The Return

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Greetings all. It’s been an interesting year thus far, but throughout it, I’ve had a nagging feeling of something incomplete. That something is the reviews of all the books I read in 2015.

Back when I started this project, the idea was going to be that I did a short one-paragraph review of each book. Naturally, that spiralled out control pretty quickly, hence the reason for this blog existing at all.

What I found, however, was that the more depth I went into in my reviews the longer it took me to get around to writing them. By the end of the year, I was eight books behind, and I’d started reading less in order to reduce the backlog. That’s the opposite of how I wanted it to go!

Anyway, it’s well past time that I finish this. Following are short reviews of the remaining eight books in the pile that I ended up with. There are a couple of interesting entries in there, so hopefully I can remember the details well enough to do them justice!

Veiled, by Benedict Jacka. Book six of the Alex Verus series.

A good continuation of the series here. If you liked the previous books, you’ll like this, but it’s not a starting point. This is the book I teased as being political, and it is, showing some of the inner workings of both Light and Dark factions. Among other things, it really goes to show that Light is not always Good.

Nimona, by Noelle Stevenson. Standalone graphic novel.

Nimona was originally a webcomic, and you can read the first few chapters on its website, here.

This one’s highly entertaining, with engaging characters and lovely art. It’s about a supervillain and his sidekick. Take a look and see what you think, but I was thoroughly impressed by the whole thing. This isn’t much of a review, but as I flip through the book again I’m reminded of all the things that I wouldn’t have wanted spoiled going in. Well worth it.

Battle Mage, by Stephen Aryan. Book one of the Age of Darkness series.

A book told from three different viewpoints, the warrior, the mage, and the spy. All three have unique parts to play in the war that is the book’s focus, and each is challenged in ways that you might not expect from their broader roles. Overall an enjoyable read, but it wouldn’t be my first recommendation as a fantasy novel.

The Hollow Boy, by Jonathan Stroud. Book three of Lockwood & Co.

Another one in the series. If you liked the previous two then you should read it! This one’s got a bit more character drama, I think, which was a shame from my perspective. That said, it’s also retained the chillingly effective horror elements of the series, and it’s a bit of a turning point for the series too…

Plus it’s Halloween soon. Go on, read a ghost story or two!

Mitosis, by Brandon Sanderson. Short story set between books one and two of the Reckoners series.

Following on from the excellent Steelheart, this is short and also pretty good. It’s a bridge between the first two books really.

Firefight, by Brandon Sanderson. Book two of the Reckoners series.

And here’s why I bought Mitosis as a standalone book rather than waiting for a short story collection. Firefight’s a cool book, and it’s definitely worth a read if you likes Steelheart. That said, it’s chock full of spoilers for that book. Heck, even the title might give something minor away. Anyway, it’s pretty good. I remember liking it, but not as much as the first book. I’d probably say it’s weak for Sanderson, but that’s like saying “oh, this film’s only going to win one or two Oscars.”

The Loney, by Andrew Michael Hurley. Standalone novel.

This is, I understand, Gothic horror. It’s got a creepy setting but for the most part things are very mundane… until they aren’t. It’s not clear exactly what’s going on with the horror elements throughout, but they are ever-present. A lot of focus is on the characters and the setting, in about equal measure, which leads to a feeling of the locatinos in the book being somehow more than just places. It’s interesting, but I don’t think I’m a fan of the genre, to be honest. The book was readable, but in the end not to my tastes.

Tinder, by Sally Gardner. Standalone novel. Illustrated by David Roberts.

This is something of a retelling of the fairy tale “The Tinderbox” by Hand Christian Andersen. But in the form of a novel rather than a short story, and (having just read the original) fewer very questionable actions being treated as completely fine. In fact, it’s not that much like the original at all, but I was reminded of it throughout reading.

I enjoyed the book well enough, and it’s a joy to read with the art complementing the story wonderfully. If you’re looking for a darker kind of story with a very fairy tale theme to it, this might be just what you’re after.

