Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey, readalong week No.3
24 May 2015
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Jacqueline Carey, Kushiel's Dart, Readalong Week No.3
Today is the third week in our readalong of Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel’s Dart. Week three is being hosted by the lovely Lisa at Over the Effing Rainbow. The questions and answers for week No.3 are below. If you haven’t read this book already be aware of spoilers in the following text. If you have read and want to jump in with your own answers then please do so. If you want to join in with the readalong then leave me a comment – the details are here.
Chapters 19 – 26
1) We get a lot of political intrigue to wade through this week, plus a couple of pretty big dramatic revelations, not least of which was the twist of fate for Prince Baudoin and his mother. What did you make of the trial, and what became of these two?
What really surprised me with the trial was the speed and ruthlessness. No messing about at all. You’re guilty, sentence: death: you have three days to choose! Woah. Plus father and daughter exiled too! I confess, and this being on a reread, that I still don’t completely grasp all the political intrigue other than that where there are crowns and kingdoms political intrigue and court backstabbing seem to follow.
2) On a rather different, much more personal note for the House of Delaunay was the drama that unfolded surrounding Alcuin (poor Guy!). What do you think might become of Alcuin now that he appears to be out of the game?
We all pretty much knew that Alcuin was unhappy with his lot and so this wasn’t a surprise. I guess this frees him up to do more spy type work – he clearly expressed an interest in learning the sword and riding, etc, so he wants to be of further use to Delauney’s cause. He’s a sad sort of character though isn’t he. He makes me feel sorry for him with his strange brand of quiet sadness.
3) As we’d suspected last week, Phedre’s refusal to use her signale gets her into some trouble with d’Essoms – but it also gets her the result that Anafiel had hoped for… Do you think she’ll be more careful from here or will this only make that addictive slope more slippery for her?
I don’t think she will be more careful because she seems to have met with success. Therefore she’s going to be even more determined now to not use her signale. I don’t really think that Phedre really understands at this stage that she is walking into trouble quite often.
4) Speaking of Phedre and trouble, what do you make of the ‘relationship’ building between her and Melisande?
This is an unusual relationship – definitely not equal. Melisande seems to play with people, in fact it almost feels like everyone she knows is being courted for a purpose. She seems to know how she affects Phedre which is a little bit worrying because she always has the long game in mind.
I confess I read a little further this week than intended – quite by accident but also a happy accident as it means i’ve now become reacquainted with the Cassiline Brother!
The Awesome by Eva Darrows
Just finished reading The Awesome by Eva Darrows and let me say that this is one book that certainly lives up to it’s name. I loved this. I just whooshed right through it like a breeze and frankly I could pick it up and read it again. Warning: be wary of reading this book in public places as the laugh out loud moments will have you snorting and sniggering and could draw unwelcome attention! Just saying.
When I started to read this I actually thought it was going to be one of those books that is simply trying too hard to be snarky and cool – that impression lasted for about 5/10 pages maybe before I realised I was hooked and that it isn’t trying to be those things but really is all of them and more! I found this a perfect blend of plot, great characters, snarky banter, dead things and a little bit of romance as a side order. I just loved this I really did. Gushing may follow.
The main characters in this story are Maggie and her mother Janice. Janice is a monster hunter working for the Department for Paranormal Relations. Basically she’s a bit like the paranormal police or the Women in Black. Maggie is her apprentice and at the start of the story her training is slowing down. The problem: Maggie is still a virgin and this means she can’t progress as a hunter as her blood will be too appealing for certain types, particularly of the fanged variety. At the start of the story Maggie is on a mission of a different type. Not trying to be crude but she’s basically trying to get laid and is heading to a party for that very reason. Of course things don’t quite go according to plan and following a failed deflowering and a botched vampire encounter later Maggie and Janice’s world is going to get set on it’s head.
I won’t elaborate. I don’t suppose the plot can be described as mentally challenging so I don’t want to give too much away – what I can say though is it feels really unique and I was never quite sure what Darrows would come up with next.
