A Clash of Kings

A Clash of Kings
By: George R.R. Martin
Copyright: 1998
Bantam Books

3 Bookmarks out of 5

I spent quite awhile trying to find somewhere to read this book due to its extreme popularity at this time. I finally ended up downloading it to my ipad from the library (I recommend considering e-books for borrow from your local library - super convenient). For those who don't know, the Song of Ice and Fire series is currently a tv series on HBO. While some people are probably in it for the nude scenes that HBO series are practically known for, I wanted to read it for the sake of it being a notable fantasy series. The first book was extremely long and the second book certainly wasn't any shorter. I mainly saw this book as less enjoyable than the last book because - personally - the plot still drags along at sometimes and you feel as if you read for hours and don't actually get anywhere. Luckily for Martin - and fantasy readers everywhere - there were some redeeming points to this particular book.

One of the very cool things about this entire series is it's complexity. There are multiple characters' story plots interweaving with each other. This creates a rich world which seems to be as real as real life itself. I think it's definitely one of the things that draws readers and fans to this particular series. However, its complexity can also be its greatest enemy. There is so much happening that it's up to the reader to remember the plot twists and turns from one chapter to the next. Since each chapter is told from the perspective of a different character, this can be a challenge for readers who have a bad memory. This was a personal detriment to my reading experience because it took me almost a month to read the book. I had to go back and re-read some parts just remember in order to continue on to the next chapter.

As I already mentioned in my review of A Game of Thrones, I am still disappointed with the portrayal of female characters in this book. However, I will say that the development of Sansa's character was much appreciated and shows how skilled Martin is as an author. Martin is a ruthless author - killing off much beloved characters in order to keep a touch of reality in this fantasy novel. In the middle of a war with multiple kings fighting for the throne, it's only realistic that not all the characters survive. Although, I will say Tyrion remains my favorite character to date in this saga series.

Since I'm not particularly good at reviewing books in series (as you may be able to tell in my Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay reviews), I'll leave the review where it stands. It's certainly a must-read if you've read the first one. The plot progresses in a way that will make you angry and make you laugh - which is the point of a good book in my opinion. On the other hand, the length and density of this book can make it difficult to read at times. There were some points during my reading time that I began to sympathize with fans who only watched the HBO series - they were able to digest the plot in a shorter format that was certainly more visually stimulating. Still, Martin manages to create a fantasy book that fans of all genres can enjoy because he keeps his novel focused on the things that matter - namely characters and how they interact with each other.

John Dies at the End

John Dies at the End
By: David Wong
Copyright: 2009
Thomas Dunne Books

3 Bookmarks out of 5

I received this book for my birthday this past year after requesting it from a recommendation from some former co-workers - the same co-workers that recommended House of Leaves, actually. After reading House of Leaves, it probably shouldn't have surprised me how dark this book ended up being. I thought it would be more along the lines of a conspiracy book that met with science-fiction. Instead, this book ended up being more along the lines of horror and gore. I was also pleasantly surprised to find out how humorous it was. I definitely love when books don't take themselves too seriously - especially considering how dark this book could have turned out to be.

This book is about a drug that is called 'soy sauce' on the streets. This drug lets you see into a different dimension which over-laps with our own. What you see, though, is not necessarily good. It lets you see the things that could definitely be classified under the category of 'evil.' This sauce was overwhelmingly my favorite part of the book. I loved how David (the main character) tried to adjust to the effects of the sauce and how it drove the plot along. I also disliked how the sauce was brought up in the beginning and then was never really used at the end again. It was also disappointing to not really know where the sauce came from and who created it.

The book thrives on the mantra 'things are not always as they seem.' Now, you all might know by now that I'm not a huge fan of suspense. However, for this book there was no suspense because I didn't realize things were happening until after they actually happened. I promise this will make sense if you read it - I'm afraid of giving away too much of the plot because some things are extremely enjoyable with the way they roll out. Even though some reviews of this book tout it as ground-breaking, it really just reminded me of psychological thrillers like The Sixth Sense.

What I think ultimately turned me off to the book was that the overall plot seemed very disjointed. There appears to be three separate stories - each with different characters coming and going. There were some points in the plot that the author seemed more concerned with inserting witty comments over writing that propelled the plot or tried to link anything together for the reader's sake. The author (whose real name is Jason Pargin) seemed to start off just jotting things down about him and his best friend getting into weird situations and then tried to link them all together to create one, single story.

This book is a must read for those who enjoy stories about alternate dimensions and are okay with suspending disbelief. If you're not a fan of books which raise more questions than are adequately answered, then I would steer clear of this book. If you love humor, then I would recommend this book despite its sometimes gory scenes. I found myself laughing out loud at certain parts (which was sort of awkward since I started reading this on a train back from Boston). I really did enjoy reading this book and I hope that the sequel does well to answer some of the questions that were brought up.

A Game of Thrones

A Game of Thrones
By: George R.R. Martin
Copyright: 1996
Bantam Books

4 Bookmarks out of 5

I picked this particular book up in Montpelier, VT when I was on vacation at the beginning of June. I heard some ladies at my work chatting up the TV series that has taken HBO by storm. I figured that reading the series would be a good way for me to catch up with the story plot without spending hours on netflix trying to catch up - especially when I'm trying to spend my time catching up on Dr. Who episodes. I've always been a fan of the fantasy and science-fiction genres, so it also seemed like a no-brainer to pick up a book which has been around for over 15 years and seen as a great addition to the world of fantasy.

One thing I will say about this book, it certainly doesn't disappoint on the plot. Everything seems to be constantly moving forward, which I truly appreciate. I dislike when authors stop for chapters that fill the book with fluff. I'm a much more plot driven reader than a character driven reader. Martin really achieves this momentum with having each chapter being narrated by a different character. If you became bored with what one character was doing, wait no more than twenty pages and the plot will be narrated by someone else. What is also nice about it is that if you left off with one character a hundred pages before, you pick up with that character after all the time in the hundred pages has passed so there is no back-tracking.

Martin also does a nice job in making this a no-nonsense sort of book. There is talk of love and there is talk of better times, but Martin wastes no time in being jarring to the reader. Martin wants to reader to not be passive while reading this book. Martin wants the reader to be mad at the deaths that happen and be shocked at the gore. This is not your children's fantasy novel. The sex and violence in the book make this a novel for adults who are okay with reading some graphic scenes. There were some parts where I had to put down the book and just sort of mentally absorb what happened in the book.

