#RRSciFiMonth: Starship Troopers — Well That Wasn’t Like the Movie At *All*
Posted on November 2, 2015 11 Comments
Sci-Fi November is a month-long blog event hosted by Rinn Reads and Over The Effing Rainbow this year, created to celebrate everything amazing about science fiction! From TV shows to movies, books to comics, and everything else in between, it is intended to help science fiction lovers share their love and passion for this genre and its many, many fandoms.
Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein
Genre: Military Science Fiction
Publisher: Ace (June 2006, first published 1959)
Wendy’s Rating: 2 of 5 stars
In my continued quest to read some of the works by classic authors considered to be instrumental in the shaping of genre fiction, I finally decided to check out Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein. I’d already read and loved his Stranger in a Strange Land, and who doesn’t love the movie, Starship Troopers, starring Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, Dina Meyer, and Neil Patrick Harris? Reading this book was a no brainer. Alas, the experience ended up being a disappointment.
First of all, I came here for Diz and I came here for giant bugs.
Technically, both those things were in the book, albeit briefly, and I’m not totally hating on it for not being the movie. There were good things about the book, but I think the movie did a better job of streamlining it and pulling out the parts that are important to me–namely, character development.
Heinlein’s story follows Juan (Johnnie) Rico as he joins and trains for the mobile infantry in the war against the Bugs. A lot of time is spent in this training, very little of which makes Johnnie or any of the characters he briefly comes in contact with particularly endearing. Similarly, I had little investment in the war itself (which we don’t see much of) or Heinlein’s political message because of the amount of time it spent delving into the everyday details of Rico’s training, but not so much into how he felt about it.
The movie also gets bonus points for expanding the role of women. Not that Heinlein’s work is overtly sexist. In fact, I will first praise the diversity of the cast which, unlike the movie, is not predominantly white. But the book is predominantly male. We see Carmen initially, as the woman Rico would like to get with, but who he knows is out of his league. In the movie, we know they are a couple, but more importantly (my dislike of Carmen aside–#TeamDiz forever!), we get to see what Carmen actually does as a pilot, and we get to see other women fighting for their civilian status as well.
And most importantly, we get to see, in the movie, a lot more heart and soul when it comes to the soldiers fighting in this war, which is what makes soldier stories work for me. In the book, Rico just isn’t interesting enough on his own to make me care, but in the movie, I salute all the soldiers who give their all against the bugs. Yes, Carmen, even you.
#RRSciFiMonth: Sci-Fi Month 2015 Introduction
Posted on November 2, 2015 7 Comments
It’s going to be a very busy month for us at the BiblioSanctum. In case you haven’t heard, November is SciFiMonth! The event is only in its third year, but it’s already a big success. We had such a great time last year that we’re participating again in 2015! This year, it is being hosted by Rinn Reads and Over the Effing Rainbow.
Starting today, we’ll be joining other bloggers, authors, and readers in a month-long celebration of everything science fiction. That doesn’t mean we’ll stop covering all our other favorite speculative fiction genres though! You will most definitely continue to see our usual fantasy reviews, weekly features, author spotlights, and all that other fun stuff. The only difference is, some of our reviews and posts will branch off from the usual to encompass the various mediums that science fiction reaches. Keep an eye out for a science-fiction read-along! Special sci-fi giveaways! Our weekly Waiting on Wednesdays with a sci-fi touch! Discussion of sci-fi movies and television! Lots of geeking out over sci-fi games! And don’t forget, Star Wars, Star Wars, STAR WARS!
This event is Boba Fett approved.
Simply look for posts tagged with “SciFi November” or those that contain the SciFi Month banner and button.
For more information about this event visit the SciFiMonth Announcement post at Rinn Reads, where you can also sign up to participate if you’re interested. Everyone is welcome, and you can join up anytime! Be sure to also follow the hashtag #RRSciFiMonth on Twitter so you won’t miss a thing.
Come explore the wonders of science fiction with us, and feel free to let us know:
How long have you been a fan of science fiction?
Why do you like sci-fi and what is your favorite thing about it?
What are your favorite books/games/films/TV shows in the genre?
What are your plans for Sci-Fi Month?
