tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32213630216520229162024-02-21T09:29:41.867-08:00Billbo's BooksCommenting on books I've read, publishing, and e-book technology in general.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12364430499339279448noreply@blogger.comBlogger1005125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3221363021652022916.post-88160057075342036252017-02-16T18:44:00.001-08:002017-02-16T18:44:15.578-08:00The Wertzone: The Longest SFF Novels of All Time (and some long Series)<a href="http://thewertzone.blogspot.ca/2017/02/the-longest-sff-novels-of-all-time.html">The Wertzone: The Longest SFF Novels of All Time</a><br /><br /><br />
A well-researched list of the longest SFF novels and series. The decision not to include <i>Discworld</i> as a notable series is unforgivable. Also surprised <i>Honor Harrington</i> was not on the list.<br />
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If you are looking for something to read this is a pretty good reference for some ideas. The nice thing about getting into a long series is that if you like the first book or two you know you have so much to look forward to. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12364430499339279448noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3221363021652022916.post-1532126124939175862017-02-04T13:10:00.001-08:002017-02-04T13:10:21.028-08:00Why Don’t Print Books Come With e-Book Download Codes? Good e-Reader<a href="http://goodereader.com/blog/e-book-news/why-dont-print-books-come-with-e-book-download-codes">Why Don’t Print Books Come With e-Book Download Codes? Good e-Reader</a><br /><br /><br />
A good question... and some good answers provided here. Mostly because the publishing industry is fractured and flailing. I think printing QR codes on receipts at checkout is the best idea, but the DRM issue is way too fluid right now to come anywhere near a (near) universal system.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12364430499339279448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3221363021652022916.post-57789764299738153892017-01-26T12:09:00.003-08:002017-01-28T18:05:16.722-08:00Three Slices by Kevin Hearne, Delilah S. Dawson, and Chuck Wendig<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/search/book?searchfor=kevin+hearne&aff=billbo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00VWGJA66&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=CA&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=billbook-20" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" title="Three Slices" /></a>
<i>Three Slices</i> is a collection of three novellas that share a common theme, using cheese to predict the future (tyromancy).
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>A Prelude to War Copyright</i> by Kevin Hearne.<br />
<i>Not My Circus, Not My Monkeys</i> by Delilah S. Dawson.<br />
<i>Interlude: Swallow</i> by Chuck Wendig.</blockquote>
I got the book to read Hearne's story when it fit into the Iron Druid series. Finally got around to reading the other 2 stories. Dawson's vampire circus stuff is interesting but bludbunny is perhaps not to my taste right now.<br />
<br />
Wendig's story takes up after the last Miriam book so I lucked out there. Now I can start <i>Thunderbird</i> as soon as I can get my hands on it.<br />
<br />
Sadly tyromancy was not 'real' in all the stories. Perhaps I should put air quotes around 'sadly' as well. They were all good standalone stories and I'm glad I read I read the series fill-ins for Hearne and Wendig.<br />
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Finished January 17, 2017
bllbohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03026353524510189473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3221363021652022916.post-62188964568591491172017-01-26T11:52:00.000-08:002017-01-26T11:52:26.429-08:00League of Dragons (Temeraire 9) by Naomi Novik<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780345522924?aff=billbo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/924/522/FC9780345522924.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" title="League of Dragons" /></a>
<i>League of Dragons</i> is the final book in the Temeraire series. After a travel-adventure around the world in the first eight books we see the series finally winding down. A global League of Dragons is in the offing; will Napoleon be its ultimate master or will the dragons develop something more egalitarian and human-friendly?
<br />
<blockquote>
“But I have this to armor me against Napoleon’s most pleasant aims,” Laurence said, “that all he does has ever been for his own selfish vainglory. He wishes to be loved by the dragons of France not for their sake but for his. He has had no hesitation in spilling their blood, and the blood of his soldiers, to make himself a perfect tyrant, bestriding the world unopposed. He cannot suffer an equal—and so he cannot be suffered. His means, his immediate acts, may be noble; his ends are less so, and he has shown himself insensible to the wreck and horror of war.”</blockquote>
There is a need to paint Napoleon as the self-serving bad guy since England and Russia's views on dragon sentience and independence are at odds with our hero's (Laurence and Temeraire) views. Novik loosely parallels the events of the Napoleonic wars, including Napoleon's capture and exile.<br />
<br />
The status of European and English dragons are addressed within the context of the political realities defined by the cultures involved.<br />
<blockquote>
The Bellerophon was visible out on the horizon, with Lien a little awkwardly disposed on the deck, a heavy band of chain marring the clean white line of her neck. They were making sail. Jane shook her head. “I shan’t give ha’pence for the chance, though. I dare say that beast could make shore from St. Helena in a day and a night if she put herself to the trouble, and it is sure enough he will find some excuse.”</blockquote>
This is the last book in the series and it seems like a good place to stop. As a fantasy series that roughly relates the events of the era of the Napoleonic wars, we've reached the natural conclusion. The series concentrated more on plot and world building than story, but I suppose the story of the dragons could roughly be the story of the end of slavery and the rise of middle class. Mostly it was some fun adventure with talking dragons. A fun read. I like to think of it as the British TV series <i>Sharpe</i>... with dragons.<br />
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Finished January 4, 2017
