christianreader | Kiwria's July Reads

Rise - Mira Grant, 4/5, 608 pages
A collection of all the Newsflesh short stories published until now, plus two never seen before. Some are obviously better than others, but they're all well worth reading for people wanting to remain (figuratively only, obviously!) in that universe.

The book includes a short introduction by the author to each short story, which I enjoyed.

Short stories included:
- Countdown
- Everglades
- San Diego 2014: The Last Stand of the Browncoats (this one always makes me cry)
- How Green This Land, How Blue This Sea
- The Day the Dead Came to Show and Tell
- Please Do Not Taunt the Octopus
- All the Pretty Little Horses (*new* - how the Masons moved on from losing their son in the rising)
- Coming to You Live (*new* - 2 years after Shaun and Georgia disappeared off to Canada)

The Book of Life - Deborah Harkness, 5/5, 576 pages
Why did it take me this long to get started on this book? Once I did, I couldn't put it down, and finished it in just a few days.

Every bit as good as the first two books in the series, "The Book of Life" tied up all loose ends very nicely and served as a very satisfying ending to the trilogy. I'm actually kind of sad we won't get to hear more about Matthew and Diana, and feel positively book-hungover right now.

This trilogy is the kind of epic storytelling I love the most. It's "Outlander" with witches and vampires; just as rich in details and with just as large a supporting cast ;) It's difficult to say much about the plot without giving away spoilers for the two first books, but I think what I enjoyed the most was seeing Matthew and Diana's relationship with their families (both of blood and of loyalty) and watch Diana grow in powers and confidence as a witch. I'd love to have been a fly on the wall when Diana and Janet sat to talk magic after the end of the book ;)

It's been a few years since I read the two first books, so I almost want to go back and reread the entire series now, as I'm sure I lost details here and there, but for my own sake, that should probably wait until I go on vacation.

Secrets - Sue Welford, 3/5, 187 pages
20 years ago I would have adored this book, and indeed read several books of this genre. Now that I'm ever so slightly out of its target audience range I had a few problems with it, as I felt some parts were somewhat unrealistic. I did appreciate that it was told from the viewpoint of an older brother, however, instead of from the anorexic girl herself.

The Runaway Jury - John Grisham*, 4/5, 565 pages
I was a huge John Grisham fan back in the day, but it has been literally years since I read anything by him last. Recently I felt inspired to reread "The Runaway Jury" and was once again reminded of how ridiculously readable books he writes.

I did have a problem with the main premise of the book though. It may be a sign of the times, but it seems utterly ridiculous to me to sue a tobacco company for going against all warnings and smoking their stuff anyway... but perhaps that's why they have warnings in the first place.

Anyway, putting that aside, I really enjoyed the book and will probably reread more of his earlier works in the near future.

The Alchemaster's Apprentice - Walter Moers, 3/5, 384 pages
Unfortunately the weakest of Walter Moers' books so far. I still liked it, and the writing style totally lived up to my expectations, but unfortunately the plot itself didn't, as it was too 'small' a plot to allow for a ~400p book, which resulted in a book that was rather drawn out in places.

Had it been cut down to 200-250 pages I'd probably have loved it.

Jamen, bad jeg da for lidt? - Leif Andersen*, 4/5, 96 pages
(But... Didn't I Pray Enough?)
Very down-to-earth take on the age-old question of why God apparently doesn't always answer our prayers... at least not in the way we'd prefer.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - C.S. Lewis*, 5/5, 187 pages
This time I read it aloud to my nieblings, and it's funny how different things spring out at you when reading aloud compared to reading alone. I almost started tearing up at certain chapters - something I really can't remember doing previously.

Book of the Month: The Book of Life
Biggest disappointment: The Alchemaster's Apprentice. It wasn't bad - just couldn't live up to my expectations.