It’s tough up North..
10 July 2014
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Grim Company, Prince of Fools, The Fantasy Review Barn, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, The Seven Forges, The Wee Free Men, Tough Travelling
Every Thursday Nathan at The Fantasy Review Barn takes us travelling through the tropes of fantasy. I love this although I have to admit that the newest books are the ones that usually spring most readily to mind and LoTR seems to be making my list virtually every week! Without further ado this week we’re looking at:
‘NORTHERN BARBARIANS’
1. Brodar Kayne from Luke Scull’s Grim Company. Tough as old boots. Used to be ‘The Sword of the North’ but now seems to be on the run from his former master, accompanied by his trusty psycho friend The Wolf. He’s no longer a spring chicken but he can kick ass! An entertaining pair!
2. The Sa’ba Taalor from the Seven Forges by James A Moore- a race of people, largely forgotten who live amongst the huge mountain ranges of the north – The Seven Forges. The Empire of Fellein, always in search of more places to plant a flag or collect goodies send an expedition over the blasted lands of the North and this expedition returns with more than they ever anticipated. I’m not sure that I would call these Barbarians although I’m sure that the Empire thought little more of them than that until they had a rather rude awakening!
3. Yeine Darr from The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N K Jemisin. Yeine’s mother was once heir to the Amareri throne until she eloped with a man considered to be far below her status and was disinherited. At the start of the story Yeine’s mother has died and Yeine is called back to the city in the Sky. Against all odds, and not least because being half Darre she is considered a barbarian, she is named heir along with two others – and thus starts a political struggle with all kinds of deception and maneouvering.
4. Sven Broke Oar – from Mark Lawrence’s Prince of Fools. – a particularly nasty character. Ruler of the Hardassa Clan. His Black Fort really is based far up in the icy North.
5. The Nac Mac Feegles from Terry Pratchett’s Wee Free Men – I had to. They’re rum little buggers with fiery tempers and unquenchable thirsts (for anything even remotely alcoholic). Do not get on their wrong side.
‘OK, lads, this is what we’ll do. As soon as we see somethin’, we’ll attack it. Right?’
This caused a cheer.
‘Ach, ‘tis a good plan,’ said Daft Wullie
The Wee Free Men, by Terry Pratchett readalong, final instalment
6 March 2013
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Readalong week 3, Terry Pratchett, The Wee Free Men
Today is the final part of our readalong of the Wee Free Men, part of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld books. The readalong has been hosted by The Little Red Reviewer and Dab of Darkness and although it’s the last week for this book dinnae fash yerself because we’re going to move onto the next book : A Hat Full of Sky. If you haven’t read any of these books yet, firstly, seriously what are you waiting for and secondly – the rest of this will contain spoilers – so don’t be saying you weren’t warned!
1) What was your favorite part of the ‘duel of dreams’ between Tiffany and the Queen?
Well, I liked where she dreamed herself out onto the sea with the lighthouse and the big fishy! I didn’t see any of that coming – but then I don’t think TP writes stories in a way that allows you to second guess. It all feels very spontaneous almost as though he just starts writing and sees what happens! The bit I really liked whilst at the same time feeling it was a bit sad was where the Drome was sat dangling it’s feet in the water looking all forlorn and reflective. Maybe the Dromes are not really as bad as we all thought. The thing with the queen is she didn’t really have any power – which is an unusual concept for the fae. It was all about twisted reality and Tiffany keeping hold of her own thoughts. It’s interesting that TP doesn’t go with the ‘all powerful fae’ thing here. I mean really when you think about it the Queen was not powerful at all – she could just make you imagine horrible things. She has to steal from another world – so what is she really Queen of?? The Queen of fenced goods! and on top of that she had to use Dromes to help her. But all that isn’t to make light of what Tiffany achieved – she stood her ground and I think she’s a really great character!
2) The last part of the book shows us a bit more of Roland’s character. What did you make of him?
Okay, I’m just going to be totally honest now and say that Roland was absolutely shagging useless. I’m sorry but he was. Okay, he cracked open the nut – but that was it! And, he had to be told twice before he did it. Then he practically failed and had to be carried around for the remainder of the confrontation and after having been rescued he took the credit. Now, okay, I realise he came to apologise about that but it was really just a token gesture – he did the apology in private, which again, I admit, Tffany had already decided not to make more of it, but then he started acting all ‘to the Manor born’. How about no, you would still be in fairy if you hadn’t been rescued you big jessie! Am I being too harsh? I can just see these two growing up and having a romance now I’ve said all that!
3) The Nac Mac Feegle never cease to make me laugh. What were some of your favorite scenes or lines from the Feegle (for this segment or the entire book)?
