Reading "Altar of Bones" by Philip Carter was like reading a two-hour movie of the week. It's got everything you could want in a fast-paced action-ori...moreReading "Altar of Bones" by Philip Carter was like reading a two-hour movie of the week. It's got everything you could want in a fast-paced action-oriented novel, including car chases, assassination attempts, exposed conspiracy theories, riddles, potentially supernatural elements, sexual tension, good guys, bad guys, (and sometimes you aren't sure which is which)...you get the idea. Everything but the kitchen sink is thrown at you leading to a page-turning read.
"Philip Carter" is a pseudonym for an internationally renowned author. I'm not sure who it is yet but this book is obviously not a first attempt by a new author. The two main characters, while not showing National Book Award level characterization, (who would want that in a thriller book anyway?) are well drawn and for the most part, I cared what happened to them. I did have some issues with the secondary characters. There are quite a few of them and they tended to be a bit one-dimensional. Perhaps a little more characterization with fewer supporting characters might be preferable. My favorite thriller novels always have fantastic bad guys and I felt this novel fell a little short in that regard, thus knocking it down one star but still, I enjoyed this one a lot. (less)
I am new to the author, Robert McCammon, but he came highly recommended from another blog I follow so I thought it worthwhile to give him a shot. The...moreI am new to the author, Robert McCammon, but he came highly recommended from another blog I follow so I thought it worthwhile to give him a shot. The results? Speaks the Nightbird will be a very strong competitor for my best-of-the-year list and now that I think about it, will probably make my best-of-all time reading list.
Yes, it's that good.
This is an historical novel set in the Carolina territory in 1699. Mathew Corbett is a clerk to a magestrate (judge) based in Charles Town and together they travel to the village of Fount Royal where the magistrate must have a trial for a reputed witch. Of course, the townspeople all firmly believe the witch is guilty and there is no need for a trial, and indeed, the evidence is damning. In fact there are even eye witnesses to her devilish acts. What follows is a rather complicated and intriguing mystery in which we watch our protagonist uncover the truth of the matter, using his keen powers of observation and deductive reasoning much like Sherlock Holmes would do. But there is far more to this novel than the mystery for this author has mastered the arts of setting, pacing, characterization, and plot. The book is a rather large one, coming in at 792 over-sized paperback pages, and yet it did not seem like a "long" book. I kept wanting to read and then read some more, cutting short some of my other well-loved hobbies (and sleep) just to get more reading time in. And thankfully, there are two more novels featuring Mathew Corbett following this one. Delightful!(less)
I've always liked Tony Danza and I know I'm not alone in that sentiment. It's not just the characters we've seen him play but somehow he's always seem...moreI've always liked Tony Danza and I know I'm not alone in that sentiment. It's not just the characters we've seen him play but somehow he's always seemed "genuine". Now I've never been a teacher but I've certainly been a student for a whole lot of years and I've been a parent to two children who have made it through the school system successfully. I've had ample opportunity to observe teachers in action and have always felt a reverence for them and what they do.
This book is a great portrayal of what it is like to be a first year teacher in a large public, inner-city school in Philadelphia. It's nicely organized with the general flow of the school year, but he includes a section called "Teacher's Lounge" at the end of each chapter where we get to see Mr. Danza learn an important lesson or receive advice from the other teachers on how things really work. But the main parts of the book are the classroom interactions with the students and the struggles that Mr. Danza goes through when dealing with the rules, the administration, the amazing amount of work that teachers have to put in, and the ever present threat of layoffs and/or downsizing. But he freely admits his advantages compared to the other teachers. First and foremost he only teaches one class a day, an English class which, as a voracious reader, is near and dear to my heart. I really enjoyed the discussions he has with the students about their studies. But where this book really shines is his interactions with those students, both in class, and one-on-one as he tries to engage them in their work. Before he knows it he is in their lives and they are in his. He tells some pretty powerful stories of these kids and what they must live through outside the classroom. It's a bit like watching the movie "Freedom Writers" starring Hilary Swank (which two of his students insist he watch during the last week of school). To his further credit, Mr. Danza eats a lot of humble pie throughout this book, and constantly must learn from the experienced teachers and administrators around him; nor does he write about his own successful career in show business except for some brief mentions when it comes up when dealing with the students. And we are treated to quite a few personal glimpses of Mr. Danza's own troubled school days as he tries, sometimes desperately to relate to his students.
All in all this is a very uplifting book that does not shy away from the myriad problems affecting today's public education system in America. A very worthwhile read that will energize you and motivate you to make a difference. (less)
I don't expect too much from new thiller authors. It just seems like these novels are so often churned out by formula and tend to concentrate on page-...moreI don't expect too much from new thiller authors. It just seems like these novels are so often churned out by formula and tend to concentrate on page-turning action at the expense of proper plotting, characterization, setting, etc. Even some of the old "pros" succomb to this. But Ben Coes has written an absolutely terrific action-thriller novel.
Does it have action? Definitely! Is it a page-turner? You bet. But it also has near flawless plotting that builds the suspense and lets the reader know the characters, truly caring what happens to them. There are edge-of-your seat chase scenes, but they are balanced with a realistic plot that is extremely plausible in our current age. It combines the horror of terrorism (and the body count is quite high) with the financial markets, and with the US infrastructure power systems as targets. The idea of a terrorist group of a different stripe and with different motivations is a welcome change to the landscape of thriller fiction. The author has certainly done his homework, whether it comes to off shore oil platforms, electricity grids, or the ins and outs of hedge funds. And the character of Dewey Andreas, former Army Ranger and Delta, has all the makings of a new Jack Reacher, Mitch Rapp, or Dirk Pitt.
This novel will be available in the US in October 2010. It's complete in this one volume but the epilogue clearly leaves room for sequels. If so, I will be among the first in line to get the next book! (less)
I'll start by saying I have read every one of the series to this point and have enjoyed most of them very much. Mostly that's because I have grown to...moreI'll start by saying I have read every one of the series to this point and have enjoyed most of them very much. Mostly that's because I have grown to really know the main characters and I like to see them grow and change. But starting with book #13, Dark Tort, they seem to have lost something. I had hopes after #15, Fatally Flaky, once again returned to form with a decent mystery plot but now with this 16th entry in the series, I am afraid for the future of the entire series.
