Austenland by Shannon Hale

ISBN: 978-1596912861
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Hardcover: 208 pages
Genre: Chick Lit
First Line: It is a truth universally acknowledged that a thirty-something woman in possession of a satisfying career and fabulous hairdo must be in want of very little, and Jane Hayes, pretty enough and clever enough, was certainly thought to have little to distress her.
One Word Review: Cute

Jane Hayes is a young New York woman who secretly longs for a Mr. Darcy of her own. And, not just any Mr. Darcy - Mr. Darcy of the Colin Firth variety as seen in the BBC's version of Pride and Prejudice. (Can we really blame her??) When she inherits a vacation to an English resort that caters to women with similar 'tastes', she looks at it as her chance to overcome her fixation once and for all.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I feel I must admit that I have a bit of a Mr. Darcy fetish myself. Anyone who's a fan of Austen and has ever seen the BBC's adaptation of Pride and Prejudice would probably be lying if they said they didn't secretly fantasize about being swept off their feet by Firth/Darcy. Something about that sort of brooding arrogance is incredibly attractive. So, when I read the premise of this book, I was hooked. I've read a couple of Shannon Hale's other works (The Goose Girl and Enna Burning), both of which I really enjoyed, so I was very optimistic.

I wasn't disappointed, but I wasn't blown away by Austenland's greatness, either. It was definitely enjoyable - I read most of it while waiting for a flight, and it kept me entertained. But if you're looking for some deep meaning of life stuff, this isn't the book. For the same reason, I doubt it would make a great book discussion group choice - there's not much really to discuss. It's fluff of the girly-est variety. I'm not saying that's a bad thing - I'm just saying that it's not going to change your outlook on life or even your outlook on literature. What it will do is put a smile on your face. It's a simple, sweet story that just makes the reader feel good (unless you abhor book-fluff, in which case perhaps you'd be better off skipping this one). Overall, it makes for a pleasant few hours.

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Book Review: A Fatal Waltz by Tasha Alexander

A Fatal Waltz is an historical mystery that surrounds the life of Lady Emily Ashton. From the lovely ballrooms of her home of London to the more seedy areas of Vienna, the story follows Lady Ashton in her attempt to prove one man's innocence and save the life of another - the man she loves.

I found A Fatal Waltz to be charming as well as enthralling. I started the book with some reservations. Not having read many historical mysteries, I had expected it to be somewhat dry and not particularly easy to read. I was completely off the mark. From page one, I was hooked. Tasha Alexander's writing is fluid and immensely easy to read. The story is well paced, and her charcters are just as endearing as the novel itself. Lady Ashton is a perfect blend of wit and charm. The supporting cast of characters are equally well-written. I was perhaps not shocked by the ending, but it wasn't entirely predictible either.

I finished A Fatal Waltz in one day, and as I was reading, I found myself wondering why I hadn't read more historical fiction. I will certainly be adding Tasha Alexander to my list of to-read authors.

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Book Review Shadow Command by Dale Brown

Shadow Command is the latest novel by Dale Brown. It is a military / political thriller set in the near future. I have to admit that I had a difficult time getting into this book. It's the latest in a series, so I will assume that some of the problems I encountered stemmed from the fact that I had no prior knowledge of these characters and their previous endeavors. It was not easy to keep up with who was whom, and really what was going on in the first 150 pages or so. Around that point, however, I started to get a feel for the cast of characters, and the military-speak became easier for me to decipher. Also at this point, the action seemed to pick up, and where prior to this there was much talking and little doing, the plot started to take shape and become more exciting.

The book had enough action (especially toward the end) to keep me interested. However, I did have issues with some aspects of it - the portrayal of women being the biggest of these issues. While there were women in high positions, each of them used her sexuality in one way or another to advance her agenda, and I found that to be annoying (I would say offensive here, but it being a work of fiction, I wasn't really offended). There were a few ill-placed rather gratuitous sex scenes that I felt would have been better left out all together.

Overall, I'd say that Shadow Command was sort of mediocre. It wasn't awful, but there wasn't any point where I felt really pulled into the story. I didn't feel anything for the characters, and I probably wouldn't seek out the next in the series. But, if you've read Brown's previous books and know enough of the backstory involved, it would probably be worth reading this one.

