A Hoyden's Look at Literature

Lucifer's Shadow - David Hewson

2009-12-08T08:00:00.001-05:00

** 1/2- The parallels were rather too close for them to be properly believable. Most disappointingly, I didn't feel like I had any idea of the motivation behind the sadistic villains in either half of the story.

Daniel Forster, a young Englishman, comes to Venice to a broken-down palazzo of misfits to help catalogue the old manuscripts left behind by the printing operation that used to operate there during the Renaissance. While digging around, he happens across an anonymous masterpiece that he is soon convinced to claim as his own - and he is drawn into a web of murder, intrigue and blackmail because of it. The story of the manuscript is told in a parallel storyline of Lorenzo Scacchi, apprenticed to his uncle's printing press, who helps a young Jewess demonstrate her talents to Vivaldi himself. But he, too, finds himself drawn into a complicated mess of love, deceit and murder.

As usual with parallel stories of this type, I thought that one of the storylines (the historical) was considerably stronger than the other. They were set apart quite effectively through the use of first person in the Renaissance section and third person in the contemporary sections. For me this added a greater immediacy (which it had at any rate) to the dangerous scenes in the historical section. By contrast, I never felt that Daniel himself was in much danger - nor did he seem particularly useful in puzzling out much - at least not in a way that helped the reader along. I just didn't care for him overmuch.

The villain in the contemporary sections was also quite obvious from very near the beginning, and the fact that there was a 'message' of sorts to be drawn from the different ways the villains were dealt with irritated me. I wasn't at all sure what the motivations of the villains were (though this was better with the historical villain than the contemporary). I just closed the book feeling rather dissatisfied with the way things played out, especially the dubious connection between the two stories near the end that just didn't seem to mesh with the rest of the story.

Lucifer's Shadow was certainly a quick read - the period detail in the historical section was very interesting. I liked following Lorenzo along the grubby canals, to the palazzos and into the Renaissance Ghetto. A scene that particularly sticks with me is when he and the girls from the Pieta orchestra go for a picnic on an island with their benefactors, and Rebecca is on a rock she deems the throne of great emperors. There were some memorable and evocative scenes, but the resolution of the thriller elements just didn't work for me.

Did you review it? Leave me a link in the comments!

Sphinx's Princess - Esther Friesner

2009-12-06T09:26:00.002-05:00

**** 1/2 - An imagining of the life of Nefertiti much in the same vein as Friesner's Helen of Troy series - with the focus far less on the character's legendary beauty, and much more on strength of mind and character. A great read, I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel.

Nefertiti, as a child, is graceful in dance and eager to learn. After an encounter with the Queen's scribe, Henenu, she learns to write - and so puts herself in danger of being used as her aunt, Queen Tiye's, spy. When she is summoned to the palace, however, she discovers that her aunt has a different, though no less distasteful, plan for her future. She is to wed Tiye's eldest son, Thutmose, to secure his succession to the throne of Pharaoh. But life at the palace is full of intrigues and power struggles, and even Nefertiti's friendship with Thutmose's brother Akhenaten leads to trouble.

I've really enjoyed Esther Friesner's foray into the young adult world. I enjoy the way she takes the stories of women famous only for their beauty, and shows them as talented and determined - far more than just a pretty face. Here in Nefertiti's story, Friesner focuses on Nefertiti's quick mind (though she also learns to drive a chariot and shoot a bow) than on fighting prowess, which makes her more capable of dealing with her scheming aunt. In a lot of ways, I think Friesner's books have the same feel to them as Tamora Pierce's stories, and as Pierce is one of my favorite authors, I eagerly pick up Friesner's books now as well.

I also liked Nefertiti's slowly growing social awareness, and the awkwardness she causes when she first tries to help those slaves that her family owns. It emphasized that Nefertiti was growing up - that she suddenly realizes that she has been taking people for granted, and she tries to rectify the situation. It made her that much more believable in my mind.

I'm not a huge fan of the oft-used love triangle, but I thought it worked rather well here as it was at the center of the intrigues at court, and it certainly caused Nefertiti enough actual trouble. Despite her talents, things aren't easy for Nefertiti, and to a large degree she is forced to rely on her friends around her to get her out of difficult situations - which is something I really enjoyed. All too often, these sorts of stories end up being a one-person show with the protagonist coming up with the solution to every problem and never helpless. That's not the case here, and I thought the novel was much stronger for the inclusion of Nava and Akhenaten as real, capable friends.

Did you review it? Leave a link in the comments!

A Poisoned Season - Tasha Alexander

2009-11-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

**** 1/2 - I loved Tasha Alexander's And Only to Deceive, and this next in the Lady Emily Ashton series certainly did not disappoint. I'm very much looking forward to reading the next which is set in my beloved Vienna.

There is a lot happening in London this season -

Lady Ashton has earned the questionable esteem of society's own jewel thief who has been targeting treasures that once belonged to Marie Antoinette. When one of the victims of burglary turns up dead, however, Emily finds herself drawn into the investigation - and not always as discreetly as she might hope.

In addition, heaps of condemnation are being heaped on Emily Ashton's head for dallying with two of the ton's most eligible gentlemen: Colin Hargreaves and Jeremy, Duke of Bainbridge, one of her childhood friends. Her bluestocking inclinations and her disinclination to heed the strictures of polite society make her fodder for the gossips. And her attempts to help her friend Ivy in her troubled marriage don't turn out well at all.

I have a weakness for historical mysteries - I love Amelia Peabody and Emily Ashton (though aside from a desire to actually employ their brains, there's not much similar between the two sleuths). I enjoy Lady Ashton's interest in cryptography, her love of Greek, and even more I love Colin for helping her figure out various mysteries and helping her when needed instead of insisting she remain packed in cotton wool. He shows an immense respect for her intellectual abilities (along with concern for her physical well-being), and I love that in a hero. Plus, I'm highly amused by the kissing embargo that he institutes until she accepts his proposal of marriage! They are a delightful pair, and I'm looking forward to spending more time with them in the next book.

The mystery itself is very clever as well. There were several interesting twists and turns, and nothing turned out quite the way I expected. At the same time, I didn't feel as if I'd been manipulated or kept in the dark regarding the outcome of the mystery - which is difficult to pull off simultaneously.

This book referenced the affair of the necklace (which I know little about, but which interests me) and caused me to find The Lost King of France - a book about DNA evidence solving the mystery of the lost dauphin - sure to be an interesting read!

Interested in other opinions?

The Coven - Cate Tiernan

2009-11-25T08:00:00.002-05:00

**** - Still enjoying these. I'm a little over Morgan being super-special, and a little closure would be nice, but I find the slowly building sense of menace quite intriguing.

Since each book builds on the former - Beware of Spoilers for the earlier books!

Each chapter starts with an entry from the book of shadows of a practicing Wiccan named Bradhadair - who, of course, ties into the ever-complicating story of Morgan's own heritage. After all, for Morgan to have so much raw power, she must be a blood witch - the descendant of one of the largely broken-up witch families. To add to her heartache over being betrayed by her best friend and her family's fear and disapproval, Morgan now discovers that she was adopted - and therefore isn't related to her family at all.

