I had picked it up as a free eBook from Baen several years ago, but hadn't gotten around to reading it.I loved it. More like 4.75 stars than 5 though.
I had picked it up as a free eBook from Baen several years ago, but hadn't gotten around to reading it. With the passing of David Drake I thought I might give it a listen in remembrance of him. I rented it from the library as an audioBook to listen to in the car, but got so engrossed in it I listened to it in the house as well.
I loved the story, and the characters, especially some of the side characters, were absolutely fabulous. The reason I downgraded a quarter star is because some of the exposition regarding the jewel was a little lengthy and tedious at times. And some of the character interactions didn't ring true. But otherwise the action moved along pretty well. Belasarius was the most fleshed out character. But I absolutely loved the banter between Anastasius and Valentinian, and the commentary from the dawass "slave" Ousanas. I'm a little unclear on just how Ousanas is a slave, given the fact that he volunteered and competed to be dawass. Indentured servant maybe? It seems like he could probably leave at any time, but is simply having fun.
I curious to see where the rest of the series takes the reader. The first book was certainly fun.
The audioBook was well formatted with no issues in playback. It was kind of nice to hear the pronunciations of the various names/places before reading them, as I always end up having to correct myself when I read them first before hearing them. (Hyperbole still comes out like hyper-bowl in my head when reading.)...more
Awesome story. I like history. I like alternate history. I like adventure and exploration stories. This story has all of that, plus fantasy. Not only Awesome story. I like history. I like alternate history. I like adventure and exploration stories. This story has all of that, plus fantasy. Not only that, but being from ND and having had the Lewis and Clark Expedition pass through here twice makes it extra special.
The story was very well paced, quite fast. There wasn't much character depth outside of Lewis, Clark, and Sacagawea. But there didn't need to be either as those were characters that most every event centered around.
The convergence of European and American Indian myths was nicely done. The clash of cultures between the expedition and the Indians was only barely touched on, but there was enough mentioned that you could see some of the characters had moral issues with the way others did things at times. Little of the actual expedition's accomplishments were covered here, but that's not unexpected in an alternate history tale, especially since it wouldn't necessarily drive the storyline. I would highly recommend that anyone remotely interested seek out one of the numerous books on the real expedition and its remarkable journey. In some ways the real thing was as fantastical as this story.
I'm curious to see the next installment in the series. It appears to be a completely different take on the Sundering in another part of the continent rather than a continuation of this story with these characters.
The eBook was formatted well with no obvious spelling or grammatical mistakes....more
Overall I was entertained by this story. It did seem very similar to Jim Butcher's Dresden series. I think Butcher did it a little better, but this waOverall I was entertained by this story. It did seem very similar to Jim Butcher's Dresden series. I think Butcher did it a little better, but this was pretty good as well.
I really liked Jenks. I thought Rachel was a little foolish at times, but I still liked her character. Jumping into things without really thinking things through fully might just be her character trait. I've known people like that. They usually end up seriously injured or in jail. Trent seems like he's going to be an interesting character. Not necessarily evil, but completely ruthless and sure he'll never get caught. I'm not sure what's up with Ivy yet.
The pacing was well done, it held my interest. The world building took up most of the story, which isn't surprising since it's introducing a new series/world. I'm guessing most of the characters that survived will be making prominent appearances in the following books. There's a bit of mystery involved, which leaves the story open ended a bit. But it also means there's a bunch more material to explore in the next books.
The eBook was formatted well with no obvious spelling/grammar mistakes....more
The story by de Camp is pretty good. It's well paced and has some somewhat plausible things going on. Several of the connections seem like a stretch tThe story by de Camp is pretty good. It's well paced and has some somewhat plausible things going on. Several of the connections seem like a stretch to me, but the story is still impressive and fun to read. As a time traveler accidentally thrown back into the past it's a much, much better story than A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. Padway doesn't look down on the Romans or consider them stupid in any way, which gives it loads more credibility and entertainment value than Connecticut Yankee. Our ancestors weren't stupid, they were just ignorant of certain developments that hadn't happened yet.
Most of the characters weren't fleshed out real well, but the major ones had enough to make their decisions seem true to themselves. There was one part I didn't agree with. Padway ends up killing a man and he describes it as a homicide/murder. In fact, it was self defense/defense of another. Minor nit, but it bothered me enough to kick me out of the story for a few minutes.
Overall I enjoyed the story. 5 stars
Included in this edition are some other stories and a look at pulp magazines that de Camp submitted to.
