I received a free copy of the book at an Amazon/47North event at WorldCon 2015.
This short novel is an easy read with pleasant leads, but at the same tI received a free copy of the book at an Amazon/47North event at WorldCon 2015.
This short novel is an easy read with pleasant leads, but at the same time felt uneven to me. I loved the start of the book--the concept of paper magic is fascinating, and Emery is a fantastic teacher even when Ceony is a bit bitchy to start. She didn't want paper magic as her life's work--it's regarded as weak and very few practice it--but hoped for something like smelting instead. However, just as she's starting to learn cool things from Emery, he's brutally attacked by an excisioner who steals his heart. No one else wants to pursue the thief, so Ceony takes it apart herself to do that... which is not a very intelligent move. This is the point where I felt like the book really faltered. Ceony becomes trapped in Emery's heart and witnesses many of his key life events. She doesn't have much agency. She hurries through to survive but it's an effective maze. Her new paper magic doesn't play a huge role until it gets closer to the end.
It really felt to me like the fascinating momentum from the start was lost when she enters his heart. It's not a bad book by any means; on the contrary, I'm going to pass it along to my mom to see what she thinks. But would I read on in the series? Probably not. Not unless I sure that Ceony would have the chance to take control of her own destiny in a stronger way, and for the amazing magic in this world to be given more opportunity to shine. ...more
I love the Golden City series, and this novella is the perfect addition to the fantasy trilogy set in 1903 Portugal. It really feels like a condensed I love the Golden City series, and this novella is the perfect addition to the fantasy trilogy set in 1903 Portugal. It really feels like a condensed version of the full novels with mystery, danger, and a romance with delightful chemistry. ...more
Maple is one of my very favorite flavors, and one I love to feature on my food blog, Bready or Not. Therefore, I was thrilled when my husband gifted mMaple is one of my very favorite flavors, and one I love to feature on my food blog, Bready or Not. Therefore, I was thrilled when my husband gifted me with one of my wishlist books for Christmas: Maple. This new cookbook features sweet and savory maple recipes ranging from maple margaritas to quick maple frosting to traditional maple-glazed carrots. Maple is melded with chipotle and sweet potatoes and ginger and all sorts of other flavors. The book itself is high quality with thick paper and gorgeous binding--this could be a coffee table book. There is also a lot of information on the history and production of maple, which I find quite fascinating as a California-born gal who has never dealt with a "mud season." I won't give this a star rating yet on the major review sites since I haven't tried any recipes yet, but I will. Oh yes, I will. I think I noted pages of about two dozen recipes I want to try, and I hope to get on that task this very week. The maple walnut chocolate chip cookies are begging to be made......more
I received a copy of this book through LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
Eleanor was a smash hit when self-published, and will likely to repeat its successI received a copy of this book through LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
Eleanor was a smash hit when self-published, and will likely to repeat its success when Crown Publishing releases it through traditional means in January 2016. It's literary fiction with a fantastic twist. As I read, it reminded me a great deal of The Time Traveler's Wife crossed with the Robin Williams movie What Dreams May Come. The emotions are so poignant, beautiful, and heartbreaking that it makes for a disturbing read at times. I can see why Gurley has earned acclaim for the book--this is destined to be a book club read because women will relate very strongly to these characters. I know I did. ...more
Not a review. Includes a reprint of my story "Red Dust and Dancing Horses."Not a review. Includes a reprint of my story "Red Dust and Dancing Horses."...more
This was a surprise hit for South Dakota State Historical Society’s press earlier this year; I was supposed to get it as a birthday gift in January buThis was a surprise hit for South Dakota State Historical Society’s press earlier this year; I was supposed to get it as a birthday gift in January but their press was overwhelmed for months. That is fine by me--it was well worth the wait! This large hardcover book analyzes the full history of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books as it shifted from a straightforward autobiography for adults to a full “juvenile” fiction series. Wilder’s original text is heavily annotated with historical comments and references to multiple drafts of the manuscript. Maps, photographs, and original book illustrations complement the text. This is a Little House fan’s dream come true. I would have read this to memorization at age ten; at thirty-five, I am still geeking out. Highly recommend this for Little House fans, writers with an interest in the drafting process, and historians with an interest in late 19th century pioneer America....more
I'm sad that this is the final book of this series, which artfully blends historical mystery with ghosts and magic. Moyers captured a pivotal time of I'm sad that this is the final book of this series, which artfully blends historical mystery with ghosts and magic. Moyers captured a pivotal time of history against a backdrop of the scarred, haunted city of San Francisco. Delia is a smart, savvy heroine who sees ghosts. Her husband is a police captain. Their two perspectives intertwine nicely--they make excellent partners as they solve mysteries. In this case, San Francisco is plagued by supernaturally-flavored mayhem and murders that are clearly connected to Russian refugees fleeing the bloody revolution overseas. Delia deals with a very regal ghost who says a great deal while saying nothing. The novel confronts darkness without getting too mired in it; this is a fast, cozy read, perfect to accompany tea and cat cuddles at bedtime. At least, that's what I did. ...more
I love Cheney's Golden City trilogy, and her new book (out in February) explores a whole new secondary fantasy world. At heart, this is a detective stI love Cheney's Golden City trilogy, and her new book (out in February) explores a whole new secondary fantasy world. At heart, this is a detective story with magical twists: a policeman is murdered in some sort of bizarre ritual. In the city, Mikael is locked in a dream, forced to experience the stranger's brutal death. Mikael's agony radiates to a likewise gifted sensitive, Shironne, whose abilities are already being used by local authorities to solve murder investigations. Mikael and Shironne don't know each other, but as more people are murdered, they are drawn together to stop the mayhem and figure out their own bizarre connection through dreams and death.
