Artemis Fowl / Eoin Colfer

Artemis Fowl
(Artemis Fowl #1)
by Eoin Colfer

subadult, fantasy

copyright 2001
read in October 2020

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

When I read -- and thoroughly enjoyed -- Highfire I wondered, has this bloke written anything else? And found Artemis Fowl. I'd heard the name. Time to read the books.

This book is, I believe, the first in the series. It's good... but not terrific. In my opinion.

The world is great. Good fun. Believable, in a fantasy sense.

The characters are still developing. I like them but I believe that I will like them more in future books, as they continue to develop.

I enjoyed this book. It makes me want to read more. I believe that the books will be even better as the series continues.

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17dec20: The Artemis Fowl series is famous. I expected it to rate very well. I only rated this one as six. So, I read it again. Now I understand why I gave a fairly average rating: the book is rather nasty.

There is no sympathy for characters other than the main players. Some dockworkers, for example: They are beaten up, simply to provide a distraction. They are not nasty people, they are drawn as stupid. They are innocent bystanders who are treated like dirt.

That's the feeling at several points: minor characters are dirt. Just an attitude of power: I am better -- more powerful -- than you therefore you can be treated badly. It is enough to give me an uncomfortable feeling. So -- for this attack on reader enjoyment -- the book rates a six.

btw: This is not a book for young children. There is too much death and violence.

Nick Lethbridge    /    Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting    /   Problems? Solved.
   ===

"When someone does something wrong, don't forget all of the things they did right." ... anonymous

   

Highfire / Eoin Colfer

Highfire
by Eoin Colfer

fantasy, humour, subadult

copyright 2020
read in October 2020

rated 9/10: really really good

Warning: extreme violence. Also, chuckling good humour. Plus, extremely nice characters and positive messages about friendship, loyalty and the value of education. Quite a mixture!

I label this book as subadult, for younger people who can handle stories which include death and violence. A central character is a 15 year old boy, a nice kid who loves his Momma and learns a lot of life lessons.

The other key character is older. He learns lessons about putting the past behind him, and the value of friendship. He is an adult but the lessons are -- I think -- aimed at subadult readers.

Lessons? Don't worry. This is not a preachy book. Any lessons are just the characters winning battles and improving their lives.

The villain is another bonus. Oh, he is evil, no doubt about that. He is evil, clever, powerful. Almost a super-villain. Only the best efforts will defeat him, he is a worthy opponent. The villain allows the nice people to shine.

I can see -- and hope for -- more books with these characters. Including one who died, I bet he can return :-) Meanwhile, I thought, perhaps this author has written other books?

Good grief! he writes Artemis Fowl! I've heard the name but not read the books. A situation which I intend to change, as soon as possible.

===

09sep21:

Inspired by HighFire I did read an Artemis Fowl book, by the same author.

And was horribly disappointed :-(

One website says that HighFire is an adult book. More for older teens, really. A lot of fun even for older readers.

Artemis Fowl is for children. Artemis himself is a nasty creep.

I read two Fowl books Each book rated 6/10: readable. I did not really enjoy either book. Possibly because my expectations were so high after HighFire. Enough said.

Perhaps I should consider the signature quote, below, that came with this review :-)

Nick Lethbridge    /    Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting    /   Problems? Solved.
   ===

"When someone does something wrong, don't forget all of the things they did right." ... anonymous

   

The Elfstones of Shannara / Terry Brooks

The Elfstones of Shannara
(Shannara #2)
by Terry Brooks

copyright 1982
read in October 2020

rated 7/10: well worth reading

The second book by Brooks and getting better. A solid plot with some depth to and understanding of the characters. Though the depth usually exposes various forms of insecurity.

The story moves away from a scene by scene retelling of LotR. The plot builds to the brink of doom before the instant solution, thousands are dying but success depends on a very few. It sounds trite, there is never any doubt, yet the story is exciting... or at least entertaining.

Locations are varied and, mostly, deadly. After the action has moved on, many locations are left unfit for use, often destroyed. Fortunately it is a big world, with many available locations.

The reader's knowledge of Shannara history is expanded. There is a long history of the rise and fall of vast empires. Which makes me wonder, What is so important about this particular empire, that it must survive? Sooner or later it will collapse, to be replaced. Perhaps the replacement will be even better?

And more: Demons have been locked in a black-hole environment for millenia. Is that acceptable? Has noone looked for a more humane solution? What does it say about "good" when it is willing to sentence sentient "evil" to an eternity of torment?

Deep questions, best ignored. It's an enjoyable book.

Nick Lethbridge    /    Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting    /   Problems? Solved.
   ===

"When someone does something wrong, don't forget all of the things they did right." ... anonymous

   

Space Opera / Catherynne M Valente

Space Opera
by Catherynne M Valente

science fiction?

copyright 2018
part read in October 2020

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

I admire the way that an author selects just the right elements -- from a huge grab bag of possibilities -- to provide a gripping story. Irrelevant items are discarded. Only the most relevant items are retained. The author works hard to present a readable book in which each word is essential to the reader's understanding or enjoyment.

This author has a different approach. Use every word and phrase which comes to mind.

