two more books
Feb. 3rd, 2006 10:51 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
snugglekittyThe Burglar In the Rye by Lawrence Block (#12)
Somehow this is a Bernie Rhodenbarr book that I hadn't read, but one that was really good. They had seemed to be on a downward swing. Maybe I read them out of order, or they took a turn for the better? In either case, it was very heartening, although not as funny as some of his works this one was just fine. Three stars.
Seeker's Mask by PC Hodgell (#13)
The third book in a series concerning the thief/dancer/godslayer Jame. I liked this better than the second book, which wasn't difficult, since I didn't like the second book so much. I would give it three stars. I enjoyed it, but there were some things about it that bothered me. Namely, no enemy ever seems to be vanquished in this series. They always come back, even after death. Even the petty ones, not just the nemeses. Similarly, the relationships never seem to move forward. Jame continues to let other people make the decisions in her life, even up until the end of the book. She never does beyond the bare minimum to care for the people under her protection unless circumstances force it. She never fits in, and never really tries to fit in, while bemoaning her lack of a home.
I read a review comparing Hodgell to Robert Jordan, and that seemed apt. She certainly has his scope. Unfortunately, she seems also to have some of his limitations, such as creating resolutions. Her work also reminds me of Anne Bishop - the characters are very dark, most of them are on the edge of madness (and those are the good guys) but doesn't quite have her redemptive quality, at least, not so far.
On the other hand, I liked the picture of the Women's World portrayed in the book, and there did seem to be some small steps forward in terms of character development, just not so much with the main character. I wonder perhaps if that's the whole idea? That in order to be the kind of figure she is, that she must be very broken, as with Ender in Ender's Game?
If you like epic fantasy with strong female characters, you should read these books.
I have confirmed through some websearching that the fourth book, To Ride a Rathorn, is scheduled to come out this August.
Somehow this is a Bernie Rhodenbarr book that I hadn't read, but one that was really good. They had seemed to be on a downward swing. Maybe I read them out of order, or they took a turn for the better? In either case, it was very heartening, although not as funny as some of his works this one was just fine. Three stars.
Seeker's Mask by PC Hodgell (#13)
The third book in a series concerning the thief/dancer/godslayer Jame. I liked this better than the second book, which wasn't difficult, since I didn't like the second book so much. I would give it three stars. I enjoyed it, but there were some things about it that bothered me. Namely, no enemy ever seems to be vanquished in this series. They always come back, even after death. Even the petty ones, not just the nemeses. Similarly, the relationships never seem to move forward. Jame continues to let other people make the decisions in her life, even up until the end of the book. She never does beyond the bare minimum to care for the people under her protection unless circumstances force it. She never fits in, and never really tries to fit in, while bemoaning her lack of a home.
I read a review comparing Hodgell to Robert Jordan, and that seemed apt. She certainly has his scope. Unfortunately, she seems also to have some of his limitations, such as creating resolutions. Her work also reminds me of Anne Bishop - the characters are very dark, most of them are on the edge of madness (and those are the good guys) but doesn't quite have her redemptive quality, at least, not so far.
On the other hand, I liked the picture of the Women's World portrayed in the book, and there did seem to be some small steps forward in terms of character development, just not so much with the main character. I wonder perhaps if that's the whole idea? That in order to be the kind of figure she is, that she must be very broken, as with Ender in Ender's Game?
If you like epic fantasy with strong female characters, you should read these books.
I have confirmed through some websearching that the fourth book, To Ride a Rathorn, is scheduled to come out this August.
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no subject
Date: 2006-02-03 04:50 pm (UTC)Have you read his first book, Grifter's Game? It was republished due to his popularity, and it's all right there - the humor, the darkness, the sexual tension... but it also really shows its age in some ways... great, quick read, with a really bizarre ending... I'd be glad to loan it if you'd like!
Hope you're continuing to feel better, by the way!
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Date: 2006-02-03 07:17 pm (UTC)But anyway. :)