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[wonders-of-the-cosmos]

Hubble Mosaic of the Majestic Sombrero Galaxy

credit: Patrice Paquette

[memehumor]

FCC has been using dead peoples accounts to shill for ending Net Neutrality.

[booksyreads]

The Bookman's Tale

Charles C Lovett, 2013

Imagine finding your past in a book. Imagine being able to not just connect with a book on a spiritual level, but on a physical one as well. What I'm trying to explain here, is what if a book became a physical manifestation of, "This is the clue you've been searching for, now go! Find her!"

That's what this book is. Peter Byerly, an antique book seller and restoration artist, has lost his wife. He has shut out the world, and moved to a remote part of the English countryside. While abroad, he find an old eighteenth century book with a photo in it. The photo is old and faded, but he can't look away. The woman in the photo could pass for his wife. He becomes obsessed.

What follows is an interesting time jump adventure that takes the reader through the life of Byerly, his wife, and Shakespeare himself. What starts off as a search for his wife's eerie doppelganger, becomes a search for the true author of Shakespeare's plays. 

If I had to give this a rating out of ten I would want to give it a nine, but I feel like I have to knock it down to a seven. Three main reasons.

1. The story is a bit predictable. You have the non-hero hero type as your protagonist, and he has to sort of battle his own anxieties the whole time which is a bit tiring. 

2. I like the idea of trying to uncover Shakespeare's identity, it's definitely an interesting hook. The author does not have sections narrated by Shakespeare himself, but rather people who were very indirectly connected with him. Personally, I found that a bit less interesting. I would've rather read a narration from someone in his more inner circle. I can understand the creative direction though, i.e. keeping him mysterious and what-not.

3. There's an unnecessary love interest. I hate it when good stories introduce a female character whose "spunky" just to create sexual tension.

So yeah, Overall Recommendation: 7/10

[come-home]

[booksyreads]

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values

Robert M. Pirsig, 1974

One easy read, one life read, one easy read, one life read. That's how I'm taking these from now on. I don't want this book blog to only be about fiction novels, I want some higher substance available, if desired, by all you lovely followers.

Whenever any one talks about this book, it's always in the context of "I know this is important for me to read, but I just haven't gotten to it yet." It's one of those books that has been around a while, and whose impact on society has lessened since it's initial publication; but the importance of its message has not waned in the slightest. 

The story is a philosophical journey in the mind our our narrator while he rides through the United States on a trip with his son. Over the course of the road trip, the narrator explores the metaphysics of quality through several philosophical dialogues he calls Chautauquas. These dialogues explore his own relationships, past and present, as well as his projected future. The narrator (he is never named) uses a past version of himself, known only as Phaedrus, as the main character in these dialogues. Through Phaedrus, the reader explores the concepts of romanticism and rationality, and how these concepts can be used together to form lasting quality in ones life, and reconciliation with one's past. 

I took so much away from this book. It really gave me a new appreciation for everything. I felt myself more dedicated to my craft, my job, and my personal health. The main message I gleaned was that at the end of the day, the only person you're ever serving is yourself so you might as well have all the tools necessary to make your life as rich and enjoyable as possible. 

You're really missing out if you don't read this. The only thing I can say is to not read it would be a disservice to yourself.

Excerpts:

“The truth knocks on the door and you say, "Go away, I'm looking for the truth," and so it goes away. Puzzling.” 

“You are never dedicated to something you have complete confidence in. No one is fanatically shouting that the sun is going to rise tomorrow. They know it's going to rise tomorrow. When people are fanatically dedicated to political or religious faiths or any other kinds of dogmas or goals, it's always because these dogmas or goals are in doubt.” 

“The law of gravity and gravity itself did not exist before Isaac Newton." ...and what that means is that that law of gravity exists nowhere except in people's heads! It 's a ghost!" Mind has no matter or energy but they can't escape its predominance over everything they do. Logic exists in the mind. numbers exist only in the mind. I don't get upset when scientists say that ghosts exist in the mind. it's that only that gets me. science is only in your mind too, it's just that that doesn't make it bad. or ghosts either." Laws of nature are human inventions, like ghosts. Law of logic, of mathematics are also human inventions, like ghosts." ...we see what we see because these ghosts show it to us, ghosts of Moses and Christ and the Buddha, and Plato, and Descartes, and Rousseau and Jefferson and Lincoln, on and on and on. Isaac Newton is a very good ghost. One of the best. Your common sense is nothing more than the voices of thousands and thousands of these ghosts from the past.” 

