Book 41. Nightwatch
Author: Sergei Lukyanenko
Genre: Fantasy (book club)
Pages: 455
Release date: 2006
The Skinny. Set in contemporary
I have noticed this book for a few years and was very excited to read it.
What worked. First, the translation was handled pretty smoothly. I have read enough books to know that a bad translation will ruin what could have been a good novel. I was very happy with that. Saying that it was a very easy read, and it did not take long to get through it. Having three different stories in the book was an interesting way to tell the story. But it was handled in a good way.
Anton was an interesting character. He starts out as a low-level member of the Nightwatch, and it was interesting to get into the book from his point of view. There were so many other interesting characters, including members of both the Night and Daywatch. Too may to go into here, but the members of the Nightwatch were very interesting. They all had their own talents and skills.
The effect the Nightwach and Daywatch had on each other was also interesting. It was a very philosophical view of good vs. evil. Yet, sometimes you cannot tell them apart, and it seems they used the same tactics to get what they need done. That is probably true, since most of the time good vs. evil is not that black and white.
Also, it taking place in
What did not work. The magic in the world was a bit confusing. It was where they could step in to the “twilight” to be able to accomplish what they needed too. It took me rereading a few times to get what he was trying to say. Would have liked it to be a bit cleaner in understand how it worked.
Would have liked to know more about the culture of
Favorite quote. “I was swept away in a torrent of wild, unadulterated joy that came out of nowhere, and world dimmed and blurred. I would have fallen, but the power streaming out of the boss’s raised hands held Olga and me up on invisible strings, making us arch over and press ourselves against each other. And then the strings got tangled up.
Rating. 7.0 out of 10.0 A good start to a series of good vs. evil told in a different way.
- Mood:
happy
Book 39: Mistborn Book 1 of Mistborn Trilogy
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy (Book club)
Pages: 647
Release date: 2006
EDIT! I read this book a few months ago, but had the chance to reread it since my book club read the book. I really enjoyed it a second time, and thought the chraracterization was amazing and still was awed by the uniqueness of the magic.
The Skinny. a mist-haunted, ash-ridden world, pits Kelsier, "the Survivor of Hathsin," against the immortal Lord Ruler's 1,000-year domination of both the Great Houses and their serflike "skaa." Through Allomancy acquired in the Ruler's most hellish prison, Kelsier can "burn" 10 metals internally, fueling superhuman powers he uses to assemble rebels in a loose plan to destroy the nobility, the empire and the Lord Ruler himself. Kelsier uses Vin, a street urchin with the same Mistborn powers Kelsier possesses, to infiltrate the Great Houses' society, where she falls in love with philosopher prince Elend Venture. This mystico-metallurgical fantasy combines Vin's coming-of-age-in-magic and its well-worn theme of revolt against oppression with copious mutilations, a large-scale cast of thieves, cutthroats, conniving nobles and exotic mutants
What worked: Just about everything. I have to admit that this is the best book I have in a long, long time. Maybe one of my favorites of all time. The characters are great, especially in how they interact with each other. The rapport and the trust they have in each other blew me away. Vin and Kelsier were awesome, not to mention Breeze, Ham, Dockson, and Sazed. Just the dialogue itself was enough to really keep me interested in it. Very clever and even funny at times. Amazing interaction how Vin learned how to trust and care for people and how hard that was for her.
The storytelling was amazing. Twists and turns abound and a very clever plotline. Especially the ending, which I won't ruin for those of you that may read it. But a lot of thought had to have went in to how the "heroes' could accomplish their goal of trying to bring down the Lord Ruler.
The magic was so different. It was called Allomancy, which dealt with metals that were taken and each one had a different ability. For example: Tin enhances the senses. Brass soothes emotion. Steel pushes nearby metals. Copper would hide anyone that was actually using Allomancy. It was a very interesting and unique take on magic, and I fell in love with it and what people could accomplish while using it. Very cool
What did not work: Not much. Maybe the fact that the "evil" was called Lord Ruler. Yet, it did not feel trite.
Favorite quotes: 1 Sazed shook his head. "Men are more resilient than that, I think. Our belief is often stronger when it should be weakest. That is the nature of hope."
2. "Belief isn't simply a thing for fair times and bright days, I think. What is belief--what is faith--if you don't continue in it after failure?"
