Singer of Souls by Adam Stemple

Singer of Souls by Adam Stemple was really... something different. I was initially fascinated by the fact that this man looks like a country singer, is the son of a famous children's novel author (Jane Yolen) and has previously only written children's songbooks. The dark modern mood will put you in mind of Neil Gaiman and Emma Bull, but overall, it was a disappointment to me. It starts with a young guitarist trying to stay off drugs, going to Scotland with his grandma and making a living singing but eventually running into evil fairies and monsters. I couldn't put the book down until the very end, when the author apparently decided he already spent enough of his genius writing the first 90% of the book and decided to just spew shock-value into the word processor for the rest and completely ruin the tone. I assume there's going to be a sequel, that would be the only thing that makes sense. I recommend reading the first half only and imagining a happy ending for yourself, it just really confused me why the sensitive and brave young hero suddenly turned into an aquadouche. I should probably go check and see if the sequel explains anything...

Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey

Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey is a romantic fantasy trilogy/series with a touch of history. The trilogy is definitely one of my guilty pleasures. Her style of writing is very lush and detailed, with a particular emphasis on politics and culture, which I always like. While the majority of the plot is based on an alternate Renaissance-era Europe, there are occasional forays into the supernatural and spiritual. There is a lot of hanky panky going on, sometimes it is sweet and sometimes it is outright silly, but it's there, so you know.

The first book is a great opener, the middle book, Kushiel's Chosen, lags a little bit in my opinion, but the third book, Kushiel's Avatar, is quite exotic and adventurous and handily wraps up most conflicts. Carey raises the bar for female-fronted adult fantasy novels, and for a romantic series, this is gold, though that isn't saying too much.

The series continues from a male perspective in the Imriel trilogy, dealing with even more politics. I read some of it and did not feel like it held a candle to the original trilogy, it was a bit callous and you know, masculine. But seeing as this series revolves around sadism and masochism, I guess that's to be expected, hah hah.

Stravaganza by Mary Hoffman

The Stravaganza series by Mary Hoffman is a fantasy young adult trilogy/series that unfortunately crashed and burned at the end. The first book, City of Masks, was a wonderful introduction to an alternate 16th century Italy, full of beauty and magic and culture. The characters were clever and adorable, the plot fascinating. I only read part of the third book, City of Flowers, but was disgusted enough by it to not even attempt the second book. As I remember, it was more of a contrived adolescent drama and the writing eventually overwhelmed the simple details that made the first book so amazing. I mean, who cares about teen romance when more awesome things could be happening?

Maybe I'm just prejudiced when things don't work out properly in the later books, but I feel absolutely betrayed when the author doesn't keep up the tone and the freshness of the first novel. City of Masks would have made an excellent stand-alone novel, is all I'm saying.

The Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix

The Abhorsen Trilogy, also known as the Old Kingdom series, by Garth Nix is a fascinating and dramatic fantasy/horror series for young adults. I personally feels it falls into the "trilogy trap" later on because Lirael and Abhorsen didn't really keep up the same level of awesome that Sabriel started.
The series describes Sabriel's ongoing war against the forces of evil (mostly zombies and sorcerors), assisted by various brave individuals who are not all human. The world, one side normal and technological and the other side magical and dangerous, is especially well thought-out. I really liked Sabriel's ability as a necromancer, it seemed very unique.

I think the sudden lull in the second book and the jumbled-up storyline in the third book really did the series a disservice. While I find it anti-climactic overall, the eerily prosaic tone never lets up and makes this series suitably suspenseful. Across the Wall, containing short stories based in that world, makes for a good read, but I think I say that of most anthologies.

(briefly) Arthurian series by various authors

A brief review of various Arthurian series I read throughout highschool and college... To be added to when I remember those pesky other series.

the Pendragon Cycle by Stephen Lawhead, including Taliesin, Merlin, Arthur, Pendragon and Grail: I thought Taliesin was amazing, a legendary treatment of the bard combining the legends of Arthur and Atlantis, but by Pendragon, I was writhing in pain and thinking "Why am I reading such trash?" Couldn't finish it, no matter what critics might say.

the Merlin Trilogy by Mary Stewart, including Crystal Cave, Hollow Hills, Last Enchantment: a promising start, with a gritty and powerful retelling of Merlin's life as a youngster. Like most Arthurian trilogies, ended in tragedy, and I mean tragedy. The Wicked Day, a fourth book about Mordred's life, was actually rather interesting, but still unpleasant to finish.

