The Nowhere Man Book Review

Nowhere Man (by Gregg Hurwitz) depicts glimpses into the life of an ex-government assassin. Orphan X, Evan, is kidnapped and must escape in time to rescue someone within a limited time frame.

While the action scenes may be phenomenal, and I do mean truly fantastic, how the author describes women is pathetic to a near sickening degree. Not one of the women in this book had any substance. All of them were concerned with their looks and were portrayed as a potential love interest, to varying degrees, for the main character. Or were just plain ditsy. Or in need of saving. Point is, they were cliques clearly written from a male perspective. Ignoring that, N.M. is a good read, fast paced and had ingenious fight scenes. Hurwitz paid spectacular attention to detail, details that were in the grand scheme unnecessary, but they worked well.

Here's one such example…

"Look - I'm just a kid, man. I'm seventeen. You're not gonna kill me, are you?"
There is a punch Evan was taught in his early teens by a gruff marine close-quarter-combat instructor.
It is called the palate breaker.
A nonlethal blow that fractures the bridge of the nose, the sinus bones, and both orbital sockets, splitting the skull horizontally temple to temple. It leaves the upper jaw floating, unattached.
Even's gaze narrows. He picks his spot.
You wouldn't have thought the kid could keep his feet, but there he is, upright on the curb. Something like drool leaks from his lips, the holes of his nose.
"No," Evan says. "I won't kill you."

Truth

"The truth will set you free. But not until it is finished with you" - David Foster Wallace

Thick as Thieves Book Review

Thieves (by Megan Whalen Turner) takes the viewpoint of Kamet, slave on the run from the Mede empire. He's helped by Costis (Attolian soldier) whom you'll know from the last Queen's Thief novel. Their journey across the desert is highly entertaining. I often found myself indignant on behalf of the characters, amused by their plight and fond of their actions. Always entertaining, Thieves is a quick read. You learn more about life in the Mede empire and how they view "the little kingdoms," along with some mythology. It's always interesting when you read something so in depth, not only with the main characters but all those they are surrounded by.

I highly recommend that you read these books in order. There are so many names and places that it's easy to loose track.

A snippet, to gain your interest…

"My King," said the Attolian, with a very serious expression, "likes to pretend that he doesn't recognize the Mede ambassador. Whenever they meet, the ambassador has to introduce himself--with all of his diplomatic titles and qualifications."
"No."
"Yes." And when I stared, aghast at this juvenile and frankly rude behavior in a head of state, he added, "Sometimes twice a day."
 "You lie," I said, certain that he was mocking me.
 He held up a hand. "My sacred oath." He didn't seem the least bit mortified.

White Cat Book Review

In White Cat (written by Holly Black) you enter a world of magic. Where magic is known by everyone, illegal, and feared. Those with magic - Workers, have the ability to do almost any one thing you can think of. But only one thing. With a single touch they can manipulate memories, give luck, change emotions, or transform objects. This story focuses on a boy named Cassel who is a thief and a liar trying to survive school, his family, and mafia.

In a word White Cat is fascinating.  Starting out with a delightful dream-like quality that feels like waking up as you continue on. The quality of the words themselves are of no particular greatness, all the same they are embedded with a kind of truth. There's not much to the rambling way of them. I wouldn't, can't really, quote much for no one turn of phrase is particularly meaningful. The words resonate all the same. A lot of anecdotes in this are memories from childhood. Any childhood. Some things are the same for everyone I suppose. Little things that you don't think about now, and in the past did without thought. Looking back they're turned in to fond memories. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about this world.

Fate

"If a man who claims to see the future is a fool, how much more so, the man who believes he can control it? We think we steer the ship of fate, but all of us are guided by unseen stars." - Enoclitus

Step into Life

"I stepped into life and startled it." - Anna Akhamatova

Tales of Beedle the Bard Book Reviw

Rife with bigotry and hypocrisy. The constant commentary alone put me off. I like to take time to form my own opinions on such things. This is not a book I'd read again or recommend to anyone. The only tale in it mildly interesting was Babbitty Rabbitty. Even that...there are discrepancies. The kind you can overlook though, which is why it hits the top of the list.

Seen

"It is the nature of things to be seen only once." - John Ashbery

Looking

"...with translucent eyes of such deep blue that to gaze into them and not think of the sea was impossible."

I cannot recall where I found this particular quote except that it may have been from a book of poems. If you know it, say so in the comments.

New

So, this is my new blog. I wanted to start fresh. I'll be posting my art, scribbled stories, any interesting books, fan fiction links, and the occasional quote.