Tiara’s July Wrap-Up
Posted on July 31, 2015 15 Comments
I slowed down my reading a bit this month because I listened to so many audiobooks last month for Audiobook Month, and this month I had to hammer down on a work project, which I’ll probably be working on for the rest of the year. Go Government Peons! However, this month saw us really crunching, and I’m sure I’ll have more crunch months at work. When I’m working really hard, I tend to start moving toward things like gaming television to keep myself entertained because I don’t want to process anymore words. However, audiobooks are great for this reason, too. I can just kick back and listen rather than scan pages. As I stated before, even though I haven’t commented as much, this month especially, I see your comments. I read your posts. And I thank you for all your interactivity! 🙂
Book Count
Audiobook Count
This brings my count to 40! I’m well ahead of what I thought I’d achieve.
Popsugar 2015 Challenge Count
Since this is the first time I’ve included this in an update, I’ll list the books that I’ve retroactively read for the challenge as well as the books I read this mount for the challenge. The list of books for this challenge can be found here. Since I read so much speculative fiction, this was a challenge I decided to join to keep my reading rounded, even though I’m still reading a large amount of speculative fiction.
Categories I have completed so far are (and the book covers are listed in order of this list): A Classic Romance, A Book That Became A Movie, A Book Published This Year, A Book Written by Someone Under 30, A Book with Non-Human Characters, A Funny Book, A Mystery or Thriller, A Book More than 100 Years Old, A Book That Made you Cry, A Book with a Color in the Title, A Graphic Novel, A Play, A Book with Short Stories, A Book Originally Written in Another Language, and A Book by An Author You’ve Never Read Before.
Goodreads Challenge Update
Sorry this is a little blurry having to use my work iPad to update this post. I use my work equipment for such evil when I have to.
Miscellany
Here’s a general update of what I’ve been getting into aside from reading because, sometimes, even I need a break from reading. Sometimes, I want to enjoy more visual media, and I can’t live without music. Music is my heart and soul.
TV/Movies
Aside from still being on my Mad Men kick. Here’s a couple of new shows I’m watching now. Daredevil being one. I’ve always been a huge Marvel fan, but I don’t think I’ve appreciated Daredevil as much as I should. I’m actually halfway through Marco Polo. I just need to finish it. I’ve been putting it off for so long now. I’m also getting caught up on Orange is the New Black and House of Cards.
Music
I am on on a Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds kick right now. I blame the show Peaky Blinders, which features a ton of Nick Cave.
Gaming
Borderlands bender with Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. Sorry, Geralt! Wendy has also joined our ranks. One of us. One of us. I’ve also been playing Telltale’s Tales from the Borderlands, which is excellent as well. Not that I expected anything less from 2K or Telltale. Hilarious, absurd, off-color, I love it. I should read some of the books. Also, I’ve started a Dungeons & Dragons campaign (my very first, my final geek frontier!) with Wendy and some other friends, as well.
That’s it for my monthly wrap-up. See ya next month! Happy reading!
Backlist Burndown: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Posted on July 31, 2015 19 Comments
As book bloggers, sometimes we get so caught up reading review titles and new releases that we end up missing out on a lot previously published books. As a result, one of my goals this year is to take more time to catch up with my backlist, especially in my personal reading pile. And it seems I’m not the only one. Backlist Burndown is a new meme started by Lisa of Tenacious Reader. Every last Friday of the month, she’ll be posting a review of a backlist book and is inviting anyone interested to do the same. Of course, you can also review backlist books any day you want, as often you want, but be sure to watch for her post at the end of the month to link up!
This month, I’m reviewing a book that according to Goodreads has been on my to-read list since September 2013. It’s…
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of The Raven Cycle
Publisher: Scholastic (9/18/12)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
I don’t know why it’s taken me this long to get to Maggie Stiefvater’s The Raven Cycle series considering how I’ve read practically every other novel she’s written. Possibly I burned out on her Wolves of Mercy Falls books and then The Scorpio Races didn’t end up meeting my expectations, so I figured I just wasn’t a big fan of the way she wrote her characters and decided not to follow any more of her future series.
Of course, then I started hearing a lot of great things about The Raven Cycle once the second book and then the third came out, which made me think maybe I should give The Raven Boys a try after all, though clearly I didn’t jump on it right away. Anyway, my mistake. I finally read this book and discovered that it was actually pretty damn awesome.
The novel follows the lives of several teenagers who cannot be any more different. Blue Sargent is the daughter of a clairvoyant, though she isn’t a seer herself. But what she does have is the power to amplifying psychic effects with her presence, which is how she ends up in a churchyard on a freezing St. Mark’s Eve, helping out her mother doing her clairvoyance-y things. This is the night where the soon-to-be dead walk the Corpse Road, and 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. Soooo…you do the math.
