Musings on the Written Word

Musings on the Written Word

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Firebird

Book 11/25

Mercedes Lackey's Firebird

After enjoying Ms. Lackey's The Black Swan as much as I did, I couldn't pass up Firebird as soon as I saw it. While I have never seen the Firebird Ballet, I have heard the majority of the score, and I was curious to see if I could read a retelling of the story to suit the music. As usual, Ms. Lackey did not disappoint me.

The book is a beautiful tale, and it never takes the path you would expect in a fairy tale. Ilya is hardly a faultless hero, and his mistakes are thrown at him again and again. It's debatable that he's a stereotypical hero from "low" origins, simply because of his treatment by his family, but it came across as fresh, to me. Rather than being looked down upon by everyone, he enjoys a fairly comfortable life - and not the life I expected when I read the opening of the first chapter. I thought I was going to be bored by a pathetic, quiet protagonist fighting for everything he could get; it was a pleasant surprise to find that I didn't entirely like Ilya's character.

The plot itself was woven nicely, giving all of the characters - save perhaps the Katschei - a chance to be given flesh and movement. Only the Katschei is completely incapable of moving between good and evil equally well, which was a disappointment; pure evil is always a lacking foe. While her own story is overshadowed by Ilya's, even the Firebird is granted a "humanity" of flaws and desires. It was also nice to see the animals behaving as animals, rather than adopting anthropomorphic qualities, as I see in the Heralds Ms. Lakcey created. Their behaviors don't change, simply because they cna speak with Ilya.

To be honest, I was afraid the ending was going to be lacking. Titania was just too much a stock princess in peril, and I was afraid that Ilya would end up with the typical storybook ending of love everlasting with a beautiful, perfect princess. Ms. Lackey surprised me, though, in that final section of the last chapter - to the point that I had to go back and re-read the opening, as I was afraid I had missed something. While I wish there had been a little more substance to the ending and the romance, I was happy to see that, even as a Hero, Ilya was capable of mistakes.

A beautiful story, and I'm glad I didn't hesitate to snatch a copy from the shelves.

Posted by Andria :: 11:33 AM :: 0 comments

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Sunday, May 04, 2008

Eternity Row

Book 10/25

S.L. Viehl's Eternity Row

This must be a record of some kind - a review not only posted in a reasonable amount of time after completion of the book, but a review posted the same day as that event! However, I wouldn't get too comfortable with this idea - this is most likely a fluke.

I have been really disappointed with the last few StarDoc books, to the point that I had considered stopping the series. However, it seemed a terrible waste to leave off before reading my signed copy (I actually believe Rebel Ice is the next book in the series), so I gave Ms. Viehl one last try, and I'm grateful I did. Eternity Row was everything I could have hoped for, and my biggest complaint is with whoever was charged with the editing.

Cherijo was the character she began as, complete with her sarcasm, wit, and flaws. She made mistakes, and she made assumptions she couldn't always support. At the same time, she was every bit a physician, concerned with healing her patients. The addition of her vow to keep her promises - however reluctantly she meant them - elevated her in my eyes and redeemed her past behavior. I was afraid the addition of Marel might have swayed her, but it didn't change her - beyond the expectations one should have for a character who is suddenly a parent of a young child. She was the character I admired once more, and even Reever unbent enough to become sympathetic. Which is why I cannot completely condemn the addition of Marel to the mix, as I chalk a resumption of his humanity to her presence.

The plot made sense, and the various hanging threads were all explained and woven nicely together at the end - what more could one ask for? Yes, I am slightly biased by the fact that there was not a cliffhanger tacked onto the end of this book, but it was also nicely handled. Ms. Viehl's creativity in the simultaneous problems of Taercal and Oenrall was fantastic, and something I hadn't considered. I had had my theories regarding the connection between the two, but I was on the wrong path. It was nice to be pleasantly surprised, rather than guessing the answer chapters ahead of the revelation. It was also an interesting juxtaposition - on a number of levels - and my only hope is that the situation between Dhreen and Ilona will find some conclusion down the road.

Every previously-introduced character grew new facets, while remaining true to their selves. And, of course, I was pleased to see the continuation of the feline family...though I would like to think, as a doctor, that Cherijo would be smart enough to have her own pets neutered/spayed - for their own health, if nothing else. However, I have to admit that is a bias that comes from working in the animal medical world, as opposed to the human medical world. Deciphering Marel's pathos was annoying at times, not to mention confusing, but I was able to muddle through. I have my own suspicions as to her ability to always be where she isn't meant to be, but I'm hoping Ms. Viehl isn't taking that obvious route. I would be nice to see Marel as just an ordinary child, with an ordinary child's ability to get underfoot at the worst opportunities.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read, from the beginning, and it was returned me to the fandom of StarDoc. At least until I read the next book.

Posted by Andria :: 2:54 PM :: 0 comments

---------------oOo--------------- Sense and Sensibility

Book 9/25

Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility

This was the story - the language, the plot, the characters - that I had originally hoped for and expected when I decided to begin reading Ms. Austen's works. While Northanger Abbey was very sweet and an enjoyable read, the lack of character depth and the frequent absence of dialogue was a disappointment. Sense and Sensibility was a complete opposite and had everything I could have hoped for.

Once again, the sweet reasonability and reality of the characters and their challenges and rewards was refreshing. Even though I haven't studied the age or its customs, it was obvious what manners were expected, and what social norms and requirements were expected of men and women of various classes. Ms. Austen took a sweet, simple story of finding one's true love and put it through the twists, turns, and falls that exist in the every day. After my disappointment with Marina's spontaneous love in Mercedes Lackey's The Gates of Sleep, it was a comfort to fall into the misery of Marianne and the troubled mind of Elinor. The two sisters' desires were so simple, and yet both of them suffered horribly in the pursuit of those dreams. They were subjected to a roller coaster that anyone who's experienced rejection or disappointment could sympathize with.

