Joshua Palmatier's Blog, page 44
December 20, 2012
The Last November Book Discussion!
I've posted the last book discussion for DAW's November releases, the paperback of The Wild Ways by Tanya Huff. I really enjoyed both this book and the first book, The Enchanted Emporium. Stop on by to check this one out and leave a comment if you've already read the books!
December 19, 2012
New Book Discussion!
I've posted the book discussion for the paperback release of Tad Williams' Shadowheart, the fourth and final book in his Shadowmarch series, at the DAW Books blog (
dawbooks
)! Stop on by to check it out, and leave a comment if you've already read the book or the series! Did this final book live up to your anticipation?
dawbooks
)! Stop on by to check it out, and leave a comment if you've already read the book or the series! Did this final book live up to your anticipation?December 18, 2012
jpsorrow @ 2012-12-18T08:43:00
This is the first book by Ari Marmell that I've read, but after this I'll definitely be reading more. Thief's Covenant is the first book in this young adult series, called Widdershins.
The main premise is that Widdershins is a thief who once had a chance to become part of the aristocracy, but a horrific event forced her to return to her old ways. What she doesn't realize is the fact that her surviving that horrific event has drawn her into something far darker and deadlier than even those at the highest level of power suspect. It not only affects the aristocracy and the thieve's guild, but the church as well.
This was a well-plotted and well-written book. Once I started reading, I was drawn into the story and kept there, mostly by the characters in the book, which were all interesting and unique. The characters were, in fact, one of the best aspects of the book, the best being Widdershins herself by far. The plot was convoluted, but ultimately made sense. The setting was, perhaps, a little close to Dungeon & Dragons in nature, but certainly didn't detract from the book. Again, the characters pulled this up to a different level.
My only complaint/concern was that there were a significant number of time jumps in between chapters in this book. I'm not afraid of time jumps (if you've ever read my books, you'll know this), but in this case, there were approximately four different time periods that readers were expected to keep track off, and a number of jumps back and forth between them. Some readers will find this difficult to follow, even though there are clear headers in each chapter as to which time period each is set in. This time jumping is, really, the only reason I didn't give this book five stars.
But again, in the end I think the characters and plot save the book. It was a fun, fast-paced read, with some great humor to off-set some of the rather violent and darker turns at points. As I said, I'll definitely be reading the sequel to this book, and be looking for Ari Marmell's other books as well.
The main premise is that Widdershins is a thief who once had a chance to become part of the aristocracy, but a horrific event forced her to return to her old ways. What she doesn't realize is the fact that her surviving that horrific event has drawn her into something far darker and deadlier than even those at the highest level of power suspect. It not only affects the aristocracy and the thieve's guild, but the church as well.
This was a well-plotted and well-written book. Once I started reading, I was drawn into the story and kept there, mostly by the characters in the book, which were all interesting and unique. The characters were, in fact, one of the best aspects of the book, the best being Widdershins herself by far. The plot was convoluted, but ultimately made sense. The setting was, perhaps, a little close to Dungeon & Dragons in nature, but certainly didn't detract from the book. Again, the characters pulled this up to a different level.
My only complaint/concern was that there were a significant number of time jumps in between chapters in this book. I'm not afraid of time jumps (if you've ever read my books, you'll know this), but in this case, there were approximately four different time periods that readers were expected to keep track off, and a number of jumps back and forth between them. Some readers will find this difficult to follow, even though there are clear headers in each chapter as to which time period each is set in. This time jumping is, really, the only reason I didn't give this book five stars.
But again, in the end I think the characters and plot save the book. It was a fun, fast-paced read, with some great humor to off-set some of the rather violent and darker turns at points. As I said, I'll definitely be reading the sequel to this book, and be looking for Ari Marmell's other books as well.
jpsorrow @ 2012-12-18T08:26:00
This is the third and final book in Mira Grant's Newsflesh series. The first book blew me away, and while the second book wasn't as good as the first, it still rocked. I was looking forward to the third book, and read it as soon as I could.
The basic premise is that the news group has discovered that the outbreak caused by the hurricane in Florida is caused by genetically altered mosquitos . . . and that the mosquitos may have been unleashed because of their own reports and break-in at a CDC center. But they need evidence. So Shaun and the rest begin a search for that evidence. Meanwhile, Georgia Mason, his sister, has been cloned by the CDC and wakes in one of their centers with most of the original Georgia's memories. All she wants to do is survive and escape the center, to let Shaun and the rest know what other illegal activities and cover-ups the CDC has been involved in. Her escape attempt, and Shaun's attempts to get to Florida for the evidence they need (and to save one of his news group's only remaining sister) put the entire news group on the road to their biggest story yet . . . one that could destroy them, or change the world and its view of zombies forever.
This book pretty much picks up right after the second novel left off. The issues I had with the second novel (mostly that it felt kind of unfocused) are not present in this novel at all. This is tightly written, fast paced, and brings back the great emotional turmoil that was the best part of the first book. And that emotional turmoil--especially in regards to Shaun and Georgia's relationship--is what rocks about this book. The conspiracies and cover-ups and how far up the ladder they reach is interesting and integral to the plot, but it's Shaun and Georgia that keep you riveted to the book. And perhaps that's what is missing the second book: Georgia.
In one sense, the book is spectacular. On the other hand, I'm disappointed the series is over. But this definitely a series I'd recommend highly. A great concept, well-written, and emotionally intense.
