House Rules
By Jodi Picoult
Atria (2010)
Hardcover, 544 pages
Rated 4 Stars of 5 possible
The kaleidoscopic viewpoint used in House Rules gives the story an interesting perspective... each of the main character tells his/her part of each chapter in alternating turns, including the autistic young man who has been accused of murder. It is a pretty interesting look into Autisim spectrum disorders in general and, specifically, Asperger's syndrome. Jacob Hunt takes everything quite literally and interprets each situation he encounters in terms of the five basic house rules his mother has taught him.
While I had previously read excerpts from several Jodi Picoult's early novels, this is the first time I've read a book of hers in its entirety. As expected, it is a page-turner. The writing is well-done and the research impeccable. The author uses suspense to draw the reader ever-deeper into the story; instilling doubt (Did Jacob kill his social-skills tutor? or did Jacob's brother, Theo, kill the young woman? Was someone else involved?) and resolving questions as the story develops. I love the way she incorporated a short synopsis of high profile, real-life cases at the beginning of each main chapter, which helped to highlight Jacob's interest in forensics.
Recommended first for the author's fans, second for those who have an interest in forensics or Autism, and third for those who haven't yet experienced reading a novel written by this author. This review has simultaneously been posted on Amazon.com, Dragonviews and LibraryThing.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Strangely Humorous
Maxxed Out
David Collins
William Morrow (2009)
Hardcover, 320 pages
Rated 4 stars of 5 possible
Billionnaire Robert Maxx does not want to be seen as a nice guy. He wants to be seen as a winner. With the scruples of a rat, Maxx does not mind trampling the litte guys on his way to the top. Except that now, his empire, built on a framework of lies, is crumbling. His finances are a mess and he needs a huge loan to acquire Rockefeller Center... and has nowhere to turn.
Maxxed Out examines the day-to-day dealings of big business and portrays one thoroughly unlikeable guy (Robert Maxx) beside a few more likeable characters. While the book isn't particularly long, it is also not fast-paced. The motivations and the lives of the characters are examined in so far as the characters interact with one another. Nearly everyone has a motive to kill Robert Maxx, and at least three people visited him on the last night of his life...
Recommended reading for those who would like a glimpse into the world of big business with a little bit of mystery attached. This review has been simultaneously published on Dragonviews and LibraryThing.
David Collins
William Morrow (2009)
Hardcover, 320 pages
Rated 4 stars of 5 possible
Billionnaire Robert Maxx does not want to be seen as a nice guy. He wants to be seen as a winner. With the scruples of a rat, Maxx does not mind trampling the litte guys on his way to the top. Except that now, his empire, built on a framework of lies, is crumbling. His finances are a mess and he needs a huge loan to acquire Rockefeller Center... and has nowhere to turn.
Maxxed Out examines the day-to-day dealings of big business and portrays one thoroughly unlikeable guy (Robert Maxx) beside a few more likeable characters. While the book isn't particularly long, it is also not fast-paced. The motivations and the lives of the characters are examined in so far as the characters interact with one another. Nearly everyone has a motive to kill Robert Maxx, and at least three people visited him on the last night of his life...
Recommended reading for those who would like a glimpse into the world of big business with a little bit of mystery attached. This review has been simultaneously published on Dragonviews and LibraryThing.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Family Loyalty
True Colors
By Kristin Hannah
St. Martin's Press (2009)
Hardcover, 400 pages
Rated 5 stars of 5 possible
True Colors is the story of loss and love, loyalty and faith. The three Grey sisters have learned to depend on each other since the loss of their mother many years before, until a stranger comes to town... Unlike the other residents of their small town, Vivi Ann Grey disregards the racial differences, befriending and then marrying Dallas Raintree, despite her father's venimous disapproval. When Dallas is arrested for the murder of a woman known to be his friend, the town residents say they knew he was no good. Only Vivi Ann is sure of her husband's innocence... but can she prove it?
Kristin Hannah handles the issues of racial discrimination and unjust imprisonment in a tasteful manner. This well-written novel is a page-turner from the beginning, with just enough suspense and action that keeps a reader on the edge of his or her seat, waiting to discover what happens next. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this entire novel, but from about the middle on through to the end, I literally could not put it down... It has been many years since I stayed up all night reading 200 straight pages... but with True Colors, there was no choice... I just couldn't stop.
True Colors is recommended for all readers age 17 and up who enjoy a well-written and suspense filled story. This review has been simultaneously published on Dragonviews and on LibraryThing.
