I'm the sanest man. I clean my basement floor. I've even set up my chair and spend a lot of time in here. I tell you, there is no well in my basement.I'm the sanest man. I clean my basement floor. I've even set up my chair and spend a lot of time in here. I tell you, there is no well in my basement.
Sure, some man told me he was a prince of mars and a great leader of a rebellion and the only way to get back is through the well, but I don't believe him. Really. The universe let him discover a great brick wall.
I don't believe. I don't care who else might believe, like any sci-fi fan or even some fantastical author that might be dreaming me up, I don't believe, and that's fine and good.
So why do I insist on waiting in this damned cellar?
Aside:
This was a pretty cool armchair adventure that felt a little like Edgar Rice Burroughs, except much more concise. The worldbuilding was rather neat for such a short story.
Merged review:
I'm the sanest man. I clean my basement floor. I've even set up my chair and spend a lot of time in here. I tell you, there is no well in my basement.
Sure, some man told me he was a prince of mars and a great leader of a rebellion and the only way to get back is through the well, but I don't believe him. Really. The universe let him discover a great brick wall.
I don't believe. I don't care who else might believe, like any sci-fi fan or even some fantastical author that might be dreaming me up, I don't believe, and that's fine and good.
So why do I insist on waiting in this damned cellar?
Aside:
This was a pretty cool armchair adventure that felt a little like Edgar Rice Burroughs, except much more concise. The worldbuilding was rather neat for such a short story....more
I rather missed the philosophical and ethical depth of the first book. It's still continued, to one degree or another, but it takes a back seat to theI rather missed the philosophical and ethical depth of the first book. It's still continued, to one degree or another, but it takes a back seat to the action.
This isn't really that bad a thing for a huge space-opera war epic spanning so many worlds. War is everything, warriors, bigger than anything, and the unstoppable wave of death... is totally gratuitous.
Truly, the whole thing is over-the-top gratuitous bloodlust and the glory of war, war, war. And why? For it's own sake. The echoes of the ethics, the questions, the undercurrent from the first book feels like an ultimate counterpoint... and everything is totally overbalanced.
Honestly, it would turn my stomach if I didn't already know what I was getting myself into. After all, it IS Warhammer 40k.
On a side note, I really love the whole idea of the Warp and the complications of godhood. I could read all of these just for that.
I wonder if I have the stomach for all of these. The Emperor's Crusade is so ironic. Peace and enlightenment at the tip of a sword. *rolls eyes* ...more
I think this is a much better Arthurian legend retelling than White's Once and Future King. It's better Unpopular opinion time. Well, maybe unpopular.
I think this is a much better Arthurian legend retelling than White's Once and Future King. It's better than Mort De Arthur. It's better than Mists. Hell, it's better than all the rest of the old Arthurian legends.
Why, under the great world tree, would I say this?
Because it captures my imagination in a way that all the other books could not. Not only is the core re-imagined and intertwined masterfully with a ton of well-researched old mythologies, but Attanasio is very, very creative. The core Arthurian legend continues in this book with a young Arthor (Arthur), Morgan Le Fae, Merlin, as well as the fae, multiple tribes with clashing religions, and monsters and demons living in the World Tree.
The sword in stone is first and foremost, as is the setup for Arthor's future tragedy, and I'm all excited. We have such great setup.
Best of all, this is written in the modern epic fantasy style, popular in the early days of Jordan and Goodkind, and it is easily on the same level.
I remember reading this back around 20 years ago and being blown away by the epic-level magic, the mixing of mythologies, and the beautiful core of thI remember reading this back around 20 years ago and being blown away by the epic-level magic, the mixing of mythologies, and the beautiful core of this retelling of the Arthurian legend.
On re-read, I'm no less blown away.
There's so much to love in this. We get the genealogies of angels and demons under a very creative worldbuilding banner, the genealogies of Arthur's ancestors and the world into which he was born, a LOT of the extremely interesting take on Merlin, the demon who lives backwards, and especially Arthur's (or rather, Arthor's) parents and their peaceful mix of the ancient Druidic magics and Christianity.
