bookshelves: first-reads, science-fiction, to-read, zombies
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by Laurell K. Hamilton
I first picked up this series because the idea of a faerie princess P.I. was so appealing. I stopped reading because Merrie did a lot more shagging than detecting. Nice to see that, 7 books later, nothing's really changed! ]]>
Kim
read and liked
Tez's
review of Divine Misdemeanors (Meredith Gentry, #8):
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
bookshelves: fantasy
The Drowning City is a book with a terrific premise and marvelous world-building, and a promising start to a new fantasy series. I was particularly pleased to encounter a fantasy with an Asian flavor rather than the tired old pseudo-European feel; Downum lived in Southeast Asia for many years, and this experience no doubt brings an authenticity to the setting. Isyllt Iskaldur is a necromancer and a spy, who was sent to the city of Symir to stir up political unrest. Symir is in the land of Sivahra, which is under the control of the Assari Empire; the empire is also rumored to be turning its attentions towards Selafai, Isyllt's home. But Symir is full of revolutionaries, and it shouldn't take much for Isyllt to fan the flames. Yet nothing is ever that simple, when the dead themselves get involved, and the waters begin to rise. . .
It's really difficult to explain why this book didn't score higher for me than it does. It's a high three, possibly even a three and a half, if they existed, but I just can't go higher than that with a book that kept me interested but not emotionally engaged. I liked the characters, and I wanted to know what would happen to them, but I wasn't compulsively turning the pages. Part of that was the fact I spent the first 75-100 pages or so just trying to figure out what was going on. There is a map in the front of the book, but it's really the wrong one, if you ask me; the action takes place in only a tiny portion of it! I'd have liked a smaller one focused on Symir and its neighbors. Another source of confusion was the multiplicity of nationalities, tribal identities, and political affiliations the different characters had, though that was also partly what made the setting so rich. If there were any way for the author to include a non-spoilery glossary at the back of the book, that might have helped me to keep them straight.
Another factor that might have kept me from being fully engaged in this book from the beginning was the focus on Isyllt and her objective of stirring up unrest. I liked Isyllt; her magic was fascinating and her demeanor elegant, and I really enjoyed the chemistry she had with the mysterious Asheris. However, I found it difficult to care whether she succeeded in causing the necessary political unrest (and for the longest time, it really seemed more like she witnessed it than contributed to it), because she did not live in Symir or under Assari control. This might have worked better if we had actually seen Isyllt in Selafai and known what she was hoping to protect. Instead, she seemed a bit distant from what was going on, able to watch the various factions in Symir slugging it out with no more than the usual human concern that there not be too much bloodshed.
On the other hand, there are two viewpoint characters besides Isyllt who have a vested interest in the factionalism of Symir: Zhirin, an apprentice with the mages at the Kurun Tam, and Xinai, one of Isyllt's bodyguards, who has been away from Sivahra for many years but was born there. Zhirin is quite young and has become involved with a leader of one of the more peaceful revolutionary groups; Xinai is returning to her tribe after many years away, and wants freedom at any cost. The contrasts between Zhirin and Xinai, and between the two of them and Isyllt respectively, are quite interesting to read; of the three women, I think I found Zhirin the most compelling (hint: she turns out to have a magic that's really cool).
The Drowning City has a lot going for it, despite its problems. The system of magic is very interesting, as are many of the Sivahri tribal customs and beliefs. I like political intrigue, and The Drowning City has plenty of it, even if it does feel a bit tangly in spots. It's nice not only to have strong female protagonists, but a variety of them, with diverse backstories and abilities. I am definitely interested in the next book of the series, and looking forward to learning more about Isyllt and her world. ]]>
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bookshelves: fantasy, ya
When I was in the fifth grade, my teacher assigned us to read a book on Greek mythology, and that assignment literally changed my life. Back when I was ten, one of my favorite myths was the story of how Hermes, the trickster god, stole 50 cattle from Apollo when he was only one day old. Apollo was a favorite deity as well, but to a kid, the story of an innocent baby stealing from a grown up and getting off scot-free is wonderfully subversive. . .and silly as all get-out, of course.
The problem with writing a novel about Hermes, messenger god, psychopomp, god of merchants and thieves, is that, aside from his cattle stealing escapades, he is rarely the central figure in myth. Instead, he has a small but pivotal role in many different stories, four of which are linked together in Spinner's novel.
The stories braided together into Quicksilver have little in common except for Hermes' presence, and I suspect the source material necessitated this choice. In this respect,Spinner's earlier novel, the engaging Quiver was more successful, since it was able to focus solely on the story of Atalanta. Quicksilver could seem a little scattered in comparison.
