Posts filed under 'Fantasy'
Alexia Tarabotti is a hopeless case. Half-Italian, outspoken and–at the advanced age of 25–too old for marriage, she’s hardly presentable in fashionable Victorian society. Of course, it doesn’t help Alexia’s tactfulness that she’s entirely soulless, a preternatural being in a London filled with werewolves, vampires and ghosts living side-by-side with normal human beings. Thanks to her assiduous reading of Greek ethics, no human is the wiser to her soulless state, but Alexia’s status brings her to the attention of BUR (Bureau of Unnatural Registry), since all preternaturals have the ability to turn supernaturals into humans by touch.
Of course, supernatural beings or not, decorum must be maintained. Alexia is annoyed when a vampire accosts her at a ball and even more put out when she accidently kills it with her brass parasol. A BUR investigation reveals the vamp was a new creation, even as reports of registered supernaturals mysteriously vanishing begin to trickle into headquarters. With the begruding aid of Alpha werewolf Lord Maccon and the flamboyant vampire Lord Akeldama, Alexia uses her special talents to find out who is behind the new creatures and why. But she has to do it while fending off shadowy figures prepared to manhandle her person into dark carriages–and increasingly from Lord Maccon’s attempts to manhandle her, although she’s growing to tolerate his attentions.
There really isn’t any good way to categorize Gail Carriger’s new novel Soulless. It’s a sort of paranormal romance steampunk-fantasy alternative history screwball comedy that conjures up images of Buffy the Vampire Slayer crossed with a foul-temptered Mary Poppins. Alexia’s conscious efforts at tactfulness coupled with her willingness to wield the brass parasol keeps the action tripping along blithely. And while Soulless definitely follows many of the tropes of romance novels (there’s no shortage of rustling taffeta and untied cravats), Carriger writes it all very tongue in cheek. Like a good treacle tart (Alexia’s favorite dessert), Carriager’s new series is one of those delights that has one wishing for seconds. The next installment, Changeless, is due out next March.
November 3rd, 2009
Katie H.
What if Harry Potter hadn’t been a charming British orphan, but a middle class nerd from Brooklyn? And, instead of attending Hogwarts as an 11-year old, he finished high school as a muggle and didn’t discover his wizardly talents until he was invited to apply to a prestigious magical university?
Lev Grossman’s The Magicians isn’t an imitation Harry Potter, but it definitely borrows some important plot points. Like Harry, Grossman’s “chosen one”, Quentin, is isolated from his peers as a child and finds a home in the world of magic, but the similarities pretty much end there. Quentin has a delightfully dry sense of humor, and he doesn’t have Harry’s moral compass clearly leading him down the right path towards the good side. In Quentin’s world, there’s no Voldemort to fight, so the differences between right and wrong are harder to see. The fact that Quentin’s magical education takes place at college, rather than high school, also makes them pretty different. By 17, after dealing with much more than your average teen, Harry is a mature young man, but at the same age, Quentin hasn’t yet begun to grow up.
This is not your typical fantasy novel. It’s self-aware and sarcastic, playing with the conventions of traditional fantasies while creating a fresh, new world of magic that coexists with our own. Quentin’s love of a book series set in Fillory, a world reminiscent of Narnia, adds a touch of irony and makes him an even more relatable character. Fans of exciting, out of the ordinary coming-of-age novels will be just as delighted by this book as fantasy readers, and anyone who read Harry Potter and mourned their muggle status will be insanely jealous of Quentin.
October 8th, 2009
Kylee
Banned Books Week is approaching, so if you’re looking for some rebellious reading, here’s a book for you.
Margo Lanagan’s novel Tender Morsels is pretty controversial right from the start, since it begins with a few scenes involving incest and gang rapes. However, despite these disturbing events, the book manages to use tragedy to create a sense of wonder. Predictably, this young adult novel has faced some individuals who want the book banned, but fortunately, librarians are sticking up for this startlingly beautiful book. Critics are also supporting it: it was named a 2008 Printz Honor Book and was a finalist for the Shirley Jackson Award. (Lanagan’s first three books of short stories, Black Juice, White Time, and Red Spikes, are also pretty great. I definitely recommend checking these out if you’re not sure you want to start with Tender Morsels just yet. I bet after reading these, you’ll want more of Lanagan’s work.)