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The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

The Lightning Thief is the first in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan. Percy is a dyslexic boy who never seems to be able to stay out of trouble. After his teacher turns into a monster and tries to kill him, he finds himself in deeper trouble than he's ever imagined. Not only does everyone else not believe him, but Percy begins to question his own sanity. Then he and his mom decide to take a little trip, and they're nearly killed by a minotaur. That's when Percy learns the truth - that he's a half-blood, half human, half god. Now he must go on a quest to find Zues' lightning bolt and save the world from a war of the gods.

I listened to the audio version of this book, and my review is based on that. I mention that it was the audio book specifically because I'm not sure if I'd have enjoyed the book more or less if I were actually reading it myself. The narrator was a tad on the annoying side, which made me feel as though I might prefer to read it myself. At times, he read things differently than I think I would've heard them in my head. For instance, in one scene, he mentions that one characters voice gets shrill, but then his voice remains the same in the dialogue (different from his reading voice, but the same as he'd been doing the character all along). In my head, his pacing would've sped up because the character in question was nervous, and I'd have read that into the story. That being said, much of the time spent listening was entertaining - it was much like theater without the visuals. So, I can't say really whether my review is helped or hindered by the version.

In general, I thought the story was pretty well thought out. There's a lot of history of Greek mythology explained, and I think it would be an excellent adjunct to the studying of the Greek myths. Overall, I think middle graders would probably enjoy this series. I'm not sure adults would be all that into it, though.

Blue Smoke and Murder by Elizabeth Lowell

Blue Smoke and Murder is a romantic mystery thriller set amidst the world of Western art and its collectors. When her great aunt is killed in an 'accidental' fire, Jill Breck inherits a dozen beautiful paintings that may or may not prove extremely valuable. Along with her inheritance comes a great deal of danger as it seems there are people who will stop at nothing to see those paintings destroyed. Enter Zach Balfour, a handsome consultant for a corporation that's primary goal is the safety of their clients. Jill and Zach encounter myriad obstacles as they try to discover the identity of the artist, but their increasing feelings for each other seem to be a destraction that may prove disastrous.

I didn't realize this until after I'd read the book, but Blue Smoke and Murder is the latest in a series surrounding the St. Kilda Consulting group (that employs Zach Balfour). I think it would be interesting to read the other books in the series to get a better feel for the back story, but it is certainly not necessary reading. It works perfectly well as a stand alone book.

Having never read anything by Elizabeth Lowell prior to this, I didn't have any expectations. In the early chapters, I had trouble following some of the art speak. However, as the story evolved, it became clearer, and I began to enjoy learning about the world of art as I read this story which was fast-paced and exciting. It reads, to me, as a suspenseful mystery with a romance thrown in, not the other way around. I would compare it to Nora Roberts mysteries with a little more meat in the story. It was obvious Mrs. Lowell either did a great deal of investigation into the world of Western art, or she already had a vast knowledge about the subject. She weaves the mixture of intelligent mystery with the romance so well that it doesn't feel forced. I would recommend the book even to those who aren't particularly keen on romantic novels. I didn't feel like the romance overshadowed what was otherwise a solidly written thriller. Not only did I enjoy the book, I learned quite a lot, too. I will definitely be adding Elizabeth Lowell to my 'to read' list.

The Wednesady Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton

The Wednesday Sisters explores the ties of friendship that bind five women together. Set against a backdrop of the turbulent 1960's and 70's, Frankie, Linda, Kath, Brett, and Ally come together each week as they form a sort of writer's group. It soon evolves into much more than that as they share in each others' successes, failures, heartbreaks, and joys.

I really enjoyed this book. The story was compelling, and the setting was perfect. Having not experienced the time period first hand, I gained a lot of insight into the roles of women before the liberties I take for granted were ever realized. It actually helped me to understand and appreciate my mother a little more. The Wednesday Sisters is a beautifully written and touching novel that speaks to every woman's desire to find her place in the world. The characters are vivid and real, and the first-person narrative left me feeling as much a part of the group as any of the 'sisters.' I cried, laughed, and cheered right along with them. We should all be so lucky as to find our own 'Wednesday Sisters.'