The Turbulent Term of Tyke Tiler, by Gene Kemp. Book one of the Cricklepit Combined School series.

Bonus book! This is one I read when I was younger, and I was pretty happy to find it still sitting on the bookshelf in my parents’ house. I honestly had no idea it was part of a series, but I don’t think that matters. Do you want to read a book about a twelve year old having adventures in being a normal twelve year old? Then give it a shot! There’s nothing fantastic or science fiction about it, and it’s not even really in the vein of the Famous Five where the kids manage to solve all of the mysteries (spoilers). Maybe I was reading it again through nostalgia goggles, but they were nostalgia for when I was twelve and doing that kind of thing (but with less misbehaviour. Honest.). Good fun, and worth the time.

Anyway, that’s your lot. All the books I read in 2015 have now been reviewed on this site. What’s next? I guess we’ll see. I’m not adverse to continuing to review interesting books that I come across, after all. Maybe I’ll start posting some other things here too. I guess we’ll see!

Until then, thanks for reading at least some of my ramblings. Now go curl up in an armchair with a book and a cup of tea. I know I’m going to!

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Unluckiest Train Ever

First Class Murder, by Robin Stevens. Book three of the Murder Most Unladylike Mysteries.

Going to be a short one this time, as I’m supposed to be wrapping presents! Also because it’s a mystery that I don’t want to spoil at all.

This book is something of a tribute to Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie. I can’t say how similar the plot is, but it’s definitely set on the Orient Express, and there’s definitely at least one murder.

While in the previous book we got to meet Daisy’s family, this time we get to meet Hazel’s. Once again, I appreciate the attention to detail with the characterisation in this series. Meeting Hazel’s father also allows us to learn a lot more about her background and who she is as a person.

The other passengers are also a key element of the story of course, and lend a sense of time to the story. It’s 1935, and the origins and discussions of the characters really show it.

The mystery this time is especially puzzling, which I appreciate. There’s an element of How as well as the usual Who that needs to be figured out. Add in even more elements working against the protagonists and you’ve got a seriously entertaining story on your hands.

As I mentioned last time, I still prefer Arsenic For Tea to this one, primarily because of the excellent way that Daisy is portrayed throughout, but First Class Murder is a close second. Overall, a very solid mystery. Looking forward to the next one!

Well, I’m off to eat mince pies and have Christmas. Next review will involve politics. Exciting!

Further Murder

Arsenic for Tea, by Robin Stevens. Book two of the Murder Most Unladylike Mysteries.

Continuing the adventures of Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong, this book takes place the following Easter, during the school holidays. The girls and some of their friends from school are spending the holidays with Daisy’s family.

In fact, the story is less focused on the investigation right from the start than in the previous book. Instead, family interactions take point, such that every character is built up and developed over the course of the book.

Of course, not being at school removes some of the structure from the day, allowing more freedom to investigate. There are naturally still limitations around what a thirteen year-old can do in terms of investigation, and the fact that all of the possible suspects have been built up in terms of personality makes this book far more emotionally charged than the last.

As usual for a mystery novel, I’m being extra careful not to spoil anything, so I’ll stop there. I will say that something I’ve noticed (and enjoyed) in both books is a perfectly valid reason for the police not to become involved. This is something which is often handwaved in fiction with an explanation such as “Telling the police would reveal magic to normal people”, “The villain has them in his pocket”, or “They wouldn’t be any help anyway”. Obviously this doesn’t apply if the protagonist is part of the police. In this series, however, the justifications seem perfectly logical.

This is my favourite of the series so far (I’ve also read book three) because of the incredible character building that takes place. It’s especially apparent with Daisy, and the events of the book offer a real glimpse into her mind.

