Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris, True Blood (No.11)
22 September 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Charlaine Harris, Dead Reckoning, Sookie Stackhouse, True Blood
Just finished reading Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris, Book No.11 in the Sookie Stackhouse books. This review may contain spoilers (particularly if you haven’t read the earlier books already).
I do love this series of books, Sookie is such a readable character that I always enjoy spending time in Bon Temps. I won’t say that this is my favourite book of the series but it is very easy to get along with. I think the past couple of novels are starting to move us in a different direction and I wonder whether Charlaine Harris is planning the end of her series. This installment is certainly not fast paced, there are plenty of things going on but it all feels a little more ‘everyday’ if that’s possible in a world with vampires, werewolves, fey and other beings.
To quote amazon: “There’s a reckoning on the way . . . . . . and Sookie has a knack for being in trouble’s way; not least when she witnesses the firebombing of Merlotte’s, the bar where she works. Since Sam Merlotte is known to be two-natured, suspicion immediately falls on the anti-shifters in the area. Sookie suspects otherwise, but before she can investigate something else – something even more dangerous – comes up. Sookie’s lover Eric Northman and his ‘child’ Pam are plotting something in secret. Whatever it is, they seem determined to keep Sookie out of it; almost as determined as Sookie is to find out what’s going on. She can’t sit on the sidelines when both her work and her love life under threat – but as she’s gradually drawn into their plans Sookie finds the situation is deadlier than she could ever have imagined. “
In terms of relationships, yes, Sookie is with Eric although they spent most of the novel displeased with each other for one reason or another. Eric was tense throughout and was keeping a secret from Sookie, a secret that Pam wanted him to divulge. This lead to all sorts of problems for the three. So, although Eric and Sookie are together they’re not exactly basking in paradise. Actually, I quite like the tension to be honest. But, I wonder. By the end of this novel I can’t help feeling that I’m getting tired of Sookie constantly being at the beck and call of all these other creatures who most of the time treat her like an inconvenience if they can even be bothered to acknowledge her at all that is! She’s constantly in danger and has more enemies than you can shake a stick at (although she does manage to reduce the number slightly in this book). The thing is Ms Harris is quite good at making me like who she wants me to, first Bill, then Alcide, then Eric – maybe we’re going to move on again – perhaps Sam?? Just a silly guess I suppose.
Also, she still has her cluviel dor – which you can’t help thinking is going to play a major role at some point unless it’s a wild red herring.
Anyway, overall a very enjoyable read if a little tamer than some. I hope it’s not too long before the next I’m agog to know how this will ever end.
Rating B+
Dead Reckoning
River Marked by Patricia Briggs
16 September 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Patricia Briggs, River Marked, Urban Fantasy
Just finished reading River Marked by Patricia Briggs which brings to us the sixth in the Mercy Thompson series of books.
Before I start with this review it is possible that there will be spoilers.
River Marked has a different feel from the other books in the series, it’s not as fast paced, gritty or, frankly, urban. I guess this isn’t too much of a surprise as we virtually start the story with Mercy and Adam finally getting married and going off on their honeymoon. Of course, we know that everything isn’t going to be as rosy as that, this is Mercy after all, and sure enough a new and frankly rather horrible monster is lurking in the Columbia River, eating happy campers and attracting the attention of the FBI who believe a serial killer may be on the loose.
This is a strange book to review. It was a quick read and, to be honest, I didn’t dislike it. The pages turned swiftly and before I realised I’d read about two thirds – but, there wasn’t to be honest a great deal of plot to this story. We were introduced to a new cast of characters as the old familiars took a back seat and we found out a little more about Mercy’s heritage. But, this particular installment didn’t have the tension of past books. I think we seriously miss the other characters who form such a big part of Mercy’s world. I mean, I know they were on their honeymoon but it just felt too isolated. The whole honeymoon in a trailer on a totally deserted campsite was also a bit of a stretch for the imagination.