The world-building here is intense. Not only is the magic fresh and new, but the city and its Six Families hint at deep material for more books. I love how Cheney handles the sensory issues around Shironne's blindness. It makes descriptions all the more important.
I'm really excited to read more novels in the Palace of Dreams series. This world has incredible potential, and Shironne and Mikael are fantastic characters to follow....more
This book, to be released in January from Kensington, is classified as a New Adult paranormal romance; to be even more specific, this is a gothic noveThis book, to be released in January from Kensington, is classified as a New Adult paranormal romance; to be even more specific, this is a gothic novel in modern form. Annie Freemont is a bold heroine with an eye on college and life-long experience in antiquities and art appraisals. As her father slowly succumbs to dementia, she is forced to move with him to her estranged paternal family. Their estate is gothic in all its glory: a palatial home centuries old, built on salt mines along the isolated Maine coast. Annie soon finds her family drowns in secrets and her father's illness is supernatural rather than natural.
I found this to be a fast and enjoyable read. The romance works very well, and the plot offered many twists and turns as it delved deeper into the paranormal element. This is a solid book on its own but there is still plenty of plot left for more Freemont adventures. ...more
Like the first book in Morris's series, this volume is massive. It may be a long and slow read, but it's absolutely fascinating--an intimate portrait Like the first book in Morris's series, this volume is massive. It may be a long and slow read, but it's absolutely fascinating--an intimate portrait of a complex yet brilliant man. This covers his terms as president, beginning with McKinley's assassination and ending with Taft ascending to office. Roosevelt made many grand strides in conservation, diplomacy, and establishing America's Navy, but nothing is ever in black or white. I had no idea of the drama that went into the Panama Canal, complete with an American-sponsored rebellion to create Panama. Roosevelt's views on race seem backward to our modern thinking, but he was a man of his time and did treat minorities with more fairness than others... and suffered politically for it. He was the first president to invite a black man, Booker T. Washington, to dinner at the White House, and it caused an outrage. He greatly admired the Japanese as a growing military power and saw them as a potential threat to American interests in the Philippines and Hawaii, and so he sent out a Great White Fleet to show off American naval power. He also contributed to a horrible injustice in Brownsville, Texas, when black troops were accused of a riot based on very false evidence and sheer racial stereotype.
Morris's portrayal is fair. He shows the brilliance and the belligerence of Roosevelt. As an author doing research, I found the book to be fantastic. I took many, many notes. ...more
This second novella in the series develops more in the world of angel versus demon against a backdrop of 1930s Spain. I adore the dark fantasy elementThis second novella in the series develops more in the world of angel versus demon against a backdrop of 1930s Spain. I adore the dark fantasy elements--it gets downright creeptastic at times--but I especially love the fond relationship between Diago and his partner, Miquel, and Diago's young son. I can't help but want a happy ending for the family but I'm so very afraid for them....more
I have seen this labeled as a Weird Western, and I understand why: it's definitely not a historical old west tale. It's alternate history that endows I have seen this labeled as a Weird Western, and I understand why: it's definitely not a historical old west tale. It's alternate history that endows the middle of America with a sort of mystical sentience. The feel is folkloric. There is action, but it's not a thriller. It steadily moves in a way that is fascinating and soothing.
Silver on the Road is a coming of age story of sorts for Isobel. She's a good heroine; a good person, period, who asked for a job and had no idea what she was granted. At times, her whining on that subject gets a little old, but I think that's my biggest gripe. Also, I really appreciated that this wasn't a romance at all. Mind you, I enjoy a good romance subplot, but it is something of a trope.
