Fantasybookspot - Humor

Vampyres of Hollywood

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 12:35:20 -0400

The actress Adrienne Barbeau, probably best known for the ‘70s tv series Maude and more recently the HBO series Carnivale, teams up with prolific author Michael Scott (his YA novel The Alchemyst is being made into a movie) to write her second novel, Vampyres of Hollywood: a modern tale of vampires, murder, and the movie-making business.

This novel differs from other tales of that bloodsucking creature of the night in that it claims that Hollywood was essentially created by vampires. After all, it provides the perfect environment for them. It allows them to satisfy their narcissism and it gives them a means to perpetuate all of those fallacies and even create some new ones, like having no reflections, in order to keep the true nature of their existence from being discovered.

It took an X-ray and an autopsy to confirm that Jason Eddings had been killed with the Oscar he’d won for Best Actor just six hours earlier.

He deserved it.

The Oscar, that is.

As for being murdered, well, he probably deserved that, too.

Vampyres of Hollywood opens with a murder, and the subsequent chapters alternate between the first person point of views of Osvanna Moore, legendary horror film actress and studio head, and Peter King, the detective with movie-star good looks and a penchant for nice clothes (he is, after all, working the Beverly Hills beat.) But one murder quickly becomes several murders, and all of the victims are somehow linked to Osvanna.

From Osvanna’s point of view, we are given glimpses into her long and rich past from her relationship as body guard, friend and occasional lover to Catherine the Great to that of muse to Van Gogh. We learn that many great historical events and persons were somehow related to vampirism like Jack the Ripper and the fall of Pompeii. Barbeau and Scott manage to make it all seem plausible, and it works mostly because the novel doesn’t strive to take itself too seriously.

Through Detective King’s investigations, we are introduced to more than a few interesting characters. His tenant, SuzieQ (that’s her real name, it says so on her driver’s license) is an exotic dancer, snake wrangler, and sounding board for the detective, often offering insightful comments and useful insider information (Hollywood is a small town, you know.) Since the suspect in this case has been dubbed The Cinema Slayer, we are introduced to his mom, who knows the movie industry inside and out. She once had aspirations of being an A-List actress, but was always relegated to roles such as “girl in the bar”, “woman in the bar, and “woman behind bars.” Eventually, her penchant for saving movie set mementos and collecting signed film scripts paid off when eBay provided the perfect venue for selling those mementos. Then there’s John Trueblood who stands at 6’8” and goes by the nickname Little John. He’s an ex-convict and ex-professional wrestler, tattoo artist and parlor owner, and avid collector of movie memorabilia (he‘s one of Mrs. King’s best customers.) These folks may be secondary characters, but they add interest and color to the story in addition to helping move King’s case forward.

Minor inconsistencies (vampires don’t feel the cold, but in one scene Osvanna feels “Brittle cold but no pain.”; it’s pointed out that vampires can be seen in mirrors because of the laws of physics yet no mention is made of those same laws when they change into animal forms) and a tendency to state the obvious do little to detract from the fact that this is a briskly paced and entertaining story that doesn’t pause long enough to give the reader time to worry too much about these minor criticisms. There are plenty of references to the Hollywood of yesteryear as well as currently running shows to appease most movie and television buffs. There are scenes of gore and a grand finale of flesh-eating to give horror fans something to wince about. In the end, Vampyres of Hollywood provides a fitting metaphor for Hollywood’s movie industry as well as a vampy, campy fun read.

Since I don't have the option of rating this book something between a 6 and 7, I gave it a 7.

(This review refers to the Advance Uncorrected Proof.)

The Shadow Pavilion

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:06:57 -0400

The Shadow Pavilion, the fourth in the Detective Inspector Chan adventures certainly carries through with the promise of an entertaining read. DI Chen, Shanghai Three’s Police Liaison with Heaven and Hell, is after whatever group is illegally bringing in residents of Hell as cheap labor. He has two of the best working on it when they disappear. Seneschal Zhu Irzh is not only a demon but a terrific operative in his own right and was sent in with Badger, who can take care of himself. Now Chen has to find out where they’ve gone and still get to the bottom of the issue. It doesn’t help when he finds out that the newly crowned Celestial Emperor is under an attempted assassination and that a shortcutting scriptwriter has imported a Tiger demon to impersonate a movie star and that she is now on the loose and in a starlet-sized snit.

Liz Williams has created an interestingly enjoyable fantasy/scifi/adventure. This one sort of defies classification as Singapore Three is futuresque but with her addition of the realms of Hell and Heaven and all their dream- and nightmarescape denizens, the tale takes on a mythological bent that makes for fascinating reading. She has begun to flesh out some of the secondary characters more – we get to see from the perspective of Badger, a Hellish family familiar with fierce loyalties to Chen and his wife; we also get a little more perspective from the Celestial Emperor; as well as Chen’s wife Inari. As usual we have some new secondary characters, new demons, foolish humans, and the most successful assassin of all time to keep us amused.

With all due speed Williams draws us into the intrigue, imbuing our imaginations with vivid images full of color and scent that make her stories come alive. With this descriptive skill she lures us in. Then, like the sticky strands of a spider’s web, we get trapped and held by a story that is so full of life we cannot even decide what to call it. Is it futuristic police procedural? Is it an allegorical fairy tale? Near future occult? Perhaps an alternative historical fantasy? Whatever you would like to call it, I’ll just call it something I want more of. Fans of the previous three will not be disappointed.

The Shadow Year

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 15:31:09 -0400

Almost two years ago when I reviewed Ford’s collection The Empire of Ice Cream for FantasyBookSpot, I noted that Botch Town was my favorite of the bunch. It was something of a mystery story meshed with a coming of age story that had a feel of the “fantastic” about it.

So when I began reading The Shadow Year which is based on that novella, it was evident I was reading a very familiar story, but I didn’t mind because I had enjoyed the original so much. But The Shadow Year isn’t just a re-telling of Botch Town. Ford expands on his original story, makes some major changes to it, adds a significant character, and then continues on to a much more resolute ending.

At the same time that little Charlie has disappeared, a Peeping Tom has been making the rounds in this neighborhood and a stranger trawls the streets in an old white car. All of these occurrences seem likely to be related, and Jim recruits his brother and sister as well as George, the family dog, to gather clues and investigate.

The focus of The Shadow Year is as much on these mysteries as it is on family, and that is where Ford expands on the original story the most. Dad works three jobs and is seldom seen by the kids, Mom is an artist and an alcoholic, Nan and Pop are the grandparents who live in the converted garage, and George, the aforementioned family dog, is protector and scent marker. The youngest child, Mary, is either “really smart or really simple”, Jim is the oldest and in the seventh grade and does a good job of bossing and generally harassing the other kids. The book’s narrator is the middle child, a self-described weakling, but who is never actually named in the entire book (or the original story.)

Ford’s portrayal of this family and its dynamics evokes feelings of compassion and even understanding as he describes here a scene in which you get the feeling this has happened all too often before and will be repeated all too soon:

When George and I got home, the wine bottle sat on the kitchen counter, empty, and my mother was passed out on the couch. There was a cigarette between her fingers with an ash almost as long as the cigarette. Jim went over and got an ashtray that was half a giant clamshell we had found on the beach the previous summer, and Mary and I watched as he positioned it under the ash. He gave my mother’s wrist the slightest tap, and the gray tube dropped perfectly whole in the shell.

