Comic Stack 02/04/2015
Posted on February 4, 2015 2 Comments
I have a confession. I have a ton of first issues of comics. I’m not even joking about this. While I enjoy reading and reviewing comics, I’m not one that likes to review every single issue of a comic, especially if I lose interest and quit the series. I prefer to review volumed editions for that reason. After deciding that I really need to start weeding through my comics, I thought I’d start posting about the #1s I read. What better day to post than on the most holiest of days (next to New Video Game Tuesday, of course)–New Comic Book Day?
This won’t always feature the newest releases, but it will feature comics I’ve recently received. This will kind of be like review bites, but all comics based and only focused on the first issues of comics I have. I won’t be focusing so much on your mainstream Marvel and DC comics. That’s not to say I may not include books from some of them or their imprints from time to time, but it won’t be your typical X-Men or Batman books unless there’s some exceptional reason I think they should be included.
Revenger #1 by Charles Sanford Forsman
Publisher: Oily Comics (January 21, 2015)
Genre: Action-Adventure, Crime, Leading Ladies
“When all else fails, Revenger evens the score.”
Revenger is about a woman who doesn’t take any shit. That’s what the blurb said about this comic, and it felt fitting to start this with that. Revenger follows a woman who helps people who have problems they can’t solve themselves. Violence is her trade, but she gets results. The story starts with a brief fight scene where we get a glimpse that there are things that hunt the protagonist and what her motivations might be. Later in the story, she’s contacted by a teenage boy who fears that his missing girlfriend’s father may have done something terrible to her.
The art on this one made me feel some kind of way. It made me think of Beavis & Butthead and seemed a bit understated for the story itself, but there was something strangely compelling about the style all the same. Also, I do have one little gripe. This story takes place in a troubled United States during the 1980s, but there’s little in the art wise or story wise that makes me feel like I’m reading a story set in the 80s.
I was a little afraid that this was going to be schlocky. All the elements were there for it to turn me off. However, the story is captivating. Who is this woman? What made her this way? Can I have her autograph? There are so many questions and so few answers at this point. Forsman isn’t showing all his cards. He’s carefully presenting them in a way to keep me reading.
Sanity & Tallulah: Plucky Teen Girl Space Detectives #1 by Molly Brooks
Publisher: Molly Brooks (January 21, 2015)
Genre: Science-Fiction, Leading Ladies
Sanity & Tallulah #1 introduces us to two teenage girls–Sanity and Tallulah, in case you’re wondering, ages unspecified–who live on the space station WilnickSS. After dropping off some mail, Sanity and Tallulah decide to do a little exploring after Tallulah suggests that they check out an asteroid belt that’s out of bounds, but not, y’know, a lot out of bounds. In the belt, they make a discovery begging to be investigated, if only to decide if it’s worth the risk of telling the adults and possibly getting into trouble.
Though their ages aren’t specified, I’m going to assume the girls are around 15 or so. I make this assumption because there’s a running gag throughout the comic about Tallulah losing her learner’s permit (again) because of all the precautions she forgets and risky driving she does. She drives a small space shuttle. How cool is that? However, this comic is perfectly acceptable for reading with younger children.
This comic is one of the wordier comics, but that’s part of what makes it delightful. It’s about two teenage girls, and of course, they ramble. But you’re also presented characters that go beyond the giggling teenage girl trope (not that there isn’t giggling). Sanity shows an acute aptitude toward science in the comic, and it’s hinted that Tallulah might be quite the mechanic. It’s nice to see these traits, which are typically considered “for boys,” represented in the two leads while still maintaining that charm.
They’re Not Like Us #1 by Eric Stephenson
Publisher: Image Comics (January 21, 2015)
Genre: Science-Fiction
A young woman stands on the side of a building. She’s finally fed up with the noise in her head. Nothing helps. She feels the only way she’ll have any relief is if she “sleeps” forever. Before jumping, a man tells her that maybe the only real salvation she’ll have is if she accepts the truth of her situation.