Ms. Austen's characters step out of the real world, and they have simple faults, and they receive rewards that are just - or not. This is the first book I've read where a character who deserved nothing less than tragedy was actually rewarded beyond their original expectations. Lucy is able to manipulate everyone to achieve a goal even higher than what the reader is led to believe she desires. I have to admit, I was angry that such a horrible person could be gifted so, but this often happens in the real world. The reality Ms. Austen captures in the guise of fiction is a revelation after reading so many works of fiction where people are, really, inhuman in their habits or characters. Meanwhile, Elinor has to earn her own happy ending, suffering quietly while Marianne wastes away in her depression. She is the typical older sister, expected to shoulder the burden of protecting and comforting her siblings and promoting their interests ahead of her own.

The story is simply a tale of the sweet reality of love, and every facet that it can capture. Every character has flaws, every character - with, perhaps, the exception of Lucy - learns and changes, and every ending is thoroughly earned. My only true complaint is Marianne's own marriage; there was no dialogue or explanation given for her change of mind. She transformed from someone who ridiculed the very idea of someone being paired with such a man to accepting his hand. It was confusing to see that, and it almost appeared as if she simply gave up and accepted her only option. With how her character had been set up, prior to that, I was disappointed. I wanted to see a full recovery for Marianne, the rebirth of a fiery phoenix from the ashes of regret. The quiet acceptance of, essentially, second place (if he could have even qualified for that position) was a let-down. Yes, he deserved the ending, but it seemed less-than-happy for Marianne. It would have been nice if Ms. Austen had shown the growing affection, or at least dictated the quiet acceptance of an unavoidable fate. It diminished the strong passions of Marianne, and I think that was unfair to her character; she deserved much better.

All in all, though, I loved the book - and I am not a fan of romantic stories. It was refreshing to see genuine love and its trials, though, and I look forward to reading the rest of my collection.

Posted by Andria :: 10:06 AM :: 0 comments

---------------oOo--------------- The Gates of Sleep

Book 8/25

Mercedes Lackey's The Gates of Sleep

This is the third in the Elemental Masters series (second, depending on the source you check, as The Fire Rose frequently gets missed); this particular book retells the tale of "Sleeping Beauty." As usual, Ms. Lackey manages to add a new finish to the story, taking it in a new direction. Unfortunately, it wasn't as new of a finish as I had originally hoped, and it was a little bit of a let-down after my enjoyment of The Serpent's Shadow.

Marina is a change from what I've come to recognize as Ms. Lackey's leading lady - rather than striking out as an individual, bucking tradition, challenging the social norms, etc., Marina is a stereotypical girly-girl fascinated by the latest fashions and trends. That was a disappointment, for me, because it made her seem - to my mind - more helpless. When you throw in her hysterics on being sent to Arachne, she diminished a lot as a primary character, in my opinion. She wanted to rebel against her cousin's perception of her as just another flighty female, but, honestly, she met most of his expectations. Yes, she could be pronounced a "bore" for her time spent with the Pastor, but she was still thrilled with a shopping trip. To change from Maya, who was a feminist doctor, to Marina, who is little more than a backwards teenage girl was a dramatic shift, and I wish that Ms. Lackey had done more to bolster Marina's character as something - anything - more than cardboard.

The story was still well-told, though the final battle was a severe anti-climax for me; there is nothing so horribly cliched as good and evil battling - literally. I had hoped for a little more out of the final confrontation, but the handful of paragraphs left to the matter of releasing Marina and rescuing Dr. Pike...it was droll. It was also expected, once Arachne's source of power had been revealed, which is always a disappointment. The romantic angle of the story felt very thrown-on, as well; it was as if Ms. Lackey suddenly realized she'd forgotten an important aspect of the original fairy tale and tried to tack it on. There was no justification, at least on Marina's part, for the sudden romance. While I acknowledge that a number of fairy tales believe in such spontaneous love, it felt very out of place in this story. I just wish more attention had been granted to that sub-plot, or that, at the very least, it had been allowed to grow more before the Epilogue. Speaking of which, I was pleased to see Ms. Lackey stick to a normal narration, and I found the Epilogue to be appropriate and beautiful. It closed the story nicely, tying up all of the loose ends, without leaving a single question or element of confusion.

It is still a beautiful story, but it didn't measure up, in my opinion, to the first two books in the series.

Posted by Andria :: 9:51 AM :: 0 comments

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Monday, March 24, 2008

Northanger Abbey

Book 7/25

Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey

This is a first for me: a review of a book written by an author who is now deceased. It's also the first true Victorian novel I've read, outside of the confines of a classroom. To finish, it's the first of Ms. Austen's books that I have read. It was a challenge to read - always a fresh delight - because the language, punctuation, and even spelling are foreign to the books I've devoured these last few years. A complete understanding of character is required, at times, simply to determine who is speaking, and the era and attitudes are completely foreign, in this day and age. Add in the fact that the references mean very little to me, and it was a completely new reading experience.

A coming-of-age story, Catherine makes the traditional journey from a silly little girl to a composed young woman, without any of the dramatic trevails I'm used to reading. Instead, her life is ordinary, and her lessons are those everyone has to learn. She suffers the surprises and disappointments that are common to every woman, regardless of era, and she has the believable innocence of a young girl. She's simply human, and her desires and dreams are sweetly common: to be sought as a dance partner, to spend time with her friends, and to find a suitable husband she loves. She's ordinary, and she makes mistakes and does end up suffering their consequences. It's a simple tale, but it manages to convey so much meaning and delight. I was entranced.

