Latest Book Reviews and Comments
It was a bit hard to start reading this after all that has happened in the parts 1-3 of Lunar Chronicles. Yet Fairest is an intresting one once you give it chance. It doesn't make you love Levana, but helps you understand her bit better.
I liked this. The fact that the book is written as a play didn't bother me, but you could easily tell this isn't Rowlings text. Knowledge of the familiar characters was seemingly different of the "real Potters".
Occationally grotesk, yet very compelling. Great leading charachters, straightfoward storytelling with a hint of Pirates of Caribbean vibe on plot. Sea related slang also gives a nice touch to the story.
I read Suzanne's previous books and was impressed - especially with The Other Me (not SFF, so can't find that on this site). So when a chance came for me to read her new book, I Heart Robot, as an ARC, I snatched it and started to read it as soon as possible. Unfortunately I couldn't finish it at one sitting, as I had to go to work, but this is that kind of a book! What this isn't: a run-of-the-mill YA dystopian romance with a pretty girl who has to choose between her two handsome suitors. Yeah, there is some romance in the air, but they are sixteen so what do you expect? So this suits both - if you like romance and if you don't! But that is not the point of this book. This is a book that challenges you to think what makes us human. What it is to be an outsider. And what would you do, if you were oppressed and threatened: Would you turn to violence or try more peaceful approach? Suzanne writes characters really well. Her two narrators, Tyri and Quinn, both felt real. They were teenagers in a tough situation. Not only is their lives changing, but the whole world as they know it is changing. The relations between robots and humans are getting tense in the futuristic Scandinavian setting, somewhere Sweden used to be. Tyri and Quinn are both musicians, they love music and it makes them feel alive, so they both want to make a career out of it. Even when we know that Quinn is an android, he really wants to be as human as possible, reminding me of dear Data of Star Trek : TNG. Understanding humans, understanding ourselves - this is what this book left me wondering. How can we do this and still be happy? And if we are happy with who we are, is the society around us going to accept that? Can we live in peace and accept differences?
I first read this book when it first was published and it was then one of my favouites. It brought to a thrilling conc;usion the story of Dorian Hawkmoon. I would then have recommended it very highly. I am about to start re-reading the Michael Moorcock ouevre, I hopr that these books live up to my fond memories
Good, bit old school military space opera.
Wow. What a tense, action-packed, intrigue-filled, story! While not without its (few) flaws, Promise of Blood is an extraordinary debut. So much about it was epic: revolution, religion, magic, world-building, family issues, addiction issues, mystery—and McClellan has managed to blend them all together completely and seamlessly. This book sets a very high standard for *epic* flintlock fantasy. And the characters! More wow. They're as far from cookie-cutter as you can get. McClellan brings them to life with unique perspectives on what is happening around them. Those that matter are completely fleshed-out and fascinatingly multilayered. Never do the multiple points of view confuse the reader or stop being interesting. (Though I wanted to knock a few of them upside the head now and then…) The magic system receives an injection of originality and interest, though I might have liked to see better how and why a powder mages “works.” (Snorting or ingesting gun powder isn’t really a logical course of action to my way of thinking!) The vivid story-telling wonderfully supports a fast-paced plot that gradually increases in tension and intrigue—and just plain human interest. I don’t often give five star ratings, but I find McClellan’s style and talent satisfying in ways that most authors never achieve. The third and fourth books in the series are equally gripping, but lost a star each to both some slow sections and to increasing gore. Yes, I realize it’s hard to pull off a revolution without blood and guts, but I’m a fan of the technique that leads me up to a critical moment and lets me fill in what appears to be obvious with my own imagination. Still a great addition to my bookshelf!
Bronze key has been darkest part in the series so far and show's proof that none of the charachters, friend or foe, is safe.
As with Heir to the North, I'm rather biased here, but I enjoyed this one!:)
Well, I'm biased, but I enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. :)
I am in love with the series I read all six books in about a week and I love the story man I have all posters and books and movie I love you JACE and great awesome job Cassandra Clare I am very inspired
Words can't describe what a amazing journey it has been traveling along with Jesse, Tulip & Cassidy. Truly compelling, Preacher is one of these rare stories that make you feel regret 'cause you'll never be able to read them again "for the first time."
I loved this installment in, what is, a great series. It wasn't as introspective as White-Luck Warrior and contains some great action. A couple of interesting new characters also! Great read!
Nicely paced & actionfilled plot. Especially the last half of the book was quite gripping!
Excellent choice for all who love to read fairytale bound stories. E.g Marissa Meyers Lunar Chronicles.
Would it kill the writers to actually make a female lead without all the moping and martyr attitude, even when the lead is a teenager? I mean with just a little bit more brain powers for Tris and the book would have been better just by leaving half of the annoyance away.
Sleeping Giants is science fiction at its best. Original, exciting and thought-provoking. The story is told through journal entries and interviews. Rather than distancing you from the story, it draws you in and makes it more personal. The premise is fantastic. Part of an alien artifact literally beneath our feet. Who put it there? Giw does it work? Are they coming back? Were we meant to find it? Why now? The involvement of the military, shadowy operatives inside and outside of government, scientists, all pulling in different directions. One hundred different motives and one singular purpose. To find and control the alien artifact. Was this device left here to protect us or doom us. And if to protect us, from what? Each other, or is there another threat we’re not aware of. Sylvain Neuvel has written a gem and an incredibly accomplished first novel. An outstanding science fiction thriller with characters you really come to care about. This is a book that poses a lot of questions and not all the answers are comforting ones. Get your hands on a copy of this book. People are going to talk about this book and you are definitely going to want to be part of the conversation. Highly recommended. I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of this book.
