Tag Archives: Superwench83′s Reviews

Review: The Sony Reader

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By Superwench83

I was one of those who was slow to embrace the concept of an electronic reading device. One who said a book in hand was worth more than a book on screen, that nothing could beat the old-fashioned feel of flipping through those pages. But I began to see the convenience of having my favorite nonfiction books in one portable little reference. Then I got to thinking how great it would be to carry a sleek e-reader in my purse rather than a massive hardback novel. And thus I began to covet the Sony Reader.

If you’ve already considered these benefits and others, you’re probably already sold on the idea of an electronic reading device. In your case, my goal is to share my experiences with the Sony Reader, Touch edition, thus informing any decision you wish to make. And for those who aren’t convinced, who don’t think e-readers are the greatest innovation in written communication since stone tablets went by the wayside: I am here to make a believer out of you.

The Sony Reader has a number of benefits and features which make for a wonderful reading experience. For starters, it’s instant. With a broadband connection, you can find, buy, and begin reading a book in as little as ten minutes. (Those with dial-up can expect to wait a bit longer.) How many times have you been at home, ready to settle in for the night with a good book, and realized you have nothing to read? It’s pretty amazing to be able to turn on my computer and let a book download while I make some hot chocolate to drink for when I sit down to read.

Another thing I love is the Create Notes feature, which allows you to highlight text and scribble your thoughts right on the page—a sacrilegious thing to do to a paper novel according to many. And all notes can be erased without a trace if you so desire. You can also hide the notes if you want to read a clean copy of the book without deleting your scribbles and highlights. Best of all, every note you make is instantly recorded in a chronologically-ordered table of contents for easy reference. The Create Notes feature means no more interrupting my reading to hunt for pen and paper when I want to write something down. All I need is the stylus which comes with the Reader, conveniently and securely stored on the Reader’s top right side.

Additionally, the Sony Reader’s size has benefits I’d never considered. A paper book can be heavy. With large hardbacks, you need two hands to support the weight of the open book, and even with smaller mass market paperbacks, it’s difficult to hold the book and turn pages using only one hand. This means that laying down and getting comfortable while you read can sometimes be a challenge. But with a slim Reader, no book is too big to hold one-handed. And you can use that same hand to turn the page with ease.

Other features of the Sony Reader, Touch edition: It’s got a larger screen than the Pocket edition. (And as the name indicates, the Touch edition is a touch screen.) It’s got instant bookmark-ing. Any time you stop reading any book, the Reader marks your place so you can pick up right where you left off. (And these bookmarks don’t fall out!) You can create text memos, drawings, and handwritten documents. You can download PDF and Microsoft Word documents to the Reader, making it ideal for almost everyone. Students can make notes on documents while on the go, and people whose jobs require them to review documents on a computer screen will find the Reader a marvelous device. It’s easier on the eyes than a computer screen and more portable than even the smallest laptop. You can even store audio files and pictures there.

Since the Sony Reader, Touch edition is the only e-reader I’ve used, I can’t compare it to similar devices such as the Kindle. But I am absolutely thrilled with my Sony Reader. I knew I would be, but I honestly had no idea I would love it this much. If you’ve been thinking of getting one but aren’t sure if it’s worth the investment, I would bet that it is. This is an amazing piece of technology. And I do believe it is the wave of the future.

Debut Review: The Magicians and Mrs. Quent

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TheMagiciansAndMrsQuent
The Magicians and Mrs. Quent
By Galen Beckett
Amazon USA – UK – Canada
Random House – Trade Paperback

Reviewed by Superwench83.

The Magicians and Mrs. Quent—a fantasy novel written in the style of Jane Austen, with characteristics of a Bronte book—is a fantastic blend of smart prose, charming characters, and an unusual and wonderful story. “But it’s more than just a rattling good time,” as author Ellen Kushner says in her cover quote. “Like its characters, it is not merely devastatingly clever, but has a heart and a soul.”

Ivy Lockwell is many things. She is a thinker. She is a lover of books. She is the eldest of three girls. She is the daughter of a mother who desperately wants her to marry—despite the fact that Ivy has no dowry, hence no chance of catching a gentleman. She is also deeply devoted to her family…and that devotion leads her into a world of magick, mysterious men in black tophats, and the stern and quiet Mr. Quent. According to the cover copy, Galen Beckett began writing The Magicians and Mrs. Quent to find out what might happen “if there were a fantastical cause underlying the social constraints and limited choices confronting a heroine in a novel by Jane Austen or Charlotte Bronte.” He goes a long way toward answering that question.

