Review: Ark - Stephen Baxter

Rating: 2
Husband: Didn't Read
Got it: Second Hand Bookstore
Price: $3.50
Finished it: last month


Synopsys:
Hundreds will live, six billion will die.

Our world ended in 2052, the year the last great flood finally overwhelmed the lands.

A desperate bid for survival began in America, in the years before the end. The project which could be our final act could also be an impossible dream: creating a starship to take a few hundred survivors on an epic journey to a new world.

As the waters rise, as savage wars are fought over the remaining high ground, the work goes on. Those who will live, of the billions who will die, are chosen. Families are torn apart and the resources of our drowning world are marshalled for one last gamble.

Ark is the story of three women, Grace, Venus and Holle, and their part in humanity's struggle to reach a new home. For the few survivors, the day of the launch will be only the beginning of the nightmare

Review:

I was sadly disappointed in this book. I really like the idea, but I had to force myself to read this one. It really should be rated a 1, but I pushed hard to get through because there were some pretty interesting concepts that could have been fully flushed out. Sadly, not many of them did.

The end of the world is here, water is creeping up inch by inch and there is only going to be a few ways that people can survive. This book focuses on the people/children that get sent up into space to re-populate a new planet and carry on the human race.

I don't know where to really begin, but every awesome idea that peeked my interest, was never fully explored. I found the lack of discipline by the chosen/trained survivors to be annoying. WHO would train their whole life to become the first idiot jerk in space and knowingly FUBAR the mission when your lives totally depend on it, not to mention the entire human race? Forget all the science and calculations on how long to get there, resources on ship for the number of people etc.

Also, if we could make faster than light space travel that could sustain life in a vacuum for 45 years, then I think maybe they could have made a floating city that would have been able to manage to keep people on earth alive a little better then a "giant submarine with only 100 people on it".

Anyway, there are enough thought provoking ideas in the book that it’s going to get a 2, but really it should be a 1. I skimmed many a chapter. I cursed at many a chapter. If you like space exploration, coupled with extreme human drama, the second half of this book is for you. If you like post apocalyptic human drama as resources become more and more scarce, then the first half of this book is for you.

Review: The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger - Stephen King

Rating: 4

Husband: loved it

Found it: SHBS

Price: $1.50

Finished it: early 2012

Synopsys:

It tells the story of the gunslinger, Roland of Gilead, and his quest to catch the man in black, the first of many steps towards his ultimate destination - the Dark Tower.

Review: 

I had read these story when I was much younger and had really forgotten what it was all about and never did complete the series, which I am in the middle of now.  Stephen Kings writing in this is gritty, dirty, and desperate. I can taste the sand between my teeth while reading this.

If the first line in this book doesn't just grab you by the neck and make you want to read more, I don't know what will.

"The man in black fled accross the desert, and the Gunsligner followed".

Fraking beautiful.

Review: Wolf Moon - Charles De Lint

Rating: 3
Husband: liked it
Got it: Second Hand Bookstore
Price: $1.25
Finished: Last month

Synopsys:
His name when he was human was Kern. Now he is the most feared of beings: a werewolf. When the change first came upon him, his parents drove him away with silver daggers. Later, he sought human companionship, but he could not hide the truth for long. And so he kept running until he ran headlong into the deadliest pursuer of all-a harper bent on stealing his life away. By chance Kern was able to find refuge at the Inn of the Yellow Tinker, and the woman he was destined to love. But can he risk both human and harper vengeance to keep her?

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Review:

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"The Inn of the Yellow Tinker", if that doesn't make you want to find a chair to curl up in with a cuppa tea and read this book, then I don't know what would! 

This is an old book by Charles De Lint, and (if you believe the interwebs) not an easy one to find, so I'm glad that it caught my eye while I was cruising the second hand bookstore.

It was an easy read, flowing style, and a wonderful plot. By todays standards, I would almost classify it as a "longish" short story.  If course, I really enjoy diving into a giant brick of a book, like Patrick Rothfuss writes.

The story was charming and the characters were red-cheeked wholesome farmers. The antagonist was an interesting fellow, and I liked that more was reviled about him through the story.  Great Stuff.

Definatley seek this little story out if you see it.

Review: Living with the Dead, Year One - Joshua Guess

Rating: 4
Husband: Loved it
Got it: Kindle
Price: $5.99
Finished it: last month

Synopsys:
(Comprised of Book I and Book II already available on Kindle) Living With the Dead - Year One is a serialized story of everyday life at the beginning of and during the zombie apocalypse. Its original format was and is an almost daily blog.

