So I'm a Spider, So What? Vol. 10 by Okina Baba
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Demon army vs Elves vs Humans. Mission? Protect the reincarnation kids.

Eh, it's ok. The best parts are always our cute spider's meet-ups with D. I could keep going forever with that, but the rest is merely okay.

I don't think this will ever rank all that high on my personal LitRPG list, alas. It had so much early promise.

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So I'm a Spider, So What? Vol. 9 (So I'm a Spider, So What? by Okina Baba
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The story is mostly about the oni by now. Our cute spider is mostly just spending her time learning to be a baby spider again.

All told, however, it is a light, easy read that's still amusing and I'm still invested in the ongoing story, so why not.

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So I'm a Spider, So What?, Vol. 8 by Okina Baba
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

So, post-house spider in a LitRPG, now a weakling god.

There are worse story-fixes, I guess, but it's kinda weak. Still, it's continuing to be fairly amusing, so I'm getting into the stories of one of the other missing kids -- an Oni.

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To Hie from Far Cilenia by Karl Schroeder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've been trying to hunt down some old Karl Schroeder stories because I've been consistenly impressed.

This particular short fiction rather threw me for a loop. Back around 14 years ago, give or take 5 years, we had a rash of novels and stories that seamlessly combined virtual augments and reality and I really enjoyed them all. This one is no different, but there's a little catch:

This one is even more pertinent today than ever before. Not because of the Infomacracy or the Strossian elements, but because false-societies, overlaid over our own, can be subverted with just that little extra push.

AI, anyone? Those who control the information flow can do just about anything. All the cogs may think they're on the level, but when you have so many different pieces, the full picture may never be clear until the end.

This story, however short it is, does a fantastic job of showing just that. Highly recommended.

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Absolution by Jeff VanderMeer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

What a trip. And I mean that most druggily. For all those fans of Area X, you probably wouldn't have expected another novel, but here we are, in all its life-and-mind-desolving goodness.

The alligators hooked me. The trackers enticed me. The flesh--well, the flesh--did something to me. The words, lol, the words, they set me up, entangled me in so many styles, and then threw me to the ground, tickled me, made me laugh, and then, when I didn't know what I was doing or thinking, they ate me. Yes. My expedition into this book ate me.

And here we have it, the fateful original expedition into Area X, the original Terror of the Weird, all come home to roost.

*shivers* The surreal alien madness, slow-cooked over the fire, was everything I thought it would be, and more.

Honestly, I think it's on par with the first book, tho that one had tight PoVs going for it, rather than a full menagerie of madness, in this one. Both have their strong points. But either way, I loved this. I'm still vibrating with that end.

All hail originality! :)

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Odyssey by Stephen Fry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you think this is just a quick and dirty modern-language retelling of the Odyssey, as written (and narrated) by the inestimable Stephen Fry, then get all the way out of Ithaca with you.

In reality, Stephen Fry came home to string Apollo's bow and reunite the classic tale with us, together with a massively delicious tribute, or rather, a brilliant, "Previously on..." of Greek context right before we get Helios's meat.


Or rather, I should just say that Fry gave us a truly worthy breakdown of the Odyssey with many fantastic Greek story recaps that make this particular classic so rich when taken altogether.

I recommend this very highly, as I would recommend all of the Great Mythologies by Fry. It's all VERY accessible and erudite at the same time.

Go on, then. Go home! GO HOOOOOOOME, Odysseus. Read this book.


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Before, After, Alone: A Planetfall Universe short story collection by Emma Newman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I didn't realize there was a short story collection surrounding Newman's SF works, but once I did, I was all over this. I like her writing a lot. Very personal, internal stuff, pitted against creepy cultural stuff in the center of real SF colonization issues.

Beyond that, however, I was very impressed with the clever situations and overwhelming emotions. And yet, it's all very much hard SF.

My favorite is absolutely the first story. The bear. So good.

Very fun, quick read.

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Space Oddity by Catherynne M. Valente
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So, I was blown away.