And, being the feminist that I am, it wouldn't be a review without me thinking about how the women in the novel are portrayed. And what really bothered me is that almost all the female characters are portrayed as weak and submissive or powerful and dumb. There were no females who stood out to me as memorable, and Martin's job of trying to create a female who went against the norm falls into the stereotypical tom-boy character. More to the point, Martin doesn't do all that good of a job of creating memorable characters. He seems to use fantasy stereotypical characters. But, in Martin's defense, he does a great job with the character of Tyrion Lannister. Tyrion's sarcastic commentary is welcome in a novel that is serious 98% of the time.

I'd definitely recommend this book to fantasy lovers. But this book is immense in size (800 pages with the next one looking to be even longer) may discourage some readers from picking it up. Although it seemed like I never made any progress when reading, I did eventually finish it and it never bored me enough to consider discarding it. The hype is definitely worth it, although I think the sex in the book version may be less than the sex in the HBO version. But the shocking scenes and thrill-ride will be well worth it to any reader who sticks it out for the entirety of the 807 pages.

House of Leaves

House of Leaves

By: Mark Danielewski

Copyright: 2000

Pantheon Books

5 Bookmarks out of 5

I learned about this book while working at my undergraduate alma mater one summer. I worked with a woman who had this book with her constantly. Her and another man I worked with would chat about the book together. Being a nosy person, especially when it comes to books, I asked what the book was about and if it was worth buying. The two of them immediately said yes it was worth reading and it was a crazy book to read. Much to my delight - and horror - I found out that House of Leaves is a book which is about a book which is about a movie. If that's not enough to entice you in, then maybe you should know that it centers around a house which is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside.

Now, I'm not one for horror books or films. I rarely watch or read them because usually it gives me nightmares for a month afterwards. But this book is just sane enough to keep me going. If you're prone to nightmares, then maybe this book isn't for you. The house is aware of its own existence - growing and contracting at its own will and having the rooms be completely and utterly black inside. But - then again - the house is just the film part of the book. The book that is being written about the movie was written by a character named Zampano who dies and Johnny Truant ends up editing the book while informing the reader what is actually happening in his own life while the actual editors of the book who brought it to publication are commenting on Johnny's comments on Zampano's comments about the book which is about the movie which is about the house.

Sound confusing? There are points in time which it is utterly confusing to figure out what is going on. The best way to keep track of all it is by the different fonts used for different characters and the different colors of the words in the book. But this book doesn't just settle there. Danielewski wants the reader to emerge himself or herself into the book. The words grow closer and closer together to demonstrate to the reader the claustrophobia a certain character is feeling and the words spin in circles so that way you also feel just as confused as the character in the book. It's extremely post-modern but in a way that drags you along for the crazy ride.

What I found most disappointing about the book is that it reads like non-fiction at certain points in time and then reads like fiction at other parts. The non-fiction parts bored me and I found myself just wanting to skip over certain technical descriptions to figure out how the plot moves along. But the nice part about the non-fiction parts is that you, the reader, get to immerse yourself in this world and suspend disbelief for a short while. There are times when you wonder if Ash Tree Lane might actually exist and you begin to feel a shiver run up your spine as you wonder if the house being described could be any house - maybe even your own house. Maybe you will be the one to open a door in your own house and find a long, pitch black hallway.

Would I consider this a 'must-read'? It depends on who is doing the reading. This is not a casual novel you pick up and thumb through to pass the time. The book demands the reader to constantly be engaged in what is happening. And in the end, it's very possible that you may have more questions than answers about what actually happened in the book. But is it worth your time to read? Absolutely. The creepiness combined with the passion of the characters combined with the question-raising Johnny Truant makes this a memorable read and one I will certainly tackle again to see if any of my questions are answered by a second-go-round.

Jihad vs. McWorld

Jihad vs. McWorld: Terrorism's Challenge to Democracy
By: Benjamin Barber
Copyright: 1995
Ballantine Books

3 Bookmarks out of 5

So, it's been awhile since I've posted on here. Real life has once again taken over - I'm solidifying some things for a move I will be making, I took a wonderful vacation to New England, and some family issues took over my time for reading. I still was trucking away at this book though - no matter how slowly. I first heard about this book in college. Since I was a social science major, this book popped up a lot in certain readings for class. When walking through Barnes & Noble one day, I decided that it was time for me to pick it up and actually read the book in its entirety.

Unfortunately, I'm a little sad that I forced myself through this entire book. It took me two months to read because the writing was not meant for the lay person. If you're looking to digest the theory in this book, it would be better just to read a summary of the argument that Barber makes - which is essentially that neither McWorld nor Jihad is democratic and we're all in big trouble if either one wins out. If you're looking for an easy read on the current state of world affairs, this is not that book. However, if you're looking for a book with deep analysis of how the world works, then I would encourage you to read it.

The book is slightly dated - it was published in 1995 and the version I read was re-published in 2001 with a new introduction which reminds readers that the theory still holds true today. Even eleven years later, though, Barber's book still holds true. Replace cassette tapes with blu-ray DVDs and it's easy to see how it is applicable to today. It would be interesting to see an even more updated version which speaks to the current fad of social media and how consumers are willingly giving McWorld unlimited access to personal information.

I can also see how people could be offended by the title of this book. I went into it thinking that Barber would focus solely on fundamental Islam and how it has no place in the modern world. Barber instead focuses on extreme conservatism everywhere - from the Middle East to Germany and even the extreme Christian right in the United States of America. Barber seems to use the term 'jihad' as an over-arching theme although 'jihad' is almost always associated solely on Islam. Barber knows, though, that in America the term 'jihad' sells. It looks as if Barber was swept up in the McWorld that he is arguing against in an attempt to sell this book.

Overall the book is organized in easy to digest parts. If it was written in long-winded chapters, I doubt that I would have mustered the strength to finish this book. But the easy to find stopping places allows you to digest what you just read and take a break before you continue on. Some of the examples felt drawn out when I understood the point he was trying to make from the get-go. But over-all Barber does try to make his book easy to understand.

I guess in the end the book left me uninspired. I didn't feel like the way I looked at the world changed after reading - and I attribute that to the fact that I was already extremely familiar with the theory presented in the book before I even started reading it. It took me so long to read it because it was not written in an exciting way. The book is geared towards academics who are already interested in this subject and not necessarily the weekend reader. Pick it up if you're interested - steer clear if you're just looking for a book to keep you occupied while you ride the bus or train.