So what's wrong with this one? Where should I start? There is just way too much going on here. Too many characters, too many subplots, too many attempts to throw the reader off course. I suppose with a cozy mystery, the reader expects to suspend their disbelief somewhat and just go with it. But Goldy just ignores any and all precautions as she goes about gathering clues to solve the murders. That happens in most of the books due to her personality but here she really defies logic in gathering evidence. There is no way a prosecuting attorney could ever bring the bad guy to justice because virtually 100% of the evidence would be inadmissible. Goldy commits all sorts of crimes to gather that evidence as well, including multiple B&Es, false statements to the police (even her own husband) and yet she gets offended when the police don't share facts with her. What was once an endearing quality of Goldy's personality (which is what really drives these books) has now become simply annoying and making me, as a reader, have less and less sympathy for her.
The plot is so convoluted it seems Ms Davidson was making it up as she went along. There are so many subplots here, with minor characters making one or two sentence appearances, that it is hard to follow. The long-term characters, those that have appeared throughout the series, make zero strides forward. Goldy's son, Arch, for example, is 16 years old now but she still treats him like he was 11, actually dismissing him from the room when the word "sex" is uttered out loud. The mystery itself is weak, the surrounding plot was weak, and I was looking forward to the last page so I could get on to another book. That just ain't a good sign.
If it wasn't for the setting (Colorado), and hopes for further growth in characterization, I would give up on this series. I still may because there are just so many good books out there to spend my time with.
Ms Davidson is a talented writer as evidenced by her past work. Perhaps it's time to move on to a new series. (less)
"Running the Books", by Avi Steinberg is subtitled, "The Adventures of an Accidental Prison Librarian". On the surface, it's an interesting look at ho...more"Running the Books", by Avi Steinberg is subtitled, "The Adventures of an Accidental Prison Librarian". On the surface, it's an interesting look at how the author spent two years as a librarian in one of Boston's prisons. Avi Steinberg was an obituary writer and had no previous training or experience as a librarian. He answered a want ad and the next thing he knew he had landed an interview.
But this book is about far more than that. It is a poignant examination of people. Not just any people, but the sort of people that are in prison as well as the guards, the prison staff, and the author himself.
I was attracted to this book for two main reasons: 1) I like books and anything to do with them, and 2) I am always up for learning about aspects of life that I've never personally encountered. Prison life has long been an enigma for me and although I enjoyed watching "Prison Break" on TV I assumed that wasn't normal prison life. Parts of this book are humorous, parts sad, and parts downright disturbing but I think the author really gets down to the nitty gritty of how the people interact, especially with him. We see the ugliness of prison politics, how the author himself tries to do the right thing only to get caught up in it himself. We see a wide variety of inmate personalities, and dive in deep to see a handful of them up close. I won't go into details so as not to provide spoilers but rest assured many of the inmates’ stories are tragic. Along the way, we learn about the author's own life experiences both inside the prison library and outside. One can't help but to wonder how we, the readers, would handle some of the situations he encounters and how they would affect us and our outlook on life.(less)
Boy, if you've ever wanted to read an all-out action book, I've found one for you. Monster Hunter International is about an ordinary guy, an accountan...moreBoy, if you've ever wanted to read an all-out action book, I've found one for you. Monster Hunter International is about an ordinary guy, an accountant no less, who finds himself having to fight a werewolf on the very first page. The fact that the werewolf is his condescending boss makes it all the sweeter when he finally defeats him after a bloody battle. As a result, MHI (Monster Hunter Int'l) recruits our ordinary guy and trains him to go after vampires, ghouls, wights, gargoyles and assorted demons. There are lots of lengthy, bloody battles here, lots and lots of gunplay, more battles, more guns, and...well, you get the idea. I found reading this book to be akin to playing a video game or watching a Robert Romero zombie movie. Pretty cool stuff. And, believe it or not, the characters were pretty well fleshed out as well.
The only negative thing I have to say about the book is that there a few plot contrivances. In other words, it almost seemed the author wrote himself into a corner, an impossible situation, and had to resort to a trick to get out of it. I won't spell it out any more for fear of spoilers. And, like a video game, the horrific nature of the monsters made them seem impossible to kill...and yet it happened...and then the next monster was even worse...and yet the MHI teams triumphed...etc. Our hero gets mauled and mangled so badly he couldn't have been much more than a walking road rash and yet there he is fighting hard in the next scene. Good escapist summer reading. Nothing wrong with that. The end sets up a sequel or three and I suspect Hollywood and/or computer game design companies are on the move. (less)
Having immensely enjoyed Robin Hobb's "Farseer Trilogy", I enthusiastically turned to her next fantasy series, the vast "Liveship Trader's" trilogy. T...moreHaving immensely enjoyed Robin Hobb's "Farseer Trilogy", I enthusiastically turned to her next fantasy series, the vast "Liveship Trader's" trilogy. This first novel in the series, "Ship of Magic", is set in the same world as the "Assassins Apprentice" but otherwise has very little to do with it, instead focusing on a whole new and unique fantasy setting. Liveships are large masted sailing ships made of wizardwood that actually become sentient beings after three generations of their owners' families having died on board them. We follow various members of the Vestritt family, an Old Trader family who is in the unenviable position of trying to increase their trading profits before their creditors take harsh action. There are several main characters but chief among them is Althea Vestritt, a young lady who has spent most of her life sailing under her father's captaincy aboard the Vivacia. Upon her father's death in the early chapters of the novel, the Vivacia "quickens" into a full-fledged liveship. Unfortunately, through a series of circumstances and inner family squabbling, Althea is not allowed to continue to sail on board her, thus launching the main story thread of the series.
