Lovely, lovely, heart-deep and magical. Don't read the backcover copy, just start reading. It's one of those books that is too complex and unsummariza...moreLovely, lovely, heart-deep and magical. Don't read the backcover copy, just start reading. It's one of those books that is too complex and unsummarizable that you have to experience it for yourself rather than let someone else do the tasting for you.(less)
Brilliant and cleverly written. If it were a movie it'd probably be rated R for swearing, blood, and gore, but somehow I barely noticed it. Perhaps it...moreBrilliant and cleverly written. If it were a movie it'd probably be rated R for swearing, blood, and gore, but somehow I barely noticed it. Perhaps it was the humor. This book also proves that you can break any rule as long as you're confident and your writing is excellent. I've read books about amnesiacs and paranormal agencies before, but this one is entirely, refreshingly unique. I won't spoil it. Read it!(less)
One of my favorite folktales, this one's from Norway and is reminiscent of the Greek myth Cupid & Psyche. This is an illustrated edition of the fi...moreOne of my favorite folktales, this one's from Norway and is reminiscent of the Greek myth Cupid & Psyche. This is an illustrated edition of the first translation of this tale into English (1859). The illustrations are watercolors by one of my all-time favorite children's book illustrators, PJ Lynch. All-in-all, I'm in love with this book, and I'm totally counting this towards my goal of reading more works-in-translation this year. Call it research, if you will. ;)(less)
I have liked each book so far in the series. In fact, this is quickly becoming my favorite political fantasy series. However, I didn't love the books...moreI have liked each book so far in the series. In fact, this is quickly becoming my favorite political fantasy series. However, I didn't love the books until this one, and I find as a unit each book makes all the others better by association, which I find is a hallmark of a truly excellent series. Please read them in order, though. You will regret it if you don't. (less)
I'm not sure whether to give this one 3 or 4 stars. I got this audiobook 'cause I needed something light and playful to help me last out hours of migr...moreI'm not sure whether to give this one 3 or 4 stars. I got this audiobook 'cause I needed something light and playful to help me last out hours of migraine boredom on Sunday and it certainly fulfilled its role. The fairytale and fae mash-up was brilliant. Hands down. I loved the protagonist Sunday's family and all the cast of side characters. The magic felt just right. (The narrator even sang Wednesday's song prettily! I was surprised. Most narrators can't sing the songs in books very well.)
What I didn't like was the Prince and their romance. It just didn't work for me. At all. Even despite knowing that it followed the fairy tale requirements to the letter as its excuse. So...I ended up rooting for her sister Wednesday and the prince's fae cousin instead. If there's a sequel, I'd want it to be about them, and I never ask for sequels to be about someone else. XD(less)
I really wanted to like this book since I've admired both cover and concept since I was a kid. However there were too many things that just did not wo...moreI really wanted to like this book since I've admired both cover and concept since I was a kid. However there were too many things that just did not work for me. For example, all the characters were beautiful and we rarely spent any time with the two main characters. The writing was uneven, either really good or like a rough draft, etc.(less)
Extremely clever and well-crafted book. I love political fantasy, and this is one of the best series I've read in that vein. I wish it didn't use such...moreExtremely clever and well-crafted book. I love political fantasy, and this is one of the best series I've read in that vein. I wish it didn't use such a distant PoV, but we know the characters well enough to follow along in all the story's many layers.(less)
Wow. This is going on my all-time favorites list. Terry Pratchett's plots/subplots are hit-or-miss for me. For example, I love Death and Susan in Soul...moreWow. This is going on my all-time favorites list. Terry Pratchett's plots/subplots are hit-or-miss for me. For example, I love Death and Susan in Soul Music, but the counter-plot didn't appeal to me as much. Well, this book is not only the perfect mirror to Soul Music, but I loved all the storylines, not just the main one.
It did take some getting used to, since the narrator who doesn't do most of the Death-books did this one. But still. Loved it!
I wouldn't start with this book, though. I'd definitely read some of the other Death or Susan-related books first to better appreciate this one.(less)
Wow. The first chapter I wasn't sure if I'd like it or not, but the more I read the more I loved it.
It stands on a lot of traditions--Greek & Brit...moreWow. The first chapter I wasn't sure if I'd like it or not, but the more I read the more I loved it.
It stands on a lot of traditions--Greek & British folklore and mythology, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Narnia, &c--but it has its own life and piercing beauty. I considered listening to the audiobook, but in the end I'm glad I got the hardback. As delicious visually as the rest, I think.
