Original Year of Publication: 1999
Hardback Page Count: 197
Genre: Fantasy
Summary: In a retelling of "Rumplestiltskin", Napoli and Tchen take us back to the story before the story. Telling a dual tale of both Rumpelstiltskin and his victim, Spinners moves through the perspectives of "the tailor" later to become "the spinner" and Saskia, a young girl with whom he shares a mysterious connection. When Saskia's drunken father promises a skeptical king that she can spin straw into gold, she feels that she is sure to fail and die. But that's when the spinner arrives, giving her an offer she can't agree to--but nor can she refuse.
( Read more... )
2/5:
Fairy tale retellings are generally fabulous, and there are a lot of great ones out there; but Spinners isn't one of them. Napoli and Tchen rework the plot in various ways--but not in the way the story needed. Their creative energy was there, but remained out of focus and centered on the wrong targets throughout the novel. They expanded on the wrong parts of the story; they were fixated on the wrong characters; the point is that the book works out to be downright impossible to enjoy, despite its meager length. It, as many books written by co-authors do, comes together as a puzzle with mixed-up pieces.
Original Year of Publication: 1995
Paperback Page Count: 384
Genre: Drama, General
Summary: Seventeen and seven months pregnant, Noval Nation--a girl with an unlucky streak when it comes to sevens--is left at a Wal-Mart in the small Oklahoma town of Sequoyah by her boyfriend, Willy Jack. Far from home and with only seven seventy-seven in her pocket, Novalee secretly camps out at the Wal-Mart, helped only by kind strangers she meets along her way. In the meantime, Willy Jack gets thrown in prison, tangled up with a ruthless music agent, and haunted by the biggest lie he ever told. Traveling through seven years in Novalee and Willy Jack's parallel lives, Where the Heart Is tells a very simple, yet very complicated story of different kinds of love, untruths, and growing up.
I saw Where the heart Is, the movie, a few years ago. It starred Natalie Portman in a very good turn as a convincing Novalee. But as good as the movie was, I felt that it was missing something. Now, when I first picked up the book, I did not know that it was an Oprah's Book Club pick. This probably owes to the fact that I despise Oprah and all of her many branches of popularity. But surprisingly, Where the Heart Is Didn't turn out to be as corny or typical as I feared it would be.
The book does have its faults--namely the ones that I mentioned above. It seems that there are a ton of novels running in the same vein: country girl with a baby gets mistreated by a redneck boy who's so awful and so terrible, while a bunch of sweet Aw-Shucks-Aren't-They-Adorable people take care of her. As a girl from the South--where many of these books are set--who is related to a couple of girls who went through mildly similar situations, I know the real deal. In the real world, people like Sister Husband and Moses Whitecotton aren't going to help you out. In the real world, a kind, sensitive librarian won't take on you and your kid. In the real world, things would be a lot tougher than Novalee lets on.
Those kind of happily-ever-after plot devices annoy me to no end, because they can get a bit... condescending? But luckily, Letts skates just by the preachiness many novels in this string possess. Novalee's innocence does wear on you for a bit--as she's the main character--but it is balanced out by the opportunistic perspective of Willy Jack, and the occasional glimpse into Forney's mind. Because, as unrealistic as he is, Forney is a truly lovable character.
I did feel like Letts had a tendency of just scratching the surface with some characters, and not fleshing them out. I would have liked to see more flaws in the side characters; even Forney suffered from that problem. Lexie was probably the most flawed out of the bunch, and even she didn't seem to have a mean streak.
Could a pregnant teenager really live in Wal-Mart? Probably not. But Letts convinces us that it could and did happen. The strangeness of Novalee's life contrasts sharply to Willy Jack's, which gives the book a dose of reality. Willy Jack, however, isn't a complete villain. He's simply, it seems, too stupid and self-centered to know the difference between right and wrong--not until it's too late. (I did feel like Novalee was far too kind to him at the end of the book, but whatever. Some people place a lot of weight on their child's biological parent.)
Four out of Five Stars: Is it corny in spots? Yes. Is it nauseatingly sweet in others? Of course. But do we expect any different? No; as soon as you read the first page, you know the tone and meaning of Where the Heart Is. It's a book without mystery, and without anything particularly surprising. But at the same time, it holds an endearing quality. It's worth a shot, but only if you like books of the supposed "real life" genre.
Also by this Author: Shoot the Moon
... And other news in the realm of Cassandra Clare. Though I haven't reviewed any of Ms. Clare's books officially, I am, however, a big fan of her Mortal Instruments trilogy--which, as it is, shall no longer be a trilogy.
