"Wolfsangel"

Title: Wolfsangel

Author: M. D. Lachlan
Genre: Fantasy

Plot: 6/10
Style: 5/10
Cover: 6/10 
Final: 6/10

You know the goosebumps you get when reading a really good story? When you can't go to sleep 'cause it's gonna be just one more page... This book doesn't make you feel like that. It's long, and seems to be even longer. It took me a month to finish it. A month! It wasn't overly bad, so I kept on reading, but I just couldn't get into the spirit.

The story evolves around the tale of two brothers, twins, who were separated after their birth. One is to become the prince of the Nordic kingdom. The other a beast, the avatar of Fenrir the Wolf. The Devourer of Gods. Odin and Loki are directly involved in their destiny. Sounds interesting, doesn't it? A story of bravery, loyalty and love, spiced with battles and witches. The perfect recipe for a bestseller based on history and mythology. Still, the arm of addiction reaches towards you, missing just by an inch. It continues further on, never gripping and drawing in, so the sea of the plot is unable to absorb you. You turn the last page with the hunger for more adventure, for the thrill of losing contact with reality. All the ingredients were there, just a pinch of salt more... or maybe of pepper... and it would be the best meal of the month. But the plate is empty and the meat was just slightly too raw and chips not crunchy enough.

It's a mediocre novel to read on a bus. Not overly demanding, not soporific either. The very short chapters make it possible to go through, as it's always the case with short bits of text. However, many retrospections present in the middle of the action slow the book. The moment you get excited, you're sent back to some events long past. When you come back to the actual storyline, you have already managed to forget why it was fun. I guess if you shuffled with the order of some chapters, it could actually create a more entertaining story.

I could also grumble about the way the female characters were marginalised. Or maybe not marginalised per se, but strongly categorised in the old Lewis & Tolkien way. For there are only so many patterns for a female character to follow: either a weak but loving dame in distress or a bad and evil queen. Unfortunately, Wolfsangel does not get creative in this field.

Lachlan could have done better. Actually, his editor could have done better. The story has a potential and the author has a talent. Still, what's worse than a wasted skill and time?

"Archangel's Shadows" Nalini Singh

Title: Archangel's Shadows
Author: Nalini Singh
Publishing store: USA: Berkley Sensation
Genre: Fantasy, Romance

Plot: 7/10
Style: 8/10
Cover: 6/10 
Final: 7/10

My hands were shaking. My heartbeat was quick as that of a rabbit and my chicks were red. No, I'm not exaggerating, whether you believe me or not. I simply love the Guild Hunter world, I love Raphael and Ellie, Sara and Deacon, Illium, Jason, Dmitri... Oh yes, Dmitri. I better drop the topic here...
So, anyway. I was looking forward to getting to know better two intriguing characters - Ashwini and Janvier. We had only a glimpse of them in one of the stories ("Angels' Pawn"), a very spectacular glimpse.
Ash, a hunter, with special and yet dark powers that few truly understand.
Janvier, a vampire, driving Ash both to madness and to ecstasy. Young for a vampire, and yet already trusted by the Seven.
Who wouldn't like to dive into their story, to discover the intimacies of their relationship? With Nalini's novels the outcome of the romance is clear from the first pages of the book. Still, the route to the happiness and happy ending is always full of plot twists and dramas, never easily guessed. 
"Archangel's Shadows" had a tough challenge - the previous part, "Archangel's Legion" was definitely the best book of the series. Full of action and a comeback to Raphael and Ellie pairing, it was barely fitting the 'romance' box. Now, the hunter and her Cajun had to deal with the leftovers after the war, what meant from the beginning that the adventure will be less epic and much more mundane. And so it is, with another reference to the first part - a huge investigation going on that is definitely too dangerous for the main character to take on. 
The cherry on this cupcake is definitely a surprisingly not-so-background character that all the fans had been waiting for - Naasir, a strange feline vampire. Quick in moves and wits, he doesn't reveal much to us, creating more secrets than revealing. Who or what is he exactly? What's the story behind his origin? We can only hope Nalini will give him his own story one day.
As much as there was a little excess of romance and not enough action in this part (spoiled me after the Archangel's Legion!), I loved the masterful intertwining of the other characters - Dmitri, Illium, Naasir and... Caliane. Yes, in the midst of a grim investigation there's always time for a family reunion, even if it consists of an Archangel, an Ancient, and an angel newly made...
I hereby declare the challenge invalid. Because you simply cannot compare a part full of war and action to a part dealing with the aftermaths, a part full of delicate hope and careful planning for a lighter future. 
I love the Shadows, all three of the: Ash, Janvier and Naasir. I love how deep each of those characters is, how complicated their stories are. In a kind of supernatural way - it's so realistic. Nobody has an easy life from a point A to a point B. Nobody has a perfect family, and some have it worse than the others. And as we can learn from Ash's example, even what an outsider may consider a pathology is never so easily defined... But hush, or I'll spoil too much.
Just read it! Now, get the book and read it! And if you don't know the series yet, it's high time to change it!

