Category: Fiction Page 315 of 341

Review: Hawkeye, Vol. 2: Little Hits by Matt Fraction and David Aja

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On October 23, 2013

In Comics, Fiction

Hawkeye, Vol. 2: Little HitsHawkeye, Vol. 2: Little Hits

by Matt Fraction
Paperback, 136 pg.
Marvel Comics, 2013

Like it’s predecessor, I enjoyed the second collection of Hawkeye comics from Fraction, et al, although I’m not as over-the-moon about this series as everyone else seems to be. It’s fun, but not frivolous — some good, dark story telling, but with a light touch.

On the whole, I thought this was a stronger collection, with better stories — although part of that might just be me growing more comfortable with this particular style.

The only negative I have to say about this is that I’m not crazy about having to wait until 2014 for Vol. 3.

Oh, incidentally, I just have to say: The issue from Pizza Dog’s point of view was utterly fantastic.

—–

3 Stars

Indexing, Episode 12: Bad Apple by Seanan McGuire

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On October 23, 2013

In Fantasy, Fiction, Indexing, Seanan McGuire, Urban Fantasy

Now that this serial is over, my plan is to write up my thoughts on this last episode and then in a day or two, write something on the series as a whole. Should prove easier to do, anyway.

—

IndexingIndexing by Seanan McGuire
Series: Indexing, #1.12

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Episode 12: Bad Apple
Spoiler-y, but not terribly so, words to follow. Use caution.

It almost had to end this way, didn’t it? The focus throughout has been on Henry and Sloane — sure, the rest of the team were used well, but McGuire’s kept our attention on these two. So when most of the Bureau is taken out of commission, obviously they’d be the two least affected. The conclusion isn’t the knock-down, drag-out, epic fighting many might have guessed. Instead, Henry and Sloane simply outsmart their nemesis, using the narrative as only those who spend every waking moment dealing with it could (not that this is violence-free, Sloane does get to strut her stuff a bit).

We also get a little more information on the Snow White fairly tale, and what it can do to a person. Pretty fascinating, although I’m not sure how much was necessary for us. I’ll probably talk more about this in the next post.

A lot of fun — a climax that seemed a bit rushed (I have to keep reminding myself that McGuire has limited space to work with here), but that’s really my only beef.

I’ve gotten used to dipping my toe into this world every couple of weeks, and I’ll miss the world. Glad I got these 12 episodes, though.

Review: China Trade

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On October 22, 2013

In Authors, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

China Trade
China Trade

by S.J. Rozan
Series: Lydia Chin & Bill Smith, #1

Mass Market Paperback, 275 pg.
St. Martin’s Paperbacks, 1995 by

For everyone who’s wondered what Kinsey Milhone would be like if she were a young American Born Chinese woman living with her non-English speaking mother while resisting her family’s efforts to get her to stop being a P.I., this is the book for you (and sure, who among us hasn’t played with that thought experiment?).

I don’t necessarily thing that’s what Rozan was trying for — and Lydia Chin’s not so Milhone-eque that she’s not her own character, but that’s the thought that kept running through my mind. And I do mean that as a compliment.

This was a great first book for a series — a fascinating world, some really good characters that I could see myself enjoying spending time with, and room for the characters to grow and explore this world — and that’s really the thing I want in a first book in series. Rozan adds a pretty interesting case, with just enough twists, turns, and danger to keep the reader glued to the page. She faked me out once (but in an honest way), but on the whole it was easy to stay with the pair as they untangled this web, though Lydia’s final deduction surprised me (shouldn’t have, but that’s my fault).

An entertaining start to a series I look forward to reading more of.

—–

3.5 Stars

Dusted Off: The Janus Affair by Pip Ballantine, Tee Morris

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On October 21, 2013

In Fiction, Steampunk

The Janus Affair (Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences #2)The Janus Affair

by Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris
Series: Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences, #2

Mass Market Paperback, 432 pg.
Harper Voyager, 2012

This was just fun. Rollicking steampunk adventure told with just a touch of whimsy (well, maybe more than a touch when it comes to chapter titles).

This time out, our intrepid secret agents investigate the inexplicable disappearances of several leading British suffragists. Pasts come back to haunt, secrets are exposed, romances are kindled, clockwork doohickeys do all sorts of strange and wonderful things–all you can want.

I really enjoyed this first installment of this series, and this first sequel is a lot more fun–I’d be more than happy if these came out more frequently.

—–

4 Stars

Dusted Off: Phoenix Rising by Pip Ballantine, Tee Morris

By

On October 21, 2013

In Fiction, Steampunk

Phoenix Rising (Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences #1)Phoenix Rising

by Pip Ballantine, Tee Morris
Series: Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences, #1

Mass Market Paperback, 402 pg.
Harper Voyage, 2011

I’ve been curious about Steampunk fiction, but wasn’t sure where to start amongst all the choices out there–so I just dove in and grabbed one. If Phoenix Rising is any indicator of what the sub-genre offers, I’ll be coming back to it again and again.

