Black Dawn by Rachel Caine, Morganville Vampires Book No.12
31 May 2012
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Black Dawn, Morganville Vampires No.12, Rachel Caine
Just finished reading Black Dawn by Rachel Caine, No. 12 of the Morganville Vampires. This book takes up immediately where Last Breath left off. The Draug are still in Morganville, Magnus and his thrall are still attacking vampires, and humans if necessary, at every opportunity and the vampires are scared and holed up at Founders Square. If you haven’t read any of the previous novels I would suggest reading no further as spoilers will be contained below.
Okay, I enjoyed this installment, although not as much as last breath. That being said I enjoyed the different perspectives which we got to see a lot more of. This is a really fast paced novel, if you like action you’re going to be plenty pleased with this book. We move from one escape/rescue/potential abduction to the next. The draug are relentless. The clouds gather ominously and then grey sludgy figures appear. On top of that Amelie is infected – and let’s face it, if she dies, life in Morganville is going to become a whole lot less, mmm, livable – at least for the humans.
The difference in this novel is that Shane is in more danger. RC has proved already that she isn’t afraid to lose a few characters and this particular instalment is no exception.
I did enjoy this novel, BUT, it’s taken on a new direction, which I suppose is to be expected given that we’re getting towards the end of the series. Amelie has become more chilling and Myrnin isn’t quite the same character that we’ve become used to. Now maybe this is all leading up to the grand finale – I’ve always wondered how things could possibly end well for all sides – so maybe we’re being led now down the path of more dislike for the vampires. This has a feel now where things are going to become much more ‘us and them’ and a potential fight to the death with a situation where, if the vampires win, they are released upon the general unknowing population. That’s just my weird speculation.
In terms of criticism – yes, I had one major one – in the previous novels it always felt like Claire, Shane and the crew were fighting to stay alive against their foes. In this novel they weren’t against the vampires, the vampires and the humans had joined against the common enemy – the draug. But it felt a little unrealistic. Lots of vampires but the humans go out on these missions. I understand that the humans can look after themselves and fight back when they have to – but, they’re going out on missions with vampires and helping with things that the vampires would be much better at. Now, I understand that the vampires are scared of their ultimate enemy – but, I don’t understand why the humans are trying to help them (well, until the end I didn’t understand). But, even with that understanding, I don’t get why the humans didn’t just say ‘to hell with this’ and get out of there. They’re helping their own enemy and are constantly under threat from them and treated like real inferiors.
Anyway, a good instalment. It didn’t have the jaw dropping moments of the last and for me, personally, Myrnin, lost a little something in translation in this book. Like I said, maybe it’s the beginning of the end. I don’t know.
However, if you’ve read this far, you can’t possibly stop now?? Can you??
I will certainly read the rest. I have to know how this ends.
Black Dawn
Mr Shivers by Robert J Bennett
Just finished reading Mr Shivers by Robert J Bennett.
I recently read the Troupe by RJB and loved it so made the decision to go back and revisit his earlier works. Strangely enough I already had Mr Shivers sat waiting on my shelves which is his debut novel (I really must take a better look at my wbr pile!)
Mr Shivers is set in 30s America during the depression. It’s primarily the story of Connelly. Connelly’s daughter has been murdered and he is bent on revenge and is following the murderer across America during the Depression. Along the way he meets up with other people whose lives have been equally affected by this strange person who becomes known as Mr Shivers and who are equally hell-bent on revenge.
I thought this was an intriguing story made more compelling by the use of setting. I haven’t come across a lot of stories set during this period and it was interesting to read about. I have no idea about how accurate this work is but it read well and I have to say that Bennett is a great story teller. The opening chapters are excellent and really pull you in and keep you reading. It’s a gritty novel. Gritty and dark. There aren’t any fun moments going on to be honest but given what these people are going through and the lives they are reading you wouldn’t expect there to be. There’s violence and profanity all over the place but none of it feels out of place or gratuitous. As we follow Connelly’s journey across the country, hitching rides on trains and sleeping rough we gradually start to gain more of a feeling for Mr Shivers and he really is quite a horrifying creature who is gradually built up, through word of mouth and stories along the way, into something more than just a man – something evil and untouchable.
What I thought was really interesting about this story was watching a group of (ever expanding it seemed) characters come together in pursuit of the same goal. And yet, for me, all of them seemed oblivious to the fact that they were setting themselves on a road to self-destruction. Along the way a couple of characters realised that they were becoming less than human as they pursued their own objective but most of them continued and frankly it was quite horrible to simply watch them become almost monsters themselves.
