READERS Group - Fantasy and UF

[Maria]

Finished Danger in Cat World by Nina Post. An odd Gothic kind of feeling mystery. Reminded me of Barbara Michaels although this particular books went ahead and acknowledged the supernatural whereas Michaels (RIP) always left the question open-ended. Some enjoyable characters, a decent mystery and, of course, cats!

[April]

Maria wrote: "Adding Modern Sorcery to the list of rec'd UF authors. Ignore the ugly covers. I don't like a one of them. The formatting leaves a bit to be desired because there are double spaces between parag..."

I read it and just barely tolerated it through to the end. I had difficulties with the dialog and the characters serving plot and not their personalities and an ending that was way too deux ex machina.

[Maria]

Deux ex machina? I can see the part about personalities and some of the coincidences...but I didn't really et a Deux ex machina. I'll go look that up.

[Maria]

April wrote: "Maria wrote: "Adding Modern Sorcery to the list of rec'd UF authors. Ignore the ugly covers. I don't like a one of them. The formatting leaves a bit to be desired because there are double spaces..."

Okay, I can see where you coming from, but I thought the lead-in was mostly there. There were hints about the one character--her magic was certainly left open. The disks were mentioned and well-used, I thought. Did I expect that turn? No. Did I think it a nice twist? No, not really. It could have used more foreshadowing. That said, I really did enjoy the whole river/battle thing and was quite happy that the one character died. Yeah, yeah, but that character deserved it.

[April]

I think that last bit with the rhyme was just too easy and if it had been something I'd heard of before it might have worked more for me.

And yes, that one character's differences were foreshadowed but only from a certain point - which is ok for the most part - but the abilities thereof were too fitting to what was needed. At least, that is the way it felt to me.

[Maria]

April wrote: "I think that last bit with the rhyme was just too easy and if it had been something I'd heard of before it might have worked more for me.

And yes, that one character's differences were foreshadowe..."

I can see your point, but it's no worse than a lot of UF books. I think it and some of the magic could have been better integrated throughout (I kind of had issues with what the bad guy could and couldn't do at times). Luckily there were likeable characters and plenty of action to keep the story moving along.

BTW, I don't think you would like the Cat one I just posted about. I don't know why, but I suspect it would not be your thing.

[April]

Well the description sure sounds interesting. Is the main unlikeable?

[Maria]

No, he's quite interesting, in fact. I generally don't make it very far if the characters are unlikeable, especially if it's the main who is. It's got an odd writing style, almost detached. There are some parts that I don't think came together all that well, so in that respect it's a bit like the Modern Sorcery. For one, the police procedures are pretty fast and loose--the main kind of has carte blache (Did I spell that right?) with how he wants to do things and there are times when it's pretty noticeable. Other small flaws like that. The story itself is quite interesting and the pacing is good for the most part. Perhaps it's that the little imperfections might add up as they did for you in Modern Sorcery. In that respect there are similarities with the books, although the storylines and whatnot are completely different.

I dunno. If you try it, let me know what you think because it's a bit different.

[April]

The blurb made it sound as if it might be a little bit humorous as well. Was it?

Although I'm not sure I like the 'playing fast and loose' with the procedures as that can easily get my goat, depending on which procedures and whatnot. In general it annoys me if the fictional characters get away with stuff I KNOW that nobody in real life would.

It is carte blanche. You almost had it right!

[Maria]

April wrote: "I think that last bit with the rhyme was just too easy and if it had been something I'd heard of before it might have worked more for me.

And yes, that one character's differences were foreshadowe..."

P.S. I didn't even recognize the rhyme and never got that part. I kind of figured it was something I was supposed to have heard before or be able to guess. Went right over my head.

[April]

Well that is what I figured as well but why use something so obscure nobody recognizes it? Might as well have made it up.

[Maria]

April wrote: "The blurb made it sound as if it might be a little bit humorous as well. Was it?

Although I'm not sure I like the 'playing fast and loose' with the procedures as that can easily get my goat, depe..."

I'm generally pretty lenient with that stuff if 1. It's the only thing that stands out or 2. It doesn't stand out although I notice it in a couple of places

In this book, both of those rules were broken. I noticed it several times and there were other things I was having to overlook as well. HOWEVER. There's still a good story here. Just don't go into it expecting a 5 star read. It's a decent story, with some unique and fun things happening. I only laughed once, but you know me and humor. I'm a hard audience for humor. I don't even remember what it was, but I did laugh. There are cats in the story. They help make the story what it is and that helps it along. Sort of like having werewolves in a story. Makes it more believable somehow because you already have a strange creature involved.

[April]

Yes, cats are very strange creatures.

[Maria]

April wrote: "Yes, cats are very strange creatures."

And I liked the cats in the story. But you could have guessed that. :>)

[Maria]

Rather than repeat myself here, I'll direct you to the review of Booster & Reeves: The Night of the Revenants at my blog:

www.BearMountainBooks.com

[Maria]

Stage Fright by Michelle Scott to the list. Good mystery, likeable characters, very well edited. I enjoyed this one, although honestly the whole "plays" and "stage" thing isn't my cup of tea and I don't truly appreciate why anyone would want to be on stage acting out plays. This was smoothly written, although because some of her past books have been too dark for me, I admit I was wincing in several spots, just WAITING for the character to make a REALLY bad decision.

[Maria]

Cry Baby Hollow by Aimee Love--Excellent read. I reviewed it over at the blog last night:

www.BearMountainBooks.com

Recommended for UF readers and those who like realism in their plots. A touch on the dark side at times.

[Caleb]

OK! Recommendation time.

I just finished The Hangman's Replacement: Sprout of Disruption by Taona Dumisani Chiveneko.

