Trunk Music by Michael Connelly
August 17, 2008
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Trunk Music by Michael Connelly is another installment of the Harry Bosch crime novels. I’m not really a fan of crime novels, but Michael Connelly is an extremely talented writer. He must spend a huge amount of time preparing and outlining his stories before he actually writes them, because all of his novels include a large amount of subplots and foreshadowing for upcoming subplots that the reader might find himself trying to solve the mystery before the hero can figure it out.
Harry Bosch, the main character, is a detective with many tragic flaws. He has a short temper, a laundry list of bad habits, and a real talent for getting into fights. He’s got the Dirty Harry attitude, but in the end Mr. Connelly’s characters are very easy to identify with. In this installment, Harry gets mixed up in a Mafia ring run from Las Vegas. It’s a roller coaster of ups and downs as he tries to play by the rules and run down the murderer, but he just can’t seem to stay out of trouble and in the end there’s a only one thing that can get the job finished. Go in with all guns blazing!
I really enjoy Mr. Connelly’s books and I recommend them to most any guy that might enjoy a good cop story. The novel is easy to read and it flows very fast and if you enjoy Trunk Music, there are a lot of other Michael Connelly books out there that are just as entertaining.
Rating: 7 out of 10
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
August 13, 2008
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I first heard about The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon at Pat’s Fantasy Hotlist, a great blog to discover new authors. Pat gave the book a 10 out of 10, which is very rare for him to give any book a perfect score, so I figured it was worth reading (not to mention the 4.5 star rating from 506 customers on Amazon!)
Before you make up your mind, this book is NOT a fantasy genera novel. The novel takes place in a mid 1900’s Spain and centers around a mysterious book that a young man begins to investigate why someone has been systematically burning every copy of the book. Although there are a huge amount of subplots and intertwining character relationships, the mysterious cloaked figure is not what makes this novel so engaging.
From the first page (literally!) Mr. Zafon is able to develop a character that the reader is easily able to connect with and as he continues to weave the complex plot, we are introduced to more characters that have so much depth it’s hard to believe that this novel has not been more popular than it is. There are so many memorable figures that I am hard pressed to decide who I can identify with more. Whether it is Daniel, the main character, his father, Fermin, a colorful man with a complex past, Bernada, Clara, or Francisco Javier Fumero, the deceptive and deadly investigator, they all play a huge role in creating a very realistic world that takes place within the 500 pages of The Shadow of The Wind.
Overall, the novel is a wonderful adventure. I laughed out load many times, I cringed in horror, and I sat unfocused and stared slack jaw at the page. I highly recommend The Shadow of the Wind to anyone. I think the best way to wrap up this review is to let Mr. Zafon have the last words. Here’s an expert from the very first chapter in the book:
Once, in my father’s bookshop, I heard a regular customer say that few things leave a deeper mark on a reader than the first book that finds its way into his heart. Those first images, the echo of words we think we have left behind, accompany us throughout our lives and sculpt a palace in our memory to which, sooner or later - no matter how many books we discover, or how much we learn or forget - we will return.
Rating: 10 out of 10
Deerskin by Robin McKinley
August 13, 2008
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Deerskin is the beautiful retelling of the fable Donkeyskin, a young princess nearly broken by her father the King.
Deerskin begins by telling the legend of Lissar’s mother, the most beautiful woman in 7 kingdoms, and her father, the man who completed an impossible task to win her hand. Lissar had a lonely childhood raised by a nurse, never becoming close with her aloof, uninvolved parents. After her mother dies of a wasting illness, the King goes mad, and forgets all about his daughter. The only friend Lissar only knows is the puppy she received while still a child herself, a hound named Ash from Prince Ossin of a neighboring kingdom.
Deerskin is mosly a tale of loneliness, outlining the childhood and late youth of a beautiful young princess. McKinley does a wonderful job portraying this emotion in a compelling, yet not overbearing way. As you read more about the tragedy that befalls young Lissar at her father’s hand, you suffer with her, and recover with her. This is a great story for a rainy, moody afternoon. The book is not too long, and the story keeps you engrossed in both the plot and the characters. Everyone is flawed, and yet you can find yourself relating to them. Though this is a retelling of a “fairy tale” I would certainly not recommend it for young adults or teens, as it’s very adult content. The events and emotions that follow speak openly of physical and emotional trauma. But McKinley keeps the story true to life, and it’s beautifully done. When Lissar finally discovers that she is still capable of love after being so brutally broken, it leaves you with a feeling of quiet triumph.
