The Quatermass Book-Reading Blog 10: Tenpenny Dreadfuls...

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Yes, cringe and cower in terror, ye mortals, for it is once again time for a book-reading blog!

Regulars to this part of the forum may remember my previous book-reading marathons. This has been around since 2009, with my first such review blog (link here) clocking up 22 books over 46 days. My second (here's a link) clocked up 76 books in 179 days, my third(a link here for the connosieur) clocked up 100 books in 177 days. The fourth (click here if you dare...) clocked up 30 books in 88 days, and the fifth (abandon all hope, ye who enter this link) clocked up 72 books in 139 days. The sixth (and most disappointing, as you'll see here) clocked up only 11 books in 16 days. And the seventh managed to clock up 53 books over a period of 103 days (read all about it here). The eighth did 41 books in 99 days (plumb through its depths here). Finally, the ninth managed to rack up 65 books in 151 days (try not to get bored if you go through here.)

The rules are self-imposed, and are as follows:

*The books can be fiction, non-fiction, or graphic novels. However, some non-fiction categories must be excluded, such as games guides and screenplays, unless the latter is within a book that also has other subject material (ie, a 'making of' book). Novelisations and other adaptations are allowed, regardless of whether I have watched the original program. In all cases, I must not have read it all the way through prior to this.

*In the case of graphic novels, it has to be a volume I haven't read in a series, or else a stand-alone graphic novel.

*In all cases, a book that I have started previous to this blog, if I finish it (for the first time) during this, will count. Also, just skimming a book and reading pages randomly doesn't count, actually reading it, even if speed-reading it, does.

*I must write a quick review.

*I must finish at least one book per week. It doesn't matter if I started it more than a week ago, as long as I finish it within a week of the last one finished.

*The blog and time limit will start when I finish my first book.

Keep in mind that this blog is self-imposed to help me expand my reading horizons. I choose the reading material, and I rarely, if at all, take suggestions.

The first book will probably be the fifth volume of Fullmetal Alchemist...

Book 1...

REVIEW: Fullmetal Alchemist volume 5 by Hiromu Arakawa


Having been grabbed by the world of Fullmetal Alchemist, I decided to begin this blog with the next volume, which I recently found was at my local library. It's here, by this point, that we start to get more of a glimpse into the backstory of the Elric brothers. So how would this volume go? Let's find out...

On the way to meeting their old teacher, the Elric brothers, along with their friend Winry Rockbell, make a stop in Rush Valley, a stop that is complicated when automail-legged pickpocket Paninya steals it, and leads them on a merry chase through the town. But Winry and Paninya make a deal, and leads to an encounter with master automail builder Dominic Lecourt, and a new life for Winry. But the Elric brothers have to move on, to Dublith, and their harsh teacher, Izumi Curtis, who soon becomes aware of Edward's unusual alchemic abilities, and demands to know what really happened both before and after her harsh tuitions...

This volume can easily be split into two parts: the saga in Rush Valley, and meeting Izumi Curtis and the beginning of a flashback. It is the latter that is the most interesting, and it's such a shame that it cuts off partway through, but it does promise much for the next volume. I found the sequences in Rush Valley irritating at best, despite some heartwarming sequences.

As usual, Edward and Alphonse are entertaining enough, as is Winry, who is really starting to grow on me. I can't say the same for the characters in the Rush Valley chapters, despite, for example, a decent and sympathetic backstory given to Paninya, who frankly annoys me. Izumi Curtis and her husband Sig and her worker Marcus are somewhat better, and she cannily knows that Edward had performed, or rather attempted, human transmutation.

Overall, this was a decent enough volume that promises more to come in the next one. I just wish there was a touch more meat on the bones...


8.5/10

First words: OOOOOH!!

Last words: (Not recorded due to spoilers)

Hot on the heels of the first is Book 2...