The basic premise is that the news group has discovered that the outbreak caused by the hurricane in Florida is caused by genetically altered mosquitos . . . and that the mosquitos may have been unleashed because of their own reports and break-in at a CDC center. But they need evidence. So Shaun and the rest begin a search for that evidence. Meanwhile, Georgia Mason, his sister, has been cloned by the CDC and wakes in one of their centers with most of the original Georgia's memories. All she wants to do is survive and escape the center, to let Shaun and the rest know what other illegal activities and cover-ups the CDC has been involved in. Her escape attempt, and Shaun's attempts to get to Florida for the evidence they need (and to save one of his news group's only remaining sister) put the entire news group on the road to their biggest story yet . . . one that could destroy them, or change the world and its view of zombies forever.
This book pretty much picks up right after the second novel left off. The issues I had with the second novel (mostly that it felt kind of unfocused) are not present in this novel at all. This is tightly written, fast paced, and brings back the great emotional turmoil that was the best part of the first book. And that emotional turmoil--especially in regards to Shaun and Georgia's relationship--is what rocks about this book. The conspiracies and cover-ups and how far up the ladder they reach is interesting and integral to the plot, but it's Shaun and Georgia that keep you riveted to the book. And perhaps that's what is missing the second book: Georgia.
In one sense, the book is spectacular. On the other hand, I'm disappointed the series is over. But this definitely a series I'd recommend highly. A great concept, well-written, and emotionally intense.
December 17, 2012
New Book Discussion!
I'm back to getting those book discussions for DAW's new releases up at the DAW Books blog (
dawbooks
), now that finals week is over. I've just posted the discussion for Laura Resnick's Polterheist, the fifth Esther Diamond novel. Swing on by to check it out and leave a comment if you've already read it!
dawbooks
), now that finals week is over. I've just posted the discussion for Laura Resnick's Polterheist, the fifth Esther Diamond novel. Swing on by to check it out and leave a comment if you've already read it!December 5, 2012
Support Literacy! Book Signing in Vestal, NY
Hey, all! My local Star Trek group (the USS Serling) is hosting a book fair/fundraiser this coming Saturday, December 8th, from 1-4pm at the Vestal, NY, Barnes & Noble. We'll have local authors Nancy Holzner, April Steenburgh, and me at the store during that time signing copies of out books, so if you're in the area, swing on by and say hi! Oh, and buy our books. *grin*
BUT, if you aren't in the area, you can still help out. The book fair/fundraiser is raising money for the Literacy Volunteers of Broome/Tioga Counties group, which supports literacy, of course. To help them out, all you have to do is buy books and other items from Barnes & Noble from December 8th through December 12th, either in your own local store or online, and give the bookseller the book fair code 10968121 at check out or check the box for bookfairs during the checkout process online and enter the code (it's a small box at the bottom of the payment window during checkout, I believe) and a percentage of your purchase will be donated by B&N to the charity. Easy as that. So save up whatever books and gift items you might be thinking of purchasing and buy them from December 8th-12th so you can help out Literacy Volunteers.
Throw in a copy or two of Nancy Holzner's, April Steenburgh's, or my own books while your at it. I'm sure there's someone on your list who'd be interested in them. *grin*
Thanks!
BUT, if you aren't in the area, you can still help out. The book fair/fundraiser is raising money for the Literacy Volunteers of Broome/Tioga Counties group, which supports literacy, of course. To help them out, all you have to do is buy books and other items from Barnes & Noble from December 8th through December 12th, either in your own local store or online, and give the bookseller the book fair code 10968121 at check out or check the box for bookfairs during the checkout process online and enter the code (it's a small box at the bottom of the payment window during checkout, I believe) and a percentage of your purchase will be donated by B&N to the charity. Easy as that. So save up whatever books and gift items you might be thinking of purchasing and buy them from December 8th-12th so you can help out Literacy Volunteers.
Throw in a copy or two of Nancy Holzner's, April Steenburgh's, or my own books while your at it. I'm sure there's someone on your list who'd be interested in them. *grin*
Thanks!
New Releases from DAW Books!
I've just posted the new releases from DAW Books up over at the DAW Books blog (
dawbooks
)! Stop on by to check out the new omnibus from Tanya Huff, a new Alien book from Gini Koch, and a new anthology set in Mercedes Lackey's Elemental Masters universe. And check back later for the book discussion on the books, where you can let everyone know what you thought of them!
dawbooks
)! Stop on by to check out the new omnibus from Tanya Huff, a new Alien book from Gini Koch, and a new anthology set in Mercedes Lackey's Elemental Masters universe. And check back later for the book discussion on the books, where you can let everyone know what you thought of them!November 30, 2012
New Book Discussion!
I'm a little behind, but I've posted the next book discussion at the DAW Books blog (
dawbooks
)! We're talking about Sherwood Smith's latest book, Revenant Eve, part of the Dobrenica universe. Stop on by to see what it's all about and leave a comment about the book if you've read it!
dawbooks
)! We're talking about Sherwood Smith's latest book, Revenant Eve, part of the Dobrenica universe. Stop on by to see what it's all about and leave a comment about the book if you've read it!November 19, 2012
New Book Discussion!
We're talking about Tanya Huff's newest book, The Silvered, over at the DAW Books blog (
dawbooks
)! Stop on by to check out this first book in what I assume will be a new series, which appears to be playing on some werewolf lore, although it's set in its own world (not ours). Has anyone out there read it yet? What did you think? Let us know!
dawbooks
)! Stop on by to check out this first book in what I assume will be a new series, which appears to be playing on some werewolf lore, although it's set in its own world (not ours). Has anyone out there read it yet? What did you think? Let us know!November 15, 2012
New Book Discussion!
I've posted the book discussion for Changes by Mercedes Lackey, the third book in her Collegium Chronicles from DAW Books over at the blog (
dawbooks
), now out in paperback. Swing on by to comment about the book and series! Or check out the series!
dawbooks
), now out in paperback. Swing on by to comment about the book and series! Or check out the series!
