"The Malice of Fortune"-Michael Ennis

Book Title: The Malice of Fortune
Author: Michael Ennis
Version: ARC
Publication Date: September 11, 2012
Publisher: Doubleday
ISBN: 9780385536318
Number of Pages: 416
Genre: Historical Fiction

REVIEW: Alright I was going to try and do this all proper like with a synopsis and everything. But I just can't, mainly because I read 2/3rds of it and I still don't have a clear idea of what it's about. I went into it thinking that it was going to be a murder mystery that Leonardo da Vinci and Niccolo Machiavelli team up to solve. It was also supposed to be the story behind Machiavelli's 'The Prince.' I was kind of excited about the whole thing. But I ended up being severely disappointed. It turned into this complicated, confusing account of something that I can't quite figure out. It's a bad thing when I have read most of the book and had time to think about it and still have no idea what happened.

There were parts that kept me interested and wanting to read more. Those ended up being few and far between unfortunately and the rest was white noise. I honestly found myself blanking out a lot and not remembering what it was that I had read. I really didn't like the way things were put together and the way the story stopped and started so much.

The writing was mediocre and rather confusing with Italian words thrown in with no explanations. The worst part of it was that there was no poetry to it, it was dry and read rather like a textbook, boring. I don't want to be rude but this is how I felt while reading it. I found that I stopped caring what happened and now that I put the book down I don't think that I will ever have to pick it up again. I wanted to read it all the way through in order not only to find out 'who done it' but also to give a fair review. But I just couldn't do it. I read enough to know that I just don't care and I can't recommend it.

It's a shame because it is such a good basis for a story, it had such potential. I am highly disappointed in the whole thing though and feel as if my time was wasted. I know that you are probably wondering if I disliked it so much why did I read so much of it. To answer that I have to say that I was hoping it was going to get better. I had faith and found eventually that I hit a wall and had to stop. And though I gave it only one star on goodreads it wasn't really that I didn't like it, it was more that I just didn't care.

Anyway there that is, a bad review. I was recently asked if I ever gave a bad review and usually the answer is no because if I don't like something I stop reading it. And I don't think that it is fair to give a review off of a few chapters of a book. With this one however I felt that since I did read so much of it I could give my honest opinion and still say I read it. I hope you guys don't mind a bad review but I feel that it is my job here to not only give you suggestions as to what books to read but also to be as honest as possible as to what books to stay away from. Unfortunately this is one of the latter.

Author Interview #2-Jing Suh

A second author interview post for your viewing pleasure! This is paired with the review of "The Falling Rainbow" that I posted yesterday. I hope dear readers that you read both these posts and enjoy. I have fun putting up these interviews and I really hope you enjoy reading them. Without further ado please read on!

 

 

 

1)      What was the inspiration behind “The Falling Rainbow?”

Unfortunately, my initial inspiration for this novel was my friend's death. When she passed away, I had no idea how to deal with it so I just starting writing this short story about someone who was forced to deal with the sudden death of a loved one. Of course, the story takes its own turn, but it certainly helped me cope. By the way, her name is Amanda Palumbo. I never really dedicated the book to her because the book goes in such a different direction but it really does exist because of her. She always did inspire me and, even after she passed, she still seems to.

 

2)         Why did you decide to self-publish?

        I decided that I wanted this book to just find life. The experience of self-publishing is a lot different than I thought but I just wanted this book to be available right away. I also felt that with a published novel, it would make it maybe just a tiny bit easier to find bigger publishing for my next novel because now I've somewhat proven myself.

3)      What was your writing process?

After I finished the short story, I found myself writing about the history of one of the characters. I found him intriguing because he's a dark, sarcastic fallen angel. It was incredibly fun writing about him and allowing his character to take control of the story so I kept going with it. After I was done, I realized I had a novella, so I added another storyline which I managed to connect to everything. I had no idea where I was going with that last storyline, which is about a girl named Symphony who has a price on her head and the reader does not know why. With people trying to kill her, you just naturally root for her. I allowed that part of the story to write itself and it became the most rewarding part. It's also the part I'm most proud of and the one that gets the most compliments. I didn't realize why they were trying to kill her even as I was writing it but then it hit me and it really, in my opinion, makes the book worth it. So, I wrote without much direction in the beginning but, for some reason, it works well for this story.

4)         This was such a unique book, were you consciously trying to write for a small audience?

