An interesting premise that's explained well enough to make it almost seem possible & quite horrible. What if a dead person hitched along in your bodyAn interesting premise that's explained well enough to make it almost seem possible & quite horrible. What if a dead person hitched along in your body? The limits on the communication & all were very well done. They added to the horror of the situation for all concerned. So much is unknown. The government & public response are quite believable & typically miserable. The characters were well drawn. The main ones were likeable enough, although I wanted to kick the MC, Finn, on a fairly regular basis. I could understand a lot of his grandfather's frustration with him which actually added to the depth of the story which really delves into the details of dealing with & figuring out what is needed. That made the story sag for me, but people that like atmosphere will eat it up. There's a very good twist at the end, too.
Well narrated, but I thought this was supposed to be SF. It's mostly fantasy, although it started out with an SF element - a horrific & all too possible one.
Merged review:
An interesting premise that's explained well enough to make it almost seem possible & quite horrible. What if a dead person hitched along in your body? The limits on the communication & all were very well done. They added to the horror of the situation for all concerned. So much is unknown. The government & public response are quite believable & typically miserable. The characters were well drawn. The main ones were likeable enough, although I wanted to kick the MC, Finn, on a fairly regular basis. I could understand a lot of his grandfather's frustration with him which actually added to the depth of the story which really delves into the details of dealing with & figuring out what is needed. That made the story sag for me, but people that like atmosphere will eat it up. There's a very good twist at the end, too.
Well narrated, but I thought this was supposed to be SF. It's mostly fantasy, although it started out with an SF element - a horrific & all too possible one....more
This was a far better fantasy than I recalled. It's really held up well & had all the elements needed to make it an excellent one; action, romance, & This was a far better fantasy than I recalled. It's really held up well & had all the elements needed to make it an excellent one; action, romance, & excellent attention to the realities of war, although the hyperbole factor was quite high. The best fighters were also the rulers, so they tended to continually put themselves in harm's way. Kind of silly, like Kirk & the command crew of the Enterprise, but fun.
While the world is one with magic, there are other dimensions of which ours is one, so a few characters, 2 of the main ones, are from our world. That added a lot to the story. Not everyone was good or bad, either. While Good & Evil were forces in the world, some people were occasionally jerks & got put in their place. Very well done.
I can't say I was in love with the reader, but he didn't ruin it either. It was a bit more of a production than I like. Different voices for each character & some were hard to hear, the voice was low. The Hightowers were great. They sounded like Sean Connery & made me think of Highlander, which fit perfectly.
This was a far better fantasy than I recalled. It's really held up well & had all the elements needed to make it an excellent one; action, romance, & excellent attention to the realities of war, although the hyperbole factor was quite high. The best fighters were also the rulers, so they tended to continually put themselves in harm's way. Kind of silly, like Kirk & the command crew of the Enterprise, but fun.
While the world is one with magic, there are other dimensions of which ours is one, so a few characters, 2 of the main ones, are from our world. That added a lot to the story. Not everyone was good or bad, either. While Good & Evil were forces in the world, some people were occasionally jerks & got put in their place. Very well done.
I can't say I was in love with the reader, but he didn't ruin it either. It was a bit more of a production than I like. Different voices for each character & some were hard to hear, the voice was low. The Hightowers were great. They sounded like Sean Connery & made me think of Highlander, which fit perfectly.
This started off rather slow for me, but I really liked it by the end. Well narrated with a good mystery to solve by people & organizations that are aThis started off rather slow for me, but I really liked it by the end. Well narrated with a good mystery to solve by people & organizations that are as morally ambiguous as their means all leavened with just the right amount of low-key humor. There is magic in this world, but it isn't explained to death & yet well enough to be understandable & have proper limits. Good characters, too. Many started off flat & became full blown as the story progressed....more
An interesting blend of SF & mythology that was fairly bewildering at first. It reminded me of the first book of his I read The Timegod* or something An interesting blend of SF & mythology that was fairly bewildering at first. It reminded me of the first book of his I read The Timegod* or something Roger Zelazny would write. There was a bit too much wandering without much action, especially at first. I'm also not very interested in, but was treated to, what he had for dinner most every night. The lands were interesting, especially the names. I caught quite a few of the historical references, but not others. I have to admit to almost total ignorance when it comes to Hinduism - too many strange characters who seem to change their personalities completely depending on the story & I've never been able to keep their hierarchy straight.
