Jingo by Terry Pratchett

Jingo by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

City Watch once again.  Fun watching Havelock Vetinari quietly going about his business while letting the idiot aristocracy play war.  Reading about Leonard of Quirm buzzing around randomly inventing was a hoot.

Never trust an island that hasn't always been there.  No telling if it'll still be there tomorrow.  I'm just saying it's good advice.


View all my reviews

Guild Wars: Ghosts of Ascalon by Matt Forbeck

Guild Wars: Ghosts of Ascalon by Matt Forbeck
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Being an avid player of Guild Wars I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book.  Yes, if you're not a player of this game you're not going to get nearly as much out of it.  I think it's a great adventure read for anyone though.

If you are a player, then it is a wonderful taste of things to come.  Every bit of the story hints at what will be in Guild Wars 2.  Character types, background history, and even what monsters wait for us out there are offered up in this text.

Makes me want the game even more!


View all my reviews

Astonishing X-Men, Vol. 4: Unstoppable by Joss Whedon (Author) & John Cassaday (Illustrator)

Astonishing X-Men Vol. 4: Unstoppable by Joss Whedon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This wraps up Joss Whedon's take on the X-Men and I could really see his hand in it. John Cassaday's art is very good, but seems to have lost some punch from the earlier volumes. Whedon's philosophy, of enjoying the happy now because it's all you've really got, has never been so clearly put to page. Also Whedon's penchant for immediately following a moment of happiness with tragic loss was very present too.

It made me smile, laugh, and enjoy myself... what more could I ask for?

View all my reviews >>

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Maybe I've lost my taste for C.S. Lewis' style, or maybe I've been reading far too many Terry Pratchett works which make this look so shabby by comparison. I've enjoyed other Narnia books... Wardrobe, Last Battle, and the Magician's Nephew were fun reads. I abandoned A Horse and His Boy... so maybe I shouldn't be surprised that Dawn Treader wasn't a thrill for me.

The simplistic narrative was overly dull this time round. The characters barely developed during the course of the story... except for the annoying kid who learns to be less annoying. No huge conflicts that can't be taken care of in less than a page or two.

Here's the interesting bit... I can see how this will make a good movie in the right hands. The only reason I decided to read it now was to refresh my memory of the plot before the film comes out this winter. Being simplistic, the screenplay writer will have ample room to expand it. The book itself is basically an outline to a grander tale. I can already see which scenes they'll turn into action fodder and also I've got a good idea which parts will be cut completely (mono-footed dwarves anyone).

Anyway, it was a quick read so it has that going for it.

View all my reviews >>

Hogfather by Terry Pratchett

Hogfather by Terry Pratchett

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Death's granddaughter, Susan, gets wrapped up in more crazy metaphysical hi-jinks. The best part, as always, is Death himself and how he interacts with the world. His attempts to play the role of the Hogfather and views of just rewards for those he comes in contact with are simply humorously satisfying.

View all my reviews >>

The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman

The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really liked the way this series wrapped up. What made it amazing for me was this is an audio recording read by the author and complimented with a full cast of voice actors. On a side note it was directed by the actor who played Biggs Darklighter in Star Wars, Garrick Hagon.

You can tell the author is poking fun at mainstream religion even more in this installment of his tale. Many times there were subtle tongue in cheek moments that caused me to chuckle. BUT, everything fit into the worlds and tale he was creating.

As far as good storytelling goes, I think this book and the whole series was very enjoyable. I highly recommend it.

View all my reviews >>

Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett

Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another City Watch story set on the Discworld. This one I really liked a lot. Had plenty of threads running along to the end. The actual whodunnit isn't nearly as important as how it'll all play out.

The golems were an interesting storyline as well. Love the mix of characters being added to the Watch. Should be great to see where the menagerie goes in the later books.

View all my reviews >>