Side note (spoiler):

Cannot be unseen

A special book. One I'm not going to read but I feel it just needs to be here. So that nobody forgets there are authors who should never, ever be allowed to write. I do understand the problem of creepy ideas coming to you in your dreams - oh, trust me, nothing and nobody is twisted more than my subconsciousness - but that doesn't mean you have to write it down and publish it! Unless you're pissed enough to agree to a dare when playing truth or dare... But just to what lenghts can you go with such a challenge? I'm sure you'd have to get sober at least once during the whole writing & publishing process... Or maybe not, considering the book. Enjoy!

"It's difficult to love a woman whose vagina is a gateway to the world of the dead... 

Steve is madly in love with his eccentric girlfriend, Stacy. Unfortunately, their sex life has been suffering as of late, because Steve is worried about the odd noises that have been coming from Stacy's pubic region. She says that her vagina is haunted. She doesn't think it's that big of a deal. Steve, on the other hand, completely disagrees.

When a living corpse climbs out of her during an awkward night of sex, Stacy learns that her vagina is actually a doorway to another world. She persuades Steve to climb inside of her to explore this strange new place. But once inside, Steve finds it difficult to return... especially once he meets an oddly attractive woman named Fig, who lives within the lonely haunted world between Stacy's legs."

Psy-Changeling series

Title:Psy-Changeling (#1-13)
Author: Nalini Singh
Publishing store: USA: Berkley; Poland: Prószyński Media
Genre: Sci-Fi, Romance

Cover #1

Cover #2

Plot: 7/10

Style: 7/10
Cover #1: 7/10

Cover #2: 2/10 

Final: 6/10

I could review every part individually. However, I've decided to write one big post about the series up-to-date.

Psy/Changeling series is very difficult to rate. Some fragments are written with real mastery, while others are cheap sex scenes worth to be in a $1 harlequin. I would've never finished the first part if I hadn't already known the Guild Hunter series (the review coming soon). Because of the other books I've decided to give Nalini Singh a vote of confidence. Fortunately, I was not disappointed.

In the Psy/Changeling universe there are three species:
1. Psy – owning mental powers (from telekinesis and telepathy to foresight), they are an emotionless and arrogant race, full of contempt for the others. Silence Protocol is impelented since childhood, it's purpose to help the Psy control their powers.

2. Changeling – half humans/half animals, very emotional and, in contrast to the Psy's belief, highly intelligent. Usually living in packs/wings/other groups according to their animals, strictly hierarchical.

3. Humans – poor species without any edge in comparison to the two above.

While the very idea is not overly original, it is nicely composed into a bitable novel. The developing plot and characters are the biggest plus of the series.

It does not begin in a too attractive way: a Psy woman, the daughter of a very influential politican and bussineswoman, starts having problems with her Silence (keeping her emotionless) after coming into a contact with a changeling man. What's an easier way to start a science-fiction harlequin? Fortunately, not everything's so simplified. If you omit the sensual (and often inredibly melodramatic) descriptions, you might actually find yourself gradually absorbed into the plot.

And remember that this mostly refer to the first part. While second is not much better, the third suddenly jumps into a completely different level. It's still a romance, don't take me wrong – but it's multidimensional, the plot and the characters are becoming more sophisticated. All the parts are connected in the plot, the characters enriching the series in more and more tangible way. 