Somehow, she survives. She learns that there’s not just noise going on in her head. The mystery man ( I call Cas since he looks like Casanova Quinn from Casanova) informs her that she is a telepath, and he takes her to a home for other “gifted” people like herself. He gives her a new name (Syd) and tells her that she’s never to think of her old life now.
At this point, it started feeling a little X-Men-ish for me, and I was starting to feel a little let down. All these people with awesome powers living together and assuming aliases. I was interested, but not moved. I was thinking, “Yeah, I’m going to wait for a volumed edition of this, at best.” Then, the other shoe dropped when Syd was explained the rules of her new life, a life she didn’t ask for. That was the “Well, damn!” moment that actually made me sit up in my bed.
From that point, even the title took on a different perspective. I looked at the title from the angle that the characters of this book aren’t normal people. However, after reading it, I realize the title speaks more along the lines of normal people not being special like them. I’m interested. They got me. I’m buying issue #2 as I type.
Book Review: Deadeye by William C. Dietz
Posted on February 4, 2015 15 Comments
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Book 1 of The Mutant Files
Publisher: Ace (January 27, 2015)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars
William C. Dietz brings us an interesting new sci-fi police procedural series set in a plague-ravaged future. Those who survived the bioengineered threat of 2038 were either left completely unaffected or developed a wide range of disfiguring mutations, leaving a great divide – both socially and geographically – between the world’s “norms” and “mutants”. Relations between the two groups aren’t great, to say the least. Anti-mutant organizations sow hatred and incite brutal attacks and killings against mutants, making no small amount of work for Los Angeles detective Cassandra Lee who has built her reputation around taking down some of the city’s worst criminals.
When the daughter of Bishop Screed, leader of the Church of Human Purity, is kidnapped, all signs point to the work of mutants. Assigned to the case is Lee and her new mutant partner Deputy Ras Omo, who must race against time to save the young woman before she is sold and used for breeding by the ruthless human smuggling rings in the Red Zone. And if only that were the end of it. While chasing down leads, the two cops are also hounded every step of the way by Bonebreaker, the serial killer believed to have taken the lives of more than half a dozen police officers, including detective Frank Lee, Cassandra’s own father.
For a first book of a new series, Dietz has established quite a solid foundation for the world of Mutant Files, especially when it comes the social climate with regards to norms and mutants. Stigma is strong against the latter group, a lot of whom live in lawless and run-down “freak towns” where no norms fear to tread. To avoid catching the incurable disease, norms also wear masks and nose filters in the presence of mutants, and while most mutants wear masks too, they do so more to hide their terrible mutations. While world-building elements such as these are compelling, unfortunately they also come to the reader in a series of heavy info-dumps near the beginning of the novel, weighing down the introduction and making the first couple of chapters a slow read.
There’s quite a good story in here too, which, if not immediately apparent, does admittedly take a bit of effort to uncover. The major obstacle was once again the introduction, where I had a very difficult time adjusting to the writing.
Firstly, Dietz seems to have a fondness for frequent point-of-view switches, and not just between major characters. Every so often, minor characters and even random bystanders seem to feel the need to chime in for a paragraph or two, presumably so the reader can get a better feel of a situation by seeing it through their eyes. While I understood the intention, I didn’t think this was very effective and could have done with less of these seemingly arbitrary asides. And because they were often so short, rather than contribute to a scene I found them to be more distracting than anything.
Secondly, the author has a peculiar tendency to insert in-line explanations between parentheses in cases, say, where an acronym is being used or when a character says something in another language etc., and Dietz will place the translation right there in the middle of the prose and even dialogue. Not a big deal to some readers, perhaps, but for me it had a light immersion breaking effect. It would have been preferable if these explanations were naturally worked into the narrative, rather than placed glaringly between a pair of brackets. But then again, it’s also possible this may be changed in the finished book.
