Science Fiction

The Orion Plan – By Mark Alpert

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

I’m late. A whole month late and I am sorry. I’d gotten a few weeks ahead so I took a bit of a break and just like always I’ve had trouble getting back in the groove. But no more! I’m back with this recently (three months ago) released book.

orionplanTitle: The Orion Plan
Author: Mark Alpert
Genre: Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Modern, Aliens
Synopsis:  An alien probe crash lands in New York City. A scientist, a gangster, a drunk, and a terminally ill woman all play critical roles in humanities first encounter with entities beyond our solar system.
Recommendation: Teen-Adult. There were some mature themes but nothing too extreme.

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The Orion Plan – By Mark Alpert

Robert’s Failed Attempts (DNF) #1

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Here are some of the books I started reading but couldn’t finish, for whatever reason. They will be put under  “In Dispute” on The List. Sometimes beginnings or circumstances keep good books from getting finished and not because they are bad books. The Final Empire is a perfect example for me of a bit of a dry start combined with my just not being ready or receptive for that particular style. Once I was ready I discovered the awesomeness that is the Mistborn Series. Even now I wonder why I didn’t finish that first book years ago. So, just because I couldn’t finish a book doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad book. If it’s a bad book I’ll go out of my way to finish so I can tell you all exactly why it’s bad.

So, here are my recent failed attempts (DNF).

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Robert’s Failed Attempts (DNF) #1

Armada – By Ernest Cline

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

Hey Jared,

You’ve been pretty quiet lately. If I didn’t see you drooling over $4000 toys on Facebook I might be concerned for you. Anyway, here is the breakdown…..

Armada-Cover.jpgTitle: Armada
Author: Ernest Cline
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: CU, Near Future, Aliens
Synopsis: In the near future, Zack Lightman discovers himself on the front line of an alien invasion. But not to worry, the government has known for a long time and they have been preparing humanity for this event for decades…..and gamers are going to save the world.
Recommendation: I echo the Teen recommended audience and reading level. It has more modern references so the younger ages shouldn’t feel as lost as they might have in Ready Player One. It was a decent read that I found it enjoyable.

 

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Armada – By Ernest Cline

The Martian – By Andy Weir

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , 2 Comments

Sup Jared?

……Sorry about that. I’m starting to get bored of starting every review the same and Mark might have been a touch of a bad influence on my professionalism.

18007564.jpgTitle: The Martian
Author: Andy Weir
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Modern, Hard Scifi
Synopsis: Mark Watney is stranded on Mars. His fellow crew members, thinking him dead, left him behind. He was very much not dead. Follow his struggles and triumphs in this realistic, hard science, look at surviving a failed mission to Mars.
Recommendation: Mild language, but over all a pretty easy read. A 12 year old could probably get by without too much difficulty. An understanding of the more complex technical aspects may require an older reader. WARNING: Book contains several old people references. Notably music of the 70’s and movies of the 70’s and 80’s. Continue reading “The Martian – By Andy Weir” →

The Martian – By Andy Weir

Game Review: Star Wars Battlefront 2015 , PS4 Edition.

Jared, , Leave a comment

Hello,

I know this isn’t a book and doesn’t necessarily relate very well to books but over Christmas I played with Robert the new Battlefront game. Back on the PlayStation 2 we owned and played for hours both the Star Wars Battlefront, and Battlefront 2. We especially enjoyed the campaign and galactic conquest modes. I’ve played with various 2848833-2848826-star+wars+battlefront+key+artpeople on dozens of co-op split screen games, mostly in campaign modes.

So when we started on the new Battlefront we where surprised that there was NO campaign, NO galactic conquest, and a very limited split screen mode. Robert and I had played every level of co-op in about an hour and a half. The game is beautiful with rich environments, easy and intuitive controls. The vehicles are impressive and fun. I especially like the speeders how I really felt like I was on the edge of control. All focused on the original star wars trilogy. Everything about the game feels good and authentic.

