Book cover art
6 May 2014
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Gorgeous book covers, The Broke and the Bookish, Top Ten Tuesday
This week over at the Broke and the Bookish the topic is :
‘Top Ten Book Covers I’d Frame As Pieces of Art’
I admit that I’m a sucker for cover art – but, in my defence I always maintain that it’s the first thing that catches your eye so it’s important! The main difficulty I had this week was restricting myself to 10.
1. Range of Ghosts by Elizabeth Bear – these covers are fantastic. The colours are gorgeous and I’ve only read the first, so far, but I really enjoyed the book as well!
2. Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson – I love the US covers for these – plus the books themselves are gorgeous and, well, the story – this is Sanderson so expect excellence!
3. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. I do really like this cover – okay, it could be influenced a little by the fact that I love the books but…
4. The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. I prefer this cover to the one I actually own but it’s the content that counts ater all. I like looking at this one though – my love of this cover could be influenced by my love of Venice as well as the story – the setting is amazing – not Venice but very similar.
5. Stormdancer by Jay Kristof – this cover is really gorgeously striking.
6. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman.
7. Miserere by Teresa Frohock – this is a great cover – I love the expressions on their faces = particularly the brunette and the poor guy stuck in the middle!
8. A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan – the covers for these books are brilliant and I just love them! Plus. Dragons!
9. Prince of Fools by Mark Lawrence – not read this one yet looking forward to it very much – and I love both covers for this so you can make up your own mind between US and UK.
10. Blackbird by Chuck Wendig – I love these books and the covers are ace! So, we’ll have all three!
I has all the books!
Well, slight exaggeration, maybe not ALL. But I do have a few this week:
The above will be my next read – Prince of Fools by Mark Lawrence. Currently reading The Serpent of Venice by Christopher Moore (thank you to Harper Collins for sending me a copy!)
Also currently reading Words of Radiance for a readalong. Somebody (who shall remain nameless but a most excellent friend) very thoughtfully gave me these two lovelies (I’m going to keep reading on the kindle though and keep these in good condition):
And then I have these to read as well – three of these are helping me to complete some of my unfinished series! Laini Taylor, Ilsa Bick and Ann Aguirre.
Thief’s Magic by Trudi Canavan
Thief’s Magic is the first book I’ve read by Trudi Canavan. I was really looking forward to it and it didn’t disappoint.
The story brings us two protagonists, two different plots and two different worlds both of which revolve around magic, the use of it and the consequences in doing so.
We meet Tyen on an archeological dig where he discovers an artefact that whilst at first appearing to be of little significance soon reveals it’s true worth. Tyen has uncovered a sentient book with a very intriguing history. A book that can literally communicate and answer questions, not only storing information from the past thousand years, and unable to lie but gathering new information all the time from whoever happens to be currently holding the book. The book’s name is Vella and her skills at reading people’s minds make her a very valuable object. It also puts her in great danger. Tyen finds he’s become attached to Vella and wishes to protect her and so begins his adventure story.
We meet Rielle on a journey home from the school at which she is taught by priests. During her journey she is abducted by a person who is corrupt. Using Rielle as hostage this man hopes to evade capture but Rielle manages to assist the priests in capturing the man at once bringing her to everyone’s attention and raising her status temporarily to that of a hero. Her escapades lead her to make the acquaintance of a local artist who wants to paint Rielle’s portrait – something that would be frowned upon by her family who seek to elevate their status by achieving a successful marriage for Rielle to one of the higher families sons. I won’t go into more detail but this is the start of events that will change Rielle’s life completely.
The two stories are undoubtedly different. Tyen comes from a world where inventions are powered by magic. The Cities are industrial and the use of magic leaves sooty deposits. In fact magic is becoming depleted whilst the scholars of the world argue about it’s true source. It could be that Tyen’s discovery of a sentient book could be more important than ever. In Rielle’s world the use of magic is strictly guarded. Only priests use magic and harsh punishments are meted out to those using it – the corrupt. The priests search the corrupt out and are aided by the ‘stain’ residue that remains after it’s use. The priests teach that magic originates from the angels and using it will condemn your soul in the afterlife.
