Summary:
Gen is a thief. He's landed himself in prison after stealing the king's seal, and then bragging about it in public. He's young, and talented as a thief, but not so talented at holding his tongue. He gets roped into a journey to find Hamaithes's Gift, which would aid the king of Sounis in his bid to marry the queen of Eddis.
Thoughts:
The book is, in essence, Lord of the Rings Lite. Or, at the very least, that's how it felt to me. It's set in a world that's very similar to Ancient Greece, with a little Roman and Mesopotamian influence for good measure. Of course, it throws sword fighting and gunplay together within about ten pages, but that's obviously neither here nor there to Ms. Turner. The book opens with us meeting Gen while he rots in prison. When he's finally brought out of the prison by the king's magus, who is basically the king's scholar type, he's forced to go on a quest. He's not told why, or where they're headed. He's just forced to be the tool to get whatever it is the magus is after. Two thirds of the book is traveling. Literally, they climbed up, they climbed down, this is what the world looked like. Holy God, I thought I was going to kill myself. The book is only 219 pages long, but I felt like it was Lord of the Rings long. Finally, when the characters start discussing the "old religion" of their ancestors, the book at least becomes a little more interesting. But the story itself doesn't pick up until the last fifty or sixty pages. At that point, not only have you finally found out where they're going, and what they're after, but they've finally reached the damn place.
The whole thing reads very tediously. I understand that it's a Newberry Honor book, and that's great for Ms. Turner, but holy hell, I wouldn't want to be a kid having to read this in school. I was much more pleased reading the Indian and the Cupboard. I might've shot someone if this was a mandatory read from my school, and I loved reading as a kid. I had high hopes going into this book, because I'd read the cover at a book store, and thought it sounded awesome, and if you've read this blog before, you know how I like getting into a new series (there's three more books and two short stories in this set). However, I was not pleasantly surprised. At all. Boo. Literally, the only parts that I really enjoyed was the myths about their religion, and that accounts for about 20 pages' worth of text, and that's being generous. I doubt I'll ever get back to the rest of the series. I'm too afraid that it'll be another tedious journey. I'm proud of myself for even making it through this book. No more, please.
Book 7 of 50
Pages: 219
Genre: Fantasy, children's/teen lit
Grade: D+
Would I Recommend?: Eh. IF you're into fantasy, and IF you like mythology of any kind, and IF(!!) you really liked the Lord of the Rings series and don't mind a hundred pages of tree descriptions, go for it. Otherwise, skip it.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Around the World in Eighty Days (Jules Verne)
Summary:
The classic novel by Jules Verne follows Mr. Phileas Fogg of London, a man who is known by all as the most punctual and mechanical man anyone could meet, as he breaks his comfortable mold to satisfy a bet. Fogg is the type of man who rises every day at the exact same time, follows the exact same schedule, and lays his head down in the same fashion day in and day out, only to do it all again tomorrow. His only job is to be so punctual, one could set a watch by him. But on October 2nd, just before seven in the evening, Mr. Fogg lays down a plan of how a traveler could manage a trip around the world in just eighty days. His friends mock the idea, and Fogg takes it on himself to make a wager with each one of them. He will be the man to travel the world in those eighty days, and he will find them again on December 21st at 8:45pm. The novel follows Fogg's adventures and misadventures as he circumvents the world with his trusty servant, Passepartout.