Rating: 7 out of 10
Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb
August 13, 2008
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Growing up on fantasy novels gave me a strong sense of what I liked and what really wasn’t working. One thing you’ll find in Robin Hobb’s work is that every aspect defining great writing is woven together in each one of her books. Many novels get too bogged down in background, or scenery, or even plot. But Hobb never fails to enrapture you with her work.
Assassin’s Apprentice is the first in her Farseer Trilogy, telling the tale of a lonely boy born a bastard to the Six Duchies King-In-Waiting. Assassin’s Apprentice opens with the main character, FitzChivalry Farseer writing a narrative autobiography of his life and life in the Six Duchies. Hobb continues this unique way of introduction in each subsequent chapter in the trilogy. FitzChivalry, commonly known as Fitz (or The Bastard), is raised by Burrich, his father’s right hand man, left at the main palace when Chivalry abdicates the throne to live out his shame quietly. As Fitz begins to reach his awkward preteen years, he is recognized by his grandfather, King Shrewd, as a useful tool as an assassin.
Assassin’s Apprentice is filled with intrigue and plot, and Hobb deftly weaves a story you could find in any political scandal or royal history. But Hobb’s crowning glory is truly the depth of her characters. Each character is so uniquely different, and so brilliantly expressed, that you can see each person as a friend, or bitter enemy. As you follow Fitz through his growing pains, you realize that you made many of the same choices while growing up, and recognize the pain and agony of adolescence. Hobb introduces a world complete with innovative and original magics, and engages the reader in the history and lore of her world. This is one of the best openers to a trilogy I have ever read, and trust me, the other two will not disappoint.
Rating: 10 out of 10
The State of Fear by Michael Crichton
August 7, 2008
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I’ve read several books by Michael Crichton in the past, but it has been a while since my last one and I had forgotten how amazingly talented Mr. Crichton is at writing. As I described it to my wife, he is not so much of a science fiction writer as he is a science nonfiction writer. What I mean by that is that he takes real situations (not unrealistic things) and puts them into play in a fiction story line.
State of Fear is about global warming. Gosh, I know how boring that sounds, but leave it to Michael Crichton to take a boring overplayed topic and put it in a new exciting light. Before I read this novel had no interest nor did I have any previous knowledge of the huge debate centered around global warming. So many of the topics covered were completely new to me, but Mr. Crichton has taken a huge amount of boring information and put it in a form that is not only easy to understand, but actually fun to read about!
With some of the same surprising twists as found in Prey and Airframe, I devoured this 600 page novel in only 4 days. I couldn’t put the book down, not because it was a fast moving thriller (I wouldn’t go that far), but rather because the topic is so engaging and informative I found myself heavily connected to the story line. Overall, I say highly recommend this book. It’s a great book for people looking for an exciting story to read or if you are interested in learning more about global warming. It can really help clear up all the muddy details surrounding the topic.
Rating: 8 out of 10
Black Sun Rising by CS Friedman
August 3, 2008
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Black Sun Rising was the first book I have read by CS Friedman, but it won’t be the last. I enjoyed the depth of creative freedom that Ms. Friedman took in her world building (yes, CS Friedman is a girl). Although I feel like there could have been a little more character depth built into the story, I enjoyed the novel very much.
In brief, Black Sun Rising starts off with a very dark opening murder scene and as the reader is introduced to the world Ms Friedman creates, you will understand how that opening scene plays into the rest of the story. The main characters, through a surprising turn of events, form a team although two of them are mortal enemies. The trust and hate issues mixed throughout the journey make for a very interesting twist in the strained quest.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, though it was not one of my favorite novels, the book ended with a new quest on the horizon and I’m interested enough to give the next installment a read.
Rating: 6 out of 10
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt
July 20, 2008
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Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is hardly a new release, but in my quest to read every book I can get my hands on, I’m afraid I might be overwhelmed in this task. Alas, I can cross this little gem off my list and I’m pleased to say I enjoyed the book very much.
