Tag Archives: 5-stars

Review: Jacqueline Carey – Kushiel’s Dart

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Kushiel’s Dart
Jacqueline Carey

Phedre has been both blessed and cursed with Kushiel’s Dart. Born to a whore, she’s brought up to be a whore – but in the end she ends up being so much more. An epic that could have been split up into multiple parts in my opinion.

153008The tone and narration of this novel made me feel distanced from the main character. Even as she was describing things to me, they were narrated as if they were distant events in the past. That’s how the first say, 300 pages got to me, but then I started really getting into the novel and I didn’t pay any attention to that anymore.
I often forgot Phadre’s name because the novel is told from the first person perspective. I eventually caught on though, I kind of had to with the length of the book.
This is a 900 page epic in tiny writing, so it’s no wonder it has taken me so long to get around to reading it. Plus it was on the reward book shelf anyway. The progression is very slow – on page 100 Phadre is only just getting out into the ‘community’ now that she has undergone years of book training. You just wonder what on earth is going on.
It is not explained clearly what exactly Kushiel’s Dart is for a long time, and it frustrated me almost to the point that I wanted to google it! I think the crux of it is that she gets sexual pleasure out of being hurt. I didn’t really understand why it was such a big thing, as there is a whole house of those people available in her city.
This is an epic. A true epic. Just as one ‘story’ comes to a close, the next starts up. You get to travel the breadth of the land, and it’s a descriptive, pleasurable journey that I can’t complain about. I’m going to get my hands on the other books in the series as a must have as soon as I have a chance to shop (and have money).
I found myself struggling to care about the intrigues presented in the first part of the book. They even didn’t become clear to me as I continued reading – the overall impression I got was that there was too much going on for me to really grasp in one read. This is a reread to be sure – there are things I am sure I have missed.
I imagined that her tattoo was a little different from what you can see on the front cover. In fact, when I compare this cover to the other, I can’t see how her marque could possibly look like that from that angle. It is still pretty cool though. I liked the description of how it was done as well, and the way she responded fit in with the rest of her characterisation.
Phadre is pushed to the limit in so many different ways. So so many! Just as you think she’s getting there on improving things for herself and enjoying life, it turns out that Kushiel’s Dart is doing an awesome job of dodging things up for her.
The ending was quite bittersweet, which I enjoyed. It wasn’t a happily-ever-after, which sometimes irritates me, as you don’t really worry about the characters in the book because you know they will all survive.
I’d recommend this for adults and mature teens. The sex in it is not gratuitous, it is used as currency, but it’s not offensive. Certainly not the erotica I was expecting, after being recommended this book after reading Fifty Shades of Grey.

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Review: Mercedes Lackey – The Lark and the Wren

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The Lark and the Wren
Mercedes Lackey
Rune is a young woman who is excellent at fiddling. She is trapped in a deadend situation with a prostitute for a mother and no marriage prospects to speak of. But who said Rune wanted to get married? What she wants to do is become a professional musician, though she is unlikely to get there. Or is she? A poorly thought out bet later, and she’ll either be dead or on her way to glory.

The Lark and the Wren is the first book in the Bardic Voices/Choices series. I have also reviewed another book in this series The Eagle and the Nightingales. I read this particular copy online, as part of the Baen fiction online free books series. There are a number of Mercedes Lackey titles there, all relatively good ones. With the exception of one, I have read them all before. This book is one of my favourites, but to my disgust the other books in the series have not been republished for quite some time.

