Rachel Cotterill Book Reviews

Review: Zen Confidential

2013-05-12T14:07:00.000+01:00

Zen Confidential by Jack Haubner

My rating: Memoir

Zen Confidential is one man's account of monastic life, told in a thoroughly "un-monastic" style. The prologue starts with crude, puerile jokes that seem designed to put off anyone with a delicate constitution - perhaps just as well, since one of the first stories is all about shovelling human excrement. I'm not particularly squeamish about bodily functions (we've all got bodies, after all) but I did find the childish humour a bit off-putting.

The book started life as a series of essays, something which is still quite apparent in the structure and format, although the connections between episodes are quite well made. Some of the stories have an obvious lesson, while others are just vignettes of what might be quite unexpected facets of life at an American Zen monastery. I would have liked more of a thread from beginning to end, but ultimately this is a life story, and life doesn't always work out in neat and well-plotted ways.

Providing an interesting insight into the deeply personal process of becoming and remaining a Zen monk, this is an easy, readable book. Definitely worth a look if you've ever wondered what goes on in a monastery.

Review: The Girl in the Steel Corset

2013-05-07T16:00:00.000+01:00

The Girl in the Steel Corset (Steampunk Chronicles #1)
by Kady Cross

My rating: Steampunk Fantasy

The Girl in the Steel Corset begins with Finley working as a servant, when her employer assaults her. Or rather, he tries to, but Finley is stronger than a normal woman and she isn't about to stick around and take his abuse when she could instead punch his lights out and flee the scene. While fleeing she runs (literally) into Griffin, a young duke with secrets of his own, and thus begins the Steampunk Chronicles.

I started in a strange place with this novel, because last year I accidentally picked up the sequel, not realising I was missing a part of the story. So I was already somewhat familiar with the characters, and obviously knew at least some of those who would survive this first adventure. However, it was really nice to start in the right place this time, and I enjoyed the story a lot more from the beginning!

Finley is a strong character, though she's prone to blackouts where the "darker side" of her personality takes over and she acts without the control of her better side, which makes for an unusual reading experience since only her good side is a point-of-view character. Her relationship with Griffin starts unconventionally, but it's soon apparent that there's a romantic interest developing. The supporting cast includes brilliant inventor Emily, her sweetheart Sam, and (my favourite) good-hearted criminal mastermind Jack Dandy. The developing relationships and shifting allegiances within the group make for an added dimension to what would otherwise be a clear-cut fight of the good guys vs. the evil psychopath.

A great start to the series, which has encouraged me to go back to re-read its sequel immediately.

Review: Kissed in Paris

2013-05-04T16:00:00.000+01:00

Kissed in Paris by Juliette Sobanet

My rating: Romance

This charming, lightweight romance starts with a situation that's a very long way from cheery. Chloe wakes up in a posh Parisian hotel, dressed only in her underwear and stripped (no pun intended) of all her valuables: wallet, phone, passport, and even her engagement ring. As she's about to report the theft, the police turn up looking for her in connection with suspicious transactions on her bank account. It could be the start of a mystery or thriller, but in this case, the situation mostly serves as an excuse for sexy undercover agent Julien to sweep Chloe off her feet (and away from the police).

I picked up this book looking for a romantic comedy, so I was pleased that the tension didn't really ratchet up, despite the thriller-like setup. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy thrillers too, but this wasn't advertised as such and wasn't what I was looking for when I picked up the book. In fact, the theft really just provided a colourful background to Chloe and Julien's developing relationship, as well as lots of reasons for them to travel around France together. Chloe's run of bad luck also works to highlight the cracks in her relationship with her fiance - although she knows she hasn't done anything wrong, she's immediately afraid of how he would react to the news.

This was a gentle romance which I read quickly, racing through the beautiful French scenery along with the protagonists. Julien has enough secrets to make him interesting, while being reliable enough to win Chloe's cautious heart, and I loved their interactions with their two families. A perfect pick-me-up after a long day.

Review: The Bleiberg Project

2013-05-01T12:52:00.000+01:00

The Bleiberg Project by David Khara

My rating: Thriller

Le French Book is a small publishing company specialising in translations of novels from French. I've read a couple of their books before, and typically they've been very... well, very French (e.g. the wine-centred mystery of Treachery In Bordeaux). By contrast, The Bleiberg Project is an international thriller pulling together threads from finance, Nazi history, and even science fiction. I don't think I would have realised it was a translation if I hadn't already been familiar with the publisher.

