The Lies of Locke Lamora / Scott Lynch

The Lies of Locke Lamora

(The Gentleman Bastard Sequence #1)

by Scott Lynch

fantasy

copyright 2006

part read in December 2020

rated 5/10: readable if there's nothing else

An interesting start but after fifty pages I stop reading. Not that it's bad. It just does not interest me.

The world is complex and well detailed. The detail adds nothing to any plot. There are amazing structures from an earlier, long vanished civilisation. So far this is irrelevant, the structures may as well have been rough stone.

The characters are unappealing. Criminals all, not nasty but self-interested in a callous way. The main character is described from a third-person perspective, I have no more than a surface understanding, no idea of meaning nor motivation.

Perhaps all these faults are sorted out in the next 600 pages... perhaps not. I am not interested enough to find out. Not interested? More accurately: I don't like the people so I do not want to read any more.

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

"When someone does something wrong, don't forget all of the things they did right." ... anonymous

   

Closer to Home / Mercedes Lackey

Closer to Home

(The Herald Spy #1 and Valdemar #6?)

by Mercedes Lackey

chicklit, fantasy

copyright 2014

read in December 2020

rated 7/10: well worth reading

The book starts with characters returning from an adventure... at least five books' worth of adventure. Doesn't matter, main characters are soon introduced. Though it took me a while to realize that one key character is a super-intelligent horse.

It's a very slow start. Gradually becoming more interesting, in a very chicklit way: home decoration, costumes, nice people doing nice things. I begin to wonder if anything serious will ever happen. I can see how this author could write five books a year: every room, every dress, every discussion... and more... are all described in full detail. No need to waste time on complex plots, just fully describe everything.

There's an obvious boy-meets-girl. Orphans are rescued from a life of crime. Match-making becomes the main theme...

Then life becomes more complicated. The plot twists... yet not unexpectedly. The author introduces doubt: surely that can't be right, I think. Then... the action becomes frenetic. Major threats are dealt with by personal effort. Once it starts there are no surprises -- by then I am hooked. I want to read the details of the obvious ending.

Followed by another slow patch as all loose ends are tied up. By now I am happy to have all loose ends tied up... though I would have liked it to be a bit quicker.

This book continues the history of Valdemar. It begins a new sub-series. It is enjoyable by itself. After the slow start... through the detailed descriptions of every... single... thing... I found the book to be surprisingly enjoyable.

I may not rush to find other Valdemar books but I will be quite happy if some do turn up.

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

"When someone does something wrong, don't forget all of the things they did right." ... anonymous

   

The Hunger Games / Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games
(Hunger Games #1)
by Suzanne Collins

Fantasy, dystopia, chicklit , subadult

Copyright 2008
Read in December 2020

Rated 9/10: really really good

There's been a lot of publicity about this book. A lot. Sometimes that puts me off. This time I had the feeling, maybe it's as good as its publicity. And it is.

My initial rating was eight. but. I think this book is worth a nine. Any qualms I have are part of it being written for younger readers. Subadult. Teenagers. Teenage girls... because a the main character is a teenage girl. And because she changes clothes a lot.

In its category this book is really really good. In any other category it is really quite good.

I do have one criticism. Near the start of the book the heroine puts on her boots then puts on her trousers... Come on! trousers first, then boots.

Apart from that, I thoroughly enjoyed this book :-)

I also read the Wikipedia summary of the series and thought, books two and three seem a bit extra. Added on because there was money to be made. Having read to the end of book one— yes, it does seem to need more. I'm looking forward to reading more.



Nick Lethbridge
Consulting Dexitroboper

First among Sequels / Jasper Fforde

First among Sequels

(Thursday Next #5)

by Jasper Fforde

humour, fantasy

copyright 2007

read in December 2020

rated 8/10: really quite good

It's been a while since I read other books in this series. Yet my feeling is... this is the best one yet :-)

There are references to the previous four Next books, they don't seem to make sense ... till it all comes together. There are references to a later book, as yet unwritten, which ... eventually fits perfectly into the plot.

There is a secondary plot -- time travel -- which is completely unrelated to the "bookworld" plot. Until... it all fits into place. There is a complex -- yet wholly comprehensible, finally -- plot. Amazing!