Tender Morsels is a fairy tale in a very real way; like the original stories by Hans Christian Andersen and the brothers Grimm, this tale is filled with darkness while still maintaining a sense of hope. Lanagan’s heroine, Liga, lives through such horror as a girl that when she finally hits bottom, magical forces work in her favor to transport her to a parallel universe created especially for her. Here, she is free from the daily humiliations of poverty and the cruelty of men. However, the boundaries between her universe and reality are thin, and will not keep everyone out (or in) forever. Liga is a fascinating character, and the world she lives in is so perfectly described that it seems just as real as the world she left. The book unfolds slowly like an old-fashioned, traditional fantasy, but the events that take place are utterly new and original. This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time, and I hope its rebelliousness only works in its favor.
September 8th, 2009
Kylee
When Tamora Pierce published a new novel set in her fantasy realm of Tortall I was thrilled. I’ve read a couple of her other series and loved them. Pierce specializes in strong, capable young women as protagonists. They are realistically drawn as they struggle with their life choices and in their heroics. Beka Cooper follows that pattern. Though her life in Tortall takes place 200 years earlier then Pierce’s other books and Beka lives in a gritty, inner-city world, she is still a practical-minded fighter of the good fight.
Beka was introduced in Terrier: The Legend of Beka Cooper, Book 1 where she entered the Provost Guard as a trainee (Puppy) in the city of Corus. Known coloquially as Dogs, these local police keep the peace in uneasy times. Beka and her fellow Dogs’ lives more closely resemble the early days of policing - bribes are the norm and a Rogue runs the criminal’s guild - and they struggle to maintain a law-abiding balance. Having successfully completed her Puppy training, Beka returns as a full-fledged Dog in Bloodhound: The Legend of Beka Cooper, Book 2.
In Bloodhound, Beka is on the job once again. Though she’s having a hard time finding a partner who fits, she is glad to be fully on the job and nabbing Rats at every opportunity. When she and her mentors begin to notice a disturbing trend - counterfeit silver coins are flooding the market and driving up prices - they notify the bosses. Since the coins seem to be originating out of Port Caynn Beka and her temporary partner, Clary Goodwin, are sent undercover to the harbor city to investigate. Once there they find themselves caught up in an ongoing war between Pearl, the local Queen of the criminals, and the local Dogs who may or may not help Beka when the crunch comes.
Though Pierce’s Beka books are set in a fantasy realm where magic is possible and Gods are present, these are police-procedurals more then anything else. The ins and outs of Beka’s life on the job are centerstage, which is all to the good. As she unravels the mystery of the false coins the pacing increases and the book ends with an action-packed chase. I can’t wait for the final book in this trilogy.
July 7th, 2009
Jane J. - Central Library
I’m not sure when or where I first heard of Martin Millar, but for some reason, his name has been on my radar for a while. Millar’s best known book is probably The Good Fairies of New York, which was a success in England when it was published in the early 1990s, but it didn’t make its way to us overseas until just a few years ago. He’s one of those authors that other authors love (see the glowing introduction by fantasy master Neil Gaiman in the newest edition of The Good Fairies of New York), but his books are just beginning to catch on beyond an underground cult following.
I’ve never been to New York City (though I plan to go someday), but after reading this book, I almost feel like I have. If there are invisible fairies all over the place getting involved in everything from beer-stealing to race riots, that is. In Millar’s New York, Heather and Morag, two Scottish thistle fairies, have found a hiding place from the law, which is after them because of an incident involving a precious fairy artifact and their noses. Though they’re in hiding, they don’t keep themselves well hidden; their brightly colored hair and artfully tattered kilts easily reveal their rebellious punk sensibilities. In order to find shelter, and to make the most of their time in the city, they start up friendships with two humans who can actually see them (not all humans can see fairies - only those with a special sensitivity). Heather and Morag’s love/hate relationship leads them into some extreme difficulties with their humans, who they attempt to persuade to fall in love in a roundabout sort of way.