Without a doubt though, sandwiched between the beginning and end of the book is where all the good stuff is. The plot is entertaining and fast-paced, and kept me turning the pages once it got going. I did stumble again at the end when things wrapped up a bit too quickly and in much chaos, especially where the Bonebreaker aspect of the story was concerned, but generally I was quite pleased with the overall pacing as well as the characterization of Cassandra Lee, a badass female cop who is great at what she does. There’s always room for improvement when it comes to character development, but nonetheless I found myself greatly invested in Lee and Omo’s relationship.
I would rate this book between a 3 and 3.5 out of 5 stars if I could, with emphasis on the fact I really enjoyed the story but only after a fierce struggle with the writing. To be fair, most of my quibbles have to do with certain quirks of the author’s style, which may not matter as much to another reader. I’d definitely be open to reading the sequel, especially since there are still questions about the Bonebreaker that require addressing, and I’d be curious where those answers will take our protagonist.
A review copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Ace Books!
Waiting on Wednesday 02/04/15
Posted on February 4, 2015 19 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:
Tower of Thorns by Juliet Marillier: November 3, 2015 (Roc)
Do I really need to explain why I’m looking forward to this? Tower of Thorns is book two of Juliet Marillier’s brand new adult series Blackthorn and Grim, the follow up to Dreamer’s Pool which was one of my favorite reads last year. If you haven’t read it yet, what ever are you waiting for? And I just have to say, that is one fine looking cover, worthy of the first one.
“Award-winning author Juliet Marillier’s “lavishly detailed”* Blackthorn & Grim series continues as a mysterious creature holds an enchanted and imperiled ancient Ireland in thrall.
Disillusioned healer Blackthorn and her companion, Grim, have settled in Dalriada to wait out the seven years of Blackthorn’s bond to her fey mentor, hoping to avoid any dire challenges. But trouble has a way of seeking out Blackthorn and Grim.
Lady Geiléis, a noblewoman from the northern border, has asked for the prince of Dalriada’s help in expelling a howling creature from an old tower on her land—one surrounded by an impenetrable hedge of thorns. Casting a blight over the entire district, and impossible to drive out by ordinary means, it threatens both the safety and the sanity of all who live nearby. With no ready solutions to offer, the prince consults Blackthorn and Grim.
As Blackthorn and Grim begin to put the pieces of this puzzle together, it’s apparent that a powerful adversary is working behind the scenes. Their quest is about to become a life and death struggle—a conflict in which even the closest of friends can find themselves on opposite sides.”
Book Review: Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear
Posted on February 3, 2015 29 Comments
Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear
Genre: Steampunk, Fantasy
Series: Book One/Stand Alone
Publisher: Tor (February 3, 2015)
Author Information: Website
Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
“You ain’t gonna like what I have to tell you, but I’m gonna tell you anyway. See, my name is Karen Memery, like memory only spelt with an e, and I’m one of the girls what works in the Hôtel Mon Cherie on Amity Street. Hôtel has a little hat over the o like that. It’s French, so Beatrice tells me.”
A lot of times, it’s the books that initially fly under my radar which end up impressing me the most. This was the case with Karen Memory, whose description didn’t actually appeal to me at first. After all, as much as I love steampunk, I’ve read so much of the genre that admittedly I’ve gotten a lot pickier in recent years. It’s going to take more than just airships and clockwork gadgetry to entice me these days.
The moment I read the first paragraph though, I knew I was going to be in for a treat. It’s not even just the “Old West” feel of the setting (which I’m a sucker for and gets me every time) that caught my attention, but the distinct and down-to-earth voice of the narrator which immediately tugged at something in my heart. Right away, I knew I wanted to learn more about her. I wanted to get to know her and hear her story.
Our protagonist Karen Memery turns out to a young “seamstress” (a euphemism those around her parts use for prostitute) working for Madame Damnable at one of Rapid City’s more upscale establishments. It’s late 19th century and the Pacific Northwest is at the height of another gold rush; like any frontier town that’s sprouted up around the mining industry, life is rough and the folks even rougher. Working girls like Karen at the Hôtel Mon Cherie know that the best way to survive is to stick together and look after one another, but not everyone is so fortunate to have an employer like Madame Damnable or friends to watch their back.
