Ymir by Rich Larson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm really closing out 2024 in MASSIVE style. I never realized how good Ymir is.

Just imagine Altered Carbon on a frozen, alien world pulling a retelling of Beowulf.

Oh, sure, I was a bit worried it'd be pretentious or something, but hell no. It was just a fantastic Hard SF read that was written smartly, with wonderful back-and-forths with great reveals. Sharp, modern style, with lots of love for the SF, and it only broadly recalls the Beowulf in particulars--while landing awesome on the FEELS.

100% recommend. I love antiheroes. the biotech, AIs, deep-history machine aliens, and best of all Ymir, itself, makes for one hell of a rich, rich stew that keeps surprising with unexpected hints of bbq and curry to keep you warm in this amazingly cold, cold book. (I'm really enjoying adding synesthesia to my reviews.)



Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to DM requests. I think it's about time I get some eyes on them.

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Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I came to this book with only one thing in mind. I saw multiple agents wishing they could have more of this kind of book out there in the market.

I assume it's for the feels, the nature of friendship, of the act of creation being almost (or let's just say BEING) greater than anything else in the world. I get that. I feel that.

When you're in the creative zone, it's almost like you're creating something holy, transcendent.

What this book captures, beyond just that, is a subset of readers, like me, like all of my generation and those after me, that are grounded in GAMES. And I don't mean interpersonal games, although that is a small part of it. I mean video games. I'm a huge gamer, but I generally avoid MMOs. I'm in it for the artistic appreciation, the thrills, the storytelling, and especially for the feels.

Following the MCs in Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, was equally a critique of the gaming world's games, its players, and our core identity -- while also being a wonderfully crafted traditional fiction novel more concerned with the people, their obsessions, friendships, tragedies, and stupidities.

All in all, I found something really beautiful in it. I mean, we all identify with what we identify with, after all, and sharing that joy in a medium like this, in books that I love, crossing over with another medium I also love, makes me feel seen.

Is this universal? Perhaps, if you're a gamer. Indeed, if you're a gamer, crack open this spine, because there's plenty of really good marrow inside.



I should mention one more thing: This book attempts to dig into another aspect of my fairly wide demographic--the one that LitRPG'ers know well. It doesn't dive into Isekai or Progression or those wonderful dings, but it DOES treat us like we're real people that should be heavily marketed to.

Hello. Gamers ARE readers, after all.


Oh! And before I forget, I've been trying out something new--writing synesthesia reviews. This one made me feel like I was eating a grilled cheese sandwich with some pea soup. Weirdly enough, it was very powerful. It brought back all the memories at my Apple IIC when, years ago, I also died of dysentery.



Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to DM requests. I think it's about time I get some eyes on them.

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The Ballad of Smallhope and Pennyroyal by Jodi Taylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Taylor is capitalizing on some of her more interesting characters. I mean, the mystery and competence-porn has gotta be something we all love. It's especially the blend of absolute jackanapery and competence (in order to pull oneself out of said jackanapery) that drags me to all the historians and the time cops over and over, but this is something a bit different.

It's giving us a full drive-by-story featuring the CORE of St. Mary's.

I honestly had a great time, between the high-class regency-type storytelling, time-hopping, violence, humor, and humor-violence, ending on a nice romantic note, as if I was eating a full meal served with slightly dry meats, pureed beets, a HEALTHY dose of red wine, and a good English custard at the end (signifying the romance).

It may not be my favorite of all the stories, as evinced by the dry meat and pureed beets, but the wine and desert was FINE. Synesthesia for the win.



Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to DM requests. I think it's about time I get some eyes on them.

Arctunn.com



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Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

You know what? I've never eaten a starfruit. But I did get a certain tang in my nostrils as I read this. It's almost like teen spirit. Or in this case, pool-water and death. I guess there's not much of a difference.

So, I had a weird impression about this novel before I read it, and I soon discovered I was just plain wrong. That's ok. I didn't really want to read another Night Film anyway. THIS one, however, was pretty much a slow-burn possibly-paranormal horror that never quite felt like a horror at all. It did have a bit of mystery, interesting subterfuge, and starfruit. It wasn't bad at all. Synesthesia-wise, the whole thing felt rather like an apple pie more than some weird-ass fruit I've never tasted. It was cinnamon and buttery flake.

In that regards, it's quite a decent novel.

In other ways, however, it's pretty standard fare. Good, even very good, but very familiar.




Personal note:
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Lights! Camera! Mayhem! by Jodi Taylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As always, Jodi Taylor's books hit the right spot. Indeed, since I've been on a synesthesia review kick, I'll just point out that each one Taylor's books are always a rye sandwich with ham with enormous dollops of grape jam. And when I mean enormous, I mean enough jam to cover both sides of both pieces of bread.

And before you freak out that I'd consider a book GOOD by using so much of that finger-licking funny stuff, just remember that, in reading this, I consider the jam to be on BOTH sides of the sandwich--with it sticking to the plate.



Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to DM requests. I think it's about time I get some eyes on them.

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Candle & Crow by Kevin Hearne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Honestly? I think this new series is really hitting its stride. A lot of great character developments and surprises, a fantastic god-showdown, and simply fun adventure.

I say this simply, but really--I had a great time. The UF is now quite endearing.

