I can see why this was considered for the nebula award. It’s a well written retelling of the King Arthur tale but felt like a new story. If you liked I can see why this was considered for the nebula award. It’s a well written retelling of the King Arthur tale but felt like a new story. If you liked the book, Circe by Madeleine Miller, you might enjoy this book....more
I thought this was more focused than the first one which had a very ambitious plot with multiple flashbacks and subplots. The author explores some darI thought this was more focused than the first one which had a very ambitious plot with multiple flashbacks and subplots. The author explores some dark themes cloaked in fantasy. Entertaining....more
I liked this one even more than book one. Cohen the Barbarian whose 88 years old and lost all his teeth steals the show over and over: “Yeah, shoop," I liked this one even more than book one. Cohen the Barbarian whose 88 years old and lost all his teeth steals the show over and over: “Yeah, shoop," said Cohen, miserably. "It'sh my teeths, you shee. No one takes you sheriously when you've got no teeths, they shay ‘Shit down by the fire, granddad, and have shome shoo-'" Cohen looked sharply at Rincewind. "That'sh a nashty cough you have there, boy." This spoof on fantasy books reminds me of Monty Python. ...more
I’ve abandoned this book so many times but the audiobook by Frank Muller kept me going. His vocal variations of different characters helped me realizeI’ve abandoned this book so many times but the audiobook by Frank Muller kept me going. His vocal variations of different characters helped me realize when to laugh and what parts were serious. Melville is a windbag with over the top figurative language and nonfiction facts on whales. His narrative parts on the hunt for the whale are tension packed and paced like a strong head wind galloping with the waves. I was relieved to be done, just like when I finished War and Peace. A long, interesting book that is not for everyone....more
A mystery involving a psychologist dealing with a girl traumatized in a bank robbery. The author did a great job creating an authentic character. GreaA mystery involving a psychologist dealing with a girl traumatized in a bank robbery. The author did a great job creating an authentic character. Great plot twists. I didn’t know this was book two. You don’t have to read book 1 for backstory....more
What a strange book. The author has great command of the writing craft but this has such long splotches of speeches and is full of caricatures, philosWhat a strange book. The author has great command of the writing craft but this has such long splotches of speeches and is full of caricatures, philosophy, history, politics, economics and more. After listening to 49 hours on audio a character gave a 3 hour speech. I didn’t think the character development was always spot on but I loved her metaphors and imagery. The romances were a bit hokey but some of the characters represent an idea more than a person, more of a caricature. For instance, Rearden’s family believes the strong support the weak, it’s their moral duty. Rearden and the main characters feel that society’s moral code of self-sacrifice needs to be rejected in favor of the individual’s rights to live life on his or her own terms, that reason is gained through knowledge not self-sacrifice or emotions. Great title....more
This is well written but I had a hard time getting into the story. I should have read it instead of listening to the audio and this is book 2 -I havenThis is well written but I had a hard time getting into the story. I should have read it instead of listening to the audio and this is book 2 -I haven’t read book 1. Very creative plot, characters and languages....more
This story uses a female as the hero going on a quest and while I liked the empowerment and message on intolerance, I didn’t think the character arc wThis story uses a female as the hero going on a quest and while I liked the empowerment and message on intolerance, I didn’t think the character arc was strong enough, especially in the beginning. The chapters felt disjointed, like short stories. It comes together more at the end. I liked the healer whose powers are intertwined with snakes just like the snake staff symbol in medicine. Written in the 70s the setting is a post apocalyptic world where radiation poisoning is possible. I didn’t think the world building was clear at times. Entertaining and a quick read. ...more
Fascinating look at a neighborhood affected by the industrial revolution only to lose businesses and become poverty stricken. It mostly follows an AfrFascinating look at a neighborhood affected by the industrial revolution only to lose businesses and become poverty stricken. It mostly follows an African American who is falsely accused of murder and sent to prison. A look at the trauma, systemic corruption, and those that work toward justice. I thought the author did a good job showing different sides of the coin. ...more
The world building is amazing in this book and the examination of how a plague plays out politically and socially mirrors much of what happened in theThe world building is amazing in this book and the examination of how a plague plays out politically and socially mirrors much of what happened in the Covid pandemic (this was written in 2017); however, it’s written like a history book that examines years of a made up culture on an island and there were no characters that really grabbed my attention. It has an epic feel but is sort of boring in spots....more
I can’t say I enjoyed this book. It’s like looking at Salvador Dalis Eccentric Genius painting -fascinating and horrifying. The story is about what’s I can’t say I enjoyed this book. It’s like looking at Salvador Dalis Eccentric Genius painting -fascinating and horrifying. The story is about what’s real and what’s not or the wish of what’s real and not. Or the wish for more in life. Very weird and creative....more
A parody on science fiction, especially Star Trek, that morphs into other themes at the end giving more depth to the comedy. I loved the twists and hoA parody on science fiction, especially Star Trek, that morphs into other themes at the end giving more depth to the comedy. I loved the twists and homage to shows and other science fiction writers, especially the Dune worms in chapter one. A fun read. ...more
I had a hard time with this one. Great world building but the prose is not beautiful and the characters fall short, especially the women. It is very sI had a hard time with this one. Great world building but the prose is not beautiful and the characters fall short, especially the women. It is very sexist. I can see his influence on science fiction through the world building but I struggled getting through this. It was written in 1970....more
I had a hard time staying interested in this plot or characters. A book about chivalry, honor, and kingdoms with political intrigue and dark magic. ThI had a hard time staying interested in this plot or characters. A book about chivalry, honor, and kingdoms with political intrigue and dark magic. The woman rely on the protagonist to save them and he’s honorable or your classic hero. A happily ever after end…...more
Beautiful writing that comes together at the end but it seemed disjointed at times. The author use symbols and imagery that I didn’t really get until Beautiful writing that comes together at the end but it seemed disjointed at times. The author use symbols and imagery that I didn’t really get until the end. The voice of the character with Native American blood didn’t quite do it for me. I kept waiting for more culture that didn’t come. I’ve read some good Native American writers lately like Lois Erdrich and Rebecca Roanhorse and noticed differences that made the text feel it needed more. Interesting writer....more
It took me a bit to get into this as it seemed to follow the romance trope at first but it departs and gets into healing vs harm, power struggles, polIt took me a bit to get into this as it seemed to follow the romance trope at first but it departs and gets into healing vs harm, power struggles, political intrigue, coups and genocide. ...more
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