I always find it difficult to be cruel when reviewing or discussing another author's work. The time, energy and imagination it takes to write 300 pages only to read a review that is less than stellar can only be painful. That said, I HATED this book and am entirely happy that it will not be cluttering my bookshelves. The author's writing styles is tedious and trite, her descriptions include more detail than anyone could want and her character and plotline are predictable and annoying.
The main character, Elizabeth Holland, is impossible to like. Not only do you start to hope that her rivals in love will win Will's affection from Elizabeth, you hope that her fall into the Hudson River was real and she won't be appearing in the remainder of the book. Each character follows a similar predictable, hatable pattern. Anna Godbersen obviously researched a great deal about the wealthy and their habits in Old New York, but she didn't use the descriptions or the city in a manner that would have made her novel more engaging. Even the leading man, Will, is simply a foil, a hollow shell of a person that the reader has difficulty liking. What kind of hero ditches his true love after a week? What kind of love is it if no communication between the two parties ever occurs? Perhaps their midnight booty calls are all either of them like, but in that case, they should both be able to move on.
The writing style of Godbersen is verbose. I found myself skipping entire paragraphs simply because I wasn't interested enough in the story or the book to go back and read them. When I forced myself to read them again, I found that they were just a boring and insignificant as hey looked. Pragraph after paragraph fails to move the plot to its painfully obvious conclusion. Long-winded sentences describing wedding dress fabrics and the descriptions of the supposed boring backgrounds fill page after page with drivel.
Overall, if I could do it again, I would like my five hours back. And this will be returned to the library immediately as I don't appreciate keeping such an embarrassing and poorly written work of fiction disgracing authors such as Charlotte Bronte and Stephanie Meyer as they sit together on my bookshelf.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Prom Nights From Hell by Meg Cabot, Kim Harrison, Michele Jaffe, Stephenie Meyer, & Lauren Myracle
For anyone who hasn't heard of these five authors and read some of their full length works, this collection of short stories surrounding supernatural prom nights appears extremely quirky. For anyone who already loves the writing styles of these authors, you will absolutely understnad when I say-I WANT MORE!
That is the biggest flaw with these short stories. They are just that. In all but one instance the stories feel like snippets of a longer work I would really like to read. Each story gives the reader a different sensation, but they are all similar in the temporary reprieve they give the reader at the end of the story. A feeling of everything is all right-for now.
Overall, however, I will never pick this book up again. It was a fun once over, but not anything to add to a collection unless you like short stories that leave you unfulfilled and in a couple cases kind of sad. The authors do a great job of fitting their characters personality, dilemma, and brief solution in the 30 or so pages, but there is not enough substance to make you want to hear or read the story again. My advice would be check it out from the library. I bet there won't even be a waiting list.
That is the biggest flaw with these short stories. They are just that. In all but one instance the stories feel like snippets of a longer work I would really like to read. Each story gives the reader a different sensation, but they are all similar in the temporary reprieve they give the reader at the end of the story. A feeling of everything is all right-for now.
Overall, however, I will never pick this book up again. It was a fun once over, but not anything to add to a collection unless you like short stories that leave you unfulfilled and in a couple cases kind of sad. The authors do a great job of fitting their characters personality, dilemma, and brief solution in the 30 or so pages, but there is not enough substance to make you want to hear or read the story again. My advice would be check it out from the library. I bet there won't even be a waiting list.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Some books possess the ability to draw you into a new world, create characters so real you would swear they exist, and capture your interest from the very first page only releasing it at the last. Maria V. Snyder created just such a world with her debut novel, Poison Study. The intrinsic tale of a an orphaned and abused girl turned murderer turned foodtaster turned confidante feels natural through the entire book, skipping those awkward connections that cause so many authors to stumble. Snyder aptly details her novel appropriately, fills in every gap and ties her novel up in such a way that the reader begs for more, but doesn't lose sleep with a nasty cliffhanger.
