In the weirdest decision since [insert some past weirdness here], Shelley Parker-Chan decided to smash two different booThis, unfortunately, isn't it.
In the weirdest decision since [insert some past weirdness here], Shelley Parker-Chan decided to smash two different books together and it just didn't work for me.
She Who Became the Sun is a reimagining of the rise of the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty. A young girl, fated to become nothing, challenges fate, takes on the name of her deceased brother, and becomes great. Sounds great, right? And it does start out great. In Part One, we follow the girl's story as she loses her family, joins a monastery, makes a friend, and tempts fate. It's a traditional coming-of-age story, and it's told in a way that had me "flipping the pages." Then, astoundingly, Part Two not only includes a significant time jump but also a swap to multiple POVs, all of whom we have not met until now. By the book's end, I did grow to appreciate one or two of these new characters, but the switch up halfway through never worked for me. As beautiful as the prose was, as fascinating as some of the characters were, it all just felt disjointed, leaving me feeling disconnected. Honestly, I just wanted it to end.
One last note: This isn't fantasy, at least not in the traditional sense. There are ghosts and a magical flame connected to the Mandate of Heaven, but even both of those things are cast far to the side for the sake of historical realism. The fantasy is that this is a make-believe story of a true story. You're going to get a lot more war tactics, for example, than any sort of magic system. Just want you to know what you're signing up for.
I'm glad so many people liked it. Parker-Chan is certainly a gifted writer and I can see why this duology has taken off in the collective consciousness. It just ain't for me....more
Jesus and John Wayne, first and foremost, is a history book. That means you're going to get all the good... and the bad that comes with reading historJesus and John Wayne, first and foremost, is a history book. That means you're going to get all the good... and the bad that comes with reading history books. It can be dry at times. It can stick on one point for far too many pages and then not spend nearly enough time on other points. It can provide a direct yet slanted view on particular subjects since the author, herself, has particular viewpoints she wants to get across. And at the very same time, like any good history book, Jesus and John Wayne holds up a mirror so that the reader can see more clearly the past and determine what roles he or she might have played in the narrative and then help answer the question: Where do we go from here?
Every author (historians don't get a pass) has an agenda. I don't hold that against Du Mez. She doesn't hide her opinions. And while, at times, I might disagree with her interpretation or labels, I still found this exposé to be challenging, stomach-churning, painful, and still, by the book's end, hopeful....more
This might be the most out-there (read: non-historical) adventure in the St. Mary's universe to date. The Zanetti train left from Rome in 1911, entereThis might be the most out-there (read: non-historical) adventure in the St. Mary's universe to date. The Zanetti train left from Rome in 1911, entered a tunnel, and was never seen again. Until it was seen at various points all throughout history until all 106 passengers disembarked the train in Mexico, get this, in 1940... 71 YEARS before its maiden voyage!
Team 236 is obviously all mixed up in the chaos. And they are still the highlight of the whole show. Thankfully so, because there was an inordinate amount of time focused on secondary characters in this story and that's when I felt the proverbial engine slowing down and the brakes grinding the plot to a halt.
The Time Police is a nice little excursion from our beloved St. Mary's. Killing Time, however, is my least favorite Time Police entry so far. I found myself bored, which is never the case with Jodi's books! Her humor is still completely on point, though. In fact, I left this book with a smile on my face. I don't think I've ever read an Epilogue quite like that one!
Really looking forward to the next St. Mary's book!...more
My second Lisa Jewell novel wasn't as unputdownable as None of This Is True, but it was still an enjoyable and thrilling read.
Three different timelines. Three different POVs. One converging tale of a girl gone missing.
In 2016, Tallulah struggles to find her place as a young mother and in her relationship with her boyfriend Zach. In 2018, Kim is frantically trying to find out why and how her daughter Tallulah disappeared without a trace. In the present, a budding mystery novelist named Sophie has just moved to town with her boyfriend Shaun, where she begins finding clues to the missing person case that had gone cold. Kim and Sophie eventually team up in hopes of truly uncovering what happened to Tallulah on that fateful night.
Is slow-burn thriller a subgenre? Maybe it's just less thriller and more mystery. I'm not sure, but this one didn't have me flipping pages with an insatiable urge to find out what's next. Nevertheless, it was still full of flavor and character. Jewell really does know how to tell a captivating story. While the persons of interest were all engaging enough, it was the loose plot and lofty resolution that left me a bit unsatisfied. Still glad I read it, though....more
Josie and Alix are birthday twins. After a chance meeting while celebrating both of their 45th birthdays, Josie suggests that Alix interview her on Alix's women-centric podcast. Alix agrees, and the two begin to meet regularly as Josie slowly unveils threads of a story that grows darker and darker with each recording session. Despite Alix's increasing discomfort, she can't pass up the chance to make a thrilling podcast telling Josie's story. Little does Alix know, she has become the subject of her own true crime podcast, with her and her family’s lives under mortal threat.
