Science Fiction & Fantasy Books - Page 12

The Last Centurion

John Ringo

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 27 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Couldn't put the book down. 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Not Ringo's typical style of work. The action scenes were well written and realistic, just not very detailed. The mix of political philosophy and flashbacks took some getting used to, but looking back the novel reads like what it's supposed to be, the memories of someone who was "there" during a big historical event. A paradigm shift as it were. It's first person POV and obvious political slant are going to turn off some readers and for a science fiction novel, it's not very sci-fi; but it's a rock solid novel that makes suspension of disbelief and immersion in the storyline easy.

Editorial Review:

In the second decade of the twenty-first century the world is struck by two catastrophes, a new mini-ice age and, nearly simultaneously, a plague to dwarf all previous experiences. Rising out of the disaster is the character known to history as “Bandit Six” an American Army officer caught up in the struggle to rebuild the world and prevent the fall of his homeland—despite the best efforts of politicians both elected and military. The Last Centurion is a memoir of one possible future, a world that is a darkling mirror of our own. Written “blog-style,” it pulls no punches in its descriptions of junk science, bad strategy and organic farming not to mention all three at once

Lover Awakened (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 3)

J.R. Ward

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 221 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Good story and family of characters, but because I wanted it to be over, I gave it 2.5 stars. 2 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I was surprised that I wanted it to be over, because I love the family of characters and the conflicts with the bad guys. I'm having a hard time trying to define what I would change. I was impatient with Z's actions. Bella loved him and wanted him, but he kept refusing her throughout almost the entire book. He told her she deserved better than he, and he did mean things to her to break things off between them. Finally she moved away. This frustrating romantic development was a little too drawn out for me.

I don't mind the author switching around among three different stories, as long as she finishes each scene before switching to another. Most of her scene switching was ok, but there were a few that annoyed me. Two of them follow. On page 118, O stabs himself, and then the author immediately goes to two other stories. Ten pages later the author returns to tell what happened to O after the stabbing. This happens again on page 310. Phury is shocked at Z's appearance and tries to tell Z what is different, but Z walks away. We don't learn what is different until eleven pages later.

Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: nine. Setting: current day Caldwell, NY. Copyright: 2006. Genre: paranormal romantic suspense.

For a list of my reviews of other books by this author, see my 5 star review of "Dark Lover" posted 1/09/08.

Editorial Review:

Even within the vampire brotherhood, Zsadist is feared. Still bearing the scars from a tortured past, he is renowned for his unquenchable fury. Anger is his only companion, and terror is his only passion-until he rescues a beautiful female from the evil Lessening Society.

A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 3)

George R.R. Martin

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 749 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Is George R.R. Martin for real? Can a fantasy epic actually get better with each new installment? Fans of the genre have glumly come to expect go-nowhere sequels from other authors, so we're entitled to pinch ourselves over Martin's tightly crafted Song of Ice and Fire series. The reports are all true: this series is the real deal, and Martin deserves his crown as the rightful king of the epic. A Game of Thrones got things off to a rock-solid start, A Clash of Kings only exceeded expectations, but it's the Storm of Swords hat trick that cements Martin's rep as the most praiseworthy fantasy author to come along since that other R.R.

Like the first two books, A Storm of Swords could coast on the fundamentals: deftly detailed characters, convincing voices and dialogue, a robust back-story, and a satisfyingly unpredictable plot. But it's Martin's consistently bold choices that set the series apart. Every character is fair game for the headman's axe (sometimes literally), and not only do the good guys regularly lose out to the bad guys, you're never exactly sure who you should be cheering for in the first place.

Storm is full of admirable intricacies. Events that you thought Martin was setting up solidly for the first two books are exposed as complex feints; the field quickly narrows after the Battle of the Blackwater and once again, anything goes. Robb tries desperately to hold the North together, Jon returns from the wildling lands with a torn heart, Bran continues his quest for the three-eyed crow beyond the Wall, Catelyn struggles to save her fragile family, Arya becomes ever more wolflike in her wanderings, Daenerys comes into her own, and Joffrey's cruel rule from King's Landing continues, making even his fellow Lannisters uneasy. Martin tests all the major characters in A Storm of Swords: some fail the trial, while others--like Martin himself--seem to only get stronger. --Paul Hughes

Victory of Eagles (Temeraire, Book 5)

Naomi Novik

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 24 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Naomi Novik’s triumphant debut, His Majesty’s Dragon, introduced a dynamic new pair of heroes to the annals of fantasy fiction: the noble fighting dragon Temeraire and his master and commander, Capt. Will Laurence, who serves Britain’s peerless Aerial Corps in the thick of the raging Napoleonic Wars. Now, in the latest novel of this dazzling series, they soar to new heights of breathtaking action and brilliant imagination.

