A bit nihilist for my taste, but Clarey does have a great capacity for the kick-in-the-ass that many people seem to need (including myself). As with hA bit nihilist for my taste, but Clarey does have a great capacity for the kick-in-the-ass that many people seem to need (including myself). As with his other books (and indeed, as he advises in the book itself), a good source for cherry-picking, discard the rest. Worth the read. ...more
No spoilers, obviously, especially for a third book in a trilogy, but Novik manages a good ending, which I am picky about. She seals up the apparent hNo spoilers, obviously, especially for a third book in a trilogy, but Novik manages a good ending, which I am picky about. She seals up the apparent holes in her magic system, and rounds off many of the characters by placing them in radically different situations than before. The mystery aspect was spot on, most the big plot twists happened just as I became aware of the events that caused them. Very well done, even the somewhat ham-handed anti-capitalism metaphors. Thumbs up! Read it!...more
Dammit, I missed #2 and #3... but I love these books! Quite possibly the one writer I can think of who is significantly more messed up than me, but inDammit, I missed #2 and #3... but I love these books! Quite possibly the one writer I can think of who is significantly more messed up than me, but in a good way. Couldn't put it down, I plowed through it in less than 24 hours....more
The Mistborn books are among my favourite Sanderson books; this one had some bits from his other Cosmere books, although I won't go into that, 'cuz spThe Mistborn books are among my favourite Sanderson books; this one had some bits from his other Cosmere books, although I won't go into that, 'cuz spoilers. Especially fun in the fancy combining powers and interesting characters that have made the Era 2 books work so well. I am curious to see if/when there is an Era 3, how far ahead will he jump, and what will go on there. ...more
Super fun book that defies the expectations it sets. Well laid out and witty, with good action sequences. The scope gets larger as it goes on, remindiSuper fun book that defies the expectations it sets. Well laid out and witty, with good action sequences. The scope gets larger as it goes on, reminding me of the Forever War and the Foundation books. It's especially titillating to 'get' all the references the main character makes, while the other characters don't. ...more
Although I didn't agree with all of Plato's conclusions (the Greeks of the classical era had serious issues with absolutes- immutable, immortal, immovAlthough I didn't agree with all of Plato's conclusions (the Greeks of the classical era had serious issues with absolutes- immutable, immortal, immovable, etc), it was nearly 400 pages of solid thought experiment, and was an interesting ride. It does show how disappointingly little logical debate has advanced in the past few millennia. ...more
Great ending to a great series... I felt like I was dueling with the authors, trying to figure out what was going to happen before it did. Three thumbGreat ending to a great series... I felt like I was dueling with the authors, trying to figure out what was going to happen before it did. Three thumbs up!...more
Quite possibly the best book of the series so far! Obviously I am avoiding spoilers, here, but it's one of those books where I had to exclaim somethinQuite possibly the best book of the series so far! Obviously I am avoiding spoilers, here, but it's one of those books where I had to exclaim something and get up out of my chair many times. If you're a reader in the same way that I am, you know what I mean. Stoked for book 9! ...more
A remarkable book, an excellent sequel, and thoroughly enjoyable. The author put a lot of thought into it and it shows. Clearly, the second installmenA remarkable book, an excellent sequel, and thoroughly enjoyable. The author put a lot of thought into it and it shows. Clearly, the second installment of a trilogy, and now I am waiting for part 3. ...more
Great read, but should contain more spoiler warnings... hard to tell where each short story sits in the timeline until BAM! spoiler hits! Otherwise asGreat read, but should contain more spoiler warnings... hard to tell where each short story sits in the timeline until BAM! spoiler hits! Otherwise as good as I have come to expect. ...more
A useful overview of the philosophy. I'm going to read more on the subject, but I got the answers I was looking for. A useful overview of the philosophy. I'm going to read more on the subject, but I got the answers I was looking for. ...more
I'm loving this series. More science-y science fiction, and such a great eye for the sociological change that time and technology brings. I'm startingI'm loving this series. More science-y science fiction, and such a great eye for the sociological change that time and technology brings. I'm starting the next one ASAP....more
A surprising new take on the magic school concept, which explains the need for wizards to put their children in the traditional Harry Potter style danA surprising new take on the magic school concept, which explains the need for wizards to put their children in the traditional Harry Potter style danger therein... also a bit darker than typical for the sub-genre which I like, and some unique characters. Looking forward to her next book to see if there is as much new ground broken there. ...more
I had a lot of preconceptions about this book, but I'm glad I looked into it myself anyway. A remarkable exercise into pragmatism and logic as it applI had a lot of preconceptions about this book, but I'm glad I looked into it myself anyway. A remarkable exercise into pragmatism and logic as it applies to politics. Apparently Machiavellian does not necessarily mean evil, underhanded, and nasty... exactly... ahem. ...more
Read this book after seeing the unfinished TV series... I gotta say, I like this better, and if that ain't a good recommendation, I don't know what isRead this book after seeing the unfinished TV series... I gotta say, I like this better, and if that ain't a good recommendation, I don't know what is. ...more
A piece of work as ambitious as it is unaware of its own irony. To sum up: all virtue and intelligence is Communist, all evil and stupidity is anti-CoA piece of work as ambitious as it is unaware of its own irony. To sum up: all virtue and intelligence is Communist, all evil and stupidity is anti-Communist, and any flawed communism just means you aren't doing it right. Sigh. Well written but vapid and empty... not sure why so many people have based so much on so little insight. ...more
Asimov through the years, some of his best short stories. Read 'em. Do it now. Asimov through the years, some of his best short stories. Read 'em. Do it now. ...more
Good solid read, outside of my preferred genre, but still great. The constant sniping between the eleven-year-old protagonist and her sisters is more Good solid read, outside of my preferred genre, but still great. The constant sniping between the eleven-year-old protagonist and her sisters is more than enough to keep me interested whenever the mystery lags, which isn't often, and the big reveals are cleverly cloaked until you need to see them. Also, the butler didn't do it. ...more
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