Review: The Best Laid Plans

The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



terryfallis.com excerpts
The Best Laid Plans, from Robbie Burns' To A Mouse 1785, is a popular title. Terry Fallis, experienced in engineering and public relations, penned a podcast that grew and won the Steven Leacock Medal. Humor and honor, "passion for proper English" conquer the compromised democracy of Canadian politics. Yet p193 "through the ringer" should be wringer, two rollers that squeeze water from laundry.
At first, apparently autobiographical, disillusioned heartbroken Ottawa political aide Daniel retires to teach university English. To fulfill his last job committment, he asks his brilliant eccentric new landlord to be the local electoral candidate. Every night, engineer professor Angus, 60, Einstein-hair, food-filled beard, builds a hovercraft. He mourns his "deep abyss" aloud, in a warm Scottish burr, converses with his one-year-departed famous-feminist wife Marin. When journal/ letters to her close each chapter, we know we're in the realm of fiction. Adult content warning: the betrayal of Dan's heart and the Canadian public by their Finance Minister are slapstick silly - and explicitly euphemistically earthy, not to mention burgeoning romance with Lindsay, meeting of "minds, hearts, and more tangible parts". Muriel 80 "gives great voice" or swears like a "sailor", helped Prime Minister Mackenzie King, now matchmakes her bright pretty granddaughter. Two pierced punk rocker undergrad Petes canvass (scare) voters.
Spoiler:
Despite Dan's guarantees - no lawn signs, interviews, appearances, or win - the outcome is guessable, no canditate is named Spoiled Ballots.

http://terryfallis.com/

says #2 is High Road, more Angus fun (I feared such a paragon would perish by hovercraft)

#2 High Road excerpt

(Chapters 1&2 mostly recap the victory of honest integrity that changes the rules of "the game", so either #2 can stand alone, or has nothing new.)
#3 untitled manuscript is just finished.
gotchies are guy's underwear, why?

wikipedia.org

Other quotes:
"The university usually operated in geological time, but not that day."
"The old and the rested watched The Young and The Restless."
"one of the most famous split infinitives ... To boldly go"
"As Canadians' respect for democracy declines and their disdain grows, we tend to abandon the greater good, follow the politicians' lead, and grab what we can for ourselves... it's a mess."
"the use of profanity for effect to be a practice of the weak-minded"
"as useful as a seamstress in a nudist camp"
"Were not Canadians all about tolerance and acceptance ... progressive and enlightened views"
"food fragments from his beard ... part of charm ... actually part ... of last night's dinner"
"sarcaustic" (sic) tone
"'It's nice finally to meet you too' ... deftly rejoining the infinitive"
"blatherskite is a Scottish term of endearment"
"antipolitician" cares only for public interest
"there IS none"



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Review: The Queen of Attolia

The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Everyone does it. You made me do it. Where "it" is painful. Permanent. Like piercing - ears, eyebrow, navel (the bellybutton skin never healed, the eye-ring drew uncomfortable attention, the ear-lobes still itch red), tattoos (people ASK for needles? shiverrrr), cosmetic surgery (not to MY soft skin), physical abuse (a bully who can be provoked by a weakling is not strong), chop hands off thief, kill murderer. Decoration adds to beauty, attaining a cultural ideal is worth any suffering, crime deserves appropriate punishment & deterrent. Where and how do you draw the line? This is the kind of book that lingers, rubs you raw long after closing.
I do not like this book, it hurts. So what draws a reader on? I also may reconsider #1 & 2 together because unlikable boy Gen becomes so different. Caused by dramatic trauma?
"The Queen of Attolia" (Thief 2) is a superbly beautiful cold harsh fierce defender of her kingdom against even the Eddis Queen's Thief who leaves matching ruby earrings beside her valuable necklace. Megan Turner shocks me to the core with such deep pain within the first 33 pages, worst supposedly for love by the end. I am uneasy with the Young rating. (Countries have child soldiers; existence doesn't guarantee rightness.) Tedious segues into the political intrigue of balancing three kingdoms (2 queendoms?) and omitting explicit vocabulary does not protect an innocent reader. Blood is a smear on a forehead; a kiss is a brush of lips. Deep physical and emotional cuts hide behind a sword-blade stroke (p33) and impassive faces. But screams loud and long echo from the deepest dungeon into nightmares, for characters and readers.
Cameo of Sounis' magus, royal advisor, does show how Gen has grown since Book 1. A tale of a goddess who interferes with mortal marriage doesn't seem to connect with the whole, except to escalate our diety-crossed couple to unreality. Youngsters grow up to marry. Could this be YA to prepare naive children for the vissicitudes of adult life? Gods as unreasonable fate?
The deep forest green dress illustrated on the front cover makes sense on p33. The silvery curved part on same color velvet pipe-shape that she holds stayed a mystery to me until p75. There I caught on to what the object was. Why it matched her dress finally was clear at the END of the whole book.