Then there are the constant allusions to other books. The cast of Pride and Prejudice are a delight. (I'm a P&P fan.) Others are (to me) less familiar, I have taken to reading with regular cross-checks to Wikipedia. Cold Comfort Farm... through the barn... see "something"... search for Ada Doom... and *then* I chuckle :-)

Then: Thank you to Fforde for "plot, pace, character and atmosphere", an interesting addition to my knowledge. And finally: The book provides an extremely clear and very logical explanation of the creative process of reading and writing novels. At last, it all makes sense.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

It's a dog eat dog world. Bring a bottle of something ... per Ginger Meggs

===

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

Amberlough / Lara Elena Donnelly

Amberlough

by Lara Elena Donnelly

fantasy

copyright 2017

started reading December 2020

rated 5/10: readable but only if there's nothing else

The book is set in an imaginary world. I can't help thinking, a decadent era in a major European city. The back cover mentions Weimar-era Berlin. Imaginary city and country names equals fantasy... That is the only element of fantasy so far.

Various characters are miserable, sad, rude, cruel, name a negative trait. Their interactions are equally strained. There are several possibly sympathetic characters, characters with whose situation I can sympathise. But not like.

There is not a single character that I like. I have no interest in what happens to any of them. (After 70 pages it is, nothing pleasant so far.)

I stop reading. I have better books to read.

If miserable characters in a miserable world don't put you off, this is a well-written book. Not very interesting but well-written. It's not rubbish. It's just an unpleasant book which I do not want to read.

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

"When someone does something wrong, don't forget all of the things they did right." ... anonymous

   

The Bone Clocks / David Mitchell

The Bone Clocks

by David Mitchell

fantasy

copyright 2014

started reading December 2020

rated 4/10: bad but could be read

This book is "fantasy", I read just a few pages and found no fantasy. I believe fantasy does happen.

What I did find was a stupid girl. Someone that did not inspire me to read further. She -- and her stupid actions -- inspired me to stop reading. So I did.

Though I then read the Wikipedia entry for this book. And learnt several things:

Man Booker prize tells me nothing about the quality of a fantasy. World Fantasy award indicates a rubbish fantasy book. And from the Wikipedia plot summary, I learnt that I was wise to stop reading.

If you like whatever the Man Booker judges like, go for it. From this one experience, I do not.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

It's a dog eat dog world. Bring a bottle of something ... per Ginger Meggs

===

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

Solar Express / L.E.Modesitt, Jr

Solar Express

by L.E.Modesitt, Jr

science fiction

copyright 2015

part read in December 2020

rated 4/10: bad but could be read

First alien contact, a regular science fiction theme. Lots of ideas, many unusual, some thought-provoking.

This one is rubbish.

I have no idea what happened to the "alien artifact". After a relentlessly boring 80-plus pages, I gave up. Here's a sample:

"[He] had no idea whether the announcement was AI-generated or whether a human had entered the information. He doubted whether it mattered in the slightest." It certainly doesn't matter to the reader. It's a time-wasting irrelevance -- just like the majority of the book so far. This bit is pointless, most of the rubbish is the author saying, "See what tech nonsense I just read on the internet! Ain't I clever!"

The book is "hard" science fiction. Mixed with political maneuvering, just to ensure that the reader is bored.

Apparently this author has written more than 60 novels. He has said, "the bottom line is simple: As a writer, you first must entertain your readers". This book fails. Perhaps he should slow down the writing and spend more time learning how to entertain his readers.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

It's a dog eat dog world. Bring a bottle of something ... per Ginger Meggs

===

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

The Last Guardian / Eoin Colfer

The Last Guardian

(Artemis Fowl #8)

by Eoin Colfer

subadult, fantasy

copyright 2012

read in December 2020

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

I came to Artemis Fowl from Highfire, an adult (or young adult) fantasy by the same author. I did not remember an earlier book, where Colfer failed miserably.

Impressed by Highfire, I tried the first Artemis Fowl. It was okay, not great. Does the Fowl series get better? I wondered. Unfortunately, it gets worse. Judged by this eighth book, anyway.

I'm surprised. In my memory I rate book one as a possible seven, at the time I rated it six. I rate this book as another six... perhaps it should be five? By itself, yes: Readable if there's nothing else. But worth an extra point for wrapping up the series.

The main character has certainly developed, not in a way that I like. We've lost the self-centred villain and gained a loyal and friendly Disney hero (see below). He has lost his edge. Yet everyone waits on him to develop a cunning plan which will save the day... Boring.

