Tyson Adams's Blog, page 54
January 6, 2017
Book review: Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs
Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Returning overdue books has never been quite this dangerous.
Mercy borrowed a book to help her understand the fae. But when she tries to return it she finds the bookstore owner has disappeared and several nasty foes who wouldn’t mind eating her. If only Samuel was feeling himself and someone wasn’t trying to sabotage date night with Adam she could deal with this situation.
Despite their standalone nature, the plot of the books in this series overlap a lot. While you could jump into the series with Silver Borne and enjoy it without any problems, the significance and development of the plots would be a little incomplete if you hadn’t read the previous instalments. That said, this novel feels like a turning point in the series, with Mercy starting to come into her own. Hard to comment without spoilers, and it really is just easier to read and enjoy.
Tagged: Book review, Book reviews, Fae, Mercy Thompson, Mercy Thompson series, Patricia Briggs, Reading, Right What You No, Silver Borne, Tyson Adams, Werecoyote, Werewolf, Werewolves
January 3, 2017
Top Posts of 2016
Since everyone else is blogging about their most popular posts of the year, I thought I’d jump on that bandwagon. I love bandwagons. Especially if they have drinks.
I’ve been blogging for 6 years now and the views, readers, and regulars has been gradually increasing. So a big thank you to everyone for joining me here.
1) The Actual 10 Most Deadly Animals in Australia
Who’d have thought a listicle would be the most popular thing I’ve written? Originally written for one of those comedy list sites, I’m glad so many have enjoyed this one.
I didn’t write this one, just added some colour commentary. Wish I could claim more credit on this piece.
Before people were aware of what a dangerous kook David ‘Avocado’ Wolfe was, I wrote this piece dissecting his memes. I did try to get this published in a science magazine, but apparently Wolfe doesn’t like people reproducing his content… a lot of which is stolen from other creators. I like that I was ahead of the curve on calling this guy out for his dangerous nonsense.
This article needs to be rewritten and published somewhere with a huge platform. It could then be used as a regular rebuttal to every whiny piece complaining about the younger generation.
This one clearly ranks high on Google Image searches.
6) Do People In Australia Ride Kangaroos?
One of my trademark snarky Quora answers. Its popularity here shows that I need to write more articles about Australian animals.
One of a few posts I wrote in response to anti-technology pieces that were being circulated through writing groups. It annoys me when bad studies or preliminary studies are cited as the final answer on a subject. It annoys me more when those same studies are misrepresented because someone is pushing an agenda. I’m glad people actually read this response.
8) How to Spot Anti-Science Nonsense
This article is a response to a question from a reader. It is another article addressing an anti-technology piece that was being circulated, this time on GMOs. A version of it appeared in Skeptic Magazine without the yeti cocaine addict joke.
When I pitched this article the response was deafening silence. It was also my most down-voted item on Reddit. Apparently we don’t talk about sports negatively. Especially not if you back it up with facts. I’m glad people here have enjoyed it.
10) Mythtaken: Shark Attack Deaths
Another animals article, another poke at how we overstate the dangers of loveable creatures who just want a hug.
Here’s to 12,017: I hope everyone has a good year!
Tagged: 2016, 2017, Best of 2016, Best posts of the year, Right What You No, Top posts of the year, Tyson Adams
January 1, 2017
I Before E “Rule”
[image error]
That’s right. Never trust anything the grammarians say, with their “rules” and mnemonics.
Apparently the 923 words figure comes from a QI fan who crunched the numbers from Scrabble. Most of the words are more obscure, so the rule is probably okay for the average person, and invaluable to football commentators.
Tagged: Grammar, Grammar guidelines, Grammar rules, Grammarians, I before E, Mnemonics, QI, QI TV show, Right What You No, Scrabble, Tyson Adams
December 30, 2016
Book review: Make Me by Lee Child
Make Me by Lee Child
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Does Reacher leave enough people alive to have criminals warning one another on the Deep Web about not messing with him?
