A growing section of the coast undergoes a radical change, with all communications lost, all residents gone, and the creatures and terrain shifting inA growing section of the coast undergoes a radical change, with all communications lost, all residents gone, and the creatures and terrain shifting into something new. Numerous expeditions are sent in, with bad and bizarre results. This is the story of the twelfth expedition into Area X... or is it?
Partially as a distancing technique, we don't learn the names of these four women, only titles. The story is from the point of view of the biologist. Along with her is the leader, a psychiatrist, a surveyor, and an anthropologist. Nothing as it seems here, and the eerie effects start changing the members of the team almost as soon as they cross the mysterious border. The biologist reflects on her past life as strange and terrible things happen around her, inside her, and to her. We get an inkling as to why she volunteered to come to this horrible place.
It's a very surreal novel, with a vaguely Lovecraft feel to me. It was well written, very creepy and eerie. I enjoyed it, and thought there were some very good ideas here. Good story that straddles the line of horror and sci fi. Much is hinted at, little explained. Enjoyable if you don't demand too many specific answers. ...more
This is a stunning book. Not only was the story great, but they did an amazing job with some of the internal printing/artwork/lettering. They were reaThis is a stunning book. Not only was the story great, but they did an amazing job with some of the internal printing/artwork/lettering. They were really creative in how they did some of the printing. I really enjoyed almost everything about it. It's in the format of reports, transcripts, and Instant Message chats, and they make it work very, very well.
Kady Grant breaks up with her boyfriend, something horribly traumatic for anyone in high school. Then, that ends up being the best part of the week, if not the year. They live in an illegal mining community, and one of the big corporations comes calling. They don't bring lawsuits and restraining orders, they bring fighters, missiles, troops, and a new bio-weapon. Kady and Ezra, her recent ex, barely manage to escape together.
They end up on different refugee ships in a "fleet" of one heavily damaged warship and a few scientific vessels. The fleet runs for their collective life, pursued by a surviving enemy war ship. Kady and Ezra need to find their place among the refugees. One goes into the military and another forms part of an underground resistance when the command staff makes some questionable decisions.
Kady and Ezra try everything to survive a plague, dwindling supplies, enemy pursuit, a rogue AI, and teenage romance. There are a LOT of twists and turns as they make and then lose friends along the way. Will they get back together? Will they live long enough for it to matter?
I was really impressed with almost every aspect of this book, and, if it were possible, I'd give a 4.5 instead of 4. Some aspects of the teen love affair got a bit much at times, and a few of the cleverly printed pages were a bit hard to follow.
Really well done overall. Strongly recommended for sci fi fans. This impressed the hell out of me. ...more
I found this to be a very odd book. I liked a good bit of it, but parts of it annoyed me. Some of that is just me, I'm sure, but then, reading is subjI found this to be a very odd book. I liked a good bit of it, but parts of it annoyed me. Some of that is just me, I'm sure, but then, reading is subjective. One thing that really struck me is there are no significant, useful male characters. Every male in the book is either background, shallow villain, or minor support at best. Is that a big deal? I don't know-- how do people react when it's the other way around and its a male-dominated book with no useful females? Sounds like the Mitch Rapp books to me, and that's something I comment negatively on when I review those, too.
That to one side (and I'm sure I just ticked off some people), I admit I really prefer keeping my sci fi and fantasy separate. I don't mind some genres blending, but these two always struck me as polar opposites. This books was largely fantasy, but a great deal of the background sounded like straight sci fi to me- shiphearts, coming to their world on ships, the "focus moon" being put in the sky. Again, maybe it's just me.
The main story revolves around Nona, a young girl who is sold from her village to a child-taker, briefly sold to a fighters' school, and then becomes a novice of an order of warrior/sorceress nuns. Nona has a hidden power and she strives to keep it secret as she is thrust into the Order's studies with her fellow girls. She tries to catch up, to learn the new lore. Of course, there are secrets in the convent, and Nona trips into some of those. There's also a crazed rich family who will do anything to kill Nona. Add in merchant's daughter Clera, noble Ara, crippled but brilliant Hessa, enigmatic Abbess Glass, hulking Darla, and strange outsider Zole and you get a busy cast with many hidden agendas. The story is bookended and intercut with a few scenes of adult versions of a few of the characters.
