Category Archives: World of Books

Elizabeth Peters: Amelia Peabody Omnibus (books 1-2)

World of Books August 5, 2012 Comments: 13

It’s been years since I read the last Amelia Peabody novel so I felt it was time to re-visit the series.

It all starts with Amelia inheriting a lot of money after her father dies sometime in the late 19th century and deciding to travel the world (starting with Egypt) after spending her life in intellectual pursuits as the companion of her father. She is sure of herself and has no fear of what the world might say as she is a spinster (she’s younger than me btw as the series starts, 32) and considers herself without any marital prospects (not that she would want any).

Crocodile on the Sandbank

This is the first book where we embark on Egyptian and archaeological adventures with Amelia. I would love to be able to describe her manners and style of talking (writing, as these books are published as Amelia’s diaries after her death). She is a true feminist but not that she would ever call herself that, she believes in equality and reason so she generally follows that path even when society frowns upon it. And she doesn’t care in the least. 🙂

Through some mishaps, she and her  companion Evelyn meet the brothers Emerson and by the end of the book, we have 2 happy couples, albeit as different from one another as can be. Emerson, as Amelia calls him is the older brother (his name is Radcliffe actually), the archaeologist, and the younger brother Walter is there to help him with excavations and translations as he is a linguist.

Anyway, in this book we follow the friendship and love growing between the four, but the communication between Emerson and Peabody (as he calls her) is what makes these books so funny to read. Everything is told from Peabody’s point of view, as we are reading her “diaries” after all.

The Curse of the Pharaohs

I must say, of the four books, I’ve read in this go, this is the one I have the least to say about. 🙂 Peabody and Emerson, having had a child are after the initial excavation season when they left him with his aunt and uncle now spending time in England not being able to leave their child for so long, (whose real name is not that important as from now on he will be called Ramses), this time they have to leave him with his aunt and uncle to go help with excavations after a plea to Emerson from a long-time ago friend whose husband has died in a strange accident that is of course attributed to a curse from a pharaoh where they are excavating.

Of course, Peabody and Emerson get themselves entangled in a mystery, how ever much Emerson tries to avoid them and Peabody wants to solve them. 🙂 And they return home with the cat Bastet who is to become Ramses’ best companion.

Trish Milburn: Bane

World of Books July 18, 2012 Comments: 3

I’m pretty sure that whatever idea you have on what the Bane in the title means after reading the White Witch is wrong. 🙂
Now you can consider the possibilities before learning what it stands for.

This is the second book in the series and we continue from where we left off in the White Witch. Jax and Egan have left their loves behind in order not to put them into more danger and now they are loooking for answers in Salem.

And the more they look for answers the more questions turn up, along with some strange happenings.
We are also following Jax’s fight for good to win inside her because the dealings in White Witch left her with some strange blackness inside her that is trying to turn her into a true Coven witch.

We don’t get an answer to this question in Bane (whether Jax will win or not, but I’m guessing the end here cannot be dark and tragic). 😉
The thing though that I find interesting is how many people are trying to convince her it’s a choice to be either good or evil when from her perspective it sounds more like she is posessed by it. I guess we’ll see in the end what happens and what was the cause of the problem.
If she expells evil from her body and mind, it wasn’t a choice.

In the meantime, Jax is behaving like a typical teenager and that lands her in all kinds of troubles, some small but some very big and life-changing. She is also a fleshed out character and believable (as I’ve been having some problems with that in the YA novels I read recently).

The problem I face now is – when is the next book coming out? As this one ended with a cliff-hanger…

James Rollins: Bloodline

World of Books July 8, 2012 1 Comment

I seem to be saying this again  and again but I am so happy with my Kindle. For the most part because I can have the books I want to read as soon as they are out, as opposed to waiting until they reach Croatia.

So, of course, as soon as the Bloodline was out it was on my Kindle as well. Because I really am a huge fan of the Sigma series.
Therefore, I didn’t doubt I would enjoy the last Sigma installment as well. And I did. And again it was full of interesting premises, this time revolving around making man immortal (or just very long living).

