Leviathan (Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier #5)

Review:

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: Leviathan

Series: Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier

Author: Jack Campbell

Rating: of 5 Battle Axes

Genre: SFF

Pages: 324

 

 

Synopsis:

Geary tracks down the rogue A.I. fleet with help of the alien Dancers. He must destroy them at all cost or civilization, both of the Alliance and the Syndics, will fall.

But with secret black agencies working against him and the Government, can Geary do his job and still abide by the laws he believes are necessary?

 

My Thoughts:

Now this is a good military SF book. I like a main character who has character. I like space battles, just not too much [this book was balanced perfectly in that regards]. I like happy endings.

 

In short, this book is why I buy certain books in hardcover. I like it, I'll re-read it in a decade or so and I want to have it on hand should I decide to do a year long re-read of all my favorite books.

 

I truly enjoyed the "If I do that, then they'll do that, then I'll do.." kind of logic chains that went on between Geary and the computers in the A.I. fleet which were coded based on him. How cool is that, fighting a version of yourself?

 

Since Campbell wrote 6 books in the original Lost Fleet series, I am hoping he keeps up the symmetry and ends this sequel series in the next book.

Original post: Bookstooge.booklikes.com/post/1248804/leviathan-lost-fleet-beyond-the-frontier-5

Dawnbreaker (Legends of the Duskwalker #3)

Review:

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: Dawnbreaker

Series: Legends of the Duskwalker

Author: Jay Posey

Rating: of 5 Battle Axes

Genre: SFF

Pages: 512

 

 

Synopsis:

Wren separates from all the others and begins training under a mysterious Master, the Master of House 8, the House that Three came from.

At the same time, Wren's mother Cass begins to explore her own power and must decide whether she'll keep running or stand and fight Asher.

Finally, Asher. He is seeking out both Wren and Cass, to stamp them out and to begin to consolidate his powers, in real life and in the wired world.

 

My Thoughts:

A fantastic ending to this trilogy. Things wrap up rather quickly. It does leave a LOT of space for future books but at the same time it is a complete ending.

 

A good bit of time is spent on Wren's training. Some might find it somewhat tedious, but I've always enjoyed seeing a character grow, both in skill and mental agility. The battle for Greenstone was pretty good but not as fleshed out as I was hoping for. Cass's journey of discovery was just as enjoyable as the other plotlines.

 

I enjoyed this book as much as Three mainly because we get to see Wren starting to become the Man who will be the Duskwalker.  I was mislead by the series name, Legends of the Duskwalker, especially in the first book, as I was expecting Three to said Legend. But when you deal with such things as Legends, they always have to have a beginning and this trilogy is the beginning of Wren's Legend.

 

As satisfied as I am with how things ended, I really hope we get to see more of this world. So many little clues about how different, how Post-Apocalyptic it is, but it never is the focus. I want more.

 

In ending, a huge thanks to Krazykiwi for putting Jay Posey on my radar with her review of Three. It is for just this type of thing that I love a social booksite like Booklikes. I never would have found Jay Posey on my own.

Original post: Bookstooge.booklikes.com/post/1248161/dawnbreaker-legends-of-the-duskwalker-3

August '15 Roundup

Overall, this was not my best month. In fact, I would say it qualifies for the worst month of the year, reading-wise, so far.

11 books. Only one 4 Star and even that was not super enjoyable. And a whole bunch of 1 stars. Bleh.

1) Act of War - Dale Brown - 3 Stars

2) The White Rose - Glen Cook - 3.5 Stars

3) Feeling Lucky - Walter Knight - 3 Stars

4) Bloodwars - Brian Lumley - 2 Stars

5) Satan's Sabbath - Don Pendleton - 3 Stars

6) The Nautilus Sanction - Simon Hawke - 3 Stars

7) The Golden Elephant - Alex Archer - 1 Star

8) Influx - Daniel Suarez - 1 Star

9) Age of Innocence - Edith Wharton - 4 Stars

10) Blood and Silver - James Tuck - 1 Star

11) The Hunt for Atlantis - Andy McDermott - 3 Stars


Flop down, roll round and wallow in despair.
I'm counting on September to be a much better month. In fact, I'll be reading some books I've saved for just such an occasion. It can't be worse than this month was.

Original post: Bookstooge.booklikes.com/post/1244954/august-15-roundup

The Hunt for Atlantis (Wilde & Chase #1)

Review:

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 Hunt for Atlantis

Series: Wilde & Chase

Author: Andy McDermott

Rating: 3 of 5 Stars

Genre: Action/Adventure

Pages: 546

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Nina Wilde, orphaned child of Atlantis hunters, continues in her parents footsteps. With help from the Philanthropist Kristian Frost, Nina has a shot at actually finding Atlantis.

But opposing her is Qobras and his Brotherhood.

Being protected by Eddy Chase, Nina globetrots, tracking down one clue after another.

 

My Thoughts:

As much as I complain about some of the action/adventure books I read being too short, this was too long.

 

It was fun, mediocre and pretty on par for how this month has gone. See how long this series lasts.

Original post: Bookstooge.booklikes.com/post/1243139/the-hunt-for-atlantis-wilde-chase-1

Blood and Silver (Deacon Chalk #2)

Review:

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: Blood and Silver

Series: Deacon Chalk: Occult Bounty Hunter

Author: James Tuck

Rating: 1 of 5 Stars

Genre: Paranormal

Pages: 305

 

 

Synopsis:

Deacon has to deal with a group of Were, one part of which want to rule and dominate all other Weres and the other part is preaching pacifism and "let's all get along"'ism.

