Something Silly (8)
28 March 2016
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Guess the Fairy Tale, Once Upon a Time, Stainless Steel Droppings
Once Upon a Time has started again and for those taking part we have the opportunity to share all our favourite stories that fall into the categories of Fairy Tale, Folklore, Fantasy and Mythology. Stop on over to Stainless Steel Droppings and check out the detail. In the meantime, something silly – Once Upon a Who – I love fairy tales and so I’ve drawn a few clues for my favourites – today’s is: ???
Yesterday’s was Goldilocks and the Three Bears
The Everything Box by Richard Kadrey
The Everything Box is a fun and entertaining read, a bit of a madcap caper really with lots of different elements that, like most roads, all lead back.
It seems that a few thousand years ago God decided that the end of the world was not nigh – it was here. He sent one of his trusty Angels, Qaphsiel, to carry out the deed and carrying a small and unassuming box, a box that makes Pandora’s box pale into insignificance, he descended upon earth ready to wipe out the human race and return home. The box was a doomsday machine. Unfortunately Qaphsiel fumbled his mission, he had one job, and he dropped the ball. Somebody stole the box right from under his nose and so the human race had a brief reprieve whilst Qaphsiel roamed the planet trying to retrieve the box, complete his mission and go home.
Meanwhile, Coop a thief of magical artifacts, has been commissioned for a new job. With his team he sets off to steal a small box. Nobody knows what this box can really do? Perhaps it will spark the apocalypse, raise demons, grant eternal life, give three wishes to the owner! Who knows. Perhaps it could wipe out the entire planet just by cracking the lid.
And so it begins. A strange sequence of events where a couple of religious cults, a secret Government Department, a bunch of thieves and a powerful business man who wants the artifact to sell to the highest bidder will all embark upon the same path.
The characters. Well, the main character is Coop. We have Qaphsiel and another unknown celestial being who seems to be wandering the planet. Both of these characters can literally rain down fire and brimstone not to mention change the face of the planet with a sweep of their hand! There are two religious cults pitted against each other in a bid to raise their own particular demon and end the world and a secret government agency which has a Men in Black feel about it with some of the strangest agents ever – some not even alive any more.
The world. Well, it’s basically the world we know and love but with a few additions and some very unusual towns that can be reached in the most unexpected ways. Most people seem to be blissfully unaware of these more unusual elements of the world I hasten to add.
Basically I thought this was a fun read. It’s light entertainment, fast paced and with plenty of action and imagination.
I remember watching a film, I can’t remember the name or when, something about a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World which was basically all about a bunch of people racing to gain the same object and their crazy capers along the way as they tried to outdo each other. This story kind of puts me in mind of that. It has comedy moments and it also has this whole feeling of one small disaster leading to the next and so on. Now, this isn’t for everyone and sometimes comedy can be difficult to achieve in a book because what might be meat for one is poison for another.
In terms of criticisms. Nothing really severe. Like I said above, this was a very easy to read book, you could almost call it the beach read for the speculative fiction reader! It’s entertaining and certainly not taxing on the brain! I think personally I was expecting something a little darker and so in that respect maybe I was a tiny bit disappointed- it felt almost like this could have been a heist story/end of the world/comedy that had a couple of supernatural elements tacked on to make it feel different. That being said I did find this very easy to read and given the chance I would continue however I have no idea if this is a standalone novel or not. I think the ending could be complete but also leaves openings for more.
On the whole, a light hearted and fun read with a Men in Black meets Dogma sort of feel.
I received a copy through Netgalley courtesy of the publisher for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
Something Silly (7)
27 March 2016
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Guess the Fairy Tale, Once Upon a Time, Stainless Steel Droppings
Once Upon a Time has started again and for those taking part we have the opportunity to share all our favourite stories that fall into the categories of Fairy Tale, Folklore, Fantasy and Mythology. Stop on over to Stainless Steel Droppings and check out the detail. In the meantime, something silly – Once Upon a Who – I love fairy tales and so I’ve drawn a few clues for my favourites – today’s is: ???
Yesterday’s was Little Red Riding Hood
Kushiel’s Justice by Jacqueline Carey, readalong week No.2
Today is week 2 of our readalong of Kushiel’s Justice by Jacqueline Carey. The schedule and participants are below. All welcome to join in or to simply jump in with the comments. This week we cover chapters 8-14, and our host is Emily at Emma Wolf. Without further ado, to the questions with the customary warning of spoilers!!
