Mistborn: The Final Empire - Brandon Sanderson

My word! I managed to finish a book in the five minutes a day I now get to read. That's the five minutes between getting into bed and passing out exhausted every night. My training course is intense and is keeping my very busy. I'm loving what I do though so nothing to fear there. Onwards to Sanderson's novel then...

This is the first high fantasy book I have read in a long time. I read it as a paperback (not on kindle *shock*) and I must say, it was a blinder. The plot kept me guessing throughout and there are some twists and turns that I didn't see coming. I was left guessing until the very end when the resolution happened and this left me a happy reader. I love to keep guessing, I detest obvious plot and this novel was far from that.

The world-building in the novel is right where it should be. I invested a lot of time reading the six hundred or so pagesof it and every one was worth it. The world was well thought out, highly developed and above all, believeable. The split between the nobility and peasent class, or Skaa, is well thought out and there is enough information to show the vastness of the world. The 'magic' system is like nothing I have ever read before, it was well balanced and had enough limitations to make it real. Top marks from me Sanderson, well done.

I shall also touch on character, which as you know, is a thing close to my heart. All the characters are believeavle, if not likeable (and most of them are). At first, one of the protagonists, Kelsier, appears to be a bit of a 'Mary Sue' type, like Kvothe in Rothfuss's The Name of the Wind but it soon becomes apparent that this is not the case, his flaws are just hidden to begin with. I do like a character with flaws, it makes them that much more real to me. The trials that he and his friends face are real and they each act according to their talents.

I'm going to leave it there for this novel, just leave with the final note of how much I liked it. It was a welcome change from some of the rubbish fantasy I have read. Go and read it, it is well worth the time investing in.

Teacher Training, Time and Stephen King

I have been rather busy of late. I am into my third week of teacher training and I am enjoying every minute of it. Even the planning and the work I have to bring home. I love anticipating what the children are going to get from my lessons and what their reactions will be. Consequently, I have had far less time to read but don't get me wrong, I am still reading

I also have to confess I am re-reading some of The Dark Tower as I fell in love with it the first time and sometimes you just need something that you love. I have consummed The Drawing of the Three and have nearly finished The Wastelands. Here are my thoughts on the second reading:

I still love it. I have still ploughed through and read far too late into the night. The language is still fabulous and yet easy to read and the plot as gripping as it was the first time. This time however, I have the benefit of being able to read a bit slower as I know what is going to happen. I can savour the action scenes without reading at a break-neck pace to see who lives and who dies. My goodness they are wonderful! The metaphor and similies are enough to make the English fanatic in me die a bit (in happiness) and yet, it isn't overpowering or obnoxious.

I also noticed how creepy one of the characters in The Wastelands is the one pictured above. Blaine makes the above novel look more like a horror than a fantasy novel. The mental train verges onto the point of being terrifying and the warnings written by Jake at the start of the novel should be heeded. I won't say too much but I will lament my complete imeptitude at riddles. I'm just glad I wasn't on that mono!

That said, I should get back to these lesson plans, they won't complete themselves! I hope I can keep reading when I can.

The Last Arguement of Kings - Joe Abercrombie

So, I have finished the trilogy for the second time and I must say, I am as pleased with it this time as I was last time.





The final book is as good as the other two and although there has been some wide discussion about the ending of the novel, I found that I was still pleased with it. It is in keeping with the rest of the book and suits the themes that Abercrombie has chosen to work with. The ending may not seem fair to many readers however, I would point out that nothing in these books are fair. There is only one person who seems to come off better than they started (I'm not saying who) and when you really think about it, you're not really sure if that's the case. The ending is a good point for discussion and I look forward to discussing it at some lengths with the significant other when he gets round to reading it for himself.

Once more, the characters in the novel are fab and there is no telling who is going to be alive after the many many fights there are. It doesn't seem to matter how good, or bad, they are at fighting, luck plays a healthy part in the novel and it works well. I've not touched really on magic in the series yet as it appears to play a minor role for the most part. The magician character seems to start off nice but soon descends to the levels of the more base characters, especially with what you learn in the final part of the series. However, the magic system is well thought out and the details are woven into the story so when it comes to the forefront it appears to have been there all along.