Jack Reacher decided to catch a train to a small town for a change and by walking around as per usual he managed to piss off the local criminals. This will end well for the criminals.
Lee Child is a master of not wasting words. If there is exposition then it is important to the plot. Make Me is no exception. The twist for this thriller is revealed in little details throughout the story. It comes through as no less shocking.
While I have grown a little tired of the formula for the Reacher novels, they still remain entertaining reads.
Tagged: Book review, Book reviews, Crime thriller, Deep web, Jack Reacher, Lee Child, Make Me, Reacher novels, Reading, Right What You No, Thriller, Tyson Adams
December 28, 2016
Book review: Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs
Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Vampire ghosts: the undead undead?
A few weeks earlier, Mercy killed one vampire too many, and now Marsilia and her vampire seethe have found out. Out of the blue pops her old out-of-state college friend with a ghost problem that she hopes Mercy can help with. What convenient timing.
It is refreshing to read a fantasy series that doesn’t get bogged down in world building waffle. Aside from being written as though they are standalone novels – whilst being a continuing adventure – there isn’t any fat on this lean series. And as the series has progressed it hasn’t fallen into a rut, nor become formulaic. I’m already halfway through the next in the series and enjoying each Mercy Thompson outing as much as the first.
Tagged: Book review, Book reviews, Fantasy, Mercy Thompson, Mercy Thompson series, Paranormal, Patricia Briggs, Reading, Right What You No, Tyson Adams, Urban paranormal, Vampires, Werecoyote, Werewolf, Werewolves
December 23, 2016
Merry Season’s Holidays!
[image error]
From me to you, have an enjoyable festive season.
See you in 2017!
Tagged: Christmas, Frog Leap Studios, Hanukkah, Happy holidays, Kwanzaa, Leo Moracchioli, Right What You No, Tyson Adams, Xmas
December 18, 2016
December 15, 2016
Book review: Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs
Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A walking stick that follows you around is surely a sign to slow down, right?
Mercy is asked to help investigate a series of Fae murders, because mechanics are great at that sort of thing. That goes so well that her friend and former boss, Zee, ends up on the hook for a murder he didn’t commit. Of course, what happens on the rez stays on the rez, so the Fae are quite happy for Zee to take the fall. Mercy isn’t happy for Zee to take the fall.
Patricia Briggs keeps upping the ante with this series. Mercy may have some devoted friends but there is quickly becoming very few groups in the Tri-Cities area that aren’t pissed at her. Whether it be the vampires, the Grey Lords of the Fae, her two competing suitors, elements within the wolf pack, or the local anti-magical beings hate groups, Briggs has made Mercy’s life tough. This makes for compelling reading. Some people won’t like the climatic scene for how far it goes, but what is a decent protagonist without deep psychological scars?
Tagged: Book review, Book reviews, Fae, Iron Kissed, Mercy Thompson, Mercy Thompson series, Patricia Briggs, Reading, Right What You No, Tyson Adams, Vampires, Werecoyote, Werewolf, Werewolves
December 13, 2016
Book vs Movie: Die Hard – What’s the Difference?
[image error]
What better time of year for CineFix to do a What’s the Difference? episode on the best Xmas movie of all time!
While I have gotten my grubby hands on the Roderick Thorp novel (Nothing Last Forever), I must confess to not having read it as yet. It is probably a good thing I don’t mind spoilers. Hope you don’t mind either, because, you know, spoiler alert.
The differences between the two endings is interesting. Having the watch moment with McClane’s wife/daughter play out differently, and Dwayne Robinson’s sacrifice, would not have made this a classic Xmas movie. So it makes sense that the movie’s creative team changed those things to make this a more upbeat ending.
Enjoy the season rewatching all the the Die Hard movies… except A Good Day to Die Hard: that is an abomination and an offence against not only cinema, but the good name of Die Hard.
[image error]
Tagged: Book versus Movie, Book vs film, Book vs Movie, Christmas movies, CineFix, Die Hard, John McClane, Right What You No, Roderick Thorp, Tyson Adams, What's the difference, Xmas movies
