Review: The Lens and the Looker

The Lens and the Looker by Lory S. Kaufman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



"The Lens and the Looker" (History Camp 1) by Lory Kaufman could be x-rated for chopped-off finger and sword-slain soldiers. I like the premise, rebellious adolescents find out how good present lives are compared to a dirty smelly dangerous past. But they never learn self-reliance, how to reason and decide individually, discover and act on strengths, find and bolster friend's frailties in teamwork, expose and exploit enemy weakness. They always follow rules and their AI tutor. Research details and awkward translations are mostly parroted from AI, better when incorporated seamlessly.
Excerpts from #2 are highlights, more intriguing than straight first chapter, but personally I almost identify more with the confused yearning ugly Ugi. I know their future is safe. Perhaps if backstory shows that characteristics scamps may get in trouble for, say taking apart machinery, overhearing and copying secrets, or interpreting adult double-talk, lead to current triumphs?
Teen trio in 2437 are sentenced to reform at hard-time History camp as 1347 Verona orphan apprentices to a refugee lensmaker and family, but sneak in Pan, a genii, hologram AI created by hackers with propensity to provoke trouble, their deus ex machina. Hansum 17 exchanges long kisses with the daughter of the house and talks up technical plans drawn by portrait sketcher Shamira 15 who cooks and cleans superbly, while Lincoln 14 cleans and organizes the workroom, says more "zippy" than "Jesus/God", after clouts from their new Master. Their first stunt, laxative dose the noble, is not funny, if you've been around or performed stinky air cleanup from explosive bouts of the real thing: body, clothes, floor, walls, crevices, furniture. Their next feat risks their own existence and the fate of the world, inventing the telescope and weapons ahead of time. After initial mouthiness, they show no evidence of criminality, follow directions fully from their new AI and comply all-round. They are sappy naive from the start, on their own no match for opposing nasty murdering prince and conniving nobles. Chase and combat are lively, but feel more prerequisite than spontaneous.

(Spoiler:
When they are sure rescuers will not save them, from changing time, they continue inventing. Illogical.)

Trivia:
Regarding the 1347 Verona telescope (looker) cardboard parts - corrugated paper was invented in 1800s England, cardstock heavyweight paper I couldn't find an origin, and parchment in Italy was probably costly goatskin.




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Review: The Truth About Love

The Truth About Love by Stephanie Laurens

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



"The Truth About Love" (Cynsters, Barnaby 1) by Stephanie Laurens. "In the heat of the night, they'd burned. Soared. Shattered." Lots of exposure before the murderer's identity.
Deeply serious artists with seriously deep pockets, Lord Gerrard (landscapes) must paint Lady Jacqueline (embroidery) to prove true innocence in her mother's fatal fall into the sinister Gothic Garden of Night. Mutually entranced by deep eyes-endowments-charms-neckline, breath-stops betray their first-glance L-word. I languish in lush multi-syllable language depicting rich old aristocratic Britain. Bon mots may not be original "What will be will be" p375, are catchy, "such as I don't follow fashion ... We set it" p67. Pal Barnaby, curious about crimes, convinces me to stay the distance, despite others' sardonic "indeed" that incongruously reminds me of Stargate's sober Tealc. Strong brave men are comfort, protect passive women vessels. (I rate tough funny females higher; sadly identify more with weaklings. For the younger naive girl to not think of marriage first seems foolish, not forceful.) The disclosure hostage rescue finale reveals warped crazy deviant villains.
(Questions:
Huntress Greek Artemis is Roman Diana, Athena is also a virgin (protector), so three separate gardens seem redundant. If Gerrard's ominous dream is ignored anyway p11, couldn't an editor have cut the portent?)




















