It's Monday! What are you reading? 6/25/2018

Hosted by: Book Date

This week I finished:

The Hills Have Spies (Family Spies, Bk 1) by Mercedes Lackey - I've posted about this here.  Basically, it was a quick read that I enjoyed.  I look forward to more of Valdemar, this family, and Mercedes Lackey books in general.

Ghost Talkers by Mary Robinette Kowal - My post.  I enjoyed this, though I definitely enjoyed her Glamourist Histories series better.

Master and Commander (Aubrey/Maturin, Bk 1) by Patrick O'Brian and narrated by Simon Vance - I'll be posting on this later.  While there isn't much in the way of a plot (I agree, as this has been stated in several reviews I read), I enjoyed the characters and the atmosphere.  I intend to continue listening to this series.

I'm currently reading:


In ebook format, I've been reading A is for Alibi (A Kinsey Millhone Novel, Bk 1) by Sue Grafton.  This is my first time reading these, and I figure it is about time to start since the series is as done as it will be.  I'm still enjoying this one, but I haven't made much progress with it this past week.

In print, I've been reading (off and on) Zero Waste: Simple Life Hacks to Drastically Reduce Your Trash by Shia Su. I haven't read any further this past week, as I've been focused on some of my other library books.

Also in print, I've started Better Off Read (Bookmobile Mystery, Bk 1) by Nora Page.  I've been slower about getting into it, but the mystery part has started, so hopefully it will pick up a little.

 

Up next:

In downloadable audio, I hope to get back into Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain and narrated by Käthe Mazur (which I had started some time ago and have left lingering lately).

I will be starting Moby Dick by Herman Melville and narrated by Paul Boehmer in book-on-CD format.  This is a monster of a book, but I've never read it and need to, so...

The Hills Have Spies

Title: The Hills Have Spies

Author: Mercedes Lackey

Series: Family Spies, Bk 1 (but actually a novel of Valdemar and a spin off of both the Collegium and Herald Spy series)

ISBN: 9780756413170

Length: 360 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

I read through this one relatively quickly (I didn't want to leave it to go to work).  I was relieved because the Herald Spy books dragged a bit for me.  I don't know if this is the series itself - The Hills Have Spies features Mags and his eldest son Perry (Peregrine), or if the difference is that I read the Herald Spy series as ebooks while I read the print format for this book.  Whatever the case - reading this went much smoother for me.

Perry has Animal Mindspeech and has been taught much of his father's spycraft.  Now it is time for him to leave Haven and put his skills and Gift to the test in the real world - where innocents are disappearing.

I look forward to more of this series.  Perhaps with one of Perry's siblings next time.

It's Monday! What are you reading? 6/18/2018

Hosted by: Book Date

This week I finished:

 Night of the Living Deed (A Haunted Guesthouse Mystery, Bk 1) by E.J. Copperman and The Girl Who Ignored Ghosts (The Unbelievables, Bk 1) by K.C. Tansley, both in print.

I've been meaning to read Night of the Living Deed (personal copy) for quite some time.  I read an enjoyed the first in E.J. Copperman's Asperger's Mystery series, The Question of the Missing Head in 2015, and I read the first two Double Feature Mysteries published under his Jeffrey Cohen name several years ago.  In any case, I enjoyed Night of the Living Deed, but I did have to put it down frequently as life took over.

I must have met this K.C. Tansley at some point - I had a bookmark for The Girl Who Ignored Ghosts - but I don't remember when.  I finally followed up and requested the title through Interlibrary Loan.  Once I started it, I zipped through the story.  It does have a bit of a cliffhanger, though the immediate issue is resolved.  Now I am waiting to read the second book in the series, The Girl Who Saved Ghosts.

Yesterday, I read Wicked and the Wallflower (The Bareknuckle Bastards, Bk 1) by Sarah MacLean, also in print. I managed to purchase a copy a little early after hearing Sarah MacLean speak.  I haven't read much romance lately, so I was looking forward to this.  I enjoyed the story, I look forward to more of the series, and to more romance over all.  This is definitely a genre I need more when things go crazy IRL.

I'm currently reading:


In ebook format, I've been reading A is for Alibi (A Kinsey Millhone Novel, Bk 1) by Sue Grafton.  This is my first time reading these, and I figure it is about time to start since the series is as done as it will be.  So far I'm enjoying the book, both for the actual story, and while catching the tidbits that date this book (originally published in the early 80s).

