However, I am back! Even after all that, my desire to read has finally returned! While hardly able to leave the house, I ran over to Hastings and bought the newest Jeaniene Frost book when it came out, and I also grabbed onto Feed. This past weekend my brother brought me the complete Harry Dresden series, so I don't have to pinch together a coins and scour the library for copies of the books. It is nice to have family who are also bibliophiles -- even if some of them are turning to e-books
Without further ado, here are 2 book reviews.
Title: Storm FrontAuthor: Jim Butcher
Genre: Urban fantasy
Pages: Paperback, 322
Published: 2000
Opening Line: "I heard the mailman approach my office door, half an hour earlier than usual."
"Harry Dresden--Wizard
Lost items found. Paranormal investigations.
Consulting. Advice. Reasonable rates.
No Love Potions, Endless Purses, Parties, or Other Entertainment.Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he's the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the "everyday" world is actually full of strange and magical things--and most of them don't play too well with humans. That's where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a--well, whatever.
There's just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry's seeing dollar signs. But where there's magic, there's a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry's name. And that's when things start to get... interesting.
Magic. It can get a guy killed."
Thoughts: I picked this book up a couple of years ago, and I couldn't get past the first few pages. It just didn't catch my interest, and it felt as though Butcher was copying every urban fantasy that came before him. It didn't feel original. However, after my brother pestered me for months, I decided I would give it another go. I guess this book is just one of those I had to come back to. I didn't have the same issues, it read really quickly (aside from the reading hiatus I took being sick), and it was really engaging!
Butcher put a lot of thought into Harry's world. The problems wizards have around electronics was really original and gave extra dimension to the character. I enjoyed Harry's poignant observation that many wizards only rely on magic and fail to see anything outside of that.
I really don't have too much to say about Storm Front. The book was enjoyable. I felt Butcher did a good job fleshing out Dresden and making the world believable. There was never a dull moment. The serious nature aside, the book was also full of laughs!
Rating: 5/5
Currently: Ill Wind by Rachel Caine
Pages: 4402
Horror/Urban Fantasy Challenge: 11/24
Title: The Sandman: Brief LivesAuthor: Neil Gaiman
Genre: Graphic novel
Pages: Paperback, 256
Published: 1994
Opening Line: "It is, of course, a miracle."
"In BRIEF LIVES, Delirium, youngest of the family known as The Endless, prevails upon her brother Dream to help find their missing sibling, Destruction. Their subsequent odyssey through the waking world, and their final confrontation with Destruction -- as well as the resolution of Dream's painful relationship with his son, Orpheus -- will change The Endless forever."~ Jacket Copy
Thoughts: I have loved this series from the beginning! There is nothing I would change.
Since I first saw her picture and her introduction in the vol. 1, I have been extremely fascinated with Delirium, who used to be Delight. Something about her nature always seemed different than the other Endless. Imagine my excitement when I discovered that vol. 7 followed her!
After years as Delirium, The Endless decides that she misses her brother, Destruction, greatly. Being unable to hold her attention for too long, she approaches her siblings Desire and Despair to help her on her quest. Both of them say "no"; however, Despair secretly desires to to follow her. After this setback, Delirium hesitantly approaches Dream. Against the advice of Desire, he chooses to follow her. He claims that he has no wish to find his brother. He is just accompanying her for "something to do."
During their adventures and travels, Dream is changed. When questioned, Despair makes it clear that Delirium herself has not changed due to all the change she has seen in her young life. However, the audience is shown snippets of who Delirium truly is and what she might have been like as Delight. In addition, Gaiman drops little clues as to why she decided to become Delirium.
There isn't much I can say about this graphic novel. The storyline was amazing. The character development and the parable Gaiman gives is simply astounding. In the whole series, the only thing I would change would be some of the art styles. While the artists do a good job of capturing The Endless, using their speech fonts/bubbles to give them depth, I tend to not like the chosen art style. I admit, I tend to be an art snob! Aside from that . . . Wow!
Rating: 5/5
Currently: Ill Wind by Rachel Caine
Pages: 4402
Current Progress:
13/50 books
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