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Review: I Shall Wear Midnight

I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



In "I Shall Wear Midnight" by (Sir!2009) Terry Pratchett, witch Tiffany, at 16, wants to don black only when old. Yet, for her home Chalk, she already decides life or death, such as when a drunk villager attempts suicide after beating his pregnant daughter to birth. She's wise beyond years, even advising on "passionate parts" as fun fact rather than salacious description, so the rating is not x, restricted.
An evil witch-hunter spectre infects and inhabits the most susceptible. (I miss any menace in name "the Cunning Man", but stink worse than pigsty is some smell - cleared my fellow schoolbus riders away from the farmkids next-door.) Even her vaunted wee kilted Feegle protectors cannot fight vicious rumors. They can repair (maybe front to back) what they destroy in jubilant rowdiness. I'm happy to see them again.
I missed or don't remember her off-again rescue and romance with the Baron's heir (now stuffy stick) Roland, so his wedding to a (tearful) blonde in white ("Letitia! What a name. Halfway between a salad and a sneeze."), and attentive erudite Guard Preston ("I was unfortunately born clever, miss, and I've learned that sometimes it's not such a good idea to be all that clever") have not so much emotional impact. The lad who can banter p204 about conundrum, shibboleth and her favorite, susurruation, holds promise in her destiny, despite swearing "I will marry you" p260 to the other.
Omens grow tedious; oracles seem like a poor substitute for convincing believability. Cameos are a bit much when I've been away from Discworld awhile.
"Learning ia about finding out who you are, what you are, where you are and what's over the horizon, and, well, everything. It's about finding the place where you fit." p329



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Review: King John of Canada

King John of Canada by Scott Gardiner

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



"King John of Canada" by Scott Gardiner is a 1-2* tragedy: heroic buildup (3* I like), wasteful end (0* I hate). The narrator, self-imposed suffering in dangerous icy isolation, lends gravitas to a cockamamee crash of federal Canada political rut, then suicidal guilt. Et tu, Blue? Suspense weighs down into painful doom. Our hero rises slowly, in glimpses. I do not like the second-last chapter, his unnecessary end in a twisted Camelot knock-down by jealous deliberation, amid blurry Red Yank rambles. I liked the beginning, cleverness saves Canada, not the end, bad wins. The author's philosophy is: "sex and conflict" p204 are news; "politicians create problems" p205; "bad news sells" p206.
A crown lottery-winner meets the Toronto mayor declaring secession. The couple have brilliance, brains, courage, charisma, daring, passion, compassion, luck. They spark off each other to scorch away the sluff of centuries. Real present issues are solved ("mirror diplomacy" (give us what you get) for Quebec partisans p147, geese droppings p163, conservative conservationists p169, control of guns that kill men, not animals p180, "applauding our troops" p287).
"All history is accident" p38 is disproved by the smallest gesture (twitch, opened button, daily vitamin) that direct the plot. Famous politician quotes p70, I disagree, associate Trudeau with "fuddle duddle".
Like comedy "The High Road" by Terry Fallis, this governs Canada starting with a naked woman in a boathouse upstairs bedroom, but takes a winding low dark descent. It dares: Now you know where I was going, read me again. I prefer heaven to hell, yet wish we could have authors' solutions.



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Review: The High Road

The High Road by Terry Fallis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



#2 High Road excerpt
"The High Road" (Angus 2) by Terry Fallis is the campaign direction whereby the Angus effect, candidate integrity, tops important voter issues, defeats muckrakers. Like Gardiner's tragedy "King John of Canada", both narrated by second-in-command, this comedy starts with a naked woman in a boathouse bedroom window. Unlike apparent ramble-cum-portent influence on which to blame his doom and betrayal for downfall of all good, she is part of a team. Brave, capable, caring ladies and male equals better the world. The author keeps me on my toes with correct usage - taciturn p157, irrespective p210 at this point OR at this time, seldom both p224 - made-up announcible p156 - split infinitives (to boldly go from Best Laid Plans #1).
Angus ("looks like Charles Darwin in a force nine gale" p90) stands for federal Liberal candidate willingly this time, supported by "clean-cut Joe" p90 narrator Dan. Many chapters wake to the young aide happily entwined with lovely Lindsay, and close with journal entries from the 61-year old still grieving widowed curmudgeon. Serious balances sweet and slapstick silly. The chain-punk Petes now coordinate volunteers p53. Author blog says third book written. If the new PM is coming around, I expect his "operative ... with the apt initials B.S." p202 to fulfill threat "powerful enemy" with intense "hate on" p318.