There are elements of Harry Potter, a broad fantasy setting, some cool twists on magic, and lots of fighting. I'd rate it higher but for the sci fi/fantasy blend and the large gender imbalance. It's a good read. ...more
Book two in one of the series within a series that Star Trek is so fond of, this is split in two eras. In the "modern" time, a new power called the WaBook two in one of the series within a series that Star Trek is so fond of, this is split in two eras. In the "modern" time, a new power called the Wattraii has emerged, claiming they have a right to the Romulan homeworld. This plot gets more complicated as most of the powers in this sector- the Federation, the Klingons, the Romulans- are still recovering from the massive losses during the Dominion War. At the end of last book, Chekov, still around as an Admiral, was captured. Now Uhura, director of Star Fleet Intelligence, dispatches a secret mission to rescue him. The USS Alliance, captained by Spock's wife Saavik, is sent out, with a special away team: Scotty, after his transporter accident that brought him to the Next Generation Era, Ambassador Spock, Ruanek a former Romulan living as a Vulcan, and Data. They need to save Chekov and find an artifact of great importance to the Romulan people.
In the past, we learn the story of the Vulcans who left their home and will eventually, as far as I can tell, become the Romulans. The story is a lot about the perils of long term space travel without FTL as the people face disaster after disaster: disease, equipment failure, factionalism. It reads a bit like a post apocalypse novel in space, which honestly isn't what I read Star Trek for. We get hints how the two stories connect, but that isn't really revealed until the next book.
It's a decent, not great story. Recommended for Star Trek completists and those interested in Star Trek history. I didn't know Chekov and Uhura both had survived into the Next Gen era, and that seems a bit off, considering how old Bones was in the Next Gen 1st episode. ...more
Vince Flynn died early from cancer, leaving the future of his Mitch Rapp series in doubt. Kyle Mills took over for this book at least, and I have to sVince Flynn died early from cancer, leaving the future of his Mitch Rapp series in doubt. Kyle Mills took over for this book at least, and I have to say, it was better than the previous Rapp book.
In Order To Kill, Mitch Rapp is on the hunt in Pakistan. The government and the army are at odds, and the military is keeping their nuclear arsenal on the move, supposedly to foil terrorists. What actually happens is agents of Maxim Krupin, power-mad leader of Russia. Krupin has an elaborate plan to use stolen nuclear material to change certain world balances in his favor. He also has Grisha Azarov, a highly trained assassin who might be Mitch's equal. Mitch ends up undercover in an ISIS terror group as he and his boss, Irene Kennedy, try to figure out what's actually happening. Mitch's long time comrade in arms, Scott Coleman, figures prominently and is seriously, maybe fatally, wounded by Grisha Azarov. Claudia Gould, wife of the assassin that killed Mitch's wife, also shows up for a large part. What will be the outcome when Azarov and Rapp collide? Will the nuclear disaster be averted? And will the designer ever finish Mitch's new house?
This book, while still notably lacking in humor, is an improvement over several previous Rapp books. There are female characters that aren't just window dressing, for one thing. Rapp doesn't come across like a bully to the people that are on his side. Overall, I thought it was better written.
It's still the book version of a mindless action flick (a term I use with affection) but it's a decent read with international intrigue and high stakes. The plot device that allows Mitch to go undercover is a bit of a large coincidence, but it's not horrible. A good read. ...more
I was hugely impressed with this book. I read it as a Book of the Month from the Dragons And Jetpacks group, and it's one of the better ones they steeI was hugely impressed with this book. I read it as a Book of the Month from the Dragons And Jetpacks group, and it's one of the better ones they steered me towards. It read like a role playing game as run by a very good friend of mine, and that's really high praise in my book. He's very good at that.
