Joshua Palmatier's Blog, page 38
June 19, 2013
Book Review: "Wolf Star" by R.M. Meluch
Wolf Star is the second book in the Tour of the USS Merrimack series from R.M. Meluch. I liked the first book quite a lot. It's sci-fi with a slight Star Trek feel to it--action, mystery, horrible alien creatures, interesting science, etc. Great fun. This book wasn't quite as engaging as the first one, but still good fun.
The premise: There are basically two political powers at work here--the US and Rome. Each holds different sectors of space and each is vying for what's left. The Merrimack "accidentally" runs across a convoy of Roman ships and assumes that they're part of the operation to create a Catapult, a device able to transport large objects from one specific location to another specific location (like a wormhole, but not), something similar to the US's own Shotgun. They engage . . . but discover that their entire controlling system on the ship has been compromised, at all levels. Now they need to find the mole, figure out how to refit the ship so that this doesn't happen again, and stop the Romans from finishing their work on the Catapult. But when the Merrimack and the Romans meet again, they discover that everything they thought they knew about their universe has completely changed.
Again, I really liked this book. Fast paced, some great characters, and the plot device used at the end of the first book allows us to rediscover the characters in a new way in this one. The books have a strong military feel to them, the science and its workings come across as solid (I'm not a science expert so can't say for certain if they are solid), and once it got started, the plot caught me up and kept me riveted to the book.
And that would be my major problem with this book. The part of the plot that was the most engaging, that sucked me in and made my heart race, didn't get started until 2/3rds of the way through the book. The first 2/3rds of the book was set-up for this other plot, but it just didn't pull me in the same way that last third did. That first part had its interesting moments, but it just wasn't as engaging.
But once you hit what I consider the REAL plot of this book, it explodes. It just takes a while to get there.
So, if you like sci-fi military with some political intrigue followed by some heavy-duty action, then I'd recommend this book and series. Just keep in mind when you start this one that there's a significant portion of set-up before you hit the really good stuff.
The premise: There are basically two political powers at work here--the US and Rome. Each holds different sectors of space and each is vying for what's left. The Merrimack "accidentally" runs across a convoy of Roman ships and assumes that they're part of the operation to create a Catapult, a device able to transport large objects from one specific location to another specific location (like a wormhole, but not), something similar to the US's own Shotgun. They engage . . . but discover that their entire controlling system on the ship has been compromised, at all levels. Now they need to find the mole, figure out how to refit the ship so that this doesn't happen again, and stop the Romans from finishing their work on the Catapult. But when the Merrimack and the Romans meet again, they discover that everything they thought they knew about their universe has completely changed.
Again, I really liked this book. Fast paced, some great characters, and the plot device used at the end of the first book allows us to rediscover the characters in a new way in this one. The books have a strong military feel to them, the science and its workings come across as solid (I'm not a science expert so can't say for certain if they are solid), and once it got started, the plot caught me up and kept me riveted to the book.
And that would be my major problem with this book. The part of the plot that was the most engaging, that sucked me in and made my heart race, didn't get started until 2/3rds of the way through the book. The first 2/3rds of the book was set-up for this other plot, but it just didn't pull me in the same way that last third did. That first part had its interesting moments, but it just wasn't as engaging.
But once you hit what I consider the REAL plot of this book, it explodes. It just takes a while to get there.
So, if you like sci-fi military with some political intrigue followed by some heavy-duty action, then I'd recommend this book and series. Just keep in mind when you start this one that there's a significant portion of set-up before you hit the really good stuff.
New Book Discussion
I've posted the newest book discussion at the DAW Books blog (
dawbooks
)! This is the hardcover release for June, Steadfast by Mercedes Lackey, the eighth book in her Elemental Masters series. Stop on by and check it out!
dawbooks
)! This is the hardcover release for June, Steadfast by Mercedes Lackey, the eighth book in her Elemental Masters series. Stop on by and check it out!June 7, 2013
Book Review: "Summon the Keeper" by Tanya Huff
Note: This book has just been re-released in the omnibus The Complete Keeper Chronicles.
This is my second foray into Tanya Huff's worlds (the first being her Enchanted Emporium). This series has the same flavor as the other, in the sense that it's set in our world but mixes in a fantastical element. I enjoyed this read as much as the other series.
The premise is that Claire is a Keeper, summoned to handle accidents of the supernatural, may-destroy-the-world nature. She summoned to the Elysian Fields Guesthouse and tricked into taking over the bed and breakfast before she knows what's going on. Now she has to figure out how to deal with the woman sleeping in Room 6, the rather amorous ghost in the attic, the hunky cook and handyman who's too young for her, and--oh, yes--the pit to Hell in the basement. If she doesn't, she'll be stuck caretaking the B&B for the rest of her life.
