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170 reviews
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July 05

Angie gave

to:
Tigana (10th Anniversary Edition)
by Guy Gavriel Kay
bookshelves: belovedbookshelf

my rating:

Angie said: "DH is the one I have to thank for first introducing me to Guy Gavriel Kay's body of work. He was a fan of The Fionavar Tapestry and felt sure I would like them. And like them I did. So much so that I immediately went and read Kay's slightly later wor...more DH is the one I have to thank for first introducing me to Guy Gavriel Kay's body of work. He was a fan of The Fionavar Tapestry and felt sure I would like them. And like them I did. So much so that I immediately went and read Kay's slightly later work--TIGANA. Originally published in 1990, TIGANA is an epic romantic fantasy and was nominated for both the World Fantasy Award and the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award.

The story takes place in the Peninsula of the Palm--a world based on medieval Italy. Like Italy of old, the Palm is divided up into nine city-states, or provinces, each with its own distinct flavor and character, yet each bound together through the music and art that runs through the veins of the inhabitants. The prologue opens on the eve of battle. The prince of one of the provinces is about to go forth on the morrow to meet the sorceror-king Brandin of Ygrath. Sure that he faces certain death, it is a brief, hushed scene, full of poignance and honor. The story then jumps forward a number of years to a troupe of musicians preparing to perform at the funeral of the Duke of Astibar. Devin d'Asoli, a gifted singer, and his tempestuous female counterpart Catriana d'Astibar are bickering as usual, while the piper Alessan and drummer Eghano tune their instruments and ready for the performance of their lives. As we follow this group of itinerant musicians, it becomes clear that the world has changed significantly. Brandin did indeed win the battle of the prologue, but he paid a high price. His eldest son died in the battle and, in his grief and rage, Brandin not only destroyed the province but utterly wiped away the merest memory of its existence. From that time forward, no one but the people born there could remember or even speak its name. The people of the Palm now live under the shadow of Brandin and his rival conqueror Alberico, both of whom are intent on destroying the other. But as we follow Devin and his friends it also becomes clear that not everyone is who they seem to be and that there is a slow but persistent rebellion growing, the likes of which the world has never seen.

First and foremost, TIGANA is an absolute feat of storytelling. It hits every one of my requirements for epic fantasy by combining a fully realized world with nuanced characterization and language so lush you want to wrap yourself up in it. Music and magic form the backbone of the story and pave the way for a detailed and riveting exploration of the meaning of history and valor, right and wrong, and how and where they meet and interlock. Truly this was my favorite aspect of the novel. The thread of cultural memory, how far a people can be pushed before they relinquish it, and what you might be willing to sacrifice to regain it. I loved the depth this thread gave the rest of the novel, but it helped that I fell almost immediately in love with the cast of characters as well. They're the kind of characters you just know are going to break your heart and you might as well be all in because you can also tell they're so worth it. The story bounces back and forth between the Palm and Brandin's home island of Chiara, with the result that the reader is given an unexpectedly intimate view of both the rebels and the tyrant. And neither are purely good or evil. My sympathies were exercised on behalf of both and so, though it is a beautiful read, it is also a painful one as both sides cannot win and it is hard to love or hate either unreservedly. Whenever I read TIGANA I am at once in love and conflicted, consumed with near equal parts hope and despair. And when an author can elicit that complex an emotional response without making me feel manipulated, my hat comes off. It's a stunning tale. Recommended for fans of Jacqueline Carey and Patricia McKillip.(less) "

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July 03

Angie made a comment on Alicia's review of Blood Bound (Mercedes Thompson, #2)

Angie wrote: "Exactly! Mercy makes this series. I'm also just a little partial to Adam. Lol. "

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Angie joined the Adult YA Fiction Addiction group.

Angie made a comment on Laura's review of Finger Lickin' Fifteen (Stephanie Plum, #15)

Angie wrote: "Lol. I love Sally. "

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July 02

Angie made a comment on Sara's review of Beastly

Angie wrote: "I haven't yet! I was happy to see she did another fairy tale, though. Looking forward to it. "

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New comment on Angee's status update: Added a status:
"What is your favorite vampire series? (Besides Twilight) I'm trying to figure out which series to read next, but don't want to HATE it."