The format is a bit different-- it's a collection of reports, interviews, and transcripts as momentous events take place. This format works well when the writer is adept at it (the original Dracula was like that) and this writer is good.
A kid on South Dakota finds a buried hand. Not a body, it's a metal hand she fits in the palm of. The hand also has panels of metal no one can identify, with writing that no one can decipher. Slowly, other parts are found all over the world, and the cast of characters figures out that, to quote the classic movie, we are not alone.
A pilot, a specialist, a scientist, and a never-named Man in Black (that's how he comes across to me anyway) are the main characters as they study this huge alien artefact. The emphasis is on alien, as they don't figure it out smoothly. There are tragic events that rack up a death toll. The project itself doesn't run smoothly, and there are betrayals, attacks, and broken hearts.
It's a constantly changing plot with a lot of randomly surprises. I greatly enjoyed it and hugely recommend it. I'll be looking for the rest of the series. ...more
There's little doubt Nikola Tesla was a genius. Almost everything after that fact seems to be in some degree of dispute from varying sources. He invenThere's little doubt Nikola Tesla was a genius. Almost everything after that fact seems to be in some degree of dispute from varying sources. He invented revolutionary devices, and came up with far more revolutionary concepts, but apparently lacked a bit in follow through. Edison, one of Tesla's rivals, made the unkind comment that "Tesla is a man always about to do something." There might be some truth in that.
I knew a bit about the man, and I'd always been fascinated, so I decided to give this bio a shot. It's not the best read. It was written in the 80's, so some of the "modern applications" are out dated. I'd also wager Ms. Cheney was a big Tesla fan, and that comes through a lot on the pages. She also seems determined to give footnotes almost every time one of his numerous patents are mentioned, with the numbers and sometimes a title. I can't imagine too many people care about that.
I will give the author credit for not whitewashing some of the distasteful parts of his history. Tesla was a man of his time, and was on record as being both anti-Semitic and very much a chauvintist. Even geniuses aren't perfect. Tesla also disputed Einstein's Theory of Relativity (incorrectly).
He was apparently a very loyal friend. Even when having money troubles, which was often, he'd still loan money to friends with similar issues. He was great friends with Mark Twain, which I didn't know. Interestingly, both men were geniuses in their fields, both bad businessmen, and both plagued by money worries.
Tesla revolutionized a lot in the fields of radio and electricity. In fact, while Marconi is generally credited as the inventor of radio, Tesla sued and posthumously won a case in the US Supreme Court saying that Marconi used not only Tesla's ideas, but some of his equipment. Tesla worked out that alternating current (AC) was more adaptable then direct current (DC). Unfortunately, one of the big proponents of DC was Thomas Edison, and Edison didn't like to be proven wrong. Or even have that hinted at. Between that and Edison apparently cheating Tesla out of money twice early in Tesla's career, they ended up bitter rivals.
I learned a lot about the man in here, and how far reaching his ideas were. Some of what he did, with witnesses present, still hasn't been duplicated today. He created early versions of radar, fluorescent lighting, robots, and remote control ships among other things.
Tesla has come to be linked with the supernatural by some, which he never approved of. He also attracts conspiracy theorists, and I understand that better after reading this. While Tesla became an American citizen early in his career, when he died, a lot of his papers were seized by the Office of Alien Property. Later, those papers vanished in a government snarl of differing agencies allegedly having them and then claiming not to.
There's a lot to learn about the man. This feels more like a good start than the definitive word on the subject. Recommended to those interested in the history of a great man. ...more
I've read this before (I've read all the Dresden Files and eagerly await the next one), so I'm listening to the audiobooks on road trips. Proven GuiltI've read this before (I've read all the Dresden Files and eagerly await the next one), so I'm listening to the audiobooks on road trips. Proven Guilty is just as good as I remember it.
Harry starts off with one of the least pleasant duties of a Warden: presiding over the execution of a warlock. Then, he gets a call for help from an old friend... 's daughter. There's something afoot at Splatercon!!!, a local horror convention. Harry's drawn into a mystery involving horror monsters, deaths, black magic from a most unexpected source, a raid deep into Faerie, and a big showdown with the White Council.