Then we have Connelly who is a character that you can’t help but like to a certain extent. He isn’t perfect by a long stretch but he’s strong and forceful. He has a certain presence which is undeniable and undoubtedly he is a leader who the others look up to and follow. The other characters I don’t think you ever really have a chance to become too involved with. It’s the Connelly show really. Well, that and Mr Shivers.
In terms of criticisms. Well, there’s a bit in the middle where for some reason the story isn’t quite as compelling. The beginning is really great. The middle is a little stilted and I can only put this down to the change in tack really. During the middle we seem to go through much more of an action period which somehow sat a little bit ill with the rest of the story. And then the latter half of the book changed direction again taking on a more eerie supernatural feel. Yes, this book is a mixed bag. Now, I actually enjoyed this – I liked the whole supernatural feel that was taken on but it’s not for everyone I imagine. The only other criticism is that I could see what was going on between Connelly and Mr Shivers. Not immediately I confess, but once I’d seen it everything else had a certain feel of inevitability to it, not necessarily a bad thing, I’m just saying.
Other than that I thought this was a good read. It’s dark. It’s a bit horrible. It’s definitely creepy. It has elements of the unreal to it. Are there witches? Are there ghouls? Does the Bogeyman exist? Maybe….
I would recommend this, I don’t think it’s as good as The Troupe, but for a debut novel it’s pretty damned impressive. I love a good storyteller and will definitely go seek out The Company Man next – then I’ll be waiting to see what RJB does next – no pressure of course!
Mr Shivers
Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch, readalong, final week
26 May 2012
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Final week readalong, Red Seas Under Red Skies, Scott Lynch
And so we come to the final chapters of our Red Seas Under Red Skies readalong hosted by Andrea at Little Red Reviewer. This has been a great experience and I’ve really loved reading both books again but doing so as a group as it changes the whole experience. Listening to everyone’s else’s conjecture just makes it such a different experience. So, thanks to everyone who took part, thanks to Andrea and the other hosts (nrlymrtl from Dark Cargo, My Awful Reviews, @ohthatashley at SF Signal) and I hope we all get to read something else together soon. Now to the final week’s questions and for anyone reading this post who hasn’t read the book please stop reading now as there will definitely be spoilers:
1. Oh my god, such a lot going on I thought the showdown between the Poison Orchid and the Sovereign was brilliantly written and they were holding their own until Utgar and his nasty device turned up. Well a lot of you had kind of predicted it, and I suppose we’d been let off too easy so far in terms of deaths of well-liked characters – but come on, did you expect something like that? And how on earth will Jean ever recover?
Okay this is a reread so I really can’t act as though I didn’t know what happened. I think though that I was expecting for Ezri to maybe die in a fight or somebody to do a backstabbing number on her. I never saw the whole self-sacrificing thing at all. Even now I keep thinking surely there must have been another way, but then even as I sit and dwell on it I know that there wasn’t. What was she gonna do really, look for a pair of oven gloves! Plus, when you think about it, she didn’t just save Jean and the whole crew but she also saved the children. I don’t know how Jean will recover – he’s going to blame himself and think that he should have been the one to save the day.
2. The deceit, the betrayal, first Rodanov and then Colvard. Even now I’m not entirely sure I understand Colvard – Rodanov was never keen on the oath but Colvard seemed okay with it all and yet in this final deceit she was more devious than Rodanov – what do you think was her motive?
Well, I have to say I was just downright bloody disgusted with Colvard. What a bitch! Two-faced backstabbing mare! Motive, I’m not sure about, maybe she’s jealous of Drakasha or maybe she wanted more from her and was spurned. I could have slapped her though. Okay, Rodanov isn’t exactly soft and fluffy but at least he was quite openly unhappy with the scheme in the first place. I don’t think it made it right the way he then reacted afterwards but he had a certain respect for Drakasha at least (although I thought he got what he deserved!).
3. Merrain – such a puzzle, no real answer, the mysterious tattoo, the determination to kill everyone to keep her identity and that of her master a secret. Does anybody have any ideas where she’s from and what she’s up to exactly and who the hell is she working for??
I’ve had a good think about this and in particular her strange tattoo. It’s very puzzling. I don’t think she’s working for the Bonsmagi and her actions were a little bit odd at the end. She’d had plenty of time and opportunity to kill Locke and Jean but then at the end seemed to want them suddenly dead. It’s as though she was working some strange double game as though she had to play the Archon’s game and help them stay alive when it was the opposite to what she wanted. Maybe that’s why she killed the Archon’s people when Locke and Jean escaped with the ship originally, perhaps she thought the Archon would just simply kill them and she would be innocent of their deaths. Which then makes who she’s working for all the more intriguing because whoever it is mustn’t want them dead… I just don’t know who that would be. The Bondsmagi would want them both dead, ditto a lot of others from Camorr, maybe the Spider was trying to help them and that’s who she was working for – but that doesn’t seem right either. It could be his long lost father – trying to protect him – by sending a jealous sister! Lol. I give up.