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12364430499339279448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3221363021652022916.post-25564040871821708402017-01-26T09:43:00.000-08:002017-01-26T09:43:15.678-08:00Revisionary by Jim C. Hines<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780756409708?aff=billbo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/708/409/FC9780756409708.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" title="Revisionary" /></a>
<i>Revisionary</i> is the fourth book in the <i>Magic Ex Libris</i> series and I hope it is not the last. The premise of the series started as magic being perceived or created as words and objects can be pulled out of books and used in the real world. We reach the point where magic is more of a primal force that is often more conveniently manipulated using one or a combination of books.<br />
<br />
The former founder and leader of the Porters, Johannes Gutenberg, is gone and Vainio is on his own, with little to no support from the Porters, and the U.S. Government barely tolerates the new magic research facility he's helped start. When politicians are assassinated by werewolves a chain of events lead to the discovery of a conspiracy to harness magical creatures to take over the world.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
“I didn’t expect him to die,” Deb said sullenly. “I don’t give a rat’s shit about you. I’m not here for the Porters or for Vanguard. But I’m not gonna let the military sail in and do to the sirens what they did to the vamps in Detroit. Whatever conspiracy we’re dealing with, it’s targeting people like me. I need your help to bring them down. As long as we’re going after the same assholes, I’ve got your back.”</blockquote>
The plot revolves around similar themes found in the X-Men and Avengers films, with the government trying to control or exterminate magic users and creatures. The overarching theme is fear of "the other" and the way those in power manipulate those fears for their own personal ambitions.<br />
<br />
The series as a whole uses a magic system that constantly refers to sci-fi and fantasy books I've read or plan on reading. Our protagonist, Vainio, is always wishing he could just curl up with a good book instead of running around being an action hero. It is really a treat to have Vainio pull a weapon or ingenious trick from a favorite book. The fast-paced adventure keeps the message from overpowering the story.<br />
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Our heroes defeat the conspiracy (of course) and there seems to be an uneasy peace in the world, but there are still loose threads and the possibility of a rogue's gallery of new villains to deal with so there's plenty of room for more books in the series.<br />
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Finished January 6, 2017Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12364430499339279448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3221363021652022916.post-55772459994968489262017-01-16T12:37:00.000-08:002017-01-16T12:37:43.887-08:00Last God Standing by Michael Boatman<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780857663955?aff=billbo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/955/663/FC9780857663955.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" title="Last God Standing" /></a>
Jehovah the God is retired and incarnates and lives the life of an asthmatic black man aspiring to marry his girlfriend and make it as a stand up comedian.<br />
<br />
All deities have agreed not to interfere with mankind but something is up and Lando must dip back into the Godhood biz and try to keep the universe from shattering.<br />
<br />
Does he give up his mortality to set things straight or is it already too late?<br />
<blockquote>
Then we sell you to a sweatshop in Mexico or Singapore or Waco, or just rent you to those two idiots from John & Kate Plus 8. I guarantee you… in five minutes you’ll regret everything you ever did in your whole life.</blockquote>
Dated references can be problematic. Pluck a reference from pop culture today and catch the zeitgeist the characters are living, or risk appearing corny as hell in a few years. I think we know in what category <i>John & Kate Plus 8</i> falls.<br />
<br />
Broad humor falls flat as often as not. It is played out by a 'bumbling' god and a cast of unsympathetic characters. A shaky foundation to the 'rules' of magic/religion make this an uneven read. Impossible things happen but are then impossible again. The premise is interesting but it can be a chore to pick up the book again after a rough patch.<br />
<br />
Eventually the author abandons humor to get to the rest of the story out.<br />
<br />
The alternate reality thing was pretty good. Imagining a world where Africa and the Americas are the predominant world culture rather than Europe was well done.<br />
<blockquote>
Through them, I plunge into the river of human consciousness. Through them I am absorbed into the flow of All, allowed entry onto the DNA-encoded information superhighway that defines every god who ever lived. I kick down the unlocked doorways of doubt – doubt can’t help me here – and plunge deeper, past what is known to what is hoped, to what is dreamed and dreaded and adored and hated, falling until I reach the primaevel core of human creativity, linked directly to the collective unconscious; the morphogenetic field; the phenomenon that unites humankind through simultaneously generated ideas and shared cultural symbolisms. It is the sea from which consciousness arises and the river through which it flows. It is the uncharted depths of shared metaphor, the River of Souls: the Eshuum</blockquote>
The novel aspires to combine broad humour and some pretty heavy metaphysical concepts. Not quite successful in this but there are some pretty good scenes and the ending does manage to wrap up strange god/supergod premise.<br />
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Finished reading December 18, 2016Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12364430499339279448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3221363021652022916.post-69653828114141252032017-01-14T16:14:00.000-08:002017-01-14T16:14:39.704-08:00Blightborn by Chuck Wendig<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781477847886?aff=billbo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/886/847/FC9781477847886.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" title="Blightborn" /></a>
Second book in the Empyrean trilogy. It picks up right away from the first book. It is a dystopian future based on mono-agriculture (fuel corn in this particular scenario) and a totalitarian regime using various techniques to keep the masses in check. The parallels are clear. No single character is particularly endearing, including the hero Cael. The painfully obvious hierarchy metaphor of the floating cities for the haves vs. the have-nots is juxtaposed with the lack of any nobility or vision on either side of things.