The only thing that I found to be a bit of a drag in this final part of the trilogy was the many many many fight scenes. There are loads of them and after the fifth I found they were a bit wearisome to read. They are well written and also essential to the plot but I got tired of reading them. That said, it is not something that detracted from the overall enjoyability of the trilogy and I would suggest you go and read them, they are a delight.

Before They are Hanged - Joe Abercrombie

It seems my ability to consume books has returned seeing how I finished this number in just over a day - I did sleep as well so don't go accusing me of staying up all night to read!





I have mentioned before how much I enjoy Joe Abercrombie's work and the main reason for this is his characterisation. I mentioned a couple before and as promised, here are my thoughts on one of the strongest in the series. I could hardly talk about the series and leave out the grumbling bitter Inquisitor could I? I try to ask myself why I like the character so much. He's sarcastic to the point of scathing and more bitter than sucking on a whole bunch of lemons. If I knew him in the real world, he'd drive me crazy - in the bad way. That said, his internal monologue and jaded view of his world had me laughing out loud and agreeing with some of his opinions. If there is someone who needs to catch a break, its this guy.

Moving on from Sand dan Glokta. World-building! Once again, the depth of detail that Abercrombie goes into with the different parts of his world are fabulous. There is just the right amount to keep the reader interested; I was never bored while I was reading about the ruins some of the characters travel through. I never found an author who could make sand seem interesting and yet, there I was, captivated. The depth of the myths in the novel are brilliant too and they lend a depth to the novel that is missing in so many I have read. The world is a cruel place and this is mirrored in the events that have happened in the past. I don't want to ruin it for you by telling you what happens, I just urge you to go and find out for yourself, it is worth it.

The plot in this part of the trilogy isn't brain busting and isn't going to reinvent the wheel. That said, it isn't exactly predictable either and despite this being a re-read for me, I kept turning the pages (clicking the button) because I needed to know what happened next. Most of the details I have forgotten as I read it over two years back. For it to do this a second time goes it show the staying power of this novel.

I can't say much more than go and find a copy and give it a go!

The Blade Itself - Joe Abercrombie

I knew I had to read something amazing coming off the back of the last set of books I read. I know I am going to miss those characters so I decided to go with something I have read before but never reviewed.

I love the characters in The Blade Itself. I remember them being amazing the first time round and the second they are just as well written, if not likable. I had forgotten how arrogant and exactly how much of a whinge-bag the noble character was. It was hard to sympathise with his petty complaints but that didn't mean he was awful to read about. if anything, he highlights the genuine struggle of some of the other characters. The reason I have a lasting appreciation of the swordsman illustrated on the cover there, is his loving the small things that we all take for granted: safety, food, a hot bath. These little things bring a tear to his eye and I found that rather heartwarming - Say one thing of Logan Ninefingers, say he appreciates the small things...

Don't get me wrong, this isn't a book for the faint hearted. The world in which it is set is a cruel broken one; the discarded wrecks of it's folly lie shattered throughout the novel, from the broken inquisitor (my favourite character, more on that next time) to the wreckage of government failings. The world is as flawed as our own and I was shocked to be reminded of how well it has been crafted. The inherent racism within the novel and the ignorance of the nobility that goes with it was well written and there wasn't a time when I was jolted out of the world by a jarring word or someone doing something irregular.

The one thing I will say about the book is that there is not much resolution at the close, there is a little but this really is a set up book for the rest of the trilogy. If you're after a stand alone then this isn't the book for you. That said, I already know how awesome the rest of the novels are and they are worth reading. The language of the book is perfect, its not so simple to be boring yet neither is it complex. Joe Abercombie has found the right balance between character and plot to make this novel a real page turner. I'd recommend it to anyone!

The Price of Faith (The Ties that Bind 3) Rob J Hayes

Well, it took me just over two days to read the last of the trilogy I have been so enjoying this past week and lets just say, Rob Hayes didn't take the pressure off for one moment. I couldn't read the novel fast enough, here's why.

Once again, the characters really bring the story to life. I was delighted to find out my two favourites from the first novel returned and the changes they'd gone through made them that little bit more interesting. The relationship between the two was made even more real for me when the novel starts with them apart after an argument. Hayes drip feeds the details over the first few chapters, the element kept me reading to find out how they would resolve their differences. I really wanted them to sort it out so they could move on together. I'm not going to tell you the outcome as that would spoil the novel but believe me, it comes as a surprise.