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Review: The King of Attolia

The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



feigns homesick inept fool, for the court of his new wife. Trained by the best thief and warrior of Eddis, he goads soldier Costis into a punch, then recruits him for lieutenant-scapegoat, and our point of view, to me puzzling roundabout padding. With cautionary tales of gods who enforce oaths from rulers, (spoiler: and one loud holy command) these people sacrifice and promise to a capricious pantheon. Gen must foil assassins, bring down the house of a traitor, win over subjects and Queen. He observes, manouevers, forgives loyal patriots who err, so cunning and kindness triumph. Almost like a fable moral, he helps melt her hard heart.
Like the extra, a tale of Eddis as girl, this feels like an intellectual study, a campfire dream myth (has gods) told safely indoors, unlike book #1 whiner explores, or #2 victim screams. Although all untangle mysteries. Megan Whelan Turner recounts events as if passed down, over centuries, across oceans of distance and time. Different moods all engage me.



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dvd Paul (2011) 1*

Paul is big-eyed small scrawny (thus appealing, harmless) alien captured in 1947 intro, who meets kind bumbling British nerds-next-door on RV trip of UFO U.S. highway highlights. Unfortunately Seth Rogen voices the lead, and even adlibs from supporting Bill Hader couldn't upgrade his typical boring repetitious unfunny trash-talk. Jason Bateman and all the pursuing Men in Black, for evil voice Sigourney Weaver, deserve special mention for their straight faces, twists, and adlib contributions. The special effect alien took hundreds of animators and looks and acts real, but one I want to spend hours with. Some fun, but more at a drunk bachelor party or graduation from kindergarten level. Like Star Trek's Vulcan Spock and robotic Data, human children learn both civilized courtesy and humor from adults. Like the toddler who laughs at repeated forbidden words, Rogen missed. The shy healed bible-thumper girl learning to swear could have been funny. The disrespectful implication that 60 years of U.S. "military-grade" influence led to smoking, toking, cussing, is at least balanced by the gun plus fundamentalist equals unnecessary murder equation. Although "roll the dice" is repeated twice, I think the moral is choose your priority, your path, in favor of your friends who save your life. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/paul/

dvd R.E.D. 5*

"R.E.D" means Retired Extremely Dangerous CIA assassins, some targeted for elimination by their old employer. When one is Bruce Willis (of Die Hard 1-5+), and his old friends include Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman (rogue leader in Wanted), and John Malkovich, and Brian Cox (says he played Helen's love interest on 1974 TV) as retired KGB, not even bad guy Richard Dreyfuss has a chance. A bit of quiet chat, then bang-up action scenes, blood, death, lots of tongue in cheek fun. That a young Mary-Louise Parker would fall for a bald senior stretches my credibility, although her romantic love of adventure and danger and his gooey inside are delineated clearly. I get so tired of useless whiny females, at least the older trained one holds up (although she does need male rescue). Commentary by an ex-insider says CIA wouldn't use draw guns or be overtly in charge on US FBI territory, but do have greater training in explosives, ambushes, and moving targets. DVD extras expose LSD abuse, and similar agency crimes patterned in the film. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/red/

