KindleKaper's Lucky 13 Challenge

Usually I plan a 75-book-challenge and category challenge such as this each year. However, since I have started reading longer books than I used to read and I want to concentrate more on these categories, in 2013 I am sticking to my Lucky 13 as well as my ongoing 50-States Challenge. While I think it would be really cool to read 13 books in each category, I really want to see what I can accomplish in each area this year.

Fantasy & Science Fiction and Historical Fiction dominate this challenge because, as Scott Thompson says, “I’m a total nerd. I love fantasy” and according to Louis L’Amour, “Historical novels are, without question, the best way of teaching history, for they offer the human stories behind the events and leave the reader with a desire to know more.” I am basing the definitions for my fantasy/science fiction topics off of the website BestFantasyBooks.com .

1. Epic Fantasy (http://bestfantasybooks.com/best-epic-fantasy.html)
2. Alternate History/Alternate Reality/Historical Fantasy (http://bestfantasybooks.com/alternate-history.html)
3. Urban Fantasy (http://bestfantasybooks.com/best-urban-fantasy-books.html)
4. Steampunk Fantasy (http://bestfantasybooks.com/best-steampunk-fantasy-books.html)
5. Science Fiction/Science Fantasy (http://bestfantasybooks.com/science-fantasy.html)
6. Anti-Hero Fantasy (http://bestfantasybooks.com/best-anti-hero-fantasy-books.html)
7. Horror/Dark Fantasy (http://bestfantasybooks.com/dark-fantasy.html) – This can also include Apocalyptic/Post-Apocalyptic Fiction
8. Space, the Final Frontier/Space Opera
9. Historical Fiction – Epic Sagas/General Historical Fiction
10. Historical Fiction – Exotic Lands
11. Non-Fiction/Biography/Memoirs
12. KindleKaper’s 50-State Challenge (http://www.librarything.com/topic/109354) – This category is here to help me fill in my map. These books can include fiction and non-fiction.
13. Mimi’s Guilty Pleasures – Basically, everything else…

Check out my other challenges:

KindleKaper's 2011 Book List - Mission Accomplished!
11-in-11 Category Challenge - Finished!
Kindle Kaper's 50-State Book Challenge - Still Active
KindleKaper's 2012 75-Book Challenge - Terminado!
KindleKaper's 12-in-12 Reading Challenge - Finis!

you are going to be a problem for me, I can tell already. sigh.

you are going to be a problem for me, I can tell already. sigh.

*giggles* Some threads can be soooooo dangerous. *offers Jean a flak jacket*
Looking forward to seeing the book bullets you offer up, Mimi!

Is there a law against threads like this? Maybe there should be! I will be another one following you.

Yep, no doubt the bullets will be flying thick and fast from this thread. *Looks around for a foxhole*

1- Epic Fantasy/Classic Fantasy

* Assassin's Apprentice (Book One of the Farseer Trilogy) by Robin Hobb (Review in Message #53)
* Royal Assassin (Book Two of the Farseer Trilogy) by Robin Hobb (Review in Message #55)
* Assassin's Quest (Book Three of the Farseer Trilogy) by Robin Hobb (Review in Message #60)
* The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle (Review in Message #115)
*

2- Alternate History/Alternate Reality/Historical Fantasy

* The Armageddon Rag by George R.R. Martin (Review in Message #47)
* The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker (Review in Message #91)
*
*
*

3- Urban Fantasy

* Steelheart (Reckoners #1) by Brandon Sanderson (Review in Message #133)
* Manhattan Transfer by John E. Stith (Review in Message #134)
*
*
*

4- Steampunk

* Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff (Review in Message #111)
*
*
*
*

5- Science Fiction/Science Fantasy

* Doctor Who: Devil in the Smoke by Justin Richards (Review in Message #56)
* The Bear that Fell From the Stars by Keith C. Blackmore ( Review in Message #59)
* The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman (Review in Message #93)
* Khe by Alexes Razevich (Review in Message #118)
* Nothing O'Clock (Doctor Who 50th Anniversary E-Shorts #11) by Neil Gaiman (Review in Message #135)

6- Anti-Hero Fantasy

* The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie (Review in Message #95)
* Before they are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie (Review in Message #96)
* Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie (Review in Message #100)
* The Republic of Thieves by Scott Lynch (Review in Message #127)
*

7- Horror/Dark Fantasy

* Salem's Lot by Stephen King (Review in Message #29)
* The Shining by Stephen King (Review in Message #76)
*
*
*

8 - Space, the Final Frontier/Space Opera

* Old Man's War by John Scalzi (Review in Message #70)
* The Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi (Review in Message #78)
* The Last Colony by John Scalzi (Review in Message #85)
*
*

9 - Historical Fiction – Epic Sagas

* Winter of the World by Ken Follett (Review in Message #20)
* Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett (Review in Message #52)
* The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani (Review in Message #61)
*
*

10 - Historical Fiction – Exotic Lands

* The Sandcastle Girls by Chris Bohjalian (Review in Message #86)
*
*
*
*

11 - Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic Literature

* Wool Omnibus by Hugh Howey (Review in Message #63)
* Second Shift - Order, Part 7 of the Silo Series by Hugh Howey (Review in Message #67)
* Third Shift - Pact (Part 8 of the Silo Series) (Volume 8) by Hugh Howey (Review in Message #68)
* Inferno by Dan Brown (Review in Message #87)
* Dust by Hugh Howey (Review in Message #107)
* World War Z: AN Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks (Review in Message #108)

12 - KindleKaper's 50 State Challenge

* First to Find by Morgan C. Talbot - Oregon (Review in Message #48)
* First Shift - Legacy (Part 6) by Hugh Howey - Georgia (Review in Message #66)
* Joyland by Stephen King - North Carolina (Review in Message #113)
* The Round House by Louise Erdrich- North Dakota (Review in Message #116)
* Doctor Sleep by Stephen King (Review in Message #117)

13- Mimi's Guilty Pleasures

* Silver Blaze by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Review in Message #24)
* Harry Potter: The Prequel by J.K. Rowling (Review in Message #62)
* Death Will Attend: Book 2 in the Caching Out Series (Volume 2) by Morgan C. Talbot (Review in Message #64)
* Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson (Review in Message #69)
* The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (Review in Message #104)
* The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida (Review in Message #120)
* A Time to Kill by John Grisham (Review in Message #131)
* Sycamore Row by John Grisham (Review in Message #132)

Welcome!!! I too will have to keep my head down to visit, but I'll gladly do so! Hope you have a great year and hand out some juicy bookbullets! :)

Book: Winter of the World by Ken Follett
Category: Historical Fiction - Epic Sagas



I love Ken Follett's writing! He incorporates history, politics, espionage, war and romance into a engrossing, well-paced story, even if at times some of the fictionalized scenarios seem overly convenient in terms of timing. His writing is straight-forward and his characters draw the reader into this very volatile period of world history....what once again amazes me most is Follett's ability to make connections amongst multi-generational characters who are spread throughout the world.

This book begins 10 years after Fall of Giants, with the "election" of Adolf Hitler in Germany. Seen from the perspective of the second generation of Williams', Peshkovs, Fitzherberts and Dewars, we experience the events leading up to, including and immediately following World War II in Britain, Germany, Russia and the USA. We feel the heartbreaking and terrifying aspects of war, while delving into the perceived threat of Communism, the horrors of the Nazi regime, racism, American attitudes towards homosexuality and the heroism of those who have the courage to stand up to tyranny. I am looking forward to the conclusion of this trilogy, and I already find myself speculating which characters will be central in telling that tale.

The third novel in the Century Trilogy, provisionally titled Edge of Eternity, will be published in late 2014...so in the meantime, I guess I'll just have to read Pillars of the Earth and World Without End. ;)

20. Winter of the World is high on by TBR list so it's great to see such a positive review. I'm hoping to be able to squeeze in Fall of Giants sometime this year and it's great to know I'll have something to look forward to.

I need to get over my aversion to big tomes and add Follett to my author reading list.... I am such a sucker for sagas, especially during the summer reading months where time - sometimes - appears to stand still.

Great review of Winter of the World!

Both Fall of Giants and Winter of the World are long, but they move really fast, so they are definitely worth it.

Book: Silver Blaze by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Category: Mimi's Guilty Pleasures

Was in the mood for a bit of Sherlock Holmes so I turned to the first story in the collection Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes - Silver Blaze. The case that Sherlock & Watson need to crack revolve around a missing prize winning race horse and a dead trainer...and the curious incident of the dog in the night time. Once again, Sherlock Holmes, in his likeably obnoxious & condescending way, figures it all out and solves the mystery.

Winter of the World sounds interesting but I would probably just skip ahead to it instead of reading Fall of Giants first. (I did this with Lord of the Rings, too... couldn't get through The Two Towers, just skipped ahead to Return of the King and read a summary of Two Towers to cover the gap.)

You could read Winter of the World first, although you would miss out a great deal by not reading about the first generation of characters in this saga. Fall of Giants was just spectacular and I have a feeling that certain original characters are going to be essential to the final outcome of the story once Book Three is completed. I don't know who or how...it's just a feeling I have.