If you’re looking for a light, clever book to kick off your summer reading, I’d highly recommend this one. Heather and Morag’s antics made me laugh out loud, and their interference in their humans’ lives created some hilarious situations. Even if you’re not a big fan of fantasy, this one might be a good introduction to the genre, since it blends the fairy world and the human world seamlessly.
April 30th, 2009
Kylee
This year’s Newbery Award winning The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman will turn your hair white. It is that scary. And I know from scary. I like scary. I have read Gaiman’s Coraline three times and seen the movie in 3D. I could not sleep soundly for weeks after reading that one.
The Graveyard Book is way scarier. But as a story, it is also infinitely sweeter and appreciative of life. I’ll admit I was shocked that in the first five pages of a book for children a man with a knife sneaks through a house and murders the mom, dad and older sister of a family. I warn you: this scene is illustrated in the creepiest way imaginable. But the baby escapes and finds himself in the neighborhood graveyard where the dearly departed decide to take him in and raise him as their own. The baby needs protecting; the spirits take a vote, and so begins the tale of Nobody Owens, the boy raised by ghosts.
This story has excitement galore. This story calls on history and lore. This story experiences growing pains and relationships and coming-of-age all in the best possible, unexpected ways. And this story will scare your socks off. Which means it might not be the best choice for the nightmare prone, but an excellent one for the twelve-year-old who is dying to see Saw V but isn’t allowed because he is too young. This is also an excellent choice for everyone else that enjoys a scary story, especially a scary story told with tenderness. You will not find a tale that imparts a richer message of appreciating family and life. Even though 99% of the characters in this book are dead, they value life and want the best for Nobody Owens. This includes an education, adventures and growing up and away from the graveyard. This book exemplifies wanting the best for your children. What could make a kid feel safer?
April 11th, 2009
Molly - Central
- these are the well-known lyrics of the folk song Scarborough Fair. Nancy Werlin weaves the tasks featured in a variation of verse two of the song into the suspenseful plot of Impossible. Seventeen-year-old Lucy Scarborough must break the curse of the Elfin Knight by completing the following:
- make a magical shirt…without any seam or needlework.
- find an acre of land…between the salt water and the sea strand…
- plow it with just a goat’s horn…and sow it all over with one grain of corn…
This book is fantastical and fast-paced and impossible to put down. I am not generally a fantasy reader (I know, I know, I said the same thing about vampires), but I would say this book is primarily a romance with thrills and fantasy thrown into the mix. Lucy is a modern American teen, heading off to prom. She is also struggling with an apparent genetic tendency towards mental illness, a horrific date rape, an unexpected pregnancy and a possible family curse. If you like a story where true love battles evil and prevails against all odds, Impossible fits the bill.
This book has been garnering lots of attention and is on the YALSA 2009 Nominations list of Best Books for Young Adults. The modern-day setting serves as a great contrast to the medieval lyrics and elfin curse and is a surprising, spellbinding read. Impossible is my second favorite YA book of the year: stay tuned for my #1 read in an upcoming review.
December 29th, 2008
Molly - Central
and his name is Bill Compton. Such a shame that he is already in love with the coolest girl, Sookie Stackhouse, telepathic waitress extraordinaire at Merlotte’s Bar and Grill in Bon Temps, Louisiana. And that he is dead and all that. But what a gentleman! Such excellent manners!
I was first introduced to Bill and Sookie on HBO’s new series True Blood. Total addict that I am, I had to go back and watch all of the in-demand extras interviewing the cast and crew, producer and creator. When author Charlaine Harris appeared, I thought, hey, I know her. I’ve heard of that series! Why haven’t I been reading these books? I do not know. I’ve read all the Twilight books and the Southern Vampire series that begins with Dead until Dark is funnier, smarter and a lot sexier. So I am reading the series now.
