River of Stars ~ Guy Gavriel Kay

• Title:  River of Stars
• Author:  Guy Gavriel Kay
• Genre:  Historical Fiction, Fantasy
• Format:  Audio book
• Source:  Library
• Reviewed by: Valerie
• Rating:  3.5 out of 5

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p>Description:  In his critically acclaimed novel Under Heaven, Guy Gavriel Kay told a vivid and powerful story inspired by China’s Tang Dynasty. Now, the international bestselling and multiple award-winning author revisits that invented setting four centuries later with an epic of prideful emperors, battling courtiers, bandits and soldiers, nomadic invasions, and a woman battling in her own way, to find a new place for women in the world – a world inspired this time by the glittering, decadent Song Dynasty.

Ren Daiyan was still just a boy when he took the lives of seven men while guarding an imperial magistrate of Kitai. That moment on a lonely road changed his life—in entirely unexpected ways, sending him into the forests of Kitai among the outlaws. From there he emerges years later—and his life changes again, dramatically, as he circles towards the court and emperor, while war approaches Kitai from the north.

Lin Shan is the daughter of a scholar, his beloved only child. Educated by him in ways young women never are, gifted as a songwriter and calligrapher, she finds herself living a life suspended between two worlds. Her intelligence captivates an emperor—and alienates women at the court. But when her father’s life is endangered by the savage politics of the day, Shan must act in ways no woman ever has.

In an empire divided by bitter factions circling an exquisitely cultured emperor who loves his gardens and his art far more than the burdens of governing, dramatic events on the northern steppe alter the balance of power in the world, leading to events no one could have foretold, under the river of stars.

Review:  Once again, Guy Gavriel Kay has immersed himself in the historical culture of ancient China, this time focusing within the 12th Dynasty. Just he did in the acclaimed Under Heaven, he slowly and methodically crafts his tale. Perhaps a little too slowly in River of Stars. There were times when story seemed to drag a bit, and yet I could not help but continuing on with the story.

Kay has a way about his story telling. In River of Stars he puts so much detail into creating the world that you almost feel as if the setting is itself a character of the book. It is clear that he spent a great deal of time researching this period of the Song Dynasty’s history. By the story’s end, the readers feels almost as if they visited that time, so long ago. Or maybe that is because they feel a compulsion to read up on some of the history on their own.

The two primary characters in River of Stars, Ren Daiyan and Lin Shan are clearly inspired by actual historical figures. Kay has a way of taking people and moments from time, and weaving a fictional account of what might have been. Within his telling, he pays homage to the existing mythology by capturing their truths of beauty, loyalty, and honor.

The characters of Ren Daiyan and Lin Shan remind me of the Yin and Yang. They are bound together and yet they are opposites. Ren Daiyan has a clear sense of his place within his time, a purpose that motivates him. Whereas, on the other hand, Lin Shan is a woman out of place in her own time and struggle to find her place in society. While they are very different, they both share an ability to recognize truth.

In addition to characters and themes, Kay incorporates much of Song Dynasty culture in this opus. In fact, while this book is often categorized as fantasy, the fantastical elements play more into the cultural superstitions of the time, making them seem more of a historical interpretation of events through the eyes of the characters. The author really seems to like the concept of fox spirits, featuring one in both River of Stars and Under Heaven. He details the prominent role of poetry and art and their cultural significance to that time. I can’t help but reflect that in our modern equivalents of pop music and movies just do not hold the same serene sense of beauty. In contrast, the battles scenes are sharp and brutal, yet equally brilliant in the telling.

I experience River of Stars in audio book format. The narration is very calm and slow. I thought that this worked well for Under Heaven, but found it frustrating for River of Stars. There were just moments that I felt would be better told with more energy. In particular, the understated vocalization did little to capture the sassy and mischievous nature of the Daji (fox woman). At times, the calming tones felt as if they might lull me to sleep.

While I enjoyed the story, I did struggle to get through the book. The entire tone of the story was so calm and methodical that it made an already long book feel even longer.

The Orphan Master’s Son ~ Adam Johnson

• Title:  The Orphan Master’s Son
• Author:  Adam Johnson
• Genre:  Literary Fiction
• Format:  Audio book
• Source:  Overdrive Digital Library
• Reviewed by: Valerie
• Rating:  3.5 out of 5

Description:  An epic novel and a thrilling literary discovery, The Orphan Master’s Son follows a young man’s journey through the icy waters, dark tunnels, and eerie spy chambers of the world’s most mysterious dictatorship, North Korea.

Pak Jun Do is the haunted son of a lost mother—a singer “stolen” to Pyongyang—and an influential father who runs Long Tomorrows, a work camp for orphans. There the boy is given his first taste of power, picking which orphans eat first and which will be lent out for manual labor. Recognized for his loyalty and keen instincts, Jun Do comes to the attention of superiors in the state, rises in the ranks, and starts on a road from which there will be no return.

Considering himself “a humble citizen of the greatest nation in the world,” Jun Do becomes a professional kidnapper who must navigate the shifting rules, arbitrary violence, and baffling demands of his Korean overlords in order to stay alive. Driven to the absolute limit of what any human being could endure, he boldly takes on the treacherous role of rival to Kim Jong Il in an attempt to save the woman he loves, Sun Moon, a legendary actress “so pure, she didn’t know what starving people looked like.”

Part breathless thriller, part story of innocence lost, part story of romantic love, The Orphan Master’s Son is also a riveting portrait of a world heretofore hidden from view: a North Korea rife with hunger, corruption, and casual cruelty but also camaraderie, stolen moments of beauty, and love. A towering literary achievement, The Orphan Master’s Son ushers Adam Johnson into the small group of today’s greatest writers.

**Potential Spoilers**

Review:  The Orphan Master’s Son tells the story of a simple man who dare to dream that life can be different. The premise is not so different, until you stop to consider that the main character began life effectively as an orphan in North Korea. The author has built a poignant story set within the context of his observations of North Korean culture. I cannot speak to the authenticity of the portrayal of North Korea, but I did find myself caught up in Pak Jun Do’s story.

One of the primary precepts of this book is that in North Korea it is the story rather than the truth that reigns supreme. This concept is played out over and over. Characters will present the story that they feel would be most palatable, rather than giving an accurate account of events as they unfolded. Conversely, these stories if accepted become “truth” even though it is clear that almost all players recognize that is not what actually happened.

I was never really clear if Pak Jun Do was truly the orphan master’s son who received the same treatment as the orphans that grew up with him or if he truly was an orphan who convinced himself otherwise. This distinction is largely irrelevant. His mother is gone, taken away from him when he was young, and from then on his lot in life is that of an orphan and he begins his lifelong desire to love and be loved.

I was a bit horrified at the description of the living conditions described for North Korea. At first I thought that maybe I misunderstood and this was a futuristic dystopian version. My reading of the book was timely, giving the current events unfolding in North Korea. Recent news articles have convinced me that the author got it right. I found it easier to focus on the characters and their plights rather than give this too much deep consideration to this harsh and depressing reality.

While slow-paced, The Orphan Master’s Son was a captivating story. Pak Jun Do is “just a guy.” He rises from the most humble beginnings and faces obstacle after obstacle, and yet his spirit cannot be broken. He holds on to what integrity he can while struggling to survive the twisted events that comprise his life. It was tough to call him the “good guy” because he does some awful things to survive. Yet, when considered within the framework of the story he is as good as it gets.

I know some people get frustrated by changing perspectives, so be warned that this book is told using a few distinct voices. I felt that the changing perspectives lent depth to the story. The changing perspectives also created mystery for the reader, struggling to find the “truth,” or at least what you choose to accept as the “truth.”

This was a really unique read for me and I really enjoyed it. At times, the subject matter was a bit heavy, but the richly drawn characters and the spirit of Pak Jun Do made it all worthwhile.

Cover note: The cover is simple, yet eye-catching. After reading the book and noting the tiger’s relevance, I like it even more.

 

The Charge ~ Sharon Bayliss

• Title: The Charge
• Author: Sharon Bayliss
• Series: (TBA)
• Genre: UF, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
• Format: eBook
• Source: NetGalley
• Reviewed by: Soo
• Rating: 4 out of 5

Description:  When King of the Texas Empire kidnaps Warren’s brother, Warren embarks into a still Wild West to save him. On his journey, he makes a discovery that changes his life forever—he and his brother are long-lost members of the Texas royal family and the King wants them both dead.

He gets help from an activist Texan named Lena, who’s itching to take on the King and happens to be a beautiful firecracker Warren can’t stay away from. Convincing her he’s not one of the bad guys becomes harder when a mysterious energy stirs in his body, turning his brain into a hive of emotions and memories—not all his own.

