Book Review: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente

Fairyland series Book 1

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This middle grade (or even younger) book is a delightful story,for any age. More of a modern day fairy tale than a fantasy.
The story is involving, with enough action and good and bad things happening, to keep any reader engaged. The subtle references and inferences to classic fairy tales will amuse readers of any age.
What it lacks in typical fantasy depth, it makes up for in the unique and quirky voice of the narrator.

Underneath the fun and frivolity, this is really a story of loyalty, friends, and like all good fairy tales leaves you with a moral at the end.

Links:
Catherynne M. Valente

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Book Review: Mediaeval Lore from Bartholomew Anglicus by Robert Steele

Mediaeval Lore from Bartholomew Anglicus by 13th cent. Anglicus Bartholomaeus by Robert Steele

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Originally published as a general encyclopedia of Medieval knowledge, this compilation of knowledge helps to get an understanding of where some of our mis-directed notions come from, and also of how far we really have come in gaining knowledge and understanding.

Links:
Project Gutenberg ebook
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Book Review: The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter

The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett

The Long Earth Series book 1

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I wavered on the rating on this one, I went with 3 because the concept and idea were interesting, and new, and in Science fiction the Idea is always important. But as for plot, story and characters this book missed the mark, so much more could have been done.

Author Sites: Terry Pratchett
Stephen Baxter
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Book Review: Terrene: The Hidden Valley by Eric Liu

Terrene: The Hidden Valley by Eric Liu

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book has a very interesting concept and story, I wish it would have been executed better, transitions between the timelines could be smoother, and character development is weak.

**** SPOILER *****
Though the ending wraps up the story satisfactorily in an unexpected way and unusual twist, there is too little in the book to support some of the events and conclusions.


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Book Review: A Memory of Light by Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson

A Memory of Light The Final Book in The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson

Wheel of Time Series Book 14

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The end of an age, the end of an epic.
After 23 years,15 books, 11,916 Pages, 684 Chapters,4,416,130 Words, I do not think I have the words yet to say anything about "A Memory of Light" or The end of "The Wheel of Time".

Right now I can only say thank you Robert Jordan for your dream and your story. Thank you to Harriet and Team Jordan and Brandon Sanderson who worked to keep the wheel turning.

Links:
Dragonmount.com a Wheel of Time Community.
Theoryland.com hardcore fan freaks of the wheel of time.
Encyclopaedia WoT A premier resource among when it comes to the online Wheel of Time world. It is exactly what it sounds like.
Authors website: Brandon Sanderson

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Book Review: Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde

Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde

Shades of Grey series Book 1

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am steel reeling, I do not think I have ever read a book like it, and I will need some time to digest and ponder before I could begin any kind of review, is just so new, and different. at this point I can only point to this review and comment by Patrick Rothfuss


Book Quotes:
“You see? I know where every single book used to be in the library.' She pointed to the shelf opposite. 'Over there was Catch-22, which was a hugely popular fishing book and one of a series, I believe.”
― Jasper Fforde, Shades of Grey
“Her areas of expertise are bar codes, book titles and maps - she has an original Parker Brothers map of the world.” ― Jasper Fforde, Shades of Grey

Links:
Jasper Fforde
Shades Of Grey Book Site

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