February 3, 2010
· Filed under Just Read · Tagged Legacy, Lois McMaster Bujold, Sharing Knife
As feared, the Lakewalkers are opposed to marriage between Dag and Fawn: they feel that the bloodline and thereby Lakewalker powers will be diminished if the marriage is allowed to stand. Despite Fawn and Dag’s best efforts to win everyone over, a council meeting is planned to rule on the legitimacy of their marriage. Lifelong banishment from his home, his people and his life’s purpose is one possible outcome Dag faces if he chooses to remain with Fawn.
In the meantime, Dag is called away by a Malice attack on a neighboring hinterland. The Malice is like none the Lakewalkers have ever encountered (which raises more questions about the origins of these creatures). This Malice lays an intricate trap which ensnares several Lakewalkers; Fawn’s ingenuity saves them, but will that act be enough to override years of prejudice? Dag comprehends that the survival of both peoples is dependent upon building connections rather than maintaining separations—but can he and Fawn help everyone else see this before it’s too late? And what’s happening with Dag’s powers???
Another engaging read. Again, I’m more drawn to the broader story than I am to Dag and Fawn’s romance—their romance is sweet and it is definitely the foundation of the series but it’s too easy. Despite their different backgrounds, despite the difference in their ages, despite the fallout that their romance brings, there are no misunderstandings or uncertainties between them. It’s sweet but it’s too easy to be entirely convincing.
February 3, 2010
· Filed under Lost · Tagged Lost Season 6, Lost theories
Why are there two stories? How do they relate to each other? Parallel universes? Maybe but I think there’s a deeper connection—it seems as if the characters on the flight that didn’t crash have a sense of deja vu, which implies to me that history *may* have been changed but it left a shadow of a memory. Or, maybe our fates are interwoven with specific people, and even though the details may vary from ‘universe’ to ‘universe’, that connection can be felt across the lines even if it can’t be identified—but that doesn’t explain Charlie’s statement.
Maybe, there’s only one reality but we’re seeing different possibilities because it is still being determined? Jacob does seem to be in the habit of bringing people to the Island to fulfill some purpose.
What’s the history between Jacob, Jacob’s Nemesis (JN) and Richard? Jacob seems to be the good guy and JN seems to be the bad guy but we still don’t know much about them. They seem to be bound to each other. JN seems to resentful of Jacob and Jacob seems to feel saddened by JN. Were they both originally on the Island for the same purpose and JN first lost heart for that task, and then came to resent it?
It seems likely that Richard was on the Black Rock. Jacob and JN were already in opposition when that ship arrived on the Island but apparently Richard met both. Was Richard a slave on the ship or had JN captured him at some point in their long history and put him in chains?
Where is JN’s home? Somewhere otherworldly? Is he able to leave the Island at all, or is that option only available to Jacob? Why *can’t* JN leave? I’m guessing that he is tied to the Island until some purpose is fulfilled and he’s trying to eliminate the purpose.
It worked? Was Juliet drifting between memories, dreaming, sensing a parallel universe? No idea. Merciless of the show to make us watch Sawyer’s heart break again and again and again . . .
Sayid? He was dead so I think Jacob may have found *his* loophole. On the other hand, that seems kind of obvious so I expect the writers have something else in mind entirely.
January 29, 2010
· Filed under Just Read · Tagged Beguilement, Lois McMaster Bujold, Sharing Knife
Fawn Bluefield always believed that blight bogles were nothing more than wild tales; when she set off alone cross-country, she thought her main worry would be bandits. Learning that a Lakewalker patrol was just ahead of her on the road in search of a bogle, she almost changed her plans—almost. Desperate to leave her old life behind, Fawn pushed on–and found herself captured by the bogle’s slaves.
Dag Redwing is a veteran Lakewalker patroller with a painful past of his own. Tracking the bogle, or Malice as he calls it, Dag rescues Fawn. Despite the fact that he’s a Lakewalker and she’s a farmer girl (and widespread prejudice on both sides holds that they keep their distance), the two are drawn to each other. And then, there’s that mysterious thing that happened with the Sharing Knife that binds them on a quest for answers.
The first book of The Sharing Knife series explores the star-crossed romance between Fawn and Dag. Bujold also hints at a history of legendary kingdoms and ancient sorceries—and that the bogles of present-day are a result of something from that distant time. Beguilement is a compelling fantasy with an emphasis on romance. I’m intrigued by the hints of this world’s past and look forward to discovering more as the series continues. I’m also looking forward to both groups discovering that they need to merge together if they want to save their world. I mostly liked the romance, but it developed a bit too quickly for me to entirely believe it (particularly on Dag’s part) and the age-difference is icky if you allow yourself to think about it. That said, it’s a quick, enjoyable read.