Okay, that's it. Follet's books are at the very top of my TBR list (after my planned reads, of course).

Hi Mimi, I am ready for another year of ducking book bullets on your thread. Your categories cover some of my favorite genres and I am looking forward to seeing what you read.

Book: Salem's Lot by Stephen King
Category: Horror/Dark Fantasy



If your looking for one of those vampire romances, DON'T read this book! ;)

For me, this creepy book was right up my alley. When I think of vampires, I think of the Dracula-esque blood-sucking Undead that come out at night to feed, thereby making more icky scary vampires. Nothing romantic about it...and Stephen King seems to be of a similar opinion when it comes to these creatures of the night!

Salem's Lot has been hailed on several "Top 10 Vampire Books" as a blood-sucking classic, the first contemporary one that successfully gave the Dracula legend a contemporary twist. The story is really about the fictional Maine town of Jerusalem's Lot, known by the locals as Salem's Lot, and what happens to a town as vampiric evil descends upon it. Most of the human characters were merely representative of the results of the all-encompassing evil, with the exception of a group who unwittingly became Hunters and one of my favorite Stephen King characters - Father Donald Callahan, the wayward priest who reappears in the Dark Tower series where he ultimately finds redemption.

************************************************************************************************

Since I've been reading much Stephen King lately, I decided to keep a last of favorite to least favorite SK reads, updating it with each read:

1. The Dark Tower Series (including Wind through the Keyhole, faves in this order:

a. #5 Wolves of the Calla
b. #3 Wastelands
c. #2 The Drawing of the Three
d. #7 The Dark Tower
e. #4 Wizard and Glass
f. #4.5 Wind through the Keyhole
g. #6 Song of Susannah
h. #1 The Gunslinger

2. The Stand
3. 11/22/63
4. Salem's Lot
5. Carrie
6. The Dead Zone
7. Eyes of the Dragon
8. Under the Dome (Couldn't finish this one - dragged too much and I kept thinking about the Simpson's Movie!)

Upcoming SK reads:
* The Shining
* The Green Mile
* Needful Things
* It
* Doctor Sleep (once it's published)

Have you read Lisey's Story or Duma Key? I've read a lot of King, and these are up there at the top as my favorites as of yet. You're in for a true treat wth The Shining though!

whitewavedarling - No I haven't read either of those...Thanks for mentioning them - I'll have to take a look.

I'm excited about The Shining. Of course I've seen the movie with Jack Nicholson many times, but I have heard from those who have also read the book that the book is so much better. I was told that the book really gets into the whole idea of what "shining" actually is much more effectively than the movie does. Looking forward to it.

Lisey's Story and Bag of Bones are really good. And for some reason a lot of people seem to really dislike it, but I loved Insomnia.

Also, yes, Kubrick really changed the whole underlying thing with the Shining, which is why King hated it so much and constantly took shots at it, heh. The TV miniseries version was much more faithful.

In King's book on horror, there's this great anecdote about Kubrick's Shining. He writes that one night, late in filming, Kubrick called him up on the phone at about 2 or 3 in the morning, waking him, and with no introduction, just asked something along the lines of, "it's really haunted?" King simply said 'yes', and Kubrick hung up on him. King says that he believes what created all of the problems with his film was that Kubrick never actually believed in the possibility of a place just being bad in any supernatural fashion--he could only conceive of what was going on as a psychological phenomenon. I actually really like both the mini-series and Kubrick's version--they're just totally different interpretations of the novel... I still need to read Bag of Bones meanwhile...

>33 whitewavedarling: Yes, Kubrick couldn't "see" the supernatural aspect so instead he turned it into just a psycho guy, and he was already that way before the hotel. I completely understand King's being POed at him! And yeah, the movie is great, but it's due wholly to Nicholson, not to the story, ya know. Ah well, how many books get two thrilling movies made? haha.

I haven't read Stephen King in ages, but Salem's Lot is one I'll happily reread - if for nothing else than the absence of "romantic" vampires. :) Seconding the comments on The Shining as well - the Kubrick is quite different than the book, but I liked both, for different reasons.

I agree that Jack Nicholson was the best part of the original movie. I haven't seen the miniseries. Once I read the book, I'll have to see if I can watch it somewhere.

I have only read a couple of King's works (Carrie and a short-story collection, I think) and should probably do something about that but I'm a bit of a wuss so not sure I dare.
I've watched both versions of The Shining and thought they were both good. Kubrick's version scared be so much I had to pause at certain intervals (20 mins or so) and go do something mundane to calm myself down. I don't think I've ever been so scared in my life.

The movie didn't affect me too much, until my husband and I went on our honeymoon. We were staying at a fairly empty ski-lodge (in the off-season), and the hallway we were on appeared identical to the hallway in The Shining. I wouldn't leave the room, or go to the room, without him by my side, I was so creeped out by it all!

lol, movies don't bother me; but my parents originally saw it in the theaters and on the way home got a flat tire, at night, and maybe it was even raining too? And my dad was out there struggling & making angry/grimacing faces as he dealt with lifting the tires on his own and such, you know, and so my mom looking out the window at him was getting quite anxiety-ridden! hahahahaha.

I watched a lot of scary movies when I a bit too young to watch lots of scary movies (Scream/Evil Dead/Texas Chainsaw Massacre type things at age 14ish) and as I'm and emotional person, it made me a nervous wreck for a few years. Enter The Shining...

haha, I watched things like Predator when I was 8yrs old. I knew they weren't real, so they've never bothered me.

41. I knew they weren't real too, but I was still scared.

My favourite Stephen King books are the ones that aren't really horror, like The Green Mile, and the novella collections Different Seasons and Four Past Midnight. I've been reading more of these lately but I'll try his horrors again someday, maybe starting with The Shining. But, by the sounds of it, no way could I handle the movie. I can handle reading horror (it's just not my preference) but I really don't like horror movies.

uh..oh...I think I have a few Folletts out there too. Better go check the pile.

***walks away muttering "why can't people read the books I've already read so that I have a little time to catch up?!?"***

->44 cyderry:
Haha!! How many times I have thought that too!!

> 44 & 44 - Been there...... and still there!

Book: The Armageddon Rag by George R.R. Martin
Category: Alternate History/Alternate Reality/Historical Fantasy



This is my first GRRM book outside of the Song of Ice and Fire Series (which, in my opinion, is one of the greatest fantasy series I have read so far!). But while I am waiting for Mr. Martin and his “elves” to finish “Winds of Winter” (or even to get beyond that elusive “page 37”…;)), I decided to read some of his earlier fiction. I discovered this 1983 book while browsing the book shelves at Barnes and Noble…I know this is going to sound very “non-intellectual” but what initially got my attention was the psychedelically groovy cover art on the new release of the book (…and then of course the fascinating plot synopsis really got me to add this to my to-read list ;) ).

The hardest part about reading a book by an author who is in the midst of writing his fantasy series masterpiece to which I am addicted, is being objective when reviewing his other books. So I went into “The Armageddon Rag” with an open-mind, especially knowing that this particular work didn’t get the acclaim GRRM had hoped for when it was published in 1983. The important thing to realize is that while this is most definitely alternate history with a number of fantastical elements included in it, this is not a book where you will find Starks, Targaryens or Lannisters battling for the Iron Throne. However there is still a battle for a new world going on…the new world that was sought by the 1960s Counterculture as expressed through music and revolution.

The way I see it, there are several themes to this story:

1- The Baby Boomers, their role in the 1960s Counterculture and how their live changed by the early 1980s
2- A coming-of-middle-age story of one of these Baby Boomers, writer/journalist Sandy Blair, who goes out on a quest to solve a crime while reconnecting with old friends as well as his youthful ideals
3- An exploration of how music is an expression of an era…and how it can inspire protest and change.

I can definitely see how Martin has gotten better as he’s gotten older and I found many parts of the book repetitive (for instance, the StephenKing-esque dream sequences and the number of times Sandy had to retell his life story). However, I could definitely see elements of the GRRM I know and love today here. His vivid description enabled me to envision the story clearly, while his historical research was thorough and he really got me “believing” the alternate reality aspect to Sandy Blair’s world. Since it was actually written in the 1980s, we see references which were contemporary then, retro now – digital watches, cassette decks in the cars, the Fonz – which brought back memories of my own youth. …and the way Tolkien was incorporated in the story really foreshadows future Martin books.

Book: First to Find by Morgan C. Talbot
Category: KindleKaper's Fifty State Challenge (Oregon)



I have been an avid geocacher for almost 10 years, so this is a review coming from someone who knows…I really enjoyed it and as a Geocacher, I give this a 5-star review!

I won’t go into a whole description of Geocaching for Muggles who Read ;) - if you want to learn more about it, visit www.geocaching.com. …but I thought it was really cool how the author combined her own passion for Geocaching into a well-written geo-sleuthing tale. This is definitely an engrossing read, with two very colorful main characters, Margarita and Bindi, that incorporates and gives a suspenseful twist to FTFs, puzzle caches, travel bugs, and Geocaching events and geo-camaraderie!

