16 of 100: God's Jury

God's Jury is about the Inquisition. (No, not just the Spanish Inquisition. Yes, I expected it.) While we tend to think of the Inquisition as something medeival, it was in fact a modernising force- it used handbooks, set methods, and bureaucracy. Moreover, it can be linked to more recent analogs such as 'extraordinary rendition' and the American policy of torture under any other name. It doesn't necessarily make for pleasant reading, but it does make you think. The author is not trying for a comprehensive scholarly work- this is history for a broader audience. It is nevertheless well-sourced and clearly a product of thought and research.

Apologies for the terse review, but I actually handed the book back to the library yesterday (it was due and non-renewable) so I can't refer to more specific sections as I usually can.

17 of 100: Seraphina

Seraphina has been getting a fair bit of hype, so I approached with caution, especially given my recent disappointment with Shine Shine Shine. Happily, this time I was enchanted with the book. Seraphina Dombegh lives in a city that has been under truce with somewhat Vulcan-esque dragons (who can take human form) for the last 40 years. Seraphina has led a sheltered life, always trying to blend in. But when the peace between humans and dragons comes under threat, Seraphina steps up, despite the possible consequences.

I've seen some reviewers who didn't like the world building or got irritated by a few of the made up terms, but I found Seraphina's world believable and engaging. I admit to having guessed a few of the twists ahead of time, but I think that's to be expected as a genre-savvy adult reader of what is ultimately young adult fantasy/sci-fi. (I'm not sure where exactly on that continuum Seraphina falls, though I'm leaning more fantasy than sci-fi.) Seraphina is a hero who is both believable and relatable without straying into Mary Sue territory. I loved the book, and am hoping for a sequel as fun as the original.

P365.5r, Day 40

Dinner of Champions, a photo by grundy12 on Flickr.

I almost forgot. Thus the late-night food photo.