Category Archives: Book Reviews

In which the reader shares his thoughts on the books that possess his imagination throughout the year.

Fantasy

The Wood Wife ~Terri Windling

28 Comments

The Wood Wife ~Terri Windling

–published 1996
–318 pages, Tom Doherty Associates
–1997 Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Novel of the Year
–5/5 stars

Maggie Black has always been a fan of Pulitzer Prize winning poet Davis Cooper. Her one great desire is to write a biography of the man whose work has been her inspiration and although they carry on a friendship through correspondence, Cooper never allows Black to visit him in his Tucson desert home nor gives permission for a biography. Thus when he dies a mysterious death–an apparent drowning in a dry riverbed–and leaves her his house, property, and all the house contains, she is both confused and intrigued. A trip to Tucson introduces Maggie to the intimate group of people whose orbit revolved around Cooper and her investigation into the work he left behind and the paintings of his lover Anna Naverra opens up Maggie to a connection with a world she never knew existed.

Continue reading The Wood Wife ~Terri Windling →

Fantasy

The Sword-Edged Blonde ~Alex Bledsoe

18 Comments

The Sword-Edged Blonde ~Alex Bledsoe

–published 2007
–256 pages, Night Shade Books
–4.5/5 stars

“The Sword-Edged Blonde has all the finesse and depth of a great hard-boiled mystery, but takes place in a fully realized heroic fantasy setting. From start to finish, it’s a treat for readers of either genre, and easily one of the better books I’ve had the pleasure of reading this year. Don’t miss this one!” ~Charles de Lint

With a quote like that from one of the world’s premiere fantasists, the book has to be good, right? In this case ‘right’ is an understatement. Mr. de Lint’s concise review is spot on and I could readily step away now and just tell you to go out and buy this book. But that would just be too easy.

Continue reading The Sword-Edged Blonde ~Alex Bledsoe →

Fantasy, Young Adult

Odd and the Frost Giants ~Neil Gaiman

18 Comments

Odd and the Frost Giants ~Neil Gaiman

–published 2008
–97 pages, Bloomsbury
–4/5 stars

When you are a fan of a particular author, awaiting (im)patiently for their next story to arrive, it is a pleasure to discover that said author has snuck a story in under the radar. Such is the case with Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman. This particular story was written specifically for World Book Day, an annual event in the U.K. and Ireland. The event is something I certainly think we could all get behind, as it promotes books and the love of reading. Though this book is not currently available in the U.S., for a mere British pound, plus reasonable shipping (on Amazon.co.uk), you can have your very own copy. And since they send it air mail it will arrive before your anticipation reaches a fever pitch!

The short review: Well worth the price to ship it to your door!

Continue reading Odd and the Frost Giants ~Neil Gaiman →

Science Fiction, Short Stories

Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse ~ed. John Joseph Adams

13 Comments

Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse ~edited by John Joseph Adams

–published 2008
–327 pages, Night Shade Books
–4.5/5 stars

As 2008 began I found myself not only craving science fiction but craving it in the short story format. I have always been a fan of the short story but a review of my reading lists for the past couple of years finds short stories sorely underrepresented. My determination to remedy that had me on the lookout for new collections and the fabulous Daniel Kvasznicza cover image on Wastelands was quick to catch my eye. I enjoy post-apocalyptic stories but did not recall reading many in the short story format and that intrigued me as well.

Editor John Joseph Adams’ collection of 22 stories, representing a wide-variety of post-apocalyptic scenarios from some of the field’s most prolific authors, is a must-have volume for fans of the this subgenre of science fiction. What makes Wastelands great, however, is that it contains the type and caliber of stories that should appeal to those who are simply fans of the format and are unsure of their feelings about post-apocalyptic literature.

Although I gave the anthology itself a rating based on the 5 star system I adopted this year with my reviews, I am going to give each individual story a grade as I feel that it gives me a slightly wider range within which to rate my impressions. And now, on to the stories:

Continue reading Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse ~ed. John Joseph Adams →

Young Adult

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

14 Comments

–published 2007
–544 pages, Scholastic Press
–4/5 stars

The Invention of Hugo Cabret is a book that could not escape notice as people began to share their year end round-up posts at the close of 2007. It seemed that many people had read this book and as one they praised it as a marvelous young-adult tale. That interest from other bloggers peaked my interest. The book’s synopsis then ensured that it would not be long before I picked this book up and read it for myself:

Orphan, Clock Keeper, and Thief, twelve-year-old Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric girl and the owner of a small toy booth in the train station, Hugo’s undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message all come together…in The Invention of Hugo Cabret.

Continue reading The Invention of Hugo Cabret →