Yes, I'm trying hard to avoid spoilers, so light on detail. But Harry learns about a shadowy player behind the scenes, a secret about someone he's known for a while, and that someone he's been keeping secrets from knows what he's concealing. All this plus the fallen angel in his head.
I love the Dresden Files, and am an unabashed Jim Butcher fanboy. I hugely recommend this book, and the series. As ever, I suggest starting at the beginning of the series. ...more
The subtitle-- Bubba the Monster Hunter-- makes this sort of sound like a one trick pony, some redneck version of Buffy. It's really, really not. BubbThe subtitle-- Bubba the Monster Hunter-- makes this sort of sound like a one trick pony, some redneck version of Buffy. It's really, really not. Bubba is, as he sounds, a good ol' boy who hunts down monsters in the American South. He has some of the stereotypical traits from that: he likes his guns (although they're not his major topic of conversation), he drinks a lot, and he's very fond of strip clubs. On the other hand, his best friend/dispatcher is a gay black man (Skeeter), Bubba is driven by the need to protect people, and even spares some of the "monsters" that aren't all that monstrous. There are also a lot of pop culture/geek references that are not at all mocking, like D&D, Batman (even Oracle), and a lot of Twilight references (ok, those are mocking). Bubba and Skeeter are the off the books but official Monster Hunters in their region for the Catholic church.
Hartness pulls off some clever things in here, like a great reflection on how belief works with magical creatures, which leads Bubba to thank Charlaine Harris (it makes perfect sense in side the story). In this collection of short stories, there's a troop of vampiric ballet dancers, a bizarre voodoo houngan, some really nasty werewolves, goblins, trolls, and even a bigfoot. There are also some great lines, funny moments, and a gradual reveal of Bubba's backstory as we learn why he's this way.
My only complaint at all is that the book needed one more pass at the editor's. There are some typos and such here and there. It's a very entertaining collection of short stories, with a longer one at the back. Highly recommended for fans of modern (Bubba sure ain't urban) fantasy with a sense of humor. I enjoyed this a lot and will be buying the next collection. ...more
As I say with most of my series reviews, by 44 book in, you know what you're getting before you open the cover, and, as events build on each other, stAs I say with most of my series reviews, by 44 book in, you know what you're getting before you open the cover, and, as events build on each other, start at the beginning. You won't be utterly lost if you start with this book, but there are many references to things earlier in the series that aren't really explained. Disclaimers/suggestions over with...
Eve is earning her mythical "Marriage Points" by attending one of her wealthy husband's high society parties. They actually make it through the event itself without (major) incident, but naturally don't make it home. On the drive back. they almost run over a woman staggering in the street. It's the middle of New York winter, and this woman is battered, bleeding, and naked. After rushing her to the hospital, Eve digs in, and finds where she came from. The place is trashed, and Daphne's (the naked woman) husband is dead.
Thus begins another case of twisted murder, multiple sexual assaults and rapes, and a bad guy who uses theatrical costumes and lighting. It's a pretty twisted mess of a case. While current investigations triggering flashbacks to Eve's traumatic past is nothing new, this has a lot more precise echoes (hence the title). But, points to Eve as character and JD Robb as writer, Eve has made progress with her demons, and, while she has the inevitable nightmare, husband Roarke and therapist/coworker/surrogate mother Dr. Mira keep her on track and prevent her falling apart .
As the investigation continues, there are check ins with the supporting cast you've come to know and love, like enthusiastic Peabody, her man McNab, and a small appearance by Feeny. Most of the support cast are relegated to passing mentions and no on screen time, like Mavis and Leonardo, Nadine, and the gang. The Icove movie, written by Nadine and based on an earlier case, is apparently up for several Oscars and comes up a lot since there's a movie studio on part of this one. Amusingly at one point Eve gets mistaken for the actress that played her, which I liked. Eventually, they catch the bad guy in a big confrontation in Interrogation.