No, I was just writing to please one person and that was myself. So, actually, yeah! I did consciously write for a small audience of one. Ha! But, I knew that if I felt it lived up to my artistic standards than it truly would be a piece of art first and a novel second and I do consider myself an artist in writing so I was happy with it when it was completed and I felt that if it really was something unique then that in itself would make it special and possibly make it popular in its own way. I've met people who said they would never have read my book if a friend or co-worker or whoever it may be didn't push it on them and now they're glad they did because they really enjoyed it. That makes me feel incredibly happy.

5)        Do you have any authors who inspire you?

I'm not directly inspired by a specific author. My favorite book is a Chinese swordplay book by Gu Long written about 3 decades ago called “Sentimental Swordsman, Ruthless Sword.” I love his style of writing but most of the books that inspire me are ones with depth of character. “Picture of Dorian Gray,” comes to mind, maybe that's more along the lines of my book, actually.

6)        What’s next for you in the writing world?

I'm currently working on a Chinese swordplay novel of my own. Now, this one is more along the lines of a Gu Long novel. It's something like “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” in terms of its adventure style but there are a lot of characters and it's been, thus far, a very detailed novel. I'm spending more time crafting this story than I have any other piece of artwork that I've created so I'm putting a lot into it and I'm hoping for a lot out of it but as long as it lives up to my new standards then I'll be happy with it. It's nothing like “The Falling Rainbow,” though that's probably another reason why I'm writing it. During a time where most writers stick to one sure thing, I believe that diversity is the most important trait for a writer to have. Wish others felt that way but maybe I'll be the one who changes their minds.

"The Falling Rainbow"-Jing Suh

Book Title: The Falling Rainbow
Author: Jing Suh
Version: Hardcover
ISBN:9781434359667
Published: September 1st, 2008
First Published: September 3rd, 2007
Genre: Fantasy
Voice: Third
Number of Pages: 272


SYNOPSIS: It all starts with a fall. Angels and demons fighting for the soul of a young woman. Ancient societies searching for a book thought to be long lost. A woman fighting to regain equilibrium after the love of her life died. A wise woman carrying around the secrets of the rain. This makes up the cast of characters of a fantasy tale that has yet to be told.

Samantha has just lost the man she loves more than life itself and is trying to find a way to keep her head above water. As she tries to make a decision about moving on and seeing her husband again she finds herself being counseled by a fallen angel and a woman who seems to know her in and out.

Meanwhile a mysterious woman named Symphony is being chased by different factions of an ancient order hoping to find her and kill her. For as long as she can remember Symphony has been running from these people and now she has a lead on a wise woman who can protect her. A woman who knows the secrets of the rain.

A fallen angel named Antares guards the gates to hell. He takes the souls of those that fall into his hands and turns them into sculptures. Through his evil and hatred there shines a lonliness and a desperation to go home. He is trying as hard as he can to get back into heaven fully forgiven by his Father. But with his long list of indiscretions he is finding the path much more difficult than he imagined it would be.

Together this cast of characters make up a darkly woven tale that begins one place and turns so many times that everyone ends up somewhere unexpected. A tale so intricate and unexpected it will leave you feeling unsettled and wanting more. After all it all ends with a fall.

REVIEW: This was written by a friend of mine. Knowing that I was a reviewer he asked me to read it. I was surprised by it many times over. I ended up really enjoying it which was a truly pleasant experience. I found myself unable to put the book down and I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next.

Jing Suh's writing was interesting, there was a lot of poetry to it that I enjoyed but it was often mixed with modern slang which at times shattered the illusion. And though it lacked editing, because it was a self published book, I found that the writing was still beautifully done. Heartbreaking at times even and three dimensional at others. The writing was different than what you see out there today and it was a nice change.

The story is something that was utterly unique and I am a sucker for unique stories. It isn't something for the masses, in fact this is a story that will have a very limited audience but I think that it makes it better. It is such an interesting story so rich and full of magic that if it had been tailored for a large audience it would have ruined it. I enjoyed the fact that it wasn't commercial.

The characters are unusual and rather strange but wonderful at the same time. I liked that they were mystical and angelic creatures because it added to the magic of the story as well as the beauty of the whole thing. They were beautiful and rich and full of life in many different ways. I found myself really liking all of them.

This was such a strange book that I'm not sure if I can recommend it. But if you want something totally weird and out there and full of literal angels and demons that I say check it out. It's about angels, heaven, hell, love lost, redemption, and the fight for freedom. It's strange and beautiful and written in a new voice that at times soared and others became hard to follow but new and surprising none the less. "The Falling Rainbow," if you choose to go find it, will surprise you and intrigue you. I can tell you this for sure, it will be like nothing you have ever read before.

