Review

The Winter King

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The Winter King

The Winter King

The Winter King

By Bernard Cornwell

St. Martin’s Press

ISBN: 0-312-14447-4

5 stars

Quick disclosure — I adore Arthurian legend and will read almost anything that promises a story with Arthur and the knights of the round table. I have to admit, this book did not disappoint.

The Winter King is narrated by Derfel, a Saxon born ward of Merlin and a warrior in Arthur’s army. He tells the tale for Igraine, Queen of Powys, who is his patron. He begins the long tale at the Tor, Merlin’s home, when Mordred is born, the grandson of Uther Pendragon and the eventual leader of Dumnonia. Years of invasion, fighting, and suffering follow which he describes in detail.

As a child, Derfel yearns to become a warrior and, years later, is granted his wish by Arthur. After proving his worth and loyalty, Derfel finds himself serving directly under Arthur. He travels across Britain fighting for the peace Arthur believes he can bring to the land. He eventually finds himself titled Lord Derfel and disagreeing with many of Arthur’s ideas, yet, he fights anyway in the hope that the much wished for peace will come. It is also his friendship and admiration for Arthur that keeps him fighting, if for nothing else.

Cornwell brings to life the dramatic fights, the grisly life, and spoils and indecency of war. He does not shirk from the brutality and blood and, if you happen to be squeamish, he may not be the author for you. I mean that in a very good way. He brings you into the fight, you hear the clanging of swords, smell the men, and feel the pain. He holds nothing back from the way he describes the lifestyles of the individuals, the rituals of the numerous religions, and the fighting itself. It is brutal, disgusting, and above all, fantastic.

What I truly enjoyed about this book was the fact that it was told from an observer’s point of view. I know Arthur and his tale, but to hear it from Derfel makes it fresh and interesting. I feel sometimes that I have read the same story over and over and this one felt very different. In fact, it made me want to read books two and three in the series. I want to listen to Derfel finish his tale and I want to know more about these brutal people.

One drawback, there is an incredibly long list of characters in this book. Sometimes it can be hard to keep them straight but that didn’t take much away from the story for me. Although, at times, it can be confusing since many of the spellings are similar. After you get into the story, the traits make each character unique, plus there is a list in the front of the book that is useful when you need to remember who someone is.

The Devlin Diary

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The Devlin Diary

The Devlin Diary

The Devlin Diary

By Christi Phillips

Pocket Books

ISBN-13: 978-1-4165-2739-8

4 stars

In addition to this blog, I also do reviews for The Book Reporter website. Below is a short summary of my review of The Devlin Diary which can be found on their website in full here.

London, 1672, Hannah Devlin is ministering to the sick when she is summoned by an official of the king, to care for King Charles’s mistress. Over 300 years later, historian Claire Donovan, uncovers a decades old diary belonging to Hannah that chronicles a fascinating tale of murder and deceit at court.

Following the lives of two women, one is 1672 London and another in Cambridge in 2008, the reader is taken on a journey of murder, mystery, and English court intrigue in The Devlin Diary.

Phillips takes the reader on a wild chase through London streets, court conspiracies, and the stacks at Trinity College. Her talent lies in the details. She pulls together a rich tale set in 1672 London. One can clearly picture this London, smell the rank Fleet river, and feel sympathy for Hannah and all she has lost. Her descriptions of the inventions of the time and the characters she has assembled are marvelous.

In the end, Phillips delivers a story full of historical suspense. In fact, you’ll wish there were more of her take on the time period which she describes wonderfully.

The Mage’s Daughter

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The Mages Daughter

The Mage's Daughter

The Mage’s Daughter

By Lynn Kurland

The Berkeley Publishing Group

ISBN: 9780425219164

3.5 stars

Miach is attending his brother’s wedding when he realizes he can no longer magically sense the ailing Morgan, the woman he loves. After interrupting the marriage ceremony, much to the unhappiness of his brother, he leaves for the Kingdom of Lismor to find her.

