Okay, so I do usually review books and novels with some sort of following, but I think it's time to make an exception. Laura Resnick's Esther Diamond novels are a must read. Seriously, if you haven't heard of them -- and you probably haven't -- you need to find the closest book store, now.
The premise of the books is that the main character, Esther Diamond, a character actor struggling to make ends meet keeps falling into these mystical situations. The first book it's disappearing magician's assitants and actors, the second book it's the doppelganger of mobsters and this third book it's zombie and gargoyle-like creatures controlled by a Petro Vodou Mambo. Or, an evil voodoo priestess.
The reason I started reading the Esther Diamond series was simply because a friend recommended them to me, and she hadn't steered me wrong in the past. The reason I continue to read the Esther Diamond series? Well, I can't point just one thing out anymore. The characters are so compelling. Esther, as odd as she is, can still be so easy to relate to. You can feel what she's going through and you can tell what she's about to do as she goes from scene-to-scene. Dr. Max Zadoc is a genius and although he has his quirks, you learn to fall in love with him. He'll remind you of your uncle, your father, your grandfather. He's so compassionate, yet he can be fierce. And don't get me started on Detective Connor Lopez. Seriously, Laura Resnick's had me swooning over him since the very first book and chapter-after-chapter, you learn to love him a little bit more. Even the supporting characters are amazing, you start to care for them so deeply that you long to find traces of them in books or scenes where they are not.
Another reason I love the Esther Diamond series is that it's a fantasy, a horror, a monster story taking place in the here-and-now. It's an urban fantasy. Magicians disappear off stage. Mobsters in Little Italy are seeing their doppelgangers. Zombies are present in Harlem. All of this is happening in our world. In New York City to be precise. It's something you can trick yourself into believing could happen anywhere.
The books are all very easy to read, while still being educational. They all go into different mythology or travel different aspects of religions. Like in Doppelgangster, we take a look at the beliefs of different cultures on the topic of doppelgangers. And in Unsympathetic Magic, we look into many different aspects of Vodou beliefs and how all religions have their dark side but that doesn't mean the religion itself is bad.
They read almost like murder mysteries or crime books. You follow Esther and Max as they try to piece together a mystical crime before it's too late. You pick up clues and evidence from Lopez and supporting characters. And honestly, you can't put the book down until you're through. They're very quick reads as well. I read the last book in five hours. And I probably timed around the same for the previous books.
Seriously, I'd recommend these books to everybody. The Esther Diamond series is so gripping and enticing, I can guarantee that no matter what your flavour is, you'll love the books as much as I do. The very first book leaves you wanting more. I can't wait to read Vamparazzi and I hope Laura Resnick still has many books planned for this series.
Go read them, now!
Showing posts with label book. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book. Show all posts
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Book - Anne Rice's Interview With the Vampire (1976)
Lately, in the news, I had heard that Anne Rice, author of the most popular vampire series, had renounced her faith. After her husband had died, Rice turned to Christianity and stopped writing the Vampire Chronicles. I was heart-broken at the time. But, in light of the news that there will be at least another book in the works, I thought it may be appropriate to review the first book in the series.
Interview With the Vampire is meant to enthrall you in this world of vampires. It's written as one of the main characters, Louis de Pointe du Lac, looks back on his life with his maker, Lestat de Lioncourt. The book starts as an interview, but reads as if you're living the moments with the characters. And despite how strongly Louis feels for Lestat, you can read Lestat's character clearly with only a thin veil of Louis's bias.
I believe that Rice is a literary genius. While, I admit, I was a little hesitant to pick up the book in the beginning -- what with how many truly atrocious vampire tales there are to choose from these days -- and I had no idea what to even expect. Now, I am glad to say, I devoured the book in less than a week. Reading at any chance I had. Rice's writing style is simple to follow yet magnificently diverse as well. She captured the heart and soul of her characters in every word.
Despite the novel being written in Louis's perspective, it was plain to see what was going on in the other characters's heads. You could see how Lestat felt about Louis, see how frustrated and angered he was with Claudia. I was able to see how Claudia felt jealousy for Louis's relationship with Armand, you could see how immature she was as she'd pit Lestat against Louis. Yet, still, it doesn't give everything away. Not even from Louis. It leaves enough mystery to keep you wanting to read more. And each book after it continues that cycle.