On the other hand, as much as anything, Quicksilver is about Hermes' maturation and development as a person, and in that respect, the four different episodes in Quicksilver work very well. The reader gets to know Hermes as an individual just as he is getting to know himself. At the beginning of the novel, Hermes seems primarily interested in driving his father's chariot and hanging around with pretty nymphs, reminding me a lot of a modern teenager. However, as the novel progresses, he comes to feel guilt for his part in the slaying of Medusa and his (single-handed) slaying of the monster Argus. By the time the Trojan War comes along, Hermes has developed a great distaste for violence (as Spinner points out, this is consistent with his mythology), a distaste which grows with the increasing number of dead souls he must lead down to Hades.
The true strength of this novel is in Hermes' lively personality. The novel is written in first person, and the writing has a colloquial and casual tone that avoids feeling overly anachronistic. I loved getting Hermes' takes on the events he witnessed such as the judgment of Paris. I loved the "pro/con" lists he made throughout the book, such as when he was considering whether to help Persephone escape from Hades. I was not thrilled with the treatment of women in this novel, though much of that of course derives from the myths themselves; I also wasn't crazy about the ending, for which I haven't found a mythic precedent yet. But with Hermes himself, I remain utterly charmed. ]]>
bookshelves: paranormalfiction, ya
NOTE: This review will contain spoilers for Dead is the New Black
Another fun supernatural mystery from Marlene Perez, the second in the series featuring the Giordano sisters. Daisy Giordano is newly come into her psychic powers, and thus no longer such an outsider in her family. However, she has other problems to deal with, most notably the death of a teacher at her school, apparently being mauled by shifters. Her boyfriend Ryan has been avoiding her, she may have a new romantic rival, and a charming new classmate has been giving her the eye. Add to that one sister who is dating a werewolf, and another who's in love with a ghost, and Daisy certainly has a lot to get figured out by prom!
This series continues to be quite enjoyable, both witty and fast-paced. Daisy's relationship with her sisters is entertaining to read about, and seeing her try to figure out her new powers is also quite a hoot. My favorite part, though, I think is the tattooed waitress, Flo, and prescient Jukebox at Slim's. It's little touches like that which help to bring the eccentric town of Nightshade to life.
I must be honest and admit that when it comes to urban fantasy and paranormal romance, my tastes fall on the UF side of the spectrum, whereas this series falls under the PNR rubric. Although I wanted Ryan and Daisy to stick together, I wasn't that interested in her jealousy issues or with whom she'd end up going to prom. Plus I really hate when conflict arises through a lack of communication, whether I'm reading about characters who are 16 or 116. But again, I'm not the intended audience for this series (I'd say middle school and up) and if your teen is clamoring for supernatural romance, this is a pretty safe choice.
A light-hearted and cute blend of supernatural mystery and romance. ]]>
bookshelves: paranormalfiction, ya
This is a really cute little book, the first in a fun YA paranormal series about the Giordano sisters, whose mother is a psychic consultant and who are psychically gifted themselves. Well, except for the youngest, Daisy, apparently, who is the protagonist of this book. When Daisy's ex-friend Samantha "Divine" Devereaux comes back to school sporting a ghastly new look, Daisy finds herself in the middle of a mystery involving cheerleaders, psychic vampires, and possibly a cabal secretly running the town of Nightshade.
Daisy is an appealing heroine with whom many teenage readers will easily identify. She is curious, feels like an outsider in her own family, and is so romantically clueless I wanted to smack her at times. But all of that felt authentic; I could remember my own romantic yearnings at her age, and the desire to fit in. Daisy is also quite the Nancy Drew, and I enjoyed reading her attempt to ferret out what was happening to the cheerleaders, with the help of Ryan Mendez, her long time crush.
I like to read YA novels, although I am long past the age for which they are intended, and when I read them, I usually assume I am enjoying them as much as the intended audience would, if in a different way. However, when I read Dead is the New Black, I felt some dissatisfaction that I'm not sure a teen reader would have shared. The book is extremely short (190 pages), and it felt a bit rushed and skimpy on details. I'm not crazy about long paragraphs of description, but I do appreciate it when the setting of a novel comes to life, and I didn't really feel the city of Nightshade, where this book takes place, does. Particularly problematic was the role of the paranormal in the town. When you read a book of this genre, either people know about magic and the supernatural, or all that stuff is kept under wraps. With Nightshade, I couldn't quite decide which was the case.
In sum, if you are looking for a quick and enjoyable YA to read, with touches of mystery, romance (of the PG rated variety), and humor, you'll probably have fun with this one. ]]>
Kim
said "maybe" to attending the event: Wild Blue Under by Judi Fennell.
date: November 12, 2009 12:41AM
location: Yankee Romance Reviewers, The United States
description: Judi Fennell will be with us at Yankee Romance Reviewers on Thursday November 12th answers interview questions about her writing and books. Make sure and come and see what she has to say and I’m sure it’ll bring a smile to your face. Judi gives us a way to sit back, relax and forget reality even if it is just for a few minutes. Way to go girl!!
Make sure and leave a comment or question about the interview with Judy and your email addy to be entered to win one of 2 sets of her b...more
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