Audiobook Review - Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones (3.5/5 stars)

Reading Level: Children’s
Genre: Fantasy
Size: 336 pages
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Release Date: August 7, 2001
ISBN: 978-0064410342
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: Audiobook through Audible.com
Rating: 3.5/5 stars


I have had this book to read forever and was so excited to finally get around to reading it. I watched the movie a long time ago and enjoyed it, but wanted more depth to that interesting story. This was a well done fantasy book, that had an old time fairy tale feel to it. My main complaint that the ending was a bit rushed. There are two sequels to this book: Castle in the Air and House of Many Ways.

I listened to this on audiobook and the audiobook was very well done. The narrator has an English accent which fits this fairy tale type of story perfectly and did a wonderful job with the character voices.

Sophie is the eldest of three children in a hat-makers shop. As such, she feels that she is destine to lead a boring and uneventful life. Things change when she runs afoul of the Witch of the Waste while selling the Witch a hat. The Witch turns Sophie into an old woman. Sophie leave the hat shop and journeys to Howl’s Castle in hope that he can break the spell on her and return her to her youthful self.

This was a well done children's book with a fairy tale feel to it. The world is a typical olden time fantasy world with Kings and magic and castles. I loved the idea of Howl’s floating castle and the Wicked Witch of the west. This is a magical story full of lessons on life, love, and happiness.

The characters did leave a bit to be desired for me though. Sophie’s personality matches that of a cranky old woman perfectly, even before she is a cranky old woman. I think that is part of the irony in her being turned into a cranky old woman. I didn’t really enjoy her all that much. The huge decision she makes to go Howl’s castle she blames on being in shock from the transformation and to be honest she doesn’t do much but be incredibly stubborn for large portions of the book. She also is very caustic and rude to Howl throughout the whole book. She never lets him get a word in edgewise and never lets him actually explain anything. She continually calls Howl a “slitherer-outer”, which seems hypocritical to me since Sophie is constantly trying the slither out of her own live and out of making any decisions.

I like Howl’s character better but he was still hard to engage with. Howl is a first rate womanizer and (Sophie is right, he is a slitherer-outer) tries to get out of having any responsibilities at all. He pretends to be mysterious and hard-hearted but it is extremely apparent that he is not any of those things. He was a very stereotypical bachelor type character (he has a messy house, eat poorly, and is always after women).

The best character of the bunch is Calcifier, the fire demon that lives in Howl’s fireplace. He is much more fascinating than either Sophie or Howl, and I would have liked to read more about him.

Sophie’s sisters are also delightful characters. They are full of mischief and add more life to the story than Sophie ever does. I especially enjoyed Sophie’s sister’s magic teacher, she was a funny and engaging character.

Behind all of the Sophie/Howl disagreements there is a larger part to the plot. The King wants Howl to rescue his brother from the Witch of the Waste, of course HOwl is doing his best not to get involved. This part of the story was largely in the background. To be honest this portion of the story isn’t really dealt with until very late in the book. The way it wraps up is creative and interesting, but also very rushed and a bit confusing. This would have been better if Jones had taken a bit more time to explain and wrap up the mystery behind the Witch of the Waste and the King’s brother.

So to be honest, while I enjoyed this cute little fairy tale story, it didn’t awe me or blow me away. The characters left something to be desired, the pacing was slow in the beginning and rushed at the ending, also things get a bit confusing at the end and could have used some better explanation.

In addition to the above there are some mysteries around the “other world” Howl goes to that are never well explained. The “romance” between Howl and Sophie (if you can even call it that) felt forced, awkward, and rushed as well.

