Bradley K. Brown
Peter F. Hamilton has a large collection of works published, including the very popular series Night's Dawn, and the Void trilogy.
In Great North Road, a member of the prominent North family is found murdered, in the same exact manner used as a previous North massacre twenty years prior. Angela Tramelo was convicted and has been in prison ever since–so who could have done it? Angela claimed twenty years ago that an alien monster was responsible, but no one believed her. Could there be a sentient species out there, hell-bent on wiping out the North family? The planet St. Libra, where the original murders took place, is key to the economy of Earth, and any threat is one that must be investigated. The Human Defense Agency launches a massive expedition to St. Libra, with the intention of finding and capturing the monster–that is if Angela Tramelo is telling the truth, and a monster actually exists.
Great North Road CoverMeanwhile, Detective Sid Hurst is investigating the North murder on Earth, and all the clues point not to a monster, but to a corporate struggle that turned deadly. As his investigation continues, Angela's story seems less and less likely.
Angela is released from prison to join the St. Libra expedition, since she's the only one to have survived an attack by the monster, but her every action is scrutinized and questioned. As the expedition searches for the monster, strange accidents begin causing injuries and deaths to their group, until even the planet itself seems to turn against them.
The novel is–first and foremost–a mystery set in a science fictional universe. The world-building is phenomenal, and it's easy to believe that events on the pages are real, with a rich history behind them. Though long, the author does a nice job of filling in backgrounds, but without providing too much exposition; when used, it's effective. Each character comes from a background that's fully-fleshed. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for the characters' current incarnations; they never quite ascend to people we would want to be friends with. There's some indefinable gap that truly prevents the characters from jumping out of the page, and feeling like they belong. Some may disagree with this assessment, but the characters never wowed me, the way some books have. Still, that's not to say that Great North Road isn't a good book, because it is. It's just not a great book.
The book is long, and not just in sheer page count. At 976 pages, it's a lengthy story, but it could easily have been told in a more condensed manner. Often times the reader is thrown back in time, to be given another tidbit of the story about one particular character, then returned to the present, where the revelations reveal just a little bit more about their motivations or actions. It gets a little tiring, especially as the book starts to reach its climax, only to be thrown back in time with a new revelation. None of the things that are revealed are cheap, or unnecessary, but the back-and-forth over a book of this length is wearying.
Even though it's long, Hamilton does a good job of keeping readers interested. The pacing of the story is good, if methodical, and the end result, and resolution to the mystery is at least well-executed, if just a tad too far-fetched to have been worth the mystery to begin with.
For fans of a good mystery, Great North Road can be recommended, but for most casual readers, it's probably not for you.
We live in an age of escalating surveillance–one in which personal privacy is increasingly rare, and more and more of our lives are shared publicly on the Internet. So perhaps it's no surprise that The Circle, by Dave Eggers, takes things a few steps further with his novel, introducing us to a very Google-like company named The Circle, in which they are at the forefront of technology, with seemingly endless resources available to make their bold visions a reality. The Circle's goal is to capture all human knowledge and make it available to the masses. But this type of all-encompassing information-gathering comes with a high cost.
The Circle by Dave EggersThe Circle focuses on Mae Holland, a newly-hired employee, as she begins her career with the technology company. It's immediately obvious that The Circle is an analogy to modern-day Google, with its over-the-top benefits, campus-wide parties, and nearly anything employees could desire available to them–day or night. As Mae settles into her new position, she's overwhelmed by how lucky she is to be part of this amazing group, especially after spending her first two years out of college working in a drab cubicle at a utility company in her tiny home town. She not only feels incredibly lucky to be part of The Circle, but somehow undeserving of the job. The first few chapters are a whirlwind of introductions to resources available on the campus, and to how much information the company collects–and expects their employees to contribute. At first, the comparisons to Google are obvious, but the novel quickly moves beyond even what Google currently provides, into a different level entirely. Oddly, this is both one of the novel's strengths, as well as its weakness; as more and more statistics get introduced, it nearly overpowers the narrative of the story, becoming instead a list of social media “to-dos”, rather than a functional story.
Much of the book is spent introducing concept after concept; TrueYou, SeeChange, ChildTrack, SoulSearch, PastPerfect, Demoxie, and countless other names are thrown around, with each new program introducing increasingly pervasive levels of surveillance, until there's no such thing as privacy any longer. Politicians are forced to wear cameras at all times, streaming their entire lives to the world, or face persecution for failing to do so. All of these programs are well-intentioned, but the ramifications of them are far-reaching and disturbing beyond measure. Indeed, a totalitarianism is hinted at, as politicians who voice criticisms of The Circle suddenly are found to have child-porn on their computers, or some skeleton in their closet–buried in their past–is suddenly uncovered, leading to their ruin. Perhaps these events are coincidental, but people seem to accept the explanations as fact. After all, The Circle is incapable of fault, right?
What makes this novel so intriguing isn't the outlandish invasions of privacy that The Circle is able to obtain, but that Eggers paints a portrait of Orwellian society in-the-making–one that is all too believable, considering the current state of technology. Already, today's Internet companies have extraordinary access to data, and the ramifications of this is just beginning to come to the public consciousness. The Circle takes current events just a little bit further, and serves as a cautionary tale to show what might happen if these companies' aren't reigned in before it's too late.
Despite the intrigue, the novel does have its share of faults. The main character, Mae Holland is rather naive,and her idealism leads the reader to question her sanity from time to time. It's often a frustrating read, to have the author point out more and more disturbing revelations, only to have Mae rationalize things and accept the latest egregious assaults against civil liberties. She seems forgetful of things that are rather crucial, and even cold-hearted as she turns her back on her past to embrace The Circle wholeheartedly. Eggers introduces so many concepts and spends so much time detailing how many ‘screens' the characters use, that it sometimes feels like a diary of going to work each day–albeit at an amazingly generous company–to the point of feeling mundane. Entire plot points get left out, like the treatment of her father's illness, and their lack of participation in the newest programs of The Circle. There are times it's particularly unbelievable that society as a whole is embracing what The Circle has to offer, yet they seem to do so–in increasing numbers.
Despite its shortcomings, however, The Circle is a must-read novel, if only to highlight the strange nature of today's society, and how the information we share can be used. Internet companies probably know more about us than we do ourselves, and the more we share, the more they learn about not only us, but our friends and loved-ones as well. It's a thought-provoking adventure into a what-if future. It's one of today's 1984-style novels that should be read, discussed, and argued. After all, that's what makes a good book transcend the genre and become a great book.
The Long Earth begins with the depiction of several strange experiences: Private Percy finds himself suddenly in a quiet, empty forest, when just moments before, he was being shelled in France during World War II; Maria Valiente is struggling through childbirth when she finds herself transported somewhere else; and a mysterious organism becomes self aware, but for what reason? Quickly moving to the heart of the story, readers are introduced to Joshua Valiente, who is in turn introduced to Lobsang, a computer-based entity who claims to be a reincarnated Tibetan motorcycle repairman, and therefore human. After enlisting Joshua to join him in his airship, they set out across the Long Earth, to explore millions of different versions of the planet. The journey is well worth reading, and turns up some surprising and extraordinarily intriguing worlds.
It's not entirely clear in The Long Earth which sections were written by which author. Certainly the plot has some very specific influences by both, but it's not really possible to point to any particular section and claim to know who it was written by–a testament to the excellent writing by both of these master authors. The idea of alternate dimensions, in which Earth exists in various forms has been done before, but never like this. The Long Earth is an excellent book, wrapped around a story that's both unique, and yet familiar. The story picks right up, and never really lets go.
Throughout The Long Earth, the story shifts from Joshua and Lobsang to other characters–such as the police officer who first found Joshua, the night people began Stepping, to a teenage girl whose family left everything behind–including their son–to move far out into the Long Earth and settle in a new place. The characters are well fleshed out, and have their own agendas, giving them further depth and rendering them more believable. The seemingly trivial events of one family end up having remarkable consequences by the end of the book, and set the stage for the followup novel, The Long War, due out later in 2013.
In The Long Earth, flashbacks across history also detail that Stepping has been happening long before Step Day, and reveals that there's more going on than is initially apparent. It's clear that Lobsang has a hidden agenda, and knowledge of things that he's not willing to share with Joshua until absolutely necessary–or even afterward, when Joshua has barely escaped with his life. In many ways, this book is a collection of short stories, revealing both the events in the book, as well as those that led up to it. The character from the prologue, Private Percy, is revisited later in the book, as Lobsang reveals his ultimate fate. The stories serve to lend variety to the novel, and split up the action–sometimes frustratingly, other times not–into manageable chunks.
Most of the plot threads opened in the book are well-executed, and very little is left unsettled. Since this book is the first in a series, there is of course the cliffhanger ending, but it's fitting, and comes completely out of left-field. For a collaboration novel, The Long Earth is a fine example of what two extremely talented authors can accomplish together, combining the best of both into a single volume of amazing fiction. It's an excellent book on its own, and provides an addictive story that readers will be eagerly awaiting until the next novel comes out.
In a book as complex as it is lengthy, Reamde begins by introducing the two main protagonists, Richard Forthrast and his niece, Zula, in a scene describing a family reunion of unusual tastes. Zula, an orphan from the African country of Eritrea, has been raised by the Forthrast family in Iowa for most of her life. When she runs into her uncle Richard at the reunion, whom she hasn't seen in several years, Richard finds himself immediately protective of the brilliant and spirited young woman that Zula has become.
The book moves slowly at first, mostly revolving around Richard and his past, and delving deeply into the mechanics, history, and construction of the fictional game at the heart of the story, T'Rain. It's intriguing material, and to call it a page-turner is to undersell this book. Unfortunately, the beginnings may turn off some readers, as Reamde is what seems like several different genres mixed, and the first chapters are very much about video gaming and business acumen. Those who stick with it though are rewarded as events take a turn, and the story picks up dramatically.
It's been said that some stories “can't be made up”, but Reamde is proof that some of them can. The smallest and seemingly innocuous plot threads end up being central to the story. For example, Zula's boyfriend, Peter, borrows a USB drive from her uncle Richard, which is unknowingly infected with the Reamde virus. Peter's use of it during a questionable business transaction causes the buyer's files to be encrypted–including the ones Peter just sold him–and being held for ransom. The buyer is understandably upset, showing up at Peter's home for an explanation. Things quickly grow more complicated, as the creator of the virus is requiring payment in the game T'Rain, which can then be extracted for real profit anonymously. As attempts are made to pay the ransom within the game, the buyer's boss arrives, demanding explanations, not liking what he's hearing. He decides to take a more direct approach, and flies everyone to China–Zula included–to find the virus creator and extract some vengeance. Things go off the rails, and Peter and Zula's lives are threatened at every turn.
And that's just the beginning.
Reamde hosts a cast of characters that's almost obnoxiously vast, and yet the author does an excellent job of making them not only believable, but memorable as well. Where many books might introduce a character, only to have them forgotten by the next page turn, Stephenson breaths life into each voice, and gives them their very own purpose in the story–from Richard and Zula, all the way down to the woman who offers her services in navigating them around in China. The lives of each of these characters is so true-to-life, it's hard to imagine that they're fictional characters at all. Their actions, opinions, mannerisms, and even accents all match perfectly their history, so that they're practically four-dimensional; it's rare that an author can make characters so believable, that the reader could actually imagine them stepping off the page, and holding a conversation with them.
Spanning over a thousand pages, Reamde is no book for the casual reader. In a way, it's almost too long, and does have sections that drag by–kind of like a long movie with slow scenes. Yet it's still a page-turner, even in the slower chapters–a tribute to the skill of the author. The story weaves and dodges, and as the characters split up, their stories aren't yet over, as they impressively and–most importantly–believably collide into a climax that's both suspenseful, and cathartic.