It’s been a short one this time, but I really don’t think I can say more without spoiling the plot. And there’s so much more to say! Character discussions and how observant a child can be are the things that spring to mind, but alas…

Overall, this book is great. I’d suggest reading Murder Most Unladylike first, of course, but this story probably doesn’t require it. You’ll miss out on a great book though, so why not!

Next up, book three! I wanted to read more, okay?

Summer Days

Foxglove Summer, by Ben Aaronovitch. Book five of the Rivers of London series.

Another series named after the first book, these books star PC Peter Grant as their main character. I’ll try to avoid spoiling the earlier books as usual, but as this is book five there will inevitably be minor issues.

Peter is a member of the Metropolitan Police, part of a division specialising in the weird, the unexplained, and the straight up magic. As such, finding out that the answer to a case is “murdered by jealous spouse” rather than “devoured by flesh eating ghoul” tends to be something of a relief.

What this means for the reader is that there is plenty of genuine police procedure, even though reports that make it into the official database tend to omit the ghouls. I think a good way to explain it would be that this is a fairly realistic crime series, but there just happen to be wizards.

In Foxglove Summer, PC Grant gets to leave London for a bit. The series plot takes something of a backseat in this one, to focus more on the specific case. There are still recurring elements, and some ongoing plots are continued or resolved, but after the tension of the previous book (Broken Homes) it’s nice to have a short break from… well, that really is a spoiler.

This particular case involves the search for two missing children, and perfectly captures the kind of atmosphere that entails. Grant’s involvement isn’t exactly orthodox, but it is very in character. I’ll leave the plot alone there, since there are a few separate mysteries in this one.

Magic in this series takes a lot of cues from traditional tales of spirits and wizards. One thing I really like is that nobody in the setting has really bothered thinking about magic as something that can be studied and defined, as it seems to follow a more emotive and instinctive path. Grant, on the other hand, refuses to leave well enough alone, and insists on experimenting with everything. Since the series is told from his perspective, the reader gets to share a little of the frustration at the lack of clarity, and satisfaction every time there’s a breakthrough. It’s a really clever approach, and one I thoroughly enjoy.

Overall, the novel is quieter than most of the others in the series, but solid enough for it. There are big spoilers in here for some of the previous books, so if you’re interested I’d suggest starting with Rivers of London. The series is pretty good, certainly worth a read if you’re into police novels and fantasy.

Next up, more murders!

The Eighties Called…

Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline. Standalone novel.

I wanted to start this review with a brief introduction to the plot, but that would give me less time to jabber at you in an inconsequential manner. Anyway! I’ve got a bunch of books still left to review this year if I’m to make good on my resolution to review every one that I read. As such, December ought to be full to the brim with stuff, assuming I can keep this up. There’re ten  or so books in my backlog, assuming that I don’t read anything else this year (don’t bet on it). And so, to the review!

The year is 2045. The world is screwed. Most of humanity spends a good deal of time in a virtual reality called Oasis. And then a competition is launched to find one person who will inherit the entire thing. The cover promises a mix of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and The Matrix, and I have to say that it’s not far off… though it’s a lot darker than the first and more in depth than either.

The characters are varied and likable enough, but the most interesting part about any of the characterisation is the blending of online anonymity with a massive online reality. Each character has two layers: their avatar, and their real life self. Some are much and the same, others completely different. It’s exploring these differences, and the difficulties inherit in doing so, that make the characters so engaging.

The plot itself is stuffed full of references to eighties pop-culture, from old sitcoms, to arcade games, to anything else you can think of. It makes reading it a treat to anyone who’s a fan. There were some moments when I know references went over my head, and I’m sure there were more that I missed entirely, but there are just so many that it doesn’t matter in the long run. You’ll get enough of the references that they won’t feel too much like a slog.

What might feel like a slog is the sheer amount of exposition. It’s handled well, but there’s an awful lot to get through. If I remember rightly, it’s more prominent at the beginning of the novel, and I think that’s partially a result of the setting being so integral to the plot. The other reason is that it’s all in the style of the protagonist telling the story.

