Michael Cummings
Quick to read, but damned slow to start off, if that makes any sense. I'm hoping the third book makes up for it.
Brief but thorough introduction to Smith's writing style, aka organic or pantsing (or as Smith refers to it, writing into the dark). Quick motiviational collection of essays.
Enjoyed book two, though it could probably have been a hundred or three pages lighter. If you get to book two, pay attention to the vignettes between parts - they all come back at some point to be relevant again. If you sloughed though book one, you should keep reading book two, Sanderson does a decent job of keeping the story going. My only complaint was I felt like there was a little too much foreshadowing/obvious outcomes. Then again, this is Sanderson, so book three will probably turn all of that over on its head and prove everything we thought we knew was wrong.
Based on other reviews, I read this only a chapter at a time, and I think that helped. The essays aren't without flaws, but they are great starting points for thinking about the tenets of our current worldview. Closer to 4.5 stars, but I rounded up.
Like many Koontz books, this one had a great hook that gave a lot of promises, most - but not all - fulfilled. Bartender Billy finds himself trapped as a madman begins leaving him notes, suggesting that Billy is in control of choosing to take action and cause a grisly death, or side with inaction and still be responsible for something an equally horrific death. I don't think Koontz quite delivered on that promise, but he made a good run at it.
You read fantasy like this for the action, the excitement, the pace.
Well of Ascension does not disappoint. Part 5 alone is worth the whole book. If you the first one in the series was ok/good, the second is worth reading. ‘nuff said.
Let's see if I can do this without spoilers.
Some reviewers have complained that there were characters who's arc's were too predictable. Sit back and ask yourself, why are you reading an epic scope fantasy novel? Is it because you expect arc's to break the mold? Or because you're looking for a fresh story that follows certain guidelines and then runs wild? Epic fantasies garner certain expectations, and this book is no different.
Sanderson's first book in the series isn't necessarily the best piece of fantasy out there (sorry), but it plays to your expectations perfectly and with enough excitement to keep the pace going throughout the book. It took me a bit longer than normal to slough through this 1000 page behemoth, but I finished it happily and asking questions that we all know the next book won't answer.
Well played, Mr. Sanderson.
Fantasy readers preferring large scale stories (though not necessarily with large casts) will enjoy this book.
Read this volume on recommendation (trying to break my ties with the M universe). It was definitely a pleasant way to spend the afternoon.
A quick read, this first George Smiley book is fast to hit the action and then roll like an episode of a modern thriller/mystery. Thoroughly enjoyed and look forward to reading more in the series.
I want to say that this is just another magic wielding boy, world in peril adventure (it is).
That does it no justice. It was a great epic tale, and I can't wait until the next installment! I'd love to extol it's virtues, but I can't think of how to do that without spoilers. Enjoy! Read!
Before I even get into my review of this book, I should explain my past with this series. I first tried getting into the Shadows of the Apt series when book one, “Empire in Black and Gold,” came out - tried, and failed. I thought the ideas were interesting, but the execution was a little too predictable even for me, and I gave up. I watched as successive novels came out, each one sounding awesome. I even read a few short stories set in this world of the Apt, but I never tried to go back to the full series.
And then book five fell into my hands. I could still remember the characters and world setting from the first book, but would that be enough for me to get through “The Scarab Path”? Just barely, and now I know I've missed out on some awesome reading. Comparing book one to book five, it's easy to see Tchaikovsky's growth and maturation as a writer. The action scenes are well paced, and there are plenty of them. But this isn't just an excuse to chronicle some series of RPG born campaigns - there is no want on violence, and every scene serves to further the plot.
The only drawback of this novel is that it doesn't work as a stand alone story. If you've only read the back covers of the other four in the series, you know about the rise of the Wasp empire, and how by the end of book four the Wasps were halted, at least for now. In that respect, this novel is a new direction for the series. But without at least a basic familiarity of the cast involved, the Scarab Path would be confusing to navigate. Many names are just casually referred to, even when critical to the plot. In this novel we bring back Che and Thalric as our principal view point characters, with a mix of new and old supporting cast to round out the story narration. The story is set in the distant city of Khanaphes, a city consigned to myth where a strange kinden of beetles live their lives according to the laws of their mysteriously absent Masters. Che is there to find answers to the confusing questions she was left with at the end of the last book. And where Che goes, others will follow, all suspecting secret strategy in her visit to such a remote corner of the Nem desert.
“The Scarab Path” was a good read that kept me up late reading often. Its always fun to read a book that is so stock full of high magic (the Art of the Apt can be described no other way) but where the characters are blind to it, seeing only the fantastical of the rare low (Inapt)magic. A wonderful blend of steampunk and epic fantasy, “The Scarab Path” makes a good addition to the Shadows of the Apt series.
The first time I tried reading this book, I DNF'd at the time jump. The me that read it this time enjoyed it from start to finish.
If you are reading this book review, then you have me confused with Andy Weir and this text confused with the start of “The Martian.” I realize they are similar, as both contain words, but you should really be reading his book, not my review of it.
Not convinced? What if I were to tell you that Jack London did not in fact die in 1916, but became a time traveling nomad who ended up in 2012 where he watched reruns of MacGyver, caught Moon Race fever followed by the whole Mars One craze, then returned to his roots of writing survival fiction under the guise of Andy Weir two years later? If I were to tell you all of that, you'd say I was crazy, and I say you should read “The Martian” and you'd know exactly what I meant.