3. She looked up at Sazed, who smiled at her. "Sometimes we have wait long enough, Mistress," he said. Then we find out why exactly it was that we kept believing."
Rating. 10.0 out of 10. This book was just about perfect. Action. Intrigue. Politics.
Book 36. The Solitudes
Author: John Crowley
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 427
Release date: 1987
The Skinny. Yet another god awful book club book.
What it was about. Pierce Moffett, an unorthodox historian and an expert in ancient astrology, myths, and superstition. The land that Moffett studies is not the real, geographical Egypt but Ægypt, a country of the imagination. When Moffett discovers the historical novels of local writer Fellowes Kraft, his course is charted. Kraft's books interweave stories of Italian heretic Giordano Bruno, young Will Shakespeare, and Elizabethan occultist John Dee--stories that begin to mingle with the narrative of Moffett's real and dream life in 1970s America. As Moffett's journey in and out of his comfortable reality continues, what becomes clear is revelatory: there is more than one history of the world.
What worked: Sadly, not much. There were some individual interesting ideas at play here, but nothing really ground breaking. I did like Pierce, but just wish it had been more intersting.
What did not work. As I said, there were a few good things, but mostly it was just boring. It was 427 pages where nothing really happened. I realize that everything doesn't have to be action packed, but still something should happen. That combined with the awful writing, and inconsistancy of it, made me a bit crazy. You would get something from the main character and then it would go on a story within the story that just made it very difficult to read. It was a bit sad actually, and as I said, I was mostly bored and indifferent throughout.
Rating. 4.0 out of 10. A mostly boring read that not really much happened through out. I decent idea that never really did anything.
- Location:A Great Deliverence by Elizabeth George
- Mood: thankful
Book 34. Alas, Babylon
Author: Pat Frank
Genre: Science Fiction (book club)
Pages: 320
Release date: 1959
The Skinny. I read this book in the 8th grade I think. It was one of those books that scared the hell out of me because of the times we lived in, and the threat of the Russians at that time. I have wanted to re-read this book for years and was glad to get the chance too.
What worked: The story was well written, and still relevent in this day and age. There is still a fear of nuclear war and there was still a bit of fear in reading it. The best part was the chracterization. Having to keep in mind when this was written, I really liked Randy as a character. He wanted to protect the people he cared about and yes, it was 1959...so you can imagine how the women were still being treated. But most of the characters brought something to the book. From Dan, the doctor, to Randy's sister in law Helen. She was in mourning for her husband dying and even made a pass at Randy once, because she was still in mourning and very confused. That particular scene was impressive, due to how believable it was.
The people had to learn how to survive, and it brought up a discussion about whether people actually could or not. Who would try, and who would kill themslves because they cannot face the future. Good stuff.
Over all, a quick read, which is a nice thing.
What did not work. The story drug from time to time. Mostly due to the fact that it was every day survival, and that is not always that exciting. Even though the threat is still there, it was not as terrifying as it was as a child, so it lost just a bit of its relevence over time.
Rating. 7.5 out of 10. Definately worth reading the 2nd time, and overall a good story about humanity attempting to survive.
- Mood: happy
Book 32. Gun, with Occasional Music
Author: Jonathan Lethem
Genre: Science Fictoin (book club)
Pages: 288
Release date: 2003
What worked: Sadly, not much. In trying to think what I actually enjoyed about this book, I am having a hard time doing so. It was a quick and easy read, which is always a good thing. The drugs were interesting in how they were incorporated. Mostly was just indifferent.
What did not work. Wow, where to start? It seemed like before he wrote this novel he decided he was going to incorporate as many "odd" things as he could, and then tried to write a story around it. The drugs, talking animals, the babyheads, the karma system, the sex thing. The problem is, they all came out like a prop, and did not feel real. Not much else worked either. The world could have been good, but it was undeveloped. The main character was not engaging, interesting, or did you care about his plight. He was kind of a jackass, for the most part. I love a good mystery, and you just did not care about what happened, or who did it. There was not much to really like about this book.
Rating. 4.0 out of 10. Not somthing I would suggest anyone else to read. A very lackluster attempt at the gumshoe novel.