Vivid vignettes:
Interview-tamed hair accelerated-time explodes to Tchaikovsky 1812 p87
Coal-miner cursing p206 Muriel, 81, and GOUT (Geriatrics Out to Undermine Tories) squad p99 barrage a dirtbag speaker appropriately and with cookies p150, then barricade and beribbon Tory loudspeaker Hummer p166.
Bottomless round man pops from square air vent p153.
Bearded snowsuit "geriatric sasquatch" p204 hoists unseen up onto bridge joists, drops back "direct hit on my dreams of future fatherhood" p193
Angus drags behind the hovercraft p57, then emerges with drunk frosted frantic First Lady heads-first p280

Quotes:
"short trip from 'do it yourself to 'blew it yourself'" p21
"waffling so much I could almost smell maple syrup" p27
"we have buttered our bread and must now lie in it" p210
"if I'd had more time I would have written less - Mark Twain" p237



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Review: Inkdeath

Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



"Inkdeath" (Inkheart3) by Cornelia Funke wallows in negatives - pain, agony, grief, resentment, jealousy, revenge, uncertainty. Bookbinder Mo has taken on the outlaw Bluejay identity, and protects wife Resa and daughter Meggie living on the run with the Black Prince, robbers, refugees and Motley Players. Each wants the others to return to the mundane world, while they sneak off alone on an ill-planned mission/ rescue in the fictional Inkworld. Aunt Elinor is "wallowing in misery" p113 "stuffing herself with the words on the age like an unhappy child stuffing itself with chocolate." p114 until she convinces Darius to read them inside the book too.
The plot feels like a tangled skein dropped into mud. Carefully colored individual strands snarl and tug. Orpheus uses his powerful read-to-life ability for evil against Dustfinger. Once we know the White Ladies of Death will bargain, death loses sting. So many quick cameos. Old author Finaglio writes up a couple of quick saves. Magpie poisons bodies and minds. Resa learns more than herbs from her. The final savior is unexpected.
Feelings overflow, almost poetry. I'd like to see more Chris Riddell-like illustrations. "The words danced with the pictures and the pictures sang for the words, singing their colorful songs." p109
How does Farid write his name on p119 if he doesn't know his letter AI on p120?



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Review: Changes

Changes by Mercedes Lackey

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



"Changes" (Collegium 3) by Mercedes Lackey. Mags' retained rube accent, his Mind-speak to better-than-horse, interfering reminiscences, and nasty fathers of healer Bear and Bard Lena, are less annoying than before, especially when a more pro batch of assassins are back after him and his crush, crippled Amily. Sample p51 "Be careful what ye ast fer, yer like t'get it, an' in the wust possible way."
Classic morals sneak in, to appreciate your lot, "even he, miserable creature that he had been, was able to see the breathtaking beauty in a summer morning. Now he was well-fed, healthy,, and - yes- happy."p53
Being a sometimes night-owl, I like "if people who lie abed late have any idea what they are missing ... they'd jest say 'tis same as sunset. On'y i' th' East." p53-4 "Hope for the best, expect nothing." p83 "'Tis all askin' th' right questions. Then makin' sure when ye ask 'em, there's plenty of people ... used to thinking." p113 "Change is painful." p265 "Who am I? ... Who do you want to be?" p267
Typo "You did will tonight." p185 should by "well".



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Review: Nowhere Near Respectable

Nowhere Near Respectable by Mary Jo Putney

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



"Nowhere Near Respectable" (5* Lost Lords 3) by Mary Jo Putney. Rakish club-owner Damien helps half-Hindoo (sic) Lady Kiri escape smugglers, then they foil a French plot to kidnap Princess Charlotte and assassinate all the Regency royals. Historical detail about the overprotected British-beloved teen is seamlessly woven into the tale of escalating explicit passion and danger. Plucky independent females ahead of their time who banter with male equals in courage is trademark Putney.



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Review: Thank You, Jeeves

Thank You, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



"Thank you, Jeeves" by PG Wodehouse, is flash aristo Wooster's reply when his fish-fed-brained valet returns to the fold after they happily engage his land-rich pal to American heiress. The un-neighborly reception for his banjolele enthusiasm instigates another 30s silly country rustication escapade with crisp spot-on repartee.
Scamp Seabury imitates gangster movies, and extorts shillings for protection. Brinkley, drunk agency replacement valet, burns down cottages. Dogged country policemen roust Bertie out of his makeshift dosses when lovesick ex Pauline swims for her new crush Chuffy from her pop's big yacht.
Blackening faces in imitation of jazz minstrels was not then so politically incorrect. Mastery of flapper-era slang, proper high English, literary quotations, all so correct. Moral is the original French usage now spelled morale p241. (Library Binding ISBN 3 2441 15948028 2, Hardcover 312p, Pub McLelland & Stewart, Toronto 1934)



