Wormwood
Registered by carlissa of Gainesville, Florida USA on 1/4/2008
This book is in a Controlled Release!
This book is in a Controlled Release!
7 journalers for this copy...
Synopsis (from Barnes & Noble)
G. P. Taylor's epic follow-up to the bestselling Shadowmancer
Panic fills the streets of London on a night in 1756 when the earth suddenly lurches forward and starts spinning out of control. Within moments, eleven days and nights flash through the sky, finally leaving the city in total darkness. Is the end of the world at hand?
Agetta Lamian fears so. She's the young housemaid of Dr. Sabian Blake, a scientist who has recently acquired the Nemorensis, the legendary book said to unlock the secrets of the universe. And what he sees through his telescope confirms what he has read: This disaster is only a sign of things to come. Agetta overhears Dr. Blake's prophecy that a star called Wormwood is headed towards London, where it will fall from the sky and strike a fatal blow.
Dr. Blake believes the comet will either end the world as he knows it or hearken a new age of scientific and spiritual enlightenment. But whatever the outcome, he must cope with the madness that grows in London as the comet approaches -- as well as with his fears that the Nemorensis' power could be clouding his own reason and drawing dangerous spirits to his door. Soon even Agetta seems to have been seduced by the book, and whom she ultimately delivers it to will determine much more than just her fate.
G. P. Taylor has woven another thrilling tale of Good vs. Evil, where fallen angels and dark spirits vie for allegiance during a time of treachery and deceit.
----
9 CDs, Unabridged, read by Davina Porter
G. P. Taylor's epic follow-up to the bestselling Shadowmancer
Panic fills the streets of London on a night in 1756 when the earth suddenly lurches forward and starts spinning out of control. Within moments, eleven days and nights flash through the sky, finally leaving the city in total darkness. Is the end of the world at hand?
Agetta Lamian fears so. She's the young housemaid of Dr. Sabian Blake, a scientist who has recently acquired the Nemorensis, the legendary book said to unlock the secrets of the universe. And what he sees through his telescope confirms what he has read: This disaster is only a sign of things to come. Agetta overhears Dr. Blake's prophecy that a star called Wormwood is headed towards London, where it will fall from the sky and strike a fatal blow.
Dr. Blake believes the comet will either end the world as he knows it or hearken a new age of scientific and spiritual enlightenment. But whatever the outcome, he must cope with the madness that grows in London as the comet approaches -- as well as with his fears that the Nemorensis' power could be clouding his own reason and drawing dangerous spirits to his door. Soon even Agetta seems to have been seduced by the book, and whom she ultimately delivers it to will determine much more than just her fate.
G. P. Taylor has woven another thrilling tale of Good vs. Evil, where fallen angels and dark spirits vie for allegiance during a time of treachery and deceit.
----
9 CDs, Unabridged, read by Davina Porter
Pulled out of Carlissa's Audio CD-only BookBox.
This was another one that I just couldn't get through, peering maybe three of the nine discs; maybe I'll try again later, because audio books seem to come around again frequently.
It's time to set this one free -- enjoy!Putting this into a CD only audio book box.
Might keep this one; haven't decided yet.
Started listening today.
Finished yesterday.
Book Description from Amazon.com:
London, 1756. Panic fills the streets when the earth suddenly lurches forward and starts spinning out of control. Within moments, eleven days and nights flash through the sky, finally leaving the city in total darkness. Is the end of the world at hand? Agetta Lamian fears so. She’s the young housemaid of Dr. Sabian Blake, a scientist who has recently acquired the Nemorensis, the legendary book said to unlock the secrets of the universe. Then Agetta overhears Dr. Blake’s prophecy: a comet called Wormwood is headed toward London. . . .
It was hard to place this story in time. Taylor's descriptions of location were very atmospheric and effective, but his ability to summon up the details of household life was sadly lacking. When I read it, I tended to picture a 19th century London, the sort of dim city with smoggy alleys stalked by Jack the Ripper that you see in cheesy documentaries about serial killers. I'm not sure why. The book clearly states that this is set in 1756. But there's nothing definite to set it in this year...I don't remember the Royal Family being named, for example, or other traceable facts being slipped into the story. Events are merely taking place in a vague Past. I guess that's not important, but it kept me from becoming deeply engrossed in the novel.
