Fiction

Background

Published in September 2022, “The Librarian of Crooked Lane,” is a novel about the life of a young girl who became a librarian in a prestigious library. She discovers more about herself through the books around her and the people she meets in a world of order and reason but also of magic.

My Thoughts

I really had a hard time getting through this book. The technology is contemporary yet the magic is there for some reason… Honestly, just pushed through hoping it would get better.

Recommendation

Skip this one.

Background

Published in 1990, “Eric,” written by Terry Pratchett, is the ninth installment in the Discworld series. It follows the misadventures of a teenage demonologist named Eric Thursley, who inadvertently summons the inept wizard Rincewind instead of a powerful demon. With the help of Rincewind, Eric embarks on a comical journey through various dimensions, encountering a host of bizarre characters and situations. As they navigate this chaotic multiverse, they also cross paths with the ancient and capricious Discworld deity, the Great Tortoise.

My Thoughts

The Multiverse doesn’t belong to Marvel as Terry Pratchett did it 25 years before. Eric, the great and powerful, was an interesting jump through time and space that put classic Pratchett clueless Brits in the craziest of circumstances. 9 books in now, there seems to be some overlap in the basic dumb Brit that Pratchett has created but they seem to get the job done.

On a separate note, the luggage becomes truly terrifying in this book. More than simply indestructible as in previous books, the luggage has now developed a mean streak.

Recommendation

A good read.

Background

Published in May of 2023, “Fourth Wing” is a fantasy novel featuring young Violet Sorrengail who’s main goal was to living a quiet life surrounded by books and history. However, her mother, and also commanding general, ordered Violet to join the dragon riders to take her proper place as a Sorrengail.

Violet is small fragile and accident prone. She didn’t want to be a dragon rider but she was thrown into it all the same. In training, people die all the time and Violet does her best to use whatever she has to survive.

My Thoughts

This book had some interesting takes on dragons and the general mythology. However, it read just like the “Twilight Series”. It was the same premise of a sad little girl who lost a parent and was estranged from her other. Somehow, despite being completely useless and not wanting anything to do with what she is doing, she manages to be the best at everything. Somehow and for no apparent reason, the most attractive, dangerous, James Dean type bad boy (who her mother doesn’t approve of) is incredibly attracted to her and trusts her with the biggest secret in the entire kingdom.

Of course, my wife’s friend said it was great…

Recommendation

Not a great book but I can see all the teenage girls and mom’s who think they are teenage girls loving it.

Background

“The High Republic” is a multimedia publishing initiative set in the Star Wars universe, with various authors contributing to novels, comics, and other media. Set approximately 200 years before the events of “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,” it explores a time of peace and prosperity in the galaxy, known as the High Republic era. The Jedi Order is at its zenith, acting as guardians of peace and justice. However, this era faces a new threat from a mysterious group known as the Nihil, who disrupt the harmony of the galaxy. As the Jedi and other characters strive to confront this menace, they grapple with moral dilemmas and challenges that test their commitment to the light side of the Force. “The High Republic” was launched in January 2021 with various publications, and new additions have continued to expand the story in the years following.

This book, “Light of the Jedi” shows the rise of the Nilhil starting with the Great Disaster when a ship was destroyed while in hyperspace, resulting in pieces of it threatening to destroy an entire system.

My Thoughts

Such a dumb book… The author has no idea about physics or how ridiculous most of the events were throughout the book. I found myself audibly saying “No, no, no!” Several times through the book.

Recommendation

Don’t waste your time.

Background

First published in 1989, “Guards! Guards!” by Terry Pratchett is a fantasy novel set in the Discworld. The story follows the inept and often inebriated Night Watch of the city of Ankh-Morpork. When a secret society summons a fire-breathing dragon to overthrow the city and install a puppet ruler, it’s up to the unlikely hero, Sam Vimes, and his motley crew of guardsmen, including a naive recruit and a rather unusual librarian, to save the day. The novel is a witty and imaginative blend of fantasy and social commentary, exploring themes of power, corruption, and the absurdity of bureaucracy in Pratchett’s trademark style.

My Thoughts

I enjoyed this book a bit more than the last. I loved the constant foreshadowing of Carrot being the true king and it never came to pass. (His sword, birthmark, birth-story, and so on.) This book went by like several of my dreams in that it was completely ridiculous but still was surprisingly unremarkable. The characters were making their decisions and living their lives just like they would if nothing was amiss. I really enjoy Pratchett’s style.

Recommendation

Good book

Background

“Pyramids” is a humorous and imaginative fantasy novel written by Terry Pratchett, first published in 1989. Set in the Discworld universe, the story follows Teppic, a young prince who becomes the reluctant ruler of the ancient desert kingdom of Djelibeybi. As he grapples with the peculiarities of ruling, including dealing with pyramids that distort time and space, Teppic finds himself entangled in a series of comical and absurd situations. The novel explores themes of tradition, identity, and the clash between modernity and ancient customs, all while delivering Pratchett’s signature wit and satirical commentary.

My Thoughts

This was an interesting take on the ancient Egypian culture and a fun riff on the metaphysical notions of healing, crystals, and so on. As always, Pratchett delivers his story with witty banter and modern innuendos (for 1989). Pratchett has a somewhat Gary Larson’s “Farside” like sense of humor which I enjoy. I particularly liked that the camel (who thinks of himself as named “You Bastard”) was the the disc’s (world’s) best mathematician.

Recommendation

A fun read.