Tony’s Comments (group member since Dec 19, 2018)

Tony’s comments from the Sci-fi and Heroic Fantasy group.

A reasonable assumption, but often not the case. Most of the sales that apply on the US site also apply on the UK site, but a lot less reach any further than US and UK.

Hi Timothy, do you know if the book will be free only on the Amazon US site? Or US and UK? Or all Amazon sites?

I read the graphic novel Superman: The Man of Steel, Vol. 1, which was the reboot of Superman after Crisis on Infinite Earths, Some good writing and excellent artwork from John Byrne, this series did a good job of returning Superman to his roots.

Lyndon wrote: "Currently reading Michael Moorcock's "The Jewel in the Skull," the first Hawkmoon novel."

Moorcock has been one of my favourite authors since I was first exposed to his novels in the 70s. While Elric is his best known character, I always preferred the Hawkmoon novels.

I finished So Close: Bravest, craziest, unluckiest defeats in Aussie sport, a sports book with an unusual twist - it focuses on sporting defeats. As the title says, it is stories of Australian teams, some in international contests, some in domestic matches.

I have finished my first book for the year - Wild Kingdoms, the second book in the Florin and Lorenzo series. Fairly similar in style to the first.

The ease of self-publishing has certainly increased the number (if not necessarily the quality) of indie authors. The same applies to independent publishers - there a few that have pretty extensive catalogues.

Happy New Year all, and let's hope that 2022 is better than 2021 😀

I have finished Eight. The first thing I would say is that if you are an arachnophobe, you may want to think twice before reading this book.

This is an adventure novel, set in the Amazon jungle, and it has the pacing and story elements of an Indiana Jones movie. It does require a big chunk of suspension of disbelief, as our heroes survive ever-increasingly over-the-top scenarios. If you're happy to switch off the critical thinking part of your brain, this book is a lot of fun.

I have started reading Eight

I have finished the Warhammer novel The Burning Shore, the first of the Florin and Lorenzo novels - chronologically at least, although not the first published I believe. The Warhammer Fantasy setting isn't as grimdark as the 40K setting, but it's not cupcakes and rainbows either. This is a good story that has elements of military fiction and eldritch horror. I quite enjoyed it.

Steampunk, dieselpunk and atompunk form a loose timeline, with dieselpunk following on from steampunk (which should end at WW1) and going through to WW2. After that it should be atompunk. Neither term has gained the general public awareness that steampunk has, although there have been some movies which are clearly dieselpunk without having had that label attached - such as The Rocketeer and Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow.

I actually had some suggestions but I never got around to posting them - teach me for being slack :) I was going to suggest Reread and Space Opera - but they can wait for 2023.

I'm guessing I'm not the only one who is unsure about this - but what is "silkpunk"? Is it just another name for "gaslight"?

Andrea wrote: "I feel back for other Middle Grade authors since Riordan ALWAYS wins the GR awards (sometimes he has multiple nominations even)...but truth is, his stuff is good"

His stuff is good and it was always a consistent seller when I worked in a bookstore. I'm surprised that John Flanagan (Ranger's Apprentice series) doesn't win more - it was also a consistent seller. Although, perhaps, as an Aussie, he hasn't gained the overseas recognition that Riordan has.

I read Biggles of the Camel Squadron - definitely non-SFF. An enjoyable reread of one of my favourite childhood authors, although it probably hasn't aged all that well. Definitely Boys Own style.

I have now started on The Burning Shore, the first book in the Florin and Lorenzo series of Warhammer books.

I have finished The Secret of the Ninth Planet. It was a mix of pretty typical 1950s B-grade sci-fi and planetary romance. The heroes were all male and (not explicitly stated, but assumed) all white. There was some attempt to get the science right, but it was an average effort. Not bad, but only worth reading if you are a fan of sci-fi from that time.

I am reading The Secret of the Ninth Planet

Star Compass filled the Beautiful Cover slot, and that completes my Bingo card for this year.

I finished Star Compass. It is a very enjoyable YA steampunk adventure which, at times, reminded me of Heinlein's Juvenile novels. It also filled the final Bingo slot for this year 😊