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Fablehaven is a creative and fast paced story. The tale begins with two siblings, Kendra and Seth, who are unwillingly sent to spend 17 days with a grandmother and grandfather they barely know. They are clueless to the fact that their grandparents are actually caretakers of a refuge for all sorts of incredible and dangerous mystical creatures, including fairies, satyrs, naiads, and a particularly nasty witch. It's a thrilling adventure story as the kids struggle to save their family.

I found this book to be delightful. The plot is somewhat similar to Michael Buckley's Sisters Grimm series, but it's enjoyable in its own right. The world Brandon Mull has created is well thought out, and the characters are pretty well written - I particularly liked Seth. It has enough action to keep you interested, enough humor to keep it light (including a few moments that were laugh out loud funny), and an ending that, while it's perhaps a bit simplistic, is satisfying enough to have me thinking I'll look for book two on my next trip to the library.

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

The Thirteenth Tale is a lovely, intoxicating novel. The writing is beautiful and elegant, and the story itself is magical and spellbinding. The characters are superbly written, flawed and vulnerable, and it is their flaws that give them breath. I was captivated from page one and had difficulty putting the book down. I stayed up reading into the night, and only set it aside when I could hold my eyes open no longer. It's been a while since I've read anything that touched me as this book did. I would've expected a slower pace, but I flew through the story, the excitement building page after page. Now, as I have had time to digest the material, I find myself wanting to go back to the beginning and start over again, with the knowledge I have gained. This book has earned a special place on my 'favorites' shelf.

Vamps by Nancy A. Collins

I received an advance release copy of Vamps through the Harper Teen First Look program. I have to admit, it was not at all what I was expecting.

I was extremely put off by the beginning of the book. The reader is introduced first to Lilith Todd, the daughter of a powerful vampire tycoon. She's rich, beautiful, spoiled, and stuck up. I got tired early of the description of every item of clothing she was putting on from her Dior dress and Patek Philippe watch down to her silk Perla underthings. OK, she's wealthy. We get it. Move on, please. The thing that bothered me the most initially was thinking that I was supposed to like this character and her sycophantic entourage of friends. Around page 60, however, there was shift, and it becomes apparent that perhaps she's not intended to be the character I'm supposed to be identifying with / rooting for.

I'm not sure I am best equipped to review this book for it's intended audience, but I'm going to give my opinion anyway.

First of all, this book is being marketed to teens and tweens, and in my opinion it is not appropriate. Perhaps I'm a prude...ok, that's fine. But, I think books with teenagers (albeit teen vampires) having sex in public restrooms, being hungover from the drugged blood they ingested the night before, and hanging out in bars drinking blood laced with alcohol is going too far. I'm not sure when this became ok for teen literature, but it bothers me.

That said, once I got through the first third of the book, I was better able to appreciate the story. The writing is pretty good - not extraordinary, but solid. At times the plot feels rushed - that could just be a genre thing, though. If you can look past the inappropriate bits, the book isn't that bad. It is important to note that this is obviously the first in a series, because there's really no closure in the end. And perhaps a sign that it was a pretty good story is that I was a bit ticked that it ended when it did. It left me wanting more. Although, I don't think I'll actually seek out the second installment.

Teenage girls will probably really enjoy the book. And perhaps the sex and drug references are commonplace in young adult literature now. It just didn't suit me.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

How to begin? I'll start with a breakdown of the story. It was cheesy, with a relatively inane plot, and charcters that from time to time had me wanting to gag. Seriously. Big city, friendless girl moves to the sticks, has every girl (well almost) wanting to befriend her, every boy wanting to date her, and yet she manages to keep her "Aw shucks, I'm so ordinary" thing going throughout the story. Oh, yeah, and there are vampires. Good vampires. Vampires that don't hunt people. Vampires that sparkle in sunlight. Hmmmm.....