Review: Scumble

Scumble by Ingrid Law

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



http://us.penguingroup.com/static/packages/us/yreaders/savvy/excerpts.php
"Scumble" defined is, in painting, to blend a color down to balance more in a painting; in Savvy #2, the control of natural ability to attain internal balance, by one of this amazing unnatural extended family. Where #1 starts with a father severely injured and goes in a silly pink bus, #2 begins and carries on with fun - wires, nuts, bolts, and beams - danger without fatal disaster. Years later, some of the same relatives continue; the story stands alone.
Ledge hits crucial 13, and explodes increasingly larger assembled mechanisms, hiding watches, toaster, such, under his bed. His mother asserts her control power instead of letting him find his own. On a road trip, they meet Sarah Jane, intrepid reporter. When Ledge explodes a motorcycle, she stows away to the family wedding. She steals, lies, writes whoppers, and gets away with it because she's pretty, unappreciated by her rich dad, and Ledge has a crush. Ooo, spoiler? Na. I can guess why she's motherless, and how Ledge will finally scumble his savvy, can't you?
"A boy's gotta fall a few times ... to pick himself up" - Grandpa Bomba p94
"It can take alot of strength just to show up and be yourself." - Rocket p240
Not much of what these people do makes sense to me, but then neither does life, at least this story is funny. "I won't put a shoe in his house" promise sounds iffy, and ch. 33 gives the answer. For 30 chapters, our hero rinses off in the cold creek, until his uncle hands him a bar of soap and hints about a hot shower. At least the final kiss is unbelievable. The closing jackalope illustration is better than I envisioned, too.
Unfortunately, Discussion Questions misspells lightning as lightnting.



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Review: Dragons Wild

Dragons Wild by Robert Lynn Asprin

My rating: 1 of 5 stars



Asprin starts a new series I will not finish. Much flat exposition setup, no trademark humor. I want an opening that grabs me by the throat, makes me care and be curious about who and where. Here, rich lazy teen fumes, flees, shops, sleeps. Conspiracy of dragons dark, no hints glimmer.
Griff, new Chicago business grad, majored in cards, won sportscar (interest or research topic of author?). His guardian uncle discloses pure-bred dragon abilities burgeon, powerful groups are concerned, females are erratic, only for breeding. Oriental live-in gal Mai knows about dragons, but moves out. Sister Val says let's leave. Poker pal Jerome says come to New Orleans, meet my gang. When two trucks try to run Griff off the road, he angrily retaliates.
After 13 chapters, still skeptical, he is awash in the Quarter ambience, shops for silk to replace denim, and goes home with a cute girl. "They never did get around to watching a movie."
I skipped ahead.
Spoilers:
A bad guy is known for his knife. Griff gets scales, wants to watch a movie, survives a truck crushing his car. Chapter 41, he dreams, never a necessity for my choice of reading. Skipped to end. Mai returns, calms Val from shotgun revenge, insists dragons plan. Yawn.



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Review: The Temptress

The Temptress by Claire Delacroix

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



The Temptress (Bride Quest 6) by Claire Delacroix. With quasi-archaic ye know naught the knots of yearning plots that perplex and beset, overly feminist inclinations, family from the series, another shrew-taming variation unfolds. More light than serious, much introspection, magic extraneous. Leisurely rhythm soothes, homage to traditional tales.
"Esmeraude knew that she would have need of naught for all her days and nights than this knight" Bayard, loyal Crusader for King Richard. "Will would find the way". "She was unpredictable", foolish, selfish. She runs off with just an old maid, leaves riddles for suitors to follow, risks rape, sleeps with (to her, not him) a stranger, "shooting star blazing" on p66/376.
Despite good advice, "You cannot tell which man will hold your heart with so little as a glance, regardless of what the old tales say", she flirts and more, learning another's "kiss made her think of the lips of fishes". Stubborn, "her heart had known Bayard from the first ... she would force Bayard to confess". Deeds are not enough, she insists on the L-word. She starts to take on responsibility, gives "counsel for those hens disinclined to surrender their eggs". But the goddess Fortuna decides to trip up her formerly favored hero. A strong silvery vine flourishes in time with his wooing ballad of Tristan, that engages her attention like Scheherazade.
(Spoiler:
He throws away his heritage for her view of honor (love achieves no property), and only his brother's love and courage provides for the newlyweds. The saints and vine are diverting, but could be made use of more to advance the story.)



