bibliodragon | Book Reviews

The Dragon Book, Edited by Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois
A bunch of short stories by a range of fantasy, with the linking theme of being about dragons (what you'd expect from something called the Dragon Book). Personal favorites were Naomi Novik's tale set in Roman times of the Temeraire universe, Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple's dragons as political metaphor the Tsar's Dragons and Tamora Pierce's the Dragon's Tale, which I must admit was the first time I had ever read anything by her.

The Beach by Alex Garland
It's always interesting reading something that I've already seen the adaptation of, in this case the film, and so spotting the bits that were Hollywood-ed up for the film as I went along. Such as the ending, much more darker than the movie. Still found the main character annoying even when not being played by Leonardo DiCaprio.

Morality for Beautiful Girls (No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency) by Alexander McCall Smith
I continue to read these all out of order, but then again this isn't about plot twists so it doesn't really matter, and this one continues with the enjoyable characterization of the others.

Dead Beat (Dresden Case Files) by Jim Butcher
This series I am reading in order, even though I went ahead and spoiled myself for the very latest one. I'm weak, I can't help myself. On this one, it has Harry Dresden riding a zombie tyrannosaurus into battle against evil necromancers. Fantasy needs more zombie tyrannosaurus.

The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: or the Murder at Road Hill House by by Kate Summerscale
Non fiction now, look at that, I am branching out. Written very much in a mystery novel style, though as real life so often refuses to follow that format the book tails off towards the end, with only the authors speculation to make up the conclusion, though the author does make a good case for it.

Guardians of Ga'hoole 1 to 4 by by Kathryn Lasky
Reading these before the movie comes out, because fantasy owls? Awesome! While the writing is not what I would call brilliant and the pacing is off on some of them, characters and plot and the initial concept are enough to keep me interested.