The Human Division is at equal measures a thrilling absolutely engaging novel and at other times wholly frustrating. By and large the latter wins out...moreThe Human Division is at equal measures a thrilling absolutely engaging novel and at other times wholly frustrating. By and large the latter wins out over the former and I’m willing to say that The Human Division is Scalzi at the top of his game. Originally published as a series of e-book “episodes” from January through April of 2013 The Human Division was released in its entirety in May. The Human Division encompases both the tradition of the serial novel and the advances in the series format prompted by the changing world of media entertainment (primarily television but there is a moment here and there that reminded of “the issue where the X-men play a team sport”). The Human Division typically follows a stable cast of characters with relatively few diversion from the core protagonists typically Colonial Union’s diplomatic outcasts of the Clarke advised by CDF officer Lieutenant Harry Wilson.
The Human Division takes place after the events in The Last Colony with the revelation that the Colonial Union has been keeping the people of the Earth in the dark about what is going in the galaxy at large. The opening of The Human Division lays out the major problem without the Earth and her resources the humans of the Colonial Union are in dire straits and if they continue the aggressive actions of their past they will ensure their own destruction thanks to the unifying power of the alien Conclave.
The impetus of events in The Human Division is the Colonial Union’s sudden diplomatic zeal. The refocusing from purely military objectives and colonial expansion to the forging of bonds between human and non-human civilizations. Over the course of the novel Scalzi examines this in some impressive detail detailing both the grand and minute in each aspect of the Colonial Union Diplomatic Corps. There is the grand, such as Lieutenant Wilson’s use of a shuttle to disarm a booby trap and the minute, such as Lieutenant Wilson’s being drafted into watch a high-level diplomat’s dog (I actually listened to that section while gardening which perhaps made it all the more enjoyable). Even more than that Scalzi carefully weaves in the Colonial Union’s penchant for internal compartmentalization as a further factor in the novel; one the rears its ugly head to toss and monkey wrench in our heroes’ plans.
While the focus of most episodes is on the crew of the Clarke extra time is spent on both Lieutenant Wilson and Hart Schmidt (the diplomatic team’s lowest ranking member and thus the person often assigned to assist Wilson on any special assignments). Captain Coloma, who commands the Clarkee, also features at least twice on her own. The strong focus on a smaller subset of character makes for an engaging read and quick attachment to the characters involved. The buddy humor between the constantly aggravated Schmidt and the ever cool and collected Harry Wilson is amusing and quickly endears you to both characters. The diplomatic crew of the Clarke may occasionally snipe at one another but through it all Scalzi manages to convey the tightness of the diplomatic vessel’s crew and staff.
While much of the focus during the novel remains on the diplomatic “B-Team”, either together or on their own, Scalzi deviates several times to describe events happening on Earth or in the Conclave. These moments are interesting sections in their own rights and work well in introducing new characters whose presence serves to further reveal the larger picture. I particularly enjoyed one episode involving a mercenary and boisterous radio talk-show host and felt that the Conclave centered episode was particularly inspired and laced with just the right amount of humor. (Churros! And the poor goat!).
In typical serial fashion The Human Division has a bombastic and thrilling final chapter which serves to set the stage for future adventures in the Old Man’s War Universe. It unfortunately does little to wrap up many of mysteries revealed over the course of the novel and despite being a conclusion to this part of the story it feels like it only introduces more questions. While it has been a while since I’ve read Old Man’s War I feel like compared to The Human Division the previous novels in this universe don’t feel quite as grand or sweeping. There is something about the story in The Human Division that feels like it operating on a much larger scale than in previous books. The audiobook version, read by William Dufris, is well produced and while Dufris isn’t a stand out narrator he is quite versed at conveying tone. Thankfully Tor has “renewed” The Human Division for a “second season” and we’ll all get to find out what happens next. The Human Division is military science fiction and its sweeping best and I for one can’t wait for more.(less)
You should know who Joe Hill is. Seriously. Hill is one half of the team that brought us Locke and Key (my bid for the horror comic of the century, se...moreYou should know who Joe Hill is. Seriously. Hill is one half of the team that brought us Locke and Key (my bid for the horror comic of the century, seriously difficult to top), he brought us the delightfully twisted Heart-Shaped Box, and the exquisitely crafted collection of chilling tales 20th Century Ghosts. He is the son of horror legend Stephen King. Hill’s latest novel NOS4A2 is both a homage to his father’s legacy of chills and definitive statement that Hill is more than capable of standing not in father’s shadow but shoulder to shoulder.
NOS4A2 is a novel that, starting with its title, plays with your expectations. It is a big, monster of a novel that gets under your skin and tugs on your emotions. It is a novel about fear and innocence and the cruelty of youth shaken out and distilled into its most horrific and chilling form possible. It’s a novel about desire and need and how it leads us down paths both unexpected and dark. It’s a novel that will make your squirm in your seat. Nominally, this is the story of Victoria (Vic) McQueen who as a child manifests the ability to cross a bridge on her bicycle and find things that were lost. As a child this sees Vic crossing paths with a “man” known as Charles Manx who finds and takes children on rides in Rolls Royce to a place called Christmasland. The confrontation between Vic and Manx is one that neither forgets and sets the stage for the rest of the novel.
NOS4A2 will likely draw the attention of many King fans, there is a similarity and a structure the definitely resembles Hill’s father but at the same time there is a certain uniqueness to the work that stands apart. There is a constant feeling as I read this novel that it something could only have come from Joe Hill. While I smirked at references to Mid-World and a certain famous clown, I was equally amused to see references to Hill’s own previous work. In a splendid interview with the AVClub Hill refers to NOS4A2 as both his “senior thesis on horror fiction” and “underlying theory of everything.” The notion of the “Inscape” presented in NOS4A2 is the primary means through which this theory is presented. As one of the novel’s characters, Maggie Leigh, describes:
An inscape, a world of thought. In a world made of thought—in an inscape—every idea is a fact. Emotions are as real as gravity. Dreams are as powerful as history. Creative people, like writers, and Henry Rollins, spend a lot of their time hanging out in their thoughtworld. S-s-strong creatives, though, can use a knife to cut the stitches between the two worlds, can bring them together. Your bike. My tiles. Those are our knives.