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Review: An Invitation to Sin

An Invitation to Sin by Jo Beverley

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Humor improves any Napoleon era romance. In this hot collection, Jo Beverley's Forbidden Affections and Sally MacKenzie's The Naked Prince are 4-5* giggles.
The first title is one of Gothic romances by the late owner of the Featherstone family summer rental. Anna, 16, daring, forthright, bookish, takes the Lady's recreated gargoyled bedroom, follows the secret passage to next door, where the bruised Lady was found overdosed on laudanum, and finds the handsome Earl of Carne. He fled under suspicion, now returns to thwart his cousin's claims. They arrange an assignation to solve the murder with a triple word-play on cake, as sweet tart, silly fool, and victory ("take the cake"). Clever. (I'd be happier with less age difference - personal experience.)
Second, handsome Lord K., nicknamed Prince of Hearts, attends a valentine orgy weekend to protect his best friend from an avaricious London widow. He lets months-long correspondent on Latin treatises J.A. know of their visit to the Atworthy neighborhood. But the true J. is spinster daughter Jo, and K. sees beneath the dowdy country exterior when their identities are revealed. "Her virtue was shrivelling inside her like a grape forgotten on the vine", while pallid bits bobble in the frigid February air.
*** The Pleasure of a Younger Lover by Vanessa Kelly. Brawny soldier Chris helps lifelong crush Clarissa clear the reputation of her late husband. Page-long tongue tangle leads to hot afternoon roll.
** A Summer Love Affair by Kaitlin O'Reilly has tight thin dresses more suited to other times. Meeting on a Spanish holiday, being painted as near-naked Greek gods, pairs a rich English couple for a later in-love reunion. Transparent, explicit.



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Review: Inkspell

Inkspell by Cornelia Funke

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Funke has no compunction over killing; adding another pet marten provides small (really) relief. Different names in our regular time and theirs may be easier in the German original; I finally get both. The teens exchange more kisses, otherwise little character change; mostly we're pushed around in the scary fantasy place, and home England.
We left present-day old Inkweaver Fenaglio trapped in the terrible magical medieval world he wrote. Resa, missing years, now voiceless, is back with husband bookbinder Mo Silvertongue (or is he Bluejay, like Robin Hood?), now not reading aloud. But too-rebellious daughter Meggie reads herself back into the world of death and danger, along with her crush, Arabian Nights Farid, admiring apprentice of fire-wielder Dustfinger (supporting and lead characters for this episode). When surviving villains, gloating knife-wielder Basta and poisonous wizened Mortola find callow self-named Orpheus aka Cheeseface has the reading magic of Mo and Meggie, and align with tyrant Adderhead, massacres escalate. Darius Stumbletongue and great-aunt Elinor whine, complain, frustrated, helpless, negative influence on the desperate situation. We get entranced by people, only to lose them. Turning pages for an end leads only to a cliff. #3 Inkdeath must be final.



