Ahoy there me mateys! I get why this book is hyped even if it ended up not being a favorite. The main reason is the love story. I liked it and thought it was sweet but would have preferred the book without it.

The main premise is that a world like ours has magical children in it. Children with magic that they can’t always control. So the government tracks these children and places the ones without families in orphanages. The main character, Linus, is a middle-aged case worker who checks on the children and their living conditions and files reports. Lots of them. Until one day he is tasked to investigate an orphanage he didn’t know existed.

Linus himself rocked. Seriously. I loved the set up for his story, his life and job pre-island, and getting his observations. I was always cheering for him. His cat was also great. The plot wasn’t stellar but the characters were key. And the writing style itself was delightful. I did not really like the love interest and thought he was boring and that his mysterious nature and secret was lame. I also don’t like how the love story progresses so quickly. But ultimately I just wanted the children to have more page time. I adored them and just wanted to see more of their shenanigans and interactions with Linus.

The love story got in the way. A fun read nonetheless and a standalone to boot. Arrr!

Ahoy there me mateys!  I received this sci-fi eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  While I try to post no spoilers, if ye haven’t read the first book then ye might want to skip this post. If ye keep reading this log then ye have been forewarned and continue at yer own peril . . .

I really enjoyed book one of this series but was worried because a lot of of the details had faded by the time I picked up book two.  I gave meself a quick refresher by reading me review of aftershocks and jumped back in.  No worries, this was fun and engrossing.

While the blurb makes it seem that Aden is the only character, really this series has multiple points of view.  Ye follow four folks:

Aden - a POW from the losing side of the battle who is released five years after defeat to start anew;
Idina - a soldier from the winning side who holds a grudge, she is part of the occupying military force on the defeated planet;
Dunstan - a member of the winning naval space fleet whose simple guard duty turns into a mess with epic ramifications; and
Solvieg - a civilian who was a minor during the war now has to deal with the consequences of her planet's loss and what it means for the family business.

Marko Kloos writes excellent popcorn sci-fi with characters that shine.  One of the best parts about this series is that the characters are from different planets and backgrounds.  In this installment ye get to see more of six worlds and other character perspectives and I loved feeling that the worldview has expanded.  There is enough action without sacrificing character development.  And I loved how the characters' lives intersect without seeming forced.  They come together and then diverge again in fun ways.  I kept changing me mind about who me favorite character was (including minor characters).  I love that!

Again these books end on rather abrupt notes that still set up what's to come.  Some readers might not enjoy that type of ending.  Just like with the first book, I ended this with a "Dang it!  I want more!"  I will avidly be waiting for the next installment and will pick it up as soon as it is released.  Arrrr!

So lastly . . .

Thank you 47 North!

Ahoy there me mateys!  This 2017 Newbery winner sounded awesome and has a lot of good things going for it.  While the prose in this book was divine, a lot of the joy came from the narration by Christina Moore.  I don't know that I would have finished this if not for the audiobook.  I have to admit that I liked the 2017 Newbery honor book wolf hollow a lot better structurally even though the writing wasn't quite as lyrical.

The main issue is that this book was too long.  I loved the first half despite its slow pace. However once the "build-up" for the end began, it had at least five potential endings and just kept going.  The explanations for the world building and the characters' actions also didn't really make enough sense.  I enjoyed that the adults made mistakes but the solution to the world's problems was some woo woo waving of arms.

This was one of those books where it started out so strong and I was convinced I was looking at a new favourite . . . until main character's enchantment ends.  Then the rating kept getting chipped away because it felt so nonsensical.

The writing really was quite beautiful and I loved a lot of the imagery and characterization.  I just feel this book could have benefited from some massive pruning and editing.  A lot of the repetitive description could have been removed and streamlined.  A cohesive whole is in there somewhere.  So I can see the bones for a Newbery but I don't believe it should have won.  Arrrr!

Ahoy there me mateys!  This year be crazy so this is only book three in me Ports for Plunder - 20 Books in 2020 list.  Lots of reviews talk about The Twist.  I was spoiled by other Goodreads reviews back when I put together the 20 in 2020 list.  I decided to read it anyway and then so much time had passed that I kinda forgot about it.  But I don't know how it could have surprised anyone because it a) occurs early on in the book; and b) is so blatantly obvious in the hints that by the time it officially is explained, it is hardly shocking (well maybe for the people who missed the word "magic" in the blurb and thought they were getting a straight historical fiction).  Spoilers abound below for this so read the rest at yer own peril . . .

Or not at yer peril because this book was rather long and boring and the VAMPIRES didn't help.  Boring, boring vampires.  I did think the beginning set-up for the novel was interesting enough even if the Gothic flair was hardly unique.  I enjoyed the homosexual relationship between the main character and his housemate even if the housemate was a jerk.  I was interested in seeing how the vampire club was going to play out.  Sadly as it turned out.

The problem was that after the rather straightforward trajectory of the beginning in terms of character development, world building, and plot, the author switches into a stilted history of the club.  This takes the form of diary entries and begins the POV shifts that impede flow.  Interesting ideas and characters are hinted at but long interludes of backstory take the focus.  The Twist happens, the plot gets sillier and more convoluted, and a romance begins to be hinted at.

I basically grew weary of the rambling and found it harder and harder to pick the book back up.  I also be weary of thinking about this book any further so I shall stop here.  Abandoned ship and glad of it.  Arrrr!

Just couldn't get into this even though I adore the author's other work. Arrrr!

Ahoy there me mateys!  This read accomplishes four things!  I feel so productive from one book.

1. This be the the first book from me 20 in 2020 list!  This year has been so crazy that it has taken two and a half months to read one of them.  Eesh!

2. It's the first book I have read in 10 days!  I feel like I be drowning due to lack of reading time.  I had a free weekend due to the corona virus panic.  Something positive out of the crazy.

3. This book belongs to the 102 unread physical books in the hold! I finally read something from that towering stack.

4. I have finally read another Newbery award winner!

In October 2017, I read a post by me Matey Jackie @ deathbysundoku.  She be on the Great Newbery quest wherein she be reading all Newbery medal winners by January 2022 when the 100th Newbery Award happens!  Worthy goal indeed.  I meself had embarked on this journey many years ago before adverse winds and scads of other adventures sent me off course.  So Jackie's posts have rekindled me interest in finishing them all (eventually) but I tend to keep rereading me favourites.  I had somehow missed out on the westing game as a young lass.  I was excited to see what the fuss was all about.

I get it.  This book is so well done.  I would have loved this as a kid, reading it for the first time, but me adult self very much appreciated it too.  The basic premise is that a group of people are brought together as beneficiaries to a millionaire's will and find out they have to compete in a game to win the fortune.  Shenanigans ensue and things get all out of kilter.  I won't say more of the plot because it be better to go in blind.

What I can say is that this 1978 book has excellent writing, extremely fun quirky characters, lovely plot twists, and surprising diversity.  Though written in third-person, the books shows perspectives from all 16 contestants.  While the characters are not psychologically written as they would be today, ye get a surprising amount of personal growth and self-reflection in the style of writing.  There are humorous elements too.  I thought the opening was particularly engaging because I was surprised by it and immediately wanted to understand what in the world was going on.  I really liked that while it be marketed for children, it does not treat younger readers as idiots.  In fact the book is rather clever.  It is short but so well done.

One of the things I did for this read was to also borrow an ebook copy from the library for the extra features.  Once I finished the story, I read the ebook's introduction and bonus material.  Apparently the author was an illustrator before she became an author.  She produced over 1000 book covers.  I also liked learning about her career.  Apparently Raskin designed this entire book down to font choices, paragraph style, and illustrations.  I got to see some of her sketches and notes about producing the westing game.  It was cool.  I was disappointed that neither copy I had used her original work.  I rather wish I had the deluxe anniversary edition published in 2018. Arrrr!

Ahoy there me mateys!  I received a copy of this young adult fantasy novella eArc from NetGalley in exchange for me honest musings.  This be the fifth book in the series.  While I try to post no spoilers, if ye keep reading this log then ye have been forewarned and continue at yer own peril . . .

I say this every time I finish one of these novellas but I seriously could read dozens of books set in the various worlds.  This be the fifth installment and ye have to read every heart a doorway (#1) and down among the sticks and bones (#2) first for this one to make sense.  I actually highly recommend reading this series in publishing order because I feel that the reader gets the best flow that way.  However, books #1, #3, and #4 can technically be read as standalones.  Each to their own.

This installment showcases our end of Jack and Jill's story.  The Moors are in trouble and Jack needs the help of her friends at Eleanor West's School for Wayward Children to make things right.  I have to admit that I wasn't expecting more of the twins' story.  I would have been okay with the previous ending of book two.  That said, I still loved reading this one.

Other readers may get something else out of the book but for me, this book was a glimpse into that nebulous transition between child and adult.  In all the other books, ye are following children who are struggling to find sense of self and their place of belonging.  They want to find their way back to their doors.  In this tale, Jack and Jill have previously found their way back to their door and the world in which they belong.  Jack is very clear about who she is and what she wants.  She is on the threshold of adulthood but not quite ready to make the final step.  Until circumstances dictate that she must.

Now to be fair, none of the children in these novellas have good childhoods and all are forced to grow up faster than they would probably want.  They have been heroes and have faced adult problems but they still feel like children.  Jack's circumstances in book five (that involve spoilers) cause her discomfort because she already knows who she is and what her flaws are.  She already understands what the answer to the current problem is and how to accomplish her goal.  To win, she must make a grown-up choice and crossover into adulthood.  She calls on her friends so that she can.

Her friends presence may seem unnecessary for this book when reading until ye look at the underlying issue.  The (spoilerly) circumstances that Jack be in cause Jack's mental state to fray and it is her brain that is her weapon.  Her friends are there to be emotional support and provide a buffer or even a distraction for Jack to keep herself together so she can succeed.  Romantic love isn't enough to help her win because love can distract.  However, the love formed through friendship can save the day. 

Her friends honestly don't really know how to handle the weaknesses that Jack is going through.  Each reacts in their own way - with logic, with confusion, with harshness, etc.  Through all mean to give love and support.  Just because all the wayward children have experienced problems, doesn't mean that they know how to fix Jack or her circumstances.  Jack really has to help herself.  But knowing that friends got yer back and support or push when needed can really make all the difference.  At least that's what I personally take from this novella.  When the journey ends Jack's friends have completed a single quest on the path towards their futures in the name of friendship.  Jack finally finds her future and in doing so grows up.

I found this to be a bit more of an intellectual read then some of the others (book four wins so far) but I still loved it.  I will certainly be readin' the next book when it comes out.  There be rumors of three more in the pipelines.  I sure hope so.  ARRR!!

Check out what me crew had to say (click the links for their full reviews):

Matey Tammy @ books,bones,&buffy- "McGuire also uses this series as a way to focus on certain themes, like identity and belonging and finding one’s place in the world. In this book, Jack’s OCD is explored, and even though I don’t want to give away one of the big story twists, I will say that Jack has a reason she’s having a lot of trouble with her illness. But in McGuire’s world, issues like mental illness and gender identity are simply a part of life, and I love the way she incorporates these elements so seamlessly into her stories."

Ahoy there me mateys!  This is me third work by the author but not me last.  I have loved every one.  The first story was the black god's drums which takes place in an alternate steampunk 1884 New Orleans where slavery in the South is not illegal.  Then I read “The Secret Lives of the Nine Negro Teeth of George Washington,” which was a 2019 Hugo short story finalist and inspired by this real quote "“‘By Cash pd Negroes for 9 Teeth on Acct of Dr. Lemoire’ –Lund Washington, Mount Vernon plantation, Account Book dated 1784.”  Awesome.  Then this.

