This is an amazing book, but I was initially put off by the name…. “The Name of the Wind” is such a …I don’t know… sort of “classic fantasy title/trope” that I was really skeptical how it could be unique and interesting. There are sooooo many fantasy books out there that have mined the same old tropes and territories for years. How could this be any different – especially with such a trite name. Also, the guy who told me about it was wearing […]
Sailing Ships in Outer Space!
I got this book because it looked a bit steampunky, a genre I like and it seemed like “steampunks on Mars” or something. I sort of bought it based on the cover. So…the tale does start out on Mars, but with a standard “22nd century mining colony with semi-military oversight” trope firmly in place (what, no steam?) The occurrence of a mysterious “Mars quake” (as there is no tectonic activity on Mars, there should be no seismic activity) “shakes things up a bit” and […]
Exit, pursued by a wampa.
This second jaunt into Ian Doescher’s Shakespeare/Star Wars hybrid imaginary universe, entitled William Shakespeare’s The Empire Striketh Back, only solidifies my opinion that these adaptations are more than gags and novelties to be gifted to nerdy friends (although they can be used for that purpose as well). I purposely use the word ‘adaptation’ here because Doescher’s attention to detail and his thoughtful approach to both the story and to Shakespeare’s forms and techniques clearly illustrate that although the results for us as readers may be fun […]
A lot of things can change in six months
3.5 stars Again, this is a book that I don’t actually want to post about here, because if you haven’t read the previous 12 books in the series, it’s probably best if you know as little as possible about what this book is about. If you have read the previous 12, and this book, and want my take on it, feel free to check my thought over on my blog. I promise I’ll start posting actual reviews here real soon.
The one where Jim Butcher turns things up to 11
Seriously, I don’t even want to say anything about the book here, for fear of spoiling things. I’m not going to put a picture of the cover, I’m just going to say that the book completely blew me away. I kept being amazed at the things Butcher put poor Harry through in this book, and just the lengths to which he went to completely turn everything that had gone before on its head in this book. If you have read the book, and are curious […]
There’s a monster in the woods that tears people’s hearts out
Rowan Rose lives in the little village of Nag’s End with her father. Like her father, an experienced scholar, Rowan enjoys assisting him with translations and is proud of her achievements. Five soldiers ride through the village on their way up the mountain, and some days later, are found horribly killed by the men of the village. In a journal left by one of the soldiers are the words: “It’s starting.”. The elders of Nag’s End declare the deaths the result of an animal attack, but not […]