Recently the thirteenth part has been published. If you compare it to the first novel, you notice how the author's skills developed and the stress of the story changed. From a romance with action bonuses, into a well-thought sci-fi action novel with a pinch of romance. And you keep waiting for the next part, reading it the moment it gets published.

The pattern of every part is very simple: two main characters, male and female, slowly accepting the pull they feel towards each other. However, don't reject it: there is always some twist, and the stories are much more complicated than it may seem according to any review. I can't tell you more without spoilers, sorry!

It's a definitely worth reading series, even though the beginning might be difficult. Don't get discouraged by the first unskillful attempts on a sci-fi romance – it gets much better from the third part onwards!

10 books challenge

Challenges all over Facebook, spamming our News Feeds all the time. Some of us adore them, others would love a new option "Block everything containing the word 'challenge'" to appear. I find myself somewhere in between, just like with the Buzzfeed's quizes. Depending on the proximity of any exam - the closer it is, the higher the frequency of spamming my own wall.

Recently a new wave passed through Facebook - 10 books challenge.
The rules are pretty simple: list 10 books that somehow influenced your life.
I couldn't resist facing up to the challenge immediately I was nominated.
The problem is, choosing ONLY 10 books is as easy as eating soup with a fork. Doable only when you melt the tines and forge a spoon. Goodreads became my smithy, but the decision was still too tough. That's how I ended up with the list of 12 books on Facebook, though I want to make another list on my blog, consisting of a few more items. I'll try to keep the chronological order.
If you're interested, at all.

1. Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien
In this case, numer 1 is not random at all. Hobbit was the first book I've ever read, at the age of 7. I couldn't have chosen (or, to be more exact, my parents couldn't have chosen) better. From that moment on my big adventure with literature started.

“Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?” 

2. Mort, Terry Pratchett
Why Mort? This was the first Pratchett's book I put my hands on. Again, thanks to my parents. Sir Terry has become my beloved author, and I'm not sure it's even possible for me to express my respect for him. He is my authority both in writing skills, sense of humour and opinion about the world. He is also my biggest translation challenge, and only when I can say: Translating Pratchett? No problem, I will feel fulfilled. What will never happen, of course.

“It would seem that you have no useful skill or talent whatsoever," he said. "Have you thought of going into teaching?”

3. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, J.K. Rowling
I was such a hipster in primary school. "Everybody's reading a series? It means it has to be weak. I'm not going to even touch it". Fortunately, my curiosity got the better of me. After a few years, when literally everybody was talking about Harry, Hogwarts and everything related, I decided to try and read it - still convinced it's going to be a crap, but to be able to understand all of the popular references (e.g. "You-Know-Who"). Aaaand... The dame's broken. Second, third parts were devoured in as many days. Then the long wait for the fourth part... Oh, the night in the bookstore, awaiting midnight with so many other kids, to grab a copy of the novel the moment it appears on the shelf. The feeling of unity, understanding with all the others wearing strange hats.

“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.”

4. Potop, H. Sienkiewicz
The classic of Polish literature. Detested by some kids at school, an obligatory reading. However, I read it a few years before I had to, which may be the reason why I still love it. A historical fiction, it tells the story of love, honour and patriotism. It's full of epic battles and heart-breaking losses. And marks the beginnings of my love for history.

 "– A gdzie ten Piątek?
 – Koło Soboty.
 – Kpisz, Kiemlicz?
 – Jakże bym śmiał, panie pułkowniku!"

5. Winnetou, Karl May
Strange as that may be, it started my love not only for the Indiands, but also for various mythologies. And made me a direct and honest person. It may be childish, and even though I know nobody really cherishes it nowadays, the book intensified my reluctance to lie. Howgh!

"Będąc młodym, nie zastanawiałem się wówczas nad tym, że dopiero życie jest właściwym i prawdziwym uniwersytetem, w którym uczniowie są pytani co dzień i co godzina."

6. Miecz przeznaczenia, Andrzej Sapkowski
I thought long enough if the Witcher series should appear here or not. But then, the answer was easy: a definite yes. I read it when I was 12. I remember the contempt with which I omitted all the sex scenes, quickly going through pages to some action. Still, I guess it was my first contact with this kind of literature.

