The Kids.... I just love this Photo.
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Earth (9/10)
David Brin
Science Fiction
The 50 years in the future novel is supposed to be the hardest kind of SF to write. David Brin did it brilliantly with Earth. This novel looks at the development of the internet/usenet, the birth of the environmental crusade, and then throws in a tasty bit of technology. This novel shows you where the planet is headed, and makes you wonder about the decisions you will make in the next 50 years. Hell of a read, especially when you consider that it was written in 1991!
The characters are a little poorly developed in parts, and the software metaphors require some mental adjustments (ferret programs instead of google). All in all however a bravura piece of writing, top stuff.
Readibility (4/5)
Quality (5/5)
Science Fiction
The 50 years in the future novel is supposed to be the hardest kind of SF to write. David Brin did it brilliantly with Earth. This novel looks at the development of the internet/usenet, the birth of the environmental crusade, and then throws in a tasty bit of technology. This novel shows you where the planet is headed, and makes you wonder about the decisions you will make in the next 50 years. Hell of a read, especially when you consider that it was written in 1991!
The characters are a little poorly developed in parts, and the software metaphors require some mental adjustments (ferret programs instead of google). All in all however a bravura piece of writing, top stuff.
Readibility (4/5)
Quality (5/5)
Monday, December 06, 2004
Dragon Prince (6.5/10)
Melanie Rawn
Fantasy
This is Fantasy from a woman's perspective, which gives us well written female characters, and male characters that are a little one-dimensional. This first book is very definately setting all the pieces in place, and will not let anything get in the road. Lots of characters but they all seem to be easily remembered, a fact that does not continue to the later books in this series.
That said, it was a fairly enjoyable read, it has an original magic device, and lots of fantasy mainstays (battles, princes, dragons).
Readibility 3.5/5
Quality 3/5
Fantasy
This is Fantasy from a woman's perspective, which gives us well written female characters, and male characters that are a little one-dimensional. This first book is very definately setting all the pieces in place, and will not let anything get in the road. Lots of characters but they all seem to be easily remembered, a fact that does not continue to the later books in this series.
That said, it was a fairly enjoyable read, it has an original magic device, and lots of fantasy mainstays (battles, princes, dragons).
Readibility 3.5/5
Quality 3/5
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Quicksilver (9/10)
Neal Stephenson
Historical, Science Fiction
Neal Stephenson is a smart man who wants his readers to be smart people too. His books educate and make you want to learn more about the subjects at hand, often throwing in lessons along the way.
Quicksilver looks at the development of alchemy into philosophy, Isaac Newton and Currency in a rollicking ride through the 15th & 16th Centuries.
The story wanders constantly down little alleys that do little to advance the plot but are always worth the time taken. When reading this book it is important that you focus on "enjoying the journey," as the author (despite his protests) does not have the best way with endings in the world and often leaves the reader feeling somewhat flat.
Nonetheless, this is but the first part of a trilogy and it leaves the reader desperate for more, and extremely interested in the historical events surrounding the novel. I spent some time looking at the history of the Royal family of the time.
Readability 4/5
Quality 5/5
Historical, Science Fiction
Neal Stephenson is a smart man who wants his readers to be smart people too. His books educate and make you want to learn more about the subjects at hand, often throwing in lessons along the way.
Quicksilver looks at the development of alchemy into philosophy, Isaac Newton and Currency in a rollicking ride through the 15th & 16th Centuries.
The story wanders constantly down little alleys that do little to advance the plot but are always worth the time taken. When reading this book it is important that you focus on "enjoying the journey," as the author (despite his protests) does not have the best way with endings in the world and often leaves the reader feeling somewhat flat.
Nonetheless, this is but the first part of a trilogy and it leaves the reader desperate for more, and extremely interested in the historical events surrounding the novel. I spent some time looking at the history of the Royal family of the time.
Readability 4/5
Quality 5/5
Good Omens (9.5/10)
Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman
Comedy, Fantasy
How could I hate this book, it is the work of two of my most favorite authors, and even has a bit of religious trivia to boot. It reads very easily and is a laugh to read, especially the part about the "other" four bikers of the apocalypse.
In brief it is a story of the end of the world, from the point of view of the Snake, the Angel and the 11-year-old antichrist. The book has the magical air that Neil Gaiman brings to anything he writes, and combines it with the intelligent, insightful wit of Pratchett.
Sadly the authors say that they will never collaborate again due to distance, but we can always live in hope.
Readability 5/5
Quality 4.5/5
Comedy, Fantasy
How could I hate this book, it is the work of two of my most favorite authors, and even has a bit of religious trivia to boot. It reads very easily and is a laugh to read, especially the part about the "other" four bikers of the apocalypse.
In brief it is a story of the end of the world, from the point of view of the Snake, the Angel and the 11-year-old antichrist. The book has the magical air that Neil Gaiman brings to anything he writes, and combines it with the intelligent, insightful wit of Pratchett.
Sadly the authors say that they will never collaborate again due to distance, but we can always live in hope.
Readability 5/5
Quality 4.5/5
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)