Just to show the authenticity of the Geocaching aspect of this story, I was talking to my husband (who is the other half of my caching team, M&M Melted) about fictional Geocachers, caches & geo-events, assuming he knew I was talking about this piece of fiction. Well, I guess I should have clarified that since, apparently, he cannot read my mind :D , because he was really getting confused, trying to figure out who and what I was talking about. I guess it just sounded like any normal geocachey conversation that we so often have, with all its fun and drama! Ha ha!

Wow, it's a mystery and geocaching and a decent book??? I'm going to have to get a copy for someone I know.... So glad to see your pleased review!

I've never been gone geocaching, but, like pammab, I know the very person to give this to (and he's usually a pain finding good stuff for), so thanks for that review!

Annnnd, book given. :) (Perhaps she'll lend it to me when she's done? ;)) Geocaching is great fun.

Book: The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
Category: Historical Fiction - Epic Sagas



Between this book and the first two books in the Century Trilogy, I’ve been spending a great deal of time with Ken Follett in the last three months. Overall I have been engrossed in his brand of action-packed historical fiction, and while I personally enjoyed his Century Trilogy more than The Pillars of the Earth (which at times I found a bit drawn out), I still found the latter to be a fascinating page turner.

The Pillars of the Earth grabbed my attention on several levels. First of all, Follett has an awesome ability to create interconnected characters, showing the same world from each of their very different perspective. All of the characters live in 10th century England, and whether they are royalty, nobility, clergymen, workers or peasants, he finds ways to entwine their destinies together.

Next is the historical fiction itself. I know from my own teaching experience, that many students are under the misconception that “nothing” happened during this period, thus the misnomer “The Dark Ages.” Through this fictionalized account, Follett clears up this misunderstanding as his characters live through a complicated civil war, the building of some of the most amazing architectural structures of all time (the Gothic Cathedrals) and a growing conflict between Church and State that not only lead to a brutal assassination & subsequent martyrdom of an Archbishop but also hints of the decline of absolute monarchy in England & beyond. He shows the intricacy of the political system & society as a whole during the so-called “Dark Ages.”

…and then there are the Gothic Cathedrals! This book is indicative of Follett’s fascination with the construction of these magnificent houses of worship…another area I teach in my Western Humanities class. It was fun to read these facts that I include in my lessons included in this intriguing, dramatic (and admittedly sometimes overly drawn out) epic historical saga.

Book: Assassin's Apprentice (Book One of the Farseer Trilogy) by Robin Hobb
Category: Epic Fantasy



When I start a new fantasy series, I usually expect that at least the first 20% of the book will be dedicated to world-building & character-development. It also often takes a similar amount of time to get used to the author's writing style. I found this to be the case with this book as well, although I really enjoyed Robin Hobb's Assassin's Apprentice from the very beginning, even in there were some overly descriptive sections of the tale. These descriptions, however, really painted a vivid picture of the world

In this first installment of the Farseer Trilogy, we are introduced to our awkward, hard-luck protagonist, Fitz, as a small child who is about to embark on a childhood in which his identity and abilities will emerge, in most cases the hard way. This is only the second fantasy series that I have read that I can remember being told in the first person, the other one being the awesome (and not yet completed) Kingkiller Chronicles, written by Patrick Rothfuss. I do not yet know from where and when Fitz is actually recounting these events as this is only Book One, but the way the character weaves legend, politics & history into the story of his young life is so far very engrossing.

Without giving anything away here, I am left with the following two thoughts as I conclude Book One:
* Is better to be Forged or be Killed?
* Is Fitz a hero or an anti-hero? On the one hand, he is being trained as an assassin...on the other hand, he is
pretty much thrust into his circumstances. I'll reserve judgment on this until after finishing the series.
* The incredible bond between man and beast is beautifully expressed here! (very touching...sniff sniff!)

It's great to hear you enjoyed this one so much--I've had it on my tbr pile for a while, and it sounds like something I'll enjoy. I've been off fantasy for a while now, so this sounds like a good one to jump back in with!

Book: Royal Assassin (Book Two of the Farseer Trilogy) by Robin Hobb
Category: Epic Fantasy



Overall, this was an amazing continuation of Fitz's tale and Robin Hobb continues to impress me with her beautiful writing style.

In terms of ratings, this book is divided into two parts for me. The first half of the book would probably get three stars from me only because I feel so much of it is was a recount of the first book and we spend too much time wandering around the castle with Fitz (although that did allow for character development and the establishment. of the political intrigue to follow) . The second half of the book, however, becomes a 5-star read as Fitz experiences love, betrayal, political intrigue, a honing of the Skill and the Wit and life-saving loyalty.

In my review of Book One, I questioned whether Fitz is a hero or an anti-hero because of his role as an assassin. As of right now, I definitely see Fitz as a hero...a misunderstood, hard-luck hero who just can't seem to catch a break, but nonetheless a hero who chooses to put himself at risk for the good of others regardless of the self sacrifice. You can't help but love him...and commiserate with him.

I also continue to be intrigued by the Wit, with Nighteyes being another favorite character (others include Burrich, the Fool and Chase). After all, "Wolves have no kings!"

Book: Doctor Who: The Devil in the Smoke by Justin Richards
Category: Science Fiction/Science Fantasy



This is a cute detective tale for the Doctor Who fan, particularly the Doctor Who fan who watched the 2012 Christmas Episode, "The Snowman." The point of this story was not to provide greater insight into Madame Vastra's relationship with Jenny or how she became the "Great Detective" nor to discover more about Strax's arrival in Victorian England. It is simply a fun mystery with some currently popular Whovian characters involved. It is also an ominous prelude to the possible power of Snow (again a reference to the Great Intelligence's role in the 2012 Christmas Episode).

A good one-sitting read for me!

>56 KindleKapers:: Ooh, that one sounds like fun! I liked Madame Vastra and Jenny and would totally read a series about them if one existed.

...and Strax of course was hilarious in it! :D

Book: The Bear that Fell from the Stars by Keith C. Blackmore
Category: Science Fiction/Science Fantasy



I've had this one on my Kindle for a while now...I think I got it as a free giveaway at one point without really knowing anything about the plot. So when I was looking for a literary quickie, I picked up this novella not even realizing that I was in for such a treat.

As I started the book, I said to myself "Oh cool! Ninjas in Feudal Japan!"So I thought this would be historical fiction, peppered with Japanese folklore. Then, all of a sudden, "Beam Me Up Scotty" and we have members of the feudal Japanese warrior caste being abducted by aliens for future research...Ninjas vs. Aliens in Space!

This is definitely an enjoyable, fast-paced short piece of Science Fantasy for those who think Ninjas are awesome...and for those who enjoy a touch of UFO conspiracy theory!

Book: Assassin's Quest (Book Three of the Farseer Trilogy) by Robin Hobb
Category: Epic Fantasy



The Farseer Trilogy is an amazingly unique trio of fantasy novels that chronicles an important chapter in the history of the Six Duchies through the eyes of Fitz, the Bastard son of Prince Chivalry of the Farseer line. As if coming-of-age isn’t challenging enough, Fitz swears his fealty to the King, is trained as an assassin, and discovers he has unimaginable powers that are both honored and despised by others. On top of that, this young man discovers that there is a prophecy that says that somehow he must save the realm, and hence the world, all while being attacked, beaten and abused.

Book 3 of this trilogy deals with Fitz’s quest of both vengeance and prophecy fulfillment. As is the case in most quest books I have read, there were moments when there was too much walking (running, swimming, etc.) and perhaps some of it could have been omitted from the narrative. However, Robin Hobb’s writing is so intriguing and each part of Fitz’s quest was so important to the ultimate conclusion, that I really didn’t mind reading these sections. Once I reached the second half of the book, the narrative really picked up, as once again encounter characters such as the Fool and Kettricken become an integral part of Fitz’s quest.

Love the conclusion and I look forward to reading the Tawny Man trilogy and Robin Hobb’s other tales of the Six Duchies.

Book: The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani
Category: Historical Fiction - Epic Sagas



My ancestors who immigrated to America from Russia and Eastern Europe have always been my personal superheroes! Whether it was to avoid religious prosecution, to escape criminal activity, or to prosper from America’s supposed “streets of gold”, they all left their familiar lives and struggled so I could have a better life today. So of course I love reading both fictional and non-fictional literary works about the immigrant experience….This is why I recommended The Shoemaker’s Wife for “Historical Fiction” month to my Book Club.

I found it very refreshing to read a saga about the Italian-American immigrant experience that did not deal with organized crime, especially since most Italian immigrants were not involved in the Mafioso scene. Instead this is an incredibly romantic tale about love, loss, family and unbelievable courage that begins in the Italian Alps and follows the main characters as they immigrate through Ellis Island into Manhattan and then onward to the Iron Range of Minnesota.

Both Ciro and Enza’s stories were beautifully written and I love the way the author effectively told their individual stories while ultimately weaving their destinies together. While this was truly a story of the power of love and family, I agree with w we also get to contrast the elegant world of the Metropolitan Opera House with the far-reaching horrors of World War I (and thus war in general). The descriptive writing as a whole was very well entwined with the story so I didn’t feel like I was getting bogged down while reading it. This is always a plus in my book.

