The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Neil Gaiman
2013
0062255657

When you're 7, the world is huge, adults are to be trusted, and magic exists in that but-not-really kind of way.

And then all of a sudden you find a hole in your foot and you learn that the world is a much bigger - and smaller - place than you could ever have imagined.

This is the story of a boy who finds himself a new friend and a dreadful new enemy, and how he does his best to stay safe.  It's an interesting tale, but it didn't draw me in the way Gaiman's books usually do.

I couldn't quite find enough sympathy for the young narrator, and was more interested in the rest of the story.  So many things were alluded to that held so much promise, but the main story crowded them out.

This is the first Gaiman book I've read that I haven't quite connected with, and I have a feeling that a re-read in a year or two might yield a different result - once the hype has died down some, and I can read it without expectation.

Date finished: 18.11.13
Rating: 3/5

Hyddenworld: Awakening

William Horwood

2011

0230712614 

This book opened with a more in-depth retelling of the final chapters of the book that preceded it, which I appreciated.  Dropping catch-up details throughout a book can get irritating, so it was a refreshing change to have it all done and out of the way right from the beginning.

Spring was about Brum, and Englalond.  This second installment has expanded the world to Europe, and the entire Earth, and follows characters on all sides of the struggle for the Spring gem.  Less about Jack and more about the world at large.

Judith, the Shield Maiden, is a tortured character, one moment a child and the next more adult than her parents, but her story was less interesting to me than that of Bedwyn Stort.  I wouldn’t have guessed from the first book that his thread would have been such an important one.

I found this book to be more interesting and slightly more adult than the first book.  The language is still wonderfully easy to absorb, in spite of the more complex politics and ideas, and hints of things to come.  It follows well with the idea of each book being a season in the story, and I’m looking forward to seeing how Autumn and Winter develop.

Finished 16/10/13

Hyddenworld: Spring

William Horwood
2009
0230712606

This is a re-read – I first read this book in 2010, and thoroughly enjoyed it.  This time around was prompted by finding the second book in the series, and wanting to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything important.  (it turns out that wasn’t necessary, as the first part of the second book seems to be the last few chapters of book one, which is helpful)

Easy to read and beautifully composed, this book seems at times to be written for children – the language is easy to absorb and brings to life the forgotten corners of semi-rural England – but the themes and politics keep it interesting for an older audience.

The characters are flawed, in the generally adorable manner of a trusted circle of good guys, without being overly saccharine.  The world-building isn’t overbearing, and is as much a part of the story as the unfolding of their journey.

Jack and Katherine’s love story is slow and sweet, although I did find that Jack settling into life at the cottage at the beginning seemed to be less smooth than the rest of the narrative.

I really enjoyed this as a quick retreat from the world over lunchbreaks.  Not too demanding, and interesting enough that I’m already into the sequel.

Finished: 11/10/13

The Witches of Chiswick

By Robert Rankin

Robert Rankin truly is the master of ridiculously entertaining, hilariously funny tall tales.  In this tale, Will Starling meets The Lad Himself, Huge Rune, and is set the task of solving the impossible, while thwarting the most evil, most encompassing and most devious plot of all time.  All without paying for a single hotel room, and avoiding large killing machines with European accents.

Starling is a bit of a git, and his clashes with Barry were a bit of a mystery to me.  If a sprout lodged in your ear is offering advice, wouldn't you at least pause long enough to listen to his theory, what with him being right in your brain and all?  Although, if it was me, I'd be reaching for a long skewer as well, especially after hearing about Larry and what he got up to inside someone's noggin.

I liked this book; really enjoyed it.  Except for one tiny little niggle.  I'm used to Rankin's characters finishing an adventure with no sense of resolution or purpose, but I don't like that feeling myself, and the final few paragraphs would have had me throwing the book across the room in a sulk, if I hadn't been reading it on a rainy highway several hours from a room in which to throw it.

I suppose that's half the fun though...

Date finished: 22/10/12
Rating:  5 out of 5

What-The-Dickens

The Story of a Rogue Tooth Fairy
By Gregory Maguire

This book is two stories in one.  The first is a (possibly) post-apocalyptic 'real' world tale of a man and his young cousins.  It's serious and dire, and serves as a stark contrast to the main story, a fantasy tale about an orphaned tooth fairy named What-the-Dickens.  As this second story is being told to the children in the first tale, it's much lighter and clearly has a much younger target audience.

Although it deals with some pretty serious stuff (death, loneliness) it manages to do so without dragging the reader down, keeping it light-hearted and amusing.

Both tales are left with no definite conclusion, leaving you to wonder, or, better yet, imagine your own endings.  Utterly different to Maguire's Wicked, this book is loosely structured, enchanting and sweet.  It's easy to imagine this one as an animated movie.