There's not much to complain about in this book. Yes it's long, and sometimes feels a little repetitive, but Neil Stephenson should be commended for penning a tremendously entertaining novel (and he has been). There are a couple plot threads that seem to be left aside, but aren't particularly important to the outcome of events in the book. Perhaps the only disappointment would be that there's not much of an epilogue. We're shown where the characters end up, but not much more. After spending a thousand pages with this cast, caring whether they lived or died, fell in love, or not, readers are left with a very brief glimpse of life after the pages run out. It would have been nice for a little bit more.
Extremes, book two of the Retrieval Artist series by Kristine Kathryn Rusch furthers the adventures of Miles Flint, and his former partner, Armstrong Police Detective Noelle DeRicci. In Extremes, DeRicci is sent to investigate a death on the course of the Moon Marathon. At first, it appears to be a simple case, but DeRicci quickly realizes that this death is anything but simple. Meanwhile, Miles Flint is settling into his life as a Retrieval Artist, and learning what cases he should–and shouldn't–take. The former partners paths cross in the most unlikely of ways, but not before all of Armstrong is threatened with survival. Does Extremes live up to the promise laid out in The Disappeared, or does it fall tremendously flat?
The characters introduced by Rusch in The Disappeared make their glorious return, and Flint is very much new to the role of Retrieval Artist in this novel. Rusch spends an extraneous amount of time (perhaps too much) detailing Flint's new life, and his struggles with making himself comfortable. When a client approaches him, he plays very-hard-to-get, keeping readers in the dark about the proposed job until more than halfway through the novel. Alternatively, DeRicci's investigation into the death of a Marathon runner very quickly turns into a murder investigation with far-reaching implications. The mystery surrounding the death is well handled, though the ultimate reveal leaves a bit to be desired. The characters in Extremes are decidedly excellent, and continue a narrative that will obviously use the entire series to explore. The Retrieval Artist novels are very much individual chapters in a larger story.
Once again, Rusch avoids the temptation of dwelling on exposition to fill in the past. The scenes where history is revealed is necessary, and brief. A few more species are alluded to, though very little detail about them is revealed. In fact, Extremes is very much a singularly human story–there is virtually no alien influence at all in the novel, which is a good thing, as it avoid detracting from the central mystery. The technology revealed isn't particularly futuristic, though sets it apart from current levels of technology. The Retrieval Artist novels provide a timelessness that is difficult to match in current science fiction. So many of today's stories are set so far into the future that technology has seemingly leaped into the realm of magic, or they are set in essentially the modern day, or very-near future so that some scientific breakthrough is about to change modern society in ways we can only imagine. It's refreshing to see a story that's still accessible and familiar, yet beyond our current reach; it gives us something to strive for.
Unfortunately, Extremes doesn't quite live up to the excellence set forth in the previous installment of the series. The mystery is a good one, though the clues come together a bit too quickly, and readers will likely put the pieces together faster than the book does–primarily due to several characters each holding a piece of the solution. The plot moves rather slowly–even more so than in the first book. Still, this is nitpicking, finding faults that are minor. Overall, the book is a solid mystery, and a worthy read–if not quite as good as The Disappeared. It still furthers the Retrieval Artist story, and will continue to draw readers into the continuing saga being weaved by Rusch, one long chapter at a time.
For the first time, Gregory Benford and Larry Niven team up for Bowl of Heaven. The first human expedition to another habitable planet takes them across interstellar space, where they encounter an object somewhat like a Dyson Sphere–only this one encompasses half the star instead. With their ship malfunctioning, and survival questionable, they investigate the ‘bowl' in hopes they can re-supply for the remainder of their journey. Instead, half the landing crew is captured by the aliens, and the other half is running for their lives.
The beginning of the novel is quite promising. The send-off for the mission and introduction to the characters is revealing, and the authors set a brief pace. In what seems no time at all, the Bowl is encountered, and the entire plot to this point is mesmerizing. Once the crew is split up, however, things take a turn for the worse. The pace is slow, plodding, and repetitive. Niven and Benford attempt to keep readers interested by jumping to different viewpoints, which–though revealing some plot points–rarely does much to ramp up the story. There's more frustration here than satisfaction, as just as tantalizing details are given, it seems the reader is whisked away to another viewpoint. It's clear by the end of the novel that either everything has to be revealed very quickly, or that the story isn't over. The last page indicates that another volume, Shipstar is due out, which will hopefully resolve the story set forth in Bowl of Heaven.
Fortunately, it's an intriguing story, and there are hints that the resolution may be worth waiting for. Unfortunately, the pace of the novel is so slow that it may be painful to read through another, just to learn if it was worth it. It's already clear that this is likely a story that could have been told with a single volume, rather than splitting it into two.
Nevertheless, Bowl of Heaven is worth the read. The characters are well-drawn, and the alien civilization is foreign enough to be believable. The sheer scale of the engineering involved is quite incredible, and will hopefully be explored further in volume 2. Niven's influence is immediately apparent, and traces of the Ringworld books appear all over. Benford's ability to bring complex, alien viewpoints to life is also on hand, to make the Bowl's inhabitants aloof, yet relatable. Bowl of Heaven is most certainly a mixture of the two authors' strengths–but their weaknesses also combine here to dramatically drag down the pace of the story.
With no current date or information about the second volume, Shipstar, readers will have to wait–and ponder–until they are rewarded with the second half of the story. Will it be worth the wait? Only time will tell.
In This Is Not A Game, Walter Jon Williams introduced readers to Dagmar Shaw, the head of Great Big Idea, a fictional company dedicated to producing and directing alternate-reality-games, or ARG, for short. Ms. Shaw returns in Deep State, and Walter Jon Williams spins another tale of intrigue, though one decidedly less interesting than the first outing.
Synopsis for Deep State:
By day Dagmar Shaw orchestrates vast games with millions of players spanning continents. By night, she tries to forget the sound of a city collapsing in flames around her. She tries to forget the faces of her friends as they died in front of her. She tries to forget the blood on her own hands.
