I have been a fan of Preston and Child's Pendergast series. I think as their popularity as writers grows, the quality of their writing is diminishing. Even in their most recent Pendergast book, I felt they had shortchanged their readers. I am guessing that publisher pressures to turn out books quickly are forcing them to release books that are incomplete and not polished as much is they had been before they became best selling writers. I have had a similar experience with reading Dean Koontz's Frankenstein series. I felt the last couple books have ended prematurely. They feel almost more like chapters that should be part of a longer book.
The plot of this book focuses on terrorism and dirty nuclear weapons. I think the plot had great potential but the characters, plot and settings were not as well developed as in the earlier books by this writing team. Much of this book is set in New Mexico, a state with which I am very familiar. I couldn't help but compare the visualizations of New Mexico in earlier books by this writing duo. I felt that they shortchanged the descriptions of setting and culture of New Mexico. Particularly, Los Alamos, one of America's nuclear research facilities, deserved a little more detailed description.
For some reason I am less enamored of Gideon as a main character than I am of Pendergast. I can't really explain it, they're both larger than life and surrounded by mystery. Perhaps because Pendergast's history is more complex and revealed more slowly he becomes a more engaging protagonist than Gideon. It may also be that Gideon is very much a loner. Although this could be said of Pendergast as well, he also has a collection of friends and supporters that add texture and depth to Pendergast as a character.
Friday, June 15, 2012
City of Lost Souls, by Cassandra Clare
Up to this book I have enjoyed the Mortal Instruments series. This particular title ended up being too much like romance fiction for me to enjoy it in the way that I had the other titles in the series.
We still have vampires, elves, werewolves, and other supernatural beings working within the mundane world. As in her other books, most of the main characters are well developed and help adolescents understand the strengths and weaknesses inherent in every individual. Unfortunately, for this reader, too much of the book was captured by romantic interludes involving several pairs of the series continuing characters. One of the things I appreciate about this series is the degree to which Clare explores friendship and family ties and responsibilities. Even in this title, with its increased amount of romance,Clare still helps teenagers explore the boundaries of these various groups in their lives.
There will be a sixth book in the series and the first book is being made into a movie. Although I was disappointed in this particular title, I will probably go ahead and read the next book as well just to see how Clare pulls it all together.
We still have vampires, elves, werewolves, and other supernatural beings working within the mundane world. As in her other books, most of the main characters are well developed and help adolescents understand the strengths and weaknesses inherent in every individual. Unfortunately, for this reader, too much of the book was captured by romantic interludes involving several pairs of the series continuing characters. One of the things I appreciate about this series is the degree to which Clare explores friendship and family ties and responsibilities. Even in this title, with its increased amount of romance,Clare still helps teenagers explore the boundaries of these various groups in their lives.
There will be a sixth book in the series and the first book is being made into a movie. Although I was disappointed in this particular title, I will probably go ahead and read the next book as well just to see how Clare pulls it all together.
The Black Angel, by John Connolly
I managed to get out of order in my Charlie Parker series books. Consequently, reading this book helped fill in some gaps in my knowledge. This book is more supernatural than most of the other books in the Parker series. In some ways the role of the angels and demons in the book remind me of some of Anne Rice's novels.
The book introduced me to be Sedlec monastery and Ossuary. It prompted me to do some research about the Cistercian order and this monastery in the Czech Republic. I am traveling to Paris later this summer and need to see if I can talk my friend into visiting the catacombs (including some ossuaries) which have played it important role in the plot of the Michael Scott books (The Immortal Nicholas Flamel series-for younger adolescent readers) and some of the Anne Rice's novels. An ossuary is connected to the storage or display of skeletal remains. The church at the center of this book is famous for having most of the interior decorated an ornament in with human skeleton parts. Connolly weaves this historical, religious, and artistic information throughout the book.
In The Black Angel, Connolly explorers the fallen angels and their agents on earth. Consequently, readers of James Lee Burke and Anne Rice will feel a resonance with the works of these authors. They are among the few authors, exploring the concept of evil and its work in the world, who end up simultaneously having to explore religion, angels, and demons.
As always, Connolly writes in a literary style and as a result can be challenging to readers. Taking the time to do the background research on topics introduced and the geographical connections will enrich the reading. The book is also accompanied by a CD of music either mentioned in the book or connected to the plot and characters. This is the first time I have played an accompanying soundtrack. It was an interesting and enjoyable collection of works. As our writers become more technologically engaged I anticipate more media connections and additions to their works.