Meanwhile, the very much alive and corporeal version of Richard Gansey III is spending his days pursuing an eccentric hobby in between going to class at the prestigious Aglionby private school for boys. The students there – known as Raven Boys because of their school crest – are mostly the sons of rich and powerful people, their children also destined for great things. Gansey fits the mold, being a scion to a wealthy family. He’s never lacked for anything, but it doesn’t matter because what he wants is so much more than just the material. Together he’s on a mystical quest with three fellow classmates Adam (the smart but poor one), Ronan (the bad boy), and Noah (the quiet and taciturn wallflower) to seek the rumored burial site of a legendary king.
The four boys, despite falling into seemingly conventional stereotypes, are in truth so much more beneath the surface. Against all odds, such disparate personalities manage to work very well together, their friendship held fast by the glue that is Gansey. That camaraderie between the Raven Boys (along with their eventual relationship with Blue) make up the meat of this novel, and it was the element I enjoyed the most. Shocker! Still, that doesn’t mean the characters never got my nerves, because they did; Gansey and his condescension, Adam with his insufferable pride, Ronan and his belligerence (and really? Naming your baby raven Chainsaw? You hokey idiot), and Blue and her bullheadedness all rankled me at one point or another, but none of it was to the extent at which Steifvater has frustrated me in the past. The dynamics here work, plain and simple.
The plot surprised me too, delivering something very different from than I expected, though maybe I should have given the author more credit. After all, the issues I’ve had with Stiefvater’s characters in her other novels notwithstanding, her knack for storytelling is unequaled in the Young Adult genre. The premises behind her books have never been anything less than beautiful, unconventional, and simply marvelous. From the beginning, I was held completely rapt by the story of The Raven Boys, drawn in by the intricate details of each characters’ situation. There was an introductory period where I wasn’t sure what everything had to do with each other, but eventually all the pieces fell into place and the resulting picture was one that knocked me off my feet. The sheer imagination on display here is impressive as hell; I was really charmed by all the little things like the mythological aspect, historical and geographical connections, magical rituals, Tarot readings and the personalities of the other seers that Blue and her mother live with. There’s also a thread of mystery weaving itself in and out of the narrative, and some of the revelations which came to the surface at the end were eye-opening to say the least. I can hardly wait to find out what happens next.
So maybe Maggie Stiefvater’s books and I still have a future together after all. Now off I go to procure the next book to add to my library. Consider me a new fan of The Raven Cycle, I’ve very glad I finally got a chance to read this first book.
More on The BiblioSanctum:
Wendy’s Review of The Raven Boys (Book 1) | Wendy’s Review of The Dream Thieves (Book 2) | Wendy’s Review of Blue Lily, Lily Blue (Book 3)
Book Review: The Unremembered by Peter Orullian
Posted on July 30, 2015 6 Comments
A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Unremembered by Peter Orullian
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of Vault of Heaven
Publisher: Tor (April 7, 2015)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars
This review is for the “Author’s Definitive Edition” of The Unremembered. What does this verbiage spell for the book, exactly? According to an interview I found, author Peter Orullian made a ton of changes for this re-issue, many of which were not just limited to minor adjustments like adding an excerpt or fixing a typo here and there, though there was certainly some of that involved too. In fact, there are significant differences between this and the original (but Orullian also assures that those who read the latter will be able to transition into the sequel just fine), like about fifteen thousand words added in, but even more cut out. So, unlike a lot of Author’s Editions, this new version is actually substantially shorter than the original. It’s all supposed to make a stronger book – trimming the fat, bolstering what needed to be bolstered, fixing the pace, improving character development, etc.
I’ve not read the original, so I can’t really speak to whether or not the Author’s Definitive Edition met its goals, but finding out all that information did make me curious about this book. It’s so rare that an author gets a chance to do this, and I wanted to see the end result.
The Unremembered opens with a god condemned by the rest of the pantheon for creating a world filled with terrifying creatures, upsetting the divine balance. As punishment, he is sent to live for eternity with his abominations in the Bourne. Thousands of years later, the focus shifts to the perspective of a villager named Tahn who encounters nightmarish creatures around his home and the lands of the Hollows. Mysterious strangers arrive in town, and one of them – an old man named Vendanj – warns Tahn of great danger. A tear between the realms has resulted in the evil things from the Quiet entering the world, putting everything in peril.
Together with his sister Wendra and his friend Sutter, Tahn sets off on a quest with Vendanj and the old man’s other companions, the Sodalist Braethen and the beautiful-but-deadly warrior Mira. Tahn has no idea where this quest will take him, but he is all too aware that the world is depending on him and his group to stop the darkness from swallowing up everything he knows and loves.
