Review: Continental Contract

Continental Contract by Don Pendleton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Bolan goes to France and kicks butt. And gets involved with yet another woman.

I don't see a problem with him getting comfort where he can, but the whole "Oh, maybe I can find peace with this woman. Oh noes, I am too violent and bad. Back to hell on earth I go" schmucky'ness is irritating.



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Review: Slanted Jack

Slanted Jack by Mark L. Van Name

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



My tablet decided to crash on me so I couldn't add stars, shelves or a review of this until I got to my desktop.
Technology.

And that is what this series seems to be about, and yet still be stultifying. I love the whole premise of Jon and Lobo. Meta-human and super warmachine team up to take on the universe.

Only, they don't. They hide, they skulk, they pout, they whine.

I enjoyed the read, but it was like going 55mph, while I was in a ferrari. It could have been so much more.

I think I am done with Mr. Van Name...



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Review: The Uplift War

The Uplift War by David Brin

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Chimps and Gorillas and Humans, Oh My!

A half decent story intermixed with Brin's own evolutionistic life outlook.

I suspect this is how an atheist might feel while reading C.S. Lewis...



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Review: The Grimnoir Chronicles: Detroit Christmas

The Grimnoir Chronicles: Detroit Christmas by Larry Correia

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



A little short story about a Christmas Mystery. As other reviewers have noted, it helps tremendously to have read [b:Hard Magic|8643407|Hard Magic (Grimnoir Chronicles, #1)|Larry Correia|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1327951330s/8643407.jpg|13514467], as that book explains the world you find yourself in in Detroit Christmas.

It was a fun little read with some action and magic all jumbled around, with some gangsta's. I love gangsta's. I also like saying "gangsta's". Makes the Mrs laugh...



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Review: Miami Massacre

Miami Massacre by Don Pendleton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Beach party! and the intro, albeit very brief, of the Talifero brothers. It is about time some kind of high calibre mercs were brought in, as opposed to the stupid antics of the Mafia.
And the beginning of a plan to make Bolan "legal" is also started.

On a general overall note, here are some of my thoughts on the series so far.

Definitely a different world than today. Much is made about the Mafia, ala La Cosa Nostra, and how mysterious and strong they are. How the general populace thinks they are a fairytale.
I was thinking, does the U.S. even have a "Mob" problem in this day and age? I know they exist, but are they a real player in world politics?

Pendleton seems to go out of his way to justify what Bolan is doing. On one level, I can see why he does. While I am all for Law and Order, I also see how criminals, of all orders, bend and manipulate it to their advantage. And having a Vigilante who is guided by a strict set of morals would be awesome.

Romances. Each novel Bolan seems to come across some bimbo who he has some sort of connection with. It really doesn't fit with the overall themes of the series. I guess it adds something, but I find it more of a distraction...



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Review: Star Wars: Winner Lose All

Star Wars: Winner Lose All by Timothy Zahn

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



The much touted prequel to [b:Star Wars: Scoundrels|13573427|Star Wars Scoundrels|Timothy Zahn|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1333577643s/13573427.jpg|19154402]. As much about some twin sisters who are thieves as about Lando.

Based on this, I think Scoundrels should be just fine...



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Review: Mercy Kill

Mercy Kill by Aaron Allston

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Awesome!

While it has been a while since I've read some X-Wing'ness, and I've forgotten most of who comprised Wraith Squadron, who can forgot a smart Gamorean who can pilot an X-Wing? Good ol' Piggy!

He is what made this work for me. The overall story of political intrigue and traitors between the GA and the New Empire was only so-so.

But like I said, Piggy/Voort was just great. And I have to admit, I never saw the whole Yuuzon Vong part coming. You could have knocked me over with a feather when it was revealed that Scut was Vong. I wish he had died an evil villian instead of really being a good guy. No Vong will ever be a good guy in my books.

So go read this!



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Review: The Dragon and the Gnarly King

The Dragon and the Gnarly King by Gordon R. Dickson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I kept getting muddled with the abrupt changes in either characters, viewpoints or times.



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Review: Battle Mask

Battle Mask by Don Pendleton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I have just added a new tag, "ultra-violence" to my list of tags. And all the Mack Bolan books fit the bill so far.
Not necessarily graphic, but a lot of it and fast and non-stop.



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Review: The Moonstone

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



A mystery whodunnit that centers around an Indian Diamond, with some murder thrown in. Enough clues and whatnot are withheld from the reader so that identifying the culprit is impossible.

Told from the perspective of multiple people through letters and diary/journal entries, this was an intriguing read.

Collins makes each individual who tells their part of the story a unique person with their own voice, foibles and strengths.



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