I wedged a pillow under her head as Jim took her by the shoulders and settled her more comfortably on the couch. Mary fetched the Sherlock Holmes. Jim opened it to The Hound of the Baskervilles, the story that obsessed her, and gently placed the volume binding up, its wings open like those of a giant moth, on her chest.

There is a lot going on in The Shadow Year, and Ford moves the story effortlessly through such accounts of family life to the disquieting effects of the prowler’s appearances in folks’ backyards and a stranger in a white car (also the prowler?) whose presence is somehow sinister and alarming.

But things are kept in balance with humor as we see the grandmother through the eyes of the young unnamed narrator:

Nan had gray wire-hair like George’s, big bifocals, and a brown mole on her temple that looked like a squashed raisin. Her small stature, dark and wrinkled complexion, and the silken black strands at the corners of her upper lip made her seem to me at times like some ancient monkey king. When she’d fart while standing, she’d kick her left leg up in the back and say “Shoot him in the pants. The coat and vest are mine.”

And as when Jim gives Mary some Halloween advice:

“You don’t eat anything that’s not wrapped, except for Mr. Barzita’s figs. Some people drop an apple in your bag. You can’t eat it, but you can throw it at someone, so that’s okay. Once in a while, someone will bake stuff to give out. Don’t eat it--you don’t know what they put in it. It could be the best-looking cupcake you ever saw, with chocolate icing and a candy corn on top, but who knows, they might have crapped in the batter. I’ve seen where people will throw a penny in your sack. Hey, a penny’s a penny.”

By the end of The Shadow Year, the mysteries are solved, and if there is any flaw to be found in this book, that may be the one: the neatness of its conclusion. Nonetheless, Jeffrey Ford has written a captivating novel of a year in the life of a young boy. The characters have that feeling of authenticity that makes them instantly recognizable, and the story has that feeling of nostalgia without any of the sugary sentimentality.

Eternal Vigilance: From Deep Within the Earth

Fri, 23 May 2008 18:38:19 -0400

We awaken with Tynan Llywelyn from a hundred year's Sleep. Tynan is no Rip Van Winkle, however, but a powerful vampire who is not eager to return to the vampire community who shunned him. The world that greets him is vastly different than what he left behind. Society has crumbled and humanity is being controlled by a domineering techno-government called the Tyst. A small group of rebels, the Phuree, are fighting back as best they can. The Phuree have taken a radical step in allying themselves with the Predators who feed off them - the vampires. Tynan finds himself embroiled in a power struggle between vampire and human players alike.

I knew I was in for an incredible read when I became captivated by the Acknowledgments page. Ms. Faust's talents as a wordsmith far surpass anything I have read in some time. Her depiction of vampires is a delicious exquisiteness that at times had me running my tongue over my teeth to insure fangs had not appeared! She creates these beings with a deft hand, stitching common myths together with her singularly modern twist, providing a seamless and completely believable existence.

Next to such thoroughly real characters, the Tyst and Phuree pale by comparison. The Tyst are nameless and faceless; although characters are mentioned we never really get to know them. These are the Big Bad Guys, yet they seem completely untouchable and almost nonexistent. The Phuree are also a bit out of reach. Teirnan, their leader, and his sister Khanna are stereotypical and rather predictable. They appear small and ineffective somehow. This book is the first in a series, however, so perhaps the next installment will focus more on the other characters. If Faust can bring them to reality as she has her vampires, this will be a knockdown-dragout favorite!

The overall sensation of the story is very focused on Tynan, his tough and (unusual for the Living Dead) his emotions. In fact, Tynan's emotions are a pivotal point of the entire storyline. Faust captured his moral writhing quite well. He is struggling with a moral crisis, one that led him to abandon his Dark Brethren and sink into Eternal Sleep. But his despair only kept him for one hundred years, not forever. With prose the texture of deep velvet, Faust draws us down to the depths of a story as old as fear, as dark as sin, and as deep as Satan's heart. The lines between friend and foe are re-drawn. She captures desperate obsession and hunger, outlining each with the passion for existence that burns in all beings.

In spite of a lack of character development in some areas, I was very impressed with Gabrielle Faust and Eternal Vigilance. I eagerly devoured the book from cover to cover in one sitting and felt bereft when I was finished. This is not an airy-fairy, "rescue the damsel"-type of story. Gritty and dark, readers will begin to understand the "un"life of a vampire.

Pebble in the Sky

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:23:28 -0400

Fans of Asimov will recognize the bare bones of later works in Pebble in the Sky, his first published fiction novel. This story takes place many years before the Foundation series and contains some hints of these stories yet to come. The Galactic Empire has spread and continues to grow in all directions. Trantor is the capital and central world of the Empire, operating a massive bureaucracy from its political hub. At this time, however, Earthlings are still living on the surface of the planet and are isolated from the rest of the human population. Planetary prejudice and political unrest have reinforced this separatist notion, making Earth a backwater assignment no imperial servant wants.

Life on Earth is hard. There are limited resources and the suspicion of radiation poisoning colors everything. Society is run by a quasi-religious order that enforces the life limitation of sixty years, ostensibly to make room for others who are being born. Many seem content to live only sixty years, but others are always on the lookout for ways to avoid the mandated euthanasia.

Into this world drops (literally) Joseph Schwartz. Due to an unfortunate accident in a nuclear lab in 1949, Mr. Schwartz is thrown forward in time by millennia and finds himself living in an ultra-modern Earth. Not as easy as it seems, as language has continued to evolve and he can’t understand anything. In addition, humanity itself has physically evolved which makes Schwartz an ancient version of unknown homo sapiens. Even worse, Schwartz is 62 - two years past the enforced Sixty rule and destined to die.

This is not a dark, dystopic story, however, and is infused with Asimov’s usual intelligent humor. Political maneuvering and scientific discoveries go hand-in-hand as Schwartz makes new friends and struggles to survive. The Empire is forced to recognize Earth as a power to be reckoned with, but this may or may not be good for the Earthlings in general and Schwartz in particular.

Asimov was truly a master, delineating the scope of science fiction as a genre. He breathed intelligence and real science into his fiction, making his writing one of the best examples of what true science fiction is. His characters are believable, some likeable and others not, and somehow he always works a twist into the plot where the reader least expects it. Even more, Asimov pushes the readers to examine both self and society. He seems to want readers to acknowledge the negatives of humanity and then celebrate the positives. That which makes us as humans great can also be that which causes us to destroy ourselves.

If you are a fan of Asimov, you should read his first scifi book Pebble in the Sky. If you have never dabbled into Asimov, or any science fiction for that matter, dip a toe into this book. I think you might find the water is just to your liking!

Jumper

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 19:28:44 -0400

David Rice, abused by father and abandoned by mother, suddenly discovers he has the unusual ability to “jump” - miraculously transporting himself and anything he is holding to wherever he pictures in his mind. Using his ability to escape his father, he struggles to survive in a world without job, ID, personal history. Life without personal connections is cold and lonely, though. The temptation to settle down calls to him and, in giving in, he captures the attention of the establishment. Throughout his attempts to avoid the long arm of Big Brother, he tackles terrorism and his relationship with his parents.

Readers familiar with Griffin’s Tale may feel a bit disoriented while reading Jumper. Written in 1992 and re-released this year to coincide with the production of the movie Jumper by 20th Century Fox, Jumper the book sustains a few alterations before making it to the big screen. Griffin is not in the book Jumper but is only a character created for the movie, hence the book Griffin’s Tale written not too long ago to establish the character before the movie was released. Readers shouldn’t avoid this book for this reason, however. Just know that the book is different from the movie, as usual.

