Doug Lewars's Blog, page 41

Foxglove Summer

Foxglove Summer by Ben Aaronovitch

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

Some nice world building in this one. As usual, plenty of action and a few acerbic comments thrown in for good measure. If you've read book one through four you will like it. If you're coming in cold you might find some parts a bit confusing.

Mind you if I was the author I'd have done things differently. Rather than having Peter rescued, I'd have left him with his abductors for at least another book. I think the author missed an opportunity there. Still, the pacing was good, the magic was interesting and the story entertaining. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. Some people binge watch. I seem to be binge reading these books.



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Broken Homes

Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

Wow! I didn't see that coming. If you wish to read a book with a terrific and unexpected twist, read this one, but before that, read the first three in the series. Great plot, lots of action, and, something totally unexpected. Best book I've read in a long time.



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Whispers Underground

Whispers Underground by Ben Aaronovitch

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

I'm working my way through this entire series. I enjoy the characters, the plots and the author's sense of humour. I find it interesting that in this author's world, anyone can do magic, not that most people realize this or choose to pursue the interest if they do, but anyone can. Don't look to these books for much in the way of social commentary - a few digs here and there but no preaching. Likewise, there isn't much in the way of character development or introspection. This is just a good, fun book full of magic and policing. Sometimes things are a little unrealistic. For example, in on scene the protagonist pursues a villain without taking time to first put on his shoes. In addition the story is set in winter close to Christmas. I don't think running barefoot outside in freezing temperatures is something anyone would do even to make an arrest but the humour in the scene overrode the impracticality for me. I recommend this book; however, I think most readers would enjoy it more if they started at book 1 in the series.



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The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy, 2016

The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy, 2016 by John Joseph Adams

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

It's rare I mark a book DNF but I read three stories, decided things weren't likely to improve and abandoned this one. When I read a short story I'm kind of hoping for ... well ... a story, something with a beginning, middle and end in which some characters do something. Somehow these authors seem to have forgotten the plot, or if there was one it was painfully thin. If this is the best SF from 2016 I'd have hated to see the worst.

Of course, in fact, I'm sure there was plenty of quality SF produced in 2016 as in other years. In this case, what the editors wanted and what I like are poles apart. Still, publishers don't publish books unless they feel there's a reasonable chance of making money so presumably there's an audience for this sort of thing. Therefore some people will like it.

I think these stories are intended for readers who consider themselves terribly avant-guarde, highly intellectual, and in tune with cultural shifts. They might be part of, or closely related to academia - humanities of course, nothing technical. They believe stories of deep introspection and character rumination are somehow challenging and enhance their own creativity. They like postmodernism and dismiss plot as old fashioned. If you fall into this category these stories are for you; otherwise, you're better off taking a pass on this one.



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Fated (Alex Verus #1)

Fated by Benedict Jacka

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

If you're looking for character arcs, deep introspection, and a dive into understanding the human condition, take a pass on this one. On the other hand, if what you want is fast paced adventure involving magic with LOTS of villains frequently fighting amongst themselves and betraying one another, you've come to the right place. I thoroughly enjoyed it.



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Moon Over Soho

Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

Great book, good pacing, interesting plot, what more could anyone want? I expect some readers want character arcs and deep introspection. If such is the case, go somewhere else. This author is for those who like an interesting adventure with plenty of magic and supernatural characters tossed in. Admittedly, the author gets a little preachy near the end. He is not of the vigilante school where you simply off the bad guys and have done with it. However, I suppose one eye-rolling page in an otherwise excellent book is acceptable. I highly recommend this one.



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Midnight Riot

Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible spoilers ***

I stumbled across the Rivers of London series by accident and started with one of the more recent volumes. I enjoyed it so much I decided to go back and read from the beginning. This one was as good as the other. The characters are interesting, the pacing is fast, and the idea of policing magic intriguing.

One critical review suggested the portrayal of Leslie, and important female character, was misogynistic. It wasn't.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I highly recommend it.



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Pack Animals (Torchwood #7)

Pack Animals by Peter Anghelides

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

Had I realized when I hurriedly grabbed this book from a library shelf that it was based on a television series I wouldn't have taken it. In addition it's number seven in a series. That by itself might not have dissuaded me but I would have checked it a little more carefully before reading it.

To a large extent this book reminds me of a certain type of anime. You have a bunch of good guys. Periodically a monster pops up and they defeat it. It's sort of like whack-a-mole surrounded by cute repartee except the dialog in this story wasn't that great.

If you're looking for character development or insight, forget this one. On the other hand, if you enjoy pretty much non-stop action you might like it. There isn't much context for the action but there's plenty of it. Presumably the television show was pretty fast paced and the book follows that format. It's not so much a story as a series of incidents.

Not having read the earlier volumes I have no idea how Jack seems to be able to suffer any number of fatal injuries and survive but I'm willing to accept this as part of fantasy. After all, this is volume seven and no doubt was was explained in earlier volumes.

In general, unless you are a fan of the television show I'd take a pass on this book.



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Dead Lies Dreaming #1

Dead Lies Dreaming by Charles Stross

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

Don't look to this one for character development. If you want insight into the human condition go somewhere else. These characters are barely two dimensional. In addition, the book starts slowly. Fortunately it improves as you get into it. What I did like was the number of factions the author creates each one with his or its own agenda. It's not easy keeping track of so many entities so I give credit to the author for keeping things organized.

The pacing is great and the story keeps moving right along. If you like action adventure in a fantasy setting then I think this one might be for you. Just don't expect too much in the way of characterization.

A couple of people have suggested there is too much political rhetoric in this book. There is some and every so often the author jumps on a soap box but you can see it coming and just skip a couple of paragraphs or a page and the story will resume nicely.



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The Seventh Devil

The Seventh Devil by Suzanne Craig-Whytock

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

I wasn't too impressed with the way this book started. It reminded me of Ghostbusters without the humour; however, as I got into it, I found it very exciting and a good thriller of sorts. The author fleshes would her characters gradually so as to avoid long descriptive passages.

Initially it seemed like a series of isolated incidents, but as the book progressed, one main antagonist stood out and defeating it made for a good climax.

If you happen to be a writer, and in particular, if you write horror or fantasy stories I particularly recommend this book. Occasionally the author sent me to a dictionary and sometimes to Wikipedia. She seems to have done quite a bit of research in some of the less familiar mythologies and come up with a fine set of critters which might be of use in your own work.

Although this book is probably classed within the 'horror' genre, it's not scary. It's mostly an adventure with ghosts and demons. Whatever the genre it was enjoyable and well worth reading.



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