Book Review: Edward IV by Charles Ross

Edward IV by Charles Derek Ross
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A devastating battle resulted in his father and younger brother dead leading to him taking up his family’s claim to the throne of England and he took it. Charles Ross’ Edward IV is the first modern biography of the first Yorkist king.

Ross essentially divided this biography into three parts, one for each of Edward’s reigns and how Edward governed over the course of his time on the throne. Edward’s reputation over the centuries was either a strong warrior-king or a lazy, debauched ruler who partied himself into an early grave depend on who was reviewing him; Ross revealed that both opinions were true as Edward was a charismatic individual who inspired men to fight for him but coming to the throne at such a young age made him enjoy it. Ross’ lively writing describing Edward’s reigns stood in stark contrast to his writing of Edward’s governance which was dry and at times snooze-inducing, while I understood Ross’ decision to compare various economic or law-and-order issues from both reigns it might have been better to mix the governance in with the happenings of the reigns.

Edward IV looks at the man who founded a dynasty that lasted only two years past his death but began laying down the foundations that the Tudors would use to transform England especially his famous grandson, Henry.

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Book Review: Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Little House in the Big Woods recounts a little over a year in the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder living in the Wisconsin backwoods in the 1870s. Wilder recounts various events in her childhood that gives a modern-day reader a glimpse of what life was like in the northern frontier when your nearest neighbor was miles away, a trip to town a few hours would be an all-day affair, and wild animals of all sorts would visit throughout the year. Given the period written about and at what time Wilder wrote the book, there are things that would not be written or printed today however a responsible parent or educator would use that as an excellent teaching moment. And the illustrations of Garth Williams are a nice addition to the book and bring some of the stories to better perspective.

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Book Review: Havana Storm by Clive Cussler & Dirk Cussler

Havana Storm: A Dirk Pitt Adventure by Clive Cussler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

An Aztec treasure that influences the history between the United States and Cuba plus adding into the narrative a Cuban underwater mining operation that is causing ecological damage that is linked to political shenanigans of the island nation’s leadership. Havana Storm is the twenty-third book in Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt series and the sixth cowritten by his son Dirk.

A standard novel for the series with a fun narrative that has been the hallmark of the younger Cussler’s time writing with his father. As with the last two novels Clive goes back to the well with the elder Dirk being the hero and damsel-in-distress savior, this time with his daughter Summer being said damsel multiple times though on one occasion she is more active in saving herself. A nice change of pattern was the inclusion of a wealthy industrialist that isn’t a massive dirt bag but a nice human being. Unlike the hard retcon of Trojan Odyssey that has occurred over the past few books, this book had a soft retcon of some elements of Cyclops though the ones left in should have resulted in a few different narrative choices especially concerning the elder Pitt.

Havana Storm continues the fun narratives that have marked the series since Dirk Cussler has joined his father in writing, however Clive’s desire to keep on fall back on tropes continues to be a downside that has hamstrung these last few books.

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Book Review: Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson

Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

War always brings about innovation, but when immortal forces begin their conflict again like they’ve always done anything new will have dramatic consequences. Rhythm of War, fourth installment of Brandon Sanderson’s The Stormlight Archive sees the war over a year old and looking like it might be a long conflict.

This latest installment takes place a year after the events of Oathbringer, Sanderson bridges the time gap for each character in various ways—Kaladin in battle, Shallan in an undercover situation, etc.—that is explanative while not making the beginning of the book a slog. While dealing with the war from the perspective of at least one participant from each side, Sanderson tackles the effects of various mental illnesses that two of his primary characters must learn to cope with as part of their greater narrative arcs which came across as well written and not glossed over. However, in attempting not to shortchange the issues the characters are dealing with it feels Sanderson dwells on them too much in some scenes. The twist-and-turns in allegiances in the war, the surprising other half of one of the most infamous events in the history of Roshar, and the agreement between two characters to bring the war to an end in a short time highlight the climax of the penultimate volume of the first half of the series.

Rhythm of War is filled with twists and turns in both the narrative and character development that sets the stage for what is shaping up to be a stunning climax to mark the end of the series’ first half. With each new book Brandon Sanderson expands the connections of the Cosmere and Roshar appears to be the place where a showdown will eventually take place, but what kind and between who is going to be interesting to find out.

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Book Review: Oddly Normal Book 4 by Otis Frampton

Oddly Normal Book 4 by Otis Frampton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After an interesting first week in Fignation, Oddly Normal is looking to begin a not so exciting routine to her life but she’s quickly learning that might not be the case. Oddly Normal Book 4 continues Otis Frampton’s young adult series with ‘classic’ storytelling.

Otis Frampton begins the series’ second story arc with Oddly learning more about Fignation as whole while meeting new characters from Ragnar and Reggie’s father, interacting with Oddly’s favorite comic book character who is fellow student, and their new old teacher who isn’t finished with Oddly. Frampton introduces young readers not only to elements of Mary Shelley’s classic novel but it’s most famous movie adaptation as well as classic comic tropes which all serve as both giving background to Fignation but also foreshadow events in Oddly’s own story in the future. Frampton’s art is vibrant and effective mood setting that enhances the storytelling, which given the medium is a major plus.

Oddly Normal Book 4 finds Otis Frampton giving his readers a follow up to the dramatic events of the previous installment while introducing them to classic tropes in an entertaining way.

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