- Mood:
tired
Book 30. Santa Olivia
Author: Jacqueline Carey
Genre: Science Fictoin (book club)
Pages: 341
Release date: 2009
What worked: The character Loup was fun. I really did enjoy her struggling as a teenager with all of the normal issues they have, along with the ones that came from her being the child of a genetically engineered man. The best part of the book was when she actually was the "vigilante". It was well done, but there was not enough of it. The planning by the kids was fun and handled very well. I also really enjoyed the fact that the main character had a girlfriend. You don't see that in enough books and it seems like authors (especially those in the fantasy and sci-fi genres) still shy away from lesbian relationships. I really got into Loup trying to win the fight.
What did not work. Once you got past the vigilante part of the book, it was a bit slow...and well not as interesting. The back of the book lied and made it seem like her vigilante ways was what would safe the town of Santa Olivia, and tht was more than misleading. I am seeing this too often now where the book doesn't really match with what the back cover says. Is sad, really. The writing was not up to par as the Kushiel series by Carey and the story was more than a bit predictable.
Rating. 6.5 out of 10. I really wanted to love this book, but it was ok at best and just not very well executed (at least compared to other books by Carey). Yet, it was still interesting enough to keep me going.
- Mood: content
Book 24. The Ferryman
Author: Christopher Golden (book club)
Genre: Horror
Pages: 301
Release date: 2002
What worked: The book was an interesting read. It took a little bit of Greek mythology and dealing with the Ferryman who took the dead of the river Styx. The novel was not really scary, but it did creep me out in a way that only ghost stories usually can. Mostly to my belief that ghosts are real and I have even seen one once and felt the presence of another on a different occasion. The chracters were pretty good and I did like Janine and David's relationship. It was very ackward because of their past and that makes starting a new relationship very hard, even before there are ghosts and a mythological charcter making your life miserable.
I also love the conflict in this book. Which is mostly what the book was about for me. It was about Janine dealing with the loss of her child, and her feelings she had with David, of her past with Spencer, and even her mother. It was about David dealing with his feelings for Janine, and also with the guilt of maggie, facing his grandfather. It was about Annette dealing with her feelings for janine and meeting someone new. Lastly, it was about Father Charles dealing with the fact that there is more than his faith out there and being able to not let stop him from doing what was right.
Spencer getting killed the way he did was awesome.
The writing was quick and easy to get through.
What did not work. The book needed to be flushed out more. There was too much left unsaid and not developed enough (which was the main issue with those in the book club that did NOT like this book at all). A bit more information about things would have been nice, especially with Maggie/Jill and even Spencer.
Favorite quotes: ’They fit together like the pieces of a puzzle. A puzzle, yes, and how well the pieces fit had seemed to hold some divine truth of the universe then, as if there really such a thing as destiny.”did one prepare for the end of the world itself?"
Rating. 7.5 out of 10. An intersting and even creepy at time read about conflicts and love.
- Mood:
aggravated
Book 21. Assassin's Apprentice
Author: Robin Hobb
Genre: Fantasy (book club)
Pages: 435
Release date: 1995
What worked: Growing up with Fitz was kind of fun. The premise was not exactly original, but at the same time the character that came into his life made it interesting. Being the bastard son made his life difficult at best and he always had people in his life that wanted him to fail (or even die). Regal and Galen are two of those characters and I love, love, love to hate a good and "evil" character.
The magic was kind of cool. A bit confusing, but definately interesting. Fitz was a good character overall (I did have an issue or two). The plot, once you finally got to it, was clever and well done. The setting was cool as well and I thought the people being "forged" was cool.
What did not work. The book was too slow. I had a hard time staying interested because the writing style did not really click with me. Fitz was also a bit inconsistant at times. Resiliant at times and then would break down and act oddly. Yes was only a child, but it still was strange. Also knowing what Regal did and the family not really doing anything? That doesn't make any sense at all.
Favorite quotes: Nothing really out of the way interesting.
Rating. 6.5 out of 10. Overall I enjoyed this book and will read the rest of the series. It had some issues, but was still enjoyable.
