Sorta Like a Rock Star

by Matthew Quick

Although this is a departure from my normal Fantasy/Sci-Fi genre, I have to say it was an excellent read. Mr. Quick, from the very first brush stroke (Amber Appleton) creates a masterpiece. I connected so much with Amber, a homeless teenager, that I really felt her joys and her pains. I remember thinking the things she thinks and feeling the things she feels. All of the characters are real to me because they have the flaws that normal folks have. From BBB, to Donna and Franks, to PJ, Father Chee, the Freak Force and the Korean Divas for Christ, these characters (along with some others) define the world that belongs to Amber. I love that her perspective of what she does is different from how her friends perceive what she is doing; but they ultimately come to the same conclusion: she brings hope and optimism. I have to say that, to me, I think this book has the makings of a classic. True. I couldn’t help but think of To Kill a Mockingbird as I was reading. The stories are different; but each has the quality of, on the surface, being a simply told story; but deeper under they are ever so much more. That isn’t something that a writer does intentionally, that’s just raw talent. I was completely touched by Amber and her friends and their faiths in her, each other, and a higher power. Like a masterpiece, this story hangs in the gallery of my brain and stirs something within my soul that makes something inside me come alive. If you read nothing else this year, please pick up a copy of Sorta Like a Rock Star or Boy21. Please do not miss this great read.

March 30, 2012 · adamdrew3 · No Comments
Posted in: by Rebecca, Reviews

Boy21

By Matthew Quick

This book is a bit of a departure from my normal Sci-fi/Fantasy genre. The New York Times referred to it as a sports novel; but I have to disagree with them. It is a story about a young man who loves basketball. More than that, though, it is, in my opinion, about Finley (the main character) and his relationships with his family, his coach, and his friends. This really struck a chord with me because Finley comes to a point where he realizes that the world is bigger than him and his immediate life. It was so well written that I could not put Boy21 down. I read it in less than twenty-four hours. This is a beautiful, touching and “real” story that you need to take the time to read. When I say “real” I mean that the characters were real to me. They are very believable and I felt a connection to them. Thanks to Heather Leah for my free copy! I hope that you will add this to your reading list. I recommend it as a must read. I can’t wait to check out more books by Mr. Quick. Enjoy!

March 11, 2012 · adamdrew3 · No Comments
Tags:  Â· Posted in: by Rebecca, Reviews

The Name of the Wind

By Patrick Rothfuss

 

Quite simply one of my favorite books. When I first read TNotW I wound up having to call in sick to work because I couldn’t put it down and was up all night. The main character is a Sorcerer named Kvothe. He is telling the story of his life to a historian so the tale goes back and forth between the past and the present. Unlike some books that use flashbacks, in this one it is always very clear which you’re reading about. The sequel “The Wise Man’s Fear” was released in 2011 and yeah I loved that too. I also recommend checking out his blog at www.patrickrothfuss.com he’s pretty entertaining.

“My name is Kvothe, pronounced nearly the same as “quothe.” Names are important as they tell you a great deal about a person. I’ve had more names than anyone has a right to. “

February 19, 2012 · mvalente0042 · No Comments
Tags: , , , ,  Â· Posted in: by Marcolo, Reviews

The First Book of Law

By Joe Abercrombie

 

The first book of the trilogy is “The Blade itself”. This is a dark gritty tale of intrigue, murder and war with lots of twists and engaging characters. My favorite character in this series is Inquisitor Glokta. Glokta is a victim of years of torture. Crippled and broken, he turns to the only profession he now is qualified for, a torturer. But he isn’t in it just for gratuitous violence. He is driven to find the truth … no matter how much it hurts you. Next in line is Logen Nine Fingers. From the barbaric northern lands he is surprisingly a nice guy. Well, until the berserker rage comes out with his other personality, The Bloody Nine.

“The battles are vivid and visceral, the action brutal, the pace headlong, and Abercrombie piles the betrayals, reversals, and plot twists one atop another to keep us guessing how it will all come out.” – George R. R. Martin

February 5, 2012 · mvalente0042 · No Comments
Tags: , , ,  Â· Posted in: by Marcolo, Reviews

Garret PI

By Glen Cook

 

This is a fantasy noir detective series by the author of “The Black Company”. Definitely a different direction for Cook. These books are campy and light humor stories. Think Mike Hammer goes to Ank Morpork. The novels are set in the city of Tun Fair, which is part of the kingdom of Karenta. They have been at war for generations in the Cantard against the Venagetti. The Cantard is a tropical-jungle island, with similarities to Cooks’ own Vietnam experiences. The island is between the two nations shores and they are fighting for control over it’s rich silver mines. Silver is the most valuable metal in this fantasy world because it is needed to fuel sorcery.  Every human male is required to serve 5 years of military service. All the adult males in town are veterans. Garret is an ex-marine scout who would be much happier drinking stout, sleeping and chasing redheads. Unfortunately people around him keep trying to make him work. These books are short and easy to read with interesting fun characters. I tend to read them as a break in between installments of heavier novels. There are 13 novels in the series. Metaplots do arc through the series but each book stands on it’s own and doesn’t need the previous books for it to make sense and be thoroughly enjoyable.

