Bookfoolery

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Dr. Who: Festival of Death by Jonathan Morris with a giveaway (!!!!)

Festival of Death by Jonathan Morris

BBC Books - SciFi/Fan Fiction - Dr. Who

306 pp.

Source: From the publisher for TLC Tours

What's it about?

The Fourth Doctor (played in the series by Tom Baker) and his companion Romana arrive by chance in the midst of a place called the G-Lock, a gridlock in a wormhole where a large number of spaceships were trapped 200 years in the past and all the passengers from the cruise ship at the head of the pile-up mysteriously disappeared. Now the G-Lock has been turned into a tourist destination.

As the Doctor and Romana arrive, a disaster has occurred during a thrill-ride called The Beautiful Death, a "tour of the afterlife" in which participants die and are brought back to life. When the Doctor and Romana are recognized and the Doctor is thanked for saving lives, they have no choice but to go back in time to figure out what they've already done and how the Doctor became a hero.

Then the Doctor discovers that he saved the day by sacrificing his own life.

What I liked about Festival of Death:

Festival of Death is an absolute delight to read. In this particular Dr. Who novel, the Fourth Doctor is the protagonist. Tom Baker is by far my favorite of the Doctor Who actors and the author did an exceptional job of portraying him. It was incredibly easy to visualize the Doctor's every gesture, his tone of voice and his expressions. And, the story is just complex enough to make the reading ridiculously fun. There are, in fact, so many different time streams that I lost track of how many Doctors could be running around at any moment.

As Kiddo says, "It's all wibbly-wobbly and timey-wimey." Well, yes, but in a bigger way than average, I replied. It really is quite a twisty-turny story. We both loved that.

There is also an excellent balance of humor (not just the Doctor's cheerful blustering but some terrific secondary characters), scary and gross bits (not too much, but enough to nicely creep you out), adventure and mystery. Kiddo and I both loved this wacky, time-twisty adventure.

What I disliked about Festival of Death:

There's not much I disliked about Festival of Death. The gross bits are certainly icky but not so horrifying that I would advise anyone to resist reading the book and there was so much I liked about it that I was practically propelled through it by the desire to see how things would turn out. Whoosh went the pages! The only complaints I can come up with are spectacularly mild. Romana occasionally didn't sound entirely "in character" to me. But, I haven't seen an old episode with Romana in it for ages, so you can take that possible criticism with a grain of salt. There is also a computer called ERIC who is annoyingly suicidal. But, there's a reason for his human-like distress and as you get farther into the book and ERIC's past becomes clear, the annoyance becomes an eyebrow-raiser, instead. Oh! Poor Eric! How awful! you will think. Odd siding with a computer but he really was put-upon.

So, what does that leave? Oh, I suppose no criticism at all. I don't like gross bits but as I said, there was a very decent balance that kept the icky from becoming overwhelming. And, K-9 is in this one! Squeee! I was heartbroken when K-9 left the series.

Kiddo's review:

Festival of Death is a tale of the Doctor constantly crossing time streams with himself, making for more than one outrageous incident. Great story. I would read it again.

[Kiddo is succinct in a way I can only dream of someday becoming.]

The Bottom Line:

Highly Recommended - Excellent characterization, a nice twisty plot, plenty of humor, with some scary and yucky bits (but not too much). A vastly entertaining adventure with a perfectly-described Fourth Doctor. Festival of Death is definitely worth buying for multiple rereads if you're a Dr. Who fan. Even knowing the ending won't ruin it for future readings because it's such fun. Kiddo and I both loved it and Huzzybuns is glad we're done reading it so he can have a turn.

Giveaway!!

I gave up doing giveaways, quite some time ago, but I'm going to come out of the anti-giveaway woodwork because I loved this book enough that I think it's worth spreading the joy around.

To enter:

Tell me what you think the Doctor's real name is. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, where have you been? Kidding, kidding. Just make something up.
Don't forget to leave your email so I can contact you if you win! If you don't leave an email address, you'll be automatically disqualified because I don't like having to try to track people down through their profiles.
This will be a fairly quick drawing. Entries will close at 5:00 PM U.S. Central time on June 30 (or whenever I get to it).

This is an international giveaway, so no problem if you live in Timbuktu or Constantinople or on Easter Island. Oklahoma's OK, too. [inside joke] Good luck!

©2013 Nancy Horner. All rights reserved. If you are reading this post at a site other than Bookfoolery or its RSS feed, you are reading a stolen feed. Email bookfoolery@gmail.com for written permission to reproduce text or photos.

