Wake by Robert Sawyer
4 July 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Robert Sawyer, Wake
Just finished reading Wake by Robert Sawyer. Primarily this tells the story of Caitlin. Caitlin is almost sixteen, she is something of a mathematical genius and is blind. At the start of the story Caitlin is offered the opportunity to be given an implant which may give her the ability to see.
I have mixed feelings about this book. It was recommended to me by one of my book buddies who has recently given me some excellent recommendations and so I really wanted to like it. But, I did struggle to be honest and found myself putting the book down and not being too eager to pick it back up.
The beginning, I thought, started off reasonably well. The story is related in four different voices. We have Caitlin, an unknown entity that starts to slowly gain consciousness and is I suppose an AI, a story coming out of China surrounding the Government’s cover up of a viral outbreak and another story from a research lab relating to the development of a cross bred chimp called Hobo. I thought the concept and style of writing were good but personally I found the amount of scientific and mathematical data way too much. I readily admit that I am not a star at all when it comes to maths so that’s probably why I didn’t like that aspect although others may enjoy this. And I thought that to a certain extent this interfered with the flow of the story.
In terms of the particular identities. I enjoyed the story around Caitlin and her quest for sight, however, I’m not totally convinced of her voice as a teenager. I really enjoyed Hobo’s story and would have liked more but found it a bit frustrating the way this element fizzled out, similarly with the Chinese element and lastly the AI voice, which to be honest I didn’t enjoy reading at all. Unfortunately we don’t find out in this installment how the elements all link up and I found that a bit frustrating.
I realise this probably sounds a bit overly critical which isnt intentional. I don’t think I read enough scifi and so maybe this wasn’t the best choice. I do have to admire the author though, he clearly knows his stuff even if I’m not of a mind to appreciate it fully (pearls before swine methinks). I don’t think I will pick up the second installment but I do have another Sawyer novel which I will definitely read. This one isn’t for me but my book buddy loves it and has the full set.
Rating: C+
Wake
Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs.
30 June 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Iron Kissed, Patricia Briggs
Just finished reading Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs and let me just say before anything else, wow. I loved this book. I’ve now finished the first three books that I bought at the same time and I’m cursing myself for not buying all six! Still, who knew that I was going to like this series so much? I can’t get enough of Mercy…
Iron Kissed brings us a new story centred around the Fey. Mercy owes the fey a favour and they call it in at the start of this book to see if Mercy’s coyote can bring anything new to bear in a series of increasing and grizzly murders that have been happening on the fey reservation.
I wonder if PB will continue her format of writing primarily about one particular supe per novel. Her first book was mainly focused on werewolves, the second centred around the vampires and this one brought to the fore the fey. I love reading about the fey and the information in this book is really imaginative. We find out more about the Grey Lords, and what a chilling bunch they are! I thought the scene on the beach was excellent.
We have the usual bunch of weres (although Stefan fans will miss his absence) and this book brings us a very satisfactory resolution to the love triangle that was going on between Mercy, Sam and Adam – and, no spoilers, but I thought this was definitely the right outcome!
Finally, this series just keeps getting better and better. I think Mercy is great, the plot is good, there’s plenty of action and some tender romance scenes (but definitely not the main focus of the novel) and the baddie – ugh! I will just mention that the last chapters may be a bit disturbing for some people to read, but I thought they were written so well that I couldn’t imagine them being omitted (not to mention the following scenes and emotions are so powerfully portrayed – simply brilliant, and revealing in terms of Ben). This series is dark and gritty but a definite must read! How much gushing can one person maintain? That’s it for me now. I have no idea how many times I’ve used the words brilliant or excellent but I’m sure it’s quite embarrassing so I’ll finish here by saying “read this series, I mean it, don’t make me come over there! And, read all three, the first is a bit heavy on information but it’s necessary for establishing Mercy’s world”.
Rating A+
Iron Kissed
Hannah’s Dream by Diane Hammond
28 June 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Diane Hammond, Hannah's Dream
Hannah’s Dream was one of the books chosen by my book club, I probably wouldn’t have read it otherwise as I’m not sure the description would have inspired me to keep hold of it in the first place but, that being said I found this an enjoyable book.
