Saturday, February 18, 2006
For Love and Glory
For Love and Glory by Poul Anderson
Lissa and her partner Karl have found artifacts of the Forerunners. They are bound to take responsibility as well as glory attached to the artifact. What will this artifact teach them of the Forerunners and will the knowledge be used for good?
Lissa and her partner Karl have found artifacts of the Forerunners. They are bound to take responsibility as well as glory attached to the artifact. What will this artifact teach them of the Forerunners and will the knowledge be used for good?
Bronze A Tale of Terror
Bronze a Tale of Terror by Kit Reid.
Bronze was a gift to me from someone who knew I had enjoyed Thinner Than Thou. Bronze is a very different story. I am not fond of horror stories in books or on film, they are just too scary for me.
This story reminded me, just a little, of Madeliene L'Engle's book "The Other Side of the Sun".
Jude Atkins impulsively travels to South Carolina to surprise her new boyfriend. She stumbles onto the family of famous and strange sculptors that he is trying to separate from. What power does his stepmother hold over the family and what horror does the plantation hide.
Suffice to say that it is horrific and not gory but icky and disturbing.
Bronze was a gift to me from someone who knew I had enjoyed Thinner Than Thou. Bronze is a very different story. I am not fond of horror stories in books or on film, they are just too scary for me.
This story reminded me, just a little, of Madeliene L'Engle's book "The Other Side of the Sun".
Jude Atkins impulsively travels to South Carolina to surprise her new boyfriend. She stumbles onto the family of famous and strange sculptors that he is trying to separate from. What power does his stepmother hold over the family and what horror does the plantation hide.
Suffice to say that it is horrific and not gory but icky and disturbing.
Wild Magic
Wild Magic by Jude Fisher
I finally went back and finished this book. Eh. The story is very scattered and I had to keep track of so many characters. I wish Jude Fisher had concentrated more on a few main characters and drawn their stories out more fully.
I finally went back and finished this book. Eh. The story is very scattered and I had to keep track of so many characters. I wish Jude Fisher had concentrated more on a few main characters and drawn their stories out more fully.
Stravaganza Ciy of Flowers
Stravaganza City of Flowers by Mary Hoffman
This is the third book in the Stravaganza series. Sky joins Nicholas and Georgia in Giglia, the city of flowers, where the family rivalries are more and more deadly and vicious. The story seemed a little strained to me.
This is the third book in the Stravaganza series. Sky joins Nicholas and Georgia in Giglia, the city of flowers, where the family rivalries are more and more deadly and vicious. The story seemed a little strained to me.
Southern Fire
Southern Fire by Juliet E. McKenna
The leader of an island people sees danger coming from the south. No portents have foretold this danger but the survivors of the carnage are beginning to arrive. Though his people fear magic, Daish Kheda fears that magic may be the only thing that can save them from the coming barbarism. He must give up everything he holds dear in an attempt to save it.
The leader of an island people sees danger coming from the south. No portents have foretold this danger but the survivors of the carnage are beginning to arrive. Though his people fear magic, Daish Kheda fears that magic may be the only thing that can save them from the coming barbarism. He must give up everything he holds dear in an attempt to save it.
The House on the Gulf
The House on the Gulf by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Brittany, her brother Bran, and their mother have a wonderful break. Bran's employer has asked them to housesit for the summer. This means that their mother can stop working and take advantage of a scholarship grant. Brittany and her mother are thrilled but Britanny starts to worry that Bran is hiding something from her. What does it have to do with the owners of the house?
Brittany, her brother Bran, and their mother have a wonderful break. Bran's employer has asked them to housesit for the summer. This means that their mother can stop working and take advantage of a scholarship grant. Brittany and her mother are thrilled but Britanny starts to worry that Bran is hiding something from her. What does it have to do with the owners of the house?
Equal Rites
Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett
A dyingf wizard hands down his powers to the newly born 8th son of an 8th son. However the son turns out to be a daughter. Esk is the first female wizard and there is nothing that so upsets the Wizard University as women out of place.
A dyingf wizard hands down his powers to the newly born 8th son of an 8th son. However the son turns out to be a daughter. Esk is the first female wizard and there is nothing that so upsets the Wizard University as women out of place.
The Color of Magic
The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett
Did you notice the string of Discworld books? LOL! They are addictive and though I read many years ago, I'm rediscovering them in the copmpany of younger readers.