<br />
<blockquote>
Besides, the Heartland treats the hobos the same as the Empyrean treats the Heartland. There’s always an order to things. Someone’s always on the top. Someone’s always on the bottom.<br />
She’d rather be on the top, thank you very much.</blockquote>
I was as slow to read this book as it was for the first. Mostly because it's kinda depressing when there's no one to really cheer on. Everyone seems to be stumbling along trying to achieve their selfish ends.<br />
<br />
The gay character gets to develop a romantic relationship. Perhaps it was controversial when the book first came out but now it seems kinda an overused point of conflict. Except the Heartland is a reflection of middle America so still an appropriate issue to address.
<br />
<blockquote>
...We were a team. He didn’t think we were the leaders of the Sawtooth Seven, but we were, oh, we were. We were bound together in our hatred for the Empyrean. The skyrapers were just starting to really seal the deal, taking things away from us that we’d always assumed would be there: our farms, our education, our choice. We’d already had to put up with them floating above us and telling us who to marry, but now we had no choice as to what we did with our lives. And the way to the sky was shut.</blockquote>
Mission accomplished, but Cael might be dead. No other main characters missing. No one is particularly heroic. I'll probably read the third book in the trilogy soon, just to see if I feel the same way that the first two thirds of the book is a bit of a slog and last third is great fun.<br />
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Finished January 9, 2017Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12364430499339279448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3221363021652022916.post-39198219378807074582017-01-14T15:31:00.001-08:002017-01-14T15:31:50.098-08:00The Iron Druid Chronicles, a series by Kevin HearneIron Druid Atticus O'Sullivan is the last Druid on Earth, and thanks to his special concoction he calls Immortalli-Tea
he has lived since time of the Roman Empire. With his sidekick the Irish wolfhound Oberon, he wields the power of Gaia to protect the Middle Earth against the depredations of Norse, Greek, and Roman gods; as well as the powers of Faerie. There are vampires and werewolves, and many other "monsters" as well.
<br />
<br />
This urban fantasy series is very much in line with Dresden Files. The romantic relationship between Atticus and his apprentice Granuaile, that weaves its way through the book, rarely relies on the "rescue the princess" trope. Good adventure and with a sense of humour. Oberon, the "talking" dog, mostly interested in sausages and poodles, is my favorite sidekick in this genre.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780345522474?aff=billbo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/474/522/FC9780345522474.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid #000;" title="Hounded (Iron Druid Chronicles 1) by Kevin Hearne" /></a><br />
<b>1. <i>Hounded</i></b><br />
Atticus O'Sullivan is the last of the Druids. He lives quietly in Arizona; running an new-age bookstore and occasionally shape-changing and hunting with his Irish Wolfhound, Oberon. Centuries of peace and quiet come to an end when a Celtic god tracks him down looking for some stolen property.<br />
<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780345522498?aff=billbo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/498/522/FC9780345522498.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid #000;" title="Hexed (Iron Druid Chronicles 2) by Kevin Hearne" /></a>
<b>2. <i>Hexed</i></b><br />
Things are getting hectic in Tempe, Arizona. Atticus must contend with not one, but two witches' covens, a fallen angel, and followers of the Roman god Bacchus. With his faithful hound Oberon, some good neighbours, and his vampire lawyer, Atticus must broker a supernatural peace in Arizona and protect the mortals he has been hiding among.<br />
<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780345522481?aff=billbo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/481/522/FC9780345522481.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid #000;" title="Hammered (Iron Druid Chronicles 3) by Kevin Hearne" /></a>
<b>3. <i>Hammered</i></b><br />
Things are becoming untenable in Tempe, Arizona. Anonymity seems out of the question now as vampires and demon hunters both seek to use and/or destroy the last Druid. Its time to get out of Dodge so as a favor to his vampire lawyer Atticus travels to Asgard to battle Thor.<br />
<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780345533623?aff=billbo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/623/533/FC9780345533623.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid #000;" title="Tricked (Iron Druid Chronicles 4) by Kevin Hearne" /></a>
<b>4. <i>Tricked</i></b><br />
The battle on Asgard left some powerful enemies now looking for Atticus in Arizona. The local Navajo trickster god Coyote helps the Druid hide, but also tricks him into dealing with some nasties out in the desert. Further tricks are played on Atticus by godly powers closer to his heart.<br />
<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780345533647?aff=billbo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/647/533/FC9780345533647.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid #000;" title="Trapped (Iron Druid Chronicles 5) by Kevin Hearne" /></a>
<b>5. <i>Trapped</i></b><br />
The druid Atticus has survived since the Roman empire by flying below the magical radar. Now his cover is blown just when he has to risk returning to Europe to complete his apprentice's binding to the Earth to become the first new druid in 2000 years.<br />
Enemies from the Roman and Greek pantheon as well as vampires, Loki, and the Norse dark elves are all out to get the druid.<br />
<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780345548504?aff=billbo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/504/548/FC9780345548504.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid #000;" title="Shattered (Iron Druid Chronicles 6) by Kevin Hearne" /></a>
<b>6. <i>Shattered</i></b><br />
