The One Percenters - John Podgursky

About the book

Natural selection has become unnatural. Having dealt with the vicious murder of his wife, Edward Caine takes his rightful place as a One-Percenter, eliminating those not fit for the human race. He must fight his instinct to use his role for revenge; he is after those who live on only because of money and medicine. 

The weak-gened are not fit to breed, and it's the job of Edward and his brethren to see that they don't. But can he finish the job before his own mind betrays him? He is an agent of the Earth. He is a One-Percenter. 

185 pages (ebook)

Published on: September 1, 2009 (first published)

Published by: Damnation Books

Author’s webpage

Thanks to the author for sending me a copy of this book to review. 

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Before I start this review, I should explain that I’m a sucker for a good mind game or psychological thriller. I enjoy being toyed with. I like the books and movies that really get into my psyche and make me wonder what is reality and really stun me with the answer. I like journeys into someone’s mind and their skewed perceptions. That’s probably why I loved this book. It got into my head and toyed with my perceptions and I love that.  I read it in one day. With a newborn, that’s quite a feat and should say something about my experience right there.

The One Percenters is a book that some individuals might feel uncomfortable about from the start, as it forces the reader to experience events from the perspective of a killer. While this may be off-putting to some, the sequence of events and the way in which the story is being told is so absorbing that it will be easy to overlook. Furthermore, this book isn’t that long, which forces events to happen at a quick pace and may be read rather quickly.

Podgursky’s writing really should be highlighted. His first-person style is unique and almost conversational rather than literary. For example, I could almost hear Ed’s (the protagonist) voice as he was telling his story. While a conversational style of writing takes time to get used to, Podgursky’s writing is stunning and will easily wrap around the reader and pull them in. There are many memorable lines and plenty of stylistic “wow’s” in The One Percenters. While Podgursky can wax overly philosophical on occasion, it probably won’t hinder the reader’s enjoyment of the book at all. In fact, I read this book as much to enjoy his writing style as for the story.

The One Percenters isn’t quite speculative fiction, nor is it all the way thriller or pure fiction though it is completely psychological. It doesn't seem to fully fit comfortably anywhere in particular and will interest readers of many different genres. However, this book will mostly appeal to readers who enjoy having their minds toyed with. Nothing is really as it seems. While it was fairly obvious that I was reading an incredibly interesting story told by a mentally damaged man, the ending isn’t what you’d expect or predict it to be.

Podgursky does excellent job writing from the perspective of a psycho. In fact, during much of the book I was aware of the fact that the protagonist was probably insane, but I found myself second-guessing that and wondering, “what if” quite frequently, which is a real accomplishment for the author. To portray a somewhat insane character, the protagonist can ramble, or backtracks in his story. During the beginning of the book this happens quite frequently, but as more and more of the plot and the character and his various beliefs and current situation is revealed, it becomes obvious that Podgursky inserts this somewhat awkward backtracking and a few odd side-stories to portray the character’s mental state. As the book progresses, they become far less awkward as the reader becomes more in tune with the mind of the protagonist and the overall flow of the book.

One point many readers may struggle with when reading The One Percenters is that the protagonist, Ed, can be hard to relate to, completely understand or sympathize with, as I’m sure most people suffering from various forms of psychosis on such a grand level would be. While I don’t believe the reader is really supposed to completely sympathize with him, some individuals will feel put off by that aspect of the book, as it might cause them to feel separated from the overall work. Despite the fact that readers may be put off by this, I feel that the author was staying incredibly true to the character and his situation by writing him in such a way.

The One Percenters is an incredibly quick read, but despite that many readers may find it challenging to get through due to the fact that it is an interesting and detailed journey through the mind of a seriously disturbed individual. Podgursky wrote a book that really toys with the reader’s mind. His writing is the strongest point of this work. It’s conversational in tone but incredibly memorable due to its raw and atmospheric qualities. The protagonist is very well done, but can be hard to relate to and disturbing to read about. The One Percenters doesn’t quite fit in any genre, and because of this it will appeal to a wide range of readers but readers who enjoy psychological games will probably enjoy this the most. While it should be fairly obvious that this book really wowed me, it did have issues. Podgursky waxes overly philosophical on occasion and the backtracking at the beginning of the book can be slightly frustrating. Despite this, The One Percenters is well worth reading. Podgursky is a very exciting author and I will wait anxiously to see what he comes up with next.

