Three plus. Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden, Wizard for hire, might be a man of our times, but The Dresden Files is full of nods to the pulp fict...moreThree plus. Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden, Wizard for hire, might be a man of our times, but The Dresden Files is full of nods to the pulp fiction detective stories that are my guilty pleasure. As the only "out" and publicly-practicing professional wizard, low profiles aren't exactly Harry Dresden's thing. So naturally when he takes on a messy murder case along with an ominous disappearance case, he runs afoul of basically everyone and quickly attracts all the worst kinds of attention to himself. He may have taken the cases for the money, but he'll have to solve them to escape with his life.
There's a heck of a lot of a formula of course. The old school feel comes with the stock of familiar tropes: the detective that doesn't play by the rules, the hunter who becomes the hunted, etc. etc. but it's a heck of a lot of fun, and moves fast with good action and messy fight scenes with fists and magic flying everywhere. I could pick at things here and there, but I totally know that I'll read another one.(less)
Full disclosure: I got this book as a freebie, and I have to say that it's been a long time since I read a full-on romance, but I have to say--even th...moreFull disclosure: I got this book as a freebie, and I have to say that it's been a long time since I read a full-on romance, but I have to say--even though the concept is not the most original out there, it really wasn't bad. It's pretty tame as romances go, with a lot of "almost-but" as you might suspect from the remarkably covered up (literally) couple on the cover, but sometimes it's better that way, because there's more in the way of romantic tension, and less in the way of unintentionally laughable play-by-plays. The characters were pretty likable and bantered well together. I think you have to go in with these with a certain suspension of disbelief, but if you can do that, it's pleasant enough, and it was such a quick read I polished it off in a morning.
My only real complaint is that I hated to see, once again, a situation depicted where a grown woman hangs out with other women that constantly make cruel jokes at her expense, and are constantly undercutting her, and her response is to smile and nod and continue to put up with it. Now it's true that these were friends of the main character's cousin that she was forced to share bridesmaid duty with, but it's almost worse that there's no real attachment because too often these girls' opinions are referenced (even when they're "offstage" so to speak) and the character is often in a position of making a decision or changes her behavior because of what they might think or say---and then she voluntarily associates with them after the wedding, when she would have a perfect excuse to never associate with them again--and this is supposedly a strong and independent character. It's really too bad.
Frenemies are something tweens (and sadly, often teens) have because they don't know any better and haven't come into their own enough to understand who they really are, so they take cues from their social circle. As adults however, we should know who we are enough to also know who our friends are. I see this often enough that I have to think that it must still be happening out there, but I'm tired of this convention popping up in what would have been called as "chick lit" once upon a time, and apparently still doing a cameo in the romance genre. It's just got to be said...in the post-50 Shades world, there are a lot more fun ways to present masochism if you're going to go there than the played-out social politics of mean girls. Am I right?
A reader can expect the usual roster of wacky characters, quippy, smart-aleck banter, and freewheeling plot but although the concept for this book is...moreA reader can expect the usual roster of wacky characters, quippy, smart-aleck banter, and freewheeling plot but although the concept for this book is out there, this book feels a little more tethered than some of his other stories, and it may be my favorite thing he has written. Set squarely in the renegade Parisian art community at the time that the Impressionists were starting to make a name for themselves as the brash upstarts of the art world, the themes of beauty and inspiration help create a bit more of a firm nucleus for all the craziness to orbit around than I'm used to seeing from him. In this case, the craziness includes that aforementioned cast of madcap characters Moore is known for, only this time Moore's zanies are more famous than usual--most of the big names you can think of have at least cameo appearances: including Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. The story follows the artistic and personal journey of Lucien, a baker's son and artist hopeful who lives on the fringes of the art scene, rubbing elbows with many of its colorful and notorious characters. Interwoven with his story is the gradual revelation of the diabolical, murderous escapades of a mysterious and beautiful woman who is strangely linked to the deaths of several illustrious members of this community, including possibly Vincent Van Gogh, and who may have her sights set on Lucien next. Although it's safe to say that Moore embellished and embroidered on history a lot--be prepared for a magical quality to enter into things--it's also clear that he really did his homework. Art buffs will take a lot of pleasure in recognizing the tidbits of strange and fascinating bits and pieces of personal background of the artists that are intermixed with the fantasy, and the intriguing origin stories Moore spins about a host of very famous paintings, and non-art buffs will get a glimpse of the flesh and blood side (sometimes in a very literal way) of the artists that may give the Impressionists and their time a new spark of life and interest.(less)
This is one of those series where the adage "don't judge a book by its cover" is really all too true. I've read two of the books in the series now, an...moreThis is one of those series where the adage "don't judge a book by its cover" is really all too true. I've read two of the books in the series now, and the content is much more satisfying than the unfortunate cover art might have you believe. Beatrice Alexander is a teacher turned---reluctant--special team investigator whose work is a little more "special" than most. She has a precariously balanced brew of telekinesis and other extrasensory abilities that have surfaced and are complicating her life. Her new job, serving as a component of an underground government team comprised entirely of similar extraordinary people (and creatures) gives her the chance to play the hero, rather than the screw-up for the first time in her life.
