This a fabulous piece of fantasy involving an unwilling dragon exterminator, an cowed prince trying to be a hero and an obstinate princess. Their pathThis a fabulous piece of fantasy involving an unwilling dragon exterminator, an cowed prince trying to be a hero and an obstinate princess. Their paths cross as the cowardly prince is trying to find a big dragon to slay. Not just the small annoying ones. The storytelling is good and the characters engaging, for all their flaws.
This doesn’t have the poetic power or deep charm of “the last unicorn”, so don’t expect that. It is good in its own right though! ...more
This is the kind of book that wants to take me on an adventure but leaves me feeling old and jaded. It’s a decent piece of fantasy and I loved the draThis is the kind of book that wants to take me on an adventure but leaves me feeling old and jaded. It’s a decent piece of fantasy and I loved the dragons. It’s nearly half of this overly long book before we get to meet any.
It did grab my attention when weak little Violet, trained to be a scribe is forced into the dragon rider academy by her mother, the general. The death toll is high, 15% of recruits die on the first day. Violet has an overprotective friend and a whole bunch of enemies and not much going for her, except for good looks and intelligence. Of course she must fall for her nemesis.
What I liked: The world building Coming of age and growing into strength. The dragons!
What I didn’t like: The romance, drama and sex The predictability of the plotting ...more
When his wife dies, the main character is traumatized and gets a job he didn't apply for - as death. Not DEATH, but the one of several helping souls aWhen his wife dies, the main character is traumatized and gets a job he didn't apply for - as death. Not DEATH, but the one of several helping souls along. If he doesn't accept, things will go side ways, as he soon notices. This was quite fun, in a light-hearted way. I struggled a little bit with the world building (or the German), but it came along eventually. ...more
I loved everything about this book! I haven’t been this floored by superb storytelling in quite some time, and I wasn’t expecting it from Stephen KingI loved everything about this book! I haven’t been this floored by superb storytelling in quite some time, and I wasn’t expecting it from Stephen King. I haven’t read anything by him this good in two decades.
Charlie Reade, you’re average 17-year old, does a good deed. He helps a neighbor, Mr. Bowditch who has hurt himself and takes care of said man’s elderly German shepherd, Radar. Mr. Bowditch has secrets, and eventually he passes them onto Charlie.
Charlie then starts on a dangerous mission to prolong the life of Radar, who eventually passes into his possession.
The build up is meticulous and by the time fantasy enters the picture, you’re totally willing to accept all of it. The world building is excellent and the characters are nuanced and fascinating. Everyone and everything is properly fleshed out, nothing is left to chance.
I listened to the 24 hour long audiobook in just a few days, and I hung on every word. This is possibly the best and most exceptional read of this year. I absolutely loved how our known fairytales are woven into this book, among all the original elements. This is not your typical fantasy novel, it’s much more unique, but still relatable, with some familiar elements.
I miss Charlie and Radar already. Take me back! ...more
According to goodreads, this was my second reading of this fantasy novel. Having finished it, I think I may have, but I am not sure.
Two dwarf childrenAccording to goodreads, this was my second reading of this fantasy novel. Having finished it, I think I may have, but I am not sure.
Two dwarf children are having a holiday with their parents in a forest that is constructed more like Disneyland than anything else. That is, until they tire of this and wander off into uncharted woods, where the strangest plants grow and great dangers lurk.
The narrator of the fairytale, Hildegunst von Mythenmetz, keeps interrupting his own story. It’s funny at first but gets old quickly. ...more
I adored this short novel revisit of Buchheim, it’s catacombs and Büchlinge. It’s not a book I would recommend without having read “City of dreaming bI adored this short novel revisit of Buchheim, it’s catacombs and Büchlinge. It’s not a book I would recommend without having read “City of dreaming books”.
Hildegunst meets his doppelgänger Büchling and encourages him to tell his own story. Our comes a tale of a book dragon, living deep in the catacombs and being a true oracle.
I can’t begin to tell you how much this book delighted me. I was sucked in and mesmerized immediately. I do hope the author writes more in the Zamonien series soon. Plus the illustrations - made by the author himself - are awesome....more
I didn’t bother to read this for ages, although I like the author. A school killing its students just didn’t grab my attention. It’s not quite like thI didn’t bother to read this for ages, although I like the author. A school killing its students just didn’t grab my attention. It’s not quite like that, it’s more like accidents - random monsters getting in and putting inattentive students out of their misery. The main character is quite a character, unlikeable, unaffiliated and unlikely to survive graduation. Except she keeps getting saved by this Orion guy, to her great annoyance.
