Throne of the Crescent Moon / Saladin Ahmed

Throne of the Crescent Moon
(Crescent Moon Kingdoms #1)
by Saladin Ahmed

fantasy

copyright 2012
read in October 2015

rated 8/10: really quite good

What an excellent book ! A range of overdrawn characters, all likeable. (Except for the villains, who are various shades of despicable.) A solid plot. Not subtle but draws you in. And a very different world...

How different is this world, really ? Other than the monsters and magic, that is. Is it a realistic depiction of the cities, villages and desert of the Middle East ?

At first I thought, Aha ! all the Arab stereotypes brought together and exaggerated for literary effect ! Then I noticed the name of the author... (I'm not good with names. That's one reason for this blog -- to remind me which authors I have read.) So... Saladin Ahmed... Is he writing a close version of reality based on personal knowledge of Middle Eastern customs ?

Who knows. Who cares... It's great fun -- and part of a unique fantasy world.

The plot is "not subtle"... Warning: spoiler paragraph... I was expecting, for example, a surprise reveal of the identity of the chief villain. My goodness, it's that creepy councillor who always sneers, for example. But no, it's just the otherwise unknown hidden villain.

That's a very small niggle. I thoroughly enjoyed this book !

Great magic, vicious fights, tough, sympathetic, varied and likeable characters. Plus a satisfying ending that leaves lots of opportunity for further stories. All set in an unusual, believable yet extraordinary world...

Believable ? I don't remember other books where it takes the heroes several hours to walk through the very crowded city ! Oh, and I love the fact that the main hero loves the city where he lives. Not just lives there, he lives there because he wants to.

Admittedly, there are a lot of words devoted to description and discussion. What shall we do next, and how good is my city, that sort of thing. Which all adds up to an understanding and appreciation of the characters and the setting !

A most enjoyable book. I hope that there are more.

====
Lord grant me the strength to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can & the friends to post my bail when I finally snap!
   

The Hobbit / J.R.R. Tolkien

The Hobbit
by J.R.R. Tolkien

fantasy, children

copyright 1937
re-read in October 2015

rated 8/10: really quite good

Did I forget to review The Hobbit ?! Tsk tsk :-( I first read The Hobbit many, many years ago. Read it again. And again... Three or four times, perhaps. Not nearly as many re-readings as for Lord of the Rings ! It's a different book... a different style of book.

The Hobbit introduces, well, hobbits. It served as an introduction -- a back-story -- to Lord of the Rings. I understand that The Hobbit was written and published first, then revised to match the "following" book. No matter...

The Hobbit is a standalone children's fairy story. The story and the style are for children. The world (Middle Earth), the races of people, the geography, mythology and history -- are solid Tolkien. This book adds depth to the Rings world, though it is not essential reading.

It is a children's fantasy but it may be enjoyed by adult readers. It is not written "down" to children.

The Hobbit is also... you may have guessed :-) -- a movie. Or three. In general I prefer books... But I have seen the first of the Hobbit movies. It was not bad... It was interesting to reread The Hobbit after watching the movie...

The movie begins with An Unexpected Party. Most of the guests are dwarves. Watching the movie I thought, once again, the dwarves are the comic relief :-( For a dour and gloomy dwarf, Gimli was very badly treated in the Rings movies.

Then I read the book -- and the dwarves are, indeed, given a very lighthearted treatment ! So the Hobbit movie is now forgiven. (But not the Rings movies.) (And I'm still not happy with the fun but ridiculous battle while floating down the river.)

The Hobbit is an excellent book ! I enjoyed it immensely ! Not the greatest book ever... But a brilliant and enjoyable introduction to the world of the Lord of the Rings !

====
Lord grant me the strength to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can & the friends to post my bail when I finally snap!
   

The Godwhale / T.J. Bass

The Godwhale
by T.J. Bass

science fiction

copyright 1974
read in October 2015

rated 7/10: well worth reading

I read this as a "SF Masterworks" reprint. It's a near-classic, I guess. "Shortlisted for the Nebula awards." Interesting...

At the start, I'm reading it thinking, What ?! This book was shortlisted for an award ?! Then it grew on me.

The book starts with an introduction to, "Larry Dever, Hemihuman." This character is a link to a previous book, he carries on throughout this book... I'm not sure that it was worth it. He adds a perspective from the "past", which is still our future. Oh well, once the Godwhale story actually starts, the story improves.

Although... Larry does provide an introduction to the medical marvels which are central to the story. And they are marvels ! Pop in this part, replace that part...

In Larry's "present", medical marvels are free, provided as needed. In his "future", medical marvels are used -- provided or withheld -- as a means of controlling the population... Controlling population numbers and as bribes or threats to control individual actions. In the overcrowded Hive, life is cheap.

An empty seat means more food for the living...

Overpopulation is a central theme of the book. Destruction of the environment due to the demands of overpopulation. How much better life could be with less people and a healthy outdoor life... supported by good technology, anyway :-)

So there are solid themes. Solid, classic, science fiction themes. Supported by the classic science fiction bad writing...