“But to tear down a factory or to revolt against a government or to avoid repair of a motorcycle because it is a system is to attack effects rather than causes; and as long as the attack is upon effects only, no change is possible. The true system, the real system, is our present construction of systematic thought itself, rationality itself, and if a factory is torn down but the rationality which produced it is left standing, then that rationality will simply produce another factory. If a revolution destroys a systematic government, but the systematic patterns of thought that produced that government are left intact, then those patterns will repeat themselves in the succeeding government. There’s so much talk about the system. And so little understanding.” 

Overall Recommendation: 10/10

[booksyreads]

Bellman & Black: A Novel

Diane Setterfield, 2013

If you are a dedicated reader of this blog, then you might remember a post I did on another Setterfield book, not too long ago. I really enjoyed The Thirteenth Tale, and since it was Setterfield’s first published work, I was anxious to read her second, Bellman & Black.

This book was incredible, and just as beautifully written as The Thirteenth Tale. Setterfield possesses and incredible way with words, her descriptions are unique, imaginative, and clear. You can see what she sees, and feel what her characters feel. It’s an experience.

William Bellman grows up in a small village in England, where his mother is a bit of an outcast. He is strong, smart, and agile. The other boys his age are impressed by him, and his easy-going manner seems to make everyone around him better. The story follows him as a boy, and through adulthood. Throughout his life, William deals with events that seem to all go back to one moment as boy where he was able to de-branch a large rook. This seemingly inconsequential moment, impacts him over and over again. It’s almost as if the spirit of the rook is watching him, and guiding him from one decision to another. 

Fraught with themes of death, the macabre, gothic fashion, and symmetry; Bellman & Black is a must-read. The fear of failure and anguish of anxiety that begins to grow on Bellman is something that all readers can relate to. 

Excerpts:

“Since we are on the topic of ravens, a collective noun for ravens is an unkindness. This is somewhat puzzling to Thought and Memory.”

“Why do they spend their time with cows when they are surely the more natural companions to unicorns, griffins and dragons? The answer is that the rook lives as he wishes. When he wants the entertainment of human company he is more likely to seek out the drunken poet or the wild-eyed crone than a damsel with a cornet.” 

“He felt something move in his chest, as though an organ had been removed and something unfamiliar left in its place. A sentiment he had never suspected the existence of bloomed in him. It traveled from his chest along his veins to every limb. It swelled in his head, muffled his ears, stilled his voice, and collected in his feet and fingers. Having no language for it, he remained silent, but felt it root, become permanent.” 

Overall Recommendation: 10/10

[booksyreads]

Discworld: The Colour of Magic

Terry Pratchett, 1983

This is the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy version of fantasy novels. Discworld is a flat giant piece of land, on the back of a turtle that's walking through the cosmos. It's basically your classic fantasy novel, but it feels brand new; it's a different take on the fantasy novel I think. It's more down to Earth, less romanticized. It's like, "Hey, here's some magic shit happening, but no big deal because we're just chilling on this magic space turtle, so sparks out of your finger are just 'meh'."

The story follows a wizard named Rincewind who only knows one spell and was kicked out of wizarding school, and his encounter with the wealthy tourist Twoflower who comes from another world and has a pet that happens to be a multi-legged piece of luggage. Twoflower and Rincewind end up together after a bartender misunderstands the concept of insurance, the result being that the two have to flee town for their lives. Unbeknownst to them, they are just pieces on a board, controlled by the higher powers of Discworld including, but not limited to, Fate and Death.

I think that their ignorance won't last though, Rincewind is too intelligent and Twoflower too serendipitously on point to be forever controlled by some faceless band of Gods. 

I really enjoyed this, I'm going to read the whole series. I was told not to indulge all at once though, and that the best way to read it was to snack on it occasionally. 

Having said that, I leave you all to finish off another gem. 

Excerpts:

“You can't map a sense of humor. Anyway, what is a fantasy map but a space beyond which There Be Dragons? On the Discworld we know that There Be Dragons Everywhere. They might not all have scales and forked tongues, but they Be Here all right, grinning and jostling and trying to sell you souvenirs. ” 

“Usually he didn’t bother the gods, and he hoped the gods wouldn’t bother him. Life was quite complicated enough.” 

“But if you must know, your moon here is rather more powerful than the ones around my own world.” “The moon?” said Twoflower. “I don’t under-“ “If I’ve got to spell it out,” said the troll, testily, “I’m suffering from chronic tides.” 

