Book Review: The House of Shattered Wings by Aliette de Bodard
Posted on August 14, 2015 20 Comments
A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The House of Shattered Wings by Aliette de Bodard
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 1
Publisher: Roc (8/18/15)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
It all begins with a fallen angel. The War in Heaven has come to Paris – or what’s left of it. The proud city is a ruin now, the once beautiful Seine clogged with the ashes of the dead and destroyed. House Silverspires, which used to be one of the most powerful Fallen factions, has followed Paris’ downfall into decay and disarray. It is thought that the House’s founder Morningstar has abandoned them, or he may be dead; either way, the fate of Silverspires now rests in his protégé Selene’s hands. And Selene, while she’s no Morningstar, is trying to do her best to keep her House together and her people safe.
The situation grows more complicated when a new Fallen named Isabelle comes to Silverspires with a young man named Philippe. Isabelle, being one of their own, is embraced immediately, but Philippe – as an immortal but not a Fallen – remains an outsider until they can figure out what he is and where he came from. However, as Selene and her alchemist Madeleine struggle to unravel the enigma of Philippe and his strange mental link to Isabelle, a sudden string of uncanny deaths strikes those with ties to Silverspires, including a visiting dignitary of another Great House. To prevent another a war from tearing them all apart, friends and enemies must band together to uncover the secrets of their past and figure out how all of this is tied to the stranger in their midst.
The House of Shattered Wings is therefore a very different kind of murder mystery, one that involves the blending of a great number of elements. Using a broken and crumbling version of Paris as a backdrop lends the story a gothic vibe, in all its dark and portentous glory. Snippets of the story behind Lucifer’s fall can be glimpsed in the long history of House Silverspires and their infamous founder. Fallen themselves become the favorite prey of the urban gangs hiding amidst the hollowed out ruins, waiting patiently for their chance to harvest the magical flesh and bone to sell for lucrative sums on the black market. East also clashes with West when the mythologies of two very different cultures meet. Characters still dream longingly of a bygone era, clinging to ideals that they’ll never have again.
This book also has all the hallmarks of an “Aftermath” story. There’s a strong sense of being thrust into the middle of a situation, which I felt so keenly that at one point I actually stopped to wonder if I had unknowingly stepped into a spinoff or a continuation novel of an existing universe. These types of narratives are often tricky; after all, I have to be convinced that the “post-event” is in fact more interesting to read about than the event itself. For the most part, I think author Aliette de Bodard pulled it off. You won’t get a lot of background information here – at least, not laid out in a traditional or organized fashion. Instead, the world building and character details are integrated seamlessly into the plot, to be absorbed gradually as it progresses. It’s a very immersive way to experience a story.
On the other hand, throughout my reading of this novel there was a constant tugging, nagging sensation deep inside of me always demanding to know more. I wanted to know more about this bombed-out world, learn more about the author’s vision of this shattered version of Paris. I wanted to see the scope of the story expanded, because really, what we get to see here is merely a sliver. While the power struggle among the many Fallen Houses involves a great number of individuals, it’s still a relatively small piece of the puzzle. We know from the presence of Philippe that there’s a much bigger picture, and to her credit De Bodard does plenty to indicate this, though she left little room to explore further.
I also struggled to engage with the characters, the reason being most of them had pasts that sounded a lot more intriguing than their present circumstances. In many ways, Isabelle was a blank slate and Philippe’s own journey was part of the mystery, so I was all right with those two. With Selene and Madeleine, however, I felt like their histories overshadowed their current selves. Selene was apprentice to Morningstar himself, a relationship I would have really liked to know more about. And as for Madeleine, mentions of her past at House Hawthorne often made me feel out of my depth, like I was already supposed to know everything about her origins and her associations with the Fallen there. Ironically, she was probably the most interesting character, but I also felt disconnected to her most of all.
And yet, in spite of the areas which I thought could have been improved, I still thoroughly enjoyed this book. I’m not denying there were hurdles, but overall I thought it was very well put together story that presented an intriguing and sophisticated never-seen-before side to the “fallen angels” mythos. In a way, my desire to know more is a testament to how thoroughly this book drew me in. It might not have swept me off my feet, but it got me paying attention. I look forward to reading more of Aliette de Bodard’s work in the future.
Book Review: Cash Crash Jubilee by Eli K. P. William
Posted on August 13, 2015 14 Comments
A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Cash Crash Jubilee by Eli K. P. William
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Book 1 of The Jubilee Cycle
Publisher: Talos (May 5, 2015)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Imagine living in an ultra-high-tech society, so deeply ingrained in virtual reality and cyberspace that all the actions you make are logged and billed for. Every time you blink, breathe a sigh, shout a swear word, grit your teeth, kiss a loved one, or even just relax in a resting position of your choice – all that information is being recorded into the BodyBank, a computer system implanted in each of our bodies. All your movements are monitored in real time, so that the corporations who own the rights to those actions – whether it be as simple as scratching your head or as intimate as sexual intercourse – can be paid their licensing fees.