January 22, 2010
· Filed under Just Read · Tagged City of Ember, Jeanne DuPrau
The city of Ember was created more than 200 years ago by The Builders: it was intended to help humans survive until enough time had passed for conditions to improve. The city was stocked with enough supplies to last until it would be safe for the residents to “return”. Instructions for the return were placed in a secure box which would automatically open when the time was right. Unfortunately, the box was lost and no one was present when it opened . . . .
The current residents of Ember know nothing of life outside the city; there are not even rumors of life before Ember. There is only the city and the Great Unknown, for Ember is a dark place, lit only by streetlamps for 12 hours each day. People have tried to explore the tunnels but without any “movable” light, the only ones to return do so without any progress, only terror.
Supplies are now running out and the generator which has kept the city running all of these years is failing. Blackouts are occurring frequently and lasting longer, leaving the residents of Ember in complete darkness. While most of the city panics, new “graduates” Doon and Lina search for answers.
Loved it! My only criticism with the book is that the solution to Doon and Lina’s last dilemma seems a bit too easy. (I’ve plenty of criticisms for a society that determines employment by drawing slips of paper!)
January 16, 2010
· Filed under Book Announcements · Tagged Monkeewrench, P.J. Tracy, Shoot to Thrill
I *love* P.J. Tracy’s Monkeewrench series so I was excited to check their website and see the following announcement:
SHOOT TO THRILL — the latest Monkeewrench novel — will be available in stores everywhere April 29th, 2010! The U.K. edition, entitled PLAY TO KILL, will also be arriving in stores spring 2010. We will post the exact on-sale date when we have it, so check back for this, the new book cover art, blurbs, and a sample chapter or two.
Yay!
http://www.pjtracy.net/content/index2.asp
January 16, 2010
· Filed under Just Read · Tagged Anna Pigeon, Ill Wind, Mesa Verde National Park, Nevada Barr, P.J. Tracy readalike
It’s not unusual for a few visitors to experience health problems while making
the climb to explore Mesa Verde’s ruins but the numbers seem high this season. Ranger Anna Pigeon suspects there’s a reason but can’t quite place what it is. Then there are the more easily detectable problems to deal with: someone’s sabotaging construction equipment, the park secretary is being harassed by her ex-husband and someone’s finding a way into closed areas after hours. Frederick Stanton, the FBI agent from A Superior Death, is called in to help when one of Anna’s coworkers is found dead at the bottom of a kiva.
Anna’s alcoholism takes a turn for the worse in this installment of the series; it does stretch the imagination to believe that she can consume as much alcohol as she does and still perform her job well. Despite this, Anna is a likable character and Barr crafts an engaging mystery. Still loving the series!
*If you like P.J. Tracy’s Monkeewrench series, I think you’ll like Anna Pigeon.
January 16, 2010
· Filed under Just Read · Tagged A Superior Death, Anna Pigeon, Isle Royale National Park, Nevada Barr
Lake Superior has a few ghost ships in her depths, among them the Kamloops. Only the best divers can manage a dive this deep in Superior’s frigid waters, but those who do so are greeted by the eerie figures of 5 crew members, trapped on board when the ship went down in 1927. When a couple of divers think to correct the historical record by showing National Park Service Ranger Anna Pigeon a video that shows 6 bodies below, the mystery begins.
Loving this series!!! Excellent plotting, wonderful characters, an insider’s perspective of the National Parks System–highly recommended.
December 31, 2009
· Filed under Just Read · Tagged Diana Gabaldon, Outlander
If you found yourself in the past, would you be able to blend in until you found a way back? Would you try to create a new life for yourself or would you risk everything to return to your present? Would you use your knowledge to change history? If you had to choose between two loves, how would you do so?
Claire is an English nurse on holiday with her husband in the Scottish Highlands. Claire and Frank have been separated by the war for six years but WWII is finally at an end and they treat themselves to a second honeymoon of sorts. Frank spends a fair bit of time tracing his family history and Claire indulges her interest in botany by roaming the countryside, collecting plant samples. It’s on one of these quests that she enters a circle of standing stones and finds herself transported back roughly 200 years, to Scotland on the verge of the Jacobite rising. Disoriented, she stumbles into a skirmish between Scots and English. Both groups suspect her of being a spy.
She is taken by the Scots and finds herself nursing a tall, redheaded highlander by the name of Jamie. Her healing skills earn her respect although she is still regarded with suspicion. As the story progresses, circumstances push Claire into a marriage with Jamie. She slowly finds herself torn between her desire to return to Frank and her desire to stay with Jamie.
Compelling story: 600+ pages go by quickly. Gabaldon shows both the good and bad of 1743 Scotland and the story contains a good deal of graphic violence.
