Sibylline's (Lucy's) 2024: Late Summer into Winter

Posey in her chariot! (At rest!)

Currently Reading in December

♬

new (to me) The Lifer's Club (1) Francis Pryor mys
new The Courage of Birds Pete Dunne nat sci
✔ Exile's Gate (4) C.J. Cherryh sf/f
new The Age of Wonder Richard Holmes 19th history
♬ What Darkness Brings (8) C.S. Harris hist mys

Read in December
109. ♬ Where Serpents Sleep (4) C.S. Harris hist mys ****1/2
110. ✔ Seahenge Francis Pryor archaeology *****
111. ✔ The Serpent Sea (1) Martha Wells fantasy ****
112. DNF Ambassador's Mission Trudi Canavan
113. ♬ Murder At the Serpentine Bridge (6) Andrea Penrose hist mys ***1/4
114. ♬ What Remains of Heaven (5) C.S. Harris hist mys ****
115. ♬ Murder at the Merton Library (7) Andrea Penrose hist mys ***
116. ✔ The Gate of Ivrel (Morgaine 1) C.J. Cherryh blend sf/f *****
117.♬ Silent in the Sanctuary (2) Deanna Raybourn hist mys
118. ♬ Where Shadows Dance (6) C.S. Harris hist mys
119. ♬ When Maidens Mourn (7) C.S. Harris hist my120. ✔ Well of Shiuan (Morgaine 2) C.J. Cherryh blend fantasy/sf
121. ✔ bbg How to Do Nothing Jenny Odell philosophy? *****
122. ✔ The Fires of Azeroth C.J. Cherryh blend fantasy/sf
123. ♬ Silent on the Moor (3) Deanna Raybourn hist mys ****

♬ audio
lib duh, library
new - new to me as well as just plain new
✔ been on my shelf for tooooo long
RR reread
*bbg stands for Bridgeside Book Group
*wbg stands for Wally Book Group
** DNF I read 100 pages attentively, then paged through the rest. I count this as read. If I can't even get that far, I do not count the book as read.

All comments for these books are on the previous thread
Read in August
66. new Wellington: Pillar of State Elizabeth Longford bio
67. ✔ Mother's Milk (Melrose 4) Edward St. Aubyn fiction british contemp
68. bbg new Trace: Memory, History, Race, and the American Landscape Lauret Savoy geomemoir
69. ✔Shadowmarch (1 of 4) Tad Williams fantasy ***1/2
70. ✔At Last (book 5) Edward St. Aubyn contempt fic ****1/2
71. ✔ Shadowplay (2 of 4) Tad Williams fantasy ***1/2
72. new The Sentence Louise Erdrich lit mys ***1/2
73. ✔ Shadowrise(3rd of 4) Tad Williams ***3/4
74. ✔ Shadowheart (4th of 4) Tad Williams ***3/4
75. new Tom, Ned and Kitty or Soldier Sailor: An Intimate Portrait of an Irish Family Eliza Pakenham bio ****

READ IN SEPTEMBER
76. new Dreadful Caitlin Rozakis fantasy ***
77. lib/wbg Home Toni Morrison contemp fic ****
78. lib,reread Death Comes to Pemberly P.D. James ****1/2
79. new Clary Sage(G&D) Victoria Goddard fantasy ****
80. ebook Traveller's Joy (G&D) Victoria Goddard fantasy ****
81. new Stone Speaks to Stone (G&D) Victoria Goddard fantasy****
82. ebook The Saint of the Bookstore (G&D) fantasy Victoria Goddard fantasy ****
83. ebook Terec and the Wild Victoria Goddard fantasy ****
84. ebook Terec and the Wall Victoria Goddard fantasy ****
85. new The First Respectable Spy: the life and times of Colquhoun Grant Jock Haswell biography ****1/2
86. new The Misenchanted Sword Lawrence Watt-Evans fantasy*****
87. new The Unwilling Warlord Lawrence Watt-Evans fantasy *****
88. new The Kudzu Queen Mimi Herman contemp fic ***1/2
89. lib The Papers of Tony Veitch (laidlaw 2) William McIlvanney mys ****

Comments can be found below

Read in October
90. lib wbg Lucy Gayheart Willa Cather fiction ***1/2
91. new With a Single Spell Lawrence-Watt Evans fantasy ****
92. new All Fours Miranda July contemp fic ****1/2
93. ♬ The Regency Years Robert Morrison history British 19th
94. new Cast in Shadow (1) Michelle Sagara fantasy ****
95. new Cast in Courtlight(2) Michelle Sagara fantasy ****

Read in November
96. ♬Murder on Black Swan Lane(2) Andrea Penrose mys regency ****
97. Murder at Kensington Palace(3) Andrea Penrose
98. What Angels Fear (1) C.S. Harris
99. Cast in Secret (3)Michelle Sagara ***1/2
100. new Cast in Fury (4)Michelle Sagara fantasy ***1/2
101. ✔ My Oedipus Complex Frank O'Connor SS *****
102. RR ♬When Gods Die (2) C.S. Harris mys ****
103. ♬ Murder at Queen's Landing (4) Andrea Penrose mys ****
104. new Napoleonic War Stories Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch hist fic, regency, peninsular wars ss ***1/2
105. new Cast in Silence (5) Michelle Sagara ****
106. ♬ Murder at the Royal Botanical Gardens (5) Andrea Penrose hist mys ***1/2
107. RR♬ Why Mermaids Sing (3) C.S. Harris hist mys ****
108. The Cloud Roads Martha Wells fantasy *****

Posey taking a stroll

Happy New Thread, Lucy!

Happy new one, Lucy! Posey looks like she's taking to her chariot quite well. Nice she is able to get around

Happy new thread Lucy!

