Light by Michael Grant
10 February 2014
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Light, Michael Grant, Perdido Beach, The Fayz
In keeping with my New Year’s resolution I’m finishing off some of the series that I started a number of years ago and Light is the sixth and final book in Michael Grant’s book about a bunch of teenagers and children (none older than 15) who, as the result of a strange occurrence are trapped inside a bubble in the coastal town of Perdido Beach, known as the FAYZ. As if this wasn’t strange enough in itself, a number of the children seem to have acquired strange mutated talents ranging from running as fast as a breeze or shooting white hot flames through their fingers. Of course this discrepancy in abilities leads to plenty of problems. Five books’ worth of adventures later as the children try to survive MG brings us a resolution in the form of Light. This has been a very entertaining series of books, a strange fusion of Lord of the Flies and X-Men with characters that you can’t help but become attached to along the way.
At the start of Light the barrier that separates the FAYZ from the rest of civilisation has become transparent turning this strange world into one gigantic fishbowl attracting media, authorities and parents to set up camp around the perimeter. The countdown is on – the barrier is coming down and it’s just a matter of time now to see who will survive until the end. This makes for a tense few hours. The Gaiphage – or the source of all evil – has been reborn!! And, is seeking a way out – she/it has huge plans of world domination (queue evil laughter!) The only flaw in her/it’s plan is she/it is restricted somewhat by being in a little girl’s body – plus has very little knowledge of the real world beyond the bubble – so the Gaiphage does need other people to help. Before we all start breathing a sigh of relief though – this little girl is one evil, crazy little so and so!
Now, it’s pretty difficult to get into a lot of details about the final plot in a series like this without actually ruining it. So, this will be a fairly short review on that score. What I can say is that in true Grant style there is plenty of action, tension, and body mash ups! Also, and I think quite rightly too, not everyone survives. Come on, it would be impossible for everyone to come out of this smiling.
So, a fairly light (no pun intended) review for the final in the series but the length of the review is not intended to reflect how I felt about the book or the series. This has definitely kept my attention and in fact I was worried to pick up the last one in case it all went belly up plus I just couldn’t see how the author was going to resolve things. Fortunately MG doesn’t fail – he’s managed to come up with a satisfying ending – okay, maybe a little apple pie in some respects but overall a good ending to a bizarre, strange and twisted series.
The Dude…
Mmm, think my dog (Dude) disagrees with my going on holiday for a week and then coming home and spending time on the puter… (also maybe a hair cut is in order)!
The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan
Just finished reading The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan. I’ve got mixed feelings on this book in fact, quite fittingly, have almost been having an argument with myself about the pros and cons. Part of me thinks that some of the concepts here are really original and fascinating but part of me feels it’s pretentious in parts not to mention a protagonist who just, to be honest, got on my nerves all mixed up with massive amounts of sex that frankly not only became tedious but were actually quite far from anything resembling ‘sexy’ – and yet, in spite of all that, I admit I would continue with this series! Like I said – mixed feelings!!
The Good. I liked GD’s take on werewolves. We find out fairly early on that Jake is the last werewolf – no real surprise here given the actual title – and to say he’s in a slump with the constant and inevitable hunt is to understate his feelings somewhat. Basically, Jake is tired of his existence. He long ago came to terms with his own inner monster and lets face it he now kills and eats every month in order to stay alive. No eating animals allowed here. The inner wolf must be satiated by human flesh only and in devouring a person the wolf seems not just to partake of the blood and tissue but also the life story and in fact he seems to carry his victims’ memories around with him – which I did actually find quite a fascinating take – even if a bit creepy.
The tale is related by Jake in a journal that he keeps and I do like this form of story telling.
I like the fact that this doesn’t follow the ‘werewolf’ norm. Jake doesn’t run in a werewolf pack, he doesn’t have an alpha male and isn’t an alpha male himself. He’s independent and free thinking making his own decisions and mistakes as he goes along. As a result there isn’t the usual ‘pissing’ competition between Jake and the other werewolves as they try to work out whose monster is the biggest and baddest. Quite refreshing not to have that particular ego fest being played out.
