Joshua Palmatier's Blog, page 30
December 13, 2013
Book Review: "The Warded Man" by Peter V. Brett
I've been meaning to read this one since it first came out and have finally set aside time. Many of my friends raved about it, so I was looking forward to it. It also helps that Peter V. Brett and I share the same agent, so I've met him on many occasions. However, I first met him at Albacon, when this book was just hitting the shelves.
The premise is that, in this world, demons rise from the ground at night and terrorize the land, killing anyone they can get their hands on. People can protect themselves and their houses by placing magical wards on their doorsteps, windows, etc. But Arlen isn't satisfied with simply cowering behind magical walls. He wants to fight the demons, and the stories say humans once did, so he begins a journey to learn about wards, about their defensive powers . . . and well as their offensive ones.
I think the worldbuilding is the best part of this book. The set-up of the world, the demons, and the protection of the wards is unique and interesting and you can see how such a situation would shape how the society develops. Travel is almost non-existent, since no one wants to be caught outside at night without the projection of a warding circle. So the communities are extremely isolated. And it's obvious that the demons have long held supremacy, essentially keeping the societies subjugated by fear. The situation is rife for a little rebellion, which is where the book focuses, sending Arlen on a quest to figure out how to--finally--fight back.
Arlen, as well as the two other major characters, Leesha and Rojer, all have great characterizations. Readers will get caught up in their stories and want to follow them to find out what happens. The author captures their situations extremely well. You feel as if you are there, in the society, in each community, living alongside all three of them as they struggle to survive not just the demons, but the evils of their fellow humans as well.
The plot itself is great for the beginnings of a story, but by the end you realize that there is a lot more to tell here, much more to explore. So while this book does have a satisfactory ending, the story itself is far from complete. I think most readers going into the book realize that it's part of a series, so I don't think this is much of a surprise to many, but in the end this does come across as more of an "origin" story for the Warded Man, with his more significant deeds to be read about in later books. I was expecting this book to build to something slightly more significant in the way of a final battle.
But that alone would not have been enough to drop this from 5 stars to 4. What caused that was a single action toward the end of the novel that I can't really discuss in great detail without spoilage. Suffice it to say that something happens to one of the characters that is significantly traumatic . . . and yet it doesn't seem to affect this character as much as it should. The fact that this event didn't have a more profound and lasting affect on this character destroyed by "belief" in the story. It didn't ring true to me at all, which ruined my enjoyment of the story at that point. It's not something that has a huge affect on the plot of the story, or the worldbuilding, but it destroyed the realistic nature of the characters at that one point. Sometimes I can shrug such occurrences off when reading a novel . . . I couldn't do it for this one.
So, overall, an excellent book with one jarring event that marred my enjoyment of the ending significantly. I love the worldbuilding and the central ideas of the novel. I enjoyed the characters and their struggles for the most part, and will definitely be reading the sequels. But that one event . . . *sigh*
The premise is that, in this world, demons rise from the ground at night and terrorize the land, killing anyone they can get their hands on. People can protect themselves and their houses by placing magical wards on their doorsteps, windows, etc. But Arlen isn't satisfied with simply cowering behind magical walls. He wants to fight the demons, and the stories say humans once did, so he begins a journey to learn about wards, about their defensive powers . . . and well as their offensive ones.
I think the worldbuilding is the best part of this book. The set-up of the world, the demons, and the protection of the wards is unique and interesting and you can see how such a situation would shape how the society develops. Travel is almost non-existent, since no one wants to be caught outside at night without the projection of a warding circle. So the communities are extremely isolated. And it's obvious that the demons have long held supremacy, essentially keeping the societies subjugated by fear. The situation is rife for a little rebellion, which is where the book focuses, sending Arlen on a quest to figure out how to--finally--fight back.
Arlen, as well as the two other major characters, Leesha and Rojer, all have great characterizations. Readers will get caught up in their stories and want to follow them to find out what happens. The author captures their situations extremely well. You feel as if you are there, in the society, in each community, living alongside all three of them as they struggle to survive not just the demons, but the evils of their fellow humans as well.
The plot itself is great for the beginnings of a story, but by the end you realize that there is a lot more to tell here, much more to explore. So while this book does have a satisfactory ending, the story itself is far from complete. I think most readers going into the book realize that it's part of a series, so I don't think this is much of a surprise to many, but in the end this does come across as more of an "origin" story for the Warded Man, with his more significant deeds to be read about in later books. I was expecting this book to build to something slightly more significant in the way of a final battle.