Guest Post: What Are Los Nefilim? by T. Frohock
Posted on November 1, 2015 Leave a Comment
I have been reading and loving T. Frohock’s Los Nefilim series and was curious about the Nefilim themselves as well as her choice of setting. Angels and demons are reasonably common elements of gothic horror and dark fantasy, but stories set in Spain? Not so much. So I invited Lady Frohock to give us a little primer on her fascinating world!
Los Nefilim is simply the Spanish spelling of Nephilim. So Los Nefilim are the sons and daughters of angels and daimons. Through their supernatural lineage, they have the ability to work magic. They also have the ability to reincarnate and retain the memories of their past lives.
The two most important lives for a Nefil are the firstborn life and the current life.
In their firstborn lives, my main characters lives were as follows (in order of their ranking in Solomon’s court):
- In his firstborn life, Guillermo was Solomon, third king of Israel;
- Miquel was Benaiah (or Ben), commander of Solomon’s armies; and
- Diago was Asaph, one of the chief priests in the Temple, and Solomon’s best friend.
Solomon and Benaiah are based on Biblical texts, and since I had nothing for Aspah other than a name, I made everything else up. In my backstory, Diago/Aspah started out as a minor character, then he became a secondary character, and finally the protagonist. Now I can’t imagine the series without him.
So why isn’t Los Nefilim set in the Middle East?
During the Diaspora, many Jews fled to the Iberian Peninsula, and since, in my backstory, Solomon, Benaiah, and Asaph were fleeing the daimons of Israel, I thought maybe they, too, would seek another country to begin anew. So they went to the Iberian Peninsula and became Los Nefilim.
Were they all reborn in the same region of Spain?
No. Guillermo was born in Aragon, which is in northern Spain. Miquel is from Barcelona, in the Catalan region. Diago was born in Sevilla, in the southern region of Andalusia.
Guillermo is of Visigothic ancestry. Miquel is Gitano, and Diago has Berber lineage among his mortal parentage in his current life.
How did they find one another?
That is a very long story, which is a novel. Suffice to say: the angel who forced them flee Israel brought them together again in Iberia.
Why the Spanish Civil War?
Guillermo del Toro is one of the few fantasists who have attempted to portray the events surrounding the Spanish Civil War with both The Devil’s Backbone and Pan’s Labyrinth. It was his works that initially ignited my interest in the conflict.
While I was between projects, I talked to my agent about reworking my Guillermo/Solomon story so that it was set in the twentieth century. Since a lot of other authors have, or currently are, writing novels set during either World War I or World War II, I decided to keep Los Nefilim in Spain and begin my series in the early years of Spain’s Second Republic.
I didn’t want to start at the outbreak, or in the middle, of the war. I wanted to juxtapose the angels and daimons with the mortal conflict so that the reader can see how political rhetoric became so strident that it eventually leads to war. I also wanted to give the two youngest Nefilim, Ysabel and Rafael, time to grow up before thrusting them into the final days of the Spanish Civil War and before they fled to France where the surviving members of Los Nefilim joins the French Resistance.
T. Frohock has turned a love of dark fantasy and horror into tales of deliciously creepy fiction. Her other publications include everything from novelettes to short stories. She is also the author of the novel, Miserere: An Autumn Tale. The second novella in her Los Nefilim series, Without Light Or Guide will be available this week! Read my review here!
Book Review: The Fifth House of the Heart by Ben Tripp
Posted on October 31, 2015 15 Comments
A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Fifth House of the Heart by Ben Tripp
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Gallery Books (7/28/15)
Author Information: Website
Mogsy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars
So the other day I was having this conversation with another blogger about what makes us give a book 5 stars. Admittedly, my own reasons can be pretty nebulous and oftentimes the finer details can differ from a lot of others’ “criteria”, but ultimately I think it always comes down to the question: Did the book blow my mind? Maybe the author impressed with some crazy unique ideas, or made me see something in a whole different light. Or maybe the book touched my emotions in some way, destroyed my feels and left me blubbering like an idiot.
Or maybe sometimes, like in the case of The Fifth House of the Heart, the reasons don’t have to be either cerebral or emotional. Maybe I just want to give a book 5 stars because it was just so damn fucking fun. DEAL WITH IT!