Every page in this book shows a love of ALL mythologies and the desire to include them all under a single banner, just like the High King did for all the savages. The mirroring is gorgeous.
I look at so many modern epic fantasies and it's hard not to think we've lost something by comparison. I'm not saying the focus on Christianity is the thing that's missing. I'm saying the RICHNESS of it and all the others is what's missing, interwoven in a truly archetypal and gorgeous plethora of storytelling. :)
Granted, I didn't truly fall into the magic of this book until around half-way through, the slow build really aided in my love for the rest.
The magic in this book, even by today's jaded consumption of magic... is still quite amazing. There are always limits, balances, and rules.
Getting very good now. Some very smart turns in plot and action. I'm so excited to see all this crazy plot. I was almost certain they wouldn't pull itGetting very good now. Some very smart turns in plot and action. I'm so excited to see all this crazy plot. I was almost certain they wouldn't pull it off.
So fun!
I'm VERY happy to have read this. Any murder mystery that involves gods, shadow monsters, time-loops has got my seal of approval. :)...more
I feel like the plot is really speeding up. Or perhaps that's just the time catching up. But either way, my heart's racing and I'm stressed out with tI feel like the plot is really speeding up. Or perhaps that's just the time catching up. But either way, my heart's racing and I'm stressed out with the story. The thriller aspect is excellent.
I can't believe they can get so many allies this time! It feels like we're nearing the end, but that can't be. Fascinating....more
I'm totally invested in this mystery. The gore is great, too, but at the core, the mystery is really superb.
Shadows, fantastic characters, groundhog dI'm totally invested in this mystery. The gore is great, too, but at the core, the mystery is really superb.
Shadows, fantastic characters, groundhog day-like story, and above all, a great story. I'm very excited. :)
The slow beginning at the start of the series is not a great example of the rest of the series, except in establishing character. The rest is wild. ...more
The volume is about as sweet as you can expect days after burying your childhood friend. There's a little maybe possiWow. Well. I didn't expect THAT.
The volume is about as sweet as you can expect days after burying your childhood friend. There's a little maybe possible romance brewing under the surface and people are trying to get their lives in order, maybe even go to the summer festival.
The shadow/ghost angle was also pretty damn good. I was thinking it might even be all within his head.
But then it gets REALLY DARK.
I love how gruesome it became. I'm super intrigued. It's a real mystery so far and it's even better with the slight differences each time he goes through the meat grinder. :)...more
The Bizarro world sequence was something of a hit and miss for me. Some cool aspects but it fell kinda short when the whole Superman Idealism dropped The Bizarro world sequence was something of a hit and miss for me. Some cool aspects but it fell kinda short when the whole Superman Idealism dropped the ball.
As for everything else, including the last trials of Superman, I was still rather impressed. It's that whole last will and testament thing. Very emotional.
Put together with the first volume, the whole story sequence was pretty great. Grant Morrison is a very strange dude, but he's also smart. It really shows on the page....more
Whenever I see the name Merlin in conjunction with some kind non-Camelot fantasy or SF, I cringe a little, knowing that I'm about to be given some kinWhenever I see the name Merlin in conjunction with some kind non-Camelot fantasy or SF, I cringe a little, knowing that I'm about to be given some kind of homage, be it good or bad.
And sometimes, we get stories like this, so mild and lost to distant future history that the name is almost meaningless. Sometimes, a new quest, far from being hokey, drives a man nearly mad ... but all for a very good reason.
Reynolds is pretty masterful here. In such a short story, he evokes an ancient, nearly meaningless war waged through time dilation, a weapon that could win -- or otherwise end it -- and we're treated to a couple of fascinating people in their own rights, carrying out the conclusions to their individual obsessions.
The worldbuilding is fascinating as hell. The storytelling tight. The multiple revelations and implications, truly staggering. I love how awesomely big it is.
This story just sparks my imagination like few SF really can. I love it....more
This was easily more harrowing an experience than any that I've read. I mean, sure, there are worse in documentaries and movies about *cries silently*
This was easily more harrowing an experience than any that I've read. I mean, sure, there are worse in documentaries and movies about the Holocaust, but for writing?