What I felt this book really excelled at was character representation. I cared about both characters and I enjoyed the way the stories were split, going back and forth between Tyen and Rielle but giving ample time with each character before switching to the other. This gave you a good chunk of stories before being taken from the story. As the tension rises towards the conclusion the chapters alternate more frequently which cranks up the tension. Yes, I did care for the two. Tyen’s is a fast paced adventure story which sets off quickly and seems to go from one will he/won’t he get away situation to the next. Rielle’s is decidedly slower to come to the boil. There is more about the family and their expectations, the fear that the majority of people seem to live with and the lies and secrets that are kept behind closed doors. I think that the slow build was necessary here in order to understand the reasons behind Rielle’s decisions and also in order to fully comprehend the consequences of her action. I really did feel for her! She’s young, naive, far too trusting but ultimately a good person. You could also say Tyen is similar – he’s also too trusting and doesn’t always go with his real instincts.
I really enjoyed this and would like to write so much more about it but it’s difficult to do so without giving away spoilers which I don’t want to do . I think it’s a really positive start to a series that I will definitely continue to read. Full of magic, mystery, corruption, possibly different worlds, angels and love. It’s going to feel like a long wait for No.2
I received a copy of this courtesy of the publishers in return for a honest review. The above is my own opinion. I am submitting this for one of my reads for the Once Upon a Time Event over at Stainless Steel Droppings.
Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson readalong week No.5
1 May 2014
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Brandon Sanderson, Coffee, cookies and chilli peppers, Readalong week 5, Words of Radiance
This week is No.5 of the Words of Radiance readalong. If you’re not joining us for this yet you’re still not too late to join in with all the goodness and discussions. Or, if you’ve already read or are reading then please feel free to just jump on in here with your thoughts. Everyone welcome. The schedule is here. Let’s get straight to it – the usual alert about spoilers applies of course – if you don’t want to know spoilers ahead of reading this then stop right here! Can’tkeepsecretspren are running amok below:
1. Sebarial and Palona seem to be quite good fun. Do you accept them at face value, or are they playing a much deeper political game? Are you concerned that Jasnah’s intelligence on them seems to have been wrong?
I kinda liked Sabarial and Palona and thought they seemed fairly straight forward and I enjoyed their interaction. They seem relatively harmless at the moment – but who knows with Sanderson. Sabarial seems to be one of those people whose bark is worse than his bite. He likes to appear grumpy, curmudgeonly and rude and yet I like him!
2. When Kal finally works out how to alter gravity, he sees a shadowy world with a distant sun. Is this Shadesmar, or do you think that there is yet another parallel world in this universe?
I was kind of assuming that Kal was seeing Shadesmar so I’m going with a ‘yes’ on this one. I do feel like I should reread that section to see if there are any clues.
3. Renarin has demanded to be trained with the other Bridgecrews. Am I the only one to find him unbearably cute? Do you think that Kal can eventually train him to be partially competent with his Shards?
I really like Renarin – it’s probably because he likes books! I think one of the best things about him is his willingness and enthusiasm. He reminds me of a puppy running around wagging his tail. Not sure how good a soldier he’s going to make but it surely can’t do any harm to learn some basic skills.
4. Shallan has learnt how to use her Surgebinding to adopt disguises. What did you think of her meeting with the Ghostbloods? Do you think that she can fool them successfully long enough to discover anything? Any ideas on why they want to remove Amaram?
That whole changing appearance ability was pretty awesome to be honest. That really opens up a whole load of possibilities. Yet more impressiveness from Shallan. That meeting with the Ghostbloods was scary and creepy – I hope she can fool them for long enough!! I wouldn’t like them on my case after all. I confess I’m at a loss as to what they want with Amaram.
5. Ok, so I was wrong: sorry, Elhokar, for assuming that you had made another rubbish attempt at a fake assassination. Were you surprised that Moash was involved in such an organized conspiracy? Do you agree with the ‘patriots’ and what do you think Kal should do about them?
I was really surprised about Moash. I know we had the earlier hint about him having the opportunity but I didn’t really want to believe it was true. Plus I was shocked at the speed with which he’d become involved with the group and the fact that he trusted them. After all, they’re talking about assassinating a king here! I don’t really agree with what they’re doing. They may have a point but I don’t really like their methods.
