Review

REPLY – ALL SYSTEMS RED – BY MARTHA WELLS

Jared, 1 Comment

Hey Robert,

all systems red

I’m glad you recommended this book even though I couldn’t find it as an audiobook it only took like 5 hours to read and I don’t even read that fast.

So Murderbot is definitely the most interesting character. That is interesting, not likable. Relateable but also not likable. Murderbot has an interesting perspective of being non-gendered as well as being a slave to humans. It is actually kinda funny that with the freedom it has it chooses to watch tv with. So basically Murderbot is a millennial.

The rest of the characters are just kinda there, a backdrop for Murderbot’s feelings. Most of the plot is also just kinda there, not all that interesting or important.

The world could be amazing, but we just get this snapshot. More hints than many real details and I hope book two really lets us sink our teeth in and learn about this world. Could it continue with Murderbot, maybe? I’m just not sure if they can really bring around the change in its attitude to make it have some kind of interesting plot. Could we have a new character and Murderbot be a secondary character? Definately.

All in all, I look forward to seeing where this series goes.

 

Jared

 

LINKS

REPLY – ALL SYSTEMS RED – BY MARTHA WELLS

Adventurers Wanted – Book 5: The Axe of Sundering – By M. L. Forman

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

Hey Jared,

It’s good to see you finally writing, both reviews and some of your own projects.

This review has been really difficult to write. I was generally OK with the book, but steadily became more dissatisfied as time went by. Thus the super late timing of this post. Sorry, not sorry.

axeofsunderingTitle: The Axe of Sundering
Series: Adventurers Wanted; Book 5
Author: M. L. Forman
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: EU/AU, Medieval, Higher Magic, Dragons
Synopsis: Whalen Vankin is the world’s greatest wizard, and he has only ever personally trained two other wizards. One is Alexander Taylor, a young man who has earned a reputation as a brave adventurer, a warrior, and man of honor. The other is Jabez, Vankin’s nephew and a man whose choices have led him down a different, darker path. Dark magic has covered Westland, and evil is stirring. Whalen and Alex must journey together into the heart of danger, confronting a sea serpent, battling their way through a goblin army, and facing down more than one dragon. Alex must find the legendary Axe of Sundering the one weapon that offers a chance to defeat Jabez and protect the land from the dark wizard’s plans. But finding it will be an adventure of its own as the only pathway to the Axe leads through the underground tunnels and secret passages of Castle Conmar. But Jabez has one final weapon at his disposal: the powerful Orion Stone, which could spell the end to Whalen and Alex both.
Recommendation: Highly recommend this series (just not the ending). Great for younger and older readers alike.

Continue reading “Adventurers Wanted – Book 5: The Axe of Sundering – By M. L. Forman” →

Adventurers Wanted – Book 5: The Axe of Sundering – By M. L. Forman

REPLY – THE MARTIAN – BY ANDY WEIR

Jared, , Leave a comment

 

Hey Robert,

Like you I really liked the Martian by Andy

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Weir. You talked about it being a good or great book I argue it was just a fun book. I have already watched The Martian film starring Matt Daemon. The movie was really interesting and funny and honestly now having read the book I feel it was a pretty faithful interpretation of the book. The book just goes into more detail and expands the story more I was totally prepared to find the book boring because I already knew what would happen but it was just as interesting and exciting as I expected. I liked how dark the book was in some parts. Like when the crew it talking about what they would do if they missed the resupply rocket. How they would kill themselves and just one would go on eating the rest of the crew to survive and rescue Mark Watney.

You are right the plot is a weak point. But not as bad as other books, I didn’t feel cheated by the Deus ex machina surprise Chinese rocket. What shocked me was that there was no epilog. “Yep, we’ve got Watney” The End. Nothing about the trip home or even what was going on a year later nothing.

Of course, because science Mark Watney would never have survived there are chemicals in soil that would make growing potatoes impossible.

Links

 

REPLY – THE MARTIAN – BY ANDY WEIR

Bobivese – Book 1: We Are Legion (We Are Bob) – By Dennis E. Taylor

Jared, , 1 Comment

So I found this book on audible and it looked kinda interesting, what really sold me was the Sample of the book which talked about Bob who waking up can remember being hit by a car but nothing after. He attempts to talk with a shrink who was waiting for him to wake up. Unfortunately, he is talking with a synthesized voice. What happens next is amazing.

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Title: We Are Legion (We Are Bob)
Series: Bobivese; Book 1
Author:  Dennis E. Taylor
Genre: Sci-Fi
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: Future
Synopsis: Bob Johansson has just sold his software company and is looking forward to a life of leisure. There are places to go, books to read, and movies to watch. So it’s a little unfair when he gets himself killed crossing the street. Bob wakes up a century later to find that corpsicles have been declared to be without rights, and he is now the property of the state. He has been uploaded into computer hardware and is slated to be the controlling AI in an interstellar probe looking for habitable planets. The stakes are high: no less than the first claim to entire worlds. If he declines the honor, he’ll be switched off, and they’ll try again with someone else. If he accepts, he becomes a prime target. There are at least three other countries trying to get their own probes launched first, and they play dirty.
The safest place for Bob is in space, heading away from Earth at top speed. Or so he thinks. Because the universe is full of nasties, and trespassers make them mad – very mad.
Recommendation: I would definitely recommend this book.

Continue reading “Bobivese – Book 1: We Are Legion (We Are Bob) – By Dennis E. Taylor” →

Bobivese – Book 1: We Are Legion (We Are Bob) – By Dennis E. Taylor

Adventurers Wanted – Book 4: Sands of Nezza – By M. L. Forman

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , 1 Comment

Hiya Jared,

Due to the unfortunate deficiency of the local library system (and me being too cheap) I’ve been forced to skip the 3rd book of this series, Tomb of Albrek, in my reread of the series. The only reason I chose to do this is because I had actually already read it before, and relatively recently. (Within the last 2 and a half years.)

On the bright side, you can expect my review of book 5, Axe of Sundering, this Friday.

sandsofnezza.jpgTitle: Sands of Nezza
Series: Adventurers Wanted; Book 4
Author: M. L. Forman
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: EU/AU, Medieval, Higher Magic, Dragons
Synopsis: A call for help draws wizard Alexander Taylor into an adventure that he knows nothing about. To save a friend, Alex must travel to the land of Nezza, a land where war is part of daily life, where adventurers are imprisoned, and where all magic is believed to be black. Chance brings Alex into contact with young Rallian, a prince who might just be the true king of Nezza, and Alex s desire to do good sets loose a spell that could drive the land into all-out war. Alex must find a way for Rallian to be crowned king while also bringing peace to the land, but his magic and wizardry alone cannot make peace happen. His task is made more difficult when he learns that a group called the Brotherhood is actively working to keep the people of Nezza divided. Join Alex and some familiar friends in their search to unite the land of Nezza in this new adventure that will test their courage to the very core.
Recommendation: Highly recommend this series. Great for younger and older readers alike.

Continue reading “Adventurers Wanted – Book 4: Sands of Nezza – By M. L. Forman” →

Adventurers Wanted – Book 4: Sands of Nezza – By M. L. Forman

The Dagger and the Coin – Book 3: The Tyrant’s Law – Daniel Abraham

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

Hey Jared,

Ok, I don’t really know what to do for this review. Either my experience was reflective of the material or…….I’m just completely unfocused.

thetyrantslawTitle: The Tyrant’s Law
Series: The Dagger and the Coin; Book 3
Author: Daniel Abraham
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Dragons (Extinct?), Magic
Synopsis: The tyrant Geder Palliako had led his nation to war, but every victory has called forth another conflict. Now the greater war spreads out before him, and he is bent on bringing peace. No matter how many people he has to kill to do it. Cithrin bel Sarcour, rogue banker of the Medean Bank, has returned to the fold. Her apprenticeship has placed her in the path of war, but the greater dangers are the ones in her past and in her soul. Widowed and disgraced at the heart of the Empire, Clara Kalliam has become a loyal traitor, defending her nation against itself. And in the shadows of the world, Captain Marcus Wester tracks an ancient secret that will change the war in ways not even he can forsee.
Recommendation: Adult, but mid to late teen could probably read it too. Series is highly recommended!

Continue reading “The Dagger and the Coin – Book 3: The Tyrant’s Law – Daniel Abraham” →

The Dagger and the Coin – Book 3: The Tyrant’s Law – Daniel Abraham

The Four Thousand, The Eight Hundred By Greg Egan

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

Hey Jared,

Another short read, but not as good as the last one.

fourthousandeighthundred.jpgTitle: The Four Thousand, The Eight Hundred
Author: Greg Egan
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Distant Future, Space Colonization
Synopsis: Camille is desperate to escape her home on colonized asteroid Vesta, journeying through space in a small cocoon pod covertly and precariously attached to a cargo ship. Anna is a newly appointed port director on asteroid Ceres, intrigued by the causes that have led so-called riders like Camille to show up at her post in search of asylum. Conditions on Vesta are quickly deteriorating—for one group of people in particular. The original founders agreed to split profits equally, but the Sivadier syndicate contributed intellectual property rather than more valued tangible goods. Now the rest of the populace wants payback. As Camille travels closer to Ceres, it seems ever more likely that Vesta will demand the other asteroid stop harboring its fugitives.
Recommendation: Recommended but only barely.

