ratherbereadingbookblog: Wracked, by Louis Puster III I met...

ratherbereadingbookblog:

Wracked, by Louis Puster III

I met Louis Puster III at AnachroCon this year. I was intrigued by the covers, and as soon as he started telling me about the story, I knew it was something I had to read. Plus, he seemed really nice, and you know I love supporting fellow authors, especially when they’re nice.

Here’s the text from the back of the book:

Wrack awakes in a shallow, mossy grave with no memory of how he got there or who he is. Shards of his former life return in brief flashes of color, as Wrack traverses a bleak world, where seemingly immortal creatures with godlike power—the Doomed—wage war on each other and the living alike. A power awakens within him, and with it, a dark hunger. Wrack and his unexpected companions—the beautiful warrior Brin and clever Avar—each seek something different: answers, vengeance, stories. Their disparate goals are more entwined than they ever imagined, and the three soon find their fates may be inextricably bound through prophecy.  

When the author told me the book was written in first person, it was kind of a turn off. I don’t like first person. There’s nothing wrong with it. I even use it myself in my own writing sometimes. But as a reader, I have never really been a fan. (I have no idea why. Please don’t ask me. The universe might implode.) However, this is one of those books where it really is the best for the story, and I can’t imagine it having been written any other way.

When I read fantasy, I’ve always loved reading from the different characters’ points of view, even the antagonists, and know things the other characters didn’t know. I love watching all the little threads of the story intersect, silently screaming at the characters to figure it out. I couldn’t see how overdone this was, until I realized how refreshing its opposite is. Being inside Wrack’s head, we know what he knows, and only what he knows. At the beginning, that isn’t a whole hell of a lot. And that is what makes the story so great. Not only are we unraveling the mystery of Wrack himself, but we’re piecing together this mystery of the word as a whole. It also makes it much easier to understand as a reader. When the characters talk about something in the world and explain to Wrack, I don’t feel like I’ve been left out of the secret.

The tone of the book is very dark, and times, pretty gruesome. Things have been bad for a while now, and it shows. Unlike a lot of fantasy novels, there is no feeling of great hope permeating the story, as if the hero has arrived to fix the world, and everything is going to be just fine. Because everything is not going to be okay. No matter how hard you try, you can’t make life perfect. Knowing this gives the story this sense of dark realism that makes you cheer on our protagonists even more.

All in all, Wracked is a great story, especially for a first time author. There are some typos in the book, but it’s easy to look past them, (in fact, sometimes I hardly noticed them), because you’re too busy reading to see what happens next. I’m looking forward to starting Desecrated, the next book in the Saga of Ukumog. I will leave you with the following, personal, affirmations of the book.

Murks is my favorite. I am adopting uzk as a legitimate swear word. One day, Avar is going to have his own cooking show.

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THIS BLOG IS MOVING!!

In order to make things a little easier on myself, I've decided to shift this blog over to tumblr. I will have an easier time updating and maintaining it there, and I just like using tumblr more than I like blogger. I hope you'll join me! Just click the big link above to check it out!

Another General Update

I’m sorry I’ve left this place a little lonely lately. With school, rehearsals, NaNoWriMo, and my new job, I’ve just had a hard time making time to read. Also, I just can’t seem to stay interested in anything for very long.

So, now that some things have calmed down, I’m trying to organize things. I promise, I will get a new layout for this blog soon. Blogger updated and changed things without my noticing. I plan on trying to read more, because I know my brain needs it; my wit was a lot quicker when I read more often.

Besides, I have been getting some great books from Quirk, and some great works from other writers, that I can’t wait to delve into, and share with you all. I’ve recently started a Christmas book with my book club, and I’m about to start another Quick book tonight. As for all the other books I’m in the middle of, I will finish them, never fear! I have a gift for picking up a book after months, even years, and jumping right back into the middle without trouble.

I’ll go ahead and wrap up this post for tonight; I’d rather be reading, anyway.

100 Ghosts, by Doogie Horner

When Quirk offered me a chance to review this book, my inner macabre child jumped for joy. This book is pretty simple, and what you see is what you get. 100 adorable drawings of ghosties. You'll definitely be able to pick out the one that haunts your house. It's a great coffee table book, very good for starting up conversations.

There is the slight matter of the $10 price tag, which, at first, I thought was a little unreasonable. But when you look at the quality of the book, you'll understand why it's there, and why it's so worth it. Instead of an abundance of book glue, the pages are actually attached with string. The paper and ink quality are superb, which is really a necessity for a book like this. No matter how much time you spend flipping through it, the ink doesn't bleed onto your fingers.

I'd recommend this book for all lovers of adorable ghosties. You really need this book, especially if your inner macabre child is anything like mine.

The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski

Just moments ago, I finished reading the Last Wish, which some of you may know is the basis for the Witcher video games series. I haven’t finished playing the games yet, but I love the world, which is what made me want to experience it the way the author originally intended. I read the book as something separate from the video games, because it really is, and this review will reflect that.

To begin with, my favorite part of the stories in the book is the subtle allusion to well-known fairy tales, like Snow White. They are what really gives the book a feeling of dark fantasy, a twisted, dark version of what could be an innocent world.

The writing itself is amazing. It is well paced and engaging, with no useless dialogue or exposition. The format of the book is something I might not enjoy in other circumstances. The Last Wish is a collection of short stories, all tied together with a main story that links them together. This is probably the best use of the format I could read, as it really works as an introduction to the characters and the world, revealing pieces of Geralt’s past in bits, but without it coming across as choppy.

I recommend this book for fans of fantasy, and fans of the games. You’ll respect the game even more; I know I do. Even if you don’t give a toss about the games, this book still contains a darkly beautiful world that you’ll enjoy falling into.

I’m off to play a bit of the first Witcher game now, so I can judge its flaws and successes fairly. Have a nice holiday everyone!

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

First off, how could you not expect an awesome book by a person named Ransom Riggs? That’s a pretty cool name.

Quirk was amazing to send me a copy of the paperback to review here on Rather Be Reading, and I couldn’t wait to start it.

I hadn’t realized, for some reason, before I started the book, that it was classified as a YA novel. I haven’t been reading a lot of YA lately, and I was a little concerned that this wouldn’t be the mature, mysterious novel I was looking for for. Luckily, my concerns were completely unfounded! This was a very atmospheric, engaging story of a hidden world, and the amazing people who inhabit it.

There was plenty of darkness in this story, with the super creepy hollowgast and the brutal deaths they cause. However, the beautiful photographs and the peculiar children with their peculiar talents lend the story a certain whimsy, the kind that goes hand in hand with darkness. Which is something I enjoy in a story. and in the midst of all the danger and beauty, there is a story of self-discovery, the kind that makes you think, and makes you feel for the protagonist, without it being overdone.

the best thing about this book is the way it uses pacing. There is some very exciting stuff toward the beginning, and then the story slows down a little, as we learn about the world and the peculiars. In stead of being a blank, boring space in the story, however, as it might be in some, it’s a part of the story that is filled with meaning. Whereas some reviews might tell you that the story tapers off at this point, listen to me when I tell you that that’s it’s only just beginning. While not filled to the brim with dark atmosphere or chilling encounters, it is, quite possibly, the most important part of the story.

I really enjoyed Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. I’m looking forward to its sequel, Hollow City, due out next year.

Keep reading, fellow bibliophiles!