I'm only a few books in. I still have not caught up entirely to the Vampire Chronicles. Honestly, I don't plan to drop the books until they are finished. Within the span of a few short chapters, you are captivated by these characters. They have such depth to them, such mystery. I can honestly say that not a single page has me feeling bored or disappointed. Anne Rice is a literary genius and I cannot wait to hear about a new Vampire Chronicles novel.
Interview With the Vampire is meant to enthrall you in this world of vampires. It's written as one of the main characters, Louis de Pointe du Lac, looks back on his life with his maker, Lestat de Lioncourt. The book starts as an interview, but reads as if you're living the moments with the characters. And despite how strongly Louis feels for Lestat, you can read Lestat's character clearly with only a thin veil of Louis's bias.
I believe that Rice is a literary genius. While, I admit, I was a little hesitant to pick up the book in the beginning -- what with how many truly atrocious vampire tales there are to choose from these days -- and I had no idea what to even expect. Now, I am glad to say, I devoured the book in less than a week. Reading at any chance I had. Rice's writing style is simple to follow yet magnificently diverse as well. She captured the heart and soul of her characters in every word.
Despite the novel being written in Louis's perspective, it was plain to see what was going on in the other characters's heads. You could see how Lestat felt about Louis, see how frustrated and angered he was with Claudia. I was able to see how Claudia felt jealousy for Louis's relationship with Armand, you could see how immature she was as she'd pit Lestat against Louis. Yet, still, it doesn't give everything away. Not even from Louis. It leaves enough mystery to keep you wanting to read more. And each book after it continues that cycle.
I'm only a few books in. I still have not caught up entirely to the Vampire Chronicles. Honestly, I don't plan to drop the books until they are finished. Within the span of a few short chapters, you are captivated by these characters. They have such depth to them, such mystery. I can honestly say that not a single page has me feeling bored or disappointed. Anne Rice is a literary genius and I cannot wait to hear about a new Vampire Chronicles novel.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Book - Emily Pohl-Weary's A Girl Like Sugar (2004)
Emily Pohl-Weary may not be very well known, even to fellow Canadians, but she definitely should be. A Girl Like Sugar was Pohl-Weary's first novel. Typically Pohl-Weary writes poetry and short stories. I hadn't yet heard of her when I had first started A Girl Like Sugar. But am I ever glad I did finally pick up that book.
A Girl Like Sugar is a story about a young woman, once dependant upon her rock star boyfriend. They lived together through thick and thin. Unfortunately, she lost him at a young age and now she's trying to learn to live again. In something akin to a moment straight from Truly, Madly, Deeply (1990), Sugar Jones's boyfriend returns to her from beyond the grave. Yet, still, she must learn to move on and learn that her life didn't end when his did.
Despite all the thick emotions, Pohl-Weary's writing style made it easy to read and allowed room for wit and comedy. You really get a feel for what Sugar is going through and what she had been through to get where she now is. It's full of scenes and moments from her past. How much she had felt for her boyfriend, and how she still feels is evident on each and every page. But, in some instances, it is the supporting characters that really make the moment. You can see how her friends are coping with the loss of Sugar's boyfriend and in a way, the loss of Sugar in some aspects. But, it gives her room to grow. By the end, you really feel like you've learned something valuable.
I really wish I had been smart enough to buy myself a copy of this book instead of borrowing it from the library. Next time I'm out shopping, I'm going to make time to find a copy. I really suggest you do the same.
A Girl Like Sugar is a story about a young woman, once dependant upon her rock star boyfriend. They lived together through thick and thin. Unfortunately, she lost him at a young age and now she's trying to learn to live again. In something akin to a moment straight from Truly, Madly, Deeply (1990), Sugar Jones's boyfriend returns to her from beyond the grave. Yet, still, she must learn to move on and learn that her life didn't end when his did.
Despite all the thick emotions, Pohl-Weary's writing style made it easy to read and allowed room for wit and comedy. You really get a feel for what Sugar is going through and what she had been through to get where she now is. It's full of scenes and moments from her past. How much she had felt for her boyfriend, and how she still feels is evident on each and every page. But, in some instances, it is the supporting characters that really make the moment. You can see how her friends are coping with the loss of Sugar's boyfriend and in a way, the loss of Sugar in some aspects. But, it gives her room to grow. By the end, you really feel like you've learned something valuable.
I really wish I had been smart enough to buy myself a copy of this book instead of borrowing it from the library. Next time I'm out shopping, I'm going to make time to find a copy. I really suggest you do the same.