They just cheer me up. Nothing phases them. They’re a great big bunch of hard nuts who are actually as soft as butter. All that raging into battle and talk of kebabs. Head butting everything with a head – and then being petrified of lawyers. They. Are. Brilliant. Plus the language is great. I kept reciting bits to the hubby, as I do when I get all giggly – not at all impressed – although I’m sure that was just my terrible accent! Drinking parafin – then saying ‘I told you the wee skull on it meant we shouldnae touch it. But, I really loved the whole scene with the frog – remembering he was a lawyer and that’s why he’d been turned in the first place. The scene where he negotiates his pay (or lack of it) was hilarious:
‘…in the circumstances I’ll take this case pro bono…’
*The swords didn’t move*
‘…that means free…’
*The sound of swords being sheathed*
4) The finale of the book introduces us to Mistress Weatherwax and Mrs. Ogg. These are two of my all-time favorite Discworld characters. What did you think of them? Have you read other books featuring these two ladies?
This is my first disc world book so the answer is no to the latter part. I liked the way that they respected Tiffany – which Ms Tick didn’t really seem to do – I liked her but she was a bit of a smarty pants whereas the other two just got down to brass tacks to find out what had actually happened.
5) Tiffany’s connection with Granny Aching is one of the most poignant throughout the book. Did you enjoy Granny Aching’s brief appearance late in the book?
I did. It was probably the only thing that I’d almost predicted in response to any of the questions – I just knew that Shepherdess was going to come into the story somewhere. Granny Aching is an amazing character. The backstories of her and her dogs were great and I think she could have a book of her own.
The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett, readalong week 2, ‘there’s gonna be a reckonin’
So for the second week I’m taking part in a readalong of the Wee Free Men, being hosted by Little Red Reviewer and Dab of Darkness. If you haven’t joined in the fun, dont fash yeself, it’s never too late to start, especially as we’re going to continue the fun with book No.2. However, if you haven’t read the Wee Free Men read no further as spoilers are contained below.
1. Do you think Tiffany will be able to hold up her end of the bargain that she made with the Kelda?
Actually, I’m beginning to think that Tiffany could do anything she really put her mind to. So far she hasn’t been fooled – she might have to take a timeout to think about things but she seems to manage okay – although there isn’t much witchcraft involved so far I’m sure there will be when it’s good and necessary. As to whether she can hold up her end of the bargain with the Kelda – I would say it’s only a temporary measures. After all, she’s not really going to marry one of the Wee Men and have hundreds of little blue skinned wee men is she? And that does seem to be a bit of an essential requirement for a Kelda! I hope she’s not going to marry one of them anyway!!
2.Do you think Tiffany and Fion will ever be friends?
Not sure about Tiffany and Fion being friends, well not yet anyway. There’s a good deal of resentment from Fion at the moment although I’m sure she’ll get over this and eventually realise she doesn’t want to stay in a clan with all her brothers! Maybe when she get’s her own clan – perhaps then they may become friends. Who knows, she may become one of Tiffany’s allies.
3. What do you think of the Queen’s world? How does this interpretation of Fairyland mesh with other interpretations you’ve run into in other books?
The Queen’s world is an odd one. It definitely puts me in mind of other interpretations and yet at the same time seems fairly unique. I suppose the obvious comparison is the queen in the Narnia stories – simply for the snow – although the reason behind the snow was given a reasonable explanation I thought. I like the way that everything comes into sharper focus when Tiffany is looking at it – like the trees for example, as if they get all self conscious and feel they need to do better and I also think it’s a funny notion that they may be walking through a small forest that just keeps moving forward with them! There were definitely tones of Labyrinth as well – thinking in particular of two particular scenes – the one where she is back in the kitchen at home – felt very similar to when the young girl in Labyrinth finds herself back in her bedroom surrounded by her things. The other scene was at the masked ball. And yet, even though these scenes make me think of Labyrinth I still feel that the Queen’s realm feels quite unique. I liked the way that nothing there is real but borrowed from elsewhere and I also thought the whole dream scenes idea was intriguing.
4. What do you think of Roland? Will he be a help to Tiffany or a hindrance?
Not sure what to make of Roland yet. It seems as though he may have been trapped in Fairy too long to ever really recover. Although maybe Tiffany will be able to turn it around. He seems fairly harmless at this point although there’s always the possibility that he could prove a hindrance without ever meaning to alternately I can see him being helpful in a totally none intended way but just by stumbling upon something. So, I’ve covered all outcomes there haven’t I?
5. I don’t know about you, but I do NOT want to run into a Drome!
The Drome’s are a great invention. Really creepy – even the way they continue to change and manipulate the dream even whilst Tiffany is in it. The scene where they’re following her through the forest and she’s all alone was quite sinister.
I love the humour in the book – in fact I found it really picked me up earlier in the week when I started reading.
