The Historian
By Elizabeth Kostova
This is a book I’d never heard of before coming across it on Goodreads Bookswap, which is a shame, because it’s a gem. Most of the vampire stories that have come out recently have been along the lines of Twilight – at the most basic, a human falling in love with a vampire. And that’s fine, those can be entertaining and enjoyable. But they do get a bit old after a few. The Historian, quite refreshingly, did NOT follow that vein. It is an investigative journey spanning decades, delving into the root and history of vampirism and in particular the ‘original’ vampire, Vlad Tepes, aka. Vlad Drakul, aka. Dracula. It shifts narrators (and decades) between a professor of history, a student of his turned diplomat, and the diplomat’s 18-year-old daughter, each sucked into the mystery and intrigue surrounding Dracula. They are all bound together in an insatiable (albeit dangerous) quest for knowledge, and Kostova weaves together history and fiction seamlessly. I have no idea if the history (aside from elements of vampirism) is accurately portrayed, but my guess would be the author did some painstaking research from the level of detail conveyed. I don’t want to say too much more here, because I’m not sure how to talk about plot elements, etc. without spoilers. Suffice to say that I enjoyed this book immensely, and highly recommend it. The only ‘down’ points are that sometimes the history is a bit dry (though never for long, thankfully) and some plot holes are never filled (though the narrator offers an excuse for this in the preface/beginning).
I give it 4/5 stars.
Artemis Fowl (Artemis Fowl #1)
By Eoin Colfer
Before I get into this, let me say this: I am aware this is a YA book. I often read (and quite enjoy) YA. So my dislike for this book is not based on it’s target age. My dislike is based on the fact that it is so contrived and over-explained. Just because a person is young (for example, age 12, like the title character) does not mean they’re too stupid to grasp basic plot elements. If you foreshadow something once, that’s enough; you do not need to foreshadow it 5 times just because it’s a YA audience. The characters are mostly flat stereotypes – the bulky bodyguard, the girl (fairy, in this case) in a male-dominated profession, the kid ignored/abandoned by his parents. Artemis, who could and should be the most interesting character, is given surprisingly little page time, relatively. We learn almost nothing about his character other than he’s smart. The dialogue is atrocious – it sounds like it’s been copy & pasted from bad B-movies. Which may have been the intent, but it doesn’t work. The plot is predictable, which can happen and still result in an enjoyable read, but this one was so foreshadowed to death at every turn it was annoying. The author was also a bit preachy on the perils of alcohol, and saving the environment – both viewpoints I agree with, but I resent being badgered about it. Saving graces: a few funny moments/lines, and it was a really quick read, so I didn’t waste too much time on it.
I give it 2/5 stars.
Path of Fate (Path #1)
By Diana Pharaoh Francis
This one started a bit slow, but was worth the effort. There are some motifs I’ve come across many times before in fantasy: orphan protagonist, companion animals that humans mind-meld with, evil mages, an initially-disliked romantic interest. That said, it was still a fresh read. The protagonist (Reisil) is very sympathetic, and stronger than she thinks. The interactions from her companion animal, a hawk named Saljane, were (somehow) believably bird-like; I’m not sure how that was accomplished, exactly, but I liked it. Reisil’s healing skills and reluctance to follow the path of the ahalad-kaaslane (wandering judge-warrior-explorer) with Saljane add an interesting twist and perspective to things. The feud between the two countries highlighted in the story isn’t as fully fleshed out as it could be, but suffices. I did like that the deities of the two nations were real entities and made appearances; it brought a nice level of consequence to those in the book claiming to do things in their name. This first book ended in a good place; there’s still quite a bit of mystery and a few unresolved points – enough to make me want to read the next book, but not enough to make me frustrated with this first one.
I give it 3.5/5 stars.
A Talent for War (Alex Benedict #1)
By Jack McDevitt
I’ve read other works by McDevitt (the Priscilla Hutchins/Academy series, Eternity Road, Ancient Shores) and been impressed, so I finally got around to trying out his other series. The Talent for War is the first book in it, and while it is part of a series (which I haven’t read yet, so am not sure how it fits in) it could easily stand alone. Alex Benedict is left a puzzle by his late uncle that leads him to dig into events surrounding humanity’s latest war and greatest hero. McDevitt is a master of pacing, and keeps things moving and interesting, even though the protagonist spends a good deal of time doing what could be boring investigative work and traveling. Alex himself is a very likeable character, if reluctant investigator, and is good for a few snarky asides that made me chuckle. The plot has well-done nuances of political and emotional agendas, and wraps up almost everything nicely. My main issue with it, without going into spoilers, is one significant supporting character whose presence and actions aren’t really adequately explained. Also, regarding the alien race whom the latest war was with, and whom also have a stake in Alex’s investigation – it’s never really clear whether they are actually as malicious as the book’s history would have you believe. Though I also kind of like that the ‘bad guys’ aren’t clear cut bad guys; it gives the fiction a touch of realism, since things in real life are rarely clear cut black-and-white. Overall, a very engaging read, and I look forward to seeing how the series continues.
