La piedra de fuego: thriller perfecto para los amantes de la ciencia y la historia

Desde que leí La llave del destino, Glenn Cooper pasó a ser un escritor activo en mi biblioteca. Recomiendo empezar con esa novela para cogerle pasión a su estilo. Al conocer que había publicado LA PIEDRA DE FUEGO (The Resurrection Maker), la tentación de leer sus últimas ideas fue abrumadora. 

Debo reconocer que no ha sido una trama tan efervescente como la otra, pero la he disfrutado enormemente debido a varios aspectos. Por ejemplo, el Santo Grial, su búsqueda eterna es siempre un buen motivo para remover las páginas de la Historia de la humanidad y encontrar múltiples tesoros en cuestión de conocimientos, aventuras y horrores.

La piedra de fuego está protagonizada por un físico que se ve abocado sin quererlo a una carrera a vida o muerte en pos del descubrimiento más esquivo: el Santo Grial. Forma parte de un círculo de amigos obsesionados con este objeto. Después de todo, es descendiente de Thomas Malory, autor de La muerte de Arturo. A raíz de un crimen espantoso, su única salvación reside en encontrar lo que nadie ha logrado en dos mil años. Se aliará con una física francesa para seguir las pistas imposibles mientras viaja de un lugar a otro del planeta perseguido por una organización criminal tan milenaria como el artefacto.

Conciso y ágil, el estilo narrativo del autor acumula tensión creciente gracias a los avances constantes en la trama. Es de esos que hace que se pasen páginas con avidez por descubrir la próxima revelación. He estado muy pendiente de la forma en que se encadenaban los códigos y la manera de los protagonistas para resolverlos. Han hecho alarde de su inteligencia y conocimientos, tanto científicos como históricos, para asociar datos en apariencia inconexos y arrojar luz sobre temas oscurísimos. Desde prospecciones en busca de metales enterrados hasta la insondable materia oscura, pasando por libros del calibre de Domesday, mercenarios en la nómina de grupos clandestinos de gran poder y búsquedas milenarias de mitos religiosos, la novela alberga muchos elementos que enganchan e ilustran.

Otro acierto que a mí siempre me conquista es la alternancia de épocas. Hay escenas del pasado que se entremezclan con la actualidad, un punto que no sólo proporciona una perspectiva más completa y minuciosa de la trama, sino que se agradece por la cantidad de cosas que se descubren.

Me da la sensación de que la historia tiene cierto tono frívolo en un gran porcentaje. Casi presiento que el autor no se ha tomado a sus personajes actuales demasiado en serio hasta el final, salvo a las figuras históricas que tienen todo el peso de sucesos de suma gravedad. Toma figuras emblemáticas, incluyendo a Jesús y Gaudí, y confiere un ángulo nuevo a sus legendarias vivencias.

Thomas Malory y el rey Arturo son las figuras preeminentes cuyas hazañas y sufrimientos vemos en primera persona. Jamás me habría imaginado lo que llegó a vivir el autor de La muerte de Arturo, pero tantos años en prisión por razones más que dudosas son un destino terrible. Eso sí, gracias a ello el mundo disfruta de otra joya literaria para la posteridad.

Glenn Cooper escribe historias modernas sobre enigmas antiguos con la misma perspicacia que Dan Brown, aunque a diferencia de éste suele acometer la empresa con mayor ligereza. Curiosamente, el autor se permite un guiño claramente burlón hacia el archifamoso autor. Me pregunto si Dan lo sabe...

No suele abusar de grandes parrafadas rebosantes de datos, por tanto se puede decir que escribe thrillers sobre ruedas. Especialmente en la primera parte, en la que los dos primeros capítulos son espléndidos, luego en el grueso de la novela se centra en desarrollar los hechos históricos y presentar la investigación académica de la pareja protagonista. Finalmente, las cien páginas que culminan este thriller son increíblemente reveladoras tanto por las teorías científicas tan descabelladas como provocadoras, como por la forma en que intenta aunar la historia y la religión.

En definitiva, una historia que combina ciencia, religión y enigmas de una forma entretenida, con un final a lo James Bond que me ha dejado con la incógnita de si el autor pretende escribir una continuación o simplemente quería darme un ictus.

LA PIEDRA DE FUEGO GLENN COOPER Grijalbo Tapa flexible sin solapas 430 págs. Thriller histórico-científico 2014 Título original: The Resurrection Maker Relación calidad/precio: 20 pellizcos Caro, aunque está muy bien documentado Web de Glenn

¿Habéis leído alguno de los libros de este autor? Aún tengo pendiente su trilogía de la biblioteca, pero tengo muchas esperanzas en ella.