I’m really looking forward to hearing what my book club think about it. There are some great book club discussion questions on the following websites:

http://www.adrianatrigiani.com/home/the-shoemakers-wife/
http://www.litlovers.com/reading-guides/13-fiction/8802-shoemakers-wife-trigiani...
http://www.harpercollins.com/author/microsite/readingguide.aspx?authorID=32378&a...
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/lopate/2012/aug/08/adriana-trigianis-em-shoemakers-wif... (listen to Adriani Trigani talking about “The Shoemaker’s Wife”)

…and here are a few other literary works about the American Immigration experience that I have read and enjoyed:

Mount Allegro – A Memoir of Italian American Life, Jerre Mangione
Going Where I’m Coming From: Memoirs of American Youth, Anne Mazer
“Streets”, Bella Spewack
How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents, Julia Alvarez

Book: Harry Potter: The Prequel by J.K. Rowling
Category: Mimi's Guilty Pleasures



A cute 800 word short short short story about an episode of mischief in the lives of young James Potter and Sirius Black that I never knew existed! Fun to read:)

Book: Wool Omnibus by Hugh Howey
Category: Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic Literature



Hello, my name is Mimi and I’m a Wool-o-holic…and there’s no recovery in sight!

I am so glad I have been able to read these five stories as an Omnibus Edition…it would have been a nail biting experience to have to wait for each installment! This is one of the best post-apocalyptic tales I’ve ever read, and what makes it even more incredible is that it started as a novelette and the demand for more did not come from the big publishers but instead from Amazon readers. Now a long-time resident of the Amazon Top 100, a #1 Bestseller in Science Fiction on Amazon, and a potential film optioned by Ridley Scott and Steve Zaillian, this is a true self-publishing success story!

So why is this one of the best post-apocalyptic stories I’ve read, right up there next to The Stand and The Hunger Games? Well, in addition to the fast-paced, addictive writing style with just enough description to paint a vivid picture of the setting and action without being overly-descriptive, this premise itself definitely seems plausible. Something happened that sent humanity into these subterranean silos, stored away like seeds for better times. These stories deal with what happens to these “seeds” when stored away too long. Outstanding!

As I finished each of the stories (which really tied the entire plot together very well), I reviewed each installment. Here are the individual reviews:

Wool (Wool #1) –

I'm currently reading the Wool Omnibus Edition, which includes Wool #s 1-5 and I will do an overall review of the entire edition, but in the meantime, a few comments about Book #1.

My husband discovered this series and highly recommended it to me, knowing how much I love science fiction/dystopian literature like "The Hunger Games", "The Stand", etc. So I sat down to read Book One and couldn't put it down.

So it looks like mankind has done it again...things have just gotten so bad outside that everyone is stuck living in a giant underground silo, where reproduction is determined by lottery and "criminals" and "rule breakers" are sent outside to clean the silo's lens, which is the only link to the apparently toxic world beyond.

When you read this story, keep in mind this is only the beginning. We are introduced to Sheriff Holston, who lost his wife to the cleaning as a result of her curiosity and now he finds himself desiring similar answers. His actions here seem to be the beginning of a string of events that I am look forward to seeing unfold. I am now in the midst of Book 2...more on that later... ;)

Proper Gauge (Wool #2) –

Continuing my way through the Wool Omnibus Edition, so some comments on Wool, #2...

After Sheriff Holston was sent to clean, Mayor Jahns needed a new Sheriff. So she and Deputy Marnes set off on a "journey" through the descending levels of the Silo via the staircase that links it all together, thus also giving the reader a tour of the different levels. Since her first choice is a woman who unknowingly threatens both the political aspirations of others and the secrets of the Silo as a whole ,this segment of the Wool pentalogy deals powerfully with the political and social order existing in this seemingly dystopian society.

The mood of the writing here is, in a word, claustrophobic...and I imagine that this is the exact feeling the author is trying to convey. Imagine living in a place where you can only travel up and down on a rickety old staircase, surrounded by silo walls, and the only way to see the light of what appears to be the outside world is by taking the arduous journey up that staircase? The ironic thing here which shows us the truly "upside-down" nature of this world,is that getting closer to the "light" of the outside world has not, so far, been a positive sign; we have seen this both in Holston's cleaning experience and in Mayor Jahn's ascent back to the top.

This is also the installment where we begin to see the author's brilliant Wool metaphor being developed, starting with the name of the Book, "Proper Gauge", and the knitting symbolism throughout.

"After much deliberation, Mayor Jahns selected a pair of needles. She always chose carefully, for proper gauge was critical. Too small a needle and the knitting would prove difficult, the resulting sweater too tight and constricting. Too large a needle on the other hand, and it would create a garment full of large holes. The knitting would remain loose. One would be able to see straight through it..."

Being a knitter myself probably adds to my appreciation of this metaphor, but I still think its very creative and makes sense.

When I finished this one, I continued on to Wool, 3 immediately.

Casting Off (Wool #3)-

"Houston? We have a problem..." This is what I was thinking as I read the final sentence of this installment. ;)

So now we have Juliette thrust into the role of Sheriff while the corrupt take charge and horrible things happen to people she cares about. This one gripped me so much that I stayed up until 1:30am finishing it. I just had to find out what secrets Jules would uncover and what her ultimate fate would be (...trying hard not to give spoilers here).

Now that we have a mental picture of the world of the Silo, "Casting Off" really moves the story along, setting up the scene for the upcoming action.

The Unraveling (Wool #4)-

The plot definitely thickens in this one as Juliette's refusal to clean and subsequent disappearance breeds dissent and uprising in the Silo. This continues to be one of the most addictive book I've read in a long time. A full review of the Omnibus to come after I finish Book 5.

The Stranded (Wool #5)-

Awesome conclusion! I was really able to visualize the action in Silo 17 and Silo 18, as we flipped back in forth between the two. The action was well developed and left me both satisfied and wondering about the fate of these two Silos...with special curiosity about what the heck is going over in Silo 40! ;)

Book: Death Will Attend: Book 2 in the Caching Out Series (Volume 2) by Morgan C. Talbot
Category: Mimi's Guilty Pleasures



Another fun read for Geocachers!

This is a great second installment in the geocaching detective adventures of Margarita and her sidekick Bindi, which give a whole new meaning to the expression "Dancing with Death!"

The setting of this one is an old hotel where a Geocaching Event/Masquerade Ball is attracting geocachers from far and wide. The intrigue of the Bonney House itself gives the novel a Gothic twist and the complex whodunnit plot twists that includes lively characters make me think Agatha Christy.

We also get to delve further into Margarita's. and Drew's background as some of their secrets are exposed. I'm looking forward to learning more about Bindi's past in future books.

Hi Mimi, I've quickly added Wool to the wishlist, and won't by-pass it at the bookstore again!

Book: First Shift - Legacy by Hugh Howey
Category: KindleKaper's Fifty State Challenge (I won't say how or why, but trust me...Georgia! ;) )

...this one also belongs in the Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic Category.



Some folks started their day with a hot cuppa coffee to get themselves ready for their work shift. Not me...I started mine with a hot cuppa paranoia as I completed my First Shift! ;)

After finishing the Wool Omnibus, I jumped right into the Shift Omnibus, which is the second collection in the remarkable Silo series and consists of three individual books ( which are longer than the five shorter linked installments in Wool Omnibus). Book One of this edition takes us back to the beginning of this dystopian nightmare, explaining how and why the silos came to be. This is accomplished through chapters that alternate between the years 2049 and 2110 and what's terrifying here is how real and possible it all seems.

Onward to Book Two....

Book: Second Shift - Order, Part 7 of the Silo Series by Hugh Howey
Category: Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic Literature



This is another great installment in the Silo series. This is the book that bridges the gap between the apocalyptic events in the First Shift and the turmoil in Silo 18 that we read about in the Wool Omnibus Edition. At the same time more secrets are revealed and we get a terrifying understanding of why people forget the horrible events that occur. Very engrossing and well written...I'm going right ahead and reading about the Third Shift now.

Book: Third Shift - Pact (Part 8 of the Silo Series) (Volume 8) by Hugh Howey
Category: Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic Literature



The worst part about finishing the three Silo stories in this trilogy is that now I have to wait until the first Dust story is released later in the year...I just may go through withdrawals!!

The Third Shift, in my opinion, is the best of these three stories...and since I gave the first two stories 5-star reviews, just consider this one a 6-star review! I love the way this whole Omnibus brings us back to the point where the Wool Omnibus ends, and Jimmy's heart-rending story and Donald's character development really adds a human element to this sinister post-apocalyptic tale.

...and, by the way, I've seen some reviews in which readers are trying to choose a term to describe the fan base for these stories. There are some great ideas out there - Woolites, Wool-o-holics, Howey-ites, etc! My personal choice is "Siloheads"...Hey, it works for Potterheads, Deadheads and Parrotheads, so why not? :P)

Book: Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson
Category: Mimi's Guilty Pleasures



3.5 stars - I hovered between 3 and 4 stars, so I gave it 3.5 stars because I felt it could have been a bit shorter and that each of these chapters might read better as individual blog entries. So 3.5 stars would be about right. ____________________________________________________

Since April begin's with April Fool's Day, our April book club genre is humor...and we chose this book as our Book of the Month.