REVIEW: The Doctor: His Lives and Times by James Goss and Steve Tribe, with contributions by many others

I am, as many long time members of this BBS will know, a major Doctor Who fan. So it's not surprising that my next book will be from the world of Doctor Who. But this book is, oddly enough, a somewhat different work, one that explores the Doctor's life thus far...

The Doctor: His Lives and Times is mostly a biographical work about the most famous of all Time Lords. With accounts coming from his companions, his adversaries, and even from himself, with extracts from the media, this book describes his lives. Interspersed between these stories are brief snippets of information from those who had a hand in creating the famous TV series, and even some hints as to what is to come...

While probably not as alluring to the seasoned fan, there is no doubt that this book is well-written. The gift of the two writers was to extrapolate from what is known about the series, and applying it to making some things fresh. For example, a UNIT memo links the events of The Web of Fear to The Bells of St John, while one narrative piece suggests that the events of The Savages were foretold by the Elders long ago, and that Steven, rather than the Doctor, was their main interest. We even have extracts from the Master's trial, Tegan having therapy with River Song, and the boasts of the Valeyard and Fenric, with even some contributions from the TARDIS. And the factual bits have more than a few interesting tidbits, including never-before-seen script extracts, and a few rare interview extracts.

The problem is, more than a few of the Doctor's stories are glossed over, some skipped over entirely, others given only a token mention either by the current narrative or one of the little bonus extracts on the side. In addition, the factual bits, while interesting, are more like Twitter extracts than proper interviews, probably done for the current ADHD generation. The presentation is excellent, but this seems to be, as is often the case with books like this, a triumph of style over substance. Not a bad thing, to tell the truth, but I am left without being sated. It would appeal more to a fan who came to the show with the new series rather than a fan of the classic series, even though the classic series takes up much of the volume.

The Doctor: His Lives and Times was a pretty damn good celebration of the Doctor, and is certainly enjoyable enough. Just a shame it wasn't a hair more substantial...


9/10

First words: A good man, they say, needs no rules at all.

Last words: It's indestructible.

I intend to make the next book the sixth volume of Fullmetal Alchemist. Watch this space...

Book 3...

REVIEW: Fullmetal Alchemist volume 6 by Hiromu Arakawa

And hot on the heels of the previous two books, I once more enter the world of Fullmetal Alchemist. This time around, more of the past of the Elric brothers is revealed, and we have the faintest threads of a continuing story showing up. So, time to dive right in...

Edward Elric continues to relate what happened in his past to his teacher, Izumi Curtis, including how they came to realise one of alchemy's fundamental tenets during the training he and his brother endured on an isolated island. But the crux of the matter were the events around Edward and Alphonse's failed attempt to revive their mother with alchemy. Meeting the strange, possibly malevolent entity known only as The Truth, Edward loses a leg, and Alphonse loses his body. In order to bind Alphonse's soul to armour, Edward sacrifices an arm. But hearing about this, how will their strict teacher react? What does Roy Mustang intend when he gets his long-awaited transfer to Central Command? And who is the mysterious man who wants the Elric brothers in Dublith?

The origin story of the Elric brothers is a pretty damn good one, especially during the nightmarish failed resurrection of their mother. Indeed, Edward's confrontation with the enigmatic Truth is both one of the most horrific and surreal sequences ever done for this genre of manga. We also have the introduction of an important new character, albeit one I shouldn't spoil here. Not perfect by any means, but still enjoyable.

This volume primarily develops the Elrics, and shows (albeit explicity what had already been implicit) how far Edward was willing to go to save his brother. The Truth is also intriguing, a surreal and strange entity that is part of the cause of the Elrics' problems, though their hubris also had a factor. We also learn more about the strict and volatile Izumi, and under what circumstances she learned the same alchemic technique as Edward. Finally, we get some more insight into Roy Mustang and King Bradley, in Edward Elric's flashback. Some of the other characters don't quite work, but are otherwise fine enough.

Overall, this volume of Fullmetal Alchemist was better than the norm. And I can't wait to see what happens next, given the new character introduced...


