I don’t read much science fiction, especially of the hard variety, but my uncle does. So check out his review of the recently released Influx.
Tag: reading
Book Review: The Discovery by Dan Walsh (5 Stars)
I’ll be adding this to be ‘short list’ of to-be-read ebooks based on my uncle’s review and recommendation.
Book Review: The Smith of Wootton Major by Tolkien (4.5 Stars)
The Smith of Wootton Major
by J.R.R. Tolkien
Read in September 2009
Synopsis:
Every twenty-four years in the village of Wootton Major a special edition of the The Feast of Good Children was held. This was a very special occasion and to celebrate it a Great Cake was prepared, to feed the twenty-four children who were invited. The cake was very sweet and rich and entirely covered in sugar icing. But inside there were some very strange ingredients and whoever swallowed one of them would gain the gift of entry into the Land of Faery…
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Book Review: Lifeblood by Lind (5 Stars)
Read in October 2008
Warning: Spoilers
What a wonderful book to wrap up the Halloween season!
Ana is a 17th century vampire from Transylvania, transplanted to eastern Iowa by the strangest and saddest of circumstances. She is hunted by a zealous priest who paralyzes her with his crucifix and drives a wooden stake through her heart. Fast forward 300+ years to an automobile accident involving an armored car that was transporting her remains to a museum exhibit. The accident dislodges the stake and Ana find herself restored to a fiery confusion, which she escapes in her bat form.
Book Review: Martian by Weir (4 stars)
My uncle posted a review of a recently released hard science fiction novel as his second blog post on his new blog. I supplied some technical assistance, but the content and publication are all his. Stop by and wish him well in his new electronic frontier adventure.
Book Review: Frankenstein by Shelley (3.5 Stars)
Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Read in November 2008
I don’t know what I was expecting to find but it definitely was different than all my preconceptions. I had some trouble, at times, staying tuned into the story. Mary Shelley’s prose was first person, but often second or third hand (one person telling another person’s story who was then telling yet another story). At times, I had to stop and remember what “I” was actually telling the story at that particular time. Nevertheless, it did make for compelling reading at times.
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Book Review: The Anubis Gates by Powers (3 Stars)
The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers
Read in October 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Brendan Doyle is a biographer and researcher specializing in poetry and prose of the early 19th century. In fact, it’s his knowledge of Coleridge and the obscure contemporary William Ashbless that leads Doyle into his time traveling adventure. An eccentric named Darrow has discovered a method of time travel. To secure venture capital for his personal scheme, he sells tickets to a Coleridge lecture in 1810. Doyle is hired as the Coleridge expert brought along to prep the audience.
The party arrives successfully in London in 1810 and convinces Coleridge to give an impromptu lecture. Darrow had misinformation about the date of the “real” lecture. At the conclusion of the lecture, Doyle is sent to fetch the carriages and is kidnapped.
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Book Review: The Age of Innocence by Wharton (3 Stars)
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
Read in October 2008
At times, I wanted to strangle Newland Archer for being so naive, so blind to what was happening around him. Especially from his sweet subservient fiancé. I really connected with Ellen and longed for her to have more scenes, rather than just hearing the rumors about her from various members of the families involved.
I admire all the characters stoic resolve to play the cards dealt them and make the best of their lives. In today’s society with disposal marriages and relationships, it was refreshing.
Downloaded the free ebook from Project Gutenberg – http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/541
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Book Review: The Andromeda Strain by Crichton (4 Stars)
The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton
Read multiple times, but most recently in June 2008
I thoroughly enjoyed re-reading this classic science fiction novel by Michael Crichton. And it was something I could knock out in a couple of hours, even with lots of scientific jargon to slog through. Stretching vocabulary is always a good thing!
I decided to re-read The Andromeda Strain because of the A&E mini-series aired a couple of weeks ago. I think the screenwriters did an excellent job of being faithful to the book but also updating the science and technology forty plus years. The elements of drama and crisis were maintained and made more believable; yet the human element of fear, mistakes and intuition were preserved.
Book Review: Warrior by Fallon (4 Stars)
Read in July 2008
Jennifer Fallon did not disappoint in this continuation of the Wolfblade saga. I probably should not have read it on the heels of Mistborn: The Final Empire as it is somewhat of a tragedy. I should probably find something less depressing to read next or I might become a footnote to my own life.
Note to my followers: I apologize for these ‘short’ reviews from the early days of when I first joined GoodReads. I’m still trying to transfer all my reviews from there to here, but I don’t have time to re-read these books to flesh out the reviews. I did very much enjoy Fallon’s entire Wolfblade series and highly recommend it to fans of fantastic fiction.