Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence
26 December 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Fantasy Adventure, Mark Lawrence, Prince of Thorns
Just finished reading Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence which in defiance of my early impressions turned into a very good read. And, to explain myself with that remark – this is quite a gory bloodfest of a read told by a protagnoist who is the very epitome of a anti-hero yet the author not only manages to engage your attention and keep it but also makes you want the lead character to succeed.
This is a story of revenge, set in a futuristic post apocalyptic world where the inhabitants and their world resemble something from mediaeval times with dark castles, kings and jousts and yet this is a twisted future where ghosts can roam, dark magic is possible and strange mutated people have evolved in the aftermath of destruction.
The story starts with Jorg and his band of reprobates killing, pillaging and looting, taking whatever valuables and pleasures they can along the road. They’re not really nice (and that’s a big understatment). And yet, though you would think this would be a very unpalatable read, you’re almost immediately interested in Jorg. The story jumps back and forth between the present and four year’s earlier and thereby gradually provides you with some very relevant and illuminating background to Jorg.
This is a gritty and fast paced read which seems to lurch from one impossible situation to the next. I think as you read along, although Jorg and his band are an unsavoury bunch you come to realise that they are not the worst. Treachery and political maneouvering are rife and not everone or everything is always as it seems. I will say, and not that you probably will, don’t get too attached to the characters because ML shows no hesitation in sacrificing them!
I don’t want to elaborate further because it would be too easy to give away spoilers and I think this book is best read with no prior knowledge. In particular there’s a twist at the end which leaves you wondering how Jorg’s character will develop in the next installment.
In terms of criticisms I did find it a bit of a stretch to believe that Jorg was capable of everything written about him – mainly because of his age and also because I couldn’t help thinking that some of the characters he kept company with would probably have just slit his throat whilst he slept rather than let him give them orders.
But, I came to like Jorg, he’s well written and you spend a lot of time inside his head listening to his own thoughts. He’s certainly not soft and fluffy but there was the odd glimpse, when the barriers came down, that you could see how things could be very different. I think this is a really intriguing story and find it difficult to believe that this is a debut novel!
It will be interesting to see how the next book develops.
I would definitely recommend this if you don’t mind your adventure to be quite gritty and blood soaked.
Rating A
Prince of Thorns
Fool Moon by Jim Butcher
21 December 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Fool Moon, Jim Butcher
Just finished reading Fool Moon by Jim Butcher.
Fool Moon picks up a few months after Storm Front and sees our hero Harry fallen on hard times. The police are giving him the cold shoulder, following incidents in the last book, and work is very thin on the ground. That is until a series of grisly murders, all taking place around the time of the full moon, begin to occur and the Special Investigations unit once again call on Harry.
Firstly, I will say that I liked this book but, for some reason, not as much as the first. Although it won’t put me off continuing with the series because the story and the telling were good just as good.
What I really like about this series so far is Harry. He is just so very readable. He’s a magician, but his magic in no way takes over the whole story, in fact it is relatively little used and quite often only as a last resort, he’s witty, I like the way he tells the story and admits to all his little flaws. He’s certainly not perfect, you could almost accuse him of being patronising to certain people, but, he means well and is genuinley a good guy and frankly a bit of a softie. What I also like about this series is that it’s got lots going on, particularly in this installment which was action packed. We are introduced to wolves in this story and there are a number of different varieties, and I’m talking of the supernatural kind and the theories were a different take from the norm which was refreshing.
As I said, there’s plenty of action in Fool Moon accompanied by gore and blood, lots of blood – Dexter would have been in his element! (Blood splatter patterns all over the place.) There are also a number of different themes and gangs. We also once again seem to end up in a situation where circumstances keep spiralling ever down from bad to worse to 20 feet below.
I suppose what detracted from this story for me would be a few things. I felt that Murphy acted just plain weird or stupid – I could have joyfully slapped her (and yet Dresden doesn’t help by withholding information – so slap for him as well), but, nonetheless I found some of her actions a little bit hard to swallow. I also found the layout of this story very much followed Storm Front. Harry isn’t working, Harry gets work, Harry gets involved in all sorts of heinous situations pdq, Harry gets beaten up, Harry gets beaten up some more and then when things can’t get any worse Harry saves the day, sounds familiar but just swap the motives a little and involve a different bunch of supernatural critters, bingo. I don’t have a problem with Harry saving the day btw it’s just that this felt very much as though a formula has been written and will be stuck to – I just hope that’s not the case (okay, I know this sort of novel is a bit like that but this one was just too in your face) and the other thing that sort of irritated me was the romance thing with Susan which feels really forced. I’m not feeling it at all, in fact I would say there is a deal more chemistry between Harry and Murphy – perhaps that will be developed further in future editions.
On the whole, I enjoyed the book, it’s action packed and quite amusing with a decent plot but I just didn’t like it as much. It won’t stop me reading the next as I already like Harry and it feels like a fun and indulgent read.