Mind Over Monsters is an entertaining intro to this fun and addicting series. The novel market is pretty chockablock with supernatural-infused books, but Harlow's series brings in two elements that make them an altogether enjoyable addition to the fray. For one, they're actually funny. Her feisty, unglamorous but very likeable heroine may be treading in the footsteps of many a fish-out-of-water character before her, but she sounds a little more real, a little rougher around the edges, and a good deal funnier than some of her predecessors. Harlow loves to do banter---which always has the danger of slipping one of two ways: it can be fun and lively or it can feel stale and forced with a little too much knowing winkiness. In her case she keeps it to the former and the jokeyness feels natural and in keeping with her characters, not like they're putting on a show. Also, Harlow's former life as a lab assistant and government investigator (true!) might be put to good use here. The F.R.E.A.K. squad cases actually kind of feel like cases---with a little more method than you usually seem to find and more sexual tension than moony romance, so what you end up with is the perfect union for Bones and CSI enthusiasts and supernatural addicts alike. Fans of Kim Harrison (a favorite of mine in this genre) would probably also enjoy these as a little change-up, the characters take themselves a little less seriously and have a less glammy veneer. As much as I love Harrison, overall I'd say this is kind of a refreshing alternative option.(less)
Jackson Pearce is becoming my go-to person for fairy tale retellings. They are grown-up enough to have loads of crossover potential and tap into a sor...moreJackson Pearce is becoming my go-to person for fairy tale retellings. They are grown-up enough to have loads of crossover potential and tap into a sort of universal, primitive exhileration at the root of so many of the oldest variants of the tales. Not that it's a bad choice to make at all, because it can be done effectively, but so many retellings play for humor or the fantasy without the fear. With Pearce's books the fear is very much a part of the whole experience and it really makes them stick with you. In Sisters Red she took on the story of Little Red Riding Hood. This time, in Sweetly, she explores the story of Hansel and Gretel, and if anything, this one is even creepier.
When they were children,Gretchen and Ansel lost their sister to a mysterious presence in the woods near their house. Although both are traumatized, Gretchen is shaken by the experience the most since it was her twin who was lost. Although Gretchen feels she knows what was behind the disappearance no one believes her and she and her brother make an unspoken pact to keep their family tragedy to themselves. When the siblings find themselves cast our on their own they end up getting close to some of the townspeople, but as they heal from their shattered pasts, they discover that everyone in town has a secret of their own, and one of them just might be deadly.
Although you can't really call this a sequel exactly-it's definitely a companion to SR and the yet-to-be-released Fathomless> is part of the series as well. Although three is such a good number, I almost wish there would be more. The suspense is handled so well and the characters are really haunting and compelling. In the first two, although there is some romance, the stories have a lot to do with family and identity. In a way, it's perfect that the Hansel and Gretel serves as the story bridging the other books because so many of the characters are struggling with either finding their way in the world or figuring out their own role in the world. It will be interesting to see where Pearce takes us with the next installment.(less)
This book might be as close to perfect as I can possibly imagine. It's late in the year, so I can feel quite confident in raving that it's in my top f...moreThis book might be as close to perfect as I can possibly imagine. It's late in the year, so I can feel quite confident in raving that it's in my top five of books I've read this year---maybe top two. It was that good.
A mysterious circus appears. It opens at nightfall, closes at dawn. It's known as the circus of dreams and its mystical nature goes far beyond the name---so far beyond that even the performers, even its team of creators, are not aware of all of its secrets.
Interesting that I read this after Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell because this book also deals with a magical rivalry. The story alternates between the story of the development of the circus Le Cirque de Rêves itself, and the story of a sinister competition that pits two young unknowns against each other, each the student (and often, pawn) of an unscrupulous sorcerer whom doesn't bat an eye at putting the life of his young charge on the line. Both halves have an evocative, dreamlike quality about them. The atmosphere reminds me of something that Georges Meliès might have concocted, although that might have been partly due to the celestial references
Whether the dream is a good one or a nightmare is up for debate throughout nearly the entirety of the book, and I found this ambiguity only made the story that much more interesting and appealing. Even though I dis see some developments coming, there was still quite a few genuine twists and turns that I was not as prepared for. Of the two stories, the rivalry story was my favorite--there was a compelling tension throughout, and everything builds to a crisis point that actually really is worth all the fuss and is genuinely dire. I would love to go into more detail, because the detail in this book is magnificently lush, but I don't want to give away any of its secrets. Highly recommended.
