Monday, January 30, 2012

Review: Books Can Be Deceiving


Books Can Be Deceiving
Books Can Be Deceiving by Jenn McKinlay

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I enjoyed this first book in a series about Lindsay a small town Library Director and her best friend, Beth the children’s librarian in the Connecticut seaside town of Briar Creek. The sheriff is a sexist idiot so Lindsay has to solve the crime and clear her friend’s name. Lots of interesting characters and the town is so well described I feel like vacationing there next summer. Best thing is that the second book in the series is due in just a little over a month release date is March 6th per good reads.



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Saturday, January 28, 2012

Review: Sentenced to Death


Sentenced to Death
Sentenced to Death by Lorna Barrett

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



This was by far the weakest book in the series, I particularly didn't care for the "murder weapon". I just found it too unbelievable. The writing is still good, but the main character's obvious unhappiness with her life, even after making one of her life's dreams opening the mystery bookshop successful even in a poor economy makes for a lees enjoyable read. Another thing missing from earlier books in the series is Trish doesn't seem to read anymore and talk about the bookshop and classic mystery authors is almost non existent.

I hope her next entry in the series is more of a return to the the early books which I liked much better.



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Friday, January 27, 2012

Review: Nightmare in Pink


Nightmare in Pink
Nightmare in Pink by John D. MacDonald

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This is a terrific, just a tiny notch below 5 stars and I give 5 stars to next to nothing. MacDonald's writing is near perfection.

The insect experts have learned how it works with locusts. Until locust population reaches a certain density, they all act like any grasshoppers. When the, critical point is reached, they turn savage and swarm, and try to eat the world. We're nearing a critical point. One day soon two strangers will bump into each other at high won in the middle of New York. But this time they won't snarl and go on. They will stop and stare and then leap at each others' throats in a dreadful silence. The infection will spread outward from that point. Old ladies will crack skulls with their deadly handbags. Cars will plunge down the crowded sidewalks. Drivers will be torn out of their cars and stomped. It will spread to all the huge cities of the world, and by dawn of the next day there will be a horrid silence of sprawled bodies and tumbled vehicles, gutted buildings and a few wisps of smoke. And through that silence will prowl a few, a very few of the most powerful ones, ragged and bloody, slowly tracking each other down.

I can only think of the pervasive zombie genre and wonder if this is what makes it so popular.

Even the villains of the piece have interesting things to say.

"I read a great deal. It's the only way we have to lead more lives than one."

Me too, I can be an astronaut in the morning, a deep sea diver in the afternoon, and a vampire in the evening or Travis the kinght is rusty armor, anytime during a sleepless night.



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Thursday, January 26, 2012

Review: Dread Brass Shadows


Dread Brass Shadows
Dread Brass Shadows by Glen Cook

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Sydney Greenstreet should play Fido Easterman in the movie, Cooks dialogue between Garrett and Fido is pure Fatman and Sam Spade.

Another smile tried to break through and died young, smothered by fat. "Yes. As you surmise, my name is not Lubbock. No sir. That is merely wishful thinking, the heartfelt desire to walk the same path as the great Lubbocks of centuries past."

Fido doesn't have a large part in the novel but he's pure hard boiled fun, for a crazy man. This series get's better the deeper you go into it. While each case is separate they all tie together with many returning characters in each novel.



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Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Review: Crocodile on the Sandbank


Crocodile on the Sandbank
Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



This book was ok just the romance between the two younger characters seemed drawn out and slow, especially after the love at first sight. If this is the way Victorians actually arranged to get married, the British Isles would have a much lower population.

The mystery itself was pretty decent and the setting as well as the writing were much better then the romance parts. Amelia and Emerson are an entertaining pair of characters. I’ll try the second book in the series eventually, now that the tedious romance has been resolved.




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Monday, January 23, 2012

Review: Deep Blue Good By


Deep Blue Good By
Deep Blue Good By by John D. MacDonald

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I enjoy MacDonald's writing here's a small example of a Travis McGee monologue

And I am wary of a lot of other things, such as plastic credit cards, payroll deductions, insurance programs, retirement benefits, savings accounts, Green Stamps, time clocks, newspapers, mortgages, sermons, miracle fabrics, deodorants, check lists, time payments, political parties, lending libraries, television, actresses, junior chambers of commerce, pageants, progress, and manifest destiny.


This is timeless writing, written in 1964 take away the green stamps and it could have been yesterday. This is the first McGee novel and we learn the origins of the Busted Flush, how she got her name and owner.



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Sunday, January 22, 2012

Review: Martians in Maggody


Martians in Maggody
Martians in Maggody by Joan E. Hess

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



It seems downright peculiar that all the alien babies are born in South America," Estelle was grumbling as I came across the tiny dance floor of Ruby Bee's Bar & Grill.

