I think this book suffered from a lack of space. There is a lot to enjoy about it (quirky main characters, interesting setting, fun literary conceit) I think this book suffered from a lack of space. There is a lot to enjoy about it (quirky main characters, interesting setting, fun literary conceit) but its brevity didn't really let any of those positive elements stretch out. Still, it was a free, quick read so I don't have much to complain about....more
A good conclusion to the series, especially after I thought book three felt rather flat. Defiant does a great job wrapping up character arcs, deliveriA good conclusion to the series, especially after I thought book three felt rather flat. Defiant does a great job wrapping up character arcs, delivering satisfying turns of the plot, and ends the series in with both a definitive conclusion of the overall plot arc while also opening up future adventures in the universe. All in all a fun and enjoyable YA sci-fi series....more
While I enjoyed this book, love the setting, and enjoy the characters, I found the story, especially the conclusion unsatisfying. The great challenge While I enjoyed this book, love the setting, and enjoy the characters, I found the story, especially the conclusion unsatisfying. The great challenge of the book the characters were working to overcome was mostly resolved outside of the perspective of the POV characters (which, on their own, were great fun to read) by other characters. The ending felt a little too clean and resolved quite quickly. Still, the characters and setting are more than enough to get me to come back for the next installment....more
This was a weird book. It was going for weird, don't get me wrong, but I think the structure of the book (anonymous statements by human and humanoid wThis was a weird book. It was going for weird, don't get me wrong, but I think the structure of the book (anonymous statements by human and humanoid workers on a far away starship) made the story itself a bit to vague for me to really sink my teeth into. There were clearly several recurring statement givers, but it was not so easy linking all of their statements (and now they evolved over time) together. I get the impression this book was commentary on workers and working conditions but the conceit was a bit too removed from the context that was being critique for anything to really land. I did appreciate the weird vibe it gave off and the excellent prose, but these were not enough to carry the (very short) book on their own. Of course your mileage may vary....more
Another fun and engaging addition to the Murderbot family, but man do I need to review what happened in the previous books because I was lost for quitAnother fun and engaging addition to the Murderbot family, but man do I need to review what happened in the previous books because I was lost for quite a bit (sure, I COULD have just checked the wiki, but that's cheating :-P). I really think this series is best consumed in binges since so many of them flow pretty directly form the previous book. Anyway, this one had all the hallmarks of a good Murderbot story: snark, corporate malfeasance, humans behaving in human ways, Murderbot wishing human would not act that way, Murderbot continuing to not seek appropriate therapy. If you are already this deep into the series this book will feel right at home. If you are not then you should be, this is a great series....more
This was a delightfully silly sci-fi whimsy about the antics some inventors get up to a silly setting. These stories really seemed more like fairy talThis was a delightfully silly sci-fi whimsy about the antics some inventors get up to a silly setting. These stories really seemed more like fairy tales dressed up in sci-fi drag, but in the best way. One of the stories even predicts the invention of a ChatGPT like machine that learns enough to be better than moral artists (and they proceed to get very cross about this, hijinks ensue). This is a light, breezy read and should not be treated very seriously. Heck, the first story is about how one of the inventors invented a machine that can make anything that starts with the letter N. Naturally the inventor's friend/rival tries give it a logical paradox by asking it to create "nothing". Instead of short circuiting the machine the machine proceeds to NEARLY WIPE OUT ALL OF EXISTENCE. Hence why there is so much "nothing" in the universe. ...more
Scalzi is always good for a fast, delightfully snarky read and Starter Villain is no exception. I liked the conceit of the book ("villains" of the worScalzi is always good for a fast, delightfully snarky read and Starter Villain is no exception. I liked the conceit of the book ("villains" of the world are just super scummy nepo-babies with way more money than sense) and chucking a normal dude into the middle of it. Oh, and hyperintelligent cats, those are always fun. I devoured this book in a few days and was contented at the end. It stands nicely on its own and wraps up pleasantly in the end....more
This was a fun little romp by Sanderson, the second of his "Secret Projects". It stands apart from his Cosmere line, taking place at some point in a fThis was a fun little romp by Sanderson, the second of his "Secret Projects". It stands apart from his Cosmere line, taking place at some point in a future earth where transdimensional travel (an, naturally, transdimensional capitalism) is discovered and exploited. We follow the travails of the narrator who awakens in a medievalesque England with a no memory of who he was or why he is there. The unfolding of the story is engaging and the interspersions of a transdimensional guidebook kept the pages turning. While certainly not his best work (no slight, he has a ton of great books out there), it is a nice diversion and I am left with no regrets backing it as a part of the Kickstarter to end all Kickstarters....more
An interesting exploration of cultural identity, childhood loss, and weird sci-fi corporate skullduggery (though this was by far the smallest portion An interesting exploration of cultural identity, childhood loss, and weird sci-fi corporate skullduggery (though this was by far the smallest portion of the book). The story mostly followed several portions of the life of the protagonist, his childhood, his time in a professional transition in his 20's, his time later in life after being involved in a major corporate scandal a la Theranos with references to a short-lived in universe detective show scattered throughout.