There are many well-drawn characters in this novel, but I always appreciate a good villain. Ms Hobb excels once again, with the introduction of Kennitt, an ambitious pirate who has his eye on Vivacia as his prize. To be able to write a villainous character whom the reader can sympathize with as he pursues his dastardly plots is difficult at best but Ms Hobb does it so well. And her good characters come across as very real also, not always choosing the wisest or most honest course. They stumble over bad decisions during their struggles to achieve their goals and we feel for their failures, often seeing ourselves within them.
This is, fundamentally, a tale of the sea, albeit in a fantasy setting complete with magic ships and sea serpents. The ship board activity is well researched and fascinating to experience. This is a long book and is followed by two more long books in the trilogy. Where some see extra wording or too much detail or even refer to the "doorstop syndrome", I see a richness of character that is essential in understanding these people. Besides, I just like spending time with them.
While Ms Hobb provides splendid detail about some of the characters here, she only hints at others. We spend a little time with another liveship, Paragon, who is considered mad by the populace due to several incidents involving the deaths of his entire crew. It seems obvious that we are being set up for much more from Paragon, especially considering the title of the next volume, "Mad Ship". We also get tiny scenes involving what appear to be sentient sea serpents, but, quite frankly, I found them to be confusing and so relegated them to the recesses of my memory in order to dig them out again as they become more relevant in future books of the series. Ms Hobb also prepares us for a major role by the Rain Wild magicians and their interaction with another headstrong daughter of the Vestritts, Malta.
For those readers who prefer their plot lines wrapped up neatly, I would suggest they have all three volumes of this trilogy readily available. Not one of the major threads is resolved here. But for those who relish complex relationships that are not convoluted, this novel will be sure to please. I for one am searching my book shelf even now for number two of this fine trilogy.(less)
I think I liked this book. That sounds weird, I know, but I'm just not really sure about it. Perhaps after a few days go by I will settle on an opinio...moreI think I liked this book. That sounds weird, I know, but I'm just not really sure about it. Perhaps after a few days go by I will settle on an opinion.
Here's why I am so wishy-washy about this one: This is first, and foremost, a "literary" work. That means this is not one of the "tweenie" style books that are overflowing the bookstore shelves. Also, don't expect a novel like Stephen King or Brian Lumley would write, enjoyable stuff but mostly to be consumed by the masses. Mr Duncan can certainly write very well and can clearly express large ideas (or large action, or major characters) in just a few words. I am humbled by his command of the English language. But it is "literary", make no mistake. I remember thinking to myself, "there's gotta be a chapter coming up that only consists of 4 or 5 words" and sure enough there it was (and a second one just to be certain). And how about a change in the POV character? Yep, it's in here. If literary fiction can demonstrate formulaic writing then these are examples of it. Not saying this is bad, just be aware of what you're getting before you make this purchase.
The plot was an original take on the standard horror monster genre, with our protagonist, Jake, being the last werewolf in existence. I found his character intriguing but I thought the supporting characters to be a bit flat, especially the antagonists, a common issue I find with 1st person POV stories. After all, the story teller can't really get inside their heads and must rely purely on showing their actions. There is a lot of sex in this book, or at least a lot of Jake thinking about it or remembering it. Often it is base, and crude (as a wolf would find it to be?) but I would hardly call it erotic as the cover blurb states.
POSSIBLE SPOILER: I did have an issue with the POV switch near the end, simply because it totally telegraphed the end of the story. There was just no surprise at all at the point I believe the author expected to be the major climactic scene.
So overall, I'm glad I read this book but am not super excited to seek out more of this author's work.(less)
The amazingly prolific Brandon Sanderson has struck gold once again and this time with a Young Adult story that easily transcends the "YA" trope and i...moreThe amazingly prolific Brandon Sanderson has struck gold once again and this time with a Young Adult story that easily transcends the "YA" trope and is simply a great read for any age. I'm convinced that somehow Sanderson has been cloned for how else could he write so many books in so little time. I for one am not complaining though; he's on my very short list of "instant read" authors.
Once again, Sanderson, not content to use typical or traditional magic systems such as you might find in Lord of the Rings or some D&D universe novel, has created an imaginative new system whereby a "rithmatist" can draw two-dimensional animated chalk figures ("chalklings") that can do his/her bidding. Students of rithmancy study the craft, duel each other for experience and bragging rights but ultimately are preparing for actual combat against the wild chalklings. I won't rehash the plot here as that has been done well elsewhere.
We readers are introduced slowly to this chalk magic and at the beginning of the novel it seems pretty simple and straight forward. But soon we realize there is a lot more to it, both offense and defense. At the beginning of each chapter, there is a one page diagram introducing a new concept and/or tactic such that we get to know this system well by the end of the book and realize just how amazingly well-thought out and complex it is.
But even the most well-developed magical system isn't enough to make a novel a good read. For that you need engaging characters, a great plot, and an overall style that makes for a great page-turning reading experience. And Sanderson does not let us down here either. Unlike some similar novels I've read, we are not beat over the head with the alternate history and Steampunk aspects of the novel. They are interesting aspects to be sure but they melded so well with the story that they seemed perfectly natural. There is also a strong mystery element to the novel as more and more student rithmatistsis are going missing. Just when I thought the story was falling into a predictable outcome Sanderson surprised me, turning everything on its head. The two main characters, Joel, and Melody, both students at the Armedius Academy, endeared themselves to me early on and the supporting cast did not disappoint either.
All, in all, another very impressive novel from the fertile imagination of Brandon Sanderson. This book does have a conclusion but is clearly the beginning of a series as we don't really even touch the larger world outside the Academy and the very serious threat of the wild chalklings. I can't wait for the next installment and, knowing Sanderson's track record, I'm sure I won't have to wait very long...(less)
I am going to do my best to explain why this one made it into my favorites list which is not easy to do give...moreThis, ladies and gentlemen, is why I read.
I am going to do my best to explain why this one made it into my favorites list which is not easy to do given the total number of books I've read. First, I will say that I am a relative newcomer to Sanderson's work. I read the Mistborn Trilogy Boxed Set last year and Elantris earlier this year. I knew after just reading that first Mistborn book that Sanderson would be one of my must-read authors and by the end of that trilogy I had vowed to read everything he writes, even if it means traversing the entire Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan just to get to those final volumes by Sanderson.