So, I find it disconcerting that I could not put the book down. Oh, how I wanted to hate it. There was so much not to like, and yet....Oh, I'll admit it. I really liked it. For lack of a better word, it was comforting. Yes, I know. It's an odd word to associate with a book about vampires, but nonetheless. And, I'm not just talking airplane pillow comforting. It's like coming home from a completely craptastic day, plopping into an overstuffed comfy chair, and having someone hand you warm, fresh from the oven, chocolate chip cookies and a glass of milk. Honestly, it's probably not the reaction Stephenie Meyer was going for. Or, maybe it was. Written to the audience of a teenage girl, what better objective than to make her feel good...about herself. Because, let's face it, for most teenage girls that's a fleeting seldom felt experience. I don't really know why it works, but it so does. It's definitely something that fits that "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts" adage.

The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm by Nancy Farmer

The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm is an adventure fantasy novel about 3 over-protected children in futuristic Zimbabwe. When they decide to break the bonds of their sheltered existence for a day, they find themselves in a series of perilous situations which lead them further and further from home. The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm are the unusually gifted detectives who are sent out to find the children.

This is a wonderful story made even more rich with Nancy Farmers vivid descriptions. It's beautifully written, and the originallity of the story makes it a refreshing addition to any library. While it's apparently geared toward children (middle grade to teen), the complexity of the story coupled with Nancy Farmer's wonderful storytelling, will captivate adults as well.

The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer

The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer tells the futuristic story of Cosmo Hill, a 14 year old boy living in the Clarissa Frayne Institute for Parentally Challenged Boys where he and the other the 'no-sponsors' are forced to undergo dangerous and painful product testing. Cosmo takes an opportunity and escapes from the orphanage joining up with the Supernaturalists, a band of young people trying to rid Satellite City of Parasites (creatures that feed on human life force).

I downloaded the audio version of this novel from audible.com onto my Ipod. I'm not sure if it was the audio aspect of the book, or what, but I had a hard time following some of the story. It wasn't difficult, it just didn't seem to flow that well. Still, I thought it was pretty entertaining - not captivating, but a good solid read.

As to the audiobook specifically, the narrator, Chiwetel Ejofor, was particularly good. He did all the voices flawlessly, which was really helpful in keeping up with who was talking and what was going on, and his narration was really pleasant.

Overall, I think it's worth a read, but I still prefer Colfer's Artemis Fowl books.

The Traveller by John Twelve Hawks

The Traveller by John Twelve Hawks was disappointing. I really wanted to like this book - the plot seeming to have such potential. But, while it wasn't horribly awful, I can't say I enjoyed it. First of all, it's the first book in a trilogy. I didn't realize this until I was about 350 pages into the book (my copy didn't actually say anything about that on the cover, and I only realized it when I read an online review of the book - probably should have done that before I started reading). At that point, I didn't feel that involved in the story, but my compulsive need to finish a book I had invested that much time in left me wanting to see it through to the end. So, finding that it was just a first installment, I was a bit put off because I knew I wouldn't really get any closure at the end (I can't tell you how much I hate that), and I was fairly certain that I wouldn't be reading books 2 and 3 - having finished the book, I'm completely certain I won't. This book has been compared to The Matrix and Orwell's 1984. Although I can see where that comes from, it just didn't work for me. The story wasn't bad, exactly, but it was excruciatingly slow for most of the book. The meat of the book could easily have been pared down a couple hundred pages, and I think it would have been much improved. It wasn't the worst book I've ever read (far from it), but it wouldn't be high on my list of recommendations, either. I have a feeling it's one of those forgettable novels I'll find in a used book shop in a few years and think "Oh, that looks interesting...."

The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver

The Bone Collector has been sitting on my 'To Be Read' shelf for a while now. I don't really even remember buying it. Anyway, I was looking for something to read, and I've been doing a lot of children / young adult books lately, so I decided to take a break with something decidedly adult. It was either this or The English Patient, and I'm just not there emotionally right now. So, The Bone Collector it was. I had read about 20 pages when I had this feeling of familiarity. Aha! This was that movie from several years ago with Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. Well, crap. Ok, so what do I remember about that movie? Hmmmm....not much. I remember not feeling that it was extrordinarily wonderful. I remember caves or tunnels or something dark and dank. Yeah, that's about it. Well, ok, so I'll keep reading, but I'm not expecting much.

