Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett

Guards! Guards!

By Terry Pratchett

There are Guards... and there are guards... sometimes the situation just needs to force one to become the other. The city watch in Ankh-Morpork was a bit of a joke. With the Thieves Guild monitoring leagal theory and illegal thevory themselves... and the Assassins Guild also watching there line of work... there leaves a lot less work for a normal hard working man to sort out. And when you do stick your nose into trouble threes not a lot you can do with only three other men to back you up. The general populous had stopped respecting the city watch and so had the city watch themselves... until Carrot arrived. 

A Dwarth who was lacking a bit of the hight requirement to be truly a Dwarth went to the city to be a Guard. He came proudly, with a very simple, old sward, a book of laws and a Protector. By the time he got to the city he knew the book of law's better than anyone... which proved complicated in arresting people since they didn't know there was a law against that which they were doing... 

This is a story about a group of men proving there value to a different society. They learn themselves why they are important to the city at the same time they are showing the city that they are important. The story diffidently feels <i>older</i> compared too many other disk world books. From what i can tell its the 8th book written and the first introductions of the City Watch characters, which would be why it feels this way having read other books about them first. 

I would have liked it if the main story was resolved by them axially arresting the bad guys (instead of the bad guys getting destroyed by there own actions) just because it is about the importance of the City Watch doing there job and all that but they did get to do some real policing, as well as become a much more prominent force in the city by the end of the story. 

What Ho, Automaton!

What Ho, Automaton!

By Chris Dolley

     This is a short and sweet steam punk mystery. Consisting of one very short tail of how the main character, Reggie Worcester and how he becomes to be acquainted with the Automation Reeves. The first little story and the way the second started gave me the feeling that the book was to be a set of a few short story, not just one that was a chapter long and the rest of the book covering another.  I liked the idea of this, but no just the two adventures are present. 

     Reggie is a young Englishmen, loving his bachelorhood and intrigued when he comes across a situation that seems odd. He decides to find the root of the problem announcing himself as a "consulting detective." Feeling that with all his reading of Sherlock homes story's he is the perfect man for the job. Especially with his talent for seeing the connection to the (extremely) unusual. 

     This is a cute short adventure where all seems odd and everyone seems steps ahead of the main character.  Who sees connections to things from nowhere... The story tries to be connected to the first short tail but doesn't really feel like it quite gets that connection, and the end feels about as out there as any of Reggie's odd ideas... 

     I think I would have liked this a fair bit more if there was at least one more little adventure in the book, it fell like it just kinda ended in the middle of things. But its a short, 140 page book you can find for 2.99 and that is the best kind of e-book's out there. 

Darkspell by Katharine Kerr

Darkspell

by Katharine Kerr

     Jill's story continues as she follows Rdhery into his exile as a Silver Dagger. Much happier with the life than he is she know just how to make life on the road work. Gilding her man to his next job and making shure he doesn't drink away the money. Nevyn has not lost hope at giving Jill her chance at her true ward but there are dark people out in the world still. 

     This story continues off from where the last one left. It has the same feel, though I am finding myself more interested in the present timeline. For some reason I find it much more interesting... even when one of the lives Jill had was a war Priest... its just more interesting... 

     Still uses the same words now and again... they aren't that imposing or anything I just think we could have been fine without them... 

Daggerspell By Katharine Kerr

Daggerspell

by   Katharine Kerr

     The world is harsh for young Gillian, the life on the road as the daughter of a Silver Dagger is no true life for a young lass. Though truth be told she wishes for no other.  Loving the sights and sounds and the life on the road more than any other girl would. Feeling comfortable enough in boys clothing and enduring her fathers sometimes harsh moods. 

     Her life was never simple for that was not her wyrd. Her fate  has been twisted together with a few other people for many lifetimes and there is a chance that this time she will live it out to its true potential. With help from another who is entwined to her, Nevyn - no one- the old herb man who is so much more, and the lord who has loved her for so many lifetimes. 

