Dragonsong - Anne McCaffrey (Volume 1 of the Harper Hall Trilogy - Pern series - 3)

This is one of those easy reads that takes me away to Pern and envelopes me in the story.  When I was a teenager I read this book called Island of the Blue Dolphins and I feel that Anne channeled that book writing this one.

Enter Menolly.  She lives in a seahold off the coast and dreams of becoming a harper.  Those dreams are dashed when she is injured and her father forbids her from becoming one.  Menolly runs away and finds a batch of firelizards about to hatch.  Fearing for their life, she keeps them from escaping a cave into the danger Thread falling outside.  9 imprint on her and she teaches them to sing.  Her life isn't so lonely anymore and her amazing little friends open a new world to her so thought was lost.

Ok so not my best description but this book is so worth the read.  While part of the Pern series and the first book in a triliogy it can be read as a standalone.

Pick it up, borrow it but def read it.

Dragonflight - Anne McCaffrey - (Pern Series)

One of my first excursions into fantasy was with Anne and so she holds a special place on my shelf.  Chronologically speaking in the world of Pern, this isn't the first book, but there are MANY different ways to read her books so you don't have to take my advice.  They do all interweave and *most of her series could be read as standalones but you do get more sense of characters and world if you read this one.  If you want to read it chronologically - read Survey P.E.R.N.  Dragonflight falls um 20th in the chronological order but for me this was the best introduction to Pern and the way of life that exists now. Anne herself said the best way to read her series in the way it was published, and this book was her first written in 1968.  So readers, this is also my recommendation.

It has been 400 years since Thread has fallen from the sky, destroying crops and killing people.  400 years since dragons fought the Thread as it fell.  400 years since the dragons have had purpose and not a drain on the holds that support them.  But the Red Star has made it's pass and the time of dragons is coming again.  And one woman will lead them all into a new era - making dragons relevant again.

This isn't my favorite Pern series book but it is oh so important to see where Lessa came from.  What makes her the stalwart woman she is and more important how she changed Pern.  Anne created an incredibly detailed and rich world and you just want to keep reading about it.  I devoured any and all books about Pern that I could.

Yes pick this one up.  Yes immerse yourself in Pern.  Whether you love or hate Lessa - the world of Pern will beckon you and you'll want to visit it more.

Sword Dancer - Jennifer Roberson (Tiger & Del Series Book 1)

Finally tracked down all but the last book of this series.  7 books total feature the story of Tiger & Del.

Sword Dancer begins with the meeting of Tiger, a desert sword dancer - born a slave; and Del, a northern sword dancer on a mission, a blood quest, as cold and fierce as the land she hails from.  Through necessity she seeks him out to help her traverse the fierce desert and find her lost brother.  Tiger accepts because he is drawn to her cool beauty and mysterious power.  Where will their journey take them?  What dangers await?

This book had me from the beginning.  Tiger may be a sexist man but he's one of those men that underneath it came is a softie.  And oh how soft he gets towards Del.  Tiger grows a lot in this book and is a learning man.  Del is a huge mystery until about half through but is one of those characters you want to learn about.  She is so focused on finding her brother it blinds her to everything.  They both get into some pretty tough scrapes in this book but its a fantasy series that keeps you rooting for them.

I would recommend for sure and I can't wait to read the second one.

The Accident Season - Moira Fowley-Doyle

When I first read the back of the book description I was intrigued.  Who hasn't thought of themselves as accident prone at one time or another?  I know I certainly have.  But a family who for a complete month has probably the worst luck in the history of the world every single year at the same time?  Curiosity peaked I delved in.

For 17 year old Cara, accident season has always been a part of her life.  Every October her family battens down the hatches so to speak - knives are banished, sharp corners are padded, electrical items are switched off and extra clothing is added to pad, protect and warm.  But despite their best efforts injuries follow wherever they go.  All of them.  Some years aren't that bad - bruising and bumps and small cuts.  Some years however are terrible - broken bones and deaths.  Why does this happen to them every year?  How can they break free?  What secrets does the families past hold?

