Hi there! I’m Kay: an opinionated book blogger enamoured with the world of novels. Reader of Speculative Fiction (the posh word for Sci-Fi/Fantasy) and Young Adult novels. Believer in the many uses of the towel, the science of deduction and other fandom in-jokes.
This blog has been closed since early 2016. To the publishers and writers: thanks for all the support over the years. To my readers and fellow bloggers: keep in touch!
Recent Reviews
Review: Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik
Throne of Jade by Naomi NovikSeries: Temeraire #2
Published by Harper Voyager
Genres: High Fantasy
Source: Purchased myself
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Also in this series: Temeraire
When Britain intercepted a French ship and its precious cargo–an unhatched dragon’s egg–Capt. Will Laurence of HMS Reliant unexpectedly became master and commander of the noble dragon he named Temeraire. As new recruits in Britain’s Aerial Corps, man and dragon soon proved their mettle in daring combat against Bonaparte’s invading forces.
Now China has discovered that its rare gift, intended for Napoleon, has fallen into British hands–and an angry Chinese delegation vows to reclaim the remarkable beast. But Laurence refuses to cooperate. Facing the gallows for his defiance, Laurence has no choice but to accompany Temeraire back to the Far East–a long voyage fraught with peril, intrigue, and the untold terrors of the deep. Yet once the pair reaches the court of the Chinese emperor, even more shocking discoveries and darker dangers await.
Thoughts: I don’t usually start a sequel straight after reading the first book – especially if I adored said first book. I like to savour the series I love by spreading them across months, and sticking mediocre books in between the gems. So, that I started Throne of Jade right after reading Temeraire is a tribute to the awesomeness of Naomi Novik.
However.
Yep, there’s a big fat “however”. You see, Throne of Jade? It’s just nowhere near as amazing as Temeraire. For starters, the novel is bizarrely balanced. I’d say about 3/4 of the novel is spent getting to China – and then the rest is a huge mishmash of action set in Beijing. While this is realistic timescale-wise, it did not make for the most entertaining of books. That said, it’s not as if the novel would have been better if it had been set entirely in China. I didn’t enjoy a minute of the time spent in Beijing – someone scratch Imperial China off my time-travel holiday list.
On top of that, I had some rather serious issues with the relationship between Temeraire and Laurence. For all his supposed genius, Temeraire acted like such a spoiled child in this book. And Laurence? He spent the entire book desperately pandering to Temeraire’s whims. I could forgive Laurence, but Temeraire… just… guh! *strangles dragon* He could get so bloody self-involved! I really do hope that he matures by the next book.
Throne of Jade also lacked the brilliant aerial fleet. We get only a few brief scenes with the gang at the start of the novel, and then they are left behind in Europe. They are some of the best characters in the verse (especially pseudo-love interest and kick-ass dragon rider extraordinaire Jane) and their absence was keenly felt. I’m hoping for a lot more of them in the next book.
Bottom line? A mediocre episode in an excellent series. Nevertheless, Naomi Novik novels = The Bee’s Knees.
Monday Reading (July 25th, 2011)
In this weekly event hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books where we discuss what we’ve been reading this week (and, occasionally, what we haven’t).
I read an unusual amount of books this week: FIVE. I probably managed it because they were all YA, which tend to rather small compared with full-on adult fiction.
- Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs – Every time I start a Patricia Briggs book, I remember how much I adore her writing… and then I finish her books and promptly forget her awesomeness. But she is. Awesome, that is.
- The Glass Demon by Helen Grant – Very enjoyable – I am certainly going to be checking out some more Helen Grant novels.
- Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor – God, this was gorgeous! Very very very different take on your standard YA novel. Can’t wait to review it!
- Siren by Tricia Rayburn – Not bad. I wasn’t over the moon, but I think some people may love it.
- Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins – Solid middle-of-a-trilogy novel. Although if I had known what was coming in Mockingjay, I might have been more appreciative…
- Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins – The more I think about this book the more annoyed I get. Yes, it was great. But at the same time, WOW did it piss me off.
- Happy novels. After reading Mockingjay, I plan on only reading books that are either a) full of cheer, or b) from writers I adore so much that just looking at the cover makes me smile.
In My Mailbox (July 24th, 2011)
In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren (inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie) and explores the content of your mailbox.
I got some fantastic books over the past couple of weeks – books that I have been longing for since… well, it feels like since the dawn of time, so you understand my excitement.
- Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead – I ordered the US hardback of this book because I really wanted the face!covers. I was rather floored by how gigantic this book is – if wielded as a weapon, it could do some serious damage!
- Pure Blood by Caitlin Kittredge – I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and so took the initiative to actually buy the next book in the series.
- Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver – Received for review from Hodder & Stoughton – Yay! The new Lauren Oliver book! Hodder also sent along a lovely cut-out puppet thingy. Can’t wait to read this!
- Forever by Maggie Stiefvater – OH MY YAY!
- Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor – Received for review from Hodder & Stoughton – I read this and absolutely ADORED it. Absolutely everything I could ever hope for and just… yeah, fantastic.
- Our Lady of Darkness by Fritz Leiber – This was a gift from my mother. She used to be very good buds with Fritz and really thinks I’ll love his books. Looking forward to reading it!
- Hunter’s Prayer by Lilith Saintcrow – I wasn’t over the moon about the first book in this series, but in Lilith I trust.