Recently announced:
The lowdown for those of you who don't want to be spoiled is that there will be a fourth book in the series, from Simon's perspective. Of course, other characters will be visited, and there will be a love triangle--one that was set up earlier. But basically, what we thought was over isn't over.
In other Mortal Instuments-related news, the series has been optioned by a film company. With the recent success of the Twilight Saga on screen, I wouldn't be surprised if it pulls through. One thing: they'd better make all the books into separate movies, or else it will turn out very badly.
Original Year of Publication: 2006
Paperback Page Count: 545
Genre: Historical Fiction
Summary: From the time she is a child, Maria Antonia, daughter of Austrian Empress Maria Theresa, is bound for greatness. Wed to the Dauphin of France, Louis Auguste at the tender age of fourteen, she is tossed into the judgmental French court with little preparation. With a cold--if well-intentioned--husband and a complete ineptitude for politics, the Dauphine--now known as Marie Antoinette--must navigate the world's harsh waters on her own. As time passes, she is aided by a colorful group of friends; but the love that France once had for her fades as she herself plunges into hot and cold mood swings accompanied by the gambling, gluttony, and royalism that will immortalize her as the victim-villainess, Marie Antoinette, Queen of France.
( Abundance and Marie. )
Four and a Half out of Five Stars: A beautiful life story-style piece of historical fiction, the best of the best among Marie Antoinette novels. Naslund tricks us into thinking that we're friends with Fersen or the Duchesse de Polignac--and most importantly, Marie Antoinette--without skimping on the drama of the true story, as so many authors do these days. Falling just short of perfect, I would recommend Abundance to anyone who loves history, anyone who loves Marie Antoinette, and anyone who loves a great read. Definitely worth buying!
Also by this Author: Ahab's Wife, Sherlock in Love, Four Spirits.
Up Next: High Five, Hot Six, and Seven Up by Janet Evanovich.
- Mood:
crazy
Original Year of Publication: 2001
Paperback Page Count: 656
Genre: Biblical Fiction
Summary: Mary Magdalene is one of the Bible's most controversial figures--some argue that she was a prostitute, others the wife of Jesus. Even more wonder if she was the most beloved of his disciples, his best friend and counselor. Margaret George's book follows the life of Mary from when she was a young girl, to her wife and motherhood, and on to her following Jesus. It paints a picture of a young Pharisee woman who, after being driven to the edge of sanity by demons, finds a different calling with a strange prophet...
( Mary Called Magdalene )
Four out of Five Stars: Not Margaret George's best, but certainly far better than Henry VIII and Mary, Queen of Scotland and the Isles. The main problems with this book are its annoying main character--though I have a feeling that it's just me who dislikes her--a slight plotline that is kind of, well, stupid, and a bad beginning. Overall, I would say that it's an interesting read, and casts Jesus very well. It makes Bible stories more exciting, but as an entire book, is nothing amazing. It didn't grab me, but I have a feeling that a lot of historical/biblical fiction fans will like it. As a Christian, I can also add that there is nothing in the book that truly offended me.
Also by this Author: The Memoirs of Cleopatra, The Autobiography of Henry VIII, Mary, Queen of Scotland and the Isles, Helen of Troy.
Similar Books: The Red Tent.
Up Next: No clue.
Original Year of Publication: 1999
Hardback Page Count: 376
Genre: Biblical Fiction
( It crossed the line. )
One and a Half out of Five Stars: The writing is all right, but not amazing. The characterization is fairly weak, but at least original. The accuracy is terrible, and I doubt that anybody wants to read about a brother and sister falling in love--when reality, that brother raped his sister. It's disrespectful in several ways, and just plain annoying. Couldn't finish it, though I came very close.
Similar Books: The Red Tent,
Also by this Author: I don't know.
Up Next: Mary, Called Magdalene.
Original Year of Publication: 2009
Hardback Page Count: 314
Genre: Historical Fiction
Summary: Covering twenty years, from 1937 to 1957, Shanghai Girls chronicles the story of sisters Pearl and May Chin, sold to Chinese-American men in marriage when their father loses all the family's money. Used to fun parties and in love with the artist whose advertisements she poses for, older sister Pearl does not expect her or May's lives to change after they marry strangers. They'll stay in China while their husbands go back to America, continuing to be "beautiful girls"--models. But when their city is invaded by the Japanese and their family attacked by gangsters, Pearl and May must leave China, bringing with them a terrible secret which they keep hidden from their new family. Traumatized by what happened to her in China, Pearl now must take care of her sister and get to know a man she doesn't want, while facing the hardships of a Chinese immigrant in 1930s' America.