The themes of belief & fanaticism were repetitive, but that might just be me. It's something I've thought of a lot & made my mind up about decades ago. As an atheist, I know just how pervasive, stifling, & blinding religious beliefs can be.
This might be better on a reread since I'm sure I missed some things due to trying to figure out what was going on. Nice reveals toward the end. None too surprising, but that was for the best. The clues were there leading to them & it made for a better ending.
Not really a 4 star read if only because there isn't much in the way of humor or other leavening for the heavy themes. It's just somewhat depressing given the current political climate.
*The Timegod was originally titled "The Fires of Paratime" when it was first published in the late 70s, a far better title, IMO. When he got a new publishing company, they reissued it under a new title but without any significant changes....more
While this is a continuation of the trilogy before it, it's set 16 years afterward & stars the youngsters. If I have to name everyone, then you haven'While this is a continuation of the trilogy before it, it's set 16 years afterward & stars the youngsters. If I have to name everyone, then you haven't read the other trilogy & should do that first. This book is a step up from them, though. They were pretty long & drawn out. This one starts the same way, but keeps getting better & faster paced. The end was great.
Here's the chronological &, in this case, published order of the 4 books: 8 - The Mongrel Mage - Year 675 - Beltur is raised as a White wizard, but learns what he really is in Alparata, Spidlar as the Prefect of Gallos is dissatisfied with the status quo. 9 - Outcasts of Order - Year 677 - Beltur discovers he's a frighteningly powerful Order mage & everyone fears or wants to use him. 10 - The Mage-Fire War From Modesitt's website: I’ve finished the sequel to Outcasts of Order, which will be the third and final book about Beltur [yes, I know it’s the first time I’ve ever written three books about a character in the Saga of Recluce]. It’s entitled The Mage-Fire War, and it’s scheduled for publication and release in July of next year.... 9July2018 book released Aug2019
11 - Fairhaven Rising Year 704(? Takes place 16 years after The Mage-Fire War Taelya, Beltur’s adopted niece, is now a white mage undercaptain in the Road Guards of Fairhaven.
For the full chronology including the short stories, see my review here: /review/show... ...more
A 'minor' talent that's been nothing but trouble is slowly unlocked when Ezekiel makes a friend. What it teaches him about life is a well done story, A 'minor' talent that's been nothing but trouble is slowly unlocked when Ezekiel makes a friend. What it teaches him about life is a well done story, almost a parable, but it's all set in our world. Such a fine, small twist & well worth the time to read. It gets a little preachy at times & I don't think it's really a YA book for all that the main characters are. Well narrated by Rudnicki whose voice made even the slow parts a pleasure to listen to....more
I don't know how closely this sticks to the original Grimm tales, but it was good. The narrator snark & asides were a bit much at times, though. ThereI don't know how closely this sticks to the original Grimm tales, but it was good. The narrator snark & asides were a bit much at times, though. There's a lot of death & destruction, some cutting off of heads & even a trip to Hell. Gretel is quite the gal! Well narrated & probably best in that format unless you can find an illustrated version. That would be awesome.
3 stars for me, but I think a kid of 10-14 might give it 5 stars. I would have at that age, so I'll give it 4....more
This isn't working for me & yet I don't hate it. There's some good writing. For instance, the queen's feelings of her ungainly size as she nears the eThis isn't working for me & yet I don't hate it. There's some good writing. For instance, the queen's feelings of her ungainly size as she nears the end of her pregnancy is wonderful. I wish my wife had put it so well & then her complaints would have at least been amusing.