While Europe Slept

While Europe Slept: How Radical Islam is Destroying the West from Within
By: Bruce Bawer
Copyright: 2006
Doubleday

2 Bookmarks out of 5

I am currently on a mission to clear out as many books as possible from my extensive collection. I will never get rid of a book without reading it, so that's how I came to be reading this book. I got this book in college when my professor was cleaning out his cluttered office. I picked it up because the subject matter intrigued me - I am especially interested in religion and how it plays into the culture of a particular society. I expected this book to be written by an isolationist activist who had never been to Europe. I was surprised and intrigued to learn that this book was written by an ex-patriot who has been living in Europe for the past decade. What I was most disappointed in the fact that his experience on the subject seems to stop with first-hand anecdotal accounts.

While I am not against reading books of different political or personal persuasions from myself, when they pass themselves off as being academic works, I expect a certain level of professionalism from them. In this case, While Europe Slept lacked any sort of note or bibliographic reference when talking about supposed facts. If anyone wanted to check into any story or research report quoted in this book, the reader would have to do some major searching - if these facts are even real at all. Any person reading this book should take the facts with a huge grain of salt. That being said, Bawer does provide a good critical commentary of these supposed facts. However, as with any controversial topic, I could think of counter-points to many of his comments.

Furthermore, I found it curious that Bawer talked of immigrants being integrated into the larger society to see themselves as Dutchmen or Frenchmen. He sees this as a necessity to combat fundamentalist Islam from destroying Europe from within. However, Bawer spends extensive time throughout the book comparing Europe to America and being vastly offended when Europeans criticize America. If he wants Muslim immigrants to think of themselves as Europeans, shouldn't Bawer be doing the same thing? Even more so, Bawer seems to have been so far removed from America that he has a very idealistic view of race relations in his home country. While America is the land of the free, Americans have their own racial prejudices that they have yet to overcome.

What I think is particularly interesting is that Bawer seems to be alluding to the fact that fundamentalism and terrorism must be combated in Europe like Churchill took in fascist Germany head-on. What he fails to mention is that during World War II, England was fighting an entire country and war had not yet mutated to include terrorism. What is interesting about terrorism is that is has no country and can be grown anywhere at anytime - Bawer does not provide an adequate response with how to combat an enemy where there is no physical front line. (Of course, that's just my opinion. If Bawer provided an answer for this, I missed it.)

This book falls short on many points. There are three chapters that are extremely long and not at all user-friendly. Bawer takes some long detours from fundamental Islam to speak of European bashing of Americans. I wouldn't recommend this book unless it already falls into your ideological category or you enjoy reading opinion pieces. I wish I could say that I have a lot of good thoughts about this book - but ultimately I would pass on it and pursue this particular subject of fundamental Islam and the clashing of cultures in another academic book.

Nothing Like it in the World

Nothing Like it in the World: The Men Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad 1863-1869
By: Stephen E. Ambrose
Copyright: 2000
A Touchstone Book

3 Bookmarks out of 5

This book came into my rather large book collection from my boyfriend. He had bought it because he had heard good things about Stephen Ambrose as an author. However, he was discouraged about the length of the book (382 pages) and didn't know if he was really interested in the subject matter. Knowing that I am a huge fan of trains, he asked me if I wanted it. Never turning down a book free of charge, I happily accepted it. And luckily for me, I had a Sunday off of work so I was able to read it in a relatively short amount of time.

This book really struck me as a book geared towards a general audience. It covered how the railroad was built - beginning with Lincoln's fascination with the railroad during his time as a senator and ending in 1869 with the meeting of the two railroads at Promontory Summit in Utah. This book covered how the railroad came about and how both the Union Pacific and Central Pacific went to great lengths to join the east and west of the United States. If you're looking for a book that covers vast detail and continues your education of the railroad, this is not that book. Ambrose writes for the layperson to understand, which makes the 382 pages less stressful to read. He follows the story by dividing his time between both railroads, which all but re-creates the tension of the race to see which railroad could build the furthest, the fastest.

However, what I was most disappointed with in this book was the fact that Ambrose really breezes over some critical aspects of the railroad. He fails to look into the virtual enslavement of the Chinese while working for the Central Pacific. If the Chinese were ever upset about something and attempted to leave or protest, they would be whipped or be kept from supplies so that they starved. Ambrose also fails to examine the railroad from the point of view from the various native tribes. Instead, Ambrose discusses this detail through the eyes of those working on the railroad. Unfortunately, this depiction is less than friendly and does not give the complete picture. The title certainly doesn't lie when it says 'the men' who built the railroad - women are only mentioned as the strong companions of the men who created this engineering feat.

Other than that, I felt like Ambrose was uninspired while writing this book. He failed to capture the emotion in many of the men working on the railroad. The only person in the entire book I felt an empathy with was Theodore Judah, who was the architect of the railroad and was eventually overshadowed by the Big Four. He died before he could see the completion of the railroad. I wish Ambrose had dug into the emotions of those involved more. I also wish that Ambrose had not repeated so many facts. While making your way through the book, the reader will notice little things that are repeated chapter after chapter. For some, this will be a nice reminder. For other readers, this will become an annoyance.

Overall, I was not disappointed in this book and reading it took me back to late-nineteenth century America. I could envision what the West looked like at that time when it was virtually untouched by human hands. I admired how these men built the entire railroad by hand. But, ultimately, I came away from the book with a lack of inspiration. Instead of feeling inspired by the spirit of American and ingenuity, I wanted more about what the players in this plot felt. I would pick it up if you need a basic understanding of the railroad, but pass on the book if you're looking for a book that deals with the tough question of what American expansion into the West really meant.

The Folk of the Fringe

The Folk of the Fringe
Orson Scott Card
Copyright: 1989
Tom Doherty Associates

3 Bookmarks out of 5

I originally picked up this book from Ukazoo - a used bookstore near my undergraduate alma mater. There are four locations nationally, and I encourage you to check them out if you live near one of them! Anyway, I became an Orson Scott Card fan sometime last year when I finally broke down and read the entirety of the Ender Saga. In fact, I reviewed the most recent book in that saga not too long ago - it's called Shadows in Flight. I wanted to read some more Card's works, but I wasn't interested in getting involved with a series. So The Folk of the Fringe seemed like a one-stop shop and the price wasn't bad either ($3.99? Pretty much what it would cost to buy it online when you include the shipping and handling). What I didn't know at the time is that this book is actually a collection five short stories that have intertwining characters.