The narrative is quick and punchy, interspersed with entries from the podcast recordings and other interviews with people connected to the two girls at the center of the story. Every chapter is engaging with new reveals, secrets uncovered, and awkward, passive-aggressive confrontations between characters. The book was so expertly crafted, while the people involved are so, so messy.
I see some people complaining about the ending. I don't hate it at all. It is completely in line with the rest of the story and is truly in character for that particular character. Sure, it leaves things a bit ambiguous, if you believed the psychopath in the first place!
This was my first novel from Lisa Jewell, but it certainly won't be my last....more
At seventeen, Lenora Hope Hung her sister with a rope
Love the rhyme as much as I love the setup for this thriller. 50 years ago, the Hope family was brutally murdered in their cliffside mansion on the coast of Maine. Only one family member survived the shocking night--Lenora Hope. It's now 1983, and home-health aide Kit McDeere arrives at a decaying Hope’s End to care for Lenora after her previous nurse fled in the middle of the night. In her seventies and confined to a wheelchair, Lenora was rendered mute by a series of strokes and can only communicate with Kit by tapping out sentences on an old typewriter. One night, Lenora types out, "I want to tell you everything," leading Kit to a number of startling discoveries concerning the night of the Hope family massacre... which might not yet be finished.
As the cover of the book depicts, the foundation propping up the Hope family mansion is precariously placed over hungry waves that eats away at the earth, causing the mansion to shift and slowly break apart throughout the narrative. What an analogy for the author's handling of the story from start to finish. Seriously. The last quarter of this book is a mess that, I guess, many people seem to like. I was rolling my eyes so hard I got a headache. The twists are not good, far too convenient, and are just silly by the book's end.
Most of the time, less is more. Unfortunately, the plot got out of hand and anything gained from the book's first half was forfeited in the second half. ...more
It is bedlam on the eighth floor. Yes, you read that right. Due to some unexpected circumstances involving an anthropomorphic goat, the seventh floor came to an abrupt end. Now, Carl, Donut, and the rest of the assembled crew find themselves scattered on a floor based on Earth's final days before the collapse. For the first half of the book, the crawlers must locate and capture amalgamations of legendary Earth creatures to be used as Pokémon-styled playing cards in card battles during the second half of the book. But, like always, there is a catch. There’s always a catch.
I continue to enjoy the DCC series. The characters remain the highlights. The worldbuilding remains intriguing. The plot remains a tad meandering and the architecture a bit too complex. Still, I enjoy Dinniman's work and adore the narration provided by Jeff Hays (with a special appearance by both Travis Baldree and Patrick Warburton).
I'm a bit sad, now, because I've caught up with the series' production. For the first time, I'll have to patiently wait. Harrumph....more
This was one of my least favorite Hercule Poirot novels to date. It didn't do anything wrong, per se, but the interwoven threads of mystery obfuscated by mandatory knowledge of the card game Bridge, disallowed me from fully engaging with the game afoot.
The eccentric collector, Mr. Shaitana, has invited a collection of interesting individuals to his home for a party. Colonel Race (secret service), Ariadne Oliver (mystery writer), Superintendent Battle (police detective), and our beloved Hercule Poirot have been invited, along with four guests with dubious backgrounds are all in attendance. Shortly after the party begins, Shaitana is found dead in his chair, stabbed through the heart with his own stiletto. Who is the murderer? And what does Bridge tactics have to do with discovering who dun it?
I like the setup for this one. It's different. And it astonishes me that Christie is still able to come up with unique plots for each of her mysteries. This one, however, just didn't click for me. I still love you, though, Poirot....more
I'm discovering a common thread with the DCC series that, if resolved, would spike most of my ratings up to a full 5-stars. The Butcher's Masquerade, like almost every single one of the preceding books, gets bogged down in the complexity of the plot. It is abundantly clear that Dinniman adores architecting intricate floor designs, likely so that each book feels different than the last. While I appreciate his intention, it doesn't always flow well and tends to get messy. Nevertheless...
