Latest Book Reviews and Comments
The Prince of Lies is darker than it's two predecessors and that is not a bad thing. A bad, or more likely sad thing is all those loose ends Lyle leaves hanging in the air after final page. Sure, the main problem of skrayling guiser as usurping the throne is dealt with along with the split spirit of Erishen, but that's about as good as it get's. Lyle's not promising to get back to Night's Masque (just vague "maybe someday"), which is a shame since it seems that Mal, Coby & partners still would have many stories untold at their future. Never the less, the story that was actually told here was as interesting as the last two books, even with the craving for more it left behind...
A very readable and well researched book, unfortunately after reading it I did not find myself as sympathetic to Philip K Dick as I used to be, his mind was a fairly strange place and you would probably not want to invite him to stay in your house.
This is one of my "prescription" books. When I read it again I am always cheered up and feel a little better.
If you reread Tolkien from time to time then Grunts is a must read. You will never hate an orc again! Ron Restorff
I consider this a must read for any fan of science fiction. Ron Restorff
I consider this a must read for any fan of science fiction. Ron Restorff
While I picked up the ARC of this several months ago, I almost didn't bother to give it a read. The "Apollo 13 meets Cast Away" tagline sounded interesting, but it also left me wondering just how Andy Weir was going to pull it off. After all, both of those movies succeeded largely based on the charisma of Tom Hanks (which can't exactly be captured on the page), and the true story element of Apollo 13 was responsible for much of that story's dramatic tension. A fellow reviewer tossed MacGyver into the tagline mix, however, and suddenly I was curious enough to give The Martian: A Novel a chance, Hey, what can I say . . . but I'm glad I did! This was an absolutely stellar read, one that is full of action, drama, humor, and real emotional engagement. It's a testament to Weir's storytelling that, going into the last ten pages, I honestly wasn't sure whether Mark Watney was really going to survive. The story wastes no time getting started, and the situation is almost as exceedingly dire as it is tragic. It's also a very lonely, claustrophobic start to the tale, with Mark the only character in a very small-scale drama. He's got a habitat, a rover, and a spacesuit. That's it. That's all. He can't even communicate with his ex-crewmates, much less anyone back home. He has a plan for sustaining himself by cultivating the potatoes NASA sent for Thanksgiving dinner, but it involves a lot of dirt, a lot of feces, a lot of urine, and some dangerous tampering with his life support systems. In the meantime, he has a USB stick full of disco tunes, a second full of 70s TV episodes, and a third full of murder mysteries. Just when you start to wonder how long Weir can maintain that kind of tension, we're finally transported back to Earth for the other half of the narrative. The world is in mourning for the lost astronaut, with Mark a fixture on just about every news program and talk show. When a SatCon search for his body instead turns up evidence of his survival, politics and emotion begin a battle that carries through right to the end. With all due respect to Mark's struggle - and this is one of the most fascinating survival stories you're likely to encounter - it's the Earthly drama that really sells the story, especially once it takes on a multinational dimension. • How much do you tell the public, and how much can you really hide from them? • Is it better to let his team think the've lost a crewmate, or to tell them they abandoned a man to his death? • Do you plan for a sustenance mission, rescue mission, or retrieval? • Most importantly, what is the life of one man worth, especially when the odds of survival are so astronomically stacked against him? There are some startling twists and setbacks to the story throughout, both on Mars and Earth, which keep the tension high and the reader guessing. There's also a lot of science and technical detail that I'm sure may try the patience of some readers, but which I found fascinating - even if I didn't always understand it. The journal style narration of Mark's story is important, in that it's his only form of communication for a very long time, and it's more realistic than if he were to set out to write his own story. Plus, that off-the-cuff, automatic permanent recording of his spoken thoughts allows for some moments of gallows humor that really help to humanize the astronaut and the scientist. If you are at all curious, then make the time for The Martian: A Novel. It's an amazing story that works as a human drama, science fiction adventure, and a sort of survival manifesto. Really, give it a read. You won't regret it. This is a read that is (if you'll excuse one last space pun) really out of this world.
What could be worse than being stranded on an uninhabited island? How about being stranded there with a deranged lunatic who is infected with highly-infectious parasitic worms. Not enough? Well, how about not just being stranded, but physically trapped there by shadowy military forces who won't let so much as a bird or fish escape its shores. Still not enough? Well, how about being trapped there, fighting the parasitic worms inside you, with an adolescent sociopath who is only too happy to exploit the situation. Still not enough? Well, how about we add a thin layer of conspiracy, with the very tangible suggestion that those military forces are deliberately allowing the horror to play out. Gotcha. Yes, in a book that's been described as part Lord of the Flies and part 28 Days Later (which isn't a bad comparison, even if it only tells half of the story), The Troop proves to be a throwback to old-fashioned, late 80s, pulp horror, with a little 90s cynicism mixed in. Nick Cutter has crafted a grisly tale here that pulls no punches, and which wastes absolutely no time in getting to the good stuff. At first, the story structure seems a little odd, especially since it spoils its own ending early on. The bulk of the story takes place in real time, exploring the Boy Scout troop's struggle to survive a situation they barely even understand. Spaced in between chapters, however, is a series of newspaper articles, scholarly pieces, and courtroom transcripts of the inquiry that is destined to follow. Ultimately, however, that second layer of storytelling really enhances the story, adding additional weight to the situation, and creating new doubts and questions for the reader. It also creates more of a mystery than we might have otherwise expected, as we try to guess which of the boys is the sole survivor. The contagion at the heart of the story is as disgusting as it is brilliant. If you've ever thought a tapeworm was gross, or shuddered at the thought of people who deliberately subject themselves to said worms in a desperate effort to lose weight, then get ready to lose your lunch. The tapeworms here are genetically engineered to be ruthless parasites who quickly devour their hosts from the inside out, creating in them a ravenous, insatiable hunger. We're talking men who, in a matter of hours, begin to look like desiccated walking corpses, and who will chow down on anything they can get their hands on - from bugs, to dirt, to the wooden splinters of the cabin floor. Then, just to add to the ick factor, you can see the tapeworms wrapped around their victims' spinal cords, making their back-flesh flow and undulate. As for that teenage sociopath, I don't want to spoil one of the darkest aspects of the story, but he's the creepiest part of the tale, simply because he's so human. There's an extended scene that will stick with you for a very long time, where he not only convinces another Scout that he's infected, but all-too-easily talks him into slicing himself up in a futile attempt to catch the tiny worms inside. What he does to the first Scout to be infected is even worse, not just because it's so cruel and so playfully callous, or because it gives him a disturbing hard-on, but because he contrasts it to the abuse of a kitten that first catapulted him over the line from curious to sociopathic. If you're in the mood for a good, intense horror story, and have the strong stomach needed to make it through to the end, then be sure to check out The Troop. Just be careful what you touch, eat, drink, or breathe, because that next pang of hunger just might be something more . . .
