Aside from the awful foreword by Ken Liu this was a legitimate page turner! Though I would have liked to see it try a bit more in providing further coAside from the awful foreword by Ken Liu this was a legitimate page turner! Though I would have liked to see it try a bit more in providing further commentary on the implications of its own concepts and ideas.
Here's hoping the sequels expand upon its implied scope. ...more
“What surprises me about living here is that, no matter how much is taken out, this linoleum palace continues to contain all the necessities for life,“What surprises me about living here is that, no matter how much is taken out, this linoleum palace continues to contain all the necessities for life, at the same time as it refuses to admit a single thing, either accidentally or arranged, of beauty or joy. In this, I think, it is much like East Germany itself.”
Stasiland is full of beautiful prose (that straddles the line between being corny and earnest) and fascinating characters that share their account of a bleak time in our recent history. Perhaps a bit too 'novelized' for some I found it to be at once bizarre, interesting, and amusing....more
As someone who caught the tail end of the Doom mania this was completely captivating and an intriguing look into what went on behind the scenes.
At timAs someone who caught the tail end of the Doom mania this was completely captivating and an intriguing look into what went on behind the scenes.
At times it's as if you're looking into a different world altogether what with the brash Gen X sensibilities of the time (complete with outlandish press events that have vaginas for doors, dildos for teeth and fake decapitated OJ Simpson heads for decoration) but also with regards to the new virtual frontier of videogames and their development.
As a whole the author managed to turn, what could be considered, dry material into a thrilling rags-to-riches tale (seemingly without taking liberties) that despite being ancient history at this point was still an absorbing read.
I'm not ashamed to admit I got a few goosebumps during the part where they finally complete Doom (spoiler alert) and upload it in all its shareware glory to the internet, only to crash the servers because of the high demand. Considering that can still happen today I guess some things never change......more
I'll probably read the third book just because of suck cost fallacy but so far this has been a massive waste of potential. AwkwMuch ado about nothing.
I'll probably read the third book just because of suck cost fallacy but so far this has been a massive waste of potential. Awkward pacing makes an already dull book even harder to get through. A "bone chilling" sci-fi thriller this certainly ain't. ...more
I enjoyed some parts while others I thought were too nebulous and abstract. VanderMeer is undoubtedly a master of mesmerizing prose but that comes at I enjoyed some parts while others I thought were too nebulous and abstract. VanderMeer is undoubtedly a master of mesmerizing prose but that comes at the cost of substance.
In this case the film is better than the book!...more
When they are lying in their tents, unable to sleep and overwhelmed by sadness and regret, they say to themselves: “Tomorrow, and only tomorrow, will I When they are lying in their tents, unable to sleep and overwhelmed by sadness and regret, they say to themselves: “Tomorrow, and only tomorrow, will I take another step. Besides, I can always turn back because I know the road. But one more step won’t make much difference.
A short novel with an abundance of contemplations that bear repeating, regardless of who or where you are in life....more
Did ye never know a lover of books that with all his first editions and signed copies had lost the power to read them? Or an organiser of charities thDid ye never know a lover of books that with all his first editions and signed copies had lost the power to read them? Or an organiser of charities that had lost all the love for the poor? It is the subtlest of all the snares.
Perhaps a bit too overt for some I still found The Great Divorce to be a stimulating read. Probably one of C.S. Lewis' most accessible (theological) novels....more
With this being being my first dive into the Warhammer 40K literary world I have no idea how it stacks up to the many, many other works of the Black LWith this being being my first dive into the Warhammer 40K literary world I have no idea how it stacks up to the many, many other works of the Black Library. However, taken as a straight up Sci-Fi thriller it unequivocally succeeds in every way.
That said I would consider it the perfect jumping off point into 40K as Dan Abnett never overwhelms the reader with lore and expertly crafts an engrossing universe full of mysterious forces and captivating characters. Of course a bit of foreknowledge of the basics doesn't hurt but is by no means a necessity.
So don't let the Warhammer brand put you off. If anything it helps bring this intergalactic detective adventure to life, what with its grand and diverse universe, and makes it a certified pageturner! Xenos is a very promising start of what I can only assume is going to be a fantastic series....more
A more 'straightforward' story but one where King effortlessly blends Fantasy, Western and Romance resulting in a riveting tale that not only deepens A more 'straightforward' story but one where King effortlessly blends Fantasy, Western and Romance resulting in a riveting tale that not only deepens the backstory and motivations of one of its main characters but expands its own imaginative universe as well.
Slower than the previous book(s) but certainly no less exciting (or, at times, shocking)!...more
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