By Kristin Hannah
St. Martin's Press (2009)
Hardcover, 400 pages
Rated 5 stars of 5 possible
True Colors is the story of loss and love, loyalty and faith. The three Grey sisters have learned to depend on each other since the loss of their mother many years before, until a stranger comes to town... Unlike the other residents of their small town, Vivi Ann Grey disregards the racial differences, befriending and then marrying Dallas Raintree, despite her father's venimous disapproval. When Dallas is arrested for the murder of a woman known to be his friend, the town residents say they knew he was no good. Only Vivi Ann is sure of her husband's innocence... but can she prove it?
Kristin Hannah handles the issues of racial discrimination and unjust imprisonment in a tasteful manner. This well-written novel is a page-turner from the beginning, with just enough suspense and action that keeps a reader on the edge of his or her seat, waiting to discover what happens next. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this entire novel, but from about the middle on through to the end, I literally could not put it down... It has been many years since I stayed up all night reading 200 straight pages... but with True Colors, there was no choice... I just couldn't stop.
True Colors is recommended for all readers age 17 and up who enjoy a well-written and suspense filled story. This review has been simultaneously published on Dragonviews and on LibraryThing.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Shoe Making From The Inside
Very Valentine
Adriana Trigiani
Harper (2009)
Hardcover, 384 pages
Rated 4 stars of 5 possible
The opening of Very Valentine is a wedding scene that should be both interesting and a little exciting, but not for me. I found the first chapter to be largely irrelevant; most of the characters quickly became annoying. I kept on reading only because friends of mine had said the story got better; and it did, but not until about the middle of chapter two. If I had been the editor, I'd have insisted on a re-write for the slow-paced and mostly boring opening chapters. As it was, I skipped most of chapter one and skimmed the first half of chapter two, until the real story got started... and then I couldn't put the book down.
Despite the poor opening of this book, I was quickly wrapped up in the lives of Valentine Roncalli and her family and friends. Gram Angelini nearly stole the show; In fact, I think she's probably my favorite character in the book. Valentine has several problems, most importantly, how to bring the Angelini Shoe Company into the 21st century, but also her stuffy and annoying big brother, Alfred Roncalli, who seems to only think of money and himself; (Alfred wants to shut down the unprofitable cobbler's shop) and Valentine's new boyfriend, Roman Falconi, engrossed in his own business; a new restaurant, which Roman puts ahead of his own and Valentine's happiness.
The ending of this first volume of Adriana Trigiani's new series takes the reader by surprise, but because there are two more volumes to come, there are the expected loose ends that lead into book 2 of the series. Very Valentine makes my recommended reading list for those who like a blend of comedy, romance, and an all-round good time reading a larger story carved into three segments.
This review is simultaneously published on Dragonviews and LibraryThing.
Adriana Trigiani
Harper (2009)
Hardcover, 384 pages
Rated 4 stars of 5 possible
The opening of Very Valentine is a wedding scene that should be both interesting and a little exciting, but not for me. I found the first chapter to be largely irrelevant; most of the characters quickly became annoying. I kept on reading only because friends of mine had said the story got better; and it did, but not until about the middle of chapter two. If I had been the editor, I'd have insisted on a re-write for the slow-paced and mostly boring opening chapters. As it was, I skipped most of chapter one and skimmed the first half of chapter two, until the real story got started... and then I couldn't put the book down.
Despite the poor opening of this book, I was quickly wrapped up in the lives of Valentine Roncalli and her family and friends. Gram Angelini nearly stole the show; In fact, I think she's probably my favorite character in the book. Valentine has several problems, most importantly, how to bring the Angelini Shoe Company into the 21st century, but also her stuffy and annoying big brother, Alfred Roncalli, who seems to only think of money and himself; (Alfred wants to shut down the unprofitable cobbler's shop) and Valentine's new boyfriend, Roman Falconi, engrossed in his own business; a new restaurant, which Roman puts ahead of his own and Valentine's happiness.
The ending of this first volume of Adriana Trigiani's new series takes the reader by surprise, but because there are two more volumes to come, there are the expected loose ends that lead into book 2 of the series. Very Valentine makes my recommended reading list for those who like a blend of comedy, romance, and an all-round good time reading a larger story carved into three segments.
This review is simultaneously published on Dragonviews and LibraryThing.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Interesting Confusion
Xenolith
A. Sparrow
Smashwords, (2009)
E-book, (PDF format) 217 pages
Rated 3 stars of 5 possible
Each of several characters is followed for part of the story. The transitions from one world? to another for unclear reasons assist the reader in becoming more confused as the story progresses. That said, most parts of the story remian interesting enough to complete the reading, however, connecting the sections about Frank, who had been searching for his wife, who has been missing for twenty years and his captor, Tezhay, with the sections about Seor and Canu and their compatriots didn't seem relevant... almost like there are two or even three stories that are interwoven into one but still separated or unclearly joined.