This is the autobiographical memoirs of Internet Blogging Sensation Jenny Lawson (aka "The Bloggess" - http://thebloggess.com/), who makes me think of a Texan "Lucy" (as in "I Love Lucy")on crack! :P The Bloggess addresses the roles that poverty, a crazily dysfunctional upbringing, mental disorders, miscarriages, physical illness, love, loss and even taxidermy (???) had on turning her into the woman she is today...but she does this by infusing humor into her stream-of-consciousness coversational narrative, which makes her very VERY human. There were those moments, however, that her stream-of-consciousness talk had so many non-sequiturs that I had to re-read to figure out how I got "from here to there."

I did like the bonus chapter added at the end of the paperback, because the author chronicles her Book Tour, and we get a glimpse into her fan base and the influence she has had on them. As I was reading that section, Elton John's "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" rang through my head...I think that this is a memoir that appeals to the Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters in all of us.

*******************************************
Note to reader: If you've never seen the movie Bambi, BEWARE THE SPOILERS!
Note to self after reading this book: Never EVER have Acupuncture!!

;)

Book: Old Man's War by John Scalzi
Category: Space, the Final Frontier/Space Opera



Consider this:

You’re 75 years old and experiencing all those physical symptoms that come with seven-plus decades of life. Your spouse of 42 years has passed away. Although you have moved on with your life, you have the opportunity to either live out your natural life or to enlist in an intergalactic defense force as a new and improved version of your younger self for 10-years. The chance of survival during those 10-years is slim…the danger is great. But, then again, 10-years to a 75-year-old is fraught with dangers too…and if you endure while defend human colonies from alien attack, you’re young again, with your whole life ahead of you. So, what would you do?

Protagonist John Perry faces this exact situation. Sometime in Earth’s future, after humans solve the issue of overpopulation by colonizing Space, the rejuvenated elderly are recruited to defend humanity. The story is told in the first-person, from John Perry’s perspective, and it is a fast-paced read that really brings a human element into great science fiction.

The Ghost Brigades is the next book in this series and I look forward to reading it.

Glad you enjoyed Old Man's War too. Just adding a note of caution that The Ghost Brigades is not a direct sequel as such featuring almost none of the same characters. Still a terrific read though.

That's cool! I like the idea about reading about this world from the perspective of other characters too. :)

This thread is a dangerous place!

***hangs her head and mutters "how many books can sit on a TBR pile before it explodes?"...***

Old Man's War sounds very interesting, I've been hearing a lot about this author recently and this one looks like a good fit for me.

definitely going to get to old man's war soon, although wasn't in the bookshop I visited at the weekend...

Book: The Shining by Stephen King
Category: Horror/Dark Fantasy



Wow! I have seen the movie version of The Shining numerous times, and I have always thought Jack Nicholson was brilliant in the role of Jack Torrance. However, whenever I thought of the movie, I thought of a man going insane due to intense cabin fever in an eerie hotel and a little kid with special powers running around yelling “REDRUM” all the time. But now, with the long awaited sequel “Doctor Sleep” being released in September 2013, I have finally read the book…and I finally see how much more there is to this story and how much was omitted and changed in the original movie. I never saw the 1997 mini-series…I wonder if that one follows the book more closely.

This is a brilliant work of fiction, written in the classic King fashion. By combining issues such as alcoholism, domestic violence, schizophrenia and supernatural powers in a setting dominated by a creepy resort with a “mind its own” in the Colorado Rockies, the author creates an absolutely terrifying story. A definite classic!

*************************************
Since I've been reading much Stephen King lately, I decided to keep a last of favorite to least favorite SK reads, updating it with each read:

1. The Dark Tower Series (including Wind through the Keyhole), faves in this order:

a. #5 Wolves of the Calla
b. #3 Wastelands
c. #2 The Drawing of the Three
d. #7 The Dark Tower
e. #4 Wizard and Glass
f. #4.5 Wind through the Keyhole
g. #6 Song of Susannah
h. #1 The Gunslinger

2. The Stand
3. The Shining
4. Salem's Lot
5. 11/22/63
6. Carrie
7. The Dead Zone
8. Eyes of the Dragon
9. Under the Dome (Couldn't finish this one - dragged too much and I kept thinking about the Simpson's Movie!)
10. Tommyknockers (This was many years ago and I just remember that I couldn’t get through this one. Something about it caused me to lose interest.)

Upcoming SK reads:
* Doctor Sleep (once it's published)
* The Green Mile
* Needful Things
* It

The Tommyknockers was written back when he was really messed up on drugs and alcohol (he's been clean & sober since shortly after it), and I know I've seen where he's said he pretty much didn't even remember writing it. Personally, while I certainly didn't think it was his best work, I thought it was an enjoyable story.

Book: The Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi
Category: Space, the Final Frontier/Space Odyssey



I really enjoy John Scalzi’s brand of sci fy/space opera! While telling an exciting story with both human and alien characters engaged in epic battles, Scalzi incorporates natural, humorous dialogue into a thought-provoking tale that addresses the philosophical issues that accompany scientific progress.

This installation of the Old Man’s War trilogy focuses on the Special Forces, aka “the Ghost Brigade”, that we encountered toward the end of Book One. The main story here is a futuristic Space Age Frankenstein, in that it deals with the possible implications of the creation of a life strictly for the benefit of others. What happens when Jared Dirac, this version of Frankenstein’s monster, develops a consciousness of his own? Very interesting, especially since I’ve always considered Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” as one of the major forerunners of all modern science fiction. We also once again encounter Jane Sagan, who we met in Old Man’s War, and we see the role she plays in Dirac’s existence, which will ultimately lead to the continuing tale in “The Last Colony.”

Here's something fun for my fellow epic fantasy lovers! On Saturday night, Patrick Rothfuss, author of The Name of the Wind and Wise Man's Fear held a Reading, Q&A and Signing at Books-A-Million in Bradenton, Florida. My husband and I are both big fans, so we drove down from Tampa to meet him.

It was a great evening. This is definitely not an author who's fame and talent has gone to his head. he was very approachable and open to questions and totally in tune with his fandom. His talk was very interesting and he even offered to read a passage from Fifty Shades of Gray for us, which just happened to be on display right behind his table! Ha! Ha! That didn't last long! :D

It was so nice to finally have one of my favorite authors come to the west coast of Florida!

Cool! I love author visits. Our regional book store chain holds quite a number of them and my friend and I pair them up with a dinner out. Next month we will be seeing Kaled Hosseini and I'm taking my daughter and her boyfriend to see Neil Gaiman in July (*girly squeels*).

Great photo! Looks like you had fun. How cool to meet an author you like and get a book signed :)

Mamzel -- NEIL GAIMAN!!!! Jealous. Have a great time!

Both Neil Gaiman and Kaled Hosseini would be awesome too. I had the opportunity to meet Rebecca Skloot and have my copy of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks at a special lecture series at the University of South Florida. That was really fun and interesting too!:)

That's a fantastic picture!!!!! I've not gotten to The Name of the Wind yet, but absolutely plan to!

You can tell just by looking at him that he would be a fun guy to hang out with. I loved The Name of the Wind when I read it last year and now I need to get to The Wise Man's Fear.

Book: The Last Colony by John Scalzi
Category: Space, the Final Frontier/Space Odyssey



This is the final book of the John Perry/Jane Sagan trilogy (although happily not the last of this particular universe!). Once again, John Scalzi has a way of bringing a very human element to both science fiction and space opera. After diverting from Perry's tale in "The Ghost Brigade", it was good to return to his point of view as he continues his work for the Colonial Union and ultimately for humanity as a whole. I found the conclusion very satisfying and I am looking forward to reading "Zoe's Tale" next.

Book: The Sandcastle Girls by Chris Bohjalian
Category: Historical Fiction – Exotic Lands



I did not give this one a star rating since I skimmed much of the book, if only to get the major plot points. So I don't think a star rating would be fair to the author.

That being said, I have very mixed feelings toward this book. I was very glad to see a work of fiction addressing this period of history...the Armenian Genocide. With so many novels out there about the Holocaust and other such incidents, this one is often forgotten. I also think the story itself is a great idea. However, for a story that should have moved me on so many levels, I found that the narrative dry and I felt very distant from the characters.

Book: Inferno by Dan Brown
Category: Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic Literature (After some debate with myself, I decided that this one really does belong in the dystopian literature category...but unlike some other dystopian literature, this one is even scarier because the issues addressed are absolutely relevant to the current time, not some distant future!)



This one is my favorite of the Robert Langdon books! With many parallels to Dante's Inferno, my favorite Indiana Jonesesque art historian and symboligist finds himself in a race against the clock as he puzzles over passages from Dante's masterpiece and some of the art he encounters along the way. Dan Brown is awesome in his ability to take the reader on a thriller of a journey from America to Italy and beyond, while effectively addressing some frightening societal issues. Really gives the reader something to think about!

Good to hear he's back on track. The last one of his I read made me angry. It felt very rushed and forced.

Inferno was much better than The Lost Symbol in my opinion. I agree with your feelings about the 3rd book, mamzel. I also felt that it was over-complicated with more information than I knew what to do with when it came to the plot. Inferno harks back to Da Vinci Code in format and style.