The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett readalong ‘crivens’
20 February 2013
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Readalong, Terry Pratchett, The Wee Free Men
This week is the first part in a readalong of Terry Pratchett’s Wee Free Men being hosted jointly by Dab of Darkness and Little Red Reviewer.
The Wee Free Men is my first foray into Disc World and I’m really enjoying it. The story takes off almost immediately with a swift introduction to Tiffany, Miss Tick (who I can’t help thinking of the woman out of a crazy film called Troll) – plus she had a talking toadstool! Come on – stick a pointy hat on her bonce and it’s spot on!
and of course the Wee Free Men who I keep picturing like these little guys from Willow (except I think they’re brownies):
Also with Red hair and blue skin of course!
Anyway, without further ado, lets move on to this week’s questions.
But first, if you haven’t already read the Wee Free Men then
“Gang awa’ oot o’ here, ye daft wee hinny” because spoilers will no doubt be contained within!!
1. Since I am a nosy person, I want to know if this is your first Terry Pratchett book? Do you enjoy the humor and writing style so far?
This isn’t my first book by Terry Pratchett but it is my first Discworld. I have wanted to read some of these for a long while but there are simply so many books that it’s almost a bit daunting. I’ve read Nation which is a YA book and which I enjoyed. Some good humour for sure. I’ve also read Good Omens which given how much I love Neil Gaiman, and how much I’m enjoying this book so far, you would think I would have loved it but somehow I didn’t. I can’t put my finger on why and I wonder if I should reread it as some point. Anyway, yes, I am enjoying the humour so far.
2) We’ve been introduced to Tiffany Aching’s world of shepherding and cheese making and her family. What about this quaint setting has caught your eye?
So far I have no problem with envisaging the setting, it seems like an old fashioned farming family where everyone works hard. On top of that the people are deeply superstitious and read much into things. What has caught my eye I suppose is the way that Tiffany is very independent. She doesn’t seem to need a lot of guidance. She’s a very self controlled individual who doesn’t panic and I think that because she’s at that age where she can still believe in anything and still feel that special things can happen, not to mention coming from a background where people automatically believe the weird and wonderful over the mundane, anything is possible. I suppose that the quaint setting is a bit deceptive as it leads you to believe things will be quiet which they certainly aren’t.
3) Ah, the Nac Mac Feegles! Can you understand their speech? Who or what do you think the kelda is?
I can’t say I really know what the Kelda is – I think whatever she is she’s not somehow as bad as the Queen because she obviously tried to help the Wee Free Men to find someone who could assist in their hour of need. Now, who, would help these guys? Maybe a good fairy – actually, is there any such thing. Or possibly, as they’re sort of a rogue clan – I guess this means they’re not attached to one of the fae courts – perhaps the Kelda is their own type of fae royalty. Then again maybe not. A white witch? Or some sort of protector of the realms. Maybe it’s some sort of elemental or something as simple as Mother Earth. Clearly I don’t have a clue and I really wish I did. Perhaps if I make enough guesses I’ll eventually hit lucky! I can understand the little guys and they make me laugh – I’m sure these same guys have appeared in one of the Dresden Files!
4) Do you see a future for Tiffany at a witches’ school? Or do you think Ms. Tick will take on a mentor’s role?
I don’t know what to think yet – Tiffany seems like she’s going to be one of those witches who is going to develop a reputation and clearly have some talent. She’s not scared of sticking up for herself either. I think it would be good if she did go to school – perhaps she needs the structure but I wouldn’t necessarily say that would take Ms Tick out of the picture. I think these two will have more going on in the future for sure and if Tiffany does go to school I can’t see it being the sort of affair from Harry Potter. It would be quite refreshing if she continues to learn things as she goes along.
5) Wentworth has gone missing and there is a Queen involved. What do think she wants with him? If this is a reread, then how do you like having one magical world (the Queen’s) nestled within the Discworld universe (Tiffany’s world)?
Well, if she’s a queen of a seelie court then it’s not unheard of for them to take a human child. Usually as some sort of play thing. That being said, maybe there’s a bigger plot. Perhaps this is all a ruse to get Tiffany into the other world. I don’t know why at this stage. It could be that she has more power than she or any of the others are aware? It’s a bit like Harry Potter – maybe Tiffany is going to be the queen’s nemesis just like he was with Voldermort. It could also be that Wentworth was taken by mistake and maybe Tiffany was the intended target.
Please feel free to add anything else that stood out for you, made you chuckle, quirk an eyebrow, etc.
The sense of humour is great – for example, the wee men making off with the sheep – very funny, especially when Tiffany called out that there’d be a reckoning so they brought it back. I just like the dialogue. it’s quick, it’s witty and its embraced by this lovely story that feels like a fairy tale. I also like all the little tales about Granny Aching – she sounds like a real character.
Books and travelling with Lynn 