Moves along nicely. Think of "The Elder Ice" as a period ...
344555
Well-written. Moves along nicely. Think of "The Elder Ice" as a period detective/adventure story, rather than straight-out horror.
919539
Lord of Souls starts slowly.  Much like initially "walking" around in the world of Elder Scrolls, there are many minor characters with odd names that are hard to track, but a complex plot develops as the story proceeds.  Once you get about 1/4 of the way into the book, the story gets much more compelling.

The writing is solid, but if the reader were unfamiliar with Elder Scrolls IV, the concepts would be obscure (and aren't explained), such as what daedra are, what Oblivion is, etc.  There's a great deal of mayhem, as in the games, leaving the reader wondering how there could be any population left in the fictional world.

Lord of Souls is lightweight (which is hardly unexpected for a story based on a game), but it's an entertaining read for fans of Elder Scrolls.  Recommended if you're familiar with the Oblivion world, and it will leave fans hungry for the upcoming game, Elder Scrolls V.
2657833
With the recent discovery of the ocean of water deep within the Earth gives pause for thought if it were released coupled with the melting of the polar ice caps. The author does a fine job formulating this scenario.
1738927
The brief review:  I had a slight smile on my face the entire time I read this book.  It is, as a reviewer of the Three Muskateers might have once said, "charming."
To elaborate:  Brust is very well (some might say "over") educated and knows how to turn a phrase.  The plot moves along briskly; the characters, while not fleshed out too thoroughly, do have distinct and effective personalities.  I was, at first, a bit lost about the world's/realm's infrastructure of Houses and about the characteristics of each (and what animals the fantasy names correlate to).  However, I've not read the Vlad Taltos series, which apparently sheds some light on those matters.
This is not a book to be read at breakneck speed, as the dialogue must be savored and as there are plot details that could otherwise be missed.  That said, even if one does commit to reading each excruciatingly polite phrase that the characters utter, there are still times when one wants to throttle them for not getting to the point.  Brust plays this game nicely, but he perhaps goes to the well one too many times.  Nevertheless, in two words, as the wonderfully pompous narrator might say, this is an amiable sabre-and-sorcery frolick, and I plan to check out Five Hundred Years After, the next book, very soon.  (Closer to 3-1/2 or 3-3/4 stars, but 4 is certainly not a stretch.)
2585218
It's 1493 in rural Scotland. Gil Cunningham and his new wife Alys, are visiting Gil's mother, the redoubtable Lady Egidia. To his consternation, as he's rather on vacation, Gil is called out to view the body of a red-haired man uncovered by peat-diggers on a neighbor's estate. The man has apparently lain in the ground for many years past, he was thrice killed, and his hands have no calluses.

In spite of the evidence, David Fleming, the local priest, is sure it's the body of Thomas Murray, a collier (coalworker) missing for 5 weeks. Worse, Fleming is determined to lay the blame on Thomas's mother-in-law, Beatrice, a healer with whom he's argued (though he won't say why). Her work with herbs and distillations makes her a prime target for Fleming's accusation of witchcraft.

Not many besides Fleming consider the witchcraft accusation to make sense, but Gil figures the only way to quiet Fleming is to find the missing Murray. This leads him and Alys on several roadtrips, interviewing and gathering evidence. What sounds especially suspicious is that there have been several more deaths related to the collection of colliers working the neighboring land.

"The Rough Collier" is an enjoyable book. It's the 5th in Pat McIntosh's Gil Cunningham series, out of 9 published to date. It's also the first I've read in the series, and makes me want to read more.

Language can be touchy with historical novels. You want enough of the original language to be believable, but not so much that you can't understand what the characters are saying. McIntosh does a good job, I think, of balancing these needs. We read sentences such as "He's aye pleasant wi' you when he's up here." - not too hard to interpret, and still putting you in the Scottish mood.

I'm a word lover, and get a kick out of McIntosh's resurrection of some beauties. For example, Michael is dismayed at the notion that Joanna may have poisoned her husband: "What a fankle this is," he says. What a great word!