I found the concept of jumping interesting and had high hopes for the book. To quote Stephen Gould, “Teleportation is, I hope, a classic trope of science fiction, and not a cliché.” I agree, but even classic tropes need good stories with well-explained back stories in order to shine. Unfortunately, Jumper leaves much to be desired when examined with a critical eye.

Here is a young boy, abandoned and abused, trying to make it on his own. Whenever he meets a struggle, “poof”, he disappears and goes somewhere else. He does deal with some very uncomfortable situations, but his ability makes it all seem so unreal. Yes, I understand the genre is fiction. I expect my fiction to contain kernels of believability sprinkled throughout the fantasy, though.

I appreciate how Mr. Gould tries to have David Rice, the main character, work through these issues. In fact, the adolescent angst is at times palpable and cloying. But, when I got to the end I didn’t feel like I actually made it anywhere. The story read like a chain of events loosely bound together by the same paper cover and not a well-knit story unfolding for the reader. I know no more about David Rice at the end than I did at the beginning.

I had hoped the author would address the root of David’s talent, why he has it and where it came from. One could say this would be developed in the next book in the series, but Mr. Gould released this in 1992 and didn’t follow up with another book. There is no series. (For those of you hearkening back to Griffin’s Tale again, please remember that book deals with the history of a character created for the movie Jumper.) He just cuts us off and leaves us with nothing. In fact, after I finished I remember thinking “hmmm, reads like a television show”. Perhaps the movie is more enjoyable.

The Undead Kama Sutra

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 20:28:36 -0400

Since the folks at EOS were kind enough to send me a copy of The Undead Kama Sutra, I felt that I should extend them the same courtesy and read this book. This is the third book in Mario Acevedo's Felix Gomez detective series, but I don't believe that it is necessary to have had read the first two books (something I haven't done yet).

Perhaps a plot summary is in order, because god knows after you finish reading my review, the summary may be all you want to know of the book. Vampire PI, Felix Gomez, is charged with finding out more information about the near mythical underground sex-tome, The Undead Kama Sutra. It’s held in such regard within the vampire community because it can “realign the chakra” causing vampires to “reverse psychic damage and heal mental and emotional wounds.” Hmm, how philosophical?

But wait, let’s not just stop there: positions in the erotic tome come with such hysterically knee slapping names as “Monkey Laughs at Moon” and “Feeding the Melon.” Can’t stop laughing at how ingenious the names are? Yeah, me neither—so funny! I kept waiting for the “Hidden Trap Door from Behind” position.

Sadly, the position names are the high point of this book. Honestly, I’d rather watch people perform Tai Chi in the park for the rest of my life than want to hear anymore about chakras and The Undead Kama Sutra. I’d rather Tae Bo around the US with Billy Blanks than watch anyone acting out the things found in this sex-tome.

Okay you may be saying, “We get it, but that can’t be all this book is about right?” Fair enough. I guess I forgot to mention that Felix Gomez has also been tasked with the dying wish of his alien buddy to “save the Earth women.” From what you may ask? Well that would be giving things away. Let’s just say, I envy you for not knowing.

Enough negatives, on to the positives—it’s fairly short. It’s also self-contained which is nice I guess. The story ended when the pages ran out. The cover was pretty nice. It was free. Is that enough?

I'm not entirely sure who this series is marketed towards, but it sure isn't me. I feel that the target audience for these books is the 14-17 year-old adolescent boy demographic. The demographic that love The Hardy Boys but always wished there were more soft-core titillation and blood in the stories. The same demographic that watches scrambled porn on cable, enjoys the spice channel, and laughs when they stumble upon their father’s hidden stash of Playboy magazines. I mean many of the characters walk around naked most of the time for no other reason than to be naked. If I have to hear another descriptive of, "she had a bikini that was too small for her breasts and she knew it", I'm going to weep—I’m talking about openly weeping without any regard to shame.

Also Mr. Acevedo's writing is extremely clichéd and weak. Characters go from point A-B with expository that seem almost ridiculously simple.

i.e.: I need to go there- So I get in a car and drive- Here I am driving- Still driving- I pull up to where I was driving towards- I get out of the car and here I am.

Basically, that’s how the descriptives go in this book. Take this "fine" writing and throw plot ideas in a hat and pull things out at random and you have what passes for a story here. I'm not giving this a lower score because like I said, I don't believe I'm the target readership and perhaps 14-17 year-old boys will love the cheesy "is that a pen in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me" dialogue. And besides, it knows it has its fair share of faults and doesn't take itself too seriously, unlike a lot of so called “literary” books out there. Now excuse me while I cry over the wasted hours spent reading this book that I'll never get back.

Not recommended for anyone who is old enough to buy a lotto ticket.

If you liked this also check out: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Supercharged Kama Sutra Illustrated, the always heart numbingly fun “danger stranger” (if you don’t know what that means Google it!), any American Pie movie, and the absurd yet enticing Hardy Boys and the Rainbow Party.

Marseguro

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 14:40:11 -0400

Chris Keating hated his life. He hated living on a planet covered mostly with water. He hated the smell of rotting seaweed. He hated his job and the fact he was an orphan. However, he despised the Selkies more than all of these hates put together. Modified genetically from human DNA, the Selkies were beings who could live underwater and on land. They had gills, modified hearing, vision and speech, all of which enabled them to be at home in the sea while still looking human. Because they were so at home in the water, Selkies ruled Marseguro, the planet Chris had the unfortunate reality of calling home.

Settled when a starship escaped Earth to flee religious and political persecution, Marseguro has remained hidden from Earth for seventy years. Not anymore. Selkies and humans alike will face their greatest fears when Earth seeks that which was lost to them seventy years ago, causing all involved to come to terms with the realities of prejudice and hate.

Portraying people at their worst and their best, this book challenges readers to revisit their first impressions. The unexpected dives in the storyline only add interest and depth to what could have been a shallow and simple sci-fi tale. Characters face issues of nature vs. nurture, the effects of bullying and the deep seated threads of prejudice, yet readers do not need to acknowledge any of this to enjoy Marseguro. Added to the mix is delightful display of tech that more resembles Star Trek (possible) as opposed to Star Wars (never gonna happen).

I liked this book more than I thought I would when I first picked it up. The author was constantly surprising me, which doesn’t happen often, twisting the usual sci-fi conventions into more than just a shoot ‘em up space opera. Edward Willett has created people, personalities with belief systems and misguided judgments who make mistakes in trying to do what they believe is right. Still what I would consider light reading, Marseguro is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon on another planet. I look forward to the release of the sequel to Marseguro, Terra Insegura, later on next year.

Sweet Silver Blues

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 00:16:36 -0500

My first foray into Glen Cook's writing was less than a success. I got through about 50 pages of The Tyranny of the Night and threw it across the room—page after page containing made up words with no explanation of what they meant. Every problem that people have with fantasy books was made evident in those first 50 pages and I had never gone back to a Glen Cook world.

However, I'm a big fan of the subgenre, urban-fantasy, and when I read that Cook's Garrett PI novels were an early representation of said genre, I quickly bought the first book. I should have left it collecting dust in the used bookstore I found it in. In truth, this is more of a detective story in a cartoony world than an urban-fantasy.

Sweet Silver Blues is the first book in the Garrett PI universe. It’s centered around a man named Garrett who works as a PI in a town called TunFaire, where its citizens consist of dwarves, elves, trolls, and many other fabled creatures. Yes, Garrett is a PI in a fantasy world where humans coexist with the other species. Sounds very similar to the Toontown in Who Framed Roger Rabbit , but with more sex and killing.

