Sneaker Fox's Fingersmith Review... In a Word..Lovely

I finished Fingersmith this weekend, and it was great. Sarah Waters is a genius when it comes to dialogue. She captures so much detail and feeling in her dialogue, which really makes this book fly by. I don't know what I was expecting from my first Sarah Waters novel, but I was not expecting such a thrilling second half! The first half is heartwarming and insightful, while the second half is extremely fast paced and thrilling. The plot twists come suddenly and are suprising. I was blind sighted, which does not happen that often. I can't wait to read more books by this author.
The author was born in 1966 and has to date written a total of 4 novels. Her other works include Tipping the Velvet, Affinity, and her newest novel The Night Watch. She has been awarded much critical acclaim for all of her novels both from mainstream media and from the gay and lesbian comunity.
Bottom line.. I can't wait to read her other novels and can only hope they are as detailed and beautiful as Fingersmith. You will love it!

Sources used:
http://www.contemporarywriters.com/authors/?p=auth03a23o034012634831

http://www.sarahwaters.com/biog.htm

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman - November Selection

For the opening book of the Secondhand Book Club, we are going to read The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. It is the first book in the His Dark Materials series and is shadowed by controversy with the opening of the film last year.

Synopsis from book cover:
Lyra Belacqua is content to run wild among the scholars in Jordan Collage, her dæmon familiar always by her side. But the moment she hears hushed talk of Dust, an extraordinary particle, she's drawn to the heart of a terrible struggle—a struggle born of Gobblers and stolen children, witch clans and armored bears. And as she hurtles toward danger in the cold, far North, young Lyra never suspects the shocking truth: her destiny must be fulfilled not in this world, but far beyond.

Editorial reviews:
"Extraordinary storytelling at its very best." —Detroit Free Press

"The Golden Compass is one of the best fantasy/adventure stories that I have read. This is a book no one should miss." —Terry Brooks

"As always, Pullman is a master at combining impeccable characterizations and seamless plotting, maintaining a crackling pace to create scene upon scene of almost unbearable tension. This glittering gem will leave readers of all ages eagerly awaiting the next installment of Lyra's adventures." —Publishers' Weekly