What I really liked about this story. The characters. I really liked them and for me that always sells the book. Maggie is 17. She isn’t perfect. She doesn’t have a trim body, she has boobs and a bit of a muffin top, she’s socially awkward and isn’t some sort of cheerleader – in fact if you ignore that she’s an apprentice monster hunter she’s downright normal. Her mum Janice is a great character and I loved the relationship between the two. In fact I think the way the relationships in the story are written is just great. There’s the developing relationship between Maggie and her new boyfriend – which isn’t overdone or unrealistic. There’s the mom/daughter love/cringe thing going on. A further relationship development when it turns out Janice has her own boyfriend and then the whole guardianship of another character in the unexpected form of a young girl called Lauren – I don’t want to give too much away here. Basically all the interaction between these just feels real and that’s what I really enjoyed about the book – on top of which it’s loaded with humour.
In spite of Maggie’s age I wouldn’t particularly call this YA. It’s just too near the knuckle to be honest. There’s a little bit of violence, colourful cursing and a very down to earth and realistic sexual encounter. Now, you may be sat there thinking that this seems to treat the whole issue of losing one’s virginity too casually and I did have a moment’s pause about that but in reality that’s not the case. Yes, Maggie wants to lose her virginity but her cold blooded attempt to do so fails quite miserably and in its place a rather sweet and tentative relationship develops instead. No instalove here but a very realistic, butterflies in the belly first boyfriend encounter that is really lovely to read.
I really enjoyed this and would have no hesitation recommending and I definitely hope to read more from Maggie and Janice.
Thanks to the publisher for approving me a copy of this through Netgalley. The above is my own opinion.
Also – thanks to Tammy over at Books, Bones & Buffy who posted an article that brought this book to my attention in the first place.
I’m posting this as one of my books over at Stainless Steel Dropping’s Once Upon a Time event.
Smite me, O mighty smighter!
20 May 2015
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Dead Deities, The Fantasy Review Barn, Tough Travelling
“I am Loki, of Asgard, and I am burdened with glorious purpose.”
This week over at the Fantasy Review Barn Nathan is once again taking us Tough Travelling through the tropes of fantasy. This week – DEAD GODS
Fantasyland had gods, right? And now they are dead. Dead Gods are not forgotten though, often they are still just influential to the land as they were when living.
Beware of spoilers in the text below!
The Godless by Ben Peek – Set in a world where the Gods are dying following war with each other, their bodies now lie beneath the oceans, in the forests and under mountain ranges.
The Gospel of Loki by Joanne Harris – in which ‘Ragnarok’ is brought about by the Gods trying to avoid fate. Told by the trickster Loki. Few Gods will survive in this retelling of Norse mythology.
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N K Jemisin – in which there was a war of the Gods. The victor, Itempas, killed one of the Gods and imprisoned the others in human form. These enslaved Gods were given to the Arameri people who revered Itempas the most and they now rule over all the other kingdoms, sat on high in the city named Sky. The enslaved Gods carry out their will and enforce their edicts.
Smiler’s Fair by Rebecca Levine – in which years ago there were two Gods. The Sun and the Moon. Sister and brother. Unfortunately their opinion differed regarding the creation of their servants and as a result they went to war. The Moon died and his servants were driven underground,
Almost dead??
The Max Gladstone books Three Parts Dead and Two Serpents Rise – nothing is ever quite as you imagine in these two books!
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis- Aslan *sob*
Tis all for me this week – I know there are lots of niggles at the back of my mind with other books just on the tip of my tongue. No doubt I’ll be kicking myself when I see everyone’s entries this week!
When the Heavens Fall by Marc Turner
Just finished reading the first few chapters in When the Heavens Fall by Marc Turner. This is the start of a swords and sorcery epic fantasy with magic, Gods and plenty of swordplay.
This is an odd review to write because at the moment I’ve only read an excerpt of the story but I can already say that this is a story that I would definitely continue with as this got off to a very promising start.