4. Finally we get to the point of the GB’s latest scheme, all that elaborate planning for two years, fancy chairs, gambling, dust covered cards, abseiling lessons – all for one gigantic bluff. I loved the diversionary tactic here but having finally reached the end of the story and, more to the point, the end result – do you think the GB’s are as clever as they think they are?
I loved the bluff. All that strutting around, years of planning, all so they could get taken to Requin’s office and rob his precious pictures. I love the fact that they knew his safe was unbeatable and weren’t even going to go there but they were playing on his own insecurities to get their hooks into him. I mean, to a certain extent you just can’t help but be impressed by their plans, they seem to have thought of everything. But if you measure their success in terms of what they have to show at the end of the two years – then it’s fairly small. Although after the last couple of years they’ve had they probably think they’re lucky to be alive. It’s made for good reading though. I suppose if they just made a fortune and retired somewhere quiet to sip on a cocktail it would be a bit dull!
5. I must admit that I liked Requin and Selendri – particularly at the end – I don’t think Requin will go after Locke and Jean, he was even sort of cool and composed about it all, in fact he came across as a bit pleased with himself because he had the last laugh. Plenty of good characters this time which did you enjoy reading most about this time?
I couldn’t help but like Requin and Selendri. I don’t want to make friends or anything but I thought they were good characters and I liked the way that the two of them were like a really good team. Requin came across as confident in his own set up and even at the end he didn’t seem overly bothered. He came across almost like an indulgent parent with a naughty boy. That being said he came out of it all in a much stronger position so I suppose it was easy to be indifferent about it all.
6. Finally, a triple barrel question, I know I shouldn’t ask this BUT, on reflection do you have a favourite between LoLL or RSURS?? And why? Are you going to pick up Republic of Thieves? And, where do you think Lynch will take us to next??
Well, on first reading of both these books I think I would have said without doubt LoLL was my favourite. This time around though I find it more difficult to choose. I think the first book in a series like this is always difficult to follow because you’ve lost the element of surprise or the novelty factor but having now reread RSURS I can genuinely say I can’t now decide. I enjoyed both of them equally I think. I loved LoLL – such a great introduction to Lynch’s world but RSuRS undoubtedly is an exciting and fun read. I loved the swashbuckling. I loved that Jean had a bit of romance enter his life. The con was great. Loads of assasins. What’s not to love? Of course I will pick up RoT – I just hope it’s out in autumn?? Any news on that anyone??? Where will we go to next. No idea. I guess as Locke and Jean are conmen they have to be in a city. Tempted to say somewhere away from water – perhaps we can go somewhere more mountainous – with dragons!
Loved reading this with you all and look forward to your discussions.
Lynn 😀
Red Seas Under Red Skies
Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch, readalong week 4
Just finished read Chapters 11 through 13 for this week’s installment of Red Seas Under Red Skies. I think this covers some of my favourite parts of the book. This challenge is hosted by Andrea at the Little Red Reviewer check out her post this week here . The questions were provided by nrlymrtl from Dark Cargo. other read along co-hosts, My Awful Reviews, and @ohthatashley from SF Signal
So, lets get straight to this week’s questions:
1) I was much relieved when Jean and Locke made up, which started with Locke’s gesture of a cup full of honesty with Cpt. Drakasha. Do you think that was hard for Locke? Or was he using this bit of honesty like any other weapon in his arsenal to get what he wants in the end?
I liked that Locke told Drakasha the truth although I suppose he didn’t have too much choice without giving up completely on his mission. The thing with Locke is that you would never be able to totally trust him. I’m sure Drakasha must be wondering whether he’s given her the full version or not.
2) The Parlor Passage: We still don’t know Locke’s true name, but whatever was in that mist does. What do you think it is?
The thing in the mist is just plain creepy – I don’t really know what it is to be honest, something supernatural. A bit like mermaids that lure sailors to their death. Only this isn’t mermaids its something more sinister.
3) There was an interesting section of the book that started about where Locke assisted Drakasha in selling the Red Messenger; he put on the persona of Leocanto Kosta and used the alias Tavras Callas and then Drakasha was still thinking of him as Ravelle….. Did using all those various aliases in such a short amount of time have your mind spinning a little? Do you think Lynch did this on purpose to give the reader a sense of Locke’s mind?
I suppose Lynch used this to show us of how tricky Locke’s mind really is. I think Locke used those personas because he was already comfortable with them and could fall right into the parts with ease – he didn’t have enough time to come up with different identities after all.
4) That was a sweet little kiss between Cpt. Zamira and Cpt. Jaffrim at the end of the Captains’ Council. Do you think they have some history, or is it just innocent flirting that’s been going on for some time?
