Stack o Books This High to Knock You Over

After I finished to Light a Candle, I had to blitz to finish Dreamfall by Joan D. Vinge. I was so engrossed by it I didn't have a problem. I wisely picked up Psion as well, the prequel to Catspaw and Dreamfall. It at least gave me a better idea of the actual events to Cat's past than what I first discovered when I read Catspaw (which I very much recommend to anyone that lover cyberpunk fantasy or simply hardluck stories).

Very short book, and I have to agree with an amazon.com review of Psion that says "The biggest problem is the overall shallowness, or even triteness, of everthing: theme, plot, and character development." It was meant to be a short story, and it was a lot of ground to cover in so few pages, so I can forgive it even if the author of the review could not. I recommened it in order to more fully flesh out Cat's story.

Catspaw in a nutshell, blows Psion out of the water as it is a full fledged novel. Not for kiddies either as we have adult situations (who am I kidding, this series is for teen+ for language and sensuality) and quite a bit of graphic violence/drug use. I have loved this paperback to death so much I refuse to review it.

Dreamfall makes what in my mind was impossible, reality. That Joan made a sequel to Catspaw that trumped the plot and Cat character to take the house prize. I fully expect to Cat remain cynical and juvenile as ever. I was happily dissapointed to see him grow and expand to fill his character shoes without cliche. I praise Joan for coming up with this original and endearing character for us to suffer with and hope for. Not only that, but to tackle interstellar politics and racism is not the safest material to dance with either. The topics are handled with grace and are included in the story to suspend disbelief and add to the world of the future we look upon. There is no overpowering statement or activism overlaid with the bare bones of story.

As soon as I'm able, I'll add this to my library. A+!

I have Alta waiting for me, and I've just started First Rider's Call.
Almost done with the Essential Uncanny X-Men. I'll complain about my findings in that regard later.

To Light a Thought

Sorry to have put this post on the back burner. I finished this up on the nineth or the tenth. I had to hurry up and get on to the Pullman books since I had already used up all my renews and I still have one more book right now that I need to finish before another week. And of course it is a part of a whole trilogy I need to read. Lol.

Full marks so far for the Obsidian trilogy. To Light a Candle charges forward from where the Outstretched Shadow left off. New characters, new scenery, new mobs to fight. Good stuff. Of course, just as a warning for the particular- warning- dragons, elves, magic, demons, and unicorns therin. And they all talk.

Now, for those that don't mind a little bit of cliche.

I enjoyed the departure from standard magic systems. Incantations, sacrifices, showy fireworks, accompanied with high drama, is boring. Cost is taken away from your lifetime magic pool or what not. Many writers put more development in character and economy than they do the arcana. What then is irritating, to then rely heavily upon said magic for turning points, major events, and character development. To me, taking for granted having a working magic system is building the house on shifting sand.

So far, the trilogy not only has one magic system, but three entwined within it - differing rules to boot in their usage.

Main plot so far - the demons are trying to take over the world. Sorry folks, I guess there is only so many ways to serve peril. Plague, war, prophecy, nuclear winter, pestilence, boredom... and I can't think of anything that tops annihilation and demonic enslavement. Moving along.

So far, I'm a huge fan for the amount of depth in the characters. Deep emotion, sincerity, plausible train of thought are what making up engrossing characters. Put offs are that the actions of a character should be naturally understood, or within reason - denying the reader to become closer to the story by seeing the whole journey rather than the beginning and the outcome. So far the detail hasn't ruined the story that has still held some surprises. Big political intruigue, personal sacrifice and perseverance, death, life, beauty.

My only regret is that I knew when I started reading the books is that it is a trilogy. That in and of itself gives part of the story away- you know when things will end, how long a character will live, and that there will probably not be any surprise cliffhangers or stories at the end or soon following. Rumor has it that Book 3 will be the Fall of Night.

Book Report Day

Well, one area of my life that doesn't differ too greatly. : )

I've been blitzing against time and the library system the past two weeks, and I think I'm starting to win. Yesterday I finished the last Philip Pullman book, the Amber Spyglass. It was interesting read, and I know its directed at teens, but jeez talk about some controversial topics. So first off, I wouldn't let my nephews touch this until they were in high school where they have the opportunity to be exposed to a lot more ideas and opinions from other people as well as moderation to dicuss them. Random House thoughtfully has teacher materials on their website for this purpose.

I say this because of the HEAVY religious themes that are in these books (the Golden Compass, the Subtle Knife, and Amber Spyglass), not in the presence of trying to influence in favor of religion, or one sect versus another, but heretical concepts to those who are religious or have been of religious upbringing. Angels and humans, church rebellion and government, saying God isn't God - but an old decrepit angel who took the name despite not being the Creator... deep stuff. If you don't feel comfortable having these kinds of ideas or themes challenging you, don't pick up this series.

Despite the themes, it is a different flavor of literature for the age range. That is the redeeming factor in its favor. Well developed characters and plot, the only detracting point being the ability to suspend disbelief against pre-existing ideas such as religion, nature, standard fantasy/fiction, and science. If the reader can keep an open mind, His Dark Materials is a marvelous journey across many worlds and filled with peril.

Definitely PG-13 here, kiddies. Some sexually suggestive content, war, violence, deceit, cruelty, sadness, manipulation... but it's a good read - four out of five stars so to speak.

Reasons are Poor Excuses

No I'm still not done with To Light a Candle, and I'm sorry I haven't posted the booklist yet. I'll try again tomorrow. Focusing on finishing up these posts then the book.

Promises Promises

So, of course still reading To Light a Candle, but I went ahead and picked up the other two Pullman books from the library. Since Psion wasn't in, I think after I finish TLC I will start on Golden Compass. I have an appointment with my boss next Wednesday, so the goal is to drop off TLC then hopefully Psion will be in. Read it after Amber Spyglass, re-read Catspaw and on to Dreamfall.

After that- I have still a long list of books to catch up on, as well as graphic novels. I'm pretty sure I'm limited only by myself and not by my library. I have left behind the Wheel of Time for quite a while. I suppose I'll pick up book four after Dreamfall before I start tackling anything else new.

I promise tomorrow I'll post the massive booklist. I think I may keep it as a sidebar link so it is always accessable and won't be archived into oblivion. That is going to be interesting to maintain updates on. I'll worry about that tomorrow. Along with linking all these titles I've mentioned the past week to Amazon.

Stop, in the Name of Love

Reading on pause until I get my mom's card done and sent.

Love ya, Mom!

Little to Say, Much to Do

I still haven't had the time to make much headway into To Light a Candle, it was a busy billing day at work- along with shipping headaches. I have the Riddle-Master and a Plague of Demons keeping each other company in my back seat until I can run by the library again.

The library has an on-line reservation system, and I have Psion, the Subtle Knife, and Amber Spyglass qued up to be available after I turn in my current books. I think the limit is four items per suject area. I am pretty sure I'm over that. Meh. Depends on if they're picky about discerning a difference in between normal Science Fiction and Teen Fiction.

I was going to reserve the Essential Uncanny X-men, after watching the movie again. But apparently you can't reserve something that is already checked out. Drat.