It's been more than ten years since I've read any fantasy, and this was a welcome return. As everyone notes, "Mistborn" stands out because of its crea...moreIt's been more than ten years since I've read any fantasy, and this was a welcome return. As everyone notes, "Mistborn" stands out because of its creative fresh take on the rules of magic, and because the starting premise is that the bad guys have already won. A solid page turner from start to finish.(less)
"Shift" is even better than its predecessor, "Wool". "Wool" asks a lot of questions, but "Shift" answers them, and the answers are deeply disturbing....more"Shift" is even better than its predecessor, "Wool". "Wool" asks a lot of questions, but "Shift" answers them, and the answers are deeply disturbing. Starts slowly, but gradually builds up pace, racing to a dystopic and thrilling conclusion. Can't wait for "Dust" later this year.(less)
Beautifully written and a breath of fresh air, "Wool" is a sober look at a possible post-apocalyptic future. You quickly find yourself cheering for th...moreBeautifully written and a breath of fresh air, "Wool" is a sober look at a possible post-apocalyptic future. You quickly find yourself cheering for the good guys and jeering the bad ones, while at the same time peering over all their shoulders as they slowly figure out the true story behind the Silo. Sympathetic and realistic characters embedded in an unrecognisable and disturbing future.(less)
If you like Peter Hamilton, you'll like "Great North Road", because this book is pure Hamilton. Network of planets connected by wormholes? Check. Dogg...moreIf you like Peter Hamilton, you'll like "Great North Road", because this book is pure Hamilton. Network of planets connected by wormholes? Check. Dogged detective pursuing a 20-year old crime? Check. Long-lived dynastic families controlling the economy? Check. A mysterious alien creature that most people don't believe exists? Check. Obsessive details on the make and model of every car, truck and plane mentioned? Check.
But despite the apparent similarities with previous work, "Great North Road" is a genuinely new story with lots of original elements. It comes in at almost 1000 pages, but there are no slow bits - the story streams along, with a satisfying number of twists and turns. A great whodunnit, a thoughtful look at the imagined economy of the 22nd century, and 3-4 really solid characters at the core of the narrative. Thumbs up.(less)
A disappointing read after the brilliance of "The Doomsday Book". The funny bits just aren't funny, and the endless repetition of jokes about goldfish...moreA disappointing read after the brilliance of "The Doomsday Book". The funny bits just aren't funny, and the endless repetition of jokes about goldfish, butlers and dogs is extremely tiresome. I can't imagine a less interesting year to time-travel to than 1888, and that was confirmed by this book.(less)
"Eugenia Falleni" is at first glance an exceedingly well-researched "true crime" story of seedy Sydney in the 1920s, but underneath sits a searing, tr...more"Eugenia Falleni" is at first glance an exceedingly well-researched "true crime" story of seedy Sydney in the 1920s, but underneath sits a searing, tragic narrative of gender, prejudice, and the simple desire to be loved. The author peppers an unbelievable true story with patient explanations of the judicial process and the rules of evidence, coloured with a vivid portrait of working-class Sydney in the years before the Great Depression. This book elevates Falleni into Australia's rich pantheon of misunderstood heroes/villains, a place where she deservedly belongs. Almost a century later, her story still has strong lessons about how we view and treat the LGBTIQ community.(less)
Probably the best book I've read this year, "The Dog Stars" is a haunting, beautifully written adult analog of "Z For Zachariah". Highly recommended f...moreProbably the best book I've read this year, "The Dog Stars" is a haunting, beautifully written adult analog of "Z For Zachariah". Highly recommended for anyone who enjoyed 2012's other gem, "The Age of Miracles", "The Dog Stars" explores similar themes of loss, family and community against a post-apocalyptic backdrop, but takes these ideas to even greater heights.(less)
Another ripping yarn from Jeffrey Toobin - a worthy follow-up to "The Nine". Makes the complexity and arcane nature of the Supreme Court thrilling and...moreAnother ripping yarn from Jeffrey Toobin - a worthy follow-up to "The Nine". Makes the complexity and arcane nature of the Supreme Court thrilling and exciting. I love the characters, the backstories, and the plot twists. Only criticism is that it's a bit disjointed or repetitive at times, probably because parts have been serialised from The New Yorker.(less)
Sits somewhere in the mid-range of Banks' Culture offerings. Highlights: lots of conversations between Ships with silly names, and a detailed look at...moreSits somewhere in the mid-range of Banks' Culture offerings. Highlights: lots of conversations between Ships with silly names, and a detailed look at just what Sublimation means and implies. Weaker points: the usual - an unnecessarily convoluted plot with some drawn-out threads that weren't really needed, and (view spoiler)[ a tendency to tie off the story just by blowing everything up at the end (hide spoiler)]. (less)
Terrific. Like combining the best bits of "Fairyland" and "Ready Player One", but then producing a whole new genre, underpinned by characters you actu...moreTerrific. Like combining the best bits of "Fairyland" and "Ready Player One", but then producing a whole new genre, underpinned by characters you actually care about. Fun and funny, but with something serious to say too. (less)
A solid read given the 99-cent purchase price. Most of the novel is spent describing a series of space battles in spectacular detail, but the ideas ar...moreA solid read given the 99-cent purchase price. Most of the novel is spent describing a series of space battles in spectacular detail, but the ideas are new and the pace is good. Plus there's enough of a personal story to keep things going. The writing can be a little clunky at times, and there probably needs to be illustrations to highlight the differences between "swift ships" and "lance ships", but overall a decent effort.(less)
A beautiful combination of Baxter's brilliance and Pratchett's warm humour, "The Long Earth" is based around a single, clever idea: what if there were...moreA beautiful combination of Baxter's brilliance and Pratchett's warm humour, "The Long Earth" is based around a single, clever idea: what if there were millions of parallel Earths, all empty of humans, available for anyone to "step" over to, to explore and to colonise? Starting with this simple concept, Baxter & Pratchett produce a pacy exploration of the social, economic and political upheavals that follow in the months and years after "Step Day".