The historical part of the novel seems realistic. The only time I raised my eyebrows was when Gil approaches a camp of salt-boilers, their figures eerily silhouetted in the smoke and steam of the boilers. "It made Gil think of a vision of hell by that mad Flemish painter Bosch." It seems unlikely that Gil had seen Bosch's work, "The Garden of Earthly Delights", which is first inventoried as hanging in a palace in Brussels in 1517. Bosch was probably painting in 1493, as his year of birth is estimated at 1450, and, as he was collected by royalty, he was apparently a successful painter. But his paintings weren't widely copied or studied until a century later (when copying meant painting a copy).

That said, though, it isn't impossible that Gil saw a copy of the painting, so I'm nitpicking. Besides, it certainly gives you a vivid image of what the salt-boiler camp looked like. And this brings up another point, I love the historical information you glean or are reminded of as you read "The Rough Collier". How salt is made from ocean water (no - it's not as simple as boiling the water), for example.

A recommended historical mystery!

Happy Reader
3021832
Peter May accurately describes life in the Outer Hebrides. My family is from North Uist which my great grandfather left in 1855. I went back in 1995 for a visit. The Hebrides are more of a place to be from than to be. It is a difficult place to make a living or a life. The work is hard, the wind always blows, and joy is fleeting. But people do stay ...and leave.

There is a wide gulf between those that stay and leave and May captures that in this book.  The plot is a bit slow for an American and somewhat psychological than a real mystery.

I will read the other two books in the series but will space them out as I am sure they are just as grim.

May's photographic book of the Hebrides is wonderful. I highly recommend it.
2404428
It's a bit slow..."atmospheric", but nonetheless pretty good.
315589
This is a wonderful continuation of the Bright Isle saga. We are now dealing with the first generation of the union of
Edouard, the king, his lover, Kieran and  Edouard's queen, Celli. All three are devoted caretakers' of the triplets. Interestingly,
their are two boys and one girl. The children are aware of the relationship of the king and his lover, Kieran. Kieran, in fact is
considered their loving stepdad.  Although, Kieran and Edouard are important characters in this tale, actually, the story's focus is
on the youngest son, Vincent' manifesting magic. The adventure begins with Vincent leaving the palace for training at Bright Isle and the ensuing challenges.

Admittedly, this isn't  a high adventure story but the simplicity of the tale itself wraps one in the story. Initially, it moves at a
slower pace than I'd like but satisfyingly it did pick up. Primarily , we are dealing with accepting unwanted gifts, creating new
relationships and learning how to be "ok" not fitting into the mold. Oh, we do have a few unsavory characters that are handled
quite effectively by Kieran(still the most powerful wizard). Kieran is less innocent and more world wise. I liked the change.

I'd give this a 4.5 rating and have no problems recommending  it. I  do think u would relate more if you did read the other books
in the series. Although, it's not necessary . This is a pleasant read. It's not fantastic, but that's alright. It's enjoyable.
3751013
This is the second in the series and I made the mistake of asking to review it, having forgotten that I hadnt enjoyed the first one much!

However I did enjoy this novel more: its less confusing and more engaging.

Its a tale of the Norse Gods after Ragnarok and the conflicts that emerge. This is mixed with 21st century references since several characters from Pandemonium, Australia find themselves dragged into the conflict.

There is a glossary to explain all the Norse terms but, as I read this in the kindle edition, it was not convenient to keep looking so I didn't bother: the story remained sufficiently clear.

The style did not always appeal as the first-person narration, when it occurs, is in spoken language rather than written. This does not work for me.

Quite entertaining but, if theres a third book, Ill resist the temptation!
3226104
I've recently developed an interest in Alpine glaciers and this book was recommended to me. It deals with ice in all its forms, from ice cubes to glaciers to ice sculptures and even ice in outer space (although, oddly, the book doesn't cover snow). For Gosnell, ice became somewhat of an obsession in the same way that Mark Kurlansky became obsessed with salt (in&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Salt-A-World-History/dp/0142001619/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Salt: A World History</a>) and cod (in&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Cod-A-Biography-of-the-Fish-that-Changed-the-World/dp/0140275010/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World</a>) in his own meticulously comprehensive works.

