I’ve read a lot of Star Trek Books and I’ve learned there are three kinds. 1. A pretty good adventure book set in the Star Trek universe, worthy of airplane reads. 2. An author has an interesting philosophical idea and ham fists it in even if the plot stinks. 3. A nerds only book, reaching deep into Trek lore. This is probably the 3rd variety but it is the best Trek book out there.
There are three interweaving stories, Kirk, Picard, and Zefram Cochrane. Each are highly engaging and the book is a definite page turner. The only problem is that this book is definitely nerds only. Episode references everywhere and tons of things that are a perfect gift to Trek nerds.
If you are a true blue Trekkie read this book now!
There are three interweaving stories, Kirk, Picard, and Zefram Cochrane. Each are highly engaging and the book is a definite page turner. The only problem is that this book is definitely nerds only. Episode references everywhere and tons of things that are a perfect gift to Trek nerds.
If you are a true blue Trekkie read this book now!
Moving, tense, haunting, and teeming with character.
I, as have most people, always heard of Hemingway as a legend, but I didn’t really know what he was all about and this is my first plunge.
Is this book going to change your life, touch your heart and your mind irrevocably? No probably not. However, you would be hard pressed to find a more moving and meaningful war story.
As to what exactly is the war story, it boils down to a special operative Robert Jordan joining a fairly dysfunctional guerrilla unit in an effort to destroy an enemy bridge. The actual novel only spans about three days and three nights as Jordan and the rest of the group prepare for what may be a suicide mission.
It’s not a speedy page turner but the action of the plot is good and Hemingway nailed the suspenseful elements. As the clock keeps ticking down the reader gets to know the characters deeper and deeper which is the true joy of this novel.
I won’t get into specific characters but suffice it to say they will not be leaving my memory anytime soon. All members of the guerrilla group bring something interesting with my favorites being the complicated Pilar and the good hearted Anselmo. Robert Jordan himself is especially a highlight. He is somewhat enigmatic to me as he is a believer in his army but doesn’t really back the communists he is supporting and seems to really be there because it is all he knows/has. He is somewhat disillusioned but determined to keep fighting. In the beginning he seems show more completely unconcerned with the prospect of dying, but after falling in love he struggles with new dread. The reader really gets into his head and he is a very engaging character.
This book is probably not for everyone. It is slow, has some disturbing/ intense moments, and the central love story at times falls flat. Despite this anyone looking to read a moving narrative with characters that will draw you in should look no further. show less
I, as have most people, always heard of Hemingway as a legend, but I didn’t really know what he was all about and this is my first plunge.
Is this book going to change your life, touch your heart and your mind irrevocably? No probably not. However, you would be hard pressed to find a more moving and meaningful war story.
As to what exactly is the war story, it boils down to a special operative Robert Jordan joining a fairly dysfunctional guerrilla unit in an effort to destroy an enemy bridge. The actual novel only spans about three days and three nights as Jordan and the rest of the group prepare for what may be a suicide mission.
It’s not a speedy page turner but the action of the plot is good and Hemingway nailed the suspenseful elements. As the clock keeps ticking down the reader gets to know the characters deeper and deeper which is the true joy of this novel.
I won’t get into specific characters but suffice it to say they will not be leaving my memory anytime soon. All members of the guerrilla group bring something interesting with my favorites being the complicated Pilar and the good hearted Anselmo. Robert Jordan himself is especially a highlight. He is somewhat enigmatic to me as he is a believer in his army but doesn’t really back the communists he is supporting and seems to really be there because it is all he knows/has. He is somewhat disillusioned but determined to keep fighting. In the beginning he seems show more completely unconcerned with the prospect of dying, but after falling in love he struggles with new dread. The reader really gets into his head and he is a very engaging character.
This book is probably not for everyone. It is slow, has some disturbing/ intense moments, and the central love story at times falls flat. Despite this anyone looking to read a moving narrative with characters that will draw you in should look no further. show less
Growing up as a Star Wars fan I always heard of the legendary Thrawn trilogy as some sort of sacred Star Wars tome.
Is this a life changing book that will make any hater an ardent Star Wars devotee? No it is not. However these books do rock. Think of the Thrawn trilogy as the Original Trilogy 2.
We see all of our favorite Star Wars characters and plenty of new ones that all feel perfect in the Star Wars universe. For me personally I’m a big Talon Karrde fan but there’s also Mara Jade, the Noghri, Palleon, and Thrawn himself. The characterization of the classic characters is right on. Personally I don’t worship at the altar of Grand Admiral Thrawn as some do, but he is a great villain and it is easy to see why so many have been clamoring for his live action debut.
The plot is fast moving with numerous running threads interweaving. There are space battles, daring escapes, political intrigues, tense firefights, etc etc. Everything you want to see in a Star Wars story is pretty much here.