The book seems full of well-known characters appearing -- just in time -- to do whatever they do best. Plus regular flashbacks to explain why a previously unheralded "something" saves the characters from otherwise inescapable doom.

I'm an adult reading a children's book, perhaps I should not complain. Yet I would not read this book to a child. I have just done a strikethrough on the subadult category.

The overall threat is, that every single human being will be killed. Bad enough. There are also several meaningless deaths. Individuals whose only role is to be killed. Nasty :-( Not suitable for children.

There is also an overall feeling that the book is a series of set pieces, of climactic destruction which will make for an "exciting" movie. Look! lots of scenery blowing up, won't that thrill the audiences! The author seems to be writing for the big money, the movie rights.

And speaking of movies: I tried to watch the Disney movie of the first Fowl book. If I were rating that movie it would be three out of ten. So bad it's embarrassing.

At least the books are readable.

===

17dec20: I looked at the cover from the first Fowl book: Artemis is a skinny, sneering child in a suit. As described in the book.

By this, the eighth Fowl book, Artemis has become a solid teen in a bright yellow space-age costume. A creepy, saccharine, Disney stereotype. It may not affect the book. The image change does, however, exemplify the disaster of the Disney movie.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

The best part of [Triple J's Hottest 100] is watching everyone realise they've aged out of the demographic for [Triple J's Hottest 100] ... John Birmingham"

===

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

The Desert and the Blade / S.M. Stirling

The Desert and the Blade

(The Change #14)

by S.M. Stirling

fantasy, fansonly

copyright 2015

not read in November 2020

rated 4/10: bad but could be read

Okay, I only read perhaps ten pages. The prologue had some mad savage waiting in ambush, sounds like fun. Chapter one had a woman bemoaning the death of her father, fair enough. Except that it reminded her -- through a long and boring flashback -- of the long-ago death of her dog.

I have not met her father. I have not met her dog. Bo-o-oring.

As soon as I started chapter one I realised that I had read another book in the series. My review was harsh. This book -- from my very brief glimpses into the two books -- is not as bad as number ten in the series.

If you have read all thirteen books before this one then (a) you're tougher than I am and (b) you will, no doubt, enjoy this book. It is definitely for fans only.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

The best part of [Triple J's Hottest 100] is watching everyone realise they've aged out of the demographic for [Triple J's Hottest 100] ... John Birmingham"

===

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

The Slynx / Tatyana Tolstaya

The Slynx

by Tatyana Tolstaya

translated from Russian by Jamey Gambrell

fantasy

copyright 2003

started reading Nov 2020

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

Clever satire, I thought, as I started reading. Clever, humorous, imaginative. I wonder what will happen next?

Well. Nothing happened next.

Okay, I only read 50 pages (of 300) but nothing had happened. A lot is what I would call, scene setting. Great stuff but, so what.

I skipped to the end. Why did you not die in the fire, a character asks. We decided not to, is the reply, as the not-dead people float away... Okay, fantasy.

I believe that this book is satire. Poking fun at -- I guess -- Russian society. There's a limit to how much satire I can handle -- making points about a society that I know little about. Maybe something happens in the 250 pages I skipped? Who cares.

The main character is narrow-minded and ignorant. Not "a product of his times" rather, born thick in a society which discourages thinking. He has no interest in improving his life, I have no interest in the rest of his life. I stop reading.

Note on the translation: Brilliant! Just like Asterix: the language of the original must be very clever, the English version is both clever and... it's hard to believe that it is translated from a different language.

The style is distinct. The word-plays are cleverly used. The story is -- at least to page 50 -- boring.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

The best part of [Triple J's Hottest 100] is watching everyone realise they've aged out of the demographic for [Triple J's Hottest 100] ... John Birmingham"

===

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

Stormdancer / Jay Kristoff

Stormdancer

(Lotus War #1)

by Jay Kristoff

fantasy, dystopia, steampunk

copyright 2012

read in November 2020

rated 9/10: really really good

I have already read book two of this series -- and enjoyed it. I enjoyed this book even more. Possibly because it was book one and everyone was introduced to the reader.

I do feel that I should deduct a few points from my rating, for the author's self-description. He grew up in the city where I live, and "fled at his earliest convenience." Bah, humbug! Best city in the world! mumble mumble...

Despite that, it is a good book. Great characters, a fascinating world, a mixture of old Japan and more modern steampunk.