The inscape, as presented in NOS4A2 is a place where all horrific things can stem from. The inscapes of NOS4A2 are both individual and universal, stitched together over time by the extraordinarily creative people who have quite literally bored holes through this inner reality. It is a fascinating concept and one that I would love to see Hill return to in the future.
As I said at the start there is no doubt that Hill’s work in horror in fiction will draw comparison to his father. NOS4A2 is simultaneously an acknowledgement of that fact and an impressive argument that Hill is his own man. This is horror fiction at its best, a novel that will keep you glued to your seat and reading into the wee hours of the night. If you like a good scare and want a novel that will leave you a tad unsettled long after you turn the final page NOS4A2 is the book for you.(less)
Austin Grossman’s You has drawn some comparisons to Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One from many venues but is a very different beast in many respects. W...moreAustin Grossman’s You has drawn some comparisons to Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One from many venues but is a very different beast in many respects. While both lean on the nostalgia factor of readers You trades the frenetic action and bright palate for a more subdued story that occasionally stumbles but manages on the whole to be an engaging and entertaining read. Where Ready Player One is an open love letter to the 80s, You is a paen to a lost age an exploration on how the heart of an industry has changed over the long years.
You opens with Russell interviewing for a job at video game studio Black Arts Games after having spent years in a different (or rather several different) career paths. He has an in having gone to high school with the studio’s creators and having had a hand in the prototype version of the studio’s first major success Realms of Gold. Black Arts has recently lost their visionary programmer, Simon, to a freak accident. As a major change in company leadership shakes the company Russell finds himself delving into the past releases of the studio in a hopes to better understand both his own past and the legacy Simon has left behind in the code he has written.
It should be noted that Austin Grossman, as described in author biography, was at one time a video game designer and writer who worked on Deus Ex, System Shock, and Ultima Underworld II. These facts place Grossman’s own involvement in the game industry roughly close to the same period during which the novel is set. I have no way of speaking towards whether or not Grossman accurately represents video game development (a complaint I’ve seen in several other reviews) and truth be told I think that is irrelevant to the text of the novel itself. While the story might involve the development of a game You is a novel about the games industry, about growing up, and about the loss of innocence.
Throughout the novel Russell plays through the games released by Black Arts in chronological order while simultaneously relating personal historical information from his own life, and the lives of his friends. It is a story of growth and change on a personal level as well as a story of change on an industry level. As the characters in Russell’s life move into adulthood the loss of innocence, or one could say purity, is reflected in the changing nature of the games developed by Black Arts. In the novel as major financial backers step in there is a radical shift in the way the game is developed as the people holding the money don’t really understand the thing they are investing in. Grossman carefully contrasts the expensive cars and tastes of “Rock Star” developers, the bombastic and over-the-top ridiculousness of E3 with the desire for fun, for bringing friends together, for bragging rights, for telling a personal story that marked the early days of the character’s lives.
You is a retrospective coming-of-age story for the video game industry and a novel about reconnecting to the things that mattered to us in our youth. It’s a novel about remembering why we love the things we love even if they no longer resemble the thing they were. While average readers might take issue with its somewhat rambling nature or lack of a conventional cohesive plot (this isn’t a novel I’d hand to my Mom and expect her to understand) there is a certain charm to the novel’s eccentricities, bugs that work as features, that speak to a particular audience of gamers. You looks back at the golden days of youth, both of its characters and the industry in which they work, and its strong sense of nostalgia keeps away any potential indictment or finger pointing with regards to how the industry has changed over the years. You isn’t a novel that seeks to cast blame but rather one that asks to remember why we first picked up a controller, or dropped a coin in an arcade machine, all those years ago.(less)
I won’t lie, I’m a little bit done with the whole zombie genre. The explosion of zombie related books, movies, and games over the last several years h...moreI won’t lie, I’m a little bit done with the whole zombie genre. The explosion of zombie related books, movies, and games over the last several years has worn me out. Every once and awhile something will draw me back to the zombie infested world. It has actually been awhile since I’ve read a zombie book; in fact I think I made a slight attempt to read Colson Whitehead’s Zone One. Aa result Peter Clines’ Ex-Heroes has likely crossed my path a couple of times without my taking any real notice. However, I decided to give the audiobook version of Ex-Heroes a shot and I’m pretty glad I did; this is an exciting mash up of superheroes and zombies with great characters and some awesome action.
Ex-Heroes and its sequel Ex-Patriots take place in a world where zombies, typically referred to in the series as ex-humans or simply exes, have essentially one. However, the world had previously seen the emergence of real superheroes from the Batman/Ozymandias mash-up Stealth to the living supernova known as Zzap the heroes run the gamut of the extraordinary and the superpowered. A group of these heroes, under the guidance of the paranoid and forward thinking Stealth, made a valiant effort to save the Los Angeles area. Having failed to slowing the emergence of ex-humans the group of heroes have gathered what survivors they could in a Hollywood studio and have done their best to survive. In addition to the threat of the ex-humans the heroes must also face the threat of a rival survivor group comprised mostly of an L.A. street gang.
Both Ex-Heroes and Ex-Patriots feature a narrative structure that alternates between the present and the past. In Ex-Heroes this format serves often to illustrate the lives of the heroes before the ex-humans (or during the early days of the outbreak) and how they came together in L. A. and wound up at the Mount (their current Hollywood Studio home). Ex-Heroes dovetails nicely into Ex-Patriots and has a similar narrative structure though the “before” sections primarily detail the super-soldier program that features prominently in that novel. Clines meshes elements from the first novel with an adept hand and the connections between the two novels (beyond the characters) are subtle at first before growing obvious in the final third of Ex-Patriots.
