Clockwork Princess / Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Princess

(Infernal Devices #3 of 3)

by Cassandra Clare

fantasy, romance

copyright 2013

read in October 2019

rated 7/10: well worth reading

What a delightful book! Romance galore, a world of pleasant fantasy, some action and adventure...

This is book three of a trilogy, all of the romantic pairings are being wrapped up. No stress, no terrible misunderstandings, just getting closer and getting partnered. So sweet! Even the love triangle is sorted out -- with some sadness but oh so nicely. This is not hot sex. It is deeply romantic love between caring and likeable people.

It's a Scarlet Pimpernel sort of world. Horse and carriage, dim streets, old London town with subservient shopkeepers and seedy bordellos. The main characters are all "upstairs downstairs". Most of the action... that is, the worry and discussion... takes place in one old big mansion. There is some out-of-house action, sudden and violent. Then back home to talk around the challenges.

There is the ultimate -- obvious -- villain. His disposal is, well, a violent matter yet completely secondary to the personal challenges being tackled by the protagonists. I was surprised... then I smiled. The interpersonal stuff is far more important than the disposal of a murderous villain :-)

There are plenty of books which introduce each chapter with a wise -- that is, incomprehensible -- saying, or a bit of poetry. This is usually so cryptic that it adds nothing to the story. This book uses poetry (the Lakes poets, are they called?) -- and each quote is relevant. And adds extra depth, or understanding, to the story.

This is no world-shattering future classic. It is a well-written, thoroughly enjoyable story of love, fantasy and some action. A story which leaves me feeling thoroughly satisfied. And pleased to have read such a nice book. A story to be enjoyed. I enjoyed it.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

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"Books suffer wear and tear, just the same as hip joints, cars and reputations." … Thursday Next per Jasper Fforde

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

The Collapsing Empire / John Scalzi

The Collapsing Empire

(Interdependency #1)

by John Scalzi

space opera

copyright 2017

read in October 2019

rated 8/10: really quite good

Space opera. Heavy science, no basis in reality yet internally consistent. In general terms this book is science fiction. More accurately it is high adventure set in space.

Thoroughly enjoyable, too.

The characters are a mixed bunch. Stereotypes have been put in a blender -- with added spice -- and the results are good fun. Traditional gender bias has been reversed -- which could be a problem -- except that it doesn't really matter. A traditional macho role will be "she"... then the story carries on, with no further distinction.

Except that there are more women than men demanding lots of sex. Traditional bias reversed -- but not to make a point. Or, at least, not to make an in-your-face I'm-so-equal-opportunity point. It's just men, women, doing whatever they do best. Sometimes in an unexpected fashion.

There are several -- quite a few -- moments of sudden, unexpected action and violence. The abrupt start of an action sequence seems to be the author's schtick, at least in this book. Nothing wrong with that, the action is essential to the plot.

The plot has several related threads but is not too hard to follow. Characters and plot threads are usually clearly introduced, and re-introduced. With most threads coming together for the grand finale.

And then... the inconclusive end.

I should have noticed: "Book One" is clearly printed on the spine. Even though I missed that, I enjoyed the ending of this book. Yes, the empire is still collapsing, there's lots still to be done. Yet the end provides a satisfactory conclusion to enough of the problems.

Sufficient challenges have been met -- and conquered -- for a satisfying ending. I reached the end and thought, that was good. I also thought, I want to know what happens next. But I did *not* think, nothing is finished.

The book is space opera, lots of fun -- and a satisfactory read even if I never read book two. Good enough that yes, I will be looking for book two... And for book three -- because this is supposed to be a trilogy. It's just a pity that book three has not yet been published.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

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So-cratz: "The only true wisdom consists in knowing that you know nothing". Ted: "That's us, dude."

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

Dodge in Hell / Neal Stephenson

Fall, or Dodge in Hell

by Neal Stephenson

science fiction

copyright 2019

read in October 2019

rated 5/10: readable but only if there's nothing else

A one word review? Rubbish.

The book starts slowly. Then slows down. When the electronic "god" is playing out creation, I almost gave up. Tower of Babel? Check. Garden of Eden, expulsion from? Check. Except that Stephenson also throws in a grab bag of other mythological godlets and creatures.

It seems to be an electronic explanation of the Old Testament -- but with a mishmash of other mythologies thrown in.

