Ron Andrea's Blog, page 48

Book Review: The Visitors: A Novel by Sally Beauman (four stars)

Book Review: The Visitors: A Novel by Sally Beauman (four stars) ‘Now, Lucy, now your great adventure begins.’ Delicious historical fiction with a demi-glaze of supernatural. Narrative splits between 1920s (and eventually 30s and 40s) and 2002. Many flashbacks require … Continue reading →

Book Review: Alt Sagas by Jean Huets (four stars)

Book Review: Alt Sagas by Jean Huets (four stars) Fate is a trickster who likes to unfold our mistakes too late for remedy. A veneer of science fiction/fantasy washes this collection of novellas and short stories about life and death, … Continue reading →

Book Review: Eversion by Alastair Reynolds (five stars)

Book Review: Eversion by Alastair Reynolds (five stars) “There is always lightning.” Outstanding! Plot like a Möbius strip. Characters who transcend their own stereotypes. Slow start, accelerating pace turns into ticking time bomb. Inevitable, but surprising ending. “But be sure … Continue reading →

Movie Review: One Life, directed by James Hawes (five stars)

Movie Review: One Life, directed by James Hawes (five stars) “Save one life, save the world.” Excellent historical drama about Nicholas Winton’s efforts to save children from Czechoslovakia at the outbreak of World War Two. Fast paced, yet meditative. Anthony … Continue reading →

Book Review: The Venging: Stories by Greg Bear (four stars)

Book Review: The Venging: Stories by Greg Bear (four stars) “You deserve whoever governs you,” she said quietly. “Everyone is responsible for the actions of their leaders.”  Better-than-average anthology of science fiction novellas. Published in 1983 of then-recent works. Five … Continue reading →

Watercolor on Magazine Cover

My colonial gazebo watercolor is featured on the cover of the Spring 2024 issue of Trend & Tradition, the magazine of Colonial Williamsburg. This gazebo is found behind the taverns (not sure which) on the south side of the Duke … Continue reading →

Book Review: American Prometheus by Kai Bird, Martin J. Sherwin (four stars)

Book Review: American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird, Martin J. Sherwin (four stars) “Tell me, what has politics to do with truth, goodness and beauty.” Published 2005 after a twenty-five-year effort. A slow-motion train wreck. … Continue reading →

Book Review: A Hero Born: Legends of the Condor Heroes 1 by Jin Yong (translated by Anna Holmwood) (four stars)

Book Review: A Hero Born (Legends of the Condor Heroes 1) by Jin Yong (translated by Anna Holmwood) (four stars) “It turns out, the heavens decreed that I should save my own savior. We were destined to meet again.”  Scheherazade … Continue reading →

Book Review: The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson (four stars)

Book Review: The Hero of Ages (Mistborn #3) by Brandon Sanderson (four stars) “The truth doesn’t make it any easier.” “We’ve certainly made a mess! Destroying the world. That’s no mean feat, if you think about it. I wonder if … Continue reading →

Book Review: Vengeance by Anthony Riches (four stars)

Book Review: Vengeance (Empire #12) by Anthony Riches (four stars) ‘I am death! Cursed with the double-edged gift of a gods-given ability to kill and an unending succession of men who seem determined to die.’ Riches delivers the goods. As … Continue reading →