Lorenzo
How did I not read this book sooner. Lonesome Dove is a Pulitzer Prize winning novel from 1985. It has everything a reader could ask for. It is a tale of an epic journey through the Wild West. They battle the harsh realities of the Wild, the constant struggle of the attack of Indians forces, and loss of loved ones.
I don’t give out five stars very often but when I come across a story that is so wonderful that it deserves recognition.
The story follows follows retired Texas Rangers Augustus "Gus" McCrae and Woodrow Call as they lead a perilous cattle drive from the Texas-Mexico border to the Montana wilderness. And a journey it is. Along with a small group of cowboys
Pea Eye Parker, Joshua Dietz, Newt Dobbs, Jake Spoon, Dish Boggett, (cook) Bolivar, (cook) Po Campo, Lorena, an angry Indian names Blue Duck, July and Elmira Johnson and a few others . There were quite a few and I had to google to get the full cast.
This novel picks up two years after the Voyager finds its way back to the Delta Quadrant. Seven of 9 is protagonist and she is still the same old Seven. She is still in search of her humanity. The humanity that the Borg stole from her so many years ago. She has even taken up drinking. While not the greatest trait to develop , it gives her comfort.
Seven has also found a new home in working with a rogue law enforcement corps known as the Fenris Ranger. She is eager to find trouble and soon finds a way that leads into a near death experience. And she is the same ol' seven disobedient and reckless. Which ultimately leads to tragedy and death.
It while seeking her own humanity she finds happiness in a most unexpected and predictable moment. Seven with all her troubles in developing relationships finds a second family in which she can rely. First there was Voyager and her crew , now her new family the recruits of this ragtag group the Fenris ranger group. She develops a great relationship working with Parker her trainer . Fantastic story and well written!
The also bring out admiral Janeway and admiral Petasky. If memory serves there was a Petasky as doctor of Star Trek the next generation.
The book is all action as David Mack is so familiar with the Star Trek universe . He brings all of his talents out and fully lays the on the table for us to read. The books reads or listens exactly like an episode of Star Trek.
Okay I just finished and I want say this while it is all fresh in my brain. The plot line flows in three or four different ways. First there is this hard nose bitch looking for love or not looking for love. Then there is this town of lawlessness struggling to find itself with a local gambler trying to buy up most of the town. Then you have the marine captain tired of rigid conformity and looking to give it all up when he finds that special person. And then on top of it all you have the mysterious arrival of a late spaceship and the mysterious death of everyone aboard.
That is a lot to take in !
The story overall is okay. I won't tell you the ending but it really leaves you hanging. So much so that don't know if I want read the next book in the series.
While reading the book it may seem like it is one battle after another. It is !
As this battle rages through time and space between Chaos and the emperor . It is destined to run until the end.
I do not recommend starting with this book unless you have someone to explain all of the basics. Because I was a n the dark most of the time . Until my son explained everything to me . There are so many characters and successions that you need to know about to fully comprehend the whole world that has been created by authors like Dan Abnett.
The action was really and it kept the story rolling along. But I had to look up certain characters and ask my son other questions. But overall the book was really great
Okay this is the second book from Tim powers this month and boy what a difference. I think I rated the other book one star . It was an interesting book but it just wasn't as well thought out as this one was. This book was beautiful and based a pact made between Keats, Mary and, Percy Shelly to write a horror story. Well really it just leads into a great horror story on its own.
The depth of research that had to go into this was incredible because to use a Lamia which is in ancient Greek mythology, was a child-eating monster and, in later tradition, was regarded as a type of night-haunting spirit or “daimon”. In the earliest myths, Lamia was a beautiful queen of ancient
This was brilliant and could have been used to make a series of books.
I gave this book four stars but maybe it deserves five.
Okay , I have gone from quite possibly the best book ever to one of the worst. I won't say the worst but gee wiz did it need to try so hard to be the worst.
First of all I listened on audiobook format and Bronson Pinchot was the narrator. His dry delivery was made for a higher class of book . I found myself tuning out at several points . So I would rewind just to catch where I was.
