The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay - Michael Chabon (Book Club II: Electric Bookaloo)

In a word: brilliant.

Kavalier, a Polish Jew obsessed with Houdini, escapes Nazi rule - leaving his family behind - and comes to America where he meets his cousin Clay, a comic-obsessed young American Jew with polio-shrivelled legs. The two conspire to create a comic book hero "The Escapist" who can do all of the things they wish they could. Funny, fascinating, often heartbreaking, you won't want to put this book down. I know I didn't.

A Game of Thrones - George R.R. Martin

The first in the series: A Song of Ice and Fire. I actually started this book in December and had to return it to the library when I was halfway done. When I tried to buy my own copy, it was sold out. Luckily Melly gave it to me for Christmas/Birthday.

It was nice to find a new fantasy author who writes well (and doesn't resort to all the stereotypes). I don't think I'll ever love his books as much as my favorites but I enjoyed both the storyline and the characters.

The book focuses on a family, the Starks; Mother, Father, two daughters, three sons, and one bastard son. Their story is interwoven with the tale of the new King and his family, the deposed king's descendants living across the ocean, and the beginning of several wars that none of them really sought.

Legends II - Edited by Robert Silverberg

New short novels by the masters of modern fantasy.

Realm of the Elderlings: Homecomming - Robin Hobb

A dark and enthralling look at colonization in a new world.

A Song of Ice and Fire: The Sworn Sword - George R.R. Martin

The continuing story of Ser Dunk and Egg. A good read of standard fantasy.

The Tales of Alvin Maker: The Yazoo Queen - Orson Scott Card

I disliked the tale of Alvin Maker in the first "Legends" book so much that I didn't even read this one.

Outlander: Lord John and the Succubus - Diana Gabaldon

Too much sex to be real fantasy. (Although I did enjoy that the main character was gay, it was unexpected and refreshing.) The storyline itself was quite interesting. Somewhere between romance and fantasy and murder mystery.

Majipoor: The Book of Changes - Robert Silverberg

How did he come to the decision on who is, in fact, a master of modern fantasy since he his own stories in both books? I was fairly bored by the story of a captive poet, a poor little rich boy tale.

Otherland: The Happiest Dead Boy in the World - Tad Williams

Fascinating. A dead boy lives on in some kind of Cyberspace chasing a woman who claims he impregnated her (maybe, I'm not quite sure). I didn't follow parts of the story but enjoyed it notheless.

Pern: Beyond Between - Anne McCaffrey

A short and sweet story of bonding between rider and dragon.

The Riftwar: The Messenger - Raymond E. Feist

A small scale story, but interesting and well written. I even felt ill and exhausted when the main character did.

The Symphony of Ages - Elizaberth Haydon

A story of endings, hope, martyrdom and deception. I would like to find other books by her, since I have never even heard of this "master of modern fantasy".

American Gods: The Monarch of the Glen - Neil Gaiman

Much like American Gods; I have the same complaints of detachement from Shadow.

Shannara: Indomitable - Terry Brooks

It was okay, but not great, athough someone who had read the book that this is an add on too might have enjoyed it more. For some reason the name Kimber fills me with irrational irritation.