9/10

First words: Are you sure those two are going to be okay?

Last words: They're big guests.

One of the unofficial rules which I don't state in the set-in-stone rules is that I try to alternate between graphic novels/manga, and normal books. However, last blog, I discarded that rule in order to read through and finish Monster, and while I'll try to hold to that rule in this blog, the next book reviewed will be the eighth volume of Soul Eater, followed by the seventh volume of Fullmetal Alchemist.

Book 4...

REVIEW: Soul Eater volume 8: A heart of motion, A SOUL full of dignity by Atsushi Ohkubo

Another manga series I've been following was the quirky and macabre but certainly entertaining Soul Eater. Having managed to follow the series to the seventh volume, I've finally managed to get the eighth. But is it any good? Let's find out...

Black Star's rematch against Mifune to avenge Maka's hospitalisation ends with a defeat, but the DWMA student is able to flee when the DWMA staff sent to infiltrate the Arachnophobia facility stop his attackers. However, Shinigami-Sama, the Grim Reaper who wants demonic tools destroyed, has wanted the demonic tool locked away in his vaults. A party held by his son is interrupted when Death the Kid is sent on a mission to find another demon tool. But that may be a moot point, for Medusa has survived, and has taken over the body of a young girl. What secrets is Shinigami hiding from even his own son? What is Medusa's new goal? And will Crona, who has just been accepted by the others at DWMA, betray his friends under pressure from his mother?

Okay, so Soul Eater is not exactly the most complex of storylines. It's certainly not up at the level of Yu-Gi-Oh! or Fullmetal Alchemist. But it certainly has its charms, and we certainly have some interesting storyline revelations. Medusa's return, already hinted at in the previous volume, has a rather horrific sequence taking up most of a chapter where she invades and takes over a girl's body, and the parents, noticing the change in behaviour, get understandably worried.

I can't say much about Soul Eater that I haven't already, and there isn't much major development of character here. We have some development of Mifune and how he came to be bodyguard of young witch Angela Leon. And we get hints of Shinigami being up to something. Crona is at perhaps his peak here, and his fall may turn out to be hard indeed. The art style is a kind of perverse manga version of Tim Burton, surreal and macabre.

Overall, Soul Eater is an enjoyable, if rather thin work. A shame, really, but it's still enjoyable enough. It's just fast food reading more than anything else...


8/10

First words: Let's begin.

Last words: Knock on wood.

The next book will be the seventh volume of Fullmetal Alchemist...

Book 5...

REVIEW: Fullmetal Alchemist volume 7 by Hiromu Arakawa

After reading the sixth volume of Fullmetal Alchemist, I was eager to begin the next one as soon as possible. After all, a new character, the homonculus Greed, had just been introduced. But would the payoff be any good with the next volume? Let's find out, shall we?

While Edward heads off to perform his State Alchemist certification renewal, Alphonse is lured into the clutches of the homonculus Greed, who wants to know how Al was bonded to his armour. Finding out that Al doesn't know, Greed decides to wait for Ed to come back, sending a message back with Izumi Curtis when she tries to rescue Al. But Ed hasn't come back from his assessment alone. Fuhrer King Bradley, along with his escort Major Armstrong, has come along too, and when they learn of Al's predicament, there's going to be a clash, one way or another, one that will reveal Bradley's true colours...

While the story doesn't quite have the same punch as the flashback sequence in the previous volume, it still reveals that Greed is another member of the same group we saw earlier, albeit one who may not necessarily have the same motives in mind. We get more than a few startling revelations and good fight scenes, and of course some pretty good humour. And the final few images promise much to come.

Of all the characters here, we get more of an indepth look at Greed and his minions. He is certainly one of the better-natured homonculi to appear, being utterly amoral but not truly evil. Indeed, he seems to have a soft spot for his chimera minions, who were all abandoned, and prefers to use, initially, non-violent methods for what he wants. We also begin to see more of King Bradley, and while we had hints given that he ordered the genocide of the Ishbalans, here, we see how utterly ruthless he is, and that's before the final revelation. The other characters, including Ed and Al, don't get as much development, but are good enough anyway.

