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| # | cover | title | author | isbn | isbn13 | asin | num pages | avg rating | num ratings | date pub | date pub (ed.) | rating | my rating | review | notes | recommender | comments | votes | read count | date started | date read |
date
|
date purchased | owned | purchase location | condition | format | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0141439602
| 9780141439600
| 3.71
| 403,432
| 1854
| May 27, 2003
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None
| Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| not set
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Jan 11, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0446675539
| 9780446675536
| 4.22
| 464,679
| 1936
| Apr 01, 1999
|
None
| Notes are private!
| none
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0
| not set
| not set
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Jan 11, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 1565125606
| 9781565125605
| 4.05
| 631,136
| May 26, 2006
| May 01, 2007
|
At first I wasn't really psyched about reading the book but thought that I probably should give it a try since the movie came......it actually proves...more
At first I wasn't really psyched about reading the book but thought that I probably should give it a try since the movie came......it actually proves a little help to read both the book and watch the movie 'cause it helps to form an opinion while writing the review. And I definitely loved it. Now I'm ready to watch the movie.
Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen
is definitely a pleasant and an interesting read for the summer. Here is the summary for the book: Though he may not speak of them, the memories still dwell inside Jacob Jankowski's ninety-something-year-old mind. Memories of himself as a young man, tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Memories of a world filled with freaks and clowns, with wonder and pain and anger and passion; a world with its own narrow, irrational rules, its own way of life, and its own way of death. The world of the circus: to Jacob it was both salvation and a living hell. Jacob was there because his luck had run out - orphaned and penniless, he had no direction until he landed on this locomotive 'ship of fools'. It was the early part of the Great Depression, and everyone in this third-rate circus was lucky to have any job at all. Marlena, the star of the equestrian act, was there because she fell in love with the wrong man, a handsome circus boss with a wide mean streak. And Rosie the elephant was there because she was the great gray hope, the new act that was going to be the salvation of the circus; the only problem was, Rosie didn't have an act - in fact, she couldn't even follow instructions. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and ultimately, it was their only hope for survival. Water for Elephants is told in the first person but from two different perspectives--Jacob Jankowski at 23 years of age and again, at 93 years old. Gruen seamlessly weaves the chapters between past and present. Jacob at 23 is finishing up his last semester at Cornell Veterinary School when a family tragedy causes him to flee. He finds himself on a train for the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth in 1931. Needing a vet, the circus hires young Jacob to tend to their menagerie. Jacob at 93 resides in a nursing home where he laments the curses of old age, the passing of his wife, and the waning affection of his family. The arrival of a visiting circus triggers a flashback to his youthful circus experiences. The story is related in the somber tones of the Depression, the hardscrabble and often unscrupulous business of a traveling circus and the heartless despots who make their fortunes on the backs of men who must do anything to survive. Star performer Marlena, an equestrian, is sensitive to the needs of her horses, although her mercurial husband, August, the trainer, is obsessively jealous and given to unspeakable cruelties. Uncle Al, Benzini Brothers circus owner-by-default, is a ruthless businessman who cares little for man or beast, engaged in a quest for fame to rival the great Ringling Brothers. With his advanced training in veterinary medicine, Jacob does his best to protect the animals from their harsh existence, especially Rosie, an elephant purchased to replace Marlena's lead horse. Jacob and Rosie share an affinity for one another, the huge creature at times almost human. Because of his growing affection for Marlena, Jacob suffers August's increasing affronts, caught in a cycle of inevitable violence, certain of a reckoning. 1931 is a hard time for almost all Americans, and the circus workers are as hard hit as any. Most are one step away from being homeless and jobless. Conditions on the circus train are harsh for most. Many workers go weeks without being paid, and they tend to disappear during the night when times are tough (management has them thrown off the train). The menagerie is often times treated better than the workers. But the circus does provide three meals a day and a place to sleep--even it if might mean a horse blanket on a train bed floor. Jacob discovers very quickly that he's just about the only advocate the animals have and he must battle a ruthless owner (Uncle Al) and a crazy equestrian director (August). Any circus has more than their fair share of interesting characters, and Gruen's circus is no exception. In addition to Uncle Al and August, there is Walter (the midget clown), Marlena (an equestrian with whom Jacob falls in love), and Grady and Camel (workers). One of the most sympathetic characters in Water for Elephants is Rosie, the elephant--who shares more "human" characteristics and feelings than some of the circus bosses. The tender-hearted Jacob quickly grows to manhood as he is forced to protect both animals and coworkers from abuse and worse. In chapters that move flawlessly back and forth in time, from the rowdy circus atmosphere to the antiseptic corridors of the assisted living home, the world is viewed through Jacob's perspective, as he rages helplessly against the decrepitude of old age and the secrets of the past. In prose both poignant and infinitely tender, Jacob dwells in both worlds, revealing the wounds of the past and the sorrows of the present. In one touching scene, Jacob awaits a family member to escort him to the circus, yearning for the Big Top with every fiber of his being, craving the familiar sights and smells of that pivotal summer of `31, the roustabouts, the kinkers, the rubes, the animals. The denouement is devastating, as inescapable as the indifferent world that turns a blind eye to the vagrants of the 30's. Yet Jacob's spirit retains the essence of his kind nature and a respect for others, a man who will not be broken by circumstances. All is redeemed in a coup d'grace that will leave the reader strangely satisfied and richer for having met this raggedy tribe of miscreants and lost souls. The most interesting aspect of the book is all the circus lore that Gruen has so carefully researched. She has all the right vocabulary: grifters, roustabouts, workers, cooch tent, rubes, First of May, what the band plays when there's trouble, Jamaican ginger paralysis, life on a circus train, set-up and take-down, being run out of town by the "revenooers" or the cops, and losing all your hooch. There is one glorious passage about Marlena and Rosie, the bull elephant, that truly evokes the magic a circus can create. It is easy to see Marlena's and Rosie's pink sequins under the Big Top and to imagine their perfect choreography as they perform unbelievable stunts. The crowd loves it--and so will the reader. The ending is absolutely ludicrous and really quite lovely.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| May 2011
| May 06, 2011
|
Jan 11, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0330449931
| 9780330449939
| 4.14
| 13,052
| Jan 01, 1993
| Apr 06, 2007
|
None
| Notes are private!
| none
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0
| Mar 13, 2011
| not set
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Mar 13, 2011
| Paperback
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| 0330449958
| 9780330449953
| unknown
| 4.02
| 6,002
| 1995
| unknown
|
None
| Notes are private!
| none
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0
| Mar 21, 2011
| not set
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Mar 21, 2011
| Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| 033044994X
| 9780330449946
| unknown
| 3.95
| 5,154
| Oct 28, 1995
| unknown
|
None
| Notes are private!
| none
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0
| Mar 21, 2011
| not set
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Mar 21, 2011
| Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| 1405005807
| 9781405005807
| 3.71
| 3,104
| 2007
| Apr 06, 2007
|
None
| Notes are private!
| none
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0
| Mar 21, 2011
| not set
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Mar 21, 2011
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0451531515
| 9780451531513
| 3.89
| 57,500
| 1831
| Mar 02, 2010
|
This was a long standing to-read book on my digital shelf....and I've finally read it. And at best
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
was a brilliant piece...more
This was a long standing to-read book on my digital shelf....and I've finally read it. And at best
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
was a brilliant piece of literature. This is how the summary for the book goes like: He was Quasimodo—the bell ringer of Notre Dame. For most of his life he has been forced to live in lonely isolation in the bell tower of the famous catheral—hidden away like a beast, banished from sight, shunned and despised by all. For though he was gentle and kind, it was Quasimodo's crime to have been born hideously deformed. But one day his heart would prove to be a thing of rare beauty. She was the dazzling Esmerelda. A dark-eyed gypsy girl who, the victim of a coward's jealous rage, is unjustly convicted of a crime she did not commit. Her sentence is death by hanging. Only one man had the courage to save her: Quasimodo. It is a very famous story, and I find that much more people have “heard of it” than have actually read it. Most will just tell you – “isn’t this some kind of beauty and beast story?”