For the most part, The Magicians and Mrs. Quent is a well-plotted novel. Subplots clash with the main plot in a titanic display of irony. It is twisty and turny. There were a few moments in the book when I felt the author could have done a better job of setting up “chance” meetings or other rather convenient things, but this is the only plot gripe I have. And it’s a small one. (I did have a couple other gripes with the book, but they’re a bit more personal, so I’ll save those for the end.)

As for the writing, this book is witty and brilliant. The prose has a quaint quality reminiscent of the era and setting which the story’s world is modeled after. It has a rhythmic, almost musical feel, as if the entire book is a non-rhyming poem—a poem full of magic, mystery, and wonder. I’m a sucker for good writing. Clever writing most of all, and The Magicians and Mrs. Quent is full of that. Look at this quote from the first chapter:

All the same, there was something peculiar about the house on Whitward Street, just as there was something peculiar about the bookish habits of the eldest Miss Lockwell. Thus, while people regarded both of them well enough, people also tended to leave well enough alone.

With such poignant observations about the nature of people, it might come as no surprise that the characters in The Magicians and Mrs. Quent are vividly drawn. The image of Ivy Lockwell walking down Whitward Street reading a book or Mr. Rafferdy flashing that dashing grin become lifelike because the author has an astute understanding of human beings and what makes them, well, human. He also seems to know much about the relationships people have with one another, such as the relationship between Ivy and her two sisters. As the book-loving eldest daughter of three girls myself, I found myself grinning time and again at these scenes. These are characters I could not help but be drawn to. They became real to me.

I felt that The Magicians and Mrs. Quent lost some of its charm when it left the city of Invarel. In Invarel, there are all sorts of places for Ivy to go and people for her to run into. It makes for something new at every turn, while in Heathcrest, everything is much more static. I felt that it had a negative effect on that section’s story pacing. Another personal issue I had was that a certain subplot turned out quite the opposite of how I wanted. But there is to be a sequel, and I’m holding out hope that things will right themselves in the end.

Even if they don’t, The Magicians and Mrs. Quent is a book to read again and again—in fact, it’s my favorite book I’ve read this year, one of my favorite books I’ve ever read. Fans of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell will want to give it a try. It is a comedy of manners, a romance, a mystery, and a dazzling fantasy tale. If Jane Austen had been a fantasy writer, she would have written this book.

Review: The Court of the Air

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CourtOfTheAir
Court of the Air by Stephen Hunt
Amazon USA – UK – Canada
First Chapter

Genre: Steampunk

Review by Superwench83

At first running for their lives, Molly Templar and Oliver Brooks soon find themselves at the heart of a revolution, and they don’t know which side they’re on. In a world where the monarchy has long been overthrown, where the current regime disfigures the kings and puts them on display, where fey are locked up or forced to wear collars that control their powers, it’s hard to be content with the status quo. Raised in a poorhouse, the only thing certain about Molly’s future is that it’s bleak. Touched by the feymist, Oliver is destined to be an outcast unless he lets the government put a collar around his neck. But when Molly witnesses a murder and Oliver is framed for one, they find themselves on a new–and unwelcome–adventure.

The Court of the Air by Stephen Hunt was my first venture into steampunk, and I feel a bit out of my element writing this review. I read lots of fantasy, historicals, and historical fantasy, but not a lot of sci fi, and I’m not as familiar with sci fi’s traits and tropes. (In written form, at least. I watch lots of sci fi; I just don’t read much of it.) The Court of the Air is a magical tale full of historical inspiration, but I’d definitely call it sci fi. Gritty sci fi, although it does have that fantastical air. It has awe-inspiring aircraft that are essentially hot air balloon warships, and placid steammen who follow the religion of Gear-gi-ju. It also has hideous bio-engineered abominations and dark insect gods. Not to mention lots of bloodshed.

Between the subtle plot nuances and intricate worldbuilding, there’s a lot to digest, which makes The Court of the Air a slow read, but in a good way. Flying through it too fast means missing out on a lot of things. The plot unfolds gradually, and with all that it contains, it’s good to pause and mull it over a while before reading on. This is an intelligent read, one that requires you to puzzle things out on your own.

