Grandpa Won't Wake Up (Simon Hill & Shannon Wheeler)
I don't really have a lot to say about this book except that I really enjoyed it. The bare-bones premise is that Grandpa told his grandkids he'd take them to the zoo, and he'd take them soon, and it's already noon, and Grandpa won't wake up. The writing is very funny, the art is very apt, and the attention to detail is wonderful (I lingered over the list at the back of fake horrible children's books). That's all I have to say.
Grade: A
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Saturday, August 25, 2012
"The Samurai Banner of Furin Kazan"
The Samurai Banner of Furin Kazan (Yasushi Inoue, translation by Yoko Riley)
I hate to be posting so many negative reviews lately, but I'm seemingly in a streak of bad luck. That unfortunately continues with this book, which I got a hair over a quarter through (page 50 out of slightly under 200 in the main text) before bailing. I'm not sure if the blame lies with the original author or the translator, but I suspect both. The issue I'd lay at the feet of the author is the way that the book's main character is a brilliant swordfighter and strategist, but for seemingly no particular reason; He'll "just feel" the right strategy, or he'll just think he's leaping at a guy and swinging his sword when he's defeating seasoned master samurai. This, to put it mildly, does not generate a lot of tension or interest. As gravy, add on what seems like a very literal translation that makes the book read in "This happened, then this happened" style and I didn't feel like I was missing anything by putting this one down early.
Grade: D+
I hate to be posting so many negative reviews lately, but I'm seemingly in a streak of bad luck. That unfortunately continues with this book, which I got a hair over a quarter through (page 50 out of slightly under 200 in the main text) before bailing. I'm not sure if the blame lies with the original author or the translator, but I suspect both. The issue I'd lay at the feet of the author is the way that the book's main character is a brilliant swordfighter and strategist, but for seemingly no particular reason; He'll "just feel" the right strategy, or he'll just think he's leaping at a guy and swinging his sword when he's defeating seasoned master samurai. This, to put it mildly, does not generate a lot of tension or interest. As gravy, add on what seems like a very literal translation that makes the book read in "This happened, then this happened" style and I didn't feel like I was missing anything by putting this one down early.
Grade: D+
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
A Clash of Kings
A Clash of Kings (book 2 of A Song of Ubiquity and 25% off at Target)
George R. R. Martin
As I had said in the previous review, this book was better in hindsight having made it through the second book, which I found to be a vast improvement. Which was true. And now, having finished the third one, I can say, jeez, I dunno.
In any event, it's a great improvement over Game of Thrones, in that the intrigue is more interesting, and there's a hell of a lot more action, which certainly helps make this one the best I've read in the series so far.
Good:
ACTION. Jeez, and how. Yes, this book is talky, but you can't say that shit doesn't happen in it.
Different characters. Davos Seaworth's chapters especially are interesting reads, bringing new perspective to the story, especially as one of the few people in the book not constantly under oligarchic pressure from their noble blood and kin. It's also nice to see some characters formerly sitting out the story in the background get the spotlight for once as well.
Better characterization. Catelyn Stark actually gets some dimensions, and this book is all the better for it. Her sorrow and frustrations were one of the most well written parts of the book I thought, even if they were a bit un-subtle. Arya Stark's chapters got a lot more interesting as well, and it was nice to see her given more to do other than mope about not wanting to act like a lady.
Bad:
Drags at points. This is an improvement over Game of Thrones, but, honestly, starts to get worse again in the next book in the series (review forthcoming.) Again, I often would sigh to myself that another Sansa chapter was coming up, or the real offender this time, Danerys Targaryen, whose story really has yet to interest me very much even three books into the story. Obviously it's a slow build with her, but jeez, this is pushing it for me. The most improved award goes to the aforementioned Arya, whose chapters got pretty compelling. Sadly, Jon Snow's chapters, which, after his initial "okay, sigh, he's getting into trouble again" phase, got quite interesting, seemed to slow back down into literal slow, plodding marches through the snow.
The dialogue isn't great. Tyrion Lannister seemed wittier in the first book, to me. At least no one was given the wind again. But, geez, Danerys has some hokey lines.
