried to focus on her responsibilities—training Quentin, upholding her position as Sylvester’s knight, and paying the bills—but she can’t help feeling like her world is crumbling around her, and her increasingly reckless behavior is beginning to worry even her staunchest supporters.
To make matters worse, Toby’s just been asked to find another missing child…only this time it’s the changeling daughter of her fellow knight, Etienne, who didn’t even know he was a father until the girl went missing. Her name is Chelsea. She’s a teleporter, like her father. She’s also the kind of changeling the old stories warn about, the ones with all the strength and none of the control. She’s opening doors that were never meant to be opened, releasing dangers that were sealed away centuries before—and there’s a good chance she could destroy Faerie if she isn’t stopped.
Now Toby must find Chelsea before time runs out, racing against an unknown deadline and through unknown worlds as she and her allies try to avert disaster. But danger is also stirring in the Court of Cats, and Tybalt may need Toby’s help with the biggest challenge he’s ever faced.
Toby thought the last year was bad. She has no idea.
3) Elantris, by Brandon Sanderson
Elantris was the capital of Arelon: gigantic, beautiful, literally radiant, filled with benevolent beings who used their powerful magical abilities for the benefit of all. Yet each of these demigods was once an ordinary person until touched by the mysterious transforming power of the Shaod. Ten years ago, without warning, the magic failed. Elantrians became wizened, leper-like, powerless creatures, and Elantris itself dark, filthy, and crumbling.
Arelon's new capital, Kae, crouches in the shadow of Elantris. Princess Sarene of Teod arrives for a marriage of state with Crown Prince Raoden, hoping -- based on their correspondence -- to also find love. She finds instead that Raoden has died and she is considered his widow. Both Teod and Arelon are under threat as the last remaining holdouts against the imperial ambitions of the ruthless religious fanatics of Fjordell. So Sarene decides to use her new status to counter the machinations of Hrathen, a Fjordell high priest who has come to Kae to convert Arelon and claim it for his emperor and his god.
But neither Sarene nor Hrathen suspect the truth about Prince Raoden. Stricken by the same curse that ruined Elantris, Raoden was secretly exiled by his father to the dark city. His struggle to help the wretches trapped there begins a series of events that will bring hope to Arelon, and perhaps reveal the secret of Elantris itself.
4) Alloy of Law, by Brandon Sanderson, Mistborn series, book 4
Three hundred years after the events of the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial is now on the verge of modernity, with railroads to supplement the canals, electric lighting in the streets and the homes of the wealthy, and the first steel-framed skyscrapers racing for the clouds.
Kelsier, Vin, Elend, Sazed, Spook, and the rest are now part of history—or religion. Yet even as science and technology are reaching new heights, the old magics of Allomancy and Feruchemy continue to play a role in this reborn world. Out in the frontier lands known as the Roughs, they are crucial tools for the brave men and women attempting to establish order and justice.
One such is Waxillium Ladrian, a rare Twinborn, who can Push on metals with his Allomancy and use Feruchemy to become lighter or heavier at will. After twenty years in the Roughs, Wax has been forced by family tragedy to return to the metropolis of Elendel. Now he must reluctantly put away his guns and assume the duties and dignity incumbent upon the head of a noble house. Or so he thinks, until he learns the hard way that the mansions and elegant tree-lined streets of the city can be even more dangerous than the dusty plains of the Roughs.
5) The Serpent's Shadow, by Rick Riordan, The Kane Chronicles, book 3
He's b-a-a-ack! Despite their best efforts, Carter and Sadie Kane can't seem to keep Apophis, the chaos snake, down. Now Apophis is threatening to plunge the world into eternal darkness, and the Kanes are faced with the impossible task of having to destroy him once and for all. Unfortunately, the magicians of the House of Life are on the brink of civil war, the gods are divided, and the young initiates of Brooklyn House stand almost alone against the forces of chaos. The Kanes' only hope is an ancient spell that might turn the serpent's own shadow into a weapon, but the magic has been lost for a millennia. To find the answer they need, the Kanes must rely on the murderous ghost of a powerful magician who might be able to lead them to the serpent's shadow . . . or might lead them to their deaths in the depths of the underworld. Nothing less than the mortal world is at stake when the Kane family fulfills its destiny in this thrilling conclusion to the Kane Chronicles.
6) The Mark of Athena, by Rick Riordan, Heroes of Olympus series, book 3
Annabeth is terrified. Just when she's about to be reunited with Percy—after six months of being apart, thanks to Hera—it looks like Camp Jupiter is preparing for war. As Annabeth and her friends Jason, Piper, and Leo fly in on the Argo II, she can’t blame the Roman demigods for thinking the ship is a Greek weapon. With its steaming bronze dragon masthead, Leo's fantastical creation doesn't appear friendly. Annabeth hopes that the sight of their praetor Jason on deck will reassure the Romans that the visitors from Camp Half-Blood are coming in peace.
And that's only one of her worries. In her pocket Annabeth carries a gift from her mother that came with an unnerving demand: Follow the Mark of Athena. Avenge me. Annabeth already feels weighed down by the prophecy that will send seven demigods on a quest to find—and close—the Doors of Death. What more does Athena want from her?
Annabeth's biggest fear, though, is that Percy might have changed. What if he's now attached to Roman ways? Does he still need his old friends? As the daughter of the goddess of war and wisdom, Annabeth knows she was born to be a leader, but never again does she want to be without Seaweed Brain by her side.
7) Iced, by Karen Marie Moning, Dani O'Malley, book 1; Fever series, book 6
The year is 1 AWC—After the Wall Crash. The Fae are free and hunting us. It’s a war zone out there, and no two days are alike. I’m Dani O’Malley, the chaos-filled streets of Dublin are my home, and there’s no place I’d rather be.
Dani “Mega” O’Malley plays by her own set of rules—and in a world overrun by Dark Fae, her biggest rule is: Do what it takes to survive. Possessing rare talents and the all-powerful Sword of Light, Dani is more than equipped for the task. In fact, she’s one of the rare humans who can defend themselves against the Unseelie. But now, amid the pandemonium, her greatest gifts have turned into serious liabilities.
Dani’s ex–best friend, MacKayla Lane, wants her dead, the terrifying Unseelie princes have put a price on her head, and Inspector Jayne, the head of the police force, is after her sword and will stop at nothing to get it. What’s more, people are being mysteriously frozen to death all over the city, encased on the spot in sub-zero, icy tableaux.