The calm is shattered one night when two young women arrive at the Mon Cherie seeking help and protection. This is how Karen first meets and falls in love with Priya, a prostitute who managed to escape the horrific conditions of a rival brothel, but not without its mean and nasty proprietor Peter Bantle in hot pursuit. Thwarted, Bantle vows to make Madame Damnable and her girls’ lives a living hell, and with what appears to be mind-control device in his possession, he might be more dangerous than anyone believed. When the flogged and bloody corpses of women start appearing around town, one begins to wonder if all of this is connected somehow. A new lawman rides into town with his Comanche partner on the tail of a vicious serial killer, and together with Karen and the friends, this ragtag but resourceful crew is determined to get to the bottom of this conspiracy.
At times, Karen Memory did feel very much like my perfect book. It is imaginative steampunk that feels fresh and full of life, served up as a rich blend of mystery, suspense, action and romance. The end result is difficult to describe, but delightfully easy to enjoy. As I said before, I have a weakness for westerns and stories that take place during the expansion into the western frontier, so I was charmed at once by Rapid City, resplendently brought to life by Elizabeth Bear’s evocative and vivid descriptions. Despite a healthy dose of fantastical steampunk, we never lose sight of the distinctive characteristics or nuances of this particular era.
Karen herself is an amazing one-of-a-kind character, telling her story with a candidness that I found very charming. The narrative style won’t be for everyone, riddled with its colloquialisms and informal jargon, but it worked surprisingly well for me. It made Karen feel so real — I could practically hear her voice and imagine her mannerisms in my head. I’ll say this — whoever is narrating the audiobook will have her work cut out for her, as it’ll be hard to top what’s already written on paper. Usually prose littered with slang and grammatical errors, whether they’re intentional or not, would drive me nuts (especially my personal pet peeve, “would of” instead of “would’ve”, which Karen repeatedly commits). That I was able to overlook them in this case says a lot.
No doubt the book would not have been the same without Karen’s unique voice, but the other ladies at the Hôtel Mon Cherie surely deserve a mention too. This entire cast of brave and capable kickass women will rock your world and fill you with admiration. After Karen, I’m especially taken with the character of Madame, inspired by the real Mother Damnable, Mary Ann Conklin who ran Seattle’s first hotel and high-class brothel. For a certainty, this novel features no shortage of spirited women will go to great lengths for those they love and what they believe in, and will not back down without a fight.
Karen Memory is a book about a lot of things – solving a mystery, hunting a merciless killer, saving the city from evil, and all the spectacular drama that comes along with such activities. But at its heart, the book is also about forging friendships, growing up, and chasing one’s dreams. Behind the rollicking adventure is also a softer, more introspective side to the story that will surely resonate with a lot of readers.
Final verdict? I would definitely recommend this. It’s actually my first book by Elizabeth Bear, but regardless of whether you’re a long-time fan of the author or relatively new to her work like me, you really can’t go wrong with this one. Check it out.
A review copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes contained above are from the advance copy and are subject to change. My thanks to Tor Books!
Posted on February 2, 2015 Leave a Comment
This is something we have never told mortals. Paper and ink are weak structures on which to build the framework of magic. Breath and sound aren’t much better, yet we godlings willingly confine ourselves to those methods because the mortal realm is such a fragile place. And because mortals are such dangerously fast learners.
But flesh makes for an excellent conduit.
The Kingdom of Gods by N.K. Jemisin
Giveaway: Echo 8 by Sharon Lynn Fisher
Posted on February 2, 2015 4 Comments
*** The giveaway is now over, thanks to everyone who entered! ***
Craving some romance with your sci-fi? Then you definitely should check out Echo 8. Romance Writers of America RITA Award-nominated author Sharon Lynn Fisher burns up the pages with a fast-paced love story that is sure to appeal to readers who enjoy a very healthy dose of passion in their genre fiction. Interested in finding out more? In case you missed it, be sure to check our full review! And here’s the novel’s synopsis:
Three lives. Two worlds. One chance to save them all.
