This is book 2 in J. Ardian Lee's story about 18th century Scotland. Not having read book 1 yet, I can not comment on continuity of the story line between them. It was fairly robust in my opinion. Drawing known elements of how life was lived at that time well into the fantasy aspects of dealing with the wee folk. In many ways, this reminded me of Harry Turtledove's historical fiction works (the few I have read) where plausibility plays a large part in the direction of the story. As an avid fan of Sci-Fi and Fantasy, I had hoped for a larger part for the magic in the story. The author, however, paints the characters strongly enough that I can connect to the Hero, Dylan when he is pushed to the limits.
Rating 3/5
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Best Destiny
Imagine a jaded young Kirk after a disastrous first outing with his father and Kodos the Executioner of Tarsus IV two years earlier. If you started out witnessing executions in another place, one you would hate to return to, wouldn't you run as fast as possible away from such a thing?
This was, at least in Kirk's case, exactly what happened. His father, being honorable and seeing his job in Starfleet as a way of preventing this same thing from happening elsewhere, had seen little of James between the age of fourteen and sixteen. I can relate to an extent since my father spent months at a time out at sea in the Coast Guard (he and I still argue about it to this day). Young Kirk however, had more than a chip on his shoulder. Parallels could be drawn between him and a prime candidate for the gangs on the streets. In need of guidance, believing he was perfect, it was time for him to grow up or perish.
The story is both griping and detailed... but the action was not what I had expected.
Rating 3/5
This was, at least in Kirk's case, exactly what happened. His father, being honorable and seeing his job in Starfleet as a way of preventing this same thing from happening elsewhere, had seen little of James between the age of fourteen and sixteen. I can relate to an extent since my father spent months at a time out at sea in the Coast Guard (he and I still argue about it to this day). Young Kirk however, had more than a chip on his shoulder. Parallels could be drawn between him and a prime candidate for the gangs on the streets. In need of guidance, believing he was perfect, it was time for him to grow up or perish.
The story is both griping and detailed... but the action was not what I had expected.
Rating 3/5
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Death Masks
In book 5, realizing I have not read books 2-4, Butcher fairly drowns Harry in a christian battle between the fallen angels and holy knights while he has to defend himself from his own desires and a vampire warlord.
Dresden learns a life lesson in this book. The biggest lesson many of us have ever learned: The answer to the question, "Why?" To find out his answer, read the book. I have a feeling that for several books at least, this is the last we will see of Susan.
Butcher does a decent job of comparing Christianity, faith, and religion with magic. I may not agree with everything he has suggested, but, in an effort to be open-minded I can see why he chose to make the characters the way they were. It was an effort to contain everything in a single unified universe. Kudos on the blending.
Rating: 4/5
Dresden learns a life lesson in this book. The biggest lesson many of us have ever learned: The answer to the question, "Why?" To find out his answer, read the book. I have a feeling that for several books at least, this is the last we will see of Susan.
Butcher does a decent job of comparing Christianity, faith, and religion with magic. I may not agree with everything he has suggested, but, in an effort to be open-minded I can see why he chose to make the characters the way they were. It was an effort to contain everything in a single unified universe. Kudos on the blending.
Rating: 4/5
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Storm Front
Book 1 of the original series that led to the Sci-Fi adaptation lives up to the promise of the TV show. If it wasn't for the show, I'd never have picked up the 2000 publication. Danger, suspense, supernatural power, and good ol' detective work.
Two cases, intertwined, drive Dresden to his limits of both ingenuity and magic. All the familiar characters from the show make an appearance and indeed, you may see five or six episodes getting there start from this triumphant start to the book.
Tension is really raised in the book by the attraction of Murphy to Dresden and the arrival of her rival, Susan. Now, Susan is not a regular on the show, but in this initial book she fawns over Dresden like a lovesick puppy (and at one point is definitely lovesick).
Bianca, the Vampire ex-lover on the TV show, is a very different sort of person in this introduction to the world of Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden.
Rating 5/5
Two cases, intertwined, drive Dresden to his limits of both ingenuity and magic. All the familiar characters from the show make an appearance and indeed, you may see five or six episodes getting there start from this triumphant start to the book.
Tension is really raised in the book by the attraction of Murphy to Dresden and the arrival of her rival, Susan. Now, Susan is not a regular on the show, but in this initial book she fawns over Dresden like a lovesick puppy (and at one point is definitely lovesick).
Bianca, the Vampire ex-lover on the TV show, is a very different sort of person in this introduction to the world of Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden.
Rating 5/5
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
The Broken Places
The authors help us to learn much about the inner minds of the crew of the Andromeda Ascendant and a future 3 millennium hence in book 2 of the series. The preface of each chapter stirs the imagination and colors the remainder of that chapter. There are two main themes to this book that intertwine in a stunning conclusion.
As with the TV series, this book goes to the brink of total annihilation. Due to the nature of the media, we see here, however, not just a single tightrope with destruction waiting below, but two. Both plots could have been written as stand alone stories and been good, but together they weave a stunning tapestry that seems as ageless as the universe and as relevant as the dichotomy of everyday life.
Rating 4/5
As with the TV series, this book goes to the brink of total annihilation. Due to the nature of the media, we see here, however, not just a single tightrope with destruction waiting below, but two. Both plots could have been written as stand alone stories and been good, but together they weave a stunning tapestry that seems as ageless as the universe and as relevant as the dichotomy of everyday life.
Rating 4/5
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)