Uh oh. I have only one criticism of this book. Sanderson has claimed that this was intended to be a stand-alone novel. Rubbish. However, that being sa...moreUh oh. I have only one criticism of this book. Sanderson has claimed that this was intended to be a stand-alone novel. Rubbish. However, that being said, bring on the sequel! This is a wonderful blend of fantasy, technology, mystery, and adventure yarn. Having not read the earlier Mistborn novels, I cannot judge it within context. I suspect having read the previous trilogy would enhance this novel, but it is not needed. More please.
The paperback is out, as are the hardcover, ebook, and audio CDs. Kent will enjoy this. Doc should make this his next book.(less)
I have purposefully delayed reading Brandon Sanderson because of length. Most fantasy novels are so long these days that I don't want to commit to ser...moreI have purposefully delayed reading Brandon Sanderson because of length. Most fantasy novels are so long these days that I don't want to commit to series despite their premise. This short novel (which is similar in length to Great Gatsby) drew my interest. Sanderson now has my attention.
This novel is terrific. It is a wonderful mix of magic, ethics, and political intrigue. I don't want to say too much because I could unintentionally spoil it. Even as I began to suspect the resolution, the novel held my interest. Highly recommended for Doc and Kent. For Ashley this is a no brainer.(less)
I read most of this book in one day. As usual, Resnick places his focus on the interaction of the characters, their motivations, and moral dilemmas. T...moreI read most of this book in one day. As usual, Resnick places his focus on the interaction of the characters, their motivations, and moral dilemmas. The steampunk setting (or weird western) is interesting. Unfortunately, Resnick has increased the level of profanity in some of his more recent novels--especially the Starship series. It continues here, and I found it distracting--lowering my rating. Doc might like it. It's a no for Kent.(less)
Interesting pedigree. This was a stand-alone novel for fifteen years that has now become the first volume of a six book series. Lucky me. This is gran...moreInteresting pedigree. This was a stand-alone novel for fifteen years that has now become the first volume of a six book series. Lucky me. This is grand space opera wrapped around an interesting historical mystery, with bad guys standing in the way for different reasons. Alex Benedict is an interesting character: flawed, determined, philosophical, clever, but not especially heroic. The story is well paced, with an interesting resolution. Ashley will like this. Highly recommended for Doc and Kent.(less)
Not my usual style, but I enjoyed this book. I'm uncomfortable with journalistic exposes that lack documentation and are largely hearsay. The focus is...moreNot my usual style, but I enjoyed this book. I'm uncomfortable with journalistic exposes that lack documentation and are largely hearsay. The focus is on the agents, the administration of the Secret Service, and anecdots about the protectees. While the author clearly has an agenda, he makes his case in a reasoned manner. Two chapters caused me to reduce this rating from 4 stars to 3--chapters 3 & 26. I understand their inclusion, but I found them distracting. I think both Kent and Doc would find this interesting (but for different reasons).(less)
Another romp with Peabody and Emerson. As is usual with this series, there is a solid, simple plot that is filled out with a mix of archaeology, histo...moreAnother romp with Peabody and Emerson. As is usual with this series, there is a solid, simple plot that is filled out with a mix of archaeology, history, mystery, and humor.(less)
This is Deighton's first novel. Like many of his espionage tales, it is slightly disjointed, almost eclectic. Deighton selects the details he wishes t...moreThis is Deighton's first novel. Like many of his espionage tales, it is slightly disjointed, almost eclectic. Deighton selects the details he wishes to give us with a style that appears somewhat random. The story is interesting, but sustains little suspense. He has written much better stories.(less)
I haven't read Reeman in a very long time. I selected this title because it was a little different focus--Royal Marines, set in World War II, and stag...moreI haven't read Reeman in a very long time. I selected this title because it was a little different focus--Royal Marines, set in World War II, and staged mostly in the Med. This is a much more recent novel than most of his other works that I have read. As a result, it is a little more adult in its content. At the same time, the action is descriptive without being bloody, and the profanity is muted. There are a few minor breaks in the continuity. I would have liked just a little more information. However, the novel is very well paced with interesting settings and some interesting characters. The fate of one individual is quite apparent from early in the story, and there are no twists, but as an adventure/soap opera is works very well. Highly recommend to Doc. Ken would probably like it.(less)