My rating: 4 / 5

The Last House in the Galaxy

Andy Secombe

The blurb suggested a funny book, which was enough for me to give it a try.  I'm glad I did; this is a relatively light read, taking place all over the galaxy as the rebels try to steal a device out from under the Evil Dictator that would give them the advantage.  With not-very-subtle comparisons to Star Wars and a thoroughly British sense of storytelling, this wasn't so much laugh-a-minute as it was a case of reading for an hour and not realising that time was passing.

Although I didn't get the sense that it was part of a series, I'd be keen to see what else I can find by Secombe.  If it's much like this book, it'll be totally worth the effort.

Date finished: 21/03/09
Year total: 12

Doctor Who and The Bodysnatchers

Mark Morris

The Doctor and Sam find themselves in Victorian England, while bodies are being stolen from graveyards and living people completely change their personalities.

I love the thread of humour that flows thru these books; it's possible to replace any doctor with your favourite and still have a recognisable Doctor.

Date finished: 11/03/09
Year total: 10

Face the Fire

Nora Roberts

Magic in modern times; a coven of three is invaded by a love interest from years ago, just in time to do battle with an evil threatening to destroy them and their homes.

I this had the potential for me to really like it, but the fact that it was obviously the third in a trilogy, and nowhere on the cover did it say that (I would have read the others first if it had) meant that I was continually skipping bits that referred to other books, or just not understanding the undertones that followed the story.

I don't think I'll bother with any books by this author for a while.  The fact that it was more like reading a Mills & Boon from page 110 meant that I was more frustrated than entertained.

Date finished: 04/03/09
Year Total: 9

The Reliquary Ring

Cherith Baldry
0330492071
2004

Set in an alternative Venice, where Genics, genetically engineered creatures designed to serve, are an abomination to the upstanding citizens and the Church, but where they are also intelligent, thinking people, caught in a world they didn't ask for.

I thought this would be a quite bit of fluff, judging from the cover, but it was better than I expected.  The was a large cast of characters, and while the genics were fleshed out, I felt that most of the humans were a little cliched, used as a backdrop to a story that rightly centred on the more interesting plight of the genics.

Date finished: 21/02/09
Year total: 7

Hades' Daughter

Sara Douglass
0765344424
2003

The first of a trilogy.  Brutus, the last of the Trojan kings, rounds up his people and takes them to the island of Albion to rebuild Troy.  As the original was, his new city was to be founded on the Game, the labyrinth that traps evil and protects the city above.  He would build it with the help of Genvissa, a powerful priestess with her own agenda.

I found this a little hard to read; it's an enthralling story, but the nature of the characters and the storyline itself just weren't that easy to like.  Still, the whole ultimate showdown between good and evil kept me going, and it paid off.  The story draws you in, and you spend the entire length of the story trying to figure out who is on which side, or even how many sides there are.

Date finished: 16/12/08
Year Total: 38

The Margarets

Sherri I Tepper
978-0-57508-0-478
2007

Margaret, the only child on a station orbiting Mars, invents other selves to pay with - a queen, a healer, a warrior... a whole collection of roles to lose herself in.  And without her knowing it, each of her selves find themselves living their own lives, while strings are pulled from much, much further away.

This is a big book, in size and scope.  Each Margaret has her own story and own cast of supporting characters, so I found I really had to concentrate to keep track of what was going on, even more so as things fell into place.

The story was well-told and not rushed, and was hard to put down.  I thought the end, with the final Margaret, was a little saccharine, but maybe she deserved that; I personally preferred the quieter fate of Sophia, but it was nice to see the promise of real progress.

Date finished: 10-12-08
Year total: 37

The Oracle's Queen

Lynn Flewelling
0-73227749-3
2006

Tamir - formally Prince Tobin - has announced her intentions to restore Skala to its former glory.  Allegiances are declared, but Tamir must face her cousin Korin, touched by an evil wizard and convinced that he is the rightful king.

This series was great - the first and second books were absolutely riveting (I stayed up to midnight just to keep reading), while the third wrapped up the story convincingly.  There was one thing that I was wondering about that revealed how cunning the author was - a tiny thread woven through each book was revealed at the end to be part of a new series of books, which amused me and got me interested as well.

Year Total: 35

The Hidden Warrior

Lynn Flewelling
0-732-27712-4
2003

Book Two of the Tamir triad.

Tobin, the nephew of King Erius, is finally told of his heritage - he is a girl, hidden by magic from the lethal ambitions of his uncle, and destined to fulfill the prophecies of a new queen.  But between her and the throne is Erius, a formidable and terrifying king, and her beloved cousin Korin, who she has sworn to serve and protect.

Year Total: 34

The Bone Doll's Twin

Lynn Flewelling
0-732-27035-9
2001

First book of the Tamir Triad.

Skala, ruled by King Erius, is an unsettled country.  The prophecies speak of a queen, but after Erius' female relatives all die, what hope is there?