Seriously, though. Horror, humor, and a heist all in one? I couldn’t have asked for more. Say what you want about vampires being a tired old trope, but they can still be pretty terrifying, especially when you have an author who knows how to portray them like the monsters that they are—the way they’re meant to be. Next, throw in a motley group of mercenaries led by a septuagenarian antiquities dealer, our rather zany protagonist who is as motivated by his desire to rid the world of vampires as he is by the opportunity to get his hands on some of their priceless loot.
For you see, vampires are as bad as dragons when it comes to hoarding; they have an obsession for the past as well as an eye for expensive, beautiful, and exquisitely crafted things. Unfortunately, they are also fiercely attached to their possessions and will guard them with as much fervor. This is precisely how Asmodeus “Sax” Saxon-Tang draws the attention of a vampire at an antiques auction, after barely winning a bidding war for an ormolu clock. But Sax is no stranger to vampires, having profited greatly from a couple of run-ins with them in the past. So when the clock is later stolen from his warehouse, leaving the watchman on duty brutally murdered, Sax knows only one thing can be responsible. Determined to settle the score, he travels to the Vatican to assemble a crack team of vampire hunters to counter this new threat—and hopefully to make another fortune while he’s at it.
Everyone in this book is a character, in the sense that they all possess interesting and notable traits or personalities. First there’s Fra Paolo, the guileless monk admiringly described by the openly gay Sax as a dark, handsome young “piece of Italian beefcake.” Next is Min, a small innocuous-looking Korean woman who just happens to be one of the deadliest, most frighteningly accomplished vampire killers in the world–and the sanest one the Vatican could come up with on short notice. Rock is the team’s muscle, an ex-US Army Special Forces guy who is as rugged and strong as his name suggests. Gheorghe plays the role of the rogue, a Romanian burglar who moonlights as a street acrobat in between bank heists. Then there are the unwitting additions to the crew, those who just happened to fall into this deadly caper by happy circumstance: Nilu, the Bollywood actress who became a vampire victim; Emily, Sax’s concerned niece who trails her uncle to Europe; and finally, Abingdon the British blacksmith/professional jouster whose impeccable physique and devastatingly good looks make him popular with the ladies at Ren Faires all across the continent.
Hard to imagine a more dubious or random group of people getting together to slay monsters, but there you are. But of course, the most interesting and entertaining one of all is Sax, the leader of this jolly band and the one who holds everyone together. Sax is one of the best protagonists I’ve read in years, a man of contrasts if I’ve ever seen one. I can’t decide whether he’s closer in type to the gentle elderly man who gives smiles to children in the park, or to the crotchety one who brandishes his cane at them from his porch yelling “Get off my lawn!” In truth, he’s probably both in equal parts.
One thing is certain though: this novel owes a lot of its greatness to Sax. Certainly, his wry and wicked sense of humor is a huge part of it; I laughed and I laughed and I laughed. Throughout the book, Sax will say all sorts of scandalous or outrageously inappropriate things but you’ll still find yourself busting a gut without feeling too guilty about it because he reminds you of your 100-year-old eccentric grandpa. Plus, the guy has already survived two vampire attacks, and yet even now he’s preparing to charge headlong into another. RESPECT. I could only hope to be so spritely when I’m pushing eighty.
You might have noticed by now that I haven’t talked much about the plot – and I’m not going to. Because as with most heist stories, the less you know about the novel before you read it the better. The less you know about the vampires in this book the better too, but I just want to say how much I loved Tripp’s return to the ruthless, bestial portrayal of these creatures while still giving it a refreshingly unique twist. The Fifth House of the Heart will remind you that vampires are monsters. They don’t love you. They want to kill you.
So if you want some terrifyingly good entertainment, read this book. What an uproarious mix of thrills and chills! Needless to say, I enjoyed it thoroughly, from the first page to the last!
Novella Review: The Builders by Daniel Polansky
Posted on October 30, 2015 17 Comments
A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Builders by Daniel Polansky
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Tor.com (11/3/15)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Funny how I’m generally not big on anthropomorphism but at the same time I do seem to love a lot of books featuring fluffy, furry adorable sentient animals (Redwall, Watership Down, Mouse Guard, etc.) Thus the draw of Daniel Polansky’s The Builders won out, and it was also perfect because I’ve been meaning to check out his work for a long time.