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Review: Dealing with Dragons

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



"Dealing with Dragons" (Enchanted Forest Chronicles 1) by Patricia Wrede begins a sweet 5* series; I already smiled my way through the rest. This gem may be my favorite, a cherry among bittersweetest chocolates, because the silliness never falls overboard, just tickles my funnybone. Along the lines of Mercedes Lackey's Five Hundred Kingdoms, Princess Cimorene rebels against Tradition. Her parents stopped her beloved lessons: fencing, cooking, Classics, any intellectual or physically improving learning. So she ran away.
(Spoilers:
TO the dragons. Luckily, she knew just enough for Kazul; to sort and catalog her Latin scrolls, library and treasures; to supplement a guest banquet from the borrowed Horn of Plenty with Cherries Jubilee.
Fatalities are simple, quick - wizard eaten, dragon King poisoned - without superfluous violence or gore. Dragons are human-ish (good may succumb to temptation), wizards bad, and royals can be more than decoration. Alternative use for lemony washwater: Banzai! She makes friends: another princess and witch Morwen with many cats. She cleverly outwits a jinn, and conspiring enemies. Her happy ending is better than marriage, for her.)



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Review: Searching for Dragons

Searching for Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



"Searching for Dragons" (5* Enchanted Forest 2) by Patricia Wrede begins when the 20-year old King wants to heal scorched ruins drained of magic energy by wicked wizards to provoke suspicion and war against dragons. My only difficulty to criticize is long names, never abbreviated even in affection, so I attempt none.
A lovely princess, smart and brave, not the usual other simpering woe-is-me sillies seeking marriage, helps to find and free her friend, the female King of Dragons. They give and get aid along the way via a manner-proper squirrel, a pretty witch with cats, a sneezing giant with a faulty riding carpet, a renamed Rumpelstiltskin baby-sitter, a pontificating curious brilliant young wizard, and more funny imaginative flights. They temporarily melt nasty wizards, using lemony soapy water, handy to clean resulting goo or dirty dishes.
Unlike many current series, I am wholly satisfied by the self-contained volume, that neither depends on a prequel, which is not in my library, nor requires a sequel.
Appropriate to a juvenile audience, morality is straightforward. Pretty may be silly, help may be unreliable, but scraggly beards are always bad, especially accompanied by rich robes and polished wood staffs. So what if the raiment was dusty and tattered, or short and childish, or the rod was missing, hidden, changed or disguised? I'd like to read a similar adult-oriented style.
(Spoiler:
Happy ending wedding).



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Review: Calling on Dragons

Calling on Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



*** (docked for the exasperating donkey) "Calling on Dragons" (5* Enchanted Forest 3) by Patricia Wrede follows the search for the source of the Forest's power, the King's magic sword, stolen by evil wizards. As usual, the names are too long and strange for me. Young (20ish) friends from the series team up: the newly pregnant Queen, the lecturing magician, the pretty witch, her talking cats, the female King of Dragons, plus new members, irritable fire-witch brother to Rachel (aka Rapunzel), and a too-annoying whiny giant winged blue donkey (formerly white rabbit), whom I dislike. Hints of familiar fairy tales reincarnate amusingly, but the true ending is in the next book I luckily already read.



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Review: Talking to Dragons

Talking to Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



"Talking to Dragons" (EF 4) by Patricia Wrede is the first-person tale of 16-year old fatherless Daystar's quest. Mother melts a threatening wizard, hands her puzzled son a magic sword, and sends him off through the forest. A pretty fire-witch learning manners and a sneezing baby dragon join him in funny escapades with a whiny princess, awkward knight, lizard, elfs, dwarfs, caves, and more, until a final major battle to save the king in the castle.