>1 sibylline: Posey looks quite ready for action! Also cute as a button.

>1 sibylline: and >5 sibylline: LOVE!!!!!

Sweet Posey! I remember when she was just a pup. How old is she now, Lucy?

She's twelve and a half!

Great photos of Posey, Lucy. And happy new thread.

>11 sibylline: She's quite the grande dame of corgi-hood then isn't she? And still as adorable as ever.

Happy new thread!

Olympics, step aside:



Corgi races in Vilnius, just last week. I am not kidding:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aTBjBzTliI

76. fantasy ***
Dreadful Caitlin Rozakis

Well, it's a sweet and silly story, and not in the least bit dreadful. A dark wizard wakes up with his memory obliterated and a bad feeling that he has things he needs to remember. He finds too that he no longer has his heart in the whole biz of being an evil dark lord, but he has kidnapped a princess, he is contacted (by mirror) by a terrifyihng dark wizard who is obviously truly wicked. The plot is sturdy and there is much to amuse. It was a little on the light side for me, but I think many, especially younger readers, would enjoy it immensely. ***

Happy new thread, Lucy.

Happy new one!

77. fiction contemp ****
Home Toni Morrison

As this was a choice of my 'writer's' book group I waited to write up my comments, curious what the others would say. We mostly talk about how a book is structured or, in this case, how it is not structured. A late work, I found Home unfocussed -- there are, in a way, two main characters, Frank and his sister Cee. They grow up in a town in Georgia that is wholly black, but still not wholly safe. As there is little to keep a young man, he and his two best friends enlist and end up in Korea. Frank is the only survivor and burdened with memories and guilt, he is back in the USA when he gets a letter calling him to come and get his sister. The thing is the narrative moves about, there are discreet scenes, Frank on a train, Frank staying overnight in Chicago with a preacher, Frank's memories from childhood, from adulthood, from a recent romance. We have Cee's pov too, in this case first person (why?) But there are also vignettes from others, Frank's girlfriend when he comes home, the step-grandmother back at home who never cared for either child (as in liked them as opposed to doing her duty) -- the result is an unfocussed story in which I (and the other readers in my group) weren't sure where to focus our attention, where Morrison was taking us. Shocking revelations but also healing . . . anyway, a flawed work, but of interest to any admirer of Morrison's work. ***1/2

78. regency mystery
Death Comes to Pemberly P.D. James

When I read Death Comes to Pemberly in 2013, I must confess I and was not all that engaged. This time is different. I've been so immersed in the regency era for the last year that I am rather awed by James' attention to . . . well . . . everything. Language and atmosphere (a long-windedness we can barely tolerate anymore), details of rank and consequence, of custom, and all the little details of furnishings. James is aware of the slower pace and she even jokes about it describing one of the magistrates who proses on endlessly but would disappoint others if he did not. Different world. Interestingly the story takes place during the little lull in fighting Napoleon, the Treaty of Amiens although hints abound that military men are expecting to get back to soldiering. That is so various characters can be present, including poor Captain Denny.

At the same time, the incredible care James took to be authentic led at times to a ponderous feel. I wouldn't attempt write a regency novel that strives to be so authentic because the reading audience wouldn't tolerate it(as I did not the first time around, nor could I do what James did so well.) Once I allowed myself to read it slowly, savouring James' efforts I began to hugely enjoy the book. ****1/2

79. fantasy ****
Clary Sage Victoria Goddard

Hal, Duke of Fillering Pool since the age of seven, has to decide where to go to college . . . that's pretty much it. Hal is a very engaging character, so that's enough for me. ****

>21 sibylline: Yay Hal. He is such a darling.

80.
Traveller's Joy Victoria Goddard

Jemis, Hal and Marcan, college friends from Morrowlea travel together after Jemis' disastrous finals. Another very short installment of the Greenwing and Dart saga. I wish I could wait for an omnibus of these long short stories or serious short novellas, but I can't! ****

81. fantasy ****
Stone Speaks to Stone Victoria Goddard

The story of Jemis' father, Jakory Greenwing, when and General Benneret Halioren are trapped (with other soldiers) on the wrong side of a border between Astandalas and Loe, a country they are trying to annex. The later controversy over what exactly Greenwing stems from the fact that it is unknown what transpired for long enough that rumours spread. So here's the real deal! As always, highly readable. Though this one is more gruesome and serious and pretty much all action. And a hint! Connects to Terec eventually. ****

82. fantasy ****
The Saint of the Bookstore (G&D)Victoria Goddard

A nun of the Lady's order is sent to Ragnor Bella to investigate stories of a miracle -- and she finds much more than she expected! ****

83. fantasy ****
Terec and the Wild (T of Lund 1) Victoria Goddard

84. fantasy ****
Terec and the Wall (T of Lund 2) Victoria Goddard

Terec has wild magic, an affinity with fire, but wild magic is taboo. He decides to take matters into his own hands--he will leave civilized Astandalas and go into the wild lands in the North where wild magic is not forbidden. The first of these two books has more internal tension, Terec's own as he comes to terms with his magic. The second is a surprise and very very action oriented.

I won't spoil but there is a marvellous personal twist . . .

Looks like a binge to me! Been there. Will be there again!

>27 quondame: Definitely a binge!

85. biography
The First Respectable Spy Jock Haswell

Oh, the ending of Colquhoun Grant's life was a hard read. I'm starting with the end however, because such a glorious man's life deserved a better ending. Grant achieved so much in the Peninsular Wars and can be credited with, by his own example, creating and implementing Britain's first intelligence network. Unfortunately, he could not think of a safer alternative to a military career even after he was at half-pay and had married his true love -- and with whom even though she was in her early forties had a child--instead he re-enlisted and then died, horribly ill, from disease caught while in what was then called Burma (now Myanmar) on the stupidest military campaign ever. His wife and child travelled with him and she became ill, died on St. Helena ,of all places, on her way back to Scotland. The child aged six or so was orphaned.