I have fallen for the characters (Carl, Donut, Katia, Prepotente, and others). I also salivate for the level-ups, new abilities, and ingenious ways that Carl and crew use their items and skills. And the meta-story that is slowly expanding with each and every book is so fascinating.
I'm, of course, going to continue to read. In fact, I look forward to each new installment. I just wish that Dinniman would focus less on the complexities of each floor and instead give us even more time with the characters and their drama. That's not going to change at this point, so I'll shut up about it and I'll continue to enjoy the series as it is.
This might be my new favorite Hercule Poirot novel to date.
We've got a totally new location. A totally new narrator. And a total refreshment to the tried and true (but possibly aging) structure that Christie has employed for more than a dozen books now.
Iraq. 1930s. An archaeological expedition goes awry as the lead archeologist's wife seems to be hallucinating. She is convinced someone is trying to kill her. She sees ghosts. Hears noises. And received threatening letters from her long-deceased first husband. When she is, indeed, murdered, a short, balding Belgian detective with a perfect moustache shows up to do what he does best--solve the case.
The story is told in a unique way. Rather than seeing the story through the eyes of either Poirot or his trusty partner, Captain Hastings, we get the recounting of the narrative by a third party, nurse Amy Leatheran. This was SUCH a refreshing take on the narrative structure of the book. Hercule Poirot really plays second fiddle to the star of the show, nurse Leatheran. And it really, really worked for me.
The mystery is, of course, absurd. The web of deceit is layered. Everyone is proven to be a liar in their own way. And Hercule Poirot is as intelligent as ever (though he is a bit less pompous, which was nice to see). I really enjoyed this one and hope that Christie continues in this direction as she moves further with the series....more
I can understand why this would be so many readers' new Roman Empire fixation.
I was convinced to read this book because of the coMy Rating - 4.5 Stars
I can understand why this would be so many readers' new Roman Empire fixation.
I was convinced to read this book because of the constant comparisons to one of my favorite books, Red Rising. After reading, I can certainly see the comparisons; they are well-warranted. However, Islington paves his own path in The Will of the Many with a fresh take on a dystopian hierarchy, some extensive world-building borrowing flair from ancient Rome, and an incredibly interesting magic system that we are own scratching the surface of.
In a world where the powerful Catenan Republic dominates all, one young man hides a dangerous secret. Our protagonist is Vis Telimus, just another orphaned student eager to climb the ranks of their prestigious Academy. But beneath this façade, he harbors a burning desire for revenge against the empire that destroyed his family. Sent to the Academy with a covert mission to solve a murder, uncover an ancient weapon, and expose secrets that could shatter the Republic, he must navigate a treacherous path. To survive, he must play the part, make allies, and outwit those who seek to control him. But if the truth of his identity is discovered, it could mean his death at the hands of the very empire he seeks to overthrow.
Will has a lot of things going for it. The only weak point I can point to is the disjointedness I felt in the final act. The bulk of the story takes place at the Academy. Riveting stuff. The last bit is a game of sorts that just seemed, to me, to be too different from everything that led to that point. It felt convoluted and messy. Still, that's saying very little when compared to all the good this story brings to the table.
It will be interesting to see what Islington decides to do with the sequel and the future of the series. I think that Pierce Brown did a phenomenal job taking the Red Rising series out of "battle school." I hope (and believe) that Islington can do the same....more
The messiest entry of the series so far still provides some great character moments and plot progression that's going to keep me coming back for more.
DCC4, The Gate of the Feral Gods, has our dynamic duo on the fifth floor of the treacherous 18-floor dungeon. This time with all new gimmicks! All of the remaining crawlers are split up into individual bubbles with fortresses they must conquer in order to escape the bubble and find the stairs leading down to the next level. Due to this new problem, we meet a new cast of characters. Some, I think, will be sticking around for at least a few more books.
This entry meandered. I still love the planning sequences, the talk show appearances, and the epic battles, but those all felt weighted down by a few dragging plot points. In fact, both #3 and #4 share a similar problem in that the design of the dungeon is more complex than it needs to be, causing Dinniman to have to step in to explain things more often than I'd like.
Don't get me wrong, I am still enjoying the journey. I like that each book is a step, not only down through the many-layered dungeon, but a step closer to defeating the structure that led to the formation of the world-destroying dungeon in the first place. And it's those moments that I look forward to most in the books to come....more
Have I told you how much I love The Chronicles of St Mary's?
My annual tradition is to listen to the new Christmas story from Jodi Taylor every year between Christmas Day and New Year's Day. It's a tradition that I always look forward to and this year was no different.
