19 March 2013

#156. Death In A Strange Country by Donna Leon


Title:
Death In A Strange Country
Author:
Donna Leon
Genre:
Crime
Synopsis:
When a young American is found dead in the canals of Venice, Brunetti must navigate politics as well as evidence to work out who killed him and what they were hoping to cover up by doing so.
Verdict:
The use of diplomacy and the conspiracy to explore international relations is quite interesting, especially as this book was written in the 90s and much of the way the world fit together has changed since then.
Pages:
373
Read:
March 2013

17 March 2013

#155. Feed by Mira Grant


Title:
Feed
Author:
Mira Grant
Genre:
Post-apocalyptic/Zombie/Thriller/Political/Science
Synopsis:
In the world left behind after the infected rise, bloggers are seen as the reliable news. As three bloggers follow a presidential candidate we find out how reliable as they risk their lives to find out what is going on in their still dangerous world.
Verdict:
A well-built world with excellent ‘science’ behind it, fast-paced story and characters you care for, especially because they're ready to be bastards when they need to be.
Pages:
571
Read:
March 2013

10 March 2013

#154. Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon


Title:
Death At La Fenice
Author:
Donna Leon
Genre:
Crime
Synopsis:
A world famous conductor is found dead at the theatre in Venice with no clue as to who could have done it. Sifting through his past, Brunetti finds the dark side of genius.
Verdict:
Laid out nicely, painting the city without overwhelming the reader or the story with description. The characters are well drawn.
Pages:
338
Read:
March 2013

01 March 2013

#153. A Game Of Thrones by George R. R. Martin


Title:
A Game Of Thrones
Author:
George R. R. Martin
Genre:
Fantasy
Synopsis:
In a harsh land a power struggle between great houses takes place in both in secret and on the battlefield. A kingdom is threatened from without by ancient enemies and from within by politics and intrigue.
Verdict:
Complex but not boring or overwhelming for it, not weighed down with the detail as some fantasy sagas are but enhanced by it. Promises more heartbreak and bleak reality to come as the series progresses.
Pages:
780
Read:
December 2012-March 2013

14 October 2012

#152. First Among Sequels by Jasper Fforde


Title:
First Among Sequels
Author:
Jasper Fforde
Genre:
Alternative Reality/Crime
Synopsis:
Years have passed, SpecOps has been disbanded, Thursday is still trying to save the world and wrangle a family and things just keep getting weirder.
Verdict:
The series continues to be excellent, Fforde is daring enough to take big steps and it pays off. Whenever a series takes a jump of years in a character’s life it can either be a rich source of extra material or a bit disorientating; it definitely worked for this series.
Pages:
395
Read:
October 2012

11 October 2012

#151. Something Rotten by Jasper Fforde

Title:
Something Rotten
Author:
Jasper Fforde
Genre:
Alternate Reality/Crime
Synopsis:
After all her time in Bookworld, Thursday finally returns to reality in order to raise her son and save her husband. Once again it is time to match wits with the sinister Goliath Corporation, while juggling family and fictional responsibilities and all the chaos the real world brings.
Verdict:
Still just as nuts and now it feels like it might have a hidden greater story arc underneath. The wordplay and fun with names continues to amuse me because I’m a big nerd.
Pages:
393
Read:
September ­– October 2012