And if you, dear reader, love mythology, you HAVE to get in on this fun.



I'm continuing with my little experiment of writing synesthesia reviews -- my impression of books by way of my other senses.

This one is rather special. I'm smelling birds. Or rather, I'm smelling crows. Sure, it might be suggestive, given the progression of a certain character in the ongoing murders, but I've got a hint of copper in the air that could be a cage OR the red stuff, too. Sometimes the book rattles, too. SOMEONE isn't happy to be trapped.


Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to DM requests. I think it's about time I get some eyes on them.

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Hogfather by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Re-Read (again) on 12/25/24:

Wonderful, and generally getting better with EVERY re-read. It's just one of those Discworld novels that age so well.

What do I want to ask Hogfather?

A good Hogswatch every year. Custom crossbows are optional.


And yes, I'm still afraid of the tooth fairy, and Teatime is merely the bag in which all the hogs reside.


Merry Hogswatch!


POSTSCRIPT

I'm continuing with my little experiment of writing synesthesia reviews -- my impression of books by way of my other senses.

Unlike most books, this one evokes less adjacent food recall and more a color explosion. Specifically, the whole novel is like Ridcully's bath. A rainbow of great fruit flavors. :)

Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to DM requests. I think it's about time I get some eyes on them.

Arctunn.com




Original Review:

Re-read on Xmas!

And it couldn't have better timing. Who else would like to see Death taking on the role of Discworld's Santa?

Or better yet, have Susan get involved. :)

Or have a hit put out on the Hogfather while Death flies with the pigs?

OR HAVE TO DEAL WITH RIDCULLY's BATH? *shudder*

Well, here's to ants in the AI! I've just upped my score on this one to a full five. For some reason, this Pratchett tickled me in all the best places. :)





In this particular book, I got the distinct impression of vinegar, but not too much. It was more used like a condiment for something a bit unusual, like a hint of grilled salmon on rye. Most of it carried just a bare hint of flavor, but the vinegar stood out, as if it was being used copiously at the table next to me.


Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to DM requests. I think it's about time I get some eyes on them.

Arctunn.com

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The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I honestly had no huge expectations about this little xmas romance other than what could be gleaned from the title. Indeed, I just wanted to have a little something under the tree, so to speak.

The results? Well, I'm reminded of recent horror books that are usually about family members being cruel to one another, about old codgers with mild reveals, annoying writers, and a really bland love interest.

But I DID enjoy getting the old bookshop profitable again!

It wasn't a bad book, and I did enjoy aspects of it. The characters, however? Most were just okay, and one or two were just annoying as hell. That's okay.



I'm continuing with my little experiment of writing synesthesia reviews -- my impression of books by way of my other senses.

It's not really a synesthesia thing since I KNOW a lot of people can smell snow. But in this case, the scent of snow, the crispness, the blanket of oneness, the small hills of uniform snow creating a derivative landscape, is rather the impression I had of this book.

The sharp clenching of my nose. It's not all that unpleasant, but as I was reading it, I kinda wanted to find some hot cocoa with marshmallows, and this just didn't have it.



Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to DM requests. I think it's about time I get some eyes on them.

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Paper & Blood by Kevin Hearne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While the first book was a bit of a globe-trotting UF mystery with funny fae, the second leaned into giving us a big, fat taste of the Iron Druid. Indeed, he kinda took over the story.

I loved the original Iron Druid series, but I was equally on-board to have all new adventures and curses and especially a lot more of Gladys Who's Seen Some Shite. Let me just say, I love Gladys Who's Seen Some Shite. As a front desk girl or an employee on her own vacation or ANYTHING. I love Gladys Who's Seen Some Shite. The main story was fine, too.

Here's where I'm a bit wishy-washy: Atticus, for all that I love him, had his time in the sun. His taking over was both a blessing (because I had fun) and a curse (because I was just getting to like the new core characters). Is it bad? Hardly. But I feel sorry for them getting upstaged. The humor, tho? Wonderful. A truly delightful callback.



I'm continuing with my little experiment of writing synesthesia reviews:

This book was VERY much a distinctive flavor and texture. I swear I was eating some of those tiny, fluffy vanilla-flavored cupcakes, with VERY rich vanilla frosting. So white. So fluffy. Every time the humor hit (and it hit very well), it was a taste explosion in my mouth. I was giddy with the nearly overflowing vanilla.

I need to point out that this is not vanilla in the sense of boring. Far from that. It's vanilla as in OMG that just kicked me in the palate and I could feel the sugar rush all the way down to my lung-area, spreading out in a little sunburst.

I admit, I have a rather big literary sweet-tooth.



Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to DM requests. I think it's about time I get some eyes on them.

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Carnage in a Pear Tree: A Witchy Christmas Cozy Mystery by Dakota Cassidy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cozy fantasy mystery/romance set during xmastime, book 4, complete.

Funny how all that pretty much says it all in almost no words.

It's simply an easy read with all the expected elements.



I'm continuing with my little experiment of writing synesthesia reviews -- my impression of books by way of my other senses.

In this particular book, I got the distinct impression of vinegar, but not too much. It was more used like a condiment for something a bit unusual, like a hint of grilled salmon on rye. Most of it carried just a bare hint of flavor, but the vinegar stood out, as if it was being used copiously at the table next to me.


Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to DM requests. I think it's about time I get some eyes on them.

Arctunn.com

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The Hexologists by Josiah Bancroft
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've been a pretty big fan of Bancroft's other books, so I was really thrilled to learn that he was writing a UF-like fantasy series of magical detectives.

I was wrong, of course. It's not UF-like at all. It's a true fantasy, complete with great worldbuilding, magic system, and culture. Most impressive, at least to me, it had some rather UNUSUAL main characters. I rarely see HAPPILY married couples in fantasy (or SF, for that matter). It's single, looking for love, or getting over BS. Not here. They're HAPPILY married. And they get it on like truly happy couples can. And all the while, the fantasy and mystery is solid as hell.

Will I enjoy continuing? Absolutely.




I'm going to try something new here. I'm also going to write a review by way of synesthesia. I'll go all out foodie. I saw this done somewhere else and I thought it was the bomb. A whole new way to enjoy books. :)

So.

The DISTINCT impression I have of this book is as a lemon chiffon pie. Always a bit intensely sour, but pleasantly sweet. The extra scents, other than fluffy cream and hearty, flaky crust, have notes of, i believe, allspice and a tiny tiny twist of cinnamon. On the outside, when we're not neck-deep in pie, there is the scent of metal and alcohol. Likely a nice sweet wine, but it's still probably only white. As for the colors, it IS absolutely a creamy yellow, like the pie, but tasty, even a bit hearty.

The book is absolutely not too sweet. It's subtle, rich, and worth savoring. It's not meant to be scarfed down without noticing the waves or the feathering of flavors.



I think I'm going to make this a thing from now on. So, other than some brief instances in the past, I'm just going to dive head-first into the stew. Enjoy!




Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to DM requests. I think it's about time I get some eyes on them.

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One Corpse Open Slay by Dakota Cassidy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm still enjoying this UF mystery filled with magical fluff. It's all the joys of cozy murders AND xmas. So, just like the classic seasonal drink of egg-nog, it's very sweet AND fattening.

The best part is how short it is. You don't want to overload on sweets.





Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to DM requests. I think it's about time I get some eyes on them.

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Have Yourself a Merry Little Witness by Dakota Cassidy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cozy, magical murder mystery with that requisite xmas-y atmosphere.

I hits the spot--like a warm mulled wine around a fire, wearing an ugly sweater, and tittering about the hunks and sweeties about town. With murder. And UF magic.

It's fast food for the mind. I know, I know, I should cut back, but it's the HOLIDAYS.





Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to DM requests. I think it's about time I get some eyes on them.

Arctunn.com

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Ink & Sigil by Kevin Hearne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The big draw for me is the return to the Iron Druid world, with or without Atticus.

Of course, it's a really nice bonus to enjoy this UF on its own measure. Starting a new job can be such a pain. It's worse when you have to deal with a bunch of Fae. :)

Good adventure, lots of great humor, and SO MUCH Scottish BROGUE. It's definitely an acquired humor. Fortunately, I'm loving it.

Thank goodness for fun urban fantasies!



Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to DM requests. I think it's about time I get some eyes on them.

Arctunn.com


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Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 219, December 2024 by Neil Clarke


Stranger Seas Than These -- (4*) I love the concept, the whole idea of Godwhales. It's just... a thing. The story itself is just a taste of the awe and pretty much nothing more.

From Across Time -- (3*) I do love pattern-recognition stories, but this time-travel romance just felt slightly weak. I can't help but compare it to the glut of similar tales, even novels.

The Painted Skin and the Final Stroke -- (5*) Wonderfully imaginative, silkpunk hard-SF. Creativity, art, alchemy, Tao, a ghost market. Love it.

Souljacker -- (4*) Scary, interesting, and well-crafted warning about well-meaning implants and law enforcement. Of course, it's about anyone's rights once that door is wide open, but we don't talk about that in RL. Just cyberpunk like this. Right?

Lucie Loves Neutrons and the Good Samarium -- (3*) Nice play on words, fairly interesting juxtaposition of character-quirks, and a bit of near-future technothrill. But it still didn't do much for me.

Driver -- (5*) Muahahahahahaha. Driver. Yes, driver. A modern, hard SF version of Man-Car. Anyone remember that? Well, this is definitely better.

The Coffee Machine -- (5*) Definitely not a standard short story. For all that, I love it. Smart coffee machine has commentary in terms of users' behaviors. Delicious--especially the chocolate bars. Consciousness is a bitch. And Netflix? Don't get me started.

Life Sentence -- (4*) I'm always a pretty solid fan of black holes and sacrifices, so this works well enough.

Retirement Plan -- (3*) A little snarky glimpse of a future--of banality. To me, this is dystopic.

Martial Arts and Fight Scenes in Zero-G: Depictions in Science Fiction Literature -- A brief reference to some of the most popular depictions of zero-g events in SF. Nostalgic.

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The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's an understatement to say that a lot happens in this book. Indeed, we get a massive retelling of the Arthurian legend, mostly from right after Arthur's death, in a new-adventure guise of Collum, a bastard knight dreaming of courtly idealism and adventure.