The apprentice is now a full druid, and after rescuing his archdruid and former master from a magical time-bubble prison there are now three druids.<br />
Atticus, Granuaile and "Owen" must battle Loki and a malevolent menagerie of magical beings. Is the newly Gaia-bound druid ready for the big leagues? Is the newly released archdruid able to adapt to a world that has passed him by? Can Atticus protect his friends and family while battling for the fate of the earth?<br />
<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780345533630?aff=billbo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/630/533/FC9780345533630.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid #000;" title="Hunted (Iron Druid Chronicles 7) by Kevin Hearne" /></a>
<b>7. <i>Hunted</i></b><br />
The druids' last interaction with the European gods at the foot of Mount Olympus have come back to haunt them. Atticus, Granuaile and Oberon, the wolfhound must race across Europe, fleeing the best hunters of the Greek pantheon.<br />
Loki is preparing for Ragnarok and killing Atticus is part of the preparations. Can the druids reach sanctuary in Britain and thwart Loki's plans before the hunters catch their prey?<br />
<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780345548511?aff=billbo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/511/548/FC9780345548511.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid #000;" title="Staked (Iron Druid Chronicles 8) by Kevin Hearne" /></a>
<b>8. <i>Staked</i></b><br />
Atticus and his friends must come together to deal with the vampire conspiracy the almost exterminated the druids 2000 years ago. Owen, his former mentor, and Granuaile, his former apprentice, both have their own problems to deal with before they can all team up and put an end to the vampire's plans to take over the world.<br />
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Its great that a series this long can manage to tie off long running plot elements, kill off and introduce new characters, and still maintain the air of ongoing risk necessary for a fun adventure.<br />
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Oberon the sausage-loving Irish wolfhound is still around for comic relief so I'm gonna keep reading the series.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12364430499339279448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3221363021652022916.post-68082870042804842612017-01-07T22:49:00.000-08:002017-01-07T22:49:58.449-08:00Beacon 23 by Hugh Howey<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780544839632&aff=billbo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img title="Beacon 23" src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/632/839/FC9780544839632.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a>
Mankind has moved out into the galaxy; they a not alone. Beacons are strung out among the stars to facilitate safe travel for faster than light ships. These beacons are the lighthouses of the future, and like lighthouses of yore they need a lighthouse keeper. One lighthouse keeper plays a pivotal role in brokering peace while battling his own demons.<br /><br />
Hugh Howey has gained some fame by personally managing his publishing rights and keeping his e-book rights above all else. The e-book and audiobook business is pretty hinky in general so Howey's courage and sacrifice is something many new authors should consider if and when they break into the business.<br /><br />
I look forward to read more by Howey. I listened to the audiobook, actually. The first person viewpoint and the context of trying to stay sane while living alone in a beacon lent itself very well to the audio format.<br /><br />
Finished 13 December, 2016.
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12364430499339279448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3221363021652022916.post-72293473685050252282016-12-21T13:49:00.001-08:002016-12-21T13:49:57.700-08:00Barking by Tom Holt<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781841492865&aff=billbo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/865/492/FC9781841492865.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" title="Barking" /></a>
This standalone novel by Tom Holt twists the werewolf-vampire trope into a humorous story about belonging and the magic of chartered accountancy. An old childhood friend inserts himself into the life of our protagonist. Is being a dull junior lawyer doing estate law different from being the junior monster in a werewolf pack?
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<blockquote>
No, he argued with himself, it’s not the magnificent heightened senses and superpowers and all that stuff. It’s not even the changing into an animal, because that’s great. It’s them: Luke, Pete, the bloody Ferris Gang. I was right to leave them and wrong to come back. If only I can get away from them for good; New Mexico— </blockquote>
<blockquote>
But that wouldn’t be possible, would it? Your wolf is first and foremost a pack animal. He’s part of a group. He belongs. Now, belonging is a wonderful thing, as opposed to being isolated and lonely and nobody in the world giving a damn. But like everything else, it depends. Above all, it depends on who you belong to.</blockquote>
This is a fun and surprising take on werewolves. Comparing and contrasting the pack mentality with being a lawyer, and a dull estate lawyer in particular, in a law firm turns out to be a great source for humor.
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<blockquote>
Biscuits: he remembered them, vaguely. They belonged to a world where people were people, rather than werewolves, zombies, vampires or unicorns; a place he might once have taken for granted, but never again. The events of the last two days suddenly rushed up around him, like flood water, and he huddled in his chair, his face in his hands, as though his memories were a cloud of buzzing flies.</blockquote>
Holt apposes mundane office life with the fantastic to make the fantastic both mundane and silly. The problems of werewolf life include maintaining pack order, not chewing the furniture, getting drinks in down at the pub, and not snacking on cats.