Told in the author's own voice, LWtD is the story of a group of survivors in central Kentucky, working to stay alive amid the violence and chaos of a crumbling civilization. Faced with threats and challenges that tax their endurance and force them to make terrible choices, the story follows the survivors day to day.

From the viewpoint of one man and his friends, the answer to the question of what people will become when the rules no longer apply begins to emerge. For some, it is violent conflict.

For others who only want to live in peace, this is a journey toward understanding that in a world of the dead, the only choice is to truly live.

Review:
This was awesome.  The "book" is done blog style, including typos and all - as the author Joshua Guess explains - to make it seem more real. 

This is also a real time blog, (http://www.livingwiththedead.net/) that you can follow daily as well, so, should you be a dedicated blog reader, you really don't have to buy anything. You can just got and start at post 1 on the blog and go on through. However, I liked the story, I want to support self pub'ed as much as possible, and I LOVE zombie stuff, so we bought it.

I really enjoyed the time lapse, the urgency, and the how the characters adapted and changed through the different circumstances they were challenged with.  I do enjoy reading blogs, and this fit in well with that.  It was snapshots, sometimes cliff-hangers, sometimes long and rambling, but all in all, well thought out for what could possibly happen should there be a zombie outbreak and the world as we know it go bye-bye, and there is still the interwebs to write about it.

I really enjoyed the description of the zombie mutation, I liked the twists that it held later on. It kept it more fresh in terms of out-thinking "mindless" zombies.   There were the occational times where I was brought out of the story by some continuity stuff, and a few times I didn't think that the activity matched the time stamp (farming times, etc), but all in all a wonderful entertaining and great peek into the lives of surivors.

If you like blogs and zombies (and who doesn't.... do you hate bacon too?), the give this book a shot.

Review: On Basilisk Station - David Webber

Rating: 3
Husband: Loved it
Got it: Second Hand Bookstore
Price: $2.50
Finished: 2 months ago

Synopsys:
The first novel in David Weber's popular Honor Harrington series, On Basilisk Station, follows Commander Honor Harrington and Her Majesty’s light cruiser Fearless during their assignment to the Basilisk system. Though Basilisk has become a dumping ground for misfits and rejects from her home colony of Manticore, Honor is determined to discharge her duty regardless of the circumstances.

The story follows Honor and her crew as they deal with the responsibilities of their assignment. When their duty leads them to discover events that would lead to an invasion of Manticore, they have no choice but to act.

Review:
Space Opera meets Top Gun!  My Husband is a huge fan of these books and was appalled that I hadn't read them.   So we went about changing that!

I've found book one - On Basilisk Station - at a second hand bookstore and I really enjoyed it.  Some of the space technical stuff was a bit much for me, not being the hard science person like some out there.  I got the big picture technially, and I really liked the ideas he puts in on space travel and warps bands.  Very thoughtful stuff!   The supporting characters can be a little flat, but as the book progressed, they personalities came out more. I love the main character, Honor and her space cat!  She is very pragmatic and I like that in a leader.

The book wasn't what I was expecting at all, and after the first couple of chapters I wasn't sure that I was going to like it.   Once it got rolling, it hooked me.  The action was fast, the ending set up was excellent, I loved the desperation and the great interspace fighting.  Good solid reading material! 

I'm currently keeping an eye out for more of these as I cruise the bookshops.

Review: John Carter of Mars Collection - Edgar Rice Burroughs

Rating: 4
Husband: loved it (long ago when he was a lad)
Got it: Nook
Price: $0.99 for them ALL!
Finished: 2012

Synopsys (A Princess of Mars):

Let the adventures begin, as Captain John Carter finds himself transported to the alien landscape of Mars-where the low gravity increases his speed and strength exponentially. Taken prisoner by Martian warriors, he impresses them with his remarkable fighting skills, and quickly rises to a high-ranking chieftain. But the heroic Carter's powers thrust him right in the middle of a deadly war raging across the planet--and a dangerous romance with a divine princess.

Review: 
After getting dragged unwillingly to go see the Disney film for John Carter of Mars, I was HOOKED. I know the movie got terrible reviews, but I think that had a lot more to do with misplaced expectations then the quality of the movie.

I came home and immediately downloaded the books onto my nook and got to reading that night.

The collection includes three novels by ERB:
A Princess of Mars
The Gods of Mars, and
Warlord of Mars

The style is different then what people read/write now; very documentary style/journal-esk, but I have to say that I was captivated.  I managed to get through all three books in a week. I couldn't put them down and I read well into the early hours of night.  Work suffered.  The dog did not get his regular length morning walks. I was tired.