The story though revolves aroun Guild trying to disband Sigma (and practically succeeding). I had fun as the Knights Templar made a guest appearance (I always enjoy them being mentioned).
Basically the thread Mr. Rolling decided to use as the background for Bloodline is really good.

What I enjoyed immensely in this story (one thing I haven’t really noticed earlier, which doesn’t mean it wasn’t there) is that the bad guys really get their come-uppance in the manner I (most readers actually) find deserving. (Btw, lately I noticed my vengeance factor for the bad guys is really great).

The other thing is I learned a lot about Somalia – and that MI6 doesn’t employ women? I still find that one strange.

Anyway, this time around, one more thing about Mr. Rollins’ writing became apparent but I’m not saying this as a complaint. He is a guy after all. 😉
The thing is, there are many strong female characters in Mr. Rollins’ novels. Smart, strong, capable and scary. But when you take a closer look, it’s always the men who have more power, understand the situations (where the bad guys are coming from) and generally seem to take care of those strong women in the end.
Once again, I am not complaining about this or trying to make it into a feminist issue, it’s just something I found interesting while reading Bloodline.

As expected, this was again an action-packed, intriguing story full of interesting concepts we get explained in the end (not of the novel but the book).
No wonder I am such a huge fan of it. 🙂

Marilee Brothers: Moonstone series

World of Books July 3, 2012 1 Comment

It seems lately I’m reading YA novels which are fine and I go through them quickly, not because they are short, (well, they aren’t really long either) but because they are interesting even though they seem to have some things going against them. Well, for me at least.

So far, I’ve read the following four novels in the Moonstone series: Moonstone, Moon Rise, Moon Spun and Shadow Moon. And considering where Shadow Moon stopped, there will be at least one more book in the series.

Generally speaking, the series is easy and fun to read as the main character enjoys easy banter (and she’s very good at it). But the problem is that even when the situations are difficult and Allie faces trouble and death, it is hard to see those situations as such – they just don’t translate into something seriously important and dangerous. And I believe the idea is that they are supposed be.

Also, as with the other series I read recently (My Blood Approves) it seems the love stories are getting more and more platonic. I suppose it’s the Twilight phenomenon but honestly, I find it a bit strange.
Allie seems to have a boyfriend at all times but most what they do in a way of a relationship is share a kiss. Which really seems strange to me for a teenager of some 16 years with really hot boyfriends.  But what do I know what’s modern now for that age.
Or, is it the current political climate overseas influencing the steam level of teenage books? Because I am pretty sure I read some that weren’t as platonic.

The story seems to be easy to predict most of the time but there are some surprises. Though not enough to counteract the fact that the rest is predictable. 🙂
The only unpredictable book for me was Moon Spun but for some reason that was also the one I had most problems finishing. The whole fae world and everything just felt completely unreal inside the story. Not that it wouldn’t fit the story, just that it was written in such a way that it somehow felt disconnected and again not really dangerous, even though fae people were killed during imprisonment and others might have gotten killed during the story.

In my opinion, the last book is the best one (even though predictable again) but still, it finally felt connected, easy to read and actively interesting.

I can’t help but wonder if the fact that authors are writing everything in series now waters down their stories. You know, series aren’t necessary if you can tell a good story in less than 4 not really  big books.
Although, I’m not sure how big the books are as I have them on my Kindle, but they didn’t seem long when I was reading them.
I seem to be in a rather critical mood these days. 🙂
It’s just, I like this series so I can’t help but think if the story was a bit more condensed (and less predictable and less scattered at times) it would make for much better book(s).
Because the idea is really good and I like Allie and her mother. Her boyfriends I cannot understand at all though.

So, before you all go and think I didn’t like the series, on my scale of reading books straight or with pauses, I didn’t stop reading the series until I reached book 3, and once I finished that one, the Shadow Moon went by in one go.