Grade: A- (this will drop back to reality for the next book.)
George R. R. Martin
As I had said in the previous review, this book was better in hindsight having made it through the second book, which I found to be a vast improvement. Which was true. And now, having finished the third one, I can say, jeez, I dunno.
In any event, it's a great improvement over Game of Thrones, in that the intrigue is more interesting, and there's a hell of a lot more action, which certainly helps make this one the best I've read in the series so far.
Good:
ACTION. Jeez, and how. Yes, this book is talky, but you can't say that shit doesn't happen in it.
Different characters. Davos Seaworth's chapters especially are interesting reads, bringing new perspective to the story, especially as one of the few people in the book not constantly under oligarchic pressure from their noble blood and kin. It's also nice to see some characters formerly sitting out the story in the background get the spotlight for once as well.
Better characterization. Catelyn Stark actually gets some dimensions, and this book is all the better for it. Her sorrow and frustrations were one of the most well written parts of the book I thought, even if they were a bit un-subtle. Arya Stark's chapters got a lot more interesting as well, and it was nice to see her given more to do other than mope about not wanting to act like a lady.
Bad:
Drags at points. This is an improvement over Game of Thrones, but, honestly, starts to get worse again in the next book in the series (review forthcoming.) Again, I often would sigh to myself that another Sansa chapter was coming up, or the real offender this time, Danerys Targaryen, whose story really has yet to interest me very much even three books into the story. Obviously it's a slow build with her, but jeez, this is pushing it for me. The most improved award goes to the aforementioned Arya, whose chapters got pretty compelling. Sadly, Jon Snow's chapters, which, after his initial "okay, sigh, he's getting into trouble again" phase, got quite interesting, seemed to slow back down into literal slow, plodding marches through the snow.
The dialogue isn't great. Tyrion Lannister seemed wittier in the first book, to me. At least no one was given the wind again. But, geez, Danerys has some hokey lines.
Grade: A- (this will drop back to reality for the next book.)
Monday, August 20, 2012
"Ready Player One"
Ready Player One: A Novel (Ernest Cline)
Ready Player One is the worst kind of frustrating: A great first third that turns into a disaster. The book is about a reclusive billionaire who dies and wills that his heir will be the person who finds an easter egg hidden in the virtual reality that he's invented. The first third of the book is our hero, a poor kid with a dream of finding the easter egg, putting some clues together and getting started on his quest.
And it's good! At times the novel does threaten to become "Hey, Remember the 80's? The Book", but this first third is thrilling, and I was really rooting for our hero. So what happens? Well, all the chaercters in the book are one-dimensional, and this isn't much of a problem when it's our hero against the simulation. But when the author writes the dread sentence "I realized I was in love with Art3mis", well, that's where the book goes in the toilet, and while it does eventually recover somewhat, it never becomes as good as the first third. Honestly, I don't know that finishing the other 2/3rds is worth it to find out what happens, but I was interested enough to do so. The momentum from the premise and the first third was enough to drive me through the slog that is our hero, having made it in the virtual world, pining for his girlfriend. Sometimes less is more, and without the romantic subplot, I might have been able to recommend this as a classic. As it is, take my recommendation with a large grain of salt.
Grade:
First Third: A
Middle Third: D
Final Third: C
Overall: C+
Ready Player One is the worst kind of frustrating: A great first third that turns into a disaster. The book is about a reclusive billionaire who dies and wills that his heir will be the person who finds an easter egg hidden in the virtual reality that he's invented. The first third of the book is our hero, a poor kid with a dream of finding the easter egg, putting some clues together and getting started on his quest.
And it's good! At times the novel does threaten to become "Hey, Remember the 80's? The Book", but this first third is thrilling, and I was really rooting for our hero. So what happens? Well, all the chaercters in the book are one-dimensional, and this isn't much of a problem when it's our hero against the simulation. But when the author writes the dread sentence "I realized I was in love with Art3mis", well, that's where the book goes in the toilet, and while it does eventually recover somewhat, it never becomes as good as the first third. Honestly, I don't know that finishing the other 2/3rds is worth it to find out what happens, but I was interested enough to do so. The momentum from the premise and the first third was enough to drive me through the slog that is our hero, having made it in the virtual world, pining for his girlfriend. Sometimes less is more, and without the romantic subplot, I might have been able to recommend this as a classic. As it is, take my recommendation with a large grain of salt.