I wanted to like this story and enjoyed reading about Frank's search for his wife, but the parts regarding Seor and Canu and their compatriots interfered with that enjoyment a bit because of my not understanding why those characters were in the book at all. If there is a connection between the plot lines, making such connection more clear to the reader could be a good thing.
Xenolith was given to me free by the author in exchange for this review, which has been posted on Dragonviews and LibraryThing.
A. Sparrow
Smashwords, (2009)
E-book, (PDF format) 217 pages
Rated 3 stars of 5 possible
Each of several characters is followed for part of the story. The transitions from one world? to another for unclear reasons assist the reader in becoming more confused as the story progresses. That said, most parts of the story remian interesting enough to complete the reading, however, connecting the sections about Frank, who had been searching for his wife, who has been missing for twenty years and his captor, Tezhay, with the sections about Seor and Canu and their compatriots didn't seem relevant... almost like there are two or even three stories that are interwoven into one but still separated or unclearly joined.
I wanted to like this story and enjoyed reading about Frank's search for his wife, but the parts regarding Seor and Canu and their compatriots interfered with that enjoyment a bit because of my not understanding why those characters were in the book at all. If there is a connection between the plot lines, making such connection more clear to the reader could be a good thing.
Xenolith was given to me free by the author in exchange for this review, which has been posted on Dragonviews and LibraryThing.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Hidden Treasures
Lethal Legacy
Linda Fairstein
Doubleday (2009)
Hardcover, 384 pages
Rated 4 stars of 5 possible
Rare books, valuable maps, the New York Public Library, and a cast of eccentric characters kept my interest despite the formulaic nature of this entertaining mystery. District Attorney, Alexandra Cooper, investigating two murders, crosses paths with thieves determined to double-cross each other to end up with a valuable map which was printed in 12 sections. The different sections of the map are not conveniently all in one spot, however. To complicate matters, there's not one living person who knows where all 12 pieces of the map were hidden.
Killer suspense and a fast-moving plot kept this mystery/thriller both interesting and entertaining right from the start to the very end. The characters were well-developed enough that they came alive for me during the time I was reading this book, and when I finished, I felt like I was leaving old friends behind as I closed the book for the last time. My very favorite aspect of this novel is how the threads of the mystery were inter-woven with the information about rare and valuable books and maps.
Recommended for mystery-lovers of all ages from 16 and up. This review has been simultaneously published on Dragonviews and LibraryThing.
Linda Fairstein
Doubleday (2009)
Hardcover, 384 pages
Rated 4 stars of 5 possible
Rare books, valuable maps, the New York Public Library, and a cast of eccentric characters kept my interest despite the formulaic nature of this entertaining mystery. District Attorney, Alexandra Cooper, investigating two murders, crosses paths with thieves determined to double-cross each other to end up with a valuable map which was printed in 12 sections. The different sections of the map are not conveniently all in one spot, however. To complicate matters, there's not one living person who knows where all 12 pieces of the map were hidden.
Killer suspense and a fast-moving plot kept this mystery/thriller both interesting and entertaining right from the start to the very end. The characters were well-developed enough that they came alive for me during the time I was reading this book, and when I finished, I felt like I was leaving old friends behind as I closed the book for the last time. My very favorite aspect of this novel is how the threads of the mystery were inter-woven with the information about rare and valuable books and maps.
Recommended for mystery-lovers of all ages from 16 and up. This review has been simultaneously published on Dragonviews and LibraryThing.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Thought Provoking
Regression
By Kathy Bell
Northern Sanctum (2009)
First Canadian Digital Edition, PDF format, 358 pages
Rated 5 stars of 5 possible.
40 year-old Adya, mother of 6, is involved in a traffic accident on November 11, 2011. Hours later, she awakes in a hospital bed asking for her daughter. When she is fully awake, Adya discovers that she has regressed into her own younger self. She is 14 years old and single.
There's surprise after surprise as Adya learns to cope with the way things are now and attempts to discover the reason she is here and learn how to cope with a group of other regressees who seem to be hostile and resentful toward Adya. How does Adya cope with the new, alternate reality she has awoken into...? Naturally, Adya is full of questions, and this first novel in a new series answers some of them.
While alternate realities are nothing new, Kathy Bell takes the old story-line, twisting and turning it in new and exciting ways. Regression grabs the reader and does not let go, staying in one's thoughts even after finishing the last page. Regression is not a "quick and fluffy" read, but is full of thought-provoking concepts. This is the kind of novel I look for and eagerly await. I'll be interested in the remaining books to the series.
