Old Man's War 1&2, John Scalzi

(Old Man's War)

#1 old man's war (c) 2005

#2 Ghost Brigades (c) 2006

by John Scalzi

space opera 

rated 7/10

Okay, I read #1 perhaps a year ago.

Now I have read / re-read them both, in the correct order. Which does help to understand what's happening...

These two can each be read out of order, or alone

... They make more sense when read in order.

Without really thinking, I just started reading. I thought I was reading an old book from, perhaps, the 1960s. Till it mentioned Terminators. I did a double-take. But really -- the style is very much Heinlein. The author admits to the influence.

It's a space war with super-tough heroes, super-powerful weapons, weird aliens.

Perhaps I should have noticed... there are also super-tough heroines.

So it's good fun space opera for a modern audience.

A central piece of science is the ability to transfer consciousness into a cloned body There is also a reasonable amount of examination of the psychological (and social) problems this may cause.

Although. Good grief. The characters are unreal. Or, possibly, very old stereotypes. There is a sweet little girl who is just too cute to be believed. Almost sickening.

Then there is the first-person hero who likes to make jokes. His "jokes" are more... macho, I'm-so-clever, stupidities. Which I would not have noticed if the hero had not pointed out that he was being "funny".

These are not great books. They are enjoyable and exciting. Set in a world that is entertaining and thought provoking.

Good, traditional, science fiction.

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Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

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The stupid person says, "It's impossible". The smart person says, "It's possible, if we can get enough stupid people to do it." (Alfred E. Neuman)

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Lord of the Changing Winds, Rachel Neumeier

Lord of the Changing Winds

(The Griffin Mage #1

by Rachel Neumeier

fantasy

rated 7/10: ####

So far, I've read about two thirds of this book. I've enjoyed it so far. I'm not sure if I will finish it.

First, a heroine who is (if my understanding is vaguely correct) mildly autistic. This makes her a sympathetic, rather likeable, character. There are signs that she will develop, develop her strengths and her ability to decide, to do. So far... she is rather boring.

Now the stronger characters, kings and such, have discovered where she has gone, what has happened to her. And no-one thinks to tell her family, the sister who is left at home, grieving. This is unforgiveable.

Now the major character (who may be a hero) is faced with  a moral dilemma. He has chosen the easy but immoral path. Yes, with great regret but...he has lost my support.

I was enjoying the book. In particular I appreciate the griffins: the author makes them understandable -- yet still completely non-human.

The book is easy reading. Lyrical, almost poetic in style. The characters are likeable, sympathetic. Unfortunately, the "hero" seems set on a nasty, not evil just nasty, path. Which I do not enjoy. It's purely my personal preference: if he goes from bad to worse, I will stop reading.

I read for enjoyment.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

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The stupid person says, "It's impossible". The smart person says, "It's possible, if we can get enough stupid people to do it." (Alfred E. Neuman)

pwMapAppreadMe)

phoenix falling, laura bickle

phoenix falling

(wildlands 5 of 5)

by Laura Bickle

fantasy

rated 6/10:

For key characters, magic is an accepted part of their everyday life. For others, magic is a symptom of their insanity. And magic is everywhere. With a few people staunchly refusing to see it.

The magic is varied, there is no central method of magic, it varies with the individual. Which is a lot of fun.

Most characters are neither good nor bad but a realistic mix. One character in particular seemed to me to be good but everyone else thought he was bad. I would have understood him better if I had read the earlier books. That said, I read this book as a standalone -- and it was enjoyable and complete. Although... As I finished, I did wonder if it was a rather weak to be continued. But no, I now believe that loose ends are tied up, that supposedly dead characters will not reappear in a next book. Which makes this a very satisfying book, with a solid conclusion both for the book and for the series.

An enjoyable book. If I find other earlier books, I will be glad. But if I don't, well I won't be terribly upset... which is, in fact, a sign that the characters are well introduced in this final book.

.

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Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper
...

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If everyone is thinking the same way, then someone is not thinking.