Overall this was a decent fairy tale like story. I enjoyed the world and Howl’s magical castle and the whimsical tone to the story. I also enjoyed Calcifer the fire demon and his sharp wit. I thought Howl and Sophie were probably the least interesting characters in the book. I also thought the pacing was off and that there were a lot of things left unanswered. After writing this review I guess I felt a bit let down by this book, my expectations were really high though....so that’s kind of my own fault. I most likely will not be reading the sequels to this book. There are just too many other wonderful middle grade fantasy stories out there to read.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
- YA/MG Fantasy Reading Challenge
- Audio Book Challenge
- 150+ Reading Challenge
- TBR Pile Reading Challenge

Review - Jinx by Sage Blackwood (4/5 stars)

Reading Level: Middle Grade
Genre: Fantasy
Size: 368 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: January 8, 2013
ISBN: 978-0062129901
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone?
Source: ARC through Amazon Vine
Rating: 4/5 stars


I got a copy of this book through the Amazon Vine program to review. This was a well done novel full of adventure and fantasy.

This is a story about a boy named Jinx whose step-father takes him into the Urwald woods to get rid of him. While in woods they happen upon a wizard named Simon who wants to buy Jinx from his stepfather. Jinx ends up living with Simon and slowly learning his many secrets.

This was a fun adventure fantasy read. Jinx is an excellent character with some hidden magical talents and a down to earth attitude. He is determined to be his own person.

Simon, the wizard Jinx is raised by, is an enigma. He treats Jinx better than Jinx’s stepparents did, but not great. Jinx doesn’t know if he is a good or bad wizard and is constantly trying to figure out the mystery behind Simon.

During his adventures Jinx is joined by a couple other characters; both have mysteries of their own.

I enjoyed the creepy and magical setting of the Urwald. It was very creative and very well done. The book had a fairy tale feel to it, complete with curses and witches.

The book was easy to read and well written. All of the mysteries woven throughout made the story very engaging. There are still some open questions at the end of this book, so I am going to assume that those questions will be addressed in a future book.

Overall an excellent debut novel that I think both kids and adults will enjoy. Well written and full of magic and adventure, this book is appropriate for middle grade and older readers. Younger readers might find some of the witches and evil wizards a bit too scary. I am eager to find out if some of the unresolved issues will be resolved in another book in the future.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
- YA/MG Fantasy Reading Challenge
- 150+ Reading Challenge
- Debut Author Reading Challenge

Review - Cold Days (Dresden Files, Book 14) by Jim Butcher (5/5 stars)

Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Size: 528 pages
Publisher: Roc
Release Date: November 27, 2012
ISBN: 978-0451464408
Stand Alone or Series: 14th book in the Dresden Files series
Source: Bought
Rating: 5/5 stars

This is the fourteenth book in the Dresden Files series and it was an excellent read.

Harry Dresden is back from the dead but was forced to become Mab’s Winter Knight as part of the deal. As he struggles to recover after his ordeal, Mab gives him a command...kill Maeve. Harry returns to Chicago in an effort to figure out why Mab wants Maeve dead, but while there he finds out that something very very wrong is going on with the island of Demonreach. Now as Harry tries to reunite with old acquaintances he is left with very little time to kill Maeve, figure out my Mab wants Maeve killed, and figure out how to save Demonreach.

This was a great read. Harry is back to his old self in this book, but with new and awesome powers of the Winter Knight at his beck and call. We meet a great new character in the sarcastic and uber powerful Cait Sith. We also reunite with a lot of old favorites; Molly, Murphy, and Thomas all play large parts in this story.

A lot of things happen in this story and a lot of truths are revealed that just absolutely blow your mind. There were two or three times where I was like “Woah, no way!” We learn the truth behind the purpose of the Faerie Queens and the truth behind all of the strange things that have happened throughout this entire series. This is a book that truly brings together everything that have happened previously in this series.

I really really enjoyed it. This was a long book, but a good one. There are just so many awesome things in here. As you might guess Faerie is present in a big way; but we also get to learn more about the Outsiders.

This series continues to be very well written and very engaging. I am impressed that Butcher has been able to keep up the quality storytelling and wonderful momentum throughout this series.

