Rick Riordan has several different series going based on various parts of world myth. Two of his more popular are Percy Jackson, based on Greek myths,Rick Riordan has several different series going based on various parts of world myth. Two of his more popular are Percy Jackson, based on Greek myths, and the Kanes, based on Egyptian. So, in classic comic book fashion, he has them meet up in this book.
Part one pairs Percy with Carer Kane as they really do follow the comic book stereotype of fighting before teaming up to battle a crocodile monster. In part two, Annabelle and Sadie unite against a very different type of god. And in part three, all four heroes clash with a figure who blurs the line between history and myth.
I give Riordan points for doing some good historical research for the villain in this. He's a good choice in general, and a great one for this particular story. It was an enjoyable meeting of two different worlds. I guess at some point down the road he might include Magnus Chase, his Norse hero.
Amusing little action story. Recommended for fans of Egyptian and/or Greek myth, urban fantasy (for lack of a better term), or just plain good adventure. Riordan's work is marketed as young adult, but I think it works just fine for adults. ...more
If you're familiar with Ron "Tater Salad" White, you know what to expect from parts of this book. If you're not, I really do recommend his stand up. RIf you're familiar with Ron "Tater Salad" White, you know what to expect from parts of this book. If you're not, I really do recommend his stand up. Ron is a very entertaining performer, probably best known as part of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour with Jeff Foxworthy (who he credits with making his career and being a great friend), Bill Engvall, and Larry the Cable Guy.
The book is a mixture of a few different elements. There are bits from his stand up routines, which fans will recognize. Many of these bits are illustrated by vaguely Simpsons-looking pictures. In between these comedic turns are slices of Ron's life story. These are very open and honest. Ron has his flaws, and he doesn't gloss over them. He's no Boy Scout, and he's made a mess of his life at times. He's also very honest in his opinions of other people. Some of them come off really well, like Foxworthy and Engvall, and his current driver. Some don't, like some of his ex-wives and some people he's done business with in the past, like various tv production companies and networks. He's also very honest about himself. He drinks too much, at least in the past has done drugs, and wasn't the most faithful of husbands.
Overall, to me at least, he comes across as a likeable man who has made a lot of mistakes and isn't trying to hide them. I'd like to hang out with him... although maybe not at my place. There are some good laughs in here, and I learned a lot about a performer I've enjoyed for years.
Recommended to fans of Ron White, anyone who likes comedy, and anyone who wants a look at show business from the inside. Warning, this is NOT a kids' book. ...more
One of my few books that I reread is Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives. It's the sort of philosophy stuff I usually don't like, bOne of my few books that I reread is Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives. It's the sort of philosophy stuff I usually don't like, but that one has something to it that draws me in. So, when I heard about this book, which tells the back story of Socrates, the mentor in that book, I thought I'd check it out.
I will say right off the bat whatever magic is in Peaceful Warrior isn't here. This is a decent story of adventure, loss, and a man growing up in Tsarist Russia. It was a good read with a few twists along the way. At the very end, there's a reveal about a tie between Dan Millman, the author and character of the first book, and Socrates.
It's enjoyable, but nowhere near as insightful as the other book. Decent action with a bit of philosophy along the way. It's like a better written martial arts movie in an unusual setting. ...more
Around the time of the second Gulf War, there were a lot of conflicting opinions about Bush's motivations and excuses to invade Iraq. One of the thingAround the time of the second Gulf War, there were a lot of conflicting opinions about Bush's motivations and excuses to invade Iraq. One of the things to come out of it was a former ambassador speaking out about the portions of the issue he knew about Iraq's supposed purchase of uranium for those Weapons of Mass Destruction that never turned up. In retaliation, Ambassador Wilson's wife was suddenly outed as a covert CIA agent under mysterious circumstances.
This book is his story, covering his many years of diplomatic service, leading up to the tense time under George W. Bush. For what it's worth, Wilson is not a Democrat. He has supported both parties as a candidate appealed to him, which is something I can respect. The first half of the book, maybe a bit more, covers his time in Africa working for the US. There's possibly more detail than we need there, but it does lay the foundation for his special knowledge.
