false2996918true5674928read5true2271741currently-reading73true2271740to-read552false2272216sci-fi-fantasy180false2272217mystery-thriller137false2272212romance78false2318872mainstream55false2272335humor50false2272334non-fiction
<![CDATA[Princessjay added 'Ringworld']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/79665919
to: Ringworld (Ringworld series, Book 1)byLarry Niven bookshelves: currently-reading,
sci-fi-fantasy
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<![CDATA[new comment from Princessjay]]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5702711
Tracey's review of
The Diamond Age: Or, a Young Lady's Illustrated Primer byNeal Stephenson
When you consider that, in The Encyclopedia, all of Earth was condensed into 6 words for lack of space.. I would much prefer The Primer! ;)
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<![CDATA[Princessjay added 'The Poison Master']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76585264
to: The Poison Master (Mass Market Paperback)byLiz Williams bookshelves: sci-fi-fantasy
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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<![CDATA[Princessjay added 'Two Hearts']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/75778292
to: Two HeartsbyPeter S. Beagle bookshelves: sci-fi-fantasy
Peter S Beagle has been very reluctant to write a sequel to his best novel, THE LAST UNICORN, and with very good reason. The original story was a fable, with phrases and images so lyrical as to be near-poetry. The characters were real people; we could easily identify with each of them, yes, but they were archetypes. They exist in a timeless, mythical world that is only faintly attached to our real one.
This novella makes them into real people, Schmendrick and Molly and Lir and the unicorn, and drew them down to the real world.
I understand it's been nominated and won all sorts of awards, and some people would prefer it because it is more realistic and perhaps could be held closer to the heart. For me, however, this is a let-down. It's like puncturing a perfect snow globe tableau to let in the destruction of time and death and age. Why could not Schmendrick and Molly wander forever into the lands of once-up-a-time? Why could not Lir remain a hero and king, forever?
It is well written (though a little maudlin in parts). But I wish I never read it.
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<![CDATA[Princessjay added 'God Stalk']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/62001327
to: God Stalk (God Stalk #1)byP.C. Hodgell bookshelves: sci-fi-fantasy
The city of Tai-tastigon, mysterious as it is, fails to draw me in. It forms no shape in my mind's eye, and slips like shadows from my dreams' landscape.
The main character, Jame, mysterious as she is, with cryptic memories sprouting like weeds from her brain, a thief incomparably skilled yet honorable, a being of as-yet-undiscovered powers, fails to form as a coherent person. Sometimes she is tortured. The next instant, she is carefree and joking. No transition between these two states.
The tone of this novel is confusing. Some passages describes darkness and misery. Others, mere fluffy everyday nonsense. It does not seem to matter that people die and gods are wrathful and houses fall and burn. These leave no mark on the characters, and I am not moved either.
Many characters have highlighted cryptic, quirky personalities, yet have no real impact on the plot line. I am left scratching my head. Why did abc spend all this time plotting cryptically, yet nothing comes out of it but...this? Why did xyz exchange long probing gazes all that time, and nothing results but...that?
Finally, and worst of all, this novel is in serious need of a single, good villain. Result: an underwhelming climax.
However, the Kencyr mythology seems quite interesting. I will move on to the next book in this series, and hope that is a better read!
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<![CDATA[Princessjay added 'House of Many Ways']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/64546139
to: House of Many Ways (Hardcover)byDiana Wynne Jones bookshelves: sci-fi-fantasy
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<![CDATA[new comment from Princessjay]]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/32300722
Genevieve's review of
House of Many Ways byDiana Wynne Jones
That's an interesting comparison to the Miyazaki movie
I agree that there is a clear lack of character growth and moral complexity in this one!
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<![CDATA[Princessjay added 'Storm Born']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/63758531
to: Storm Born (Dark Swan, #1)byRichelle Mead bookshelves: sci-fi-fantasy
An interesting take on Faerie.
Very reminiscent of Merry Gentry novels, where everyone seems out to have their way with the heroine as access towards more power. And for main love interests, we once again have two beautiful supernatural men vying for her attentions, one a nicer version of Jean-Claude, the other, a sexier Richard. Sigh... when will we get away from the shadow of LH?
However, there are enough differences to warrant a read, and the heroine has potential to become something more, I hope. I will keep reading.
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