This book now will number among my favorites. :) Can't wait to read more!(less)
I like the second half a lot more than the first half. For some reason it looked like the story was going to cover the same basic territory as Mort &...moreI like the second half a lot more than the first half. For some reason it looked like the story was going to cover the same basic territory as Mort & Soul Music, but once we really got into the story, it was quite lovely.
I've decided I don't like the Wizards very much, though. I don't really have much patience for them in whatever books they show up.
So, though the book was still fun, and Death's story became rather poignant, I don't like this book overall as much as I like others by Terry Pratchett.(less)
It's book 5.5, an adventure to hold us over and build us up more towards the grand finale of book 6 which will tie her two series set in this world to...moreIt's book 5.5, an adventure to hold us over and build us up more towards the grand finale of book 6 which will tie her two series set in this world together.
This one is darker and a bit cruder than her other books, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the new cast of characters, the mystery and the adventure. I...moreThis one is darker and a bit cruder than her other books, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the new cast of characters, the mystery and the adventure. I had a bit of trouble suspending my disbelief for the linguist at first, but that's to be expected with my language/translation background. *amused*
Still, I find myself just as excited to continue to read about these characters as her other series. :D(less)
I'm always a sucker for cross-dressing stories. This one takes the cake out of all the ones I've read. Brilliant and hilarious. Though once you know t...moreI'm always a sucker for cross-dressing stories. This one takes the cake out of all the ones I've read. Brilliant and hilarious. Though once you know the main joke, you can pretty much guess the final punchlines, I really didn't mind.
A friend recommended that I try this book, since I've been needing humorous stories and I'd been wanting to try another Pratchett audiobook. This actually may be my favorite Pratchett book ever. It certainly is my favorite so far!
Also, Sgt. Jackram (or however you spell his name) totally has a Welsh accent (via the narrator). Ever since Howl in Howl's Moving Castle audiobook, I've been rather fond of Welsh accents. They are so awesome. Why don't we get to hear them more often? Irish, Scottish, and Cockney accents are so overdone. MORE WELSH, MORE WELSH. :D
(And wow, I just read the plot summary above. DON'T read the description, just start reading the book. Good golly miss molly, don't they know how to write back copy without giving too much away?)(less)
Hmmm, how to summarize. I loved the first half. It had me laughing and chuckling and intrigued by the cast of characters. It's also very well written....moreHmmm, how to summarize. I loved the first half. It had me laughing and chuckling and intrigued by the cast of characters. It's also very well written.
The second half--hmm, I got to one pivotal scene and had to put it down. I almost didn't pick it up again, but I decided to give it another go and just finished.
The romance relationship dynamic is what got me. Until that scene where everything suddenly got Serious, I could roll with it, but afterwards it was much harder not to find it grating. I think it was a combination of plausibility (2.5 days to forge eternal love & broach its subject, really?)and the Overprotective Alpha Male & I've-got-something-to-prove Independent Alpha Female pairing that seems to have sprung up to full popularity in literature that got me. If their relationship had developed more naturally, I think the latter would have been fine, even though I'm really wishing I could read a wider variety of relationship types of late.
The plot is a mystery, as well. I love mysteries, but the second half where the main characters were all so certain they had everything right felt off. Why were they certain they'd nabbed the villains when it was obvious they had barely any pieces on which to base their assumptions?
For that, I think the book fell victim to plot tidiness demons. I.e., everything has to move swiftly and concisely towards the end with plenty of action lest the readers lose interest and get bored. However, the quick fix would be to spend more time with the protagonists trying to put together the pieces they had, discussing the fact that they still had a lot of holes to fill, gaps in what they knew, et voilà, fewer gaffes on their part and a more satisfying conclusion as they wrangle more with the mystery and the problems at hand.
So, in summary, those two main aspects brought my enjoyment considerably down, though the cast was intriguing, the scenario fun, and the prose well-written.
Egads, I have written a long review. *amused* I guess it's taken me this long to sort out how I feel about it.(less)
I really needed something light and easy to read today so I went looking through the e-books I have stored up for the occasion, and I have to say, I'm...moreI really needed something light and easy to read today so I went looking through the e-books I have stored up for the occasion, and I have to say, I'm glad I chose this one!
Really quite enjoyable. I have to say my favorite part was how the protagonist's overcompensating-strength came from her fears, which felt real to me. Also, how she matured over the course of the story--and healed from her trauma/panic attacks. And it wasn't just her that grew, but the rest of the main cast as well.
