Little Big Man (Little Big Man #1) by Thomas Berger

Little Big Man

Little Big Man #1

Thomas Berger

Front cover

Date read: 13 - 23 August 2020

Length: 422 pages

Published: 1965 in GB

Jack Crabb is a white man, but he was mostly brought up by Cheyenne Indians from the age of ten. This story follows his early life, both as a "human being" and a white man. He leads two lives, but which is the real Jack Crabb?

Well there's one thing for certain, whoever Jack Crabb may be, he's led an interesting life and travelled far! 

His relationships with women are strange. He never really seems all that interested in them, and then all of a sudden he gets infatuated with a specific woman, even if he knows it's someone he'll never be with. And although he does have children, he doesn't seem all that bothered with them, or the mothers.

Saying that, he does seem to be a man of honour, and will fight for what he believes in.

I kind of feel that Jack doesn't really know what life he wants to lead. At times he is happy being a white man in a white world, but then I think he misses the ways of the Indians and will go back to that for a while. He doesn't really settle down in one way of life though, and has long periods of time living as each.

I'm curious about the next one. I've never really read a book like this before.

Thomas Berger

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Crimson Death (Anita Blake #25) by Laurell K. Hamilton

Crimson Death

Anita Blake #25

Laurell K. Hamilton

Front cover

Date read: 26 July - 12 August 2020

Length: 708 pages

Published: 2016

When vampires in Ireland start going rogue, Edward calls in Anita to help him solve the case. But Ireland is a very different country when it comes to preternatural stuff. Can Anita do what needs to be done without scaring everybody?

SOME SAY LOVE IS A GREAT MOTIVATOR,

BUT HATRED GETS THE JOB DONE, TOO.

Crimson Death is a large book. At just over 700 pages there's a lot that could have been done. Most of the start was faffing and going over things that have already happened. I know Hamilton is trying to make it so you can pick up any book and start reading, but I assume most of her fans have read the books previous. There's so much faffing at the start it could be a novel on it's own, and because of this I feel like the ending was rushed. The actual story was good, and I wish it was more about that.

It's been a while since one of the 'main' characters died. I won't say who here, but it's a shame. Actually, in all honesty there are too many characters anyway, so maybe it's not such a bad thing if a few of them go...

As the story progresses there seems to be more talk around Anita having a baby. At first she's dead set against it, knowing that a baby just would not fit with her lifestyle, but in Crimson Death she seems to be warming to the idea a little more. Will Anita be having a baby soon then?

I feel like this wedding stuff with her and Jean Claude has been going on f. o. r. e. v. e. r. Are they actually going to do it, or is it just gonna be talked about for books on end? I'll be honest, I'm getting a bit fed up with it now.

As you know, I will keep reading these books every so often, until there are no more left. Although she keeps publishing new ones, so who knows when that will be?

Laurell K. Hamilton

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The Wee Librocubicularist

The High King (The Chronicles of Prydain #5) by Lloyd Alexander

The High King

The Chronicles of Prydain #5

Lloyd Alexander

Front cover

Date read: 20 - 25 July 2020

Length: 223 pages

Published: 1968 (1979 in GB)

Prince Gwydion's enchanted sword Dyrnwyn has been stolen by evil Huntsmen. In his biggest battle yet, Taran rounds up his companions and those from the Free Commots to rage war on Arawn and save Prydain from permanent darkness.

Okay! Well, that's it, the end of the series! I've got to say I was surprised by some of the deaths in this last instalment, and perhaps one in particular. There was definitely a lot more raw emotion felt.

I think the ending was alright - I'm glad Taran and Eilonwy get to be together, but I think it's sad that Taran will never know who his parents were. I guess this was meant by the author, because there was plenty chance for it to be included.

The High King is a good conclusion to the series that has filled many hearts for decades. I'm annoyed with myself for only just reading the whole series now, but glad I finally have!

I look forward to the short stories before ending the series once and for all.

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The Wee Librocubicularist

The Love Match (The Waverley Women #3) by M. C. Beaton

The Love Match

The Waverley Women #3

M. C. Beaton

Front cover

Date read: 15 - 19 July 2020

Length: 187 pages

Published: 1990

When Frederica marries Lord Harry Danger and Mrs Waverley marries the Baron Meldon, Felicity finds herself all alone in the house on Hanover Square. After meeting Marquess Darkwater, they set off to actually find out the truth of her parentage. Along with Darkwaters' cousin, Agnes Joust, they have quite the adventure. Will she uncover the truth?

By day she champions women's rights but

by night she plots romance!

I was a little surprised Felicity went for Darkwater after her initial dislike of him! I thought she would have found someone else, but there you have it.

Didn't particularly like Agnes - she's a bit of a scheming so and so! Always plotting something to make other people look bad and herself look good.

Glad Felicity got to the bottom of who their parents are, although I like Mrs Waverley even less now! I don't want to say too much here because I don't want to include major spoilers, but what Mrs Waverley did was despicable, and I find it hard to believe someone would do that. I mean, I know worse things than that happen in real life, but I just can't get my head around it.

The Love Match was a nice conclusion to the series. I feel like everything was rounded up well and it was a nice, neat finish.

I will be reading more M. C. Beaton for sure!

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist