I've finally created the next stage in the evolution of this blog, that I mentioned several months ago as an idea. The idea has come to fruition via the power of Ning (.com)...

http://bookwormtrails.ning.com/

The new site is called Bookworm Trails. It's a site for keeping your own reading journal and checking out what others are reading and what they thought of books you are considering.

I've begun to add some old posts from my old reading blog to get it started and have started a discussion about public libraries -- should we use them or buy books to support our favourite authours?

It is my hope that eventually members will form reading groups and hold chat sessions, but for now it's a great way of keeping track of what you read through the years.

Come on over and join in!

“What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined... to strengthen each other... to be at one with each other in silent unspeakable memories." - George Eliot

Book Details

Title: The Iron Tree
Tag-line: Book One of the Crowthistle Chronicles
Genre/Category: Fantasy
Type: Paperback
Authour: Cecila Dart-Thornton
Publisher: Pan-Macmillan (this edition) UK,Australia,NZ / Tor - US,Canada
ISBN: 0-330-43301-6

Reading Details

Started Reading: 19th December 2008
Finished Reading: In Progress

Comments

I've decided that it makes more sense to review the book after I've read it rather than give comments or views early on in the book.

I've reserved the second and third books in Raymond E. Feist's Conclave of Shadows series at my local library. While I wait for those to be returned I thought I'd try a female fantasy author and compare styles, theme, and character. I notice that as I write and study the art of writing, the way I read is changing. Luckily I still get absorbed into the story, but my critical eye is always there.

Review

Check back soon.

“Never does the human soul appear so strong as when it foregoes revenge and dares to forgive an injury” - Edwin Hubble

Book Details

Title: Talon of the Silver Hawk
Tag-line: Book One of the Conclave of Shadows
Genre/Category: Fantasy
Type: Paperback
Authour: Raymond E. Feist
Publisher: Voyager
ISBN: 0-00-716185-9

Reading Details

Started Reading: 10th December 2008
Finished Reading: 18th December 2008

Comments

I couldn't resist the lure of a good fantasy story that I could get stuck into. It was so nice to want to read a book all the time, during breakfast and lunchbreaks, as well as my usual bedtime. I zipped through it and loved every minute.

I still have not finished the POL POT book, and may not, it is very long and detailed and the type-face is too small to make it an enjoyable read.

I choose Talon because I really enjoyed Raymond E. Feist's style and stories in the Legends II anthology, this book in particular because it was the only "first book in a series" on the shelves in my local library. The book is a complete tale in itself, nicely book-ended by a revenge story. We see great character growth in the main character, who I can't really say is the protagonist as it's the masters of the Conclave of Shadows (the good guys) who really drive Talon (the main character) forward. Saying that, he is highly motivated to pursue The Conclave's enemies for his own reasons. Talon does learn self-control, but is completely without mercy.

I'll definitely be looking for more in the series.