Tag Archives: Fantasy

Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler

American Literature October 20, 2010 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: An anorexic girl gets recruited by Death to be one of his horsemen. Review: Hunger had a fabulous concept marred by some uneven execution. I was really invested in Lisabeth’s emotional journey, but felt like the story took a weird turn and moved away from that story into something more epic, and it didn’t work for me. It wasn’t that I minded the fantasy elements, more that I didn’t think that story worked as well on an emotional level. That said, I admired the…

The Hallowed Hunt by Lois McMaster Bujold

American Literature October 4, 2010 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: Infected with the spirit of a wolf, an otherwise ordinary man finds himself at the center of a kingmaking conspiracy that requires him to become a shaman or lose his soul forever. Review: The Hallowed Hunt is Lois McMaster Bujold’s third novel set in a world ruled by five capricious and demanding gods. As in the other two books, Bujold melds epic fantasy with a forensic plot and more than a trace of magery for an utterly suspenseful and compelling read. This one also…

Another Pan by Daniel and Dina Nayeri

American Literature September 23, 2010 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: When Peter Pan and his Lost Boys descend on a chic Manhattan boarding school, a brother and sister become embroiled in his plan to reclaim 5 ancient mummies who hold the secret to eternal life. Review: In the interest of full disclosure, I sometimes work with Daniel Nayeri, and have even had him and his lovely wife over to my house for dinner. So please don’t expect anything resembling objectivity. I’m a big fan of Daniel and his sister Dina’s unique brand of classic…

Horizon by Lois McMaster Bujold (The Sharing Knife, Book 4)

American Literature September 17, 2010 Superfast Reader 2 Comments

Synopsis: As Dag hones and refines his groundsetting skills, his farmer wife Fawn aches for a home of her own, and when they are forced to travel across malice-infested territories, their marriage is tested and their lives in jeopardy. Review: While I completely admire and love Bujold’s worldbuilding, character skills, and prose stylings, I was underwhelmed by the conclusion of this series. Possession has a ruminative tone that was disappointing after the epic promise of the first books, and I felt like the malice threat…

Legacy by Lois McMaster Bujold (The Sharing Knife, Book 2)

American Literature August 25, 2010 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: Wedded against custom, magical Lakewalker Dag and his farmer bride Fawn return to Dag’s family home, where they face rejection and ostracism, but when Dag is called out on patrol to battle the most fearsome malice he’s ever seen, they learn that their bond is more than just one of love and may change the world they know. Review: If Legacy weren’t such a strong book I totally would’ve put it down the second my copy of Mockingjay showed up, but Lois McMaster Bujold…

Everwild by Neal Shusterman (Skinjacker Trilogy)

American Literature July 24, 2010 Superfast Reader 2 Comments

Synopsis: Allie the Outcast, the Chocolate Ogre, the McGill, and Mary Queen of Snots meet up with Jackin’ Jill and Zach the Ripper and discover that there’s a lot more to Everlost than just limbo after death. Review: In Everwild, Neal Shusterman deepens the mythology he created in Everlost, adding new characters and concepts with tremendous panache. Allie the Outcast has discovered the power to leap into the bodies of the still living, and when she joins forces with a small group of fellow skinjackers,…

Everlost by Neal Shusterman (The Skinjacker Trilogy)

American Literature July 20, 2010 Superfast Reader 7 Comments

Synopsis: Two teens find themselves in a limbo world between life and death. Review: I first read about Everlost on It’s All About Books and was totally intrigued by Suey’s rave review. Nick and Allie were victims of a fatal car accident, but instead of making it to the bright white light they were bumped into Everlost. They learn quickly that they have to keep moving or else they will sink through the ground all the way to the center of the earth. There are…

Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold

American Literature July 20, 2010 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: The wearied mother to the heiress of Chalion attempts to flee her past insanity, only to find herself possessed by a god called The Bastard and sent on a perplexing mission of grave theological danger. Review: Paladin of Souls is the sequel to Lois McMaster Bujold’s Curse of Chalion, which I read a few years ago and greatly enjoyed. Ista is the dowager royina of Chalion, a title placing her in the top echelon of the land. She had a bad experience with one…

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