Cauldron
By: Larry Bond
From: Headline Feature
The set pieces in this military adventure are first rate and the author neatly captures the feel of battle, the confusion, uncertainties and accidents.
The plot moves along at a cracking pace and apart from a few geographic innacuracies (mostly artistic licence, I assume, to enhance plot lines) seems well constructed. Predictably for a book of this genre there is lots of things being blown up and foolish baddies making one mistake to many that our heroes can exploit... but it wouldn't be a story otherwise.
Without distracting from the fact that this is a cracking good read and the story-line well thought out, there are one huge thing that grates. For a story set in Europe where are all the heroes American and why is this mainly a story about the American military.
Apart from that - a solid reccomendation from me.
Read it!
Thursday 7 May 2009
Tuesday 5 May 2009
1632 - Eric Flint
1632
By: Eric Flint
From: Baen
An advanced alien artifact causes a rupture in time and space and a chunk of mid-America (West Virginia) finds itsself in 17th century Germany.
This is an interesting spin on the time traveller from the future meets the savages from the past theme. The story rips along at a merry pace, mainly, I think, to distract you from the fact that the characters are not deep and stereotypes abound.
There are crusty old codgers who have the missing ingredient, foolish teenagers who develop into upright citizens, the beauty who turns out to have a talent beyond her looks, .... you get the idea.
I found it amazing that local 17th century people could be so accepting of future tech and morals, and with a dollop of ice-cream and blue jeans, throw off their entire existence and embrace the American way of life
I am not knocking this novel in the slightest, merely saying that this is a fun and cloud free read. The baddies are bad and the goodies good, and the moral ambiguities are left aside.
By: Eric Flint
From: Baen
An advanced alien artifact causes a rupture in time and space and a chunk of mid-America (West Virginia) finds itsself in 17th century Germany.
This is an interesting spin on the time traveller from the future meets the savages from the past theme. The story rips along at a merry pace, mainly, I think, to distract you from the fact that the characters are not deep and stereotypes abound.
There are crusty old codgers who have the missing ingredient, foolish teenagers who develop into upright citizens, the beauty who turns out to have a talent beyond her looks, .... you get the idea.
I found it amazing that local 17th century people could be so accepting of future tech and morals, and with a dollop of ice-cream and blue jeans, throw off their entire existence and embrace the American way of life
I am not knocking this novel in the slightest, merely saying that this is a fun and cloud free read. The baddies are bad and the goodies good, and the moral ambiguities are left aside.
Sunday 3 May 2009
Un Lun Dun - China Mieville
UN LUN DUN
By China Mieville
From Pan Books
A childrens book for adults to enjoy. A Un Lun Dun below London, the place where all that no longer works or is abandoned ends up.
The story is full of wordplay and character, where the hero is the sidekick. When Smog threatens to destroy Un Lun Dun a cast of cast-off characters helps and propells you to the finale. This just proves that prophesy does not determine who you will be, merely the choices you make on the way.
The story telling style borrows from, and is influenced by, Beatrix Potter, Lewis Carroll and Phillip Pullman
Each short chapter introduces you to new inventiveness and idea from Binjas (Ninja dustbins) to bulletproof umbrellas. There are two levels to the story, a rip roaring kids adventure tale and the more adult themes of environment, responsibility and oppressive legislation.
Wierd, inventive and imaginative. A definate four out of 5 stars reccomendation.
By China Mieville
From Pan Books
A childrens book for adults to enjoy. A Un Lun Dun below London, the place where all that no longer works or is abandoned ends up.
The story is full of wordplay and character, where the hero is the sidekick. When Smog threatens to destroy Un Lun Dun a cast of cast-off characters helps and propells you to the finale. This just proves that prophesy does not determine who you will be, merely the choices you make on the way.
The story telling style borrows from, and is influenced by, Beatrix Potter, Lewis Carroll and Phillip Pullman
Each short chapter introduces you to new inventiveness and idea from Binjas (Ninja dustbins) to bulletproof umbrellas. There are two levels to the story, a rip roaring kids adventure tale and the more adult themes of environment, responsibility and oppressive legislation.
Wierd, inventive and imaginative. A definate four out of 5 stars reccomendation.
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