The Chronicles of Amber
I have recently begun the slightly intimidating Chronicles of Amber. Intimidating because I am not reading each book individually but as part of an omnibus, if you will, with all the books compiled into one large volume. Frankly, I’m having trouble just holding the darn thing. It started out pretty well, got bogged down there with introducing all the characters, and picked up again. Then I came to a screeching halt because the two main rivalries meet way too early for my tastes. I will see about picking this one up again, but it might be a while.
The story was pretty intriguing, albeit slightly predictable. Man wakes up in a hospital where he has been kept nearly prisoner with narcotics after a terrible accident five days prior in which he supposedly broke both of his legs. He comes to only to realize that both legs are working fine and that he can walk without trouble. His only problem is his memory. He doesn’t know who he is. He makes it out of the hospital and tracks down his sister who was arranging the for his stay at the hospital. He knows only that he is ruthless and that he cannot trust his family. He plays a game with Evelyn and Random (his brother and sister) pretending to have his full faculties. Somewhere between meeting Evelyn and meeting Random, we spend 2 and half pages learning each of the other characters’ names and personalities. By the end of it, I was so bored I couldn’t even remember most of the character names. I will be posting more once I’ve picked this one up again.
For more info check out the author’s, Roger Zelazny, page here.
Remember Me?
The first book I’ve read by Sophie Kinsella, Remember Me?, was definitely a fun and enjoyable read. Imagine running after a cab feeling like you’ve got the worst lot in life, slipping and falling, and waking in hospital the next day. Except it’s not the next day it’s 3 years later, and you have the life you’ve always wanted. A dream boat millionaire husband, great hair, perfect teeth, beautiful nails, 2 dress sizes smaller and you’re boss’s boss’s job! You would be in a sort of heaven, right?
**Spolier Alert** Except you don’t remember the past 3 years at all, hate your job because you’ve lost all your friends, your husband is a robot who hates carbs (gasp), you’re little sister is a thief and a con artist, and their about to shut down your department not to mention that you’ve been having an affair.
I had trouble buying that she could have turned herself into this ultra ambitious bitch boss from hell brunette Barbie doll in just 3 years until you discover her motivation. It was a fascinating premise with a likable heroine with a great ending. I personally would have enjoyed an epilogue showing how her new life turns out. It finishes on a rather uncertain note.
I would definitely recommend.
Sookie Stackhouse
I’ve gobbled up another 1.5 Southern Vamp books. However, I feel like I missed a book somewhere in the middle there. I’ll have to read through book 4 and see if I accidentally skipped it. The reason for my confusion has to do with the introduction of Claude the fairy’s brother from the last book I read. I haven’t reviewed that here, so I apologize for skipping ahead (again?). Anyway, Harris writes about this character as if the reader has already been introduced. Hence, my confusion.
Anyway, this last one was Dead as a Doornail, and I enjoyed a whole lot more. I did feel that this was a shorter book with too much going on and not nearly as cohesive as the earlier books. Thankfully, Sookie has not returned to Bill. I feel strongly that he is not the right kind of man for her. Eric could work if weren’t so busy being himself (as Sookie herself puts it in Doornail). I had like Alcide for her, but he’s got way too many issues. Calvin, although there’s nothing wrong with him personally, I would hate to have Sookie stuck down in that inbred were-panther podunk town of Hotspot. I was happy to see that she didn’t have to kill anything in this book. I was impressed with her quick thinking in saving herself from Derick or Daryl (the bad vampire who’s name I can’t remember) that was harassing Tara. I’m not too impressed with Tara at the moment. It seems Sookie is a much better friend emotionally. There was this whole sub-plot with the Werewolves that I didn’t see the point of, frankly. I leave this book with a “it could have been better” feeling.
Ferry Ride & Deception Pass
Took a ferry ride to Friday Harbor yesterday. The ride was wonderful but Friday Harbor was a bit boring. We did get there late though. Everything was pretty much closed, plus a lot of stores only open in Spring.
Deception Pass was awesome. It was freezing but beautiful and invigorating. Went down to Little North Beach and West Beach. Took some nice pictures, but my DH was not all that impressed with them, oh well. Will have to post some pictures soon.
Vancouver, BC
Meet Quatchi! I fell in love with one Vancouver’s Olympics mascots. Unfortunately, it is a way too expensive a toy, and I couldn’t buy it.