->88 mamzel:
Ditto me - I didn't like The Lost Symbol at all. My brother is reading Inferno and he's enjoying it so far.

Book: The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker
Category: Alternate History/Alternate Reality/Historical Fantasy



Fables and fairy tales for grownups have captured my imagination. since I read Gaiman's Stardust. In this book, Helene Wecker infuses magical realism and historical fiction in a fable that combines Jewish and Arabic folklore. Although I feel that the book was a bit too long for a fable and the story could have been condensed a bit, the writing style and the story itself still mesmerized me and , in the end, things really made sense.

Book: Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Category: Historical Fiction - Epic Sagas



"It is nothing to die; it is dreadful not to live." ~Jean Valjean

I have been a fan of Les Mis since it was first performed on Broadway in the 1980s with Colm Wilkinson as my original Jean Valjean. Since then, I have seen the 10th and 25th Anniversary Concerts, the recent movie and an off-broadway production at the Straz Center in Tampa, Florida. And of course I have a copy of the Broadway soundtrack...and yet, until now I have not read the book itself. Well, it took me a while but I finally did it!

This is probably one of my most challenging reads since I read Fyodor Dostoyevsky "Crime and Punishment"...even more challenging due to its length and the extensive historical detail included in Hugo's epic narrative. However, this is one of the most incredible commentaries about the human condition incorporated into an action-pack, thought-provoking, heart-rending and inspiring tale about Revolution, Social Responsibility, and the enduring power of love that has ever been told in my opinion. Reading the book has enhanced my understanding of the musical by delving further into the lives of all the characters, including Marius and Gavroche. Using graphic metaphors such as the Parisian sewer system, Victor Hugo holds back nothing in his critique of society and the wretchedness of the impoverished in the midst of so-called "civilized" society. The historical references are detailed and there were times when I had to consult other sources to get a better grasp of these references. This led to a better understanding of the story itself.

This is what amazes me the most...as I mentioned in the first paragraph of this review, I have seen and listen to version of this story many times so in terms of the overall plot, I knew exactly what was going to happen. And yet, I still sobbed at the end...I always sob when I listen willingly to the music, so I guess this shouldn't surprise me. But it is a little embarrassing when reading in a public place. I guess I should have known better ;)- But it's such a spectacular story, that I keep coming back for more!

Book: The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
Category: Science Fiction/Science Fantasy



As always, Neil Gaiman's lovely writing style is engrossing and he has an amazing power to infuse fantastical characters into the seemingly "real world", while weaving in powerful underlying messages throughout the story. I read this one in one sitting, and while the story itself was complete, I found myself wanting to learn more background information about the Hempstocks and the likes of Ursula Monkton.

I just got a copy of The Ocean at the End and am suprised at how short it was, but I've only heard good things about it, so can't wait to get started, hopefully today.

Book: The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
Category: Anti-Hero Fantasy



I find myself really enjoying political fantasies, which include magic, political intrigue and constant action. This is an amazing example of this and Abercrombie writes in such a way whereby the reader is not bogged down by lofty, complex prose and excruciating detail. Instead , the world building is incorporated into the dialogue and the action to create a fast-moving plot.

The characters are the best part of this saga, so far, which is surprising considering they are a cast of anti-heroes, who are violent, conceited and in some cases, downright miserable. And yet, I was intrigued by the likes of Inquisitor Glotka, Logan Ninefingers and Ferro. Go figure! ;)

Looking forward to seeing how the story progresses in the next book.

Book: Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie
Category: Anti-Hero Fantasy



It's hard to write a review about the "middle child" in a trilogy, since there are so many questions yet to be answered in Book Three. However, I can say that, at this point, this trilogy just gets better and better!

In my review of Book One, I wrote: "I find myself really enjoying political fantasies, which include magic, political intrigue and constant action. This is an amazing example of this and Abercrombie writes in such a way whereby the reader is not bogged down by lofty, complex prose and excruciating detail. Instead , the world building is incorporated into the dialogue and the action to create a fast-moving plot.

The characters are the best part of this saga, so far, which is surprising considering they are a cast of anti-heroes, who are violent, conceited and in some cases, downright miserable. And yet, I was intrigued by the likes of Inquisitor Glotka, Logan Ninefingers and Ferro. Go figure! ;)"

I stand by everything I wrote after reading "The Blade Itself." In this installment, the plot thickens as the different groups of characters continue to quest, mobilize in battle, ask questions and obtain confessions. We get to learn a great deal about Logan Ninefinger's travel companions as they traverse dangerous lands when seeking 'The Seed", while also following the likes of the Dogman as he and his cohorts wage their battle. ...And then there is the intriguing ongoing story of Inquisitor Glotka who is realizing that not everything is as it seems and finds himself caught up in some unforeseen and seemingly mysterious political and economic entanglements.

Abercrombie again keeps the story flowing with the use of readable and lively language. I'm glad I don't have to wait for Book 3!

Loving your reviews of the Abercrombie series/trilogy and looking forward to seeing what you think of Book 3! This series has been on my wishlist since I first saw mention of The Blade Itself here on LT. I really need to get around to reading it. ;-)

Glad you're enjoying The First Law series and thanks for the reminder that I still need to pick up a couple of the stand-alone follow-ups.

I really enjoy Abercrombie's take on politics and how it affects the 'normal' person caught up in it.

Book: The Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie
Category: Anti-Hero Fantasy



Have you ever imagine living in a world where destiny rests on the shoulders of torturers, evil wizards, murderers and unqualified rabble? Well then, Midderland and its surrounding kingdoms are just the places for you, as created by Joe Abercrombie in his First Law Trilogy!

I don’t want to give spoilers, so I’ll just say “Wow!” to this final installation of this trilogy! And I’ll also say…

This is an incredible fast-paced series, complete with complex character-development amongst a cast of anti-heroic characters you love to hate for the most part, political intrigue, mystery, magic….not to mention torture, warfare and some really sick mind games (not for the faint of stomach! ;)). This third installation and conclusion is the best of the three and the second half of the book is just incredible with more unpredictable twist and turns than I ever conceived. I found this to be a refreshingly unique fantasy series and I plan to read more of Joe Abercrombie’s writing.

I'm am so happy that I have all three books of The First Law series on my shelves. I loved the stand-alone, Best Served Cold so I am really looking forward to getting to this trilogy, perhaps will make it a priority for next year's challenge.

Another positive review for the First Law series! I will get to it at some point, happy in the knowledge that so many readers here have enjoyed the books. ;-)

> 101 - There's a stand alone?! *heads off to investigate Best Served Cold*

There's not a stand-alone. There's 3 of them (so far). Set in the same world and featuring some of the same characters from the trilogy but all self-contained. I still have to get around to reading the last 2 of these myself.

> 103 - Very happy to learn that Dave, even if my groaning future reading list isn't. Thanks! ;-)

Book: The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith, aka J.K. Rowling
Category: Mimi's Guilty Pleasures



Rating: Somewhere between TWO and THREE stars

Like millions of others, I loved all the Harry Potter books (all of which I anticipated and read as an adult. As a matter of fact, I started reading them before my children were able to read them). I thought J.K. Rowling created a world of incredible magic for both the YA and the Young-At-Heart Potterheads. So of course, no matter how hard I tried to pretend that Richard Galbraith wrote this book, I couldn’t help forming a J.K Rowling-based opinion of it. To be honest, I actually think I stayed with the book longer because it was J.K. Rowling than if I truly thought the unknown Richard Galbraith wrote it.

On the one hand, Cormoran Strike is a very interesting character with qualities that make him a unique detective and I really can see him as the main character in a BBC detective show. I’ve read numerous detective novels and have watched many criminal investigation-themed TV series and movies, and I really found the investigative details provided extremely logical and thorough, although I am still unsure why Bristow re-opened this investigation in the first place.

However, I found much of the descriptive detail, while well constructed, burdensome and thought it stalled the plot in many instances. It also seems like the author is trying too hard to sound sophisticated in her writing, as she attempts to break away from the Harry Potter prose style. I guess when it comes to crime thrillers, I just like the story to be well-written, yet fast-paced.

I have The Cuckoo's Calling waiting on my NOOK, but haven't gotten around to reading it yet. I heard she did a pretty good noir - hope that's true.

Book: Dust by Hugh Howey
Category: Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic Literature



Wow! This was a spectacular conclusion to post apocalyptic trilogy that is both a terrifying glimpse at the results of human fear and a testament to the resiliency of the human spirit!

This third and final installation brings together the continuing saga of Silos 18, 17 and 1, with some highly dramatic conclusions as issues regarding environment, power struggle and freedom of choice are addressed. The author has created some amazingly heroic characters, and gender certainly isn't an issue. Those who like to read about strong women AND men contending with death defying situations will appreciate this.

This is an engrossing, fast moving series that I could visualize as a miniseries or series of movies. ....And I am curious about what's going on in all those other silos now!

