Easily one of the best books I've read this year, possibly also one of the best since 2022 ended. I appreciate how Bujold transformed the relationshipEasily one of the best books I've read this year, possibly also one of the best since 2022 ended. I appreciate how Bujold transformed the relationship between Cordelia and Aral and gave great backstory for the rest of the Vorkoskigan saga. I also appreciate how Bujold hit topics head-on and didn't just use them as small devices but really tried to address them from multiple angles. I'll never get over that passage I highlighted (and added in one of the updates) about the state of women's healthcare. I suspect I'll be thinking about this one for a long time....more
I really enjoyed this book - I stayed up late finishing it. While there was THAT difficult scene, I was able to get through it. And it's interesting tI really enjoyed this book - I stayed up late finishing it. While there was THAT difficult scene, I was able to get through it. And it's interesting that the book deals with it head-on and all the things that come from it. I really like Cordelia and Aral. I immediately bought Barrayar and fell asleep reading it....more
Sword & Laser's March pick, in theory a laser, but with a lot of Asian mythology and stuff that seemed fantasy. Sure there were mechs but also a dreamSword & Laser's March pick, in theory a laser, but with a lot of Asian mythology and stuff that seemed fantasy. Sure there were mechs but also a dream world and using chi in many ways like magic. I thought I saw where this book was going but the very end caught me off guard. There was a bunch in the middle that my eyes glazed over for, honestly. It was....not my favorite book. Luckily it was short....more
I like Murderbot, but this one was a bit less interesting for me. Someone from the S&L community summed it up best, to paraphrase... (view spoiler)[MuI like Murderbot, but this one was a bit less interesting for me. Someone from the S&L community summed it up best, to paraphrase... (view spoiler)[Murderbot being cocky is more interesting than Murderbot being very unsure of himself (hide spoiler)]. I still enjoyed it, but it took longer to get through, my mind wandered more, and clearly I rated it lower than most of the others. It was an experiment, it seemed, and while it was fine, I hope the next one is a bit different....more
I enjoyed this sequel. Still hasn't fully answered the mystery, so Ms. MacNeill needs to get moving, because I WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. ;) (just kidI enjoyed this sequel. Still hasn't fully answered the mystery, so Ms. MacNeill needs to get moving, because I WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. ;) (just kidding, she should take her time and not be beholden to me).
Some interesting thoughts about what you might think about cyborg and robot rights, which probably becomes more relevant everyday....more
A mystery in a world where there are cyborgs, AI, robots, and neuromorphs. Oh, and Martians. A Martian comes to Earth to attend medical school and endA mystery in a world where there are cyborgs, AI, robots, and neuromorphs. Oh, and Martians. A Martian comes to Earth to attend medical school and ends up rooming with a "reductionist" who tries to help solve mysteries for the local constabulary. I enjoyed it, and bought the follow up immediately upon finishing. This book was written by the sister of a friend, but that didn't influence my enjoyment....more
You know, as far as "person from the future puts themselves into the past", I think Magic 2.0 (starting with Off to Be the Wizard) does it better but You know, as far as "person from the future puts themselves into the past", I think Magic 2.0 (starting with Off to Be the Wizard) does it better but this was enjoyable enough and I liked some of the twists about the magic and how things came to be. I wasn't drawn in as I have been with other books by Sanderson, but I still enjoyed it. I actually liked the FAQs and disclaimers in the book (as a part of the book within the book) more than the story. And, as always, I loved the narration from Kate Reading and Michael Kramer....more
This book surprised me. I went in with very low expectations because "space opera" isn't usually my thing. And WOW. I just got sucked in. I loved the This book surprised me. I went in with very low expectations because "space opera" isn't usually my thing. And WOW. I just got sucked in. I loved the characters and the flashbacks for each to get their stories and see how their past impacted the things going on in the "present" in the book. I don't usually like character stories but this one had plot in each story and it all went to the main plot. I couldn't stop reading until I literally fell asleep on my Kindle, and when I finished, I stayed up WAAAAY past my bedtime because I couldn't stop. I could have done with less "dead dad" stuff which seems to be common (or maybe I've noticed it more since I lost my dad) in these kinds of stories. I am annoyed at myself, though, that (view spoiler)[I didn't see Shaan's role coming until it was revealed. I feel like the breadcrumbs were there and I missed them (hide spoiler)].
