Science Fiction

Zeroes Series – Book 1: Zeroes – By Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan & Deborah Biancotti

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , , , Leave a comment

Hey Jared,

Yes, that is three authors. It makes the title of this review really long but I didn’t want to diminish their work by leaving any off or just doing their last names. And yes, this is another book about kids with superhuman abilities or powers. I’m starting to get a little tired of the genre and almost didn’t finish this one.

zeroesTitle: Zeroes
Series: Zeroes Series; Book 1
Author(s): Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan, Deborah Biancotti
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Teen/YA
ROTS Setting: AU, Superpowers
Synopsis: Six Californian teens have superpowers and for a time they were friends. But when personalities collide they went their separate ways until the actions of one threatens to reveal them and their powers to the world. Can they unite in time to keep their secrets hidden while avoiding police and drug lords alike?
Recommendation: Not a terribly original take on superpowered teens, but it was still worth reading.

Continue reading “Zeroes Series – Book 1: Zeroes – By Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan & Deborah Biancotti” →

Zeroes Series – Book 1: Zeroes – By Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan & Deborah Biancotti

Spinward Fringe Series – Broadcast 0: Origins – By Randolph Lalonde

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

Hey Jared,

My reading has suffered. If it’s not the ankle biter begging to go to the park (and playing Pokemon Go along the way) then it’s Rimworld or some other game dropping a big update. Thus I’m a day late and feel only a little guilty.

spinwardfringeoriginsTitle: Origins
Series: Spinward Fringe; Broadcast 0
Author: Randolph Lalonde
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Distant Future, Super High Tech
Synopsis: Jonas and his friends become the unlikely crew of a ghost ship sent out to gather/steal new tech in hopes of saving their home. But the galaxy is even darker and more brutal than they could ever assume. Can he keep them alive or are they destined to become corporate bio assets.

Continue reading “Spinward Fringe Series – Broadcast 0: Origins – By Randolph Lalonde” →

Spinward Fringe Series – Broadcast 0: Origins – By Randolph Lalonde

DNF – Becoming Human by Eliza Green

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , , Leave a comment

becominghuman

I’ve been chipping away at this book for 3 weeks. I’ll admit being on the road for a week didn’t help one bit. We’re now in Spokane, WA and should be for another couple of weeks before we’re on the road again.

There isn’t anything glaringly wrong with this book. Just reading the first few paragraphs and I could tell it’s head and shoulders above either of the eBooks I’ve attempted recently. I’m considering this a FAIL (failure to complete) because I’m only half way and it’s really not catching my interest, but there isn’t any specific reason or problem. It’s just not doing it for me right now.

My impressions are that the author isn’t very experienced, but everyone has to start out somewhere. This inexperience creates a few rough spots but nothing glaring or inexcusable. The characters are well thought out and have real personalities and stories but I think they haven’t been allowed to come through enough. The plot line, as of half way, was a little meandering and certain parts were a little weak but both could be addressed in the latter half of the book.

I seriously might attempt this book again. For now, however, I’m setting it aside.

Robert

DNF – Becoming Human by Eliza Green

The Exodus Trilogy – Book 1: Exodus – By Andreas Christensen

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

Ok. I’m done with this book. I’m just over 50% of the way and I just can’t do it anymore. Again about 10% of the way in and I knew I wasn’t going to enjoy it but it at least had quotation marks. You deserve a complete analysis of a book, not just part of it. So I soldiered on, but no more. The soldiers have been massacred and those few survivors are scarred and broken.

exodusTitle: Exodus
Series: The Exodus Trilogy; Book 1
Author: Andreas Christensen
Genre: Fiction w/ a touch of bastardized science
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Near Future, Pre-Apocalyptic, Science-less Science Fiction
Synopsis: Plot points disguised as science. Science raped, eviscerated, and then stood up as a warning to logic and reason. (In all seriousness, a rogue planet atomizes Mars before lazily strolling toward Earth. America is able to keep the knowledge secret for years while they build a spaceship to colonize another planet 40 light years away……because that it the safest course of action with the greatest probability of success.)
Recommendation: Don’t. Just don’t.