The book introduced me to be Sedlec monastery and Ossuary. It prompted me to do some research about the Cistercian order and this monastery in the Czech Republic. I am traveling to Paris later this summer and need to see if I can talk my friend into visiting the catacombs (including some ossuaries) which have played it important role in the plot of the Michael Scott books (The Immortal Nicholas Flamel series-for younger adolescent readers) and some of the Anne Rice's novels. An ossuary is connected to the storage or display of skeletal remains. The church at the center of this book is famous for having most of the interior decorated an ornament in with human skeleton parts. Connolly weaves this historical, religious, and artistic information throughout the book.
In The Black Angel, Connolly explorers the fallen angels and their agents on earth. Consequently, readers of James Lee Burke and Anne Rice will feel a resonance with the works of these authors. They are among the few authors, exploring the concept of evil and its work in the world, who end up simultaneously having to explore religion, angels, and demons.
As always, Connolly writes in a literary style and as a result can be challenging to readers. Taking the time to do the background research on topics introduced and the geographical connections will enrich the reading. The book is also accompanied by a CD of music either mentioned in the book or connected to the plot and characters. This is the first time I have played an accompanying soundtrack. It was an interesting and enjoyable collection of works. As our writers become more technologically engaged I anticipate more media connections and additions to their works.
Bad Men, by John Connolly
Fans of John Connolly need to be aware that this is not a book in the Charlie Parker series. Although Charlie Parker makes some brief appearances in this book, he is not the main character. Once again, Connolly, an Irishman, writes with sensitivity and detail about Maine and other parts of the United States. In this book he begins with an historical event set on one of the islands off the coast of Maine. As always, ghosts and the supernatural come into play. There is significant violence and description of a relatively gruesome events in scenes. It is not a book I would recommend to adolescents. Both the plot and the writing make it clearly an adult read.
Conley writes with relative sophistication blending historical fiction, religion, and geography with strong plots and characterization. His plot and characterization grab the reader immediately and will keep you reading.
Conley writes with relative sophistication blending historical fiction, religion, and geography with strong plots and characterization. His plot and characterization grab the reader immediately and will keep you reading.
Still Alice, by Lisa Genova
Genova is an expert in Alzheimer's disease. She has a Ph.D. In neuroscience from Harvard. In this book she tells the story of a Harvard professor afflicted by Alzheimer's. This is a strong story and a relatively easy read focused on both the patient's and family's experiences as the disease progresses.
I cannot be an unbiased reviewer on this topic. My mother suffered from Alzheimer's and I have moved to this story. I think Genova does an excellent job of capturing the experience. I particularly appreciate her inclusion of the patients point of view. Thinking back to my family's journey I wish we had asked my mother more directly what her experiences were like.
Every instance of Alzheimer's is somewhat unique. I will never know for certain, but I believe that my mother still recognized me even near the very end of her life. It's very hard to tell what the patient knows and what she doesn't know as the disease progresses.
This is a book that I will recommend to all I meet who have to contend with Alzheimer's in their family or social circle. It is also one that my brothers, children and I will need to discuss. I had always thought that if I were to be diagnosed with this disease, that I would make arrangements to end my life at the time I chose rather than dragging my family to the bitter end. Genova includes a sequence of events that makes it clear this decision may be difficult to successfully complete. I will be a little more careful in my planning as a result. On the other hand there may be value in sticking it out. The main character is able to enjoy much of her family life even after the point at which she would have committed suicide.
I cannot be an unbiased reviewer on this topic. My mother suffered from Alzheimer's and I have moved to this story. I think Genova does an excellent job of capturing the experience. I particularly appreciate her inclusion of the patients point of view. Thinking back to my family's journey I wish we had asked my mother more directly what her experiences were like.
Every instance of Alzheimer's is somewhat unique. I will never know for certain, but I believe that my mother still recognized me even near the very end of her life. It's very hard to tell what the patient knows and what she doesn't know as the disease progresses.
This is a book that I will recommend to all I meet who have to contend with Alzheimer's in their family or social circle. It is also one that my brothers, children and I will need to discuss. I had always thought that if I were to be diagnosed with this disease, that I would make arrangements to end my life at the time I chose rather than dragging my family to the bitter end. Genova includes a sequence of events that makes it clear this decision may be difficult to successfully complete. I will be a little more careful in my planning as a result. On the other hand there may be value in sticking it out. The main character is able to enjoy much of her family life even after the point at which she would have committed suicide.
Witch's Business, by Diana Wynne Jones
I am a great fan of Jones books. Particularly I think The Dark a Lord of Derkholm and the Year of the Griffin are wonderful books for readers who enjoyed the Harry Potter series. Jones has a wonderful sense of humor and makes fantasy quite believable.In some ways I prefer her take on schools and the politics surrounding them to that of J.K. Rowling. I also appreciate the way that Jones shows in her book the ways that
adolescents can break through boundaries of status and social group to
achieve a shared goal.