Claire is a great character and she's the main reason that readers will keep reading here. Well, her and the cat. Not just any cat, but a rather talkative, outspoken cat. The two play off of each other well. Once you introduce the other elements--the ghost, the handyman, the imps, Hell--all of whom are great characters in their own right, the drama unfolds in their interplay. The plot itself is not that complicated, mostly Claire trying to deal with the occasional guest who stays at the B&B while she attempts to figure out how to handle the delicate balance between Hell and the sleeping, evil beauty in Room 6. These plot elements were a little episodic in nature, especially in the middle, where the Hell/Room 6 plot mostly stalls out and Claire deals with the parade of supernatural guests, but they were still interesting.
One aspect that was a little odd was the use of the same terminology (Aunties, Uncles, Cousins, etc) that the author has in Enchantment Emporium. I wasn't certain if the books were connected in any way. My initial reaction is no, although I can see how the author may link the two series up. There was no mention of Keepers (that I recall) in the other series, the aunties from that series didn't seem to have the same duties as the Aunties here. So reading another book with the same terms was a little weird. My writerly brain kept trying to make connections which weren't being made in the book.
In the end, the book was a nice, easy read, flowed well, and introduced me to some new characters that I'll certainly continue to follow in the sequels. I might have liked a slightly more tightened plot, something a little less episodic in the middle (with the guests mostly unrelated to the main plot), but it was still a great read.
This is my second foray into Tanya Huff's worlds (the first being her Enchanted Emporium). This series has the same flavor as the other, in the sense that it's set in our world but mixes in a fantastical element. I enjoyed this read as much as the other series.
The premise is that Claire is a Keeper, summoned to handle accidents of the supernatural, may-destroy-the-world nature. She summoned to the Elysian Fields Guesthouse and tricked into taking over the bed and breakfast before she knows what's going on. Now she has to figure out how to deal with the woman sleeping in Room 6, the rather amorous ghost in the attic, the hunky cook and handyman who's too young for her, and--oh, yes--the pit to Hell in the basement. If she doesn't, she'll be stuck caretaking the B&B for the rest of her life.
Claire is a great character and she's the main reason that readers will keep reading here. Well, her and the cat. Not just any cat, but a rather talkative, outspoken cat. The two play off of each other well. Once you introduce the other elements--the ghost, the handyman, the imps, Hell--all of whom are great characters in their own right, the drama unfolds in their interplay. The plot itself is not that complicated, mostly Claire trying to deal with the occasional guest who stays at the B&B while she attempts to figure out how to handle the delicate balance between Hell and the sleeping, evil beauty in Room 6. These plot elements were a little episodic in nature, especially in the middle, where the Hell/Room 6 plot mostly stalls out and Claire deals with the parade of supernatural guests, but they were still interesting.
One aspect that was a little odd was the use of the same terminology (Aunties, Uncles, Cousins, etc) that the author has in Enchantment Emporium. I wasn't certain if the books were connected in any way. My initial reaction is no, although I can see how the author may link the two series up. There was no mention of Keepers (that I recall) in the other series, the aunties from that series didn't seem to have the same duties as the Aunties here. So reading another book with the same terms was a little weird. My writerly brain kept trying to make connections which weren't being made in the book.
In the end, the book was a nice, easy read, flowed well, and introduced me to some new characters that I'll certainly continue to follow in the sequels. I might have liked a slightly more tightened plot, something a little less episodic in the middle (with the guests mostly unrelated to the main plot), but it was still a great read.
June 4, 2013
New Releases: DAW June 2013!
The new DAW books for June are out! Stop on by the DAW Books blog (
dawbooks
) to see the new Mercedes Lackey and Deborah J. Ross! Plus, paperback releases from Tanya Huff, Tracy Hickman, and Mercedes Lackey as well.
dawbooks
) to see the new Mercedes Lackey and Deborah J. Ross! Plus, paperback releases from Tanya Huff, Tracy Hickman, and Mercedes Lackey as well.Signal Boost: "Clockwork Fairy Tales" edited by Stephen L. Antczak & James C. Bassett
Here's an interesting little anthology being released today. Steampunk fairy tales! Check it out.
Combining the timeless fairy tales that we all read as children with the out-of-time technological wizardry that is steampunk, this collection of stories blends the old and the new in ways sure to engage every fantasy reader. . . .
Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Red Shoes,” New York Times bestselling author K. W. Jeter’s “La Valse” forges a fable about love, the decadence of technology, and a gala dance that becomes the obsession of a young engineer--and the doom of those who partake in it. . . .