I wondered if they had had a previous history. They seem very comfortable with each other in a way that seems to demonstrate more than just friendship – although I suppose they could have been friends for a long time.
5) Jean and Ezri. Cue dove-cooing and little winged hearts with sparkles. Do you think Jean will stay with the Poison Orchid or that Ezri will leave her ship to pal around with Jean and Locke?
I think Jean would try and persuade Ezri to leave the ship, he likes the life they’re leading but pirates out at sea or thieves on dry land I think Jean thinks its similiar. I don’t think he would want to leave Locke completely and he would probably want to show Ezri some of their tricks.
6) What is Utgar up to? What are his motivations?
I know what Utgar is up to so I won’t answer this one as it will contain spoilers.
7) So last week we hashed over that Merrain killed some of Stragos’s guards on Windward Rock. But when Jean and Locke visit him, he doesn’t mention it. What is up with that?
I think he’s saving it for a better moment. He still wants Jean and Locke to work for him and do his bidding but I don’t think he’s forgotten. Nope, just biding his time for the right moment when he can then use it to justify some spiteful behaviour.
8) This week’s section left us where the book began – Jean pointing a crossbow at Locke’s throat. Do you think Jean knows who sent these crossbowers? Is he on their side? Is it a clever ploy to get him and Locke out of this predicament? Did you find it excruciatingly hard to stop here?
Yes, it was very hard to stop at that point and I did feel really sorry for Locke.
That’s it for this week – looking forward to the discussions. Thanks to nrlymrtl for this week’s questions. 😀
Fear by Michael Grant
Just finished reading Fear by Michael Grant and spent a few horrifying days accompanying the kids in the Fayz. If you haven’t read the rest of the series this review may contain spoilers.
I must hand it to Michael Grant, every book I read in this series I finish up thinking how on earth will he come up with something new and every book he amazes me by doing so, yet again. He’s created this amazing, insane and horrifying world. It’s like the X-men if Stephen King wrote it or Lord of the Flies made into a Hammer House of Horror movie. What the hell – I have no idea how this can end – particularly in a way where we all reach the end of the yellow brick road, click our ruby slippers and say ‘I want to go home’. I got a bad feelin about this!
So we start the story, the town is divided – we have the kids on the beach ruled by King Caine and the kids at the Lake looked after by Sunny Sam. They’ve reached a sort of balance. They’re growing food, fishing, working, there’s a bit of internal politics going on, relationships – you could be forgiven for thinking mmmm, now what, as you drum your fingers impatiently. But, you know this calm just isnt going to last. In this instalment the Fayz is like a little island trapped inside a snow globe, everybody is playing nice together, things look calm and it makes for a pretty picture until something or someone tips the globe and then the storm arrives.
Fear – yet again Grant manages to instill more than one meaning into the title of his book. This time we have the darkness – looming and threatening to ruin everything that the children have accomplished in order to survive. Imagine complete and utter darkness. No moonlight, no stars, nothing, just pitch black. You could step off the edge of the road to your death down a deep ravine, you can be hunted by the things that can smell your fear. It’s just so fundamental to most children’s basic fear – the reason why they want to sleep with the door open or have a night light. On top of that we have all your own personal fears – spiders running over your bodies, massive wasps chasing you, worms eating their way out of your body, being buried alive, anything, you name it. Your own inner demons and one particular inhabitant who has the ability to make you live them out in a very realistic way – fear!
So, basically, Grant manages to chuck everyone right out of their comfort zone all over again. The Gaiphage is back with his machiavellian scheming. We’ve got the usual characters and we get to see how they’re developing as they realise just how responsible they are. We also have casualties because Grant isn’t afraid to kill off characters for the sake of the story. Sam has to come to terms with his own fears, his own feelings and his own status. We see Caine have a bit of a change of character, okay, he’s not turned soft and fluffy but I actually felt sorry for him at one point! Yet again, we have the evil baddies – the ones you love to hate and we also have the inspirational ones – breezing in and out at will! On top of this we now start to see things from the other side of the globe – we’re with the parents on the underside. We’re watching what’s going on out there as the secret forces try to figure out what’s going on and just exactly how much of a threat it could be.
I can’t/or won’t say any more. I enjoyed it. Did I enjoy it as much as Plague – not sure. I thought Plague was a bit horrific (in terms of YA anyway!) I definitely didn’t enjoy it more but it was good and I’m looking forward to the conclusion. Anything is possible with Grant. I’m not picturing happiness and joy though!
Fear
I have included Fear as part of my Once Upon a Time event – this is a not-a-challenge event being hosted by Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings. Check out the review site here – such a lot of great recommendations! Happy reading.
