As far as I can tell, the sole point of this book is to draw the heroine in various stages of undress. I mean, really very few women in the time perioAs far as I can tell, the sole point of this book is to draw the heroine in various stages of undress. I mean, really very few women in the time period period that this seems to take place in would do what she does on her bedroom balcony. Honesty, it is just teen male wish fulfillment. (While lesibans might enjoy it, I doubt that they are the target audience). Nice art in places. And at least no slut shaming....more
This is not like the movie, but it doesn't really claim to be outside of the title reference. Sherlock is a bit of a jerk, and quite frankly, you wantThis is not like the movie, but it doesn't really claim to be outside of the title reference. Sherlock is a bit of a jerk, and quite frankly, you want him to get smacked. Additionally, the sole female character is told she is useless and then objectified, though some very passing reference is made to Ganesh....more
The mood and artwork are great. The story is interesting. Mechanika is nicely kick ass. I just found myself wondering where her stomach was, how come The mood and artwork are great. The story is interesting. Mechanika is nicely kick ass. I just found myself wondering where her stomach was, how come her breasts are so out there, and really, you would go into sewers dressed like that? Shame really, it stopped this book from being four stars....more
Whitehead's award winning novel does hold up. This was a re-read because I am teaching it this semester.
old review Shout out to Obsidian Black Death whWhitehead's award winning novel does hold up. This was a re-read because I am teaching it this semester.
old review Shout out to Obsidian Black Death whose review convinced me to buy this book sooner than I otherwise would have.
In the spring, I watched the WGN tv series Underground, which quite frankly should have been nominated for more Emmys than it was. The first season chronicled the escape attempt of a group of slaves. Additionally, the story focuses on a slave hunter and his son as well as a white couple who join the Underground Railroad. While some sequences are a bit much (there is rescue by Native Americans that doesn’t quite work) and some historically inaccuracy, the series is well written, well-acted and gripping. If you haven’t checked it out, you should. The best episode is the one told though the viewpoint of children.
A student watched the show as well because she was interested in the history of the Underground Railroad. She didn’t know much about however, and had confused Sally Hemmings with something connected to Washington.
I’m angry at society not at the student because it should be in an English Composition 101 Class that students find out about Sally Hemmings, the impact of slavery. Something is wrong somewhere. In part because people either try to white wash out - Bill O’Reilly’s comment about the slaves building the White House or we focus on a very narrow view � only the big plantations but nothing about free blacks for instance.
In many ways, Whitehead’s book does redress some of this. In Whitehead’s book, the Underground Railroad is, in fact, an Underground Railroad. As Sallie May of Ask a Slave would say, a road under the ground. The story is mainly about Cora and her journey to freedom. Cora is pursued by a slave hunter who failed to recapture her mother. It’s a matter of pride at this time, for him. Cora is divided about her mother, for her mother left her behind when her mother ran.
Whitehead’s novel succeeds in part because it is so stark. The horror isn’t the actions; it is the fact that the actions are accepted as everyday actions as nothing out of the ordinary. Usually in many narratives there is a precipitating event. For instance, in the series Underground Rosalie runs because of a violent attempted rape. Cora’s desire to flee doesn’t seem to come from that “straw�, it is harder to put into words, and perhaps is more powerful because of that. There are two incidents that immediately precede her flight but neither one seems to be a full tipping off point. She was given the chance, she seized it.
Along with Cora, the reader than goes on a journey over the pre-Civil War south. While Whitehead has played a little with historical placement, all that which Cora encounters has historical source. Valentine Farmer’s has real forerunners, and the various laws about African-American as well, there is even a reference to the sterilization of minorities.
At times, Whitehead leaves Cora and gives the reader glimpses into other people, answering in part some questions. He shows that a slave hunter can include a black man, that an underground railroad supporter can have less pure reasons for doing what she does. He shows humanity. The book is stark, but a powerful read....more
This is pretty good. It is actually a cut above some of Priest's other work, not that Priest's other work is bad. It isn't. But this is better than thThis is pretty good. It is actually a cut above some of Priest's other work, not that Priest's other work is bad. It isn't. But this is better than the later Clockwork Century books. The novel concerns what "really" happened during Lizzie Borden's post-murder accusation career. It concerns freaky things that are connected to water. It's actually scary than Jaws. The book wins hands down in terms of atmosphere.