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<blockquote>
A quiet room somewhere with no windows, a calculator and a pencil, and that’d be the end of Bowden Allshapes. A few calculations, some straightforward addition, the two bottom lines would balance and that’d be it. Accountancy as a lethal weapon; death by double entry. And then he’d be free.</blockquote>
The central conflict of the book revolves around trying to balance the numbers in a set of books. It is less a werewolf story than it is about identity and finding where you belong... and the magic of accounting. Plus there's a unicorn.<br />
<br />
Finished 12/11/2016 8:02 AMAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12364430499339279448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3221363021652022916.post-37669275782321150092016-12-21T12:53:00.004-08:002016-12-21T12:55:50.784-08:00Calamity (Reckoners 3) by Brandon Sanderson<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780385743600?aff=billbo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/600/743/FC9780385743600.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" title="Calamity" /></a>
The series continues with the previous rebel leader turned evil and the team trying to turn him back. I can see this being the series conclusion, especially with Sanderson having so many other projects on the go.<br />
<blockquote>
(Is there a point to this? I asked.
Yeah. Entertaining me. Say something stupid. I’ve got popcorn and everything.
I sighed, tucking away)</blockquote>
All the texting and stupid puns and metaphor manglings makes sense as the books are targeted towards the young adult crowd. The violence level makes it more teen than tween.
<br />
<blockquote>
Well…crashed it here. Turns out flying is way harder than people think. In the air, I was about as adroit as seventeen geriatric walruses trying to juggle live swordfish.<br />
Might need to work on that one.</blockquote>
In a series where regular folk are the heroes and Epics are villains and monsters I found the conflict resolution a bit too easy. It was probably appropriate for the age range though. An excess of subtlety can ruin a straightforward adventure.<br />
<br />
A fun sci-fi adventure very much along the lines of Sanderson's Alcatraz series.<br />
<br />
Read 29 November, 2016
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12364430499339279448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3221363021652022916.post-73592750801020371572016-12-14T19:07:00.001-08:002016-12-14T20:03:31.863-08:00Kingkiller Chronicle - The Name of the Wind and Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780756404741?aff=billbo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/741/404/FC9780756404741.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" title="The Name of the Wind" /></a>
<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780575081437?aff=billbo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/437/081/FC9780575081437.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" title="Wise Man's Fear" /></a>
<i>The Name of the Wind</i> and <i>The Wise Man's Fear</i> are the first two books of the Kingkiller Chronicle trilogy. Rothfuss twists the usual teen hero fantasy in an interesting way by switching between the past where the boy becomes a man and reveals his great powers and a future where he has lived through his 'heroic' deeds and now hides in anonymity. We are all waiting for the third book to explain what happened during the intervening years, especially what the whole 'Kingkiller' thing is all about. There's also an ancient evil that few people believe in to deal with.<br />
<br />
Rothfuss has received well-deserved praise for his writing. He is great at hanging rich world building and character development on an intriguing plot. Dialogue and terminology specific to the world is not loaded with jargon or medieval-ism.<br />
<br />
It was 4 years between the first two books and so far we have been waiting 5 years for the third book (<i>The Doors of Stone</i> - coming 2018?). Perhaps the delay is due to Rothfuss spending so much time going to conventions and doing his podcast: <a href="https://unattendedconsequences.simplecast.fm/">Unattended Consequences</a>: A weekly conversation between Patrick Rothfuss and Max Temkin (Cards Against Humanity). Perhaps it is the time he devotes to his family or his <a href="https://worldbuilders.org/page/homepage">Worldbuilders</a> charity. The monster.<br />
<br />
<i>The Slow Regard of Silent Things</i> was published three years after the second novel. It is a standalone side story featuring a complete adventure focusing on a secondary character. I haven't read it yet as I wanted to read it shortly before I get my hands on the last book. In general I dislike waiting years between books in a series so I try to let them pile up. Rothfuss has said that the third book will definitely complete the trilogy, but there will be more books set in the world and include his main characters as well as shedding light on new and minor players.<br />
<br />
In other news, Lin-Manuel Miranda will be involved in a TV adaptation and a movie of <i>Kingkiller Chronicle</i>.<br />
<br />
I don't necessarily suggest immediately going out and reading these two books, I strongly suggest you get them as soon as the third one is available... or the movie comes out.<br />
<br />
I read <i>Name of the Wind</i> in November 2010, and <i>Wise Man's Fear</i> in May 2011.
