Ok, maybe I'm stretching it by giving this 5 stars, but this was the best volume by far. Absolutely could not put it down. I was so completely riveted...moreOk, maybe I'm stretching it by giving this 5 stars, but this was the best volume by far. Absolutely could not put it down. I was so completely riveted that I didn't even want to get up to go to the bathroom. The Sookie character became so much more rich and complex, and I think that in this volume she crossed the boundary between her former life and her future life (though she certainly doesn't want to accept it). She can never go back to being a simple southern barmaid, and I think we can all relate to those intense moments of transition in life. I am absolutely salivating waiting for book 8 to arrive from Amazon!(less)
This book was filled with such amazing ideas and was incredibly vivid. While some might call it dystopian, I found myself thinking that it painted a v...moreThis book was filled with such amazing ideas and was incredibly vivid. While some might call it dystopian, I found myself thinking that it painted a very plausible future, and I kept thinking, "Yeah, that could happen." BUT I really wanted a lot more from it. I feel like this single book could have been a series of three, and it would have been the better for it. Also, the ending was too abstract, and it felt a little like it just kind of died. God, so much great writing only to end on such a wimpy note. Oh well. I do think Sterling is a very talented writer, and I'll read more of his work. I think he'll get there eventually.(less)
This book wasn't as good as the previous three. The dialog got pretty corny and contrived at times; and I suppose part of me really can't accept that...moreThis book wasn't as good as the previous three. The dialog got pretty corny and contrived at times; and I suppose part of me really can't accept that everyone lived happily every after. Part of me dreads but also desires bad shit to happen 'cause that's reality. Nonetheless, this book served as a good wrap up to the Ender's quartet, and I do recommend it for those who've enjoyed the first three.
I also must say, though, that I wish I hadn't investigated Card's biography earlier this evening--didn't realize he was a Mormon or had the political views that he does. I honestly don't think I would have read the series if I'd known...so I'm really glad I didn't know, because it was a fantastic series. Judge the art not the artist, I suppose.(less)
Alright! That's more like it. In this book, Sookie is back to being her charming self and the incessant recaps have been squelched. Alcide is a fantas...moreAlright! That's more like it. In this book, Sookie is back to being her charming self and the incessant recaps have been squelched. Alcide is a fantastic addition to the series. A great characher. This series is so much fun to read. I do hope Harris can keep it on track in future books.(less)
This is a great read for someone looking for something imaginative yet accessible. This is the first Calvino book that I’ve read and my expectations w...moreThis is a great read for someone looking for something imaginative yet accessible. This is the first Calvino book that I’ve read and my expectations were very high, but I must say that I did not think the writing style was as sophisticated as Borges (to whom Calvino has been compared). Borges uses such rich, textured language and sets a tone that is both mysterious and enigmatic, whereas Calvino’s work seems far more plot driven. Some of the stories in Cosmicomics are more successful than others (The Aquatic Uncle, The Dinosaurs, The Spiral), and I found their arrangement within the book odd. Nonetheless, it was a quick, enjoyable read and I’d like to try reading at least one more of his works. I think it deserves more than three stars, but not four. (Also, this could be a fun read for a young adult.) (less)
Oh, Eric, you are so delicious! I'm so gullible, I just couldn't wait for Sookie to jump in the sack with the viking once again...exactly as Harris pl...moreOh, Eric, you are so delicious! I'm so gullible, I just couldn't wait for Sookie to jump in the sack with the viking once again...exactly as Harris planned, I'd venture a guess. So when will the other shoe drop in Sookie's love life? And what's going on with Sam, 'cause this whole sam-is-such-a-great-friend thing is a set up for something to come. Cannot wait until May for #10! (less)
Yay! Even better than the third book. This is such a fun series to read. Loved all of the Eric stuff in this one (I'm not going to give it away). I wa...moreYay! Even better than the third book. This is such a fun series to read. Loved all of the Eric stuff in this one (I'm not going to give it away). I was bouncing up and down with excitement on the couch as I read...OK, fine, I'm a big dork.(less)
9/16--Oh my gosh! This is way too much fun! I find myself laughing out loud on the bus like a crazy person.
9/22--Finished this book in a few days. It...more9/16--Oh my gosh! This is way too much fun! I find myself laughing out loud on the bus like a crazy person.
9/22--Finished this book in a few days. It was sexy, charming, funny, and a whole lot of fun. A really fast, enjoyable read.
I will say though, that after reading the book, I gained even more appreciation for True Blood the television series. The series is actually much weirder than the book (weird in a good way), and the writers have taken out/distilled certain elements, making it a truly fantastic series (well, when you have great material to begin with and a talented team of writers, I guess that's to be expected).
Anyway, totally fun...but, yes, a bit of a guilty pleasure.(less)
These book are so addictive and just get better with each installment! One thing I realized that I really enjoy about Harris' writing is the way that...moreThese book are so addictive and just get better with each installment! One thing I realized that I really enjoy about Harris' writing is the way that she describes mundane tasks in great detail (such as taking a shower, grocery shopping, cleaning house). Most writers avoid that stuff because they think it won't be engaging, but I've found that I love it. Can't really explain why, but maybe it's because it makes Sookie seem more real and, therefore, more easy to identify with (despite the preposterous events in her life). Dunno, but I freaking love this series! (less)
Oh my god! This is frakking awesome. The prose is simple, and it is abundantly readable.
Some of the criticisms I've read frankly don't make a lot of...moreOh my god! This is frakking awesome. The prose is simple, and it is abundantly readable.