This is the first in the Discworld books and is a hilarious introduction to Ankh-Morpork and the rest of Discworld in the company of Twoflower (a tourist!) and Rincewind his wizard guide.
Did you notice the string of Discworld books? LOL! They are addictive and though I read many years ago, I'm rediscovering them in the copmpany of younger readers.
This is the first in the Discworld books and is a hilarious introduction to Ankh-Morpork and the rest of Discworld in the company of Twoflower (a tourist!) and Rincewind his wizard guide.
A Break With Charity
A Break With Charity by Ann Rinaldi
Ann Rinaldi's books are meaty or hearty like a good meal of soba noodles and vegetables...when I finish I feel satisfied that I have been told a good story and I have learned and (most important) I have seen and thought like another person. I always feel as if her characters are real people whom I have come to know.
Susanna English recalls the Salem witch trials and how they affected her self and her family.
Ann Rinaldi's books are meaty or hearty like a good meal of soba noodles and vegetables...when I finish I feel satisfied that I have been told a good story and I have learned and (most important) I have seen and thought like another person. I always feel as if her characters are real people whom I have come to know.
Susanna English recalls the Salem witch trials and how they affected her self and her family.
Thief of Time
Thief of Time by Terry Pratchett
The Auditors are back and this time they are attempting to stop humanity by inducing a talented (some say crazy) young clockmaker to build the perfect clock.
Susan, History Monk Lu-Tze, and Lobsang Ludd must try to find and stop the creation of the clock. They get help from an unexpected entity. Death by chocolate happens quite often. Punny.
The Auditors are back and this time they are attempting to stop humanity by inducing a talented (some say crazy) young clockmaker to build the perfect clock.
Susan, History Monk Lu-Tze, and Lobsang Ludd must try to find and stop the creation of the clock. They get help from an unexpected entity. Death by chocolate happens quite often. Punny.
Soul Music
Soul Music by Terry Pratchett
The Grim REaper disappears and susan is once more pulled into service. The soul of rock enters a young bard and infects all of Ankh-Morpork with its toe tapping, reality changing beat. Punny.
I got more of the '50's rock and roll references than the 13 year old girl who read this book right after I did. I had to explain a lot of names and rock group history to her.
The Grim REaper disappears and susan is once more pulled into service. The soul of rock enters a young bard and infects all of Ankh-Morpork with its toe tapping, reality changing beat. Punny.
I got more of the '50's rock and roll references than the 13 year old girl who read this book right after I did. I had to explain a lot of names and rock group history to her.
The Hallowed Hunt
The Hallowed Hunt by Lois McMaster Bujols
A book from the world of Paladin of Souls and The Curse of Chalion. Spirits who belong to the land mix it up with humans who have the ability to shape change and humans who have found a way to circumvent death. The damage to the land and the twisting of power lead to a huge push by the dead and old powers to make things right.
A book from the world of Paladin of Souls and The Curse of Chalion. Spirits who belong to the land mix it up with humans who have the ability to shape change and humans who have found a way to circumvent death. The damage to the land and the twisting of power lead to a huge push by the dead and old powers to make things right.
Star Wars Survivor's Quest
Star Wars Survivor's Quest by Timothy Zahn
Luke and Mara Jade Skywalker are called to a newly found Jedi artifact, a spaceship that was lost over 50 years before. In the company of a ship load of peoples who feel that they owe the Jedi for their actions to save them (convoluted sentence, sorry).
Shockingly, at the downed spaceship they discover that there were survivors and that politics within the ship have turned force strong people into isolated/guarded dangers. On the rescue ship odd things keep happening and Luke worries about saboteurs.
Luke and Mara Jade Skywalker are called to a newly found Jedi artifact, a spaceship that was lost over 50 years before. In the company of a ship load of peoples who feel that they owe the Jedi for their actions to save them (convoluted sentence, sorry).
Shockingly, at the downed spaceship they discover that there were survivors and that politics within the ship have turned force strong people into isolated/guarded dangers. On the rescue ship odd things keep happening and Luke worries about saboteurs.