( Slight spoilers... )
Similar Books: Memoirs of a Geisha, Bound. (Bound is more YA, but it focuses on an older China, retold in a Cinderella story fashion.)
Also by this Author: Peony in Love, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.
Up Next: The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon.
P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern was made for the big screen. It's got the romantic comedy elements, the romance, and the tearjerker plot that call for chick-flick-ness. The novel was published in 2004, and if I'm correct, the rights were optioned before it was even released. A few years later, out comes the Americanized movie version, starring Gerard Butler and Hilary Swank. (There. Now that you know who the man on the above image is, you may prance off to stalk him.)
An American myself, I didn't even know that the movie was based on an Irish book until after I saw it. Needless to say, I adored the movie--it, obviously, is no Oscar-winner, but it's one of my favorite romantic comedies--but dragged my feet on reading the book after hearing that it wasn't even set in the same country. I didn't want to feel bitter towards the filmmakers for "messing up" the book.
But I read it anyway, and here are my views on P.S. I Love You vs. "P.S. I Love You". (It'll be in bold; I don't know why.)
( The showdown. )
The Winner Is: The movie. I know, I know--and really, I usually don't make this decision. Maybe it's because I saw the movie first; maybe I'm being shallow, and it's just Gerard Butler that has me. But I liked the movie more. It was funnier, more moving, and a true tearjerker. The book was just adequate.
Original Year of Publication: 1994
Paperback Page Count: 287
Genre: Mystery, Chick Lit
My family has a long history with Janet Evanovich. It started out with my aunt reading Stephanie Plum--she's a big mystery lover. Eventually, my mother was turned onto the Stephanie Plum series, and it wasn't long before I wanted in on it. But I was, of course, apparently too young for them. Honestly, I doubt my mother would have had any qualms with the books if it weren't for my aunt's horror that I was sneaking a page every now and then. Finally, I got my hands on the first installment.
Summary: Stephanie Plum, New Jersey native and Hungarian-Italian halfbreed, is out of a job. In desperation, she takes a position offered by her cousin Vinnie and becomes a supposedly temporary bounty hunter. Never mind that she's afraid to fire a gun; she just wants the ten percent cut of the bond. Her first job is Joe Morelli, a cop who's wanted for murder--the same Joe Morelli who got Stephanie's virginity fourteen years before while she was selling him a pastry. Not at all sure that Morelli is guilty, Stephanie tangles with a sadistic boxer, a master bounty hunter named Ranger, and her grandmother, who likes guns and funeral parlors.
Four and a Half out of Five Stars: Is it brilliant writing? No. Is it a hardboiled cop mystery? No. It's a story about a woman who really has no clue what she's doing, a few creepy guys thrown in there, a family who keeps banging their heads against the table, and a couple of hot guys. Not to mention tons and tons of laughs. I laughed out loud. No wonder the books are so addictive! I ignored my "serious" reading and went straight to book number two in the series, which, thankfully, was available in the house. I can't wait to read the rest of the series, and I recommend it to just about anyone!
Similar Books: Honestly? The Metro Girl books by Janet Evanovich; I did read one of those.
Also by this Author: Above stated, and like, fifteen Stephanie Plum books.
Up Next: Not sure.
Original Year of Publication: 2004
Hardback Page Count: 375
Genre: Chick Lit
I watched the movie. I loved the movie. Hey--I had to read the book sometime, right?
Summary: Two months after the untimely death of her husband, Gerry, thirty-year-old Holly is given a number of letters, each one for a different month. But these aren't just ordinary letters--they're from Gerry, penned before he died and dictating each part of "the list" an idea he and Holly joked about when he was still alive. As a grieving Holly follows Gerry's list step by step--with the help of her closest friends--she both remembers fondly times she had with him, and learns how to live without the love of her life.
( I'll try not to compare to the movie... )Three Out of Five Stars: Worth the read, but not worth paying money for, in my opinion. In fact, I would say that this is one of the few books that benefited from the movie treatment. P.S. I Love You is warm and endearing, but not emotional enough for the content it's dealing with. Some scenes are meant to bring major laughs, but they just don't. And I never felt like Ahern was ever seriously trying to bring on the waterworks. There wasn't enough emotional driving force. It was sweet, and there was nothing blaringly wrong with it--but there was nothing particularly fabulous, either. I would recommend it to fans of the movie, and people looking for a nice, chick lit read.