Babel le quita el polvo a un cuenco sospechosamente antiguo.

Portadas que merecen premios + Stormling + sorteo

Buenos días, arrebatadores, julio está llegando a su fin y yo ya siento las vacaciones cosquilleándome en la piel. Estoy emocionadísima. ¿Qué tal lleváis la libertad?

Me gustaría empezar la entrada de hoy con un desfile de los libros que son prioridad en mi Wishlist. Tengo decidido comprarlos en un futuro cercano en tapa dura porque... son una auténtica preciosidad. Tienen unas historias de lo más intrigantes y originales y sus portadas merecen premios. ¿Qué pensáis vosotras?

Me recuerda a La selección. La postura refleja vulnerabilidad y esos cristales en forma de rosa que reflejan a la protagonista hasta el infinito dan la sensación de que la trama va a ser enrevesada y ominosa.

¿A que se parece a Bella? Jajajaja, menos mal que la cara de pocos amigos, el cuervo y esa daga prometen un misterio con mucha caña.

Sobria y terrorífica al mismo tiempo, ¿verdad? Me encanta el detalle de la corona invertida.

Otra daga en manos de una mujer de armas tomar. Me quito el sombrero ante las joyas y esa melenaza salvaje.

Un sublime homenaje a la capilla Sixtina. ¡Y va de fantasmas y amor prohibido!

Magia, laberintos, misterio... y ese título tan maravilloso.

Qué fuente tan bonita para esta novela sobre genios de la lámpara.

Mundos paralelos, Rusia y esa portada doble. Fantástica.

Casi me da la sensación de que podría leer mi futuro en esa taza...

La historia de Aurora y la malvada bruja. Y la autora me encanta.

***

Tour schedule

La segunda parte de la entrada de hoy está dedicada a una novela sobre una piedra mágica que puede destruir el mundo al que ha ido a parar por error: la Tierra, en manos de Ophelia. Magia, ciencia-ficción y fantasía. No suena mal :o)

 STORMLING

(Stormling #1)

In an age when Stormlings have only known peacetime, one man’s desperate action threatens not only the stability of the mystical world of Mordana, but Earth as well.

Teenager Ophelia Drewe discovers a jewel that has been lost from its homeworld, and whilst she thinks she can keep it, demonic forces believe otherwise.

She’s not alone, but who can she trust? The head Stormling, Anadyr, hasn’t been to the Earth in 500 years, but go there he must – if the jewel is not returned, it will destroy both Ophelia’s world and his own…

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John Hennessy

John Hennessy is a young adult / new adult novelist whose works to date have been Dark Winter (published 2013), a paranormal horror thriller, and Stormling, an epic swords and magic (and cookies) fantasy. The first short story he ever wrote brought together Fagan, Lizzie Bennet, Sherlock Holmes and Dracula, which despite impressing his long suffering English teacher, thankfully remains unpublished. For recreation he will visit paranormal hotspots, but prefers to write about ghosts rather than meet them. He also believes almost any problem can be overcome so long as there is an inexhaustible supply of tea and biscuits. He has also written the non-fiction title The Essence of Martial Arts (published 2011), and released The Essence of Martial Arts: Special Edition, in 2014.

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Excerpt by John Hennessy

“Father, we can go, can’t we? Please? Don’t you want to see who will win today?”

Aldyr Veroynne knelt down in front of his son, and placed his hands on the boy’s shoulders, squeezing them gently with firm hands.

“Anadyr, please, give it a rest. That would be six days in a row. We know who is going to win, anyway. You don’t need to come along. Just know that the winner is always someone from Mill’An Draythe.”

“Still, the Easterners come,” said Anadyr. “I must go to see how they fight, so that when I have the glory to represent my land, I know how to win.”

Anadyr had been just ten years of age when he became involved in his first fight, against another young Stormling, as it happened. At first, it seemed like the bigger and older Stormling would win, and had far too much strength for Anadyr.

During the fray, Anadyr connected with few blows, but could not knock his bigger opponent down. Then, with a swift kick to his mid-section, Anadyr’s strength left him, and he rolled into a ball on the ground, one hand clutching his stomach, the other, keeping his hair from covering his eyes.

The sun was blocked out by the shadow of the Stormling standing over him, who must was five years his senior.

“Loser?” he inquired.

“You wish,” replied Anadyr, who sat up, and clapped his hands three times together before placing them on the ground, one hand either side of him.

“I don’t need applause from a loser,” said the bigger Stormling.