This novel was adapted from a short story in ‘Fiddler Fair’, which was a short story collection by Mercedes Lackey. That short story I didn’t read until after I had read the novel form. Of the two, I think I prefer the novel because it has more depth (naturally!).
This piece of fiction was a breath of fresh air after the last set of books that I reviewed. The storyline is engaging, and the characters fleshed out. The difference is that Lackey makes it seem as if the various climax points are part of the novel, not just random events thrown in.
Rune is a strong character who is relatively flexible. Something I want to complain about is that Lackey lapses into stereotypes with her relationship later. Rune couldn’t care less about getting married, yet she does anyway. Also, Talaysen is the one that gets special training, not Rune, when it was Rune that originally discovered the magic. The conversations she has with her partner are very detailed, and logically show their thought processes without chopping and changing the perspective of the novel, or engineering a situation where they can discuss it. And at the end, the very end, I feel that Rune is very unkind to her partner! I mean, I’m sure he will love being a dad, but to sneak it up on him in a couple of months time?
The perspective changes in this novel are lovely. In the copy I read, only the chapter markings were clear, and so I didn’t actually get an idea of when the character perspective changed. For the first two thirds of the novel it is purely from Rune’s perspective anyway. Certainly between the Lark (Rune) and the Wren (Talaysen) the changes while they are travelling are smooth, and I didn’t really notice it.
Something I love about this book is the theme of learning music. There are other things I love too, such as Rune narrowly escaping rape, and being very practical about most things, but that’s probably my favourite. As Rune learns her new instrument, she has to learn how to read music too. I cannot remember learning to read sheet music because i was a child, but I can imagine that it is more difficult as a late teen / adult. Lackey captures how most people feel after a new lesson quite well. It’s nice that Rune doesn’t take to a second instrument immediately because she is such a natural on her fiddle!
There are several storyline peaks in this novel, and to give you them all would spoil reading it. It’s pretty amazing how much trouble Rune can get into. Although it’s not all from one excitement to the next, Lackey certainly maintains your interest in the novel. And the transitions are so smooth! I can’t rave about those enough after the trash I have read lately.
I’d recommend this book for teens and adults alike. Although there are sexual themes, violence and prejudice they are not in a positive light and they actually teach something! The sexual themes are not particularly graphic either. This book is one of my favourites that I have read multiple times, and probably will read again.

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 Or alternatively you can get an ereader copy from Baen Books.5star

Review: Nina LaCour – Hold Still

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Hold Still
Nina LaCour

Caitlin is trying to recover from the unpredictable suicide of her best friend. Something that they had always shared was photography, but now even that is soured for Caitlin. Caitlin is left without real friends to face the nasty high school world.

hold stillCaitlin is so sad. You really feel with her. I loved the inclusion of her relationships with the other students, and the holiday at the beginning of the book that couldn’t do anything for her. The guilt she feels is something that can only fade with time, and so it makes sense that the book is separated into the seasons.This book made me cry. It was so well written that Ingrid became a real person to me, even though she was dead. At some points I wanted to hold Caitlin and explain to her that it wasn’t her fault. I couldn’t believe she rationed the journal to herself so well.Caitlin had so many things going for her with building with the wood and taking photographs, and I was happy that she didn’t throw it all away. There were so many negative things that we saw could have happened to her, but she stayed strong and pushed through them.In the discussion questions and comments from the author at the back, LaCour says that she didn’t really purposefully research about suicide and depression. It was apparent to me that Ingrid didn’t display too many signs openly, and eventually she gave up on finding help. I could understand where she was coming from.

This book was everything I wanted 13 Reasons Why to be. Heartbreaking with real reasons behind the suicide, subtly revealed by Ingrid’s journal. The parcelling out of the journal entries, and the final end were so appropriate, and I felt that Cailin had done the right thing.

The only thing that could have made this novel more perfect for me would have been if Caitlin was really a lesbian, but I had to settle for her new best friend being a lesbian which was almost as good! It was nice to see that included and not glossed over as gays being a complete minority (which they tend to be, but recognition is always good).
For once I was satisfied by the conclusion of the novel. I didn’t feel like I was left hanging – Caitlin had moved to a better place with her life, and the friends she had had helped her reach a conclusion. Fantastic!

I recommend this book for teenagers. If you liked Scars, there’s an even better chance you will like this book!

