Books Read: 96 of 52 in '08

Panic by Jeff Abbott - this was the written equivalent of candy floss - frothy, insubstantial, fun while it lasted, ultimately non-nutritious junk food.  CIA / Spy Thriller / Life Turned Upside-Down tale with lots of death and evil, and little believability.

Banner of Souls by Liz Williams - touted as one of Britain's best SF writers and rightly so, this is steak and ale next to Panic.  I borrowed this from the library and when I got to bed with it realised I had read it before.  Bugger.  But I am stuck in bed with this the only book to hand.  OK.  I will read it again.  And very glad I am too.  Gothic and world-spanning, full of genetically modified humans and quite a few aliens, this is a story of Earth's far future when Earth is ruled by the Martian Matriarchy and Earth itself is drowned and dying.  Highly recommended - I now have all Liz Wiliams books on my Wish List at Amazon (hint, hint)

The Touch of Ghosts by John Rickard - again, a library I discovered I had already read.  This one did not bear a second reading so well, unfortunately.  Well written, well plotted, but ultimately lacking that spark that keeps you wanting to know what happens next (and I am pretty sure I felt this was first time round too!).  Don't bother, unless you are just about to embark on an eight-hour flight or train journey and it is the only book to hand.

The Apothecary's House by Adrian Mathews - Recommended.  Not what I expected, but a good gripping read with an unexpected end.

This trilogy was also got from the library so, although I now have at least 7 books to read (Christmas and Birthday - Woo!) I thought I should finish these first.

Glotka is crippled by torture and is now a Torturer for the King's Inquisition. 
Logen Nine-Fingers is tortured by the memories of all the people he has killed.
Ferro feels no pain, and is the Carrier of the Seed.
Bayuz is the First of the Magi, and possibly the last.
Together and separately, they must prevent the uprising of evil and bring about a more democratic reign.  If they survive...

Do you suspect I have a deep liking for Science Fiction and Fantasy, magic and role-playing games?  No?  Well, I do, and these are set in a world that could be Dungeons & Dragons material, dark and funny at the same time.  Very realistic in a way fantasies are more and more becoming these days.  Well worth a read if you enjoy fantasy without prophecy, but with magic.

And that is 2008 read to a halt.  I wonder what 2009 will bring?