Rating -B
Fool Moon
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
13 December 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Neil Gaiman, Neverwhere
Just finished reading Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman and thought it was brilliant! This is an another author that I kept wanting to read because I’ve read such good things about but kept putting off (why? I don’t know – foolish-pigheaded-can’t-be-toldness – I suppose). But, one thing which there is no doubt about, having read Neverwhere I will definitely be seeking out the rest of NG’s books. He has such creativity and imagination. Reading this book was like a roller coaster without the dips. It was breathtaking and exhilarating and I was staggered at just how much was going on and the fact that just more and more kept happening.
This story is about a young man called Richard Mayhew. Richard moves to London for a new job, finds a new girlfriend, becomes engaged and is set to run a steady-eddie type of existence on the straight and narrow. He’s headed for the 2.5 kids with the picket fence. Until, that is, he plays the good samaritan and rescues a young, apparently homeless woman, who not so much crosses his path but falls directly across it. After this, his life spirals down into chaos. Quite literally down, into the realms of London Below (and I’m not talking about the Underground) which is full to the brim with chaos and intriguing characters. The young woman he has rescued is called (quite rightly once you realise her abilities) Door. Her family has been murdered and she is on a quest to find answers. Richard becomes her unwitting companion in this quest on a journey which is never short of danger.
I loved the world that is created in this book and really didn’t want it to end. It’s dark and creepy and filled with strange characters. The idea of London Below with all it’s parallels to London Above but with a twist is so well conceived. Take Earl’s Court, for example, where a real medieval court is actually in situ in one of the carriages running alongside the rest of the carriages with their unsuspecting travellers. And this is just one example of the play on words and names used throughout. The way the story steps in and out between the real London and the imaginary one (but is it really imaginary?), so similar, yet so different. London Above steeped in history whilst London Below still actually living it. It’s remarkable. And the parallels between this London below – with its people who have slipped between the cracks and become invisible to everyday people – and the real people in society who have actually become invisible.
Then we have the characters who are so easy to engage with. Richard, the unsuspecting hero. Door, vulnerable and yet tough. The villainous Croup and Vandermar who are characters straight out of a pantomine, and, my personal favourite – the Marquis of Carabas – who puts me in mind of a slightly grubbier version of the Pimpernell with his flamboyant dress sense and over the top remarks. And there are plenty more characters in there – all well imagined and written with an easy and flowing style, not bogged down with over the top descriptions or background but just enough to give you a taste and make you want to read more.
This book just puts me in mind of so many things, all of them good or classic, and yet amazingly manages to remain unique! We have this whole sort of Wizard of Oz feel in that Door is searching for someone to give her answers (the great and terrible Oz) except in this case it’s not a wizard. The actual setting of London Below reminds me of The Labyrinth, where nothing is ever as it seems and piles of rags in a corner can suddenly stand and morph into a person, and Richard Mayhew puts me in mind of Arthur Dent from Hitchhiker’s Guide – just reluctantly dragged along and a little bit clueless (at least Richard didn’t get stuck wearing his pjs and robe!) But, it puts me in mind of these things and yet is a strangely brilliant combination of all with it’s own voice, how is that even possible?
Okay, I’m not going to go on too much more because it’s fairly clear that I really enjoyed (nay, loved) this book! I seem to be on a roll at the moment with my book choices thanks to some excellent bloggers whose recommendations have led me to pick up such great books! If you’re looking for a bit of fantasy and adventure, fast paced, dark, original, modern and creepy with a great set and amusing characters told with style and wit then this could be the one for you.
The only criticism I have for this book is that there doesn’t seem to be a follow-up and I would love there to be one! That being said there are plenty more NG books for me to catch up with and I intend to take my time and savour them all.
Would I recommend this book? Oh yes.
Rating A+
Neverwhere
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
12 December 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: The Princess Bride, William Goldman
The Princess Bride is one of those books that I kept seeing reviews for (whilst looking out for other books) which simply state ‘you must read this book, it’s a classic’ and yet for some reason I kept putting the experience off – I think primarily because it’s one of those bug bears of mine about having to read the book before I see the film so that I use my own imagination and in this case as I’ve already seen the film (a number of times) reading it broke my golden rule. What the hell, rules are made for breaking after all and so I finally went there. And, I’m so glad that I did. All you reviewers who insist this book should be read – you’re just so right. It was brilliant, and the fact that I’d already seen the film didn’t deter from my enjoyment, in fact it added to it and I found myself picturing some of the scenes and reading the characters with the actor’s voices in my head. I will admit, I was predisposed to like this book, so maybe I’m biased, but I really did love it.
Where to begin about this book. It’s really a story within a story I suppose. It’s a fairy tale that isn’t a fairy tale and it’s an abridged version of a much longer book (that doesn’t actually exist). The full premise of it is brilliant. I enjoyed all the little sections where Goldman explains his reasons for the changes or where he reflects back to when his father originally read him the story (which of course he didn’t!) There is so much going on. Pirates, princes and princesses, villains, swashbuckling, swordfighting, kidnap, romance, creepy forests, giants, and on and on….. but, the absolute star of this book, without a doubt, is the humour it contains. It made me laugh quite unreservedly (and in public on the bus which is a bit embarassing!)