Similar Books: Jude Deveraux's more comedic and less myterious or supernatural works would be a good fit. Dorothea Benton Frank has the similar funny, emotional edge, but with a Southern vibe--and more laughs and better writing, frankly.
Also by this Author: Where Rainbows End, If You Could See Me Now, A Place Called Here, Thanks for the Memories.
Up Next: Reviewing One for the Money, reading Two for the Dough. Both by a certain Janet Evanovich. :)
Original Year of Publication: 1997
Hardback Page Count: 964
Genre: Historical Fiction
Summary: Cleopatra, the doomed Egyptian queen, is known throughout the world as a temptress, seducing two of the most powerful men to ever live: Julius Caesar, and Marc Antony. Brought to life by George's writing, it's now she who tells her story. From her earliest memories, to her dying breaths, all is told through ten "scrolls", carefully entrusted to her faithful--sarcastic--physician and childhood friend, Olympos. The story we all know is told now from an entirely new light: not through the victor, Octavian's, but through the eyes of Cleopatra herself.
( Excuse me while I freak out over historical detail... )
Four and a Half out of Five Stars: Definitely a recommendation to any historical fiction lover, a must-read for anybody interested in Cleopatra, Caesar, or Marc Antony. I would even say that people who aren't that into historical fiction would like it, if it weren't for the occasional dry spells and sheer length of the book--a length which I, personally, found necessary. Each of Cleopatra's famous relationships is portrayed as a very careful blend of political alliance and passion--and that makes sense, once you read about it. Why wouldn't powerful people be drawn to each other? Margaret George handles the question, never overly romanticizing the truth, and adding even more intrigue where it was never lacking. You know the ending of this story, but instead of melodramatic, it is tragic, and George makes one read as if it's all up in the air. The characters are gripping, the story's reach, and the descriptions are lavish. You feel as if you're watching an epic period piece rather than reading a massive book.
Speaking of...
Movie Versus Book: Yep, Memoirs was made into a movie, albeit a TV miniseries. I haven't seen it, but if you have, I can tell you right now that it is nothing next to the book. This should not have been a TV movie; it deserves the big screen. And yes, the movie did commit the history-heresy of cutting off at least one of Antony and Cleopatra's kids. (The history fan in me is screaming bloody murder.)
Also by this Author: The Autobiography of Henry VIII (not recommended), Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles (not recommended), Helen of Troy (RECOMMENDED), Mary, Called Magdalene (haven't read it).
Similar Books: Antony and Cleopatra by Colleen McCullough (have not read it).
Up Next: I, Elizabeth by Rosalind Miles
Margaret George is also apparently working on a book about the later years of Elizabeth I's reign. I'm both worried and excited about this. Her writings about Elizabeth's dad and cousin are far from impressive, and frankly, I wish that she would write about somebody like Cleopatra, who's been portrayed as a villainess. Of course, that's probably just my inner history nerd looking for a book about Livia, Octavian's super awesome wife. (He met her when she was a teenager, married with a toddler. Apparently, she was very beautiful, and he became obsessed with her. So, Octavian divorced his wife, Scribonia, ON THE DAY THAT SHE'D GIVEN BIRTH TO THEIR DAUGHTER, married a pregnant Livia--the kid was not his--and, rumor has it, he was so stunned by adoration with her, he couldn't even bring himself to sleep with her. She basically ruled the Roman Empire during his reign.) But anyway, I'm thinking "The later years? But... She was older! And it started to go downhill in her last years! And... And there's no Robert Dudley! There has to be Robert Dudley!"
I might also reread Helen of Troy and review it when I get the moment... It's been a while since I've read it, and like every other George book, it's huge.
Paperback Page Count: 306
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery
Summary: Isabelle is a seventeenth century Frenchwoman, forced to convert from Catholicism by her suspicious Huguenot townspeople. Surrounded by superstition, Isabelle grows up feared, thanks in part to the fact that her mother is a midwife and rumored witch. After marrying into the Tournier family--wed to cruel Etienne--Isabelle only becomes more constricted. Her family is later forced to flee when persecution descends upon them, and Isabelle finds herself in a place where her Catholic beliefs endanger her even more than they did in her old home--and it's not just herself she has to worry for. Meanwhile, a parallel story is told of Ella Turner, Isabelle's modern-day descendant. An American midwife who moved to a judgmental French town with her husband, Ella begins tracing her ancestry with librarian Jean-Paul. And that's when she uncovers the haunting mystery of Isabelle Tournier's life.