As a parapsychologist working for Seattle Psi, Tess has devoted her life to studying psychic phenomena. But when doppelgangers begin appearing from a parallel world that’s been struck by an asteroid, nothing in her training will help her survive what’s to come.
After dislocating to Seattle Psi from the other Earth, Jake is confined by a special task force for study. But when he drains life energy from Tess, almost killing her, it causes a ripple effect across two worlds — and creates a bond neither of them expected.
Ross is an FBI agent ordered to protect Tess while she studies Jake. His assignment is not random — he and Tess have a history, and a connection the Bureau hopes to use to its own advantage. By the time Ross realizes his mission could be compromised, it’s already too late — he’ll have to choose between his love for Tess and his duty to protect the people of his own Earth.
* * *
ECHO 8 GIVEAWAY
Tor Books has very generously offered The BiblioSanctum an opportunity to host a giveaway for three print copies of Echo This giveaway is open to residents of US/Canada. To enter, all you have to do is send an email to bibliosanctum@gmail.com with your Name and valid Mailing Address using the subject line “ECHO 8” by 11:59pm Eastern time on Wednesday, February 11, 2015.
Only one entry per household, please. Three winners will be randomly selected when the giveaway ends and then be notified by email. All information will only be used for the purposes of contacting the winners and sending them their prize. Once the giveaway ends all entry emails will be deleted.
So what are you waiting for? Enter to win! Good luck!
Sunday Musings: The Return of the Checkerboard Challenge
Posted on February 1, 2015 6 Comments
I didn’t complete last year’s checkerboard, but it looked so damn cool that I’m going to try again with World Without End’s 2015 Roll-Your-Own Reading Challenge.
This year, along with my co-blogger Mogsy, and Lisa at Tenacious Reader, we’ll be working on that backlog of books bibliophiles all seem to amass. Reading challenges are always useful for maintaining focus, especially when one of them is all about clearing that bookshelf. I’ll also be working on:
- 2015 Women of Genre Fiction Reading Challenge
- The Pick and Mix Challenge in 2015
- 2015 I Just HAVE to Read More of That Author Challenge
- Read the Sequel 2015
In my overzealous clicking, I’ve also joined the Somewhere Out There science fiction challenge, and the Fantasy series Mini-challenge, for which I hope to continue with Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea saga.
Well, now that I’ve got my 2015 reading plans all settled, I better stop dawdling around on the internet and get to it!
Mogsy’s Bookshelf Roundup: New Arrivals, Backlist, What I’ve Read
Posted on January 31, 2015 41 Comments
Starting things off with a non-bookish announcement, but it’s certainly the most exciting and significant new arrival I’d like to talk about this week:
Yes, the biggest news is that we welcomed baby #2 to our family last week. Say hello to Adalyn, my little future girl gamer and bookworm! Needless to say, things have been a bit hectic around here as I adjust to life with an infant again, while also now juggling a toddler at the same time. For the last month and a half I’ve been scheduling posts ahead of time like a mad woman though, so you’ll probably still see plenty of my reviews here at the BiblioSanctum.
Still, my social presence around the interwebz is likely going to take a dip, but I’m definitely going to be around! In fact, I’m counting on having all your awesome blogs and reviews to read during those late night 3am feedings.
Received for Review:
When the Heavens Fall by Marc Turner – Physical ARC, with thanks to Tor. This was a surprise arrival, though when I looked it up on Goodreads I had actually marked it last year as a book to watch. Described as “the first of an epic swords & sorcery fantasy series”, I’m definitely on board.
Defiant by Karina Sumner-Smith – Physical ARC, with thanks to Talos Press. The sequel to Radiant, which I really enjoyed, I didn’t even know ARCs were out already for this so I was psyched when it showed up early last week!
Cherry Bomb by Kathleen Tierney/Caitlín R. Kiernan – Review copy, with thanks to Roc. One of the few books I actually requested this month, because there’s just no way I could pass up reading the next installment of the Siobhan Quinn series.
The Thorn of Dentonhill by Marshall Ryan Maresca – Review copy, with thanks to DAW. Requested as well because the book has been on my radar for a while now, and I’m really looking forward to it because seems like it’s been getting some great reviews.