Angie wrote:"I really love the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. They're urban fantasy and have vamps, we...more"

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June 29

Angie made a comment on Michelle's review of Daughter of the Forest (Sevenwaters Trilogy, Book 1)

Angie wrote: "Holly, I've got two copies. You should just borrow one of mine!

Impossible is based on the "Scarboro...more "

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June 24

Angie added Twilight (Twilight, #1) to the book list Best Vampire Books

Angie added 2 books to this list. Add your votes » add a comment

June 20

Angie read and liked Tamora Pierce's review of Shiver:

"A splendid werewolf/human romance with some heartbreaking turns from a writer I am coming to love. This one comes out in August from Scholastic! "

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June 19

Angie gave

to:
Spell Hunter (Faery Rebels Book 1)
by R.J. Anderson (Goodreads author)

my rating:

read in June, 2009

Angie said: "I don't generally review many middle grade novels, but I had read several lovely reviews of FAERY REBELS: SPELL HUNTER--a debut middle grade fantasy novel by R.J. Anderson--and then was lucky enough to receive a copy from the lovely Ms. Anderson hers...more I don't generally review many middle grade novels, but I had read several lovely reviews of FAERY REBELS: SPELL HUNTER--a debut middle grade fantasy novel by R.J. Anderson--and then was lucky enough to receive a copy from the lovely Ms. Anderson herself. Interestingly enough, the same book has been published in the UK under the title KNIFE, with dramatically different cover art. The changes in title and artwork make it clear they're marketing it to a slightly older young adult audience over the pond, while the U.S. cover and series-friendly title are distinctly more middle grade. As a result, I wasn't sure what to expect going in--a state I honestly quite like being in when starting a new book by a new author.

Bryony is a faery who has spent her short life longing to leave the Oak tree that forms the boundary of her people's world. The only faeries allowed out in the wild at all are the Gatherers who are sent out to forage for food and the Queen's own hunter--a faery trained to hunt and protect the Oakenfolk and the fragile existence they have carved out for themselves. When she is summoned before the Queen, Bryony is stunned and elated to hear she is to be the new assistant to the Queen's hunter. Proving herself extraordinarly skilled, she changes her name to Knife and determines she will not only protect and provide for her people but discover why they are slowly dying out, unearth their mysterious and forbidden connection with humans, and discover why she is drawn to the stone House on the hill and to the unhappy boy named Paul who lives there.

What makes this story unique is the world R.J. Anderson has created. These faeries are unusual in several ways. They are tiny, much smaller than humans, and are therefore constantly in danger outside of the Oak. They are also surprisingly all female. New faeries are not born in the traditional sense, but hatched from eggs that appear when another faery dies. Lastly, they are, by and large, unemotional creatures focused on their own well-being and supremely uninterested in the welfare of those around them. As a result it is interesting following Knife tread beyond the boundaries of her world, learn how to deal with the emotions of humans, and come face to face with the many ways in which they can mess with and forever change your life. I enjoyed the mystery element to the story as well as the friendship that slowly develops between Knife and Paul through Paul's art. So much so that I wish they'd been able to spend a little more time together so that there would have been room for a little more in-depth exploration of their connection. He is a very unhappy, very sympathetic character and I immediately found myself pulling for him. The ending was very satisfying and even included some rather deft humor that had me grinning. All in all, a perfectly pleasant middle grade/younger YA novel and recommended for those who enjoy solid world building, strong friendships, and the fey. It looks like the sequel is due out May of next year. It follows Linden, a side character we meet in the first book, and will be titled REBEL in the UK and WAYFARER here in the U.S.(less) "

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More of Angie's books…

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Angie's favorite authors

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Angie's favorite quotes

"A dream, all a dream, that ends in nothing, and leaves the sleeper where he lay down, but I wish you to know that you inspired it."
— Charles Dickens

6 people liked it

"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams."
— Dr. Seuss

tags: inamorata, love

7,230 people liked it

"The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid."
— Jane Austen (Northanger Abbey)

tags: books, classic, humor

4,239 people liked it

"Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory."
— J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire)

tags: integrity

4,147 people liked it

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

tags: accomplishment, be-yourself, conformity, individuality, world

4,681 people liked it

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Angie's groups (recent posts)

Adult YA Fiction Addiction — 50 members — last activity 5 hours, 36 min ago
This is for all the adults (18+) who love young adult fiction. It's my guilty pleasure (although I don't feel at all guilty about it) and I know there...more

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