So if, like me, you’ve heard about the Thrawn trilogy but aren’t sure if it lives up to the grandiose hype, it probably is a tad overhyped but it is great and a treat for any Star Wars fan.
Is this a life changing book that will make any hater an ardent Star Wars devotee? No it is not. However these books do rock. Think of the Thrawn trilogy as the Original Trilogy 2.
We see all of our favorite Star Wars characters and plenty of new ones that all feel perfect in the Star Wars universe. For me personally I’m a big Talon Karrde fan but there’s also Mara Jade, the Noghri, Palleon, and Thrawn himself. The characterization of the classic characters is right on. Personally I don’t worship at the altar of Grand Admiral Thrawn as some do, but he is a great villain and it is easy to see why so many have been clamoring for his live action debut.
The plot is fast moving with numerous running threads interweaving. There are space battles, daring escapes, political intrigues, tense firefights, etc etc. Everything you want to see in a Star Wars story is pretty much here.
So if, like me, you’ve heard about the Thrawn trilogy but aren’t sure if it lives up to the grandiose hype, it probably is a tad overhyped but it is great and a treat for any Star Wars fan.
3 stars (or less) for story and writing quality, 48,000 stars for influence and imagination.
As I’ve gotten into classic sci fi it seems like almost everything eventually comes round to being influenced by E E Smith’s Lensmen series. Which is weird because it’s not a household name. I’d heard of the foundation trilogy, stranger in a stranger land, rendezvous with Rama, John Carter and other influential/important sci fi works before I ever heard about this here Lens thingy.
Well that’s probably because it’s not great. Don’t get me wrong it’s enjoyable but the writing isn’t great, it’s near humorless, and it’s outdated. If this were just a little bit better, I think everyone would know galactic patrol, but, as is, it’s a little swept under the rug.
Regardless of its reception, reading this it is easy to see how influential it is. It amazes me that this was originally written in the 30s. This has all the core pieces of sci fi as we still know it. Space ship battles, technobabble, laser guns, aliens, bizarre planets, tractor beams, etc.
If you are interested in sci fi history this is a must read. In particular the Lensmen really remind me of the Jedi and the technology reminds me of Star Trek’s warp drive and phasers.
As I’ve gotten into classic sci fi it seems like almost everything eventually comes round to being influenced by E E Smith’s Lensmen series. Which is weird because it’s not a household name. I’d heard of the foundation trilogy, stranger in a stranger land, rendezvous with Rama, John Carter and other influential/important sci fi works before I ever heard about this here Lens thingy.
Well that’s probably because it’s not great. Don’t get me wrong it’s enjoyable but the writing isn’t great, it’s near humorless, and it’s outdated. If this were just a little bit better, I think everyone would know galactic patrol, but, as is, it’s a little swept under the rug.
Regardless of its reception, reading this it is easy to see how influential it is. It amazes me that this was originally written in the 30s. This has all the core pieces of sci fi as we still know it. Space ship battles, technobabble, laser guns, aliens, bizarre planets, tractor beams, etc.
If you are interested in sci fi history this is a must read. In particular the Lensmen really remind me of the Jedi and the technology reminds me of Star Trek’s warp drive and phasers.
I’ll give you three guesses as to which character gets more focus in this novel.
While there is no way it could improve upon the quality of The Twisted Sword, it maintains the series quality and wraps up some loose ends without ever feeling like a narrative checklist
While there is no way it could improve upon the quality of The Twisted Sword, it maintains the series quality and wraps up some loose ends without ever feeling like a narrative checklist
Nothing exceptional but extremely readable and fun. As a first meeting with Horatio Hornblower the reader doesn’t delve deep into his character but is introduced to some of his key traits. Basically a series of short stories each including a memorable adventure.
A flawed but highly influential tale of alien invasion. The main comparison this book sees is between it and The Body Snatchers as both describe an alien invasion where aliens take the place of normal people. This book actually came first so if you are interested in sci fi history this is a good pick.
First off, I must say this was one of the fastest paced novels I’ve ever read. It gets into the action quickly and keeps moving. The dialogue and action reminds me a bit of film noir or hard boiled detective stories.
This book definitely shows it’s age especially with all the beautiful babes surrounding the main character. Speaking of which, the romance in this is really bizarre as it starts as a highly flirtatious and racy but ends very domestically and wholesome. Leads to some tonal whiplash.
In this novel aliens take power quick and the rest of the book covers the conflict between humans and the mind controlled. It does make the reader think about how we actually would combat hidden aliens. There’s some interesting segments about what the aliens are doing with their human hosts and how they are trying to disguise themselves. Also there are some point of view sections from a character being controlled which were intriguing. It should be mentioned that the things they do with clothing throughout the novel are …uh… unique to say the least.
A bizarre but memorable tale of mind controlling slugs.