“-Hej! - ryczał Yarpen Zigrin siedzący na koźle, wskazując na Yennefer. - Coś się tam czerni na szlaku! Ciekawe, co to? Wygląda jak kobyła!
- Bez ochyby! - odwrzasnął Jaskier, odsuwając na tył głowy śliwkowy kapelusik. - To kobyła! Wierzchem na wałachu! Niebywałe!”

7. Tam gdzie spadają anioły, Dorota Terakowska
A beautiful, though strongly religious book. I actually became a Catholic for about one year after reading it. Until I started thinking logically again, of course. The point is: if a book can make ME (even a much younger me) religious, it means it is the most beautiful book you can present to your kid. Besides, this is exactly the moment when my love of angels started.

"Zawsze musi istnieć równowaga – coś za coś, nic za darmo. Szczęście wystawia ludziom swoje rachunki."

8. Letters from the Earth, Mark Twain
Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn - young adults books. But the truth is, Twain was so much more than that. Letters won with the Yankee in King Arthur's Court only slightly. In the end, they made a bigger impression on me - and got me thinking more of the cultural patterns we are forced to follow, especially the ones the Catholic Church loves to impose.

“The difference between a Miracle and a Fact is exactly the difference between a mermaid and a seal.” 

9. Podróże z Herodotem, R. Kapuściński
This is not the first Kapuściński's book I've read. However, it combines my two favourite features of his writings: anecdotes of the daily life in communist Poland AND his coverages of the foreign issues. This man never ceased to amaze me, how coragious you can be and how many adventures you can survive. The ideal journalist - in the times which allowed for real journalism. In the times when killling a journalist was not a sign of your power, but rather of your weakness.

"Jaką funkcję spełnia zemsta? Strach przed zemstą, przed jej nieuchronnością i grozą, powinien powstrzymać każdego z nas przed popełnieniem czynu niegodnego i szkodzącego innemu. Powinien być hamulcem i głosem opamiętania."

10. Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle
Can you imagine your life without the Perfect Detective, the Arrogant Genious? Me neither. If my logical thinking was ever supposed to develop, it happened while reading the stories.

“When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” 

10. Brave New World, A. Huxley
I was never so stunned by Orwell's 1984. Yet this one overtook my mind for many days. It was the impulse to think about the future, not only mine, but of the whole world. About the science and morality. About humanity.

“Words can be like X-rays if you use them properly -- they’ll go through anything. You read and you’re pierced.” 

11. The Master and Margarita, M. Bulgakov
A reknown book about the Devil. Seriously, my journey with the supernatural was not easy. I have no idea as to why. Fortunately, Bulhakov finally unblocked in me the open interest in this kind of books. It's thanks to him that I've read Siewca Wiatru, and later on so many simialar books, including those by Nalini Singh. It's also thanks to him that I started enjoying Biblical stories and created my own published story of Cain.

“Is that vodka?" Margarita asked weakly.
The cat jumped up in his seat with indignation.
"I beg pardon, my queen," he rasped, "Would I ever allow myself to offer vodka to a lady? This is pure alcohol!”

12. Crime and Punishment, F. Dostoyevsky
All I can say is that it had psychological impact on me. It kept me in tension through all the pages, much more than E.A. Poe ever did.

“Pain and suffering are always inevitable for a large intelligence and a deep heart. The really great men must, I think, have great sadness on earth.” 

12. Kushiel's Dart, Jacqueline Carey
As I've written in one of my previous reviews, the first erotic fantasy book I read. I couldn't have chosen better. I fell in love with every word that came from Jacqueline's hand. The series - all three trilogies - took me for an incredible journey through my senses and supplied me with the most lyrical descriptions. Without her I would never learn about Nalini Singh or Patricia Briggs.

“All knowledge is worth having.” 

13. The God Delusion, R. Dawkins
Called the Bible of atheists, really is an incredibly important book, the proof of the freedom of speech. Atheists were afraid to speak loudly about their philosophy of life for so many years. Now we may finally admit to it loudly without the fear of dire consequences. It doesn't matter if the book is controveral or not - it matters that it exists and that so many people know about it.