Brilliance Audio did a top notch job with production. Male dialog and primary narration is handled by Jay Snyder while female dialog and female points of view are handled by Khristine Hvam. This is a wonderful technique that makes the audio version of an already exciting novel an even more immersive and entertaining experience. Both Snyder and Hvam are extraordinarily talented individuals who have a dynamic ranges that make the diverse cast of character easy to distinguish from one another.
While many of the heroes in these novels follow templates that may be familiar to readers (there is sense of bias towards DC Comics in this regard) Clines manages to infuse the personalities of each hero with a personality that makes each stand on their own. For powered heroes Clines occasionally delves into how their power works and often manages to do so without the awkwardness of a “first issue” feel. Over the course of both Ex-Heroes and Ex-Patriots Clines introduces aspects to heroes personalities and powers that go unexplained over time (for example the Might Dragon/St. George’s abilities grow over time, but the how and why of that is never explicitly explained) and certain odd personality quirks exhibited by certain characters (particularly over the course of Ex-Patriots) remain an intriguing (if frustrating) mystery that I hope to see explained in July’s Ex-Communication. Peter Clines’ Ex-Heroes and Ex-Patriots are not your average zombie novels. They take a fascinating premise, add interesting characters, and introduce a believable world to create a package that is some damn fine entertainment. If you’re looking for something new to read and like zombie fiction, or liked zombie fiction, I can’t recommend the Ex-Heroes series enough.(less)
Fortress Frontier by Myke Cole is the sequel to the author’s debut novel Control Point. Control Point was very much the tale of Oscar Britain and thro...moreFortress Frontier by Myke Cole is the sequel to the author’s debut novel Control Point. Control Point was very much the tale of Oscar Britain and through him served to introduce the readers to the Supernatural Operations Corps. Unfortunately, this was also my problem with the novel I didn’t like Oscar. While there were times in the novel where I certainly sympathized with his plight more often than not I had serious issues with his decision making process. Fortress Frontier sees Cole broadening the scope of his world as the plot delves deeper into the various aspects of the Supernatural Operations Corps and the other “latent” people around the world.
Fortress Frontier primarily divides the story between the fugitive Oscar Britain and his crew (the former members of Shadow Coven plus the healer Teresa) and Colonel Alan Bookbinder, newly latent. The opening chapters of Fortress Frontier take place over the same time span of Control Point as Colonel Bookbinder first manifests his magic and finds himself gated out to FOB Frontier. Much like in Control Point readers get to witness the stark difference between a characters former life and their experiences in the SOC. The perspective in Fortress Frontier is shifted somewhat since Bookbinder, as an officer, offers insights into SOC operations that Oscar Britain never could. Things take a different turn as Fortress Frontier catches up with the finale of Control Point and the change of pace is refreshing.
With FOB Frontier cut off from the Home Plane things really kick into high gear. The story shifts from being about a fish-out-of-water into one about survival. While not quite the classical hero’s journey seeing Bookbinder evolve from the bureaucratic armchair officer he was into a frontline commander is exciting and there are definite moments as he starts to come out of his shell that me with my fist in the air. For the trappings of military fantasy there are sections of Fortress Frontier that echo traditional fantasy. Bookbinders sojourn to find relief for the isolated FOB Frontier in particular reminded me of Lord of the Rings, or other quest fantasies. It was never anything too overt, and all couched in the language of a military expedition but the quest-like nature of the journey across the Source was a nice twist on a familiar trope.
Oscar’s part of the story plays a nice counterpoint to Bookbinder’s part of the story. There is less back-and-forth regarding Oscar’s opinions on the SOC and he is actually stepping up to take responsibility for his actions. These sections of the novel also delve deeper into what’s happening on the home. I still think Cole is a bit too tentative in exploring the social and political situations often discussed in the opening epitaphs of each chapter but Fortress Frontier shows a marked improvement in exploring those parts of the story. There is still a lot left unanswered in Fortress Frontier and the novels action-packed finale ends in such a way that leaves me excited for whatever Cole has planned next.
Korey Jackson returns as narrator for the audio version of Fortress Frontier. However, I found his performance this time to be much improved. While I’m still not a huge fan of his female voices (Teresa is the only major female character and the one that never sits right with me) I found he was better able to present a unique voice for the individual characters in the novel. Fortress Frontier also feels like a story that could have been well served by two narrators to better distinguish the novel’s two leads.
An improvement over Control Point on all fronts Fortress Frontier solidifies Myke Cole as an important new voice in fantasy fiction today. As the Shadow Ops world continues to grow and Cole begins to explore the social and political aspects of the Great Reawakening in greater detail I can see this series becoming a classic of the genre. The strict military tone of the series makes it an easy sell to fans of military sci-fi readers and its rich world building and ever-deepening plot will engage fantasy readers. I’m in for the long haul on this one and I highly recommend all fans of fantasy and (some fans of) science fiction give the Shadow Ops series a shot.(less)
Andrew Pyper’s The Demonologist is one of the books that I really hoped I would love. A supernatural thriller/horror novel targeted a general audience...moreAndrew Pyper’s The Demonologist is one of the books that I really hoped I would love. A supernatural thriller/horror novel targeted a general audiences its press material initially put me off due to its comparisons with The Historian a novel whose nostalgia drenched narrative felt more like a travelogue than a horror novel. Pyper’s novel never comes even close to a similar level of eye rolling nostalgia and manages to tell a passably good story along the way. The story of The Demonologist centers around Milton and Paradise Lost expert Professer David Ullman whose unique knowledge of Milton’s most famous work made him famous and seen him consult on some rather fascinating cases in the past. A mysterious offer to visit Italy offers Dr. Ullman and his daughter a chance to escape his impending divorce and offer them a chance to bond. Ullman’s experience in Italy tests the bounds of his skepticism and the seeming suicide of his daughter sends him on a quest to rescue her from the clutches of beings who Ullman has spent his life believing don’t exist.