From our first few moments with the Ares 3, we know exactly what kind of book this is going to be. This is Robinson Crusoe on Mars. Except with more explosions (but not the Michael Bay kind), and no space monkeys (like the 1964 classic). The book is fast paced, the bulk of it in the first person in the guise of journal entries. I know that might turn you off - I thought it would turn me off. It doesn't. Mark is exactly the kind of smartass you want to read in the first person. The science in the book is as legitimate as Weir could make it, and everything is actually within reach of us today. Weir may take a few liberties, but there are no hidden teleporters or miracle techs, everything is very real and now.
It was fun, exciting, and I haven't felt this happy about a book in so long, I'm all confused inside and am unable to write a worthy review. But there you have it. I would add that I will be surprised if the Martian doesn't make the list of nominees for a Hugo in 2014.
This book review is based on an ARC that was sent to me by the publicist prior to publication on behalf of the FantasyBookAddict.
Loved the Troop, enjoyed the Deep, but this...I didn't like our characters even before things went downhill.
Fascinating to read this for the first time in 30 years. As much as I remembered, there were a few things I'd forgotten. You build a story in your head of how you remember the book progressing, but in the reread I discovered that it was far more terse than I remembered. And Tarby is a jerk.
The third volume of the Seven Realms series, it really felt like Chima finally has settled into the story of Han and Raisa. Han must finally face the moment we've all waited for - when he discovers his friend and love interest Rebecca is in fact the Princess Heir Raisa of the Queendom of the Fells.
Overwhelmingly, though, this is Raisa's volume. Friction and violence increase as the people trying to keep Raisa out of the way increase their efforts.
Will they succeed?
Of course not. This is a fantasy series, and we all know the heroine and hero ultimately will prevail to win the day. Right? Maybe. Not everything will go to plan as Raisa returns home in this volume. The action and pace of the third volume are more consistent, giving the reader a solid return for their investment in the series. My biggest complaint, and perhaps this isn't fair since the principal character is a sixteen year old girl, is the complete inconsistency in her feelings towards the men in her life. Its difficult to tell who we should be rooting for as a love interest when Raisa herself changes gears every few pages, from mooning over Amon, to Nightwalker, to Micah and Han.
If you've read the other two volumes of this series, then you deserve this volume. The first half of the book is fast paced (I read the first 300 pages in a day) and will keep you on your toes. The second half of the book slows down, right about the point we realize that we are being set up for the fourth book. Although I think this was the best volume of the series so far, I'm only going to give it four stars - my socks weren't blown off, just mildly uncurled at a few points. I would have liked more from Han, and found the one chapter from Amon's perspective both refreshing and unexpected since no other non Han/Raisa character ranked their own chapter.
I was not overwhelmed by the Sword of Shannara, but wanted to give the original trilogy a solid try. The first fifth of Elfstones was...clunky. Chunky. I am glad I pushed on. Once we got past the initial introduction of the quest, the book was fairly fast-paced. Still awkward in places, but a fun/quick read.
Really enjoyed this prequel. Readers of the original books may get a little teary eyed, and new readers will find it a good starting point. There were parts of the original series that make more sense now having read this book. A bit quick to read, but well worth it.
Over too soon
Somehow, despite such a large cast and various plots, it ended too quickly. A worthy addition to the series. Worth the wait.
How do you describe “Dark Run”....it was like an episode of Firefly, but where the science wasn't all goofy (sorry, Browncoats, but what the hell, all of the habitable planets are in the same...solar system....? That's not even space fantasy, that's just crap)(I cannot believe I just took this time to rant on Firefly, a show I actually love).
But Dark Run - it's that. Firefly, better science, lots of quick action packed into a tiny space. Be careful with the analogy, though, because you'll find yourself typecasting characters from one to the other, and then you'll just have conflicts on how to feel.
I hate starting reviews with “it was better than I expected” - but it really was. Somewhat pulpy, solid military sci-fi story. You get what you expect out of it - action in a spacefaring future. As a freshman publication, it was solid if a little fast. I'll definitely be happy to read the next two volumes in the series.
Dragon's exist. Descended from alchemically altered knights, the Slayers know this to be true. Now a diverse group of teens that includes Tori, a smart but spoiled senator's daughter, must prepare to save the rest of us at any cost. Because after laying dormant for centuries, the dragon eggs are ready to hatch.
“Slayers” is the first book in this YA series by C.J. Hill, the noms de plume of a YA romance writer with 18 other books published. The writing of “Slayers” is generally tight, the pace and action following an escalating pace, but the book is not without its faults. Reading “Slayers,” one gets the impression that the author wasn't completely comfortable breaking away from romance novels. At inconvenient and even inappropriate times, the action is interrupted with spurious romantic observations and thoughts.
I have no problem with the fact that there is romance in the story - only with the odd way it interrupts the action, sometimes literally in mid-fight having the protagonist wonder if so-and-so likes her, and maybe he'll kiss her? Its as though the author tried to merge two different stories, or went back through to add the romantic elements to flesh out the story after the fact. Because while both the action and the romance are well written, they don't mesh well together, leaving the reading a bit disjointed.
All that said, the story has potential. There is a temporary resolution in the story and we are left with enough nuggets to know that the story will continue. I only hope its handled better.
Readers of YA fiction looking for something new and contemporary, but with fantasy elements, will enjoy this novel. With a title like “Slayers,” I had envisioned something more like Buffy vs. dragons instead of vampires, an expectation that tainted my appreciation for the story.
Rounded up to 4 because I read the whole thing in 24 hours, which has to mean -something-
Wonderful! Not quite the vampire story I set out for, but it was still a great read. Hill's skill as a writer is only improving. I wasn't a fan of the Heart Shaped Box, thought Horns was pretty darned good, and NOS4A2 was even better. Enjoyed immensely.