This is an oft used formula--NASA coverup--but it has a terrific hook. I won't go into details because I don't want to generate spoilers. McDevitt and...moreThis is an oft used formula--NASA coverup--but it has a terrific hook. I won't go into details because I don't want to generate spoilers. McDevitt and Resnick work well together in this rapidly paced thriller. It is a light read that falls into the can't-put-it=down column.(less)
This is one of Grisham's more entertaining recent novels. There were a couple of places where I experienced an information jump that I found confusing...moreThis is one of Grisham's more entertaining recent novels. There were a couple of places where I experienced an information jump that I found confusing, but it may have been the gaps in my reading time. I found the characters interesting. The story was clever and flowed well. Grisham's style continues to sweep the reader along regardless of the intensity or interest of a particular story. My only chriticism is the extended time spent with the fake movie interviews with Nate Cooley. Grisham could have covered this ground in half the time. I found myself getting impatient with the level of detail. Still, a very good title. This book should appeal to more than just fans of legal thrillers.(less)
Engaging juvenile novel involving teenage versions of D'Artangion, Athos, Porthos, Aramis, Milady de Winter, and Louis XIII. Twisted around time trave...moreEngaging juvenile novel involving teenage versions of D'Artangion, Athos, Porthos, Aramis, Milady de Winter, and Louis XIII. Twisted around time travel and sorcery, this is a wonderful mix of Dumas characters, historical anachronisms, and the time travel paradox. While it probably owes more to Marty McFly than Robert Heinlein, this is a lot of fun.(less)
A colleague recently commented that she disliked the middle volume of a trilogy. She even noted that she would occasionally skip the middle volume and...moreA colleague recently commented that she disliked the middle volume of a trilogy. She even noted that she would occasionally skip the middle volume and miss nothing. I think she has a point. in an effort to prepare a complete story arc, the middle volume suffers. Longer series don't seem to suffer in the same way. Furthermore, unplanned trilogies also don't have this problem--such as the original three Cobra novels.
This is an okay follow-up to Cobra Alliance, but it does suffer from being the middle volume. Readers who start with this volume will be confused as three disparate storylines are drawn together. However, the Moreau family is interesting enough to hold my interest.(less)
Okay. I finally finished my first Scalzi novel--the third one I've started. This will push me back into the others.
Writing a novel that runs parallel...moreOkay. I finally finished my first Scalzi novel--the third one I've started. This will push me back into the others.
Writing a novel that runs parallel to another novel is a challenge for any author. Anne McCaffrey and Orson Scott Card have done it well, but in those cases I had read both halves. In Scalzi's case, I have not read the Last Colony. Zoe's Tale is a YA novel that runs parallel to the third novel in Scalzi's Old Man's War sequence. It is terrific.
I like the set-up. I like the characters. I found the story to be well crafted and interesting. I would have been perfectly happy if it had another 100 pages (or the digital equivalent). I do have a few questions that I expect are answered in The Last Colony, but . . .
A must read for Ashley. Strongly recommended to Doc and Kent.(less)
This is a strong odyssey/adventure type of story, and very good military space opera. Language is a little course in a few places, which is the reason...moreThis is a strong odyssey/adventure type of story, and very good military space opera. Language is a little course in a few places, which is the reason for the 4 star rating. This is an improvement over the first two RCN novels. Strongly recommended for Doc.
This is an engrossing cold war tale that reflects its time and place. While the ending is somewhat ambiguous, the politics are not. Uris wrote a novel...moreThis is an engrossing cold war tale that reflects its time and place. While the ending is somewhat ambiguous, the politics are not. Uris wrote a novel that was harshly critical of French politics and actions in the 1960s. His fictional president of France was a thinly veiled Charles de Gaulle.
