This book is a difficult one to review. The plot was interesting, and for most parts kept me turning the page, but sometimes the modern day forced itself into the narrative and the dialogue which was a shame as this could have been a fabulous book. This is a good debut by author, Rachel Florence Roberts, but I think the modern day imposed itself on the story just a little too much. Roberts can certainly write; there are cracking sections of prose in this book, but unfortunately the writing isn't consistent. Maybe a writer to look for in the future as she becomes more confident with her writing.
3 out of 5 Stars
This book is a difficult one to review. The plot was interesting, and for most parts kept me turning the page, but sometimes the modern day forced itself into the narrative and the dialogue which was a shame as this could have been a fabulous book. This is a good debut by author, Rachel Florence Roberts, but I think the modern day imposed itself on the story just a little too much. Roberts can certainly write; there are cracking sections of prose in this book, but unfortunately the writing isn't consistent. Maybe a writer to look for in the future as she becomes more confident with her writing.
0 Comments
Four out of Five Stars
Prisoner of State is a deeply absorbing novel set in an alternative 1920s Britain. It’s a complex tale of intrigue and drama, focusing on Felix Skryker, a war-hero and Minster of State security in Deva, and his ward, Xanthe Chance, a Prisoner of State and heir to the Chance family fortune. At times, Prisoner of State is a harrowing read as Ruth describes Xanthe’s past torture and suffering at the hands of her unscrupulous tormenters in the North and the effects of that past on Xanthe’s present. This is important theme that runs right through the book; how actions of the past can haunt the present and future. Ruth has a gift for beautiful prose, full of rich detail, which draws the reader into the story. Prisoner of State reminds me of Pullman’s His Dark Materials Trilogy, but, instead of Daemons, characters carry around automaton animals with their own personalities. This lends a Steampunk air to the story, along with the intricate descriptions of towers and flying machines. There is a depth to the work, the presence of a history and sense of place behind the story, which Ruth delicately weaves into the novel, so as not to over-burden the reader. Ruth has a skill for mixing the ordinary with extra-ordinary to make a completely believable story, which is often hard to put down. Sometimes Prisoner of State reads like a Sherlock Holmes’ novel, other times a mystery or romance, or, maybe even gothic, and this is part of its magic. A thoroughly enjoyable read. 2 out of 5 stars I found A God in Ruins to be a slow burner, but with just enough substance to keep me reading. I was rewarded. After about half way I began to love it, maybe not as much as Life After Life (to which A God in Ruins is a companion piece), but enough to devour most of the second half in one sitting. A God in Ruins focuses on the life of Teddy Todd as he navigates the horrors of the Second World War and then, the future he thought he would never have, "the afterward, Teddy thought. The great lie" (p.256). And this is where my problem with A God in Ruins lies. Spoiler ahead! It turns out that a great majority of this book is a "great lie", that it doesn't exist, or maybe only exists in Teddy's head, or in some alternate dimension where Teddy lives instead of dying, trapped in his war plane. After finishing the book, and investing time and emotion in the great writing (and there is no denying Kate Atkinson can write) and characters (even though some are completely vile) I find that I've been lied to. I know fiction isn't real, but this book made me feel cheated. It was as bad as reading that it was all a dream! In the Author's Notes Kate Atkinson writes that "there is a great conceit hidden at the heart of the book", "which is revealed only at the end" and this is Teddy's fall from Grace in our minds as we realize we've been led up the garden path, and that a lot of what happened didn't really happen. However, for me, it detracted from the important points, that war is savage and "Man's greatest fall from grace." Personally, I think the impact of the novel would have been greater without this twist. 3 1/2 out of 5 stars David Mitchell’s Bone Clocks has been a difficult book to review and I think this is partly to do with the fact that it’s actually a series of six interconnected novellas that vary a great deal in terms of tone and genre. The first novella, 1984, is, in my opinion, the strongest. It focuses on Holly Sykes, a very likeable character, who decides to leave home after an argument with her mother. I think if David Mitchell had stayed with Holly Sykes’ story I would have loved this book. That’s not to say I didn’t fall in love with some of his other characters – Ed Brubeck, and Crispin Hershey (despite their flaws) were favourites of mine – but I would have preferred more on each of them. I found myself completely lost in The Horologist’s Labyrinth, but not in a good way. The science fiction and concepts in that novella went completely over my head, although this is probably more to do with my lack of knowledge in this area rather than anything lacking in Mitchell’s writing. I felt overwhelmed by all the different words and ideas in this section, but continued reading anyway because of Mitchell’s talent. I felt that the last novella, Sheep’s Head, was a little too preachy about the environment and man’s destructive side, although I did enjoy the fact that it was told from Holly Sykes’ perspective as she was my favourite character. I didn’t like seeing her grow old though; I would have preferred the book to end on The Horologist’s Labyrinth, whilst Holly was still in her prime rather than having her face the Apocalypse scenario as well. Not that I don’t like reading about older characters, but it was just a step to far for me in this particular novel. Too much had happened to Holly and I just wanted Mitchell to give her a break! I did like this book (I must have because I read it quite quickly for me) but it was too much of a genre-bending novel for my taste. Therefore I would probably give it 3 ½ stars. Five out of Five Stars!
After watching the film recently with my kids I was inspired to re-read this classic. It didn't disappoint on the second reading either. In some ways, knowing how the story ends, and how the lives of the characters develop through the series, made it even more poignant. Probably the only time I am truly envious of someone else's talent. Rowling is a master of plot and a magic weaver of worlds. One of my all time favourites! 3 out of 5 stars This is going to be a difficult review to write for so many reasons. I wanted to love this book. I DID love this book, until Peter Lake died. Then it all went wrong, for me anyway. I loved his character. I loved his relationship with Beverley Penn. If the story had expanded on this relationship, instead of everything else that followed, I would have continued to love the book, of that I'm sure. I was really disappointed that Beverley's death was skimmed over, with no real in depth discussion of its effect on Peter. Some of Helprin's descriptions are truly magical, especially when he's describing winter or New York. Sometimes his words truly took my breath away and I had to read them again and again. Other times, I had to re-read passages again and again because I simply couldn't understand what Helprin was saying. Maybe that is my fault, but it is also Helprin's because some of his descriptions just don't make sense. A Winter's Tale is a love story, but of a love for New York and winter more than a love story between people. “The shelf was filled with books that were hard to read, that could devastate and remake one's soul, and that, when they were finished, had a kick like a mule.” ― Mark Helprin, Winter's Tale If only a Winter's Tale had been a book like this! This book was hard going, but I felt like I had to keep at it, that something might happen in it that would make it all worth while. It didn't. I didn't like Shade's name and I don't like the cover. The book was a slow starter, the dialogue jarred and the description was clunky. It seemed to me like a mash-up of Holly Black's Modern Faerie series and Tolkien's Fellowship of the Ring. It's a shame because I wanted to like this book. I think this was four or five drafts away from a good book. 2 Stars. To be honest, I was given this book to read as research for my own romance novel Everlong and I didn't know what to expect, especially as I hadn't read the first three books in this series. I have to say, in some ways I was quite impressed as I picked up the story and the characters really easily despite not reading the first three (although I wouldn't recommend this approach!), which shows how good a writer Chandler is. I love the cover, very contemporary and fresh compared to a lot of the generic covers out there. This is a good quick read, perfect for a rainy day or to take on a summer's holiday. |
Nikki MorganA Young Adult Fantasy Author. Archives
March 2016
Categories |