There's enough here in the first volume of this dark sci-fi series to spark interest, but it's hard to to know yet how good this is ultimately going t...moreThere's enough here in the first volume of this dark sci-fi series to spark interest, but it's hard to to know yet how good this is ultimately going to be. The concept is chilling: the government immunizes all of its citizens when they reach the first grade but 1 syringe in 1,000 contains a biological time bomb that will kill the recipient instantly at a pre-set time. With the threat of an untimely demise hanging over everyone's heads, the hope is that the citizenry will straighten up and fly right--or else. Rabble-rousers or anyone who asks questions can be carried off at any moment to get one of the fatal injections, and the doomed get 24-hours notice of their expiration date via cards called Ikigamis ("death papers") that are delivered by special courier. Fujimoto, the protagonist (sort of-more on that later), is employed as one of these death messengers and must somehow reconcile his doubts and ethical pangs with his fear of the State and the consequences of what might happen to him if he disobeys. Fans of Deathnote and Full-Metal Alchemist may be intrigued these kinds of ethical struggles and the dark sci-fi elements of the storyline, but as of the end of the first volume, we don't quite get enough of Fujimoto to know who he really is yet. Every time we get a tidbit of his inner dialogue the story cuts away again to follow one of the doomed. Still, a fast, chiller of a read.
Age Appropriateness (15-16+): While most of the scare-factor is psychological here, one of the doomed in Volume 1 also happens to be nursing a revenge fantasy and makes his last 24-hours memorable in brutally attacking two former schoolmates. One of the attacks is a rape, or at least looks enough like it could be one that it may bump the maturity level up a few notches, and an earlier schoolyard bullying scene is pretty disturbing in itself and features some partial nudity (although all the most scandalous bits are entirely obscured.
There's a sub-genre of chick lit I like to call "Label Lit", where the joy is really more in the shopping and designer label dropping than in spending...moreThere's a sub-genre of chick lit I like to call "Label Lit", where the joy is really more in the shopping and designer label dropping than in spending time developing the friendships and relationships between the characters. There's nothing wrong with this angle in and of itself. After all, a lot of people read for escapism, don't they? It's not for everybody, though. If you enjoy those books, this book could be a perfectly breezy beach read. I don't, so I found this a dissatisfying offering from the author of Jemima J.
Super stylish Libby has a cushy PR job and a fantastic best friend, but her love life is a mess. What she wants is Mr. Successful (a.k.a. RICH) to help her afford the lifestyle she's always wanted but her relationships never last. Things get complicated when she meets two new prospects: Nick, a good-looking writer who is on the dole, and Ed, a slightly older man who has all the money she could want (but generates no physical chemistry) and she has to take a long look at what she really wants.
The problem is that Libby comes across as too mercenary and shallow to root for, but also, overall it feels like there's a disconnect between what we're led to believe is for the best and what we actually feel. It seems as if a better, meatier story is wedged into an ill-fitting frame or if Green is trying to sell us a story even she doesn't fully buy into. There are plenty of things said to imply that we're supposed to dislike Ed, and if we could the love-or-money angle would play a lot better, but in fact he comes across as a sweet, lonely guy who wants different things and it only throws Libby's behavior into an even uglier light. As for Nick, it's amply implied that we're supposed to see him as The One That Got Away, but in fact he and Libby break up for good reasons (only a bit of which actually have to do with money and which Libby even lists convincingly at the beginning of the book. Really only recommendable for Label Lit junkies and (maybe)Pretty Woman fans.
When Rose is a little girl, she takes a bite of lemon cake on a birthday perhaps more than usually fraught with underlying family tension and discover...moreWhen Rose is a little girl, she takes a bite of lemon cake on a birthday perhaps more than usually fraught with underlying family tension and discovers that she can "taste" all the feelings the person had who baked it. Unfortunately, the hollowness she tastes in the cake is linked back to her mother, and Rose's new burden of a talent and her insight into her family's troubles will transform her life whether she likes it or not.
Maybe it's uncharitable, but I couldn't help thinking of how the hook here seemed a little too much like "Like Water for Chocolate". I got over it though, mostly because of Bender's own unique skill for evocative writing and the appeal of Rose and her family who manage to be each other's fiercest allies and own worst enemies.