“That wasn’t applause,” replied the young Anadyr.

Suddenly, the ground started to shake all around them, the bigger Stormling’s smug look of apparent victory was erased by the tremors on the ground, and the almost instantaneous appearance of black clouds that filled the sky.

A few moments later, the clouds burst and soaked only the bigger Stormling and his crew of friends, whilst Anadyr stood laughing at them. The group started to run, but the rain lashed them in every way, from both sides, from above, and even as they ran into the ground which became ever more sodden, until they fell face forward.

“Why isn’t it raining on you?” the biggest one screamed. “You’re in league with the Lord of Monus! Say it isn’t so, for Stormlings don’t lie.”

Anadyr smiled and leaned over his sodden nemesis, who he was merely toying with.

“That’s right, Stormlings don’t lie, and I am not in league with anyone. So! Are you a loser?”

The bigger Stormling seethed. “So it would seem. Just make the damned rain stop. Who are you, boy?”

Anadyr clicked his fingers and rested his fists on the top of his hips.

“I am Anadyr Veroynne, and I command the Storms. The wind, the rain, the clouds all answer to me, and as for you….I will have your allegiance.”

The other Stormlings mumbled, saying they would not answer to some preppy brat, but the one who had hit Anadyr, stood up and bowed to him.

“I am good with a sword, but my true prowess lies with the double daggers. My skill is such that I could skim the sweat off a faerie’s wings. If you ever need my help, you shall have it, although…one who can bend the Storms to his will, surely has no need for an edged weapon.”

“Not so,” said Anadyr. “In fact, I practise with a longsword twelve hours a day. What is your name?”

“Kirnosst. Though my sword wielding days are at an end. I’m being sent to Firetop to learn, watch and ultimately take over from Aynara. Unlike us, she’s not an immortal, but I suppose your father told you that already.”

Anadyr nodded emphatically to show he knew about Aynara’s supposed mortality, but no-one knew when her time would end. There were none like her on Mordana.

Aldyr Veryonne was none-too-impressed with his son’s handling of things. “You wanted him to knock you down, so that you could show off, isn’t that so? The truth now, Anadyr.”

“I just wanted to show I wasn’t afraid of them. If I can instil fear into the heart of my enemies, maybe I can bend them to my way of thinking, as easily as I do the storms.”

“You are just a boy, Anadyr. You are too young to have enemies.”

“Didn’t you say that those East of the Wisty River are our enemies?”

“Well, yes, but I don’t see what that has to do with anything.”

“It’s got everything to do with it,” said Anadyr. “That’s why I want to go see the fight today. The Lord of Monus sends a Tryer from the Mordis Mountains, or from the heart of Caldreah itself.”

“Yes, Anadyr, but the point is-”

“The point is, Father, that today’s Tryer is from AnnanGhorst, and that makes things very interesting. I have never seen a ShadowWraith, much less seen you fight one. Tell me you’ll take me, please!”

Aldyr sighed. Putting combatants from the East out of their misery is something he loved to do, but a ShadowWraith of AnnanGhorst was different. Even the weakest of their kind were not to be taken lightly. Even if the Wraith lost, it would be most likely sent to the Island of Dead Skin, where Andus Rey, ruler of Caldreah Monus and a Stormling himself, ran his own sick tournament, where combatants often had to fight to the death.

Having a Wraith enter the fray was no battle at all. Under Rey’s watch, they would win, and win easily. Aldyr let out another sigh. He was considering throwing the match, even though this was illegal.

“Alright Anadyr, I’ll take you. But whatever happens, you come straight back home. That’s an order.”

“I will, Father. I will,” said Anadyr, who could not believe there would be any other outcome but a clear and decisive victory for his father, who was a skilled swordsman and had been known to dabble in magic.

ShadowWraiths were difficult adversaries for all sorts of reasons. Although they were scary to look at, it was more a case of what you couldn’t see, rather than what you could.

There were all sorts of rumours about them, which, outside of AnnanGhorst, became the very fabric of legend.

Some would say that there actually were no ShadowWraiths, but that it was Rey himself, who would come to test himself against the foes of Monus.

Others believed the Wraiths did have a face, but it was one so terrible to view, that one would die of fright from resting innocent eyes on their hateful faces.

Still others believed that the ShadowWraiths could not be killed, and one had to have a death wish if standing against them. But everyone who knew Aldyr Veroynne believed that he must know how to defeat a ShadowWraith.

As expected, there was a great throng of people in the town centre. They gathered round the platform, which stood some twenty feet from the ground. The ShadowWraith was already on the platform as Aldyr and Anadyr arrived.