Overall Recommendation: 9/10

[rabiedoll]

[booksyreads]

Habibi by Craig Thompson

From the author of Blankets comes Habibi, a beautiful graphic novel that explores the relationship between two young children who are forced apart my circumstance. 

Habibi is a beautiful novel, full of Islamic and Arab art, history, and mythology. I instantly fell in love, not only with the art style (see above) but with the sadness of the story. Even though the two main characters are endlessly subjected to pain, humiliation, and a lost sense of self; they are able to find small joys in their life. These joys radiate out from them, and are expressed by thick, swirling lines that become the framework of their patterned dreams.

The children grow up and live their adult lives, forever remembering the other, and longing for the peace they once felt. In those memories they are able to harbor enough warmth to keep them going, hopefully back towards each other. 

This book will be an heirloom to my children, 

Overall Recommendation: 10/10

[booksyreads]

The Autobiography of Malcolm X

Alex Haley and Malcolm X, 1965

This is probably one of the most important books you will ever read. Politics aside, Malcolm X's story is the epitome of the American Dream. From low beginnings, he managed to work himself up to become arguably one of the most influential and powerful political leaders of his time. His legacy resonates even in today's politics, and any child in America can tell you who he was.

The important thing though, is knowing who he was really. His main story is pretty well known. He was a political leader, a member of the Nation of Islam, and was an open critic of the government. He strove for Black equality and forced the public to see the deteriorated underbelly of the country fostered by racism. Even though you may not agree with his early politics, his speeches and stance in the last few months of his life spoke of a man dedicated to racial unity. 

When I was growing up, my father let me watch the Malcolm X movie. I had read a lot about religion growing up, and I remember being appalled that Malcolm X had represented such a distorted view of Islam to the American public. Pre-2001, I think that a lot of the reason people had such a negative view of Islam was because of this early impression. When you think about it, it was really the first time Islam had entered into mainstream America. Malcolm X really didn't grasp the true meaning of the religion until after his pilgrimage to Mecca, and writes extensively about his transformation into a 'new and improved' Muslim. 

The most striking parts of the book however, are the excerpts of Malcolm X's speeches. Aside from anything else, he was a fiery orator, a true preacher's son. He knew how to connect with his audience, and how to get his point across. A lot of people think that this was a kind of mob control, or mass manipulation—and that may be the case—but no one could doubt his skills as a debater. He would argue with everyone, and would pull examples from the history of those he accused to garner support. 

Overall, if you're interested in politics or in the history of social equality in America (not just racial), this should be your 101 text. The main downside to this book is that it is long. I mean, really long.

Excerpts:

“I don’t care how nice one is to you, the thing you must always remember is that almost never does he really see you as he sees himself, as he sees his own kind.”

“New York white youth were killing victims; that was a ‘sociological’ problem. But when black youth killed somebody, the power structure was looking to hang somebody.” 

“In the past, yes, I have made sweeping indictments of all white people. I never will be guilty of that again – as I know now that some white people are truly sincere, that some truly are capable of being brotherly toward a black man. The true Islam has shown me that a blanket indictment of all white people is as wrong as when whites made blanket indictments against blacks.” 

“It has always been my belief that I, too, will die by violence. I have done all that I can to be prepared.” 

Overall Recommendation: 8/10

[booksyreads]

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal

Christopher Moore, 2002

Don't be offended, you shouldn't be. This book is purely fiction, as well as being quite hilarious. Biff, our narrator, has been dead for 2000 years when all of a sudden, the angel Raziel sweeps him up and takes him to a motel (with cable), to write the Gospel of Biff. This is Biff's one chance to tell it like it is, the story of Jesus (er, Josh actually), as both a man and as the son of God.

Biff's story takes place during Jesus's lost years, a period of time looked over by the New Testament. During this time, Biff tells us the very entertaining tale of how Josh (Jesus) came to develop the philosophies his ministry is based on. The pair of friends travel throughout the Eastern world in search of the three wise men, in search of the truth of Josh's past. 

This book has been recommended to me several times over the years, and I was lucky enough to stumble upon a copy. I was always a bit hesitant to read it, not because I'm especially religious, but because I generally avoid feelings of religious discomfort. That is, I didn't realize this book was pure absurdity, I thought it was someone's interpretation of what had happened, not a fantastical story of what could have happened.