Seriously now. I loved Valente's Space Opera (you know, the Eurovision of aliens, only if your species-chosen rock band comes in dead last, you're literally toast) novel. I even put it in my unofficial 6th-star category because it was just to freaking sharp, man.

And that has nothing to do with the fact that her unplanned sequel to THAT novel just happens to be a nod to our favorite Bowie, or so it seems from the title, and might have nothing needing doing with the first novel anyway -- and did anyone ask for this, bub? It lands in our laps and because it's Valente, a top-notch, brilliant, cut everyone's throats because she's JUST TOO SHARP, we've got to read this one, too.

And so I did. All this anti-glow-up just means that I had no idea what to expect. But now I know. And even after just a few pages in, I already knew -- that I was going to be exterminated by words.


Okay. So. Brass tacks. This novel is what Douglas Adam's Hitchhiker's series would be if it went out on a cocaine bender laced with speed and PCP, got topped off with a powderized version of a seriously life-loving old hero-rockerboy, circled around for four more passes around the galactic center of a gigantic pulsating brain, and then sat down to seriously write one of the most seriously clever run-on songs of the universe. Sure, you could liken this to the best of Doctor Who, but screw that. This is the BBC as it would be if it was run by a really sweet, schizophrenic Shub-Niggurath who's really, really into sharing his poetry to every half-baked punter prioritizing his peonies over a right big wormhole shunt of beer.

Or so it seems.

Or don't take my word for it. This is one of the brightest books on my bookcase, and I'm going to be SINGING its praises until the universe, much like a mixed tape of the abyss, nods back at me in thanks.

Do I think it's deeper, funnier, and more glorious than the first book?

Yes, absolutely.

Do I love a certain Decibel Jones?

You know it.

And you know what? I think this time, it'll turn out all right.

*chef's kiss*


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So I'm a Spider, So What?, Vol. 7 by Okina Baba
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

So, what happens when OP goes beyond OP and all you've got are OP friends and frenemies and OP baddies to keep you company while the OP blows up your world?

Oh, just outdo the OP, right? Right.

Well, I'm amused enough to want to see just how OP this goes, but I'm starting to lose steam. Cuteness can only take you so far.

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The Masquerades of Spring by Ben Aaronovitch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This novella was a very pleasant surprise. I've always loved the old legends of 20's Harlem, the rejuvenation, the art, the heart. To think we'd get Nightingale and another Englishmen out of their old water, embroiled in a musical magical mystery -- and a certain horn. :)

Fun stuff. Absolutely worth catching.

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Sixth Column by Robert A. Heinlein
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Re-Read, only a year later, 9/24/24:

It all came flooding back after starting it again, and my opinion hasn't changed at all. It's a light adventure using the religion twist to fool the rubes, but SF style. Not bad, but certainly not brilliant. For a RAH novel, it's on the low side, but for most SF of the period, it's still quite decent.

Why am I reading it so soon after the last time? A Buddy Read, going through all the RAHs in chronological order!


Original Review:

I won't say this is a particularly good Heinlein, by any stretch of the imagination, but if you get right down to it, it was written in 1949 when he was moving away from his Juveniles and putting his hand to more adult works.

In this case, he was writing for a small white male audience that had recently come out of WWII and he kinda clumped all Asians as WWII imperialist Japanese with the numbers of China to come up with the baddies having overtaken America. It's a kind of ignorant future, okay? The book needed a baddie that wasn't American and culturally alien enough to pull off what WAS a pretty fun stunt that reminds me a lot of Heinlein's much better chicanery and revolution stuff.

What WAS pretty damn good was these good ole boys whipping up a technological masterpiece that appears like magic and coming to the conclusion that the only way to strike a blow on the Pan-Asians occupying America was to use a hokey religious guise that all the locals could see through to gather enough men to strike a magic-as-technology blow against the invaders.

Which they do. In a very silly, but ultimately fun way.

Would I recommend this as good Heinlein? Hell no. But do I think it deserves a ton of hate? No. Not at all. I really appreciated how he used Hobos for an information network and thumbed his nose at religion in general, how he USED it for good ends without taking any of it seriously. And if you think about it, that's pretty awesome in 1949. There has always been a rather keen abuse of religion, and some periods were worse than others. So I give credit where credit is due. Ahead of his time in one way, and woefully behind in another. Flawed but still worthwhile.

