Sword of Fire and Sea / Erin Hoffman

Sword of Fire and Sea

(Chaos Knight #1)

by Erin Hoffman

fantasy

copyright 2011

read in August 2017

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

Nice people tackling difficult challenges in a complex world.

Unfortunately the challenges are overcome too easily... See a problem, wave a sword or a magic spell, problem overcome.

And the complex world is barely described. People, countries, cities appear from nowhere, do their bit, then disappear. Some of them barely have a "bit" to do... One man, for example, serves coffee each morning, gives a gift of coffee, goes his own way. Does it add anything to the plot? Not as far as I can tell. He is a stranger who is met on the trail -- to no purpose.

The whole book is a lot like that: interesting people and places, coming unannounced and going, having added little of value.

The plot itself is largely unexplained. Plenty can be understood, sometimes after the result. But there is a lot of inexplicable motivation. My best guess is that it's because the country is a dungeons and dragons game world. Players -- and the author -- know the world. The reader is left in the dark.

For all that, it's a pleasant book to read. I won't seek out book two -- but I will be happy to read it if it appears.

And the cover... is very nice :-) Definitely one of the better book covers.

Great cover. Unclear plot. Nice characters. Too little world explanation. Easy reading. Light and forgettable.

====
Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting / Problems? Solved.
====

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming 'WOO HOO what a ride!'
   

The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. / Neal Stephenson, Nicole Galland

The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O.

(DODO #1)

by Neal Stephenson, Nicole Galland

fantasy, science fiction

copyright 2017

read in August 2017

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

In a word: disappointing.

Stephenson writes hard and heavy science fiction. A Stephenson book will have chapters of hard science, more chapters of explanation of the hard science. With a few interesting -- overblown -- characters to manage a complex plot.

Dodo seemed to be going the same way. First twenty pages and I thought, this is great! Solid science -- plus humour! That's a first for Stephenson. Galland is new to me, I guess that she provides the humour. But...

One hundred pages in and I'm thinking, This is not a Stephenson book. Yes, there's humour, that's a plus. But where is the scientific depth?!

The story is being told by a woman, a linguistics expert. A very likeable character. Except that her approach to science is, Oooh... that went right over my head. So, no real explanations. Which is fine -- but disappointing in a Stephenson book.

Then the science is used -- entirely -- to build a box in which magic can be performed. Magic? Yes, magic. Which is explained as... Well, I obviously can't explain that, it's magic.

Science is supplanted by magic. The book shifts from science fiction to fantasy.

Okay, there's a lot of time travel. With some dependence on multi-strand universes. Some of it may be new... that is... not done to death in other time-travel stories.

With "suspense" provided by one woman who says -- many times, Well, of course I knew that that would go wrong but I couldn't be bothered telling you... Disappointing.

After a while the humour also begins to fade. There's a major strand of humour from acronyms. Funny... for a while.

The major characters are very pleasant. Except that they are really cogs in the vast bureaucratic machine that is the government agency which controls their actions. In their own time they have great skills and very little authority. Worse yet...

When they travel back in time, there are enormous difficulties. Which is interesting: setting the scope of time travel then exploring the very practical difficulties.

Except that the hero and heroine are stupid.

Not really stupid. They just meet people who know so much more than they do. Who couldn't be bothered doing anything with their abilities except -- now that someone else has started -- these new people are so much better at what has to be done.

Which leads to the disappointing finale.

The main characters finally take independent and strong action. A few other characters join them... and suddenly, it's the scene setting for a series. These other characters are sterotypes. They get together to form a standard, ethnic / gender / ability balanced team.

And this book -- after a quick wrap-up of the current conflict -- sets the stage for a series of books. Here's the huge / powerful / evil baddie organisation, here's the small / friendly / skilled team of goodies.

The story ends satisfactorily. Despite its haste and dubious logic.

The series has only just begun.

Acceptable as light fantasy. Disappointing as Stephenson science fiction.

====
Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting / Problems? Solved.
====

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming 'WOO HOO what a ride!'
   

A Dark and Hungry God Arises / Stephen Donaldson

A Dark and Hungry God Arises

(The Gap #3)

by Stephen Donaldson

science fiction

copyright 1992

re-read in August 2017

rated 9/10: really, really good

It's years since I first read this book. I may have read it twice, I remember that I enjoyed it. This year I am reading the Gap series in sequence... with just a few other books to break it up. I can remember highlights, some details, the overall thrust of the plot -- and enjoy it even more.

Sometimes it helps to re-read a book. To know what will happen in subsequent chapters. To be able to understand -- in light of that known "future" -- just what is happening "now". The Gap series benefits from rereading: I'm getting a better appreciation and understanding of its complexities.

This book -- book three -- also has some plot positives. That is, main characters are winning at intermediate objectives. In this book the winning involves action, cunning and super powers... which is all good fun.

Books one and two concentrated on personal levels of threat and torment. This book three opens up the wider world -- and has a lot of physical action, plenty of bangs and booms. All of which I find a lot easier to enjoy. Okay, it's escapism. I can't deny that I enjoy escapism :-)

I'm enjoying the series. This is the best book in the series.