How's that for a first line of a novel, doesn't it make you want to know just what's going on in Maggody. Arly the sheriff who came back to Maggody to escape from the madness of New York City is once again trying to remain sane, unlike all the other crazy residents of her hometown.

This isn't the strongest entry in the series but this eighth book in Arly's saga is very entertaining, and recommended to fans of the series of someone looking for a funny mystery.



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Saturday, January 21, 2012

Review: Old Tin Sorrows


Old Tin Sorrows
Old Tin Sorrows by Glen Cook

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Not a nero wolfe homage as the Dead Man stays dead to the world until the final scenes, this one's all Garrett and Morely in a country manor like Christie's "And Then There Were None". Of course it's a fantasy so there is a lot more going on then would in a normal mystery.

This fourth volume in the series is where Cook really starts to shine, this is by far my favorite volume so far, I'm looking forward to the next in the series.



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Friday, January 20, 2012

Review: Tiger Eye


Tiger Eye
Tiger Eye by Marjorie M. Liu

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



This book was not for me. I thought that it might be the case but I wanted to try it anyways. I'd never read anything by the author but know of her comic book work and the description of the book sounded so kick butt that I hoped the romance angle would be pretty low key, unfortunately I was wrong. Many times during the book either during an action or when the character's should have taken action, they reflected on their feelings, it really slowed down the pacing.

I think if you like romance or paranormal romance you should ignore this review and give this book a try. The writing is good and I liked many of the elements of the plot. The low number of stars reflects my own preferences.



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Thursday, January 19, 2012

Review: Thieves' World


Thieves' World
Thieves' World by Robert Lynn Asprin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This is the first shared world anthology I've ever read back in the late 1970's, it may be the first ever published, lots followed like Wild Cards and Merovingen Nights two of my favorites.

My favorite stories from this first volume are Poul Anderson and Marion Zimmer Bradley, my favorite character is the thief Shadowspawn by Andrew Offutt who went on to write a standalone novel Shadowspawn.

This one paragraph from Anderon's story says more about the series then 10,000 words from myself could ever say.
Beneath a westering sun, the bazaar surged and clamoured. Merchants, artisans, porters, servants, slaves, wives, nomads, courtesans, entertainers, beggars, thieves, gamblers, magicians, acolytes, soldiers, and who knew what else mingled, chattered, chaffered, quarrelled, plotted, sang, played games, drank, ate, and who knew what else. Horsemen, camel-drivers, waggoners pushed through, raising waves of curses. Music tinkled and tweedled from wine-shops. Vendors proclaimed the wonders of their wares from booths, neighbours shouted at each other, and devotees chanted from flat rooftops. Smells thickened the air, of flesh, sweat, roast meat and nuts, aromatic drinks, leather, wool, dung, smoke, oils, cheap perfume.




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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Review: Hit or Myth


Hit or Myth
Hit or Myth by Robert Lynn Asprin

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



"When things are blackest, I just tell myself 'cheer up, things could be worse!' And sure enough, they get worse!"

SKEEVE


But if you need cheering up just read the book, the fourth volume in the myth series finds Skeeve working on his own and doing well? The jokes are just as dumb but still funny.

"The only thing worse than a sorcerer is a sorcerer's apprentice."

M. MOUSE


It's great fun when Skeeve takes on the mob and a marriage happy princess as he takes the kings place.



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Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Review: Cold Copper Tears


Cold Copper Tears
Cold Copper Tears by Glen Cook

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Bogart and Bacall, Garrett, Jill and Maya this is a cross between the Big Sleep and Nero Wolfe with the fat man Wolfe replaced by the Dead Man, Fritz by Dean. And while it's all been done before it's never been done this way in the town of TunFaire with dark elves street assassins, trolls, dwarfs, and gods.

Recommended to anyone who looking for a hard boiled mystery in a very different setting.



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Monday, January 16, 2012

Review: Myth Directions


Myth Directions
Myth Directions by Robert Lynn Asprin

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Funny book in the Myth series, this one's a take on sports as Aahz, Skeeve and some of their friends from the first two books take on the cities of Ta-Hoe and Veygus to rescue Tananda. Along the way we meet trolls and trollops and a pervert or prevect. First published in 1982 some of the quotes used as chapter headers may be lost on younger readers, from semi famous people of the day like Doug Hemming, Howard Cosell, but there still entertaining puns.