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So I'm a Spider, So What?, Vol. 6 by Okina Baba
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ok, maybe I'm just sliding into the new setup just fine. Vampire princess and demon lords as friends and underlings with just a bit of tension is just fine.

All in all, though, I'm just enjoying the natural progression of OP horribleness and magic mastery in a fantasy realm. What else do I really want?

Exactly.

Oh... and cute spiders area massive bonus.

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So I'm a Spider, So What?, Vol. 5 by Okina Baba
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A lot of more of the same in this one. The other children who were blown up and reborn as heroes, etc, are just an okay aspect of these light novels, but I've always been 100% team spider.

Unfortunately, it's more and more those other kids, albeit with a world war, but I miss my cute, immortal, soul-sucking big-bad spider. What we did get, was good, but I'm not certain how I feel about that last twist.

I'll keep going, of course.

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Maskerade by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Re-Read 9/22/24:

Poor Agnes. Such a sweat soul with a sweet voice, smashed to pieces by the inclusion of WITCHES. Well, straight lines and headology and all are all extremely dangerous tools. Agnes should feel a bit honored to be included, but she has DREAMS. DREAMS, I say!

Totally delightful read. Again. Indeed, by this multiple re-read, I think the fat opera singer is protesting just a bit too much. So, I gave this an extra star.



Original Review:

Phantom of the Opera!

With the Witches!

WHAT COULD GO WRONG?

Well, obviously, anything. This is Opera and the Show Must Go On! With or without Greebo in the mix. :)

Quite fun because I love the Phantom of the Opera and I love the Witches, but am I a fan of Anges?

Nah. Not really. I keep wanting a certain Tiffany to join the stage. Patience, patience.

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Interesting Times by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Re-Read 9/21/24:

I wanted to say some fun things about this super-fun Discworld, but then I read my previous review and it said exactly what I wanted to say.

And then I upped my star review because I loved it more than ever. :)

This whole re-reading of a fantastic series is going swimmingly. :)


Original Review:

Interesting Times
or,
When Cohen Established that Dynasty That Time
or,
Rincewind Gets a New Suit.

I really enjoyed this Pratchett, being one of the few people who actually think that Rincewind is a likable anti-hero, or rather, a good runner. But sometimes even good runners get caught in the affairs of Wizzards and revolution. Okay, maybe it's Wizards and if I count him, it's only Wizzard, but you get the idea. :)

Welcome to China-ish, buddy! The Emperor would like to meet you. Or chop off your legs so you can more easily search for that head that you just lost.

Classic Pratchett. And a welcome change from Ankh-Morpork. :)

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So I'm a Spider, So What?, Vol. 4 by Okina Baba
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What? There's a twist in this web?

Goodie. And now cute becomes beast.

Good thing I'm still enjoying this Isekai spider-tale. :)

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So I'm a Spider, So What?, Vol. 3 by Okina Baba
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Everything I expected to be in here, was. More level-ups, even getting to the point where our cute assassin-spider is fighting dragons.

Honestly, it's beautiful. Now which evil eye should I cast on my enemies, now?

Progression Isekai LitRPG at its quirkiest.

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Saturation Point by Adrian Tchaikovsky
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another enjoyable Tchaikovsky SF. This time, it's full-on bio-punk. Scientists get a nasty surprise.

DO WE WANT ANYTHING ELSE?





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So I'm a Spider, So What?, Vol. 2 by Okina Baba
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Like the first one, it's CUTE. This teenage girl--spider is having a blast leveling up the dungeon by herself. Evolving, gaining new skills, taking down dragons, she has it all.

I may not care so much about the other kids who were reborn in this isekai, with their kingdoms and demon lord armies invading, but give me spiders, and I'm totally down.

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So I'm a Spider, So What?, Vol. 1 by Okina Baba
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is exactly as cute as I expected it to be.

