Book Challenge Update: The Queen's Necklace

I have finished another book for my challenges:  The Queen's Necklace by Teresa Edgerton.  This book is for the What's in a Name Challenge and specifically the jewelry/gem category.  This means I am very nearly done with this challenge I have the number book left to go.  I have a few books in mind for this one, so it should be a smooth transition.  Now back to this challenge.

I picked up The Queen's Necklace at a used bookstore . . . mainly as the title fit the challenge.  (The WEE BOOK INN, best used bookstore in Edmonton).  I had no ideas for the jewelry challenge going in to this and was therefore on the look out.  It was a reasonable price for a used book in Canada, which means not very reasonable at all - but that is another story.

The Cover

The book is set in the human control world after the fall of the evil goblin empire, which ruled long long ago.  When the humans took control they made the world better and then institutionalized everything to stop things from changing and empires from being created.  This is the story of the goblin's trying to seize power again and the people who try and stop it.

This is how I imagine everyone is dressed . . . based on their discriptions

I'd like to start by saying I found the book to be enjoyable . . . but there was simply tons not quite right with it.  First, it is a long book and yet everything about the book seems rushed.  Time leaps forward, important plot points are never actually written about, and character conflicts just appear and disappear at an astonishing rate.  The book just seems like an outline of what is happening without too much depth.  Like I said it is a long book, so it may have benefited from being two books. 

The author

I also never felt any real concern for the characters.  Why?  I didn't know any of them well enough.  They got introduced their purpose was told and they acted accordingly or they never did much of anything and you wonder why they exist at all in a book already busting with characters.  Speaking of characters, I did rather like the main characters.  But, they were acquaintances not friends.  It held my interest and made it an okay book, but nothing more.

The plot itself was passably interesting.  I did want to know what happened.  Particularly after I was committed to some number of pages.  However, the plot just kind of moved along and never seemed like it was directed by any of the characters . . . not even the evil goblin conspiritors.  It just kind of seemed to happen because it did.  The world and the way goblins were depicted made me seriously doubt they were any real threat to toppling the human regime. Your telling me almost immortal beings have no real forethought?  Well they can't be very good conspirators then.

Unfortunately, the ending was also lacking as certain key parts were simple skipped.  Leading the reader with no information as to what happened.  Instead of peeking interest it just seems odd.  Plus there is no sequel, so what was the point or hiding small details. 

In the end I didn't hate the book.  It was simply kind of okay, but definitely not worth seeking out.  I would welcome the opinions of anyone else who has ever read the book who may be able to shed more light on it. 

Book Challenge: Small Gods

I've finished another book for my Book Challenge. This is for the Whats in a Name Challenge, specifically the Size challenge.  I read Terry Pratchett's Small Gods.  The thing about Terry Pratchett novels is that I always forget how much I like them . . . and I like them tons.  They are all just so smart and funny (okay not Moving Pictures - but no one is perfect).

Small Gods has a more detailed and consistent story than many Discworld novels. In fact, this is what put me off the book when I first went to buy it.  But, I decided to give it a go.  Which was a good choice as it was great.  This is the story of the Great God Om and his believer Brutha.  Om is in a bit of a jam and needs Brutha's help, which is very embarrassing for a God.

 And it came to pass that in time the Great God Om spake unto Brutha, the Chosen One: "Psst!"

The book follows their adventure as Om tries to get back on top and Brutha slowly begins to realize that maybe religion and power could be used to help people.  That summary makes it all seem much to serious and dull.  Its not.  Its a funny critic of religion and hierarchy in general really . . . and philosophers.  The Omian church is kind of an old school Catholic deal with lots of pomp and an Inquisition (think the middle ages not the beginning beginning).

VI. This is Religion, Boy.  Not Comparison Bloody Shopping!  You Shall Not Subject Your God to market Forces!

I really enjoyed this book as I thought I would.  If your a bit sensitive about religion . . . or philosophy you may not want to read it.  Its a stand alone book so you don't have to have read any other Terry Pratchett books . . . there are a couple of inside jokes, but not so many as to make you feel like the unpopular kid at the lunch table.

Book Challenge Update: Whats in a name challenge (Evil) - Soulless

I've read my first book for the whats in a name challenge (Evil): Soulless by Gail Carriger.  This Carriger's first book ever and the first in the Parasol Protectorate series.  If you want to buy it you can get it at amazon for a reasonable price.  I believe a book called Soulless qualifies fully in the evil category particularly as the main character is, in fact, lacking a soul . . . and consorts with vampires and werewolves.  The author also appears a bit eccentric, which I can relate too.

Gail Carriger

I wasn't really sure what to expect.  I got the book as my librarything.com recommendation thing said I would like it.  I read the description and agreed, so here we are.  I must say it was more of a romance than i was expecting (nor due I normal read romances), but the fantasy/steam punk elements were suitable well done that it didn't bother me.  Also, I found I cared quite a bit about Alexia (our soulless heroine) right off the bat, which made me invested in all aspects of the plot even the romance.  So, lets break down why you should read the book (and you should . . . if you like supernatural stuff that isn't horror).

