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Book Review Year 2 No 3
Oct. 29th, 2016 05:13 pmThird review, plus a short complaint about library services.
The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz
This is billed as the new Sherlock Holmes novel. It's narrated by Dr Watson, but as with Moriarty there is a lot of grapic violence, which I could have done without. I would say it was more Valley of Fear than Hound of the Baskervilles, and had it not been a Holmes story I suspect I would not have read it.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J K Rowling
I enjoyed this more than some of the previous books, although I still don't care for Harry. There seemed to be more action this time, which was good - events are finally getting going. Fleur came into her own at the end, which pleased me. But, as ever, I found the whole 'Half-Blood Prince' theme annoying.
A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson
Having really enjoyed Life After Life, I was looking forward to this. The timeline jumps around a lot, and although it meant some of the significant plot could be held back until towards the end, I found it very jerky. In addition a number of the major characters are very unlikeable, which, for those of you who know my preferences, meant I wasn't taken with a significant part of the book. The Guardian refers to the major twist at the end as one which will either delight or infuriate readers - I was one it infuriated. I'm curious to know what any of my flist who have read the book thought of it.
Victory of Eagles by Naomi Novik
Tongues of Serpents by Naomi Novik
Books 5 and 6 in the Temeraire series. I have been spacing these books out, but since I couldn't get a cheap copy of Tongues of Serpents I ordered it through the library, and it arrived rather quicker than I expected. I think Novik has slightly painted herself into a corner with the conclusion of the previous book. I enjoyed Victory of Eagles, but would have liked to see more of some of the regular dragons and characters, and Tongues of Serpents felt rather long winded, although there were some interesting parts. I shall however carry on, because I'm told the next book is good, and I am still invested in William Laurence and Temeraire.
I joined the local library in the summer, thinking it was a good thing to do. I've taken a couple of books out since, but haven't had time to read them, and I've also discovered that series I enjoyed years ago no longer appeal. However, I have been able to order a few books, of which one I'm still waiting for (there is a long waiting list). Having finished my last Temeraire book I went to order the next, but there is no copy in the county. They do have the last in the series, but that is of no use to me at the moment. So I'm back to buying books. And if a book does come in I have to stop what I am reading in order to read the new arrival, since there are only 21 days from collection before it's due back. Which rather means the library is a good idea in theory, rather less in practice.
The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz
This is billed as the new Sherlock Holmes novel. It's narrated by Dr Watson, but as with Moriarty there is a lot of grapic violence, which I could have done without. I would say it was more Valley of Fear than Hound of the Baskervilles, and had it not been a Holmes story I suspect I would not have read it.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J K Rowling
I enjoyed this more than some of the previous books, although I still don't care for Harry. There seemed to be more action this time, which was good - events are finally getting going. Fleur came into her own at the end, which pleased me. But, as ever, I found the whole 'Half-Blood Prince' theme annoying.
A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson
Having really enjoyed Life After Life, I was looking forward to this. The timeline jumps around a lot, and although it meant some of the significant plot could be held back until towards the end, I found it very jerky. In addition a number of the major characters are very unlikeable, which, for those of you who know my preferences, meant I wasn't taken with a significant part of the book. The Guardian refers to the major twist at the end as one which will either delight or infuriate readers - I was one it infuriated. I'm curious to know what any of my flist who have read the book thought of it.
Victory of Eagles by Naomi Novik
Tongues of Serpents by Naomi Novik
Books 5 and 6 in the Temeraire series. I have been spacing these books out, but since I couldn't get a cheap copy of Tongues of Serpents I ordered it through the library, and it arrived rather quicker than I expected. I think Novik has slightly painted herself into a corner with the conclusion of the previous book. I enjoyed Victory of Eagles, but would have liked to see more of some of the regular dragons and characters, and Tongues of Serpents felt rather long winded, although there were some interesting parts. I shall however carry on, because I'm told the next book is good, and I am still invested in William Laurence and Temeraire.
I joined the local library in the summer, thinking it was a good thing to do. I've taken a couple of books out since, but haven't had time to read them, and I've also discovered that series I enjoyed years ago no longer appeal. However, I have been able to order a few books, of which one I'm still waiting for (there is a long waiting list). Having finished my last Temeraire book I went to order the next, but there is no copy in the county. They do have the last in the series, but that is of no use to me at the moment. So I'm back to buying books. And if a book does come in I have to stop what I am reading in order to read the new arrival, since there are only 21 days from collection before it's due back. Which rather means the library is a good idea in theory, rather less in practice.
