"The Thieves of Faith" is the second book in the "Thieves" series by Richard Doetsch.
Just as good as the first book, and finds our characters a year later. Michael St. Pierre gets yet another ultimatum to steal something; this time, though, it doesn't affect Heaven, but could unleash Hell on Earth.
Michael's adventures take him to tunnels below the Kremlin, scuba diving, gun fights... and Michael meets the father that gave him up for adoption.
I like this series because it's interesting and fun, there's great character development, Michael has values and sticks to them, he has friends and family and he'll do anything for them.
At least two more books are planned in this series: "The Thieves of Darkness" due out next year in hard cover and a fourth book in 2010 - both of which I plan to read.
You should too!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Book Review: The Thieves of Heaven
I've found a new series I like.
The "Thieves" series by Richard Doetsch. The first book is "The Thieves of Heaven": a Thriller/Action/Suspense/Adventure novel.
Michael St. Pierre lives a life as a security professional and husband to a wonderful Kindergarten teacher. His wife is a devout Catholic and they attend mass every Sunday. Richard is also a retired professional burglar that excels in diving, climbing, and other physical feats and he's on parole after being caught.
Tragedy strikes Michael's life, and a stranger gives him a way out - one last heist. Michael takes it on, even though it means lying to his wife and violating his parole. Unknown to Michael, succeeding in the theft will mean a crisis of Heavenly proportions.
I really enjoyed this novel. It took a little getting to used to the style at first, though. Very short scenes, moving slightly forward and slightly back in the timeline to show action, and then to show what lead up to it. Those aren't bad things - they just took some getting used to.
Being a married man myself, I enjoy finding books where the main character is happily married. Michael St. Pierre loves his wife and would do anything for her. He's not a womanizer, he's not a drunkard, he even attends church with her even though he's lost his faith.
Faith is another interesting topic here; there's no bloodline of Jesus or any of that crap. Instead, the Catholic faith is shown as real: real God, real Satan, real Heaven, real Hell. That's nice to find in mainstream fiction.
The Thieves of Heaven is a continent-hopping story that pulls interesting tidbits from history and religion and brings them to a fiery conclusion. And there are some heart-wrenching, and tear-jerking moments as well.
Read it!
The "Thieves" series by Richard Doetsch. The first book is "The Thieves of Heaven": a Thriller/Action/Suspense/Adventure novel.
Michael St. Pierre lives a life as a security professional and husband to a wonderful Kindergarten teacher. His wife is a devout Catholic and they attend mass every Sunday. Richard is also a retired professional burglar that excels in diving, climbing, and other physical feats and he's on parole after being caught.
Tragedy strikes Michael's life, and a stranger gives him a way out - one last heist. Michael takes it on, even though it means lying to his wife and violating his parole. Unknown to Michael, succeeding in the theft will mean a crisis of Heavenly proportions.
I really enjoyed this novel. It took a little getting to used to the style at first, though. Very short scenes, moving slightly forward and slightly back in the timeline to show action, and then to show what lead up to it. Those aren't bad things - they just took some getting used to.
Being a married man myself, I enjoy finding books where the main character is happily married. Michael St. Pierre loves his wife and would do anything for her. He's not a womanizer, he's not a drunkard, he even attends church with her even though he's lost his faith.
Faith is another interesting topic here; there's no bloodline of Jesus or any of that crap. Instead, the Catholic faith is shown as real: real God, real Satan, real Heaven, real Hell. That's nice to find in mainstream fiction.
The Thieves of Heaven is a continent-hopping story that pulls interesting tidbits from history and religion and brings them to a fiery conclusion. And there are some heart-wrenching, and tear-jerking moments as well.
Read it!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Another Book Meme
A book meme that I'm sure I've done before, I found this at Mommy Brain's Book Review Blog (Happy Birthday Carrie!).
Hardback or trade paperback or mass market paperback?
Any. But I kinda have a soft-spot for Trade Paperbacks - maybe because that's what a lot of the Christian Fiction I read comes out in.
Bookmark or dog-ear?
*GASP* Dog-Ear?! NEVER! Always use a bookmark - or remember the page number!
Alphabetize by author or alphabetize by title or random?
IN a perfect world, alphabetical by author, subdivided by series chronologically. In the real world: Tossed on a shelf.
Keep, throw away or sell?
Never throw-away unless it's just totally trashed from being read over and over. Sometimes sell, usually trade off at Paperbackswap.com.
Keep dustjacket or toss it?
Always retain the dust jacket unless Rubi loses it.
Last book you bought?
I honestly can't remember. Most of the books I've read recently have either come from the library or Paperbackswap.com
Last book someone bought for you?
I don't recall. I'm sure it was one of those little gift-books like "I love my dad because" or something.
What are some of the books on your to-buy list?
I really don't buy books that often anymore (shame on me, I know! I shoould support my favorite authors). I would definitely love to by the latest Age of Fire novel by E. E. KNight, that's a great series and one I'd let my kids read when they're a little older.