The animals in this book are far from soft and cuddly, though. A mouse, a stoat, an opossum, a badger, a salamander, a mole, and an owl all walk into a bar. This however is not the beginning of a joke but a start of a Kill Bill-style tale of vengeance and bloody destruction. One upon a time, all of them stood united against a common enemy, until treachery destroyed the group from within. The last job they were all on together didn’t end so well, so now the battle-hardened mouse known as the Captain is rounding up his old pals again for one last hurrah.
But alas, you know what they say about the best laid schemes of mice and men. Before long, both bullets and fur will fly in abundance, as the Captain and his ragtag crew fight their way deep into the heart of enemy territory, facing up against a dastardly skunk, his trio of wicked henchmen, and the legions of his rat army.
Clearly, there’s lots to love here, and not just for the novelty of a gritty and darkly comedic shoot-‘em-up starring two groups of warring woodland critters. Polansky approaches the violence masterfully, portraying the anger of the Captain as something born out of more than simple desire for revenge. In fact, most of the characters were pretty well written, each given their own quirks and vices. I’m sure too that loads of great discourse could be had on the topic of animal instinct and its inevitable effects on the choices of these characters; it’s just a pity that the story does not explore this theme further.
While I had a good time on the whole, I did have a couple of minor concerns. Longtime readers of my reviews know I’ve never made secret the mixed feelings I have for the shorter, more restrictive length of the novella. Sometimes it works for me and sometimes it doesn’t, but when it comes to The Builders, once again my malaise with the format reared its ugly head.
First, I had myself a love-hate relationship with the short chapters and non-linear structure of the storyline. As a stylistic choice, it was very unique and made this book a fast read. Still, my admiration gradually waned towards the end when it proved more disruptive than beneficial to the overall flow of the plot. Polansky certainly has a strong sense for timing, but even then it’s easy to miss a few beats when working with a lower page count.
Second, there were so many characters introduced in such a short amount of time, I was given really no opportunity to connect with them, save only a few. The Captain, Bonsoir the stoat, Barley the badger and Cinnabar the salamander were among the well written ones, but a couple of the other members of the crew were lost in the chaos of gunfire and piles of corpses. It hasn’t been long since I finished reading, and already I’m having a hard time dredging my memory for their names and even their species. Admittedly, most of my enjoyment came from the story, the surface-level entertainment from following its many twists and turns, and not really out of any deep concern for the main players. The book was fun, so I was genuinely interested in learning how it ends, but I remained overall ambivalent about most of the characters’ fates.
Me, not care about whether fuzzy little animal characters lived or died? That…that just doesn’t feel right. At the same time, I’m not surprised at this distancing since it’s such a common reaction for me to have towards novellas with large casts. That said, the compelling story overwhelmingly makes up for a lot of areas which I felt were weaker. If this was a full-length novel, I’m sure I would eat it up. Polansky’s writing intrigued me, so picking up one of his other books like Low Town or Those Above is most definitely in my future. As for The Builders? All in all, I enjoyed myself. And as long as you’re not looking too deeply into the whys or the hows, I think you’ll have a good time too.
*** Originally reviewed at The Speculative Herald ***
Tremontaine: Review of Episode 1: Arrivals by Ellen Kushner
Posted on October 28, 2015 11 Comments
A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Episode 1 of Tremontaine
Publisher: Serial Box Publishing
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have been looking forward to the launch of Tremontaine ever since I learned about Serial Box Publishing. When its trailer was unveiled, my attention was immediately drawn to the promise of action as well as the vibrant atmosphere of a world seemingly reminiscent of 17th or 18th century Europe. I also loved the juxtaposition of imagery from what looks to be two very different sides of the setting: one characterized by luxuriously dressed nobles indulging themselves at decadent balls and masquerades, versus a darker and seedier underworld where all manner of rogues and scoundrels gather to do their drinking, whoring and gambling. Plus, there was all that swashbuckling swordplay—I would be lying if I said that wasn’t a huge part of why I was interested in this.
Billed as the prequel to Ellen Kushner’s Riverside series that began with Swordspoint, Tremontaine promises all the passion and action fans have come to love. I was originally unfamiliar with either the book or the series it is based on, but what I later found out fascinated me. Swordspoint rose to popularity soon after its original release in 1987, praised by fantasy readers for its LGBT-friendly themes and for offering a new approach to the genre for those interested in something different from the status quo. Now Tremontaine will continue that trend with a brand new venture into this world, brought to us by a team of six writers: Ellen Kushner, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Malinda Lo, Joel Derfner, Racheline Maltese, and Patty Bryant.