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Review: Heartless

Heartless by Gail Carriger

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



"Heartless" (Parasol Proctorate 4) by Gail Carriger, is how eight-month pregnant Alexia sees the suggestion to save the life of (her and) her unborn from persistent assassination attempts by unfriendly vampire hives in supernatural Victorian London. Fun. Suspense. Action. Best-friend loner (his own kind of queen) vampire Lord Akeldama will legally adopt the child. She and werewolf husband will move in, next-door obstensibly, renovated third clothes-closet actually, to oversee. But a fading ghost warns of a plot to "kill the queen".
(Spoiler:
I noted the prophetic ambiguity, and the distracted parasol inventor, clues if we're attentive.)
Alexia enlists silly-hat atrociously-accoutred friend Ivy in a new Parasol Protectorate, and "the game's afoot". (Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes from Shakespeare's Henry V). I couldn't close my eyes a wink, while intrepid Alexia tumbles hilariously after clues, across balconies, in and out of dirigibles, ferly danger, attacks, explosions, helped and hindered by creatively-named eccentrics. I could see the trouble ahead from her final solution, so a sequel already draws my curiosity. What the baby does in father Maccon's arms, and in Akeldama's on the very last sentence, stamps Timeless PP#5 as a must-read.
I know the cast, understand their motives, so action feels continuous. I don't know if this book could stand alone without background series support. Learning back-stories seems to add reasons for re-reading from the start. I do not see the need for italicized paragraphs from a dying female ghost's point of view, unless to reinforce her identity and relationship to the mystery plot.
The extra Jaye Wells excerpt sounds ferly, no fun. I like female assassins like Nikita, but not Sabina's quick kill of her best friend in the middle of a warning, at least let him live to explain.



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Review: Myth-Nomers and Im-Pervections

Myth-Nomers and Im-Pervections by Robert Lynn Asprin

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Magician Skeeve leaves team to battle Queen Hemlock on Klah, while he searches rude lizard dimension Perv, for Aahz, Deva bazaar company partner who resigned unhappily. Aided and blocked by mys-fits such as small djinn Kalvin, cab-driver Edvik, sidewalk entrepreneur J.R., bodyguard serpentine Pookie, and others, he explores meaning of friendship and self-reliance. Veiled in arguments with store and hotel clerks, cops and criminals, bar brawls and alley escapes, are philosophical maunderings. Fun and the search for a happy ending keep us hooked.



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Review: The Caldarian Conflict

The Caldarian Conflict by Mike Kalmbach

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/84747 excerpt
I don't believe in good and evil. There be what a man can do and what he must do. - Owen, condemned to hang
(According to Murdoch Mysteries, a proper hanging should break the neck, not choke.)
Brother Mendell serves the Lord Justice god, also calling on Lady Mercy and Luck, goddesses of healing and chance, to investigate how Admiral Cain combats piracy unethically (without lecturing us). Whoever knows too much, dies, even the whole monastery is at risk. Limbs and bodies are lost. Language is crisp and clean. Fights balance mystery.
Points of view - life-value-ing pirate captain(-ess?), evil Admiral, still-learning monk, doomed informant, deceptive assassin - skip seamlessly, including ye be me hearty dialect, in a magic medieval land. Starting with quick deaths, pages flow fast. Suspense builds. Devices I normally eschew for interrupts - gods advise and aid, amulets and spirits speak to reveal murder - snowball the action. Ships explode, founder, rogue waves capsize crews. Break your signed oath? Magic severs your sword hand. Mostly men, yet strong women.
"Hesitation can kill as easily as a sword." - Sarka, nun worshipper of Lord Battle
The secret manipulator behind all is only disclosed in the final page of the epilogue; 265 pages satisfies and whets our appetites for more. Many of the stories started here beg to be expanded.