- Mood: happy
- Music:The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson
Book 17. Solaris
Author: Stanislav Lem
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 204
Release date:
What worked: There was a pscyhological aspect to this novel that was very appealing. From the moment that Kevin gets to the station, his life is turned completely upside down. Having to see someone he cared abut that had died years before, suddenly be there when he woke up...was kind of cool. The dialogue between Kevin and Rheya was interesting because she was not "human", yet she took some human characteristics. Also the interaction with Kevin and Snow was also very good.
Yet, it was the psychological parts that made this enjoyable. Kevin was a psychologist and a logical man. When his "visitor" shows up, he can barely handle it and kind of goes off the deep end rather quickly. He then spend his time trying to figure out how to escape, but also gets confused about Rheya.
What did not work. Too verbose. There were sometimes ten to twenty pages of nothing but text about previous findings for the planet. It was too much. It killed any momentum you could get with the book and made it very difficult to read. There is a fine line with how much information you need to understand something as opposed to get beaten over the head with it.
Also, it seemed like Kevin fell apart way too quickly to me. It had been 10 years since Rheya had died, and he fell apart very quickly. A bit of resiliance would have been nice to see. I would have liked to seen what the other people on the station's "visitor" looked like. That would have been interesting.
Favorite Quotes: "Apathy robbed me of the strength even to despise myself."
-Kevin
Rating: 6.0 out of 10. An interesting sci-fi novel, that had good and bad parts. Barely readable because of certain writiing issues, but the psychological aspect of the novel overcame that.
- Mood: tired
Book 11: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Author: Seth Grahame-Smith and Jane Austen
Genre: Sci-fi
Pages: 317
Release date: 2009
What worked: Adding zombies to a classic was an interesting twist on the story. It still kept a lot of what makes this story so popular. Especially the setting, which is one of my favorite thing about the book. I love the Victorian age. It was interesting to see Elizabeth and Darcy's relationship from a different perspective. Not to mention, Elizabeth was a bit of a bad ass.
What did not work: It was still Sense and Sensability. Which I had a hard time getting into as a teenager, and just as hard time as an adult. I remember more about the movies at this point, rather than the book itself. Maybe if I were a 17 year old girl, the plot would be interesting, but It just loses me from time to time. Even with zombies. :) it is getting harder and harder for me to read the classics. This is due to my ever increasing lack of an attention span that struggles with overly verbose literature.
Favorite quote. Nothing grabbed me.
Rating. 6.0 out of 10. An interesting take on a popular classic. Entertaining at times, and just boring at others. It was an odd read for me. I really hope there aren't a ton more of these types of novels. Even though I am sure there will be.
- Mood: content
- Music:Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
Book 2. The Jennifer Moruge
Author: Charles Strauss
Genre: Science fiction (book club book)
Pages: 380
Release date:2006
The Skinny. This was dubbed as a funnyy version of the 007 meets sci-fi. You could definately feel the love this author has of James Bond, throughout the book. Was a book club selection that most people enjoyed.
What it is about. Bob Howard is a computer bergeek employed by the Laundry, a secret British agency assigned to clean up incursions from other realities caused by the inadvertent manipulation of complex mathematical equations: in other words, magic. In 1975, the CIA used Howard Hughes's Glomar Explorer in a bungled attempt to raise a sunken Soviet submarine in order to access the Jennifer Morgue, an occult device that allows communication with the dead. Now a ruthless billionaire intends to try again, even if by doing so he awakens the Great Old Ones, who thwarted the earlier expedition. It's up to Bob and a collection of British eccentrics even Monty Python would consider odd to stop the bad guy and save the world, while getting receipts for all expenditures or else face the most dreaded menace of all: the Laundry's own auditors.
What worked: The novel was funny. You have to love the fact that they were so tongue in cheek with all things James Bond. Now the expectations were high when Amazon compared this book to Monty Python. Bob was the opposite of JB in most ways. A bit of a geek, but is thrust into a situation beyond his control. The gadgets in the book were very unique and interesting. One example was a car that ejects. Not the seat, but the actual car. You get the feeling he had a good time writing this novel. I also really like the ties to Cthulhu feel of the book. Being a fan of H.P. Lovecraft, this was cool.
It took what is cool about some spy novels and incorperated it into this book. I am not a big James Bond fan, but I do like authors like Robert Ludlum (may he rest in peace).