Overall, Fullmetal Alchemist seems to be heating up, and I hope that I'll enjoy future volumes. Here's to volume 8.


9/10

First words: Here's your usual prescription.

Last words: (Not recorded due to spoilers.)

Book 6...

REVIEW: Stanley Kubrick: Visual Poet 1928-1999 by Paul Duncan

I generally don't watch movies because any particular director directed them. However, one director whose movies I come to time and time again is Stanley Kubrick. While his movies are divisive, even for me, I still enjoy enough of his films to have an interest in the man, which is why my next book is a look at his life and career...

Stanley Kubrick: Visual Poet 1928-1999 is a look at the life and times of Stanley Kubrick. You know, like it says on the tin. A look at his life, as well as his movie career, and what drove him throughout it, with his autocratic decisions and his controversial choices.

This book isn't exactly a detailed biography. It's more of a glossy celebration of his works, and it certainly does decently enough by that score. It gives more than a few tidbits, with plenty of photographs and some discussion and analysis of his works. It's certainly enjoyable enough to kill time with.

However, it is this very insubstantiality that works against it. And even without this problem, there is seemingly more emphasis on his earlier, more obscure parts of his career than his later, more famous (and infamous) parts of it. Which is a shame really. I dunno whether that part is covered in other books, but that's no reason not to cover it here.

Overall, this book was an interesting, if brief, look through Kubrick's career. I just wish it were a bit meatier, that's all.


8.5/10

First words: Early in his life Stanley Kubrick realised: "We are capable of the greatest good and the greatest evil, and the problem is that we often can't distinguish between them when it suits our purpose."

Last words: Five days later he was buried near his favourite tree in Childwickbury Manor.

Next, Fullmetal Alchemist, volume 8...

Book 7...

REVIEW: Fullmetal Alchemist volume 8 by Hiromu Arakawa


With more than a few exciting revelations made, the previous volume of Fullmetal Alchemist was a pretty good one. So with the previous volume ending on one whopper of a cliffhanger that changed a good chunk of what we thought about the story, I was impatient to begin on the next volume. So, onwards, to the eighth volume of Fullmetal Alchemist...

The military assault on Greed's hideout continues, with the chimeras all massacred, and Greed captured by Fuhrer King Bradley, revealed to be the homonculus Wrath to Greed. Al and Ed are the only survivors, but Al has just remembered, thanks to the death of the chimera Martel splashing blood on his blood seal, what happened during the failed human transmutation he and Ed performed. Not only that, but they realise that Bradley, contrary to his stated intentions, is actually trying to cover matters up. But they don't know that Bradley is a homonculus, and that he only answers to a mysterious being known as Father, deep beneath Central Command. While Greed is executed and reabsorbed into his Father, Ed and Al, needing repairs, head back to Rush Valley, only to encounter a mysterious stranger, Ling, from the far eastern land of Xing. Who really is Ling and his two bodyguards? Why does he want the Philosopher's Stone? And what is his link to another recently-arrived Xingese, the talented young alchemist Chan Mei?

After the shocking revelations of the previous volume, we finally get to see some sort of overarching nemesis for the series, the enigmatic Father. We also have some shocking moments further showcasing Bradley's ruthlessness, with tragic results for Al. But we also get the introduction of elements from outside Amestris, the main setting of the series. Newcomers Chan Mei, Ling, and Ling's two bodyguards come from Xing, presumably the world's Asia counterpart, while we get a brief history lesson about the other countries of the world, including those bordering on Amestris. There's even a humourous interlude involving Barry the Chopper and Roy Mustang's unit.

