Humans, Bow Down / James Patterson

Humans, Bow Down

by James Patterson, Emily Raymond

science fiction, subadult

copyright 2017

read in December 2018

rated 4/10: bad but could be read

Good grief. What a load of rubbish. A social message slathered on with a trowel. Thick but with no depth.

Take a bundle of stereotypes. A bunch of standard scenes. Drag them completely over the top. Provide a violent either-or solution: kill them all before they kill all of us. Then end with one person escaping and planning to create book two. Sheesh.

"Young adult" fiction aimed, perhaps, at the young adults who believe that wearing grunge clothes and joining a violent gang are the height of independent thinking.

Then there is the embarrassment of authors:

I've named two of them. Patterson is presumably there to sell the book, Raymond has the "young adult" writing experience. There's also, "with Jill Dembowski". Plus illustrations by Alexander Ovchinnikov… the illustrations are well suited to the moody, tough teen style of the book. Well suited to a target audience who would rather read a comic.

Yet the book is readable. Short, snappy chapters. No boring passages, all action. Like watching a train wreck, just wondering what will crush next.

At one point I did almost give up. I was wondering at the stupidity of two kids -- having never driven before -- stealing a car and leading a high speed chase through dangerous roads. No, that's not what nearly stopped me...

The stolen car is a two-seater, the heroine clearly states that there are no back seats. Several chapters later -- there are two people sitting in the back seats of that same car. That is rubbish. The rest of the book is just silly.

And yet... I read to the end. The story is embarrassing. I'm embarrassed. But it's readable.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

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"For every action there is an equal and opposite government program."

===

Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com.au/ :-)

Heat Stroke / Rachel Caine

Heat Stroke

(Weather Warden 2)

by Rachel Caine

fantasy, chicklit

copyright 2004

read in December 2018

rated 7/10: well worth reading

Well worth reading ? Well, not strictly for its literary merit. Not that there's anything wrong with the way it's written...

This is chick lit fantasy -- done well. Sure, the heroine changes clothes -- but not for each new page. And she is willing to repeat outfits. Sure, the heroine is madly in love (hot, lingering looks, melt in his arms stuff) and she has the hots for just about every man she meets. But love and lust are not the only plot devices.

There's the bit where the heroine is an absolute slave to her man -- and to others. I find this trope to be embarrassing, slightly nauseating. But it is not something that this heroine *wants*.

The fantasy chick lit tropes are there -- but not overdone. They do not spoil an entertaining book. And that's why I rate it as a seven...

There's plenty of magic. I have decided that this is "illogical as-required" magic. That is, there is no "logical" explanation as to how it works. And when the heroine "requires" extra-strong magic -- there it is. Enough to solve the current problem, with little explanation. The "all good fun" style of magic :-)

And that's what this book is: all good fun. Goodies & baddies. Some sympathy for each. A heroine who just will not give in. Ridiculous, sympathetic, action-packed... enjoyable.

This book is worth a six, read to pass the time. Then I give it an extra mark because the standard tropes are used well.

Oh, and I like the way that the author deals with the necessity for "growth" of the heroine. You know, the heroine gains extra powers in each book, so the next book must have bigger threats... Harry Dresden, for example, starts simple and grows to absolute super-powers.

I've only read one Weather Warden book. But I really like the way that this need-for-growth appears to be being managed. Another trope used well.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

"For every action there is an equal and opposite government program."

===

Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com.au/ :-)

Sleeping Giants / Sylvain Neuvel

Sleeping Giants

(Themis Files #1 of 3)

by Sylvain Neuvel

science fiction

copyright 2016

read in December 2018

rated 7/10: well worth reading

A slow start, gradually building to sudden action -- then it slows again. Yet it keeps my attention all the way. Definitely first of a series -- a trilogy -- yet with reasonable closure at the end of this book.

The book starts with lots of traditional sf, a few stereotypes working on a scientific project. As the project gains success, the characters gain a bit more depth. And the complexities of real-world politics intrude. Not too suddenly, not too subtly.

I never really get to empathise with the characters. Like, yes, empathise, no. I'm not sure why, perhaps too many of them with not enough depth. Actions and motives are clearly -- perhaps unrealistically -- linked. My strongest empathy is negative -- dislike of -- the chief villain.