Rook Song by Naomi Foyle – Review copy, with thanks to Jo Fletcher Books. The sequel to Astra, I’m really curious about what this book will have in store for the characters.
Evensong by John Love – Review copy, with thanks to Night Shade Books. This and the next book were surprise arrivals, but even though I hadn’t heard of either book before now, the description of Evensong makes it sound pretty amazing. I’ll definitely be making an effort to fit this one into my reading schedule.
King of the Cracksmen by Dennis O’Flaherty – Review copy, with thanks to Night Shade Books. Again, hadn’t heard of this one before it arrived, but it looks like it could be a lot of fun. Anyone know more information about it?
Purchased:
I told myself I wasn’t going to buy any more books until I’ve read the huge pile I already have — or you know, at least after I’ve made a good dent in my backlist. Looks like I’m already failing spectacularly. To be fair to myself, most of these are ebooks picked up at superb prices as Kindle Daily Deals, and they’re all sequels I need to read. Digital books are dangerous though; when you don’t actually get to see a physical pile, it feels like you didn’t buy much at all.
The Void by J.D. Horn – Ebook. It’s the third installment of the Witching Savannah series, but I’ve read the first book (which was quite enjoyable) already and own book two which I’m hoping to get to soon.
Authority by Jeff Vandermeer – Ebook. Loved the first book Annihilation and I just had to grab book two when I saw the sale on the series last week.
The Merchant of Dreams by Anne Lyle – Ebook. I’m hoping to read the first book The Alchemist of Souls this year towards Worlds Without End’s Women of Genre Fiction challenge, so I definitely wanted to have the second book on hand!
Burned by Karen Marie Moning – Audiobook. Grabbed Burned with an Audible credit. Feels like I’ve been waiting forever for this. Paranormal Romance isn’t my usual genre, but I really enjoyed the Fever series and from there I just continued reading.
Back to the Backlist:
Maplecroft by Cherie Priest – Library Audiobook. This one actually hasn’t been on my to-read list for that long (since November 24, 2014, according to Goodreads) but since it was a release last year that I was interested in picking up but never got around to it, it certainly counts as backlist.
War Crimes by Christie Golden – Library Audiobook. On my to-read list since May 1, 2014. My MMORPG of choice at the moment is World of Warcraft, but of course with the new baby I haven’t had a chance to log in for more than a week. If I’m not playing the game, I might as well be reading about it!
What I’ve Read Since the Last Update:
Keep an eye out for my reviews of these books in the coming weeks!
Backlist Burndown: Sevenwaters 1 & 2 by Juliet Marillier
Posted on January 30, 2015 31 Comments
As a book blogger, sometimes I get so busy reading review titles and new releases that I end up missing out on a lot previously published books, so one of my goals for this year is to take more time to catch up with the 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!
And since this is the inaugural Backlist Burndown post, I figured I’d do something a little special for it. You all get a treat — a twofer!
Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of Sevenwaters
Publisher: Tor (May 5, 2000)
Author Information: Website
Mogsy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars
In the second half of 2014, I read Juliet Marillier for the first time. The book was Dreamer’s Pool and as soon as I closed the cover on the last page, I asked myself the question most readers ask themselves right after they finish an amazing read: Why have I waited so long to read this author? And inevitably, the next thought is: I must read more!
I know I say that a lot and I don’t always follow through, at least not right away. But something about Marillier’s writing struck me in a way that I knew I didn’t want to wait. So I decided to jump into her Sevenwaters trilogy, and not least because the first book Daughter of the Forest has been sitting in my to-read list for years – for shame! – and it’s time to remedy that.
The book introduces us to Sorcha, who should have been the seventh son of a seventh son, but she is loved no less for being a girl, the only daughter of Lord Colum in the kingdom of Sevenwaters. She grew up with her six doting older brothers, and the siblings could not have been closer despite their different personalities and walks of life. However, peace at Sevenwaters is shattered when their widower father is seduced into marriage by an evil enchantress. To stop the siblings from meddling, the witch curses them all, turning Sorcha’s brothers into swans. It’s up to Sorcha to lift the spell, but she has to undertake a long and difficult quest thrust upon her by the Fae to do so, all the while remaining silent until she completes it.