The Virgin Blue is my second Chevalier book; Girl with a Pearl Earring was good, but not a favorite of mine. The woman can certainly write historical fiction well, and, as The Virgin Blue was apparently the first novel she ever wrote, I wanted to see if I would like it. Interestingly enough, I had just finished The Mercy Seller, a book about Catholics persecuting Protestants. This novel was the opposite, finding Isabelle, a Catholic, judged by superstitious Huguenots; however, the tables would soon be turned on the Huguenot Tourniers anyhow.
Let me just say that The Virgin Blue can be pretty slow, to the point of which that the plot becomes too detailed to follow. Througout the book, I really didn't get why Isabelle was so judged, and why, later on, she had to hide the changes in her daughter, Marie. (The hair color, the "virgin blue" of the cloth they bought.) Furthermore, I kind of wished that Isabelle had more personality in the first place. She loves this guy she's only spoken to twice; I wouldn't blame her for wanting to be with the shepherd in the book instead of Etienne--who is a monster--but the actual emotion didn't make sense to me.
I never understood exactly what was going on with the Tournier's superstition, either. Did they do what they did at the end of the book out of fear of judgement by their peers, or because of a superstitious sacrifice? Too many unknowns in there for me. Plus, frankly, I hated the ending of Isabelle's story. On the upside, I did love Jacob's character. He was cool. He was in the book far less than Isabelle was, but I felt like he had more of an actual character. She was just somebody who went through the motions of the plot.
There are some stories for which a cliffhanger works; Isabelle's is not one of them. I was already horrified enough by what happened, and then Chevalier doesn't even bother to tell us what Isabelle did about it? No thank-you.
Now, on to Ella's side of the story. The actual mystery-solving of the plot bored me to death, probably because I already knew what had happened. But Ella's story was more about her marriage--which she wasn't content with--her moving to a new town--which she wasn't content with--and her relationship with Jean-Paul--which she wasn't content with. You can see the pattern here.
Ella is one of the most annoying people I have ever read about. She wants to be a midwife in France, but she never actually DOES anything about it. She just kind of cries about how she doesn't say things right, and how she likes this librarian even though she's married to this Californian dude who, God forbid, does not like this disgusting rash on her arms.
You don't like your husband anymore? You like this French librarian guy? Okay... THEN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AND STOP WHINING AND GET ON WITH IT.
Why did Jean-Paul even like this woman? Despite his incredibly cheesey name, I did like Jean-Paul himself. He was bearable, despite his very stereotypically written sentence where he's all like "This woman who fights with me has me wanting her" and all this garbage. When he wasn't trying to romance Ella, he was cool. But the thing is, I felt bad for him in the end of the book. I wanted him to turn Ella out in the cold. She deserved it.
Character and plot aside, The Virgin Blue did have some lovely descriptions. Again, Chevalier is a good writer. But this is nothing next to the previous book I've read by her; the dialogue style annoyed me, too. I really don't like it very much when authors use hyphens instead of quotation marks. Too artsy for me.
Two and a Half out of Five Stars: The Virgin Blue was a true disappointment. Chevalier's great writing style remains, but the plot and characters were completely flat, if not plain annoying. While Isabelle's story is haunting and sad, the ending is, in my opinion, terrible. Isabelle's cardboard, and irritating in that she never grew. She never mustered up the courage to stand up to the Tourniers. She was afraid. Ella, too, did not really grow. Except for the fact that she actually--gasp--made a decision at the end of the story. Took her long enough. But by the end of the book, you really don't care about who Ella chooses or what she wants to do with her life. If you're like me, you want her to jump off a bridge.
Similar Books: The Mercy Seller, though it looks at history from a different perspective.
Also by this Author: Girl with a Pearl Earring, Falling Angels.
Up Next: The Memoirs of Cleopatra by Margaret George. It is MASSIVE.
Original Year of Publication: 2007
HardbackPage Count: 422
Genre: Historical Fiction
Brand new author for me.
Summary: Living in fifteenth century Prague, young Anna carves a living illuminating books with her grandfather, Finn. With the Catholic Church hunting down possessors of the Wycliffe Bible--followers of the "heretic" Jan Hus--Anna and Finn are constantly in danger--a danger that only becomes more real when Martin, Anna's love, is murdered by the Church's henchmen. On his deathbed, Finn tells Anna to leave Prague for England, in order to stay safe. After a brief stay with a band of gypsies, Anna is forced to set up shop in France, posing as a widow--and meeting VanCleve, a young merchant. What she doesn't know is that VanCleve is truly Friar Gabriel, a priest sent to spy on Lord John Oldcastle. And what Friar Gabriel doesn't know is that Anna will soon have him doubting his vows.
