Wizard's First Rule

My husband and I started watching Legend of the Seeker on Netflix. I had not realized that this was a series based on a book. My usual philosophy is that I believe a person should always read the book first. So I started this, the first in the series of 11 books.

Wizard's Rule is very slow to start. VERY S----L----O-----W. But once the action starts happening, it all happens rapidly. Richard Cypher, otherwise known as The Seeker, is a very admirable character. He is loving and compassionate with a strong sense of justice and a willingness to help those in trouble. All perfect qualities for a Seeker of Truth.

I think one of my favorite characters in the book was Deena, a Mord-Sith who is sent by the villian Darken Rahl to "train" the Seeker. I won't give away why she is one of my favorite characters, or what I find admirable about her, in case any sci-fi fans out there want to give this one a try. Remember, you will be about ten chapters in before it gets lively....

The Guardians of Ga'Hoole

We have a rule in our house - no seeing the movie before you read the book. The book is always better, and you miss so much by cheating and just watching the movie! This could not be more true of the Guardians of Ga'Hoole - books 1 - 3 The Capture, The Journey, and The Rescue. Recently a movie just came out called the Legend of the Guardians based LOOSELY upon these books.

We saw the movie. It was a good movie, but having read the book, such a disappointment. The story was capable of so much more.

The books tell the story of Soren, a young barn owl. He falls from his nest as a hatchling and is captured by evil owls from St. Aegolius's Academy for Orphaned Owls. The problem? Soren isn't an orphan, he's been stolen from his family.

Even worse, the owls at St. Aggie's try to program, or "moon blink" the young owls into believing what they are told. With the help of a persistent young elf owl named Gylfie and some unexpected friends, Soren and Gylfie plan their escape from St. Aggie's.

These books are about so much more than what they seem. They are about love, friendship and what makes a family. They are about truth, belief, and what makes the essence of ourselves.

My whole family is reading this series, even my husband. We have had many discussions about it around the dinner table. I wish more families would read together. I can't recommend these books highly enough. Also by Kathryn Lasky - the Wolves of Beyond, another wonderful story!

We are now on book 7 of 15 and I just can't wait to hear about what happens to Soren and his friends as their adventures continue!

Worth the Wait!

The final installment of the Hunger Games was definitely worth the wait. I love having a Nook, this was downloaded at midnight and I started reading it immediately. I couldn't put it down. There were many twists and turns as the author follows Katniss, Prim, Gale and Peta through their story. Most of the twists, you never see coming. I am limited to what I can say here because I don't want to give any spoilers away, but I will say that the finale, though I didn't predict it, was so satisfying.
If you enjoy science fiction/ fantasy books - this series is a MUST

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

This is the story of sixteen year old Katniss Everdean, a poor girl from the Seam of District 12 in Panem, or the remains of what used to be the United States. Her father has died in a mining accident, and Katniss is left to provide for her mother, and twelve year old sister, Prim.

Once the twelve districts rebelled against the dictatorial "Capital" and lost. As a result, each year they must send a tribute - one boy and one girl per district - ages 12 - 18, to fight in the Hunger Games. If you have ever seen Running Man - that's the idea, or think Survivor reality tv, but with real deaths nightly. The rule of the arena is kill or be killed. When Katniss's younger sister Prim is chosen as the girl tribute from district 12, Katniss volunteers to go in her place.

The book is fascinating in the ways that the Capital uses the Hunger Games to manipulate and humiliate it's people. It also shows the desire, drive and resolve of the individual, especially when those they love are threatened. Will Katniss become a victim of the Hunger Games? Or does she find a way to wage her own private rebellion? This one is a real page turner especially with it's political and social implications. I am already reading part two titled Catching Fire.....

The Infinity Gate

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It seems like I have waited for this book to come out for a while. I love Sara Douglass and my fascination with her started some time ago when I read her Wayfarer Redemption series.

This was a very satisfying conclusion to her Dark Glass Mountain series. I will say though that most of her books are interrelated so it helps having past knowledge of the characters. In this book, Axis SunSoar, AKA StarMan, makes a return. Knowing the makeup of his character, and in this book in particular, aspects of his past from the Wayfarer Redemption series, provides helpful insights.

Douglas spins complicated tales, full of complicated and flawed individuals. The heroes are never perfect, but then, they aren't in real life either, are they? I love that she always writes very strong female counterparts, who are powerful in their own right.

If you like Sci-fi and fantasy but haven't read Sara Douglass, I highly recommend most of her books.

Stephen King's Under the Dome

What a way to start off the New Year - only three days in and already one very good book down. I'd say great but it has it's flaws.

Well, it's huge, but I knew that going in. The cast of characters is enormous, but King does his usual good job of introducing the important characters and making them memorable. Some of the characters didn't have enough depth and I would have liked to know them better - Brenda Perkins for example. Some of the characters were very stereotypical, but having enjoyed other King works like this one, I think that is just his way of making a point. Or several points. You love the characters that you are supposed to love and you hate those that you are supposed to hate.

The Stand was my favorite King novel ever. Still is. But this one is very reminiscent of The Stand. I was hoping for a different explanation regarding the sudden appearance and source of the Dome; however, the book isn't so much about the Dome itself but about the possibility or propensity for good or evil inside each of the characters.

I was hooked from the groundhog on and couldn't put it down. For being so lengthy the book was an easy read - very quick. Once you are into the story it is hard to put down. Stephen King does an excellent job of proving, once again, why he is the master....

I would have liked to focus more on the simple problems that people separated from the rest of the world would face - what would they do without power? How would their food keep? How would they heat their homes? Would they need to? What about those needing medications? There was a potential for so much more, but at 1072 pages, I understand why he didn't delve too deeply into these things.

In the end, I loved the message that I took away from this book and now, I'm going to wear my little life... like a dress. Once you read the book, you'll understand the reference. ;) All in all, a great way to start the new year.