2011 in Review: The Ones That Got Away

The longer I’ve been reviewing books, the more novels I find that I really want to read but end up not having the time for.

This year, like last year, also saw another decline in thriller and non-genre fiction reviews: I was either finishing my PhD or recovering from the final push, so needed a real escape from the real world and politics, which means I avoided some of my normally must-read authors (David Baldacci, John Sandford, to name but two). I’ll try to get some more read in January, but that’s a pretty busy month as well for big new releases (in anticipation but also page-count)…

This year there have been a lot of books that were highly anticipated that I just couldn’t get around to (see the link-gaps on the “2011 Releases” page and you’ll see what I mean, and that list is by no means exhaustive). Most of them I have already, either sitting on my TBR pile or on my Kindle, which just makes it more frustrating.

In lieu of timely reviews, though, I thought I’d give a quick shout-out (with synopses and a few comments) for some of the ones that got away in 2011. Only, given the number of books I neglected, it’s not really that ‘quick’ a post…

November’s Most Anticipated

Haven’t done this sort of post in a while, but I thought I would as I am surprisingly on the ball for November’s releases (which makes a nice change, given my low rate of reviews recently). Five have stood out particularly for me this coming month (all but one of which I already have). They’re not the only releases for November that are interesting, though, so here’s a simple list and some thoughts for the coming month.

CR’s May Picks

With the month of May (very) fast approaching, I thought I’d just share a quick post and some thoughts on next month’s most-anticipated releases.

So, without further ado, read on for a breakdown of my most-anticipated novels coming in May (in no particular order).

[Warning: A couple of the synopses have spoilers of varying detail.]

An Interview with Stephen Deas

Stephen Deas, the author of the Memory of Flames fantasy series, has a flare for grim, dark and gripping fantasy. And luckily, after putting the final touches to his latest novel, he was able to take some time to answer a few questions about writing, fantasy, what he’s looking forward to in 2011, and of course, dragons…

“The Thief-Taker’s Apprentice”, by Stephen Deas (Gollancz)

The beginning of an intriguing new fantasy series

Berren has lived in the city all his life. He has made his way as a thief, paying a little of what he earns to the Fagin-like master of their band, Hatchet. But there is a twist to this tale of a thief.

One day Berren goes to watch an execution of three thieves. He watches as the thief-taker takes his reward and decides to try and steal the prize. He fails. The young thief is taken. But the thief-taker spots something in Berren. And the boy reminds him of someone as well. Berren, not that he has much choice, becomes his apprentice… And is introduced to a world of shadows, deceit and corruption behind the streets he thought he knew. A city where he must learn to take not purses, but lives…

The first part of The Thief-Taker’s Apprentice describes how Berren came work for Master Syannis, Deephaven’s most feared thief-taker. Master Sy is an interesting character – clearly high-born with a mysterious past that led him to flee his home country. As two main characters, both Berren and Sy are pretty solid.

Berren dislikes parts of his training (learning his letters), and is chomping at the bit to get on with other elements of what he perceives to make up an integral part of a thief-taker’s life and trade. Namely, swords!

“He wanted to see swords flash and blood fly... The elegance of it. He wanted to see it over and over, again and again, until he’d learned to do it himself.”

At the same time, Berren’s nature is not that of a killer – he has a romanticised image of the dashing, gallant sword-master he thinks he will become, without following through in his head to logical conclusion and necessity of such a thing: death. It makes for an interesting glimpse into a young person’s hopes and dreams, seeing only the end result without the necessary in-between steps. Ultimately, Berren feels uncomfortable with his new life (certainly at the start, though he comes to accept it more as the novel progresses). He does not really fit in to Master Sy’s world of politics and intrigue, but equally is unable to return to his earlier life with Master Hatchet. This problem is less acute in the second half of the book, when they venture out of the city.

The relationship that develops between Berren and Master Sy is interesting: mainly a result of Sy’s erratic moods – at times he is the kindly uncle or god-parent, advising Berren on women; at other times he’s the harsh, angry task-master, Berren fearful and on the receiving end of Sy’s ire. The relationship is interesting, and it’s clear that a father-son-type bond does develop over the course of Berren’s training and his apprenticeship.

For a brand new world-setting, Deas has done a great job at making it inviting and familiar, introducing us to the city and its politics gently and without overloading the reader with information. Using Berren’s education to become a thief-taker as a device to inform the reader about the world is a good decision. Life in the city is richly observed, different quarters and the various neighbourhoods’ characters – dangerous and plush alike – are brought to life on the page.

The novel’s not quite as fast-paced as the blurb would have you believe: it is not quite the “hectic progression of fights, flights and fancies”, in my humble opinion. There are fights, for sure, but this is not the be-all-and-end-all of the novel. The book had a more languid prose-pace, which I enjoyed, and allowed for a little more world-building and gentler introduction to the characters.

If I had one issue, it would be Berren’s surprising, inconsiderable knowledge of his city before he’s sold to Master Sy – as a cut-purse operating in the city (in a specific quadrant thereof or otherwise), it seemed unlikely to me that he wouldn’t know at least a little more about the religions and politics of the place, not to mention the different characters of the various neighbourhoods. On the other hand, given the complexity and sheer size of the city, I suppose it’s not entirely unlikely (after all, how many of us actually know all about local politics and so forth, without being either in law enforcement or a criminal...?)

The novel ended well, setting up the rest of the series with just enough ambiguity to keep us guess as to where Berren and Sy will go next. There’s more about Berren’s own battles with his past, rather than Sy’s work as a thief-taker. This, while fine, was still a little disappointing – as the stuff hinted at with regards to Sy’s mission was tantalising stuff, potential fantasy gold. Perhaps in the future, now that Berren’s going to grow up and presumably embrace the life of a thief-taker, we’ll see and learn more of this world, and more about the politics and intrigue of Deephaven.

I really enjoyed reading Thief-Taker’s Apprentice, and I’ll definitely be looking out for future novels in the series. It’s a fantasy about a young man’s coming of age in a city dangerous with and from politics and intrigue, rather than epic battles. It therefore suited my tastes perfectly. One could perhaps describe it as being a bit like a seriously stripped-down Daniel Abraham (author of The Long Price Quartet).

As an introduction to Stephen Deas’s writing, this is perfect, and I’d be really surprised if reading this didn’t make you go out and buy The Adamantine Palace (or, if like me you already own it, move it up nearer the top of the ‘to-read’ pile). I was left wanting more – more novels set in this world, but also more detail (it’s a short novel, after all: less than 300 pages). I was also not sure, upon finishing, if this was YA fantasy or not – I’ve read that it is, but there are some pretty dark and/or graphic scenes in the story, which makes me question if this is accurate. Not that it really matters one way or another.

This is very well realised and written fantasy. If you like your fantasy with a pace that is a little less breathless, a little more languid (with a few action sequences thrown in for good measure and to keep you on your toes), then this is definitely recommended for you.

Very enjoyable.

For fans of: Brent Weeks, Col Buchanan, K.J. Parker

(Latest) Incoming!

Another post to highlight some highly anticipated, upcoming reviews for the site. I’ll let the synopses do the talking, and have scribbled some initial thoughts after each. There are a couple here that will be reviewed immediately (see, once again my carefully considered plans have been thrown out the window…), with the others also edging higher up the schedule:

2010 is really shaping up to be an excellent year for books.

Stephen Deas, “The Thief-Taker’s Apprentice” (Gollancz)

The beginning of a new fantasy trilogy

Berren has lived in the city all his life. He has made his way as a thief, paying a little of what he earns to the Fagin like master of their band. But there is a twist to this tale of a thief.

One day Berren goes to watch an execution of three thieves. He watches as the thief-taker takes his reward and decides to try and steal the prize. He fails. The young thief is taken. But the thief-taker spots something in Berren. And the boy reminds him of someone as well. Berren becomes his apprentice… And is introduced to a world of shadows, deceit and corruption behind the streets he thought he knew.

Full of richly observed life in a teeming fantasy city, a hectic progression of fights, flights and fancies and charting the fall of a boy into the dark world of political plotting and murder this marks the beginning of a new fantasy series for all lovers of fantasy - from fans of Kristin Cashore to Brent Weeks.

This will be my first novel by the author, and I’m quite looking forward to it. The premise sounds interesting and somewhere in the same genre/vein as Brent Weeks’s Night Angel Trilogy, which I loved. I have the author’s first novel, The Adamantine Palace, yet I’ve never found the time to dive into it – on my shelf-of-books-yet-unread, it’s situated next to Patrick Rothfuss’s In The Name of the Wind, Sam Sykes’s Tome of the Undergates, MD Lachlan’s Wolfsangel, and Joe Abercrombie’s First Law Trilogy (all series/books I feel bad for not having starting or read yet). I’ll be reviewing this book next, so expect a review within a week.

I should also point out that Mr Deas himself actually sent this to me (signed), so a huge thank you for that!

Brent Weeks, “The Black Prism” (Orbit)

The highly anticipated start to a new series

Gavin Guile is the Prism, the most powerful man in the world. He is high priest and emperor, a man whose power, wit, and charm are all that preserves a tenuous peace.

But Prisms never last, and Guile knows exactly how long he has left to live: Five years to achieve five impossible goals.

To say I’ve been looking forward to this would be a big understatement. The Night Angel Trilogy was brilliant, and I devoured each volume as soon as I could get my hands on them. I selected the whole trilogy as my best read of 2008. I told everyone about it. I even bought the trilogy for a friend.

So, there’s a lot of anticipation for The Black Prism. I’m anxious that it might not meet my ludicrously high expectations, but I can’t wait to start it. I’ll review this immediately after Thief-Taker’s Apprentice, so hopefully by the end of next week (or there about). Fingers crossed…

Gail Carriger, “Soulless” (Orbit)

Jane Eyre meets Supernatural?

Alexia Tarabotti is labouring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she’s a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.

Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire — and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate. With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible.

Can she figure out what is actually happening to London’s high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?

Soulless is a comedy of manners set in Victorian London: full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking.

Alyssa’s already reading this one, so the review should be forthcoming. She seems to be enjoying it a great deal, and initial feedback is that it’s funny, original, but a tad predictable in the love-interest aspect of the novel.

