Mrs Boo - 30 Lifer Crisis

*SPOILERS*

Sigh. The end. Finito. Since I first picked up my first Harry Potter in 2000 (or was it 2001??), I have been faithfully following the series, both books and films, and am very much part of the mass hysteria each time the new books come out. And now, the Harry Potter phenonmenon finally comes to a close. I feel so close to tears!

It was a great read - the Deathly Hallows. Complicated, but JK Rowling tied up all the loose ends brilliantly. Although I must confess that I actually started re-reading the previous books to actually appreciate what Rowling had achieved over the course of the 7 books. How innocuous things, like Harry’s wand, the Invisble Cloak, Harry’s previous encounters with Voldomort, etc. all came together in the final Good vs Evil showdown.

Although there were plenty of discussions and speculations about the plot even before Rowling put down her pen, and some of those speculations turned out to be correct, epecially on the major plotlines e.g. Snape was good, and Harry was a Horcrux - it did not spoil my fun of actually reading the book. I felt very much part of the story, and it was especially touching how Rowling wrote about Harry’s fears of sacrificing himself for the greater good, it was moving, and it felt real. How Rowling chose to reveal Snape’s story was also almost matter-of-fact, but no less poignant as we read between the lines of his undying love for Lily Potter. Do we need flowery romance in this instance to be moved? Heck, no!

Many people have commented about the epilogue of the book. I guess this being ultimately a children’s book, it should have a nice round happy ending. Personally I did not like the thought of Harry ending up with Ginny - ewww - but it did offer us some sort of closure. I would have prefered Rowling ended with Harry, Hermoine and Ron at age 17, looking forward to a Voldomort-less future. Another small point of disatisfaction was how Albus Dumbledore was popping up all over the book to assist Harry even though he was dead!!! This takes away the sadness and grief one feels when a person died, since they can always come back to life!

Nevertheless it was an excellent book. I will definitely miss Harry. Bye Potter!

Rating: 4.5 boos out of 5

I always wanted to read a John Connolly book, ever since I read a back blurb of his latest book Black Angel, at a local bookstore.

So eons later, I managed to get my hands on one of his Charlie Parker series, Dark Hollow. Which is about a series of seemingly unconnected deaths and murders that slowly tie together to form a dark coherent picture.

Interesting characters here - Charlie Parker is the typical tortured hero, tormented by the deaths of his wife and daughter - so nothing new here, but his two sidekicks, Angel and Louis, a white retired burgular and a black assasin who are by the way a gay couple, are very interesting characters and against stereotype.

Unfortunately, the pace of the book is a little bit too slow for my liking. Connolly goes through long descriptive paragraphs about the landscape and mindset of characters, and I, being an impatient bitch, have therefore little patience for it. This is not a love story, why bother with the agony?? Ain’t I shallow? Should have some sympathy for the guy who has lost his whole family.

Nevertheless, the book is not too bad, and I will be picking up more Connolly books from now on. Maybe Charlie Parker can become my new American “John Rebus”.

Rating: 3.5 boos out of 5

Due to lack of time this will be my shortest review ever.

I read this book 3 weeks ago, in Phuket.

I took 2 weeks to complete the book (something that would normally take only 3 days).

I have not read any other book since.

John Rebus, the main character, an aging Scottish detective in his late 40s/50s trawling the seedy streets of Edinburgh, is one of my favourite fictional characters alongside Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Peabody (the Egyptologist). Rebus is a multi-faceted character, many dark but fascinating sides, real and never boring.

Resurrection Men is like about the 10th book I have read by Ian Rankin. As usual, Rankin has kept up to his high standards of writing. The plot is great, as usual, with the twists and turns, and the villians are never what they seem. Since the story is too complicated to be written into a simplified sypnosis, suffice to say that it is a book about murders, gangs and corrupt cops.

Brilliant, and a recommended read - like all John Rebus books by Rankin.

Rating: 4 boos out of 5

The title of the book was what attracted me - being a sucker for history-related fiction. Even better, the back blurb claimed that Atlantis is “the new Da Vinci Code for a new generation”, and I was sold, and quickly snapped it up from the store.

Unfortunately, it is NOT another Da Vinci Code. Despite all the religious rubbish and conspiracy theories thrown in by Dan Brown in that book, it was a fascinating and thrilling read, and I could hardly put down the book. David Gibbins tried, but failed to succeed, in making Atlantis a similarly compelling read.