Wilson is very complimentary of various people in the books, including George HW Bush, Bill Clinton, and Colin Powell up to a point. Some of the ones that don't come off so well include Scooter Libby, Condi Rice, George W Bush, and Powell after he supported W's reasons to go to war. It's really telling that Wilson used quotes from Bush I to show how many things Bush II was doing wrong.
What happened to Wilson and his wife was at best mean and vindictive, and at worst, at least in Valerie Plame's case, likely actually a crime. There's a lot of detail about the events leading up to the second Gulf War, and the strange leak of classified material that led to Plame being exposed.
While this happened years ago, reading it now struck some uncomfortable chords. Facts being less important than vendettas, sacrificing policy to punish someone for daring to speak the truth, and a ruthless disregard for past loyalty sounds disturbingly familiar.
There are a few weird aspects to this book. There's a lot of talk about his first wife having a serious illness, the doctors screwing it up... and then nothing. At the very least there should have been a serious malpractice suit. Then his second wife is French... and that's all we know. No name even.
It's an interesting insider view of politics, Washington DC, and the political climate under George W Bush. I hope it's not a cautionary tale about life under (as I write this) President-Elect Trump. ...more
Set in Apartheid South Africa, this is a grim tale but still offers hope. A rural pastor journeys to Johannesburg to find out what's happened to some Set in Apartheid South Africa, this is a grim tale but still offers hope. A rural pastor journeys to Johannesburg to find out what's happened to some relatives who went to the big city and never came back. He finds out a great many things, most of them sad at best. There is crime, loss, and social problems that have no easy solution.
I salute the writer for not taking the easy way with any of this. There are good and bad people among both black and white. It's a sober and clear look at the difficulties in South Africa, but doesn't pretend to have all the answers. The writer also clearly loves his country, flaws and all.
It's not a happy story, but it's a well-written one. ...more
I admit I'm not a huge fan of Mr. Newhart's tv shows, but I've always loved his stand up. "The Driving Instructor" is one of my favorite bits, and I dI admit I'm not a huge fan of Mr. Newhart's tv shows, but I've always loved his stand up. "The Driving Instructor" is one of my favorite bits, and I don't know how many times I've listened to it. It's brilliant. When I saw he had an autobiography out, I figured I'd give it a whirl, and I'm very glad I did.
He covers his career in various segments, his life growing up in Chicago and afterwards, and has some of his routines included. There are tales of a beginning comic, a rising star, meeting the rich and famous, and what making movies is like, among other things, all told with his wonderfully understated humor. He doesn't make himself sound perfect, admitting to such vices as drinking a bit more than he should and his battle with quitting smoking (which diverts into his "Introduction of Tobacco" bit, another classic).
I was thoroughly entertained. I really enjoyed getting to know this legendary comedian a bit better, and learn more of his material. If you enjoy comedy or have any interest in show biz in general or Bob Newhart in particular, read this. ...more
I wasn't sure what to expect from this. It started as a very recognizable satire of Star Trek. I love Trek (I'm a pan-geek, I like most stuff includinI wasn't sure what to expect from this. It started as a very recognizable satire of Star Trek. I love Trek (I'm a pan-geek, I like most stuff including both Trek and Wars, yes it happens :P ), but I have a sense of humor about it, so I thought I'd give it a whirl. I'm glad I did. I know opinions vary a lot on this one, but I enjoyed it.
What do you do if you notice the world isn't working the way it's supposed to? Not, "Hey, that's unfair," but more like, "That's... not possible." Well there's a reason for things being so weird for some of these characters, and it's weirder than they ever imagined. But they take action and try and fix it.
When the main story wraps, there's a lot of book left. That's because there are follow ups about how some others touched by the story are affected. The first one I didn't like and I was honestly annoyed it was there. I thought Scalzi was padding things. The others won me over. The last one was really touching.