But that alone would not have been enough to drop this from 5 stars to 4. What caused that was a single action toward the end of the novel that I can't really discuss in great detail without spoilage. Suffice it to say that something happens to one of the characters that is significantly traumatic . . . and yet it doesn't seem to affect this character as much as it should. The fact that this event didn't have a more profound and lasting affect on this character destroyed by "belief" in the story. It didn't ring true to me at all, which ruined my enjoyment of the story at that point. It's not something that has a huge affect on the plot of the story, or the worldbuilding, but it destroyed the realistic nature of the characters at that one point. Sometimes I can shrug such occurrences off when reading a novel . . . I couldn't do it for this one.
So, overall, an excellent book with one jarring event that marred my enjoyment of the ending significantly. I love the worldbuilding and the central ideas of the novel. I enjoyed the characters and their struggles for the most part, and will definitely be reading the sequels. But that one event . . . *sigh*
December 3, 2013
December DAW New Releases!
I've just posted the new releases for Decembers from DAW Books over at the unofficial blog (
dawbooks
)! Check out new Gini Koch, Deborah J. Ross, and a new anthology edited by Mercedes Lackey. Get all the details here, then storm the bookstores!
dawbooks
)! Check out new Gini Koch, Deborah J. Ross, and a new anthology edited by Mercedes Lackey. Get all the details here, then storm the bookstores!November 27, 2013
Latest Book Discussion!
I've just posted the latest book discussion at the DAW Books blog (
dawbooks
)! We're discussing The Silvered by Tanya Huff, a stand-alone (for the moment) book. Swing on by and check it out!
dawbooks
)! We're discussing The Silvered by Tanya Huff, a stand-alone (for the moment) book. Swing on by and check it out!November 26, 2013
New Book Discussion!
I've just posted the latest book discussion to the DAW Books blog (
dawbooks
)! Swing on by and check out Laura Resnick's latest Esther Diamond novel The Misfortune Cookie</i>, the sixth book in the series. I loved the first three and look forward to catching up!
dawbooks
)! Swing on by and check out Laura Resnick's latest Esther Diamond novel The Misfortune Cookie</i>, the sixth book in the series. I loved the first three and look forward to catching up!November 25, 2013
Last Few Days to Help Literacy Volunteers!
Just a reminder that the USS Serling's bookfair/fundraiser at Barnes & Noble for Literacy Volunteers of Broome/Tioga Counties runs through November 27th. There are still two full days left to buy books and such at Barnes and Noble, either in your local store or online, and give the person at check-out the BOOKFAIR CODE: 11227071. A percentage of your purchase will be donated to Literacy Volunteers. Last year we raised over $800 for the charity, and this year we hope to do even more. We did a pretty decent amount at the opening event last Friday. Thanks to everyone who stopped by!
Again, I want to emphasize that it works online as well. When checking out, on the "Payment" section, a bookfair checkbox should appear at the bottom. (If you're signed into your BN Account, you'll have to hit "Change" on the payment screen and then the bookfair box will appear at the bottom.) Click the checkbox and it should open up a field so you can enter the bookfair code.
So shop away! AND REMEMBER TO USE THE BOOKFAIR CODE! Please share this with all of your friends.
Again, I want to emphasize that it works online as well. When checking out, on the "Payment" section, a bookfair checkbox should appear at the bottom. (If you're signed into your BN Account, you'll have to hit "Change" on the payment screen and then the bookfair box will appear at the bottom.) Click the checkbox and it should open up a field so you can enter the bookfair code.
So shop away! AND REMEMBER TO USE THE BOOKFAIR CODE! Please share this with all of your friends.
November 22, 2013
Help LITERACY VOLUNTEERS! Buy Books!
Today's the day! Today is the start of the USS Serling's bookfair/fundraiser at Barnes & Noble for Literacy Volunteers of Broome/Tioga Counties! I hope you've saved up anything you might be buying at Barnes and Noble until today (and through November 27th), because if you purchase anything at YOUR LOCAL B&N on those dates and give the person at check-out the BOOKFAIR CODE: 11227071, a percentage of your purchase will be donated to Literacy Volunteers. Last year we raised over $800 for the charity, and this year we hope to do even more. You can also use the bookfair code online at bn.com. When checking out, on the Payment section, a bookfair checkbox should appear at the bottom. (If you're signed into your BN Account, you'll have to hit "Change" on the payment screen and then the bookfair box will appear at the bottom.) Click the checkbox and it should open up a field so you can enter the bookfair code.
