All Consuming : thebirdwoman

A review of "Myrren's Gift: The Quickening Book One (The Quickening)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (thebirdwoman) — Sat, 04 Mar 2006 15:01:56 GMT

Myrren's Gift: The Quickening Book One (The Quickening)

by Fiona McIntosh

I bought this after being badly disappointed by the majority of the fantasy genre. I was on a quest for some well-written, original fantasy and was heartened to read in the author’s note at the beginning that McIntosh is a friend of Robin Hobb and that Hobb (whose work I adore) has encouraged her writing.

After a couple of chapters I was about ready to give up – the editing is very sloppy, with blatant typos and poor sentence structure. The quality of the writing, characterisation and world building is mediocre, to say the least, and there were several highly predictable plot points.

The book was redeemed somewhat by a couple of interesting twists that I didn’t see coming (the exact nature of Myrren’s “gift” being one of them), and McIntosh’s brutal and sometimes unexpected treatment of her characters is occasionally reminiscent of George R R Martin. However, on balance I’m not sure I’ll bother reading the rest of the series unless I can find it in the library.

A story about "This Thing of Darkness"

nobody@allconsuming.net (thebirdwoman) — Sat, 25 Feb 2006 22:07:41 GMT

This Thing of Darkness

by Harry Thompson

Very interesting but a little too long, and rather depressing!

The Business (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (thebirdwoman) — Mon, 23 Jan 2006 16:36:22 GMT

The Business: A Novel

by Iain Banks

I really enjoyed the Business, on the whole – I liked the characters, the background on the Business itself and the kingdom of Thulahn. I just didn’t get the ending! I think I must have missed something.

The world according to Clarkson (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (thebirdwoman) — Sat, 14 Jan 2006 17:40:37 GMT

The World According to Clarkson

by Jeremy Clarkson

As everyone’s favourite arrogant Tory git and undisputed master of hyperbole, I expected a book by Jeremy Clarkson to be hilarious. I didn’t actually realise it was a collection of his newspaper columns from 2001, which made it seem strangely dated for a book that the big booksellers are pushing like mad at the moment. Still, it was funny (if not quite as hysterical as I expected) and whiled away dull commuting time on the train.

Shopped

nobody@allconsuming.net (thebirdwoman) — Sun, 08 Jan 2006 20:54:59 GMT

Shopped

by Joanna Blythman

While the general idea behind this book – that supermarkets are evil and bad for nearly everyone – isn’t new to me, I was still shocked by some of the stories and statistics that Blythman presents. She does repeat herself a bit, but she makes some good points. It’s strengthened my resolution to wean myself off my dependence on Tesco…

A review of "The Algebraist"

nobody@allconsuming.net (thebirdwoman) — Sun, 01 Jan 2006 12:44:59 GMT

The Algebraist

by Iain M. Banks

It took me a little while to get into this book, but once I did I thoroughly enjoyed it. As usual, Banks merges staples of sci-fi with fantastic, off-the-wall concepts. I found this more comedic than those of his other books that I’ve read, albeit often rather black comedy. And the Dwellers are probably my favourite aliens ever.

A story about "Dragonbone Chair Sorrow 1 (Memory, Sorrow, & Thorn (Paperback))"

nobody@allconsuming.net (thebirdwoman) — Thu, 26 May 2005 17:22:50 GMT

Dragonbone Chair Sorrow 1 (Memory, Sorrow, & Thorn (Paperback))

by Tad Williams

This is fairly stock fantasy, with few real suprises for the reader. It’s generally fairly well written, and the characters are likeable, although the author uses a lot of somewhat cliched fantasy plot hooks. Still, it was an enjoyable read with enough original elements to get me to read the next one.

A story about "Stone of Farewell (Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, Book 2)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (thebirdwoman) — Thu, 26 May 2005 17:22:49 GMT

Stone of Farewell (Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, Book 2)

by Tad Williams

As with The Dragonbone Chair, this was fairly bog standard fantasy. It’s okay if you want something easy and brainless to read, but it doesn’t hold any great surprises. I’m taking a break before I read the rest of the series.

A story about "Boudica"

nobody@allconsuming.net (thebirdwoman) — Thu, 26 May 2005 17:22:49 GMT

Boudica

by Manda Scott

I really enjoyed this book. I couldn’t put it down. It’s exciting, well-written, with good characters. The author’s tactic of alternating between the two main characters keeps you hooked. I’ve heard it criticised for not being historically accurate – all I can say to that is that I don’t know, and it was so enjoyable that I didn’t really care!

