Reviews and Comments

Wow. This was a great read. Fast-paced and action-packed. Excellent, realistic setting and neat characters. Only drawback is that the plot was rather simple and straightforward.

A more detailed review is available on my blog: strakul.blogspot.com/2013/01/book-review-drowned-cities-by-paolo.html

I read this way too fast. It was good, light, and simple.

I forgot to update this here, but my blog now has my review: strakul.blogspot.com/2013/01/book-review-light-fantastic-by-terry.html

I read this story fast and found it interesting and cool. I was a bit hesitant at first, since I didn't see how a man's hallucinations could possible serve to help him solve mysteries, but Brandon Sanderson makes it work. In addition to the cool character, he introduces a really cool piece of technology: a camera that can take pictures of the past. The whole plot revolves around it being stolen and the implications of how it can be used. Makes for some very good discussions.

A longer review is available on my blog: strakul.blogspot.com/2012/12/novella-review-legion-by-brandon.html

This was a quick and fascinating read into a master Forger and how she attempts to make a masterpiece while captured and yet leave with her life.
Like all of Brandon Sanderson's books, the best part of it is the magic system: Forging. At first you don't have a clear idea behind it, but as the story progresses you learn more and more about it.
The story could have been a bit longer and things seemed a bit easy for the main character, but it's only a novella so you expect a quick resolution to the conflicts.

A longer review is available at my blog: strakul.blogspot.com/2012/12/novella-review-emperors-soul-by-brandon.html

This took me far too long to complete, not because it was boring - far from it - but because I had too much going on at the same time. The book is heavy, though, not so much in terms of length (which is still considerable at ~800 pages) but in terms of how fast one can read it. It is not a light book to pick up as you go along, you certainly need to sit down and think as you go through it.
Overall, I did enjoy the book, but not as much as some of the prior Malazan books (though I did find it better than Book 5).

A more detailed review is available at my blog: strakul.blogspot.com/2012/12/book-review-bonehunters-by-steven.html

I enjoyed the prior book a lot and reading through this one (and subsequently reviewing it) has made me realize how important good characters are to the story. Daniel Abraham is a master at crafting vivid characters that fail to fit standard stereotypes. You honestly can't tell who the villain is until, well, I'm actually still not sure who the villain is. (I guess the priests and their Goddess?)

Unfortunately, the world building seems a bit half-done (all those races of humanity and we only really explore one- normal humans?) and so much happens in terms of plot that I can barely remember what happened in the prior book. These just feel like minor inconveniences, though.

Regardless, this is a great read thanks to the amazing characterization.
Read my full review here: strakul.blogspot.com/2012/09/book-review-kings-blood-by-daniel.html

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I was reminded of several other books while I read it, but that's only because the author takes a familiar, timeless tale and makes it her own. This is the story of a young man with a great gift, but deprived of his family, who must now struggle to find his place in the world.
One thing I wished for was greater subtlety in the characters. It was very obvious who were the good guys and who were the bad guys. The pacing could also have been faster, though I kinda liked the leisurely pace at times.
I will certainly be looking into the rest of the Farseer universe.

A full review is now up in my blog: strakul.blogspot.com/2012/08/book-review-assassins-apprentice-by.html

This book was way better than I expected. My initial impression suffered from an unlikeable character and simplistic plot, but Gaiman is able to go with this and make you care and like it. By the end you love the characters and realize the plot was more intricate than you expected. There's also a lot of good humor throughout the book, so much so that I actually chuckled or laughed out loud several times.
I don't remember too much from [b:American Gods|4407|American Gods|Neil Gaiman|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1258417001s/4407.jpg|1970226], which is set in the same universe, but I got a far better impression with this book.

For a full review: strakul.blogspot.com/2012/08/book-review-anansi-boys-by-neil-gaiman.html

Another great addition to the Malazan universe. The reason I give it 4 rather than 5 stars is that at times it felt a bit more like a side story or otherwise disconnected from the rest of the action in the prior books. Near the end, however, it redeems itself and we realize that this is indeed just one aspect of the greater tapestry being woven in the Malazan Book of the Fallen.

A more detail is available here: strakul.blogspot.com/2012/08/book-review-midnight-tides-by-steven.html

This was an interesting book, but it was very different from what I anticipated. The magic system (narcomancy) was cool, but unexpected. It clearly had some influences from ancient Egyptian beliefs. Despite all this, the book was engaging showing a unique culture.

A more detailed review is up on my blog: strakul.blogspot.com/2012/06/book-review-killing-moon-by-nk-jemisin.html

The book started off a bit slowly and I wasn't sure whether I should be treating it is as a YA book or Mieville's usual fare. However, the pace quickly picked up and I got very interested in the story and the world. The ending in particular was very satisfying.

A more in-depth review is available in my blog here: strakul.blogspot.com/2012/05/book-review-railsea-by-china-mieville.html

Another great addition to the Malazan universe. This book feels a little bit more personal (thanks to Karsa's story) than the others, but it still manages to juggle multiple disparate plot lines into a single, epic conclusion that leaves you breathless (and wanting more!).

A more detailed review is available at my blog: strakul.blogspot.com/2012/05/book-review-house-of-chains-by-steven.html