4/5 stars

Discussion: Banned books

Last week was Banned Books Week. Many libraries and bookstores mentioned it, or did activities for it. If you are curious about banned or challenged books, look at this link. 

Instead of writing a paragraph and then asking a question, like I normally do, I'll just ask my question. 

Do you think some books should be banned/challenged? Why/why not? 

Shades of Milk and Honey - Mary Robinette Kowal

About the book

Shades of Milk and Honey is exactly what we could expect from Jane Austen if she had been a fantasy writer: Pride and Prejudice meetsJonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. It is an intimate portrait of a woman, Jane, and her quest for love in a world where the manipulation of glamour is considered an essential skill for a lady of quality.

Jane and her sister Melody vie for the attentions of eligible men, and while Jane's skill with glamour is remarkable, it is her sister who is fair of face. When Jane realizes that one of Melody's suitors is set on taking advantage of her sister for the sake of her dowry, she pushes her skills to the limit of what her body can withstand in order to set things right--and, in the process, accidentally wanders into a love story of her own.

304 pages

Published on: August 3, 2010

Published by: Tor

Author’s webpage

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There are quite a few eras I’m glad I don’t live in. The Victorian era is one of them. It’s never appealed to me and I have never been a Jane Austen fan. I’m just too blunt and straightforward for Victorian manners. For example, in Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy is trying to write a letter to his sister and he keeps getting interrupted. His response is something along the lines of, “Let me convey your sentiments to my sister another time. I don’t have the room to do justice to your words.” While that is polite and sweet, it is a far too long and roundabout way to tell someone to shut up for my taste. My overall impression of the Victorian era can be summed up with that.

Knowing that, you may be wondering why I chose to read Shades of Milk and Honey, since all the reviews I’ve read so far mention Jane Austen somewhere in them. The answer isn’t very exciting. I’m in the mood for some light reading right now and I’m also looking to read something new and different. This book fit both categories. I will admit that if I weren’t in the mood for something like this, I would probably have had a very hard time with this book.

Shades of Milk and Honey will appeal to Jane Austen fans. Kowal’s writing fits the period. She pays close attention to the details that many authors would overlook. This often gives way to long descriptions of various rooms, proper social protocol and the like. Some readers may find this tedious, but most will probably find it charming.  Due to this, Kowal never breaks the Victorian tone of the book. However, while the descriptions and style of writing were incredibly impressive and very polished, they never caused me to feel like anything but an observer in the events that took place, which disappointed me greatly and the world never really came alive.

The pace of Shades of Milk and Honey also had some problems. Due to the long-winded descriptions, the plot seemed to crawl at a snail’s pace at parts and, due to feeling like an observer while reading, I never experienced any of the charming atmosphere that many other reviewers have discussed. The slow pace made these two issues nearly unbearable at times, especially when the ending became obvious. Basically, there was a lot of description and a lot of tittering about, but for much of the book, nothing really happened. The plot itself was very straightforward and predictable. For those looking for entertainment, this will be perfect. The rest of us might feel the book lacks some important complexity. 

Glamour, the magic system in Shades of Milk and Honey was very quaint, but even that lacked.  There was no description on how it worked besides a mention of folds and sewing. I never had an understanding of glamour. In fact, it felt more like an afterthought than anything else. It was the addition of glamour that brought this book from fiction to fantasy. However, due to the fact that it was such an important part of the plot at various points, glamour really needed to be more fleshed out and understandable within the context of Kowal’s world.

Kowal’s characters were about as interesting as her world, but like her world, they weren’t very fleshed out or well rounded. It was interesting to see the world through Jane’s eyes, but the emotional distance between Jane and the reader is so vast that she never really becomes real or alive. In fact, Jane seems more like a means to an end. She’s a way for the reader to read about events that transpire, but there isn’t much more there. Many of her actions, specifically regarding the ending made no sense in the context of Jane’s previous actions or decisions.

Despite all of these issues, Shades of Milk and Honey was enjoyable for those who are willing to appreciate it for what it is: a surface level read good for entertainment, but not for deep thought. Fans of Victorian manners and/or Jane Austen should check this book out. Kowal’s writing is charming and her research of the period is obvious and thorough. However, when looked at a bit closer, Shades of Milk and Honey is average. It lacks depth, the world and characters aren’t well rounded and the magic system seems dropped in on a whim and rather nonsensical. It’s worth giving this book a shot. It’s a very quick read that just might surprise you.

2.5/5 stars

Discussion: A Netflix type service for books?

A little while ago, this article (which is very short, so feel free to read it) was sent to me. I thought the idea was really interesting. While the idea of a "Netflix for books" on Amazon does seem like speculation right now, it might just be a matter of time until someone big grabs it and runs with it. Basically, an individual would pay a fee to have unlimited access to a ton of books. If the person running with that idea was Amazon and Kindle, the impact it might have on those of us who use digital reading devices might be rather profound. Then again, it might not. 

What do you think of this idea of a "Netflix for books"? Do you think, if Amazon did do something like this, it would effect the book world dramatically? Would you use that service? Any other thoughts? 

Discussion: How long is too long?

I think most people tend to have limits with how long a book or series they are willing to read. I tend to crap out on a book after about 1200 pages, and even that is seriously pushing my limit. On a series, if it's longer than 10 books I have a hard time justifying starting it unless it's absolutely amazing. I tend to think that if the story isn't finished in 10 books, it's going on waaaay too long. Another quibble I have with series is if they are unfinished. I try very hard not to start an unfinished series, but I routinely fail at that. 

So, how long is too long for a book and a series? Or are you one of those readers where length doesn't matter as long as the story is compelling? 

The Hum and the Shiver - Alex Bledsoe

About the book

No one knows where the Tufa came from, or how they ended up in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, yet when the first Europeans arrived, they were already there. Dark-haired, enigmatic, and suspicious of outsiders, the Tufa live quiet lives in the hills and valleys of Cloud County. While their origins may be lost to history, there are clues in their music—hints of their true nature buried in the songs they have passed down for generations.

Private Bronwyn Hyatt returns from Iraq wounded in body and in spirit, only to face the very things that drove her away in the first place: her family, her obligations to the Tufa, and her dangerous ex-boyfriend. But more trouble lurks in the mountains and hollows of her childhood home. Cryptic omens warn of impending tragedy, and a restless “haint” lurks nearby, waiting to reveal Bronwyn’s darkest secrets. Worst of all, Bronwyn has lost touch with the music that was once a vital part of her identity.

With death stalking her family, Bronwyn will need to summon the strength to take her place among the true Tufa and once again fly on the night winds. . . .

304 pages (paperback)

Published on: September 27, 2011

Published by: Tor

Author’s webpage

Thanks to Tor for sending me a copy of this book to review.

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I started reading this book the day I got it in the mail. I was attracted to it by the author’s name and the cover art. The cover art caused me to anticipate a somewhat subtle and soft story. With a new baby, soft and subtle is exactly what I need right now as my life is chaotic enough. Thankfully, the cover art didn’t let me down. This is, coincidentally, also the first book I read (nearly) page for page to my daughter to get her to take naps. It worked, and for that I loved it.

If you are looking to read a book that has the same tone and style as the Eddie LaCrosse books (also by Bledsoe), you won’t find it here. Where the Eddie LaCross books are a humorous, bold, and fun adventure, The Hum and the Shiver is subtle, deeply woven and with a style of writing that can only be called lyrical and understated. One reason I mention this is because The Hum and the Shiver really shows how diverse of an author Alex Bledsoe can be, while retaining the same high quality story telling he got me used to with Eddie LaCrosse.

The Hum and the Shiver is a subtle book which depends on descriptive, eloquent writing and great character development to keep the reader interested. Thankfully, it doesn’t slack on either part. This book, surprisingly, isn’t as plot driven as it is character driven. Due to that, the characters really shine. They are incredibly three-dimensional and none of them fit the standard molds you would expect. Bledsoe doesn't shirk on highlighting both the strength and weaknesses of his characters, which causes them to seem incredibly realistic and starkly human. Even the supporting characters and villains are believable and incredibly realistic, which is something I routinely complain about on my reviews. 

