Fantasy Books

Advantages: Story hooks you in after a while, vivid writing style
Disadvantages: Hard to get into at first, initially unnatural overabundance of main character's thoughts

...there I found Jenny Maxwell's Bright Rooms for just £2, and picked it up. Unfortunately, I had masses of trouble getting into it - more on that later. After two weeks, I gave up and put it aside. A few days ago, I picked it up and began again. The next day, I had finished it and thought it was much better than I had the first time. Here's my thoughts on it. The Story Bright Rooms is told from the first person perspective and is about a ...
...started not long beforehand. Bright Rooms was that story. Being honest, the writing isn't bad. It's very involving at times and the imagery is excellent. The problem lies in the amount of thought. In the first few chapters, there was a horrible overabundance of thought that didn't move the story along in the slightest. That was what made me give up the first time I bought the book. I don't know if women actually think like this, and I am by no ... Read review

Advantages: Well drawn characters
Disadvantages: Not enough action

Fantasy writers never seem to write in single volumes, but even by the usual standards of the genre, Kate Elliott's seven volume "Crown of Stars" series was maybe overdoing it a bit. As if that wasn't enough, she apparently plans much the same for her "Crossroads" series, of which "Spirit Gate" is the first part. Years ago, The Hundred was ruled by mysterious Guardians, who supposedly could not be killed. But these Guardians have not been seen for ...
...who patrol the skies with large eagles. But their authority is being undermined and The Hundred is turning into a lawless place where merchants cannot transport goods from one place to another without fear of being attacked and no-one knows when this first started and who is behind it. In another part of the world Mai, a woman from Kartu Town, is pledged in marriage to Anji, an officer in the army of the Qin, who conquered their country some time ... Read review

Advantages: Colourful and exciting writing
Disadvantages: Falls for too many of the TV cliches

I recall seeing the trailers for the television version of "The Dresden Files" and thinking it sounded like a wonderful concept; that of a wizard Private Investigator in modern day Chicago. As someone who rarely watches television, though, I never managed to see an episode. So I was delighted to find it was also available in book form. The book starts in a hurry, with the finding of a dead body which looks like a suicide. However, all is not what ...
...that only Harry Dresden, the aforementioned wizard, can see. It turns out that there is a serial killer at large in the magical community of Chicago and they're trying to taunt Dresden into getting involved. It is to get worse before it gets better for Dresden, as it seems that his brother may be the killer and so he has to find someone else behind it, or risk finding his brother implicated. Starting with the ninth book in a series wouldn't usually ... Read review

Advantages: Spell-binding.
Disadvantages: Slightly over-dramatic

...with this book; the final Harry Potter, and she managed it well. Tying up all the loose ends and answering many questions which will have bugged readers from the beginning, (what is the REAL connection between Voldemort and Harry? and, is Snape good or evil?) this book will satisfy all who have followed Harry from the beginning of The Philosopher's Stone. However, it does seem that the book may be a little over-dramatic, as it seems that everything ...
...death toll is, to say the least, rather significant. This book has happy moments, some terrifying moments, and many sad moments. It is impossible that anyone reading this will not become engrossed, but do not attempt to read it without first reading the first six books, which, i promise you, will be more than worth it. ... Read review

Advantages: Easy reading, page turning characters and dilemmas
Disadvantages: Slightly cheesy, disappointing ending

...some instances to get to the next page! Written in chapters from each individual prespective it repeats scenarios & conversations through each characters eyes allowing you interesting insights and some unexpected twists. Sexy in parts and brilliantly cosy as a good old bit of 'chick-lit'! The ending is disappointingly cliched and 'nice' but then you don't expect anyhting dark, mysterious or intellectual form this kind of read anyway so who cares?! ... Read review