Al gets some more development, when he remembers, in a nightmarish way, what happened in the Gate. I have to confess that Winry attacking Ed whenever he comes by with damaged automail is getting bloody annoying, especially given that she has some notion of what he and Al go through. However, we have some new characters, both promising much for future instalments. Father is revealed to be the creator of the homunculi, and seems to be shaping up to be the main villain, while Ling, despite his own annoying tendencies, is also intriguing with his own ambitions.

Overall, this volume is keeping up the intrigue and interest I have in Fullmetal Alchemist. Here's hoping that that continues.


9/10

First words: What's goin' on?

Last words: (Not recorded due to spoilers.)

Book 8...

REVIEW: Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

The Shining is my personal favourite novel by Stephen King. It's certainly one of the best, if not THE best, horror novel I have ever read. So when I heard that King was writing a sequel, I was excited at first, and then realised that The Shining didn't need a sequel. The ending was neat and tidy, relatively speaking, and while not a full happy ending, it was good enough for me. But I've decided to bite the bullet, and read the sequel, and see whether it is any good at all...

Dan Torrance is grown up, but ghosts from his past still haunt him. Being forced to lock up a couple of the Overlook's ghosts in mental lockboxes, he falls into his father's drinking habits as an adult, and hits rock-bottom, only to manage to crawl his way up back to a carer at a hospice, where his last remaining power of the shining helps him deal with the dying. Meanwhile, a young girl called Abra Stone grows up with her own shining, far more powerful than even Dan was. And that has attracted attention. The True Knot may look like a group of harmless RV travellers, but they are a group of near-immortals who live vampirically off 'steam', processed life-force taken from tortured children who have the shining. And soon, Abra Stone becomes their target. With Dan and Abra sharing a psychic link since Abra's infancy, the two must find a way to stop the True Knot, who are determined to have Abra and her shining, no matter what...

I think if there is a main fault to this book more than anything else, it's that it lacks the pressure-cooker atmosphere of The Shining. I mentioned that The Shining was not unlike the 'base under siege' stories so popular with Doctor Who in the mid 1960s, which helped the story a lot. Here, while there is plenty of tension and atmosphere, it lacks that isolation that helped The Shining so much. But this is a relatively small complaint. King knows how to write a good story, and as much as I stated that The Shining didn't need a sequel, this isn't a bad sequel either. In fact, it's quite good, exploring not only the life of a new kid with psychic powers, but a new foe who'd want the shining, as well as the consequences of the previous book. There's even some sly references to A Song of Ice and Fire, Doctor Who (possibly unintentionally), and even the real life therapy cat who could detect when someone was about to die.

Dan's character, while going a little too downhill for my liking, is nonetheless a worthy development after the traumatic events of the previous book. Abra is also an intriguing character, and has an interesting twist to her. Of the villains, the True Knot, they are interesting enough for the most part, although King did misfire slightly with Andi Snakebite's backstory (a misandristic lesbian who was raped by her father? Isn't that a bit tired?). But Rose the Hat, despite her silly name, is certainly a worthy King villain. And while the True Knot lack the impact of the Overlook and its ghosts and demons, they do embody a rather nasty fear, considering that they look so normal and innocuous.

Overall, while nowhere near the level of The Shining, Doctor Sleep is a good enough sequel. Not a needed one, but a good one all the same.


9/10

First words: On the second day of December in a year when a Georgia peanut farmer was doing business in the White House, one of Colorado's great resort hotels burned to the ground.

Last words: 'Until you sleep,' he said.

Book 9...

REVIEW: Fullmetal Alchemist volume 9 by Hiromu Arakawa

So, on we go with Fullmetal Alchemist. It's rather fitting that the ninth volume is the ninth book to be read and reviewed for this book-reading blog. A coincidence, sure, but hey, I have little else to open this review with. So let's get down to business...