A story about "The Da Vinci code: A novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (thebirdwoman) — Thu, 26 May 2005 17:22:48 GMT

The Da Vinci code: A novel

by Dan Brown

I love this book! The writing style is horrible, the dialogue is appalling, the characterisation is weak and cliched and the stereotypically “English”character who constantly uses American English has to be seen to be believed. But the plot is a thoroughly enjoyable mish-mash of conspiracy theory, Pagan symbolism and cheesy thriller. I can’t put it down.

A story about "Tigana"

nobody@allconsuming.net (thebirdwoman) — Thu, 26 May 2005 17:22:48 GMT

Tigana

by Guy Gavriel Kay

Again, this is an interesting, intelligent fantasy novel from Guy Gavriel Kay. I am beginning to notice some repeated themes to his books, some of which are a little unsettling – what is it with having people’s eyes put out?? But, on the whole, enjoyable.

A story about "Middlesex: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (thebirdwoman) — Thu, 26 May 2005 17:22:48 GMT

Middlesex: A Novel

by Jeffrey Eugenides

I loved this book. The lyrical writing style reminded me somewhat of Salman Rushdie. It’s beautifully written, populated with fascinating characters, with unusual and intriguing subject matter. It addresses many themes (immigration, growing up and unusual chromosomal disorders, to name but a few). When I got to the end I wished there was more of it to read!

A story about "Cunt: A Declaration of Independence Expanded and Updated Second Edition"

nobody@allconsuming.net (thebirdwoman) — Thu, 26 May 2005 17:22:47 GMT

Cunt: A Declaration of Independence Expanded and Updated Second Edition

by Inga Muscio

Every woman should read this book. There are bits of it that I don’t agree with, but Inga Muscio’s whole attitute and writing style are a revelation in and of themselves. I want to get the second edition and hand my much-loved copy of the first edition on to someone else.

A story about "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time"

nobody@allconsuming.net (thebirdwoman) — Thu, 26 May 2005 17:22:45 GMT

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

by Mark Haddon

This was quite an intriguing book, with an interesting point of view. It’s pretty short and easy going (being a children’s book). I did think that not much happened in it, and it maybe didn’t really justify the hype, but I don’t think the plot was really the point of it.

A story about "Brass"

nobody@allconsuming.net (thebirdwoman) — Thu, 26 May 2005 17:22:45 GMT

Brass

by Helen Walsh

Reading Brass was a bit like watching a car crash in slow motion. Horrific, ugly, but you just can’t look away. I’m still undecided as to whether I actually liked the book. My main problem with it was that the main character, Millie, was a completely unsympathetic collection of stereotypes.

A story about "Beowulf"

nobody@allconsuming.net (thebirdwoman) — Thu, 26 May 2005 17:22:44 GMT

Beowulf

I expected this to be impenetrable, and actually found it very enjoyable. The translation is very good: readable, with lovely use of English, and it conveys a real sense of atmosphere.

A story about "Groundswell : The Second Diva Book of Short Stories"

nobody@allconsuming.net (thebirdwoman) — Thu, 26 May 2005 17:22:44 GMT

Groundswell : The Second Diva Book of Short Stories

A really nice collection of diverse, well-written stories.

A story about "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency"

nobody@allconsuming.net (thebirdwoman) — Thu, 26 May 2005 17:22:44 GMT

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

by Alexander McCall Smith

I enjoyed this. It was easy to read and good fun. Not sure I’ll bother with the rest of the series, but as a one-off it was entertaining.

A story about "Peculiar Passions : or The Treasure of Mermaid Island (Red Hot Diva)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (thebirdwoman) — Thu, 26 May 2005 17:22:43 GMT

Peculiar Passions : or The Treasure of Mermaid Island (Red Hot Diva)

by Ruby Vise

A friend lent me this book, and I expected it to be good, trashy fun. My God, it’s bad. Not even (quite) in a so-bad-it’s-good kind of way. I’ve read (much) better erotica on the Internet. It sounds promising – pirates, comedy Shakespearean cross-dressing and lots of sex – but it’s just so badly written it’s laughable. Not a turn-on in the slightest.

A story about "Artemis Fowl"

nobody@allconsuming.net (thebirdwoman) — Thu, 26 May 2005 17:22:43 GMT

Artemis Fowl

by Eoin Colfer

I read this in a few hours, and, while it was enjoyable, I wasn’t impressed by the writing style. On the other hand, some of the ideas are just great. Enjoyable.

A story about "The Bluffer's Guide to Teaching: Bluff Your Way in Teaching"

nobody@allconsuming.net (thebirdwoman) — Thu, 26 May 2005 17:22:42 GMT

The Bluffer's Guide to Teaching: Bluff Your Way in Teaching

by Nick Yapp

Julie lent this to me. Amusing, if a little scary.