Thoughts:
Wholly enjoyable, even today. Yes, it's been one hundred and thirty-eight years since the publishing of this novel, which celebrated its anniversary just three weeks ago. But while transportation has taken great leaps forward, the idea still stands. In 1872, when Phileas Fogg takes on this laborious journey, he has steamers and trains at his disposal, and little else. The airplane hasn't been invented yet, let alone commercial air flight like we see today. (The first successful powered flight at all, which happened in a glider, came along two years after Fogg's journey, and a year after the book was released. The Wrights didn't show up until the turn of the century.) The closest to that was a hot air balloon, which is hardly a way to sail around the world. And even if all of the transportation issues can be disposed of now, it's still a fun way to see the world, through the eyes of a man from the nineteenth century, with 19th century problems, like having to ride an elephant part of the way, having to save a young woman from certain death, and recovering his servant who got himself kidnapped by Sioux natives in Nebraska. We can tell that Mr. Verne was interested in the delicate intricacies of time and travel and the ways of the world at that time. This novel is a wonderful way to expand one's mind, and take a trip back in time to the days when we didn't even know the word "airplane," let alone how useful they would turn out to be. If you're interested in expanding your literary knowledge, and getting a little culture in you, read a little Jules Verne. It's not a classic for nothing, after all!
Book 6 of 50
Pages: 245
Genre: General fiction, classics, historical fiction
Grade: A
Would I Recommend?: Absolutely. Jules Verne spins a yarn like no one in this century.
The classic novel by Jules Verne follows Mr. Phileas Fogg of London, a man who is known by all as the most punctual and mechanical man anyone could meet, as he breaks his comfortable mold to satisfy a bet. Fogg is the type of man who rises every day at the exact same time, follows the exact same schedule, and lays his head down in the same fashion day in and day out, only to do it all again tomorrow. His only job is to be so punctual, one could set a watch by him. But on October 2nd, just before seven in the evening, Mr. Fogg lays down a plan of how a traveler could manage a trip around the world in just eighty days. His friends mock the idea, and Fogg takes it on himself to make a wager with each one of them. He will be the man to travel the world in those eighty days, and he will find them again on December 21st at 8:45pm. The novel follows Fogg's adventures and misadventures as he circumvents the world with his trusty servant, Passepartout.
Thoughts:
Wholly enjoyable, even today. Yes, it's been one hundred and thirty-eight years since the publishing of this novel, which celebrated its anniversary just three weeks ago. But while transportation has taken great leaps forward, the idea still stands. In 1872, when Phileas Fogg takes on this laborious journey, he has steamers and trains at his disposal, and little else. The airplane hasn't been invented yet, let alone commercial air flight like we see today. (The first successful powered flight at all, which happened in a glider, came along two years after Fogg's journey, and a year after the book was released. The Wrights didn't show up until the turn of the century.) The closest to that was a hot air balloon, which is hardly a way to sail around the world. And even if all of the transportation issues can be disposed of now, it's still a fun way to see the world, through the eyes of a man from the nineteenth century, with 19th century problems, like having to ride an elephant part of the way, having to save a young woman from certain death, and recovering his servant who got himself kidnapped by Sioux natives in Nebraska. We can tell that Mr. Verne was interested in the delicate intricacies of time and travel and the ways of the world at that time. This novel is a wonderful way to expand one's mind, and take a trip back in time to the days when we didn't even know the word "airplane," let alone how useful they would turn out to be. If you're interested in expanding your literary knowledge, and getting a little culture in you, read a little Jules Verne. It's not a classic for nothing, after all!
Book 6 of 50
Pages: 245
Genre: General fiction, classics, historical fiction
Grade: A
Would I Recommend?: Absolutely. Jules Verne spins a yarn like no one in this century.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Murder of a Bookstore Babe (Denise Swanson)
Summary:
Tales and Treats, a new book store in tiny Scumble River, opens to protesters and ridicule. Skye is happy to see not only a new business in town, but one that she plans to frequent regularly. The town's business owners are none too pleased, though. The library, which already has low circulation rates, might be visited less thanks to all those shiny new books. Skye's cousin might have to actually move all his used cars for sale back onto his lot rather than parking them in the public spaces that were previously under-used. The diner might lose its morning customers to the bookstore's fancy new bakery/barista. And one of the ancient and tenured teachers protests the store because it sells smut in the form of romance novels, and could possibly foster witchcraft and sorcery in the form of fantasy and sci-fi novels. Heaven forbid! Then, of course, there's the murder in the bookstore. Was it one of Scumble River's loudest complainers, or someone the owners knew from long ago? Skye's too nosy not to get into the mix once again, not to mention dealing with her ex who still won't give up, even after she's said yes to Wally's marriage proposal. The ex wouldn't be too much of an issue usually, but this time he knows something about the details surrounding the murder that he begs her not to pass on to her cop fiance. Good plan, Skye? Don't bet on it.