6. We are seeing much more of Shallan’s family life. Can someone explain why nobody has killed her father yet? Also, is anyone concerned about the girl that Nan Balat has his eye on: will he become a wife-beater himself?
I suppose if one of them does kill Shallan’s father then they are, in a way, no better than he is! Well, that’s why I think someone hasn’t killed him yet. I would be concerned for any girl that Nan Balat has his eye on – but that’s because I’m not really fond of him or his unpleasant disposition. He does seem to have a cruel streak – whether he would revert to his father’s methods – I’m not sure.
7. Any guesses about the identity of the messenger who speaks to Shallan at the fair? Also, what do you make from the sections of the Words of Radiance that are included at the beginning of the chapters?
I thought that the messenger had a feel of Wit – I can’t really give any pointers as to why, it was something about the voice. The sections from the Words of Radiance are a bit of a puzzle. I think I’d like to go back and read them all one after the other to see if there’s a connection.
This week’s questions are being hosted by Sue over at Coffee, Cookies and Chilli Peppers so stop on by there to check out her thoughts – they’re always very illuminating!
Book to film/tv back to book..
This week the topic over at the Broke and the Bookish Top Ten Tuesday is:
Top Ten Books If You Like ‘X’ (tv show/movie/comic/play etc). (basically any sort of other entertainment):
Well, this one was a puzzle to think about but here’s what I’ve come up with:
- Game of Thrones – very popular series on the tv at the moment (based on the series of books by George Martin) – this is both strange and oddly satisfying. Strange because quite a few people usually say they don’t read or watch fantasy and oddly satisfying because it gives me an ‘I told you so vibe’ plus it means more people are maybe starting to like fantasy! I think if you like this series you would probably like the Farseer series of books by Robin Hobb or perhaps the Mistborn books by Brandon Sanderson (maybe even his way of Kings series). There’s lots of world building and some great characters and both books have a sort of mediaeval feel.
- Rebecca and Jamaica Inn have been on the screen a number of times and are two great stories written by Daphne duMaurier. I always think that if you like this sort of story you would probably love A Secret History by Donna Tartt or My Cousin Rachel also by Daphne duMaurier.
- Dr Who – this is a bit of an odd suggestion and so I’m probably going to be shunned or people will break out the pitchforks at this point but I can sort of imagine Harry Dresden as Doctor Who. Okay, he hasn’t got a tardis. There are no daleks. It’s not really concerning travel through space – okay, it’s a very slim reasoning altogether, but I just like the idea and I can picture Harry in his hat and duster with a good long scarf – The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher (or is it Dr Dresden?).
- And, for the gamers out there – Oblivion and Skyrim for example – well there’s such a lot going on in these games but it’s all pretty fantastic. I’m thinking obviously Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit by JRR Tolkien. If you don’t fancy them then Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series seems to have something for everyone – and, in spite of the massive extent of the series there are standalone novels and little mini series so you don’t have to read from beginning to end!
- Zelda – love that game – I can’t help thinking of Neverending Story here – don’t even ask me why! I have no reasons. I just like it.
- Assassin’s Creed (Black Flag) – I can’t help thinking of Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch – course you wouldn’t want to jump in at No.2 so you’d have to go to the beginning of the Gentlemen Bastard series – but, great stories full of snark and banter and No.2 is all about the swashbuckling.
- The Harry Potter films (based on J K Rowling’s series of books) – I think fans of Harry Potter may very well enjoy Benedict Jacka’s Alex Versus novels.
- If you’re into graphics/comic books I would recommend the Girl Genius novels by Phil and Kaja Foglio – these are such good fun – this was originally a comic series that turned webcomic and was then printed into two books (I think two but there could be more). Very amusing tales.
- Zombies are making a resurgence (thankfully not in real life!) – World War Z, Walking Dead – If you enjoy these then I would very much recommend The Girl with All the Gifts by M R Carey, it’s a really good story, I loved Michelle and it has a slight twist plus an unexpected end.
- Classics – Pride and Prejudice – been made into film, play and series, really, you’re spoilt for choice in terms of tv – if you fancy revisiting the Bennetts but from a different POV then I would very much recommend Longbourn by Jo Baker – a really good book – I loved it.
Them’s all for me.