Gilman's worldbuilding is phenomenal. I loved exploring the road with Isobel and learning about crossroads, owls, snakes, and the feel of the land. It's a very... loving take on the very meaning of land and home....more
I'm so glad that this book was featured on Scalzi's Big Idea! I'm a born and raised Hanford girl, so for me Fresno was always "the big city." I enjoyeI'm so glad that this book was featured on Scalzi's Big Idea! I'm a born and raised Hanford girl, so for me Fresno was always "the big city." I enjoyed reading this book and seeing how the city transitioned and how many familiar landmarks came to be, but I am really curious as to what my mom will think. This will be part of her Christmas. She lived all around the valley as she grew up, including several places in and around Fresno, so the pictures and stories will really resonate with her. I imagine this will be a fun book for her to pull out for friends and family. Hooray for well-done local history books!...more
I started reading this well aware of the controversy and the one-star review campaign against. Some people hate the first-person POV and short punchy I started reading this well aware of the controversy and the one-star review campaign against. Some people hate the first-person POV and short punchy sentences, other hate it simply because it's the new Star Wars canon, and there are other who loathe it because it has the audacity to mention gay people in the Star Wars universe. Which... utterly confounds me when we're talking about so many alien species and worlds and cultures and certainly types of sexuality we cannot even comprehend. Why/how could they all be heterosexual? But anyway.
I started reading, looking for the controversy. I finished the book in two days--it reads fast because wow, is it packed with action. It really feels like a Star Wars book and it has me even more hyped for the new movie (please don't suck, please don't suck). But as for the elements that were so offensive... I'm befuddled. There are a couple of mentions of folks with same-sex partners or an interest in such. That's it. Just casual and utterly real things. No bludgeonings-by-rainbow on every page, no raunchy scenes. I will say the one thing that DID really jolt me was mention of venereal disease. I guess, in keeping with other reviews, I should give this one star and scream at Chuck for ruining Star Wars by giving everyone the clap.
It's a thoroughly enjoyable book and introduces fantastic characters--I loved seeing a mother and son, both competent in their own ways, and of course there is Mr. Bones, the B1 battle droid who is actually good at his job. There is one chapter that starts with him returning with the announcement, 'I PERFORMED VIOLENCE' and I busted out laughing.
Well done, Chuck. If this is how you destroy America and Star Wars, then keep on destroying. I'll keep buying....more
I received an early copy of this novella through NetGalley.
I confess right from the start: I'm biased. I read this as an early draft and loved it, andI received an early copy of this novella through NetGalley.
I confess right from the start: I'm biased. I read this as an early draft and loved it, and I was overjoyed when Genrenauts was announced as part of a new novella series at Tor. The concept is a delightful and original mash-up of Quantum Leap and Sliders and so many other fun shows: Earth has parallel worlds that echo tropes of literary genres, and if a story on such a world goes off kilter, it impacts people on Earth. Leah is recruited straight out of her stand-up show and dropped into a bucketful of weird and unbelievable. It's a fun ride as they jaunt off to western world, where troublesome tropes do exist but are delightfully subverted by Underwood's deft plotting. I can't wait for the next installment!...more
This novella is a fast read due to word length and its frenetic pace. From the first page, you know it's dark, too--cannibalism jokes are aplenty, and This novella is a fast read due to word length and its frenetic pace. From the first page, you know it's dark, too--cannibalism jokes are aplenty, and Khaw introduces many disturbing/fascinating creatures not usually depicted in English-language fantasy. That, along with the setting of Kuala Lumpur, add to the fresh and unique feel, though at time I felt a little lost because things did push along so quickly.
I love Rupert Wong and his little asides to the reader. He's a fantastic urban fantasy protagonist, abounding with snark, in love with a living-yet-dead lady, and in way over his head with petty gods and meddlesome ghosts and beasts. I was amused from the first page (and a little grossed out, too, I admit) as he described his dinner menu plans and dealt with some nasty critters that he had accidentally inspired to unionize. That had me laughing out loud.
I have read a novel set in this same Gods & Monsters universe; Mythbreaker by Stephen Blackmoore has common elements like the intense darkness, fast pace, and heavy snark, but they both use very different settings and mythologies; both works stand on their own completely, and it's my understanding that all of the books in the series are set up that way....more
My reaction to this is mixed. First of all, that subtitle "The American Soldier of Fortune Who Became a God in China" is horribly cringe-worthy and miMy reaction to this is mixed. First of all, that subtitle "The American Soldier of Fortune Who Became a God in China" is horribly cringe-worthy and misleading, and is contradicted by the explanation within the book. The publisher should not have used such a sensational subtitle.