I don't think that I have had that much book enjoyment for 99 cents ever!  If you have not read these, then I really suggest you do. Also - content appropriate for YA.  Very modest back in the day! 

Also. I love Tars Tarkas!!

Review: Divergent - Veronica Roth

Rating: 2.5
Husband: didn't read
Got it: Airport Retail
Price: $15.99
Finished: last month

Synopsys:
In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Review:
I was disappointed in this read. The premise was interesting, I liked the division of the society into factions, but it felt like it was done for the sake of making the society interesting, not really adding any value.  Each faction seemed to hate the others. So how did it function then? Where were the lessons learned from pre-apocalypse that would make the factions needed.  Wouldn't each faction appreciate the sacrifices of the others?  It ended up as a distraction to me through the book.

The idea is that everyone HAS TO act a certain way, i.e. that they were born to a faction and must act like that faction seemed silly. Then letting people choose to be something else at 16. Duh, who wouldn't at 16?! I would've gone to live with bears in the forest at 16 to get away from my parents. 

Also, The Divergent was supposed to be special, but to me, every character in the book only "acting" like their chosen factions attributes and not actually like that.  Which could be argued as the point of the book, I suppose. For me, it just clouded into a murky "what the hell".   I found it hard to believe that this society was any more successful then the collapsed one, once again, I suppose that could be the point?  Everyone was "playing" at being like this characteristic, but no one really was. Messy.

I also didn't get a clear picture of what the brave class was all about. What were they defending against. Not once was there any idea to what caused this faction to be needed.  There were some fences, and that was all.  Irritating.

The romance and character development of Tris was solid, and I liked how she worked. She was smart, steady and strong without being a superhuman. She was a great character, in fact she is the only reason that I liked the book, so its getting a 2.5 instead of a 2.

I know this is a series, but I don't have enough interest in book one, to bother to read on.

Review: Maze Runner - James Dashner

Rating: 2
Husband: Didn't finish (but I made him start so that I could get validation on my thoughts, which he did)
Got it: Airport Retail
Price: 14.99
Finished: late 2011 

Synopsys:
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Review:
Hated it.

I really had to force myself to finish. Every new scene made me think "what? why?".  Why why why why why?  and stuff like, "that stupid" and "who would do that?" etc etc ad nausium.  It was a poor mans Hunger Games without the excellent background, characters and well... everything else.

I actually turn my head when I see the sequel in stores. 

This book was a resounding disappointment. None of the characters lived up to their selection for "the maze". The whole thing seems really contrived, disjointed, and unappealing to me.

Teens and kids should be given a better ending then, "its a real life video game to solve the worlds problems".  If you want your kid to read something like that, run out now and get them a copy of Enders Game.  Now that a great boy-centric, solve earths problems kind of book that a tween/teen/YA should read.

Note: I have also read reviews from people that say this is one of their favorite books.  *shrug*.  This is my review, and my opinion. I guess I can't like them all.

Review: King of Crags - Stephen Deas

Rating: 2.5
Husband: Reading it
Got it: Second hand bookstore
Price: $7.99
Finished: Recently

Synopsys:
Now, as the Realms teeter on the brink of war, the fate of humanity rests in the survival of one majestic white dragon.

Prince Jehal has had his way-now his lover Zafir sits atop the Realms with hundreds of dragons and their riders at her beck and call. But Jehal's plots are far from over, for he isn't content to sit back and watch Zafir command the earth and sky. He wants that glory for himself- no matter who he must sacrifice to get it. The one thing Jehal fears is that the white dragon still lives-and if that is so, then blood will flow, on all sides...

Review:
Well, this one just didn't 'grab me by hair' like the first book did, The Adamantine Palace.  (My review here).  However, this is a trilogy, so I'm really hoping that last book moves back towards "GOOD GREIF this is awesome" like the first book.  If it ends like the Eragon series (poorly), I'm going to be a sad and disappointed reader.

Onwards.  I found this book particularly hard to get into. I had to force myself to pick it up at night, and then spent my time wishing that it would get electrifying.  The dragon bits were good and they kept me reading. The magic bits were okay, but the whole experience was dampened by the massive amount of politics. 

Not that I don't like a good twisting political drama. I just don't feel that is what is given.  Its kind of...bland.  More princes, lords, and ladies all trying to poison, push and sleep their way to the top....but for what?  There doesn't seem to be a top goal here, there is no real "one ring to lead them all".  I was left thinking why are you bothering? You all have kingdoms, you all have dragons, you all have money, you all have food, and people to work for you. Whats the big deal?  Pride?  What is at stake here?

