Archive for the ‘Book reviews’ Category
Just Reviewed Harbach’s “The Art of Fielding” at SBR
Folks, if you love baseball and you enjoy literary novels, you’ll enjoy Chad Harbach’s THE ART OF FIELDING. In many senses, this is a very fine debut novel with good characterization (with one glaring exception), a story that makes sense, and even a mythic struggle between what you know about yourself and what you think you know — or perhaps better explained as, “Who are you, really, when the cameras are off?”
This is the problem shortstop Henry Skrimshander has. He plays for Westish University (a totally fictional place set in Wisconsin), a Division III school, and is such a great shortstop that he’s never made an error. (He even calls his glove “Zero.”) And he bases his entire personality on that fact, to the point that when he finally does commit an error, his world falls apart.
Mind you, as I reviewed the entire book, I had to point out the one, big weakness of it, and that’s the relationship between Henry’s teammate Mike Schwartz, a catcher on his last legs, and the University President’s daughter, Pella Affenlight. Pella is drawn as a really hot-looking woman, and Schwartz, who otherwise is a go-getter of the first water, seems to have no communication skills or self-esteem when it comes to her. And Pella’s characterization in this area is extremely shallow; she does what she likes, doesn’t wonder much about why she does anything, and of course at the end, Schwartz takes her back for reasons only he knows, because the book is mute.
As I said in my review over at Shiny Book Review (SBR), hotness is not enough for any man to do this in a long-term relationship, not if he wants it to work. (And if this Pella really is that hot, why isn’t she a supermodel already?) Even seeing it as Schwartz’s “tragic flaw,” it doesn’t work, especially as the two of them pairing off is supposed to show great depth and maturity on Pella’s part!
So if Pella weren’t in this book at all, this book would’ve been a solid A. As it stands, because I love romance and know what works and what doesn’t, I had to give it a B even though I loved the book otherwise.
My advice, for what it’s worth, is to check out my review, which is here:
Then, go read the book, enjoy the baseball, and give Pella a wide berth.
Just reviewed “Threshold” at SBR
Folks, if you haven’t read Eric Flint and Ryk Spoor’s books by now, you really should. THRESHOLD is the second in a series about paleontologist Helen Sutter, her much younger husband, A.J. Baker, ex-Homeland Security operative Madeline Fathom, and Fathom’s husband, Joe Buckley. (Yes, that Joe Buckley — the guy who frequently gets red-shirted in books, especially ones with Baen on the label.)
This is a very fine space opera that gets everything right . . . all I know is, I want to read the sequel (right now, dammit!) because Flint and Spoor left their heroes in one Hell of a spot.
Here’s the link:
http://shinybookreview.wordpress.com/2012/04/27/spoor-and-flints-threshold-good-solid-space-opera/
Enjoy!
Just Reviewed Julia London’s “The Revenge of Count Eberlin” at SBR
Tonight, I reviewed Julia London’s THE REVENGE OF LORD EBERLIN at SBR; here’s a few of my further thoughts about the book.
Folks, if you’re looking for a good way to spend a few hours amidst two star-crossed lovers in a 19th century English milieu, look no further than Julia London’s THE REVENGE OF LORD EBERLIN. This is a good story with excellent characterization and depth that hangs on one, thin strand: when Lily Beaudine was eight years old, she saw Joseph Scott, a carpenter, leaving Ashwood Manor at a very late hour. That was the evening the Ashwood jewels were reported stolen; Joesph Scott, who was innocent of that crime, went to the gallows. And Tobin Scott, Lily’s oft-companion (who was then only thirteen), lost his father. This embittered Tobin and he vowed revenge.
Now, it’s 1808. Tobin’s become Count Eberlin of Denmark, a purchased title as he’s become an incredibly wealthy man due to gun-running and the like. And Lily has become the Countess of Ashwood in her own right. But Tobin still blames Lily for his father’s death, and is hell-bent on ruining Lily and Ashwood alike.
Of course, as this is a romance, the two of them have an undeniable connection despite Tobin’s initial antipathy. And over the course of THE REVENGE OF COUNT EBERLIN, we find out why Lily’s Aunt Althea (then Countess of Ashwood through marriage) didn’t speak up to save Joseph Scott’s life, we find out that Lily may not be the last Ashwood heir (or heiress) after all, and we find out that Tobin and Lily can still talk with one another better than anyone else, even though it’s been years and Tobin would rather not.
This is a near-perfect romance that’s marred only because there was never any doubt of Joseph Scott’s innocence; had there been some doubt left there, or had Ms. London set up the novel a little differently so it was possible to see the actions of Joseph Scott and Aunt Althea through Lily’s eight-year-old eyes, this would’ve been flawless. Still, it’s a very good novel that I enjoyed thoroughly; it’s one that you will, too, if you enjoy English historical romance and/or star-crossed lover tales.
Here’s the link:
http://shinybookreview.wordpress.com/2012/04/21/julia-londons-eberlin-revenge-english-style/
Enjoy!