When Dublin’s most seductive nightclub gets blanketed in hoarfrost, Dani finds herself at the mercy of Ryodan, the club’s ruthless, immortal owner. He needs her quick wit and exceptional skill to figure out what’s freezing Fae and humans dead in their tracks—and Ryodan will do anything to ensure her compliance.
Dodging bullets, fangs, and fists, Dani must strike treacherous bargains and make desperate alliances to save her beloved Dublin—before everything and everyone in it gets iced.
8) Shadow of Night, by Deborah Harkness, All Souls series, book 2
Deborah Harkness exploded onto the literary scene with her debut novel, A Discovery of Witches, Book One of the magical All Souls Trilogy and an international publishing phenomenon. The novel introduced Diana Bishop, Oxford scholar and reluctant witch, and the handsome geneticist and vampire Matthew Clairmont; together they found themselves at the center of a supernatural battle over an enchanted manuscript known as Ashmole 782.
Now, picking up from A Discovery of Witches’ cliffhanger ending, Shadow of Night plunges Diana and Matthew into Elizabethan London, a world of spies, subterfuge, and a coterie of Matthew’s old friends, the mysterious School of Night that includes Christopher Marlowe and Walter Raleigh. Here, Diana must locate a witch to tutor her in magic, Matthew is forced to confront a past he thought he had put to rest, and the mystery of Ashmole 782 deepens.
Deborah Harkness has crafted a gripping journey through a world of alchemy, time travel, and magical discoveries, delivering one of the most hotly anticipated novels of the season.
9) Daughter of Smoke and Bone, by Laini Taylor, Daughter of Smoke and Bone, book 1
Around the world, black hand prints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.
In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grows dangerously low.
And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.
Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.
When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?
In a fit of creative genius, I have decided to ask you to help me to choose the order of my book list for the new year. In this Book Battle Royale, I will list the books that are awaiting my attention. You will vote for the order they should go in, one through nine. Read through the descriptions (courtesy of Goodreads) below, and at the bottom of the page, respond to the polls. On New Year's Day, I will post the results. Please help me!! Don't leave me wringing my hands in another fit of indecision!!
In no particular order, here is my list of to-read books:
1) Trapped, by Kevin Hearne, Iron Druid series, book 5
After twelve years of secret training, Atticus O’Sullivan is finally ready to bind his apprentice, Granuaile, to the earth and double the number of Druids in the world. But on the eve of the ritual, the world that thought he was dead abruptly discovers that he’s still alive, and they would much rather he return to the grave.
Having no other choice, Atticus, his trusted Irish wolfhound, Oberon, and Granuaile travel to the base of Mount Olympus, where the Roman god Bacchus is anxious to take his sworn revenge—but he’ll have to get in line behind an ancient vampire, a band of dark elves, and an old god of mischief, who all seem to have KILL THE DRUID at the top of their to-do lists.
2) Ashes of Honor, by Seanan McGuire, October Daye series, book 6
It’s been almost a year since October “Toby” Daye averted a war, gave up a county, and suffered personal losses that have left her wishing for a good day’s sleep. She’s tried to focus on her responsibilities—training Quentin, upholding her position as Sylvester’s knight, and paying the bills—but she can’t help feeling like her world is crumbling around her, and her increasingly reckless behavior is beginning to worry even her staunchest supporters.
To make matters worse, Toby’s just been asked to find another missing child…only this time it’s the changeling daughter of her fellow knight, Etienne, who didn’t even know he was a father until the girl went missing. Her name is Chelsea. She’s a teleporter, like her father. She’s also the kind of changeling the old stories warn about, the ones with all the strength and none of the control. She’s opening doors that were never meant to be opened, releasing dangers that were sealed away centuries before—and there’s a good chance she could destroy Faerie if she isn’t stopped.
Now Toby must find Chelsea before time runs out, racing against an unknown deadline and through unknown worlds as she and her allies try to avert disaster. But danger is also stirring in the Court of Cats, and Tybalt may need Toby’s help with the biggest challenge he’s ever faced.
Toby thought the last year was bad. She has no idea.
3) Elantris, by Brandon Sanderson
Elantris was the capital of Arelon: gigantic, beautiful, literally radiant, filled with benevolent beings who used their powerful magical abilities for the benefit of all. Yet each of these demigods was once an ordinary person until touched by the mysterious transforming power of the Shaod. Ten years ago, without warning, the magic failed. Elantrians became wizened, leper-like, powerless creatures, and Elantris itself dark, filthy, and crumbling.
Arelon's new capital, Kae, crouches in the shadow of Elantris. Princess Sarene of Teod arrives for a marriage of state with Crown Prince Raoden, hoping -- based on their correspondence -- to also find love. She finds instead that Raoden has died and she is considered his widow. Both Teod and Arelon are under threat as the last remaining holdouts against the imperial ambitions of the ruthless religious fanatics of Fjordell. So Sarene decides to use her new status to counter the machinations of Hrathen, a Fjordell high priest who has come to Kae to convert Arelon and claim it for his emperor and his god.
But neither Sarene nor Hrathen suspect the truth about Prince Raoden. Stricken by the same curse that ruined Elantris, Raoden was secretly exiled by his father to the dark city. His struggle to help the wretches trapped there begins a series of events that will bring hope to Arelon, and perhaps reveal the secret of Elantris itself.
4) Alloy of Law, by Brandon Sanderson, Mistborn series, book 4
Three hundred years after the events of the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial is now on the verge of modernity, with railroads to supplement the canals, electric lighting in the streets and the homes of the wealthy, and the first steel-framed skyscrapers racing for the clouds.
Kelsier, Vin, Elend, Sazed, Spook, and the rest are now part of history—or religion. Yet even as science and technology are reaching new heights, the old magics of Allomancy and Feruchemy continue to play a role in this reborn world. Out in the frontier lands known as the Roughs, they are crucial tools for the brave men and women attempting to establish order and justice.
One such is Waxillium Ladrian, a rare Twinborn, who can Push on metals with his Allomancy and use Feruchemy to become lighter or heavier at will. After twenty years in the Roughs, Wax has been forced by family tragedy to return to the metropolis of Elendel. Now he must reluctantly put away his guns and assume the duties and dignity incumbent upon the head of a noble house. Or so he thinks, until he learns the hard way that the mansions and elegant tree-lined streets of the city can be even more dangerous than the dusty plains of the Roughs.
