Thia is a follow up novel in the wrold that was introduced in "The Old Man's War". The story follows the short life a a member of the "Ghost Brigade".Thia is a follow up novel in the wrold that was introduced in "The Old Man's War". The story follows the short life a a member of the "Ghost Brigade".
Rge novel is interesting, but not as gripping as the first novel. However, it is a good story with both a smoewhat happy and somewhat sad ending. ...more
A delightful tale about a warrior Orc who decides to leave the world of fighting monsters to open a coffee shop.
Unlike most adventure fantasies, thisA delightful tale about a warrior Orc who decides to leave the world of fighting monsters to open a coffee shop.
Unlike most adventure fantasies, this book is about working with and making friends, working with "people" of all types, and finding solutions to problems without using violence. The end of this tale is very heart warming and really makes this novel shine. The characters are very likable, well, except for a few "bad" ones.
It is an easy read and written well enough that one doesn't want to put it down. I highly recommend this one....more
Conclusion of this "trilogy" that was turned into four books.
Some good action and war stories as well as a few side events that apparently lead into Conclusion of this "trilogy" that was turned into four books.
Some good action and war stories as well as a few side events that apparently lead into other separate novels in this universe.
This book is action packed. It follows four main groups of players, the armored fighters under Michael Oneill, his father and daughter and some others that become involved with them, the giant SheVa tank called Bun Bun, and the posleen war leader. This provides three interesting and fun views of the war as it progresses. ...more
As a comment I have to say that this book is a dystopian novel about a future utopia.
Humanity has grown, technology advanced and no one needs to die,As a comment I have to say that this book is a dystopian novel about a future utopia.
Humanity has grown, technology advanced and no one needs to die, worry about housing, food, or any necessity any more. Life is good. But there is one issue, too many people. So the world needs a special group to help keep population in check. This story concerns two teens that become apprentices of this group.
The tale is well written and very entertaining. There are a number of twists and turns to the plot that keeps the reader reading to find out what happens, but then only to bump in to another unexpected twist that pulls one in even farther. Eventually this leads to an ending totally (at least to me) unexpected. However, I can say that the ending just might point toward the next novel in this series. I will have to read it to find out.
Excellent and very entertaining read. 4.5 stars!!!...more
Another in a series of SF war novels. This one doen't end with an exciting battle. But it does end with one. The author definitely left room for anothAnother in a series of SF war novels. This one doen't end with an exciting battle. But it does end with one. The author definitely left room for another novel. ...more
The theme of extended life is common in Science Fiction both with soldiers and for less military tales. This book about extended life takes an interesThe theme of extended life is common in Science Fiction both with soldiers and for less military tales. This book about extended life takes an interesting angle on the process, which makes the book somewhat unique. The story itself is fast paced, very interesting, and a good read.
In a nutshell, a person in this universe can decide when they are 65 to join the Colonial Defence Force after they turn 75. The story begins with the main character having turned 75 and deciding to actually complete the process. The novel follows a portion of his career in the CDF. The novel introduces several characters and alien species that are interacted with along the way.
The book was recommended to me by a friend and I thank him for the recommendation....more
I am really enjoying this series. This one was almost as good as the last few. I think a lot of readers probably hate the ending, but, as I read the lI am really enjoying this series. This one was almost as good as the last few. I think a lot of readers probably hate the ending, but, as I read the later in time (earlier in publishing?) books, I have some knowledge of what happens to the characters.
One part of the ending I really didn't care for and that was a lot of self analysis by the characters in the last act. (No spoilers). It really dragged on, IMHO. I personally thought it was way overdone and didn't fit in with the adventure. However, that said, it is my personal opinion. I have no qualms with the author on this and hope he doesn't change his ways just because some readers don't like an aspect of a tale.
Overall a good book and I am looking forward to the next....more
An interesting and entertaining space war saga. A good story with an exciting ending.
I would have given it a higher rating but this book tends to haveAn interesting and entertaining space war saga. A good story with an exciting ending.
I would have given it a higher rating but this book tends to have way too much military acronyms or initialisms, which bogs down the story. I served in the military, I experienced living with this for years. But I never liked it.
The book also spends a goodly amount of time describing the values and operations of some military equipment.
Overall, I liked the story and the events, but I couldn't wrap my head around the above two items. ...more
Another excellent novel in this series. Mr Sullivan continues to amaze and impress with his ability to made an interesting and gripping tale. I am alwAnother excellent novel in this series. Mr Sullivan continues to amaze and impress with his ability to made an interesting and gripping tale. I am always amused by his creating the root meaning of a common word that fits into his fantasy world. It is a minor thing, but it is just fun!
A very good story and I am looking forward to he next one in the series....more
A light hearted fantasy novel with interesting characters. This book isn't an epic battle or a grand adventure. If there is a "cosy" fantasy genre, thA light hearted fantasy novel with interesting characters. This book isn't an epic battle or a grand adventure. If there is a "cosy" fantasy genre, this book would serve as the definition of that genre!