There is a lot of violence. Most of it is a natural part of the story. Some is... sad. Some characters that I liked... die.

The adventure is exciting. A lot of action, all part of the story. Good and bad characters -- nice and nasty, that is -- battle it out. Some are just good or evil, others are more complex, with good reasons for their actions.

And, of course, there is the griffin. Who needs a dragon when you have a griffin! The griffin -- strangely enough -- is also a very likeable character.

This is book one, the start of a saga. Yet the ending is entirely satisfactory, there is no feeling of incompleteness. A book that stands alone -- yet leaves me wanting to read more. 

I enjoyed the book. I may now look for book two, to read it again.

====

09nov22: Read it again. Same opinion, with some extra observations:

Human rides powerful mythic beast, nothing new there. But... It's not just girl riding beast. It's girl and beast working together.

The griffin is more than a steed. It's a friend. A partner. An equal.

The environmental message is strong. Heavy. Still -- an essential part of the story.

Good steampunk. Fascinating Japanese. A good, enjoyable story.

====

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

The best part of [Triple J's Hottest 100] is watching everyone realise they've aged out of the demographic for [Triple J's Hottest 100] ... John Birmingham"

===

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

Avalanche / Mercedes Lackey and others

Avalanche

(Secret World Chronicle)

by Mercedes Lackey and others:

Cody Martin, Dennis Lee, Veronica Ciguere

fantasy, space opera

copyright 2018

read (half) November 2020

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

or, 7/10: well worth reading, if you have read the previous books

It may even be worth eight, really quite good, if massively complex soap opera is your thing. For me, it's a six.

This is the fifth book in a continuing saga. I have not read any of the others. Yet I enjoy reading.

There are really nice people, with super-powers. They fight against super-baddies with high tech weapons. Fighting against the baddies has minimal emotional impact: super heroes destroy machinery which happens to have humans inside.

There is more emotional interaction between goodies and their supposed allies. Goodies are beaten up, arrested, murdered. They also spend a lot of time holding hands, whispering sweet nothings and staring into each others eyes. Often at the risk of having their mind read.

I soon get to know a handful of characters, there are dozens of others. I have no idea who they are, nor why they are involved. Not helped by each character having several names. And long -- unknown -- histories from the previous books.

It doesn't matter. I enjoy reading the book. I like the characters. The world is complex, believable, entertaining. There's plenty of action.

Then (about page 250) there is a hint of a further disaster. Who will survive? This is space opera, nothing is certain.

Page 250 and I am only half way through. This is book five, I expect there will be even more books to come(*). This is no novel with beginning, middle and end. It is one part of a continuing saga.

(*) Later, it seems that this book may be the last in the series... Perhaps I should have read on :-)

I'm enjoying the book but I may stop reading. There is no urge to read through to the conclusion -- I doubt that there will be any conclusion in this book.

It's an enjoyable way to pass the time. A series of exciting and related adventures. There is no feeling of overall progress towards a conclusion. There is nothing which makes me want to read to the end.

===

A bit later: Half-way through, and there's a well-signposted disaster about to happen. Some real companies will not allow two executives to travel on the same plane. In this book, every person on the "good" side is about to gather in one area. In a city which was recently heavily bombed. Oh dear...

I was going to stop reading anyway (see above). This impending disaster convinces me: get out before it all falls apart.

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

"When someone does something wrong, don't forget all of the things they did right." ... anonymous

   

Trail of Lightning / Rebecca Roanhorse

Trail of Lightning

(Sixth World #1)

by Rebecca Roanhorse

fantasy

copyright 2018

read in November 2020

rated 8/10: really quite good

My first thought was, seven out of ten, well worth reading. The reason for the extra point is somewhat embarrassing. And I just removed "chicklit" from the category. It's fantasy -- a very broad category.

Both fantasy and science fiction are -- in this blog -- very broad categories. I seldom bother to add a second category... Unrealistic, I know. But if I see either category -- I want to read it. No need for further explanation. (Also, if my wife sees either category, she does not want to read it.) So why analyse further.

Back to the book: there is action, there are good characters, there is a reasonable plot, the setting is very good.

The setting is a post-apocalyptic reservation gone back to native american mythology. Mythological monsters and tribal powers in full operation. Set in -- I hate to say it -- a Wild West form of civilisation.

The powers and monsters are, I guess, fully Navajo. It's a fantasy world in the USA.