I've been listening (on CD) to Master and Commander (Aubrey-Maturin, Bk 1) by Patrick O'Brian and narrated by Simon Vance.  I was listening to an interview with Simon Vance, and this series came up.  He mentioned that it is OOP, with the official estate version being narrated by someone else.  However, he added that the version he narrated is potentially available at libraries.  I immediately looked into this and found this first book at my local library.  So far I am enjoying it.  Though much of the nautical terminology and description goes way over my head, I'm particularly finding the characters and their interactions with each other enjoyable.

In print, I've been reading (off and on) Zero Waste: Simple Life Hacks to Drastically Reduce Your Trash by Shia Su.  I've rather gotten stuck in the recipes (for housecleaning and toiletry products), so I'm going to need to just push through.  Conservation/Environmentalism is a subject I'm generally interested in and would like to apply to my life, but perhaps I'm not quite on board enough to actually live the life demonstrated in this book.  We'll see how the second half goes.

Up next:

The Hills Have Spies (Family Spies, Bk 1) by Mercedes Lackey

A Study in Sable

Title: A Study in Sable

Author: Mercedes Lackey [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: DAW Books

Series: Elemental Masters, Bk 12 (officially Bk 11)

ISBN: 9780756408725

Length: 313 pages

Why this book?:

I generally enjoy this series and author books.

Comments:

I felt like I should know the characters, but I couldn't quite place them.  I should have know them! They were in both The Wizard of London and Home From the Seas. 

But whereas I read those too close back to back (I just re-read my thoughts on them here and here), I apparently had too much of a gap with this one.  They were all vaguely familiar.  Like when you see someone you should know, but you can't think of their name.  And meanwhile they are greeting you like a long lost friend, so you feel super guilty and uncomfortable.  Yea; not the most pleasant reading situation.

I did take a bit of a break mid-way through.  Once I came back to it, I zipped through the remainder of the story.

From a High Tower

Title: From a High Tower

Author: Mercedes Lackey [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: DAW Books

Series: Elemental Masters, Bk 11 (officially Bk 10)

ISBN: 9780756408985

Length: 328 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I'm a fan of the author and series.

Comments:

I especially liked the twist on the Rapunzel fairy tale for this one.  From the depth in the background story as to how Giselle came to be in the tower, to a different look at the various figures (the father, the witch who owned the garden, etc.) and their motivations. 

But the story really picks up and becomes it's own after Giselle leaves the tower and is left to find a way through her new life. 

And it was great to see Rosa from Blood Red again.

Closer to Home

Title: Closer to Home

Author: Mercedes Lackey [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Daw Books

Series: Herald Spy, Bk 1 ; Valdemar Novel

ISBN: 9780756408992

Length: 361 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I enjoy the Valdemar books.  I've enjoyed Mags story up to this point throughout the Collegium Chronicles, and his story continues in this series.

Comments:

So this is the first book of Mags's "adult" life.  He's finished his year in the field and is officially stepping into the role of Herald Spy.  I guess as in real life there are many aspects of the story to follow.  Mags is balancing his new job with his personal life.  As a spy he has multiple "lives" to follow up on, and plenty of secrets to keep on the day to day.  So it's a good thing he has a solid core of friends, mentors, etc. to support him.

There was a bit of Romeo and Juliet in the book, with rival families visiting Haven (the capital) at the same time.  Both families are trying to marry off their children.  Both families would be happy to continue their feud if given the chance.  But there's a twist that I just can't share without spoiling too much.

This isn't a new favorite that I'll need to re-read over and over, but it was an enjoyable read.  I look forward to more of Mags's adventures.

Blood Red

Title: Blood Red

Author: Mercedes Lackey [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: DAW Books

Series: Elemental Masters, Bk 10 (officially Bk 9)

ISBN: 9780756408978

Length: 312 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

It is a Mercedes Lackey book, and it is from the Elemental Masters series, and I have a fondness for both.

Comments:

I was worried about this one.  The story of "Red Riding Hood" has never been my favorite in any variation that I'm familiar with.  I wasn't sure how the story would go from the expected encounter with the "big bad wolf."  It turned out to be a very interesting turn.  I won't say much lest I give too much away, but Rosamund aka Rosa survives and becomes a great hunter of evil (like a Van Helsing only different).  She is rather emotionally detached in some ways that made be uneasy.  She is an Earth Master, but without the healing, nurturing aspect that so many of Earth have.  I gather that has something to do with her reservation (though her upbringing and power may also be factors).  She also shows some prejudice (thankfully short lived) that I wasn't especially happy with.  But when it comes down to it, she fights evil without letting her humanity be stolen or worn down.  She just has some flaws to work on.  And the ending is horrifying and sickening and fits the story rather well.  I eagerly await the next book in the series, and hope it comes soon.