Built against the backdrop of the Cuban missile crisis, this novel is essentially a mole hunt within French security forces. While it doesn't contain of the classic elements as defined a few years later in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy, this novel works well. Topaz avoids red herrings, but is weakened some by the extreme level of political commentary.(less)
I expect that part of the purpose of this novella is to explain more of the back story of Aaron Tragon. It provides background to his character as he...moreI expect that part of the purpose of this novella is to explain more of the back story of Aaron Tragon. It provides background to his character as he goes through loss of a friend and a lover. Once again the Star-born and the Earth-born are at cross purposes. Shallow on some levels, this is a simple adventure story that provides some entertainment. Recommended only to those who have read Legacy of Heorot and Beowolf's Children.(less)
Solid second volume to this series. While the Stepsister Scheme is a little more original, this book has a stronger plot and more interesting magic. T...moreSolid second volume to this series. While the Stepsister Scheme is a little more original, this book has a stronger plot and more interesting magic. The chemistry remains strong between the three princesses, although Talia--who was my favorite character in the first book--comes off a little more shallow here. Still, a wonderful guilty pleasure with more to come.(less)
Supposedly this is one of Garfield's personal favorites among his books. It's very good. The elements are pretty standard: hoard of gold, Russian revo...moreSupposedly this is one of Garfield's personal favorites among his books. It's very good. The elements are pretty standard: hoard of gold, Russian revolution, Nazi's, death squads, Israeli intelligence, the CIA, and an innocent victim. Garfield stirs the ingredients and makes something tasty. This book isn't as clever as Hopscotch, but I would recommend it to both Doc and Kent.(less)
In the introduction, Garfield admits that Miles Kendig is the origin for Charlie Dark. As a result, Myerson, Cutter, Ross and Yaskov inhabit Charlie's...moreIn the introduction, Garfield admits that Miles Kendig is the origin for Charlie Dark. As a result, Myerson, Cutter, Ross and Yaskov inhabit Charlie's world. The difference here is that Charlie is a troubleshooter, solving individual problems in each story. The stories are puzzles, games, and thinking pieces, both clever and entertaining. The quality level of these stories is consistently high. Highly recommended.(less)
I've always liked the Walter Matthau film, and have had the paperback hanging around for years. But, when this reccently became available as a eBook,...moreI've always liked the Walter Matthau film, and have had the paperback hanging around for years. But, when this reccently became available as a eBook, I finally took the plunge. The story is more reflective and lacks the humor of the film, but I liked it very much. Myerson, Cutter, Ross and Follett are very different individuals in the book than their film counterparts. I found the book more interesting because of that. Because so much of the plot finds its way into the film, I found reading this was like encountering a variation on an old friend. This is Garfield at the height of his popularity. A very clever and enjoyable read.(less)
Sound espionage novel with a straight forward premise and few red herrings. The layers of truth move the story forward. The characters are interesting...moreSound espionage novel with a straight forward premise and few red herrings. The layers of truth move the story forward. The characters are interesting and believable. There are several elements of grittiness and/or psychological drama that could have drowned the story, but the author maintains a good balance, allowing these elements to build character without dragging down the plot. I will definitely try another book in this series.(less)
I knew the story was set at the time of Mile's wedding, and the title somehow put me off. Stupid. This is a terrific novella that is part mystery and...moreI knew the story was set at the time of Mile's wedding, and the title somehow put me off. Stupid. This is a terrific novella that is part mystery and part character study. The focus is on some of the supporting cast--adding depth to the Vorkosigan worls. A very pleasant surprise.(less)
Odd short novel of a post apocalyptic world with some technology mixed with magic. The story is slight for Saberhagen, but the premise is sound. He ob...moreOdd short novel of a post apocalyptic world with some technology mixed with magic. The story is slight for Saberhagen, but the premise is sound. He obviously saw some of the shortcomings when he combined this with its two sequels into a single revised volume as Empire of the East.(less)