There's a growing sense of menace and isolation surrounding Morgan - the diary entries of Bradhadair suggest a power hunting down anyone with witch blood, and some of the adult coven in the area show an interest in Morgan that the reader certainly sees as oddly sinister. Morgan is increasingly cut off from her friends - particularly since she no longer attends coven circles.

Her romance with Cal grows very quickly (though whether that's a good thing remains a question in my head). Although I don't normally have too much of a problem with soulmates, there's something about Cal and Morgan's relationship that seems too fast and too calculated. There's a sense of impending menace and doom - the reader gets the feeling that Morgan is being manipulated into something bad (though not necessarily by Cal) - and of course, there's a huge cliffhanger ending (frustrating!).

I enjoyed watching Morgan puzzle out her origins as well as come to terms with her family - her relationship with her sister was particularly poignant, I thought. The disbelief and discomfort of Mary K's reaction to Morgan is very sad, but also very telling. Having your own family unable to accept who you are must be incredibly painful, and Tiernan evokes that here (though not overwhelmingly). I like watching the underlying human drama as well as the fast-paced magical adventure that is decidedly looming in future books. I just hope they remain well-balanced between the two.

Book of Shadows - Cate Tiernan

2009-11-24T08:00:00.002-05:00

**** - I really enjoyed this novel about a teenager's introduction to Wicca. There was a lot of information here about rituals that I found interesting - and I haven't seen many novels that deal with the subject.

Morgan Rowlands always thought she was a normal 16-year-old girl - smart enough, a little behind in the boy-department, but essentially normal. But when a new boy shows up in town, she finds herself swept up in competition for his attention, but also by the Wicca rituals he invites her and her friends to join. Morgan has a deep connection to Wicca, and the power to work with magic - and with the added draw of sexy Cal, she is determined to explore it, despite her family's objections.

On one level, this is your typical high school drama. There's a sexy new boy who comes to town, capturing the hearts of our unassuming heroine and her loyal-up-to-now-but-only-because-she-always-got-her-own-way best friend. Cal seems more interested in Morgan than best friend Bree, but (and here's the catch), nobody's quite sure whether that's because of her raw talent as a witch or because he has romantic feelings for her.

I really enjoyed the descriptions of rituals and how Cal was teaching the others - I found it interesting rather than pedantic. And having enjoyed visiting a fantastic little bookstore called Esoterica, I certainly related to the wonders of the Wiccan bookstore in the story. That said, I found it a bit hard to believe that Cal just came to a new (from what it seems conservative) town, has a party and invites everyone to hang out and do a ritual. I know it was a means of kicking off the story - but I have yet to encounter a teenager so confident.

I liked how Morgan was so in tune with Wicca, and I thought the reactions of her friends (that she was only doing it to get Cal's attention) were quite realistic in the beginning - although there seems to be quite a bit of overblown drama queen at work. I do think Morgan crosses the line a bit (into super-power-specialdom), but as it's a major premise of the story going forward, I'm trying to make peace with it. Not being at all familiar with Wicca, I can't really say how accurate the portrayal here is, but I thought it was an intriguing introduction.

A quick point, though, it seems quite strange to me (at this point) to have Morgan come from a strongly Catholic family who have no problem embracing Morgan's aunt despite her sexuality, but who kick up a gigantic fuss about the Church forbidding witchcraft... I'm sure it's a point many teenagers interested in Wicca must contend with, but to have it juxtaposed with acceptance of homosexuality seemed very odd to me.

The main problem I had with the book was how very episodic the installment was. It was almost like a TV show, really, leaving you hanging so you're certain to tune in next week. Happily, I had the next volume on hand, but I hope they have a little more closure going forward.

Isis - Douglas Clegg

2009-11-23T08:00:00.003-05:00

*** - a creepy Gothic-style fairy tale that closely tracks the myth of Isis. The use of nursery rhymes and the illustrations add to the Gothic flavor of the tale. But something seems to be missing that keeps it from being as creepy as say M.R. James' stories.

This book was provided to me as a free review copy.

Iris Villiers roamed all along the dreary cliffs and rocks of her crumbling ancestral home Belerion Hall in Cornwall - always in the company of her gentle brother Harvey. But despite his protection, there is an ancient power lurking among the tombs of her home. And when an accident occurs, Iris learns that she has the power to speak to the dead - and that her life resembles the myth of Isis more than she ever thought possible.

This little novella was certainly creepy in atmosphere with the Laughing Maiden stone and the Tombs - not to mention the ever-present dire foreboding of the gardener Old Marsh. And the story is deliciously creepy up until the pivotal moment when Isis ends up trying to raise someone from the dead. The aftermath of her actions just didn't seem dreadful enough given the long run-up to that very moment. I felt a bit sad at the way things turned out, but not nearly as horrified as I wanted to be.

Also, I have to admit to being creeped out (and not in the good way) by the relationship between Harvey and Isis. I mean, I know the whole situation was meant to mirror the Isis/Osiris myth, and maybe I was reading into it because of my knowledge of the myth, but ... there were some odd incestuous overtones that I didn't think were necessary.

All in all, this was a quick, moody read - and the illustrations were utterly gorgeous. As to the aftermath of the great accident, which the entire book was leading up to, it just didn't thrill me the way I had hoped.

Angel of Death - J. Robert King

2009-11-22T11:39:00.006-05:00

** 1/2 - a twisted look at sanity and madness, angels and serial killers. Certainly intriguing, but in the end, not really my cup of tea.

I received a free review copy of this book from Angry Robot. Thanks!

Samael is the Angel of Death for the greater Chicago area. He's responsible for making sure that deaths have a certain poetry - a fittingness to them. And to do so, he (among other things) follows around a demented serial killer. This allows him to meet police officer Donna Leland - and fall in love with her. But when the date of her death falls due, he's just not sure whether he can go through with it...

King's Angel of Death is a sort of demented City of Angels with serial killings and troubled tortured characters. By the end of the novel, nobody - especially not the reader - is sure how much of Samael as angel of death is true and how much is delusion. How human is he? How much is in his head? It's hard to say - and that is one of the best aspects of the novel. It truly has you thinking even as the fast-paced action finale drags you along to its frightening conclusion.

The characters here are definitely flawed, and here is a clear espousal of the theory that the heart wants what it wants. Even when Donna discovers what Samael is capable of, she can't wholly tear herself away from him - out of love, out of guilt over the fate of her troubled brother, who can say? Again, King plays with great aptitude on the uncertainty of it all. He turns our desire for understanding, for a simple motive against us as he shows how little life provides anyone with simple black & white answers.

And that may be partially why I didn't end up caring for the novel overmuch. About two-thirds into the novel, I don't know what's driving anyone any more - particularly Samael. And right there, the novel loses a great deal of its power. Where before it was possible to sympathize in a twisted way with Samael, he seemed to become nothing but monster - and while it seemed to be the author's intention, it just didn't quite work for me. In addition, while the story was compelling for the first two-thirds, there just seemed to be too many twists, too many escapes, too much for it to be believable anymore.

While the story was compelling, there was something about the tone of the narrative that troubled me. I'm not sure what it was about it, but I ended up feeling a bit sordid reading the story. I can't quite put my finger on what it was - it may be part of the reason I tend to avoid horror of any but the very Gothic variety.