I just can't get into it because of a lot of small stuff. The narrator isn't my favorite, but he's not terrible. The names are weird & difficult to understand & remember, but not hopelessly so. Mostly, the story just seems rather bloated & obtuse. I don't know why most fantasy authors want to write tomes, especially when the story doesn't support it, but that seems to be the trend. There's a lot of extraneous description in this one & it just keeps the story from progressing.
My library has all 3 of these available plus another duology by this author, so I was hoping I'd like it. Nope. Abandoning....more
It's been too long since I read A Dirty Job, but this was an enjoyable sequel anyway. The humor is fairly juvenile & ridiculous, perfect for me. StillIt's been too long since I read A Dirty Job, but this was an enjoyable sequel anyway. The humor is fairly juvenile & ridiculous, perfect for me. Still, it went on too long. I would have enjoyed it far more if it had been quite a bit shorter. Like its predecessor, it's fairly forgettable. It's just a funny-once kind of read.
Very well narrated. I don't think I would have enjoyed it nearly as much in print. The narrator really captured the characters....more
More of the same as the previous 2 books. It takes place generations after the events of Ironbrand & features 2 descendants of Ambescand's family. IntMore of the same as the previous 2 books. It takes place generations after the events of Ironbrand & features 2 descendants of Ambescand's family. Interesting with quite a few references to the previous stories, it's not as engaging, though. The ending was disappointing, too. (view spoiler)[ There's a fight scene of swords, Iron Angel versus Korrang's sword, that's reminiscent of Elric's fight with Stormbringer. Not as good & the cloak pin not working didn't make much sense. Iron Angle is put back into the stone & we find out that a man will have the option to draw it again some day. If he does, it will unleash the evil again. An obvious reference to King Arthur & the Sword in the Stone, but it doesn't make much sense in that context. (hide spoiler)]
So I found this a bit disappointing, but still pretty good. I'm going to start the final book The Time of the Annihilator now. It's another quick easy read & I do want to read all the books in order this time....more
This was very short, just an hour long, but a lot of fun. There's a lot packed into it. A great bedtime story. It's well worth reading the original, aThis was very short, just an hour long, but a lot of fun. There's a lot packed into it. A great bedtime story. It's well worth reading the original, although both the Disney cartoon & Hook were fantastic retellings. I especially liked the part where Nana, the dog, gets back her own while Mr. Darling stays in the dog kennel.
Well read by Phil Cherveneaux(sp?) so this isn't the correct edition, but I didn't see that one. Librivox.org has quite a few editions of this including one done by a cast. It's wonderful how many good audiobooks they have for free....more
This is a classic tale, so spoilers abound in this review.
I last listened to the BBC OTR version, but didn't care for it too much. We're reading it iThis is a classic tale, so spoilers abound in this review.
I last listened to the BBC OTR version, but didn't care for it too much. We're reading it in the Evolution of SF group, so I thought I'd try this version #5 from Librivox narrated by Phil Chenevert, a solid narrator. You can find it here:
It's only 3 hours long, but that's about twice as long as it needs to be due to the wordy, stilted Victorian writing. Still, it's worth getting through because overall, it's a great story & it's told in such a neat format. It is told from the POV of Utterson, Jekyll's friend & attorney. Nine, the final chapter lays out everything from Jekyll's POV. By that time, we pretty much know or can guess the story, so there aren't any surprises, but it's a heart-rending account.
Hyde is a smaller, younger, & perverted version of Jekyll. (Smaller, not larger as he usually is in the movies.) He is the evil side that Jekyll has starved for so many years. No one can accurately describe what makes Hyde so hideous, but everyone finds him abhorrent. Once he figures out the chemical formula that releases him though, Hyde becomes stronger. Jekyll tries to quit, but things have gone too far. I was really impressed by his description. I wonder how much Bill Wilson swiped for his descriptions of alcoholism & relapse in the A.A. Big Book. The words probably weren't identical, but they elicited the same cycle of despair. Better living through chemistry is an illusion that will bite you in the behind.