Oh, and it’s a perfect process, completely automated and indefatigable, and it doesn’t make mistakes. So don’t even think about cheating the system. You can’t.
Just as you’d expect, living in a world like this ain’t cheap. People go bankrupt or “cash crash” every day, caught unawares by their expensive habits or finding themselves overwhelmed by the incurring charges on everyday actions, i.e. by simply just living. Before that can even happen though, Liquidators like our protagonist Amon Kenzaki are already waiting in the wings, ready to swoop down and capture these “discreditable” citizens, take out their BodyBank, and banish them to BankDeath Camps where they are forever removed from the economy and disconnected from the ImmaNet, a three-dimensional audio-visual overlay that would normally replace our perceptions of the mundane world.
Your life is virtually over if you cash crash, basically.
As someone who knows better than most exactly how this system works, Amon himself lives an extraordinarily frugal life. He scrimps and saves in whatever ways he can, typing messages in nigh indecipherable script so that he doesn’t get charged for using licensed words, even going as far as taking instructional courses on how to blink less or breathe less. His attention to details does not go unnoticed by his superiors, who inform Amon that he is being considered for a promotion. Everything is going well, until one day, Amon notices an incredibly expensive charge called “jubilee” on his BodyBank account, an action he is completely unfamiliar with and is sure he did not perform. But how could this be? After all, the system doesn’t make mistakes.
Right?
The whole story behind Cash Crash Jubilee could almost be humorous if it weren’t also so damn scary. Eli K. P. William does a fantastic job here creating his vision of a futuristic Tokyo, a cyber-dystopian society at its most extreme. Apparently it’s not enough just to watch our every move, but they’ve found a way to make it profitable too. Everyone is so obsessed with technology and corporate branding that almost every shred of humanity and emotion has gone out the window. The concept of Free Will has been distorted, for it is not free will at all if you have to think and calculate the cost of every action before deciding to perform it.
On the other hand, might it be possible to find a sliver of a positive side to this gloomy situation? Citizens are probably less likely to do and say things they would regret, if they have to stop to think twice before actually doing it, versus simply acting on impulse. How many wayward spouses might we see, for example, if a pre-nup in your BodyBank authorizes an automatic and immediate transfer of half or all of your funds to your other half the moment you commit infidelity?
Yeah, probably not a lot, is my guess.
Cash Crash Jubilee is utterly fascinating, from cover to cover. The premise is disconcerting, with details that sometimes bordered on the absurd, but it did make me think. Nothing delights me more than a book that gets my brain juices flowing, and I could even overlook the slow introduction to this story, simply because I found myself so completely absorbed in the sights and sounds of William’s dystopic Tokyo. It’s a trove of insanity and wonder, all in one place.
You might also recall a while ago in another review, I wrote about my feelings on cyberpunk. As a subgenre of sci-fi, I’ve definitely experienced more misses than hits when it comes to recent offerings. When I looked at Cash Crash Jubilee though, I saw a very different kind of cyberpunk. The author uses a lot of familiar elements in this story, but the way he rendered the ideas made them unique and stand out. And rather than going through my usual mental gymnastics trying to piece together all the abstract concepts commonly found in this genre, I found William’s descriptions of the ImmaNet overlays extremely intricate and detailed, but at the same time also very easy to visualize. The mystery plot was genuinely interesting, with the suspense and action in all the right places.
In short? This one scored a major hit in my books. It deserves a lot more attention, let’s hope it gets it.
All told, Cash Crash Jubilee is an eye-opening, eyebrow-raising, grip-the-edge-of-your-seat read. Good thing I don’t live in Amon Kenzaki’s world, because if I had been charged for all the times I performed those actions, pretty sure I’d be bankrupt many times over by now.
Tough Traveling: Forbidden Love
Posted on August 13, 2015 24 Comments
The Thursday feature “Tough Traveling” is the brainchild of Nathan of Review Barn, who has come up with the excellent idea of making a new list each week based on the most common tropes in fantasy, as seen in (and inspired by) The Tough Guide to Fantasyland by Diana Wynn Jones. Nathan has invited anyone who is interested to come play along, so be sure to check out the first link for more information.
This week’s tour topic is: Forbidden Love
Even in Fantasyland parents are not always happy with their children’s choice of partners.