Also, pivotal to Garrett's world are two warring factions that have been fighting wars for land that contain silver—silver being the prime metal all sorcerers use for their, well, sorcery. A tenuous pitch at best. Nothing more concerning these sides fighting is explained, although I'm sure later books go into more detail, this seeming important. But honestly, I'm sure like me, you won't be able to rush fast enough to get out of Garrett's and Cook's world.

The main problem I had with this book is that nothing really happens, and for a short book that’s surprising. Garrett is supposed to be a PI but there is barely any detective work that gets done. When he needs a new clue, some goons attack him; he in turn beats the goons up; the goons cry and whine, spilling information which leads him to the next clue. Any detective work that gets done is done off-page—the character having done the detecting then comes back and explains how he went about his detecting. It's all entirely superficial and becomes increasingly irritating and boring.

Another problem is the action sequences. I mean come on! Most of the characters just spend the pages drinking, getting drunk, and then trying to recover from being drunk. That's mainly the action that gets done in the book. Why would I want to read page after page of others just drinking and talking about drinking? Thanks, but no thanks. I can just as easily be drinking and not reading this book.

Also, I have to take Mr. Cook to task with his dialogue. Again, his dialogue is peppered with too "cool" for school lingo that entirely exists in his own little world. Half the time I didn't know what anyone was talking about (and I've studied Dostoevsky, Beckett and Nabokov for most of my life!!). Cook's sentences are also quite terse and short, leaving much unexplained.

And what’s with Cook’s characterization of the different species? My god!! It essentially goes like this: Here is a dwarf—she’s short, yet somehow leggy and sexy. Here is a centaur—look at him run around with his large testicles. *Cue laughter.* I mean is this the best he can do? I mean, really?

The positives? It's a quick read, there are sexy dwarves, there’s everyone's favorite interspecies mating, and well, the series does continue in other books (although this as a positive is debatable).

As Peter Griffin in Family Guy so eloquently put it when faced with a stand-up comedy act he disliked, "You sir, are not for me. No. No, not for me, sir." Alas I must say the same thing to Mr. Cook. While I did finally finish one of his books, I must sadly say, "You sir, are not for me."

Not recommended unless you are dead set on wasting more hours of your life. Rated a low 3/10

If you liked this also check out: trains crashing, New Jersey, a day at the dentist’s, and the always enjoyable, high-school bully beating.

Goblin War

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:08:58 -0500

Goblin War by Jim Hines is the third book in the Jig the Goblin series—and it’s a very good finish to a satisfying series. All the goblin books are bubblegum reads; excellent beach books— lovely, easy-to-read distractions. Jig is still the underdog in Goblin War, and I enjoyed his bumbling through his latest crisis, knowing full-well that he wouldn’t be able to avoid trouble. Poor thing, he was forced in a very ungoblinlike manner to *think* his way out of trouble. Jig is still reminiscent of your younger brother, but in book three, he’s starting to grow up and maybe take a few goblins along for the ride—not all of them actually gaining a new, mature outlook, of course.

Goblin War managed to be more than just a Jig adventure. Clever of Hines to throw in the story of the Forgotten Gods, told mostly through the viewpoint of Jig’s forgotten god, T. Autumnstar. I don’t generally enjoy stories about gods, because they are complex, overdone and lack any sympathetic characters. True to Hine’s usual sense of humor, Autumnstar’s story is ironic, full of ridiculous and often funny scenes and “human” enough that I found myself quite enjoying Autumnstar and his predicaments. Autumnstar is a tad like Jig; an underdog god and one that is a bit down on his luck. His story is quite funny and very necessary in making the book come together. Hines did a great job weaving the two stories, and at times it was a race to see whether Jig would out-survive the god or the other way around.

There were a couple of spots where I did wonder if Hines had gone off on a tangent path never to get his Goblin back on track, but the occasional meandering always made sense in the end—sometimes quite cleverly too. The setting he chose for Goblin War—outside the Goblin mountain--also added greatly to the story. The new terrain, characters and creatures kept the story interesting and helped move it forward. This was a faster-paced book than book two.

My favorite character, Smudge (the fire spider), put in several appearances again. Even when Smudge’s role was expected, it always put a smile on my face when the spider came out of hiding. Hines knows how to tug at heart-strings, even if the pet is a spider.

While Jig’s character has grown in the series, Hines was masterful at always keeping Jig and the others true to Goblin nature. From the food the Goblins ate, their reactions to humans and the human traditions--Hines never forgot to pick a goblin nose in public, grow an extra fungus between their disgusting toes or have his goblins react with the typical juvenile goblin "maturity." It’s always a good read when the characters can grow—but remain what makes them unique. Part of what made the god versus goblin scenes work so well was the very different viewpoint and goals.

And the ending…how does an author manage to make you feel nostalgic before you’ve even finished the last page? With a goblin, I’m not sure you can have a perfectly *happy* ending, but with Hines, you can definitely have a perfect ending.

Like the other books in the series, this is a good read for young adults and adults, and I highly recommend it when you want to sit back and not take life too seriously. Let the goblin find all the trouble and enjoy the ride.

Virtual Evil

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 12:37:27 -0500

The government of 2057 is regretting the deregulation of time travel as private companies deluge the past with tourists. As the delicate web of history flexes under the weight of interference from the future, Jacynda struggles to locate the man who made time travel a reality - Harter Defoe. Cynda’s friends Dr. Allistair and Detective Keats also continue their struggles with Victorian Transitives and a mysterious bloody murder. The stakes are high as Jacynda and her companions attempt to fulfill their duties. With Keat’s life on the line and Jacynda facing eternity in prison if they fail, the odds have never looked worse.

Jana C. Oliver has crafted a sequel that packs a whallop! Virtual Evil is a sensory overload of spine tingling adventure and mind-tickling wit. I absolutely love how she has deepened the characters in this second book. Dr. Allistair and Keats come alive here, standing aside Jacynda as they struggle to put the pieces together in this inventive mystery. Oliver splits her focus between these three characters, yet is able to maintain the momentum and tension in the tale. The action is non-stop as readers follow all three in their struggles to identify an invisible killer that can take on the image of anyone.

If anything, Virtual Evil is even more complex than the first book in the Time Rovers series, Sojourn. Oliver builds the suspense and intrigue, causing readers to doubt the integrity of just about everyone. Not knowing who to trust is one of my favorite aspects of this story. I am also impressed with her concept of time travel as she fills in even more details for readers. In fact, the only weakness I see in the story is the role of government as the Big Bad Brother looking over Jacynda’s shoulder. I feel the writing on that aspect is a bit clichéd and is the only predictable part of this book. However, this did not interrupt my enjoyment of a thoroughly rolicking tale.

Readers, please prepare for this book by reading the first in the series and then jump into this second story. Hopefully, we will not have long to wait to find out just what befalls our heroine and her two companions after the cliffhanger ending of Virtual Evil. I promise you will be breathless waiting for the third book, Madman’s Dance, to arrive sometime in the fall of 2008.