February 4, 2012 · mvalente0042 · No Comments
Tags: , , ,  Â· Posted in: by Marcolo, Reviews

Night of Knives

by Ian C Esslemont

Another installment in the Malazan Empire. I must say I was a little reluctant to pick up Ian’s books. I loved Erikson’s work so much I was afraid this was his retarded RPG buddy who would poop all over the world I enjoyed so much. I am happy to say I’m glad I gave it a try. Esslemont has his own voice, but one that is admirably suited to Malazan novels. Night of Knives as the title suggests, takes place over the course of a 24 hour period, most of the action after dark. It is a prequel to “Gardens of the Moon” and clarifies some of the details not explained by Erikson. NoK is a bloody action packed night of spies, thieves, sorcerers and assassins washing the city of Malaz in blood and intrigue.

January 30, 2012 · mvalente0042 · No Comments
Tags: , ,  Â· Posted in: by Marcolo, Reviews

Bauchelain and Korbal Broach

By Steven Erikson

Not your typical tale of the Malazan Empire. These were short stories combined into 2 novellas “The First Collected tales of Bauchelain and Korbal Broach” and “Crack’d Pot Trail”. These characters first appeared in “Memories of Ice” book 3 of The Malazan Book of the Fallen series. A duo of evil wanderers known infamously as the Nehemoth, put the romance back in necromancy. Pour yourself a tankard of blood mead, steeple your fingers and prepare to practice your evil cackle.

January 30, 2012 · mvalente0042 · No Comments
Tags: , , ,  Â· Posted in: by Marcolo, Reviews

Malazan Book of the Fallen

Here is a review of a 10 book series rather than a single book. The 10 book series was written in 12 years starting with “Gardens of the Moon” and is now complete with the release of “The Crippled God” in 2011. If you are looking for pretty elves prancing through the forest, cute little creatures who talk with a lisp and good guys with white hats fighting purest faceless evil, well … get a different book. This is primarily about a mercenary company of sappers and saboteurs called “The Bridge Burners”. It is gritty, dirty, Iron age nastiness. If you are a fan of the Black Company by Glen Cook you will love this series. Mr. Erikson does not hand you the old tropes on a silver platter. I found it rather confusing at first just due to the sheer number of characters, cultures, places and gods. This series has a full and complex history that he doles out in little bites and as one question is answered more keep popping up. I couldn’t get enough.

January 30, 2012 · mvalente0042 · No Comments
Tags: , ,  Â· Posted in: by Marcolo, Reviews

Better Together

By Raymond Rose

Better Together is a departure from my normal Paranormal and Fantasy genre books. It is a beautiful story about a man and his relationship with a woman and her son. I thought it was an insightful story about the creation and growth of a family. It explores very much the definition of family and I found the perspective presented interesting. Starting off as a pretty normal story, it quickly twists with a surprise that I did not expect. I really enjoyed the human-ness of the main character, Paul, who made me laugh and cry by doing things that normal people do every day. This is a well written novel and it was just a pleasure to read. I found myself getting so involved in the plot that I was saying out loud (near the end), “Why aren’t you doing something about this?!?!?” I highly recommend you check out Better Together because it is such a great story. You’ll see. Thank you for reading!

January 16, 2012 · adamdrew3 · No Comments
Tags:  Â· Posted in: by Rebecca, Reviews

Ghost Story

By Jim Butcher

After the previous book ending the way it did, I was eager to read Ghost Story. There were some things that were predictable, they had to be in order for there to be a story; but I think that Butcher writes well enough that the predictable parts were not a source of negativity. I loved the story. I think one of the reasons I really enjoy these tales is because of Harry. He is so human. He makes mistakes, big mistakes. In an earlier book he does something that has potentially horrible consequences. I remember thinking, “I wouldn’t do that”. However, the choices that he made to get where he is in Ghost Story were ones, that I thought, “I so would have done the exact same thing!” I like that Butcher explores grey areas of right and wrong. I also like that there was a lot of perspective gained by Harry. He spent a lot of time looking at people he hadn’t really valued before this time. He also got to see those he valued in a different light and that makes him such a real character for me. If you have not read these, I highly recommend the Dresden Files. If you have read it, I hope you liked it as much as I did. Please feel free to comment and add your thoughts. Thanks for reading!

January 11, 2012 · adamdrew3 · 3 Comments
Tags:  Â· Posted in: by Rebecca, Reviews