Arrivals, written by Kushner herself, is the first episode of the 13-part serial, scheduled to be released in weekly episodes. It is aptly titled because it is the introduction to our four main players, each character coming to life on the page in their own respective POV sections. Diane is the Duchess Tremontaine, lady of a House burdened by the weight of financial troubles and scandal. Ixkaab Balam is a foreigner, newly arrived by boat to a new land of fortune, glory and secrets. Micah is a poor farm girl and mathematical savant whose wanderings lead her to a university tavern where she meets Rafe, a passionate scholar with big dreams.
This pilot episode comes in a small package, but it is packed with big action. “Swordplay, scandal, sex…and chocolate!” touts the book’s blurb, and yes, we certainly get a lot of each. Especially the chocolate, all those creamy, rich cups of sweet, sweet chocolate…but where was I? Oh, right. Not much of the plot has been revealed so far, but it does a great job setting the stage for what’s surely to be an exciting and scintillating series. I loved getting to know the characters, especially the Duchess, who seems the most sketched out of all of them–not too surprising, perhaps, since I hear she is from the original series. Experienced in the art of intrigue, Diane is adept at showing one face to the rest of society while keeping her own secrets close. I have a feeling I’ll really enjoy her story as well as her milieu of glitzy ballrooms and fancy salons. The others—Ixkaab, Micah and Rafe—are still a little vague at this point, but their characters will no doubt get further developed as the series goes on and I’m looking forward to it.
If you’re into “fantasy of manners” or “vanity fair” type stories of intrigue, romance, and adventure, then you definitely must give Tremontaine a closer look. The season premieres today, with the first episode Arrivals available now at Serial Box’s site. Be sure to also check out the brilliant trailer, the one that first caught my eye, which I’ve included below!
In a city that never was, sex, scandal, and swordplay combine in a melodrama of manners that returns readers to the beloved world of Ellen Kushner’s Swordspoint!
A Duchess whose beauty is matched only by her cunning; a passionate young Scholar with dreams beyond his reach; a Foreign spy in a playground of swordplay and secrets; and a Genius on the brink of scientific revolution—when long-buried lies threaten to come to light, the stakes are high, and more than lives may be lost.
Mind your manners and enjoy the chocolate in a dance of sparkling wit and political intrigue.
Released in weekly episodes, Tremontaine begins October 28th and is written by Ellen Kushner, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Malinda Lo, Joel Derfner, Racheline Maltese, and Patty Bryant.
Waiting on Wednesday 10/28/15
Posted on October 28, 2015 12 Comments
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that lets us feature upcoming releases that we can’t wait to get our hands on!
Mogsy’s Pick:
The Dinosaur Knights by Victor Milán: July 5, 2016 (Tor Books)
“It’s like a cross between Jurassic Park and Game of Thrones.” –George R. R. Martin
If that doesn’t have you salivating, I think we have to seriously re-evaluate our friendship. Okay, just kidding. But still, knights and dinosaurs! How cool is that? Sure it’s a bit silly and gimmicky, but I really enjoyed the first book The Dinosaur Lords this year and had a lot more fun with it than I expected. Sign me up for the sequel!
“Paradise is a sprawling, diverse, often cruel world. There are humans on Paradise but dinosaurs predominate: wildlife, monsters, beasts of burden, and of war. Armored knights ride dinosaurs to battle legions of war-trained Triceratops and their upstart peasant crews.
Karyl Bogomirsky is one such knight who has chosen to rally those who seek a way from the path of war and madness. The fact that the Empire has announced a religious crusade against this peaceful kingdom, the people who just wish to live in peace anathema, and they all are to be converted or destroyed doesn’t help him one bit.
Things really turn to mud when the dreaded Grey Angels, fabled ancient weapons of the Gods who created Paradise in the first place come on the scene after almost a millennia. Everyone thought that they were fables used to scare children. They are very much real.
And they have come to rid the world of sin…including all the humans who manifest those vices.
THE DINOSAUR KNIGHTS is the second in Victor Milan’s lush, exotic tale about knights. Knights riding dinosaurs.”