. Well, actually it isn’t. This novel certainly isn’t a fairy tale. Rather, it is a touching and sad story (touching in a way that Hugo is a master expressing) about unfulfilled love. There are at least 3 unfulfilled love stories here, each one very different. Besides that, the plot tells of troubled times in Paris (and, I suspect, in whole of Europe) – what is rightfully called “the dark ages” – where each act of free thought was prosecuted by the church with one inevitable penalty – death. Now, Contrary to popular opinion the novel Le Notre Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo is not primarily about the deformed bell-ringer Quasimodo. Quasimodo's role is actually surprisingly small in the story, which makes you wonder why the English translater's chose "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" as the translation for the title. Actually, as the original French title would indicate, it is the cathedral itself that is the focus of the book. This is why in the unabridged editions of this book you will find numerous chapters that seemingly have nothing to do with the plot of the story. It is a book narrowly focused on the Cathedral of Notre Dame situated on the Ile de la Cite in the center of Paris and, more broadly, on the 15th century city of Paris. This was a Paris where public executions or any form of punishment involving public humiliation were the highest forms of entertainment and drew the kinds of crowds that we would see at a major sports event today. If this book is not read with this in mind, the reader might well be disappointed because he came to it with a different sort of book in mind. Now to the human aspects of the novel, the plot so to speak: There are no honest-to-god perfect angels in this book. After all, Esmerelda was a part of a band of thieves who came to public gatherings for the express purpose of seeing what they could "gather" for themselves. Quasimodo was not a misshapen humanitarian. He had been known to carry out a dirty deed or two himself. As for the rest of the characters, there's not a role model in the bunch. To Hugo's credit, we really care about Quasimodo and Esmerelda, "warts and all." This is one indication of good writing. Nothing that is not be expected by Hugo. The dark, brooding and punishing interactions between the complex characters are a mastery of storytelling. The relationships of the characters with themselves are also part of this complex plot. Frollo’s struggle with Catholicism vs. desire and Esmeralda’s unwillingness to accept a revolting creature for his good heart are only a two examples of what makes this story brilliant. The story is peppered with a few twists, some humor (as much as will allow in the brooding story arc) with sarcasm and mockery galore. The book’s most frustrating point, and the one which discourages many seasoned readers, is thepages upon pages of descriptive images, whether the streets of Paris down to the cracks (it seems) in the sidewalks or the Notre Dame Cathedral, brick-by-brick almost. The pacing of the book moves unevenly, most of the novel takes place over a period of six month, however the final chapters shoot forward a year and a half or two years. What makes this novel a masterpiece, besides the poetic descriptions, is Hugo's description of the cathedral of Notra-dame and the city of Paris, and his discussion of how the arrival of printing press signaled an end to the importance as architecture as the expressive art of intellectuals. The views of the author expressed in these pages and pages of delightful reading provide the reader not only with historical and architectural prespective on the buildings in Paris, but also gives us a word image of buildings, roofs, rooms, carvings, modernism, and more. In his commentaries and comparisons between writing and printing as form of expression in contrast to architecture, Hugo unmasks a wide array of issues that arrival of every new media (TV, Cinema, Internet, Digital Photography) bring. How existing precepts and concepts are revised, how adaptations occur, how each age has its own expression through any of these means- and all Hugo says so passionately about architecture or literature allows us to feel the essence of why we make monuments of stones or words in the first place. Victor Hugo had great skill in developing characters, and describing their lives over an extended period of time, capturing how situations and people led to certain choices, behavioral changes and thought process of each. His ability of doing this, in a very detached manner, where narrative is like a camera floating into a room, and staying long enough for a distant observer to watch and identify traits of every person present there, makes him a great novelist. The novel, like all classic reads, looks formidable in size, but can be read at a formidable pace, especially after the first half of the novel is over. Besides an extremely well-written book, the main thing about this book is that it's heart wrenching and thought provoking. One of the best tragedies ever written, if you like to shed some tears while reading, then this is the right book for you.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Apr 29, 2011
| May 21, 2011
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Apr 29, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| B004J4WKLK
| 3.62
| 12,873
| 1983
| Oct 18, 2011
|
I amn ocacasional horror reader and with the news of the release of the movie
The Woman in Black
starring Daniel Radcliffe and based on the said book...more
I amn ocacasional horror reader and with the news of the release of the movie
The Woman in Black
starring Daniel Radcliffe and based on the said book by
Susan Hill
I knew I had to read it and I simply loved it. Here is the summary of the book: What real reader does not yearn, somewhere in the recesses of his or her heart, for a really literate, first-class thriller - one that chills the body with foreboding of dark deeds to come, but warms the soul with perceptions and language at once astute and vivid? In other words, a ghost story by Jane Austen. Austen we cannot, alas, give you, but Susan Hill's remarkable Woman In Black comes as close as the late twentieth century is likely to provide. Set on the obligatory English moor, on an isolated causeway, the story has as its hero one Arthur Kipps, an up-and-coming young solicitor who has come north to attend the funeral and settle the estate of Mrs. Alice Drablow of Eel Marsh House. The routine formalities he anticipates give way to a tumble of events and secrets more sinister and terrifying than any nightmare: the rocking chair in the nursery of the deserted Eel Marsh House, the eerie sound of pony and trap, a child's scream in the fog, and, most dreadfully, and for Kipps most tragically, the woman in black. The Woman In Black is both a brilliant exercise in atmosphere and controlled horror and a delicious spine-tingler - proof positive that that neglected genre, the ghost story, isn't dead after all. With all the hosh-posh crude horror being published these days a pure classic horror forms a respite. What better way to spend the day than to read Ms. Hill's ghostly composition. Set in Victorian England, this atmospheric, supernatural tale of evil, terror and revenge sent chills down my spine on more than one occasion. It starts peacefully and builds up to a frightening crescendo that will "haunt" you long after you put the book down. Ms. Hill begins her well-written narrative happily enough in the home of Arthur Kipps, who is surrounded by his loving wife and family for the Christmas holidays at their country home, Monk's Piece. Kipps is a full partner at a prestigious London law firm. Esme is his second wife. He lost his first love as a very young man. It is Christmas Eve and the grandchildren are all in bed. Their young parents, the Kipps' grown children, gather around the fire for a cozy ghost story session. At one point Kipps, obviously agitated, gets up, leaves the room and goes outside. He has hidden something significant about his past from his wife and family for years now - a tragically real ghost story of "haunting and evil, fear, confusion and horror" - of which he was a part. These events will certainly effect him all the days of his life. Kipps realizes that for his own peace of mind it is time to write his experience down and exorcise the demons, at last. He had hoped this inextricable part of his life would never have to be consciously recollected...but it is time. He decides that, at least during his lifetime, the tale will remain for his eyes only, and so he begins to write. He is our narrator. At the very beginning of his career, many years before, Arthur Kipps, an energetic, idealistic junior solicitor was sent by his employer to attend the funeral of an elderly widow woman, Mrs. Drablow, one of the firms former clients. As the deceased owned property, including her home on the salt marshes near the town of Crythin Gifford, and had no heirs, no children or extended family, Kipps was asked to go and sort through her papers, and generally tidy-up the old woman's affairs. The Drablow mansion, called Eel Marsh House, is quite isolated, situated in the middle of an estuary, connected to the mainland only by the Nine Lives Causeway, a small pathway barely visible through the marshes and quicksand, and only navigable a few hours a day. The road is underwater the rest of the time due to the strong tides. It was at the funeral that Arthur Kipps first saw the tall, emaciated woman dressed in black. Despite his many questions to the locals, they refused to discuss the woman or address his concerns surrounding the Drabnow house, although they were extremely amiable and ready to speak out on every other topic. Suffice it to say that at the funeral, Kipps was the only one to see the woman in black. No one else even glimpsed what was so apparent to him. Obviously, as his work led him to spend time at Eel Marsh house, there were to be be many more surreal episodes, each more frightening and dangerous in nature. Although these encounters are really scary, there is a mystery here also. Who is this mysterious woman...and if she is a ghost, why can she find no peace? But as Arthur journeys across the treacherous causeway at low tide to explore the dark and brooding Eel Marsh House, things begin to shake up a bit. Not only did the late Mrs. Drablow keep every scrap of paper that ever crossed her twisted path, but she also harbored several dark, sinister secrets. But as you well know, secrets have a way of coming un-done and as would be the case for dear Arthur, he gets smack in the middle of a real doosey. There's a mysterious locked nursery door, buckets full of eerie moonlight and a terrifying, recurring sound of a pony and trap (wagon) clip-clopping into the darkness always ending with a child's desperate scream as he is heard drowning in the marsh--over and over again. But there is also an evilness; a sheer hatred of anything remotely human at Eel Marsh House and it follows Arthur. And it waits for Arthur. And it strikes him in a way that truly will take your breath away. The author packs this novel with twists, turns and the unexpected at almost every turn of the page. The description of the brooding countryside, the house and surrounding marshes is at times beautiful, but always spooky. There were a few occasions when I wanted to shut my eyes - but unlike a scary movie, if one shuts one's eyes while reading, well it gets too dark to continue. I Quote - what a small and frightening thing! I am not prone to bouts of depression, but I will say this - once I began to read about the lawyer's forays into the marsh, the house and even the town - the atmosphere was so thick with darkness that I began to feel depressed. I'd have to put the book down, do something else and then continue. How I held my breath each time he investigated a sound! And the carriage falling into the marsh over and over...the end haunted me for days. It was such a simple, neat, tidy unexpected and abrupt end that I had no choice but to sit there speechless. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Jun 16, 2011
| Jun 25, 2011
|
Jun 16, 2011
| Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||||
| 0765327228
| 9780765327222
| 3.89
| 2,570
| Sep 27, 2011
| Sep 27, 2011
|
Medieval England and the Fae folk....definitely a very good combination indeed. Presenting
The Faerie Ring #1 The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton.
