Steven Allen > Recent Status Updates

I am enjoying this short book. I like the different characters, including a cyborg dog, and a bunch of convicts stuck on a prison planet. Its not quite Pizza Planet, but the prison planet called Swamp has some interesting features.

The last few books I have read have been fantasy, so this is a nice change of genre for me. So far this is a decent cop story with a tragically flawed central character (really, would we read these books if the character was perfect and solved every crime?). Set in deep southern Louisiana, the character is of Cajun roots, an alcoholic, and a widower. As a young man, the character witnessed the end of segregation.

This is an interesting story. I understand the author's dedication to her young son now. I was not expecting bestiality, homosexuality, drug addiction and human trafficking in this story. A good read; I am looking forward to the rest of the series although I doubt I will keep them.

A slow but promising start to this new author of fantasy. I noticed these books at my local, friendly used book store and thought that I would try them out.

The action is fast and furious in this last volume of the Parrish series. Some unexpected twists in the story that I was not expecting were a pleasant surprise. Enjoying the read.

Just started reading the final book in this series. From the beginning, the story takes off at a fast pace, picking right up where the last book left off.

I just finished the first story - Halley's Gift. I really enjoyed the first story. I hope to read other stories of Halley's adventures as she matures into a woman.

I am only a few pages into this book so far. I like the author's writing style, his prose is not loaded with 25 cent words when a 5 cent word would work. Short stories are perhaps some of the hardest to write because of the limits of size. I like how the author jumps in and establishes his character, in terms easy to understand.

The darker, second volume of this trilogy starts right where the first book left off. I might wish the scifi was a little harder but I enjoy the author's characters and writing style. Have to get used to August being referred to as winter because the books are set in Australia. Christmas is a summer holiday for Australians.

In the spirit of full disclosure - the author kindly gave me a copy of his book to read. Take my review for what you will otherwise. I have to admit that I started reading Halley's gift and Eight Other Extraordinary Tales with some trepidation. I would not have normally chosen this book, as from first glance it is not in a genre that I normally read or from an author that I recognize. More to follow later.

A good scifi book from an Australian author. I like the heroine who is not a perfect person, but has flaws like most of us. American readers will have to get used to measurements in metrics so it may be hard for readers in the States to envision a nearly two meter tall woman.