Mississauga, ON, Canada | Member Since 2004
"A temple of Romance"
This is decided more a falling in love story then the other books in the series. It has more daring do then "The Thirteenth House". This story is told from 2 sides of the problem rather then the other books where while the characters take turn telling the story everyone knows almost everything.
If you where reading these stories for Kirra & Senneth they are in the background of this book in the same way that Justin was in the background of the first two novels.
"The Truth of Bartimaeus and Solomon"
I really enjoy this book. While it's set long long before the original 3 books it is a return that then a reframing of the start of who Bartiumaeus is. The book is filled with lots of back chat and Bartiumaeus trying to help the "masters" he claims to hate. I always love turning Bartiumaeus on after a long day with pissed customers. He validates so much what you wish you could say while dealing with complaints.
"Faces of the Gods seems a copy of Peirs Anthony"
This has very much the same favor, writing style and plot as Peirs Anthony's Incarnation of the Immortals books.
While this is set in the distance post technology era; it has so little to do with the story that it could be set in the past or on another plant for all the effect it has.
It's a pretty good story but there is little original about it.The author does distrubening seem to have failed to read any actual Greek Myths. Apollo is for unclear reason set to be a dark hair youth not a gold hair one.
It's rather like somewhat slate popcorn; it not bad but not that good.
"Disconnected Story and characters"
Little is explained in this book; not the characters' motivations, not who knows and what they know. There seems to be no center to the story but rather it's a loose collect of conversations which attempt to outline something. For the first hour it's sorta Zen; after that I started to wonder about the author's skill. Mostly I found myself not really caring. If you enjoyed 7-9 of the Wheel of time then you might like this otherwise stay clear.
"Fine story pity it's really just half of it"
I really enjoy the unwanteds and looked forward to book2; but this one really is only half the story. Which is a shame. The ending not even a cliff hanger so much as a low point in a raising action.... :(
"In the hinds and the highland of Scotland"
Wee Free men is set in the discword but is start of Pratcett's childern books which in someways are a little bit different take on the witches then in Equal Rites. In many ways this book works on Pratcett view of books for Childern : If they don't know it too hard then it might not be and a hint of blood is only offence to the people reading the story to the children.
Actually this is a very clean story and rather more true to English Folklore about Pixies and Elves then some of the more sugaring stuff pressed out.
"The twist of the Seasons"
Pratchett returns to the idea of belief and seasons. This should not off put anyone with strong views about what do believe in; rather this is about the effects of belief and how societies work with belief through charity; exchange and tradition.
It's also light and funny. Morals without preaching but a dose of guilt. If you enjoy the others go right and head and dive in.
"Fallacy of Composition is adverted by a narrow |"
The author warn the reader that she is going to attempt to give one inside into the thinking of an age based on a single person; the way the book unfold it's more of a single male line then about a single man.This history is trying to balance itself between a general history and that of a single family. In the end it reads more like a second year history reader for a couple of lectures then a detailed book about the family.
The author knows her business and seems to have a reasonable collection of proofs but it's a dry first hour.
"Kiff starts to stand out ..."
This really is an important over the first book. I normally hate series where the rules of magic change a couple of books in because the "God" of the run out out. This is well done. It's early in the series and actually gives the author and the characters a bit more play without being a "Holy Hand Graide" to solve all problems.
Kiff really becomes a "him" not just a shadow in this book. It's worth the credit for sure.
"History of the rediscovery of "On the Nature..""
I was first inducted to Greenblatt in a 4th year history course. This should not put anyone off but underlined that this a scholar work rather then a personal essay which the sample make it appear.
I would suggest hearing "On the Nature of Things", which is on audible first, Greenblatt does describable the text but more as a sample of what pleasures you might enjoy rather as a summary.
This book is rather about the effort in the 15th and 16th century to rediscovery the great works of Greek and Rome by the humanists. It is interesting and a reminder of why we should keep printing books and teaching our children to write with a pen and not just with a keyboard.
Mr. Ballerini voice is very well suited to this book and while I can not comment on his ability with the Itailon and Latin to the untrained ear it was very enjoyable.
"Inside the mind of Anxiety Attack"
I couldn't get by the first 30 mins of this. I suffer from depression and anxiety and while the drugs are effective this book is written in such a style that the reader feels that they are within the mind of a suffer of anxiety. It could be a interesting story but given the mood of the book I suggest passing.
The title is correct the main character really is suffering from the games of her own mind.