What did not work: Sometimes I had not idea what he was talking about. :) As I said above, he was original in some of his ideas, but he was not always clear in his definition. Nothing bothers me more than having to re-read something, because I did not understand what was going on. Sometimes it felt like he was trying to be too cute with the story. It is hard to take a story too seriously, when the character is such a clown.
Best quote: "An adventure demands a hero. Around whom the whole world circles; but what use is a hero that can't even breathe under water?"
Grade: 6.5 out of 10.
Next books: Riders in the Sky by Charles Grant, Elantris by Scott Sanderson
- Location:home
- Mood:
blah - Music:Riders in the Sky by Charles Grant
So this last time it was my turn to choose. Now I had this stack of fantasy novels that I have not read yet, and thought this would be a good time to read one. The problem is that we have a 600 page limit on the books or we bump the meeting two three weeks, instead of two. I like to avoid this if I can, but it has happened quite a few times in the past.
So I stood there looking at my stack of books, I want to read, and chose the one that was closest to 600 pages. Mostly so we would not have to bump the meeting back a week. The book I chose was Across the Face of the World by Russell Kirkpatrick.
Oh my god. What a mistake. What a huge, awful, mistake.
I am a fan of epic fantasy. I love the good vs evil aspect of it, and especially how good usually triumphs. It appeals to my optomistic nature and is my favorite genre to read.
This novel? It sucked on so many levels. The only good thing i could say about it was the fact that it was at least a quick read. I have met people that have have not read fantasy, and they tend to have made assumptions about how the novels in the genre are. Especially, how poorly written and cliched they think the genre is. Well, this books was everything those people thought the genre would be and more.
This book angered me. It actually left such a bad taste in my mouth, that I don't want to read fantasy for a bit. It was THAT bad. I mean this novel was so bad, the genre may not recover. It forced me to buy a really awful looking horror/dark fantasy novel called Dark Rain by Tony Richards, just to get the taste out o my mouth.
Ok, I exaggerate (only a little though), but that is how bad this book.
Key points.
1. Fantasy pet peeve #1. Cliched villian. Name of the Undying Man. God, how boring is that? Nothing original about the villian, he is just EVIL. That is how the book started.
2. Fantasy pet peeve #2. Authors feeling like they need to be creative and create their own words for things. This is an actual list of names from the book. Aigelstrommen, Haufuth, Fanajokull, Mjolkbridge, Torrelstrommen, Fernthicket, Derkskogen, Drozzakalvan, Geotakalvan, Nordviken. Are you kidding me?
3. Spent more time on the maps of the world than the writing. Found out later he was a cartographer, and can only hope he goes back to doing that soon.
4. I have never come across a band of heroes that I cared less about their plight. I seriously hoped they would get killed by an avalanche or something, just so I could stop reading. Horrible characerization.
5. Also no plot. They started out having to "warn" those on high about an invasion, and instead went chasing after their parents that were kidnapped. I get that, but it was long and tedious. Not to mention when they finally rescued their parents, one of the children god kidnapped by a different group and that sent the book on a second rescue attempt. So, first 2/3 of book was resucing parents, then last 1/3 was rescuing Leith. Great movement of plot there.
6. Token female in party. Nothing interesting about her. Really selfish and very annoying. But then she all of a sudden gets very brave and nice. Didn't make sense. That is just one example of how most of the characters were. Also, I wish someone would have killed Farr. He was verry annoying.
7. Awful writing. God, awful writing.\
8. Setting was not intersesting. Only thought there could be a few ways to describe snow. Appararently I was wrong. This author did it about 24 different ways.
9. So, to date. No characterization or mentiionable dialogue, bad and boring plot, awful writing, no setting, and just general disinterest about their plight. It take a special kind of writing to be this bad at everything.
There you go. The worst novel in the history of fantasy.
- Mood: angry
- Music:Dark Rain by Tony Richards
- Getting used to living by myself again. It hasn't been that long and lord knows it is quiet in my apartment without Natalie in it. I still do not regret my decision to break things off, but that doesn't make me feel any better about the fact that I know she is hurting.
- Also just getting used to having to play everything on my own has left me a bit broke. :) I will adjust to that quickly, but damn!
- My brother (I haven't spoken to him in years) from my biological family (I was adopted) found me on Facebook. It is so strange to see how many people have found me on there that i haven't spoken too in years. It is such a surreal thing.