P.S. I realize I didn’t say anything about the actual story. 😀 Well, the story is interesting as we have warring witch factions, fae coming into the story, some seriously scary powers being unlocked through the moonstone and good looking boyfriends (some of which aren’t completely human).

Amanda Hocking: My Blood Approves series

World of Books July 2, 2012 1 Comment

Luckily for me, the first book I read by A. Hocking was the Hollowland which is why I went in search for other titles by her. I say luckily because if this was the first series I read, I don’t think I’d go in search for other books she has written.
That said, I still read the 4 books without stopping so it’s not as bad as it might sound from my introduction (and the review that follows).
Books in the series I read are: My Blood Approves, Fate, Flutter, Wisdom.

I don’t know if it’s me or the writing but I kept getting upset. 🙂

The main character, Alice, comes off as really stupid at times (as in ignorant and slow to make connections) but in such a manner that when she has moments of intelligent thinking, they don’t sound like her, they are a bit unbelievable.
The other thing that I really didn’t enjoy is the fact that this reads like a Twilight spin-off. There is a family of vampires that really like her and want her to become one of them (only in this case she has a brother so he’s included as well). There are two possible love choices, and she loves them both but goes with her heart instead of her blood bond, the  feelings of love are very melodramatic and in the end, they fight some bad vampires off.
Oh, and Alice and Milo (her brother) are more special than other vampires but I won’t say why (which is part of the story that was rather obvious at some point).

One last thing about the books, I couldn’t find any point to the story.
It feels stupid saying this, as most of the books I read are the type of fiction that doesn’t really come with a moral of the story, but the endings usually have some kind of a point. I didn’t feel there was any here but then again, I could be wrong, Wisdom might not be the last book in the series, even though it felt like it was.

Ok, all that said, the first book hooked me because the tragic parts of the story really brought tears to my eyes. And then it was also very intriguing by not revealing much (albeit, Alice comes with the idea Jack might be a werewolf but vampire never crosses her mind?!).
The second book was still ok, but with the third all  my notes were revolving around Alice’s ignorance (not to say something worse).

So, if you’re looking for something similar to Twilight, look no further. You will probably enjoy the series a lot.
The good thing about the books is the pace. It feels like there is always something happening even though it might just be the usual running of their lives. Which shows that A. Hocking certainly knows her way around with words.
And she obviously got better when it comes to characters and story because Hollowland is much better in my opinion. And I’m looking forward to the next book in that series very much.

Denyse Beaulieu: The Perfume Lover

World of Books May 28, 2012 Comments: 3

So, I might be slow, but I get there in the end. 🙂

And here I am, finally having read The Perfume Lover and ready to talk about it. Or, at least try and talk about it.

The name of the book is certainly apt – it is about perfumes and lovers, sometimes combined, at other times trying to get to each other.

As you probably know (it’s rather obvious by the sub-title, A Personal History of Scent) the book is about Denyse’s memory being turned into a perfume, and the path that perfume in making takes. But it’s not only that, it is a highly autobiographical and very personal narrative we dive into from the go.
And it makes you part of it. Which is something I admire in a writer. And the fact that it reads like a novel is just one more thing to like about it.

Now, I’ve entered the perfume world several years ago and since that time, I’ve been learning and sniffing and basically just acquiring more perfume knowledge each day.
That is why it came as a pleasant surprise how many more interesting information I found in this book – not only on perfume, but on many different things.

And then there were the parts I found myself nodding to – yes, I completely understand what duende is supposed to mean; yes, I am also finding it more and more difficult to be moved by a perfume (but that might be just stress in my case); I do see signs, or at least, hints as to what might be a good path to take in life (btw, is it a sign I was a witch in a previous life if burning incense makes me nauseous?); yes, other senses can evoke memories as well as the nose; the IFRA, and so on.