I had not actually intended on reading Way of Kings next, mostly because of the sheer size of it. Size, in and of itself, doesn't bother me and I've read numerous "doorstoppers" before. But they can sometimes seem too drawn out and slow moving and I was simply worried that the same might happen to my beloved Sanderson.
But no, it was not to be. Sanderson has written the near perfect novel here. His world building, as incredible as always, is beyond my ability to describe adequately. While complicated, the cultural, religious, and political systems upon which the plot is developed makes sense and yet still does not divert the reader from where his/her attention should be focused: upon the plot and the characters. Same goes for the magic system that we get to explore with the characters, discovering its nuances at the same time as the characters.
And speaking of characters, many other lengthy books or series in the fantasy genre that I've read suffer from too many characters, too many points-of-view. And there are a lot of characters here as well, but Sanderson chooses to focus on a select few so that we readers don't get bogged down, flipping back pages to try and remember who so-and-so is. And each of his focus characters is intriguing in their own ways. They have complex backgrounds and motivations and none of them are all good or all bad. They are real. And each time a new chapter opened and returned me to that particular character, I would instantly sink into their part of the story.
And the plot. I won't rehash that here; I could never do it justice. Suffice it to say that all the elements of good story-telling are here: intrigue, peril, action, romance, noble honor, dastardly betrayal...I could go on and on. But to put it all together and make it soooo enjoyable requires the genius of Brandon Sanderson. Usually when I read a long work such as this, I churn through the final hundred pages or so to get that feeling of finally conquering that mountain of pages. But with this one I found myself stalling, not wanting it to end, despite its page length. As I write this I actually am feeling a little in withdrawal about the whole thing. And this is the beginning of what is reportedly a 10-book series? I don't know how I will wait until the next volume is out.
I know this sounds like total fanboy gushing but reading this novel really did effect me more than 99% of the novels I read. And I'm the type of reader who likes most of what he reads. So if you haven't discovered Sanderson yet, I suggest you still start out with Mistborn: The Final Empire and work your way through from there. For me, I still have several of his other books that I still get to enjoy and by then, hopefully, Book 2 of this series will be ready.
I had read the novel Hot Springs by Stephen Hunter several years ago and had been pleasantly suprised by the quality of the work. And then, about a ye...moreI had read the novel Hot Springs by Stephen Hunter several years ago and had been pleasantly suprised by the quality of the work. And then, about a year later I saw the movie, "Shooter" starring Mark Wahlberg and once again, came away pleasantly surprised. I realized that the movie was based on the novel, "Point of Impact" also by Stephen Hunter but beyond that I discovered the two were related in a unique way. The main character in "Hot Springs" was Earl Swagger (with at least three books in that series) while the protagonist of "Point of Impact" is his son, Bob Lee Swagger, the lead character in a seperate series. That mix got me interested in pursuing other novels in both series to discover what happened between the two seperate time frames.
I've got to tell you...as much as I enjoyed the movie, Shooter, I was absolutely blown away (no pun intended) by the novel that it was based on. This book is a major tour de force, as they say, combining the best elements of action, hi-stakes crime, great settings, and noble and slimy characters alike. This is the first of the Bob Lee Swagger novels and what a character! Trained by the marines to be the soldier's soldier, and refined to be one of the best snipers in the world, his past almost becomes a character in itself as he is forced to deal with events beyond his control. This is a high-energy, well-plotted story that isn't always headed where you think it is; definitely one to keep you turning the pages into the wee hours of the morning.
I'm so glad there are quite few books left in this series (and at least two more in Earl's series as well) for me to sink my teeth into.(less)
So I inherited a lot of books from my mom and among them were about 10 Sideny Sheldon novels. I had read a couple of his years ago and while I thought...moreSo I inherited a lot of books from my mom and among them were about 10 Sideny Sheldon novels. I had read a couple of his years ago and while I thought they were pretty good, I wasn't compelled to go out out of my way to aquire more of them. So I went into this one with a certain hopefulness but not expecting to be blown out of the water.
But I was...blown out of the water, I mean. Written in the '70s, it takes place during and shortly after WWII. But it's not "about" WWII but rather about three main characters who happen to interact during that time period. This novel is intrigue to the max, featuring numerous sordid affairs, rags to riches storylines, power-grabs, glamour, backstabbing plotlines, etc. Definitely a page-turner and suprisingly (at least to me) risque for the time it was written. It is the only Sheldon novel I know that has a sequel, Memories of Midnight and I am looking forward to that one with relish. Highly recommended.(less)
I'm often skeptical when I try a new mystery; I tend to expect some kind of formula writing, or a re-hash of stuff I've read before. So it takes an in...moreI'm often skeptical when I try a new mystery; I tend to expect some kind of formula writing, or a re-hash of stuff I've read before. So it takes an intriguing premise or character for me to give them a try. Ten Norbu, the protagonist of this novel, is a former Tibetan monk, turned LA cop, and now will attempt to make a go of it as a private detective. OK, that's certainly intriguing enough to get me to give it a whirl. But how would it measure up to my expectations?
Folks, I can honestly say, this novel is the best debut mystery novel I've read in years. It not only lived up to my hopes but far surpassed them. Turns out our hero, Ten (short for Tenzing, by the way) used to read contraband Sherlock Holmes stories as a child while growing up in the monastery. How cool is that? This novel does everything right: masterful plot, great character building, nice settings, fabulous pacing (so important in a mystery/detective novel), and all done in an intimate way that makes you one with the story (no pun intended). I was really able to identify with the character of Ten, himself, and just loved his outlook on life and the way he copes with stressful situations.
