It is about time for some reflections on 'recent' reads...

3 Books and a new rating system straight from me with no concern how the other critics perceived it.

The Eight by Katherine Neville

This book was recommended to me at least 2 years ago when I worked at Brentano's in downtown San Antonio. I just never got around to buying or reading it until earlier this year. Okay, how to describe. The idea is there is this magical, all-important Chess service that survives throughout history and that the pieces and board must be hidden and protected to prevent a power from falling into evil hands. The story is told in two times with two sets of characters, each representing a piece. The story jumps back and forth through time and around the world with scenes in NY, Europe, and Africa. Now about the length, the book is long (or lengthly for a light read). Up, the detail and story were so great that I wanted even more development with both sets of characters and their relationships and travels in portions. Down, there were a few moments that I wanted to skip chapters to get back to developments in one time period vs the other. Ultimately, I waited and read straight through to see it all come together. And it was worth it. What a great book, and in the end, I think Neville got it just right. The mystery was there, mixed in with some fun historical fiction. No other book is going to find kick-butt nuns and computer experts working together for the same goal centuries apart. Look forward to strong female leads standing up for themselves and what's right in the face of just about everything. It was said that a sequel was in the works, but I have not seen any sign of it at this time. Rating: A

Digital Fortress by Dan Brown

Well, first off, Dan Brown wrote DaVinci Code. He has written 4 books and writes with a style based on extremely short chapters, multiple characters with individual developments that build to one story line constantly jumping locations, and page breaks. People, this style creates the easiest read ever. You will be able to read more pages faster than ever before. And that makes these books great for everyday fiction. It builds, but doesn't overwhelm. You always have something fresh to process, and it keeps you wanting more. Now, this book introduces you to the world of a woman who works for an unknown organization responsible for spying on the country through illegal tracking/scanning of email. The idea that no email goes through the web without being searched for information might seem unlikely. Wait, it doesn't to me. Not now. Ah, well, back to the plot... As one programmer tries to stand up for rights of the people, we see a murder mystery unfold with a deadline that would put national security in jeopardy. I liked the book as a whole and the reading was smooth. I am beginning to not like ending of Brown's books because it leaves me wanting something else that I can't describe, more or better (?). You, however, might find the ending just and right-on. We each have a hope, I think, of how we would finish off a story. Great for travel or a long weekend. Rating: B-

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Just finished within this last week. How I found out about this book? Well, earlier this summer I read a review for Stardust (the movie) in Entertainment Weekly since it's to be released in August. I, then, proceeded to find a preview online which I did post here and thought, "that sounds good, wonder how the story goes". I got the book. I am not really a reader of fantasy (unless you count children's/ YA's books), but I really liked it. The review promised something in the lines of The Princess Bride. And I truly think that is pretty spot on. I loved the characters and the magic of it all. Every once in a while it's great to read a book that shows that fate somehow actually factors in to life. A boy makes a promise to bring back a falling star for his love and sets out on the voyage of a lifetime. There's magic, royalty, witches, you name it. But all of it seems somehow believable in a way that you feel something exists but you won't get to see it to prove it. Read the book. I am not giving any more away. Or, at least, see the movie and hope they get it right. Rating: A