To go from novels containing characters who are anything but human, and who have problems that seem insurmountable, to a young girl trying to find her way in the real world was a fresh change. I couldn't help but sympathize with Catherine and recall my own teenage years and the fickleness of friends and boys. Catherine's longing for drama and excitement over possible mysteries in the Abbey are simple, and yet they still capture the imagination. She's a young lady discovering the joy of reading fiction - how could one not fall in love with her? At the same time, she's foolish and naive, and she suffers for both. Her claims against General Tillney are the ridiculous accusations of fantasy, and Henry returns her to the real world brutally. She has unfailing trust in Isabella, and Isabella's true nature crushes poor Catherine's idylls. It was reality, but the removal of decades between Catherine's world and my own made it unreal.

My only real complaint was a lack of dialogue, particularly at the end. The majority of the book consists of description and speculation, with comments by Ms. Austen herself. You still get an accurate picture of each character, but you aren't let into their thoughts, desires, or intentions as nicely as I find in the novels I read today. I wanted to see more dialogue, to see more of the word play and fancy of the time, and I was disappointed to simply find pages on the beauty of Bath. The ending was positively anti-climatic and a disappointment. The General's motives were ones I hadn't expected, which was a nice surprise, but the entire space of a year is rounded out in just a few paragraphs. Ms. Austen deprived the reader of the conversations between Henry and Catherine, and the emotions of their reunion; it came across flat and rigid. I wanted to see Catherine rise in triumph from her depression, but she, more or less, wandered out of it quietly. It was a chance for passionate writing, for a truly-earned ending, and it was passed up. I wish Ms. Austen had given more time to tying off the ends of her tale; I would have liked to have heard the apologies and excuses and whispers of tenderness.

All in all, a very charming book, and a refreshing break from the fantasy and science fiction of my normal reading diet.

Posted by Andria :: 1:09 PM :: 0 comments

---------------oOo--------------- Shockball

Book 6/25

S.L. Viehl's Shockball

At least my wait between Endurance and Shockball wasn't quite as great as the wait between Beyond Varallan and Endurance had been. I was able to pick up the thread of the series without too much trouble - an ability I should be able to maintain, as Eternity Row is already sitting on my desk. This is the fourth book in the StarDoc series, featuring Cherijo's return to Earth and her creator.

I would like to say the events of Cherijo's pregnancy were a shock and a surprise, but I anticipated them from the first chapter. Considering what Cherijo's immune system had wrought in the previous books, it seemed a foregone conclusion that the pregnancy was going to be subjected to those same immune responses. What did surprise me, especially considering the growth she had just gone through, was her refusal to speak with Duncan. She continued to speak with him and married him, despite his turning her over to the Hskskt, but she was terrified he'd leave her if she told him she'd never be able to have more children? It seemed like a poor choice of priorities. Not to mention that it weakened their relationship considerably; she couldn't trust him or have any faith in him (contradicted later when she seems to have every faith in him...regarding any other issue).

Again, the "gift" from Joseph being a trap was not a surprise; my surprise was that she actually fell for it, even when she knew it was a trap. I would blame it on a fragmented psyche from the pregnancy and her fears regarding Duncan, but that seems...it feels like an excuse, and a pretty poor one, at that. It's been well-established that Joseph is not in possession of all of his faculties, save when it comes to persuing and recapturing Cherijo; anyone who believed him capable of compassion and honesty is a fool, and I didn't want to believe Cherijo was a fool.

Joseph's true motives were a little surprising, though, when I reflected on everything he had done and all she's learned through Maggie, it did make sense. His experiments gave concrete evidence to the level of his mania, while making Cherijo a little less human than I perceived her to be before. Whenever someone can endure such torture, they become more and more reserved from "normal." At least her own horror at her father's revelations was genuine, and it humbled her a little. Meanwhile, her desperation to solve the malady of the exiles returned to the medical roots that the series began. It was a novel idea to pull something as common as an STD and transform it into a sweeping plague. After all, the underground world was the perfect breeding ground for the epidemic.

Unhappily, the lack of surprise continued with the discovery of Cherijo's "siblings;" everyone knew who her brother was as soon as they read the chapter title. Anyone who has conducted a scientific experiment knows that you never have a single success; if you do, the experiment is considered a failure. While the previous siblings were all flawed, they still existed, and the underlying promise was that Cherijo would cross paths with them again. Maggie's contribution ot the story continues to remain a mystery, save that she holds all of the answers to Cherijo's questions in the form of the disks that were stolen and then promptly forgotten.

The book provided more answers, but it lost a lot of the momentum that had been built in the other books. The capture was such an anti-climax after the earlier pursuits, and no new questions surfaced to make you want to continue reading, continue seeking. Yes, there is the question of why Cherijo's skills are needed on Maggie's planet, but is that really a surprise? Medical knowledge and ability are going to be needed on every planet - we've already seen that. I wish a little less of Cherijo and her past had been revealed; it leaves so little new material to find.

I will refrain from commenting on the end, other than to say it was, again, not a surprise. I think it was a cop-out answer, designed to keep sensitive readers happy and nothing more. It was easily the worst part of the book, and it turned what could have been a dramatic ending into a sacchrine-fest. I really wish Ms. Viehl had avoided that avenue and kept to the gritty adventure she used to begin the series.

Posted by Andria :: 12:47 PM :: 0 comments

---------------oOo--------------- The Serpent's Shadow

Book 5/25

Mercedes Lackey's The Serpent's Shadow

Though all of the book sites - and even the books themselves - proclaim this to be the first of the Elemental Masters, it is (as I've mentioned before) the second. However, this is the first book to return to Europe for its setting; The Fire Rose is the only book in the series, to date, that takes place in America.