Just without a Story or Campaign mode, the new Battlefront doesn’t try and tell a story. So it feels like only half a game. A setting to a beautiful book, just without a plot of characters.

Honestly this means that I will not be playing the new Star Wars Battlefront 2015 game. I’ll be spending my $60 on Star Wars Battlefront 2 2005 for the PS2. It’s so sad that a 10 year old game does better.

 

See ya,

Jared

Links

 

Game Review: Star Wars Battlefront 2015 , PS4 Edition.

The Book of Phoenix – By Nnedi Okorafor

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

Hey Jared,

Great to see you finally getting words on a page. Your reply on the Ranger’s Apprentice really points out that it needs a review of the entire series as a whole. We’ll need to figure out a good way to do that….I might have some ideas but I’ll need to get them sorted.

Anyway, I read this little book in a day. It was a good read and a pleasure to dig into.

The-Book-of-PhoenixTitle: The Book of Phoenix
Series: N/A (Prequel to “Who Fears Death”)
Author: Nnedi Okorafor
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU/EU, Near Future, Apocalyptic
Synopsis: Phoenix is only 2 years old, but in the body of a 40 year old woman. If only that was the strangest thing about her or her fellow “projects.” When events begin to spin rapidly out of control, Phoenix must choose to remain as she is or spread her wings and fly. Her decision will either let the world march to inevitable destruction or set it on fire.
Recommendation: Late teens to adult. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it.

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The Book of Phoenix – By Nnedi Okorafor

Ready Player One – By Ernest Cline

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

Yo Jared,

I finished this bad boy late last night……or really early this morning. Anyway, holidays are in full swing so reading has been low on the priorities, but you know all about that.

021915_ReadyPlayerOne_CoverTitle: Ready Player One
Author: Ernest Cline
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: CU, Near Future, Virtual Reality
Synopsis: Set in a dystopian version of our own future where climate change and the energy crisis collided. The only escape from bleak reality is the OASIS virtual reality gaming system. When the eccentric and mildly insane inventor of the gaming rig dies suddenly, he setting in motion the largest egg hunt in human history where the winner will inherit everything he owns in both realities. The catch? No one can get past the first clue. That is until Parzival/Wade changes everything. Slog through 80’s refences, pop culture, video games, and movies in this ultimate Easter Egg hunt.
Recommendation: The target audience is definitely teenagers of the 80’s (who are now old people), but nerds and geeks of all ages will probably get something out of it. Some of the subject matter might not be appropriate for younger kids but perfect for teenagers.

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Ready Player One – By Ernest Cline

News – The Expanse; Pilot Episode

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

This isn’t going to be a book review. Sorry. But it’s at least related.

I stumbled across the pilot episode of The Expanse that airs this coming Monday, Dec 14th and finally got around to watching it. As Syfy channel shows go, this is one of the better ones. It’s still too early to tell, but I’m actually looking forward see how they portray the books and where they add or step away from them. As you know I’ve read most of the books released and am currently reading the 5th and most recent one. (Check out my review of the first book.)

(UPDATE: Pilot episode was set to “private” as of Dec 20, 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvZeQD1Vf2s however you can view it along with episodes 2, 3 and 4 over at Syfy.com.)

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News – The Expanse; Pilot Episode

Breaking Sky – By Cori McCarthy

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

Jared,

Finished this book early this morning. Finally. I have so much to do with the holidays coming up and this book was difficult to get through. Anyway, check it out.

Breaking SkyTitle: Breaking Sky
Author: Cori McCarthy
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Near Future
Synopsis: Set in a dystopian-esc America which has been backing into a lonely corner by Chinese drones, Chase “Nyx” Harcourt must battle daddy issues, cat fights, a psychotic psychologist turned school counselor, not being told about extremely classified information she doesn’t need to know, and not having her newest boy toy have a break down because she just wants him for his body……and she hasn’t even left the ground yet in one of only two super jets.
Recommendation: Even factoring in how I hate teen/high school drama, I still don’t recommend this book. Mild spoilers ahead.

– – Spoilers – –

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Breaking Sky – By Cori McCarthy