Month End SF Book Group (Paramus, NJ) - 2010 Books Read Thread

[Phil]

This Thread is for Books Read by the Month End Book Group in 2010:


DAUNTLESS / The Lost Fleet.....................Jack Campbell......................11/30/10
THE LAST COLONY...................................John Scalzi..........................10/29/10
THE STRANGELY BEAUTIFUL TALE...........Leanna Renee Heiber............08/31/10
DEAD MATTER........................................Anton Strout........................06/30/10
THE YIDDISH POLICEMEN'S UNON..........Michael Chabon....................05/31/10
ILIUM....................................................Dan Simmons.......................04/30/10
ESCAPEMENT.........................................Jay Lake...............................03/31/10
ARIEL....................................................Stephen Boyett.....................01/29/10

[Phil]

The following accounts are reprinted with permission from THE STARSHIP EXPRESS Copyright 2010 Philip J De Parto.


DAUNTLESS / The Lost Fleet, Lost Fleet 1
This is the first in a six book military science fiction series which focuses more on the difficulties and obligations of command than on the strategies and tactics of battle. Everyone appreciated the effort the author had made in extrapolating how battles would develop when approaching lightspeed. Philip and Pamela felt that the book ground to a halt whenever Captain Black Jack Geary and co-president Rione had a scene together.

THE LAST COLONY, Old Man's War 3
Taras had read the book some time ago, but did not remember much about it. However, he found many things to dislike about the work based on Phil's recounting of the book's events. Phil disagreed with the critics, both present and at amazon.com. While it lacked the breathtaking creativity of the first book in the series, most detractors seemed to be disappointed by the paucity of military combat in the book. However, Phil felt that the book was an effective look at interstellar politics, diplomacy and censorship. Your mileage may vary.

THE STRANGELY BEAUTIFUL TALE OF MISS PERCY PARKER, Parker 1
The book is a paranormal romance set in the late 19th century and features a mixed group of Londoners chosen by the gods to safeguard the world from supernatural threats. Each member of the group has a special ability, but the group will not be complete until its final member joins them.

There are a number of interesting touches to the work including its setting, use of Greek myth, incorporation of the Ripper murders, and atmosphere. I was also pleased to have a non kick-ass heroine for a change. Where the book really shines, though, are the scenes where the gang rib each other and their leader. They are far more interesting than the scenes of saving the world from an unspeakable fate.

DEAD MATTER, Simon Canderous 3
The series is set in contemporary Manhattan, and makes good use of its setting, from Trinity Church to Columbus Circle. Simon works for the N.Y.P.D. Department of Extraordinary Affairs which handles supernatural incursions and keeps them hidden from the general public. The plot concerns Simon's discovery of a vampire community in New York which has quietly chosen a live-and-let-live policy with the human populace. Unfortunately, a mutant virus has created a more bestial sort of vampire uninterested in maintaining the status quo.

While it lacks the great set pieces first book DEAD TO ME, it is a big improvement of DEADER STILL, and is the best constructed work in the series. Nothing Earth-shattering, but a good read. Taras read excerpts from a very positive review in BLOOD OF THE MUSE.

THE YIDDISH POLICEMEN'S UNON
The work swept a whole batch of science fiction awards for best novel a few years ago and is a dazzling alternate world / police procedural / thriller / Jewish culture / metaphysical treatise / noir mash up.

It starts with the premise that in the 1940s, Jewish refugees were given a sixty year lease to the area around Sitka, Alaska (not as farfetched as it sounds, the idea was considered by FDR). A nameless drug addict is found murdered in a shabby hotel. Nothing too shabby there. But the victim turns out to be the son of the head of the Jewish mafia, and perhaps his generation's messiah. And his death may be connected to another mysterious death. And why is the CIA trying to keep things hushed up? Chabon juggles a multitude of plot balls in the air.

The writing is gorgeous, the world creation superb. The characterization falls within the noir formula, but at the upper end of that genre.

ILIUM, Ilium 1
George felt that this tale of the Trojan War being fought again on a terraformed Mars was one of Simmons' finest works. Phil enjoyed the Mars segments but was indifferent to the chapters set on Earth.

ESCAPEMENT, Clockwork 2
The book is sequel to MAINSPRING, discussed by the group last year, and is a much better crafted work. The story takes place in an alternate universe steampunk universe. God, the master clockmaker, created a terra-centric universe in which the heavens revolve around the world in clearly visible gear tracks. The Game of Empire is played out between the two great powers of the northern hemisphere: The British and the Chinese. Both are planning expeditions to the southern hemisphere on the other side of the equatorial wall which supports the celestial gearwork.

Until recently, Lake was a short story writer. He is still learning the craft on novel writing, but is quickly improving. I regret that I did not do a more competent job leading this discussion.

ARIEL, Change 1
Phil was a fan of this post apocalyptic fantasy of the Change, a singularity in which one day technology ceased to work and magic became real. ARIEL is the name of a unicorn who represents the mcguffin of the plot: the bad guys want her magic horn and the good guys want to save her. Pam was unimpressed with the book. Based on the comments, George felt he would not have enjoyed it either, but Phil (who is no fan of Tolkien) is leery of the judgement of anyone who admits to having read THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING 25? 50? times.