At the heart of the novel is the character of Yelena, a girl who has much to learn about herself and the world around her. The character development of Yelena is slow and sudden all at once. Instantly likable, the reader finds themselves yearning to know more of her history and hoping for her success. Narrated exclusively by Yelena, her personality shines through on every page with the stubbornness that one would expect from a strong female character. Her ability to eloquently speak with those in positions of power as well as those who are her equals do credit to the character that Snyder has created.
Maria Snyder's writing style through the whole of the book is quite elegant. The story is told in such a way that the reader does not feel that it is being forced, chopped up and hastily reassembled, or abbreviated for space. Despite coming in at a hefty 409 pages (paperback) no place in the storyline could have been sacrificed and the end product have resulted as well. The The smooth writing style, the authors knowledgeable descriptions, and complete story leave little up to chance and make each action and reaction of the characters natural.
Lastly, the action sequences in the book deserve recognition. Within the story exist many fight and action sequences, each detailed with obvious firsthand knowledge of hand to hand combat. This addition to the story invigorates this fable out of the world of sappy, drippy fairy tale and into a full fledged enjoyable fantasy. Rarely do female writers of fairy tales put their heroines in such harrowing, dangerous positions and expect them to fight their way out on their own. Even more rarely to the authors of those fairy tales put much punch into the fight scenes. In Poison Study, Yelena has her saviors, but many times she picks herself up, uses her skills and vividly fights for her life.
As a debut novel, Maria Snyder should be quite proud. Few writers have the skill and aptitude that she demonstrates as she puts her words to work to creatte a fine fantasy story. Unique and original, this story does indeed keep the reader thinking about Yelena, Valek, and her other characters long after the last page has been read. While checking this one out at the library might be a good introduction, it will most likely earn its place on your bookshelf and demand to be reread.
At the heart of the novel is the character of Yelena, a girl who has much to learn about herself and the world around her. The character development of Yelena is slow and sudden all at once. Instantly likable, the reader finds themselves yearning to know more of her history and hoping for her success. Narrated exclusively by Yelena, her personality shines through on every page with the stubbornness that one would expect from a strong female character. Her ability to eloquently speak with those in positions of power as well as those who are her equals do credit to the character that Snyder has created.
Maria Snyder's writing style through the whole of the book is quite elegant. The story is told in such a way that the reader does not feel that it is being forced, chopped up and hastily reassembled, or abbreviated for space. Despite coming in at a hefty 409 pages (paperback) no place in the storyline could have been sacrificed and the end product have resulted as well. The The smooth writing style, the authors knowledgeable descriptions, and complete story leave little up to chance and make each action and reaction of the characters natural.
Lastly, the action sequences in the book deserve recognition. Within the story exist many fight and action sequences, each detailed with obvious firsthand knowledge of hand to hand combat. This addition to the story invigorates this fable out of the world of sappy, drippy fairy tale and into a full fledged enjoyable fantasy. Rarely do female writers of fairy tales put their heroines in such harrowing, dangerous positions and expect them to fight their way out on their own. Even more rarely to the authors of those fairy tales put much punch into the fight scenes. In Poison Study, Yelena has her saviors, but many times she picks herself up, uses her skills and vividly fights for her life.
As a debut novel, Maria Snyder should be quite proud. Few writers have the skill and aptitude that she demonstrates as she puts her words to work to creatte a fine fantasy story. Unique and original, this story does indeed keep the reader thinking about Yelena, Valek, and her other characters long after the last page has been read. While checking this one out at the library might be a good introduction, it will most likely earn its place on your bookshelf and demand to be reread.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Sun & Moon, Ice & Snow by Jessica Day George
Yesterday I picked up Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow, the new novel from Jessica Day George. My husband was downstairs playing halo, I had finished working at my online store and was ready to retreat from reality for a few hours.Turning to my pile of library books begging to be read, the thought of a fairy tale sounded perfect. I have never heard the Icelandic fairy tale "East o' the Sun, West o' the Moon" that this book was based around, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that it is a very close mirror of the story of Beauty & the Beast, with the improvement of having a solid, strong heroine who does not sit around and let life happen, instead fighting for her own destiny on her terms.