"The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible"-A.J. Jacobs

Book Title: The Year of Living Biblically
Author: A.J. Jacobs
Version: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780743291477
Published: October 9th, 2007
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Memoir
Voice: First
Number of Pages: 388





SYNOPSIS: A.J. Jacobs is a father, husband, author of one slightly successful memoir and straight forward agnostic. For him growing up Jewish in New York meant that his family would put a Star of David on top of their Christmas tree. When it came time for Mr. Jacobs to start writing his next memoir he was unsure of what he was going to do. Searching his brain for an idea A.J. remember his ex-uncle Gil. A man that was sort of the black sheep of his family, well really more of a cautionary tale. Gil was a man who according to A.J. "was a spiritual omnivore" (pg. 5.) Gil started out as a Jew, became Hindu, after this Gil appointed himself a guru, sat in silence on a bench in Manhattan for 8 months, started a hippie cult in upstate New York, became a born-again Christian and then settled as an ultra-Orthodox Jew living in Jerusalem. At one point in his religious career Gil decided he was going to follow the Bible as literally as possible. This sparked A.J. Jacobs's interest and decided that this was going to be his next book.

Mr. Jacobs decides to take a year, read the Bible and follow all the rules it contains to the letter. And so with his wife's less than enthusiastic approval he begins. He starts reading the Bible that he has on hand, and then goes on to buy other versions, as well as commentary on the many versions. He lines up experts and Rabbis, priests and pastors. A.J. takes things slowly, beginning with making sure he wears no mixed fibers and from there takes it one day at a time. Some of the rules he finds rather easy to observe, such as the commandment of 'honor thy father and thy mother,' others are more difficult, like the one that says a man cannot touch a woman for a week after their menstrual cycle. This rule becomes even more difficult when living with a secular wife. 

Through the ups and downs, the strange rules and the beautiful ones A.J. Jacobs stays true to his course. He lets his beard grow, changes his diet, does charitable work and tries to be fruitful and multiply. He even prays to God every day hoping to find some connection to this almighty being that has supposedly launched an unprecedented following. A.J. takes a year out of his life during which his wife gives birth to twin sons, he takes a trip to Jerusalem and even begins to understand the whole faith thing.


REVIEW: I found this book thoroughly enjoyable. Mr. Jacobs's story was one that I never thought I would get into at all. I am agnostic myself and so reading about someone reading the Bible didn't appeal to me all that much. However I had heard good things about this book and for some reason I was drawn to it. I guess my curiosity got the better of me and I decided to go out and find myself a copy. I went to The Strand used bookstore here in New York and found myself a nice hardcover copy for $7.95 that just happened to be signed. I was now even more excited about reading it. 

A.J. Jacobs's writing was hilarious and well thought out. He had insight, humor, and poetry. I didn't want to put the book down when I was reading it, in fact my half hour subway ride went by in a flash while I was reading, and when I did have to put it down all I could think about was picking it back up. Reading about his journey was moving in itself but the way he wrote it put the whole thing over the top.

The story turned out to be a really good one, it had in it insight and amusing anecdotes that helped moved the whole thing along nicely. I was a little nervous to be honest about reading this mainly because of all the Bible talk but it turned out to be pretty interesting. When Mr. Jacobs learned something new, we learned something new. Sure a lot of the rules in the book are strange and at times even mean to certain groups but if you dig a little deeper than the surface they may have understandable reasons.

By the end of the book I found myself almost wanting to pick up the Bible and read it. That was how powerful his journey was and how well it was conveyed. This is a rather interesting tale and I would suggest it to anyone who is looking for a humorous and well written memoir. It may not be for everyone but it is an excellent book and one that I loved. It is quite the read and a rather incredible journey to follow along with. And I have to admit that it is an interesting way to learn a few things about the Bible.

Humorous Like This:

"How I Paid for College"

    

"Eat Pray Love"-Elizabeth Gilbert

Book Title: Eat Pray Love
Author: Elizabeth Gilbert
Version: Paperback
ISBN: 9780143038412
Published: January 30th, 2007
First Published: 2006
Publisher: Penguin Books
Genre: Non Fiction Memoir
Voice: First
Number of Pages: 334

NOTE: By now I am sure that everyone has heard about the Julia Roberts blockbuster "Eat Pray Love" and/or know about the book that it was based on. With that in mind (and the fact that I am not at 100% capacity) I am skipping the synopsis portion. Plus it's fun to mix it up every now and again. For a quick synopsis for the few that do not know the story head here.