I mean sure, it has a dark initial premise, but nobody cares because a whole classroom of exploded children immediately get reborn in a fantasy world and they can level up and have fulfilling, battle-filled lives.

And then there's the one girl who got reborn as a spider.

And she's cute. Eating all those nasty dungeon beasties, leveling up, and slowly becoming a target for all her LitRPG-based classmates as an eventual big-boss. (Or so I imagine, by this setup.)

It's CUTE.

Anyway. *giggles*

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Echo of Worlds by M.R. Carey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sliders, done right.

We've got a raggy team of multi-universe explorers of Earth exploring, hiding, and attempting to deal with the massively impossible task of preventing multi-universal genocide.

This is exactly as impressive as it sounds.

No, there's no OP weapons, no fleets of ships at their disposal. Just pads to flip over into other universes, personal problems, and adventure.

I'm quite happy. If you're looking for afrofuturism, it's also on the table, but as it is GOOD SF, that's even better.

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The Vegetarian by Han Kang
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm gonna call this a New Weird fiction. Not just because of the time it was written, but because it has so many of the earmarks. It reads as a trad fiction on the Eastern side of the divide -- modern, strong subtext figuring in sex, anorexia, and power mis-divisions -- but it's all the rest that happens that really gets my goose.

It's really a rabbit hole of quasi-schizophrenia, of the feel of dark-fantasy, of not truly knowing what is real. A good horror, in other words. But it's the other tension, the feeling like she might be the one who was always right, all the time, that really slams that nail into the wood.

I very much recommend this for anyone who wants a psychological horror along very unusual lines.

Of course, if you're very aware of a plant-like horror sub-genre, you'll feel right at home here. I keep thinking of The Fountain (movie), and Vandermeer. Enjoy!

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The Werewolf Principle by Clifford D. Simak
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've been a long-time fan of Simak, and while he really never wrote a problematic book, (by today's standards,) they're usually high on dialogue and situation rather that plot. This one is no different.

Indeed, the titular Werewolf Principle is a SF twist on multiple-mind sharing bodies, but in this case, it's human, alien, and machine -- all leading up to a big of adventure and chase and eventually a pretty high-level philosophical debate featuring the core meaning of humanity. Classic SF style, of course.

Interestingly, though, for a '67 novel, it's ideas of uploaded consciousness and AI and the Theseus Ship Paradox is still as interesting today as it would have been way back then. :)

While I enjoy this novel for its history, I have to admit I've seen this question done better since this time.

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Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J. Klune
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Surprisingly, the sequel might be better than the original. It's as wholesome as ever, like Umbrella Academy but with well-adjusted children, and satisfying in that "stabbing with kindness" is, actually, quite effective.

I will hereby say that I was wrong to just call it a "YA Queer Romance". I will modify that to say, "A GOOD YA Queer Romance."

Truly, ya'll don't sleep on this particular series. The kids are just too precious.

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Infinity Gate by M.R. Carey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've read a good number of M. R. Carey's books, but this one has quite a different feel from all the rest. This is a surprisingly great thing, believe it or not.

We follow three interesting characters across a universe-hopping worldbuilding extravaganza, caught in the cogs between the Pandominion, a multi-species biological multi-universe enclave, and a machine empire. This is just a broad description, however.

Strangely enough, at least to me, it has all the earmarks of afrofuturism. Nigeria, especially Lagos, takes a front seat in many of these alternate universes. It's fascinating and leans into the subgenre nicely, but we never stay anywhere too long. There's many universes to see, and three cool characters exploring, running, fighting for their lives, or trying to come to some kind of balance.

This is a rather rich SF that's being set up for much, much more. I'm rather impressed at the scope and the care that Carey has put into this. The horizon's the limit. It's going to be a long-haul read, and I'm all for it.

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Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 216, September 2024 by Neil Clarke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fiction:

The Music Must Always Play -- (3.75 stars) A short, interesting, first contact story that just managed to stick to the wistful. I kinda wish I knew what the groove sounded like.