Simply told this is a love story but not in the traditional sense. This is the story of Hannah the elephant and her keeper Sam, who has looked after her for over 40 years. Basically neither Hannah or Sam are in the best of health. Hannah has spent too much time in isolated captivity reliant only on Sam for her needs and comforts and Sam is no longer fit enough to continue and needs to retire but doesn’t feel he can. Now, put like that, it probably won’t make people want to rush out and buy a copy, but,it really does have some lovely quirky characters and is a well told story.
In terms of the story I don’t want to elaborate too much. It’s a fairly simple story that revolves around a few of the main characters helping Hannah to move on to an animal sanctuary where she can live the remainder of her life in the company of other elephants.
What is really good about this story is the characters, because Sam and Hannah are supported by a great cast and the back story of the original founder of the zoo, Max. Max (or Maxine) is the rather eccentric woman who brought the collection of animals together that eventually became known as the Biedelman Zoo. We learn her story through recollections of Sam’s when he is telling people about how he came to the zoo and started working with Hannah, and it is a lovely tale and Max is easy to summon to the imagination.
I really enjoyed reading about Sam and his wife Corrine. They are just adorable people and the sort that you would love to call a part of your life. I also think they are surrounded by an equally nice, if slightly out there, bunch of characters.
My criticisms? I think the story is a little bit overly nice sometimes as are the characters. They sort of all have their own faults but in a very regimented way. Nobody makes any major gaffs or steps out of character at all (except for the villain of the piece in a rather strange, and slightly unrealistic way). It reads a bit like a script for a Disney movie.
But, criticisms aside this is a really nice book to read (sorry if that sounds a bit like damning with faint praise as it isn’t intended). I think that if you enjoy books such as Water for Elephants or The Secret Life of Bees, then you may enjoy this book – but I in no way intend to imply that they are the same sort of content. Just that they all have a sort of fairytale feel to them somehow.
Anyway, I enjoyed it and I predict that some of you out there will definitely need tissues on standby.
Rating: -A
Hannah's Dream
Bloodstone by Gillian Philips
26 June 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Bloodstone, Gillian Phillips
Just finished reading Bloodstone by Gillian Philips. Bloodstone is the second book of the Rebel Angel Series and continues the story of the Sithe as told by Seth. The start of the Rebel Angel series was Firebrand and if you haven’t read it – do so! (No, really!) (also beware of spoilers in this review if you haven’t read the first). Firebrand was absolutely stunning and probably one of my favourite books last year (definitely in my top 10). Anyway, focus, Bloodstone.
The story continues with Seth and his brother Conal who have been banished to life on the other side of the veil, living amongst us normal folk and searching for the Bloodstone. They also live with Leonora, Reultan (Conal’s sister and Seth’s half sister) and her daughter Finn. This installment moves us foward into the present day. We get an insight into Finn and her struggles, struggles to fit in in normal society, struggles to be loved by her family and to find a friend and we see the way this has affected and hardened her (not helped by all the family secrets and her own self-unawareness (is that even a word?)) We see how much the longing for home affects the Sithe – Seth in particular is dissillusioned with humans – he’s taken part in a number of wars over the past couple of centuries and he can see how self-destructive people really are. He dreads a lifting of the veil and fears for his home and way of life. But, in spite of this, he has managed to find companionship over the years spent with humans and his last partner’s son Jed is about to become sucked into the world of the Sithe and life on the other side of the veil.
Although banished, the two brothers have over the years returned illicitly to their home, undiscovered by Kate (Queen of the Sithe) but their next adventure home is to prove tragic for the people from both worlds.
Basically, I’m not going to give anything more of the plot away than that. You’ll have to read it and find out!
Okay, feelings on this book? I suppose to begin with I was a bit disappointed that things had moved so far forward as it hadn’t ever occured to me that that would be the case (and also I loved the historical feel of the last book), but, I quickly got over that as I was so excited to be reading about Seth again. Seth is definitely my kind of hero. He’s no goody two shoes for sure, but he’s on the side of good. He’s hot. He’s headstrong and stubborn and in spite of how many hundred of years old he is he still has to grow up! He can certainly fight (and win) and when he comes hurtling into a battle you can almost hear the horns trumpeting ‘here I come to save the day’. He has definite cave man appeal (enough said I think).