Book: World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie Wars by Max Brooks
Category: Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic Literature



World War Z is just what it is advertised to be...a fictional oral history of a Zombie Apocalypse. Looking at it from that point of view, the author does an incredible job of creating an story that feels like a real account of a horrible global catastrophe. Somewhere in China, Patient Zero is bitten and thus begins a plague that releases the Living Dead throughout the world. Each "chapter" is a first-person account from someone who has survived the Zombie Wars, and these accounts give a thorough picture of how such wars changed the world and humanity as we know it. While addressing this post-apocalyptic horror, Max Brooks also makes some very important, thought-provoking,and often frightening, social and political commentary.

That being said, since this is literally a series of oral accounts and not a single narrative, there is no central character in the story. The central focus is the worldwide struggle to save humanity from this horrible plague and individual characters are only visited as a means of understanding this conflict. So it truly reads more like a history book than a novel, which is really the point of the whole thing. Personally, I prefer reading a novel in which I get more personally involved with individual characters, and while I found this fascinating, I found myself drifting and skimming the text at times when I found it repetitive and/or "dry." However, with so many post-apocalyptic novels out there, a unique style is always welcome and I am interested in seeing how the movie draws all these stories together.

->108 KindleKapers:
As far as I understand, the movie (which I haven't seen yet) has very little in common with the book. If you see it, I'd be interested to know just how much/little they have in common.

I read World War Z and decided zombies are definitely not my thing. Pretty good book, just not impressed with bad guys with no brains. Like my bad guys to be intelligent.

Book: Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff
Category: Steampunk



A Recipe for a Truly Unique Fantasy

Ingredients

1 Cup of Japanese Folklore
1 Cup of Steampunk
½ cup of Samurai & Shoguns
1lb of Fantastical Beasts combined with Magical Powers
A Fight Against Tyranny & Environmental Corruption, to taste
1 Gallon of Complex Heroes, with an equal distribution of female & male characters

Directions

Mix all the ingredients into a story about a strong and intelligent young girl whose friendship with a Thunder Tiger (aka “griffin”) plays an important role in the destiny of the land of Shima. Read thoroughly… visualize the action in beautiful Japanese animation (I know I did!)…and enjoy!

111, Wasn't aware of that series at all so thanks for bringing it to my attention. Will have to keep an eye out for it.

Book: Joyland by Stephen King
Category: KindleKaper's Fifty State Challenge (North Carolina)



So now Stephen King can write detective novels too! And very well too!

The book is told from the point of view of Devin Jones, a man in his 60s who is waxing nostalgic about some time during his college years in the 1970s when he worked for, Joyland, a seasonal amusement park. As Devin attempts to mend his broken heart, he immerses himself in the carny way of life by entertaining the rubes…oops I mean the conies…while dressed up as Howie the Hound. What he didn’t know was that this would become much more than a summer job as he goes from a sad, heart-struck young man to a heroically sensitive human being, with a little help from those with “The Sight” and a hard-case, haunted crime to solve.

King really painted a vivid picture of carny life, that was accentuated by the use of the slang, some fictional and some real, that was used by the carny folk. As a child of the ‘70s myself, I could really relate to this look back at the decade as a whole. In addition to a well-crafted cold case crime thriller, he also wrote a very sensitive story about heartbreak and loss, as we experience it at different stages in our life.

So, if you shy away from Stephen King because you associate him with horror, this book might be a good
introduction to you, as long as you don’t mind a smidgen of the supernatural via psychic abilities and ghosts.

I have to say, those Hard Case Crime series covers are great - I'd get the whole series just account on those. :)

Book: The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
Category: Epic Fantasy/Classic Fantasy



I was at a book signing and book talk featuring Patrick Rothfuss in Bradenton, FL this past summer and the aforementioned author told us all that if we haven't already read The Last Unicorn, we MUST do so. And when Patrick Rothfuss issues a reading ultimatum such as that, what choice do I have?? ;)

I can definitely see why this is a classic fantasy tale. On the surface it is a beautiful, melancholy tale about a lonely unicorn seeking others like her. She is an immortal being who learns about the beauty of mortality during her quest, along with the likes of Shmendrick the Magician, Molly Gru and Prince Lir. This fairy tale wraps itself around themes such as importance of recognizing the genuine over the superficial, real-life heroism vs. questionable magic, and the heroic power of love.

As far as the writing style is concerned, it's important to keep in mind when it was written and to view it within that context. The use of song and poetry within the story, while not seen in fantasy today, is reminiscent of Tolkien, for instance. Although that is not my favorite writing device, it did not detract from the beautiful story told.

...and after finishing the book, I watched the animated version of this story which I enjoyed as much as the book itself.

Book: The Round House by Louise Erdrich
Category: KindleKaper's Fifty State Challenge (North Dakota)



Having read some of Louise Erdrich’s earlier writing, I was looking forward to reading this one and had the further incentive to do so this month when it was chosen as our book club read.

On the one hand, I really found this story quite powerful. Through the eyes of 13-year-old Joe, we as readers experience the horrible impact a violent crime such as rape can have on an individual, a family and a community as a whole. We also feel the frustration that many Native American women living on tribal lands experience when justice is thwarted due to questions of legal jurisdiction on these lands.

Yet this is so much more than a Native American crime thriller. It is also a coming-of-age tale about a young teenage boy who realizes that he will do anything to protect his family and decides that vigilante justice is the only solution. The bond he forms with his friends and their unique “detective” experiences are entertaining, albeit a bit irrelevant to the main narrative. At times, the camaraderie shared by the boys reminded me of a grittier, Native American version of the 1986 coming-of-age movie “Stand By Me”, based on Stephen King’s novella “The Body.” Funny how these memories can be re-ignited! :)

While I was definitely intrigued by the story itself, I did find that the narrative rambled at other times as well, with more extraneous scenes and details than necessary. However, being a fan of fiction pertaining to Native American culture, I love the way the author weaves Native American folklore into the dramatic action here.

Book: Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
Category: KindleKaper's Fifty State Challenge (New Hampshire)



Hey…what ever happened to little Danny Torrance, the little kid with the “shining”? You know, the one who’s alcoholic Dad went insane when he was possessed by the evil spirits of the Overlook Hotel? Well, after 37 years, this book finally answers that question, and it does so brilliantly.

Before I go on, I have to agree with what others have said about it being important to read this as a sequel to the BOOK of The Shining, not the movie with Jack Nicholson. I only read The Shining within the past year, although I have seen the movie a number of times, and there are many important differences between the two. In the "Afterword", Stephen King even states that this is the sequel to the book, not the movie, and should be read as such.

That being said, Stephen King does an excellent job bridging the 3-decade gap between “Doctor Sleep” and “The Shining.” Through several time jumps, he transports the reader from the world of 8-year-old Danny, to his early adulthood, up to the present year, drawing in characters from the first book while introducing new, typically StephenKing-esque characters.

Of course, the author delivers his usual brand of supernatural, creepy action, especially with a group of shining-sucking vampires who masquerade as typical RV people playing an important role in the story. However, the plot also touches upon alcoholism, recovery, family and forgiveness both sensitively and realistically, while providing “can’t-put-down-edge-of-your seat” literary entertainment.

Yes, this is a dazzling sequel, perhaps even better than The Shining itself, and it ranks up there with The Stand and other such classics as top King reads.

Book: Khe by Alexes Razevich
Category: Science Fiction/Science Fantasy



I am loving these Indie authors this year - Hugh Howey and now Alexes Razevich are definitely among my top 2013 reads so far!

I woke up one morning, picked up my Kindle, and somehow the intriguing face of Khe was magically staring out at me from the beautiful cover of this book. It turns out that my husband saw this book in his Book Bub e-mail and discovered that not only did it get awesome reviews, but it was also available for free on Kindle. So I couldn't resist.

Now usually, I enjoy long epic fantasy/science fiction series, but it was really refreshing to read an other-world scenario where world building, plot and accompanying sub-themes were all included in a beautifully written story of 274 pages. As a Matisse painting is defined by color rather than line, the moods and inner-feelings of the characters are represented as vivid colors, giving “she wears her heart on her sleeve” a real depth of meaning. Through the eyes of the protagonist Khe, a literary picture of an extra-terrestrial world is painted where all aspects of the inhabitants’ lives are controlled by an alien power. …an alien power that has had a particularly strong influence on the reproduction process of this planet, thus making reproductive control an important theme here.

This book also gives new meaning to the saying “if these walls could talk!” …and it also makes me wonder what my house would say to me if it could communicate!

I think a prequel about the Lumani would be really cool…Who are they? Where did they come from? Why did they come to this world in the first place? All sorts of possibilities…

Sounds like Khe mad quite an impression. Will have to look out for that one now I guess.

Book: The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida
Category: Mimi's Guilty Pleasures



After the Daily Show interview with book translator David Mitchell, and Jon Stewart’s whole-hearted recommendation, I decided to give it a try. After completing the book in about 3 hours, I honestly believe that it should win the Pulitzer Prize for non-fiction…it really is that moving and important.

When Naoki Higashida was 13-years-old, he used a Japanese alphabet board to write a memoir about the inner life of autism from his own personal experience with the condition. While there are many medical books and care-giver memoirs about life with autism, this one is unique in that we really get to understand what a young autistic teenage boy feels and does, from his own perspective. By “answering” a series of questions and telling several stories, Naoki shows what an intelligent and reflective young man he truly is, even if he cannot verbalize his thoughts aloud.

