The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella - Stephenie Meyer
If you're a Twi-hard, feel free to squeal. If you're not, then I don't blame you for groaning. If you're in the middle... then you'd probably have the same response to this book as I did.
A bit of a reminder for you. Bree Tanner is the newborn vampire that survives the battle at the end of Eclipse. So it's not exactly a spoiler if I tell you she dies, as the Volturi don't allow her to live even though she has surrendered and the Cullens have sworn to take her under their family wing and be responsible for her. She's around only for a few pages (or, a few movie minutes) and then, bye bye Bree.
So, Stephenie Meyer thought it would be fun to show Bree's side of the story, to show what things would be like for a typical newborn vampire. Apparently, things are pretty bloody and scary for a newborn, who would have thought?
Here's the good: It's clear, very clear, that Stephenie's abilities as a writer have improved greatly post-Twilight. Her improvements throughout the series were apparent, but she's definitely gotten better. The writing flowed better, and she didn't over-use or repetitively use words. Also, this book did give interesting insight to the vampire world and gave interesting back story to what was going on behind the scenes in Eclipse.
Here's the bad: It was definitely rushed to be released around the same time as the Eclipse movie. Cha-ching! Cash grab, anybody? I'm also not 100% sure how much Bree's final pages actually meshed with Eclipse, I'm inclined to go re-read that part. There was parts in Bree's version of the events that don't seem congruous with Eclipse's version of things. I might look into it, but probably not. I don't really care enough.
In conclusion, don't read this if you haven't read the Twilight saga. Because on its own, it does lack as a story. But if you want more Stephenie in your library, then go for it.
****
Book 35/50
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Books 33-34
Storm Front - Jim Butcher
The first in the Dresden Files series, we meet Harry Dresden, modern day Private Investigator and Wizard. Yeah. No relation to the other famous wizard named Harry.
This was the perfect book to follow Frankenstein with because, gosh golly, I needed something that I could read quickly and properly enjoy. Don't get me wrong, this is by no means The Great American Novel, nor is it a striking piece of fine literature. It's a formulaic mystery with a twist of the supernatural and, gosh darnit, that's entertainment.
So, Harry is a PI who does side work for the Chicago PD when they come across a case that smacks of being based in the supernatural. And they've come across a real doozy when two bodies are found with their hearts outside their bodies, as though they exploded out of their chests. Then a housewife hires Harry to find her husband who is dabbling with dangerous magic.
So if you liked any of the Sookie Stackhouse books, you'll like Storm Front (and, I'll wager, the rest of the series which I am looking forward to reading). If predictable, silly murder mysteries don't crank your engine, then you wont.
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
I doubt I really have to do any sort of summary for Pride and Prejudice, but in case you have been living in a cave on Mars, here it is:
The Bennet family has five daughters and will lose the family estate with Mr Bennet dies as it passes down the male side of the family only. So it is imperative that the daughters marry into money. Mrs Bennet is a scatterbrained, society seeking ninny and Mr Bennet hides in his library every night. Jane is mild mannered and thinks the best of everyone. Elizabeth is outspoken, intelligent willing to stand up for herself. The other daughters are mostly background fodder but are certainly individuals. When a Mr Bingley takes residence in a nearby manor the girls are all atwitter at the prospect of a new suitor... everyone except Elizabeth who is even less impressed on meeting Bingley's best friend Darcy who is impossibly rude and full of himself. Aaaand drama ensues.
I did have a lot of trouble getting into this book at first. It didn't seem to be about anything, and I was constantly losing who the hell she was writing about at any given time. Was that Mrs Bennet, one of the
Miss Bennets, Miss Bingley or Mr Bingley that said that? And if it was Miss Bingley, was it Lydia or Jane or one of the other three? GAAAH!!!!
But my ability to follow got better, I think it was just a case of getting used to Austen's writing style and vocabulary, since we're not exactly dealing with a contemporary piece of literature. And, it actually started to get kind of good. Yes, it was hard to not hate some of the characters, their only concern being station in life, social status, and income. All the more reason to like Elizabeth because she doesn't really care.
What surprised me most about this book is that it's funny. I actually found myself laughing out loud occasionally. I'll be glad to get to something a little more modern again, though.
****
Book Count: 34/50
The first in the Dresden Files series, we meet Harry Dresden, modern day Private Investigator and Wizard. Yeah. No relation to the other famous wizard named Harry.