Entertaining enough, I might read the rest. ...more
The second time I started this book I actually got through it. I keep forgetting how superbly entertaining this series is, even if I'm not quite in thThe second time I started this book I actually got through it. I keep forgetting how superbly entertaining this series is, even if I'm not quite in the audience and this isn't my usual cup of tea. I like the feisty Clary, who has had to find out - after her mother ends up in a coma - that she belongs to the class of human with extra-special abilities and that are trained as demon hunters. In this second book, the arch enemy, who is also her father, gets his hands on yet another important mortal instrument. The ending was such that I started the third book immediately. It's possible I have no standards - but if I keep reading and enjoying myself, than that's enough....more
I en norrøn verden fins en by som man kan nå ikke bare til fots eller hest på veier, men gjennom "reisesteiner". Disse må fores med blod for å virke. I en norrøn verden fins en by som man kan nå ikke bare til fots eller hest på veier, men gjennom "reisesteiner". Disse må fores med blod for å virke. Ulveblod. Juva er en ulvejeger. Dessverre sprer seg ulvesyke i byen, så noen driver tydeligvis med sorte marked salg.
Juva er av blodleser ætt, men vil ikke ha noe med dem å gjøre. Hun liker ikke de enkle løgnene spådamene forer befolkningen med. Og så er det jævelen, som plaget henne siden hennes far døde. Hun kan føle ham.
Dette er nordisk fantasy på sitt aller beste. Medrivende fortelling, karakterer å elske og hemmeligheter som avsløres underveis. Tett og atmosfærisk, med fantastisk world building. Det blir en pine å vente på neste bok i serien!...more
Lyra and Pan - the external part of her soul, materializing as a marten - are having difficulties. In the end he leaves, “to go looking for her imaginLyra and Pan - the external part of her soul, materializing as a marten - are having difficulties. In the end he leaves, “to go looking for her imagination”. Lyra, devastated, goes looking for him. And for a mysterious city in the desert where special rose oil comes from. It was okay, but I wasn’t invested....more
Lured by the promise of secret societies in Yale, I bought this book. It quickly became apparent that there were plenty of paranormal aspects. Ghosts Lured by the promise of secret societies in Yale, I bought this book. It quickly became apparent that there were plenty of paranormal aspects. Ghosts really aren't my thing, but oh well, I can set aside my super-realistic approach to life for a little while. Having done that, this book turned out to be much better than expected.
Alex has been accepted to Yale and to a secret society because of one thing only: she can see grays, that is, ghosts, without the need of halucinogens. When a young girl is murdered, she is sure that it somehow connects to a secret society. As Alex is then nearly murdered herself, she realizes that she must be on to something.
The definite upside to reading outside your usual genre is how fresh everything is. I had absolutely no idea where the plot was heading and the twists were actually just that - twists. WOW. I feel rejuvinated! ...more
The movie brought me to tears. The book didn't. I don't know what I had been expecting, I had somehow thought I would find more here. The only thing tThe movie brought me to tears. The book didn't. I don't know what I had been expecting, I had somehow thought I would find more here. The only thing this book has that the movie didn't, are some fairy tales that tie beautifully into the story as a whole.
The book mixes the Spanish civil war and fascism with the tale of a lost fairy tale princess who must pass quests to be reunited with her parents in the underworld. It is gruesome and wondrous at the same time. The writing is exquisite - or perhaps it's just my infatuation with German that made it so. ...more
I wasn’t going to read this, given how peeved I am at the author for not completing the other series. I changed my mind - after all, he’s a great storI wasn’t going to read this, given how peeved I am at the author for not completing the other series. I changed my mind - after all, he’s a great storyteller. Power struggles, intrigue and dragons - definitely promising.
I started the book and it read like a dictionary of Westeros. The ultimate history. Yawn. I did get into it though and the first half was quite good. Then the dance of dragons started and everyone just killing each other and my interest petered out to nothing. I skimmed the last 100 pages.
Some good bits, overall disappointing. Don’t be fooled, this is a failed attempt at keeping fans happy and still not finish “winds of winter”. ...more
My first encounter with this Stockholm syndrome love story was of course Disney. Then I read a fairly old version of the original fairy tale in which,My first encounter with this Stockholm syndrome love story was of course Disney. Then I read a fairly old version of the original fairy tale in which, I think, the servants were invisible. I might have read yet another version later, I can't recall. This particular book is a snippet from the original story, very much based on Disney. The characters are all cardboard and boring, there is far more telling than showing.
I picked it up because I read the first few pages, which were really good. There the two sisters, Love and Death, were playing a chess game while contemplating whether the Beast would learn to love and be loved in return before the last petal falls. Death is determined to stack the odds in her favor, by luring Belle into a book and keeping her there.
After this prelude, the story quickly deteriorates into the moving of stick figures against the familiar tableau of the Beast's castle. Best suited for ten-year olds. I knew I wouldn't be precisely in the target audience, but some grade school books are really entertaining even for adult readers. This one was not....more
I read “Uprooted” by the pool in Portugal last summer, and I did the same again with “Spinning silver”. The pool was different, being on Madeira ratheI read “Uprooted” by the pool in Portugal last summer, and I did the same again with “Spinning silver”. The pool was different, being on Madeira rather than by the Algarve coast.