Once again, Ms. Lackey's command of the historical period is entrancing. The blending of magic with the industry of early twentieth century England is down beautifully, and Maya's own ribbon of Indian heritage completes the scene. Her conservatory is a place of magic even before Maya learns of her own true magical gift. Maya made for a unique character on a number of levels: a child of mixed birth, a woman doctor practicing "illicit" medicine on the side, and a quiet Suffragette. Her strength is admirable, as is her determination to protect her small "family." Ms. Lackey never fails to create female characters who are capable of carrying their burdens on their shoulders -with or without assistance. A far cry from the princess in the base fairy tale of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves."

Maya's small menagerie was a delight, and their role in the story so much greater than I originally feared they may be. Ms. Lackey wove her own Elemental magic with that of the Indian caste of gods, and the result was amazing. It strengthened Maya, even as it diminished Shivani's powers, just a shade. The layering of the types of magic took the book away from the basic elements of Earth, Air, Water, and Fire, while still preserving the habits of the Indian gods and goddesses.

When I first realized the book was based on the fairy tale of "Snow White," I was concerned; it's one of my least favorite tales. It just seems so unfair to paint a portrait of a girl so naive, she would trust anyone. Shivani's twist on the apple was better done, and it made for a much better fairy tale. Maya went from being a passive victim to a fighter in her own right, not simply lying back, waiting for Peter to unravel the clues and triumph over evil. It also a fresh change to see where the heroes determination came from; Peter earns his right to seek to save Maya, rather than accidentally stumbling across her in some "forest."

The book was beautiful, though the final chapter was confusing. The concept of the letters was nicely done, but it utilized characters who had never been mentioned before, which was confusing. I fell out of the story trying to piece everything back together, which was a shame. Ms. Lackey had woven such a beautiful tale up until that point, and, honestly, I don't believe the epilogue was even necessary. The ending was already strong, and any reader could tell where the story was leading. Still, that was a minor complaint when compared to everything I did enjoy.

Posted by Andria :: 12:30 PM :: 0 comments

---------------oOo--------------- Once Upon a Spring Morn

Book 4/25

Dennis L. McKiernan's Once Upon a Spring Morn

Sadly, I am coming down to the end of Mr. McKiernan's Tales of Faery series; there remains just one book to read. I'm actually curious to see whose point of view the final edition - Once Upon a Dreadful Time - will be told in. I'd like to see Mr. McKiernan come full circle and return to Camille, but I'm not certain if that will happen. That's neither here nor there, though.

Celeste is the youngest of the four siblings of the Forests of Seasons, and that fact comes across...perhaps too well. Despite her accuracy with a bow, and her strength at overcoming the Ogre, Celeste gives the impression of being weak and helpless. The fact that her entire journey is in the company of Roel only bolsters that image; her brother and sister, and even Camille all managed their harrowing tasks on their own. The final straw was her panic over riddles and her own claims that she wasn't clever enough to solve such things. It's clear that Mr. McKiernan wanted her to be youthful and, yet, still clever, but it came across as a stereotypical princess who cannot even manage to saddle her own horse. I would have liked to have seen her cope with everything on her own. At the very least, I would have liked her to have earned her ending, as her siblings did. Instead, it felt more that she was handed her "happily ever after" in just the first handful of chapters, with filler following behind.

This book did have the strongest feeling of adventure about it, as well as some of the most dramatic battles and tasks. The solving of the map took the place of the riddles, which lost much of their appeal in Celeste's tears. I was happy to see a return of services needing to be rendered, however. The Fates themselves were also granted their due - finally - upon the sea, demonstrating how great their power actually reaches. Considering that they have continued to ask for the siblings' help with the fight against Orbane and his acolytes, to see how much power they weild alone gave Orbane the dread and fear that was lacking up to this point. Unfortunately, things fell apart, again, with the warband; this was one more instance of proving that Celeste is weak and unable to cope on her own. While I agree that her task was greater than those of her siblings, I wanted to see her succeed, on her own. The warband robbed her of that chance, as well as robbing the readers of their own travails, as they simply jumped from place upon the map to another.

The book was, as always, beautifully written, and Mr. McKiernan borrowed from two tales, this time. The weaving of all of the mythos, and the allusions to the previous books' trials was wonderfully accomplished. Faery became even more magical and dramatic this time, and I think it was, again, due to seeing through a mortal's eyes. Roel granted a fresh perspective that recaptured the wonder of Faery and its impossibilities. Unfortunately, Mr. McKiernan committed that horrible error of a dangling ending. While couched in love and happiness, he left the shadow looming higher and higher, and then snatched the story away. My only hope is that Once Upon a Dreadful Time will live up to its promise.

Posted by Andria :: 12:15 PM :: 0 comments

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Friday, February 15, 2008

Once Upon an Autumn Eve

Book 3/25

Dennis L. McKiernan's Once Upon an Autumn Eve

The third book in the Faery collection, Once Upon an Autumn Eve continued with an introduction in the first chapter which felt, unfortunately, like the identical opening to Once Upon a Summer Day. I suppose Mr. McKiernan was attempting to allow the books to stand alone, but the remainder of the tales in each require the reader to have journeyed with Camille and Borel and Liaze, previously. The repetition of the description of the twilight bounds and Faery itself was a trying beginning, particularly compared to the dramatic opening of Camille's tale in Once Upon a Winter's Night. Once again, as well, it is the actual Princess of the Autumnwood the story centers around, not an outsider entering Faery (yes, there is a special place in my heart for Camille, and her tale will always be my favorite *-*).

