Thursday, June 16, 2011

Aquistions: Thirft and Amazon




The American Tradition in Literature by Bradley, Beaty and Long

The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury

By Blood We Live ed. by John Joseph Adams

The Probable Future by Alice Hoffman

Quicksliver (The Baroguw Cycle I) by Neal Stephenson

Dreadnought by Cherie Priest

The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Aquisitions: Random



Basic Judaism by Rabbi Milton Steinberg

Boneshaker by Cherie Priest

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne

Crowell's Handbook of Classic Mythology by Edward Tripp

Quidditch Through the Ages by Kennilworthy Whisp

Fantastical Beasts and Where To Find Them by Newt Scamander

Friday, June 3, 2011

Review: Black Trillium by Marion Zimmer Bradley, Julian May and Andre Norton

Synopsis: The kingdom of Ruwenda is attacked by neighboring Labornok, whose king has long been jealous of its wealth and prosperity. Ruwenda's rulers are brutally slain, but their daughters--the three Petals of the Living Trillium, prophesied to save their country in a time of peril--flee to the Archimage Binah, who directs them to their magic talismans. Each accompanied by a childhood companion, Oddlings of the area's aboriginal races, the girls must conquer their weaknesses: the eldest, her intellectual arrogance; the middle sister, her tendency to act before thinking; the youngest, her great timidity. Their enemies pursue them, led by a sorcerer seeking ancient secrets hidden in the abandoned cities.

Review: This was dreadful. Seriously. I knew within the first 4 pages that I would not enjoy it. I skimmed most of it, read the last 2 pages and knew the entire story. It was tedious and trite with many words and little story. The characters were flat and forced, the non-human races were stereotypes and the world building was boring. The only unique part was the appearance of a computer system which was never really explained and seemed dropped in for no reason. It's disappointing that three greats like this create a book of such mediocrity.

Bookmarks: 4 of 10

Awards: None

Date Finished: 6-3-2011
Pages: 503