The writing ranges from lyrical and evocative to mundane, with the author analyzing the structure, formation and peculiar behavior of ice crystals, then recounting well-known anecdotes about Roger Bacon, the Titanic and Scott's attempt to reach the South Pole. I have to say it kept me interested but sometimes I felt as though she was just compiling facts and stories without tying them to a central theme. Her research is exhaustive, her writing skillful, but this could have been a shorter, more concise book.
1517490
The fourth book of the Wheel of Time, The Shadow Rising, is a good one, despite the fact that it brought the Nynaeve braid-tug count up to forty. (I stopped counting after this - I just got tired. Ain't nobody got time for that foolishness. Maybe someday if I read again and keep track of all the prophecies I'll also keep a Tug Count.)

In this one is where some of the intricacies of the plotting are revealed. One aspect of the series which, while kind of fun, is actually sort of a negative is that there are a good half dozen sources of prophecy seeded throughout the monstrously huge cast of characters. Egwene dreams; Elaida has foretellings; Min has her visions; there's Rhuidean; and so on. Oh, and the experiences of Mat and Moiraine Through the Looking Glass - er, Twisted Door. And here some of the prophecies coalesce and come true - and not in obvious manners, necessarily, but in a very cool and innovative way. Pieces come together, and the story takes a huge step forward. It's beautifully executed.

The series as a whole is a big ungainly mess - but I maintain that parts of it are absolutely lovely.
3253093
I loved the first person, present tense writing style. The narrative seemed to slip in and out of time and so the magic of the story became more alive. It's a story based in old stories but it brings a historical relevance to how life in the early 20th century Alaska must have been like. I felt the struggle and the life or death decisions that had to be made in those sub-zero temperatures. I enjoyed the non-fiction grind of the story flowing with the fictional, fantasy-themed characters. A good read for my book club.
598785
This is number nine in the series which began with The Ice Princess, and has only been published in English in England so far, so go to amazon.com/uk to get it now. Fans of the series will like it; it's one of the better ones. Lackberg's readers will know that not all of the titles are equal, so I was glad that this was good, and lengthy as is typical of her novels.. The characters are familiar and continue to develop, and the "sense of place", which won me over in the first book, is also present here. It's meaty and engrossing, and a satisfying read. I only gave it four stars because at a certain point not much happens and suddenly everything happens at once, which is a little confusing.  And the title is a mystery.
3516827
Behemoth is Baxter's Mammoth trilogy&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Silverhair/dp/1857988493/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Silverhair</a>,<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Longtusk/dp/0061051357/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Longtusk</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Icebones/dp/0575072148/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Icebones</a>&nbsp;collected together. Respectively, it follows the story of the last mammoths, the greatest mammoth and finally [...Pigs in space] mammooooooooths on Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaars! But, don't worry, Behemoth is very readable and not really that far fetched.

In Silverhair, a paltry group of mammoths find themselves pushed further and further into the inhospitable Northern icecap by marauding humans. This is the last family of mammoths and Baxter makes you feel their isolation and loss, and there is no little horror in seeing human actions from the point of view of the mammoths. This is the only slightly disconcerting issue I have with Behemoth. The anthropomorphic nature of the mammoth's behaviour, probably necessary for telling Baxter's story, just seems at odds with the animals in nature. I have no doubt of their ability to communicate and emote but these mammoths are opposable thumbs away from Euclidian mathematics and Pyramids!

In Longtusk, the hero of the mammoth's own cycle of creation is given centre stage. We follow the legendary mammoth, spoken of with reverence in the cycle, from young bull to saviour of the species. This story is set some 15,000 years ago just before the coming ice age and both the lives of the mammoths and the people they interact with are excellently presented. It is also nice to see a representation of ancient man that doesn't succumb to block-headed stereotypes, both Sapiens and Neanderthals come off as well rounded species and the progress and expansion of the Sapiens is frighteningly reminiscent of modern mans viral like spread over the Earth.