5) The Serpent's Shadow, by Rick Riordan, The Kane Chronicles, book 3
He's b-a-a-ack! Despite their best efforts, Carter and Sadie Kane can't seem to keep Apophis, the chaos snake, down. Now Apophis is threatening to plunge the world into eternal darkness, and the Kanes are faced with the impossible task of having to destroy him once and for all. Unfortunately, the magicians of the House of Life are on the brink of civil war, the gods are divided, and the young initiates of Brooklyn House stand almost alone against the forces of chaos. The Kanes' only hope is an ancient spell that might turn the serpent's own shadow into a weapon, but the magic has been lost for a millennia. To find the answer they need, the Kanes must rely on the murderous ghost of a powerful magician who might be able to lead them to the serpent's shadow . . . or might lead them to their deaths in the depths of the underworld. Nothing less than the mortal world is at stake when the Kane family fulfills its destiny in this thrilling conclusion to the Kane Chronicles.
6) The Mark of Athena, by Rick Riordan, Heroes of Olympus series, book 3
Annabeth is terrified. Just when she's about to be reunited with Percy—after six months of being apart, thanks to Hera—it looks like Camp Jupiter is preparing for war. As Annabeth and her friends Jason, Piper, and Leo fly in on the Argo II, she can’t blame the Roman demigods for thinking the ship is a Greek weapon. With its steaming bronze dragon masthead, Leo's fantastical creation doesn't appear friendly. Annabeth hopes that the sight of their praetor Jason on deck will reassure the Romans that the visitors from Camp Half-Blood are coming in peace.
And that's only one of her worries. In her pocket Annabeth carries a gift from her mother that came with an unnerving demand: Follow the Mark of Athena. Avenge me. Annabeth already feels weighed down by the prophecy that will send seven demigods on a quest to find—and close—the Doors of Death. What more does Athena want from her?
Annabeth's biggest fear, though, is that Percy might have changed. What if he's now attached to Roman ways? Does he still need his old friends? As the daughter of the goddess of war and wisdom, Annabeth knows she was born to be a leader, but never again does she want to be without Seaweed Brain by her side.
7) Iced, by Karen Marie Moning, Dani O'Malley, book 1; Fever series, book 6
The year is 1 AWC—After the Wall Crash. The Fae are free and hunting us. It’s a war zone out there, and no two days are alike. I’m Dani O’Malley, the chaos-filled streets of Dublin are my home, and there’s no place I’d rather be.
Dani “Mega” O’Malley plays by her own set of rules—and in a world overrun by Dark Fae, her biggest rule is: Do what it takes to survive. Possessing rare talents and the all-powerful Sword of Light, Dani is more than equipped for the task. In fact, she’s one of the rare humans who can defend themselves against the Unseelie. But now, amid the pandemonium, her greatest gifts have turned into serious liabilities.
Dani’s ex–best friend, MacKayla Lane, wants her dead, the terrifying Unseelie princes have put a price on her head, and Inspector Jayne, the head of the police force, is after her sword and will stop at nothing to get it. What’s more, people are being mysteriously frozen to death all over the city, encased on the spot in sub-zero, icy tableaux.
When Dublin’s most seductive nightclub gets blanketed in hoarfrost, Dani finds herself at the mercy of Ryodan, the club’s ruthless, immortal owner. He needs her quick wit and exceptional skill to figure out what’s freezing Fae and humans dead in their tracks—and Ryodan will do anything to ensure her compliance.
Dodging bullets, fangs, and fists, Dani must strike treacherous bargains and make desperate alliances to save her beloved Dublin—before everything and everyone in it gets iced.
8) Shadow of Night, by Deborah Harkness, All Souls series, book 2
Deborah Harkness exploded onto the literary scene with her debut novel, A Discovery of Witches, Book One of the magical All Souls Trilogy and an international publishing phenomenon. The novel introduced Diana Bishop, Oxford scholar and reluctant witch, and the handsome geneticist and vampire Matthew Clairmont; together they found themselves at the center of a supernatural battle over an enchanted manuscript known as Ashmole 782.
Now, picking up from A Discovery of Witches’ cliffhanger ending, Shadow of Night plunges Diana and Matthew into Elizabethan London, a world of spies, subterfuge, and a coterie of Matthew’s old friends, the mysterious School of Night that includes Christopher Marlowe and Walter Raleigh. Here, Diana must locate a witch to tutor her in magic, Matthew is forced to confront a past he thought he had put to rest, and the mystery of Ashmole 782 deepens.
Deborah Harkness has crafted a gripping journey through a world of alchemy, time travel, and magical discoveries, delivering one of the most hotly anticipated novels of the season.
9) Daughter of Smoke and Bone, by Laini Taylor, Daughter of Smoke and Bone, book 1
Around the world, black hand prints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.
In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grows dangerously low.
And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.
Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.
When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Summer Reading List, or How I Can't Stick to a Plan
The summer this year kicked my butt. Back in late May, I thought I would need a lot of fluff reading to get through the season, as most of the books I was looking forward to aren't being released until mid to late fall. So I get myself all of kinds of traditional contemporary romance novels, thinking they could tide me over while I waited for my other books. As with most plans, it didn't really work out that way, and now I have a stand-by pile of fluff that is staring at me with sad puppy eyes, wondering when I'll find time for it again.
What really tripped me up was A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. I spent my week at the beach devouring it, but when I started to critically analyze the story, it was like holding sand. So I forced myself to go back over it, rereading it a second time, in an attempt to write a review. By that point, it was July. I still have time to get to my fluff, right?
Thanks to either GoodReads or Amazon, I found out another favorite author had published another book in an ongoing series. I love Lynn Flewelling's Nightrunner series; it's an amazing swashbuckling adventure with very fun characters. A Casket of Souls is the newest book in the series, and I devoured it. She has done an amazing job of keeping the characters fresh and emotionally connective. At the same time that I had ordered this one, I also got Glimpses, a collection of short stories and art featuring the characters of the Nightrunner series. This is one of those things that rounds out the backstory and makes certain nuances more easily understood. I found it to be a great compliment to the series, and maybe something that would be easily overlooked by those who aren't fans.
At about the same time as those two books arrived in my mailbox, a forgotten preorder also found its way to me. Back in the early spring I had preordered Karen Marie Moning's graphic novel, Fever Moon, which is set in the universe of her popular Fever series. (The one that I am slightly obsessed with; I admit it). Unfortunately just before it was completed, the artist, Al Rio, committed suicide. A portion of the sales go directly into a trust for his wife and children. So to me that was money well spent. And while it's not my favorite genre, this particular graphic novel has some awesome artwork. I love the pin-up girl style Al Rio used to bring the characters to life. The story was a nice side plot, and added some depth to the background without interfering with the story of the books already in print.