Just reviewed “Lawyers in Hell” at SBR
The “Heroes in Hell” anthology series, created by Janet and Chris Morris, is back after a twenty-five year hiatus with LAWYERS IN HELL. As this was one of my favorite shared world anthology series (seria?), I was pleased to be able to obtain a copy and review it at Shiny Book Review.
As I said at SBR, all twenty-two stories are competent, but I enjoyed some of them more than others. Along with the three stories the Morrises wrote, I highlighted five others that I particularly enjoyed, along with three that either disappointed me or annoyed me. (Just remember that in this case, “worst” stories is a relative term, as none of the stories are bad.)
This is a series that still has a great deal of life left to it, which is why I urge you to read my review, then go grab the book!
Here’s the link:
http://shinybookreview.wordpress.com/2012/04/20/lawyers-in-hell-back-into-hell/
Enjoy!
Just Reviewed “Confessions of an Improper Bride” at SBR
Folks, CONFESSIONS OF AN IMPROPER BRIDE is the second romance novel I’ve read by Jennifer Haymore and reviewed at Shiny Book Review (SBR); it is by far better than the previous novel reviewed (the iffy A SEASON OF SEDUCTION). I enjoyed this emotionally complex tale of regret, grief, pathos, and (paradoxically) joy — one of the best romances I’ve read this year.
Go take a look at my review:
Enjoy!
Just Reviewed Sprunk’s “Shadow’s Master” at SBR
Folks, if you want a dark sword and sorcery epic, you should seriously consider reading Jon Sprunk’s SHADOW’S MASTER, the third and final book in his “Shadow Saga.” I called it an “intelligent, violent” sword and sorcery epic, and complimented Sprunk on his characterization and plot construction — of course, me being me, I also had to point out the flaws that I really didn’t understand (such as the two female characters, who are in a “love triangle” of sorts with Caim, refusing to tell Caim the important information he would need if he really were to settle down with either one of them).
That said, this is a good story, well-told. I enjoyed it even though dark fantasy, much less dark sword and sorcery, isn’t exactly my cup of tea; this is why I think men will find far more appealing than I did. (To turn a phrase, I said, “. . . the younger, the better,” but that’s mostly because younger men seem more attracted to violent TV shows and movies than most women. Not trying to be sexist, honest.) There’s much to admire about Sprunk’s writing, so even if you’re like me and would rather read something a bit less violent, you should enjoy SHADOW’S MASTER.
Please go here to read my review, then go find Sprunk’s book and read it for yourself. You’ll be glad you did.
Just reviewed the last two Hines “Princess” novels at SBR
Folks, if you’re looking for some good, light reading, look no further than Jim C. Hines’s work. He is a gifted satirist, which I knew from the “Jig the Goblin” series; he’s also good at comedy, puns, and tells a really good story even when the subject is dark.
In Hines’s last two novels in the “Princess” series, we get to see Hines’s conception of what three real princesses who’d gone through what Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty did would be like. Hines believes all three of these women, in adulthood, would be seriously competent people — gifted fighters, mages, or possibly both.
Anyway, go take a look at my latest review at Shiny Book Review (SBR), which is for Hines’s last two novels in this series, RED HOOD’S REVENGE, and THE SNOW QUEEN’S SHADOW, and see what you think.
http://shinybookreview.wordpress.com/2012/03/29/hines-princess-series-wrap-up-fun-yet-incomplete/
Have at!
Just Reviewed Sabrina Jeffries’ “A Lady Never Surrenders” at SBR
Folks, if you’re looking for a quick, fun read that’s historically accurate (at least, as far as I can tell), contains wit, sensuality, and some good action-adventure to boot, look no further than Sabrina Jeffries’ newest romance, A LADY NEVER SURRENDERS.
Please take a look at my review, which is up now at SBR:
Enjoy!
Just reviewed Jasper Fforde’s “Shades of Grey” at SBR
Folks, if you are looking for a good novel of the dystopian sort, one that’s set in a world I’ve never seen before (except when looking into a mirror, dimly), you should go pick up a copy of Jasper Fforde’s SHADES OF GREY. It’s a very fine novel of the satirical, dystopian sort; it features the disquietingly mundane Eddie Russet, and his struggles to figure out what he’s for, what his society is all about, and what he wants to do with himself, all in a world that seemingly has gone stark, raving mad.
Here’s the link:
Enjoy!
Just Reviewed Michaele Jordan’s “Mirror Maze” at SBR
Folks, if you are looking for an exceptional dark fantasy by a new and major talent, look no further than Michaele Jordan’s MIRROR MAZE. MIRROR MAZE is an excellent Victorian-era “erotic romance” that combines historical accuracy, romantic depth, excellent characterizations, and a superb plot into one highly compelling narrative. This is Jordan’s debut novel, and you’d never know it by her skill.
This is really great stuff, so go read my review, available here — then go grab a copy of her book, MIRROR MAZE.
Barb Caffrey's Blog 