Reading Log, Mid November 2011

As the year wanes, so has my ability to read as many novels as I did during the summer. Is it something about the way the colder air causes my brain to shut down more, or just the more consistent distraction possibilities such as new tv shows? In this case, I think a large part was work, but then again, I'm biased.

The Princess Curse - Merrie Haskell - In the land of Sylvania, Twelve princesses are part of a puzzling but dangerous curse. For each night their feet become bloody, their shoes become tatters and anyone who is in the tower with them at night, fall into a deep sleep, never to awake. Yet there is also a great reward to be had by anyone who ends the curse. Can Reveka, an apprentice herbalist new to the land break the curse, or will what she finds lose her soul?

Designed for young adults, of decent length and depth, the books' prose and style lack not at all, feeling quite comfortable to adults as well as teens. Really, if you like tales of the old country, of curses and magic, often in the thematic of the Grimm Fairytales, then this is a novel for you. I'd recommend it. [10.00 / 7.00]

Omnitopia Dawn - Diane Duane - In the near future, on the eve of it's next great expansion, an MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online Game) comes under attack by a rival corporation and others hoping to profit on the downfall of the Billion dollar company Omintopia. Written before Neal Stephenson's Reamde, Ernie Cline's Ready Player One, and Cory Doctorow's For the Win, we travel through another realistic portrayal of Computer Games and the Worlds that people build there. To those who've never experienced such a game, a lot of what's described will appear more like fantasy, but to those who have played the likes of World or Warcraft, Omnitopia feels like the game you always wanted. Rich in detail, with a solid grasp of why a game is a game, and fantasy is fantasy, Omnitopia is sure to please the most avid gamer/reader. Per the author there is also a sequel in the works, although problems are causing it's release to be held up indefinitely. [8.00 / 9.00]

As You Wish - Jackson Pearce - Viola is a sixteen year old, in the midst of an existential crisis. Although still her best friend, her now ex-boyfriend turned out to be gay, catapulting him high up in the social circles of school, and her down into the depths of loneliness. Then in the middle of class she somehow makes a true wish, and is given by the unknown a Jinn or Genie, who will grant her three wishes. But when in the middle of an existential crisis, why could you wish for that would be good enough? Although a nice premise, and one I've read a couple of times gladly, the story devolves from a rather simple one about someone learning to be happy with them self, to a more fantasy based tale, of a Jinn and a Human falling in love. The way it was written makes it seem less authentic, and unfortunately less substantial. For a Teenage girl who is well into Romance novels already, it might seem like the perfect combination, yet for others it's not really going to make them think about life any differently. [8.00 / 2.00]

First Flight - Chris Claremont - On her first flight as Commander of a Deep System Explorer, Lieutenant Nicole Shea and her crew are ambushed and outgunned by pirates. Now drifting farther and farther from any hope of rescue they stumble upon what could be humanity's finest or worst moment, first contact with an alien life form.

I had this book on my list for awhile now, but only read it after a friend was asking me for some advice on sci-fi novels with strong Female POV characters, who are written by Male novelists. Loosely a kind of precursor to the likes of Honor Harrington by David Weber or Kris Longknife by Mike Shepherd, Lt. Shea is a hot show pilot in the waning days of slow system travel, before faster then light ships can take over runs to Pluto easily. Shadowed by something in the past between her family and other astronauts, she is inadvertently plunged into adventure most fowl. Unfortunately unlike Honor, her ability to navigate treacherous waters just doesn't feel right. At times Shea is drawn a little to much like a little girl out of her depth, then abruptly we are expected to believe she is the voice of command. Because of this, the book felt a little weak to me. It's a fine look at a deep space in-system world for half the novel, that then because of the plot attempts to jump start the story to a different level, with only so-so results. Not bad, but not great, I'd still give it a passing mark as it appears to be the author's first sci-fi novel, and from his resume he obviously got better. The good news, it's only being sold used so I picked it up for a dollar [1.00 / 2.50]

I'm already in the middle of Chris Wooding's Retribution Falls and I hope to read Greg Van Eekhout's Norse Code and Tim Akers The Horns of Ruin at the very least. Like always, I never know where I'll steer for next.