The first story, "West," was by far my most favorite story. It details the story of a group of Mormons attempting to make it to Utah in a future America that has been bombed (presumably) by the Soviets. This story-line intrigued me and I wanted the entire book to be their story. I felt like Card spent too little time detailing their grueling trek to Utah - on foot, I might add. But then again, this story was one about characters. And while it felt like Card was bashing groups who were not Mormon, the characters were compelling and left me wanting more.

The next story is "Salvage." Taking place near the now-submerged Salt Lake City, it details the story of a boy from "West" in his quest to find a sunken Mormon treasure. Out of the five stories, this one was the most forgettable. Its purpose seems only to serve as an introduction of Deague Teaver as the character of "Pageant Wagon" and to detail how important the temple is to the Church of Latter Day Saints.

The third story is - in my humble opinion - the best of all three. It's entitled "The Fringe" and details the character of Carpenter - a teacher who has cerebral palsy. Carpenter figures out that the folk in this particular town are stealing crops and selling them on the black market for high prices. The students in his class who benefit from this black market scheme become very angry and attempt to get retribution for the perceived wrong on their families. Carpenter is an amazing character and one I appreciated very much. It's not every day that an author has the courage to have the main character of a story be disabled and even then only reveal it one detail at a time.

The fourth story is "Pageant Wagon" and it is a novella in itself. Deaver Teague from "Salvage" is the main character here and the story follows his quest to feel a part of a community by his experience with a traveling family of actors/actresses. This could have been published separately and Card fans would have been thrilled. But as it may, I felt that in this story Card once again shows his misogynistic traits in portraying women as a group that needs to be protected by the men and, then again, showing women as the sole temptation of men.

The last story is "America" and was probably my second favorite in this series of five stories. It follows a Mormon teenager in the jungles of Brazil, dealing with the temptation of the flesh. Card seems to rarely touch on the theme of sex in his stories - and I have yet to see Card come right out and portray sex as something pleasurable. Usually he describes it in a purely biological fashion. (But I should note that I'm just beginning my exploration of Card as an author). However, I found this story refreshing in its raw power to portray the lust-fulness of youth and the conflicting emotions a religious youth can feel over it.

Overall, though, this book seems directed towards Mormons. Most of the character interactions deal with those who are of the Church of Latter Day Saints. I don't think it's a mistake, either, that Card details Utah as the only place in post-bombing America that is safe and that it is ruled by Mormons. But, more than that, I felt like some stories could have been shorter and others I would have loved to see elaborated upon. The author's note at the end will thrill Card fans and I think that Card's amazing ability as an author is a rallying point for the LDS - which can be seen as a culture that differs greatly from mainstream society.

Midnight Magic

Midnight Magic
By: Avi
Copyright: 1999
Scholastic, Inc.

3 Bookmarks out of 5

I should point out to my readers that this book is a children's/young adult book. It would probably appeal mostly to children from 10 to 14 years old. But, Avi is one of my favorite authors from childhood and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to re-live my childhood because I've been reading some pretty heavy books recently, such as Gulag: A History and The History of God. I'm pretty sure that this book ended up in my household from my next door neighbor. She probably lent it over to our house because she enjoyed it. And since my neighbor is not much of a reader, I finally got around to listening to her recommendation ten years after the fact. If she recommends a book, it's generally worth my time to read it.

The best thing about this book in particular is the plot. This book is primarily a mystery and secondarily a historical novel. I usually try to avoid the mystery genre because the suspense usually causes me to skim through it very quickly and miss all the details of the story because I want to know the ending. I purposefully slowed myself down this time around and tried to genuinely enjoy the plot progression. I have to admit, I thought I had the plot figured out about halfway through - but Avi gives the reader a nice twist that even I couldn't figure out. Although, I suppose if you frequently read mysteries you may be better at catching the end before I did. By slowing down through this book, I was able to enjoy the historical facts that riddled the story. As a teacher by training, this would have been a great book to use in the classroom. It opens up history in a fun fashion - although it did contain one factual error. People in 1491 more than likely did know that the world was round, but Avi has his own characters believing otherwise.

One other fact about this book that would have been fun to discuss as a teacher with students would be all the witty sayings that Fabrizio and his master Magnus throw about through the book. Even I had to sit back and think about them for a moment or two, even though I consider myself to be a pretty quick-thinker. Avi could have slimed down with the amount of sayings, though. Frabizio seems to throw them about a lot and it makes the reader wonder how Frabizio learned all this. Does Fabrizio know, himself, how to read? If so, then why does Magnus seem to think of Frabizio as a naive boy? Some of the characterization didn't seem to make much sense.

Which leads me to the point that particularly bothered me about this book - the characters seemed so flat and boring. Being a fan of The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, I know that Avi is capable of writing dynamic characters and characters that are full of life. Fabrizio is a servant boy whose only aspiration in life is to serve his master. While I enjoy the fact that Avi chose to keep Fabrizio a simple boy and not use a cliche of having servants rise up to be princes or something or other - Fabrizio just doesn't have a lot of depth to make the character believable. Not to mention that as an author of children's books, it would be nice to have a main character that aspires to be something.

Overall, this book contains a great plot that I think readers of all ages could enjoy. But the story falls apart with characters that seem too safe and too flat for the reader to fall in love with. I enjoyed the fact that Avi spent time explaining small details of life in late-fifteenth century Europe - such as castles and kings. But it would have been nice for Avi to touch on the blossoming of the Renaissance at this point in history as opposed to superstitious belief in magic. This would be a great story to read to young children around Halloween - as I did read in one review of Midnight Magic.

A History of God

A History of God: The 4000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
Karen Armstrong
Copyright: 1993
Gramercy Books

3 Bookmarks out of 5

This was another one of those books that ended up on my bookshelf because every year for Christmas my mom plays a little game when buying me presents called: 'Buy Every Book on the Bargain Shelf.' I'm not complaining - I love a good bargain book because I'm convinced that every book has some form of value and the joy of literacy should not be hogged by only those who can afford to read. Nevertheless, I finally got around to reading it in an effort to make sure my mind stays sharp. I was accepted into my grad program through University of Maryland in Library Science, and since I took a year off before grad school I want to make sure that my critical reading skills stay strong. This book was a good test of my patience and ability to understand minute differences in philosophy and theology. I went into this book expecting a history of God - what I came out with was a theological and philosophical understanding of how God has changed over time.