Here i...more Medieval England and the Fae folk....definitely a very good combination indeed. Presenting The Faerie Ring #1 The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton. Here is the summary of the book: Debut novelist Kiki Hamilton takes readers from the gritty slums and glittering ballrooms of Victorian London to the beguiling but menacing Otherworld of the Fey in this spellbinding tale of romance, suspense, and danger. The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood—Tiki’s blood. Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched—and protected—by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist. Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty… Set in Medieval, foggy and carriage-drawn London and among the streets and alleys of pick pockets. Tikki and her gang of pickpockets scourge pockets and steal whatever they can do to survive everyday and every hour. Somehow while on one of her excursions gets inside the royal palace and unknowingly steels a shiny ring....the biggest mistake of her life. A ring of great importance, it was the one thing that ensured the peace between the humans and the Fae folk. Now that it is stolen both factions are clamoring to get it back before a full blown war breaks out. As the enemies start closing it is upto Tikki to get the ring back into the Buckingham Palace and under the royal's guard before major catastrophe happens. Tikki is the protagonist and she is a pick pocket. Very stubborn and righteous she takes care of the ones in her group and is rather very famous with her heist adventures but still there is more to her than meets the eye.....she is much more connected to the human and the fae folk than she ever realized. Then there is her counterpart, another pick pocket named Rieker. At first he seems to be just a pestering presence. Face it no pick pocket trust their competitions. But Reiker while suspects that Tikki had something to do with the disappearance of the ring seems to genuinely help her and really care for her. Then there are the two princes William and Leopold, and the other orphans. All of them provide a myriad variety of characters that push the story forward and give it an alluring feel. I've been hearing so many great things about this book that I knew I couldn't resist not reading it any longer. And it was the best thing that I ever did. A quick read Ms. Hamilton's story takes us from the fog filled alleys to the high society masquerade balls, spinning a fantasy so grounded in reality that it takes you in from the first page till the end making you come out different and hungry for the next one. "Historical and fantastical - Ms. Hamilton's book is sure to suck you in its engrossing pages"(less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Jul 07, 2012
| Jul 09, 2012
|
Jun 26, 2011
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0373210345
| 9780373210343
| 3.74
| 2,902
| Aug 04, 2009
| Jun 28, 2011
|
My...Historical Fiction after so long! Here it is
Legacy by Cayla Kluver
. Here is the summary of the book: I noticed his eyes. They were blue, sharp an...more My...Historical Fiction after so long! Here it is Legacy by Cayla Kluver . Here is the summary of the book: I noticed his eyes. They were blue, sharp and intense. Despite the youthful glows of his suntanned face, his eyes were cold and unfriendly, suggesting he had great experience in the world and was now expecting the worst. In her seventeenth year, Princess Alera of Hytanica faces one duty: to marry the man who will be king. But her father's choice of suitor fills her with despair. When the palace guard captures and intruder—a boy her age with steel-blue eyes, hailing from her kingdom's greatest enemy—Alera is alarmed…and intrigued. But she could not have guessed that their clandestine meetings would unveil the dark legacy shadowing both their lands. In this mystical world of court conspiracies and blood magic, loyalties will be tested. Courage won't be enough. And as the battle begins for everything Alera holds dear, love may be the downfall of a kingdom. Historical Fiction may not necessarily be all things history but it is taking a small aspect of the past and developing your views based on the facts employed. Our main view point of the story is based in the land of Hytanica in the medieval era. A time of Kings and Queens, of Knights and of Earls and of all things circa 1700s and 1800s. On one hand is the kingdom of Hytanica where women are submissive, it is the men who are the most important decision making powers and on the other hand it is the kingdom of Cokyri, where women hold the highest position in the social status. Both Hytanica and Cokyri are as different from one another as black is from white. From the comparison only it is easy enough to understand that Hytanica has a long and brutal past with the Kingdom of Cokyri, and while there was peace between the two lands for the past years 16 years, things are now starting to shake and storm cloud are looming the horizon again. Legacy takes off with the oldest princess of Hytanica, Alera and her personal bodyguard, London (its a name not the actual place in U.K. mind you) as they go for her rendezvous with her suitor the Lord Steldor (son of the captain of the guard). Princess Alera is about to make the most important decision of her life, her 18th birthday is fast approaching and within this period she must choose a husband or the King, her father would have to for her. But she is in a fix while her only suitor may be well loved by both family and country alike but Alera doesn't think Steldor is the one for her. Then, if luck would have it she meets the mysterious Narian, a boy her age with steel-blue eyes, hailing from her kingdom's greatest enemy. Alera finds herself strangely attracted to this mysterious stranger. This chance meeting with a complete stranger may have been the precursor of clandestiny of events leading to the unveiling of a dark Legacy surrounding both Hytanica and Cokyri. Courage may simply not be enough for loyalties matter above all else. Legacy is Miss Kluver's debut novel and I have to say its good enough to be on my favourite list. And Oh My God! I simply love the cover....its Gorgeous. History by definition is well.....boring but thankfully that is not the case here. Miss Kluver should be applauded for not only Legacy being an easy read but it being also beautifully written. Every detail....every minutes facts exert to beauty the era; emotions and turn of events are as well clearly felt by us readers. While I did not like how the ending turned out but Miss Kluver you are now on of my favourite authors and I am very much excited for the next installments, Allegiance and Sacrifice. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Jul 22, 2011
| Jul 28, 2011
|
Jul 22, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 1599559536
| 9781599559537
| 4.08
| 437
| Dec 05, 1989
| Sep 08, 2011
|
Alright I simply don't know why I didn't discover this before....its so good. Presenting before you all my views of
Marian's Christmas Wish by Carla...more
Alright I simply don't know why I didn't discover this before....its so good. Presenting before you all my views of
Marian's Christmas Wish by Carla Kelly
. Here is the summary of the book: Miss Marian Wynswich is a rather unconventional young lady. She plays chess, reads Greek, and is as educated as any young man. And she s certain falling in love is a ridiculous endeavor and vows never to do such a thing. But everything changes when she receives a Christmas visit from someone unexpected--- a young and handsome English lord. Christmas is just two months away and what better away to spend the time than to read this phenomenal book about a many christmas wishes coming true for the Wynswich family don't you think? Well I simply can't fathom the fact as to how I could have missed this one before. Oh well......its here now and it is one the best historical romance fiction I have read so far. Set in the time of Napoleon the story revolves around the Wynswich family and how they spend their christmas together. Although people might think of their family as wild and mismatched but each member has his/her own characteristics that define them. After the death of Lord Wynswich the family is down under dept and as used to be the norms of the old times girls then had to marry rich lords in order to pay off their debts, so is the scenario here as well the oldest son Percy who is a diplomat himself is trying to get a rich suitor for his sister Ariadne so they may pay off the debts. But Ariadne had already given her heart to another, the vicar Reverend Sam Beddoe (who is not only poor but shy in asking Ariadne's hand for holy matrimony) and does not wish to marry whoever her brother was bringing for the christmas. So her sister Marian (bless her) knows she must do something to avoid disaster from happening. Marian's only wish for this christmas is the happiness of her whole family. As predicted her brother Percy does return back to Picton with not one but two rich gentlemen lords, a Sir William Clinghorn and Gilbert Collinwood, Earl of Ingraham. Sir William is the one who wishes to marry Ariadne but his rather lordly attitude is less than appreciable by the other Wynswiches (take Percy and Lady Wynswich out of the equation) and do all they can break off the affair for Ariadne's sake with a little help from the Lord Ingraham and while Marian does not wish to be tied in matrimony but this christmas is not only out of the ordinary for her but also for herself. Through a series of events Marian who had been planning her Christmas pudding wish all year, saving it for her much derailed family finds herself changing her wish: “I wish that Gilbert Collinwood will have the best Christmas.” Little does she know that Gilbert's own special pudding wish will depend on her to be fulfilled. Marian's Christmas Wish is a re-issued traditional Regency romance from earlier in Ms. Kelly's career, originally published in 1989, and it has the feeling of a storyline which really moves, interesting, but accessible characters and pure entertainment. Out of the enormous catalogue of Carla Kelly's book this one is the first I have come across (and I'm so going to try the whole lot later). The story is rich in its plot, its rich characters, its prose and even the language that is styled as of the classic genre is easy enough to understand. Kinda made me remember of Jane Austen's Emma. Marian is a very likeable character. She is spunky, she is intelligent, and there you go she has got a practical head in there. She is a sensible human being, even when crossed in love, and she’s got a sharp tongue and a cool head when such things are needed. And she’s more than a match for Gil, the equally intelligent and charming hero who has a rather big secret of his own, giving him a slight unexpected edge. There is one that should be noted here is the fact that Marian like the others of time when daughters married nobile gentlemen and acquired all the knowledge required to be the housemistress but she does act like a 16 year old and not showing the maturity portrayed by a say 28 year old would. As to Gil's part of the story is seen. He remains a total enigma and although he is a diplomat and all the interactions between Gil and Marian make the highlight of the tale the nature of his work is the reason for the main confusion and heartbreak of the heroine halfway in the story. The author completes the personalities of the heroine and her hero with their words and actions. The plot has an episodic feel to it and the best part as I had already stated are the interactions between Gil and Marian. They recognize an affinity between them immediately, quickly become comfortable allies, and progress to love. Marian, a good heart, though gets into much trouble with her loose tongue and sharp mind. Gil on the other hand is rather secretive himself yet very kind and has a particularly attachment to Marian, despite the 12 year age gap. And although this episodic saga has too many threads and wires weaving through it but at the end it all meets at a comfortable convergence, a perfectly sweet ending to an amazing read. "Lovable and episodic...you'll find yourself wishing alongside Marian on her Christmas pudding"(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Oct 06, 2011
| Oct 18, 2011
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Oct 06, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0373210434
| 9780373210435
| 4.07
| 1,427
| Feb 21, 2011
| Feb 28, 2012
|
An unhappy marriage and an impending doom, presenting the next book
Legacy #2 Allegiance by Cayla Kluver
. This book slightly changed my perspective a...more
An unhappy marriage and an impending doom, presenting the next book
Legacy #2 Allegiance by Cayla Kluver