Most of the ingredients of this book–the characters, the secret organizations, the conspiracies on top of conspiracies, the chemistry between the protagonists–would make for a decent read if set in contemporary England. But throw them into an alternate history of Victorian England, with advanced technology and it’s a sure winner.

I can’t think of anything really to say that doesn’t get into spoiler territory, so I’ll cut this short–as a great spy thriller with a twist, Phoenix Rising is a good, pulpy read and great introduction to what will likely be a great series.

—–

4 Stars

Dusted Off: Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

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On October 14, 2013

In Fiction, General Fiction/Literature

Mansfield ParkMansfield Park

by Jane Austen
Original Publication: 1814

This is my third foray into the works of Austen in my resolution to read her collected works this year, and it’s as disappointing as the first two–maybe more.

Once again, we have a collection of mostly empty-headed young women who fawn over largely unworthy men with healthy inheritances/incomes. There are two of these women who are capable to some thought, of being almost well-rounded, and they’re both in love with the same man (who, other than being utterly clueless about this fact for the entire novel is the only single guy worth bothering with). But there’s a twist this time–the protagonist doesn’t come from the same social class as everyone else, she’s been taken in and raised by her wealthier uncle. Hardly a Dickensian orphan, but still, not “worthy” of being in the company with these people.

Everyone else gets married and whatnot, leaving the triangle socially isolated until things finally come to the only just (and entirely predictable) conclusion for all involved, and they all lived happily ever after.

There was nothing real here–no real heart, no soul, just a bunch of cardboard cutouts going through the motions. Once again, I have to ask–how did Austen get the rep she has? I want to fall under her spell, I want to like her stuff, but I just can’t. Not yet anyway. Here’s hoping Emma‘s better.

—–

1 Star

Dusted Off: Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

By

On October 14, 2013

In Fiction, General Fiction/Literature

Sense and SensibilitySense and Sensibility

by Jane Austen
Original Publication: 1811

I honestly don’t know what to say about this, my first exposure to Jane Austen (other than it’s far overdue).

I don’t see the appeal, I don’t see why this one has endured. That’s not to say I hated it. It’s just that I don’t get it. Yes, there were amusing turns of phrases here and there, and I can see where it might be seen as a template for romantic comedies since then. But..meh.

—–

2 Stars

In Medias Res: The House of Hades by Rick Riordan

By

On October 10, 2013

In Authors, Currently Reading, Fantasy, Fiction, In Medias Res, P-U, Rick Riordan, YA/MG/Children's Books

as the title implies, I’m in the middle of this book, so this is not a review, just some thoughts mid-way through

—–

House of Hades
The House of Hades

by Rick Riordan

Okay, we’re in the home stretch of the third mythology-based series from Riordan, and by this time it’s pretty easy to what he’s up to, it’s like clockwork, the way he builds these things.

But just because his books have become formulaic doesn’t mean they’re bad. It’s not the formula, it’s the execution. There’s a reason that NCIS and Law & Order reruns are almost constantly on the air somewhere, they do it right. As does Rick Riordan. Fun, engaging, educational — bah, enough of this, I’m getting back to Percy, Jason, Annabeth, Leo and the rest.

In Medias Res: Islands in the Stream by Ernest Hemingway

By

On October 10, 2013

In Currently Reading, Fiction, General Fiction/Literature, In Medias Res

as the title implies, I’m in the middle of this book, so this is not a review, just some thoughts mid-way through

—–

Islands in the Stream
Islands in the Stream

by Ernest Hemingway

Part 1 of this had some of the most enjoyable passages (for me) in Hemingway’s works, some things I just didn’t see the point of, but overall I really liked this.

Part 2? Now, that I’m only getting through because I’m stubbornly persisting, that’s all.

I hope Part 3 turns this around.

Indexing, Episode 11: Scarlet Flowers by Seanan McGuire

By

On October 9, 2013

In Fantasy, Fiction, Indexing, Seanan McGuire, Urban Fantasy

—-

IndexingIndexing by Seanan McGuire
Series: Indexing, #1.11

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Episode 11: Scarlet Flowers
I’m honestly not sure what to say about this, practically every reaction I had was so spoiler-y I don’t think I can say anything substantive about it.

Everything about this episode was totally different from what I expected. There were a few scenes with a peaceful, homey, family feeling. Seeing these characters enjoying those moments makes you believe they’d go through all they’re going through for each other. There was the bonus of an unexpected appearance of as long-lost family member.

And then the strange events of the last few paragraphs that led to the cliff-hanger? Really whet my appetite for whatever’s next. Again, nothing here was what I thought I’d see in Episode 11. But it totally worked.

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