The book begins in the frozen tundra of Iceland and explains the family dynamics of the woodcutters family. This part does feel a bit rushed and the introduction to one of the central themes of the story, the love, devotion, and mystery between the pika and her older brother which becomes a central theme of the story remains mostly undeveloped. As the story goes on, George throws in a few elements such as the mantle carving, lengthening winters, and happenings within the kingdom that would have been better introduced in the beginning and filled out further into the story.
Jessica Day George's ability for description is fantastic, however there are many scenes that feel rushed and deprived of her fantastic style. I would have enjoyed more description of the growing relationship between the isbjorn and the pika, a better description of the evening with the white reindeer, and even a more thorough ending to the story. Jessica, in her interview at Squeakybooks , states that she struggled to write some of these scenes. When asked the most difficult portion of writing the story, she responded "Finding a way of showing how the isbjorn and the lass became friends without going on and on about everything they did all day. "First they got up. They had breakfast together. Then they took walk. . . .SNORE!" I fear that in her haste to avoid boring her reader, she left out quite a bit that would have captured the reader and recruited many devotees to her writing style.
However, despite the haste in writing, Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow captures the readers interest with strange descriptions littered throughout: a room full of looms with half-woven material, a tame wolf (who was my favorite character in the entire story), and a closet full of giant dresses that smell of rancid meat keep the reader's interest piqued and the pages turned. The plot moved quickly and easily towards a terribly predictable but nonetheless satisfying finale. I only wish that there had been a bit more happily ever after to the story, but George does tie up all the loose ends in the 4 page epilogue.
The romance between the isbjorn and the pika and the mystery that separates them, while subtly written, sticks with the reader for days. In fact, as written above, the only improvement would be a bit more detail and development of the relationship and personalities of the two main characters. Perhaps details on their breakfasting together would be dull, but I would definitely like more scenes where the two characters interact prior to climax. This story falls squarely in the romantic fairy tale genre. Similar to Beauty & the Beast in more way than one, this story pulls out its own spin and its very own double romance, fulfilling punishments for the evil-doers and, after a bit of trouble, a happy ending for each and every protagonist (even the wolf!).
Overall, I would recommend this book for a quick read or as an addition to your fairytale library. With its solid female character, Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow earns its place sitting next to Robin McKinley or Shannon Hale. I would recommend it for girls ages 10 & up (or any precocious first graders you have running around the house!)
The book begins in the frozen tundra of Iceland and explains the family dynamics of the woodcutters family. This part does feel a bit rushed and the introduction to one of the central themes of the story, the love, devotion, and mystery between the pika and her older brother which becomes a central theme of the story remains mostly undeveloped. As the story goes on, George throws in a few elements such as the mantle carving, lengthening winters, and happenings within the kingdom that would have been better introduced in the beginning and filled out further into the story.
Jessica Day George's ability for description is fantastic, however there are many scenes that feel rushed and deprived of her fantastic style. I would have enjoyed more description of the growing relationship between the isbjorn and the pika, a better description of the evening with the white reindeer, and even a more thorough ending to the story. Jessica, in her interview at Squeakybooks , states that she struggled to write some of these scenes. When asked the most difficult portion of writing the story, she responded "Finding a way of showing how the isbjorn and the lass became friends without going on and on about everything they did all day. "First they got up. They had breakfast together. Then they took walk. . . .SNORE!" I fear that in her haste to avoid boring her reader, she left out quite a bit that would have captured the reader and recruited many devotees to her writing style.
However, despite the haste in writing, Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow captures the readers interest with strange descriptions littered throughout: a room full of looms with half-woven material, a tame wolf (who was my favorite character in the entire story), and a closet full of giant dresses that smell of rancid meat keep the reader's interest piqued and the pages turned. The plot moved quickly and easily towards a terribly predictable but nonetheless satisfying finale. I only wish that there had been a bit more happily ever after to the story, but George does tie up all the loose ends in the 4 page epilogue.