The audiobook wasn't great, so I read almost all of this with my eyes....more
To paraphrase the movie, "The Princess Bride," I found this more enjoyable while skipping the kissing parts. I just didn't need to listen to narrationTo paraphrase the movie, "The Princess Bride," I found this more enjoyable while skipping the kissing parts. I just didn't need to listen to narration of steamy scenes. Other than those parts, the book was a fun little sci fi book that sets itself up well to be the first in a series. There never really felt like there was real trouble for the team or any real conflict but it was fun to see the spaceship and see how a certain theft was done. I'm glad that S&L picked it to get me exposure to the book (it's certainly not one I'd have ever found or read on my own) but I don't think I'll continue with the series....more
Maybe one day I'll try again but this was a boring slog that made me not want to read at all, so I need to put it down for now. I tried audio, I triedMaybe one day I'll try again but this was a boring slog that made me not want to read at all, so I need to put it down for now. I tried audio, I tried with my eyes. The prologue was the best part, for me. I suspect that, at least for now, this book is not for me. Alas, not every book is for everybody....more
I thought the book started a little slow but by the time I got into it, I was staying up past my bedtime to read. I started the book in audio but founI thought the book started a little slow but by the time I got into it, I was staying up past my bedtime to read. I started the book in audio but found that reading with my eyes worked better. If I had two minor niggles, one is that the book started a little slow and the other is that (view spoiler)[I wish we had learned about Gaffney's duplicity differently than just seeing Gaffney be duplicitous (hide spoiler)]. If it had been a little faster start, I probably would have rated it 5 stars. I had no expectations going in and loved the characters and the mystery. It never felt predictable....more
I admit I'm slightly biased because this book was written by a coworker, but I really enjoyed it. A story about a girl who tries to run away and insteI admit I'm slightly biased because this book was written by a coworker, but I really enjoyed it. A story about a girl who tries to run away and instead finds herself on a planet of robots. I guess you could call it kind of a first contact story, but it's clear that more is going on. The vibe and humor reminded me of the Bobiverse books, and I'm looking forward to the sequel!...more
I really enjoyed this final (for now) installment of Murderbot. This time, Murderbot finds itself in the middle of a murder mystery, and has to help pI really enjoyed this final (for now) installment of Murderbot. This time, Murderbot finds itself in the middle of a murder mystery, and has to help people on Preservation Station figure out whodunnit. I definitely enjoyed the book and look forward to more Murderbot in the future....more
A short story from the POV of Dr. Mensah. It's interesting to be in her head as opposed to MurderBot's. The snark was noticeably absent, as I'd expectA short story from the POV of Dr. Mensah. It's interesting to be in her head as opposed to MurderBot's. The snark was noticeably absent, as I'd expect, but still made it feel "weird". This short story had a plot but was really about Dr. Mensah's mental health after her multiple ordeals. I wonder if any future stories/novellas/books will touch on this....more
I don't know what about this book didn't seem to click as well for me as others did, it felt like it took a lot longer to finish and a lot longer to sI don't know what about this book didn't seem to click as well for me as others did, it felt like it took a lot longer to finish and a lot longer to stay un-distracted. I suspect life events going on in my world contributed to that, but even still. I may end up re-reading this one at some point. Or not. I suspect that some of it may be that Murderbot was less snarky in this book, instead actually seeming to do its job of trying to protect its charges from actual hostiles. I am going to move onto the short story that follows it, Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory....more
Aww, our SecUnit has a heart. He doesn't want to. But he does. That'll probably be the end of him one day.Aww, our SecUnit has a heart. He doesn't want to. But he does. That'll probably be the end of him one day....more
I saw the "twist" coming pretty early on but I still enjoyed getting there. If anything it may have taken a little too long to wrap up after that. ButI saw the "twist" coming pretty early on but I still enjoyed getting there. If anything it may have taken a little too long to wrap up after that. But even then, I've been enjoying these stories and jumped right into the next one....more
Hahaha ART. I love ART. I also enjoyed the ideas about other robots wanting more than just their programmed existence. A good second novella and enjoyHahaha ART. I love ART. I also enjoyed the ideas about other robots wanting more than just their programmed existence. A good second novella and enjoyable to listen to. Not so many details you need to be fully focused but a fun romp....more
Cute book about a bot that was designed for certain tasks but has broken the rules. I breezed through it and plan to keep going in the series. Though Cute book about a bot that was designed for certain tasks but has broken the rules. I breezed through it and plan to keep going in the series. Though I will say the end surprised me a little. I look forward to seeing where it goes......more
This book introduced two main characters, one who was in the first book (the other if they were, they were a side character). I really enjoyed the twoThis book introduced two main characters, one who was in the first book (the other if they were, they were a side character). I really enjoyed the two stories and how the storyline from the past informs the actions for the present day story. I also thought it was fascinating how much of the book was about consent. I thought it kind of dragged a little toward the end but I would definitely recommend the book to others. I am intrigued to see how (if) the characters from the first book meet up with these characters....more
terpkristin
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