The Hero’s Journey immediately comes to mind. The Unremembered is exactly that, pulling in the familiar tropes in the genre for this traditional quest narrative. This makes it a tough book to review. On the one hand, many of the themes can be recognized as the conventional and rehashed ideas from well-known fantasy classics, and though I wouldn’t exactly describe the story as generic, I can’t exactly call it original either. On the other hand though, there’s a certain charm and appeal to reading a book that harkens back to the days of old-school fantasy, almost like slipping on a worn but comfortable and much-loved sweater. As with all books in general, I suspect how you feel about this one will entirely depend on the sort of mood you’re in.
Still, that’s not to say Peter Orullian brings nothing to the genre. I find his world and characters intriguing, and whether or not this has to do with the changes he made in this edition, I liked his writing style and found it flowed very smoothly. His world-building is deep and very detailed, and his characters – while playing a bit to clichés – are people you can relate to. After all, archetypes such as The Hero are popular because they resonate with us. Tahn is likeable in that role, and his companions also play out their respective parts nicely. Orullian fleshes out his characters and gives them individual traits that make them memorable, even if they are present in a derivative capacity.
Is The Unremembered perfect? No, but I still enjoyed reading it. It’s well-paced, probably much improved from the original version is my guess. Some scenes carry a lot of weight, and in these the author does a fantastic job with the atmosphere, highlighting tough choices and the consequences of making them. Sometimes, it can get very poignant and emotional in keeping tensions high and the reader hooked on every word. As well, at a certain point in the book, the story diverges into two different threads, which threw some variation into the mix.
Ultimately, I don’t know if I would recommend this book to everyone, but I imagine there will be fantasy readers who will enjoy it. If you’re looking for something wildly fresh and original, this probably won’t be it. But if you’re feeling nostalgic for some traditional epic fantasy reminiscent of The Wheel of Time or The Lord of the Rings, then it’s quite possible that this could work for you. Personally I thought this was a decent read, and I felt invested enough that I will most likely read the sequel.
Tough Traveling: Flying Rides
Posted on July 30, 2015 10 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: Flying Rides
Because honestly? Horses just got boring. (Thanks to author Anne Leonardfor the suggestion).
Wendy’s Picks
Dragon Age: Last Flight by Liane Merciel
Wynne refused to talk to me about griffons in Dragon Age: Origins, but my dreams finally came true with this book. Sadly, it is bittersweet, since we know that the fearsome creatures are extinct by the time the game starts. Or are they….
Okay, so Raffe won’t really appreciate me considering him a ride, but, well, how else is Penryn supposed to get around sometimes? Her sister, Page, also makes good use of mutant scorpion locust pets as modes of transportation.
No, she doesn’t fly falcons. Aileana has built her very own ornithopter. Perfect for escaping deadly fae intent on erasing you and your bloodline from existence.
Mogsy’s Picks:
This week I’ve got something for everyone…
The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
We didn’t get to see much of it, but it’s clear that the magic rug that comes into Shazi’s possession while she is at the palace is a flying carpet. I sure hope we’ll get to see it in action in the next book. All right, everybody with me now, A WHOLE NEW WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRLLLLD!!!
The Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne by Brian Staveley
The Kettral are a branch of the Emperor’s elite warriors. Like, think of them as the empire’s special forces. The soldiers are organized in small squads called a Wing. Together they get around on the giant birds that gave the group their name. Check out one of them on this cover of the upcoming third book, The Last Mortal Bond. Snazzy!
Two words: Battle Kites.
Ah, dragons, the eternal favorite. There are so many examples of the dragon mounts in fantasy, but if I’m going to feature only one of them this week, of course it just had to be Temeraire and his draconic peers in His Majesty’s mighty Aerial Corps.
The wyvern-riding witches were only a side plot in this book, but Manon and her mount Abraxos was the highlight for me. I might have already featured them during Beloved Mounts week, but I don’t care, I love the side story of how they ended up together. Like I said, it’s kind of like How to Train Your Dragon except with about 500% more brutality and cursing.
Tiara’s Picks:
Wyndbahr (Disenchanted by Robert Kroese)
It’s a flying bear with wings. What more can you ask for? They’re ridden by Eytrith whose job is to take warriors to basically a version of Valhalla for their heroic, badass deeds.
Great A’Tuin (Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett)
Let’s face it, Great A’Tuin is basically just a big flying ride that happens to house many worlds on its back. In fact, we might be on Great A’Tuin right now. There’s also that druid with the flying rock that flies because of intent and the half invisible dragons and the flying carpet. You know what, let’s just say these books have many amusing flying mounts.