I did make an attempt at my fluffy romance novels. I like Margaret Mallory's Highlander series, so I thought I would try out her earlier work. Her first series, All the King's Men, is set in the late 14th century/early 15th century England. I'll admit to being more interested in the background politics of the story them in the romance plotline. The author did a great job bringing the life and times of King Henry V to the foreground. The romance storylines were good, if standard; the history was pretty well researched. I at least get an E for effort in attempting to get through my book pile.
By this point, I was well into August, and on the road for most of the month. Just before going on vacation, a friend lent me a book after hearing my praise for Laurell K. Hamilton's Merry Gentry series. (Shut it, Burt). I had even given her a copy of A Kiss of Shadows last Christmas (and knowing her reading list, she'll get to it sometime next year). She had read a series with a similar urban-fantasy setting revolving around the Fae. She lent me (what she thought was) the first book in the series. Turns out it was the third book; the series (so far) is a trilogy. Frustration! Angst! Here I am, on a road trip, and the only book I brought with me is not the right one! So I spent a portion of my time searching for the rest of the series at every bookstore I came to. Fortune was having a laugh at my expense, for the books are not recent enough to be carried at most stores.
When I finally got home, I rushed to the library. Glorious day! They had gotten my reserve notice while I was on the road, and managed to assemble the other two books for my convenience. I then spent my remaining summer vacation time devouring them. And I got indigestion too.
The first book of the series, Tithe, by Holly Black, honestly took me by surprise. This trilogy is marketed as teen fiction. I'm not sure I want to suggest this series to any teens under the age of 17, unless they have lived in the depths of urban poverty and decay. To them, this will seem bright and full of hope. Truthfully, the urban decay and social breakdown that is the emotional backdrop to this series is frightening in its stark veracity. it's scary because it's true; it is all too real. Almost too dark. It was hard to decide if I liked the story or not, because it seemed too adult for teens and yet not ready for the adult shelves.
The story follows a teenage girl named Kaye who finds out she is a changeling, a fae child that was exchanged for a human one. Her mom is a guitar player in a band, and they live with Kaye's grandmother in a rundown New Jersey suburb of New York City. Her best friend is a borderline psychopath who that works the night shift pumping gas. Kaye struggles to find her identity, both in the Fae realm and the mortal one. Added to that she is set up to be a sacrifice in an ancient ritual of fealty; working her way out of it is almost impossible.
The dark overtones to the story would do White Wolf proud. (Look Burt, there really is no such thing as happy shiny fairies!) The second book, Valiant, is just as dissonant as Tithe. Valiant is set in the same universe as Tithe, though with an almost entirely new cast of characters. Valerie is an average teenage girl growing up in a (slightly less decomposing) New Jersey suburb of New York City. Unfortunately, she quickly finds herself the unwilling star of an afterschool special. Running away from home and a situation she finds too painful to understand, she ends up living the life of a homeless teen in a subway tunnel with a strange group of kids she met in a coffee shop. Worse yet, she gets entangled with the fae outcast of the city, and addicted to a drug that is suppose to help fight iron sickness. When it comes to light that the cure is poisoning fae, Val comes up as a prime suspect for murder.
This story was both easier and harder to get through. I found it easier to empathize with the main character, and yet the dystopia she found herself in was almost impossible to bear. The story was compelling the whole way through; it even ended on a somewhat happy note. The third book, Ironside, wraps up plotlines from both books, and brings the entire cast together. Thankfully, reading the first third of the book before realizing it was the last book in the trilogy did not seem to ruin any of the storylines from the first two books; it only made me more grateful to get them when I got home.
Ironside once again focuses on Kaye. Still unsure of her place in the Fae world, she seeks to show her boyfriend, the Unseelie King, that she is worthy of his attention. In return, he sends her on an impossible (seeming) quest. Disheartened, Kaye decides to self-destruct, and sets out on another impossible mission; she promises her mother that she will return the human child the Fae stole. All the while the Seelie Court is hunting Kaye, in hopes of using her as their secret weapon in their war on the Unseelie.
It is a seat-gripping experience, this trilogy. As an adult, you can see all the bad choices glaring like neon signs, and how attractive they are to the moth-like teen mind. At the same time, the author does a remarkable job of showing that no matter how bad the previous choice, you can always choose better the next time; redemption is available to everyone, if they are willing to face their poor past choices. There is an awesome message of hope here, lying under the detritus of modern social decay. Life is a trial, but it can have a happy ending. You just have to face problems head-on, as hard as that can be at times.
Despite all the running around and the time crunch, summer is still my favorite reading season. I made a concerted push this summer to stay on top of my goal to read 50 books this year. Just 12 weeks left to the year now, and I'm slightly ahead of my goal. I'm looking forward to the November rush, when my wait for pre-orders will be over. Maybe I'll even get a chance over the holidays to get through that pile of fluff.....
What really tripped me up was A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. I spent my week at the beach devouring it, but when I started to critically analyze the story, it was like holding sand. So I forced myself to go back over it, rereading it a second time, in an attempt to write a review. By that point, it was July. I still have time to get to my fluff, right?
Thanks to either GoodReads or Amazon, I found out another favorite author had published another book in an ongoing series. I love Lynn Flewelling's Nightrunner series; it's an amazing swashbuckling adventure with very fun characters. A Casket of Souls is the newest book in the series, and I devoured it. She has done an amazing job of keeping the characters fresh and emotionally connective. At the same time that I had ordered this one, I also got Glimpses, a collection of short stories and art featuring the characters of the Nightrunner series. This is one of those things that rounds out the backstory and makes certain nuances more easily understood. I found it to be a great compliment to the series, and maybe something that would be easily overlooked by those who aren't fans.
At about the same time as those two books arrived in my mailbox, a forgotten preorder also found its way to me. Back in the early spring I had preordered Karen Marie Moning's graphic novel, Fever Moon, which is set in the universe of her popular Fever series. (The one that I am slightly obsessed with; I admit it). Unfortunately just before it was completed, the artist, Al Rio, committed suicide. A portion of the sales go directly into a trust for his wife and children. So to me that was money well spent. And while it's not my favorite genre, this particular graphic novel has some awesome artwork. I love the pin-up girl style Al Rio used to bring the characters to life. The story was a nice side plot, and added some depth to the background without interfering with the story of the books already in print.