Beneath the surface of what I felt was a fairly straight forward horror tale is a deeper investigation into the nature of depression and the weight of the past on our lives. Ullman’s depression and seclusion helped to drive his wife into the arms of another man and Ullman’s own retreat into his inner life is well document over the course of the novel. The professor’s outer journey over the course of the novel can be seen as a reflection of an inner life intimately tied to Milton’s Paradise Lost. Tess’s involvement in the story stems from the fact that she suffers from the same affliction. While Pyper doesn’t really use any narrative tricks over the course of the novel Ullman’s depression and the loss of his daughter early in the novel definitely call into question his own sanity at various points during the novel. Pyper dangles that out quite nicely throughout the novel but manages to keep it constantly out of reach of those who might be willing to take it.
Part of the success behind casting some doubt as to Ullman’s reliability as a narrator is that Pyper manages to sketch a complete picture of the man throughout the course of the novel. By keeping the novel more or less firmly planted over Ullman’s shoulder the reader gets a clean and clear picture into the doctor’s psyche. While Pyper might call into question Ullman’s mental stability at various points in the narrative the clarity of Ullman’s perception and his clear focus in rescuing his daughter manage to keep the novel from leaning too heavily on this technique. While Tess is killed early in the novel her presence throughout the remainder of the novel is keenly felt. Pyper offers some occasionally diversions from Ullman’s point of view that aid in this but the Professor’s possession of his daughter’s journal is one of the primary means through which readers get to know her and how Pyper manage’s to convey that Ullman’s depression may not be quite what it seems to be.
Over the course of the novel Pyper cleverly portrays the novel’s demons as human and his meditations on the nature of possession blend both psychology and the supernatural into a disturbingly believable whole. As the novel progresses Pyper builds towards what feels like might be a rather thrilling and heart-wrenching confrontation but falls closer to either didactic of pedagogical. It is the novel’s final quarter or so that really suffers as a result and the final conclusion feels like a bit of a cop out with an ending that feels like it defeats the purpose of the previous 300 pages or so. There is a part, the Comic Book Guy-like genre nerd, that wants to point my finger at the mainstream publisher and blame the grab from appeal to larger market on what feels like a cop out, but that isn’t entirely helpful and in truth the ending, while unsatisfactory in my eyes, does not negate my enjoyment of the novel. The Demonologist is an impressive novel that manages to offer mainstream appeal while still doing its best to stay true to its roots and, while its ending certainly disappoints it didn’t make the journey any less enjoyable.(less)
I feel like at this point my relationship with the Honor Harrington books is beginning to resemble my late 90s relationship with The Wheel of Time. I...moreI feel like at this point my relationship with the Honor Harrington books is beginning to resemble my late 90s relationship with The Wheel of Time. I feel like I both dread and anticipate each new release. While the series never meanders in quite the way the middle books of Robert Jordan’s series do I still find a certain lack of satisfaction in each of Weber’s newer Honorverse novels. Over the course of each novel that sense of excitement and satisfaction waxes and wanes but the long(ish) gaps between novels makes what feels like a lack of forward momentum somewhat disheartening. The latest novel in the Honorverse, Shadow of Freedom, continues that trend. A Shadow of Freedom overlaps a bit chronologically with A Rising Thunder with the effects of the Oyster Bay attacks trickling out to the more distantly stationed Manticore fleet helmed by Michelle Henke. The novel focuses on the aftereffects of Manticore’s aggressive response to its being attacked on its home soil.
These aftereffects unfurl on two fronts: the seizure of Manticoran Merchant ship and her crew, and the Mobius Liberation Front’s struggles against a Frontier Fleet backed regime. This latter part is the hardest to get into at first. Weber loves his conversation scenes whether it be in a political office or on the bridge of a ship the man loves to set his characters scheming and planning. This is all well and good when those characters are ones the reader is familiar with and when those discussions represent an aspect of the novel with which the reader has a previous emotional attachment. Whether its Baroness Medusa discussing the ramifications of Oyster Bay for the Talbott Quadrant, or Michelle Henke discussing with her officers or subordinates the tactics and strategies of her fleet these conversations represent an important and enjoyable aspect of any Weber book. However, these types of scenes are far less interesting when they represent new aspects of the series. Such is the case when it comes to the introduction of Mobius Liberation Front. Introduced early in the novel, and touched upon frequently as things proceed that initially introduction felt to me like a huge hurdle. David Weber is something of a master planner when it comes to the big picture so surmounting that hurdle has a nice payoff in the end but it was slow going getting through these section when what I really wanted were the characters I was more familiar with.