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Review: Mairelon the Magician

Mairelon the Magician by Patricia C. Wrede

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



"Mairelon the Magician" (1), by Patricia Wrede (already 5* for Dragon series), is a warm witty clever wizard masquerading as a caravan amateur, who plays sculptor Pygmalion to train 17ish boyish pauper Kim. To clear the toff's name, they seek a set of enspelled silver dishes and original London thieves from five years ago. I got a tad annoyed, tangled in names and relationships, shifty and silly shenanigans, lost track who said who did what where. How could interfering Lady Granleigh decide "quickly", without talent, that her platter was fake p265 ? A train of wannabe light-fingers troop through dark library "better than a Drury Lane" comic farce, as is the hostage shoot-out finale where all converge, disguises fall, mystery solved.
Elegant deceptive French Renee recognizes Kim is a girl immediately. I look forward to her chaperone role to come, her oolala influence on Kim's cant. (Typo p153 "more that a little bit on the go" should be "than".)
Accents and phrasing amuse. I like the conclusion "After this, anything might happen. Anything at all."




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Review: The Lost Hero

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



"The Lost Hero" appears to be another Rick Riordan Greek gods of Olympus book, good even out of order, really ****, if I did not feel angry, set up, forced to buy in more. But previous hero Percy vanishes, and we only find out where he went on the very last line. Jason appears, with memory missing except for things Roman. He is recognized as son of mighty king Zeus, and leads another satyr guardian, annoying enough I would sacrifice, and his new best friends, pretty Piper, daughter of lovely Aphrodite, and inventive Leo, son of Hephaestus. Again, the quest has two goals, outwardly to rescue Queen Hera, secretly for Piper's dad. Humor, adventure, and history triumph so I checked out the author's adult fiction, and moved on. His first Percy series is 5* fun, but he's pushed his luck.



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Review: Warehouse 13: A Touch of Fever

Warehouse 13: A Touch of Fever by Greg Cox

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Like me, author Greg Cox fell in love with bantering Pete, conscientious Myka, cocky Claudia, bushy-browed professorial Artie, (serene Leena ...), nails their unique voices, spider-webs opening TV shot of main Warehouse 13 spooky shelves deep into mountain warrens. Special effect lightning explosions, even supernatural scents of fudge, then pineapple, push print maybe ahead of screen for vivid sense stimulation.
After a fear and fun piratical chantey opener, agents cross country chasing carnie healer and typhoid. Vengeful totem escapes Dark Vault. Artifacts bring historical trivia to life, terrify and creatively save when our team plays. Red Baron plane brings the final battle to Manhattan Park. Sparks escalate to thunderstorms and earthquake from dying Pete.
At first, annoying references to other cases sounded like Arthur Conan Doyle inventions, then tweak memories of past shows. Star Trek notes echo both author experience and suit series fantasy flavor. I hope to see more on screen and in print.
Typical banter p248 "Remember that time a job went easier than we expected? ... me neither."
Early questionable typos. Is Myka's hair brunette p10, auburn p11, or black (TV,dye?)? Does a security lock sound "chip" p19 open or cheep? "Starting" p32 should be "started". Ubiquitous smalltown elms p123 & earlier were decimated in 1967, started comeback 2007 to replace infected ash replacements. Protected by proximity to protective influence?
news




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Review: A Conspiracy of Kings

A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



"A Conspiracy of Kings" (Thief 4) by Megan Whelan Turner is how this book ends, but results more from long-range planning by their god(esse)s. I like the basic plot best of the series - reluctant poetry reader kidnapped, chooses to grow up and accept responsibility. "Sounis knew that sometimes his mind worked like a pig stuck in mud, but at other times, conclusions seemed to strike like lightning, one bolt after another." Despite shifting point of view, action, fights, escapes, propel the reader along.
At first unclear who is narrating, to whom addressing. Speaker Sophos reminisces, distractingly, about book 1 quest, as Sounis mage apprentice, befriending thief-now-king Gen. The Sounisians agree Gen was hiding his true self beneath whining complaints. Since Gen narrated, I am skeptical and do not want to have to re-read to verify. When the next section shifts perspective to third person, we realize to whom the first part is reporting. Less confusing to read than explain, so I won't count the hint as spoiler.