I should begin by saying that the reviews over the cover boast about how Armstrong has the ability to "simplify complex ideas" (New York Times Book Review) and how "she can take a long and complex subject and reduce it to its fundamentals" (Sunday Times - London). I expected a complex discussion of how to concept of God has changed throughout history. However, I found myself re-reading many passages of the book in order to grasp what was being explained. Normally I can read laying down without any interruption of understanding, but with this book I found myself needing to sit completely upright and in a completely silent place. This book is not intended for a reader who is beginning the study of theology. The long passages make finding a stopping point difficult and the long chapters make for an arduous struggle to understand the amount of information being written about.

The book could have been more understandable with more historical background of different time periods. Since the title boasts of a 'history' - I expected Armstrong to explain how events in history impacted the human understanding of God. In some places, Armstrong does this with amazing ability. However, in other parts she spends a long time explaining what different philosophers and thinkers came up with in regards to the theory of God and the reader can be lost in the semantic game that many early leaders of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam came up against. These painstaking details are what aids to the wealth of knowledge that is contained in the book and what becomes frustrating for the reader to comprehend.

Armstrong's Western bias comes in to play in the book. As a child of the West, it is hard for Armstrong to break her cultural heritage when examining religious history. In my opinion, Armstrong could have spent more time on the subject of Judaism and Islam after their initial conception and the mysticism phase. Once she hits the Age of Enlightenment in Europe, Armstrong spends nearly all her time explaining the development of God in a strictly Christian sense. I've read some other reviews and I would agree with the fact that Armstrong does seem a bit harsh on Christianity. It's a shame that the book was written before the rise of religious fundamentalism in world politics. Additional printings of this book would benefit from an afterword with Armstrong explaining how the concept of God is continuing to evolve.

All in all, I A History of God is a book that is bountiful in information. The reader should be warned that some background of each religion will make this read go by much easier than by choosing this as their first book of religious study. I found myself struggling to keep different names right when Armstrong discussed the chronology of different thinkers. The book loses points, in my opinion, from its lack of user-friendliness. While the concepts labeled under each chapter make sense, the editor of the book could have made use of page breaks for readers to take a breather while traveling through 4,000 years of history. Armstrong could have been more inclusive of other Godly religions - but the book only focuses on the Abrahamic faiths and maybe the title could have reflected more of that as well.

Gulag: A History

Gulag: A History
Anne Applebaum
Copyright: 2003
Anchor Books

5 Bookmarks out of 5

So, I know that I've been MIA for awhile. I decided to undertake this particular book a month ago, thinking it would take me about two weeks to read. It is 586 pages long with SUPER tiny print. I bought this book close to five years ago, so I finally decided it was time to finish it all the way through. I remember being super interested in this period of Soviet history back when I bought it, and I'm glad that I still am super interested in it. Luckily, Anne Applenaum gave me enough information about the Gulag to last me a lifetime.

To begin with, Applebaum chose an interesting way to describe the Gulag system. Since the book covers the entire length of the history of the Gulag - which lasts from the 1920s through the 1980s - I assumed that it would be told like a story. I thought Applebaum would explain how things changed from decade to decade. I was happy to see that Applebaum does choose to tell it in a chronological format in Part I of the book as well as Part III. However, what was a truly exciting discovery, is that Applebaum uses Part II of the book to describe different themes in the Gulag - from how prisoners were arrested dying and escape. These special categories provide a great insight for readers - especially readers who have no background with the Gulag system at all.

Usually, as a student with a background in the social sciences, I find it hard to digest nonfiction, historical books written by authors who have no particular expertise in history. However, Applebaum did so much extensive research that I easily forgot about it and fell into the deep history of the Soviet Union and the Gulag. What stood out to me in particular is how Applebaum actually want to Russia to visit the sites of these camps as well as talk to survivors and their families. It leads to an authenticity that some reporters fail to reach when writing historical works. The only thing that I feel is missing is more of the story from the point of view of those who ran the camp system - on that, I feel as if the book is slightly lacking. This is a book about the survivors, so please be aware of that before you begin it.

That being said, this book is not a casual read by any means. I like to think of myself as a voracious reader who has read many books in her time on this earth. However, this book has so much information to digest that it's hard to read it casually. This reminds me of a book that I would have read during my undergraduate career more than a casual book pick out of the library over the weekend. Once you finish the book, however, you will feel a strong sense of accomplishment. This book is an experience that anyone who is interested in the history of humanity - how we can reach the depths of cruelty and still survive all the same.

This book is definitely worthy of my 5 bookmarks out of 5 rating. The depth and breadth of the book could have been a difficult thing to master, but Applebaum pulls it off flawlessly. One of the coolest things about the book is the fact that Applebaum states that "This book was not written 'so that it will not happen again,' as the clich[e] would have it. This book was written because it almost certainly will happen again. (page 577)." Applebaum keeps her analysis of human nature hopefully, but brutally realistic. This is a must-read have for any library, in my humble opinion.

The Good Muslim

The Good Muslim
By: Tahmima Anam
Copyright: 2011
Harper's Collins Publishing

4 Bookmarks out of 5

Sorry it's taken me so long to finish reading this one, everybody. My last entry was Monday of last week. After I finished with Shadows in Flight, I just felt a need to re-connect with the real world for a bit because I felt disconnected from other people. So, I vegged out with some Keeping up with the Kardashians, had a wonderful breakfast/lunch excursion with my twin sister, and managed to drive an hour and a half to visit an old college friend to celebrate her birthday. That's when I decided that I had re-connected enough with the world to retreat back into my book paradise and conquer the sequel to A Golden Age - a book, I may remind you, which I thought so very highly of that I downloaded to sequel to my nook without second thought. Even though The Good Muslim did not have my interest from the very beginning, Tahmima Anam doesn't fail to deliver her flawless story-telling technique in another heart-gripping novel.

One of the biggest differences between the first book and this one is the person who is telling the story. Rehana is one of the main reasons I fell in love with the first book. However, in this book it's Maya's turn to tell her story. The Good Muslim is the story of what happens to the Haque family after the war for Bangladeshi independence. Maya goes on after the war to become a surgeon who wanders the country side working as a woman doctor. Sohail, on the other hand, becomes a devout religious figure after returning home from the war. I missed Rehana's calming personality throughout this book, but I valued the character development of Maya. In the beginning, I felt that Maya was a very whiny figure, but as the book progressed I found her character full of depth.

