Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Review: The Gripping Hand


The Gripping Hand
The Gripping Hand by Larry Niven

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



After reading The Mote in God's Eye, I was at least interested in reading this sequel.

And I was bored out of my skull. For the whole book.



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Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Review: Passage to Dawn


Passage to Dawn
Passage to Dawn by R.A. Salvatore

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



The last Drizz't book I'll be reading.

While Salvatore can write a good battle scene, it seems that he writes like a crap author in every other situation. Which is odd, as I've read his Star Wars books, and while not terribly impressed, I didn't feel like a 10year old was writing the dialogue.

So farewell Mr Drizz't. May you find a luscious dark elf who also likes goodness, mainly so that Salvatore can stop yanking your chain with these terribly forced, awkward, cross-species wannabe romances...



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Monday, December 24, 2012

Review: Stormbringer


Stormbringer
Stormbringer by Michael Moorcock

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I hadn't remembered that this book was about the End of the World, not just Elric's end. So it was definitely a different tone for me than the previous books.

Blast those Pan Tang'ians :) Always causing trouble...




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Sunday, December 23, 2012

Review: The Far West


The Far West
The Far West by Patricia C. Wrede

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



The conclusion to the trilogy.

The "Far West" part didn't come into play until about 40% into the book. Lots of other stuff going on.
Cathayan magicians/magic are part of this story too.

so basically the expedition goes farther west than anyone else in recorded history, solves a big problem and comes home.

Eff gets married and they decide that they will move to a frontier settlement so they can continue their studies of all the new stuff.



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Saturday, December 22, 2012

Review: The Chosen


The Chosen
The Chosen by Dwight K. Nelson

My rating: 0 of 5 stars



This was supposed to be a daily devotional, with a reading a day. I was expecting some kind of verse or thought from the Bible, expounded upon.
It was all based upon the theme of "The Chosen", hence the title. The Chosen refers to those who are staying close to God in their walk through life.

I was disappointed. Many of the daily readings were very "Ellen White" centric instead of Christ centered.
Others kind of rambled on about vagaries without saying very much.

I don't consider this a waste of my time, and I'm sure it will help out other people, who are at different stages in the their Christian walk, but it was not for me at this time.



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Friday, December 21, 2012

Review: Prince Caspian


Prince Caspian
Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



The 4 Pevensy's [spelling?] return to Narnia to right the wrongs.
This is a morality tale, but told in such a way that youngsters would be enthralled by the story even if they missed the deeper connotations. Which is why Dad or Mom should read this to them, and ask questions, to make the child think.
An evil king, an outcast prince, kings and queens of legend, magical beasts, battles and a resolution that rights all wrongs, all rolled together to tell in engaging story.
It is a testament to Lewis's writing that he is able to preach in this book without preaching.



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Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Review: The Engineer Reconditioned


The Engineer Reconditioned
The Engineer Reconditioned by Neal Asher

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



Sadly, I am finding I don't care for Asher's short stories as much as his novels. Mainly, because it seems he allows himself to vent against Christianity & religion with his stories.

Some Polity stories, some Hivemind stories and some Owner stories. I kind of wish I'd read this and the Owner stories BEFORE starting the Owner series.



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Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Review: The Secret Garden


The Secret Garden
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Some books are classics for a reason. This is one of them.

Even though this was written for children, I found it completely un-put-down'ble. I thoroughly enjoyed it all, from beginning to end.



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Monday, December 17, 2012

Review: Resolute


Resolute
Resolute by Mike Shepherd

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



A thoroughly enjoyable romp through a military scifi book.

However, just like the previous books, the beginning made me go confirm that I was indeed reading the next book in the series.



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Sunday, December 16, 2012

Review: Hard Magic


Hard Magic
Hard Magic by Larry Correia

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This was recommended to me by Geoff, and I have to say, it was a GREAT recommendation.

1920's Noir Alt-Hist Urban Fantasy. Yeah, it's all that.

As good as the MHI series is, I enjoyed this more.



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