I did make an attempt at my fluffy romance novels. I like Margaret Mallory's Highlander series, so I thought I would try out her earlier work. Her first series, All the King's Men, is set in the late 14th century/early 15th century England. I'll admit to being more interested in the background politics of the story them in the romance plotline. The author did a great job bringing the life and times of King Henry V to the foreground. The romance storylines were good, if standard; the history was pretty well researched. I at least get an E for effort in attempting to get through my book pile.
By this point, I was well into August, and on the road for most of the month. Just before going on vacation, a friend lent me a book after hearing my praise for Laurell K. Hamilton's Merry Gentry series. (Shut it, Burt). I had even given her a copy of A Kiss of Shadows last Christmas (and knowing her reading list, she'll get to it sometime next year). She had read a series with a similar urban-fantasy setting revolving around the Fae. She lent me (what she thought was) the first book in the series. Turns out it was the third book; the series (so far) is a trilogy. Frustration! Angst! Here I am, on a road trip, and the only book I brought with me is not the right one! So I spent a portion of my time searching for the rest of the series at every bookstore I came to. Fortune was having a laugh at my expense, for the books are not recent enough to be carried at most stores.
When I finally got home, I rushed to the library. Glorious day! They had gotten my reserve notice while I was on the road, and managed to assemble the other two books for my convenience. I then spent my remaining summer vacation time devouring them. And I got indigestion too.
The first book of the series, Tithe, by Holly Black, honestly took me by surprise. This trilogy is marketed as teen fiction. I'm not sure I want to suggest this series to any teens under the age of 17, unless they have lived in the depths of urban poverty and decay. To them, this will seem bright and full of hope. Truthfully, the urban decay and social breakdown that is the emotional backdrop to this series is frightening in its stark veracity. it's scary because it's true; it is all too real. Almost too dark. It was hard to decide if I liked the story or not, because it seemed too adult for teens and yet not ready for the adult shelves.
The story follows a teenage girl named Kaye who finds out she is a changeling, a fae child that was exchanged for a human one. Her mom is a guitar player in a band, and they live with Kaye's grandmother in a rundown New Jersey suburb of New York City. Her best friend is a borderline psychopath who that works the night shift pumping gas. Kaye struggles to find her identity, both in the Fae realm and the mortal one. Added to that she is set up to be a sacrifice in an ancient ritual of fealty; working her way out of it is almost impossible.
The dark overtones to the story would do White Wolf proud. (Look Burt, there really is no such thing as happy shiny fairies!) The second book, Valiant, is just as dissonant as Tithe. Valiant is set in the same universe as Tithe, though with an almost entirely new cast of characters. Valerie is an average teenage girl growing up in a (slightly less decomposing) New Jersey suburb of New York City. Unfortunately, she quickly finds herself the unwilling star of an afterschool special. Running away from home and a situation she finds too painful to understand, she ends up living the life of a homeless teen in a subway tunnel with a strange group of kids she met in a coffee shop. Worse yet, she gets entangled with the fae outcast of the city, and addicted to a drug that is suppose to help fight iron sickness. When it comes to light that the cure is poisoning fae, Val comes up as a prime suspect for murder.
This story was both easier and harder to get through. I found it easier to empathize with the main character, and yet the dystopia she found herself in was almost impossible to bear. The story was compelling the whole way through; it even ended on a somewhat happy note. The third book, Ironside, wraps up plotlines from both books, and brings the entire cast together. Thankfully, reading the first third of the book before realizing it was the last book in the trilogy did not seem to ruin any of the storylines from the first two books; it only made me more grateful to get them when I got home.
Ironside once again focuses on Kaye. Still unsure of her place in the Fae world, she seeks to show her boyfriend, the Unseelie King, that she is worthy of his attention. In return, he sends her on an impossible (seeming) quest. Disheartened, Kaye decides to self-destruct, and sets out on another impossible mission; she promises her mother that she will return the human child the Fae stole. All the while the Seelie Court is hunting Kaye, in hopes of using her as their secret weapon in their war on the Unseelie.
It is a seat-gripping experience, this trilogy. As an adult, you can see all the bad choices glaring like neon signs, and how attractive they are to the moth-like teen mind. At the same time, the author does a remarkable job of showing that no matter how bad the previous choice, you can always choose better the next time; redemption is available to everyone, if they are willing to face their poor past choices. There is an awesome message of hope here, lying under the detritus of modern social decay. Life is a trial, but it can have a happy ending. You just have to face problems head-on, as hard as that can be at times.
Despite all the running around and the time crunch, summer is still my favorite reading season. I made a concerted push this summer to stay on top of my goal to read 50 books this year. Just 12 weeks left to the year now, and I'm slightly ahead of my goal. I'm looking forward to the November rush, when my wait for pre-orders will be over. Maybe I'll even get a chance over the holidays to get through that pile of fluff.....
Saturday, September 1, 2012
The Urban Meets the Fictional
The third series up for review is the All Souls trilogy. Actually, I've only read the first book, A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. The second book is out on shelves now. My cousin lent this book to my mom last August, as a portion of it is set just down the road from Syracuse in a small town called Madison. Familiarity breeds interest in this case. After she finished it, my mom raved about it to me and my sister. As I was still absorbed in other readings, my sister got first crack at it. Much like my mom, she raved about it, and so it was my turn. That was six months ago.
Sometimes when I get handed a book, I'll suffer from a sense of mulishness, mentally insisting that a book couldn't be as good as someone else says, as though only I can pick out a good book. (I admit to seeing this same attitude in my daughter when I try to get her to taste new things). The irony of this attitude is that some of my favorite books have come from others. At least half of my collection is made up of books that were gifts. Even so, I'll get muleheaded at first, and procrastinate, letting a book languish in my room for months at a time; my daughter will do the same to her plate, letting the offending food sit to the side until nothing else is left. Finally I'll convince myself to read it; after six months, I finally got around to reading A Discovery of Witches, and all it took was a trip to the beach for some dedicated reading time.
The story opens in Oxford, England, and travels to France, finally landing in upstate New York. Dr. Diana Bishop is a scholar of some renown, an authority on books of alchemy and the transitional period of history between mystical beliefs and scientific fact. Dr. Bishop is also a witch, the last in a long line of a very powerful bloodline. Quite by accident, through her research on a perfectly mundane topic, she comes across an enchanted alchemical manuscript. Fearful of her birthright and the secrets locked within its pages, she returns it to the university library. Unfortunately for her, many other creatures have been searching for that manuscript, and they will do whatever it takes to get it back.
