From the Archives - The Irresponsible Reader

From the Mailbag: Whither Pratchett?

On October 11, 2013

Received this e-mail today from someone submitting a comment to the “Suggest a Book” form:

Do have reviews on ANY Terry Pratchett book. Would love to “hear” your thoughts…

Thanks for the question! Not just because I like getting suggestions/e-mails, but also because I had nothing else to post today, having opted for sleep and time with my family over finishing a book.*

Pratchett’s a legend — almost universally praised and adored. I read the first two Discworld novels back in 2011, and didn’t care for ’em. Which I assume is an indictment of me, my taste, and very likely my morality, patriotism and love for my wife. So, readers, is it just these first couple of books? Should I start with a different Pratchett book? I’d like to bask in his particular brand of genius, just need a hand.

Anyway, I wasn’t going to bother dusting these off as they’re so short, but since you asked, here are my 2-star reviews for the first two Discworld novels.

The Colour of Magic

by Terry Pratchett
Hardcover, 183 pg.
St. Martin’s Press, 1983

It was amusing enough–chuckle-inducing in more than one place–but I never connected with it, not the story, not the characters, not the world. Left me pretty durn blah.

Probably just me, eh?

The Light Fantastic

by Terry Pratchett
Hardcover, 189 pg
Colin Smythe, 1987

I liked this one better than The Colour of Magic — it was better constructed, the characters were a touch more believable as characters, and I certainly laughed more. But, I had the same issues with this as I had with the previous.

I just didn’t care about anything or anyone, and saw no reason why I should.

Funny, clever stuff, and I couldn’t wait to be done with it.

—–

* Not that I didn’t try for all three

Dusted Off: Wolfsbane by Patricia Briggs

By HCNewton

On October 7, 2013

In Authors, Fiction, Patricia Briggs

Wolfsbane

by Patricia Briggs
Mass Market Paperback, 304 pg.
Ace, 2010

A fun, solid read with characters you end up caring a lot about without even noticing, just a touch of action, a splash of romance, and at least one character who switches between species. In other words, it’s a Patricia Briggs novel.

Like its predecessor Masques, this was written pretty early in her career, and it shows. It’s still a heckuva story, and I’d jump right into a third adventure of Wolfe and Aralorn.

—–

3 Stars

Dusted Off: Masques by Patricia Briggs

By HCNewton

On October 7, 2013

In Authors, Fiction, Patricia Briggs

Masques

by Patricia Briggs
Mass Market Paperback, 294 pg.
Ace, 2010

I didn’t know what to expect out of this. Between the fact that this is a different genre than I’m familiar with Briggs writing in, and the way she lowered expectations in the forward about this when it was reissued, I came into it not expecting a lot.

I should’ve known better. Not unlike her protagonist, Patricia Briggs knows how to tell a story. This was not the best fantasy I’ve read recently, but it was a very enjoyable tale.

Briggs’ strength has to be her characters, and even here in her first novel, she nailed ’em. They were people you cared about, or could easily see yourself caring about, if you got to spend some more time with ’em.

—–

4 Stars

Dusted Off: Alchemystic by Anton Strout

By HCNewton

On October 3, 2013

In Anton Strout, Fiction, Urban Fantasy

Alchemystic

by Anton Strout
Mass Market Paperback, 290 pg.
Ace, 2012

Yay! Been waiting for this one for too long. Sure, I’d prefer a new Simon Canderous novel, but this makes up for it.

This isn’t a conventional UF–your three human heroes are definitely not run-of-the-mill, which is nice; they’re all likeable, which is nicer. You want to spend time with them, you want them to come out on top, you want the giant, nigh-humorless and nigh-invulnerable, living statue to come to their rescue. Which works out for everyone, because that’s what the statue wants, too.

Stanis, the statue–gargoyle–in question here is a pretty nice character, too. Can’t get into all of it without entering spoiler territory, but for a superhero that gets, but doesn’t totally get, these odd humans, he’s pretty fun.

That’s a good description for the whole book–pretty fun. Not as intense, or dark and brooding, as a lot of UF. But a nice, fun, character-driven read. Good ending that’s not quite a cliff-hanger, but whets the appetite for volume 2.