And if you happen to be in the Binghamton, NY, area TODAY, the USS Serling will be at the Vestal Barnes & Noble from 4-8pm to promote the bookfair. I'll be there to sign copies of my books as well. Stop on by!
So shop away! AND REMEMBER TO USE THE BOOKFAIR CODE! Please link to this post to help spread the word.
And if you happen to be in the Binghamton, NY, area TODAY, the USS Serling will be at the Vestal Barnes & Noble from 4-8pm to promote the bookfair. I'll be there to sign copies of my books as well. Stop on by!
So shop away! AND REMEMBER TO USE THE BOOKFAIR CODE! Please link to this post to help spread the word.
November 19, 2013
New Book Discussion!
I've just posted the book discussion for E.C. Blake's debut novel Masks over at the DAW Books blog (
dawbooks
). Swing on by and check it out!
dawbooks
). Swing on by and check it out!SAVE UP THOSE BOOK PURCHASES!
We're just three days away from the local Star Trek club the USS Serling's bookfair/fundraiser at Barnes & Noble for Literacy Volunteers of Broome/Tioga Counties! So save up anything you might be buying at Barnes and Noble until November 22nd-27th. If you purchase anything at your local B&N on those dates, give the person at check-out the BOOKFAIR CODE: 11227071. A percentage of your purchase will be donated directly to Literacy Volunteers. You can also enter the bookfair code ONLINE at check-out on those dates. Just click the bookfair box that appears at checkout and enter the code. And if you happen to be in the Binghamton, NY, area, come by the Vestal Barnes & Noble on November 22nd, 4-8pm, and catch the USS Serling promoting the event at the store with Literacy Volunteers! I'll be there signing copies of my books as well. Thanks in advance for supporting our charity event. And link to this post to help spread the word.
Edit: The code will work online at bn.com. When checking out, on the Payment section, a bookfair checkbox should appear at the bottom. If you're signed into your BN Account, you'll have to hit "Change" on the payment screen and then the bookfair box will appear at the bottom. Click the checkbox and it should open up a field so you can enter the bookfair code.
Edit: The code will work online at bn.com. When checking out, on the Payment section, a bookfair checkbox should appear at the bottom. If you're signed into your BN Account, you'll have to hit "Change" on the payment screen and then the bookfair box will appear at the bottom. Click the checkbox and it should open up a field so you can enter the bookfair code.
November 17, 2013
Book Review: "Hunted" by Kevin Hearne
This is the sixth book in Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid Chronicles, which I absolutely loved at the beginning. While this book was a fun read, I don't feel it was as good as some of the previous books in this series. It had it's moments, but still . . .
The premise picks up right where the 5th book left off: Atticus, Granuaile, and Oberon are running for their lives from the gods Diana and Artemis. The Morrigan has told them they must flee to England, without using the Old Ways (the pathways through the trees), and find Herne the Hunter. It's their only chance of survival. So Atticus is running like hell, with the two enraged gods on his heels. Oh, and Loki has managed to escape and is searching for him as well. The entire hunt is high entertainment for the other pantheons as well, some putting their own fingers into the plot. For there's more than just the hunt going on, as Atticus soon discovers betrayal amongst the Tuatha De Danann as well.
While the story is good, I think the main problem with it is the main plot at the beginning of this book--the running. There isn't much you can do to make "running like hell" exciting, when that's all the characters have time for. Certainly they attempt to slow the two goddesses down, and are interrupted occasionally by others attempting to kill them, or at least aid the goddesses, but it doesn't make for an engaging read for the reader. And the first half of the book is definitely its weakest part. There were one or two moments of sudden interest, but for the most part it's just run, run, run. And it started feeling like one of those montage episodes the TV shows used to use everyone now and then--with characters revisiting past episodes in dream sequences. It felt for a while like every past character that Atticus dealt with was going to make an appearance, if only to check in with him and taunt him or something.
I didn't start becoming engaged in the story until the plot widened to include betrayal among the Tuatha De Danann. Suddenly there was more going on than the hunt. This aspect made the second half of the book much more interesting. In fact, the best part of the book was after Atticus had dealt with the Greek and Roman pantheons and focused exclusively on this aspect of his troubles. The last quarter of the book was the best.
So, a good book, but it lacked some of the engagement of some of the previous books in the series. Even the humor couldn't save it, and there was plenty of humor. Again, the last part of the book is by far the best. This series continues to have ups and downs. This wasn't the lowest point in the series, but it wasn't that high up there either. I'll continue reading, but I don't look forward to it as much as I used to, since I'm not sure what I'll get.