A legacy of violence is not all he inherited from the brutal Kings of Texas. The myth that the royal family possesses supernatural powers may not be myth at all.

Gone are the days when choosing a major was a big deal. Now Warren must save his brother and choose whether or not to be King, follow a King, or die before he can retire his fake ID.

Review:  Warren King thought it was just another visit home to make sure his Mom was okay. She’s known to try odd things like cook bacon in the toaster and end up with a kitchen fire. Instead of a pit stop at home before going back to campus, Warren finds out his brother is missing, a dry bloodstain on the carpet, and a vague threat about others coming to take him away.

Warren:
Who has Isaac?
Why is Mom so afraid?
Does this have anything to do with their father?
Who could possibly want to harm his family?

Wired on one too many energy drinks, caffeine and sugar, Warren disregards his Mom’s suggestion to run off to Canada for safety and heads into Texas to look for answers. He’s always been the one to take care of their family. He can’t stand aside while Isaac’s in trouble. Confusion and endless questions plague Warren from the very start of his journey. Events become worse as he falls prey to a strange illness that crawls beneath his skin, charges the air around him and causes unforeseen effects when he interacts with people.

A measure of peace and clarity comes in the form of a pretty girl named Lena. In desperation, Warren reaches out to her for help. Nothing is what he thought it was and nothing will ever be the same again. Everything he knew is based on a lie and he’s role in current events may be much more than anything Warren has ever dreamed of for himself. He only wanted to have a normal life. He just wanted to go to college, date, find someone to love, get married, land a good job and live with his family. Just a normal, boring life with no major complications.

Instead, it’s a race for answers, running for his life, taking on a role he never dreamed of and making decisions that will effect the world.

I didn’t know that this book was Sharon Bayliss’ debut novel until after I read the story. It’s a great book! It has everything you want from a good story: engaging characters, moving plot, a few twists, intrigue, dash of mystery and atmosphere.

The setting is surreal because it’s very familiar and yet vastly different with it’s alternative history and technological differences. The world seems dystopian in a fashion because it’s modern but it has areas of extreme poverty due to wars that have been fought. The technology is more advance in aspects like genetic manipulation and application. It’s a rich world with a lot of promise for exploration.

Warren grew on me. It took the entire book. I’m a fan of smart, sarcastic protagonists and he isn’t exactly like that. However, he is a good man who tries his best to do what he considers right. There were several characters in the story that had potential to become a favorite character but didn’t because there wasn’t enough exposure to them to give me time to become fond of them. Lots of people running around and a lot of events rack up on top of each other with only spots to settle down and breath. Part of the reason why it wasn’t easy to find a favorite is due to the fact that several of them are young adults who act like young adults. A bit too preoccupied in their own lives and not much beyond their own desires.

I hope there will be more on the President of the U.S. and Jack in future books because they are very interesting figures that I would enjoy getting to know better.

The story is packed with events and actions. However key people fall in and out of the story rapidly and it leaves me wondering where they vanished to.

Everything that needs to be wrapped up is settled by the end of the book but that doesn’t mean there aren’t questions waiting for answers.

Some Q’s:
What happened to Warren & Isaac’s Mom?
What’s going on with Isaac?
What is the charge exactly?
What are the flashes of memory?
What’s the component that allows Lena to calm Warren?
What’s next?

A few factors make me feel like I was reading a Young Adult novel. Majority of the characters are between 18 to early 20’s. I gained insight into their feelings and thoughts but not enough into their personalities or lives to really get a hang of who they are. In general, they seem to be self involved, naive, frivolous and dedicated to running with an idea whether it was right or wrong. Perhaps by showing more of how the characters interact with each other or how they are involved in different parts of events will be a clearer way to engage the audience. I don’t mind being told information as a reader but that doesn’t always work to get me involved in the story. I feel more ambivalent when facts are presented at me rather than having me experience events due to them occurring within the story.

Looking forward to the next book! I’m told that it’s in the works as we speak. A well done debut, Sharon Bayliss! I enjoyed reading this story and I’ll be in line for the next.

*Due to the fact that there were several cool elements in the story that sneaked up on me, I wrote a spoiler free review. It’s an adventure story with it’s own wild ride! My advice is to read the book and experience it for yourself.