Jones is a British author and sometimes her language and colloquialisms are a little bit challenging for American readers. But her understanding of the interests and lives of young adolescents make any struggles worthwhile. This is a reissue of her first novel and is currently out of print, but still available through a variety of online booksellers. This is the second time that I have been able to read a first book from a popular author. (The other was Patricia Briggs.) It's fascinating to see how their craft improves over time. I would love to be able to use the use in an author study unit with adolescents to show stronger vs. weaker writing. It would take some considerable time which, unfortunately, is not typically available in classrooms due to pressures from standardized tests and district curriculum mandates.
Jones is a British author and sometimes her language and colloquialisms are a little bit challenging for American readers. But her understanding of the interests and lives of young adolescents make any struggles worthwhile. This is a reissue of her first novel and is currently out of print, but still available through a variety of online booksellers. This is the second time that I have been able to read a first book from a popular author. (The other was Patricia Briggs.) It's fascinating to see how their craft improves over time. I would love to be able to use the use in an author study unit with adolescents to show stronger vs. weaker writing. It would take some considerable time which, unfortunately, is not typically available in classrooms due to pressures from standardized tests and district curriculum mandates.
Red Glove, by Holly Black
Holly Black is one of my go-to authors for urban fantasy. She does not disappoint in this most recent book. This is a second book in the Curse Workers series. These are set in contemporary times, on the Eastern seaboard of the United States but in a world with a minor difference. In this alternative world there are a small group of people called curse workers who have powers to change, among other things, people's memories and emotions. Curse workers can also kill people with the touch of a hand.
In Black's world these forces unfortunately are not used for good. Set in the Eastern United States the curse workers primarily work for organized crime. The main character, Cassel Sharpe, is struggling with defining his role within his family, friends, and the world at large. His family in particular challenges him every step of the way to try and reconcile his and native born talents with his own personal morality. Added to Cassel's interior conflict are the pressures being exerted upon him by his family members, the FBI, and a crime lord.
The story in this book is driven by Cassel's attempts to discover the identity of a murder. In doing so he has to involve his friends and explore the boundaries established by the law and social norms. The plot, characters, and writing will keep you reading. The theme of reconciling your personal values with your family's and the world at large makes this book well worth recommending to young adult readers.
In Black's world these forces unfortunately are not used for good. Set in the Eastern United States the curse workers primarily work for organized crime. The main character, Cassel Sharpe, is struggling with defining his role within his family, friends, and the world at large. His family in particular challenges him every step of the way to try and reconcile his and native born talents with his own personal morality. Added to Cassel's interior conflict are the pressures being exerted upon him by his family members, the FBI, and a crime lord.
The story in this book is driven by Cassel's attempts to discover the identity of a murder. In doing so he has to involve his friends and explore the boundaries established by the law and social norms. The plot, characters, and writing will keep you reading. The theme of reconciling your personal values with your family's and the world at large makes this book well worth recommending to young adult readers.
Shiver (and Linger), by Maggie Stiefvater
Werewolves in Minnesota--hot young teen romance. That pretty much sums up the plot of these two books. There are also some themes of parenting (mostly bad parenting). This shows up as a well reviewed book on several review sites. I think it must be popular because of the romance themes.
Overall the book feels a bit derivative of the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer. It has a little more description of romantic interactions that will appeal to romance readers.
Stiefvater has interests and songwriting, music, and art all of which appear as part of the book. And there were spots in the book where I think the writing could have used some improvement. I didn't always agree with Stiefvater's word choices.
Since I'm not much of a romance reader I don't think I will go on to read the third and final book in the series. I do have a mild interest in whether or not the main characters are able to find a cure for the werewolf virus. Unfortunately, I don't think I can get through all of the steamy romantic scenes to find out. I like to feel like I've learned something about the world as I read a book in addition to enjoying the plot, characters, settings and language. I didn't really feel like I came away with much from this book other than just entertainment.
Overall the book feels a bit derivative of the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer. It has a little more description of romantic interactions that will appeal to romance readers.
Stiefvater has interests and songwriting, music, and art all of which appear as part of the book. And there were spots in the book where I think the writing could have used some improvement. I didn't always agree with Stiefvater's word choices.
Since I'm not much of a romance reader I don't think I will go on to read the third and final book in the series. I do have a mild interest in whether or not the main characters are able to find a cure for the werewolf virus. Unfortunately, I don't think I can get through all of the steamy romantic scenes to find out. I like to feel like I've learned something about the world as I read a book in addition to enjoying the plot, characters, settings and language. I didn't really feel like I came away with much from this book other than just entertainment.
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