No. This started gentle, got me invested heavily, and then the true horror settled in. It was, of course, worse because it was real.
I'm not ashamed to admit that I burst into tears several times, and it wasn't always for just the people depicted as mice. I am horrified, yet again. So absolutely horrified. Again. And it's always worse because we hear of still more atrocities around the world at different times and I have to wonder if there's anything worth saving in mankind.
I know there is. But I have to wonder.
As for this particular graphic novel, it won the Pulitzer for very good reason.
It's also banned all over the place because certain people are still invested in burying the truth, either to keep a beloved scapegoat or to perpetuate prejudice. Either way, fuck them. Everyone ought to pick this up and read it. Don't forget your history. Don't forget everyone's shared history. Don't forget our shared humanity, or we will all be doomed to repeat the same fucking mistakes.
I'm finally getting around to the Grant Morrison run of Superman and I can absolutely say it was worth it. Smart, unusual, even rather quirky (as we cI'm finally getting around to the Grant Morrison run of Superman and I can absolutely say it was worth it. Smart, unusual, even rather quirky (as we can expect from Morrison), I can honestly say it's one of the most interesting volumes I've read.
The only issues that were a little too weird for me was with Olson, and Lex in his last interview stretched some credulity when it came to Clark flubbing so much, but it really underscore the possibility that everything was not as it seemed -- as in multiple layers.
I think my absolute favorite was Lois's b-day gift, however. Everything about that was pretty awesome....more
This was a very pleasant surprise. A lot of it wasn't that new because I've read and watched a few documentaries on First Lady Eleanor and just how muThis was a very pleasant surprise. A lot of it wasn't that new because I've read and watched a few documentaries on First Lady Eleanor and just how much she informed and shaped FDR's presidency, but there is something really comforting about a well-written account.
Frankly, she was something of a heroine. She was a genuinely good person who was willing and able to squarely face poverty and racism and meet the problem with courage and charm. I believe she was FDR's conscience, his heart. She pursued goals that made her extremely well-loved by almost everyone.
As far as I'm concerned, here are a few of the most important bits: She was a one-woman equal rights activist, an anti-poverty heroine, a tireless champion of anti-prejudice, an exposer of ignored atrocities, and, as I've said, a genuinely good person.
She used her native intelligence and vitality to give voice to so many problems in American society during a time where most were swept under the rug and kept mum in the media. Between the lynchings to gay rights to concentration camps overseas or right on American soil, women's rights, communist witch hunts, or the endlessly horrible effects of hidden poverty, she was always right there, shining a light on the problems.
She was a great person.
I appreciate her all the more today. We need someone just like her, with that much of a platform, with as much of a good heart. We need her more today than we've ever needed her.
I watched the first few episodes on Disney and I was really surprised at how good this horror manga starts out. It's creepy, mysterious, has great chaI watched the first few episodes on Disney and I was really surprised at how good this horror manga starts out. It's creepy, mysterious, has great characters, and what appears to be a time-loop.
I, unfortunately, have this weird craving to READ all my manga before watching them, so I hurried to get these and started them again.
So far, both are exactly the same. This is a great relief. :)
*rubs hands together* It certainly doesn't hesitate to shock us. :)...more
This is one of the better short stories, taking place in the '60s and really a nice set piece. Fascinating for what it is but, of course, one needs toThis is one of the better short stories, taking place in the '60s and really a nice set piece. Fascinating for what it is but, of course, one needs to know the rest of the series to really enjoy it. :)
Merged review:
This is one of the better short stories, taking place in the '60s and really a nice set piece. Fascinating for what it is but, of course, one needs to know the rest of the series to really enjoy it. :)...more
A satisfying, if predictable, end to the Ten Realms Series.
All hell broke loose, of course, and the most desperate gamble had to be taken. Of course, A satisfying, if predictable, end to the Ten Realms Series.
All hell broke loose, of course, and the most desperate gamble had to be taken. Of course, like most LitRPGs, Ascending is a big deal. This is no exception.
