Books and travelling with Lynn

A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Posted On 3 January 2015

Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: 2015 Sci Fi Experience, A Princess of Mars, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Little Red Reviewer, Stainless Steel Droppings, Vintage Sci Fi

Comments Dropped 29 responses

I finished reading A Princess of Mars just before New Year. I’ve read this book as one of my reads for the Little Red Reviewer’s Vintage Sci Fi event and also Stainless Steel Droppings 2015 Sci Fi Experience.

I’m glad I finally got round to reading ERB and whilst I don’t think this is going to be one of my all time favourites it was a good read.

This is like an adventure story really, there’s plenty of action and fighting, a damsel in distress, aliens and war – all set on a different planet that is slowly dying.

The plot – in a very summarised way is: John Carter is a gentleman and soldier out of Virginia who, at the conclusion of the war turns to prospecting and then in the most unusual circumstances finds himself transported to the planet of Mars (Barsoom). Here he falls into the captivity of a strange race of aliens called Tharks. The Tharks are a tall race, up to 15 feet apparently, with green skin. They value fighting and strength above all and have little value for feelings, compassion or love. Carter befriends one of this race called Tars Tarkas and in fact begins to gain a reputation as a warrior as his muscles and strength are greatly increased upon Mars due to the change in gravity. Carter, at first bides his time. He learns a little more of this race from Sola – a member of the race who is charged with looking after him, and also guarding him along with a strange, dog like creature called Woola. As time progresses Carter’s standing within the community changes and he almost has free will to roam (within reason) but all changes when the Tharks capture a young woman, a princess of Helium called Dejah Thoris. Helium is populated by a human like, red skinned race who appear to be the dominant factor on Barsoom. They live in great cities and appear organised unlike the Tharks who are portrayed as uncivilised, savage and warlike. Carter finds himself rather enamoured of the Princess and following this the main thrust of the story is one of rescue, escape and recapture! I won’t go overly much into the plot as it’s already fairly well discussed elsewhere.

The story takes the form of a travelogue narrated by Carter. I enjoyed the writing and particularly the detail concerning the planet and it’s inhabitants. There was certainly never a lack of action and the story was taken forward at a fairly rapid pace swiftly moving from one fairly unique situation to the next.

In terms of the characters I confess myself a little perplexed. I wouldn’t say they made a great impact on me really which is an unusual feeling to have – particularly when the main aim of the story revolves around our hero of the piece rescuing the object of his affection – I just felt oddly detached from both characters. I’m not saying I disliked them, because I didn’t, they just came across a little bland somehow – in fact that’s probably a little harsh sounding as I think that the plot and the adventure feel definitely took centre stage. For me personally, I felt like Tars and Sola came across with more personality and I found I enjoyed their personal stories. Curiously I also found myself liking and caring for the strange dog like creature called Woola who had become very attached to Carter during the time he was in the Thark’s captivity.

On the whole I found this an enjoyable and easy story to read. I think you need to pick this up with the age it was written clearly in mind as the writing and storytelling that we are now used to has definitely evolved. And, curiously, if you normally avoid sci fi stories – as I tend to do a little, usually because I think they’ll go over my head! – well, you’ll have to forgive me for saying the sci fi element is a tad skimpy, I mean, okay, it’s set on Mars and there are different races involved but if you’re expecting any eye openers in terms of different technology – or for that matter the whys and wherefores of how and why Carter found himself mysteriously transported to Mars – then you may be disappointed. I can’t say I suffered the lack of such detail but just thought I’d chuck this in there for your general consumption.

Overall I thought this was an entertaining read, I didn’t love it but I enjoyed the narrative style and I certainly had no problems in completing the book. I would definitely recommend this – I think it’s worth reading for a number of reasons, not least of all the impact it has since had on sci-fi fiction.

Blood Oranges by Kathleen Tierney

Posted On 2 January 2015

Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Blood Oranges, Kathleen Tierney, Urban Fantasy, Vampires and Werewolves

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Blood Oranges was one of my latest reads that I’m catching up on reviews for. I loved this book and must start with all due credit – thank you to Nathan at Fantasy Review Barn for putting me on to this book. Really, I loved it!!

I will just add a proviso to my gushing (not for myself obviously, as I know how I feel about it already, but for you) – this book should probably come with a warning – this is the grimdark of the urban fantasy world (not to mention a little grimysnark!)