The king's sister, the last woman with royal blood, gives birth to twins, a boy and a girl.  Through magic, one child dies, and one lives.  But who is who?  And what is the demon that haunts the surviving child?

Year Total: 33

Good Omens

Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
1990
978-0-57508-0-485

The Antichrist has been born - the end times are coming. Or they would be, if anyone knew where the baby ended up. Two beings, one on each side, are desperate to find out, but not because they want to be there when Armageddon begins...

I read this years ago, and have remembered it as a great read. It's not - it's brilliant. Witty, entertaining and raising a couple of points that everyone should have thought of themselves, this is now one of my all-time favourites. Both authors or living legends, with legions of fans, and the combination (even if they admit it was before they were cool) is irresistible.

Date Finished: 12/06/08
Year Total: 22

Something Rotten

Jasper Fforde
2004
0-340-83558-3

Thursday Next is back from the world of fiction, and ready to fight once more for the return of her husband, both for her own sake and for that of her son, Friday.

This book is every bit as delicious and ridiculous as the other three that precede it, and just as addictive. Several things unwind through this story and are neatly wrapped up, and you are left with the feeling that although Thursday's part in Fforde's world may no longer be the starring role, we won't be left with nothing.

Definitely one of my favourite authors, but with one downfall - if I start to rave half as much as I want to about this story, I will be giving too much away. Take my word for it though: this is a book to entertain.

Date Finished: 28/05/08
Year Total: 19

The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters

G.W. Dahlquist
2006
0-670-91652-8

Written in a heavy, formal style and comprising over 700 pages, this book is immense, which is all the more surprising when you get to the end and realise that the entire story takes place within a matter of three days.

Miss Temple, suddenly and inexplicably dumped by her fiance, follows him, determined to find out why. She finds herself gatecrashing a terrible secret gathering, and endangers herself in the process. Cardinal Chang, scoundral for hire, finds himself at the same party, only to discover that the man he was hired to kill was already dead, and himself emboiled in the same dangerous conspiracy. And Dr Svenson, a foreigner trying to protect the idiotic prince he serves, lands in the middle of it as well. The three of them band together, fighting for their lives against a cabal armed with impossible powers.

Incredibly detailed, I found this story unique in that every moment is told from each point of view, presenting a horrifyingly vivid epic. I'm really pleased I stuck with this beyond the initial thought of such a big book written in such formal prose – the reward is infinitely worth it.

Date finished: 07/05/08
Year Total: 16

Miriam's Talisman

Eleanor Gill
2007
9781869507022

Miriam, Cloe's beloved grandmother, has died, and left all her possessions to Cloe, but the one that really matters is a strange pendant, which Chloe promises never to remove. Hannah, Cloe's mother, has been left nothing, and Chloe dreads breaking the news, but it is the sight of the pendant around her daughter's neck that Hannah is shocked by. Chloe, caught up in a mystery of her own, is too distracted to wonder why, but as she learns more, she realises that her perceptions of her mother and grandmother have been tainted.

This book got me thinking about the nature of family relationships, and how well we can know people without actually knowing anything about them. I think that Chloe made the right decision and that Miriam, caught up in events, is ultimately a figure to be pitied.

Date Finished: 19/04/08
Year Total: 15

American Gods

Neil Gaiman
2001
0-7472-7417-7

Shadow is being released from prison a few days early. Not because of good behaviour, but because his wife, the one person he has in the world, has been killed. At a loss, Shadow takes up a job offer from a mysterious man, and embarks on the strangest of journeys, meeting the strangest of people.

There is a storm coming, a battle between old and new, and Shadow - big, quiet Shadow - has found himself in the middle of it. Haunted by his wife, and of the promise made to serve Wednesday, he travels all over America.

This is a riveting book. Gaiman weaves a story so far-reaching and enthralling that it becomes a compulsion to read. The characters are old, if not all familiar. and each revelation is unexpected. I admit, I was completely taken by surprise at the big climax, and the pages that followed were a good warm-down. Once again, Gaiman has given me another reason to start collecting his books, as I get the feeling this is one that will be even better the second time around.

Date finished: 10/04/08
Year total: 13

Son of a Witch

Gregory Maguire
2005
ISBN 0-06-08994-2

Following on from Wicked, this story follows the son of the Wicked Witch of the West, Liir, and his journey from vague child to man.

Starting in the middle and recounting Liir's travels from the Witch's mountain castle to the depths of the most notorious prison in Oz, to the squelchy, wet south, where he must face who he could be and what his obligations are.

It's been a while since I read Wicked, and found that I missed having a map to figure out where things were. Most of the characters were easy to remember, although there wasn't much of the sense of meeting old friends, and the ending suggested that there will be another chance to meet them again in another book.

Date finished: 13/02/08
Year Total: 6