I found the style a little difficult to get into, with its first-person perspective from an initially rather unsympathetic character, alternating with third-person scenes. Events in the beginning felt quite disconnected, and it took a long time for me to start caring about the characters. As the action picked up, the convoluted plot and sense of global conspiracy reminded me of Dan Brown's novels.

An enjoyable diversion, but I wouldn't necessarily rush to read more about these characters.

Review: Eat, Fast, Slim

2013-04-29T22:36:00.000+01:00

Eat, Fast, Slim by Amanda Hamilton

My rating: Nonfiction

I'm maybe not quite the target audience for this book, because I want to eat and fast, but slimming isn't of much interest. However, I'm doing 5:2 fasting already, so I thought it would be an interesting read.

The book doesn't focus exclusively on the 5:2 pattern of intermittent fasting (5 days eating normally, and 2 low calorie days, each week), but also covers juice fasting (a several-day detox) and 16:8 fasting (16 hours of fast, followed by 8 hours in which you can eat, every day). I hadn't heard of 16:8 before, and was quite interested to read about it, because it sounds like my teenage pattern of "skip breakfast and don't snack" is actually considered a style of fasting!

Perhaps the most interesting part of the book is an overview of the various studies underlying the idea of fasting, interspersed with the author's own experiences. Hamilton is open about the fact that most scientific studies have been done on rodents, not humans, but she has stacks of anecdotal evidence of human successes. In the back of the book is an extensive bibliograpy of research papers and articles, an interesting reading list that would take quite a long time to follow up in depth.

There's also a lengthy section of diet plans and recipes. The recipes might be helpful for eating a low-calorie diet on fast days, but unfortunately the actual calorie counts aren't provided for each recipe - meaning that if you don't want to follow the plan exactly as written (impossible if you're vegetarian), it's much harder to mix and match. The suggested dinners are also mostly based on meat and fish, with only a small number of veggie options.

Overall, this was a good basic introduction to the fasting philosophy, but has relatively little to offer for someone who's already following a fasting plan. It's a shame, because a few calorie calculations would have changed the recipe section into a genuinely useful resource for managing a diet plan.

Review: The Elite

2013-04-27T12:48:00.000+01:00

The Elite (The Selection #2)
by Kiera Cass

My rating: Dystopian Romance

The Selection Series:
1. The Selection • 2. The Elite

The Elite is the second novel in the story of the Selection, the televised spectacle in which the crown prince of Illea selects a new princess for the nation. In the first book, America Singer only signed up to get her family off her back, but by the beginning of The Elite she's clearly starting to fall for Prince Maxon, for real.

Of course, it couldn't be that simple. America has grown up in a fairly low caste, with a very filtered view of society, and at the palace she starts to get some insight into history and current events. There's something of 1984 about the way the government of Illea interacts with its citizens, and the ongoing war with New Asia is also starting to feel like an Orwellian feint. And seeing behind the scenes of royalty makes America want nothing more than to flee back to the comfortable ignorance of her home life.

America sometimes acts rashly, but she's believable in her impulsiveness, and has a strong moral streak which underlies her actions. I'm really hoping that the final book in the trilogy will see her and her Prince start to fix their broken society - but there will be plenty of obstacles along the way.

Review: The Eternity Cure

2013-04-24T14:12:00.000+01:00

The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2)
by Julie Kagawa

My rating: Fantasy

The Blood of Eden Series:
1. The Immortal Rules • 2. The Eternity Cure

The Eternity Cure is the second Blood of Eden novel, and picks up around where The Immortal Rules left off. Allie is adjusting to life as a vampire, but she's still fighting to suppress her inner monster. As the story begins she's also searching for Kanin, the Master vampire who turned her, and to whom she now has a faint psychic bond.

This series is easy reading, with loads of swordfighting action and chases across the crumbling city. I enjoyed Allie's sometimes-strained relationships with the other vampires, and the developing plot around the Red Lung disease. The ending is a serious cliffhanger, so I'm looking forwards to the next installment.

Review: The Machine God

2013-04-21T22:58:00.000+01:00

The Machine God (Drifting Isle #3)
by MeiLin Miranda

My rating: Steampunk Fantasy

The Drifting Isle Chronicles:
1. Black Mercury • 2. The Kaiser Affair • 3. The Machine God

The Machine God is the third book in the Drifting Isle Chronicles, and arguably gets the choicest slice of this interlocking story, dealing as it does with history, mythology, and how the drifting isle came to drift above the city of Eisenstadt. Professor Adewole has come to Eisenstadt from far-away Jera and is eking out a living from a low-prestige position at the university, while bemoaning the lack of decent coffee. But when an autogyro lands on Inselmond and the island is found to be inhabited, Adewole's skills with rare and ancient languages are suddenly in high demand.