Highly recommended to fans of this series. Also highly recommended to fans of urban fantasy; this is the series that started it all. It’s hard to believe that this series is still going strong and is still incredibly well done after 14 books! Can’t wait to see what the next book holds!

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
- 150+ Reading Challenge
- Paranormal Reading Challenge

Review - Side Jobs (Dresden Files Short Story Collection) by Jim Butcher (4/5 stars)

Reading level: Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Size: 432 pages
Publisher: Roc
Release Date: October 26, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0451463654
Stand Alone or Series: Short story collection from Dresden Files series
Source: Borrowed from Library
Rating: 4/5 stars


This was a great collection of stories all set in the Dresden Files world.  The majority of these stories have appeared in other anthologies, that's part of the reason I got this from the library...I had read half of the stories before.  Still there are some great ones I hadn't read.  The last novella "Aftermath" is a definite must read for everyone who wants to know more about what happened after the cliffhanger ending of Changes.

My favorites were Aftermath (which describes events after Changes), Heorot (where Norse mythology mixes with Dresden's world), Last Call, and Love Hurts.  Butcher does little intros to each story that give some interesting background that was fun to read.

All of the stories (except for A Restoration of Faith and Vignette) were very professional, well-written, and incredibly fun to read.  There isn't a lot more to say about this collection. 

Overall a great collection of stories; if you are a big fan you should read it.  You might want to check to make sure you don't own the stories in other anthologies first before you buy the book.  I am not going to talk about the timing of each story because that is listed in the book itself along with the details of each anthology the stories are pulled from.  Stories were pulled from the following anthologies: Blood Lite, Big Fat Supernatural Wedding, Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon, Many Bloody Returns, Mean Streets, Strange Brew, and the novella Backup is included too.

See below for a brief description of the stories included. 

- A Restoration of Faith: Definitely an amateur story, but Butcher says this himself.  It was interesting to read the first story Butcher ever wrote about Harry.

- Vignette: Not one of the strongest stories in the book.  A very short peice about Harry creating the ad for his investigation agency.

- Something Borrowed: Nice filler story about Georgia and Billy's wedding; these are the two werewolves Harry works with off and on in the series.

- It's My Birthday Too: I originally read this in Many Bloody Returns.  It's a fun addition to the Dresden Files series. I enjoyed a story in which Thomas played a main role. I especially enjoyed the role-playing; being a DnD player I thought it was hilarious.

- Heorot: Very strong story with some interesting supernatural aspects too it.  Ties in some Norse mythology with Harry's world.

- Day Off: Funny and cute story about what happens when Harry tries to take a day off of work.

- Backup: This is a small novella told from Thomas's point of view, Harry's brother, it takes place in the same time/place as the Dresden Files. It was an okay story.

- The Warrior: I originally read this story in Mean Streets.  This story was about Michael and Harry trying to keep Michael's family safe from someone who wants to steal the two Holy Swords that Harry has been keeping hidden. Overall the story was okay, but seemed a bit tired to me. It was interesting to hear a bit more about why Harry has the holy swords. I didn't think this was the best Dresden story I've read but it was kind of interesting.

- Last Call: I originally read this in the Strange Brew anthology.  This is an entertaining story about Murphy and Harry tracking down the source of some tainted beer that Mac accidentally served in his bar. Tons of action, very entertaining!

- Love Hurts: Bittersweet story where Dresden and Murphy track down rogue love spells and are caught up the spells themselves.  Nice addition and further fills out the story between Dresden and Murphy.

- Aftermath: Best story of the bunch and a must read for fans for the series.  Harry is presumed dead and is missing.  Murphy is trying to figure out what is going on when Will comes to her for help; Georgia's been kidnapped and she is very pregnant.  Now it is up to Murphy to step in to aid the paranormals in Dresden's place and what she finds is a plot bigger than she could have imagined.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
- Speculative Fiction Reading Challenge Book List
- The 100+ Book Reading Challenge

 

Review - Wistril Compleat by Frank Tuttle (5/5 stars)

I downloaded this for my Kindle not knowing what to expect.  It just sounded like an interesting book.  I really ended up enjoying this book a lot.  It is a very classic fantasy tale with a lot of humor woven throughout.