Mogsy’s Picks:
I think this week’s suggestion might have been mine, because the trope “Forbidden Love” just so happens its one of my guilty pleasures (yes, I do seem to have a lot of bookish guilty pleasures, I am well aware of that), so where else would I turn to scratch that itch if not the Young Adult genre, which, as we all know, is a bottomless font of forbidden romances and star-crossed lovers? Here is a small sampling of the ones I found the most delish…
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
“Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love. It did not end well.” Need I say more? The first time Akiva and Madrigal laid eyes on each other, he was a seraph left for dead on a battlefield while she was a chimaera gathering the spirits of their fallen. Despite being on opposite sides of the war, the two of them end up falling in love and continue their affair even though the Warlord Thiago already had his claim on Madrigal. The forbidden love in this book damn near KILLED ME, though unfortunately things go kind of down hill for the rest of the trilogy.
The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski
Kestrel is the seventeen-year-old daughter of a Valorian general who one day visits a slave auction and spontaneously decides to buy Arin, a native of the Harrani lands her people conquered. Ooh, a master/slave relationship. Unfortunately, the love story wasn’t as juicy and scandalous as it could have been, considering how Arin is in actual fact a high ranking member of a group of Harrani rebels, planted purposely at the auction to draw Kestrel in. The two lovers spent more than half the book locked in conflict with each other, but the romance still ranks pretty high on the meters.
Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes
This series has been called “The Game of Thrones of YA” because it comes complete with war, political intrigue, and even a brother-sister love scandal. Well…the Diet Coke version of it, I guess. For obvious reasons, things don’t get quite as lurid as Cersei and Jaime Lannister. Magnus Damora is the first born son of King Gaius and he’s married to the Princess Cleiona Bellos of Auranos, but in truth he’s got it baaaad for his adopted sister Lucia Damora.
Forbidden Love Meter: 9/10
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Blue Sargent is the daughter of a clairvoyant, which is how she ends up in a churchyard on a freezing St. Mark’s Eve helping out her mother do her clairvoyance-y thing. This year, Blue sees her first spirit – a boy who calls himself Gansey. There’s only one reason why she could have seen him, though: either he’s her true love, or she will be the one to kill him. Thing is, for as long as Blue can remember, she’s also been warned by her mother and all her seer friends that her kiss will cause her true love to die. Jeez, tough break, Blue.
Forbidden Love Meter: 7/10
The Dragons of Dorcastle by Jack Campbell
Boy is a Mage, brought up on lessons about the power of illusions, taught that reality is a sham and that people are shadows – and oh, no matter what you do, DO NOT TRUST THOSE DIRTY LYING STINKING MECHANICS! Girl is a Mechanic, a master of logic and equations who prides herself on the fact that no machine is beyond her abilities to fix, and of course, MECHANICS ARE JUST SOOOO MUCH BETTER THAN THOSE USELESS GOOD-FOR-NOTHING MAGES! But then of course, as these stories often go, boy meets girl. And everything changes.
Forbidden Love Meter: 8/10
For as long as she can remember, Micheline has loved Ryder, the totally hot Australian boy she has grown up and trained together with ever since they were children. But of course, Micheline’s hardass of a father has some really antiquated ideas about the sort of guy his daughter should or should not get involved with, in short treating Micheline like a brood mare who should only marry dudes with the “right” bloodline in order to spawn the next generation of good little demon/ghost hunters. Yikes, get with the times, man.
Forbidden Love Meter: 8/10
Wendy’s Picks
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
You know what’s worse than dads who raise you as part of a bet to best each other? Falling in love with the competition, but being unable to get out from under dads’ thumb.
Dragon Age: Asunder by David Gaider
There’s a whole Mage-Templar War going on now, but even before the war, mages and the order meant to protect them but more often oppress them, there’s been a bit of animosity between the two groups. And yet, love will find a way for some of them.
An alien species introduces humanity to all sorts of new things, including new ways to look at love and relationships. Unfortunately, there are those who are not at all fond of this new matchmaking business.
East of West by Jonathan Hickman and Nick Dragotta
Even Death needs to be loved. But that love just might not work out the way he’d like it to in this apocalyptic western “romance.”
Comic Stack 08/12/15 – Teen Titans Vol. 1: Blinded by the Light by Will Pfeifer, Kenneth Rocafort (Illustrator)
Posted on August 12, 2015 11 Comments
Genre: Supeheroes
Publisher: DC Comics (August 11, 2015)
Tiara’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Full Disclosure: A review copy of this comic was provided to me by DC Comics. I would like to thank the author and the publisher for providing me this opportunity. All opinions expressed from here forward are my own.
