Friday, 26 January 2018

Thief's Magic (Millennium's Rule #1) by Trudi Canavan

Thief's Magic
Millennium's Rule #1
Trudi Canavan



Front cover

Date read: 1 - 14 January 2018
Length: 553 pages

Tyen is a young sorcerer on an expedition when he discovers Vella - a "talking" book. Deciding "she" is too valuable to hand over to the Academy, he tries to teach "her" the ways of the modern world. But after being framed for the theft of Vella, he must escape if he wants to accomplish his mission.
Rielle can see Stain; a mark left over from the use of magic, which is forbidden. After being abducted by a Tainted, her life slowly spirals out of control; she runs away from home, lives with her lover, and is banished for using magic, herself becoming Tainted.


Vella, oh Vella! I love the idea of Vella. Who wouldn't want a book that could be your friend? The amount of knowledge she can contain is incredible! This is definitely my favourite part of the novel, and I'm really excited to see where this goes over the trilogy. I just want to read more and more about this Tyen and his adventures with this book.

I like Rielle too. She is a strong character with decent morals. She lives in a completely different world where magic is forbidden, unlike Tyen's world where it can be used freely. In both worlds it appears there is a sort of residue left behind after magic is used; something referred to as Stain by Rielle. In Rielle's world, only certain people can see Stain, I guess those with more magical ability.


I am very much looking forward to reading the next book very soon!



Trudi Canavan




Overall Rating








Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist

Tuesday, 9 January 2018

Hearts in Atlantis by Stephen King

Hearts in Atlantis
Stephen King


Front cover

Date read: 16 - 31 December 2017
Length: 619 pages

Hearts in Atlantis tells five stories linked by the 60's, the Vietnam War, and Carol Gerber. We get different views from the mid-60's to the late-90's, but all entirely stuck in the 60's. From a young boy helping an old man hide from the Low Men to a blind man scamming money by posing as a homeless man, what was so special about that time?


I liked how all the stories are linked, and they're all good, but the first is my favourite. It's probably the main story in the book, as it is just under half the book. I was very drawn to Bobby and his relationship with Ted. It's captivating and I just wanted to keep on reading.

I like how the first and last novel are from the point of view of the same character, even if several decades apart. It rounds off nicely, and I was hoping I would read more from Bobby. I would have liked to know more about Bobby's later years though, as there's a lot of hints about events that have happened, but you don't really learn much about them.

The story about Blind Willie was a little confusing, and I don't really see much point in it being included. I suppose it was kind of interesting, but it didn't take my fancy as much as the others and I feel it didn't really fit with the other stories.

Carol Gerber. What's the deal with Carol Gerber? Although she's not a main character in any of the stories, she seems to be a connection. It's a good connection, but maybe not what you think would connect them initially.

This is the first Stephen King novel I've read, and it was good! I have a few more, so will definitely give them a go in the future.



Stephen King




Overall rating








Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist