The Enchantress (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #6) by Michael Scott

I was very disappointed with this book. I have enjoyed the series and was really looking forward to reading this last book in the series. But with all the time between the books, I found that I had forgotten many of the names and who was doing what where. So, I struggled to try to catch up in my memory. Meanwhile, the book jumps back and forth between various actions going on at different places, and I became even more confused. But mostly, I was just very disappointed with the story. This plot had potential, which flowed through each installment, but which was never actualized in this last book of the series. The plot of The Enchantress was far-fetched, and the wrap up to the series was extremely dissatisfying.

Mad River by John Sandford

This book is very disappointing! After losing faith in Sandford (after he forgot one of his character's history, in an earlier book), I gave up on him - except for Virgil Flowers. I have always thought that Virgil is an interesting, well-developed character; so, I was looking forward to reading Mad River. Upon completing the book, however, I find that I have nothing positive to say about it, except that it is a Virgil Flowers book (and not even a good one of those).

In my opinion, the writing in Mad River is sub par, especially for Sandford. In addition, the plot is uninteresting and predictable. And lastly, I don't know how he could possibly do it, but Sandford has even managed to make his remaining interesting character uninteresting. This is not the same Virgil Flowers who has been developed - and has captured our hearts - in previous books.

I suspect that the time has come for this reviewer to part ways with Sandford. 

Not Recommended.

Glastonbury: Avalon of the Heart by Dion Fortune

My copy is simply entitled "Avalon of the Heart", copyright 1934. Nonetheless, this little book captures the magic of Avalon...the magic that can still be felt in Glastonbury today.

The Jewel House: Elizabethan London and the Scientific Revolution by Deborah Harkness

Like with her fiction, Harkness makes History come alive once again! This nonfiction publication drew me in as if it were a novel. I really enjoyed The Jewel House. I learned a great deal, and I highly recommend it!

Mariana by Susanna Kearsley

The more I think about this book, the more I think that perhaps I was too harsh with the number of stars that I allotted to it. Not sure I'd give it 4 stars, but perhaps 3 and 1/2! I didn't like this book as much as Kearsley's The Winter Sea. I don't think it is as well written, and I thought it was predictable. Nonetheless, I did enjoy the story...especially toward the end of the book.

The Rope (Anna Pigeon Prequel) by Nevada Barr

I liked the book, though I think this prequel might conflict with the picture Barr paints of the later Anna Pigeon in her earlier Pigeon books. As with her other books, the writing is not fantastic, but Anna Pigeon is a great character! Worth reading just for Anna.

The School of Night: A Novel by Alan Wall

I had difficulty getting into this book. Once I did, I learned very little about the School of Night. I was fascinated, though, by his analysis of Shakespeare and the question of who really wrote what is attributed to Shakespeare. In my opinion, that part of the book may warrant it a third star.

SHADOW OF NIGHT by DEBORAH HARKNESS

SHADOW OF NIGHT

DEBORAH HARKNESS

BOOK REVIEW

Shadow of Night raises a dilemma for me. How can one review the sequel to a book that she considers to be the best book ever written? The best book ever written cannot be bested – even by its own sequel.

            But Deb Harkness comes very close in her sequel to A Discovery of Witches, Shadow of Night. Very close.

            Whereas A Discovery of Witches ended with Diana and Matthew beginning their trip to Sixteenth Century Elizabethan England, Shadow of Night begins with the end of their trip to 1590.

            Shadow of Night has a panoply of interesting characters. Some are those we met in A Discovery of Witches and are further developed – for example, Philippe. Others are new – for example, Gallowglass. Some of the characters we expected to find turn out to defy our expectations – for example, Marlowe.

            Diana and Matthew develop a great deal in relationship to their marriage. As Diana struggles with being a woman in 1590 England, Matthew struggles with the complexities of his former life.

            Shadow of Night seems to move at a faster pace than A Discovery of Witches, so fast that at times it feels chaotic – not a logical, linear plot development like A Discovery of Witches. But then, it has to. With all the demands and dangers that Diana and Matthew face in 1590 England, trying to stay ahead of the turmoil and threats requires a much faster pace than the more familiar Twenty-First Century.

            But Shadow of Night, like A Discovery of Witches, is both mesmerizing and surprising. It is a pleasure to join Diana and Matthew again in their world. And once again, Harkness has succeeded in making the learning of history fun.

            While Harkness hasn’t bested the best, she has come very close. Shadow of Night is indeed bewitching. And, she leaves us eagerly anticipating her third installment in the All Souls Trilogy.

You & I, Padgett Powell

If you're looking for a humorous book to read this summer, pick up YOU & ME, a novel by Padgett Powell. A modern day WAITING FOR GODOT, YOU & ME chronicles the conversations between two men, sitting on a porch somewhere between Bakersfield, California and Jacksonville, Florida. The men use a methodology akin to a modern day Socrates. The topics selected for discussion run from the profound -- e.g., how to live everyday as if it's your last -- to the mundane -- e.g., walking to the nearby liquor store while wearing orange jumpsuits and orange electrical cords. There is the juxtaposition of the ghosts of Julia Childs and Crazy Horse; the hair on Custer and on turtles; the Coppertone girl and Buster Brown. One of my favorites, however, is the discussion of feeling insurance:

     "The premiums would be impossible, the actuarial tables a nightmare.

     And this is why Lloyds does not offer it. Blues insurance. Quite an idea.

     Verification tricky. Who would not claim?"

Powell is witty, sardonic, and clever. Take a look at the ups and downs of modern day America. Check out YOU & ME!

Welcome!

Welcome to IMO Book Reviews! This new blog is devoted solely to book reviews. New posts will be published as new reviews are created. I hope you find these reviews to be helpful! I would love to hear your opinions about the books reviewed and about the reviews themselves. Enjoy the reviews!