So, the story is told by Siobhan Quinn. She’s basically an unreliable ex junkie turned vampwere – okay, slow down – at the start of the story Siobhan is a kick ass hunter on a stakeout to catch a werewolf who has been having a few midnight people popsicles in her territory. Unfortunately, due to miscalculations Siobhan finds herself being attacked by the were and saved by a vampire (the notion)! Or – in other words, she’s no slayer although she has been taken on as a sort of wannabee and has a bag of tricks to prove it, and, on above mentioned stake out, and due to her inabilities with said bag of tricks (not to mention probably being a little high at the time) she gets herself bitten by a werewolf and a vengeful vampire all in the same night. (This is what I mean about an unreliable narrator!) Anyway, she now has a serious case of dog breath and bloodlust. On the plus side, she no longer craves drugs – on the downside, not only has she gathered a seriously erroneous reputation as the next super slayer, not to mention an object of both wonder and disgust simultaneously in the supernatural world, she’s moved to the top of a few people’s most wanted lists and has developed some serious hunger issues involving lots of blood and also a few guts and other unmentionables.

The plot- it’s your basic circle of revenge type affair. Siobhan killed a baddie so now she needs to pay the price. However, said price is more hellish than simply being killed in return. She’s become the freak pet of a strong and incredibly old vampire – a very creepy doll like with child like voice vampire. She must feed every two days (not to mention cover up her actions) and she has definite mood swings depending on where the moon sits in the sky on any given night. You could say she has a motive for revenge herself – hence the ‘circle’ comment.

Why I liked this. It’s definitely grim dark and a bit brutal. The writing is choppy and jumps about with breaks and back tracking and the narrator should definitely not be likable – and there’s the rub. I liked her. She’s had a rather sorry existence so far but she doesn’t winge about it just gets on with things. Even after her pitiful state goes from bad to worse there is no moping about! She isn’t a superhero – she can’t pull a graceful backflip whilst wrestling with a beastie and she’s definitely not a romantic! She’s a no-nonsense, get on with life and deal with it daily type of girl who has been frankly living by the seat of her pants and is pretty lucky not to be six feet under. Also, so far – there appears to be no bonus to being turned into the undead. She hasn’t become inexplicably gorgeous, a lot of the myths are just that, and she’ll probably live for a good few years but will be rotting away during that period. So, nice.

I find that this is urban fantasy as I like it, warts and all. it is gritty and dark and maybe, for some unpalatable. In a world of fantasy it just feels like it’s a little more real – in the smaller, day to day ways. There’s dirt under the fingernails and sweat and mud. It’s the difference between an old fashioned western and a spaghetti western! The characters are not clean cut, neat and tidy. They’re not all about appearances and they’re not always nice. It’s like the first time you watched a horror movie that broke with tradition – and the baddies won! It just puts everything on it’s head and means you can’t just anticipate that ‘all will be well in the end’.

Literally with Blood Oranges I never knew what to expect. Siobhan is an interesting character not to mention pretty funny to read about at times. She’s not girly or bothered about the latest lip gloss but this doesn’t mean that she’s all warrior chick. She’s just fairly regular really. A regular girl in a fantasy universe – one populated by all sorts of critters ranging from talking seagulls to bridge trolls – tell me you don’t like the sound of that!

Very entertaining and for me fairly unique feeling. In case you haven’t guessed – I really enjoyed this and if you’re looking for a new UF which is frankly a little tongue in cheek with a fast moving plot, a few laughs and a dose of reality mixed in then this could be for you. Highly recommended and don’t be too distracted by the ex junkie grim dark description – yes it is all of that, but, it’s, strangely, and almost against it’s or your own will, quite compelling. I urge you to give it a shot.

Werepyres!

Posted On 2 January 2015

Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Art It Up, Blood Oranges, Kathleen Tierney, Not Yet Read

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Art it Up. This is a weekly meme hosted by Tabitha over at Not Yet Read. The idea being to see if you can come up with some inspiration for a little sketch or doodle from your last week’s reading or just anything else in general. this week I’ve read quite a lot (not yet reviewed), in particular A Princess of Mars, Fahrenheit 451 and Blood Oranges by Kathleen Tierney. The fan art is from Blood Oranges in which the main protagonist is both a vampire and a werewolf!

Tough Travel: Holidays

Posted On 1 January 2015

Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Fantasy Review Barn, Holidays, Tough Travelling

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Every Thursday we go tough travelling through the tropes of fantasy with Nathan at the Fantasy Review Barn

This week’s topic is HOLIDAYS (and yes, I struggled with this one)

Never too late to celebrate … holidays! Because fantasy festivals and feasts are always fun. Thanks to Wendy for the suggestion! And feel free to blame her if this proves to be as hard as it sounds.

The Lies of Locke Lamora – at the end of the story there is a celebration or feast which involves all the major nobility assembling in one tower, cannot remember and name and as I’ve tidied my bookshelves up I can’t find the book! Result!!

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman – don’t know if this counts as a holiday but once a year the living and the dead come together in the cemetery and dance together – the Danse Macabre (I think this is on the eve of Halloween?)

