The dystopian concept was really great, and the story pulled me along quickly. I wished that the author would have followed the consequences through m...moreThe dystopian concept was really great, and the story pulled me along quickly. I wished that the author would have followed the consequences through more to see what happened, instead of just seeing what happened in the relationship of two specific teenagers. An enjoyable and fast read with good thoughts on which to chew.(less)
Usually you can give me a set of likable, oppressed rebels, and you can pretty much automatically sign me up for the revolution. The kinds of heroes w...moreUsually you can give me a set of likable, oppressed rebels, and you can pretty much automatically sign me up for the revolution. The kinds of heroes who fight for freedom in these stories were always celebrated in my home, in the kinds of media my family was excited about. I liked the characters in Tigana well enough, but some of the actions that they took in their fight for freedom made me question whether I would be that resolved. So I was surprised to survey myself, and then realize that I had never before surveyed myself, as to whether killing individuals, say a man guarding a barn, in the name of some political setup for the promotion of "freedom," is something I value or am capable of. Surprising thing not to have really considered before...
The curse that one of the oppressors puts on a city in the book of taking its name and identity is an interesting one. And the theme of identity for the individual characters from the city throughout was good to follow. I wasn't thrilled with the magic system, since it wasn't explained or terribly intuitive, just kind of mysterious, even though there were several sorcerer characters. Anyway, an enjoyable enough read.(less)
It was interesting to consider the inconsistencies in how we think about animals, but I didn't get a lot of new information. I suppose the information...moreIt was interesting to consider the inconsistencies in how we think about animals, but I didn't get a lot of new information. I suppose the information about research animals was mostly new to me. There are a lot of moral questions to consider in the text (I guess it's still text if you listen to it), but if our use of animals is something you've thought a lot about before then the questions asked here probably aren't so different than the ones you have decided on for yourself. I think it would be great for anyone who hasn't yet considered our relationship with animals and our use of them.(less)
I finished this a few weeks ago, and I kind of wish that I had written my little review immediately on finishing, because the effect that this book ha...moreI finished this a few weeks ago, and I kind of wish that I had written my little review immediately on finishing, because the effect that this book has is powerful. This is a gorgeous retelling of a fairy tale, but it is an intense and sometimes very violent one. My connection with the heroine became much stronger by the end that I thought it would be. The terrors are real, the heroine is strong, and the prince is good. A wonderful story.(less)
Genly Ai is an envoy from a federation of planets who share trade, science, and art for the betterment of personkind. He is on a mission to attempt to...moreGenly Ai is an envoy from a federation of planets who share trade, science, and art for the betterment of personkind. He is on a mission to attempt to bring a newly discovered planet into the fold, a harsh and forbidding world that was named Winter by those who first visited. On this world, humans are neither male nor female until they enter their monthly mating cycle, at which point they could become either. This is not the plot of the story, just the backdrop, though the effects of the lack of dichotomy among humans has interesting effects on the society. Genly is in danger as the governments on this world try and decide how to react to his presence, which some consider a danger or invasion.
At first, I had a really hard time understanding the characters from Winter because of the unusual social system that controls most of their communication based on some hard-to-define requirements for reputation. I also had a hard time connecting with Estraven, but I realized that most of that had to do with the main character's inability to accept Estraven as a whole person, and once they made that break through in the story, it was much more easy to cheer for them as a team. I appreciated the interspersed myths that informed the societies and the story. As a feminist work, it seems a little quaint now, though reproduction and childcare being thought of as a responsibility for every human, instead of half of the species is still something the world is struggling with today. Still, I enjoyed it.(less)
In The Magician King, sequel to The Magicians, Grossman picks up about two years after he left the young magicians as the kings and queens of Fillory ...moreIn The Magician King, sequel to The Magicians, Grossman picks up about two years after he left the young magicians as the kings and queens of Fillory (a Narnia analog), and Quentin is longing for another adventure. He sets off to collect taxes on a far lying island and ends up in a place he never expected to see again. Meanwhile, magic is in danger in all of the worlds, and only Quentin and his friends can save it.
The thing that bothered me about the previous book was the magicians' lack of direction. They had amazing amounts of potential and didn't really take any action to make any world a better place. This time Quentin decides he'd like to be a hero and help his friend Julia. These are desires I can work with, and it made a lot of difference to me in caring about what happens in the story. I always love fantastic details and interesting magic systems. Grossman's are not always delightful, but they are usually engaging.
I've seen some criticism that most of the action in story is part of Julia's history, so much so that the titular character and main viewpoint are a little off. I thought about that on finishing, but while the most interesting actions take place in Julia's timeline, all of the growth takes place in Quentin. While I was put off by Quentin's "reward" at the end of the book (also, some sexual violence), I'm pretty excited about following the Quentin, who has come a long way since Brakebills, on his next adventure.(less)
Someone has kidnapped the prince in a plot to take the throne, and Beka and her team are called in to track them.
So much had happened sinc...moreSomeone has kidnapped the prince in a plot to take the throne, and Beka and her team are called in to track them.
So much had happened since we last saw Beka, that it was a little hard to jump into the story, especially since in begins at such a jarring place, the burial of a jerky fiance that we have never met. So it took me a while to get into the story. Beka has never been the Tortall character that I connected with the most strongly, but I enjoy her relationship with her friends and her commitment to justice. I really liked Farmer, just like everyone else. I expected the surprise at the end because a review that I read, but I didn't have the specifics. Still, I was looking for it to happen the whole book, so maybe that's why I felt a bit distanced. An enjoyable read, but I think I'm ready to move forward in time and back to the Tortallans that I originally fell in love with.(less)
So I've really enjoyed this series because of the awesome characters and the really fun ideas, but as far as the romantic set up, I wasn't really that...moreSo I've really enjoyed this series because of the awesome characters and the really fun ideas, but as far as the romantic set up, I wasn't really that into it, because there are a lot of complications, and it just doesn't seem that important in relation to, you know, the Great (Steampunky) War. But. Now can I just say, "Awwww."