But let's back up now we know the worst. Grant was part of a large Scottish family, gentry, the sort that had to field doctors, lawyers, soldiers and clergymen. He enlisted at sixteen. He was on the Peninsula fairly early on and came to the attention of Wellington after he volunteered to find food for the troops during Massena's siege of the Lines of Torres Vedras. Grant was the sort to talk to everyone, to pick up languages, including variants, to inspire trust -- and so he legged it up into the mountains where he knew the peasants were hiding and convinced them to supply the British, with ingenious routes and uses of moonless nights etcetera. It would help their cause and they would make some money while helping get the French out of Portugal. After that he became one of Wellington's treasured assets. Wellington was part of the new type of military man who understood, among other things, the value of good, reliable information.

At Waterloo it was information that Grant had collected and sent with a courier--stating exactly where Napoleon planned to break out of France and into Belgium-- that was delayed, disgracefully, by an arrogant Austrian officer, that almost cost the Allies the war against Napoleon and this hurt Grant, in every way, even though he did exactly as he was supposed to. Only he, probably, could have stood up to that, um, delete word, but he trusted the system.

Haswell is a terrific writer and described several battles on the Peninsula as well as at Waterloo more understandably than anything else I've read of late, which is a lot.

However much I was engrossed in Grant's story, it really is only for the true afficionados of the Napoleonic wars and those interested in the restlessness and innovative aspects of the regency era. ****1/2

86. fantasy *****
The Misenchanted Sword Lawrence Watt-Evans

What a delightful find!! As I first began to read, I thought, uh oh. Hard to explain why, but within a short time I realized this was the way the character, Valder, a foot soldier/scout in the Eshthan army really IS. Valder is matter-of-fact, kind, quiet, observant, highly intelligent, unassuming, and above all sensible. He gets trapped behind enemy lines (in a war gone on so long everyone has forgotten the reason for it) and comes across an old wizard while being chased by the enemy. The wizard, very annoyed (his home gets wrecked) gets rid of Valder by enchanting a sword . . . only . . . it doesn't turn out quite right. Not only that but I soon realized that while W-E riffs off of memes, he does so in an entirely original way. Valder's 'signature' conviction is 'there is a way out of every predicament'.

The book gets 5 stars not for being great literature because (I mostly reserve that for four stars, actually unless - - ) I.could.not.put.it.down and I was inwardly laughing constantly. Not witty like Pratchett, but wonderfully tongue-in-cheek. *****

I won't be envious of all your VG reading only because I am just now starting Love in a Mist with Jemis and Perry. I'm sure I'll bite the $ bullet and buy all those short ones when I'm through the main series. Maybe by that time there will be an omnibus, but I doubt it. I do hope that she's working well on the 3rd Hearth-Fire.

I immediately put *MisSword* on my Kindle, and I thank you. I see that it's the first of a 15 or so book series. I don't know whether I'm up for that, but it looks like a winner.

Good reading; good writing to you!

>30 sibylline: The Misenchanted Sword has been a favorite since it came out! It's the best of Lawrence Watt-Evans but not the only good one by far. I'm rather fond of With a Single Spell and The Blood of a Dragon.

>31 LizzieD: Victoria Goddard continues to say that the next book in Lays of the Hearth-Fire is pretty far out in her timeline. The next novel actually in the pipeline is a Greenwing & Dart. But she goes where her interest takes her, and that's how we got Cliopher in the first place, so might as well enjoy what shows up.

>23 sibylline: Mary (bell7) and I are scheduled to read that one together this month. I hope that we enjoy it as much as you did, Lucy!

>29 sibylline: >30 sibylline: Adding both of those to the BlackHole. I would be adding the Goddard books as well, but they are already there.

Happy new thread! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

87. fantasy *****
The Unwilling Warlord Lawrence Watt-Evans

Another entertaining tale -- this time we have 21 or so year old Sterren, an erstwhile gambler in the city of Eshthar of the Spices, who finds out that through his papa he is the 9th Warlord of the tiny kingdom of Semma in the realm of the Small Kingdoms. They want him to come save them from two other kingdoms who have united and are planning to invade. He doesn't want to go, but he realizes that he must (or be tied up and taken) so he goes. Besides the language problems--even in the tiniest kingdom people speak their own language and spurn the idea of learning anyone elses'-- the king is an ass, the soldiers are lazy louts, and noblemen are as common as fleas. He decides he needs some folk who can practice magic and convinces the unwilling Semmans to let him hire some but that brings a host of new problems, in particular a warlock, Vond . . . if Valder's mantra was "there is always another way" (in the previous novel--see>86 sibylline: above) Sterren's is "I can always leave" and yet, he doesn't, for one reason or another he sticks around. Couldn't.put.it.down. so ***** stars.

I have made a newish rule for acquisition, Lucy. I must read book 1 before I may buy book 2. You make this one look mighty appealing though.

