Category Archives: World of Books

Steven Brust: Taltos

World of Books February 21, 2011 Leave a comment

I’m slowly going through Vlad Taltos books (I wish I had more time so it would go faster) and I’m having so much fun. 🙂

I love the way Mr. Brust writes and the fact that Vlad is such a real character in my mind. It doesn’t happen often that a character gets real for me in such a manner that I no longer consider him a character in the books I read, but as a person whose new adventure I am about to embark upon. There is a big difference between the two in my mind.

I’m reading books the way they were written, so I’m going back and forth in Vlad’s life. The story in Taltos is how Vlad met Sethra and Morrolan, who we already know from the first book that they are now all friends.

Well, they weren’t friends in the beginning and I love how it all started.
I particularly enjoyed reading this book because it is written in such an ingenious manner that you need to pay attention when you switch from the story of what is happening to Vlad at the moment, to a complementary story also told by Vlad of how he started with this whole assasination business. Not to mention the fact that each chapter starts with the explanation of what the final enchantment looks like and that continues through the chapters until the end.
And the most intriguing part is, I kept thinking when are we going to switch to present Vlad time (where he has adventures with his wife) so the whole book felt like it was a story being told by Vlad even though the main story is written as present adventure.

Hopefully, I didn’t complicate this too much. 🙂 It’s just that I love the way the books are written and all the little hints dropped everywhere and the fact you need to deduce some parts as they are never explicitly revealed.

I still feel that the books should be read in the way they were written and not chronologically.

Steven Brust: Teckla

World of Books February 16, 2011 Comments: 2

I have high respect for male authors who manage to portray the inner workings of a male mind (and heart) at the same time making it sound honest and true to a female reader.
As a woman, I really have no idea what goes on in guys’ minds but reading Vlad Taltos’ books certainly makes me get a good glimpse.

It is so strange reading about an assassin (out of necessity but an excellent one) who also is something like a mob boss but who also suffers through relationship problems and tries to deal with them. That is what i got out of this book, the complications that led to it and keep the problems alive are from my perspective only the backdrop of that story.

At one point near the end, I started thinking that I might have misunderstood the whole character of Vlad Taltos but then my fear turned out to be unwarranted. 🙂
The best part of each and every book – even though Vlad struggles each time through a difficult situation where he can easily get killed and then he successfully tackles it, there is always a surprising additional bonus to come out of them. Both for Vlad and the reader. 🙂

Pic by: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/

Sean Slater: The Survivor

World of Books February 7, 2011 Comments: 6

Reading is something I can’t do without. And I’m always buying books, so when one lands in my lap for free, and it’s a crime story (which I don’t read nearly as much as I’d like to), I’m even happier. On my own, it would probably take time for me to realize there is a good crime novel out there, if I were to realize it at all (I’m sure there are many out there I’m oblivious to).

So, what makes The Survivor a good crime novel for me?

Many things but one that stood out from the start and made me so happy was the fact that detective Striker has no qualms about saying his piece to a superior officer who is obviously an *** (I’ll be polite and won’t say what I was about to say). I’m tired of good, honest characters taking the blame heaped upon them by politicians/ambitious superiors/or anything similar (thing in this case being there on purpose)and having to put up with it as part of the job. It makes me frustrated. And I’m just reading it.
Anyway, that’s not the case here and that makes me seriously happy (even though it’s not really relevant to the crimes comitted).

One thing that did make me frustrated though is, are really all teenagers such pain in the a..? Yes, his daughter went through some bad stuff but it’s annoying. It makes me seriously question my wish to have children. 🙂 Although it works wonders for the dramatization.