I want to talk about the fight scenes in the novel as well, I haven't mentioned them so far and I feel I should. They are brilliantly written. Not once did I find myself skimming over the words to find out what happened. I read every blood-stained chest-stabbing brutal move and believe me, there are more than a few fights throughout the series. The detail is enough to be a bit gross but not too gruesome that it becomes tedious. Each character has an individual style and this is reflected in the narrative. It is clear a lot of effort has been taken while crafting these scenes and that is something a lot of other authors could learn.

The only down-side to this novel is that it has now ended. As well as the odd spelling error but we'll brush that under the carpet again as the rest of it is so wonderful. I do hope that there are more books forthcoming from Hayes as I am a definite fan and shall add him to the 'to watch' list, along with the likes of Scott Lynch and Douglas Hurlick. My suggestion is to find a copy of these novels and give them a read, they are well worth it.

I also dread the hangover this series is going to give me so I am going to go and read something that is good and of a similar taste to this; Joe Abercrombie's First Law Trilogy, here I come!

The Colour of Vengeance (The Ties that Bind Book 2) - Rob J Hayes

I have to say I was really looking forward to getting my teeth into the next book in the trilogy seeing as I loved the first one. It took me about 3 days to read and here are my thoughts:

I couldn't put my kindle down. I couldn't consume this book fast enough it was that good. The second novel follows the story of The Black Thorn, who we should all be familiar with from the first novel. It depicts how he survives by the hand of the very organisation he hates. What follows is a whirlwind of searching across the wilds for the one who 'killed' him in the first place. The novel features some new characters as well as some old ones. The blend of characters is, once again, fantastic. However they are not static carbon cut-outs; there is excellent development and they are all multi-dimensional and intreging. Even the villains, and believe me, they are nasty, all have something they want - they're not bad for being bad's sake which makes you just want to read on and find out where their journey will take them.

The world is as bleak as it is in the first one. Betrayal seemed to come naturally to those inhabiting it and the tough lives the characters lead is reflected in the language spoken. I believe I mentioned this in my first review so won't go on about it again, it works so well for me so I feel I have to give it another salute here. The lives and characters put me in mind of those from Joe Abercrombie's First Law trilogy, another set of books I loved, yet Hayes has made his story his own. I can see the influence yet it is not a rip-off or re-telling.

I do have two criticisms, one is the spelling again, however this does not detract from the read. I was so interested in what was going on that I didn't care that much (which is a big thing coming from me, I usually slate people for this). The other was the lack of mention of the Arbitor and the Blademaster. I was surprised there was no mention of them at all other than the Black Thorn thinks they are dead - which we know is false due to the end of the last novel. I loved those two characters and was sad when they didn't turn up. I have since learned they are in the third novel - awaiting to be read on my kindle - so feel a bit relieved about that, I NEED to know what happened to them!

One again, a fab read from Hayes and I cannot wait for the next one. I am already dreading the book hangover from this set, whatever comes next is going to have to go some to beat it. Thanks Rob Hayes for creating such a wonderful story once again.

The Heresy Within (The Ties that Bind) - Rob J Hayes

It was a gamble this novel, a 77p buy from Amazon when I couldn't decide what to go for and nothing on my to read list was screaming at me to be read. I do love reading independent novels but they can be hit and miss as they don't necessarily have the same resources as those books issued from a publishing house. This one is one of the best I have ever read.

The best thing about this novel is the characters. From the moment I started to the very end, I was interested in what happened to all of them. I cared whether they lived or died and what's more, they were not the generic characters found in a fantasy novel. The inquisitor, Thanquil, has the compulsion to steal things in order to calm his nerves. The female fighter has her fair share of quirks, including not wanting to fight and the theif guy seems to always find himself in a fight which is never (always) his fault. The three come together and work towards their goal in an interesting way which is a real delight to read.

The world in which the novel is set is a harsh one, this is reflected in the narrative. I would never recommend this book to under eighteens. It deals with some rough themes and it doesn't skimp on the details or the swearing. Normally this would irritate me in a novel but Hayes makes it work well. The language reflects on the lives of the characters. The ones that swear are the ones who have had a tough time and it works well. Even the sex in the novel is rough and I'm going to be honest, it doesn't skimp on that either. There are times when characters are running naked through the street and instead of seeming silly, it comes across as a reflection of the harsh world they live in.

