Fourth Wing is the first in a fantasy series and has been a surprise hit of the summer. This one deals with a War College for Dragon Riders and focuseFourth Wing is the first in a fantasy series and has been a surprise hit of the summer. This one deals with a War College for Dragon Riders and focuses on twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail, who rises through the ranks, despite the many deadly challenges that these students must overcome. The romance is a bit mushy for my taste but otherwise I found it a fun and enjoyable ride and I will probably continue the series. 3.5 stars...more
This fantasy novel need little introduction. It has been a hit with many of my book buddies and I can see why. Magical island. Mysterious misfits. MorThis fantasy novel need little introduction. It has been a hit with many of my book buddies and I can see why. Magical island. Mysterious misfits. Moral lessons. A bit overlong but for the most part, an entertaining and fun read. ...more
“Time would come when gold would outweigh blood. But this was still Virginia of old, where a dubious God held that those who would offer a man for sal“Time would come when gold would outweigh blood. But this was still Virginia of old, where a dubious God held that those who would offer a man for sale were somehow more honorable than those who effected that sale.”
Ta-Nehisi Coates turns to the horror of slavery for his first novel and this should not be surprising, since his nonfiction, deals mainly with race issues, in many of it's forms. This is a gritty mix of violence and magic-realism, focusing on a young slave named Hiram Walker, who is also gifted with a mysterious power. The writing is strong and beautiful. It was heading toward a 5 star rating, from me, but about halfway, it began to bog down with it's own language, continuing to grind down the narrative with verbal passages, that would have fit better in an essay piece. I think Coates should take a lesson out of Colson Whitehead's playbook and keep the story tighter and closer to the bone. That said, this is still an admirable effort and one, I will recommend....more
“The child is dead. There is nothing left to know.”
This kicks off the first of an epic“I will give you a story.
It begins with a leopard.
And a witch.”
“The child is dead. There is nothing left to know.”
This kicks off the first of an epic fantasy trilogy by Booker Prize-winning author, Marlon James. It follows the adventures of Tracker, “He has a nose,” a young man, who is engaged to track down a boy, who was kidnapped. He normally works alone but ends up, with a band of misfits, with unusual powers, including the enigmatic Leopard, the shape-shifting creature, that Tracker forms a tumultuous relationship with. James has done his homework here, weaving African history and mythology, into this beefy narrative, teamed up with his own impressive imagination. There is also excessive violence and profanity, so the reader should keep this in mind. I found it to be unnecessarily verbose at times, meandering, and there is some repetition, but overall this was a promising beginning, by a very fine writer....more
I am so glad I returned to wrap up this Ship Breaker trilogy. I read the second volume, the Drowned Cities, over five years ago. There are plenty of rI am so glad I returned to wrap up this Ship Breaker trilogy. I read the second volume, the Drowned Cities, over five years ago. There are plenty of reviews available on these books, so I will just give my quick two cents worth: If you like smart, beefy and rousing Sci-Fi, with terrific characters, give this one a try.
Cary Elwes, who played the iconic role of Westley in The Princess Bride, delivers an absolutely wonderful memoir here, describing in fine detail, the Cary Elwes, who played the iconic role of Westley in The Princess Bride, delivers an absolutely wonderful memoir here, describing in fine detail, the making of this classic fairy-tale. The novel was written in 1973 and there had been many attempts to adapt this book, but it took a perfect storm of a dedicated film-maker, an outstanding script, (by the author) and an absolutely pitch-perfect cast, to create a film, that has only grown better with time. It is also a fantastic audio, so go with that format if you can. ...more
This kicks off a new fantasy series, by the author of the Iron Druid books. I like Hearne's writing style and sense of humor but this was a long book This kicks off a new fantasy series, by the author of the Iron Druid books. I like Hearne's writing style and sense of humor but this was a long book to get through. I liked it well enough, but not sure I will continue. ...more
This is a dark fairy tale, set in northern Russia, during medieval times. Most of the story focuses on a young girl named, Vasilisa, who grew up listeThis is a dark fairy tale, set in northern Russia, during medieval times. Most of the story focuses on a young girl named, Vasilisa, who grew up listening to her nurse's magical stories and discovers that her own life begins to follow the path of one of these tales, where the looming forest contains evil creatures, luring her deeper into the wilderness. This is an entertaining debut, with a strong atmospheric tone. My only issue with it, is that I chose to listen to the audio version and had a difficult time, following along, especially with the cast of similar sounding Russian names. I suggest you stick with the print version, which should be much more satisfying.
I did enjoy the first book in this trilogy and was very impressed by Jemison's writing chops. That said, I think I would like to forgo the audio formaI did enjoy the first book in this trilogy and was very impressed by Jemison's writing chops. That said, I think I would like to forgo the audio format and switch to the print version for the next two. It would make it easier to follow, with the shifting narratives. ...more
Melanie is brilliant little girl, with amazing gifts. She is also wickedly dangerous. What exactly makes her so special? I am staying mum on this one,Melanie is brilliant little girl, with amazing gifts. She is also wickedly dangerous. What exactly makes her so special? I am staying mum on this one, since one of the joys of this dystopian tale, is watching it slowly unfold, in this post-plague world. I will say, it is smart, fast-paced and well written. I will also confess, that Melanie, is one of my new favorite characters and she will stay close to my heart for awhile.
One warning: Beware of the hungries!
“And then like Pandora, opening the great big box of the world and not being afraid, not even caring whether what’s inside is good or bad. Because it’s both. Everything is always both. But you have to open it to find that out.“
I loved the first 2 books in this trilogy but the final one feels bloated and rambling. What makes it worth reading though, is a terrific and inventivI loved the first 2 books in this trilogy but the final one feels bloated and rambling. What makes it worth reading though, is a terrific and inventive ending....more