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith – in which Cassandra each year performs a ceremony (rites) on Midsummers Eve – involving a fire, herbs and a picnic – again, very loose but….

Sorry folks – I was less than useless at this one – I really tried but clearly the festive season has turned my brain into mush (and that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it!)

My best reads for 2014

Posted On 31 December 2014

Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Best Reads for 2014, The Year in short

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It’s that time of year again where we reflect on the past year. I’ve had a great reading year and so choosing my Top 10 is always a bit problematic – basically, I want to cheat and be allowed more books. Please Sir, I want more!!! Anyway, I’ve come up with my best reads – these are not necessarily all new releases for 2014 and they’re not in any particular order. My previous lists are here, here and here.

Prince of Fools by Mark Lawrence. This is the fourth year in a row that Mark Lawrence has made my top 10. I call that pretty damned impressive and I think it speaks volumes in itself. I loved the Broken Empire books and strongly recommend them to fantasy fiends – particularly if you like your protagonist to be flawed and you like your fantasy a bit on the grimdark side. Yes, I worried, you always do when an author you like moves on, will they pull it off? The concern wasn’t necessary as Prince of Fools was an excellent start and brought us not one but two interesting and very readable characters. Set in the same world and even with a small starring role from Jorg – this doesn’t have to be read as a follow up but stands alone so you don’t have to play catch up. It’s everything I expected and hoped for and has a slightly different feel than the last one – not that I can really put my finger on anything specific. Just go and read it.
Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson. This book is amazing. It’s a huge series to take on, I won’t deny that – in fact I could reasonably use one of these as a step in the kitchen to reach the top shelves! Really, I loved Way of Kings but Words of Radiance is simply next level epicness! You need to get into this series now!!
The Serpent of Venice by Christopher Moore – oh my God, where has Christopher Moore been hiding all my life. I loved this book. Loved it. I confess it took me completely by surprise and that when I received it I kind of wrinkled my nose at it a bit and came over all ‘meh’ which is why I was so overwhelmed at the goodliness within the pages. Now, this may not be everyone’s cup of tea – the Fool can be a bit of a raunchy, foul mouthed little so and so, so be warned, but I couldn’t get enough of this and will definitely be getting onto this author’s previous works. Witty, snarky, intelligent and just ace.
Age of Iron by Angus Watson. Another surprise hit! I didn’t know what to expect but I was completely hooked. What especially made this for me were the characters. All flawed, trust me on that one, but just so compelling to read!
City of Stairs by Robert Bennett. This book is incredible. I will be shocked if this doesn’t make virtually every top 10 of all the rather discerning bloggers that I know and trust out there! Since picking up The Troupe I’ve read everything by this author and he never disappoints. His range and imagination is fantastic. But CoS – well, you tend to think that if you have great characters then the plot might be wanting somehow, or if the world building is great the plot might be weak. This book has it all in buckets and spades. Get on it right away. So good.
The Copper Promise by Jen Williams. I actually must say that I think I’ve fallen in love with this author a little bit after reading this! (Don’t panic – I’m not a stalker!!) I don’t know why I waited so long to pick this one up – it’s a mystery to me! This book is just brilliant, old fashioned type fantasy. It was just so incredibly enjoyable to read and frankly I never had a dull moment. Plus, dragons. No, really, dragons. And, The Copper Cat – she must be one of, if not, my favourite fantasy character of the year.
Generation V by M L Brennan. This is a new series to me. I only discovered it, literally a few weeks ago and yet I’ve read all three in the series already. That should tell you immediately how I feel about this. I can’t get enough. I do have one bug bear – having sped through the series with great haste I now have one of those interminable waits for the next in series – oh well, the slings and arrows yahdahyah!
Blood Song by Anthony Ryan – this is another series that I hummed and ahhed over. I had my beady eye on it for a while but confess the hype monster put me off a little until I decided to stop prevaricating. Thank goodness – this is a brilliant read and one that I nearly missed *shakes fist at hype monster*!
The Girl with All the Gifts by M R Carey. Another book that seemed to take the blogosphere by storm. A very engaging and entertaining read. I’m not going to give away any spoilers in case you haven’t read it – BUT – if you haven’t read it, then, you know, stop doing the above mentioned prevaricating and shake a tail feather. It’s worth it so treat yourself.
The Martian by Andy Weir speaking of the hype monster – this book takes the biscuit. It takes the monster to the next level. This is the hype kraken. And you’ll be pleased to know the hype is justified. This book is really good and you won’t forget the main protagonist in a hurry! Very entertaining.

A huge thank you to all you lovely authors out there! You’re amazing. And, a huge thank you to all you lovely bloggers (you know who you are) who point me in the direction of such good reading. You people are all beautiful!!

Below is my long list: