tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146259764837045872.post5265476182561311494..comments2023-10-25T04:17:22.699-04:00Comments on Fantasy Cafe: Review of The Book of JobyKristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700004253248186101noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146259764837045872.post-83792021183665209732009-09-02T20:29:02.512-04:002009-09-02T20:29:02.512-04:00Anastasia - Yes, I did hear that I was going to re...Anastasia - Yes, I did hear that I was going to receive a copy of <i>Diamond Star</i>. That was one of the three books in the series I didn't have yet, so I was very excited about that. Especially since it was signed - I have wanted a book signed by Catherine Asaro ever since I read <i>Primary Inversion</i> and <i>The Radiant Seas</i> last year.<br /><br />Let me know what you think of the fantasy book! April sent me the first one in the series for Christmas and I read it earlier this year. I didn't think it was nearly as good as the Skolian books and had quite a few issues with it, yet I found it extremely readable anyway.Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01700004253248186101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146259764837045872.post-73786812873177529362009-09-02T11:57:35.539-04:002009-09-02T11:57:35.539-04:00I see now. Thanks, Kristen. I wrote to the blog ad...I see now. Thanks, Kristen. I wrote to the blog admin and said that I already have "Diamond Star" in hardcover, so you'll probably get to read it soon.<br /><br />It's funny though, when I first read your message "we each won a book autographed by Catherine Asaro," I thought, "It's too bad I already have all of her books." Last year I caught a bug, and hunted down all of the Skolian books in hardcover. I'm missing the mmpb's for the most recent 2 releases, but I've been really lucky in that I stumbled upon a few autographed ones, 4 I think. <br /><br />I haven't read the fantasy though, so I'm looking forward to that.Anastasianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146259764837045872.post-41264262765543578422009-09-01T18:19:23.924-04:002009-09-01T18:19:23.924-04:00On the blog that did the interview.On the blog that did <a href="http://catadamsauthor.blogspot.com/2009/08/winners-of-catherine-asaro-giveaway.html" rel="nofollow">the interview</a>.Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01700004253248186101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146259764837045872.post-47869472071698846082009-09-01T17:20:32.088-04:002009-09-01T17:20:32.088-04:00Wait, what, where?Wait, what, where?Anastasianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146259764837045872.post-91752749863700958542009-08-28T18:31:03.307-04:002009-08-28T18:31:03.307-04:00Anastasia - That does sound good and I've neve...Anastasia - That does sound good and I've never heard of it (or the author). Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I've added it to the mile long wish list.<br /><br />Did you see we each won a book signed by Catherine Asaro? I was very excited!Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01700004253248186101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146259764837045872.post-2019772472134815082009-08-28T13:35:46.542-04:002009-08-28T13:35:46.542-04:00Here's a book you might enjoy:
"Mortal C...Here's a book you might enjoy:<br /><br />"Mortal Coils" by Eric Nylund<br /><br />http://www.amazon.com/Mortal-Coils-Eric-Nylund/dp/0765317974<br /><br />From Booklist<br /><br />Orphaned twins Eliot and Fiona have been raised by a repressive grandmother, whose more than 100 rules have assured that nothing interesting has ever happened in their lives. But when they turn 15, a surprise visit from an uncle brings the revelation that their parents are a goddess and Lucifer, Prince of Darkness. The twins, whose supernatural powers are just emerging, become sacrificial pawns when the league of the gods sets up three heroic trials to test their worthiness to stay alive and join the family. Meanwhile, the Infernals, or fallen angels, determine to learn whether the twins belong with them by tempting them three times; to pass this test, they must survive all three enticements. A hair-raising tale ensues, in which the twins’ powers grow as they face the six life-or-death ordeals. The immortals are shadowy yet dimensional characters, but the finely crafted characterizations of the twins sustain the story. The ending encourages thinking a sequel may be coming. Suggest this as a read-alike for Mark J. Ferrari’s The Book of Joby (2007). --Sally Estes <br /><br />I came across it on Amazon.com, it looked interesting (I always meant to read this author's hard scifi) and it made me think of you.Anastasianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146259764837045872.post-2900391324833194122009-08-26T21:55:21.771-04:002009-08-26T21:55:21.771-04:00Anastasia - I'm sorry you didn't love this...Anastasia - I'm sorry you didn't love this one, but I am glad to hear that you don't have any regrets about reading it! It wasn't quite as dark as most of the books I like that much, either. I do like to read about higher powers trying to manipulate humans, though, and that was probably a large part of the appeal for me. Younger Joby was more interesting to me than older Joby, too.<br /><br />Apparently, I need to find a copy of <i>Cage Bird</i> since I loved the Rai-Kirah books and <i>Feast of Souls</i>.Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01700004253248186101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146259764837045872.post-13866483961781059632009-08-25T10:15:41.531-04:002009-08-25T10:15:41.531-04:00I finally read this book last night. Almost all in...I finally read this book last night. Almost all in one night, too. I'm afraid I didn't love it the way you did. For one, it's sooo long. When Joby came to Taubault, the story actually slowed down, and then went on and on. I would have preferred it to get darker, but I guess it's Job - he never entirely forsakes God. Except it can't be God, he's never a real Christian, he never forsakes his own meek, accepting nature, and that made him rather boring to me. <br /><br />To watch a soul's descent into darkness and then back up can be very interesting. That's what made Berg's <i>Transformation</i> and <i>Restoration</i>, Lowachee's <i>Cage Bird</i>, Friedman's <i>Feast of Souls</i>, and other books in that vein so interesting. Didn't really happen here. I didn't love Joby himself. I didn't understand how Laura could continue to love and to want him (to date for 3 combined years without as much as an open-mouth kiss? how is that possible?!). The twists and turns of the plot got a little cartoonish in the latter half. Also the religous aspect was a little strong for me. <br /><br />It was a well-written book, and kept my attention for 4/5th of the length, I'm glad I read it, I only wish that, 1) it were shorter, 2) Joby young adult life and his failures, his struggles and the gradual sapping of his spirit were shown in better detail, then 3) by the time he gets to Taubault, he really is at the end of his wits, 4) the Taubault section is significantly shorter and snappier.Anastasianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146259764837045872.post-42500906771563032952008-12-20T11:14:00.000-05:002008-12-20T11:14:00.000-05:00Hi Mark!It's a little late now since I did not rec...Hi Mark!<BR/><BR/>It's a little late now since I did not receive the usual email reminder about having a new comment and only saw your comment just now. Thanks so much for stopping by! I loved The Book of Joby and am looking forward to reading your next novel.Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01700004253248186101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146259764837045872.post-77047157018263500612008-05-29T02:08:00.000-04:002008-05-29T02:08:00.000-04:00Hi Kristen! I just found your blog through Goodrea...Hi Kristen! <BR/><BR/>I just found your blog through Goodreads, actually. Thanks so much for such a lovely review of my novel. Now that I've found you and bookmarked your site, I look forward to checking out your other reviews!<BR/><BR/>:-) Mark FerrariAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146259764837045872.post-38176240580173502902008-01-28T14:35:00.000-05:002008-01-28T14:35:00.000-05:00Thanks, Tia. It was a very engaging story and I w...Thanks, Tia. It was a very engaging story and I will definitely be getting Mark Ferrari's next book!Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01700004253248186101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5146259764837045872.post-82378563290654723202008-01-28T05:14:00.000-05:002008-01-28T05:14:00.000-05:00I think your review was right-on. I loved The Book...I think your review was right-on. I loved The Book of Joby and I think it was one of the most unique books I've ever read despite, as you pointed out, its use of familiar stories. Just goes to show that no idea is ever new!<BR/><BR/>I found your site at Jeff's index; sorry I missed it before!Tia Nevitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05489109929908389257noreply@blogger.com