In “You Will Attend Until Beauty Awakens,” national bestselling author and John W. Campbell Award winner Jay Lake tells the story of Sleeping Beauty--and how the princess was conceived in deception, raised in danger, and rescued by a prince who may be less than valiant.
The tale of “The Tinderbox” takes a turn into the surreal when a damaged young soldier comes into possession of an intricate, treacherous treasure and is drawn into a mission of mercy in national bestselling author Kat Richardson’s “The Hollow Hounds.”
In “The Kings of Mount Golden,” Hugo and World Fantasy Award nominee Paul Di Filippo tells the story of a young man’s search for his heritage and a mechanical marvel that lies at the heart of a sinister pact in this fascinating take on “The King of the Golden Mountain.”
ALSO INCLUDES STORIES FROM
Steven Harper
Nancy A. Collins
G. K. Hayes
Gregory Nicoll
Pip Ballantine
Combining the timeless fairy tales that we all read as children with the out-of-time technological wizardry that is steampunk, this collection of stories blends the old and the new in ways sure to engage every fantasy reader. . . .
Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Red Shoes,” New York Times bestselling author K. W. Jeter’s “La Valse” forges a fable about love, the decadence of technology, and a gala dance that becomes the obsession of a young engineer--and the doom of those who partake in it. . . .
In “You Will Attend Until Beauty Awakens,” national bestselling author and John W. Campbell Award winner Jay Lake tells the story of Sleeping Beauty--and how the princess was conceived in deception, raised in danger, and rescued by a prince who may be less than valiant.
The tale of “The Tinderbox” takes a turn into the surreal when a damaged young soldier comes into possession of an intricate, treacherous treasure and is drawn into a mission of mercy in national bestselling author Kat Richardson’s “The Hollow Hounds.”
In “The Kings of Mount Golden,” Hugo and World Fantasy Award nominee Paul Di Filippo tells the story of a young man’s search for his heritage and a mechanical marvel that lies at the heart of a sinister pact in this fascinating take on “The King of the Golden Mountain.”
ALSO INCLUDES STORIES FROM
Steven Harper
Nancy A. Collins
G. K. Hayes
Gregory Nicoll
Pip Ballantine
May 30, 2013
Last Book Discussion for May!
I've just posted the last book discussion for May over at the DAW Books blog (
dawbooks
). We're looking at Michelle Sagara's young adult urban fantasy Silence, the first book in her Queen of the Dead series, now in paperback. Swing on by and check it out.. Leave a comment if you've read it!
dawbooks
). We're looking at Michelle Sagara's young adult urban fantasy Silence, the first book in her Queen of the Dead series, now in paperback. Swing on by and check it out.. Leave a comment if you've read it!Some Writerly Insight For Readers
C.E. Murphy and Judith Tarr have recently posted some interesting pieces that might help readers understand some things about the writing life, such as the fact that we aren't all rolling in cash. The posts were started by C.E. Murphy with this blog:
http://mizkit.com/a-momentary-reality-check/
And then Judith Tarr responded with her thoughts in three posts as follows:
Post 1: http://mizkit.com/escaping-stockholm-part-1/
Post 2: http://mizkit.com/escaping-stockholm-part-2/
Post 3: http://mizkit.com/escaping-stockholm-part-3/
For all of your aspiring writers and readers out there, it might be enlightening to see what most of us writers are dealing with. All of those writers you hear about, like Stephen King and J.K. Rowling, are the exception, not the rule.
http://mizkit.com/a-momentary-reality-check/
And then Judith Tarr responded with her thoughts in three posts as follows:
Post 1: http://mizkit.com/escaping-stockholm-part-1/
Post 2: http://mizkit.com/escaping-stockholm-part-2/
Post 3: http://mizkit.com/escaping-stockholm-part-3/
For all of your aspiring writers and readers out there, it might be enlightening to see what most of us writers are dealing with. All of those writers you hear about, like Stephen King and J.K. Rowling, are the exception, not the rule.
May 29, 2013
Book Review: "Night Mares in the Hamptons" by Celia Jerome
Night Mares in the Hamptons is the second book in Celia Jerome's Willow Tate urban fantasy series. Unlike many urban fantasies, this series is much light-hearted in nature, without that dark atmosphere, and while the characters are fun, it does still have a serious slant to it (so it isn't all about humor). There's also a strong, significant element of romance.
The premise of this book is that night mares have crossed over from the other side (after a breach in the first book) and they are affecting the inhabitants of Paumanok Harbor, driving them to suicide, homicide, and madness. It's up to Willow Tate--for no reason that she can see--to figure out why the mares aren't returning home. Grant, her love interest from the first book, isn't available, so Ty Farraday, a world-famous horse-whisperer, is sent to help her out. Willow has to handle crazed residents of the harbor, enigmatic warnings from her father, Ty's rather blatant advances, and snakes in her attempts to figure out what's going on.