Thursday, we strolled through Robson Street, the shopping district of Downtown Vancouver, and walked all the way to Chinatown. We ate at Hon’s Noodle House, yummy! I will post a link to the photos taken on this trip later.
Downtown
Went Downtown Seattle yesterday with my mom and step dad. It was a typical Seattle day, overcast, windy and chilly, but at least the rain held off until we were headed back to the car. We went down to Pike’s Place Market. It was crowded as usual. My husband and I stopped at one of the food stands and picked up some fried chicken. I think he’s still raving about it. I love that spot. I discovered it when my mom visited me for the first time up here. With five bucks, my mom fed my sister, my niece, herself, and me and it was good. Stopped at the Chocolate Shop to just admire the gourmet chocolate and think about the gelato (too cold to have some unfortunately!).
My husband took some wonderful pictures. I’ll have to post them soon.
Worked out some story elements that were frustrating me about Heart Betrayed last night while I was trying to fall asleep. It explains why I haven’t been able to write much on it. It’s true I have some idea where it’s going, but I had no idea how I was going to get there! I still don’t know exactly, but I’m I a lot closer now.
Heart Betrayed
Unfortunately I haven’t been working on anything right now including the re-writes for Rising or anything on Heart Betrayed. Funny thing is, every time I open up the file, I know exactly where I’m going. I just get caught up doing other things. Then, it’s time to do something else. Part of the problem is that my mom is coming to visit for a week and I’m hosting my housewarming this weekend, too. Meaning, I have a ton of house work that has to get done that my DH and I have left for the last minute. We only just finished unpacking our bedroom and we moved in December! Oh, well. I do enjoy having a clutter free bedroom once again. It’s also the reason I haven’t been posting on a regular basis. It should be good times, anyway.
Snow White and Rose Red
I am having a terrible time finding this animated movie of Snow White and Rose Red I saw when I was a child. I have found a couple, one that was part of series of animated Grimm Fairy Tales and another directed by an Erich Kobler. From what I can see neither is the right one. I have this image in my mind of the narrator telling the story of how the two girls got their names. The mother is sewing or holding a rose and pricks her finger. A drop of blood falls on the snow outside, so she decides to name one Snow White and the other Rose Red. I remember a bear and some other creature taking residence in their small cottage for the winter. As spring comes the two animals leave, and the two sisters are very sad. Somewhere in that the bear changes to a prince and Snow White is thrilled, and the other one changes to a prince and Red Rose is thrilled. They get married and live happily ever after. I don’t remember a dwarf at all which is in the Grimm version. I wonder if anyone out there remembers this cartoon and can lead me to the right place or if my memory is just playing tricks on me.
Poison Study
I am truly blown away every time I find a new novel that captivates as quickly as Poison Study has. You feel instantly drawn to Yelena and her story. You root for her and find yourself ruminating with her. She thinks things through to the point where she is thinking in circles (something I can definitely identify with!). I have often come across Magic Study the second novel in the series, and have put it back down. I don’t remember why, perhaps the blurb just didn’t captivate me enough. I found a review online for Poison Study and downloaded the ebook. I am so glad I did.
Alright, I have a hard time reviewing books without spoiling something, so if you plan on reading this any time soon, stop here.
Poison Study had many elements that I enjoyed and fully embraced. However, I still left the book feeling like I’d missed something maybe. Definite plot twists, but I really don’t like the society in which she was living. A military dictatorship governed by the Code of Honor which does not allow for compassion or human nature or even self defense. Any one who kills another person, no matter the reason, is executed. It may have been an accident, it could have been self defense, it could be killing a man who threatened to rape and torture your friends after having done the same to you. It doesn’t matter.
All who exhibit magic ability are killed unless they can escape south out of the country. Magicians are not to be tolerated, and the reason? The Commander is physically a woman, but feels she should have been born a man. She fears discovery from those who can practice magic because some can read minds. An interesting if not paranoid reason, I think. I guess if you’re going to be the head of a military dictatorship, you can be a little paranoid. Anyway, after Yelena goes through all kinds of hell to save the Commander, he (because that is how she is characterized) issues an execution order because she can use magic. He does not hand the order to anyone, yet, but gives her time to escape south with the orphans she rescued and the other magician. It is rather annoying to see the book end this way, but she is going home and some day, there is the hope, she will be reunited with her love, Valek.
For an excerpt click here.