This was the perfect book to follow Frankenstein with because, gosh golly, I needed something that I could read quickly and properly enjoy. Don't get me wrong, this is by no means The Great American Novel, nor is it a striking piece of fine literature. It's a formulaic mystery with a twist of the supernatural and, gosh darnit, that's entertainment.
So, Harry is a PI who does side work for the Chicago PD when they come across a case that smacks of being based in the supernatural. And they've come across a real doozy when two bodies are found with their hearts outside their bodies, as though they exploded out of their chests. Then a housewife hires Harry to find her husband who is dabbling with dangerous magic.
So if you liked any of the Sookie Stackhouse books, you'll like Storm Front (and, I'll wager, the rest of the series which I am looking forward to reading). If predictable, silly murder mysteries don't crank your engine, then you wont.
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
I doubt I really have to do any sort of summary for Pride and Prejudice, but in case you have been living in a cave on Mars, here it is:
The Bennet family has five daughters and will lose the family estate with Mr Bennet dies as it passes down the male side of the family only. So it is imperative that the daughters marry into money. Mrs Bennet is a scatterbrained, society seeking ninny and Mr Bennet hides in his library every night. Jane is mild mannered and thinks the best of everyone. Elizabeth is outspoken, intelligent willing to stand up for herself. The other daughters are mostly background fodder but are certainly individuals. When a Mr Bingley takes residence in a nearby manor the girls are all atwitter at the prospect of a new suitor... everyone except Elizabeth who is even less impressed on meeting Bingley's best friend Darcy who is impossibly rude and full of himself. Aaaand drama ensues.
I did have a lot of trouble getting into this book at first. It didn't seem to be about anything, and I was constantly losing who the hell she was writing about at any given time. Was that Mrs Bennet, one of the
Miss Bennets, Miss Bingley or Mr Bingley that said that? And if it was Miss Bingley, was it Lydia or Jane or one of the other three? GAAAH!!!!
But my ability to follow got better, I think it was just a case of getting used to Austen's writing style and vocabulary, since we're not exactly dealing with a contemporary piece of literature. And, it actually started to get kind of good. Yes, it was hard to not hate some of the characters, their only concern being station in life, social status, and income. All the more reason to like Elizabeth because she doesn't really care.
What surprised me most about this book is that it's funny. I actually found myself laughing out loud occasionally. I'll be glad to get to something a little more modern again, though.
****
Book Count: 34/50
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Book 32
Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
Looking at the reviews on Amazon, all I can say is... I glad SOMEONE liked Frankenstein. I sure didn't.
For a book that's only 170 pages, it has taken me forever to read it. And I didn't enjoy it one bit. I blame it largely on the fact that my only connection to the story has been Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein (which, if you've not watched it, you really should!) which is entirely my own fault.
The biggest problem for me is that I never entered the world that the book took place in. I never felt as though I was taken to a different time or a new locale. As much as I could empathize and feel for the characters, this book did not transport me to a new time and place as I am so accustomed to feeling when I get immersed in a book. And that is unsettling for me as a reader.
The best part of the book was reading from the monster's side, and going through his journey as he gains a sense of self. It was utterly sad. But I didn't feel as though it was at all authentic, this monster gaining a more complete and refined sense of language and vocabulary than I have myself.
I'm glad it is over. I can get on with my life.
****
Book Count: 32/50
Looking at the reviews on Amazon, all I can say is... I glad SOMEONE liked Frankenstein. I sure didn't.
For a book that's only 170 pages, it has taken me forever to read it. And I didn't enjoy it one bit. I blame it largely on the fact that my only connection to the story has been Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein (which, if you've not watched it, you really should!) which is entirely my own fault.
The biggest problem for me is that I never entered the world that the book took place in. I never felt as though I was taken to a different time or a new locale. As much as I could empathize and feel for the characters, this book did not transport me to a new time and place as I am so accustomed to feeling when I get immersed in a book. And that is unsettling for me as a reader.
The best part of the book was reading from the monster's side, and going through his journey as he gains a sense of self. It was utterly sad. But I didn't feel as though it was at all authentic, this monster gaining a more complete and refined sense of language and vocabulary than I have myself.
I'm glad it is over. I can get on with my life.
****
Book Count: 32/50
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