The banter had me smiling and the cast of characters were all intriguing. I can't say I was ever surprised by any of the twists, but I'm fully aware that the more I read the easier it is to predict things, and the characters were never too far "behind" so that was okay.
The book's main "flaw" is that it's stand-alone. (I know, that sounds rather selfish-fan of me. However-) The ending tries to make up for the fact that the series will continue without the same protagonist leading the way, which always makes things slightly...awkward. This middle ground between tied-up and still hanging. As a writer, I'm sympathetic with the author for doing it this way since I can see the reasoning, though as a reader it is a bit disappointing. I've never been a huge fan of trilogies that jump from cast to cast within the same world, so I'm not sure if I'll continue from here or not. I understand Book 2 picks up a whole new cast but Book 3 returns to Bitterblue, whom I did like in Book 1.(less)
I've decided that it's much easier to watch or listen to a Terry Pratchett book than it is to read one. My internal reader gets tired of pulling off h...moreI've decided that it's much easier to watch or listen to a Terry Pratchett book than it is to read one. My internal reader gets tired of pulling off however many pages of non-stop sardonic humor, I guess. It's much easier when some other narrator is doing it for me.
That said, whenever we got to the City Watch crew I'd get completely lost on who was speaking. The narrator could pull off all the main characters, but whenever the cast widened I just had to go along for the ride and hope it wasn't too important who said what to whom when. *amused*
Still, had me snorting and laughing and snortlaughchuckling as I embroidered. Sam Vimes is one of my favorites.(less)
Just finished alpha-reading this one. With each book, I love the series more and more. It's so fun watching the characters develop...and hijinks ensue...moreJust finished alpha-reading this one. With each book, I love the series more and more. It's so fun watching the characters develop...and hijinks ensue. You all are going to love this book.
(Fyi, I don't give star-ratings to books I alpha/beta read.)(less)
Wow. I'm stunned. Utterly blown away. This is the best retelling of this particular tale I've ever read--or in this case, listened to. I like it even...moreWow. I'm stunned. Utterly blown away. This is the best retelling of this particular tale I've ever read--or in this case, listened to. I like it even better than the original tale. Also, the narrator is AMAZING. Her accents, her sense of humor and comic delivery. Her creepy voice was TRULY CREEPY.
And I am SO GLAD that the sequel is out in less than a month. That ending is both in the perfect spot and it's also so, well, gut-wrenching that I'm glad I don't have to sit on it very long.
Wow. I won't tell you what retelling it is. If you're going to read it, let the story unfold for itself, you'll soon see. There are elements to the story that might have made me give fewer stars, but those elements end up being perfect because of what it's retelling. Book, you have my blessing and forgiveness. You are now among my favorites.(less)
I probably would have liked it more if it hadn't felt like I was rereading The Goose Girl or Book of a Thousand Days rather than reading a new book. I...moreI probably would have liked it more if it hadn't felt like I was rereading The Goose Girl or Book of a Thousand Days rather than reading a new book. It resonated a lot with her other YA books, I don't know exactly how to describe that. However, it was still a good book, (and Bloomsbury still messed up the e-book formatting a ton, so I would only recommend buying it if it's on sale as I did).(less)
So... I've been writing vampire fiction with a few friends since 2001, and I've really been looking for an author whose take on vampires I like half a...moreSo... I've been writing vampire fiction with a few friends since 2001, and I've really been looking for an author whose take on vampires I like half as much as the stuff we've come up with. I know that sounds arrogant, but really it's just a matter of acquired tastes and cravings. Aaaand yeah. I haven't really found anything. However, it seems like the derivative/stale vampire fiction that's crept up since Twilight is just that, stale due to post-Twilight flare.
For--speaking of tastes, cravings, and wordplay--this is a great book. So I guess the answer seems to be going back to 2003 and joining Robin McKinley in her world.
My, what an intriguing world she's created. Her protagonist also reminds me of several of my friends. (So does that make me the grandma? Or Con?) I had to smile.