A cat, dog, monkey, elephant walked, ran, slithered up the stairs, down the stairs, along the footpath, into the house... Sometimes it makes sense, as a series of related items. Sometimes it is the author's way of not wasting any of the random ideas which come to mind. Paid by the word, perhaps?

Yes, it can be read. Yes, there are some chuckles to be had. Yes, it is nonsense and not worth the effort.

I categorise this as "science fiction". I suspect that it is intended to be humorous. The main thrust seems to be social satire.

Three chapters was readable -- with a growing sense of, What the?! Then I stopped reading because yes, I do have other books to read.

Nick Lethbridge    /    Consulting Dexitroboper

Agamedes Consulting    /   Problems? Solved.
   ===

When all else fails, have someone else read the instructions" … per Ginger Meggs
   

The Sword of the South / David Weber

The Sword of the South
(Sword of the South #1)
by David Weber

fantasy

copyright 2015
read in September 2020

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

Yes, it's book one of a series. It is also a follow-on to the four War God books. There are carry-over characters and many references to past adventures. Doesn't matter, this book stands alone: characters are well introduced and past history is irrelevant... As far as I can tell, anyway, having not read the previous books.

The book can be read alone. And it does make me want to read more. Not for the plot... but for the fun.

The book is a lot of fun. Over-drawn characters, heroes with heart, occasional extreme violence. There are a lot of tough guy insults. You know, the things that tough guys say to hide the fact that they really like each other.

There is true love, true friendship. Amazingly able heroes and heroines -- and villains. There is a lot of discussion, with occasional bursts of violence. Some of the pitched battles support the plot. Others are just thrown in to fill a dull patch.

Finally a major villain is dealt with, to provide a satisfying ending. And an even more major villain cackles evilly off stage, to be dealt with in subsequent books.

If I were that villain I would stop cackling and start packing. The good guys are all over him. The only questions are, how many books will it take to wipe him out? And is there an even bigger villain, waiting for his own follow-on series.

====

13dec23:

There's also a lot of magic where the only explanation is, Golly, that's really amazing!

The book is still a lot of good tough guy and gal violent unsubtle... fun.

===

18aug24:

"over-drawn characters? So over-drawn that I can barely stand it.

There's been a lot of plot and character development between Oath of Swords and this book (are there several books?). By now the characters have developed into... caricatures.

One new character is being introduced, probably as a link to a series of pre-fall books. Is there anyone else who will turn out to be an ancient hero brought back to life? I hope not, I hope the author has the ability to invent new characters.

And... re-reading both Oath and South: I have just re-rated South (7 to 6/10) -- it really suffers by comparison. I'm really struggling to read South, the characters are too ridiculously heroic. In Oath they are still developing and much more acceptable.

Perhaps if I reach the end (of this re-reading of South) I may enjoy it a bit more.

Nick Lethbridge    /    Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting    /   Problems? Solved.
   ===

When all else fails, have someone else read the instructions" … per Ginger Meggs
   

Ascendance / John Birmingham

Ascendance

(Dave Hooper #3)

by John Birmingham

horror, humour

copyright 2015

read in September 2020

rated 8/10: really quite good

Really quite good? Well... I certainly enjoyed it :-)

Violent. Crude. Blood-soaked. Occasionally touching. Often funny -- in a crude, violent and occasionally touching way.

I had hoped that this book would complete a trilogy but no :-( More people are introduced, evil monsters survive, a battle is won but the war continues. I should reduce my rating but, well, it's not a series which demands to be wrapped up.

By which I mean: This is a story of violence and action with some human interest thrown in. There are some threads which are slowly developing yet there are no ideas which demand a conclusion. Almost like a sitcom: no matter what happens in the middle, the start and end situations are equivalent.

The book is good fun, I enjoyed it. As a violent, horror, humourous, human story it is really quite good. I am satisfied with the conclusion. There are plenty of loose threads -- but none which demand to be followed.

It's a great read but not a great book. Just a lot of crude, violent and funny fun.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

There's a party in your heart and all the bladed weapons are invited. Have a pleasant day. … Blingtron 5000

===

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

Born to Darkness / Suzanne Brockmann

Born to Darkness

(Fighting Destiny #1)

by Suzanne Brockmann

science fiction, romance

copyright 2012

read in September 2020

rated 8/10: really quite good

Okay, I just bumped that rating up from 7/10. For sheer enjoyment -- it could be nine... but really, it is *not* "really really good". But by crikey -- I really did enjoy reading it :-)

The book is romance -- with lots of sex. Absolute, one hundred percent lust... backed up by absolute love. The couples are so much in love... it is really... really... sweet. Arousing sex scenes which have me smiling happily because the characters enjoy the sex -- and each other -- so very very much.

The book is science fiction, a dystopian near future. Definitely dystopian yet there is no feeling of despair. The baddies are absolutely evil, innocent victims are terrorised, yet the goodies are out there battling the evil. Nice people are tortured and killed yet the good people are there, regularly saving the day.

Totally over the top. Totally enjoyable. Dystopia -- with a positive message.

The science fiction aspect includes people with super-powers. And, they are finding, the super-powers are enhanced by good sex... Oh yes, those scenes of hot sex are absolutely essential to the plot :-)

It's clever, it's ridiculous. And it is ridiculously enjoyable.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

I'm not cynical… just experienced… per Ginger Meggs

===

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