As I have stated in past reviews the “series” nature of the Honorverse has grown increasingly complex. Including the main series and any other ancillary titles Shadow of Freedom marks the 26th book in the Honorverse and the 14th novel in the series main sequence. As has been the case in the later novels Shadow of Freedom while taking place as part of the core series relies heavily on titles that took place outside the main Honor Harrington titles. Confused yet? I know I am. What I’m trying to say is that the Honorverse is huge and complex and the David Weber has been carefully interweaving elements of this shared world for quite some time. It feels like many of those elements are now being distilled and focused towards what feels like will be one big, epic confrontation. It also makes this series almost impervious, that is to say completely opaque, to new readers. I’m sure some intrepid readers are willing to play the catch-up game but I pity anyone who saw this title on the shelf and picked it up on a whim; it would make almost no sense. I don’t expect each new book in a series to be immediately accessible to new readers but I would think it would be in both the publisher’s and author’s best interest to find a way to bring new readers into even long running series (the comic industry has been doing this for years from alternate universes, rebooted #1s, etc.). Regardless, I felt that Shadow of Freedom offered some major insight into the massive fight that the Star Empire will have on its hands; a fight I am eagerly waiting to witness.(less)
I discovered David Wong’s (aka Cracked.com’s Jason Pargin) first novel, John Dies at the End while it was still available for free via the author’s we...moreI discovered David Wong’s (aka Cracked.com’s Jason Pargin) first novel, John Dies at the End while it was still available for free via the author’s website. It was soon picked up by small horror publisher Permuted Press for publication in paperback which I immediately scooped up for the library. Two years later John Dies at the End was picked up by St. Martin’s for publication in hardcover (which the library also now owns). In the midst of all this horror luminary Don Coscarelli (writer/director of Phantasm, The Beastmaster, and Bubba Ho-Tep) adapted and directed John Dies at the End for the big screen. While the film has yet to hit theaters yet (it was on the festival circuit this past summer but looks to debut in January 2013) Wong’s first novel was something a sleeper hit (if mostly among horror fans) and it should come as no small surprise that Wong has penned a sequel novel: This Book if Full of Spiders, Seriously Dude Don’t Touch It.
Much like Wong’s first novel This Book is Full of Spiders is full of…well spiders but also of the author’s trademark brand of irreverent humor and over-the-top bizarre nightmare imagery. At one point in the novel John (it isn’t really a spoiler that he survived the first novel, is it?) is assaulted by a giant spider, again not a big surprise, but said spider is composed entirely out of turkeys. Of course, like in John Dies at the End, much of novel is narrated by the fictional David Wong (who is also a character in the book). Wong, is perhaps only a tiny bit more reliable than his friend John in terms of what he says and does but that isn’t saying much.
The humor in This Book is Full of Spiders, Seriously Dude Don’t Touch It definitely falls into the less sophisticated category of college-level humor and readers should understand that this is a book that looks to mimic the gross-out over-the-top cult horror typified by the low-budget films of of the 70s and 80s. This is by and large a book designed for folks who love cult horror movies and as such it succeeds on every level. If you don’t have a soft spot in your heart for the films of Sam Raimi, if you’ve never actively wondered who would win a fight between Freddy and Jason, if you don’t cringe a little at the sight of puzzle boxes, or if you actually liked the Will Smith adaptation of I Am Legend then this probably isn’t the book for you. Everyone else? Enjoy!(less)
Guardian by Jack Campbell marks the first of the Lost Fleet books that I’ve read in print (the rest I’ve listened to on audio) and it was an interesti...moreGuardian by Jack Campbell marks the first of the Lost Fleet books that I’ve read in print (the rest I’ve listened to on audio) and it was an interesting experience. Insofar as I could tell the digital galley sent to me by the publisher was a pdf or at least a very very poorly formatted mobi file. This is a fact that is inconsequential as far as the novel’s content goes but certainly makes a big difference in my enjoyment of the reading experience. The formatting wasn’t too horrible however and I speed through the novel at lightning speed. Audiobooks have the benefit of control the rate at which I consume (assuming I don’t want to increase the playback speed) fiction, however they also have the benefit of allowing me to enjoy a book a can’t put down while actually doing other things. Reading Guardian in print definitely saw my attention to other responsibilities greatly lessened as I wanted to know what was going to happen next with an almost feverish desire.
Guardian is the third book of the second Lost Fleet series, Beyond the Frontier, chronicling the journey of the Alliance fleet and its commander John “Blackjack” Geary. For those not in the know this is pure military space opera. Where the original series saw the fleet trying to return home from deep within enemy territory Beyond the Frontier saw the fleet seeking to establish contact with alien entities beyond the borders of known space. Things haven’t gone completely to plan as Geary and the Fleet encounter the hostile Enigma race as well as the suicidely insular “bearcows” and it is the horrific (if only in appearance) spider-like race dubbed “Dancers” that the fleet has made peaceful contact with. Guardian opens with the fleet entering the Midway system (as seen in Tarnished Knight) and managing to scare off a Syndic fleet attempting to reestablish control there. As the Fleet attempts to traverse the chaotic space of the Syndicate (and former Syndicate) worlds it must deal with Syndicates who have a renewed interest in stopping the fleet and who must resolve in underhanded tactics in order to prevent restarting a war it cannot afford.
If all that doesn’t sound complicated enough there is a growing political problem at home; a growing disconnect between the active military, the military command structure, and the politicians running the government. At the center of this political storm is Admiral John Geary who is either loved, feared, or hated (or some combination thereof) by each of these different parties. Campbell does a brilliant job of playing the tension generated by this political situation against the real dangers of traversing enemy space. Tossed into this mix are the Dancer “allies” whose own motivations are somewhat clouded due to the language barrier. Campbell is, as ever, a deft hand at relaying military action and does a fantastic job at illustrating the powerful support structure Geary has built around himself and the fleet over the course several books.
While Campbell has gotten better at portraying the relationships between certain characters, particularly the strange relationship triangle of Geary, Rione, and Desjani, these relationships remain secondary to the grand themes that drive the action of the series. That isn’t so much a critique at this point so much as something I’ve come to adjust to with Campbell’s writing. Campbell has so far managed to craft a fairly complete picture of Admiral Geary over the course of these novels. He never comes off as perfect and his flaws are apparent when contrasted against the various characters he surrounds himself with.