First off, I must say this was one of the fastest paced novels I’ve ever read. It gets into the action quickly and keeps moving. The dialogue and action reminds me a bit of film noir or hard boiled detective stories.
This book definitely shows it’s age especially with all the beautiful babes surrounding the main character. Speaking of which, the romance in this is really bizarre as it starts as a highly flirtatious and racy but ends very domestically and wholesome. Leads to some tonal whiplash.
In this novel aliens take power quick and the rest of the book covers the conflict between humans and the mind controlled. It does make the reader think about how we actually would combat hidden aliens. There’s some interesting segments about what the aliens are doing with their human hosts and how they are trying to disguise themselves. Also there are some point of view sections from a character being controlled which were intriguing. It should be mentioned that the things they do with clothing throughout the novel are …uh… unique to say the least.
A bizarre but memorable tale of mind controlling slugs.
I like everything about this book except that part with all the sand.
Interesting meditation on the nature of mortality wrapped in a lame teen novel.
Great ending to a great trilogy. Yes, this series’ plot is over complex and is nearly packed to the gills with pidgin English but it’s still worth your time regardless. If you’ve ever read a Cherryh novel before all her flaws are still here but so are her talents. I love Pyanfar’s transition from in over her head to a major player. She should go down with all the other great fictional star captains. I admire how throughout this book and series previous events and characters take on new context that shifts perception. There are some great character moments and epic scenes in this trilogy ender. Great ending for Pyanfar and company’s story.
If you like sci fi with lots of aliens and high stakes and are ok with feeling a little lost occasionally check out the Chanur series.
If you like sci fi with lots of aliens and high stakes and are ok with feeling a little lost occasionally check out the Chanur series.
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, #2) by Douglas Adams
Very funny as you would expect, except it really loses the plot from the first novel and feels like a random series of events.
Well it took me several months to finish but I got it done.
Mainly it took me so long to finish because I had what I’ve heard is one of the worst translations. The other reason is because it is extremely repetitive. It’s basically like reading the same joke over and over again.
The closest thing I could compare it to is a sitcom because Don Quixote and Sancho remain pretty static while they face episodic misadventures. Don’t get me wrong it is a funny routine, but it didn’t really compel me to keep reading. I think if you start this novel and are really amused from the initial chapters you’ll love it, but if the first couple chapters don’t particularly grab you, the rest won’t either.
For me the highlight was Sancho’s earthly wisdom and humor. I loved his misstatements and the myriad of sayings and phrases he employs. I also loved how deliciously petty the second volume is. Which is a reminder that this book’s humor has stood the test of time. It’s not just funny for stuffy classics readers, it will bring mirth to a huge variety of readers.
Also, the satirization of the chivalric romances of the time is well executed and doesn’t necessitate much prior knowledge of the genre. What Cervantes says about the genre could apply to any work that values melodrama and flash over substance.
Overall a humorous classic that quickly overstayed its welcome for me. I would recommend giving it a shot though because if you appreciate the beginning you’ll enjoy the rest.
Mainly it took me so long to finish because I had what I’ve heard is one of the worst translations. The other reason is because it is extremely repetitive. It’s basically like reading the same joke over and over again.
The closest thing I could compare it to is a sitcom because Don Quixote and Sancho remain pretty static while they face episodic misadventures. Don’t get me wrong it is a funny routine, but it didn’t really compel me to keep reading. I think if you start this novel and are really amused from the initial chapters you’ll love it, but if the first couple chapters don’t particularly grab you, the rest won’t either.
For me the highlight was Sancho’s earthly wisdom and humor. I loved his misstatements and the myriad of sayings and phrases he employs. I also loved how deliciously petty the second volume is. Which is a reminder that this book’s humor has stood the test of time. It’s not just funny for stuffy classics readers, it will bring mirth to a huge variety of readers.
Also, the satirization of the chivalric romances of the time is well executed and doesn’t necessitate much prior knowledge of the genre. What Cervantes says about the genre could apply to any work that values melodrama and flash over substance.
Overall a humorous classic that quickly overstayed its welcome for me. I would recommend giving it a shot though because if you appreciate the beginning you’ll enjoy the rest.
The first half: wow look at this giant man-made ring planet. Here’s a bunch of science about how it works. Oh and while we are at it here’s some details about the super interesting universe this is happening in with lots of unique technology and alien species.
Then it goes downhill fast. The character Teela Brown is brought along to explore the Ringworld because an alien believes she is genetically disposed to be lucky. Haha that’s kind of a goofy plot point right guys? WRONG!!! It’s the only plot point that matters!!
That’s how it feels anyway. Overall if you are looking into reading this you probably already are somewhat familiar with classic sci fi and know that sometimes it’s really flawed, but Ringworld seems to be at another level of flawed. It’s a pretty classic adventure setup with a group of aliens exploring a strange new world, but the last third or so just includes one bad plot point after the next. Other than the flight of the “Improbable,” which is what kept me from abandoning the book.