The back cover says, "One of the brightest Indigenous futurist visionaries working today." Well, I disagree with futurist visionary: the author has written an excellent, action-packed fantasy. There may be an element of what-if but it is not a vision, not a prediction, of the future.

Then there is, "Indigenous". The book is all (again, I guess) Navajo myths, Navajo country, Navajo people. Yet there is no attempt to sell the benefits of the Noble Savage. No attempt to push the superiority nor the suffering of the Navajo.

It is a story which takes a Navajo environment as the ... theme? ... of a fantasy novel. Indigenous is irrelevant -- though interesting. And I added a point to my rating, for avoiding the easy option of, look at me, I'm Indigenous.

The heroine is tough but beautiful. The hero is soooo good looking. Chicklit? Almost... Yet the obvious attraction is an essential part of the plot. Elements of, but not pure, chicklit.

Very enjoyable.

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

"When someone does something wrong, don't forget all of the things they did right." ... anonymous

   

The Annihilation Score / Charles Stross

The Annihilation Score

(Laundry Files #6)

by Charles Stross

fantasy

copyright 2015

started reading November 2020

rated 5/10: readable only if there's nothing else

The front cover says, "brilliantly disturbing and funny". At the start there was some funny. Not for long, perhaps two chuckles in thirty odd pages. Disturbing? More, unpleasant.

I like monster-fighting stories. I do not like this book.

I stop reading after three chapters.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

"Well, I'm sorry the apocalypse isn't convenient for you." ... Eugene Covender in Waking Gods by Sylvain Neuvel

===

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

Paradox Bound / Peter Clines

Paradox Bound

by Peter Clines

science fiction

copyright 2017

read in November 2020

rated 7/10: well worth reading

A beautiful, gun-toting heroine. A solid hero with brains. Time travel in shiny muscle cars. What's not to like?

Of course it's time travel, so logic fails. The baddies know when they are beaten -- so why not send reinforcements to change the result? No worries, this is a book of adventure, not a science text. The plot logic is fine, the story makes sense.

Is it science fiction? Time travel, so... yes. Though I'm tempted to label it as fantasy, the science is so... fantastic. The car, for example... splits water, fine, burns the hydrogen, fine, then spits the oxygen out the exhaust. What?!

Vintage cars play a large part in the story. The heroine drives one, the hero sits in the rumble seat... what?! As far as I know, a rumble seat is at the back of the car. Separate from the driver and passenger seats. Yet hero and heroine are within touching distance.

Who cares!

Hero and heroine are likeable people. They meet other likeable people. Even the villains are... mmm... understandable.

An enjoyable romp. Action and adventure with sly references to history. Characters that I would like to meet again, a set-up which should provide many more book ideas... Well, that surprises me: it seems that there is not (yet?) a follow-up story.

Despite the overall threat of sudden death, and occasional acts of violence, this is a positive book. Adventure, threat, pain and an ultimately satisfying ending. Worth reading.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

"Well, I'm sorry the apocalypse isn't convenient for you." ... Eugene Covender in Waking Gods by Sylvain Neuvel

===

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

Exiles of the Rynth / Carole Nelson Douglas

Exiles of the Rynth
(Sword and Circlet #2)
by Carole Nelson Douglas

fantasy, chicklit

copyright 1984
read in October 2020

rated 7/10: well worth reading

Some friends gave me a box of books. Apparently, their tastes run to chicklit fantasy. Still, this one looks okay, I think.

It is fantasy. It is chicklit. And it is better than just okay.

It's not a complicated plot, though a lot does happen. It's a sequential exploration of various aspects of a society. There are several imprisonments and escapes but the two main characters are never going to be seriously hurt.

Strangely enough, the hero is in a cell thinking that he does not want to tunnel out and -- the very next page -- he has tunnelled out... Is my edition missing a chapter, or is that the way that the story was written? Probably deliberate -- and I like it.

I also like the characters. The hero and heroine skirt around the obvious fact that they are in love. Most characters are quite nice. Some are sneaky but very few are "bad". Threats are from the society and from individuals acting within their society-defined roles.

The more I read, the more I enjoyed. And the more I enjoyed the author's use of language. Odd uses of words which just work. Peculiar turns of phrase which are both clever and weighted with meaning. A pleasure to read :-)

This book is second in a series. There are references to the first book, there are continuing characters -- but the story stands alone. It's a lightweight story covering serious social issues, without banging on about it. If I searched for more in the series it would be because I like the main characters.