88. ***1/2
The Kudzu Queen Mimi Herman

It's 1941 and Mattie Watson is perched on that perilous edge between childhood and young adult when a handsome stranger comes to a farming town in North Carolina promising wonders: kudzu, the miracle crop of the future. Mattie and her younger brother start their own kudzu patch on the property of a recently deceased great aunt, a beauty pageant for a Kudzu Queen is announced. Mattie's family is also on the edge of change as her older brother will go to college the following year, her best friend's family appears to be collapsing, she is becoming aware of the complexities of adult interactions--between Black and white, town and country, rich and poor, educated and not. The challenge for her is to find her way through temptations and distractions to the truth that she has sensed hidden below the surface. Took me awhile to become engaged, but then I read intently. Herman takes her time to get even small details and interactions right both for the period and for developing the characters and ground the story firmly in the time and place. I found the ending a little too . . . something, but never mind, it's always a pleasure and inspiration to see justice done, rare enough in real life! ***1/2

>35 LizzieD: That is sensible -- after a few disappointments I do the same. . . the temptation is to get excited and buy them all at once -- also tempting when you have loved an author's previous work, but still not a good idea! People try different things and sometimes they don't work!

>37 sibylline: I immediately broke my rule by buying a Viking trilogy. I have now read the first one, and I won't be picking up number 2 anytime soon. I was silly. I have now paid for it.

Kudzu looks good, but I'll simply keep it in mind.

89. mys ****
The Papers of Tony Veitch(Laidlaw 2) William McIlvanney

The second of the three DI Laidlaw's. Glasgow, not long after. The son of a successful business man goes missing. First the search, then the find, and while it looks like suicide, Laidlaw is not buying it. Meanwhile his personal life is not improving. The evocation of Glasgow and the Glaswegians is where the most strength lies, the place, the people, all of it. And Laidlaw is so alive to the nuances. I can't quote it exactly but he describes the way Glaswegian men walk, their torsos utterly straight, arms at their sides, unyielding-- ready to push through whatever hits next -- I KNOW a couple of Glaswegian men and THAT IS how they walk! There is a lot of vernacular dialogue that, well yeah, I had to read over and over and even then. And, yeah, it's gloomy, but with such humor and occasional sweetness. ****

90. fic ***1/2
wbg Lucy Gayheart Willa Cather

Set early in the 20th century in Nebraska and Chicago this is the story of a young woman--a talented musician. It's almost impossible to write anything about the (very short) novel without spoiling. In short there never quite a love triangle but the love from Lucy's past and childhood and the love that will point her into a potential future are more or less leading her into what will likely turn out badly whatever choice she makes, but then that choice is taken away from her. It's a very dark story, fatalistic even, about how vulnerable an unusual and bright young woman was (and probably still is) at that time. Edith Wharton's novel, Summer comes to mind even though the subject is different -- It's a good read, mind you, but not a happy ending. An interesting ending, shall we say and masterful? A late Cather offering, full of wisdom. ****

91. fantasy ***3/4
With a Single Spell Lawrence Watt-Evans

Watt-Evans is a lot of fun. His characters generally have a single-minded notion of what they would like out of life, in this case, the young protagonist, a wizard who only got one spell out of his mentor (however, a doozy) and really just wants a nice easy life. Is that too much to ask? ***1/2

92. ****
All Fours Miranda July

Before beginning to write my own comments I went to see what other readers said, mainly because my 'take' was so full of contradictions. Well, no surprise, other people have had similar reactions. I know nothing about July as a person, but I gave the novel many stars because I think she captures something essential about how a woman waking up middle-aged might, if caught entirely off-guard, behave. Hers might not be your or my reaction (almost assuredly not) but I have felt some of them; we are all very different, after all. Some of the protag's actions are so alien that you might find them absurd, but I think July's purpose was to go wide, from the shallow and absurd (what the H is a tonka bean?) to the sublime, to catch almost all the possibilities in her net. During her 'journey' I had to stop reading here and there because she was real enough to me that I was deeply embarrassed by her delusions! (The dance sequence). One sure thing about being 45 is that you can't get to that age without having had some shattering experiences but for most women, and I do think this is the case, other parts of their lives whether work or family have been fulfilling and there is a sense of mastery, often. She's cognisant of that as well. But that panicky mid-life moment comes, whether when you are forty or sixty, and you become painfully aware your life won't stay that way. And again, I'm making a generalization, so forgive if you find nothing in the book that applies to you or moves you. ****

A different sort of message today:

CORRECTION - Pub date change

On the 21st of November my book, Hiero's Answer should be available as an e-book from SF/Gateway a division of Orion. The pub date, formerly, was October 17 but just today (October 17) that has been changed, reason unknown.

HA completes the saga begun in Hiero's Journey by Sterling E. Lanier and continued in The Unforsaken Hiero--which he described as 'a romance of the future'. Five thousand years from now Per Hiero Desteen, a warrior/priest in a post-apocalyptic Earth, is given the task of finding what might be the answer to 'what happened' and the necessary understanding to combat the 'Unclean', the very creepy human-like but-not-really creatures who seem intent on destruction of most, if not all, life. With the aid of a telepathic horse/moose cross, yep, a morse, and bear and many other companions, Lanier's tale manages to be both wise, imaginative and just plain adventurous fun.

So why me? After receiving a head injury in an accident in the mid-80's Lanier was unable to write without triggering severe headache. He was my godfather and a mentor to me and after he died his widow asked if I might consider completing the saga. I was doubtful but agreed to reread the books and see. To my surprise I had LOTS of ideas and agreed to try, no guarantees. The deeper I went into the world Lanier created the more awed I was-- I had an amazing time being there.

I worked half the time in his 'lair' (a moldy gardening shed) full of his books which I read or leafed through and in many of which I found inspiration. (They are catalogued on LibraryThing, reachable from his author page.) From Ann I had a couple of tiny pages of notes and nineteen pages of text, which she had kept (most of his papers are in the Harvard Library now) almost all of which I did manage to incorporate. I should stress there wasn't much to go story-wise but the events in the previous books.