What was different was that this year's Christmas story was told by everyone's favorite Chief Security Officer, Markham. What begins as a simple jump to 1661 London to plunder an authentic and original mince pie for Ms. Mack becomes a right mess involving kidnapping, the Time Police, two familiar bounty hunters, and unfortunate (and entirely unintended) damage to the legendary London Stone.
This was one of my favorite Christmas short stories from Jodi Taylor. Reading it made me want to go back and start the series afresh...which I might just do in 2024. ...more
An unlikely trio plus a tiny god of white lies ventures to the ruined city of Blenraden, where the last of the wild gods reside, each to beg a favor. Kissen is the titular godkiller. Her family was killed by zealots of a fire god. Elogast is now a baker, formerly the king's most trusted knight. Twelve-year-old Inara is the daughter of a noblewoman whose existence was kept secret. Skedi, the god of white lies, is bound to Inara, imbuing the young girl with uncanny powers. It's these characters that are central to the story told by Hannah Kaner. And it's these characters where the storytelling is at its richest.
My foremost struggle with this book was the travel. I simply struggle to enjoy fantasy stories that take place along a road. I'd say at least 70% of this book records the physical journey of the party from one place to the next. For whatever reason, travel stories do not entertain me. However, Kaner's characters are what kept me turning the page.
While there's nothing incredibly new in Godkiller, it was still an interesting fantasy tale that kept me engaged the whole way through, even if it was largely because I wanted to see the chaos that was promised at the end of the road.
Will I pick up the second entry in the Fallen Gods series? I'm not in a rush, but I imagine there will be a time when Sunbringer comes calling. I mean, just look at that cover!!!...more
The absurdity multiplies with DCC 3, a book that almost edges out the first as the best entry in the series so far.
After a surprisingly lackluster Carl's Doomsday Scenario, The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook throws us back into the depths of the alien dungeon, this time with a brand new gimmick. Introducing The Iron Tangle, an impossibly complicated subway system built out of the world's subterranean railway systems. The entirety of Floor 4 consists of thousands of interconnected subway tunnels. The crawlers must make sense of the chaos of the train lines while avoiding the variety of threats littered throughout. New abilities are gained, alliances are formed, and at least one Top 10 crawler is brutally killed in the mayhem.
Honestly, the plot here is the best in the series so far. The character interactions and battles and upgrades and unfolding mysteries are all at their zenith. And although the setting is truly interesting, it's far too confusing to be as entertaining as it could have been. Dinniman even took a page at the start of the book to tell the readers that they don't have to keep track of all the train lines to enjoy the book. But then he centers so much of the planning and discovery on the train system that Carl, Donut, and others must unravel in order to escape in time. I like the puzzle aspect of it all, but think it might have been a bit over Dinniman's head because it definitely went over mine.
I zoomed through this one. There were times when it was unputdownable, which is obviously something every author wishes was true of their books. I hope the series continues in this direction, because I'm really digging it. Up next: The Gate of the Feral Gods....more
Now, before I tell you what it's about and how I arrived at my stated conclusion, I first need to tell you how I went about reading this story.
The Maiden Who Travels The Planet was published in Japanese in the Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Omega. It has received a few different English translations, but they have all been unofficial. I began reading an extremely poor translation that I had to put down because of how bad it was. After some more research, I ended up on YouTube and found that the folks at thelifestream.net have created a dramatized audiobook version of the story. And while it's not perfect, it was a wonderful experience.
Moments after her death in the Forgotten City, Aerith's consciousness awakens in the Lifestream. This book chronicles her travels through the Lifestream, recording a number of meetings between her and several characters we watch die in the game. Some of these meetings are redemptive and beautiful. Others are tragic and irredeemable. All are candy for the hardcore FFVII fans.
I wouldn't say this is a MUST READ for one particular reason. It's not canon. Or, at least, there has been no official word on its canonicity. I will say, though, there's no reason it shouldn't be. Aerith's personality was captured so perfectly. The Lifestream was painted so vividly. And the cast of characters that we come into contact with once again are all perfectly in line with what we get from the game.
I absolutely adored this novella. And, although I won't say it's a must-read for Final Fantasy VII fans, I would say that if you loved the game, you'll likely love this story too....more
I was pleasantly surprised with The First Sister, particularly with the world-building that author Linden A. Lewis offered us. Unfortunately, all the good of The First was almost non-existent in The Second.
90% of this book was a drag to get through. 10% genuinely shined and provided some truly memorable moments.
