Book Review: Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
Posted on April 3, 2014 3 Comments
Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy, Magic
Series: Mistborn #1
Publisher: Tor
Publication Date: July 2007
Wendy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Anyone familiar with Brandon Sanderson’s prolific writing knows that he puts a lot of time and energy in to his world building. It’s truly amazing how detailed his worlds are and how he can possibly keep it all straight with all the books that he writes. He also has a penchant for magic and each of his realms has its own unique form of magic. In this case, it is Allomancy, the ability, unique to only a precious few, to use certain metals to produce certain effects.
Most Allomancers are only able to burn one of the eleven metals, but Kelsier, the survivor of the deadly mining caves of Hathsin, and Vin, the young thief, are Mistborn, able to utilize all of the metals to deadly effect. As members of the downtrodden race, the Skaa, they will use their abilities, Kelsier’s persuasive skills, and his reputation as the only survivor of Hathsin, they set about with an elaborate plan to free the Skaa from the god-like Lord Ruler.
Sanderson spends a lot of time on his world building and on detailing his magic. I’m usually able to forgive the tell don’t show – and am mostly able to do so here, but the over indulgence on these details is usually balanced out by interesting characters and a more intriguing plot – both of which are missing here. Kelsier and Vin simply failed to endear themselves to me. I felt nothing for their inner monologues and their pain and loss of loved ones, or for their ultimate goal.
I was somewhat interested in the logbook entries that precede each chapter, detailing the Lord Ruler’s journey to save the planet. That was an interesting character with depth and a story that intrigued me, though we only got to see him in sparse moments, and only through the point of view of Vin and Kelsier.
Still, I do own the other two books in the series, and am curious to see what happens next, despite most of the story being surprisingly tide up at the end Mistborn.
Wendy’s Book Haul
Posted on April 2, 2014 Leave a Comment
Remember that time I resolved not to buy any more books this year because I really needed to work on the to-read pile? I probably shouldn’t have visited www.bookoutlet.ca to test my will of steel. Somewhere around the 57th page of fantasy books I realized that all hope was lost. But hey, I’m going to say that four months isn’t bad for a resolution….
Kinslayer is the second in Jay Kristoff’s unique steampunk adventure with a distinctly Asian feel. I already own the first book in the Lotus War series, Stormdancer, which is also a Book Outlet purchase. Both books now reside in the “I swear I’m gonna read you this year” pile at the side of the bed and both are in beautiful hardcover. It is impossible to pass up deals on recommended books, especially when they come in hardcovers that will look so fantastic on my bookshelf.
As part of one of my many Worlds Without End reading challenges, I wanted to read another Charles Stross book. I’ll just assume that Book Outlet was reviewing my list when it recommended Rule 34 to me.
A book haul just isn’t right without me blaming Mogsy for something. In this case, it’s A Natural History of Dragons, for which she has given a glowing, 4.5 star review. Another beautiful hardcover for my shelves.
Starship Troopers is one of my favourite movies and I’ve been meaning to read the book for a while, as well as read something from one of the many classic sci-fi authors. I have a digital copy, but, as you may have already guessed, I’m a sucker for things that look pretty on my bookshelf.
Finally, the Forge of God is a book I read in grade ten and became the centre of many an essay then, and continues to resonate with me now.
Book Review: Hollow World by Michael J. Sullivan
Posted on April 2, 2014 Leave a Comment
Waiting on Wednesday 04/02/14
Posted on April 2, 2014 Leave a Comment
“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!
But the dream is all too real; the people of Earth need him. As Zack soon discovers, the videogame he’s been playing obsessively for years isn’t just a game; it’s part of a massive, top-secret government training program, designed to teach gamers the skills they’ll need to defend Earth from a possible alien invasion. And now…that invasion is coming.
As he and his companions prepare to enter their ships and do battle, Zack learns that the father he thought was dead is actually a key player in this secret war. And together with his father, he’ll uncover the truth about the alien threat, race to prevent a genocide, and discover a mysterious third player in the interplanetary chess game he’s been thrown into.”
April Book Club Read: Rat Queens vol.1 Sass and Sorcery
Posted on April 1, 2014 Leave a Comment
I have been remiss in recommending books for my little book club to vote on for this month, so I will just abuse my leadership privileges and arbitrarily select a title at random. Hmmm… how about… Rat Queens! #notsorry
Rat Queens, Vol. 1: Sass & Sorcery by Kurtis J. Wiebe and Roc Upchurch
Who are the Rat Queens?
