Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

At the dawn of the nineteenth century, two very different magicians emerge to change England's history. In the year 1806, with the Napoleonic Wars raging on land and sea, most people believe magic to be long dead in England--until the reclusive Mr Norrell reveals his powers, and becomes a celebrity overnight.

Soon, another practicing magician comes forth: the young, handsome, and daring Jonathan Strange. He becomes Norrell's student, and they join forces in the war against France. But Strange is increasingly drawn to the wildest, most perilous forms of magic, straining his partnership with Norrell, and putting at risk everything else he holds dear.

*May Contain Spoilers*

After a month of juggling this book with many others, I can finally say that I read Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke, and thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Clarke writes an intricate story, where all characters play a part, about English magic and how it is brought back to life. The two main characters are, you guessed it, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. Though, there are some wonderful minor characters who captured my heart including Arabella Strange (wife of Jonathan) and Stephen Black. 

Mr Norrell is the character the first part of the book reflects upon. It is his wish to be the only magician in England. He is incredibly stubborn, secretive, terrified of fairies, and hates The Raven King (the nameless slave who ruled England, Faerie, and other places). He isn't a very easy character to like, but he is quite humorous. Readers can connect with him based on his pursuit to be the best at what he does and his love of books. =) 

Jonathan Strange comes into the story around/near part two. He is a little unbalanced, has trouble focusing on multiple tasks at once, loves his wife, is an apt pupil, and wants to share magic with the world. He is definitely more open and friendly than Norrell, but is bound to fits of madness which he creates for himself using magic. Readers will connect with him based on his courage (helping England win the war with Napoleon), his love of Arabella (though sometimes he is a bit distracted from her), and his pursuit of knowledge and first hand experience. 

The plot of this book was a lovely in-depth look at the lives of the two English magicians. However, it did take more than half of it for a clear story line to emerge. After Strange and Norrell part ways, the plot evolves into a heroic journey to save three characters from the enchantment of a fairy. Though the first half was quite interesting, the second half was faster-paced and very intriguing. The only main downfall of this book was the length; it requires more than the average commitment. But I do have to say, it was definitely worth it. Such an enjoyable book filled to the covers with magic and a beautiful other-world. 

Rating: 4/5 cups

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell

(Third book in Fall Into Reading 2012 Challenge) 

A Storm of Swords

Scottchan

"Of the five contenders for power, one is dead, another in disfavor, and still the wars rage, as alliances are made and broken. Joffrey sits on the Iron Throne, the uneasy ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. His most bitter rival, Lord Stannis, stands defeated and disgraced, victim of the sorceress who holds him in her thrall.

Young Robb still rules the North from the fortress of Riverrun. Meanwhile, making her way across a blood-drenched continent is the exiled queen, Daenerys, mistress of the only three dragons left in the words.

And as opposing forces maneuver for the final showdown, an army of barbaric wildlings arrives from the outermost limits of civilization, accompanied by a horde of mythical Others--a supernatural army of the living dead whose animated corpses are unstoppable.

As the future of the land hangs in the balance, no one will rest until the Seven Kingdoms have exploded in a veritable storm of swords..."

* *

Over one thousand pages makes up this amazing novel, the third installment in the series A Song of Fire and Ice, A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin. 

Dreamstine

The characters who offer their point of view, have changed again from the first and second book. This creative angle is an effective method to draw the reader in by allowing them to see some events from various perspectives to better understand the underlying motives of the characters. It serves to bridge the reader to different characters throughout the series, changing the way the readers perceive them.
And where their loyalties lie...

However, I found myself stopping to consider how the characters had gotten to where they were. The ever changing perspectives creates the problem of forgetting where certain characters were while simultaneously offering the aforementioned understanding. 

The plot, which I just have to mention briefly, literally had my mouth hanging open, the word "what" perched on my tongue. It was completely unpredictable! So many things happen constantly: characters die, known plans fail while secret plans succeed, and betrayal is everywhere. Loyalty a hope lost on the raven's wing. 

I was a little disappointed, okay more than a little, when three of my favorite characters "died." I put the quotations around the word because more and more people who die in these novels are re-appearing as... I'll let you figure that our for yourself. 

And not to spoil anything, but the last page will blow every reader away. It makes the previous 1126-ish pages totally worth it.

A Storm of Swords 
on Amazon

rating: 3/5 cups

Spring into Reading Thing 2012

Spring into Reading Thing 2012 will be the first reading challenge that The Coffee Pot has ever participated in, being a new blog of only seven months old, and I'm really excited to be a part of it! :)

I have created my Spring Reading list based on a series that I've been wanting to get my hands on: The Game of Thrones series by George R.R. Martin. My goal is to read books one through five by the end of the challenge, June 20th. I will also be reviewing each book as I finish it!

My Spring into Reading Thing 2012 Challenge List:

1. A Game of Thrones [X] review

2. A Clash of Kings [X] review 

3. A Storm of Swords [X] review

4. A Feast for Crows [X] review

5. A Dance with Dragons [X] review