There is also the battle of good and evil. Or -- more accurately -- the battle of evil versus unthinking tyranny. The "evil" god rules with fear and force. The "good" god simply smashes -- without explanation -- anything which he doesn't like. Your building can look into my back yard? Smash! Old Testament egotistic destruction.

And stupidity: Why don't you call yourselves Adam and Eve/ suggests the "good" god. Oh yeah, subtle eh, that'll never rouse suspicion with the current god-in-charge.

And wasted opportunity -- possibly a spoiler: That person who disappears at the end, was he Jesus? Why not take the obvious extra step and identify him as a representative of a group who sysadmin for the "real" world? Nope, the author just throws in another random religious reference.

And I do get sick and tired of god thinking, I don't remember anything... but this seems to be good. As he creates yet another world wonder. This god remembers nothing yet is able to create anything. When he decides to eat, for example, a complete digestive system is magically created. How did he know how that should work?!

And then the bad god seems to remember everything?! Is he somehow better than the good god? He certainly has plans, rather than the good god's surprised reactions. So -- why is the good -- forgetful and tyrannical --god set up as the hero of this creation myth?

Solid science, possibly. Clear analogies explaining the science? Yes. Broad thinking, yes. Logical and plausible? Definitely not. Rambling and long-winded, leaving no plot stone unturned? Siiighh, yes.

In one word: rubbish.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

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So-cratz: "The only true wisdom consists in knowing that you know nothing". Ted: "That's us, dude."

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

Runaway Vampire / Lynsay Sands

Runaway Vampire

(Argeneau #x)

by Lynsay Sands

romance, horror

copyright 2016

read in September 2019

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

Good grief! I seriously consider rating this book as a seven! But it's such nonsense!

Ah, but I rate for *my own* enjoyment. And I must say, I thoroughly enjoy this book. Largely due to wanting a lightweight read...

I have just finished a complex, solid book. Now I just want something light. Something inoffensive. Something which will entertain... briefly. This book is light. Inoffensive (but see next para). Entertaining. And forgettable. Not really a seven, well worth reading... but, right now, I am enjoying something very light :-)

And inoffensive...? I almost categorise it as "porn". The sex is graphic... but it's all part of the "romance". The sex is between lovers, I can't fault that. It's dirty, graphic but, well, it's sex for love rather than pornographic sex for its own sake.

I do appreciate the back-cover code: romantic & sexy get big ticks, gothic, action & funny get smaller ticks. You know exactly what you will get. The small-tick action, for example: perhaps three action scenes, very little advancement of the plot. (The book is in the middle of a continuing saga.) Far more space is dedicated to the sex, the romance and the explanations of what it -- this vampire scene -- is all about. Plus a rather detailed explanation of the good and bad and reasons why, of an earlier marriage.

Is that explanation because targeted readers like to read about people with marriage problems? To my mind, the detail could well be the author giving reassurance -- and instruction -- to the marriage-troubled reader.

Other than that, it's all about wish fulfilment. And it's all very enjoyable.

Back to the ticks on the back cover: Did someone read the book and decide which boxes it ticked? I rather think that the author ticked the appropriate boxes -- and then wrote a story to match.

Though I do feel the need to point out a couple of problems... pedant that I am.

First, the problem of never being able to visit the non-vampire relatives. What's wrong with a bit of mind control? Every vampire can do it: just make the relative think that you look as you should.

Second, when a character says, "For Mary and me?" and is "corrected", "For Mary and I."  No! no! no! They are making a shopping list for Mary and -- *object* of the sentence -- *me*. Good grief :-(

Not that it affects my enjoyment of the book. But the pedant in me, cringes.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

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So-cratz: "The only true wisdom consists in knowing that you know nothing". Ted: "That's us, dude."

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

Priory of the Orange Tree / Samantha Shannon

The Priory of the Orange Tree

by Samantha Shannon

fantasy

copyright 2019

read in September 2019

rated 8/10: really quite good

A complex plot with complex characters. Too many characters for me, I soon lost track of all but the key players. The plot was complex but... I could follow most of it. Most of the time.

Characters & situations did seem to appear with little warning. Not deus ex machina but too many, too conveniently. Perhaps a second reading would make it clearer? At 800 pages I can't see me re-reading!

The back page compares Priory to Lord of the Rings, the front page compares to Game of Thrones. Perhaps yes to GoT, no to LotR...

Priory is a massively imagined world. As big at GoT, broader yet shallower than LotR. Perhaps the GoT comparison is valid, there are many competing factions, the very satisfying conclusion still leaves plenty of room for further stories. The overall plot is not as clear as LotR, there are too many threads for a valid comparison.