. This book slightly changed my perspective about a few characters. Here is the summary of the book: Only I saw Narian for who he truly was: a young man with courage and an independent mind, and made to pay for what was outside his control. He couldn't help his past any more than he could help the way those intense, deep-blue eyes pierced me and held me captive. An eighteen-year-old queen in love with the enemy as their countries pass the point of no return... Bound to a man she cannot love, Queen Alera of Hytanica must forget Narian, the young man who holds her heart. For Narian is destined to conquer Hytanica at the behest of his master, the powerful magic-user known as the Overlord. Alera doesn't truly believe Narian will fight against Hytanica-until Cokyrian troops attack with Narian commanding the charge. Faced with the greatest betrayal a heart can know, Alera must set aside personal feelings and lead her kingdom through its darkest time. And when all hope, will and courage seem lost, she must find strength and remember that even the blackest night must have a dawn.... Historical romances always have a way of reminding us of times past, of the age of courting, of the age of gowns and corsets, of knights and the monarchy. It is this age where our story is set. Two warring factions, Hytanica and Cokyri. At war because of a stupid and vain mistake on the former's part. Allegiance begins shortly after the first book Legacy ended. Alera is now in a marriage which she never desires with Steldor about to be crowned king and queen of Hytanica. For her heart is with Narian. In a land where men reign supreme, it is but expected to that Alera was not able to intervene or buy sometime to think things through. When your heart is with another it is impossible to stay in a marriage where there is no love. Cokyri now has Narian and are pulling all the stops to take over Hytanica and avenge the decades old insult. In all this Alera still has eyes for only Narian(rather unfair to her husband) knows who he really is. Only she knows where his true loyalties lie but what will she do when she realizes that Narian is the enemy this time and her people must come first and not a love that was never meant to be. Allegiance really turned the table on Steldor for me. Steldor in the first book appeared to be rude and disrespectful and rather snobbish but here we see him in an unhappy and a one sided marriage. By social hierarchy Steldor has the right to lord over his wife, would be rather petulant when his goals are not reached. While he may love her, Alera doesn't. A loosing battle in the end for the young king. Alera for her part can't seem to connect to the idea of being the queen and having Steldor as a husband. The tension between them added flavor to the story. She clearly doesn't want Steldor but also can't seem to evade his charm...a rather very difficult situation. It can clearly be seen that Steldor was trying to be very patient with Alera and trying to wait for her to come around with her shunning him. But the one thing that felt irritating was that in dangerous situations (not going to name them as they will spoil the story) all Alera does is think if Narian loves her or not. Well why not, two hot guys want her - Steldor and Narian, it is within her right to be a little irritating. Narian on the other while not physically present all the time throughout the book has his presence felt. On the whole plot and scenario are well written. The characters while a little confused are pretty strong and very much more linked with the plot points. A lot of questions that rose in the first book Legacy are also answered in this book. This book improved on the first one greatly. Allegiance had a fairly darker feel than the first book and with so much going on, the drama, politics, kingdom bench marking, violence and such you can definitely not evade the attraction towards this book but now that I have read this book I seriously want to read the next one in the trilogy "Sacrifice". I'll let you in on a secret there is also the prologue of the third book provided at the end of the book that definitely sets you up for what is to come. "Dark and engrossing - Hytanica faces its ultimate enemy in battle head held high but can they survive!"(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Jan 12, 2012
| Jan 16, 2012
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Oct 25, 2011
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 054762834X
| 9780547628349
| 3.97
| 17,583
| Apr 03, 2012
| Apr 03, 2012
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A million thank yous to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for putting it up for 2 days promotion on netgalley, you made my day. Presenting my views of the muc...more
A million thank yous to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for putting it up for 2 days promotion on netgalley, you made my day. Presenting my views of the much anticipated book,
His Fair Assassin #1 Grave Mercy by Robin L. LaFevers
. Here is the summary of the book: Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf? Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others. Ismae's most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart? We are born in this world for a reason; a purpose that must be seen through. No one comes here to get wasted. Some are born to lead, some to follow orders while some are to carry out the almighty's will. Centered around this fact is the series His Fair Assassin. Of death's own hand-maidens, looking for his marquee and met out his will. Based in 1485 circa, Brittany, young Ismae is rescued from a heartless and cruel life; raised from the cellar door and taken in by the convent of St. Mortain and trained in the arts of being an assassin, carrying out the will of Mortain, death himself. Ismae is well on her path to take the final vows when she is given the final test, to go to the royal court and root out the treachery abound, protect her lordship, the Duchess and prevent another war with the French. With her only in this ordeal, the closest adviser of the Duchess, Lord Duval, Ismae plays her role perfectly but all of Ismae's training proves to be wisp of smoke in the face of the cut throat life of court but can she protect heart in this extraordinary test... Maybe St. Mortain is with mercy and not vengeance after all. Narrative of a period dialect and the grace of the french tongue, Robin LaFevers delivers a tantalizing masterpiece. There is treachery, there is deceit, there is vengeance, but there is also love and mercy. It is but how we interpret the ways of the lord that matters not what people tell us about them. The plot is well layered and extremely well textured, the characters fleshed out, very believable and easy to connect with and the conclusion satisfying. Ismae, Duval, the Duchess, Beast, De Lorney and the lot offer us every spices of life and the chemistry between Ismae and Duval is very attractive and sure enough we find ourselves rooting for them both till the end. "Grave Mercy is but the beginning - a powerful beginning at that - leaving us hungry for more"(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Mar 2012
| Mar 10, 2012
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Jan 06, 2012
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0373210442
| 9780373210442
| 4.04
| 599
| Oct 23, 2012
| Oct 23, 2012
|
A worth the wait book. Presenting
Legacy #3 Sacrifice by Cayla Kluver.
Here is the summary of the book: This is not the time for the fight to end. Now...more A worth the wait book. Presenting Legacy #3 Sacrifice by Cayla Kluver. Here is the summary of the book: This is not the time for the fight to end. Now is when the fight will begin. This is the time to regain what has been lost. Alera. Queen of a fallen kingdom, secretly in love with the enemy. Shaselle Daughter of a murdered father, rebel with a cause. One lives behind the former Hytanican palace walls and walks the razor's edge to keep the fragile peace in her beloved homeland. The other slips through the war-torn streets, seeking retribution for her family's tragedy, following whispers of insurgency. Both face choices that will separate them from those they cannot help but love. As their stories intertwine, a conspiracy ignites that may end in slavery or death—or lead to freedom anew, if only each can face what must be sacrificed. It gets better and better after every book. Sacrifice is the final book of Cayla Kluver's Legacy Series and it brings everything to a perfect conclusion. Hytanica is over run by Cockyrians. Things gone topsie-turvie. There are no longer any Kings or Queens, the army disbanded and the kingdom, now a province to Cokryi. But the high priestess designs Alera to be the ruling figure head of the province, Grand Provost. Taking charge of a war weary Hytanica is not as easy as it looks. Cokyrians control everything now, everything in her country is screened and filtered by the enemy. And then there is Narian, the love of her life. Her country on one side and Narian on one, proves to be the true test of courage for Alera. With a few surprises to the mix, she stands tall with her beliefs because well victory needs true Sacrifice. Oh! How I love Cayla's style of writing. Historical fiction is supposed a strong hold of medieval literature but she produced this amazing piece which is young adult and still retains the charm of historical genre without being to over bearing. Alera's development throughout the books is gradual and beautiful. She grows from this head strong princess to this capable leader throughout. Then there is Narian, at first it was not known on whose side his allegiance truly lay but little by little it becomes clear, it has always been clear. It was always Alera. I absolutely loved them throughout. The conclusion was well thought out. The battle scene hair-raising. It doesn't feel like the end but a new beginning. The threat of Cokyri is still present but Alera knows that with Narian by her side she can brave any storm that comes her way. "Heart rendering and awe-inspiring. Cayla Kluver has produced a great masterpiece that is sure to score a big place in your heart"(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Nov 09, 2012
| Nov 28, 2012
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Jan 16, 2012
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 8183860699
| 9788183860697
| 3.90
| 17,993
| Jan 01, 2010
| Apr 01, 2010
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An enticing synopsis, the ever elusive Indian mythology and my first Indian literature by a modern author. Presenting my honest views of
Shiva #1 The...more
An enticing synopsis, the ever elusive Indian mythology and my first Indian literature by a modern author. Presenting my honest views of
Shiva #1 The Immortals of Meluha by Amish Tripathi
and it was so so...read on and find out why.....(foreign readers please make note that this is trilogy is a work of fiction and by all means not what the Hindu religious scriptures say) Here is the summary of the book: 1900 BC. In what modern Indians mistakenly call the Indus Valley Civilisation. The inhabitants of that period called it the land of Meluha a near perfect empire created many centuries earlier by Lord Ram, one of the greatest monarchs that ever lived. This once proud empire and its Suryavanshi rulers face severe perils as its primary river, the revered Saraswati, is slowly drying to extinction. They also face devastating terrorist attacks from the east, the land of the Chandravanshis. To make matters worse, the Chandravanshis appear to have allied with the Nagas, an ostracised and sinister race of deformed humans with astonishing martial skills! The only hope for the Suryavanshis is an ancient legend: When evil reaches epic proportions, when all seems lost, when it appears that your enemies have triumphed, a hero will emerge. Is the rough-hewn Tibetan immigrant Shiva, really that hero? And does he want to be that hero at all? Drawn suddenly to his destiny, by duty as well as by love, will Shiva lead the Suryavanshi vengeance and destroy evil? Like every Pantheon of Gods in every religion around the world, India is also not far behind....we have our own Pantheon in the Hindu Religion - the big three Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva (also known as Mahesha) and the lesser famous deities Indra, Varun, Agni, etc. and the Shiva Trilogy is based upon this fact only, they are Gods but how did they become known were they divine entities or just simple Homo sapiens like us who became known hundreds of years later as Gods for the deeds they performed centuries ago. Shiva in the 1900 BC, a rough hewn Tibetian immigrant, he is the leader of his tribe and as he is drawn to his destiny he and his whole tribe leave their old life style and go to Meluha, what modern India mistakenly known as the Indus Valley Civilization, a near perfect empire created centuries before by the Lord Ram but all in not perfect they face the extinction of their most important river, Saraswati and in addition to it terrorist attacks. Is Shiva, really their hero as the legend of the Neelkantha says but the important question is will he accept his destiny. Author Amish Tripathi has woven a clever and asthetic tale. Its history meet folk lore and the clever infusion of philanthropic and humanitarian issues. With these redeeming qualities it still needs a lot of work. The dialogues while simple could have been better, it is a historical tale and people then did not know swear words like "damnit", so yes the language needs much work. Then there is the fact that somras (aka liquor) is depicted as the drink that induces immortality, which is weird since it is injurious to health. The plot is flat, it doesn't have the factor that makes you loose yourself in it like a good novel should. At last, not the greatest book but people are saying that the second book is much better, maybe i'll check it out later. We'll see..... "Not the greatest book but just love the concept of the plot"(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Feb 06, 2012
| Feb 23, 2012
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Feb 06, 2012
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 1455510181
| 9781455510184
| 3.72
| 75,668
| 2010
| Apr 01, 2012
|
Its an upcoming movie and its about the the secret life and otherwise unknown life of President Lincoln. Presenting my views of
Abraham Lincoln: Vamp...more
Its an upcoming movie and its about the the secret life and otherwise unknown life of President Lincoln. Presenting my views of
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith.
