The month of September initially is turning out to be a bad month to read any books. I started with blocking off a good week at the beginning in order to attend Dragon*Con in Atlanta, then followed it up with a lot to make up at work. I was still able to squeeze in around four new to me novels in that time frame, but it seemed at times like I wouldn't be able to finish anything in time.
For the first half of the month, I was able to read three young adult novels, and one older, but recommended adult novel.
Higher Institute of Villainous Education - Mark Walden - (YA) In a riff of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and much more, we have a new series about a boy destined for greatness, that is great Evil. However unlike the Evil of Harry Potter, this first book in the Young Adult H.I.V.E. series, paints Evil as just being really good businessmen, with flexible Ethics, but strong Morals. As such, it's a perfectally acceptable book to introduce young readers to, and get them interested. For older fans, not so much. However, as other reviewers have noted, fans of Artemis Fowler, would likely love this book. [Cost 8.00; Rated 5.00]
Emissaries from the Dead - Adam-Troy Castro - First of only two Andrea Cort Novels. In a universe that's been post singularity since the dinosaurs, humanity has carved mash of empires. Yet they are still at the bottom when it comes to all encompassing AIs. Andrea, sentenced to a life of civil service, is good at her job. So good she is sent to investigate a murder in a reverse artificial biosphere. The book itself was a very engaging murder mystery, although fans of mystery will probably figure the plot twists fairly earlier on. The AI issues, and the world built, make it a good novel for the hard sci-fi fan. [Cost 8.00; Rated 7.00]
Priscilla The Great - Sybil Nelson - (YA) Again with the Superhero novels? A coming of age novel, in which our heroine finds herself starting to exhibit unusual abilities, and that her family is a lot more complicated then she though. A quick read, and obviously the first in a series of short YA novels. Good for those starting out reading, not so much for the older fans. [Cost 3.00; Rated 3.00]
Trapped - Douglas E Richards - (YA) Also billed as a Superhero like novel, the book itself was nothing of the sort. First in a trilogy, there were no unusual powers or abilities but a rather straight forward encounter story, with a sci-fi twist. For hard science fans it won't make much sense, but for the young reader it's perfectly acceptable. I found it a little to quick and the story a little too presumptuous. Again, it's definitely not for my age group. [Cost 3.00; Rated 2.00]
In the second half of the month I've already read more then the beginning half, and from the looks of it, hands down better as well. Stay Tuned.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
End of August Book Review
I wrapped up August with having officially read thirteen novels. Re-Reading a book I've read before doesn't count, and I have to read at least half the book for it to count. Novels that I only get a few chapter in, then drop or pause, usually get shuffled back lower in to the pile, and rarely get mentioned. There are many reasons for dropping a novel only three chapters in, but most commonly it's due to the book just not grabbing my attention at that exact time. Maybe in a difference month will my interests lean a different direction and the novel grab me, but till then; To the Waiting Bin you Go!.
For the second half of August, I finished these seven novels:
Tempest Rising - Nicole Peeler - Not sure when during August I read this novel, but at the least I can plug it in the second half of this month. Billed as a Supernatural Chick Lit, this is the first book in a series about a twenty something young lady, coming to turns with a traumatic injury and finding out how different the world around her, and she herself really is. The book was quite good, infused with humor, and very little angst keeping with the main character being a little older. It's adaption of a supernatural world was within reason, giving some good vampire like creatures, without there being vampires. All in all, a good start to a series, and one I might check out later. (Cost 8.00) [Rating 5.00]
Soulless - Gail Carriger - First Book in the Parasol Protectorate. It's a Steampunk, Victorian era, Modern Supernatural novel. Genre Tags indeed. What it really is, is Great! The dry humor, satire, and general nature of the main character just kept me riveted to the page. The atmosphere of the writing is more align with a Pulp style of Victorian England, although a semi-realistic one. Gritty I would not cast this novel as, but fun it most certainly was. I ended up buying the next three novels were available, but decided to hold off reading them till the finale is released in 2012. Also the first three novels are available as an ebook bundle for reduced price, so I would give it a hearty thumbs up. (Cost 8.00/3.00) [Rating 8.00]