The plot was all over the place . There must be a book one because he was supposed to be a disgraced fbi or something. And he was already a spirit chaser . But it quickly turns to murder of two other agents. And nobody was worried about that. They were worried that they knew about something else.
Anyway glad it's over.
I remember my dad telling me this story as a child . Or maybe reading the story from the book. But I have always wondered how by gods good graces did they do it. The sheer intestinal fortitude it must have to to stay alive or avoid a mutiny.
Just a fantastic true story.
While the audiobook was abridged I could follow along well enough in the book.
Oh my goodness I love this series. And to Travis Baldree the chefs kiss! What a book no gratuitous sex just peppered here and there with a bit of foul language.
My favorite line “well shit whiskers”
The as well as the whole series is worthy of a good sit down and a good cup of tea maybe some delicious sweets. Enjoy it however you will because the book is full of love , enjoyment, friendship, laughter, joy, and everything good .
Of course later who knows some d bag may come and say they are all animals. My answer so? So what?
If I have not made you want to read the book . Read more reviews.
love John Scalzi books
John Scalzi is a fantastic writer. I think I own 90 percent of everything he has written. Thus I should work on the other ten percent. But nonetheless his books are just my cup of tea.
This book was available on kindle prime so I jumped on it as well as purchased the audible edition. But it's a short story about a man with a simple plan and that is only revealed in the ending.
He has an easy job and that is pushing buttons on pay to play Time Machine. Because we all have something we want to change about the past , it becomes the latest craze.
I won't spoil it !
It's a great story one that can be plowed through in a hour .
Read this while on vacation, on of all things a cruise. I didn't set foot on land for much .
But this book was alright. I enjoy the story only because I can picture the guy from the television show as the character of Bill Hodges. I know Holly becomes more the main character afțer the next . With a title like End of Watch that could only mean one thing.
That book is not on my list , but I will make room for it. Because it is a great story.
After a failed attempted landing or flu over the crew find themselves trapped on a very uninhabitable planet named shroud. Shroud is a hostile, dark, and highly radioactive moon. And Juna Ceelander and Mai Ste Etienne have found themselves in fight for their lives.
Sometimes I think they have found a way to communicate with Shroud's inhabitants it then it is only gross meaningless sounds uttered in grunts. Then the crew is drawn right back into mystery.
I am listening to the audiobook and reading along with the ebook. I find this very relaxing and enjoyable, as it makes me focus on the story itself. This is my first Adrian Tchaikovsky book and I want to sit back and relax and enjoy the words as they fly off the page.
NEVER GIVE UP NEVER DESPAIR!
This is my first time reading a book by Tchaikovsky and my first reaction is he was okay. I was neither moved one way or the other. The story was interesting but was having trouble following along.
That was a me problem.
I have purchased several so I will continue reading, because as read the reviews even this is not his most impressive story .
Star Wars and Star Trek books are so fun to listen on audiobooks from audible. Adam Christopher did a pretty good job on f putting together a great story. The whole story builds and builds as you learn more about each character .
Halland Goth the main character battles his illness to a final level I didn't see coming. Don't forget we all know Vader makes it all the way to episode six. As he is killed by Luke skywalker.
But like I say just sit back and enjoy as Mark Thompson makes a movie for the imagination. Soon you will cheering on and showing empathy for an imperial commander Halland Goth as he fights for his life . His TC99 droid his constant companion and caretaker becomes quite the hero as he outsmart BX3R an imperial droid program that wishes to take the ver the TC99 body. Very intense .
I wish I knew who was in charge of production because there are so many characters one person could not have done all of them .
