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.