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songwind's review against another edition
4.0
In an alternate earth where the world's magic gets concentrated into the bones of living things, California is an independent nation. The fossils of the La Brea tar pits have insured its power and prosperity.
It's ruled by a Hierarch, an incredibly ancient osteomancer who rules by power and fear.
Daniel Blackland's father is a powerful osteomancer himself, and initiates Daniel into the ways of power at an early age. However, he's killed and his bones consumed in one of the Hierarch's purges.
Daniel is left to grow up mostly on his own, under the care of his "uncle" Otis, a criminal ringleader.
When an insider comes to Otis with information about how they can hit the Hierarch's personal stash of bones, Daniel and his crew can't help but take the chance.
I really enjoyed this magical heist caper. However, the narrator for the audio book was terrible. He paused for a long time after every single sentence. He also inserted strange pauses, and inflections that didn't match the meaning of the sentences. I'll probably read the rest of Daniel Blackland's story - but not as an audio book.
It's ruled by a Hierarch, an incredibly ancient osteomancer who rules by power and fear.
Daniel Blackland's father is a powerful osteomancer himself, and initiates Daniel into the ways of power at an early age. However, he's killed and his bones consumed in one of the Hierarch's purges.
Daniel is left to grow up mostly on his own, under the care of his "uncle" Otis, a criminal ringleader.
When an insider comes to Otis with information about how they can hit the Hierarch's personal stash of bones, Daniel and his crew can't help but take the chance.
I really enjoyed this magical heist caper. However, the narrator for the audio book was terrible. He paused for a long time after every single sentence. He also inserted strange pauses, and inflections that didn't match the meaning of the sentences. I'll probably read the rest of Daniel Blackland's story - but not as an audio book.
kshanafelt's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely a fun read and an interesting story/magic system. The parallel between bone and oil is a little too obvious for me, but is a nice sentiment. The plot is forced in a few places, but an interesting story all-in-all.
geekwayne's review against another edition
3.0
'California Bones' by Greg Van Eekhout is the first in an urban fantasy series about gaining strange powers by consuming bones of powerful creatures. It was the December book for my book club. I enjoyed it, even though it was a pretty light read.
I liked the caper related aspects and the alternate version of LA with it's canals, and famous powerful people still alive through the powers of wizardry (or as it's known in this book, osteomancy).
The world doesn't feel fully fleshed out though. The LA in this book feels like it was written from the perspective of someone who lives in the valley. I wanted more multicultural aspect, but maybe those folks were smart and fled when the wizards starting warring.
I liked it well enough that I would consider reading more in the series.
I liked the caper related aspects and the alternate version of LA with it's canals, and famous powerful people still alive through the powers of wizardry (or as it's known in this book, osteomancy).
The world doesn't feel fully fleshed out though. The LA in this book feels like it was written from the perspective of someone who lives in the valley. I wanted more multicultural aspect, but maybe those folks were smart and fled when the wizards starting warring.
I liked it well enough that I would consider reading more in the series.
jesslynh's review against another edition
5.0
It's been a really long time since I was forced to stay up past my bedtime because I couldn't put a book down. This one made me do it.
I loved the worldbuilding. Even though the entire book was set in Los Angeles, we get a glimpse of how this alternate world is much like, but unlike our today. Being a Los Angelina, I loved the historical figures that were featured in the book.
And, oh, the magic.... It was as fascinating as it was creepy and made sense.
I hope this was the beginning of a trilogy and/or that we see more of this world. I'm off to see what else Mr. Van Eekhout has written.
Highly recommended read.
EDIT 2/6/15 - Still as good as the 1st time.
I loved the worldbuilding. Even though the entire book was set in Los Angeles, we get a glimpse of how this alternate world is much like, but unlike our today. Being a Los Angelina, I loved the historical figures that were featured in the book.
And, oh, the magic.... It was as fascinating as it was creepy and made sense.
I hope this was the beginning of a trilogy and/or that we see more of this world. I'm off to see what else Mr. Van Eekhout has written.
Highly recommended read.
EDIT 2/6/15 - Still as good as the 1st time.
carriethis's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this. Celebrating that I found Eekhout's books - his humor, writing style, characters, creativity. Everything I look for in a novel.
zuercher's review against another edition
4.0
Magic and a heist in old school LA. Never wanted to put it down.
Plus any book with the line "It was said the Mouse had its own enemies list" has to go on the reading list.
Plus any book with the line "It was said the Mouse had its own enemies list" has to go on the reading list.
geekyawesomejen's review against another edition
4.0
I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did.
branch_c's review against another edition
4.0
This is a tight, solid story with a cast of fantastic and creatively eccentric characters. But it's the setting that really makes the book stand out: an absolutely brilliant reimagining of Los Angeles that blends sorcery with technology and real history with alternate reality.
If I had to find fault with this book, it would be that the plot is actually fairly straightforward, with the kinds of twists and turns you'd expect from a well constructed heist movie. Also there's certainly some over the top gruesomeness where the villains are involved.
But there are plenty of moments where the plot rises above average, including some truly surprising turns of events, and the unpleasantness is in service of making the bad guys bad enough, so no real complaints there.
The characters manage to strike that perfect balance where the reader can take them seriously when they get into life and death situations while often laughing at their wisecracking and improbable stunts.
A well done and enjoyable book.
If I had to find fault with this book, it would be that the plot is actually fairly straightforward, with the kinds of twists and turns you'd expect from a well constructed heist movie. Also there's certainly some over the top gruesomeness where the villains are involved.
But there are plenty of moments where the plot rises above average, including some truly surprising turns of events, and the unpleasantness is in service of making the bad guys bad enough, so no real complaints there.
The characters manage to strike that perfect balance where the reader can take them seriously when they get into life and death situations while often laughing at their wisecracking and improbable stunts.
A well done and enjoyable book.
plusrich's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars.
Woo! Finished just before the library checkout expired. Was considering putting my device into airplane mode to see if I could hang onto it a little longer but didn't need to as there was an excerpt from the next book in the series hiding in the Acknowledgements.
This was good, but... Portions of the caper were dull. The triumph seemed to easy when it came. The main character was not fully invested with agency. Things happened to him more than he made purposeful choices and that makes for a less satisfying arc.
And despite that and the gruesomeness, I enjoyed the trip.
Woo! Finished just before the library checkout expired. Was considering putting my device into airplane mode to see if I could hang onto it a little longer but didn't need to as there was an excerpt from the next book in the series hiding in the Acknowledgements.
This was good, but... Portions of the caper were dull. The triumph seemed to easy when it came. The main character was not fully invested with agency. Things happened to him more than he made purposeful choices and that makes for a less satisfying arc.
And despite that and the gruesomeness, I enjoyed the trip.