This is one of those books where it's not about achieving a happy ending as much as it details the main character's journey towards growth, self-awareness and forgiveness so there's a little bit of sour with the sweet. Something the main character definitely knows a little something about. (less)
Who is Nick Twisp? Youth in Revolt's fumbling antihero is somewhere between an American version of Sue Townsend's pretentious and snarky Adrian Mole a...moreWho is Nick Twisp? Youth in Revolt's fumbling antihero is somewhere between an American version of Sue Townsend's pretentious and snarky Adrian Mole and--God help us all--what a teenage Greg Heffley might be like, had he been born into a far more dysfunctional family. Like his literary predecessors, Nick is flailing in the choppy social waters of school, strikes out spectacularly with girls, and comforts himself with his inner conviction that he is made of far superior stuff than the vulgar multitudes that populate his life. The difference is that both Adrian and Greg play for laughs--even at their most self-centered and deluded. Their authors poke any number of holes in their characters' puffed-up ideas about themselves. In Youth in Revolt, it's not necessarily that Payne lets Nick off the hook, it's just that he lets him hog the stage for too long. At just a hair away from 500 pages, it's too long. The sharp, satirical moments begin to feel few and far between as the Nick's escapades get more drawn out and we have to wait longer and longer for the payoffs. The tension is lost. The novel could have stood some serious tightening up, or at the very least--been broken up into separate books a la Townsend's parade of Adrian Mole books. You can see how all of this would have the potential to play out much better on the small screen as a miniseries (as MTV seems to be intending) or even in the current movie version (where a lot of trimming would have to have been done).
The sequel, in contrast--at a comparably emaciated 288 pages, would seem to suggest that Payne figured this for himself...or else his editors did. But if a sequel drops in a market after so much Nick Twisp saturation, will readers be bothered enough to care?
This book tends to move people to experience visceral love-it-or-loathe it reactions for a lot of really understandable reasons. It takes its cues (ok...moreThis book tends to move people to experience visceral love-it-or-loathe it reactions for a lot of really understandable reasons. It takes its cues (okay, ALL of them) from beloved series--"classics" you may argue-- like The Chronicles of Narnia and Harry Potter. Too many cues, some same say, and the author and his characters have a truly ambivalent relationship with the source material. I found this kind of tension fascinating, but I see where the critics are coming from.
Quentin, a vaguely nerdy, high school nobody discovers that he has hidden abilities when an invitation to test into a mysterious school sucks him into an underground world of magic hidden from the rest of the world. Quite unlike Harry and his cohorts, Quentin and his new friends use (and misuse) their gifts as you might imagine that flawed, young people with sudden access to a lot of power actually might, and what begins as wonder ends up becoming corrupted into ruthless ambition for some, idle apathy for others. Ultimately, their principles and their friendships will have taken a beating, some past the point of recovery. While gripping (I literally could NOT put this book down when reading it) it's also rather like a car accident watching these young and VERY fallible characters struggle with forces that are always threatening to consume and corrupt them, and as you might expect, the story builds to a pretty dark, startling conclusion. A side plotline about the influence of a Narnia-esque series of books on Quentin and his friends also has a great deal of significance and adds intrigue as the one idealized magical world is juxtaposed against the "real", jaded, corrupted magical world that the characters live in.
As one of my fellow reviewers pointed out, Grossman has the cheek to pop in a few direct references to Harry Potter (jokes or comments made by the characters) and to me those are the times when it just doesn't work. Whenever he does it's as if a curtain is suddenly wrenched back to reveal all the mechanisms underneath. It's just obvious and kind of juvenile. The Fillory parallel to Narnia feels far more effective, and Grossman ends up striking up a pretty satisfying (though admittedly) strange blend of humor and sinister eeriness in developing his portrayal of it. The Magicians succeeds the most when Grossman fully commits to his worlds, even if his readers are fully in on his references all along.
As far as the extent of the borrowing/inspiration, I'll say this. Not having been a fan of the Narnia books, but having grown up devouring E. Nesbit and Edward Eager books, I had my own points of reference that worked just as well for the Fillory parallel without even much of a stretch. Eager, Nesbit, Lewis, Barrie, Baum, Carroll, Pullman, Rowling and other authors of children's tales of magic and wonder are all bound together, compatriots in theme, who all drew on similar inspirations--as well as each other. There's a lot of shared source material for all of them, and Rowling, as great as she is, and as wonderfully as she weaved her stories, borrowed just as much (if not more!) as all of them. Grossman appears to have selected Harry Potter and Narnia as his primary focal points for his commentary, probably one for its current relevance and the other for its enduring legacy, but really, the underlying archetypes and quests cross almost all fantasy. He wisely selected the two that would have the most currency and would have enough of those common elements that would allow him to basically talk about all of those other tales as well--all at once. I can see why this may rankle some readers, but I think what he did made a lot of sense.
The nearest comparison I can think of for this book is Marc Acito's How I Paid for College: A Novel of Sex, Theft, Friendship and Musical Theater, wi...moreThe nearest comparison I can think of for this book is Marc Acito's How I Paid for College: A Novel of Sex, Theft, Friendship and Musical Theater, with maybe (oddly) a touch of Olivia Goldsmith thrown in-- and luckily Acito's title is long enough to give you a pretty good gist or what to expect here.