Credit: Pythosblaze
Bahamut (Final Fantasy XIII by Square Enix)
I hate Final Fantasy XIII with an endless passion, but I love Fang and Bahamut. I mean… It is a fucking mechanical war machine that turns into a mechanical wyvern that Fang can ride and attack with. You can’t get much more badass than that no matter how hard you try. Well, unless you count the Shiva Bike which isn’t a flying ride, but whatever… In fact, all the eidolons in that game were pretty awesome. Full disclosure. I have not read that book. I would never…
Mrs. Whatsit (A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle)
Mrs. Who, Mrs. Whatsit, and Mrs. Which are three old friends living together in a “haunted house” in the woods, of course. Mrs. Whatsit is the youngest at like a billion years old. Later in the story, the children witness her supernatural powers when she turns into a centaur like being that’s described as being very beautiful. And yes, the children get to catch a ride.
Gasbag Blimp (Titan by John Varley)
When Captain Cirocco and her crew encounter an anomalous satellite around Saturn, they quickly learn that not all is as it seems once they become inhabitants there. Each crew member finds a niche on the planet with the physician of her crew forming a bond with the blimps (huge gasbags that endlessly roam the skies). Calvin is able to communicate with them through a series of whistles and use them as a means of transportation.
Audiobook Review: Crashing Heaven by Al Robertson
Posted on July 29, 2015 15 Comments
A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Crashing Heaven by Al Robertson
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Audible Studios (06/18/15)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating (Overall): 3.5 of 5 stars
Narrator: Thomas Judd | Length: 12 hrs and 35 mins
Cyberpunk and I don’t always make the best bedfellows, but when I read the description to Crashing Heaven I just knew I had to check it out. Published in the UK, I’d initially decided to either get it shipped from overseas or wait patiently to see if it’ll eventually get a release date this side of the Atlantic. To my happy surprise though, I later discovered on the publisher website that it was actually available in the US in audio format. I very excitedly requested a review copy.
What I got was exactly what the description promised, a novel that hits relentlessly hard, fast and without mercy. I could sense the influence of William Gibson and classic cyberpunk in its bleak narrative about a future of an abandoned Earth, AI wars, and people living in augmented reality. After spending years in prison, protagonist Jack Forster is a soldier who returns home with two things: a reputation as a traitor for surrendering to the Totality, and a virtual puppet named Hugo Fist tethered to his mind. Designed as a weapon to fight the enemy, Fist is a combat-AI which would eventually expire and take Jack’s personality and effectively his life with it.
All Jack wants to do is to clear his name, but upon his return to Station, he discovers that while he was away, two of his old friends have met with suspicious deaths. One of them is a former lover, spurring Jack to get to the bottom of this mystery and find those responsible before his time runs out.
The story can be a bit confusing, though to be fair, I have a history of being frustrated with cyberpunk. While Crashing Heaven may be a much easier read than a lot of other books in the genre, I still found many of its ideas abstract and hard to follow, such as trying to imagine Fist as a puppet that mostly exists inside Jack’s head but which can also be “pulled” out to manifest in a form similar to that of a ventriloquist dummy. The writing is also rough in places and not always sufficient when it comes to giving descriptions, which added to my difficulty.
However, I was also impressed by a lot of ideas in this book. Using Fist as an example again, it’s hard to reconcile the fact that such an innocuous-looking puppet can also be such a deadly weapon, with one hell of a potty-mouth on him to boot. The world is a rich tableau of both wonder and bleakness, where myth mixes with virtual reality. Mysterious entities worshipped as gods walk among the populace and grant favor to the faithful. The dead can return in “Fetches”, bodies housing the memories of the departed so that the living can spend more time with those who have passed on. Almost every aspect of the world-building is multi-faceted and gave me a lot to think about.
Still, probably my favorite part about the book is the relationship between Jack and Fist, the complex dynamic between them and the way it evolves as the story progresses. Forever linked together, the nature of their interactions range from the humorous to the grotesque. You can never predict what Fist might say or do next, which might be exasperating for Jack but it works great for a reader watching these exchanges play out. They inject a fait bit of lightness to this otherwise gritty and despairing story.
Narrator Thomas Judd can also be credited for making the Jack-and-Fist alliance the highlight of this audiobook. His performance was overall decent but nothing too remarkable – except for one thing: his Fist voice. It was perfect. It also helped a lot, considering how much of the book is made up of Jack and Fist going back and forth in conversation.
Apart from a few flaws, Crashing Heaven was a good book. The writing may be awkward at times and the plot is convoluted in places, but the entertainment value in the story makes up for that. Furthermore, dedicated fans of cyberpunk will probably like this even more than I did, so if you love the genre, definitely consider checking out Al Robertson’s unique debut.