The sci-fi aspect appeared rather late in the book (roughly halfway through) and was not terribly clear to me what it actually involved. The writing and character work was sufficient to keep my interest but the vagueness of the sci-fi aspect detracted a bit from my overall enjoyment, especially as it plays a key role in the main character's journey. I would say this book skews more heavily towards literature (non-linear story telling, lots of exploration of the main character's internal motivations, dwelling on memories lost and foundational memories, character self discovery) than science fiction, which is fine, but the mix did catch me off guard....more
Full review to come, probably. If you liked the first book in the series, The City We Became you will also enjoy this one. It expands on the ideas of Full review to come, probably. If you liked the first book in the series, The City We Became you will also enjoy this one. It expands on the ideas of the first book and brings the conflict with The enemy to a satisfactory conclusion. Great characters, fun metaphysics, and biting contemporary social commentary were all well integrated into an engaging story.
Though the end felt a bit rushed and slapdash. Upon reading the authors commentary, though, it was clear that real world events had ground down a lot of her energy for it. I was content it ended as a duology instead of being dragged out into a trilogy the author did not enjoy writing but would not have minded an ending with a bit more room to breathe, hence the four star rating instead of the potential five star one....more
I am glad I opted to wait to read these novellas until they were bundled together. It was nice to immediately move on to next story after finishing onI am glad I opted to wait to read these novellas until they were bundled together. It was nice to immediately move on to next story after finishing one. I appreciated how these stories enriched and expanded (pun intended) the Expanse universe, filling out blank spaces and expanding upon existing characters' histories without stepping on the toes of the mainline series. Well worth reading for any fans of the Expanse....more
A very quick, enjoyable thriller with a multiverse twist. I liked Barry's twist on the concept and he executed a tight, well developed story to go aloA very quick, enjoyable thriller with a multiverse twist. I liked Barry's twist on the concept and he executed a tight, well developed story to go along with it. Characters were great and I was never sure just how things would be wrapped up. I wouldn't mind more stories in this multiverse, but Barry is the sort of writer that explores a concept for a book then moves on to the next one. A great read for those who enjoy thrillers and sci-fi....more
It is difficult for an anthology to be excellent. With so many stories from different authors there are bound to be some that fall flat with the readeIt is difficult for an anthology to be excellent. With so many stories from different authors there are bound to be some that fall flat with the reader. The fact that Gleanings overcomes this shortcoming while also enriching the world of a finished series is stellar. This collection offers fresh insights into the world of Scythe, fleshing out parts of the world the mainline story did not touch on, building out some characters' backstories, adding detail to some behind the scenes events, and doing an excellent job exploring the implications of human immortality on society. I greatly enjoyed everyone of these stories and found all of them to be adding depth to this literary universe. I would love to get a second collection of stories because there is still a lot of space that could be explored and fascinating consequences of the world that can be examined. If you liked the Scythe series this book is a must read....more
Full review to come (eventually...?). A very good bridge book setting up the finale installment in this series while also carving out an identity for Full review to come (eventually...?). A very good bridge book setting up the finale installment in this series while also carving out an identity for itself. This wasn't about merely maneuvering characters into position for the finale, but served to develop and deepen the characters an circumstances in its own right. Good action, story, and character work made this trio of stories and enjoyable and engaging read....more
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