The Cold Between by Elizabeth Bonesteel is the beginning of an interesting new SF series. Part military sci-fi, part space opera, part mystery and a little bit of romance. It’s an interesting and very entertaining book that has a nicely contained story that doesn’t leave you hanging, but still makes you want to continue the series to learn more about the characters and this universe. Elena Shaw is a strong lead character who is driven, competent and no nonsense. Elena hooks up with Treiko Zajec, a retired space captain and erstwhile chef, for a presumed one-night stand. When Elena’s former lover winds up murdered, things quickly get a lot more complicated. Strong secondary characters, particularly Elena’s friend Jessica and captain Greg, add to a story that’s fueled by mystery and conflict involving both planetary and galactic governments. The mystery dates back to a 25 year old tragedy involving Greg’s mom and may just be the tip of something even more sinister. Bonesteel does a good job of juggling different plot elements, but it is the strong characters that drive the story here. There’s a lot to like here and I’m looking forward to where she takes the story next in this new Central Corps series. Bonesteel is clearly a talented writer and The Cold Between stands out as something a little different than your typical military sci fi. Recommended read. I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of this book.
Behind the Throne by K.B. Wagers is one of the best science fiction debuts I’ve read in a long time. It starts with a bang and keeps up a full-throated roar the entire way. Hail Bristol is a gunrunner who is both respected and feared. She’s also the heir to the throne of the Indranan Empire which she fled in order to take charge of her own life. Now her crew is dead, her ship disabled and she’s being dragged back to become the thing she most wanted to avoid. With her sisters dead and her mother in declining health, Hail must take her place as heir to the throne. The only problem is, people aren’t done trying to kill her yet. Wagers characters are instantly relatable and likable. Along with Hail, the trackers-cum-bodyguards Emory and Zin make up a strong trio. You get an excellent sense of the characters quickly and they continue to add depth throughout the novel. The return to the palace adds several more characters who up the intrigue as Hail tries to figure out who to trust and who is behind the conspiracy to murder her family and destabilize the empire. Heir to the Throne does a good job of mixing action and intrigue. One of the most impressive things at work here is the world building. Not only do you get to see the beginnings of how the empire works, but you get a glimpse into how it came to be. There are several interesting social constructs in play, but they are layered into the background rather than thrust right in your face. This is a female dominated society with a ruling class and only token acknowledgement of democracy. There are segments of society who want a more full-fledged democracy to replace the hereditary rule. In addition, there is a long-standing but fragile peace treaty with other worlds and the complications that brings with it. There isn’t excessive hand-wringing about these issues; they come up matter of factly and are dealt more in terms of how they impact the crisis at hand. As this is the first book in a series, there is plenty of time to explore this society as needs warrant. The book has plenty of exciting action sequences along with a generous helping of intrigue that keeps the pages flying by. It’s a self-contained story while also setting up a universe and characters that you’ll want to see more of. I’m on board for whatever comes next. Heir to the Throne is one of my favorite reads of the year. Highly recommended! I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of this book.
And then there came .... The Kraken ...... yet another home run by Max Hawthorne. Loved this one, again action was fast paced right till the end of the book, yes there are more adult themes in this book, actual sex scenes.... in an adult book .... the horror ..... anyway I digress. ... if that's not your cup of tea skip them, they do not take anything away from the story and in no way spoiled my enjoyment of a very good book. Please suspend your sensibilities and reality at the door and step into the world of Kronos and Kraken, when man is no longer the most dangerous predator on the planet. Can't wait to see where the next book takes us.
Kronos rising is my new favourite prehistoric monsters in modern day after Jurassic Park. The action keeps up a fast pace through out and I didn't feel the need to skip any "overly scientific" parts. This is a rip roaring work of fiction, yes fiction, I have heard complaints about not following scientific fact but let's get real for a moment, I am not reading a fiction book for fact, if I want fact I will read a scientific journal. I really enjoyed reading this and look forward to reading where this series goes. Highly recommended for all lovers of Jurassic Park/Jaws type of novels.
This book is the last one written but the first in the Foundation series. I’ve read it after the so-called trilogy (Foundation, Foundation and Empire, Second Foundation) and at some times it was like a spotlight directed at specific events in the trilogy - it gave the impression of „Ahh, that’s why it happened!“. The story itself developed quite slowly but nevertheless intriguing. The book ends with a really „cruel“ last chapter, where you’ll find an unexpected development and a basis for wild guesses for the future books.
In Magician Raymond Feist cleverly mixes a medieval world with a world reminiscent of Ancient China. As one of the first Fantasy genre books I read this book hooked me into the genre and from this book i started seeking out of similar stories. I found it to be an utterly mesmirising read. The action never lets up, the individual stories of Pug and Tomas held my attention equally (although I like Tomas' hero journey). It's a big big book, but we should be use to that. I completely enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others. To this day i still think it is an unsung hero of the genre.
I loved especially this last book of The Infernal Devices Trilogy, it's charmingly old-fashioned style, sweetly sad Victorian Brittish atmosphere; rainy gloomy and foggy gray London. This is the best book of Clare which I have read thus far. The whole trilogy is interesting and the world-building captivating, better than the following The Mortal Instruments Series, to which this is a prequel. This trilogy tells the history and background of the Shadowhunter Families, and includes a few of the same minor characters, the most important of them being the charming and mysterious Warlock Magnus Bane. I cannot but help to recommed this book and the whole trilogy to all the lovers of historical fantasy.