The Arcana Chronicles began with an interesting premise: young adults with fantastic powers who battle it out in an “there can be only one” apocalypse battle of the fittest. And because it’s Kresley Cole it’s full of sexy characters who smolder. And of course the obligatory YA love triangle. The whole thing is loosely built upon the idea of each character = tarot card. Basically it was my catnip. Now we’re four books in on a series that doesn’t seem like it’ll end soon. Or […]
Magic Ladies Run the World
In many ways Sorcerer to the Crown is what Jane Austen would have written if she were a full on fantasy writer in modern times. It would have to be modern times because the hero is black and the heroine is brown. It has to be fantasy because this world has magic users, magical creatures, and familiar spirits. And almost everyone is smart, except the human villains who turn out to be totally impotent; it’s their magical accomplices who have both real power and personality. […]
Wrath and Frustration or Austen Mishandled
If you read The Paper Magician, get ready to feel wrath and frustration. Ceony Twill is quite possibly the most irritating heroine I’ve read in a long time and I really want to strangle her. I’ll probably settle for getting this book away from me as soon as I can. Ceony is a know-it all, she’s selfish, she’s immature, and she refuses to learn from her mistakes. True she’s had some problems in her life, but as her flashbacks show, a lot of them are […]
I Hated the Photographs
I’m pretty stoked for this movie in the fall. Naturally, I figured I would sate my excitement by reading the book, which seemed like a great plan at the time. And I really, really wanted to like it…unfortunately, I didn’t.
Travel is so broadening.
Another installment of the adventures of Granny Weatherwax. This time, she’s left her home to travel the world and glare at foreigners. She and Nanny Ogg decide to ‘help’ Magrat to be a Fairy Godmother, with interesting results. This book examines fairy tales and the power of story in shaping how people interpret their lives. Magrat inherits the magic wand of Fairy Godmothering and has to travel to far-away Genua to perform her duties to her god child, who is basically Cinderella. Granny and Nanny […]
In which I spurn the vox populi, and try to find a light in the darkness
It’s weird, writing this review. Not because I’m struggling to put into words the thoughts and feelings I have about this book, but because I never thought I’d be here. I’d never thought I’d have to be here, reviewing Twilight. I never thought I’d be in a place where I’ve read Twilight. But I am, and it’s all Rainbow Rowell’s fault. To recap: I first read Landline and, like all rational humans, absolutely loved it. Before I even digested the majesty of Rowell’s word soup, […]