I enjoy this series a lot (obviously, if I've read 44 of them). That said, there was a bit I didn't like in this one. Eve and Roarke finding the victim is a tiny bit of lazy writing in my opinion. I've been in law enforcement 15 years, I know a lot of cops, and I don't know of anyone who has stumbled on to a major crime while just walking/driving around. Eve hits minor crimes on the street often, and now this, and this sorta thing has happened before. It's not a big thing, but it's a bit weird. Also, Eve baiting someone into hitting her for making an arrest has happened a few too many times, and is starting to make me wonder if she enjoys it on some level.
Those minor quibbles to one side, this was a good read. Again, there's a lot of talk about rape, so if that's an issue for you, don't read this. It's a solid crime/sci fi/romance/adventure piece, as all the In Death books are. I like them a lot and recommend the series. ...more
Most people have heard of the Smithsonian Institution. Not many know a lot about James Smithson, the man who left the money to the United States goverMost people have heard of the Smithsonian Institution. Not many know a lot about James Smithson, the man who left the money to the United States government to start it. Turns out, there's a good reason-- more than one, actually.
I knew the vague basics that I'd picked up from going to the Smithsonian several times. James Smithson was a wealthy Englishman who left his fortune to America and funded what eventually became the Smithsonian. Among the reasons the man is shrouded in mystery are the fact that the papers he left to the museum were almost completely destroyed by a freak fire in 1865. Then later, when they tried to study his body for clues about the man, there was a mishap with the tools to open the tomb, and that caught fire, too. Sounds like something for a fantasy novel, doesn't it? Also, in addition to spotty record keeping back in the late 1700's, there's the further complication that he wasn't born Smithson, but rather James Macie.
The man who would be Smithson was the illegitimate son of English nobility, and, while he desperately wanted it, was never acknowledged. He grew up with his mother, a very litigious woman. He became fascinated by science, and went on to make contributions in the fields of geology and chemistry. Smithson had frail health, but didn't let that stop him from traveling to get his own specimens. He didn't always make the best-timed choices in his travels, and was captured and held prisoner during the Napoleonic Wars. Between his unrecognized background and experiences in France, you can see why he might not leave money to England or France. The fact that he left it to America is even more striking considering he never came to the country, and had no relations here.
It's a well researched book, but the author can't work miracles. We don't know when he was born. A lot of his travel records are missing. There's not a definitive cause of death for Smithson, or his adopted nephew, who might have inherited and prevented the Smithsonian from ever coming into being. It's kind of a historical mystery, and one with few definitive answers.
In the 1920's, Spiritualism was a huge interest of much of the public. The magazine Scientific American is offering a $5,000 prize to anyone who can pIn the 1920's, Spiritualism was a huge interest of much of the public. The magazine Scientific American is offering a $5,000 prize to anyone who can prove they have supernatural powers and/or can contact the dead. Martin Finch, a student at Harvard, gets drafted into the judging of the competition.
Set in Prohibition-era Philadelphia, this is a tale of mysticism, belief, strange happenings, and love. Is society woman Mina an actual psychic? Is she faking it all, or maybe mentally ill? Is her husband in on it, or doing it himself?
Martin, already proven a creative debunker of frauds in previous cases, has to deal with many levels of strangeness and the disdain of his fellow committee members. From a rich home to a flop house hotel to jail, Martin sees sides of Philly most never do.
Is the mysterious "Walter" an actual ghost from beyond? Is someone playing games with Martin? It's an interesting mystery with spiritual overtones. The main character is very naïve to the ways of the world, but most of the time he's at least smart enough to know it.
A decent read covering a largely forgotten slice of American cultural history. ...more
The comic story from just after Marvel's Civil War (the first one) gets adapted to a novel. To end the War, Captain America gives himself up. But the The comic story from just after Marvel's Civil War (the first one) gets adapted to a novel. To end the War, Captain America gives himself up. But the Red Skull and mental manipulator Dr. Faustus have schemes within schemes, and Steve Rogers is shot on the steps of the courthouse he's to be arraigned in. Who shot him? What happens next?