Recommended to readers age 16 and up who want something more than a quick and easy read. This review has been simultaneously posted on Dragonviews and Library Thing. I received the First Canadian Digital edition free from the publisher via the LibraryThing Member Giveaway program in exchange for this review, however I like this book enough to purchase a signed copy of the paper back edition from Northern Sanctum Press.
By Kathy Bell
Northern Sanctum (2009)
First Canadian Digital Edition, PDF format, 358 pages
Rated 5 stars of 5 possible.
40 year-old Adya, mother of 6, is involved in a traffic accident on November 11, 2011. Hours later, she awakes in a hospital bed asking for her daughter. When she is fully awake, Adya discovers that she has regressed into her own younger self. She is 14 years old and single.
There's surprise after surprise as Adya learns to cope with the way things are now and attempts to discover the reason she is here and learn how to cope with a group of other regressees who seem to be hostile and resentful toward Adya. How does Adya cope with the new, alternate reality she has awoken into...? Naturally, Adya is full of questions, and this first novel in a new series answers some of them.
While alternate realities are nothing new, Kathy Bell takes the old story-line, twisting and turning it in new and exciting ways. Regression grabs the reader and does not let go, staying in one's thoughts even after finishing the last page. Regression is not a "quick and fluffy" read, but is full of thought-provoking concepts. This is the kind of novel I look for and eagerly await. I'll be interested in the remaining books to the series.
Recommended to readers age 16 and up who want something more than a quick and easy read. This review has been simultaneously posted on Dragonviews and Library Thing. I received the First Canadian Digital edition free from the publisher via the LibraryThing Member Giveaway program in exchange for this review, however I like this book enough to purchase a signed copy of the paper back edition from Northern Sanctum Press.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Survival in the New World
Drums of Autumn
Diana Gabaldon
Seal Books (1997),
Mass Market Paperback, 1088 pages
Rated 4 stars of 5 possible
In this fourth installment of the Outlander series, Jamie and Claire's daughter, Brianna makes the trip through time and travels from Scotland to America in order to find them, thinking to prevent their deaths by fire. When Brianna finds herself in her father's century, the date on the newspaper clipping she found is still is 6 years in the future... so there's time, but will Brianna be able to make her parents believe the clipping?
The action in the story slows down about mid-way through and drags a bit... not quite as good as the first three novels, but still well worth reading for the continuity. Fortunately, this book picks up again, so only about the middle 1/4 to 1/3 of the book drags compared to the earlier books in the series.
If you haven't read the first three books in the saga, this isn't the place to start, as the story resumes in this book shortly after the end of the third novel; starting at this point would be confusing to many readers. The Outlander saga is one large story, carved into seven more managable parts, which should be read in order.
Book 1: Outlander
Book 2: Dragonfly in Amber
Book 3: Voyager
This review has been simultaneously posted on Dragonviews and Library Thing.
Diana Gabaldon
Seal Books (1997),
Mass Market Paperback, 1088 pages
Rated 4 stars of 5 possible
In this fourth installment of the Outlander series, Jamie and Claire's daughter, Brianna makes the trip through time and travels from Scotland to America in order to find them, thinking to prevent their deaths by fire. When Brianna finds herself in her father's century, the date on the newspaper clipping she found is still is 6 years in the future... so there's time, but will Brianna be able to make her parents believe the clipping?
The action in the story slows down about mid-way through and drags a bit... not quite as good as the first three novels, but still well worth reading for the continuity. Fortunately, this book picks up again, so only about the middle 1/4 to 1/3 of the book drags compared to the earlier books in the series.
If you haven't read the first three books in the saga, this isn't the place to start, as the story resumes in this book shortly after the end of the third novel; starting at this point would be confusing to many readers. The Outlander saga is one large story, carved into seven more managable parts, which should be read in order.
Book 1: Outlander
Book 2: Dragonfly in Amber
Book 3: Voyager
This review has been simultaneously posted on Dragonviews and Library Thing.
Friday, February 12, 2010
The Norwegian "Dirty Harry"
Nemesis
Jo Nesbø
Harper (2009)
Hardcover, 480 pages
Rated 4 stars of 5 possible.
Hardcore mystery readers won't want to pass up this new novel by Jo Nesbø, in which the lead character is suspected of killing a former girlfriend. The evidence, while circumstancial, is damning. Harry Hole was the last person who saw Anna Bethsen alive... but that's not all, it's just the beginning. So, as the front cover of this novel says, "How do you catch a killer when you're the number one suspect?" Read Nemesis to find out. I promise you won't be sorry.
