Assassin’s Apprentice

I sometimes have a problem. This problem is that I have no idea what I am going to read next. It doesn’t happen very often but when it does I feel like a zombie. A bookshop zombie. I go in, muttering about needing something to read and walk out grumbling that although many of the books look good, nothing and absolutely nothing in the shop has inspired me enough to read it.

When this happens I consult The Oracle, otherwise known as the internet. This time I decided to use twitter, many books I have read and enjoyed have been recommended to me via people on twitter. So I called out to The Oracle. Et voilà it answered, telling me that I should start reading a certain series by Robin Hobb. Robin Hobb? I thought. Seen the books but never, ever bought one. So off I toddled to the bookshop and bought Assassin’s Apprentice.

And well let me tell you, it is AWESOME! I absolutely loved it. It is the best book I have read this year, granted we’re only half-way but I think it will remain my number one discovery for 2011.

So what did I like about it? The protagonist is genuinely fallible. He knows when he is wrong, and although he might not agree with beliefs about The Wit (ability to share thoughts and mind with an animal) he doesn’t not just crumble to popular belief. Being the bastard son of the king-in-waiting doesn’t make this character’s life any easier but he soldiers on without much complaint. The other characters are also fantastic. Verity is definitely one of my favourites however I think my opinion of him will change depending on the sequels. I don’t want to give anything away but read the blurb and take my word for it that it is an amazing book.

This book is a quick read, however it is highly addictive, as the person who recommended compares Hobbs book to Pringles. That indeed is true. I cannot wait to read Royal Assassin.

So go forth and discover Robin Hobb if you haven’t already. NOW!

Here is the blurb for Assassin’s Apprentice:

Young Fitz is the bastard son of the noble Prince Chivalry, raised in the shadow of the royal court by his father’s gruff stableman. He is treated like an outcast by all the royalty except the devious King Shrewd, who has him secretly tutored in the arts of the assassin. For in Fitz’s blood runs the magic Skill–and the darker knowledge of a child raised with the stable hounds and rejected by his family. As barbarous raiders ravage the coasts, Fitz is growing to manhood. Soon he will face his first dangerous, soul-shattering mission. And though some regard him as a threat to the throne, he may just be the key to the survival of the kingdom.

PS. Assassin’s Apprentice is the July book club read over at Fantasy Faction so if you’re interested head on over to http://fantasy-faction.com and sign up for the book club.

Coraline – My First Graphic Novel

I have been told by numerous people how fantastic it is to read a graphic novel, so I thought that Coraline – the graphic novel by Neil Gaiman would be a good one to ease me into the genre. Having already read American Gods, Neverwhere and listened to the audiobook of The Graveyard Book I was quite interested to read Coraline. I had already seen the movie, and loved that so off I went and bought the book.

So I read it, in two days. I’m not quite sure how long it’s supposed to take to read a graphic novel and personally I feel the amount of time it takes me to read a graphic novel is too short. Before I know it the story is over and I haven’t had a chance to enjoy it. The artwork is beautiful in Coraline and I really liked the style, I wasn’t a huge fan of the style in the movie. That aside Coraline is a fantastic story, but I’m still not sure if graphic novels are for me. I enjoyed it, but not as much as I thought I would.

Any suggestions for further reading in graphic novel format? I want to try The Dark Tower series of graphic novels, I have seen the artwork online and it blows me away. And I’m a complete Dark Tower geek.

The Hobbit

You know that guilt you have when you haven’t read a book that according to others you have to have read to be taken seriously as a reader? Sound completely ridiculous when you say it like that, but everyone know it’s true. The Hobbit is apparently one of those books. Therefore I caved, and instead of being nagged by my Tolkien-befok friend(s) to read it, I just bloody well read it. And I hated it. Yes, I’m going to say it. I hated it.

Why? Well, patronising much, Tolkien? Ever heard of dialogue? Hmm? And then the ending? Seriously? Seriously?! And this book isn’t really about a hobbit, it’s about a bunch of stupid, grumpy dwarves.

Ugh no. It was such a drawn out story, and Bilbo seemed to be the only character to have two brain-cells to rub together. The fantasy and world are fantastic (ha, notice the pun there). But good lord those dwarves are thick, it’s no wonder elves don’t like them. No, I can’t. Those dwarves were just too much.

And if you haven’t noticed, I don’t like dwarves very much.

Don’t let people guilt you into reading this book, it’s awful. There are better books out there to read. Despite this I am looking forward to the movie, but that’s just because Peter Jackson is going to make it awesome.

Switched – Amanda Hocking

Synopsis: When Wendy Everly was six years old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. It isn’t until eleven years later that Wendy discovers her mother might have been right. With the help of Finn Holmes, Wendy finds herself in a world she never knew existed – a world both beautiful and frightening, and Wendy’s not sure she wants to be a part of it.

Amanda Hocking has been in press a lot lately, having been signed on as an author at Pan MacMillan this self-published author has done quite well for herself. Having self-published 17 books already and made over $1 million from book sales, she must be doing something right.

But what about the book? Well the book is alright, a friend of mine recommended it as light reading. It is probably on the same literary level as any other young adult novel out there. You know… girl meets boy, one of them is a vampire/werewolf/angel blah blah blah a saga is born. However, despite the fact that I’m secretly (or not) a fan of young adult lit I was quite intrigued by this Trylle story (pretty versions of trolls – not the Billy Goat Gruff kind). It’s a different kind of story, has the same themes except that there is a lot more depth to the character than your usual heroine in YA lit. I especially liked the male characters in the book.

Despite the fact that there were some spelling and grammatical errors, the book was okay. I think when Hocking has an editor to help her with her books she will be writing fantastic work.

I’m sure if I was still the target market for this book I would have enjoyed it immensely. So if you want something quick to read and not looking for an awesome story but something a bit different from all the other YA lit out there then give it a go. It won’t blow your mind but it will entertain you.