Can you tell yet that the books I like have a theme (hint, hint: ancient history)? Anywhoo...
The Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn is a novel of ancient Rome during the last of the Flavian Dyansty. The current emperor, Domitian, is quickly going insane becoming increasingly paranoid and taking his insanity out on any poor woman who shares his bed. Though Domitian plays a fairly central role in this novel it is mostly a novel of the women (both fictional and real) of Imperial Rome.
I love a good villain, Sue Sylvester from Glee and Batman's Joker come to mind (though they are different types of villains); but what makes a villain is how believable their evil-ness is. It has been a long time since I have read a book where I have hated the villain so much that I want to reach through the pages and off her myself.
The book was well-researched as I remember reading about some of Domitian and Trajan's more, er, memorable qualities in Suetonius' Twelve Caesars (historical account of the first twelve emperors of Rome) and there are remarks as to certain past events of Imperial Rome, as well.
The best kind of novel is one that incorporates true characters and true events-and this is that kind of novel. The book is the first in a series on Imperial Rome.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
The Hunger Games-The Trilogy
I just finished the last book in The Hunger Games trilogy. The three books, The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay, written by Suzanne Collins, are excellently written and are perfect reads for when you're sitting in the park on a sunny day or being lazy in bed on a rainy day. While the books are categorized as being "young adult" I've found that adults can read them and be satisfied, too. Collins writes simplistically and yet the ideas in the book are so complex and world-changing that it really makes you think: what are we doing to our earth and to ourselves? Are we going to learn from our mistakes? What's really scary is that the events in these books could actually happen; this could be a future for our world--and it is terrifying.
I highly recommend this trilogy; these books show a raw side of human emotion that many of us rarely face and a heroine who unwillingly decides the fate of her world.
I highly recommend this trilogy; these books show a raw side of human emotion that many of us rarely face and a heroine who unwillingly decides the fate of her world.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Juliet
Last night I dreamed of Siena, and here's why:
Everyone knows Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers whose lives end in tragedy. But what people don't know is where the story came from. The novel Juliet, while fiction, incorporates truth. Most people probably don't know that Romeo and Juliet is, somewhat, based on events that happened in the middle ages; family fueds and blood spilt in old Siena (Italy). This addition of the long-ago past adds integrity to the book and a connection to the characters' past as well as introducing non-literary scholars to a different take on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
There are two plots in the book: present day and the mid 14th century. I LOVE LOVE LOVE books that alternate between past and present, especially if the authors entwines them perfectly, as Anne Fortier has done in this novel. Fortier also does not add extraordinary events that are nearly humanly impossible but instead has our heroine overcoming obstacles that modern day women can relate to (though unfortunately we are not all modern-day Juliets).
Fortier also develops characters in a smart way; her characters actually develop, instead of changing in an instant overnight. The most dramatic development in the story is of the heroine's sister and the dichotomy of the two sisters develops, as well, with each sister shedding layers and showing her true colors.
All in all, this book was excellent. I read it in two days and still want more. For anyone who loves romance, adventure, and deception surrounded by ancient truths, this book is for you. What's more is that the author uses real places in the setting; places that I intend on visiting when I go to Siena!
Everyone knows Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers whose lives end in tragedy. But what people don't know is where the story came from. The novel Juliet, while fiction, incorporates truth. Most people probably don't know that Romeo and Juliet is, somewhat, based on events that happened in the middle ages; family fueds and blood spilt in old Siena (Italy). This addition of the long-ago past adds integrity to the book and a connection to the characters' past as well as introducing non-literary scholars to a different take on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
There are two plots in the book: present day and the mid 14th century. I LOVE LOVE LOVE books that alternate between past and present, especially if the authors entwines them perfectly, as Anne Fortier has done in this novel. Fortier also does not add extraordinary events that are nearly humanly impossible but instead has our heroine overcoming obstacles that modern day women can relate to (though unfortunately we are not all modern-day Juliets).
Fortier also develops characters in a smart way; her characters actually develop, instead of changing in an instant overnight. The most dramatic development in the story is of the heroine's sister and the dichotomy of the two sisters develops, as well, with each sister shedding layers and showing her true colors.
All in all, this book was excellent. I read it in two days and still want more. For anyone who loves romance, adventure, and deception surrounded by ancient truths, this book is for you. What's more is that the author uses real places in the setting; places that I intend on visiting when I go to Siena!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Read-A-Palooza 2011
A friend of mine here decided to start doing book reviews of all the books she reads-fiction and nonfiction. While copying her idea I've decided to make my own rules.
Rule 1- EVERY book I read will have a book review-even if I feel silly. These will include plot, character development, and flow of the story.
Rule 2- I will try to read at least one book bimonthly by an author I have not heard of. I'm usually pretty good about this but I sometimes get into ruts where I read ALL of the books by one author first instead of switching out authors.
Rule 3- I will read books that are outside of the fiction genre (ie-academic, nonfiction, poetry, essays). I have a TON of academic and poetry books that have not been read yet.
Rule 4-I will always always ALWAYS read the book BEFORE the movie
Rule 5- I will alternate between reading my own books and reading books from the library. Lately I've been obsessed with new arrivals and have left the library with around 10 or 12 books each visit.
I've just started Juliet by Anne Fortier so look forward for a book review coming soon!
Rule 1- EVERY book I read will have a book review-even if I feel silly. These will include plot, character development, and flow of the story.
Rule 2- I will try to read at least one book bimonthly by an author I have not heard of. I'm usually pretty good about this but I sometimes get into ruts where I read ALL of the books by one author first instead of switching out authors.
Rule 3- I will read books that are outside of the fiction genre (ie-academic, nonfiction, poetry, essays). I have a TON of academic and poetry books that have not been read yet.
Rule 4-I will always always ALWAYS read the book BEFORE the movie
Rule 5- I will alternate between reading my own books and reading books from the library. Lately I've been obsessed with new arrivals and have left the library with around 10 or 12 books each visit.
I've just started Juliet by Anne Fortier so look forward for a book review coming soon!
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