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Waiting on Wednesday 07/29/15
Posted on July 29, 2015 20 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:
Thunderbird by Chuck Wendig: April 5, 2016 (Saga Press)
Hooray, the new Miriam Black book is on the horizon! This series is fun and I’ve enjoyed the previous books a lot. Despite their dark and violent nature, I love the character and her dry sense of humor. I was so glad to see the cover of this one finally revealed earlier this week. Sure, it doesn’t have the same look as the original artwork of the first three books published by Angry Robot (which had way more personality, in my humble opinion) but there are reissues from Saga Press to match.
“In the fourth installment of the Miriam Black series, Miriam heads to the southwest in search of another psychic who may be able to help her understand her curse, but instead finds a cult of domestic terrorists and the worst vision of death she’s had yet. Miriam Black is being developed as a TV series by Starz with the producers of Breaking Bad.
Miriam is becoming addicted to seeing her death visions, but she is also trying out something new: Hope. She is in search of another psychic who can help her with her curse, but finds a group of domestic terrorists in her deadliest vision to date.”
Book Review: Dark Ascension by M.L. Brennan
Posted on July 28, 2015 16 Comments
A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Dark Ascension by M.L. Brennan
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Book 4 of Generation V
Publisher: Roc (8/4/15)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
I make it no secret that Generation V is one of my favorite urban fantasy series right now. I just love these books so much! Even if this latest installment did make me bawl my eyes out.
Normally, I’d be pretty resentful if anyone made me cry, but it’s entirely different when it comes to a book. In that case, it’s liable to earn itself at least an extra half star and a gushy review. What can I say, I just love it when my reading material appeals to my emotions. It’s a sign of good storytelling and character development, and I’m always excited to see what author M.L. Brennan will bring next for our underdog vampire protagonist Fortitude Scott and his partner Suzume Hollis the spunky kitsune.
Every Generation V book is a new surprise, and Dark Ascension might be the biggest and most important one yet. The winds of change are sweeping through Madeline Scott’s territory, and all the supernatural denizens within are bracing themselves for the inevitable outcome of the vampire matriarch’s failing health. Everyone is worried (and rightfully so) what would happen when her daughter, the psychotic and murderous Prudence takes over, but Fort is not about to let his Machiavellian older sister seize all that power without a fight. In the end though, the aging but still terrifyingly shrewd Madeline may be the one to surprise them all.
Dark Ascension follows a path that is very dissimilar to what we saw in the first three installments, and to be honest, to most urban fantasy arcs in general. It’s a very bold move by the author, but for what she’s attempting to do here, it works rather well. Instead of presenting us with a main problem that unifies the entire plot – like a paranormal crime to be solved by the characters over the course of the book, for example – the story is actually made of many different and smaller conflicts. And subsequently, all these conflicts come to together to form the big question: What will be become of Madeline Scott’s territory once she’s gone? The answers will have repercussions for the entire supernatural community, not to mention Madeline’s own children.
Once again, the Scott family dynamics are at the forefront, an element I find fascinating and that I look forward to seeing developed each time a new book comes out. I’m not sure what it says about me that I simply adore the fearsome and bloodthirsty Prudence, but it’s always nice to see her get a bigger role (though not as much as I thought she would). Needless to say, Fort’s more liberal way of thinking combined with his kind heart makes him the antithesis of his cruel, hard-edged sister. But that doesn’t mean they don’t love each other; it’s merely a love that few can understand. To paraphrase Fort, it’s not that Prudence is incapable of showing affection, just that she’s at her most terrifying when she actually tries. Between them in birth order and in ideology is also of course their brother Chivalry, whose moderate stance only leads to more gridlock whenever the siblings try to work together as a team. If anything though, I think this book only raised my regard for Chivalry, who of the three of them seems to be the most invested in honoring their mother’s wishes. I’ll admit it, I’m a sucker for the good son.
So where does this leave Fort? Well, on the one hand, I’m really impressed at the amount of growth he’s shown throughout the series, but in some ways he hasn’t changed at all. Despite being on his way to become a full-fledged vampire, Fort still underestimates his own value and puts himself in situations where people take advantage of his kindness. He’s also struggling with a serious case of denial when it comes to what he is, but probably not for much longer. Dark Ascension is a turning point where all sorts of changes are happening, and most of them are in our protagonist. Despite the relative lack of action and intrigue in this novel compared to the previous ones, here is where I saw Fort face his most difficult challenges yet.