I've loved this series from the beginning, and I'm particularly impressed by the way the distinct novels fit together. Each volume highlights a different set of characters with their own plot-lines, while maintaining a common theme which pulls the stories together. In this third book we finally get a better look at life on Risenton - though it's filtered through the perceptions of the Eisenstadt explorers. I was delighted to add more pieces to the puzzle, and the fact that the story also brings in the origin of Inselmond was an unexpected bonus.

Academic characters are rare in fantasy (and rarely presented realistically in literature as a whole), so I enjoyed Adewole's preoccupation with his research - that's certainly something I can relate to. Thankfully, I've never had to balance moral concerns in the way he must when his translations start to uncover dangerous secrets. A great read, both compelling in plot and challenging in its ideas.

Review: The Self Illusion

2013-04-19T17:41:00.000+01:00

The Self Illusion: Why There's No 'You' Inside Your Head by Bruce Hood

My rating: Nonfiction / Science

Pulling from various scientific disciplines of cognition, from psychology to neuroscience, Hood sets out to demonstrate that your "self" is an illusion you construct to help your interactions with the world around you. A lot of the seminal studies in this field will be familiar to non-experts with even a passing interest in the science of the mind. But then, Hood makes no claim to be introducing a new theory here: what he has done is to take a body of well-known work, and tie it together into a narrative of non-self. It's easy to read, generally well written, and draws neat parallels between a number of studies and experiments.

As a side note, the ending came as something of a surprise to me, in the Kindle edition, as I was only 65% through the text: the remainder is endnotes. While it's great to have a book so thoroughly referenced, it did leave me feeling a little bit cheated of content.

Review: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

2013-04-16T14:05:00.000+01:00

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

My rating: Fantasy

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is a childhood classic. In fact, it's so classic that it has also been adapted into a TV series which I loved as a child, as well as a recent film. All of which means that while I know the stories of Narnia inside-out, I don't really remember the book as a book. It therefore seemed like a good candidate for my rereading challenge this year.

There's no escaping the fact that this is a children's book. It's short, and written in a very simple style, with glaring exposition and a surprisingly visible narrative voice (aspects I certainly hadn't noticed as a child). However, despite these quirks of style, and despite knowing the plot like the back of my hand, the story still sucked me in as soon as I started to read. The nostalgia of reading such a well-known story only added to my enjoyment, I think.

I enjoyed the way the older children deal with Lucy's adventure, in the beginning, unsure whether she's lying or genuinely delusional. And the Professor, though only a minor character in this book, is excellent in his handling of their concerns. Once in Narnia, of course, it's the animal characters who are the stars of this show.

Review: London Falling

2013-04-14T18:40:00.000+01:00

London Falling by Paul Cornell

My rating: Urban Fantasy

From China Mieville's Kraken to Ben Aaranovich's Rivers of London, it's fair to say that I like stories of crime in a magical London, so I was excited to get my hands on this one.

In choosing the title, Cornell (or his publisher) could hardly have been unaware of the soundtrack they were giving to this work. I therefore read the opening scenes of drug raids with an inescapable backdrop of 70s punk thumping through my head. Which kind of works, although it did leave me struggling to place the story in contemporary Britain, at first.

The novel is quite slow to get going, it took me a while to get used to the characters, and the magical elements don't really start to emerge until surprisingly late. By the end, though, the team are getting to grips with their new world and starting to carve their own individual places in the world of "the Sight". And this is what's excellent about London Falling. The team dynamics, initially strained, develop into something really quite special by the end. And the coppers have convincing reactions to the magic, with far more disbelief and anger and struggling-towards-acceptance than is usually found in fantasy fiction.

Overall, this was a great introduction to a very promising series, and I'm very much looking forwards to seeing where it goes next.

Review: No Kidding

2013-04-12T16:51:00.000+01:00

No Kidding edited by Henriette Mantel

My rating: Nonfiction

I was intrigued by the idea of a book of essays focusing on life without motherhood. I don't have kids, I don't feel like there's anything missing from my life, and coming up to my fifth wedding anniversary I've certainly had my share of friends and strangers alike making assumptions about my fertility due to my lack of offspring. (I mean, seriously, taxi drivers of the world. If I was struggling with infertility, do you really think I'd want to discuss it with you?!)

