11. Vale of Stars–Sean O’Brien

     

 

 

A story of generations and change and exploration and discovery.

A generation ship sets out to found a colony in another star system. What they find there, and how they adapt to it is the main concerns of the story.  All of this is set to a background of socialist political division and distrust.

I enjoyed the story, and thought the concept intriguing.  I had some problems with the writing, however. For one thing, the politics was heavy handed. Dwelt on in far too obvious a way.  Secondly, there was far too much 'telling'.  The author had done a fair job of having characters act and speak in ways that made their thoughts and intentions clear, but then went on to detail those same thoughts and explain the actions and thoughts to us.  I found that annoying as heck. Trust your readers!  We got it!  We don't need to be hit over the head with it! 

Glad I read it though, as the concepts and ideas were quite compelling.

 

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I received this book through the Library Thing Early Reviewer program.

10. The Arctic Incident–Eoin Colfer

    

The second book in the Artemis Fowl series, Artemis is once again reunited with the fairies, this time to rescue his father, who is being held for ransom by the Russian mafia. Well, he hopes it’s his father but then who can trust the mafia?

This was an audiobook, narrated by Nathaniel Parker, who did a wonderful job of it.

9. And Only to Deceive–Tasha Alexander

     

A period mystery, set in late Victorian times. Lady Emily marries, and her new husband hies off to Africa where he dies. Left a widow, in control of her own money and her own decisions, she dives into life, where she discovers that perhaps her husband was not a bit as she believed him to be, and that the men she is attracted to, are possibly villains.

I really enjoyed this book until about midway through when the main character suddenly lost her mind. I understand it was a plot device, but after seeing a very bright and intelligent woman in that character, her sudden departure into romantic idiocy irritated me no end. Still, I enjoyed the book regardless and will probably read at least one more of the series.

8. Review: A Talent for War–Jack McDevitt

 

   

 

A great fun romp through the universe with puzzles to solve, complete with a very satisfying conclusion.

Alex Benedict upon the sudden death of his uncle is offered a chance to track down a lost artifact. He's sucked into the mystery at once and flits across the known universe in search of the artifact and the mysteries he uncovers as he discovers more and more about what his uncle was up to.

I'll definitely be continuing on with this series.

7. Call for the Dead–John le Carre

    

The beginnings of le Carre's spy series. A basic, unadorned story of espionage and how someone who was your colleague might today be your opposition. Questionable loyalties, questionable lives, and living with lots of suspicion and mistrust.

6. Moon Over Soho–Ben Aaronovitch

  

For a terrifying moment I thought he was going to hug me, but fortunately we both remembered we were English just in time. Still, it was a close call.

 

Peter Grant, London cop and apprentice magician finds himself drawn into the world of music with a jazz beat. There seems to be a Jazz vampire on the loose. His mentor and master, Nightingale, is laid up from wounds received earlier, so Peter manages to lurch from crisis to crisis mostly on his own.

I really enjoy this series. I want to learn more about the Folly, and Nightingale, and Molly. I’m hoping some of that mystery will be revealed sooner rather than later.

I enjoy the humor and the action and the hits of a hidden world Peter is only now beginning to suspect.

Reviews: Books 2–5 for the year so far

2. When Christ and His Saints Slept by Sharon Kay Penman

  

A long painful journey through the 12th century, with constantly warring families, burning pillaging and raping towns across England and northern France. The first half of the book is almost unremittingly grim. A few people stand out, but mostly it is the tale of the war and its horrors for the common people, and the justifications of the powerful. I didn't/couldn't pick a side, as both sides were stubborn and cared little (although they whinged about it) regarding the horrors they were doing - only mostly complaining about what the other side was doing, even as they did the same things themselves. I don't see why any commoner would love any of them. The second half was much better, as it got down to personalities and we got to see Henry and Eleanor and pay more attention to the bastard Ranulf who seemed one of the few decent fellows in the first half. Worth the read, despite all of that, and I'll definitely continue on with the series.

 

3.  Montmorency -   Gentleman, Liar, Thief? - Eleanor Updale

 

An audiobook narrated by Stephen Fry. An odd tale of a prisoner used as a guinea pig, who, upon release, plots to show up everyone whose written him off.
An odd little tale, and far lighter than you'd think, given the themes.

 

4.  After the Armistice Ball] - Catriona McPherson

   

Dandy is a woman of privilege who appears rather ditzy. A friend of hers asks her to use her ability to appear innocuous to investigate an acquaintance who is attempting to extort some money from the woman's husband. Dandy is on the case.

I found getting used to the book a bit diffuclt, the writing giving me some problems at first. But After a few Chapters that problem disappeared and I enjoyed the characterizations and Dandy a lot.

Light cozy and fun.

 

 

 

 

5. Case Histories by Kate Atkinson

 

Jackson Brodie attracts all the weird cases. He's not sure why but he's got more than his fair share at the moment. He feels like he's Lost and Found, rather than a private detective, and he seems to be doing badly on the finding part. He's searching for a little girl who disappeared 20 some years ago, a killer who killed a teenager some 10 years ago, a missing niece (daughter of an ax murderer), not to mention the cats.

He's got more than his fair share of personal problems too.  He dreams about retiring to France. He also dreams about his dead sister.

A different sort of mystery story, with seemingly unrelated stories told separately, and in personal detail, which eventually sort of come together.  Some he solves, others he never understands.

I liked how deeply we get to see into the victim's minds and lives. A very different approach when told from their POV.

1. The Amulet of Samarkand–Jonathan Stroud

 

A fun and entertaining coming of age story as a young boy becomes apprentice to a magician. The problem is, the magician is a fool and the boy is way out of his league. Thereby hangs the tale of a stolen amulet and a summoned djinn.

This was an audio book and great fun, with a narrator who fit the position, especially as the sardonic, smartass Bartimaeus.

Great New Year!

Wishing everyone a terrific new year!

 

I read a total of 79 books last year. We’ll see how far I get with that this year. If I write more, that might go down.

 

Currently reading:  When Christ and His Saints Slept : Sharon Kay Penman

Currently writing: still working on my NaNoWriMo 2012.

79. Warhost of Vastmark–Janny Wurts

Odd I've read this and the Attolian books back to back because Arithon reminds me so much of Gen the Queen's Thief.  Both are all about complex and secretive plots they are slow to share with anyone.

I'm greatly enjoying this series, although it can get to be a tough read as war is waged across varying landscapes and little is hidden of the horrors of such warfare.

The Curse continues as brother is pitted against brother, the one gathering huge armies to track down and kill his half-brother, as the other jinks and dodges and tries to avoid as long as possible confrontation.

Complex characterization, detailed world-building, and twisty plots abound.

I do have to say I'd like to take the sorcerers out and shake them till their teeth rattle.....