I don't want to harp too much on the details, I feel like the way this book unfolds is important in and of itself. Even though I never felt like the book was preaching to me, it gave me some insight into the root belief systems of Christianity. I think anyone looking for a little faith should pick this one up. After all, doesn't it come from the most unlikely of places?

Note: Some copies of the book look like a Bible, I got so many nasty looks on the train. Heh.

Excerpts:

“Nobody's perfect. Well, there was this one guy, but we killed him....” 

“Blessed are the dumbfucks.” 

“Joshua's ministry was three years of preaching, sometimes three times a day, and although there were some high and low points, I could never remember the sermons word for word, but here's the gist of almost every sermon I ever heard Joshua give. You should be nice to people, even creeps. And if you: a) believed that Joshua was the Son of God (and) b) he had come to save you from sin (and) c) acknowledged the Holy Spirit within you (became as a little child, he would say) (and) d) didn't blaspheme the Holy Ghost (see c) then you would: e) live forever f) someplace nice g) probably heavan However, if you: h) sinned (and/or) i) were a hypocrite (and/or) j) valued things over people (and) k) didn't do a, b, c, and d, then you were: l) fucked” 

Overall Recommendation: 9/10

[booksyreads]

In a Strange Room: Three Journeys

Damon Galgut, 2010

I don't even know how to begin to talk about this book, it's written in a style I've never seen before. The book is broken up into three mini-books or journeys. Each journey sees our protagonist, a lonesome wanderer of sorts, in a different country during various parts of his life. His journeys take him through Africa, Europe, and India.

The novel is truly mesmerizing, especially in the way that it's written. The book is almost first person, but there are times when Galgut starts to refer to himself as "he" instead of "I". This sort of back in forth in identity really speaks to the isolation he feels. Throughout the novel, Damon (the only name that's ever given) is constantly seeing himself as an outsider. He lives a very self-examined life and is thoroughly aware of everyone and everything about him. He is constantly trying to connect on some level with the people around him, but seems to only alienate himself more in the process.

If you've ever traveled, even if you weren't backpacking, the stories ring with some familiarity. Everyone, I think, at some point in their life has felt left out or excluded when they needed the most to be accepted. The stories Galgut presents to us resonate with that intensely human feeling. Damon seems to be searching for something or someone to ebb the tide of his endless wanderlust. Always searching. It is truly magnificent in it's desperation.

I can see how someone might grow tired with the writing style of the book, but for me it added to it immensely. This is the sort of book best read alone, under the covers at night before going to bed. When I was reading on the train I felt oddly protective of the story, as if Damon's journey was my own, and I wanted to keep it hidden from prying eyes. 

If you've ever enjoyed a Bill Bryson book, but find yourself craving something you can connect to more with your heart than your mind, then this is for you. If you've ever traveled or lived abroad, this book was written for you. 

Excerpts:

"He goes walking though the old city, between high and fantastic facades, movement has always been a substitute for thought and he would like to stop thinking now."

Overall Recommendation: 8/10

[booksyreads]

Brains: A Zombie Memoir

Robin Becker, 2010

Normally I don't go for humor in my books. There's no real reason for it, maybe I read a bad comedy novel as a kid so I unintentionally shunned the entire genre, but part of the point of this blog is to read whatever, whenever. No time like the present to discover a new (well, new to me anyway) species of story. 

Becker creates a humorous, and even existential existence for our main character, a recently-turned-zombie-ex-professor. Our main character, Jack, wakes up with full cognitive abilities, but none of the organs to go along with it. He can do the zombie shuffle, the blood piercing moans, and chow down on brains like the best of them—but he also can strategize and problem solve. Upon realizing that his transformation was unique, he sets off in search of other zombies with amazing talents. He meets a few others with abilities ranging from speed to speech, and eventually comes to the conclusion that they have been chosen to lead the zombie rebellion against their oppressive human overlords. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of brains. 

Genius. 

This book is such a unique take on the concept of zombies. It's so interesting to see a story take such a small quirk, and spin in into something immense. Becker's ability to not only create characters, but also the art of allowing the reader to feel connected through humor is truly a gift. 

I think the reason I like this book so much is because it pushes that "What If?" button. It's not totally outside the realm of possibility (once you reach the end and get the whole gist of everything) that this could happen. Books like this force you to reevaluate your current position in life, as well the relationships you have with the people around you. I mean, what would you do if you suddenly ate your boyfriend?

Excerpts:

"And don't feel guilty for your empathy. You're supposed to identify with me, causing you to question what it means to be human and moral—and to be grateful for your own miserable lot in life. So go ahead and sympathize. Construct me as the "other". Let me be your monster."