"Candy" is a good word for this because there's definitely something about this that feels a little frivolous, transient and not completely satisfying-- I could see this being a decent beach read, but not much more than that. The cast of characters are a hodge-podge of oddballs, not the least of which is the hero, wanna-be actor Jayson Blocher, who must (sigh) learn some tough lessons as he begins his rocky journey to potential stardom. That's not to say it's not funny in spots, but too many of the jokes are kind of cheap shots dependent on the caricature-esque characters or sly little jabs having to do with the 80s setting, which never really quite loses that gimmicky feel. (less)
Anna was conceived as a sort of genetic backup plan for her ailing sister Kate, who suffers from leukemia. Anna's entire childhood has been spent dona...moreAnna was conceived as a sort of genetic backup plan for her ailing sister Kate, who suffers from leukemia. Anna's entire childhood has been spent donating plasma and marrow to Kate but now that a new and even bigger sacrifice is being asked of her, she's decided to draw the line--though it may end up meaning breaking her mother's heart, costing her sister her life and breaking apart her family. An intense but compelling story, the drama and complexity of Anna's predicament will keep readers hooked. The alternating points of view work well overall, but some perspectives (Anna's, her mother and father's, Kate's) definitely work far better than others (Julia's and Campbell's). Also at times I felt Picoult was a bit heavy-handed with her metaphors, but really the only thing I really disappointed with, was the ending. It felt like a cop-out on the author's part and after so much of the book was spent in boldly tackling a tricky ethical subject there was a part of me that felt this was unworthy. Sarah Dessen fans will eat this up.(less)
In this case, you can tell something about this graphic novel from the cover. The creator, Craig Thompson, has a talent for really making the most of...moreIn this case, you can tell something about this graphic novel from the cover. The creator, Craig Thompson, has a talent for really making the most of the beauty found in simple gestures and the momentous significance that can be found in even the little moments in our everyday lives. The book has a mostly contemplative feel as the main character navigates the dark days of his adolescence and searches for meaning and human connection, but there are also moments of quiet humor and the story and its characters are never less than achingly true. Adults will love it and the concept of a misfit/soul-searching character trying to figure out his place in the world will defintely speak to some older teens ready to embark on the next stage of their lives. Simply beautiful.(less)
I recommend this retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but with a disclaimer. I don't know. I felt like the story was beautiful but its slow pacing espec...moreI recommend this retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but with a disclaimer. I don't know. I felt like the story was beautiful but its slow pacing especially in the beginning, is bound to put off some readers. For that reason I might suggest it to other adults before some teens.
I hadn't realized this is a second take on the subject for her, and as I haven't read Beauty I can't compare it. The story of Beauty and the Beast might just be my favorite fairy tale though, and compared to its original fairy tale and variants this was based on, it holds up very nicely. The world is rich and engrossing and I enjoyed seeing Beauty's sisters more fleshed out and given their own adventures. The growing relationship between Beauty and the Beast is handled especially well. Although the pace was slow, I felt like the way the story spun out worked with the material---as if the enchantment was gradually building. The ending might be a bit surprising to some, but I felt McKinley pulled it off. My only real complaint was that the back story of the beast and the curse felt incredibly convoluted---not least because we are fed a couple of different variations of it before the 'real" story comes out. (less)
This is the story of Charlotte Simmons, a "good girl" from North Carolina who comes to college and gets an unexpected education in the big bad world a...moreThis is the story of Charlotte Simmons, a "good girl" from North Carolina who comes to college and gets an unexpected education in the big bad world at the jock- booze-and sex-obsessed Dupont University. It's often said that there's a grain of truth in every cliché. Well, there's a lot of clichés in this book, and a few of them may include a grain of truth but overall this book has a very surreal feel, as if you're watching an old documentary on the American college student. Wolfe's love of quote marks around what he considers to be slang or idiomatic expressions, his pedantic explanations (such as his lengthy description of f*** or s*** patois, say), his tendency to keep reverting to phonetic pronunciation for someone either using slang or a southern accent...all contribute to snap the reader back out of any moment that starts to feel the least bit authentic. There's an almost palpable contempt running throughout when it comes to the author's view of his subjects and their environment. None of the characters, including the heroine, are very likable and many of them come off as garish (and fairly offensive) stereotypes. The female characters get the shortest end of the stick: the crude, man-hating smart girl; the gleefully promiscuous and catty sorority girls; the prudish naive country girl; etc. On the off chance that anyone does manage to find something in the heroine to relate to, they are going to be grimly disappointed at the end of her journey when they see what's become of her.