Have No Mouth & I Must Scream00:06Echoes of Screams, 198301:27Introduction: The Mover, the Shaker08:42Foreword: How Science Fiction Saved Me from aLife of Crime12:11 Have No Mouth & I Must Scream45:57Big Sam Was My Friend39:14Eyes of Dust23:09World of the Myth51:58Lonelyache52:17Delusion for a Dragon Slayer41:14Pretty Maggie Moneyeyes01:02:50Paingod and Other Delusions00:05New Introduction: Your Basic Crown of Thorns30:57Introduction to First Edition07:23Paingod34:08“Repent, Harlequin!” Said the Ticktockman35:56The Crackpots01:46:04Sleeping Dogs26:42Bright Eyes38:20The Discarded33:44Wanted in Surgery01:23:53Deeper Than the Darkness56:26From the Land of Fear00:04Foreword: In Praise of His Spirits Noble and Otherwise10:02Introduction: Where the Stray Dreams Go10:55The / One / Word / People02:31Moth on the Moon07:26Snake in the Mind11:27The Sky Is Burning23:51My Brother Paulie20:14The Time of the Eye25:33Life Hutch31:31Battle Without Banners36:08Back to the Drawing Boards33:59A Friend to Man18:41“We Mourn for Anyone..”38:30The Voice in the Garden03:12Soldier59:29The Discarded, Narrated by Harlan Ellison33:09End Credits00:30This is the definitive collection of stories by Harlan Ellison. This is the storyteller that influenced the great one like King and Saul, and Koontz. His stories are provocative style, blending sci-fi with social commentary, raw emotion, and experimental narrative to challenge readers. I wanted to attach this note because of the very first review. Harlan Ellison was not misogynistic or maybe he was in today's look back. But his personality or personal style is in no way shape or form meant to cloud his stories because it was just how things were back then.Each story is unique often preceded by an introduction about the following story. The stories are interesting and entertaining. This was over twenty hours worth of short stories. So I took my time and enjoyed each one individually. They are historically important to the history of science fiction.As far as the term genius is used and how many people throw it around. That you will need to decide for yourself. For me I will let you know I checked out many times because I either lost interest or lost track of where the storyline was going. His writing when it's on is on full . But when it droning on it can feel like eons . Best advice take it in small chunks.
P K Dick had his mind in tune with the future of man kind and the future of electronic and the use of precognitive technology. As I listen and read along some of the story is blowing my mind..
precognitive Barney Mayerson is often in consult with Palmer Eldritch as he returns to Earth with a new drug and it is taking hold. The new drug is called Chew-z and is replacing Can-d .
People thrive on drugs like can-d and chew-z as an escape because of collapsing society and climate changes. And news from homeopape (which is a personalized, interactive, and constantly updating digital newspaper or news-giving device. ) provides the news from corporate figures like Leo Bulero or the activities of Palmer Eldritch.
The Earth is all but uninhabitable as it is always summer and the temperature skyrockets daily. People has chosen the hallucinogenic drugs available to them such as Chew-z which is brought to Earth by Palmer Eldritch a powerful figure who returns from deep space with Chew-Z, a superior drug that threatens the established market.
Only this drug is causing recurring, grotesque physical traits and hallucinations. Metal teeth, robotic hand, mechanical eyes are the hallucinations of Palmer Eldritch .
Dick had a brilliant mind as he often explored the dangers of seeking ultimate escape through technology and drugs.
I loved this book.
All the Pretty Horses follows 16-year-old John Grady Cole's journey from Texas to Mexico with friend Lacey Rawlins after his family's ranch is sold, seeking adventure and the cowboy life but finding harsh realities, violence, imprisonment, and heartbreak as he falls for a wealthy rancher's daughter, exploring themes of lost innocence, honor, and the conflict between tradition and modernity.
I read the road several years back and I thought it was really good. I know McCarthy won a Pulitzer award but not sure which book got him the award. McCarthys writing is so poetic and it flows so beautifully. It goes along with all of the beautiful imagery. I could almost see myself crossing the border riding a horse and sleeping out under the stars could feel his pain of lost love . As well as all his injuries. You care so much for all McCarthys characters and feel for when they suffer. And they do suffer.
John Grady seems to have that insight in communicating with people. Speaking the language of Spanish and becoming the only horse whisperer and right down to catching the eye of the daughter of his boss.
It's a great series of short interludes . I loved this book. I don't ever give five stars and only do so when I love the book so much I cry when it is over.
Here we still find Gabriel De Leon recounting his tale of saving the Holy Grail from death, but his chance to end the endless night is lost. He encounters and partners with liathe. He finds that he must deliver the grail to a group called Esani the to bring and end to the Endless night.
The store has so much action and moves along so fast there is no time to be bored. It is easy to get wrapped up in the story. Knowing this it is easy to miss new characters or even forget which character is doing what.