The book also made me long for days of the past I would never be able to live in, made me realize perfumers are everyday people with their jobs, it just so happens that the product of their jobs influences many lives, and that being French (or living as the French) means you will probably find lovers without any problems. 🙂

But, the most clear things that The Perfume Lover showed me were:

1) I could never be a perfumer even if I wanted to
2) My nose is nowhere near as good as I thought it might be
3) I want to live in Paris (ok, I knew that one before) 😉
4) Perfume library is a grand idea
5) I always appreciated the work of Mr. Duchafour, but now I really like him as a person
6) A perfume coming out with a book instead of a blurb makes you really get to know a perfume (and smell it better)

P.S. The cover of that book is just amazing and I was lucky to be provided with the book by Harper and Colilns (along with the sample, with review of that coming up tomorrow – hopefully).

Gwenda Bond: Blackwood

World of Books May 22, 2012 Comments: 5

Where to start?

A possible YA story of what happened on Roanoke many centuries ago and the curse of it being handed down through generations still living on the island?
Sounds good to me. 🙂
If at times a bit scary which is not something I usually encounter in YA novels, even when they deal with zombies.

Miranda is very mature and serious for her age but then again, her mother died when she was young and her father became an alcoholic so yes, it makes sense she is the way she is.
Of course, she is the main character through whose bloodline the curse is being kept alive. The other part of the puzzle comes packed in a “bad” boy – Phillips.
Well, you can guess where that leads to.

But, in the meantime, we are treated to some funny dialogues, some melodramatic phrases (I really don’t turn my eyes often at dialogues, I mean, I do read romance as a rule, but some parts were really eye-roll worthy here, which I found funny) and some interesting ideas as to what might have happened on Roanoke.
Ok, the interesting ideas are only possible in the paranormal world but they are still interesting.

And, some parts of the story were rather well hidden so you couldn’t guess them. Which is always a plus. A huge plus actually.

As usual, I’m skipping telling you everything what this book is about, there’s much in the story to keep it flowing and interesting.
I really think I should give books I read a scale of how good I find them by either having to read something more interesting in the meantime or reading them straight. This one I read straight through. 🙂

As this is Ms. Bond’s (great surname btw) first book, I am looking forward to those that might come next.
Because her version of paranormal YA verges perfectly on the boundary to really scary and that is something to admire.

My copy of the book was received through Netgalley.

Roja Dove: The Essence of Perfume

World of Books May 9, 2012 Comments: 7

I am slow when it comes to reading perfume books, but I do eventually get around to doing it. 🙂 I’ve had The Essence of Perfume for quite some time now, but managed to finish reading it only yesterday.

And I am impressed.

I absolutely love that book – not only does it look wonderful (especially if you want it visible on your coffee table) but it’s also full of useful and interesting information for any perfume lover out there.

Mr. Dove writes in such an easy, natural way, I cannot but think he must be a great speaker (which is something that is hinted at in the book through comments by other people). He is also obviously very knowledgable on the subject (he must be when you consider his life) and brings it alive in front of your eyes.

I admit I am thouroughly jealous at the wonderfully fragrant and interesting life Roja Dove led (and still does). 🙂

As an Aquarian, I no longer know how many times I read that is a sign that looks to the future (and I do, I’d love to live at a time when space travel is possible and standard) but I also love history and that is for me the best chapter in the book – one where history comes to life straight before your eyes through the descriptions of the decades and perfumes that highlighted the historical aspects of those decades.
At several points I found I had tears in my eyes because of how strongly Mr. Dove weaved his fragrant magic into the words.

The whole book is full of images of perfumes (well, not just perfumes but I paid most attention to those) and by the end of the book, I was thouroughly hooked, not only on trying to find some more vintage perfumes, but also trying to locate some of those incredible bottles that are no longer in production and can be found mostly by having a lot of luck.

I never thought about the empty bottles of perfumes and their beauty. Now I do.
And I need a bottle of that Ombre Rose L’Original badly – I’m pretty sure from the description it smells great, but the bottle it comes in?!  I seriously feel the need to have it!

After reading this book, I now have a much better understanding and respect of the finely crafted works of art that perfumes are (or should be) and of the symbolism some of them hold.

