Book #16 - 'Harrison Squared,' by Daryl Gregory

Started - 27/03/16

Finished - 29/03/16

I have a thing for books featuring sea monsters. It's almost a sure fire way to get me to buy. So when I saw the tentacle on the cover of this book, then read the blurb, I was hooked (no pun intended)

It's an assured, strongly written novel. The prose just slips alone, though I would say after you're pulled in by the first few pages that lessens slightly. The problem with that is any awkward sentences or repetition then pulls you from the story. It only happen once of twice.

Overall it's a good little book. I thought it might be too short but the pacing and delivery is spot on, the characters likable (goodies and baddies), the plot interesting and imaginative. The oddball nature of some of the town's residence could have been heightened, I would have liked to have seen a bit more casual whimsy. Harrison's acceptance of strange things is believable because of what he's after so Gregory could have really ramped that up. But maybe that would have made things too much because as it is he strikes a good balance.

I'm really hoping there will be more. The book is set up as - if not the start of a series - than the start of a few continuations.

Book #15 - 'Trollhunters' by Guillermo del Toro & Daniel Kraus

Started - 18/03/16
Finished - 27/03/16

I'm a big fan of almost everything Guillermo Del Toro does (and I felt a little bad about not warming

to The Strain), then I heard Trollhunters was illustrated and that was all I needed. This is my first time reading Daniel Kraus, but I will look up more of his work now.

It's YA fiction even if the sheer about of gore and some of the themes are darker than I get from most young adult fiction with this kind of marketing.

To be clear everything from the cover work to the type screams it's the young side of young adult, but some of the descriptions and some of the events are decidedly on the adult side of young adult. It's a great balance. One of the reasons I've not read YA fiction in a while (beyond the need people seem to have of shoe horning love triangles into them) is the softening of aspects that could give the stories a much better edge and impact. There is too much rounding of corners, treating kids like they shouldn't read this stuff. This was a really refreshing change.
As Del Toro was involved you know you're in for buckets of imagination that's beyond the pale. There are characters that are stereotypes, some plot points that are too happenstance to be believed but really these things are tiny by comparison.

It's a good rollicking romp of a story that doesn't gloss over the mental impacts of these situations. If I don't see a film version in the next few years I'll be very surprised.

Arty Interval: something old

No too old. These are the acrylics I started about a year ago to teach myself how to paint. They worked out a lot better than I expected.

 

 

Arty Interval: someting new

Here's a few pieces I did with copic markers, promarkers, a few hints of 4b pencil and watercolour backgrounds. I do love the first more than the others. I'm working on a more intricate one right now between job interviews, reading and finishing submissions for anthologies. Excellent. Forward!

Book #14 - 'After Alice' by Gregory Maguire

Started - 18/03/16

Finished - 18/03/16

I have always liked the idea of Alice in Wonderful. The madness, the invention, the inherent threat of a place that doesn't hugely consider consequences or compromise; there are characters in there like the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts that I love. However I have always hated Alice. She is a brat. Together it's always seemed a waste for all that imagination and potential to be yoked to such an unlikable character. It means I've been waiting for someone to take up the story and give these character the attention they deserve. American McGee did a twisted dark job of it in their computer games (which I love!) if someone could have done that in a illustrated book I'd happily sleep with it under my pillow next to a vorpal blade to deter thieves.

Now for Gregory Maguire. In high school I was severely dyslexic. I could barely read, my spelling was so bad my writing was a hieroglyph. I worked extremely hard to enjoy books because I knew there were good things between those covers. I came to Wicked somewhere between growing confidence and fluid with my reading and still struggling a little. It's a hard read, but I stuck with it and felt accomplishment when I finished it (not enough magic for my tastes, no idea how they turned it into a musical!) and went on to read Son Of A Witch.

So I knew what I was getting myself into when I picked up After Alice. Gregory Maguire writes densely. He clearly has a love of language and is far from afraid to use it. After Alice is perhaps more lyrical then his other books. Like a dream, akin to the book this is based on, but with a slightly dark note, a hint of adult themes and threat and philosophy. A Midsummers Night Dream is referenced and it's that that feels the biggest influence. There is a chance the narrative could become lost within the verbal gymnastics but he comes across playful and it lets you role along with it rather than acting as an obstacle. This is played up by the narrator, a voice that takes this story as a time capsule out of it's setting giving it a timeless parable air..... yet still very light and playful.

I will say I lost my way a few times, there were lines of story that didn't hold my attention, but overall I enjoyed this book for a two reasons. It's lyrical nature made me feel good and I liked Alice's counterpart Ade were as I've never liked Alice.   

Book #13 - 'The Masked City' by Genevieve Cogman

Started -16/03/16

Finished - 18/03/16

As this it the second in the series from Genevieve Cogman please see my last mini review HERE as much of it still stands in terms of writing and imagination.