A pack of booze-guzzling, death-dealing battle maidens-for-hire, and they’re in the business of killing all god’s creatures for profit.
It’s also a darkly comedic sass-and-sorcery series starring Hannah the Rockabilly Elven Mage, Violet the Hipster Dwarven Fighter, Dee the Atheist Human Cleric and Betty the Hippy Smidgen Thief. This modern spin on an old school genre is a violent monster-killing epic that is like Buffy meets Tank Girl in a Lord of the Rings world on crack!
Collecting Rat Queens #1-5!
Graphic Novel Review: Catwoman vol.2: No Easy Way Down by Ed Brubaker
Posted on April 1, 2014 2 Comments
Catwoman Vol. 2: No Easy Way Down by Ed Brubaker
Publisher: DC Comics
Publication Date: June 2013
Wendy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
As much as I enjoyed the New 52 Catwoman, despite the controversy surrounding her angry sex with Batman, I was intrigued by the overwhelming feeling I got from fans of her previous incarnations that felt this new version of Selina Kyle was not the “lady” they had known and loved. Consequently, I’ve been slowly working my way through some of the older Catwoman stories, and as a result, have come to understand the loss of this lady.
This particular book was recommended to me recently and I grabbed it on one of my monthly trips to the not-so-local comic store. It was described to me as the definitive Catwoman, and with this quote alone, I can see why:
“She’s a creature of instinct and planning, of rigid desire and unpredictable contingencies, shifting between them the way the rest of us breathe.”
It is a character based noir story that gives us a lot of details about Selina’s past. Her origins have changed over the years, depending on the era and who is writing her, but the consensus seems to involve a tough life on the streets, fighting to survive by whatever means necessary. No Easy Way Down takes Catwoman back to Alleytown, the home of Gotham’s underprivileged and forgotten. But Brubaker makes it clear that Selina does not forget her roots or her friends as she performs some Robin Hood-esque feats to take care of them. Even Bruce recognizes the good she does and turns a blind eye to the source of some of her funding.
But in the process of trying to do good, her enemies attack her where she is most vulnerable: her friends and family – and it breaks her. She goes on a self-destructive spiral that, I believe, the New 52 Catwoman books tries to emulate, though the new Selina lacks the level of class and sense of responsibility that the original Catwoman has. Brubaker’s Catwoman falls and Batman intervenes, but he knows that she doesn’t need him to pick her up. Catwoman is and always has been a strong, fiercely independent woman and, when she’s laid low, the only person who can bring her back is herself.
This is truly Catwoman at her finest, which is to say, at her most flawed and therefore her most perfect. She was created to be Batman’s foil as much as a love interest. A villain, yes, but one who toes the line as much as Batman does. Eventually, she earns her title of “anti-hero” and teeters on the edge of Batman’s trust, though she will always have his love. And mine.
Book Review: Stolen Songbird by Danielle L. Jensen
Posted on March 31, 2014 2 Comments
Stolen Songbird by Danielle L. Jensen
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of The Malediction Trilogy
Publisher: Strange Chemistry (April 1, 2014)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Stolen Songbird was my top anticipated young adult novel coming out from Strange Chemistry this year, and I have to say all the lusting and the pining has been worth it. Author Danielle L. Jensen opens up a whole new world for readers who love magic, romance, and enchanted lands.
Buried deep within the Forsaken Mountain lies Trollus, a city forgotten by time. It is said that monstrous trolls live there, bound by a witch’s curse. However, on the night before Cécile de Troyes is about to embark on her journey to become a famous singer, she is kidnapped and taken to Trollus, where she discovers there is far more to what she thinks she knows about the trolls and their city. For one thing, they’re not all hideous monsters. The troll prince she is supposed to marry is actually pretty good looking! But one thing the legends got right is that trolls are talented magic users — the more pure their blood is, the stronger their ability. Even all the magic in Trollus cannot break the curse and set the trolls free, however. Cécile and Prince Tristan’s union was supposed to be the key, but the plan ends up failing, leaving Cécile a prisoner in Trollus, biding her time and waiting for the perfect moment to escape.
But over the weeks, Cécile inevitably falls for Tristan. How I just loved the way their relationship developed! Instead of the usual formula of treating each other horribly but then falling head over heels in love anyway (a trope which is a big pet peeve of mine), Cécile finds out that the prince really isn’t such a bad troll after all. In fact, he’s secretly championing the rights of the half-bloods, who are part troll and part human, treated as nothing more than slaves and property by the arrogant pure-bloods. So while Cécile and Tristan may at each other’s throats in public, it’s actually all a part of a brilliant plan they’ve hatched up to throw off suspicion. What a delightful little twist to the usual YA romance.