REVIEW: When I read this book I was at a hectic time in my life, I was working three jobs and living in my own apartment for the first time. I was feeling less then on top of things and in need of some sort of guidance. It sounds maybe a little strange but I was looking for something. Anyway I was told by a friend, that was never a big reader, that "Eat Pray Love" was a very good book. I decided to go and pick it up and see what all the fuss was about.

I started reading it and I found what I was looking for. In some ways while reading about the journey that Elizabeth Gilbert took I felt that I was taking the journey as well. I thoroughly enjoyed every part, from her Italian adventure eating rich and delicious food and learning the language to her spiritual journey in India to finding love in Bali. I loved it all and took it all in like a dehydrated woman finally getting water.

Reading about Italy made me want to hop on the next international flight and start my own food tour through the country. Each dish she described made my mouth water. I have always wanted to travel and reading about Ms. Gilbert's journey through Italy was mouth watering and inspiring. I wanted to follow in her footsteps and do nothing but learn the language, see the sights, and eat the food. It seemed so idyllic and refreshing. 

Making a complete 180 turn Ms. Gilbert then heads to India where she checks into an ashram in order to find a center of spirituality. She is looking for some sort of answer (kind of like I was) and hopes to find it through meditation and reflection. Ms. Gilbert had been to India on a previous assignment and had met a medicine man while there for her praying she went to visit him again. She spends a lot of time with him learning about prayer and meditation, talking to him about God and spirituality. At one point the medicine man draws a picture for Elizabeth and to explain he says "To find the balance you want, this is what you must become. You must keep your feet grounded so firmly on the earth that it's like you have 4 legs instead of 2. That way, you can stay in the world. But you must stop looking at the world through your head. You must look through your heart, instead. That way you will know God." 

I found this quote to be very moving. I do not believe in God but I do believe in faith and that looking at the world through our hearts is a really great idea. It was this section, the section of "pray" was especially moving to me. For some reason reading about her struggle to find a spiritual center was something I understood and for some reason it helped to ground me. I can't explain why but it did help in small ways. 

The third section was great as well. Reading about what she did and how she found love was a heart lifting experience. It made me feel as if it were a possibility for me as well. Finding friendship and eventually love in the most unlikely of places is always a good read. The whole book really spoke to me in weird ways to be sure but it did. And the most important thing about it was that it lifted my spirits. I felt a renewed sense of happiness and hope in my life after reading this book.

This is a book that I feel everyone should read. It is a universal story and one I think that everyone can appreciate. If you haven't already I say go out and find a copy of this book and give it a try. I think that it really is a wonderful story and to top it off it is well written and very entertaining. I loved it and would love to share it with everyone. It's just a beautiful book and an incredible journey, one that should be shared and enjoyed by all.

Intriguing Non-Fiction:

"The Kennedy Detail"

"Another One Bites the Dust"-Jennifer Rardin

Book Title: Another One Bites the Dust (Jaz Parks #2)
Author: Jennifer Rardin
Version: Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780316043557
Published: August 3rd, 2009
First Published: December 6, 2007
Publisher: Orbit
Voice: First Person
Genre: Paranormal Fiction
Number of Pages: 363


SYNOPSIS: In this second installment in the Jaz Parks series Jaz, Vayl and their brand new team go undercover at the Corpus Christi Winter Festival. On this assignment the team has to find Chien-Lung, a vampire that is slightly off his rocker, and steal back the vital piece of biotechnology that he has stolen. This very special piece of armor, made by Jaz's old college roommate Bergman, renders Chien-Lung invulnerable while wearing it and he never takes it off. Matters are further complicated when Jaz discovers that not only does Chien-Lung believe that he can transform himself into a dragon but worst of all she has to go undercover as a belly dancer.

As the team begins to get settled in their new roles as a travelling gypsy family they find that things are always as simple as go in, retrieve the weapon, do a little dance and then leave. Chien-Lung never takes the armor off, he is guarded day and night by warrior vampires and to top everything off the already pissed Jaz finds out that the festival is being attacked by reavers, ancient fiends who murder innocents by sucking their souls and seem to be invulnerable. However Jaz can see a break in their armor and is able to kill them, which releases some of her pent up frustration. She really doesn't like belly dancing.

As the assignment continues on Vayl and Jaz try to figure out just how to go about killing Chien-Lung in order to get the armor back. With emotions running high, resolve beginning to crumble and the kill looking impossible everyone starts feeling as if they are jumping out of their skin. Jaz and Vayl really have to work hard to not only get the job done but keep all of their people in one piece and safe. The question becomes can they really do everything, or will this mission be their undoing?