To those familiar with their fairy tales, this is of course a retelling of The Six Swans, one of the stories collected by the Brothers Grimm. It’s a pretty close adaptation, actually, though Marillier fleshes it out a lot more and sets her version in the medieval Celtic era. She does not stray too far from the source material, which ended up being perfect for someone like myself, who adores fairy tales but at times wishes someone to come along and give them the deeper, more detailed treatment. I was delighted to find the same sort of subtle vibe here that I experienced in Dreamer’s Pool, a heady mixture of magic and realism in a world where myths can come to life and yet remain grounded at the same time.
This is simply a gorgeous book, filled with pain and sadness but also hope, healing and love. There is a heavy element of romance in here, but it is so well embedded in the overall story that it hardly distracts, despite being so intensely passionate. It’s been a while since I found myself so moved by a relationship between two people. Daughter of the Forest, a fantasy novel at its heart, does a love story even better than some Romance novels out there, without even seeming to try.
There aren’t too many faults I can pick out here, other than some minor issues I had with the overprotectiveness of Sorcha’s brothers, especially towards the end. I think by then she has earned the right to speak for herself and tell her family what it is she wants, but she too remained meek and silent until things ended up resolving for her. But a gripe like this feels so minor when the rest of the novel was near-perfect, as well as in light of how much I loved the book overall.
Two books by Juliet Marillier under my belt, and now she is one of my favorite authors. This is a must read for her fans, new and old. I really can’t recommend this one highly enough, especially if you love fairy tales, mythology and legends.
Son of the Shadows by Juliet Marillier
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 2 of Sevenwaters
Publisher: Tor (May 18, 2001)
Author Information: Website
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Son of the Shadows may be the second book of the Sevenwaters series, but it is not a direct sequel. Instead, the story follows the youngest daughter of Sorcha, the brave young woman in Daughter of the Forest who was set upon a quest to save her six older brothers from a terrible curse – and succeeded. Liadan proves to be just as resourceful as her mother when she is abducted by outlaws on the road, managing to maneuver her way out of the dilemma by offering her healing services to an injured member of the group. This is also how she meets the Painted Man, the leader of the band known to be a cold and heartless killer.
Despite it not being a direct sequel, it is still perhaps necessary to read Daughter of the Forest first before tackling Son of the Shadows. Threads from the first book’s story carry over to this one, and if you aren’t familiar with them it is easy to become confused or lost. In fact, as someone who jumped into this book right after reading the first one, I still feel like I’m missing something. The meddling Fae are back, reminding us that there is still a prophecy to be fulfilled and a darkness to vanquish. Sorcha may have set Sevenwaters on the right path, but it is up to Liadan to take up the mantle now and continue what her mother started. However, nothing really develops in the grander scheme of things; we don’t get to see the great evil rear its ugly head even once in this novel, and I’m not sure if the Fair Folk’s prophecy progresses that much at all.
For all that, Son of the Shadows was an enjoyable read, almost as much as Daughter of the Forest. It does lack a bit of the cohesion I found in the first book, which had a clear direction given how it was a very faithful retelling of a well-known fairy tale. Marillier plays around more with her characters and plot with this one, having freer reign to do as she pleases with the story. For one thing, the romance here is much heavier and more in the forefront. Liadan and the Painted Man fall swiftly for each other, whereas Sorcha’s relationship in the previous book was a much slower burn. The love story elements are more overt and in your face this time around and doesn’t come across as naturally, but it’s still very deep and full of passion.
Still, it’s an excellent follow up and a worthy addition to the saga of Sevenwaters, which looks to have more in store. It’s clear now that there’s a lot more to the narrative, and the effects aren’t going to be limited to just a few characters. Instead, multiple generations in the same bloodline will be touched forever. Son of the Shadows is different from the first book, but in a good way. And it doesn’t stray too far from the overall themes that I’ve come to appreciate about this series, mainly the fairy tale and mythological undertones to the setting and story. And of course, Marillier’s writing is beautiful as always.