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Review: The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents

The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents by Terry Pratchett

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



"The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents" by Terry Pratchett is a fun take on the pied piper tale, fast and clever, as long as he's not philosophizing about the meaning of life and such. Talking con-man cat convinces enchanted Changelings, thinking rat tribe, and "looks-stupid" boy piper Keith to take on one last Uberwald village. Mayor's daughter Malicia looks at life as if everything fits in a familiar story-line. Whereas in "real life ... when someone small and righteous takes on someone big and nasty, he is grilled bread product very quickly". At least she can pick the lock into the Rat-catcher guild headquarters and disclose the evil. Co-operation (and benevolent diety) make the whole stronger than individuals, such as Keith, who claims "I'm the kind of person heroes aren't. I get by and I get along. I do my best."
Spoiler:
"You pretend that rats can think, and I promise to pretend that humans can think too." The rat leader convinces the mayor to compromise.



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Review: The Untamed Bride

The Untamed Bride by Stephanie Laurens

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



"The Untamed Bride" (Black Cobra 1/4) by Stephanie Laurens starts (March 1822) a new series about corrupt English aristocrats (funding Regency King George) who pillage villages in India. When the youngest of a group of elite Guard "soliders" (typo p11) is typically tortured and killed finding incriminating papers sealed with the villains' unique family ring, the remaining quartet split up with copies and head for home and Cynster support. A beguiling female entangles each in passion. First, Deliah sees the evil aide shoot at Del. Kisses ("Finding.") lead to "shattered" in flowing explicit detail. I'm sure Major Hamilton and Emily Ensworth will hit the heights equally in sequel. When I read summaries, I usually remember. In "Temptation and Surrender", manor Lord Jonas hires Emily (Beauregard), on obviously identically penned references, when he falls for her smile, to run the local inn, with her step-siblings in tow. Excellent 50ish page supplement universe includes more Barnaby Adair cases I couldn't find before.



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Review: Down These Strange Streets

Down These Strange Streets by George R.R. Martin

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



"Down These Strange Streets" is 16 supposedly detective short stories, mostly gruesome, spooky, scary, rather than puzzle-solvers. If you like Charlaine Harris, "Death by Dahlia" has a petite powerhouse vampire fond of naked romping and solving murder. "Beware the Snake" by John Maddox Roberts has Roman Decius Caecilius, brother-in-law of Emporer Cesar, solve a missing temple venomous reptile and poisoned priest. Lisa Tuttle starts with clever Victorians, Miss Lane and Mr. Jesperson, like Watson and Sherlock, then degenerates to possessed artifacts "The Curious Affair of the Deodand". Gabaldon's Lord John in Jamaica, and Denton's Papa Hemingway in a remote WW2 Inuit outpost are islands, not "urban" as the cover claims. Laurie King's salamander-humans and Igguldon's anti-Holocaust spirit promote tolerance better than same-sex lecture-layer from Patricia Briggs, nagging that has worn out my interest in Dozois (co-)edited books.



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Review: Killing Floor

Killing Floor by Lee Child

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



"Killing Floor" (Jack Reacher 1) by Lee Child has a couple meanings, one the prison level where our innocent hero faces a painful end. X-rated. A cop's smile leads to a bedroom invite. Foreign counterfeiters gruesomely obliterate leads, always one bloody grisly (and gristly) step ahead of our guy. Every loose end is tied off, including solution to decades-old needless murder that first intrigued Jack to stop in Margrave. Ten days to stop the villains, or die.
US Treasury chief Joe left close-in-childhood ex-Army brother Jack, clues, starting with a too-shiny Southern town, where a senile barber claims $1,000 week income from no customers. My first read, one of the traitors was such a shock, this time I recognized the double-dealer right away. I kept reading, maybe dreamt a warning, because Jack is a good guy. He knows it. We know it. Still surprises. I know the ending will be bittersweet, but I want that relief of beating the Sunday deadline, when the Coastguard cannot stop the smugglers. Even knowing part of the solution, recognizing clues sooner, I enjoy Child's writing.
How does Jack get around without income or owning a car in rural America? or take down superior forces? I'm never impatient with details or research, even technical money-printing, conveyed with action using all senses. Smell less, two points are exceptional for their rarity - meadow wildflower blossoms p492, used money stink p506. This series would be prime TV-film, possibly because Child wrote for British TV. He says he chose rural America setting for pioneer spirit possibilities.
Globe interview
Without belaboring guilty introspection, we share Jack's feelings. "I'd lost something I never knew I'd had." p381 "Waiting is a skill like anything else." p401 Even black humor - "a relentless downpour ... drier to stay in the pool". He admits not knowing how to do laundry p414.
We can count on Jack to do what is right. "Up on that plateau where you just did whatever needed doing. I knew that place. I lived there." p470.
Sequel "Die Trying" sounds like another fast hard read.
(Typo p533 Beretta gun "But he hadn't like it much" should be "liked". ISBN 9780515141429, so posted here, but differs. Jove 2008 Pb edition 536p. Cover red handprint on white, larger author name on top, bottom title, all caps.)