All of it is good, not gonna lie. For having read many, many Arthurian legends (and occasionally tired of them) it's easy to get lost in the woods. I mean, just look at the whole mess of so many previous tellings and re-tellings pre-and-post middle ages, then the many re-interpretations for the next 600 years, including White and Disney and many crappy tv shows AND MZB, and hardly ANY of them are able to tackle the whole ball of contradictory mess without falling apart at least a dozen times.

AND YET, authors keep trying. Most are more or less entertaining, but everyone has a different opinion on where it ought to go. This one gets some of the lesser characters on the stage, including trans and gay knights, as well as many others who were left behind. I don't mind that. I love being surprised by storytelling that comes from left-field.

I will mention that this is a highly ambitious work by Grossman, and his love for the legends is clear. I think it's worthy to wield the legendary sword -- but to judge it higher or lower than others? It's different, while being the same. It takes it on in a new light, but shows great quality.

My recommendation? If you want yet another Arthurian legend, you won't go wrong with this.

If you're so over Arthurian stuff--then skip it. It's not the definitive anything. The story is messy and this one is too.



Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to DM requests. I think it's about time I get some eyes on them.

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Jingle all the Slay by Dakota Cassidy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wanted to find something fun, magical, and xmas-y for this December and am super grateful to the writer for writing this.

I need my UF fix. I need popcorn reads for Xmas. I need XMAS STUFF for XMAS. Because there's murders to go with the magic and there are evil corps and baddies interwoven in this XMAS CHEER novel, the entertainment level is just about perfect.

I didn't expect high literature, of course. I just wanted something fun. I got it. :)




Personal note:
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Howling Dark by Christopher Ruocchio
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'll be entirely honest. After reading the first book in this series, I was extremely, unreasoningly, annoyed with the many, many direct references to Dune. This has nothing to do with the seemingly epic-fantasy FEEL, the kind of slow pacing between action sequences, or the modern novel sensibilities that are nothing LIKE FH's Dune books on actual analysis.

It was all the stolen names, or maybe they're just obvious nods, and the machine gods that feel like a further nod to the extended Dune universe.

I *WANT* to just say, "Yeah, this is pretty decent fan-fiction for the franchise."

BUT. I'm doing the first and the second books a slight disservice by saying that.

In actuality, it's slightly above average space opera in the tune to Pierce Brown's Red Rising and further on, and I even laughed to hear the nods to THOSE names, too.

I won't say I'm unimpressed with the many, many nods everywhere. I also won't say that I didn't have a fairly good time with the actual tale. Because I did. It's long, has lots of twists, takes its time to build the war, lay much groundwork, and give us the full space-opera payoff.

I just hope people understand how much this stands on the shoulders of giants.



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The Legend of Randidly Ghosthound by Noret Flood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

More than solid LitRPG.

Nitty-gritty, at this point, when you read one of these fish-out-of-earth stats-dominated rebirth novels, it's easy to predict just about anything that happens.

Hard newb beginnings, trying to figure out out a path of progression, meeting others, finding out you're already stronger than all the rest, and then the path to dominance or protectorate.

All that's left is to find the authors who write better, keep the entertainment level high, and shake things up along the way.

I think Noret Flood did just that. I'm entertained even if I don't think this is the best LitRPG I've ever read. It certainly hasn't gotten annoying, yet. You know the type--OP stuff without challenges, harem, etc.

This? It's just a solid, pretty well-written adventure in strength.

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The Legend of the Christmas Witch by Daniel Murphy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A decent little Xmas story. It certainly tries to sprinkle some female energy into the Xmas spirit, by way of giving the jolly man a twin sister who is ostracized.

But honestly? It’s a story to shame us all, not to share joy. Maybe the sequel brings it full circle? I hope so.


I should mention I mainly read this because it was co-authored by Aubrey Plaza. She’s a special kind of witch irl. lol



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The Secret History of Christmas by Bill Bryson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm really kicking off the xmas season now. Already have the ornaments up, recipes out, and now, a delightful history of xmas by the comforting and rich literary voice of Bill Bryson.

You know, that English Chap who wrote A Short History of Nearly Everything?

He does an admirable--but short!--twist on xmas, too!

We get that pagan stuff, sure, but also the real commercial history, with all its ups and downs of recent tradition--you know, the last two hundred years--and what it actually MEANS. I mean, sure, we could go on with religious stuff, but that really isn't the focus, here. It's really about a bit of joy to offset all the rest of the year.

So, hey, I can't really think of a better thing right now. Can you?

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Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So, I received it on Friday, started reading it right away, and here it is on Wednesday, a book thoroughly devoured. I switched back and forth from audio to text, but mostly, I just reveled in the text. Sometimes that's all you can do -- as you're torn from Roshar, tumbling through many realms as you desperately try to escape your fate.


Yeah, this was one of those books. Staying up way too late, begrudging any time keeping me away from the book, and getting shocked by reveals, awesome references to other Cosmere events/personages, and, as always, great joy. It is always Journey Before Destination, isn't it? And BS was always great with journey.

And in this case, he absolutely lands this Herald of a book. There is always slow bits, but those bits always have a deeper purpose. The payoff is glorious. I'll just say that.

Am I sad? Of course. Am I freaking out about all those high points and the despair? Of course. But I'm HAPPY. Thus ends the first part of this absolutely enormous series.

