Instruments of Darkness by Imogen Robertson
20 November 2010
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Imogen Robertson, Instruments of Darkness
This is a very easy book to read. It’s a period drama/murder mystery set in the mid (I think) 18th century. The main characters are Gabriel Crowther, a reclusive gentleman who lives alone and uses his time studying anatomy, and Harriet Westerman, wife of a navy Commander who is running her estate in Caverley Park, West Sussex and lives with her younger sister Rachel. I think that the stories around these two have been drawn very well allowing them to be more adventurous than counterparts of that era would have been. For example, Mrs Westerman, has travelled all over the world with her husband and seen such a variety of sights that, whilst being a lady, she isn’t squeamish or afraid to speak her mind. Mr Crowther, through his shunning of society has gained almost a ‘bogey man’ type of reputation and yet his character is intelligent, dry and of course a gentleman.
Gabriel and Harriet strike up a partnership following the discovery of a murder victim in the woods surrounding the park where they live. Harriet suspects foul play by some of the inhabitants of Thornleigh Hall – the seat of the Earl of Essex. The Thornleighs enjoy great wealth and all the power and authority that this naturally brings. Therefore in pursuing an investigation in which the Thornleighs are cast in a bad light could be very dangerous, particularly to Harriet whose reputation could be sullied in the process.
The story follows two different threads – the investigation being undertaken by the above duo and the story of Alexander Adams and his family who live in London. Alexander – or Adam Thornleigh – is actually the missing her to the Thornleigh estate. Adam left the estate many years ago to marry for love. The match being unsuitable to his status. Adam was aware of the dark mystery surrounding his family and wanted to escape the dark and evil confines of his home.
I thought this book was a really good, believable, period drama. There are elements of detective work, a dark gothic feel and a good build of tension at the end. I feel as though Imogen has written a believable and interesting period drama – it almost feels like a book actually written during that period and fans of Austen and other books of that era will no doubt enjoy this book.
If I have any criticisms they would only be minor ones. I think that the ‘goodies’ and ‘baddies’ are very black and white and therefore a little bit obvious and predictable. Also, I would love to know why there are so many book covers with gates on the front. Can we have a different image please as this one is greatly overused.
I would definitely recommend this novel to anybody who enjoys period novels and I look forward to reading the second novel.
Rating B+
Instruments of Darkness
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
13 November 2010
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Angel, Infernal Devices
Wow!
Frankly I didn’t expect to like this novel even though I enjoyed the Mortal Instruments by the same author. I think I prejudged it really. I just didn’t fancy reading the prequels. I suppose I don’t like the idea of going ‘back’ to see what was the motivation behind a novel or series of novels after I’ve already read later episodes. A little bit like the Star Wars films – I watched the first three and I didn’t want to watch the three ‘new’ films that were then made at a later point. It’s a bit like somebody writing a prequel to Rebecca or Gone With the Wind, I mean, really, so what?? I don’t want to read some prequel about Scarlett O’Hara as a little girl. Plus I didn’t really like the idea of the timeframe that the new books were set in – not because I don’t like novels of that era but simply because it didn’t appeal to me this type of action novel being set in that period. I just thought it would be too restrictive. The first three novels had quite a bit of action in them and we are dealing with Shadowhunters so that doesn’t really lend itself very well to bustling dresses and parasols.
Anyway, I was totally wrong. I think this book was brilliant. I picked it up with misgivings but within, literally, a few pages it totally had me hooked. There were of course lots of similarities between Jace and Clary (but again reading any type of novel about attraction resonates at a certain level) and after all you’re still reading about Shadowhunters and the world that they live in. No, I really liked this book. I liked the writing, the people, the plot, the timeframe.
And, it’s amazing how the author completely adapted her writing style to fit into the period (not to mention that this novel is based in London). I just really didn’t think it would fit but CC made it totally believable. A few familiar faces popped up here and there which was good. The story was new and believable and you might guess a bit of the story here and there but I think it was a good plot overall.
I really liked this book, and, I don’t think I actually have any criticisms which is a first for me. I found this really absorbing – a total page turner. And I can’t wait for the next book. In fact if I had to choose which was my favourite setting for this story i.e. the current day Mortal Instruments or the more historical Infernal Devices I think it would be a difficult choice because I really do like the earlier period but then I do enjoy reading books from that era. That being said I would probably still err on the side of Mortal Instruments for the moment – but only because I’ve read all three so I’ll reserve making my judgement until I’ve read all three of the Infernal Devices. Can’t wait.
Rating A++
The Clockwork Angel
13 to Life by Shannon Delany
This is a book about Jessie, 16 years old, struggling to come to terms with her mothers death and living with her father and sister on a horse farm in a small town called Junction. Jessie becomes responsible for the new boy at school when she is asked to act as his guide. Peitr Rusakova has just moved to Junction with his brothers and sister and he’s much more than a good looking boy with a Russian accent. Pietr’s whole family is surrounded by a dark mystery and Jessie soon becomes caught up.