"As any magician will tell you-Myth Directions is the secret of a successful steal." -D. HEMMING

"Old heroes never die; they reappear in sequels" M. MOORCOCK

"War may be Hell. .. but it's good for business!" -THE ASSOCIATION FOR MERCHANTS, MANUFACTURERS, AND MORTICIANS

"-Or was it unlock the safe then swim to the surface?" -H. HOUDINI

I miss Bob Asprin he died much too young, if you enjoy a silly fantasy now and again this may be just the book for you.





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Sunday, January 15, 2012

Review: My Own Kind of Freedom: A Firefly Novel


My Own Kind of Freedom: A Firefly Novel
My Own Kind of Freedom: A Firefly Novel by Steven Brust

My rating: 0 of 5 stars



My Own Kind of Freedom: A Firefly Novel is a novel written by established fantasy novelist Steven Brust "on spec". It was originally proposed as an official Firefly novel to be licensed by Universal Pictures, but it was rejected. In 2008 it was instead published by Brust on the internet under a Creative Commons license as fan fiction. from http://firefly.wikia.com/wiki/My_Own_Kind_of_Freedom


Download the novel here. link: Link

I thought the TV show was great as well as the movie and the comics so when I found this "fan fic" by a professional author I dove right in. Burst gets the pacing of the story just right with spot on dialogue from the characters. Only thing that might make this better is if it was longer and continued with more books, but I blame Universal Pictures for that for not picking up this book as an official work, but many thanks to Steven Burst for releasing this under creative commons. I'd never read any of his other work, but I will now for sure.



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Saturday, January 14, 2012

Review: Bewitched & Betrayed


Bewitched & Betrayed
Bewitched & Betrayed by Lisa Shearin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I absolutely loved the first three books in the Raine Beanres series, but I hadn’t discovered them until just before the third book in the series was to be published. I like to read fantasy in trilogies so it worked out perfect for me. With the sixth book due out in May it’s time for me to get caught up with the soon to be sextet.

I loved this novel, at times I felt like I was in the streets of Waterdeep and was sneaking around looking to settle a score. Mid feels like a great place to RPG in, like Lankhmar or Sanctuary, but the protagonist Raines is so likable and believable it propels the world be so much more.

Most of the characters from the first three books are back, and with the addition of my favorite new character, Imala Kalis. My biggest complaint she didn’t have enough scenes in this novel for my taste but I hope that is rectified in books five and six. Imala is the dimpled head of the goblin secret service and an old acquaintance of Tams.

If you like the first three books you should get going on this volume soon. Even though you could hop in here enough is explained in the opening chapters that you don’t have to read the first three volumes why deny yourself the pleasure.




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Thursday, January 12, 2012

Review: The Gods of Mars


The Gods of Mars
The Gods of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



The mighty airship pirates make their first appearance in this volume of the Barsoom saga along with Thuvia the maid of Mars. The Black Pirates are the First Born race of Barsoom

"The First Born do no work.  The men fight--that is a sacred
privilege and duty; to fight and die for Issus. The women do
nothing, absolutely nothing. Slaves wash them, slaves dress
them, slaves feed them. There are some, even, who have
slaves that talk for them, and I saw one who sat during
the rites with closed eyes while a slave narrated to her the
events that were transpiring within the arena."


Burroughs doesn't think to highly of the black skinned race of Barsoom, but still manages to impress and make an ally of one of his opponents.

John Carter is as honorable and heroic as ever
I said, placing my hand upon his shoulder,
"you know best the promptings of your own heart. That I
shall need your sword I have little doubt, but accept from
John Carter upon his sacred honour the assurance that he
will never call upon you to draw this sword other than in
the cause of truth, justice, and righteousness."


Truth Justice and the American way, I wonder if the creators of superman were John Carter fans.

Thuvia is just itching to be with him

"I forget nothing, my Prince," she replied.  "You have
spoken no word of love to me, nor do I expect that you
ever shall; but nothing can prevent me loving you. I would
not take the place of Dejah Thoris. My greatest ambition is to
serve you, my Prince, for ever as your slave. No greater boon
could I ask, no greater honour could I crave, no greater
happiness could I hope."






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Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Review: Soulless


Soulless
Soulless by Gail Carriger

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



This was an enjoyable first book in a series with some interesting character’s like a gruff werewolf the earl of Woolsey and a foppish vampire the Lord Akeldama, the headstrong heroine, Alexia of the piece is terrific. I loved the opening scene of the novel in the library with when the vampire tries to attack Alexia.

This is the author’s first novel and I thought the pacing of the first half of the novel was a bit slow, but I liked her light hearted style that made the book fun to read.

What I didn’t like about the book is Alexia who throughout the novel is a match for anyone, after almost being told exactly how to defeat the Homunculus she still never thinks of it herself and has to be told again before she can partially defeat him.

