50 in '07: 6-10

[sakon76]

Peter Pan in Scarlet: The "official sequel" to the novel as commissioned by the Great Ormond Street Hospital. Written by Geraldine McCaughrean, this is a book Wonderful Husband picked up in a discount bookshop over last Christmas in England. This book is wonderful, filled with wonder, humor, and the particular idiosyncracy of spirit that can only exist in children and Neverland. I was at times laughing, miserable, afraid, and horrified. It was a potent reminder that even fun and games aren't always all fun and games. A good read and a good follow on the original. Highly recommended.


The Sharing Knife: Beguilement: Fantasy romance novel by the esteemed Lois McMaster Bujold. I went into this one with a bit of trepidation. Though I loved the first two Chalion books (her main other fantasy universe), the third, her most recent, had left me disappointed. Beguilement, though, lived up to its title and totally charmed me. This may be because I actually like romance novels in addition to fantasy, and this is indeed a romance novel first. That said, it's one of the highest order. I recommend.


The Sharing Knife: Legacy: The companion volume to Beguilement came out not too long after I'd actually finished the first book. Unfortunately, it didn't grab me quite as strongly as the first one did. While I can appreciate the reason why--the first book was /her/ book, the second one was /his/ and thus it was a different world and worldview, this felt a bit too much like the more Byzantine motivations were going on that pollute some characters in the lesser Vorkosigan novels. That said, it was an interesting read and you really /have/ to read it to finish up the story in the first. Oh, did I mention there's a third story in the series in the works? So I didn't enjoy it as much as Beguilement, but it's Bujold and she's always on my reading list. 'Nuff said.


Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday: Written by Alan Dean Foster, this is the backstory of the Transformers' first contact with humans, roughly forty years ago, the one that pointed them in the direction of the Earth. While the human characters are well fleshed out, I never really got the same feeling for the Transformers themselves. A bit of Starscream rang true, but for the most part their characters felt like they were being told not shown. Disappointing. Also, the transporting Megatron to Hoover Dam storyline... wasn't that, according to the film, supposed to happen in the 1930s, not the 1960s?? Le'sigh. Overall, worth it only if you're a fan of Transformers.


Transformers (the movie novelization): Also written by Alan Dean Foster, this works from the same draft of the screenplay as the comic book adaptation and does a better job of it. In fact, the novelization manages to smooth out many of the more painful parts of the film as well as include a few scenes that fill in a couple of plot holes. The differences from the final film are intriguing and lead to some speculation. One thing is loses points for, however, is once again not giving the Transformers themselves personalities. *rolls eyes* So, a read if you enjoyed the movie and/or were frustrated with its plot holes book. Otherwise, again, probably pass.

Comments

[toothycat]

Ooh, new Bujolds! Must go to bookshop! XD~~~

[racerxmachina.livejournal.com]

Went to the signing she held in Mountain View. She says there will be 4 books to the Sharing Knife series.

I do not ordinarily seek out romance in my fantasy novels, so those two books were a pleasant and charming surprise. I like where she's going with the way "magic" works in that world.