The story is centered, or maybe saturated, in the culture and charm of Savanna, Georgia. This is not a story based on action or violence. Rather it is a character driven novel full of a diverse assortment of persons. While the narrator is a middle aged writer from New York visiting Savanna who becomes infatuated with the southern culture, that’s about as far as the author goes in predictable character types. The reader is entertained with a wonderful assortment including drug dealers, a mad scientist, an unpredictable drag queen, high society snobs, racist rednecks, witches, and a plethora of “normal” people with a laundry list of secrets.
The book starts off strong and keeps the reader’s attention, but after a series of events that continue to outplay their own worth of interest it finishes off with just a little bit less of a bang than what it started with. Overall, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is a book as charming as the culture in which it is based. If you don’t want to take my word for it, the fact that it was on The New York Time’s bestseller list for 216 weeks should be a good indication as to its quality.
Rating: 8 out of 10
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
July 15, 2008
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Stardust by Neil Gaiman is a wonderfully fun story (fairy tale, even) about a fantasy world with some surprising roots in reality. It was a joy to read and I devoured the book in just two days. I have to admit that this is the first book I have actually liked by Mr. Gaiman, but even my past disagreements with some of his other books may not keep me from trying more of his books after finishing this latest story.
I think what I enjoyed the most about this book was the utter simplistic charm of the characters and their world. The plot line is simple enough, but it is a lot of fun to follow the main character through his epic journey and find out exactly what this very unlikely hero turns into.
While the book might not be a children’s story due to a few scenes that are not exactly G rated, I could see reading this to a eager minded youth that has out grown the kiddy stories of Disney.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was like a cool drink of water in the midst of a few too many heavy hearted, violent novels I have read lately. It has really reminded me that reading is not all about the experience of shock, fear, and suspense. Sometimes a simple adventure in your own backyard can be very fulfilling.
Rating: 8 out of 10
Before They are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie
July 8, 2008
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I can’t believe I put off reading this sequel for 3 months! This book was even better than the first one! Joe Abercrombie’s Before They Are Hanged was a wonderful book to read. There are three main storylines that run through the entire book and each chapter switches between scenes, leaving the reader hungry for more, but on the other hand, even more eager to dive into the next chapter.
As I have come to learn, some of the best books are powered by interesting characters. Not twisting plots or a roller coaster of action packed scenes, but rather the robust undercurrent of interactions between all of the characters. This book is not merely a story about a hero and a couple of sidekicks. It is packed full of colorful people that come alive on the page. And none of them are the flawless superman’s that seem to plague so many novels. Everyone has their own tragic flaw or their own thorn in the side. From the mysterious wizard to the raw gritty solider, each character is very believable and even some of the most evil vile ones I just found myself beginning to love to hate them.
The third and final book will be released in September of this year and I know I will be breaking down the doors at Barnes and Noble to get my hands on the last book of the series.
So overall, the book is a bit raw and gritty, so if you don’t like violent stories with a bit of torture and gore, don’t read this book. But I have to say there is nothing in excess about the violence it only adds to the depth of the story. I would recommend this book to just about anyone who is looking for a good book to read. Whether they like the fantasy genera or not. Amazing book!
Rating: 9 out of 10
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
July 7, 2008
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Northanger Abbey held much more appeal, so I saved it to read after Persuasion. Catherine is an impressionable young girl invited to Bath to stay with some friends. This is sort of a comedy of errors, and as Catherine makes friends she begins to learn that not everybody has your best interest at heart. This is an entertaining story of a young woman’s foray into adulthood, and the mishaps she encounters along the way.
In Bath, Catherine meets her supporting cast, the scheming Isabella (who promptly gets engaged with Catherine’s brother), Isabella’s irresponsible brother John, and the Tilneys (a family of 4 that Catherine learns to love more than her flighty, passionate, self-absorbed friends). The book centers around the young heroine’s interactions with her “friend” Isabella, and her love interest, Henry. After receiving an invitation to visit the Tilney home, Northanger Abbey, Catherine begins imagining that the home and family belong in a gothic horror story. The novel really takes off at this point, featuring all the usual devices: the screaming wind, the unexpected discoveries, flickering lights. Jane Austen really delights in evoking humor and suspense.
This novel was one of the few to really fly by. Though it took a bit to really take off, it was really an enjoyable read. The heroine is not perfect, but nor is she so flawed that you can’t stand to read about her. Overall I would say it’s a really interesting story, and this I would recommend this second only to Pride and Prejudice.
Rating: 6 out of 10