Confession time. I’m a really huge fan of the Teen Titans cartoons in all incarnations, but I’ve never taken time out to actually read a Teen Titans comic. Well, I take that back. I might’ve read a couple of issues that were worked into a larger crossover plot, but I’ve never read a whole volume of their comics. So, I saw this as a huge opportunity for me to finally try the book. Even if I haven’t been too impressed with much of The New 52, I liked the idea of a fresh start with this comic. Besides, I was ready to meet the new Power Girl after she garnered so much buzz when she was initially unveiled.
This book was… Well, it definitely isn’t the worst thing I’ve read in The New 52 lineup. Right now, I’m reserving that exclusively for Harley Quinn’s book, which by the way, I still dislike. In this book, which is part one of a larger story, the gang–consisting of Red Robin (Tim Drake), Wonder Girl (Cassie Sandsmark), Bunker (Miguel Barragan), Beast Boy (Garfield Logan), and introducing Raven, as well… herself–as they stop a series of attacks that are aimed at hurting a large science corporation known as S.T.A.R. which has a leader-type, Manchester Black, that tries to convey cool professionalism while he randomly appears throughout the story shirtless sporting a big Union Jack tattoo on his chest… seriously. Who does that?
Later in the story, they pick up a new teammate in the form of Tanya Spears who is the new Power Girl after the old Power Girl decided she was about to bounce back to her own earth. However, the world needs a Power Girl, so she passed her legacy on and even gave legal rights to Tanya to use the name, despite the fact that she’s not even in the same universe anymore.
While there was a large focus on the S.T.A.R. story line and what their motivations are, the story did take some downtime to allow us get to know our heroes a little better by having various vignettes appear throughout the book.
We learn that Miguel sparkles, is very vocal about LGBTQ people being treated as people, and seems to be giving in to some adrenaline rush that sees him becoming increasingly violent when dealing with situations.
Cassie is having a hard time dealing with her estranged mother who dislikes her poor career choice of being a hero. Also, there’s a gang of Wonder Girls roaming the streets attacking people when they aren’t stalking her. Despite Cassie seeming very connected, she didn’t realize there was a gang roaming the streets in her honor. They’ve even been on television, but her mother had to tell her they existed.
Raven meets her number one fan, Raven. No, not herself. Some girl in a band loves Raven. She wanted to be a hero, but realized she had no powers, so she started a band that writes songs all about Raven, the real Raven, and decided that was the same thing as being a hero. That’s how superheroes work, right? Strange things happen when they try to combine Raven’s spells with music.
Tim is being Tim as usual. Before The New 52, I always said that Tim was the most like Batman in his intensity and skills. Turns out that still holds true in these new comics. He seems to be picking up some of Batman’s ego, as well, and just like Batman he seems to know everything ever.
Tanya shows up and explains how she became the new Power Girl and how the Teen Titans are doing this hero thing wrong. She packed a spare costume, y’know, just in case when she came to check them out.
Beast Boy is… Well, he’s… He’s working on learning more forms or something. He’s really just comedic relief in the book. This is pretty much his whole function other than some recon. 
I thought it was good to have these, but some portions of these story felt a little too much like an “And so…” blase type of stories, especially Tanya’s, which really lacked the emotional depth that she was trying to get the Titans to understand. They also could take readers out of the larger story a little abruptly, and some of it felt blown out of proportion. What I mean is, yeah, Red Robin has an ego, but it’s treated like this thing that is already out of control when that’s not how I read it or I didn’t feel the story really conveyed that. And there were these odd moments where I’m not sure if Wonder Girl was feministing or what when she randomly dropped lines about “woman’s work” and leaving the boys to think about what Tanya said. It just felt a little like it came out of left field. However, these things still added components to their characters that will hopefully fill them out later on.
Overall, I can’t say I’m impressed, but it didn’t let me down like some other books have, probably because I wasn’t expecting a whole lot. It doesn’t make me want to rush out and buy Teen Titans, but I could see myself picking up volumes as they became available. I can say I loved the art. About halfway through the book, though, it started to look a little different, as if less care had been taken with some of the later panels. It was still nice art, but some panels just started to looked a little rushed and messy at times. It was an okay book. That’s about the best way I can describe it. It wasn’t terrible. It was great. It was interesting enough to keep my attention, and it didn’t turn me off to more stories about the team. At the end of the day, what more can you ask for from someone as picky as I am?
Also, Cassie’s mom was asking the real questions in this book. Because what the hell, Manchester Black, you can’t keep showing up trying to be professional with no shirt on with your Union Jack tattoo (DC still thinks they’re punny, I see) whenever you feel like it. Why is Cassie’s mom the only one who points out that this is a problem?
