Martha
It's too bad that I can't keep reading this funny, entertaining author, and by that I mean, she keeps putting inappropriate and totally unneeded scenes in her books.
One of the better books of this variety. Not as funny as some, but good information, touring plans, etc.
Good concept, adequate writing. As for whether or not it had an ending, you can scroll to the end of my review to find out. Either way, I read the book.
2 1/2 stars. Certain material is making me wonder if I should read the next book or not.
1.5 stars. Spoilers included, but I don't know how to hide this review, so consider yourself warned.
I will admit up front that space opera isn't my favorite sci-fi subgenre, but I do like a good humans vs aliens story as long as it isn't horror. Not as much as I love a nice humans plus friendly-aliens story... But I digress. This... wasn't a good human vs aliens story. Too many descriptions of weapons (I started skipping as soon as the gun/whatever was named, because I don't care how cool it is), too many details in the battles, too many POV characters in too many places (and when certain VIPs are described in the final scene, I had no idea who they were because they weren't described earlier!). Okay, I know space opera is like this (weapons & battles), so I kept plugging away toward the ending where the humans are supposed to win. Then it became apparent the humans were going to lose when the aliens gave up the fight and decided to sandblast the planet entirely. Bummer, right?
Major spoilers after this... (Although when the cool scene on the back of the book comes from the last 5% of the story, that probably already indicates a problem and a lack of concern over spoilers.)
This is where the book dropped from a 3-stars-even-though-I-shouldn't-have-started to 1.5 stars. Because in order to save the humans from certain death in this very sci-fi world, the author pulled out... vampires. Say what? Yep, including Dracula. Not only that, but for some unexplained reason (no, I totally don't buy his supposed explanation that is super stupid and illogical and a kinetic-strike-sized plot hole), he's decided to wait to save humanity until 2/3 of the planet is dead. But then he and his very small army manage to wipe out every alien base in a matter of days, and hitch a ride to the spaceships to wipe out the rest of them. All with no problems at all, because of course vampires are unstoppable. And now they're going to take the spaceships to the alien planets and blow them all to smithereens.
Um, no. Just no. If you're going to put vampires in sci-fi (hello, Innkeeper series, I love you), then they need to be part of the universe from the beginning. Or at least the beginning needs to show that fantasy elements are included and anything is fair game. But pulling them out of your invisible back pocket in the last 20 pages? No. Have a very generous 1.5 stars and don't give me the sequel.
My husband was reading the back of this book and mentioned that it seemed rather violent for my tastes. In many ways, he is right, so I've been trying to figure out how to describe why I liked this series anyway. Let's see if I can explain...
This series is about war, intrigue, betrayals, usurpations, rebellions, monsters (human & otherwise) and other ickiness that I usually avoid. It is also about love, loyalty, honor, and generally good people trying to find a mostly good path that leads out of the ickiness in a way that they can live with. It weighs revenge and when it should or should not be taken and what made it worthwhile (I didn't always agree). It yearns for peace after the price of freedom. It encourages finding out what makes one happy. It balances individual wishes against the needs of others.
It is about an unconventional trio of “siblings” (two half-brothers and a sort of foster sister), who love each other very much and want to find a way to support each other without supporting the bad decisions they see each other making. It watches them learning that some decisions belong to other people, along with the consequences, and they cannot be removed by wishing or ordering. It cries as they grow up & painfully make their places in the world. And it celebrates their everlasting bonds of family.
It is about their fathers, who love their children almost beyond endurance but struggle with the dangers & decisions that are thrust upon their offspring. Not only can they not help their children, they can't face their own pasts or see their own futures.
It is about their friends, who won't leave them even if it means their own deaths or destruction. It also presents a variety of potential allies, with hidden benefits & dangers, strengths & lies–choices to be made with lifesaving or deadly results.
It made my heart ache at times, from joy or sorrow, depending on the circumstance on the page. It had me rooting for some sort of “right” solution to be found, even when I couldn't imagine what that would be. And at the end, a solution was found (although not described in any depth).
Summary: the girls are too young, emotionally & physically abused, purposefully stunted, cheated by unfair judging, and exploited.
Some of the stories were told several times. Interesting, but could have been told better in a shorter format.
Has some of the same feel as The Demon's Lexicon, but without DL's other strong points.
Still fascinating writing & characters, but this time it excluded a lot of the warmth & interaction, & included too many things that bothered me (more than either of the previous). I think my children are just going to have to suffer with a lack of closure until they are older.
Lists lot of resources & lots of things to consider (including school philosophy, learning styles, & personalities!).
I cackled like a maniac throughout this book. Part of it was really that funny and part of it was just that unbelievable (but true). It does cover some adult subjects, though, so I'd preview before turning teens loose on it.
