I picked this up to help celebrate Cimmerian September... I've been wanting to read it for a while... SM Stirling writing a Conan story seemed like anI picked this up to help celebrate Cimmerian September... I've been wanting to read it for a while... SM Stirling writing a Conan story seemed like an odd fit, and I was excited to see how it worked.
The story is a direct lead it to Red Nails... Stirling takes the conversation Conan and Valeria have at the beginning of the story and expands on it and fleshes it out. In fact, his story ends with a direct quote from the story and leads right into it, which is neat.
The actual story, sadly is a bit of a mess. Stirling clearly had point points, and followed them, but his Conan is a generic barbarian lout that lacks the depth of character that makes him great. The story starts with a 50 page bar scene, which gives the scene where Valeria had a conflict with a Stygian noble and lead her to leaving alone through the jungle. To get there though, they had fights against wildlife.. over and over and over again. Like 8 different times. It was VERY repetitive. Conan did end up meaning some fun tribal types eventually that were the best two scenes (though still with some wild animal attacks).
Stirling did create some interesting characters both there and Conan and Valeria's comrades in arms, but he also created a fortune in gold that makes the events that happen to lead into Red Nails make alot less sense.
Overall, a great idea with rather poor execution. ...more
I want to state up front I did like the book... I stayed up late to finish it even. However, sometimes an author just gets carried away... the things I want to state up front I did like the book... I stayed up late to finish it even. However, sometimes an author just gets carried away... the things he did to poor Falcio in the book rivaled and actually surpassed what was done to Harry Dresden in his books. I don't think we needed multiple torture scenes, did we? The plot was good, if predictable. In fact, in the acknowledges in the back, the author thanks one of his editors in the style of his naming of the saints, and calls her 'Jo-Fletcher-who-obliterates-cliches'... if this is AFTER that happened, I shudder to think what the original draft was like.
That does sort of feel like the point, though, to be honest. The characters are all really good, and fill their roles admirably. Nothing happens in the plot that is a twist to be a twist, though the ones that do happen were not a surprise... like don't torture your main character in book 2 of a series and expect me to think he's not going to live through it somehow.
I'll definitely still read the next one (but maybe not right away, got a few other things on tap first). ...more
This was a random pick of at a recent library book sale (I did a good job exercising restraint and not add to the to read shelf too much)... I just loThis was a random pick of at a recent library book sale (I did a good job exercising restraint and not add to the to read shelf too much)... I just loved the cover and then reading the back sold me.
The style is pretty unique, and a bit odd. The author is trying to write Falco as a noir-ish private eye, but he's actually more like the Emperor's troubleshooter, with more diplomacy in his job (at least THIS job) than detecting.
In a few places the attempts to have his lead act and sound like a hard boiled PI threw me out of the story... some of the language was at odds with the setting for sure. On the other hand, his history was spot on and he did a fantastic job of bringing the early era Imperial Rome to life.
I'm not sure how realistic his senator's daughter chasing after her boyfriend in the wilds of Germany to make sure he's ok, then actually helping in his investigation. It was entertaining though, and the characters were all fun. ...more
This one definitely falls into the 'the cover is the best part' category of classic sci fi. Written (according to the copyright in 1955) about the farThis one definitely falls into the 'the cover is the best part' category of classic sci fi. Written (according to the copyright in 1955) about the far future time 1980, where literal little green men (called the Nagani) are helping the remnants of humanity chase after a runaway planet, where they find the dying bits of the race on the cover.
This is a sequel.. the Earth gets destroyed by some sort of vegetable aliens in the first one, and only those that were taken captive survive (its not clear how many.. maybe just a small group, or maybe like a town worth), but they seem to have been defeated.
The first 1/2 of the book is a Burroughs still universal travelogue book, where it talks about the different planets and the races that live on them. We visit some of them chasing the runaway planet, but then things get really weird... including a weird quest that doesn't make alot of sense and some time traveling future men.