Is it important to sci fi history and is the Ringworld itself really cool, yes. Is the book kind of a chore, yep. Also is Niven a misogynist, double yep.
My main takeaway from having read this is that the Known Space universe in which it is set is really interesting, but the Ringworld stories are probably not the best part of that universe.
Then it goes downhill fast. The character Teela Brown is brought along to explore the Ringworld because an alien believes she is genetically disposed to be lucky. Haha that’s kind of a goofy plot point right guys? WRONG!!! It’s the only plot point that matters!!
That’s how it feels anyway. Overall if you are looking into reading this you probably already are somewhat familiar with classic sci fi and know that sometimes it’s really flawed, but Ringworld seems to be at another level of flawed. It’s a pretty classic adventure setup with a group of aliens exploring a strange new world, but the last third or so just includes one bad plot point after the next. Other than the flight of the “Improbable,” which is what kept me from abandoning the book.
Is it important to sci fi history and is the Ringworld itself really cool, yes. Is the book kind of a chore, yep. Also is Niven a misogynist, double yep.
My main takeaway from having read this is that the Known Space universe in which it is set is really interesting, but the Ringworld stories are probably not the best part of that universe.
This is probably one of my favorite books. I’m writing this review to encompass the entire “Vicomte de Bragelonne” story which is three books and 260 some chapters.
The overall book is an epic. It tells the final stories of the Musketeers, the new adventures of Athos’ son, and the beginnings of Louis XIV reign. All of these stories intertwine and all come together to form one complete narrative. This first volume follows several characters but mainly D’artagnan as he has a scheme to reinstate a monarchy and profit in the process. In the periphery there is Athos completing a royal favor, Louis XIV gaining his first taste of power, and Raul interacting with the next generation of characters. I understand why some might not be able to get through the whole book, as it is three volumes and 1800 some pages, but you have to stick with it and it will all be worth it. This book has suspense, romance, tragedy, betrayal, political intrigue, etc. Essentially everything that you want in a story.
If you’ve read Twenty Years After and are wondering whether you should continue, you must. You’ll be so glad you did. This is a true classic. If you have finished this one move on to Louise de la Valliere.
The overall book is an epic. It tells the final stories of the Musketeers, the new adventures of Athos’ son, and the beginnings of Louis XIV reign. All of these stories intertwine and all come together to form one complete narrative. This first volume follows several characters but mainly D’artagnan as he has a scheme to reinstate a monarchy and profit in the process. In the periphery there is Athos completing a royal favor, Louis XIV gaining his first taste of power, and Raul interacting with the next generation of characters. I understand why some might not be able to get through the whole book, as it is three volumes and 1800 some pages, but you have to stick with it and it will all be worth it. This book has suspense, romance, tragedy, betrayal, political intrigue, etc. Essentially everything that you want in a story.
If you’ve read Twenty Years After and are wondering whether you should continue, you must. You’ll be so glad you did. This is a true classic. If you have finished this one move on to Louise de la Valliere.
Plotty plot plot plotterson. Squaty plotty. Harry Plotter. Plot o gold. Plotness monster. 100% plot based borg blastin action. Doomsday machine versus three borg cubes. Is it literary? No. Is it entertaining? Yeppers. Plus this came out right after Best of Both Worlds so there wasn’t a whole lot of borg stuff out there. Not a big fan of Guinean but I thought her role was good in this and I found the information on why the Borg needed Locutus interesting. Didn’t really enjoy the Doomsday machine backstory but definitely cool to see it again. Good action based Star Trek flick but definitely missing the thought provoking material that makes Star Trek Star Trek.
Corran is stuck in an imperial prison, Tycho is under trial of being a traitor, and the New Republic battles a deadly plague. A lot of exciting plot threads but never quite catches the fun factor of the first book.
A classic adventure yarn featuring smuggling, buried treasure, and an intimate portrait of a derelict seaside village. Perhaps the stakes are lower than other notable adventure novels of the period, but the writing and narrative is worthy of the comparison. Plus it certainly delivers on the historical side with a great depiction of life in an eighteenth century smuggling town. If you like Poldark you’ll enjoy the setting. If you’ve already read Stevenson, Dumas, Scott, etc pick up this forgotten classic. Nothing is particularly brilliant but it is short, sweet 5 star entertainment. Perfect for a rainy day. Also there is a strong morale about greed that makes this a good choice for youths. A story that proves sometimes buried treasure should stay buried….
Wow what a classic title!
The story of Kip Russell, a young man dreaming of reaching the moon. He wins a real spacesuit in a soap slogan contest (seriously). He may just get what he’s dreaming of and more when he is kidnapped by UFOs in his backyard. This sends our plucky hero on a journey from the moon to the next galaxy!