Liaze is a much earthier woman than Camille or even Chelle; she seems to defy the expectation of a virginal Princess, with her past daliances with men. While it fits nicely with her demense, I was a little taken aback at this blatant disregard for the rules of fairy tales. To then cast Luc as the pure swain felt very off-key and out of kilter (particularly regarding Camille's admission when asked how she would have felt had Alain not been "experienced"). It did dim my view of Liaze quite a bit, where I normally would have cheered for such a reversal as the Princess rescuing her love from a curse. I also think it made Luc appear, well, lacking. Even as Liaze journeyed back along his paths, he appeared more weak and timid than the brave knight errant he was cast as. I can understand the reasons Mr. McKiernan may have had, but I think they did more damage to the story than help.

Mr. McKiernan also departed from his own rules, in this particular tale, which shocked me: the Fates did not always demand a service be rendered by Liaze before giving her their redes. Before this book, there was always a service to be done, no matter how simple a task it was; the Fates themselves answered it with rules they were bound by: a service, a riddle answered, and no straight answers given. I was really surprised when Liaze was freed of such strictures. Again, it took something away from the world Mr. McKiernan has created.

The tales and mythos along Liaze's journey were, as always, a delight, particularly the howling castle. The notion of a home forced to repeat every sound within is a writer's dream. The Hunt was a chilling addition, as well, and it went far to providing an insight into Liaze's character. It was nice to have a return to the thoughts and wonders and questions of the main character, which Borel lacked in Once Upon a Summer Day. Perhaps Mr. McKiernan simply writes better female characters than male? *-* Also, Nightshade as an intelligent, though silent, companion was a nice return to Camille's plight. Having a quiet creature to speak to and "listen" to places more magic into the tale, without becoming too fantastical by granting an animal speech.

While events were hinted at in Once Upon a Summer Day, it was nice to return to the tale of Orbane. The true tale is Liaze's search for Luc, but it brought back the warning the Fates had given to Camille, demanding her aid when requested for "the one who would pollute the River of Time." As much as the twilight borders, legends, and magic, it ties the entire series of books together, adding new hints and new information throughout each journey. It also gave more insight into Valeray, who had little to do with the previous stories, despite the role he played in the sealing of Orbane.

The book was enjoyable, and it was nice to see Mr. McKiernan returning to a fairy tale that doesn't appear in the mainstream. I've read "The Glass Mountain" and the tale, alone, is very confusing; Mr. McKiernan leant it the stability and explanation that I think it needed. As usual, his ability to write in this fantastic realm is awe-inspiring; the only true downside is knowing that the end of the series is looming - as if the stories of Faery could ever really end.

Posted by Andria :: 2:18 PM :: 0 comments

---------------oOo--------------- Once Upon a Summer Day

Book 2/25

Dennis L. McKiernan's Once Upon a Summer Day

I read Mr. McKiernan's Once Upon a Winter's Night several years ago, and I fell in love with Faery and the Forests of Seasons. Mr. McKiernan truly has the Bardic Gift, and his ability to weave tales from every region into a single, coherent story (a world, even), is something I am in awe of. While I don't entirely agree with his assessment that romances are meant to be flavored in French, he captures the passion and tragedy of the fairy tale romances perfectly.

Once Upon a Summer Day takes place shortly after its predecessor, when the family of Valeray and Saissa are still within the Summerwood. In a change from Once Upon a Winter's Night, the story is told from Borel's perspective, rather than a mortal's. That, alone, took away some of the marvel of the worlds of Faery, simply because they were new to Borel, but not surprising. Whereas Camille was continually delighted by everything she saw, Borel simply accepted the changing realms as a part of Faery. The wonder was left to the microworld of Buzzer, and her abilities to navigate a world she had not been born into.

While Flic was amusing, his conversation, again, took away some of the magic that Scruff had brought in the first book. It seemed, almost, like the same story, save the companion could now speak clearly. Unfortunately, the insight into Borel was sorely lacking. Camille was full of thought, imagination, questions, and wonder, which covers the pages of the book. Borel, on the other hand, simply seemed to be hollow, with very little to contribute via the mind. His manipulations of Chelle's dreams gave a partial view into his thoughts and life, but not enough that I felt I understood him. Perhaps part of it was due to the fact that his, Wolves - so much a part of him - were kept from the majority of the story; he was an incomplete character on a quest.

The loss of time while playing eches against the King Under the Hill seemed unfair - to the readers. While it was true to lore, it seemed as if that was done simply to hasten the story along to the discovery of the manor. Camille lost days and nights rapidly along the River of Time, but there was an explanation to the loss, and her troubled heart was given its due. Borel was agitated and upset, but he seemed to simply brush it aside and continue on. A further story could have been slid into the quest, as was done with the Pooka and the cursed knights.

The book was a clever retelling of "Sleeping Beauty," though not as new and original as I had hoped. While Mr. McKiernan certainly expanded the tale, weaving back in the sex and violence stripped from the original tale, the basics remained the same: the vines, the spinning wheel, a dramatic length of time spent in sleep (though not the hundred years so popular in the original story, thankfully). The connection in dreams was an interesting twist, but the consequences of those manipulated dreams seemed to simply remain hanging. Why was the Eagle introduced, and then completely forgotten? The impression I had - as with the Wolves - was that the Eagle would have some part to play in the story, but he was simply an anecdote.

The book was still beautifully written, and Mr. McKiernan is an author who believes in winding his tales down from the climax, detailing the return to the Winterwood and Alain and Camille's wedding. He provides a sense of closure to the story, and he satisfies the reader that there is something between rescue and blissful love. I just wish he had delved more into Borel's character; I knew more of Chelle than he, and her place in the story was fairly minor.

Still, Mr. McKiernan's Faery books are always enchanting, and he constantly introduces new mythologies and lore into Faery, making it remain the vast and unchartable realm that it is meant to be.

Posted by Andria :: 1:58 PM :: 0 comments

---------------oOo--------------- The Fire Rose

Book 1/25

Mercedes Lackey's The Fire Rose

This review is a good month late in the posting, but at least it's finally being finished. *-* Nothing like the guilt of picking up another book in a collection to make one rush to do the first review.