( Mild spoilers... )
Four out of Five Stars: But only if it's read entirely on a historical fiction basis. There's a good story in here, likable characters, but nothing you'll remember for the rest of your life. It's a library check-out, not a buy. However, if you're interested in the fourteenth century--or Catholic-Protestant conflict, for that matter--you'll be sure to learn something. Every character has a secret in The Mercy Seller, to the point of busyness. But overall, I wouldn't say that it's difficult to keep up with, or dragging. A good book, but not a great book; likable, but not lovable.
Similar Books: Anything by Robin Maxwell.
Also by this Author: The Illuminator. I haven't read it.
Up Next: The Virgin Blue by Tracey Chevalier.
Original Year of Publication: 2009
HardbackPage Count: 383
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
I've been a Sarah fan ever since I picked up This Lullaby. As a rule, I recommend her books to any teenager who wants to get into reading, or is already an avid literature fan--my mom and I share her books as well, though I always get first dibs. I've been waiting for Along for the Ride for months now.
Summary: Auden has a unique family situation: the daughter of a domineering college professor and a self-centered author, and sister to the charming world-traveler Hollis, she's used to striving to be the best. Spending the summer with her father, his girly wife Heidi, and their newborn Thisbe, is hardly the break she expected it to be. After hooking up with a random stranger on the beach--totally out of character for her--and later finding out that she'll be working with his ex, Auden's already off to a rocky start. Bumping into Eli, a silent boy who always seems to be judging her, doesn't help. Completely out of her element, Auden has to wonder if everyone around her is wrong, or if somebody else is at fault.
( Dessen will be Dessen. )Four out of Five Stars: ... But it should have been at least four and a half, if not five. The fact is, Along for the Ride is better than some of Sarah's earlier stuff--Keeping the Moon, That Summer, Someone Like You--but not as good as some others. There's no problem with the storyline; she's still at her A-game, there. I just wish that the characters would have resonated there. But she paints a true portrait of a girl who never lived a real life, and a family falling apart at the seams, even after a divorce. Along for the Ride really is a coming of age novel, and not just for Auden. A lot of the characters in the book get a reality check--what you want isn't always what you get. All the same, Dessen fans will probably compare I would recommend this book to any fans of the genre, but not to somebody who hasn't read Dessen before. For the best first impression, try This Lullaby
Similar Books: Honey, Baby, Sweetheart by Deb Caletti.
Also by this Author: Lock and Key, That Summer, Keeping the Moon, Someone Like You, Dreamland, This Lullaby, The Truth about Forever, Just Listen. I've read them all, and they're all good, if not great.
Up Next: I'm reading Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon, but I don't know if I'll review it...
- Mood:
complacent
Original Year of Publication: 2005
Paperback Page Count: 427
Genre: Futuristic Fiction/Fantasy
I originally picked up Poison Study sometime last year. I was very busy at the time, and the beginning of the book just wasn't enough to pull me away from what I was working on. However, after many recommendations, I decided to give the book another shot.
Summary: After murdering her benefactor's son, Yelena is sentenced to death. Just before her execution, Valek, the chief of security for the Commander--the country, Ixia's, dictator--gives her a way out, by becoming the Commander's food taster. Choosing to live in constant fear rather than die sooner, Yelena undergoes training in poisons from Valek, risking her life even as she learns the ropes. As Yelena's past returns to haunt her, and her previously unknown magical abilities begin to emerge--abilities that are a death sentence in Ixia--her life is once again in jeopardy, with no way out.
Some spoilers ahead.
( Jumping the shark, much? )
Three and a Half out of Five Stars: Everything went by too quickly, in my opinion. What could have been stretched out over a trilogy--which is what the series is, I believe--was dealt with in the first book. Snyder used up too much plot, and despite the length of the book, just knocked a lot of plot points out before she had to. The world is very creative and unique, and for that reason, I would like to revisit it. It's a series worth continuing with, but not worth buying, even in paperback. A library check out for fantasy fans, for sure. It would have little appeal to the people who check fantasy out once in a while, but don't read it often.
Similar Books: Graceling by Kristin Cashore.
Also by this Author: Magic Study, Fire Study.
Up Next: Son of the Shadows by Juliet Marillier.