The Hum and the Shiver is a book that slowly unfolds as you go and, like the music that fills the pages, develops a rhythm that will pull many readers in. Though this is a subtle book, the plot and character development never cease. Each page adds more depth to every aspect of this book, from the world to the characters. Bledsoe will really draw readers in with this style of writing. Due to how subtle the book is, I wasn’t even aware how incredibly drawn into The Hum and the Shiver I was until it ended and I was jarred back to reality. Bledsoe made the mountains of Tennessee and their supernatural inhabitants as real as my own living room and did it in such an understated way, I wasn’t even aware of that fact until I put the book down.

There are several mysteries in The Hum and the Shiver, but the one that seems to take center stage isn’t necessarily the one you would expect from reading the back of the book. While Bronwyn’s haint is quite a plot point, what takes up most of the room is discovering what exactly the Tufa are. To do this, Bledsoe fills his book with plenty of compelling Tufa characters, but also a Methodist preacher who just moved to the area to start a church and a newspaper reporter who is learning what being Tufa really means. The combination of inside and outside perspectives really makes how this mystery is handed nothing short of incredible as each unique perspective adds a new dimension to the Tufa people and culture.

There is a crescendo with the plot where the mystery of the haint and the Tufa are all figured out and dealt with accordingly. It happens rather abruptly and, while many authors would have pumped up the ending to be somewhat Hulk-ish, Bledsoe kept his ending rather subtle and quiet and didn’t let it control the book. Thus, The Hum and the Shiver isn’t about the impressive ending, but it’s about the journey the reader takes to get there, which I found to be the most satisfying part, anyway. Even though the ending isn’t a gigantic production, it’s still fulfilling and fits the book perfectly.

In all, The Hum and the Shiver was an amazingly satisfying read. It was a subtle, eloquent and incredible treat which really showcased Bledsoe’s diversity as a writer. The characterization shines, the world is vibrant and well realized. Bledsoe deepens his characterization and expands his world with each page which makes Bledsoe’s Tennessee Mountains and the characters who live in them as real as the world around us. This isn’t a book that will satisfy everyone. Individuals who aren’t into slow developments and subtle plots will probably want to look elsewhere. However, if you are a reader who is looking for a unique yet vibrant literary feast, you need look no further.

4.5/5 stars

Sea Witch - Helen Hollick

About the book

The time: the golden age of piracy - 1716 

The Place: the Pirate Round - from South Africa to the Islands of the Caribbean.

Escaping the bullying of his elder brother, from the age of fifteen Jesamiah Acorne has been a pirate, with only two loves - his ship and his freedom. But his life is to change when he and his crew unsuccessfully attack a merchant ship off the coast of South Africa. He is to meet Tiola Oldstagh, an insignificant girl or so he thinks - until she rescues him from a vicious attack, and almost certain death, by pirate hunters. And then he discovers what she really is; a healer and a midwife - and a white witch. Her name, an anagram of "all that is good." Jesamiah and Tiola become lovers, despite her guardian, Jenna Pendeen's disapproval, but Stefan van Overstratten a Cape Town Dutchman, also wants Tiola as his wife, and Jesamiah's half brother Phillipe Mereno, is determined to seek revenge for a stolen ship and the insult of being cuckolded. When the call of the sea and an opportunity to commandeer a beautiful ship - Sea Witch - is put in Jesamiah's path, he must make a choice between his life as a pirate or his love for Tiola; he wants both - but Mereno and Von Overstratten want him dead. In trouble, imprisoned in the darkness and stench that is the lowest part of his brother's ship, can Tiola with her Craft, and the aid of Roux, Jesamiah's quartermaster and the rest of his loyal crew, save her pirate? And can she keep Jesamiah safe from another who wants him for herself? From the elemental being that is Tethys, Goddess of the Sea? A charismatic pirate rogue and a white witch - what better combination for a story of romance and high-sea fantasy adventure

422 pages (paperback)

Book 1 in The Sea Witch Chronicles

Published on: June 1, 2006

Author’s webpage

Thanks to the author for sending me a copy of this book to review.