The thing that struck me most while reading The Court of the Air was how many other stories it brought to mind. There were times when the communityists’ mantras reminded me of 1984, when the steammen alternately reminded me of the Tinman from The Wizard of Oz and the mechanical world of Disney’s Robots. The subterranean tunnels beneath Middlesteel brought to mind the dark elf city of Menzoberranzan. The fusion of all these things gave the story a touch of the familiar while ultimately creating something completely new. I can safely say I’ve never read or watched anything like it.

Between the thick layers of plot and the intense worldbuilding, there wasn’t a lot of room for character development. But that’s not bad in this case. The characters were just sympathetic enough to pull you into the story, and for a plot-driven story like this, I think that worked for the best. The focus was on the story and the unique world it takes place in. Any more would have overwhelmed it. So the sparse characterization works well in The Court of the Air. Now that much of the worldbuilding has been done, however, I’d like to see deeper character development in the rest of the series. Ultimately, I liked The Court of the Air and plan to read the next book.

Review – The Stepsister Scheme and The Mermaid’s Madness

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TheStepsisterScheme
The Stepsister Scheme (Amazon USA – UK – Canada)
First Chapter (pdf)
DAW Books

The Mermaid’s Madness (Amazon USA – UK – Canada)
First Chapter (pdf)
DAW Books

by Jim C. Hines

Reviewed by Superwench83.

These are no ordinary princesses.

Jim C. Hines’ latest novel, The Mermaid’s Madness, came out recently, and since I’d not read the first in the Princess series, I bought them both at once [The Stepsister Scheme and The Mermaid's Madness] and read them back-to-back. These books turn the three most celebrated princesses in fairy tale tradition into heroines rather than damsels in distress. With fast-paced plots, whimsical settings, and clever dialogue, it’s no mystery why so many people love Hines’ books.

In The Stepsister Scheme, Cinderella (named Danielle) has married her prince and is looking forward to her happily ever after. But when her stepsisters kidnap the prince, Danielle teams up with Sleeping Beauty (Talia) and Snow White (Snow) to save him. As the queen’s secret agents, Talia and Snow are trained for this sort of thing. Talia is a martial arts master, Snow a powerful sorceress. (Don’t call her a witch. She hates that.) Their rescue mission takes them deep into Fairyland, where they encounter strange creatures, dazzling scenery, and the dangerous new magic Danielle’s stepsisters have acquired. Even with all their skill, Talia and Snow may not be a match for what awaits them. And Danielle the cinder girl may have to save them all.

In this first book in the Princess series, I felt that the character development wasn’t quite up to par, with the exception of Snow. Talia was too irritable and moody, Danielle too sweet and naïve. While Talia does have a troubled past that comes out during the novel, I never got close enough to her to truly understand why she has such an attitude, which prevented me from feeling fond of her. (Hines solves that problem in The Mermaid’s Madness by making her a point-of-view character.) With Danielle, I just wanted to shake her sometimes, because her naivety caused a lot of problems. I felt that the plot relied a bit too heavily on that, making her more naïve than was believable. Snow, however, was very well characterized, and after two books, she remains my favorite of the three.

TheMermaidsMadnessThe Mermaid’s Madness is a far cry from the original The Little Mermaid and the Disney version of the tale. Lirea is one p.o.-ed mermaid princess. She was scorned by the man she loved, and now there’s hell (or Davy Jones’ locker?) to pay. Once again, Danielle, Talia, and Snow set out to stop a crazy, magic-wielding menace before she hurts the people they love, along with many others. And the further they sail from home, the stranger—and more dangerous—things get.

Not to say things weren’t strange and dangerous before they left. The queen has suffered a severe wound from Lirea’s magical spear. Should Danielle, Talia, and Snow fail to stop Lirea, the queen will die, and the kingdom could find itself at war on land and sea.

I found the characterization much improved in The Mermaid’s Madness. Talia makes more sense, while Danielle is learning that not everyone is as nice as she. The secondary characters are deeper and more interesting as well. Not to mention the villain. Villains are much more engaging when they evoke your sympathy.

The thing that makes these books stand out is that touch of fantastic whimsy. The Stepsister Scheme and The Mermaid’s Madness both feature settings, creatures, and magic spells that call out that sense of wonder. The girls ride to Fairyland in a basket hung round a falcon’s neck. They seek allies in a pixie saloon. They turn into mermaids and swim alongside kelpies. It’s stuff like this that brought so many of us into the fantasy genre, those “ooh” moments that make you feel like a kid again.

