WendigoLove
My first Ursula Le Guin book and a nice one to start with. The story and characters are believable and takes place between 2 revolutions. It can be difficult to deftly describe past events without being dull and without flashbacks while still showing how they influence current events in the book. This seemed to flow very smoothly and I really enjoyed it.
A great Discworld novel that has all of the best parts of Pratchett humor and writing. The characters are novel but still believable. Two of my favorites: a con artist turned Postmaster General of a defunct and rather insane Post Office; a tyrant who rules well and novel ideas of employment. The puns and wordplay are also at their best and often elicit a smile or groan (even better as an audiobook)
I may be over-cautious hiding this review due to possible spoilers since most of the plot is self-evident (vampires and Dracula) or on the back (mysterious and ancient books).
I love idea of the “Davinci Code” approach to using history with legendary tales and finished the book because I have a strong interest in Dracula legends. Otherwise I would have donated it to the library in frustration unread- a rare thing for me to not finish a book.
Most of the frustrations came from a basic idea that characters should act consistent with their descriptions. If you decide the main characters are researchers from major Universities with years (and decades) passing after receiving an ancient book then they need to act smart enough to belong at a University. Never do they question WHY the book was left. This would seem to be a very obvious question for anyone - especially for brilliant professors discussing the book and research with other brilliant professors.
If you decide your main villain is a brilliant tactician surviving over centuries, then he needs to act brilliant. So, if his goal is to stay hidden and out of sight, he doesn't leave books for gifted researches. If he is trying to discourage people finding him, he doesn't walk PAST them to kill the people helping them and then ignore entire trips around the world solely for the purpose of tracking him. He acts consistent with his goals.
These basic things are so common sense it made me very frustrated. Unusual to see that level of inconsistency (even in characters presented as erratic) and especially in a major, promoted book.
Beautifully visual writing brings the circus to life. Would take very little to turn into an equally beautiful movie. The Night Circus alone would be a tale describing the various tents and themes (wishing trees, acrobats, trained kittens, magical carrosel. Adding the competition between the two main characters and their surrounding friends enhances the circus through their interactions perfectly. Only complaint is a mild one that the jumps in time (Contest is over years) makes it hard to keep and dramatic tension. I still occasionally think about the book and the character of the circus itself is my favorite.
A clever idea to have a strong and assertive (and act strong not just claim she is while actions negate it like so many books) sorceress also as a politician. The book starts in the middle of her general story and makes reference to prior events (even though this is a first book) that helps to make the characters more real. Little lower score for some of the writing but I do plan to read more of her books.
I haven't read the first books so I am missing some of the background stories but not enough to diminish my enjoyment. The main characters are essentially the rugged lawman and witty sidekick but done so well they have become my favorite duo. The details and consistency of the religions and magic systems really drew me into the world.
Metals can be “burned” internally by certain individuals to create effects on the world- heal, soothe or incite emotions, push or pull on metals and even speed or slow local time. Even though it sounds simple, the complexities and interactions add a wonderful layer to the tale.
I'm planning to return to read the original trilogy!
I really expected to like this book, but wasn't prepared for the dark parts in the middle so that may have colored my reading. The novel approach of having the dog, Enzo, narrate his own story and use his environment and experiences with his racing owner really worked for me. It was “believable” because it did only use his own experience and understanding of what was going on. The owner goes through some very rough experiences and the dog comments and supports his family to the best of his abilities. If I had been ready for some of the trials, I probably would have enjoyed it more, but I would definitely read more by this author.
This book should be offered with Animal Farm and Brave New World and is not “Young Adult” (why is everything with a teenaged main character automatically young adult?). The book follows a teenager coming of age in a controlled Society and is a believer. As cracks appear in the Society control, she starts to question what is better- a comfortable, long, planned life or one with more tragedy and more excitement with all the associated consequences. A wonderful question and great for late night debates with friends. I would force this book on people and avidly reading the sequel.
Very enjoyable paranormal urban fantasy with the unique approach of a Druid main character. I liked how it referred to a prior history without bogging down in details. The pet Wolfhound was a great comic foil too (this often fails). Looking forward to reading more by the author- especially with this character.
