Jason Zapata

Category: Book Review

  • The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

    I’ve been meaning to get a chance to read one of Sanderson’s novels and the holidays provided such an opportunity. The author intrigued me – given he was chosen with the daunting task of finishing Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series. I had also heard a number of wonderful things about his Mistborn series. But given my limited schedule, I wanted to start off with a relatively new work of his – The Rithmatist.

    The story is set in an alternate past/world. America is a collection of island states, discovered by the Europeans, and named the United Isles. Clockwork mechanisms power the devices of the world. I’m not sure you can say this is a steam punk themed novel given nothing seems to be powered by steam. There’s also the presence of magic, which adds another layer to the story.

    Sanderson is known for his world building and I can see why. He deftly explains how Rithmatics involves infusing mathematical chalk drawings with magic. Ben McSweeney does any amazing job of illustrating the processes described by Sanderson. I found Rithmatics to be one of the more interesting and original forms of magic introduced in a fantasy novel. However, I’m not sure its presence meshed well with the “steam punk” world Sanderson had it inhabit.

    The characters are pretty generic. I didn’t come away with any strong impressions from the protagonist or his supporting cast. They’re likable enough and I enjoyed their interactions throughout the novel. Sanderson does a great job of avoiding familiar troupes and providing genuine adversity for his characters to overcome.

    This is a good read. The quasi-steam punk, 20th century world is intriguing. Sanderson’s Rithmatics is an evocative and imaginative form of magic. There are a number of mysteries set up throughout the novel that will have immense narrative impact and I can’t wait to see what Sanderson has his characters uncover them in the next outing.

    I give the Rithmatist a solid 8.0/10.00.

  • The Scions of Shannara By Terry Brooks

    Terry Brooks is widely viewed as the literary successor to J.R.R. Tolkien. There were many parallels between his Sword of Shannara trilogy and the Lord of The Rings. The Scions of Shannara is book one of his epic Heritage of Shannara series. These books cemented Brooks’ own literary legacy. They are utterly riveting and brilliant works that step out of Tolkien’s shadow. (more…)

  • The Map of The Sky By Felix J. Palma

    The Map of The Sky is Felix J. Palma’s sophomore outing and his sequel to The Map of Time. This novel plays out in a quirky fashion. It begins like a thriller reminiscent of John Carpenter’s The Thing and Dan Simmon’s The Terror.
    (more…)

  • The Book of Lost Things By John Connolly

    The Book of Lost Things is a poignant story written by John Connolly. Its main character is a boy named David. The reader learns early on that David’s mother is terminally ill. He often reads old stories to his mother in order to comfort and ease her suffering. These stories stay with David long after his mother’s passing. Eventually he begins to “hear” books speaking aloud and experiences seizure like symptoms. (more…)

  • The Book of Alchemy by Francis Melville

    I was at the local Books-A-Million and came across a copy of “The Book of Alchemy” by Francis Melville. It’s a beautiful little book with a surprising amount of content and quality illustrations. Melville does a wonderful job of recounting the history of alchemy from a practitioners view point. (more…)

  • In The Shadow of Edgar Allan Poe By Jonathon Scott Fuqua

    Jonathon Scott Fuqua’s In The Shadow of Edgar Allan Poe is stylized graphic novel. The artwork is an impressive blend of photography and digital illustration by Steven Parke and Stephen John Phillips. The lettering was done by Susan Mangan. Failing to mention the artists responsible for this visual stunning book would be a crime. (more…)

  • The Brief History of The Dead By Kevin Brockmeier

    “The Brief History of The Dead” by Kevin Brockmeier is a haunting tale. It describes a world utterly decimated by a mysterious virus. Those who succumb to the virus appear in an afterworld similar to our own. But there is an eerie connection between the realm of the living and the dead… (more…)

  • Monster Blood Tattoo Book One: Foundling By D.M. Cornish’s

    Few books are visually pleasing as Monster Blood Tattoo. D.M. Cornish has a mastery with words. His attention to era specific detail draws readers into his unique world. The novel is a wonderful mix of steampunk and Dickensesque themes. (more…)

  • The Wise Man’s Fear By Patrick Rothfuss

    The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss is a hefty and impressive sequel to his best selling novel, The Name of The Wind. We resume the story with Kvothe continuing his education as an Arcanist at the University. He’s still seeking credible knowledge on the Chandrian, demons responsible for murdering his family.
    (more…)

  • House of Leaves By Mark Z. Danielewski

    House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski is jarringly unconventional and instills a deep sense of dread within its readers. Through the use of elaborate text arrangement, numerous footnotes, reference of non-existent books, and multiple narrators – Danielewski creates a dark and disorientating tale.
    (more…)