Vet in Harness (All Creatures Great and Small #4)

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Title: Vet in Harness
Series: All Creatures Great and Small
Author: James Herriot
Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: Non-fiction
Pages: 258
Format: Kindle digital scan

Synopsis:

More stories by James the Vet as he prepares to go to WWII. People and animal stories.

My Thoughts:

These are starting to get repetitive. Not that that is a bad thing, as I enjoy the stories. Just sometimes you expect a little more and you don't get it. Good filler read though and easy on the mind.
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When the Saints (Brothers Magnus #2)

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Title: When the Saints
Series: Brothers Magnus
Author: Dave Duncan
Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 336
Format: Kindle digital edition

Synopsis:

Wulf Magnus has power. But there are rules that he knows nothing about. While he helps his brother fight off the invaders, there are other games going on.
Politics and Magic, mixing across the face of Europe while Wulf just wants to marry Madlenka.

My Thoughts:

This was a solid story that had a happy ending. I did some looking and it looks like another one will come out in '18, But considering how this tied up so many loose ends, I'm satisfied with calling this a duology.

Duncan can write an engaging story while grinding whatever axe he has against Christianity. Since he mainly writes about medieval Catholicism, I can't really say that I disagree with him. I just don't follow his conclusions.

I would highly recommend these books to anyone who likes Fantasy.
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The Border

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.com & Bookstooge's Reviews on the Road Facebook Group by Bookstooge's Exalted Permission.
Title: The Border
Series: ------
Author: Robert McCammon
Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: SF
Pages: 456
Format: Kindle digital edition

Synopsis:

Aliens are fighting an inscrutable war and Earth is on the border. Earth is trashed, becoming more trashed by the week, humanity is  being changed by the effects of the dead aliens and the pollution of their tech and things are truly hopeless.

We follow Ethan, a young man with amnesia and a small group of survivors as they leave their dwellings based on a feeling by Ethan. He is convinced that he can stop the war even while not knowing how he knows that.

My Thoughts:

This was my first McCammon. The tone was not at all what I was expecting which turned out to be ok. It didn't "feel" like a SF book. It had all the elements and definitely was but it had as much emphasis on the characters themselves as on the story and the action. That was what was different. It wasn't character development, mind you, it was just a story about people fighting off despair and hopelessness [and losing in most cases] inside their own minds.

The ending seemed a bit convenient but it didn't bother me at all. It made sense within the story and was forecast from the first time one of the characters gave up in despair because even if the aliens left that minute, the effects of them would still wipe out what was left of earth.

Also, McCammon's infatuation with the U.N. and their "peace keepers" made me want to gag. Blue hats are some of the most corrupt forces on this planet. I'll know it is truly the End of Days when they step foot in my State and I don't try to shoot them.

Ahem, moving on.

Overall, I enjoyed this. It gave me a taste of McCammon and at some point I'll probably look up other books by him. But I have no desire to rush out and get everything by him, AT THIS MOMENT! Which, to be honest, is kind of what I was hoping for. If anyone has read more by him, please feel free to suggest some more of his in the comments. I'm always good with cherry picking from an author.
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Thraxas (Thraxas #1)

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Title: Thraxas
Series: Thraxas
Author: Martin Scott
Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 164
Format: Kindle digital edition

Synopsis:

Thraxas, once time soldier and minor sorcerer, is now in his 40's, seriously overweight and kicked out of the palace sorcerers' squad. He is now a Private Investigator, on the cheap.
The elves have given the King a bolt of red cloth, which is immune to magic. At the same time, the orcs have lent a dragon to the King. It is election time, murders abound, drugs are flowing like water and everybody is hiring Thraxas. Which puts him in a LOT of danger. Even Makri, the human/elf/orc in her chainmail bikini and super warrior skills might not be enough to save him

My Thoughts:

Ok, the cover. The one on this edition I have seen before and I KNOW I turned away from reading this. Looks like some kind of cheap cosplay. However, I saw this series with this cover:



Now, that has just as much cheese, but it also shows Thraxas, Ahhh, and he is truly the center of this series. A fantasy private eye, who's fat. How much more funny do you want?

This was a good twisty turny mystery with lots of magical mayhem. I wasn't sure what to expect but I had fun every step of the way. Thraxas' self-deprecation does wear thin after the 2nd or 3rd reference however.

This series is on my phone and I look forward to the next several books. They are small chapters, which works out fine on lunch breaks.
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Leviathan Wakes (Expanse #1)

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Title: Leviathan Wakes
Series: Expanse
Author: James Corey
Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Genre: SF
Pages: 583
Format: Kindle digital edition

Synopsis:

There is Earth. There is Mars. There are the Belters. All living together in an uneasy truce of shared humanity.
That truce is shattered and war and chaos ensue. The crew of a freighter somehow ends up in the middle of it all right from the beginning and begin to piece together a conspiracy that could change life itself.

My Thoughts:

Firefly, welcome back! That was what I kept thinking as I read along.

This was pure fun, pure space opera. I didn't try to make connections, or get upset at the characters or wonder how things were going to work out. I was simply along for the ride. Lots of things were implausible and there was a lot of ridiculousness floating around but I never really noticed it because I was enjoying myself so much. That says a lot.

I gave this the Horror tag, not so much because it was scary  but because of the vomit zombies and the whole mass reknitting of human flesh and bone into something else.
It was creepier than those faux-horror Star Wars books released years ago.
I also put on the Tv Tie In tag because of the tv show. I would really like to watch it now but I think I'll wait until I've read the series. I don't want the tv show to accidentally spoil something in the book for me. Book spoiling movie, I am A-OK with that however.

Thoroughly enjoyed this and am looking forward to the rest of the series.
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Taboogasm

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.com & Bookstooge's Reviews on the Road Facebook Group by Bookstooge's Exalted Permission.
Title: Taboogasm
Series: ------
Author: Gregor Xane
Rating: 3 of 5 Stars
Genre: SF
Pages: 157
Format: Hardcover

Synopsis: SPOILERS

This picture is so spot on for a synopsis that you have no idea.

My Thoughts:

I knew going into this that Xane writes stuff that isn't up my alley. So with that in mind, I plunged right into this signed and numbered hard cover edition. I didn't get #1 and but I did end up with my favorite number, so it all works out great.

Bizarre.

That totally describes this book. Can't really say much else. Like a roller coaster, you have to experience it for yourself.

I was wondering where the title Taboogasm came from and what it had to do with the book. Nothing in fact. It is a movie within the book and all we know about it is what is depicted on the cover of the book, ie, a couple having sex on a motorcycle that get eaten by Shamu. Bizarre.

I had fun reading this, so thanks Gregor. I hope others have fun as well.
`

Resurrection (Demon Squad #2)

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.com & Bookstooge's Reviews on the Road Facebook Group by Bookstooge's Exalted Permission.
Title: Resurrection
Series: Demon Squad
Author: Tim Marquitz
Rating: 1 of 5 Stars
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 344
Format: Kindle digital edition

Synopsis:

Trig gets tricked, manipulated and whatnot into stopping a necromancer from raising Longinus, the soldier who stabbed Christ's side. Only Longinus was a demon, so he got a butt load of power from that act. If he comes back, he'll be top dog.

My Thoughts:

The first book was crass. I figured Marquitz was just seeing how this whole writing gig worked. This time around, his writing was just as crass, if not more and it is very apparent that this is a style choice by the author. So if you like your 500 year old half demon commenting on every pair of breasts and butt that he sees, running commentary on the state of his genitals at any given moment, and unrestrained lewdness and lustfulness, then this book is for you.

If, however, you have even an ounce of taste, restraint or class, this book will either secretly titillate you or disgust you. Considering the juvenile tone of everything, I'm betting on disgust.

The only positive is that now I can clear this series off my kindle and make room for another. That is damning praise indeed.