I liked this more than I thought I would. Some of it makes you laugh, some makes you think. It gets a bit weird and, well, meta, although that word gets used maybe a bit too much in the story itself. But it's worth reading. ...more
HG Wells is one of the greatest sci fi writers of all times. His influence is all over the genre, spawning many imitators in other books and film. ThiHG Wells is one of the greatest sci fi writers of all times. His influence is all over the genre, spawning many imitators in other books and film. This is one of his best, most revolutionary, and most prescient.
Edward Prendick is shipwrecked, twice arguably. He ends up on a deserted island dominated by one of the earliest mad scientists, Dr. Moreau. The Doctor is conducting experiments that are so hideous, they got him run out of London. Now, he works in seclusion on this island of nightmares.
Moreau is making hybrids of men and animals and crossing lines that horrify the main character. He also arguably anticipates aspects of genetics. As with most of the prototype mad scientists, he is destroyed by his work. Unlike most of them, he never asks for forgiveness.
This is a classic in the sci fi genre, and really should be read by anyone who is interested to see where it started. The writing is a bit dated, but it's from the 19th century. Considering that, it's aged decently.
Recommended for any sci fi fan or fans of monsters in stories. ...more
I was given this book by a friend back in junior high. It's become one of my few deliberate rereads over the years (and junior high was a long, long, I was given this book by a friend back in junior high. It's become one of my few deliberate rereads over the years (and junior high was a long, long, time ago). You can argue that it's superficial psycho-babble, and I can see that point. But it's never struck me that way. It always makes me feel more attuned, for lack of a better word, when I read it. I always enjoy it, and I always feel like I've learned something when I read it again.
Dan is a college student and gymnastic star. He meets a very odd man who he dubs Socrates. Soc teaches him many lessons about life, awareness, knowledge, and consciousness. Dan takes a long time to really get it, as you'd expect, and goes through a lot. There are visions, serious injury, death of a sort, love, loss, and travel along the way. Finally, Dan comes to his "happily ever after" after he goes through a lot of changes and unique experiences.
The book is labelled as fiction/philosophy/self-help/holistic on the back. It does cover a lot of ground. If you're really against philosophical ramblings and bits of wisdom from all over, you might want to skip it. If you have an open mind, or even if my description makes you curious, give it a shot. It's only 210 pages, and it's a quick read. You might learn something along the way. ...more
I read this to satisfy a part of a reading challenge; it's not my usual kind of story. Toru Watanabe is a college student in Tokyo who reminds me a biI read this to satisfy a part of a reading challenge; it's not my usual kind of story. Toru Watanabe is a college student in Tokyo who reminds me a bit of Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye. He's a very smart but curiously passive as an unusual life happens around him.
He has a bizarre roommate nicknamed Storm Trooper who has odd routines. One of Toru's best friends dies early in the story and young, leaving a very strange relationship between Toru and Naoko, his friends girlfriend who has some very odd mental problems. Toru falls for her and is very supportive of her as she's in the hospital, but that doesn't stop him from sleeping with a collection of random girls. Then he meets Midori, a very strange young lady.
Toru tries to finish his classes, write to Naoko and visit her and her roommate/fellow patient Reiko, and then explore things with Midori as odd events and lots of minor character deaths happen all around him. By the end of the book, little has worked out like I'd expect, and I kept waiting for him to DO something.
It's a coming of age tale in another country and other culture from mine, maybe that's why I didn't connect better. It is very well written, it just didn't strike a spark with me. ...more
This is another book I first read back in junior high school, long before there was an internet or a Goodreads. I just reread it, partially because I This is another book I first read back in junior high school, long before there was an internet or a Goodreads. I just reread it, partially because I remember liking it, and partially for a reading challenge here. It stood up very well for me.