Would I recommend it? Angel of Death wasn't my cup of tea, but I only rarely read horror. The story was certainly twisted as well as fast-paced. There was action and complexity both. If you enjoy reading horror that transcends simple jump-out-of-your-seat into the psychological as well - you might give this a try. And if you do, let me know what you think!

Shakespeare Challenge

2009-05-27T23:30:00.001-04:00

I've decided to participate in the Shakespeare Challenge. The rules are simple: Read six books by or about Shakespeare before Dec. 31, 2009. My choices?

1. The Sonnets - Warwick Collins

2. Enter Three Witches - Caroline Cooney

Art History Challenge

2009-05-20T08:00:00.003-04:00

The Rules: Read 6 books about Art History in 2009.

It's really that simple. And since this is a subject I love to learn and read about, this is an ideal challenge for me. I approached my initial class in art history with some trepidation, but it quickly became my favorite course of freshman year in college - and I went on to take many more classes in Art History.

Here is my list so far:

1. The Art Thief - Noah Charney

2. Murder in the National Gallery - Margaret Truman (I wasn't sure whether to include this or not, but it fit in very nicely with The Art Thief's discussion of forgeries and art theft, so I decided I would. Plus there's some interesting discussion about Caravaggio).

3. I Sold Andy Warhol (too soon) - not exactly history as this focuses largely on the contemporary art market, but it was an interesting look at art that I was pretty much completely unfamiliar with.

Anybody have any favorites they'd like to recommend?

I Sold Andy Warhol (too soon) - Richard Polsky

2009-11-17T08:00:00.002-05:00

*** - An interesting look at the contemporary art market, for sure, but a bit confusing if you have little to no knowledge of contemporary art (like I do). It can be hard to keep track of who's who and painting what and selling whose stuff.

In 2003, Richard Polsky published a memoir called I Bought Andy Warhol - all about his search for his 'dream painting', an Andy Warhol Fright Wig in electric green. Now, Polsky tells us about his (reluctant) decision to sell the painting - right before the art market exploded to bring unheard-of prices. With prices of art soaring, he finds dealing in art to be increasingly beyond his means - after all how can you reinvest without major profits?

Polsky definitely gives us an insider's look at the contemporary art market - the movers and shakers, and those who wish they were. There's a lot of high school-style politics, a lot of buttering up the right people and going through the steps when both parties know where they'll end up in the end. And it's increasingly an arena where name-dropping is more important than the actual art. In Polsky's words, it's becoming increasingly an investment opportunity rather than anything to do with the works themselves.

But one thing is certain, the love of contemporary art shines through in the pages of Polsky's memoir. His admiration of various artists and his explanations of their works were enlightening to me, who generally has no use for most contemporary art. And while I'm certainly not converted into a fan, I came away from Polsky's story with more knowledge about contemporary artists. In fact, I was extremely proud of myself when I passed a sign advertising a showing of Damien Hirst's new skull paintings - and actually had some idea of who he was and why this was new and different for him (and how it wasn't).

Despite the fact that I clearly gleaned some knowledge, and a bit more appreciation, of contemporary works, the memoir confused me quite a bit. As there was no real narrative thread, I was soon baffled by who was representing whom, whose paintings were up for sale, and what this all meant anyway. While I found most of Polsky's vignettes entertaining or informative, I did find myself frustrated at times because I was so obviously missing how the story was pertinent to the overall picture of the contemporary art market that Polsky was trying to paint. I assume that there was more of a narrative in his first memoir - where he was leading up to an important event (the purchase of the Fright Wig) rather than travelling away from it (the Fright Wig's sale).

Also, in a book so devoted to art, it was a bit disconcerting that there were no images - at least of the much vaunted Fright Wig.

Would I recommend it? If you have an interest in contemporary art and the way the market works, I would definitely say yes. Polsky's writing is quite entertaining, and I can only imagine that it works better if you have a basic knowledge of the subject he so loves. I'm not a contemporary art-lover, and I enjoyed it despite some frustrating moments. So if the subject matter intrigues you, I'd give it a read - but maybe make sure you have a modern art history book (or internet access) nearby to give you a flavor of the people and works he talks about!

If you want to take a look at the Christie's site about Polsky's Fright Wig (with picture): http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?intObjectID=4986227

Interested in other opinions?

A Reader's Respite

The Espressologist - Kristina Springer

2009-11-18T08:00:00.005-05:00

*** 1/2 - A sweet and frothy young adult novel with a cute romance. But I felt there were a lot of threads that didn't get as much page-time as they deserved.

Barista Jane Turner has a talent - she can assess personality and matchmake people based on their favorite drinks. After a few successful matches, her boss at Wired Joe's gets wind of her abilities and uses it to boost sales for an holiday promotion. But her wild success starts to make things difficult when she matches her heart-broken best friend with the cute guy from her English class...and isn't quite as happy for them as she expected.

It seems very fitting to be writing this review in the coffee shop down the street sipping my very own chai latte (no water) and wondering what kind of guy I would be set up with and what my drink says about me... but y'all want to hear about the BOOK!

Right, so it's fun- I loved the idea of being able to tell personalities and matches from favorite coffee drinks. And Jane sure does a convincing job of it! And while I found the romance angle pretty obvious, it was still sweet - and I enjoyed the way there was some hidden depth to Jane's rival's sidekick (got that straight?).

What I didn't like so much was that Jane kept skipping school and shirking her management duties - but didn't ever have to pay for it. Nobody found out, or nobody cared, and that bothered me since so much of the first part of the story focuses on her not going to class. I mean, I didn't need to see her at school or anything, but I felt like that thread got left dangling - why mention it in the first place if it's not going anywhere?

But that aside, which I doubt many of the book's intended audience will care too much about, anyway, I thought the book was a fun treat. Not necessarily a whole lot of complexity - but sometimes you just want a cappucino, thank you very much. And this delivers exactly what it promises: a sweet matchmaking story with plenty of coffee flavor to go around.

Plus, is that a great cover or what?

Interested in other opinions?

The Story Siren

Pop Culture Junkie

Interview at The Book Butterfly

Books by Their Cover

Cleopatra's Daughter - Michelle Moran

2009-11-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

**** 1/2 - I loved Michelle Moran's new novel. I know you've probably seen a bunch of glowing reviews out there, but this is not a story to dismiss because of hype. It's interesting, well-researched and well-written. And it was definitely a nice break from Tudor-era England (much as I love it).

Thank you so much to Michelle Moran for generously providing me with a review copy.

After her mother Cleopatra's downfall when Octavian conquers Egypt, ten-year-old Selene and her twin brother Alexander are taken prisoner to Rome. In the household of Octavian's sister, they come of age - never giving up hope of reclaiming their rightful place as rulers of Egypt. But along the way, they are caught up in the ambitions of Octavian and his family, Selene discovers a deep love of architecture that she fights to be allowed to nourish, and both twins hope for love in difficult circumstances.

I read this quite a while ago (sorry for the late posting, Michelle), but one thing the delay has made clear is that Moran's Cleopatra's Daughter really stays with you. I can still remember interesting tidbits from the story and how completely drawn into the lives of ancient Rome I became. I loved to read of Selene's intelligence and her competition with the young men at school, but also how simultaneously difficult and necessary it was to be friends with her romantic rival - one of the few companions allowed her.