The end is fun though, and that cover is great, so it was worth the read. ...more
This was the first time in a while I just read through a series all at once (Though I did skip Provenance.. I may go read it next, we'll see)... latelThis was the first time in a while I just read through a series all at once (Though I did skip Provenance.. I may go read it next, we'll see)... lately I've been more inclined to swap around a bit. It definitely helps to be immersed in the world.
I think I would have been alot more confused if I had read this stand alone... they only vaguely explain the treaty as being important, not exactly what it is, or why being human was a good thing or important.
The story was fun, and Reet and Qven and Enae are all great characters, but the book felt very predictable and, well, safe I think is what comes to mind. There could have been so weighty philosophical musings about what it is to be a 'significant person', and I sure do what to know exactly what the Presger are (as compared to the Translators, which are clearly somewhere between pets or biological constructs and actually the Presger at all)... maybe the author never figured that out, but I certainly want to know.
The big issue, to me, that I wanted to see answered here is WHY are the Presger willing to participate in the treaty... and we get none of that. Just some surface stuff that really was never much of a debate. It was very clear who was right and who was wrong... even in story it seemed a forgone conclusion early on.
Also, there was really nothing to tell us what happened in the ongoing saga the that Radch trilogy didn't finish... it seems like some amount of time has past (a couple years, but not too many? its not clear.. maybe not that long) but nothing is settled and in fact no progress has happened. SOMETHING should be happening there.
On the plus side, if there is another book, it's clearly primed to bring the two stories together, which could be really good.
Incidently I feel like Reet-Qven should visit Murderbot and swap soap operas... I think they could be great friends. ...more
I wasn't done with my reading time yet, and since this was out there for free, gave it a quick read. Its so different style wise from the trilogy it dI wasn't done with my reading time yet, and since this was out there for free, gave it a quick read. Its so different style wise from the trilogy it doesn't really feel like it belongs, though of course that's on purpose since it's outside the Radch. Fun little story, but doesn't really add alot to the universe, it was already clear 'savages' don't like the Radch.
There are a great many times when authors write a great book, but have no idea how to end it, or create an interesting universe but don't know what toThere are a great many times when authors write a great book, but have no idea how to end it, or create an interesting universe but don't know what to do with it.
This series is the rare opposite... the setting is kind of boring, but boy does business pick up by the end. This final installment of the trilogy we get the big conflict we've been building up for in the first two books, and its quite good. I was completely surprised by the ending, which rarely happens these days, yet it made total sense in the framework of the story, which was great.
The fact that Breq alledgedly came up with it as a last second random thought is silly, but I'm just not going to worry about that, I'm sure she was just saying that to make her friends feel better she didn't discuss it with them ahead of time.
The finale had a far different tone than the first two.. it was much lighter and has some fun, sarcastic moments, where the first too books were almost overly serious.
I also love the portrayal and treatment of AI here.. very unique. I hesitate to say 'realistic' for such a thing, but the AIs in this book behave how I expect they should.
I'm a little sad we don't seem to find out what happens next, so that's clearly the sign of a good series. I'm not sure it needed to win every award ever, but I'm glad I finally got around to reading it. ...more
This is a bit of an odd book to review... while I liked it better than the 1st one, the problems with the first one were exacerbated here. The basic pThis is a bit of an odd book to review... while I liked it better than the 1st one, the problems with the first one were exacerbated here. The basic plot is simple... Breq goes to a particular planetary system and decided to set herself up a base of operations before the civil war reaches it.
Now, there are a few problems with that.. the biggest one being there's no way to know which side is which, or even if there are multiple sides. While I love the concept of a ruler using ancillaries to live forever, but spreading too thin and changing. That's now just background.. there is no update as to what's going on.
