Synopsis: Miles Vorkosigan fails to make it into the Barrayaran military academy due to his frailty caused by events in the book Barrayar. He does however succeed in accidentally becoming an "admiral."
This was an absolute joy to read. Miles is a character with so much personality almost anything he could do would be fun to witness. Bujold did such a marvelous job crafting him. Without resorting to spoilers, there was a point in the middle where I had to stop and say, "Holy Crap! Did he just do what I think he did?" Short answer: Yes. And it was believable.
It is somewhat of a Space Opera, but once you are immersed in Bujold's universe, it seems like science. It's that internally consistant. And her handling of intrigue makes me realize how much I still have to learn.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Book Review: Barrayar by Lois McMaster Bujold
Synopsis: Cordelia Naismith from Shards of Honor gets used to her new life as the Lady Vorkosigan and complains about the Barrayarans. Then she helps keep the Emperor alive during a coup d'etat.
This is a rather enjoyable book. Much of the plot involves political intrigue, which is a subject about which I'm still learning, so I can't really rate the handling. One thing we learn from Aral's regency is that it sucks to be the leader. Life is full of hard decisions, and people are always trying to kill you.
It's funny getting the story through Cordelia's eyes. Being from Beta Colony, she's extremely liberal. While many of the things she criticizes about Barrayar make perfect sense, on other things, she's out there. It's rather fun being in the viewpoint of someone who's frequently rational and occasionally bizarre.
Or maybe I'm not far enough to the left.
This is a rather enjoyable book. Much of the plot involves political intrigue, which is a subject about which I'm still learning, so I can't really rate the handling. One thing we learn from Aral's regency is that it sucks to be the leader. Life is full of hard decisions, and people are always trying to kill you.
It's funny getting the story through Cordelia's eyes. Being from Beta Colony, she's extremely liberal. While many of the things she criticizes about Barrayar make perfect sense, on other things, she's out there. It's rather fun being in the viewpoint of someone who's frequently rational and occasionally bizarre.
Or maybe I'm not far enough to the left.
Book Review: Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer
Synopsis: Opal Koboi escapes from her asylum and sets out to get revenge. Artemis Fowl eventually gets his fairy memories back.
This book takes the Artemis Fowl series to a new place. It is darker and somewhat more complicated than previous Fowl novels. It does an excellent job of balancing a heroic Artemis with try/fail cycles. It had some great moments between Artemis and Holly. And this is a must read for Mulch Diggums reaction to the disaster at the end of Act 1 (see what I did there, not giving the spoiler--not like you can't find it if you just look around).
This book takes the Artemis Fowl series to a new place. It is darker and somewhat more complicated than previous Fowl novels. It does an excellent job of balancing a heroic Artemis with try/fail cycles. It had some great moments between Artemis and Holly. And this is a must read for Mulch Diggums reaction to the disaster at the end of Act 1 (see what I did there, not giving the spoiler--not like you can't find it if you just look around).
Book Review: Desolation Island by Patrick O'Brian
Synopsis: Jack Aubrey takes his ship, Leopard, on a trip to Botany Bay. On the way, they lose most of the crew to plague, get hounded by a far superior Dutch ship, and barely make it to a semi-deserted island most of the way to Antarctica.
This book starts with a concept I've talked about before in the Aubrey-Maturin books: Get Jack Aubrey the hell off land. This is his wife's plea, and Stephen helps make that happen. The book is as enjoyable as any other O'Brian book, moreso than many.
The most poignant part for me is when they finally get rid of the Dutchman. They cause it to lose steerage in the middle of a hurricane, and the Dutchman is quickly swamped and sinks. What's so touching is Aubrey's reaction. He is haunted by the thought of the hundreds of lives he just ended. He's a lifelong sailor and naval warrior, but war's not supposed to be about killing men. It's supposed to be about capturing or disabling ships.
It's a quaintly outdated sentiment, but the part of me that adores this world longs for such a time. I guess that makes me a hippy.
This book starts with a concept I've talked about before in the Aubrey-Maturin books: Get Jack Aubrey the hell off land. This is his wife's plea, and Stephen helps make that happen. The book is as enjoyable as any other O'Brian book, moreso than many.
The most poignant part for me is when they finally get rid of the Dutchman. They cause it to lose steerage in the middle of a hurricane, and the Dutchman is quickly swamped and sinks. What's so touching is Aubrey's reaction. He is haunted by the thought of the hundreds of lives he just ended. He's a lifelong sailor and naval warrior, but war's not supposed to be about killing men. It's supposed to be about capturing or disabling ships.
It's a quaintly outdated sentiment, but the part of me that adores this world longs for such a time. I guess that makes me a hippy.
Book Review: Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett
Synopsis: After the assassination of their king, the witches have to work together to first protect the rightful heir, then return him to the throne before the land destroys itself.
This is, hands down, the funniest Pratchett book I've read to this point. It seemed like I was laughing out loud every five minutes. It was so good. I think Mort is still my favorite with all things considered (it had a little more substance).
The best part is when Death appears on stage in the role of Death in the Hamlet-esque play-in-a-book. Then there's Nanny Ogg. Pretty much every scene she's in is hilarious.
When they are gathering the prince back, the witches follow the folktales to make sure he's successful in reclaiming the kingdom. That section caught my attention because my current novel has a rather similar concept. What can I say? Great minds.
This is, hands down, the funniest Pratchett book I've read to this point. It seemed like I was laughing out loud every five minutes. It was so good. I think Mort is still my favorite with all things considered (it had a little more substance).
The best part is when Death appears on stage in the role of Death in the Hamlet-esque play-in-a-book. Then there's Nanny Ogg. Pretty much every scene she's in is hilarious.
When they are gathering the prince back, the witches follow the folktales to make sure he's successful in reclaiming the kingdom. That section caught my attention because my current novel has a rather similar concept. What can I say? Great minds.
Book Review: Killshot by Elmore Leonard
Synopsis: An iron worker interfers with an extortion/robbery and thus draws the attention of a mafia hitman and his moron accomplice.
This book is something of a departure from the other Leonard books I've read. The others were almost entirely about a single crime and it's fallout. This one follows more of a thriller-type formula. It was an exciting read. The moronic villain--whose name escapes me now--added quite a bit because there was no telling what he would do next.
And this the only Leonard book I've read where the hero is not a US Marshal. There is a Marshal, but he's more a villain than any other Marshal I've seen in a Leonard book.
This book is something of a departure from the other Leonard books I've read. The others were almost entirely about a single crime and it's fallout. This one follows more of a thriller-type formula. It was an exciting read. The moronic villain--whose name escapes me now--added quite a bit because there was no telling what he would do next.
And this the only Leonard book I've read where the hero is not a US Marshal. There is a Marshal, but he's more a villain than any other Marshal I've seen in a Leonard book.
Book Review: Up in Honey's Room by Elmore Leonard
Synopsis: Carl Webster returns. This time he is trying to track down an escaped German POW during WWII and getting involved with an underground cell of German spies in the process.
I think this is my least favorite of Leonard's books I've read. As I am writing this over a month after reading it, I can't actually think of many plot points. What I do remember is that it climaxes with Carl sitting by (naked, mind you) while the problem solves itself.
That was kinda disappointing.
I think this is my least favorite of Leonard's books I've read. As I am writing this over a month after reading it, I can't actually think of many plot points. What I do remember is that it climaxes with Carl sitting by (naked, mind you) while the problem solves itself.
That was kinda disappointing.
Updates
Okay. I have some catching up to do now. Between internet outages and general busyness, I haven't been here in a while. So here goes updating the books on which I've missed a review.
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