Review: The Snow Queen by Mercedes Lackey

Synopsis: Aleksia, Queen of the Northern Lights, is mysterious, beautiful and widely known to have a heart of ice. No one would seek her wisdom except as a last resort. But when she's falsely accused of unleashing evil on nearby villages, she realizes there's an impostor out there far more heartless than she could ever be. And when a young warrior following the Tradition disappears, leaving his sweetheart and mother to fear the worst, Aleksia's powers are needed as never before.  Now, on a journey through a realm of perpetual winter, it will take all her skills, a mother's faith and a little magic to face down an enemy more formidable than any she has ever known.… (from the online description)

Review: Once again, I was enchanted and delighted to read Lackey’s retold fairy tales, set in the Five Hundred Kingdoms. This one, in particular, involve three women who must gather their wits, find courage, and trust friendship, all to save the people they love and the people they are sworn to protect.

With a lovely Russian tone, Lackey gives us strong, well-developed characters, living in a world of rare and dangerous magic, and sets them on a journey in a fast-paced plot with lots of action and suspense.  Our Fairy Godmother, Aleksia, who often plays the “Snow Queen” in the Tradition (usually to the benefit of those she encounters) must leave her Ice Palace and trek across the frozen tundra to find the person who is  killing entire villages in her name. She will cross paths with heroes and witches, good-hearted girls, and frozen gods, and she will be forced to face her inner trials even as she struggles to turn the magic from evil to good.

For anyone with a love of fairy tales, particularly those of Russian origins, and who wants to read a story with strong female characters, this is your book!

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 978-0-373-80294-4
Year Published: 2008
Date Finished: 9-30-2017
Pages: 408

Review: The Magic of Recluce by L.E. Modesitt

Synopsis: Young Lerris is dissatisfied with his life and trade, and yearns to find a place in the world better suited to his skills and temperament. But in Recluce a change in circumstances means taking one of two options: permanent exile from Recluce or the dangergeld, a complex, rule-laden wanderjahr in the lands beyond Recluce, with the aim of learning how the world works and what his place in it might be. Many do not survive. Lerris chooses dangergeld. When Lerris is sent into intensive training for his quest, it soon becomes clear that he has a natural talent for magic. And he will need magic in the lands beyond, where the power of the Chaos Wizards reigns unchecked. Though it goes against all of his instincts, Lerris must learn to use his powers in an orderly way before his wanderjahr, or fall prey to Chaos. L.E. Modesitt, Jr.'s bestselling fantasy novels set in the magical world of Recluce are among the most popular in contemporary fantasy. Each novel tells an independent story that nevertheless reverberates though all the other books in the series, to deepen and enhance the reading experience. Rich in detail, the Recluce books are a feast of wondrous marvels. (from the online description)

Review: This is not the normal sort of book I’d read, as I’m not a huge fan of High Fantasy. But I read this as park of GroupRead on Instragram and I’m glad I did.

Modesitt has a talented for character and world-building. When we start, the main character Lerris is a bored whiny directionless boy. You know, a teenager. But in Recluse, his home country, a world of Order, his attitude creates Chaos. So he is sent on away, to find out if he wants to live by the rules of Recluse (Order) or if he wants to live in the Chaos that the rest of the world resides in.

Through this, Lerris learns and here is where Modesitt’s talent with character development because apparent. Lerris goes from a whiny child to an adult with courage and wisdom. It’s fantastic.

As for the world building – the idea of Order and Chaos as magic, the history of the planet, the dark and light, it’s intriguing. In particular, the idea that Chaos magic can help people (food and warmth) but too much causes problems, while Order seems cold and heartless, but in the end, in can bring balance. I want to read more of this world, to learn more about the difference between the magic.

If you enjoy well-developed characters, intriguing world-building, and epic fantasy stories, read this!

Bookmarks: 3.5 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 978-0-8125-0518-4
Year Published: 1991
Date Finished: 9-15-2017
Pages: 501

