Review: A Study in Darkness

A Study in Darkness by Emma Jane Holloway

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



True to its title, A Study in Darkness is much darker than the first book, A Study in Silks. Moving from the comfortable home and vibrant social sphere where we met Evelina Cooper, we now return with her to the desperate part of London where survival is almost impossible and a string of murders is taking place (yes, it's a new take on Jack the Ripper). The cast is scattered, each one dealing with problems resulting from the scandalous events of the Season largely in isolation from one another. It's a bleak outlook.

One thing I enjoy about this series is that there are so many villains - and I'm not always sure who is really a villain and who is just misguided or coming at the world from a different point of view. It keeps me guessing. However, there is an awful lot of the villains having the upper hand in this book, with few victories. That's why I enjoyed it much less than the first, simply because it was all dark and desperate. Anyone who reads my reviews knows that I don't like to read books that are dark and depressing, so it shouldn't be surprising that I was glad to finish this one. I really didn't feel the length of the first novel, but these 475 pages began to drag. I just hope that the title of the third book, A Study in Ashes, isn't an indication of another 450 pages of completely depressing material to come.

As far as the various mysteries go, there are never really any clues that help you along. I wanted to be solving something, but instead the characters were stuck without information, hopeless and at the end of their ropes, and so was I. Sherlock Holmes makes more than a cameo appearance but he is also unable to solve anything. I'm not sure how his involvement will go over with true Holmes fans, since I haven't read any of the originals and can't judge how consistent he is with the original character. But be warned that he takes on a larger role than he did in the first novel and you could love it or hate it.

Since the ending is a cliffhanger, and all is poised for disaster, I'm glad the last book is already due out and I do have the galley in hand to read. I just need a break before plunging into whatever comes next.


**Received free arc for review.



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Review: River Secrets

River Secrets by Shannon Hale

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Of the Books of Bayern so far, I like this one the best. A series that started out as a fairytale retelling has evolved into a fun high fantasy with a mystery to solve and a likable main character. It takes place in the neighboring, exotic country of Tira, the country that invaded Bayern in Enna Burning. It's a dangerous diplomatic mission that starts to go wrong immediately with charred bodies showing up and sentiment against Bayern still raw with memories of Enna's burnings. Enter the trickster, Razo. He's small and wiry, good with a slingshot and terrible with a sword, and he can find things out that no one else can. Is it enough to save Bayern from another war?



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Review: Sojourn

Sojourn by Jana Oliver

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Alternate Victorian historical mystery with time travel and shapeshifters, and Jack the Ripper on top. There are three mysteries including the Ripper plot, and oh yes, John Keats is a character. I'm not sure what purpose that served - he's not even a poet in the book! So this is a bit of a mish-mash of historical figures and events, with paranormal and sci fi elements. Interesting, but not totally polished.



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Review: First Lord's Fury

First Lord's Fury by Jim Butcher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Good ending to the series, but seriously heavy on the battles. It got a bit much for me, and I missed the more personal interactions of the characters. It's something that's becoming common in epic fantasy finales, I'm finding. Maybe it's because I'm not a guy that I need a break from all the fighting for some conversation?



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Review: The Dragonbone Chair

The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Out of the older tradition of fantasy writing, this one takes its time and builds slowly, carefully, meticulously, until we have a world and conflict that feels real and surprising in the present with the depth that a long history provides. Really good stuff if you're patient enough to let it simmer.

I will admit to being bored at times, and frustrated with Simon's ignorance and naivete, especially in this first book. What I would consider to be the introduction takes about 200 pages. Then it's not really until the end of this book that it really reaches the pace and depth that spurs you on to pick up the rest - immediately.

No, it's not your quick fantasy fix, but it's infinitely more satisfying than the easy-in, easy-out fantasies that abound these days. I've now read the series twice in spite of the slow start, so I feel that it merits a place on my favorites shelf.



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Review: Far in the Wilds

Far in the Wilds by Deanna Raybourn

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



"Africa is a land of dreams and memories. It is rifts of remembrance stitched together with the sighs of time."

The writing in this prequel novella is beautiful. It's evocative and vibrant, and makes me want to read more about this wild place, as a prequel should do.



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Review: The Queen of Attolia

The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Queen of Attolia is full of political intrigue, the sort between nations at war, not really between individuals for the most part. The maneuvering is mostly at a distance, either with armies or secret attacks. I did enjoy it, but not really until the second half of the book when the action between nations started to get more personal. Well, aside from the beginning, which was full of action - and wow, I can't believe what happens to Eugenides! But the first half of the book is him dealing with what happened at the beginning - not a very pleasant time - and with no clues as to what else he has on his mind. I do like twists, but without any clues at all, I find it kind of boring until the plot twists actually begin to surface.

So, I'd rate the second half of the book 4 stars, but because of the first half, I didn't like it as much as my other 4 star books. 3.5 stars.




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