Category: Reviewed

Fire & Ice — Patty Jansen

By 5t4n5

Fire & Ice -- Patty JansenMy first comment about this book is that it should be made clear at the point of sale that this book contains male on male rape scenes.   I’m pretty sure not everyone wishes to buy books with such content in them for very obvious reasons.

That said, let’s get on with the review.

As a first book in a trilogy i was very impressed.   I feel it’s certainly set the stage for some good grimdark fantasy to come.   It isn’t pleasant, the characters are flawed and too busy struggling with their own shit to worry about you, the reader — get over it!

No really, looking at some reviews i don’t think some people get this genre of story telling: you ain’t getting it laid out all spotlessly cleaned and ironed with your clean socks in the morning, it’s crumpled, still got stains and a bit of a stale wiff to it.   But they’re the only clothes you’ve got for the day so just throw ’em on and get out and enjoy the adventure they take you on.

To sum up, this was a great beginning to a trilogy that also has another trilogy following straight after.   As the stage builder for this grimdark, disturbing world that the story is set in, it’s certainly got my interest and i’m diving straight into Dust & Rain to see if what follows can meet my expectations.

Patty’s Page

#fantasy #pattyjansen

The Great Gatsby — F. Scott Fitzgerald

By 5t4n5

The Great Gatsby -- F. Scott FitzgeraldWhile i think that this is a really good book, and a thoroughly enjoyable read, i certainly don’t think that it deserves to be ranked as one of the ‘best novels of the 20th century’ and all the other plaudits it gets.

Basically, this story boils down to: poor young man falls in love with a rich, young and beautiful woman but doesn’t have the wealth to support her in the life to which she is obviously accustomed.

So Gatsby disappears from her life and sets out to become the wealthy man that he thinks will attract her.   In the meanwhile, once Gatsby’s disappeared from her life, she meets and marries someone more of her class, breeding and money.   But all the while Gatsby’s been stalking her until he has the courage to finally reveal himself and all the wealth he has somehow amassed.

So yeah, nothing much new there.   You can find plenty of books of that ilk, plenty better books published in the 20th century, and plenty better American novels.

But what you can’t find very often is the delightful prose in which this is written and the way the story is presented.   And the story is rather more nuanced than my simple precis above.

So yeah, definitely a good book and well worth a read, but it’s certainly not the greatest and i’m certainly not planning on ever reading it again.

Scott’s Page

#fscottfitzgerald

Jonathan Livingston Seagull — Richard Bach

By 5t4n5

Jonathan Livingston Seagull -- Richard BachI fail to understand why this book is lauded by so many people.   I fail to see why this book is regarded as inspirational.

It’s like: completely ignore anyone else, even if they might actually be right, and just go and do anything you feel like, no matter how dangerous to yourself or to others around you.   Remember, your ego is the most important thing in the universe so get out there and show off your ability to be better at something than everyone else.

What, you’re not better at something than everyone else?   Well you best get out there and practice and work hard every single day from dawn till dusk until you are better than everyone else.

And then when you’re better than everyone else go and tell them you are.   Make sure all that hard work and effort isn’t wasted by not having anyone be inspired by you, you super amazing thing you, oh, just look at the size of that amazing ego shining forth from your…

Do make sure to let all the dull and boring people know how utterly amazing you are as you ignore the 30 mph speed signs and drive your amazingly fast car over 150 mph down these busy, boring, urban streets; past schools and playgrounds where the children of dull and boring parents await eagerly to be inspired by your rebellion.   Ignore what anyone else has to say, even if they may actually be right and have a very good reason to say it.   Don’t worry if you kill or injure anyone while doing your stupid stunts, just make sure they all get to see how amazing you are.

Ho hum, call me curmudgeon, i’m off shopping on me moped.

Richard’s Page

#richardbach

The Other Eight — Joseph R. Lallo

By 5t4n5

The Other Eight -- Joseph R. LalloI admit to not being into all this super hero stuff — a bit of batman is as far as it goes with me.   So why was i reading this book?   Because it was written by Joseph — nuff said.

The reason i don’t like the normal super hero thing is that it’s all just plain stupid: get bit by a radio active spider and suddenly you can climb walls and beat the hell out of super villains.   Yeah, whatevah!   But The Other Eight takes that just plain stupid thing to the most silly it can get and just has some fun with it.   And, i have to say, it actually works.