I really liked de Bodard's short stories and decided to try this fantasy / mystery book as well. It was fascinating, but quite not as good as the short stories. Aztec names and a foreign mythology made this both interesting and hard to read. If you want to try something new, this is the book for you. I don't yet know if I'll read the 2 other Obsidian and blood -books. Perhaps, if there is nothing more interesting to read.
I loved the idea that in Jane Austen's world there is magic to be used and it's not to do in dark places, but it is a part of everyday life. Gives a nice touch to quickly read, light and romantic novel. :)
My Thoughts - 3 out of 5 Unicorns - I liked it!! ***Ebook gifted to me by the author for an honest review The cover is beautiful and definitely how I would imagine Snow White. It is a very peaceful scene. This story is a what happens after happily ever after when the Charming has passed way. Queen Snow White is on a journey to sort of re-discover herself and her hope for life. This story brings up some great topics of finding happiness after abuse and surviving the death of your spouse and several others. I don’t want to give away too much, but it is a great story. For me personally, there wasn’t enough action so some parts I considered slow, but it was very emotional; I cried a couple times while reading. I enjoyed this story, and I think this is a great story for someone who is struggling with self-reflection and growth who also enjoy fairytale twists & for readers who loved emotional journeys.
I want to read everything Kelley Armstrong writes. I was excited to hear that she had begun new series, even though I love the Women of the Underworld. To my surprise, in our library system these were not in Fantasy, but Thrillers. And yes, the fantasy content was quite small, but it definitely was there. You might like to check your shelving! I think the big picture behind all of the schemes is the interesting one - I didn't care so much of the main characters, the things that have happened at the background is the thing that keeps me looking forward to the part 2!
This was a tough book to read. It had a heavy theme: guilt. How would you feel, if you thought you might have caused the death of a friend? Kyle is moving between realities - in the other, the dead friend is his boyfriend Danny and in the other, their mutual friend Shira. Is this caused by the mystical planet Obscura which has appeared to the sky? I really liked the way this book was written. The differences in realities made this very interesting read. And even if I couldn't quite say I liked Kyle, I really hoped all the best for him.
I'm glad I read the great Obscura burning first, as the first part of the book wasn't to my liking. It was too noir-detective story to my taste. When the second part began, I was totally drawn to the story - I really liked this part with the soldier life and the rebel camp. After finding out who Cyrus really was, the ending was interesting as well, even if we came back to the same setting than in the beginning. I can see why the structure is like it is, but can't help to wonder if having only two parts would make it even more readable. Recommended.
Can't help but to love Lyle's writing style, which hooked me on The Alchemist of Souls and which she continues at the Merchant of Dreams. Fast paced plot take turns on Mal and Coby. Mal is send to Venice to spy on Skrylings doings with Ned as Coby is forced to stay behind with his brother Sandy to deal with problems occured in London, but as things go, she too is soon forced to flee England with Sandy and Gabriel and is hurried to reach Mal in treacherous Venice where they have to face more skrayling related problems adding to the fact that the brothers still carry the soul of one the mystical creatures in them.
Hated it! The earlier parts of the trilogy were OK, but this was a major bust in my opinion! The ending was just plain wrong!
This is one of those books that gets better by time, though it was excellent to start with! A story of budding sexuality and the way it appears in the subconsciousness. A true masterpiece!
Another amazing book of Harry's adventures. I just adore the way how Butcher tortures his poor character. I just spent last summer reading all the Dresdens in a row and I can tell you: time well spent!
A story about friendship and loss and growing up. I sincerely recommend this to anybody, because I feel everyone can get something out of it.A great favorite of mine since early childhood and now a great favorite of my daughter's as well. Just saw it as a play and it was still great!
I read this for the first time when I was about 10 and since I must have read it about a half a dozen times. It is a lovely book about time and of those who steal it. Certainly gives food for thought in today's busy world!
This was not an incredibly deep story but I really enjoyed it. It was an intriguing twist on what happens after we die and included a bit of romance along with the suspense and a mystery to be solved. It also explored the role grief plays when we lose someone close to us. Having lost my father a couple of years ago, I thought the author did a good job of exploring the difference in grief when we lose someone we've been very close to such as a parent or grandparent, as opposed to the loss of someone very young who is taken suddenly and unexpectedly. I can relate to the main characters feeling very close to her grandfather due to all the time spent and memories shared even though he had died. This is exactly how I feel about my daddy. He is no longer on this earth but will always be an intricate part of who I am. Looking forward to reading the next story in the series.