But then an old friend approaches Dagmar with a project. The project he pitches is so insane and so ambitious, she can't possibly say no. But this new venture will lead her from the world of alternate-reality gaming to one even more complex. A world in which the players are soldiers and spies and the name of the game is survival.
This Is Not A Game
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Yellowstone Park is known as a national treasure, and a wonder to behold, but few know about its deadly potential. The park sits atop a gigantic supervolcano, which has gone off in the past, and is due to erupt again virtually any time. Humanity has never witnessed the wrath of a supervolcano... until now. Harry Turtledove begins a new trilogy, Supervolcano, with the first of the series, Eruption.
Synopsis for Eruption:
A supervolcanic eruption in Yellowstone Park sends lava and mud flowing toward populated areas, and clouds of ash drifting across the country. The fallout destroys crops and livestock, clogs machinery, and makes cities uninhabitable. Those who survive find themselves caught in an apocalyptic catastrophe in which humanity has no choice but to rise from the ashes and recreate the world...
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Best known for his work with the Mars trilogy, and The Years of Rice and Salt, Kim Stanley Robinson is a visionary author whose works have challenged readers' views about nearly every aspect of society, from government, to business, to global warming and religion itself. His latest novel, 2312 takes place three hundred years in the future, and provides a glimpse at a very believable humanity that's spread to the other planets.
Synopsis for 2312:
The year is 2312. Scientific and technological advances have opened gateways to an extraordinary future. Earth is no longer humanity's only home; new habitats have been created throughout the solar system on moons, planets, and in between. But in this year, 2312, a sequence of events will force humanity to confront its past, its present, and its future.
The first event takes place on Mercury, on the city of Terminator, itself a miracle of engineering on an unprecedented scale. It is an unexpected death, but one that might have been foreseen. For Swan Er Hong, it is an event that will change her life. Swan was once a woman who designed worlds. Now she will be led into a plot to destroy them.
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The third and final novel in the Hunger Games trilogy, Mockingjay wraps up the story of Katniss Everdeen and her struggles against the Capitol and the corrupt government of Panem. Continuing the events set in motion in Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins weaves yet another tale of intrigue, suspense, and surprise. So does Mockingjay live up to the rest of the series?
Synopsis for Mockingjay:
Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what's worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss's family, not her friends, not the people of District 12.
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The second book in the Hunger Games trilogy, Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins continues the story first begun in The Hunger Games, in which Katniss Everdeen must fight for her life against 23 others in the 74th Hunger Games. Does Catching Fire maintain the same level of intensity and interest that held readers rapt in The Hunger Games? Can Katniss reconcile her feelings with her actions taken in the arena? Will Peeta or Gale capture her heart at last?
Synopsis for Catching Fire:
Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.
Catching Fire
The Hunger Games
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Catching Fire
The latest novel by veteran science fiction author Robert J. Sawyer, Triggers is a tale that pits science against emotion. Coming off his highly acclaimed WWW trilogy, Sawyer portrays a world of the not-distant future where terrorism has struck at America several times since 9/11, and how the President is ready to take drastic measures to prevent it from happening again. Is Triggers yet another Sawyer masterpiece? Read on to find out.
Synopsis for Triggers:
On the eve of a secret military operation, an assassin's bullet strikes President Seth Jerrison. He is rushed to the hospital, where surgeons struggle to save his life.
At the same hospital, researcher Dr. Ranjip Singh is experimenting with a device that can erase traumatic memories.
Then a terrorist bomb detonates. In the operating room, the president suffers cardiac arrest. He has a near-death experience-but the memories that flash through Jerrison's mind are not his memories.
It quickly becomes clear that the electromagnetic pulse generated by the bomb amplified and scrambled Dr. Singh's equipment, allowing a random group of people to access one another's minds.
And now one of those people has access to the president's memories- including classified information regarding the upcoming military mission, which, if revealed, could cost countless lives. But the task of determining who has switched memories with whom is a daunting one- particularly when some of the people involved have reason to lie...
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The Fate of the Jedi series concludes with Apocalypse, penned by Troy Denning. Wrapping up the nine-novel arc begun by Aaron Allston with Outcast, readers will see the ultimate victory–or defeat–of Luke Skywalker and the Jedi Order. Does Apocalypse live up to it's name–or even its title?
Synopsis for Apocalypse:
There can be no surrender.
There will be no mercy.
It's not just the future of the galaxy at stake—
It's the destiny of the Force.
In the stunning finale of the epic Fate of the Jedi series, Jedi and Sith face off—with Coruscant as their battlefield. For the Sith, it's the chance to restore their dominance over the galaxy that forgot them for so long. For Abeloth, it's a giant step in her quest to conquer all life everywhere. For Luke Skywalker, it's a call to arms to eradicate the Sith and their monstrous new master once and for all.
In a planetwide strike, teams of Jedi Knights take the Sith infiltrators by swift and lethal surprise. But victory against the cunning and savage Abeloth, and the terrifying endgame she has planned, is anything but certain. And as Luke, Ben, Han, Leia, Jaina, Jag, and their allies close in, the devastating truth about the dark side incarnate will be exposed—and send shock waves through the Jedi Order, the galaxy, and the Force itself.
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China Mieville, author of The City & The City (winner of the 2010 Hugo Award), returns with Embassytown, a novel of a staggering culture who's incapable of speaking lies. Mieville continues his unique story-telling in a way that only he can with this latest novel.
Synopsis for Embassytown:
Embassytown: a city of contradictions on the outskirts of the universe. Avice is an immerser, a traveller on the immer, the sea of space and time below the everyday, now returned to her birth planet. Here on Arieka, humans are not the only intelligent life, and Avice has a rare bond with the natives, the enigmatic Hosts – who cannot lie. Only a tiny cadre of unique human Ambassadors can speak Language, and connect the two communities. But an unimaginable new arrival has come to Embassytown. And when this Ambassador speaks, everything changes. Catastrophe looms. Avice knows the only hope is for her to speak directly to the alien Hosts. And that is impossible.