There are a couple of things that could use improving through the novel and this is the editing for the most part. There are spelling errors and a few clumsy sentances which could easily be solved with another set of editing but this is a minor complaint as I enjoyed the novel that much I hardly noticed. The same goes for the cliche terms that have crept in, the novel is that good I could ignore them!

All in all, this was a great recommendation from Amazon and I am more than pleased with the read. I have already purchased the sequel and have read 20% of it already. This hasn't happened since I read The Dark Tower series, which you all know how much I love. I recommened you go and read this book if you can, its well worth it/

Den of Thieves - David Chandler

It's good to be reading fantasy novels again. I mean, I have enjoyed my sojourn into the sci fi genre but like all trips, it's good to be home once more. This novel was recommended to me by my other half, who read it and said I would enjoy it. So I gave it a go.

The novel starts in very typical fantasy setting with a very stereotype hero with a magical sword. I had to take a deep breath to prevent the obligatory 'here we go again' thoughts before plodding on with the novel. I was dreading meeting the helpless damsel and the gutless thief - all ancient stars of countless genre novels since the genre began. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The Stereotypes ended there and Chandler puts a very good spin on worn out tropes. The thief is far from gutless, though he does show fear in the face of his challenges. The knight follows his beliefs but he is made out to be living in a story book rather than the real word of the novel. He is mocked, goaded and insulted throughout and believe me when I say he has a lot to learn!

The world building in the novel is thorough and I had no trouble immersing myself into the city in which it is set. I loved the different aspects of the city viewed through the protagonist’s eyes. There is a decent balance between rich, poor and everything that comes in between. It has been well thought out and really comes to life; the city is teeming with life, much like a real living place.

There are only a couple of issues I have with the novel. One is the lack of foreshadowing around a major part of the plot. I won’t spoil it but I feel the author just dropped it in there for shock factor. It was a bit too out of the blue for comfort in my opinion. The other was the telling explanation at the end. I don’t need to be beaten around the head with the answer; I worked it out for myself. A subtler touch would leave the reader a little more satisfied with the ending.

These are minor issues however and do not detract from the novel as a whole. I recommend reading this one for yourselves as it is a beautifully written book. It does have a sequel so I will be looking at that in the near future!

Star Trek Into Darkness - JJ Abrams and Co

To say I was apprehensive about going to see this film is an understatement. I love Star Trek. I have loved Star Trek for as long as I can remember. Watching it on a Wednesday evening at 6pm on channel 4 was a highlight of the week - I don't care how sad that makes me sound, I loved it and still do. I will also confess now that I have been a Khan fangirl since I saw the film many years ago. I also recall my best friend at the time taunting me over this and my fourteen year old self getting rather embarrassed... This fangirling never died. I have an action figure on my desk and a movie poster on my wall. I'm telling you this so you know what the new film has to live up to.

The first Star Trek film by Abrams was phenomenal but the thought of someone messing about with my all time favourite film made me squirm a bit inside. And you know what? It was all for nothing. Abrams has done a cracking job. The film is different enough for it to fit with the new pantheon but the similarities and parallels between the two are enough to keep raving fans like me happy.

I don't really know where to begin with my praise for the film, seeing how reviewing films is a whole lot different to my usual area of expertise. The script was great, dialogue between that characters flowed well and there is enough one liners to make you laugh without making a farce of it. There is even a point where Kirk tells one of the characters off for too many metaphors - I won't say which but it is a nice link between old and new.

 

The only thing I will mention is that this story isn't going to win any massive awards for individuality and uniqueness. There were parts that my partner and I could guess and knew what would happen next but I found that I didn't care that much. The acting and themes in the story detracted from these small predictability's and it made it a film well worth watching. JJ Abrams, I salute you.

The Gunslinger (again) - Stephen King

Yes, I know, I have already read and reviewed this book. Don't despair, I will read something different next, I promise. I loved it the first time and when this was the only book near me when my kindle decided to die (it just needs a recharge) I was overjoyed.

I've never re-read a book before and been as impressed the second time around than I have with this one. On the first reading you're all blown away with the tension building and then the release, the whirlwind of story and darkness of character sweep you off on an adventure that is like no other you'll ever have. I knew what I was getting myself in for when I picked it up this time, however, with this reading, it is the small details that stand out. There are concepts and ideas mentioned in the novel that are not explained until several novels down the line. It is a real credit to King's skills as a writer that this happens. These details make a lot more sense on a second reading and as a whole, make the story that much more enjoyable.

