Dec 15 2010
Obligatory Book Christmas Tree
Seems like I am obligated by the rules of the internet to post this here. So I will:
Dec 15 2010
Factotum (The Foundling’s Tale, Part Three) by D. M. Cornish
As I mentioned yesterday, what was once the Blood Monster Tattoo trilogy is now The Foundling‘s Tale series. And what I assume is the concluding book was recently released.
Factotum (The Foundling’s Tale, Part Three) doesn’t exactly bring the story of Rossamünd Bookchild to a neat conclusion but it does resolve the larger story arc (about his nature and his future) and bring some closure.
Here is the publishers blurb:
Rossamünd Bookchild stands accused of not truly being a human at all, but of being a monster. Even the protection of Europe, the Branden Rose—the most feared and renowned monster-hunter in all the Half-Continent—might not be enough to save him. Powerful forces move against them both, intent on capturing Rossamünd—whose existence some believe may hold the secret to perpetual youth.
As with the previous books, the conclusion to this unique series requires being re-immersed in the language and world Cornish has created. And with the exception of occasionally tiring of the baroque descriptions of every last uniform and outfit, I enjoyed the book and again found myself marveling at the world building and imagination of its author.
It is technically young adult fiction (required seemingly since the lead characters is young) but it never had that feel to me. It is epic fantasy fiction at its best.
Dec 14 2010
Book Nerd Complaints: changing cover art
I own all three volumes of D. M. Cornish‘s Foundling’s Tales (formerly known as Blood Monster Tattoo) and all three volumes have different cover art:
As I understand it the series was renamed the Foundling’s Tales for US and Canadian audiences and the covers for all three books now reflect this change. The rest of the world gets Monster Blood Tattoo.
I understand marketing and all that but still kinda annoying doncha think?
BTW, should have a review of the The Foundling’s Tale, Part Three: Factotum soon.
Dec 11 2010
Spilling the Beans on the Cat’s Pajamas by Judy Parkinson
Spilling the Beans on the Cat’s Pajamas
by Judy Parkinson (Readers Digest, 176 pp.)
If there are wordsmiths or language lovers on your Christmas list this year might I recommend this volume in the series from Readers Digest Blackboard books? It is an interesting and useful volume for those fascinated by the unique expressions that find their way into our vocabulary:
“Make no bones about it”–here’s a “grand slam” for anyone seeking the meanings of catch phrases and quotes that enrich our everyday speech. It “rounds up the usual suspects”–hundreds of expressions that keep our language flourishing–and makes them easy to find in an A-to-Z format. If “all goes according to plan,” you’ll soon know:
The expressions “all that glitters is not gold” and “apple of the eye” have each been in use for more than 1,000 years. “To bark up the wrong tree” comes from the sport of raccoon hunting. “The big enchilada” was used to describe someone on the infamous Watergate tapes. “Flavor of the month” was a generic advertising phrase of the mid-1940s used to describe new ice cream flavors. “Baker’s dozen” is 13, one more than the standard dozen, and goes back to medieval times, when Henry III called for the severe punishment of any bakers caught shortchanging customers. English bakers developed the habit of including an extra loaf of bread when asked for a dozen to ensure that they wouldn’t be condemned. “Drop of a hat” alludes to the frontier practice of dropping a hat as a signal for a boxing or wrestling match to begin, usually the only formality observed. “Sleep tight” dates back to when beds were made of rope and straw. Before going to sleep at night, people would have to pull the ropes tight, as they would have loosened during the course of the previous night’s sleep. With this clever book on hand, you’ll never have to “throw in the towel” during a battle of wits. Make this and all of the Blackboard Books(tm) a permanent fixture on your shelf, and you’ll have instant access to a breadth of knowledge. Whether you need homework help or want to win that trivia game, this series is the trusted source for fun facts.
This is one of those books that you can keep handy to peruse when you have a spare moment or delve into when you are seeking the origins of a particular phrase.
Writers, teachers, or anyone interested in English and colloquialisms will enjoy this one.
Dec 10 2010
The Ring of Solomon by Jonathan Stroud
The Ring of Solomon
by Jonathan Stroud (Hyperion, 416 pp.)
Bartimaeus, everyone’s favorite (wise-cracking) djinni, is back in book four of this best-selling series. As alluded to in the footnotes throughout the series, Bartimaeus has served hundreds of magicians during his 5,010 year career. Now, for the first time, fans will go back in time with the djinni, to Jerusalem and the court of King Solomon in 950s BC. Only in this adventure, it seems the great Bartimaeus has finally met his match. He’ll have to contend with an unpleasant master and his sinister servant, and runs into just a “spot” of trouble with King Solomon’s magic ring….
I am a big fan of the Bartimaeus Trilogy (see here) so when I saw a new book featuring this great character had been released I scooped it up and read it as soon as I could (as part of a larger focus on YA fantasy as you shall see).
The challenge for a book like this is whether it can stand up to the high expectations a prequel often faces – another book in a beloved series can often feel slapped on or more about marketing than reading.
In that sense, The Ring of Solomon didn’t disappoint. It was the same great character in a new setting and with a fun new plot.