The story also has just enough of that “Forbidden Love” vibe to it so that I just can’t help myself. I like romances a lot more when they are hindered by outside forces rather than internal ones like misunderstandings between the lovers (Tristan and Cécile aren’t completely innocent of this, but at least it was kept to a minimum) and the relationships usually emerge stronger and more compelling to me. Of course, the author also leaves their relationship mercilessly hanging in the first book, making you wonder what will become of the hero and heroine, but this meant she succeeded in building a lot of interest in these two characters.
There are also plenty of little surprises all over this book. One thing that is sort of a “twist”, but not really — and I’m sorry if I’m being vague but I think it would be best if it comes as a surprise to others the same way it did for me — is the nature of the trolls.
It did occur to me as I was making my way through the story to wonder the creatures are called trolls in the first place. They are smart, quick, have super strength and magic powers, but apart from a few exceptions in the royal family, they appear mostly human. And that’s when the author began to drop certain clues and I had one of those “AHA!” moments where I realized where she’s going with all this. Well played, Ms. Jensen, well played! Like I said, I don’t think it’s meant to be some big twist because once you start catching the hints it becomes pretty obvious what she has in mind, but in that moment of clarity I started to get really excited about the future of this series.
In fact, Stolen Songbird is an excellent start all around, the first of a trilogy that builds a good framework and promises even bigger things to come. I would like to know what happens to Tristan and Cécile, but I’m especially pumped for more about the troll origins story. It goes without saying, I’m all in for book two!
Graphic Novel Reviews: Joker and Lex Luthor: Man of Steel by Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo
Posted on March 30, 2014 2 Comments
Joker by Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo
One of my major reasons for wanting to read Brian Azzarello’s Joker is that I’m a fan of Harley Quinn. A friend described the portrayal of the usually bouncy and obnoxious character and I was immediately intrigued. She doesn’t appear often, and when she does, she is utterly silent and not at all bouncy, but every appearance is powerful and solidifies her place at Joker’s side. Not as his crazy, obsessed girlfriend who tolerates his abuse because she is crazy and obsessed, but as his partner. Where she was once the needy one in an cruel relationship, this depiction makes her Joker’s equal, with one moment implying just how much he needs her in his life.
I love this book for Harley alone, but, as per the title, this is about the Joker first and foremost. It begins with Azzarello confirming Arkham Asylum’s questionable revolving door policy by releasing Joker with absolutely no explanation. Joker’s first priority as he gets into the car with Jonny Frost is to take back control of his assets from all those who had divvied up his turf and funds during his incarceration. Jonny has a few problems of his own, but catering to the Joker’s whims, unsurprisingly, takes priority. The result is a brutal, mayhem-filled romp through Gotham as the Joker hunts down his prey.
But the beauty of this book is that Azzarello does not give us a giggling, insane Joker. “I’m not crazy anymore, just mad,” he explains to Jonny, who spends the book trying to understand the man. I am not a fan of writers who simply excuse antagonists as “evil” and “crazy.” Given the amount of research in and awareness of mental health problems these days, I consider it lazy writing. Even if something is not working quite right in their heads, villains are still people and I love stories that give us their humanity, even if what we see is still deplorable. Azzarello’s Joker even goes so far as to meticulously pick apart the mental states of his adversaries, including wonderful scenes of his dealings with Harvey Dent. Plural.
Right down to the scarred face, this is definitely Heath Ledger’s Joker, though where the movie failed to firmly connect the Joker with Batman, Azzarello makes it clear in just a few panels why the one cannot exist without the other and why the sick, twisted city of Gotham needs them both.
Lex Luthor: Man of Steel by Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo
Upon finishing Joker, I learned that Azzarello and Bermejo had teamed up again on Lex Luthor: Man of Steel, another captivating character in the DC universe that is often poorly represented as simply a mad genius.
Where Joker is violent and unpredictable, Lex Luthor: Man of Steel reflects its main character’s cold, calculating subtlety. It lays out Luthor’s purpose right from the start, painting the undeniable picture of Superman as an alien. A monster with no understanding of humanity. Luthor despises the hero that Metropolis worships, but he is the only one who seems aware of how easily such a being could snap. In other words, that Man of Steel movie with the questionably violent Superman wreaking havoc and murdering bad guys in cold blood? That’s the Superman Luthor fears and wants to protect his city from. But Luthor is also intent on showing the world what Superman’s existence takes away from humanity. If Superman is there to do everything for us, what need is there for self-improvement?