Embassytown
The City & The City
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Star Wars books are a dime-a-dozen nowadays, so it takes something unique to stand out in the overwhelmingly mediocre crowd. Darth Plagueis, by James Luceno, is one that has the potential to do just that. Detailing Palpatine's apprentice-ship, and revealing more about his Master, Darth Plagueis that he told Anakin about, the novel veers into new territory for the Star Wars series.
Synopsis for Darth Plagueis:
“Did you ever hear the Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise? It's a Sith legend. Darth Plagueis was a Dark Lord of the Sith, so powerful and so wise that he could use the Force to influence the midi-chlorians to create life. He had such a knowledge of the dark side that he could even keep the ones he cared about from dying.” —Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
Darth Plagueis: one of the most brilliant Sith Lords who ever lived. Possessing power is all he desires. Losing it is the only thing he fears. As an apprentice, he embraces the ruthless ways of the Sith. And when the time is right, he destroys his Master—but vows never to suffer the same fate. For like no other disciple of the dark side, Darth Plagueis learns to command the ultimate power . . . over life and death.
Darth Sidious: Plagueis's chosen apprentice. Under the guidance of his Master, he secretly studies the ways of the Sith, while publicly rising to power in the galactic government, first as Senator, then as Chancellor, and eventually as Emperor.
Darth Plagueis and Darth Sidious, Master and acolyte, target the galaxy for domination—and the Jedi Order for annihilation. But can they defy the merciless Sith tradition? Or will the desire of one to rule supreme, and the dream of the other to live forever, sow the seeds of their destruction?
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Sherlock Holmes has entertained readers since his first appearance in 1887, with Arthur Conan Doyle's A Study in Scarlet. With the publication of The House of Silk, Anthony Horowitz becomes the first author to receive approval from the Conan Doyle Estate to publish a new Sherlock Holmes novel. The world's most famous consulting detective returns in a tale both immensely convoluted, and intriguing to the very last detail.
Synopsis for The House of Silk:
London, 1890. 221B Baker St. A fine art dealer named Edmund Carstairs visits Sherlock Holmes and Dr John Watson to beg for their help. He is being menaced by a strange man in a flat cap – a wanted criminal who seems to have followed him all the way from America. In the days that follow, his home is robbed, his family is threatened. And then the first murder takes place.
Almost unwillingly, Holmes and Watson find themselves being drawn ever deeper into an international conspiracy connected to the teeming criminal underworld of Boston, the gaslit streets of London, opium dens and much, much more. And as they dig, they begin to hear the whispered phrase-the House of Silk-a mysterious entity that connects the highest levels of government to the deepest depths of criminality. Holmes begins to fear that he has uncovered a conspiracy that threatens to tear apart the very fabric of society.
The House of Silk
The House of Silk
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The House of Silk
The Marsbound series, written by Joe Haldeman began with the novel of the same title, which was originally serialized in Analog Science Fiction and Fact magazine. This third novel of the series, Earthbound, continues to follow Carmen and Paul, as the aftermath of events in Starbound leave the Moon a shattered ruin, and humanity at the mercy of the unfathomable Others.
Synopsis for Earthbound:
The mysterious alien Others have prohibited humans from space travel-destroying Earth's fleet of starships in a display of unimaginable power. Now Carmen Dula, the first human to encounter Martians and then the mysterious Others, and her colleagues struggle to find a way, using nineteenthcentury technology, to reclaim the future that has been stolen from them.
Earthbound
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Stone Spring, by Stephen Baxter, initially published in the UK, took a long time to make its way to the United States. The first of a new trilogy by Baxter, called the Northland Trilogy, Stone Spring details the struggles of a pre-historical society facing a rising sea at the end of the Ice Age. Memorable characters, sometimes elegant prose, and an intriguing premise combine to make Stone Spring yet another of Baxter's unique works–that nobody else can come close to competing with.
Synopsis of Stone Spring:
Ten thousand years ago, a vast and fertile plain exists linking the British Isles to Europe. Home to a tribe of simple hunter-gatherers, Northland teems with nature's bounty, but is also subject to its whims.
Fourteen-year-old Ana calls Northland home, but her world is changing. The air is warming, the ice is melting, and the seas are rising. Then Ana meets a traveler from a far-distant city called Jericho-a city that is protected by a wall. And she starts to imagine the impossible...
Stone Spring
Time's Tapestry
Stone Spring
Stone Spring
Stone Spring
Stone Spring
Stone Spring
Stone Spring
Bronze Summer
Firebird is the sixth entry in Jack McDevitt's Alex Benedict series, in which Alex and his partner Chase Kolpath go in search of famous scientist Christopher Robbin, who mysteriously disappeared seemingly in front of his house, never to be seen again. Their journey takes them to some unexpected, and surprising locales, which will forever alter the universe in the main characters live.
Jack McDevitt continues his excellent narratives, with his usual pace and clarity. Never too wordy, or repetitive, McDevitt continues to provide a fascinating, entertaining read. The characters are familiar, since readers of any of the previous Benedict novels will be familiar with them; McDevitt does delve a bit further into the relationship Chase had with Alex's uncle Gabe, which reveals some interesting emotions at play there. In some ways, Chase's attitude toward Alex reflects that the author may be growing weary of these characters, and future novels in this series may not be forthcoming. The dialogue is, as always, spot on; never do we hear something that sounds outright ridiculous, or unbelievable–McDevitt seems cautious to make his work easy for anybody to read, science fiction fan or not.
Though Firebird is a good read, and ends on a particularly high note, the twists and turns leave the reader wanting a bit. In many ways, this book has three different stories, all going on at pretty much the same time. While not hard to follow, the first part of the story gets set aside, and never truly resolved, which is unfortunate, since it's quite interesting. Instead, Alex spends roughly a paragraph explaining what he feels probably happened, and the author then moves on, never returning to detail for certain what occurred. From there, it's the two main sequences that go back and forth, sometimes interrupting each other to be told. Because of this, the book almost feels as if it were two different novels, thrown together into a single volume.