Back at the ranch, the book seems to try hard to develop some characters, which it does decently well, but that development is majorly hampered by the fact that there is no description of any of the different races, and that everyone is referred to as 'she', despite the fact that there are multiple relationships of various types that would be helpful to know what gender the characters are. Or how old they are. (only one character is given an age, and it doesn't really apply. they rest you have to infer by context... which is fairly muddled to start) Or what they look like. Or even if they are humanoid or not. I assume the author is trying to make some sort of point by not doing so, but whatever point that might be is lost on this reader, it's just annoying.
That said, Breq is really interesting main character, even if her motivations are unclear. The book at least is interesting enough that I want to know what happens, so even if I wasn't reading this so my book club book could be taken in context, I'd probably still finish it.
I found that alot of the parts I remembered most about the trilogy were in this book, both good and bad. I would have liked the New Republic to actualI found that alot of the parts I remembered most about the trilogy were in this book, both good and bad. I would have liked the New Republic to actually beat Thrawn, rather than the combination of past deeds catching up and outsmarting himself that happened, but it does certainly make for a great image... I wonder once again how awesome this would have been on the big screen if Disney was just willing to pay Timothy Zahn a bit instead of starting from scratch and coming up with the nonsense they did.
I was fun seeing the different uses Thrawn came up with for cloaking tech, which is far more interesting than just sneaking up on someone. Star Trek writers should take note.
One thing that did occur to me... the cover doesn't make alot of sense. I think it's meant to be Mara and Luuke, but certainly it makes me think of Jacen and Jaina (Who are of course infants in this book)
I've had the 3rd book of this series sitting on my shelf for a while.. waiting for friends. Then my real life book club decided to read the newest booI've had the 3rd book of this series sitting on my shelf for a while.. waiting for friends. Then my real life book club decided to read the newest book in the series and the goodreads sci fi book club read a different one, and it was clear the universe was telling me to read this,
It is...OK. The dying empire is a pretty common theme, with an interesting twist here. 'Ancillaries' are basically captured enemies with their brains reprogrammed, but seemingly with no chance of rebelling. The leader uses the same techinque to have multiple bodies and be essentially immortal, but then different versions of her(him? more on that in a minute) and they basically are fighting each other for control.
The main character used to be the Ancillary of a ship (which means she has all the memories of the ship) but escaped and is basically now a hero/revolutionary.
It took a LONG time to get there though...too long. Then there's a thing with pronouns. I recurring theme was that the main character couldn't tell males from females and used the wrong pronouns for different races. That can be a one off joke, or whatever, but it was mentioned time and time and time again, to the point where I have no idea which gender (or if there was any gender) any given character is. It seems the Radch themselves use 'she' as the generic, and don't really differentiate. I wish it was left at that instead of constantly returning to it and making it a big thing that had no impact on the story at all. I'm not sure if the author was trying to use that to make a point, but if she was it is completely lost upon this reader.
That said... it feels like the next book might be better, so I'll probably still read it. ...more
I ended up doing alot of waiting the yesterday and today so I went through this one quick... it definitely feels like the middle book of a trilogy.
ThI ended up doing alot of waiting the yesterday and today so I went through this one quick... it definitely feels like the middle book of a trilogy.
The plot, like the 1st book, is Thrawn is looking for ships... this time ht focus is on a 'lost' fleet that both sides try to find. My favorite part of the book is definitely the introduction of Garm Bel Iblis, the 'lost' founder of the Rebel Alliance from Corellia.
I think Zahn does a really good job with the characters... Han is properly curmugeonly, given he's a bit older, but still a scoundrel at times. Luke still sees the good in everyone to a fault but is a bit more cautious. I also like how even though it seems like the battle is won, the ending her is a similar vibe as Empire Strikes Back.
