Saturday Miscellany – 2/4/17

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On February 4, 2017

In Books, News/Misc.

Odds ‘n ends over the week about books and reading that caught my eye. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:

Lastly, I’d like to say hi and welcome to tripleblacktri, SnoopyDoo, discobarbizar for following the blog this week.

Chameleon by Zoe Kalo

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On February 2, 2017

In Fiction, YA/MG/Children's Books

ChameleonChameleon

by Zoe Kalo

Kindle Edition
Zoe Kalo, 2017

Read: January 27 – 28, 2016


Paloma is a few months shy of turning 18, graduating high school, and moving on with her life when people at her old school have had enough — she’s expelled from school and home. Her mother and step-father deposit her in a convent school with a mix of the privileged and orphans. Isolated, rejected, and defiant, Paloma determines that she’ll endure the experience no matter what it takes.

At that time however, she hadn’t considered the types of nuns she’ll meet, the kind of peers she has — and the very real possibility that she’ll meet a ghost (and maybe more than one). The nuns are a mix of judgmental and prejudiced against her; and welcoming and encouraging Her peers are largely a different assortment — some seem to be conscientious and studious, spiritual and compassionate, or spiteful and catty; most turn out to be everything they seem not to be. Paloma quickly (and despite herself becomes part of a group and finds that to be both a comfort and a source of distress. The ghost seems to be . . . well, that would be telling, wouldn’t it?

Paloma’s life up to this point hasn’t been that easy — there are some dark things in her past, and your idea of what some of those are is constantly evolving and you understand her better and she reveals more about herself. As you learn about her, she learns about her friends and “friends.” There’s more going on at the convent than many would guess, and many of those things will be exposed in one way or another before the reader finishes Chameleon.

My wife and kids have been watching a lot of Chopped lately, so you’ll have to forgive me for this metaphor: but Chameleon does a good job of using all the ingredients in the basket — paranormal elements (or are they?); complex female characters; even more complex relationships between them; a handful of mysteries; complicated family dynamics; and so on — combines them in some interesting ways, but the end result is a little undercooked. Yeah, it’s a stretch, but as I’ve thought about this book the last few days, that’s what kept coming to mind — if Kalo had given this another revision or two to smooth out some of the rough spots, better develop a few scenes, characters and relationships, this could’ve been much better. It’s a good, enjoyable book — but it’s not as good as it could have been.

I’m not sure what the point of setting the story in 1973 was — other than it being safely on the other side of PCs, the Internet, etc., I guess. It doesn’t hurt or help the story — I just think that for a setting as specific as that, there should be a clear advantage.

It’s a touch melodramatic for me with characters that need a little more time in the oven — but it did what it set out to do. Chameleon tells the story of this group of girls in a way that keeps you guessing, on your toes and turning pages. I anticipate the target audience will respond to things I didn’t here, but even for those of us a couple of decades past that target, this is an enjoyable read.

Disclaimer: I received this novel from the author in exchange for this post — thanks Ms. Kalo.

—–

3 Stars

January 2017 Report

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On February 1, 2017

In Books, Calendar Items, Currently Reading, News/Misc.

So, here’s what happened here in January — on the one hand, it seems like barely any time has gone by, and I know I have a low book count for the month (I’ve been very busy, apparently) — yet, I can’t believe I’ve read some of these great books already this year.

Books/Novels/Novellas Read/Listened to:

The Religious Life of Robert E. Lee Mostly Human Night School
3 Stars 4 Stars 3.5 Stars
Hunger Makes the Wolf Cry Wolf (Audiobook) God's Word Alone
4 Stars 3 Stars 3 Stars
Shadowed Souls Martians Abroad Once Broken Faith
3 Stars 4 1/2 Stars 5 Stars
Souls to the Polls Hunting Ground (Audiobook) Say Nothing
3 Stars 4 Stars (still deciding)
The Day My Fart Followed Me To Hockey Rivers of London: Night Witch The Innocent (Audiobook)
3 Stars 3 Stars 3 Stars
Reacher Said Nothing Chameleon Storm Clouds Gathering
5 Stars 3 Stars 3 Stars

Still Reading:

A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the Old Testament            

Reviews Posted:

How was your month?