I usually hate books that may be ‘preachy' and avoid them - so it was a hard choice to pick this one up even though I loved Neal Stephenson's other books. The protagonist is a paranoid with a love of huffing, simple drugs, and whodunit chemistry. A fun read with a villainous company forced to greater and greater dumping to cover their trail. Would recommend to those with a known passion for the environment and those who enjoy Neal Stephenson's way of pulling you into a story without over-explaining, just following the lead character.
I came to this book after many other fantasy books and later than many people discover them. The ‘reveal' about the source of the colonies was not as fresh to me, but the story was still a novel incorporation of a coming of age story with dragon riding. Planning to read other novels in the series and the world of Pern.
I've enjoyed the series and the novel approach to urban fantasy using Native American legends with our more traditional werewolves and vampires. This one incorporates Coyote, Old Man, Wolf, Thunderbird, and other mythical figures into the engaging plot. Mercy and Adam are on their honeymoon when an ancient and magical river monster starts eating families. The book answers many questions about Mercy's family and history satisfactorily.
This is the original version with an extra chapter at the end that was not included in the American version and thus not include in the Kubrick movie.
A book exploring teenage thugs and human rights. Is it a human right to have the choice to kill and maim others? Is it a right to exact revenge on another human? Counter conditioning to render a person to be unable to enact harm on another- a perfect rehabilitation or does it take away free will? This book is told in the slang laced and droll voice of the young author as he enjoys life through violence. Many of the scenes are squirm inducing but the narrator voice stays engaging.
The additional chapter changes the whole story even though it is relative short. The character becomes bored with violence and starts to grow up.
Spoilers
Overall, this book is about what defines a family, family relationships, and how far one would go to protect it. Drug addicted father recently out of prison tries to reconnect with his family. The legally brother and sister, but not blood relatives, main characters become engaged. And even the main plot twist with the youngest vs oldest sisters and what lengths the rest of the family would go to protect them.
This book finally deals with the endlessly rehashed family issues from the previous book in a few creative twists. I was actually disappointed this was the last book in the series since it would have to deal with cases (and the ...slightly disturbing but technically okay... relationship between the main characters after being brought up as brother and sister).
Pros:
A nicely complex plot ties Harper's case and her family woes together.
We get to meet the rest of the family and see their interactions with each other and their definition of family. I really enjoyed how the case and the Cameron case intertwined.
Still a fun, light story with novel ideas.
Cons: (Plot issues that really threw me out of the story)
For claiming to be smarter than average, Harper and Toliver make some silly decisions. Toliver and a police officer were both shot by someone trying for Harper. Yet, the next day she insists on going back to the same hotel without waiting for an escort so she can... shower.
In spite of a phone call in the last book (a few weeks/months prior) by a stressed woman resulting in a gun battle, Harper and Toliver fall for the same trick again.
The same trick results in 2 people dead, but our hero and heroine are promptly back in the car looking for a hotel room. Evidently all the police response in the other books is not the norm in Dallas/Texarkana.
Once 2 people are dead and Toliver hospitalized, the shooter inexplicably ignores the vulnerable Harper and stops trying to kill her.
Some of the family stories still include the same ‘cut and paste' descriptions found in the other 3 books. There are at least some new examples and descriptions.
Spoilers
Still enjoying the novelty of Harper's talent and the interesting cases she gets involved in. The tale revolves around a double (triple if you count the 100 year old one) murders using the same grave site. The pacing is fun and light and some fun characters and some morose ones too. Main complaints are the repetition nearly word for word of the bad home life they endured and the plot wrap up. In a Bond-inspired climax, the killer calls them to the house, reveals the entire plan, and then plans to kill everyone. Even with the eye-rolling conclusion, I enjoyed the book and plan to read more of the series.
The murder mystery isn't much of a mystery and the summaries are only slightly less redundant. Most of the plot intrigue follows the 2 main characters, Harper and Tolliver, discovering that their feelings aren't those of brother and sister. (And as was covered repetitively, we know they are not true relations). The writing is still fun and light- even given the dark material- and enjoyable.