This is a must-read for…well, for everyone! David Mitchell, who is the father of a child with autism, was moved by Naoki’s story because it enriched his understanding and relationship with his son. However, this memoir is speaks to all, including those of us without any connection to autism. This amazing boy enables us to glimpse the inner thoughts and feelings of those experiencing the symptoms of this condition, while also recognizing the common threads of humanity that exist within all.

I went to put a hold on this. Alas, there is a 31 person waiting queue for one copy so it will be a while. In my school there are a number of autistic teens and some of them find the library a safe place to be. I try to learn their names early on and greet them whenever they come in. I even have one as a TA. His case worker just came in to ask if he could be independent in here to which I gave an unqualified yes. I showed her the shelves he is responsible for and how neat they are compared to another section tended by a less dedicated TA. I think this book might help me know them even better.

mamzel - It truly is an amazing book! I really believe it will do wonders in helping all of us get to know those with autism better. I was also so touched by how similar Naoki is to other young people his age in his desire to be understood and taken seriously. You'll find that it is definitely worth the wait.

I forgetting to get my copy of The Reason I Jump, thanks for the reminder and I am glad its good!

Your enthusiastic review of Khe totally sold me and off I went and downloaded it to my Kindle. That cover does draw you in!

Judy - I hope you like it! I find it refreshing to be able to read something in a genre I love by an indie author such as Alexes Razevich

I have Wool sitting on my shelves as well. I am looking forward to my Sci-Fi/Dystopia thread next year.

Book: The Republic of Thieves by Scott Lynch
Category: Anti-Hero Fantasy



I have been anxiously awaiting the third installment of the Gentleman Bastard series, and not only am I not disappointed, but I also think this is the best of the three published books.
*******************************************
First of all, as you can see, I was totally drawn in by the first two books:

The Lies of Locke Lamora, review from December 2011 -

Gangland meets the World of Fantasy...what a great read with which to usher out 2011!

I actually discovered this book on a discussion thread in a GRRM fan group. The topic of this thread was basically "What should we read while we're waiting for Martin's Winds of Winter to be published?" and many fans recommended Locke Lamora's tale, with comments like "it's freaking amazing!" So I couldn't resist and I couldn't agree more! Scott Lynch uses the typical fantasy-genre descriptiveness to create a vividly beautiful world, with sinister mafioso undertones. Like George R.R. Martin, he creates multi-dimensional characters whereby the "good guys" aren't always 100% good, and the "bad guys" have their "reasons" too. In any case, the Gentleman Bastards are slick thieves with a heck of a lot of style! Looking forward to the next book in the series...

Red Seas Under Red Skies, review from July 2012 -

It's funny because I initially started reading this one immediately after finishing The Lies of Locke Lamora back in January 2012 and for some reason I just couldn't get into it at that point (even though I absolutely loved Book One). However, when I picked it up this time, I couldn't put this amazing story down! Not only do we continue to read about the con-artistry & thievery of lovable anti-heroes, Locke Lamora & Jean Tannen, we also get some rip-roaring open-sea piracy, with some help from escaped prisoners and some absolutely kick-a**, brave & sensuous lady pirates!

This particular installment is incredibly complex, as Scott Lynch once again creates a vividly beautiful world filled with multiple layers of political & criminal intrigue, where the thieves and the politicians are often interchangeable. Piracy, of course, is a major part of the story, and even though I had to get used to all the pirate-speak, it really added authenticity to the tale.

A fantasy that combines swashbuckling adventures, monstrous creatures, political intrigue, love, friendship and, yes, even kitty cats surely can't be beat! I hope to read "The Republic of Thieves" soon.

************************************

The Republic of Thieves picks up weeks after Book 2 ends, with Locke once again facing death and Jean looking for a cure. And as it turns out, the cure lays in magic, con-artistry and political corruption that finally brings us face-to-face with Gentlelady Bastard Sabetha Belacoros.

Another fascinating plot element here, is Lynch's use of the story-within-the-story. Through his continued use of "Interludes", the author brings us back to Locke's early years, where get to learn more about Father Chains, Calo, Galdo and his rocky relationship with Sabetha. While the young Gentleman Bastards pull off another act in the name of the Crooked Warden, they also become actors in a play that seems to show how much art imitates life.

So many layers, so many twists, so many episodes of anti-heroic adventure, all well-written, engrossing, and leaving me wanting more!

I'm not going to read your whole review just yet but the following made me smile immensely:

I have been anxiously awaiting the third installment of the Gentleman Bastard series, and not only am I not disappointed, but I also think this is the best of the three published books.

Very good to hear. I might try and do a re-read of the first two books before I get around to RoT as it has been 4 years since I read them. I have time before the pb version comes out as long as I continue to resist the lure.

I clearly have to fit The Lies of Locke Lamora into my 2014 challenge! :)

Book: A Time to Kill by John Grisham
Category: Mimi's Guilty Pleasures



I read this 20+ years ago, so I really wanted to re-read before jumping into the newly released sequel, Sycamore Row. So glad I did because there was so much about the story that I did not remember about this truly epic legal drama.

As in most Grisham novels, we have a lawyer as protagonist, this time the lawyer being young Jake Brigance, and a possibly career-defining court case. However, Jake discovers that this case was as much life-defining as it was career-defining as he becomes embroiled in a very powerful courtroom drama focusing on the far-reaching effects of the rape of an African-American child by two white men in the Deep South. Considering this book was written at the beginning of John Grisham's writing career, I am again impressed at his boldness in tackling such topics as rape, racism, corruption in seemingly well-meaning organizations such as the NAACP, the criminal acts of the Ku Klux Klan and the inequities in the American justice system as a whole.

Book: Sycamore Row by John Grisham
Category: Mimi's Guilty Pleasures



Many years ago, I took a paralegal course pertaining to Estates and Wills. An attorney taught the course and began his lecture by telling us that if we thought that Estate lawyers were fortunate because they didn't have to deal with the living and it was a nice, quiet branch of law, then we obviously never involved in Will contests. John Grisham knows this too, and he once again wrote an engrossing legal thriller as, this time, he tackled Inheritance Law combined with racism in Clanton, Mississippi. While not losing sight of the spirit of his debut novel, Grisham's development as a writer in the past 20+ years is evident here, so as readers we get the best of both worlds - his early critique of racism in the South with his in-depth knowledge of the realities of the legal system and a "can't-put-down", action-packed story.

When this book was released I decided to go back and re-read A Time to Kill, since I read it and saw the movie so many years ago. For me, it was a good idea because it really helped me remember Jake Brigance and the whole Carl Lee Hailey trial, especially since there are references to that trial throughout the sequel. That being said, however, it is not absolutely necessary to re-read the original book since Grisham does a good job re-hashing the original story and the legal issues addressed the Hubbard trial are very different than those in the Hailey trial. One could probably read and enjoy this book even if he/she has never read the original, although I highly recommend either reading or watching "A Time to Kill" since it is an extremely powerful story.

glad that you enjoyed the third Lynch book - I saw him do a reading at wfc in Brighton - he has such a mesmerising voice! Must get hold of a copy & get riound to reading the first two (the first for a second time and the second for the first time!)

Book: Steelheart (Reckoners #1) by Brandon Sanderson
Category: Urban Fantasy



A very entertaining read!

This is definitely one of those YA books that fits into the cross-over category since adults who enjoy a good high-tech, post-apocalyptic story that addresses the question of what humanity would really do with Avenger-esque super powers. Would we be heroes or villains?

The very likable David Charleston is the protagonist here and we join him in Newcago (aka the New Chicago) as he seeks vengeance for the death of his father. As he becomes involved with the "rebels", aka the "Reckoners", David learns how the line between good and evil is always obvious, and even while trying to do the right thing, difficult questions must be asked. Sanderson really draws the reader into this first person narration and keeps the plot moving with action-packed scenes and humor, even as the Epics reek havoc throughout the Fractured States.

Since this is my first Brandon Sanderson book, I look forward to reading his adult novels, particularly the Mistborn Trilogy and The Way of Kings.

Book: Manhattan Transfer by John E. Stith
Category: Urban Fantasy/Space Opera



The premise of this book - Manhattan being hijacked by spider-like aliens - and the ensuing action just didn't really work for me. I think if someone has never read science fiction or space opera, this might be a good introduction however.

Book: Nothing O'Clock (Doctor Who 50th Anniversary E-Shorts #11) by Neil Gaiman
Category: Science Fiction/Science Fantasy



Always love the Gaiman episodes of Doctor Who and I also enjoyed this 11th Doctor/Amy Pond e-short, which takes the reader from 2010 to 1984 to even before the dawn of time. And we meet the Kin too... Fun read for a Whovian!

Took me a little while to post my 2014 challenges, but here are the threads -

Mimi's 2014 (& Beyond) Reading Challenge - Reading Bingo, Part One - http://www.librarything.com/topic/168472

Mimi's 2014 (& Beyond) Reading Challenge - Reading Bingo, Part 2 - http://www.librarything.com/topic/168473