Obviously this is a story about the duality of man's nature, perfect in its setting. The upstanding gentry liked to slum. They were often conflicted by their desires & society's expectations. It's similar to the theme of The Picture of Dorian Gray which was published a few years later.
Highly recommended for its historical importance, but don't expect a great book unless you like the style. I don't....more
This is a humorous tale of old school fantasy where the magic is very magical, the world is in a state of barbarism, & the princesses are beautiful evThis is a humorous tale of old school fantasy where the magic is very magical, the world is in a state of barbarism, & the princesses are beautiful even when they've been turned into toads. Kedrigern is a crusty, middle-aged codger who really hates traveling & isn't shocked by anything except the whims of people, especially women. He really prefers to live quietly & study, so Princess breathes some chaos into his nicely ordered life & it's a fun trip.
Morressy is definitely an underrated author. His stuff isn't of the highest caliber, but he definitely writes entertaining tales. I read one of his SF books, Under A Calculating Star, not long ago & really liked that. It was even better. He also has a few fantasy books of which Graymantle is one book of a duology. There's also another book that I seem to recall is a prequel, The Time of the Annihilator to them. I want to get around to rereading them, too. ...more
The first few stories were great, the rest mediocre to plain bad. I abandoned two. That seems to be about par for the latest anthologies by Strahan, tThe first few stories were great, the rest mediocre to plain bad. I abandoned two. That seems to be about par for the latest anthologies by Strahan, though. I like being able to sample authors' work, both when they're writing in their 'typical' world & out of it. I often wonder if some that have been around a long time & are popular are worth another go.
Trudi Canavan's contribution, was a really pleasant surprise. She's an author I don't typically read, but "Camp Follower" was excellent, one of the very best of the collection as was Saladin Ahmed's, an author new to me. Neither story by Cook or Bear changed my mind about their writing. I got through both stories, but I don't want to read any more by either.
All the stories were well narrated, although there were irritating reminders to continue on the next CD. I hate that in an audiobook I downloaded.
I kept feeling as if I should like this book more than I did. It's got a neat mix of tech & magic, something I'm usually quite partial to, but I neverI kept feeling as if I should like this book more than I did. It's got a neat mix of tech & magic, something I'm usually quite partial to, but I never seemed to get into it. I think a lot of that was the main characters. I didn't find anything to connect with in either. They weren't bad, but just not interesting for all their exploits nor were they very likable, even though they're pretty heroic underdogs since what they faced was way over the top.
Maybe that was part of the problem; a lot of this was over the top. Instead of a blend of fantasy & SF, it was more of car wreck blending the two together like unsecured passengers in a head on collision. It's just too discordant. There's some fairly humorous moments & a fair amount of action, but I always felt like an outsider looking in.
The first part of the book was tough to get through & then it got more interesting, but I only read it during lunch at work. I never wanted to pick it up at home. I finally did tonight just to finish the damn thing. It's become an albatross around my neck. So I'm done & kind of wish I'd just bailed on it a lot earlier. I can certainly understand if your take on the book is far better or worse than mine....more
It's nice to wrap up this trilogy within the Recluce Saga. Beltur's story is an interesting one, but I can't help feeling a shorter book would have woIt's nice to wrap up this trilogy within the Recluce Saga. Beltur's story is an interesting one, but I can't help feeling a shorter book would have worked better. His self-recrimination & out-sized sense of responsibility got really old. There was also a fair amount of redundancy that hampered an otherwise excellent story.