For all the flaws, it's still better than McDevitt's last Benedict novel, Echo. The plot is more intriguing, and ultimately has a better payoff. In many ways, Firebird feels like a finale to the Alex Benedict series. If so, it's an acceptable one. Still, it would be hard to let the characters go.
How does one review a book–the biography Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson–when the book itself is more or less a review of Steve Jobs' life?
Anybody who reads seems to be reading, or have read, Steve Jobs. Consequently there have already been numerous quotes, reviews, and discussions both about the book, and about Steve Jobs in general. It's difficult not to tread too much on what's already been said, and impart a unique position, but alas, it's worth a shot.
Steve Jobs is a marvelously engrossing book, about one of the world's greatest technology visionaries. It details nearly his entire life, including where he came from–both his genetic parents, and his adopted parents. From the very beginning, it's clear that Jobs must have been insufferable to live with growing up, and even more insufferable as an adult.
What makes Steve Jobs so intriguing are all the behind-the-scenes moments that intersperse the book. Even to those who are familiar with Steve Jobs' life and career, there was a lot of new information presented in this book–both good and bad. In the end, it's clear that though Steve Jobs built a remarkable company, he did so by being shrewd, manipulative, uncompromising, and most of all: unapologetic. His vision of the way people should use technology was unwavering, much to the chagrin of many in the media, and the outside world itself.
It's clear in this book that Steve Jobs was a very difficult person to work for and with, live with, or even to be around in any way. He could be extraordinarily demeaning to people at one moment, and treat them as if they were the greatest person alive the next.
What makes this biography so interesting is the way Isaacson details both the good and bad sides of Steve Jobs. He criticizes Jobs' faults, and praises his strengths–sometimes simultaneously. But it's clear that this biography was designed to portray Steve Jobs, and not some mythical figure who could do no wrong. For those who weren't aware of the way Jobs handled his day-to-day duties, and the way he interacted with those around him, the book may come as a shocking blow; Steve Jobs was not a great guy. Instead, he focused his efforts and his energy on making great products that he believed in.
At times surprisingly callous, and at other times genuinely amiable, Steve Jobs was a man who–perhaps by luck–changed the world. He made no apology for being the way he was; that was simply Steve Jobs.
Steve Jobs is a fascinating read, and–though lengthy–is a page-turner. Though completed before Steve Jobs' death on October 5th, 2011, it's clear that the author knew it was likely to be published after Jobs succumbed to his cancer. In many ways, it's a fitting epigraph to a life that was filled with contentious and arduous bouts with corporate executives, celebrities, and even his closest friends and family. Most of the book is spent describing how Jobs became to be the man he was, and also about his ideas and opinions that led to revolutions in so many different industries. It's clear that without Steve Jobs, the world would likely be a very different place.
At the same time, it's also clear that Steve Jobs really was the main force driving Apple's innovation. Though Apple has been built to inherit Jobs' design aesthetics, and culture, one has to wonder how long his influence will continue beyond his death. Is there anyone who will take up the mantle of perfection that Jobs insisted upon? Time will tell, of course.
Steve Jobs is also a wonderful book in that it isn't overtly technical in nature. Someone who's not necessarily into the tech scene, or computers can still pick up and read the book without difficulty. Though there are certainly sections that will enthuse tech people, it doesn't get too complicated for the average reader. It really is a wonderfully intriguing, and well-written biography.
The Chronoliths was a book I may never have read were it not for the rise of the eBook. This novel caught my attention long ago, but couldn't be found on local bookshelves, and had to be ordered, if I wanted to read it. So it got added to my wishlist, and eventually was released for Kindle. Naturally, I bought it. And I'm glad I did.
Robert Charles Wilson has quickly become one of my favorites, and The Chronoliths is yet another of his fantastic works. His books are subtle, and yet marvelously complex.
The synopsis for The Chronoliths:
Scott Warden is a man haunted by the past-and soon to be haunted by the future.
In early twenty-first-century Thailand, Scott is an expatriate slacker. Then, one day, he inadvertently witnesses an impossible event: the violent appearance of a 200-foot stone pillar in the forested interior. Its arrival collapses trees for a quarter mile around its base, freezing ice out of the air and emitting a burst of ionizing radiation. It appears to be composed of an exotic form of matter. And the inscription chiseled into it commemorates a military victory–sixteen years in the future.
Shortly afterwards, another, larger pillar arrives in the center of Bangkok-obliterating the city and killing thousands. Over the next several years, human society is transformed by these mysterious arrivals from, seemingly, our own near future. Who is the warlord “Kuin” whose victories they note?
Scott wants only to rebuild his life. But some strange loop of causality keeps drawing him in, to the central mystery and a final battle with the future.
The Chronoliths
Allen Steele's Coyote series has been a long-running favorite of mine. Lately, Steele has been expanding the Coyote universe in ways that are both different and intriguing. His latest entry is Hex, and takes place mostly away from Coyote entirely.
The synopsis for Hex:
The danui, a reclusive arachnid species considered the galaxy's finest engineers, have avoided contact with the Coyote Federation. Until, that is, the danui initiate trade negotiations, offering only information: the coordinates for an unoccupied world suitable for human life-a massive sphere, composed of billions of hexagons.
But when the Federation's recon mission goes terribly wrong, the humans realize how little they know about their new partners...
Spindrift
Danui
Hex
Hex
Academy
Hex
The third (and presumably final) chapter in the Spin saga, by Robert Charles Wilson takes the form of Vortex. A worthy successor to the award-winning Spin, and equally fascinating Axis, Vortex wraps up the story of the Hypotheticals, and Earth's fate from these seemingly unintelligible beings.
Unfortunately, Vortex doesn't quite capture the same level of intrigue as the previous novels in the series. Though the ending is far-spanning, and reveals the ultimate answers, fans may not find them particularly rewarding. In fact, much of the back story feels grudgingly provided, as if the author only added it as an afterthought. This is not only unusual for Wilson, but disappointing.
