Well, I have decided to start doing regular book reviews on this blog. Mostly, these posts are just filler for when I don’t have anything bizarre, eccentric or strange to write about but don’t want to go too long without writing anything. And so, since I love reading, why not book reviews? After all, I quite enjoyed making my (still uncompleted) Top 42 Odd Books list, so more book recommendations really do seem to be in order. So, from time to time, expect a short little review from me. However, this also has a flipside. Not only shall I be doing Excellent Books, but also Horrible Books, ones so bad I cannot believe any decent human being would ever publish them. The first one of those shall be focusing on James Patterson’s incredibly awful YA series, Maximum Ride. But for now, let us take a look at The Music of Razors, one of the best works of fantasy I’ve read yet.
First of all: beautiful cover. A good book needs a good cover and this one is not left wanting. I’d give the artwork 4/5. Now, as for the book itself, this was just incredible. It just shows how good modern fantasy can really be. If you ever encounter one of those literary snobs who are utterly dismissive of fantasy literature, counter them with this pure work of art. If I had to compare it to another work, it would probably be Neil Gaiman’s Sandman, as both have a very similar style and feel to them. They both have a very ethereal nature about them. This book also combines a lot of things I enjoy reading about: from Angels to the Victorian Era to dreams to circuses to strange girls to clockwork beings, you’ll find all these and more in this dark and unique fantasy novel. The plot threads do take a while to come together, but believe me, it is worth it. My only complaint would be that some parts were too unclear for me, where it was only really implied what happened instead of just telling us. (Which isn’t really a bad thing, it’s just I wasn’t certain what exactly was happening.) All in all, I’d give it 8/10.
I’m not familiar with that book, but I liked your comment about it being unclear in places. As a writer, I struggle sometimes with that. I have a tech writing background and yearn to convey things with clarity, but know that generally, if I come right out and say what’s going on, the reader will feel insulted and hate it. Readers want to feel clever and know they’ve figured something out that wasn’t explicitly stated. Some of the best writing leaves a lot unsaid, to be uncovered by the reader. At the same time, you can err on the side of confusing the reader if you don’t do a good job of it.
I’m the kind of person who finds it difficult to follow plots anyway. I forget stuff or it takes me a while to figure out what exactly is going on. So when things are left ambiguous I get a bit confused.
Though I think that vagueness worked for this book, because of its slightly dreamlike, unreal feel to it. I just wouldn’t be subtle enough to appreciate it.
Oh that sounds like me, too. I have a tough time keeping things straight in books. Too distracted by my own thoughts and feelings, I guess.
(Psst. Thanks.)
(Most welcome.)
Don’t forget Cameron’s most entertaining site/blog: http://www.cameron-rogers.com/
(COI disclaimer: I know him)
You tell the truth. ‘Tis indeed most entertaining.
I take it it’s not about goths cutting themselves with razors?
No, but it’s the kind of book goths would like. (I thought emus were the ones who cut themselves…or was that ostricheses? Or just Jessicka Addams?).
The razors referred to in the title are medical instruments of some kind made from the bones of Angels. And I just have to say, this book features the best depiction of Angels in fiction yet.
Shame angels are getting a bit passé. Maybe it’s time for cross-over genres. Zombie angels and vampiric Illuminati having gay SM sex with Egyptian gods. Quetzalcoatl dressed in a trench-coat and borsalino as a private investigator running around in a Jules Vernes-steampunky France chasing after three-eyed pirate Templars who want to sacrifice serpent shaped alien Cathars in Rennes-le-Chateau.
Got it for Christmas. Tar, feathers and a very sharp pen at hand.
Angels are getting passe? NOOOOO! Especially since very few authors actually write them in the correct way.
And cross-genre mashups are always good. If those were in an actual book, I’d read them.
Ah but porn with zombie hamsters is quite hot nowadays.
Is it now? Do tell.
I’m getting the feeling we’re slightly digressing from the original topic.
My blog, my rules! We talk about whatever I feel like on the comments!
[...] I was away The Man Behind The Curtain posted a really lovely review of my novel The Music of Razors. Now, as for the book itself, this was just incredible. It just [...]
[...] put this book on my Christmas wish list after reading Manbehindthecurtain’s review. Not that the review gave a lot away about the plot but I learned that it was not, as I [...]