The Quiet War / Paul McAuley

The Quiet War

(Quiet War #1)

by Paul McAuley

(hard) science fiction

copyright 2008

read in April 2020

rated 7/10: well worth reading... maybe

Is it possible for a book to be both absolutely fascinating and incredibly tedious? Yes. Let McAuley show you how.

The Quiet War is hard science fiction, science fiction with lots and lots of real -- or potentially real -- science. It's fascinating. Unfortunately the story -- an essential part of any novel -- is slow, complex and barely interesting.

Okay, it's not an entirely boring story. It's a very *short* story -- hidden amongst swathes of technical wonder. It's an unlikely story, stretched very thin.

I finished the book and thought, Oh well, that was okay.

Several hours later I suddenly thought, Hang on! that's just book one of a series! As I finished reading I thought, fleetingly, Well, I guess that places most of the characters where they belong. Either free to be free. Or free to continue their evil ways.

Hours later I suddenly realise, No! those characters are just placed in positions where they can continue their good or evil ways -- in another book. This story is not finished. Sure enough, Wikipedia shows several follow-on stories.

Why did I miss this obvious non-conclusion?

One, the only two sympathetic characters end in a reasonably comfortable position. Two, I care so little for any of the characters that I simply did not care -- so did not notice -- that their stories are incomplete.

Hard science fiction? Great stuff. (Though it's disappointing when a character sends a Morse OSO instead of SOS... Lots of textbook science but the author fails to check his "inherent" knowledge of a less scientific fact.) A good story? Hardly. Well worth reading? Yes... if you enjoy hard SF -- or can read through tedium.

Oh, perhaps I should put this in context: the story is better and the tedium far less than when reading the Long Earth series. This book is, at least, readable. With a story which at least has a point.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

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"No sense being pessimistic. It wouldn't work anyway." … per Ginger Meggs
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Dying for you to read my blog, at https: // notdotdeaddotyet .blogspot. com. au/ :-)

Morning Star / Pierce Brown

Morning Star

(Red Rising Saga #3)

by Pierce Brown

science fiction

copyright 2016

read in April 2020

rated 8/10: really quite good

This book is similar to the first two of the series: brutal, violent, complex, addictive. There is a bit more humour -- characters saying things which elicit a solid chuckle, a welcome relief from the violent action. There may be a few less betrayals, there are just as many cunning plans leading to sudden changes of fortune.

Book one brought the hero to a strong place in his society. Book two made him a leader. In this book three he is fighting -- yes, still fighting -- for the peace and possibly equality that has always been his goal. This fighting for peace makes for a more positive book, it feels better than the earlier fighting for immediate access to power.

I am still confused by the characters: who they all are. There is a list at the front but it gives only names, not a potted history. I would like to reread from book one -- taking notes on the key characteristics and relationships of all the characters...

I've rated these books as nine, eight and eight. The trilogy -- rates at nine. Really, really good.

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04nov20: I reread this book. Just this book, not the series.

No, it does not stand alone. I remember the general themes of books one and two, without that memory this book three would be... not nearly as good. Possibly not worth reading.

Books one and two have satisfactory endings -- which demand that the reader continue reading the series. Book three wraps it all up. I read it, enjoyed it, am left entirely satisfied: the saga is complete. Though I would still like to read the follow-up trilogy :-)

As for other comments on this book... Exactly as I wrote, above, after my first reading. Really quite good.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===
"No sense being pessimistic. It wouldn't work anyway." … per Ginger Meggs
===

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

Girls with Sharp Sticks / Suzanne Young

Girls with Sharp Sticks

(Girls with... #1)

by Suzanne Young

science fiction, subadult, chicklit

copyright 2019

read in April 2020

rated 7/10: well worth reading

I start reading this book and quickly think, lightweight chicklit, I suppose they are secretly learning witchcraft, a sort of Hogwarts for sweet young girls... I am soon disabused.

Yes, it is set in a school full of young, attractive girls. They look good, they dress well, they are overwhelmed by thoughts of boys. The girls support each other with love... a less chicklit book could have substituted loyalty and camaraderie.

Then the true nature of the school is -- gradually -- disclosed. It is not nice.

I call it "chicklit", the audience is definitely older girls, very young women. Yet this is not a rosy world. There is a strong message -- feminist, I suppose: be yourself, do not shape yourself to satisfy the demands of men. It's a harsh message. I hope the evil alternative is exaggerated. Even so, it is a worthwhile message.

Near future. Science fiction. Subadult chicklit with a message. The message is heavy but it adds to my enjoyment of the book. The characters do not have much depth, but I like them.

