Review: All These Worlds

All These Worlds by Dennis E. Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a fun series. Humorous, snide, nerdy and a whole 'nother idea of what an AI might be.

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Review: For We Are Many

For We Are Many by Dennis E. Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rating: If you've gotta have a robot overlord, let it be a BOB!

Funny, imaginative, nerdy, and more nerdy. Bob died, and awoke as a space probe. He's now attempting to save humanity from 'the others' who are busily wiping out planets all over the galaxy. Can he do it? Can all the Bobs do it?

I listened to the audio and as usual Ray Porter is a hoot.

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Review: Illuminae

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Interesting story and the AI was great, but I listened to the audio version and they bleeped out all the 'bad' words. These kids are living through hell, but not allowed to say so... Sigh. Also, the beginning was told as if it were messages between people and I found that annoying. Too many breaks in the narrative.

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Review: The Fold

The Fold by Peter Clines
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rating: Quantum donuts!

An unputdownable romp with Game of Throne and Star Trek references, quantum physics, Mycroftian eidetic memory, horror elements and characters you care about.

I listened to the audio version and Roy Porter is just terrific with the humor and the horror.

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Review: Faithful Place

Faithful Place by Tana French
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rating: Tana French definitely gets dysfunctional families.

Her series is never predictable. The characters change, but the depth of the psychological labyrinths involved are always complex and wildly emotional.

This book cements this series for me, as one of my favorite psychological thriller series. Maybe my favorite.

Watch out though. If your family is/was dysfunctional, it'll bring back memories you'd perhaps rather not surface.

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Review: The Lives of Tao

The Lives of Tao by Wesley Chu
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rating: Meh.

The story seemed to drag a lot, but over all it was an okay read.

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Review: Cloud Atlas

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rating: Hmmmm

I loved the writing, and the characters were so deftly and complexly drawn they were great. But I sort of like a plot...

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Review: Welcome to Night Vale

Welcome to Night Vale by Joseph Fink
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fun novelization of the podcasts. Weird, and funny. Time runs differently for Night Vale. Your neighbors might be angels and your son might be a fly.

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Review: The Fell Sword

The Fell Sword by Miles Cameron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rating: Epic fantasy with a grimdark twist.

I really enjoyed the first book of the series, and am glad to report I enjoyed the second book as well. My only complaint is that I'd like to have seen a bit more of the Red Knight, as this one widens the field considerably and we jump amongst friends and foes throughout.

The Red Knight and his company of mercs, hire on to assist the Emperor. However, things go sideways before they can even arrive, with the Emperor kidnapped and possibly killed, so our guys start out in a hole and have to fight their way clear.

We learn more of who the Red Knight is, see more of his powers on display and are confronted with more of the Wild critters as well as powerful beings both on the side of the Wild and more neutral creatures who stick an oar into the action, quite often making this far more difficult and complex.

I love the humor amidst the carnage, and the understated way the Red Knight controls his company and events. He's always got a plan - and said plans generally make his company groan aloud. Because, although he always has a plan, he seldom explains those plans and his friends have to take him - and them - on faith.

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Review: The Fell Sword

The Fell Sword by Miles Cameron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rating: Epic fantasy with a grimdark twist.

I really enjoyed the first book of the series, and am glad to report I enjoyed the second book as well. My only complaint is that I'd like to have seen a bit more of the Red Knight, as this one widens the field considerably and we jump amongst friends and foes throughout.

The Red Knight and his company of mercs, hire on to assist the Emperor. However, things go sideways before they can even arrive, with the Emperor kidnapped and possibly killed, so our guys start out in a hole and have to fight their way clear.

We learn more of who the Red Knight is, see more of his powers on display and are confronted with more of the Wild critters as well as powerful beings both on the side of the Wild and more neutral creatures who stick an oar into the action, quite often making this far more difficult and complex.

I love the humor amidst the carnage, and the understated way the Red Knight controls his company and events. He's always got a plan - and said plans generally make his company groan aloud. Because, although he always has a plan, he seldom explains those plans and his friends have to take him - and them - on faith.

View all my reviews