It was sad but fascinating to read about the plight of slaves in ancient Rome - particularly the court cases that Selene ends up attending. The power of corruption, but also the hateful and terrifying powers of the mob are well-demonstrated. And Selene more than once must confront the fact that despite her favored position, she could soon be reduced to just such a position of slavery, if she does not make herself indispensable to the man she abhors more than any other.

I was completely immersed in the world of ancient Rome that Moran reveals from the marketplaces to the gladiatorial arena to Augustus' palace. She really made everything come alive in all its dirt and splendor - it's definitely a setting that sticks with you. And so do the characters. Selene in particular is wonderfully conflicted and complex - I loved how she truly applied herself to her schoolwork and how dedicated she was to her studies of architecture, but how she enjoyed being 'girly' and helping Julia with dress and makeup. Her mixture of submission and rebelliousness perfectly captured the way such an intelligent young woman would chafe under her restraints, but understand that she could not openly defy them.

A lovely portrait of a strong young woman and of ancient Rome. I can't wait to read more of Moran's historical novels!

Interested in other opinions?

Excerpt & Q&A

All Booked Up

Falling Off the Shelf

Caribou's Mom

Historical Tapestry

Hist Fic Chick

Enchanted by Josephine

Enter Three Witches - Caroline B. Cooney

2009-11-15T08:52:00.003-05:00

****1/2 - I really enjoyed this spooky retelling of Shakespeare's Scottish play - particularly where Cooney incorporates quotes as part of the dialogue. I enjoyed seeing the action from several characters' points of view. I did think the resolution was rather abrupt and not nearly as climactic as it should have been.

Soldiers are gathering throughout Scotland, preparing for a great battle against the traitor who stands against the much-loved King Duncan, but nothing prepared Lady Mary for the news that her own father was a traitor to the crown and that her betrothed was killed in battle. Now Mary fears for her own life, especially as she slowly comes to realize the depths her guardians Lord and Lady MacBeth are willing to plumb in order to satisfy their cravings for power. Mary is trapped in a castle with nothing to warn her who not to trust except the pricking of her thumbs…

Enter Three Witches was a creepy atmospheric story set in gloomy castles among the fog-ridden bogs of Scotland crawling with witches demanding sacrifice and eager to share ominous portends of things to come. And mixed up in the middle of the intrigues of Shakespeare's Scottish play are fourteen-year-old Mary whose rich inherited lands make her a tantalizing matrimonial prize and Banquo's son Fleance whose need to prove himself keeps landing him in difficult situations. I really liked these two main characters (especially Fleance) and enjoyed reading the sections told from their point of view. Mary in particular is resourceful and brave, and she never felt unrealistic to me.

But however much I liked Mary, and for all the Shakespeare quotes sprinkled throughout, I felt that the most climactic bits of the play (Birnam Wood marching on Dunsinane; the final battle) were given only fleeting treatment in the book which seemed a shame. But the rich background Cooney gives the characters of the original play (and those that she adds) make for a compelling read - and one that had me reaching for my copy of Shakespeare as the author exhorts at the end.

I would definitely recommend Enter Three Witches for those struggling to get into Shakespeare's play - of for those that want a creepy Gothic young adult book to curl up with on a dreary day.

The Dust of 100 Dogs - A.S. King

2009-10-15T14:28:00.000-04:00

*** 1/2 - This was definitely a different take on a pirate tale, and I enjoyed a great deal of it. But the book definitely hit one of my hot buttons - it simplified a complex issue and conflict (the U.S. Civil War) to the point of trivializing it. And in a book packed full of 'gray' moral and sexual choices, I found it jarring and insulting.

It's pretty much a given that an Irish childhood is a difficult one - but things are more difficult still for Emer Morrisey who was growing up during Cromwell's invasions into Ireland. But Emer is not one to be daunted easily. So when she is torn from her childhood love and meant to be married off to a Frenchman, she turns notorious pirate instead! And what's a pirate without a curse?

Saffron Adams is born in the 1970s in a trailer park with all of Emer's memories (and bloodthirsty inclinations) - and a drive to get the heck out of her dreadful life with her dull parents and nasty brother, grab her buried treasure and live a life of ease. After some initial difficulties, she hops over to Jamaica to see if she can't find the gold - and runs into some trouble with an odd lecherous middle-aged man who may or may not be the reincarnation of that very dastardly Frenchman.

I wanted to like this book so much. It's got a fun premise (who doesn't love pirates, or teenagers that dream of popping the eyeballs out of their algebra teacher?), dogs, and all kinds of quirky. And parts of it, I really did like - I was swept away by Emer's childhood in Ireland, and I enjoyed reading about her slow burgeoning romance with Seanie. But round-about the time she turns pirate, I stopped liking her much.

I admired Emer's strength in getting herself to Jamaica, but I was pretty pissed off about her sexual choices. Let me be abundantly clear here, I don't have a quarrel with the author or her presentation of Emer's decision. This is a very honest and real portrayal of a dilemma young women face (in a less drastic form) and Emer's decision to have sex with a man she doesn't love to 'get it over with' essentially isn't glorified or condemned. The decision, and its consequences, are dealt with in an unflichingly honest way - everything is very much shades of gray. My quarrel is thus not with the author, but with the character. I didn't like the character's decision. It made me lose respect for Emer. And that wasn't the only section where the sexual undercurrents of the novel squicked me out. The entire situation with the middle-aged creep in Jamaica gave me the heebie-jeebies.

As to the dog facts - I liked some of them, some were incredibly sad, several were irritatingly preachy (the one about the Civil War just made me downright irate). What I didn't quite get was how they tied into the rest of the novel. They seemed largely random with no real connection to what was going on in either Emer or Saffron's stories - and that made them seem more like a gimmick than anything, which was a bit disappointing.

Given my reaction to a lot of the moral dilemmas and the moral stances the author throws into the mix, this was never going to be a favorite of mine. But with the cover and the premise, I expected something with more swashbuckling adventuring in the past life, maybe some entertaining sections in math class about keelhauling someone. So I was taken aback by the novel's tone and by its grittiness. While others found a lot to love in Saffron and Emer's stories, The Dust of 100 Dogs just wasn't the story for me.

Interested in other opinions?

Presenting Lenore (plus Interview)

The Book Muncher (plus Interview)

Fame (2009)

2009-10-13T22:17:00.000-04:00

I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm a huge dance movie fan. I've seen a ton of them that came out relatively recently while knowing full well that they would be over-the-top and silly. I saw Step Up (though I wasn't desperate enough to see the sequel), Take the Lead, Center Stage, Mad Hot Ballroom. Some of them, I loved. Some were decent to pass the time. None were as dull as Fame.

Fame (for those of you unfamiliar with the 80s version) is about a bunch of kids at a performing arts high school in New York City - these kids study, audition and dream of a shot at the limelight. The movie follows them from audition day all the way to graduation, but it really didn't seem like it.

The entire movie was a host of vignettes (largely uninteresting) interspersed with all too infrequent large-scale dance production numbers or songs. Many of the scenes weren't really related, there was little in the way of over-arching story arc. And to me, there didn't seem to be any feeling of time passing - particularly not 4 years...

