Geisha, A Life

Geisha, A Life was put on my to read list after I saw it while browsing the library and wanting to read about more modern Japanese traditions. I really do not know what to say about Geisha, the writing style was a bit odd. Sometimes it read like a story and other times more like a report.

Mineko Iwasaki certainly had an interesting life and was clearly determined to live her life her own way. While I liked Iwasaki I also felt like I did not really see her despite reading her biography. Taking into account that Japanese people would understand the culture Iwasaki is a bit naive in approaching other cultures. I constantly got traditional words and names mixed up. Even with the word having a definition the first time it appeared a glossary was sorely needed. Despite the flaws I did enjoy Geisha and was happy for more insight into Japanese culture.

The Orphan's Tale

I have been wanting to read The Orphan's Tale ever since I first saw the book sitting on the shelf of my local bookstore. Turns out the story was as painstakingly beautiful as I imagined.

Noa was a written so vividly that I felt like I was standing with her in the cold as she snatched a baby from the frozen boxcar. The pain in Astrid as her husband presented the divorce papers to her painted a picture of a defeated couple in love so delicately that I feared reading Astrid would break into a thousand pieces.

While both Noa and Astrid were different in everything from their ages to their heritage yet the girls felt like close sisters and both learned how to become wise beyond their years. I loved the writing and it was refreshing to read an author who can switch between two points of view perfectly. Never once did I struggle with what was going on or trying to figure out why things suddenly changed.

The writing fit the story perfectly and while it had touches of historical moments everything flowed together well into a glorious tale of hardship, heartbreak, love, and loss. I would happily read another story by Pam Jenoff in an instant.

The Archietect's Apprentice

The Architect's Apprentice was one of the books in the box my friend lent me. When I saw Elif Shafak was the author I almost passed on it but I am glad I did not.

Jahan was an interesting character, without a father and a step father he resents he is happy to accompany the white elephant he has named Chota to Istanbul and the Sultan's menagerie. With luck and hit wits Jahan works hard to survive in the palace, far too honest for the palace games Jahan struggles to fit in properly. Finally offered a proper education at the palace school Jahan begins to excel at his passion drawing. Unable to draw the likeness of anyone he funnels his efforts into drawing blueprints of building.

Oddly enough I really enjoyed the writing style and character development. Since I disliked a previous book by Elif Shafak I had sort of written the author off my to read list, I may have to rethink that decision.

Starflight

Starflight was a lucky find. I was tired one night but unable to sleep so I picked up my nook. After browsing several pages of the library I was finding nothing so I went into my wish list and happened to see Starflight. I do not even recall putting it on my wish list.


Solara is an interesting character, while she carries the marks of a felon on her knuckles I in no way saw her as a felon. Though I was dying to find out her charges until it was finally revealed. Given up by her parents to an orphanage ran by nuns Solara has not known an easy or a kind life. Instead of letting it tear her down she decides to learn all she can about being a mechanic and thus improving her life through her skills and knowledge. While this is a beautiful picture in her head Solara has to face reality as she comes face to face with her tormentor from school.

Doran has the perfect life, money, fame, athletic, and a hot girlfriend. In a moment of judgement her decides to take Solara, a former classmate, on as his servant. Determined to get his money's worth out of her work Doran is ruthless in the chores he demands of Solara. Snooby, stuck up, and uncaring are the way Doran appears to anyone whom he deems beneath him and Solara is happy to throw anything she can in his face. Everything changes in an instant for Doran, with his DNA at a crime scene he is suddenly the most wanted person in the galaxy. With no where to go he stays with Solara on board a pirate vessel.

Solara and Doran were both interesting characters who clearly had growth while still showing parts of their character that needed to be worked on. Melissa Landers is a wonderful writer, the whole story was action packed with many different plots going on at once but nothing felt crammed in or rushed in any way. I could not wait to read the next chapter every time. I am already on the waiting list for Starfall.

Empty Promises

Empty Promises and other True Case Crimes is part of Ann Rule's Crime Files series. Each book is a stand alone though. I was getting burnt out on reading a bunch of historical novels so I switched to true crime for a while.

I really enjoyed the first half of Empty Promises since it was about one case but after that I lost interest in some of the cases. They were shorter stories and some were interesting while some were not. Ann Rule is a tight writer who clearly does her research and has an extraordinary team of editors. While I am not sure I would ever read another Crime Files book I will continue to read full length stories written by Ann Rule.

Of Blood and Bone

Of Blood and Bone is the second book in the The Chronicles of One. I did not care for it much and while I will read the next book I am only reading it to get closure over what happens to a few key characters.

Fallon is annoying, everything comes so easily for her. She never has to struggle with things or has moments where she gets to realize life is not fair. An average every day Mary Jane that everyone cannot wait to worship.

I would like to know more about some of the side characters, including the animals who befriend Fallon. Along with her teacher Mallick. His story seems promising along with some areas outside of New Hope or the farm where Fallon grew up. It is all well and good to be told over and over how much crime is outside the communities but show the reader that.

Sadly Of Blood and Bone became a chore to read which is why it took me so long to read. I am just glad it is over with so I can move onto a better book.

The City of Brass

I am not even sure where to being with a review for The City of Brass. I have read fantasy and high fantasy for years yet never have I struggled so much with names, religious sects, and nationalities. Half the time I was not sure who I was reading about and I constantly got characters confused, jumping between nick names for people and their full name did not help either. I really should read The City of Brass again to try to understand it more but it was a hard book for me to hold one handed and my right hand still shows no signs of recovery any time soon.

Nahri lives in the slums and makes her money swindling rich people. Happy to steal from the rich to feed herself and save for her dream of moving out of the slums Nahri takes pride in her abilities to get money from wealthy men without having to resort to prostitution. All is going well for Nahri until she gets in a con over her head, struggling to heal a young teen Nahri accidentally summons a djinn. This is where I started to get confused as to who was who.

Ali is the crown prince but knows he will never rule since he is the second son. Happy to be in his brothers shadow he lives his life by the sword. Mastering his skills he fights with a deadly grace and all is going his way until his father summons him back to court to keep a closer eye on him.

Even though I struggled with the world Chakraborty wrote I still liked the story. I do plan on reading City of Copper and hopefully it wont be as much a struggle. Books like this make me wish for a fold out glossary so it is easier to look up terms and names.