Wizard's First Rule - Terry Goodkind - Sword of Truth

Like and old friend, I've come back to the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind.  I read the first 6 books of this 11 book series as they came out over the years, but the farther I got the more the wait between books became distracting and I was forgetting too much.  So I stopped and waited for the entire series  to be released.  Well I've finally got the entire series waiting on my shelf so here we go! The first book in the series is one of the best books I've read (and re-read) in quite some time.  The development of the characters of Richard and Kahlan are off to a good start and from having read some of the later books already, I know the development so far is just a small part of the complex characters they are about to become.   Lots of twists and turns and exciting all the way through.  Great start to the series.  9/10

Before They Are Hanged - Joe Abercrombie

I read the first in this trilogy ("The Blade Itself") and was quite pleased when this follow-up became available earlier in March. The inquisitor-torturer Glotka returns, sent by the Arch Lector to defend Dagoska from the Gurkish, equipped with no funds and the contempt of the local council. Bayaz continues with with his quest, accompanied by the named man Ninefingers, the she-devil Ferro, and Jezal. Threetrees, Tul, Grim, and Dogman have joined with the army to help repel the Northman, accompanied by Prince Ladisla, a man completely adored by himself and of no use whatsoever in battle. The author does a fantastic job creating a character-driven story, and although I've never been a fan of fantasy, it is very difficult to put there books down. These are just great stories, and there are times where I found myself lost in the scenes that were being painted for me. I've just started "The Last Argument of Kings," the last book of the trilogy and due to be published in the U.S. in 2009 (check www.Amazon.co.uk in the meantime).

Charlatan - Pope Block

This is the true story of John Brinkley, a medical school dropout who began a practice (despite the lack of a license) dedicated to transplanting goat testicles into men convinced that the surgery would restore their youthful virility. In reality, this and other "treatments" left many men and women maimed or dead as Brinkley expanded his practice to radio shows dedicated to lining his pockets by preying on mass hysteria and offering immediate solutions. Regardless, he almost won the Kansas gubernatorial race at one point, somehow gained many supporters, and made millions during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Dr. Morris Fishbein was his nemesis, an emerging leader in the as-of-yet powerless American Medical Association, and a man dedicated to eliminating the quacks selling patent medications and dangerous gadgets, a man persecuted by part of the medical community that felt he was stealing too much of the spotlight. The truth in this history makes it an interesting book, and a but haunting when you consider that the quackery has changed, but someone is still making millions on infomercial diets and equipment, and people inject themselves with toxins to fix wrinkles!

Criminal Paradise - Steven Thomas

For a short book, this is a great noir crime novel with good characters and a relatively complex plot. Robert Rivers has pulled a few robberies with his friend Switch, always planned out in advance. When they rob the Cow Town restaurant, a box in the safe contains twenty grand and a picture of a young Vietnamese girl. Switch goes to Vegas to celebrate, and Robert decides to rob the restaurant owner's, a dirtball named McFadden, house with his friend Reggie, a man of questionable loyalties. While Robert's in McFadden's house, rescuing the girl and liberating some property, McFadden is making some inquiries himself. A series of strikes take place, and although the story needs some "stupid moments" to work (described to me at a writers' workshop as a plot point completely out of the character's normal modus operandi), it doesn't hurt the overall flow and feel of the story. I really enjoyed this book, and finished it in a day of reading.

Darker - Simon Clark

Well, what can I say about this...not really sure, it was nothing special.  Not a bad story, but not really good either.  Easy enough read so I didn't bother putting it down but not really sure why I kept reading.   Just not that memorable.  Guess that's all I have to say.  4/10

The Alexandria Link - Steve Berry

Been awhile since I posted, been fighting the flu, trying to get caught up on work and just haven't had a lot of time to kick back and read.  But I did manage to finish this one. I was torn on this one.  While it was a decent story, it seemed to drag at times.   There were a few times I even considered putting the book down.  But I kept plugging through and the last 50 pages or so made it well worth the time.  The ending came together and there were enough surprises that I realized I had it all wrong from early on. If you're a Steve Berry fan, you'll probably enjoy this one.  If you're new to Berry, this may not be the best introduction.  6.5/10

The Somnambulist - Jonathan Barnes

This was quite an entertaining read, and very difficult to classify. The Somnambulist is an eight-foot man with a passion for milk and the uncanny ability to have swords poked through him without harm. Mr. Edward Moon is his partner, a theatric conjurer and investigator of crimes. This story is ripe with fantastic characters, the narrator among them (unknown until the end, he/she promises that most of the book will not be lies), and the plot includes a late-1800s religious cult and a bit of supernatural intervention (Mr. Thomas Cribb claims to pass his life in reverse time, and the Prefects are demon-like assassins in school boy uniforms). I was enthralled and amused by the story, and finished the book inside of 48 hours. I'd highly recommend!

The Next Justice - Christopher Eisgruber

This was my first Supreme Court book of the year, and it was a good choice. Instead of reviewing the history of the Court and many of its better-known cases, the author discusses the appointment process for the justices. Starting with the president's decision to pursue an ideological-similar individual that will face a more difficult confirmation, or a moderate that may have an easier path, the author then steers the discussion to the hearing itself. Therein, the Senators ask questions that are themselves often without clear meaning (e.g., what is your judicial philosophy?) and the judicial candidates offer responses that actually answer nothing at all. The author emphasizes that the Senators have a right to real answers, and the right to deny confirmation to those that do not wish to disclose. At the same time, Eisgruber suggests questions that may offer a better glance at the jurist, and perhaps a thinner opportunity for dodging. Great book.