This is the first of Ms. Lackey's Elemental Masters books (though Amazon and Barnes and Noble both list another - The Serpent's Shadow - as being first), and the first of that collection that I've read. I had skimmed the Elemental books, of course, but I was usually working on another set, and so they went back on the shelf. Due to my other current readings, though, the chance to dip into some reworked fairy tales was hard to resist.

The Fire Rose is the only Masters book (thus far) that takes place in the United States, dating to just before the San Francisco earthquake/fire in the early 1900s. Ms. Lackey's command of history was an absolute delight. Even if I had no earthly idea what she was referring to regarding clothing and furniture, the picture that was painted felt true to history. Rosalind, herself, is a true Lackey heroine, in that she has attempted to reach beyond the bounds set for her, engaging in a college education and literature that would have scandalized the stuffiest matron of the era. Her plight coincided with a financial/occupational rift of my own, and Ms. Lackey captured, perfectly, the state of mind and thoughts of someone in Rosalind's situation. It was a far more elegant "confinement" than is seen in the original "Beauty and the Beast."

Jason departs only slightly from the original fairy tale, in that his monstrous transformation was at his own hands, but he still has the same fierce barbarism that is attributed to the original creature; the same division between man and beast. However, Ms. Lackey gives his perspective on his own changes, providing an insight into the Beast that isn't found in the fairy tales. And, while I will always cherish Disney's transformed servants, the salamanders were a treat; they were given an intelligence and personality not usually accredited to familiars in other elemental pieces I've read. At the same time, it was nice to see a blending of Chinese elemenatlism with the Western world - and dragons being the source of the earthquake is the best description I've yet seen. Ms. Lackey transformed disasters in our own history into something beyond our control, yet not as difficult to understand/accept as the true cause of the Chicago fire or San Francisco's destruction.

The ending felt a little abrupt, to me, moving from a high action climax to an idyllic scene; there was no solid explanation given to the transitional period. As to Rosalind's reaction to Jason, I felt it a little difficult to accept her position as easily as she did - though perhaps that was due to my being influenced by the cover image, rather than the actual descriptions in the book (though I thought the two matched quite well). Unfortunately, I've found that Ms. Lackey's reinventions of fairy tales and such usually do wind to a short stop, with only a cursory look at the result of her characters' lives. While you expect a happy ending, it feels that it's granted without really being deserved - even when you know the trials the characters have gone through. Considering how well she detailed Rosalind's mind, it felt like a cheat to be robbed of that final process from employee to partner.

Overall, though, the book has me hooked on the Elemental Masters. Her history and the development of the elements and their habits is a treat to read.

Posted by Andria :: 1:38 PM :: 0 comments

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Friday, December 28, 2007

The Highwayman

Book 16/25

R.A. Salvatore's The Highwayman

(You know you're behind on posting reviews when you have a brain freeze trying to remember your login information. *~*)

I just want to begin by stating I will NOT be meeting my goal of 25 books, this year. This was the last book I finished this year, and I should have posted the review back in October. Since then, I've been slowly wading through Tad Williams' Shadowmarch, but I'm still a good 200 pages from completing that book. Had Real Life not decided to throw me a curve ball, things might have gone differently. Oh, well. Does it count that I read a lot of textbooks and non-fiction books and banged out a 4.0 for my fall semester?

Anyway, onto the review. I haven't read any of Mr. Salvatore's work before; this was another of the books that my father recommended. I'm afraid Mr. Salvatore doesn't get any points for originality (let's face it, this is a retelling of Robin Hood), but it was still a pleasant read. I'm not familiar with the Corona-verse, but it falls neatly into your typical Medieval-type world where the Church is just beginning to leave its footprint, and smaller towns and villages find themselves being squashed into kingdoms ruled by men with visions of power dancing before their eyes. The caste system is in effect, to some degree, and the pagans are being ousted, as much as possible.

Really, though, the most interesting part of the entire book was the description of the sword's making. It was a little difficult to follow the steps (and the concept of millions of folds of metal), but it leant the sword a "personality" and life, without turning it into some gawdy singing trinket. I haven't come across any other stories that have gone into such detail, changing the sword from a tool into a kind of magical force.

The time bouncing was annoying, as usual, and I don't think it really contributed to anything. The Highwayman is introduced and portrayed as a rogue mercenary, and then you're dumped years before his conception in a different country, entirely. I can see where the introduction may have been intended to sweep readers into the action, but it didn't follow through. You're given a character who then, basically, falls off the surface of the world, not reappearing for decades. By the time he returns, you've already forgotten the initial carriage ride - or, like me, you flip through pages trying to figure out where it fits in the new timeline. I think Mr. Salvatore would have been better off sticking to a normal chronology, rather than trying to "open with a bang."

This will be the last post of 2007. I have no idea what I'll be setting as a goal for 2008 (besides the four books currently sitting on my desk, courtesy of Christmas). My reading ability is hanging in the balance with a number of other things, and it may be another week or two before I find out how things are going to fall out. Ideally, I'll aim for 25 again, as I didn't meet it this year.

Posted by Andria :: 11:45 AM :: 0 comments

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Friday, September 28, 2007

Endurance

Book 15/25

S.L. Viehl's Endurance

This is the third book in the StarDoc series, and, unfortunately, it made it clear that I need to read the books one after the other, simply to keep track of various characters. It's been months since I finished Beyond Varallan, and even longer since I finished StarDoc, and I found myself a little confused as to who some of the characters were, as well as recognizing some of the previously-described alien species. It didn't make the book unreadable, just a little foggy around the edges.