And if I feel sad, maybe I'll go back into therapy. Or rather, I'll seek Kaladin's aid. :)



Personal note:
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The Fifth Elephant by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Re-Read 12/6/24:

Always like coming home to a piece of bread.

Mind you, this book is more like the Scone of Scones, and maybe, perhaps, just as deadly, but it's Vimes. And for Vimes' sake, we all love this book.

I can't quite tell if this is just purely funny or comfort food.

Ah, well, who cares. I'm up for a promotion, anyway.



Original Review:

Re-Read.

But you know what? Other than the whole dwarf rock bits, the murders, werewolves, theft, and Detritus's exploding crossbow, I SWEAR this is a book about Brexit.

Of course, it could really be about making the European Union, but really it's about Brexit. Überwald is, of course, England. It's kinda obvious. Backward, reactionary, full of wolves, vampires, and werewolves. And Igors. Of course, Igors.

Isn't that amazing? How did Pratchett predict all these events back in 1999? Hello, dwarves!

Of course... the rest of the EU is actually Ankh-Morpork.

Eerie. So where is EU's Vimes? Come solve the crime! :)



(BTW, I liked this book the second time I read it better than the first. Tastes change and sometimes books improve.) :)



Personal note:
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Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI by Yuval Noah Harari
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

None of this may be all that new or groundbreaking for those of us who keep our eyes open to the events of today, but it IS a well-written overview of the flow of information.

It's not a science text. It's a social text. I mean, anyone who controls the information, has the power, right? 1984.

Here's where this book stands apart: church, politics, lack of informational dissemination, all the way to the age of science, totalitarian governments, and what AI means in this mix. Step by step, this is a historical survey of the world BY WAY of informational networks.

I loved it for what it is: a great survey.

Here's what it isn't: shrill doomerism. It's careful, logical, conversational, and erudite. It's a voice of reason. It assumes that you, the reader, want a clear look at where we came from and where we might be going.

Of course, with AI already here, and the worries about all the said control of information, this book might already be slightly behind the curve. Even so, if you read it with that small caveat, I'm sure you'll get a lot out of it. I know I did.

As for me, I just hope we do NOT go the way of a totalitarian nightmare. Big Brother is slightly lesser-tech than what we have now. Where we're going should make us pause. Maybe we CAN make things better, yes?

Please?




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The Magician by W. Somerset Maugham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ok, Mr. Maugham, you just blew me away again.

Step aside, Of Human Bondage, and look carefully, The Razor’s Edge--one of your brothers is fuming mad and tearing up the kitchen.

I can't believe I've never heard of this one before. I'm just going through all his novels because he's simply GOOD. But The Magician is wickedly good. It's a fantastic FANTASY HORROR, folks. It belongs on any self-respecting horror shelf, and better yet, it pre-dates all our happy, white-washed wizards. (Yeah, I'm looking at you, Gandalf.) Welcome in a Crowley-like villain, Paris, 1908, with a positively ENCHANTED maiden, succumbing to Dracula-like whiles, with a particularly evil, nay, grotesque story.

You know what's great about it? It feels absolutely MODERN, a dark romance, great action scenes, and almost reasonable characterizations. :)

Heads up, people, this is a keeper!


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Between Planets by Robert A. Heinlein
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This old Heinlein was surprisingly great. Perfect for a Boy's adventure between planets in the Solar System, meeting fun people (and aliens), getting waylaid in a fresh interplanetary war machine, and finding delightful ways out of the messes he finds himself.

Make no mistake--this is old SF, but it FEELS fresh enough to be marketed today to actual YA. It's wholesome, full of can-do attitude, and a lot happens in a short book. It's simply a fun, even rollicking, SF adventure. This might be one of my favorites in RAH's juveniles.




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Empire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I think Kristoff did a good thing in this book. I won't get into the details or spoil it, but from where the first book felt rather chosen one vampire-y, with the good one getting away, THIS one really took off with the full aftermath, with every single consequence.

This is a very good thing. I love aftermath stories. Or rather, everything has gone to hell and now they're fighting, on the run, getting captured, having a whole damn war, and a hefty dose of reveals.

Plus, mind you, this is all about vampires in power, the church, and everything is very medieval... with the powerful, as always, being pretty nasty blood-suckers trying to convince themselves that they're good.

It's pretty fascinating. Not unusual in fiction like this, but Kristoff pulls it off. And I think I liked it much better in this sequel.

So here we have it! An epic fantasy AND a horror. Definitely worth reading.



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The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The name Susanna Clarke should pretty much be a household name everywhere by now. So, by saying, HEY, THERE, this here's a short story by Susanna Clarke, then all the winter animals and the speaking trees should be perking up about now.

Yes, I mean you.

This is a very saintly story full of a shocking thing. If you're in the wintery spirit, why aren't you seeing what this shocking thing is by such a household name?

Hmmm?




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Precious Mental by Robert Reed
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm slowing working my way through Reed's Great Ship stories. I'm still quite fascinated by the endless, immortal ship making its way across so much space, with near-immortal captains and aliens being polite--and politely violent--on occasion.

Seriously, I'm always so much more thrilled with the concepts than the actual storytelling, but I don't have any real complaints. It's simply short and interesting as hell.






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Best African American Fiction: 2009 by Gerald Early
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was hunting down some Samuel Delaney, found one in this collection: Dark Reflections, a novelette.