The events here are absolutely fascinating: the true historical escapades of an American man who ventures to China as a freelance soldier, battled the rebellious pseudo-Christian Taipings on behalf of the Manchu government, and died in battle. Frederick Townsend Ward sounds like a truly intriguing fellow. The problem is, almost all the information about him has been destroyed. His family correspondence was purposely destroyed by his sister-in-law (gah!) and his shrine, grave, and written material in China was destroyed in waves through revolutions, the Japanese invasion, and then the Communist government. Carr still created a fascinating narrative, but it does often read as tedious with unavoidable gaps of data. The Chinese names used are a different transliteration than I am used to, so that made it more frustrated to keep track of who was who, and there are a lot of names thrown in here of Chinese, British and French soldiers, and Americans. At several points I debated whether to continue reading, but I kept on because I wanted to find out how events played out. I did make a few notes for my research interests, too....more
I received this from the publisher via NetGalley; it will be released on November 10th, 2015.
This novella isn't about action of high drama; no, it's aI received this from the publisher via NetGalley; it will be released on November 10th, 2015.
This novella isn't about action of high drama; no, it's a cozy fairy tale from the fairy's perspective, and it's a joy. Domnall is a cranky old cuss, the kind who pisses on the flowers that will soon have their dew harvested. But when a fairy child falls gravely ill, he knows what must be done: the wee one must feed on a human mother's milk, which means the human baby must be nabbed. Domnall fumbles along, doing the best he can to tend to both babies. His efforts to feed the human baby lead to a humorous episode sheep-milking.
It was fascinating to read of changelings from the fairy perspective. From the human viewpoint, they are such evil beings. Here, the depiction is more nuanced and tragic--of course the humans will be horrified if they find their baby has been replaced, but the fairies are trying to save one of few children they have left. This is a fairy tale with a lot of depth, with a welcome new viewpoint on old tropes....more
A few things to preface this review: the book is older, with this edition published in 1990. It's also intended as a college textbook or scholarly resA few things to preface this review: the book is older, with this edition published in 1990. It's also intended as a college textbook or scholarly resource. That said, it wasn't a terrible or slow read, though it definitely was not an enthralling creative nonfiction piece in the modern style.
I read with the hopes of more research data for my forthcoming book series, which meant my focus was on the Chinese and Japanese in America at the turn of the 20th century. At the start, Daniels stated that he wanted to avoid creating a "negative history," wherein the emphasis is on what is done TO the minority people, rather than what they did. This meant that the material on a century ago was more sparse. I have read a number of other books on Chinese-Americans in this period that go into a lot more detail because there were so many wretched things done to combat the perceived "Yellow threat." The advantage Daniels has in this book is that he also brings in the experiences of the Japanese and contrasts that with the Chinese, and shows how their lives fluctuated through the 20th century.
This book is especially strong and detailed on the travails of Japanese Americans during World War II. This wasn't relevant to my research, but was fascinating in its horribleness. I have read about Japanese internment camps before, but Daniels brought in information about the divides within the Japanese community and what happened to those who resisted internment. The final chapters are about the efforts to compensate those who were interred (an effort that the author was involved in) and how the Chinese were treated after the Revolution and how things changed again after 1970s ping-pong diplomacy.
This isn't a "fun" read, but it serves a necessary purpose, and I can see why it was cited in other books I have read....more
I read this with the hopes of data I could use in my novel research, and I ended up delighted with the book overall. This is one of several great trav I read this with the hopes of data I could use in my novel research, and I ended up delighted with the book overall. This is one of several great travelogues/historical explorations I have read in recent years (Children of Kali by Kevin Rushby is worthy of note here). Meyer approaches the book with an American perspective, but as an American who is quite happy to immerse himself in other cultures. He lived for a year in his wife's native Manchurian village of Wasteland, while his wife is elsewhere, and explored the region by bus and rail.
Manchuria is one of the places that is always noted in World War II narratives as the place where Japan began their foray into mainland Asia. Meyer does an excellent job of showing a place with a vital role in history--the Manchu dynasty originated there--that was caught in a terrible 20th century tug-of-war between China, Japan, Russia, and Korea. Communism and the Cultural Revolution destroyed--and built--much more. Wasteland is undergoing a dramatic change in recent years as the home of a powerful rice corporation. The village is becoming something more, with the farmers of the past 50 years being nudged into massive apartment blocks so that their old, kang-heated shacks can become more rice paddies.
Meyer's chapters are easy to read, and the book goes by fast. I loved the historical information and how he portrayed it, but I was surprised to find myself falling in love with Wasteland and its residents. It's remote and bitterly cold much of the year (Siberia is right next door), but also a place of beauty that is even shown by the actions of a elderly local who plots where to sneakily plant her beloved poppy seeds along the main thoroughfare after the rice corporation repaves and modernizes the road....more
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