On / Adam Roberts

On

(category: science fiction)
by

Adam Roberts

published by Gollancz in 2001
Nick read a library book, in January 2010

Nick's rating: 3 out of 10

Nick's opinion:

This book reinforced my understanding of "hero" vs "protagonist"... The main character is definitely a protagonist. He grows up in a small village, where he is regularly beaten by his mother. He leaves the village by accident, then life just gets worse and worse.The book demonstrates a series of "civilisations" -- each worse than the other. Things just happen to the protagonist: mostly bad things. Friends and acquaintances all get killed, in increasingly bizarre ways. The physics of the world is finally revealed -- hastily, near the end. The boy finally decides to do something -- pointless and futile. Then he falls back into his preordained fate -- which is never really explained. One reviewer writes, "leaves a taste in your mouth." Sure... a taste like vomit. The author claims it is a story of "precariousness". More like "pointless misery". Written after a difficult period of his life, says the author. An exercise set by his psychiatric therapist, perhaps. Depressing. Pointless.

..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.

Gladiatrix / Rhonda Roberts

Gladiatrix

by

Rhonda Roberts

published by HarperVoyager in 2009
read by Agamedes in June 2009
fantasy
book 1 of Timestalker

This was a birthday present. Yes, there’s a time machine to get the heroine to imperial Rome, but it’s fantasy... set in a closely parallel universe. A tough martial arts expert with a mysterious past discovers that her mother may be a time-travelling law enforcement officer. After overcoming her own fear of flying, then eyeballing government officials into submission, Kannon Dupree follows her possible mother back to a rough, smelly, politically corrupt Rome of 8 AD. The story could now be classed as historical romance, with all the famous Romans that we meet. I checked with Wikipedia – and liked the fit with what is known of Roman reality. Plenty of blood and thunder but no lingering over the details of the violence. Plenty of black & white characters, some dubious means to the ultimately successful ends. Great fun from yet another Australian (grew up in WA!) author.

Agamedes' rating: 8 out of 10

Believe it or not, Amazon does not stock this book! So, forget the possibility that I could earn a commission if you buy it from Amazon... Try this link: Harper Collins Australia. Or go to Rhonda Robert's own website for more information on the Australian author of this enjoyable novel!