Collection (short stories, same author) or anthology (short stories, different author)?
I've never been a short-story fan. Of course, all the short stories I recall reading were from the "golden age" of sci-fi, back when Asimov was at the top of his game, and all the short stories I read from that time period always seemed contrived, or moody. I think I've read some Trek short stories in the SCE series - I guess those count as short fiction.
Harry Potter or Lemony Snicket?
I wasn't crazy about Potter and stopped at the 3rd chapter of the 3rd book. I've never read Lemony Snicket, but my oldest daughter enjoyed the series.
Morning reading, afternoon reading, or nighttime reading?
Absolutely: Morning, noon, and night! Whenever I get a chance. I love to stay up way past my bedtime finishing an excellent novel and then not being able to fall asleep because I'm disappointed it's over.
The books you need to go with other books on your shelves?
Hmm... the rest of the Age Of Fire Series by E. E. Knight. The rest of the Laodecia Chronicles and the other series by Sharon K. Gilbert.
Do you read anywhere and anytime you can or do you have a set reading time and/or place?
Whenever, where ever I can. I can't read book while I'm at work though.
Do you have seasonal reading habits?
Not that I've noticed.
Do you read one book at a time or do you have two or more books going at once?
Usually one book at a time. Though, if I own a book and while I'm reading it I get a library book and have to to the library soon, I'll stop the one I've read and read the library book because there's a time limit - then get back to the other book.
What are your pet peeves about the way people treat books?
Dog-ear, food fingerprints, dead bugs inside, other things found inside books that I'd rather not mention.
Name one book you surprised yourself by liking.
Honestly, I'm really enjoying the Vampire Earth series by E. E. Knight. It's a post-apocolyptic Earth setting, and I usually don't like those. But I liked his Age of Fire books so much, I thought I'd give VE a try, and now I'm caught up and can't wait for the next book!
How often do you read a book and not review it on your blog? What are your reasons for not blogging about a book?
Often. I read many books that I don't feel like writing a review about and I would kinda feel bad just writing "today I read the latest Star Trek book. It was good. Yes, I'm a geek." But then there are books that I think others might really enjoy, and I want to get the word out, or I read a book that I expected to be really good and was sorely disappointed and also want to get the word out. Actually, I can only think of two negative reviews that I've given.
Hardback or trade paperback or mass market paperback?
Any. But I kinda have a soft-spot for Trade Paperbacks - maybe because that's what a lot of the Christian Fiction I read comes out in.
Bookmark or dog-ear?
*GASP* Dog-Ear?! NEVER! Always use a bookmark - or remember the page number!
Alphabetize by author or alphabetize by title or random?
IN a perfect world, alphabetical by author, subdivided by series chronologically. In the real world: Tossed on a shelf.
Keep, throw away or sell?
Never throw-away unless it's just totally trashed from being read over and over. Sometimes sell, usually trade off at Paperbackswap.com.
Keep dustjacket or toss it?
Always retain the dust jacket unless Rubi loses it.
Last book you bought?
I honestly can't remember. Most of the books I've read recently have either come from the library or Paperbackswap.com
Last book someone bought for you?
I don't recall. I'm sure it was one of those little gift-books like "I love my dad because" or something.
What are some of the books on your to-buy list?
I really don't buy books that often anymore (shame on me, I know! I shoould support my favorite authors). I would definitely love to by the latest Age of Fire novel by E. E. KNight, that's a great series and one I'd let my kids read when they're a little older.
Collection (short stories, same author) or anthology (short stories, different author)?
I've never been a short-story fan. Of course, all the short stories I recall reading were from the "golden age" of sci-fi, back when Asimov was at the top of his game, and all the short stories I read from that time period always seemed contrived, or moody. I think I've read some Trek short stories in the SCE series - I guess those count as short fiction.
Harry Potter or Lemony Snicket?
I wasn't crazy about Potter and stopped at the 3rd chapter of the 3rd book. I've never read Lemony Snicket, but my oldest daughter enjoyed the series.
Morning reading, afternoon reading, or nighttime reading?
Absolutely: Morning, noon, and night! Whenever I get a chance. I love to stay up way past my bedtime finishing an excellent novel and then not being able to fall asleep because I'm disappointed it's over.
The books you need to go with other books on your shelves?
Hmm... the rest of the Age Of Fire Series by E. E. Knight. The rest of the Laodecia Chronicles and the other series by Sharon K. Gilbert.
Do you read anywhere and anytime you can or do you have a set reading time and/or place?
Whenever, where ever I can. I can't read book while I'm at work though.
Do you have seasonal reading habits?
Not that I've noticed.
Do you read one book at a time or do you have two or more books going at once?
Usually one book at a time. Though, if I own a book and while I'm reading it I get a library book and have to to the library soon, I'll stop the one I've read and read the library book because there's a time limit - then get back to the other book.