Waiting on Wednesday 08/12/15
Posted on August 12, 2015 17 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 Hanging Tree by Ben Aaronovitch: November 19, 2015 (Gollancz)
Ben Aaronovitch’s Peter Grant is one of my favorite Urban Fantasy series. In the past, the books have been released in the UK first, with the US getting them a few months to a year later. The last couple of years I’ve waited for the US release, though this year, I doubt I will have the patience. The last book in this series was just so damn awesome, I just don’t think I can stand to wait until this next one hits stateside, and may just end up buying it as soon as it’s available. So, come November it looks like I may be paying a visit to my good old friend the Book Depository…
And check out that cover. I adore the cover artwork for these books; all these map illustrations are always so quirky and full of personality. Pink. Who’d have thought pink?
“Another gripping and hilarious adventure through the secret streets of London. A tour of what remains and an insight into what once was with a liberal sprinkling of folklore, myth and violent crime. Each of Ben Aaronovitch’s previous Peter Grant novels have been Sunday Times Top Ten HB bestsellers and The Hanging Tree looks set to repeat the feat.
The Hanging Tree was the Tyburn gallows which stood where Marble Arch stands today. Oxford Street was the last trip of the condemned. Some things don’t change. The place has a bloody and haunted legacy and now blood has returned to the empty Mayfair mansions of the world’s super-rich. And blood mixed with magic is a job for Peter Grant.
Peter Grant is back as are Nightingale et al. at the Folly and the various river gods, ghosts and spirits who attach themselves to England’s last wizard and the Met’s reluctant investigator of all things supernatural.”
Book Review: Zero World by Jason M. Hough
Posted on August 11, 2015 16 Comments
A review copy was provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Book 1 of Zero World
Publisher: Del Rey (8/18/15)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
How do I know when a book has got its hooks in me? I read the digital ARC of Zero World from NetGalley which actually ends at 78% with the rest of it being bonus material. Of course, I had no idea of this going in and didn’t find out until I hit the Acknowledgements page. Having expected this unbelievably gripping story to go on for about a hundred more pages – then having that expectation cruelly ripped away from me – my resounding wail of “NOOOOOOOOOOO!” probably could have been heard from all the way down the street. As you can imagine.
Seriously, what can I say about this book that would do the sheer ingenuity of its premise justice? It’s like James Bond meets Memento meets an episode of Star Trek. Let’s just say the tagline of Zero World – “This will be the most interesting mission you’ll ever forget” – serves its story well, a promise of adventure and thrilling action packed into those ten simple words.
The story follows biologically enhanced secret agent Peter Caswell, who undertakes every single operation he gets with a clean conscience – literally. With the help of an implant surgically melded into his brain, he never remembers his missions; everything from dossier details to the number of people killed while he is in the field always gets thoroughly wiped from his mind upon completion. In many ways, he is the perfect superspy. And now he’s embarking on his most dangerous and secretive assignment yet, one that will take him beyond reality into another world entirely.
After passing through what appears to be a tear in the fabric of space, Caswell finds himself on an Earth eerily like his own. A lot of is the same but so much more is different, and in this alien yet familiar world, our protagonist must track and kill his quarry before irreparable damage can be done. To his surprise, Caswell receives help from an unexpected source in the form of Melni, an undercover agent on this mirror world who is also seeking the same target, but for very different reasons than his own.
If you enjoyed Jason M. Hough’s Dire Earth Cycle, picking up this book is a no-brainer. This is without a doubt his most exciting and ambitious work yet. The author’s penchant for rich world building and writing about incredibly innovative tech has always impressed me, but what I love about his science fiction is the fact that it’s also so accessible. Zero World blends futuristic elements with the best parts of the spy thriller genre to great success; the story captured my attention from the get go and it never relented with its nail-biting suspense. There were some pretty huge twists around the midway point too, leading to staggering implications for the plot and the characters. Add the seemingly insurmountable obstacles for our protagonists into the equation, and you can see why this novel kept me reading well into the wee hours of the night.
The team of Caswell and Melni is also a very unique and enjoyable partnership, one in which each of their participation is refreshingly equal. It’s always interesting to read about characters from different worlds meeting for the first time and their eventual teaming up, and I had a very good time following their exploits and watching the interplay between their personalities. Melni fascinated me with her loyalty to her organization and their cause, despite being looking down upon and treated like a foreigner by her own people. Caswell is an even bigger enigma, given how integrated he is with his implants. I have to wonder, can his attitude towards the morality of his actions be simply chalked up to denial, or might it be tied up in something much bigger? Hough’s subtle probing into the complexities of the human psyche surprised me a bit here, but I liked the depth it gave to his characters.