Book Review: Mystic by Jason Denzel
Posted on October 27, 2015 19 Comments
A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of Mystic
Publisher: Tor (11/3/15)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Mystic is one of the most charming fantasy debuts I’ve read this year. While not strictly marketed as Young Adult, Jason Denzel’s new book is a magical coming-of-age tale that nevertheless has the kind of crossover appeal which would make it a hit with a wide range of readers.
At the heart of this story is a young commoner woman named Pomella who receives an opportunity of a lifetime. A messenger has to come her village with a summons from Kelt Apar, inviting her to participate in a competition to become apprentice to the new High Mystic. But such a post has always been reserved for the scions of the nobility, and it has been like this for time eternal. So why would the High Mystic choose a low-born teenager as a candidate now?
Everything about the invitation goes against law and tradition, but Pomella decides to accept anyway, even if it will mean giving up her whole life. For if she goes to Kelt Apar but fails to win the apprenticeship, she will become Unclaimed – nameless, homeless, and declared anathema. Now Pomella will need to pit her wits and abilities in a series of trials against three other elite candidates to show she is worthy of the High Mystic’s attentions, and prove that even a commoner can have a place in the Myst.
If you enjoy reading about pure-hearted and genuine characters, then you are sure to like Pomella. She might be not your typical “kickass female protagonist”, but she is no less strong in her own way, without all the bluff and bluster of false bravado. Instead, the author has created a character here who comes across as real as you or me—a person with dreams, doubts, and desires that seem impossible to achieve. Pomella’s emotions and reactions toward new experiences feel very believable to me, especially when she finds herself in difficult situations.
There’s also so much to love about the magical world of Mystic. Steeped in the wonders of nature, the Myst is an ancient force that is as powerful as it is mysterious. Men and women who have a connection to it have the potential to become Mystics, able to manipulate its energies. Depending on the individual, this can be done in various ways. For Pomella, the Myst is tied to her talent for singing, and thus music is a huge part of who she is and the power of song also plays a significant role in the events of this story.
And that’s not the end of it. This is a very rich setting inspired by many sources. You’ll no doubt recognize a few familiar motifs from myth and legend, but at the same time Jason Denzel has placed his own touches on them to make them all his own. The world is filled with surprises and I loved peeling back its many layers. The Myst hides many secrets, including a whole other realm filled with silvery, spirit-like creatures called the Fay that are only visible to Mystics. And even though this book takes place mostly in Kelt Apar and its surrounding areas on the island of Moth, there’s a whole wide world out there full of different cultures from different kingdoms. Over the course of her trials, Pomella will meet a host of new friends and enemies—both human and non-human—who hail from all over the map.
For such a quick read, the story is surprisingly packed too. Things tie up quite neatly, but despite there being some traditional plot elements in play, I wouldn’t exactly call this book predictable. There’s a mix of interesting and unique dynamics, and an exciting climax. There were some unexpected twists, and it was also a nice touch to show another side of story by including a few chapters told in the perspective of Pomella’s friend Sim. As always, there’s room for expansion, but I’m overall really impressed with the level of detail in both the storytelling and the exploration into the themes of social class. Denzel’s writing style flows naturally and it is very enjoyable, making it easy to lose yourself in Mystic.
If you’re looking for compelling characters and a gorgeously crafted fantasy world, then Mystic will definitely appeal. I love how this is a self-contained story, but I’m also intrigued by the mysteries of the Myst and want to know more about the world and its protagonist Pomella. Seeing how this is the first of a planned trilogy, looks like I’ll get my wish. This was an awesome debut and I’m looking forward to more.
*** Be sure to check back here at The BiblioSanctum next week for a GIVEAWAY of Mystic and an interview with Jason Denzel! ***
Book Review: Tower of Thorns by Juliet Marillier
Posted on October 26, 2015 37 Comments
A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Tower of Thorns by Juliet Marillier
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 2 of Blackthorn & Grim
Publisher: Roc (11/3/15)
Author Information: Website
Mogsy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars
I read a whopping number of books last year. Like, the final tally was probably somewhere close to 200. And out of the dozens upon dozens of books, do you know which one stood out to me the most? Juliet Marillier’s Dreamer’s Pool. It should come as no surprise then, that its sequel Tower of Thorns is hands down my most anticipated novel this fall. Heck, most anticipated novel this year. We’re talking, if there’s one book I need to read in 2015, THIS. IS. IT.