The story is told from different points of view via different dispatches from various characters, including Lizzie, her sister Emma, a doctor, and others. The voices are as quite as distinct as they could be, but once the story gets moving you really don't care about that.
Well, really well drawn characters looking for a little better plot, would be a description.
It's not a bad book, and I love Priest's zombies (though tWell, really well drawn characters looking for a little better plot, would be a description.
It's not a bad book, and I love Priest's zombies (though they are not traditional zombies). Quite frankly, any book that gives Mary Todd Lincoln a gun is great. I love how Priest draws her here. The Grants are done very well, and it is a pleasure to see Belle Boyd again.
And yet, the plot really wasn't all that compelling, and this seems to be a little bit of problem with some of Priest's series. Her stand alone novels are wonderful - but both this final volume and final volume in the Eden Moore series are off.
Gladstone's Two Serpents Rise images a South America where the anicent gods were not quite destroyed by beings who are not Gods. This has lead to someGladstone's Two Serpents Rise images a South America where the anicent gods were not quite destroyed by beings who are not Gods. This has lead to some disruption.
Look, it's great, it's creative. The sudden lust/love concept is used but Gladstone is aware of it, and even has his characters Caleb and Teo discuss it. The most wonderful thing in the book is the friendship between Caleb and Teo....more
I found this a little muddled at times, especially towards the end of the novel. That said, the characters are well drawn, the world building is solidI found this a little muddled at times, especially towards the end of the novel. That said, the characters are well drawn, the world building is solid, the idea inventive, the wordplay quite funny, and the ideas interesting. I do wish the plot had been a little tighter. Still, enjoyable....more
Singing crabs aside, there is something about Anderson’s "Little Mermaid� that both satisfies and leaves one disappointed. In part, it is the ending Singing crabs aside, there is something about Anderson’s "Little Mermaid� that both satisfies and leaves one disappointed. In part, it is the ending horrible yet with a strange sense of hope. There is the prince, a most unDisney like prince despite Disney’s view of him. There is the mermaid herself who seems to want the prince because he is the path to what she truly desires. At its heart, the story is about leave taking and loss, of separation. And Pip Ballantine captures all that and presents a kick ass mermaid in her excellent retelling of the Little Mermaid. There is a beautiful amount of detail in this short story. Pay particular attention to the names of the mermaids. The ending is true to Andersen’s but also true to modern sensibilities. ...more
Supposedly a collection of work by Miles Vandercroft, Steampunk Soldiers carries on the tradition of Osprey military booDisclaimer: ARC via Netgalley
Supposedly a collection of work by Miles Vandercroft, Steampunk Soldiers carries on the tradition of Osprey military books by detailing various soldiers from various countries during a Steampunk era. It’s cool.
Each section focuses on a different part of the world that has developed various items and weapons due to the arrival of certain materials. The introduction of each section gives an overview of the country in terms military strategy and/or development. Italy does seem to be the most creative and humorous part in this regard. In keeping with many Steampunk traditions, the United States is split in the Union and the Confederacy. While most of the focus is on major European powers, Japan gets its own chapter and other countries receive a total chapter grouping.
In other words, it is a steampunk version of the countries that participated majorly in both World Wars.
The designs for each country are varied and include anything ranging from Calvary to Firelighters. There are also hints of the traditional costumes. The Highlander Battle suit is an excellent example of this. A kilted Armored Man ala the Black Watch. The section on the two American countries could easily fit into Cherie Priest’s Steampunk series. The Russian section shows a great deal of invention with overtones of how Russia is view today. IN particular, the Russian nurses (or not nurses) stand out. The Fangfeng suit is wonderfully inventive and yet traditional. There are also hints of Freedom Fights in Belgium as well as Canada.
In short, the book is a wonderful look at a world that would make a good game. ...more
Cool cover, but can't get past page 50. And I've tried reading this three times.Cool cover, but can't get past page 50. And I've tried reading this three times....more
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