The Nano Flower
By: Peter F Hamilton
From: Pan
This book will suffer ultimately, not because it is bad - it is very good, because it is almost prophetic in some of the scenarios laid out.
Several themes, that in 1995 would have seemed dramatic, have started to bear fruit. The issue of global warming and freak climate runs through the book, with parts of Norfolk flooded, in real life they now talk of letting the sea reclaim parts of Norfolk. Petrol driven cars are a rarity, in real life hybrids and electric cars are starting to gain traction and movements are underway to ban large petrol guzzlers from city centres.
So I suppose you should best view this as an alternate universe, similar to ours, just out of step slightly.
Anyway, back to the book - Greg Mandel is called back to find out who sent Julia Evans a very unusual flower.
Building on the characters introduced on the other books in the series - 'Mindstar Rising' and 'A Quantum Murder', this story takes place a few years later and gives you quite a ride. You discover that even the best of friends can feel betrayed and protected, and the best of protectors cannot always protect. Sometimes, as always you have to face your own inner demons and live your life.
Instead of suffering from 'end-of-series'itis, this book delivers an unexpected finale and concludes, I feel the trilogy very well.
Monday, 15 June 2009
Saturday, 13 June 2009
Firestarter - Stephen King
Firestarter
By: Stephen King
From: Futura
A father and daughter are on the run from a shadowy governmental organisation that wants to lock them up like lab-rats, at best or, take them apart to see how they work at worst.
The father can 'push' people he meets into doing things. A kind of mental persuasion that drains him each time he uses it, while his daughter can start fires with her mind. And this has the government, read three letter acronyms, excited.
The back story, reveals how this family came to be, and is believable for the thinking of the time. The story is well researched, laid out and hangs together coherently. Which is surprising seeing as the author, by his own admission, was not always 'sober' at this time.
This must be one of the most overlooked of Stephen King's books. The story stays on track, you empathise with the characters and the story draws you in.
One of the few five out of five ratings from me.
By: Stephen King
From: Futura
A father and daughter are on the run from a shadowy governmental organisation that wants to lock them up like lab-rats, at best or, take them apart to see how they work at worst.
The father can 'push' people he meets into doing things. A kind of mental persuasion that drains him each time he uses it, while his daughter can start fires with her mind. And this has the government, read three letter acronyms, excited.
The back story, reveals how this family came to be, and is believable for the thinking of the time. The story is well researched, laid out and hangs together coherently. Which is surprising seeing as the author, by his own admission, was not always 'sober' at this time.
This must be one of the most overlooked of Stephen King's books. The story stays on track, you empathise with the characters and the story draws you in.
One of the few five out of five ratings from me.
Thursday, 11 June 2009
Red Storm Rising - Tom Clancy
Red Storm Rising
By: Tom Clancy
From: Harper Collins
As with most military fiction this book is filled with the crack of rifle fire and the dust of explosions. Where it differs from most other books of its genre, is the depth of political machination.
The characters are, mostly, human and by that I mean they are prone to faults, forgetfulness and moments of panic.
On the whole this book is well researched and laid out and, though dated, is applicable to modern warfare today, where as it is put - the battle consists of moments of sheer panic interspersed by hours of utter boredom. Things sometimes are happening so fast that it is machine-v-machine, and the warriors are relegated to the role of spectator.
At times the read becomes a trifle gung-ho and is most definitely pro-American, nevertheless, the story is entirely plausible in these days of media manipulation and inflamed passions.
By: Tom Clancy
From: Harper Collins
As with most military fiction this book is filled with the crack of rifle fire and the dust of explosions. Where it differs from most other books of its genre, is the depth of political machination.
The characters are, mostly, human and by that I mean they are prone to faults, forgetfulness and moments of panic.
On the whole this book is well researched and laid out and, though dated, is applicable to modern warfare today, where as it is put - the battle consists of moments of sheer panic interspersed by hours of utter boredom. Things sometimes are happening so fast that it is machine-v-machine, and the warriors are relegated to the role of spectator.
At times the read becomes a trifle gung-ho and is most definitely pro-American, nevertheless, the story is entirely plausible in these days of media manipulation and inflamed passions.
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
The Postman - David Brin
The Postman
By: David Brin
From: Orbit
Set in a post apocalypse world, this story is a journey of discovery. One man's desperation leads him to assume the identity of a postman, so he can have shelter for the night.
When he is given letters to pass on he only carries on because, as he reasons, he may get some shelter and food out of it.
As the story progresses, it becomes clear to him that a postman represents external authority, hence a challenge to autocratic leaders of isolated communities, and, as long as he keeps on moving is in no personal danger. There is the realisation that by having become part of something larger than the communities he serves he can no longer belong to them.
Without giving too much away, there are stories within stories in this book. While some parts of the plot seem to have been shoehorned in to make the story move in the direction required by the author, the overall read is pure enjoyment.
This is a dark book of hope. The film by Kevin Cstner does not do the book justice at all, and changes several parts for purely Hollywood reasons.
A solid read and a very decent four and a half out of five.
By: David Brin
From: Orbit
Set in a post apocalypse world, this story is a journey of discovery. One man's desperation leads him to assume the identity of a postman, so he can have shelter for the night.
When he is given letters to pass on he only carries on because, as he reasons, he may get some shelter and food out of it.
As the story progresses, it becomes clear to him that a postman represents external authority, hence a challenge to autocratic leaders of isolated communities, and, as long as he keeps on moving is in no personal danger. There is the realisation that by having become part of something larger than the communities he serves he can no longer belong to them.
Without giving too much away, there are stories within stories in this book. While some parts of the plot seem to have been shoehorned in to make the story move in the direction required by the author, the overall read is pure enjoyment.
This is a dark book of hope. The film by Kevin Cstner does not do the book justice at all, and changes several parts for purely Hollywood reasons.
A solid read and a very decent four and a half out of five.
Thursday, 7 May 2009
Cauldron - Larry Bond
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!
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!
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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