Review - The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N. K. Jemisin

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I wavered between 3 and 4 stars for this. While it was a solid read, I probably won't pick it up again, although I will read the sequel.

Part of my issue with the book was my expectations, as usual. When your main character is thrust into a scheming, ends-justifies-the-means ruling family, I was set up to read some vicious politicking and clever court intrigue. Instead, this novel is more a story about the enslaved gods' rise to freedom via Yeine's personal beliefs. Also a good story but I kept expecting a double cross or redemption somewhere that never happened.

But. The worldbuilding was excellent. I want to know more, more, more about what happens to this world. And the not-overdone commentary on slavery, lack of gender issues, and especially Jemisin's show-not-tell story on how others expectations shape us were all thought provoking. The secondary characters were a bit two dimensional but Yeine, Nahadoth, Sieh, and Enefa were all interesting.

Worth a read through for fantasy fans looking for something a little different, if you can tolerate the odd moment of extreme violence. I'm looking forward to the next installment.

Review - Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett

Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This was my first ever Terry Pratchett book and if they're all like this, I could be spending many hours with this author in the near future.

The book never takes itself too seriously, which means the reader really can't either. But don't let that belie the solid craft and excellent story at work here. Pratchett has fun at the expense of many a trope or fantasy element and consistently underscores the point of Story: what we learn about ourselves as a result. I have an engineer's brain that likes to find and solve problems, so it's rare for me to say that there's nothing wrong with a book. It was so nice to sit back and just enjoy a story without having to say "except for this one thing...".

This may be a little dense for those not accustomed to fantasy/fairy tales/mythology but if you have even a passing familiarity with any one of those, I imagine you would find something fun here. Not an earth shattering, mind bending read but very enjoyable. I'll definitely be picking up more Discworld books in the future.

Review - Except the Queen by Jane Yolen and Midori Snyder

Except the Queen by Jane Yolen & Midori Snyder

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I read this for my book club and hoped that the discussion would let me decide if I liked it or not. Alas, this was not to be.

There's nothing really wrong with this book and I suspect I was simply not the intended audience (not a huge follower of fae/fairy tales, so many of the plot elements left me puzzled). I just never felt particularly connected to the characters. Or the plot. Or the world.

It was an easy enough read and I enjoyed the gentle humor inherent in two people finding their way in an unfamiliar culture.

I've read books by Yolen before and enjoyed them and have several of Snyder's on my "to read" list. This book didn't made me move Snyder's work ahead or behind where it is now.

Recommended to those interested in both fairy tales and urban fantasy.