All told, it was about a poet reflecting on the hardships of being black and gay. No lie, it was written well and introspective, but I, naturally, wanted something SF. It is what it is.

Still a good, genuine read.




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Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 218, November 2024 by Neil Clarke


Resa Nelson "LuvHome™" -- (3*) It's a feel-good story about a condo forcing its owner to perform some basic self-care. I suppose I appreciate the message, but it's pretty generic self-recrimination stuff.


Claire Jia-Wen "Mirror Stages" -- (5*) This one gave me all the feels of The Substance, with some nice Blade Runner 2049 imagery, but with the hard-hitting self-awareness of selling yourself hard. Honestly, I'm leaning to call this a gut-punch story for those willing to look hard at themselves.


D.A. Xiaolin Spires "Luminous Glass, Vibrant Seeds" -- (5*) I'm giving this 5 stars because of how it made me feel, giving me just the right kind of technological hopefulness, solar-punk, artistic awareness (glassblowing) and horticulture in a society that didn't destroy itself. So, thank you for this.


A. W. Prihandita "Negative Scholarship on the Fifth State of Being" -- (5*) This one is likely going to be my choice for "best" anything. It's about understanding, or rather, about holding, caring for whatever you can never understand. It's a very beautiful story.


E.N. Auslender "Duty of Care" -- (3*) For the most of the read, I was struck by how much this was just about Simon and Garfunkel while doing monotonous maintenance in space. However, the end redeemed it.


Oliver Stifel "The Slide" -- (3*) This one was a bit weird for me. There was hardly anything SF or F about it. It WAS, however, a fine story about race car driving. Others will get more mileage out of this than me.

Raahem Alvi "Technicolor Bath" -- (4*) A rather creepy SF about post-life coping.

Michael Swanwick "Unquiet Graves" -- (5*) Easily my favorite of the month, and not just because it's by Swanwick, someone I've always enjoyed. The story, about post-death conversations and relationships, was a bright, vibrant story in a graveyard.




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The Last Continent by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Re-Read 11/30/24:

I really said it all in the previous review, but I'll just mention: I still love re-reading all these Discworlds. Just seeing the top staff at Unseen University becoming (view spoiler)[KIDS (hide spoiler)] or seeing Australia get roasted in fantasy is a real treat.

And Rincewind, of course. Always fun to see Rincewind. :)



Original Review:

Despite the author's protestations that this isn't Australia in a thin disguise, I am back to confirm that this Last Continent is, indeed, Australia.

Even the God of Evolution basically came right out and said it. :)

Rincewind on another adventure, and this time it's in the outback, putting all his mad survival skills to the ultimate test, mate.

On a side note, the head staff of Unseen University seems to have misplaced themselves.

I can't quite tell whether I enjoyed Rincewind's ongoing adventures more than Ridcully's crew. Both were fun. But let's face it, this book is nothing but a bunch of Australian cliche jokes. Good enough for now and amusing for a moment, but I can't put this book on any "best of" Pratchett lists. I'd call this a placeholder Pratchett. Very good in general but nothing superior. :)




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Jingo by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Re-Read 11/29/24:

Still a great anti-war read, Discworld-style..

Fun fact, it came out in 1997, with memories of the first Gulf War still fresh in everyone's minds and a whole slew of echoes of a world full of complicated issues and uncomplicated jingoisms.

Of course, with enough PR, any war can be turned into something glorious... right? Even stupid islands rising up out of nowhere can be a good enough reason to go to war, right?

Yeah, well, there are worse. And TP seems to be pretty great at skewering them all. :)





Original Review:

War. War never changes.

Unless you're talking about Discworld.

And then history tends to change based on what you had to eat and whether or not a football is involved. And then, you need to remember the importance of knowing your neighbor's names.

You know... this second time reading this was much more interesting than the first. I simply had a much better time going to war. There's nothing like a bit of stabby stabby or running away from a certain man of the watch dressed up like a woman to get the blood moving.

Still, I have to say... poor Vimes. A dukedom? The poor man!!!



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Livesuit by James S.A. Corey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Very fun story. Reminded me of the awesome Alastair Reynolds short story about a never ending war with a suit that basically takes people over, to keep them going, to fantastic horror-effects.

This, however, has a bit more grounding and characterizations, being a bit longer, but I definitely had that sinking feeling the entire time.

Fortunately, this novella does a great job whetting my appetite for the next book. *rubs hands together*



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Threads of Fate: Ascend Online, Book 5 by Luke Chmilenko
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I guess I really enjoyed the lower-level, increasing-power books more than this later LitRPG. There's probably nothing explicitly wrong with this new book, except that I keep losing focus or care for what's happening.

The story was better in the past. This isn't quite as grounded as before.

That being said, I wanted to enjoy it a lot more than I did.



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The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Genuinely fun, light, and clever mystery.

I guess it has exactly that modern old-folks home feel, with all the real crabbiness, humor, and snark you might expect by a bunch of old people going about, solving ancient mysteries and new murders.

What can I say? The novel felt velvety and sweet, just like a murderous cupcake. This might be one of my favorite mysteries in a long time. I think I may enjoy it more than Christie.