Original Year of Publication: 2008
Hardback Page Count: 471
Genre: YA Fantasy
After being continuously disappointed with my last couple of YA picks, I was a bit worried about how Graceling was going to turn out. After all--look at the last first-time author I reviewed. I'm not a big Tamora Pierce fan, either, so it didn't help that Kristin Cashore was constantly being compared to Pierce. But I went ahead with it anyway.
Summary: In a world where people with two-colored eyes are born with a Grace--an enhanced skill of some kind--Katsa, niece to King Randa, has grown up with the Grace of killing. Half-savage, she leads a Council of men to do her uncle's bidding, which is usually unfair and grotesque. After meeting and befriending Po, a foreign prince Graced with fighting, Katsa realizes that she is little more than Randa's thug, and that she doesn't believe in what she does to people. After setting out together, Katsa and Po become aware of an insane king's plot to harm Po's family, and basically set out to take him down.
Four and a half out of Five Stars: I definitely recommend this book to any fantasy lover, and probably to any YA reader out there. It's one of the best books I've read in the past couple of months. Kristin Cashore's writing isn't perfect, but it has a ton of potential and originality. The supporting characters are probably the highlight of the book. Though Katsa isn't bad by far, she can get on one's nerves once in a while, as most fantasy heroines do. But she's probably one of the better supergirls I've read about. With just a bit of tweaking in her next MC--a bit less borderline-Sue traits?--Kristin Cashore should have another hit on her hands.
Also by this Author: Fire, a prequel to Graceling. She's also working on a sequel-spinoff type thing called Bitterblue.
Similar Books: Tamora Pierce books (eh), Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder.
Up Next: Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Original Year of Publication: 2009
Hardback Page Count: 294
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
I am rapidly becoming a sucker for pretty covers. I walked into the store, saw Wings for a reasonable price, and ended up buying it. Oh what. A sucker. I am.
Summary: Fifteen-year-old Laurel realizes that something suspicious may be afoot when a golf-ball sized lump appears on her back. Soon after, the bump becomes a wing-like blossom--still blooming out of her back. The rest is history.
( Better not tell Mom about that flower on my back... )
One and a half out of Five Stars: The mythology is creative and original. Aprilynne Pike obviously has some potential, deep down, if she can recreate fairies like she does in Wings. However, the girl desperately needs to take a writing class, or something. Honestly, I would not ordinarily say so, but the ineptitude of Wings really got on my last nerve. It's a waste of plot. Ms. Pike should at least plug Laurel into the Mary Sue Litmus Test; trust me, it would be an eye-opener. With characters ranging from typical to boring to hey-I-just-missed-awesome, and plot devices of an appallingly unbelievable nature, Wings is simply not recommended. The half a star was only thanks to the mythology and Tamani.
Also by this Author: Nothing. This was her debut, God bless her.
Similar Books: Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely series. I've read the first two; they aren't my favorites, by far, but I realize now that you could get worse. A lot worse.
Up Next: I'm finishing up Nora Roberts' Sign of the Seven trilogy, after which I'll be reading Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr. I won't be reviewing any, as they're all parts of a series, and it's been too long since I've read the first books. By the way, I do read something other than fairy books. Please believe me.
- Mood:
annoyed
Original Year of Publication: 2009
Hardback Page Count: 307
Genre: YA--Urban Fantasy
Cynthia Leitich Smith joined the growing group of "Hey, Smeyer is a multimillionaire, why don't I write a vampire book?" authors in 2007 with Tantalize, a book well-received by critics, but with a generally mixed reaction from average readers. Honestly, this book looked a lot less stupid than it sounds now when I decided to read it. It's set in the same world as Tantalize, but a bit earlier, I believe.
Summary: Quiet Miranda has always been watched over--not that she knows it. Her guardian angel, Zachary, has kept his eye on Miranda since her first breath, and is shocked when he realizes that she's soon to take her last. Having already violated his orders by falling in love with Miranda, Zachary breaks another rule by saving her life--and inadvertently ending it. Miranda is kidnapped by the head hancho of the vampires, turned, and made his heir. A year later, Zachary, now a fallen angel, is out to save her soul, though he's not sure how, and under a human guise. With Miranda's adopted vampire father losing his mind, everything is at stake for the two star-crossed lovers.