I will say my earlier fears that the book would be contained to the same singular world were unfounded and greatly so. I love the different realms. It's something I've only seen done well once before by Ian McDonald in his Everness YA series (the third book of which I'll be getter around to soon).

Once again Cogman has surprised me with her invention, and not limited herself too much to just repeating 'past enemies in new situations' which I applaud. From the first book it was hard to imagine what the greater Fae would be like, given their nature as impossibilities, I did worry they'd be palmed off as formless abstracts but she has woven them into stories themselves giving them a wonderful dark fairy tale quality and introduced them in a relatively small part while over villains take the fore were there other writers may have jumped right in and rushed things. There are still also hints of deeper mysteries to keep you guessing. The greatest joy in both this book and it predecessor is the love of story and her openly playful writing.

The only really problem I have is Vale. As a character I can't stand him. I understand the arrogant Sherlock like detective, the archetype she is going for, but I can't find anything likable about him to off set the attitude. So I was overall pleased he didn't feature as much as I feared. Other than that there are moments where description becomes muddied and a little confused breaking narrative flow. Tiny things really and I can't wait to read the next.

Book #12 'The Dragons of Heaven' by Alyc Helms

Started  - 14/03/14

Finished - 16/03/14

I have on occasional been called a sinophile. I actually prefer Japan but I do have a love for China. That's what really pulled me to this book. The trilby cover is OK but a little off putting, the title a touch canned, but please DO NOT let that deter you.

I know what I expected from this book with talk of superheros and magic and China in the blurb, but it is so reductive to what I got. All that is in there and so much more that in essence this blurb is similar to calling the universe a 'bit large'. There is a breath and richness to this story that continues to keep you guessing. It's not straight forward -  those perhaps the over all plot arc is  - there are layers that could have worked against each other, they could have turned into several different stories crammed into the same book, but they don't. In part it's due to Helms continued wit and grounded protagonist, but mostly it's the assured use of her knowledge, imagination and the finesse with which she writes.

My biggest fear whenever approaching a book that deals with the intricacies of Chinese culture is that it will be over done. In a rush to make everything right and authentic they try too hard. The Dragons of Heaven could stand as a bench mark in how to do it right. There is only enough information that you're not confused, enough description to paint your imagination. It's really wonderfully done while still being cotemporary and fun.

Cons:  At first I was worried it felt too slick across the first few chapters but it's a stiltedness that fades as the book grows in confidence. In fact I'd say with the sheer amount going on it's amazing that slickness extended to the end. Other than that perhaps the protagonist's reasoning for adopting the cover story isn't explained with any satisfaction, and there are so many names at some points in the story I had to flick back to make sure I was following who was who.

They are tiny problems with what is a great debut novel that's made me hunger for more not just of the characters but the world(s) Helms has created.

Book #11 'The Invisible Library' by Genevieve Cogman

Started - 13/03/16

Finished - 14/13/16

A good pulp story. I thought I was going to be indifferent to this one. The first few pages are good for creativity, but there was something a little off about them, the setting feeling a little forced but after a chapter or two I was hooked.

It has its problems. The writing style and the plot delivery is very chaotic, even at times feeling rushed, it could stand to be more slick, perhaps even a bit longer to allow space to breathe. However it is a pulp story with a lot thrown in and maybe a story with more room to move wouldn't have worked at all.

The best parts are the imagination involved and its main character who is wonderfully likable. With a book that features so much, and hints at so much, it's Irene's point blank acceptance that allows us to go along with the ride. I read a lot of books similar to this one; the almost steam-punk technology, the introduction of fae, mythological creatures, yet this one has a good solid and rich back history that's clearly had a lot of thought put into it for it to be delivered with such ease.

I really enjoyed it as the speed I read it probably suggests (actually less than 12 hours). My last, final problem, would be the suggestion the next book in the series is probably going to be set in the same world. I have a great hope for the series in general and can't wait to read its sequel.

Book #10 - 'Down Station' by Simon Morden

Started - 26/02/16

Finished - 13/03/16

Life hasn't been good. I left a job I enjoyed but which had horrible traveling implication for what I thought was a better job closer to home that fell through before the store even opened. In short I've been preoccupied. So while I'm again unemployed and job hunting it took me a lot longer than I expected to finish this book.

I had high hopes for Down Station. It's one of those I've been tracking on the internet for months after seeing a picture of the cover. The blurb just convinced me further. Unfortunately the blurb is misleading so I'd ignore that if I was you and just take the book as it is.

There is plenty to like. Inventive imagination, a lot of scope for more, interesting characters. I will say Morden's writing in this case is quick and clean. Its biggest failing however is how flat it feels. There are hints for something so much greater and the whole book just feels very encapsulated and lacking depth of story. It is going to be the first in a series and I hope it's just the curse of setting up a world without wanting to overwhelm because the ideas are sound and wonderful. I will read the next and hope for something richer. Benefit of the doubt.