I found the relationships between characters slightly offsetting at times.  Weird imagery and strange writing - this book was definitely not my normal read.  This book is a snapshot of a couple of weeks of Cara's life at the end of this particular accident season.  I can't say that I totally enjoyed it, but at the same time I had no problems finishing it.  Would I recommend it?  If you like weird imagery and undefined relationships (yes yes they are teenagers I get it) then have at er.  Otherwise, meh there are other far more interesting books to read.

House of Many Ways - Diana Wynne Jones

Out of all 3 books in the trilogy this was my least favorite, but still an interesting read. The book was written 18 years after book 2 (Castle in the Air), 22 years after book 1 (Howl's Moving Castle) and 3 years before Diana's death.  Which may explain why I didn't enjoy it as much however it is still in keeping with the trilogy.

Charmain is an avid reader, to the point where nothing else exists in the world.  So when her great-uncle needs someone to look after his house while he's going to be treated by the elves, she jumps on the chance for peace and quiet to read.  But her quiet time to read is anything but.  Her great uncle is a wizard and his house extraordinary.  Unfortunately his illness is more advanced than anticipated and is whisked away before he can explain that this is no ordinary house.  But he has left some instructions.  Charmain slowly gets her feel for the intricacies of the house and a much, much bigger plot occurring around her.

I found this story not as interesting as the first two books and thus didn't enjoy it as much.  Charmain wasn't a character I truly connected with.  The story itself was alright but the ending I found to be...harsh?  Howl, Sophie and gang are once again woven into the story.  I did however find elements of this book were taken and added to Hayao Miyazaki's movie Howl's Moving Castle and recognized them right away, which was enjoyable.

If you've read the first two, yes I would recommend this one, if only to finish the Sophie and Howl storyline.

Castle in the Air - Dianne Wynne Jones

Second book in the Howl's Moving Castle Series

Abdullah, a not very prosperous carpet merchant in Zanzib, dreams.  Daydreams to be more precise.  A lot.  But he was content with his life and daydreams until one day a merchant sells him a magic carpet.  At first Abdullah still thinks he's dreaming when he's transported and wakes up in an enchanted garden and talks to a beautiful maiden, Flower-in-the-Night.  But when it happens again the next night and she is kidnapped, Abdullah must shake his daydreams away and go on a daring rescue!

I have to say that I am enjoying this series a lot!  This story is very reminiscent of Aladdin and Arabian Nights feeling.  Some good plot twists, excellent characters (love the guy in the stall next to him and his dog) and my favorite part of the book was the flowery speeches.  VERY formal Indian speaking even when the characters despise one another and are insulting.  Quite amusing I must say.    Once again Howl, Sophie and the gang are back so it's a very nice tie in but they are not the central part of the story.

Highly recommend as a light read trilogy - but read Howl's Moving Castle first!

Starship Troopers - Robert A. Heinlein

The movie was what my husband and I saw on our first date.  So it intrigued me to read the book.

Told from the perspective of Juan Rico (aka Johnnie), joining the military to become a citizen, his start in boot camp, going to battle across the stars and the enemies they fight against.

I have to say like most books turned into movies this one was no exception.  It was vastly different in ways that I didn't like but the further I got into the book it was like the movie.  Then towards the end nothing like it.  It's hard to describe and I tried really hard to be unbiased because I adore the movie so much.  The first chapter is Johnnie on planet in combat.  Chapters 2-6 are in depth boot camp chapters. Then it moves into the rest of his career.

I found the book character very...human.  I still haven't decided if that's a good thing or not.  In the movie he's kind of a cocky jock who's cut down to size but turns out to be a true leading character.  In the book he's afraid and doesn't want to take the lead and always wants to resign.

All in all I would still recommend reading this book.  Just be warned it VERY military heavy.