Also: proof that I read science fiction as well as fantasy!
I give it 4/5 stars.
Midnight Never Come
By Marie Brennan
“England flourishes under the hand of its Virgin Queen: Elizabeth, Gloriana, last and most powerful of the Tudor monarchs. But a great light casts a great shadow. In hidden catacombs beneath London, a second Queen holds court: Invidiana, ruler of faerie England, and a dark mirror to the glory above. In the thirty years since Elizabeth ascended her throne, fae and mortal politics have become inextricably entwined, in secret alliances and ruthless betrayals whose existence is suspected only by a few.” – back cover blurb
Ok, I’ll be honest. When I started this book, my hopes were not too high. The first few chapters, all we really learn about the two main characters (the fae Lune and the human Michael Devon) is that they are ambitious. And for me, that’s not the most engaging characteristic. Luckily, things took a turn for the better. There’s intrigue, magic, a dire mystery, thwarted love, and a few surprising reveals. It hits upon a few well-known historical events to give it weight and realism. The characters ended up likable and somewhat relatable, if not the most fully developed. And it has this going for it: I did not guess some of the major plot elements ahead of time (which is generally a problem when I read fantasy, as it tends to follow a pattern). Now whether that means the author was being particularly subtle, or the plot took some unconnected twists, I’m not decided on yet. Regardless, it ended up a very entertaining and enjoyable read.
I give it 3.5/5 stars.
I’ve been scrutinizing characters that I love lately, in order to improve my own writing. It’s made me realize that all of the fantasy characters whose series I’m addicted to are pretty bad-ass. I mean, they kind of have to be to survive in their worlds long enough to be a series rather than a standalone book, but that doesn’t make them any less bad-ass. They also all have some interesting personality quirks, a clue that part of the reason they are so lovable is because of the depth their authors imparted them with. So I thought I’d compile a list of my top 5 favorite fantasy badasses, and take a look at what makes them tick.
***Please note that this list contains some spoilers! I tried to keep any such tidbits vague in nature, but there are probably some spoiler bits nonetheless.***
1. Vlad Taltos (from the Vlad Taltos series by Steven Brust)
Role: Assassin. Witch. Minor noble of the house of Jhereg. Resident smartass.
Badassery: He’s an assassin with a pet dragonling and some unique enchanted (intelligent?) weapons who can also use witchcraft, and who is always good for a smartass remark or ten. If that’s not enough, he’s faced off against both gods and the enemies of the gods alike and come out alive. He’s a personal friend of the current Empress, and the legendary Enchantress of Dzur, among others. He ends up marrying a fellow assassin who initially was hired to kill him (charisma!). He has a deep-seated appreciation for fine food and wine, as well as a good kup of klava (coffee), and still makes time to regularly visit his grandfather. He’s got a knack for unraveling intricate plots, which usually lands him in trouble – his streak of luck might only be an inch wide, but runs a mile long.
Companions: Loiosh, a sarcastic dragonlike creature (jhereg) with whom Vlad can communicate telepathically.
Trademarks: A jhereg or two riding on his shoulders. Being the only human among a crowd of elf-like Dragaerans. Knives; lots and lots of knives.
2. Phédre nò Delauney de Montrève (from the Kushiel series by Jacqueline Carey)
Role: Servant of Naamah (courtesan). Countess. Spy. Diplomat. Chosen of Kushiel/anguisette (masochist). Fashionista.
Badassery: Her beauty and personality combined to tempt the man she loved away from his sacredly-held vows of chastity. She is beautiful enough that men have beggared themselves for a night with her, but her beauty also makes people underestimate her intellect. She has a mind like a razor, is hyper-observant to the extreme, and can speak countless languages. And she’s tough; being Kushiel’s Chosen means she can/has to handle pain – and she likes it. She has literally been skinned alive, and not only survived (she has a special knack for survival) but stopped a war with the skin still hanging off her back. She singlehandedly killed the living avatar of a deathly evil with nothing but a hairpin, and channeled the name of God to tame a fallen angel. She is personal friends with rulers of several countries, and other powers-that-be as well. She has an uncanny ability to win any bet she makes.
Companions: Joscelin, her warrior-priest bodyguard. Hyacinth, her childhood friend. Kushiel, the god always riding behind her eyes (he comes out in flashes of bronze wings and keys)
Trademarks: The briar rose tattoo that spans her entire back. The speck of bright blood red in her eye (Kushiel’s Dart). Always being stunningly dressed enough to set court fashions.