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The Myth of American Idealism: How U.S. Foreign Policy Endangers the World by Noam Chomsky
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm of two minds on this newest work by Noam Chomsky. Perhaps the most damning is something that is quite natural--he is getting old and this particular work seems to be not of new ideas, but of a compilation of a select few of Chomsky's previous research and logical observations.

Indeed, I've read and have been amazed with the amount of erudite, carefully fact-supported recollection of history that Chomsky has put into all of his previous work. Indeed, his eidetic memory and endless examination of public documents is itself well-documented. But more important than that, Chomsky made a name for himself by asking simple questions, backed up with careful observation, that led to logical conclusions that *should* be unassailable now--in a thoughtful world.

Of course, we do not live in A Thoughtful World. You know, one that asks if our actions are aligned with our espoused idealism. Whether the countless spoken intents of governments ever actually align with policy.

Chomsky has always been a rational thought that lays out actual policy, history, and compares it to actual events, using vast, overwhelming facts. Almost like a scientist would posit a hypothesis and clearly look at the data to see if said hypothesis correctly predicted or supported the data, and what conclusion might be gleaned.

Weirdly, though, or maybe not so weirdly, Chomsky's thoughtful presentations have, for years, been labeled as radical leftist thought--as if asking whether people, any people, might have a right to live their lives in safety and peace, is a radical idea.

I'm not even joking. And it's not like we're not seeing this every day, still. If a person's right to live unmolested goes against the greedy goals of the powerful, then not only will the propaganda go into full swing against that person, but their lives will be forfeit.

This book will remind you, or perhaps teach you from scratch, of many, many examples that go in the face of stated idealism, showing the ugly hawkish truth. Of course, this idea may not be unknown to you--but bear in mind that Chomsky's detailed, fact-driven writing and amazingly clear conclusions make him a true treasure in the realm of rationality. Don't sleep on this. Or rather, even if you're a fan, this still works well to remind, as well as mesh in, the current climate.

Things have obviously gotten that much worse, and let me be clear: Chomsky predicted it all. He's a true modern Cassandra.

My only complaint? Well, it's more of a lament. Chomsky is getting old now, and health problems prevent him from giving us more of his sharp mind. If we needed anyone today, I'd say we'd need him to shine a bright light on our current situation. Unfortunately, I don't think we will ever be as lucky again.



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We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is my first Osman, and I really didn't know what to expect. Popular mystery author? Sure. Let's gooooo...

So here I go with a reluctant jet-setter, a popular author and her adrenaline-junky heroine, and murders, mystery, some pretty decent banter, and a distinctively modern feel.

Indeed, I've read about 3 novels just this year that have this uber-cosmopolitan mystery vibe. Some have a bit more spycraft in them than this. Some are a lot more serious. But this one? It seems to be a pretty easy-going "I'm rich so I can do what I want even if it's solving mysteries" kind of book--without devolving into a cozy.

Did I like it?

Yes, I think I did. At least, I like it enough to call it light, popcorn fiction. Entertaining, if not deep. But not all books have to be everything, right?

Scratch that mystery itch.




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How to Defeat a Demon King in Ten Easy Steps by Andrew Rowe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rowe, an already pretty great LitRPG writer in his own right, writes a funny novel that makes FUN of actual RPGs by exposing the old stupid tropes.

Honestly? It's okay. It skewers the tropes, capitalizes on power-leveling, makes fun of fairies, and asks the simple question: does logic work in defeating the big bad?

Well, read it and find out. :) Fast, tongue-in-cheek, and solid.


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The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ah, to never return to the days of armadas, to have to lie in the face of religion, to never have much hope if you have any magic at all.

Bardugo pulled off a neat hat-trick... just so long as you know what you're getting into. This is an extremely slow-burn historical romance tinged oh-so-dangerously with magic--during a time that was downright EFFICIENT with inquisitions. And oh, it was so easy to expect the inquisition, here.

BUT. The hope, the quirky conversations, the burning romance... I admit I was here for it. The historical accuracy was also very nice, and the neat twist of the Familiar, itself, got my heart pumping.

All told, if you're looking for more in the vein of Bardugo's other works, then manage your expectations. If you DO want a pretty damn fascinating look at a time both damn greedy and bloody minded, with a great deal of intrigue and human nature, inching its way to its inevitable end, then definitely pick this book up.

I enjoyed it. It's more historical romance with a healthy dollop of really creative magic. Sometimes, that's all we really need, no?



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Cold Welcome by Elizabeth Moon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A return to Vatta's series, but this time, not as a hero, but to a place... with a cold welcome. :)

All said, she's crashed and presumed dead with some she can call friends, and others, not so much. It's a fine line for a mil-SF and much more character-driven than most. All said, it's good competence porn and a pleasing re-entry into the series. She was the hero in the previous, and that hasn't changed so much here, but she's definitely in enemy territory again.

Worth the read.



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The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bennett always seems to pull through, giving us great, interesting tales.

And this one? Think Attack on Titan meets Sherlock Holmes and Watson. Give it solid, interesting magic and plagues, stir, shake it a little, and then watch a little Class War spit and spark.

Of course, I think the characters shine the most. I really got a kick out of the mystery, too, but these characters really hit the spot.

I could read this kind of thing forever.