Another thing that differs this book from the first is it's use of flashbacks to tell the story. A Golden Age told the story in a linear fashion mostly - each chapter happened after the preceding chapter. However, The Good Muslim tells the story of what happened directly after the war as the current story is being told. It becomes a lot for the reader to keep in mind as the plot progresses, but I also found that it revealed the characters in a more realistic manner. It's because of this use of the flashbacks that I felt the story was hard to read in the beginning. Maya and Sohail are so different than who they were before the war. It made them almost unbelievable. Anam creates the story of how Maya and Sohail reached their life positions through flashbacks and by the end, the characterization makes sense. I should have never doubted Anam, since her characterization of Rehana in the first book was absolutely stunning.

One thing I was wondering when reading this book was if Tahmima Anam has a bad relationship with men. I mean, Rehana's husband died, Joy's father died, and there are so many documentations of violence against women from men. But, the more I thought about it, the more I realized Anam has taken it upon herself to be a beacon of light for those women in Bangladesh still dealing with the falling out of the war for independence. As a woman myself, I value the fact that she is an unspoken advocate for women's rights and what is done to innocent victims in times of upheaval. I think that is why A Golden Age and The Good Muslim speak to me so much - they tell the story of women who face immense odds and still find a way to live in a world with so many shades of gray.

Once again, in The Good Muslim, Anam shows off her superior mastery of the English language and all its literary techniques. This book covers the aftermath of revolution - how dreams become past hopes and how democracy does not always prevail. However, it is a story of hope and of the wonderful culture of Bangladesh. This book is a great pair for the first book and a great read for any person who is interested in war, women, or just the strength of the human spirit. The sluggish beginning is the reason why I would give it on 4 bookmarks, but the plot does pick up and does eventually make you keep turning the pages until you are finished.

Shadows in Flight

Shadows in Flight
By: Orson Scott Card
Copyright: 2012
Tom Doherty Associates

4 Bookmarks out of 5

This is probably the most recent book I have ever reviewed on my blog so far - and will probably ever review on my blog. I borrowed this book from the library for reasons that I will get to discuss later in this post. I am a huge fan of the Ender Saga ever since I downloaded it to my nook about a year ago. I loved the universe and characters that Orson Scott Card creates in this saga and Shadows in Flight certainly did not disappoint those of us whom have been anxiously awaiting the release of this book.

For one thing, fans of the Ender universe will love how it continues in this book. The Shadow of the Giant really left us wondering what would happen to Bean and his children with the giant gene turned on. Card managed to create a book where the characters were isolated enough to believe that they were traveling through time at a slower rate than humanity, but gave us enough interaction to make us turn the page and continue reading. Shadows in Flight is not a very hard book to read - indeed, I love how Card manages to make his books about children but have those children deal with very real and very adult themes.

That being said, I was also glad to see a continuation and conclusion for Bean's saga. I'll be the first to admit that I was slow to like the character of Bean. It really irked me that he was so sure of himself and how smart he was. But Bean eventually grew on me through the Shadow companions to the Ender Universe. I loved how he commanded forces and was a great person to have in a fight. In this book, though, you get to see the sentimental side of Bean. And, to be honest, I was kind of disappointed. I didn't want to see Bean so incapacitated that he was just a voice in his childrens' ears. I wanted to see him in action - kicking ass, really, just like he did against Achilles. But I guess parenthood changes everyone, including Bean.

Other than Bean, I felt like the characterization of Bean's children is really well done. Whenever a series introduces new characters, it's a hit or a miss on whether or not a reader will buy into those characters enough to accept them as the new direction of the plot. Card did this mainly by giving each character a niche that he or she was best at. The only characterization I couldn't get my mind around was that of Cinninatus - he went from wanting to kill Bean to being one of the team. Although Card got around this by explaining the emotional dilemma inside Cinninatus, I still felt like it was a little forced.

Another few things that didn't sit well with me was the incestuous undertones of starting a new civilization based on Andrew, Carlotta, and Cinninatus. Card brushes this off by saying neither sex is important in creating a civilization - that each person has the ability to create their own offspring but the thought of Bean's grandchildren starting another civilization as half-siblings really creeped me out. Card also had more than a few anti-feminist undertones throughout the novel - one quote being "I wish your mother hadn't given you that special message about feminism. It's made you prickly about nothing" (page 40). Really, Card? You've been good about leaving your personal beliefs out of your novels up until now, why did you have to add this one in so blatantly?

I'd really recommend this book to those who have ever picked up a book dealing with Ender Wiggin and the universe he helped create. One of the things that irked me about this book was the fact that it wasn't released in nook book format - I saved a lot of gift cards from the holidays so that way I could download it when it came out. It turns out that Shadows in Flight is only available in hardback or kindle version. I feel like this is cheating out a lot of people from buying the book. But, luckily the local library had a copy and I was able to enjoy it free of charge. Always trust your local public library to save the day!

Unsolved Mysteries of History

Unsolved Mysteries of History: An Eye-Opening Investigation Into the Most Baffling Events of All Time
By: Paul Aron
Copyright: 2000
Barnes & Noble

2 Bookmarks out of 5

I got this book quite a number of years ago for Christmas. It was probably around four years ago because that was about the time when I realized that I wanted my own personal library and I wanted to do nothing but read all the time. Anyway, my point is that this book was already sort of outdated when I received it in 2008, since it was written in 2000. If I had to guess, my mom probably saw it in the bargain section of Barnes and Noble and decided that I would like it. Based on the title, I even thought that I would like it. However, I was deeply disappointed with this book.

To begin with, some of the essay titles had nothing to do with what was actually written in the essay. To give you an example, there is one essay titled "Who Built the Statues on Easter Island." This seemed like it would be the best essay because the Easter Island statues are on the front cover of the book. However, this essay was mainly arguing who settled Easter Island - South American Indians or Polynesians. It made some rather interesting points but in the end there was no answer to the question of the statues besides, 'the people on Easter Island built them.' Well, obviously they were built by people on the island, unless it was those darn aliens again.

