Lucia's Literary Log

I really wanted to enjoy this book. I really did. And on the most part I did. There are definitely a plethora of new books that I want to check out, but there were a couple of things that just really brought down the whole reading experience. First - Spoilers! I don’t know how it escaped two such experienced readers – or anyone else involved in the editing process of this book – but there are spoilers abound throughout this books (some which seem to be fairly central to the plot or some kind of major plot twist) Encouraging someone to read a certain book doesn’t include telling them absolutely everything about it, because then why would they read it? You’ve spoiled it. Second – the way they addressed certain issues. I’m all for suggesting a couple of books to give you a greater perspective and a bit of comfort when you’re say, feeling homesickness (The Arrival by Shaun Tan) or particularly cynical (The Darling Buds of May by H E Bates) but some of the issues that were attempted to be addressed in this book need serious professional help – take alcoholism or divorce. And I’m sorry, but no matter how many times you read The Unbearable Lightness of Being, things aren’t going to better in any kind of substantial way. If you are clinically depressed you need to organise an appointment with a psychologist. Stat. Never not once was there any kind of disclaimer or information page for readers who might actually want to solve their problems in any kind of lasting way. The Novel Cure seemed to approach any and all problems as if all one needed was some free time and a book and I could never tell whether that was what they legitimately thought or if this was supposed to be some kind of joke. (Hint: it wasn’t) Which brings me too … Third – their humour. I get it. You want to keep things light and fun. But again, dealing with heavy issues isn’t MEANT to be light and fun. There’s a certain sobriety that’s called for when talking about the death of a loved one or adultery and for me that just wasn’t there. Very hit and miss. Fourth – and finally, the formatting. The bloody “Reading Ailment” pages. There were these full page features on various “Reading Ailments” such as “Reading-Induced Loneliness” or “Put off by the Hype” scattered throughout the book, and when I say scattered, I mean scattered. I can’t count the number of times that I was interrupted half way through a paragraph (and once or twice half way through a sentence) by these things. It was so frustrating and broke my concentration like nothing else. I think it was a combination of these factors that caused me to take so long with the book. I’d put it down for weeks at a time because it was just SO annoying. But at the same time I really wanted to finish it. Despite all I’ve said I really did enjoy the writing style itself and the two authors did do an excellent job at making each book sound intriguing and inviting and I definitely looked forward to reading about what they had to say on each book/subject (I particularly enjoyed the entries that were written in the style of the book or author). And I did really appreciate all the Aussie recs! This book was very disappointing for me, but who knows, it might be your Novel Cure.

Two main things ran through my head as I read this book – It’s not as good as I thought it was going to be and how the hell did they turn this into a musical? I know in my head that this book revolutionised modern science fiction, but my heart just couldn’t bring itself to care. Apart from a few pretty stellar sentences, the writing was pretty mediocre, and in a world where every second movie seems to be about some kind of alien invasion, H.G. Wells’ slimy creatures of mechanical mastery just don’t shock like they would have in 1898. I know I usually give an overly in-depth analysis of what I did and didn’t think worked in a book, but I honestly just can’t bring myself to care about this book. My overall experience of this book: Meh.

I've been avoiding Little Women for as long as it's been on my to read list for various reasons. So many people I talked to about it seemed disappointed in the book  or felt it far too preachy. But I finally bit the bullet and am so glad I did. Who would have known going in that this would quickly become one of my favourite books? Not I! I think that Little Women's strength lies in three main factors. It's writing, it's world building and it's characters. It feels like such an indulgence to read a well written book these days. Have no fear, I won't pause to despair over the fall in quality of the written word and all of it's many dire implications. I'll leave all that fire and brimstone to others. However there is no doubt that Louisa May Alcott has a masterful command of language. It takes so few of her words to build a world full of bright characters and vivid places, while leaving plenty of room for the reader to create their own Jo, their own Beth, their own Marmee's Corner, their own Camp Laurence. You may find it odd that I include world building in a review about a book set in a world entirely similar to the time and place it was written in, not having a smidge of a fantastical nature to be found in it anywhere. However it is my belief that world building is as important to the contemporary writer (as Louisa May Alcott was in her time) to the creators of the most creative science fiction or fantasy. It's all about the reader and whether they are sucked in or pulled out of the fiction, and nothing pull out a reader so thoroughly as a clunky sentence or revealing facts at entirely the wrong time. Alcott never commits either but provides a moral tale with beautiful flow. I never felt drawn out of the world once. However the true triumph of Little Women are the characters. Every character in this book is utterly loveable and you truly feel for them through all their joyful times and pitiful falls. It's easy to become attached to such relatable characters that transcend time and place to be with you where you are in your own life. This is not to say that the book did not have faults. It did. It was preachy at times - both in regards to religion and "the proper place for young women" - and I did find myself questioning the author's choices in regards to characters at times, however I come away from reading Little Women with an overwhelmingly warm feeling. Little Women wraps you round in a blanket, places a hot mug in your hands, gives you a hearty squeeze and reminds you that whilst we can never go back, whilst we may tumble and fall and find ourselves in fear or grief, happiness and peace can always be found in the arms of those we love.