Style - the book was exceptionally well written.  It did not scream first book!  Like many do.  The book holds a humorous Victorian with a modern edged tone throughout.  I've read many a book set in this era and not written in it and Carriger pulls it off better than most.  The humor is refreshingly honest in its delivery and in fitting with the characters.  The style really makes the book with its stiffly delivered Victorian quips.

Fashionable Parasol (to buy go to Designs by Victoria at Artfire.com)

Plot - the plot is not overly complex.  It is mostly a good adventure story with a nice bit of romance in it.  Nothing deep, but absolutely fun.  The plot does, however, completely fit the characters.

Look at all that neat stuff! (visit the Museum of Victorian Science)

Characters - all the characters are finely written.  They have personality and substance, which is great.  They also have interesting dialogue, which is a must for me.  The mix of flashy alphas and scientific reasoning really made for an interesting read.  I loved the main characters, but I am quite taken with Professor Lyall.  The characters really stand out as exceptionally well written in this book.

Overall - I would definitely recommend this book.  Its silly and fun and just an all around good read.  Imagine many who like Jane Austen will also like this (if they aren't too stuffy).  Like I mentioned it is the style that really pulled me in.  It is just interesting to read.  And the characters will make sure I don't get bored and find something else to do with my time.

Book Challenge Update!

I've picked out some books for the What's in a Name challenge.  I'll review them once I actually read them, but I really wanted to share some of my picks.

For the Evil category I'm going to read the book Soulless by Gail Carriger.

I'm very excited about it.  It mixes some of my favorite fairy creatures with Victorian romance.  I don't normally read steampunk, but it seems like it will have the sensibilities of an Austen novel (a bit darker of course . . . I'm afraid to hope for Jane Eyre sensibilities as its my favorite book of all time).  It also seems like it will indulge in the humor inherent in a Victorian romance and jazz it up to modern standards.  If this is done even a fraction as well as it is in Sorcery and Cecelia or the Enchanted Chocolate Pot I should be very happy with this book.

For the life stage category I've picked out Shade's Children by Garth Nix.

Shade's Children is about a brutal future where 14 year olds are killed to make genetically engineered monsters.  Gold-Eye escapes to fight his fate.  This is pretty straight up sci-fi for me.  I usually stick to fantasy or military sci-fi (no I don't know why).  But, I've been looking for something different and I do like teen fiction.  I also love Garth Nix from his Abhorsen series.  Its a great series I would highly recommend it.

I also have the first book in my Series Challenge, I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett.

This will catch me up on the Tiffany Aching series within the Discworld series.  I'm very excited.  I enjoy the adult discworld books, but the teen series about Tiffany Aching is really fantastic.  It starts with Wee Free Men and I would really recommend giving it a try if you like fantasy and you like laughing. 

Sometime, in the hopefully kind of near future, you will get reviews about these books as I make my way through my challenges.

Book Challenges 2011!

It has been awhile since I actively participated in any book challenges.  I love them, but the PhD can be kind of brutal to the free time one has.  I decided to give it a try this year.  I have 3 I'm definitely going to do and then an alternate that we will see if I can get off the ground or not . . . I might pick up another if someone has a good suggestion as well.  If you love reading and books your should really try your hand at a challenge.  It is a nice semi interactive way to read and share about books.  I was reminded of this by Irish over at Ticket to Anywhere (Its a great site, I suggest a visit.  I wish I could read so much!)  So without further adieu the challenges!


Challenge 1: One, Two, Theme (Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2011)

So, For this one you pick at least 3 themes.  For the 1st you read one book, for the 2nd two books, and the thrid, 3 books.  From number two onwards you need at least one fiction and one non-fiction book.  You can have more than 3 themes of course.
My Themes:

1. Physics
2. Japanese Pop Culture
3. Mah-jongg
4. Bioarchaeology
5. Late Medieval/Medieval Britain

Challenge 2: Series Challenge (Jan 1 -Dec 31, 2011)

The second challenge should be fairly easy.  I need to read at least 3 books that end or catch a series up to date.  This one is sponsored by Secret dream world of a bookaholic.   This one should be easy to fill up! We will just see how many I get!

Challenge 3: Whats in a Name Challenge (Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2011)

This one is a bit more directed.  You pick one book with a title that meets the criteria for each topic of the challenge!  Criteria are: A book with a number in the title, a book withe jewelry or gem in the title, book with a size in the title, book with travel or movement in the title, book with evil in the title, and book with a life stage in the title! It should be fun.






So, look for my blog entries about what I'm reading!  They will be linked to the sponsoring sites of course!  I highly recommend starting up a few challenges of your own!