So I welcome this book. I think there's an important discussion to be had here. It would be nice if society could acknowledge that, in the developed world at least, having kids is a choice - and choosing to devote one's energies to other things instead is perfectly acceptable.

By about half way through reading the book, though, I'd noticed that almost all the authors were comedians (or at least in the entertainment business), which makes for a rather one-dimensional view of the alternative paths a woman's life could take. They have other things in common, too. All are American. Those who describe their backgrounds are Jewish or (usually Irish) Catholic. In fact, I started to get the impression that the editor had just reached out to the first childless women she could find in her personal circle, which is a shame when the world is full of such wonderful diversity. Because let's face it, now that a token book on the subject has been published it will be much harder for anyone else to pitch a similar concept to the mainstream press (I hope I'm wrong, and it will be the beginning of a broader discourse on the issues, but I'm not optimistic).

But despite their commonalities, these women are not all alike. Some of these women love children, happily babysitting for friends and family or even raising stepkids. Others cheerfully (and offensively) admit to having cut their "breeder" friends out of their lives for good. Some are perpetually single, others happily married, divorced, widowed. They identify "child-replacements" including pets, meditation, careers, travel. They are childless for a variety of reasons, whether it's enforced by infertility, choosing to devote time instead to other pursuits, feeling unworthy of the responsibility, or having simply failed to get around to it before the menopause.

That's another interesting feature: no young childfree writers are given a voice here, and the one pre-menopausal author notes that she could change her mind and "fit one in" at the last moment. It's almost as if the editor (along with most of our society) actually can't believe a woman is childfree by choice until she's too old to change her mind - although more charitably I'm guessing that it might just be another consequence of Mantel selecting from her circle of personal friends.

Overall, I have very mixed feelings about this collection. The essays are readable, occasionally entertaining, and in places very moving. As a conversation-starter, I'm glad this book has been published. But I would have liked more depth, featuring a broader set of perspectives, and something beyond a surface examination of society's issues with childless women.

Review: Fangs Out

2013-04-10T10:01:00.000+01:00

Fangs Out (Logan Cordell #2)
by David Freed

My rating: Mystery / Thriller

The Cordell Logan Series:
1. Flat Spin • 2. Fangs Out

I've been looking forwards to David Freed's follow-up to the wonderful Flat Spin ever since I heard that there was going to be one. And this is a worthy sequel, which I suspect would read equally well as a stand-alone thriller.

The main character (I hesitate to call him a hero), Logan, is as grumpy as ever. Armed with backchat that's less rapier wit and more unwieldy bludgeon, he somehow still manages to be charming despite his talent for offending. His clumsy attempts to reconcile with ex-wife Savannah made me flip regularly between wanting to give him a reassuring hug, and wanting to slap him across the face for her. On the other hand, he shows real, unconditional affection towards his antisocial cat and his elderly landlady, proving that the hard man really does have a heart.

Strapped for cash, Logan reluctantly takes on what should be a simple PI-style job to supplement his almost-nonexistent flight instructor's income. Investigating the circumstances around the death of a fellow pilot's daughter, he's only supposed to find some press-friendly tidbits to confirm the verdict the courts have already established. It's a short flight to San Diego, and Logan is invited to stay rent-free with the victim's father, so he sets out with high hopes of easy money. But from the start, things just don't add up, and it will take all of Logan's skill to get him out of San Diego alive.

Freed's writing sucks you right in to the action, and is informed by obviously thorough knowledge of everything from the technical details of flight to the grim depths of human psychology.

Review: The Blinded Man

2013-04-08T12:34:00.000+01:00

The Blinded Man (Intercrime #1)
by Arne Dahl

My rating: Police Procedural

Paul Hjelm thinks he's going to get fired for his unorthodox response to a hostage situation, but at the last moment he's recruited instead into a new specialist unit. The "A-unit" (so new, it has only a temporary name) has been formed to look into a serial killer who has started assassinating business leaders in Stockholm. Set in the aftermath of a serious recession, where bankers are widely detested, this feels quite topical - although it's actually set in the early 90s.

I read this book just before the BBC adaptation started, and I could easily imagine it transitioning onto the screen. While Hjelm is the main character, the narrative isn't limited to his point of view, and there are several scenes filled with frantic telephone calls and jump-cuts across the city as the team spread out to follow up various leads.