Book - Stephen King's Thinner (1984)
Stephen King is one sick son-of-a-bitch, but we love him for that reason. His books rock but some of the chapters can be shortened; like in this book Thinner he kept mentioning "Cary
Rossington was a tit-grabber."..... he said that about 20 times. I think we got it after the first 12. Honestly though, this book was so good, targeting the things that people think about most. Body weight, for some reason, has become the biggest thing on people's minds. I wonder why that is? You know salad is not a food, this coming from a person who thinks pizza and beer is the breakfast of champions. Ha! It's true though.... I should change my eating habits. Anyway, turning someone's fear, like weight, into their biggest nightmare was genius because most people fear weight, like them getting too big and dying fat. No one ever thinks of it the other way around. Though that is what is worse.... starving to death, people do that on purpose. Stupid.
Rossington was a tit-grabber."..... he said that about 20 times. I think we got it after the first 12. Honestly though, this book was so good, targeting the things that people think about most. Body weight, for some reason, has become the biggest thing on people's minds. I wonder why that is? You know salad is not a food, this coming from a person who thinks pizza and beer is the breakfast of champions. Ha! It's true though.... I should change my eating habits. Anyway, turning someone's fear, like weight, into their biggest nightmare was genius because most people fear weight, like them getting too big and dying fat. No one ever thinks of it the other way around. Though that is what is worse.... starving to death, people do that on purpose. Stupid.
Book - Stephen King's Pet Sematary (1983)
Almost every horror fan has a favourite Stephen King novel. For me, that novel is Pet Sematary. A gripping tale about a young, rural family and the traumatic veil of death. It starts out when the Creed family moves from the city into Ludlow, Maine. The family befriends their neighbours, Jud and Norma Crandell. The Crandell's have been in Ludlow for years and they seem to know a lot about the area. The story really starts to take off when Jud shows the young family the Pet Sematary one day while they are on a walk. The Pet Sematary, a sanctuary for dead animals made by the children of Ludlow many years ago, is initially what introduces the family to death and it's imminent approach.
Though the story can be quite traumatic, as it features many hard deaths and grim images, it is very complex as well. In the true spirit of any Stephen King novel, it pushes us to the edge of suspense and believability. Of course, few people would see the story as anything but a tale, it brings almost a sense of realism to the monster story. A normal family plagued by ghosts of the deceased. A family within walking distance of an ancient mystical site. Why, anybody who has lived in a similar rural area could easily believe such a thing.
I first read this in high school. It terrified me, simply shook me to the bone. Why? Well, because we know families like the Crandells, we live within walking distance to multiple cemeteries, we live on the edge of a highway. In fact, so much is similar to my own family in this story that it was hard not for my imagination to run wild. Of course, for all intents and purposes, it is just a story and nothing like that could happen to someone like me. It's practically a fairytale. The moral of the story, is don't mess with something you don't understand.
Pet Sematary was such an amazing read. I've read it twice more since my first intital read. It still shooks me by how close, yet terrifying it is. Stephen King is a literary genius. Not many other authors could pull such fear and emotion from me. I literally could not put the book down until I had finished. It was seriously the best page-turner I have read. I recommend that any horror-lover read this book if they haven't already. I can almost guarantee that your local library would carry a copy. Mine does.
Though the story can be quite traumatic, as it features many hard deaths and grim images, it is very complex as well. In the true spirit of any Stephen King novel, it pushes us to the edge of suspense and believability. Of course, few people would see the story as anything but a tale, it brings almost a sense of realism to the monster story. A normal family plagued by ghosts of the deceased. A family within walking distance of an ancient mystical site. Why, anybody who has lived in a similar rural area could easily believe such a thing.
I first read this in high school. It terrified me, simply shook me to the bone. Why? Well, because we know families like the Crandells, we live within walking distance to multiple cemeteries, we live on the edge of a highway. In fact, so much is similar to my own family in this story that it was hard not for my imagination to run wild. Of course, for all intents and purposes, it is just a story and nothing like that could happen to someone like me. It's practically a fairytale. The moral of the story, is don't mess with something you don't understand.
Pet Sematary was such an amazing read. I've read it twice more since my first intital read. It still shooks me by how close, yet terrifying it is. Stephen King is a literary genius. Not many other authors could pull such fear and emotion from me. I literally could not put the book down until I had finished. It was seriously the best page-turner I have read. I recommend that any horror-lover read this book if they haven't already. I can almost guarantee that your local library would carry a copy. Mine does.
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