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12364430499339279448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3221363021652022916.post-78113494206984883152016-12-13T16:47:00.000-08:002016-12-13T16:53:04.931-08:00Black City Saint by Richard A Knaak<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781633881365?aff=billbo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/365/881/FC9781633881365.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" title="Black City Saint" /></a>
<i>Black City Saint</i> by Richard A Knaak is an urban fantasy novel set in the days of Prohibition and Al Capone. Its magic system is much like Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series. Angels and saints co-exist and do battle with the forces of evil and chaos as represented by the magical realm of faerie ruled by Oberon and Titania. Of course, Chicago is the setting.<br />
<blockquote>
I wasn’t sure if Oberon had told him I was a Roman or if Doolin just thought I was Italian since my skin was swarthier than his pasty flesh. It was possible he even believed I was part of the South Side gang. Whatever the case, his assumption seemed to fuel his attack, making me wonder about his past history with Capone’s boys.</blockquote>
The book sticks to the noir style, warts and all. I was reminded that film-noir was created as a low budget film style. Budget writing, acting and special effects. The racial stereotyping seems pretty accurate for the period. Irish, Italian, Mexican, and black all get the old-style treatment.<br />
<blockquote>
<i>Eye can give you wings . . .</i><br />
Aware of what that offered entailed, I said nothing. There were worse things than endless servitude to the Gate, and believing the dragon was at all a thing I could trust with my life and my soul was one of them.</blockquote>
How does that last sentence parse for you? I found the writing a awkward in places. I guess it helped that the protagonist was so taciturn.<br />
<br />
Problems arise and and are solved with little to no organic development. The characters remain invariant through the course of the story. It didn't help that the characters had no interesting quirks or habits to give them color.<br />
<br />
Both Nick and the dragon have been around for 1600 years and yet seem pretty naive and clumsy. You'd think Nick would be a combination of Sherlock Holmes and Bruce Lee by now. Unfortunately strict adherence to the genre requires that he miss the obvious and constantly get knocked out cold.<br />
<blockquote>
I wondered what else had been altered just by that one card. I suspected I’d find out before too long.<br />
And I suspected that at least something caused by that alteration would come back to haunt me and maybe offer the dragon another chance to free himself again . . . even if more than a city burned next time...</blockquote>
Teaser for more books? I hope not.<br />
<br />
Knaak may be more of a pure fantasy expert. Maybe I should try some of his other works. The story was okay as an exercise in genre but the characters were flat and the period color work was stilted.<br />
<br />
Finished 12/08/2016 5:27 AMAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12364430499339279448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3221363021652022916.post-31014009333200718732016-12-08T18:59:00.001-08:002016-12-08T19:16:52.088-08:00Blood of Tyrants by Naomi Novik<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780345522900?aff=billbo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/900/522/FC9780345522900.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" title="Blood of Tyrants" /></a>
<br />
<div dir="ltr">
Been a while since I've read this series but there was enough of a recap built in to the first part of the story to get me back in to the swing of things.<br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
The dragon's naiveté is a continuing, and mostly the only source of humor in an otherwise grim and stodgy alternate universe set during the Napoleonic wars.<br />
<br />
The globe-spanning Temeraire series hits every continent, exposing us to different dragon-human cultures. In this book we start with Japan and China in the first half of the book and finish with Russia.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
Of all the different ways dragons coexist with man around the world Russia is the worst, and sadly as our memory-deficient protagonist Lawrence learns, Britain is not far ahead. The amnesia gimmick is kind of hokey but forgivable given that it is book eight in the series. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
The parallel to the Napoleonic wars is roughly accurate so we have a general idea of how the rest of series will play out. There are hints early on in the book that there may be a North American story in the future.<br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Believable period dialog and societal conventions combined with some exciting battles carry this and previous books in the series. I look forward to future installments of the Temeraire series. <br />
<br />
Finished reading November 27, 2016</div>
bllbohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03026353524510189473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3221363021652022916.post-26545990160967868432016-12-08T15:46:00.001-08:002016-12-08T15:46:22.622-08:00Set This House in Order by Matt Ruff<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780060954857?aff=billbo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/857/954/FC9780060954857.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" title="Set This House In Order" /></a>
This is a story of a man with multiple personality disorder who tries to resolve his internal issues while trying to live a 'normal' life. His 'house' is populated by over a hundred personalities, the strongest handle different aspects of his life. Things get complicated when someone tries to play matchmaker when a woman with MPD is hired. <br />
<br />
The developing romance is complicated by their attempt to control and/or cure their psychological issues. Sensitive, funny and dramatic in turns, Matt Ruff gives us a satisfying story about an uncomfortable subject. There is controversy over whether MPD actually exists, but that need not be of concern as Ruff is first and foremost a story teller, and uses MPD as a device to explore the characters rather than taking sides on the issue.<br />
<br />
I've read <i>Fool on the Hill</i> and <i>Bad Monkeys</i> by Matt Ruff as well. Both great reads.<br />
<br />
Read March 10, 2014bllbohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03026353524510189473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3221363021652022916.post-25101141352416228352016-12-08T14:37:00.000-08:002016-12-08T14:37:25.816-08:00Something More Than Night by Ian Tregillis<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780765334329?aff=billbo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="SomethingMoreThanNight" src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/329/334/FC9780765334329.JPG" float="left" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br />
<i>Something More Than Night</i> is Ian Tregillis's first novel after the completion of his very popular Milkweed Triptych.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It falls into the category of Judeo-Christian urban fantasy. Similar to Bobby Dollar (Tad Williams) and Sandman Slim (Richard Kadrey). Tregillis does a fantastic job of world-building a heaven based closely on the works of Thomas Aquinas.<br />
<br />
Tregillis follows the classic Hammett/Chandler gumshoe/film noir narrative. It is true to the genre but doesn't cross the line into parody. The mystery is seen through to its conclusion and the damsel in distress is protected without the story being predictable.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This is a standalone novel that isn't begging for a sequel or series treatment. Well worth the read.<br />
<br />
Read February 15, 2014</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12364430499339279448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3221363021652022916.post-47432417516189314302016-12-08T00:31:00.000-08:002016-12-08T00:31:39.169-08:00Butcher Bird by Richard Kadrey<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781597800860&aff=billbo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/860/800/FC9781597800860.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" title="Butcher Bird" /></a>
