Passenger to Frankfurt

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.tumblr.com by express permission of this reviewer

 Title: Passenger to Frankfurt
Series: -----
Author: Agatha Christie
Rating: 2.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 250



Synopsis:
A vast worldwide conspiracy of Youth and Neo-Nazism arise. A middle aged man meets a woman in Frankfurt and becomes part of the campaign against said Youth Movement.
And then things wrap up.

My Thoughts:
This felt very disjointed and badly put together. Part of that was because I was expecting a Mystery and this was a kind of Political Thriller.

The middle/end suddenly seemed to solve everything where as in the beginning the group was bewailing the fact that this Movement was completely unstoppable. The Benevolent Drug, not sure why ANYONE thought it would be a good idea.

And finally, BAM, they get married. And the circumstances were as rough as the previous paragraph and this one. It left me feeling like I had somehow missed a huge chunk of the book.

Not cool.

Hellhole (Hellhole #1) DNF @41%

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.tumblr.com by express permission of this reviewer.

Title: Hellhole
Series: Hellhole
Author: Kevin Anderson, Brian Herbert
Rating: 2 of 5 Stars
Genre: SFF
Pages: DNF


My Thoughts:
Started out ok, a typical SF Epic'y type story.
But as I read on, it became obvious as the sun that this was nothing more than a copy and klug'ing of Anderson's Saga of the Seven Suns series and Herbert's Dune prequels.

I am in the middle of the Seven Suns series right now and not enjoying it, as it is drawn out and boring. This had some life [thanks to Herbert] but the blatant rewriting of their same old ideas didn't do it for me.
If I had read this trilogy before starting the Seven Suns, I might have let the Dune'esque copycatness stuff go and enjoyed this. But once again, Anderson screws me over. Ballz to that.

So I just stopped. Not worth the aggravation AND repetitiveness...

Command Strike (Executioner #29)

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 Title: Command Strike
Series: The Executioner
Author: Don Pendleton
Rating: 3 of 5 Stars
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 127



Synopsis:
Bolan continues his strike against the new King that Would Be, trying to protect Leo Turin AND keep Brognola safe.
All while in New York City in the middle of a Mafia meet.

My Thoughts:
Bolan kills mafia members, sets up and brings down others and generally causes mayhem and chaos.
A slightly longer term plan is beginning to appear but also, Bolan seems to be wearing down, accepting the fact that he can never destroy the Mafia, because he can't change human nature.

These will continue to amuse and be enjoyable as long as they don't become too introspective. Keep it to the guns and action...

Uncharted Stars (Murdoc Jern #2)

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 Title: Uncharted Stars
Series: Murdoc Jern
Author: Andre Norton
Rating: 2.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: SFF
Pages: 232


Synopsis:
Murdoc and Eet are blacklisted by the Patrol and the Guild, so how are they going to survive? Kidnap a drunk former space pilot, hook up with an alien and solve the puzzle of where the Zero Stones come from of course!

My Thoughts:
This had to be some of the most stoic writing ever.

And Murdoc continues to distrust Eet, afraid that he'll take over his mind or use him or "something". He makes several stupid decisions on this alone and gets the whole crew in trouble.
But in spite of that, things were kind of rolling along, right up until the end,

where Eet, with the power of a whole planet of Zero Stones, turns into HER original form and is of course, a beautiful woman.

(hide spoiler)
I could not believe that. Both books were focused on friendship, companionship, duty, etc, etc without even a hint of romance. And then that. It was like taking a big bottle of Heinz Ketchup and squirting the whole bottle on a fillet mignon steak, to "make it palatable for everyone".
Kind of glad there are no more Murdoc Jern books so I won't even be tempted to read them.

Imperfect Sword (Lost Stars #3) (Lost Fleet)

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Title: Imperfect Stars
Series: The Lost Stars, Lost Fleet
Author: Jack Campbell
Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: SFF
Pages: 379


Synopsis:
President Iceni and General Drakon must defend themselves yet again from the remnants of the Syndic Gov't. The best way they can think of to do this is to help their neighbors and form some sort of loose Coalition or Alliance but without becoming the Syndics 2.0 or an Empire.
The Ulindi Star System is in rebellion and looks promising to both Iceni and Drakon. But can they help that system without endangering themselves or the people they have sworn to protect.

My Thoughts:
First, it has taken me 3 books to put the facts together that Iceni's name is Gwen and Drakon's is Artur. Arthur and Guinevere. Doh. Hope that doesn't bode ill for the ending of the series.

Loved, loved, loved this book! It was the perfect mix of space fighting, ground fighting, intrigue, mystery with just a hint of romance. I have to admit, I think I am enjoying this Lost Stars series more than the original Lost Fleet books. And I definitely enjoy having 2 main characters instead of just Jack Black Geary.

This series continues to explore non-Alliance space, politics and the after-affects of Jack Black ending the war. With the introduction of the Dancers' cryptic message about "different stars" you know this series is going to go for several more books. Honestly, I'm hoping for another 3, to make it match the original series.