So, please understand now when I say I need a moment to pull myself together. I’m still trying desperately to come up with the words to describe how I felt about this novel, without coming off as a gushing, fangirly lunatic. After all, it’s not every day that I get to read a book that I’ve been dying for, only to have that book exceed all my expectations.
What can I say? Tower of Thorns, you were utter perfection. Juliet Marillier, you are truly amazing.
Yeah, that whole trying-not-to-be-a-gushy-fangirl thing. Not really working out, is it?
Let me start again, all proper-like this time. Tower of Thorns is the direct sequel to Dreamer’s Pool. Theoretically, you can start with this book, though in my opinion you’d be doing yourself a great disservice if you don’t start from the beginning. Blackthorn and Grim have a very special connection, and being familiar with the story of how these two characters first met and came to be partners in Dreamer’s Pool made Tower of Thorns all the more powerful and touching.
Almost a year has passed since Blackthorn made her deal with the fey, buying her freedom and a new beginning by promising two things: 1) that she will travel to and settle in Dalriada as a wise woman healer, never turning away any request for help, and 2) for seven years she will stay there, putting aside her desire for revenge against Mathuin, the cruel Lord of Laois who destroyed her life and took everything away from her. Hatred for Mathuin and the need to see him brought to justice has made keeping her end of the bargain difficult, but Blackthorn is aided by Grim, her steadfast and taciturn companion who has stayed by her side since their escape from Mathuin’s dungeons.
However, peace is disrupted once again with the arrival of Lady Geiléis, a noblewoman who comes to beg Blackthorn for help with a monster of a problem—literally. A howling creature has taken up residence in an old tower on Lady Geiléis’ land, its mournful calls driving the surrounding populace to depression and madness. The tower is inaccessible due to a hedge of thorns surrounding its base, and it soon becomes clear that any means to vanquish the monster would have to be magical.
Have you ever wanted to peel back the layers of a fairy tale? Dive deeper into its secrets and investigate its puzzles? If fairy tales were turned into mystery novels, I think they would look very much like these books. And I couldn’t ask for a better detective team on the case than Blackthorn and Grim.
As characters, they are broken and flawed, but I’m more than a bit fond of them. Tower of Thorns is a defining book for both our protagonists, exploring the pain in their pasts. Blackthorn gave up a huge part of herself when she struck her bargain with the Fae, a part that she still cannot completely let go of, even if it will mean paying a steeper, more severe price down the road. Grim too is haunted by his own demons, his memories of blood and loss brought to the surface by the miserable cries of the monster in the tower.
I can’t deny Grim really stole the show in this one. As much as I admired Blackthorn’s intelligence and her strength in the face of overwhelming odds, my heart broke for Grim and the darkness he’s kept locked up inside himself for so long. A big, quiet man often dismissed as an oaf and a simpleton, Grim’s character actually holds the sort of depth rarely seen in fantasy fiction. His sincerity and unwavering loyalty to Blackthorn is what makes their relationship so remarkable and unique, reducing me to tears in the concluding chapters of this novel.
All this takes place in a world infused with as much darkness as whimsy, reminiscent of most fairy tale settings. And like many fairy tales, the themes of love and sacrifice are strong in Tower of Thorns. The courage of unlikely heroes is pitted against the malice and underhandedness of tricksters, both the mortal and immortal kind. Even the closest of friends will find themselves torn at a crossroads, faced with decisions that can change their entire lives. There’s no doubt about it, the gut-wrenching emotions that this book brought out in me made reading this sequel even more rewarding than the first book.
If you’re looking for a fantasy novel filled with irresistible characters and the kind of rich, evocative magic that will take your breath away, look no further than this brilliant series by Juliet Marillier. Tower of Thorns made me fall in love with Blackthorn and Grim all over again. Powerful and emotionally-charged, this tale will hold you absolutely spellbound. I highly recommend it.