Thoughts:
Finally, the title doesn't completely give away the murder victim on sight! Every other installment of this series that's had a noun that's often used as a name as well (Honey, Cookie, Cherry, Barbie and Ken, Belle, and even Snake) has been the name of the victim of the primary crime in the book. Congratulations, Ms. Swanson, you had me looking for a woman named Babe to kill off. (PS, it looks like the next novel in the series goes back to the same old song... "Murder of a Creped Suzette" looks like they're going to kill off a poor girl named Suzette, and we can't do a thing to stop it!) But I digress. The book follows as most of the rest do, and I did actually spot the possible ending a mile away, but with all the other red herrings swimming around, I almost forgot about the initial inkling of our murderer's identity. I will say, I'm ready for Skye to get herself married off and done with Simon for good. Her ex-boyfriend vowed two books ago that he'll never rest until she's his again. Holy cow, guy, get over yourself. She's happy and committed to someone else. The worst part is that Skye's dumb enough to agree to keeping a secret from Wally. When has keeping secrets from your significant other ever ended well for anyone, Skye? Especially when it's the ex-boyfriend that's asking you to keep the secret. Dumb Skye Move #286, right there. All in all, though, another fun romp through crazy-ass Scumble River. Not Swanson's best, but certainly not her worst. And finally, after Suzette's murder investigation, I'll be caught up with Swanson's series, and can move on to others that I've still not cracked the covers of, and you, dear readers, can see a change of pace for once! Good news, though, I've almost finished my next read, which was something completely different. Stay tuned!
Book 5 of 50
Pages: 243
Genre: Mystery, romance
Grade: B-
Would I Recommend?: Sure. There are worse books out there, and even worse ones in this series. Keep going in the series. It's good for you!
Tales and Treats, a new book store in tiny Scumble River, opens to protesters and ridicule. Skye is happy to see not only a new business in town, but one that she plans to frequent regularly. The town's business owners are none too pleased, though. The library, which already has low circulation rates, might be visited less thanks to all those shiny new books. Skye's cousin might have to actually move all his used cars for sale back onto his lot rather than parking them in the public spaces that were previously under-used. The diner might lose its morning customers to the bookstore's fancy new bakery/barista. And one of the ancient and tenured teachers protests the store because it sells smut in the form of romance novels, and could possibly foster witchcraft and sorcery in the form of fantasy and sci-fi novels. Heaven forbid! Then, of course, there's the murder in the bookstore. Was it one of Scumble River's loudest complainers, or someone the owners knew from long ago? Skye's too nosy not to get into the mix once again, not to mention dealing with her ex who still won't give up, even after she's said yes to Wally's marriage proposal. The ex wouldn't be too much of an issue usually, but this time he knows something about the details surrounding the murder that he begs her not to pass on to her cop fiance. Good plan, Skye? Don't bet on it.
Thoughts:
Finally, the title doesn't completely give away the murder victim on sight! Every other installment of this series that's had a noun that's often used as a name as well (Honey, Cookie, Cherry, Barbie and Ken, Belle, and even Snake) has been the name of the victim of the primary crime in the book. Congratulations, Ms. Swanson, you had me looking for a woman named Babe to kill off. (PS, it looks like the next novel in the series goes back to the same old song... "Murder of a Creped Suzette" looks like they're going to kill off a poor girl named Suzette, and we can't do a thing to stop it!) But I digress. The book follows as most of the rest do, and I did actually spot the possible ending a mile away, but with all the other red herrings swimming around, I almost forgot about the initial inkling of our murderer's identity. I will say, I'm ready for Skye to get herself married off and done with Simon for good. Her ex-boyfriend vowed two books ago that he'll never rest until she's his again. Holy cow, guy, get over yourself. She's happy and committed to someone else. The worst part is that Skye's dumb enough to agree to keeping a secret from Wally. When has keeping secrets from your significant other ever ended well for anyone, Skye? Especially when it's the ex-boyfriend that's asking you to keep the secret. Dumb Skye Move #286, right there. All in all, though, another fun romp through crazy-ass Scumble River. Not Swanson's best, but certainly not her worst. And finally, after Suzette's murder investigation, I'll be caught up with Swanson's series, and can move on to others that I've still not cracked the covers of, and you, dear readers, can see a change of pace for once! Good news, though, I've almost finished my next read, which was something completely different. Stay tuned!
