Book Reviews: Three Books

I've finished up three books in the last couple of weeks since Boskone. Yes, I know, my reading speed is a dim reflection of what it once was, but at the moment, I'm feeling actually pretty quick. *smile*

Paper Mage
by Leah R. Cutter
paperback from ROC, 2003

Seduced by Moonlight
by Laurell K. Hamilton
hardcover from Ballantine Books, 2004

A Perilous Power
by E. Rose Sabin
hardcover from TOR, 2004

And possible spoilers in the mini-reviews behind the cut...

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Paper Mage

I can see why this one made the Locus recommended reading list. It was different. It was well written. It had a consistent voice which was articulate, pleasing, and didn't bog down even though it had some wonderful descriptions. I loved the way the two stories (which were all one story really) wove together through the book, as chapters alternated between past and present, allowing us to see the clues as they became important.

The best part? It didn't go for the predictable happily ever after ending. I wondered, I really wondered throughout the novel if it would go that route, and when it did not, I was pleased.

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Seduced by Moonlight

In reading this, I was reminded of the oft-quoted advice on OWW. When you read a published work, don't ask what is wrong with it. Ask what the author did right.

I've grown as a writer. I can tell, because as I read Laurell's latest work I can see things that I consider errors. Yet I still find myself drawn forward, turning page after page in a quick read that at the end of it, I truly enjoyed.

So what does she do right?

I love her characters. I love the woman who can't quite figure out how to do what she's doing, trying to balance all these men in her life and about as twisted a set of relationships as it gets. I love the fact that it is fast-paced and never stops for a moment. A day passes in this novel. A day. I figure she might get to the climax of the dinner in the Seelie Court a couple of novels down the road.

Laurell's writing might not be perfect. But I can set it aside enough to be drawn along the (very sensual) romp and enjoy myself. I just have to set aside the crit hat for a while.

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A Perilous Power

This is the second novel by this author -- I think I might've reviewed the first one as well. I liked the first one, well enough to buy this one. I found this one stumbling. I didn't like the main character, Trevor, although I liked his best friend Les. I found the writing style to be a little *too* YA for me.

But I liked the end. I liked the sacrifice. I liked the tone. And I liked the way it tied into the other novel -- it made me sniffle at the end and then it made me smile. Average book, but enjoyable.

Posted by Deb Atwood at March 01, 2004 11:00 PM | TrackBack