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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
Caroline Berg has commented on (14) products
Villains Guide To Better Living
by
Neil Zawacki
Caroline Berg
, May 12, 2012
Since I always figured I'd grow up to be a Mad Scientist or an evil Sorceress, this was a must buy book. I already knew how to be a villain, but I didn't have the finer points down. Such as how to deal with coworkers, you know, the ones you don't turn into zombie minions. Or villain health tips - why exercise is important (one reason: to chase wounded heroes down). The book is divided into six evil sections, covering everything a villain needs to create a fulfilling life. Tongue-in-cheek, deliciously dark humor, perfect for anyone who enjoys the darker side of life.
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Spellbent
by
Lucy A Snyder
Caroline Berg
, May 12, 2012
To be perfectly honest, I expected this to be a mediocre book - it had an interesting premise, enough that I bought the book, but I didn't expect the total awesomeness that was in store. The heroine Jessie is delightfully sarcastic, and some of the spells she casts are hilarious. She is strong, despite everything that happens, and instead of giving up, she gets angry. And kudos to the author for having her get damaged in battle and not magically come out perfectly healed. Her familiar, Palimpsest is the perfect foil for her character. If you enjoy lots of action, battles with heaven and hell, and tons of sarcasm, this is the book for you!
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Kingdom Beyond the Waves
by
Stephen Hunt
Caroline Berg
, May 12, 2012
An excellent second book in a series that is fast becoming one of my favorites. This book takes two minor characters from the first book set in this world (The Court of the Air) and makes them the stars of their own adventure. You do not need to have read the first book in the series to understand anything in this book. This book is a completely different style from the first book in the series. This is a roaring steampunk adventure. A group sets out to find the mythical city Camlantis (a mixture of Camelot and Atlantis) in a submarine through dangerous jungles and hostile landscapes. And like the first book, there are lots of plots and subplots, some which seem to have no relation to the main plot - but it all comes together by the end. I highly recommend it!
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Court of the Air Jackelian 01
by
Stephen Hunt
Caroline Berg
, May 12, 2012
I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Yes, it borrows a lot from history, but all the history is used so uniquely - seriously what other book is there were the Ancient Aztec gods are mixed with insects and are hellbent on destroying the world? (OK, to be fair, the Aztec gods are fairly bloodthirsty, but they aren't insectoid.) This book is a steampunk romp that takes place so far in the future that time has cycled around again and Earth is having a second "Victorian-esque" age. Magic has returned to the world. The continents have shifted to form new counties, like Cassarabia, part Eastern Europe, part Arabian peninsula. And in this book two different groups are rushing to save the world. At first it can be confusing, since the two parties don't actually meet up until the middle of the book. And there are a lot of points of view to keep track of. But despite all the plots and subplots, everything comes together at the end. I highly recommend it if you are a fan of steampunk. It is certainly one of the most creative books I have read in a long time.
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Lady of Devices
by
Shelley Adina
Caroline Berg
, May 12, 2012
Fun and fasted paced. The interactions between the characters are great. Claire is a great strong character with a certain amount of steel in her spine. Watching her get in and out of situations is highly entertaining. My only problem was that the book ended too soon. Just when you were fully into it and everything was moving, the book just ends with a major cliffhanger. Meaning that you have to get the next book to find out how anything is resolved.
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A Discovery of Witches: All Souls 1
by
Deborah Harkness
Caroline Berg
, January 19, 2012
This book is so much better then I had hoped it would be. But perhaps I'm biased (my undergrad studies were in history focused on Medieval magic and alchemy...) In the book, every time I thought I was getting closer to understanding it all, the plot would veer off in a new direction, making it extremely hard to predict - and I am usually very good a predicting books! I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves magic, alchemy, history, vampires or mysteries. I am eagerly awaiting the sequel.
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The Great Book of Amber: The Complete Amber Chronicles 1 10
by
Roger Zelazny
Caroline Berg
, September 01, 2011
My only regret is that I didn't read these books sooner. The first five books are wonderful - I would rate them five stars each. The action is non-stop. The intrigue changes so many times it is hard to keep track of who is allied with whom. It can be fatal to trust the wrong person - but who can you trust when your entire family is locked in a battle for the throne? Relatives pop out of the woodwork like termites - but do they want the throne, revenge or something else? Nothing is ever what it seems. The first book of the series, Nine Princes in Amber, was brilliantly done. It starts with Corey not remembering anything. So as he struggles to find out what is going on, the reader learns with him. The first book also ends with a cliff-hanger, so naturally, now you have to read the next book... and so on until you realize that you have now read them all. The last five books are not as brilliant as the first five. The last five books deal not with Corey, but with his son. I don't want to give anything away, so I'll just say that while I really enjoyed Corey's personality, I'm not nearly so fond of his son. Though his story is interesting, and it does fill in what happens between the forces of Order and Chaos, it lacks a certain something that the first five books had. These books are classic, not to mention necessary, if you ever want to play Amber Diceless Roleplaying - or get any Amber references in any other fantasy games.