Intrigued by rumors, Matthew Clairmont decides to observe Diana Bishop himself, to determine if she is as powerful as gossip says, and if there is any truth to her finding the last manuscript. Being a scholar and vampire, Matthew has his own reasons for wanting it. An unlikely friendship begins as the two of them try to understand the other, creatures of two very different classes. As more creatures begin to show up at Oxford University, and the witches begin to threaten Diana, the two of them are pushed together, and are forced to flee to France. Once there, Diana and Matthew realize they are falling in love, and all the deadly consequences that holds.
This is an odd book, in that when I try to dissect it for critical analysis, I am left holding sand. The individual parts are not strong enough to stand on their own, and yet the completed product is undeniably good. I see this same frustration from other reviewers. Some give it a bad review, because the individual parts are lacking. Others took the long view and said that the entire story is worthwhile, without analyzing what made it so good. I'm going to try to walk the middle path, and then give my conclusion.
As to the lead character, Diana Bishop, she is a host of contradictions. Other characters continually describe her as brave, but for three quarters of the book, she's having panic attacks and passing out. Admittedly, at the very end of the book we learn why this is, but it does make the heroine a bit harder to see as a strong lead. There is one science while they are in France that shows her to be brave. Otherwise, she is a bit like an ostrich, sticking her head in the sand at the slightest hint of magic.
Diana's romance with Matthew is another puzzle piece made out of sand. For one thing, as romances go, this one seems emotionally tame. The descriptions to me lack a certain amount of passion. I'm not asking for pornographic descriptions, but the level of romance described in the story is... paltry. The words and gestures that are supposed to be showing the reader the blossoming love are empty, and to my mind, some can be construed as merely platonic. Also, because of media hype, those who do not know much about the paranormal-urban romance genre are trying to compare this to the Twilight series. That is a faulty comparison at best. "There's a vampire involved in a romantic way in this piece of fictional literature. Clearly we can make a comparison!" No, not really. The story, the audience, the romance, itself; none of these things have enough similarities to make a comparison. It'd be like comparing a platypus to a hummingbird because they both lay eggs.
This is a fiction story. It is set in a modern (mostly) urban setting. It discusses magic and creatures we associate with folklore. There is romance as two characters fall in love, but this is not necessarily central to the plot, more like a supporting subplot. The characters are defined to a point, but not enough to guess where the plot will take them. In all honesty, this strikes me as the sort of story told at the start of a game (roleplaying game specifically, though I am sure video games do it too). This book is like character creation in a way. The characters have defined backstory, one that will entangle them in the GM's plot/mystery-to-be-solved. But the real story itself is only just beginning. We get to watch the whole thing unfold, see the characters develop into epic personalities that will be able to do all those amazing things the plot says are on the horizon. I think that is why it is so hard to critique on individual elements. Right now, the individual elements are unmolded, still soft. It's the equivalent of trying to dissect oublek (cornstarch and water makes a fun experiment). So that leaves it as a matter of faith; you have to trust that the promise given here of an amazing story is honest, and that it is worth reading. And now that the second book is out, I can see if the promise is authorized.
Sometimes when I get handed a book, I'll suffer from a sense of mulishness, mentally insisting that a book couldn't be as good as someone else says, as though only I can pick out a good book. (I admit to seeing this same attitude in my daughter when I try to get her to taste new things). The irony of this attitude is that some of my favorite books have come from others. At least half of my collection is made up of books that were gifts. Even so, I'll get muleheaded at first, and procrastinate, letting a book languish in my room for months at a time; my daughter will do the same to her plate, letting the offending food sit to the side until nothing else is left. Finally I'll convince myself to read it; after six months, I finally got around to reading A Discovery of Witches, and all it took was a trip to the beach for some dedicated reading time.
The story opens in Oxford, England, and travels to France, finally landing in upstate New York. Dr. Diana Bishop is a scholar of some renown, an authority on books of alchemy and the transitional period of history between mystical beliefs and scientific fact. Dr. Bishop is also a witch, the last in a long line of a very powerful bloodline. Quite by accident, through her research on a perfectly mundane topic, she comes across an enchanted alchemical manuscript. Fearful of her birthright and the secrets locked within its pages, she returns it to the university library. Unfortunately for her, many other creatures have been searching for that manuscript, and they will do whatever it takes to get it back.
Intrigued by rumors, Matthew Clairmont decides to observe Diana Bishop himself, to determine if she is as powerful as gossip says, and if there is any truth to her finding the last manuscript. Being a scholar and vampire, Matthew has his own reasons for wanting it. An unlikely friendship begins as the two of them try to understand the other, creatures of two very different classes. As more creatures begin to show up at Oxford University, and the witches begin to threaten Diana, the two of them are pushed together, and are forced to flee to France. Once there, Diana and Matthew realize they are falling in love, and all the deadly consequences that holds.
This is an odd book, in that when I try to dissect it for critical analysis, I am left holding sand. The individual parts are not strong enough to stand on their own, and yet the completed product is undeniably good. I see this same frustration from other reviewers. Some give it a bad review, because the individual parts are lacking. Others took the long view and said that the entire story is worthwhile, without analyzing what made it so good. I'm going to try to walk the middle path, and then give my conclusion.
As to the lead character, Diana Bishop, she is a host of contradictions. Other characters continually describe her as brave, but for three quarters of the book, she's having panic attacks and passing out. Admittedly, at the very end of the book we learn why this is, but it does make the heroine a bit harder to see as a strong lead. There is one science while they are in France that shows her to be brave. Otherwise, she is a bit like an ostrich, sticking her head in the sand at the slightest hint of magic.
Diana's romance with Matthew is another puzzle piece made out of sand. For one thing, as romances go, this one seems emotionally tame. The descriptions to me lack a certain amount of passion. I'm not asking for pornographic descriptions, but the level of romance described in the story is... paltry. The words and gestures that are supposed to be showing the reader the blossoming love are empty, and to my mind, some can be construed as merely platonic. Also, because of media hype, those who do not know much about the paranormal-urban romance genre are trying to compare this to the Twilight series. That is a faulty comparison at best. "There's a vampire involved in a romantic way in this piece of fictional literature. Clearly we can make a comparison!" No, not really. The story, the audience, the romance, itself; none of these things have enough similarities to make a comparison. It'd be like comparing a platypus to a hummingbird because they both lay eggs.
