The Mars Trilogy – Book 1: Red Mars – By Kim Stanley Robinson

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , 3 Comments

Jared,

I’m finally done this book! It took me two weeks but I’m done. Not the actual reading time but it wasn’t an easy book to get into.

redmarsTitle: Red Mars
Series: The Mars Trilogy; Book 1
Author: Kim Stanley Robinson
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: Near-Future, Mars, Terraforming, Colonization,
Synopsis: For eons, sandstorms have swept the desolate landscape. For centuries, Mars has beckoned humans to conquer its hostile climate. Now, in 2026, a group of 100 colonists is about to fulfill that destiny. John Boone, Maya Toitavna, Frank Chalmers & Arkady Bogdanov lead a terraforming mission. For some, Mars will become a passion driving them to daring acts of courage & madness. For others it offers an opportunity to strip the planet of its riches. For the genetic alchemists, it presents a chance to create a biomedical miracle, a breakthrough that could change all we know about life & death. The colonists orbit giant satellite mirrors to reflect light to the surface. Black dust sprinkled on the polar caps will capture warmth. Massive tunnels, kilometers deep, will be drilled into the mantle to create stupendous vents of hot gases. Against this backdrop of epic upheaval, rivalries, loves & friendships will form & fall to pieces–for there are those who will fight to the death to prevent Mars from ever being changed.
Recommendation: For those adults who appreciate Mars-porn.

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The Mars Trilogy – Book 1: Red Mars – By Kim Stanley Robinson

Hype Train #3 – Five Kingdoms #5 + The Expanse #7 + Spinward Fringe #11

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, 2 Comments

Book news, cover reveals, release dates, rumors, and liberal amounts of hype.

Just a reminder, everything posted here is subject to change. This merely represents the most recent information at the time of posting. For the latest information check out our New Release Calendar.

Continue reading “Hype Train #3 – Five Kingdoms #5 + The Expanse #7 + Spinward Fringe #11” →

Hype Train #3 – Five Kingdoms #5 + The Expanse #7 + Spinward Fringe #11

Royal Assassin – The Farseer Trilogy – By Robin Hobb

Jared, , 2 Comments

Hey Robert,

So I just found that Goodreads is not only a place to look up books but there is a whole community aspect. So I now have an account and add me if you want to. I hope to find new and exciting things.

About this series though I am not quite sure why I am still reading it.

Title: Royal Assassin19888960-_sy540_
Series: Farseer Trilogy; Book 2
Author: Robin Hobb
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU,
Synopsis: Fitz Chivalry Farseer returns from the mountain kingdom to Buck Keep and nothing is quite the same as it was before.
Recommendation: For some reason, I do not understand why I like this book. Yes, I would definitely recommend this book. Teens and older could understand and not be put off by the content.  Continue reading “Royal Assassin – The Farseer Trilogy – By Robin Hobb” →

Royal Assassin – The Farseer Trilogy – By Robin Hobb

Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell – By Brandon Sanderson

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

Hey Jared,

I’m slowly getting though all of Sanderson’s smaller works and I’m starting to really enjoy novella length. Short enough to read in a couple of hours, but long enough to have many of the aspects of longer novels. But I’m still struggling with short stories.

shadowsforsilenceTitle: Shadows for Silence in the Forest of Hell
Series: Cosmere
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Magic
Synopsis: When the familiar and seemingly safe turns lethal, therein danger lies. Amid a forest where the shades of the dead linger all around, every homesteader knows to follow the Simple Rules: “Don’t kindle flame, don’t shed the blood of another, don’t run at night. These things draw shades.” Silence Montane has broken all three rules on more than one occasion. And to protect her family from a murderous gang with high bounties on their heads, Silence will break every rule again, at the risk of becoming a shade herself.
Recommendation: Adult or late teen.

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Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell – By Brandon Sanderson

Fablehaven – Book 3: Grip of the Shadow Plague – By Brandon Mull

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

Jared,

I’m continuing my read through of Fablehaven. Every book I’m falling deeper and deeper in love with this series. Which means I’m getting more and more hyped for Dragonwatch, the sequel series out Mar.14.2017.

gripoftheshadowplagueTitle: Grip of the Shadow Plague
Series: Fablehaven; Book 3
Author: Brandon Mull
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/Teen
ROTS Setting: EU, Modern, Magic, Fairies, Demons
Synopsis: Kendra and Seth have been unable to return home after their flight to Fablehaven earlier in the summer. The Society of the Evening Star is eager to get their hands on them, so the safest place is to remain on the deadly magical preserve. But when Kendra leaves to help on a vital mission things are anything but safe in Fablehaven. Creatures of light are falling to darkness at an alarming rate, with no clues to why.
Recommendation: Highly recommend this series. Early teens and up can easily handle this book. I advise moderate caution with younger readers as there are some darker themes.

