Another jaunt into urban contemporary fantasy. Except unlike Nightlife this one was, well, good. For some reason, urban fantasy is actually like film noir (except there is no film, and there is no noir). But you have the tortured hero, the city as a character, and a past that is anything but pleasant.
This was the third of three books I picked up at the awesome Bakka-Phoenix bookstore in T.O. (they recommended all three). Two out of three were good.
The setting in UnShapely Things (not quite sure where the title came from) is a neighborhood in Boston called the Weird. Years ago, a turbulent time called the Convergence jammed together two worlds — the world of the supernatural (the fey) and the natural (humans) — and they’ve lived in uneasy times ever since.
So it’s gumshoe meets Celtic mythology (Formians, fairies, flits, elves) and of course a diabolical plot to destroy the world…
My main concern with the novel is the cast of characters — too many. Sometimes, I had to flip back several chapters to figure out who this person was. Mostly secondary characters who probably could’ve been amalgamated into one character…
This was a first novel by Mark Del Franco — and is obviously the jumping point of a series. Now with the initial setting out of the way, I have a feeling he’ll set the stage for an ever expanding plot…
I give this seven glamors out of 10.
Share on Facebook
Books Reviews
These pictures don’t do the bathroom justice…they really don’t. But here’s the cost breakdown of the Ensuite. Just if you’re curious:
Vanity: $560
American Standard Townhall Sink: $249.00
American Standard Townhall Faucet: $269
Moen Body jets: $575
Mirrors: $90
Mansfield Toilet: $139
Toilet Paper Holder: $25
Hand-towel Ring: $25
Countertop: $250
Spotlight: $45
Overhead Lights: $65
Bath Fan: $45
Tile: $500
Shower Glass: $450
Costs: $2787
Construction Materials: $350 (boring stuff like drywall, plywood, etc)
Labour:
Shower & Floor tile: $780
Construction installation: $660
Total: $1440
Total Bathroom Cost: $4577
Share on Facebook
Renovations
Gottalovepink.com is now up and running. Check out the adventures of the McFadden girls…
Share on Facebook
Uncategorized
I finished it a couple of weeks ago…
And normally, I wouldn’t have finished this book. In fact, I wouldn’t have gotten past page 50. But, I remember being told that as a writer that I should be reading books — both good and bad. Good to see what went right, and bad to see what went wrong.
I can give you 20 reasons why Nightlife shouldn’t have been published. Easy. But you know, it was his first novel and I kind of felt bad for him — knowing that he probably wouldn’t get to do a second.
So I go to his website — and find out he has a 4 book deal…and this is a successful series. Ugh. A bestselling fantasy series (not to be confused with NY Time Best Seller).
Man, was I pissed. Why? Because everything I’ve been told about being published…was pretty much ignored with this book. So is it just a crap shoot? Is it just being noticed in a room full of 1000 other people?
I don’t even want to get to the problems. Too many to list. And sure, certain books you can ignore problems if it’s an entertaining read. Or you can set aside disbelief to buy into the writer’s world. Not this book. He contradicts himself in so many places…with characters that I don’t even care about (in fact, Niko, the brother, downright annoyed me).
And the dialogue…ack. Okay, I said I wasn’t going to list problems.
Not recommended.
Share on Facebook
Books Reviews
This is for the doityourselfers.
This is pretty detailed so you might want to pick up an owners manual and perhaps a trade dictionary.
Okay. First rule.
Don’t cut the main line. If you do, you won’t have a phone.
Rule two. Make sure you don’t trim away entire main line so that you can’t even splice it to repair ignoring Rule #1.
In completely unrelated news, my home phone doesn’t work. Please call Kari’s cell if trying to get ahold of us. Though we probably won’t answer it either.
Thanks,
The Management
Share on Facebook
Renovations
Recent Comments