6.25.2009

 

Mushi-shi


625 minutes (26 eps), TV-14, subtitled and/or dubbed
Overall Grade: A+

Mushi-shi is an anime that was just so awesome that I ordered the whole thing before I'd even watched half of it online. Based off the manga (like every anime I've ever encountered), the 26 episodes are loosely tied together by the wanderings of a man named Ginko. Ginko is a mushishi, or a specialist in creatures known as mushi. Mushi are a sort of elemental lifeform, neither animal, plant, or microbe. Most people can't see them, but they interact with their surroundings in various ways, some of them harmful to people. Ginko travels to learn more about mushi and to help when humans and mushi run afoul of each other where possible.
I love this show. The animation is lush and beautiful. The stories are haunting. Wonderful all around!

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# posted by Cptn. Suz @ 10:34 PM
 

American Lion


by Jon Meacham, 361 pgs, hardcover
Overall Grade: B+

Very easy reading. This book won the Pulitzer this year and I'm not surprised. Meacham does an excellent job presenting Andrew Jackson's 12 years as President to the reader. You probably have no idea how influential Jackson has been. Read and find out.

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# posted by Cptn. Suz @ 10:30 PM
 

Hornblower and the Hotspur


by C.S. Forester, 344pgs, hardcover
Overall Grade: B-
Series: Horatio Hornblower

Hornblower is such a whiny b^$&%*! I read this out of the chronological order that I've been trying for. This book sees Hornblower married to an innkeeper's daughter, posted in commander of his first ship, actually a sloop, and stuck in the blockade off France.

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# posted by Cptn. Suz @ 10:26 PM

6.16.2009

 

Victory of Eagles


by Naomi Novik, 329pgs, hardcover
Series: Temeraire book 5
Overall Grade: A+
I adore this book. The fifth in the Temeraire series. Following Laurence and Temeraire's treason at the end of the last book (Empire of Ivory), both are moldering away awaiting Laurence's execution at some indeterminate time in the future. Then Novik takes a bold roll of the alt.history dice and has Napoleon invade England. So you know at that point that Laurence and Temeraire are going to be reunited and fighting for King and Country, despite King and Country holding a sword over Laurence's head.
Oh, woe is Laurence. You can't seem to escape these period novels without duty-bound male angst. Nevertheless, there were many squeeful moments during reading when I wanted to cuddle my cheek against the pages because Laurence and Temeraire were being so adorable. Probably my favorite of the series so far!

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# posted by Cptn. Suz @ 3:12 PM
 

The Survivors Club


by Ben Sherwood, 343pgs, hardcover
Overall Grade: B+

This book has more stories of people surviving than I'd ever want to search out on my own. Sherwood moves somewhat haphazardly through the chapters investing various factors that contribute to people's survival in deathly circumstances. I will give a forewarning that if descriptions of blood and injuries greatly disturb you, read this book at your own risk. Sherwood isn't as graphic as, say an episode of House, but he'll detail it out enough that I squicked in a few places.

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# posted by Cptn. Suz @ 3:06 PM
 

Franklin and Winston


by Jon Meacham, 370pgs, hardcover
Overall Grade: B

This book spends more time dwelling on Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill than you've probably ever wanted to in your life. A very nuisanced relationship between the two Allied leaders during World War Two.

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# posted by Cptn. Suz @ 3:01 PM
 

The 13 Clocks


by James Thurber, 124 pgs, hardcover
Overall Grade: A

Okay, this is basically a kid's story. Every page is illustrated. But it's a dang good read. Not like any fairy tale you've read before. With the Duke and a princess in a castle with 13 clocks that don't work. Encountered by a prince posing as a wandering minstrel who sings sedition and gets locked up in the dungeon. And no description would be complete without mention of the Golux and his indescribable hat. It's truely indescribable.

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# posted by Cptn. Suz @ 2:54 PM
 

Abhorsen


by Garth Nix, 518pgs, paperback
Overall Grade: A-
Series: The Abhorsen trilogy

A pretty dang good ending to Nix's Abhorsen trilogy. Where 'Lirael' was all rising action, this one is all action. There isn't even much denouement, just going going going done.
Picking up where 'Lirael' left off, Lirael and Sameth play a running game of trying to get to Nick and Hedge before they release the primordial Destroyer from its bindings and it destroys all living things.

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# posted by Cptn. Suz @ 2:49 PM

6.04.2009

 

Hornblower and the Atropos


by C.S. Forester, 325pgs, hardcover
Overall Grade: B
Series: Horatio Hornblower

I enjoy these kinds of books. 'Atropos' is better than the 'Midshipman Hornblower' because it has distinct chapters through out one story as opposed to the short story collection.
Anyway, Horatio is give his first captaincy of the tiniest ship in his Royal Highness's Navy that merits a captain. Then he's off to the Mediterranean for all sorts of travails and adventures. And knowing Horatio, he'll think his way out of all of them.

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# posted by Cptn. Suz @ 1:03 AM
 

The Kouga Ninja Scrolls


by Futaro Yamada (translated by Geoff Sant), 311 pgs, paperback
Overall Grade: A+

Ninja! Just the word is exciting, isn't it? So is this book.
I sort of reverse stumbled upon this book, first by running into the anime, which is based off the manga, which was made from this book. I thoroughly recommend reading the book. It will help you understand the anime a lot better (and keep the characters/skills) straight.
The basic story revolves around two ninja clans, the Kouga and the Iga, who are prevented from renewing their all-out war with each other by some treaty or agreement with the Shogun and one of his generals. For very petty reasons, the Shogun decides to annul the status quo and use the outcome of the ninja war as a huge bloody coin-toss. Each side names ten of their best as combatants and the first side to kill their opposing ten wins. Oh, and did I mention that the young leaders of each clan are smitten with each other?
However, don't expect this to be like 'Naruto'. The Kouga and Iga are sly and cunning and are perfectly willing to kill dishonorably if it will get them the kill. Most of them also have freakish powers or abilities having been inbred for generations. They are nasty and quick, like ninja should be. Also Yamada gets major points for writing in a style that is both fast-paced and entertaining. There's barely any filler as all the events snowball. And he also does a good job with the suspense. Definitely a winner here, people!

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# posted by Cptn. Suz @ 12:42 AM

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