The premise picks up right where the 5th book left off: Atticus, Granuaile, and Oberon are running for their lives from the gods Diana and Artemis. The Morrigan has told them they must flee to England, without using the Old Ways (the pathways through the trees), and find Herne the Hunter. It's their only chance of survival. So Atticus is running like hell, with the two enraged gods on his heels. Oh, and Loki has managed to escape and is searching for him as well. The entire hunt is high entertainment for the other pantheons as well, some putting their own fingers into the plot. For there's more than just the hunt going on, as Atticus soon discovers betrayal amongst the Tuatha De Danann as well.
While the story is good, I think the main problem with it is the main plot at the beginning of this book--the running. There isn't much you can do to make "running like hell" exciting, when that's all the characters have time for. Certainly they attempt to slow the two goddesses down, and are interrupted occasionally by others attempting to kill them, or at least aid the goddesses, but it doesn't make for an engaging read for the reader. And the first half of the book is definitely its weakest part. There were one or two moments of sudden interest, but for the most part it's just run, run, run. And it started feeling like one of those montage episodes the TV shows used to use everyone now and then--with characters revisiting past episodes in dream sequences. It felt for a while like every past character that Atticus dealt with was going to make an appearance, if only to check in with him and taunt him or something.
I didn't start becoming engaged in the story until the plot widened to include betrayal among the Tuatha De Danann. Suddenly there was more going on than the hunt. This aspect made the second half of the book much more interesting. In fact, the best part of the book was after Atticus had dealt with the Greek and Roman pantheons and focused exclusively on this aspect of his troubles. The last quarter of the book was the best.
So, a good book, but it lacked some of the engagement of some of the previous books in the series. Even the humor couldn't save it, and there was plenty of humor. Again, the last part of the book is by far the best. This series continues to have ups and downs. This wasn't the lowest point in the series, but it wasn't that high up there either. I'll continue reading, but I don't look forward to it as much as I used to, since I'm not sure what I'll get.
Book Review: "Two Ravens and One Crow" by Kevin Hearne
This is a novella that is set between the fourth and fifth books of Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid Chronicles. There's significant time jump between these two books, so it was nice to see that something of significance was going on during these years, besides the training of Granuaile in Druidic lore.
The premise is that Atticus is visited by the Morrigan and told that he must abandon his training of Granuaile and come with her. There are some important people he needs to meet. She won't tell him much more than that. But when he discovers that he's to meet with Odin, who is supposed to think he's dead and has every reason to kill him in cold blood after his actions in Odin's realm, he realizes that the meeting isn't going to end well. And it doesn't. But not in the way Atticus expected.
This was a nice addition to the main series, exposing more about the Morrigan and also developing a significant portion of the plot of the series. It should really be read between the fourth and fifth books. I read it after the sixth, mostly because it was only available before then as an ebook and I don't do ebooks. Not having read it didn't really interrupt the rest of the series . . . but this novella did explain some of the changes in the characters that appeared from one book to the next. The best part about this novella was the development of the relationship between Atticus and the Morrigan, but the confrontation between Odin and Atticus was the central focus and it was also good reading.
So, a good and almost essential bridge between the fourth and fifth books in the series, and a good solid read in and of itself. There's another novella out there now, again only in ebook right now. I'd suggest reading that one in the proper order as well (although I'll probably have to wait until it comes out at the end of one of the later books in the series, as I did for this one).
The premise is that Atticus is visited by the Morrigan and told that he must abandon his training of Granuaile and come with her. There are some important people he needs to meet. She won't tell him much more than that. But when he discovers that he's to meet with Odin, who is supposed to think he's dead and has every reason to kill him in cold blood after his actions in Odin's realm, he realizes that the meeting isn't going to end well. And it doesn't. But not in the way Atticus expected.
This was a nice addition to the main series, exposing more about the Morrigan and also developing a significant portion of the plot of the series. It should really be read between the fourth and fifth books. I read it after the sixth, mostly because it was only available before then as an ebook and I don't do ebooks. Not having read it didn't really interrupt the rest of the series . . . but this novella did explain some of the changes in the characters that appeared from one book to the next. The best part about this novella was the development of the relationship between Atticus and the Morrigan, but the confrontation between Odin and Atticus was the central focus and it was also good reading.
So, a good and almost essential bridge between the fourth and fifth books in the series, and a good solid read in and of itself. There's another novella out there now, again only in ebook right now. I'd suggest reading that one in the proper order as well (although I'll probably have to wait until it comes out at the end of one of the later books in the series, as I did for this one).
