Sunday, April 26, 2015

The Jungle (Classic) DNF@ 30%

Review:

The Jungle - Upton Sinclair

This review is written with a GPL 3.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at Bookstooge.booklikes.blogspot.wordpress.leafmarks.com & Bookstooge's Reviews on the Road Facebook Group by Bookstooge's Exalted Permission.

Title: The Jungle

Series: -----

Author: Upton Sinclair

Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars

Genre: Classic

Pages: DNF

 

 

 

Synopsis:

A family and friends group from Europe come to the United States to earn their fortune. In the big city, working for the meat packers. And we the reader get to see 'everything'.

 

My Thoughts:

This was a brutal look at the working conditions back in the day. It was heart rending and painful to see people take advantage of each other and deceive each other, on so many levels.

 

And that is why I couldn't finish this. It broke my heart and I couldn't complete this. Fantastic writing, engaging, like I was right there. Poignant but ultimately full of despair.

Original post: Bookstooge.booklikes.com/post/1153897/the-jungle-classic-dnf-30

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Terrible Tuesday (The Executioner #34)

Review:

Terrible Tuesday - Don Pendleton

This review is written with a GPL 3.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at Bookstooge.booklikes.blogspot.wordpress.leafmarks.com & Bookstooge's Reviews on the Road Facebook Group by Bookstooge's Exalted Permission.

Title: Terrible Tuesday

Series: The Executioner

Author: Don Pendleton

Rating: 3 of 5 Stars

Genre: Action/Adventure

Pages: 126

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Bolan heads back to California, where a new "Thing of Things" is taking place, but so quietly, so "cloud" like, that no head can be cut off.

How can Mack fight something that is everywhere and nowhere, at the same time?

 

My Thoughts:

Before the NSA started destroying privacy of American Citiziens, the idea of super-secret electronic intelligence gathering was being fought against back in the 70's and 80's.

 

Mack continues his week long rampage. But the Mafia is changing, just to survive and that makes everything that much harder. Can Bolan accomplish his goals AND survive this week from Hell?

 

I have to admit, I am not really enjoying this Bolan Blitz sub-series. It feels like Pendleton is running out of writing gas and just wants to get Mack over and done with. I am sticking with the series because of previous enjoyment, but I couldn't recommend these on their own.

Original post: Bookstooge.booklikes.com/post/1151982/terrible-tuesday-the-executioner-34

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

The Black Company (The Chronicles of the Black Company #1)


The Black Company - Glen Cook This review is written with a GPL 3.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at Bookstooge.booklikes.blogspot.wordpress.leafmarks.com & Bookstooge's Reviews on the Road Facebook Group by Bookstooge's Exalted Permission.

Title: The Black Company
Series: The Chronicles of the Black Company
Author: Glenn Cook
Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 282


Synopsis:
A mercenary group is fighting for a bunch of demi-gods, who appear to be the badguys from a previous age of power.
Between in-fighting, prophecy and ineptitude, the Black Company must fight those without and those within.

My Thoughts:
You can see how this influenced Steven Erikson, but thankfully Cook doesn't fall into the trap of multi-chapter philosophizing. Cook writes.

Abrupt changes in topic and whatnot made this a very jerky read. But it sure was effective. It fit the tight, choppy style of fighting that the Black Company excelled at. I wasn't a big fan of the "nobody is the bad guy, nobody is the good guy" but I've read enough of it before that it wasn't a new thing to me and that helped a lot.

I plan to read more of this series. A black, turgid river of dark fantasy awaits.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Interview with the Vampire (Vampire Chronicles #1)


Interview with the Vampire  - Anne Rice This review is written with a GPL 3.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at Bookstooge.booklikes.blogspot.wordpress.leafmarks.com by Bookstooge's Exalted Permission.

Title: Interview with the Vampire
Series: Vampire Chronicles
Author: Anne Rice
Rating: 2 of 5 Stars
Genre: Horror
Pages: 354


Synopsis:
A long winded, angst ridden vampire tells his tale to a young reporter in hopes of invoking sympathy for his pathetic life and the choices and the feelz he has made and experienced.

My Thoughts:
Utter and complete tripe. I was expecting something more ghoulish and horror like. What I got was a genteel vampire who does NOTHING but whine and complain even when he gets exactly what he wants. He refuses to be satisfied, with anything.