The co-opted detectives were an interesting and unconventional mix, and little bits of their back-story come out over the course of the novel (and, presumably, the later books in the series). They weren't always likeable, but on the whole I found them believable. There were aspects of the style I found grating (such as characters often said to be thinking something "incoherently"), but the plot was solid, and unfolded in a way that kept me interested without becoming predictable or implausible. I'll certainly read more from this author.

Review: The Kaiser Affair

2013-04-06T12:08:00.000+01:00

The Kaiser Affair (Drifting Isle #2)
by Joseph Robert Lewis

My rating: Steampunk Fantasy

The Drifting Isle Chronicles:
1. Black Mercury • 2. The Kaiser Affair • 3. The Machine God

The Kaiser Affair is part of the Drifting Isle Chronicles, a new collaborative series of steampunk fantasy novels. Having been introduced to the series via another of its authors, this was the second book I read. Although the novels can each stand alone, reading this series is a little like placing the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, as each interlocking volume highlights different aspects of the unfolding events which follow an intrepid inventor's flight to the eponymous drifting isle.

Bettina and Arjuna are a wife-and-husband team of detectives employed by Eisenstadt's Ministry of Justice. When they're summoned to investigate the escape from jail of the minister's own brother, they can little imagine that chasing him down will take them all the way to the drifting isle of Inselmond. After all, the first flight to the island has only just hit the papers.

Bettina was crippled as a child and still walks with a cane and a limp, but her incisive mind more than makes up for her physical limitatons. Besides, she's a pretty good shot with a coilgun. Her husband Arjuna has an athletic physique and a thirst for danger, making them a perfect team - although their impressive lust for one another does threaten to hamper the investigation at times.

The plot unfolds at a rapid pace, with plenty of intriguing turns, and I loved the ending. While I realise that the other books in the initial release of this series are primarily focusing on different characters, I'd certainly be interested to read more of Bettina & Arjuna's adventures in future.

Review: Dust & Water

2013-04-04T18:00:00.000+01:00

Dust & Water (Barefoot Healer #3)
by Steven J. Pemberton

My rating: Fantasy

The Barefoot Healer Series:
1. Death & Magic • 2. Plague & Poison 3. Dust & Water

In Dust & Water, Adramal's third adventure, her father takes her across the seas to drink from an enchanted well which is reputed to reveal the true purpose of anyone who takes its waters. When they arrive, however, they find that the well's owner has blocked access. Assisted by the Seekers of Imil, a cult which encourages its members to drink from the well, they set out to uncover who is behind the sudden closure - and why one of the Seekers has returned with an alien presence in his mind.

I loved the idea of Imil, a religion whose primary requirement of its people is that they should gather new experiences. The various mysteries surrounding the well, its owner, and the other players are also well-drawn. Adramal is quickly pulled into an ever-thickening plot which takes her across the unfamiliar city, from dusty archives to a great ball, ever accompanied by Lelsarin, the voice inside her head.

The ongoing threads of mystery and history from the first two books also continue to be woven into a yet richer tapestry, and a number of potential adventures are set up for the next volume - which I eagerly await.

Review: Dakini Power

2013-04-02T10:38:00.000+01:00

Dakini Power by Michaela Haas

My rating: Nonfiction / Buddhism

Dakini Power is an intriguing and entertaining set of biographies, featuring influential women in modern Tibetan Buddhism.

In a way, a collection like this will always emphasise the differences between its subjects more than the similarities - that's a necessity to avoid repetition between chapters. So we see the stark alternation between on the one hand women who have taken ordination and become celibate nuns, and on the other hand those whose path has involved marriage to a male lama (which seems a surprisingly common way for a woman to get closer to her teacher). Some grew up in Tibet or India, others came from middle-class American households and discovered Buddhism only later in life. On controversial issues such as the behaviour of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, who drank heavily and seduced many female students, there are also voices from both sides of the debate. Even their contrasting styles of teaching, from quiet, sympathetic, contemplative leadership to sharp intellectual challenge, show their very different approaches to Buddhist practice.