Grade:
First Third: A
Middle Third: D
Final Third: C
Overall: C+
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
"Priests of Mars"
Priests of Mars (Graham McNeill)
I'm gonna get right to the point on this one: Do not buy this book. There's no ending. This isn't just a Empire Strikes Back case where you have a climax and a shocking revelation, but the fallout has to wait for the next installment, or a Mass Effect 2 style finale where an immediate threat is dealt with, but the main villain is still on the horizon. No - this is a Halo 2 style disaster where the story just ends. It's particularly bad in this case as the entire book is an expedition leading up to arriving somewhere full of amazing secrets and, at the end, our heroes get there, and before you see what's actually there, boom, the book's over.
It's a shame, too, because the book up until the non-ending is quite good; This is vintage McNeill, and even if he does commit the sin of introducing too many groups of characters, it's very interesting. In fact, the non-ending probably wouldn't be such a big deal if the rest of the book wasn't so good. As it is, unless and until a sequel is released, I'd steer clear of this ripoff.
Grade: D
I'm gonna get right to the point on this one: Do not buy this book. There's no ending. This isn't just a Empire Strikes Back case where you have a climax and a shocking revelation, but the fallout has to wait for the next installment, or a Mass Effect 2 style finale where an immediate threat is dealt with, but the main villain is still on the horizon. No - this is a Halo 2 style disaster where the story just ends. It's particularly bad in this case as the entire book is an expedition leading up to arriving somewhere full of amazing secrets and, at the end, our heroes get there, and before you see what's actually there, boom, the book's over.
It's a shame, too, because the book up until the non-ending is quite good; This is vintage McNeill, and even if he does commit the sin of introducing too many groups of characters, it's very interesting. In fact, the non-ending probably wouldn't be such a big deal if the rest of the book wasn't so good. As it is, unless and until a sequel is released, I'd steer clear of this ripoff.
Grade: D
Friday, August 10, 2012
"Black Orchid"
Black Orchid (Neil Gaiman)
There's one great moment in Black Orchid, and it appears right off the bat. (It's also spoiled in the introduction, which I recommend you skip). Unfortunately, once this great moment is passed, the shock, interest, and forward momentum it generates is disappated as the story wanders around and becomes boring and, in the last chapter, nonsensical. In this last chapter, the heroine's ex-husband - a gun runner with no combat skills - somehow and without explanation becomes Billy Badass, sneaking around the jungle blow-darting mercenaries and sneaking up on and murdering a character who's presented as a great hunter. Even worse is the ending, which I am about to spoil:
At the end, the bad guys, paid mercs and thugs, catch up with our heroine, who they've flown down to Brazil to kill or capture, and have been following her through the jungle for days. When they finally catch up to her, they refuse to kill her, because "she's beautiful". Then they leave. Seriously. This is really what happens.
Apparently this is one of Gaiman's first books, and he obviously got better, but I honestly can't even recommend this for Gaiman completions. You're not missing anything except some nice art and one great moment, and that falls pretty short of the price of admission.
Grade: D
There's one great moment in Black Orchid, and it appears right off the bat. (It's also spoiled in the introduction, which I recommend you skip). Unfortunately, once this great moment is passed, the shock, interest, and forward momentum it generates is disappated as the story wanders around and becomes boring and, in the last chapter, nonsensical. In this last chapter, the heroine's ex-husband - a gun runner with no combat skills - somehow and without explanation becomes Billy Badass, sneaking around the jungle blow-darting mercenaries and sneaking up on and murdering a character who's presented as a great hunter. Even worse is the ending, which I am about to spoil:
At the end, the bad guys, paid mercs and thugs, catch up with our heroine, who they've flown down to Brazil to kill or capture, and have been following her through the jungle for days. When they finally catch up to her, they refuse to kill her, because "she's beautiful". Then they leave. Seriously. This is really what happens.