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The Four Thousand, The Eight Hundred By Greg Egan

THE RITHMATIST – BOOK 1: THE RITHMATIST SERIES – BY BRANDON SANDERSON

Lisa, , , 2 Comments

Hello all!

First things first- we all made it to 2018! I feel like I probably haven’t posted since I lost a kidney… but during recovery and since then, I have read many books, maybe even while I should have been studying. What can I say? Books are my brain food.

therithmatistTitle: The Rithmatist
Series: The Rithmatist Series
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy
Audience: YA
ROTS Setting: Alternate Reality, Magic, Clockwork
Synopsis: More than anything, Joel wants to be a Rithmatist. Chosen by the Master in a mysterious inception ceremony, Rithmatists have the power to infuse life into two-dimensional figures known as Chalklings. Rithmatists are humanity’s only defense against the Wild Chalklings—merciless creatures that leave mangled corpses in their wake. Having nearly overrun the territory of Nebrask, the Wild Chalklings now threaten all of the American Isles.

As the son of a lowly chalkmaker at Armedius Academy, Joel can only watch as Rithmatist students study the magical art that he would do anything to practice. Then students start disappearing—kidnapped from their rooms at night, leaving trails of blood. Assigned to help the professor who is investigating the crimes, Joel and his friend Melody find themselves on the trail of an unexpected discovery—one that will change Rithmatics—and their world—forever.

Recommendation: I wholeheartedly recommend this book. Teens or older.

Continue reading “THE RITHMATIST – BOOK 1: THE RITHMATIST SERIES – BY BRANDON SANDERSON” →

THE RITHMATIST – BOOK 1: THE RITHMATIST SERIES – BY BRANDON SANDERSON

The Murderbot Diaries – Book 1: All Systems Red by Martha Wells

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , 5 Comments

Hey Jared,

Ok. Getting back into things has been harder than I remember. I always struggle after Lisa has been home (no school or work) for a few days and this has been two weeks. But no excuses! I will prevail.

all systems red.jpg

Title: All Systems Red
Series: The Murderbot Diaries; Book 1
Author: Martha Wells
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Distant-Future, FTL (Wormholes?), AI
Synopsis: In a corporate-dominated spacefaring future, planetary missions must be approved and supplied by the Company. Exploratory teams are accompanied by Company-supplied security androids, for their own safety. But in a society where contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder, safety isn’t a primary concern. On a distant planet, a team of scientists are conducting surface tests, shadowed by their Company-supplied ‘droid — a self-aware SecUnit that has hacked its own governor module, and refers to itself (though never out loud) as “Murderbot.” Scornful of humans, all it really wants is to be left alone long enough to figure out who it is. But when a neighboring mission goes dark, it’s up to the scientists and their Murderbot to get to the truth.
Recommendation: I recommend this book. Teens or older.

Continue reading “The Murderbot Diaries – Book 1: All Systems Red by Martha Wells” →

The Murderbot Diaries – Book 1: All Systems Red by Martha Wells

Proof of Concept by Gwyneth Jones

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , 3 Comments

Hey Jared,

I’ve been a little MIA the past couple of weeks due to all the holiday stuff and some major life changes in the not too distant future. I’ve found it increasingly difficult to just sit and read, so I’m not making any promises of anymore posts for the year.

Also check out the Brandon Sanderson’s State of Sanderson post if you haven’t already.

proofofconceptTitle: Proof of Concept
Author: Gwyneth Jones
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Distant-Future, Potential-FTL, AI
Synopsis: On a desperately overcrowded future Earth, crippled by climate change, the most unlikely hope is better than none. Governments turn to Big Science to provide them with the dreams that will keep the masses compliant. The Needle is one such dream, an installation where the most abstruse theoretical science is being tested: science that might make human travel to a habitable exoplanet distantly feasible. When the Needle’s director offers her underground compound as a training base, Kir is thrilled to be invited to join the team, even though she knows it’s only because her brain is host to a quantum artificial intelligence called Altair. But Altair knows something he can’t tell. Kir, like all humans, is programmed to ignore future dangers. Between the artificial blocks in his mind, and the blocks evolution has built into his host, how is he going to convince her the sky is falling?
Recommendation: I do not recommend this book. Nothing particularly wrong with it but I don’t feel it’s worth your time.

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Proof of Concept by Gwyneth Jones