Wistril and his apprentice, Kern, live in Castle Kauph and in general just want to be left alone to their studies.  In these three stories about Wistril, that is just not meant to be. The three stories included are Wistril Besieged, Wistril Afloat, and Wistril Betrothed.  In each story Wistril shows that brain always triumphs over brawn and comes up with humorous solutions to rather difficult situations.

I thoroughly enjoyed these stories.  Wistril is a pretentious, yet caring and hilarious wizard.  He constantly surprises the reader with his crazy solutions to problems.  Kern is a very competent apprentice who weaves tons of hilarious sarcasm throughout the novel.  Wistril is sworn, as a white wizard, to never harm with his magic and this adds an interesting twist to things.

Tuttle has a very readable writing style that I really enjoyed.  He develops wonderfully quirky characters.  These stories really have a classic kind of tongue-in-cheek dungeon crawling humor to them.  I was pleasantly surprised and very amused.

Overall I absolutely loved this book.  I immediately went online and got a couple more of Tuttle's Kindle books.  If you love classic fantasy with a humorous twist you have to check out this book.

This book goes towards the following reading challenge:
- The 100+ Book Reading Challenge

 

Review - Changes (The Dresden Files, Book 12) by Jim Butcher (5/5 stars)

This is the twelfth book in the Dresden Files series by Jim Butchers.  I seriously think this was the best book in this series so far, and that is saying something given how much I love this series.

Harry gets a call from his old flame Susan, she has a surprise for Harry.  Harry has a child and his daughter has been stolen by the Red Court.  Harry will stop at nothing to save his child from the Red Court.  He will petition all his allies for whatever help he can get. With the Red Court and the White Council at an uneasy truce; Harry won't be able to depend on the other wizards for help.  Harry make have to make some deals to increase his power and call on help from unlikely sources.

I am afraid all I can do is gush about this book, it was amazing!  Harry increases in power and gets pulled through a non-stop course of events that will have you on the edge of your seat the whole time.  There is a reason this book is called "Changes".  Harry goes through a number of huge changes in becoming a father and in having to make some tough decisions about how he will bend his morals to get the power he needs to save his daughter.  Murphy goes through changes when she take up one of the Three Swords.  Heck even Mouse, the dog, goes through Changes. 

The pace of this book was phenomenal.  Harry is catapulted from one interesting and creative situation to another; all of them life-threatening.  Things happen to Harry in this book that make you want to cry, yet Butcher does an excellent job at not letting things get too heavy by throwing in some of the gallows humor he excels at.  The action scenes were exquisite, the character development perfect (even for side characters).  I feel like no side characters were forgotten, yet the book never seemed cluttered.  There is a lot going on in this book.  You have the White, Grey, and Black councils involved, the vampire courts involved, fairy involved, and the Three Holy Swords thrown in there.  Molly has become a steadfast character as Harry's apprentice.

Harry is beginning to really become a force to be reckoned with.  He is using his power in more intelligent ways and making better decisions; the way he resolves impossible situations is interesting and engaging. Butcher's writing is very readable and engaging and in general is just a joy to read.  I forget how top-notch Butcher's writing style is and then I read one of his books and am reminded again and again.

If there is one thing to complain about in this book it is the ending.  The book literally ends in the middle of a very important scene for Harry and I couldn't believe it.  I was looking for more story and was sad that the book was over.  Now, my next question is when is the next book coming out!!??

If you have been reading this series, get this book and read it.  If you haven't started this series, get the previous eleven books and then read this one.  Or read a summary of the plot online and then get this book and read it.  Just make sure you read this book!!

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
- The 100+ Book Reading Challenge
- Thiller and Suspense Challenge

 

Turn Coat (Dresden Files, Book 11) by Jim Butcher (5/5 stars)

Wow I can't believe this is already the 11th book in the Dresden Files series. It's amazing how great these books are and this one doesn't disappoint.

