Phil Lemons
The doorway for me on this book are the ideas. It’s amazing to me how relevant these ideas are to today, even though we haven’t advanced in ways Asimov imagined for our year.
The greater point is that people have not advanced since this writing. We still distrust our own creations. We’re don’t understand how our creations (algorithms and AI) work. Is it because we cannot control them? Or do we fears they will reflect our own short comings in the end?
This book has a unique writing style that the Netflix show captures quite well. So much do that I hear the narrator's voice in my head when reading.
I enjoy the way the Baudelaire's figure the plot while the adults are so unaware because of their adult assumptions. Count Olaf is a great villain, in part because no one expects him to be as vile as he is.
The story and the fast pace of the writing kept me into this book. I wanted to know what happened in the end.
I am torn when it comes to the characters. While I say I didn't love the characters, I didn't dislike them, either. The teenage drama is something that does not appeal to me, though I do like when characters have internal struggles and grow from them. There is some of this here. I imagine that Tris' growth will happen across the trilogy and not solely in one book.
I liked the story, but I haven't decided yet whether to read the next book. I think what goes cross grain for me in this book is that everyone is a threat to the main character throughout most of the book. I find this kind of fear uncomfortable.
I liked this book, but not sure who I'd recommend it to as it has a lot of swearing, a lot of violence, and general irreverence for what is proper.
That said, there are thought provoking moments, speaking a bit of insight about life and how we handle it. No big expositions, just some very poignant thoughts of just the right amount at the right time.
This story hits hard right at the beginning to set up the rest of the story. This reminds me of a Bourne Identity spy story in ways.
I liked the time travel aspect and the ways they explore butterfly effects in time.
There is more swearing in this story than I like, however it doesn't come across as gratuitous.
A good borrow during a discounted Audible month.
This one took a bit for me to get into. The first half spends a fair bit of time developing the two primary characters. I found them both interesting, but the adolescent romantic wrestlings were not for me.
In the end, I enjoyed where the story goes and how it sets up this phase of The High Republic. I'm curious to see how The Path of the Open Path evolve into the Nihil and what appears to be an ancestor to Marchian Ro.
Our sarcastic hero takes the next step in exploring its new freedom and discovering what it wants to be when it grows up.
This series has been a comforting presence during this past month as all I want to do is curl up alone and watch TV or read. I also appreciate the perspective of a protagonist who doesn't really want to do the work they are in, but apply their skill set, and believe in what they are trying to accomplish. I find these perspectives quite relatable right now.
I like that Percy is on a quest that isn't about saving the world or civilization.
As I'm reading this with the boy, and we only started reading Percy Jackson this year, it is clear to me that a lot of real world time has passed and feels like it is aimed at an older age group. Still, the boy enjoyed it and there are fun characters to bring to life.
The book opens right a disturbing scene of a teenage boy convincing a teenage girl to commit mutual suicide. Except this is a manipulation and he does not give himself a fatal cut. This is the most disturbing part of the book for me. That said, there are other scenes that are disturbing to read that are less detailed and pass more quickly.
The story moves quickly. There are times of introspection for the protagonist. He has his flaws that create conflict particularly with authority and familial characters. The story has a number of character and story elements that some will enjoy for their familiarity. Those who want characters to reflect real world people may find themselves frustrated with the direction the story takes in places.
I found the story of solving the mystery to be what I connected with most in this book.
The boy continues to love the series and is looking forward to the new book six we just acquired. I admit this book is fun to read aloud.
There are aspects of the story that were surprise to me and others that resolved in a satisfying way for some who like a desired outcome.
One may ask how the gods could truly be in mortal danger. Riordan takes an interesting approach using the belief from mortals and infighting to create their Achilles heel. Percy uses this reality as leverage to get what most of us want from our parents: recognition and acceptance. I hope I will never be a parent that the boy has to fight to get my attention.
This is a quick story that feels more like a mystery set in space than a science fiction novel. That said, the setting seems well thought out and viable setting for living in Jupiter's atmosphere. Like Holmes, the lead detective has great confidence and a wealth of knowledge, pairing with the lead character who is a step behind and the narrator for the reader.
What I liked about this one is the way the author shows a world that is already built. It is complex enough to engage the imagination without belaboring the reader with the world building. The same is true of the characters. They know who they are when we join the story and they are revealed to us mainly through solving the mystery. There is a little bit of a romance element here, but is only referred to occasionally creating an uncertain tension between the characters. I found this to be a fun mystery on another planet that doesn't require an extensive investment from the reader to enjoy.
This is not for those who are looking for a deep dive into a character or a detailed world building.
This was a fun series with a talented cast. I like that the book makes me think, though there are times I wish the story was more nuanced.
There are a number of questions that the story brings up concerning how we see or justify violence, imprisonment, and personal rights. The story illustrates how one person's heaven is another's hell along with the steps we will take to keep our heaven or escape our hell, even if it costs someone else.
The third installation of the series delves deeper into the supporting characters, particularly Mat who spent half of the first book and most of the second sick.
I liked the way Jordan weaves the tale in this book, bringing the individual stories to the end of the book. The world continues to grow. There is still a lot still in mystery and lots of room to grow. That said, I still find myself wondering how this story manages to go another eleven books to conclude the epic tale.
This story odd worth listening to for the production value alone. Very well done.
Laurel is a chosen one who fails to win the battle of the evil lord and now lives with the shame of failure when someone who believes in her comes along.
I really like the way this story turns the chosen one trope on its head. It also challenges us to look at the expectations we have for ourselves in our lives and whether they are realistic.
Overall, great production, fun humor, and good food for thought.