1. There’s some politics, and Imriel learns a little more about the Ephesian ambassador/Unseen Guildsman Diokles Agallon. Does this shed any light on Melisande’s whereabouts or the Guild? Do you have any new guesses?
I confess I really don’t know, I’m sure that Melisande is lurking somewhere and I admit that I was really surprised that Imriel’s wedding went according to plan. I really didn’t see how this would fit in with any plans that Melisande has. It’s going to be intriguing to see what her next move is. She’s certainly never very far away or so it seems.
2. Joscelin tells Imriel to give it a year with Dorelei to see if his feelings for Sidonie (or hers for him) fade. What do you think of this advice? Do you have any thoughts on Imriel’s wedding?
I have mixed feelings I suppose but at the end of the day Imriel had given an undertaking to marry Dorelei and his situation (and hers) it seems to be something that is frequently expected so it’s not totally out of the ordinary. On the other hand it’s a shame that he couldn’t marry for love – but there again if his situation and feelings with Sidonie come to light I really don’t see that going well. On the whole I think it’s not bad advice. It’s a year and in the grand scheme of things it’s not a massive amount of time to spend apart, if their feelings are really true then it won’t harm them but if it’s just a passing fancy then it will slip by unnoticed. I can’t help feeling sorry for Dorelei – perhaps she had somebody at home that she was fond of and has had to give them up. We just don’t know yet. I’m inclined to like her so far. Alise likes her so I’m going with that.
3. We learn a bit more about Alban law and culture. What do you think of the law that imposes more harsher sentences on the wealthy/ruling class? What is more dangerous: armies or books? What do you think about the Maghuin Dhonn?
I don’t really feel immersed enough in their culture yet to really speak with any confidence but that law about harsher sentences on the wealthy was very interesting wasn’t it – particularly as it’s usually the ruling classes making the laws you tend to feel that they’ll go a little easier on themselves. I suppose it’s all about setting an example and not being seen to be lenient on the privileged classes. I’m actually really looking time to spending time in Alba. Armies or books?? Well, I suppose books aren’t really dangerous in themselves but more the feelings they provoke in their readers. A book unread isn’t going to cause much trouble after all then again – neither is an army unless it’s sent to war!! I suppose it’s all about the ‘wielder’ of both. The Maghuin Dhonn – I’m going to sit on the fence for a while with this one although that whole history of feeding their own children to a bear!! Gives me the chills.
4. Dorelei lays some truths on Imriel. How do you like her now? What do you make of the dream she had of Imriel?
I do like her and I’m glad that she stood up for herself and was honest with Imriel. Neither of them went into this marriage in love so it’s good that they’ve agreed to give friendship a chance ‘stop treating me like I’m an actor miscast in your own personal tragedy through no fault of my own’ – ‘That’s well said’ – that little exchange was a real turning point. The dream she recounted – I have a horrible feeling it’s going to relate to Eamonn!!
Here is the schedule:
Week 1: Chpts. 1-7, Mar 20 – Hosted by Dab of Darkness
Week 2: Chpts. 8-14, Mar 27 – Hosted by Emma Wolf
Week 3: Chpts. 15-22, Apr 3 – Hosted by Lynn’s Book Blog
Week 4: Chpts. 23-29, Apr 10 – Hosted by Tethyan Books
Week 5: Chpts. 30-37, Apr 17 – Hosted by Dab of Darkness
Week 6: Chpts. 38-46, Apr 24 – Hosted by Emma Wolf
Week 7: Chpts. 47-56, May 1 – Hosted by Lynn’s Book Blog
Week 8: Chpts. 57-65, May 8 – Hosted by Tethyan Books
Week 9: Chpts. 66-END, May 15 – Hosted by Dab of Darkness
And here is the current list of participators:
Allie at Tethyan Books
Lynn at Lynn’s Book Blog
Emily at Emma Wolf
Susan at Dab of Darkness
Lisa at Over the Effing Rainbow
Something silly (6)
26 March 2016
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Guess the Fairy Tale, Once Upon a Time, Stainless Steel Droppings
Once Upon a Time has started again and for those taking part we have the opportunity to share all our favourite stories that fall into the categories of Fairy Tale, Folklore, Fantasy and Mythology. Stop on over to Stainless Steel Droppings and check out the detail. In the meantime, something silly – Once Upon a Who – I love fairy tales and so I’ve drawn a few clues for my favourites – today’s is: ???
Yesterday’s was Snow White.
Books and travelling with Lynn 