Here is the summary of the book: Indiana, 1818. Moonlight falls through the dense woods that surround a one-room cabin, where a nine-year-old Abraham Lincoln kneels at his suffering mother's bedside. She's been stricken with something the old-timers call "Milk Sickness." "My baby boy..." she whispers before dying. Only later will the grieving Abe learn that his mother's fatal affliction was actually the work of a vampire. When the truth becomes known to young Lincoln, he writes in his journal, "henceforth my life shall be one of rigorous study and devotion. I shall become a master of mind and body. And this mastery shall have but one purpose..." Gifted with his legendary height, strength, and skill with an ax, Abe sets out on a path of vengeance that will lead him all the way to the White House. While Abraham Lincoln is widely lauded for saving a Union and freeing millions of slaves, his valiant fight against the forces of the undead has remained in the shadows for hundreds of years. That is, until Seth Grahame-Smith stumbled upon The Secret Journal of Abraham Lincoln, and became the first living person to lay eyes on it in more than 140 years. Using the journal as his guide and writing in the grand biographical style of Doris Kearns Goodwin and David McCullough, Seth has reconstructed the true life story of our greatest president for the first time-all while revealing the hidden history behind the Civil War and uncovering the role vampires played in the birth, growth, and near-death of our nation. So I first heard of it when the movie trailer released, then found out that it was based on a book...well the trailer looked promising enough so I got it ordered from book depository and viola, I absolutely loved it... This is a review from a non-American and completely book based point of view (since I hate politics, so this review again will be politics free, even if the protagonist is one of the greatest leaders of the world). It was one hell of a ride though. This is how it goes like - Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter fashioned as an auto-biography complete with excerpts and pictures tells the story of President Lincoln before he enters the political arena and till his assassination. Meaning this story is fashioned behind the supposed secret diaries of Abe Lincoln which states that honest Abe hunted vampires with a burning vengeance and also the fact that the creatures of the night played a much bigger role in the civil war than what is originally known. The book begins in present day with the author unhappy with his mundane life and then this stranger, Henry who is a regular of his store seeing something in him, drops off a package saying to tread with caution and maybe turn it into a tale worthy of the ages. And this is how the story begins. From infancy, to his first kill, to his first encounter with a vampire, his mother's death, meeting Henry, taking up the axe, hunting the vampires, entering the political life, to meeting his wife and playing a great role in the civil war. This book touches every facts and facets of honest Abe's life otherwise known or shall I say unknown with a grain of truth. For even if vampires play a great role in here, it simply cannot be denied that the book has all the historical facts right. (so you may have noticed by now i'm not following the usual pattern of review writing because simply this is an autobiography(like) and i'm not good with dates) Abe here is of course the protagonist. He is strong-willed, virtuous, and hates the fang bearers for what they took from him. He wields that axe of his over the heads of the vampires like a samurai wields their sword. Seth Grahame-Smith had wonderfully placed all the characteristics of Mr. Lincoln rather well. Henry is the other prominent character here. He plays the unbidden role of the supporter and teaches all there is about vampire hunting to Abe. A calm and collected person (or vampire), Henry can turn very well vicious in the face of a battle. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire hunter, proves a twist in a major part of American history with the much appreciated (from me!) inclusion of vampires. While many may not agree with what is being done here but they shouldn't be taking this seriously, this is purely a work of fiction and just a form of entertainment. And the best part is the way the vampires are depicted here (that GOD no sparkly business). The action is also very palpable and hair raising with anticipation whenever Abe is on the hunt for vampires. From the most part I'm definitely excited for the movie now and know what to except. "An interesting turn to the American history - Hair-raising vampire killing action"(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| May 23, 2012
| May 26, 2012
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Feb 14, 2012
| Mass Market Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 1470131439
| 9781470131432
| 4.16
| 377
| Aug 09, 2012
| Aug 09, 2012
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None
| Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Apr 29, 2013
| May 10, 2013
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Mar 02, 2012
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 1455508594
| 9781455508594
| 3.90
| 3,060
| Jan 31, 2012
| Jan 31, 2012
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Its the medieval London and its a gothic retelling of the classic Beauty & the Beast....and its beautifully done. Presenting
Darkest London #1 Fi...more
Its the medieval London and its a gothic retelling of the classic Beauty & the Beast....and its beautifully done. Presenting
Darkest London #1 Firelight by Kristen Callihan
. Here is the summary of the book: London, 1881. Once the flames are ignited . . . Miranda Ellis is a woman tormented. Plagued since birth by a strange and powerful gift, she has spent her entire life struggling to control her exceptional abilities. Yet one innocent but irreversible mistake has left her family's fortune decimated and forced her to wed London's most nefarious nobleman. They will burn for eternity . . . Lord Benjamin Archer is no ordinary man. Doomed to hide his disfigured face behind masks, Archer knows it's selfish to take Miranda as his bride. Yet he can't help being drawn to the flame-haired beauty whose touch sparks a passion he hasn't felt in a lifetime. When Archer is accused of a series of gruesome murders, he gives in to the beastly nature he has fought so hard to hide from the world. But the curse that haunts him cannot be denied. Now, to save his soul, Miranda will enter a world of dark magic and darker intrigue. For only she can see the man hiding behind the mask. Its Gothic London and its a new retelling of the classic Beauty & The Beast, giving it new dynamic and a new meaning in a different period of time. Miranda Ellis, a woman of deep secrets must marry Lord Benjamin Archer, the masked mystery, why because three years prior when was going to kill her father for his sins, she had awoken something within him that he had never felt before. And he makes good of his plans. Miranda agrees to marry Lord Archer because she feels she is the sole reason of the misfortune that had befallen her father. So with her head held high and a firm step forward, Miranda agrees to marry the mysterious Lord and thereby enters a world, not her own. A world full of deceit, power, lust and darkness. It does not take her long to see that behind the mask adorned day after day, there is lonely man inside but strange things are going around in the aristocrat circle, prominent members of well known aristocratic families are being murdered and Archer finds himself in the center of the action leading Miranda into doubting his innocence. But deep down she knows things are much worse than they appear to be. It is now upto Miranda to see what lays beneath the mask and Archer to make himself feel the things that he had long since forbidden himself to feel and save himself from his impending doom. An exceptional star cast, the perfect Gothic London and the mysterious dark element surrounding it all. Kristen Callihan has done an exceptional job. Miranda is a force to be reckoned with, a strong female who has a big curiosity streak and an exceptional beauty. Archer is the big mysterious behind the mask whoever he has ever laid eyes on has disliked him. The plot itself is nail biting and makes you sit on the edges anticipating about what happens next. There is enough happening in here that you definitely won't be distracted for once. Miranda and Archer complement each other in their own ways. Miranda is strong and very curious while Archer is many more layers hidden underneath the mask that he caters around. At first Miranda is weary of Archer but she soon finds out that the rumors about him were unfounded to a large extent and comes to care for him, even love him. The one thing I appreciate about this book is that the author weaved such a prose that it is enough to imagine the gothic London and the scenes of the book materializing in front of us, making us interested to know the welfare of Archer and Miranda. "Archer and Miranda are sure going to leave you very hot and bothered"(less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Mar 15, 2012
| Mar 23, 2012
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Mar 15, 2012
| Mass Market Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 145920414X
| 9781459204140
| 3.74
| 3,352
| May 01, 2011
| May 01, 2011
|
Steampunk at its fullest and still retaining the big shroud of mystery, presenting
Steampunk Chronicles #0.5 The Strange Case of Finley Jayne by Kady...more
Steampunk at its fullest and still retaining the big shroud of mystery, presenting
Steampunk Chronicles #0.5 The Strange Case of Finley Jayne by Kady Cross
. Here is the summary of the book: Finley Jayne knows she's not 'normal'. Normal girls don't lose time, or have something inside them that makes them capable of remarkably violent things. Her behavior has already cost her one job, so when she's offered the lofty position of companion to Phoebe, a debutante recently engaged to Lord Vincent, she accepts, despite having no experience. Lord Vincent is a man of science with his automatons and inventions, but Finley is suspicious of his motives where Phoebe is concerned. She will do anything to protect her new friend, but what she discovers is even more monstrous than anything she could have imagined...An ebook exclusive prequel to The Steampunk Chronicles. The Strange Case of Finley Jayne is a short novella, that portrays the time of London 1897, where Finley Jayne is a young girl who knows she is not normal, her behavior just had cost her a job, so when she is offered a lofty position to act as the friend and shadow of Phoebe, who had just gotten engaged to Lord Vincent, a scientist who is much more older than her. But things start to escalate to dangerous promotions when Finley swoops Lord Vincent's house in the dead of the night, and learns of the monstrosities that await Phoebe should she marry Lord Vincent. This is a welcome change for me into the steampunk genre and i'm totally in love with it. Finley Jayne is a strong heroine. She knows what she wants and she gets it, and she can throw a mean punch, that would make even the strongest of guys today fearful of what she is actually capable of. There is definitely the element of mystery in this Steampunk London of Kady Cross, provided aptly by Lord Vincent's character and all the marionettes abound. You definitely are going to love this book. I'm so jumping into the next book The Girl in the Steel Corset the minute I can....you all would too if you want to know exactly what Finley's true nature is. "Strong, Non-stop action and Steampunk London - what more can you ask for!!"(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Mar 17, 2012
| Apr 2012
|
Mar 17, 2012
| ebook
| |||||||||||||||
| 0373210337
| 9780373210336
| 3.86
| 8,020
| May 24, 2011
| May 24, 2011
|
I have read very few steampunk books but I tell you thi tops over everything I have read so far. Presenting
Steampunk Chronicles #1 The Girl in the S...more
I have read very few steampunk books but I tell you thi tops over everything I have read so far. Presenting
Steampunk Chronicles #1 The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross
. Here is the summary of the book: In 1897 England, 16-year-old Finley Jayne is convinced she's a freak. No normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch. Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special . . . that she's one of "them." The events here follow straight after the novella, The Strange Case of Finley Jayne. Finley's dark side rears it's head when she is in trouble, sometimes it gets her in trouble with the ones who employ her. This is where The Girl in the Steel Corset begins. Finley after a gruesome encounter(I don't think I need to describe the nature of it) with the son of her current employer runs for her life straight into Lord Griffin King of Greythorne and his companion Sam. They are there looking out for an enemy, the clever and cynical, the Machianist. Griffin, Sam and his group including Emily and Jasper take her in because Griffin King sees the magical darkness in Finley and promises to help her. Also his group is special and Griffin sees that she is also special..and one of them. To elaborate Griffin can walk the astral plane and calm a wayward or a distraught soul, Sam is part automaton and is very strong, Emily is the mechanical expert and can talk talk to the bots, and Jasper, an American Cowboy, although is not a permanent member but he has great speed and knows martial arts. All in all they are not much more different than Finley. They take her in help her connect to her dark side. Histories are revealed. Alliances are formed, and amongst all of this th Machianist is playing a dangerous game that threatens the stability of the British crown itself. Very Apocalyptic...the stakes are higher than ever. A solid narrative, the perfect use of steampunk and supported some sold character, this is a power packed and tight story. There is everything in here, friendship, comfort, first love, jealousy, great action, the perfect London atmosphere with a cynical villain running around reeking havoc. All this is helped along by the characters Griffin, Finley, Sam, Emily, Jasper, The Machianist. In every ways they complement each other to bring this narrative to fruition. Griffin with his need for vengeance, Finley looking to belong somewhere and finding out what she actually is, Sam with his insecurities, the soft spoken Emily tinkering with her machines, Jasper with his long winded past and the cynical villain with his need for revenge on the Queen. Kady Cross you are my new favorite, I'm so checking out the Girl in the Clockwork Collar next. "An action packet dark and medieval England"(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Apr 2012
