Author: Greig

Professional Librarian from Fife who likes books and music.

spackle?

Posted on by Greig

The Knife of Never Letting Go

Patrick Ness

the knife of never letting goIt was a surprise to hear that Mr Ness had become an award winner for YA fiction.
Back in 2005 I read a collection of his short stories and a future writing science fiction for teenagers didn’t look very likely at that point.
That said – this is a really good book.
Todd has grown up in a world filled with Noise – the thoughts that pour from the mind of every man since the war with the native aliens.
He’s the last boy in Prentisstown, just days away from his birthday and the ritual passage into adulthood when his world is changed by the discovery of a hole in the Noise. Forced to go on the run he learns the extent of the lies that have ruled his life.
Ness writes in a way that pulls you into the story, while also having really interesting things to say about the nature of identity and the drawbacks of psychic ability.
I’m looking forward to reading the sequels and I would definitely recommend this book.

Rating: A-

racquets?

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Fletch

Gregory Mcdonald

FletchIM Fletcher is a reporter. While under cover as a beach bum investigating a drug ring he’s approached by a wealthly stranger with an unusual proposition.
This is a well constructed and sardonically funny thriller.
Fletch is the epitome of the likeable asshole and the central mysteries remain compelling right until they’re wrapped up in a satisfying fashion at the end.
Recommended if you like entertaining, fast-paced comic thrillers.

Rating: B+

shades?

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Mr Darcy’s Diary

Amanda Grange

mr darcys diaryThis book retells the story of Pride and Prejudice from the perspective of Darcy.
Yes I only read this because I miss The Lizzie Bennet Diaries.
To be fair though this is a pretty enjoyable read. It helps that it’s an epistolary novel and that the language is less mannered than in the original novel.
I don’t really think the author consistently captured Darcy’s perspective and voice but it’s really good fun to see some of the famous sections of P&P told from his perspective.
I can only recommend this to people who love Pride & Prejudice or one of it’s adaptations. Otherwise you should read the original, or you know maybe watch The Lizzie Bennet Diaries.

Rating: B

hellion?

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Sandman Slim

Richard Kadrey

sandman slimStark escapes from Hell intent on the murder of the circle of magicians responsible for the death of his girlfriend and his exile to the demon’s arenas.
This is an enormously entertaining mix of urban fantasy and noir thriller. The protagonist is a likeable asshole that the author manages to avoid turning into a walking set of cliches.
There’s nothing truly original about this novel but it’s a lot of fun and lays enough groundwork for future sequels for you to care about the world he’s built.
If you want a well constructed piece of urban fantasy with an ass-kicking lead character then this is definitely a book for you.

Rating: B+

dumort?

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City of Bones

Cassandra Clare

City of BonesThe first book in the Mortal Instruments introduces the protagonist – Clary – to a world filled with demons, monsters and the humans who hunt them.
It’s a very readable piece of young adult urban fantasy with a slightly dodgy romantic triangle subplot.
I blasted through this really quickly and yet I really can’t see myself reading any further books in the series. There’s nothing really wrong with it – I just don’t think it’s for me.
Recommended if you’re looking for a solid piece of YA romantic fantasy.

Rating: B-

rafters?

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Midnight Blue-Light Special

Seanan McGuire

midnight blue light specialThe second InCryptid book returns to follow Verity Price as she looks to defend New York’s Cryptid population from a Covenant purge.
Like the first book in this series (Discount Armageddon) this is a fun, action filled piece of urban fantasy.
It’s all wee bit generic but way too entertaining to quibble about it.
Recommended for urban fantasy fans.

Rating: B+

borogovian?

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Redshirts

John Scalzi

redshirtsEven though this is the first time I’ve physically read this book I already knew the story as I listened to it as an audiobook first.
What initially looks like an affectionate parody of Science Fiction TV cliches (mostly Star Trek) turns into a rather meta piece about the reality of fictional characters.
The main novel rattles along at a good pace and is very readable – just less clever than it thinks. The three codas are interesting experiments. The strongest one is easily the best thing about the book.
Recommended if you like Scalzi or media parodies.
I also note here that I recently read the first episode of the serial novel that Scalzi’s releasing this year (The Human Division). While I enjoyed reading it I decided to wait for the completed work, due out in May.

Rating: B+

gutshot?

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An Abundance of Katherines

John Green

an abundance of katherinesThis is probably Green’s funniest and lightest book.
Colin Singleton is an ex-child prodigy who is addicted to anagramming and dating girls called Katherine. When the 19th of that ilk dumps him after graduating high school his best friend takes him on a road trip to stop obsessing over the break up.
I read it for the first time in 2009 and I enjoyed it then too (though I was apparently going through a phase of not actually reviewing and rating books at that point).
Recommended if you want a funny and sweet, sort of romantic, teen novel.

Rating: A-

estate?

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The Rook

Daniel O’Malley

the rookI’m reading a couple of fantasy books at the minute but I’m struggling to get into them. So to change the pace I picked this up and immediately got sucked into it.
I’ve read it before and I think I enjoyed it slightly more this time.
It’s really entertaining supernatural spy romp with added amnesia to give it a twist.
Recommended to anyone looking for a nice piece of genre escapism.

Rating: A-