“Spinning silver” has little in common with “Uprooted”, aside from great story telling. Whereas “Uprooted” fell apart in the second half, this one bears momentum to the end. It’s very, very, loosely based on the Grimm fairytale “Rumpelstiltskin”. The atmosphere is decidedly Russian - grim and cold.
Whatever you are expecting isn’t what you’re going to get, and since it’s one of the great things about this book, I won’t tell you. I was pleasantly surprised several times and that’s a satisfying change from the dumb plot twists in the noir novels I’ve read this years. ...more
Walter Moers has written one of my fav0rite books, "City of Dreaming Books". He has also written one of the worst books I have ever read, "Labyrinth oWalter Moers has written one of my fav0rite books, "City of Dreaming Books". He has also written one of the worst books I have ever read, "Labyrinth of Dreaming Books". The long awaited "Castle of Dreaming Books" never matrialized. Instead, we got this. I am giving it the same rating as "Labyrinth", but it is definitely more original. It just does not deserve three stars.
In this installment, Princess Dylia suffers from a rare form of insomnia. In one of her waking spells, a Night Mare appears. A Night Mare creates nightmares. In German the Gnome or Dwarf is a "Nachtmar", whereas a nightmare is "Alptraum". Anyway, the Night Mare Opal takes Dylia into an adventure in her own brain, looking for the heart of darkness. In her brain, there are many dangers. Maybe Dylia will descend into madness and never wake up.
This is far below the level I expect from Walter Moers and nowhere near the exceptional heights of "City of dreaming books". Almost half the book passses before anything happens. The ending is anti-climactic. The book is exceptionally illustrated in full color, but the content simply does not live up to the looks. Not recommended....more
Rating 3.4*. The first half of the book or so was 5* and the second half 2*. This book had one of the best beginnings I've ever read, sucked me straigRating 3.4*. The first half of the book or so was 5* and the second half 2*. This book had one of the best beginnings I've ever read, sucked me straight in. For the longest time I didn't see where the story was headed.
"Our Dragon doesn't eat the girls he takes, no matter what stories they tell outside our valley."
So begins the story of how Agnieszka gets picked for a ten year stint in the magician's tower and ends up fighting against the evil wood threatening all normal life. Brilliantly imagined and well told, for most part. Deliciously entertaining.
Although I felt the story lost some of its believability - for lack of a better word - I do still recommend it. If it's available in Swedish, I will by it for my niece. ...more
Deliciously irreverent and hysterically funny! The authors have been my among my favorites and yet, for some unfathomable reason, I have not read "GooDeliciously irreverent and hysterically funny! The authors have been my among my favorites and yet, for some unfathomable reason, I have not read "Good Omens" before. I don't know how I thought my favorite two authors would fail to clobber greatness together.
The end of the world is expected eleven years from the start of the book. It starts with the switching of babies at a nun's hospital, where Antichrist is supposed to end upf with a family that can raise him to proper evil. This fails and so it is highly uncertain what will happen to his potential for ... well ... causing armageddon. The mistake in the switching isn't noticed until it's too late of course.
There is a cast of angels, demons, a descendant of the with Agnes Nutter, and four children. The four horsemen of the apocalypse also make an appearance, although they aren't as important as you would have thought. I thoroghly enjoyed this. The humoristic elements are all-prevaling and spot-on. ...more
This was an unexpected, unusual and fascinating read. It's a difficult book to categorize, science fiction without the science - and all the better foThis was an unexpected, unusual and fascinating read. It's a difficult book to categorize, science fiction without the science - and all the better for it.
Peter Leigh leaves earth to become a minister for an alien species in another part of space. He leaves behind his wife Beatrice. The story is how he copes with another reality and a flock of Jesus lovers quite different from humans. Easier. They call the Bible "the Book of Strange New Things". Back home, the world as we know it is deterioriating fast. Beatrice and Joshua the cat are going through trials that Peter cannot grasp. She tries to explain, but he is so full of his new life and mission that he fails to understand.
This being Michel Faber, the ending is ambiguous and being that, the story will stay with me while I ponder its content and what else happened after the last page. Although the answer to why the aliens were so fascinated with Christianity is unveiled at the end, many other questions remain unanswered - such as what on earth happened on Earth?
Well-written, thought provoking, intelligent and refreshingly different. No guessing at turn of events, no formula writing. Brilliant....more
Oh how am I supposed to rate this?! It is obviously a very well-written and intelligently plotted book with vivid characters, both man and beast. It iOh how am I supposed to rate this?! It is obviously a very well-written and intelligently plotted book with vivid characters, both man and beast. It is also a very long and miserable ride through a nightmarish tale where everything just continues to go wrong. Just like real life. No thanks. Not what I am looking for in fantasy books, truly not. I can see the obvious quality of the text, but I hated it. Really. This won't keep me from reading the last book, but to avoid shredding the entire trilogy, I had better wait a while. I don't actually quite trust the author to finish on a positive note....more
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