Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

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Book Review: Scarlet

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On February 10, 2015

In Book Review, Science Fiction

Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles, #2)Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

My Rating: [rating=4]
(Click here to read this review on Goodreads)

I really like the modern, dystopian twist to classic fairy tales that Meyer has created in these novels. I’ll admit that when I was just starting Cinder that I didn’t think I would enjoy it despite the fact that I was slightly intrigued by a cyborg Cinderella. I initially thought that each book was an independent retelling/re-imagining of each classic tale, however when I discovered that all the books are connected and continue Cinder’s story, then I became much more interested.

Scarlet is the second book of the series and, as you may be able to ascertain from the cover, is a re-imagined Red Riding Hood. While it was fairly obvious to me which part of the Red Riding Hood story would become entwined with Cinder’s story, there was still sufficient mystery and intrigue to keep me reading.

So far this has been a fun series to read and I’m looking forward to Cress and Winter. I would recommend it to anyone that might enjoy a fun twist on some beloved fairy tales.

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Book Review: City of Heavenly Fire

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On January 26, 2015

In Book Review, Fantasy

City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments, #6)City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

My Rating: [rating=4]
(See this review on Goodreads)

This is probably more of my review of the series than it is this book specifically. The end of a series is always a little bittersweet. You’re exhilarated to see the conflict end for the characters you have grown to love, but you are saddened all the same because the story is over. It’s how I felt at the end of Harry Potter, Eragon and this series.

The good news is, Clare has set the groundwork for an additional series (rumored to take place a few years later but following the adventures of other characters). She has also managed to create intrigue for the prequel series (The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess) which I intend to begin reading soon.

Another technique I noticed Clare seemed to use pretty well was splitting the gender appeal quite well. Since that sounds a little esoteric, let me elaborate. I think she does a great job appealing to both male and female readers. Generally speaking, there is a great balance of the star-crossed romance that often appeal to the ladies and the classic battle of good vs evil for the men. Clare wraps up the story quite nicely and I especially ***SPOILER*** liked Jonathan/Sebastian’s final moments – what a great way to bring an end to his conflict. Simon’s fate was an unexpected twist but it was best for his character, Isabelle and their relationship.

I do have to admit, Clary had this Luke Skywalker destiny laid out for her but I felt like we never really got to see her real potential. We knew she could create new runes and she has the genes of some powerful Shadowhunters, but we never really got to see her fully utilize that potential. I would have liked to have seen more of Clary kicking some demon ass.

Be that as it may, if you are a fan of the supernatural set in the modern world I think you will really enjoy these books.

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Book Review: City of Fallen Angels

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On July 30, 2014

In Book Review, Fantasy

City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments, #4)City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

My Rating: [rating 4]
(Click here to see this review on Goodreads.)

If I had been reading these books as they were being published I probably would have thought that City of Glass was the final book. Granted a few things were left unresolved, but the bad guy was vanquished and all seemed to be as it should. I don’t know if Cassandra Clare had intended on a book four or if all the books in the series were intended from the start.

City of Fallen Angels does start to address a few of those lingering, unresolved details. In fact a couple of those details kind of turn into a pretty big deal. I don’t really want to say too much because I don’t want to spoil the surprises in the book. I can say that while I was a little suspicious of what the plot of the book might be, as I read more I really began to realize what still remained unanswered. This book only begins to answer them; but be prepared for some cliffhangers.

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Book Review: Timebound

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On July 14, 2014

In Book Review

Timebound (The Chronos Files, #1)Timebound by Rysa Walker

My rating: [rating=4]
(See this review on Goodreads.)

This was a really fun book to read. I know whenever you read a book that deals with time travel you always have to wonder whether the author considered the downstream affect of altering the past. I think the author did a pretty good job of taking that into consideration. In fact it a small theme in the plot of the story. I often try not to get too hung up on the quantum details of time travel unless the author blatantly disregards all science and logic, and this author does not do that.

Basically the book is about this girl (another female hero – I guess that’s been a theme with me lately) who realizes she has a genetic ability to time travel using a special medallion. She is among an elite group of people that have this ability and all time travel is regulated by an organization called CHRONOS. When her estranged grandmother suddenly reappears in her life, she learns that someone is trying to alter the past for, none other than, power and glory. Her very existence depends on her ability to stop them.

A few years ago I read a book called Devil in the White City, which uses actual historical events to tell the story of the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair, and the world’s first serial killer. It’s a fascinating book about a fascinating time in Chicago’s history and one of the climatic moments of Timebound will take you back to the 1893 World’s Fair, which involves said serial killer, and that was one of my favorite parts of this book.

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Book Review: Allegiant

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On June 4, 2014

In Book Review, Science Fiction

Allegiant (Divergent, #3)Allegiant by Veronica Roth

My rating:[rating=4]
(View this review on Goodreads.)

I’m going to try to explain what I was feeling at the end of this book without providing any spoilers. I have to admit, I was not expecting this book to end the way it did. It left me feeling pretty shocked considering all the build up throughout all three books.

This was the last book in the series and its wrapped up pretty tight. All in all I liked the series though Divergent was definitely the better of the three books. I have to admit, I went to bed feeling a little tired and finished the book before falling asleep but the ending kept me awake just thinking about what just happened. I was feeling both depressed and entertained because the ending was unexpected. When I reflect back on the factions, each one was represented in the act that ends the conflict but honestly it was Abnegation to the end.

Perhaps Roth has been reading too many GRRM books (and I’ll just leave it at that).

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Book Review: Divergent

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On February 20, 2014

In Book Review

Divergent (Divergent, #1)Divergent by Veronica Roth

My rating:[rating=5]
(Click here to read this review on Goodreads)

I really liked this book, more then I thought I would. It’s not often that I read many books where the hero is female and that’s just a coincidence. The book takes place in the future again, it a dystopian Chicago (which is immediately a win for me). There is definitely a Hunger Games vibe to the book where society is broken into 5 factions and once you choose a faction (either your own or changing factions) you must remain a part of that faction and adhere to its ideals or become factionless.

However, there are anomalies that many consider to be a threat to that way of life. Divergents are among all the factions and perhaps they are the key to breaking down faction walls, but there are those in power that do not want to see that happen.

There is a heavy romance plot to the book as well which might help to appeal to a broader range of readers. I am now excited for the movie (and I hope its as good as the book). If you enjoyed Hunger Games then I would pick up a copy of this book, before its out in theaters.

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