Review: Saga, Volume 2

Saga, Volume 2 by Brian K. Vaughan

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I'm enjoying this series, but I'm also wondering why it's supposed to be so "ground-breaking" and original. As I said about the first, there's nothing particularly wrong with it, but it's only original if you're unaware of earlier sci-fantasy (notable examples are the worlds of Warhammer 40k and Shadowrun, although this might also encompass Burroughs' Barsoom series). I typically like Brian K. Vaughan's writing although it seems to me sometimes he tries too hard to buck expectations. Again, the art is alright, not what I would call a stunning example of comic-book art but certainly not the worst.

I like this series, but honestly I can't say I'd be missing much if I'd never read it, and certainly I would say if you have to choose between this and Fables, go for Fables.



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Review: Horns

Horns by Joe Hill

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Wow, I have to give it to Joe Hill. That was an excellent story. I like that there was no mention of why this thing occurred, although one is free to interpret the story as they wish. Quite a lovely ending too. Hill is not yet what I'd call a master wordsmith, although he can manage some nice turns of phrase, but I feel he'll get there eventually. Really just a brilliant book. I'd recommend it to just about anyone.



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Review: A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius

A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



Well, whatever literary virtue there was to this book was severely undermined by the pretentiousness and self-centeredness of the author. I can understand that this was sort of a stream of consciousness narration of how the author dealt with the deaths of his parents (which occurred at a close proximity in time). I just don't like that it seemed like the book took up years of my life. It is vastly longer than it needs to be. Also, stream of consciousness doesn't work well unless the writer really knows what they're doing, and it's fairly evident Eggers didn't know how to handle it that well.

I can sometimes enjoy books written in first person by someone who is altogether unlikable, but the worst sin is being shallow and pretentious at the same time. If I wanted to read an autobiography, I'd rather read one by someone who either knows how to make the mundane entertaining or who has lived a life that's entertaining to read about. That's not this book.

The prose was fine. In most places it was serviceable and in others there were flashes of brilliance, but those were far too few. The length of time he spends on such vignettes as his interview with MTV or his time at Might Magazine was simply agonizing in how pathetic his pandering plea for attention was, and even though his smarmy self-awareness means he knows he's pandering, he does it anyway, all the while thinking he's being cute. It's not. It's just plain awful.

I can't say the book was bad because it really wasn't terribly written. But I couldn't honestly recommend this to anyone either.



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Review: The Last Policeman

The Last Policeman by Ben H. Winters

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Pretty good. The mystery was not the most intriguing, but it wasn't ever meant to be anything out of the bounds of normal human behavior. The setting with the end of the world imminent creates a more memorable backdrop, but other than as set dressing it serves little purpose. Of course that's not to say that this book should have been written more as speculative fiction than detective novel because I enjoyed it for what it is. The prose was really the weakest part, not that it ever delved into being truly cliche or trite, but mostly it was uninspired. Still, a good book overall. I will definitely be reading the sequel.



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Review: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Great story. Pretty well written, although it's a bit scattershot, but that's ok. I loved the technical aspects of his work, although I understand maybe not everyone will because not everyone is fascinated by electronics and electricity like the author is (and like I am). I would recommend this to pretty much anyone!



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