Dead until Dark covers all of the episodes I’ve seen thus far (that’s 4) of the HBO series. Sookie is a pretty waitress at a bar in Northern Louisiana who is unable to date because her telepathy ruins all chances for romance. She lives with her liberal granny and the Vampire Rights Act is currently in Congress. The vampires have been “out of the coffin” for a couple of years, thanks to a synthetic blood drink that the Japanese have created called Tru Blood. By consuming this drink, the vamps no longer need to feast on humans, and hypothetically, everyone can co-exist in peace. Of course, there are some bumps in the road. Vampire blood (V-Juice) is the hottest drug since crystal meth and when the vamps aren’t preying on humans (trust me, they’re still preying on humans) the humans are preying on the vamps.
Good and bad are present in both the mortal and immortal realms and it’s hard to know who to trust. Even though Bill scares Sookie, she is drawn to him and lets down her guard bit by bit. Their relationship is complicated but romantic, and I am definitely rooting for them.
The television series has me totally hooked, but it is only on for one hour a week and I need more. Simultaneously reading Bill and Sookie’s story really prolongs the entertainment for me. And the best thing about reading the books - I have seven more to look forward to!
October 7th, 2008
Molly - Central
I’m a fan of urban fantasy, which probably won’t surprise many of you. In general though, I tend to stick to the women - kickass gals solving their problems with a little help from their friends. That being said, something about Rob Thurman’s book Nightlife just spoke to me (so much so, I bought a second copy when I left the first behind in a hotel). It’s about as kickass as you’ll find as brothers Cal and Niko Leandros battle boggles, trolls and evil elves. All good. Right? But what touched me and had me coming back for books two and three in the series was the relationship between Cal and Niko.
Caliban (don’t call him that!) Leandros is half-human and half-elf. Doesn’t sound too bad, if you’re a fan of Legolas. The problem is that the elves of his world are really the Auphe and they are about as nasty and evil as you want to imagine. They’re not evilly scheming and plotting. We’re talking ‘torture and cannibalism and a burning desire to rid the planet of 99% of humanity’ evil. Cal has always struggled with his Auphe side. And in the fight with him is his brother Niko. Cal describes it this way:
“There are monsters among us. There always have been and there always will be. I’ve known that ever since I can remember, just like I’ve always known I was one. Well half of one anyway. And regardless of what inherited nastiness I might have on the inside, on the outside I was all human. In fact Niko had said, and pretty damn frequently, that I had more human qualities then I had good sense…If I wanted to beat up on myself, I’d have to go through him first.”
And that’s a perfect snapshot of the relationship between the protective Niko and the wisecracking Cal as they battle the demons - both physical and mental - in their lives. And battle they must since the Auphe plan to use Cal as their weapon to destroy humanity. Non-stop action, snarky dialogue, and the great central relationship had me quickly ordering the next adventures of Cal and Niko.
September 10th, 2008
Jane J. - Central Library
Reminiscent of Scheherezade and her need to tell a story in order to live one more night, The Orphan’s Tales: In the Night Garden begins with an orphan with no name or history telling stories to the son of the Sultan. Catherynne Valente has written a very intricate novel portraying another world inhabited by fantastic creatures and races, each with their own culture and traditions.
Using multiple short chapters or vignettes that allow her characters to tell bits and pieces of their own stories Valente spins and intriguing web. It is not until almost the middle of the book that the reader realizes that those bits and pieces are slowly coalescing into a unified picture of a world and its peoples.
Winner of the James Tiptree, Jr. Award this is a fantasy full of vivid imagery and a wonderful use of language. My only quibble is the author does not tell us enough about the orphan storyteller to make her a character strong enough to carry the reader into the story, and my hope is that the second book The Orphan’s Tales: In the Cities of Coin and Spice will improve on that aspect. An unusual fantasy that requires some perseverance by the reader but one that rewards with a rich and multi-textured tale.