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I don’t generally accept self-published books for review. I usually strike out with self-published books so I gave up trying quite a while ago. After some queries from self-published authors that start with fantastic lines like “h r u” (instead of “how are you?”) or “Hello Melissa” (uh… my name is SARAH, thank you very much), I’m sure you can understand why that is. Then, Helen Hollick, a self-published author wrote me and we had a discussion about publishing and books in general. I was feeling adventurous, and after talking to her I realized that she might be the perfect self-published author for me to get my feet wet with self-publishing.

Sea Witch isn’t the type of book I’d normally read. It involves boats (which is something that generally turns me off, as discussed here) and romance, which almost always turns me off. Furthermore, there aren’t many books featuring pirates I’ve read that haven’t been cookie-cutter and rather stereotypical for that sort of thing. With all the things this book had stacked against it, it’s rather surprising that I actually did enjoy it.

Hollick obviously did her research when writing this book. Hollick’s writing makes Cape Town really come alive and imbues it with a sense of the time. Furthermore, and I should personally thank her for this, she includes a well labeled graphic of a ship at the front of the book for readers (like myself) who know absolutely nothing about any sort of craft that floats on the water. She also peppers her book with plenty of pirate culture. These factors all combined really make Sea Witch shine.

Sea Witch is a cross-genre book. It’s a historical fiction and romance having a small tryst with fantasy. There is a white witch, some subtle magic and a sea spirit which, while it doesn’t take center stage in the book, plays a very important role in what happens. Due to the fact that this book seems to flirt with several different genres, it could easily appeal to a wider audience. Fans of historical fiction won’t necessarily be turned off by the fantasy aspects of Sea Witch, as they are subtle enough to not hit most readers in the face, but they are also featured just enough to also please fantasy fans and the romance isn’t the steamy ripping-of-the-bodice stuff that one might expect. The line between genres is something Hollick straddles well in Sea Witch.

Romance tends to be something that can make or break a book for me. The romance in Sea Witch was touching, if absolutely predictable. Predictability isn’t always a bad thing, and it wasn’t in this book. However, the way the two lovers came together did seem rather unbelievable. While it is obvious who will end up together, there was no real long, drawn out flirty courtship that a reader would expect. Instead it seemed that a switch was flipped between these two characters which brought things from “off” to “seriously on” in about a page, flat. I found this to be very unbelievable, as romance doesn’t generally happen this way. However, Hollick does have an explanation for why these two characters became so serious, so suddenly so the issue I have with this romance might not be an issue for everyone who reads Sea Witch.

Hollick has been published before, and it’s obvious with her practiced and lyrical writing style. She is descriptive and her characters are well fleshed out. Her world is vibrantly realized and the plot never ceases its unrelenting pace. Sea Witch is a book that many readers will easily become absorbed in. However, it does have some minor editing problems. There are a (very) few awkwardly placed, or missing words. Some commas could be added, or subtracted, from certain sentences, and there is one sentence in particular that made no sense to me no matter how much I tried to figure it out. While I do mention those issues, it should be noted that Hollick’s writing and the book itself is tightly wound enough that most readers will be able to overlook these flaws. There aren’t enough of them to alter the flow of the book or ruin anyone’s understanding of the overall plot or what’s being said.

Jesamiah Acorne and Tiola are fun characters. Both are scarred from events in their pasts and struggling to move forward in life. Because of that, both characters are surprisingly human and relatable. They are colorful, and three-dimensional. If I couldn’t fully believe all of their actions, their likeability helped me easily overlook this. On the flip side, the two main “bad” guys in the book were almost stereotypical with their roles. The parts they played in the plot were predictable and, in comparison to Jesamiah and Tiola, they were very two-dimensional. While this didn’t absolutely hinder my enjoyment of Sea Witch, it did occasionally make me roll my eyes.  

In the end, Sea Witch wasn’t a book I expected to enjoy at all, but I did. While it did have its problems, Hollick’s blend of historical details, polished writing and an emotionally compelling plot, coupled with likeable characters made this book a fun, easily enjoyable escape from reality. The fact that Sea Witch seems to play with several different genres will make it incredibly accessible to a broad spectrum of potential readers. This is a self-published book that gives self-publishing a good name.

3.5/5 stars