This is a fiction story. It is set in a modern (mostly) urban setting. It discusses magic and creatures we associate with folklore. There is romance as two characters fall in love, but this is not necessarily central to the plot, more like a supporting subplot. The characters are defined to a point, but not enough to guess where the plot will take them. In all honesty, this strikes me as the sort of story told at the start of a game (roleplaying game specifically, though I am sure video games do it too). This book is like character creation in a way. The characters have defined backstory, one that will entangle them in the GM's plot/mystery-to-be-solved. But the real story itself is only just beginning. We get to watch the whole thing unfold, see the characters develop into epic personalities that will be able to do all those amazing things the plot says are on the horizon. I think that is why it is so hard to critique on individual elements. Right now, the individual elements are unmolded, still soft. It's the equivalent of trying to dissect oublek (cornstarch and water makes a fun experiment). So that leaves it as a matter of faith; you have to trust that the promise given here of an amazing story is honest, and that it is worth reading. And now that the second book is out, I can see if the promise is authorized.
Droll Fantasy....
Well, the summer was just as busy as expected. I did get to write my reviews, but only on legal pads. I realize that doesn't do any of you any good, so I'm in the process of transcribing them. For an updated list of what I have read, see the GoodReads link on the right hand side.
After reading the Iron Druid series, I was all hyped up on magic. I also had given myself a deadline. The last time I had borrowed a "few" (around a dozen or more) books from my friends "Shannanna", it took me the better part of three years to return them. When I last visited them in March, returning the last of the previously borrowed tomes, I was handed a whole new series. So after completing the Iron Druid books, in April, I decided to spend the month of May working my way through my rented fiction, which was also heavy into magic, though of a different kind.
Officially titled the Twelve Houses series, by Sharon Shinn, I've taken to calling them the Mystic & Rider series, after the first book; it was just easier to remember that way. Unlike the urban setting of the Iron Druid books, this series is pure fantasy, set against the backdrop of an entirely fabricated universe. There is even a map, though it is small and hard to read, clearly an image rendered in black and white from color. Given that I love geography, and I believe it can only enhance a story to have a map for readers to follow along on, if you are going to provide one, make sure it is clear an detailed enough to be read accurately. Ok, I'm putting away the soapbox, for now.
In this particular world, there is a country (continent? island?) called Gillengaria, and it is divided into twelve fiefdoms who owe loyalty to the king in the royal city. These fiefdoms are each ruled by a noble family, and they own the land in trust for the king. The problem begins when certain nobles decide the king is getting old, and it might be worthwhile to stage a coup. They argue that the king's heir (the princess) is a recluse, and that he is unlikely to have another child with his second wife. There are rumors that his queen is a mystic, a practioner of magic. The first book starts here, as a group of mystics and King's Riders (an elite guard chosen by the king) are sent out to gather information on the state of unrest growing throughout the kingdom.
Mystic & Rider is a Nancy Kerrigan. The book is technically flawless; it has all the components to a fantasy novel that I enjoy. However, it lacks passion, an emotional tie-in that pulls me along by the short hairs. For the first hundred pages, even the author seems mildly confused as to why they are on a mission. Once everyone gets over their awkwardness, and the author has a clearer idea of where the story is going, the reading gets easier. The story moves along great, though the romantic scenes are still somewhat stilted and uncomfortable, as though the author was trying not to write about falling in love, even though that was where the characters were going.
The counterargument to this viewpoint is that the author was trying to express the amount of restraint the characters themselves feel. The two main characters are extremely rigid in their self-control; they ARE stilted and reserved as they fall in love. While this seems a valid argument, I think that the author could have written it better. You can be rigid and yet still emote other feelings. It seems to me that the author was the one uncomfortable with voicing the emotions, not the characters.
However, in The Thirteenth House, there is almost a complete role-reversal, and all the control is stripped away. The characters fall heavily in love against the backdrop of court intrigue, and the passion is bubbling out of the pages. The fear and unrest in Gillengaria continues to rise, and the king decides to send the princess on a tour of the noble houses during the height of the social season.
Focusing on a different member of the group from the first book, the author continues to examine the definition of love. The main character is a mystic, with the power to change her shape. Because of this, her family asks her to assume her sister's identity and go on tour with the princess. Through this guise she falls in love with the regent, who is uncle to the princess, and a married man. His temperament is similar to hers, and as tempestuous people do, they fall madly in love.
Unfortunately, it is only a momentary happiness. Her most faithful companion, steadfastly in love with her, cannot bear to watch her in love with another man. Her other companions try to get her to reconsider. Rumors begin to flow, saying the regent is compromising her sister's virtue. And then there is his wife, who is by all accounts a good person. Who suffers the most from love? Is it always a bitter pill when happiness is found?
I've entertained arguments that the foil of the regent was a false entity, that he was a bit of a cad. To that I say, everyone falls in love sometimes, even those who don't seem to deserve it. Also I don't think he was a bad guy. I think he was a good representation of the ultimate temptation; he was everything she thought she wanted, and she couldn't have it. The love she could have, she had taken for granted. There are a lot of hard choices in that situation, and I sympathize fully.
The third book is Dark Moon Defender. This isn't a Western, not that I care for that genre at all. However, it reminds me a good deal of a cowboy story. The country is still in quiet turmoil, and a war seems imminent. The king sends out one of his loyal Riders on a mission to gather intelligence about the religious fanaticism that seems to be sweeping the populace and pushing for the destruction of all mystics.
I can't explain why, but this story honestly seems like a John Wayne movie. The heroine is strong, yet in need of protection from those who pretend to car for her. The hero is a rough and rowdy sort, a street tough turned loyal soldier. He wants to save her from the evil surrounding her, and she is the softness he never had. They are a good match, the hard stone and the soft spot, a proper balance to each other.
However, it is the last book that actually solves all the mysteries (well, obviously). Reader and Raelynx brings the story arc to its final conclusion. In this case, there is no avoiding the impending civil war. The strange qualities observed in both the princess and the queen are defined, and a very unlikely lovematch occurs between a commoner mystic and the princess herself. As is the case with epic fantasy like this, good triumphs in the end, but not without a very heavy price. No one comes out unscathed, though for some the change is a new beginning.
Technically there is a fifth book, Fortune and Fate, which shows the aftermath of the war, though the focus is on a side character and not one of the original members of the companions in the first four books. It was good, though in a way it felt like a four hundred page epilogue at times. It tied up some of the loose ends that were left, and the whole thing was smoothly done.