Crown of Vengeance

Title: Crown of Vengeance

Author: Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory

Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates

Series: Dragon Prophecy, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780765324382

Length: 605 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

It looked like a first in series co-written by Mercedes Lackey.  And it is set in the same other world as The Obsidian and Enduring Flame Trilogies.

Comments:

Oh, where to start?  I guess with the Prologue, which is a creation story of sorts.  In which one discovers this is a good vs. evil story.  The characters were - well, I liked some of the characters sometimes.  But even the "good guy" characters could be ambiguous.  Decisions made, attitudes, reactions and interactions - they were all situational and made the feelings I had about/toward characters fluctuate.

The story is one of hardship, war, and a purpose.  Of prophecy, believers, and disbelief.  The primary character is the "Child of Prophecy" (or is she?).  A prophecy that many have disputed and studied for years as they've tried to comprehend just what it is predicting.  But Vieliessar is certain it tells of the time when evil will come to destroy, and how they must be prepared and fight together.

And I just made the mistake of starting to read the inside of the dust jacket... to be told things that have not happened yet!  And presumably happen in upcoming books.  That is just WRONG.  If I haven't read The Obsidian and Enduring Flame trilogies (which I haven't), then I don't already know these characters and their legends. Grrr.

But anyway... It took days of concentrated reading, staying up late, and drooping from exhaustion at work to finish this, but I did it.  I will continue to read the series, The House of Four Winds, because I do want to see what happens next.

Bastion

Title: Bastion

Author: Mercedes Lackey

Publisher: DAW Books

Series: Collegium Chronicles, Bk 5 ; A Novel of Valdemar

ISBN: 9780756409449

Length: 342 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

I've really found myself liking this series, but I have to say this one wasn't quite so enjoyable as the rest. 

It had most of the main characters introduced through the series so far (though some of them didn't seem to play as large a part), so that wasn't it.  The flashbacks (I hate flashbacks - I'm not re-reading part of another book when I'm in the middle of my current read) could have been part of it.  But there were only a few, and I tolerate them in other books. 

The overall story was fine, and definitely important to Mags story.  So I'm glad I read it.  I just think it could have done without some parts.  Not only the flashbacks, but the recaps and maybe some of the description.  Yeah, that's it.  Then it would have been ideal.

Steadfast

Title: Steadfast

Author: Mercedes Lackey

Publisher: Daw Books

Series: Elemental Masters, Bk 9

ISBN: 9780756408015

Pages: 298

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I'm a Mercedes Lackey fan.  And I enjoy the Elemental Masters series.

Comments:

So there are certain subjects (such as abuse and rape) which are incredibly hard for me to read.  That is, I have a very weak stomach when it comes to reading that kind of scene.  If that's the majority of a book, I simply can't read it.  Fortunately, while this book does have some of those subjects, the rest was as enjoyable as I find many (not all) Mercedes Lackey books to be.

I did like Katie, Jack, Lionel, and the rest of the music hall group/performers.  I was surprised, but not disappointed, in how mellow the Fire elemental mages were in this.  But perhaps that is because most of the others seen throughout the series have been masters.  Or maybe because characters, like people, are different and unique.

The setting/background was also interesting - working at a circus and music hall with illusions and special dances, etc.  Particularly the illusions, as those are always fun and interesting to watch, and while hearing them described can't be as good, it comes in closer than I would have imagined.  The story is apparently based on The Steadfast Tin Soldier, a tale I'm not familiar with.

So something I noticed while reading this book... I'd be into the story and reading relatively quickly then I'd get to a point and have to pull back, because I'm suddenly remembering this is a Mercedes Lackey book.  I'm not sure quite how to explain this, except that sometimes I felt like the characters were "channeling" (a term I've seen writers use - hope I'm using it correctly) ML instead of the other way around.  It was that same voice that goes from book to book, but it came off somewhat strongly.  I don't know if that makes any sense.  And I don't mean it to sound so negative either.

In general, I appreciate ML's voice.  Why else would I be a fan of her books?  I mean I can't wait to read the next book in this series or in the Valdemar world.  Which brings my to my overall - I enjoyed this.  I zipped through it actually - always a positive.