Two out of Five Stars: Smith needs to leave the supernatural thing alone. Because frankly, she sucks at it. (And no, that wasn't a joke.) From writing a vampire-human-werewolf love triangle right when somebody else you might have heard of was, to doing a Dracula spinoff in the guise of a star-crossed angelic romance. Honestly, if she'd kicked the vampires to the side and focused on angels--without her MC--I may have liked this book. Maybe. If she, you know, worked on improving her writing. But as it was, this book was like nails on a chalkboard, with a tiny bright spot called Zachary. Tiny bright spot. I won't classify this as romance, either, because the love story was truly lacking.
Also by this Author: Tantalize. Read it. Don't recommend it.
Similar Books: Similar, I suppose, but much more enjoyable, in a cotton-candy way--Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments trilogy. These books include angels and vampires, which is basically the only way that they are similar to this one.
Up Next: Wings by Aprilynne Pike.
- Mood: aggravated
Original Year of Publication: 1991
Hardback Page Count: 627
Genre: Historical Fiction/Paranormal Romance
This is another book that I've been hearing tons of hype about. And when I say "tons" I mean TONS. Apparently, Outlander is everyone's favorite time-traveling book. After being seriously disapppointed in The Time Traveler's Wife--couldn't finish it--I was a little worried about giving this one a try. But who can resist a 1940s' woman stuck in historical Scotland? I mean, come on. The kilts.
Summary: Former World War II nurse Claire Beauchamp Randall is on a second honeymoon in Scotland with her husband, Frank, when she time travels through a circle of standing stones. Ending up in the eighteenth-century Highlands, Claire, a "Sassenach"--outlander--is quickly taken captive by a group of Jacobite Scots, including her husband's lookalike ancestor, and his enemy, a young Scotsman named Jamie. All Claire wants to do is return to Frank--but first of all, she isn't sure that it's possible... And secondly, in her adventures with Jamie and company, she may be altering the future more than anybody could realize.
Four out of Five Stars: But it was really close to four and a half. I didn't love Outlander, but I really, really liked it. Any fan of historical/time traveling romance should pick this book up, at least at the library. Now, if you're a really big time traveling fanatic, then this is a definite taker. I had my problems with Outlander, but I also had my moments of pure adoration. The main characters were excellent, if a little lacking in some areas, while the "bad guy" was truly spine-chilling. Of course, the book could have benefited from a little plot here and there. There was a lot of horseback riding and gallavanting, but little actual story until the very end. I think that some structure could have been much appreciating. Nevertheless, I will definitely be reading the further installments of the series.
Other Books by this Author: The rest of the millions of books in the Outlander series, at least seven and still counting. These things are long, man. I haven't read any as of yet.
Similar Books: Eh; the only other time travelers I've finished are Jude Deveraux's, and I don't see much similarity between her books and Gabaldon's...
Up Next: I read and will be reviewing Eternal by Cynthia Leitich Smith; I'm currently reading Wings by Aprilynne Pike.
- Mood:
blah
Original Year of Publication: 2004
Hardback Page Count: 368
Genre: Urban Fantasy
After first getting hooked on urban fantasy, I've been looking for a book series that isn't as stereotypical as the ones you see on the paperback Romance shelves. Though the Rachel Morgan series first turned me off based on the covers--more on that later--I eventually got around to reading the first book in the series, Dead Witch Walking. Considering the praise I'd been hearing from most reviewers, I had high expectations.
Summary: In an alternate reality where "Inderlanders" have revealed themselves thanks to a killer tomato virus, Rachel Morgan, a twenty-something witch, has just quit her job working for Inderlander Security. Partnered up with her living vampire roommate, Ivy, and Jenks, the pixie who lives in her garden, she's quickly drawn into a biodrug case surrounding Trent Kalamack, a prominent figure in Cincinatti. Along the way, Rachel has to confront a demon, avoid being bitten by a supposedly "non-practicing" Ivy, and master the art of transforming into a mink without getting killed in a rat-fight. Sound interesting? It gets better.
( Full Review with Minor Spoilers... )</div> </div>
In the End...
Four out of Five Stars: The book isn't perfect. Far from it, as a matter of fact. But nevertheless, it's a great start-off for a series, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest. It's addictive and fun, a recommendation for just about any urban fantasy fan. I would like to see work on the chemistry and clarity in the future, but those are my only main complaints. You'll care about just about every character--even if it's not necessarily in a good way. I would say that you should check this out from the library first, and buy if you really like it. After all, they are being reissued in hardback.
Up Next: After being utterly disappointed in The Time Traveler's Wife, I've decided to read yet another book for which I have very high expectations. That would be Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. A good time traveling novel is something to be beheld, and frankly, after TTTW, I need something refreshingly... better.
- Mood:accomplished
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