Heading back to Central with Winry, Lin and his bodyguards, Ed and Al intend to visit Maeves Hughes, unaware that he has been murdered by the homunculus Envy. But as Roy Mustang's attempts to uncover what Hughes discovered get further, the homunculi decide to distract him, by using another soldier, Maria Ross, as a scapegoat. The Elric brothers learn of Hughes' death too late to stop Mustang from apparently burning Ross to death in a vengeance-fuelled frenzy, and he refuses to apologise for his actions. Has Mustang, in his drive for vengeance and power, really gone too far? What happens when the homunculi realise that Barry the Chopper is helping the military uncover their operations? And will the news of Hughes' death dishearten the Elrics, possibly even halting their quest forevermore?

While there were many good twists and turns within this installment of Fullmetal Alchemist, with a rather brutal shock halfway through, it doesn't feel quite on the same level as the last couple of volumes. A shame, really, as it seems that the story is really starting to go somewhere good, with more about the conspiracy exposed. But it just seems to be going from one incident to another, and the developments don't seem to add as much as they could.

Of all the characters here, only Mustang gets some true development, with a brutal and ruthless move that seems so out of character. I do know what's coming, sure, and it's perhaps the only way to reconcile what he did. There's some minor character development here and there, but not as much as I'd like. Oh, and Hughes's family does too, with Hughes' wife actually telling the Elrics, despite her loss, to keep going with their quest, as to honour his sacrifice.

Overall, while not at the same level the previous couple of volumes have been, it's still a decent volume in the series. Here's hoping it really picks up.


8.5/10

First words: ......

Last words: (Not recorded due to spoilers.)

Book 10...

REVIEW: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The Art and Creation of Walt Disney's Classic Animated Film by JB Kaufman

While I enjoyed Disney films when I was young, I found that I grew out of them to a certain degree. Even so, the process of animation still fascinates me, and it was this that compelled me, on a whim, to borrow this book from the library. I'm not even sure whether I have ever watched the entirety of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, but I was hoping to get an insight into the making of one of the first feature length animated films...

This book looks into the making of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Disney's first foray into animated feature films. Showcasing rare artwork, as well as images from the development of the film and thematic discussion, the book shows the story of the film. An insight into the creation of the film unfolds at the same time as the story.

Making-of books are, more often than not, triumphs of style over substance, glossy and colourful, but not always as informative as they can be. And this book is no exception. The book is saturated with images and drawings from the making of the film, with running commentary scene-by-scene, with some intriguing insights into the intentions of the creators, as well as some scenes that never made it to the screen. It was certainly enjoyable.

However, this book manages to have even less substance than most making-of books, to its detriment. The emphasis is more on glossy pictures than on what could have been an extraordinarily interesting story about Disney's development of the film. Unfortunately, this wasn't the case, and an opportunity was missed. This doesn't mean the book is bad by any means, and Disney and animation aficionados will love it. It just could have been so much more.

Overall, this book is a decent enough insight into one of the seminal films of the 20th century. A real shame it wasn't much better, but what can you do?


8.5/10

First words: I began acquiring Disney animation art with a visit to Howard Lowery's gallery in Glendale, CA.

Last words: This hybrid image features Gustaf Tenggren's renderings of Snow White and all the dwarfs- except Dopey, who appears here as he does in the film.

Book 11...

REVIEW: Ghost in the Shell 1.5: Human-Error Processor by Masamune Shirow

One of my favourite manga and anime franchises is Masamune Shirow's Ghost in the Shell. Having already read the first and second main volumes, it's about time that I try the interquel, Human-Error Processor. But would it be any good? Let's dive into the net and see...

In the early 21st century, Public Security Section 9 fights a daily war against cybercrime and terrorism. Major Motoko Kusanagi may have left the organisation, but Section 9 still battles on. A strange case involving a cybernetically remote controlled cadaver is merely the beginning, with another case involving arms deals, and another involving a terrorist cell. But Major Kusanagi, now calling herself Croma, also makes a reappearance when something goes wrong with a micromachine company...

One cannot deny that Masamune Shirow puts a lot of effort into portraying his cyberpunk world. And Ghost in the Shell 1.5 dives deep into a world of espionage, terrorism, and dirty dealings that thrill and chill. The art is beautiful and, when needed, grotesque too. It's an enjoyable enough romp.