If the book has a failing, it's that there are too many isolated vignettes that only loosely hang together into a solid arc. And be warned that as with many of Baxter's other novels, the set-up is brilliant but the pay-off could be better. I'll eagerly be awaiting the sequel.(less)
Another installation in Alastair Reynolds' disappointing recent run of stories. "Troika" begins with a good premise and some interesting characters: y...moreAnother installation in Alastair Reynolds' disappointing recent run of stories. "Troika" begins with a good premise and some interesting characters: you get the feeling you're entering a funked-up hybrid of "Rendezvous with Rama", "Solaris" and "2001: A Space Odyssey". However, the story then fizzles out rapidly to an unsatisfying end. A very short read (100 pages in big type), so it's not clear why it was released as a standalone novel. Not worth the effort.(less)
A book packed with original ideas, led by a startlingly novel take on the Fermi Paradox. A long read, and pretty slow going for the first 200 pages or...moreA book packed with original ideas, led by a startlingly novel take on the Fermi Paradox. A long read, and pretty slow going for the first 200 pages or so, but then dramatically picks up the pace through to a solid conclusion. (less)
A moving and sad coming-of-age story, set against the backdrop of a dying Earth. "The Age of Miracles" is very different from the usual sci-fi fare: t...moreA moving and sad coming-of-age story, set against the backdrop of a dying Earth. "The Age of Miracles" is very different from the usual sci-fi fare: there's no fancy tech, no space travel, no aliens. There's just the Earth, slowing in its rotation, and the human and social toll this exacts on lives, families and relationships. A memorable novel and a spectacular debut.(less)
"2312" is a sweeping story in which humanity has colonised the solar system, conquered disease and old age, and is embarking on ambitious projects to...more"2312" is a sweeping story in which humanity has colonised the solar system, conquered disease and old age, and is embarking on ambitious projects to terraform Venus and journey to the stars. It is inventive, creative, and beautifully written. Where "2312" is less strong is in its story: there is only a single, reasonably simple plot-line that runs throughout the entire book, and the narrative only features three main characters. This wasn't really enough for a 550-page story. I wanted more personae, more sub-plots, and less certainty as to how things were going to ultimately pan out. A wondrous milieu that is worth the read, but a slightly disappointing storyline.(less)
A light, quick, read. Some original elements, others highly derivative, sprinkled with some extremely questionable physics and capped off with a carto...moreA light, quick, read. Some original elements, others highly derivative, sprinkled with some extremely questionable physics and capped off with a cartoonish villain.(less)
A rather tame attempt at convincing the reader that the US government is running a giant conspiracy and covering up alien technology. The characters a...moreA rather tame attempt at convincing the reader that the US government is running a giant conspiracy and covering up alien technology. The characters are naive and clunky and the shocking relevations are pedestrian.(less)
Think you know about the Obedience to Authority experiments? Think again. Gina Perry presents a new, and dare I say, shocking look at what really happ...moreThink you know about the Obedience to Authority experiments? Think again. Gina Perry presents a new, and dare I say, shocking look at what really happened, backed by unbelievably thorough and detailed research based on primary sources and interviews. The style is engaging, while the personal conflicts that Perry experiences during her journey help the reader deal with their own inevitable moral struggles as they confront this disturbing experiment. An excellent and stimulating book. (less)
Hamilton shows an ability to capture and enthral the reader, regardless of whether it's short stories and novellas like he writes here, or his signatu...moreHamilton shows an ability to capture and enthral the reader, regardless of whether it's short stories and novellas like he writes here, or his signature galaxy-spanning epics. A diverse and enjoyable collection of stories.(less)
How on Earth did this bloated, jumbled, mess win a Hugo award? It took me two months to struggle through 680 pages of whiny characters, repetitive con...moreHow on Earth did this bloated, jumbled, mess win a Hugo award? It took me two months to struggle through 680 pages of whiny characters, repetitive conversations and very little else that was actually interesting. A huge disappointment.(less)
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