Hawk of May by Gillian Bradshaw, also Kingdom of Summer, In Winter's Shadow: this one is a slightly more youth-friendly treatment of Arthurian legend, including views from Gwalchmai, his servant Rhys and Queen Gwynnhyfar. No mention of Merlin or Lancelot, this is a more historical and somewhat mystical retelling that ends tragically.

the Fionavar Tapestry by Guy Gavriel Kay, including The Summer Tree, Wandering Fire, The Darkest Road: not exactly Arthurian, but drawing heavily on that legend. This is a daring and brilliantly composed fantasy series of the war between good and evil and the heavy price some heroic individuals must pay. It really affected me when I read it in high school, though that may just be me in high school. Very sad.

the Once and Future King by T.H. White: A very good series overall, but also swimming in tragedy by the end. I would definitely not recommend the last 3 parts for children, even though Sword in the Stone made for a funny movie.

the Samaria Series by Sharon Shinn

The Samaria series, including Archangel, Jovah's Angel, the Alleluia Files, Angelica and Angel-Seeker, by Sharon Shinn is a lovely combination of science fiction and romance and guess what? More Bible stuff! (I must seem like a total Christian freak, hah hah.)

I was browsing the fantasy/science fiction section in the bookstore when I came upon Archangel and was immediately captivated by the romantic prose and what I term "fantastic science": science that is so totally preposterous, it might as well be magic. The trilogy initially seemed to fall under the "trilogy trap," when the last books do not quite hold up the high standards of the first book, a common affliction nowadays, but the fifth book stepped up in quality and has met with my approval. Because you know, I am such a literary critic.

The focus of this series is romance between angel and human on a distant planet colonized and then left alone for millenia, but there are a lot of politics, history, philosophy and fake science going on as well. The theme of music's importance to God is also very beautifully explored. The books progress chronologically, so that Archangel takes place in an ancient biblical era, while Jovah's Angel takes place when technology has advanced quite a bit and so on. The last two books jump around and explore other aspects of the world set up in the first three. The books are perfectly readable without an encyclopedic knowledge of biblical names and places and angels, but the more you know, the more you'll get.

I thoroughly and unashamedly enjoyed this series. My favorite books are Archangel and Angel-Seeker, but they were all rather good. I rarely read science fiction because it is usually so depressing, but this series is refreshingly pleasant.

UnLunDun by China Mieville

UnLunDun by China Mieville was a happy discovery at the library. It is what one might call an urban fantasy novel for young adults, set in London. China Mieville looks like some sort of punk skinhead, but his book is charming, clever, funny as well as extremely scary. He also draws the illustrations for UnLunDun, various horrific ink illustrations of monsters that would definitely delight kids.

Neil Gaiman thinks Mieville's work is great and who am I to argue with Neil Gaiman? This book in particular puts me in mind of an evil and updated Alice in Wonderland, with that disturbing sense of the absurd and ironic. But like that classic, it is extremely difficult to read if you are a lazy reader. You have to concentrate on miniscule details, make sense of the puns, and keep track of the monsters and crazy characters as well as the twist and turns of the plot. Fortunately, there is a handy glossary of British slang in the back for us Americans. It sorta helps. Sorta...

My favorite part is how he turns the typical fantasy motif on its head, by doing away the idea of the prophesied one, quite a jab in the eye to J.K. Rowling. He does urban fantasy with such flair and creativity, I think this is going to be a recommended classic for kids and adults, if it isn't already.

the His Dark Materials trilogy by Phillip Pullman

The His Dark Materials trilogy, including The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass, is an intriguing fantasy-ish/sci-fi-ish series for young adults. Set in an alternate London, it follows the adventures a brave young girl and her daemon familiar, fighting to either save the world or maybe destroy it. The first book I consider a literary work of art, very imaginative and elegant and charming, a must-read for all children. The rest of the series... maybe not as appropriate for youngsters, as the subject and tone starts to befit a cynical pre-teen or teenager who needs yet another reason to hate the world and The Man.