Menolly is born to Half Circle Hold, and is hugely out of place. She's the youngest daughter of the Holder, and never seems to fit in. She's happiest with the Harper Petiron, but he passes away and she's left with parents that don't understand her. She's forbidden to play instruments or sing, and then an accident wounds her hand badly. Finally, unable to take being barred from what she loves most, she flees the Hold and lives on her own. In the wilds, she discovers the stories about fire lizards, tiny cousins to the great dragons that protect Pern from Thread, are true, and she befriends a small family of them after saving their lives, twice.
Menolly becomes an expert on fire lizards just as they become important, and the Wyer leaders learn of her gifts. Then she finally is recognized for her talent, and goes where she's always wanted to: Harper Hall.
I think this book struck such a chord with me because music is a big part of my life as well, and even when I was young, I remember feeling such outrage at how her parents treated Menolly. It's a simply written book, probably just fine for the YA audience, which is what I was when I first read it after all. I really like this book, this series, and this world. I think the first two trilogies are the best. ...more
I think most Americans who aren't history majors, if they know who Isabella is at all, remember her as the queen who helped finance Christopher ColumbI think most Americans who aren't history majors, if they know who Isabella is at all, remember her as the queen who helped finance Christopher Columbus' trip to the New World. And that sentence itself shows how much we don't know. Columbus made 4 trips, all of which Isabella backed. But there's a lot more to her.
When she claimed the throne, she seized power for herself in an age when that was almost unheard of. Her husband, Ferdinand, ruled as much as she allowed, no more. That alone should place her in the history books on her own.
But Isabella came into the world when there was a decent chance that Christianity was actually going to be wiped out, as much as that might seem impossible in today's world. The Ottoman Empire kept expanding, taking more and more land, and enslaving or killing more and more Christians. Isabella was deeply religious. She not only united countries against the Turks, but also started the dreaded Spanish Inquisition in an attempt to save her Church.
Isabella remains a complicated figure. She could be a symbol for woman's power... but she helped get things rolling for countless American Indians to be enslaved, raped, and killed (although she did forbid that in her orders, but allowed for more or less forced conversion). She united separate kingdoms into what people now think of as Spain... but made those of other faiths convert or flee, often losing all their possessions and ancestral homes.
It was a very good read that taught me a lot. Clearly, the author did a great deal of research. My only quibble with the writing is that she is very fond of the phrase, "according to the (writer/historian) X." She could have varied that a bit. But that's a minor point in a very educational book.
Recommended to anyone interested in European history, religious history, women's history, or just plain learning more about a really fascinating historical figure. ...more
This was just a bit odd. The initial idea was great. The very moving short story that starts this was powerful and damn near perfect. I'm not sure theThis was just a bit odd. The initial idea was great. The very moving short story that starts this was powerful and damn near perfect. I'm not sure the story was well served by expanding on it. It's hard to mess with perfection.
At some point in the future, mankind has been reduced to living in an underground silo, a huge construction that is essentially a buried skyscraper of a city. Speaking up about forbidden ideas can get you banished outside, where, even with the protective gear you're given, you die in minutes.
The silo's sheriff dies, and a replacement must be found. The new sheriff doesn't toe the line, and chaos ensues. Secret after secret are revealed and the people revolt after learning some of them. What can save everyone now? It's an interesting, tense tale.
The world building is good, and the idea well executed for that. But the main character seems to be a spectator to a lot of the big action scenes, or miss them entirely. It's an odd choice.
Decent read about a dystopian, post-apocolyptic future. ...more
Sullivan follows up on his early series, the Riyria books, with a new story set much earlier in that world. Books like this can be very hit or miss inSullivan follows up on his early series, the Riyria books, with a new story set much earlier in that world. Books like this can be very hit or miss in my experience. This one was all hit, without doubt.
The Fhrey, who we'd call elves more or less, have long been regarded as gods by the Rhune (humans). So what happens when a "primitive barbarian" kills a "god"? Well, a whole lot, little of it good to start. Raithe, skilled son of a warrior nation, gets pushed too far and expects to die when he does the unthinkable and raises his blade to a Fhrey. To his surprise, he both wins and survives. With his new companion, Malcolm, he goes on the run.