Redoubt

Title: Redoubt

Author: Mercedes Lackey

Publisher: Daw Books, Inc.

Series: Collegium Chronicles, Bk 4 (Novel of Valdemar)

ISBN: 9780756407452

Pages: 330 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

 By the time this book finally came in I'd forgotten much of the story line, but I managed to remember much of it as I read. Mags is doing his thing, adjusting as he and his friends get older, when his past comes to find him this time. In a whirl of chaos, Mags is sent back to his days in the mines until he can finally break free. I can't say too much more without spoilers.  I do hope this series continues... I couldn't find anything one way or the other, but I think the ending leaves room for more.

Reserved for the Cat / Unnatural Issue / Home from the Sea

Reserved for the Cat (Elemental Masters, Bk 6) by Mercedes Lackey (personal copy) -

This book was another angle into the world of magic in Lackey's Elemental series.  I liked the characters and found the story interesting.  I gather from other reviews that it's a loose twist on Puss in Boots, but I'm not as familiar with that fairy tale, so I can't really compare.

Unnatural Issue (Elemental Masters, Bk 7) by Mercedes Lackey (library copy) -

With this book you go back to the beginnings of WWI.  I really liked Susanne and I was really glad to see more of Peter (the Peter from The Serpent's Shadow's "twin" friend).  According to reviews this is based on the fairy tale Donkeyskin.  I've never even heard of it and know NOTHING about it so can't compare.  Anyway, something I forgot to mention with Phoenix and Ashes, but which is true for both it and this book, is how seeing the movie War Horse made the war aspect come more alive to me.  While I learned about the war in my history classes, it wasn't so real untill I visually "saw" it.  No-mans land, the trenches, etc.

Home from the Sea (Elemental Masters, Bk 8) by Mercedes Lackey (library copy) -

So this book brought back Nan and Sarah of The Wizard of London.  (Though apparently Nan and Sarah were originally introduced in the short story 'Grey's Ghost' found in the 1999 anthology Werehunter.)  But the main focus was Mari and the Selch.  I enjoyed both the Selch lore and the Welsh setting for this one. What I did NOT enjoy was the pages (yes, multiple pages) basically copy/pasted out of  The Wizard of London.  I think maybe I'd have been better off if I hadn't been reading these back to back.  Nevertheless it was an enjoyable enough story - if a bit on the lighter than usual.  Supposed to be based on East of the Sun and West of the Moon, Tam Lin, and The Great Silkie of Sule Skerry.

It looks like there is an anthology due out at the end of this year.  I've never read any of the Valdemar anthologies, and I don't know that I'd want to read this one.  They're usually compiled of short stories by other authors in the world Lackey's written... and she edits.  Not my cup of tea.

Elemental Masters... The Fire Rose; The Serpent's Shadow; The Gates of Sleep; Phoenix and Ashes; The Wizard of London

The Fire Rose (Elemental Masters, Bk 1) by Mercedes Lackey (library copy) -

This is the first in this series, but I hadn't read it before.  I really liked Rosalind, and while Jason isn't very likeable at first, that changes.  Like the Beauty and the Beast story this parallels, Rosalind find the kindness of Jason under his outer appearances.  Beyond this, the the world of Elemental Masters is being introduced, including how the elements fire, earth, air, and water relate to the rules of magic.  In addition, the book is set around the time of the 1906 San Fransisco quake.  So the time adds an extra element to the story.

The Serpent's Shadow (Elemental Masters, Bk 2) by Mercedes Lackey (personal copy via PaperBackSwap) -

I've actually read this multiple times, but of course I had to read it again as I work my way through this series.  Maya and Peter are both great characters.  Maya is a female doctor in London during a time when that's hardly heard of...women still don't even have a vote.  But not only is she female, she's also of mixed blood.  Her father was English, her mother was Indian.  This "half-breed" status is another huge point of prejudice.  Peter Scott is a water master, but not of the usual aristocratic blood accepted by the circle of Masters in London.  So when it comes to trying to face the darkness recently come to England, Maya's aunt who practices a foreign and dark magic, Maya and Peter struggle to get any help.  This one has some parallels with Snow White.

The Gates of Sleep (Elemental Masters, Bk 3) by Mercedes Lackey (personal copy via PaperBackSwap) -

I'd only read this one once before.  Probably because I have trouble with stories where characters are essentially trapped, which Marina certainly is through part of the book.  Anyway, it has a Sleeping Beauty twist to it.  Something I noted upon my most recent reading of it... The phrase "the thought was parent to the deed" was repeated about 5 times give or take once.  I do like Lackey's books, but this isn't a favorite.