It was worth getting here. Overpowered action, hoorah!...more
The pacing on this book was also pretty good. The LitRPG goes back to its roots. New levels, new OP training, misunderstandings, and a hell of a lot oThe pacing on this book was also pretty good. The LitRPG goes back to its roots. New levels, new OP training, misunderstandings, and a hell of a lot of focus.
I'm really feeling the end of the series, now. Godlike powers, full elemental control, and hoards of realm-destroying devourers are here, standing at attention, and ready to bring down hell.
Compared to the 6th and 7th realm books, these last two are quiiiiick. I can't say I dislike it.
There's something good to be said about a tight book. This one has a lot less massive realm MilFantasy battles and a lot more Rugrat and Erik explorinThere's something good to be said about a tight book. This one has a lot less massive realm MilFantasy battles and a lot more Rugrat and Erik exploring a dangerous subsection of the 7th realm.
Broken from the previous book, trying to learn elements, fighting dragons, and navigating annoying Sect politics is just what the Master Healer ordered.
Maybe it didn't hurt that the novel was short and sweet and had a lot less divergence to it. I had a much better time in this one than I have in the last four.
I think this is a superior book to first. It's much darker, really evoking the feel of a full-fantasy steampunk London while making us revel in the toI think this is a superior book to first. It's much darker, really evoking the feel of a full-fantasy steampunk London while making us revel in the torture and abuse of small children for the sake of enhancing their magical ability.
The worldbuilding is very good. The magic system is truly fascinating. Breaking off parts of people's souls, trapping them in masks, is both cool and cruel. The very idea of gifting time, itself, to the already powerful and long-lived is also horrific but perfectly understandable in this dark fantasy world.
The implications and ramifications continue to unfold in this novel.
I quite enjoyed the tale for what it is and thought the characters are decent. I won't say I fell in love with all of them, but I did feel some quite strong feelings for one rather strong-minded victim. No spoilers, but I really loved the later quasi-psychological developments and magical resolutions. ...more
Yes, it's romance. Of course, that should be obvious in the title. Even so, it's CUTE. I mean, itCute, snarky, city-malaise meets fresh meat romance.
Yes, it's romance. Of course, that should be obvious in the title. Even so, it's CUTE. I mean, it's not every day a girl becomes a vampire and sucks a poor unsuspecting boy into her survival machinations.
On the one hand, I think it's rather cynical of her, but he's a clueless nerd and RATHER accepting of the circumstances. Young men are like that. They'll put up with anything as long as they get some.
*SIGH*
Fortunately, it works out pretty well for everyone involved, sans the dead bodies winding up all over the place.
This is me rolling my eyes so hard that they pop out, go through the ceiling, and fly about 200 yards to get stuck in a tree nearby.
Honestly.
I don't rThis is me rolling my eyes so hard that they pop out, go through the ceiling, and fly about 200 yards to get stuck in a tree nearby.
Honestly.
I don't really know what I expected. Sure, a hot and steamy romance I was bullied into reading for Valentine's day? Sure. I'm up for a laugh. But if I was subjected to a double handful cliche archetypes that would be sprung fully-formed -- in perfect derivative glory -- from some sodden sex-drenched pile of text nominally called a novel, I would be half-tempted to laugh and write it off as a Tingle masterpiece.
But no. This was just a straight-laced fearful gradeschool teacher watching a detective and getting into a hammy mystery that would have been solved at the very beginning if they weren't both so damn horny.
Don't get me wrong. I've been known to count the multitudes of cliches throughout this plethora of books, but seriously, they USUALLY they tend to get subverted in some small way or they do something to surprise me in the plot.
This did neither. Indeed, it followed the archetype of a smutty romance so perfectly that it should be taught in school as an example of the immense purity of porn. Strong dangerous guy shows girl how to love the danger x 10. And ouch. I just lost my eyeballs again.
Please don't get me wrong. If you want something so simple and archetypal for your romance, then look no further. This is pretty much the template.