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Fablehaven – Book 3: Grip of the Shadow Plague – By Brandon Mull

The Vagrant Trilogy – Book 1: The Vagrant – By Peter Newman

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , 3 Comments

Jared,

I was really excited for this book…..at the beginning. Now? Not so much. The author has some skill and for the right reader this is probably amazing. I am not the right reader.

THEVAGRANT.jpgTitle: The Vagrant
Series: The Vagrant Trilogy; Book 1
Author: Peter Newman
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Demons/Monsters, Advanced Tech
Synopsis: The Vagrant is his name. He has no other. Years have passed since humanity’s destruction emerged from the Breach. Friendless and alone he walks across a desolate, war-torn landscape. As each day passes the world tumbles further into depravity, bent and twisted by the new order, corrupted by the Usurper, the enemy, and his infernal horde. His purpose is to reach the Shining City, last bastion of the human race, and deliver the only weapon that may make a difference in the ongoing war. What little hope remains is dying. Abandoned by its leader, The Seven, and its heroes, The Seraph Knights, the last defences of a once great civilisation are crumbling into dust. But the Shining City is far away and the world is a very dangerous place.
Recommendation: Definitely for Adults. This may not be for everyone. Recommended but not highly.

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The Vagrant Trilogy – Book 1: The Vagrant – By Peter Newman

Mistborn – Short Story: The Eleventh Metal – By Brandon Sanderson

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , 1 Comment

Jared,

Next month is going to be crazy. 7 new releases, and most of those are from some pretty big authors. So many books to read so little time……thus the Thursday post.

Have you seen/played this before? You’ve got nerdy friends. One of them is bound to have this sitting in a closet somewhere.

eleventhmetal
Mistborn Adventure Game Cover Art

Title: The Eleventh Metal
Series: Mistborn, Cosmere
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Higher Magic (of sorts)
Synopsis: This story was written specifically for the Mistborn Adventure Game, a tabletop RPG. Please keep in mind that the story was intended to help a GM bring his players up to speed on the world if they haven’t read the books. There are a few goodies for those who want to know more about Kelsier, but this story is not meant to stand wholly on its own.
Recommendation: Adult or late teen. Servers as a good intro to the Mistborn setting and then followed up with the main books.

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Mistborn – Short Story: The Eleventh Metal – By Brandon Sanderson

Dragonriders of Pern – Book 2: Dragonquest – Anne McCaffrey

Jared, , , 1 Comment

Robert,

So I listened to this one as an audiobook rather than reading it and wow it’s only like a 3-hour book. I’ve seen movies shorter than this book.

Title: Dragonquestdragonquest
Series: Dragonriders of Pern: Vol. 2
Author: Anne McCaffrey
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Dragons
Synopsis: 7 years have passed since Lessa went between times to bring to the future the old timer dragonriders. While they have been saved from the impending doom of the threads, all is not in harmony on Pern. Conflicts arise within the dragonriders and from the lord holders.
Recommendation: I really liked this. Still recommended for teens and adults if they can understand the sexual content and ideas.

 

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Dragonriders of Pern – Book 2: Dragonquest – Anne McCaffrey

February Book Haul

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder5 Comments

I’m going to post this instead of doing another hype train. It’s hype-ish and I just don’t have the energy to comb through everything for new info. As for the haul, I was way more selective this time around. Focusing on filling out my collection, especially with an eye out for books I’m going to want to read with my son in a few years. Ironically enough, said son got a fever the night after getting these.

wp-1487340283156.jpg

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February Book Haul

Fablehaven – Book 2: Rise of the Evening Star – By Brandon Mull

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

Jared,

Have you read this series? If not, you’re missing out. This is my second time and it’s been many years. I had initially liked them, but didn’t really love them. However, I am not completely convinced that these are wondrous.

riseoftheeveningstarTitle: Rise of the Evening Star
Series: Fablehaven; Book 2
Author: Brandon Mull
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/Teen
ROTS Setting: EU, Modern, Magic, Fairies, Demons
Synopsis: Kendra and Seth returned from their summer at Fablehaven changed in more ways than one. When Kendra sees things she shouldn’t at school things rapidly spin out of control. When Fablehaven, filled with creature who could kill you at any turn, becomes the safest place for them things are only just getting started.
Recommendation: Highly recommend this series. Early teens and up can easily handle this book. I advise moderate caution with younger readers as there are some darker themes.

Continue reading “Fablehaven – Book 2: Rise of the Evening Star – By Brandon Mull” →

Fablehaven – Book 2: Rise of the Evening Star – By Brandon Mull