Monday, June 17, 2013

Monday Malarkey - Arrivals and not much else

I'm having a whale of a time trying to get images to go where I want them to, so I'll just stop messing with them and tell you about my reading week. I finished two books, last week: The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley and Festival of Death by Jonathan Morris. Both were terrific reads for entirely different reasons. I believe tomorrow is the tour date for Festival of Death (one of the books in the new Dr. Who Classics series), so you won't have long to wait for that review.

Three books arrived:

Simon's book! Simon's book! Hardback! Buy it!

I've already read the ARC and written some thoughts about Simon Van Booy's latest book, The Illusion of Separateness but not a review that discusses plot and all that jazz.

What I received this week was a finished hardback copy that I pre-ordered as soon as it was possible to pre-order. It's beautiful and I can't wait to read the book a second time. I'll take notes. This always happens to me: The first time I read one of Simon's books, I become so immersed that I can't bear to stop long enough to pick up a post-it. So, I always have to read them at least twice before I can review. The Illusion of Separateness is no exception.

Simon's Tour Dates - Simon's on tour, at the moment. Go see him if he's near you and tell him Bookfool sent you, please!!! I will not be able to see him on tour, this time, damn it. So disappointed.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman came from HarperCollins for review. I was in the mood for a quick and spooky read, yesterday, so this week's first finished read is already done and dusted.

I was thoroughly creeped out.

I loved it.

The Bohemian Love Diaries by Slash Coleman came from the publisher after I was contacted by the author. We had a pleasant conversation and have made an unofficial date for coffee if/when he comes through my area.

I read the first chapter of The Bohemian Love Diaries and would have happily continued reading but last week was not the best reading week because my entire family was here -- Eldest down from Nashville, Kiddo still home from school (but he'll be leaving for the second summer session, soon), Kiddo's girlfriend already living with us (boy, did it surprise Eldest to find that C. was here, the morning after she moved in; apparently, we forgot to tell him she's staying for the summer).

That's all beside the point. The first chapter of The Bohemian Love Diaries is really something. Looks like Slash Coleman has led a unique, quirky life that will make for delightful reading. I'm anxious to return to this one.

In other news:

I just checked out one of the local library branches in itty-bitty (but lovely) Raymond, MS. It was as expected. The fiction section consisted of mostly Westerns, romance, Christian fiction, a smattering of popular fiction (usually the kind I dislike) and mysteries, exactly like my last library. Fortunately, there are quite a few branches I've yet to check out, so hopefully I'll be able to find a bit more variety elsewhere.

It's hot and occasionally stormy. Progress on the old house is continuing. The cats are happy. That's about all the news. Happy Monday!

Friday, June 14, 2013

Fiona Friday - Lucky catch

This was a split-second glance. You know how Fiona hates the camera. Lucky I can hit that shutter release quickly.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

The Kings and Queens of Roam by Daniel Wallace

The Kings and Queens of Roam by Daniel Wallace
Copyright 2013
Touchstone Books (an imprint of Simon & Schuster) - Fiction that's really hard to classify: a little historical, a little paranormal, a lot brilliant
277 pp.

Source: Touchstone Books

Warning: Gushy love forthcoming

What The Kings and Queens of Roam is about (in my words):

Helen and Rachel McAllister live in a dying town established by their ancestor, a devious man who built his home and his fortune by kidnapping a Chinese man and stealing his secret. After the death of their parents, Helen is charged with taking care of her younger sister, Rachel. Helen is the ugly sister and her temperament matches her looks. Rachel is blind, innocent and a stunning beauty. But, Helen tells Rachel stories that make her fearful and just a bit sad. Rachel, Helen is convinced, could never live on her own. But, she's bitter at what she perceives as the loss of her own independence. Even as Helen convinces Rachel that the world is dangerous and she could never survive alone, she makes it nearly impossible for Rachel to develop the strength to forge her own path.

Then, one day Helen leaves for a short time and everything changes. When Rachel decides to take her chances, what will happen to the two sisters and their fading world?

The Kings and Queens of Roam moves between the past and maybe-not-quite-present, describing the heartless ancestor who cursed his line by choosing greed rather than kindness and the two young women upon whom his legacy has fallen.

Why a blurb can't possibly describe the magic:

There is much more to Daniel Wallace's writing than a boilerplate description of The Kings and Queens of Roam will allow. It is absolutely magical. While the book is partly about a sisterly relationship, partly about their greedy ancestor, it's also about a string of tragedies and how we choose darkness or light. It's the most bizarrely wonderful story of tragedy and hope. There are ghosts walking around and a magical river that may or may not cure people or mice of various ills. When Helen and Rachel's parents' death is described, it's so strange it's almost humorous. "Tall tales and folklore" is a part of the cover flap description. Yes, I'll buy that. It reads very much like folklore with a dash of fairy tale. There are no dates (so I found myself placing the more modern portion of the story in the 50s or 60s, 'though I can't say if I'm anywhere close) and no concrete geographical links. You know you're in a world apart.