I thought it would be a lark to jump on this romantic Time Travel SF collection with all the most talked about names in the SF field today, at least, I thought it would be a lark to jump on this romantic Time Travel SF collection with all the most talked about names in the SF field today, at least, those names bandied about among certain circles, and so I tried.
I really did try. I recognize all the names, I am a really big fan of a handful of them, too. Seanan and Ford and Valente are always pretty great.
I started from the beginning and I suddenly came to the conclusion, after the first 4, then 5, that this wasn't just a time travel romance collection, but it is predominately a M/M or F/F romance collection with just a hint of timey-wimey.
I started wondering if there would be any kind of, you know, actual representation of all types in this.
I mean, I'm straight, I've always supported people being allowed to be what they want to be, but if I see only the goods of any one type, I have to assume I'm not allowed in the club. Of course, it's not just this collection. I think I've read something like 20-30 romances, be it short or novel, in the last two years -- and there was only one -- yes, one -- romance that was between a male and a female.
Of course, that was only a regular romance without any SF or Fantasy in it, so if I redo this list with ONLY SF or F romances... then that's... zero. No F or SF romances with the "extra" m/f romance at all.
Is this the only trend now? I'm well read and yet this is just about all that's published now.
I wound up giving up on this collection because it kinda fails as a personally representative romance on Valentine's day. I wasn't even that impressed with the stories I did read.
I only kinda liked First Aid and Remember Satellites and The Lichens and then I kinda lost all interest after the next few. I did search to find the Valente, though, and it was nicely abstract and weird and it made me think.
I skipped the rest. I felt like I was wasting time. I wasn't looking for something to push me outside of my comfort zones on Valentine's Day. I just wanted something that hit a little closer to home, even if it was all timey-wimey.
Good luck to everyone else out there, though!...more
Or rather, this is a fairly exhaustive history of those places where they are kept, whether papyrus, hand-written, or print, from ancient times,Books.
Or rather, this is a fairly exhaustive history of those places where they are kept, whether papyrus, hand-written, or print, from ancient times, through dark, and into the modern period. Libraries are really an expression of what book-lovers want out of books, and there really is a conflict here.
Let's put it this way. There are certain people who enjoy books so much that they are very, very greedy. Somo of them love to use books as ways to carry value, similar to how paintings are pumped up and insured, and this is expressed in very interesting ways... private book collections, estate auctions, theft, and of course collectors. Some libraries begun as private collections not meant to be read, but hoarded.
And then there's the other side of human nature, the side that expresses the need to share knowledge, make it available to all, to uplift mankind. These libraries are wonderful creatures (personal bias) and while we get a lot of the history of both, I'm pleased to see that the ones with altruistic intentions have pretty much always been what we get.
It's complicated, though. A lot of the altruism we've had from robber barons and steel magnates was thrown into the creation of libraries. Some of the richest and hardcore business-types threw their resources into this kind of good deed, alas, and while this particular story was pretty much a light touch in this book, it illustrates how much this book leaves out of the REST of the story.
The Library is pretty good as a brief introduction or a brief indexing of famous libraries and their histories. It's about the people who championed books and kept the writings safe, through dark times and the Renaissance -- where books become valuable not just for the knowledge, but status.
I won't get into the full history, myself, because that's what this book is good for, but the printing press and the Reformation makes it spicy, as did the back and forth between gatekeepers and popular fiction, the constant loss of libraries and the heroic funding and stocking of new libraries by the altruistic.
The fact is, libraries are not to be taken for granted. They can die so easily. This is obvious throughout history and it should be obvious now. A lot of the reasons they did bite it was because knowledge and learning was simply NOT VALUED. If poverty or hardship comes to any community, it should never be a question between some momentary political cause or maintaining a door to public learning.
Unfortunately, any old reason can be thrown into the wind and unscrupulous individuals can successfully gut this more pure altruism on a whim.
No civilization is safe once this happens. As far as I can tell, almost every history that showed the death of libraries had the death of its citizens following soon after.
History repeats. Those who don't learn from it are doomed to repeat it.
I won't say this book couldn't have been a bit more charming, but for history buffs and people who want to follow this particular thread, I totally recommend it....more
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