This is set in 1912 in alternate Cairo where a (female!) investigator is trying to figure out what led a djinn to die.  It has steampunk flair, fun magic, and awesome world building.  I loved the main character, Fatma el-Sha’arawi and her intelligence and spunk.  I loved that magic led to Egypt kicking the British out.  This is short at about 40 pages and that is me biggest complaint.  I wanted more!  I didn't realize that this story is a prequel for Clark's the haunting of tram car 015.  I certainly need to pick it up as it has been on me list since it was first published.  Plus it was nominated for the Locus, Hugo, and Nebula awards this year!

Clark also has another novella out later this year called ring shout that is currently scheduled for 10/13/2020.  While I was lucky enough to get an eArc of that one (Arrrr!!) I will likely read tram car first while the prequel is still fresh.  I be excited.

Side note: while I love short fiction, I cannot help but want novels by this lovely author!  I want more!

Ahoy there me mateys! This review has a twist. The First Mate and I both read this one (sort of)! We discussed the book and I enjoyed his viewpoint so I ordered asked him to write a review. So you get one from me and a bonus additional review from me crew. Please note that I write like I talk and the First Mate writes like he thinks. Hope you enjoy!

From the First Mate:

The first time I read Zodiac was twenty years ago. Amazon tells me that I purchased it in May 2000, several months after I’d previously purchased and enjoyed Stephenson’s Cryptonomicon. I can’t say for certain that I’d purchased Snow Crash and The Diamond Age in the intervening months (perhaps in a long shuttered Borders), but my memory is that in the wake of reading Cryptonomicon I was trying to quickly read everything Stephenson had written, as I’d then found a new favorite author.

Zodiac tells the story of Sangamon Taylor, a dude bro eco terrorist, and his efforts to engage in “mediapathic” events against corporations that are polluting the environment, specifically his nemesis corporation, developer of Agent Orange: Basco Industries. Like a lot of early Stephenson, the plot of the novel is highly episodic. Taylor goes somewhere, does some explaining to someone about how the world really works, MacGyvers together something that will draw media attention, and then we move on to the next adventure.

There’s a larger storyline involving Basco Industries, Boston Harbor, and genetic engineering that weaves itself through Taylor’s adventures and eventually becomes the central focus of the last quarter of the book. But the majority of the book is hanging out with a guy that says things like “If you’ve put yourself in a position where someone has to see you in order for you to be safe – to see you, and to give a fuck – you’ve already blown it” and “It irritates the hell out of me to be in a situation where I’m forced to do exactly what’s expected.”

Twenty years ago I was definitely the target audience for this type of book and narrator. The snarky “I have the world’s address and you’re lucky you’ve got someone like me to explain it all” tone was right up my alley at the time. Two decades later it still makes me smile, even though I’ve certainly had my fill of dealing with those types of men in real life. Even in 2000, though, I probably would’ve told you that the reason to read any Stephenson was purely for stylistic reasons. If his style works for you (as it did for me), reading his work can be amazingly enjoyable. If that style grates, there’s very little value to get from Stephenson. He’s never written a truly satisfying ending and his palette of characters is rather limited. As with all of Stephenson’s early novels, major characters and plot elements appear for the first time in the last third of the novel out of nowhere.

I will say that the thematic core of the novel is perhaps even more relevant today than when it was when published in 1988. Taylor tells us “The big lie of American capitalism is that corporations work in their own best interests. In fact they’re constantly doing things that will eventually bring them to their knees.” It seems that we get weekly updates of corporations shooting themselves in the foot these days.

I enjoyed rereading Zodiac. Did I enjoy it as much as the first read? Don’t know. Part of the enjoyment was revisiting the now somewhat distant past of my youth. I recognize the late 80s of the novel, and I have to admit that I get some weird comfort from being reminded of that era. Likewise, it was fun to think about where I was and what I was like when I first read this novel in 2000. It’s probably not a high recommendation of the novel that a majority of my enjoyment was nostalgia-based.

Recommended if any of the above quotes have a tone that speaks to you. Avoid if you’re allergic to dude bros with a tendency to mansplaining.

From the Captain:

I read Anathem a long while back and adored it so I was excited to dive back into the author’s work. I be highly allergic to dude bros with a tendency to mansplain. I almost died so I quickly abandoned ship. Arrrrr!