I like the twist and change in direction that takes place during the latter half of the plot.
The world is interesting and consistent. We have werewolves – and so why not other monsters, such as vampires and demons. It makes sense doesnt’ it! Plus, we have an underworld of men in black – tracking and trying to eliminate the ‘baddies’.
The author is undoubtedly clever and knows how to turn a phrase plus he likes to include literary references that are interesting to spot along the way.
The Bad. As I mentioned, the author can turn a phrase – unfortunately he can also be a little bit too much with his writing style which leads to it having a somewhat ‘I’m really clever and look what I just did there’ feel to it. Now, I really had a good think about this. Do I not like that because it in some way makes me feel dumb or am I feeling patronised? To be fair I don’t think it’s either of those things actually. It just feels unbalanced. There is some really good insightful writing here but unfortunately there is also some unnecessary and rather crude writing and the two just don’t sit well together for me. I didn’t come away thinking, for example, that this was beautifully written (in the way you would after reading say Donna Tartt or Daphne DuMaurier), I didn’t come away thinking it was incredibly descriptive (maybe like Charles Dickens) and it didn’t manage to be evocative of an era (in the way that Anne Rice novels can be). Overall it ends up feeling a bit jumbled – but perhaps that’s the author’s intention – after all the character has a monster creeping under his skin and is constantly reminded of his dual nature, so the writing style could be a reflection of this. Unfortunately, however, it does make it a bit difficult to wade through in parts and has the effect of drawing your attention away from the story. Plus, to say Jake is feeling jaded or cynical would be a massive understatement and so it can, at times, become a little bit gloomy reading what’s going on in his head.
The Ugly. Okay, I understand that Jake is a monster and in one respect I like the fact that this comes across very strongly in the story. This certainly isn’t a YA novel so the sex, violence and language are definitely in full effect. If that makes you feel a bit uneasy or squeamish then be warned right now! Frankly, I didn’t mind that the story contained these elements, you’re reading about an unsympathetic monster and so I think the author is spot on in the way he uses these elements to make you dislike Jake. Well, he certainly made me dislike him. It was just difficult not to. But, again, I think that was intentional by the author and so quite cleverly done. This is not a soft monster who can be tamed by love or is likely to risk himself by any self sacrificing or idealistic notions. But, you’ve probably heard the phrase about using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut, well, there’s a little bit of that going on here. The constant mantra of ‘fuckkilleat’ – please give me a break. I get it already. Just, too much. There’s a point in a story where you can literally just reach saturation level and this happens here for me and instead of all the sex and violence being something that’s used to define a character, or because it’s actually erotic (and the sex in this story is definitely used to show Jake’s animal nature so is neither sexy or erotic) – it moves over into something else where it almost feels a little uncomfortable or voyeuristic – like you’ve just walked in on someone and they’re in a compromising position! Awkward.
Now, in spite of the bad and the ugly going on in this novel, I admit that I would probably continue with the series to see what happens next – mainly because I’m conflicted about the aspects of the story that I didn’t like and can’t decide if this was intentional or not on the part of the author. I certainly didn’t hate the book or the way in which it’s delivered just I had a few problems and I think that I should be honest about them in a review. Particularly as this book was provided to me from NetGalley for review purposes. I certainly wouldn’t advise anybody to avoid this book but I would be clear about the issues I had. That being said it will be interesting to see how the author handles the next instalment – especially given the ending of this story and the new character involved.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in return for a honest review. The above is my own opinion.
Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson read along
On holiday at the moment which is why this is late as limited wifi. Plus I can’t put all the blog links in from here but will do so once I get home. So for now it’s just the Q&A. Beware of spoilers below and remember it’s still not too late to join the party.