Unfortunately, Masamune Shirow's often intelligent writing is also often his greatest weakness. It sometimes became a bit hard to follow the plot in the original Ghost in the Shell manga, and at times in the second volume, it was downright impossible. Unfortunately, this volume has a similar problem. While the plot threads are followable with some effort, it is much harder than it ought to be, and there is less of the overarching story arcs that helped with the first and second volumes.

Ghost in the Shell 1.5 was something of a disappointment. Not a major disappointment by any means, as it will certainly appeal to fans of the original manga volume and even cyberpunk fans. I just wish it were easier to follow.


8/10

First words: I shot this home video of my father around two hours ago...

Last words: Right now, at least...

The next book will be Raising Steam, hopefully...

Book 12...

REVIEW: Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett

With Terry Pratchett on the wane thanks to his Alzheimers, each Discworld book may very well be his last. However, he has managed to make it to 40 books, and his 40th book is a real humdinger. Although Discworld has been slowly but surely progressing technologically, perhaps its biggest paradigm shift is on the way, in the form of steam engines...

Change is sweeping the Discworld. Dick Simnel, a talented inventor and engineer, is developing the Discworld's first steam engine under the purview of nightsoil millionaire Sir Harry King. Lord Vetinari, not sure what to make of this new development, orders former conman Moist von Lipwig to assess it, and oversee its potential. Enthusiasm for the railway builds with the steam pressure, but not everyone is happy. Deep under Uberwald, hardline dwarves are causing trouble, and they have set their sights on anyone aiding the Low King of the Dwarves. Moist and the Aknh-Morpork and Sto Plains Hygienic Railway may have skilled tinkering goblins, a steam engine that may very well be alive, and possibly the best engineer on the Discworld on their side, but they'll need all the help they can get when politics and murder get involved...

I think, after the very dark stories recently, particularly Snuff, which leads into this story, I feel that something lighter was needed for a change, and while there are many dark elements in Raising Steam, this is altogether a more light work. I've been awaiting the return of Moist von Lipwig since Making Money, and while this story isn't quite the best vehicle for his character, it's still a pretty bloody excellent one. It feels like Discworld is changing ever more now, and this book was intended to give a last hurrah, just in case. It's a rollicking ride through progress, with excellent themes about prejudice that, although they run through the rest of Pratchett's work, are particularly prevalent here and in some other books. It's a joyous enthusiastic work with a good ending, bringing together elements from previous Discworld books together. Great fun to read.

Are there things to complain about in Raising Steam? Many things, almost all of them very minor. Moist's behaviour, and indeed that of a few characters, seem a little inconsistent compared to previous books. Perhaps the biggest complaint I have is that this book requires one to have read many of the previous books (particularly The Fifth Elephant and Thud!) in order to have some understanding of the plot. Almost perversely and certainly conversely, some plot elements from previous books that one would expect to culminate here seem to be forgotten (like the Undertaking of previous books, which seemed to hint at an underground railway). And I could have sworn that the main villain of this book had died at the end of another.

However, these are relatively small quibbles in a book I nonetheless enjoyed immensely. If this is the last hurrah on the Discworld, then it was a damned good one.


9.5/10

First words: It is hard to understand nothing, but the multiverse is full of it.

Last words: (Not recorded due to spoilers.)

Book 13...

REVIEW: Fullmetal Alchemist 3-in-1: volumes 10-11-12 by Hiromu Arakawa

At one of the libraries I patronised, I stumbled across the omnibus volumes of Fullmetal Alchemist. These versions will prove to be valuable enough for me to read larger chunks of the story in one go, even if, given my progress through the series thus far, there are only two omnibus volumes I can read before having to go back to the standard volumes. So, with that in mind, let's get on with it...