To be honest, the only story I liked was the pianist/R&B singer, and even that was quite ludicrously unrealistic, because (SPOILERS) if I was offered an honest to goodness record deal? Those guys who mixed me? They can stay in freakin' high school, because I'd be on my way to FAME!!! But that entire possibility is just shrugged off. Bizarre for a school that's meant to propel its graduates to stardom...

I also quite liked the cute boy who sang in his father's restaurant - but again, it just didn't seem to go anywhere at all. It was like he was only at the school to be the lackluster romantic interest of the woodenly untalented girl who just wants it too much to realize she's never going anywhere. And, honestly? For all her 'wanting it', I just didn't care. Weren't there some sort of guidance counselors urging these kids to consider other careers if they just couldn't cut it?

So - yeah, the numbers, when they happened were pretty cool. I loved the scene in the cafeteria where everybody starts a huge musical/dance mashup. But they were too infrequent and just not connected enough to the storyline to elevate Fame above ho-hum.

September Roundup

2009-09-30T18:00:00.023-04:00

Books Finished: 15

Favorite September Book:

Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran

I adored Michelle Moran's Cleopatra's Daughter! I'm working on a review for it, so keep your eyes peeled.

What's so wonderful about Cleopatra's Daughter? Well, it's a story of power wielded (both the obvious and the more subtle) and succumbed to, the story of life in Rome - largely aristocratic but without ignoring the seedier sides of the Empire. I loved the way Selene worked hard to become useful and keep her wits sharp, and I enjoyed her love story a great deal. This was clearly a tale written with me in mind - a strong, intelligent young heroine in an intriguing historical setting - and I stayed up all night reading it! If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend it.

Intrigued? Buy at Amazon or IndieBound

Author Encounters:

Over at Seductive Musings one of my favorite authors, Anne Gracie asked what we would like to see more of in historicals. My answers?

What I'd like to see more of in historicals is humor. It doesn't have to be slapstick (although I find Katie MacAlister's screwball Regencies hilarious), but I'm just not a fan of brooding tortured heros. I want someone who will make me laugh - which is why I'm still madly in love with Gideon from A Perfect Rake :)

Anne replied:

Lana, thanks for loving my Gideon. You know, I was trying for a dark and dangerous hero, and he just strolled on the page, being funny and flippant and madly charming instead. I fought him for ages before i decided to go with him, rather than against him. I can't always control my characters. I suspect Nash is shaping up to be a bad boy character, a bit like Gideon. We'll see.

Another thought:

I'm back again, and I thought of something a little more specific that I would love to see in a historical!

Vienna! I've been looking everywhere for a historical set in Vienna. In a city known for waltzes, champagne, masquerades, music and trick riding horses... I thought it would be an ideal setting to shake things up a bit, but I can't seem to find any romances set there at all.

Anne's response:

Lana, Vienna is a beautiful city and I'd also love to set a book, or at least part of a book there. And in the regency, my preferred time period, Vienna had so many things happening.

Have you read Eva Ibbotson's books? They're only *just* historicals -- set around the 1920's-30's-- and some of them are set in pre-war Austria. Gorgeous books. Try a Song For Summer.

I'm such a fangirl! I definitely grabbed A Song for Summer - such a gorgeous cover, it can hardly be

Books Read:

1. The Tudor Rose - Margaret Campbell Barnes

2. A Pearl Among Princes - Coleen Murtagh Paratore

3. Shrinking Violet - Danielle Joseph

4. Once a Witch - Colleen MacCullough

5. A Marquis to Marry - Amelia Grey

6. Psych Major Syndrome - Alicia Thompson

7. Cleopatra's Daughter - Michelle Moran

8. Suffer the Little Children - Donna Leon

9. The Book of Lies - Brad Meltzer

10. The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown

11. Practice Makes Perfect - Julie James

12. Me, My Elf & I - Heather Swain

13. Give Me Liberty - L.M. Elliott

14. Love on Cue - Catherine Hapka

15. The Season - Sarah MacLean

The Tudor Rose - Margaret Campbell Barnes

2009-10-11T12:55:00.000-04:00

**** - I knew very little about Elizabeth of York before reading this book - I knew that the Wars of the Roses ended through an intermarriage of the houses of York (white rose) and Lancaster (red rose), but I wasn't even sure which house contributed which spouse... so this was a real eye-opener for me.

Thank you to Sourcebooks for providing a review copy!

The Tudor Rose is the story of Elizabeth of York - the woman who would found the Tudor dynasty, the mother of Henry VIII, and the sister of the Princes in the Tower. The novel opens with Elizabeth trying on her wedding dress - and hearing that her betrothal is being broken off. It's a lovely beginning that brings home both to the reader and to Bess how much she (and her marriage) is being used as a political tool. The novel deals with several hot-button issues from The Wars of the Roses: the Princes in the Tower, the pretenders to the throne after Henry VII comes to power, and Richard III in general. And I was well-satisfied with all of them.

I first encountered Margaret Campbell Barnes when I read her book about Henry VIII The King's Fool, which offered an intriguing and multi-faceted portrayal of the king notorious for his temper and his many wives. In The Tudor Rose, Barnes offers the same interesting portrayal of Elizabeth of York, but also of her oft-reviled uncle Richard III.

I thoroughly enjoyed Barnes' version of Richard. He's charming, witty, and intelligent, but he is also thoroughly dangerous and capable of ruthlessness. Richard truly comes alive through the pages, and I found his depiction wonderfully complex (though by no means a positive one). Despite his actions, Richard is quite admirable in his own way, particularly when contrasted with the eminently practical and dispassionate Henry VII - who is easily his equal in ruthlessness.

I was charmed by intelligent and passionate Bess, who loved so fiercely, grieved so deeply for her lost brothers, and who nonetheless straightened her shoulders and did what she thought best for her realm. Given how strong she was, and how deeply she was prepared to love, I found much of her story very sad. She is betrayed on all sides and she can never quite shake her yearning to find her brothers again - I actually loved her interaction at the end with Perkin Warbeck - it was a beautifully slippery exchange!

I enjoyed The Tudor Rose a great deal, though I was a bit confused as to what was happening outside the palace during the Wars of the Roses - not surprising as the entire situation was pretty confusing. Elizabeth of York is shown as a lovely, strong and passionate woman, and her story is well worth reading. Just keep a hot cup of tea (or your comforting thing of choice) handy.

Interested in other opinions?

Musings of a Bibliophile

The Maze Runner - James Dashner

2009-10-01T14:49:00.004-04:00

**** - I'm a big fan of dystopian novels, so I've really been looking forward to James Dashner's The Maze Runner. It didn't disappoint me, either - full of mystery, betrayal, and palpable danger The Maze Runner is certain to appeal to teenagers, and boys in particular.

A big thank you to Random House for sending me the ARC!

Coming OCTOBER 6, 2009!

When Thomas comes to, he finds himself in a brand-new society called the Glade composed entirely of teenaged boys - and he can't remember anything about himself or the past. All he knows is his first name, and he has a niggling sensation that he must join the ranks of those boys who spend their days mapping out the dangerous maze surrounding the boys' 'home base'. Because Thomas is sure he holds the key to their escape, and time is quickly running out...

