Doug Lewars's Blog, page 17

Angus, Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

If you've ever read Bridget Jones diary you'll have a pretty good idea what this book is like. The difference in this case is the protagonist is only 14 years old. Still it's the same type of humour, only moved down a generation or two. A bit was cringe but mostly it was okay and there were even a few lough out loud parts which is about the most you can expect. it's aimed at female YA but it may be a little over the top for them. In any event, it's a pleasant enough book to wile away the hours while riding public transit.



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The Ruby in the Smoke

The Ruby in the Smoke by Philip Pullman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

If you're looking for a whodunit, this probably isn't for you. It's a crime novel and an adventure, but the mystery is a little vague. The pacing is great and the author keeps the reader wondering what will happen next. Having said that, if you are looking for a book with deep character development and a great deal of introspection commonly known as whining as is the modern fashion for some, this book isn't for you. It's for those who like port first and consider characters little more than literary means for advancing that plot.

Before writing a review, I like to check some of the 1's to see what people dislike about this book. The primary criticism I saw was this isn't His Dark Materials. If you're expecting fantasy and multiple worlds this isn't it. This one takes place in Victorian England, a time before women had the vote and while they were still considered chattels. Class made a huge difference to lifestyle and life was rough among the poor. One critic made me chuckle claiming the plot wasn't believable. Evidently that individual hadn't quite understood the concept of 'fiction'.

In general this is an excellent exciting novel and well worth the time reading it. I think it might even be better in audio format.





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A Peculiar Peril

A Peculiar Peril by Jeff VanderMeer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

This book is like a cross between Philip Pullman's, His Dark Materials, and Lewis Carrol's, Alice in Wonderland. I liked it but it is YA so the author didn't deal in subtleties to any great degree. If you are the type of reader who looks for character arcs and strong emotional links to characters, you'd be wasting your time reading this. This is for those who like a good plot driven story. What i liked best was the number of competing characters and factions each with hidden agendas. What I didn't care for so much was the amount of whining among some of the characters. Fortunately once you get pas those scenes things pick up again. This is book one of a series so don't expect a clean ending because you're not going to get one. Had I known this was the case I'd have waited until the author published book number two before I started it.

The author appears to have a fetish concerning woodpeckers.



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Once Upon a Time in the North

Once Upon a Time in the North by Philip Pullman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

This is a very early part of His Dark Materials in which we meet Lee Scorsby arriving in the far north where there are some shenanigans on the part of a large company to steal the cargo of an independent shipping company. It's exciting and quite well done, but add little to the main body of work. If you're a Philip Pullman fan you'll likely enjoy it.



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Lyra's Oxford

Lyra's Oxford by Philip Pullman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

A nice little short story contributing a bit to the world of His Dark Materials but while enjoyable, it was one isolated adventure and pretty mush self contained.



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Serpentine

Serpentine by Philip Pullman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

This was a very short story contributing a bit of background material related to the world of Hid Dark Materials combined with some foreshadowing for The Book of Dust. Plot was almost non-existent and the story mostly revolved around Lyra's and Pan's relationship. Overall it was good but bland.



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The Secret Commonwealth

The Secret Commonwealth by Philip Pullman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

This was an excellent story, fast paced, exciting, with some really, really good villains. I particularly liked the political intrigue. One never knows exactly who is doing what and to whom. Pullman has accomplished some incredible world-building throughout his works and we see it put to excellent use in this book. I think what I liked best was the political maneuverings which created a single power overseeing the Magesterium.

Pullman has always drawn some parallels between his world and ours but in this book they become more apparent. Somehow the 'Men From the Mountains' are induced to assassinate the patriarch. This is the necessary incentive for launching a war against the east where there just happens to be a source of magical wealth and power. Interestingly, the Men From the Mountains are equipped with modern vehicles and munitions.

I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.

Those who are squeamish about rape should probably give this one a pass.

When reviewing a book, I always like to check reviews from those of different opinions. I'm giving this a five and I looked at some of the ones. One individuals objected strongly to the suggestion consenting adults should be free to live as they please. In this case, Malcolm, age thirty-one, is in love with Lyra, aged twenty. That was enough to drive one reviewer into a hysterical rant about age differentials in relationships. The second one I found interesting was a review who was fully on board with the series as long as Pullman was vilifying the Roman Catholic church but as soon as he took a run at Islam and ISIS (The Men From the Mountains) he dropped his rating to a one. Such people exist. Fortunately, I don't know either one personally.

There is one thing I'd prefer to see changed. If books in a series are not complete within themselves - and i consider it perfectly acceptable to have long ranging themes as in the Harry Potter series - but are a single story continued from book to book, I'd prefer the author to warn readers with a note such as Part 1 (or better Part 1 of 3 for example) than simply saying #n of a series. This book didn't exactly end in a cliff-hanger but came pretty close.

I thoroughly recommend this book, but if I hadn't already started, i think I'd have waited until the author published the third book before beginning.



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La Belle Sauvage

La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible spoilers ***

If you're very squeamish about rape, don't read this book. The scene is highly muted but some people react poorly to even the idea.

I really enjoyed this book. It moves right along. There are all sorts of adventures, and it seems every character has an agenda which may or may not help or hinder the protagonists. I thought a little more could have been made of the villain. He's nasty and insane but a bit of backstory might have provided some additional insight.

Since this is volume 1 of a three volume series there are plenty of unanswered questions. I may have to reread some of His Dark Materials because it's been so long since I read it and I've forgotten a lot. Still, the book is great on its own.



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The Diary of a Nobody

The Diary of a Nobody by George Grossmith

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

If you don't like tongue-in-cheek British humour you will find this book painfully dull. I love it but that's me. The book satirizes middle class complacency in what was most likely Edwardian England. It has a few parallels to today but not many. Still, the puffery and strict attention of class along with the conflict between older and younger generations makes for a few chuckles. This book is definitely not for everyone but those who enjoy sly wit will like it.



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A Dreadful Splendor

A Dreadful Splendor by B.R. Myers

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

This was a great book. There were plenty of plot twists and just as soon as I figured out who-dun-it, the protagonist figured out the same thing which meant I had to think again seeing as the protagonist is always the last to know. The pacing was excellent and there was always something knew to peak my curiosity. The hint of horror added a nice touch. The heroine is convinced at the outset there are no such things as ghosts despite her being a spiritualist and holds that position at the end; however, along the way, she and the reader are made to wonder. I could have done without the romance. It was a bit along the lines of Jane Austin but the book does have a tag of 'romance' so I can't say I wasn't warned and at least it was smoldering passion as opposed to sloppy sentimentality. I definitely enjoyed this one.



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