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Review: Wild Cards

Wild Cards by George R.R. Martin

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



"Wild Cards: A Mosaic Novel" originated when editor George R.R. Martin created a game world for fellow writer friends, who contributed chapters. Juat after WW2, an alien virus transforms human genetics and goes recessive. Most victims die, others experience physical or psychic changes: aces have useful powers, deuces minor maybe entertaining abilities, jokers uglified, disabled, relegated to ghettos. Some smiles, more despair.
Real historical issues are based on fact. Red Tail US airborne, first and only black unit, never lost a bomber they escorted, although their pilots died.
(2012 movie) http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/red-tails/trailers/
Commie bashing led to witch-hunts, black-listed and destroyed lives. Rock and roll music plus drugs strung out hippies. Politicians manipulated and deceived.
Surprisingly, no mention of the pill or women's organizations. Men desire, rescue, and destroy. Women are desired, rescued, and destroyed. One man Tychon, can do all three to one woman, Blythe the Brain Trust. Female characters appear at length only in chapters with such authors, vengeful rape victim subway car from Leanne Harper, primarily passive mistress roles, such as from Melinda Snodgrass. The latter behave explicitly, as does another lead Fortunato, a mixed-race pimp powered by Tantric yoga practices. Hence Hot shelf for whole book, possibly misleading. Put part P in V or M is like furniture assembly directions, weak non-plot. The worst books are only on the Read shelf.
My favorite episode is Martin's Turtle. A bullied geek grows into a beer swiller with an emerging paunch and telekinetic ability extra-strong, to fly a car. His childhood pal owns a junkyard and bullet-proofs a Volkswagen Beetle. They motivate alcohol-saturated mind-controller Tachyon, and all rescue a fragile kind lovely lady club-owner Angelface from multiple rape by corrupt cops. Second favorite would be the human Yeoman Hunter who takes down an evil Vietnamese crime lord and rescues exotic girl healer, where normal (highly-skilled) loner veteran overcomes vanishing villain and rejoins life. Sense a theme?
The initial premise of a wild card virus that induces abilities makes more sense without the alien origin. Why doesn't the planet of inventors call back for ongoing results of the experiment? The overall mood of the book is dark, the worst of the times and people, pain, perversion, pulp-fiction sleazy reputation confirmed. Since the sequel is about Aces, I may try a few pages seeking Star Trek style optimism. Or not.



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dvd That's What I Am (2011) 5*

Gr.8 Andy learns tolerance from geek Big G and teacher Mr. Simon against bullies, and kissing from Mary in 1965. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/thats_what_i_am/ "That's what I am" (2011 dvd), writer, singer, whatever you want to be, favored English teacher Mr. Simon (Ed Harris) encourages 1965 students in their dreams. He pairs our Grade 8 narrator Andy (Chase Ellison) with Big G. (Alexander Walters), ginger, big-eared, for their big project. Stanley stands a foot taller than all, defends his fellow geeks, especially his best friend, the smallest student Norman (Daniel Yelsky), with dignity against the bullies. Andy learns tolerance, compassion, and resolve while pursuing his crush, the womanly ideal Mary (Mia Rose Frampton). Adults are drawn as individuals, larger than stereotypes: kind mother (Molly Parker), computer-literate father (Daniel Roebuck), concerned principal (Amy Madigan) who begs Mr. Simon to deny career-crushing rumor from a bully's parents.

dvd Pirates Of The Caribbean 4 Stranger Tides 5*

"Pirates of the Caribbean 4 Stranger Tides" dvd is as action-packed as the trailer and previous films, with inexplicable supernatural, a mermaid tear for a ritual at the Fountain of Youth. Start with the Captain heading for a hanging ... or is he? Jack is daring as usual, jumps from windows, flags, carriages, an exploding tower, with unusual compassion. Since he always runs from the girl, here Blackbeard's daughter, a sweet sub-plot romance develops between unlikely characters. Captain Barbosa working for whom? King George, the Spanish - so many competitors on the same course. Many sword fights, beaches glaring white or misty haunted, overgrown jungle, brightest day, darkest night, high palace, low tavern, London, Mexico - round the world we go. Did I mention mermaids? youtube rottentomatoes

Doctor Who: Aliens And Enemies by Justin Richards
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