What I loved about The Kings and Queens of Roam:

I loved the experience of escaping into Daniel Wallace's strange and magical story as much as the story itself. The reason I took a photo of the book lying face-down on my bed has to do with the fact that I was so in love, so immersed in the story that I wanted to take the book's portrait. And, the only way I could set it down was in a manner that left it remaining open. I couldn't even bear to put a bookmark in The Kings and Queens of Roam. When I photographed it, I had to do something necessary -- I don't know, maybe move a load of laundry or make a meal? Something you can't get out of doing.

What I disliked about The Kings and Queens of Roam:

Nothing. I never knew exactly where the author was taking me and that's a good thing. I like to be surprised. I don't mind being able to figure out an ending in advance if the entire book is not so transparent as to end up being dull, but to keep drawing in a reader and surprising him, over and over, is a rare and wondrous thing. "Rare and wondrous" are actually excellent descriptors for The Kings and Queens of Roam.

See, I told you gushy love was coming.

It happens.

This is my first Daniel Wallace book. I actually have a copy of Big Fish, but I've never read it. I plan to do some digging, in the coming weeks. You know we moved in September of 2012? Still haven't unloaded all the books. Nowhere near.

The bottom line:

Highly, enthusiastically recommended - Exceptional writing and storytelling: a tale of darkness and light, tragedy and hope and how far we will go for those we deeply love. A rare and wondrous gem, magical and immersive, brilliant and beautiful.

A friend asked me if The Kings and Queens of Roam is a children's book because of its cover (which also should get a large dollop of adoration because it's lovely, whimsical and relevant to the story) and the answer is "no". The Kings and Queens of Roam is very much an grown-up fable, but it's certainly not one that I would advise anyone to hide from the kids.

I also took this while I was in the midst of reading TKaQoR:

Both kitties were my reading buddies, that day. Fiona was sprawled on the floor, Isabel curled up on her favorite blanket beside me, much of the afternoon. Not much else but reading was accomplished, once I opened up the book. It's definitely a new favorite.

©2013 Nancy Horner. All rights reserved. If you are reading this post at a site other than Bookfoolery or its RSS feed, you are reading a stolen feed. Email bookfoolery@gmail.com for written permission to reproduce text or photos.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Monday Malarkey - Of kitties and bloggiversaries and bacon jam

This is what Fiona looks like through a kids' kaleidoscope. Some days you get goofy with your camera, haha.

I didn't think I was going to have time to post any malarkey, today, with Eldest visiting, Kiddo in the house and Kiddo's girlfriend moving in with us for summer term. Plus, I figured there wouldn't be much to say, since no books arrived last week. But, then 3 books came in the mail, the guys went to work on emptying the attic at our old house and I'm just sitting here waiting for laundry to finish and our temporary resident (we'll just call her "C") to arrive so . . . there you go. Time to write, after all, and things to say.

Just walked in:

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs - via Paperback Swap
The Tudor Secret by C. W. Gortner - via Paperback Swap
True Spies by Shana Galen - from Sourcebooks for review

What else is new?

Poor Fiona had a reaction to her yearly shots. She scratched the injection spot raw and it stayed bloody all weekend, but Fi remained oddly perky and managed to charm our eldest. I just took this photo of her looking as serene as usual, just a bit ago. Fortunately, her wound has apparently stopped itching. It's a relief to see her back to normal.

Our weekend:

We painted the master bedroom ceiling in our old house, dropped off hazardous waste, donated several bags of clothing and miscellaneous to the rescue mission, attended a housewarming party, made some new friends, cleaned the new house to prepare for our eldest son's visit and C's move into Kiddo's bedroom, and set up our new phones -- which we hope will lower the cost of our mobile service a bit. Not much reading was accomplished, but I'm more than halfway into The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley and enjoying it immensely.

I completely forgot:

June 6 was my 7th bloggiversary! I guess it's not as big a deal, after 7 years, but I did mean to say something. Since we're trying to get our house ready to sell and there's a lot of work to be done, I feel like I owe everyone an apology. I will post when I can but I'm probably not going to have much, if any, time to read other blogs and comment. I'm already having trouble just fitting in reading time. Cross your fingers or pray that we can finish up the fixing-upping and get that house on the market, soon.

We brought this home from vacation:

I tried it on an egg salad sandwich. Seriously. It was a little weird, but not as bad as it sounds. On the back they say it's a relish. That makes it sound a little less frightening than the word "jam", doesn't it?

