By Other Means (Hayden War Cycle #5)

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: By Other Means
Series: Hayden War Cycle/On Silver Wings
Author: Evan Currie
Rating: 3 of 5 Stars
Genre: SF
Pages: 223


Synopsis:
The 'War' is over, Long Live the Cold War.
SOLCOMM is sending a ship and Diplomat to the Alliance, to hammer out the details of a cease-fire and to hopefully work towards a Peace.
Aida is sent along as Protection and to figure out how to exploit weaknesses in the Alliance so it doesn't turn its attention towards Sol and her children.
So how is Aida supposed to protect the Peace while at the same time trying to figure out how to get around said Peace?

My Thoughts:
First off, Currie has gone and officially changed the series name to On Silver Wings, and made the change retroactively to all the books.
Phrack Me! and gold-darn those Indies...

Second, the writing was MUCH improved and the run on sentences strung together by commas, while still present, were not in force like earlier books. However, sometimes Currie got a little too carried away and completely lost me in what he was trying to convey. He probably knew exactly what he was saying, but it sure didn't come across to me.

Thirdly, I liked the story. Not a lot of action, just like in previous books but enough to keep you reading. A bit of existential angst from Aida as she wonders how she will go on with all the death on her conscience, but it isn't to much and feels tacked on to give her 'character' or 'depth'.

Finally, I did enjoy this and do plan on reading more in the series as they come out. Wish Currie would release in other venues than just Amazon but I supposed that is where he's getting most of his money.

Sweet Myth-tery of Life [Myth Adventures #10)

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: Sweet Myth-tery of Life
Series: Myth Adventures
Author: Robert Asprin
Rating: 3 of 5 Stars
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 136


Synopsis:
Skeeve must decide whether to marry the Queen of Possilton or take over the Kingdom. Goes on several dates to find out about women, brings the kingdom's finances up to snuff [with Bunny's help] and is generally very Skeeve-like.

My Thoughts:
Not as amusing as I'd hoped. Skeeve is really an idiot and sometimes that translates into "Hilarious" but other times it translates into "Skeeve is an idiot".
This was one of those Idiot times.

Skeeve is a great apprentice archetype, but he doesn't do well as the Leader. It is obvious that Bunny has a thing for him and somewhere in that tiny brain of his it seems that Skeeve has a thing for Bunny.  But to drag the series out, nothing gets resolved, of course.

Skeeve keeps getting limited by the choices presented to him.  He forgets, doesn't realize, etc just how powerful he is and that he can make his own mold instead of conforming to the mold others have cast for him. He needs a stiffer backbone and some self-confidence.

Asprin does write a funny story and parts of this were pretty good [the date with a vampire for one] and the whole thing with Gleep is good as long as you don't mind getting smacked across the chops with a foreshadowing glove [and for the most part, I don't. Smack away, sir, smack away].

I will be reading the next book very soon, as this one ends with Gleep apparently dead or dying with an arrow in him. Spoilered! [kind of like 'Arrowed!!!', for you Homestar Runner fans]

Scattered Suns (Saga of the Seven Suns #4) DNF @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: Scattered Suns
Series: Saga of the Seven Suns
Author: Kevin Anderson
Rating: 1 of 5 Stars
Genre: SFF
Pages: ---


My Thoughts:
I am done with Anderson. Nothing in the first chapters of this book drew me on and given the track records of the previous 3 books, I thought it best to simply Abandon this book, this series and Anderson as an author.

Wanted to clear out my Currently Reading list and get all the reviews out of the way before the New Years.  Not a review really, but everything by Anderson just bores me.

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)

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: 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)

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: 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)

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: 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.