The plot begins with a stolen book. A powerful book that in turn attracts powerful people in it’s search. We are introduced in fairly quick succession to a number of characters who all have a part to play. Lurker is a Guardian, he is pulled into the search for the book against his better judgement and also because he needs to find a friend who seems to have gone missing in connection with this missing artefact. He will be accompanied by a female friend and assassin called Jenna who seems to join the search in order to escape her own problems. We have Ebon, a prince and heir to the throne who begins his introduction to us in a daring rescue mission. Ebon is undoubtedly being set out as the hero of the piece, his status is raised just within these few short chapters however he himself is plagued and tormented by strange voices. The other two strands are those of a Priestess called Romany who has been set on a course to find the Book by her master and separately the storyline of Parolla who – well, more about in a moment
So, in terms of first impressions. The writing is appealing and flows quite well although for a fairly short introduction there are a lot of new characters introduced with different undertones and politics. Turner doesn’t hold your hand but basically throws you straight into the story and you’re left to gather what you will through conversation and character observations. The plot is quite interesting and there is no shortage of action. For me personally I would have liked more character development, although this is only the first part of the story so there is still room for more in that area. I would say that Parolla has captured my attention primarily. She’s an intriguing character that I’m keen to learn more about – especially why she seems to have incurred the wrath of the antlered God! She comes across almost as a delicate blossom and yet she is very capable and indeed seems to wield powerful magic. Interesting and I’m keen to know what her story will turn out to be.
For me, and I wish I had a better phrase, this comes across ‘old school’. It doesn’t have the feel of the more modern grimdark type of fantasy reads and doesn’t contain the witty dialogue that we come across in more recent stories but gets back to good old fashioned chases, sword fighting and magic with a few underlying currents and a feel of never being given the full picture. In that respect it undoubtedly in some areas put me in mind of elements of other stories but not, I hasten to add, in a copied sort of fashion – just more a gentle nudge in certain directions.
I don’t usually rate books but I would say that this would warrant a 3.5 – 4 stars review for me. I thought it was a good introduction with a promising story, I definitely want to learn more and I think there’s plenty of room for development.
I received a copy from the publishers through Netgalley for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
Oh no you didn’t…
Today over at the Broke and Bookish the topic for Top Ten Tuesday is ‘a freebie’. Now, surprisingly, I find this more difficult than if somebody just gave me a topic but I’m just going to ‘woman up’ and come up with 10 bookish ‘things that are annoying for me’:
- My kindle running out of battery – particularly when I’ve left the house already and forgot to take a back up book, or, even more annoying running out of charge during the last few chapters of a book. Can’t there be some magical, special battery reserve back up thingy for such emergencies? Come on people – make it happen.
- People talking to me when I’m trying to read on the way to work! Why? Especially, and very irritatingly – ‘Are you enjoying that book’?/’Is it a good book’? or my all time favourite ‘Do you like reading’?!! (‘No, this is my own personal form of torture, thanks for asking’)
- My library emailing to say the book I’ve been waiting for is ‘in’ – and it isn’t (a fact I only find out by making the journey and it not being on the shelf! Because, I didn’t have much to do today after all.)
- Changes in book cover styles part way through a series – yes, I am that ocd – If I’m collecting a series it better all have the same style.
- Not really book related – but, exclamation marks. I keep putting them everywhere and they’re getting on my nerves!! I’m getting on my own nerves!!!! Arrrrggghhh !!!!!!
- Hype. I don’t think I need to elaborate. Can’t live with it, etc, etc,.
- That thing where people sometimes treat you like an alien – because you like reading. Like you’re really weird or something.
- Missing deadlines – I hate missing deadlines. It’s my own fault if it happens – or it’s just life in general getting in the way – but I just don’t like it and it makes me grumpy.
- The constant obsessive need to have ALL the books. I actually think I’m getting a little bit better in this respect – but, it’s not easy! (and the exclamation marks are back just to prove it.)
- Simply not having enough hours in the day to complete everything and still do the one thing I really want to do – which is read.
That must be the must grumpy, curmudgeonly, sour-puss-faced piece yet. Apologies. Apparently not feeling well and being too busy to slow down a little doesn’t sit well with me. For the rest of the day I will practice smiling – except to the people in No.2.