Once there, he meets with Nicholas, the lord of Lismor, and is told he is too late — Morgan has already left for Gobhann, a place run by a cruel man named Weger who trained Morgan to be a mercenary. Gobhann is not subject to magic and Morgan hopes to find respite and recover from being poisoned inside the safety of its walls.

Miach follows her and gains passage into Gobhann by battling past the guards and showing his sword fighting talent — what little he has without the help of magic. He is admitted and endures Weger’s harsh training that made Morgan one of the most feared fighters in the Nine Kingdoms.

The relationship between Miach and Morgan is strained and he hopes once again to win her love and prove his worth to her by showing he is capable of great heroics without magic. While at Gobhann, Morgan slowly warms to him but is still weary of his intentions and won’t let herself fully trust him.

Unfortunately, Miach, the youngest Arch Mage of Neroch, is also trying to protect his kingdom from an unknown evil he cannot trace. His worry and great fear is that the evil is after Morgan but he cannot tell her. Morgan, the fierce and talented swords woman she is, would likely attempt to fight even in her weakened state. He fears this reality because he knows it will mean losing her forever.

The story is good fantasy with a lot of romance thrown in. The characters are intriguing and you do come to care for them by the end. The use of magic is novel but I do wish there was an explanation of the power and where it comes from. However, this is book two in the trilogy and I have not read book one which I’m guessing contained more background than is found in this book. I usually don’t like to read books out of order for this reason but I picked this one up without realizing it was part of a series. While there are enough clues and explanations to help the reader along, reading the first in the trilogy probably would have explained more about the main characters’ relationship and how they came to be in the predicament they find themselves in.

This book is a good quick read. If you happen to like magic, elves, and swordplay, it’s entertaining. After finishing the second in the series, I think I might seek out one and three, after all, I would like to see what happens between Morgan and Miach.

Revolutionary Road

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Revolutionary Road

Revolutionary Road

Revolutionary Road

By Richard Yates

Vintage Books

ISBN: 978-0-375-70844-2

5 stars

“I love you when you’re nice.”  April Wheeler says this to her husband Frank and it becomes a defining moment for the couple.  This single line gives the reader an intimate look at these two characters and how they cling to each while trying to break free at the same time.

April and Frank are the perfect example of a happy young couple, or at least that’s the image they project to friends and neighbors.  They are young, beautiful, and living what can be thought of as a happy life in the suburbs of Connecticut.  Frank works a job he simply describes as boring and does his best not to talk about if at all possible.  In fact, he secretly finds irony in the knowledge that his father also worked for the same company, something he has only ever mentioned to his wife.

April spends her days searching for her true self and yearning for a different life.  She and Frank talk constantly of the draining existence that is the suburbs and how they will never live to their full potential and will die inside trying to live a dream that is not their own.  They want out and it’s April that finally concocts a plan to get them out — by moving to France.  They begin making plans and life takes on a new excitement for them.  They look forward to leaving behind the drudgery of their lives.  It’s only when circumstances change do their lives take on the stark reality of everyday life they attempt to avoid each and every day.

Yates writes in such a way that readers feel as if they are these people and what they are feeling and experiencing is so real that you want to recoil at the rawness of it all.  You feel the strain in the marriage, the love they do have for one another at certain times, and the embarrassment they feel.  There is also the sheer realization that what these two characters are facing are questions we all have about our own lives.  They are sad people, wonderful people, and very much real people.

You see the falling apart of two people and the life they have tried to cobble together in this book.  The hopes and dreams of two people shattered, yet, there is also an incredible hopefulness especially when they are planning their future but you know all of it is really just an exercise in escapism for these two people who are just so very unhappy and disappointed with how their lives have turned out.  You want to root for them but you know they are going to only remain disgusted with not only each other but everyone in their lives.

Revolutionary Road is a great book for the simple reason that Yates makes us April and Frank.  He pushes us to examine our needs, wants, and dreams and do it in such a way that makes you want to run away to France to make yourself over.  You hate him for making you feel so intensely, not only for these two characters, but for the very real way he is going to make you examine your life.

Mr. Darcy, Vampyre

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Mr. Darcy, Vampyre

Mr. Darcy, Vampyre

Mr. Darcy, Vampyre

By Amanda Grange

Sourcebooks, Inc.

