Lena’s Comments (group member since Nov 17, 2014)

Lena’s comments from the Spells, Space & Screams: Collections & Anthologies in Fantasy, Science Fiction, & Horror group.

The Lost Princess Man by John Barnes ★★★★★
Combining laugh-out-loud humor, whimsy, and brutal truths Barnes gets all the stars. I had a great time reading this story.

That was a major draw for me, the tidyness. I liked that after the startling ending you could see how the entire was built towards it.

The Green Man: Tales from the Mythic Forest is on sale today: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083VT58ST?...
Purchased!

Night Laughter by Ellen Kushner ★★★½☆
A shorty about a vampire having a great time with her life. The writing was vivid: “wet and bright as a puddle in neon.”

Lunch at Charon’s by Melanie Tem ★★☆☆☆
That was just a story of vampire draining her “friends.” There was nothing to it.

Forever, Amen by Elizabeth Massie DNF
Skipped, this sounded like no fun at all.

Riding the Crocodile by Greg Egan ★★½☆☆
An epic galactic exploration weighed down mightily by a suicidal partner; the ending a wilted white flag.

Have you ever wanted to know every thought in guys mind?!?!
Yeah, me neither.
Now it’s the basis of an action movie, of course it is: https://youtu.be/o3bVDsKpleE

Sweet!

Yes sometimes "life" - that covers things nicely.

You have to try that story Graeme! Oh, I will finish the ARC soon, I'm behind on everything and my dog's been sick.

Firstborn by Brandon Sanderson ★★★★★★
Yes, six stars. With shades of Ender’s Game and Gemini Man this was the best science fiction short I’ve ever read. A full story and good glimpse into an imperial world on knife’s edge. Riveted!

Merry Christmas HBO subscribers, Wonder Woman 1980 is coming to you for free on Dec 25th: https://youtu.be/lNmstoJtNUw

Meanwhile most of the local theaters are closed with We’ll be back soon! signs on them. Not sure I believe that.

For your holiday pleasure, Godfather Three Recut: https://youtu.be/uXsl0QdFUMA
Seems a good excuse for a series rewatch.

It lacks comedy and is filmed too darkly.

For your holiday needs Bruce Willis and Thomas Jane are fighting zombies in space: https://youtu.be/4CgZvMG1ldc

Caleb wrote: "Little late but joining in on this read."
We start our books on the 15th so you are definitely not late!

@Kaa - the series has been on my mental TBR for awhile

All the Painted Stars by Gwendolyn Clare ★★★★½
“Since when were you more afraid of dying than of not having a purpose?” Liu’s lips curl in an expression I now know to indicate amusement. “How human of you.”

I loved this story of an outcast alien policeman saving a little band of intergalactic humans and finding a new purpose in life.

Winning Peace by Paul J. McAuley ★★★★☆
“Humans were at the mercy of species more powerful than them, pawns in games whose rules they didn’t know, and aims they didn’t understand.”

It’s a difficult and complicated galaxy yet humans are still divided. Two pilots on different sides have to decide to work together to survive their debts and dangers.

Night’s Slow Poison by Ann Leckie ★★☆☆☆
This is a short story from Leckie’s Imperial Radch series, which I have not read. Perhaps if I had this would have been enjoyable.

Venus Rising on Water by Tanith Lee DNF
I read a few pages and found sense wanting.

Year Zero by Gemma Files DNF
I lost interest early on.


Good Lady Ducayne by Mary Elizabeth Braddon ★★★½☆
A properly good vampiric story by Jane Austen. Ok, not really, but if Jane had written about vampires this would be that story.