“We are all atheists about most of the gods that humanity has ever believed in. Some of us just go one god further.”

14. Paradise Lost, Milton
And back to the Devil. I've read the book at university, and found my favourite character of Christian mythology - Lucifer. I've always had weakness for this kind of "villains" - Lucifer and Loki being my favourite ones of all times.

“Better to reign in Hell, than to serve in Heaven.”


There are so many more novels that deserve to be on the list. Every book I read leaves something behind, changes me in the slightest of ways. How could you not change after living so many lives?

Kushiel series: Phedre's Trilogy

Title: Phedre's Trilogy: Kushiel's Dart, Kushiel's Chosen, Kushiel's Avatar
Author: Jacqueline Carey
Publishing store: USA: Macmillan; Poland: Mag
Genre: Fantasy, Romance

Plot: 10/10
Style: 9/10
Cover: 6/10
Final: 10/10

Yes, that's right. You don't have to blink. Ten points out of ten. Simple as that.

I firstly saw the novel in a bookstore when I was waiting for my extra English class. For a 16-year-old girl the cover was simultaneously intimidating and fascinating. I looked around to make sure that nobody was looking at my bizarre choice of literature, squatted and tentatively reached out to get the book. Then I sat down in a corner with a strong intent to spend the next few hours before my evening class on reading.

First pages are even more intimidating. The plot reveals itself very slowly, and the descriptions of the world may seem too long. A small girl growing up in a brothel may seem gross... But then you realise that the brothel is not really a brothel. That a prostitute is so much more in the land of Elua. And before you draw it all in, the heroine becomes an adult. And then the real plot begins.

Phedre is a prostitute, the Kushiel's chosen, one in generations. At the same time she's a trained spy and linguist. Her bodyguard, a stiff Cassiline brother, is not glad with the assignment, but he's duty is to protect. Even in the cold winters of Skaldia, where the court intrigues soon send them to slavery.

Through hardships and joys, their adventures continue in three parts. Phedre and Joscelin's lives are not easy ones, the gods having special plans for their actions. But Elua's blessing is always with them, even in the darkest corners of Darsanga, where the very evil is embodied.

Who's Elua? - you might ask. The unwanted child of Yeshua ben Yosef, the son of Yahweh. From the Messiah blood and the tears of Magdalen, a new god was born, though not acknowledge. He traveled through the lands, and some of the angels decided to accompany him. Finally they settled in the land later called Terre D'Ange - the Land of Angels. And all of D'Angelines descend from the angels, have some celestial blood in their veins.

The research for the book is excellently conducted - the universe is based on the real world, though countries differ in their historical stages: Celtic Albion, Roman Empire, France, Viking Scandinavia... The religion follows the Judeo-Christian mythology until the new original stage - the birth of Elua. Even the Gypsies have a skillfully wavered history, necessary for the plot.

Let's not forget that the heroine is the Kushiel's chosen. Which is a synonym to being a masochist. There are plenty of sexual scenes, including strong BDSM and SM. With such a description you could expect tough hardcore sex, vulgar and primitive. Especially if you had the misfortune to get to know The Fifty Shades of Grey earlier. And here comes the surprise! The scenes are beautiful. Dark when needed, sometimes even terrifying (especially in Kushiel's Avatar), but never simplified, never awkward. Never disgusting or repulsive.

Some of my friends say that the Kushiel series is a typical example of feminine literature. I disagree. You can find there everything: political intrigues, battles and duels, sex and violence. I strongly encourage everybody to read the novels. They are definitely worth your time!

Cover:
The only weak point in this marvellous series. The heroine is supposed to look feminine and attractive, while the body (especially the muscles) is definitely male. On the other hand, it could be a usual "harlequin" style: cute, boring and superficial.