Nevertheless, there is a strong thread throughout this book of feminist strength taking on (by various means) a system which has become deeply patriarchal in the centuries since Buddha's first teachings. Everyone agrees that Buddha himself was more equitable in his approach, and yet it seems that so many schools of Tibetan Buddhism these days treat women as a lesser beings, expected to take only a supporting role in the community. I had been completely oblivious to this inequality, so I was saddened to learn about nuns being denied the teachings (and sometimes even the food) from which the monks benefitted - but it was heartening to hear of at least these few examples of women taking back their initiative.

Review: Black Mercury

2013-03-28T19:30:00.000Z

Black Mercury (Drifting Isle #1)
by Charlotte E. English

My rating: Steampunk Fantasy

The Drifting Isle Chronicles:
1. Black Mercury • 2. The Kaiser Affair • 3. The Machine God

Part of a new collaborative series, Black Mercury is the latest novel from Draykon author Charlotte E. English. This is a steampunk adventure set in the city of Eisenstadt, which sits beneath the shadow of the Drifting Isle - a small island which drifts mysteriously around the sky.

Cas is a young racing driver, which makes him somewhat famous, but he's also impetuous, stubborn, and lacking in self-confidence. I really loved his interactions with his long-suffering assistant, Clara, who has all the quiet competence and level-headedness that Cas needs to get him through the day. So when a series of strange events lead to Cas smashing his racing car into a wall, and his eccentric aunt Hildy wants him to try out her latest invention, Clara can hardly avoid being sucked into the resulting maelstrom. To say much more about the storyline would be to give away the plot, which twists and swerves in surprising directions as Cas, Clarry, and friends try to stay alive and out of trouble. Unfortunately, trouble is out looking for them.

I adored the characters, especially as English has a particular talent for writing strong, brave, practical women who tackle the world on their own terms. Her skill at writing sentient animal companions (well developed in the Draykon series) is also in evidence with the talking birds of Eisenstadt.

This was the first of the Drifting Isles books which I read, and it left me clamouring for a sequel. Fortunately, as there are two other books already available from different authors (with more on the way), I don't have to wait as long as I'd feared to find out more about this world.

Review: The City & The City

2013-03-25T18:33:00.000Z

The City & The City by China Mieville

My rating: Fantasy / Crime

Of all the books I included in my rereading challenge this year, The City & The City is the one which I'd most recently read for the first time. Since I was already using Goodreads when I read it in 2011, I even have the text of my first review:

I don't think it's too much of a spoiler to identify that the most interesting feature of this book is the way that the two titular cities are intertwined, in a way that's both fantastical and eminently plausible. Against this backdrop, an unusual murder mystery plays out.

It's fast paced and captivating, and I struggled to put it down. Mieville has an even more convoluted turn of phrase than I do, but until I've read another of his books I'll reserve judgement on whether that's his personal style or an affectation of this particular (first person) narrator. I'm a linguist by training, and I particularly loved the attention to linguistic detail in the languages of Beszel and Ul Qoma.

If I have one criticism, it's that the ending was a little abrupt: the plot suddenly snowballs into a resolution, almost too easily. But the setting is so fun that I was happy to be carried along through this world. This is the first of Mieville's books that I've read, and I'll be looking out for more.

Well, I don't think I can disagree with any of what I wrote then. I love this book. It's a masterpiece of creativity, and it went straight into my top 10 novels of all time (not that I actually keep such a list, but if I did...). Rereading this time, I had high expectations, but also an awareness of where the story was heading; fortunately neither of these things dampened my enjoyment.

Review: Murder on the Flying Scotsman

2013-03-20T16:15:00.000Z

Murder on the Flying Scotsman (Daisy Dalrymple #4)
by Carola Dunn

My rating: Mystery

Daisy Dalrymple Mysteries:
1. Death at Wentwater Court • 2. Winter Garden Mystery
3. Requiem for a Mezzo • 4. Murder on the Flying Scotsman

Taking the Flying Scotsman from London to Edinburgh, Daisy's first surprise is finding that the young daughter of her not-quite-boyfriend has stowed away on board. Nine-year-old Belinda has run away from home following a quarrel with her grandmother, while dad is investigating a case away from home. So when an old man is found, dead and apparently smothered, in his carriage Daisy is delighted to have an excuse to call Alec, in his dual roles as Chief Inspector and Belinda's dad.

Murders on trains are always fun, with passing stations informing the suspects' timelines, and a very constrained set of suspects with access to the crime scene. This family drama was no exception. As a linguist, I naturally enjoyed the language element to one of the major clues in the case, and the examination of 1920s racism showed how far we have (or in some ways haven't) come as a society since those days of British Empire.

