Very inventive Montreal based novel of synesthesia and hypermnesia (perfect memory) that used multiple narrative devices to good use. Noel, who has the above mentioned abilities, tries to cure his mother’s Alzheimer’s disease as well as growing to maintain his own relationships.
A dead cop trying to solve his own murder works on a number of levels in this interesting and well paced novel. The Chinese mythology, complex characters, and exciting action makes it a quick fun read.
Okay, here’s my first negative review. I was bored by the glacial pace of this year’s Newbery winner. 100 pages in and I would have stopped reading, but I’m asked often for award winner J and YA titles, so I toughed it out. What a big waste of time. A gentle New York in the 70′s time travel story that would be forgotten if it was written in the 70′s and now it’s just as boring. Nothing new plot -weak characterization. No no no.
I realized half-way through this lovely National Book Award winner that I don’t read much adult fiction these days that doesn’t have some fantastical element in it. I kept waiting for some character to really be a dream child made real or something like what Jonathan Carroll or Jonathan Lethem do so well. New York City in the 70′s is captured from these interconnecting narratives with love and compassion. Richly developed characters that linger on in the conversation with the living. Great storytelling to celebrate the written word.
A classic time travelling novel with a lot of interesting plots weaving together. The meticulously researched details of 17th century England make the story even richer. Our hapless hero Doyle must learn to survive and fight the old powers trying to control history. Standard SF motif, but this one is special.
Dark and moody with more than a passing homage to HP Lovecraft, teen and adult horror fans will love the start of this new series by Yancey. The “lost” journal of Will Henry drips with viscera and encounters with all manner of strange monster, yet the story is well paced and should have won the Prinz award.
Quirky coming of age YA short novel featuring 19 sock puppets named Marcel, treasure hunts, family secrets, and refreshingly good dialogue. It’s hard to capture a teen voice and Brown does a marvelous job with Dree who is grieving the death of her dad and the possibilities he represented. Teens looking for something different will really enjoy this, and having it take place in Edmonton add to the interest.
This is the 5th mystery translated from French that features Commissaire Jean-Baptiste Adamsberg, and my favorite so far. Like any good mystery series, the characters develop more complexity as the novels progress. Adamsberg is quite a singular policeman, and the French history that infused the series keeps the plot moving along nicely.
Steampunked detective story with anthropomorphic animals in a history where France is the major world power. Talbot was inspired by the 19th century illustrator Gerald, and the visuals match a dynamic story with delight. Beautiful to own.
Super fighter Katsa must learn to control her Grace of killing to defeat a king with a terrible power. This is a great mix of action and intrigue with strong character development. Though this is YA, adults will love it too. The prequel Fire is just as good.