REVIEW: I love this series. And this book was just as fantastic as the first. It was full of intrigue and mystery, tension and wonderfully crazy insights from Jaz's many helpful personalities. It was yet another win for Jennifer Rardin!

The story in this one was just as rich and wonderful as the first and at the same time it was fuller. It's something that you have to read to really understand but it had more of a spice to it that I couldn't tear myself away from. I intentionally left the synopsis vague and short because these books have so many twists and turns in it that I didn't want to reveal anything that would spoil the surprise. I'll just leave it at this, the story is great and it's one you can't put down.

Again the writing was superb by Jennifer Rardin. The way she writes is both humorous, without being over the top, and serious without being a big drag. She is brilliant at the way she writes Jaz and her many personalities, each really becomes a separate character and each are undeniably lovable. In fact all of the characters she writes are lovable and so well done it's almost eerie. But I really love it! Jennifer Rardin was a truly talented writer that is the the whole package.

I really, really love this book and after reading it I went right into reading the third one. This is such a good series that I really feel is something that no one else is doing right now. It's not just vampires being all broody it is so much more and that is amazing. I highly, highly suggest this series and this being the second book in the series I recommend it! Go out and find yourself a copy of the first book in the series so that you can zip through it and get to this one because they just keep getting better and better.


MORE FANTASTICAL FICTION:

"Once Bitten, Twice Shy"               "A Discovery of Witches"

"Picture Perfect"-Jodi Picoult

Book Title: Picture Perfect
Author: Jodi Picoult
Version: Paperback
ISBN: 9780425185506
Published: July 22, 2002
First Published: March 21st, 1995
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Voice: Third and First Person
Genre: Fiction

SYNOPSIS: Cassie Barrett seems to have literally hit the jackpot of life. She is world renowned in her field of anthropology, and is married to one of Hollywood's best loved actors Alex Rivers. One night Cassie wakes up on a grave in a cemetery somewhere with no memory as to who she is or what she is doing there. A Lakota police officer named Will Flying Horse and shelters her until Alex shows up to take her home. Despite having no actual memory of life with Alex everything seems perfect when she gets home. As her memories begin to come back to her she realizes that things aren't always like they seem.

Cassie remembers their whirlwind romance on a movie set in Tanzania. How she watched him from afar and slowly fell in love with his wit, charm, good looks and kindness. She remembers how surprised she was when he started showing interest in her, an anthropologist who spent most of her time covered in dirt down a hole rather than on the red carpet. Cassie remembers how Alex literally swept her off her feet and convinced her to marry him. She remembers being sublimely happy and in love and believing that she really had found her prince.

Cassie also begins to remember how Alex would get angry and jealous and would beat her. And when Cassie sees a positive pregnancy test in her bathroom trash she suddenly remembers why it is she finally got up the nerve to walk out on Alex. When she realizes what that means Cassie knows that in order to protect herself and her baby she has to walk away for good. It's figuring out how she is going to do that, that gives Cassie her greatest pause.

REVIEW: You may be asking yourself why it is that I am reviewing an "older" book. Well I love Jodi Picoult and really that is all there is to it. I read this book a long time ago but I felt that it was time to review it because I enjoy going back to review books I read awhile ago. Plus to be honest I have already reviewed all the newest books I've read so here this is.

As always Jodi Picoult brings her beautifully unique voice to a normally untold story. Spousal abuse is something that is unfortunately a very common occurrence in the world but nobody talks about it. And Ms. Picoult looks at this topic wide her eyes wide open and without flinching. At least in the way she writes the tale there is no flinching I'm sure that it was a difficult thing to research. Anyway this is a story that should be told and here it is told in a literal spotlight. The story is tragic and encouraging in turns and making it a celebrity was a stroke of genius on Ms. Picoult's part. As a society we look up to and revere celebrities, especially actors, which makes the story that much more of a draw. 

Ms. Picoult's writing was, as it always is, superb. The way she described the joy that Cassie felt as she was falling in love made me smile. And her ability to write the scenes where Cassie was beaten with just as much poetry made me cringe and want to weep. Her writing is something that is unique and in my opinion untouchable. But in such a down to earth way. It is no wonder that I love her writing more than just about any other author I've come across.

I have said it a few times before now and I am going to say it again. I recommend any and all of Jodi Picoult's novels. This is one of her more memorable for me for some reason. I love all of her novels just about equally but there are a few that really stick with me and this is one of them. It is probably because some of them are deeper and darker than others. I loved this book and I highly recommend it to someone just starting out with Jodi Picoult because it is an excellent preview of all her talent.


More Female Voices:

"Between the Lines"                   "Then Came You"