On the one side, Sharon Carter, agent of SHIELD and Steve's love, along with Falcon, Black Widow, and Cap's former partner, now the Winter Soldier, dig in to the mystery amid the restrictions of the newly enacted Registration Act. On the other, the Skull has his psychotic daughter Sin, the mercenary Crossbones, and a surprise pawn from Faustus' past complicate the issue. In the end, new Director of SHIELD Tony Stark, founding Avenger Iron Man, must decide if Captain America is truly dead, or if it's time for someone new to take up the shield.
It's a good adaptation of a decent comics story. Recommended to comics fans. A warning to those who don't read comics, though. This is set in the continuity of the comics, not the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so if you only know the characters from the movies, this is going to be a bit different. ...more
I've commented on the last few Alex Cross books that Patterson keeps cramming more plots into each book, at times a bit improbably. That continues to I've commented on the last few Alex Cross books that Patterson keeps cramming more plots into each book, at times a bit improbably. That continues to be the case. On the crime front, we get: the chief of detectives and his girlfriend are gunned down in the street; a band of people are killing drug dealers in their bases of operations/labs; and someone is killing drivers for breaking traffic laws (we've all thought about it, but...). Bridging the gap between crime and family developments, the death of the Chief of Detectives leaves a job opening that Alex is offered. On the family front, Damon is going to college, Ali has turned into a brainiac (which I don't remember from past books) with a Neil deGrasse Tyson obsession, and Janine is impressing the world with her track and field skills until she gets hurt (DRAMA!).
I admit, I kind of sympathized with the people taking out groups of drug dealers at first. Oddly, confusing everyone investigating the case, the killers leave behind huge amounts of drugs and cash. Later, when they branch out to killing witnesses and law enforcement agents just doing their jobs, as well as a hideous plot, they lose me.
The traffic killer is an odd story that, while always cold blooded murder, we eventually learn the motivations behind. I hate people texting and driving, but I'm not out there shooting them over it. Then again, the killer has more motivation than I do, as well as being a good bit crazier than I am.
The detective and girlfriend's deaths is a thorny investigation that leads to a few surprising places. Was he the target? Was she? Does the strange club she works at tie into this? The detective's bitter ex-partner?
Some, not all, of these things come together in odd ways. I find it a bit unlikely it's all going on at once. Then, as the other family drama gets resolved, the last pages have another surprise that has the potential to change everything for the Cross family.
Patterson is an easy read. It's like reading an action movie. It's not great, but it's entertaining. What I didn't like was that Alex's wife Bree gets in a jam at one point and gets saved by not just a man, but a male character that I don't recall running into before this book, certainly not with this much "screen time." OK read. ...more
Before I go too far into this review, a few words of warning. I liked this book a lot, but I can see it not being for everyone. It's very dark, with aBefore I go too far into this review, a few words of warning. I liked this book a lot, but I can see it not being for everyone. It's very dark, with adult language, and both sex and violence in a fair amount of detail. I know that turns some folk off right up front. Also, while it's fantasy, there are no dwarves, elves, dragons, and the like. So if that's crucial for your enjoyment, look elsewhere.
For anyone still reading, this was a great read. Young Mia watches her father die and her mother imprisoned after a failed rebellion. Mia takes to the streets, and ends up under the wing of an old man who runs a pawn shop and has some dubious connections. When she's ready, he sends Mia to be trained by an order of assassins.
The training phase takes up most of the book, and there are similarities to Harry Potter, but a LOT darker. There are competitions, points, good and bad teachers, and secrets in the Red Church where they are taught. Along the way, Mia makes, and loses, friends and a lover. She is desperate to learn the assassin's craft, to revenge herself on those who killed her family. She also wants to learn more about the strange power she has.