The words are okay. The sentences are entertaining. Paragraphs flow. Groups of paragraphs... jump.

Overall, it makes sense. But there are gaps. A paragraph ends, the next starts -- and I'm wondering, What's happening ? Where and when are we now ?!

Still, it all makes sense... eventually. And, ultimately, it's very enjoyable. Jumpy, good themes, quite fun.

====
Lord grant me the strength to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can & the friends to post my bail when I finally snap!
   

2312 / Kim Stanley Robinson

2312
by Kim Stanley Robinson

science fiction

copyright 2012
read in October 2015

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

I read about 140 pages of this book, waiting for something to happen. Waiting for some plot to happen. Waiting for some happening that would attract my interest...

Finally, a possible bit of action. Action beyond the day-to-day description of weird yet uninteresting people leading weird yet uninteresting lives, that is.

Another 30 pages of reading -- and the tedium is still there.

Enough.

This book -- in the less than one third that I can be bothered reading -- is boring. Full of artistic, musical and literary references. So the author is an artistic showoff. So what.

There are also separate chapters of science. Oh look ! How clever am I ?! writes the author. A more competent author would include the science in the story, rather than as interruptions to the flow of... well... the flow of non-action.

Still, it's readable. Sort of. By skim-reading, I managed to keep going. Yet I could not shake the thought, continually in the background of my mind, of, Good grief, will this never end ?!

Do you enjoy reading books by poncey authors who like to show off their knowledge ? If you do then this book is -- I guess -- readable. Something to read to pass the time. To pass a lot of ultimately wasted time.

It may be relevant to tell you why I finally stopped reading...

There is a quote. I searched the internet for the source of the quote. Found a web page of quotes about mountaineering... Dozens of quotes with no connection other than the climbing of mountains...

The page of quotes is more interesting than the book. Oh, and yes, the title of the book really is, 2312. Yawn.

Time to give up reading. You may be tougher than me... Try reading it -- if you can't find a page of mountaineering quotes.

====
Lord grant me the strength to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can & the friends to post my bail when I finally snap!
   

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland / Lewis Carroll

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
by Lewis Carroll

fantasy, children

copyright 1865
read (again) in October 2015

rated 7/10: well worth reading

Light, enjoyable, funny, clever... A series of set-pieces rather than a novel. A series of skits which are funny on the surface -- and logical absurdities as you read deeper.

Okay, the literary world has had 150 years to analyse this book. Literary world inhabitants have analysed the meaning and style in great depth. Literary world invaders have attempted to destroy monuments dedicated to the author. People on holiday in the literary world have enjoyed the simple pleasure of reading a book which entertains.

Alice is a children's book that can be read by adults. Children can enjoy the silly adventures in crazy situations. Adults can appreciate the logical conundrums... or just enjoy the silly adventures in crazy situations. The book can be enjoyed by adults because it is not speaking down to children.

And you know what was the first thought in my mind as I started to write this review ? It was, the title...

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is better known as, Alice in Wonderland. The full title may be fine in print, we can glance at it and read on. But when the book -- or movie -- is being marketed, we need a short and snappy title... Drop a couple of words, make it short, make it memorable. Make it easy to market, on posters and in jingles.

It's a short book. The abbreviated title fits easier into the smaller mind.

Am I being cynical ? Well, yes. But it's my review. If I have what I consider to be an interesting thought... it's my blog and I'll write what I think :-)

And I think that Alice's Adventures in Wonderland -- or even Alice in Wonderland -- is an enjoyable book. Enjoyable, clever, funny. And well worth reading.

====
Lord grant me the strength to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can & the friends to post my bail when I finally snap!
   

The Chrysalids / John Wyndham

The Chrysalids
by John Wyndham

science fiction

copyright 1955
read (again) in October 2015

rated 8/10: really quite good

There's no shortage of new science fiction books to be read. No shortage of unread fantasy novels. My usual approach is to read anything and then decide whether or not it was worth reading...

Recently, though, I have felt the need to read a book that I know I will enjoy. I have just re-read -- and enjoyed -- the Harry Potter series. Next, I thought... it's time to re-read The Chrysalids.

The Chrysalids is, I guess, a science fiction classic. It was written when nuclear war was seen as a serious threat -- and a regular topic for science fiction stories. Wyndham takes nuclear holocaust, names it as "the Tribulation", and sees a far-future, positive result.

Positive ? Only if you support the notion of continual improvement of the human race !

The story itself is quite simple. It was written when a single storyline from a single point of view was considered to be an essential element of a good novel. It is also complete in itself, with a beginning, middle and actual end. (Though I would enjoy reading about the subsequent adventures of Michael and Rachel.)

Chrysalids is traditional science fiction: the exploration of a single (though complex) idea. It is the exploration of "what if" nuclear war resulted in this particular development... Within a human story, to gain the sympathy of the reader.

There is also a lot of "philosophical" discussion, by characters presenting the author's views. Views on the essence of humanity, the need for change, the fear of change... Yes, it interrupts the flow of the story. But not enough to stop me reading.