Daisy is in fine form, diving into the case with her usual abandon, though her energies are also diverted by taking care of Belinda. Belinda, meanwhile, shows every sign of following in her father's footsteps one day, and was an engaging character in her own right.

Review: Bright Young Things

2013-03-17T14:11:00.000Z

Bright Young Things by Scarlett Thomas

My rating: Contemporary

I don't often give a one-star review, probably because I seldom have the patience to finish a book which is heading for this rating. Bright Young Things has achieved it by being quite a short book, and by being just interesting enough to keep me turning the pages, hoping for some improvement.

The story begins by introducing the six "bright young things" around whom the book revolves, all young men and women who are somewhat dissatisfied with their lives. The writing is child-like in its simplicity, describing characters' thoughts and feelings in a manner that makes them come across as primary school children. The point-of-view rotates between all six characters, from chapter to chapter, in a way that feels artificially laboured. And despite the first six chapters introducing the characters in their "home" environments, I still found it easy to confuse them with one another.

For the first half of the book, almost nothing happens. After the introductory chapters, the characters wake up to find themselves stranded on a small island. The "bright young things" then proceed to chat about mundane topics, from their favourite movies to their sex lives, all of which is described in excruciating detail. That's it. Occasionally someone suggests trying to escape, but really, they're just having a massive sleepover. They still have their phones, but instead of attempting a digital message-in-a-bottle, they decide instead to let the electronics geek amongst their number take all the components apart to form a games console.

I only read to the end because I wanted to know who had brought them to the island, and why. This is obliquely hinted at, but (spoiler alert) the answers never really come. The book did improve somewhat towards the end, but not nearly enough to redeem the boredom I felt in the beginning. It would have made a decent short story, but although this isn't a long novel, in my mind it was much too long for what it was.

Review: Storm Front

2013-03-14T14:34:00.000Z

Storm Front (Dresden Files #1)
by Jim Butcher

My rating: Urban Fantasy

Storm Front introduces Harry Dresden, a modern wizard who has bucked the trend for secrecy by setting out his advert in the phone book. Dresden also has a dodgy past that's hinted at throughout the novel, so he's under observation from the White Council, and only one mistake away from the death penalty.

I have really mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, the story was a solid magical mystery, which is one of my favourite genres. But I didn't feel convinced by the magical world Dresden inhabits, in particular the slightly-mysterious Council and the annoying watcher Morgan just pops up at random moments to issue threats of vengeance for bad behaviour - while coincidentally failing to witness anything that might exonerate Dresden.

Whether I read any further in this series probably depends on whether any of the later books come up at a good price in a future Kindle sale - I got this one for 99p, and at that price, I'd try another one.

Review: Baked Alaska

2013-03-11T16:00:00.000Z

Baked Alaska (Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery#8)
by Josi S. Kilpack

My rating: Mystery

Baked Alaska is a lighthearted cozy mystery set on board an Alaskan cruise ship. Sadie is looking forwards to a chance to reconnect with her two grown-up children, and to spending some quality time with her not-quite-fiancé, but her suspicions are aroused when she spots her son Shawn talking to a woman she doesn't recognise. And when the same woman later falls ill, Sadie's investigative instincts really kick in.

I enjoyed the relationships between Sadie's famiy members, which were easy to follow even though I hadn't read any of the earlier books in this series. The minor characters were much less developed, and I didn't really care much about who was going to end up murdered - or why.

Although this series purports to be in the culinary mystery genre, the food really only plays a minor role in these characters' lives (in contrast to, say, the Hannah Swensen mysteries). There are interspersed recipes for any foodstuffs which are even mentioned in passing, from popcorn and salad to the titular dessert.

All in all, a light and diverting read, but I'm not sure I'll bother to catch up with the earlier books in the series.

Stacking the Shelves

2013-03-09T07:23:00.001Z

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. I used to participate regularly, but I've been pretty good this year at sticking to my new year's resolution of reigning in my NetGalley requests and only adding books to my review pile if I really, really want to read them. There would have been several empty posts.

This week, though, I have enough to be worth mentioning. (All via NetGalley, with thanks to the publishers concerned.)

London Falling by Paul Cornell
Having seen Paul talk at a couple of scifi conventions, I was very interested when he mentioned that he had a new book out. Add to that, that the premise is a magical police drama in a similar vein to Ben Aaranovich's series, and I was hooked before I started reading.