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Review: Silverwing

Silverwing by Kenneth Oppel

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



"Silverwing" is a colony of small dark bats, migrating south, ahead of runt Shade. Swept out to sea by a storm, he meets older Marina, banished by Brightwings who thought her band was a poison curse. She asks to join Shade's colony, led by a banded elder. They believe bands are a sign of divine promise that bats will regain the day, against present owl law. Every stranger has beliefs that challenge and rock Shade's, reminding us to question everyone.
I don't like children who misbehave and endanger others, like Lion King. When Goth, huge vicious Vampire, escapes the same direction as the young, I'm caught up. He eats pigeons, who call the owls, who rule that all bats are to be killed, all hours. I didn't need an blind albino oracle, or villain's dream, to know vanished banded father Cassiel lives, and the journey will be hard.
The lesson is to value others and ourselves for what is inside, not outer trappings. "You're the only bat who's liked me because of who I am ... That makes you the best friend I've ever had."
(series 10+ awards: Canada, US, France, Spain, ...)



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Review: Starclimber

Starclimber by Kenneth Oppel

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Starclimber is the first steampunk spaceship, from Lionsgate, an alternate Vancouver Canada. Narrator Matt Cruse (#3) fails to qualify as one of three astralnauts. His beloved suffragette Kate can board only after accepting another's proposal. She keeps calling her new fiance by the wrong name. "He looks like a George." (I've had the same trouble.)
Fellow-student Tobias guesses their attraction. "It's the way you look whenever she mentions her fiance. My cat looks like that before he hacks up a hairball." Tobias is "a wipeout ... sit on a girl ... She was really small - I didn't see her."
Babelites infiltrate in Paris. Lives are lost, and a decimal point in crucial calculations. Explosions and narrow escapes take precedence over stolen smooches; Kate acts super selfish. "I don't know what kind of life we'll have together, with me always flying off in one direction and you in the other."
Spoiler:
I smiled. "It's a good thing the world's round." - Matt

MC#1 Airborn awards: Red Maple, Schwartz, Gov.Gen.Children's Lit
#2 Skybreaker awards: London Times Children's Novel of the Year



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Review: The Fire Rose

The Fire Rose by Mercedes Lackey

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



"Fire Rose" (Elemental Masters 1) by Mercedes Lackey, is 1905 newly orphaned and impoverished medieval scholar Rose, invited to San Francisco by an elusive rail baron Fire Master. Jason Cameron seeks to repair a wolf transformation spell stuck half-way. The spirited girl in spectacles has more innate talent than his current treacherous apprentice, secretly aiding an evil competitor. Despite Beauty-Beast base, the realistic pair reason out likely lonely endings. Even the Arabian stallion and Salamander servants are appealingly developed characters; bad guys are slimy sadists.
Historical facts such as grimy railcar floors and bloomers, geographical phenomena such her first sight of the Pacific Ocean and prairie thunderstorm vista come alive through her eyes. I couldn't find proof that Queen for nine days, Lady Jane Grey, was any more educated at nine years than other female nobles of the time, like her sisters Mary and Elizabeth I, certainly more than in other eras.
In Ch1 Rose feels "resignation ... stepping into the unknown". Instead of waking with "anticipation ... her only hope was that the new day would not be worse than the old ... she had an answer, in a small bottle" of poison. Jason's job revives her hope. "What you cannot anticipate, you cannot dread."
From his arrogance over superior intellect, talent, and resources, she learns daring. "A great deal could be gained simply by assuming that one would not be refused, and going ahead and pursuing what one wanted. Audacity often brought rewards; self-abasement seldom did."
(I have to create and move "Hot" to "x"-rated, because of cannibals, kiddie torture-murders, and throat-rip.)



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