As they walked, Aldyr beamed smiles and waved to everyone. They had come to see him triumph, which would be his thirty-eigth win in a row. The ShadowWraiths had triumphed every time to date, but the locals felt it was time one of their own succeeded.

The Wraith extended a bony finger towards Aldyr, and beckoned him to stand on the platform with him.

“Remember Anadyr,” whispered his father, “whatever happens, you will return home. Understood?”

“Yes Father, of course,” said Anadyr, who was surprised his father was making so much of this battle. Winning fights is what Aldyr Veroynne was all about. ‘He’s just more fodder from AnnanGhorst, who will slink back to that hellhole when my father’s through with him,’ thought Anadyr.

Whilst Anadyr watched the two men line up, a third man, the one who usually judged the battles, pulled himself up onto the platform, and from underneath his robes he produced a rather large wooden box. An omnious gasp came out from the crowd. “What? What is it?” said the young Stormling. Anadyr craned his neck to see what the commotion was.

The judge extended his arms to the crowd. “Today’s battle is a red match. In this box are two weapons from the challenger’s province of AnnanGhorst. The fighter who represents us has agreed to the terms, and will use the weapon provided to him.”

Anadyr nudged the man next to him. “What is it? What is a red match?”

The man solemnly shook his head. “It means that this is not for children’s eyes. They will fight to the death.”

SORTEO / GIVEAWAY TIME

INTERNATIONAL PRIZE

a Rafflecopter giveaway

¿Qué os parece mi selección exclusiva? Y no os olvidéis de participar en el sorteo, es internacional.

Babel con muchos planes para el verano.

Chronicles of Josie Hawk: acción paranormal + romance vampírico

Buenos días, arrebatadores. ¡Qué poquito queda para mis vacaciones! Me están entrando unos nervios ya... ;o)

Hoy toca acción paranormal y romance vampírico. Hace un par de meses leí un relato de esta autora, cuyo estilo divertido y gamberrillo me gustó tanto como las escenas de combates sobrenaturales. Así que acepté la oportunidad de leer otro relato corto, Crimson Beat (ritmo escarlata, el nombre de una banda de rock compuesta sólo por vampiros) y la novela Indigo Dawn (Amanecer añil), de Elle J. Rossi.

En el relato corto, la cazadora semi-humana Josie Hawk está a cargo de vigilar la noche en Nashville y proteger a la población de criaturas sedientas de sangre. Está tratando de convencer a la Asamblea de que organice un equipo de seres oscuros y de la luz para mantener las amenazas a raya. Mientras tanto, se resiste a entregar su independencia al vampiro Keller. Entre combates nocturnos, una escena muy tórrida en la ducha y un enfrentamiento contra un mafioso que casi le cuesta la vida, Josie tiene una aventura muy movidita en este relato que sirve de puente a la novela.

En Indigo Dawn, el estilo sardónico, divertido e ingenioso de la autora brilla a través de la voz de Josie. A veces da su opinión demasiado a menudo de cada detalle, lo que ralentiza un poco el ritmo de la trama, pero está bastante compensado con lo entretenida que resulta su perspectiva tan original de las cosas. Se mete en muchos líos dolorosos mientras investiga una nueva droga que está asolando la ciudad al tiempo que se pega buenos achuchones con el vampiro irlandés y lucha por demostrar su valía ante la Asamblea. 

Me ha gustado bastante su descripción de los vampiros (que sí se reflejan en los espejos, menos mal), las hadas pixi (que son unas sinvergüenzas de mucho cuidado) y los poderes que empiezan a manifestarse en Josie. El final es apoteósico con un gran enfrentamiento contra el narcotraficante en el que participan hadas, vampiros y brujas. Promete mucha caña para la siguiente historia.

Crimson Beat

(The Josie Hawk Chronicles #0.6)

The Spring Equinox brings a slew of nasties to the streets of Nashville. Huntress Josie Hawk is determined to get her arch enemy to sign a treaty, whether the Assembly is behind her or not. But when Keller O’Leary–sexiest vampire alive–returns, will Josie learn to be a team player, or will she stake the heart that has captured hers?

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Indigo Dawn

(The Josie Hawk Chronicles #1)

Vampire Lust and Pixie Dust.

Josie Hawk is a Huntress. A killer devoted to protecting the humans of Nashville from the shadows that lurk in the night. But the shadows are gaining ground.

When an infamous pixie tricks Josie into a drug-induced nightmare, Josie envisions the death of her vampire lover, Keller O’Leary. Was the vision a threat … maybe even a promise? But from whom?