David Tennant #10 & Rose are on the cover, but we go back to the first Doctor. Oriented to child reader or aficianado, including minor character names, yet missing actors, photos of mentioned companions sent me internet searching for original footage. For example, in Fury From the Deep, the Seaweed Creature infects Oak & Quill, who "infect Harris", but who's he? Who's Jo, late Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart/ actor Nicholas Courtney? What's the 'spectacular today' Jagaroth ship explosion?
I found unexpected similarities with the last two Doctors' adventures I knew, and those before, whether unconsciously or in homage. Both Cassandra and Sil must be moisturized, time skips & cracks. Always Running.
Design details about special effects, machines, scenic (prop), costumes, makeup. New Earth catlike nurse nuns and their infected cloned human experiments had to adjusted to evoke sympathy and friendship than terrify or disgust. Some aliens appear past and present; changes are detailed.
Here's some links I found, some I had to pause for upload to catch up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arUeqQ5Ls... DrWhoOnline.com memoriam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck9qi7Mqx... another Brigadier Memoriam
http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBqgZIESX... Jagaroth vs Neighbor Upstairs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Npw9hKcNA... CA#end mislabelled #7 Jagaroth Explosion

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Check out my books on Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/profile/NiteReadr

Current shelf @ Goodreads.com

NiteReadr's bookshelf: currently-reading

Mairelon the Magician

by Patricia C. Wrede

"Mairelon the Magician" (1), by Patricia Wrede (already 5* for Dragon series), is a warm witty clever wizard masquerading as a caravan amateur, who plays sculptor Pygmalion to train 17ish boyish pauper Kim. To clear the toff's nam...

Warehouse 13: A Touch of Fever

by Greg Cox

Like me, author Greg Cox fell in love with bantering Pete, conscientious Myka, cocky Claudia, bushy-browed professorial Artie, (serene Leena ...), nails their unique voices, spider-webs opening TV shot of main Warehouse 13 spooky shelves de...

The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents

by Terry Pratchett

"The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents" by Terry Pratchett is a fun take on the pied piper tale, fast and clever, as long as he's not philosophizing about the meaning of life and such. Talking con-man cat convinces enchante...

A Conspiracy of Kings

by Megan Whalen Turner

"A Conspiracy of Kings" (Thief 4) by Megan Whelan Turner is how this book ends, but results more from long-range planning by their god(esse)s. I like the basic plot best of the series - reluctant poetry reader kidnapped, chooses t...

The Untamed Bride

by Stephanie Laurens

"The Untamed Bride" (Black Cobra 1/4) by Stephanie Laurens starts (March 1822) a new series about corrupt English aristocrats (funding Regency King George) who pillage villages in India. When the youngest of a group of elite Guard...

Silverwing

by Kenneth Oppel

"Silverwing" is a colony of small dark bats, migrating south, ahead of runt Shade. Swept out to sea by a storm, he meets older Marina, banished by Brightwings who thought her band was a poison curse. She asks to join Shade's colon...

Starclimber

by Kenneth Oppel

Starclimber is the first steampunk spaceship, from Lionsgate, an alternate Vancouver Canada. Narrator Matt Cruse (#3) fails to qualify as one of three astralnauts. His beloved suffragette Kate can board only after accepting another's propos...

The Damsel

by Claire Delacroix

The King of Attolia

by Megan Whalen Turner

Gen feigns homesick inept fool, for the court of his new wife. Trained by the best thief and warrior of Eddis, he goads soldier Costis into a punch, then recruits him for lieutenant-scapegoat, and our point of view, to me puzzling roundabou...

The Best Laid Plans

by Terry Fallis

terryfallis.com excerpts
The Best Laid Plans, from Robbie Burns' To A Mouse 1785, is a popular title. Terry Fallis, experienced in engineering and public relations, penned a podcast that grew and won the Steven Leacock Medal. Humor an...

Dragons Wild

by Robert Lynn Asprin

Asprin starts a new series I will not finish. Much flat exposition setup, no trademark humor. I want an opening that grabs me by the throat, makes me care and be curious about who and where. Here, rich lazy teen fumes, flees, shops, sleeps....