A pretty interesting standalone Urban Fantasy novel from the guy who brought us Sandman Slim. The book precedes Slim but shares many common elements. Our hero is a San Francisco tattoo artist who is violently introduced to the "real" world where monsters, angels and demons share the world without regular people realizing anything is out of the ordinary. He and his companions must travel to hell to seek the means to return our hero's life back to "normal".<br />
<br />
Great action, a talent for describing weird monsters and fantastical lands, and some smart-alecky banter make this a fast-paced fun read.<br />
<br />
The guys got a way with words:<br />
<blockquote>
No, you're going to kill yourself because you can't stand the real world. Reality is a two-ton weight strapped to your balls. And they just keep getting heavier.</blockquote>
I'm not a fan of tattoos or the tattoo and piercing culture but I like the author's treatment of the subject:<br />
<blockquote>
Spyder saw much of his early ink less as a tribute to the art and more to his own neuroses. He wore his fear on his skin for everyone to see.</blockquote>
A timely pop culture reference given that the Sr. Strange movie just came out recently.<br />
<blockquote>
"You need to work, dude. Get back to what you know and what you're good at. I bet you could really make the colors dance now that you've got all those Dr. Strange super powers."</blockquote>
On an interesting side note Kadrey had his short story "Carbon Copy" turned into the movie <i>No Ordinary Baby</i>, starring Bridget Fonda. He called it a truly awful film. Interesting. Gotta check it out.<br />
<br />
Finished reading the book 12/06/2016 6:27 AM.bllbohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03026353524510189473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3221363021652022916.post-30126062787249107392016-12-04T17:09:00.001-08:002016-12-04T17:10:32.945-08:00Lifehacker's 17 Science Fiction Books - A good start<a href="http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2016/09/17-science-fiction-books-that-forever-changed-the-genre/">17 Science Fiction Books That Forever Changed The Genre | Lifehacker Australia</a><br /><br />
Some good suggestions in the user comments as well.<br /><br />
A pretty good list of seminal sci-fi books, although I agree with Paul F Tompkins' H G Wells character from <a href="http://thedeadauthorspodcast.libsyn.com/">The Dead Authors Podcast</a> that Jules Verne did not really write science fiction.<br /><br />
If I ever get around to making my own list I'd add E E 'Doc' Smith as the father of space opera. Both the Skylark and Lensman series are well worth the read.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12364430499339279448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3221363021652022916.post-41027526482537588012016-02-13T14:44:00.000-08:002016-11-29T22:45:53.971-08:00The Merchants Series by Charles StrossThe first I heard of this series I put off reading it for fear of getting bogged down in an intricate and plodding story of business practices in a fantasy world. When I read the <i>The Folding Knife</i> by K J Parker I found it enjoyable but trying at times. A series of books of this type may have been tiresome.<br /><br />
I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was more of an adventure series that straddled the "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Perils_of_Pauline_(1914_serial)" target="_blank">Perils of Pauline</a>" type adventure. The damsel in distress is the central character that provides the viewpoint among the parallel worlds of 14th century feudalism, 18th century industrialism, and 20th century (contemporary) infosphere.<br /><br />
The series takes a harsh (accurate) view of the Bush-Cheney presidency and its infrastructure. The existence of secret military excursions is disturbing and prescient.<br />
<br />
I hope Stross finds the time or will to either put a cap on the series or at least add another novel. The multiverse is still barely understood and our protagonist is still struggling in precarious circumstances.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780765355911?aff=billbo"><img alt="TheTradeOfQueens" src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/911/355/FC9780765355911.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid #000;" /></a>
<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780765355904?aff=billbo"><img alt="TheRevolutionBusiness" src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/904/355/FC9780765355904.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid #000;" /></a>
<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780765355898?aff=billbo"><img alt="TheMerchantsWar" src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/898/355/FC9780765355898.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid #000;" /></a>
<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780765348227?aff=billbo"><img alt="TheClanCorporate" src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/227/348/FC9780765348227.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid #000;" /></a>
<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780765352057?aff=billbo"><img alt="TheHiddenFamily" src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/057/352/FC9780765352057.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid #000;" /></a>
<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780765348210?aff=billbo"><img alt="TheFamilyTrade" src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/210/348/FC9780765348210.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid #000;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12364430499339279448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3221363021652022916.post-85160144646145891142016-01-27T22:19:00.001-08:002016-01-29T14:11:39.751-08:00The e-Reader Industry Needs to Address e-book Content Errors<a href="http://goodereader.com/blog/e-book-news/the-e-reader-industry-needs-to-address-e-book-content-errors">The e-Reader Industry Needs to Address e-book Content Errors</a>(goodereader.com):<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Major publishers collectively sold 250 million e-books in 2015 and a significant number of titles fail in the quality and control department. Some e-books have spelling mistakes and others have formatting issues. Unfortunately Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and Google are not doing enough to empower users with the ability to report e-books who have content errors.<br />
<br />
Amazon is the only e-reader company that allows users to report...</blockquote>
<br />
There has been significant improvement since the early days of eBooks but there is still a difference in quality when it comes to physical vs. electronic publications. The example in the article ("corner" showing up as "comer" in the electronic version) is a typical OCR problem. This indicates a continuing disconnect in the publishing houses where proofing and revision management is not handled as seriously for eBook releases.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12364430499339279448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3221363021652022916.post-60777649898541018922014-07-01T15:56:00.001-07:002014-07-01T15:56:13.962-07:00Turn Your Android Tablet into the Ultimate eReader | The eBook Reader Blog<a href="http://blog.the-ebook-reader.com/2014/06/23/turn-your-android-tablet-into-the-ultimate-ereader/">Turn Your Android Tablet into the Ultimate eReader | The eBook Reader Blog</a><br /><br />
<br /><br />
Nice list of all the apps you can get to make your Android tablet an e-reader. The only thing missing (and absolutely necessary) is Calibre.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12364430499339279448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3221363021652022916.post-33972229384094428792014-02-21T11:11:00.004-08:002014-02-21T11:11:44.609-08:00Born Standing Up by Steve Martin<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781416553656?aff=billbo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="BornStandingUp" src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/656/553/FC9781416553656.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a>Martin tellingly claims that this is more a biography than an autobiography because he doesn't look on his comedy past as part of his current life. He reads the audio book himself and it is worth listening although he is a bit dull in the first half of the book. <br />
<br />
The second half is quite entertaining, with Martin acting out some of his bits. Martin is not boastful, nor does he gloss over the low points of his personal life or professional career.