My only disappointment is, that this book becomes the first of a series. The end is satisfying -- but with too much left for expansion into the series. Book one is exploration and exposure of a grand idea. I hope that subsequent books are not... a series of girlie adventures.

btw: I do recognise the similarities to an old short story / film. To name it would be a terrible spoiler. Though the similarity is very quickly apparent. Only the method is held for gradual -- somewhat startling -- revelation.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===
"No sense being pessimistic. It wouldn't work anyway." … per Ginger Meggs
===

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

Shadow of the Exile / Mitchell Hogan

Shadow of the Exile

(Infernal Guardian #1)

by Mitchell Hogan

fantasy

copyright 2018

read in April 2020

rated was 8/10: really quite good

upgraded after a re-read to 9/10: really really good

09mar24: Read it again... it's still worth 9/10. especially for the "admirable" quality of the good characters. I do like a good good guy.

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I read a couple of books by this author -- and enjoyed them. When asked, What would you like for a present? I replied, Books by the same author. Good choice!

The titular Infernal Guardian is a demon. A typical fantasy summoned demon. Yet his "motivations" are well explained. This is a unique -- and believable -- story of a demon's adventures in the "real" world.

The adventure is non-stop. Somewhat episodic though there is an overall linking thread. The action is brutal... he is a demon, after all. Though the humans are just as brutal.

The plot is straightforward, there are no ridiculous plot twists. The plot is... almost... predictable. Yet... still enjoyable.

This is a very enjoyable book. Action, adventure, good characters -- especially the demon, if only for the explanation of his character. Should I rate it as nine, really really good? Almost...

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19jun20: I read this book again. Enjoyed it as much if not more. Discovered another reason why I like it:

The two main characters are likable. More than that -- they are admirable.

I like this book. I like it on a second reading. I've just changed my rating from eight, to nine out of ten: the book is really, really good :-)

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04dec20: Read it again. Nine out of ten, definitely :-)read it again, enjoyed it again.

I may need to look for the more recent  book by this author :-)

07aug23:

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===
Carpe Librum, Seize the Book … Scottish Book Trust on Read a Book Day
===

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

Golden Son / Pierce Brown

Golden Son

(Red Rising Saga #2)

by Pierce Brown

science fiction

copyright 2015

read in March 2020

rated 8/10: really quite good

I think that this book #2 could be read on its own -- but don't. There's a slew of swashbuckling adventure, scores of complex characters, a complex society, enough to entertain.

Yet I have read book #1 -- and I find it difficult to remember all but the few main characters. Then the ending... well... would be disappointing. Unless you read this book as part of a trilogy.

The near-ending is satisfying, then the last few chapters set the scene -- the not unexpected scene -- for book #3.

This is an excellent, brutal, complex series. Plan to read all three, in order. If book #3 is as good as #1 and #2 -- my rating for the complete trilogy will be nine, really really good.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===
Carpe Librum, Seize the Book … Scottish Book Trust on Read a Book Day
===

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

Starsight / Brandon Sanderson

Starsight

(Claim the Stars #2)

by Brandon Sanderson

science fiction, subadult

copyright 2009

read in March 2020

rated 8/10: really quite good

This book is aimed at "younger" readers. My category is "subadult" -- which includes teens. Starsight is a good read for adults, it's just a bit nicer than some "adult" expectations.

Book #1 is a teen escapist (science) fantasy. Book #2 goes beyond wish fulfilment and into broader space opera. A common theme is, how nice people can be. (And with people I include aliens and AIs.) It's not sickeningly sweet but it does show the positive side of nearly every character.

It's a romp through an expanding universe. A very enjoyable romp.

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29nov20: Read it again, enjoyed it again.

This time I think, Okay, the ending is satisfactory... but full of cliff-hangers. Several characters at risk or at an Aha! moment -- with no obvious next step. Yes, it's book two of a never-ending series... but...

Some -- a very few -- authors are able to wrap things up and leave the reader satisfied -- and still wanting more. This book leaves far too many loose -- and dangerous -- ends.

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28mar21: and again...

Still worth eight out of ten :-) This time the lack of conclusion was known in advance and did not annoy me as much as it could. I wonder if he's written volume three yet? (Not due for another eight months, apparently.)

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11oct22: yes, I read it again -- and enjoyed it again. This time I did notice something new:

There's an AI which wonders if it is "alive". The heroine assures him that yes, he is alive, and that she is his friend. And yet... the AI is still more of an artificial person than a friend. I can't really define the difference. Perhaps it is a more formal relationship? Perhaps it's just a feeling... that the AI is treated differently to the other organic friends.

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I now have book #3, ready to read.

But dang! there is a book #4 -- which has not even been written... sigh :-(

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===
Carpe Librum, Seize the Book … Scottish Book Trust on Read a Book Day
===

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