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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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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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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War for the Oaks by Emma Bull

War for the Oaks by Emma Bull

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Terrific book from the introduction straight through to the appendix where the author includes scenes from a screenplay that she and her husband Will Shetterly wrote, scenes that didn't appear in the book.

Aside from the great extras this story has everything I'm looking for in an Urban Fantasy book, a quick introduction to the magic that makes it "Fantasy" and great characters that you really care about. I read this because it's a URBAN FANTASY GROUP BOOK OF THE MONTH -February Group Read. A terrific choice by it's members that's why I joined the group to get different recommendations of great books to read.


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