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Personally I buy all my books from The Book Depository because shipping is cheaper to Australia.5star

Review: Mercedes Lackey – The Eagle and the Nightingales

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The Eagle and the Nightingales
Mercedes Lackey
Nightingale has travelled on her own for a long time. Now she has been set by three people to do a seemingly impossible task – work out what is wrong with the High King of the Twenty Kingdoms. Settling herself in at Freehold with the non-humans, she discovers a plot that runs deeper than they ever imagined.
I have no idea why the title of this book is ‘the Nightingales’. There is only one Nightingale, although she does go by a number of other names. I love Nightingale, and have almost as much empathy for T’fyrr. Nightingale has things that she is a afraid of, but for love, she is willingto work around them.
The reason that I love this book so much is that it combines a kingdom under threat with music and beautiful costumes. A strong female heroine doesn’t hurt either. I love the idea that music can be magic, and I only wish I had as much talent.
This book is decidedly plot driven, but that’s not a bad thing. Just as you feel like things are being settled in, they change! The ending is thrilling really – the first time I read it I was too hooked to let go. Even on this millionth rereading, I still couldn’t put it down.
This is a book in the Free Bards world, and there are a number of other books that you could read in this series about the Free Bards. I don’t feel that you need to read them in order, although it may be more interesting to do so. It references other books, but doesn’t give too much away.
You will find this book very hard to purchase! I personally got my rather battered copy from ebay – it was listed as being in good condition, but certainly wasn’t, which was disappointing. I am yet to find a nice copy, but I have hopes that this series will be republished.
I’d recommend this book for adults and teenagers. Although there are some adult themes, it is all very subtle and enjoyable. The hints about rape and sex are not explicit, and although torture is never nice to talk about, it’s not badly done in this book.

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Review: Mercedes Lackey – Alta

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Alta
Mercedes Lackey

Little Vetch has grown into a man, named for his father Kiron. With his tame dragon Avatre he has fled from Tia to Alta, the land of his birth. He does not know what he will find, or what he will be able to do for Alta. When he arrives, he finds that there are more troubles than he could have imagined.

This is the second book in the awesome Dragon Jousters Series (Joust is the first). I’m so very fond of it! I like Kiron, even though he’s a male protagonist (it wouldn’t have worked with a female), and the minor things that go on in this book are really down my alley. I love learning, and I love learning with Kiron and also feeling with them as the dragons hatch.

The dragons are so realistically realised. Lackey is an animal carer, and its obvious that she has drawn on that expertise. She has thought about everything – their breeding habits, the way the hatch, how they interact. This is the way dragons should be – they may be wild, but they can also be tamed and form bonds of love.

As Kiron learns to read, it becomes obvious to the reader that this series has a foundation in Egyptian history. The ideas of tombs and hieroglyphics really make that stand out. It’s nice to see some input, but not too much. It’s not intrusive at all.

This book is really unusual in that its climax doesn’t really feel to me like a climax. This is really a medium plot book – several moderately exciting things happen, and you often wonder whether they are going to get away with their tricks, but of course they will – because most things are relatively minor. I’ve read the book so many times now that I’m never surprised by anything happening!

Just as in any good book, it is obvious how Kiron is growing up and becoming more opinionated, as well as stronger. Things he has been through make him seem older than the other unique Jousters. It’s interesting that Kiron supports slavery, when usually Lackey channels characters that hate it. It’s understandable though, and I don’t think I could have expected anything else as it wouldn’t be in line with Kiron’s beginnings as a serf. The other characters also show development, particularly Orest and Aketen who we meet early in the novel.

I’d recommend this book for teens and adults. Nothing particularly controversial in this one – it’s all very above board. Yes, the Magi’s scheming is unpleasant, but its totally in keeping with the rest of the novel and not too confronting.

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Review: Mercedes Lackey – Joust

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Joust
Mercedes Lackey

Vetch is an Altan serf labouring under a cruel and unjust master. Suddenly, Vetch finds himself swept up onto dragon-back and into the Tian dragon complex. Vetch is willing to work hard, but he is always consumed with anger against those who have killed his father and destroyed his rightful home.