There’s actually some irony in the fact that Peter Caswell can’t remember his missions, because I think his adventures in Zero World are sure to stick with me for a long time. Needless to say, I really enjoyed this book and didn’t want it to end, and I believe I’ve already made those feelings glaringly clear in my opening paragraph. I despaired when I turned the page and realized the book was over. Can you tell I’m desperate for the sequel? Be sure to check out this novel if you enjoy your sci-fi thrillers filled with adrenaline rushes and high-energy action sequences; I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Full Fathom Five Read-A-Long Week No.4
Posted on August 10, 2015 4 Comments
Banner designed by Anya of On Starships and Dragon Wings
The BiblioSanctum is participating in a Read-A-Long! Over the next few weeks, we’ll be joining many other fellow bloggers in a read through of Max Gladstone’s Full Fathom Five.
Full Fathom Five is the the third book in the Craft Sequence, however, each book stands alone. Want to know a little bit about the other books? Check out our reviews here:
Three Parts Dead | Two Serpents Rise
If you’re interested in joining the read-a-long, visit the SF/F Read-A-Long group for more information or to join in the conversation.
Week 1: July 20 Ch 1-13 – hosted by Allie from Tethyan Books
Week 2: July 27 Ch 14-32 – hosted by Lynn from Little Lion Lynnet’s
Week 3: August 3 Ch 33-50 – hosted by Heather from The Bastard Title
Week 4: August 10 Ch 50-62 – hosted by Lisa from Over the Effing Rainbow
1. So Jace was in fact responsible for the rogue Penitent, and for what was happening to the ‘idols’… And my guess last week regarding his reasons (that it was bad for business) wasn’t far off the mark… What did you make of his confrontation with Kai and his justifications?
Wendy: Everything Jace says and does makes sense, but I am disappointed in it boiling down to simply being him in charge of the whole mess. It feels very Scooby Doo villain at the end of it all, and a lot of the revelations are delivered in the same manner, though with far greater maturity and elegance than the Scoobies can muster. It’s not that I don’t like this revelation, but after reading three books in this sequence, it does seem to be the standard. I’d hoped for something different.
Mogsy: He’s nuts. Like all villains on a power trip, this is his master plan and of course he feels he’s right and of course he feels he’s justified and of course he believes the ends justifies the means. Pretty standard bad guy speech.
Tiara: Not surprised. However, though the book did pin the bulk of this on him, it did mention that a lot of people had to turn a blind eye or be involved for him to get as far as he did. Also, I kept saying there weren’t enough pages left in the book for the villain to be anyone else aside from him (or it’d be some generic mysterious organization) if I’m supposed to take these as standalones. It would’ve been pure madness to try to introduce a BIGGER BAD so late in the game and the Grimwalds were just too easy a target for me to believe he’d go that route.
2. Mako’s involvement in the subsequent events was a bit of a surprise. Or was it? Did you expect the old man to be involved at all, much less the way he was?
Wendy: Well talking to Tiara spoiled me on all things because basically figures out everything before it happens. She called Mako being the god returned a couple hundred pages prior. But again, disappointment in Kai’s realization where she talks about the spit insects and information she had just looked up without letting the reader in on it.
Mogsy: Yeah, I blame it on Tiara too, LOL. After reading her response to last week’s question in which she speculated about Mako’s identity, the seed was planted in my head and it all just seemed so obvious afterward.
Tiara: *brushes shoulder off* I just have too many thinksies, and since I wasn’t overly attached to the characters I didn’t know, I think I was just able to make a bunch of theories up in my head, throw them against the wall, and see what decided to stick. All the signs just seemed to point toward him being more than the blind guy at the poetry bar on the beach.
3. Izza steals a goddess! What are your thoughts on the way her story ends (or begins, as the case may be)?
Wendy: I really liked Izza’s conclusion. She wanted very much to leave but it was evident that she was having a hard time leaving behind the kids and what she felt was her duty. It’s fitting that she ended up with Cat, who herself is sworn to a goddess, so it was nice to see the similar bond developing for Izza, with the added twist of Izza shaping the Mother’s story.
Mogsy: It was a touching, bittersweet ending. I liked it. Pretty much agree with Wendy on all her points.
Tiara: I liked it. I’m sure everyone figured she wouldn’t leave the kids, but this ending made her role more significant, fuller.
4. We leave the story with Kavekana “waiting for the world to come”… Do you think this particular ending is for the best, or would you have preferred to see the island remain apart, and peaceful?
Wendy: Change never comes easily, but I think with people like Kai at the forefront, the island will be able to handle it, especially since she’ll also likely have the support of Kevarian, once the latter is through serving the Grimwalds.
Mogsy: I really enjoyed Kavekana as a setting. Change is probably inevitable; I just hope for the island’s sake that it won’t come too quickly or too drastically. It’d be a shame to see a peaceful, laid back place like this lose all that.