So, I did like this book, it was interesting, but, it wasn’t what I was expecting and it made me think at times that Mercy has changed. There’s still a lot of talk about things will never be dull with Mercy around, etc, etc, but she definitely feels as though she’s been tamed. She’s never been unrealistic about her own capabilities but she seemed to spend a lot of time in this book stroking Adam’s ego or working out how to not rile his inner wolf or mediating for his daughter or worrying about somebody or other. The thing is, there’s nothing wrong with this style of Mercy in itself or even this style of story it’s just that it wasn’t consistent with previous books and not what I’ve come to expect of Mercy.
Now, all that being said, and it does sound more criticial than I intended, this is still a good read and I will certainly have no hesitation in picking up the next – I just hope that in the next novel we don’t find Mercy wearing an apron and in search of the perfect meatloaf recipe to satisfy her man! But the fact is, I’m invested in these characters now, I can take a bit of a break – almost a bit of an in-between, filler, book, because I do want to read more. So, whilst this might not be my favourite of the series I’m still a big fan of Patricia Briggs and I love this world she has created. I think Mercy is an amazingly strong character with a really well written supporting cast. I would definitely recommend reading this series as they have just been so good to read.
Rating -B
River Marked
No and Me by Delphine de Vigan
13 September 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Delphine de Vigan, No and Me
Just finished reading No and Me. This is a lovely touching read that makes you reflect and asks some intriguing questions.
I suppose in terms of criticisms the only thing I could say is that this isn’t a particularly cheerful novel but I guess that’s explicit just by reading the jacket in the first place. That being said I thought this was a good book and well worth reading. My only wish is that I had a better understanding of the ending.
I would recommend this novel.
Rating B+
No and Me
Florence & Giles by John Harding
10 September 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Florence and Giles, John Harding
Just finished reading Florence and Giles by John Harding. Apparently this is something of a homage to James Henry’s Turn of the Screw. I’ve never read TotS so I can’t say how similar or not this is to the original although the names, for example, are curiously similar, Flora and Florence, Miles
and Giles, etc. Actually, I’m sort of glad that I haven’t already read TotS because the similarities would probably have annoyed me whereas
reading this without the constant comparisons made it a really enjoyable read.
I thought this was a really well told story. The narrative is provided by Florence in a fairly unusual style. I think at first it is probably a little disconcerting because Florence has adopted her own unique style of communicating, however once you become used to her narration it is both quaint and amusing. Basically Florence and Giles are orphans who have been placed in the care of their uncle. Their uncle has no interest in them whatsoever and no intention of changing his own lifestyle in the city so he dispatches the children to his country house where they are cared for by the housekeeper Mrs Grouse. The house is somewhat neglected and as the staff are all newly appointed there is very little history or family detail to be gained. At first the children live a fairly solitary existence although their needs are provided for and they enjoy each others’ company with Florence almost taking a protective role over her brother, that is until he is sent to school. At her Uncle’s instruction Florence is not to be educated but unbeknownst to the staff and in defiance of her uncle she has educated herself and spends the majority of her time hidden away reading the vast wealth of books that remain untouched on the dusty and neglected shelves. She is then befriended by the neighbouring boy, Theo, and far from being lonely her time is overtaken by events. Then in a strange twist Giles returns home and is to be home schooled by a governess. I’m not going to elaborate further on the plot.
This is a strange book to describe, is it a ghost story or a psychological thriller? There is a definite gothic feeling and parts of the story are positively chilling. I was not at any point bored or tempted to skip lines or put the book down and as already mentioned I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It starts off fairly simply and at first appears straightforward but everything is slowly turned upside down. The ending is gripping and terrible. That’s all I can say about that really without giving more away, and, its amazing how your feelings are played with and twisted. Oh, it’s so annoying not to be able to say more because it really would spoil the plot yet I find myself even now thinking back and mulling over and asking myself questions and running over things.