Furthermore, there’s just so much delicious foreshadowing. Fort makes some great strides in Dark Ascension, and yet there’s still a piece of me bracing for the other shoe to drop. We’ve been told that he is “different” from his siblings, but what that truly means remains to be seen, and I’m very curious to find out what greater purpose Madeline had in mind for her youngest son when she decided to alter his upbringing. Fort has also spent most of his life trying to avoid the family business, but now it’s given him a new purpose. To what cost, though? Keeping in mind Suze’s analogy of the Peep in a microwave, will Fort’s good intentions end up biting him in the ass? Chivalry’s warning at the end is especially ominous. Fort’s heart may be in the right place, but he’s still going against the grand plan and breaking many promises by acting on his own. Isn’t this how corruption begins? By going against Madeline’s wishes, who’s actually bringing the greatest threat to her vision for the future?
I’m practically bursting with questions and anticipation for the next book. I know I’ve said it before but I’ll happily say it again and again: M.L. Brennan’s Generation V series is simply wonderful, featuring a unique world filled the most incredible and unique paranormal beings you’ll ever meet. Without a doubt, this is one of the most fun, refreshing and addictive urban fantasy series you can find on the shelves right now, with each book bringing a new adventure and plenty of surprises. If you haven’t started yet, run—don’t walk—to your nearest bookstore and pick up the first book. I really can’t wait to see what Fort and Suze will be up to next.
More on The BiblioSanctum:
Mogsy’s Review of Generation V (Book 1) | Wendy’s Review of Generation V (Book 1) | Review of Iron Night (Book 2) | Review of Tainted Blood (Book 3) | Interview with M.L. Brennan | Guest Post: Designing a Kitsune by M.L. Brennan
Full Fathom Five Read-A-Long Week No.2
Posted on July 27, 2015 6 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, there’s still time! 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 Margot too is hoping that Izza can lead him to the Blue Lady. What do you make of his vision? Especially in relation to the nightmares that Kai is having. Do you think they’re related?
Wendy: Definitely related. Cat speaks about the connections that are formed among the followers of gods. It seems pretty obvious that the idols have something similar …. though obvious doesn’t mean the real answer is going to be that simple.
Tiara: I would be very surprised if they weren’t related in some manner given how, as how Wendy mentioned, even after the death of an idol/God, there is still some connection between them and the faithful, even if it’s through remembrance of the faithful, add the fact that Kai almost gave her life to save this same idol and it adds up. It’d be quite the red herring if it didn’t.
Mogsy: I think they’re related, I just haven’t worked out how yet. Margot saw a vision that led him to Izza, and given the timing of Kai’s dreams, it’s just too much to be a coincidence for them not to have anything to do with what happened to her in the pool with the dying idol.
2) Teo! Did anyone expect to see Teo? What role do you think she’ll play in the rest of the story?
Wendy: I had to job my memory regarding Teo and am still a bit fuzzy, but more importantly, she is talking about the two serpents, which definitely piques my interest. Her determination implies that she’s definitely going to get involved in Kai’s plans, whether Kai wants her there or not.
Tiara: This is my first Gladstone book I’ve read ever (and yes, for those who know me, I am slightly freaking out starting with a 3rd book), so I’m not sure if this question is based on prior knowledge of the character or a general question because it seems a little too nuanced to be a general question. Since I haven’t read the prior books, all I can say is that I figured Kai’s demotion would bring something interesting her way to add another angle to her story and Teo looks as if she’ll be that new angle.
Mogsy: I’ll be honest, it’s been a while since I read the previous two books. I remember Teo, and it’s always cool to see a past character make an appearance, but I can’t say seeing her again gave me a significant reaction beyond that. Whether she’ll play an important role or just be there for Kai in a support capacity, I have no idea — guess we’ll see!
3) Kai is worried that Mara has set her up. Do you think it likely?
Wendy: I don’t believe Kai is worried that Mara set her up. Rather, she’s considering that as an option, as much as she is considering that Mara (perhaps at Jace’s orders) has slipped her the information in order to do what the Order can’t do right now with Kevarian watching them so closely. This feels a lot like the headstrong and obsessed detective trope where Kai, having had her badge and gun removed, now has to solve this crime on her own.
Tiara: I never put anything past anyone no matter how loyal a character seems to another. Kai’s general assessment of what she considers weaknesses in Mara’s character could point to weakness to treachery, but Kai’s workaholic nature could also point to her being overly critical as Kai can seem to be at times along with her seeming Superwoman complex. So, I can kind of see this going either way, depending on how the author’s creativity goes. Even if it starts pointing more at Mara being a traitor, often stories end where such behavior isn’t actually what it seems.
Mogsy: Good question, because I found myself asking myself that through this whole section, and I’ve flip-flopped on the answer more times than I care to count. I don’t want to see Mara turn out to be a traitor, if for no other reason because it would be really bad for Kai. At the same time, there are things about Mara that just don’t add up for me at this point. If I have to choose though, I guess I’ll lean towards…no. Seems that’s what the story wants us to think, and I am always suspicious when I feel like I’m being led one way or another.