Not the YA crossover you might think, mainly because for all that Wolfe gets right about campus life, the aforementioned professorial quality and contempt shouldn't do it too many favors with young people. (less)
Truthfully, this book is a bit too clever for its own good. It may not be great as a general sort of crowd-pleaser, but bibliophiles, nerds and librar...moreTruthfully, this book is a bit too clever for its own good. It may not be great as a general sort of crowd-pleaser, but bibliophiles, nerds and librarians are undoubtedly going to be at least mildly amused by the quippiness and literary insider appeal. Jasper Fforde readers who follow the exploits of literary detective Thursday Next should definitely give this a try.(less)
This is the kind of book for people who like their humor like they like their coffee: black with just a twinge of a bitter aftertaste. In fact, the st...moreThis is the kind of book for people who like their humor like they like their coffee: black with just a twinge of a bitter aftertaste. In fact, the story that's being told here has a lot in common with caffeine: you suspect that it's not really good for you, but it provides you with a satisfying fix. In this case, the "fix" is a good dose of schadenfreude, or maybe just the vicarious satisfaction of observing other people behaving badly. Basically Apathy is a jaunt through total nihilism. The plot follows a loser who by doing absolutely nothing productive to advance his own situation in life, somehow ends up extricated in a very bizarre chain of events involving several affairs and a murder investigation. There isn't a single really sympathetic character in the whole lot, and yet as a train wreck it's quite the page turner. To say the conclusion was a bit too tidy is an understatement considering the extent of what goes down, but overall it was entertaining in a warped sort of way. I have a feeling Family Guy fans would probably enjoy this book because my reaction to so many of the situations and conversations in the book is pretty much like the typical reaction to that show: about a 50/50 mix of indignation and amusement. Don't say that I didn't warn you.(less)
I read this too long ago now to do justice to it in a review, but I will say that I liked it. The concept was crazy and the story was definitely inter...moreI read this too long ago now to do justice to it in a review, but I will say that I liked it. The concept was crazy and the story was definitely interesting and the mystery unfolded in a really intriguing way. I couldn't put it down. My fiance was frustrated by the protagonist's motivations (or seeming lack thereof) and I think that was the main sticking point for me as well. The character is so closed-off and enigmatic you really have absolutely no clue why he makes many of the choices that he does, and he seems to drift through his own life, constantly landing in the role of victim through inaction more than anything else. It's like he's a spectator of his own life. It's kind of a mesmerizing character study just in how it really makes you marvel at just how far he takes this---but it's undeniably frustrating to have to watch someone keep getting themselves into these situations and not asserting themselves to help or explain themselves in any way. It has that car accident quality where you don't want to watch but then you have to look anyway.(less)
Moore's particular brand of wry humor couldn't be applied to a more appropriate subject than the biggest cosmic joke of all: Death. Charlie Asher, a p...moreMoore's particular brand of wry humor couldn't be applied to a more appropriate subject than the biggest cosmic joke of all: Death. Charlie Asher, a poster boy for Beta Males everywhere, simultaneously falls into the unlikely side profession of death dealing and the difficult position of being a single dad. Similar to other Moore books, A Dirty Job features a mixed bag of blatant caricatures and more complex characters whose personal philosophies and ethics are so ambiguous that readers may never resolve whether they actually like them. Once again though, Moore consistently delivers such snappy dialogue that it's hard not to be entertained. His characters aren't always the kind of people you could see yourself being intimate friends with, but there's no question that they put on a good show. The author himself seems aware of this as he occasionally indulges by throwing in gratuitous exchanges that are really just banter for the sake of banter. The fact that the reader forgives him this just shows how funny he really is. Plot-wise, Moore does show a serious side by achieving some true poignant moments along the way to the philosophical and spiritual reawakening of his main character. As Moore weaves in threads of various mythologies and religious traditions, this journey even has the feel of authenticity. Unfortunately, events take on an increasingly freakish turn after a mid-novel twist and may leave more than a few readers shaking their heads. True Moore fans who are used to his hijinks will probably expect nothing less.(less)
Though the "mammal" theme seems a bit tenuous as a link, all three of the novellas are enjoyable in their own ways, all set against a Victorian backdr...moreThough the "mammal" theme seems a bit tenuous as a link, all three of the novellas are enjoyable in their own ways, all set against a Victorian backdrop. Overall, I felt the first to be the strongest overall, with the second the most Gothic in feel, and the third the funniest. The first novella has a bit of shock value towards the end but make no mistake, this is not a tale that glorifies animal cruelty but an exploration of performance, exploitation, the lies that we tell ourselves, and the price we pay for them...and a pretty darn good one at that.(less)
Having just finished Jonathan's Stroud's second book in his Bartimaeus Trilogy, I couldn't have picked a more fitting follow-up read if I tried. The m...moreHaving just finished Jonathan's Stroud's second book in his Bartimaeus Trilogy, I couldn't have picked a more fitting follow-up read if I tried. The magical/fantastical element is here in spades in this Victorian era detective story that brings to mind the darker parts of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries, with the atmosphere of T.S. Eliot's "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" with that ominous yellow fog licking at every corner. Edward Moon, a fading magician/illusionist and sometime detective is drawn into a case involving a series of impossible and disturbing murders that may be representative of a growing threat to the viability of the city of London itself. His companion in crime-solving is an enigmatic giant known as the Somnambulist, who often seems to know more than he lets on. The conspiracy plot with a multitude of side-changing morally ambiguous characters is admittedly a bit convoluted at times, but even so, it chugs along at a good pace and if you're fascinated by the dark underbelly of things (and particularly when it comes to the Victorian time period), it's hard not to be entranced by this book.(less)
This may be the best book I've read all year, which isn't to say it's perfect. In fact, there are about a million reasons to hate it that most of my f...moreThis may be the best book I've read all year, which isn't to say it's perfect. In fact, there are about a million reasons to hate it that most of my fellow reviewers have already touched upon: the gorgeous young It Girl-looking author for one, or the denseness of the writing (some have called it overwritten), the pretentiousness of it all. And yet, for sheer impact, I don't think I could come up with a single thing to top it. This book really gets in your head and doesn't leave it the same again. I almost returned it a chapter or two in because the book is about the size of your standard dictionary and it was madness to begin it going into final exams. I couldn't bring myself to postpone reading the rest though, because it was just too good to set aside. Ultimately, I polished off the last quarter or so of the book in a single night too gripped by the suspense to put it down until I found out how things resolved themselves.