Speaking of aliens, not all of the essays were terribly written. One of the better essays was the one titled, "What Were the Nazca Lines". For those of you who are unfamilar with the Nazca lines, these are the lines in South America that look like various animals and geometric shapes from the air. Some groups claim that they are landing sites for alien ships. Aron did a great job with this essay exploring the various reasons why ancient civilizations would have gone through so much trouble to draw such intricate shapes on the ground when they could only be visible from the air. Some of those conclusions include irrigation purposes as well as religious purposes. In the end, even though there is no definite solution, Aron points out the possibilities and that is enough conclusion for the reader.

Most of the essays, though, were just entirely too short to give a proper investigation to the topic in question. This book is more like twenty-five wikipedia articles than any in-depth investigation. Each essay ranges from 5-10 pages in length and feels more like an essay I would have written in undergrad than an essay that should have begun solving the mysteries at hand. This probably comes from the fact that Paul Aron is not a historian himself - he is a reporter and an editor. I'm not saying that this doesn't mean someone can't inform himself/herself about a topic by reading a few books - but reading a few books doesn't make you an expert in a topic. That's what I think was missing from this particular book - an insight that only an expert can give to you.

In the end, I really think that Barnes and Noble should have passed up this particular book idea from Paul Aron. Barnes and Noble should probably stick with what they do best - which is eat up the entire modern book market and leave small, used bookstores few and far between. While there are a few redeeming essays, this book is better used just like wikipedia - look at the books Aron used to write his essay and use those books to do your own analysis. There are other ways to learn more about the unsolved mysteries of history besides reading this book. And if you are doing research on any of these topics, your history teacher would be appalled at your use of this as a reference.

A Golden Age

A Golden Age
By: Tahmima Anam
Copyright: 2007
Harper Collins

5 Bookmarks out of 5

I found this book on my bookshelf, just like Tuesdays with Morrie. Like I've said before, it doesn't bother me when random books that are not mine appear on the bookshelf. As any book lover and avid reader can tell you, some of the best books you read are books that you only accidentally land your hands on. I assume that it came from my older sister, but with this one I can't entirely be sure. One thing is definite, though, I did not expect this book to blow me away as much as it did.

The book is about Rehana Haque, a mother who is living in East Pakistan right before the 1971 war for independence. Just as some background for those who are unfamiliar with geography and history - East Pakistan eventually breaks away from West Pakistan to become the country of Bangladesh. I was worried because I was afraid that the war would be the only part of the plot, but Anam does an amazing job of making sure the plot is about characters as well. You see, Rehana Haque is a mother of a boy and a girl and the story is really about her love for them. The reader also gets to see how Rehana talks to her dead husband Iqbal still, especially when making important decisions.

The character driven book is really what stands out about this read. Anam goes through great efforts to inform the reader of Rehana's motives through every step of the book. Usually, I feel like authors go to some length to develop a solid character and then at the end leaves the reader guessing as to why the character acted in a certain way. In the end, Anam allowed the reader to get lost in the momentum of the plot but made sure to write enough at the end to ensure that the reader knew exactly what was going on. As a reader, I know that I often get lost by vague words and actions but desire a poetic use of words. Anam demonstrates her ability to command the English language by providing beautiful writing that doesn't lose the reader in its vagueness. I found myself re-reading the ending of the book because of the powerful emotional punch. I knew exactly why Rehana acted in the way she did and that was the reason that the ending was so powerful to me.

What I also appreciated in this book was Anam's ability to create a viable love interest with Rehana and the Major. If any of my readers can recall, when I reviewed So Long, and Thanks for all the Fish I let everyone know how much I really dislike love stories when they have nothing to do with, well, anything. With this story, I was afraid that Rehana would fall in love with the Major and it would do nothing to further the plot. I was ecstatic to find that this was not the case. The interactions between the two did a lot to give insight into Rehana as a person and helped further the plot along.

Besides having amazing characters, this book was also a must-read in my eyes because it also gave an interesting history lesson. I am, by no means, saying that this book will tell you everything about the Bangladeshi war for independence. But it will give you an idea about why it was being fought, who the people were who died, and what happened to the people who survived. One of the most gripping parts of the book comes from seeing how the Pakistani army treated Bangladeshi rebels in prison. And on a personal level, stories like these need to come out because so many people feel like genocides and mass murders by a government and army can't happen in the modern day. A Golden Age tells us otherwise, just like Hotel Rwanda gave a stark image on what happened in that country.

All in all, I try to remain as skeptical as possible when rating books. But this book had it all - amazing characters, a plot that went at a good pace, and it dealt with a major historical moment. Tahmima Anam also demonstrates her mastery of English in her use of words and literary techniques. This is a book that needs to be read by everyone - it is a book about a mother, a lover, and a revolutionary. I think that everyone who reads this book will take something away from it. (And did I mention that I just learned that there is a sequel? So the amazing quality that is this story doesn't have to end here!)

Tuesdays with Morrie

Tuesdays with Morrie
By: Mitch Albom
Copyright: 1997
Broadway Books

3 Bookmarks out of 5

Well, I found myself reading Tuesdays with Morrie for a variety of reasons. One of the first reasons is that it mysteriously found its way onto my bookshelf. This doesn't concern me because there are a lot of books that end up on my bookshelf randomly. My older sister and next door neighbor have also said how much they truly enjoyed the book. Those two aren't exactly voracious readers, so I figured that any book that grabbed their attention must be good. I also have read For One More Day by Mitch Albom and that wasn't a complete disaster of a book. I figured maybe I could gain some sort of life lesson from the book, right? After all it was a made-for-TV movie back in the day and was also a play, right? So I decided to give it a chance.

For those of you who are not familiar with the background of Tuesdays with Morrie, it won't take long to give you a brief synopsis of what the book is about. Mitch Albom had an amazing college professor, Morrie Schwartz. Morrie taught Mitch to open his mind and was a real mentor to him. Fast forward sixteen years after Mitch's graduation and Mitch is caught up in the material life as a journalist. He has forgotten about his favorite professor until he catches Nightline with Ted Koppel about a man who is dying from ALS. It turns out that the man who is dying is Mitch's old college professor, Morrie. So begins a 14 week lesson on dying which takes place every Tuesday in Morrie's Massachusetts home.