When I was in Florida with Ann I would read and discuss the story with her every evening, for Lanier did talk with her. Magical time, that was! I loved writing the book and I am appreciative that SF/Gateway has taken on the project reprinting the first two in their Masterworks program. Mine, entirely untested, will only be available (for now) as an e-book. You can purchase the first two as paperbacks, but mine will only be available in digital format.

Here are the links you need:

Hiero's Journey: https://www.gollancz.co.uk/titles/sterling-e-lanier/hieros-journey/9781399620512....

The Unforsaken Hiero:
https://www.sfgateway.com/titles/sterling-e-lanier/the-unforsaken-hiero/97813996....

Hiero's Answer:
https://www.sfgateway.com/contributor/lucy-andrews-cummin/
(October 17, 2024)
This is the ISBN that should begin working on November 21: 9781399620604

One caveat -- already I have some regret but when I had a last chance a few months ago I didn't hire a professional copy editor ONE LAST TIME and I know there are errors, mostly stupid things like an if for an of or a word missing. Normally I drive myself mad being a perfectionist, but I finished HA seven years ago and the publishing process has lasted THAT LONG and I have so completely moved on I couldn't face the process AGAIN. Perhaps if I do sell enough copies I can do something about the problems, but for now, all I can do is apologize and hope the glitches are no more occasional and not too off-putting to readers.

93. ♬ regency history! *****
The Regency Years Robert Morrison

Superb! Each chapter examines what was happening in various areas of culture, politics, wider conflicts and so forth. Morrison frequently pauses to highlight what in particular was unique or innovative about an event, discovery, or actions of a person. One is staggered, by the end, by the avalanche of achievement during the central ten year period of the actual regency, 1810 to 1820 and the two decades on either side. As a source book for anyone who is drawn to the period (or like me, obsessed) wondering what to read or focus on, Morrison can be your guide! I spent hours looking online at the paintings and portraits of the era from Thomas Lawrence to John Constable, for example. I also have came to see that although I have always dismissed Byron as a rogue (well, he was a rogue!) -- Morrison illuminated aspects of his life I didn't know about which lead me to understand he was much more than that, brilliant and very very complicated, so I am planning to read Childe Harold and maybe even a biography! Well done! *****

NB I ended up having to buy a copy of the book. I don't recommend listening, the information is too dense.

>44 sibylline: The Regency Years is something I really should read, even though I left behind re-creating that period for one minimally 300 years earlier.

>44 sibylline: It could set of a new firestorm of interest!

Very odd there -- two 44's and no 45!

>43 sibylline: Congrats Lucy!

>43 sibylline: Such an interesting project, Lucy. Congratulations on finishing the work and on publication.

>43 sibylline: Excited for you, Lucy. I will certainly look for it when it is released.

94. fantasy ****
Cast in Shadow Michelle Sagara

Kaylin lived in the fiefs, parts of Elantra city that are not under the jurisdiction of the Emperor's law, but of a ruthless overlord. When she was still a child one day marks appeared on her body, clearly magical. Then terrible events occurred and she ended up alone and entered the main city and presented herself to one of the law forces, the Hawks and . . . was accepted. She has magical powers and uses them for healing and midwifery ONLY. Hates magic. Dragons, Barrani , (elves, essentially but not all that nice) who are immortal live with the Aerians, Leontar and regular humans. There is a dragon emperor. OK -- so in this first story, Kaylin ends up becoming involved (not sexually, mind you) with the fief lord, who is an 'outcaste' Barrani. Someone is hurting children using them as sacrifices for . . . ? It is up to Kaylin to figure it out and face. Severn was with her in the fiefs but they had a horrendous parting of the ways years earlier. He is now a Wolf, moved to the Hawks in the law enforcement domain. Complicated. the writing has an edge, the characters are intriguing, there is occasional humor, I'm hoping Sagara will get a little better at it. ****

95. fantasy ****
Cast in Courtlight Michelle Sagara

Kaylin ends up in the Court of the Barrani (each 'race' -- unlike our own bogus usage of the word, these are groups of intelligent beings that can't interbreed) and ends up, yes!, once again having to shoulder the burden of saving the day. The Barrani King hands over his power to another (generally a son) after centuries and it's time only the designated heir is in a coma of a sort. It's never fully explained but the King has a Consort (generally a sister) and it is she/they who bring into life new Barrani but somehow not through intercourse . . . so it isn't incest. . . well, anyway, I thought this story was very original and pulls in Kaylin's talents as a healer. She grows up a bit, they all do, and her relationship with Severn and also the Fieflord, does intrigue, lots of tension developing. ****

96. ♬ mystery regency
Murder on Black Swan Lane Andrea Penrose

First in a series. A brutal murder involving acids and other chemicals and Lord Wrexford is the prime suspect. A.J. Quill the satirist picks up the story but then Wrexford makes a proposition that they work together to prove he isn't the murderer. And so their story begins. Of course, no one is quite as they appear to be. Lots of great period science, cameos by luminaries of the time. Penrose relies a bit heavily on Wrexford's chiseled features and other tropes, and folks say 'hell's bells' a little too often, but so what. The plot was good, the setting very well done and everything is in place for a complex working relationship to develop. ****

97. ♬
Murder at Kensington Palace Andrea Penrose

More scientific skulduggery, this time pulling in the idea that sending an electric current through a dead body might bring it back to life.
The story takes place before Mary Shelley's book, but it provides a background, actually. Very nicely done. More unfortunate falsetto for most of the women from the otherwise very good narrator. Penrose doesn't have the depth or the writing ability of C.S. Harris, but she comes close enough. *** 1/2

98. ♬ mys
What Angels Fear (1) C.S. Harris

Takes place on the eve of the Prince Regent's official granting of the powers of the King George in 1811. The war against Napoleon is raging on, there is civil unrest and the nobs are nervous. The murder that Viscount Sebastian St Cyr is accused of committing must be solved without delay. We meet him, and most of the regulars: his father Earl of Hendon; Lord Jarvis, the Prince Regent's man behind the scenes; Tom the urchin he takes on; Cat Boleyn, the actress Sebastians loves (who loves him back but won't marry him) and so on. The scene is set for the future entanglements.

