My first novel, The Island, was inspired by a chance visit to a tiny island leper colony off the coast of Greece on our summer holiday. It was a...
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Wow. This was an amazing book. Setiawan weaves a magical story where all the familiar feelings inside relationships take solid form and become almost a character within the story. With vibrant and intoxicating descriptions of mists, menacing bees, ghosts in mirrors and man-beasts, Setiwan creates an allegory for the harshness and tenderness of betrayal, love and finally forgiveness. He hits nerves and exposes the rawness of the emotional centers of his characters in a way that is both heart wrenching and delightful.
I am incredibly impressed by a male author who can perfectly and so completely capture every emotional tenet of not just one, but many women occupying the heart of his story. He does so without casting them in the familiar corners of hero, whore, victim or merely window dressing. Through his words he breaths fully realized characters who are good, bad and everything in between.
I will be eagerly awaiting his next novel - whenever and whatever it may be.
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(2 of 2 readers found this comment helpful)
Wow. I'm almost at a loss for words on this one. There are parts of this story that are many times more gut wrenching than when Katniss had to say goodbye to Rue in the The Hunger Games. I fear that Katniss is so far damaged by the horrors of what has happened by the end of this book, there is no real future for her.
I was at the edge of my seat nearly the entire book, wondering where Collins would take her characters. I never dreamed she'd take them back to the arena, though, I have to say the arena portion of the book is far more tolerable than the District tour and actions taken by the capitol against 12.
I am still very torn about Gale versus Peeta. But at this point, who knows what's happened to poor Peeta. Though I doubt this will be the case, I sincerely hope there is a happy ending in store for Katniss. However, if there is I don't see how it can include both Peeta and Gale.
While I loved this book, I have to say that I had to put it down a couple of times. Whereas I read straight through the first one in a single sitting, I could not do the same in this case. I wanted to, but there was definitely no reading this book before bed. I did, the first night I got it, and really wished I hadn't.
Now I'm bummed that I'll have to wait who knows how long before the next one comes out. : ( This book ends on such a cliff hanger that I honestly wish I had waited until the third was out and I could just get right to it.
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(4 of 4 readers found this comment helpful)
Excellent book. Even though I read this when I wasn't quite in the mood for this type of book, Mieville's writing is fantastic.
I've never read any of his adult works, but I certainly will now. Mielville's ability to create this other world that creepily mirrors our own is amazing. He doesn't over explain, just gives the reader enough to easily imagine the wrongness in familiar objects and characters.
It very much reminded me of Alice in Wonderland. From here on out I will not be able to look at a small carton of milk without a certain fondness.
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(3 of 4 readers found this comment helpful)
I can honestly say this has to be in contention for my favorite book of the year. It's certainly my favorite so far.
We begin the story when Locke is just a child of five. Immediately, he is deviously lovable. Next come introductions of the Sanzas and Jean, all equally interesting and lovable characters. Despite all the gritty hardships and despair peppered throughout this book, Locke bears them well. He's a character that takes responsibility (once understood) for his actions and in most cases, learns from them.
His character develops through the "now" story line (where Locke is late to mid twenties by my count) and through interludes (where Lynch seamlessly shifts back and forth into history, each time revealing a little more of Locke & the Gentleman Bastards' as well as Camour history). The depth of friendship, especially between Locke and Jean, can be quite touching.
I love a book that can keep me guessing. Nearly every close call, I would think to myself, how is Locke going to get himself out of this one? Lynch never disappoints, creating elaborate "ah ha" moments as fanciful as one of Locke's scores.
I cannot wait to read the second book to see where the criminal mastermind of Locke Lamora takes us next.
*side note: this book is full (and I mean there might not be a page without one) of swear words. I'm not one to complain about profanity - but in general I don't love a book that is full of it. However, in this case, it seems befitting of the story and adds an element and color that without it, wouldn't be the same story. Also, it can be quite gory in places and the subject matter is probably not for the squeamish or delicate.
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(1 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
I thought this was an excellent book. It was a bit on the long side, but all in all very good. For me, it read more like the third book in the Black Magician Trilogy. Despite its length, it moved along pretty quickly. Fans of the trilogy will quickly recognize many things from the first books. This is a prequel and a lot of the rules are different. But it was certainly interesting to come to understand how the Guild got to where it was in the beginning of the trilogy.
A few people have commented that this is the "same plot" as the trilogy. I really disagree. I think that Tessia, Jayan and Dakon are very different, and completely engaging characters. I'm not usually a fan of prequels, but this was quite entertaining.
I would also say that it is probably best to read the trilogy then this book. I think it could be done either way, but I really enjoyed reaching back and thinking - ah so that's why this and this happened in the trilogy. But perhaps reading it the other way would prove just as enlightening.
My only real complaint was Stara's story. I understood the need for it, perspective wise, but it doesn't start until halfway through the book. By that time I'm more interested in the characters I've already gotten to know and I found myself glossing over those parts.
If you liked the trilogy, I think you'll like this book.
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(2 of 2 readers found this comment helpful)
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MindyBuchanan has commented on (16) products.