I have to say that I was really surprised by this book, in more ways than one. First of all, it was far better than I had figured. The plot was superbly written, the pacing was perfect - it didn't feel rushed nor did it lag in places, and the characters we were supposed to root for were believable and endearing. The other thing that surprised me was the ending. Rarely do I read a 'mystery' that ends with an 'ohhhhh, so that's who it was.' Generally, I've got it figured out pretty early on. I wouldn't necessarily use the word shocked, but I will say that I was far from disappointed in the ending. Deaver has masterfully crafted a magical blend of page-turning action with a smartly written plot. Because the story focuses on a great deal of forensic science, there were probably aspects of the book that were a tad dated (it was first published in 1997), but to a non-criminalist they don't really stick out.

Most books that I'd qualify as thrillers generally go the way of something to read for fun - not much on substance, but high on entertainment. The Bone Collector had huge helpings of both.

Into the Dark by Peter Abrahams

I love the Echo Falls books by Peter Abrahams. LOVE them. Into the Dark is the third installment in this series that started with Down the Rabbit Hole and was followed by Behind the Curtain. These novels, written presumably with teen and young adult readers in mind, center around Ingrid Levin-Hill, an intelligent young girl who is a Sherlock Holmes aficionado. When faced with a mystery, she asks herself how Holmes would handle the situation. In this newest book, Ingrid finds herself dealing with seemingly insurmountable family problems - not the least of which is that her beloved grandfather has been accused of murder.

Abrahams, who's written several well-known popular fiction titles, seems to have a talent for writing for younger people. His characters are believable and well-written. Ingrid is a fantastic heroine. She's smart and funny, compassionate and brave - everything a heroine should be. While I won't say I was totally shocked by the ending, the plot was well-conceived and there was enough action and suspense to keep me reading late into the night. We also see a lot of growth in not only Ingrid but in her family's situation as well in this book. There are numerous issues amongst her parents and brother that make her situation all the more realistic. All I can say is that I hope there's a fourth book on the horizon.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking- Glass by Lewis Carroll

I'm not quite sure how it happened that I'd never read Alice in Wonderland before. You would think that it would be required reading in our public schools. And, lest you think I simply skipped that assignment, I can think of only one assigned book that I neglected to read while in high school, and sadly, that honor goes to Crime and Punishment - so sorry Mr. Dostoevsky, but I just couldn't get through it. But back to Alice and her many adventures. I've seen the Disney movie dozens and dozens of times - it was one of my favorites when I was a child. I especially loved the Cheshire cat, who in the book isn't quite as ruthless as he was portrayed in film. If you've never read either story, they really are something. I thought the nonsensicalness (I was certain that couldn't be a word, but spellcheck assures me that it is) would be annoying, but I didn't find it to be so.
The edition I have contains both books and the original illustrations by John Tenniel - which are something in and of themselves. First, I'll take a look at Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. It starts off with a particularly spectacular poem.
...And ever, as the story drained
The wells of fancy dry,
And faintly strove that weary one
To put the subject by,
"The rest next time - " "It is next time!"
The happy voices cry.
Ahhh....sweet words to anyone who reads aloud to their children. And so it begins, this tale of Alice, a bright and inquisitive young girl (who, too, isn't quite as annoying as the Disney folks would have us believe) and her dreamy trip down the rabbit hole. One thing that struck me as I was reading was that it doesn't read like a novel. It's more like a collection of short stories that happen to be about the same girl. Within each 'story' she meets new characters, each one a little more odd than the last. Well, maybe none quite so odd as the Duchess with her pig baby, but still. As a whole it was loads of fun. Simple and sweet, with some terrific poetry thrown in to boot.
Through the Looking-Glass was not what I was expecting. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't this. It's not so much that I didn't care for it, but I think more that I read it on the heels of Alice's Adventures, and I think by then I was getting a bit tired of the absurdity of the environment and characters. While perhaps more interesting, I didn't enjoy the characters Alice met in this other-world nearly as much as those of Wonderland. Perhaps it was because more of the Wonderland characters had been immortalized in my mind as a child by Walt Disney. I can't really say. All I know is that by the end, I was ready to be done with it. Smushed (not a word, but I feel it should be) together in one installment, I'd give them 3 1/2 stars out of 5, but as a stand-alone, Wonderland ranks up in the 4 1/2 range.