As in the past my biggest complaint about Guardian is that it is over way too quickly. While there is a ton of action and many twists and turns there still is a lot left unresolved. Once again Campbell has introduced a variety of new things over the course of the novel from the ever-growing political tensions to the huge twist at the novel’s conclusion but Guardian marks the first time that I’ve begun to wonder of Campbell has bitten off a bit more than he chew. With twist presented in the novel’s final chapters there still remains a multitude of plot points that have yet to be resolved in any meaningful way: the mystery of of Enigmas, the fate of Michael Geary, the true desires of the Dancers, and the Alliance’s political problems to name the big ones. While Guardian advances some of those plots it does little, if anything, to resolve any of them. I am definitely left itching for more from Beyond the Frontier I also desperately want at least one of these plots to resolve in some way. If you’re a fan of the Lost Fleet, Guardian offers more to devour while setting the stage for what looks to be (I can hope) something huge in the future.(less)
Tarnished Knight marks the first book outside of Jack Campbell’s two Lost Fleet series. Part of a new subseries entitled The Lost Stars, The Tarnished...moreTarnished Knight marks the first book outside of Jack Campbell’s two Lost Fleet series. Part of a new subseries entitled The Lost Stars, The Tarnished Knight, is Campbells first work to feature protagonists not from the Alliance worlds. Picking just before the Alliance fleet arrives in the Midway star system (I believe it was in Dreadnaught) this novel features two former Syndicate CEOs Artur Drakon, and Gwen Iceni. The two CEOs, having formed a tenuous alliance, have hatched a plan to overthrow the Syndicate security forces in their system and take control of Midway. Assuming you’ve read Dreadnaught you know that their initial coup succeeds but Tarnished Knight delves deeper into the shaky alliance between these two individuals and the actions they had to take to ensure the safety of the people of Midway and the strength of their own positions.
From the get go Tarnished Knight is going to draw comparisons to Campbell’s other Lost Fleet series. This is not necessarily the best comparison to make since unlike the majority of the Lost Fleet series Tarnished Knight is much more about the politics and government than it is about military action. We, the readers, have been told (and seen demonstrated) countless times over the course of the Lost Fleet series just what kinds of people the Syndicate Worlds have placed in charge and it is in Tarnished Knight that we get to seem people who defy established conventions; at least to an extent.
While Campbell has never provided an inside look at how the core Syndicate Worlds work through the two protagonists seen in Tarnished Knight readers can quite easily draw some conclusions about several things. The level of distrust between Iceni and Drakon ties into the emphasis on personal power that the title CEO has come to represent. Countless times over the course of the novel the seeds of distrust are expressed by both characters and are frequently enhanced by their subordinates. The level of fear and mistrust that must exist in the Syndicate Worlds is palpable over the course of the novel and the way both Iceni and Drakon walk a thin line in trying to be something more that a Syndicate CEO, they even change their titles to President and General, while struggling against the type of cutthroat brutality ingrained by their past is both interesting and engaging.
At many times over the course of the novel watching Iceni and Drakon emerge from the yoke of Syndicate rule is like watching a newborn calf take its first stumbling steps. Except for this calf those missteps end in assassination and murder. Nowhere is this more evident than in Iceni’s and Drakon’s opinion of the judicial system. To them it is a tool of CEOs, a thing meant to punish, their version of the law all that matters. It is fascinating to watch the bafflement when the notion of actual justice is brought up. There is another wonderful moment in the novel when, in a somewhat candid conversation, Drakon and Iceni try to imagine who or what they might be had they not grown up in the Syndicate Worlds and find themselves with a rather depressing shortage of answers.
Tarnished Knight is not without its stumbling blocks. The novel feels like it meanders and while there is some action over the course of the novel it doesn’t quite engage the same way that the Lost Fleet novel do. Tarnished Knight is a book targeted more at Campbell’s establish reader base and I don’t think that someone picking this book up at random would enjoy it though Campbell does provide enough background that new readers could definitely grasp what was going. Character relationships remain a bit of a problem for Campbell, particularly when it comes to romance, there is an awkward almost adolescent feel to the realtionships that often feels a bit forced.
Overall I enjoyed my times with Tarnished Knight. While it didn’t grab me with fervent need to plow forward it provided a consistent and entertaining read that served as a mid-meal snack during the wait for the next new Lost Fleet novel; in fact the ending of Tarnished Knight leads directly into that next novel. All in all I’m definitely looking forward to more novels in the Lost Stars series and it will be interesting to see if Campbell continues with the characters seen here or moves to a different system all together. While I can’t honestly recommend Tarnished Knight to Campbell newbies I can say that long-term fans of Campbell’s Lost Fleet series should find a lot to like in this interesting diversion.(less)
The last novel I read by Warren Ellis was Crooked Little Vein back in 2008 which was something of a surrealistic conspiracy laden noir that was enjoya...moreThe last novel I read by Warren Ellis was Crooked Little Vein back in 2008 which was something of a surrealistic conspiracy laden noir that was enjoyable even if left me feeling a bit dirty after having read it. Back in January Ellis released another novel Gun Machine. My somewhat sullied feeling aside having read Ellis’ previous novel I practically jumped at chance to grab a copy when it was released and devoured the novel over the course of two days. In Gun Machine a routine call about a disturbance leaves Detective John Tallow absent a partner and with a troubling and enigmatic case on his hands: a locked apartment full of guns each one tied to an unsolved homicide case.
Ellis definitely gets a nod for taking what amounts to a locked room mystery and twisting into a barely recognizable shape. In your typical locked room mystery the “impossible” murder has taken place inside a locked room that the killer could never have entered or escaped. In this case the locked room doesn’t hold a single murder but rather the clues to many different murders. Much like in the traditional locked room mystery Tallow is driven by the clues offered by the guns to find a rational explanation for their presence. However, in typical Ellis fashion that rationale is both twisted and touched with a hint of insanity.