Vortex takes place in many different locations, and follows three primary characters throughout the book (another huge change from the previous novels in the series). Turk Findley makes a return, and is most certainly the primary character. After being introduced in Axis, he's become the central character to the series, or at least the final two-thirds. Axis also follows two other characters, of varying interest. Confusing is that the timeframes take place in two very different settings, jumping back and forth. Credit must be given to Wilson, however, for choosing the exact right moments to cut from one timeframe to the other; they are often done just at a moment of high suspense.
The story takes a slow and meandering path toward the end, and it's only the last few pages that actually reveal the end-game of the saga. It's really as though Wilson ran out of steam, and the series finishes with more of a whimper than a bang. The ultimate story is still fascinating, but doesn't lead up to much of a climax, and may leave some readers disappointed.
Still, as a novel, Vortex is a fascinating read, and actually stands very well on its own, with readers not necessarily having to have read the previous entries in the series–quite an accomplishment on its own. Events in the novel keep the pages turning, and the characters are deep enough to be truly cared about, especially up until the very end.
Fans of the Spin saga should most certainly read this book to close out the series, and any fan of science fiction should not only read this book, but any of the works by Robert Charles Wilson.
Timothy Zahn returns to Star Wars literature with Choices of One, which stars all the usual characters, and then some. Zahn's books usually have revolved somehow around Thrawn, and his military genius, and Choices of One continues that tradition.
Set just eight months after the events in Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope, Han, Chewbacca, Leia, and Luke are all reunited on a mission to evaluate an offer of alliance from an Imperial Governor in an outlying region of the Empire, near the Unknown Regions. The plot thickens as each character somehow gets drawn toward the same location, for seemingly different reasons.
What's refreshing about this novel is the leap backward in time–relative to the more recently-released Fate of the Jedi series, in which Luke is an exile, and his son, Ben, is a Jedi Knight growing into his own. Readers are provided with a look at Luke, before he had any confidence in his skills with the Force; before Leia blurted that infamous “I love you,” to Han, and of course before Han could retort, “I know.” Chewbacca is still alive, though really doesn't appear nearly as much as he should have. Mara Jade is still the Emperor's Hand (though now being referred to as the Emperor's Justice), and both Darth Vader and the Emperor make brief appearances. The Hand of Judgment, the group of AWOL Stormtroopers also return, and play a pivotal role in the book; in fact, it could be said this book is mostly theirs.
There are some really good scenes with Luke, struggling with his lack of training in the Force, and overcoming–or failing to overcome–those challenges with which he's faced. Leia and Han are still struggling to not only come to terms with how they feel about each other, but also with their places in the Rebel Alliance. It's yet another unique look inside events that readers have never truly had the veil pulled back on before. Unfortunately, that promise isn't fully fulfilled, as we see little from Han's point of view, and even less from Leia's.
Mara Jade certainly remains impressive, especially with her improvisational capabilities, though she seems awfully powerful in the Force for someone who's not a true Jedi or Sith. In contrast to Luke's aptitude in the Force at this point in time, it's a good thing they never had to square off, as Luke wouldn't stand a chance.
Thrawn makes his appearance once again, though at a much lower level in the hierarchy as only a Senior Captain. His military prowess is displayed, though it's clear that he's not as ruthless as he will be later in the saga. In fact, he's portrayed very nearly as a good guy. Overall, it's an interesting plot thread, but falls a little flat.
Unfortunately, the novel is nearly ruined by a confusing story arc involving a character named Lord Odo. At one point, it seems quite clear that Lord Odo is in fact Thrawn, but is later revealed to be otherwise. (This won't spoil the book, and might actually help make things more clear, in the end). When the revelation came, it unbalanced a lot of the story, and confuses the ultimate outcome.
Near the end of the novel, the story starts coalescing nicely into what would appear to be an epic battle, but ends much less interestingly. After the Thrawn Trilogy, where the space battles are huge and interesting, the finale doesn't achieve the same levels of intrigue.
Still, the unique timeframe, and character development in this book still make Choices of One a worthwhile read.
Fans have been looking forward to this one for a LONG time. A Dance with Dragons completes the story begun six years ago, when A Feast for Crows was published in October, 2005. In Feast, fans were given the full story, but only for half the characters. Fan favorites like Tyrion Lannister, Jon Snow and Daenarys Targaryen were noticeably missing from the chapters of the book. Martin's now-infamous claim that Dance would be finished within a year ended up haunting him relentlessly until the day that A Dance with Dragons fell into everyone's eager hands. A Dance with Dragons not only completes the story of that missing half, but also continues the story forward. In fact, Dance is the largest book in the series, weighing in at 1,040 pages.
So how does this fifth entry in the Song of Ice and Fire series match up to the rest? Read on to find out.
Note: It's presumed you've read the series up to the ending of A Feast for Crows, so if you haven't, don't read on.
The Prologue certainly draws comparisons to that in A Game of Thrones, taking place far north of the Wall, and giving us glimpses of the White Walkers. This serves to continue the inexorable march of the undead towards the rest of Westeros. Martin is most certainly taking his time drawing out the inevitable confrontation with the Others, however, and some readers may wonder if he'll ever be able to complete this saga, much less in the two books he claims remain. Nevertheless, it's a promising start to the novel.
Tyrion Lannister
Finally, after ten long years, fans get new Tyrion material. His story begins perfectly in Dance and we see the Imp wallowing in self-pity and taking careless chances, his life no longer important to him. It doesn't take long for that attitude to change, with the help of some unlikely allies, and rather unexpected revelations.
Tyrion sees his ups and downs in this novel, and his luck continues to hold, especially near the end. He's matched up with another dwarf, but where this pairing is going is hard to say. Tyrion's line that he has a heart for “cripples, bastards and broken things,” is never so apt as in this novel. His story does wander a bit, and he's not as endearing as in his previous forays, but he's still very much Tyrion Lannister, and he entertains us nonetheless.
