Maddigan's Fantasia / Margaret Mahy

Maddigan's Fantasia

by Margaret Mahy

subadult, science fiction

copyright 2005

read in January 2023

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

With a higher rating if you are 12 years old.

The main character is a young teen girl, the story is written for similar readers -- particularly those who would like to run away to join a circus.

There is fun, adventure, some drama and plenty of simplistic escapes. All well suited to the younger reader.

And as a much older reader -- I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

There's time travel, with some exploration of the difficulties of changing the past. Plus some not-all-nice exploration of their present post-apocalyptic world.

There are also family themes: not wanting mother to re-marry and loving the littler kids even though they can be annoying.

The book does not preach, it provides some good examples.

Mixed in with an enjoyable adventure and minor mysteries.

Easy reading and pleasantly enjoyable.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

"Yesterday I knew nothing. Today I know that." ... per Ginger Meggs

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

Galaxias, Stephen Baxter

Galaxias

by Stephen Baxter

science fiction

copyright 2022

read in January 2023

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

One day the sun goes out. Then it's back again. Who would have thought that such a "simple" thing could cause so much trouble. This book details the trouble. In far too much detail.

The book is astronomic in scale and ultimately in time-scale.

The author does well to bring it down to a readable scale.

It still reads like a textbook. Readable, yes. Not at all gripping.

And then, finally, the evil space slug that caused all the trouble gets its come-uppance (quiet rebel yell) The book changes from "readable but tedious and pointless" to "well that was sort of interesting".

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

"Yesterday I knew nothing. Today I know that." ... per Ginger Meggs

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

Chasing Shadows, deLonge, Hartley

Chasing Shadows

(Sekret Machines #1)

by Tom deLonge, A J Hartley

thriller, science fiction

copyright 2016

read in January 2023

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

It's an enjoyable way to pass the time :-) But it fails of its promise.

There's a big build-up but the denouement is less exciting. Largely because it is so incomplete.

The characters are a mixed bag. Some interesting though minor variations on the standards. All the good people are likeable but they don't do enough to make me want to follow them. There is promise, unfulfilled.

The plot is the same: interesting, exciting, it leads nowhere.

This is book one. It reads like chapter one: The introduction to a full novel. Worth reading by itself, incomplete, I will look for book two, I will not be disappointed if I never see the next book.

And now there are two points which are trivial. Barely worth mentioning. They do not affect my opinion of the book. I just can't stop being annoyed by them:

The pilot pushes gently on the throttle and flies faster. Okay, it's very likely that a jet fighter is different to a light aircraft. But my understanding of a light aircraft is that you fly faster by *pulling* back on the throttle. Push the throttle in and the engine slows down.

Although... strictly speaking, to fly faster you lower the nose. Then adjust engine speed to stay level.

It's unimportant, it doesn't affect my enjoyment of the book, I just can't forget it.

And the other thing: The hero pilot is selected for his flying skill. Which he puts to good use. Until the final battle, where he thinks, "blow up that plane" and it just happens, no skill required. Perhaps they should have selected the Last Starfighter.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

"Yesterday I knew nothing. Today I know that." ... per Ginger Meggs

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