ISBN: 9781402236976

4 stars

The story begins on Elizabeth and Darcy’s wedding day. The Bennett house is in full celebration with the marriage of both Elizabeth and Jane on the same day. Elizabeth believes this to be the happiest day of her life and cannot wait to become Darcy’s wife.

After a short ceremony and celebration, they leave for the Lake Region on their honeymoon tour but as soon as the carriage leaves, Darcy announces they area going to Europe instead. He makes a few arrangements, and before Elizabeth can utter a word or question, she finds herself in Dover awaiting a boat to France.

In France, Darcy introduces Elizabeth to family and friends — some she finds friendly, others she finds off-putting for a reason she cannot understand. She is overwhelmed but is happy to just be with Darcy. Shortly after arriving in France, he announces they will be going to visit his uncle who lives in the Alps. The journey to his uncle’s is difficult and she finds herself scared frequently by wolves and stories from the locals. Darcy reassures her that all will be fine and once again she finds herself calmed by his words.

At Darcy’s uncle’s castle, she is introduced to many new family members and acquaintances. Elizabeth is unsettled by comments and customs but does her best to make an outward show of happiness for Darcy. Their stay is cut short by a revolt from the villagers but Darcy and Elizabeth are able to escape without harm and find shelter in an old hunting lodge of Darcy’s. He decides they will head to Venice, Italy for safety’s sake and they are off again. Upon their arrival, Elizabeth is transfixed by the city and its inhabitants. It is also were she begins to question some of the strange things going on with Darcy and their relationship.

After a near abduction and narrow escape from which Darcy rescues her, she asks many questions and finds she doesn’t like any of the answers. Fortunately, a friend of Darcy’s may have the cure they both seek.

Mr. Darcy, Vampyre is an interesting re-imagining of these characters. Grange is able to fully en robe herself in Darcy and his brooding thoughts making the character very believable. He is just as dark, daring, and confusing and in some ways even more intriguing because of his dangerous secret. The love between Elizabeth and Darcy is strong and you find yourself hoping she is still willing to accept him after his secret revealed.

One small thing that did bother me — Elizabeth does not pickup on any of the clues. Reflections that don’t appear, no mirrors, wolves, Darcy mysteriously missing always at sunset and sunrise, an inordinate amount of bats. I always thought of Elizabeth as witty and smart and was a bit disappointed she didn’t question Darcy earlier, but then again, she is a new bride wanting to be with her new husband and willing to forgo a few mishaps after what they had already been through. I guess in the end I am willing to forgive that.

People of the Book

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People of the Book

People of the Book

People of the Book

By Geraldine Brooks

Viking

ISBN: 978-0-14-311500-7

4 stars

Dr. Hanna Heath, an Australian book conservator, arrives in Sarajevo days after the war ends to help preserve a long lost tome of the Jewish faith, the Haggadah. The book, which was believed lost, has turned up at the Sarajevo museum and needs to be restored. She is altogether surprised to have been called, honored at the request, and scared she will not be able to accomplish what she has been dispatched to do.

With security tight, she sets about her task only to create more mystery and intrigue than she ever has with her work. Several odd artifacts are found in the book including a butterfly wing, a long silver hair, blood, and indentations from long missing clips; each a mystery in their own right. In putting together a paper on her findings, she begins her research only to be baffled by more questions than answers. Seeking advice from her revered teacher and friend, she does not find the answers but only more questions. She does her best to fill in the blanks and in the process becomes one of the people of the book.

Told in between Hanna’s story are the tales of the people who helped to create, protect, and unknowingly, become part of the book and its history. Brooks introduces us to all the people who have touched the book in some way and the places it has traveled through history. She tells us the tales of the inscriptions, the brilliant illustrations, and the mystery surrounding the missing claps. She brings to life the history of not only the people but the book itself and its impact on the individuals it has touched and enlightened.

When Hanna is forced to doubt herself over the authenticity of the Haggadah before it goes on display at the Sarajevo museum, she takes on a new project and follows her work to the Australian outback. The work, which involves preserving native works that are part of her country’s history, allows her to hide from the world at large. Now part of the book’s history, Hanna is once again pulled into its realm, and in a final act to preserve it, becomes involved in a ploy to save it one final time.