Surfaces and Essences by Douglas Hofstadter & Emmanuel Sander
A book aout language and cognition? From Hofstadter? I don't mind if I do! This is bound to be a thought-provoking read, delvng into the role of analogy in thought.

Yoga Sparks by Carol Krucoff
I've done a little yoga, though not enough, and not recently. I'm trying to get my fitness back to a reasonable level, and having a book of one-minute exerecises to fit in at odd moments can only help.

The Great Jazz Guitarists by Scott Yanow
and
Chicago Skyscrapers 1871 - 1934 by Thomas Leslie
Less casual reading matter, and more research for a historical fiction novel which I'm planning to set in 1920s Chicago. Less fun, perhaps, but hopefully useful.

Review: Sense and Sensibility

2013-03-08T12:49:00.000Z

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

My rating: Romance

I was inspired to pick up Sense and Sensibility after very much enjoying my recent re-read of Pride and Prejudice. In my hazy schoolday memories, these two novels were much of a muchness, so I expected more of the same - but I was disappointed.

The main characters of Sense and Sensibility, the reserved Elinor and her flighty younger sister Marianne, exhibit none of Elizabeth Bennet's admirable independence. Nor (and this is more of a loss) do they share the biting wit with which she expresses herself. There is little amusement to be found in this novel, although a partial-overhearing of conversation at the beginning of Volume 3 does give rise to a brief comedy of errors.

A long way from a feel-good romantic comedy, this is actually a rather sad story of couples forced apart by their circumstances. Most of the book is spent with most of the characters moping, complaining, or otherwise depressed. Which is not to say Austen doesn't do those things well - but I didn't really enjoy the experience of reading it.

Rachel Cotterill Book Reviews

Review: Zen Confidential

Zen Confidential by Jack Haubner

Review: The Girl in the Steel Corset

The Girl in the Steel Corset (Steampunk Chronicles #1) by Kady Cross

Review: Kissed in Paris

Kissed in Paris by Juliette Sobanet

Review: The Bleiberg Project

The Bleiberg Project by David Khara

Review: Eat, Fast, Slim

Eat, Fast, Slim by Amanda Hamilton

Review: The Elite

The Elite (The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass

Review: The Eternity Cure

The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2) by Julie Kagawa

Review: The Machine God

The Machine God (Drifting Isle #3)by MeiLin Miranda

Review: The Self Illusion

The Self Illusion: Why There's No 'You' Inside Your Head by Bruce Hood

Review: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Review: London Falling

London Falling by Paul Cornell

Review: No Kidding

No Kidding edited by Henriette Mantel

Review: Fangs Out

Fangs Out (Logan Cordell #2) by David Freed

Review: The Blinded Man

The Blinded Man (Intercrime #1)by Arne Dahl

Review: The Kaiser Affair

The Kaiser Affair (Drifting Isle #2)by Joseph Robert Lewis

Review: Dust & Water

Dust & Water (Barefoot Healer #3)by Steven J. Pemberton

Review: Dakini Power

Dakini Power by Michaela Haas

Review: Black Mercury

Black Mercury (Drifting Isle #1)by Charlotte E. English

Review: The City & The City

The City & The City by China Mieville

Review: Murder on the Flying Scotsman

Murder on the Flying Scotsman (Daisy Dalrymple #4) by Carola Dunn

Review: Bright Young Things

Bright Young Things by Scarlett Thomas

Review: Storm Front

Storm Front (Dresden Files #1) by Jim Butcher

Review: Baked Alaska

Baked Alaska (Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery#8) by Josi S. Kilpack

My rating: Mystery

Stacking the Shelves

Review: Sense and Sensibility

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

The Girl in the Steel Corset (Steampunk Chronicles #1)
by Kady Cross

The Elite (The Selection #2)
by Kiera Cass

The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2)
by Julie Kagawa

The Machine God (Drifting Isle #3)
by MeiLin Miranda

Fangs Out (Logan Cordell #2)
by David Freed

The Blinded Man (Intercrime #1)
by Arne Dahl

The Kaiser Affair (Drifting Isle #2)
by Joseph Robert Lewis

Dust & Water (Barefoot Healer #3)
by Steven J. Pemberton

Black Mercury (Drifting Isle #1)
by Charlotte E. English

Murder on the Flying Scotsman (Daisy Dalrymple #4)
by Carola Dunn

Storm Front (Dresden Files #1)
by Jim Butcher

Baked Alaska (Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery#8)
by Josi S. Kilpack