Upcoming book releases Autumn 2017
Miscellaneous / August 20, 2017

Hello, now that summer is drawing to a close, we’re coming into prime book release time.  As usual, I have a metric tonne of books about whose release I am super excited.  Some of these are continuations of series in which I am already invested, some are new series from authors I love and some are reissues of old favourites.  So, let’s get into it, shall we? To kick off, I was really excited by the recent news that Raymond E.Feist has managed to resolve the ebook rights issue for North America.  While most of his newer works have been released in ebook, his earlier novels have so far been unavailable in my preferred format.  This will all change on August 22nd when his Riftwar saga as well as his Empire trilogy with Janny Wurts will be released as ebooks.  I understand audiobook format will follow later this year.  Although I have read all of these, I am very happy to add them to my collection.  I consider Feist a true master storyteller and if you are not familiar with his work, this is a great opportunity to get started.  Be aware, though,that the series does have a somewhat slow…

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – the Script (spoilers)
Book Reviews , eBook reviews / August 2, 2016

So, the script for J.K. Rowling’s play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, billed as the eighth Potter story, was released on July 31st.  Naturally, I and the world and his dog rushed to pick up a copy.  Here are my thoughts.  I should point out that I have not seen the play, worse luck, and am going from the script alone.  Note that there will be total and complete spoilers, which I will hide after the cut. First, the non spoilery section. There was a lot I loved about it, and some things that didn’t work nearly so well for me.  I loved that the same themes that pervaded the book series – love, friendship, family, loyalty – still form the core of Cursed Child.  It was wonderful seeing how Harry, Ron and Hermione coped with adult life and parenthood (being an adult myself, it was especially fascinating.). The new characters, Scorpius and Albus and their friendship are completely adorable – Scorpius really does get all the best lines.  And, naturally, it is simply wonderful to revisit the Wizarding World in any shape or form.  Rowling’s world is utterly breathtaking.  I really wish I could see how certain scenes…

The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith AKA J.K. Rowling – Review
Book Reviews , eBook reviews / November 20, 2013

Some time after its publication, The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith was revealed to have been written by none other than J.K. Rowling.  It was published under a pseudonym to allow the book to stand on its own merits and not that of its author.  Until the revelation, it was selling slowly but surely and gathering positive reviews.   It is difficult, if not impossible, to review this book without being aware of its authorship now that the secret is out.  I would like to think though that I would have enjoyed the book as much whoever wrote it.  It is a solidly written book, much more engaging than The Casual Vacancy which was written officially by Rowling. The Cuckoo’s Calling tells the story of Cormoran Strike, an ex-SIB private investigator hired to look into the apparent suicide of model Lula Landry.  Initially it appears an open and shut case of suicide, but Strike’s client, Landry’s brother John Bristow believes she was murdered.  Strike is ably aided and abetted by his temporary secretary, Robin. What I liked Meticulous planning.  One of Rowling’s strengths as a writer is her detailed, long-term planning.  In Harry Potter, minor throwaway lines in book two…