3. Harry Dresden (from the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher)
Role: Wizard. Private Investigator. Freelancer for the Chicago Police Department.
Badassery: Harry has lots of raw power, stubbornness, and luck. He’s very observant (except when it comes to women he likes), and chivalrous to a fault. He does not take well to being bullied, and often makes smartass remarks without thinking. He has balls enough to advertise as ‘Wizard’ in the yellow pages, and deal with all the crap that brings him. He literally has a faerie godmother, though that is often more problematic than helpful. He stopped a war between the faerie courts that would’ve destroyed the world. He managed to best a den full of vampires on their own turf. He has made a deal with Mab, the Queen of Air and Darkness, and survived. He bested his mentor-turned-black-wizard in a magical duel as a mostly untrained teenager. He has a habit of thumbing his nose at pretty much everyone at some point or another, but isn’t dead yet.
Companions: Bob, a encyclopedic but lewd spirit that lives in a skull in Harry’s basement. Toot-Toot, a pizza-loving pixie. Karen Murphy, Chicago PD’s head of Special Investigations. Mister, his abnormally large tomcat.
Trademarks: Long black leather duster jacket. Blasting rod and staff, and pentacle necklace. General disheveled appearance.
4. FitzChivalry Farseer (from the Farseer and Tawny Man trilogies by Robin Hobb)
Role: Bastard son of the dead, much-beloved prince. Assassin. Magic-user. White Prophet’s Catalyst.
Badassery: He can go all berserker-like during a fight. He can talk to animals with his mind (the Wit) and also use the hereditary Farseer magic (the Skill), despite the initial crippling of his Skill by the hated Skillmaster Galen. He lived through his own execution. He helped save the race of dragons from extinction. He has uncovered and foiled numerous plots against the throne, helped forge a royal alliance, and helped win a war. He’s so badass, people half a world away carved a ship’s prow in his likeness. He let himself essentially be possessed by the dying prince Verity (his uncle) in order to beget a royal child with the queen, then later served as mentor and teacher to the young/new prince. He feels things deeply, and is intensely loyal.
Companions: Nighteyes, a wolf with whom Fitz can communicate telepathically and who is his constant friend/partner. The Fool, a jester type who knows far more than he should, and more than he ever lets on.
Trademarks: Wolf at his side. Noticeably broken-and-set nose. Streak of white in his hair (leads to his pseudonym Tom Badgerlock).
5. Kvothe (from The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss)
Role: Orphan. Gypsy (Edema Ruh). Bard. Arcanist. Legend that stories are told about. Innkeeper.
Badassery: Youngest student ever admitted to The University/Arcanum. He can play almost any instrument (though partial to the lute) and sing really well. He is really good at magic, whether sympathy, naming or artificing. He convinced the reclusive Adem to teach him their secret fighting techniques. He has (so far) bested his nemesis Ambrose time after time. He has survived more than one encounter with the mythical and deadly Chandrian. He was seduced and ensnared by the legendary Fae lady Felurian, and not only survived but bested her with magic and won a special cloak. He has a penchant for collecting impressive nicknames: Kvothe the Bloodless, Kvothe Six-String, etc. He is a bit arrogant and quick to anger, with a tongue as sharp as his wit. But he shows signs of wisdom in that in the narrative he’s retired (for yet unknown reasons) to own an inn, and renamed his sword Folly. This series is not yet fully published, so I’m sure there’s more badassery to come – such as the whole ‘Kingkiller’ bit.
Companions: Bast, a being of the Fae who resides at the inn as Kvothe’s assistant/student.
Trademarks: Red hair. Green eyes that change color slightly when he’s angry. Ever-present lute.
Scar Night (Deepgate Codex #1)
By Alan Campbell
I wasn’t too impressed with this one. I had high hopes, from the jacket text, but ultimately it was just too disjointed for me. I’m not even sure how to sum it up. There’s questions of mortality, the soul, angels, religion, warfare, etc… but it’s all kind of jumbled, and set in a really dark world, where even the inhabitants of the place view life as pointless. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with a dark setting in and of itself; but if the setting’s going to be that dark, then I really need to be able to connect to a character to get pulled into a book and care about what happens. That was not the case here. It may just be that since the characters didn’t really seem to care about their own lives or existence, I saw no reason to either. Well, I did like Dill with his color-changing eyes, but he never really DID anything. And the end was just odd. I don’t know. This one just didn’t do it for me. It was, however, very well written with some great imagery, so it has that going for it. I probably won’t be picking up the rest of the series, though.