Like the other book by Mitch Albom I have read, Tuesdays with Morrie was not a book that took a lot of effort to read. I spread out the reading over 2 days, but in reality it probably only took me 3 hours to read. That's probably why so many people have latched on to it - in my opinion, the general public enjoys picking up books that are easy to digest because they like books that don't require much thinking to get through. I'm not saying that this book doesn't do some thinking - Morrie throws out philosophies on life and death every other chapter. But these philosophies are easy for the reader to digest and it doesn't feel like you are reading a college level textbook on what it means to live and what it means to die.

I guess the reason I felt like this book let me down is because Morrie's advice didn't seem so profound. I already knew that the best things in life aren't money and material things. I already knew that investing in the love of family and friends will bring you joy in life. I also know that accepting death as a natural course of life is an okay thing to do. I have this medical thing where my blood pressure suddenly drops from time to time and I faint. Just from learning how to deal with these occasional episodes, I already related to what Morrie was saying about how to detach from reality in those situations. I always understand how to accept what is happening to my body, even if it is terrifying to know exactly what is happening but being powerless to stop it. I guess some readers who have never experienced a loss of control of their own body would never have thought of that, but for me it is something that crosses my mind on a daily basis.

Another reason why this book didn't stand out to me is the fact that one question kept going through my mind. What makes Morrie so special? People die from terminal illnesses everyday. I'm sure those people have come up with some wonderful life philosophies as well. I'm also sure that they will never have a journalist friend come around and write them all down to get a publishing deal. I'm not trying to offend Morrie in anyway, but I just want to know what makes him so great compared to others' loved ones? I also didn't like when Mitch made a comment that his alma mater only sent him mailings when they wanted money. Now, I fund-raise for higher education, so this part also sort of offended me. Your alma mater sends you mailings to keep you connected with the school and to ask you to give back so that way the school can continue to give quality education to deserving students. If Morrie was all about giving back to the community, I can hardly see an easier way than supporting a scholarship fund from the school that you attended.

Overall, I found the book to be an easy read for someone who may be contemplating the meaning of life and what it means to die. I also think this book is a great way for someone who may be grieving. I'm not saying it will lessen your pain, but it may help shed some light on what you can do to help the memory of a loved one live on. Ultimately, I find myself unimpressed with Mitch Albom and I wish he had touched on some heavier subjects - such as religion and God. After all, haven't all religions stemmed from the fact that ultimately, we all will die? Come to think of it, this is not a pick-me-up book. Only read it if you are ready to do some introspective thinking.

Mostly Harmless

Mostly Harmless
By: Douglas Adams
Copyright: 1992
Portland House

4 Bookmarks out of 5


Well, first I have to say that I am terribly sorry that it has taken me a week to get the last book in the Hitchhiker's series up here. I was extremely busy this weekend and didn't get a chance to read at all. But, since I last updated I also signed up for my local public library's adult reading program for the winter. If I read five books, then I get to have a mug! So Mostly Harmless is book one in this challenge to myself. I hope there are still mug supplies by the time I finish all five of the books!

Anyway, Mostly Harmless is the last book in the Hitchhiker's trilogy of five books. By far, this is the most intricate plot out of all the other books. It is also probably the most serious book out of the entire series. It begins with Trillian - or rather the Trillian that would have been if she had never left with Zaphod after that one party. Tricia is a news reporter looking for the next big thing and is in constant regret for not following Zaphod. Meanwhile, in a parallel universe, Ford is still a field reporter for the Guide (and actually is downgraded to the restaurant reviewer). Arthur is wandering around because Fenchurch disappeared in a hyperspace accident and the Earth disappeared as well. I have to admit, I am quite glad Fenchurch didn't make an appearance in this particular book (and Arthur doesn't seem that depressed to have her gone either). The reader has a difficult time keeping all these parallel universes in order, but it's well worth it for how the plot turns out.

It's no secret that Douglas Adams was not a huge fan of religion, but he makes it blatantly apparent in this novel through the character of Old Thrashbarg. Old Thrashbarg is in charge of all knowledge in his particular  village and when he makes up various reasons as to why he needed to buy the first sandwich (because Bob said so). That's right Bob - not God. And I have to admit, when Arthur goes, "For Bob's sake!" I laughed out loud. It was such an ingenious way to approach the controversial topic of religion that I couldn't help but applaud Adams. (As for the sandwich part, you're just going to have to read the book yourself to understand the meaning.)

Furthermore, although this book is extremely serious, it holds the funniest interaction between characters out of the entire Hitchhiker's series. This happens with Ford Prefect meets back up with Arthur Dent. Let's have a sample of the dialogue, eh? This is a scene where Ford is explaining to Arthur about how he survived jumping out of a window on two different occasions:

"The first time I managed to save myself by the most astonishing and - I say this in all modesty - fabulous piece of ingenious quick thinking, agility, fancy footwork, and self-sacrifice." 

"What was the self-sacrifice?"

"I jettisoned half of a much-loved and I think irreplaceable pair of shoes." 

"Why was that self-sacrifice?" 

"Because they were mine!" said Ford, crossly. 

"I think we have different value systems." 

"Well, mine's better."

It's like Douglas Adams finally got the characters of Arthur and Ford down to perfection and the banter they have is quite literally, priceless. It is witty, quick, and will make anyone who is in the room with you quite annoyed with how much you are laughing at the book. Meanwhile, the character of Trillian is barely touched on and Tricia is having a serious identity crisis. We don't once see Zaphod in this book, which I think is a real shame. I would have loved to know what Zaphod was up to.

One of my biggest peeves with the book was the character of Random. She was annoying. All she cared about was the fact that Trillian (her mother) always left her places and that she never belonged anywhere. Now, this pretty much sounds like the annoying ramblings of any teenager going through extreme hormonal changes. But Random understands time travel and how the universe works. How Random didn't understand that when she visited Earth (which didn't exist in her universe) that Tricia was not her real mother (because Tricia never left Earth) is beyond me. Adams portrays her as a teenager who understands the technology of the universe, but she is unable to understand this important concept. Adams makes up for this annoying character by bringing Agrajag's ramblings of Arthur's future back into the plot. I take back my before mentioned hatred of this scene in Life, the Universe, and Everything and will go on to say that I really appreciated the intricacy that this brought to the plot.

Although this book is serious, and ends on a dark note, I will say that I appreciated the way the series ended. It brings on so many questions: do parallel universes still exist? What happens to the Grebulons on Rupert? Do the Vogons end up ruling the galaxy? This book is everything lovers of the series will appreciate and even those who only like a good science fiction story will appreciate. I am sad that the series is over, but I am excited to move on to the next book on my list.