A fun, quick read. It hints at future novels of this variety....more
This is a more recent novel in the Valdemar series. The book follows the adventures of a Gryphon, (Kelvren), who was introduced earlier in the previouThis is a more recent novel in the Valdemar series. The book follows the adventures of a Gryphon, (Kelvren), who was introduced earlier in the previous series.
The boy was really god and Ms Lackey includes just about every sentient life form she has created in the Valdemar series in this novel. It is a good story and a lot of fun.
The only bad thing for me is the fact that the next book in the series isn't expected to be released until next year. ...more
This is the third book on the founding of the kingdom of Valdemar. I really enjoyed the entire series. This particular book is special as it relates tThis is the third book on the founding of the kingdom of Valdemar. I really enjoyed the entire series. This particular book is special as it relates the story of how the Companions came to be and the formation of the heralds of Valdemar. If you are a fan of all the Valdemar books, you should not miss this series of tales.
The book was well written, had its tender moments as well as adventures, battles and some very interesting characters. I really enjoyed it. ...more
This book is made of three shorter novels and I will comment on each novel separately.
1. Port Eternity - An interesting novel about a rich woman, herThis book is made of three shorter novels and I will comment on each novel separately.
1. Port Eternity - An interesting novel about a rich woman, her lover, her starship, and several Cyteen created clone servants she has leased. When something goes wrong with their superluminal drive, they become stuck in the "in between"space and end up near some unknown structure. Finding out what it is and dealing with their new fate makes for an interesting story. This story is told from the perspective of one of the clones. This gives some interesting insights into the life of servant clones.
2. Voyager in Night - A tiny miner space ship in the "Alliance-Union universe, is picked up by an unknown to humanity alien starship. The story follows how they interact with and affect the aliens on this starship. It is a bit of a sad story, but well written and interesting.
3. Wave with out a Shore - I have to admit, I really didn't like the characters in this story, until I realized what the author had done. The tale takes place on one of the planets from the Alliance-Union universe, but one that did not get a space station, and so has remained pretty much isolated from the rest of humanity for the several hundred years of its existence. Because of this, it has grown and created a culture that is somewhat alien. Ms. Cherryh is truly a Mistress of creating alien cultures. Here she uses that ability to portray a truly unusual human culture. This was probably the best of the three novel in this anthology, even though I spent more than half of the novel not liking it or the main characters. A truly amazing twist and portrayal!...more
I really enjoyed this book. Mr. Sullivan is a master story teller and wordsmith.
This book continues the very early history (thus the Age of Legends sI really enjoyed this book. Mr. Sullivan is a master story teller and wordsmith.
This book continues the very early history (thus the Age of Legends series) of his world and portrays the life of several characters who are legends referred to in his earlier novels. This story brings them to life and shows how they progress to become the legends. It amazes me how an author can develop such a rich and long history in so much detail. The man must feel like a god, having created so much.
I also am impressed with how he manages to manipulate words and names that in the earlier novels become common place though slightly altered, making it seem so real. That is exactly how a group of people would develop the names or phrases. In one instance he takes a sentence, parses a piece of it into a common name for a weapon. The ability to look at words and see how they might be developed to me, seems like the work of a true master wordsmith!
This is a really good novel and I am looking forward to continuing this series. ...more
The author makes several very good points related to current mis-understanding of A.I. She also points out several issues with many algorithms and datThe author makes several very good points related to current mis-understanding of A.I. She also points out several issues with many algorithms and data sets used to analyze and predict outcomes. I would have liked the book a lot more if there was more specific examples of how A.I. works and a lot fewer stories of her personal experiences related to data analysis.
I have always thought that most of the hype about A.I. systems was just so much hype. It is obvious to see many failings of A.I. especially when it offers "help" that is pretty much NOT what one wants. This book provided some information as to why these systems don't work for all cases and can only approximate reality but will never be 100% correct. It is all pretty scary.
The book is just a tad outdated, as the field of A.I. has really developed a lot since the book was published. But that is typical of any book concerning technology.
Over all, this was an interesting read. If you are curious about A.I. it wouldn't hurt reading this book, you will definitely learn something....more
This novel was another in the Company Wars universe. The story was really wonderful, I just hope the next one is actually released sometime.
The tale This novel was another in the Company Wars universe. The story was really wonderful, I just hope the next one is actually released sometime.
The tale itself follows the formation of the Alliance of Merchant ships in this universe and the controversies that have occurred on Alpha station, the larges of the few stations that were left as part of the EC (Earth Company).
I really enjoy of Ms. Cherryh makes use of several different important characters and their viewpoints of events, how, with little information a misunderstanding can occur or someone can figure out something that is being kept secret.
Wonderfully written and a very enjoyable book!...more
This was simply the script of the Amazon show "Good Omens", with two interesting forewords and one section including some of the material that was cutThis was simply the script of the Amazon show "Good Omens", with two interesting forewords and one section including some of the material that was cut from the final.
I just love this story so much that I really enjoyed reading the script. What. wonderful creation this story is. ...more
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