When Morgan turns up almost dead on Harry's doorstep, Harry doesn't know what to think. I mean of all the people to come to for help, why would Morgan chose him? Morgan has been accused of murdering a member of the White Council and Harry knows Morgan didn't do it. Morgan has been able to lead the White Council on a wild goose chase but that will only last for another 48 hours. So Harry has 48 hours to find out who did frame Morgan; after all if Morgan can be wrongly accused how long will it take someone to accuse Harry of murder given his shady past with the Council? Things get more difficult when Harry is attacked by an ancient and evil shapeshifter. All you can do is hold your breath and go along for the ride as questions spin through your head: Will Harry clear Morgan? Will the Black Council finally be recognized as an entity and the Wizards Council torn apart?

This book was excellent and is on par with all the other books of the Dresden series. Action is non-stop, Harry has the stuffing kicked out of him (like usual), and things come to a head with mysterious unacknowledged Black Council. The characters are awesome, the fight scenes fantastic, and the plot complex and interesting. The overall aspects of this story are nicely wrapped up but the mystery around the overall story arc involving the Black Council are still developing at the end of the book. The biting sense of humor that these books are famous for is still there and help to make the books amusing and break up the tension a bit.

Thomas and Molly are in this book quite a bit as are the rest of the White Vampires. You learn quite a bit more about Thomas's family. Michael is conspicuously absent as are the Fallen.

This is a great book and I am disappointed I am finished with it; I am already looking forward to the next book. The next book is supposed to be entitled "Changes" and is scheduled to release April 2010. So far I know Orbit has purchased Dresden books 12 and 13; whether there will be more books after that point I don't know.

Small Favor by Jim Butcher (5/5 stars)

Small Favor is the 10th book in the Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher. This series continues to amaze me with it's high quality and creativity.

When Harry is attacked by none other than the Three Billy Goats Gruff; he wonders what he has done to deserve the attention. Especially since he thought he was on good terms with the Queen of Summer. Shortly after he is contacted by the Queen of Air and Darkness, Mab, and Mab calls in one of the favors he owes her. She wants Harry to find out who kidnapped Chicago mob boss Johnny Marcone and rescue Marcone.

As Harry begins his quest to find Marcone he finds out that things in Chicago are much more serious than he initially thought. The Denarians (Fallen Angels) are somehow involved in this whole mess too. With the Summer Fae bent on killing him, Queen Mab breathing down his neck, and the Denarians seeking to "talk" to him how will Harry make it out alive?

I was very impressed with this book. I continue to be impressed that 10 books into the series Butcher is still working to write a really good book and not riding on the success of his previous works (as many authors do).

It was great to see more of Thomas and Michael in this book. Of course the Denarians are a wonderfully frightful group of demons and let Butcher add in some very creative fight scenes. This book was non-stop action; I felt tired for Harry just reading all he was trying to get done. The book was also packed with Harry's sarcastic wit and some particularly funny scenes. I felt like Harry spent more time passed out in this book than in previous ones; but despite that he was still just as busy as ever.

The addition of Harry's new power at the end hints at more interesting things to come. Also it looks like the issue of a Black Wizard Council will be visited in more detail soon. I really like that these books have independent stories, yet everything seems like it is going to tie in well with an overall story arc that deals with the Black Council and the Denarians.

I am already excited to read the next one. The worst thing about this book is that I am sad that I am done reading it :-)

White Night - The Dresden Files Book 9 by Jim Butcher (5/5 stars)

Another book that I finished a few months ago. My memory wasn't the best on this book so I didn't have a ton to say about it.

As a big fan of some other long series (Anita Blake Vampire Hunter come to mind) I've noticed that series that go on past 6 or so books seem to have a tendency to fizzle out and end up poorly written or uninteresting. Not so with this series! This series continues to be refreshing and fun. I just can't wait for the next book in the series!