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Book reviews
Nov. 11th, 2014 06:35 pmMore getting-vague recollections of books I've read!
Lock In by John Scalzi: This standalone novel was not at all what I expected - the press I'd seen about it was focused on the hook: that the world had an epidemic disease that caused a percentage of people to be unable to control their bodies but still mentally there. In actual fact, the book is set long enough after that (the main character is one of the "locked in", but has a robot body to use) that it wasn't the focal point. Instead, it's a mystery novel with some interesting political fallout from the epidemic. I quite enjoyed it, and it's worth a shot even if Scalzi's more traditional sci fi never interested you.
Bones Never Lie by Kathy Reichs: Not my favourite novel in the series. Child murders from the past (was I supposed to remember this from a previous book?), by a serial killer, with the subplot being the break down of her romantic lead? Pretty much a downer. Didn't feel like there was a lot of forensics of interest either, the lead was more just swept along in a normal police investigation.
Raging Heat by Richard Castle: Another in the Castle tie-in series of novels. Fun, and despite a ridiculous opening (the body falling through the glass roof of a museum), a solid enough mystery. Still curious who the writer(s) are.
Traitor's Blade by Sebastien de Castell: Aw, I wanted to be able to recommend this one, I really did. I enjoyed most of it - the stories of three down-and-out traveling judges (well, basically) in olden times with amusingly modern language (not anachronistic, per se, but very current phrasing), swordfights, etc. But then the author deus ex'd (literally - suddenly direct intervention of gods/saints, what? and also figuratively - "all the things you were doing, I had planned from the start!") the whole damn thing in the end, and it was very disappointing.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie: A young adult novel, including illustrations (the narrator likes to draw comics), about growing up on the res. It's a light read, halfheartedly amusing with some sad truths.
Enders by Lissa Price: Wasn't as keen on this one as on the first novel (Starters). Maybe I spent too long between them, but I didn't feel terribly connected to the character's woes, and the twist felt hollow and uninteresting to me because of it.
Small Favor by Jim Butcher: This was possibly the best Dresden Files book I remember reading. Nothing about it repulsed me, it was simply enjoyable to read.
Beautiful Lie the Dead by Barbara Fradkin: Another in the local mystery series. I liked it - the inspector's home life wasn't weird or angsty and the mystery was solid (if a bit cringe-worthy in conclusion).
Lock In by John Scalzi: This standalone novel was not at all what I expected - the press I'd seen about it was focused on the hook: that the world had an epidemic disease that caused a percentage of people to be unable to control their bodies but still mentally there. In actual fact, the book is set long enough after that (the main character is one of the "locked in", but has a robot body to use) that it wasn't the focal point. Instead, it's a mystery novel with some interesting political fallout from the epidemic. I quite enjoyed it, and it's worth a shot even if Scalzi's more traditional sci fi never interested you.
Bones Never Lie by Kathy Reichs: Not my favourite novel in the series. Child murders from the past (was I supposed to remember this from a previous book?), by a serial killer, with the subplot being the break down of her romantic lead? Pretty much a downer. Didn't feel like there was a lot of forensics of interest either, the lead was more just swept along in a normal police investigation.
Raging Heat by Richard Castle: Another in the Castle tie-in series of novels. Fun, and despite a ridiculous opening (the body falling through the glass roof of a museum), a solid enough mystery. Still curious who the writer(s) are.
Traitor's Blade by Sebastien de Castell: Aw, I wanted to be able to recommend this one, I really did. I enjoyed most of it - the stories of three down-and-out traveling judges (well, basically) in olden times with amusingly modern language (not anachronistic, per se, but very current phrasing), swordfights, etc. But then the author deus ex'd (literally - suddenly direct intervention of gods/saints, what? and also figuratively - "all the things you were doing, I had planned from the start!") the whole damn thing in the end, and it was very disappointing.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie: A young adult novel, including illustrations (the narrator likes to draw comics), about growing up on the res. It's a light read, halfheartedly amusing with some sad truths.
Enders by Lissa Price: Wasn't as keen on this one as on the first novel (Starters). Maybe I spent too long between them, but I didn't feel terribly connected to the character's woes, and the twist felt hollow and uninteresting to me because of it.
Small Favor by Jim Butcher: This was possibly the best Dresden Files book I remember reading. Nothing about it repulsed me, it was simply enjoyable to read.
Beautiful Lie the Dead by Barbara Fradkin: Another in the local mystery series. I liked it - the inspector's home life wasn't weird or angsty and the mystery was solid (if a bit cringe-worthy in conclusion).
This is a novella tie in to the Castle television series (hence the quotes on the author) - the second in this little novella trilogy. Each novella follows directly, so it's hard to really separate the first (A Brewing Storm) from the second - and, I imagine, the third which I haven't read yet.