There's a big spotlight on Zahn's creations here... Carrde, Mara, C'Baoth, etc... some are good, some are less good,but they do most definitely set the foundation of the extended universe, which gave us a whole lot more Star Wars goodness than Disney has. ...more
I found this at a library book sale, and a co worker had recommended it to me,so I thought it'd give it a shot. I haven't read one of these sort of boI found this at a library book sale, and a co worker had recommended it to me,so I thought it'd give it a shot. I haven't read one of these sort of books since Jack Reacher and Jack Ryan, so I thought it would be fun to see what the super spy action hero is like these days.
Turns out.. its alot like a FPS. I felt very much like I was reading someone's video game here... especially with the copious and unnecessary details about which guns a give character was using.
It wasn't a bad book, it definitely turned the pages, but the main character was pretty much a super hero... no human can take as much damage as he did and live, never might STILL take out a bunch pf bad guys and save the day... alot like a video game character.
The main character was pretty trope-y.. your basic 'I do bad things to bad people so the good people don't have to' type. A couple of the minor character were pretty interesting, but no reason to suspect they'll ever appear again the way these sort of series go. I especially liked Claire... I'm not sure I 'get it' though when in a big manly shooty thriller my favorite character was an year old girl.
After reading and review some of the early Dark Horse comics... the urge to re-read this (which had been building since Thrawn made his live action TVAfter reading and review some of the early Dark Horse comics... the urge to re-read this (which had been building since Thrawn made his live action TV debut) was too much to ignore.
I have alot of nostalglia vibes for this book... I read it for the first time just shortly after it came out at at Boys' State (a high school program that was like a camp to learn about the government, but mostly involved alot of hazing and basketball). I read quite a good chunk of it after lights out using the power light of my walkman as a book light.. a couple words at a time.
Its funny which parts stuck out in my mind and which didn't. I very vividly remembered the scene where Luke disassembles his hand to power a door to escape from Talon Karrde, for instance, but I had almost completely forgotten about Fey'lya and his plot to take over the council.
I vividly remembered the climatic fight at the shipyard, but had forgotten about the earlier battle where Thrawn obliterates a New Republic task force.
It's very easy to see why this is still considered the gold standard of Star Wars novels... the characters created here are all great.... not just Thrawn, ,but Karrde, Mara Jade, Winter, etc.
It also made it very clear why Thrawn portrayal in the current Disney continuity falls a little flat... here we get to see exactly how his mind works and his planning and why he's a grand Admiral. Many of the things he does here pay off in the other books, but its very clear (both to the in universe characters and the reader) that he is the Empire's last hope, and that he could well succeed.
Looking at it now with a bit more critical eye, (which is very difficult, given the love I have for the story), there is a bit of coincidence being the driving plot point.. with the main character converging on the scenes needed almost like they had to be there... which of course they do.
Then of course we have the force eating lizards, which I didn't like at the time and still think are dumb, but they serve an important plot function, so we just have to live with the little guys.
This is the third of 3 A Merritt books I had, and I liked the other for what they were.. random 'travelogue' adventure novels of the 30s. This one wasThis is the third of 3 A Merritt books I had, and I liked the other for what they were.. random 'travelogue' adventure novels of the 30s. This one was longer, and had more of a story before our hero, Leif, gets whisked away to the Shadow-lands and battles the evil (in this case, a witch-woman who wanted to turn him to the dark side and seemed to have successfully done so with other incarnations of him in the past).
There was also a bit of Lovecraftian horror here.. which didn't make for a great mix. On the whole, this book was just a slog. It was much longer than the others, but that length was spend with the horror bit, and just taking a long time to get to the fantasy world when the magic happens. The main character here has a sidekick so he can angst away to him, and it just doesn't work as well as the straight up fantasy adventure with a small excuse that the others were. ...more
I had put the first two volumes of this back on my to read pile a while back.. I remembered really liking them, and who doesn't love the concept of 1/I had put the first two volumes of this back on my to read pile a while back.. I remembered really liking them, and who doesn't love the concept of 1/2 animal soldiers from a visual standpoint>
Now I remember... despite the great premise and awesome art, the story just never really does anywhere. It meanders between flash backs and present day, with a few 'imaginary' stories mixed in... not unlike when TMNT got passed around to different writers back in the day.
