Full disclosure: I requested Mexican Gothic from the library back in September or October, which is practically the only time of year that I seek out horror and/or Gothic reads. When my turn finally came up in November, I wasn’t necessarily in the mood for this kind of book but I decided to read it anyway and see what all the […]
A Deadly Education by Noami Novik: Book Review
3 Stars. I’m going against popular opinion a bit in my review of this book. Don’t get me wrong; every review I’ve seen is glowing and I don’t exactly disagree. But I don’t fully agree either. First off, I do love this world. It’s interesting and full of magic and enclaves of magicians (Wizards? I’ve already forgotten what they […]
Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik: Book Review
Captain Will Laurence and his dragon, Temeraire–or is it the other way around?–are in something of a bind. Temeraire was meant to be a gift from the Chinese emperor to Emperor Napoleon. The Chinese people are not happy when they find out that Temeraire is a mere captain’s pet and he’s being used to wage Continue Reading…
His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik: Book Review
His Majesty’s Dragon begins when Captain Will Laurence’s ship has just overpowered a French ship. Napoleon is slowly conquering Europe, so any defeat of the French, no matter how small, is a big deal. As Will’s crew is inventorying the French ship’s cargo, they find something unusual: a dragon egg. But complications arise when they Continue Reading…
In Odd We Trust by Dean Koontz: Book Review
In the small town of Pico Mundo, an unassuming fry cook by the outlandish name of Odd Thomas has a special ability; he can see the dead. They can’t speak to him but they have their own ways of communicating. After the murder of a small boy, Odd sees his spirit wandering around. It’s obvious Continue Reading…
The King of Elfland’s Daughter by Lord Dunsany
The twelve men making up the parliament of Erl go to their ruler one day and ask for a magic lord. The ruler agrees to grant their request and sends his son to steal and marry the King of Elfland’s daughter. But of course finding her and keeping her can’t be that easy. In the Continue Reading…
Un Lun Dun by China MiƩville: Book Review
Strange things start happening around best friends Zanna and Deeba. A fox appears on the edge of the playground, watching Zanna. They come across graffiti saying āZanna For Ever!ā A woman they donāt know approaches Zanna in a cafĆ© and tells her what an honor it is to meet her. It all culminates one night Continue Reading…