     This story is told over a few of Jill's lifetimes, and you are introduced to Nevyn and his actions that led him to his very long life. It is a interesting way of a story being told, one character who lives forever watching and guiding the others in the ways he can. At the very start I there is a clear chapter like marking them though there isn't really normal numbered chapters. 

     This world has a magic that is a simple and practical kind. The basic ideas of it aren't too complicated and it's simple to follow the ideas of what is going on. The majority of the world does not generally know of it or realizes when it is being used around them. In the present timeline Dweomer is starting to make itself known to the general people of the world. Just slowly. 

     The Arther chose to use words that are a kind of made up Celtic - I am likely being unfair to her, it likely took a lot of work to do... it adds a little but not that much. I just don't feel the need, when a choice like this requires three pages of non-story to explain these words AND a glossary at the end... it just feels un-needed... I read the words in my way anyways (Nevyn sounding more like Neville in my head) that I don't know why she bothered... I don't think the gain out weighed the work she likely put into it... 

     The story though is a good one. I just now realized that it is just the beginning of a very long series (15 books). Heres hoping I can find more.
    

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - Dawn of the Dreadfulls

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - Dawn of the Dreadfuls

by  Steve Hockensmith

    

    Every story has a beginning, the Dreadfuls weren't always just a part of an English girl's life. Even the five Bennett girls had a regular life at one point in time. Yet to their mother's horror it wasn't their fate to just grow up to be proper young ladies with nice families. They were meant to protect themselves and England.
     This story takes place before the events in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. It shows when the girls all took up their swords and first learned about the threat of Dreadfuls to there world. We see them grow into themselves and accepting who they are as the rest of there world is also forced into accepting them too.
     Their father is a more central character in this story, with their mother just being there to swoon in the background. He accepts what must be done much better than anyone else. The girls go along with this new path that is presented to them.
     I love the way Mary and Kitty continue to be so completely girls, tittering and gossiping while still chopping off zombies' (Dreadfuls! a lady doesn't use the Z word) heads. But on a whole the story is a bit disappointing. It doesn't have the wonderful Jane Austen feel that the original had, nor use language in the same beautiful way.
     It's a fun book but it doesn't quite match the wonderful parody that the first one created. Though that book did set the mark very high.

Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter by Seth Graham-Smith

Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter 

by Seth Graham-Smith

     Abraham Lincoln was Bad Ass! We all know this to be true. The truth of HOW bad ass now that is completely new news. The fact that his fight against slaves was not only because of his belief in the ideas of america and that all men (and women) have an inherent right to be free, but also because of his oath to rid America of Vampires and the hold on the south that the slaves gave them.
    The story is told by Seth Graham as he tells us about a set of Journals that were given to him for this very purpose. Those connected to the events felt it was about time we know what really happened. The life and death situation that was truly fought over during the American civil war.  How one amazing man effected us all.

Any Witch Way by, Annastaysia Savage

Any Witch Way

by, Annastaysia Savage

  This is a coming of age story... a girl feels an outcast and alone only to find she is a witch and the center of a great battle. It's realy kinda pridictible. It's not bad realy, and I probably would have it enjoyed it well enouth in grade 6. I guess it just feel's done too death now, and done really well too. You can't recreate Harry Potter any better than Harry Potter...
  That being said I really do think the grade 6 me would have liked it. It's got all the things needed, a relatable  young girl finds power in herself she never expected right when she needed it the most. War happens, she saves the world, everyone is happy. It happens a little to fast for my real liking. I think one of the really good parts about Harry Potter is there is a lot of time on other things his life, the school. Adventure and danger happen... but under a more realistic time frame... this makes everything feel like it happened in a week.
  I am sad that I cant find anything really good to say because I really feel meh about it. Not good or bad... just smack dab in the middle. A real 3 out of 5 is the best way to describe my feelings...

