Andrew R. ’17 | Harker US Book Blog

The Chase by Clive Cussler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A historical thriller set in 1906, The Chase follows the efforts of master detective Isaac Bell to capture and arrest the Butcher Bandit, a notorious bank robber who cold heartedly murders any witnesses to his crimes. Eventually, as the detective draws closer to his quarry, Bell’s own life is endangered as the outlaw turns his attention to his pursuer. A true page-turner, this novel is difficult to put down; each chapter brings new peril to the protagonist and his assistants. In addition, the author includes extraordinary detail, extensively describing each new character in a way that ultimately enriches the novel. While I normally dislike romantic books, the few love scenes did not bother me or distract from the action, and sometimes even added to the suspense. Fans of detective or suspense stories will enjoy The Chase, whether or not they normally read historical fiction. – Andrew R. ’17

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The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The Color of Magic is merely a gateway into Terry Pratchett’s wildly popular Discworld series, but it is certainly not his strongest or smoothest novel. The plot follows Rincewind, an incompetent and cowardly wizard, as he leads the tourist Twoflower on a tour of the Discworld. As the entire story takes place on a flat world that balances precariously on the backs of four celestial elephants, it’s easy to predict that the book’s storyline will be hectic and eccentric. Unfortunately, this randomness is the novel’s downfall. Sudden plot twists and rushed battle scenes confuse and ultimately distract the reader from Pratchett’s witty writing. Overall, while avid readers of fantasy may enjoy this book, it is really only worth as an introduction to the subsequent and higher-quality Discworld titles, none of which need to be read in any particular order. – Andrew R. ‘17

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