On the second reading, I no longer had to worry whether I liked the protagonist. This time, I understand his reasons for doing what he does and cannot hate him for it either. Yes, he is still the dark brooding antihero he was before but my perception of him has altered through gained knowledge and this enhances the whole experience. I also didn't feel the same about Jake, the young boy in the story, there was no sympathy for him on his 'experiences' (I won't say what it is, some of you may not have read his yet) as I knew what was ahead. What I didn't reckon on was there being the first chapter of The Drawing of the Three at the end, which has just made me want to read on. I will be disappointed once more when I open my next book and find Roland Deschain isn't in it!

The setting, language and mood of the novel are all as captivating as they were the first time around and I strongly advice those of you who have not read this novel/series yet to stop what you are doing, find a copy and read it. Why are you still reading this drivel? Go!

Master and Commander - Patrick O'Brian

I have been wanting to read this book for some time and I have finally managed to sit down and do so, between the craziness that is preparing for World Book Day (7th March) and the other tasks that have been assigned to me. Here are my thoughts:

If I could have sat down and read this book from cover to cover without interruption from the real world, I would have. I instantly liked the hero - Jack Aubrey. Many of you will know him as played by Russell Crowe in the 2003 film. He seems to have two states of emotion to begin with, super happy or super angry. Fortunately he gravitates to happy and its so easy to get caught up with his fervor and passion for all things, from his love of music to the enthusiasm for his newest command. He is a simple enough character and easily likeable. I was quick to sympathize with his confusion part way through the novel when one of his lieutenants was forced to make a tough decision without his knowledge and then took his frustration out on Jack. The hero was much like a wounded puppy for a long while and it certainly earned my sympathy. In fact, it became rather hard to remember at points that this kind-hearted character had bite, but he does and wasn't afraid to use it either. His simplicity was delightful, especially after reading some novels with characters that are tough to like or get to know, Roland Deschain for example!

As a complete foil for Jack, is the ships doctor Stephen Maturin. He is a rich character but taken to dark moods and thoughtful contemplation rather than action. The two become fast friends and they work so well together. He is not always serious and there is an air of mischief about Maturin at times which I found delightful, like him putting in foul tasting additions with his medicine to make sure the crew know they are being physicked and when he falls overboard and the rest of the crew jump in to save him. The dynamic is a credit to O'Brian's skills as a writer and one of the reasons I was so hooked on the novel as a whole. The rest of the supporting cast are all individuals and you know who is speaking without it being tagged with a name - perfectly written and well balanced.
 

The story itself is relatively easy to follow for the most part. The sea battles are well written and kept me glued to my kindle. If not for work constraints I would have been reading well into the early hours. The battles were exciting and concise, I had no trouble following the action, nor the thoughts and feelings of the crew involved. I was routing for the crew and the Sophie all throughout their trials. Even the 'duller' aspects of sea life were interesting and well written. However, it was not always easy to tell where the crew were and there were some parts that jumped around. I found from one scene to the next drastic changes had happened. They may be aboard ship one moment and roaming around on shore the next with not much clue as to when that change occurred. This made parts of the novel hard to follow.

 The other aspect of the novel which was difficult to grasp was the terminology. I've studied 19th century sailing ships a little for a book I am working on so know a little bit about the parts of a ship, however I struggled with some of the names. If you don't know your forecastle from your mizzen and your foretopgallant from your mainroyalstay, you're going to have an issue. I'd advise you to keep a dictionary - or smartphone - close by while you give the book a read just to keep which sail is which clear in your head.

Don't let that put you off reading about two of the best characters I have met so far this year. There are 20 books dedicated to them and I'm going to go download the next one onto my kindle now. It's just too much fun not to.

Across A Moonlit Sea - Marsha Canham

The title of this one sounds rather sappy and I've only just realised that. It was a free read through Kindle Store and seeing how I am currently writing about pirates, it seemed to fit well.

It was an ace read. I thoroughly enjoyed every word in this novel and despite the sappy title, the story was anything but. Yes, there was a romantic element to it, it is after all a romance novel, however there was plenty of other plot to keep that side of me entertained as well.