Desperate to track down the source of the toxic psychedelic pixie dust, Josie kicks and punches her way toward the truth. But her efforts backfire, provoking a deadly attack at Wolfie’s—the bar Josie co-owns with her sister-in-arms, Sage.

Tag. You’re it.

Haunted by the threat to Keller, Josie scrambles to outwit her elusive opponent before the deadly game escalates and claims more lives. But in saving Nashville, will Josie lose those she loves?

Or will she be too late to stop the deadly game of tag?

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Elle J Rossi grew up in rural Indiana surrounded by great people, a huge family and more animals than she could count. But the sites and sounds of the world beckoned, so she left her small town to escape into a creative world full of music. As a full time singer she was able to lose herself in a thousand different songs in a hundred different places. After meeting the love of her life and settling down, she yearned to find a new and fulfilling creative outlet. Overly fond of the happily ever after, she wondered what it would be like to have her own characters lead her down dark and twisted paths. The very first word on the very first page sealed her fate. She’d found a new love. She’d found her escape. Now along with weaving haunting tales about the journey to love, she’s creating cover art for authors around the world and loving every second of it. For fun, she cranks country music to take her back to her roots, and sings karaoke anytime she gets a chance. Her husband, two children, and a cat that rules the roost keep her company along the way and guarantee she doesn’t get lost in the enchanted forest. She wouldn’t have it any other way.

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MY OPINION OF CRIMSON BEAT & INDIGO DAWN

Crimson Beat is a novella packed with heat that had my blood pumping fast and hot for the all-vampire rock band. Wolfie's bar falls under the musical spell of this band while Ostara, the Spring Equinox, sets the city on paranormal fire.

Mind you, this novella should be read before Indigo Dawn. Josie Hawk is a Huntress bent on keeping her emotional independence. Her vampire suitor has other ideas that involve protecting Josie against her will and enveloping her in much appreciated hotness.

Here is where we get to meet the band: Lucian, Mathew, Alex, Grant. All are puzzles waiting to be unraveled. I just hope they each get their chance.

Josie can tolerate vampires as long as they behave in her city, but the look rather suspicious one night when she finds them around a very dead body. She's also trying to convince the Assembly to put up a team, both light and dark, to fight the evil that prowls the night.

It gets really intense on two accounts. One, Josie tries to deny her feelings for Keller, her own hot vampire. To no avail. Their connection is too wild and deep. That scene in the shower proves it. On the other hand, Josie has a big confrontation with Cross, a mean man with meaner aims. She has to prove the Assembly she can take control of the city and he may just be in the way.

The novella is the perfect bridge to cross over to INDIGO DAWN. I wanted to read this book because I had a taste of the author's writing style in Alabaster Nights, and I was happy with it. Catchy story, strong characters. A good bet.

We have a neat bunch of vampires patrolling the night alongside Josie Hawk. They have some cool powers such as teletransport (dangerous business, it's always good to know there are perils to the bloodsuckers lifestyle), and they play in a band too! I nod at the fact that a vampire can be reflected on the surface of a mirror. For the life of me, I could never understand why the traditional vampire would not appear on a reflective surface. After all, they're made of matter and they're not exactly ghosts, so why the weird invisibility?

Then there is Josie. Bad-tempered, weaponized Josie who thinks she owns the city she's honoured to protect. The city, though, is going to prove a challenge for her these days. Or nights full of terror.

While searching for the culprit behind an emerging drug market, the Huntress and the vampire Keller test the power of their emotional bond. There are some steamy moments that don't disappoint either.

What keeps things interesting is the way Josie is bombarded with issues all the time. She has to deal with the nasty drug effects in the population of Nashville, the Assembly wants to control her, she still has to show her worth because she's half human, and an uncanny power surprises the hell out of her. Still she's the most badass Huntress and she fights to the end which, along with her naughty wit, makes the plot pulse with energy.

The author's strong and fun prose kicks the plot into a lively rhythm. It might give out the impression that not much is happening at the beginning, but the main character's voice is quirky enough to get us hooked on her musings and misadventures.

A very entertaining read with a blade-wielding, cool heroine, and lots of sexy vampires, nasty pixies, regal witches, a half-starved shifter, and a drug lord screaming for a painful execution. I loved the ending for its exhilarating action and the promise of a power shift. Big things coming to Nashville!

**

Decidme, arrebatadores, ¿hay alguna serie que estés leyendo ahora?

Babel siempre en busca de una heroína interesante.