The Queen of the South (2002) Arturo Pérez-Reverte
Translated by Andrew Hurley
If you’d like to know the power of Arturo Pérez-Reverte’s writing, pick up this book, read a few pages, then put the book down and try to forget the story.
A couple of months ago I picked up a book, thought it looked interesting, but [...]

Watchmen (1987) Alan Moore
So, after so many people recommended it to me, I feel guilty saying it. But. I didn’t like Watchmen. Not at all.
I’m not saying it isn’t good, and it isn’t compelling, because it is, on both counts, I’m just saying I didn’t like it. I kept wishing it was over but I [...]

The Innkeeper’s Song (1993) Peter S. Beagle
I read The Innkeeper’s Song several years ago–probably soon after it was published, and I picked it up solely on the strength of its cover. I’m a sucker for fantasy books with strong females, and the three women on the cover–especially Lal on the left–look strong. Well, I wasn’t [...]

The Flanders Panel (1990) Arturo Perez-Reverte
Translated by Margaret Jull Costa
I enjoyed The Fencing Master so much that I picked up The Flanders Panel and two other of Arturo Perez-Reverte’s books to read, in the hopes that I would like them just as well.
While restoring the painting “The Game of Chess” Julia discovers a hidden line [...]

Across the Wall (2005) Garth Nix
I absolutely loved Sabriel. The rest of the Abhorsen trilogy was good, but Sabriel was fantastic. So I am prepared to give anything written by Garth Nix a chance.
I picked up Across the Wall for two reasons. First, because I like his writing, and second, because this is a short [...]