There is something just too compelling about the main character. Blue is a near-genius who may excel in nearly everything but her social development remains severely stunted due to being dragged cross-country by her hilariously pretentious and snarky professor father. Newly arrived at the last in a string of schools to finish out her senior year, the hapless Blue gets sucked into a coterie of intense over-achievers who orbit around an even more mysterious drama teacher. While her association with them gives Blue the chance to finally act like a teenager for the first time in her life, there are disturbing undercover goings-on that are unraveled that make her (and the reader) question everyone's agendas and motives, including her father's, who seems somehow connected to it all.
Although the book looks back on the events surrounding a dramatic incident revealed to us early on, more and more half-truths and deceptions unfold as the book progresses that lead to even bigger bombshells. Just as you don't want to like the book and yet you do, Blue is exasperating and heartbreaking at the same time, the book is darkly funny and absolutely terrifying. I know a lot is always said about Infinite Jest---which seemed to me too clever by half---but this at least has a payoff that's worth the effort.(less)
This adult take on a Choose Your Own Adventure-style book was not nearly as much fun as I thought it would be. While there really are an astonishing n...moreThis adult take on a Choose Your Own Adventure-style book was not nearly as much fun as I thought it would be. While there really are an astonishing number of possible eventualities covered here, living vicariously in a lot of the cases turns out to be more annoying than not in a book where even the POSITIVE scenarios end up wrapping up with a description of how you meet your ultimate end. I may be wrong, but I suspect most adults reading this were doing so to relive the nostalgia of the heady thrill they got from reading the old Choose Your Own Adventure books, not to feel preached at (which seems to be underlying a good number of the threads) or for a Chicken Soup for the Soul cozy satisfaction in the knowledge that their character ends up dying in their sleep surrounded by a loving family. When the author does try for the splashier endings more often than not you feel like you're getting the lecture but no justice. The appeal of the children's series that have used this gimmick is the sense that it really is up to you and you face immediate consequences. Good or bad you get the immediate cause and effect. It doesn't keep you waiting and the reader feels in control. Here the reader often feels manipulated between decisions that are red herrings in disguise followed by too much explanation. There may be a lot of strings, but it's just not as much fun when you're the puppet instead of the puppetmaster.(less)
The wait in between Thursday Next novels was a dreary one indeed, so admittedly gratitude might skew the objectivity a bit.
Thursday (and company) are...moreThe wait in between Thursday Next novels was a dreary one indeed, so admittedly gratitude might skew the objectivity a bit.
Thursday (and company) are back years later. Thursday's precocious son Friday has morphed into a stereotype of a prickly teenager, and the dramatic drop in reading rates has forced Thursday into working freelance (when she can). Fforde follows a familiar pattern with this installment. As might be expected, a number of what would seem to be isolated bizarre incidents end up interconnected, the Chrono Guard and evil super-corporation Goliath look extremely suspicious, and and once again, the fate of the world is at stake. It may be a familiar pattern, but it usually makes for an enjoyable ride nevertheless. This time around however, Fforde struggles a bit with keeping all the balls in the air, and so the reader comes out of some of the scenes feeling slightly shortchanged. Quite a few familiar characters from the other books get little play, to turn the focus more fully on the inner workings of Thursday herself (who is forced to interact with two different representations of herself). This might sound promising (and I can't say that I missed Miss Tiggy-Winkle that profoundly) but unfortunately this aspect of the plot gets tied up far too neatly, while plenty of other threads are left hanging.