The author uses interviews to link the various threads -- interviews by one linking character with each of the others. This works very well. I have very little trouble following what is happening.

It's an enjoyable book. A variation on hard sf with occasional flashes of humour.

One character in particular, though, plays too much as deus ex machina… because he is there as a lead-in to the next books. I do hope to read the following books in the trilogy.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

"For every action there is an equal and opposite government program."

===

Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com.au/ :-)

The Real-Town Murders / Adam Roberts

The Real-Town Murders

by Adam Roberts

science fiction

copyright 2017

read in December 2018

rated 8/10: really quite good

An interesting take on virtual reality. A murder-mystery with good ideas. An enjoyable use of language, including very descriptive colours and sounds. I enjoyed this book.

The hero and her partner are -- nothing unusual here -- somehow constrained in their actions... a completely unbelievable constraint yet entirely acceptable. (Hmmm... the constraint is revealed on the back cover. Pity about that.)

The denouement is a bit rushed: on first read it made no sense, though a more careful re-read did make it all fit together nicely.

The only part of the book that I disagree with is the constraint on the partners. It is used as a common thread for (potential) further stories, further adventures of this partnership. Okay, that will work. But even if the constraint can't be resolved, I would prefer just a bit more explanation.

An enjoyable book, well written and described, set in a very interesting -- and surprisingly complex -- world.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

"For every action there is an equal and opposite government program."

===

Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com.au/ :-)

The Casual Vacancy / JK Rowling

The Casual Vacancy

by JK Rowling

fiction

copyright 2012

started reading in December 2018

rated 7/10: well worth reading

I only read 75 pages, hardly scratching the surface of this book. But I stopped mainly because I will be away and won't have time to read much more, not for a while. I may start it again, later.

Also, I admit, not a type of book which catches my interest. I started reading because of the author -- and because of previous public opinions. Time to find out for myself.

For a subject... a theme... of interpersonal backbiting and human nastiness -- this book is good. I'm drawn into it. I would like to read more. It's mostly due to the characters.

As far as I can tell, there is only one "nice" character. He dies at the start, to create the "casual vacancy". Other characters are a mixture of okay and creepy. Yet I am drawn in. Will they remain nice, or creepy ? Which aspect will influence future actions ? Will the apparent ratbag turn out to be misunderstood and -- deep down -- nice ?

I have the feeling that a lot of nasty characters will add up to a rather positive book. With heavy social commentary along the way.

Okay, I've read only 75 pages. I feel that the book deserves more. I hope to get back to it. Later.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

"For every action there is an equal and opposite government program."

===

Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com.au/ :-)

restaurant: Lulu La Delizia / Subiaco

restaurant: Lulu La Delizia / Subiaco

We have "pasta of the day" followed by coffee. Both coffee and pasta are delicious. Service is friendly and fast, not too fast.

We eat inside, the advantage of booking ahead, the outside air is just a bit too cool for comfort.

This is a cheerful, friendly restaurant. Popular with young & old. Crowded on a Tuesday evening. For our tastes -- too noisy. A place for jolly banter rather than quiet discussion.

Rated two out of three: very enjoyable food and experience but a bit too noisy for regular visits.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

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"Relax. Only dread one day at a time." … Ginger Meggs

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Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com.au/ :-)

cafe: CheekyChinos / Stirling

cafe: CheekyChinos / Stirling

Definitely not hipster ! Busy but not crowded. No tatts, no man-buns, just two people providing friendly service. No clever theme, no funky furniture, no confusingly clever artwork. A very simple café.

Pleasant, relaxed, good coffee and muffin.

We eat outside. A very small area -- pleasantly grassed if we had moved a bit further. Just 20m from the busy Karrinyup Road. It feels... peaceful. Enough space that we can enjoy a feeling of privacy. Despite the people sitting at the next table.

Rated two out of three: we would happily visit again -- if we were in the area.

It's on a corner which we pass regularly -- on the way to somewhere else. This time, I'm glad we stopped.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

"Relax. Only dread one day at a time." … Ginger Meggs

===

Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com.au/ :-)

Gridlinked / Neal Asher

Gridlinked

(Agent Cormac #1)

by Neal Asher

science fiction

copyright 2001

read in November 2018

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

I recently read a very recent book by this author -- and was disappointed. Heavy hard science fiction with no human interest. Possibly there were too many characters from previous books, books which I have not read ? Anyway, as a one-off book, it was disappointing.