The two lead characters didn't always get along through the novel, even after they'd decided they liked each other and this was a pleasant surprise. It made it more true to life, unlike some other romance books I have read in the past - as soon as two characters discover they 'like' each other, they agree on everything. It takes the tension from the novel and frankly, makes it rather a dull read. Not in this case. The characters continue to fight with each other throughout, how positively human of them! The support cast as well were interesting enough to care about as well, there are some very curious people in this novel and that's what they feel like; people, not just a cardboard cut out.

The detail of the world is spot on too. Canham makes good use of naval language throughout and her description of sixteenth century ships is wonderful, she really transports you back on board one of these vessels. The way Canham writes actions scenes as well is superb. These scenes were exciting to read, I couldn't wait to find out what happened, who got killed, which ship survived and so forth.

It was a real page turner and a pleasant surprise, especially as it was free! I'll be keeping an eye open for any more of her work that's for sure

Forever Neverland - Heather Killough-Walden

I was a bit apprehensive about this novel as I found the other book by Heather Killough-Walden a disappointment. It was one of my first reviews and it can be found here http://rushbysrantsandreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/avengers-angel-lost-angels-book-one.html
I slated it! I was unsure whether to bother with this read and I am so glad I did. I read it in a couple of days and couldn't put it down. I was back to reading in the staffroom and at every available point! Here's why.
I have a long standing obsession with pirates. I believe Captain Hook was one of my first fangirly infatuations at the tender age of... well, lets just say I was young OK! The story of Peter Pan is a complicated one I won't get into now and the idea of a sequel has always left me feeling uncertain. This one is a very different take on it, and it worked for me, we find Wendy Darling being bounced between therapists, John has grown into a disbelieving nerd and Michael a troubled child. Peter has become a nightmare of a teenager who has turned to motor cycles and drink, not a bad thing usually but in this case...

Killough-Walden does all the characters justice, keeping them in check with the originals and adding her own spin on it. The hate between Hook and Pan is explored in detail and the reader learns some abhorrent things about the young hero of Neverland. He comes across as a sulky obnoxious spoilt young man who hasn't learnt a thing since leaving Neverland. He has grown up a bit, in body, but certainly not in mind.

The language in the novel is half decent as well and the action scenes are so well written I could not stop reading, I ignored most things going on around me while I was churning through the pages. The only thing that bothered me was the repeated use of the phrase 'off of' (as in get off of my ship) I find this phrase awkward and it could easily be avoided with a bit of a re-write (Get your ass off my ship)

Apart from this, the novel was a splendid read. The romantic aspect of it was cute and the detail which she writes in is fab. If you're a fan of Peter Pan and fancy a bit of a guilty pleasure, this is the book for you!

The Fellowship of the Ring - JRR Tolkein

Things have been a bit crazy in life lately so haven't had as much time for reading as I would have liked. I have also chosen to read a rather difficult book so its taken a bit longer than I first thought. Sorry for my silence but there you have it, life happens sometimes and you can't help but get swept up in it.



This book is a classic! There can be no other word for it. I once read the set when I was in my early teens and cannot remember much of it. I have watched the films countless times and seeing how I enjoyed The Hobbit I thought I would give them another bash. Maybe I would enjoy them more with 'older' eyes. I did!

Tolkien may be a plagiarising numpty (for want of a better word) but that man can write a decent story in a fantastical world. There are elements that everyone will recognise, for instance, the naming of a river 'Wetwang' is familiar to me. Not as a childhood insult you immature lot, but as a village located near where I live. There are many sources of inspiration in the novel and some of them you can't help but notice. I found some of these a little jarring to read, it jolts you out of the world at times and leaves the reader feeling a bit jilted. However, the world Tolkien has created is rich and diverse and it soon stops being an issue.

The best part of this novel, for me, was discovering the characters all over again. There is so much more detail in the books about the individual characters and how they interact. The Frodo in the book has so much more spirit and fire than the version in the film and is much more likable. Sam is also more fun and invokes more interest from the reader. I would go so far to say that the characters Peter Jackson has made are a watered down version of the ones in the novel, a lot was lost in translation from book to film.

I will say this however, the book is a tough read. The word order in some places make the meaning hard to grasp and at times, it can be a bit of a slog. I don't know whether Tolkien did this in purpose - it does give the words a sort of ethereal quality - or whether it is a product of the time it was written in. Either way, this novel is not for the feint-hearted but for those that want to see what the father of all fantasy novels is like.