The teachers include a sadistic combat master, a skilled seductress, a scary mistress of poisons, and an adept thief. There's also a really interesting librarian, with secrets clinging to him and the books he watches over. The tests get harder as time passes, a class of roughly 30 competing for 4 spots. Not all of them make it to the final day, as deaths rack up. Will Mia join the assassins? Will she get that far? Wh0 (besides the teachers) is killing her fellow students?
I really enjoyed this book. It has a unique narration style that took me a bit to get into, but i ended up liking it. There's a biting, sarcastic humor throughout it. There is great character development and world building. I liked the way the small amounts of magic that come up are used.
Recommended to fantasy fans who don't mind some darkness in their reading. ...more
The second book of Riordan's modern take on Norse myth, this is the further adventures of Magnus and company. I really enjoyed as I got into it, but IThe second book of Riordan's modern take on Norse myth, this is the further adventures of Magnus and company. I really enjoyed as I got into it, but I have to say that this series is starting to feel like the author is trying to check off as many diversity boxes as he can at once. The main character starts off as a homeless man, and calls back to that a lot. Then there's a deaf character that can only speak in sign, a Muslim woman, and in the first few chapters, we meet the new addition, a gender fluid child of Loki. Now, before I get hate comments, I have no problem with diversity or any of those groups. Alex, Loki's child, ended up being quite possibly my favorite character. It just seems like he's trying to pack too much at once, especially considering the other series don't seem to cast that wide a net.
That to one side, it's a good story. Thor has, once again, misplaced his hammer, Mjonlir. The lost weapon must be recovered to keep the giants in check before they realize it's gone. Loki has taken Mangus' Uncle Randolph prisoner and has some kind of hold on him. And some shadowy figure is lurking around the edges offering cryptic advice. Will the group find the way to the lost hammer? Will they prevent a dire event that presages the beginning of Ragnarok? And can they trust Alex, the newest member of the team?
It's a good story with some fun characters. Riordan seems to enjoy taking the characters the Marvel movies have made cool and making them goofy, so be warned if you're a particular Marvel fan, this is NOT what you're going to be expecting. But if you can get past that, it's a good read with some horrible puns and even some amusing chapter titles.
Recommended for any of Riordan's fans, anyone that likes Norse myth, or urban fantasy. It is written as YA, and it's been a long time since I could be called Young, but I found it a good read anyway. ...more
The creation of the atomic bomb during World War II was one of the most intensely secret projects in history. A part of the project involved a secret The creation of the atomic bomb during World War II was one of the most intensely secret projects in history. A part of the project involved a secret research facility in the hills of Tennessee. This book is a very carefully researched exploration of the founding of that facility, Oak Ridge, and all the complications that came from living in the middle of something that was beyond top secret.
The author took a good hard look at the entire process, and didn't gloss over the ugly parts. From the beginning, Oak Ridge took a toll on the area, seizing land from families that had lived there for generations. There's a passing mention of the Prophet of Oak Ridge, which is a story in and of itself.
Since the place was staffed as it was built, the construction caused problems for people. Imagine a young woman showing up for what was a combination of first day at work/job interview, stepping out of the car sent to pick her up... and sinking up to her calves in mud. Not to mention that many of the people (lots of them were women since so many men were off at war) didn't know what they were signing up for when they accepted the job, or even what they were doing when they got there.
It was a vitally important project for the war effort, and the secrets were a big part of that. Even amid such a vitally important effort, the bias of the times plagued the workers. Women earned less than men (as they still do mostly), and couldn't qualify as "head of household" to get a house, not an apartment. Blacks couldn't live together as man and wife whether or not they had a marriage license, nor could they bring their children.
The people of Oak Ridge didn't find out what they were working on until after the bomb was dropped in Hiroshima, and President Truman mentioned them in his address. Then, as the war wound down, no one was sure if Oak Ridge would still exist, so their jobs were very uncertain.
Despite all these negatives, there was a sense of community, contributing to the war effort, and everyone being in it together. The author tells the tale of the community, but focuses on several women (hence the title) and their perspectives on the project. It's a really interesting story.