As Grisham has diversified his writing--occasionally moving beyond his "scumbag lawyers" he has developed into a writer who always manages to appeal t...moreAs Grisham has diversified his writing--occasionally moving beyond his "scumbag lawyers" he has developed into a writer who always manages to appeal to me. I'm not a huge fan of these novellas, having occasionally called them vanity books. However, Grisham is becoming an exception. I like Bleachers and Playing For Pizza, but this is now my favorite. There are three reasons. One, it's a baseball story written by someone who loves baseball. Second it is about core values including integrity, honesty, regret and remorse. Third, there are no silly twists and turns. The story unfolds without complications introducing us to each character. Some we like, and some we don't. This book draws closer to Grisham's Ford County stories than the other two sports novels, but I like it for that.(less)
This installment is a mixed bag. On the plus side, the story moves forward in a logical fashion, but all the technical detail grows ponderous in the f...moreThis installment is a mixed bag. On the plus side, the story moves forward in a logical fashion, but all the technical detail grows ponderous in the first half of the book. There are two other problems. First, as the scope of the story expands, so does the cast. There are two many side plots telling me things I don't care about. This expanding cast also made it hard for me to follow the flow of the battles. Still, I like this series.(less)
The first half of this book is very clever--setting the stage for the Formic invasion. Most of the characters are interesting, and the world Card has...moreThe first half of this book is very clever--setting the stage for the Formic invasion. Most of the characters are interesting, and the world Card has created among the asteroid miners has depth. As the open ended nature of the story became apparent, I found myself losing a certain level of interest. The strength of Ender's Game, Ender's Shadow, Ender in Exile and the other stories in this sequence is their completeness. While there is an overall arc, each novel stands on its own. Earth Unaware does not. I will look forward to the sequel, but with less relish than I awaited this one.(less)
I dislike most contemporary fantasy--especially when it features vampires and werewolves. This is an exception. This is a wonderfully twisted take on...moreI dislike most contemporary fantasy--especially when it features vampires and werewolves. This is an exception. This is a wonderfully twisted take on magic. Our hero can reach into books and magically withdraw objects--either real or imaginary. Assisted by an amorous nymph and a fire spider, Isaac is a librarian who has been appointed as a cataloguer because of his reckless use of magic. Hines pokes fun at contemporary fantasy, especially all of the vampire fiction, and treats the classics (Heinlein, Tolkien, Lewis, Herbert, Saberhagen) with reverence.
A must read for Ashley and Doc. I think Kent will also like it, but he may not be too fond of the amorous nymph.(less)
Saberhagen's Dracula was an ethical creature based on the traditional Stoker mythology. Thankfully, this Dracula has no resemblence to the wave of mod...moreSaberhagen's Dracula was an ethical creature based on the traditional Stoker mythology. Thankfully, this Dracula has no resemblence to the wave of modern vampires. Pairing the actual Count Dracula with Sherlock Holmes is engaging. Set in late Victorian London, the story is narrated in alternate chapters by the Count and Dr. Watson. The pacing is sustained, and merging the Victorian world, and the mythologies of Holmes and Dracula is done quite seamlessly. Late twists came as an interesting surprise. I have put off reading this novel for decades, but now I will certainly revisit Saberhagen's vampire soon.(less)
Interesting collection from various sources. The jacket claims this to be 3 novellas, but one is really only a long story. Still, I like the mix of Wo...moreInteresting collection from various sources. The jacket claims this to be 3 novellas, but one is really only a long story. Still, I like the mix of World War I, World War II, and modern terrorist era. Very enjoyable, but short collection.(less)
In my review of Dragon Time I really sounded off about my displeasure with this elongated story arc about plagues and timing. This is the eighth book...moreIn my review of Dragon Time I really sounded off about my displeasure with this elongated story arc about plagues and timing. This is the eighth book set in the third pass, and it will be my last. This sequence should have ended three books ago. With the exception of Dragon's Kin and Dragon's Fire, these books lack the cleverness and charm of the ninth pass novels. I am particularly tired of the overly complicated social relationships that revolve around Fiona and her circle of intimates. I also find Xhinna much less interesting than Lessa or Menolly.
One problem this book has is lack of balance. Book I encompasses almost 70 percent of the narrative. Then, in a sweeping move to Book II, Fiona, Lorana, T'mar and all the other principal characters of the story arc descend on this story. The resolution seems forced, and it lacks the dramatic impact of other books in the series.(less)
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