- Crypt: The Gallows Curse by Andrew Hammond – Received for review from Headline
- Delirium by Lauren Oliver – Received from Hodder & Stoughton – This is the new UK paperback of Delirium (read my review here), and while I’m not in love with the cover the book is fantastic!
- Shady Lady by Ann Aguirre – I haven’t started this particular series yet, but in Ann Aguirre I trust.
- A Dance with Dragons by George R. R. Martin – MY MOTHER IS AWESOME AND GOT ME A SIGNED COPY OF THIS! I wish I had proper pictures of this to show you… but you’ll just have to take me for my word!
Summer Shorts: Lightspeed Stories: Carrie Vaughn and Kat Howard
Artwork from the cover of the Lightspeed: Year One anthology.
Summer Shorts is weekly feature of short story/novella reviews, posted every Saturday of July and August, 2011. Every week has a different theme – be it featuring a specific anthology, a particular genre, or a great author.
Last week I reviewed two stories from the infamous anthology Zombies vs. Unicorns, but this week I’m reviewing stories from the fantastic on-line science fiction magazine Lightspeed.
One of the really cool things that Lightspeed offers is a podcast version of their stories. In other words, audio-stories! I am not an audiobook fan, but I loved being able to listen to these tales. They are very well read and really made the stories even more enjoyable.
Amaryllis by Carrie Vaughn
(Standalone science fiction tale that can be read or heard here.)
Thoughts: Amaryllis is simply stunning. It is everything you could possibly want from a science fiction tale. It deals with new governments, new ways of thinking, and in this case, new ways of considering the environment. Amaryllis is set in a world where moderation is key; one where the world had suffered enough from our desire to expand. And while the control mechanisms placed on people seem outrageous to 21st century eyes, they aren’t evil. In fact, they are purely meant to help.
In terms of characters, Vaughn more than delivers. The story is narrated by the captain of the Amaryllis ship, a woman who has suffered her whole life because of the thoughtlessness of her mother. She’s strong yet terrified of the establishment… I really grew to care for her, which is more than I can say for a lot of narrators! The rest of the Amaryllis crew were equally as endearing – especially the sweet, innocent Nina who starts off seeming rather childish but grew on me before the end.
Amaryllis is one of four finalists for Best Short Story in the 2011 Hugo Awards. Congrats to Vaughn – it is fantastic to see such a deserving story get some official recognition!
Bottom line? Amaryllis is a striking story set in a realistic, somewhat-heart-wrenching universe. Adoration will ensue.
Sweet Sixteen by Kat Howard
Thoughts: I can’t say I was over-the-moon about Sweet Sixteen, but it was fairly enjoyable. The story is set in a world where girls are divided into Tiffanys and Rosalinds and Elizabeths, and given all the characteristics that go along with those names. Literally given those characteristics, injected with new DNA to make them the ideal Rosalind.
I liked the premise, but I wasn’t too keen on the main character. She was the type of teenager I loathe -whiny and self-centred. I couldn’t see past her to fully sympathise with her situation. Had Sweet Sixteen been narrated by a different girl, one not so easy to dislike, I might have loved this story. Alas, we’ll never know.
Bottom line? Kat Howard delivers an interesting universe narrated by a loathsome teenager. Good but not great.
Check out Lightspeed Magazine for more great science fiction stories – and don’t forget to subscribe!
Review: Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough
Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCulloughSeries: Witch #1
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Pages: 292
Genres: Paranormal YA, Young Adult
Source: Purchased myself
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Tamsin Greene comes from a long line of witches, and she was supposed to be one of the most Talented among them. But Tamsin's magic never showed up. Now seventeen, Tamsin attends boarding school in Manhattan, far from her family. But when a handsome young professor mistakes her for her very Talented sister, Tamsin agrees to find a lost family heirloom for him. The search—and the stranger—will prove to be more sinister than they first appeared, ultimately sending Tamsin on a treasure hunt through time that will unlock the secret of her true identity, unearth the sins of her family, and unleash a power so vengeful that it could destroy them all. This is a spellbinding display of storytelling that will exhilarate, enthrall, and thoroughly enchant.
Thoughts: Is there a nice way to say mediocre? Because, if there is, that would be how I would describe Once a Witch. I had had such high hopes for this book. In fact, I was so convinced that I’d love it, I bought the US hardback. Now? Well, let’s just say I wish I’d waited for the paperback.
There were just too many problems with the plot – and try as I might, I couldn’t overlook them. Some of these are rather hard to get into (such as WTF was with Tam’s family treating her like she was useless when…), but others will be apparent after only a few chapters. For example, love interest Gabriel? He was one of the most obvious problems. Even though he’s only been back in Tam’s life for about a minute-and-a.half, they act as though they see each other constantly. I don’t mean in the kind of “our love knows no time limit” way, but in the “I know details about your life that you cannot possibly have told me” way.
See what I mean? Plot holes really do ruin a book – it’s like the author/editor is just not trying.
And then there’s the supposedly-central save-the-family plot. To call it disjointed is putting it mildly. Gabriel and Tam were jumping through time for reasons that were never really clear – they’re chasing down an artifact, then they’re after her aunt, suddenly they’re trying to rescue Tam’s sister – oh wait… nope. Turns out they’re just in the 1930s to play dress-up. I dislike people not having a plan; I seriously dislike people time-travelling without a plan.
Bottom line? Once a Witch is mediocre. While it’s not a complete waste of time, neither is it an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. I’m afraid I won’t be picking up the sequel.