All that is great as long as the mystery itself, the plot, is good. It's like trying a new restaurant with a new gimmick. The gimmick might get you to try it but to keep coming back the food has to be really good. And, the food here is spot on. I understand this is the first of three planned novels. Rest assured the story is complete in this one novel (no cliffhangers or anything), but is open enough for more. I, for one, hope there are more than two still to come. Really a fantastic read. (less)
I read quite a few "thriller" novels, including all of the sub-genres that might come under that heading and many times find myself just sort of plodd...moreI read quite a few "thriller" novels, including all of the sub-genres that might come under that heading and many times find myself just sort of plodding along, waiting for them to be over so I can move on to the next book on my TBR list. I still enjoy them, don't get me wrong, but they don't leave me going "Wow" at the end either. This one was quite enjoyable and even flirts with a "5" rating from me.
It's a "scientific" thriller, along the lines of something you might read from James Rollins or Michael Crichton. The author has quite an impressive resume including multiple advanced degrees and it shows in his writing: smart, tight, and sometimes a few too many facts. For example when a character is bleeding, the POV character doesn't just observe the blood or the pain, etc but spends a sentence or two on some of the medical details of how the human body responds to that pain and starts the clotting process, and even how the victim deals with it psychologically. It can be interesting but it can also disturb the flow of that moment of suspense. But he does keep those descriptions pretty short, thankfully. Not like a 2 page Clancyesque narrative on a particular fighter aircraft weapon system.
I thought the characters were well crafted and very personable. I certainly cared what happened to them and the larger cast had some very well done "gray" characters; not everybody was a black or white good guy or bad guy.
The plot was also nicely paced and served to keep me turning the pages. There are some interesting themes here as well, including the age old science vs. religion theme. I was very happy that the author let the characters be themselves; i.e. they have their opinions and they are consistent...and the author leaves his opinions out entirely. In case a cover blurb leads you to believe that this is "religious" fiction, I would disagree. Yes, there are religious issues that come up, including religious extremists, terrorism, and how to counter such, but I thought it was all handled very well. The novel is certainly not "preachy".
Overall, I'm happy to have found another "thriller" author that I can count on for an enjoyable, and even thought-provoking read.(less)
I always know a book is a fun read when I find myself making excuses to read it rather than work on my "Hunny-Do" list. According to at least one sour...moreI always know a book is a fun read when I find myself making excuses to read it rather than work on my "Hunny-Do" list. According to at least one source this book is the 4th most read novel of all time. I don't know if that's really true but certainly it has been a widely read story for more than 40 years so obviously a lot of people have read it. The book apparently is somewhat notorious, largely for pushing the sexual boundaries of the time, right up to the edge. By today's standards it is relatively tame and, in fact, most of the sexual scenes occur offstage although there is a lot of innuendo. The book is fairly long; my paperback is almost 700 pages long with pretty small print.
The main story takes place over a 20 year period between the World Wars. The main character is a Howard Hughes type tycoon named Jonas Cord with all sorts of business interests but most especially aircraft development and Hollywood pictures. His is mostly a tragic story up until the very end when he finally realizes what makes him happy. It is interesting to note that Harold Robbins knew Howard Hughes fairly well but despite so many similarities to Hughes, Robbins claims the model for the Jonas Cord character was actually Bill Lear (developer of the Lear jet and the 8-track tape player). The backdrop for the novel is absorbing as well; we get to see the roaring 20s, the depression era 30's, the lead up to World War II as well as the war itself; all major impacts on the plot.
The intriguing thing about this book is not so much the story but rather, how the story is told. It is divided into eight sections: four sections are Jonas Cord's life told in his own first person point of view and the other four sections are devoted to the backstories of four key people who Jonas interacts with during his life. One is a former gunfighter turned stuntman turned star of the silent movie era. One is a Hollywood actress (allegedly based on Jean Harlow). A third is a movie company executive and a fourth is a high-priced courtesan turned movie starlet. We get absorbed in their individual stories; they are very captivating all on their own. And it is really through them that we come to know Jonas himself. When you put the whole thing together you really get a great sense of the characters as well as the era itself. I have to say I really enjoyed the novel a lot more than I expected I would.(less)
I've been working on reading through these short stories and novellas for the past 9 months, taking my time with them and making sure I didn't rush th...moreI've been working on reading through these short stories and novellas for the past 9 months, taking my time with them and making sure I didn't rush through them too quickly. I also didn't want to get burned out on them. There are a total of 63 works in this complete collection, presented in the order in which they were written (not necessarily the same as the order of publication). There are no collaborations here, just the total body of work that HP Lovecraft produced on his own.
As with any collection of so many stories, their quality ran the gamut from merely OK to masterpiece. It was very interesting to read them in order; I could see how he developed as a writer and I could also better understand how the Cthulho mythos evolved and expanded. There is, of course, no doubt about the great impact this author has had on horror fiction specifically, and the larger speculative fiction genres in general. That alone would grant this collection 5 stars. I granted 4 stars due to my overall enjoyment of the collection. The vast majority of the author's work reflects his preferred narrative style and I think only one or two stories here contain any substantial dialogue. For me that cut down on the enjoyability factor quite a bit but I do recognize the era in which these were written.
My favorites include: The Tomb, The Statement of Randolph Carter, The Rats in the Walls, The Call of Cthulu, The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, The Dunwich Horror, At the Mountains of Madness, The Shadow Over Innsmouth, and The Shadow Out of Time.
A note on the e-book itself: first of all...it's free! It's also put together very well, with a linked-in table of contents which allows you to jump directly to any story. And at the end of each story there is another link back to the TOC. That certainly makes it easy to navigate. The formatting is spot-on and, unlike many e-books I read, I didn't find a single misspelled word. I also appreciated the TOC listing the date each story was written, to assist in understanding what was going on in the author's life at that time. In fact before I read each story, I looked up the Wikipedia entry for it so as to absorb what sort of demons Lovecraft was fighting at the time, what likely influenced the story, and where and when it was ultimately published. It's also fun to see all the popular references in today's culture that reflect characters, places, etc. from Lovecraft's works.
Continuing my December policy of reading books that have been on my TBR shelves forever, I picked up "The Little White Horse" by Elizabeth Goudge. Thi...moreContinuing my December policy of reading books that have been on my TBR shelves forever, I picked up "The Little White Horse" by Elizabeth Goudge. This one was one of my wife's books that she brought to the marriage 25 years ago and judging by the cover would be a young adult fantasy novel that would appeal to girls. But it was on the shelves...so I had to read it sometime...