The book is also more "adult" than it was when I read it as a younger adult... There is sex and torture and death and violence -- much of which went unnoticed on my earlier readings. The references to off-screen sex, I simply didn't notice. Nothing graphic, so nothing worth noting. The torture, death and violence were simply accepted, with the callous acceptance of relative youth.

Interesting.

An enjoyable book, with many thought-provoking ideas. Somewhat dated in its style but still easy to read. Definitely worthy of being classed as, "a classic".

====
Lord grant me the strength to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can & the friends to post my bail when I finally snap!

21mar18:

This time I do notice some "new" things... First, there are several times when the characters present arguments in favour of conservation. Or views from the "green" side of several issues which were then current -- and which are just as relevant today. Our "civilisation" may be improving. That doesn't mean that we -- humanity -- are improving what we are doing.

And the other thing that I notice: there is sex. Not explicit sex but clearly stated, sex has happened. Goodness! How did I miss that before?!

An excellent book, one of Wyndham's best. Somewhat old-fashioned but still relevant. And still enjoyable.

   

Harry Potter, Books one, two and one to seven

Every so often I like to relax with a book that I *know* that I will enjoy... A book that I have read before... A book that I enjoyed and that I expect to enjoy on re-reading.

I have just re-read the Harry Potter series:

Harry Potter books one to seven
by J.K. Rowling
young adult, fantasy

Brilliant ! Excellent ! Started reading and could not stop till I had read -- yet again -- the entire series :-) Let's rate the series as 9 out of 10: really, really good. You can read reviews of each book, elsewhere in this blog...

So what about the other books in the title of this posting ? "Books one, two" ? Book one is:

The Gone-Away World
by Nick Harkaway
science fiction ?

The first chapter is ugly, dislikeable. Chapter two jumps backwards, to before whatever catastrophe seems to have affected the Earth. What ?! Why ? And it's another series of ugly, dislikeable anecdotes.

It may be intended to be social satire. It's more like social sarcasm. Not particularly pleasant. Funny only if you believe that insults are funny. Okay, I may be imagining how awful it is...

... The characters are unappealing. It's soon clear that "what happened" will not be answered for many a long chapter. There is nothing that makes me want to read further. I skim to the end of the second chapter.

I don't like it but I haven't read much of it so I won't give a rating. Well, perhaps a 4 out of 10. It's bad but could be read.

"Book two" is:

Liberator
(follows Worldshaker)
by Richard Harland
science fiction

This book just does not appeal -- to me. I accept that it may appeal to others. I read a couple of chapters, failed to find interest, gave up.

The book appears to be a political thriller with violence, set in a science fiction universe. It's book two, so the characters are unfamiliar and -- as far as I can quickly tell -- not worth knowing. I stop reading.

Okay, it's not nearly as bad as Gone-Away. In a normal week I would keep on reading... But I have just finished reading Harry Potter -- and I am simply not interested in attempting to read a book which has not gained my interest within the first 75 pages.

Liberator seems to be better than Gone-Away. But, again... I have not read enough to rate the book... other than a tentative 6 out of 10. Read to pass the time. Unless this type of book actually suits your current reading mood...

Perhaps I will go back to Harry Potter and read the series yet again ! And I can guarantee that I will enjoy Harry Potter -- again -- more than I enjoyed the other two books in this review.

====
Lord grant me the strength to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can & the friends to post my bail when I finally snap!
   

Kraken / China Mieville

Kraken
by China Mieville

fantasy

copyright 2010
read, in part, in September 2015

rated 4/10: bad but could be read

I started reading this book a few months ago. It is boring and stupid with an unlikeable main character. I gave up.

I started reading again. Something messed up my reader and I found that I was somewhere well into the book... Well past where I stopped reading. As far as I can tell, it's a completely different book... It took me a while to convince myself that at least one character appears at both places in the book.

So I went back, to fill in the gap...

And found that I just couldn't be bothered reading it.

A web search revealed a review which claimed that Kraken captured the spirit of London. It doesn't. Perhaps if you live in that part of London ? I have read books which really do capture the spirit -- well enough that the reader who has never visited London will want to visit. Kraken could be set anywhere.

Would you like to read a book which really does evoke the spirit of London -- and in a positive way ? Try one of the Rivers of London books by Ben Aaronovitch.

The same review suggested that Kraken is funny. Wrong. Unless you like to laugh at sarcastic statements of what may be true.

Yes, you could read it.

It's just not worth the effort.

"I ink therefore I am." The Existential Squid
 

God of Clocks / Alan Campbell

God of Clocks
(Deepgate Codex #3)
by Alan Campbell

fantasy

copyright 2009
read (but not finished) September 2015

rated 3/10: so bad it's embarrassing

Okay, it's book 3 of a series. So I'm not really in a position to judge. But...

This is not a book which can stand on its own merits.

There are hints of what went before... It seems that everyone was killed. Then they fought on as ghosts, or zombies, or perhaps as enslaved souls.

If you read and enjoyed books 1 and 2, perhaps you will also like book 3.

Just don't bother to start reading the series at book three.

"I ink therefore I am." The Existential Squid