Sojourn

Sun, 10 Feb 2008 10:52:58 -0500

Jacynda is a Time Rover from the year 2057, escorting academic tourists back and forth in the river of Time to engage in historical research. Called upon to recover a reluctant tourist who is enjoying the past a little too much, she finds herself in one of the most terrifying times and places during the Victorian Era - East End London, 1888, the playground of Jack the Ripper. As if a tourist refusing to return isn’t enough, Jacynda finds out a Rover has also gone missing. Woven throughout her escapade is the presence of the Transitives, a group of people with the mysterious talent to alter their appearance by shifting their shape completely. Jacynda must decide who to trust as she finds she is running out of the very commodity she has always controlled - Time.

Winner of the Daphne du Maurier award, Sojourn is an exquisitely crafted tale that takes readers back to the very bowels of the East End. Squalid, derelict, and desperate, the people there are simply trying to survive another day. Jacynda can’t help but compare her life in 2057 with the existence of those in 1888. The author lays the stark and sterile society of the future next to the teeming life of the Victorian Era. Jacynda begins to realize filth and struggle serve to heighten the pleasures of the simple things in life, such as fresh hot scones and a quiet bath.

Jana G. Oliver has performed a masterful feat, balancing the multiple threads in the storyline to culminate in an ending that both satisfies and leaves questions unanswered. The only threadbare aspect to the plot was the relationship between Jacynda and her employer in 2057, but this pales in comparison to the rest of the story. Readers will find non-stop action from the beginning as they tumble from 1888 to 2057 and back again. Ms. Oliver introduces characters and creates personalities, capturing the Victorian fussiness and the “ladies of the night” with finesse. Her addition of the Transitives, shape shifters, serves to add a different twist on the activities of Jack the Ripper. Ripperologists, fear not, this is not an attempt to lay to rest the identity of that cruel fiend. Jack does, however, have a place in the plot (as readers will find out for themselves).

Sojourn was a wonderful adventure, full of unexpected twists and turns. I encourage you, Reader, to experience this time trip for yourself.

The Unnatural Inquirer

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 10:09:48 -0500

The Unnatural Inquirer is the eighth book in the Nightside series by Simon R. Green. I’d probably have been better off starting with something earlier in the series, because this book felt a bit played out already and tracking the main character’s magical abilities was confusing at times. A lot of time was spent on worldbuilding—why Nightside works the way it does, the cool places on Nightside and the various characters and rules that govern this supernatural seedy, hidden side of London. The setting was actually quite fascinating, but while readers of the series might have been enjoying visiting old and dear characters, I found myself a tad bored with every little stop into yet another place. Each one was unique, but not always necessary in order to forward the story. There were interesting little what-ifs throughout: what-if buildings could rebuild themselves or what if religious zealots really could call down lightening, and the main one, if you could see what the afterlife really looked like, would you want to know?

There were some very dynamic characters in this book: John Taylor, the main character, finds things. He has the ability to look through time and see what happened in the past and then follow the past to the here and now, usually finding the person or object he is after. Of course, he needs enough clues in order for his inner eye to work. As he says, he has to know what question to ask. If he’s looking for an object, he has to know who to look for that might have moved or taken the object. He has to be in the right place. In this book something is blocking his powers, and he is forced into manual mode, searching for a recording of the afterlife without much help from magic.

Suzie “Shotgun Suzie” is Taylor’s girlfriend—and I suspect I would enjoy any Nightside caper that included more of her involvement. I am certain I would enjoy the winding tale of how the two of them came to trust each other enough to work together. In this caper, we instead get Bettie as Taylor’s companion; a reporter from the Unnatural Inquirer—(yes, it’s a play on the magazine and has a similar reputation.)

Bettie appears to be there so that Taylor has someone to talk to. She plays the dumb blonde, asking a lot of questions and supplying info dumps of her own. She was little more than a prop for most of the book.

There were other characters that probably played heavier parts in other books: the mysterious Walker who has the ability to give commands that Must Be Obeyed. He is some sort of enforcer/clean-up/self-appointed cop of Nightside and scenes with Walker were always quite interesting and well-done.

The plot--Taylor is hired by the Unnatural Inquirer to find an Afterlife Recording—a DVD the “newspaper” has already bought and paid for, only it disappeared before delivery. Of course, since it is seen as a valuable object, everyone else wants it too—collectors, religious zealots, the aforementioned Walker and the odd god creature. Taylor’s powers came and went as he tracked down the DVD—blocked by something or someone. I was never quite satisfied with the explanation given; yes, at the end, I knew ‘who’ caused the problem, but not ‘how.’

Perhaps because there are other books in this series, the borders of Taylor’s capabilities were never well-defined in this book. The most interesting scenes were at the beginning of the book where Taylor had use of his power and readers get to experience how he works. As the book progresses, he is steadily blocked—both in mundane ways and as he tries to rely on a few other secondary abilities that he has.

The ending had several battles, but frankly, nothing worrisome. Taylor’s powers just so happened to reappear in time for one or two battles, and when they weren’t working, it didn’t take him very long to talk his way out of trouble or otherwise free himself from disaster.

I wouldn’t hesitate to read one of the earlier novels in this setting because I suspect the whole series is a collection of quick, fun romps through a strangely magical urban setting. The premise for this story was good, the execution of it wandered, and in the end, it was much like bar-hopping with a guide that knows a city well—some places were fun, some had good music, some had interesting people with more than a hint of danger and some were dingy and tired with questionable food.

Reserved for the Cat

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 19:09:33 -0500

Mercedes Lackey fans will thoroughly enjoy this fun escapade into turn-of-the-century England. Reserved for the Cat follows along with the Elemental Masters stories, which focus on magicians in the real world pictured in historical settings. We meet Ninette, an orphan in Paris who is gifted with the ability to capture her audience with her ballet dancing. As a young woman without proper lineage, her options for a future were limited to washerwoman (and die young), a prostitute on the street (and die even earlier), or catch the eye of a wealthy older man with her dancing abilities and live in relative ease. With her mother’s firm instruction, Ninette plunges into the life of a dedicated ballerina focusing on catching that wealthy old man.

These plans fall awry and she stumbles into the world of magic as she is rescued by a talking cat. Thomas, the cat, leads her to Elemental Masters involved in the theater with the idea of establishing her as a known ballerina in England. Of course, the plans of mice (er, cats) and men don’t always happen as intended. Ninette discovers the world of magic contains more than good, thoughtful Masters.

This is typical Mercedes Lackey, pushing the envelope of social acceptability regarding female roles in society. She brings a modern day perspective to the historical issues of women’s’ rights. She deals with the everyday struggle women faced simply to survive and the unalterable dependence they had on the male figures in their lives.

Within these social issues, however, lies a truly enjoyable tale. I find Ms. Lackey’s Elemental Masters series a true frolic into fantasy and Reserved for the Cat is no exception. Witty and dry, the magic in her books is always so believable, as are her characters. This is a great book, made to enjoy during these snowy days of December. Curl up under a blanket and enjoy Reserved for the Cat. Then look up the other marvelous tales published by Mercedes Lackey. There are too many to list here. Trust me - you will find your time well spent!

The Ticking

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 23:16:15 -0500

In "The Ticking" Renee French tells the story of Edison Steelhead. Edison's mother dies in childbirth and Edison himself is born deformed. It's pretty obvious from that opening that "The Ticking" is not going to be a lighthearted story. Edison's father takes him to live in an isolated lighthouse and gets a chimpanzee whom he calls Edison's sister. Edison copes with his strange life by drawing, in minute detail, things that he sees every day. The book is illustrated with beautifully shaded and textured pencil drawings, though the artwork itself celebrates the grotesque. As the reader joins Edison on his journey, it becomes clear that Edison Steelhead is the sort of person who doesn't just survive tragedy, he overcomes it. Before the final page, the reader understands that despite everything, Edison is going to be okay.