The Curse of Chalion - Lois McMaster Bujold

This is one of my favourite stories and I have read it more than once. I have recently re-read it and have decided to pop a review up so I can share its greatness with my readers. 

The novel follows the journey of the hero as he returns to his native lands after spending some time as a galley slave. It turns out he was the only soldier not ransomed after a siege by a jealous military rival. The story begins as he arrives home for the first time in nineteen months and follows from there. His old patroness employs him as a tutor for her granddaughter and despite his best efforts to live a quiet life in an out of the way province, he is soon thrust into the fore-front of the royal court. He is easy to relate to and a genuine sympathy is evoke from the very beginning of the novel as he goes through the readjustment to his new surroundings. The support cast in the novel are also very well written and add another level to the novel, they work for good, or ill, some of them you can't help to hate, all of them are balanced and well rounded, complete characters

The world building in the novel is very good but the best aspect is the detail on the religious beliefs of the characters. The Gods play an active part, albeit through the willing participation of the characters, and this is one of the key themes - free will  and fate, or divine intervention. It is an interesting aspect of the novel and well worth reading for this reason. The rest of the world is well written and presented in an aspect that is easy to understand. The language is easy to follow and its for this reason that I have read this novel again and again.

There are plenty of political complications in the plot line that the central story doesn't occupy you until the second half of the novel. This is not a problem, there is enough going on to keep a reader absorbed and interested. The pace picks up and the tension in the novel makes this a very good book. I've hardly touched on the aspects of magic and how it ties with religion and metaphysics in the novel and there is much much more I could say about how great it is but that would be me waffling on. Go and read the book for yourself and you'll see how great it truly is.

Orphan (The Key to Magic) - H Jonas Rhynedahll

A brief return to books that I often find hit and miss: ones that Amazon recommend to me via email. I've had this one on my Kindle for a while and have been meaning to get round to it however the lure of The Hobbit was too much to resist. Still, here we are now with my thoughts on my latest read.

The book was a good read, the heroes of the book were instantly likeable and followed a decent journey through to the end. It wasn't all easy for them and there was a large amount of pain and suffering along the way. The main protagonist, Mar, is easy to relate to and a genuine care for what happens to him builds from the very start of the novel. The action begins right at the start of the novel and leaves the reader asking questions and wanting to know more about whats going on. The other 'hero' type character is introduced when he saves Mar from certain doom in the first chapter. Although not as likeable as the hero, he certainly has an air of mystery about him which keeps a reader interested and wanting to know more.

The world building in this novel is very good and a credit to the author, it seems complete and some of the desert setting made a nice change to read about. I certainly enjoy reading about different settings and the ruins in this novel made for a nice change. It had an Indiana Jones feel to it and was a pleasure to learn about. The general plot of the book was decent as well, interesting enough to keep me interested and yet different enough to have its own unique take on things.

However, this novel is far from perfect. Aside from a couple of spelling errors - which I am coming to accept as a fact of life with all novels - there are a few things that could have made this book a lot better. Overly complicated names began to be a bit of a bugbear with this novel. They seem other worldly and may add a fantasy feel to the book but they are also a pain to actually read. For example 'Ihthyrl Magics' would be much easier to read as Ethereal; names also get this sort of treatment, 'Rynthrahl, Freghth and Karhle' are all examples of those that would be better off simplified. Just makes it easier to read. The other aspect that made this book a bit difficult to follow in places was the narrative, towards the end, it jumps from side to side without much warning and at times it made it hard to understand which side was which. Again, something that could have been simplified to make it easier to read

My final point is on the magic of the world. How it works was explained as scientifically as such a thing could be and that worked well. What I found hard to believe that the street thief Mar could learn in half a day, by trial and error no less, what took magicians years to perfect. It was the only thing I found grating in the novel and although it is a central point to the plot, could have been altered to be more 'realistic'.

Other than these points, this is a very good novel and I shall be on the look out for the sequel in the near future.

The Hobbit - J R R Tolkien

Maybe I jumped on the band wagon a bit with this one but after seeing the film I felt a bit guilty about never reading the book. I have now remedied the situation and here's what I think.

