What a delightful surprise. I picked this book up on a whim at the local library, something I normally don't do. Most of the time, I stick to the list of books I want to read and don't stray. But, luckily, the cover grabbed my attention (a 10th century castle, Crusades era) and the synopsis sounded interesting. And it certainly delivered. In both story, characters, and suspense. Many of the authors that I've been reading lately seem to be over ambitious in there desire to use paragraph after paragraph to describe landscape, skies, trees, etc. A sometimes cumbersome prose that is distracting to me and takes me away from the actual story. But, Patterson and Cross deliver a straight, no nonsense style of writing that keeps the story flowing and the pages turning. A refreshing diversion from the normal weighty, descriptive writing that I've been used to.
The main Character, Hugh de Luc, is a simple man in a world of nobles, kings, chatelaines, and Dukes. After taking up the Cross and heading off to fight in the Crusades, Hugh becomes discouraged by what he sees in the 'Holy' war and finds that he does not believe in what he is fighting for and that all he wants is to see his beloved wife. With his mind made up, he heads back home only to find that his village has been raided and his inn burned and plundered. But, worse, his wife has been captured (and believed murdered) and his newborn son, who he has never seen, brutally slain. The townspeople try to convince Hugh that his wife is dead, but nobody actually seen her die or has found her body. Driven by rage, revenge, and despair, Hugh sets out to find his wife at the castle of Baldwin, duke of Boree.
The story has many plot turns, action, 10th century warfare, and suspense. Not once did I feel bored, confused, or that the story was drifting from it's primary focus; Hugh de Luc's mission to avenge his wife and son. Under the pretext of a Jester, Hugh is able to infiltrate the Duke's court and gain access to the castle.
Although Hugh finds more despair, treachery, and brutal slaughter during his travels, he also finds love, honor, pride, and a lot of friends who are willing to stand up for what they believe in and help Hugh.
This book has a great story, keeps the story moving, has plenty of action and is perfect for anyone who enjoys seeing the underdog triumph. I give 'The Jester' a solid 8 out of 10 stars!!
Monday, April 28, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Mister B. Gone by Clive Barker
I've been a Clive Barker fan for sooo long. I remember when his book Everville came out, I was so excited and I read it in like 3 days. And I was not disappointed. Nor was I when I read the Books of Blood, Weaveworld, Cabal, Sacrament, The Hellbound Heart, and others. But, I must say that Mister B. Gone was close to being disappointing. It wasn't a totally bad book, and it's possible that my review is influenced by the many bad reviews I've read on Amazon.com, but I just couldn't get into it as much as I did his other novels.
One thing though, is the idea and concept of this book is amazing. The book had the potential to be a whole lot better than it was. It was also very short and there wasn't much to the story. But, with all that said, I actually did enjoy the book. I thought the lead character Jakabok was pretty interesting and believable. He tells the story from first person, which I enjoy, and we can really get into his head. I thought his descriptions of his childhood, growing up in hell, and his parents were good. And, I enjoyed the relationship between Mister B. and his demon friend Quinntoon. So, although there are some things about this book that I found disappointing, mostly the story itself seemed a bit anticlimatic, and too much ranting and pleading by the demon author, it was very good in other aspects. I would give it a 7 out of 10.
One thing though, is the idea and concept of this book is amazing. The book had the potential to be a whole lot better than it was. It was also very short and there wasn't much to the story. But, with all that said, I actually did enjoy the book. I thought the lead character Jakabok was pretty interesting and believable. He tells the story from first person, which I enjoy, and we can really get into his head. I thought his descriptions of his childhood, growing up in hell, and his parents were good. And, I enjoyed the relationship between Mister B. and his demon friend Quinntoon. So, although there are some things about this book that I found disappointing, mostly the story itself seemed a bit anticlimatic, and too much ranting and pleading by the demon author, it was very good in other aspects. I would give it a 7 out of 10.
2012 Whitley Strieber
2012 by Whitley Strieber was an interesting and fun story. The ideas were refreshing and new and certainly something that I hadn't seen in a book before. Not to say that it's never been in a book. Just not one that I've read. Strangely enough, the idea of stealing a human soul did show up in the book 'The Truce at Bukura' which I read after 2012.
This book starts with the main character digging inside the Pyramid of Giza, so right away I was hooked. The following events (the pyramid exploding and the aftermath of the explosion) were fast-paced and greatly engrossing. It was easy to read and the characters were likable and believable. I found that I could empathize with the characters. And they were 'alive' enough to me so that I reacted to their suffering, happiness, and genuinely cared what happened to them. Which is something that doesn't happen in a lot of books I read or movies I watch.
The story itself was intriguing and enough reason to read this book. But, the characters were the stars in this book. I really enjoyed going on the journey with them and watching the story unfold. I would rate this book 7 out of 10.
This book starts with the main character digging inside the Pyramid of Giza, so right away I was hooked. The following events (the pyramid exploding and the aftermath of the explosion) were fast-paced and greatly engrossing. It was easy to read and the characters were likable and believable. I found that I could empathize with the characters. And they were 'alive' enough to me so that I reacted to their suffering, happiness, and genuinely cared what happened to them. Which is something that doesn't happen in a lot of books I read or movies I watch.