Synopsis: To the non-history buffs, Atlantis is the fabled great island civilisation that disappeared underneath great tidal waves thousands of years ago as told by Greek philosopher Plato. To cut a long story short, Atlantis is about a marine archaeologist Jack Howard and his team of fellow archaeologists who piece together several clues and discover the ancient site of the great citadel. Along the way, they encounter vicious Central Asian terrorists who want to get their hands on the treasures as well as nuclear warheads in an abandoned Russian submarine, thus turning Jack Howard into a great action hero flying military helicopters in the sky and manoveuring nuclear-powered submarines underwater. In that time, they uncover the wonderful “secrets” of Atlantis which would hark a change in how academics view history, and how they manage to tie all subsequent civilisations/ cultures/religions, from pharohic Eygpt, to the Old Testament, to what they have found in Atlantis.

Now the problem with the book: David Gibbins is unclear what he wants the book to be - purely a novel about a great historical discovery, or a “I will fight the terrorists” action thriller. While he tries to tie both parts of the action together, the links are tenuous, and the book loses focus. Gibbins is obviously trying to sell his book to prospective Hollywood producers to make this into a movie, by weaving in all the pyrotechnics - bombblasts, aeriel dogfights, nuclear crisis, etc. On the other hand, the “historical section” of the book, where a bunch of academics are trying to piece together the story of Atlantis and making it an astounding and mind-blowing relevation, Gibbins becomes way too wordy trying to cramp too many historical facts into the book (yes, I know you did the research, sir). It is confusing and does not capture the interest of the reader (especially those who do not care a fig about history at all). Between the action and the “history”, there is hardly any room for characterisation. By the end of the book, I still feel completely detached from the hero, and would not give two hoots on what happens to him next. This, I feel, is the biggest failure of the author.

Atlantis is a great premise for a story, and it could have been a great book - what a pity.

Rating: 3 boos out of 5

Finally! A romance book worth reading! After all the duds I have been reading recently!

I have never read anything from this author, knew nothing about her, but was immediately captured by the fascinating title at the book store. And am I glad I have picked out this book!

Brief synopsis: Set in the early 1900s, Abigal Merchant is a scholarly librarian from America trying to prove her worth among male dominated scholarly circles, including her father. While working at the British Museum, she came across a set of journals that indicated the existence of remnants of the Great Library of Alexandria (an ancient wonder in Egypt supposedly burnt down along with thousands of great literary works). Not knowing what she was going into, Abigail set off alone to Casablanca, where the Great Library was purportly hidden in the Morrocan deserts near to Timbuktu. Along the way, she met Legionnaire deserter Apollo Smith, a dashing, smart, but scarred man, bent on finding justice for the sufferings he had gone through while serving the Legion in Morroco. Brought together by a series of circumstances, both went on a search of and eventually found the Great Library, including an ancient scroll known as “The Book of Seven Delights” (and hence the title), which is like the Kama Sutra written by Ancient Greeks. Already, sparks were igniting between the two, and the Book introduced both to unknown sexual delights (yummy)……Along the way there were plenty of baddies and one singular EVIL character, Apollo’s uncle, but all’s well that ends well.

This book has everything I like - a great history-related plot (although mostly bullshit), adventure, romance, and wonderfully fleshed out characters of the hero and heroine and even down to the secondary players (like Evil French uncle and Native sidekick). Although most characters are fairly stereotypical, they are so well-written and made so realistic that the reader (me) can feel the connection. In fact, I feel like I was watching “The Mummy” and “The Mummy Returns” in this book. I can imagine Brandon Fraser as Apollo and Rachel Weiz as Abigail. The chemistry is to die for (Hubba, hubba!). Abigial is the typical bluestocking heroine, but she is not totally un-streetwise and innocent like other heroines. Her lack of understanding of the real world is believable because she grew up around books and then worked as a librarian. But she has the brains and after a few stupid attempts at independence, she realised that she did need Apollo’s help to find the Great Library. Apollo, on the other hand, is dashing, humourous and smart. Although he had suffered indignities, he never did languish in his misery (unlike the typical dark miserable heros with 1,000 tonne burdens) and continued to keep a sunny outlook on life. The conversations bewteen the two were enough to set my blood on fire, they were so right together and I SOOOOO wanted both of them to just shut up and jump into bed to consummate their raging passions.

Now, the biggest grouse. For once, there were insufficient sex scenes!! For a romance book, the descriptions were really pathetic - no more than 1 - 2 paragraphs. And the title of the books as well as the back blurb is misleading - one would think we would be reading long passionate scenes as the couple explore the Seven Delights, but NO!!! Compared to so many other romance books where authors just contrive circumstances in order to push characters to the BIG SEX scene, this one had all the fireworks, but final explosions were pitiful. All great foreplay and no climax! It was sad, because the hero and heroine deserved so much more!!

Rating: 4.25 boos out of 5 (lost points for insufficient descriptive sex! I mean, this IS a book about the Seven Delights!!!)

I am supposed to write short posts for now, so I shall try writing a short review for this book, if that is even possible.