This series was very good as far as standard epic fantasy go. From my understanding, the author intended them to have a strong romantic edge. In this I would say there is some success and some failure. It was romantic insofar as the main characters eventually declared love for each other, and spent a lot of the book trying to understand each other and their own feelings. However, I'd say the scenes of "searing passion" were few and far between, and written by someone who did not want to offend anyone with said scenes of passion. It was like peaking through your fingers at kissing scenes in a PG13 movie when you're nine.
I know I've left out a lot of details, but that was to avoid any spoilers. However, if you're in the mood for some fantasy with a twist, take a look at this series. Now that I've returned it, I am tempted to buy it for myself (or at least put it on my wish list for the holidays).
After reading the Iron Druid series, I was all hyped up on magic. I also had given myself a deadline. The last time I had borrowed a "few" (around a dozen or more) books from my friends "Shannanna", it took me the better part of three years to return them. When I last visited them in March, returning the last of the previously borrowed tomes, I was handed a whole new series. So after completing the Iron Druid books, in April, I decided to spend the month of May working my way through my rented fiction, which was also heavy into magic, though of a different kind.
Officially titled the Twelve Houses series, by Sharon Shinn, I've taken to calling them the Mystic & Rider series, after the first book; it was just easier to remember that way. Unlike the urban setting of the Iron Druid books, this series is pure fantasy, set against the backdrop of an entirely fabricated universe. There is even a map, though it is small and hard to read, clearly an image rendered in black and white from color. Given that I love geography, and I believe it can only enhance a story to have a map for readers to follow along on, if you are going to provide one, make sure it is clear an detailed enough to be read accurately. Ok, I'm putting away the soapbox, for now.
In this particular world, there is a country (continent? island?) called Gillengaria, and it is divided into twelve fiefdoms who owe loyalty to the king in the royal city. These fiefdoms are each ruled by a noble family, and they own the land in trust for the king. The problem begins when certain nobles decide the king is getting old, and it might be worthwhile to stage a coup. They argue that the king's heir (the princess) is a recluse, and that he is unlikely to have another child with his second wife. There are rumors that his queen is a mystic, a practioner of magic. The first book starts here, as a group of mystics and King's Riders (an elite guard chosen by the king) are sent out to gather information on the state of unrest growing throughout the kingdom.
Mystic & Rider is a Nancy Kerrigan. The book is technically flawless; it has all the components to a fantasy novel that I enjoy. However, it lacks passion, an emotional tie-in that pulls me along by the short hairs. For the first hundred pages, even the author seems mildly confused as to why they are on a mission. Once everyone gets over their awkwardness, and the author has a clearer idea of where the story is going, the reading gets easier. The story moves along great, though the romantic scenes are still somewhat stilted and uncomfortable, as though the author was trying not to write about falling in love, even though that was where the characters were going.
The counterargument to this viewpoint is that the author was trying to express the amount of restraint the characters themselves feel. The two main characters are extremely rigid in their self-control; they ARE stilted and reserved as they fall in love. While this seems a valid argument, I think that the author could have written it better. You can be rigid and yet still emote other feelings. It seems to me that the author was the one uncomfortable with voicing the emotions, not the characters.
However, in The Thirteenth House, there is almost a complete role-reversal, and all the control is stripped away. The characters fall heavily in love against the backdrop of court intrigue, and the passion is bubbling out of the pages. The fear and unrest in Gillengaria continues to rise, and the king decides to send the princess on a tour of the noble houses during the height of the social season.
Focusing on a different member of the group from the first book, the author continues to examine the definition of love. The main character is a mystic, with the power to change her shape. Because of this, her family asks her to assume her sister's identity and go on tour with the princess. Through this guise she falls in love with the regent, who is uncle to the princess, and a married man. His temperament is similar to hers, and as tempestuous people do, they fall madly in love.
Unfortunately, it is only a momentary happiness. Her most faithful companion, steadfastly in love with her, cannot bear to watch her in love with another man. Her other companions try to get her to reconsider. Rumors begin to flow, saying the regent is compromising her sister's virtue. And then there is his wife, who is by all accounts a good person. Who suffers the most from love? Is it always a bitter pill when happiness is found?
I've entertained arguments that the foil of the regent was a false entity, that he was a bit of a cad. To that I say, everyone falls in love sometimes, even those who don't seem to deserve it. Also I don't think he was a bad guy. I think he was a good representation of the ultimate temptation; he was everything she thought she wanted, and she couldn't have it. The love she could have, she had taken for granted. There are a lot of hard choices in that situation, and I sympathize fully.
The third book is Dark Moon Defender. This isn't a Western, not that I care for that genre at all. However, it reminds me a good deal of a cowboy story. The country is still in quiet turmoil, and a war seems imminent. The king sends out one of his loyal Riders on a mission to gather intelligence about the religious fanaticism that seems to be sweeping the populace and pushing for the destruction of all mystics.
I can't explain why, but this story honestly seems like a John Wayne movie. The heroine is strong, yet in need of protection from those who pretend to car for her. The hero is a rough and rowdy sort, a street tough turned loyal soldier. He wants to save her from the evil surrounding her, and she is the softness he never had. They are a good match, the hard stone and the soft spot, a proper balance to each other.
However, it is the last book that actually solves all the mysteries (well, obviously). Reader and Raelynx brings the story arc to its final conclusion. In this case, there is no avoiding the impending civil war. The strange qualities observed in both the princess and the queen are defined, and a very unlikely lovematch occurs between a commoner mystic and the princess herself. As is the case with epic fantasy like this, good triumphs in the end, but not without a very heavy price. No one comes out unscathed, though for some the change is a new beginning.
Technically there is a fifth book, Fortune and Fate, which shows the aftermath of the war, though the focus is on a side character and not one of the original members of the companions in the first four books. It was good, though in a way it felt like a four hundred page epilogue at times. It tied up some of the loose ends that were left, and the whole thing was smoothly done.
This series was very good as far as standard epic fantasy go. From my understanding, the author intended them to have a strong romantic edge. In this I would say there is some success and some failure. It was romantic insofar as the main characters eventually declared love for each other, and spent a lot of the book trying to understand each other and their own feelings. However, I'd say the scenes of "searing passion" were few and far between, and written by someone who did not want to offend anyone with said scenes of passion. It was like peaking through your fingers at kissing scenes in a PG13 movie when you're nine.
I know I've left out a lot of details, but that was to avoid any spoilers. However, if you're in the mood for some fantasy with a twist, take a look at this series. Now that I've returned it, I am tempted to buy it for myself (or at least put it on my wish list for the holidays).
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