These aspects of Superman are touched on in my other favourite Superman story, Superman: Red Son. The latter focuses on Superman himself, while Luthor is on the other side of the world thinking up bigger and better ways to defy Superman’s reign of perfection. The only problem I have with Red Son’s Luthor is that he is too cold and inhuman. Azzarello ensures that you never forget Luthor’s humanity as he works toward his ideal, which takes the form of a manufactured superhero Luthor aptly names, “Hope.” Luthor’s story culminates in his ultimate success and his ultimate failure in the most perfectly atypical way.
When I initially glanced at the issues of this series, I joked about Batman’s involvement since Bruce Wayne seems incapable of staying out of other people’s books. Yet it was when Luthor meets with Bruce Wayne to negotiate a business arrangement that this book went from five stars to simply delicious for me. Because if there is anyone who would appreciate Luthor’s hatred of Superman, it’s Bruce Wayne. The interactions between them are so intricate and delectable as they speak to each other in an intimate dance of words that reveals just how brilliant these two men are.
YA Weekend: Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
Posted on March 29, 2014 Leave a Comment
Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Series: Book 2 of The Grisha
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co. (June 4, 2013)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
You might have noticed that I featured the third book of The Grisha earlier in the month in one of my Waiting on Wednesdays. It goes without saying, I continue to enjoy this series very much! Still, it’s only natural for readers to compare sequels with their predecessors, and the truth is I did not think Siege and Storm was as strong as Shadow and Bone.
Guest Post: More Than Your Average Zombies by Kenny Soward
Posted on March 28, 2014 Leave a Comment
What do you feel when you hear the term “Zombie Western”? Excited and intrigued, if you’re anything like me! Earlier this month I reviewed Those Poor, Poor Bastards from Ragnarok Publications, and as you can see I loved it. Today, co-author Kenny Soward joins us to talk about creating the world and characters of the Dead West series, where the west is wild and the zombies even wilder.
When Joe Martin and Tim Marquitz asked me to join them in writing a Wild West zombie series, I jumped at the chance. Not only could I write the type of gritty characters like those in Walking Dead and Deadwood, but I’d finally be able to draft them uniquely.
Characters aside, we realized we were about to write another zombie book…like the millions of other ones out there. So, what could we do to make our baby different from the rest? That’s when our collective pea brains began churning out the possibilities. Pulling from our love of old shows like Kung Fu, we began formulating a powerful antagonist, Liao Xu, a Daoist monk bent on twisting his religion – normally a peaceful, wise faith – into a malicious force to transform the good old U S of A into a living hell.
Daoism is a mystical and philosophical religion, and Liao Xu warps it to fit his malevolent goals…and he’s had hundreds of years to significantly develop his pure hatred of the living world. He wants to bring it all down, cleanse the landscape of the living and pave the way for his own foul minions to inherit the earth.
With Joe’s research, Tim was able to put together a riveting outline, and I was given free rein to bust out the first draft of this unique world we were creating. The idea of combining mysticism and zombies took root in our brains, and knowing Liao Xu had a very controlling personality, we presented our ‘deaduns’ as an extension of Liao Xu’s spirit; his hands and eyes as his evil consumes and poisons the land.
But it only made sense that Liao Xu would have much more up his sleeve than hordes of rambling, dead flesh to command. From there began a natural progression into more bizarre monstrosities, creatures crawling out of nightmares, beautiful things twisted to Liao Xu’s will. Yes, deaduns are certainly Liao Xu’s fodder, but he saves his best for last.
Darkness breeds its own sort of mad creativity.
And in between all those monsters are the human ones, the ones that threaten with a look, bear grudges, and sometimes knock you down just because they feel like it. The kind of people you never want to go to sleep around…and if you must, always make sure to keep one eye open.
In “Dead West”, everything is out to get you, even the cold, harsh environment of the Sierra Nevada Mountains; it can freeze you clean in just a few hours, starve you, or bare you to the wolves.
There’s plenty of ways to die out there, zombies aside.
Joe, Tim, and I have been greatly pleased with the reviews for “Dead West” so far, and we hope that you’ll join us as we tear shit up in the American Weird West.
The first two books in the “Dead West” series by J.M. Martin, Tim Marquitz, and Kenny Soward are available now at Amazon.com. Kenny Soward is a writer of epic fantasy and horror, and is an avid YouTube vlogger.
The BiblioSanctum 