I actually really enjoyed this book and read it in two evenings as it was just such an easy read. And, it’s strange really, because I probably have more criticisms and unanswered questions than I have with any other book that I’ve read for a long time. In terms of criticisms, for example, there are a lot of similarities to other books of this genre, high school romance, bitchy girls, love triangles, always absent parent/parents, scenes in the gym, plus all the references to Pietr being a monster (lot of similarities with Twilight – where it is dangerous for the girl to be left alone with the boy). But, there are bound to be similarities in this age range – of course the stories will revolve a lot around school, of course the parents will be absent at convenient times of the story – otherwise things just wouldn’t happen after all, of course there are bitchy girls and jealouses.
Then there are all my unanswered questions, for example, why on earth is Jessie such a good friend to Sarah – to be perfectly frank it wouldn’t have surprised me if she hated her given the circumstances and yet Sarah just walked all over Jessie constantly. Why were wolves lingering around the farm at the start of the book? Why was Pietr so determined to stick with Jessie in school – he had so much attention from all the other females (including the adults) and it wasn’t immediately obvious that he liked Jessie (or that she had any attraction to him)? What was the whole Derek line about?? And why on earth did Pietr let Jessie push him into a situation that in the end neither of them were happy with??? Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition (do they?)!!
But, in spite of all the above, and more, I did like this book. I liked Jessie – even though she got on my nerves on a few occasions. I liked Amy and thought Jessie should definitely pay her more attention. I liked Pietr and his family. I thought the romance was nicely written and I didn’t mind the fact that up until the end of the book it read almost like an everyday highschool drama with no paranormal activity involved. And, in fairness I think this book is just setting us up for the next installment which promises to be good.
I would recommend this book.
Rating B+
13 to Life
A Darkness at Sethanon by Raymond Feist (Riftwar Sage Vol III)
4 November 2010
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: A Darkness at Sethanon, Raymond Feist
Just finished reading: A Darkness at Sethanon. The third and final installment of Raymond Feist’s Riftwar Saga…
This is a really excellent series that any readers of fantasy will enjoy. Obviously there are many similarities to Tolkien and certain elements of this third book are very familiar but Feist does bring a fresh element to his story by introducing a whole new world with different magic, different cultures, different people and then joining these two worlds by using a rift in magic (hence the Riftwar Sagas).
The third book brings us the final battle between good and evil with Arutha leading the charge with all his old companions playing a part.
I have really enjoyed this series of books and would recommend them. To be honest, I probably prefer Tolkien because I read his novels so long ago and so I suppose for me they set the standard but that being said these books are well written and fast paced with plenty of action and likable characters.
If I have any criticism it would probably be the whole magic element – which personally I thought became a little bit too much – too much description of the magic involved and with Pug, Tomas and Macros becoming almost invincible which seemed to make everybody else’s efforts pale into insignificance. I think this is why I probably preferred the second book (as it seemed to rely less on the magic element – or at least the overly descriptive chapters) – the first book also had a very large section dedicated to Pug’s gaining a whole new level of magical ability and I found that particular chapter/chapters a little bit drawn out. Which isn’t to say I just like the action. I do like the fact that there are magicians in the story, but I find the whole ‘path of discovery’ chapters a bit much.
Rating B.
A Darkness at Sethanon
No One You Know by Michelle Richmond
29 October 2010
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Michelle Richmond, No One you Know, Non One You Know
This is a story about a family and the impact that the murder of one of the daughters has on them. The story is told by Ellie, younger sister to Lila. At the start of the book Lila, who is a maths prodigy, is murdered. During the emotional aftermath Ellie befriends her English professor (Thorpe), and confides in him, all sorts of feelings and family affairs. Thorpe then goes on to use the information that Ellie has provided him with to write a best selling novel (non fictional) about the murder, the family, etc. Of course the family are devastated all over again at this betrayal and the way that the murder of their daughter has been used to provide entertainment. In the book Thorpe speculates about who the murderer is and actually names one of Lila’s professors (McConnell) – who Lila was having an affair with. McConnell is never convicted of the murder but his career and marriage are ultimately ruined.
Years later Ellie meets McConnell again and following their chance encounter no longer believes that he is Lila’s murderer and starts on a path of discovery of her own.
To be honest, this book was not what I was expecting. I imagined this book to be ‘darker’ and also maybe to be a bit more of a thriller but it is more an emotional type of book. Exploring Ellie’s feelings, particularly of guilt, and the impact that the death of her sister had on her in terms of her inability to relate well or trust other people. That being said I like the author’s style of writing and it is an easy read and a decent story – I just personally feel that it missed an opportunity somehow to be an excellent story.
Rating C.
No One You Know