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

by Jane Austen and Seth Graham-smith

     "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains." How can a book starting with such a perfect statement of fact not be wonderful.
     England has been hit with some kind of deadly sickness which gives the dead and buried the power to dig themselves out from the ground and wonder around England in search of brains. But even in such condition this doesn't prevent nice young ladies, who are very able to protect themselves and there home, from the expected curtsies of the proper social code.
     It is hard to say what really makes this story work so well. Every part of it fits so very well. The language and setting feel realistic and natural. The way the people feel towards the plague is acceptance and annoyance. Zombies are just part of the way of England now. They are a bit of an annoyance but they are nothing to be frightened of, good for a nice country hunt. I love the calm acceptance of every incident with them. They are so everyday and unexciting, barley to be taken notice of. Especially when compared to men and a marriage.
     The end of the book asks Some scholars believe that the zombies were a last-minute addition to the novel, requested by the publisher in a shameless attempt to boost sales. Others argue that the horde of living dead are integral to Jane Austen's plot and social commentary. What do you think? Can you imagine what this novel might be like without the violent zombie mayhem? No zombies I say? Who would ever want to read a story about silly girls trying to please some man who is higher in status then them... The violent zombie mayhem brings the whole story a reason to happen... or at least me a reason to read it... though I might check out a copy without the zombies, if someone were so inclined to write such a tale.

(P.S Did you know that Zombies commonly mistake Cauliflower for brains? Apparently it makes great bate in Zombie traps since they stop to devourer it and then you can shoot them in the head.)

Tarantula Woman, by Donald O’Donovan

Tarantula Woman,

by Donald O’Donovan

     An American writer lives on the Mexican side of the border, spending most of his life floating around Mariscal Street A place also known as the Boulevard of Broken Dreams. He spends his days writing letters to the many men who the whores pay special attention too, or whatever random job he has found at any given time. His nights are spent wondering from club to club with his good friend Roscoe and ending is one of the many girls’ bedrooms. Though he cares for one the most, Ysela; a girl with a Tarantula on her shoulder as well as one for a personality. She still is and always will be a whore.     

     This story is not about the Tarantula woman… giving her the place in the title still this feels a little odd to me. She doesn’t axially show up in the story for a good 40 pages. The story is the author’s story, as he wonders around Mexico and try’s to find a place where he belongs. He moves from job to job, living space to living space. Trying to be a writer in some sense of the word and trying to find his place.

       The story it’s self isn’t that intriguing. Not a lot happens and I found it jumps from location to location, as well as the amount of time that has passed in between each chapter a fair bit.  What this story does give you is a true sense of the life of the pore in Mexico. Those that are the lowest of the low, who do everything and everything they can to get just enough food for today, to have that place to sleep for the night. It shows you how those in that situation have hope. They have nothing but still believe there is a way for them to get out. To get to a better place… they just have to find it.  Some even do.

     The other thing with this novel is it takes an odd (and what could be done very wrong) topic of a man who visits whore houses continually, in a very classy way. It’s not crude or explicit at all. It doesn’t hid or deny what is going on. But it’s described in the same voice as cooking chilly. As if it’s just part of life.  

     Overall I didn’t really enjoy reading this book, but I think there are some who might. It’s a little odd and all over the place for me, thought I think I saw what the author was trying to show me.  

The Old Man and the Sea by: Ernest Hemingway

The Old Man and the Sea

by: Ernest Hemingway

     There is an old man, this old man is a fisherman. He has always been a fisherman. It defines him completely. The problem is that he is also now old. Which is another good way to describe him. Being old doesn't really help much because he still needs to fish. It's a bit harder to do.
     Before reading it I was told that nothing happens... and really nothing does happen... but it happens in a quite an interesting way. The man goes alone out in his boat and fishes... he catches his first fish in 85 days yet getting it under his control is another problem all together. There is a boy who cares about the old man a lot. He used to help the old man but doesn't now because his parents think the old man unlucky. The old man misses his help greatly.
     This is a very unique story, the content of the story is not very interesting or important. Whats important is the wording, the way the old man talks and thinks get's into your head. You can really feel his age, how everything is so much harder, but he just goes on. He does what he needs to do, he always has and isn't about to stop now.
     I found the story really sad, its hard for us who are younger to imagine being old. So old that our body gives up on us.  Its also hard to understand why a man so old would try to continue on working so hard everyday, even when nothing comes of it. The story is one of dedication. Dedication of an old man to continuing to do what he has done forever. Dedication of a young boy to an old man who taught him everything he knows. Its a very simple story, and not that long to. Worth the time to check it out. 