The Innocent (Audiobook) by Taylor Stevens, Hilary Huber

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On February 1, 2017

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

The Innocent (Audiobook) The Innocent

by Taylor Stevens, Hillary Huber (Narrator)
Series: Vanessa Michael Munroe, #2

Unabridged Audiobook, 12 hrs, 30 min.
Random House Audio, 2011
Read: January 23 – 30, 2016


Michael Monroe’s best friend and most trusted ally, Logan needs help — he was raised by a cult as were most of his close friends, and despite being free of them for all of his adult life, he’s not been able to truly put The Chosen behind him. His friend, Charity, is possibly the only one closer to him than Michael, she grew up in the same cult and also left when she was old enough to make it on her own. Eight years before this book, her daughter was kidnapped by a member of The Chosen and taken somewhere to South America . Now, after years of searching, and her being moved from location to location, they have located her. There’s only one person that Logan trusts to bring Hannah home.

Locating one girl in the city of Buenos Aires is no easy feat. Extricating he from a controlling atmosphere without harming anyone isn’t much easier. Getting her out of the country and back into the US? More difficult yet. Throw in some donors and allies to The Chosen that aren’t who you’d expect — and aren’t nearly as pacifistic as the cultists — and you’ve got yourself a thriller.

Ever since the events of The Informationist, some months earlier, Michael’s been haunted by the deaths she’s caused — and is experiencing some kind of night terrors that keeps her chasing danger. Her own subconscious might be the biggest opponent that Michael has to deal with.

Frankly, for the first third or so (probably less), I had to force myself to stay with it, trusting that Stevens knew what she was doing — the way that Michael’s internal conflict was presented — as well as the way that Logan approached things, just didn’t work for me. I’m not sure if it was the way Stevens wrote the problems/solutions. But it wasn’t until the Michael got to Argentina that things really got me interested.

Hubner’s narration was capable and engaging — it wasn’t dazzling, but it delivered everything you want.

Despite a rocky start, once things got moving, this proved to be another satisfying thriller with Michael Monroe — and demonstrates what this series can be. I’ll be back for more soon.

—–

3 Stars

Rivers of London: Night Witch by Ben Aaronovitch, Andrew Cartmel, Lee Sullivan

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On January 31, 2017

In Ben Aaronovitch, Comics, Fiction, Rivers of London (Peter Grant), Urban Fantasy

Rivers of London: Night WitchRivers of London: Night Witch

by Ben Aaronovitch, Andrew Cartmel, Lee Sullivan (Artist)
Series: Rivers of London Comics, #2

Trade Paperback, 128 pg.
Titan Comics, 2016
Read: January 21, 2017


I enjoyed the first collection of Rivers of London comics, Body Work, but it felt like something was missing — I’m not sure what. Night Witch, on the other hand, built on that good foundation and topped it. This one felt whole, complete — there wasn’t anything lacking here.

Some Russian bigwig’s child has been taken — his wife is certain it’s by someone/something supernatural. They try to take care of it on their own, recruiting Varvara Sidorovna — well, trying to. She tells them to get the police involved, specifying they request Nightingale’s involvement. It’s not that easy to sell official police involvement on this couple. The way they go about doing so isn’t really that typical, either.

Still, Peter and Nightingale get into things and start turning up all sorts of interesting magical things — including The Faceless Man and Lesley. Speaking of which — comics-Lesley? Perfectly creepy.

The story feels a little scattered, but when it’s all told, you can reflect on things and get all the pieces to fit into place nicely — moreso than you can when reading from front-to-back. But it’s easy to forgive that because the story is so strong — and the little character beats are great.

The art is good — it’s great to see the magic –as well as the characters — in these stories brought to life.

Bev’s way of dealing with a home invasion crew of Russian mobsters made me laugh out loud — I don’t know if Aaronovitch could’ve pulled it off in a novel, or if that’s something he only could’ve accomplished with the help of an art team. Either way, I’m glad I got to read it.

There’s not much more to say, a good story with some real enjoyable moments with these characters we want to spend time with. Sure, more novels would be nicer, but these do a good enough job helping to fill the time between them.

—–

3 Stars

The Day My Fart Followed Me To Hockey by Sam Lawrence & Ben Jackson, Danko Herrera

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On January 31, 2017

In Fiction, YA/MG/Children's Books

The Day My Fart Followed Me To HockeyThe Day My Fart Followed Me To Hockey

by Sam Lawrence & Ben Jackson, Danko Herrera (Illustrator)
Series: Little Fart, #2

PDF, 27 pg.
Indie Publishing Group, 2016

Read: January 21, 2016


Timmy’s a pretty big hockey fan and it’s the day of his first hockey tryouts. Nerves are getting to him — he rejects some good advice, pushes his friend, Little Fart, away (which is pretty understandable — I mean, who wants their fart that close to them during a tryout?). Sadly, his nerves start to cancel out his ability — and his fun.