Becoming Naomi Leon
Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan
A great story told well! Naomi lives with her brother and grandmother in a trailer park. Naomi's mother abandoned them and they do not know about their father. When their mother shows up to claim Naomi (but not her brother who has special needs) the family travels to Mexico to find her father and his family. Naomi learns a lot about her father's family and sees their influences and talents in herself. Will she find enough support and strength to stand up to her lying mother?
A great story told well! Naomi lives with her brother and grandmother in a trailer park. Naomi's mother abandoned them and they do not know about their father. When their mother shows up to claim Naomi (but not her brother who has special needs) the family travels to Mexico to find her father and his family. Naomi learns a lot about her father's family and sees their influences and talents in herself. Will she find enough support and strength to stand up to her lying mother?
David
David by Anne Holm
David is in a concentration camp but is not Jewish...noone knows why he is there. A guard helps him escape and sends him towards Denmark. David is scared and starving but determined to run to safety.
Luckily (!) Daivd speaks French like a nobleman, Italian like a nobleman, English like an Oxford scholar (you get the idea). He can also read most languages, write a little, and has impeccable manners. He meets both helpful people and unhelpful people in his run. David believes very strongly that he can tell a person's good/bad by looking into their eyes and watching a few seconds of interaction. He makes his way to Denmark and along the way finds the ability to smile and the secret to his family.
Too perfect, too good.
David is in a concentration camp but is not Jewish...noone knows why he is there. A guard helps him escape and sends him towards Denmark. David is scared and starving but determined to run to safety.
Luckily (!) Daivd speaks French like a nobleman, Italian like a nobleman, English like an Oxford scholar (you get the idea). He can also read most languages, write a little, and has impeccable manners. He meets both helpful people and unhelpful people in his run. David believes very strongly that he can tell a person's good/bad by looking into their eyes and watching a few seconds of interaction. He makes his way to Denmark and along the way finds the ability to smile and the secret to his family.
Too perfect, too good.
Crank
Crank by Ellen Hopkins
Crank is based on the experiences of the author and her daughter. Kristina, who seems tame and normal but who really has underlying problems concerning her parents and self-concept, is visiting her divorced Dad when she is introduced to Crank - methamphetamines. Kristine produces a second personality to do all theings she shouldn't but wants to try. Her drug use takes control of her life until all she can think of is the way to get more drugs. She is raped by a "nice guy" while high. She also meets a guy who seems crazy and rough but who is gentle with her and cares for her.
The book is written in a sort of freeform poetry often with dialogue between lines across from each other. I found it very distracting from the story.
Crank is based on the experiences of the author and her daughter. Kristina, who seems tame and normal but who really has underlying problems concerning her parents and self-concept, is visiting her divorced Dad when she is introduced to Crank - methamphetamines. Kristine produces a second personality to do all theings she shouldn't but wants to try. Her drug use takes control of her life until all she can think of is the way to get more drugs. She is raped by a "nice guy" while high. She also meets a guy who seems crazy and rough but who is gentle with her and cares for her.
The book is written in a sort of freeform poetry often with dialogue between lines across from each other. I found it very distracting from the story.
Milkweed
Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli
Milkweed doesn't really know who he is. He lives on the streets of Warsaw and may be a Jew, he sleeps in a pack with other Jewish homeless boys. They survive through thievery and the protection and warmth they give each other.
Not cutesy, not overwhelmingly depressing though the story is as sad and depressing as could almost be (at least he has friends). What can be done when the friendship that helps us survive as human beings conflicts with the anonymity which could keep our bodies safe?
Milkweed doesn't really know who he is. He lives on the streets of Warsaw and may be a Jew, he sleeps in a pack with other Jewish homeless boys. They survive through thievery and the protection and warmth they give each other.
Not cutesy, not overwhelmingly depressing though the story is as sad and depressing as could almost be (at least he has friends). What can be done when the friendship that helps us survive as human beings conflicts with the anonymity which could keep our bodies safe?
Poison Study
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
This is a fantasy set love story. Yelena is sentenced to death after an attack on her abusive master/fosterfather but is offered the job of food taster for the King. She is told she has been given a long acting poison which will kill her if she does not get a regular antidote (so no running away). Yelena is beautiful, smart, a whiz at taste testing, politically savvy, cute as a button, and has magical talents as well. Oh yeah, AND she's a gymnast/acrobat.
Will she survive? Will her jailer hate her forever? Will she be forced to betray her country? Well, that part is obvious but the path is entertaining.