The Body Finder Written by Kimberly Derting Rating: 1 1/2 stars Violet has a secret. She can sense dead bodies ... And their murderers. Although this usually means she just finds more dead birds than one generally likes, this year her powers may help her find a serial killer. Young girls are going missing and Violet may be the only one who can help. But can she stop the horror before becoming the victim herself? I wanted to like The Bodyfinder, I really did, and for the most part I succeeded. But as the story went on I found myself becoming more and more uncomfortable and seriously considering finishing the book at all. It started with the romance. I'm sorry but Jay is way too possessive for my liking, and the worst thing is that isn't my description, it's the book. Jay is literally described as being "possessive" of Violet, (once twice on the same page!). He is constantly telling her that now he "has her" he can't "lose her" and I got absolutely sick of his constant descriptors of "handsome" "manly" "husky" and "masculine". I kept getting Twilight flashbacks. Their romantic relationship consisted of little more than CONSTANTLY making out with each other and Jay having to come out and rescue her. These two have known each other for 10+ years right? You'd think they'd have something else to actually talk about and do. And that's another thing, the whole "more than friends" concept. It was so grating! I personally hate that term. It belittles the importance of friendship so much. There were other things too, such as Violet's inexplicable stupidity to go off the path (let me tell you sweetheart, any distance removed doesn't matter if you're slowed down by what you have to manoeuvre around, the path is there for a reason. USE IT) I also hated the dismissive bisexual reference and the whole bitching in the bathroom scene. There was all this girl to girl hate that was so unnecessary and painful to read. It was all feeding into the very worst of teenage girl behaviour. The bright spots were the murder mystery itself and the cool powers (which didn't really get an explanation? I guess that happens in later books) I think it was quite innovative to give the killers' perspective. It gave an urgent energy to the plot (which desperately needed it) I'd say the best writing was in those chapters, as Violet's perspective lacked a bit. The world building was really good and gave a good sense without being too repetitive of what it was like for Violet to grow up with these morbid powers. I can't see myself reading the sequels. I'm so bloody sick of these "girl just wants to fit in and have a boyfriend but is drawn into the town drama" books.

Storm Front Written by Richard Castle Rating: 3 stars What can I say, it was a fun time with a Bond Girl and a couple of high speed car chases. It was like reading a movie to be honest. The book didn't really live up to my expectations and I definitely like the Nikki Heat books more - if only for that added depth of character. Was it an enjoyable read? Of course! But would I read it again? No.

Deadly Heat (Nikki Heat #5) Written by Richard Castle Rating: 3 stars I don't think I've ever mentioned this in previous reviews, but I love the dedications and acknowledgements in the Nikki Heat books. The fact that there is absolutely no break in character, that someone who has never heard of Castle could pick up any of the Richard Castle books on a whim and never know that this man doesn't even exist makes me feels so happy. It's a show of dedication from the people who create this series that I don't believe is seen everywhere. Deadly Heat definitely rose to the occasion. The writing continues to improve and I am absolutely loving the complexity. Indeed, I do believe Frozen Heat was the low point in the series. I definitely enjoyed this one far more, however I come to write the review and find that there is not much to say. The thing about these books is that they're pretty ordinary, and whilst their fun to read for the novelty value, they don't have much else going for them. There were only two things that really stuck out to me, and unfortunately they're both negative points. One was that irony was again used incorrectly. It's just frustrating. Don't do it unless you understand it. The second point was that Firefly was referred to directly. By name. It really brought me out of the world and it felt really wrong. As I've stated in my previous review for Frozen Heat, I love the little references here and there to the previous work of the actors, it's fun and brings that warmness in the belly of an inside joke, a contract between reader and writer. But the fact is that unless Richard Castle has a secret history we don't know about, Firefly can't actually exist in his universe. It was a clumsy and heavy-handed reference with no subtlety at all. A definite turn off. I hate to end a review on a bad note, so I finish by saying that despite my mostly negative review, I did really enjoy the book and look forward to the next. Hopefully I'll be able to review a little more fully next time.