Book 5 of 50
Pages: 243
Genre: Mystery, romance
Grade: B-
Would I Recommend?: Sure. There are worse books out there, and even worse ones in this series. Keep going in the series. It's good for you!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Murder of a Wedding Belle (Denise Swanson)
Summary:
Once again, Skye can't say no. This time, she's gotten her arm twisted by her grandmother, who begs her to help Skye's second cousin have a big, overly expensive wedding extravaganza in the tiny little hick town of Scumble River. Riley goes Bridezilla on Skye, especially after the wedding planner Riley hired shuffles off the mortal coil prematurely. Skye is thrust knee deep into the wedding planning world, which I know from some experience can be a little crazy, and has to fudge her way through pulling off the wedding of Riley's dreams. While she deals with that, she also has to fight off Wally's nagging about whether or not she will marry him, and Simon, who is insistent that she gives up on Wally and takes him back. Oh, the drama for Skye.
Thoughts:
Pretty good. Much better than Royal Pain, to be sure. I had no clue who actually dun it, and was surprised by the end. At this point, I'm getting annoyed with Simon, because Skye's plainly said that there's no chance for him to get Skye back, but he just keeps pushing. I think Swanson just can't give up Simon, because she thinks he's the better choice for Skye, but her fans tell her otherwise, and that's why she keeps bothering us with Simon's idiocy. I would have been perfectly happy with Skye ending it with Simon, and there being a bad break-up that she didn't want to think about or talk about ever again... I just hope that Swanson finds a better use for Simon, rather than making it so that he pops up at the most annoying times.
Book 4 of 50
Pages: 246
Genre: Mystery, romance
Grade: B-/C+
Would I Recommend?: Eh. Not the worst, not the best. But very good if you're working through the series.
Once again, Skye can't say no. This time, she's gotten her arm twisted by her grandmother, who begs her to help Skye's second cousin have a big, overly expensive wedding extravaganza in the tiny little hick town of Scumble River. Riley goes Bridezilla on Skye, especially after the wedding planner Riley hired shuffles off the mortal coil prematurely. Skye is thrust knee deep into the wedding planning world, which I know from some experience can be a little crazy, and has to fudge her way through pulling off the wedding of Riley's dreams. While she deals with that, she also has to fight off Wally's nagging about whether or not she will marry him, and Simon, who is insistent that she gives up on Wally and takes him back. Oh, the drama for Skye.
Thoughts:
Pretty good. Much better than Royal Pain, to be sure. I had no clue who actually dun it, and was surprised by the end. At this point, I'm getting annoyed with Simon, because Skye's plainly said that there's no chance for him to get Skye back, but he just keeps pushing. I think Swanson just can't give up Simon, because she thinks he's the better choice for Skye, but her fans tell her otherwise, and that's why she keeps bothering us with Simon's idiocy. I would have been perfectly happy with Skye ending it with Simon, and there being a bad break-up that she didn't want to think about or talk about ever again... I just hope that Swanson finds a better use for Simon, rather than making it so that he pops up at the most annoying times.
Book 4 of 50
Pages: 246
Genre: Mystery, romance
Grade: B-/C+
Would I Recommend?: Eh. Not the worst, not the best. But very good if you're working through the series.
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