Anyway, long story short, I thought this was really good. It promised a gothic tail and it didn’t disappoint.
I would recommend.
Rating A
Florence & Giles
Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch
7 September 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Red Seas Under Red Skies, Scott Lynch
Just finished reading Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch. The first book in this series (The Lies of Locke Lamora) was an excellent addition to the fantasy world of reading that was an absolute pleasure to read. That being said I wasn’t as keen as I thought I would be to pick up this installment and it has in fact sat on my shelf for a long time. I think the idea of Locke and Jean becoming pirates put me off somewhat. But, I was very pleasantly surprised. Although it’s probably fair to say that Book No.1 is the better of the two this is no shabby addition. I think Scott Lynch is almost a victim of his own success in that respect. The LoLL was such an outstanding novel, rich in detail and populated with such great characters and dialogue that it was always going to be a tall order to surpass it and add to that the fact that your follow up novel is no longer as unique as when it first appeared, plus not all of the characters made it to book two and added to that you have a bit of a feel for the characters and how they will behave – given all that this second book is no small achievement.
I won’t go into too much detail about the plot. Basically Locke and Jean have moved on to new shores. They have left Camorr and are now in Tel Verrar where they are busy laying the foundations for their latest heist. This involves them spending a lot of time at the Sinspire – basically a huge gambling joint run by a ruthless man called Requin. Nobody steals from Requin – unless they want to pay the ultimate price and so of course our two gentlemen have set their sights and made it their next target. Added to this, we have an alternative story revolving around internal politicis and double dealing which seas Jean and Locke themselves being duped and resulting in them putting out to sea as pirates.
I really enjoyed this book and it seemed to take no effort at all to complete in spite of it being quite a large novel. I love the world building of Scott Lynch, I suppose some people may find it overly detailed but I love it. I thought Camorr was brilliant in the LoLL and it reminded me of an ‘alternative’ Venice and then again in this story we have Tal Verarr where once again the author’s imagination has simply run riot. The Sinspire is an enormous gambling tower (a sort of mini Las Vegas all located in one building) with each successive level of the building becoming more impressive, decadent and difficult to gain access to. Then, just as we start to come to terms with Tal Verrar everything is tipped on it’s head and the two are desperately struggling to learn the ways of the water. I liked this, it threw both of them out of their comfort zone, particularly Locke who really struggled to find his sea legs and learn all the correct nautical terms. Although in fairness I waned a little when reading about their training the story soon picked up when they put to sea and frankly some of the dialogue which then follows is really amusing (particularly the scene where they first run into the Orchid).
From there onwards we have a number of plots, and plots within plots, that twist and turn quite wonderfully. We are introduced to the pirate fraternity and intrigued by the Ghostwind Isles reached by the intriguing Parlour Passage and it’s creepy inhabitants. The story fairly races along packed to the brim with action, betrayal and even love. We have a really good look at Jean and he gets to really shine in this novel – I find him an excellent character who I enjoy reading about. Added to that we have the richly climatic ending topped off with even more twists in the tale.
Sorry, this is all very vague but it would be so easy to simply ruin this book by giving anything away.
So, on the whole, whilst this might not have been quite as good as the first book I put that down to the novely card having been played already. I actually enjoyed the ‘at sea’ element and thought the pirates, whilst a bit cliched, were a great addition.
In terms of criticisms I thought the ending was maybe a little rushed and I thought the loss of one character in particular was a little predictable. That aside, if you’re looking for great entertainment in a new and imaginative fantasy world this could be your book. Be warned however this is not a light read, it also contains a few scenes of violence and the use of a few expletives here and there – although I didn’t find it to be gratuitous or overly done.
I really liked this story and can’t wait to see where Scott Lynch is taking us to next. His imagination seems to know no bounds!
Rating -A
Red Seas Under Red Skies
Books and travelling with Lynn 