Reading Log, End of October 2011

As October comes to an end, the number of books read fell to only four, although the number of pages read, rose. If I were to look back at August, where the average page length of books then was just shy of 300, and now, where the average length was around 420 pages, then October was actually a rather banner month, as I appear to have read near the same if not a touch more then August. Most of the that outsize however is due to Reamde, which came in at a whopping 923 pages on my ebook reader. Toe to Toe, I'd think I'd still prefer August's reads as they seemed overall more satisfying.

Reamde - Neal Stephenson - When the worlds of Massively Multiplayer Computer Games, Gold Farming in Computer Games, Russian Mafia, and International Terrorism collide, something has got to give, and don't expect it to be the Gold Farmers. Neal Stephenson's latest novel weaves a Thriller about Money, Crime, and Terrorism, around the hard to grasp concept oh how many people play games, and the impact they actually have on the world economy. Added to it, is that Stephenson's deft use of MMO really brings to life what those who understand the world of MMO all know: That even though it's virtual, it's also quite real. Reamde is quite hefty and in other author's would be considered quite ambitious, although for Stephenson, it's merely expected. The novel's plot and pacing were quite well down, with few places feeling like they were dragging. Even at so large a novel, I felt the pace particularly break-neck enough, that I read through it only three or four days. About the only complaint I have, is that would have liked a bit more of the MMO side of the story in the wrap up, as it just seemed to be dropped once the final climax began. Then again, that says something when the writer's stories about the rise of T'rain, and what was going on in the game, eclipsed the Real World plot engulfing it. Not Stephenson's best novel, but an admirable and well enjoyable novel none the less. Worth the price for a Stephenson fan. [15.00 / 15.00]

Close Encounters - Katherine Allred - It's the future, genetic alteration of humanity is possible, so what does humanity do? It only allows genetic enhancement in created humans, and it treats these humans indentured servants. Our heroine is once such GEP (Genetically Engineered Person), but fear not, it's not all yes master, yes misses, in fact it's really quite rosy in a strange not really complex way. Which is also true about the story in general. What could have been a rather intriguing novel, feels a little to easy. There are very few tense moments, and the actual climax is rather simple. Although the novel is billed as a futuristic Romance novel, it shouldn't have brought it down. And in fact the Romantic entanglements also seem rather two dimensional and easy. As this is also the first in a series, and the second book doesn't even have the same characters, I'm going to say, give it a pass or get the novel cheap. [8.00 / 3.50]

Manhattan in Reverse - Peter F Hamilton - A collection of novellas and short stories by Sci-Fi master writer Peter F Hamilton. Some of the novellas take place in existing Hamilton series/universes while some are in their own bubbles. All are fairly good, and recommended for Hamilton fans. Having read at least one in a Magazine previously, I knew going in I would enjoy most of the collection, which was confirmed by the time I finished it. Currently however the Collection is only being sold in Europe, but can be pre-ordered for the US release for a reasonable sum. Again, a strong recommended for Hamilton fans. [5.00 / 5.00]

Sweet Venom - Tera Lynn Childs - When you see a monster casually strolling through an All-Ages Hot Spot, what's a High School Girl going to do? In the case of Grace it's first to run the other way. But later when she sees another monster, it's to run toward it and in the process find out she has a twin sister, and that she, like you sister is a descendant of Medusa. Oh and mythology was all wrong. Oh and she's really a Triplet. Sweet Venom is the first in a new young adult trilogy by Tera Lynn Childs. Aimed at teen girls, it definitely hits its mark. So the book wasn't really meant for me. Which explains why I wasn't really satisfied with it. On the other hand I did enjoy Oh. My. Gods. another mythology laced teen girl young adult novel, so it could something else I can't quite place. That and books with cliff-hanger endings tend to get my nerve up. If it had been more self-contained, that is stronger on a climax, with a decent resolution, but plot trails that people might want to explore in the next two novels, I'd have liked it a lot better. None the less, good book for the Young Adult Teen Girl market. [10.00 / 5.00]