Book Reviews
Review: “The People of Sparks” by Jeanne DuPrau
Hi, first I need to say that there are going be spoilers in my review. I can’t help it, there just no way to talk about it and not spoil the first book for you. So if you have not read it yet, I’m just letting you know.
Review: “Black Magic Woman” by Justin Gustainis
Black Magic Woman is the first in a new series by author Justin Gustainis, “The Quincey Morris Supernatural Investigations”. It’s a wonderful read, and wonderful introduction to a world that’s all too familiar to long-time readers of fantasy and dark fantasy like myself.
Review: “The Prestige” by Christopher Priest
This is an odd, hard to define, impossible to put down book, first published in 1995, but out in a new paperback edition. The reason I’m bringing it to your attention is primarily due to news of an upcoming film: Christopher Nolan, director of Batman Begins and one of my personal favorites, Memento, will begin shooting an adaptation of The Prestige this month.
Review: “The Summoner” by Gail Z. Martin
Although a bit clunky at times, this book is fairly well written. Even though it is over 600 pages, this book feels more like an appetizer than a stand-alone book within a series. I am interested enough in the adventure to read the next installments when they become available, but I wish I had the whole series at once.
Review: “The Machineries of Joy: a Collection by Ray Bradbury”
I don’t think I can recommend Ray Bradbury’s writings any more highly than Neil Gaiman does in his introduction to the latest printing of The Machineries of Joy, but I’ll try anyway. I’ve enjoyed Bradbury since I first clutched a used copy of The Illustrated Man at age 13, but I think I just fell in love with his prose all over again.
Review: “The Battle for Azeroth: Adventure, Alliance and Addiction”
Touted as a book of “Insights into the World of Warcraft“, The Battle for Azeroth: Adventure, Alliance and Addiction is more of a class guide and compendium of essays about the different aspects of Blizzard Entertainment’s smash hit game. Players and non-playing family and friends will likely find something of interest in this book.
Review: “Demon Angel” by Meljean Brook
If there was ever a time a fantasy reader wanted to dip their toes into the romance waters, it would be this book by debut author Meljean Brook. Don’t let the cover put you off because behind the clinch embrace is a detailed urban fantasy with a good bit of action.
Review: “The Hunter’s Blades” Trilogy by R. A. Salvatore
These are the first books by R. A. Salvatore that I’ve read. Now I know why he is a best seller. These books are not profound. They are not really awe-inspiring, even given the scope of the story. Aside from some journal entries by Drizzt, there is very little that is “deep” in these books.
But, they are a hell of a lot of fun to read, and surprisingly well written. I’m thinking I may have to check and see if he could indeed have written a good book based on Star Wars: Episode II.