Characterization was another big weakness of Wormwood. It was either non-existent or inconsistent. Our heroine, Agetta, seemed to be all over the map. She's introduced as a wily maid who steals constantly from her master and is capable of being quite clever, but she's also extremely gullible and constantly being tricked by the dastardly villains. Speaking of villains, there's an awful lot of them. There's a huge cast of secondary characters, and keeping track of all of them was quite confusing at times.
The biggest problem of all was that the book, quite simply, is boring. Conversations are tedious, the supernatural characters are clunky and uninteresting, and the story flows slower than a peanut butter river. The climax is completely dull, but then the story never seemed to be building towards one in the first place. It's just word vomit grimly marching forward to no point at all.
One positive note: Davina Porter is always a lovely narrator.
Book Description from Amazon.com:
London, 1756. Panic fills the streets when the earth suddenly lurches forward and starts spinning out of control. Within moments, eleven days and nights flash through the sky, finally leaving the city in total darkness. Is the end of the world at hand? Agetta Lamian fears so. She’s the young housemaid of Dr. Sabian Blake, a scientist who has recently acquired the Nemorensis, the legendary book said to unlock the secrets of the universe. Then Agetta overhears Dr. Blake’s prophecy: a comet called Wormwood is headed toward London. . . .
It was hard to place this story in time. Taylor's descriptions of location were very atmospheric and effective, but his ability to summon up the details of household life was sadly lacking. When I read it, I tended to picture a 19th century London, the sort of dim city with smoggy alleys stalked by Jack the Ripper that you see in cheesy documentaries about serial killers. I'm not sure why. The book clearly states that this is set in 1756. But there's nothing definite to set it in this year...I don't remember the Royal Family being named, for example, or other traceable facts being slipped into the story. Events are merely taking place in a vague Past. I guess that's not important, but it kept me from becoming deeply engrossed in the novel.
Characterization was another big weakness of Wormwood. It was either non-existent or inconsistent. Our heroine, Agetta, seemed to be all over the map. She's introduced as a wily maid who steals constantly from her master and is capable of being quite clever, but she's also extremely gullible and constantly being tricked by the dastardly villains. Speaking of villains, there's an awful lot of them. There's a huge cast of secondary characters, and keeping track of all of them was quite confusing at times.
The biggest problem of all was that the book, quite simply, is boring. Conversations are tedious, the supernatural characters are clunky and uninteresting, and the story flows slower than a peanut butter river. The climax is completely dull, but then the story never seemed to be building towards one in the first place. It's just word vomit grimly marching forward to no point at all.
One positive note: Davina Porter is always a lovely narrator.
Journal Entry 8 by k00kaburra at -- Bookbox, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Released 13 yrs ago (3/9/2011 UTC) at -- Bookbox, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Added to indygo88's CD Audio Bookbox!
My son plucked this from the bookbox for me because it was one of a few books not rubber-banded or touching rubberbands or copied (ie not original disks; I do not support pirated literature or music.) I have a horrible latex allergy (as in I stop breathing), and was frustrated that so many of the boxes has something that could kill me on them. Anyhow, he wiped the box down and gave it to me to check over. I look forward to listening to it at some point in the future -- I'm doing an audio re-read of the Wheel of Time series and am finishing book 5 (out of 13, with the 14th due out in 2012.)
Turned out not to be to my taste. Didn't finish. Am passing on now in Booklady331's CD only box.
Will go with other CDs to the next CD box recipient.
my dad chose this from the CD only audiobox. He was excited to peruse the box as a 4th of July holiday treat. Thanks for sharing!
going into BigJohn Lefty's awesome boookbox :)
my dad says it made his commute go by quickly
my dad says it made his commute go by quickly
Taking out of BigJohnLefty's Audio Bookbox. I've seen this book around a lot and it looks like something I'll enjoy, so I'm happy to be able to give it a shot. Thanks!