Cherijo continues to mystify me. Her choice of loves has absolutely no reason behind it, which borders too close to "true love" for my stomach or taste. She has every reason to feel differently about Duncan Reever (anyone who locked me in a machine to have an ID branded into my arm is not going to rank very high in my book), yet she maintains that she does love him, even through his punishments of her. I don't know that it's realistic to expect someone to feel the same after they've been thrown into an isolation pit. It grates a little too much on a victim mentality, for me; I don't view Cherijo that way.

The story itself was an improvement over Beyond Varallan; there was one plot line that stuck, which was nice. It was also refreshing to get a glimpse into the Hskskt from their world; not exactly from the "villain's" point of view, but enough to give them a redeeming value. I think Ms. Viehl is a little overfond of sentient "inanimates," but it adds a layer of ability to Cherijo that explains some of her connection to Reever. The pel was an interesting concept, though I think the tul could have been given some more explanation. For a book focusing on medical care, their role in the meningitis cases kind of ended up glossed over. I would have liked to have seen some of the disease process.

Which reminds me, I do have to admit that, now that I'm in classes for Vet Tech, the medical terminology is MUCH easier to understand, and I can grasp everything that's going on without batting an eye. *-*

I don't want to throw in any spoilers, but the ending was a disappointment (I've touched on one of the reasons why). It was predictable, unfortunately. There was no doubt about any identities or diagnoses, and you knew all would end well. It was a let down from before, where the outcome was more uncertain, the emotions swinging more towards the negative end of the spectrum. Also, I want to know what malfunction would incite someone to accept a "drone" from the person who has been hunting them and ruining their lives. That seems like the most brainless idea I can think of, and I don't know why there wasn't more suspicion.

All in all, I did enjoy the book, and I'm looking forward to picking up Shockball soon (hopefully). The creatures Ms. Viehl comes up with still leave me in awe, and I'd love to see her notes on each of them. There's a lot of room to explore in the StarDoc universe, and it's nice to see that she does exactly that.

Posted by Andria :: 12:17 PM :: 0 comments

---------------oOo--------------- His Dark Materials

Book 14/25

Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials

For those who are not aware (i.e., have not stepped into a bookstore in the past month or so), His Dark Materials is the name for the entire trilogy, which contains The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass. I had debated reviewing each book separately, but I didn't exactly read them separately. Instead, I went directly through the entire book, and this particular version included "lantern slides" from Mr. Pullman of additional material. I can't really say the "slides" were of much interest, though. There's no organization to the thoughts or explanations (were these paragraphs/ideas he cut during editing? Material that occured to him after publication? Random thoughts?), and they left me feeling more confused than anything.

That said, I am in complete awe of Mr. Pullman. I don't know why these books are shelved in the Independent Reader section, because I think they deserve to sit on the Fantasy shelves. The worlds Mr. Pullman has created are magnificent, the story is powerful, and it just isn't the fuzzy, world-is-wonderful drivel I expect in a children's book. Lyra and Will are on par with Harry, Hermione, and Ron, if not a step ahead. The blurbs on the cover insisted this was a dramatic telling of the coming-of-age, but I found so much more in these stories than that simple plot. This was the best vision of reality clothed in fantasy that I've seen in a long time, and I'm glad I chose to buy the entire collection at once. Honestly, I think the only reason this is labeled a book for younger audiences is because of the age of the main characters. The language, the concepts, the events - they speak to any age (to be honest, I felt some of it was meant for a more mature age, as I doubt children are ready to comprehend what was happening between Mrs. Coulter's daemons and her partners).

I haven't seen parallel worlds done this well, ever. Mr. Pullman has literally layered everything, one on top of the other, and then changed the hues to make each world unique. The idea of a consequence to the use of the subtle knife was also a nice touch; it put responsibility into the pictures without beating it over the heads of the readers. The concept of Dust/Shadow Particles has still left me a little baffled as to what he was attempting to describe, but the idea had me intrigued. The idea of a daemon as a part of oneself was a new way of looking at familiars or Companions or any of the dozens of the other animal/creature-human bonds that have been done.

I'll admit, I was concerned, at first, when they began to get into the religious aspect of Dust and the naming of Lyra as Eve. I started to think I'd fallen into another Christian-worship book where good and evil were going to be easy to identfy. I was pleasantly surprised to find Mr. Pullman adopting a belief system that parallels my own - it's something I've never seen before in a book for young audiences. The idea of the dead returning to nourish the world, the battle of the Church against everyone else; it was delivered beautifully.

The books aren't perfect, of course, and the inconsistency with the daemons was my biggest frustration. Upon crossing into Lyra's world, John Perry immediately sees his, but Will crosses back and forth and never sees his until after the battle; Pan is visible in Will's Oxford, but Mary's is only visible if she "looks" properly. There didn't seem to be one rule for how the daemons behaved, and that was frustrating. If one person couldn't see their daemon in a particular world, it stands to reason that everyone should follow that pattern; at the very least, explain why there are exceptions. In addition, Mrs. Coulter is hard to believe. In fact, I didn't believe any part of her character through to the end. She was evil for evil's sake, but not quite (I'm not sure the same could be said for her golden monkey). Her motivation escaped me, especially in The Amber Spyglass. She wasn't a strong antagonist, really, and she was too predictable. Actually, with the exception of Mary, all of the adults had a similar bent to them. I don't know if this is a remark on how children view adults or simply that Mr. Pullman wanted his children to shine.

To say much more would be to risk spoilers, and I don't want to do that. This book was beautiful and amazing, and I am looking forward to seeing The Golden Compass this holiday season with both excitement and dread. *-*

Posted by Andria :: 11:53 AM :: 0 comments

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Thursday, September 27, 2007

Wildwood Dancing

Book 13/25

Juliet Marillier's Wildwood Dancing

This is the first young adult book Ms. Marillier has written (and not the last, I am delighted to find, though next October feels like a lifetime away), and I was eager to get my hands on it. I have, of course, read all of her other available books (they're actually fighting for space on my bookshelves), and I wanted to see how she would handle a younger audience. When I glanced at the blurb and found she had chosen Transylvania for her setting (a dramatic change from her previous books), I was even more hooked.