Overall, it took me a while to get into this book, but I’m glad I did. There were parts I liked more than others, of course, but in the end I enjoyed it quite a lot. I believe a film version is in the works, so I’ll be interested to see how that goes.

Next up, the Magic Police!

The Start of Something Great

Murder Most Unladylike, by Robin Stevens. Book one of the Murder Most Unladylike Mysteries.

So, we have a new series here! I’m not sure about naming the series after the first book – it makes my header look untidy, dammit! – but that might well be my only complaint with this book.

The novel is set in a boarding school for girls in 1934 England, and is narrated by Hazel Wong, the secretary of the Detective Society. The entire book is laid out as the notes written up on the society’s activities, but it never sacrifices suspense to stick with that style. I don’t feel that’s an apt explanation, but it’ll have to do for now.

With regards to character, Hazel is quite straightforward at first glance, but reveals a lot more depth as we learn more about her. The other member of the Detective Society is Daisy Wells, the president. Displaying far more confidence than Hazel, but tempering it with a less methodical attitude and a tendency to rush in, she is a great contrast to our narrator.

I want to mention the style of the narration while we’re on the subject; and just how different it is to most of the other first-person books I’ve read. Generally, the protagonist of a first person book is fairly confident of their abilities and situation, even when that situation is getting out of hand. My first thoughts are immediately of Harry Dresden (The Dresden Files) and Gregor Eisenhorn (Eisenhorn), for example. People with power, resources, and the wits to do what they have to. Even Lucy Carlyle (Lockwood and Co.) has some measure of control over the situations she finds herself in.

In contrast to these heroic characters, Hazel is very ordinary. Yes, she’s one of the smartest in her class, but being more academically proficient then other thirteen year-olds isn’t quite up there with fireballs, ultimate authority, or ghost fighting. It’s this ordinary perspective that grants Murder Most Unladylike a lot of its charm. Hazel and Daisy have to stay within the rules, which puts a serious limit on any investigating they might otherwise wish to do.

As per usual with mysteries I’ve kept details of the plot as absent as possible, but I can say that I didn’t manage to solve it before the protagonists, and I’m satisfied that the conclusion was built into the story well enough that a second reading should point out a lot of stuff that points to it.

Overall, I really liked this book. So much so, that I went and picked up the next two in the series almost immediately. If you’re looking for something light but with a bit of a twist I can’t recommend this enough.

Next up, a first person protagonist with a lot of power to control the situation.

Heresy and Tragedy

The First Heretic, by Aaron Dembski-Bowden. Book fourteen of the Horus Heresy series.

The Horus Heresy series tends to vary in quality, from the excellent to the mediocre. Part of that is due to the wide range of subjects covered, while part of it is the different writing styles of the various authors who work on the project. The First Heretic is good, but hasn’t stuck in my mind as well as some of the others.

The story follows the XVII Legion, the Word Bearers, as they strive to find meaning in their existence after they are viciously chastised for their worship of the Emperor. Ironically, the very belief which causes the Emperor to drive them away is the same one that all citizens of the Imperium will be following in ten thousand years: that the Emperor is a god.

With regards to the plot, this book is in my opinion a beautiful example of a tragedy. Anyone with any knowledge of Warhammer 40000 (which, let’s be honest, is the target audience) knows how this has to end for all the characters, but the way in which events are presented is what makes it so good. Seeing the events of the story, and the actions of the Emperor, from the perspective of the XVII Legion leaves little doubt as to why they act as they do.

This book also gives us a rare glimpse into the creation of the Space Marines and their Primarchs. This includes a major revelation for the lore of Warhammer 40000 – if it is true.

Overall, not a bad book. I was almost reluctant to finish it, as the number of possible endings dwindled, but it did not disappoint and I do feel that I understand the Word Bearers motives a lot better now than I did before.

Next up, a mystery, and one of my new favourite series!

More Short Stories!

