Chris’s
Comments
(group member since Feb 25, 2011)
Chris’s
comments
from the Beyond Reality group.
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I nominate two recently released books because I love these authorsFantasy: Gallant by V.E. Schwab
SF: The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi (releases 3/15; this is before polls close, so it should qualify)
I'm reading Mockingbird. It's about another robot apocalypse, but one where humanity has simply allowed robots to take over and run things. It has aged a bit, but I'm finding it an interesting juxtaposition to our monthly read, Sea of Rust.
Dragons and music, two of my favorite things!This book kept me interested all the way to the end. A well-told story.
I liked the way the history of the dragon-Elehim-human relations was gradually revealed, layer by complex layer. Aidan seems a pawn at the mercy of forces larger than himself, taking him from heights of fame to abject despair without any real agency of his own. Even as he tries to regain his own agency, he is pursued and manipulated by those with other agendas. But he does not give in to vengeance, and his heart remains loyal to his calling in spite of adversity.
Least favorite bits: the point of view switching between characters was sometimes jarring and confusing. Also, I thought the Elehim being non-binary was handled in a clunky way.
Just like our previous choice Day Zero, this had me hooked from the first page. So many stories deal with the start of the robot apocalypse, but here humanity's demise is just backstory, and we're faced with an ongoing power struggle between behemoth AIs and individual bots. But this isn't just about a bunch of machines. We get to know Brittle and the others as more nuanced and complex characters, just trying to survive in a Mad-Max-like world where there are often no good choices. It's a good ride, and I really enjoyed this!
Welcome to March. Is it spring yet where you are? My redbud tree has just started to bloom, and I can't wait until the worst of the cold is behind me. Whatever your weather or season, I hope you’ve made time to read some good books and share in our discussions!Books of the Month - For March you selected:
— Science Fiction Sea of Rust by C. Robert Cargill
— Fantasy: Song of the Beast by Carol Berg
We also have our schedule set for the next two months:
-- April Science Fiction: Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
-- April Fantasy: Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield
-- May Science Fiction: When the Sparrow Falls by Neil Sharpson
-- May Fantasy: Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune
Series news: Discussions on the Uplift series by David Brinhave begun. We are currently discussing Sundiver, and will begin discussing Startide Rising on March 15. Join in any time!
Lastly, don't forget to stop by the "What are you reading in March 2022?" topic to share your reading picks, progress, and thoughts on any genre.
For Fantasy, I'll nominate The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires. I don't know much about it, but I'm completely hooked by the title.For Science Fiction, I'll nominate Backyard Starship. Because I'd like one, myself!
I enjoyed this "silkpunk" fantasy with its complex worldbuilding and even more complex characters. It felt very real, as each character tried to realize their vision for the country, while mistrust and misunderstandings pulled them apart. It's a long book, but that gives us plenty of time to dig into each situation, to see that no choice is purely black and white, and to see that every action has consequences. I'm already halfway into the second book ...
Has anyone found this as an ebook?
Welcome to February, the shortest month of a brand new year. I hope you’ve made a resolution to read some good books and share in our discussions!Books of the Month - For February you selected:
-- Science Fiction: Inversions by Iain M. Banks
-- Fantasy: The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu
We also have our schedule set for the next two months:
— March Science Fiction Sea of Rust by C. Robert Cargill
— March Fantasy: Song of the Beast by Carol Berg
-- April Science Fiction: Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
-- April Fantasy: Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield
Series news: We will begin discussions on the Uplift series mid-month.
Lastly, don't forget to stop by the "What are you reading in February 2022?" topic to share your reading picks, progress, and thoughts on any genre.