Vetch is a fantastic character. Small and frightened, yet with a core of resiliency, he’s determined to make the most of any situation he finds himself in. He may just be a small boy when Ari brings him back, but in the course of the book he matures into a sensible young man who suddenly knows what he wanted.

This is a masterful book by Lackey. It’s not rushed like a number of her newer books, and it’s very enjoyable. Ok, so the plot progression in this is very slow. It’s more like a series of small plot highlights leading up to the eventual conclusion, rather than just a focus on a thrilling conclusion – although it has that too! Foreshadowing is used to great effect, so pay attention to every word you read.

I did have a problem with Vetch’s anger issues, which appeared to be very understated. I expected him to do more with them, and he just didn’t! It seems like he settles into captivity too well. Being downtrodden for long periods of time would do that to a person, but still, he is being fed well and cared for, and really, he should have more spice!

The print quality is ok, there are a couple of typos and spare punctuation marks throughout the text. I’m not entirely sure how the front cover of the book fits in, because Vetch certainly isn’t jousting or ever has a fancy hat like that. The dragon is almost certainly Avatre though.

I love rereading this book. I love it so much I have almost put a crease in its spine. This book is wonderful! If you liked Eragon, then you’re going to love Joust. I can’t say what exactly attracts me to it, perhaps the triumph of a low born character with added loving dragons does it for me.

Adults and teenagers will like this book if you like dragons and the underdog. I would almost recommend it for children, except the ending might be a little frightening and there certainly is an element of violence. I have also reviewed the second novel, Alta.

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Review: Tamora Pierce – Shatterglass

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Shatterglass
Tamora Pierce
Tris has mastered her lightning and weather magic as far as she is able. She has always been responsible about magic, and seeing someone else mess up a ‘spell’ makes her mad! With a murderer on the loose, Tris must help her new student grasp his slippery power to create lighting balls.

 

153782Tris is possibly the least likely one of the original four that you would imagine having a student. Not because she isn’t grown up enough, but because her talents are mostly useful for violent things. It’s fitting that her student is an adult, one that has come into his power by accident.
A complaint I have about this quartet is that although Pierce has explicitly stated that she has chosen this point in time to catch up with Tris, Sandry, Briar and Daja, I find it strange that they end up with students all together in their 14th year. It is sequential as well – the book order is the order that they get students.
The ending of this book is as good as you would expect from the other books. Perhaps unlike the other books, Tris is set to move on, and she is taking her adult student with her in a way. It all works out in the end! It is not a satisfactory quartet ending, but then, each book of the quartet basically stands alone anyway so it doesn’t matter in my opinion.
I have tagged this book perhaps a little bit unexpectedly with ‘dragons’. Really it should just be ‘dragon’, singular. If you can see from my book cover image there, the thing resting on Tris’s shoulder is a beautiful glass dragon. Maybe that’s why I like this book so much! Dragons have a special place in my heart.
You don’t need to have read the other three books in the quartet to enjoy this one, because the mentions of the other three are brief. I’d recommend this book again for children and teens. The deaths and grief that accompanies them is ugly, but not too vivid.

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Review: Tamora Pierce – Cold Fire

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Cold Fire
Tamora Pierce
Daja and her teacher Frostpine have gone far into the wintery cold so that Daja can learnt from other metal mages. Like the other 2 books in this quartet, she unexpectedly finds herself teaching meditation and finding the gifted children the teachers they need. To complicate things there is an arsonist afoot, and Daja doesn’t know which of her feelings to trust.

Once again, it is the teaching element of this novel that really makes me like it. It’s great how Pierce has changed things up a bit about meditation because there are only so many descriptions of measured counting that a reader can put up with.

Daja really matures in this book. Although she is usually more adult than say Tris or Briar, occasionally she isn’t as driven as Sandry to show off a good front. Here you can see that she really is a 14 year old in some ways (like trusting friends) but an adult in others (being concerned for her students who are only a couple of years younger than her).