I'm not sure how coherent this review is, as today is not a good health day at all, but this book (like a charm?) was waiting for the perfect day to strike and keep me safely wrapped up and cozy.(less)
Wow! A brilliant new installment in what is turning out to be one of my all-time favorite series. :D Since it's book 5, I won't go into any details, e...moreWow! A brilliant new installment in what is turning out to be one of my all-time favorite series. :D Since it's book 5, I won't go into any details, except to, well, grin a lot - like so :D :D :D(less)
Started and finished listening to this one yesterday as I was very ill and in bed the whole day. I found it quite delightful and I liked it much bette...moreStarted and finished listening to this one yesterday as I was very ill and in bed the whole day. I found it quite delightful and I liked it much better than the second one (Castle in the Air) though not as much as the first (Howl's Moving Castle). My favorite parts were still the ones with Sophie & Howl, though Sophie seemed to get the short end of the stick in this one, poor girl. I liked Charmaine as a protagonist better than I like Abdullah in Book 2, even though she was far more flawed, I think.
Most of the mysteries I was able to figure out as the book went along, due to the fact the first two books set up the kind of mysteries to look out for, but I didn't really mind.
Still, I wish these were true sequels rather than companion novels, since none of the other protagonists were quite able to trump Sophie, Howl, and Calcifer, though I understood why DWJ made the story decision to have both "sequels" be told via someone else's PoV.
Also - The narrator is still one of my all-time favorite narrators. (less)
This is the the type of book where you either hate it or you love it. I think I ended up loving it even more than the first book. The language was smo...moreThis is the the type of book where you either hate it or you love it. I think I ended up loving it even more than the first book. The language was smoother, and I'd gotten used to Kvothe's character flaws so that they didn't aggravate me and I could appreciate him more for who he was in all his ups and downs.
But what I really love about this series is that it's like watching someone piece together a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle. The pacing is slower than most people are used to reading, but I never got bored, I loved every character in the huge cast, and though the story was well thought-out and interconnected, I didn't feel like I was being railroaded.
Also, I listened to an audio version--and OH MY GOODNESS. The narrator is BRILLIANT.(less)
Alright. I'm disinclined to like short story prequels because they have this tendency to try to summarize everything you already have read and then le...moreAlright. I'm disinclined to like short story prequels because they have this tendency to try to summarize everything you already have read and then leave very little leftover. However! I was blown away and grinning merrily to myself the whole time--and the novel is richer for the experience. Brilliant. :D
You should definitely read the novel first though, before reading this one.(less)
I'm not sure whether to give this book 3 or 4 stars. I always have a hard time with sequels that don't feature the first book's protagonists as point-...moreI'm not sure whether to give this book 3 or 4 stars. I always have a hard time with sequels that don't feature the first book's protagonists as point-of-view characters, so I was already predisposed to not like it as much as the first. That being said, I did enjoy it, and I liked it better as soon as I realized where Sophie was (I knew where Howl was the whole time, due to a spoiler, but the seeming changes in personality aggravated me though I think I understand them now). Diana Wynne Jones is known for layering story on story, knowledge on mystery, and this book is no exception.
Also, I love the narrator. She's one of my favorites. :D(less)
I'm totally among the new readership that read Seraphina first and instantly went looking for more. Seraphina read as if it weren't the first work Rac...moreI'm totally among the new readership that read Seraphina first and instantly went looking for more. Seraphina read as if it weren't the first work Rachel Hartman had done set in the world, and I was right. She's a "debut author" in the world of YA fantasy novels, but she comes originally from comics, it seems.
This one is a slice-of-life style graphic novel told from the perspective of a 10 year old girl that's exceedingly well written and, once again, just what I needed right when I needed it.
Thanks for the grins and laughter! Also, the wisdom and keen sense of human nature.
(For those who've read the comic book, the authoress talks about it here.)(less)
Agh. This book ends on a tragically emotional cliffhanger that I definitely was NOT expecting at all. I was expecting a clever reversal like in Book O...moreAgh. This book ends on a tragically emotional cliffhanger that I definitely was NOT expecting at all. I was expecting a clever reversal like in Book One, but instead--nope. I know that's a spoiler, but it's one I would have appreciated going into it, so that's what I'll say.
The key brilliance of this book was getting me to fall for Itempas, who was a huge jerk throughout Book 1 and most of this book; which, well, I frankly didn't think it could be pulled off. Most of the rest of the book I saw coming, though. If Book 1 was a brilliantly constructed mystery, this one, since we had all the pieces given to us already, was a lot more predictable. Though I thoroughly enjoyed the whole cast of characters, the interweaving ideas, the mirror image of Book 1's themes, and so on.
Thankfully Book 3 is out and I hear something about a short story attached to the end that was written to wrap up Book 2's rather painful ending. I don't know, shall I risk it? I've decided that this series is designed to wring your heart right through your chest. *wry*(less)
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