The romance between the isbjorn and the pika and the mystery that separates them, while subtly written, sticks with the reader for days. In fact, as written above, the only improvement would be a bit more detail and development of the relationship and personalities of the two main characters. Perhaps details on their breakfasting together would be dull, but I would definitely like more scenes where the two characters interact prior to climax. This story falls squarely in the romantic fairy tale genre. Similar to Beauty & the Beast in more way than one, this story pulls out its own spin and its very own double romance, fulfilling punishments for the evil-doers and, after a bit of trouble, a happy ending for each and every protagonist (even the wolf!).
Overall, I would recommend this book for a quick read or as an addition to your fairytale library. With its solid female character, Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow earns its place sitting next to Robin McKinley or Shannon Hale. I would recommend it for girls ages 10 & up (or any precocious first graders you have running around the house!)
If you have found this page, then chances are that you know the joy of curling up in a quiet corner chair with your favorite lap blanket, a good cup of tea, and a book who is no less a friend to you than the person you call when its 11 pm and you just want to talk to someone.
If you know that feeling, then you quite probably also know the sadness of finishing an amazing book and wondering if the next book you read will leave you as satisfied. Or the disappointment of reading an entire book only to realize at the end that you feel nothing for the characters, the story, or the author and you just wasted hours of your life you can't get back.
I have a love of reading. Since I discovered Laura Ingalls Wilder at the ripe age of 5, I have devoured every literary work I could get my hands on. Despite High School and College Reading classes, I have maintained my love for reading and it is only now that I am out of school that I realize I MISS reading assignments, because they were an excuse to clear the clutter off the corner chair, sit down and read a book without feeling that there were other things that needed to be attended to.
So I am writing this to you, as a friend. When I read a book, I will post my opinions, and please be aware that they are just that. I will probably also mention if they have a happy ending or not, because there is nothing I hate worse than a poor ending. If you disagree with me, please feel free to post. Opening a dialogue about reading is one of my favorite things!
If you have a book you would like to share or see on here, well, by all means contact me! I do NOT read anything crude or vulgar. I really enjoy history books, religious books, books of poetry, juvenile literature, well written and creative fantasies, biographies, and just straight fiction. My first love will always be fairy tales.
With that in mind, my first review will be of the new book from Jessica Day George, from SLC, UT. Below you will find my first attempt at a book review and hopefully a new friend to acquire for your library and curl up with when you have the time.
If you know that feeling, then you quite probably also know the sadness of finishing an amazing book and wondering if the next book you read will leave you as satisfied. Or the disappointment of reading an entire book only to realize at the end that you feel nothing for the characters, the story, or the author and you just wasted hours of your life you can't get back.
I have a love of reading. Since I discovered Laura Ingalls Wilder at the ripe age of 5, I have devoured every literary work I could get my hands on. Despite High School and College Reading classes, I have maintained my love for reading and it is only now that I am out of school that I realize I MISS reading assignments, because they were an excuse to clear the clutter off the corner chair, sit down and read a book without feeling that there were other things that needed to be attended to.
So I am writing this to you, as a friend. When I read a book, I will post my opinions, and please be aware that they are just that. I will probably also mention if they have a happy ending or not, because there is nothing I hate worse than a poor ending. If you disagree with me, please feel free to post. Opening a dialogue about reading is one of my favorite things!
If you have a book you would like to share or see on here, well, by all means contact me! I do NOT read anything crude or vulgar. I really enjoy history books, religious books, books of poetry, juvenile literature, well written and creative fantasies, biographies, and just straight fiction. My first love will always be fairy tales.
With that in mind, my first review will be of the new book from Jessica Day George, from SLC, UT. Below you will find my first attempt at a book review and hopefully a new friend to acquire for your library and curl up with when you have the time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