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Phules Paradise Phules Company 2
by
Robert Asprin
Caroline Berg
, September 01, 2011
The gang's all back! And you know what that means - more hilarity ensues! This book is the sequel to Phule's Company and it is every bit as good as the first book. This time the Omega Company is up against the mob - where they will have to use all their unique skills if they want to succeed. In this book, the characters really allow their personalities to shine, now that we have gotten to know them (you really need to read the first book before picking this one up). It is always amusing to see how the characters interact with each other and the mob. Sadly, in some ways I consider the last book in the series, as well as being only the second book. None of the rest of the series is as good as these first two books. Not that you shouldn't read the other books - I certainly did. But be prepared to find some things different.
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Outrageous Fortune
by
Tim Scott
Caroline Berg
, September 01, 2011
This book is hilarious. From the very start when the Jonny finds his house has been stolen, to the section of the city that is based on Christmas music (complete with taxis that are sleighs). Don't worry if you don't know what is going on - neither does Jonny. Just sit back and enjoy the crazy ride. Oh - and be on the lookout for Shakespeare quotes - they appear in the most unlikely of places. Reading this book won't help you find the answer to the question of "whether 'tis nobler to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune." It might not be noble, but it certainly is more fun!
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Phule's Company: Phule's Company 1
by
Robert Asprin
Caroline Berg
, December 13, 2010
This is a classic comedy and one of my favorite sci-fi books, bar none. Willard Phule, in disgrace from screwing up a major command, is punished by being sent to play captain to the worst bunch of misfits in the Space Legion. What his superiors don't realize is that Phule has a knack for seeing the strengths in even the strangest of outcasts. With a little help from his trusted butler Beeker, and his vast fortune at his fingertips, Phule is able to turn the dregs of the Omega Company into a fighting force that few can stand against - but can he do it in time to stop the latest alien threat?
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A Phule and His Money: Phule's Company 3
by
Robert Asprin and Peter J Heck
Caroline Berg
, December 13, 2010
Sadly, this book does not live up to the two previous books in the series (Phule's Company and Phule's Paradise.) The problems are many: most of the major characters undergo personality changes (Rose, Sushi, Escrima, to name a few), details carried over from the first two books have been changed, sometimes changed mid-book... It is as if Heck didn't bother to look over Aspirin's notes (or even just read the first two books) before joining Aspirin to write this one. The book is still lighthearted and amusing, but don't expect it to be anywhere near the same level of humor as the first two.
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Wizard Of London Elemental Masters 4
by
Mercedes Lackey
Caroline Berg
, December 13, 2010
As the fourth book in the Elemental Masters series, the Wizard of London dramatically changes the format that readers have come to expect from the series. While this is a retelling of the Snow Queen, the main characters in this book are Sarah and Nan, children who were never in the original tale. Also, this book focuses on other types of magic users in the world, instead of focusing on Elemental Masters. The Wizard of London is a strong story that would almost be better if it hadn't been tied to a fairy tale at all. Mercedes Lackey takes great liberties with the Snow Queen tale, which some people might not enjoy. But if you can get past the associated fairy tale, this is an entertaining tale with all sorts of magic, birds and mayhem thrown in.
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Fire Rose
by
Mercedes Lackey
Caroline Berg
, December 13, 2010
I have to admit, I collect all versions of Beauty and the Beast. This version is unique in the fact that Rosalind has no living family - so there is no one that will miss her when she goes off to the beast's lair. I love Rosalind's spunk and her sparring with Jason often make the book. The ending is also a unique take on the tale. I see this book as a prelude to Mercedes Lackey's "Elemental Masters" series. Fire Rose has the same system of magic that is used in the "Elemental Masters" books. And, like the other books in the series, it is a retelling of a fairy tale. The main difference seems to be that Fire Rose is set in America, not England.
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Paladin of Souls
by
Lois McMaster Bujold
Caroline Berg
, December 13, 2010
Lois McMaster Bujold does a wonderful job of taking Ista, a minor character from the Curse of Chalion, and fleshing her out into a deeply intriguing woman. After years of pretending to be insane, Ista finds that she is tired of always being treated like she doesn't matter. So she embarks on a pilgrimage and finds out that she matters in far more ways than she could imagine... Bujold excels at writing strong female heroines who are older than the usual fair (here the heroine is in her forties.) A delightful book that is filled with madness and demons, magic and religion, and how the mistakes of the past do not need to chain you down forever.
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