All Consuming : terascarlet

Yes, I'm critical, but I really enjoyed it anyway (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (terascarlet) — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 14:41:14 GMT

by Sara Douglass

Interesting. For some reason, something about Sara Douglass’ writing irritates me, but I don’t know what it is exactly. That being said, I really enjoyed this book—it was compelling, and even if it was a little slow at times, I always wanted to know what was going to happen next.

This book has probably the best fantasy premise I have yet to encounter. It weaves myth and history so well that they are essentially the same in this novel. The next book takes place about 2500 years later, but it is set up in a way that makes perfect sense. I can’t wait to read the next one. I thought the notion of the “Troy Game” was a little bit lame at first, but later realized it was something like a stroke of brilliance. I know this review may come off as a little critical, but like I said, there’s just something about her writing that I’m not thrilled with. This book is very good, though, and something that anyone interested in myth should check out.

Simply Fantastic (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (terascarlet) — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 02:24:08 GMT

Gut Symmetries

by Jeanette Winterson

This is everything that Winterson is great at—it examines the nature of love, reality, time, death, family, gender, sexuality, insanity v. sanity, and in this case, physics. At times it’s a harder read than her other works because of the physics focus… as an English person, most of that went quite over my head. It’s beautiful, resonating, and poetic. It is of the calibre of The Passion and Sexing The Cherry.

Book? Yes! Screen? hmm....

nobody@allconsuming.net (terascarlet) — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 14:34:20 GMT

Stardust

by Neil Gaiman

I wanted to give this four and a half stars, but this is the best I can do ; )

I thought this book was very good. I loved its tone, its style. I liked how the language somehow supported the world. I liked how it was over the top in some ways, but didn’t seem that way when you read it.

Considering those are some of my favourite things about it, I don’t really know how this is going to become a movie in August. I am skeptical.

Great book though!

Why I recommend "Flaubert's Parrot"

nobody@allconsuming.net (terascarlet) — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 07:37:57 GMT

Flaubert's Parrot

by Julian Barnes

This was a neat book. It takes a little while to get into it, because even though it is well written, there isn’t really a storyline, per se. You’ll learn a lot, think a lot, and enjoy it a lot (probably).

A story about "Danse Macabre (Anita Blake Vampire Hunter)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (terascarlet) — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 17:26:13 GMT

Danse Macabre (Anita Blake Vampire Hunter)

by Laurell K. Hamilton

When she started writing this series, back in the days when she really had no intention of writing books with sex scenes in them, I don’t think Laurell K Hamilton knew just how apt the first book’s title would be. The Anita Blake vampire hunter novels truly are a Guilty Pleasure.

There is something about these books that allows you to become totally engrossed in the world, in the voice, only moments after picking it up again. Long time fans know Anita, and never have to stretch to find character and become one with her. It is captivating. It is totally escapist. It’s also hot and steamy…

Lots of people are hard on LKH and this series; people critique Anita and the plot device of the Arduer. Nevertheless it is an entertaining read that assures an escape from this mundane world. I love Anita. Even more than Anita, I love Jean-Claude, but that’s hardly the point of this review ;)

Why I recommend "Tigana"

nobody@allconsuming.net (terascarlet) — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 18:07:45 GMT

Tigana

by Guy Gavriel Kay

This book is based on one of the most interesting premises I have encountered in a fantasy novel. Take a society ~~- an affluent, flourishing, artsy society -~~ then have that society’s name forgotten by the rest of the people in the world… take away their culture, their civilization. What happens? Tigana is the story of a culture fighting to become known again.

It also has some of the best drawn characters I have ever read. They are flawed, conflicted, motivated, and passionate.

There are a few dull parts ~~- the same book could probably have been written 200 pages shorter -~~ but it is a good book nonetheless.

A story about "The Birth of Venus: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (terascarlet) — Sun, 27 Aug 2006 22:00:47 GMT

The Birth of Venus: A Novel

by Sarah Dunant

My mom said it was very “strange” and told me to read it. I’m thinking she’s a little off her rocker and needs to redefine strange—I thought this was a great read, with fun and relevant plot twists, and strong characters. I thought the POV was a little awkward, being told in a reflective first person present tense, which I thought made it hard to submerge (the present tense that is, I love 1st person!).

Mind boggling (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (terascarlet) — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 15:54:19 GMT

The Crying of Lot 49

by Thomas Pynchon

The best conspiracy book I have ever read. I can’t really explain what makes it great, because anything I say would either give it away or not make any sense. But trust me—it blows you away. I’m still kind of realing.

Strange things done to novel form (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (terascarlet) — Sun, 02 Jul 2006 22:11:15 GMT

House Made of Dawn

by N. Scott Momaday

This book includes sections written in first, second, and third person, in the past and present tenses. It is about a culture that I know very little about, and Momaday makes no issue of that: one is immersed. It’s confusing, it’s “deep” and yet… it is beautiful. The land has a resonating voice, and the imagery in descriptions is beautiful. Give it a try, but I don’t guarantee you’ll like it.