In Icebones, mankind has moved to and evacuated from Mars. We're not quite sure why man has departed and left behind a partially terraformed planet but the huge mammoths also left behind are like lost souls cast adrift. These are genetically engineered breeds, born without any natural instincts and solely reliant on their human masters for everything. Only Icebones, calf of the matriarch Silverhair from the first book remembers the nature of what mammoths are supposed to be. This is the story of how she leads a disparate group of tame and naive mammoths to better pastures, forging them into a herd and a family. Unfortunately, despite a well realised alien landscape, the story suffers for being a very long trek, with the petulant immature mammoths like squabbling kids in the backseat asking "Are we there yet?" every two minutes.

Overall I preferred the story of Longtusk, Silverhair is marginally less believable and Icebones simply drags too often. Longtusk is considerably more dynamic and full of adventure. That said all three books are enjoyable. Behemoth is a very easy read and Baxter conjures believable characters and environments. At the end I was left with a definite sadness that these creatures, such recent extinctions, are gone forever.
808507
Author Beck gives us some strong and interesting characters in Beneath the Dark Ice--Capt. Alex Hunter, code name Arcadian, and a strong-willed and very bright scientist named Aimee. Its refreshing to see female characters portrayed as a figure one would look up to and admire. The plot is filled with action and doesnt take long to get going. Once it does, I wanted to keep with it, although at times it felt like more of the same-o, same-o. There could have been more substance than a group of people fleeing through an endless cavern while being chased by all manner of carnivorous beasts. You just know that someone is going to be eaten, and you don't have to wait long.

There is a subplot involving really nasty Russian hit men that is more of a hook for future novels, and a burgeoning romance that never seems to gain any momentum. Alex is an interesting and rather novel protagonist, perhaps too much as his character boarders on fantasy in my opinion. The science, at times, is believable and at other times it is total bogocity, and I struggled with a lack of credible weaponology. If you enjoy sci-fi, these criticisms will be immaterial.

I rate this between 3 and 4 stars. On the positive, this is one hell of an action saga. On the negative, Alex stretches credibility too far, and the plot peaks too early and then stagnates.
4321576
Ice Schooner (1969) by Michael Moorcock

Ice Schooner (1969) is a well-written adventure story.  In the far future the Earth is covered in ice, and people live in underground cave cities and worship "the Ice Mother."  Traveling between these cities, conducting trade and hunting seals, bears, and "land whales," are square-rigged ships much like those which plied the seas in the late 18th and early 19th century; the difference is that these ships have giant runners or skis that allow them to run on the ice.  In the novel, an adventurer with some psychological issues and his not quite reliable crew set out on a quest to find the ancient, perhaps mythical, city of New York, thousands of miles away.

Moorcock does a good job of setting the scene and filling the story with interesting detail; again and again we are told about the creaking of the rigging, the way the light reflects off ice, etc,.  He also sets a mood of mystery and uneasiness; not only are the characters traveling into unknown and dangerous territory, but live in a time when many of them are becoming skeptical of their traditional religion and mores and the very climate seems to be changing.  Their whole world is falling apart.

Readers familiar with Moby Dick, the tale of Jason and the Argonauts, and Homer's Odyssey may find subtle references to these works.  Readers who harbor resentment towards the bourgeoisie and the aristocracy may enjoy the human interest elements of the book: early in the novel an accountant inherits a title, and Moorcock has him humiliated in every scene in which he appears - his wife hates him, the hero cuckolds him, he is witnessed by everyone in acts of cowardice, the crew of the ship physically assault him, he breaks both legs in an accident caused by someone else, etc.  Wondering whether we are supposed to despise and detest this character, or feel sympathy or pity for him, adds to the general atmosphere of uneasiness that the book generates.

I read the 1969 Berkley paperback that proudly announces "First American Publication" and can give it a solid recommendation.  I can only wonder what changes Moorcock made in later editions.
1808220
Trying a little too hard for complexity and a dark anti-hero protagonist, this book nonetheless succeeds admirably in creating a series of interesting characters and throwing them into situations where their natures are in fundamental conflict.  While the book has the structure of a traditional fantasy "quest" novel, the result is very much a subversion of those tropes.

Later books in the series can seem somewhat repetitive, so perhaps this series would have been better served as single lengthy novel.  Still very much worth reading.