Recommended for history fans, particularly those interested in World War II and the dawn of the Atomic Age. ...more
The saga of Honor Harrington and the Manticoran Star Empire continues here. The war with the Republic of Haven is finally over, but there's no rest foThe saga of Honor Harrington and the Manticoran Star Empire continues here. The war with the Republic of Haven is finally over, but there's no rest for the weary. Not only is the Solarian League lumbering towards war with its egotism and arrogance, but it's dragging many nearby powers down with it.
As the great powers clash, Manticore gets a surprise ally, and then faces down the League in a series of tense confrontations. That isn't enough for this kind of book, and it's only a matter of time before battles are fought, missiles are launched, and leaders must deal with new complications. Politics and economics play a big part in the story as well, and Honor and her Empire must proceed carefully.
Behind the scenes, the Mesan Alignment, a conspiracy that the Illuminati would envy, is pulling the strings. They have advanced weapons, and terrifying research projects. But even they can't predict everything, and events are starting to outpace even them.
This is a shorter book than usual for the Harrington series. It was also, as I write this, published 5 years ago. I can't find anything on whether or not the series is continuing. It feels like it should be, as major plots are in progress as the book ends. I don't know what's up here, but neither does anyone else as far as I can tell.
It's good sci fi that's heavy on science, world building, and politics. There's not quite as much action in this one as there usually is. Good read for sci fi fans, but, as usual, I recommend you start with book 1. ...more
I'm not quite sure why the Napoleonic era is becoming another go to setting for alternate history/fantasy, but I'm enjoying the results. I loved JonatI'm not quite sure why the Napoleonic era is becoming another go to setting for alternate history/fantasy, but I'm enjoying the results. I loved Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell and this is a fine addition to the... era? Genre? Whatever the right term is.
William Laurence is the captain of the HMS Reliant and manages to capture a rare prize- an unhatched Dragon egg. His life will never be the same when the Dragon, Temeraire, chooses Laurence as his rider/companion. Laurence must leave the Navy and become an aviator. Laurence goes from commanding a ship to having to learn new things, and adjust from the formal Navy life to a much different one. He makes new friends, learns how remarkable Temeraire is, and helps serve His Majesty as a loyal officer.
I enjoyed the book a lot. There's a temptation when writing historical works to have the characters meet the famous, big names of the era. Novik avoids this, and I'm glad she did. Laurence is likable, if a bit stiff at first, and Temeraire is great. This was a fun book and I'll probably track down the others as I get the chance. ...more
As I've said in many other series reviews, this far in, you know what you're getting when you pick the book up. Stephanie Plum, bounty hunter with theAs I've said in many other series reviews, this far in, you know what you're getting when you pick the book up. Stephanie Plum, bounty hunter with the heart of gold and the skills of something a lot less impressive, is on the case again. There is mayhem and chaos and randomly weird events all around her, as well as the recurring cast of crazies.
Stephanie and the ever-not-quite-helpful Lula are after a hijacker who skipped his court date. What they find is a truck full of ice cream, which would be a dream come true were it not for the crushed cop car... and the chocolate coated dead man who falls out of the back of the truck. This leads Stephanie into another case of weird turns and strange events. Two rival ice cream companies are in a fierce rivalry, and one of them is having a string of peculiar accidents. Ranger gets hired to look into it, and so his case crosses paths with Stephanie's frozen dead man.
They find more than they expected as they slowly uncover the reason behind the man's death, as they go from the worst parts of town to the Happiest Place on Earth. They find really bad criminal masterminds, scared victims, and a crazy clown, as well as the expected strange fugitives that Stephanie has to capture.
True to form, there are two vehicle deaths, but neither is Stephanie's, or her fault. Her own car gets replaced, but doesn't die entertainingly. The Ranger/Steph/Morelli triangle is part of the story, and things shift a bit, but, as usual, there's not a lot of progress on that front.
It's a fun, goofy read. It's full of entertaining mayhem and a group of eccentric people. Stephanie Plum and company are always a fun ride. It's a shame her movie didn't do better; I'd like to have seen more of those. ...more
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