Lockstep by Karl Schroeder – Review
Book Reviews , eBook reviews / April 30, 2014

Lockstep by Karl Schroeder is a space opera sci-fi novel which tells the story of Toby McGonigal who wakes up after a drift into cold sleep to be confronted with a new and confusing world.  He must learn about the lockstep and his place within this new society.  I was given a free copy by Tor/McMillan to review. I should point out straight off the bat that sci-fi/space opera is not a genre with which I am very familiar.  In some ways that is a good thing; I am not so clued in to the standard tropes of the genre, as I am with contemporary fantasy, which means I can approach the story with perhaps fresher eyes.  On the other hand, I freely admit some of Schroeder’s subtleties may have been lost on me.   What I liked The lockstep concept.  Because I am not so familiar with the genre, it took me a little time to get my head around the lockstep concept, but once I did get the general picture I could really appreciate what Schroeder did.  I’m not going to try to explain it – go read the book.  What I did like about it was the…

Lockstep by Karl Schroeder – Review
Book Reviews , eBook reviews / April 30, 2014

Lockstep by Karl Schroeder is a space opera sci-fi novel which tells the story of Toby McGonigal who wakes up after a drift into cold sleep to be confronted with a new and confusing world.  He must learn about the lockstep and his place within this new society.  I was given a free copy by Tor/McMillan to review. I should point out straight off the bat that sci-fi/space opera is not a genre with which I am very familiar.  In some ways that is a good thing; I am not so clued in to the standard tropes of the genre, as I am with contemporary fantasy, which means I can approach the story with perhaps fresher eyes.  On the other hand, I freely admit some of Schroeder’s subtleties may have been lost on me.   What I liked The lockstep concept.  Because I am not so familiar with the genre, it took me a little time to get my head around the lockstep concept, but once I did get the general picture I could really appreciate what Schroeder did.  I’m not going to try to explain it – go read the book.  What I did like about it was the…

Silverthorn by Raymond E. Feist – Review
Book Reviews , eBook reviews / April 28, 2014

Silverthorn by Raymond E. Feist is the third book in the Riftwar Saga and together with A Darkness at Sethanon forms a kind of duology within the series.  This first part tells the story of Prince Arutha’s search for the magical silverthorn plant to cure his beloved Anita from magical poisoning and of the growing threat of Murmandamus, I consider Feist to be one of the master storytellers of his generation.  Let me tell you a story to prove it.  I studied language and literature at university and after four years of deep literary analysis sucking all the enjoyment out of reading I refused to read anything more complex than a Cosmopolitan for many, many years after graduation.  Not until, that is, a colleague loaned me Feist’s Shadow of a Dark Queen, the first in his Serpentwar saga.  I completely DEVOURED it and the rest of the series.  I was immediately drawn into Feist’s world of Midkemia and it reignited my love of reading that I’d all but forgotten.  When I bought my first Kindle and made the switch to ebooks, a book by Feist was also the first book I bought to ease my transition to the new format….

Silverthorn by Raymond E. Feist – Review
Book Reviews , eBook reviews / April 28, 2014

Silverthorn by Raymond E. Feist is the third book in the Riftwar Saga and together with A Darkness at Sethanon forms a kind of duology within the series.  This first part tells the story of Prince Arutha’s search for the magical silverthorn plant to cure his beloved Anita from magical poisoning and of the growing threat of Murmandamus, I consider Feist to be one of the master storytellers of his generation.  Let me tell you a story to prove it.  I studied language and literature at university and after four years of deep literary analysis sucking all the enjoyment out of reading I refused to read anything more complex than a Cosmopolitan for many, many years after graduation.  Not until, that is, a colleague loaned me Feist’s Shadow of a Dark Queen, the first in his Serpentwar saga.  I completely DEVOURED it and the rest of the series.  I was immediately drawn into Feist’s world of Midkemia and it reignited my love of reading that I’d all but forgotten.  When I bought my first Kindle and made the switch to ebooks, a book by Feist was also the first book I bought to ease my transition to the new format….

Reading Roundup – 25th April 2014
Book Reviews / April 25, 2014

First of all, I have a confession to make; I’ve not read very much this week.  If I’m being perfectly honest, I’ve become engrossed in the Lego The Hobbit game on my Playstation.  I wouldn’t consider myself a gamer at all, but these Lego games are so much fun – all the fun little details.   Anyway, I digress.  The two books I have been reading/listening to this week are Silverthorn by Raymond E. Feist and Lockstep by Karl Schroeder.  i am actually reading Silverthorn in French.  It would appear that ebook rights for the English version of Feist’s earlier works have not been granted.  Since I much prefer to read electronically, that leaves me with the French version.  Sigh.  I look forward to the day when you can buy an ebook from a different market with as much ease as you can a hard copy.  I am listening to Lockstep in audio and so far am very much enjoying it.  Reviews will come soon. Added to my library this week There have been some interesting deals on the Audible daily deals this week.  I picked up Jennifer Worth’s Call the Midwife narrated by Nicola Barber.  I love the BBC…