Once again, I'm glad I did. My impressions were correct in that I think it would appeal to young teenage girls, mostly due to the protagonist being a 13 year old inquisitive orphan girl who moves from London to a beautiful castle in England's West Country of a century ago. But it has appeal for cantankerous middle-aged men as well if my experience is any indication. There are wonders of all kinds in this little novel, marvelously described scenery and creative characters with mysteries of all sorts. There is a history in this new place and the residents of the castle and nearby village all seem to have secrets that need sorting out in order to put right the mistakes of the past. This is, in essence, a fairy tale and a well-told tale it is. It is, in fact, a classic story first published in 1946 and has been a favorite for many young people through the years. J.K. Rowling has stated that this book was her favorite as a child, and it's easy to see why. Seldom will you see a book with so many 5-star reviews on Amazon or other review sites.
If you're looking for a nice little book with a happily-ever-after feel, this is a great choice. (less)
"Metagame" by first time author, Sam Landstrom is a cyber-punk style of science-fiction novel that is utterly original in style and scope. Essentially...more"Metagame" by first time author, Sam Landstrom is a cyber-punk style of science-fiction novel that is utterly original in style and scope. Essentially, it is about a futuristic society where life itself is one humongous game. Points earned equate to currency so the better player you are, the richer and more powerful you are. Top scorers are eligible for immortality.
Kudos to Mr. Landstrom for creating this world. He has obviously spent a lot of time and energy extrapolating mankind's current trends and motives into a possible future. This is a world that seems entirely plausible as well as disturbing. It is a very different world than we have now and so to bring the reader into it is a daunting task. We jump right into it and, at first, it's a bit of a shock. Lots of new words and slang terms and lifestyles to get used to very quickly. It was almost information overload for me but I stuck with it and soon became a part of it. The best way for me to describe this world and its style is to imagine a cross between the weird science/religion of the Matrix movies and almost any movie by Tim Burton with Johnny Depp in it. It's a strange journey to take but certainly an interesting one.
The problem I had is that the author is forced to spend so much of the book on building this new world for us that he has a lot less room to craft the actual story and build satisfying characters. He still manages to do a fairly good job at that but I felt the plot itself suffered the most. The vast majority of the book is about playing the game...sort of the normal mode for these characters but it isn't until the last 40 pages or so that the stakes become high enough to make a difference and I found I actually cared about what would happen next.
Sam Landstrom has certainly demonstrated some nice raw talent here for world building and setting the scenery; I feel confident he will only get better at the story telling aspect.(less)
I've read quite a few James Rollins novels so far, and while I've enjoyed them, they have always seemed to fall just a little short of a top-tier read...moreI've read quite a few James Rollins novels so far, and while I've enjoyed them, they have always seemed to fall just a little short of a top-tier read. It's like they were missing something that was always hard to put my finger on. But now that he's teamed up with Rebecca Cantrell for this first book in the "Order of the Sanguines" series, the result is, indeed, top-notch.
There is something here for almost every reader. Whether you like conspiracy books, or ancient mystery books, or action-adventure books, or books with a complicated puzzle to solve, you'll find it here. The pace is generally pretty fast throughout, with occasional slowdowns for explanations and thought-provoking dialogue. Rollins' usual well-researched hisorical backstory is here still, but perhaps a little less heavy-handed than his norm. The plot includes ancient prophecies and biblical lore and the mystery that unfolds is absolutely intriguing. And yes, the supernatural element is very strong here, to include werewolves and vampires. But this is no Twilight or urban fantasy novel. It's a roller coaster of jaw-dropping action, sandwiched between layers of intellectual mystery and even titillating romance.
Three main characters, a non-com military forensics expert, a Vatican priest, and a beautiful female archeologist are thrust together by an earthquake in Masada, Israel. The earthquake has revealed an ancient tomb deep inside the mountain which holds the crucified body of a mummified girl. Their journey will take them to Germany, Russia, and Rome in a race to recover a lost Gospel, rumored to have been authored by Christ himself and containing secrets of immortality.
Wow, that sounds like a crazy plot of a B movie at best but here, these two authors have made it work. In spades. I really enjoyed reading this book and long for the release of the next in the series. I have not read a book by Rebecca Cantrell yet but I plan to rectify that pronto. I think her contribution to this writing duo has infused a strong plot writer like Rollins with a heart and soul and the resulting combination is fantastic. Highly recommended.(less)
**spoiler alert** Sandstorm is the fifth book I've read by James Rollins. It's a stand-alone adventure novel although it does set up the "Sigma Force"...more**spoiler alert** Sandstorm is the fifth book I've read by James Rollins. It's a stand-alone adventure novel although it does set up the "Sigma Force" novels featuring the recurring character Commander Gray Pierce. James Rollins writes in a page-turning style, mixing action sequences with exotic locations and cutting-edge technology. Sandstorm is no exception as we follow a good mix of characters, including Painter Crowe, the future director of Sigma Force, traveling from London to the Arabian Peninsula in search of the lost city of Ubar. Along the way we get to experience the British Museum in London and several archeological sites such as the Crypt of Nabi Imran, the Tomb of Ayoub (Job from the Bible), and the town of Shisur. We also get to learn more about anti-matter, buckyballs (having to do with ball lightning), molten glass, and one hellacious sandstorm.
I find reading James Rollins books to be the closest thing to an Indiana Jones movie I've yet to experience. In fact, he was even selected to adapt the screenplay from the last movie into book form. I found this book to be an interesting read although at over 550 pages, it did seem about 75 pages too long. The author is adept at bringing his characters to the edge of a cliff and then finding creative ways to push them off but it seemed to happen a bit too much in this one. The bad guy character, a female, was competent, which I like in a bad guy, and displayed some truly evil aspects, but somehow was not all she could be. Pretty good characterization for this kind of book, and a sort of love triangle aspect that worked nicely.