I registered a copy of this book years ago for an animal-related themed release. I had a hard time placing the book as far as genre. Was it sci fi/fantasy? Historical fiction? Drama/literature? Young adult lit? So when I came across this book in an audio bookbox, I decided to give it a try so that I could find out. Problem is, I earread all 9 discs and I still have no idea.
There are a lot of characters in this story and a plot that jumps around among them but is revealed a little at a time. All the jumping makes the overall storyline sort of hard to get invested in. You'd think that in a story where a comet is heading toward England where it will not only kill thousands but change the course of history because of a prophecy, the story would be engaging enough to follow. But I just couldn't get interested. I kept waiting for the moment where I would start caring or start really understanding what was going on. That moment never came.
The story just felt like it was all over the place. Agata gets put under the spell of some crazy woman. There's a fallen angel whose wings get defeathered. There's a guy obsessing over a book of spells and prophecies that seem to be coming to pass. There's another guy obsessed with the same book. And characters keep introducing themselves to each other so you learn their defining characteristics again and again. "This is an angel, but he doesn't have wings. I have to find my friend." "You have to find your friend with this angel?" "Yes, I am with this angel and have to find my friend so I can give him this book." "Hi, I'm Agata's friend. Can I have the book? And who is this?" "This is an angel. he helped me find you. but I suddenly don't want to tell you where the book is. And suddenly I don't think you're my friend." "Hi, I'm an angel and I helped Agata find you but now I don't trust you, even though we just met." ARGH! *flail* Seriously, I had such a hard time trying to figure out motivations because the characters just gave me the same thing over and over and then changed at the drop of a hat because of magic or what-not.
One thing that was interesting was the magic vs. religion vs. science theme throughout. Except that the characters come right out and say these things, instead of just cleverly hinting and exploring the theme. I did like the basic concept, with the guardian angels and a book that sucks people in and controls them. I liked the idea of fallen angels descending to a lower state of being, where the only option is turning into a monster as a punishment for falling from grace. There were lots of little details that were interesting. The problem was that the ideas and little moments weren't strung together with interesting characters or good plot. What a shame.
A search online says that this book is part of a series. I don't think I'll be searching out others in the series, even if they might help explain what was trying to happen in this book.
There are a lot of characters in this story and a plot that jumps around among them but is revealed a little at a time. All the jumping makes the overall storyline sort of hard to get invested in. You'd think that in a story where a comet is heading toward England where it will not only kill thousands but change the course of history because of a prophecy, the story would be engaging enough to follow. But I just couldn't get interested. I kept waiting for the moment where I would start caring or start really understanding what was going on. That moment never came.
The story just felt like it was all over the place. Agata gets put under the spell of some crazy woman. There's a fallen angel whose wings get defeathered. There's a guy obsessing over a book of spells and prophecies that seem to be coming to pass. There's another guy obsessed with the same book. And characters keep introducing themselves to each other so you learn their defining characteristics again and again. "This is an angel, but he doesn't have wings. I have to find my friend." "You have to find your friend with this angel?" "Yes, I am with this angel and have to find my friend so I can give him this book." "Hi, I'm Agata's friend. Can I have the book? And who is this?" "This is an angel. he helped me find you. but I suddenly don't want to tell you where the book is. And suddenly I don't think you're my friend." "Hi, I'm an angel and I helped Agata find you but now I don't trust you, even though we just met." ARGH! *flail* Seriously, I had such a hard time trying to figure out motivations because the characters just gave me the same thing over and over and then changed at the drop of a hat because of magic or what-not.
One thing that was interesting was the magic vs. religion vs. science theme throughout. Except that the characters come right out and say these things, instead of just cleverly hinting and exploring the theme. I did like the basic concept, with the guardian angels and a book that sucks people in and controls them. I liked the idea of fallen angels descending to a lower state of being, where the only option is turning into a monster as a punishment for falling from grace. There were lots of little details that were interesting. The problem was that the ideas and little moments weren't strung together with interesting characters or good plot. What a shame.
A search online says that this book is part of a series. I don't think I'll be searching out others in the series, even if they might help explain what was trying to happen in this book.
I Pulled this from Booklady331's Audio bookbox.
This is going into BigJohnLefty's audio bookbox.
