The Familiars

by Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson

{ 2010 | HarperCollins | 368 pgs }

The Familiars is the first Harry Potter-inspired book I’ve enjoyed. It has just enough similarities to the Harry Potter universe to be engaging for a young Harry Potter fan, but plenty of its own charm and ingenuity. (Also, it was co-written by authors whose last names start with E and J, the last two letters I needed for my 2010 reading challenge. Perfect!)

The main character here is Aldwyn, an alley cat who is mistaken for a familiar (a wizard’s companion) in a magical pet store. He bonds with his young loyal (the wizard who chose him) instantly, but disaster soon strikes and Aldwyn must continue to pass himself off as a magical creature while he and two other familiars try to save the world. I would give you more detail, but – that would spoil it.

As I understand, Sony Pictures is working on a movie adaptation. You know what? I think I’ll probably go see it! In the meantime, you should read the book.

Dragon and Thief

by Timothy Zahn

{ 2003 | Tor Books | 256 pgs }

I’ve never been so embarrassed to admit liking a book.

Dragon and Thief is the first book in Zahn’s Dragonback series. From the first page, it was laughably bad. The writing really is atrocious and I read several passages to the Romgi so he could shudder, too. And yet…I hate to say it…once I got past the poor quality of the writing, the plot was actually interesting. In fact, it was so engrossing that (please forgive me) I want to read the other books in the series now.

The plot doesn’t save everything: one of the major problems with any sci-fi/fantasy novel is the inability of the author to effectively communicate their own unique sci-fi/fantasy elements. For example, in Dragon and Thief, one of the main characters, Draycos (yes, Draycos), belongs to a race called the K’Da; the K’Da are three-dimensional beings who require a host on whom they can become two-dimensional. Does that make sense? If it does, I’ve done a better job explaining the concept than the author did. Draycos is the first character to be introduced in the book and until the second main character, Jack Morgan, comes along, there’s not much more explanation about the 2D/3D thing. Confusing. And, like so many books of the same genre, Dragon and Thief is not very imaginative (apart from the K’Da and their strange properties).

That being said, I stand by my enjoyment. Once I was able to more or less tune out the bad writing, it was a quick, fun read.

But in all honesty, I’m still embarrassed to recommend it…

The Good Women of China

by Xinran

{ 2002 | Pantheon | 256 pgs }

As the only nonfiction book I’ve read this year, The Good Women of China: Hidden Voices already stood out. But the author’s exceptional writing, in addition to her captivating subject matter, made the book unforgettable.

Xinran was a radio broadcaster in China during the 1980s and 1990s; she wrote The Good Women of China – which recounts some of the stories she collected through interviews on and off her radio program – after leaving the country. One of her goals was explore how Chinese women perceive themselves and their place in society, particularly at a time when social dynamics seemed to be rapidly changing. Most of the stories directly or indirectly involve the Cultural Revolution. Many are heartbreaking.

I admit I know relatively little about China, or Chinese culture and society. Xinran patiently explained so that I could follow along and understand (with the help of my great sociological mind) enough to form a mental framework in which to place her stories. The Good Women of China earns a strong recommendation from me, with a word of caution: this is not light, cheerful reading. The book contains mature themes and, in my opinion, requires a certain degree of solemnity from the reader.