Book Review - Naamah's Curse

Naamah's Curse by Jacqueline Carey

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Of all of the books in this series - This is the one I liked least.
Still well written, but a bit more predictable than all the others. Also, this one seemed to get a bit "preachy". I've always enjoyed Carey's incorporation of Elua's pantheon with the others, but this one was just too much.

The problem is that Moirin is not as interesting a character as Phedre. She seems a bit shallow and the idea of her "falling in love" with everyone she comes in contact, while a nice idea makes for less conflict - the heart of the first few books of the series. Its still a good read - but I am hoping that if we continue to hear about Moirin, as it looks like we may, that her character deepens or at least the conflict she is facing seems dire enough that I too struggle to find the answer with her.


SPOILER!!
With the discovery of the black diamond there was a hint that it was possible for Moirin to explore the darker side of desire. I would like to see more of that in the next book. Carey has a way of making things that I myself had not ever though appealing a bit more so and making me curious. When a book makes you think - that is when it is a worthy read.

Book Review - Eleanor and Abel

Eleanor and Abel by Anette Sanford


My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars


While a cute read, easy to finish in a sitting and uncomplicated - this is not one of my favorite books. Its apparent that the writer's traditional genre is short stories. The concept of the book - finding love even at an old age is a good one. However the writing is mediocre. The wry wit does not make up for the lack of character development. The storyline felt like a short story that had outgrown its bounds and at one point there is a desperate attempt to create conflict by adding an additional character, which only served to water the plot down further.


I actually read this for a book club formed by Wentworth Miller fans. He had mentioned the book in an interview. I don't remember the exact wording, but the gist was that it would make a good movie. I do not disagree, the concept is there and the basic characters all exist in such a way that someone could option this book and make a fantastic heartwarming romance of it. It would make a better movie than book. I wonder how someone goes about optioning it...?


Anyway......
Some of my friends really enjoyed the book for the pure pleasure of reading. It is not that I did not enjoy it at all. Its is that I could never get past the 70 year old heroine seemingly having the emotional maturity of a 14 year old.