| Apr 13, 2012
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Mar 17, 2012
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0373210531
| 9780373210534
| 4.07
| 2,968
| May 22, 2012
| May 22, 2012
|
Friendship, trust and love are the most basal emotions or feelings in this universe and that is what forms the center of Griffin, Finley, Emily, Sam a...more
Friendship, trust and love are the most basal emotions or feelings in this universe and that is what forms the center of Griffin, Finley, Emily, Sam and Jasper's next adventure. Presenting
Steampunk Chronicles #2 The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross
. Here is the summary of the book: In New York City, 1897, life has never been more thrilling - or dangerous. Sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne and her "straynge band of mysfits" have journeyed from London to America to rescue their friend Jasper, hauled off by bounty hunters. But Jasper is in the clutches of a devious former friend demanding a trade-the dangerous device Jasper stole from him...for the life of the girl Jasper loves. One false move from Jasper and the strange clockwork collar around Mei's neck tightens. And tightens. The Girl in the Steel Corset ended with Jasper being taken to New York for some crime he had committed. Now Griffin values friendship very much and Jasper's case seems very peculiar, so him, Finley, Emily and Sam set out to New York to get some answers...and also get Jasper back. But the situation is much more different than that. Turns out that Jasper had stolen some device from this underworld guy called Reno Dalton and dismantled it all across New York to keep Dalton from finding it again. Dalton wants it back and holds his....love, Mei's life as leverage. If Jasper doesn't do as asked then Dalton would tighten the Clockwork Collar around Mei's neck and strangle her to death. Add to the mix Griffin and the gang, they are trying all they can to get Jasper out of Dalton's house and decide to infiltrate Dalton's gang and find out what Dalton wants from Jasper and why does he want that dangerous machine. But if things are not how they seem to be...will Jasper, Griffin, Finley, Emily and Sam be able to figure it out or will it be too late. The Girl in the Clockwork Collar, sheds new light on the life and times of all our main characters. The multiple perspective is also a plus in this case. While Girl in the Steel Corset was all about Finely finding and coming to terms with her dark side, this one is Jasper's story with Griffin and the gang playing a secondary role. All Jasper wants to do is keep his friends safe and keep Dalton from killing Mei, even if it would mean that he'd loose his life. Griffin and Finley on the other hand.....well now they are a case of their own....too much sexual tension there. It is clear enough they have strong feeling for one another. Their social status in Finley's case and jealousy in Griffin's seems to be what is stopping them to do anything about it. God throughout the book you'd want to bang your head and yell at them to get their acts together. Sam and Emily again pretty much remain the secondary characters.....maybe we'll see them more in a future book of the series. Just like the previous books this one can also be seen as a standalone book and very interesting read, dynamic and action packed. Great work done by Ms. Kady Cross. Hope we'll see more in the Steampunk Chronicles and this was not the end. "Action packed and adrenaline induced; Griffin, Finley and the gang take New York by storm"(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Apr 13, 2012
| Apr 22, 2012
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Mar 17, 2012
| Hardcover
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| 1442453443
| 9781442453449
| 3.14
| 2,363
| May 24, 2012
| May 24, 2012
|
A historical young adult fiction with underlying religious themes.....Presenting
The Order of Darkness #1 Changeling by Philippa Gregory.
Here is the...more A historical young adult fiction with underlying religious themes.....Presenting The Order of Darkness #1 Changeling by Philippa Gregory. Here is the summary of the book: Dark myths, medieval secrets, intrigue, and romance populate the pages of the first-ever teen series from #1 bestselling author of The Other Boleyn Girl. Italy, 1453. Seventeen-year-old Luca Vero is brilliant, gorgeous—and accused of heresy. Cast out of his religious order for using the new science to question old superstitious beliefs, Luca is recruited into a secret sect: The Order of the Dragon, commissioned by Pope Nicholas V to investigate evil and danger in its many forms, and strange occurrences across Europe, in this year—the end of days. Isolde is a seventeen-year-old girl shut up in a nunnery so she can’t inherit any of her father’s estate. As the nuns walk in their sleep and see strange visions, Isolde is accused of witchcraft—and Luca is sent to investigate her, but finds himself plotting her escape. Despite their vows, despite themselves, love grows between Luca and Isolde as they travel across Europe with their faithful companions, Freize and Ishraq. The four young people encounter werewolves, alchemists, witches, and death-dancers as they head toward a real-life historical figure who holds the boundaries of Christendom and the secrets of the Order of the Dragon. The first in a series, this epic and richly detailed drama is grounded in historical communities and their mythic beliefs. It includes a medieval map of Europe that will track their journey; and the interior will include relevant decorative elements as well as an interior line illustration. And look for a QR code that links to a note from the author with additional, detailed information about the setting and the history that informed the writing. With Philippa Gregory’s trademark touch, this novel deftly brings the past—and its salacious scandals—vividly and disturbingly to life. Changeling the first book in the new series by renowned historical genre author Philippa Gregory, and it is also her first historical YA novel. This book will also be my first Ms. Gregory read (sorry I haven't yet read any of her other works) but while it was a short book, the premise was good and everything....but it really didn't sit well with me (I got bored reading it sorry).....Lets see what the story is about...... Dark myths, medieval secrets, intriguing and romance deftly sprawl the pages of the book. Circa 1453, Italy, Changeling, the first book of the series centers around the holy crusade era, when the Catholic Church ruled the whole of Christendom with an iron will and even thoughts that went against the Church's edicts were charged as heresy. This is the story of seventeen year old Luca Vero, cast out of the religious order for questioning the Church with science he is recruited into a secret society - the order of Dragon and sent all across the Europe to investigate all forms of evil in that year. Luca, along with Isolde, and their faithful companions Freize and Ishraq encounter all sorts of creatures.....werewolves, witches, alchemists and what not. A fantastic premise, a wonderful plot and a short novel and the heart of it all.....the myths and the superstitions that are prevalent in that era give it a much darker tone. While I highly commend Ms. Gregory's work and the literary finesse in this book.....there is still the fact, that it is a very slow plot....their road travels are much more prolonged than the actual encounter with the forms of evil they are sent to investigate.....so I kinda started to loose interest in the book. Also the synopsis says they encounter werewolves, alchemists, witches, and death-dancers but we only see hallucinating nuns and the werewolf....maybe we'll encounter the other in the next book. Then there is the cover, since Isolde is placed at the front and Luca in the rear....so it kinda gives it the impression that the book is primarily about her.....but it is not. Then another negative factor was the fact that very little is revealed about the order - which would really have clarified a lot of things about Luca's mission. But all in all.....Changeling is still a book that can be given much thought....I did like it. "Historical and likeable"(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Jun 06, 2012
| Jul 12, 2012
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Jun 06, 2012
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 9781416975908
| 4.61
| 31,540
| Mar 19, 2013
| Mar 19, 2013
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Original Link to the review at my blog Le' Grande Codex - here *sighs* This is a fitting end .... a good end a marvelous end *sighs* ......... oh why...more Original Link to the review at my blog Le' Grande Codex - here *sighs* This is a fitting end .... a good end a marvelous end *sighs* ......... oh why did it end...... Presenting The Infernal Devices #3 Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare. Here is the summary of the book: Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy. Tessa Gray should be happy - aren't all brides happy? Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute. A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her. Perfection. Utter Perfection. Cassandra Clare you are a genius. Truly exciting. Dramatic. Romantic. Tragic. A full circle completed......... oh! I'm so happy....yet still so sad. Everyone was here. Every character got to play a huge part in this stunning book and in a way every character got their own happy ending. Tessa, Jem, Will, Charlotte, Henry, Sophie, Gideon, Gabriel, Cecily, Magnus and every other character here.....simply brilliant. I'll try to keep it spoiler free (but feels kinda pointless since i'm reviewing it way later than when i read it but i'll try) but my track record squealing over these books has not been the cleanest so i'll try for those who have yet to read it.... no promises though... Only good things for this book. I say only good things because I didn't actually find anything bad at all.....and I never would. Honestly what do you expect...... It was PERFECT. You will laugh, you will bawl your eyes out, you will swoon, you will sit on the edge of your seat trying to predict the next course of action and you will simply marvel at the way Ms. Clare will handle things her way. Perfection in every sense, Clare really developed her characters throughout the books. What they once were during Clockwork Angel or Clockwork Prince, they don't remain such. Some have grown, some have matured, some stayed the same but switched roles. The true sense of the term Parabatai is beautifully laid out here. Strong enough for Jem and Will to have switched roles than what they were in the previous books. Tessa also grew beautifully into her character, much more sure, much more braver. I'm rather envious (we all would be) of her. She gets not one but two true loves. We had been contemplating the everyday cliche for the trio.... but as another surprising twist, the author gives us a conclusion to the problem we may never have thought possible. The trio loved each other equally. Their moments together, simple gestures of love and trust, every stolen moments, those swoon-worthy glances and their all-pervasive love. That was what made them Tessa, Jem and Will. And if that's not all, Clare finally unveils all the secrets she had been sneakily *wink* hiding from us. By the end of it all you finally get to appreciate why the characters some of those decisions they committed before and you gain a new found appreciation for them. The final battle and the Epilogue. Graceful, deadly, and enlightening. Truths were revealed, rash decisions were made and some weird (in a good way) things happened and swear to God it was bloody brilliant. The Epilogue just couldn't have been more perfect. I cried..... yes I knew this series was over, and yes there are going to be other series in this world of Shadowhunters and Downworlders but you know what I mean. It connected all the loose ends..... I'm truly thankful to Cassandra Clare for creating such an amazing series that doesn't need any explanation whatsoever. Thank you Cassie Clare..........you brilliant you....... (I'm very excited for the City of Bones movie....can't wait for it...... and I also heard that they were turning the Infernal Devices into movies as well...... OMG SO EXCITED) "A Perfect conclusion to the Infernal Devices.....it couldn't get any better than this"(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Apr 12, 2013
| Apr 25, 2013
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Jul 11, 2012
| Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||||
| 1455508586
| 9781455508587
| 4.11
| 1,210
| Jul 31, 2012
| Jul 31, 2012
|
Oh my! as marvelous as the previous one. Presenting
Darkest London #2 Moonglow by Kristen Callihan.