Reading Roundup – 25th April 2014
Book Reviews / April 25, 2014

First of all, I have a confession to make; I’ve not read very much this week.  If I’m being perfectly honest, I’ve become engrossed in the Lego The Hobbit game on my Playstation.  I wouldn’t consider myself a gamer at all, but these Lego games are so much fun – all the fun little details.   Anyway, I digress.  The two books I have been reading/listening to this week are Silverthorn by Raymond E. Feist and Lockstep by Karl Schroeder.  i am actually reading Silverthorn in French.  It would appear that ebook rights for the English version of Feist’s earlier works have not been granted.  Since I much prefer to read electronically, that leaves me with the French version.  Sigh.  I look forward to the day when you can buy an ebook from a different market with as much ease as you can a hard copy.  I am listening to Lockstep in audio and so far am very much enjoying it.  Reviews will come soon. Added to my library this week There have been some interesting deals on the Audible daily deals this week.  I picked up Jennifer Worth’s Call the Midwife narrated by Nicola Barber.  I love the BBC…

The Pilgrims by Will Elliott – Review
Book Reviews , eBook reviews / April 23, 2014

I received a copy of The Pilgrims by Will Elliott from Tor McMillan free to review – thank you, guys!  It tells the story of journalist Eric Albright and Stuart Casey, a homeless drunk, who stumble across a hidden door which leads them to the fantastical world of Levaal.  Naturally, there is an evil overlord they have to defeat.  As can be inferred from the ages of the protagonists, this is more adult contemporary fantasy than young adult.  The language and attitudes of the two main characters is more mature than that of your average Twilight or Mortal Instruments.  Not that that’s necessarily a bad thing. First off, I need to be totally honest and say I was unable to finish this book.  I started it at least a couple of times, and even bought it on Kindle as I find hardback books bulky and awkward to read now after several years of Kindling.  Yet, I was unable to get beyond the first third of the story.  Now, I don’t believe this is a reflection on the story or the author; just that I, personally, was unable to relate to the characters enough to become involved in their adventure.  it…

The Pilgrims by Will Elliott – Review
Book Reviews , eBook reviews / April 23, 2014

I received a copy of The Pilgrims by Will Elliott from Tor McMillan free to review – thank you, guys!  It tells the story of journalist Eric Albright and Stuart Casey, a homeless drunk, who stumble across a hidden door which leads them to the fantastical world of Levaal.  Naturally, there is an evil overlord they have to defeat.  As can be inferred from the ages of the protagonists, this is more adult contemporary fantasy than young adult.  The language and attitudes of the two main characters is more mature than that of your average Twilight or Mortal Instruments.  Not that that’s necessarily a bad thing. First off, I need to be totally honest and say I was unable to finish this book.  I started it at least a couple of times, and even bought it on Kindle as I find hardback books bulky and awkward to read now after several years of Kindling.  Yet, I was unable to get beyond the first third of the story.  Now, I don’t believe this is a reflection on the story or the author; just that I, personally, was unable to relate to the characters enough to become involved in their adventure.  it…

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare – Review
Book Reviews , eBook reviews / April 21, 2014

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare is the fifth in the Mortal Instruments series and the middle book of the second trilogy.  It continues the plot points set up in City of Fallen Angels.  We follow several plotlines; Clary’s attempt to infiltrate Sebastian’s and Jace’s fortress, Simon and the Lightwoods’ McGuffin hunt in an attempt to find a way to separate Jace’s soul from Sebastian’s and the furtherance of Sebastian’s dastardly plan.   Clare also explores some of the relationships in depth, notably Alec and Magnus Bane and also Simon’s relationship with Izzy.  Given the work put into them, I am rather nervous for these couples for City of Heavenly Fire.   What I liked Pacing.  One of my complaints about the previous book was that the pacing was not great.  This was considerably improved in City of Lost Souls.  Having set up the plot threads earlier, Clare was able to run with them and keep the narrative flowing.   Relationship development.  I really loved how the relationships developed in this book.  I became invested in Simon/Izzy, Maia/Jordan, Magnus/Alec.  Their actions and how it impacted their relationships came across as very believable.  I was particularly touched by Izzy’s backstory…

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare – Review
Book Reviews , eBook reviews / April 21, 2014

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare is the fifth in the Mortal Instruments series and the middle book of the second trilogy.  It continues the plot points set up in City of Fallen Angels.  We follow several plotlines; Clary’s attempt to infiltrate Sebastian’s and Jace’s fortress, Simon and the Lightwoods’ McGuffin hunt in an attempt to find a way to separate Jace’s soul from Sebastian’s and the furtherance of Sebastian’s dastardly plan.   Clare also explores some of the relationships in depth, notably Alec and Magnus Bane and also Simon’s relationship with Izzy.  Given the work put into them, I am rather nervous for these couples for City of Heavenly Fire.   What I liked Pacing.  One of my complaints about the previous book was that the pacing was not great.  This was considerably improved in City of Lost Souls.  Having set up the plot threads earlier, Clare was able to run with them and keep the narrative flowing.   Relationship development.  I really loved how the relationships developed in this book.  I became invested in Simon/Izzy, Maia/Jordan, Magnus/Alec.  Their actions and how it impacted their relationships came across as very believable.  I was particularly touched by Izzy’s backstory…