Apparently this is one of Gaiman's first books, and he obviously got better, but I honestly can't even recommend this for Gaiman completions. You're not missing anything except some nice art and one great moment, and that falls pretty short of the price of admission.
Grade: D
Sunday, August 5, 2012
"Swallowing The Earth"
Swallowing The Earth (Osamu Tezuka)
Apparently Tezuka is the "God of Manga", and here's a manga from him. And, uh, it's good. Like Promethea, I feel like I'm doing a disservice to explain too much of the plot, so the very broad outline is that the story kicks off with two soldiers looking for a mysterious woman named Zephirus who's up to no good, with our hero soon turning up in the shape of a drunk named Gohonmatsu Seki, who attempts to figure out what she's up to and maybe stop it in between getting drunk and unloading cargo down at the dock. There's a lot more to it than that; at heart the book is an adventure story, although individual chapters can be at turns comedic, heartbreaking or - as the book goes on and synthetic skin shows up - skin-crawlingly creepy. The art's very nice, dating from back before manga became very stylized, with a more cartoony flavor to it. The only caveat I'd apply here is that there's a lot of nudity and violence - the book suggests readers over 16 - and that, having come out in Japan in 1968, there's some, um, dated depictions of South Seas islanders and American black people in the book. If you can look past this (or just read disclaimer about this issue, which is among the first things you see when opening the book), you shouldn't pass this up.
Grade: A
Apparently Tezuka is the "God of Manga", and here's a manga from him. And, uh, it's good. Like Promethea, I feel like I'm doing a disservice to explain too much of the plot, so the very broad outline is that the story kicks off with two soldiers looking for a mysterious woman named Zephirus who's up to no good, with our hero soon turning up in the shape of a drunk named Gohonmatsu Seki, who attempts to figure out what she's up to and maybe stop it in between getting drunk and unloading cargo down at the dock. There's a lot more to it than that; at heart the book is an adventure story, although individual chapters can be at turns comedic, heartbreaking or - as the book goes on and synthetic skin shows up - skin-crawlingly creepy. The art's very nice, dating from back before manga became very stylized, with a more cartoony flavor to it. The only caveat I'd apply here is that there's a lot of nudity and violence - the book suggests readers over 16 - and that, having come out in Japan in 1968, there's some, um, dated depictions of South Seas islanders and American black people in the book. If you can look past this (or just read disclaimer about this issue, which is among the first things you see when opening the book), you shouldn't pass this up.
Grade: A
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
"The Penelopiad"
The Penelopiad: The Myth of Penelope and Odysseus (Margaret Atwood)
Boy, I wanted to like this book. It's a retelling of the Odyssey, from Penelope's point of view, with a backup Greek chorus of 12 of her maids who end up murdered when Odysseus finally comes home.
Unfortunately, there's a very basic problem with this premise, which is that Penelope wasn't on the Odyssey, and the author either can't or won't come up with anything nearly as interesting. Want to guess what Penelope was doing while Odysseus was out there? She sat at home worrying and watching the suitors eating all her food. Combine that with the Greek chorus ending up being pages of goofy poems I skipped and I was pretty disappointed with this book. The most amusing part ended up being the chapter titles, which is never a good sign.
Grade: C-
Boy, I wanted to like this book. It's a retelling of the Odyssey, from Penelope's point of view, with a backup Greek chorus of 12 of her maids who end up murdered when Odysseus finally comes home.
Unfortunately, there's a very basic problem with this premise, which is that Penelope wasn't on the Odyssey, and the author either can't or won't come up with anything nearly as interesting. Want to guess what Penelope was doing while Odysseus was out there? She sat at home worrying and watching the suitors eating all her food. Combine that with the Greek chorus ending up being pages of goofy poems I skipped and I was pretty disappointed with this book. The most amusing part ended up being the chapter titles, which is never a good sign.
Grade: C-
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)