I mean, it's not a bad story... but the marketing pissed me off. Described as a story in the vein of Cowboy Bebop, when clearly its a copycat of FireflI mean, it's not a bad story... but the marketing pissed me off. Described as a story in the vein of Cowboy Bebop, when clearly its a copycat of Firefly.
Seriously, I have zero idea why anyone in the story does anything. Motivations are "because story requires it"
The banter is witty and I guess the characters would look good in a movie... which maybe explains why I don't like this book. It feels like it was written for a screen. Emotions are downplayed in favor of visual action.
But whatever, it is what it is.
**I received a copy of the book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
There have been many "History of [X] in 100 Objects" books published, but this is the first one I've seen from the future.
Requiring impressive creativThere have been many "History of [X] in 100 Objects" books published, but this is the first one I've seen from the future.
Requiring impressive creativity and (I assume) research, the next 80 years are reviewed based on inventions that are yet-to-be.
From prison reform to expanding sexuality to the role of AI in everything, the only reason this is science "fiction" is because you aren't working hard enough for the future.
**I received this story early from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
This story angers me, mostly because I'm upset I understand it.
I've never read a book told explicitly in dialogue by other people.
The main character This story angers me, mostly because I'm upset I understand it.
I've never read a book told explicitly in dialogue by other people.
The main character doesn't have any words on the page the entire story. The reader can infer what she says from what a character responds with, but nothing is actually said.
Its creative, different, a great short story.
**I received this story early from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
This series keeps getting weirder in the best possible way. Even if I don't like it as much as previous books in the series. The plot follows the tried This series keeps getting weirder in the best possible way. Even if I don't like it as much as previous books in the series. The plot follows the tried and true pattern for Sandman Slim... people don't survive long. But I like the shift in the story: Slim becomes more and more human, leaving the stress and pacing of previous books to become a person I can imagine existing. From PTSD to respecting office politics, I really like how this book shifts the story. But... Janet. Why? I understand why he needs a new love interest, to play on the idea of his past conflicting with his future, and that part of the story is well done. But why the big deal about non-binary? Its half a damn chapter explaining something like a step-mother explaining a controversial subject to a teenager... just, why? You've got non-binary angels and a lesbian couple, I guess we just needed a sitdown to talk about pronouns? I infinitely prefer how Sarah Gailey handled this in River of Teeth, one person is pan and we're just gonna roll with it. No explanation, they're a human living their life and don't owe anyone an explanation. Or The Perfect Assassin by K.A. Doore, homosexuality is such a non-issue its not even discussed; if two people with dicks want to fall in love they just do. Kadre just introduced this issue in the most afterschool-special way possible. Besides the most awkward conversation about pronouns in the history of ever, I like where the book leads the overall story. A hard ending with foreshadowing to the next book that seems obvious (?) but I'll guess we'll see soon enough.
**I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
I liked everything except the "Big Reveal". I don't know how I feel about it.
Like, I like the story. Loser Everyman gets a chance to travel the world I liked everything except the "Big Reveal". I don't know how I feel about it.
Like, I like the story. Loser Everyman gets a chance to travel the world with a celebrity monster hunter, and everything falls apart immediately. I'm already giving this story the benefit of the doubt, just based on that. Add good writing, realistic characters, believable action, I'm all in.
But the Reveal... I dunno. I'm reminded of the movie Signs... the entire movie aliens have been invading the Earth, and one of the last scenes, we get to see an alien in person, in detail... and its underwhelming. THAT?!? That's it?!? This little lanky, skinny head ass, shiny ass mofo is laying waste to the entire planet? The movie did amazing NOT showing the alien, playing on characters and emotion to show the effects of the aliens while not actually showing anything.
I think Road Seven has the same problem. I loved the story, but the actual Reveal was just underwhelming. Also, why the actual fuck did that character even show the Reveal??? Like, I don't know the motivation. But spoilers, whatever.
I still recommend it, its funny and different, in a good way.
** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and BookSirens in exchange for an honest review....more
Starts off strong, the characterization carries the start. The world building was lacking for me, but de Jager's characters are strong enough to carryStarts off strong, the characterization carries the start. The world building was lacking for me, but de Jager's characters are strong enough to carry the story. **I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
I swear, I'm going to stop reading YA books. Especially sci fi/fantasy.
I know, I said that before. Then I found Race the Sands and liked it, so I thouI swear, I'm going to stop reading YA books. Especially sci fi/fantasy.
I know, I said that before. Then I found Race the Sands and liked it, so I thought maybe my problems were over and I could go back to simpler plots and shallower characters as long as the ideas were original and well written and everyone could solve their problems with deux ex machina so obvious Jesus could have written it and I'd be fine, not rolling my eyes at all.
The Obsidian Tower is a good book, but not for me. I just couldn't deal with the fairy tale a couple layers deep. "Oh, I have magic but its *flawed* why can't I be perfect like my family my magic is FLAWED". Wait, could it be your magic isn't flawed, that's how its supposed to be because you're perfect the way you are?