And, of course, Seth is accompanied by his lovely brother Conal and a strange assortment of fierce and loyal sithe characters. Finn is the new addition and is a moody and sarcastic character, full of teenage angst and unaware of her own latent powers. Her attitude actually reminds me of the young and cocky Seth from book 1.
It’s easy to just lose yourself in the writing. GP makes it all feel effortless and the pages simply flow and I loved going back to the Sithe world. We get to meet the wolves again and the strange and aggresive horses. I will say that this book is definitely darker than the first and of course the season in which we return to the Sithe world makes it even more so with it’s grey and brooding skies. There is plenty of tension and action not to mention some heartache (GP is quite ruthless with some of her characters but given the Sithe world it would be quite unrealistic to suffer no casualties). We also have a touch of treachery based on ill advised decisions and prices to be paid!
I love this series and can’t wait for the next book. It will be interesting to see how Finn’s role develops and how Kate will retaliate. I would also say that this series will appeal to audiences other than YA. It’s gritty and to be honest harsh at times. No fluffyness, sparklyness or gossamer wings.
Rating A+
Bloodstone
I am Legend by Richard Matheson
19 June 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: I am Legend, Richard Matheson
It never occured to me to read I am Legend as I have already seen the film (the Will Smith version) and I prefer to read the book first so that I don’t have any preconceived ideas. However, this book was strongly recommended to me by somebody who’s opinion I value so I decided to take a look (and also the film and the book are completely different).
Simply put this book is a masterpiece. A work of art and frankly a legend itself. There are countless books flooding the market about vampires and other supernatural creatures and a lot of them make very good reads – however, they’re not iconic. Bram Stoker’s Dracula brought to us these creatures of the night with all the folklore and superstition, Richard Matheson’s I am Legend brings to us the new concept of vampirism being a plague that has swept through the world killing and recreating in it’s path and wiping out humanity as we know it. Surely this book must have provided the inspiration for any number of books and movies, including zombie films and certainly updates this particular story and brings it into the modern era turning all the old superstitions on their head.
To quote the back of the book:
‘Robert Neville is the last living man on Earth …. but he is not alone. Every other man, woman and child on the planet has become a vampire and they are hungry for Neville’s blood. By day he is the hunter, stalking the undead through the ruins of civilisation. By night, he barricades himself in his home and prays for the dawn. How long can one man survive like this?’
A combination of horror and sci fi, I am Legend is only a short story. It’s dark and atmospheric but not overly descriptive. We begin with Robert barricaded in his house at night being driven to distraction by the monster’s outside who appear every night to attack his house and try to lure him outside (even shouting ‘come out Neville’). During the day he himself becomes the hunter, going out into the city to kill the vampires who plague his nights.
This book manages to convey such a lot of emotions. We start the story living with the fear (and temptation) that Robert experiences every night. We read about him being driven to distraction and despair and almost giving up the will to survive. We also feel his loneliness and through his thoughts it almost feels as though his enforced isolation will eventually drive him crazy. The scenes involving the dog were really touching to read as Robert desperately tries to befriend the animal. (Keep a tissue handy for that bit).
We are gradually given the back story in chapters where Robert recalls events from his past. And are made aware of an infection that quickly swept throughout the population. Robert survived due to an incident with a blood infection during his past but he appears to be the only person immune to the disease. Eventually Robert goes on a search for the truth behind the illness, I don’t suppose his findings will hold up to a great deal of scrutiny but then he isn’t an expert, just somebody desperately seeking answers and a cure. I liked the way that all the old myths were examined, garlic, crosses, daylight, etc,.
What is really clever about the writing is that there isn’t a great deal of detail that will eventually date the book. This book was first published in the 50s but was set looking forward into the future (the 70s) and yet if you look back there is no really significant detail say clothes, food, equipment, houses, etc, everything is kept very bland and in writing in this way when you read the book it could read as though it’s set in the here and now.
On a final note I think the ending is brilliant. As Robert has changed over the years – so have the vampires. They have evolved and adapted. Ironically, in being the only human left and in hunting the vampires during the day Robert has himself become a feared monster. He is now the bogeyman, the myth, the legend, that the vampires now whisper about and fear. Outstanding.
A must read (although, be warned, this is a blunt, unromantic and dark story. There are no sparkly or handsome monsters, no love and no lyrical prose).
Rating A+
I am Legend
Books and travelling with Lynn 