It has been far too long since I did one of my blogs recommending books that I’ve enjoyed – so here’s one, with a couple of recommendations from Wonderwife too!
High Fire: Eoin Colfer
Eoin Colfer is more well known as the author of the monumentally successful Artemis Fowl series for kids but this is very much a book for adults. Weirdly, I’ve seen it reviewed of his first book for adults in several places – it certainly isn’t. What it is though is absolutely wonderful. It could probably best be described as a modern fairytale. It’s the classic boy meets dragon story, only set in the modern-day swamps of Louisiana where Vern, the dragon in question, is possibly the last of his kind, spending his final days grumbling into his beer. There’s a coming of age story thrown in there too and the whole tale is just the kind of escapism we need in these dark times. Written with a light touch and some gloriously funny dialogue, I can honestly say I loved every page of this book. An Absolute delight.
Into The Fire: Gregg Hurwitz
Veterans of my occasional book recommendation blogs may be noticing a theme. This is the fifth book in the Orphan X series and I’ve recommended every bloody one of them. Let’s be honest, there are an awful lot of authors doing ‘a modern take on James Bond’ or ‘the next Jack Reacher’. If you look at book ads on Facebook, those are apparently 98% of all books now being written. Here’s the thing – nobody and I mean nobody does it as well as Gregg Hurwitz. These books are beautifully plotted, tightly written with an understated wit to them, but they deliver the thrills like nobody else can. Fun-side note: Weirdly, there’s something in this book that echoes the plot of the next Bunny Book – then at the end, it sets something up which sounds like it might be quite like the plot of Disaster Inc. My point is, neither of us are stealing from the other but I got my denials in first. (He’s probably not read my books to be fair).
Sixteen Ways to Defend A Walled City – K.J. Parker
To be honest, I think what attracted me to this book was the unusual name – which is one in the eye for all the marketing gurus who tell you to go for short punchy names that all sound like aftershaves or death threats. I also had no idea who K.J. Parker was – so much so in fact that I read the whole book and only realised afterwards that it was a pen name for Tom Holt one of the premier producer of fantastic fiction on this insignificant rock on the unfashionable end of the solar system. This is a fantasy book but in the ‘historical’ sense I’d guess you’d say – as in, there are no dragons. If you’re looking for dragons, see above. If you’re looking for a great tale told very well, then stay here. It follows one gifted engineer left with the unenviable task of trying to defend a city under siege from an unknown and powerful enemy. It’s a joyous celebration of ingenuity and you’ll be hooked from the get go.
Wonderwife Recommendations:
How to Be Champion
My Sister, the Serial Killer