Category: Reviews

A. C. Grayling, continuing to develop the persona of the public intellectual, has produced a mature set of essays for any person with an interest in the world around them as perceived through the prism of applied philosophy and a discerning mind.

Grayling is known as a highly accomplished British philosopher, boasting a PHD from Oxford University and a publishing history consisting of over 30 books. His latest book, titled “The Challenge of Things: Thinking Through Troubled Times” is Grayling’s continuing mission to contribute to, and stimulate, intellectual debate on a myriad of issues.

The book is sectioned into “Destructions and Deconstructions” and “Constructions and Creations”, which can be roughly translated into an evil-good divide (in the optimistic form of leaving the best to last). These sections are then further broken down into essays covering a broad and fascinating scope. The essays are derived from Grayling’s recently published works as well as new material composed specifically for the book.

Although none of the essays are sufficiently long to thoroughly account for a given topic, Grayling masterfully sows the seeds of his own opinions while directing inquiring minds in the right direction. Grayling is at his best when argumentative and his writing shines in the spirited defence of ideas such as secularism of the state, gun laws, freedom of speech and the inestimable value of friendship. His comprehensive grasp of historical, sociological, scientific and, of course, philosophical concepts provides a tremendous depth to his insights and conclusions. However, perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of the book is the iridescent humanism which infuses each essay: a sense of hope and, ultimately, trust in the nature of humanity, provided we have recourse to our rational faculties.

The less compelling essays in the book tend to see Grayling meandering on historical topics, which appear to be of personal interest with fairly weak and ancillary links to contemporary life. Grayling is also guilty of the occasional descent into intellectual condescension when dealing with authors or schools of thought of which he is not particularly enamoured. Despite this, most of the essays are not longer than three or four pages so it is very easy to read ‘just one more’ and chances are it will be worth it.

This book is highly recommended for any person seeking to sharpen their thinking on modern ethical and philosophical questions while being propelled along by an accomplished and discerning writer.

Edge of Dreams is the 2nd book in the Diamond City Magic series.When I read the blurb, it sounded exactly like my kind of book, but I was hesitant to start it as I had not read the first book in the series, and I was concerned that that would be difficult to pick up the story threads. However, Edge of Dreams did stand up pretty well on its own. So while I am eager to go back and read more about Riley and Co, I didn’t feel as if I was at too much of a disadvantage by having not read Trace of Magic.

Edge of Dreams takes place not long after Trace of Magic ends. Riley is a tracer with a unique ability, which is made very public. As a result, she is in demand–not only by those that genuinely are in need of her abilities–but, of course, by those that wish to exploit them. This is where things become complicated, as it is not always clear to Riley (and the readers), which of these camps she is dealing with.

The main antagonist is ruthless and psychotic, and is clearly “The Villian”, but other characters in the story are not as recognisable as being “Good” or “Bad”, and that is one of the elements of this book that I enjoyed the most. This is what gives depth to a character. It is rare in life to find people that are all “good” or all “bad”; and, as a result, the reader will be in for an occasional twist or turn.

Magic, drugs, betrayal, love, family and friendship: this book has it all. The pace of the writing was fast, the setting believable, the characters interesting and flawed, and the magic unusual. I found it hard to put the book down, and at no point throughout the book was I bored.

Almost from the first second, I knew that Riley was going to be so much fun, and a handful, and she was. Talented, tough, independent (too much so at times), full of snark and with many issues, she is a character that I can relate to a lot. Riley tries to protect herself, to the extent that not even those she loves can get close to her; but she is such a loving, giving person that she acts without thought at times (well often), and lands herself into trouble. While she is constantly in hot water, she doesn’t strike me as someone who needs saving by others. There is a lot going on with Riley, and while she is aware of some of the issues that have shaped her, she isn’t aware of the blocks that have been placed inside, and so she tries to work around these internal traps to the best of her ability, and appears to be much more flighty and incapable than she really is. Through the course of the book she does save herself with a little help from others and some luck .

Riley has unwanted bodyguards following her around. Who has hired them is a big mystery. Shey also has a loyal team of friends and family, as well as an “ex” love, Clay, and his brother, a mafia-type. They add colour, contrast, and tension to the book. The system of Magic that Diana Pharaoh Francis has created is very intriguing. Francis takes elements of other systems and works to give them her own unique spin. Tracer, Reader (reading emotions NOT thoughts), Metal Tinker (now that is a cool talent to posses), Healer are just some of the talents that characters possess. Not everybody in Diamond City has magic talent, though, and the very popular drug, Sparkle Dust, enables users to experience magical abilities, or to try out other abilities, but with very little control.

Riley is hired by a member of the Diamond City police force to help trace her nephew and his friends. Very early on into the rescue mission, she finds herself in hot water, and from there on in she is constantly hopping in and out of messy situations and at times fighting for her life. Along the way she uncovers family secrets, learns more about her abilities, tries to overcome her own fears of intimacy and trust, and find love.

I would highly recommend this book to lovers of urban fantasy. It is suitable for older readers and is an easy, fast read, but there are also topics that would make it more suitable for an older reader. I will definitely be tracking down Trace of Magic, and waiting impatiently for the third book in the series.

Edge of Dreams by Diana Pharoah Francis

Bell Bridge Books (April 15, 2015)

ISBN-10: 1611945852

ISBN-13: 978-1611945850

CIA analyst, Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy), spends her days as the brains behind the missions that her field agent partner, superspy Bradley Fine (Jude Law), embarks on. Initially joining the CIA in the hopes of making a difference for her country and having a more exciting life, she has never-the-less taken her mother’s advice and settled for relative obscurity.

When one of Fine’s missions goes sour and all of the CIA’s active agents are compromised, Susan seizes the chance to finally get into the field. With her loyal friend Nancy as her eyes and ears, an Italian lecher as back-up, and the most embarrassing toiletries bag ever at her disposal, Susan is ready to take on the International arms dealers threatening the world.

Films like this can always go one of two ways. Either they kill it on every level, or fall flat with the jokes never quite hitting the mark. The trailer was entertaining, and Melissa McCarthy almost single-handedly salvaged Bridesmaids for me, so not seeing it was never an option. The fact that I love spy spoofs just added incentive.

With so many movies and shows of a similar genre out there, it’s fantastic that Spy managed to keep the spy spoof fresh and hilarious. It’s as crass as Archer, as over-the-top as Get Smart and as unabashed as Austin Powers – but it has a distinct essence all of its own.

The cast has a superb energy; each of them really bouncing off the others in the comedic scenes. Jason Statham is the biggest – and best – surprise as Agent Rick Ford. Of course he’s not new to comedy with the brilliant Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch under his belt, but the way he fuses the tough guy character with the bumbling side-kick is hilarious. Melissa McCarthy’s Susan Cooper is also amazing. Her flair for improvisation and her comedic timing makes her the glue in Spy, holding all of the other characters and the plot together seemingly with ease.

Aside from how hysterically funny Spy is from start to finish, it also has an astounding amount of amazing female characters. Aside from her friend, Nancy, Susan’s boss is a woman who is acerbic as hell without being vilified for it. The main villain that the CIA is keeping under surveillance is female and rather than being out to destroy her at any cost, Susan is able to identify with her when her drink is tampered with. It’s refreshing to see such strong themes of female friendship in Spy.

Spy looks like the kind of movie that would have been incredibly fun to make, and it was just as fun to watch. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that there’s a follow up with all of the original cast members.