Reviews

The Magician by Michael Scott

Posted on by Kevin Holtsberry / 0 Comment
Cover of "The Magician: The Secrets of th...
Cover via Amazon

Here is how I descirbed the first book in Michael Scott’s The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series (The Alchemyst):

It turned out to be a grand adventure.  Not the most believable story, for sure, but imaginative and entertaining.

I think that was an accurate statement, but interestingly enough, this series has really grown on me.  The second book, The Magician, turned out to be a even faster paced and more engaging read.

Here is Booklists take:

The Alchemyst (2007), the first book in The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series,  introduced a wide-ranging group of historical figures who have achieved immortality and are engaged in a present-day struggle for the fate of the world. This second entry picks up exactly where the first left off. Allied with the legendary Nicholas Flamel  on the “good” side are teenage twins Sophie and Josh, who are supremely gifted but with powers that are untrained. Countering them is a new archvillain, Niccolò Machiavelli, who, along with other figures from history and legend (Joan of Arc, a trio of Valkyries), swells the already impressive cast. Plundering every imaginable culture of their heroes and heroines is a clever feat, sure to draw all manner of historically and mythologically minded readers. One weakness starts to show through, however. In a six-book series such as this, each installment begins to feel like a lengthy, glorified chapter rather than its own book complete with a satisfying story arc and resolution. That said, this keeps the pace as an exciting and impeccably thought-out fantasy, well suited for those left in the lurch by Harry Potter’s recent exeunt.

I think Booklist captures the pros and cons of this series well.  As noted, the overall plot is of course ridiculous – as any conspiracy that purports to explain the history of the universe and involves mankind being kept in the dark for millenia is bound to be.  And the books have the feel more of large chapter books rather than stand alone novels.

But once you plunge into them and accept these limits they are really great entertainment.  You are just focused on the characters – the reoccurring ones and the ones that Scott keeps blending in – and the race to capture Flamel and the twins.  Scott keeps enough murkey that there is good tension – wondering where everyone’s loyalty lies and what trap might be sprung when you aren’t looking.

Scott has taken a clever hook and managed to keep both the pace and the interest in the characters and the larger story line over the course of a number of large books.  That is not as easy as it looks.  It would have been easy for the creativity to dry up and the story to bog down – or for the reader to get tired of the chase – but I found myself furtively reading every chance I get to find out what was going to happen next and to find some clues about the larger mystery at the heart of the battle for the fate of earth.

But at its most basic it is really just a good fantasy action adventure story.  Interesting good guys and bad guys – and somewhere in between – battling it out across the world using magical powers and the knowledge gained from immortality.  Basic stuff: good versus evil on an epic scale.

My wife and I have both now plowed through the series and are annoyed we have to wait until May 2010 for the next book.  So if you haven’t yet discovered it, I recommend the series for those that love fantasy action adventures (young or old).

For more information also see the Random House site.

Note to authors and publicists: giving away the first book in order to entice readers to read and purchase the whole series works.  This is exactly how I came to be a fan.  Free Kindle version of the first book led me to buy the next book.

Reviews

In the Mail: True Stories

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–> They Dared Return: The True Story of Jewish Spies behind the Lines in Nazi Germany by Patrick K. O’Donnell

Publishers Weekly

Revisiting one of the most dangerous WWII missions ever, O’Donnell (We Were One) examines the planning and execution of a 1944 strike by Jewish soldiers against a top-secret target in Austria that, it was believed, could shorten the conflict. He fleshes out the tale of sacrifice, spies, courage and betrayal organized by the American Office of Strategic Services to take on Gestapo troops in a heavily fortified district, Alpine Redoubt, the site of a planned bunker where Nazi leaders would hide after the Allies arrived in Germany. Under the command of Frederick Mayer—a German-Jewish refugee, naturalized American citizen and Wildcat Ranger—Operation Greenup was a brazen military exercise behind enemy lines, using a core of Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany and locals to gather intelligence and reduce the resistance from SS soldiers. Armed with research in the National Archives, confidential documents and personal interviews, O’Donnell tells a heart-stopping tale of sabotage by men and women who placed everything on the line against a seemingly unstoppable tyranny.