How this spawned a whole series is beyond me. In Twilight at least there was some action mixed in. This had action as well, but it was so thoroughly mixed in and hidden by the main characters long-windedness that it might as well have not been present.

I've never taken part in anything to do with Anne Rice and her recent "activities", but with a book like this, she doesn't deserve one more iota of my attention. I tried this, it failed to capture my interest and I can't imagine wanting to read more of this crap.

Next!

Saturday, April 18, 2015

ATLAS (Atlas #1)


ATLAS - Isaac Hooke This review is written with a GPL 3.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at Bookstooge.booklikes.blogspot.wordpress.leafmarks.com by Bookstooge's Exalted Permission.

Title: ATLAS
Series: Atlas
Author: Isaac Hooke
Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: SFF
Pages: 391


Synopsis:
The United States Military is now made up of emigrants. We follow a main character who was planning on being caught as he applies for the hardest, most hardcore of the branches. The first 2/3 of the book is about his training.
The last 1/3 is about a mission to a new galaxy to a planet that has gone silent, completely silent. The threat they find could be the last thing Humanity ever deals with.

My Thoughts:
Pretty good book for an indie that goes on for 200+ pages about boot camp, even if it is a kick ass boot camp. I enjoyed reading about the breaking down and building back up of the men.

The SFF adventure side of things was pretty cool too. Creatures that can just take out whole armored platoons and ghost'y things that can possess machinery? It was fun!
It should have been shortened though, simply to show that Hooke could tell this story as a master instead of just a competent.

The ATLAS that gives this book and series its name is a mech and sadly, barely gets much face time at all. Maybe in the next book? As for that, while Hooke is now on my radar, I won't be rushing out and buying ATLAS 2 [or ATLAS 3. Sorry, but some originality for titles would have been appreciated].

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Char & Sayla (Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin #5) (Manga Monday)


Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin, Vol. 5: Char & Sayla - Hajime Yatate, Yoshiyuki Tomino, Yasuhiko Yoshikazu This review is written with a GPL 3.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at Bookstooge.booklikes.blogspot.wordpress.leafmarks.com & Bookstooge's Reviews on the Road Facebook Group by Bookstooge's Exalted Permission.
Title: Char & Sayla
Series: Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin
Author & Artist: Yoshikazu Yasuhiko
Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: Manga
Pages: 472



Synopsis:
A whole book of backstory about Char and Sayla and the beginnings of Zeon. The rise of the Zabbi family and the split between the Federation and the spacers.

My Thoughts:
I think I enjoyed this book the most so far. I love a good dose of political thriller in my manga and this delivered in spades, the way that only japanese manga can.

Seeing some of what happened before Amuro came along was really nice. The history of "Char" was incredible and made me say "wow" out loud. I also thought that it made him one of the most cold hearted bastards to ever come out of an anime. He is just plain bad.

Other than that, this book reinforced, positively, my decision to start buying this series. This book alone makes it worth it.

Thursday, April 09, 2015

The Westing Game


The Westing Game - Ellen Raskin This review is written with a GPL 3.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at Bookstooge.booklikes.blogspot.wordpress.leafmarks.com by Bookstooge's Exalted Permission.

Title: The Westing Game
Series: -----
Author: Ellen Raskin
Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Genre: Children, Mystery
Pages: 214



Synopsis:
Mr Westing has been murdered and he's gathered together the owners of a high rise to solve his murder, and the prize is control of his company, worth hundreds of millions.
But Mr Westing likes to play games, even from his grave and this time is no exception.

My Thoughts:
I have to say, this held up to my recollections from reading this back in elementary school. It is a children's book, so it is simple, but it holds up very well.

Raskin's done a great job of creating a very disparate crew of characters, each with their own weakness, glaringly obvious. A great way for youngsters to find out that a weakness doesn't mean someone is the badguy.

Wednesday, April 08, 2015

Avenger (Blades of the Moonsea #3) (Forgotten Realms)


Avenger  - Richard Baker This review is written with a GPL 3.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at Bookstooge.booklikes.blogspot.wordpress.leafmarks.com by Bookstooge's Exalted Permission.
Title: Avenger
Series: Blades of the Moonsea, Forgotten Realms
Author: Richard Baker
Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: SFF
Pages: 369



Synopsis:
The Hullmasters are under attack, even while in exile. Gerun decides that NOW is the time to take Hullburg back from the usurpers.
But it isn't just a rogue Elven magician with a vendetta against Gerun that the Hulmasters must contend with, the Black Magician Knights are involved as well.

My Thoughts:
This was a good solid ending to this trilogy. There wasn't as much high seas adventures, but the magical golems and the fight in the shadow realm more than made up for that. The "romance" was satisfactorily wrapped up as well, but to be honest, it felt very tacked on, ever since the first book in fact.

This was not a fantastic fantasy series, but it was solid and enjoyable. Baker is a good author and I wish more Forgotten Realms series/books were written as well as this one.

Tuesday, April 07, 2015

The Soul Stealer (Rogue Angel #12)


The Soul Stealer - Alex Archer This review is written with a GPL 3.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at Bookstooge.booklikes.blogspot.wordpress.leafmarks.com & Bookstooge's Reviews on the Road Facebook Group by Bookstooge's Exalted Permission.
Title: The Soul Stealer
Series: Rogue Angel
Author: Alex Archer
Rating: 2.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: Paranormal
Pages: 284




Synopsis:
Annja goes to Siberia[?] with an old friend who is an archeologist. His trademark is that he bicycles to each site. So Annja, Mr Friend and his bodyguard all bicycle in. They get trapped in a small village due to a snowstorm and come across a monster that might be a fallen goddess.
Russian Mafia are involved, as well as forbidden Cold War science and a deranged scientist.

My Thoughts:
While I enjoy these books as Action/Adventure books, the Paranormal aspect is so badly done that it really takes away from my enjoyment.
Take this book for example. Annja has a sword that she can pull out of the air, her mentor is 500 years old, she has seen and fought demons and yet she won't believe in the possibility of a goddess. Won't, not can't.
This wicked smart woman simply won't accept the evidence right in front of her eyes.

And that bugs the heck out of me.

Either go Paranormal or not. Stop going back and forth between hidden science or the supernatural.
And Elijah came near unto all the people, and said, How long go ye limping between the two sides?
- I Kings 18:21

That pretty much sums it up. I'm giving this series another couple of books to smooth this out, but if not, I'll drop it.

Monday, April 06, 2015

Jaburo (Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin #4) (Manga Monday)


Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin, Vol. 4: Jaburo - Hajime Yatate, Yoshiyuki Tomino, Yoshikazu Yasuhiko This review is written with a GPL 3.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at Bookstooge.booklikes.blogspot.wordpress.leafmarks.com & Bookstooge's Reviews on the Road Facebook Group by Bookstooge's Exalted Permission.
Title: Jaburo
Series: Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin
Author & Artist: Yoshikazu Yasuhiko
Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Genre: Manga
Pages: 505



Synopsis:
White Base FINALLY makes it Jaburo. Several people die and another Zeon General acts like a complete idiot and ruins things for Char.
Amuro is confirmed as a newtype and the scientists at Jaburo run batteries of tests on him and act like what you'd expect from a bunch of manga eggheads.

My Thoughts:
I still feel very frustrated with the geo-political aspects of this story. Why does Zeon have a presence on Earth if they are space based "kingdom"? Why does the White Base jump from Zeon controlled space to Zeon controlled space instead of using Fed space? Why doesn't White Base simply go into Space, allow the Earth to rotate and then simply put down in Jaburo?
And I could go on.

And yet the art continues to push this forward. I can't really explain it, as I'm not an artsy kind of guy. But I'm going to be reading the rest of this series no matter the story :-)

Wednesday, April 01, 2015

March '15 Roundup





19 Books this month. I'm good with that.  I'm tired enough right now that I don't even care to list them all.

I used Ipiccy.com this time and I have to admit, for over 16 pictures, I like it better than picmonkey, which made everything "square" instead of rectangular and hence cut off a lot of the book covers.

Good night folks. It's only Wednesday and I'm pooped. This whole "work" thing is WAAAAY over rated. You'd think that after 20+ years of working I'd one day get used to it.  Of course, maybe not *wink*
Original post: Bookstooge.booklikes.com/post/1137937/march-15-roundup