"The Ticking" is deceptive, at first, because it is a beautifully clothbound hardcover book with gold leaf traceries on the cover. It also seems, at first glance, full of childish illustrations and scant text. Don't let those first impressions fool you into believing that this is going to be an easy read. There are drawings that don't just celebrate the grotesque, they revel in it. Some of the drawings are intentionally very simplified because they show how Edison develops as an artist. As the story progresses, the reader realizes that Edison understands perfectly that his life is not normal and that, perhaps, is what makes the story so much more stomach-turning in the beginning. It makes a much more shattering impact to see Edison go on into the real world and make a decision that takes a wealth of courage. Another path would have been easier, but it would have been less satisfying for the character and the reader.

This is the kind of graphic novel that should be offered up to those adults who are ready to see what "comics" have to offer these days. "The Ticking" displays a perfect symbiotic relationship between text and illustration that makes it abundantly clear this story could not be told to such great effect in the absence of either element. It is thought provoking and insightful on many levels. After reading this book, I wanted to take a couple of days and really digest what I had read. I'm still thinking about it. It's the kind of book that you hope other people read and discuss because it can open up so many issues about appearance and coping and how much children really understand about the world around them.

Reader and Raelynx

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 16:07:50 -0500

Cammon is a gifted Reader, able to know people’s thoughts and emotions. In fact, he might be the most powerful Reader in a kingdom known for distrusting mystics. Surrounded by his mystic friends, he has the opportunity to change this hatred and mistrust when he befriends the princess. As Cammon’s friendship with Princess Amalie deepens to something no commoner should ever feel for royalty, the kingdom faces a political crisis brought to a head by enemies of the crown. Not only that, Amalie begins to display some astonishing talents. Those involved in the power struggle for the throne begin to be deeply concerned as their viewpoint on mystics is challenged.

Reader and Raelynx is the latest installment in the Twelve Houses series. Although I haven’t read the first two books, I wasn’t lost in the story. The author sprinkled in the backstory with a deft hand, explaining the history and pieces of the character-building in a way that I could jump right into the story. I found the story concept inventive, a new twist on mind magic in a market glutted with mental sorcery. I was captivated by the characters and their experiences. I intend to go back and read more, to watch these people develop even though I know how the story will end.

Sharon Shinn is good at describing individuals but the book gets shaky when the story steps back to look at political entities. As a result, the scenes from the final battle are disjointed and rough. Perhaps if I had been in on the political scene from the beginning of the books I would have picked up on the more subtle workings in the action. Unfortunately, I felt a bit let down by the last couple of chapters.

Regardless, Reader and Raelynx is still an enjoyable read for a Saturday afternoon. Not complicated or gory, this is a perfect story for young readers looking to explore a different author. I would encourage readers to also look into The Thirteenth House and Dark Moon Defender, the first two books in this series.

Inside Straight - A Wild Cards Novel

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:38:22 -0500

“Inside Straight” is a Wild Cards novel. The Wild Cards universe is a shared universe that was created in 1987 by George R. R. Martin. A number of authors write individual chapters/short stories focusing on a specific character, which Martin then edits together into an overall story. “Inside Straight” is the 18th novel set in the universe.

In the Wild Cards Universe, an alien virus that re-writes human DNA was released on Earth in 1946. It killed 90% of the people it infected. 9% were mutated into Jokers, who were deformed into a wide variety of non-human looking appearances. 1% gained superpowers as a result of their exposure and became known as “Aces”.

In 2008, 62 years have passed since the wild card was introduced into the world. An entire generation has grown up with it. The first generation of aces has grown up, become famous for their status and powers, had children, and in some cases died.

“Inside Straight” now focuses on the new generation, which has grown up with this as part of their lives and imprinted into society’s popular culture. Familiarity with the other books is not necessary. Many of the heroes and events from those books are spoken about, often reverently, by this younger generation. These were the stories that they’d heard every day as they grew up. These were their childhood heroes, and the people that they looked up to. “Inside Straight” does a good job of weaving that into a rich history of the world.

Even when one has superpowers, there are enough other aces around that it is a struggle to stand out, or to find one’ niche in the universe. “Inside Straight” firmly plugs into the culture of the day. On the very first page of the book Daniel Abraham brings us the character of Jonathan Hive, as seen through the postings he makes on his blog. The very first sentence of the book sends the message that this character is going to be edgy, complex, well detailed, and easy for the reader to relate to, whether he has an ace ability to not. Mr. Hive’s ability is that he can turn into a swarm of wasps. In spite of that, he has other ambitions and dreams. He wants to be a writer. His perspectives as seen through his blog are hilarious, brilliant, and serve to continue to tie the various chapters of the book together as the larger plot continues to unfold. I especially liked the blog chapters in the book. It was very cool to see a character just casually talking directly to us, the reader. The style also provided much of the comic relief in the book.

Jonathan Hive knows that what he needs to get his foot in the door of a writing career is exposure. He needs more people to read his blog. So to get that exposure he does what many people in the 2007 real world do. He appears on a reality TV show.

He is not alone. He is joined by a unique and varied cast of characters, such as Jetboy, Drummer Boy, Stuntman, the Maharajah, Water Lilly, Rosa Lotera, Jade Blossom, Diver, Digger Downs, Brave Hawk, Mistral, The Candle, Toad Man, Spasm, Father Henry Obst, Hard Hat, The Amazing Bubbles, Tiffani, Rustbelt, Earth Witch, Curveball, and Wild Fox.

“American Hero” will give one lucky ace the chance to win a million dollars and become the next big ace hero. Not only that but it gave me chapter and chapters of amusement and laughter. This reality show was better done on paper than most reality shows I’ve ever watched. The authors nailed the character interactions, as all the contestants interacted in the house and in their various team challenges for the show. Personalities came together and clashed. Certain ace abilities were more spectacular than others. Some were downright comical. But were any of them useless? That was part of the lesson of the reality show and of the book as a whole.

There’s much more to the book than a bunch of superheroes competing in a reality show. On the other side of the world there is big trouble in Egypt. A new Caliph had united Syria, Palestine, Iraq, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, and now Egypt, under his rule. Unified Muslim rule was beginning to sweep the Middle East. But in Egypt 6000 + years of culture had caused many Jokers to mutate to the appearance of ancient Egyptian gods and other beings from their mythology. This had led to a rebirth of the old religion that had been in place before the rise of Islam or Christianity. Now in 2008 the rise of a new religious movement and the rise of the old were clashing violently. Not that anyone in the United States was noticing, as the “American Hero” craze swept the nation.

Have no fear. Everything meshes together. Jonathan Hive and his blog is the thread that weaves its way through the story until the big “Aha” moments when it all comes together. “Inside Straight” brilliantly pulls no punches, whether it be characters with colorful language, issues of sexuality, issues of race, the fact that many characters are deep and are not entirely what they appear to be, or just being brave enough to put it out there that even if someone is a superhero sometimes they will die in the performance of heroic duty. This is not “Superfriends” where everyone returns back to the Hall of Justice unscathed to fight another day. If I had to compare it to anything it’s like “Heroes”. But Wild Cards and its group of authors came up with this idea 19 years ago.

“Inside Straight” is a brilliant rendition of people with super powers living in a real and contemporary world. In some cases they are just trying to live normal lives. Almost every contestant gets a chance throughout the various chapters to move to the forefront for character development. The chapters are each told from the perspective of a particular character, so the book gives many opportunities to get into the head of one character after another.