Some of the criticisms I've read frankly don't make a lot of sense to me. One does not need to write like James Joyce to be effective; Ender's game is a plot-driven narrative, and a great one at that. And yes, the main character is a child soldier and genius...but he was bred to be so, just as he was bred to reap destruction. It's also important to keep in mind that children are easy to manipulate, geniuses or not, and Ender was without a doubt manipulated.
My only criticism would be the ending. A ton of information was given in the last chapter, and it felt rushed to me. I would have been more than happy to read another 50 pages. I hesitate to give this criticism though, because I know that the last chapter is further explored in the next book.(less)
This book begins the series that is parallel to the Ender's quartet. Interestingly, it is a young-adult series, whereas the Ender's quartet is not (wh...moreThis book begins the series that is parallel to the Ender's quartet. Interestingly, it is a young-adult series, whereas the Ender's quartet is not (while the first book, Ender's Game, is quite accessible to a younger reader the other three books definitely aren't). Anyway, this book was good, but not as sophisticated as any in the Ender's quartet, and Bean is not as strong a character as Ender. It was interesting to see things from a different perspective though, and at some point I may finish the other three books in this parallel series.(less)
Great book. Fun and well written. I actually like the way that Asimov structures his writing into little self-contained vignettes. The concepts certai...moreGreat book. Fun and well written. I actually like the way that Asimov structures his writing into little self-contained vignettes. The concepts certainly aren't earth shattering, but, then again, this was written in the 1940s (first published in periodical form). Definitely one to read if you're interested in the sci fi genre and its history/evolution.(less)
Hooray for Sookie! This is just what I needed after a brutal 1st quarter in library school. My spirits were instantly lifted by a cocktail of carnage...moreHooray for Sookie! This is just what I needed after a brutal 1st quarter in library school. My spirits were instantly lifted by a cocktail of carnage with a spritz of humor.(less)
The secret of life, the universe, and everything is ... 42. An absurd delight for Anglophiles. Completely hilarious and abundantly readable. "So long,...moreThe secret of life, the universe, and everything is ... 42. An absurd delight for Anglophiles. Completely hilarious and abundantly readable. "So long, and thanks for all the fish!"(less)
This was a strong contender for the UW Common Book this year. It was a REALLY engaging read. Truly one of those can't-be-put-down books. But, for thos...moreThis was a strong contender for the UW Common Book this year. It was a REALLY engaging read. Truly one of those can't-be-put-down books. But, for those of you who love science fiction, this isn't what you'd expect and it may not be your thing. As far as slave narratives go however, absolutely one of the best I've ever read.(less)
9/22-Hmm, you know, I'm about halfway through this book and I gotta say that the flavor has significantly altered from the first book in the series. M...more9/22-Hmm, you know, I'm about halfway through this book and I gotta say that the flavor has significantly altered from the first book in the series. More than anything, the Sookie character has become kind of bitchy and unlikeable. I no longer buy that she smart (in an unconventional way) or tough or thoughtful or unusual. Also, while I know that in a series it can be important to reiterate some of what has happened in previous volumes, when it is excessive, it is incredibly annoying and, frankly, makes me feel a little like my intelligence is being insulted. It is a light, fun, easy series and doesn't warrant the rehashing of every last detail! I'm trying not to get upset, but the first book really got me excited and I'm feeling a little let down. Also, there's no sex in this book. What the hell?!
The second half of this book was better. But, still, this volume felt convoluted. (less)
So far, so frustrating. It took me 100 pages to get hooked. Up to that point, each page I turned I asked myself why in the hell I was still reading th...moreSo far, so frustrating. It took me 100 pages to get hooked. Up to that point, each page I turned I asked myself why in the hell I was still reading this book. Sucky dialog, annoying slang, weird montage structure (not in an interesting exploration of nonlinear writing kind of way, but in an I don't know how to write a transition kind of way), kind of detective novely, kind of a boy book. But then, low, it was FINALLY revealed that, yes, this book does have a point. Now I'm hooked, and I'm finding the concept really fascinating. Too bad it got off to such a rough start. More to come...
The last third of this book was exceptional: one of the more complex renderings of AI. I sort of had to read it given just how influential it has been, and I'm glad that I now know where certain ideas originated. Given the rough start though, I can only give this book three stars.(less)
A book this long never went so fast. I love this series. Each book is better and more sophisticated than the last. The depth of this series is pretty...moreA book this long never went so fast. I love this series. Each book is better and more sophisticated than the last. The depth of this series is pretty remarkable, and I have to wonder if there is much sci fi out there that covers as much ground. Themes of spirituality rarely seem to make their way into sci fi, and when they do most die-hard fans are completely turned off. I was really interested in the bringing in of Path (somewhat like Daoism) and Catholicism, and yet Xenocide was not an endorsement of any religion, but a meditation on spirituality. Yes, the science is not sound. Well, who the hell cares? So many of the things that I love are absurd; it is the metaphors contained within these stories that grab me, not their total adherence to “truth”. And whether I love or hate them, I can identify with all of the characters in Xenocide, which is a crucial factor in my liking or hating a book.
The Ender’s Game series is immensely humanistic and yet at the same time incredibly critical of human nature--it’s this dialectical quality that also makes me completely love the series. I won’t give away anything that happens, but the series also gives you so many of those mind-blowing moments where you start to read faster than you thought possible just to take in everything that you can because it is so damn exciting and unexpected. (less)
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