At last a super hero story that actually sets out to be silly, rather than a silly super hero story trying it’s hardest to be serious.

So yeah, i like it.   Because every now and again one needs a bit of silly in ones life and this book fills that spot exceptionally well.   And just to make sure you actually get that message, Joseph throws in a relevant quote from the great Willy Wonker:

“˜A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.’

Great writing, fun characters, fun story, just fun.

Enjoy.

Joseph’s Page

#josephrlallo

The Legend of Socket Greeny — Tony Bertauski

By 5t4n5

The Legend of Socket Greeny -- Tony BertauskiAnd so ends the Socket Greeny Saga, and what an ending it all turned out to be.

There was a point near the beginning of this final book where i thought it looked very clear how this was going to go, and i admit to feeling a little disappointed.

‘But wait, read on’, i told myself; ‘before jumping to conclusions.’

Tony does enjoy his plot twists and this one just seemed to keep on twisting, as further and further down the rabbit hole of Socket’s true nature we went.   My little disappointment didn’t last long at all — sorry for ever doubting you Tony.

And the final word is…

pause…

wait for it…

Awesome!

Yup, this whole saga has been totally enjoyable and very unputdownable.   Which, although it’s been quite a while since i read Halfskin, is what i remember feeling about that series as well.

Yes folks, Tony is a great writer who, if you’re into his kind of sci-fi, will certainly keep you engaged all the way until the last page.   Great characters, great writing, with a nice standard everyday lexicon that doesn’t leave you having to use look up at all: which does make the reading experience a lot more immersive.

All i can say is that i’m very much looking forward to next time the “Infinite Improbability Drive” picks one of Tony’s books to read.

Tony’s Page

#scifi #tonybertauski

The Training of Socket Greeny — Tony Bertauski

By 5t4n5

The Training of Socket Greeny -- Tony BertauskiOh wow, that was rather exciting.   I usually read for about an hour or so at bedtime but last night i picked up this story at 21% in and couldn’t put it down until i’d totally devoured the lot.

The first third of the book mostly deals with Socket’s training and how bad he’s getting it from his trainer, his mother’s interference, his own issues with it, etc..   Then, while supposed to be taking a break at home it all begins to unravel for Socket as he moves closer to his final test, and then, big badda kaboom!!!   The last third of this book is relentless, and, for me at least, totally unputdownable.

Tony is a fantastic writer with a great imagination and the writing ability to convey it.

So, with that said, i’m off to dive straight into The Legend of Socket Greeny.

Tony’s Page

#scifi #tonybertauski

The Discovery of Socket Greeny — Tony Bertauski

By 5t4n5

The Discovery of Socket Greeny -- Tony BertauskiSo after a good start with The Making of Socket Greeny this book continues in very much the same high paced, action packed way.

All super good fun, with young people creating merry mayhem while saving humanity from the evil things.   Well written and enjoyable — even for a 54 year old — so i’m just gonna dive straight into The Training of Socket Greeny and find out what happens next.

Tony’s Page

#scifi #tonybertauski

The Making of Socket Greeny — Tony Bertauski

By 5t4n5

The Making of Socket Greeny -- Tony BertauskiAs a short prequel to the main trilogy it sets the stage quite well.

We’re definitely dealing with teenagers running amok in full immersion virtual reality environments.   It’s got aspects of Ready Player One and Anthea Sharp’s Feyland, so if you enjoyed those Socket Greeny may just be your thing.

At the end of the day, a prequel should serve one purpose and that’s to get you wanting to read the rest of the series, and this has definitely served it’s purpose as i dove straight into The Discovery of Socket Greeny.   It could have used a little editing to get rid of a few typos, but other than that it’s well written with a fast flowing narrative.

Tony’s Page

#scifi #tonybertauski

The Monarch of the Glen — Neil Gaiman

By 5t4n5

The Monarch of the Glen -- Neil GaimanAn American Gods spin off novella which has Shadow getting mixed up in an ageless fight between Scottish monsters and those who want to keep them in their place.

All the usual Neil Gaiman excellence.

Available as a stand alone novella, as part of the Fragile Things collection and also included in the Kindle edition of American Gods.

Neil’s Page

#fantasy #neilgaiman