Novelish

Author: Fred Vargas
ISBN: 9780743284028

Many of Vargas’ novels involve a myth or legend that comes up in modern times, which seems to be a really effective way of adding to the atmosphere regardless of whether the myth or legend turns out to be real. I’ve seen it done by a number of other authors, and even New Moon (a book that could not be more unlike this one) had a little of that going for it.

In the case of Seeking Whom He May Devour, there are a series of sheep attacks in the French mountains, and one very large wolf - or, quite possibly, a werewolf - is the suspected culprit.

I thought the plot was very done well, even though I knew what was going to happen (owing to a friend’s less-than-subtle comment). The characters are developed and unique. The writing is perfect, but it goes beyond being perfect: it’s also quirky.

The thing separating it most from similar books, though, and making it so much more enjoyable to read, is that in addition to everything else I’ve mentioned it makes you laugh. And I’m not talking about one or two scenes - I mean every page.

I’ll wrap up by noting that this is a thriller/mystery - a genre that I don’t usually read but that I’m finding an increasing number of books I like in. It was translated from the original French by David Bellos.

• Click here to read an excerpt

The comments problem on Novelish should be fixed now; anyone with thoughts on the new design, Daughter of the Forest or Murkmere - or any other entry - will be able to add them as usual.

ISBN: 978-0316010429
Author: Patricia Elliotto
Estimated words: 87,500

So much of the young adult fiction I’ve seen these days - i.e. Twilight or Eragon, to name two popular examples - is entertaining but so badly written that finding a YA book with good writing is in itself cause for excitement. And that’s a significant part of why I like Murkmere so much.

The story opens with the heroine, Agnes Cotter, traveling to a new job in the gloriously gothic Murkmere Hall. There are no shortages of evil schemes and devious villians to be thwarted at Murkmere, as Agnes soon learns, and she’s far from certain of who to trust.

The organized religion in the book’s alternate-history setting is enormiously prevalent, and, while not done on quite a Pullman-esque scale, Murkmere gets extra points for portrying it in a negative light.

Pacing seemed fast even for a YA novel, and at 344 pages, I wished there was more; if we forgive it that, I can’t think of much else that could have been improved on.

Of note:

• The sequel, Ambergate, was published last year.
• The author’s official website can be found here.

“The Sevenwaters Trilogy, Book 1″
Author: Juliet Marillier
Words: 206,732

I enjoyed Daughter of the Forest, with some reservations.

From the back of the paperback edition:

Lovely Sorcha is the seventh child and only daughter of Lord Colum of Sevenwaters. Bereft of a mother, she is comforted by her six brothers who love and protect her. Sorcha is the light in their lives, they are determined that she know only contentment.

The trouble starts when Lord Colum marries the terrible sorceress Oonagh, who proceeds to place him under her spell. Sorcha and her brothers do their best to drive her out, but Oonagh outwits them by turning all six brothers into swans. Sorcha flees to the forest.

The Lady of the Forest tells Sorcha that to undo the spell, she must sew a shirt of Starwort (think a grown-up version of stinging nettle, with thorns) for each of her brothers. She can’t tell anyone about her mission. She also can’t talk. At all. The task is made harder still by numerous complications that eventually take her across the seas, where (in the words of the hardcover jacket text) “Sorcha will have to choose between the life she has always known and a love that comes only once.”

[Read more]

Novelish has a new look. I tend to get tired of my designs every six months no matter how lovely they seem in the beginning. As this has been up for less than a day, I’m presently thrilled with it - and with any luck the general visual thrillingness will thrill me into posting more often.

I do need to tweak a few things. I may adjest the font, update the sidebar, and/or add a little color.

The Read in 2008 page is also up. (RSS subscribers may have noticed that I accidently published it as a blog post yestarday.)

…but I just got this really cool art print in the mail, signed by artist Tim Kirk, from a giveaway on the His Dark Materials fansite BridgeToTheStars.net. Which goes to show that it pays to keep trying, I suppose. Lyra is one of my favorite characters and she’s going on my wall just as soon as I can find an appropreately-sized frame.