Priory takes a more modern approach to epic fantasy: cast of thousands, many interwoven plot threads, characters in many shades from good to evil. Probably makes for a "better" book but I'm still a fan of LotR :-)

A major difference from GoT is, nearly all of the Priory characters are "good". The villains are -- mostly -- clearly evil. The main challenge of Priory is to convince the well-meaning characters to fight with the good team. At the climactic battle -- there is no doubt who is good and who is evil. I like that.

The comparison to LotR is that Priory is, "A feminist successor". I guess it is. In a sensible fashion. Most of the major characters -- good and bad -- are female. Yet the male characters are not denigrated; they play important -- though lesser -- roles.

As a male I was not cringing... after some initial confusion of expectations I simply saw the characters as good or bad or likeable or not. Though with some sympathy for the fighting females who often wore billowing skirts over multiple petticoats.

I read Priory in fits and starts but always wanted to come back to it. It's familiar yet unique. I enjoyed it.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

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So-cratz: "The only true wisdom consists in knowing that you know nothing". Ted: "That's us, dude."

===

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

Kraken Rising / Greig Beck

Kraken Rising

(Alex Hunter 6)

by Greig Beck

copyright 2015

read in August 2019

rated 7/10: well worth reading

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. And yes, it is silly -- but good. Almost worth an eight, really quite good... but no, it's just a bit too silly. And I mean that in a good way :-)

The goodies are all solid muscle yet, usually, quite intelligent. Some of the lesser goodies have more brains and less muscle, they take on the traditional cowering in fear role. Though some do tough it out.

Men, women, no bias... Well, okay, most of the muscles are male but not all the wimps are female. In a tough person's world the author does a solid job of reducing standard stereotyping.

There's an awful lot of fist-bumping... is that really a thing? And smiling? Not by the most heroic of goodies, oh no, we're too tough to smile.

The villains are also tough... just not quite as tough. The human villains, that is. The Kraken of the title is very very tough. Even tougher that the hero! Luckily the hero has access to super powerful weapons of villain destruction.

In fact, everyone has powerful weapons. The goodies, luckily, have weapons that are just a little bit more powerful. And, of course, the goodies are better than the baddies at using their weapons.

The action is violent, plenty of people get killed -- but plenty of people survive. And the goodies are doing it to save the world... while taking time to save weak individuals and to crack the occasional tough-person joke.

There's even romance! Very light, just enough to let you know that these super-tough people are actually human.

It's all just way over the top! Yet... very enjoyable. Unbelievable but very enjoyable.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

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"Why be difficult? Be impossible." … Ginger Meggs

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

The Passage / Justin Cronin

The Passage

(Passage 1 of 3?)

by Justin Cronin

horror

copyright 2010

read in August 2019

rated 7/10: well worth reading

There are vampires. So, is this horror? Yes. That's the easy category. The "science" of vampire creation is too vague to make this science fiction. Actually, some of the later science strikes me as being unbelievably wrong -- not that it matters, it's just a way to advance the plot. There is definite apocalypse theme but, well, it's horror. With more.

The first part of the book is slow, like treacle. There is a lot going on but it is a slow build-up, not much action. Confusing, too, with lots of characters being introduced -- only for most of them to disappear.

There is a cast of thousands, many of whom play their -- essential -- parts and then disappear. Even a couple who later reappear... are quickly disposed of (again). Don't get too attached to anyone!

This is not a character-driven story. It is the history of the fall of our current civilisation. Perhaps a new civilisation will appear in the next two books?

btw: Current references -- with three books published -- are to "a book series" rather than "a trilogy". So be warned. Still, this book ends quite satisfactorily, despite the obvious to-be-continued final situation.

Then the action really begins -- and it's wham! bam! vampire blasting excitement... mostly. With quite a lot of exploration of the remaining post-apocalyptic civilisation. And some rather questionable decisions. In particular: why does the young family leave what appears to be a very safe location?!

This is a very thick book providing a lot of detail. Much of the detail is irrelevant to the plot -- but adds depth to the new world order.

The writing style is... very good. No surprise when I read that the author was a professor of English. Excellent style, very easy to read. Sometimes confusing as the story jumps from character to character -- and backwards and forwards in time.

All this adds up to a readable book which is well worth reading. And, quite satisfying.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

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"Why be difficult? Be impossible." … Ginger Meggs

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