The villain of the piece is completely one dimensional and no compelling reason is put forward as to why he was doing the things he did. At least the weak willed American doctor who is his ally has familial reasons for hating the supernatural creatures.

Lastly I thought the book was supposed to be a steampunk novel but aside from a brief mention in an early chapter about airships and a mention of a Babbage engine the story was pretty much an Urban Fantasy or Paranormal Romance. The steampunk aspect might be expanded in further books in the series.

****SPOILERS*****

I liked it enough to probably try the next book in the series.




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Sunday, January 8, 2012

Review: Halting State


Halting State
Halting State by Charles Stross

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I read the two Halting States novels out of order, I’d gotten Rule 34 first, after reading that I got a copy of Halting States and liked it every bit as much as Rule 34. Some reviewers didn’t like the book because as Rule 34 was it’s written in multiple second person point of view, just like interactive fiction, very appropriate for a thriller about Augmented Realty Games, spies and the collapse of the web in a society who use it for everything from self driving cars to policing to logistics.

Oh and the writing is great too

“You emerge from the politie station blinking robotically, like an animatronic ground-hog with a short circuit”

“you’ll have a job in a bank lined up by next week, fixing broken spreadsheets while wearing a suit with one of those strangulation devices, what do they call them…?”

“so-called because it was new when it was built in the 1760s: Edinburgh has history the way cats have bad breath”

“Because it’s a thing of beauty, the ability to spin the cloth of reality, and you’re a sucker for it: Isn’t story-telling what being human is all about?”

Those are just a few of my favorite lines in the book, Stross also manages to throw in references to Ankh-Morpork and the TARDIS. Right now he’s my favorite modern SF author.




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Friday, January 6, 2012

Review: Girl Genius, Vol. 1: Agatha Heterodyne and the Beetleburg Clank


Girl Genius, Vol. 1: Agatha Heterodyne and the Beetleburg Clank
Girl Genius, Vol. 1: Agatha Heterodyne and the Beetleburg Clank by Phil Foglio

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Intro to a steampunk adventure, Agatha Clay is having a bad day, robbed then her favorite professor at Transylvania Polygnostic University is killed. Her Aunt and Uncle want her to pack up and flee the invading army. But something else happens instead.

A little short but it's an interesting story and I'll be on the lookout for more volumes in the series



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Review: Rule 34


Rule 34
Rule 34 by Charles Stross

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I just finished re-reading Ready Player One, and the dark future it paints is a cake walk in comparison with the snap shot we get of Scotland in the not very distant future at all. I loved RPO it was a wild ride of 80's games, music, and movies and while it was a lot more fun to read then this, Rule 34 is clearly the better book. With lots of flawed and interesting characters and a frighteningly familiar world and great writing like "you don't need to mix the metaphor to drink the cocktail" and "they squawk and cackle like nuns at a wife swapping party". With writing like that you don't need a hero to cheer for, with Stross's real human characters the story comes alive and the killer is a surprise. Do the police always get their man?



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Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Review: The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack


The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack
The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack by Mark Hodder

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I'm a sucker for a good time travel story and this one was action packed and filled with time travel twists. A good cast of characters leading with Richard Burton actually went to PG to download some of his free books, as an explorer and adventurer his was first rate, I’m wondering what type of writer he was. Algernon Swinburne was my favorite character, the diminutive masochist was funny and strangely heroic.

The best line in the novel was Burton’s “Still hanging around with the wrong crowd!” after a character is unexpectedly hung, unfortunately it was also too big of a coincidence saving the hero’s life, that along with some early pacing problem with info dumps that took far too long brouth this down from a 4 star to a three star book for me. I’m going to get book 2 and give that a try soon as book 3 is coming out this month I believe.




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Sunday, January 1, 2012

Review: Grave Witch

Grave Witch
Grave Witch by Kalayna Price

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Well this had all the makings of a 3 ½ to 4 star book until it hit the sex chapter, before that it was a dark bloody tale told in a light and entertaining way. Alex is a Grave Witch is one who can talk to the dead, and she does one ghost in particular is very entertaining Roy, she can also see and talk to death and his cronies

SPOILER!!!!













I was really enjoying the book until Alex who is temporarily blinded and Falin who is spelled and acting drugged start to have sex. Now you could see this was coming all through the book but the author waited until they were impaired to actually get the ball rolling. I don’t particularly care if there is graphic sex scenes in a book but I do have condition, it shouldn’t be boring. Sex isn’t boring, reading about it shouldn’t be boring. The chapter just seemed to go on and on, maybe I didn’t like it because they were impaired and it was written as though they were. I’m not sure. But all and all a fine book, I just should have skimmed that chapter and it’d be a 4 star book




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