#112-#117 December's final books
Title: Pastwatch-The redemption of Christopher Columbus
Author: Orson Scott Card
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 402 (PB)
Length of time to read: 7 Days
Synopsis:
A small group of scientists and historians, carefully trained, spend their days viewing the human past through a machine, the TruSiteII. It takes a particular talent to search the past for moments of significance, to focus the machines and track individuals through the depths of time, But a woman named Tagiri is more than just talented -- she has a knack for finding interesting lives.
But the world Tagiri lives in is a tragic place, the human race reduced to a population of less than one billion after a century of war and plague, of drought and flood and famine. There have been too many extinctions; too much land has been poisoned. The remaining people strive to renew the Earth, while they search the past for the causes of their plight.
Then one day, while watching the slaughter of the Caribe tribes by the Spanish led to Hispaniola by Christopher Columbus, Tagiri makes a discovery that will change everything; she discovers that the woman she is watching is seeing her, too, as a vision sent by her Gods.
Can the past be changed? Can the Earth be restored?
Can it be right for a small group of people to take action that, if it succeeds, will wipe out the entire time line in which they live? Even if, by their action, the death of an entire planet will be averted?
And even if the answer is yes, where do they begin?
Recommended By:
I was looking though a friends library, and spotted this book.
Review:
I loved the book, as with most books written by Orson Scott Card! I do not have the words to express how great of a writer he is. I have yet to read a book written by him that I haven't enjoyed. He is truly gifted.
I enjoyed the way the book was written, it really made me think. The characters were well rounded and the story had so many layers. I really do not know what else to say, I would recommend the book to anyone who enjoys Science Fiction.
#113 Dead and Gone
Title: Dead and Gone
Author: Charlaine Harris
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 312 (HB)
Length of time to read: 4 hrs.
Synopsis:
Telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse braces herself for trouble when another group of supernatural beings goes public in her disjointed eighth adventure (after 2008's From Dead to Worse). Following the vampires' lead, the shape-shifters decide to step out of the woodwork and announce their existence to the world. While the initial reveal goes smoothly, the brutal crucifixion of a young werepanther behind the local bar makes Sookie wonder if the people of Bon Temps, La., are as tolerant as she thought. Meanwhile, the FBI is asking questions about Sookie's uncanny ability to locate survivors after an explosion, and trouble is brewing among the secretive fae.
Recommended By:
I have been reading this series for a year or so.
Review:
I enjoyed the book. It was mindless fun, just what I expect when I pick up a Sookie Stackhouse book. I do think the story was somewhat disjointed. The story didn't feel as fleshed out as some of the earlier ones. It seems that every other book is subpar. But I still enjoyed it, the characters are still enjoyable and even though I really miss Quinn, I look forward to each book in the series.
#114 There Goes the Bride
Title: There Goes the Bride
Author: M.C. Beaton
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 288 (HB)
Length of time to read: 1 Day
Synopsis:
Agatha’s former husband James is engaged to be married to a beautiful, young woman and Agatha has been kindly invited to the wedding. To take her mind off this, Agatha decides she has fallen for Sylvan, a Frenchman she met at James’ engagement party. To distract her still further she decides upon a holiday and flies to Istanbul, where unfortunately she bumps into James and his fiancée not once but twice – convincing him she is stalking them.
So when the bride is murdered on her wedding day, naturally Agatha is Suspect Number One – but then matters are turned on their head when the dead bride’s mother engages Agatha to take on the case of her murdered daughter! And very soon Agatha’s own life is in danger while she tries to solve the mystery of the corpse bride while fighting off (halfheartedly) the advances of a very attractive and determined Frenchman!
Recommended By:
I have been reading books by this author for years.
Review:
I liked the book, it was a nice light read. The plot was interesting enough and even though I solved the mystery fairly early, I still had fun reading the whole book. Agatha still makes me laugh and even though we aren't a lot alike, I can still relate to her.
#115 The Sorcerer King (#3 of the Faire Path)
Title: The Sorcerer King (#3 of the Faire Path)
Author: Frewin Jones
Genre: YA-Fantasy
Pages: 324 (HB)
Length of time to read: 1 Day
Synopsis:
Tania has brought the long-lost Queen Titania back to Faerie from the Mortal World of modern London. But when they cross between the worlds, they find only devastation.
