Muhammad Omer Yaqub Omer Yaqub itibaren Bereznik, Arkhangelskaya oblast', Rusya, 164675
This was a terrific book -- even (in fact, especially) the interviews. Usually I have an aversion to such things, but Simic has such astute, beautiful (and often surprising) observations on all things poetry. It made me itch to get back to the computer and write! (For anyone who loves prose poems, read his fantastic book THE WORLD DOESN'T END.)
In my life, I've read two books that take you by the throat at the first sentence and don't let go until the very end. Man of Bone was the first, and now Run by Patti Larsen. What's made them different from so many others that I've read - Hunger Games trilogy included - is that I've had to take breaks from them just so I can remember that these are just books. The humanity of the characters and their experiences are both so raw and vivid that I, too, felt nauseous (from a girl who had a longstanding love of John Saul in her teens, it takes a lot to make me feel sick in a book.) Like waves swelling up to meet you from an angry sea, the action in this book hits you again and again. Great job. Looking forward to reading the rest of Reid's story.
Silver Phoenix is a coming of age story set in a mystical asian universe called the Kindom of Xia. Ai Ling is a young asian girl from Xia who is troubled to have reached the age of matchmaking, but to have been turned down by all available suitors - except for a sickening, manipulative man who claims that Ai Ling's father owes him a debt, and wants Ai Ling as payment. The problem is that Ai Ling's father is off following summons to visit the emperor- and has been gone for months without word. With the shame of her family upon her, Ai Ling sneaks away from home and sets out to find her father. But immediately, strange demons begin attacking her at every turn, threatening her to turn back or be killed. Why are they so desperate to stop her? With her newfound ability to reach into other's souls, and the help of a fellow traveler, Ai Ling begins a journey that will take her to places she that were known only as myths. There is a secret waiting for her at the emperors palace. But how much will she sacrifice to save the ones she loves? This was a really wild book. The author Cindy Pon has a great imagination and vidid descriptions that bring you into the story. The magical elements were introduced so naturally that it gave them a realism they wouldn't have had otherwise. The plot itself was a little rough, and I found myself irked at the main characters a few times. But otherwise, this was a great debut that straddles the line between fantasy and mythology. I'm looking forward to see what Cindy Pon will write next. 3.5 stars.
great ending to the series!
Really more like ***1/2, at least on a first reading. Page turner that never quite coheres...
This is the third No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency book I've read, and it is almost impossible to say about thing about either the series, or this instalment. So much so that using my usual review template would be superfluous. If you're interested in the books, my reviews for the past two books would probably give you sufficient information. I rather liked the resolution of both the book's major plot lines. It happened rather swiftly, but did not feel sudden. And in the context of a rather short book, one should not expect lengthy comings and goings. As with many other procedurals I read (or watch) I do so not because of the crime/crisis de jour, but rather to see the gradual development of the characters. Here, as is often the case, the greatest reward can be found. Reading this book, then, is almost like visiting an old friend and catching up on how their life is going. As I've often said of these books, they are charming, well written and enjoyable. One could ask for little more.