And good grief... I just checked... the author has written 63 books! I wonder if they all have a social message, hidden behind enjoyable adventures and delightful characters...

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

"When someone does something wrong, don't forget all of the things they did right." ... anonymous

   

The Wishsong of Shannara / Terry Brooks

The Wishsong of Shannara

(Shannara #3)

by Terry Brooks

fantasy

copyright 1985

read in October 2020

rated 7/10: well worth reading

It's a strangely disjointed quest. Yes, the two quest groups each have a set aim and the two aims join at the climax. Yet each quest line is... jumpy.

Each quest is a series of adventures. The characters have to travel through a series of unique areas, each area has its unique topography, flora and fauna. Each area has its unique threats. Enter an area, defeat its threat, jump into the next area, rinse and repeat.

The series offers continuity of races, of families and of evolving threats. Towns and city-states exist from book to book. Yet the countryside seems to be divided into distinct, separate areas. Each area is only there long enough to set a distinct challenge for the characters.

Though the final castle supports many chapters. And is that castle huge! Massive halls, multi-level passages, courtyards, passages within the walls... Large enough for several groups to run and hide and barely see each other... It's enormous, far larger than any "real" castle. But then, this is fantasy, so that's okay :-)

There is also a lot of soul-searching... a lot. Am I losing control of the magic? Am I losing control of myself? I don't want to do this but I must... The book began to drag -- but I suspect it's because I was tired when reading, and had other things to be done.

Overall -- it's a good book. Possibly worth reading on its own, distinct enough that it could be read alone. As part of a series -- it is even better.

Each book in this series of three stands alone. As a trilogy, it is even better. The story does not "continue" but each story adds to the world history. And I am always impressed by the length of world history that is covered in the extended Shannara series.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

"My science homework ate my dog." ... per Ginger Meggs

===

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

Shatterwing / Donna Maree Hanson

Shatterwing
(Dragon Wine #1)
by Donna Maree Hanson

chicklit, fantasy

copyright 2014
read in October 2020

rated 6 / 10: read to pass the time

There's a sub-genre of chicklit where the heroine is completely in thrall to the "hero". Usually it's a vampire story. I guess that being a slave must appeal to some readers.

This book is edging into the master-slave sub-genre.

The plot is a series of episodes of a slave being tortured, subjugated and humiliated, with strong and violent sex. The slave may be male or female. The master is always male. Between episodes the character will escape -- to be very quickly recaptured, ready to be subjected to more violence and violent sex.

I would have rated this at five, readable if there is nothing else. Yet the violent sex was arousing. Sick but arousing. So I added a point to my rating, for good porn.

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

"When someone does something wrong, don't forget all of the things they did right." ... anonymous

   

Artemis Fowl / Eoin Colfer

Artemis Fowl
(Artemis Fowl #1)
by Eoin Colfer

subadult, fantasy

copyright 2001
read in October 2020

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

When I read -- and thoroughly enjoyed -- Highfire I wondered, has this bloke written anything else? And found Artemis Fowl. I'd heard the name. Time to read the books.

This book is, I believe, the first in the series. It's good... but not terrific. In my opinion.

The world is great. Good fun. Believable, in a fantasy sense.

The characters are still developing. I like them but I believe that I will like them more in future books, as they continue to develop.

I enjoyed this book. It makes me want to read more. I believe that the books will be even better as the series continues.

===

17dec20: The Artemis Fowl series is famous. I expected it to rate very well. I only rated this one as six. So, I read it again. Now I understand why I gave a fairly average rating: the book is rather nasty.

There is no sympathy for characters other than the main players. Some dockworkers, for example: They are beaten up, simply to provide a distraction. They are not nasty people, they are drawn as stupid. They are innocent bystanders who are treated like dirt.

That's the feeling at several points: minor characters are dirt. Just an attitude of power: I am better -- more powerful -- than you therefore you can be treated badly. It is enough to give me an uncomfortable feeling. So -- for this attack on reader enjoyment -- the book rates a six.

btw: This is not a book for young children. There is too much death and violence.