I think this is the perfect mix of science and epic space opera. The titular spacesuit is practically a character with lots of intricate detail about its operation. There’s even quite a bit of algebra in the pages. There are a couple parts about braving the elements in a spacesuit that are particularly good and had me feeling the cold winds of Pluto. At the same time, there are aliens, spaceships, and galaxy spanning governments. It can definitely be cheesy and is definitely of its era but if you don’t mind the cliches it’s great.
The plot goes a lot of unexpected places and by the end the characters had come a long long way from slogan contests. A great read for any fan of classic sci fi, and an absolute must read for any kid that ever wanted to put on a spacesuit and explore the stars.
The story of Kip Russell, a young man dreaming of reaching the moon. He wins a real spacesuit in a soap slogan contest (seriously). He may just get what he’s dreaming of and more when he is kidnapped by UFOs in his backyard. This sends our plucky hero on a journey from the moon to the next galaxy!
I think this is the perfect mix of science and epic space opera. The titular spacesuit is practically a character with lots of intricate detail about its operation. There’s even quite a bit of algebra in the pages. There are a couple parts about braving the elements in a spacesuit that are particularly good and had me feeling the cold winds of Pluto. At the same time, there are aliens, spaceships, and galaxy spanning governments. It can definitely be cheesy and is definitely of its era but if you don’t mind the cliches it’s great.
The plot goes a lot of unexpected places and by the end the characters had come a long long way from slogan contests. A great read for any fan of classic sci fi, and an absolute must read for any kid that ever wanted to put on a spacesuit and explore the stars.
Classic Dumas. Of the handful of lesser known Dumas works that I’ve read, this was my favorite.
This adventure takes place during the Fronde period of French History. If you’ve read Twenty Years After (book two of the three musketeers series) you’ll be familiar with some royal characters.
Personally I found the first 2/3 to be very humorous and clever. The last 1/3 was pretty serious. Actually I think this one might be the funniest Dumas work in my opinion. While there is a main hero, there are lots of characters and schemes that interact in hilarious and sometimes tragic ways.
As far as plot there is an adventurous hero with love interests on two different sides of a civil war. We see amorous intrigues, fortress sieges, narrow escapes, and other adventurous incidents. The romance is melodramatic but hey that’s Dumas. We also follow a group of Princesses leading the civil war, which gives the novel its title. There also is Cauvignac who is possibly my favorite impudent rogue in fiction. Great wide cast much like in the Musketeer series.
This one seems to have had an English release recently so I’m not sure why this one is SO obscure. It doesn’t reach the same heights as Dumas’ core works, but it is well worth the read especially if you have already read the Musketeers/D’artagnan saga.
This adventure takes place during the Fronde period of French History. If you’ve read Twenty Years After (book two of the three musketeers series) you’ll be familiar with some royal characters.
Personally I found the first 2/3 to be very humorous and clever. The last 1/3 was pretty serious. Actually I think this one might be the funniest Dumas work in my opinion. While there is a main hero, there are lots of characters and schemes that interact in hilarious and sometimes tragic ways.
As far as plot there is an adventurous hero with love interests on two different sides of a civil war. We see amorous intrigues, fortress sieges, narrow escapes, and other adventurous incidents. The romance is melodramatic but hey that’s Dumas. We also follow a group of Princesses leading the civil war, which gives the novel its title. There also is Cauvignac who is possibly my favorite impudent rogue in fiction. Great wide cast much like in the Musketeer series.
This one seems to have had an English release recently so I’m not sure why this one is SO obscure. It doesn’t reach the same heights as Dumas’ core works, but it is well worth the read especially if you have already read the Musketeers/D’artagnan saga.
Most people think of themselves as good but when we have a chance at reaching our dreams, it’s darned easy to rationalize.
Enter Jake Bonner a one time up-and-coming author now teaching for an obscure writing program. Much to his chagrin he comes across a young author with a plot concept that’s guaranteed to spawn a best seller. As the years pass and the inevitable best seller never hits shelves Jake gets curious. Turns out the guy died a few years ago, looks like that plot will never be used. Well unless Jake uses it.
Years later Jake is a national star on the back of that borrowed idea, but he can’t stop looking over his shoulder. Then one day he gets a message, “You are a thief.”
It’s hard to discuss more of the story without getting into spoilers but the set up is certainly intriguing. Unfortunately I don’t think it quite stuck the landing. While reading the twists and turns it’s exciting but immediately after finishing I found it hard not to pick at plot holes. Good twists can cover a multitude of sins, but in this case it wasn’t enough for me.