Roy Mustang and Alphonse Elric are soon lured into a battle against the Homunculus known as Lust in a battle to the death, while Edward Elric, forcibly escorted to Resembool by Alex Louis Armstrong, soon learns that Mustang didn't kill Lieutenant Maria Ross, merely faking her death to lure out their enemies. There, in the ruins of the ancient country of Cselkcess, he learns some disturbing new information, and even more so when he returns to his hometown of Resembool and encounters his estranged father, Van Hohenheim, who nonetheless gives Edward some vital knowledge. But their battles are not over. In a plan with Prince Lin of Xing to lure out the Homunculi, Ed and Al must lure out the vicious Scar, and even if they survive that, they have the Homunculi and their mysterious creator to deal with...

It's probably better to read Fullmetal Alchemist in these omnibus editions rather than in the standard tankobon volumes, as the story feels a tad more coherent and more followable. There are certainly intriguing hints here and there, with the appearance of Van Hohenheim, estranged from his sons and even one of his friends, as well as a discussion of Alphonse's current state, and we see a frightening display of what one of the supposedly least harmful Homunculi, Gluttony (not that he was actually harmless to begin with) is actually capable of. We also find out that Scar was the one responsible for the death of Winry's parents in a shocking twist. It's not perfect by any means, being focused more on action and comedy than drama, but it's still quite good.

It is finally in this volume that we get an exploration of a potential romance between Winry and Ed, and Winry is forced to confront Scar, with both Winry and Scar coming out with development, especially Scar. We also see the mysterious and strangely melancholy and seemingly emotionless Van Hohenheim, who seems to resemble Father, the leader of the Homunculi, though he has moments where you wonder whether he is a villain or a tragic hero. Finally, we learn what motivated Lin Yao in his quest to find immortality.

Overall, this omnibus volume feels like the real way to read Fullmetal Alchemist, being enjoyable, if not actually perfect. Still, it's pretty damned good all the same.


9/10

First words: Are you serious?

Last words: (Not recorded due to spoilers.)

Book 14...

REVIEW: Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind

Although I concentrate on the areas of science fiction and fantasy when I do these, there are times when I decide to take a risk on the book I am reading. Having heard of the bizarre historical novel Perfume, I decided that it was intriguing enough to take a punt on. But would my risk work out? Let's see...

In France in 1738, Jean-Baptiste Grenouille is born and soon orphaned, and as he grows up, those around him realise that he is not like other children. He has no natural scent, and yet, he is obsessed with smell on all its forms. Grenouille's life leads him from an orphanage to a tanner's and to the perfumery of Baldini, and beyond, but his life's journey, to become the greatest perfumer of all time, will lead him down a dark path. For he becomes obsessed with the scent of virginal girls, the ultimate scent, and he will stop at nothing to distill this scent...

Okay, let me put the criticisms out of the way. This is a bloody weird book, and smacks of more than a few European-style arty films that have a strange slant to it. It's also simple in plot, being little more than the life's journey of Grenouille, and sometimes seems to place too little emphasis on some more important parts of his life. Not enough of the other characters, save for Baldini and Madame Gaillard, are fleshed out. And it doesn't really have a genre, being a mangled mishmash of multiple genres that will be offputting to many.

And yet...it was an engrossing book, nonetheless. Grenouille is a fascinating protagonist (I refuse to call him a hero, as he is a remorseless sociopath), and while you cannot actually root for him, his thoughts and perceptions are nonetheless engrossing. And the author, even through the translation of the German, manages to make smells come alive from the text, something vital for a work revolving around smells. It certainly has a lot of vivid imagery, that helps to make up for the book's shortcomings, and it is also a fascinating look at the techniques and details of perfume making, a realm of which I would not normall consider fascinating at all.

Overall, Perfume was a wonderful surprise. Somewhat uneven, and I wish there was a touch more stuff, but still an enjoyable book all the same.


9/10

First words: In eighteenth-century France there lived a man who was one of the most gifted and abominable personages in an era that knew no lack of gifted and abominable personages.

Last words: For the first time they had done something out of Love.