The fires in this book aren’t exactly nice to read about, particularly as they become more sinister and kill more people. It’s nice though that Pierce constantly challenges the assumption that magic can fix everything. Sometimes it is also part of the problem!

The ending is a little too neat for my liking, but it’s not bad. And it will keep you reading, no doubts about that. I would recommend this book again for children and teenagers. Pierce avoids describing anything too sinister, but perhaps those children with very active imaginations should take care not to read before bedtime. I wouldn’t recomend reading it just before bedtime anyway, because you’ll get too stuck into it and stay up late! This book is slightly longer than the others, and my copy has tiny font to make up for that.

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Review: Tamora Pierce – Street Magic

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Street Magic
Tamora Pierce
Briar Moss is on the road with his teacher Rosethorn and they have stopped in a drying out city of stones. Briar is looking forward to leaving – he doesn’t like stones as much as he likes plants. Imagine his surprise when he finds out that he must become a teacher of a stone mage.

Briar has made friends with one of the gangs that inhabit Chammur, and so he becomes entangled in their struggles as the Vipers (and their rich patron) try to swallow up the smaller gangs. Briar finds it hard to believe that

There are several different plot lines that Pierce twines together, and this makes it interesting to follow. I would have to say that there is only minor character development of Briar throughout the book, but he has made big jumps now that he is age 14 (not 10, as in the first books). Briar’s past won’t let him go, but he still has a career ahead of him as a respectable plant mage – if only he could keep out of trouble!

Inventing the different kinds of magic to keep things interesting must have fascinated Pierce. I know that I am always wanting to know what is coming next! It’s quite natural that Evvie is a stone mage in a stone country. I know that it is on Pierce’s list to do a book about the ambient type mages, and I’m looking forward to that as well.

Before starting this book, I had promised myself that I’d read something different from more Tamora Pierce for a break… I quickly broke that. I took a drive out to Philip Island, and was feeling too tired to start the book I had planned. So I figured on a quick and easy read of this one.
I’d recommend this book for children and teenagers, though I would suggest that you need a strong stomach for some of the less palatable areas of this book. There are murders and rotting corpses, which aren’t exactly pleasent. Nothing worse than you’d come across on TV I would imagine.

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Review: Tamora Pierce – Magic Steps

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Magic Steps
Tamora Pierce
The four friends of the original quartet – Briar, Tris, Sandry and Daja – have split ways. Sandry has gone to look after her uncle, Duke Vedris who has suffered from a heart attack. While she is out in the town, she discovers a new mage who has dance magic, but refuses to admit to it. It is her duty to teach him, but she is constantly frustrated by his lack of attention! Can she train him in time?
Sandry and the others are now 14. Sandry has taken up a huge workload looking after her uncle. She misses her teacher Lark, but has a bigger duty. When she discovers the dance mage, she is amazed to find out that she must be his teacher! Luckily some contacts are able to get things moving. When there are several bloody murders in a row, Sandry can’t help interfering.

It is all told from Sandry’s perspective, with the exception of the parts from the murders. The plot is quick, but the teaching element that is included is very interesting and not skimped on. It’s good to see an ‘ordinary’ student compared to the prodigies of Briar, Tris, Sandry and Daja.

My apologies for the big white spot on the cover photo – it doesn’t have this in real life! You will notice that at a glance this cover looks a lot like that of ‘Briar’s Book’. I think the cover art design is very nice though, and doesn’t give too much away. All 8 books I own in this series look fantastic together.

I really enjoyed this book, and I think that in terms of interest it is better than books 1, 2 & 4 of the first quartet. It is a good idea to read the first quartet before embarking on this one. However, with the other books in this quartet, you can read them in basically any order and it won’t affect your enjoyment of them.

I would recommend this book for children and teenagers alike. There is some uncomfortable content, including drug use (portrayed in a negative light) and also some meaningless and blood deaths.

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5star