Ironically for a book called, “The Plot” the characterization is much better than the actual plot. Jacob Bonner is a very complex and understandable character. It’s a very interesting look at an average person and who they can become after one crucial mistake. Jacob starts as a neutral protagonist but at some points he definitely slips into anti-hero territory. It’s a great character study in writers and show more what lengths they go to for a story. This is definitely a literary work and the authors prose and characters really shine.
If you like meta stories, a la books about books, this is a solid one, but falls short after the initial shock of the twists has worn off. show less
Enter Jake Bonner a one time up-and-coming author now teaching for an obscure writing program. Much to his chagrin he comes across a young author with a plot concept that’s guaranteed to spawn a best seller. As the years pass and the inevitable best seller never hits shelves Jake gets curious. Turns out the guy died a few years ago, looks like that plot will never be used. Well unless Jake uses it.
Years later Jake is a national star on the back of that borrowed idea, but he can’t stop looking over his shoulder. Then one day he gets a message, “You are a thief.”
It’s hard to discuss more of the story without getting into spoilers but the set up is certainly intriguing. Unfortunately I don’t think it quite stuck the landing. While reading the twists and turns it’s exciting but immediately after finishing I found it hard not to pick at plot holes. Good twists can cover a multitude of sins, but in this case it wasn’t enough for me.
Ironically for a book called, “The Plot” the characterization is much better than the actual plot. Jacob Bonner is a very complex and understandable character. It’s a very interesting look at an average person and who they can become after one crucial mistake. Jacob starts as a neutral protagonist but at some points he definitely slips into anti-hero territory. It’s a great character study in writers and show more what lengths they go to for a story. This is definitely a literary work and the authors prose and characters really shine.
If you like meta stories, a la books about books, this is a solid one, but falls short after the initial shock of the twists has worn off. show less
Space miners vs The Man!
A prequel to Cherryh’s Downbelow Station showing how earth built their fleet. The Earth Company and independent miners mine out our solar system’s asteroid belt, while the company squeezes every penny and fights for as much control as they can get. Meanwhile two independent miners rescue a stranded ship that was damaged in mysterious circumstances that lead our heroes in over their heads. Really an ensemble cast of 5 characters:
Bird: A veteran miner who’s seen it all. A good man trying to make ends meet while also doing what’s right. He’s the moral compass of the group.
Ben: A young man that’s much more concerned with making money than doing right. Got a real talent for numbers and knows how to work the company system.
Meg: A counterculturist with a record. Doesn’t always work entirely within the law, but is probably the most ethical character besides Bird. Wants to take down the man but has seen enough to know it probably won’t happen.
Sal: Meg’s partner but has high connections within the independents. She wants a life beyond mining but the independents want something big from her if they are going to uplift her.
Dekker: the man involved in the aforementioned mysterious accident. The company is trying to convince him he’s insane and he’s not sure they’re wrong.
All the characters are interesting and the world building is top notch. A very realistic look at space mining. This is the fastest moving Cherryh novel I’ve read but show more by far has the most profanity which was very disappointing. Will not be reading the sequel. show less
A prequel to Cherryh’s Downbelow Station showing how earth built their fleet. The Earth Company and independent miners mine out our solar system’s asteroid belt, while the company squeezes every penny and fights for as much control as they can get. Meanwhile two independent miners rescue a stranded ship that was damaged in mysterious circumstances that lead our heroes in over their heads. Really an ensemble cast of 5 characters:
Bird: A veteran miner who’s seen it all. A good man trying to make ends meet while also doing what’s right. He’s the moral compass of the group.
Ben: A young man that’s much more concerned with making money than doing right. Got a real talent for numbers and knows how to work the company system.
Meg: A counterculturist with a record. Doesn’t always work entirely within the law, but is probably the most ethical character besides Bird. Wants to take down the man but has seen enough to know it probably won’t happen.
Sal: Meg’s partner but has high connections within the independents. She wants a life beyond mining but the independents want something big from her if they are going to uplift her.
Dekker: the man involved in the aforementioned mysterious accident. The company is trying to convince him he’s insane and he’s not sure they’re wrong.
All the characters are interesting and the world building is top notch. A very realistic look at space mining. This is the fastest moving Cherryh novel I’ve read but show more by far has the most profanity which was very disappointing. Will not be reading the sequel. show less
A good sequel that ultimately doesn’t know where it’s going.
The opening premise is that our protagonist is stuck in Earths past (our present) because of an experiment gone wrong using stolen Vorlon, oops I mean Invidi, technology. It’s hard to discuss the rest of the book without spoiling the plot, but don’t worry, the plot builds a good space opera time travel mystery.
The author definitely includes more swearing and sexual situations which was disappointing but I suppose it is fitting for something set in the modern day. It’s still pretty tame but never felt fully necessary, particularly the swearing.
The definite main flaw is that really by the end of the novel nothing has really changed in the larger overarching plot. Things definitely change for our principal characters but not for the space station Jocasta or galaxy at large. The plot is still entertaining but I left with a feeling of, was this sequel really necessary.