I was really impressed with The Maze Runner - Dashner does a fantastic job keeping the reader invested by doling out revelations to Thomas' (and our) many questions. The society is well-thought-out and interesting. It's impressive to see how the boys have organized themselves into 'guilds' almost and how despite their best efforts at civilization, the barbarity of their surroundings has left its mark upon them as well. The horror of the maze is utterly heart-stopping. Dashner perfectly treads the balance between describing the Grievers and leaving it up to the terror produced by our own imaginations. And it works amazingly well - I stayed up late to finish this because I just couldn't bear to put it down while Thomas could still be in danger!

What did bother me a bit was the cliff-hanger ending. I wasn't aware that The Maze Runner was going to be the first in a series (though, I guess I should have known better - are there still stand-alone YA novels? ;) ), so I found the lack of resolution disconcerting. Actually, it struck me a lot like one of those movies where the last shot exposes a hidden twist... and, now that I'm honest with myself - I find those utterly frustrating, but I adore them anyway...

So if you like thrillers and/or dystopian novels? This is definitely the book for you. I really enjoyed it, even while it terrified me!

Interested in other opinions?

Medieval Bookworm

Kittling: Books

The Rogue and the Rival - Maya Rodale

2009-02-08T05:29:00.006-05:00

**** 1/2 - Even upon re-read this novel makes me just sigh with happiness. I never got around to posting my reaction to this the first time around - a terrible pity because I thought it was high on the list of best reads of 2008. If you like romances, especially if you like reformed rakes - go forth and buy this one. You won't regret it.

Thanks so much to the author for sending me a review copy! I loved it, Maya!

The last place anyone ever thought Phillip Kensington would end up was in an abbey. But when his near-lifeless body is found in a ditch, he's brought to Stanbrook Abbey to recuperate under the care of Angela Sullivan - a young lady whisked away to life at the abbey after a youthful indiscretion left her ruined in the eyes of society. She hates everything he represents, reckless indifference, selfishness, lechery, but she can't help but feel drawn to the charming scoundrel (and neither could I).

Maya Rodale is now officially on my auto-buy list. I was skeptical about this one. At the end of The Heir and the Spare, Phillip doesn't seem to have much going for him - he's ruined four women, he's an inveterate gambler, he drinks too much, he doesn't kiss well. And usually I don't much like reformed rake stories. But The Rogue and the Rival changed my mind.

The characters are so believable, and there's such emotional depth here that this earned an immediate place on my keeper shelf. I love that Angela is an artist. I love that they play cards for secrets. I love the chemistry sparking between the two main characters at any moment. I love Phillip grinning ear-to-ear while being beaten with roses. I was just swept off my feet by Phillip, by Angela, by the two of them. Together.

I'm not sure what I can say that won't have me repeating synonyms for beautiful, wonderful, for paragraphs on end. So let me just say - it was funny, heartfelt, sexy and had me utterly spell-bound upon re-read even though I first read it only a few months ago. It's gorgeous. Please, please go read it! I need someone to talk all starry-eyed with!

And Maya? When's the next one? [insert Bambi-eyes here] I'm just dying to hear Lila Althorp's story...

The Kingmaking - Helen Hollick

2009-02-26T08:00:00.002-05:00

**** - A fascinating look at how King Arthur might truly have been. No magic, no fantasy, but real-life people with flaws and scars.

Thanks to Sourcebooks for the opportunity to read and review The Kingmaking.

This is not a story that focuses on the Holy Grail, the love triangle with Lancelot or chivalrous notions of the Round Table. You won't find any of these here. Instead this is a gritty look at the betrayals, battles, and affections of a warlord seeking to unify Britain after the Romans left.

The Kingmaking begins in Arthur's youth when the boy accompanies Uthr Pendragon to Gwynedd (Wales) to meet with the powerful warlord Cunedda in order to bring down the tyrannous king Vortigern. While there, Arthur strikes up a (sometimes shaky) friendship with Cunedda's youngest child, the strong-willed hoyden (!) Gwenhwyfar. And the story follows him as he grows into a strong military leader, how he learns to hide his hatred for Vortigern in order to gain experience, and his tumultuous love for Gwenhwyfar.

Hollick's Arthur is not a chivalrous knight. He's a warlord - ruthless, cunning, brash and tactless. He's restless if he's not fighting. His personality and his charisma are larger than life, but he also carries a lot of emotional baggage. He sulks and rages, he wenches and drinks, but he also leads and inspires his men. It's easy to see why this Arthur would command men's loyalty. It's also easy to see how he makes it difficult to love him - but why Gwenhwyfar refuses to give up on him.

I loved Gwen as a character. It was lovely to see her headstrong and capable in a fight, but also vulnerable and hot-headed. Although her relationship with Arthur has a large bearing on the plot, I disagree with those who characterize this as a romance, or even as historical fiction with a romantic focus. First and foremost, this is a historical novel - the emphasis is on the battles, the manipulations at court, and shifting alliances. The focus of the novel is how Arthur grows to be king - and a large part of him becoming that kind of leader is his relationship with Gwenhwyfar because she's one of the very few people who has gained his trust.

Hollick's Kingmaking is quite the story. It sweeps you up and carries you along the hills of Gwynedd, across the stormy Channel, into battlefields, bedchambers, and castle keeps. It's not always easy to read - the characters' treatment of women can be difficult to stomach at times, though to be fair, it is always very much in keeping with the historical times and culture. Rape and sex as a weapon is a part of Middle Age life and warfare. The story isn't always easy, but it is worthwhile. I found myself drawn back to the text anytime I put it down, anxious to read further, to discover what happened. And I'll be just as interested in the sequels.

Don't forget to stop by tomorrow when Helen Hollick has agreed to guest blog about her portrayal of Gwenhwfar!

The Blog Tour Continues:

http://harrietdevine.typepad.com/harriet_devines_blog/2009/02/the-kingmaking.html 2/20

http://lazyhabits.wordpress.com/2009/02/20/the-kingmaking/ 2/21 and interview 2/27

http://carpelibrisreviews.com/the-kingmaking-by-helen-hollick-book-tour-giveaway/ 2/23

http://www.historicalnovels.info/Kingmaking.html 2/23

http://www.historicalnovels.info/historical-novels-blog.html

http://www.bibliophilemusings.com/2009/02/review-interview-kingmaking-by-helen.html 2/23 http://lilly-readingextravaganza.blogspot.com/2009/02/kingmaking-by-helen-hollick.html 2/23 and guest blog 2/25

http://chikune.com/blog/?p=484 http://chikune.com/blog/?p=488 2/24

http://booksaremyonlyfriends.blogspot.com/ 2/25 http://peekingbetweenthepages.blogspot.com/ 2/26 and guest blog 2/27

http://webereading.blogspot.com/ 2/26

http://www.caramellunacy.blogspot.com 2/26

http://bookthoughtsbylisa.blogspot.com/ 3/1

http://www.skrishnasbooks.com/ 3/1

http://jennifersrandommusings.wordpress.com/ 3/1

http://rhireading.blogspot.com/ 3/1

http://passagestothepast.blogspot.com/ 3/2

http://thetometraveller.blogspot.com/ 3/2

http://steventill.com/ 3/2

http://savvyverseandwit.blogspot.com / 3/2 and interview 3/3 http://www.carlanayland.blogspot.com/

http://readersrespite.blogspot.com/ 3/3 and interview on 3/5

http://libraryqueue.blogspot.com/ 3/4

http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/ 3/4

http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/ 3/5

http://samsbookblog.blogspot.com 3/5

http://goodbooksbrightside.blogspot.com/ 3/5

The King's Fool - Margaret Campbell Barnes

2009-04-08T07:25:00.005-04:00

Not exactly Waiting on Wednesday - after all, you can buy this on Amazon, but I just needed to spread the word! A great book if you like historical fiction and/or the Tudors. Thanks so much to Sourcebooks for the chance to read and review King's Fool.