Review: Heartstone by Elle Katharine White

Synopsis: A debut historical fantasy that recasts Jane Austen’s beloved Pride & Prejudice in an imaginative world of wyverns, dragons, and the warriors who fight alongside them against the monsters that threaten the kingdom: gryphons, direwolves, lamias, banshees, and lindworms. They say a Rider in possession of a good blade must be in want of a monster to slay—and Merybourne Manor has plenty of monsters. Passionate, headstrong Aliza Bentaine knows this all too well; she’s already lost one sister to the invading gryphons. So when Lord Merybourne hires a band of Riders to hunt down the horde, Aliza is relieved her home will soon be safe again. Her relief is short-lived. With the arrival of the haughty and handsome dragonrider, Alastair Daired, Aliza expects a battle; what she doesn’t expect is a romantic clash of wills, pitting words and wit against the pride of an ancient house. Nor does she anticipate the mystery that follows them from Merybourne Manor, its roots running deep as the foundations of the kingdom itself, where something old and dreadful slumbers . . . something far more sinister than gryphons. It’s a war Aliza is ill-prepared to wage, on a battlefield she’s never known before: one spanning kingdoms, class lines, and the curious nature of her own heart. (from the online description)

Review: This was book was described to me as “Pride and Prejudice, where Darcy is a Dragon rider” and I was like, uh, say no more. I’m in.

I’ve read my share of P&P adaptions, some good (Bride and Prejudice) and some hideous (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies) – but this, this one is my favorite.

“Elizabeth” called Aliza in this, lives in a world were monsters are real. Her father works for the Lord Merybourne, who, when faced with Gryphon attacks, hires Riders to free his land. Darcy, one of the great dragon lords, arrives, and as expected, is appalled at the backwater hillbilly-invested land he’s been hired to protect.

The story faithfully follows the P&P narrative, with enough fresh twists (and dragons) to make it a stay-up-late-too-see-what-happens sort of read. Yes, we know Aliza and Darcy get together in the end – but how? That’s what matters – that and, does she ever get to rid the Dragon?

If you enjoy fantasy worlds and/or P&P, this is the book for you!

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN:978-0-06-245194-1
Year Published: 2016
Date Finished: 8-20-2017
Pages: 336

Review: Watership Down by Richard Adams

Synopsis: A phenomenal worldwide bestseller for more than forty years, Richard Adams's Watership Down is a timeless classic and one of the most beloved novels of all time. Set in England's Downs, a once idyllic rural landscape, this stirring tale of adventure, courage and survival follows a band of very special creatures on their flight from the intrusion of man and the certain destruction of their home. Led by a stouthearted pair of brothers, they journey forth from their native Sandleford Warren through the harrowing trials posed by predators and adversaries, to a mysterious promised land and a more perfect society. (from the online description)

Review:  I read this is as part of a GroupRead on Instagram. I’d never read the book, only seen (and be traumatized) by the cartoon.

This book is magical. Part folk tale, part adventure, a bit grimdark, realistic but not gritty, it has both sunlight and shadow. It’s hard to classify, to pin to a genre. I’m not sure I would let kids read it and yet, it is just the sort of books kids ought to read.

Hazel, and his friend Fiver, leave their warren after Fiver has a vision of death and danger. They travel across the wide Downs, in search of a place to live. Along the way, they face hardship, adventure, and find other rabbits who also wish to live in safety and peace.

Their story is interspersed with Rabbit folktales, about their mythology and gods, their beliefs and faith. It’s fantastic and gives their culture so much life.

I recommend this book. Older kids and teens will enjoy  it, but I would say for young kids (elementary age) that a parent should read-a-long. There is death and blood and terror at some parts that might require a parent’s guidance. But there is light and wonder and magic and love as well, and it is worth the time.  

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 0-380-000293-0
Year Published: 1972
Date Finished: 8-21-2017
Pages: 478

Review: Barrayar by Lois McMaster Bujold (Vorkosigan Series, Book 2)

Synopsis: Sick of combat and betrayal, Cordelia Vorkosigan is ready to settle down to a quiet life. But when the Emperor dies, her husband Aral becomes guardian of the infant heir to the imperial throne of Barrayar and the target of high-tech assassins in a dynastic civil war. But neither Aral nor Cordelia can guess the part that their cell-damaged unborn will play in Barrayar's bloody legacy. (from the online description)

Review: Cordelia Vorkosigan, now married to the Regent of Barrayar, is thrust into the politics of a culture and country that is still foreign to her. In the midst of this, Cordelia discovers she is pregnant.

Bujold created in Cordelia, a complex character, fierce but fair, mother and solider, intelligent and kind, uncompromising but gentle, logical but not cold. Watching her navigate the unfolding events in the story made me wish she was real!

The story itself was face-paced – within a few pages, Bad Things happen and challenges arise that threaten the stability of her new home and her family – and endanger the life of her child. The plot was plausible, action-packed, with just the right amount of suspense, and a healthy dose of humor.

And the ending (which I won’t spoil) – Gah! I cheered out loud! Cordelia was so freaking bad-ass!

Read this – particular if you enjoy stories with well-rounded female characters. 