Not the strongest of the series so far, but any fan of Jasper Fforde will find plenty to be entertained by nonetheless. An encounter with a craftily camouflaged demon and a part involving the frantic juggling of pianos and elephants in the book world were especially funny. So entertaining, actually, that I found myself giggling out loud a few times times in public--you really have to give some credit to a book that will let you forget yourself like that. (less)
If there were a rating for sheer coolness factor, this book would score off the charts, but do I approve of coolness for coolness's sake? Apparently i...moreIf there were a rating for sheer coolness factor, this book would score off the charts, but do I approve of coolness for coolness's sake? Apparently in this case, I do. Hugo Cabret is orphaned, broke, and living a secret life behind the walls of a train station as he tries to piece together the story of a mysterious invention that his late father discovered and became obsessed with before his death. Along the way he runs afoul of the law and a crochety old man with a mysterious past who may be a magician or something else entirely. The book is well over 500 pages long and therefore is not easily portable, but it's an astoundingly fast read, and any kid who balks should be shown that A) about half the book consists of sketchbook-style full page illustrations and B) there are many pages that only have a line or two of type on them. It's an interesting format, and one that is pivotal in one of the plot twists, and often works to heighten already building suspense. The book is a sort of homage to old school cinema, the art of the first movies and of French filmmaker Georges Méliès in particular (although explaining why would give it away) and captures the feel of that world so well and introduces a level of sophistication and allure that I think that YAs as well as grown-up film buffs could easily find a lot to love in this book as well. All this being said, there are some flaws. There is a minor character that really exists for no other reason than for the author to put his friend's name in the book, but makes prominent enough appearances towards the beginning that it initially leads you to think otherwise. There are very grave misunderstandings that cause a lot of danger and trouble to Hugo could have been cleared up quickly and easily with a few words, but he chooses to keep silent for no apparent reason other than to allow the author to spin out the melodrama further. It seems like a bit of a cheap trick, and I suppose it is, but naturally it's effective. There are at least three different chase scenes, a lot of risk and mystery, and a good deal of suspense running throughout. If ever there was a way to do the unthinkable and connect young boys with reading, classic cinema, and art all at once---this is it, and I can't help myself; I think that's pretty darn...cool.(less)
All I can say for an intro is that Susanna Clarke had a lot of moxie, putting out a tome like this, and a tome it certainly is. My copy amounted to so...moreAll I can say for an intro is that Susanna Clarke had a lot of moxie, putting out a tome like this, and a tome it certainly is. My copy amounted to some 900+ pages on my Nook, and with the kind of baggage I lug around daily, I would have been hard-pressed to have read this any other way.
The story, set during the Napoleonic Wars is an alternate history of sorts set in a world where magic exists, or at least a world that knew magic. In the world of the book, famous magicians of the past are revered as we might revere great statesmen or great writers, but the England of the story has evolved (some might say "deteriorated") to a point where the only magic left is theoretical, written about with an academic detachment in scholarly books. No one practices the art of magic anymore. No one, that is, except for one very humbuggy sort of crank, who attempts to restore Magic to England. Ultimately, the story becomes a complex, somewhat moving, sometimes maddening tale of a collaboration turned rivalry turned--almost--love story between two magicians of completely different temperaments and viewpoints but share the same dream, the same love, of magic. While they strive (in their own ways) to achieve their ends, they might well destroy each other in the process, but the one thing they can't do is avoid each other. Clarke commits to writing the entire epic story in a style and tone that matches the time period, down to employing archaic words, phrasings and spellings, and does it so convincingly that it begins to seem impossible that this could really be a book that was written only a handful of years ago. The narrative itself is set up almost as an embroidered biography of the two title characters, extensively employing authentic-sounding footnotes that reference magic texts and scholarly works that do not actually exist. This is a book that will envelop you, to be sure. The effect is so masterful, it's no wonder that the book garnered a Hugo and multiple other awards.
That being said, imagine if someone had attempted to publish the Harry Potter saga as a single volume, and that is pretty much what you have to deal with here. Just like Rowling, Clarke isn't wasteful with her characters and side stories. Everything plays a role, all the little puzzle pieces fit into place eventually, but believe me when I say that Clarke is in absolutely no hurry to get you there. The story is not strictly linear and sometimes the diversions, though interesting, are pretty frustrating to the reader. Characters and plot lines are dropped--and begin to feel abandoned--not to be picked up for much, much later. We don't even meet Jonathan Strange properly until maybe a third of the way through the book, if I recall. She is not in a hurry with her storytelling by any means, and it's a real testimony to her abilities that she is able to get away with this. It also means that a certain level of patience is required from a reader. My litmus test is this: if you read Lev Grossman's The Magicians and had a hard time getting through it, avoid this book like the plague, because it takes that pacing to a whole new level. If you were fine with the strolling "we get there when we get there" pace of Grossman's storytelling, by all means try this because as magical books go, this is about as good as you can get.
Anyone who loved this book should read Jonathan Stroud's Bartimaeus trilogy. They're technically Young Adult books but it's really just a great trilogy period. The main character feels like a young Jonathan Strange, and the footnotes in that one (asides from Bartimaeus, the magician's demon) are incredibly entertaining. They're not exactly the slimmest of volumes either, but comparably, they're a breeze, with more action and brisker pacing.
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