I can say this without a doubt for “Inside Straight”. This is the 22nd book that I’ve reviewed for the site. It was funny. It was deep. It was original (I’ve not read any other books in the Wild Cards universe. In fact I have to admit that I’d never heard of it). In my opinion this is the best book I’ve read so far. That includes my two beloved DragonLance novels. It takes a pretty original telling of the superhero concept to get my attention. I am not a comic book fan. Tales of invulnerable superheroes flying around are usually dull to me. But these characters are not indestructible superbeings who can only be foiled by radioactive rocks from outer space, being bathed in sunlight, from a red star, or other Achilles’ Heels so exotic that it stretches my suspension of disbelief to see them manage to appear with regularity. Most of the characters in this book are regular people, most with regular jobs, who “drew an ace” and happen to have an ability as a result of their response to the alien virus which did not destroy their lives.

I would never have thought that a “book by committee” could have come together so cohesively and seamlessly. I wondered if there would be any inconsistency in character personality or behavior as we saw them through the eyes of a different author. That never happened. I absolutely give a standing ovation to the fine writing of Daniel Abraham, Melinda M. Snodgrass, Carrie Vaughn, Michael Cassutt, Caroline Spector, John Jos Miller, George R. R. Martin, Ian Tregillis, and S.L. Farrell, and to the outstanding editing done by George R.R. Martin. “Inside Straight” makes me re-write my rating scale. I’ve given several other 10’s over the course of the previous 21 books. Based on that I would absolutely have to give “Inside Straight” an 11.

Heroes in Training

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 10:21:49 -0400

As with any anthology it is impossible to cover every story. Overall, I enjoyed Heroes in Training, edited by Jim C. Hines and Martin H. Greenberg. My favorites were, of course, those that were written with entertainment and humor in mind. There were many stories in this book that raced along, leaving me wanting more of the characters and additional stories with those faces. I suspect that because Jim Hines had editing duties, some stories were selected because of their fairy tale basis—each of those in the anthology had a new twist, of course.

I thoroughly enjoyed Esther M. Friesner’s “Roomies” both because of the fairy princess concept and the twist ending. The characters and their actions were predictable, but rather than monotony, it was a comfort read; a soothing cup of soup on a cold afternoon. This story was a delightful little tale of small-town-girls do good with justice served.

Speaking of justice, Peter David’s tale, “Sir Apropos of Nothing and the Adventure of the Receding Heir” was a tale of an unlikely hero, yet somehow I found myself on his side despite his rather cowardly, unhero-like habits. Justice in that story was skillfully delivered with an ironic, unexpected twist. Very good.

The Wizard’s Legacy by Michael A. Burstein was perhaps my favorite story in the bunch; it was a traditional tale of a boy who must accept challenges, must battle the enemy and overcome many obstacles in order to reach his goals. Again, characterization played a strong part here, and Burstein moved the story along so quickly, I was quite disappointed when the adventure came to an end.

Three Names of the Hidden God by Vera Nazarian didn’t capture me right off, but as I read, my interest grew. What appeared to be a tale of the lowly man outsmarting and helping the royals became an intricate story of treason and justice. For those looking for different settings, this one had a bit of a fantasy, historical middle east flavor.

Eugie Foster’s Honor is a Game Mortals Play is a wonderful little adventure with treachery, vengeance and romance rolled into an unusual setting (sort of a cross between the Asian culture and mythology) with lots of action. I’ve read and enjoyed Foster’s stuff before, and this is one of her best; a very good tale—truly a Hero in Training, the character coming into her own.

I was a bit surprised to find such a broad range of stories; in addition to the above there was horror such as James Lowder’s “Beneath the Skin” and political stories such as Robin Wayne Bailey’s “The Children’s Crusade” and Catherine H. Shaffer’s “The Apprentice.” While neither “Crusade” nor “Apprentice” were subtle in their lectures, both were quite clever in weaving fantasy into the mix.

This anthology is a great read for a plane, train, doctor’s office—anywhere with frequent interruptions. The stories vary in length with few very short ones. Almost every story has enough meat to give you the illusion—for just a moment—of being somewhere else. The somewhere else is sometimes a pleasant interlude, sometimes a foreign land, sometimes a scary, unpleasant place, but it is always an adventure.

Jim Hines is the author of Goblin Quest, Goblin Hero and the forthcoming Goblin War (From DAW in 2008). Reviews of Goblin Quest can be found here:

http://www.fantasybookspot.com/node/155

A chat interview with Jim can be found here:

http://www.fantasybookspot.com/node/2066

Martin H. Greenberg has edited/contributed to several anthologies including: Fantasy Gone Wrong, Places to Be, People to Kill, and Pandoras Closet

The Book of Joby

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 14:59:32 -0400

Mark. J. Ferrari's debut The Book of Joby is an inventive spin on Arthurian legend and the Biblical story of Job. As the book opens, God is offered a wager by Lucifer, with the fate of all Creation riding on the outcome. Should Lucifer win - God will be forced to unmake Creation and remake it under the guidance of Lucifer, to eliminate what Lucifer sees as flawed and corrupt including humanity itself.

Bad Dadaist painting, Neo-brutalist sculpture, Pop art, Op art, and original animation cells from Beavis and Butthead were displayed, not as expressions of Lucifer's taste but as evidence of mankind's depravity.

The candidate personally chosen by God as the deciding factor in the wager is one Joby Peterson - a nine-year-old boy living happily unaware of the fate that rests on his shoulders and possessed of a vivid imagination fueled by a children's book of Arthurian tales.

"I wager," Lucifer smiled, "that this candidate, deemed faithful and steadfast to our Lord, will, when put to the test and left to choose of his own free will, unequivocally renounce the Creator, brazenly defy His will, and commit great wickedness instead."

Following a visit by God and Lucifer in his dreams, respectively disguised as King Arthur and Merlin, Joby is given to understand that he has been chosen by Arthur to "fight the devil". Unfortunately, Lucifer has stipulated that God and his angels cannot interfere with Joby's life directly or act to help him, while Lucifer is free to do whatever he likes in his attempt to push Joby over the edge, short of killing him. Thus begins Joby's transformation from a quintessential "golden boy" to a bitter and damaged man years later as Lucifer and his minions strive to win the wager in the time allotted. Joby's only hope may lie in the quiet seaside town of Taubolt on the California coast...

If The Book of Joby has a flaw, it's that a strong beginning draws the reader in quickly - depicting the wager between God and Lucifer and introducing Joby himself - a very likeable protagonist. His fantasy of being a Knight of the Round Table is touching and evokes nostalgia for the carefree days of childhood, which makes his eventual decline all the more saddening.

Ferrari's portrayal of Lucifer also provides some of the best moments of the book's first portion, as Lucifer gleefully directs his minions in various complicated schemes intended to bring about Joby's fall from grace while quarreling with God on various technicalities of the wager - which usually results in Lucifer being made to look like a buffoon.

Unfortunately, the middle portion of the book sags somewhat in comparison. The tension build-up and the charm of the first third has faded by the time Joby arrives in Taubolt, which leaves the story wanting at times. However, the final third of the book does manage to pick up the pace and concludes on a strong note.

With that said, Ferrari's attention to characters is excellent - Joby's rise and decline is expertly handled and the book is peopled with a number of other memorable characters, which does help keep the middle portion of the story a bit more interesting than it would be otherwise. The vivid detail put into the descriptions of Taubolt and surroundings is also very well-done and easily convinces one that Taubolt could be a real place.