Even if this book didn't have to be written, I'm glad it was and I'm glad we got to revisit this world. McArthur definitely has talent and it's a shame she didn't write more. This series is the best Babylon 5 itch scratcher around!
I’d probably give this 4 stars but because this is such an unknown book I’ll bump it up to 5.
The opening premise is that our protagonist is stuck in Earths past (our present) because of an experiment gone wrong using stolen Vorlon, oops I mean Invidi, technology. It’s hard to discuss the rest of the book without spoiling the plot, but don’t worry, the plot builds a good space opera time travel mystery.
The author definitely includes more swearing and sexual situations which was disappointing but I suppose it is fitting for something set in the modern day. It’s still pretty tame but never felt fully necessary, particularly the swearing.
The definite main flaw is that really by the end of the novel nothing has really changed in the larger overarching plot. Things definitely change for our principal characters but not for the space station Jocasta or galaxy at large. The plot is still entertaining but I left with a feeling of, was this sequel really necessary.
Even if this book didn't have to be written, I'm glad it was and I'm glad we got to revisit this world. McArthur definitely has talent and it's a shame she didn't write more. This series is the best Babylon 5 itch scratcher around!
I’d probably give this 4 stars but because this is such an unknown book I’ll bump it up to 5.
An aging fencing instructor meets an intriguing female student that brings him into a dastardly political plot.
This is basically a period piece meets noir as the reader gets a view of 1860s Spain life and the upheaval of the time, but also sees political scheming, murder, and a deadly femme fetale.
It’s also somewhat of a character study as our main character is an anachronism believing in personal honor above all else in a time of greed and betrayal. The story has an interesting theme of quixotism versus grim realism.
The books main sin is that it really takes a long time to actually get into the plot. Even though this book is already really short it probably could have even been a hundred pages shorter. It makes up for it with a tense ending but there's quite a bit of meandering. Overall the book has a lot of good but never really grabs the reader on an emotional level.
If you like historical fiction this captures a period well, and if you like thrillers this is a unique one.
This is basically a period piece meets noir as the reader gets a view of 1860s Spain life and the upheaval of the time, but also sees political scheming, murder, and a deadly femme fetale.
It’s also somewhat of a character study as our main character is an anachronism believing in personal honor above all else in a time of greed and betrayal. The story has an interesting theme of quixotism versus grim realism.
The books main sin is that it really takes a long time to actually get into the plot. Even though this book is already really short it probably could have even been a hundred pages shorter. It makes up for it with a tense ending but there's quite a bit of meandering. Overall the book has a lot of good but never really grabs the reader on an emotional level.
If you like historical fiction this captures a period well, and if you like thrillers this is a unique one.
Rogue squadron goes rogue?! For various reasons the New Republic can’t go after the bad guys so the squad leaves the army and conducts a private war against the imperials. It’s nice to return to starship adventures after all the cloak and dagger and political maneuvering of the previous two novels.
Exploration on whether ends justify the means, how war makes monsters of us all, and the isolation of brilliance all wrapped up in a book about killin’ space bugs and kids controlling the world via twitter trolling.
A classic portrait of the French Revolution filled with classic characters and quotes.
It’s rather difficult to give an accurate plot description without giving spoilers as the plot doesn’t really come together till the third section of the novel. From the start we see a man unjustly held in prison being released to England and is “recalled to life” by his loving daughter and loyal business associate. Meanwhile a wine shop owner and his wife scheme revolution in France. Several years later a gallant young man is tried for treason but is saved by a cynical lookalike. All of these threads combine to create a plot containing mystery, thrills, and romance. The characters are distinct and memorable and the lookalike Sydney Carton is a true scene stealer.
All these plot chords come together beautifully in the end, but for much of the novel there isn’t a present central conflict. The final portion of the novel is moving, suspenseful, and fast paced but the reader has to get through the first couple hundred pages to experience it. It’s not that nothing interesting happens before the final section, but the lack of stakes makes the early sections feel somewhat directionless while reading. This novel requires patience and it’s understandable why many do not finish.
It’s a dark novel that has much to say about the French Revolution and its causes. Dickens ably uses sharp wit, sarcasm, and keen observation to unflinchingly paint the era. The main takeaway for me is that show more the violence and cruelty of the upper class inevitably begat the violence and cruelty of the revolution despite its good intentions. Taken purely as a historical novel covering this event, it is a success.
