Day 6: Tricked or Treated
Five books that surprised, shocked, stupefied, amazed, staggered, or simply caught me off guard.
#1 – Treated 
: David Weber’s Honor Harrington
This is a buy for me. I don’t care what David Weber writes. I’ll buy it. Honor Harrington in particular. When I come home with one of his books, everything else gets set to one side.
It’s that combination of a strong female character who lives with honor and humor, the science fiction, politics, shafting the bad guy(!), battle tactics, action…and then there’s Nimitz whom I adore.
#2 – Treated : Patricia McKillip
The most incredibly lyrical, poetic writing you will ever read. I don’t always understand everything she writes, but it doesn’t matter because her words and the way in which she uses them is so amazingly beautiful, lifting you out of any humdrum-ness you may be suffering.
McKillip writes primarily fantasy with a strong touch of the fairy tale. Truly an original.
#3 – Tricked : E.L. James’ Fifty Shades Trilogy
This was truly shocking. I cannot believe that James managed to top booksales charts with the crap she wrote. Although, I do have to admit that she pulled me in with her first book — in spite of the incredibly awful writing — with my desire to know what happened to poor Grey to make him so very needy. The second book was simply dull with even worse writing. I thought practice was supposed to make someone improve?? Of course, her writing did improve by the third book. Unfortunately, the story itself was so bloody dull, I almost fell asleep. Tra-la-lah, a day in the life with a few blips of excitement. How incredibly tedious.
#4 – Treated : Alan Gordon’s Fools Guild Mystery Series
What a treat this was! I am a sucker for historical mysteries and when it comes wrapped up with Shakespearean references and a twist on my own historical expectations. Well, how can I resist? I love the intricacies of politics and the strategies involved in negotiating its twists and turns and Gordon serves this up in spades.
#5 – Treated : Seanan McGuire’s October Daye Series
There are a number of urban fantasy series which I have been thoroughly enjoying. Good writing and character development along with a twist on the basic genre. I’m singling out McGuire’s series partly because San Francisco will always have a spot in my heart and partly because I love the homeyness of Toby. Other than the fact that she’s half-fae, Toby is a real person with day-to-day issues who just can’t seem to catch a break. She’s a smart lady, but doesn’t expect her own happiness even as her sense of honor requires her to ensure the safety and happiness of those around her. All with a clever twist on the world of the fae.
Check out all my reviews at either Goodreads or my blog to see what I think of a great many other books and series.