Fish Fear Me, You Need ME -- (3.5 stars) Also short, this one barely has a tie to SF, just a hint of flooding. Otherwise, it's a fish story, a longing story, a willpower story, and eventually, just a story of acceptance. I guess I used to read a lot of these a while ago, so it's somewhat interesting to see it again.

Broken -- (4 stars) I tend to like these little claustrophobic, small scale perception SFs. A pilot and her obsession with her helmet. It feels very much like anything we are, staring at our phones. Oh, the helplessness if it gets broken!

How to Remember Perfectly -- (5 stars) This is the first in this month's stories that I think is beyond excellent. Gamifying memories in old people--it's beautiful, eerie, and more than subtly disturbing. The implications beyond this one good use is frankly terrifying. I totally recommend it.

The Children I gave you, Oxalaia -- (5 stars) Beautiful and ugly at the same time, this story of the home life of Venusians, or geckos, living in a slum-shelter after losing a battle with humans, is rather haunting. Yes, it's absolutely about poverty, racism, and colonialism, and it's gloriously alien, too.

Those Who Remember the World -- (5 stars) Woooo... I love me the weird of the New Weird. Or rather, is all fiction that has mycelium automatically weird? Or must it also have tentacles? Anyway, this was a great, strange mystery with a satisfying ending.

A Theory of Missing Affections -- (4 stars) This turned out to be a pretty cozy, even-headed SF archeology tale. Sometimes these really hit the spot. I really think we ought to have a lot more of these in general.

A world of Milk and Promises -- (4 stars) A short, strange little story about family. Really, really close family. :)


Non-Fiction:

A Genetic Recipe for Future Baby-Making -- A decent super-quick primer for genetics leading to -- you guessed it -- babies. With good SF biblios.

Disaster Queers and Romance: A Conversation with Aliette de Bodard -- A quick interview with the author.

Mashing Tropes: A Conversation with A.C. Wise -- Interesting short interview for a short fiction artist. :)

Editor's Desk: On Being Weightless -- A big Yay! for Neal. :)

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To Reign in Hell by Steven Brust
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm a big fan of Steven Brust's Vlad novels, so I was surprised when I came across this book, having missed it. But to be sure, it's not a Vlad novel.

It's a retelling of the fall from heaven. That might be rather obvious from the title, or maybe not, but this is exactly what it is. The war in heaven.

Honestly, I'll always like Milton's more. This was still a good prose rendition, decent writing, with a fairly interesting take on scheming angels and the gradual duping of Satan, rather than Lucifer being the prime instigator.

I'll say this: for any fans of this particular genre, Brust is a must-read, if only to grab one of the better renditions.

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Defiance of the Fall 13 by TheFirstDefier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Consistency is a great thing. Where this book is great--progression lit, action, and very interesting Tao's, skills, soul-crafting, and massive Truth skills--it's great. Where it's merely okay, in the characters besides Zack, it's just meh.

Fortunately, I enjoy all the skills, power-ups, OP vistas and battles, and the fact that we've got so much more adventure ahead of us.

Yes, thirteen long books, and I've got the impression we're only half done. :)

It's a pretty awesome thing when you're still having fun, no?

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Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Well now, I think I might be reaching the end of my patience (or rather, current patience,) with "novels filled to the brim with unlikable people whom I want to see die horribly".


Before starting this novel, and admittedly not reading any blurb or review, I kinda hoped I'd see something like: "Oh! Let's PoV this from local tourist trade workers encountering and subsequently killing them!"

As I read the novel, I wanted to see this get the full Stephen King treatment, where we read from the PoV OF the bad summer people and watch them all pop off later in glorious ways.

As I finished the novel, I just wished anything glorious had happened. Unfortunately, at the end, it's a pretty average setup. Rich assholes in their summer homes behaving badly. Most of it was just banal. Later on, when chaos reigns, the chaos is still rather mild.

Spicy-level 1.5 out of 10. Too mild for my palate. Alas.

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Defiance of the Fall 12 by TheFirstDefier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have to say I'm long-past hooked on this series. Each one is huge, progressive from the last, and addictive as all hell. But then, that's true of most LitRPGs. Some, more than others. And some have great strengths, like this one: it's endlessly evolving Tao cores, skill upgrades, bloodlines, inheritances, and all the different combos of each that can evolve into entirely new OP classes.