Daenarys Targaryen
Unfortunately, Daenarys Targaryen's return after a decade-long hiatus does not go as well as the dwarf's. She is certainly a willful young woman, but she borders on annoying and insolent throughout the novel. She seems to disregard every piece of advice her advisers give her, always questioning herself, but then stubbornly refusing to reconsider. Though she's the mother of dragons, we unfortunately see very little of them until the latter parts of the book, which is frustrating, considering how integral they seem they must be to the series.
There are some truly exciting portions of the novel in this book, however; One scene in particular seems to be what fans have been waiting for since the moment the dragons were brought to life in the burning embers of Khal Drogo's funeral pyre. It should bring a chill to readers' spines, and was perfectly written–leaving the reader wondering about the fate of the character, of course.
Jon Snow
Jon arguably has the best plot line in the novel, both fleshing out his character further, as well as one of the most surprising final chapters of the book. Strange how the Starks all seem to have the best stories.
There's also an early scene where Jon dispenses justice Eddard-style. It's an unexpectedly welcome scene, not only makes for good reading, but also draws the reader back into the story, which until then founders a little bit.
Davos Seaworth
In A Feast for Crows we learn that Davos is dead. Since Dance takes place during the same timeframe, we get to see his actual situation play out. Without spoiling things, let's just say that Davos' parts are rather boring, most of the time, though Martin leaves things sufficiently appropriate for Davos Seaworth.
Theon Greyjoy
It's been 13 years since we last got into the head of Theon Greyjoy, all the way back in the second book of the series, A Clash of Kings, published in 1998. Martin seemingly killed off the young kraken, but readers have heard bits and pieces about him throughout the series. In A Dance with Dragons, fans finally learn the fate of Theon. Theon's storyline is one of the most interesting of the book, second only to that of Jon Snow.
Bran Stark
Bran has a very interesting story in the novel, but one that seems to end much too quickly. His almost feels like a dropped story thread, and fans will wonder what's happening with him later in the book without ever finding out. This is presumably one of the characters who will see more time in the next entry in the saga.
Quentin Martell
Quentin Martell is the son of the Prince of Dorne, and fans are given quite a bit of time with this character. Ultimately, his part doesn't feel that important to the story, and one is left wondering why he is even a part of it. The importance of Dorne's storyline is becoming more apparent throughout Dance, but it still feels like it's late to the party.
Arya Stark
Still very much in Braavos, Arya was left blind in her last outing. Hers is one of the most involved stories in all of the Ice and Fire saga, and it continues to be no less enveloping in this latest entry. It's still unclear exactly where her thread is leading her, but fans shouldn't be disappointed by her brief appearances in Dance.
Victarion Greyjoy
It's not very clear how Victarion will ultimately play into the saga, but his parts are not at all dull.
Jamie Lannister
When the book finally catches up to the end of A Feast for Crows readers are reunited with Jamie, and his quest to unite the riverlands. He only appears in one chapter in Dance, but it's a fantastic one, with a very suitable cliffhanger ending.
Cersei Lannister
Fans will be very pleased with Cersei's chapters in A Dance with Dragons. The queen has already been brought low, and will sink even further before things are through. Fans may even begin to feel sympathy for her in this round, though they'd be hard-pressed to ever forgive her. Cersei has been the character that fans love to hate, so Dance is all the more shocking for making her seem more human.
Brienne of Tarth
Another character that only appears once, and not as a viewpoint character. Fans won't get a lot of information about what's been happening with her, or what her ultimate fate is, but her presence is crucial to the chapter, feels unexpected, and is perfect.
The Red Priestess Melisandre
Readers are welcomed into the mind of Melisandre for the first time in A Dance with Dragons and given a look at what her plans might be. It's revealed that she's not infallible, and can doubt herself after all. There are some reasonably surprising events revolving around Melisandre in this novel as well.
Stannis Baratheon
Readers have still not seen events from the viewpoint of the truly legitimate King, and after A Dance with Dragons, it's uncertain if it will ever happen. Indeed, Stannis has a lot to do in this book, with very little to show for it. He appears a few times early in the book, then mostly those that surround him allude to him for the remainder. It's fitting that readers should spend more time with his subjects than with the King himself, however.
Ser Barristan Selmy
Selmy is still with Daenarys and serves as the sole member of her Queensguard. Throughout the saga, he's been a bit of a secondary character, but with A Dance with Dragons, he leapfrogs right into major character status. His parts are interesting, treacherous, and fitting for the aged knight. Fans will have much more respect for Ser Barristan before the Dance is through.
Varys the Eunuch
Appears only once, and very briefly, but is the most shocking and enjoyable chapter in the book.
Missing Characters
Ultimately, there are a few characters that do not appear in the novel, their fate uncertain.
- Catelyn Stark
- Rickon Stark
- Sansa Stark
- Samwell Tarly
- Peter Baelish (Littlefinger)
Summary
A Dance with Dragons does indeed feel much like A Feast for Crows did, though is certainly a better novel; it feels dark and gritty. Winter is most certainly coming, as evidenced by Martin's use of the weather throughout the book. Once it snows in King's Landing, it's quite clear how winter is going to affect events in the series.
Once Dance catches up to the ending of Feast, things move along a little faster, but this book still doesn't live up to the greatness of A Clash of Kings and the chaos that was A Storm of Swords. There are moments that drag along, and there are characters included that feel unnecessary or confusing. Fortunately, Martin moves the story along nicely in this book, and it truly feels like there's an end-game coming, though it's still unclear what exactly that is.
The author has stated that there are at least two more books left in the saga, currently titled The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring. Though those titles are intriguing, A Dream of Spring doesn't sound like the title of a book that would wrap up this amazing series. It seems like in a song of Ice and Fire, things should end in a blazing inferno, and fire should be a part of the title. Mayhaps there will be another entry in the series. Time will tell, of course, but with the delay between these books growing longer, let's hope not too much time is necessary.
Rating: 4.0 of 5
- Reviewed by Bradley K. Brown