Phoenix and Ashes (Elemental Masters, Bk 4) by Mercedes Lackey (personal copy via PaperBackSwap) -

I've read this before, but I didn't remember it at all.  I didn't even recognize the story as I re-read it.  Speaking of the story, this one is a twist on Cinderella.  Eleanor's father comes home one day with a new wife and two step-daughters.  Not long after her father goes off to fight in the war (World War I) and promptly dies, leaving Eleanor at the mercy of her stepmother and stepsisters.  Big twist?  Eleanor is magically held captive in the house.  (Well, there's a little more to it than that, but I don't want to retell the story.)  Despite the captive thing (uh- I'm seeing a theme here), I liked this one better than The Gates of Sleep.

The Wizard of London (Elemental Masters, Bk 5) by Mercedes Lackey (personal copy via PaperBackSwap) -

This was a new-to-me read.  It's a bit different from the previous books in the series.  Instead of focusing on an Elemental Master (though the Wizard of London is one), it focuses on Talents.  That is people with things like clairvoyance, mediums, etc.  These talents include a husband and wife that run a school to help children like this, and two young children recently come to the school.  This story, I believe, takes place prior to the other books in the series.  It may come fifth in publishing order, but chronologically I believe it would be first.  It is apparently based on The Snow Queen, but I wouldn't know anything about that.

 *********************************************************************************

Anyway, on to an overall impression while reading this series...

I've noticed (and if you read my post on Intrigues and Changes, this is the point I couldn't remember) that Mercedes Lackey's characters including (or maybe especially) the children are much wiser than I would ever be.  The teachers always ask questions intended for the the students to come to some deep revelation.  The student then proceeds to do so.  The teacher responds with pride and praise.  This is done over and over through series after series.  There are other similar characteristics as well.  I guess it's part of her "voice."

Intrigues and Changes

Title: Intrigues

Author: Mercedes Lackey

Publisher: DAW Books

Series: Collegium Chronicles, Bk 2 ; Valdemar book

ISBN: 9780756406394

Pages: 328

Obtained: Library copy

Title: Changes

Author: Mercedes Lackey

Publisher: DAW Books

Series: Collegium Chronicles, Bk 3 ; Valdemar book

ISBN: 9780756406929

Pages: 326

Obtained: Library copy

Comments: 

I am really enjoying this series and look forward to more.  I had notes about these books and managed to displace them.  So this is going to be briefer than intended.

I think when I was reading Intrigues I started wondering if the job Mags is training for might be the job that, by Alberich's time is traditionally done by the weapons-master.  But that's the type of detail you probably don't care about if you haven't read much of Lackey's Valdemar series.

I know I had at least one other thing I thought worth mentioning, but it has escaped me.  So I guess that's it.  I eagerly await my opportunity to read the 4th book, Redoubt.  In the meantime I'm reading some of Lackey's Elemental Masters series.

Foundation

Title: Foundation

Author: Mercedes Lackey

Publisher: DAW

Series: Collegium Chronicles, Bk 1 ; a Valdemar book

ISBN: 9780756405243

Pages: 340

Obtained: personal copy - paperbackswap.com

Comments:

I can't imagine what took me so long to read this - I really can't.  I was worried because I was at a later point of time in Valdemar's history and didn't really care to be jumping back.  But timeline-wise this comes after the Last Herald-Mage Trilogy I just skimmed through.  Perhaps that made the difference.  Whatever the case, I found Mags a very likeable character.  I was pleased for him whenever he made new friends and showed his growth.

This felt more like a YA to me than Mercedes Lackey's books usually do, even when featuring children around 12 or 13 years old.  Perhaps that's because she's also been writing an actual marketed-as-YA series.  Perhaps there was some influence.  Either way, that certainly didn't make the story less enjoyable.

If I was looking for something I wasn't as pleased about, it's that there wasn't as big a conflict for Mags to overcome.  I mean, he comes from poor circumstances, and he has some other bumps along the way.  But I'm fairly certain the "big" conflict is something that will cross throughout the series and become more prominent as time goes on.

Since I did take so long to read this book I have some catching up to do.  I've requested books 2 through 4 (Intrigues, Changes, and Redoubt) at the library and should be able to read 2 and 3 soon (Redoubt is still on order).  I'll also obtain personal copies eventually, but can afford to be patient as long as I can read them soon.