This story does have a lot of good going for it. The magic system here is pretty good (though why the main character doesn't wear gloves is pretty weird... like, I get she can't touch anyone but Rouge from the X-Men figured out how to live with this problem), the characters are likable and believable even if a little shallow, the prose is good. Honestly, I recommend this book, but not for me.
And I swear, I'm off YA books. For really reals this time.
**I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
I discovered Wim online several years ago when Ed Latimore (@edlatimore) talked about Wim. A little research, and Wim is an interesting person to say I discovered Wim online several years ago when Ed Latimore (@edlatimore) talked about Wim. A little research, and Wim is an interesting person to say the least.
The book introduces Wim's breathing method to help your body work better, meditations to increase one's oneness with the universe, etc. It sounds stupid the way I'm explaining it, but I'm not going to take a whole book to explain it.
The plan is actionable, free to try, safe (except for ice baths but you know that already). I highly recommend the breathing exercises, 10-15 mins of meditation.
Wim also pissed me off... there are ZERO explanations about things that need them. I know a little something something about somethings, but c'mon Wim, you could have helped me out. "Shallow breaths make the blood alkaline"... um, what? How does shallow breathing change the hydrogen ion levels in my blood? A little Googling and I found out (i found it interesting but I'm also *that kind* of nerd) buy if Wim is making these kind of claims HE should have been explaining.
Other than that, highly recommended.
** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
I'm a science (Physics) teacher and graduate from Abilene Christian University. This book summarized conversations we had as undergrads, collecting thI'm a science (Physics) teacher and graduate from Abilene Christian University. This book summarized conversations we had as undergrads, collecting thoughts and wisdom into a conversation many people keep hidden in their souls.
Well written, well organized, with about 20% of the book foot notes and notations to research.
**I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
Overall, the book is good. Solid prose, good ideas, strong supporting characters. But two things stuck out I wanted to like this book more than I did.
Overall, the book is good. Solid prose, good ideas, strong supporting characters. But two things stuck out that took away from the story.
First of all, I like the overall plot and world building. The idea is great. I REALLY like the writing style of mentioning something and then not explaining it for awhile... real people don't define word/terms/events they already know. I can't stand when authors do that, so thank you Martell for that.
What I didn't like:
1. The main character is a whiny little bitch. I'll say it again, Michael Kingman is a whiny bitch. Several times in the book someone tells him to do something, he says "No" because that's what the hero does, then he does that thing because he's so weak but refuses to admit it... another character even calls him out on it about 2/3 of the way through the book, I loved that.
Imagine someone who's parent was an influential politician, now disgraced, yet they think they must save the entire nation because no one else is good enough to. That's the main character. As if James Comey or John Bolton's adult child said to themselves "The whole country is going to hell in a handbasket, and only I can save everyone." But then they did almost nothing the entire book, ALMOST NOTHING.
Like Indiana Jones in the Raiders of the Lost Ark... if Jones hadn't been in the movie, the Nazis would have opened the Ark and died. If Indiana Jones hadn't been in the movie, the ending wouldn't have changed; if Michael Kingman hadn't been in this book, the ending wouldn't have changed. He is active during the whole book, but the results of that activity are hard to point at.
2. Plot jumps ... I don't know what to call them, just things that don't happen in real life happening all the damn time. Not big enough to be a plot hole, just something that stands out and makes me think "Why did that happen, that's so weird" but not in a good way.
Might be I don't know the motivation of a character to blotchy dialogue, just weird. Like how Kingman has several beatings/near death experiences in a few days but is still walking around like nothing happens. I don't think he sleeps for a couple days, and just walks it off.
Overall, a good debut. I'm looking forward to the second book. I'm expecting the writing to get stronger with more experience.
**I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
A great message inside a good story can ruin everything. This book is set in the Iron Druid universe, but you don't really need to have read those bookA great message inside a good story can ruin everything. This book is set in the Iron Druid universe, but you don't really need to have read those books first. It would be helpful and add quite a bit of depth to the story, but its not necessary. The story is moving along fine, creative character and worldbuilding and then the MOST afterschool special ass paragraph in my life just stops everything. Its a good message about the dangers of human trafficking. I support the message. Trafficking is a problem that has to be looked and and uncomfortable conversations need to happen. In this case, it ruins the flow of the story TWICE, same character reads a "Now You Know, and Knowing is Half the Battle" script and just stops everything. The plot goes from saving someone to stopping someone to saving someone else, all well done except for the jarring conversations that could have been done smoother. Saving someone and then having a discussion about trafficking would have been amazing, using the metaphor of a goblin or pixie to discuss the real plights of a Mexican or Ukranian, awesome idea. Just not well done in this case. The story is good overall, a creative magic system that has a lot of potential to go places, I'll look for the sequel and give the series another chance to have a meaningful discussion without ruining the story. **I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
A deep look into a woman's life and coming to terms with her failures.