To Hold The Bridge, by Garth Nix. A collection of short stories.

I have read a lot more collections of short stories this year than I usually do. They’re a pain to review, since I tend to forget specific stories. This one was brought to my attention by the fact that it’s got a story from the Old Kingdom in it. So, let’s get cracking!

To Hold The Bridge, an Old Kingdom story – I believe this is set years before Clariel, though it’s possible that it takes place some time between Clariel and Sabriel. It’s not important, as the story is very self-contained, focusing on a new recruit to the defenders of a massive bridge (still under construction). The story is fairly straightforward, but offers us glances at what life in the Old Kingdom is like for those not part of the great bloodlines, and also some antagonists that aren’t dead. I would certainly not be adverse to reading more about this!

Vampire Weather – It’s foggy, and that means that there are vampires about! A bit of mystery, a bit of ignorance, and an interesting look at the direction life would take if plagued by vampires. Not my favourite in the collection, but by no means bad.

Strange Fishing in the West Highlands – A story about a perfectly normal doctor and a fishing trip with Hellboy. Yeah, that Hellboy. Pretty fun, plenty of destruction and an old god or two.

Old Friends – I think this one went over my head a little. I’m sure it’s a reference to something, but I can’t figure out what. Still a good story about facing up to the inevitable, but I couldn’t shake the feeling I was missing something.

The Quiet Knight – A wonderful story about being different and being a teenager, set in the modern day. One of my favourites in this collection.

You Won’t Feel A Thing – This story is set in the same world as Shades Children, which I haven’t read. It’s set well before, but does a good job of making me want to track down a copy. It’s about a toothache.

A Handful of Ashes – Set in a school of magic, with a nefarious plot and courageous students! Likable characters and a magic system that’s well explained for a short story mean that I couldn’t not enjoy this.

The Big Question – The story of a journey, and of life, this one tells of both the best and worst of humanity. It’s a little more abstract than most stories, but still interesting,

Stop! – I don’t really know. A man walks into a restricted zone It was okay, but there wasn’t much to it. Kind of an interesting concept, but saying more will give away the main point.

Infestation – Vampire hunting, in a world where organised Vampire Hunts are a thing. A weird concept, but the protagonist makes it work. Also has a very interesting twist, but that would be telling.

The Heart of the City – Set in France in the sixteenth century, the soldiers of King Henri IV escort a vital package across Paris. Some very interesting concepts and themes here make this story one that seems like the opening to a greater tale.

Ambrose and the Ancient Spirits of East and West – A retired agent prepares to re-emerge into the world, but his old enemies and allies have other plans. A strange combination of duty and compulsion drive this story, with some questionable ethics thrown in for good measure. Pretty good.

Holly and Iron – This is one of those stories where I wish there was more of it to read. There are clear influences from Robin Hood, but the story isn’t much like the legend. There’s loss, gain, desperate gambles, and sacrifice. Also some awesome magic. Why must this be only a short story? Probably the best in the collection.

The Curious Case of the Moondawn Daffodils Murder: As Experienced by Sir Magnus Holmes and Almost-Doctor Susan Shrike – Sherlock Holmes’ second cousin is unleashed to assist with an investigation. This is another story I wish there was more of, since there are some great concepts in there. Absolutely great.

An Unwelcome Guest – A witch tries to get rid of a squatter. Turns traditional fairy tails on their head, in a hilarious manner. Also an interesting take on Rapunzel.

The Highest Justice – A princess and her unicorn friend seeking justice. Given the premise, the story has a surprisingly mature theme. Still very good though, just not what you’d expect from unicorns and princesses.

Master Haddad’s Holiday – I’m pretty sure this is a prequel to A Confusion of Princes, a book about, well, a lot of princes. It also serves to illustrate the sheer badassitude of Haddad, even compared to other assassins in this universe. I need to read A Confusion of Princes again…

A Sidekick of Mars – The story of the unknown sidekick of John Carter. I haven’t read the Barsoom series, but this certainly shows its protagonist in an unflattering light! Probably would have more impact for those who’ve read the original.