4) It seems everyone is having discussions of faith with one another. That’s not particularly surprising given the tenor of the books, I know, but still. How does what we’ve learned from Cat and Margot in these chapters affect your feelings on the idea of gods, Craft or Idols that Allie asked?
Wendy: I’m still feeling the idols right now, as they feel a lot less distant than the gods, and certainly less manipulative than the Dead Kings, however, there is still much to learn about what they are capable of — and the idols themselves are perhaps trying to understand that too.
Tiara: I had to go back to the previous questions since I didn’t get the opportunity to participate before. I’m assuming this questions relates to how readers feel about gods/idols. I’m still not exactly sure how I feel about any of them at this point and I think this is largely due to how I approach faith in general (and not knowing much about this universe in general). Faith in general is something I look at from a more analytical view and this book is no different. I appreciate the ideas of idols being avatars of sorts for people to worship and be blessed by while their gods are absent or whatever. This allows for a more realistic connection to their faith in some ways than some other ways the gods are worshipped (I guess since this is my first encounter with gods and idols of this world). I also like the idea that even though an idol is supposed to be mainly this mindless thing, that some connection can be forged with a believer or someone with a strong enough faith that can make it more than that if we’re to go by Margot’s experience.
Mogsy: I’m like Tiara — I take a very analytical, mind-over-heart approach when it comes to matters of faith. And I admit I rarely think about such things when I’m reading a fantasy novel, where I’m more inclined to just go with the flow on a lot of the story and its characters’ notions of religion, faith and gods. I do think it’s kind of unique (and slightly amusing) though, that in this book, worship and faith is invested into the idols in a manner that is somewhat similar to the bundling of assets in a financial portfolio.
5) We’re getting a better idea of what Penitence means for the people of Kavekana. What do you think of their idea of punishment now that you have a better idea of how it works?
Wendy: The act of punishing people in this way seems very harsh, especially when you consider that someone like Izza could end up in one because she’s a street urchin trying to survive. Is she a bad person? No. Was Claude? Perhaps not. But now Claude’s mind has been “aligned” more appropriately due to his time in the rock box. Interestingly, in spite of this regimented punishment, the island itself maintains its relaxed, lost in time vibe. Other than the shrieking Penitents walking around, there doesn’t seem to be an overtly hive mind, dictatorship going on.
Tiara: The Penitents are certainly one of the most creative punishments I’ve read in a book. As the story has gone on and we’ve learned more and more, they seem much too excessive for some crimes, especially considering the emotional and physical toll they take on criminals. You’d think they would reserve something like that for the worst of the worst, but it seems like even petty thievery can damn you to that torture. However, if you want to put the fear of God (some pun intended) in someone to be mindful of what they do, they serve their purpose… mostly. If large stone prisons with screaming people inside won’t deter most people…
Mogsy: I think the idea itself is very original and awesome (I’d expect nothing less from a Craft Sequence novel, after all) though in practice it sounds traumatic and downright sucky. Penitents do a good job being an incentive to obey the law, though. You commit a crime, you get placed into a Penitent. You come out of the Penitent after doing your time, and emerge as a changed person. Then apparently, you join the Watch. I have to say, this does put the enforcers in a special position to sympathize with the condemned, and to understand what the punished will go through.
6) Kai has built up an idea of what’s going on, but what do you think happened? Did Margot really steal soul without realising it or is there something else going on?
Wendy: I don’t believe his theft was intentional, anymore than it was for Izza and the kids. The thefts all seemed to have occured in moments of utter fear/heightened emotions — that last cry to the gods before doom. But something about Seven Alpha made her respond. Physically respond. Is that something Kai’s involvement has done? Is it some sort of experimental change in the idol that the investors have done that perhaps the higher ups in the Order (like Jace) know about, but people like Kai and Mara don’t? Perhaps Kevarian’s investigation is to determine how much the Order knows and will tell…
Tiara: I’m conflicted about Margot and want to read more before I start making theories. On one hand, he seems a bumbling fool who really did just stumble on this great miracle, and I really want to believe that. On the other hand, as Izza puts it, even though Margot doesn’t feel like a threat to her anymore than he does to Kai: “…the worst predators she’d known were the ones that put the most effort into seeming normal. Still, even poor predators had teeth.”
Mogsy: I don’t think he had any idea what he was doing when he committed the theft. Like Kai notes, if Margot really knew the significance of what he did, he wouldn’t be living the poor artists’ life right now, he’d be rolling in dough instead while trying his darndest to get away with the crime. But here he is, so desperate to find his muse again. So, I’m inclined to trust Kai’s instincts on this one.