This book is put together slightly less elegantly and doesn’t tread as lightly as its predecessor, but I still loved it.
Book Review: Echo 8 by Sharon Lynn Fisher
Posted on January 29, 2015 14 Comments
Genre: Romance, Science Fiction
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Tor (February 3, 2015)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Echo 8 is the first novel I’ve read by Sharon Lynn Fisher, but I’d known from before that her work is usually characterized by mixture of Science Fiction and Romance elements. That sounded just fabulous to me, and well, ultimately I believe one’s overall enjoyment of this book will entirely depend on how much you prefer in your balance of each genre!
With themes like alternate worlds and parapsychology at its core, Echo 8 follows a brilliant young researcher named Tess Caufield in a near-future where doppelgangers have begun appearing mysteriously and randomly from a parallel universe. As far as Tess and her team could tell, these shadowy “Echoes” are from an alternate earth that has been struck by an asteroid, but how these hapless individuals ended up being here, and how to keep them alive on this world after they have teleported are questions scientists are still trying desperately to work out.
However, Echoes also have the unfortunate tendency to drain the life energy from people they come in physical contact with. This consequently led to the assignment of FBI special agent Ross McGinnis to Tess’s security detail, much to her chagrin. This arrangement is further strained when Jake, the latest Echo to dislocate to Seattle Psi from the other earth touches Tess and almost kills her, setting off a chain reaction that will have profound significance for all three lives.
Remember what I said earlier about how you like your balance of sci-fi and romance? After finishing Echo 8, I’ve determined that this book is without question heavier on the latter. The scientific theory and technology involved in here is sufficiently explained but clearly written in a way so that the reader can enjoy the story without having to look beyond the surface details. Those used to harder sci-fi with a stronger emphasis and comprehensive look at the technical aspects won’t really find it here. On the other hand, if you’re fancying yourself a good romance, then you definitely won’t be disappointed.
No question about it, Fisher has a real talent for writing hot, sweaty, passionate lurrrrrve. Perhaps a bit too fast and intense for me, if I’m to tell the truth. Heck, I’m all for scorching love scenes, and I’m not exactly a fan of crawling slow burn romances either, but I’d prefer to see a relationship proceed at more of a simmer. In Echo 8 we’re thrust into a complicated love triangle almost right away, and the first time two characters get together it happened very quickly, too quickly for me to be truly convinced of their feelings for each other.
In general, the weight of the romance also came at the expense of story and character development. Often I could tell that the plot yearned to be something bigger, something more, but all told it ended up being rather straightforward and predictable. There’s not much depth to Tess beyond her obsession to help Echoes and her complete lack of concern over whether or not she gets killed trying to do it. This drives Ross crazy of course, but his soft spot for Tess means it never takes much to talk him into letting her do anything she wants. We go through this cycle repeatedly with these two characters, while Jake pines for Tess and struggles with his feelings for someone he knows he can never have…or can he? Like the science fiction aspects, we’re given just enough information about the three main characters to appreciate the twisty relationship dynamics behind their…unique situation. The level of romantic drama here is extremely satisfying, but once again, some readers might find themselves wishing for more out of the plot and characters.
In sum, Echo 8 has a very interesting and ambitious premise, even if it doesn’t quite reach its full potential. It is first and foremost a Romance, and in this area the book indubitably excels, practically burning up the pages with its fast-paced love story and red-hot desires flying all over the place. It’s perhaps too strong on the romantic side of things for my tastes, but I suspect those readers who are more inclined towards that will enjoy this novel very much. Everything about it is designed to appeal to genre fiction readers who enjoy a very healthy dose of romance, and without a doubt it is successful in this endeavor. And I have to say, even with the issues I mentioned above, I liked this book and found it to be a fun read.
A review copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Tor Books!
The BiblioSanctum 