The film veers very little from the original text with much of the story being replicated virtually word for word so if you love the film it’s a sure thing that you’ll love the book as it brings a bit more detail to each of the characters, a missing scene in a Zoo of Death and a bit of an explanation for the Prince’s desire to create war with Guilder – I loved the scene when he found his first potential ‘bride to be’ until the scene with the feast when her hat blows off!
In terms of the characters I’ve practically been having a fight with myself over my favourite. I still can’t make my mind up! Fezzik is so funny with his little rhymes. Inigo with his sword fighting and his show stealing ‘Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die!’ scene, but my favourite character, I think, (or at least right now but I may revisit) is Westley because I love the dialogue attached to this character – so dry!
Don’t be put off thinking that this is a book aimed at young audiences, and, unlike me, don’t be put off if you’ve already seen the film! The book brings so much more to it. I think if you’ve seen the film and loved it you will be made up with the book and vice versa. If you haven’t read or seen either – then run out now and buy them both because you’re in for a treat, particularly if you like a good adventure story, well told with plenty of humour.
I would definitely recommend this book and know for a fact that this is one novel that I will dip back in to.
Rating A
The Princess Bride
The Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean
2 December 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Debra Dean, Madonnas of Leningrad
Just finished reading the Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean for my book club choice. In this debut novel we are brought the story of Marina Buriakov told during two different timelines, present day and WW11 in Leningrad. The modern day story shows how Marina and her husband Dmitri are struggling to deal with their old age and it quickly becomes apparent that Marina is suffering the onset of Alzheimers and struggling greatly with short term memory loss. Her memories from war torn Russia are however crystal clear and it is during Marina’s flashbacks that we begin to discover her earlier story, how she met her husband who was then taken to war and how she managed to survive the siege of Leningrad.
Out of the two timeframes I think the story of Marinas survival during the siege makes the more interesting read. At the time Marina is working in the Heritage museum and as news of the war breaks the staff at the museum spend all their waking hours (and a few in which they should be sleeping) packing up the precious paintings and other valuables from the museum to be shipped out to safety. We have a brief introduction to Dmitri before he is whisked away to war but then hear nothing more from him as the story obviously centres around Marina. During the time we spend in Marina’s past we come to understand the incredible suffering that so many people faced during the siege. Following the bombing of the food warehouses and the eventual surrounding of the outer rims of Leningrad by the Germans, thereby cutting off all routes, there was very little remaining to eat in the city. Everything was rationed and eventually the only food available was three small portions of black bread (which was made with more cardboard than flour). The death toll, particularly among women, children and the old and vulnerable was tremendous and people’s actions as they fought to stay alive became more and more desperate. Marina is a woman who loves art – following the removal of the paintings she spends a lot of time touring the corridors and rooms of the museum with one of her colleagues trying to memorise the pictures that once covered the walls. I like this idea of a memory palace which Marina and her friend construct – and where it seems Marina seems to retreat as the Alzheimers she suffers from takes yet more of her memories.
The more modern day story revolves around Marina and Dmitri attending a family wedding. This side is very sympathetically told. We see how gradually Dmitri has taken over most of the care for Marina and it’s really incredibly sad, especially when Dmitri finally realises that he is losing his wife to the disease, she is of course physically present but every day she becomes more and more withdrawn and it made me really so sad for both of them but especially Dmitri to lose his partner this way. The story culminates when Marina goes missing after they have attended the wedding of their grand daughter. A large search ensues and the extent of Marina’s deterioration is then finally made clear to the rest of her family.
In terms of criticisms. Although I think this book is really well conceived and well told I liked, not loved it. For me personally, I came away from the story feeling I had unfinished business. I thought the story set in Leningrad was the better told of the two but even in this area I thought something was missing. I never really felt as though there was a resolution to all the issues and certain areas just felt briefly touched upon. I don’t think I ever really felt the true horror of the situation as a lot of the earlier chapters are taken up with the descriptions of the paintings – which I enjoyed – but, felt the rest of the story suffered as a result. Thinking about that more of course it could have been the intention of the author to try and remove the readers from the horrors of the siege and give them this artistic respite, or more to the point perhaps it was showing us how Marina coped during that time by removing her self from the brutality surrouding her and became immersed in the artwork in her imagination? I don’t know though – I think the situation could have been expanded upon. Plus, I felt the reunion between Dmitri and Marina was very flat, not to mention brief. And I think you would struggle to think of this as a love story (although it is true that in the more modern chapters you definitely witness the love between the couple).
In terms of the more contemporary story – I thought the characters were a bit flat. I never really got a feel for the daughter and thought there was quite a lot of unspoken and unresolved tensions there that were never truly touched upon. I also thought the ending was almost disappointingly sudden – again, perhaps the author was trying to demonstrate something there, perhaps a parallel – the speed with which the disease eventually progressed? Or maybe she didn’t want to stretch this side of the story out which I can understand as it would probably be too upsetting for some people to read.
In spite of my objections I did think this was a good read I just wish it had been filled out a bit more. I don’t mind reading short books as such but with this particular one I think it would have lent itself to a good deal more detail that I would certainly not have objected to.
Ratin
The Madonnas of Leningrad
g -B
Books and travelling with Lynn 