Peace in Our Time – Excellently written. You need to read it to get the full impact. That might be a bit of a cop-out for a review, but this one’s all about figuring out what’s happened.

Phew, that’s the lot. Why are there always so many stories in these collections? Overall, this is worth picking up just for To Hold The Bridge if you like the Old Kingdom series. The other stories are generally of high quality, with a few real gems. Definitely worth a read whatever you’re fond of reading.

Next up, a tragedy.

Order and Chaos

Clariel, by Garth Nix. A prequel to the Old Kingdom series.

Phew, that was a bit of a break. Apologies, there have been several issues. Computer troubles, busy with work, being a lazy git, and so on. Anyway…

The Old Kingdom series is another of my favourites, thanks in part to wonderful worldbuilding, and the peculiarity of where magic works. I won’t go into more than basic details, but essentially there are Charter magic (representing order and life), and Free magic (representing chaos and death). Good people don’t tend to use Free magic, with a few exceptions who are key to the other novels but don’t really feature in this book. There are also creatures of Death, either reanimated corpses or malevolent spirits, and beings of pure Free magic, who seek the destruction of life in all its forms (those are the bad guys).

Anyway, this book is set many, many years before even the historic events of Sabriel. The Old Kingdon is already around, and magic is the same, but the differences are in the attitude to magic and the world are very different. Charter magic is unfashionable, rather than a guiding light in the dark, and Free magic is more of a myth than an ever-present threat, for example. It’s an interesting perspective, and definitely shows how the world could have got to the state it’s in in Sabriel.

In the style of most of the novels so far, this one takes its name from its heroine: Clariel. A very likable character, and one who I really look forward to seeing again in a later book – I got the impression that her story was only just beginning, despite everything.

Overall, it’s a great book. I’m not sure if it’s better to start here or with the original trilogy of Sabriel, Lirael, and Abhorsen. Either’s valid; you’ll miss out on some cool references reading Clariel first, but I imagine you’ll get them in reverse when you reach Sabriel and Lirael. Actually, yeah, read this one first.

Next up, more short stories.

No More Sleep For Me

The Harvest Man, by Alex Grecian. Book four of the Murder Squad series.

I made up the name of the series. I guess it would more properly be The Yard series, after book one, but that sounded odd in my head. Anyway…

This series follows the adventures of Inspector Walter Day, a member of the Murder Squad of London’s police force. Set just after the conclusion of Jack The Ripper’s killing spree, public faith in the police is, naturally, fairly low… and then comes book one, The Yard. Suffice to say, it got me thoroughly hooked on the series.

Four books on, and Inspector Day is doing fairly well. The case this time is that of the Harvest Man, a serial killer the likes of whom Murder Squad has not encountered before.

The series keeps up its quality of writing for this book, with scenes from the Harvest Man’s perspective occurring every now and then giving a glimpse into his thought process. It’s kind of terrifying actually – and I imagine it would be more-so if the reader happened to fit the profile of his victims.

This book is extremely character focused. All the protagonists get a huge amount of character development – built on events of the previous books – and it’s great to see. Even some minor recurring characters get a bunch.

And then there’s the ending. You may recall that I’ve raged about cliffhanger endings in the past. Well, this has to be the best executed of them that I’ve read in a long time. If I go into much detail I’ll likely spoil both this book and the last couple, but suffice to say that it’s both completely unexpected, entirely consistent with the tone and characters involved, and the perfect place to end the book. And now I really want to read the next one…

Overall, I have to thoroughly recommend this series – but don’t read this one first. It builds heavily on events from the rest of the series. Start with book one, The Yard. It might be possible to begin with The Black Country or The Devil’s workshop too, though you’ll miss out on some establishing character moments for the various protagonists.

Next up, a prequel to another of my favourite series. Should be fun!