Disappointing because I know I have thoroughly enjoyed previous books by Asher.

I grabbed Gridlinked in an attempt to renew my appreciation of Asher's writing. With only partial success.

There is a lot of hard science... Fascinating... for a while. Then boring. Magic by another name. Patches of ultra-violence... that's just me, I'm currently not in the mood for extreme violence.

There is, however, a decent dose of human interest. A hero with some problems, some personal growth. A villain with a reason for his villainy. A range of secondary characters with a range of personalities.

Unfortunately, too many characters for me to follow. Especially since I lost interest, put the book down, then finished it in very short bursts. Had trouble distinguishing the various characters. Still, there were enough interesting characters to, well, to make the book interesting. Sort of.

Somewhere after 400 pages -- the story finally escaped from an engineer's report to an actual novel. A book where something -- other than magical construction -- finally happens. Okay, the first 400 pages did include a lot of story. Yet there is a noticeable increase in the action of a "plot" after those first 400 pages of somewhat tedious build-up.

Asher thinks big, this novel is more than just a boys' big book of adventure. My interest in what is happening fades, because the story is slow -- and often lost in the detail of the scientific invention.

This book is readable. It's entertaining though occasionally violent. Great as hard science fiction. Quite average as a readable novel.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

"Relax. Only dread one day at a time." … Ginger Meggs

===

Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com.au/ :-)

café: Canteen Trigg

café: Canteen Trigg

No man buns, no visible tatts. Still, Canteen is hipster. Cheerful, crowded, loud. Semi-repurposed: really a revamped part of an older restaurant. Was it an outdoor verandah ? With a well-worn bare concrete floor but an apparently new ceiling.

This is another subcategory of hipster: family / beach hipster. There's a distinct atmosphere to a beachside almost-kiosk café. Including the family -- with kids -- clientele. Not the community feel of some cafes but the family feel of a beachside kiosk. Pleasantly cheerful, very informal. (I almost entered the other café which shares this building, a far more formal affair.)

Pushing the modern hipster feel -- and well suited to a beachside snackery -- all plates, cups & cutlery are disposable, organic, compostable. The diner picks up the meal from the counter -- and clears their own table, directly to the nearby rubbish bins.

Coffee was fast and good, choc éclair was delicious. A limited choice of "cake" but plenty of meal options.

We enjoyed our coffee & cake. Had trouble squeezing out from behind the bolted-to-the-floor table. Stepped outside -- and were immediately relieved to be clear of the loud chatter and barely audible background music.

Two out of three: worth a visit but it's not on our must-go-again list.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

"Relax. Only dread one day at a time." … Ginger Meggs

===

Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com.au/ :-)

The Freeze-Frame Revolution / Peter Watts

The Freeze-Frame Revolution

by Peter Watts

science fiction

copyright 2018

read in November 2018

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

Let me be clear: I am not a huge fan of "hard" science fiction. If *you* love hard SF -- rate this book higher. It is hard. For much of the book my mind simply glazed over.... In between, however, is an interesting book.

The author writes that he considers it to be a novella, just a thousand words longer than publishers' expectations for a novella. I have another idea: this book is two short stories.

There are two major concepts being explored. Each concept is the "what if" basis for its own story. Each story makes a point -- but is less complete than a full novel. Two short stories in a single, merged, narrative.

One story is telegraphed on the back cover: How do you stage a mutiny when you are only awake one day in a million ? It's a good question and well explored. Yet the conclusion is incomplete, unsatisfactory. Acceptable in a short story, not in a novel. (Unless you read only for the hard science...)

The second "short story" is similarly inconclusive. At first I thought it was just tacked on as an afterthought. Then I realised that there had been hints, throughout the book. So it is a well developed "what if" -- with an unsatisfying conclusion.

The book is interesting, good science fiction, not exactly gripping. The story (each of the stories) is well written, it simply never grabbed my attention. I enjoyed the "what if" aspects but the science which occupies a lot of the book is... boring. Unless you are reading for the excitement of scientific extrapolation.

This book is well written hard science fiction. With a very low level of escapist enjoyment. If hard science fiction is your cup of tea, this is a good book to read. 

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

"Relax. Only dread one day at a time." … Ginger Meggs

===

Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com.au/ :-)