The First Sister, Astrid, and Lito are returning POVs, this time accompanied by (view spoiler)[Hiro (hide spoiler)] and Luce, Lito's younger sister. I still find the characters somewhat fascinating, but the two that I enjoyed most (Lito and Astrid) seemed to be pushed to the side to give more screen time to characters I liked considerably less.
The first book got a little preachy at times, but this book is a full-on sermonic essay. My eyes rolled so far back in my head that it gave me a headache. There was very little subtlety. The same delicacy we've witnessed with Lewis's worldbuilding was altogether non-existent when it came to the many themes they dealt with throughout Rebel. Tack on a meandering plot, amateur dialogue, and scene-stealing characters, and it's just not what I hoped this series would become.
Sad to say, I likely will not be completely the series. Sorry The Last Hero....more
Listen, when it comes to all things Final Fantasy VII, I am simultaneously THE one to ask and NOT the one to ask. You can ask me your questions because I'd likely have an answer. I'm a massive FFVII fan, I've played the original game countless times, completed the Remake, watched the animated movie, and now I'm getting around to reading the books. I know my VII trivia. And herein lies the problem. I'm 100% a fanboy. I cannot and absolutely will not give an objective response to anything related to this beautiful game.
With that preface out of the way, I'll do my best to give a (somewhat) balanced review of On the Way to a Smile, a series of short stories taking place between the events of Final Fantasy VII (the game) and Advent Children (the film).
Seven short stories highlighting various characters and entities in the FFVII universe: Tifa, Denzel, Barret, Yufi, Nanaki, Rufus Shinra, and a Lifestream story that features both Sephiroth and Aerith. Truthfully, not all of the stories are created equally. There are a few really compelling stories in here (e.g., Episode: Denzel and Episode: Shinra). There are a few stories, however, that are pretty meh (e.g., Episode: Barret and Episode: Nanaki).
Still, it's a wonderful read for hardcore fans of the series and serves as an excellent bridge between the game and the movie....more
A Forest of Vanity and Valour is pitched as a dark Robin Hood retelling. I guess? But like, no. Maybe Beswick began with the idea of Robin Hood--general setting, protagonist with a bow, theft for the good of the people, but I found very few comparisons to the actual story of Robin Hood. And, in my opinion, that's certainly not a bad thing.
Vireo Reinhold is a debt collector on behalf of the king. He, along with his two friends and enforcers, are forced to flee the city into the neighboring forest after Vireo is caught in a secret affair with a nobleman's wife. Not only must the trio survive the evils of the forest, but they must discover a way to protect the people of their town as the local viceroy delves ever deeper into madness brought on by the arrival of one devious mage named Morgana.
I enjoyed this one more than I expected to, especially after seeing so many negative reviews largely related to the poor prose. I don't know if it's because I read via audiobook, but the prose didn't bother me in the slightest. The book maintains a rapid pace with brief chapters and a scant 246-page count. The alternating POVs between our protagonist, Vireo, and the story's antagonist, Jareb, kept things interesting. And sure, it's not as deep as many fantasy novels go nowadays. But it was a fun, quick little read that kept me engaged throughout.
Apparently, the series continues with various stories told within the same world, all thinly connected to popular folklore stories. The next one has a pirate on the cover, so I'm not sure who that might be about. But I'm interested in discovering more!...more
Every once in a while you come across a book that is uniquely special. Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor, This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar, and Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree are just a few diverse examples of books that are just built different. I'm now adding to that list Richard Osman's debut novel, The Thursday Murder Club.
Every Thursday, a lovely group of senior citizens meet up in a room at Coopers Chase Retirement Village to solve cold cases for fun. When a real murder occurs on their doorstep, the club members find themselves embroiled in a thrilling investigation. Led by the sharp and witty Elizabeth, the club uses their diverse skills and experiences to unravel the mystery.
Charming and tender are two words that encapsulate this story and its characters. Like most crime novels, you've got red herrings, unexpected reveals, twists, and turns, but this novel also weaves in humor, wit, and a level of authenticity that is both engaging and heartwarming to read.
Now, the odd thing is, as much as I recognize the uniqueness of this book, I don't think I'll continue with the series. Simply put, it's not for me. While I enjoy reading my own fair share of murder mysteries, I just need something more thrilling when I sit down to read this particular genre. However, this in NO WAY takes away from how special I think this book is and it will be one that I recommend to certain individuals in the future.
I've always liked Richard Osman when I see him on the telly. But now, I like and respect him all the more....more
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