I put the book down for a while and decided I didn't like the direction it was going. But I went right back and found myself enjoying the story all over again.
But it is worth reading especially if you enjoyed the first book. And now with a third book in the series I will surely be reading that book.
Even as a children we made play swords and pretended to be the three musketeers. These characters are emblazoned upon our hearts and minds. We know them front and back. And now I can say I have read The Three Musketeers. What a great book, great story, great characters just brilliant all around. I will for sure read it again.
These are the seven pilgrims who must share their stories for the shrike or to prove they are not members of the cult of the shrike.
The Shrike: A terrifying, powerful creature with mysterious origins and motives, central to the planet's mysteries. A character that has very little impact on the story , yet everyone feels the need to please .
The Seven Pilgrims (from Hyperion)
The Consul: A former governor of Hyperion, mysterious and reluctant to share his tale.
Fedmahn Kassad: A Martian colonel, seeking answers about his lost love.
Lenar Hoyt: A Catholic priest, carrying a cruciform parasite.
Brawne Lamia: A private detective, whose name honors Keats's muse.
Martin Silenus: An ancient, cantankerous poet.
Sol Weintraub: A Jewish scholar, whose daughter is aging in reverse.
Het Masteen: A Templar priest and captain of the treeship Yggdrasil.
The seven know they are basically most likely a sacrifice to the Shrike. But in return only one will get an answer or wish granted.
The stories they share are beautiful and sometimes heartbreaking and some are graphic experiences with the shrike or thought to be with the shrike.
The story that Sol Weintraub has to share is that of his daughter Rachel. Who while working in the time tombs contacts a sickness literally causing her to live backwards. The pain he goes through of watching his daughter lose mass and disappear is heartbreaking.
The detective's story is probably the most telling and important because this is something that current governments and major corporations are constantly trying to decide what is best for us. While in the background other people strive for enlightenment.
It seems this book should be re-named the Hyperion Cantos because it the book is a sharing of stories on the trip to Hyperion. And all the stories are like puzzle pieces waiting to be assembled at the grand finale of the ending.
That is what if you know how to make those pieces fit together.
I really enjoyed the book. But this was really re- establishing a connection with Picard and some of the old crew like Beverly and Worf. The story insinuated that Picard never would make admiral however there are other canon stories written by Dayton Ward and others , that Picard was admiral . So the story was kind of confusing for me. It did jump around a lot between actions on earth and space missions launched from there. Missions that could have led to wars on other's planets. These wars lead to Picard being held responsible for those missions are and failed missions.
I picked up this book as an artist release copy on netgally. And I am floored . I wish I had the words to make you want to go out and get this book. I am not an author merely a reader.
Alex Woodard a musician / author or author/ musician however you want to see him. Either way his words flow from like the most beautiful music . That is a lot to take in as far as a description.
but his new book Analog Sun about a man who must choose his course in life. We follow Adam on his journey. A series of people who care for him, abandon him , and even try to save him until the truth is revealed to him. Which makes for great reading .
But the whole story is a twist. A great twist and definitely worth the read . The book is really short the audio format is only a couple of hours long. So the page count should be low.
In this book we follow Severian who is an Apprentice torturer. In the beginning we don't know what that means. But overall it sounds like the torturer guild are different doctors or healers. But the Torturers' Guild, officially the Order of the Seekers for Truth and Penitence. They are a secret, male-only society in the city of Nessus that carries out judicial punishments for the Autarch. They are often viewed with loathing they are a necessary part of society. As seekers of truth they often act without compassion.
But Severian is different from others he has compassion for other people. His compassion leads him to trouble we learn.
This is a grim dark science fiction fantasy story where we learn that the sun is dying. So many things don't happen until the new sun rises.
I must admit that Gene Wolfes vocabulary and prose is outstanding. His choice of words are very challenging. As I go along sometimes I stop to look up words.
It is a short book but it really packs a punch as far as storytelling goes. Wolfe is wonderful storyteller and he takes us through a shattered world a world called Urth (or earth you think? ) anyway here on Urth it is no Christmas vacation. It is a hard world full of hard people and even harder times.
Great story overall and worth a read.