Frozen Heat (Nikki Heat #4) Written by Richard Castle Rating: 3 1/2 stars Frozen Heat puts the best and worst of this series on display. We have a thrilling and engaging mystery involving all the characters we care about, with a twist that kept me up into the wee hours of the morning, racing to find out who the final culprit was. But that didn't mean there wasn't a lot to be desired. The book was definitely a step up from previous books in the series on several levels, the most striking of which being the actual quality of writing. This may be due to the fact that we see here the beginning of the first true arc of the series, and with that solving the crime itself became far more complex and sophisticated than a simple whodunit. The characters too, are moving on from being indistinguishable from their TV counterparts and becoming their own individual persons, which was a pleasant and welcome surprise that I look forward to continuing as the series progresses. It was nice to see references back to previous cases in this book too, which are so often neglected in a "murder of the week" book series like this. And of course, every nod to Nathan Fillion's beloved Firefly warmed my heart. However, this was by no means a perfect book. Although I mentioned before that the quality of writing had improved, there was definitely a touch-and-go feel to it. A page of flowing prose would be followed by a truly clunky sentence. The book seemed to change style more than once, and there were more than a few blatant typos. It was also very jarring when a character used irony incorrectly, when the character of Castle put such a strong emphasis on its proper implementation. I still don't know whether that was used to make the character look stupid, but it didn't seem to in context, and Rook didn't pick him up on it. To me it points to a sub-par editor and a team of writers being responsible for authoring the series rather than a solo ghost-writer. The emotion was also layed on pretty thick. You couldn't go two pages before bumping into Heat's emotional insecurity and the endless comparisons between her and her mother. The introduction of Lon King - who gave off a strong Kingsley Shacklebolt vibe - and Nikki's psych appointments felt like little more than a thin cover to provide the reader with a more in-depth reveal to Heat's innermost thoughts. It was lazy writing. And the attack in Nikki's apartment and the follow on events definitely felt like a rehashing of Heatwave. The story was a heart-thumping race to the finish, and I can't wait to see what's next for Nikki Heat and Jameson Rook, but we can only hope that whoever writes these will continue to step up their game as the series continues, as there is definite room for improvement.

The Night Circus Written by Erin Morgenstern Rating: 5 stars 'The Night Circus' is thoroughly enchanting. Sorcerer's apprentice, Marco Alisdair, and Enchanter's daughter, Celia Bowen, fight to keep their world in balance as they become the pawns of an age old game. set within the phantasmagorical 'Let Cirque des Rêves', a circus that appears without warning and leaves without notice that only opens at night, it quickly becomes the stage of the two young Magician's feats of spectacular play as they take turns creating attractions that defy belief. attempts to one up the other quickly turn to admiration of their opponent's skill and creativity as Celia and Marco begin to fall for each other from afar. However, neither of them realise that the stakes of the game are far higher than anyone could have ever imagined and the race is on to save not only their beloved circus but everyone connected to it, including themselves. Filled with such wonders as an unmelting ice garden, flamethrowers, gravity defying acrobats, a never ending labyrinth and the best cinnamon buns on earth, it proves impossible to not fall in love with this enthralling universe. The imagery and prose in this book is phenomenal, transporting you completely into a world full of vibrant venues and complex characters that leap from the page and stay with you long after reading the last page and the non-linear storytelling and multiple perspectives gives this book a unique voice and intriguing mystery that keeps you hooked from the very beginning. Be prepared to stay up all night reading this one as you will definitely not be able to put it down, and have the tissues ready for some real tear-jerking moments. I highly recommend reading this as a tangible book rather than on an e-reader (or you're preferred equivalent) as it will be much easier to check back on details like dates and dialogue that you don't realise is significant until later.

Green Wake Vol 2: Lost Children Written by Kurtis J. Wiebe and Art by Riley Rossmo Rating: 2 1/2 stars Well I got my answers ... kind of. The inner workings of Green Wake were explained, but I feel as though this series was lacking somewhat. I think it says a lot that the author had to include additional content outside the story in order to explain everything satisfactorily to the reader. I just can't get over the feeling that the series is somewhat self-indulgent, especially I'm sorry to say, after reading about the story of it's inception. That the author found peace and is in a better place now - largely due to the series, it's creation and the fan's reaction - that it allowed him "to grieve and embrace a new chapter", that it was his "quiet therapy for a year" I think is a great story of endurance through grief and a great example and merit to therapy through art. However, I feel like this series needed a through going over before being released to the public by a much tougher editor. The story leaves gaping holes in logic and leaves far too much up to the reader to figure out without giving enough threads to go on. There's a real sense of trying to philosophical and "thinking about the big things" but it never goes anywhere. Much like Green Wake's citizens, the reader is left going round and round in endless circles. The truth is that I wouldn't have even read this volume if I hadn't borrowed it at the same time as the previous one. It seemed to break at the wrong spot. A Bind-Up Volume may be in order, because I feel as though the two volumes are broken into two very distinct halves. UNSATISFACTORY QUESTIONS and UNSATISFACTORY ANSWERS. Of course the visuals were just as stunning as always, kudos to Riley Rossmo for another absolutely breathtaking volume. I found the Native American commentary interesting, but again it felt a little forced. All in all, I found my journey in and out of Green Wake pretty blah, leaving a pretty slimy taste in my mouth.