This was a very strange book, but I loved it. It doesn't really come across like a fantasy in many ways - more like a conspiracy mystery. I won't say thriller because the pacing isn't much like a thriller.

However, this novel had a few things going for it that really appealed to me:

Plot: A bewildering plot that I'm still not sure I got my head around fully by the end. But it showed real imagination and intelligence to create this web and I was left very impressed.

Characters: The novel is largely an introduction to several very particular and idiosyncratic characters. You get quite a lot of backstory and anecdotes - so much so that it's amazing that there was room for a plot. But I found the exploration of each very entertaining.

Writing: This author writes really well. If you entered the reading thinking this was going to be a suspense thriller, you might not rank the author too highly because the pacing really isn't there. But as long as you don't approach the reading in that manner, you can delight in the author's use of the language and his clever metaphors and the tricky way he starts threading smaller swatches into the fabric of the story.

This book is part of a series of indeterminate length and is the only book released thus far. This is probably the only downside. The plot is quite complicated - although simplified somewhat with some explanation at the end - that waiting might leave you completely lost by the time you can continue.

I think my strategy will be to re-read the last couple of chapters of this book before starting the next. They really do provide a pretty good introduction into the body of work and will hopefully trigger enough of the details of the first to continue with the second.

[Maria]

Thanks Caleb! This sounds like a book with a lot of Wuthering Heights kind of atmosphere and suspicious characters...

[Caleb]

Lots of suspicious characters - that's certain. Not sure about Wuthering Heights atmosphere though. I've never read it, but isn't it meant to have a very gothic feel?

I can't say this book feels very gothic at all. There's far too much whimsy in the telling.

I was over halfway through the book before I realised that the author is Zimbabwean. So this marks the first book I've ever read by a Zimbabwean author. :)

[Maria]

Caleb wrote: "Lots of suspicious characters - that's certain. Not sure about Wuthering Heights atmosphere though. I've never read it, but isn't it meant to have a very gothic feel?

I can't say this book feels v..."

Yes, Wuthering is a kind of Gothic...rather depressing feel--gloomy weather, dark abodes. I do prefer whimsy. AND definitely suspicious characters!

[Caleb]

Here's a review I've just posted on a bit of a sci-fi thriller called Noah's Ark by Andrew J. Morgan. Not exactly fantasy - but still, I enjoyed it so I thought I would post.

Here's the link: http://papyrus.calebblake.net/2013/11/13/noahs-ark-by-andrew-j-morgan/

[Maria]

Caleb wrote: "Here's a review I've just posted on a bit of a sci-fi thriller called Noah's Ark by Andrew J. Morgan. Not exactly fantasy - but still, I enjoyed it so I thought I would post.

Here'..."

Appreciate it! Thanks, I'll take a look.

[Caleb]

OK - here is a review for a book I read this month called The Apocalypse Chronicles: Wall of a Thousand Tears.

The author started this book when he was 13 and worked on it over a couple of years. I'm not putting it out there as a recommendation in its own right, and you can probably tell that if you read the review.

However, I'd still like to raise awareness on the accomplishment. If the author stays this focused and commits to improving his craft, I can't see why he couldn't be an author to watch in the future.

Review here: http://papyrus.calebblake.net/2013/12/21/wall-of-a-thousand-tears-by-julian-mok

[Maria]

Caleb wrote: "OK - here is a review for a book I read this month called The Apocalypse Chronicles: Wall of a Thousand Tears.

The author started this book when he was 13 and worked on it over a c..."

Interesting. I'll check out the review.

I think I have another book to post about, but I have to think. I've lately joined Netgalley and read some from there, but I haven't been very lucky. The last one I just finished had a lot of typos a giant plot hole and another issue. I'll write the publisher about them. I am getting very tired of spending time doing that whether it is publisher or indie.

OH. I read Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews. Her first full novel as an indie I believe (her being her and her husband). Very decent read. I did write to them about a few typos...but the book is excellent with a storyline that is up to their usual quality. Perhaps because it was written as a serial it lacks a bit of fleshing out in places, but it's a fast paced and very fun read.

[Maria]

I reviewed this one at the blog, but I'll paste it here as well:

This weekend I read Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by J.L. Murray. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

It’s a cheap and a decent urban fantasy read for 99 cents. There were very few typos; I think I noticed a missing word here or there or odd phrasing a few times. Some of the dialogue was a bit stilted in places, but these were short areas and nothing you can't breeze right over.

This is quite possibly the most linear story I’ve ever read. Not saying that is a bad thing, but I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book that is told in such a laid out manner. There are few twists or surprises, just a logical progression from one action/problem to the next. The characters are quite likeable. I kept expecting those scenes where you meet someone and it doesn’t fit the story only to show up later and be explained/fit in. There aren’t any of those. It’s much more organized than that and as such it lacked complexity and some tension. The battle/confrontation scenes are there, however, so the story does not drag.

The pacing is good, characterization is quite good with the main characters although perhaps a tad one-dimensional with some of the bad guys. Some good family issues. Safe for cozy readers.

[Maria]

Oh--I should add that the book above Between the Devil--did have strange formatting. I'd say the whole thing was double-spaced or at least 1.5 spacing. I got used to it but I did email the author to let her/him know it was funky.

[Maria]

Started reading Wildfire - It's decent so far, although there is a lot of internalizing going on so I think the pace could be faster. Formatting is fine and no typos so far!

The concept is interesting.

[Maria]

Two new really good novels for this thread:

Nice Dragons Finish Last - Yes, Rachel Aaron went indie and this is a wonderful read. We did it as a buddy read on the blog. FUN book.

This next one is middle grade, but a lot of fun too.

WBI: Witches Bureau of Investigation by Richard Capwell. I reviewed on the blog as well--good read for the age group and good read for adults (I will never grow up...)