I have never read any books from this author, so this was my “virgin” book. Apparently, “Much Ado About Magic” is just one of the many books in a historical romance series much like Julia Quinn’s Bridgertons series. The stories revolve around a family of Malcom witches and St. Ives men - the Malcom women have different supernatural powers (think “Charmed”), and most of them have the tendency to marry St Ives men, and thereby producing daughters with other supernatural powers (duh). Since this book is the midling, I don’t have the head or tail picture of these incestuous relationships. I don’t even know nor care if the St. Ives men are wizards (don’t think so) or descendants of giants (whatever), because this book is NOT about a Malcom woman and a St Ives man, but Malcom woman and Other.

Brief synopsis: Malcom daughter Lucinda has the gift of drawing the future. Example, she drew the Crown Prince in a coffin before he died. So people call her the “Prophetress”. The hero is Trevelyn Rochester, supposedly bastard grandson (he is bastard because his mum is gasp! NOT ENGLISH! but Jamaican) of Earl of Rochestor and cousin to Viscount So&so, the HEIR. Viscount So&so disppeared while out at sea and is presumed dead. Lucinda or “Sinda” draws Trev in a picture together with Viscount in a vision and horror! everyone assumes that Trev has killed the Viscount to become the HEIR. Trev is furious as he is of course, innocent, and actually loves Viscount So&so like a brother. So he tries to kidnap Sinda to prove his innocence - stupid man. Of course they fall in love, and Sinda starts to draw Viscount So&so as being alive! Is there a plot? Can they bring him back to prove Trev’s innocence? Is Trev, a mud-blood (oops, sorry - too much Harry Potter - mix-blood) , good enough for Sinda, daughter of a duke and descendant of witches? Trev is of course, good enough to rob Sinda of her virginity before agonising if he should become her husband. “She is now MY Woman!” Hollers and beats hairy chest….

If you can make sense of my “brief” synopsis, good for you because it means that you can read the book and understand what is happening!

Honestly, the book has uneven pacing - some parts are too draggy, and some good scenes pass by too fast. Trev and Lucinda have ok chemistry, but both are rather stereotypical characters. All other players (mother, father, cousins, in laws, etc.) are entirely forgettable. There are interesting issues here, like Trev’s mixed ancestery, but they are never explored. Nothing new here really. In fact, less than a week after I have finished the story, I can’t really remember what the hooha is all about anymore, and have to wreck my brain to do this review.

Rating: 2.75 out of 5 boos

She’s bloody rich - that Rowling woman. 250 million books worldwide, and one of the top earners in Britain. And every year for the past 6 or 7 years I have been faithfully contributing to her overflowing coffers. Me, a 30 year-old addicted to Harry Potter and his bunch of weird friends. But of course, being the matured person that I am, I very smartly pre-ordered my book (as did millions of people around the world), did not bother to join the queue at 7.01am, and strolled my way into the bookstore in the afternoon to pick up my copy with the “Adult Cover” (such good marketing people, Bloomsbury).

Still this did not prevent some people from exclaiming “You READ Harry Potter??!?” (yeah, like you don’t sucker…). Since that fateful Saturday I read the damn 608 page book only in the evenings after work huddled snugly in my bedroom. And it took me a grand 4 nights to finish it.

And may I warn those who have yet to read the book - ALL SPOILERS ahead - I am not the typical reviewer who will try to keep plot secrets. So, here goes:

The multi-million dollar question of WHO DIED? And (drumroll please) he is of course Dumbledore. He died a nasty death, poor chap, betrayed by the snivelling, conniving Severus Snape. Albus Dumbledore is a great character, and he has been Harry’s mentor for so long, that there is a great sense of loss (both on Harry’s part and the reader’s) at the end of the book. Unfortunately, the fact that it was Dumbledore who died was leaked out a few months ago in the press as “rumours”, so throughout the book I had been expecting his death anyway, so it was sort of an anti-climax. So I did not burst into tears or wailed like some allegedly did!

The only plot line that took me by surprise who the identify of the Half Blood Prince. I had thought it was Voldermort all along, but it turned out to be stupid Snape!! But that was a good twist in the story as it made Snape’s betrayal of Dumbledore all the more convincing. Also, the tension arising from “is Snape good or is he bad” was well-maintained until the last chapter of the book when it all exploded.

Rowling’s books get darker and gloomier with each additon. What started out as a hee-hee-ha-ha children’s story about a boy wizard and his adventures in his school has descended into a dark depressing fantasy book - I felt like I was reading the “Wheel of Time” with its adult themes of death, destruction, pain, destiny and the Great and Ultimate Evil i.e Voldermort, and Harry being the “Chosen One” - Neo in the Matrix, anyone?! I failed to see how the last two books (Order of the Phoenix) could actually attract its original target group of readers - ie innocent school children, but maybe children nowadays are more morbid than those in my generation (which was bloody long ago).

