Review: All Men of Genius

All Men of Genius by Lev AC Rosen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This was a terrific book, combining Twelfth Night, The Importance of Being Earnest, with a dash of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and a hint of Harry Potter.

When the novel started out I thought it was a young adult and a British boarding school invokes memories of Harry Potter but then as the plot evolved the writing seemed to transform to more adult almost a comedy of manners with a steampunk setting.

I saw the action orientated finale coming a long way before it flowered. Once we knew Violet was making a "Gundam" and Violio an army of androids it seemed kind of obvious that she'd save the day but it in no way spoiled the fun of the story, and the all the interesting characters.



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Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn

Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Loved all four books of the Asian fantasy series, and any fans of Shogun are sure to enjoy this series.

...

I just finished rereading the novel and feel very differently from the other people who’ve already posted in the SF & Fantasy Thread. I think this book written by a westerner is very Japanese, I believe that’s why it is paced the way it is. Sure love at first sight is unbelievable but imagine a fifteen year old girl, forced to marry against her will. She is dreading meeting the old man who’ll force himself upon her. Suddenly she’s filled with relief when she sees the young man who she believes is to be her husband, may it isn’t love at first sight as much as relief at first sight.



I don’t believe that good fantasy has to have a twist ending. When Frodo picked up the ring and headed to Mordor, I had no doubt that he’d arrive and destroy the ring but I’ve read and reread LOTR enough times to make it an all time favorite.





Keep reading if you like ninjas and pirates, there’s only four more books to go.





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Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Ann McCaffrey's death last week got me thinking about Pern again, so I'm re-reading Dragonsong, the first book in the Harper's series which was my favorite part of the Pern saga when I first read it back in the 70's when I was in HS.

It's a very fast read, not very fleshed out but a decent intro to the more detailed second and third novels.



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Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffrey

Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffrey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I wonder if JK Rowling read Dragonsinger before she wrote the Harry potter series. Dragonsinger reminds me of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. The protagonists are each regarded as inadequate by their families, in Harry’s case an Aunt and Uncle in Menolly’s by her biological parents. Harry however when he reaches Hogwarts finds that he has a special talent for Quidditch and is infamous as the child who survives an assassination attempt as a baby. Menolly not only has her song writing skill and musical ability she’s also the owner of nine fire lizards. Both are protected by the head of the school, Professor Dumbledore and Masterharper Robinton. Both by they’re very existence rub certain teachers and students the wrong way and both are the objects of both envy and prejudice.

For the reasons stated above I’d recommend the Harper Hall series to fans of Harry Potter who may never have heard of the series I’m sure they will find a lot to like.




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The Paladin

The Paladin by C.J. Cherryh

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I read this after I voted for it in the SciFi and Fantasy Book Club poll for December, it looks like it doesn't have much chance of being picked and I a huge fan of CJ Cherryh, Asian culture and ancient warfare. This book didn't disappoint, it really could have been split into two books the first a master/apprentice tale and the second an action packed war story. I'd recommend this book highly to fans of The Tales of the Otori series by Lian Hearn.



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Anansi Boys

Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The more Neil Gaiman I read, the more he reminds me of Douglas Adams, not the subject matter or style, rather it's how I feel when I read either one them, just extremely happy. Seeing how Douglas can't write me a new novel I hope that Neil hurries and writes another soon.

Anansi Boys was a terrific followup to American Gods, a bit lighter and with a story web that was extremely interesting and that's what I want when I read, something interesting.



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How To Live Forever by Colin Thompson

How To Live Forever by Colin Thompson

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This kid's picture book is terrific, with outstanding extremely detailed artwork and a fantasy story of a boy searching a living library for a book that promises immortality.


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Bridge of Birds: A Novel of an Ancient China That Never Was by Barry Hughart

Bridge of Birds: A Novel of an Ancient China That Never Was by Barry Hughart

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoyed the book and I think any fans of Terry Pratchett will also enjoy it. The two main character's are funny and interesting, Number Ten Ox the narrator of the story and Li Kao a drunken wiseman and ancient scholar with a "slight flaw in his character" try to save the children of Ten Ox's village from a strange plague that has befallen them. They must travel all over China in search of a cure and defeat all manner of puzzles and monsters.


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Moonheart Moonheart by Charles deLint

Moonheart by Charles deLint

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This novel is of course magical, because other wise it wouldn't be an Urban Fantasy, but it's also very musical.



From the Author's Note.

" this book was written under the influence of Alan Stivell, Andreas Vollenweider, Neville Marriner, An Triskell, Edgar Froese, Klaus Schultz, Radio Silence, Robin Williamson, Silly Wizard, the Fureys, and Kate Bush-to name the most prominent"



I too had my mp3 player dancing with Celtic tunes as I read the book, the music references peppered throughout the novel are almost a subliminal influence forcing you to listen to some Celtic tunes as you read.

Aside from that I loved the way that the author has integrated European legends and mythology with North American mythology, throwing in a healthy does of Taoism to boot makes for a very satisfying setting and story. The main characters are both believable and likeable; the human villains are a little one dimensional but that’s a small quibble for such a terrific novel.


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Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1) Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn

Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Loved all four books of the Asian fantasy series, and any fans of Shogun are sure to enjoy this series. While the setting isn't medieval Japan, all the character's could have stepped out of the Shogun's household either as ninja assassins or magic users. This first book introduces us to Takeo, a boy who's village is destroyed by the currently ruling Shogun.


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