Here is the summary of the book: Once the seeds of...more Oh my! as marvelous as the previous one. Presenting Darkest London #2 Moonglow by Kristen Callihan. Here is the summary of the book: Once the seeds of desire are sown . . . Finally free of her suffocating marriage, widow Daisy Ellis Craigmore is ready to embrace the pleasures of life that have long been denied her. Yet her new-found freedom is short lived. A string of unexplained murders has brought danger to Daisy's door, forcing her to turn to the most unlikely of saviors . . . Their growing passion knows no bounds . . . Ian Ranulf, the Marquis of Northrup, has spent lifetimes hiding his primal nature from London society. But now a vicious killer threatens to expose his secrets. Ian must step out of the shadows and protect the beautiful, fearless Daisy, who awakens in him desires he thought long dead. As their quest to unmask the villain draws them closer together, Daisy has no choice but to reveal her own startling secret, and Ian must face the undeniable truth: Losing his heart to Daisy may be the only way to save his soul. Moonglow, second book in the darkest London series and tells the story of Miranda's sister Daisy. Fresh out of mourning for her husband, Daisy is now ready to shed her black clothes and again take up the colors of society. What she doesn't foresee is that in the dark alleys of London roams a monster vicious to the teeth and deadly. As Daisy comes in its line of sight.....as it remembers her scent....well only Lord Northrup is her only hope but she needs to start trusting him for that to happen. Ember and Firelight spoke of Miranda's story with and before her husband Lord Archer and Moonglow tells us Daisy's entangled with Lord Northrup's and it totally does not disappoint. All the elements that were in the previous book, that made them amazing are all present here. All the darkness, the emotions, the dark and the dirty, the sarcasm, its all in here. As I already mentioned, Moonglow changes its perspective to two new characters.....well old but still.....Daisy and Ian/Lord Northrup. So it was a little difficult follow the change of perspective and a new story arc but it was a wonderful and an exotic change. The story of Daisy and Ian held many parallels with Miranda & Ben. In that both the sisters are a stubborn and headstrong lot, Daisy is also very insecure and doesn't let anyone in easily, in Miranda's it was her Fire elemental but with Daisy it was the treatment she received at the hands of her dead husband. But she has the ability to love and love she does in leaps and bounds. Ian/Northrup again like Daisy and Miranda, draws parallels with Benjamin Archer. Both are old souls, both are creatures of the paranormal world. They both have experienced extreme sadness and betrayal at the hands of their loved ones and just want to feel loved again. And just like Miranda & Archer, Daisy & Ian will take you in their tumultuous relationship when you are least expecting it and make you ride the waves of their tussling emotions. Oh now I want to know what Winterblaze has in store for us rather badly. "From the pen of Ms. Callihan - oh the magic that happens when she mixes the dark and foggy London, Steampunk and the Paranormalia - out comes a tale of two stubborn souls who only want a little love in their loves - Moonglow is just as wondrous and sexy as Firelight was!"(less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Jul 22, 2012
| Aug 12, 2012
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Jul 22, 2012
| Mass Market Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 1250001404
| 9781250001405
| 3.92
| 2,313
| Sep 18, 2012
| Sep 18, 2012
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Original Link to the review at my blog Le' Grande Codex - here Oh! finally.... oh! it was so good...... as good as they said....... oh! I love it! Pre...more Original Link to the review at my blog Le' Grande Codex - here Oh! finally.... oh! it was so good...... as good as they said....... oh! I love it! Presenting The Lotus War #1 Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff. Here is the summary of the book: A DYING LAND The Shima Imperium verges on the brink of environmental collapse; an island nation once rich in tradition and myth, now decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshipers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, the land is choked with toxic pollution, and the great spirit animals that once roamed its wilds have departed forever. AN IMPOSSIBLE QUEST The hunters of Shima’s imperial court are charged by their Shōgun to capture a thunder tiger – a legendary creature, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows the beasts have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shōgun is death. A HIDDEN GIFT Yukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a talent that if discovered, would see her executed by the Lotus Guild. Accompanying her father on the Shōgun’s hunt, she finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in Shima’s last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled thunder tiger for company. Even though she can hear his thoughts, even though she saved his life, all she knows for certain is he’d rather see her dead than help her. But together, the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire. In literature, Japanese customs, the jargon, the mannerism and the history.....most specifically Oriental tradition..... without a good foundation and goo explanation don't bode well....but by God Mr. Kristoff made sure to maintain a brilliant ratio throughout his book and procured success with us. You want Japanese, you want dystopian, you want mythology, you want steampunk...... or you want the post-apocalyptic.... well then this is the book for you..... Yes I mentioned all these sub-genre.... may be sounding weird but God Kristoff makes it bloody amazing. A dystopian-post-apocalyptic Japan, destroyed by war, and the materialistic greed to gain comfort even if it leads to the destruction of the mankind itself. A chance adventure. A chance capture(or hunt or whatever). A chance airship crash. A chance bonding, braving the storm, over throwing the tyranny. Yukiko's chance encounter, befriending and bonding of the arashitora and eventually becoming the stormdancerwas vivid dazzling, sometimes hilarious and highly engaging. Jay Kristoff not only gave life to an incredible idea but created some amazingcharacters to go alongwith the motion that made it so amazing. Yukiko, Buruu, Kin, Masaru, Akihito and Kasumi. Oh! amazing you....... But most of all the bond between Yukko and the storm tiger she named Buruu..... The bond they developed, the common understanding, their endeavor in this lotus war... it was simply excellent and so engaging. Stormdancer simply..... just amazing. You can actually visualize what takes place through the lines from Mr. Kristoff's pen...... Amazing. "Steampunk, mythical creatures, strong female protagonist, Dystopia and a growing civil unrest.... AROUND JAPAN? IS THAT RIGHT?..... OF COURSE ITS RIGHT..... ITS BLOODY BRILLIANT IT IS"(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Apr 11, 2013
| Apr 16, 2013
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Aug 10, 2012
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0385534639
| 9780385534635
| 3.99
| 154,291
| Sep 01, 2010
| Sep 13, 2011
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Definitely a great reading week for me......another masterpiece this one is. My God! I still can't believe that book is that amazing. Presenting
The...more
Definitely a great reading week for me......another masterpiece this one is. My God! I still can't believe that book is that amazing. Presenting
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.
Here is the summary of the book: The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night. But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands. True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus performers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead. Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart. Circus..there was a time when people used to anticipate the coming of a circus every year. Of the amazing animals there, the acrobats doing wondrous flips on ropes and jumps to the ohhs and ahhss of a rapt audience and the magician pulling out rabbits from their hats or getting a volunteer to apply their tricks on. That was the time when such simple acts would arouse such joy in the people but in this technological age the novelty of circus is somehow lost on us. But Erin Morgenstern has done what many had failed to do so. She has painted a picture of the circus like no other. How well do you see the instruments, all the brain storming, all the planning that goes into the creation and proceedings of a circus. How well do you see the machination involved in the illusionist's act....we only see what is infront of us. Thus, this is where the book gets interesting. Ms. Morgenstern paints a picture like no other. Le Cirque des Rêves, the circus of dreams, the night circus, for it opens just when the sun sets and closes when when dawn lights the skies. A circus like no other, formed of great-a-many tents instead of a single large tent and colored only in strips of black and white. Almost dreamlike and mystical. The author takes us on a tour that is sure edge its mark upon our memories. Acrobats, trained animals, illusionist, trainers.....you won't see a circus like no other. But at heart it is the battleground for two magicians Celia and Marco. Both bound by their masters, Prospero & Mr. A.H. duel to best the other. Both being trained in ways different than the other. As the duel proceeds....the poor souls know nothing of what is asked of them. Rules were never specified. What is expected of them is never specified. They have no inclination of how the winner shall be selected. So, they go about erecting tents trying to impress the other. But then they meet each other and what began as a duel takes the shape of a love story, every tent they erect, a form of love letter to the other recipient. When worst comes to worst they realize what is actually asked of them, they take drastic steps in order to remain together. Shelved as an 'adult fiction' it can be actually be a cross between an adult and a young adult fiction. Told in a circular fashion accentuating the concept of the circle of life and of the circus, one time it tells the story in the present, the next we get the flashbacks, another perspective shows us the outsiders looking in and another from the author's own giving us a tour of sorts. And this may be Celia and Marco's tale, where a bunch of other characters get entangled in the mess but at large the true hero of this story in the circus. Because it is the circus that is the battleground, it is the circus that sets the stage and it is the circus that connects them all. "Mystical and dreamlike, Erin Morgentern paints a true picture of the circus never before seen with her cunning penmanship and a seductive prose"(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Sep 15, 2012
| Oct 15, 2012
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Sep 15, 2012
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 9781447222859
| 2.88
| 16
| Jul 15, 2012
| Jul 15, 2012
|
Good concept.....but a dis-balanced output. Presenting my views on
The Tattooed fakir by Biman Nath.