I’m getting off the subject now.
What makes this book good is the fact I learned something. Though in this case, I wish I hadn’t. The history of our world is full of terrible tragedies caused by humans and one of those is referenced in this novel. I won’t give details because the story is written so minutely precise that each time another detail is revealed, another step toward explanation is taken and everything starts to fit better.
It’s definitely one of the better points of Mr. Slater’s writing (who is btw a Vancouver cop), this precision in revealing details. Also, the real life of a cop is very well described – the private life, the work life and all the life’s little touches are there.
One thing that surprised me though, is the amount of luck needed in investigative work. Or perhaps that is only true in the life of Detective Striker. But my guess is that it’s probably true more often than not in real life as well.

Basic line for me is this – I want the next installment of Jacob Striker story as this one got under my skin. I will be thinking about some of the facts and parts of the story for some time to come. And that is the best any book can do for me because it makes me remember it.

This book was an ARC provided by Simon and Schuster to all participants of the Book Chick City Thriller and Suspense Challenge 2011. And thank you for providing it.

Steven Brust: Jhereg

World of Books January 25, 2011 Comments: 3

It’s nice to be reminded every once in a while why I actually love reading fantasy. The adventures of Vlad Taltos came highly recommended by a colleague and rightly so.

One of the misgivings I have when deciding on a new fantasy series (and they almost always come as such) is that each book is longish (to say the least) and once you commit, you need to end the series otherwise you forget most of what you read by the time you decide to start again. Not to say that some authors take their time constructing the world and it takes some serious patience to get through that.

So, imagine my surprise on reading this book and getting instantly immersed in a new world that gets more painted through the discussions of characters than by long descriptions. Each page brings another thread in the tapestry of this new world and it doesn’t feel at any point that you are missing information regarding this new world where you’re off on a book adventure, but everything sort of falls into place. And even the questions that remain regarding the world Mr. Brust created are not important ones, just those that will add several more threads.

Another good thing is that you get a basic introduction into the world of Vlad Taltos and then we’re off on an adventure with him. I already started reading the second book that chronologically happens before the story of Jhereg but in truth, you need to read Jhereg first because that is where the beginnings of Vlad’s story start.  The second book fills a bit of the story from his beginning as an assasin and how he came to be what he was in the first book (but more on that once I finish book two).

What I really enjoyed in the story is the fact there is a lot intrigue, fun conversations, a relatively lax view of murder (but a really intriguing solution why that is so) and the introduction into this world of sorcery and witchcraft (not the same), humans and Dragaerans, assasins, familiars, etc.
This adventure ends with this book and you aren’t forced into reading several other 400 and more paged books in order to get to the bottom of the story and a clear ending. Yet, upon finishing it, you will want to embark on the next Vlad adventure because they are both fun and uncoerced.

Pic by: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk

Lee Child: The Killing Floor

World of Books January 20, 2011 Comments: 3

Calling me late to the Jack Reacher party would be the understatement of the year. This book was written in 1997 and considering the following Jack Reacher novels have, I still can’t believe I heard only last year about it.  And then from several different sources. Oh well, some things come into your life when the time is right I guess.

The series has now reached 15 novels and I very much look forward to reading them. I enjoyed this one very much even though it contains some gory scenes of violence (I cringe just remembering one in particular) but unfortunately, all the violence seems very believable. I mean, the situations in which it happens call for some nasty beatings and killings. Which makes me give you a word of warning – if you don’t like detailed scenes of violence, maybe you should skip this one. I don’t really like them but I don’t have a problem with them being part of the story. And the story is both interesting and informative, in more ways than one.

I don’t want to disclose the gist of the problem Jack faces in this book but that is one of the ways where you learn about the possibilities regarding the crime being comitted. The other are little tidbits Jack explains at the same time in his head and to his reader regarding efficient ways to kill, hurt, maim somebody, not leave physical traces of your being somewhere both on a crime scene and in a country as a whole.

The best thing about jack is the fact that although he had military training (and is some seriously dangerous guy to cross due to all his knowledge and capabilities, size and strength), he still has a warm heart and is not afraid to show it to people he cares for (those are not many but it’s present in the novel).