The story itself was intriguing and enough reason to read this book. But, the characters were the stars in this book. I really enjoyed going on the journey with them and watching the story unfold. I would rate this book 7 out of 10.
A review for The Truce at Bakura
This book was a lot better than I thought it would be. I've been reading Star Wars novels, known as the expanded universe, for about 4 to 5 years now. But, I've been reading for most of my life. Even as a 10 year old, I use to read Hardy Boys books, sports stories, etc.
The best thing this book did was really detail the characters. Luke, Han, Leia, C-3PO, etc. They are all here and they seem very alive. The author really captured the nuances of each of them. Giving them each personalities that extend what we saw in the films. The reader will feel that sense of familiarity when Han Solo gets annoyed with "Goldenrod". Or Luke's inner struggle with the Dark Side. One part in particular really creates a tense moment when a beaten down, injured Luke struggles to not give in to the Dark Side, despite the apparent need for power that he has at this time in the story. I also enjoyed Han Solo's character in this story as well as Chewbacca's.
The story is interesting and works well with tying in elements of the Star Wars universe. The reader sees TIE fighters, Imperial soldiers, Storm Troopers, and plenty of aliens from around the universe. It moves along decent pace and doesn't bore the reader with irrelavant back ground or take up pages with chatter that has nothing to do with the plot.
Certainly not the best Star Wars book I've read (that would have to go to perhaps Star by Star or Courtship of Princess Leia) but it's a great story with very well developed characters and plenty of Star Wars spirit. I would give it a 8 out of 10.
The best thing this book did was really detail the characters. Luke, Han, Leia, C-3PO, etc. They are all here and they seem very alive. The author really captured the nuances of each of them. Giving them each personalities that extend what we saw in the films. The reader will feel that sense of familiarity when Han Solo gets annoyed with "Goldenrod". Or Luke's inner struggle with the Dark Side. One part in particular really creates a tense moment when a beaten down, injured Luke struggles to not give in to the Dark Side, despite the apparent need for power that he has at this time in the story. I also enjoyed Han Solo's character in this story as well as Chewbacca's.
The story is interesting and works well with tying in elements of the Star Wars universe. The reader sees TIE fighters, Imperial soldiers, Storm Troopers, and plenty of aliens from around the universe. It moves along decent pace and doesn't bore the reader with irrelavant back ground or take up pages with chatter that has nothing to do with the plot.
Certainly not the best Star Wars book I've read (that would have to go to perhaps Star by Star or Courtship of Princess Leia) but it's a great story with very well developed characters and plenty of Star Wars spirit. I would give it a 8 out of 10.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Winterbirth by Brian Ruckley
I just finished the book Winterbirth by Brian Ruckley, part of the Godless Trilogy. It was an absorbing, exciting story with plenty of battle scenes, character development, and awesome locations. Set during the medieval times, this book has a lot of sword fighting, mysterious magical races (na'kyrim) and it leaves the reader wanting more. The book received an average score of 4 out of 5 stars at Amazon.com and the majority of reader reviews was positive. I'm looking forward to the next book in this trilogy.
Early on in the story, I found myself sympathizing with some of the main characters. I had a genuine, authentic concern for their well being and desire to see them succeed and stay out of harms way. But, what a boring story it would be if our protagonists stayed out of harm's way. They (or he) does not and the increasingly crazy landscape becomes an enjoyable and exciting journey.
The land in which the story takes place has been abandoned by the Gods. This because two races, created by the Gods, team up to annihilate a third and nearly wipe them from the face of the world. The inhabitants who are left behind struggle to find their way through the maze of feuding clans. Their is some mention of magic. In the story, it is referred to as "The Shared", but we are only briefly introduced to this and it seems that the author intends on maybe giving us more in the next two books of the trilogy.
It is a book I would recommend, mostly to fantasy fans, but not only to them. It's a readable, flowing and almost epic story that takes the reader on a journey through many fantastic lands and religions. Many customs, traditions, and cultures are introduced and Ruckley certainly does his job as a creator of worlds. I found myself easily 'imagining' the world of 'Winterbirth' in my mind's eye and it looked wonderful.
RaySildur
Early on in the story, I found myself sympathizing with some of the main characters. I had a genuine, authentic concern for their well being and desire to see them succeed and stay out of harms way. But, what a boring story it would be if our protagonists stayed out of harm's way. They (or he) does not and the increasingly crazy landscape becomes an enjoyable and exciting journey.
The land in which the story takes place has been abandoned by the Gods. This because two races, created by the Gods, team up to annihilate a third and nearly wipe them from the face of the world. The inhabitants who are left behind struggle to find their way through the maze of feuding clans. Their is some mention of magic. In the story, it is referred to as "The Shared", but we are only briefly introduced to this and it seems that the author intends on maybe giving us more in the next two books of the trilogy.
It is a book I would recommend, mostly to fantasy fans, but not only to them. It's a readable, flowing and almost epic story that takes the reader on a journey through many fantastic lands and religions. Many customs, traditions, and cultures are introduced and Ruckley certainly does his job as a creator of worlds. I found myself easily 'imagining' the world of 'Winterbirth' in my mind's eye and it looked wonderful.
RaySildur
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