The ending, which seems more fitting to a mystery caper than this book, is distracting and completely unbelievable after one has become acquainted with the characters involved. While Hanna’s story is certainly the glue that binds everything together, it is also the least interesting however; it provides a backdrop for the other stories and a time frame to place the other stories into.

Brooks weaves a wide-ranging tale that encompasses all the individuals that had a hand in creating and saving the book. Her story travels across time and religions and comes to life with her elegant descriptions. The book takes center stage of this intriguing tale and one can feel the soft parchment, smell the dust, and hear the creaking of the bindings barely holding the contents together. In the end, it becomes the most fascinating element of the story.

Rooftops of Tehran

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Rooftops of Tehran

Rooftops of Tehran

Rooftops of Tehran

By Mahbod Seraji

New American Library

ISBN: 978-0-451-22681-5

5 stars

In addition to this blog, I also do reviews for The Book Reporter website. Below is a short summary of my review of Rooftops of Tehran which can be found on their website in full here.

During the summer of 1973 in Tehran, Iran, Pasha and his best friend Ahmed spend their summer evenings sitting on the roof discussing life. Just 17 years old, the two are about to learn the harsh realities of love, friendship, and the sacrifices we are sometimes forced to make.

Rooftops of Tehran is one of those rare books that stays with you long after the last page has been turned. It reminds us of the good and bad in life, that joy has a painful side, and that love comes in many forms. Pasha’s love for his family and friends is so strong it is heartbreaking for him. His need to help and to fight only makes the reader fonder of him.

Marvelous characters inhabit the book. They are loving family members we all know — the mother who cares deeply for her child, the proud father who wants only the best for his son, the friend that is always by your side not asking why you’re fighting but standing next to you ready to land the next punch, and the love of your life which can be heartbreaking and exhilarating at the same moment.

Rooftops of Tehran is masterfully told. The author seamlessly drops the reader right in the middle of the story. The emotions are so strongly rendered you’ll feel as if you are these characters. He makes you laugh and cry at the same time remembering the joys of first love and pain of loss. It’s a fabulous read and one that will stay with you a long time.

Persuader

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Persuader

Persuader

Persuader

By Lee Child

A Dell Book

ISBN: 9780440241003

4 stars

Jack Reacher is a man of many talents, chiefly among them seems to be rescuing others in dire circumstances. His former career as a military police officer seems to be a constant fall back — as much as he does try to distance himself from it.

Persuader opens with a shoot out on a college campus and Reacher just happens to be there to save student Richard Beck from being kidnapped. With the dramatic rescue accomplished, he worms his way into the family’s house and finds a job as a body guard.

As it turns out, Reacher isn’t really there to protect anyone but himself. He’s been sent in off the books by Susan Duffy, an agent from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), to rescue another DEA agent who went silent. He’s also there for another more personal reason — he plans to settle an old score with a man named Quinn who is supposed to be dead.

As with all Lee Child books I have read, this one starts out at a brisk pace and keeps going. There are a lot of characters and numerous twists but he some how manages to keep it easy to follow. The suspense is high and readers stand to learn a lot about guns and other ways to kill. While it might not be an interesting point for every reader, imagining Reacher inspecting each gun he is either given or stolen is an intriguing insight into the character and his background.

There is one thing to note with Lee Child novels — you need to suspend all belief to get the most out of it. Reacher is a drifter who was downsized out of the army and spends his days hitching rides across the U.S. He carries no bags and has no family, the way he likes it. Yet, he somehow always manages to be in the right place at the right time and some government agency is always salivating to hire him for an off the books job after a peek at his service record.

This doesn’t make the books bad. It’s the exact opposite. You keep reading because you want to find out how he’s going to get out of a hostage situation, fight his way out of a locked room, and get the girl; which in almost every single book I’ve read this year (and there were seven of them) he has.

Enjoy this book for what it is — a fast paced thriller that will keep you engaged to the very end.