This is a fantasy set love story. Yelena is sentenced to death after an attack on her abusive master/fosterfather but is offered the job of food taster for the King. She is told she has been given a long acting poison which will kill her if she does not get a regular antidote (so no running away). Yelena is beautiful, smart, a whiz at taste testing, politically savvy, cute as a button, and has magical talents as well. Oh yeah, AND she's a gymnast/acrobat.
Will she survive? Will her jailer hate her forever? Will she be forced to betray her country? Well, that part is obvious but the path is entertaining.
Divide
Divide by Elizabeth Kay
A sickly boy faints right across the ciontinental divide...somehow he is exactly in half and exactly between death and life. He wakes to find himself in an alternate world where magid is ordinary and science the rare unbelivable art.
Can he find a cure for himself and a way home?
A sickly boy faints right across the ciontinental divide...somehow he is exactly in half and exactly between death and life. He wakes to find himself in an alternate world where magid is ordinary and science the rare unbelivable art.
Can he find a cure for himself and a way home?
Among the Brave
Among the Brave by Margaret Peterson Haddix
I hope that at some point these books are republished as a single novel or as a trilogy; the 6 books so far could easily be condensed without losing any of the character or drama. The Shadow Children series is set in a future where population control is managed by law and any children over the permitted one are outlaws and criminals.
The government is starting to fall apart but so is the resistance. Trey hides in plain sight at the Population Police headquarters and tries to find information to help save his friends and himself.
I hope that at some point these books are republished as a single novel or as a trilogy; the 6 books so far could easily be condensed without losing any of the character or drama. The Shadow Children series is set in a future where population control is managed by law and any children over the permitted one are outlaws and criminals.
The government is starting to fall apart but so is the resistance. Trey hides in plain sight at the Population Police headquarters and tries to find information to help save his friends and himself.
Hogfather
Hogfather by Terry Pratchett
The Accountants strike! They are trying to rid the world of Hogfather, beloved Discworld giftgiver. Death knows something is up and tries to come up with a fix while Susan is pulled to help him.
The Accountants strike! They are trying to rid the world of Hogfather, beloved Discworld giftgiver. Death knows something is up and tries to come up with a fix while Susan is pulled to help him.
Mort
Mort by Terry Pratchett
The life of Death's human apprentice. Funny, punny. A Discworld novel.
The life of Death's human apprentice. Funny, punny. A Discworld novel.
A Wizard Alone
A Wizard Alone by Diane Duane
I liked this book better than others in the series! Woohoo! Nina is sent to check on a Wizard who has been in his ordeal for a very long time. She finds the wizard locked in autism in a dangerous battle with the darkness. How can she help him without interfering in the rulesof the ordeal?
I liked this book better than others in the series! Woohoo! Nina is sent to check on a Wizard who has been in his ordeal for a very long time. She finds the wizard locked in autism in a dangerous battle with the darkness. How can she help him without interfering in the rulesof the ordeal?
The Homeward Bounders
The Homeward Bouders by Diana Wynne Jones
Jamie stumbles into a game played by powerful non-humans. The players sweep Jamie into the game as a pawn and he finds himself popped from world possibility to world possibility. He is desperate to find his way home in this nightmare version of Groundhog Day.
Jamie stumbles into a game played by powerful non-humans. The players sweep Jamie into the game as a pawn and he finds himself popped from world possibility to world possibility. He is desperate to find his way home in this nightmare version of Groundhog Day.
The Empty Mirror
The Empty Mirror by James Lincoln Collier
Strange things start to happen to Nick Hodges. People in the village are accusing him of mischief that he did not commit...and there are eye witnesses for both sides.
How is the mysterious mischief making connected to the influenza epedemic that decimated the village when Nick was a baby?
Strange things start to happen to Nick Hodges. People in the village are accusing him of mischief that he did not commit...and there are eye witnesses for both sides.
How is the mysterious mischief making connected to the influenza epedemic that decimated the village when Nick was a baby?
Midwinter Nightingale
Midwinter Nightingale by Joan Aiken
A strangely dark little story but the tweens loved it. Girls in the story include both puffy airheads and strong intelligent women.
A strangely dark little story but the tweens loved it. Girls in the story include both puffy airheads and strong intelligent women.