Of course, the pacifist is a hypocrite.

 

My Thoughts:

Deacon's Angel Powers, Homosexual Ninja Rabbit, Rapist Pacifist, Crack Mommies selling their children as sexual favors for more crack, it was all just too much.

 

In regards to Pacifism. I really, really, really respect a true Pacifist. Not resisting evil doers, valuing their lives above your own. I find that very high on the "Love Others" scale. And having that turned on its head just pissed me off. Not everyone should be a pacifist, Evil does need to be resisted, but those who are called to it, it reminds me of what those of us who do fight, are fighting for.

 

Another waste of a book for me.

Original post: Bookstooge.booklikes.com/post/1242186/blood-and-silver-deacon-chalk-2

The Age of Innocence (Classic)

Review:

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 Age of Innocence

Series: ------

Author: Edith Wharton

Rating: 4 of 5 Stars

Genre: Classic

Pages: 305

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Newland Archer marries one woman while loving another. And while the ending isn't a horrible double murder/suicide, [ha] it is just as empty and meaningless.

 

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed reading this. Wharton was a master wordsmith and her skill at weaving a story together just kept me tied to the pages.

Each weekend that I'd read my allotted 25% was something that I looked forward to. It has been awhile since I've had a book like this.

 

With that being said...

 

This has to be one of the saddest, emptiest books I've read in quite some time as well. Newland is tied down with Convention, hoisted up on a cross of Ideals, that are based on Nothing.  There is nothing worse than Empty Ideals. It is like seeing someone wrapped in chains and being thrown into a pool of piranhas.  One little difference and those Empty Ideals can be Ideals and those chains can become Life Lines, offering escape from those piranhas.

 

Bleh.

 

As much as I enjoyed this, I don't think I'll be reading any more by Wharton. I do not want to fill my Mind with this depressing stuff. I also know I used a lot of Caps. I'm just in that kind of mood right now.

I could write a lot about this book, but you know what? I don't want to. The above encapsulates everything I need to know so in 10 years I can remember why I didn't read anymore of Wharton.

 

I still recommend this book. Weird, isn't it?

Original post: Bookstooge.booklikes.com/post/1241325/the-age-of-innocence-classic

Influx

Review:

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: Influx

Series: -----

Author: Daniel Suarez

Rating: 1 of 5 Stars

Genre: SFF

Pages: 530

 

 

 

Synopsis:

A secret branch of the United States government has been hoarding advanced technology. However, they now are advancing their procedures from Protect and Serve to Rule.

Only the combined might of a group of geniuses has a hope of stopping a megalomaniac and his A.I.'s.

 

My Thoughts:

Techy and then just deux ex machina time after time. And homosexuality hits again.

It is really making me question whether I want to keep on in the SFF vein of books.

 

I hate when principles cut across one's life.

Original post: Bookstooge.booklikes.com/post/1238023/influx

The Golden Elephant (Rogue Angel #14)

Review:

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 Golden Elephant

Series: Rogue Angel

Author: Alex Archer

Rating: 1 of 5 Stars

Genre: Paranormal

Pages: 315

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Roux loses all his money and sends Annja out to recover a priceless artifact so he, Roux, can sell it to a collector.

Annja gathers a team, and in a race against a tomb raider, finds a lost city, beats off 2 armies, saves the treasure and becomes BFF's with aforementioned tomb raider.

 

My Thoughts:

This series has lost me with this book. I don't expect much from ghost written action girl series, but this went beyond "a mess" into full on "terrible".

 

First, Roux losing most, or all, of his money. That is so much garbage that I don't even know how to respond to it. The man has had 500 years to perfect his poker face and yet we're expected to believe he's almost broke? Ridiculous Number 1.

 

Second, Tomb Raider girl. An african princess, with severe daddy issues, has deux machine pistols and robs tombs. A tip of the hat to Lara Croft? Only if you're a senseless dolt. This was ripoff, pure and simple. 

 

Thirdly, the "philosophical" talks between Annja and Miss Tomb Raider consisted of T.R. saying her piece and Annja going "oh yeah, I guess you're kind of right..." Bad philosophy, or even wrong philosophy, is one thing but LAZY philosophy isn't acceptable. I wanted to jump into the story and just rip apart Tomb Raider's supposed arguments.

 

Fourthly, the "token" lesbian. I'm a Christian and don't accept the homosexual lifestyle as something that is ok, but even I was embarrassed at just how shallow and pathetic this 2 paragraph part of the story was. Change it "token christian" and you would have had a black woman hollering "Jesus save me!" once or twice and that would have been that.  Write it well or go home.

 

Finally, the collateral damage. I'm a big fan of lots of death in action/adventure stories. But when just about everybody dies simply to clean up the story and Annja is weeping hysterically one moment over them and the partying the next, well, it is pathetic.

 

So in conclusion, this was just a sad sack of a story and with the lacklustre of this and the past couple of books, I think I'll be done. I need to find some good series instead of settling for pathetic and mediocre.

Original post: Bookstooge.booklikes.com/post/1231449/the-golden-elephant-rogue-angel-14