Happy Monday!

Friday, June 07, 2013

Fiona Friday - Sneak Attack

Because the jingle ball can't see you if you hide behind a door . . .

Thursday, June 06, 2013

A few minis: The English by Matt Rudd, The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

This is quite a hodge-podge of titles but all were purchases and I don't feel like dedicating an entire page to any of them, even though I enjoyed them all.

I purchased The English: A Field Guide by Matt Rudd when I got to Victoria Station in London and realized I didn't have any reading material for the train trip to Dover. Unacceptable! Must have reading material! So, I grabbed The English and, since it was one of the "Buy 1, Get 1 Half Price" books and so was The 5th Wave, I threw in the Yancey book for good measure.

The English is sarcastic fun, a book that observes and pokes fun at English habits and attitudes in the kitchen and garden, on the sofa, in the office, on the commuter train. It talks about pubs and clubs and shops, sporting events, the motorway, the beach and even the bedroom.

I love the cover blurb:

"An opportunity for the English to laugh at themselves and to show everyone else how mad and brilliant we are."

--Jeremy Clarkson

Spot on, Jeremy. Except the problem with the rest of us is that some of that lingo doesn't translate. I could have used a British English dictionary. Y'all do love your slang in the UK. But, I made sense of most of The English and it made the train trip out to Dover go quickly.

On the way back, I didn't get to read because I was distracted by the adventurers across the aisle. One fellow kept showing the others photos of the time he had to dig himself out of a snow cave and talked about how difficult it was to pull himself up out of a crevasse. But, at least his team had practiced for possible falls into crevasses by building a climbing area in the local garage. You so wish you could have eavesdropped with me, don't you?

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey was on my wish list because my friend Tammy gushed about it and it's getting very positive reviews.

An alien invasion has wiped out most of the Earth's population in 4 separate waves. Cassie has been alone for a while, living in the woods with occasional runs into town for food and water, knowing that even if there are any remaining humans it will be almost impossible for her to know who is human and who is not. She must stay alone and trust no one. But, how long can that last?

Private Zombie is being trained with a team of children. Nugget, the smallest, is so little he can't become an officer for another two years after training. Zombie likes little Nugget and feels protective of him. When the team is sent out on its first mission, they discover something sinister and realize the 5th Wave they've been waiting for has already begun. Zombie realizes he must go back for Nugget.

I love dystopian and apocalyptic books (aliens or otherwise), so it's only natural that I expected to enjoy The 5th Wave. And, I did. I liked the fact that the author tried to turn the whole alien-invasion concept on its head with references to movies and books in which, says the narrator, everyone got it wrong because there's no scattered group of humans that will band up to save the day. I guess we'll find out if that's the truth in the next book. The 5th Wave stands alone and is comfortably wrapped up, but it will still have you bouncing in your seat like popcorn, wishing you could get your mitts on the next book. Assuming you like that kind of thing. It's not great literature, but The 5th Wave is very well-written, stunningly plotted, action-packed, scary fun. I loved it.

Speaking of great literature, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is right up there. I've actually attempted to read it twice and couldn't get into it. There was something about the intro that threw me. But, the third time I had no problem. I haven't been able to find my elderly copy of Gatsby, so I wandered into a bookstore in Uxbridge (again, in the Greater London area) after we hiked out to the Battle of Britain Bunker. My feet needed a break, so I let the guys wander off to Sainsbury's without me and sat happily reading and swinging my feet on a nearby park bench.

All of that goes to say, this time around The Great Gatsby really grabbed me and, even though it's tragic and I adore sweetness and light, I loved it. I'm pretty sure everyone on the planet knows what it's about so I won't bother going into that. What I will say is that when I closed the book, I wanted to talk about it. I didn't love it as much as my first Fitzgerald, This Side of Paradise, but I was still astounded by Fitzgerald's mastery of the language and the way the narrator, Nick Carraway, made me see a tragic affair and overblown desperation as a story with more heart at its core than I'd have expected.

At any rate, I'm glad I bought a second copy if only because the print is much larger than my older one. I like the cover, too, because glancing at the costumes helped me visualize the opulence. The Great Gatsby display in the Harrods' windows might have helped, too, but Husband kept dragging me down Sloane Street to get home, at night, instead of past Harrods. So it wasn't till our last evening that I finally managed to photograph those cool costumes.

This one rotated:

Bottom line: Thumbs up to The Great Gatsby, loved living through the alien invasion in The 5th Wave, and the English, as described in The English, are indeed mad and brilliant. I really enjoyed my vacation reading and highly recommend all three!