I'm rereading/listening to the Sebastian St. Cyr series with my spousal unit. We just finished What Angels Fear. I am even more impressed with Harris, the setting, characters, story. Davina Porter is such a perfect narrator! ****1/2

99. fantasy
Cast in Secret Michelle Sagara

Telepathic empaths, I'll be back.

Cast in Fury (4) Michelle Sagara

What a dreadful cover! Otherwise, let me see, in this one the Marcus, the Leontine Sergeant of the Hawks is in trouble for murdering a friend and fellow Leontine. But things are not what they seem. Kaylin delivered a Leontine baby recently, but in odd circumstances --turns out Leontines have a dark side and Kaylin finds herself in the thick of it, trying to rescue her friend AND the baby. ****

101. short stories *****
My Oedipus Complex Frank O'Connor

Perfection and I don't even know where to begin. Masterful. Funny, heartbreaking, breathtaking prose -- just masterful. Here's two favourite quotes. Here ,the protagonist, an affable schoolteacher and pillar of the town is sent out to fetch the doctor as his wife is having her fifth or sixth? he can't quite recall, baby. He's on his way, chatting in a pub with a friend, trying to express that life has lost its spark and declares he'd prefer to die on a barricade, any barricade, and then, "I don't want to die of disseminated conscientiousness," Glorious. Then in another story: "Great God!" he fumed when his wife was having her first baby. "Nine months over a little job like that! I'd do it in three weeks if I could get started." *****

102. ♬ ****
When Gods Die C.S. Harris

Even better the second time around!

>57 sibylline: That is an unsettling cover, Lucy, but I do agree that Frank O'Connor was close to perfection in the art of the short story.

>54 sibylline:, >58 sibylline: My first thought was wait, aren't you the person who introduced me to Sebastian St Cyr?! But now I see you're rereading. Has your other half also read them before? I've read 11 of 19 so far and really enjoy them. Historical fiction x mystery really works for me.

>59 PaulCranswick: Terrible cover! As is the one above it in the Sagara series. Her body is all wrong. You have to wonder who makes these decisions!

>60 lauralkeet: Nice to see you here, yes, I did! I listened to them all, Davina Porter is an amazing reader. Only eight years ago, and it is slightly embarrassing, but so far (2) I had forgotten just about everything! No idea who dun it until the reveal!

103. ♬ hist mys ****
Murder at Queen's Landing Andrea Penrose

Penrose does intense historical research into the period early in the 19th century Britain, the regency era, the Napoleon era -- in this book the focus is two ' inventions' (the very first inklings of what would become the computer) and to the growing use of arbitrage and other like schemes in the financial world. Sometimes the explanations begin to outweigh the 'fun' -- that is the characters and the solving of the mystery, but so be it. The explanations of arbitrage was excellent, in fact and the period is endlessly fascinating, at least to me. The narrator has a good voice (less so for women) and is a bit ponderous but I sped him up to 1.2 and that solves that. I'm torn between 3 1/2 and 4 stars, so ***3/4.

104. ss ****
Napoleonic War Stories Arthur Quiller-Couch

Q-C takes a few of the legendary 'true' stories that emerged from the Peninsular Wars and Waterloo ranging from acts of tremendous courage, to infamy, from humourous to heart-rending and even a bit of ghostly intrigue (the last story, my favourite!). Due to my obsession with all things Regency Era I have read extensively about the Peninsular Wars and so caught many of the references, in particular the stories of the two cousins MacNeill, modelled on the extraordinary Colquhoun Grant (see >29 sibylline: above for review of biography) who was a spy but never wore a disguise, always had on his red coat (tho' he would put a black cloak over it, he wasn't a complete idiot). If you are into the era, know your Napoleonic War lore and like adventure stories--and Q-C doesn't mess around--you'll be happy. ****

105. ***1/2

I like this series but I am not in love, what I like the most are the complexities that arise between the different 'peoples' inhabiting the city, and the continuing mystery of why this world has such conflict between forces of chaos and order. However Kaylin is a woman and her total obliviousness to the men (or women) who love her is wearing me out, it feels dragged out interminably I'm saying or else Sagara doesn't want to engage with that aspect of life at all - In this latest Tiomaris the Hawk dragon and Kaylin find themselves in one of the fiefs that is falling apart and threatening all of Elantra with chaos . . . I did like the twist. I will keep reading. (book 5) ***1/2

106. ♬

A reread and even better this time around as I can see the subtle hints of future revelations and situations evolving. This series, set in the regency era are, put simply superb! Great characters, thorough research, excellent and often humorous dialogue. Harris does not flinch from the realities of the era, so at times things get raw, but in the right way. The reader is also excellent. *****

107. ♬

The pair, the Earl of Rexford (Rex to his friends) and Charlotte Sloane the artist who has reclaimed her identity (and the two are more romantically involved by now) attend a gala at the Gardens and, of course, discover an American has been murdered -- at this event he planned to announce a formula to cure a disease ravaging thousands every year and to make the formula public, but naturally others wished to profit from it. . . Penrose relies on many 'standards' of the genre, e.g. it's a little hackneyed esp vocabulary-wise, but the books are still fun and well-researched -- the children she has adopted are also excellent fun. More than fine for listening while driving around. ***1/2

Have a lovely long weekend, Lucy. xx

108. fantasy *****

Wells plunges the reader into 'The Three Worlds' where a young man, not human, is living among strangers as he has done since he was very young and his own 'family' were all killed. He does not know who or what he is, only that he must hide the fact that he is a 'shifter' or he will be thrown out of whatever community in which he has managed to make a place for himself. Then everything changes. He is discovered in his present community and poisoned so he cannot shift, staked out to die and then . . . a man, one of his own kind, whatever that is rescues him and takes him back to his own home. Moon, the protagonist, captivates from page one. There is a faint presage of the beloved Murderbot -- a character who is isolated by difference -- but there are many differences in how the story develops, and Moon himself is an entirely different sort of person. I loved it! *****

Of scant interest but nonetheless: Three of the four books I am reading contain the word 'serpent'.