"Brains are truth. Truth brains. That is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know. That's Zombie John Keats, by the way. A pale flower, Keats died at twenty-six after a year of coughing up blood. The way I feel right now, I'd suck on his tubercular handkerchief. The blood of a genius."

Overall Recommendation: 7.5/10

[booksyreads]

The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel

Diane Setterfield, 2006

This sort of book demands a far better review than I am capable of writing. It’s unnerving to read a book that illuminates your inner thoughts, and basks them in comprehension. Any reader who grew up with the classics (and still indulges to this day) will enjoy this story. 

Like most good stories, the plot starts simply. Our narrator, Margaret, is an introverted young woman who works in her father’s bookshop. She is a bit odd, very quiet, and isolates herself from other people her age—but she is somewhat content in her small life, if a little unfulfilled. She receives a letter one day from one Vida Winters, a famous and ailing author, who employes her to transcribe her biography. Over the years, Ms. Winters has given out countless stories of her past, but that’s all they were, stories. She is now determined to tell the truth at least once in her life, and believes Margaret (though an amateur biographer at best) is the one to tell it to. Throughout the course of Ms. Winter’s story, Margaret’s own past life begins to come out of the shadows and haunt her. 

This is Setterfield’s debut novel, and it is stunning (NY #1 best seller btw). She’s written another novel called Bellman & Black, which is now also on my reading list. I cannot begin to recommend this book highly enough, especially if you have a taste for gothic literature. Personally, this book reaffirmed everything I believe about story-telling, and how utterly defenseless you are in the face of a truly good story. 

Fun fact: Game of Thrones’ Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark), played one of the main characters in the BBC TV movie adaptation of the book.

Excerpts:

"There is something about words. In expert words, manipulated deftly, they take you prisoner. Wind themselves round your limbs like spider silk, and when you are so enthralled you cannot move, they pierce your skin, enter your blood, numb your thoughts. Inside you they work their magic."

"Do you know the feeling when you start reading a new book before the membrane of the lst one has had time to close behind you? You leave the previous book with ideas and themes—characters even—caught in the fibers of your clothes, and when you open the new book, they are still with you. Well, it was like that. All day I had been prey to distractions. Thoughts, memories, feelings, irrelevant fragments of my own life, playing havoc with my concentration"

Overall Recommendation: 10/10

[booksyreads]

The Maze Runner

James Dashner, 2009

Reading this book right after A People's History was perfect, since I wasn't suspicious enough anyway right?

I've heard a lot of hype about this book, and I know they're making a movie out of it, so I wanted to give it a read. One of the big things that pushed me to read it was how loads of people were saying it wasn't a typical "young adult" novel. To be honest, I don't know about typical or not, but it was hard to put down. It does sort of follow the whole, anti-government dystopian trend in novels right now, but it has an interesting take on it and hey, that's what it's all about. 

The Maze Runner takes place at an unknown point in time in the future. The main character, Thomas, finds himself in a huge maze with a large group of other boys. Oh, and not just any maze, a maze that shifts and is full of huge, bulbous slimy monsters. The boys have been in the maze for two years attempting to find a way out when Thomas arrives. We're really never given much information about what's going on outside of the maze, it's all cliffhangers and vague insinuations. The book follows the boys' journey in the Maze, and their struggle to escape. 

There are two other books in the series, The Scorch Trials and The Death Cure. I personally haven't read the other books in the series, though I've read about them and the general consensus is that they're pretty good.

Overall I did enjoy the book, I feel like because I'm a bit late reading it I'm just lumping in this category with other YA novels, and I'm not giving it as much credit as it deserves. If you read it though you'll, without a doubt, get sucked in. 

Overall Recommendation: 8/10

[booksyreads]

A People's History of the United States

Howard Zinn, 2005

(Note: The version I read stops at 1996. There are several editions of this book, the first being published in 1980 and the most recent in 2010.)

This is the reason I haven't updated in a while, this book is extremely dense and long so it took me a bit more time to finish than normal. Before I start talking about this, please be aware that I am aware of the bias, and controversy surrounding this book, and Zinn's representation of evidence. While I was reading this, I had several other sources around and anytime something seemed really crazy or too bad to be true, I would look it up. Please keep this in mind when reading the review, thanks!