1. Both Kabsal and Jasnah have spoken to Shallan about stealing the Soulcaster, and both have done so in a pretty lighthearted manner, considering how serious it would actually be to steal it. Do you think Kabsal was telling the truth when he brushed off Shallan’s questions about his plan to steal the Soulcaster? Is he still interested in stealing it? Does he have other, deeper motives??
I really don’t know what’s going on with that. In fact I was genuinely surprised when he said that had been his plan all along. Isn’t he supposed to be one of the good guys? Or is stealing just ok in general?
2. By the end of the section, Shallan has found out that she’ll be able to return home in one week, but she’s torn between wanting to continue her studies, and being able to take the stolen Soulcaster home. So far it looks like her theft hasn’t been detected, but do you think she’ll be found out before that time? Do you think she should leave, or might decide on her own to stay? Could something else happen to make her stay?
Frankly I think something may happen to make Shallan stay. It seems like she’s losing focus anyway and is enjoying being with Jasnah. I wonder if something ‘bad’ will happen. Perhaps Jasnah will need the soul caster in a life and death situation and so Shallan’s hand will be forced.
3. How much do you think Jasnah actually knows about the theft of her Soulcaster? Is it even remotely possible that Jasnah is still in the dark about it? If she knows, did she in fact dupe Shallan with a fake, as Shallan theorizes? Or did Jasnah let her steal it? Why??
I can’t help feeling that everything has proved just too easy for Shallan so far. It makes me suspect that Jasnah really knows what is going on but is giving Shallan a chance to do the right thing. Jasnah certainly doesn’t come across as a fool so it’s difficult to believe that she would be so easily taken in.
4. During the Highstorm, Kaladin experiences a lull during which the wind and rain stop, he feels no more pain, and he sees an enormous “face of blackness, yet faintly traced in the dark”. The face is described as, “Inhuman. Smiling.” Was Kaladin just hallucinating? If not, do you think this being had something to do with recharging the sphere? With Kaladin somehow feeling better before the storm kicked up again? Or could this being be malevolent? Thoughts/theories??
Why the hell was that face just smiling. It gave me the hebejeebies! What’s there to smile about. Does this ‘thing’ know Kaladin or what? I think the spheres are recharged through the magic in the storm. A bit like lightening and electricity. I don’t think Kaladin was hallucinating. My first thought was void bringer but that’s purely based on the fact that Kaladin seemed to be temporarily suspended in a void when he saw the face. My thoughts are definitely muddled with this one. I think the sphere was helping to protect Kaladin during the storm and then the spheres from Teft we’re helping him to recover. In terms of the face it felt like it was curious about Kaladin? Like it was wondering who he was?
5. Before Kaladin is forced to endure the Highstorm, he tells his men to come out after the storm is over; he says he’ll open his eyes and look back at them, and they’ll know that he survived. Kaladin obviously survives, and everyone in Bridge Four is really glad about that. But we haven’t yet seen a reaction from anyone other than Kal’s men. Do you think Kaladin’s survival could have a wider impact than just giving his own group of bridgemen hope?
Well so far it just seems to be bringing yet more heaps of shit on the whole crew – chasm duty! I think Kaladin will definitely play a bigger role somewhere along the line. Just not sure of when or how just yet.
6. We learn quite a bit about Teft in this section… kind of. But pretty much everything we learn just leads to more questions. What do you think about these “Envisagers” Teft mentions? How much do you think Teft knows about Kaladin’s ability to use Stormlight? It seemed like Teft became wary of Kaladin after he recovered – why? Do you think he’ll tell Kaladin about what he knows?
I think that Teft has reached a conclusion about Kaladin – the same conclusion that we’re all trying to get to. He clearly knows something. Perhaps he’s aware of a prophecy and he thinks Kaladin might be the one to fulfill it.
Very interesting reading this week. Revelations about Kaladin’s dad and how he actually came by the spheres. Then Laurel – oh dear!