I enjoyed this novel more than the first, mostly because the first had some "first novel" problems. The plot there wasn't as focused, the writing not as smooth, etc. I'm happy to report that nearly all of those issues have been resolved. This book is much smoother and has much better flow than the first. And the plot is much more focused. I enjoyed the mystery aspects and the fantasy elements of the book, thought the characters were fun. Willow Tate comes across as real and believable and her family issues and the situations she gets herself in are very grounded in the real world, even though she's dealing with fantastical problems.
I do have one issue with the fantasy elements here. I don't really understand Willow's power. She's supposed to be a Visualizer, someone who draws images of creatures from Faerie, possibly "drawing" them from their world to ours. That's what happened in the first book . . . sort of. Here, it's not clear how what she's drawn in her current project has brought the mares to our world, or how what she's drawing changes events, or even if they do change events at all. She does seem to have a connection to everything, since elements of what she's drawn do appear, but there are other elements that she hasn't drawn that are significant. Overall, I'm just not clear on exactly what her power is. I had this problem with the first book as well. I don't understand what its limitations are, what it does exactly, etc. It's just not clear.
My other issue--and I admit that this is totally a personal preference thing--is that I'm not interested in the heavy romance elements of the plot. I don't read romance, and that is a significant part of the plot here. Because I don't read it, I can't really tell how well it was done here, but fair warning to those fantasy readers out there--the romance is a significant aspect of the novel, I'd say at least half of the book is devoted to this.
So a good, light urban fantasy with some strong romance elements. I enjoyed the fantasy elements of the book (and wish there was more of this), read over the romance elements (but I'm sure there are a ton of romance fans who'd love it). I'll continue reading the series, but do hope that Celia Jerome gives us a few more ground rules on how Willow Tate's magic works.
The premise of this book is that night mares have crossed over from the other side (after a breach in the first book) and they are affecting the inhabitants of Paumanok Harbor, driving them to suicide, homicide, and madness. It's up to Willow Tate--for no reason that she can see--to figure out why the mares aren't returning home. Grant, her love interest from the first book, isn't available, so Ty Farraday, a world-famous horse-whisperer, is sent to help her out. Willow has to handle crazed residents of the harbor, enigmatic warnings from her father, Ty's rather blatant advances, and snakes in her attempts to figure out what's going on.
I enjoyed this novel more than the first, mostly because the first had some "first novel" problems. The plot there wasn't as focused, the writing not as smooth, etc. I'm happy to report that nearly all of those issues have been resolved. This book is much smoother and has much better flow than the first. And the plot is much more focused. I enjoyed the mystery aspects and the fantasy elements of the book, thought the characters were fun. Willow Tate comes across as real and believable and her family issues and the situations she gets herself in are very grounded in the real world, even though she's dealing with fantastical problems.
I do have one issue with the fantasy elements here. I don't really understand Willow's power. She's supposed to be a Visualizer, someone who draws images of creatures from Faerie, possibly "drawing" them from their world to ours. That's what happened in the first book . . . sort of. Here, it's not clear how what she's drawn in her current project has brought the mares to our world, or how what she's drawing changes events, or even if they do change events at all. She does seem to have a connection to everything, since elements of what she's drawn do appear, but there are other elements that she hasn't drawn that are significant. Overall, I'm just not clear on exactly what her power is. I had this problem with the first book as well. I don't understand what its limitations are, what it does exactly, etc. It's just not clear.
My other issue--and I admit that this is totally a personal preference thing--is that I'm not interested in the heavy romance elements of the plot. I don't read romance, and that is a significant part of the plot here. Because I don't read it, I can't really tell how well it was done here, but fair warning to those fantasy readers out there--the romance is a significant aspect of the novel, I'd say at least half of the book is devoted to this.
So a good, light urban fantasy with some strong romance elements. I enjoyed the fantasy elements of the book (and wish there was more of this), read over the romance elements (but I'm sure there are a ton of romance fans who'd love it). I'll continue reading the series, but do hope that Celia Jerome gives us a few more ground rules on how Willow Tate's magic works.
May 28, 2013
New Book Discussion!
I've posted the book discussion for the omnibus Assassins' Dawn by Stephen Leigh over at the DAW Books blog (
dawbooks
)! This omnibus contains the complete Hoorka trilogy, originally published in the early 1980s, including Slow Fall to Dawn, Dance of the Hag, and A Quiet of Stone. Swing on by and check it out!
dawbooks
)! This omnibus contains the complete Hoorka trilogy, originally published in the early 1980s, including Slow Fall to Dawn, Dance of the Hag, and A Quiet of Stone. Swing on by and check it out!