Tiara: Change comes for all things. Nothing can stay the same, and it might’ve been a little disappointing if Kavekana had stayed the same after the numerous changes that’d taken place in the book. I’d mentioned to Wendy in chat that I knew this title from one of Shakespeare’s plays (The Tempest): “Full fathom five thy father lies, of his bones are coral made. Those are pearls that were his eyes. Nothing of him that doth fade, but doth suffer a sea-change into something rich and strange.” And I feel like, as with many things with this book, Kavekana’s inevitable change comes full circle with that quote.
Audiobook Review: The Time of Contempt by Andrzej Sapkowski
Posted on August 9, 2015 17 Comments
The Time of Contempt by Andrzej Sapkowski (Translator: David French)
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 2 of The Witcher
Publisher: Hachette Audio (7/7/15)
Author Information: Website
Mogsy’s Rating (Overall): 4 of 5 stars
For the first time ever, the English translations of the novels in Andrzej Sapkowski’s The Witcher Saga series are being made into audiobooks, and I have been enjoying them immensely. Thus far, four Witcher books have been published in this format, including the short story collection The Last Wish. Today I’ll be reviewing The Time of Contempt, the second full-length novel in the sequence.
The story beings where Blood of Elves left off, following Yennefer and Ciri’s journey to Gors Velen where the sorceress hopes to continue her young apprentice’s education by enrolling her into a school for magic. Unhappy with these plans, Ciri devises a plan to escape and seek out Geralt, whom she has been told is not far from the city. However, on the way she is intercepted by the Wild Hunt and given an unexpected choice.
Meanwhile, more political intrigue and back-alley negotiations are happening in the shadows. A power struggle is developing, and the players must choose sides. How is a Witcher, sworn to neutrality, supposed to deal with this? Especially if that Witcher, a staunch and principled man, stumbles upon a coup that could lead to a bloody war that would tear apart the land? Gerald faces one of his hardest challenges yet in this novel, putting all his wits and fighting skills to the test.
If you’re even mildly interested in The Witcher video games, I would highly recommend picking up this series. Even if you’re not, you can still enjoy these novels for the excellent sword and sorcery fantasy books they are. Bottom line: these books are great, featuring plenty of spectacular action scenes along with magic and sword-wielding heroes; you really can’t ask for more than that. Geralt the Witcher is in especially rare form in this one, our favorite “white-haired fiend” demonstrating just how good he is at what he does – killing lots and lots of bad guys and monsters.
But of course, these books aren’t just about Geralt, even though he is often used as the face for The Witcher franchise. It’s easy to forget sometimes that the other characters are just as involved as he is, and once in a while, as in the case of this novel, they can even play a bigger role. In my eyes, The Time of Contempt is where Ciri truly gets her chance to shine. She may be destined for great and terrible things, but readers are reminded that despite all the grand prophecies about her, little Ciri is still a child. While still struggling to control the magic in her blood, she learns there is even more to her potential. It’s a lot to place on the shoulders of a young girl, not to mention all the people who want to kill her or use her in their political machinations. The development of her character in this novel shows that she is a strong-willed and spirited youth despite being burdened with a world full of troubles, and that in the face of danger she can still show plenty of good humor. For that reason, she was my favorite character in this book.
Also noteworthy is how much the story has matured over the course of this novel, raising the stakes in this world of shifting alliances and backroom deals. The plot comes alive, becoming more twisty and complex as the result of the lofty ambitions and power-hungry maneuverings of mages, rebels and kings. This book also sees a greater role for the Scoia’tael, the group of guerilla fighters mostly made up of elves, dwarves and other non-humans. Portending a time of war and misfortune, the spectral riders of The Wild Hunt also make their appearance in the sky, a promise that everything we see here is merely the beginning.
Narrator Peter Kenny continues to deliver a superb performance for this series, making the experience of listening to the audiobook memorable. He has a great voice for expressive storytelling, and is especially adept at doing accents and voices without drawing excessive attention. As a fan of the games, I had initial concerns that I would have trouble reconciling myself to anyone other than actor Doug Cockle as the voice of Geralt, but Kenny quickly dispelled them. He truly is a talented voice artist.
In sum, The Witcher series and its characters are a one-of-a-kind creation, and The Time of Contempt is another excellent novel in the sequence, not to mention a great experience in audio format. I’m enjoying them a lot, as you can probably guess; otherwise, I wouldn’t keep listening. Obviously this is a series I want to keep reading, and I’m already excited for the next one.
