Although the first of half of September both lacked in the amount of books read, as well as the quality, the second half sure was great for reading. I finished five or six depending on how you are counting, and started on a seventh. Although I've been anticipating Neal Stephenson's Reamde, I am saving that for an October read. Instead I became a Superhero, visited a Victorian England bathed in magic, read a comfortable new Urban Fantasy, and saw many different futures.
In Hero Years... I'm Dead - Michael A Stackpole - If Superheros were real, how long could they be heroes? If they had kids and families? If they grew old? In this novel that question is asked, when a lesser known hero, how had been part of the Hero League, disappears only to come back to Gotham after an inexplicable twenty year absence. Can he still be a hero? Should he be a hero? Or is there another reason for his return? The world Stackpole draws is full of heroes and back stories that appear to be based off both DC and Marvel Comics. He never uses an actual character from them, but all his characters can be recognized for their homage. The plot and writing moves at a good pace, with few inconsistencies. The twists can be seen approaching, but are quite fun to read. In short the book is quite excellent. Very much worth the ebook price. Highly recommended for fans of Superhero stories in general. [Cost 5.00; Rating 7.00]
A Matter of Magic - Patricia C Wrede - If magic were more commonplace, but still restricted to those of nobility, how would Victorian England differ from the real period of history? In this Omnibus, consisting of Mairelon the Magician, and Magician's Ward, we follow Kim, a 17 year old girl from the streets of London, whom disguised as a boy is discovered by one of the Noble Magicians and recruited into a world changing adventure. Although not Steampunk in the classic sense, this novel might certainly appeal to that same core audience, as it's depiction of Victorian England, and the method of magic in it, certainly gives this novel the same feel to it. It's also very well written, and quite funny for it's cheeky Victorian humor. Although as an Omnibus, the tone of the second book changes enough that you can see it as two books, and not one. I'd still recommend it to most Steampunk fans, and more specifically those who like Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate novels. As a side note, I'd probably rate the individual books in the omnibus a 5.00 or 6.00, however as an Omnibus I will give it the beneft of combining those two ratings. [Cost 10.00; Rating 10.00]
Embedded - Dan Abnett - Even now, in War the military walks a fine line in trying to get the Press to tell the military's side of the story, and with access inadvertently giving the journalist something infinitely more. In Embedded, we see in the future this same dance on another planet, but when an old and tired journalist finds a novel way to hitch a ride with a patrol, he finds there is a lot more to all the stories, and a much tougher story to get out, as he himself becomes stuck behind lines. Let me say, that the book is still pretty good even in reflection. On the other hand there are some rather large plot holes, and a good chunk of the book makes it seem like it's written for a movie deal. Yet all in all, it's still one I'd recommend to Military Sci-Fi readers, as well as those who like journalist reports from war-zones. As shorter description though, I would call this a Sci-Fi version of Black Hawk Down. [Cost 6.00; Rated 6.00]
Embedded - Dan Abnett - Even now, in War the military walks a fine line in trying to get the Press to tell the military's side of the story, and with access inadvertently giving the journalist something infinitely more. In Embedded, we see in the future this same dance on another planet, but when an old and tired journalist finds a novel way to hitch a ride with a patrol, he finds there is a lot more to all the stories, and a much tougher story to get out, as he himself becomes stuck behind lines. Let me say, that the book is still pretty good even in reflection. On the other hand there are some rather large plot holes, and a good chunk of the book makes it seem like it's written for a movie deal. Yet all in all, it's still one I'd recommend to Military Sci-Fi readers, as well as those who like journalist reports from war zones. As shorter description though, I would call this a Sci-Fi version of Black Hawk Down. [Cost 6.00; Rated 6.00]
Hounded - Kevin Hearne - When the last old testament style Irish Druid, 21 centuries old but physically young enough to be just out of college, is visited by the Gods of his faith to finish an ancient vendetta, what does he do? He apparently decides it's time to stop hiding, and makes a stand in the last non-sacred place of the world, Arizona. First book in The Iron Druid Chronicles, Hearne deftly creates a character that most people would admire and like. Filled with small slices of humor, satire, as well as old world history, what can easily have become cliched instead is rather entertaining. About the only problem I have with it, is that someone who lives for 21 centuries running, suddenly making a stand just because the area they are in is pretty, doesn't quite make sense. A little more reason would have helped, yet otherwise again, it's a pretty good popcorn novel. If you like early Jim Butcher's Dresden Novels, and similar series, you will like this one. [Cost 8.00; Rated 7.00)
A Soldier's Duty - Jean Johnson - In the 24th century, the universe is a rather messy place, with two human empires, an alien race under quarantine for four centuries, and pirates by the bucket-full. But even though it's messy, there is still peace of sorts, worlds with families and life. Enter one girl named Ia, who sees in the far future the destruction of not only her home world, but of the entire galaxy. Yet there is a way to stop it all, a way that requires her to change her entire life, and became a Marine. A Marine with a security and need to never fail, because if she fails, so does the Galaxy. First book in the series "Theirs Not to Reason Why", it's a fun and rather deep first novel. I'd liken it to a cross between Tanya Huff's Valor Novels, Robert A Heinlein's Starship Troopers, and well The Return of the Jedi just for the climatic battle. The only downside was the climatic battle in that it became a little, cheesy. Also from Boot to the climatic could have had more depth to all the side characters. Otherwise, still a good read. If you liked any of those listed above, you'll like this novel. [Cost 8.00; Rating 8.00]
I didn't quite finish James Maxey's Bitterwood in September, so I will drop the official mini-review in the October mid-month update. October is shaping up to be a good read month, as Neal Stephenson's Reamde is among the short stack to read.