Two have the word 'sea' and there are a lots of ssssssss's. Hissssssss.

✔ The Serpent Sea (1) Martha Wells fantasy
✔ Seahenge Francis Pryor archaeology
♬ Murder At the Serpentine Bridge Andrea Penrose hist mys
♬ Where Serpents Sleep C.S. Harris

109. ♬ hist mys ****1/2
Where Serpents Sleep C.S. Harris

I'd forgotten all but the attack on the PM Spencer Percival and the scene in the cellar (unforgettable!) mainly that this might be one of the most murder intensive mystery stories I've read that doesn't include, say, a single bombing somewhere. Also the motivation for the whole affair is a little weak, but so be it. But the relationships between the main characters develop apace and most satisfyingly.
****1/2

110. archaeology *****

Several years ago now my spousal unit and I became enthralled with the Time Team program, centered on British archaeology from neolithic to the medieval period and so we became acquainted with Francis Pryor. From the instant we first encountered him we could see that this was a person who found, at an early age, his vocation and that his enthusiasm and devotion to the backbreaking work and the intense scholarship has never wavered. Seahenge is a distillation of the work he undertook in Norfolk, in the Fens --where he has spent his entirely lifetime living and working in several (often) interrelated sites -- and then weaving his abundant knowledge into informed speculation about some of the more well-known sites, e.g. Avebury, Stonehenge and the like. His focus on the idea of carefully examining the ways communities developing their own forms of ritual, making smaller works -- perhaps capitalizing on ideas gleaned at the infrequent but essential larger gatherings -- strikes me as an extraordinarily balanced view, not linked so much to some uber-theory but to close examination of the finds and their context, from landscape to 'what are humans like -- then and now). We can never know everything that motivated the people then, but we can know some things. If you are into archaeology, know a bit about British archaeo, this is a joy. *****

111. fantasy ****
The Serpent Sea 2 Martha Wells

When I was halfway through this second volume I was delighted to discover that there are several more books to the Raksura series! Moon is now adjusting to life in Indigo Cloud, the Raksuran court that has adopted him as one of their own, but after a lifetime of being entirely dependent on himself he is not comfortable with the role of a consort as fully subordinate to the Queen to whom they have formed a bond. He is used to thinking for himself and acting quickly. They have come to their new (old) home in the Reaches, the home forest of the Raksura, left generations ago and now abandoned, to find that a vital part of the home tree has been vandalized and they must try to find a missing piece before the tree dies. Moon, with his Queen, Jade, and others are sent to retrieve the item. ****

112. fantasy **
Ambassador's Mission Trudi Canavan

I got most of the way through, turning pages faster and faster, pulling out the gist. I read the first set of books about this world and did all right with it, but . . . never was all that enthralled. For me the problem is mixed up in the writing which is workmanlike but never rises higher and a garbled unconvincing story line. I never could be quite on board about the son's quest or care about the internecine politics of the magicians at home. The fuss about 'black' magic etcetera. Contrived is perhaps the word I am looking for. And 'lowies'?? No. Just No. Sounds nursery school-ish. A shame as the characters aren't terrible and Canavan works hard and I hate having to say I wasn't engaged, but I wasn't and couldn't imagine continuing the series, so stopping here. **

113. ♬ mys ***1/2
Murder at the Serpentine Bridge (6) Andrea Penrose

An inventor is murdered -- but not just any inventor, he is working on a new kind of weapon, one that can fire many bullets at a time. His son, Peregrine, is heir to a Barony --only probbo being that he is mulatto Black. Charlotte, now the Countess of Wrexford is his cousin and somehow or other Peregrine ends up joining the family as Charlotte and Rex try to solve the mystery of whodunit. As ever the boys and the science background are the best thing. ***1/4

114. ♬ hist mys ****
What Remains of Heaven (7) C.S. Harris

Two threads to follow, first the murder plot and then secondly 'will they or won't they?' The former is a bit contrived, foreign skulduggery, gold, treason etc. and definitely gets out of hand murder-wise as well as a bit fuzzy around the edges but given the appeal of the second thread, who cares! ****

115.♬ hist mys ***
Murder at the Merton Library (7) Andrea Penrose

I'm caught up on these and somewhat relieved to be done. The research is so solid and interesting but otherwise . . . just barely enough to hold me. I do have to listen to these at 1.2 speed -- and I am glad I am at the end of the series, book 7. Unfortunately towards the end of this one there is a death scene where a person shot in the stomach talks and talks and talks explaining everything, then dies. It was ridiculous! The children, as ever are engaging. Descriptions are careful and accurate, dialogue is practical and to the point. This one is about the attempts to transfer the steam technology to an ocean-going boat. The propeller had not yet been invented! Nor an engine efficient and powerful enough to make the trip. ***1/2

116. blend sf/f *****
The Gate of Ivrel C.J Cherryh

Nhi Vanya the bastard son is banished for killing one of his brothers and maiming the other, but he knew that one of them had meant to kill him in that fight and the other was loyal to that one. He didn't 'mean' to kill or to cut off the hand of the other one who was defending his brothe. He goes away, two years pass and he encounters Morgaine, who has just popped out of a Gate -- for her hardly more than a few seconds, but a hundred years have passed. She demands his oath of loyalty for a year. She has a terrible sword. She doesn't explain much or trust even him. Complexities abound, inwardly and externally and Vanya must navigate between them for Morgaine has a goal that, for a native of this planet, is almost impossible to comprehend. Just so good! Excellent writing, depth of character and description. Pretty much riveting. *****

Read on, my friend, read on. I agree with you 100% and will now check to see how I rated these.