So in the end, I'm back where I was with it.. maybe I'll pick up more if they ever turn up for a good deal, but not really worth going out of the way for.
The art and the character designs though.. great stuff.
A new release from a new author of dead ball era baseball? yes, please. Zarley has some great behind the scenes stuff here on what happened in the winA new release from a new author of dead ball era baseball? yes, please. Zarley has some great behind the scenes stuff here on what happened in the winter of 1901, including the abortive formation of a 3rd league that I had never heard before.
Ban Johnson is definitely the hero of the story, and despite the author being stating he is a Pirates fan, the book is pretty pro-American League.
There was definitely a focus on the plight of the umpires (and they lack of skill) which I've seen elsewhere and seems to be pretty accurate.
While the first third of the book was really good with alot of info I haven't seen before, the rest during the season were stories that have been pretty well told. I think a bit more about the actual season might have been in order, though truly the strength of the book was the behind the scenes stories... an AL team in Pittsburg? The NL convincing McGraw to bring the Orioles to over and make it a 12 team league again? Intriguing possibilities for sure.
I DO think that, while the book does state its the story of 1901.. that story really doesn't finish until 1903 when the leagues stabilize.. but perhaps that will be the authors next book.
While I think all in all there were parts of the book that were a slog, overall the author had alot of good info and I suspect if he writes another book it will be even better.
I had no idea this book existed until I got it for my birthday (thanks, Dad), or I probably would have read it a long time ago.. nothing better than pI had no idea this book existed until I got it for my birthday (thanks, Dad), or I probably would have read it a long time ago.. nothing better than personal stories of old time baseball. I'm love 'Glory of our Times' is this one is very similar... not alot of commentary or explanation from the author, just a quick biography and then right to the players stories.
The book as a nice mix of lesser known players like Elden Auker and Tommy Heinrich, and the a couple stars like Bob Feller and Warren Spahn.
Great stuff about going to the war and integration... I love hearing what their contemporaries thought of the stars like Williams and Dimaggio... you just don't get that from anything but these sort of interviews.
I'll definitely have to see if any other 'Baseball Oral History Project' books.
I was a bit torn when I realized I was about current with this series... one the one hand, I was pretty excited to read this one based on the blurb...I was a bit torn when I realized I was about current with this series... one the one hand, I was pretty excited to read this one based on the blurb... I thought surely the dangling plot of Barker's brother would be resolved, and I love me a good Civil War conspiracy.
But, reading this essentially as soon as it is out means next time I'm in the mood for a Barker and Llewelyn novel, I will have to wait, as they are fresh out.
While I was disappointed in the lack of Caleb Barker in the book (he gets a bit of a mention and delivers a letter, but was never 'on camera', there was no shortage of fun Civil War conspiracies!
This was a quick, fun read (as most of the series is) and it perhaps moved the general life and history Mr. Llewelyn forward a bit... maybe. I thought that was the case before when he got married and that was not really the case. Maybe this time. If there is another book, that is, since clearly this is (current) last one. I would hope so though.. while there's no specific cliff hanger going on, I definitely am not done with these two yet! ...more
It's definitely not a new concept when we have overwhelmingly powerful aliens destroy Earth... this book does a pretty decent job with the concept. ThIt's definitely not a new concept when we have overwhelmingly powerful aliens destroy Earth... this book does a pretty decent job with the concept. The author sets up the galactic situation well in a short time and the plot is pretty engaging (even if there a a fair number of holes).
There's not a whole lot of characters.. really just a couple and they are not very complex, but that's the trade off when you do this sort of story in a 200 page novel instead of an epic saga (like David Weber's Safehold).
I'm not really familiar with the author at all... looks like he had a few novels and short stories in the mid 60s. I'd read another one if I came across it....more
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