<br />
<br />
I listen to quite a few podcasts featuring comedians as hosts or guests. Many have commented on how good the book is, and several have said the audiobook is well worth a try. Its not a comedy album nor is it a roller coaster of laughs and witty anecdotes. It is an important work; an honest look into the life of a comedian who quit stand-up at the peak of his career and became a very private man.<br />
<br />
bllbohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03026353524510189473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3221363021652022916.post-14030925506097433802014-02-15T22:01:00.000-08:002016-12-07T16:05:25.233-08:00Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780446556149?aff=billbo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img title="BadMonkey" src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/149/556/FC9780446556149.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><i>Bad Monkey</i> is another in a series of crime novels set in Florida and its environs. Hiaasen is very good at writing humorous crime stories featuring corrupt and incompetent law enforcement and bumbling criminals (or henchmen).<br />
<br />
While some have complained that Hiaasen may be drawing on the well too many times, his spare, clean writing style and dry sense of humor makes every new offering in this genre a pleasure to read. I'm both looking forward to more books in this genre as well as going back and reading novels I've missed.<br />
<br />
I don't read much fiction that that isn't sci-fi or fantasy but Hiaasen is a writer I've sampled from time to time with great satisfaction.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12364430499339279448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3221363021652022916.post-38427602502583982232014-02-13T18:52:00.003-08:002014-02-13T18:53:21.264-08:00Ex-Purgatory by Peter Clines<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780804136617?aff=billbo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Ex-Purgatory" src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/617/136/FC9780804136617.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a>
The Ex-Heroes series continues with <i>Ex-Purgatory</i>, the fourth book in the series. Clines manages to keep the series fresh and interesting while sticking to the same cast of characters.<br />
<br />
The action/adventure aspect of the book is just of good as the previous books. The superhero vs. zombie battles are pretty much the same as the other books but I haven't grown tired of it yet. Breaking zombie teeth on impervious skin and punching right through skulls is still fun to read about. What keeps the book fresh is the quality of character development.<br />
<br />
The alternate reality story line gives Clines the opportunity to dig deeper into the superhero characters without falling back on flashbacks. At the same time Clines gets to introduce zombies to the world again.<br />
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A fun read with a page-turning plot and characters you have a stake in. Its essentially like reading a superhero comic book but without the pictures and with greater depth. Can't wait for the next one.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12364430499339279448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3221363021652022916.post-64393471669832332052014-02-11T15:30:00.001-08:002014-02-11T15:30:24.508-08:00The Republic of Thieves by Scott Lynch
<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780575084476?aff=billbo" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="RepublicOfThieves" src="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/476/084/FC9780575084476.JPG" onerror="this.src = 'http://www.indiebound.org/files/book_not_found.jpg';" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><i>The Republic of Thieves</i> by Scott Lynch is the third book in the Locke Lamora series. There was a very long gap in time between the second and third books, with the protagonist, Lamora, poisoned and dying with no known antidote available.<br />
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<i>Republic of Thieves</i> continues the story of Lamora with a clever solution to the poison problem and goes on to focus on the relationship between Lamora and the love of his life, Sabetha.<br />
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The book alternates between the current battle of wits between Locke and Sabetha and the past history of their relationship from the first time they met to the first time they became lovers.<br />
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The core of the story is how they are forced to oppose each other in a political contest while trying to rekindle their relationship. There is some good action and clever plot twists. While there is some good character development I think the overall story arc suffers from changing too many times while being developed. The bondsmagi sub-plot seemed wedged in to force the continuation of the series.<br />
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Overall a great read. Can't wait for the next in the series, which sounds like it will be more action adventure and less romance.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12364430499339279448noreply@blogger.com0