So, first of all I have to say that this was a huge eye-opener for me. I was really into politics and stuff back in the day, and this sort of pulled me back into that craze. The amount of knowledge condensed into this book is astounding. Apart from covering everything from 1492-1996, Zinn pays special attention to bringing up eye witness testimonies, literature from the time, relevant news articles, and even people's diary entries. You can tell that whatever else this book may be, it is truly the work of a dedicated historian. 

Some of the information presented wasn't all that surprising, especially the more recent information. But there were some things that I had no idea about. For example, did you know that the Revolutionary War was fought with conscripts? And that a good chunk of the population was basically indifferent to whether or not the United States was emancipated from England? The way that so much of our history is presented, it feels as if there was never any wrong to it. 

I've spoken to a lot of people while I was reading this book, and the big objection was the overwhelming bias in Zinn's writing. Yes, he does present history from a singular point of view (those of the minorities, the poor, the oppressed, and the rebellious) but he defends his bias with a simple truth. There is so much main stream history that overlooks much of what people go through, that this book had to be dense enough, and biased enough, to attempt to tip the balance. 

I cannot recommend this book enough. I feel like if you are in any way interested in the country you live in, if you want to truly understand both sides of any argument, and the basis by which so many of us live our lives, then please, read this book. 

Excerpts:

"The last words heard from the platform were: 'Whatever we poor men may not have, we have free speech, and no one can take it from us.' Then the police charged, using their clubs."

"The killing started very fast, and on a large scale. In August 1914, a volunteer for the British army had to be 5 feet 8 inches to enlist. By October, the requirement was lowered to 5 feet 5 inches. That month there were thirty thousand casualties, and then one could be 5 feet 3. In the first three months of war (WWI), almost the entire original British army was wiped out."

"Forty books were removed, including The Selected Works of Thomas Jefferson, edited by Philip Foner, and The Children's Hour by Lillian Hellman. Some books were burned."

"It was the classical imperial situation, where the places with natural wealth became victims of more powerful nations whose power came from that seized wealth."

Overall Recommendation: 10/10

[booksyreads]

The Magic Goes Away

Larry Niven, 1976

This collection of short stories is based on one theory, what if, at one point in history, magic was real. Furthermore, what if it was a resource, something that existed naturally in the Earth that humans depleted, like oil or gas—what then?

The stories collected in this book, and the short novella that it contains are all based on this theory, that mana once existed in plenty and that man used it all up. 

The stories jump back in forth in time periods, ranging from ancient times to modern day but all focus around mana as a resource. It's such an interesting theory and so many wonderful stories have spawned from Niven's universe. 

The main novella in this collection of stories follows a warlock on a quest with four others, two sorcerers, a warrior and a talking skull. All in search of a way to bring magic back to the world. 

When I first started reading it took me a while to get into it. Fantasy novels pre-80s are always harder for me to start to get into, something about the writing style I guess. As I got further along though and got into the short stories I really enjoyed it. Since the beginning was harder for me to catch on to, it took me longer than usual to read this one—but anyone whose a die-hard fantasy fan should definitely check it out. 

Overall Recommendation: 8/10

If you're not into fantasy: 5/10 (the history is super cool)

[booksyreads]

Bloodtide

Melvin Burgess, 1999

In the post apocalyptic setting of London, gang lords rule. Advanced technology has given rise to DNA mutation and genetic experiments. The products of these experiments, called halfmen, roam the lands around London. Monstrous mixes of human, dog, bird, and even hyena roam freely and the only protection from them is a huge wall surrounding the city, and the gang lords who keep goods flowing. 

The two main opposing families that control London are the Volsons and the Connors. The Volsons vie for friendlier terms with the Connors through diplomacy, while the Connors tend to be more violent tempered. The main characters in this story are the Volson twins, Siggy and Signy, who work for peace throughout a city plagued by turmoil.

Okay, straight up, this book is incredibly violent and a bit twisted for a young adult novel. Anyone whose squeamish might want to pass this one over. A lot of circumstances the characters are faced could be seen as offensive, inappropriate, and graphic. So, fair warning.

On the other hand, this story is amazing. Even thought the themes may be seen as strong, they play such elemental parts to the story that you feel as if it couldn't have been written any other way. The story starts out incredibly realistic and down to Earth, but springs into a beautiful tale about the old Nordic gods and the faith of mankind. It explores themes of race, identity, and power. Even as an older reader, I was able to discern true meaning from it.

Fun fact: The book is based on the Völsunga saga which tells the story of the rise and fall of the Völsung family. Don't worry that wasn't a spoiler. 

Overall Recommendation: 9/10