Do I love this kind of thing? Absolutely. Just shake in some character development, new, interesting realms, alternate universes, heavenly or hellish cores, and godlike spaces, and we've got an endlessly creative environment to build upon.

See? This stuff is pretty fantastic.

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Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Throughout my read, I was simultaneously on the cusp of thinking this was brilliant and too annoying to continue. That's just me, however.

Let me explain: While I DID like the whole color thing as a mirror to our horrid society, it was also laborious. The core story with its characters was fine--school stuff with a good comedy of manners thing going on--and while I've read much better, this was solid.

The whole idea of a future society that runs a gene-like thing based on all different colors, was a bit hard for me to follow. I mean, sure, we have doctors that use extremely specific palates to heal others, and mold is an issue, and we get that whole feel that their world-s are paintings, or something like. But that part of the worldbuilding was just too thin for me. I kept butting my head up against it to flesh it out and couldn't.

So. While I LIKE the idea of it and the core story was just okay, it just never quite got under my skin. At all. Sorry, Jasper. I just couldn't do more.

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Utopia for Realists: How We Can Build the Ideal World by Rutger Bregman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm pretty sure anyone reading the title for this book will either fall into one of two camps: "Oh, of course, we have to hope and plan!" or "Oh, god, this is real claptrap."

Well, let me point out one little thing for those in the first: Hope is useless. Planning based on real data and the real efforts of those who know what is going on is the only real way.

For the second camp:

Ignore the damn stupid title. This is really good stuff, backed up by thoroughly researched studies, carefully analyzed and stupidly shelved past research, and amazingly simple common sense. Do yourself a favor and pick up the book despite your preconceptions and read it.

It addresses the real stakes of the barrel we're staring down. Worse than when this was written, we're facing screws that are tightening on our thumbs more than ever before. Be it the widening poverty, the automation-to-extinction of the workforce, or the simple fact that poverty can only be solved by GIVING PEOPLE MONEY and no thoughts and prayers or efficiency experts, the real solution is pretty simple.

House the unhoused. Feed the unfed. Clothe the unclothed. I mean, seriously. It all boils down to a basic, surprisingly unsurprising tenet: When everyone is lifted from poverty, EVERYONE benefits. That big gap we're seeing? It will only create disaster. The big banking industry and all the parasites that provide nothing to the world other than obfuscation, theft, and then bail on all their victims are one of the biggest issues. A fraction of a fraction of the huge bonuses some of these assholes make could afford to house everyone -- but that hurts their bottom-leeching-line. The solution? Break through the propaganda, organize however we can, and bring honesty and fairness back to our lives. I honestly believe there are a lot more good people out here than bad. We just happen to have these stupid societal structures that absurdly reward the very worst of us, and that needs to be stopped. Most of us do not get a single damn thing out of it except exhaustion, existential woes, our own increasing poverty, and rage.


So, yeah, let's read a book that gives a clear eye to this issue, shall we? Not everything is doom and gloom. We DO have good ideas going forward. We just need to start telling those who say we've exhausted every option to shut the fuck up.

People who suddenly wake up without a boot on their neck won't start causing havoc. They start doing the things they've always wanted to do. How many artists out there are dying inside? How about would-be teachers who are disgusted with the way things are? How about ANYONE in a bullshit job stuck there just for the paycheck even as their minds rot?

THERE HAS TO BE ANOTHER WAY. And, indeed, there is.

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Logan's Run by William F. Nolan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Here's a little kick in the pants for ya.

This is the book that the classic SF film was based on, written way back in '67, the counterculture just revving up.

Here's the skinny: It holds up fantastically well to today's SF. Fast-paced and sharp. And even if the characterizations are a bit obviously '60s, the tale is so short that I'm surprised we got any depth at all. It's just that fast and furious.

As a side note, it lets me settle in to the idea that no matter how old you are or what your setting, people are stupid. The new norm of killing anyone off the moment they turn 30 seems pretty on-target for the same kinds of social norms we have now. It's modular stupidity. Pop out one, add another, it's all stupid.