L. Sprague de Camp's Great Leap Of Imagination by Alexei and Cory Panshin 4 stars This is a look at the pulp magazines that were available and which de Camp submitted stories to in the late 1930s. It was somewhat dry but still informative. The types of monthly pulp magazines are still around in some form or another, sometimes in physical and sometimes only in electronic format. The short story doesn't seem to be as big of a deal, especially for beginning authors, anymore with eBooks and indy authors putting out cheap or even free reads.
The Deadly Mission Of Phineas Snodgrass by Frederik Pohl 2 stars This short story seemed more like a draft concept rather than an actual story. There was no character development, just taking a mathematical concept to absurd limits.
The Apotheosis Of Martin Padway by S. M. Stirling 0 stars I refuse to buy any more Stirling stories, and those that I already have in my possession will be non-reviewed. I have a very good reason for this. His politics has been revealed as hateful and genocidal.
By his own words: And by "compulsory" I don't mean fines and scolding; I mean the cops will come to your house and physically hold you and your family down while the shot is administered, and if you resist beat you to a pulp or shoot you.,
The man would fit right in with Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, the Red Chinese, or the Khmer Rouge. He can go sodomize himself with a ricin covered cactus for all I care.
To Bring the Light by David Drake 4 stars
This is a nice little story involving a Roman woman transported to the past just like Martin Padway. Instead of going to another era of Rome however, she's transported to just before the founding of Rome and meets Romulus and Remus. It's well paced and I liked the main character.
The eBook was formatted well with only one noticeable spelling/grammar error. ...more
The whole time I was reading this my mind kept screaming at me "the timeline makes no sense". I think this story was supposed to evoke the golden age The whole time I was reading this my mind kept screaming at me "the timeline makes no sense". I think this story was supposed to evoke the golden age of Science Fiction, but it fell flat for me. Had it actually been written in the '30's or '40's it might have worked. Punch card computers, a Kansas space program after DC gets obliterated by an asteroid, full colonies established on both Mars and Venus, and worrying about the political will to continue such programs two or at most three decades later? When stars are just a fairy tale to the children of earth because of all the dust still in the atmosphere? The timing just didn't add up to me and kept me from really buying into this story. It did make me feel sad for Nathanial and Elma, but that's about it. I have no idea how this won a Hugo.
The eBook was formatted well with no obvious errors....more
This collection of short stories by Bruce Sterling is pretty good. Some of the stories are stronger than others. I particularly liked Storming the CosThis collection of short stories by Bruce Sterling is pretty good. Some of the stories are stronger than others. I particularly liked Storming the Cosmos, Jim and Irene, The Moral Bullet and Hollywood Kremlin. I wasn't real taken with Our Neural Chernobyl or Dori Bangs; not because of content but because of style. The Soviet Union/Russia and Islam make several appearances throughout the collection.
Our Neural Chernobyl - fictional book review about cross species medical/drug contamination future history. I didn't care for the style though the concept surrounding the events was interesting. 2 stars
Storming the Cosmos tells the story 2 scientist who discover an alien artifact at Tunguska, and how the politicians screw it all up. It was pretty entertaining, I liked it a lot. 5 stars
The Compassionate, The Digital us the transcript of a future speech/rally re: AI who transits Space-time. It is basically a transcript of Islamic propaganda. 3 stars
Jim and Irene is the story of two forlorn loners who escape to lonely lands and end up forging a connection. 5 stars
Sword of Damocles is a hilarious and disjointed tale of Damocles and Dyonysis. 4 stars
Gulf Wars tells the story of two hapless soldiers caught up in two different wars in the same area of the Persian Gulf separated by millenia. 4 Stars
The Shores of Bohemia reminded me of today's politically correct bloviaters. Amelie's little speech was certainly representative of the insufferably conceited attitude of today's politicians, though she and Rodolphe both ended up joining the ranks of those they despised. I don't think I understood the point of the story. Maybe that mob rule is inevitable among societies? That self-awareness and finding 'truth' require solitude? 3 Stars
The Moral Bullet is a story of post apocalyptic survival after the chaos of an anti-aging drug is released to the world. 5 Stars
The Unthinkable is about two old antagonists discussing the end of the cold war, in a world where the weapons are demonic rather than atomic. 4 Stars
We See Things Differently is about an Arab Muslim journalist sent to America to meet a popular Rock Musician/Political Fundraiser/Revolutionary. It's about the power of conviction...and maybe a little bit of religious-political propoganda brainwashing. 4 Stars
Hollywood Kremlin is a beautiful little story about black market smugglers in Azerbaijan during the last days of Soviet rule. 5 Stars
Are You For 86? features Leggy Starlitz again from Hollywood Kremlin. This time the smuggler from Azerbaijan is roadtripping with a couple of feminist political activists smuggling the abortion pill across country while evading a Christian activist group. Hate the politics but it's a well written story and carries the narrative well. 5 Stars
Dori Bangs is about the fictional life together of two real life people who died young. It reads like an obituary more than a story. 3 Stars
The mass market paperback was formatted well. There was one possible spelling error where they put DC where I think they meant CD....more
I enjoyed reading this. I generally like alternate history stories, and this one was done pretty well. I really liked the premise of the Norse in AmerI enjoyed reading this. I generally like alternate history stories, and this one was done pretty well. I really liked the premise of the Norse in America. The narrative was well paced and there weren't just too many characters involved that it was difficult to keep track of who was who. It did seem like there should have been more interactions between the Norse settlers and the native peoples of the area, but that's a small quibble. Eskil was fairly well developed, but the other characters not so much. Still, it was an entertaining read.