I’d say The Essence of Perfume works great as an introductionary encyclopedia for any perfume lover.
But if you are not a perfume lover, once you read it, you can never go back to the life you led before perfume world opened its doors through the words of Roja Dove.

Julie Kagawa: The Immortal Rules

World of Books April 22, 2012 Comments: 3

I seem to be stuck in the YA niche. 🙂 Not that I mind.

And it’s turning out to be a dystopian, futuristic YA worlds I’m reading about. In this one, the vampires live in cities and humans are registered and kept practically as cattle because they are registered in order to give their monthly supply of blood for vampires and that is all they do. They survive for only that reason.
Then you have the Unregistereds who do not want to give blood but at the same time, cannot gain the food. So they are forced to scrounge and find whatever they can while remaining hidden from vampire powers.

And then we have Allie, who hates the vampires with a vengeance and of course, runs into trouble that causes her to become one.
As usual I won’t go into the details of the story, there is so much I could write about it. The world is well detailed and well described so you can imagine it without any problems.
The reasons how the future world came to be dominated by vampires and how people ended up as nothing more than vessels of vampire food is described as well.

As you could expect, there must exist a place in this world where people live where they aren’t food, but it would be too much to describe how we get to know about that part. 🙂

The stuff I found both interesting and frigthening is how after an apocalyptic event in the world’s possible future, it wouldn’t take long for the people to lose much of the knowledge they now have. If you remove the books and no knowledge gets transfered to children, after 2 or 3 generations, no one is  able to read any longer.

What bothered me a bit about the book is the fact that everything always falls exactly right for Allie, even when it seems it’s going wrong, in the end it turns out right. Not to mention the fact that at some points, I was rolling my eyes at how blind/stupid people can be, but then again, it could be just my low tolerance of stupidity (which I know I have).

But, the world building is great, you really feel pulled into it and there are zombies! Kind of. 🙂

Even with these little things I thought could have been done better, I didn’t feel like stopping with the reading and finding something better (which is a clear sign for me the book is not really good) and I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series, so on the whole, I think it’s a good addition to the YA pool of novels.

My copy of the book was provided through http://www.netgalley.com/

Suzanne Collins: Catching Fire and Mockingjay

World of Books April 10, 2012 Comments: 8

As you already know, I don’t really review the books in the usual sense but talk mostly about what I enjoyed (or didn’t enjoy).

And I REALLY enjoyed The Hunger Games series. 🙂

The books are actually incredibly dark and well, pessimistic but you kind of lose sight of that while reading, as the story is gripping and the setting, although on Earth, is a future we are not familiar with so it’s easy to forget the madness, grayness and cruelty going on.

One of the things that I always consider a sign that the book is good is when I cannot guess what will happen next. And although it wasn’t difficut to guess there will be some rebels against Panem (there are always rebels in societies like that) and that the District 13 is probably alive, I didn’t know what to expect from the rest, or how the story might resolve.
Both in Catching Fire and Mockingjay.

The only thing I guessed was the political fallout in Mockingjay (I was very proud when that turned out to be like I imagined). But just that, the fallout, nothing of the story around it.

And speaking of the story, I must say Mrs. Collins is an incredible story-teller. Oh, she surprised me there, I admit.
You’re reading and reading, and cannot stop and you’re completely in the story and then when the emotional turmoil hits you (the reader), you’re left wondering where did that come from?!
It came from Mrs. Collins’ incredible words.

The fact is, her words convey more than just the plain story, there are emotions hidden deep in there so until they burst forth, you have no idea they were there in the first place.

Somewhat like the rebellion Katniss causes without realizing she is the spark that was missing. The girl on fire, or a well placed word, and before you know it, your world rocks on its axis.
But not to worry, the rocking is for the good. Albeit the process is bloody and tragic.

And yesterday I saw the movie and I must say I am impressed with how much they stuck to the story and elaborated some points that become clear in Catching Fire.

The problem now is, when is the next movie coming out?