Of Bees and Mist by Erick Setiawan
MindyBuchanan, October 29, 2009
Wow. This was an amazing book. Setiawan weaves a magical story where all the familiar feelings inside relationships take solid form and become almost a character within the story. With vibrant and intoxicating descriptions of mists, menacing bees, ghosts in mirrors and man-beasts, Setiwan creates an allegory for the harshness and tenderness of betrayal, love and finally forgiveness. He hits nerves and exposes the rawness of the emotional centers of his characters in a way that is both heart wrenching and delightful.I am incredibly impressed by a male author who can perfectly and so completely capture every emotional tenet of not just one, but many women occupying the heart of his story. He does so without casting them in the familiar corners of hero, whore, victim or merely window dressing. Through his words he breaths fully realized characters who are good, bad and everything in between.
I will be eagerly awaiting his next novel - whenever and whatever it may be.
(2 of 2 readers found this comment helpful)
Catching Fire: The Hunger Games #2 by Suzanne Collins
MindyBuchanan, September 17, 2009
SPOILERSWow. I'm almost at a loss for words on this one. There are parts of this story that are many times more gut wrenching than when Katniss had to say goodbye to Rue in the The Hunger Games. I fear that Katniss is so far damaged by the horrors of what has happened by the end of this book, there is no real future for her.
I was at the edge of my seat nearly the entire book, wondering where Collins would take her characters. I never dreamed she'd take them back to the arena, though, I have to say the arena portion of the book is far more tolerable than the District tour and actions taken by the capitol against 12.
I am still very torn about Gale versus Peeta. But at this point, who knows what's happened to poor Peeta. Though I doubt this will be the case, I sincerely hope there is a happy ending in store for Katniss. However, if there is I don't see how it can include both Peeta and Gale.
While I loved this book, I have to say that I had to put it down a couple of times. Whereas I read straight through the first one in a single sitting, I could not do the same in this case. I wanted to, but there was definitely no reading this book before bed. I did, the first night I got it, and really wished I hadn't.
Now I'm bummed that I'll have to wait who knows how long before the next one comes out. : ( This book ends on such a cliff hanger that I honestly wish I had waited until the third was out and I could just get right to it.
(4 of 4 readers found this comment helpful)
Un Lun Dun by China Mielville
MindyBuchanan, August 15, 2009
Excellent book. Even though I read this when I wasn't quite in the mood for this type of book, Mieville's writing is fantastic.I've never read any of his adult works, but I certainly will now. Mielville's ability to create this other world that creepily mirrors our own is amazing. He doesn't over explain, just gives the reader enough to easily imagine the wrongness in familiar objects and characters.
It very much reminded me of Alice in Wonderland. From here on out I will not be able to look at a small carton of milk without a certain fondness.
(3 of 4 readers found this comment helpful)
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
MindyBuchanan, August 7, 2009
I can honestly say this has to be in contention for my favorite book of the year. It's certainly my favorite so far.We begin the story when Locke is just a child of five. Immediately, he is deviously lovable. Next come introductions of the Sanzas and Jean, all equally interesting and lovable characters. Despite all the gritty hardships and despair peppered throughout this book, Locke bears them well. He's a character that takes responsibility (once understood) for his actions and in most cases, learns from them.
His character develops through the "now" story line (where Locke is late to mid twenties by my count) and through interludes (where Lynch seamlessly shifts back and forth into history, each time revealing a little more of Locke & the Gentleman Bastards' as well as Camour history). The depth of friendship, especially between Locke and Jean, can be quite touching.
I love a book that can keep me guessing. Nearly every close call, I would think to myself, how is Locke going to get himself out of this one? Lynch never disappoints, creating elaborate "ah ha" moments as fanciful as one of Locke's scores.
I cannot wait to read the second book to see where the criminal mastermind of Locke Lamora takes us next.
*side note: this book is full (and I mean there might not be a page without one) of swear words. I'm not one to complain about profanity - but in general I don't love a book that is full of it. However, in this case, it seems befitting of the story and adds an element and color that without it, wouldn't be the same story. Also, it can be quite gory in places and the subject matter is probably not for the squeamish or delicate.
(1 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
The Magician's Apprentice by Trudi Canavan
MindyBuchanan, August 6, 2009
I thought this was an excellent book. It was a bit on the long side, but all in all very good. For me, it read more like the third book in the Black Magician Trilogy. Despite its length, it moved along pretty quickly. Fans of the trilogy will quickly recognize many things from the first books. This is a prequel and a lot of the rules are different. But it was certainly interesting to come to understand how the Guild got to where it was in the beginning of the trilogy.A few people have commented that this is the "same plot" as the trilogy. I really disagree. I think that Tessia, Jayan and Dakon are very different, and completely engaging characters. I'm not usually a fan of prequels, but this was quite entertaining.
I would also say that it is probably best to read the trilogy then this book. I think it could be done either way, but I really enjoyed reaching back and thinking - ah so that's why this and this happened in the trilogy. But perhaps reading it the other way would prove just as enlightening.
My only real complaint was Stara's story. I understood the need for it, perspective wise, but it doesn't start until halfway through the book. By that time I'm more interested in the characters I've already gotten to know and I found myself glossing over those parts.
If you liked the trilogy, I think you'll like this book.
(2 of 2 readers found this comment helpful)
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