Of my own expectations, I was thinking the story would have progressed farther in time than it did. It is limited to the original landing of the settlers and the first couple of years on the land as they stake their claim, which follows the title "The Landing". Assumptions, assumptions. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.
The eBook was formatted well with no obvious spelling or grammatical errors....more
Another entertaining book in the series. I liked the part set in England this time, unlike in 1633 where I found that part a little tedious. Instead, Another entertaining book in the series. I liked the part set in England this time, unlike in 1633 where I found that part a little tedious. Instead, it was the part set in France which I found a little underwhelming. The parts set in and around Denmark and the Netherlands were quite fascinating. Most of the newly introduced characters kept my interest as well. I'm hoping to see more of Ulrik, Baldur and Harry Lefferts.
The Baen CD eBook was formatted OK, but did have a number of noticeable spelling errors....more
Another excellent addition to the 1632 series. I really like the short fiction. But, the non fiction is just as interesting. As a telecommunicator (AKAnother excellent addition to the 1632 series. I really like the short fiction. But, the non fiction is just as interesting. As a telecommunicator (AKA: Police Dispatcher), I particularly liked the piece on telegraph/telephone service and mechanics. The 'novella' An Ivisible War was a little different than I was expecting. It was well written, but I found myself getting annoyed with the downtimer attitudes (which is probably what the author was striving for; so good for her). The stories that come from the point of view of the downtimers are very interesting. Now, on to the next installment.
The eBook was formatted OK with just a couple of minor spelling errors....more
This collection of short stories and some technical aspects of the world of 1632 was really interesting up until the very last entry about horse breedThis collection of short stories and some technical aspects of the world of 1632 was really interesting up until the very last entry about horse breeding. The Sewing Circle was enthralling, but was divided up in a rather odd way. The Rudolstadt Colloquy ended up being more interesting than I thought it was going to be. I really liked Portraits, Anna's Story (I want that stove) and Curio and Relic.
The nonfiction technical pieces were very interesting. Radio In The 1632 Universe, and They've Got Bread Mold, So Why Can't They Make Penicillin? had me really paying attention. Horse Power just about put me to sleep, and I have to admit I skimmed through the last couple of pages.
The eBook was formatted well with no obvious errors....more
Another strong entry by Eric Flint and David Weber. I liked this almost as much as 1632. All of my favorite characters are there, and some new ones haAnother strong entry by Eric Flint and David Weber. I liked this almost as much as 1632. All of my favorite characters are there, and some new ones have been added. The story just keeps sucking me in more and more. I can't wait to start the next one.
The eBook was formatted fairly well. There were a couple of minor spelling errors, but nothing distracting....more
This is a collection of short stories by various authors set in a world of alternate history created by Eric Flint. They were all well written and intThis is a collection of short stories by various authors set in a world of alternate history created by Eric Flint. They were all well written and intriguing. I find it kind of odd that the creator of the world has let other authors write cannon for his world. But, it seems to be working well.
The eBook was formatted well with only a couple of noticeable spelling errors....more
A wonderful romp. I can't fully express just how much I enjoyed this book. It's not going to go down as a classic masterpiece, but it is extremely funA wonderful romp. I can't fully express just how much I enjoyed this book. It's not going to go down as a classic masterpiece, but it is extremely fun and informative. The premise wonderful. The characters are pretty well developed. The book was pretty fast paced. The historical aspect was exciting to read about. I can't wait until I read the next book. Thanks to Baen and the author for offering this as part of Baen's Free Library.
The eBook was formatted well, with only one noticeable spelling error....more
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