—–

4 Stars

Dusted Off: In Zanesville by Jo Ann Beard

By HCNewton

On September 30, 2013

In Fiction, General Fiction/Literature, YA/MG/Children's Books

In Zanesville by Jo Ann Beard

The 1970’s weren’t the easiest time for a couple of 14 year old girls to grow up–just ask In Zanesville’s unnamed narrator and her best friend. In this coming of age novel, we see the two of them deal with odd babysitting gigs, clothes, strange teachers, annoying/horrible family situations, self-awareness, friends, brushes with popularity, and (of course) boys at that awkward and vital time of life. Jo Ann Beard depicts their struggles, failures (and even a success or two) in a well-written (sometimes wonderfully so), moving way.

My problem with this book is that the narrative doesn’t go anywhere, the narrator’s story doesn’t end, there’s no conclusion, it just stops. I’m not sure the narrator comes of age, she rather comes right up to the border of it and looks across. That’s more than dissatisfying, it ends up cheapening the whole experience.

Even so, Beard’s writing makes In Zanesville worth the time.

—–

3 Stars

Dusted Off: How to Talk to a Widower by Jonathan Tropper

By HCNewton

On September 30, 2013

In Authors, Fiction, General Fiction/Literature, Jonathan Tropper, P-U

How to Talk to a Widower by Jonathan Tropper

this isn’t the review the book deserves, but it’s all I can come up with at the moment…

Twentysomething Doug Parker, after two years of marriage to a woman with a teenage son, becomes a widower who can’t let go of his grief (and doesn’t want to anyway). He withdraws from life, from work, from family, and from the angry stepson who lost as much as he did.

Events–and overly-amorous neighbors–conspire to drag him, kicking, screaming and swearing, back to the land of the living (with all its attendant glories and problems).

I’m fairly certain this isn’t Tropper’s best novel, but it’s probably his most effective–he can bring you from the verge of tears (or over the verge) to laughing out loud and back again in less than 5 pages. That’s true even on a re-read like this was for me. I love this book.

—–

5 Stars

Dusted Off: A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

By HCNewton

On September 23, 2013

In Fiction

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

Oo-de-lally, what is there to say about this that hasn’t been said 3 million times already? Epic, sweeping, yet deeply focused on the individual. Rich characters–with a depth that Tolkein wouldn’t bother with (not a slight on Tolkein, btw).

The fantasy series for those who aren’t into fantasy–this book has a lot of villains, but no real heroes. There’s a lot of black, a little white, and a whole lotta gray to the events, morals and characters here.

A great, great read…easy to see why this series has so many devoted fans, and will for years to come.

—–

4 Stars

Dusted Off: Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie

By HCNewton

On September 23, 2013

In Fiction

Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Volume two of a fantasy trilogy is the volume where everything goes bad. The First Law trilogy is no exception. Of course, what most fantasy authors consider disastrous, Joe Abercrombie considers minor plot complications. Things get really, really, really bad in Before They are Hanged. But given Abercrombie’s skill and the voices employed in narrating various characters, it’s still very, very fun to read about all the various dooms that are impending on this world.

If you’ve read The Blade Itself, what are you waiting for? Get to reading! If you haven’t–this isn’t the place to start, but it’s a great place to carry on.

Dusted Off: Taken by Benedict Jacka

By HCNewton

On September 16, 2013

In Alex Verus, Authors, Benedict Jacka, F-J, Fiction, Urban Fantasy

Taken by Benedict Jacka
Series: Alex Verus, #3

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

really don’t know what to say about this one…good read. Another good read in a string of ’em. Jacka’s got this down–Verus and co. are back and better than before.

I really like the way that these characters are growing and the world is being built.

I feel like I should have more to say, but I don’t. Ready and waiting for the next one!

Dusted Off: Cursed by Benedict Jacka

By HCNewton

On September 16, 2013

In Alex Verus, Authors, Benedict Jacka, F-J, Fiction, Urban Fantasy

Cursed by Benedict Jacka
Series: Alex Verus, #2

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jacka did a great job following up his first Alex Verus novel. Fated. introduced us to Verus’ world, and Cursed lives in it. With the universe so well established, Jacka can focus on this particular adventure, building on Fated.

This makes for a more exciting read–more action, more character development, more of everything we liked in the first book.

Jacka’s got us all hooked now, we just have to wait for the next hit.

Tag: From the Archives Page 8 of 28

Wolfsbane

Masques

Alchemystic