Book Review: The Dinosaur Lords by Victor Milán
Posted on July 27, 2015 36 Comments
A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Dinosaur Lords by Victor Milán
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of The Dinosaur Lords
Publisher: Tor (7/28/15)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Ever wondered what a tournament joust would look like, if both opponents were charging full-tilt towards each other while mounted on three tons of bellowing hadrosaurus? Honestly, I can’t say I have. But Victor Milán has shown me the light, and it is glorious.
Knights and dinosaurs. Tell me you can resist that, because I know I couldn’t.
The Dinosaur Lords takes place in the Empire of Neuvaropa, a fictional land reminiscent of 14th century Europe. The story opens with a great battle. Famed noble captain Karyl Bogomirskiy and his mercenary Triceratops army (though Karyl himself rides Shiraa the magnificent matador, an Allosaurus) are betrayed and then promptly crushed by the forces of Count Jaume Llobregat and Duke Falk von Hornberg. Karyl dies and is resurrected — twice, actually – and eventually joins up with dinosaur master Rob Korrigan to travel to Providence, where they are recruited by the adherents of the Garden of Truth and Beauty to defend their lands and train their troops.
Meanwhile in the capital, the princess Melodía awaits the return of her lover Jaume from his campaign. She becomes increasingly concerned over the war, as well as the rivalries and intrigues within her father’s court. It is especially troubling, given how easily influenced the emperor can be without the presence of his right hand man. Furthermore, unbeknownst to all, the Eight Creator’s mysterious cadre of Grey Angels stand witness to the games of power playing out before them – watching…and waiting.
This is a fantastic introduction to a new series featuring engaging characters and a fun and addictive story. But let’s first talk about the dinosaurs, and about how they make everything better. If that’s what initially drew you to The Dinosaur Lords, you’re probably not alone; I myself confess that they were the huge driving force behind me finally breaking down and requesting a copy of this for review. And yet, the presence of dinos is far from being just a shtick to draw attention. Milán has deftly integrated them fully into the fantasy world of his novel, portraying his vision of a human culture that evolved side-by-side with these creatures.
Not surprisingly, a myriad species of dinosaurs in this story have been domesticated by people for different uses, including but not limited to food, beasts of burden, beloved companions, and of course, prized mounts. Ultimately, dinosaurs are undeniably an integral part the characters’ everyday lives – their folklore, their traditions and even their metaphors. They’re so ubiquitous that a lot of the time, you forget they’re even there, so seamlessly are they incorporated into the world-building. As you can imagine, there are endless possibilities when it comes to the role of dinosaurs in a medieval-like setting. The author explores many of them, and as a result, we readers win. I was especially impressed and thrilled by the battle scenes involving the mounted cavalr—er, dinosaurry. To paraphrase Jaume, a knight’s greatest weapon is his war-dinosaur, and vice versa.
By the way, have I mentioned the beautiful flavor artwork that adorns the first page of each chapter?
Interior art by Richard Anderson, these and more originally featured at tor.com
Featuring a huge variety of species, this book will be a real treat for any dinosaur lover. And you can imagine my relief to have my kid’s Big Book of Dinosaurs on hand to look up the “true names” of all those described in these pages.
I could probably go on at length about the dinosaurs, but of course this isn’t just all about them. For once a cover blurb actually rings true for me after I read the book. Within the first handful of chapters, the story’s “Game of Thrones vibe” made itself apparent with a focus on courtly politics and the fates of kings, princesses, and nobles on the line. Probably not surprising that The Dinosaur Lords is just as much about lords is it is about dinosaurs. Leaving all the things like dinosaurs and the gigantic insects of this world aside though, there’s actually little in the way of fantasy elements apart from a very subtle thread of magic woven in. Thus even though this world is not our own, it’s easier to imagine this book as a historical fantasy rather than a general epic.
Story-wise, with the exception of a couple instances in the middle where I thought the quick bouncing back and forth of POVs was erratic and perplexing, the narrative was generally well-structured and the pacing was spot on. My only other regret was not seeing Melodía, who was my favorite, in a more significant role relative to Rob’s or Jaume’s. This isn’t the first time I’ve read a series-starter feeling that the main female character was underused compared to other perspective characters, and I hope she’ll feature more prominently in the sequel and have a stronger effect on the story.
I guess that addresses the question of whether or not I’ll continue with the series. My answer is absolutely, yes, sign me up for the next book! Fan of dinosaurs? Then you’ve got to read this novel. Even if you do pick this up for love of dinosaurs alone, you’re guaranteed to leave with a lot more than just that, no matter what. Totally worth it.
The BiblioSanctum 