What are your pet peeves about the way people treat books?
Dog-ear, food fingerprints, dead bugs inside, other things found inside books that I'd rather not mention.
Name one book you surprised yourself by liking.
Honestly, I'm really enjoying the Vampire Earth series by E. E. Knight. It's a post-apocolyptic Earth setting, and I usually don't like those. But I liked his Age of Fire books so much, I thought I'd give VE a try, and now I'm caught up and can't wait for the next book!
How often do you read a book and not review it on your blog? What are your reasons for not blogging about a book?
Often. I read many books that I don't feel like writing a review about and I would kinda feel bad just writing "today I read the latest Star Trek book. It was good. Yes, I'm a geek." But then there are books that I think others might really enjoy, and I want to get the word out, or I read a book that I expected to be really good and was sorely disappointed and also want to get the word out. Actually, I can only think of two negative reviews that I've given.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Book Review: Millennium Falcon
Star Wars: Millennium Falcon by James Luceno.
A much-anticipated novel about the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy, this book did not live up to it's expectations in my opinion. Star Wars fans love the Millennium Falcon, and this book gives us the history of the ship in an interesting story-telling method from two different main points-of-view going forward in time from an early owner and going back in time from the current owner, and the story lines meet at the end.
But first, the book opens with the initial construction of the ship causing mayhem on the production line and suffering damage that plagues the ship through it's long life and from owner to owner. Then we start to follow the ship briefly from owner to owner until we get to a couple of low-end agents for some pro-Republic group shortly before Order 66 goes out in the final days of the Old Republic. Dispatched on a mission, it is these agents that had hoped to one day own the ship for themselves, but instead are ordered to fly it to another agent and turn it over in a mission to restore honor to the Republic. And that is the start of the mystery that drives this particular story line.
Finally, three or four chapters in, we finally to the current owner of the Falcon - Han Solo, hero of the Rebellion. His grand-daughter Allana convinces him and Leia to take her on an adventure to discover the history of the ship. For some reason, Han has never found the time in some 40 years of ownership to actually discover anything about the history of his ship. Wars and such always kept getting in his way. Off they go to track down the previous owners of the Falcon, starting with Lando Calrissian and working backwards until they cross paths with one of the previous mentioned agents who has been tracking the Falcons owners since he had flown the ship some 60 years ago. Through the story, we learn of the different names the Falcon had been called, different modifications she had, who put in the hologame table and why, and even learn the origin of the name Millennium Falcon (which also was a let down).
As I mentioned, this was a much-anticipated book, because Star Wars fans love the Millennium Falcon. It didn't pay off, and I don't like to report that because I usually enjoy James Luceno's Star Wars novels. The Falcon was just a background element driving the plot and taking the characters from place to place. Except for the opening where we see a problem during the production of the ship, she really doesn't have any character at all. The ship should have had more character in the story, maybe even have some scenes actually told from the point-of-view of the ship. This book should have elevated the status of the Falcon from fan-favorite to something more. Instead, the Millennium Falcon becomes just another ship in a galaxy full of ships.
Then there's the story featuring the agent from the Old Republic era. It's supposed to be a mystery/treasure hunt. The ending of that is just a plain let down. I'll tell you now - they don't find anything! Well, they do - but it's a pointless find that does nothing for the story. If they were really searching for something to "restore honor to the Republic", they should have found a lost nugget of Jedi lore that is crucial to Luke's New Jedi Order, or a hidden history of Palpatine with evidence of his manipulations, or something with significance to the current era or even the Legacy era. Instead they find a fake piece of Republic Senate decoration.
As for the other Star Wars characters: Luke and the new Jedi, Daala and the Galactic Alliance, the Mandalorians... They're only mentioned in passing. The main story here focuses on Han, Leia, and Allana from the current era. We only get glimpses into what is going on around the galaxy with other characters and the normal galactic politics that drive most Star Wars novels. These glimpses hint at what's to come in future novels.
I'm sure those will be better books.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Vote!
Voting for the Podcast Awards is now open.
Go vote! (Especially for The Signal in the Movies/Films category!)
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Book Review: Dragon Champion
This is an excellent book!The main character is a dragon. And the story is told from his point of view from hatching, through his formative years (which are quite entertaining), and up into his adulthood - or drakehood as it's called in the book.
The books is subtitled Book One of the Age of Fire. I guess that means there will be more books set in this same world. Good, I can't wait! This book ends with a happy ending and it could be a perfectly good standalone novel - but if the author, E. E. Knight, can make future installments as good as this, I'll read them!
I'm going to look up some E. E. Knights earlier works too. My local library doesn't have them, so I may have to actually purchase one to see if it's as good, and worth buying more.
Note: This review was originally published on my family blog. And I have since read the next two books in the series. Which are just as good - if not better. I've also started reading E. E. Knight's Vampire Earth series and am enjoying that as well. I follow the author on his LiveJournal; you should too!
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