The Stepsister Scheme and The Mermaid’s Madness were both fun to read. I can’t say I loved them, but I did enjoy them. They cast well-known fairy tales in a fresh and humorous light and offer a fast-paced adventure full of magic and surprises. Red Hood’s Revenge comes out next year, and there is potential for Jim C. Hines to continue the series for quite some time.

Tia’s Notes:

Dang it! I knew this would happen! Now I must read them. And I have long wanted to read Jig the Goblin, too. Thanks for the review, Katie!

Debut Review: The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker

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MissPercyParker
The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker (Amazon USA – UK – Canada)
by Leanna Renee Hieber (site includes blog and book trailer)
Leisure Books
Mass Market Paperback

Reviewed by Superwench83

Blurb
What fortune awaited sweet, timid Percy Parker at Athens Academy? Considering how few of Queen Victoria’s Londoners knew of it, the great Romanesque fortress was dreadfully imposing, and little could Percy guess what lay inside. She had never met the powerful and mysterious Professor Alexi Rychman, knew nothing of the growing shadow, the Ripper and other supernatural terrors against which his coterie stood guard. She knew simply that she was different, haunted, with her snow-white hair, pearlescent skin and uncanny gifts. But this arched stone doorway offered a portal to a new life, an education far from the convent—and an invitation to an intimate yet dangerous dance at the threshold of life and death…

A Victorian ghost story with a hint of Bronte and a splash of myth: such is The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker by Leanna Renee Hieber. In an almost-hidden realm in Victorian London, the supernatural occasionally bubbles into the normal realm to cause events which most cannot understand…but then, Alexi Rychman and his friends are not most. And Percy Parker is about to stumble into their world.

There is richness and passion in the people on these pages, and it shines forth even through the constraining veil of Victorian manners. Or perhaps it shines so brightly because of this contrast? There is Percy Parker, as pale as the ghosts no one but she seems to see, haunted not by specters but by the cold eyes of all who scorn her for being different; the brooding and handsome Professor Alexi Rychman, for whom Percy cannot shake her fascination; and Rebecca Thompson, the no-nonsense headmistress with a connection to Alexi which Percy doesn’t understand. Not to mention kind and friendly Michael, ever-sarcastic Elijah, and the rest. These characters’ relationships are both bitter and sweet, full of the complexities of all human relationships. And the mood these conflicts create sets the stage very nicely for the gothic gloom and mythological beauty.

The mix of myth, history, and the supernatural in this novel is refreshing. In a novel set in England, one might expect to deal with myths of fairies and Celtic spirits, but not a legendary love story of another ancient land. And to tie it into stories of famous English ghosts and Jack the Ripper is just something no one else has ever thought of. The magic and mystery tumble open in a series of breathtaking circumstances which fly by with each eager turn of the page. The book is short enough to read comfortably in a day, and that’s a good thing because I, for one, couldn’t put it down. It clips along at a steady pace, balancing mystery, romance, and action scenes so that things never get static.

The plotting wasn’t perfect, mind. There was a bit of predictability here and there, and I can’t grasp why no one saw through the villain right from the start; the villain was so transparent to me. Also, one particular assumption the Guard makes over a definition bothered me because their definition was so narrow—which was rather convenient in allowing them to overlook something important. And in the powers of the Guard, Rebecca is supposed to be Intuition. But regarding the one thing which leads directly to the climax, I didn’t find her very intuitive. Also, Michael’s power seems vague, weak. I’d like to have seen a better display of the Heart, what it means, and why it’s so essential. Despite this, though, The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker was more than a worthy read.

For those who love dark old London, mannerly mysteries, magic, and gothic romance, this is a book for you. It’s like a student in a mythology class crashed into a British Literature student and their notes got all shuffled together. The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker is a haunting and, yes, beautiful story. It is the first in a series of Strangely Beautiful tales, and Leanna Renee Hieber has set the bar high for herself. There is much potential for these next books.

As an added benefit, I got to meet Leanna Renee Hieber recently. She’s a Cincinnati area native like myself who came home to do an Ohio book tour. At her reading and signing, she talked briefly about the coming books in the series. She plans for a series of five books, not all of them featuring the characters from The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker. The series will include a prequel, taking readers back to the Guard’s origins, and will run into the twentieth century at the time of WWII. (Or did she say WWI? I can’t remember!) She is super, super nice, not to mention fascinating. Leanna Renee Hieber is an actress, which certainly made her reading interesting. Not every writer can read each of her characters in a different voice!

Suffice it to say that this is one instance where the author is as charming as the world she has created. I can’t wait to read the next book.