Thunderbird / Jack McDevitt

Thunderbird

(Ancient Shores #2)

by Jack McDevitt

science fiction

copyright 2015

read in February 2020

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

According to Stephen King -- as quoted on the cover of this book -- McDevitt is "The logical heir to Arthur C. Clarke." Yes, I can't deny it, Clarke could take amazing science and turn out a rather tedious book. As has McDevitt.

I guess it's a "human based" story. Told through the actions of a dozen or so various people, none of whom really gain my sympathy. Except for the mother who plays a minor role, then has the final epilogue.

I can understand the motivations of the main characters but have little interest in whether they live or die. Not that there's any real threat that anyone will die. There are risks taken, actions done, no real suspense.

The science is fascinating, there's a lot of potential for high adventure, it just does not happen.

The story is about human reaction to the scientific possibilities -- and it's rather depressing. The reactions are realistic -- I have no trouble believing that all this would happen -- and it's a very depressing view of humanity.

As I read, I enjoy the potential... but that potential is never realised. There's an obvious opening for a third book but I doubt if much will happen then, either. Potential for excitement dragged down to a depressing -- realistic -- reflection on the boring limitations of humanity.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

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"Don't waste your time looking back on what you have lost. Move on, life is not meant to be travelled backwards."

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

cafe: Fiorentina, North Perth

cafe: Fiorentina, North Perth

Nothing hipster here. This is a straightforward old (Perth) style Italian cafe. Absolutely what I would expect to find in North Perth.

Delicious coffee. Nice frangipani tart. Sitting on the footpath, clear of but close to a busy road. Enjoyable and relaxing despite the traffic noise. A pleasant spot to sit and relax.

We may go back -- with a better appetite -- to try "the best cannelloni in town". Otherwise: worth the visit but not in an area that we regularly visit. So: 2 out of 3.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

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"Don't waste your time looking back on what you have lost. Move on, life is not meant to be travelled backwards."

===

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

Wards of Faerie / Terry Brooks

Wards of Faerie

(Dark Legacy of Shannara #1)

by Terry Brooks

fantasy

copyright 2012

read in February 2020

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

"If you haven't read Terry Brooks, you haven't read fantasy". That's what it says on the cover. A claim by the author of the worst hugely successful fantasy book ever.

Brooks writes fantasy. He has done a brilliant job of linking a post-apocalyptic world of science to a long running world of magic. Very well done, sometimes forced.

This book continues the faerie saga.

The cover makes it clear, this is "book one". So I'm not surprised when the end is inconclusive. Yet I still dislike the cliffhanger ending. Nothing is resolved, every character is in imminent danger.

The pace of the book reflects its trilogy nature: it is slow. Sure, things are happening yet there is a lot of time-wasting discussion. Why do so many characters need to be told that the quest is dangerous, that they must stay at home... only to join the quest anyway.

Yes, it is a quest. With an odd twist... One person says, This is a quest so go out and look for people to go questing. I mean, whatever happened to the accidental meetings as the quest team builds?

Apart from that, the story is standard fantasy. Including the essential seer who predicts doom in terms which can easily be misunderstood. Lots of monsters, lots of magic, lots of fighting. All good fun.

It's an easy-read fantasy set in a familiar world. If I see book two I will be happy to read it. If I never see it, I won't be worried.

Nick Lethbridge  /  consulting dexitroboper
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"The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you." … B.B. King
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Earth to Hell / Kylie Chan

Earth to Hell

(Journey to Wudang #1)

by Kylie Chan

fantasy, chicklit

copyright 2010

read in February 2020

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

Read to pass the time? Perhaps a bit better than that... Certainly a harmless, entertaining -- complex -- way to pass the time. The main word that comes to mind is, Sweet.

Sure, there are demons being slaughtered all the way through. Doesn't matter. Demons are not really killed -- just reduced to a less popular part of Hell. At least, I think that's what happens.

"Real" characters -- not many of whom are human -- also get killed. Very few of them stay dead. In fact a key plot is the search for a man in Hell -- so that he can be brought back to the land of the living.

The heroine does some serious butt-kicking. She also manages the day-to-day trivia of running a major organisation. And she has time to look after the emotional problems of employees, orphans and other characters.

The heroine does the chicklit thing of changing clothes. Okay, she is notorious for wearing jeans and a casual shirt but she can also dress up. Other characters also get dressed up... often as part of their shape-changing ability.

The book is packed with characters from the previous trilogy. Very confusing, especially when they are referred to by different names: English, Chinese, pet names. So I'm often not sure just who is in a chapter -- but it doesn't really matter. I soon learn to identify (most of the time) some of the major characters.

If you want a grand soap opera, read the first trilogy (and learn the names). If you just want to enjoy a complex story with plenty of good attitude, start reading with this book.

It's a lot of fun. Passes 600 pages worth of time. And ends with a group hug. (Okay, not quite. But the feeling is there.)

Sweeeet :-)

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

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"Don't waste your time looking back on what you have lost. Move on, life is not meant to be travelled backwards."

===

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

cafe: Jarrahdale General Store

cafe: Jarrahdale General Store

We're out for a drive, the main purpose is to get out of the city. Jarrahdale is a nice place to go, we get there for an early lunch. We order a continental roll and sit on the verandah.

Not much of a view -- trees across a carpark -- but it's a beautiful day for sitting outside... in the shade. Deb checks the garden. Nice but not great, she says. And like an oven... It's a very hot day.

Our roll arrives -- and is huge! And delicious! One roll is large enough for a light lunch for two. Supported by a generously sized iced coffee for each of us, a good choice for a hot day. Good food, good drinks, friendly service. Country cafe at its best.

Three out of three: we enjoy it, we hope to return.

Nick Lethbridge  /  consulting dexitroboper
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"I took out a loan to pay for an exorcism. If I don't pay it back, I'm going to get repossessed." … Olaf Falafel
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cafe: Mia Cucina / Hillarys Boat Harbour

We are at Hillarys Boat Harbour looking for coffee. The place we remember is closed for renovation, due to reopen last week. No worries, we find Mia Cucina.

I started these reviews for "hipster" cafes. There is nothing remotely hipster here.

A pleasant cafe, cheerful, helpful, friendly waitress. We get a table by the window, a pleasant view, lots of interesting stuff to watch. (It's a boat harbour...)

I rate this 2 out of three: we like it, we won't go out of our way to return.

It's a nice cafe. It looks to be aiming more at the slightly up-market evening meal crowd.

Nick Lethbridge  /  consulting dexitroboper
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"I took out a loan to pay for an exorcism. If I don't pay it back, I'm going to get repossessed." … Olaf Falafel
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