The Lost Gate, by Card 4++++

The book:


The rating:  as high as it goes.  4+.

Alright, I'll admit, I'm biased.  Card ranks right up there with Wilson, for me as all-time-favorite-authors.  While Wilson's draw for me is his ability to weave storylines together in amazing ways, Card's draw is his character development and his .... for lack of a better term, his storytelling ability.  There is a synergy between me and the characters that Card develops (or perhaps the way that he tells their stories) that I can't really describe.  I'm able to immerse myself in his stories to a level that I haven't found with any other author on a consistent basis. 

So, I basically love this author.  A while back, I read his short story, Stonefather, in the anthology Wizards:

(side note, Stonefather has since been published as a stand alone)

Stonefather blew me away.  I seem to remember reading in Card's comments on the story in the anthology comments that said something along the lines of "I've always wanted this story to become a novel, but it wouldn't grow into one.  I'm working on it though!" and thinking to myself "woah.  that would be an awesome series"

well... enter the new Mither Mages series.  The magic system is incredibly detailed and well thought out.  The storytelling is, as always from Card, wonderful.  The characters are compelling, the humor in the dialogue made me laugh out loud more than once.  To be honest, I've noticed Card using a lot more flippant dialogue in his recent books, and I really like it.  The characters are witty and quick with a comeback, both things that I am not.  Probably why I like it so much :-D

But anyway... Have you ever picked up a book and literally found yourself unable to put it down?  Found yourself looking at the clock, knowing that you should go to sleep, and yet continuing to read?  Powering through it like it's a drug that you just can't get enough of, finishing the book in a rush of "WOAHHHHH" at the last page?

This was one of those books for me.  I call them bookgasms, and this one was a great one!