- My friends and I are going to get back into the game creation. We started a game called Perdition and it was going pretty well and then we stopped last July. UGH. But we are hoping to get back on track.
- Turn Coat came out today! I am so excited about the new J. Butcher book!
- I am meeting someone Wed night for "drinks". I am really looking forward to seeing if we connect enough for anything more than that.
- God my job rocks. Most jobs are doing so poorly right now. Lord know I have friends that have been laid off and that are on umemployment. I actually got a 3.1% raise. I am so thankful for where I am.
- Still trying to get back into gaming. Never seem to get to game as much as I want. Hopefully that is going to change soon.
- My book club is on their 100th book. How awesome is that??? :) The book is The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks.
Stacey
- Mood: content
- Music:Small Favor by Jim Butcher
fantasy 576 pages (book club book)
This is my review of Dragon Prince by Melanie Rawn. This is the first book in a trilogy (to be followed by a second trilogy later).
( Review )
- Mood: happy
- Music:Blood of the Fold by Terry Goodkind
So I started a fiction book club. I had no idea what I was getting myself into and it was a disaster. I tried to wing it and just make it up as I went. That never really works for me all that well since I am a control freak, but I thought what the hell? It was horrible. People did not show up, or did not read the book, or argued instead of discussing the books in a respectful and intelligent manner. I quit the group and my lesson was learned.
So in Nov of 04, I decided to try again. This time it would be a more specific type (sci-fi/fantasy) and I had rules. A LOT of rules! My friends still give me grief at how controlling I was at the beginning of the group. It was sad. I even had an original thought where people could not talk unless they held a stick so people would not talk over each other. Yes, I realize how crazy that is and that never actually happened. They did call me Napoleon for a while though. :)
Our first meeting was Dec 1, 2004 and we have recently had our four year anniversary. Over the years we have really grown as a group. Mostly to the fact that four of us in the group are very, very good friends (six counting significan other's of the group). We game together, we go to movies, play board games, etc. I could not ask for a better group of people to call friends and I am very proud to be a part of such a great group of people. This was not always easy to do though.
Over the years we have had a few "chracter's" in the groupl Here are a few examples.
- A guy that met us for the first time. He came straight from a volleyball match (so he was all sweaty) and he sat on the couch and scratched his balls where we could all see him. UGh, what an idiot. He then later accused us of being elitist assholes because we let him go.
- A girl that sat in the corner (all dressed in black) and did not say anything except one comment about dead people.
- A guy in an email that talked about how she hulk turned him on.
- We met another guy in his early 30's that did nothing but talk about how he and his "wingmen" go out and try to get women.
- Another guy that did not understand why science fiction and fantasy even go together. Also he had links to his own published works in his email.
Sorry I am rambling, I just feel very proud of this group today. :)
- Mood: thankful
I haven't been on here lately, so I thought I would post to show what has been going on this last week.
- I turned 38 monday. Woo hoo! Still do not know what to think about being this close to 40. Is a bit surreal to say the least. More on that later.
- I also manage to get sick on my birthday. I have been fighting a cold all week and have mist a day and a half of work so far. Not a good thing when you have only been there since the end of September.
- My science fiction/bookclub had it's fourth annual anniversary party Last friday. It was a lot of fun. We did a murder mystery thing and boy did we get drunk. I started the club four years ago in hopes of making a few friends, and I eneded meeting the best people! We are a very tight group now and we hang out to game, watch movies, etc. They are truly amazing people.
- Watched season 1 of Eli Stone (LOVE it, but they are cancelling it!), season 5 of NCIS, and am currently watching season 4 of Lost. Also watched Prince Caspian and the Transformers again. Just got them on Blu-ray recently (now I just need that HDTV..which may happen next month)
- My ps3 addiction has finally cooled off. Probably due to the over 250 hours I played Oblivion: The Elder Scrolls. But to compenste, I have obviously been watching a lot of DVD's. :) If it isn't one thing, it is another.
- I plan on asking my girlfriend to marry me soon. Just trying to figure out the best way to do that.
- Gaming still isn't happen much, but I am hoping that will change at the beginning of the year.