Dickens prose is somewhat difficult to follow because of its wordiness, but he is a great wordsmith and his writing contains much truth. I will definitely be reading more. show less
It’s rather difficult to give an accurate plot description without giving spoilers as the plot doesn’t really come together till the third section of the novel. From the start we see a man unjustly held in prison being released to England and is “recalled to life” by his loving daughter and loyal business associate. Meanwhile a wine shop owner and his wife scheme revolution in France. Several years later a gallant young man is tried for treason but is saved by a cynical lookalike. All of these threads combine to create a plot containing mystery, thrills, and romance. The characters are distinct and memorable and the lookalike Sydney Carton is a true scene stealer.
All these plot chords come together beautifully in the end, but for much of the novel there isn’t a present central conflict. The final portion of the novel is moving, suspenseful, and fast paced but the reader has to get through the first couple hundred pages to experience it. It’s not that nothing interesting happens before the final section, but the lack of stakes makes the early sections feel somewhat directionless while reading. This novel requires patience and it’s understandable why many do not finish.
It’s a dark novel that has much to say about the French Revolution and its causes. Dickens ably uses sharp wit, sarcasm, and keen observation to unflinchingly paint the era. The main takeaway for me is that show more the violence and cruelty of the upper class inevitably begat the violence and cruelty of the revolution despite its good intentions. Taken purely as a historical novel covering this event, it is a success.
Dickens prose is somewhat difficult to follow because of its wordiness, but he is a great wordsmith and his writing contains much truth. I will definitely be reading more. show less
Step into the renaissance with crafty statesman Andrea Orsini as he navigates this time of extreme beauty and depravity.
Andrea Orsini begins as an agent of the infamous intriguer Cesare Borgia, but as time goes on he sees that there is perhaps more to life than cynicism and self advancement. The morale of this tale is a true highlight. The message of lust, greed, and glory paling in comparison to what is simple, humble, and good is timeless. It’s an uplifting story as it reminds the reader that no matter the time period we can all do good and move beyond the petty worldly motives that surround us.
It is noted that there are some Christian overtones, even including a Saint of the period as a side character. However, I believe the religious elements were included to capture the period rather than to influence anyone. This redemptive story can be enjoyed regardless of religion.
Even with its important themes it still remains rooted in the adventure genre. There are daring escapes, duels, sieges, and a healthy dose of romance. The plot will satisfy anyone who enjoys historical adventure, but there wasn’t anything that really sparked my excitement or made me turn the pages all night. Still, our hero favors brain to brawn, and it’s amusing to see him cleverly avoid the dangers that surround him. He definitely earns his title of “Prince of Foxes”
A tale written in the style of Sabatini and Dumas, but it doesn’t quite have their level of quality. There wasn’t anything show more in the plot that particularly gripped me but the beautiful messaging makes this a good read! Before I read this the only familiarity I had with the Borges is when Orson Welles name dropped them in The Third Man, so I learned quite a lot! show less
Andrea Orsini begins as an agent of the infamous intriguer Cesare Borgia, but as time goes on he sees that there is perhaps more to life than cynicism and self advancement. The morale of this tale is a true highlight. The message of lust, greed, and glory paling in comparison to what is simple, humble, and good is timeless. It’s an uplifting story as it reminds the reader that no matter the time period we can all do good and move beyond the petty worldly motives that surround us.
It is noted that there are some Christian overtones, even including a Saint of the period as a side character. However, I believe the religious elements were included to capture the period rather than to influence anyone. This redemptive story can be enjoyed regardless of religion.
Even with its important themes it still remains rooted in the adventure genre. There are daring escapes, duels, sieges, and a healthy dose of romance. The plot will satisfy anyone who enjoys historical adventure, but there wasn’t anything that really sparked my excitement or made me turn the pages all night. Still, our hero favors brain to brawn, and it’s amusing to see him cleverly avoid the dangers that surround him. He definitely earns his title of “Prince of Foxes”
A tale written in the style of Sabatini and Dumas, but it doesn’t quite have their level of quality. There wasn’t anything show more in the plot that particularly gripped me but the beautiful messaging makes this a good read! Before I read this the only familiarity I had with the Borges is when Orson Welles name dropped them in The Third Man, so I learned quite a lot! show less
A little bit different of a Pimpernel adventure as our daring hero is in the hands of the enemy for most of the tale. Not particularly brilliant but the baroness delivers another exciting story of derring-do and bold plots
One of the very first Star Trek books back in the day. Captures the original Star Trek spirit but has a weak plot. The Enterprise and a Klingon ship get pulled into a Dyson sphere with the inhabitants claiming that the sun is their god, how will Kirk and co escape? Good setup with some interesting happenings but falls apart in execution because of a very sudden and anticlimactic ending. Really could have used another 100 pages or so.
The author won a nebula for a short story about god like aliens living in stars/being stars and that idea is reused here. If that concept interests you, you might find this worth the read, otherwise leave it for collectors only.
The author won a nebula for a short story about god like aliens living in stars/being stars and that idea is reused here. If that concept interests you, you might find this worth the read, otherwise leave it for collectors only.