The book was very easy to read, maybe because it is primarily published as a children's book. I was a bit apprehensive at first as it was written in 1937 and Tolkien also has a bit of a reputation of being wordy but I was pleasantly surprised. It was a thoroughly enjoyable read without having to decipher any meanings or read between the lines. The reader is drawn into the world by the brilliant narrations of the author, not cajoled or bullied into believing that the world is reality, like some books I have read. The style is down to earth and friendly, however each character was his own voice which is distinct! Never at any time does Gandalf sound like Bilbo.

The songs in the novel add another element that is rarely found in other stories in this genre. They add a level of humour on some occasions, for example, when the dwarves are captured by the goblins and marched off to the under mountain they inhabit, they sing a song with onomatopoeic words. The scene would otherwise be full of threat. Some would think that this device detracts from the scene but I feel it adds to an otherwise dangerous scene. The song of the elves as the heroes approach Rivendell for the first time. It adds a sense of mischief and wonderment to what would be an otherwise bland scene.

The world that Tolkien writes in is perfect, there is no other word to describe it, just perfect. There is so much detail that the reader learns which makes the novel rich, however there is much that is not touched on and this is what makes the world complete. The added mystery of not knowing anything is far better than having every aspect explained. Gandalf's power is never explained, nor is where Beorn originates from and it is this that makes the world seem real.

There are many other brilliant points about this novel and I could go on and on about it however, it would be better if you went and found out for yourselves, go and read this book, its well worth it!

Leopard Moon - Jeanette Battista

This book was a break away from my normal reads, usually I shy away from paranormal romance novels, I think they're over done and as such, rather dull. This novel was a pleasant surprise for me and here's why.

The first thing that grabbed my attention was the likability of the characters, the heroine, although rather young for my tastes, had her head screwed on straight. She was the most level headed seventeen year old I have encountered in a book (although not real life). She's running from a psychotic family member and seems to be doing very well at it. She also happens to be a Were-Leopard to add a bit of spice in the mix. The support cast are as likable as she is, despite having tough streaks to them. The characters, heroes and villains alike are well written and from the start of the novel grab you, leaving you wanting to know more about them.

The novel is very well written and is easy to read at the same time, the plot is somewhat simpler than my normal read and I believe this is partly why I enjoyed it. It's nice to keep things simple sometimes, something that a lot of fantasy fiction authors forget. In this novel there is no chance of forgetting who's who or who is doing what or even who is on who's side, it made a refreshing change.

 I liked this novel so much I am struggling to find a bad point to make - aside from the odd spelling error here and there and a couple of words omitted in error, I'm hard pressed to find one. As I mentioned earlier, the age of the heroine and hero are a bit young but that is just a matter of taste and not a flaw in the novel itself.

If you fancy an easy read then this really is a novel you'll enjoy. I'd recommend it for these reasons, it's effective in it's simplicity.

The Lies of Locke Lamora - Scott Lynch

 

This is a review of a book I read some time ago. I don't feel bad reviewing it after the event as the book is so good that I can recommend it despite it being a while ago.

The characters make this story as good as it is in my opinion. The protagonist is every aspect of your archetype rogue/thief type without being a stereotype. There is enough mystery in him to keep you guessing and he starts off surrounded with a rather unique gang. It's a small gang and they all have their individual quirks. They are all different and have been well thought out. None of them are perfect and they all have flaws, including our 'hero'. I'm not going to tell you what they are, just that they get our gang into a lot of trouble along the way.

There are many twists and turns throughout the plot of this novel and it keeps you guessing. It is a real credit to Scott Lynch's skill as a writer and some of the language is beautiful to read. It is also wonderful in its simplicity; at no point did I feel the plot was too complex or hard to follow, it made the novel a joy to read. The narrative structure of the novel can be a bit distracting but when you realize how they're used at the end, you'll have nothing but praise for Lynch, trust me on this one!

I cannot finish the review without touching on the aspect of world building in the novel either. It's so well thought out and cleverly done that I would encourage all authors - new and old - to give this book a read, you'll be amazed at what you could learn. The novel is set in the city of Camorr, which is reminiscent of Venice, and its the small details that really embed the reader in the text. The different quarters of the city and the mix of the mundane with the fantastic make this book truly worth reading.

All I can say is that this is a brilliant read and you should give it a go. Scott Lynch has written a sequal, which I need to read again before I review - it involves pirates - and should get to work on the third installment, so I can spread the word about how awesome he is! Go and read this book!