Mark’s Comments (group member since Apr 13, 2012)

Mark’s comments from the The Sword and Laser group.

Good choice!

terpkristin wrote: "And I totally envisioned Chauncey in my head, maybe like a green slimy version of one of the characters from Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends."

or maybe a young Yaphit from "The Orville"

https://orville.fandom.com/wiki/Yaphit

Jan, thanks for mentioning Darcie Little Badger's Elatsoe. I should have pointed that out but didn't. I'm unrepentant about overlooking best novels and series not Murderbot.

Announcing the 2021 Hugo Award Finalists

http://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-his...

https://www.tor.com/2021/04/13/announ...

It's a long list, but here's all you really need to know...

Best Novel
Network Effect by Martha Wells

Best Series
The Murderbot Diaries: Books 1-4 by Martha Wells

;-P

Here's an interesting freebie: Armageddon 2419 A.D. by Philip Francis Nowlan is free at the usual ebook vendors including Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y64BZ4K

This novella is the origin story for Buck Rogers, first published in 1928.

Of course, it's been available at Project Gutenberg for some time, so this is nothing new, but with Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Google/Kobo all offering it, it's easier than ever to read.

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/32530

But this edition is my favorite. Cover Art by Ed Emsh.

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "A final four for you! I was rooting for The Ruthless Lady's Guide. How’d you like it?"

The Ruthless Lady's Guide bears a passing resemblance to House in the Cerulean Sea in that (view spoiler)[the main character is trapped in a deeply unsatisfying life until she meets someone who treats her with respect (hide spoiler)] but is otherwise quite different, part Gail Carriger romance, part Seven Samurai, part French Connection, with accessory zombie mouse. An occasionally grim but fun read.

The Enola Holmes books might be fun for your daughter.

I re-read Rivers of London recently. Finished The Ruthless Lady's Guide to Wizardry then moved on to The House in the Cerulean Sea. Now that I'm done, time to read Gods of Jade and Shadow.

Lost Russian made-for-tv adaptation of Lord of the Rings found; now on Youtube

https://www.theguardian.com/world/202...

Part 1: https://youtu.be/vquKyNdgH3s
Part 2: https://youtu.be/oLevCLNnLmg

Scrapped Russian Hobbit mentioned in the article: https://youtu.be/2hWwu17udnI

The 2021 Philip K. Dick Award Winner for distinguished original science fiction paperback published for the first time during 2020 in the U.S.A. is

Road Out of Winter by Alison Stine

and special citation was given to

The Book of Koli by M.R. Carey

https://www.philipkdickaward.org/2021...

https://www.philipkdickaward.org/2021...

The 2021 Lammy finalists for LGBTQ Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror are

Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
Everyone on the Moon Is Essential Personnel by Julian K. Jarboe
The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho
The Silence of the Wilting Skin by Tlotlo Tsamaase
Subcutanean by Aaron A. Reed

https://www.lambdaliterary.org/awards...

Winners in all categories to be announced June 1 at a virtual Lammys ceremony which is free for all to attend.

MMA Fighter Breaks Down Star Trek Captain Kirk vs Gorn

https://youtu.be/WRgB2UkxnUY

Maybe fantasy novel come in a broader range of subgenres that are appealing. My Fantasy reading numbers tend to be inflated by various urban fantasy mystery and suspense novels that I like to read.

My local library doesn't provide time estimates for fulfilling holds. There are two copies of the book currently checked out, with two more copies on order. I'm second on the list of holds. Shouldn't be too long before a copy is available.

Marvel comics to be distributed by random penguins!

https://www.gamesradar.com/marvel-com...

A potentially disruptive change for local comic shops and for readers of Marvel comics.

Not sure why I thought "niece". I don't recall anything spoilery about their relationship.

Just finished What Abigail Did That Summer, the latest Rivers of London novella by Ben Aaronovitch. The featured players are (view spoiler)[Peter Grant's cousin, Abigail, and her talking fox pals. I can imagine Abigail as the focus of the series while Peter is busy learning how to be a father. The question is, will Nightingale train her, or will she train Nightingale? (hide spoiler)]

terpkristin wrote: "Also, the sequel to Howl’s Moving Castle"

Thanks for the head's up!

Tom wrote: "Who is it?"

Kev wrote: "Side question: are the comics worth reading?"

I like to read comics related to a series that I enjoy. The first four Expanse comics are prequels. Each featured some of the backstory for the four main characters and were released in digital format only. The print trade paperpack collection contains one additional story featuring Miller. Of those five stories, Miller's was the most interesting.

The second series of Expanse comics features Bobbie Draper and Avasarala. The story fits into the time period between seasons 4 and 5.

On the whole, I prefer the second series, but the prequels were interesting, so I say read them all ;-)