A delightful regency romance full of mystery, missing jewelry, and sorcery powerful enough to crush England beneath a tidal wave freeing Napoleon fromA delightful regency romance full of mystery, missing jewelry, and sorcery powerful enough to crush England beneath a tidal wave freeing Napoleon from Elba. So this book has a twist or two you might not expect, along with young ladies dressing up as French cousins and an inappropriate waltz or two.
I highly recommend this book to fans of the genre. ...more
Christine Chapel sort of drops away from the crew of the Enterprise during the motion picture saga and this is a delightful story to bridge that gap. Christine Chapel sort of drops away from the crew of the Enterprise during the motion picture saga and this is a delightful story to bridge that gap. One last adventure with Spock as they save the life of Audrid Dax. Yes, that Dax. The one from Trill, years before the medical secrets of the Trill are shared with another Enterprise doctor.
This story is great, not only for fans of Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, but for any member of the Star Trek audience who doesn't like to see characters dropped by the wayside. I highly recommend it. ...more
A wizard in a tower at the edge of a dark wood, grumpy and mortified in turns by things that grow haphazardly. A village girl who is not nearly as cluA wizard in a tower at the edge of a dark wood, grumpy and mortified in turns by things that grow haphazardly. A village girl who is not nearly as clumsy as she is alive. A prince who both is and is not at all a hero. This book hits all the tropes of a good rambling fairy-tale right down to bards and Baba Yaga. Novik embraces the magical rules of her world so wholly that the reader can't help falling into the story.
This is an extremely compelling story. I couldn't put it down. ...more
A beautifully drawn historical fiction comic following two Chinese soldiers as they try to escape the rape of Nanking. I would highly recommend this bA beautifully drawn historical fiction comic following two Chinese soldiers as they try to escape the rape of Nanking. I would highly recommend this book for fans of history or comic books. ...more
If Stargate needs one thing, it's more starfish aliens. I like the Mantas as a continuation of the space as ocean theme of the show and I like the RadIf Stargate needs one thing, it's more starfish aliens. I like the Mantas as a continuation of the space as ocean theme of the show and I like the Radek Zelenka focused story because he's a great character who deserves more attention. This is a fun little short story for fans of the show. I'd recommend it. ...more
As a Star Trek tie in novel, this is a fun one, giving back story for various members of the Voyager crew. B'Elanna's visit to the Klingon homeworld aAs a Star Trek tie in novel, this is a fun one, giving back story for various members of the Voyager crew. B'Elanna's visit to the Klingon homeworld as a child. The story of how a teenager from a Native American isolationist tribe elects to join Starfleet. Tom Paris' real crime.
And Tuvok. Tuvok is a Vulcan Starfleet officer. Tuvok is not Spock. He does not want to be Spock. He's a quiet, religious, homebody, because not all Vulcans are alike even if they share a philosophy. There's a reason he's a security officer, not a scientist. I love him so much.
Even if you only skip to the end and read the story of how Tuvok wound up on Voyager, this book is well worth your time. I highly recommend it to Star Trek fans, though I think general science fiction fans would not get nearly as much out of it....more
It is no surprise that Shimerman has Quark's voice and the show's style down perfectly. This book is a delightful, Ferengi-centric, lost episode of DeIt is no surprise that Shimerman has Quark's voice and the show's style down perfectly. This book is a delightful, Ferengi-centric, lost episode of Deep Space Nine. I would highly recommend it to fans of the show.
**2020 Update** (view spoiler)[The fact that the Bajorans reopened their most hated internment camp to punish the Ferengi captured in their first conflict after the Cardassian occupation is so believable and awful. That the colonel in charge loses himself and starts murdering people is a bit of a stretch, but that it would deeply afflict the Bajoran spirit to be put in such a position is no reach at all. And the whole situation being arranged for Ferengi profit really drives home the classic Star Trek point that there are no "good guys" in a war. Even a minor war with no official casualties. (hide spoiler)]...more
Connors is at his best describing the natural world and arguing for conservation. He is tedious and often condescending when he describes his lookout Connors is at his best describing the natural world and arguing for conservation. He is tedious and often condescending when he describes his lookout heroes, whisky related adventures, and dislike of modern convenience. I don't enjoy criticizing memoirs because his experiences and feelings are his own, but all the humble bragging about how little he has to live on out in the wilderness, how difficult most people find the solitude, and how his wife just doesn't understand comes off as extremely self indulgent.
It's unfortunate, because there are a few good passages about hiking and the natural world, but I would not recommend this book. ...more
Epistolary science fiction is always a must read for me, but my love for this book goes well beyond that. The world building is phenomenal - just becaEpistolary science fiction is always a must read for me, but my love for this book goes well beyond that. The world building is phenomenal - just because humanity has created an interstellar civilization does not guarantee the end of conflicts between corporations with profit motives and government regulations. The rabid space zombies are frightening because they aren't mindless, just infected. The malfunctioning artificial intelligence is horrifyingly clever. The romance is sad, and sweet, as teenage romances must be, and it starts with a breakup of which I approve. The fighter pilots are cocky, brave, and believable. The survival situation is serious and the hyperspace travel isn't perfect.
Is there something else you want in a space opera? If there is, I've probably only failed to mention it. Chances are this book has it. If the idea of piecing together a fictional story from the available surviving documents doesn't completely turn you off, then I highly recommend this thrilling adventure novel. ...more
While I deeply appreciate the contributions Lovecraft made to the genre and enjoy the style of his writing very much, so much of the horror in these sWhile I deeply appreciate the contributions Lovecraft made to the genre and enjoy the style of his writing very much, so much of the horror in these stories stems from a fear of the other that I had a great deal of trouble losing myself in them. By fear of the other I do not refer only to the eldritch gods and babbling hooded figures. Lovecraft seemed equally afraid of anyone with darker skin, non-English language, or belonging to a lower class, especially those with communities some distance from urban centers.