–> The Murder Business: How the Media Turns Crime Into Entertainment and Subverts Justice by Mark Fuhrman

Synopsis

Crime stories fascinate the public. But between factual news stories, overblown “human interest” reports and salacious murder mystery exposés, it’s difficult to tell where news ends and entertainment begins. Mark Fuhrman, best-selling author of Murder in Brentwood, explores this fine line and how it is increasingly being crossed, revealing new and shocking details on such highprofile cases as JonBenet Ramsey, Martha Moxley and Chandra Levy. In The Murder Business, Fuhrman argues that the media’s approach to covering crime (“if it bleeds, it leads”) has allowed many criminals to get away with murder and impeded the search for justice. The Murder Business presents a compelling plea for journalists, cops and citizens to demand higher ethical standards in the pursuit of justice.

Retired LAPD detective Mark Fuhrman is the New York Times best-selling author of Murder in Brentwood, Murder in Greenwich, Murder in Spokane, Death and Justice and A Simple Act of Murder: November 22, 1963.

Reviews

SPQR XII: Oracle of the Dead by John Maddox Roberts

Posted on by Jeff Grim / 0 Comment

I have not had much experience in reviewing fiction, but I am trying to get more comfortable with it.  So, here is my humble attempt at providing my views on SPQR XII: Oracle of the Dead by John Maddox Roberts.

For those who are unfamiliar with the SPQR mystery series,  the books revolve around Decius Caecilius Metellus, a man from a patrician family making his way up the political hierarchy in the late days of the Roman Republic.   Each book is more or less based about how Decius solves murders while in his current political position.

The latest book finds Decius in southern Italy serving as the magistrate for cases involving foreigners.  He is happy to be away from Rome as Caesar and Pompey are on the verge of facing off against each other.  Anyway, while Decius is visiting the Oracle of the Dead, a pre-Roman cult site located at the end of a tunnel beneath a temple to Apollo, the dead body of the high priest of the temple appears at his feet.  Decius finds himself investigating another crime and quickly learns that there is a bitter rivalry between the priests of Apollo and those of Hecate, guardians of the Oracle (this rivalry spills over between the inhabitants of the area as well).

Roberts tells a believable story.  The plot is not far-fetched and Decius’ thinking in solving the mystery is rational without any wild leaps of logic – it is not easy for the reader to solve the murder before Decius does.  In addition, the characters are complex and not easily figured out.

Roberts seems to describe Roman life at that time (I say seems because I don’t know too much about the social mores of this time period, but in any case his descriptions make for a good story).  For instance, Decius goes to a party hosted by a local woman who is quite wealthy.  Roberts recounts the various sights and practices of parties of this time period (how guests left in order of their social importance – the most important left first and so on down the social ladder).

Roberts also captures the political mood of the time period.  For example, the characters are concerned about the events occurring in Rome between Caesar’s supporters and Pompey (whether Caesar will come into Rome with his army and how Pompey would react).

This book is well worth a read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Reviews

SPQR XII: Oracle of the Dead by John Maddox Roberts

Posted on by Jeff Grim / 0 Comment

I have not had much experience in reviewing fiction, but I am trying to get more comfortable with it.  So, here is my humble attempt at providing my views on SPQR XII: Oracle of the Dead by John Maddox Roberts.

For those who are unfamiliar with the SPQR mystery series,  the books revolve around Decius Caecilius Metellus, a man from a patrician family making his way up the political hierarchy in the late days of the Roman Republic.   Each book is more or less based about how Decius solves murders while in his current political position.

The latest book finds Decius in southern Italy serving as the magistrate for cases involving foreigners.  He is happy to be away from Rome as Caesar and Pompey are on the verge of facing off against each other.  Anyway, while Decius is visiting the Oracle of the Dead, a pre-Roman cult site located at the end of a tunnel beneath a temple to Apollo, the dead body of the high priest of the temple appears at his feet.  Decius finds himself investigating another crime and quickly learns that there is a bitter rivalry between the priests of Apollo and those of Hecate, guardians of the Oracle (this rivalry spills over between the inhabitants of the area as well).

Roberts tells a believable story.  The plot is not far-fetched and Decius’ thinking in solving the mystery is rational without any wild leaps of logic – it is not easy for the reader to solve the murder before Decius does.  In addition, the characters are complex and not easily figured out.

Roberts seems to describe Roman life at that time (I say seems because I don’t know too much about the social mores of this time period, but in any case his descriptions make for a good story).  For instance, Decius goes to a party hosted by a local woman who is quite wealthy.  Roberts recounts the various sights and practices of parties of this time period (how guests left in order of their social importance – the most important left first and so on down the social ladder).

Roberts also captures the political mood of the time period.  For example, the characters are concerned about the events occurring in Rome between Caesar’s supporters and Pompey (whether Caesar will come into Rome with his army and how Pompey would react).

This book is well worth a read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Reviews

The End of Secularism by Hunter Baker

Posted on by Kevin Holtsberry / 0 Comment

End of SecularismIt is always a bit nerve racking when friends write books.  I mean, what if you don’t like it?  Or worse it is very poorly done?

Well, luckily I dodged that particular bullet with The End of Secularism by Hunter Baker.  I have never met the good Dr. Baker (not to confuse you with his wife who is an actual doctor) but have become friends with him over the years through our participation at Red State and other conservative venues.

So I was quite happy to find that Hunter’s book was enjoyable and very well done (I expect nothing less from Crossway).  It is in fact a book I am likely to recommend to friends and family.

Baker’s slim volume is an intelligent brief against the popular “modern” conception of secularism that seeks to keep the religious out of public life. Readable, and useful, for non-academics but interesting for those with a greater depth on the subject as well.

He uses straightforward arguments and language to lay out both the history and the debates surrounding the issue before making his own – in my opinion persuasive – case against what might be called hard line secularism.

Here is a section of the publisher’s blurb that sums it up nicely:

The result of Baker’s analysis is The End of Secularism. He reveals that secularism fails as an instrument designed to create superior social harmony and political rationality to that which is available with theistic alternatives. Baker also demonstrates that secularism is far from the best or only way to enjoy modernity’s fruits of religious liberty, free speech, and democracy. The End of Secularism declares the demise of secularism as a useful social construct and upholds the value of a public square that welcomes all comers, religious and otherwise, into the discussion. The message of The End of Secularism is that the marketplace of ideas depends on open and honest discussion  rather than on religious content or the lack thereof.

Two things that are laudatory about this book:

  1. It is written in an easy and enjoyable style.  More academics should learn to write this clearly and succinctly.  It is neither “dumbed down” nor unnecessarily verbose.  Understandable for the average reader but deep enough for the academic.
  2. It is a great length.  Too many books seem padded or are overly dense.  Baker introduces the subject well, provides the background, makes his argument and wraps it up. Again, more authors should strive for this sort of presentation.  Not everyone has the time or energy to dive into long complex tomes, but we don’t need fluff either. This length is perfect for me anyways.

If you are interested in the subject of secularism or the interaction of faith in the public square you will want to read this book.  It can serve as a useful introduction or an interesting argument/debate kickoff for those with more of a background in the subject.

Reviews

In the Mail: Crime edition

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David's Revenge–> David’s Revenge by Hans Werner Kettenbach (Anthea Bell – Translator)

Publishers Weekly

While writers as far back as Poe have crafted crime stories centered on a narrator with a guilty conscience, few have done so as subtly as Kettenbach in this novel of psychological suspense. Seven years earlier, while visiting Tbilisi, Georgia, “senior schoolteacher” Christian Kestner nearly seduced the attractive wife of publishing agent David Ninoshvili. Now Ninoshvili writes Kestner to announce his impending arrival in Germany to attempt to get his country’s literature published in translation, reawakening Kestner’s fears that the Georgian found out he was nearly cuckolded and is plotting revenge. Ninoshvili soon insinuates himself into the Kestner household, which includes Kestner’s attorney wife, Julia, and their loutish son, Ralf, who has unsettling associations with right-wingers. Action junkies may find the pacing slow, but others will appreciate the patient, deliberate unfolding of the plot.

–> Pariah by Dave Zeltserman

Publishers Weekly

The second in what Zeltserman calls his “bad-ass out of prison” trilogy, though less compelling than its predecessor, Small Crimes, is superior to his by-the-numbers Bill Shannon series (Bad Thoughts, etc.). In the nicely gritty opening section, South Boston thug Kyle Nevin, just out of prison after an eight-year stretch, has a long list of scores to settle, headed by his old boss, Red Mahoney, who he believes betrayed him. Nevin wastes little time before busting heads and jumping into the sack with a saleswoman with an appetite for bad boys. Hoping to solve his money problems with a kidnapping, Nevin persuades his brother to join him on condition that the victim not be harmed. Things head south rapidly after the child turns out to be a hemophiliac and dies after a tooth is extracted to be sent to the parents, and a treacherous middleman snatches the $2 million ransom. A slide into broad parody at the end doesn’t do the forceful beginning justice.