So far.

====
Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting / Problems? Solved.
====

"If you're not part of the solution, you're in government." … per Ginger Meggs
   

City of Light / Keri Arthur

City of Light

(Outcast #1)

by Keri Arthur

fantasy, chicklit

copyright 2016

read in August 2017

rated 9/10: really, really good

Action from go to whoa. Not just fighting action but sneaky action, hot sex action, glaring at enemies who may be friends action... Never a dull moment. And it is not forced. (Interestingly, the preview of book two is non-stop action -- of the forced kind. No matter. That's just chapter one of book two.)

The heroine is gutsy, attractive, powerful, able and willing to fight. Better yet -- her motives are eminently acceptable. She is willing to put her life on the line for... a reason which I can fully understand and fully support. A reason which places this book firmly in the chick lit category.

Also -- since this is chicklit -- the heroine has a lover who may be evil and a potential lover who is a traditional to-the-death enemy. Romeo and Juliet? Chicklit ! A well used cliche, used well.

The story is set in a post apocalyptic world. A world which has been shattered by -- presumably -- nuclear war. "Bombs" are mentioned, with no further detail. Is this science fiction?

The post-war world is pure fantasy. There may be vague scientific explanations... but ghosts, vampires, shape-shifters, are fantasy. I'm happy to also add the created, genetically modified creatures into the fantasy category. There is no explanation of their mechanics, they are simply fantastic :-)

The world is wild... yet sensible. The various creatures are extensions of earlier fantastic creatures... yet with realistic limitations and motivations. (Though some motivations are not yet clear.)

City of Light is great fun. The characters are strong and understandable. The heroine is driven by believable and acceptable motivations, the team for good share the essential features of those motivations. With enough additional emotional baggage to maintain a solid sense of individuality. And, of course, conflict.

Was I in the mood for a fast and furious piece of positive -- in a moral sense -- chick lit? Possibly. Does that bias my rating? Probably.

I rate on my own enjoyment. I really did enjoy reading this book.

====
Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting / Problems? Solved.
====

"If you're not part of the solution, you're in government." … per Ginger Meggs
   

To Ride Pegasus / Anne McCaffrey

To Ride Pegasus

by Anne McCaffrey

science fiction

copyright 1973

read in August 2017

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

This book puts a scientific basis to mental powers... sort of. It's all very scientifically based but it's all measurement rather than understanding.

There's a great new device which graphs brainwaves. Read the graphs and you can tell what type of mental power is being used -- ESP, telekinesis, precognition, whatever. Yet there is no attempt to replicate these signals with a machine... Is machine ESP possible? We will never know because no-one ever tries it.

This book is about the people, the society, the reaction to ESP rather than the ESP itself. It is a tale of evolution and gradual development rather than an amazing adventure. Though there is a constant emphasis on, Wow! that's amazing!

The book is a mash-up of several previous stories. Each story covers a key aspect of this future history. There are two main phases, quite well integrated, despite two sets of leading characters. It is clearly a series of stories but it reads well enough as a single novel.

The weakest part of this book is the cast of characters... There is variety but they share a common factor: they are all so sweet and well meaning. Once they understand their ESP powers, they are all so positive, so altruistic, so hard working. I'd like to think it's a true representation of humanity. I have my doubts.

There is also "romance". Yes, "romance" in quotes. The hero is unaware of unrequited love so he remains chaste. As soon as he realises that the woman loves him -- they hop into bed. There is no wooing, no courtship. I think that he also loves her, that is not so clear. This could be a sign of the times of writing: everyone is supposed to be open and accepting of sex but it is still not allowed in mainstream media. Ooooh ! the daring of science fiction :-)

Pegasus is a light and entertaining book. There are similarities in the style to the dragons of Pern but it lacks the excitement. Perhaps because the challenges and conflicts are more political and personal, with no real threat to life and limb.

An enjoyable book. Not at all a page-turner. Read, enjoy, move on.

====
Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting / Problems? Solved.
====

"If you're not part of the solution, you're in government." … per Ginger Meggs
   

Dragonflight / Anne McCaffrey

Dragonflight

(Dragons of Pern #1)

by Anne McCaffrey

fantasy, science fiction

copyright 1968

re-read August 2017

rated 8/10: really quite good

Some books stick in the mind; this is one such book. I read it many many years ago -- possibly when it was quite a new book. And I remembered it, and wanted to read it again. Finally -- thanks to a gift from friends -- I have a copy.

There are several reasons for wanting to read Dragonflight a second time. First, I remember that I enjoyed the first reading. Second, I have recenty read other Pern books by McCaffrey: so how did it all start? Third, I was wondering how the story would stand up to my changed reading interests.

So first & third: I enjoyed re-reading this book. I enjoyed it as much as I remember enjoying the first reading. And second: okay, some things have changed but the seeds were there, in the first book of Pern.

[This book clearly sets the scene for later Pern novels. I'm taking that as a sign of good writing. I see no indication that my copy of the book has been updated to suit the histories of later books.]