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

"When someone does something wrong, don't forget all of the things they did right." ... anonymous

   

Highfire / Eoin Colfer

Highfire
by Eoin Colfer

fantasy, humour, subadult

copyright 2020
read in October 2020

rated 9/10: really really good

Warning: extreme violence. Also, chuckling good humour. Plus, extremely nice characters and positive messages about friendship, loyalty and the value of education. Quite a mixture!

I label this book as subadult, for younger people who can handle stories which include death and violence. A central character is a 15 year old boy, a nice kid who loves his Momma and learns a lot of life lessons.

The other key character is older. He learns lessons about putting the past behind him, and the value of friendship. He is an adult but the lessons are -- I think -- aimed at subadult readers.

Lessons? Don't worry. This is not a preachy book. Any lessons are just the characters winning battles and improving their lives.

The villain is another bonus. Oh, he is evil, no doubt about that. He is evil, clever, powerful. Almost a super-villain. Only the best efforts will defeat him, he is a worthy opponent. The villain allows the nice people to shine.

I can see -- and hope for -- more books with these characters. Including one who died, I bet he can return :-) Meanwhile, I thought, perhaps this author has written other books?

Good grief! he writes Artemis Fowl! I've heard the name but not read the books. A situation which I intend to change, as soon as possible.

===

09sep21:

Inspired by HighFire I did read an Artemis Fowl book, by the same author.

And was horribly disappointed :-(

One website says that HighFire is an adult book. More for older teens, really. A lot of fun even for older readers.

Artemis Fowl is for children. Artemis himself is a nasty creep.

I read two Fowl books Each book rated 6/10: readable. I did not really enjoy either book. Possibly because my expectations were so high after HighFire. Enough said.

Perhaps I should consider the signature quote, below, that came with this review :-)

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

"When someone does something wrong, don't forget all of the things they did right." ... anonymous

   

The Elfstones of Shannara / Terry Brooks

The Elfstones of Shannara
(Shannara #2)
by Terry Brooks

copyright 1982
read in October 2020

rated 7/10: well worth reading

The second book by Brooks and getting better. A solid plot with some depth to and understanding of the characters. Though the depth usually exposes various forms of insecurity.

The story moves away from a scene by scene retelling of LotR. The plot builds to the brink of doom before the instant solution, thousands are dying but success depends on a very few. It sounds trite, there is never any doubt, yet the story is exciting... or at least entertaining.

Locations are varied and, mostly, deadly. After the action has moved on, many locations are left unfit for use, often destroyed. Fortunately it is a big world, with many available locations.

The reader's knowledge of Shannara history is expanded. There is a long history of the rise and fall of vast empires. Which makes me wonder, What is so important about this particular empire, that it must survive? Sooner or later it will collapse, to be replaced. Perhaps the replacement will be even better?

And more: Demons have been locked in a black-hole environment for millenia. Is that acceptable? Has noone looked for a more humane solution? What does it say about "good" when it is willing to sentence sentient "evil" to an eternity of torment?

Deep questions, best ignored. It's an enjoyable book.

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

"When someone does something wrong, don't forget all of the things they did right." ... anonymous

   

Space Opera / Catherynne M Valente

Space Opera
by Catherynne M Valente

science fiction?

copyright 2018
part read in October 2020

rated 5/10: readable but only if there's nothing else

I admire the way that an author selects just the right elements -- from a huge grab bag of possibilities -- to provide a gripping story. Irrelevant items are discarded. Only the most relevant items are retained. The author works hard to present a readable book in which each word is essential to the reader's understanding or enjoyment.

This author has a different approach. Use every word and phrase which comes to mind.

A cat, dog, monkey, elephant walked, ran, slithered up the stairs, down the stairs, along the footpath, into the house... Sometimes it makes sense, as a series of related items. Sometimes it is the author's way of not wasting any of the random ideas which come to mind. Paid by the word, perhaps?

Yes, it can be read. Yes, there are some chuckles to be had. Yes, it is nonsense and not worth the effort.

I categorise this as "science fiction". I suspect that it is intended to be humorous. The main thrust seems to be social satire.

Three chapters was readable -- with a growing sense of, What the?! Then I stopped reading because yes, I do have other books to read.

Nick Lethbridge    /    Consulting Dexitroboper

Agamedes Consulting    /   Problems? Solved.
   ===

When all else fails, have someone else read the instructions" … per Ginger Meggs
   

The Sword of the South / David Weber

The Sword of the South
(Sword of the South #1)
by David Weber

fantasy

copyright 2015
read in September 2020

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

Yes, it's book one of a series. It is also a follow-on to the four War God books. There are carry-over characters and many references to past adventures. Doesn't matter, this book stands alone: characters are well introduced and past history is irrelevant... As far as I can tell, anyway, having not read the previous books.