I think I’ll probably pinch it back after she’s finished with it, so I can give it a try – the premise of this novel sounds pretty quirky and interesting, as do the second and third in the series.

Robert Jackson Bennett, “Mr. Shivers” (Orbit)

Historical horror?

It is the time of the Great Depression. Thousands have left their homes looking for a better life, a new life. But Marcus Connelly is not one of them. He searches for one thing, and one thing only: Revenge.

Because out there, riding the rails, stalking the camps, is the scarred vagrant who murdered Connelly’s daughter.

One man must face a dark truth and answer the question – how much is he willing to sacrifice for his satisfaction?

I’m not entirely sure what genre this book falls into, but I’ve read one review of it, a while back, which made it sounds really interesting and original. I’m interested in reading something set in this time period, too, as it’s not one I’ve come across too often.

Expect it to be reviewed relatively soon, but probably not in time for its publication date.

Scott Westerfeld, “Behemoth” (Simon & Schuster)

Steampunk sequel to the critically-acclaimed Leviathan

The behemoth is the fiercest creature in the British navy. It can swallow enemy battleships with one bite. The Darwinists will need it, now that they are at war with the Clanker powers.

Deryn is a girl posing as a boy in the British Air Service, and Alek is the heir to an empire posing as a commoner. Finally together aboard the airship Leviathan, they hope to bring the war to a halt. But when disaster strikes the Leviathan's peacekeeping mission, they find themselves alone and hunted in enemy territory.

Alek and Deryn will need great skill, new allies, and brave hearts to face what's ahead.

I’ve not read Leviathan, but both of my review-minions Emma and Alyssa have, and they both loved it. The lovely peeps at Simon & Schuster sent through an ARC for Behemoth, and Alyssa’s nabbed it already for a review (she has really quick hands…). My general consumption of steampunk is actually, thusfar, nil – somehow, I’ve managed to not read a single novel in the genre, despite its growing popularity. I have recently purchased the eBook of Cherie Priest’s Boneshaker, though, and I’ll be trying to get reviewed soon (ah, plans grown from the best of intentions…).

Having flicked through the Behemoth ARC, I’m intrigued by the premise and also the world Westerfeld has come up with (steampunk alternative history). The internal illustrations (by Keith Thompson) are also great, but I’m not sure how that would effect my reading of the novel: it might feel a little bit like being told how to imagine the story and the world… Anyway, everyone I know who’s read the first in the series, as I mentioned, has loved it, so I’m going to try to give it a read as well at some point. Maybe after I finish my PhD.

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And on the non-fiction side of things…

Jay Dobyns, “No Angel” (Canongate/Random House)

An ATF agent goes undercover with the Hell’s Angels

The first federal agent to infiltrate the inner circle of the outlaw Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, and the inside story of the 21-month operation that almost cost him his family, his sanity, and his life.

Getting shot in the chest as a rookie agent, bartering for machine guns, throttling down the highway at 100 mph, and responding to a full-scale, bloody riot between the Hells Angels and their rivals, the Mongols – these are just a few of the high-adrenaline experiences Dobyns recounts in this action-packed true story.

Dobyns leaves no stone of his harrowing journey unturned. At runs and clubhouses, between rides and riots, Dobyns befriends bad-ass bikers, meth-fueled “old ladies”, gun fetishists, psycho-killer ex-cons, and even some of the “Filthy Few” – the elite of the Hells Angels who’ve committed extreme violence on behalf of their club. Eventually, at parties staged behind heavily armed security, he meets legendary club members such as Chuck Zito, Johnny Angel, and the godfather of all bikers, Ralph “Sonny” Barger. To blend in with them, he gets full-arm ink; to win their respect, he vows to prove himself a stone-cold killer.

Hardest of all is leading a double life, which has him torn between his devotion to his wife and children, and his pledge to become the first federal agent ever to be “fully patched” into the Angels’ near-impregnable ranks. His act is so convincing that he comes within a hairsbreadth of losing himself. Eventually, he realizes that just as he’s been infiltrating the Hells Angels, they’ve been infiltrating him. And just as they’re not all bad, he’s not all good.

This has been described as the new Donnie Brasco and the most in-depth account of the world of Bikers since Hunter Thompson’s seminal work, Hell’s Angels (which I might also review one day). As this isn’t fiction, it’ll actually be reviewed on the other (sadly less active) site, but I thought I’d include it in this list – I consider it among my reading-for-pleasure books, and one that might hold wider interest for general readers.

I’ve been watching Sons of Anarchy, which is utterly brilliant and has put me in the mood to learn/read/watch more about bikers and their culture, so I ordered this book on the strength of a Newsweek excerpt I remember reading a couple years ago, when the hardback edition was released in the US.

The TV show has really got under my skin, and all I want to do at the moment is buy a motorbike, put on my leather jacket and shades, and cruise along a sun-drenched US highway… (I’m a PhD student – if we’re not working, we’re fantasising about things that are far more interesting and exciting than our research…)

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So, that’s the latest taste of things to come on the website. Hope you come back to check out the reviews when they’re up.