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

Your Heart Belongs to Me by Dean Koontz

Your Heart Belongs to Me
Dean Koontz

Front cover

Date read: 5 - 14 July 2020

Length: 406 pages

Published: 2008

Ryan Perry is a fit and healthy 34 year old. He owns a very successful internet company and has a wonderful partner, Samantha. But he learns he is going to need a heart transplant. 16 months later he receives a terrifying threat, being promised a nightmare death. Can he solve the mystery of his enemy and save his life?

I felt like there was a lot of background information before the story kicked in, and yet there's a huge chunk in the middle missing from the story!

I feel sorry for what happened between him and Sam. I'm not sure exactly what happened, only what is alluded to, because it seems to have happened in the chunk of story that is missing. I would have preferred to have all the continuous information rather than the waffle at the start, or even both!

I liked Ryan going into detective mode and seeing what he'll find out. It's like we're there with him, figuring out all this stuff together.

This isn't Koontz's best, but it was an okay read.

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Taran Wanderer (The Chronicles of Prydain #4) by Lloyd Alexander

 Taran Wanderer
The Chronicles of Prydain #4
Lloyd Alexander

Front cover

Date read: 30 June - 4 July 2020

Length: 187 pages

Published: 1967 (1979 in GB)

Taran leaves Caer Dallben searching for answers about himself; where he came from, who his parents are, and what that might mean to him. With his trusty companions Gurgi and Fflewddur Fflam, they set off to find the mirror of Llunet. What will he discover about himself?

After a little dip in the middle of the series, I enjoyed this one a bit more than the last. I felt like you really got to know Taran more, as you join him on his quest to find himself.

One thing that wasn't so good is that there was no Eilonwy! It's not the same without her telling him when he's being an idiot.

Craddoc was nice but dishonest. What he did was very strange and a shame for Taran. I'm glad he learned the real truth and could move on from there.

I liked all the people in the free commots. Taran learned a great many skills from weaving to pottery, and made some good friends as well. It seemed like a nice community.

It's a shame Taran didn't get the answers he was looking for, but I think he did find himself on the journey nonetheless.

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Silken Bonds (The Waverley Women #2) by M. C. Beaton

Silken Bonds

The Waverley Women #2

M. C. Beaton

Front cover

Date read: 25 - 29 June 2020

Length: 202 pages

Published: 1989

Frederica is fed up of her restricted life in the Waverley house on Hanover Square. When Lord Harry Danger enters their lives and saves them from thieves, her mind wanders to what could be. Will Frederica get her happily ever after like Fanny did?

Modern notions are all well and good - but

where does one find a man to share them?

A good second volume although I felt there was some repetition, like the men the girls are interested in trying to find out more about them by going to the orphanage and Harry being another Lord.

There is something about the girls past though. The fact that the orphanage wont share any information and went to the effort to inform Mrs Waverley that they had been trying to find out things.

And there's definitely something going on with Mrs Waverley and the Prince Regent. The way the avoid each other - I just want to know more!

First indication of a time - it's set in the early 19th century.

I was very surprised that Mrs Waverley married Colonel Bridie! After all she's brought the girls up to believe about being independent and having a good education for themselves, and that they don't need men in their lives. A bit hypocrital really.

I really hope we get answers in the last one!

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist