The Blue Fairy's Bookshelf

The Unfinished Song: Initiate Tara Maya, 2010 (I picked up this ebook on a whim when it was cheap.) Premise: Dindi is a young girl whose only dream is to become a Tavaedi; one of the dancer-magicians who protect, heal, and guide the people. She can see and speak to the spirits, but her sensitivity constantly gets her into trouble, and she's worried she won't pass the initiation. Kavio is a talented young Tavaedi, one of the few who can dance many colors. His search for new and old techniques puts him at odds with the elders and gets him banished from his clan. First the good. I was surprised a bit at how much I enjoyed this book. The setting is a fairly unique neolithic pantheistic fantasy world. The characters for the most part feel true, even when they're troubled, and I'm left wanting to know more. More about the minor characters, more about the history, more about the magic, more about the clan structure. Now the less good. There were more than a cou...

Yeah, there was only one book that came out this week that I thought was worth buying. But it is completely worth buying. American Vampire #16 (Ghost War Part 4) Writer: Scott Snyder, Artist: Rafael Albuquerque, Colors: Dave MaCaig Not much new to say really. Another awesome issue from the American Vampire team. I just always want more! I'm surprised and glad that Henry is on the ball in this issue. The art is gorgeous and the story both fast-paced and subtle, again, as usual. I want to know what happens next, dammit! Also I recently went back and re-read the entire series. It's so good. So dark and violent and sweet and touching and twisty. I particularly love the cover art, both the design of each one and the way it marks the different arcs. And I didn't realize until I had them all out, but check out "Ghost War" so far (click for big!): Awesome!

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted at  The Broke and The Bookish This week's prompt is:  Ten Bookish Websites, Organizations, Apps. Etc. Other than blogs, there aren't a great many book-related websites that I visit regularly. 1: Goodreads  I use to keep my recently-read lists semi-organized, manage widgets, and to post reviews. 2. NetGalley  is fairly useful, although I only read a scattering of my books from it. What else....Oh, I know! 3. Queens Library and 4: New York Public Library These are essential to my reading habit, for managing my request lists, renewals, etc. 5: Diamond Comics Distributors Has the lists of which comics are coming out which week. 6: Wikipedia  is my go-to site for 'what else is this author known for/quick list of the books in this series/etc.' 7: Amazon , I'm on a lot to read reviews and shop for cheap used books or Kindle books. 8: The Strand is a giant bookstore in Manhattan, with an enormous...

Just a Geek: Unflinchingly honest tales of the search  for life, love, and fulfillment  beyond the Starship Enterprise Wil Wheaton, 2004 Premise: From the back cover: " Just a Geek is the story of how Wil Wheaton faced down his constant companion, the ghost he calls 'Prove To Everyone That Quitting Star Trek Wasn't A Mistake.'" I read this at a really good time. It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that reading a memoir about career transition and self-doubt is really satisfying if one is full of doubt and in the midst of a potential career transition. It doesn't hurt that this book is also clever, touching and really funny. I rediscovered Wil Wheaton recently through the delightful Penny Arcade D&D podcasts . I don't get to do any gaming in my day-to-day life lately, so it's fun to eavesdrop on these games through the podcast. And Wil is obviously a really great gamer. Reading the book was wonderfully comfortable. It...

This is Follow Friday, hosted by  Parajunkee's View Today's Question is: Q. In light of the Summer Solstice. Also known as Midsummer...let's talk about fairies. What is your favorite fairy tale or story that revolves around the fae? Growing up, I loved my mother's beautiful illustrated cloth-bound fairy tale books, but I can't remember now whether I had a favorite then. I read a bunch of interesting ones in Andrew Lang's The Blue Fairy Book . I'm rather fond of East of the Sun and West of the Moon. I am also very fond of Jim Henson's Storyteller, for interpretations of fairy tales on film. If you missed this delightful (but short) series, go now! It's on Netflix Instant Streaming!  For a book based on Fairies: I will continue to push The King of Elfland's Daughter . Read This Book. Let the prose take you, and you will adore this classic of fantasy.

Favorite Issue This Week: Gates of Gotham #2 Issues were new in stores on 6/22/11 Batman: Gates of Gotham #2 Writer: Scott Snyder & Kyle Higgins, Artist: Trevor McCarthy, Colors: Guy Major I liked this issue quite a lot. There's a really nice pacing to the multiple story threads, using each bit as counterpoint to another. Also I am really enjoying the fantastic interplay watching the younger bats (Tim, Cass, & Damian) interact. Plus, I have to add, I love Cass's Black Bat costume. X-Men Legacy #251 Writer: Mike Carey, Pencils: Khoi Pham, Inks: Tom Palmer & Craig Yeung with Nelson DeCastro, Colors: Marte Gracia This continues the Lost Legions storyline from the last issue. Several of Legion's murderous superpowered sub-personalities are on the loose. I love comic books. Most of the writing and art is pretty strong here. There is one notable plot hole regarding the timing of Magneto attacking Legion: it's not clear, at least to me, whether taki...

Victory Conditions (Vatta's War, Book 5) Elizabeth Moon, 2008 This is the final book in the Vatta's War Series. ( Books 1-4 reviewed here. ) Overall this is solid sci-fi action. Nothing exceptional, just fine. It would probably be hard to follow if I hadn't read the previous books, but all the characters are growing nicely into their roles, and the plot rolls along to a satisfying conclusion. It's a quick read, and I enjoyed it. Except for one thing. The very end is just terrible. The end of the plot about a pirate fleet taking over systems and disrupting communication is fine, obvious, but fine. But after that ends, the book goes on to give a tag about the end of the romantic tension between two of the lead characters. It's a terrible scene. I mean, it's short, but just ridiculous. Not funny, not romantic: I was embarrassed on the characters' behalf. The romance isn't built up in a way that should lead to a scene that is so juvenile. For ...