On a casual reading I would call this book a "fantasy". Having done a quick google I have found it classed as either fantasy or science fiction... Oh? Well, dragons always mean fantasy... imo :-) Yet later books on Pern give a clearly science fiction explanation for the dragons. And for other aspects of Pern. This early book reads like fantasy but has enough scientific hints to class as science fiction.

The main theme of later McCaffrey books is family... Or, possibly, people, relationships and family. There is also a strong feeling of family history: characters who have familiar names are descended from characters in earlier books. There is -- and here I am working from memory, I hope it is accurate memory -- there is a lot of importance placed on the warm and fuzzy aspects of relationships. Sometimes -- in my memories, at least -- the McCaffrey schmaltz is a bit toooo sweet.

Dragonflight shows signs of this sweetness... but not enough to interfere. The story is still full of action and fantasy and excitement and all the good stuff that I enjoy. With enough niceness to enjoy without gagging.

So it's really quite good... and I'm glad to have finally had a chance for a second reading :-)

There are, however, some aspects which are interesting... almost dated... but do not affect my enjoyment. Mostly, the "dragonmen".

I'm sure that the later books have dragonmen -- and dragonwomen. Dragonflight -- which is a mashup of several novellas -- seems to drift. At the start, dragons are generally ridden by men. (Except for the golden dragon.) Towards the end, there is a vague hint that some of the dragons are ridden by women. Not just the golden dragons. I can't guarantee the facts. Just a feeling. A feeling that the original novellas were shifting with the emerging equality of the times.

All very interesting, just a small possibility of a book which could be dated... yet is not.

The story is solid, the characters are clear. The story is not to modern "standards" -- yet there is no feeling that it has dated.

This was a good story when it was written. And it is still a good story. A very good story.

I enjoyed reading it again.

===

25nov20: Saw the book, decided to read it again...

I agree with my comments above. With one extra point -- possibly due to current public interest in issues of domestic violence.

First, the book is extremely paternalistic. The main character -- Lessa -- is a woman, she does amazing things, she is utterly dominated by the man.

The man takes her home. Tells her nothing. Expects Lessa to be his servant: At least she has some use, he thinks, as she bandages his wounds.

The man tells Lessa nothing of his plans. Then gets angry when Lessa acts -- unwittingly -- against those hidden plans. She whimpers in apologetic submission. He shakes her violently. He shakes her violently, several times. It seems to be his standard response to anything other than Lessa's total submission.

The man is a violent bully.

Oh, and then there are the dragons. The dragons save the planet. Every indication is, that the dragons are as intelligent as humans. The dragons talk, intelligently. And are ordered about as though they are brainless animals.

The men are macho, they force their will on women and dragons. The women are heroic, simpering servants. I may have claimed that the book does not feel dated... I was wrong. The relative status of the men and women is prehistoric.

Oh, btw. I still enjoyed reading the book.

====
Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting / Problems? Solved.
====

"Lawyers pay for their mistakes, doctors bury them, architects grow ivy on them. And consultants charge for them."

https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com.au/
   

The White Hart / Nancy Springer

The White Hart

(Book of Isle #1)

by Nancy Springer

fantasy, chicklit

copyright 1979

read in August 2017

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

This book is... sweet. Mostly harmless, slightly tedious. Not so much building, as meandering, to a somewhat satisfying conclusion.

The cover claims, "In a class with... Thomas Covenant." That's nonsense. Inside, a reviewer compares this book with Tolkien's Middle Earth. That's more like it. Much of Hart is a direct steal from Tolkien.

There's the immortal elder race, they sailed off to the west, long ago. The characters are all Men (that is, human men and women), with the odd dragon and passing reference to dwarfs. The setting is a bucolic though occasionally dangerous version of southern Britain. With a looming threat from the east.

There is, however, the compulsory-for-its-era reference to the good old days when women ruled all, in peace and harmony. And a slightly stronger role for a couple of women. The standard magic sword does have a down-side, it encourages violence. In the absence of orcs, the human lords battle each other.

The book is somewhat tedious because the conflict is mainly internal. The major -- physical -- battle and minor skirmishes are ended quite quickly. Only the internal battles -- conscience, greed, betrayal -- last more than a few pages. Perhaps that's the claimed similarity to Covenant? Except that Covenant battles internal demons with a massive thesaurus and a metaphorical chainsaw.

The White Hart is fairytale-lite. It's pleasant, it's enjoyable, it is hardly gripping. I like the various characters, I can understand their decisions. I'm glad when things turn out well. I'm also glad to reach the unexpected yet fitting conclusion.

The conclusion is solid, there are no cliff-hangers. Book one of a trilogy yet it can be read as a standalone novel. I like that.

This book is lightweight fantasy. Perhaps an early chicklit fantasy. I'll be interested to see where the Isle goes in book two. But I won't miss it if I never find out.

====
Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting / Problems? Solved.
====

"Lawyers pay for their mistakes, doctors bury them, architects grow ivy on them. And consultants charge for them."

https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com.au/