Persephone is the wife of a chieftain, helping rule the village of Dahl Rhen. Her world gets turned upside down by a marauding demon bear, a visiting mystic with cryptic warnings, and the deaths of several close to her. The new chieftain doesn't seem kindly disposed towards her, or that good at his job.
The Fhrey are a divided nation, separated into clans, who are not all treated equal. There are internal power games, deep divisions, and mysterious beings. Arion is a powerful sorcerer, appointed tutor to the prince. Then she gets sent to quell a small uprising that may be related to Raithe, now called the God Killer.
All of these characters, and many good supporting ones, are set on a collision course. Very little is what it seems, and there are secrets and surprises up until the last page. There is magic, sword fights, and a lot of twists and turns in this first book a new series.
I really enjoyed this. The action was good, the characters had depth and twists, and a lot of what you'd expect doesn't quite happen, which I think is a good surprise. Sullivan has a great story here, and I really liked what he did with it.
Strongly recommended for fantasy fans. Go find it! ...more
Winner of a National Book Award and a Pulitzer, this one just didn't do a lot for me.
Quoyle, the main character, lives a horrid childhood, grows up, Winner of a National Book Award and a Pulitzer, this one just didn't do a lot for me.
Quoyle, the main character, lives a horrid childhood, grows up, falls for a terrible woman, and gets two daughters out of the marriage. The woman, Petal, dies to further the plot, and Quoyle gets help from an aunt with the girls.
They decide to move to a small extremely rural village in Newfoundland, where Quoyle doesn't fit in at all. He falls for a local woman with a lot of her own baggage. Quoyle works as a newspaper reporter for a small local paper, and tends to annoyingly think in/narrate his life with newspaper headlines.
As the book nears its end, there's a huge storm that batters the village and a weird event that doesn't seem to have a point.
Apologies for the choppy review. I wrote a better one the first time, but Goodreads managed to eat it. ...more
I have to admit this isn't quite what I expected. I thought this was going to be another retelling of the King Arthur myth. It sort of was, but not atI have to admit this isn't quite what I expected. I thought this was going to be another retelling of the King Arthur myth. It sort of was, but not at all how I thought. This was some of the original poetry, with the language updated for more modern spelling and grammar. Many of the parts of the Arthur myth were added on later, so they aren't here, or are mentioned in passing.
The format of the book took a bit to get used to. The left hand pages were the old style, with roughly Middle English words and grammar, while the right were modernized versions. The review I initially read made it sound interesting, and it was, but not really my kinda thing.
If you want a shot at the original source material for Arthur, this is probably as close as you're going to get without being in some kind of research program. I think I prefer the more textual, story versions of the legend. ...more
This story is well known, and has been copied/parodied many times on various tv shows and comic books. An interesting trivia fact I didn't know was thThis story is well known, and has been copied/parodied many times on various tv shows and comic books. An interesting trivia fact I didn't know was that the movie is not based on the book. When the movie was coming out, they hired Isaac Asimov to write the novelization. Asimov resisted at first, and then eventually agreed.
The book is set roughly in the cold war. An important defector is badly injured, and they desperately need to save his life. They gamble, shrinking a team and a new ship to go inside the defector's body and repair the damage. The team must get through the man's body, filled with dangers when you're microscopic. Then there's also possibly an enemy agent working against them. And, of course, just to up the tension, the shrinking process only lasts about 24 hours.
The action and concepts are good. It was a really ground-breaking story, especially considering it was a movie script before it was a novel. The dialogue and attitudes are a bit dated. It's worth a read, if nothing else because the story is such a huge part of the sci fi culture at this point. ...more
This was a really odd, uneven collection of stories. The title short, The Yellow Wallpaper, was great. It was a nicely done piece that can be read eitThis was a really odd, uneven collection of stories. The title short, The Yellow Wallpaper, was great. It was a nicely done piece that can be read either as the narrator going crazy or a horror tale. There's another story in the same vein later, that's also pretty good.