Star Wars The Cestus Deception - A Clone Novel
The Cestus Deception by Steven Barnes.
Palpatine is trying to force a deal with Ord Cestus and asks the Jedi to use violence to enforce the unwilling world. Obi Wan must try to negotiate between the two factions and between his beliefs and orders.
Palpatine is trying to force a deal with Ord Cestus and asks the Jedi to use violence to enforce the unwilling world. Obi Wan must try to negotiate between the two factions and between his beliefs and orders.
Orphan Star a Pip and Flinx Adventure
Orphan star by Alan Dean Foster.
Pip continues his search for information on his parents. In this adventure he is given a job which leads to clues about his mother. Flinx gets to kill bad people and Pip uses his extra powers to search for the truth no matter how ugly it may be.
This Pip and Flinx book was much easier to stick with than others I have read. Usually I start the books over and over until suddenly it catches.
Pip continues his search for information on his parents. In this adventure he is given a job which leads to clues about his mother. Flinx gets to kill bad people and Pip uses his extra powers to search for the truth no matter how ugly it may be.
This Pip and Flinx book was much easier to stick with than others I have read. Usually I start the books over and over until suddenly it catches.
Dragon's Breath
Dragon's Breath by E. D. Baker is a sequel to The Frog Princess (reviewed last year).
It is funny and punny. Princess Emma is learning the ropes of being the Green Witch. Her endeavours are complicated by the effects of the family curse on her Aunt and Grandmother. Her relationship with ex-frog Eadric is developing.
It is funny and punny. Princess Emma is learning the ropes of being the Green Witch. Her endeavours are complicated by the effects of the family curse on her Aunt and Grandmother. Her relationship with ex-frog Eadric is developing.
Friday, February 17, 2006
Artemis Fowl The Opal Deception
Eh. I'm not interested in breaking the code and in my opinion the Artemis Fowl stories don't stand up to The Supernaturalist or The Wish List. I just can't care for Artemis Fowl but Cosmo and Meg touched my heart.
Conrad's Fate
Conrad's Fate by Diana Wynne Jones
Interesting but not reveting. It's just too easy to pick out how and why things are changing. Seeing how the author gets from point to point is sometimes surprising but all too often confirming of the reader's guess.
Interesting but not reveting. It's just too easy to pick out how and why things are changing. Seeing how the author gets from point to point is sometimes surprising but all too often confirming of the reader's guess.
Magic Street
Magic Street by Orson Scott Card
An interesting change in what I usually read from Orson Scott Card. This book has a reworking of old fairy tales, fables of gods, and Shakespeare all translated into a merging of worlds and peoples in modern L.A.
An interesting change in what I usually read from Orson Scott Card. This book has a reworking of old fairy tales, fables of gods, and Shakespeare all translated into a merging of worlds and peoples in modern L.A.
The Protector's War
The Protector's War by S. M. Stirling
This is the sequal to Dies the Fire (which I loved). I am less enamored but still enthralled (make sense?). I read this books in a mix of rush and savour trying to get the story to last as long as possible but almost unable to put the book down to attend to normal life.
This is the sequal to Dies the Fire (which I loved). I am less enamored but still enthralled (make sense?). I read this books in a mix of rush and savour trying to get the story to last as long as possible but almost unable to put the book down to attend to normal life.
The City of Ember
The City of Ember by JEanne DuPrau
Interesting. Slightly reminiscent of the first of William Nicholson's Wind of Fire trilogy. I like the uinderground world and society though there are many structural ideas that are not addressed.
Interesting. Slightly reminiscent of the first of William Nicholson's Wind of Fire trilogy. I like the uinderground world and society though there are many structural ideas that are not addressed.
I Think I'll Just Curl Up and Die
I Think I'll Just Curl Up and Die by Rosie Rushton
Blech! Blech Blech! Targeted to jr high and high school girls in a way that seeks a very low level of intelligence and vocabulary. The morals are VERY heavy handed and there is a lot of playing up acting out.
Blech! Blech Blech! Targeted to jr high and high school girls in a way that seeks a very low level of intelligence and vocabulary. The morals are VERY heavy handed and there is a lot of playing up acting out.
Strategy
My strategy for clearing and blogging my reading pile is this: I will enter the titles and authors with a word or two of comment and then (later when the pile is off the floor) I will fill in with links and fuller comments.