The Book Review Blog

For about six months now I have been writing book reviews on each book I read. I have also resently discovered that www.librarything.com will give you review copies to read and review on there sight. I have my first book from them I am reading now. Since I have noticed that real blogs are very subject orientated, as apposed to the mash up that is my interests on my original blog (Daydream Creations) I thought I would move the book revieuws that I do here so that people who might axualy be interested in reading book riuiews could find them and not be stuck with the random things I write about my daily life. So here we go. It will take me a little bit to move the book reviews I have already done here. As wells as decide what I would like this page to look like. Hopeful by the time anyone really looks at this page that will be all done.

So.... Apparently bring the older review posts over from the other blog was a lot easier than I expected... isn't that convenient.

The Guests of War trilogy

The Guests of War Trilogy

by: Kit Pearson

     War is an all encompassing event. It effects the every day people who it is happing around to such a great extent that those who haven't been in it don't even understand. The Guests of War Trilogy is three books that follow the effects that world war had on two very young children. The trilogy by Kit Pearson follows the lives of Norah and Gavin Stoakes as they are sent away to Canada when there parents are hoping to save them from the effects world war II is having on England.

     The first book is called The Sky is Falling. It is told from the perspective of Norah. She is ten and all her life all she has know is the war. She wan't more than anything to be helpful like her older sisters but she is still a child and doesn't realize the full danger that even she can feel. She is devastated when her parents decide to send her and her 5 year old brother to Canada to be safe. Life is even harder when she feels that the family she is living with doesn't want her around. 

     This story is very honest about the way a child feels about the danger around them. They know and feel more than there parents understand. They want to be brave and helpful. Don't want there friends to think they are cowards or are running away. Even when they really are scared. The trip to Canada wasn't an easy one, and then to over hear the wrong words being said by adults doesn't help a kid feel comfortable and welcome. The descriptions of Toronto locations paints a clear picture, expectingly to those of us who know Toronto well. It's fun to feel the excitement of a kid who's learning about the great parts of Canada traditions. I am finding that I like reading books about Toronto a lot. It's a really easy setting for me to read about and it's fun to know exactly where they are to more extent than just a map. 

     The second book, Looking at the Moon, takes place when Norah has lived in Canada for three years. It is summer vacation and they are spending at a cottage in Muskoka. Norah loves this cottage more than anything in the world she feels so safe and free. A distant Cousin who she hasn't me before is about to come visit, but the glowing admiration for him from everyone in the family makes her decide that he can't possibly be that perfect and that she hats him. His carefree kindness makes this a rather hard thing to do, especially when she finds her heart having a different plan. 

     This story is a lot of the normal "growing up" story's. A girl has a crush on someone much older, how couldn't possibly feel the way she does. Even if he cares about her as a friend. There is the added pressure of the war and its presence on her family. Both her Host and real family. The strain that young men all over the world felt about being forced into joining a war, being people they don't want to be because they felt the need to protect those they cared about. We who are safe and secure always think that if no one fought there would be no war... but there will always be people who feel strongly about there vision for the world. If those that disagree don't fight the ones who want to harm us will win. 

     The Lights go on Again, focus on Gaven. Gaven is Ten. He is the same age as Norah was when they came to Canada and is about to be faced with the same kinds of problems she first had when arriving here. The war is coming to an end and he is getting really worried. All he clearly remembers about England is the feeling of continuous fear. The idea of returning to the family who all tell him is his but he doesn't know in anything but letters is a scary idea. He longs to stay in Canada but doesn't know how to tell this to people. 

     It's hard to move so far away from those you know care about you. When you aren't even old enough to remember the people who are your family going back to them feels as scary as it was leaving in the first place.  Seeing Gaven's struggle about where his future would take him felt very true and real. 

     I personally know a lady who was sent to Canada as a child during this same war. She stayed here after, her own personal story lost in the ages like so many others. This trilogy gives a good feel, even if it is fictional, of what life was like to take such a journey for safety.