Nemesis is a page-turner, with interlocking sub-plots tied together by the involvement of not just Harry, but a cast of characters you'll either love or love to hate. There's also a hint of corruption in the law enforcement of Oslo, Norway. I've got to say that, while most plot strands are neatly wrapped up, there exists, in the end, an opening for the next novel.
Some readers find the "damaged hero" model has been over-worked, yet this author takes that oldish plot stand-by and does a good job with it. As Harry Hole unravels the mystery, I kept thinking "...every dirty job..." Those of you familiar with the Clint Eastwood "Dirty Harry" character, who starred in several films, will know what I'm talking about. Seems to me like Harry Hole is the Norwegian answer to Dirty Harry.
This review has been simultaneously posted on Amazon.com, Dragonviews and Library Thing.
Jo Nesbø
Harper (2009)
Hardcover, 480 pages
Rated 4 stars of 5 possible.
Hardcore mystery readers won't want to pass up this new novel by Jo Nesbø, in which the lead character is suspected of killing a former girlfriend. The evidence, while circumstancial, is damning. Harry Hole was the last person who saw Anna Bethsen alive... but that's not all, it's just the beginning. So, as the front cover of this novel says, "How do you catch a killer when you're the number one suspect?" Read Nemesis to find out. I promise you won't be sorry.
Nemesis is a page-turner, with interlocking sub-plots tied together by the involvement of not just Harry, but a cast of characters you'll either love or love to hate. There's also a hint of corruption in the law enforcement of Oslo, Norway. I've got to say that, while most plot strands are neatly wrapped up, there exists, in the end, an opening for the next novel.
Some readers find the "damaged hero" model has been over-worked, yet this author takes that oldish plot stand-by and does a good job with it. As Harry Hole unravels the mystery, I kept thinking "...every dirty job..." Those of you familiar with the Clint Eastwood "Dirty Harry" character, who starred in several films, will know what I'm talking about. Seems to me like Harry Hole is the Norwegian answer to Dirty Harry.
This review has been simultaneously posted on Amazon.com, Dragonviews and Library Thing.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Limited Interest
The Piano Teacher
Janice Y. K. Lee
Penguin (2009)
Paperback, 352 pages
Rated 2 stars of 5 possible.
The Piano Teacher is written in a present tense, third person point of view that I find disturbing... it's as if someone is secretly watching everything that happens without anyone knowing. One can almost hear the story being narrated in a whisper. For unknown or unstated reasons, The Piano Teacher flip-flops between decades - 1940's and 1950's. As a reader, I find this unexplained flipping between decades to be a major distraction.
Claire Pendleton, the charater referred to in the title, seems to have actually very little to do with the story, yet she should be the main character, or the book should have been given a different title. The story seems to be more about Will Truesdale and Trudy Liang and what happened to them during World War II than about Claire. As it is, there's nothing in the book for me to recommend it to anyone.
Of those that are fully developed, none are likable... not even Claire Pendleton, The Piano Teacher, whom, at best, one can pity. In fact, I am only giving this book two stars because the 1950's portion is interesting. Not so the majority of the book, which takes place approximately a decade earlier. If you're looking for something interesting to read, this probably isn't it. Parts of it are interesting because of the hisotrical material on Hong Kong... but the characters are either the kind you love to hate or rather flat and uninteresting.
Not recommended. This review has been simultaneously posted on Amazon.com, Dragonviews and Library Thing.
Janice Y. K. Lee
Penguin (2009)
Paperback, 352 pages
Rated 2 stars of 5 possible.
The Piano Teacher is written in a present tense, third person point of view that I find disturbing... it's as if someone is secretly watching everything that happens without anyone knowing. One can almost hear the story being narrated in a whisper. For unknown or unstated reasons, The Piano Teacher flip-flops between decades - 1940's and 1950's. As a reader, I find this unexplained flipping between decades to be a major distraction.
Claire Pendleton, the charater referred to in the title, seems to have actually very little to do with the story, yet she should be the main character, or the book should have been given a different title. The story seems to be more about Will Truesdale and Trudy Liang and what happened to them during World War II than about Claire. As it is, there's nothing in the book for me to recommend it to anyone.
Of those that are fully developed, none are likable... not even Claire Pendleton, The Piano Teacher, whom, at best, one can pity. In fact, I am only giving this book two stars because the 1950's portion is interesting. Not so the majority of the book, which takes place approximately a decade earlier. If you're looking for something interesting to read, this probably isn't it. Parts of it are interesting because of the hisotrical material on Hong Kong... but the characters are either the kind you love to hate or rather flat and uninteresting.
Not recommended. This review has been simultaneously posted on Amazon.com, Dragonviews and Library Thing.
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