The book can be read alone. And it does make me want to read more. Not for the plot... but for the fun.

The book is a lot of fun. Over-drawn characters, heroes with heart, occasional extreme violence. There are a lot of tough guy insults. You know, the things that tough guys say to hide the fact that they really like each other.

There is true love, true friendship. Amazingly able heroes and heroines -- and villains. There is a lot of discussion, with occasional bursts of violence. Some of the pitched battles support the plot. Others are just thrown in to fill a dull patch.

Finally a major villain is dealt with, to provide a satisfying ending. And an even more major villain cackles evilly off stage, to be dealt with in subsequent books.

If I were that villain I would stop cackling and start packing. The good guys are all over him. The only questions are, how many books will it take to wipe him out? And is there an even bigger villain, waiting for his own follow-on series.

====

13dec23:

There's also a lot of magic where the only explanation is, Golly, that's really amazing!

The book is still a lot of good tough guy and gal violent unsubtle... fun.

===

18aug24:

"over-drawn characters? So over-drawn that I can barely stand it.

There's been a lot of plot and character development between Oath of Swords and this book (are there several books?). By now the characters have developed into... caricatures.

One new character is being introduced, probably as a link to a series of pre-fall books. Is there anyone else who will turn out to be an ancient hero brought back to life? I hope not, I hope the author has the ability to invent new characters.

And... re-reading both Oath and South: I have just re-rated South (7 to 6/10) -- it really suffers by comparison. I'm really struggling to read South, the characters are too ridiculously heroic. In Oath they are still developing and much more acceptable.

Perhaps if I reach the end (of this re-reading of South) I may enjoy it a bit more.

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

When all else fails, have someone else read the instructions" … per Ginger Meggs
   

Ascendance / John Birmingham

Ascendance

(Dave Hooper #3)

by John Birmingham

horror, humour

copyright 2015

read in September 2020

rated 8/10: really quite good

Really quite good? Well... I certainly enjoyed it :-)

Violent. Crude. Blood-soaked. Occasionally touching. Often funny -- in a crude, violent and occasionally touching way.

I had hoped that this book would complete a trilogy but no :-( More people are introduced, evil monsters survive, a battle is won but the war continues. I should reduce my rating but, well, it's not a series which demands to be wrapped up.

By which I mean: This is a story of violence and action with some human interest thrown in. There are some threads which are slowly developing yet there are no ideas which demand a conclusion. Almost like a sitcom: no matter what happens in the middle, the start and end situations are equivalent.

The book is good fun, I enjoyed it. As a violent, horror, humourous, human story it is really quite good. I am satisfied with the conclusion. There are plenty of loose threads -- but none which demand to be followed.

It's a great read but not a great book. Just a lot of crude, violent and funny fun.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

There's a party in your heart and all the bladed weapons are invited. Have a pleasant day. … Blingtron 5000

===

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

Born to Darkness / Suzanne Brockmann

Born to Darkness

(Fighting Destiny #1)

by Suzanne Brockmann

science fiction, romance

copyright 2012

read in September 2020

rated 8/10: really quite good

Okay, I just bumped that rating up from 7/10. For sheer enjoyment -- it could be nine... but really, it is *not* "really really good". But by crikey -- I really did enjoy reading it :-)

The book is romance -- with lots of sex. Absolute, one hundred percent lust... backed up by absolute love. The couples are so much in love... it is really... really... sweet. Arousing sex scenes which have me smiling happily because the characters enjoy the sex -- and each other -- so very very much.

The book is science fiction, a dystopian near future. Definitely dystopian yet there is no feeling of despair. The baddies are absolutely evil, innocent victims are terrorised, yet the goodies are out there battling the evil. Nice people are tortured and killed yet the good people are there, regularly saving the day.

Totally over the top. Totally enjoyable. Dystopia -- with a positive message.

The science fiction aspect includes people with super-powers. And, they are finding, the super-powers are enhanced by good sex... Oh yes, those scenes of hot sex are absolutely essential to the plot :-)

It's clever, it's ridiculous. And it is ridiculously enjoyable.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

I'm not cynical… just experienced… per Ginger Meggs

===

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