The White Dragon / Laura Resnick

The White Dragon

(category: fantasy)
book 1 of Sileria / In fire forged by

Laura Resnick

published by Tor / Tom Doherty, New York in 2003, read in December 2009

Agamedes' opinion: 6 out of 10

Took a while to get into this book... There are dozens of characters appearing from an earlier book, there's a lot of background plot to be explained... or is there? What I initially took to be an explanation of, "what came before" could well have been, Backstory which was not mentioned in the previous book but which happened at the same time or very soon after. Sort of, weaving a new plot into the previous story. And the characters, well, it was quite clear who were the main characters so you can skim over the rest. Still, it all made for heavy going at the start. Then the story picked up, the characters became familiar and likeable -- or, familiar and understandably evil. The country -- Sileria -- is peopled with people who swear blood feuds, have great loyalty but lie and cheat as a way of life. All makes for a rollicking plot -- but I'm rather glad that at least one hero is hoping to stop Silerians from slaughtering each other. Well, after the war is won, anyway.

..o0o..

These reviews are provided by Agamedes Consulting. For an independent and thoughtful review of your own processes, problems or documents, email nick leth at gmail dot com.

The Return of Santiago / Mike Resnick

The Return of Santiago

(category: science fiction)
a sequel? by

Mike Resnick

published by Tor / Tom Doherty, New York in 2003, read in November 2009

Agamedes' opinion: 7 out of 10

The first thing that struck me was the style of the book: short snappy chapters, simplistic action, people come and go or die. Then I realised, this is "a myth of the far future" and in true mythological style, there are short simplistic adventures based on rumour and invention. Then the plot started to build into a more coherent whole. Sure, people who needed to be killed would be killed very easily and conveniently. But the overall story was solid and enjoyable and the surviving characters were likeable. Read quickly through the first few chapters -- just to see the overall thread begin to appear -- and enjoy a rollicking good myth set in the Wild West of the far distant future.

..o0o..

These reviews are provided by Agamedes Consulting. For an independent and thoughtful review of your own documents, email nick leth at gmail dot com.

Starship: Rebel / Mike Resnick

Starship: Rebel

category: military science fiction, author:

Mike Resnick

book 4 of Starship
original copyright 2008,
read in October 2011 (and before, in July 2009)

Agamedes' opinion: 7 out of 10

In 2009 I wrote:

Resnick has written hundreds of books and short stories, mostly set in his own “Birthright Universe”. This one is military SF... or space opera. Great fun, non-stop adventure with a great hero, insuperable odds and unbelievable plotting. Solid, heroic, well worth reading though not an earth shattering piece of literature.

A second reading gives the same rating -- 7 out of 10.

I also noticed more of the incredibly lucky coincidences, the amazing and instant loyalty, the desire of the hero to do good... The prose is simple. The logic is dubious. The communications technology is simply unbelievable...

Yep, this book is just as enjoyable on the second reading!

..o0o..

These reviews are provided by Agamedes Consulting. For an independent and thoughtful review of your processes, problems or documents, email nickleth at gmail dot com.