**** - I've been hearing good things about Margaret Campbell Barnes for a while among historical fiction readers and bloggers, but her books were out-of-print and quite tough to find. Luckily for me (and other Tudor-lovers), they're being reissued. I would have hated to miss such a touching, intimate portrait of Henry VIII and life at his court.

Will Somers grew up not fitting in - although he was always the center of attention at parties, he was neither learned enough to teach like his father, nor strong (or skilled) enough to work on his uncle's farm. Happily for Will, luck hands him employment with the wealthy merchant, Richard Fermor, and then a well-timed joke brings him to the attention of King Henry VIII himself. Over the next 20 years, Will spends his time providing mirth, entertainment, and a friendly ear to Harry, his charming daughter Mary Tudor, and the succession of Queens at court.

I really enjoyed King's Fool - Will has a charmingly humble outlook on life because of his low beginnings and a genuine desire to help others and serve his masters. Though he is (even after years at court) sometimes quite naive as to the machinations at the Tudor court, he remains a steadfast friend to those he holds dear and proves a sharp-tongued foe to others. Although the book is set at the Tudor court, there was surprisingly little focus on the day to day, or even on the dramatic episodes that took place. Instead, the novel lingers on Will's tender love story with the daughter of his former master and on his affection for Henry VIII.

The greatest strength of the novel is Barnes' portrayal of Henry - he is an utterly believable character: young, handsome and spoiled; middle-aged, lusty and suspicious; older, diseased and worn-out. All of these Henrys are shown through the loving eye of his fool who always bears in mind his King's extravagant kindnesses. Yet the king's flaws certainly aren't glossed over or made unimportant. Rather the reader comes to understand Henry's complexity, his fears, and his conflicting emotions. I also very much enjoyed the brief sketches of Henry's wives - especially that more was said about Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard than I've usually seen. It's always seemed to me that these two are generally treated as afterthoughts, and it was nice to get a sense of their characters here.

First and foremost this is a portrait - through snapshot-like scenes - of Henry VIII. King's Fool shows him in moments of strength, mirth, introspection and vulnerability - a fascinating look at a puzzling man. I wouldn't recommend this as a place to start reading about the Tudors (the novel assumes a basic familiarity with the King's 'Great Matter' and the drama surrounding Anne Boleyn in particular), but it's a wonderful read for someone looking to reconcile the conflicting sides of Henry Tudor's personality.

Interested in other opinions?
Historical Tapestry
Passages to the Past
Medieval Bookworm
Kittling
The Tome Traveller
Historical-fiction.com
Reading Extravaganza
Devourer of Books
A Reader's Respite
So Many Precious Books, So Little Time

A Duke to Die For - Amelia Grey

2009-04-14T09:58:00.006-04:00

*** 1/2 - I quite liked Amelia Grey's A Duke to Die For; there was a nice story with the clever twist of the curse. I enjoyed spending time with all the characters and found them very believable. Quibbles? The ending seemed a bit abrupt, and some of the dialogue fell flat for me.

Thank you to Sourcebooks for providing me with a review copy of A Duke to Die For.

Lucien Blakewell is struggling to come to terms with the backlog of paperwork cluttering his desk , but he never expected the responsibilities of his new dukedom included the guardianship of a young lady. After all, the rakish Blake is the last person anyone would want looking after a beautiful debutante. But level-headed Henrietta Tweed turns up on his doorstep hoping to take charge of her own life and inheritance - and to save her latest guardian from the curse that has taken the lives of the last five men responsible for her welfare.

Henrietta - I really liked her. She was pleasantly sensible and take-charge without being overbearing. She has a touching vulnerability that arises from the accident that killed her parents and her being shuffled from home to home. I really enjoyed the scenes in the Season - Henrietta's first dance in particular was very touching. When Blake's cousins dance with Henrietta, it shows their concern for Blake and their acceptance of Henrietta in the most lovely way. A beautiful moment of the author showing, not telling the strength of the group's affection.

I loved that Henrietta wanted to manage her own accounts, and I appreciated the fact that she did not jump straight into the Duke's affairs to manage them. However, considering how set Blake is that women are incapable of managing their affairs, I would have liked to see more illustration of Henrietta's capability and good sense in a business sense. She kept a level head in some difficult situations helping Blake out of physical danger, but much of the time she seemed to be a bit buffetted about by Constance's whirlwind efficiency.

As to the curse, I loved the idea. It's unusual to see this sort of element in a straight (not paranormal) Regency, and it certainly added a degree of complexity to Henrietta's otherwise down-to-Earth character. I found Henrietta's reasons for believing in the curse compelling, and Blake's recognition that it could not be laughed off or simply reasoned away was one of the highlights of his character development.

The plot involving the hot air balloon (and Blake's vulnerability to vertigo) is novel, and allows the author to introduce the other cousins (and Gibby) for later books. There's a fair share of comedic moments (Lord Snellingly's poem, for instance), and overall the story is good fun. I enjoyed the juxtaposition of the characters' inner feelings and their speech, but in certain scenes, I found the dialogue did not engage me in the story as much as I had hoped. Nothing cringe-worthy, though, so a minor quibble to an enjoyable book.

Interested in other opinions?

Long and Short Reviews

Medieval Bookworm

Confessions of a Romance Book Addict

Blogcritics Magazine

Lady Anne & the Howl in the Dark - Donna Lea Simpson

2009-04-16T17:37:00.008-04:00

**** - an entertaining blend of Gothic novel, mystery series, and romantic suspense. As I've mentioned before I was reminded of Amelia Peabody investigating the Hound of the Baskervilles. The focus is on the mystery, but the romantic elements are strong. Great fun!
Also - Anne is quite skeptical about paranormal elements, which reminded me of my Halloween post!

Thank you to Sourcebooks for providing me with a free review copy of Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark.

When Lady Anne Addison is summoned to her friend's home in Yorkshire to investigate a series of werewolf sightings, her common sense insists that the beast is mere superstition. Upon arriving at Darkefell, however, she immediately stumbles over the body of a young woman, and she is determined to uncover the truth behind her death.

Anthony Bestwick, the Marquess of Darkefell, has a great deal on his hands - werewolf sightings, prejudice against his African secretary, a ninny of a sister-in-law, and of course dark family secrets. So the last thing he needs is the exasperatingly curious and intelligent Lady Anne poking around.