The Sorcerer King of Lyonesse—ancient enemy of the Faerie Court—has been released from his amber prison. As the wicked sorcerer regains his power, King Oberon, Tania's father, is imprisoned and the Faerie Court is being destroyed.
Tania and her true love, Edric, must travel the Realm to try to find and rescue King Oberon, who is their only hope for defeating the evil Sorcerer King. And Tania must prepare for battle . . . and to fight a war that she may not survive.
Recommended By:
I started reading this series last month.
Review:
This book was better than the 2nd in the series and I am happy that the story seems to be getting a little deeper each time. I really like the main character and her family, I like seeing women in positions of power. Of course, I started reading more YA Fiction so I could find nooks for my nephew-this is not one he would like, but I will definitely put it on the list for my nieces when they are a little older. The story is somewhat simply written, but it retained my interest. I look forward to reading more by this author soon.
#116 Cream Puff Murder
Title: Cream Puff Murder
Author: Joanne Fluke
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 310 (HB)
Length of time to read: 2 Days
Synopsis:
Winter in Lake Eden, Minnesota, is the perfect time to curl up by a cozy fire with something - and someone - sweet. But while bakery owner Hannah Swensen can provide herself with the confections, cuddling will have to take a back seat to sleuthing when her sometime-squeeze becomes a murder suspect...
With the launch party of her mother's novel around the corner, Hannah has a dress to fit into and a date with her sister, Andrea, at Lake Eden's new health club, Heavenly Bodies. Dragging herself out of bed on a frigid Minnesota morning for exercise, of all things, is bad enough. Discovering a dead body floating in the gym's Jacuzzi? Okay, that's worse. Nor does it help that there's a plate of The Cookie Jar's very own cream puffs garnishing the murder scene. The fact that they were purchased by none other than Hannah's part-time flame, Detective Mike Kingston, is simply the icing on what's shaping up to be one very messy cake...
Mike may be the prime suspect in the murder of man-eating bombshell Ronni Ward, but he's by no means the only one. Ronni, a fitness instructor at both the Sheriff's department and Heavenly Bodies, made a nasty habit of throwing her own heavenly body at every man, eligible or not, who crossed her path. Plenty of Lake Eden's ladies won't miss Ronni, including her ex-fiancé's former girlfriend, the angry mother of one of her would-be conquests, and even the mayor's wife. Could any of them have wanted her gone badly enough to make it happen? Mike's recruited Hannah to find out, and, as any suspended, suspected detective would, he's micromanaging her every step of the way...
Between trying to narrow the list of Ronni's enemies down to fewer than half the town's female population and resisting the urge to remove Mike from the running by throttling him herself, Hannah has her plate full. Trouble is, when it comes to cookies - and to murder - there's always room for one more.
Recommended By:
I have been reading these books for the last few years.
Review:
I know exactly what to expect from these books and was not disappointed. I like the characters, and it's great to see them grow as people as the series goes on. Hopefully soon Hannah will make me happy by settling down with Norman-he is definitely the better man!! I had a great chuckle a few times in this book. Moishe's subplot was fun. I always look forward to reading this series.
#117 Inkspell
Title: Inkspell
Author: Corneila Funke
Genre: YA Fantasy
Pages: 635 (HB)
Length of time to read: 7 Days
Synopsis:
Although a year has passed, not a day goes by without Meggie thinking of Inkheart, the book whose characters came to life. But for Dustfinger, the fire-eater brought into being from words, the need to return to the tale has become desperate. When he finds Orpheus, a crooked storyteller with the magical ability to read him back, Dustfinger leaves behind his young apprentice Farid and plunges into the medieval world of the past. Distraught, Farid goes in search of Meggie. Before long, both are caught inside the book, too. And the story is threatening to evolve in ways neither of them could ever have imagined.
Like Inkheart, Inkspell features the special touches that transform Funke's novels into keepsakes. Each chapter begins with a surprisingly relevant literary excerpt and concludes with a charming line illustration by the author herself. And this, the second book in the trilogy, also includes a hand-drawn map of the Inkworld and, as a helpful reference for readers old and new, a "dictionary" of characters. Silvertongue, Fenoglio, Crookback, Firefox: The entire epic cast is described in detail.
Recommended By:
I read a review about the first book in this series and after reading that, I wanted to read this one.
Review:
I liked the book a lot, It was better than the first, and i liked that one. This one went deeper into the Inkworld. I really felt like I was a part of the story. The character development was grwat and the story flowed perfectly. I can't wait to read the next book.
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