So, basic line is, I found a new series I will definitely read through and I already know I will enjoy it immensely – and learn some useful self-defence stuff. The only problem with that is, will I remember it…? 🙂

Pic by: http://www.leechild.com/

Rachel Vincent: Stray

World of Books January 10, 2011 Comments: 2

So, I finally read Stray (I’ve been hearing about that book for years it seems, long enough for the Shifters series to reach 6 books) and that was my first read this year. I like the way my year has started (reading-wise I might add).

Anyway, I had some problems with the main character Faythe who went to university in order to get away from her cat pride (we’re talking werecats here) and not be under constant surveillance (although her father would never let her do that if she weren’t actually being kept an eye on by his underlings, he’s the Alpha).
So, without going too much into the story, Faythe needs to return home due to some problems regarding tabbies disappearing (females of the pride) and Faythe is in danger.
Of course, and this is what I’m having a bit of a problem with is, no one takes her word seriously or trusts her, which she basically brought upon herself during her late teenage years but this attitude she  still somehow manages to display in the beginning of the novel, even though she thinks of herself as more mature than when she left and completely right in her opinions. Somehow, Faythe growing up and maturing in a matter of 3 days is a bit of a stretch for me but I guess she just needed to have her eyes opened by her family and pride.
She is at the same time strong, smart, capable and aware of others’ weaknesses and strenghts but still so very stubborn and wrong.

In the end, she is very likeable and I’m looking forward to reading the next books in the series.
Especially since I can’t wait to see what happens with Andrew. 😉

Pic by: http://rachelvincent.com/shifters.htm

Stephanie Laurens: The Reckless Bride (Black Cobra Quartet)

World of Books January 6, 2011 Comments: 2

With this book ends the Black Cobra Quartet.

Before I go on, I should warn you there are going to be some major spoilers ahead because I just cannot talk about the finish of this series without it. I really thought about that and I need to get that off my chest.

Anyway, we follow the path from India of the last of the 4 couriers and this one (unfortunately for him) had the original of the letter that is supposed to reach Wolverstone. I say unfortunately because his nickname is Reckless (as is his bride obviously 😉 ) and he now can’t do anything that would be reckless and jeopardize his mission so when asked by a nice old lady (travelling with her great niece) to act as their escort, he accepts as that will of course aid him in camouflaging his mission.
So they set off by European rivers to reach Rotterdam and the English shores. Here is where you know how the love story develops. Which is in S. Laurens’ vein very well done.

Here is where I get to spoilers. As the story progresses through the books, you get the idea that 3 brothers are behind the Black Cobra criminal organization. So, imagine my surprise  when along you find out that two of them are also having a love affair. I thought, oh well, I guess that’s appropriate these days to incorporate in a romance novel as a side story.
Until this book where, what I thought by the half of the book when realization hit is, I’m so stupid for not seeing this before. 🙂 The men employed by the cult never see who is running it, only the upper echelons know and there are like 5 of them. And the name of a cobra?! I really felt stupid for not realizing sooner that the third brother is actually a sister (and btw, they are all half-siblings, sharing only a father).
It seems that only the courageous gentlemen of S. Laurens’ novels are aware of the dangers the intelligent women posess, everybody else underestimates them enormously (me included obviously). 🙂

Basic line is, it’s a typical Laurens novel (romance, intrigue, crime story, thrills…) I enjoy immensely. 🙂

Pic by: www. stephanielaurens.com

Stephanie Laurens: The Brazen Bride (Black Cobra Quartet)

World of Books December 27, 2010 Leave a comment

I’m almost at the end of the Black Cobra quartet, this was book 3 and I’m currently reading book 4. I must say I think the series is improving with each book (I was a bit sceptical with the first book).
Here we follow the story of  Logan who is shipwrecked on hir return journey from India and Linnet (who is a redhead which made me instantly like her) who nurses Logan to health.

Maybe this is a good time to say there are possible spoilers ahead. 🙂

Linnet is really for me even more an intriguing female character than what is usual in Mrs Laurens’ novels. Of course they are all strong, intelligent and as successful as can be for that time period, and most of them discard intelligently the society’s notions of what a proper lady should behave like.

