Bram Stoker: Dracula

I thought I'd review something different. It was free on kindle and I currently have about a pound to my name so I had nothing to lose.

I'll start by saying this book is well worth a read, despite some short comings. The action scenes in the book really get you turning the pages and at those points, I was unable to put the book down. Unfortunately, these points are few and far between. The main characters, Mr and Mrs Harker, John, Quincey, Arther and of course Van Helsing, are all rather good at congratulating each other and issuing rallying speeches but rather bad at actually doing anything. I couldn't help bring to my mind the words of a song by Elvis - A little Less Conversation (A Little More Action Please). If you cut out all the talking, it would be a better read.

Some of the side characters, like Renfield(the lunatic) and Mr Swales being a well need comic value to the book, but they are far from flat, they also have a serious side and add value to the novel rather than detract from the point.

Lets understand though, that this is a classic novel, written over 100 years ago, for a very different audience, it touches on many contemporary themes and is enlightening in the way it shows social roles throughout. It is also the novel that defined the modern Vampire, and although that is something I don't have much time for, it was an enjoyable read and should be on everyone's 'to read' list.

Patrick Rothfuss: The Wise Man's Fear

This is a great book. Not excellent, but great.

It is Rothfuss's follow up to The Name of the Wind, about failed hero Kvothe who has gone into hiding, changed his name and doing as little as possible running an inn. This is the second instalment in Kvothe's tale and it was a delight to read.

Rothfuss's world building skills are fantastic; the level of detail that has been put into the novel are perfect. It boasts a multitude of different people's and beings, which interact together so realistically, the reader cannot help be suckered in.

The support characters are well developed and cleverly written, again, interacting so well you think they're actually there. It's just a bit of a shame that Rothfuss's protagonist isn't the same. Throughout the book, Kvothe gains magical abilities and becomes rather powerful. Good for him. Then the young, rather naive boy is seduced by the Felurian, who has a reputation for leaving men mad after having her way with them, he even manages to leave her satisfied. How? I mean, he was a virginal boy who knew less than nothing about women? Then he goes off and learns a bunch of fighting skills from another tribe of people who accept him and teach him the uber-secret ways.

I don't mean to nit-pick here but Kvothe comes across as a bit too perfect for my tastes. I like there to be some stumbling on the rise to power but this guy seems to have it too easy.

That said, I will be reading the third instalment when it comes out, just to see what happens in the end and as I feel this way, the book must be a success!

On the subject of editing

I thought I had better post something as it has been a while and I don't want people thinking I have passed away or anything.

I have read another book and I will be reviewing it soon but I thought I would post on another subject. Writing.

I've recently been editing my first novel and I have learned that editing a novel is so much harder that the writing. Keeping the whole picture in my head while working on smaller scenes is so difficult. I discovered to my dismay that I had two chapter 5's and and far too many named minor characters. I know I need to get the hatchet out an do some trimming but I never knew it would be so intense!

So, back to shutting put the world and into the book!