As usual, Ms. Marillier's language and characters are flawless; she painted a view of Transylvania at odds with what most authors I've seen attempt. Instead of focusing on the occult side of the region, she introduced the language and beauty of the forests, as well as the local tales. Vampires did make their appearance, of course, but the Night People title granted them a...I don't want to say softer image, but it painted them as more than just undead bloodsuckers. They became creatures of depth, existing on and off the same plain as the fairies and myths found in the Dancing Glade. I don't know whether that was simply Ms. Marillier's take on the mythos, or if that is the belief in the region, but it was one I enjoyed.

This is the first book since Daughter of the Forest where Ms. Marillier chose to reintrept a fairy tale, and I was a little disappointed; her story ran alongside the original a little closer than I would have hoped, particularly with "The Frog Prince" (which, I'm afraid to say, was obvious was going to happen from the second Gogu was introduced). The reasons behind the escape to the Dancing Glade were changed, but the rest felt too similar, down to the wine and the man enclosed in the room. If you know the fairy tales, you know exactly what's going to happen, which was a frustration; I prefer when she keeps you at the edge of your seat, wondering which direction the story will lead. I wish I could say Gogu's revelation was a surprise, but it was obvious as to what his true identity was as soon as the Old Crone explained the rules of the Game.

It's a beautiful story, but I was let down. It just didn't feel like any of the characters earned their endings. Yes, Jena had to work to repair the wrongs she'd done, but it was so easy. A betrayal that great shouldn't be able to be healed in a single evening. As for Tati, I honestly felt betrayed myself. She had given up all hope, let herself fall into a despair that brought her close to death. The fact that she refused to believe in Sorrow should have brought about a consequence of some kind. I don't know if Ms. Marillier chose Tati's path because this was a book aimed for a younger audience, or if she simply felt Tati's suffering warranted a particular ending. Either way, I was very disappointed - not to mention surprised that Tati just dropped out of thin air. This book doesn't lend itself well to a sequel, and it would have been nice to have more of her story, especially with how close she and Jena were.

I don't think Ms. Marillier excelled with this audience the way she has in her other books. The blood and tears and anguish weren't as sharp as I've come to expect, and it was disappointing. I knew there would be changes, but it felt that this story was too soft (especially after reading Phillp Pulman's His Dark Materials, which was actually shelved an audience DOWN from Wildwood Dancing). The book itself is still beautiful, and the characters have a depth and history that I've come to love her for, but it wasn't as gripping, for me, as her previous work. It won't keep me from placing the book on it's proper shelf, or from buying the next young adult book next autumn (forgive me - the title escapes me), but it was a disappointment, nonetheless.

Posted by Andria :: 10:22 AM :: 0 comments

---------------oOo--------------- Warriors #4: Rising Storm

Book 12/25

Erin Hunter's Warriors #4: Rising Storm

One of these days, I'm going to figure out how to read a series WITHOUT gross pauses between books. Unfortunately, today isn't that day. Erin Hunter's Warriors series, though, is an easy enough read that I didn't feel lost trying to remember what had happened in the previous three books (the same cannot be said for S.L. Viehl's Endurance, which I'll get the review done for eventually).

The complaints I've previously had with the Warriors series continue in this book (i.e., grammar, word choice, those infernal dialogue tags), but they were less noticeable, for me in Rising Storm; most likely because it felt like there was an actual story this time, not the simple passage of time of Fireheart learning how to exist in the forest. Various stories were finally woven together (though not as completely as I would have liked), and characters began to gain some new dimensions. Cinderpelt was able to come into her own and confront her guilt; Bluestar began to show a serious breakdown in herself as she contemplated Tigerclaw and her abandoned kittens; oddly enough, Whitecloud emerged as a full character, rather than simply a background in the Clan. In addition, it was nice to see Cloudpaw's discovery of the two-legs. I don't know that he really demonstrated any learning from his experience, but it was there - a nice reminder for Fireheart of what he gave up.

That said (and my apologies on being brief - this is what happens when you wait over a month to get your reviews done), the book was also kind of a letdown. Bluestar was my biggest disappointment; she dissolved into a completely useless creature. While I understand Ms. Hunter's desire to illustrate the honor and loyalty the Clan is meant to show to its leader, Bluestar has become a non-existant. What little she does is tainted with signs of illness (mental and physical), and the Clan remarks on it constantly. I know that Ms. Hunter is moving towards Bluestar's death (the same way it was obvious a fire was going to be involved in this book), but she's working towards it so completely that I'm hoping for the Clan leader's death, soon. She's no longer an admirable character; in my opinion, she's barely retained anything to call her a cat.

Ms. Hunter did grab my curiosity with the illness infecting Shadow Clan, though. This is most likely due to my own studies, but I was intrigued by the symptoms presented, how swiftly it killed, and that Cinderpelt was able to find a cure for it (which ruled out rabies). I would have liked to have seen more done in that realm, if nothing else to illustrate the need for competent medicine cats (particularly with Spottedleaf's return to Fireheart's dreams). Unfortunately, the Clan in-fighting continues to take precedence, as did the cliffhanger ending (the worst Ms. Hunter has used, thus far). It's a shame; I think there was a lot of potential there.

All in all, though, Ms. Hunter has made me a permanent reader, and I was delighted to find that there are several more series in this world for me to explore. Hopefully, I won't end being as piecemeal about it as I have this first block of six books.

Posted by Andria :: 10:07 AM :: 0 comments

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