The Book of Apex, blog tour
The book of Apex. Volume 4 of Apex Magazine. Edited by Lynne M Thomas
A great collection of stories that will appeal to varying tastes. I won’t attempt to review them all because that would just be too much for one post but will try to give more of a flavour of what is contained here and look at the stories that particularly appealed to me.
The Bread We Eat in Dreams by Catherynne Valente
The series gets off to a great start with a story by Catherynne Valente about a demon. A demon who lives amongst the people of the small town of Sauve Majeure. Gemegishkirihallat, or Agnes if that’s too much of a tongue twister! Apparently an innocent old woman, growing her own produce and baking her own wares. Of course during puritanical times people begin to look askance at others who may be slightly different and judge them harshly and so Agnes, having green fingers, and being such an expert baker comes under scrutiny. Surely she isn’t such an innocent old woman, there can be only one explanation. Agnes is surely a witch! There is a certain sort of delicious irony here. A demon, who is banished from hell, sent to purgatory (which living amongst us lesser mortals must surely be) only to be convicted as a witch and accused of trying to consort with the devil. All told in the beautiful voice of Valente. A lovely twist to this demon’s tale with the message ‘be careful what you wish for because the grass is not always greener’.
The 24 Hour Brother by Christopher Barzak
The 24 Hour Brother is somewhat of a sad story basically about a boy who is born and experiences his full life during one twenty four hour period. This is a short but quite gripping tale that grasps you from the moment that the baby is born, and is discovered to have already grown a tooth. Within a matter of minutes the baby has become a toddler and shortly after is running down the corridors of the hospital where he was only moments before born. I did feel again that there was a message in this story, one primarily about the shortness of life, the way it passes so quickly and should be enjoyed fully.
The Leavings of the Wolf by Elizabeth Bear
This story is about letting go. A recently divorced woman who is trying to come to terms with being single and at the same time trying to shed the extra weight she gained during the bitter split. Every morning she runs around the campus where she works. Usually followed by the crows which have become attached to her during her study of them and now follow her movements. On one particular morning she finds herself on a track not previously traversed and winds up on a beach, accosted by a God! In order to recover she will need to sacrifice something that she’s been holding onto for the wrong reasons.
Sweetheart Showdown by Sarah Dalton is a futuristic tale which focuses on a beauty contest. The contestants use all sorts of weird and wonderful tricks to enhance their appeal to the audience, even mind control, and the grande finale involves a fight to the death for the two remaining ‘would be’ Sweetheart winners. Imagine Running Man meets Miss World where the contestants have more than sharp words on their tongues and a swish of their luxurious locks is likely to prove fatal. Have the contestants been brainwashed? Do they really seek to win at all costs? Just how far will one person go in order to be the most beautiful? Beauty is skin deep after all.
The Silk Merchant by Ken Liu
In which a young man seeks to discover the secret of a beautiful silk cloth. In doing so he will fall in love and discover that some riches come at too high a price. And, there are spiders! I’m just saying… Very easy to read with lovely writing.
Sprig by Alex Bledsoe
An enchanting tale about a young boy who becomes separated from his parents whilst at a summer fair and befriended by a lovely young woman dressed as a fairy. Fairies hidden in plain sight. Plastic wings and glitter. Do you believe in fairies? Maybe they’re more real than we care to know. I love tales like this because they make me want to believe in the extra ordinary.
Waiting for Beauty by Marie Brennan
A re-imagining of Beauty and the Beast. Beautifully told, enchanting and twisted! Yep, definitely twisted. Don’t be thinking of reading this to the kiddies for a bedtime story.
It would be very easy to run on at great length about this book, just trust me, it would be far too easy and so I will spare you and leave something for you to discover. There are such a lot of stories to choose from. Dark stories about satanic worship, horrible tales of rot and decaying bodies, strange tales of labyrinths of death and dreams of masked balls tempered with dark humour, particularly thinking here of Trixie, the Godess of Smiting who rides into the fray on a palaquin carried aloft by magnificent, flatulent pandas. Beware all jerks and dickheads….