Onr other note: my copy is a limited edition mass market paperback and came with a hard "lenticular" front cover, giving it a 3D effect. I suppose that looks nice in a book store and might well entice a customer to pick it up, but it makes for difficult reading/handling, especially in the first few chapters. Maybe I'm old fashioned but I prefer to stick to the regular paper covers.(less)
This has long been a mainstay and must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. And it is, of course, the first book of the Hannibal Lecter series. S...moreThis has long been a mainstay and must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. And it is, of course, the first book of the Hannibal Lecter series. So I had pretty high expectations as I began reading and, for the most part, it lived up to them. We do get introduced to the infamous Dr Lecter during this book but with only one scene of any length. That scene was, for me, the best scene in the book and undoubtedly goes a long way towards elevating that character to the heights of most lists of memorable characters in literature.
But this book is not about Hannibal; rather it's about a different serial killer, dubbed the Tooth Fairy at first and then the more properly named Red Dragon. It is most definitely a psychological thriller as we spend about half the novel seeing events through the eyes of the killer himself and the other half through Will Graham's eyes, the man who is pursuing him. I found the killer to be a much better fleshed out character than Graham, and it's easy to imagine the author found him the more intriguing character. So much so that Graham actually comes across rather flat I'm afraid, and the reason I knocked this novel down one star. So 5 stars for the killer and 3 stars for the pursuer.
This is the second novel to feature Michael Palmer's physician/detective Dr. Lou Welcome, following the book: Oath of Office. Even though the author o...moreThis is the second novel to feature Michael Palmer's physician/detective Dr. Lou Welcome, following the book: Oath of Office. Even though the author of this book is a doctor, and is known for writing medical thrillers, he also writes political thrillers and this latest novel hits all the marks. At first, I wasn't sure what to make of the title but as the novel unfolds it becomes quite clever...and on several levels. In fact, that's what I found intriguing about the entire novel: very clever and well done on multiple levels.
At first blush, the novel seems a fairly straight forward political thriller with a military element, high level political involvement, and a race to keep the bad guys from succeeding in their diabolical mission. On another level, it reads much like a detective novel, with the main character, Dr. Lou Welcome working against the clock to solve the behind-the-scenes mystery. Along the way we are treated to a quality grouping of supporting characters including a journalist, blinded for getting too close to the truth and yet not in the least disabled by her condition, a beautiful defense attorney with a chip on her shoulder against the medical profession, and several elite military personnel, each forced to deal with their own demons.
I found it interesting to learn that the author is an associate director of the Massachusetts Medical Society Physician Health Services, an organization devoted to helping physicians troubled by mental illness, physical illness, behavioral issues, and chemical dependency. Likewise, the protagonist of this novel, Dr. Welcome has a similar role in addition to working the ER night shift. It definitely lends an air of authenticity to the whole novel.
This is not a perfect novel though. There were times when the plot was a bit too contrived in order to make everything work out properly, a couple too many fortunate coincidences. And the author's understanding of the US military doesn't seem very realistic (based on my own 20+ years' service), even given the unique plot elements that impact the marines' behavior in this story. And I would add that the romantic elements of the plot are also a little too convenient. But in the end, none of that really mattered. If you're a fan of Mr. Palmer's work, you won't be disappointed. If you've never tried him before this would be a fine place to start...no particular need to read the prior Lou Welcome novel first.(less)
The current state of publishing is a double-edged sword. It has become much easier for new authors to publish their works and, of course, that means w...moreThe current state of publishing is a double-edged sword. It has become much easier for new authors to publish their works and, of course, that means we readers must sort through the piles of coal to find the gleaming diamonds. And it also means those diamonds that are out there can see the light of day without being held back by traditional publishing processes. I am pleased to report that Pete Barber has written a diamond here, a multi-faceted, huge blue gleaming diamond. And I’ll do my part to spread the word and hope other readers discover this author.
This is a novel that deals with modern day terrorism as well as entrepreneurial greed, deception, and mayhem. It introduces us to some well-fleshed characters and some gripping action sequences. There are some nice high level politically-charged plot threads with various countries trying to work together. There is also some titillation thrown in. But I could say all of that about lots of these sorts of novels...it’s a crowded field. The added dimension of the technology surrounding this novel, programmable nanobots, is fascinating and extremely well done. By that I mean, the logic of the technology is presented perfectly; I knew exactly what was being described without all of the techy language and it sounds very reasonable. In fact Mr. Barber’s writing in general is amazingly well done and I struggle with the idea that this is his first published work.
But what it always comes down to is the question of story. Is it a good story? Is it paced well? Do I feel empathy towards the characters…not just the sympathetic characters but also the despicable ones. I still need to feel like I understand why they are doing what they are doing even if I don’t agree with their actions. Is the story just another take on what I’ve read countless times before or is it unique? I could go on and on about what makes a great read (at least for me) but suffice it to say that this novel has it in spades. I can really appreciate the approach the author has taken towards the nature of Islam and the prejudices inherent therein. But all that aside, this is a darn good read and I won’t be surprised if Pete Barber’s literary career goes nuclear. Highly recommended! (less)
Time to get your Geek on. This book was so much fun to read, I hesitate to review it. The concept, that of an on-line world in the pretty-near future...moreTime to get your Geek on. This book was so much fun to read, I hesitate to review it. The concept, that of an on-line world in the pretty-near future that has become so prominent as to change the way the majority of citizens live their lives, has certainly been done before. But the author uses that concept to build an absolute joy-ride of a read.
The main character of the novel is Wade Watts, a young impoverished orphan who prefers to escape his real life circumstances and spend as much time as possible in the on-line world of OASIS. Turns out the original creator and developer of the OASIS has passed away and has developed a treasure hunt game within OASIS so that the winner of the treasure hunt can claim the full ownership of OASIS and the multi-billion dollar inheritance that goes with it. Sort of like a Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory scenario. The story that follows could have been rather predictable but the author marvelously twists and turns and believably guides his characters into a downright awesome story filled with danger, emotion, wit, and imagination.