117. ♬ hist mys ***1/2
Silent in the Sanctuary (3) Deanna Raybourn

The Marches are gathered at the family home, The Priory for Christmas. Three of them have come home from an extended stay in Italy, among them Lady Julia. And who should be at the Priory? Yep, and he's engaged. And there are ghosts. And Lady Julia has been given a tiny greyhound by her Italian admirer. Her impoverished cousins have turned up too, but things are looking up, one of them is engaged to a successful man BUT THEN a murder is committed in the Priory Chapel. Raybourn does not shy away from human foibles,And so on and so forth, it's light and it's fun. Perfect listen while knitting a sock.***1/2

118. ♬ hist mys *****
Where Shadows Dance C.S. Harris

It's a bit of a challenge to comment without giving stuff away, but I see that others have -- Hero has faced the fact that she must wed and why not wed the man who will be father of the baby. The case involves the French and the Americans (on the verge of declaring war 1812). In the meantime Sebastian gets involved in a murder case that becomes truly hilarious, one of the funnier 'scenes' I've ever encountered in a mystery novel of any kind, where an iilegally exhumed and autopsied body must be reburied in order to be legally autopsied only there is a problem. Loved it, love the reader, love Hero and Sebastian. Second time around even better than the first. *****

119. ♬ hist mys ****
When Maidens Mourn C.S. Harris

Sebastian and Hero have been married for, oh, let us say a week when another murder falls in Sebastian's lap. Only problem is that the woman, Gabrielle Tennyson was a friend of Hero's, not a close friend, but more than an acquaintance, another woman who never planned to marry. She's pursuing the Arthur legend and Camlet, a place not far from London that does seem to have an ancient history at the very least, but may or may not have any connection to the legendary Camelot. Gabrielle's two nephews have also disappeared and everyone assumes that they have also been murdered. And yes, one of them is Alfred, but I haven't looked into the historical angle, if there is one. Glastonbury figures in and there is a forgery as well as the question of why the Arthur story has surfaced at this moment, politically, and a French officer also in love with Gabrielle on parole, and a cute dog. Very complicated and Sebastian and Hero do not fully share what they know making putting the pieces together difficult and also showing them that they must figure things out or the marriage will be in jeopardy. As ever, Hero's father Jarvis, is a great part of the story. ****1/2

Nadolig Llawen, Happy Christmas and Happy Holidays!

120. sf/f ****
The Well of Shiuan (2) C.J. Cherryh

Book 2 in the Morgaine saga. The two, Vanya Chya and Morgaine have entered a new world and a different time, 100 years in the future (or was it 1000? I never did quite get that -- there might be two sets of people here from the previous world that came at different times). This planet is falling apart, literally drowning and Morgaine, by closing the gates is condemning everyone who remains to death. Here the Qhal are dreadful and rule and enslave the humans. It emerges that that the Khal have a way, difficult and rarely attempted or achieved, of transferring their entire consciousness into a new body that they then take over. Only . . . every time this is done, the transfer is less stable and more vulnerable to resistance by the new host. Horribly a Khal has transferred into the body of the one person from Vanye's old life that he cared for, Roh, the clan chief of the Chya. Liell wants to kill Morgaine and get that dratted sword and become supreme ruler etc etc. Roh is not on board but he is struggling to surface and when he is with Vanye he can resist Liell. And so forth. In the end Morgaine and Vanye move to yet another world as she closes the gates on Shiuan forever but Roh and about a hundred thousand other make it through the gate. Trouble ahead. ****

121. bbg philosophy? *****
How To Do Nothing Jenny Odell

Oh my goodness, Lucy! My great-grandmother was Jenny Odell! I'm pretty sure that she didn't know how to do nothing!

Happy Christmas Eve to you all!

I love it! This Jenny has written a fine book!

Thinking of you at this time, Lucy.

Be merry

122. sf/f ****1/2
The Fires of Azeroth (3) C.J. Cherryh

The Fires of Azeroth is the final book of the three contained in this book and doesn't seem to be listed separately on Goodreads. In this last book Morgaine and Vanye find themselves on a peaceful planet where Khal and men have learned to live together and thrive . . . but there is still Roh to contend with, Vanye's cousin who came through the gate just ahead of them and there are the warlike hordes, both men and Khal from the Shiuan who are out to take over in the only way they know -- by destroying and enslaving everyone in their way. In the meantime the relationship between Morgaine and Vanye has developed quite movingly. Roh also figures in this deepening of characters and choices. ****1/2

I'm falling horribly behind in my comments . . . I'll have to tidy up before the end of the month.

123. ♬ hist mys ****
Silent on the Moor Deanna Raybourn

The best yet -- Brisbane has bought a manor house in the depths of Yorkshire and determined to settle things between them Julia heads there uninvited with sister Portia and brother. There are gypsies and mummies and murder attempts and some nasty stuff but Julia succeeds in her mission. I was thoroughly entertained throughout. ****