Cast in Chaos

Cast in Chaos by Michelle Sagara West

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Michelle just keeps getting better! While action is not lacking at all, what I most enjoyed about this particular entry in the series was the further development of the magical system and the power of language. And it's interesting to see the "child of the slums" theme played out in both this series and the Sun Sword/House Wars series. When Michelle deals with magic, it is also an exploration of love and power; that and beautiful writing is what I love about her work.



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Lost Recipe for Happiness

The Lost Recipe for Happiness by Barbara O'Neal

My rating: 4 of 5 stars Really good. Really, really good. Magic of food, of memory, of loss, friendship, redemption. Solid depiction of the Southwest as we who are native know it. A writer not only to watch, but to read. View all my reviews >>

Troubled Waters by Sharon Shinn

Troubled Waters by Sharon Shinn

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I just finished Troubled Waters, and I think it's her best yet. As I neared the end, I was simultaneously wishing to finish and to stretch it out, and I can honestly say it's the first time I ever read a book and hoped it would be a series! I would rather read a thousand or so pages at one time, usually. The "blessings" concept is so charming and true, the people are enjoyable to be around, and the "great evil" is birthed by human greed and pettiness--also true, in the world we live in.
There's a lovely romance, too.

In addition to visiting other worlds, what I most appreciate about reading is that it can give us insights and tools to use in the world we come back to. Instead of passing my copy on to the library, I will have to place it on my shelves to await its future companions. I will enjoy spending time there again and again, as I do in the worlds of Liaden, Elantra, Darkover, Valdemar, and Tortall. (Among others, of course. But after almost fifty years of reading, not many make the cut to stay on the shelves. I try to keep the house count at under 2,000.)

I think Shinn is at the top of her game, and has created another one of those worlds so well-realized that many readers old and new will love to revisit and share.




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Ignore Everybody

Ignore Everybody: and 39 Other Keys to Creativity by Hugh MacLeod


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Ok, the advice has all been given before, but not, I think in such a humorous and humble way. The cartoons are great and take you right to that young-in-New-York-cynical-dreamer-snarky-with-a-spark-of-hope
that lives in all us creative types, even if we're no longer young, or snarky. Much.

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An Altar in the World

Altar in the World, An: A Geography of Faith by Barbara Brown Taylor



How often books come when they need to...this book is about the embodiment of faith; it's what we do that matters, not what we believe (don't we really do what we really believe, not what we think we believe?). Taylor's Christian faith is revealed in a hairy Jesus with dirty feet whose message was essentially Chop Wood, Carry Water. Love is food, hugs, and smiles at the wonder of the world; love is tears, comfort, sweat, and laughter.



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An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith

More New Great YA Fantasy

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Wow! This woman can write, and I'm in search of her previous books! Truly magical prose.

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A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the latest entry into one of the most wonderful fantasy series out there (starts with The Queen's Thief).
Turner never shies away from love or hard choices and give real insight into politics and kingship--all while having the most engaging, real characters with flaws and gifts we recognize. It made me want to read the series all over again--to spend time in that world, with those characters, that writing...love you, MWT!

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Voices of Dragons

Voices of DragonsVoices of Dragons Voices of Dragons by Carrie Vaughn


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A very good entry into dragon lore, an alternate world where dragons emerge from hiding after the nuclear bombs of WWII, adding their own flames and fire. The Cold War is with dragons, a very uneasy peace exists, with humans pushing the boundaries. Into this world an adolescent human girl and an adolescent dragon form a questioning and illegal friendship that brings possibilities of both war and peace--and of course, humans flying with dragons! Woo-hoo!

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