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Alan S

Alan S

has 9 followers and is following 5 people

I enjoy well-researched historical novels, contemporary fiction with exotic international settings, classic 19th & 20th century literature, humourous travel memoirs and young adult fantasy. My favourite authors include Ken Follett, Alexander McCall-Smith, E.M. Forster, Bill Bryson and Eoin Colfer. I'm also a big fan of unabridged audio books.
  • Burlington, ON, Canada
  • member since July 11, 2009

Reviews

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Displaying 1-10 of 196 reviews
  • A Trick of the Light
    • Rated 3 stars

    “A Trick of the Light finds Chief Inspector Armand Gamache back in Three Pines, Quebec investigating yet another baffling murder. But, as Louise Penny fans have come to know, it is the town's delightful denizens, more so than the mysteries themselves, that make this series such fun to read. The characters, whose droll sarcasm and witty banter never overshadow the genuine fondness they have for one another, are like old friends who can always be counted on to amuse and entertain us. But Penny's characters also have a depth and complexity that will appeal to readers who enjoy well-written, sophisticated crime novels. That said, I found the plot of this novel a bit lame, but, all in all, it was still an enjoyable read.”

    Alan S wrote this review yesterday. ( reply | permalink )
  • Lord Foul's Bane
    • Rated 2 stars

    “What tempted me to read Lord Foul's Bane was its quirky premise of a self-loathing leper who is mysteriously drawn into a strange fantasy world and saddled with the task of saving it from complete destruction. Apart from its cynical and somewhat pathetic anti-hero, however, the story is remarkably unoriginal and derivative with its perilous quest, reluctant ringbearer and Golem-like adversary. To make matters worse, Donaldson's penchant for using rather strained, ambiguous metaphors serves only to confuse rather than enlighten the reader. The result is a disappointing and unsatisfying read which fails to inspire you to tackle the remaining books in the series.”

    Alan S wrote this review Monday, April 23, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • Innocent Blood
    • Rated 4 stars

    “Innocent Blood, although not part of P.D. James's popular Adam Dalgleish series, is a superbly crafted stand-alone crime thriller. The story involves a recently come-of-age adoptee who discovers that her birth mother is a convicted murderess who is about to be paroled from prison. In spite of her revulsion, the young woman feels compelled to "connect" with her mother in order to discover the truth about her own past. What emerges is a darkly disturbing character study that provides some startling insights into the complexities of human behavior and challenges our assumptions about the nature of morality.”

    Alan S wrote this review Monday, April 23, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • Inés of My Soul
    • Rated 4 stars

    “Inés of My Soul is a fictionalized memoir of Doña Inés Suárez, the legendary 16th century Conquistadora who played a key role in the founding of Chile. Isabel Allende is a masterful storyteller who, with the aid of a little bit of skilfully woven magic realism, manages to create a truly memorable, larger than life heroine without straying from the known historical facts. Alhough the story is told from the conquerors' point of view, Allende does not try to glorify their actions by glossing over the atrocities committed by the conquistadors. Inés is portrayed as a courageous, clear eyed visionary who tells her story with remarkable sensitivity and compassion for the native peoples whose society has been savagely eradicated at the hands of her countrymen.”

    Alan S wrote this review Monday, April 23, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • I Am Half-Sick of Shadows
    • Rated 3 stars

    “I Am Half-Sick of Shadows is the 4th book in Alan Bradley's delightful Flavia de Luce mystery series and once again our precocious heroine is in top form, out-witting the police as she tries to solve a murder that has taken place right on her doorstep at Buckshaw Manor. The blizzard which traps a film crew and an assortment of local villagers in the house overnight, seems to have been inspired by the plot of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap but the hilarious sub-plot concerning Flavia's attempt to uncover the truth about Father Christmas gives the story a charmingly original twist.”

    Alan S wrote this review Sunday, April 15, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Lady of the Rivers
    • Rated 4 stars

    “The Lady of the Rivers recounts the story of Jacquetta of Luxembourg, an intriguing but relatively obscure historical figure who helped to tilt the fortunes of both the Lancastrian and York factions during the War of the Roses. As Book 3 of Philippa Gregory's Cousins' War series, it also serves as a back story to Book 1, The White Queen, which dealt with the life of Jacquetta's daughter, Elizabeth Woodville. Once again, Gregory has given us an entertaining and well-researched novel that sheds light on the significant but often overlooked roles played by women during this turbulent period of British history.”

    Alan S wrote this review Tuesday, March 13, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • Daughter of Fortune
    • Rated 5 stars

    “Daughter of Fortune is a richly textured historical adventure replete with intriguing characters and exotic international settings. At its core is the complex and startling relationship between a tender-hearted Chinese doctor and a vivacious young Chilean woman who is determined to find her lost lover amidst the chaos of the California Gold Rush. This is only the second Isabel Allende novel I've read but she is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors.”

    Alan S wrote this review Friday, March 9, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Gate House
    • Rated 2 stars

    “The Gate House features Nelson Demille's usual brand of cocky sarcasm, this time dished out by attorney John Sutter, the novel's angst-ridden and conflicted protagonist. After a while, however, Sutter's sarcastic narration becomes more tiresome than entertaining as the reader waits expectantly for the plot to move along. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen until very near the end of this 700 page snorefest. When things finally get rolling, the results are quite predictable and just a bit too contrived to be convincing.”

    Alan S wrote this review Saturday, March 3, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • Inheritance
    • Rated 4 stars

    “Inheritance is the eponymous final instalment of Christopher Paolini's epic Inheritance Cycle. Once again, Paolini demonstrates the remarkable scope of his incredibly fertile imagination although he occasionally lets it get out of control, throwing in unnecessary sub-plots and introducing characters who contribute little to the main storyline. That said, Inheritance rivals Eragon as the best book in the Inheritance Cycle, providing a satisfying end to a superb fantasy series but leaving the door open for possible future adventures in the land of Alagaesia”

    Alan S wrote this review Thursday, February 16, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • Carte Blanche
    • Rated 4 stars

    “In Carte Blanche, Jeffery Deaver does a superb job updating James Bond for the 21st century without losing any of the essential attributes of the original Ian Fleming character. A master of misdirection best-known for his deviously clever Lincoln Rhyme mysteries, Deaver brings his remarkable plottting skills to the Bond franchise, delivering a top-notch international spy thriller that rivals the best of the Ian Fleming stories.”

    Alan S wrote this review Thursday, February 16, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
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Displaying 1-10 of 196 reviews

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