Detective Tallow starts the novel as your sort of everyday working stiff; a man who lives on the edges of the existence and is just going through the motions. The death of his partner at the start of the novel and the mystery it reveals act as a catalyst for Tallow and his behavior over the course of the novel feels something like that of a sleeping man waking up. His early investigations are stiff and a bit stunted but as more and more connections with the cache of firearms are revealed he really comes to life and there is a genuine sense of evolution in his approach to both his own life and his job. A large part of that change is Tallow’s evolving relationship with the two investigators in the Crime Scene Unit whom he meets early in the novel. Tallow and the techs make rather odd bed-fellows to be sure. Tallow, even at the start of the novel, feels like a very solitary creature. Detached from reality and going through the motions of reality his relationship with the Crime Scene techs furthers helps to draw him out of his shell.
Tallow’s detached relationship to the world around him definitely helps in playing him against The Hunter the somewhat surrealistic mostly crazy “villain” of Gun Machine. There are similarities between the two characters in their approach to living that reveal them as two sides of the same coin. I felt like given different circumstances Tallow could definitely have been the same as the Hunter. Ellis only plays with this notion lightly; almost so that I think I might have imagined it, but the initial solitary nature of both characters makes me think that I’m not reading into things too much.
While Gun Machine offers a more straight-forward approach to crime fiction the plot of the novel often leans quite heavily on coincidence and chance encounters. The novel has a scripted feel to it and there times that coincidence brushes up right against the edges of credulity. For myself it never really crosses the line into incredulity and Ellis’ writing and characters manage to carry away any concerns I might have. While Ellis is well-known for his work in comics I definitely would like to see a more frequent output of prose novels. Gun Machine is a well-crafted and entertaining novel that goes in a direction that I’ve never really scene in crime fiction. More from Ellis is always welcome and I recommend any fans of crime fiction, particularly noir and hard-boiled crime fiction, give Gun Machine a try.(less)
Fortress Frontier by Myke Cole is the sequel to the author’s debut novel Control Point. Control Point was very much the tale of Oscar Britain and thro...moreFortress Frontier by Myke Cole is the sequel to the author’s debut novel Control Point. Control Point was very much the tale of Oscar Britain and through him served to introduce the readers to the Supernatural Operations Corps. Unfortunately, this was also my problem with the novel I didn’t like Oscar. While there were times in the novel where I certainly sympathized with his plight more often than not I had serious issues with his decision making process. Fortress Frontier sees Cole broadening the scope of his world as the plot delves deeper into the various aspects of the Supernatural Operations Corps and the other “latent” people around the world.
Fortress Frontier primarily divides the story between the fugitive Oscar Britain and his crew (the former members of Shadow Coven plus the healer Teresa) and Colonel Alan Bookbinder, newly latent. The opening chapters of Fortress Frontier take place over the same time span of Control Point as Colonel Bookbinder first manifests his magic and finds himself gated out to FOB Frontier. Much like in Control Point readers get to witness the stark difference between a characters former life and their experiences in the SOC. The perspective in Fortress Frontier is shifted somewhat since Bookbinder, as an officer, offers insights into SOC operations that Oscar Britain never could. Things take a different turn as Fortress Frontier catches up with the finale of Control Point and the change of pace is refreshing.
With FOB Frontier cut off from the Home Plane things really kick into high gear. The story shifts from being about a fish-out-of-water into one about survival. While not quite the classical hero’s journey seeing Bookbinder evolve from the bureaucratic armchair officer he was into a frontline commander is exciting and there are definite moments as he starts to come out of his shell that me with my fist in the air. For the trappings of military fantasy there are sections of Fortress Frontier that echo traditional fantasy. Bookbinders sojourn to find relief for the isolated FOB Frontier in particular reminded me of Lord of the Rings, or other quest fantasies. It was never anything too overt, and all couched in the language of a military expedition but the quest-like nature of the journey across the Source was a nice twist on a familiar trope.
Oscar’s part of the story plays a nice counterpoint to Bookbinder’s part of the story. There is less back-and-forth regarding Oscar’s opinions on the SOC and he is actually stepping up to take responsibility for his actions. These sections of the novel also delve deeper into what’s happening on the home. I still think Cole is a bit too tentative in exploring the social and political situations often discussed in the opening epitaphs of each chapter but Fortress Frontier shows a marked improvement in exploring those parts of the story. There is still a lot left unanswered in Fortress Frontier and the novels action-packed finale ends in such a way that leaves me excited for whatever Cole has planned next.
Korey Jackson returns as narrator for the audio version of Fortress Frontier. However, I found his performance this time to be much improved. While I’m still not a huge fan of his female voices (Teresa is the only major female character and the one that never sits right with me) I found he was better able to present a unique voice for the individual characters in the novel. Fortress Frontier also feels like a story that could have been well served by two narrators to better distinguish the novel’s two leads.
An improvement over Control Point on all fronts Fortress Frontier solidifies Myke Cole as an important new voice in fantasy fiction today. As the Shadow Ops world continues to grow and Cole begins to explore the social and political aspects of the Great Reawakening in greater detail I can see this series becoming a classic of the genre. The strict military tone of the series makes it an easy sell to fans of military sci-fi readers and its rich world building and ever-deepening plot will engage fantasy readers. I’m in for the long haul on this one and I highly recommend all fans of fantasy and (some fans of) science fiction give the Shadow Ops series a shot.(less)
I don’t understand Brandon Sanderson. Seriously. Most fantasy authors are lucky if they come up with one new fascinating and intricate fantasy setting...moreI don’t understand Brandon Sanderson. Seriously. Most fantasy authors are lucky if they come up with one new fascinating and intricate fantasy setting. Most fantasy authors are lucky to come up with a single complex magic system (or unlucky depending on your view). Except Brandon Sanderson isn’t most fantasy authors. It seems likely that he has somehow tapped into some mystical wellfont of fantasy ideas. Of course that doesn’t even mention the fact that he seems to produce material at a seemingly inhuman rate. Since Elantris‘ release in 2005 (and up to and including The Rithmatist) Sanderson has released somewhere around 16 novels (and at least 2 novellas), 3 of which completed Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time (he has at least one more novel due this year, Steelheart in September). A Feast For Crows was published in 2005 so in that same time period George R. R. Martin has released one book: A Dance with Dragons. I’m not sure it’s a fair comparison but it’s still impressive to say the least.