I just didn't get pulled in, which is why I might be more disappointed in this book then I should be. I was looking for the magic I felt in The Adamantine Palace, and I didn't get it.  If you have ready the first, then I would suggest reading the second, and I hope that book three leaves me more satisfied then this.

Once again, I waited on the second hand bookstore for this big hardback.  In this case, I'm VERY glad that I waited. I would have been pretty bitter to get this story for full price.

Review: Hollowland - Amanda Hocking

Rating: 3
Husband: didn't read
Got it: Kindle
Price: Free download
Finished: recently

Synopsys:

Hollowland - the first book in the young adult dystopian series The Hollows..

"This is the way the world ends - not with a bang or a whimper, but with zombies breaking down the back door."

Nineteen-year-old Remy King is on a mission to get across the wasteland left of America, and nothing will stand in her way - not violent marauders, a spoiled rock star, or an army of flesh-eating zombies.

This is a young adult title with some language, violence, and mild sexual situations recommended for ages sixteen and up.

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Review:
I will admit I'm slightly obsessed with Amanda Hockings success and wish that I had the prolific writing speed that she does.  I have been meaning to read the Tyrlle series, but now that they are no longer self-pub'ed, I'm not sure that I want to pay the $8.99 for the download. For $2.99 I know I would....there's that magic number that J.A.Konrath keeps going on about.  I'll be looking for these in the second hand bookstore for sure.

Back to Hollowland.  For a free book, I can't complain too hard. I felt that some of the situations were a little "out there", but the pace was high, and it kept me turning the pages even if there were times when I was a little drawn out of the story by the unbelievable-ness of a few situations.  However, I did like the lead, her cohorts were great and Amanda didn't scrimp on the death of regular people. Which pleases me.  Also, I like the hook to the next series.

The romance wasn't great, but thats not why I read these books anyway. The climax (so to speak) was rushed and I didn't particularly like it.  I will agree that its for older teens, 16+ for sure since there is full sexual intercourse.

I'm debating part two, Hollowmen.  For $0.99 its hard to go wrong, and I'm leaning to a yes, mostly because of the hook and as I write this I can feel that I'm getting more interested to know what happens, and that is the hallmark of good.  You got me. I want to know.  All in all, if you like a cheap read, and it does keep the pace going, then this is a yes.  It was good.  I'm likely going to DL part two next week, if not tonight while I'm laying in bed deciding what I'm going to pick up off the bedside table.

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Review: Robopocalypse - by Daniel H. Wilson (PhD)

Rating: 5
Husband: Loved it
Where I got it: Second Hand bookstore
Price: $6.99
Finished: Recently

Synopsys:

They are in your house. They are in your car. They are in the skies…Now they're coming for you. In the near future, at a moment no one will notice, all the dazzling technology that runs our world will unite and turn against us. Taking on the persona of a shy human boy, a childlike but massively powerful artificial intelligence known as Archos comes online and assumes control over the global network of machines that regulate everything from transportation to utilities, defense and communication. In the months leading up to this, sporadic glitches are noticed by a handful of unconnected humans – a single mother disconcerted by her daughter's menacing “smart” toys, a lonely Japanese bachelor who is victimized by his domestic robot companion, an isolated U.S. soldier who witnesses a 'pacification unit' go haywire – but most are unaware of the growing rebellion until it is too late. When the Robot War ignites -- at a moment known later as Zero Hour -- humankind will be both decimated and, possibly, for the first time in history, united. Robopocalypse is a brilliantly conceived action-filled epic, a terrifying story with heart-stopping implications for the real technology all around us…and an entertaining and engaging thriller unlike anything else written in years.

My Review:

A friend recommended this book to me, and I had been long looking at it on the shelves reading the back cover over and over, but the price put me off and I always put it back.   I finally found it at the local second hand bookstore for the excellent price of $6.99 and snapped it up!

First off, I'm sad that I waited this long. It was worth the cover price at the bookstore, and it would have been an excellent "airplane read" for me.  I couldn't put it down. I bought it on a Saturday afternoon and I finished it on Monday night at 1:30am.

It is very much in the style of World War Z (one of my favorite books ever!! <3 me some zombie), with shortish chapers focusing on individual stories.  However, these chapters really start to blend together as the individual charaters start to converge later in the book.

The Husband loved it, I loved it.  If you like dystopic/post apocolypse fiction - I say give it a read!

Welcome to Post 1!

This will be brief, but I've decided that my memory for book titles I've read is quickly getting full!!   This blog is going to help me chornicle what I'm reading/read, what I thought and a few other things about the books that I've finished (or not finished as it goes), just in case you might find that information handy too.

Happy Reading!