Bookmarks: 4.5 of 5

Awards: Hugo Award for Best Novel, 1992; Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel, 1992; Nominated for Nebula Award for Best Novel, 1991

ISBN: 0-671-72083-X
Year Published: 1991
Date Finished: 8-10-2017
Pages: 389

Review: The Hacking of the American Mind: The Science Behind the Corporate Takeover of Our Bodies and Brains by Dr. Robert Lustig

Synopsis: While researching the toxic and addictive properties of sugar for his New York Times bestseller Fat Chance, Robert Lustig made an alarming discovery—our pursuit of happiness is being subverted by a culture of addiction and depression from which we may never recover.         

Dopamine is the “reward” neurotransmitter that tells our brains we want more; yet every substance or behavior that releases dopamine in the extreme leads to addiction. Serotonin is the “contentment” neurotransmitter that tells our brains we don’t need any more; yet its deficiency leads to depression. Ideally, both are in optimal supply. Yet dopamine evolved to overwhelm serotonin—because our ancestors were more likely to survive if they were constantly motivated—with the result that constant desire can chemically destroy our ability to feel happiness, while sending us down the slippery slope to addiction. In the last forty years, government legislation and subsidies have promoted ever-available temptation (sugar, drugs, social media, porn) combined with constant stress (work, home, money, Internet), with the end result of an unprecedented epidemic of addiction, anxiety, depression, and chronic disease. And with the advent of neuromarketing, corporate America has successfully imprisoned us in an endless loop of desire and consumption from which there is no obvious escape.           

With his customary wit and incisiveness, Lustig not only reveals the science that drives these states of mind, he points his finger directly at the corporations that helped create this mess, and the government actors who facilitated it, and he offers solutions we can all use in the pursuit of happiness, even in the face of overwhelming opposition. Always fearless and provocative, Lustig marshals a call to action, with seminal implications for our health, our well-being, and our culture.

Review: I was eager to read this book after listening to Lustig’s lecture, Sugar: The Bitter Truth, given ad part of the Series: UCSF Mini Medical School for the Public, in 2009. I found his work intriguing and enlightening.

This book further explored the issue of sugar in our diet, but tied it to the larger issue – how corporations use our brain chemistry to modify our behaviors and entice us to buy their products. Lustig takes us through the two separate pathways in our brain – Dopamine (Pleasure) and Serotonin (Happiness), explaining how each is vital to our life, but can also be used to make us want things that aren’t good for us.

It’s a convoluted subject, making the narrative seem repetitive at time – but it’s required to explain the topic properly. The text has more pop-culture slang and jargon than one usually finds in science texts. It was a bit distracting, as if Lustig was trying to make it “down-to-earth”. But it didn’t.  Despite this, I have recommended this book to several people and will continue. It’s an important idea to consider! 

Note: I received this free as part of the Early Reviewers Program on LibaryThing, in exchange for my fair and honest opinion

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 978-1-101-98258-7
Year Published: September 2017
Date Finished: 7-31-2017
Pages:332

Review: Sunshine by Robin McKinley

Synopsis: There hadn't been any trouble out at the lake in years. Sunshine just needed a spot where she could be alone with her thoughts for a minute. But then the vampires found her . . . Now, chained and imprisoned in a once-beautiful decaying mansion, alone but for the vampire, Constantine, shackled next to her, Sunshine realizes that she must call on her own hidden strength if she is to survive. But Constantine is not what she expected of a vampire, and soon Sunshine discovers that it is he who needs her, more than either of them know. (From the online description)

Review: A vampire book unlike any I've read. This work is an intoxicating swirl macabre romance, sweet baked goods, family, magic, horror, and love. Sunshine, a baker for a local coffee house, is content with her life, elbows deep in cinnamon buns, lying in sunshine, and time with her family and boyfriend. But when she meets Con, the magic inside her explodes and she must find a place in her old world for the new her.

McKinley, once again, pulls the reader into a world that is both strange and familiar. She doesn’t baby the reader, tossing out slang (for this world) and mentioning events that seem recognizable to all but the reader. It’s a bit frustrating at first but once you slip into the world, it because easy.

This is a must-read for any Vampire affectionaido, one of the great modern classics of the genre.

I am desperate to return to this world, to her the story of Sunshine’s father, to see where she goes after these events. Hopefully, McKinley will have pity on us all and write a sequel. 

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Adult Literature in 2004.

ISBN: 978-0-425-22401-4
Year Published: 2003
Date Finished: 7-3-2016
Pages: 405