What I like best about this series is its unique view on concepts of Christianity. It is unusual, thought-provoking, daring even. Again, if you are not versed in the Bible or Bible-related literature such as Milton's Paradise Lost, this trilogy's thinly veiled criticism may be totally over your head. But from a purely secular view, the action, mystery, philosophy and drama are worth checking out. Despite my misgivings about the later books, this series definitely ought to be listed as one of the classics of children's literature, and Lyra a role model young heroine, at least for smart and sophisticated children.

The movie looks like it won't live up to the book, that is as I expected. But Nicole Kidman is always worth watching, in my opinion.

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

Good Omens is, for obvious reasons, one of my favorite novels of all time. It's about the End of the World as we know it, vaguely reminiscent of the movie, The Omen. Besides being absolutely hilarious (to anyone familiar with the Book of Revelations in the Bible, anyways), it is a very hip and umm... educational treatment of an otherwise very serious subject, the Apocalypse.

As someone who pretended to be very studious about the Bible, I read Good Omens over and over again because I find something new to laugh about each time. My favorite characters are definitely that comedic duo of devil and angel, Crowley and Aziraphale. The entire cast is quirky, the plot fast-paced and full of "fracas" or "rumpus." My only complaint may be the fact that there is only one book, and there can be only one. Also, the Britishisms take a while to translate and fully appreciate if you're unfortunate enough to be an American.

I hear rumors of a movie all the time, and hope against hope that Johnny Depp plays Crowley. Even if it is only half as funny as the book, that is funny enough.

the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett

The Discworld novels are a brilliant and satiric parody of fantasy elements and humanity's foible foibles. If you are even slightly into humor, fantasy, mystery and action and comedic romance, you can't go wrong with Pratchett. Trust me. If for some reason, you did go wrong, then it is you who is wrong, and not Pratchett!

Several of his books can be read alone, although the full impact of characterization and plot can optimally be enjoyed if you read certain arcs in order, namely the Watch arc and perhaps the Witches arc. There are a few novels that I don't enjoy as much as the rest, but I enjoy them far far more than any other series ever written, so that's not saying much.

My personal favorites, which I would review if I could come up with something other than "THIS BOOK IS SO AWESOME!" to say. In no particular order...

1. Soul Music: About sex, drugs and rock and roll. Okay, just rock and roll.
2. The Truth: About Ankh Morpork's newspaper that tells the "truth."
3. Going Postal: About Ankh Morpork's revived postal service.
4. Science of Discworld: About the science of Earth, as explained by the magic of Discworld.
5. The Last Hero: About Cohen the Barbarian, the last hero of Discworld.
6. Men at Arms: About the City Watch's brush with the deadly gonne.
7. Hogfather: About the legendary holiday figure of goodwill and bloodshed.

My favorite characters...
1. Death
2. Librarian (duh)
3. Susan Sto Helit
4. Vetinari
5. Captain Vimes
6. Leonard Da Quirm
7. Moist von Lipwig

Links to visit:
L-space: has more information than you ever wanted to know about Terry Pratchett and Discworld.

Favorite quote of all time - oh wait, maybe not:
"One day I'll be dead and THEN you'll all be sorry."
-- (Terry Pratchett, alt.fan.pratchett)

Welcome to the World of Tomorrow!

Fight Evil with Books!

A book blog dedicated to discussion of my favorite books. Being a bibliophile, I sometimes feel the urge to repeatedly assault other people's brains with meaningless reviews about books they are probably not interested in reading. I will be focusing on recent releases and less popular novels, although I will probably refer to older and more popular books whenever I feel like they should be mentioned. I will start posting reviews for my favorite books (or series because I'm too lazy to review each book) as well as impressions of recent books that I felt needed some praise/censure.
For those of you who want to find books that you may want to read, the labels system underneath each entry would help. The labels are fairly basic - describing the genre, format (novel or series), intended reader demographic, and tone descriptions (humor, tragedy or urban.) I will occasionally add labels about a significant or popular subject that I feel may be helpful. By "fairy," I mean references to elves and denizens of Faerie, by "alternate world," I mean passage into a similar but bizarre dimension, and by "alternate history," I mean a fantastic revision of actual history concerning familiar historical figures.

My favorite genres include:
Fiction
Fantasy
Sci-fi
Young Adult... fantasy
Young Adult... sci-fi...
Mystery
Historical fiction