My Kindle Paperwhite second generation arrived today so I decided to take a moment to share my thoughts. My initial reaction is that this second generation of Amazon’s popular eInk eReader is more evolutionary than revolutionary. The improvements to the screen and processor, while noticeable, are not overwhelmingly so. I, personally, was not particularly bothered by some light shading at the bottom of the screen, but I know that many people are sensitive to this. That is improved considerably on the second generation of Paperwhite. Here are some screenshots: The new Kindle is on the right. The new version does seem to have a warmer sense about it. and with the new Kobo Aura The new combined Dictionary/X-Ray/Wikipedia screen seems really useful: (Note – the shading at the top of that screenshot is not a faulty screen – it’s decorative shading on the book itself) Probably the most useful is the new page scrolling function – you can now move about easily within a book with a new navigation tool. The feature that I am most excited about, GoodReads integration, isn’t yet here – it is “coming soon” via software update. This takes me back a few years when…
My Kindle Paperwhite second generation arrived today so I decided to take a moment to share my thoughts. My initial reaction is that this second generation of Amazon’s popular eInk eReader is more evolutionary than revolutionary. The improvements to the screen and processor, while noticeable, are not overwhelmingly so. I, personally, was not particularly bothered by some light shading at the bottom of the screen, but I know that many people are sensitive to this. That is improved considerably on the second generation of Paperwhite. Here are some screenshots: The new Kindle is on the right. The new version does seem to have a warmer sense about it. and with the new Kobo Aura The new combined Dictionary/X-Ray/Wikipedia screen seems really useful: (Note – the shading at the top of that screenshot is not a faulty screen – it’s decorative shading on the book itself) Probably the most useful is the new page scrolling function – you can now move about easily within a book with a new navigation tool. The feature that I am most excited about, GoodReads integration, isn’t yet here – it is “coming soon” via software update. This takes me back a few years when…
My review of Irianeth
Irianeth is the twelfth and final book in Robillard’s Chevaliers d’Emeraude, (Knights of Emerald) series. In her native Quebec and also France Anne Robillard has a following like that of George R.R. Martin, complete with conventions and banquets, music and merchandise. The series is, as of yet, not available in English, which is a real shame – it is a brilliant high fantasy series with compelling characters and wonderful worldbuilding. If Anne or any publishing houses are reading this, please, please publish this series in English so that fans the world over can share this fantastic tale. However, as there is no English language version available, I will have to review the series for you. In terms of plot, Knights of Emerald follows a pretty standard fantasy trope: the Dark Emperor wants to take over the continent of Enkidiev and destroy it and, only the Knights of Emerald and their allies stand in his way. Naturally, there is a prophecy predicting his downfall with both sides using magical means to ensure/prevent its fulfilment. There are twelve books in the series of which Irianeth is the final one. Although there is the overarching plotline of the final prophesied confrontation with the…
The Elite by Keira Cass continues the story of America Singer and her participation in the Selection to win the heart and hand of Prince Maxon. In this book America must deal with the consequences of her being torn between two men, she learns more of the political reality of Illea and makes a dangerous new enemy. My reading of The Elite only served to consolidate my thoughts on the series as a whole. What I liked The concept. I continued to enjoy the Batchelor/Hunger Games idea behind the story. In the Elite, the number of contestants has been reduced considerably, so we really get to know the main candidates. I found it interesting that Cass gives the impression that America might not necessarily be the best candidate for the role, at least in terms of maintaining the status quo. Clearly though the caste system is being portrayed as inherently flawed, and America is likely the best candidate to change this. The world. I enjoyed what more we learned about the world. As part of their Elite status, the remaining candidates are introduced more and more into the politics of Illea. This necessarily involves a widening view of the world…
My review of Kiera Cass’s The Elite
The Elite by Keira Cass continues the story of America Singer and her participation in the Selection to win the heart and hand of Prince Maxon. In this book America must deal with the consequences of her being torn between two men, she learns more of the political reality of Illea and makes a dangerous new enemy. My reading of The Elite only served to consolidate my thoughts on the series as a whole. What I liked The concept. I continued to enjoy the Batchelor/Hunger Games idea behind the story. In the Elite, the number of contestants has been reduced considerably, so we really get to know the main candidates. I found it interesting that Cass gives the impression that America might not necessarily be the best candidate for the role, at least in terms of maintaining the status quo. Clearly though the caste system is being portrayed as inherently flawed, and America is likely the best candidate to change this. The world. I enjoyed what more we learned about the world. As part of their Elite status, the remaining candidates are introduced more and more into the politics of Illea. This necessarily involves a widening view of the world…
This has been another quiet week in my reading roundup. I really wish I didn’t need to work so that I could concentrate on my TBR list! [book-info] Steelheart is the first in a new series by Brandon Sanderson – sparks, that writer is prolific! It tells the story of David, a young man seeking revenge for the death of his father at the hands of Steelheart, an Epic, one of many super powered humans in this new world. Steelheart has taken over Newcago (a dystopian version of Chicago) and appears all but invincible. But David has a secret; he has seen Steelheart bleed. He teams up with the Reckoners, a group of people attempting to work against the Epics to bring Steelheart down. I have commented on the free five chapter sampler and the full book does not disappoint. I have said it before, and will doubtlessly say it again, Sanderson’s strengths as a writer are in worldbuilding, magic systems and pacing. All of these are top notch in Steelheart. Sanderson takes us through David’s tale at a brisk clip, and the twists and revelations are as well thought out and logical as you would expect from the writer…
This has been another quiet week in my reading roundup. I really wish I didn’t need to work so that I could concentrate on my TBR list! [book-info] Steelheart is the first in a new series by Brandon Sanderson – sparks, that writer is prolific! It tells the story of David, a young man seeking revenge for the death of his father at the hands of Steelheart, an Epic, one of many super powered humans in this new world. Steelheart has taken over Newcago (a dystopian version of Chicago) and appears all but invincible. But David has a secret; he has seen Steelheart bleed. He teams up with the Reckoners, a group of people attempting to work against the Epics to bring Steelheart down. I have commented on the free five chapter sampler and the full book does not disappoint. I have said it before, and will doubtlessly say it again, Sanderson’s strengths as a writer are in worldbuilding, magic systems and pacing. All of these are top notch in Steelheart. Sanderson takes us through David’s tale at a brisk clip, and the twists and revelations are as well thought out and logical as you would expect from the writer…
The Selection by Kiera Cass is about a young woman named America who ends up involved in a sort of Bachelor competition to win the heart and hand of the crown prince. I hadn’t actually intended to read it. I had tried the sample and didn’t get into it enough to want to buy it. Then I watched PolandBananasBooks’ YouTube review and when I saw that the audiobook was available at my local library I decided to give it another shot. After I got through the first few chapters I found the story sucked me in and I finished it in almost the one sitting. What I liked The concept. I hadn’t expected to enjoy a teen princess version of The Bachelor but the main character was so engaging I found I really enjoyed it. It helped that America’s motives for entering the competition were laid out pretty clearly – she has no illusions about marrying the prince and living a life of luxury. She knows that the longer she stays in the Selection the longer her struggling family receives financial support from the state, and that is one of her main motivations. The America/Maxon relationship. I really liked that their relationship…