Confessions of a D-List Supervillain - Jim Bernheimer - Again with the Superhero novel? This was a late pickup for my pile of Superhero novels, one I only approached after reading another blog's review. The novel takes place in a world with lots of Superheros and Supervillians. However in this novel, the world finally decides to go to hell. An accident by either a Supervillian, or other unleashes an small apocalypse on the world, one were all the Superheroes get taken over, leaving one lone minor level Supervillian, trying to decide whether to save the world, or just toss in the towel. The good news? He decides to save it. In the process he becomes a Superhero and learns that there is a fine line between the two and sometimes being a Villian, means being a better Hero. The only problems I had with the book, was that the writing seemed just a little rough. Otherwise the battles were quite fun, and the characters a little more then 2D. Strong recommend for anyone searching for a good Superhero novel. (Cost 3.00) [Rating 4.50]
After The Golden Age - Carrie Vaughn - Continuing the Superhero novel trend, I tackle a New York Times Bestseller's novel on Superheros and the world around them. And a tackle it was. Unfortunately, although the concept, idea, and execution behind this novel was rather good, I found the writing a little stiff. A discussion with a fellow avid reader calls this the, writer being more critical of other writers. Since I consider myself at best an amateur at writing, I would tentatively call bunk on this notion, except there could be an element of truth in it. None the less, although she may be a well loved writer, I personally have had problems reading any of her novels. Thus I will be assigning a lower review rating, with the codicil: Read a couple of sample chapters and decide for yourself if the prose flows, or does not. (Cost 12.00) [Rating 4.00]
Being Jamie Baker - Kelly Oram - Behold, yet another Superhero novel. Yet it is really not. In Jamie Baker's world, there is no such thing as a Superhero. No people with unusual powers, no arch villians. However a year earlier, an accident with a chemical truck and power line super charged her. So now she is the world's first super human, not that she wouldn't prefer being, well normal. I mean, when she can accidentally short out the power out home, and she may of killed her first boyfriend, it kind of puts a damper on trying to be a normal teenage girl. As the novel goes, it's a quite well written, and engaging young adult, teen centric novel. As a Superhero novel, not so much. None the less, I would recommend this to novel to many people, who might like to read a coming of age Teen Girl dealing with abnormal problems story. (Cost 8.00) [Rating 4.00]
Heaven's Shadow - David S Goyer and Michael Cassutt - One phrase, Rendezvous with Rama. In the same grand tradition as Arthur C Clarke, the authors paint a tale of first contact with an extremely alien world. Mostly realistically written, and well at that, I found the novel mostly engaging. I stress the word mostly. I quibble a little with the ending, as it appears to bend the rules put in place but the authors during the course of the novel, as if they suddenly realized they were at the end and had run out of time in their narrative. Otherwise it was engaging none the less. Rama is still better, but for those who liked Arthur C Clarke, you would probably enjoy this novel well enough. (Cost 13.00) [Rating 7.00]
Ready Player One - Ernest Cline - Dude! I mean DUDE! You got the eighties geek chic. You've got computer games, both first generation, and post-MMO! You've got a treasure hunt! It's endorsed by Wil Wheaton! Wade Watts is a teenager stuck in the outskirts of a world with no oil, and no economy. He lives by going to school, and playing in Oasis, the post Internet Virtual Reality everything. While there he is also one of countless hunting for an Easter Egg, left by the founder and owner of Oasis, as part of a massive treasure hunt to determine who inherits his vast fortune. It's been nearly ten years since the founder died, and no one has found the first key, till one day Wade does, and the world changes. Well written, well paced, very engaging. If you grew up in the eighties, played video games, you'll love this book. If you haven't, you may still love it as it really is a good book. (Cost 12.00) [Rating 12.00]
For the second half of August, I finished these seven novels:
Tempest Rising - Nicole Peeler - Not sure when during August I read this novel, but at the least I can plug it in the second half of this month. Billed as a Supernatural Chick Lit, this is the first book in a series about a twenty something young lady, coming to turns with a traumatic injury and finding out how different the world around her, and she herself really is. The book was quite good, infused with humor, and very little angst keeping with the main character being a little older. It's adaption of a supernatural world was within reason, giving some good vampire like creatures, without there being vampires. All in all, a good start to a series, and one I might check out later. (Cost 8.00) [Rating 5.00]
Soulless - Gail Carriger - First Book in the Parasol Protectorate. It's a Steampunk, Victorian era, Modern Supernatural novel. Genre Tags indeed. What it really is, is Great! The dry humor, satire, and general nature of the main character just kept me riveted to the page. The atmosphere of the writing is more align with a Pulp style of Victorian England, although a semi-realistic one. Gritty I would not cast this novel as, but fun it most certainly was. I ended up buying the next three novels were available, but decided to hold off reading them till the finale is released in 2012. Also the first three novels are available as an ebook bundle for reduced price, so I would give it a hearty thumbs up. (Cost 8.00/3.00) [Rating 8.00]
Confessions of a D-List Supervillain - Jim Bernheimer - Again with the Superhero novel? This was a late pickup for my pile of Superhero novels, one I only approached after reading another blog's review. The novel takes place in a world with lots of Superheros and Supervillians. However in this novel, the world finally decides to go to hell. An accident by either a Supervillian, or other unleashes an small apocalypse on the world, one were all the Superheroes get taken over, leaving one lone minor level Supervillian, trying to decide whether to save the world, or just toss in the towel. The good news? He decides to save it. In the process he becomes a Superhero and learns that there is a fine line between the two and sometimes being a Villian, means being a better Hero. The only problems I had with the book, was that the writing seemed just a little rough. Otherwise the battles were quite fun, and the characters a little more then 2D. Strong recommend for anyone searching for a good Superhero novel. (Cost 3.00) [Rating 4.50]
After The Golden Age - Carrie Vaughn - Continuing the Superhero novel trend, I tackle a New York Times Bestseller's novel on Superheros and the world around them. And a tackle it was. Unfortunately, although the concept, idea, and execution behind this novel was rather good, I found the writing a little stiff. A discussion with a fellow avid reader calls this the, writer being more critical of other writers. Since I consider myself at best an amateur at writing, I would tentatively call bunk on this notion, except there could be an element of truth in it. None the less, although she may be a well loved writer, I personally have had problems reading any of her novels. Thus I will be assigning a lower review rating, with the codicil: Read a couple of sample chapters and decide for yourself if the prose flows, or does not. (Cost 12.00) [Rating 4.00]
Being Jamie Baker - Kelly Oram - Behold, yet another Superhero novel. Yet it is really not. In Jamie Baker's world, there is no such thing as a Superhero. No people with unusual powers, no arch villians. However a year earlier, an accident with a chemical truck and power line super charged her. So now she is the world's first super human, not that she wouldn't prefer being, well normal. I mean, when she can accidentally short out the power out home, and she may of killed her first boyfriend, it kind of puts a damper on trying to be a normal teenage girl. As the novel goes, it's a quite well written, and engaging young adult, teen centric novel. As a Superhero novel, not so much. None the less, I would recommend this to novel to many people, who might like to read a coming of age Teen Girl dealing with abnormal problems story. (Cost 8.00) [Rating 4.00]
Heaven's Shadow - David S Goyer and Michael Cassutt - One phrase, Rendezvous with Rama. In the same grand tradition as Arthur C Clarke, the authors paint a tale of first contact with an extremely alien world. Mostly realistically written, and well at that, I found the novel mostly engaging. I stress the word mostly. I quibble a little with the ending, as it appears to bend the rules put in place but the authors during the course of the novel, as if they suddenly realized they were at the end and had run out of time in their narrative. Otherwise it was engaging none the less. Rama is still better, but for those who liked Arthur C Clarke, you would probably enjoy this novel well enough. (Cost 13.00) [Rating 7.00]
Ready Player One - Ernest Cline - Dude! I mean DUDE! You got the eighties geek chic. You've got computer games, both first generation, and post-MMO! You've got a treasure hunt! It's endorsed by Wil Wheaton! Wade Watts is a teenager stuck in the outskirts of a world with no oil, and no economy. He lives by going to school, and playing in Oasis, the post Internet Virtual Reality everything. While there he is also one of countless hunting for an Easter Egg, left by the founder and owner of Oasis, as part of a massive treasure hunt to determine who inherits his vast fortune. It's been nearly ten years since the founder died, and no one has found the first key, till one day Wade does, and the world changes. Well written, well paced, very engaging. If you grew up in the eighties, played video games, you'll love this book. If you haven't, you may still love it as it really is a good book. (Cost 12.00) [Rating 12.00]
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