Spoilers….Hahaha….More like a Public Service Announcement

Continue reading “The Exodus Trilogy – Book 1: Exodus – By Andreas Christensen” →

The Exodus Trilogy – Book 1: Exodus – By Andreas Christensen

First Born – By Brandon Sanderson

Jared, , 1 Comment

Hello Robert,

I just got my first library card in about 7 years. Aside from college IDs which give access to school libraries. The Edmonton Public Library system is quite impressive to he honest. They have 3D printer maker spaces, sound studios, and tons of events and classes all for free. Honestly going to the library is way cooler than it used to be. Aside from the evil librarians though.

Title: Firstborn17699268
Series: Stand alone
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Sci-fi
Audience: Young Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, FTL(Faster Than Light), Advanced Tech
Synopsis: This morality tale follows a younger brother Dennison Crestmar, who lives his life as all younger brothers due. In the unbearable shadow of his older brother the Silvermane the war hero Varion Crestmar.
Recommendation:
This actually isn’t a book it is more of a short story I read it in like an hour and a half. There isn’t too explicit of content. You only get a description of like two deaths. Any 4th grader should be able to this with reasonable ease.

Continue reading “First Born – By Brandon Sanderson” →

First Born – By Brandon Sanderson

TV Series Review: The Expanse – Season 1

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

the-expanse-full-bannerI’ve been meaning to write a bit about this first season of The Expanse since I finished it. Having read the books, I’m actually very impressed with the quality of the show. For me, Syfy is more synonymous with low budget cheesy TV movies than epic scifi. So the fact that the acting is pretty good, the visuals are top notch, and the writing is sticking close to the source material while still adapting for the difference between books and TV, it comes as a bit of surprise. Pleasant surprise but it’s still a bit of a shock.

As I mentioned already I think the storyline has been pretty good. I love that they introduced Avasarala from the beginning. It’s earlier than the books but she’d been able to build her character, and Holden’s, while providing a good overview of the massive changes that Holden heralds. I can’t remember specifics but there are other minor changes that either take advantage of future knowledge or they are taking advantage of the switch to television.

TheExpanse_gallery_ConceptArt_14Holden is more annoying because of his apparent younger age. Comes across whiny. He’s had decent acting and writing. Naomi, has been a strong character, but I’m waiting for her to be developed a bit more before passing judgement. Alex seems a little weak, but that sort of fits the books and the actor hasn’t settled into the role yet. Amos……he irks me and I don’t know why. It could be a minor slip in the acting and scripting, but he just seems off from the books. Not tough enough and too baby face? There’s just something off.

I love the ships and stations. Seriously the visuals beat out some triple A games and big budget movies. The designs are both futuristic and yet very practical. The form/function combo creates an amazing atmosphere.

Really, I can’t wait for the second season which should air in “early 2017”. Almost as much as I can’t wait for the next book coming this fall. If you’ve read the books but haven’t taken a look at the show, I urge that you do. Then come back and let me know what you think.

Robert

Links

TV Series Review: The Expanse – Season 1

Imperial Radch Trilogy – Book 1: Ancillary Justice – By Ann Leckie

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

Hey Jared,

I didn’t know if I’d finish this in time, but I made it. I might have had to give up playing Black Desert Online. MMO’s come and go but books are forever……That could make a good hashtag…..If I used hashtags. #ButBooksAreForever

ancillaryjustice.jpgTitle: Ancillary Justice
Series: Imperial Radch Trilogy; Book 1
Author: Ann Leckie
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Distant Future, AI, FTL
Synopsis: Breq isn’t human. Breq is an ancillary, a biological appendage of a ship AI. When her ship and other-selves are lost in an act of treachery and supreme betrayal she sets out to avenge her loss. Along the way she blurs the lines of what it means to be human as she navigates a distant future with strange cultures and traditions.
Recommendation: Could have been in the YA section. Unusual concepts of “self” and gender pronoun usage. This style might be too much for some people, but I quite enjoyed it.

Continue reading “Imperial Radch Trilogy – Book 1: Ancillary Justice – By Ann Leckie” →

Imperial Radch Trilogy – Book 1: Ancillary Justice – By Ann Leckie