Monday, November 26, 2012

Prince of Thorns - Mark Lawrence

I randomly asked on twitter for a violent book to read. 

Someone just said "prince of thorns". I got the book, started reading it and it hooked me instantly. The book takes no prisoners, offers no apologies, it's brutal, it's violent, it's sheer fucking evil and somewhere in all these things, there is a sense of poetry that runs through the text, there is a hidden sense of pain and shame and sadness. 

The main character Jorg is full of contradictions, he puts on a tough act, but somewhere inside he is looking for closure, (maybe) through a lot of bloodshed and awesome violence.

And the surprises in the book keep on rolling. A thoroughly satisfying read. One of the best I've read this year. The other one would have to be Halfhead.

Off to read King of Thorns now.

Waiting for Emperor of Thorns.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Halfhead by Stuart B. Macbride

Okay, this book pulls no punches when it comes to violence. And it's done very tastefully. You're able to take in the horror without getting disgusted. It's what is not done that is more scary than what's on the pages. A masterful write. I'm definitely buying more from this author again. 

The book scared me, disgusted me, and made me go OH SHIT by the time I was near the end pages. One of the top most satisfying books I've read this year. Will definitely pick it up to read again. 

In a nutshell, halfheads are criminals who have their brains removed and they're made to do menial jobs in the society. Will Hunter is a decorated Network Officer, like the CIA. Sherman House is a place which has a history with Will because he had a traumatic experience there on a mission. Then, there is Dr. Westfield, a halfhead who comes back to life and has a bone to pick with Will. The book might have some loopholes if you rip it apart, but the writing is what pulls the story through. It doesn't slow down, doesn't let you breathe and just grabs you along for the ride. If you like violent books that go totally down and out on the characters, this is the one. Some might find the violence squeamish, but I totally enjoyed it. Enjoyed the hell out of it. Heck, I'll write the author a letter telling him how must I enjoyed this book. 

Buy it!

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Red Country by Joe Abercrombie

If you've read previous works by Abercrombie, this books is not to be missed. If you've not read previous books by Abercrombie, get to it. 

I loved this book because of Nicomo Cosca. The man says words that deserve to be tattooed on skins of my enemies. It's that awesome. Loved every minute of reading this book. The end was justified and well done. Really satisfying. Rare to read good endings like this one. 

Once again, the books is more of a joy to read if you've read previous works. I am planning to give the whole series of First Law, Best Served Cold, The Heroes a re-read myself and then come to this again. There are too many nuggets and nods to previous works in this one. 

It's amazing.

5/5

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Reading Books.

I am using Goodreads  to keep a track of the books I read these days. And I know I've this space too for book related thoughts. So, yeah, I was busy with something for the past month. What? Well, I was doing a story arc on my main blog A Story A Day and it was a ride. I still have to do a wrap post for that.

Anyway, I've been reading quite some books. Last read book was Richard Laymon's Funland. It was a ride, but not a very good ride, it gave the impression of constant speed and it just sped up to a breakneck speed near the end. There was lot of repressed sexuality in the book. It was eerie in a way, but some of the reviews of Laymon's work that I've read say that this "style" of writing is also there in his other books too. I won't talk much about the book, it's good, but nothing great. The deeper message or the core of the book didn't click with me somehow. If it is to be read as a fun book or some sort of weird, negative coming of age book, yeah, then give it a read. As for me, I won't be picking up any book by Laymon very soon.

Next up: my first read of a John Scalzi book.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Read :: Tooth And Nail by Ian Rankin

I am not a very big fan of murder mysteries. I like one every now and then, but I refrain from buying too many of them. It's just a murder and then investigation and then our hero catching the killer and so on. What really matters is the execution of the whole murder mystery trope. Goes without saying, though.

So, Tooth and Nail is about John Rebus who has been called to London to help with an investigation involving a serial killer named the Wolfman. Blah blah blah, the book goes on, leading readers on merry chases that end up as damp squibs and suddenly, the book gets a kick in the nuts around some last 25 or so pages. There is a killer car chase, where the hero chases the killer in car around London. That was the only high point of the book for me, and another when the hero of the book gets slammed in the face with a skateboard by a gang of punks, i kinda hated the guy by that point in the book and realized that he did deserve a good beating.

Fans of Ian Rankin will surely like the book, but it didn't move me much, mostly because Rebus doesn't have a personality like some of the other characters in fiction like Harry Dresden or Jack Reacher. You can put Jack Reacher or Harry Dresden in any situation and you know that it's going to be hell lot of fun reading that.

Onwards,

I don't have any paper book to read presently, so just gonna stick to reading on the laptop and my phone. Few books are being read presently. Started reading Vulcan's Forge and Department 19, on phone and laptop respectively. OH! And also reading The Stand by good ol' Stephen King.

Once I get done with The Stand, i'll pick something lighter and then tackle the Dark Tower series.

That's the plan!

Which books are you reading these days? If you have any suggestions or thoughts about books, let me know in comments.

Cheers!


Books read So Far in A Song Of Ice and Fire series (

Alright, last I posted, i was reading book 3 of A Song Of Ice And Fire. Book 4 was a drag and after I read it and trawled around on the interwebs, i confirmed that I was not the only one feeling that A Feast for Crows was just bang in the middle of the books, it broke the continuity and it added elements to the plot that just stretched everything everywhere!

Again, who the fuck am I to say anything about what goes on in GRRM's mind and how he plots or how he doesn't plot. These are just my feelings regarding the books. Well, I had to slow through a feast for crows.

Then, came A Dance With Dragons. It doesn't require another post, so I'll just write my feelings about that book here. Hmmm, the three dragons actually hatched at the end of book 1 and at the end of book 5, they're somewhat of a threat to the whole universe of ASOIAF. It's all just people running here n there with little else of importance happening. Too many loose ends just left to fester in the wind like open wounds till GRRM works up to the sixth book Winds of Winter. Yeah, the guy is going to take his time. And I don't think we'll see the book anytime sooner than 2014. I am not holding my breath. As another of my favorite authors Neil Gaiman once said "GRRM is not your bitch."

He is not.

*I'll just go sulk a bit in the corner.*