I began reading Harry Potter because the first book called out to the child in me. Having grown up on a diet of Enid Blyton stories, Harry Potter was a god-send, combining fantasy, boarding school fun, and kiddy adventures. But progressively, the darkness becomes stifling and overwhelming, and Rowling stuggles to add bright bits into the story (to of course placate the younger demographics). The uneven tone does not make a smooth read. Honestly if I wanted angst, I would rather read adult fantasy anytime! Honestly I am glad that Rowling has only one more book to go. The last thing I want to see is Harry turning into a Macaulley Culkin - bleah!

Nothing much happens in this book in terms of real events other than Dumbledore’s death - it really only prepares us for the inevitable showdown that is going to take place in the final book. Good grief, another year (or more) of waiting, and one more chance for Rowling to rake in as much money as she possibly can….

Rating: 3.5 boos out of 5

It’s a thrashy romance. And yes, I LOVE thrashy romances. They are needed at the end of a hard day at work, when your brain is tired out and only a quarter is functioning (so you can eat your dinner without dripping all over the place, so you can hold asinine, but not too asinine conversations with the family and friends, so you can conduct your private business without soiling yourself and the toilet - well you generally get the idea). So for relaxation/winding down purposes, thrashy romances are the best bet (right up there with watching Desperate Housewives - previous it was Sex & The City - or some over the top Korean drama seriels.)

Julin Quinn is among one of my more “favourite” thrashy romance novelists (favourite being used very loosely here, because I have quite a number of those). Her writing style, particularly in a number of books (not really this one) is quite quirky and comedic. Alas this book, which I believe is the 7th of her wildly popular Bridgerton series is way too formuliac for my liking, and after reading 368 pages, I still do not feel any affinity to the heroine, Hyacinth Bridgerton and Gareth St. Clair. As you can tell from their mouthful names, this is a historical romance set in the late 18th and early 19th century.

Now, for those of you unfamiliar with Bridgerton land, the Bridgertons according to Julia Quinn are a prominent family in the Ton headed by a matriarch Violet Bridgerton (widowed) who has 8 children (!!). These children are named in alphabetical order starting with Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory and lastly Hyacinth (whew!!). The ultimate wish of Violet is to have her children happily married off, and therefore this gives Quinn the excuse to write 8 different books (the last one being yet to be published story for Gregory). I myself have read 5 of those books including this one.

But there is really so much one can wring out from a series on a family before everything starts to grow old and weary, and rubbing my nerves the wrong way. There are certainly some “classic” romances, my favourite two being “The Duke & I” (Daphne’s story), and “Romancing Mr Bridgerton” (Colin’s story). “It’s In His Kiss” to me is not very inspired, and I can’t feel much chemistry between the two leads much as the author tries to convince me otherwise.

Go for this book only if you are a fan of Quinn and the Bridgertons (or like me, I just wanted to play it safe and not in the mood to try out a new author).

Rating: 2.5 boos out of 5

I love Deaver’s series on quadripelegic (right spelling?) criminalist Lincoln Rhyme and his partner cum lover Amelia Sachs. For those who don’t read Deaver and don’t know what the hell I’m talking about, perhaps you will recall the movie “The Bone Collector” starring Denzel Washington as Lincoln Rhyme and the stunning Angelina Jolie as Amelia Sachs. Ohhhhhhhh - rings a bell now? (Aside note: Rhyme in the book is a WHITE man, but Denzel Washington carries his role beautifully that I will forever associate him with my ideal Rhyme).

So far, I have read the following Lincoln Rhyme books:
- The Stone Monkey
- The Vanished Man
- The Empty Chair
-The Devil’s Teardrop
and now The Coffin Dancer

These are fabulous books. If you want the true blue thriller, that requires lots of brainwork that at the end of the day, the author still manages to pull the carpet away from you at the very last second - the Lincoln Rhyme books are it. If you are an avid follower of CSI, Rhyme is also your man. What makes a very scientific, well thought through, blood and gore detective novel are its main characters Rhyme and Sachs which anchor the storyline throughout the series. The slow but sure development of their relationship, and how it revolves around the hard-to-crack cases are smartly written by Deaver. Rhyme is not your typical hero, being totally crippled from neck down save for a tiny finger; and Sachs not your typical heroine - she drives fast, repairs cars, shoot like a man, bites her nails, has athritis (oh but she’s very beautiful too) - well you generally get the idea.

The Coffin Dancer like other Lincoln Rhyme books is a classic. The Coffin Dancer, being the perpetrator here, who eludes the police and goes on killing sprees - the fun is in the chase as Rhyme cracks his marvellous brain to catch the murderer, the bonus in the satisfactory ending as the “perp” is outwitted (as usual), and Rhyme and Sachs relationship reaches the next level.

These are difficult books to review here - with all the numerous twists and turns, and fast paced action, but a highly recommended read for your weekends.

Rating: 4.5 boos out of 5