Simon MacDonald
Lee Child has a winning formula with Jack Reacher. I guess these are one of my guilty pleasures, and it was inevitable that I would read #20. It was OK; I think that the formula is now getting rather tired. About time for few changes. Maybe an ongoing relationship with Chang? I also gather that Child is planning books about Reacher's early military career - they might be fun.
The first book in this trilogy was good, the second was just OK, and this, the third volume, is not so much bad, but just dull.
Perhaps I ought to give this book an ironic score of 4.2 as it does set out a rather nihilistic answer to the question, “What's the meaning of life, the universe, and everything”.
Ho, Hum.
I first read this book many years ago. After reading John Scalzi's old Man's War series, I thought I would revisit it as Scalzi's books rang some bells with Heinlein's book.
I had forgotten about Heinlein's authoritarian, xenophobic, right wing views. I was probably about 12 when I first read it and quite enjoyed it then. Can't say I did this time.
A terrific idea, but as usual with Neal Stephenson, lots of nerdish technical details, that for me (this time) got in the way of the story. The first two parts of the book were, I felt, too long, and the third too short, but, hey, you can't please everyone.
The ending of the book leaves it open for a continuation. I hope so.
Phew! I really enjoyed this book, I've had to print out lots of maps to find out who does, what to whom, and where!
It is a complex and intricately woven tale of love,deceit,treason, sorcery, treachery, honour and warfare. A huge cast of players, of which I had sometimes a problem keeping track. Also some of the more obscure plot lines were a little lost on me, though I guess some of them will be made clear in future volumes (as some previous ones were in this book).
Gutted at the death of Whiskeyjack.
I'm working my way through all nine volumes - number four coming up!
I enjoy Russell Blake's books, and I think I've read most of them. It's great to see a new set of characters, and I enjoyed the book,even though it was a little predictable plot-wise. The author usually develops his characters as each series progresses, and I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
My first foray into the world of Malaz, and I guess it lived up to my expectations. I was prepared to be confused, and I was right. Steven Ericsson, like William Gibson, makes his readers work for their enjoyment. I did not pre-judge the book, and the more I read the clearer everything became. A thoroughly enjoyable reading experience.
I would say that this is Gibson back on form. The start of the book can be construed as bewildering, but in my view it's just Gibson making the reader work a little. There are things in the book that remain unexplained - like, where and what are the stub servers - vague references to Chinese tech, and the ending, whilst ‘happy', is a little too unresolved in my opinion.
Gibson says this is a standalone novel, but I think there are more than enough storylines and characters for at least another.
This aging techno geek enjoyed it.
I didn't enjoy this book much - I guess it's a score of 2.5. I can't quite put my finger on what has put me off it; other folk have enjoyed it immensely. I found the writing style somewhat old fashioned and cumbersome, and the dialogue stilted. It is a space opera but it put me in mind of 1950's space opera. The plot was okay but I did not engage with any of the main characters
The Black Feather Three return for their second adventure and it's as every bit as good as the first. Classic fantasy of sword and sorcery, with dragons, demons, and with a twist of dark humour, and some frustrated love, both gay and straight.
Excellent stuff - keep it up Jen - can't wait for the next outing!
Well, this book was not quite what I expected. To be fair I was not sure what I expected, as this book has been on my to-read list for some time and to be honest I did not know much about the series of books.
A simplistic summary would be:
Set in a fantasy reality based on medieval Europe, primarily in the countries of Terre D'Ange, Skaldia, and Alba ( roughly France, Germany and England).
Phèdre is a young girl brought up as an indentured servant in a high class brothel. She is unique inasmuch as she gets pleasure from pain. Her bond is sold to a patron, who educates her, has her trained as a high class courtesan, and uses her as a political tool to spy on her patrons whilst plying her trade as a courtesan.
It follows her career as an apprentice courtesan, her loss of her virginity, and her development as a high class courtesan, leading on to her involvement in the political machinations of the era, and eventually into the resulting war.
What I didn't expect were the soft porn S&M sex scenes. After several of these episodes, and around 30% into the book, I was starting to get bored. Luckily I stuck with the story, and the latter half of the book improved greatly (with the occasional bit of sex thrown in for good measure).
Surprisingly I enjoyed most of the book, which initially, I didn't think I would.
This was one of the best fantasy books that I have read for a very long time. The characters were engaging and quirky, the world-scape was interesting, with a different take on magic. Several sub-story lines that eventually come together, and all with a vein of dark humour running through it.
Can't wait for the next one!