More on The BiblioSanctum:
Review of Dreamer’s Pool (Book 1)
YA Weekend: Soundless by Richelle Mead
Posted on October 25, 2015 25 Comments
A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Razorbill (11/10/15)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
I’m glad I took a couple days to sit on my thoughts before writing this review, because not gonna lie, my initial impressions upon finishing Soundless were really negative. But now that I’ve had some time to really think about it with a clear head, I realize with a bit of grudging respect that I probably enjoyed it more than I thought. Sure, the book had its issues, but in spite of it all, it was a fun, sweet, and cute story. Sometimes you just can’t ask for much more than that. However, it just didn’t feel like a lot of thought was put into it, which left me extremely disappointed. It was like Richelle Mead started off with this amazingly great idea, but instead of working out from that, she opted instead to fill in the gaps with predictable plot elements and other timeworn trends.
First, the obligatory rundown of the book’s story sans spoilers in order to provide a frame of reference for some of my comments below. Soundless is set in a fantasy world “steeped in Chinese folklore”, featuring the tale of a girl named Fei who lives in a village where everyone has been deaf for generations. Long ago, their community on top of a mountain was cut off by a rockslide, leaving the people no way to farm for food. Instead, they mine the precious metals in the caves, which they then use to trade for goods with another kingdom in the lowlands via a zipline.
Mining therefore is a very important job in Fei’s village. Fei herself came from a family of miners until she and her sister Zhang Jing were able to rise above their station and become artists, tasked to write and illustrate each day’s events since this is the only way everyone in this soundless village can receive news. However, recently more and more villagers have started going blind. As less people are able to mine, they are unable to trade as much for food, and the entire village faces the threat of starvation. Then something horrible happens. Zhang Jing beings to lose her sight, spurring Fei to desperately search for a solution. The answer may come in the form of Li Wei, her friend who has decided to solve the village’s problems by taking matters into his own hands.
I was only thirty pages into this book and things were already starting to feel like déjà vu. A poor dystopic community where the only industry is mining. A girl forced to take drastic measures to save her sister. A place where people are pigeonholed into one of only a handful of vocational categories. In this case, Fei’s village is divided into two classes of people: Miners and Artists. What is up with the Young Adult genre and some of their strange dichotomies? Who do people go to when they get sick in this village? What do they do when a building needs fixing? Apparently you’d be out of luck, because there are only miners and artists, and possibly a serving class, but if you’re in need of a skilled trade, sorry, no help for you.
Also, it’s an interesting world, I have to give it that. But I still have a hard time buying into some of its circumstances. Even with the risk of avalanches, desperate people are going to be desperate people whether they can hear or not; the idea of a starving population impotently staying put where they are for generations while relying on a mysterious faraway kingdom as their only means of survival is just a little too convenient for my tastes. Also, why the hell would the people whose work required the most energy be getting the least amount of sustenance, while artists get to sit around in their pavilions painting all day and yet still get to eat better than the miners? Plus, you already have eight-year-olds working in the mine. Clearly, if the situation is so dire that children have to be subjected to those conditions, then seriously, every able-bodied person should be in that mine, digging their asses off. Have some artistic talent, do you? Too bad, everyone’s starving! Nobody will be giving a crap about the quality of art in their daily news.
Another thing, just because you throw in a couple Chinese sounding names and make a few mentions of chrysanthemums does not a story “steeped in Chinese folklore” make. Though, I did like how the author included the pixiu and incorporated their myth into the plot. However, “steeped” is probably still too generous a word. In reality, the amount of Chinese folklore and culture in this is actually quite insubstantial.
To be fair, I’m not completely panning this book because I did say there were a few redeeming factors. For once, I actually enjoyed the romance. It’s super sweet, mostly because you know Fei and Li Wei are meant to be together. I’m not really into shipping and getting hung up on stuff like which girl is going to end up with which guy (mostly because this usually involves infuriating love triangles) so a simple and straightforward love story suited me just fine.
And like I said, in spite of some of the problems I mentioned above, this book was still fun to read. It’s a cute little story, relatively short since I was able to blow through it in about one evening. It’s not complicated. I like the idea of a soundless village, and the people all communicating using sign language. The author cleverly conveys what a world might be like through the eyes of character who was born without the ability to hear, surrounded by others who are the same. It’s a brilliant premise, actually. Just a shame that it’s paired with such a humdrum plot.
This is the first book I’ve read by Richelle Mead, and in retrospect I probably should have started out with one of her established series. I just couldn’t help but to be drawn to Soundless though, by that gorgeous cover and intriguing description. Regretfully, the book felt rushed and didn’t reach its potential, but it had a couple high points and at least it was a very quick read.
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