Green Wake Vol. 1 Written by Kurtis J. Wiebe, Art by Riley Rossmo Rating: 2 1/2 Stars Although visually stunning, Green Wake Volume 1 ultimately left me unsatisfied. Although the book maintained a level of suspense, horror and mystery, I never felt the pace or emotional intensity change at all. It was all went at one deterring speed of gloom and doom and misery. This first volume left more questions than answers, and the answers that were given were vague and unhelpful. But the VISUALS!!!! The art in this book make it all worth it. Colour is used really effectively. The artist, Riley Rossmo, uses a loosely monochromatic colour scheme, a myriad of murky greens, blues, and black that really makes the red he uses to highlight pop. Gorgeous panels - watercolour, perhaps? - fill each page, and really show a mastery of negative space. The art is unique and full of movement. I would definitely recommend looking it up in the library, if only for the pictures, but hey, maybe you'll connect more with it than I did.

The Monkey Mask Written by Dorothy Porter Rating: 1 1/2 stars This was such a disappointing book. I felt a constant disconnect from all the characters. Especially the main detective, her thought processes made no sense. I would have thought logical thinking and puzzle-solving skills were pretty fundamental for someone who solves crimes for a living but apparently not. I felt like the lesbian angle was put in simply to be NEW and FRESH and EXCITING and EROTIC rather than actually adding to the story in any concrete way. It was mostly just lesbian sex. Not interested, sorry. I couldn't understand why she loved Diana so much. She was such an awful, slimy person. I figured out whodunnit literally a third into the book. There was no subtlety at all, which defeated the purpose of this supposed thriller. The only positive feature were some select turns of phrase. But those were select. The quality of the writing was patchy at best. Would not recommend.

Rash Written by Pete Hautman Rating: 3 stars This was super fun to read. There's strong world-building and the protagonist had a really clear voice. The circumstances were a bit ridiculous but it's clear to see the thinly veiled satire in a lot of the safety regulations and things. What was a particular highlight was Gramps - the old kook. Except he's from our era. It was a great sense of perspective. And Bork the Rogue AI was always a romp. Good for a light read that leaves you enough to think about.

Dracula Written by Bram Stoker Rating: 1 star WARNING! THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS! I had to read the book for university and I have never been more disappointed in a book in my life. This is the quintessential vampire novel. The one that started it all; Count DRACULA! I listened to the audiobook by Tim Curry, Alan Cummings and others. While the voice acting was superb it was the characters themselves I found the most disappointing. I honestly could not and cannot see the appeal of Lucy. What did she actually do in this book? I can't remember. All I can remember is that she was soft spoken and helpless and inexplicably had three (four if you count Van Helsing) fawning over her. It was so irritating. (spoiler) When she died. I actually did a little dance. Thank god all that was over right? WRONG. The men just transferred their cloying affection over to Mina, so that she had FIVE men fawning over her - including her own husband, which is alright in itself but not when there are four other men going all googoo eyes, stand up for your wife man, or even better Mina, call them out on the bullshit they're flinging your way. Is it any surprise that she got hurt primarily because they were too preoccupied in keeping her safe than actually keeping her safe? Where was the garlic? The crucifix? Why weren't you taking the precautions you took with Lucy? Van Helsing gave speeches as long as my arm that needlessly repeated his points, dear Lord Arthur was only ever as useful as his money, and the dear Doctor was constantly mooning over Lucy, but was otherwise quite the intelligent man. I did like Morris but that was probably because we weren't exposed to him enough to see his faults - and to make his death more poignant (oh no! The good American) And dear GOD every time I heard about how good and strong and brave men are and how weak and defenceless women are, I threw up in my mouth a little. It was disgusting how often this was mentioned. Talk about shoving gender roles down one's throat. My favourite character by far was Renfield. He was fascinating and three dimensional, had interesting viewpoints vs actions and was an ended mystery. By far the most developed and well thought out character. It breaks my heart that so often he is portrayed as some kind of comical Olaf-wannabe (yes master, just let me eat some flies because I am disgusting and vile) By far my favourite part was Jonathan's account of Transylvania in the beginning. While this introduction had good pacing, mystery, suspense and an absolute thriller atmosphere it all went downhill from there. Goodbye Dracula, you won't be missed.