Best of all, we learn a very important piece of history that really changes things up. (view spoiler)[We find out these black mages are founding Fairhaven in about 678 with the idea that it is a haven for all mages, black or white. By 900, when Creslin escapes Westwind, Fairhaven is primarily white & after his blood because he is a black. (hide spoiler)] I wonder if we'll see a couple more books somewhere around 750 where things change. It should be interesting & sad - probably instructive, too. There's obvious comparisons here.
Definitely recommended if you've kept up with the series so far, but it's more of a 3.5 than a 4 star.
Modesitt suggests reading this series in published order, but rereads should be done in chronological order, IMO. He even helped me put them all, including the short stories, in order. You'll find them in my review here: /review/show......more
This is a pretty good sampling of REH's stories, although there are several Soloman Kanes & a couple of Kulls, there is a sprinkling of other characteThis is a pretty good sampling of REH's stories, although there are several Soloman Kanes & a couple of Kulls, there is a sprinkling of other characters. All very good & well narrated. Some were almost productions, but I don't think that helped them any. REH has a cadence to his work that makes any additional acting extraneous. The words speak very well by themselves & the stories are often hindered by the narrator attempting to put more into them.
In the REH group, I mentioned how OSC said that he read his stories aloud & how well his words flowed. All agreed that REH's flowed as well & several remarked that he was well known for shouting as he typed. It upset the neighbors. I suppose there is a lesson there for all writers - if your writing rolls off the tongue, it will read well, too....more
Quite a unique world that was very intriguing at first. It's steampunk peopled by heroes & legends of folklore set in the late 1800s in the US. For inQuite a unique world that was very intriguing at first. It's steampunk peopled by heroes & legends of folklore set in the late 1800s in the US. For instance, John Henry beat the steam drill, but it was just a machine of the Gog & he's still out there. (Besides, that's not what really happened, just the story the public knows.) John Henry was one of the Ramblers, heroes of the wild that fight evil. His son was possibly the best character in this book, although not the main one. We get to follow the renewed wrath of the Gog with the Rambler's children learning of him & taking up their role in the fight.
The book was really good most of the way through, but kind of lost it toward the end. The author started putting in the dumb stuff that ruins so many YA books. Obvious connections are suddenly great mysteries to the heroes, so we get a 'startling' revelation. Sigh. It's insulting. Still, the very end redeemed the book somewhat. The last fight was pretty mean.
Well narrated & it is a cool world. It was a 4 star read for at least half, but really slumped badly, so this just gets 3 stars. I believe this is a trilogy & I might read the next book sometime....more
This novella is an interesting mix of fantasy into a world that is otherwise much like our own. Reminded me a bit of For Whom the Bell Tolls except thThis novella is an interesting mix of fantasy into a world that is otherwise much like our own. Reminded me a bit of For Whom the Bell Tolls except there's an illusion caster & some shape changers. Neat names for them.
I liked the short format & yet complete story. He did a great job & the narration fit very well. Highly recommended....more
This is the third book in the series. The first really tickled me with the whole idea of a D&D book from the NPC POV & it was just pure fun. The seconThis is the third book in the series. The first really tickled me with the whole idea of a D&D book from the NPC POV & it was just pure fun. The second was pretty good, but essentially more of the same. This one took the next step up, though. The characters, world, & overall plot were really well done. There's an extra depth to the characters & plot, yet it manages to do this while using the D&D type tropes to good advantage to keep it both light & intriguing.
Really intriguing - must read the next book ASAP sort of intriguing. Just what is up with that pig? Why can't Grumble see it? One of the last scenes ties in a character from the previous book that leads to all kinds of possibilities. The characters all have some issues that need resolution & the worlds are butting each other even more closely.
Yet the book didn't feel like it left me completely hanging. The characters leveled up, completed a quest, & there is definitely more to come, but the story came to a good stopping point. Very well done.
Highly recommended, especially as an audiobook. The narrator was excellent. Loved the different voices. They were distinct, well fit, & yet not intrusive. I can't ask for more than that, especially out of a book like this....more
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