I feel a little bad calling one of Le Guin’s books meh, but A Wizard of Earthsea was really only so-so for me. I bumped it up a little in the rating purely due to how groundbreaking the book must have been in 1968 when it was released. This series influenced many famous authors and for good reason. A wizard protagonist with dark skin? A school for wizards? An epic bildungsroman featuring a somewhat unlikeable character? All those things should be considered when evaluating this […]
A bit too much of the wrong brother
This is the fourth book in the Johannes Cabal series, and the only one that uses its main character sparingly. I loved the first three Cabal novels, particularly Johannes Cabal the Detective, which is the second one. I also love the handful of Cabal short stories, particularly Johannes Cabal and the Blustery Day, the first Cabal story and a brilliant introduction to a brilliant character. Johannes Cabal is a German-born man who was raised from middle childhood in England. He is a necromancer ‘of some little infamy’, […]
Maybe if you really like modern fairy tales…?
Young Adult Fantasy is one of my favorite genres, particularly because the writers don’t always have to worry about the details because the targeted audience is more capable of suspending their disbelief. I, however, am the sort who always enjoyed ripping stories apart, especially when I actually do like them. This works out well for me with films, but when it comes to books and comics, I tend to obsess. I spent years avoiding mainstream American comics because I could see, even from a casual […]
I feel like I’ve been reading this book for a lot longer then I actually have been reading it
The Blood of Olympus is the final book in Rick Riordan’s Heroes of Olympus series, which is the second series in the Camp Half-Blood Chronicles. In addition, it’s part of the same universe as his Kane Chronicles and the Magnus Chase series (I’ve read and loved the former, haven’t started the latter yet.) And someday, I’m sure, Riordan is going to write a book where all of his heroes meet and it will either be absolutely crazy or epically awesome. I will probably read it […]
An Unclear Circus Farewell
I have to admit, the timing here is almost ironic. I finish this book just when Ringling Brothers announces their closure. Anyways, Night Circus has a lot going for it. An interesting premise, mystery, magic, and a great cast of characters in an intriguing setting. The language is also unusually detailed, which matches well with the mysterious artsy tone. I should have loved this, but I only liked it. I had 3 main problems with Night Circus. First and foremost, I hate present tense narrative, […]
Well that was darker than expected
3.5 stars. Just like faintingviolet, I had to rush out and get the sequel to Daughter of Smoke and Bone. It ended on a bit of a cliffhanger and I just had to find out what was next for Karou, Akiva, and company. Like many middle books of trilogies, there was a lot of set-up and plot mechanics to wade through in Days of Blood and Starlight. It was still very readable however and Taylor did a good job of building tension and suspense while […]