It must also be said in Ferrari's defense that despite the subject matter, there isn't an attempt to shoehorn a religious message into the story. The religious theme is used more as a framework for the story and could have easily been interchanged with any number of mythological or wholly made-up archetypes of good and evil - and the Arthur legends interwoven with the larger story are a nice touch as well.

In conclusion, a very impressive debut that might have benefited from some further editing to cut down the length, but the prose and characterizations are outstanding otherwise.

Gaea, Beyond the Son

Sat, 13 Oct 2007 20:48:09 -0400

Doyle is an experienced space traveler who has agreed to do one more test run of the galactic space ship Gaea-02. Life on Earth has become unbearable with the shortage of drinkable water. The solution is to send the ship to a far off planet covered in water, a trip that will take ten years. Doyle has agreed to spend six months training the new pilot and then retire. But life didn’t work that way. When he wakes up from his three month hibernation he and the crew discover that a nuclear war has occurred on Earth. They have a deadly decision to make.

I was pumped to read this story. Here is a debut author creating a new world, with innovative technology and a different take on science fiction. His first chapters showcase deep emotions and relationships, not just “shoot’em up” space opera. I was a little disappointed. P.D. Gilson gives us a great back story and allows the reader to meet each one of his characters, explaining their viewpoints through the use of flashbacks into their past. However, the potential greatness of the book was lost due to very jerky transitions and a lack of depth to the plot.

This is a lightweight story. What you see is what you get, much like an episode on television. The bright, almost cartoonish characters never really take on a life of their own. Their actions are predictable and stereotypical. The cadence of the book did finally pick up towards the end and the author managed to surprise me with his wrap-up. But the promise of the first chapters was never delivered.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed reading the book. I liked meeting the characters and I hope there will be a sequel. It is a nice way to spend a couple of hours, but I doubt I will ever read it again.

Rise of the Evening Star

Sat, 13 Oct 2007 20:35:39 -0400

We revisit Kendra and her brother Seth as Brandon Mull takes the story a bit deeper in Rise of the Evening Star, the second book in the Fablehaven series. In the first book of the Fablehaven series, Kendra and Seth meet magic face-to-face at the refuge run by their grandparents. Here in the second book, magic comes to meet them in their very normal, non-magical lives at school and home.

Kendra is beginning to realize that when you touch magic, it also touches you. She has to face some realities in her life, such as how magic has changed who she is. Seth, who had a terrible time staying out of trouble in the last book, struggles again. But this time, he faces earning back the trust of his family. They do this while facing a mysterious creature that will frighten you to death, and a global conspiracy that is wanting to release magical creatures into the world. To tell you more would reveal too much of the storyline. Trust me, it’s worth it to read the book for yourself!

Brandon Mull has raised the level of danger and broaden the scope of the story in his second installment of the Fablehaven series. Risks are greater and the choices aren’t as clearly marked as “good” and “bad”. The players here aren’t just the inhabitants of Fablehaven, but includes others on a far-reaching global scale. The plot is twisty and at times very hard to predict, which is something I crave in any story.

Once again, this book will appeal to a variety of readers. The writing is superb, with a plot whimsical enough to keep the attention of young readers but deep enough to satisfy the older ones. As with the first book, Mr. Mull has added an addendum containing discussion questions that push young readers to look deeper than the surface of the plot.

John Dies At The End

Sat, 13 Oct 2007 16:13:10 -0400

John Dies At The End began as a short story on author David Wong's website. Due to popular demand, it was expanded into a serial posted in installments and finally published in book form.

Featuring Wong himself as the narrator of his and the titular John's adventures, John Dies At The End takes place in a nameless Midwestern town. After being introduced to a mysterious drug - dubbed "Soy Sauce" due to the resemblance to same - Dave and John realize that an unknown evil is being unleashed on the world as an effect of Soy Sauce use. Due to the evidently permanent effects of Soy Sauce, they are the only ones who can act to stop it, much less even see the hideous things that stalk among their fellow humans. They will confront everything from malformed interdimensional horrors to things spawned of their own nightmares.

On the surface, John Dies At The End appears to draw a bit of inspiration from various sources like Stephen King's It, the classic 80s horror film From Beyond and even Ghostbusters - but Wong's imagination far outpaces even them. Every time I thought I'd seen it all, Wong invented something else - from the prologue featuring a creature spawned from the contents of a meat locker to the bizarre "flesh spiders".

I also enjoyed Wong's warped sense of humor - with everything from slapstick humor to sarcastic commentary coming into play as he narrates his and John's increasingly bizarre adventures. Despite this - the story does manage to accomplish a certain amount of terror at times. In particular, the idea that only Dave and John can see the things invading their world lends itself well to a number of particularly spooky moments - like the apparitions appearing in a reflected TV screen.

Granted, there are some parts of the story that don't quite work and with so much going on, Wong seems to have left some things unclear, like the purpose of the underground chamber beneath the Jamaican's trailer or the origin of Soy Sauce. However, Wong's afterword states a sequel is in the works - which may help clear up some of the mystery.

All in all, I'd have to say I enjoyed the book - it sets out to be entertaining without taking itself too seriously and accomplishes exactly that.

Dragonhaven

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:42:39 -0400

From award-winning author Robin McKinley, creator of The Blue Sword and The Hero and the Crown, comes a story completely different from anything she has written to date. Readers find themselves in the modern world, firmly entrenched in modern times somewhere in the mountains at Smokehill National Park, a wildlife refuge for some very wild creatures indeed.

Jake, son of the scientist who helps to run the refuge, takes us back in time to relate his adventures with Lois the dragon. Lois is a real dragon, mind you, Draco australiensis, the only true breed of dragon. Only D. australiensis breathes fire and can fly. Other breeds assumed to be dragons, such as Draco chinensis (the bearded and colorful Chinese dragon), are also kept at Smokehill because tourists are willing to pay to see them. Tourist dollars are what keep Smokehill open and provide funding to maintain the refuge for the real dragons. Unfortunately tourists are also at the root of Jake’s problem, as the reader soon finds out. Well, tourists and the government, because apparently rescuing dragons is completely and totally against the law.

The story is told from a first person point of view and the readers are taken deep within the mind of Jake as he catalogs his adventures with Lois, the baby dragon he rescues and basically adopts. This causes the story to ramble at times, mainly because of the extreme exhaustion caused by being responsible for an illegal orphan that requires twenty-four/seven supervision.

Robin McKinley is a master of her chosen art form. With a comment here and a phrase there, she builds a belief that dragons can exist in our modern world. Jake’s voice is strong and clear, his emotions raw and uncovered. He is telling the story from the present and looking back at the past, so he has a running commentary on himself and others and doesn’t hold back his criticisms.

While the rambling adds to the veracity of the tale, I began to weary of the constant interruption in the flow of the story. McKinley introduced me to a delicious form of fantasy writing with her previous works and I came to Dragonhaven with some preconceived notions about her writing. I was forced to throw those notions out the window. This is not a romantic dragon story with wizards, billowing capes, and flashing swords. This is a coming of age story, where a boy is challenged to do what is right even though it isn’t romantic or even fun.

All of that aside, while I felt disappointed in the style of the book I still finished it. I feel this is a tribute to Ms. McKinley as a writer, in that she could still keep my attention engaged even though the story wasn’t what I expected. This may not be my favorite dragon story but I feel the book will appeal to readers, especially to young readers.