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More on The BiblioSanctum:
Audiobook review of Blood of Elves (Book 1)
YA Weekend: Court of Fives by Kate Elliott
Posted on August 8, 2015 36 Comments
A review copy was provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Court of Fives by Kate Elliott
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of Court of Fives
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (8/18/15)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 2 of 5 stars
While it’s true that I have not read many books by Kate Elliott, I still feel pretty confident when I say this is not her best. I’m disappointed because I badly, desperately wanted to like this one, but ultimately it just wasn’t for me.
First, a quick summary of the premise to set the stage for my points below. Our protagonist is a girl named Jessamy. She and her three sisters are raised in a household by their Patron father, a low-born baker’s son who nevertheless rose to fame and prestige in the military because of his talents in command, and their Commoner mother, a concubine because it is forbidden for a man of Saroese ancestry to marry a native woman of Efea. Jes’ secret dream is to train for the Fives, an athletic competition that offers a chance for glory, but due to her father’s strict rules, the only way she can compete is in secret. One day during a public event, Jes meets Kalliarkos, a young Patron prince. From a shared love of the Fives, they strike up an unlikely friendship. But when disaster strikes and a ruthless lord threatens to tear Jessamy’s family apart, Kal’s loyalty to her will be put to the test.
World-Building: Sadly, it was almost non-existent. Save for random facts about the setting, there was little to bring it all together. This is Kate Elliott’s first Young Adult novel and I don’t know if it’s because she felt the need to water down the particulars, but I’ve always been a big believer that just because it’s YA doesn’t mean you have to skimp on the details; readers are patient and if you want to take some time establishing a bit of background information, I doubt anyone’s going to throw the book down in a fit of rage just because of a little break in the action.
Story: Way too many holes for my tastes. There were many things that didn’t sit right with me. My biggest problem was the villain’s main motivation to separate Jessamy’s father from his family. Even if I buy the explanation, I don’t understand why he would go to all the trouble with his layer upon layer of schemes. Really, it’d make a lot more sense for him to simply kill everyone and be done with it, especially since we’ve already established that he’s the kind of man who would do something like that and not lose a wink of sleep. As far as I could tell, the only reason he did what he did was so there would be a story.
Main Character: Jessamy is one of the most confusing YA heroines I’ve ever met. One moment she’s convinced me that she desperately wants to take some action, or feels strongly about something. And just as suddenly she’ll do a complete one-eighty and say the opposite. Her desire to run the Fives is a prime example. We spend the first few chapters reading about how badly she wants to take part in the coming games, how she’d do anything to sneak out and compete. But of course when the moment finally comes, she gets cold feet. No, Jes, that’s not what I want to hear at all. You want me convinced of your love for the game? Then OWN IT. No flip-flopping. But more flip-flopping is exactly what she does, this time on the matter of her father. Does she hate him for being an ambitious cad who threw away his family to get ahead in life, or does she love him for being forced against his will to make a bad decision that will nonetheless save all their lives? Jes seems to change her mind on this every other chapter.
Romance: Besides having no chemistry, I’m not sure Jes and Kal’s “romance” is even altogether healthy. He’s got a complex where he’s desperate for the approval of those around him, bending over backwards for people so that they would like him, praise him, accept him. She knows this, and takes advantage of it every chance she gets, goading him into breaking the rules and taking risks for her by sneering at his skills and challenging his manhood. There was also no build up to their relationship; it’s just something that randomly happens.
The Fives: This game is bizarre and confusing, a glorified obstacle course where each adversary must progress through a set of four challenges before tackling the final puzzle, a moving contraption called Rings which the player must scale successfully to claim the victory flag and declare triumph. There’s no need for a lot of strategizing or direct contact between players, so each adversary works independently for the most part, which doesn’t make for much entertainment or suspense. I give the game credit for being a cool idea, but it doesn’t feel complete or fully realized.
It’s a shame, because this novel isn’t without its strengths and I can actually name a few areas where the story really shines. However, most of the positives are overshadowed by the negatives. There are several missed opportunities to further explore the implications of Jessamy being a woman of mixed-race straddling two worlds, raised in the tradition of one culture while physically resembling the people of the other. There’s also the difference in women’s status in the two societies, which gets mentioned a lot by characters in the story, but there’s not much more beyond that. These are important issues that could have made the world-building feel more vivid and robust, but regrettably, we are only given very surface-level details.
I wish I could have given Kate Elliott’s Young Adult debut a more glowing review, but the truth is Court of Fives ended up falling short of my expectations. Understandably, the rivers of YA are difficult to navigate, and hopefully the next book will stand on sturdier ground. Fortunately though, Elliott has written plenty of great books in her distinguished career, and if you want to check out her work I would recommend Cold Magic, the first book of her Spiritwalker trilogy, which also stars a strong young woman but it’s a much richer, more powerful coming-of-age tale than this one.
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