But that's not all. What makes this novel so interesting (beyond the great plot, setting, and characters) is the cultural connections to the decade of the 1980s. The OASIS creator grew up in the 80's so all of the clues to the treasure hunt are found in 80s trivia: movies, books, music, and mostly importantly, electronic/computer/arcade games.
No doubt I am the target audience for this novel so I suppose that is one reason I liked it so much. I also grew up in the 80s and remember almost all of the hundreds of 80s references. But I've also never grown out of my geekdom as I still spend hours playing computer games like World of Warcraft, reading fantasy/sci-fi, etc, because I enjoy it as well as trying to keep up with my own kids.
Is this a perfect novel? No...I noticed a few instances where the plot was a bit contrived in order to make things work out properly. And there were a couple of fairly long information dumps but I, for one appreciated them and I can imagine a reader less familiar with the 80s would appreciate them even more. But those are rather nit-picky observations.
All in all, a great, fun read and this will absolutely compete for my best-of-the-year awards.(less)
I'm not usually big on humorous fantasy-style books but this one really hit a home run for me. Even though there were a lot of characters I thought th...moreI'm not usually big on humorous fantasy-style books but this one really hit a home run for me. Even though there were a lot of characters I thought the authors did a good job of reminding us of who's who and successfully bringing the plot along. The humor ranged from biting satire to subtle wit to downright knee-slapping laugh-out-loud one-liners.
This is a definite must-read for fans of Pratchett, Gaiman or those that like the Hitchhiker books by Douglas Adams. I was fortunate to listen to this one via audio book, as read by the great Marvin Jarvis whose voice talent is unparalleled. Even if you've already read this once, then I still suggest you try it this way as Mr Jarvis brings an extra dimension to the experience.(less)
I like Steampunk. Unfortunately, if I didn't know that already, and had to base my judgement on this collection of short stories, then I would probabl...moreI like Steampunk. Unfortunately, if I didn't know that already, and had to base my judgement on this collection of short stories, then I would probably conclude that I really don't like Steampunk. I mean, I like the concepts of most of these stories, at least those I could figure out after getting past all of the "look how smart I am as a writer" entries. But the execution of those concepts was lacking in fine story-telling technique. This is something I'm finding with way too many of these science fiction anthologies being released in recent years. It seems the editors are all so intent upon showing how intelligent they are and forget to include some actual decent stories in their collections. The modern literatti are alive and well in the science fiction marketplace.
The only thing saving this collection, at least marginally, is the essay at the end of the book by Rick Law which covers the history of steampunk in print and on film. Although I disagree with his opinions on which are the best, particulary with his utter disdain for certain movies, at least he provides some thought provoking history.
Perhaps I should stick to the classics by Jules Verne, HG Wells, and continue to hunt down proper steampunk novelists such as Tim Powers and Mark Hodder.
Imagine if you were given the task of writing the sequel to "Frankenstein", one of the all-time great classics. You'd want to do several things to mak...moreImagine if you were given the task of writing the sequel to "Frankenstein", one of the all-time great classics. You'd want to do several things to make sure and get it right: 1) you would need to develop a great plot that is loyal to the original and is "necessary" in order for the book to have any value to the reader, 2) you would need to provide the right style of writing, the right "voice" so that it would meld well with the original, sounding much like Mary Shelley's voice, and 3) not have the whole thing sound too classic because you don't want today's readers to be bored...it would still need a fairly quick pace to keep the reader interested. On top of all of that you would still need to do all of the things that make for a good novel; i.e. great multi-dimensional characterization, interesting settings, involved plot, etc etc.
Sound impossible? Perhaps, but Susan Heyboer O'Keefe has done remarkably well in writing "Frankenstein's Monster". Especially when one considers this is her first effort for the adult market, having only published children's books before. I took a look at her website and found her to be a real hoot; I suppose you'd have to be in order to tackle this particular novel. Most of the book is told as diary entries from the monster himself. It takes place ten years after the end of the first novel but we learn everything about what happened after the first one ends. There is more than just plot and action here as the monster struggles with his very nature, trying to find his place in the world. He takes quite a journey as he is pursued by Walton who has vowed to his friend Victor Frankenstein to finish off the monster. Along the way he encounters several intriguing new characters and plenty of horrifying and desperate moments.
I felt like I was taking a chance when I began reading this one but feel very happy with the results. Highly recommended!(less)
This is just what I was afraid of...a very good historical novel, introducing me to yet another series that I must now follow. And this series has ove...moreThis is just what I was afraid of...a very good historical novel, introducing me to yet another series that I must now follow. And this series has over 20 books in it.
But that's just what I expected from a Bernard Cornwell novel: great characters surrounded by a great plot and depicting a cool historical situation. Throw in a well-drawn bad guy and a very good cast of supporting characters and you've got yourself a fine time of reading. I chose to read these books in chronological order, as the author recommends, even though this is not the first of the series as he wrote them. Highly recommended.(less)
I read over 100 novels every year, in many different genres. I have read a lot of science-fiction and about 11 of the Star Wars novels. Just so you'll...moreI read over 100 novels every year, in many different genres. I have read a lot of science-fiction and about 11 of the Star Wars novels. Just so you'll know where I'm coming from, I admit to a certain bias for RA Salvatore. I regard his fantasy works as among the best of contemporary authors. Having said that, I was thrilled when I first learned he would pen a volume of the SW universe. Finally I would get to read high quality SW adventure the way it was meant to be (Timothy Zahn also achieves this in his SW novels).
I was not disappointed. Salvatore remains true to his strengths, especially when it comes to action sequences. The novel is easy to read, with a plausible, yet exciting plot. The characters are in-line with the movies and the story fits in well with the extensive background already created with all of the other SW novels. Salvatore is not afraid to test the boundaries of the SW conventions either, especially when it comes to the safety of the major characters. Frankly, before this novel, most of the SW stories had gotten a little too predictable and I started to lose interest. Other authors have let theselves be managed by the characters but Salvatore makes it clear that the story is primary.
In short, a great addition to the SW line. I know George Lucas is happy or he wouldn't have picked Salvatore to do the novelization of Episode II. (less)
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