Even if we've got a little commentary here, it's still a great action film.

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Slay by Laurell K. Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Once bitten, twice shy, third needs a safe word.

Damn it. So. I went into THIS one expecting a big blow-out scene against a vampire dragon, and did get one, but it was far too short. And even then, I was annoyed by the whole end of book 29's setup being utterly squashed like a baby were-kitten beneath the dragon's claw.

Where's my setup-payoff, damn it! Hints, teases only. In the meantime, I actually enjoyed all the action and suspense and character-cameos that used to spend so much time on the pages, while complaining about how SHORT they all were.

UGGHH. Yes, I keep coming back to this because I'm simply having fun. That's IT. I guess I need a safe word, too.

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Smolder by Laurell K. Hamilton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Muahahahahahaha

Ok. So. The bad:

What plot is here is just spat out and glared at, while the marriage preparations, which have been going on for, what, 8 books, are still running at us readers like Lancelot running to the wedding ceremony in Monty Python's Holy Grail. We have had 29 books, minus, what, 4-5 books leading up to the FIRST almost-four-marks between Richard, Jean-Claude, and Anita, only to be sprung on us after SO MUCH FREAKING DRAMA and THIS late in the game, and we STILL don't get a resolution of any kind in THIS book.

I'll just gloss over Anita's 1000 other polyglutonous sexcapades for a moment because it didn't go overboard this time. There WAS some magical action and a big bad that reminds me of that one earthquake guy, only this one is a freaky undead dragon that spits greek fire, because, why not?


THE GOOD:

I'm laughing my ass off because I actually had a good time.

And it's NOT just because of the FINAL fourth mark on the original triumvirate, although I was actually pretty glued to my seat for that. I just see this book as the prologue to a big blow out and the character interactions are all pretty great. I may not like all the additions to the mystical pack, mainly because this reads like a GoT menagerie that has even MORE sex than GoT, but many of my all time favorites are here and we're actually getting somewhere with the OP buildup.

So here we are. I'm on board despite massive amounts of bitching, and I'm actually rearing to go.

WHAT A CRAZY ASS WORLD WE LIVE IN.

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Sleepwalk by Dan Chaon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This one is a weird, funny, wild ride. I didn't know what to expect, but I easily fell into this easy-going psychopathic murderer-mercenary ethos.

What really surprised me was the total surprise family reunion quirky SF dystopia played off as nothing-burger because he's JUST THAT LAID BACK. Very funny. Delicious.

It's what I'd expect if the Dude Abides had a spiritual baby with Tank Girl and was stuffed in an awkward, "Hi, dad, I'm your daughter" comedy.

And I loved ALL the characters. I totally recommend this weird road-trip SF.

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Murder on Lake Garda by Tom Hindle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I gave this a fair shot, but it just came across as thoroughly average cozy murder mystery. I suppose I could have gotten into rooting for the murderers of these unlikable people, but the actual murdering took a long time to get to and then we were given too many explanations why we should have liked the victims and I just wasn't feeling it.

It was OKAY. Unfortunately, I feel like I've read a million just like it. I'm a bit sad. But alas, at least it wasn't actually BAD.

Onto the next!

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Defiance of the Fall 11 by TheFirstDefier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Obviously, by book 11, I've found something good in this series. I am anxious to pick up the next.

Why? Because it gives me all the fan service I'd ever want with progression novels. Always working hard to that next level up. Sure, we're still on the high E-grade path, with D, C, B, and A still ahead of us, but damn. The promise is there and so is all the incremental additions to his power.

Addictive? Like a video game? Absolutely.

And that's why I'm still here.

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Defiance of the Fall 10 by TheFirstDefier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This one had a pretty nice balance between cultivating and action, as most of them do. Story is sometimes interesting, however, or at least a good enough hook that I just don't care. I love the LitRPG elements more than just about anything else, so it just doesn't matter.

But I should say one thing: I love how he keeps the so much larger OP stakes interesting.

Basically god levels here, but it doesn't matter because there are so many gods. :)

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