Here is the summary of the book: Northern Bengal;...more Good concept.....but a dis-balanced output. Presenting my views on The Tattooed fakir by Biman Nath. Here is the summary of the book: Northern Bengal; late eighteenth century. The new colonial rulers face an unlikely army of fakirs and sannyasis. At the same time, a few indigo plantations have come up in the countryside. The French keep a low profile, and even indulge in indigo trade espionage. A young woman – Roshanara – is kidnapped by the village zamindar. The British sahib, owner of the indigo plantation, intervenes, but then takes her as his own mistress. She is not, however, any local woman – she is a fakir’s daughter. Her fakir father and her husband Asif go to Majnu Shah’s band of fakirs to plead for help in getting her back. Asif feels nothing is left for him in the village and joins the fakirs, training in the use of weapons and ammunition, skirmishing with them up and down the country, but pining, always, for his Roshanara. Years later, in an oddly fated rescue mission he ends up, not with her, but with her son – Roshan – who evolves into a ferocious fakir soldier, tattooed and insecure about his identity. A spare, elegant rendition of an era from the margins of history, The Tattooed Fakir underlines helplessness and rage, of the powerful and the powerless alike. My second Indian lit by modern writer - my first ever signed copy I won from a contest by the publishers and i'm sorely disappointed. I'm saddened by the fact that it is evident that the authors come up with such great concepts but when the time comes to execute that idea they miss by a major hiccup. That is the case of how this book suffers big time and I definitely did not expect it from an acclaimed author like Mr. Nath (sorry I don't want to sound harsh but I endeavor to present it all honestly) Divided into three parts and set in the time of the early periods of the British rule in northern Bengal. This is the story of Asif whose is taken to the Indigo estate to safeguard her against the evil eyes of the village zamindar....but things go downhill when the Indigo planter, an English man, MacLean intervenes and takes her as his mistress. So no idea where to go and get help from Asif joins the fakirs in a bid to revolt and somehow rescue his wife. And that is where it begins to deteriorate for the story. I'll say it again the only positive point of this book is it concept and the way the author depicts the notions of exile, revolt against the British, and the segregation of society into the rural and the urban folks. But let me now point out he factors that deteriorate the story. It should have been a revenge specific story. Asif's wife is taken but after a few initial chapters it all goes stale and drag. Asif lacks the vigor, sure he is a lowly farmer but should have shown much more determination instead he joins the fakirs, delaying the inevitable....even goes far as being sent to Tipu Sultan to learn rocket tech. Then there is the constant POV changes, alternating so much could have sustained a balanced; there are many books out there that use alternating POVs but still managed a balance. The characterization is also done badly. Last and the most important the title itself. This book is titled Tattooed Fakir....but their is no sign of the titular character until the final divide of this book. Which is the biggest negative point of the book. Either you expect the titular character the illegitimate child of Roshanara and MacLean to be present since the beginning, maybe appear almost midway but he becomes the focus at the end and even he is lack luster. The tattoed fakir should have at least attained a strong presence (physical, ethereal .... or whatever) but sadly it missed on that front too. Finally the ending itself was just hurried as if the author just somehow needed a way to end it. I'm truly sorry but I didn't like it at all. "Honestly this book needs a well deserved polish"(less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Oct 11, 2012
| Oct 13, 2012
|
Oct 11, 2012
| Paperback
| ||||||||||||||||
| 1607013835
| 9781607013839
| 3.53
| 30
| Feb 05, 2013
| Feb 05, 2013
|
An easy to follow Japanese tale.....Presenting
Yamada Monogatari: Demon Hunter by Richard Parks.
Here is the summary of the book: In an ancient Japan w...more An easy to follow Japanese tale.....Presenting Yamada Monogatari: Demon Hunter by Richard Parks. Here is the summary of the book: In an ancient Japan where the incursions of gods, ghosts, and demons into the living world is an everyday event, an impoverished nobleman named Yamada no Goji makes his living as a demon hunter for hire. With the occasional assistance of the reprobate exorcist Kenji, whatever the difficulty — ogres, demons, fox-spirits — for a price Yamada will do what needs to be done, even and especially if the solution to the problem isn’t as simple as the edge of a sword. Yet, no matter how many monsters he has to face, or how powerful and terrible they may be, the demons Yamada fears the most are his own! Monogatari by the dictionary definition is the literal form of Japanese literature, which is almost always fictional even when retelling a historical event, an extended form of prose narrative tale comparable to the epic. So, now literal meaning aside, Yamada Monogatari is an episodic tale into the life of Yamada no Goji, an ex-Japanese royal courtier, now adapted to the ways of a demon hunter.....a thumpin' good one too. Each episode (while they are seperate stories but we'll treat them as episodes) points to a different face of and different adventure of Yamada no Goji's demon hunting life style with his side-kick monk, Kenji. Searilized in a chronological order as they occur, Yamada Monogatari is a bit of a nostalgia for me, as it draws parallels from the famous manga/anime series Inu Yasha set in pre-historic feudal Japan. This was also one Japanese literature that we could easily digest. There are all forms of youkai, demons, ghosts, monsters and all things that go bump in the night. It was quite refreshing to read into such myths of the Japanese. Each chapter showcases and lays out the person that is Yamada no Goji. He is determined, he is compassionate, he is understanding and whats more he may be a sake addict but with his line of profession and all things considered, he knows when to stop and what his limits are. Give it a try folks you'll like it. "Youkai-Ghosts-Trolls-Kitsune...and such. This is an interesting and action-packed easy to follow Japanese tale that you will easily be able to follow and enjoy"(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Dec 28, 2012
| Jan 09, 2013
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Dec 28, 2012
| Paperback
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| 1907410392
| 9781907410390
| 4.03
| 10,033
| Sep 01, 2012
| Sep 18, 2012
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Flappers and Dappers....my first foray with a Libba Bray book and I am amazed. Presenting
The Diviners #1 The Diviners by Libba Bray.
Here is the summ...more Flappers and Dappers....my first foray with a Libba Bray book and I am amazed. Presenting The Diviners #1 The Diviners by Libba Bray. Here is the summary of the book: It's 1920s New York City. It's flappers and Follies, jazz and gin. It's after the war but before the depression. And for certain group of bright young things it's the opportunity to party like never before. For Evie O'Neill, it's escape. She's never fit in in small town Ohio and when she causes yet another scandal, she's shipped off to stay with an uncle in the big city. But far from being exile, this is exactly what she's always wanted: the chance to show how thoroughly modern and incredibly daring she can be. But New York City isn't about just jazz babies and follies girls. It has a darker side. Young women are being murdered across the city. And these aren't crimes of passion. They're gruesome. They're planned. They bear a strange resemblance to an obscure group of tarot cards. And the New York City police can't solve them alone. Evie wasn't just escaping the stifling life of Ohio, she was running from the knowledge of what she could do. She has a secret. A mysterious power that could help catch the killer - if he doesn't catch her first. Flappers, Dappers, Follies, Jollies, Jazz and Gin. 1920s New York, the year after the war but before the depression. All out parties and simply no care for the world. This is the era of the flashy lifestyle. But where there is light, darkness will just be dangling around the corners. And there is something in the dark that wants to wreak havoc upon the world. It is upto the Diviners to battle this new force of evil and save the world. They can walk in dreams, they can see the past or they can see the future but something is leaving dead bodies brutally murdered throughout the streets of New York and the police have no idea where to look for clues....they are all methodically planned and being done for a purpose....and this is how the story begins. This is not about just one character, its about them all, Evie, Uncle Will, Jericho, Sam, Mabel, Theta, Memphis, Blind Bill & Isiah. Every chapter brings a little closer to these vibrant characters bit by bit as we foray into their past, present and future. Ms. Bray's excellent penmanship not only brings these characters to life but makes us connect with them on a much deeper and sentient level. Ms. Bray's fantastic writing not only brought the 1920s New York to life but makes it believable too with all the nifty details and the language of the era. The supernatural too has its own way of making itself known but Ms. Bray.....wonderful woman....grounded it in the era. Mounting with each chapter its haunting aura enough to send us to the seat's edge as we read about Evie and Jericho towards the end of the book battling the evil in that haunted house. I am definitely going to get the next book in the series when it comes out and read her other books now....such extravagant work....you have made me a fan Ms. Bray!!!! "Flapper era galore. Vibrant parties and the evil lurking in the shadows. From the author of the acclaimed Gemma Doyle saga, comes a tale stranded in the past but modern enough, an exciting, exhilarating and a new venture towards the battle of good and evil"(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Feb 17, 2013
| Mar 05, 2013
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Feb 17, 2013
| Hardcover
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