August 25th, 2008
Liz C. - Alicia Ashman
The 2008 Eisner Awards (the “Oscars” of comics) were announced last week at the San Diego Comic-Con. The winner for Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Japan is Tekkonkinkreet: Black and White. Deservedly. This complex, multi-layered manga is a terrific read. Author/illustrator Taiyo Matsumoto has created a dark, surreal whirlwind of a book.
Honestly, at first this book is off-putting. It is a thick, oversize volume with weird art showing a screaming kid on the cover. A plot synopsis, such as mine (below) won’t do it justice. Just take away that this is a rich, dark story for adults (not your favorite teenager’s manga) and it is worth your time, whether you normally read manga and graphic novels or NOT. Maybe, most especially, if you usually do not read material in this format.
Black and White are two homeless orphans who rule the streets, alleys and rooftops of Treasure Town, a seedy and corrupt Japanese city. Black is brooding and morose, the self-appointed protector of his sunny pal, White. White, dressed in an ever-changing array of crazy hats and bedecked with amulets, talismans and an armload of wristwatches, spouts an incessant stream of gibberish and wisdom.
Black and White are renowned throughout Treasure Town for their ferocity. The duo survives by robbing thugs, mugging drunks and fighting brutal, bloody battles with anyone who challenges them. Local police and gangsters treat the boys with grudging respect and concerned affection. They are unstoppable forces, especially Black, who has a clearly expressed personal connection with Treasure Town. It is his town. He owns it.
Treasure Town has competing adult gangs fighting for control. One of these is the The Tribe, an elaborately painted and costumed street gang that is being pressured by the Yakuza who are themselves being squeezed by mysterious foreign investors interested in tearing down Treasure Town and building an amusement park. There is a battle brewing, for the heart and soul of the city.
Matsumoto’s art style is masterful but unusual– he has crazy, swirling angles and perspectives, all of his buildings lean and bend. Slanting frames sometimes show just fragments of the character’s faces ( a jawline or perhaps a forehead is cut off ). The outlandish characters and futuristic setting are dazzling. Details abound, enhancing the storyline (a re-reading of the book is helpful in catching all of the background action).
There is a lot of action in the book and much of the action involves brutal violence. But there are also many gentle kindnesses, often involving the most improbably sympathetic characters. The protagonists are at once broad stereotypes and nuanced individuals. If you are like me, you WILL care deeply about them and maybe (afterwards, because it sneaks up) be perplexed about how that happens. After re-reading it I am still thinking about it.
The manga has been adapted to film, in an anime also entitled Tekkonkinkreet. The anime was recently screened by the Ashman Anime Club, and it is also highly recommended. I have shown most of the anime in the years that our library anime club has been running, and this film is one of the finest (in my opinion) that we have ever shown. A stunner. With a few delicious differences from the manga. Check them both out and let me know what you think!
August 6th, 2008
Barbara - Alicia Ashman
Public defender Margrit “Grit” Knight likes testing herself professionally and personally. Which is why she’s crazy enough to be jogging late at night in Central Park. Though she takes a few risks, Grit is no fool. She knows she has to be quick and wary. The handsome man who accosts her may be wearing a business suit but there’s something about him that has her spidey senses tingling. And when she hears the next day of a murder in the park, Grit is convinced she made a lucky escape.
What she doesn’t realize is that the man is something else 
altogether. He is Alban Korund, a member of the old races, a gargoyle to be precise. And he’s been framed for the murder. Alban has been aware of Margrit because of her nightly run through the park. His impulsive attempt to talk to her has led to his being targeted by the police and only Margrit can help him.
In Heart of Stone, C. E. Murphy, whose earlier urban fantasy series focuses on native american lore in Minneapolis (Urban Shaman, et al), has succeeded once again at making the fantastical seem entirely possible. That gargoyles, selkies, vampires and a dragonlord (who has a djinn enforcer) exist makes good sense. And the developing relationship between Margrit and Alban is one the reader will root for through this and the sequel - House of Cards.
July 11th, 2008
Jane J. - Central Library
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