I started this book in March and didn't finish it until December. I just couldn't get into it.
That said, he is at his best with some of the first person body horror I have ever read, and of course the creeping loss of mental faculties that everyone secretly fears.
I do recommend this book to anyone who enjoys classic horror, but mitigate your expectations. ...more
This is not a food book, but reading it will make you hungry. This is not a book about cultural appropriation , but it will make you think. This is a This is not a food book, but reading it will make you hungry. This is not a book about cultural appropriation , but it will make you think. This is a personal memoir, not a treatise on race in the United States, except that it really, really is.
I liked this book a lot more than I thought I would. While I 1000% agree with Huang that that the model minority myth is exactly that and everyone should find their own path and be their own person, the art of the hustle is not an aesthetic that generally appeals to me. I have not as yet found the time to read The Dirty Version, The Rose That Grew From Concrete, or The 50th Law. Someone suggested that I pick this up, though, and I'm grateful.
Huang's voice is so honest and his journey is full of the understandable missteps that people make trying to find their calling. His story has a universal appeal even as he peppers his language with expletives, references to sports, Chinese, and unfamiliar song lyrics.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys autobiographies. ...more
Do not mess with Lockjaw, or Frog Thor, or Mrs. Lion. The Pet Avengers assemble, collect the Infinity Gems, and take out Thanos. If that's not a storyDo not mess with Lockjaw, or Frog Thor, or Mrs. Lion. The Pet Avengers assemble, collect the Infinity Gems, and take out Thanos. If that's not a story that you want to read, I don't even want to know you. ...more
This is a brilliant collection of short stories from an incredible group of extremely talented writers and artists. All of the contributions were inteThis is a brilliant collection of short stories from an incredible group of extremely talented writers and artists. All of the contributions were interesting and entertaining. I particularly liked the ones that subverted tropes, like Just Ordinary where the hero puts on glasses and a white shirt instead of a costume to completely hide his identity when he fights crime. The dry cleaner with an unusual power was also terrific, as was young John Henry's friend.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys comics, even though it teases you with heroes that you may never hear more of, which is a tragedy.
Seriously, I demand a YA novel about Shine. ...more
Alessandro may not be quite as compelling as his daughter, being a bit more in the standard mold of the antihero and not having his soulless state temAlessandro may not be quite as compelling as his daughter, being a bit more in the standard mold of the antihero and not having his soulless state tempered by her morality. Still, it's a good story and well told. Sandy and Floote fighting the supernatural in their heyday is good fun.
I would highly recommend this to fans of Carriger's other books, but those unfamiliar with the world may not enjoy it quite as much. ...more
In the best tradition of wordless comics, this novel charts an interesting journey of discovery through a strange and well crafted world. The use of cIn the best tradition of wordless comics, this novel charts an interesting journey of discovery through a strange and well crafted world. The use of color is sparing enough to be meaningful and interesting. I would highly recommend it. ...more
The murder mystery to lampoon murder mysteries. I'll admit that I found the occasional switch to second person a touch jarring, but the witty dialog aThe murder mystery to lampoon murder mysteries. I'll admit that I found the occasional switch to second person a touch jarring, but the witty dialog and dynamic characters more than made up for that bit of artfulness. The mystery was good enough that I had to guess a little, and well constructed enough that I clued in before Parker at least.
Above and beyond all of that, Wimsey's jovial nature combined with the natural sympathy engendered by his PTSD make him one of the most interesting detectives I've ever encountered. Like a Holmes archetype, he's in it for the mystery, and really only wants a puzzle to distract him from his horrible flashbacks, but he is anything but cold and withdrawn. I almost believe he would have left the thing unsolved to save a killer from the gallows had the killer been less of an asshole.
I think I might read more of these. I think I might actually like a mystery series. That's some of the highest praise I can give, so if you do like mysteries generally, pick this one up. It's a classic for a reason. ...more
Well drawn, with interesting interpretations of the legend and decent translations of many of the poems. I would recommend this comic as a meditative Well drawn, with interesting interpretations of the legend and decent translations of many of the poems. I would recommend this comic as a meditative read. ...more
Another great collection of this title. I really appreciate that they include the letters pages and margin notes in the trades. The stories are fun. EAnother great collection of this title. I really appreciate that they include the letters pages and margin notes in the trades. The stories are fun. Everyone talks to animals and there's a squirrel villain. There are also all kinds of team-ups, Squirrel Girl knocking out the Avengers in 26 seconds, and some legendary art.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes comics. ...more
I still really like this series. I like the terrible dystopian future that lies in Kelsea's past. I like Lily as a character and as a representation oI still really like this series. I like the terrible dystopian future that lies in Kelsea's past. I like Lily as a character and as a representation of a weak woman very different from Kelsea who is still interesting, sympathetic, and possessing her own agency.
I just think people should know that there's a lot more rape in this book than there was in the first one. I don't feel like it's sexualized or presented in any sort of sensational way. It is very much from the victim's perspective and it is very much presented as rape. But there really does seem to be a lot of it. That's all. Thought you might want to know.
Kelsea and the jewels and the Mort Queen, meanwhile continues to be a compelling world changing drama the likes of the Lord of the Rings and I cannot wait to see how it plays out. I do highly recommend this series to any readers of fantasy or science fiction who think they can deal with some incredibly graphic violence. ...more
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