While my enthusiasm for the spinoff series Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier waxes and wanes, these books have consistently kept my interest and kept me wanting the next book, now. Highly recommended to any SFF fan, with the caveat that you read the first 6 Lost Fleet books to understand the universe you are in.

The Zero Stone (Murdoc Jern #1)

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Title: The Zero Stone
Series: Murdoc Jern
Author: Andre Norton
Rating: 3 of 5 Stars
Genre: SFF
Pages: 250

Synopsis:
Murdoc Jern, son of a famous jemologist, is pushed out on his own, with only an unknown stone as his inheritance.
Plying his trade as an apprentice, his master is murdered and Murdoc is on the run. From the Guild, the Patrol and other sources. He hooks up with an alien, born from a cat, named Eet to find out what the Zero Stone is.

My Thoughts:
This was typical Norton, with brains being the most important thing. Action happened, but it was described so stultifyingly that it was a relief to get to other stuff.

I did enjoy the overall story but there are times that Norton's style grates. It is a testament to her writing skill and storytelling ideas that even with that, I still keep reading her stuff. I love the story and the idea of exploring space for Lost Civilizations is cool.

I liked this enough that I am now in the middle of the second book.

Forever Odd (Odd Thomas #2)

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Title: Forever Odd
Series: Odd Thomas
Author: Dean Koontz
Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 309

Synopsis:
Odd must rescue a young man with brittle bone disease. Said young man's mother and adopted father were brutally murdered in the kidnapping.
Only, things aren't quite as they seem and the young man isn't the final target. Betcha can't guess who is?

My Thoughts:
While the first book involved Odd, it wasn't ABOUT him. That changes in this book. In a big way.
We also aren't dealing with run of the mill psycho's but with a psycho bitch who seems to have some kind of connection to the supernatural.

Odd's narrative voice is soothing, calm and laid back, even while telling horrific happenings. Who would think that a battle in the sewers could be exciting and yet perfectly calm? Koontz pulls it off seamlessly.

On general principle, I am not an urban fantasy fan or a paranormal fan, but this series is pulling me in. It is hitting all the right "thriller" buttons and I am finding Odd to be a completely likable and sympathetic character.

Wraith Squadron (X-Wing #5) (Star Wars)

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Title: Wraith Squadron
Series: X-Wing, Star Wars
Author: Aaron Allston
Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: SFF
Pages: 416


Synopsis:
Wedge puts together a new X-Wing group, one that is multi-talented in more than just flying and fighting with X-wings.
However, they are all the dregs, the washouts, the problem children, of other units. Can Wedge forge them into a new squadron, one that is equal to Rogue Squadron?
Or course he can; this is the Star Wars Expanded Universe after all!

My Thoughts:
Stackpole's writing was much more intense, almost darker. Allston on the other hand, injects a much needed dose of humor throughout the whole book and makes it work. I like Allston's writing and am sad that we'll never be reading any more new stuff from, as he died earlier this year.

With a different author, we veer away from Rogue Squadron and into the Adventures of Wraith Squadron. A more disparate crew you won't be able to find, except maybe on the Millennium Falcon. A whole group of sentients with some serious issues, in one form or another. It is a lot of fun to see them coming together as a group and fixing their issues.

Wraith Squadron's mission, overall, is to find and destroy Warlord Zsinj. And these books focus on the little missions leading up to that denouement.

Old Man's War (Old Man's War #1)

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.tumblr.com by express permission of this reviewer


Title: Old Man's War
Series: Old Man's War
Author: John Scalzi
Rating: 3 of 5 Stars
Genre: SFF
Pages: 287


Synopsis:
A "Space Army" exists, but you can only join once you turn 75. They have amazing tech, which they dribble to Earth. They also protect Earth and her Colonies from everything else Out There.
Follows one man whose wife has died and he joins up on his birthday.
A military story ensues with just the right amount of Future Tech and a slight mystery to keep things interesting.

My Thoughts:
Sadly, Scalzi crossed one of my Lines in the Sand, so I won't be reading any more by him.

That being said, if it wasn't for that, this would be a 5 star book. This is what Science Fiction should be like.

Cyador's Heirs (Saga of Recluce #17)

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Title: Cyador's Heirs
Series: The Saga of Recluce
Author: L.E. Modesitt Jr.
Rating: 3 of 5 Stars
Genre: SFF
Pages: 629


Synopsis:
Cyador is gone and its survivors are in Hamor, trying to carve out a kingdom amongst hostile dukes of surrounding kingdoms.
The younger son is sent off to be trained and ends up fighting a war in defense of a new ally.

My Thoughts:
The fact that I am still reading this series should say something. However, I am not sure what, as I do nothing but complain about each book as I read them.

Modesitt has a certain voice when writing the Recluce books and it is one that can stupify, grate and generally annoy. Even while telling a rather fantastic story. And that is what keeps me coming back. The stories.

The stories are formulaic to the extreme,  nothing is original and you'll be sick and tired of people eating by the time the novel is done. But you'll read it to the end and read 17 books worth and read the next book when it comes out.

What can I say? I still enjoy these but it is with the knowledge of the flaws, deliberate I believe sometimes, of these books.