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Polostan by Neal Stephenson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Polostan is definitely one for Stepensonstans. While I'll never call this one a top 4 for his copious awesome-making bibliography, Neal definitely delivers on a wickedly wild alt-history ride taking us through great spycraft-grooming from the Lenin's revolution to the United States, from Bonnie and Clyde to Montana gunslingers to DC revolutionary activity to the Chicago Fair to the first glimmers of the science that will lead to the Atomic Bomb. Let's not forget the gangsters, the Gilded age, and Comrades, galore!

Seriously, this is a tour-de-force of funky fun, written like a cyberpunk (hello Stephensonstans) meets historical greatness. Of course, this just reminds me of Neal's other historical trilogy, but this hits closer to home, with all the great walk-ons of the age.

It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's smart and wild and insanely political.

Not OUR political, mind you, but let's just say the 1920's and 1930's have a LOT in common with today.

Well worth the read!



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Farmer in the Sky by Robert A. Heinlein
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Re-Read

This is an early SF by Heinlein, way back in 1950. He tackles colonialism, as if Ganymede could handle farms, and handles the homesteading question from a YA kind of novel.

It may be slightly dated, and this damn cocky kid has RAH's trademark DIY attitude, which is fine, but the novel IS a part of its time. It's basically reflection of Boy Scouts and coming to grips with population pressures, but for as simple as this sounds, it's still a solid SF. Small town, frontier cowboy ethics IS rather a sign of the cultural zeitgeist of the 1950's.

If it's focused more on boys growing up to be men, so be it. It's not one of my favorites of RAH, but it has a pretty solid story.



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All the Skills 4 by Honour Rae
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So far, I'm loving every new direction this series takes. The complicated nature of the card system, the whole idea of creating creative three-of-a-kind sets, getting bonuses through self-knowledge, leveling up your skillsets, etc, gives me a blast right to my own heart-deck and I not only shuffle my cards, I'm loving every hand I'm dealt.

Of course, the whole leveling nature goes hand-in-hand with the dragons, and truly, I simply can't get enough of either.

Some LitRPGs are better than others, and some, like this one, is some of the very, very best.



Fun facts: this one is in a crazy, truly nuts society full of Dark Heart scourgeling-harvesting magical Texans. They're very into magical capitalism, for good or greater ill.

What a wild ride. A truly crazy dungeon delve.



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Demon's Bluff by Kim Harrison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What can I say? I love the Hollows. More, I can't believe how much I enjoyed our current Rachel's current obsession of *POSSIBLY* correcting a massive emotional blow from earlier in the series, through some great timey-wimey hijinks.

Yes, Kisten. No, this isn't a cheating-thing, but a life-regret thing, and as readers, WE get to re-live one of the best books in the series from a completely different viewpoint. Rachel, older, more powerful, is back in time, messing with demons who don't know her, and she's completely pissed-off because the Coven can't just LEAVE HER ALONE.

Frankly, that was the best part of this. Her little tag-along is SUCH a PAIN.

I chuckled throughout this novel. Total fan-service AND an interesting jaunt/plot.

I feel GREAT.



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All the Skills 3 by Honour Rae
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I would say this is rapidly becoming one of my favorite LitRPG series, but I've already said that about the previous ones. So let me say: This is one of my favorite LitRPG series.

Indeed, if ANY of ya'll love dragons AT ALL, you probably should be reading these, because we have TONS of dragons now. Everywhere. Fighting the good fight, with or without riders. It's a fun, fast, glorious glut of dragons.


Mind you, I've read a ton of dragon-rich books in the past, not limited to Pern, but this one is seriously overflowing.

The LitRPG aspects, card-based skills, quests, fights, are all very creative and hopping wonderfully. I just want to drop everything else I had planned to read to get on with the next in this series. I'm quite gleeful about it.

Dragons, yes, but wonderful dragons. :)


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Infinite by Jeremy Robinson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an honestly fun ride. A modern take on an old series of ideas, featuring cold sleep, long space travel, murder, AI, and virtual natures--(multiple kinds).

But here's the fun part: Robinson writes well. He just sticks to having a wild time and dragging us along with some great characters, decent reveals, a bit of horror, anguish, acceptance, and then even wonder. As a SF, I can't really ask for much more. As a novel, it's just FUN and easy.

There's a lot of good that can be said about having just that. Of course, having a great novel that throws us head-first into (view spoiler)[universe simulation (hide spoiler)] is a major hook.


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Arrival by Matthew Peed
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I think I held off on reading more of this series, before, because of the way the power creep was handled. At this point, I'm not sure there's much tension left. I mean, sure, we have godlings and gods, and the next tier up, etc, but it feels awfully formula. Sure, we can say that about most LitRPG, but this kind of thing still needs to grab and be interesting.

Fan service must go hand-in-hand with caring for the characters. These particular characters are all just so in love with the MC god that it's ... boring.



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Flattering the Flame: A Great Ship novelette by Robert Reed
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think these short stories and novelettes within the Great Ship universe are pretty neat. The worldbuilding is vast, each story builds upon the rest even while self-contained, and all told, it feels like coming home.

Cocky species, cocky commanders, versus the Great Ship, forever plodding through space, picking up, dropping off, countless species. It's fascinating and rather funny. Aliens always think they're hot shit.

But this.. this is always about grand diplomacy. :)



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