Thankfully, Little Fart is a better friend to Timmy than Timmy was to him — but can he save the day?

Timmy’s a pretty standard little kid character — someone easily identifiable, and maybe moderately annoying to parents who read it but someone that a child will imprint on.

Little Fart is cute, loyal, supportive and fun — the ideal not-so-Imaginary Friend. Just the kind of character you hope will linger around. (sorry, I just had to…)

Herrea’s illustrations are adorable — not a word I use frequently, I know — they grab your eye and hold your attention, doing a pretty good job of telling the story by themselves. Just what a kid would want to go with the words they’re reading — or to keep their attention while being read to.

The story is pretty basic — the lesson is tried and true, but cleverly and charmingly delivered. Just what a younger reader is going to want. Rather, the lesson and the way it’ll get into a kid’s head is just what a parent is going to want, the humor and art is what the young reader will want. I enjoyed it — and my kids are too old for this. A sure thing, for parents and kids alike.

Disclaimer: I received this book from the authors in exchange for this post — I appreciate it.

—–

3 Stars

Pub Day Repost: The Hanging Tree by Ben Aaronovitch

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On January 31, 2017

In Ben Aaronovitch, Fiction, Rivers of London (Peter Grant), Urban Fantasy

I really hadn’t intended to make this a Rivers of London day, but I had notes and partial drafts for those other two, so I figured I might as well as a way to lead up to this. Which, sadly, is going up later than I wanted, but Dadding before blogging, right?
—

The Hanging TreeThe Hanging Tree

by Ben Aaronovitch
Series: The Rivers of London, #6

eARC, 336 pg.
DAW, 207

Read: November 11 – 15, 2016

I lost track of how many times a certain retailer let me know that my pre-order for this had been rescheduled, but now a little more than 2 years after The Rivers of London most recently flowed through these books, The Hanging Tree is out (in parts of the world, anyway). I’m firmly in the camp of those willing to let authors take their time to get the book right, but I’m just as firmly in the camp wanting authors of my favorite series to hurry up. Thankfully, whatever delayed this publication gave Aaronovitch the time he needed to deliver his best yet.

Peter’s pushed into investigating a drug-related death, which soon shows itself to actually need a man of his particular skills when one of the parties involved (perhaps very involved) is the daughter of Lady Tyburn herself. Mostly anonymous teens up to illegal things, an overbearing mother to a suspect/witness, and the natural teenage disinclination to telling the police anything and you’ve got yourself a mess — particularly when the overbearing mother isn’t your biggest fan, and is a deity of sorts.

Poor Peter.

Along the way, Peter and Nightingale find the trail of a lost Newton masterpiece, a couple of interesting allies, and the return of some familiar, but not recently seen, foes. Some of what happens with returning adversaries will surprise, please, and frustrate long-time readers.

For series like this, more important than the plot are the characters — and Aaronovitch did everything right on this front. A few notes on this Peter’s more confident — professionally and personally. He’s coming along pretty well with his magic — yay! At the same time, you can see the way that he’s bringing change to the Folly little mannerisms and activities with Nightingale and Molly that you know they weren’t going to be up to until Peter moved in. I liked how Bev was used — even if she wasn’t around as much as usual — and the way their relationship is developing; her sister Lady Tyburn is probably used better here than ever before. There’s a new assistant for Dr. Walid, Dr. Jennifer Vaughan — we don’t get a lot of her, but there’s promise (and I like the fact that this universe is expanding). Lastly, I need to talk about Guleed — I know she’s been around awhile, but I didn’t really click with her until this book (as much as I enjoyed her in Body Work) — I like the way she works with Peter, the flavor she brings to things — I hope we see a lot more of her.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, there’s a brief appearance by an author of note early on in the book — I’d love for him to show up again in some context where Peter doesn’t have to be so diplomatic with him. I chuckled a lot, and would love to hear Aaronovitch talk about this character and any real-life models he drew upon.

Not only do we get the typical Aaronovich-level stories and action, we get a big expansion in the number, types, and nationalities of magic users in this book. Not only are there the official practitioners of magic that The Folly is aware of, there are those they’re not tracking (but probably should start). Just this shift alone in the universe makes this book a winner — adding it to the rest is just frosting.