She is the Darkness (The Chronicles of the Black Company #8)

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Title: She is the Darkness
Series: The Chronicles of the Black Company
Author: Glen Cook
Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Genre: SFF
Pages: 477
Format: Kindle Digital Edition

Synopsis:

Murgen continues on as the Standardbearer and the Chronicler.  Croaker drives the Black Company onward towards Katovar, even as he begins to realize that Katovar might not be the Haven he thinks it is.
Shadowlords ahead of them, betraying employers behind them and nutcases all over.

My Thoughts:

I thoroughly enjoyed this. Murgen has pretty much stopped his uncontrolled travels through time and that made all the difference to me.

There is so much going on with these stories now. Murgen is dealing with the fact that his wife isn't dead and he has a son. The Black company is dealing with Katovar and nobody knows exactly what it is or what it means for them.  The death goddess and Croaker and Lady's daughter continue on their little path. The Lady's sister continues her games just for the kicks of it. What she wants or will plan to do is beyond guessing.

There is a lot of action. Lots of battles and magical fights. I loved it. This series continues strong and I am pleased with that. Sometimes these things take a downward turn.

The Silver Hand (Song of Albion #2) (Audio)

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.com & Bookstooge's Reviews on the Road Facebook Group by Bookstooge's Exalted Permission.
Title: The Silver Hand
Series: Song of Albion
Author/Narrator: Stephen Lawhead, Stuart Langton
Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: Fantasy
Minutes: 760
Format: Audible audio edition

Synopsis: Spoilers

Lewis, now known as Lhew, has been proclaimed King by Tegid. However, poisoned by Simon, Meldrawn kills all the bards of Prydain, blinds Tegid and cuts off Lhew's hand, thus making it impossible for him to be king.
Lhew and Tegid make their way to Caladon where they find a small hidden valley to rest and recover. Meanwhile, Meldrawn begins to conquer all of Prydain, using bribes, fear and intimidation. Lhew begins to create a safe haven and refugees from all over come to be safe from the predations of Meldrawn.
Eventually, Meldrawn and his host, led by Simon, find Lhew. A battle ensues and while things go bad for Lhew, roles are reversed in the end and Meldrawn dies, Lhew is magically given a silver hand and Simon is sent back to our world, supposedly with a mortal wound.

My Thoughts:

I had forgotten that the whole book happens before the Silver Hand actually occurs. Also, the point of view is from Tegid instead of Lewis this time around. Considering that he is blind, but magically given inner sight, it all works out. There were times however,  where the inner sight, leaving or coming, felt like the contrivance it was.

I like this story. I like this book. But this whole audio thing is just killing it for me. I'm currently listening to book 3 but after that, I think I'll stick to books that I don't really care about and are filler. The odd thing is, I grew up with my mother reading to me before I could. I loved it. It was a huge part of me learning to love books and the written word. But now, I don't know. Maybe it is because when I read, I want to be in total control and a narrator takes a big part of that away?

With that being said, I'm definitely not giving up on audio books. If I can listen to an extra book a month to and from work, that is 12 extra books a year. Considering that my average rating is 3.1, and half my reads are filler anyway, using filler books for audio doesn't seem like a waste. It is an efficient way to utilize 20 minutes in the morning and afternoon. And right now at my stage in life, consuming books like pixie dust is my goal.

The Complete Stories #2

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.com & Bookstooge's Reviews on the Road Facebook Group by Bookstooge's Exalted Permission.
Title: The Complete Stories #2
Series: The Complete Stories
Author: Isaac Asimov
Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: SFF
Pages: 560
Format: Kindle digital scan

Synopsis:

A large collection of short stories from Isaac Asimov.

My Thoughts:

Unfortunately, most of these stories I had already read. So there was almost nothing new and without the shiny of "new", I can't say that Asimov's stories are all that engaging.

Nothing is bad or boring. They just aren't the type of stories that I want to read again and again. Most of them have a "hook" at the end and if you already know that hook the whole story loses most of its punch. I also found that a large portion of these were longer stories than in volume 1.

I have seen references to a 3rd volume of short stories but as far as I can tell, they were never published. That is too bad because I would like to see a finishing up of all of Asimov's stories.