Enter, The Rithmatist, Brandon Sanderson’s latest novel a fantasy geared towards the young adult market but with equal appeal for fantasy and Sanderson fans of all ages. Joel is the son of a chalkmaker and cleaning woman who attends the prestigious Armedius Academy an institution renowned as both a place of learning and for the teaching of Rithmatists. Rithmatists have the ability to work magic through chalk drawings. Both the through the crafting of circles and attacks during duels and in the defense of the American Isles against mysterious wild chalklings. While Joel is utterly fascinated by the workings of Rithmatics he lacks the ability to work it himself; a fact that won’t keep him from trying his hardest to find a professor that will teach him. Joel’s life is complicated further as Rithmatic students begin disappearing from their homes and Joel finds himself assisting the Rathmatic professor tasked with aiding the investigation.
While reading The Rithmatist I was struck by its similarities to Jim Butchers Codex Alera books, if not in setting and plot than at least with its competent protagonist who lacks the ability to work magic. It is there the similarities end at least and Joel, while certain competent and enthusiastic, has many flaws and Sanderson does a wonderful job of conveying his youth through his action. He is very much the know-it-all teen and his youthful arrogance provides both opportunity and copious amounts of trouble over the course of the novel.
Sanderson has crafted a fascinating and mysterious world in the American Isles and, much to my infinite frustration, leaves them almost entirely unexplored. The review copy given to me by Tor has a gorgeous map on the inside cover detailing a splintered map of America. It has always been my opinion that maps are an essential part of a fantasy novel; just as important as the back cover in attracting readers to whatever lays between the covers. The Rithmatist has the type of map that I would flip open and immediately want to know more about the geography detailed there. The YA market is always a little lighter on the world building and Sanderson drops some juicy little hints about the world beyond Armedius Academy that my desire to know more is nigh on ravenous.
While Sanderson may have left me maddeningly unfulfilled when it comes to knowledge about the larger world of The Rithmatist it isn’t something I really noticed while reading the book. The mystery (or mysteries depending on how your look at it) in The Rithmatist is quite engaging and the constant forward momentum enforced by the competent and energetic Joel constant keeps readers engaged with the action. With the novel solidly focused on the action Sanderson still manages to convey a sense of personal history to the story not only through tying Joel’s past directly into the novel’s story but through using Joel as lens through which the world larger social problems are glimpsed.
In addition to once again crafting a complex system of working magic it is one whose reliance on art is ably conveyed by illustrator Ben McSweeny (who also worked on art for The Way of Kings). The complex defensive circles and Rithmatic theory discussed in the novel is almost always accompanied by an easy to understand illustration. The Rithmatist is an exciting new read that fans of fantasy with a bit of urban or historical twist are going to enjoy. Sanderson has once again crafted a new and fascinating world in which he can play and I for one am excited to see where the world of The Rithmatist goes next.(less)
Howard Andrew Jones’ debut novel The Desert of Souls was one of my favorite novels of 2011. The Bones of the Old Ones , released just this January , t...moreHoward Andrew Jones’ debut novel The Desert of Souls was one of my favorite novels of 2011. The Bones of the Old Ones , released just this January , takes up bare months after the first novel left off. Asim and Dabir have taken up positions in the city of Mosul and as an uncanny cold grips the desert city the two long time friends find themselves called to action once more this time to aid the mysterious Najya; a woman hunted by a cabal of ancient sorcerer-assassins. The Bones of the Old Ones, even more than in Jones’ first novel, is a pure and unadulterated Swords and Sorcery novel.
Featuring mysterious magicians, a beautiful woman in danger, and two very human yet extraordinarily capable heroes The Bones of the Old One rockets forth at breakneck pace barely pausing for a breath as our two hero manage to stay a hairsbreadth ahead of the villains. Whereas the first novel saw Jones taking time to introduce our Asim and Dabir he all but disposes of that formality here spending what felt like a very brief chapter reacquainting readers with the two protagonists before thrusting them into danger.
At the same time Jones also delves into the history of both Dabir and Asim. For Asim this comes by way via the mysterious damsel-in-distress Najya whose quiet strength, and capable nature (not to mention great beauty) attract the stoic Asim. Through this attraction we learn a little about Asim’s past love life, just enough to provide readers with a reason behind his hesitance when it comes to his feelings for Najya. Asim isn’t the only character whose past we get to visit, Dabir revisits his own past he contact his former mentor Jibril. Both offer insight into the makeup of each character while at the same time keep the novel focused on the plot.
As in the previous volume the narrative is experience from Asim’s point of view. It is an interesting choice for narration offering a one-sided means of interpreting thought, emotion, and action. Everything that happens is relayed through the filter of Asim’s perspective and Jones does a remarkable job of staying true to his rather limited point of view. I can only imagine how frustrating it must have gotten at some points wanting to portray things that didn’t happen in front of Asim or finding ways to have Asim relay things that didn’t happen directly to them. In the end I think the strict adherence to Asim’s point of view is not only part of the novel’s charm but also plays a strong part in keeping the action fast and plot tight.
The Bones of the Old Ones was a pleasure to read. Jones crafts a taught action-packed story that never suffers as a result of its pace. Dabir and Asim are well-crafted vibrant character with distinct personalities and attitudes that together create an effective and well-rounded partnership. The Desert of Souls was an excellent first novel and, while I didn’t think it possible, The Bones of the Old Ones manages to take a similar approach and make it even faster and more thrilling than its predecessor. I’ll definitely be on the lookout from more adventures with Dabir and Asim and I recommend all fans of adventure laden fantasy give Howard Andrew Jones a try.(less)
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