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]