The tragedy about this book is that it had a fairly good plot but was pretty much let down by several shoddy characters and the fact that we’re still basically left in the same position as we were at the start of the book. The plot is: a newly minted Cursor (like a secret agent) … Continue reading
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The list – not very diverse
It’s been interesting to see the reaction to K T Bradford’s piece on not reading white, cis, male authors for a year. I don’t think I could do that (given most of my PhD guys are all white, cis and male) but I like John Scalzi’s approach to it. It did get me thinking almost … Continue reading
Book review: Starship Troopers
You know when you like something and you know you shouldn’t? This was kind of like that (a lot like the film actually). Surprisingly, it’s quite similar to the film – some people have been conflated they don’t have power-assisted suits in the film – but otherwise, it kind of follows the same trajectory. The … Continue reading
Book review: Gardens of the Moon
This book had A LOT going on in it. A lot of it seemed to be like “Ooo! This is a neat idea…” and then it went NOWHERE. How do I describe the plot: there’s an Empress who is hell bent on expansion, taking over cities there’s a lot of people who don’t like her … Continue reading
Book review: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep
Right. So this is another bloody weird book. It follows some of the same plot as Bladerunner but it is significantly different in many ways. The world is a bit fucked, most of humanity has left for Mars while Earth slowly succumbs to ‘the dust’. The basic plot of having to track down and retire … Continue reading
Book review: The Last Unicorn
Okay, so maybe there’s some inverse law where a book is really good, the film has to be crap and if the film is good, the book is crap. This is how I feel about The Last Unicorn and The Princess Bride. Seriously, does anyone remember how weird the animation of The Last Unicorn was? … Continue reading
Book review: The Sword in the Stone
This was supposed to be about The Once and Future King but I can’t get into the next book. It feels entirely nonsensical but also just really dull. The Sword in the Stone was entertaining enough, though it did entirely have that feeling that the author didn’t even remotely entertain the idea that women or … Continue reading
Book review: Homeland
So this book has all the subtlety of a sledgehammer to your face. Given that, it’s still sort of enjoyable? But by about page 200, you’re a bit tired of all the sneers and plotting. It’s not even subtle plotting – everyone’s motivations are just told to you, rather than having anything come together slowly. … Continue reading
Book review: Assassin’s Apprentice
I’m trying to muster up the enthusiasm to write this review but it’s kind of hard as nothing really happened.So plot: a young boy is dropped off at a castle (he is the illegitimate child of the person next in line for the throne) and is treated alternatively really nicely or really badly, depending on … Continue reading
Book review: The Crystal Cave
The first of three Arthurian-themed books on this list and it was disappointing on more than one level. First: the tone Basically, Merlin, is a bit of a prick. The tone of his voice is insufferable know-it-all. Considering one of the things he does is organise adultery, it’s…wearing. As well, it was just too forced … Continue reading
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