I enjoyed this book, its raw and honest. I guess I expected more in terms of "anA deep look into a woman's life and coming to terms with her failures.
I enjoyed this book, its raw and honest. I guess I expected more in terms of "and here's how to get help", but in fairness this book wasn't marketed as Self-Help. This is Sara's story, and good for her for sharing it.
**I received an advance review copy from NetGalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
This book has so many things going for it, but I'm rolling my eyes at the plot hole. Well, not really a hole, a ditch is a better visual. Really, imagThis book has so many things going for it, but I'm rolling my eyes at the plot hole. Well, not really a hole, a ditch is a better visual. Really, imagine, a good-sized ditch gouging through an otherwise good story. You got that in your mind? Fine.
A society had to be built to move the plot along... and Durst does 90% a good job. Its believable, creatively new but grounded in the familiar, I like it.
Besides this plot ditch, the story is actually really good.
But... but, I mean, really?., come on now... the main plot revolves around (view spoiler)[winning this race so a monster can be reborn as human (hide spoiler)] and no one can find out except (view spoiler)[ everyone already knows (hide spoiler)] so instead of just using the (view spoiler)[ magic key thing to reborn(?) the monster and end the story (hide spoiler)] the main characters do it the dumbest way possible.
Like, the last third of the book I'm just frustrated with the stupidly stupid Emperor character... all his desires (empirical stability) are right there, and he doesn't take it. One of the other main characters starts to tell him something (alright, good), hesitates (oh, thank God, she'll tell him), and then she tells him something else. Because whatever.
I recommend this book, because other than my bitching and moaning, it is good. The characters are flawed and relatable (even if they jump to conclusions like it's a damn workout), everyone's motivations are understandable, and even the Good Guy (capital G Good) who does things for "the right reason" (view spoiler)[gets killed, because that's what happens to people who are Good (hide spoiler)]... apparently....more
Surprisingly actionable. I expected (and received) a book with some history and examples of citizen science, everyday citizens contributing data to a Surprisingly actionable. I expected (and received) a book with some history and examples of citizen science, everyday citizens contributing data to a variety of scientific studies. I was impressed by the list of studies currently available to contribute to. From identifying birds and counting bees to sending in soil samples for analysis, the Guide lists options organized by geography and expectations. It also gives sources of more studies you may want to add to. Looking forward to going through this book with my kids this summer and choosing a study to help with.
**I received a free copy of this eBook from NetGalley in return for an honest review....more
This book is childish... it's well-written, impressively well-researched, and an interesting read. But I don't think it fulfilled its goal of convinciThis book is childish... it's well-written, impressively well-researched, and an interesting read. But I don't think it fulfilled its goal of convincing a reader that America should repeal the 2nd Amendment. So while worth reading (doesn't matter if you support the goal or not, every American should read this book) I say the book is childish because it complains about a problems without offering a practical solution.
To be upfront, I support responsible gun ownership. A firearm is the only way I can see my wife can protect herself and our children against even an unarmed grown man, and the only way I can see myself protecting my family from more than one. That said, I know that guns are a problem in the U.S., and this book will hopefully start more conversations.
In college, I bought a gun from a friend of a friend to go hunting... it was an illegal gun sale by today's standards, but until Lichtman offers an idea of how to prevent this exact sale from happening now, I want my gun.
Most of the book is academic whining... Lichtman does a great job of introducing why guns are a problem, but I don't see an instance of him offering a *practical* solution. He offers statistics from the U.S. (good), from other countries (not especially helpful, since different cultures don't compare well, just look at differing immigration and health care laws within the same countries Lichtman offers as example of "good" gun laws), and literally 150 year old statistics (I don't think gun laws from the Old West are applicable Allan, I think the stats are valid but I don't think you can compare them to now.
I still think this book is worth reading, by everyone. If you can't read something that disagrees with your viewpoints, I think your viewpoints are immature at best, and wrong at worst....more
The movie World War Z was horrible. It may have been a decent running-from-zombie movie, but it missed everything that made World War Z special. The bThe movie World War Z was horrible. It may have been a decent running-from-zombie movie, but it missed everything that made World War Z special. The book looked at the humanity of catastrophe, at the hopes and sins of people in a bad situation. This could be zombies, surviving a hurricane, doesn't matter, people are people and will do what they can and need to for survival. This idea runs throughout Devolution, and I appreciate it.
Some themes come up in both books... academic knowledge is of limited use in "the real world", preparedness is next to "survivalness", and sometimes idiots need a punch to the feelings. I like the recurring themes between books, though Devolution holds its own; its not a sequel or spin-off, its a good book in its own right.
Both books were told after the incident they describe, Devolution a series of journal entries from an anxious woman interspersed with interviews from the reporter investigating the case. I appreciate the different characters have different voices, in text and audio... I'm almost never a fan of full cast audiobooks, but this one does it right. Even if not the audiobook, different characters have different speaking styles, grammar, etc., to give them an independent voice in the story. Highly recommended.
**I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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