And then we meet Linnet who is even more modern than what we encountered so far. She really is brazen for that age but at the same time she had a life full of interesting happenings and is ready to take on life fully which is manifested at the beginning of the book.

I really liked this book and the honesty with which both Logan and Linneth approach their emotions and their relationship.

Of course, by the end of the book, the plot thickens and I’m eagerly anticipating the end of the quartet as evidenced by the fact that I immediately started on book 4 after finishing this one.

On an end note, I’m comparing this one with the book 4 and I’m very happy to say that the love story unfolds mush slower (the sexual part) in book 4 than in The Brazen Bride where it starts right from the beginning (not that I minded it in the least, I love the steamy scenes Mrs Laurens writes). What makes me happy and devotee of SL novels for life is that the love stories never unfold similarly.

Pic by: http://www.stephanielaurens.com/

James Rollins: Excavation

World of Books December 1, 2010 Leave a comment

It’s fun when you go back to the beginning of a writer you really like and you realize, he also learned to write better with time. 🙂
If this were my first James Rollins novel, I’m not really sure if I would have continued reading him. This way, I got introduced to him through the Sigma series (which I love) so I can look on Excavation as the trial and practice it took for him to get where he is now.

The story is set in the Andes where archeologists are looking for clues as to a previous race inhabiting the same place where Incas lived. Anyway, without getting too much into the story, all kind of discoveries are made and the beginning of incredible stories that will later appear in Rollins’ novels are here but just not as well developed as in Sigma.

It took me a bit longer than  usual to get through it – it’s not bad but it’s just not very believable or very gripping. It’s more like an action movie with bad actors trying to convince us that their cheesy dialogues are serious and the whole plot is terribly tense and serious and all you can think of is that’s it is too funny how they try and fail miserably. It’s still fun but because it’s funny to watch the failure not because it’s supposed to funny. This sounds complicated even to me and I know what I was trying to say. 🙂 Did I lose you with this explanation?

The point is, if you are interested in James Rollins, start with Sigma and once you are done with that, consider if you really love Mr. Rollins enough to brave his earlier work. 🙂

And before you start thinking I think it’s a really bad book, it isn’t. It’s just nowhere near to what he writes now.

Pic by: http://www.jamesrollins.com/

Gerard O’Donovan: The Priest

World of Books November 24, 2010 Leave a comment

Since I am a serious book freak, it’s not difficult to get me interested in a book.

So, when this title appeared on Algoritam site, I was hooked and went to buy it. I’m actually surprised by my reaction to it. I kept reading it although I kept thinking each time I put it down that I might not continue next time with it (as I’m always reading at least 3 books at the same time) but each time I found the time to read, it was always The Priest I kept reading until I finished.  I’m still not sure why that is.

It’s not like it keeps you at the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next. You get a pretty good idea very soon what is going to happen. and this being by my standards a crime thriller, you know what you can expect from it.

I hope no one gets upset with me writing this, but reading The Priest is like watching a British crime series. You know, since the author is Irish and the book is mostly set in Dublin.

I’m not going to get into details about the story, I’m sure you’ll find them if you get interested but it is a bit gory type of violence. Not many dead but that doesn’t take away from the tragic factor.

Anyway, what I loved about this book was the way the main character’s thoughts were described. Inspector Mulcahy is a person like all of us. We get tired, we get upset, we cannot remember the key fact at a moment, it takes us a while to link some things into a picture. You get the idea.
We solve the case through his mind and we follow his steps until he reaches the right conclusion. But the important thing is, those steps are so real. Even though you know who is guilty, you still understand why Inspector Mulcahy cannot just jump to that conclusion without serious evidence. And that process is what I love about this book and what I think made me not want to stop reading it.
Of course, we follow the thought processes of some other characters, but I was mostly taken by Inspector Mulcahy’s.

Pic by: Gerard O’Donovan site