Book — Journey to the End of the Night

Journey to the End of the Night cover

[ US | UK ]

Journey to the End of the Night

by Amazon.co.uk

Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis: First published in 1932, “Journey to the End of the Night” is regarded as Celine’s masterpiece. It is told in the first person and is based on his own experiences during the First World War; in French colonial Africa; in the USA - where he worked for a while at the Ford factory in Detroit - and later as a young doctor in a working class suburb in Paris. The novel gives a picture of those years as seen by an underdog.

What can I say, the book is absolutely a masterpiece. Yes, it is dated and placed in a strange non-real/real world, but that takes nothing away from how powerful and amazing the book really is. The characters are so real, the emotions so strong. I can only imagine how much this book as influenced everything that has come afterwards.

April 25, 2009 | Category » culture
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Book — Predator's Gold

Predator's Gold (Mortal Engines Quartet) cover

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Predator’s Gold

by Philip Reeve

Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis: Fleeing from an Anti-Tractionist sect, the Green Storm, Tom and Hester are left drifting in the frozen Ice Wastes, slowly dying of cold after the Jenny Haniver’s engines have failed. They are saved at the last minute, finding Anchorage, a once-beautiful ice city that has fallen on hard times. Crippled by plague, there are barely fifty souls on Anchorage now, and the teenage margravine has made a desperate choice. They are heading for America, the Dead Continent…

I still don’t know what makes this a “children’s book”, perhaps it is in the omission of descriptive sex and violence? This book is quite simply genius - for children or adults.

I have read a LOT of science fiction. I have read a lot of “children’s books” and this series rate’s as high as any of have read. On par with Harry Potter and possibly above His Dark Materials (books 2 & 3 anyway).

It is completely original, very clever, well paced, wonderful characters. I can’t say enough. READ THIS BOOK!

DISCLAIMER: I work for Scholastic and nearly met Philip — twice

April 18, 2009 | Category » culture
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Book — Mortal Engines

Mortal Engines cover

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Mortal Engines

by Philip Reeve, David Frankland

Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis: Tom and Hester have been thrown together. Truly-thrown out of a city on wheels that’s left them stranded and starving in the middle of nowhere while it hares off after its prey. Hester is desperate for revenge, and Tom is only desperate to get back on board his beloved London. This is a stunning literary debut from Philip Reeve. A novel that defies easy categorisation, it is a gripping adventure story set in an inspired fantasy world, where moving cities trawl the globe. Peopled with convincing and utterly likeable characters, this story is a magical and unique read.

My company publishes this book and I felt almost obligated to read it; however, I am really glad I did. It is wonderful! The characters are very human and the plot so well conceived.

It takes place way in the future and most cities are on tractor treads and hunting each other. After centuries, the prey is getting harder and harder to find. London digs up some old technology, some engergy beam, and decides to blast its way into a defended area of cities still on land.

Two young couples join up to stop the killing…

I will say no more. Go read it.

April 8, 2009 | Category » culture
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Book — Crown of Shadows

Crown of Shadows (Coldfire Trilogy) cover

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Crown of Shadows (Coldfire Trilogy)

by Celia Friedman

Rating: ★★★★☆

Synopsis: Despite opposition by his Patriarch, warrior priest Damien Vryce again seeks the assistance of the immortal sorcerer Gerald Tarrant. While racing against time to prevent the enslavement of their world, the two men find themselves trapped between justice and retribution. Betrayal and loyalty assume ironic forms in this conclusion to Friedman’s complex and compelling Cold Fire Trilogy. The richly detailed setting and strong supporting characters give substance to a tale that explores the consequences of embracing evil in the hope of achieving its redemption.

Good book, but I felt like it was rushing to resolve itself. It introduced a lot of new complexity on the planet that I am not sure was required. The end was slightly confusing for no reason I could discern.

March 1, 2009 | Category » culture
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