The Winter King by Berdard Cornwell

My husband had been trying to get me to read The Winter King for a while now. It wasn't that I didn't want to do it, but I just kept putting it off - mostly thinking that I would probably have to slog through it. It's not a long book, mind you - a little over 400 pages. But just flipping through the pages was daunting because I could tell it was going to be mostly descriptive writing, pretty slow going for me. I finally felt like I could put it off no longer, so I picked it up last week and began reading. I have to admit it was fairly slow to start with. Not that Cornwell isn't a master storyteller - he's fantastic at what he does. But the long pages coupled with names of people and places that were near impossible to pronounce made me feel a little bit lost initially. I persevered, however, because I knew that Stan wanted me to read these books. He knows I have a thing for the time period and Arthur stories in general, plus he loves these books I think it's more of a 'I love this and I so want to share it with you' sort of thing. Anyway, I plodded through a bit more, and somewhere along the way - maybe halfway through, I began to get acclimated to who each character was and the part they played in the tale. And then, I got hooked. Not because he wanted me to read it, but because it was really a wonderful story.

It's the first in a trilogy of what the Arthur story would've been had it actually been true. It's completely believable - Bernard Cornwell has a true gift for writing historical fiction. From the narrator's unique perspective, to the lush descriptions of the landscapes and the people, to the fantastically gruesome battle scenes - it's all done in such a way that you feel a sort of voyeuristic pleasure at watching these people's destinies unfold. It wasn't easy reading, to be sure, but it was certainly entertaining.

Leonardo da Vinci: Giants of Science by Kathleen Krull

This book gives an informative glimpse into the life of a fascinating man. Because it's geared toward children, the style is easily readable, and it's not bogged down with heavily descriptive information. You get the facts in a clear, conversational tone. Some might question the kid-friendliness of the book, and if you're concerned perhaps read it yourself before handing it to a younger child (pre-teen). It explores certain aspects of his personal life that some might feel are inappropriate, but it's not discussed at length, and the events that it talks of do seem to be somewhat of a catalyst for da Vinci's subsequent behavior and attitude towards others and therefore worthy of mentioning. If you're interested in learning about the art of Leonardo da Vinci, this is probably not the book for you - it delves more into the scientific aspects of his life and career. But as an engaging biography of a man clearly ahead of his time, it is superb.

The Last Oracle by James Rollins

The Last Oracle, by James Rollins, is the latest in a series that follows the men and women of Sigma Force, a science-minded group of former Special Forces soldiers. Set against a backdrop of the nuclear devastated area of Chernobyl, it shows just how far some are willing to go to achieve their goals.

As an intellectual thriller, The Last Oracle works. It's smart enough to be enjoyable without being too cerebral. Some of the action sequences were a bit over the top - lots and lots of shooting with very few injuries on the part of the Sigma Force team (think Bruce Willis in Die Hard , who's constantly being shot at, yet never really getting hit). However, the plot was well-planned and executed, with enough suspense to keep you turning the pages, and with an ultimately satisfying conclusion. I found the afterword in which Rollins gives insight into his inspiration to be particularly fascinating.

This was my first experience with James Rollins' Sigma Force, and it can certainly be read as a stand-alone novel. However, I think following the characters from the beginning would add another level of enjoyment to an already fun read.

P.S. I Love You

Holly and Gerry had a 'perfect' life together. That perfect life got turned upside down when Gerry was diagnosed with a fatal brain tumor. Thus begins the story of love and loss depicted in P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern.

I probably would never have picked this book off the shelves were it not for the movie that was made from it. It looked like something I'd enjoy, so I decided to read the book first. It started out very strong - sweet and sad, with some really tender moments. And it finished pretty well, too. Somewhere in the middle, though, I started thinking that the film might possibly be better than the novel. It's not that anything happened or didn't happen to make it unenjoyable. It's more that there was so much shoved into the story that was fairly unnecessary. It easily could've been condensed by 100 pages and been just as good. That being said, it was still very well written - the characters were believable, the plot was pretty well-paced (just a bit wordy at times), and the ending was actually a bit of a surprise. All in all, I thought it was a very satisfying read. Now, I can watch the movie and see if they did it justice.

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