This was a wonderful ending to a great triology. The action and adventure and food for thought, are all just right, and the characters are wonderful, and I want to follow them on all their adventures, forever.(less)
I really love Laini Taylor's writing, and she didn't disappoint with her new book. The ideas and the details are so fantastic and fun, but true. The d...moreI really love Laini Taylor's writing, and she didn't disappoint with her new book. The ideas and the details are so fantastic and fun, but true. The devils are weird and wonderful and the magic system is fascinating. What comes out of the price of magic is surprising and obvious at the same time, and I really enjoyed this read. Lots of the characters were easy to get attached to, as well. I did have a few problems being fully enthusiastic during the story. Both, in fact, have to do with the love interest. (view spoiler)[One is that I tire of the perfect, beautiful supernatural fellow character, in general (and Karou doesn't have many flaws either, now that I mention it). The other is that I generally find the made-for-each-other, can't-resist-him-even-though-he's-dangerous, makes-no-sense TRUE LOVE situations to be kind of creepy and way more unrealistic than other fantastical elements. (hide spoiler)]
I'll definitely keep reading. I want to know the full story of what happened with Brimstone. I wan't to learn what happens in the war. And I want Karou to find her family. I look forward to the next book!(less)
I liked the final book in The Inheritance Triology well enough, but not as much as I enjoyed the first two books. I think it had something to do with ...moreI liked the final book in The Inheritance Triology well enough, but not as much as I enjoyed the first two books. I think it had something to do with the mortals that this story focused on. I've never been big into the Arameri family, and two of the main characters here are definitely those types of people. Still, I enjoyed the visit with all of the other characters, and the plot kept me interested. I look forward to more of Jemisin's work.(less)
So I finally finished this book today after starting it the day it came out. Part of that was do to a ridiculously busy time at work and a move that k...moreSo I finally finished this book today after starting it the day it came out. Part of that was do to a ridiculously busy time at work and a move that kept me from having a lot of leisure time (also I'm on the final season of Buffy and the second-to-last of Angel in a giant tv marathon, and don't even get me started about how that particular story teller is frustrating me, too), but part of it is that I'm just getting frustrated with how long it is taking these folks to reach their destinies. As always, super violence (especially against women) and killing off good people all the time were hard for me to stick through. This featured some of my favorite characters, and I loved catching up with them, but I feel like I know where they're going, and I just wish they would stop being blown around the world without reaching their destinations.
Winter is here. Let's party. Dragons, Others, Creepy Priests of the Red God, Maesters, Free Folk and Rich Folk, let's put all the cards on the table and end this. Seriously.
Anyway, I'll finish them, and probably love it, but right now I'm feeling a little burned out and impatient.(less)
I had a hard time getting back into this. I read the first 3 about 6 months ago, and it's tough to keep up with all of the characters after taking suc...moreI had a hard time getting back into this. I read the first 3 about 6 months ago, and it's tough to keep up with all of the characters after taking such a long time off. It gets to a point where I stopped caring which specific Ser was being screwed over by a major player at any given time. I just assume they are all dead or hiding in their castles by now. It's mostly just the big guns left. Also, he is still introducing major players! The church and the citadel just suddenly get all involved and powerful in the 4th book? The constant violence against women that made the other books hard to read is also still prevalent.
Anway, by the end of it, I was sucked back in again. He's good at that. Good thing the 5th book is out today. Happy reading!(less)
This was my first Connie Willis book. I really enjoyed the characters and the humor, although I was getting quite ready for a resolution by the end of...moreThis was my first Connie Willis book. I really enjoyed the characters and the humor, although I was getting quite ready for a resolution by the end of it. Lots of witty banter and fun time travel.(less)
I've actually never read an Arthurian legend, I've only picked it up in pop culture and summaries. I've also never read Mercedes Lackey, but I was loo...moreI've actually never read an Arthurian legend, I've only picked it up in pop culture and summaries. I've also never read Mercedes Lackey, but I was looking for a tale of a woman warrior, and she obliged. I liked Gwen. I liked the rough hewn world she lived in. Thinking back on it, I wish that more time had been spent with the other characters of legend, but the disconnect was caused by the character's own isolation having chosen the warrior's path, and I was never bored following Gwen. Her story was her own. (less)
Rory is an American teenager beginning her senior year as a new student in a London boarding school. Unfortunately, she arrives the same day that some...moreRory is an American teenager beginning her senior year as a new student in a London boarding school. Unfortunately, she arrives the same day that someone starts re-creating the Jack the Ripper murders. Rory becomes tied up in the case as the only witness, and things turn dangerous.
I read the first 78 pages in a preview, and then couldn't wait to get my hands on the rest of the book while I waited for it to come out. Maureen Johnson's witty one-liners made me laugh out loud several times, and it's easy to get attached to the characters. The mystery is good, too. After I thought it was all over, I was surprised by the very end with the lead into the next book. (view spoiler)[Not in what it is leading to, but in HOW Rory is sucked in. (hide spoiler)] I can't wait for the series to progress, but MJ says on Twitter that she's not releasing the next one until everyone reads the first one, so get on it!(less)
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