Book Review the Seventh

Another mixed bag over the past six weeks.

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

Recommended by canonisrelative this is a young adult book and an easy read.  Which isn't to say it's not enjoyable.  I read it quite quickly, because I kept wanting to know what happened next.  The twist was brilliantly executed and was very satisfying.  A great adventure, I enjoyed the descriptions and the world building.  As far as I was concerned, the author had the balance right, definitely my sort of book.  I promptly ordered the next in the series.


Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets by J K Rowling

I continue my way through the Harry Potter books.  I find the characters simplified and frustrating.  And completely at odds with my competency kink.


Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

This was recommended by fortesomniare I wouldn't say I particularly enjoyed the book - I'm not a great sci-fi fan.  But I read it every night and progressed through the story.  It wasn't something I would have wanted to read quickly (others may well differ), but the idea was interesting and I was gripped by the last few chapters.  It was a slow and menacing build up with a very satisfactory end.  If this is a genre you like, then I'm pretty sure you would enjoy it - if you haven't read it already.


A Good Parcel of English Soil by Richard Mabey

laurose8 recommended Richard Mabey's writing - he's a writer and broadcaster on nature and culture.  I don't have much knowledge of plants and when I was looking around for one of his books I found this one, which is slightly different.  It's part of a series written about the different London underground lines.  This one is about the Metropolitan Line and Mabey looks at how the new line cut through the countryside and how plant life is taking it back and how plants are growing in all sorts of unexpected places.  It's an interesting small book, covering both social history and nature.