Sezon Burz

Tytuł: Sezon Burz

Autor: Andrzej Sapkowski

Wydawca: superNOWA

Typ: Fantasy

Fabuła: 3/10

Styl: 5/10
Okładka: 7/10

Razem: 4/10

Mówiąc prostacko: książka ogólnie dupy nie urywa. Miałam nadzieję na coś o wiele lepszego, godnego ukochanej Sagi... A tu takie popłuczyny. Fabuła rozkręca się dopiero od może 250 strony, wcześniej jest liniowa i prosta jak scenariusz do gry komputerowej. Całość opiera się na wręcz infantylnym pomyśle: Geraltowi kradną miecze. A biedny wiedźmin miota się i szarpie próbując je odzyskać... Nie jest to wielki powrót Mistrza, raczej krzyk o pieniądze - są gry, będzie nowy film, trzeba wydać coś nowego, żeby tylko ludzi trochę zachęcić i przypomnieć o swoim istnieniu. 

Język "przesapkowskowiony", dziwne twory, zapożyczenia poprzerabiane na coś mającego brzmieć jak polskie archaizmy... Sama nie wiem czy z czasem się trochę uspokoił, czy po prostu się przyzwyczaiłam.

Co więcej, mam wrażenie, że 20 lat temu fabułę całej książki Sapkowski zmieściłby w jednym opowiadaniu i uraczył jeszcze kilkoma innymi do zbiorku. A nie rozpisywał na 400 stron, ze szczegółami opisując coraz to wulgarniejsze scenki, całkowicie nieistotne, a nawet niezbyt pasujące. Oczywiście, powieści Sapkowskiego zawsze były przesycone wulgaryzmami, lecz wulgaryzmami klimatycznymi i pasującymi. A nie pisanymi na siłę, żeby tylko czymś zapełnić kolejne strony. Nabić kolejne znaki na klawiaturze. 

Najlepszymi fragmentami książki są stanowczo Interludia, może nawet oceniłabym je na 8/10. Właśnie one utrzymane są w prawdziwym stylu Sagi, pokazują dawną klasę autora. Dużym plusem jest też zakończenie, które nagle przykuwa uwagę czytelnika. Faktycznie wtapiasz się przy nim w świat powieści, zatracasz kontakt z rzeczywistością, pragniesz więcej. Gdyby tylko cała książka była na tym poziomie...

Good Omens - Radio Edition

Crowley and Azirafal will have their own voices! As well as the rest of the Good Omens characters! Rejoice, people, rejoice, for the legend is being created!

Just single exclamation marks seem not to be fully adequate. Neil Gaiman gathers the big names as the cast, and the fans just can't wait for the first episode to be broadcasted. At least I can't wait. Fortunately I did not 'burn my book', as Neil asked of me while signing it...

For all of you who have not read the novel, it's an incredible chance to hear it in a masterful edition on BBC Radio 4. Don't miss it!

A Blink of the Screen: Collected Short Fiction

Title: A Blink of the Screen: Collected Short Fiction

Author: Terry Pratchett

Publishing store: England: Doubleday UK; Poland: Prószyński Media

Genre: Fantasy

Plot: 9/10
Style: 9/10
Cover: 9/10
Final: 9/10

I have to admit. I am not objective when it comes to Sir Terry. I adore him and laugh at his every joke... And I do have a weakness for short stories. This collection is the perfect combination of all that brings me to my knees. And it's not an easy task with a diehard like me.

The collection is a kaleidoscope of the creativity of a teenager, a young man, and a grown-up. It strucks, how incredibly imaginative was the mind of this thirteen-year-old boy writing his first stories. His skills only developed, as we can see through further parts... What am I talking about. This is Sir Terry, the first pen of the United Kingdom...

The stories not connected to the most famous Discworld series are the most refreshing. We all know and love olde Wizards, City Guards and Death. However, every fan needs some fresh meat from time to time... Or at least a different kind of meat. And it's definitely interesting to have the whole variety in one book.

What's more to say. Every story is forerun by a short intro by Sir Terry, describing to us the origin of the piece, somehow creating the atmosphere of intimacy to the whole project. At the same time, we are faced with the fact of Sir Terry's illness and we realise that there might be no more stories, no more jokes, no more metaphors... That the collection we're holding in our hands is the last we'll have the chance to read. We laugh through tears, embracing Vimes and Mort and Nanny Ogg in a huge multiuniversal hug.