As for the rest... well, the author seemed to get stuck on a few themes. Women are amazing if men let them be, or they push men away to be. Men are, for the most part, bad, lazy, or unimaginative. Women living in commune-like set ups can do nearly anything. There are stories when an older woman loses her husband and goes on to make a good life for herself. There are stories of women defying the odds and society to build up something. There are stories of women saving men from themselves or other women who aren't right for them. You get the idea.
I had heard a lot about this book. As I said, the title story was really good. The rest started to get a bit one-note after a while. Some of it just didn't age well. There are some cringe-worthy scenes with the few black characters that show up.
I had high hopes for this one and didn't end up caring for it much. But read the "Yellow Wallpaper" short if you get a chance. ...more
I freely admit to being a Jim Butcher fan boy. Dresden Files is a very close second to my favorite series of all time. I've also had the pleasure of mI freely admit to being a Jim Butcher fan boy. Dresden Files is a very close second to my favorite series of all time. I've also had the pleasure of meeting Jim a few times now, and he's a great conversationalist, tells wonderful stories, and is amazingly generous with his fans. All of this is to say I may possibly be a bit biased.
That to one side, I've never been a huge steampunk fan. It just hasn't really done much for me. But, with Butcher writing, I thought I'd give it a whirl. I'm glad I did.
In this world, humans don't live on the dangerous surface of the Earth. The live in Spires, floating cities far above the Earth. Travel is by various kinds of airships, held aloft by the power of special crystals. Each Spire is like a country, and relations are strained.
As this book starts, war is brewing between Albion and Aurora (thinly disguised England and Spain). Along the way, we meet Captain Grim of the airship Predator, disgraced from the Fleet and now a privateer; Gwen Lancaster, scion of a noble house; Benedict, one the "warriorborn" who seem to be humans engineered with animal traits; Ferus, an ethericist (closest they get to wizards) and his apprentice Folly, and Bridget, a young woman from a minor noble house who has joined the Spire's military out of obligation.
The world is nicely fleshed out, with different cultures and peoples. Cats are intelligent in this world (yes, yes, cat owners) and are another power to be bargained with. When Albion Spire comes under sneak attack, our heroes must work together to overcome their foes and stop their wholesale destruction and murder. On the bad side is Captain Ransom, the powerful Madame Cavendish, and a host of Auroran Marines.
There are monsters, sword fights, duels, and ship to ship combat, all with a steampunk flavor. I enjoyed it a lot. It was a good start, and I look forward to rest of the series. ...more
The Volstead act has been passed... but in this world, it doesn't ban alcohol, but sorcery. It's a wild take on Prohibition, with magic, gangsters, FeThe Volstead act has been passed... but in this world, it doesn't ban alcohol, but sorcery. It's a wild take on Prohibition, with magic, gangsters, Feds, schemes, and double agents. The entire book is first person, alternating between two different characters.
Joan Kendrick is a poor woman from out in the sticks, trying to keep her family together. She gets an amazing offer which will give her enough money to look out for her people... for a price. Will she give in to the glittering night clubs and power from being a gangster's personal sorcerer?
Alex Danfrey is the son of a notorious magical criminal. The Feds have him over a barrel. He can work for them to infiltrate the gangs of Washington DC, or go to prison for a very long time. Alex stands a good chance of being killed either way he chooses.
These two meet, and they change each other. The ripples of their attraction reverberate along the tangled webs of scheming gangsters and hard-nosed Feds. Who will come out on top? Can they save each other? Does love conquer all?
This is a richly detailed world with a really interesting take on magic. I enjoyed it a lot, and Prohibition being anti-magic was a great idea that hooked me from the start. I had a lot of fun reading this. Parts of it are ok, but the scenes where Alex and Joan are together, especially when they meet for the first few times, really shine.
Recommended to fans of urban fantasy, gangsters, and alternate histories. ...more
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