Where to begin? I loved Anne. She's smart and no-nonsense, certainly not the hare-brained heroine often found in Gothic novels, though she does share their unquenchable curiosity. I loved her blunt interrogations, her sympathy for others, and her willingness to hold her own against the over-bearing marquess. In many ways she reminded me of Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody, though Anne is certainly quite different (not quite as eccentric), the two share a deep-seated determination and a quick intelligence. Anne is a wonderful character made unique in that she remains ever-conscious of her place in society and the demands it makes of her. If she was sometimes exasperatingly single-minded, it was nonetheless endearing both to the marquess and the reader.

The Marquess of Darkefell is an excellent Gothic hero - dark and mysterious, keeping secrets from the heroine and surrounded by a sense danger (but not in a way that has you screaming at the heroine to Run Away, you ninny!). He's at times brash without realizing it (the speech in the church really is a hoot), and he loves to spar verbally with Anne. I love seeing the two of them interact. One of my favorite scenes is when he compliments her terrible hairstyle (in mock-seriousness, of course) and she says:

"Your enthusiasm for my appearance is a paean to the lack of my lady's maid, Mary, who will arrive tomorrow, I hope," Anne said, her tone as dry as his was humorous. "Though if you think this style suits me," she continued, patting her snaky locks, "I'll be sure to have Mary copy its intricacies."
"I'm humbled by your reliance on my opinion of the mysteries of feminine hairstyling."

I just love the tone, it's very witty. The romantic scenes in particular left me with a smile on my face. Check out this excerpt! That added to the deliciously creepy Gothic atmosphere and the mystery surrounding the werewolf made this a successful blend of genres and an excellent read. I highly recommend Donna Lea Simpson's Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark to people who liked Northanger Abbey, the Brontes, or who enjoy Gothic novels. It won't disappoint!

Interested in other opinions?
Medieval Bookworm
Long and Short Reviews
Peeking Between the Pages

Psychotic State

The Sonnets - Warwick Collins

2009-05-27T10:51:00.006-04:00

*** - I love Shakespeare, and the sonnets are some of my favorites - heartfelt and beautiful, caught up in emotional turmoil. We once used certain sonnets as monologues in an acting class - there's just so much to them. Unfortunately here, I never got swept up in the emotions Shakespeare was writing about - the narration seemed detached.

I received a free review copy of The Sonnets through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.

Warwick Collins' The Sonnets explores Shakespeare's life while he was writing his beautiful sonnets. The sonnets are often cited as the most autobiographical of Shakespeare's work, and here Collins rearranges and weaves them together to form a narrative about Shakespeare's love triangle with his patron the Earl of Southampton and the mysterious dark lady.

I loved the premise - using the sonnets as a basis for a historical novel about Shakespeare's life and loves is a brilliant idea and could really serve to infuse him with emotional life rather than the focus on the playhouse that most Shakespearean novels take. That said, I'm not sure the format wholly works here. In trying to let the sonnets speak for themselves by including so many of them, Collins doesn't give us much of his own interpretation of Shakespeare's emotions - which is problematic in a novel told in the first person. His Shakespeare seems overly detached from the world he inhabits - a characteristic often remarked upon by his patron, but which doesn't seem quite right given the deep conflicting emotions shown in his sonnets.

The method of incorporating the sonnets is also a bit awkward - even jarring. Often times they are introduced with a quick statement that Shakespeare has spent the night 'at his board'. Then the first two quartets (or so) are quoted, then the poem is taken over by one of his patrons reading aloud. This is very effective as a scene transition on film, but on the page it seemed strange and affected - particularly since it happened over and over again.

Writing about Shakespeare is difficult. Writing from Shakespeare's point of view is even more so. There are sections where I thought Collins succeeded admirably. On p. 72, a snippet of conversation:

"Thou art a flatterer."

"No better and no worse."

sounds just like the sort of rejoinder the playwright would come up with - it even scans. And further on that page there are sentences that flow in (almost) iambic pentameter:

"Inside the sullen gloom, his rooms were a scholar's den, with manuscripts piled high on chests and chairs."

Sections like this just sound RIGHT. They sound like something that could come from Shakespeare's quick mind. But all too often, I found myself as detached as Shakespeare was depicted. Partially this was due to differences in interpretation - Collins depicts Shakespeare's love for Southampton as ironic and chaste. I'm not sure I agree with either assessment. But mostly I think it was because Collins' reimagining in The Sonnets didn't offer enough emotional context to bring the poems to life in a new and different way.

Interested in other opinions?

Many a Quaint and Curious Volume

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The Indextrious Reader

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Sally's Book Blog

BreakNeck - Erica Spindler

2009-05-29T08:00:00.002-04:00

*** 1/2 - I loved the original spin on the thriller. I've never seen one that dealt with identity theft and kids engaged in criminal hacking of the more mundane variety. What kept it from being stellar for me was the annoyance I felt for some of the characters.

I received a free review copy of Break Neck through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.

Erica Spindler's Break Neck is the second story involving police officers and partners M.C. Riggio and Kitt Lundgren. Apparently in the first novel (Copy Cat), Kitt got too emotionally involved in the case, and it was up to M.C. to keep her out of trouble. In this one, the roles are reversed. A series of murders involving young adults uncovers a ring of computer geeks involved in identity theft and criminal hacking - and a professional killer known as Break Neck who is out to silence them all. As the trail leads closer and closer to M.C.'s own family, she becomes ever more personally involved in the case. Soon the question isn't so much whether M.C. will be able to track down the killer, but rather which of her relationships will be destroyed in the process.

There's a lot to like in this thriller - there's a great deal of tension; the suspense is really ratcheted up, but without the gore factor that so many police thrillers use to keep the audience spell-bound. That was definitely a point in its favor. I also really enjoyed the fact that it used identity theft and computer crime as its basis rather than the typical serial killer plot. Added to that was a real sense of inter-relationships and characters with histories and baggage. These women don't exist in a vacuum, and they don't just live for the job. Their careers affect their lovers, their families, their partnership in ways that are complex and difficult.

What diminished my enjoyment of the book was that I was just irritated with a few of the characters throughout the book. M.C.'s utter disregard for police procedure and evidence rules drove me batty. The rules are there for a reason - to actually let you put the guy away! You ignore the rules, you increase the chances that these guys stay on the streets. Plus her unilateral actions really jeopardized both her and her partner's career - considering that she was on the other side of this in just the last book, I would have expected her to be a little more sensible.

Most annoying, though, were the 'kids'. Though they were young adults, they didn't seem to be able to grasp anything beyond their own selfish wants - not even the fact that they were being stalked by a killer. Seriously, even when they were told there was a killer on the loose - and looking for them - they couldn't be bothered to stop being obstructionist, wasting time and going clubbing? It was extremely irritating, and made more so because it seemed like such a caricature of 'young people'. And being young myself, I was a bit insulted.

Despite my issues with some of the characters, I thought Spindler's pairing of Riggio and Lundgren was strong - they are different women with different drives and issues, and I really enjoyed the depth of the relationships shown in this story. I'm also seriously considering picking up Copy Cat, the first in this series although this one wasn't my cup of tea.

Recommended? If you're looking for a different sort of novel than the typical murder police-procedural, or if you like a crime novel with a little more depth to the relationships. But not if you're easily annoyed by characters.