I’m really glad, incidentally, that I recently listened to the first audiobook in the series — there’s some significant call-backs to it throughout this book. I’d probably have been okay relying on memory, but the connections worked better for me with everything fresh in my head. Ditto for the number of references to Body Work – I’d have been fine not understanding the references made to it, they’re not integral to anything, but it was fun knowing what Peter was talking about.

This took me too long to read — which isn’t Aaronovitch’s fault, it’s just been one of those weeks, every time I started to really get into this book, I was interrupted by something — and it drove me crazy. Do what you can — kill the phone, lock the door, grab some snacks and a beverage of your choice and settle in for Aaronovich’s best yet, you won’t want to put it down. I can’t say enough good things about this.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from DAW via NetGalley in exchange for this post — thanks to both for this.

—–

4 1/2 Stars

Saturday Miscellany 1/28/17

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On January 28, 2017

In Books, News/Misc.

Thanks to those who left comments/got a hold of me about that update earlier this week — he’s doing better now, and was discharged.

Here are the odds ‘n ends over the week about books and reading that caught my eye — I’m on a hotel wifi, which is spotty (is that a tautology?), so between the distractions this week and the wifi, this might be brief. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:

Lastly, I’d like to say hi and welcome to bettybookreviews and BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BOOK BLOG for following the blog (in one form or another) this week — both look like nifty book blogs. Thanks also to Nothing better than a good book… for the encouraging words.

Souls to the Polls by Patricia Murphy

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On January 27, 2017

In Fiction

Souls to the PollsSouls to the Polls

by Patricia Murphy
Series: Demon Campaign, #1

Kindle Edition, 394 pg.
Patricia Murphy, 2016

Read: January 18 – 19, 2016


I really liked the writing, the setting, the characters, the tone and significant amounts of the plot of Murphy’s debut. But, I just could not connect with the supernatural aspects of it. Since it’s a Supernatural thriller/Urban fantasy, that’s a pretty big problem.

Maggie Frew is a young political campaign manager — all low-level stuff, but she’s just starting out. Her parents are pretty big fish when it comes to the small pond that is Washington, D.C., but Maggie’s little more than a guppy (to stretch this metaphor as far as we can). She’s bouncing from campaign to campaign, year to year — struggling to gain a little more credibility. Her colleagues — notably the opposing candidate’s manager in this book, are in the same boat, really.

She’s come to Virginia to help a businessman running for a local legislature spot — she doesn’t know much about him, beyond that he’s rich, clearly elderly (but won’t say how old, seemingly very), and pretty unprepared for politics. He has a couple of campaign employees and an intern — none of whom have any real business doing what they’re doing. I enjoyed every character with the campaign — they were lots of fun.

The inter- and intra-campaign antics were the best part of the book. Not only does Maggie have to wrangle with the employees, volunteers and candidate she’s working for — but a friend/romantic interest/rival (who she beat pretty soundly in her previous campaign). I ate up just about everything about the campaigns — seriously, I’d read a half-dozen or so books about Maggie Frew, Campaign Manager.

Maggie Frew, Urban Fantasy protagonist, on the other hand — nah. Maggie’s a vessel for a demon — she’s not evil, but humans providing vessels for demons — and getting them access to sinners to feed on — is what keeps them from running amok and laying waste to humanity. So the Roman Catholic Church has been helping demons to have good vessels on Earth, and helping the vessels to feed. Maggie’s having a rough time as a fairly new vessel, and running into people who don’t think this way of dealing with demons is proper — things ensue from there.

Murphy writes with a light and assured tone — one that doesn’t detract from both Maggie’s character, or flaws, but one that communicates in an engaging, winning way. I’m not sure we see a lot of growth in the principal characters, but the others grow a lot (and Maggie does grow in a few ways, I should stress).

I really can’t put my finger on why the supernatural material didn’t click with me — I’ve argued myself out of every theory I’ve cooked up, but it didn’t. I can easily see where this would work for other readers — there are going to be plenty of readers who call this a sure-fire pleaser. But I’m not one, sadly. Would I read more by Murphy? In a heartbeat — just probably not something in this series. I liked the writing and the humor, just not the way she used them.

Disclaimer: I received this from the author in exchange for this post — thanks!

—–

3 Stars

Update for week of 1/24

By

On January 26, 2017

In Uncategorized

Haven’t abandoned the blog — have 1 post 80% done, 3 more in progress (sadly, have barely read anything this week) — and 1 kid in the hospital.

That last one trumps even you guys 🙂 It’s nothing serious (probably), just people with many initials after their names and the cool white coats being cautious. Still, it takes something out of a guy.

Regular programming will resume shortly, DV.

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