Stormchaser

by Paul Stewart

Stormchaser (Edge 2) is the skyship of pirate Captain Cloud Wolf aka former Quintus, sent for stormphrax, solid lightning heavy enough to hold down the entire academic city Sanctaphrax. To rule, corrupt Vilnix Pompolnius crushed the rare su...

Inkspell

by Cornelia Funke

Funke has no compunction over killing; adding another pet marten provides small (really) relief. Different names in our regular time and theirs may be easier in the German original; I finally get both. The teens exchange more kisses, otherw...

Myth-Nomers and Im-Pervections

by Robert Lynn Asprin

Magician Skeeve leaves team to battle Queen Hemlock on Klah, while he searches rude lizard dimension Perv, for Aahz, Deva bazaar company partner who resigned unhappily. Aided and blocked by mys-fits such as small djinn Kalvin, cab-driver Ed...

Heartless

by Gail Carriger

"Heartless" (Parasol Proctorate 4) by Gail Carriger, is how eight-month pregnant Alexia sees the suggestion to save the life of (her and) her unborn from persistent assassination attempts by unfriendly vampire hives in supernatura...

Killing Floor

by Lee Child

"Killing Floor" (Jack Reacher 1) by Lee Child has a couple meanings, one the prison level where our innocent hero faces a painful end. X-rated. A cop's smile leads to a bedroom invite. Foreign counterfeiters gruesomely obliterate ...

The Fire Rose

by Mercedes Lackey

"Fire Rose" (Elemental Masters 1) by Mercedes Lackey, is 1905 newly orphaned and impoverished medieval scholar Rose, invited to San Francisco by an elusive rail baron Fire Master. Jason Cameron seeks to repair a wolf transformatio...

Songs of Love and Death: All-Original Tales of Star-Crossed Love

by George R.R. Martin

The cover black rose means death, evil, betrayal, perfect symbol.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_rose_(symbolism)
Even the stories too sad or scary for me had clear plots, except p382 Paragraph starts "8Probably", lo...

The Caldarian Conflict

by Mike Kalmbach

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/847... excerpt
I don't believe in good and evil. There be what a man can do and what he must do. - Owen, condemned to hang
(According to Murdoch Mysteries, a proper hanging should break the ne...

Empire of Ruins

by Arthur Slade

Empire of Ruins (Hunchback Assignments 3) is an Egyptian temple buried in the Australian jungle. Explorers who venture inside go mad. Metal-hand villainess returns to foil our Britannia secret agent team of chameleon Modo (can hold another ...

Ghost Story

by Jim Butcher

Dresden's Files #13 starts "Life is hard. Dying is easy." The fighting is hard and vicious, against ugly misshapen monsters, bleeding both red and spirit ectoplasm. Internal tussling flails inside, guilt over good intentions that ...

Doctor Who: Aliens And Enemies

by Justin Richards

David Tennant #10 & Rose are on the cover, but we go back to the first Doctor. Oriented to child reader or afficianado, including minor character names, yet missing actors, photos of mentioned companions sent me internet searching for origi...

Down These Strange Streets

by George R.R. Martin

"Down These Strange Streets" is 16 supposedly detective short stories, mostly gruesome, spooky, scary, rather than puzzle-solvers. If you like Charlaine Harris, "Death by Dahlia" has a petite powerhouse vampire fond of n...

Scumble

by Ingrid Law

http://us.penguingroup.com/static/packag...
"Scumble" defined is, in painting, to blend a color down to balance more in a painting; in Savvy #2, the control of natural ability to attain internal balance, by one of this amazin...

Retief!

by Keith Laumer

Rip-roaring action, dangerous situations, funny dialogue, wonderful quotes. Wisdom such as: He who visits rarely is a welcome guest. Of the several stories, my favorite lines come from Retief's War.
When the job blows up in your face, r...