- Mood: tired
- Music:Pushing Ice by Allistair Reynolds
432 pages
This is my review of Ysabel by Guy Gavriel Kay. Overall, a fun read that took both a modern and historical paths to a fantasy. It dealt mostly with ancient greece and rome and how for over a thousand years two enemies would try to gain the love of one woman. Ysabel.
This was a fun read and it took me by surprise a bit. I didn't know what to expect from it, but what I took from it was the Kay is a great writer (I have read a few other of his books as well). So, if you like a good book, taht has a historical taste as well, check this out.
( My review with a spoiler or two )
- Mood: tired
The Lies of Locked Lamora by Scott Lynch
752 pages
This is my review of The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. It was a very well written novel by a new author in the fantasy genre. Brutal sometimes, but never over the line, it was a story about revenge and how far people will go to exact it.
- Mood:
devious
I started doing the National Novel Writing Month thing, but it is going so slow. I have not had enough time to really dig into this, so I am just going to do what I can and not really worry about the 50,000 words you are supposed to have by the end of the month. Oh well, at least it got me starting to write again.
The Dresden Files playtest is going to end at the end of this month. So, I am going to try to squeeze at least one or two more sessions out of my group and see what else we can accomplish with the current rules set.
We bought a second controller for my ps3 yesterday and I spent a good portion of the day playing Little Big Planet with my girlfriend. She was just so excited that I was playing something with her. Not to mention, in some levels you have two players to get certain prizes for the game...to be able to finish the level at 100%. It was totally worth it just to see how excited Natalie was to get those things. She is so damn cute and I love her so much.
I have been at my new job for a little over a month now and things are going well. It is nice to have a job and not have to worry about money in this crazy financial mess our country is in right now. Thank god Obama is our next president! Praise all the heavens! :)
I have recently read Ysabel by Gabriel Gavriel Kay. It was a very good modern fantasy with a historic twist. I will try to write up a review for it soon. I also read The Lies of Locke Lamora for my book club (although I had read it once before). It was a fun look at a group of thieves trying to pull off the scam of a lifetime and stay alive while doing it. If you like a book of revenge, you will love this. Currently I am reading Academ's Fury by Jim Butcher. Book 2 of the Codex Alera. I really love this series and the next took comes out in a few weeks.
Am still addicted to Oblivion for the Ps3. Although I did start over (after having played it for 110 hours....yes, Natalie thinks I am crazy too). I do love the game though. I did just pick up another game as well. Valkryia Chronicles. A different take on strategy games that is very, very hard.
The anniversary party for our sci-fi/fantasy book club will be on Dec 6th. It is the fourth year and going strong. I can only hope that in six years we are looking at our ten year annivesary. That would be awesome.
Ok, that is enough for now.
- Mood: tired
Books I have read recently.
The Fourth Bear by Jasper Fforde. A sequel to The Big Over Easy, which starred the NCD or Nursery Crime Division. Lead by Jack Spratt and Mary Mary they had to solve a mystery of Goldilocks getting murdered and the escape of the deranged, and superhuman known as the Gingerbread man. Yes, I said the Gingerbread Man. :) These books are hilarious and I wish Fforde would write more of them. Rating 9.0 out of 10.
V for Vendetta by Alan Moore. A great and dark graphic novel. Not quite as good as the Watchmen, but very disturbing none the less. He really knows how to write a dark story. Now I need to go watch the movie again and really see how they did. Rating. 8.5 out of 10.
Ghosts in the Snow by Tamara Siler Jones. An interesting idea of having a mystery novel set in a fantasy world. I can appreciate this, cuz I have an idea or two about a similar type of novel. The story worked really well as you really felt for Dubric as he was the only ones that saw the ghosts of the murdered girls as he tried to solve the crime. A very enjoyable book. Rating. 8.0 out of 10.
An Evil Guest by Gene Wolfe (book club book). I really wanted to like this book. It was labeled Cyberpunk meets Lovecraft and I think that was a mistake to put that on the cover. It really puts expectations before you even start reading. I was enjoying the book for the first 3/4 of the book, and then story took an unexpected detour that completely took me away from the story. One of the main characters was pushed to the side and it never recovered. Rating. 5.0 out of 10.
That is all for now. HOpefully I will be able to get back into the swing of things soon.
- Mood:awake
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