The Love We Share Without Knowing

By Christopher Barzak

ISBN 978-0553385649 (Bantam)
Trade paperback, Nov. 2008

Ten tales of life in Japan – mainly centered around American and Japanese English language teachers. There is an undercurrent of loneliness, despair, death, and occasional supernatural themes. All the stories link to one-another in some fashion.

realer than you- starts off the collection with a ghost helping a lost American child. the suicide club – a window into why a small group of strangers would participate in group suicide …just a sample of the content.

I liked the smatterings of Japanese speech, that remind you where the stories are set.

Overall, I found his writing style lacking in depth/richness compared to my usual reading (SciFi/Fantasy). Despite that, I liked it. It is his second novel, following the award winning “One for Sorrow” – which I may read later.

Blog – http://christopherbarzak.wordpress.com/

Other Reviews:
SCI FI Weekly – http://www.scifi.com/sfw/books/sfw19921.html

The Night Angel Trilogy

by Brent Weeks

1) The Way of Shadows
2) Shadow’s Edge
3) Beyond the Shadows

ISBN 978-1841497402, 1841497419 & 1841497426 (Orbit)
Paperbacks, 2008

The perfect killer has
- no friends, only targets
- no identity, but many faces
- no conscience, just objectives

There is something different about this series.
- a strong cast of lead characters
- a strong cast of supporting characters
- ancient objects of power
- mages and gods
- a blurring between good ‘n’ evil
Brent weaves a rich tapestry of the lives of “kings to be”, and the down-trodden rising to be honoured heroes.

Kylar, the wetboy (assassin), friend & lover, ties it all together. He’s not quite the perfect killer. And, it’s not just his story… 

Terry Brooks (from the back cover):
“I was mesmerized from start to finish. Unforgettable characters, a plot that kept me guessing, non-stop action and the kind of in-depth storytelling that makes me admire a writer’s work”

What more can be said, except… a recommended read

Last words:
It’s really a love story in disguise – get out the tissues for an emotional ending.