It is a grim time for the dragon Temeraire. On the heels of his mission to Africa, seeking the cure for a deadly contagion, he has been removed from military service–and his captain, Will Laurence, has been condemned to death for treason.

For Britain, conditions are grimmer still: Napoleon’s resurgent forces have breached the Channel and successfully invaded English soil. Napoleon’s prime objective: the occupation of London.

Separated by their own government and threatened at every turn by Napoleon’s forces, Laurence and Temeraire must struggle to find each other amid the turmoil of war and to aid the resistance against the invasion before Napoleon’s foothold on England’s shores can become a stranglehold.

If only they can be reunited, master and dragon might rally Britain’s scattered forces and take the fight to the enemy as never before–for king and country, and for their own liberty. But can the French aggressors be well and truly routed, or will a treacherous alliance deliver Britain into the hands of her would-be conquerors?

Fables Vol. 10: The Good Prince

Bill Willingham

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

a good fable 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

The Good Prince is an interesting story arc, sort of a side trip (though with much damage done to the Adversary) made by a background character. I found it difficult to care as much about Flycatcher as I did Snow, Bigby and the rest. It was a touching trip for us to make, but I hope we are now back to the real tale.

Who knew Fly had it in him!? 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Wonderful story starring our humble janitor as a different kind of hero, finding his own way to persevere and win. I hope the peace can last in Haven.

Editorial Review:

This 10th volume in the best-selling, award-winning series collects the epochal "Good Prince" storyline.

Flycatcher, a background player in the FABLES series, is drawn into the spotlight as he discovers the startling truth about his own past as the Frog Prince. At the same time, he learns that the Adversary -- Gepetto, the manipulative Fable who forced the Fables community into exile -- plans to destoy his foes once and for all. Only Flycatcher and his army of ghosts has a chance of stopping the Adversary from wiping out his home. But how can the meek Flycatcher undertake this deadly task?

White Night (The Dresden Files, Book 9)

Jim Butcher

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 126 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

The White Night...another good book from Jim Butcher 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

An action packed, Harry Dresden adventure.

This is another in the Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher. Butcher's hero, Harry Dresden, is a wizard/private investigator who has his own battery of unusual resources and methods of getting things done. Because Harry's 'involvement' usually leads to confrontations, there is always something happening to keep your interest; it makes it easy to read on and on, often well into the night.

In this episode, some of Harry's lesser magical female brethren have being committing suicide, or have they; enter Harry and Murph to get to the bottom of this enigma.

Butcher's tales are fast paced and fun to read. The main plot, not unexpectedly, deals with fighting the evil hordes, but there were other things about this book that I really liked. There are, for instance, sprinklings of humor (often sarcastic or cynical), some eroticism and even some profound musings regarding love (and love lost), loneliness, pain and death. I found it hard not to like and feel some empathy towards Harry; he's probably one of my favorite fantasy figures.

In addition, there are also a number of 'side' characters in this book that I really enjoyed. Especially the lecherous Bob the Skull (my type of nonentity), Elaine, Lash and Lara, each with their own unique personalities and agendas.

Conclusion:
A typical Harry Dresden fantasy adventure; action packed, fast and fun, and with the occasional, ever so subtle, deeper philosophical moments.
If you like Jim Butcher's writing style, you'll love this addition to the Dresden files.

R.Nicholson

Editorial Review:

The inspiration for the Sci Fi channel television series

In Chicago, someone has been killing practitioners of magic, those incapable of becoming full-fledged wizards. Shockingly, all the evidence points to Harry Dresden's half-brother, Thomas, as the murderer. Determined to clear his sibling's name, Harry uncovers a conspiracy within the White Council of Wizards that threatens not only him, but his nearest and dearest, too...

Fool Moon (The Dresden Files, Book 2)

Jim Butcher

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 102 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Chicago's many breeds of werewolves 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

In this action-packed sequel to Storm Front, Chicago's only wizard deals with an astonishing infestation of werewolves. (It stands to reason that when many American cities have to contend with suburban coyotes that Chicago would come up with something much worse.) In this lively and noir fantasy, Harry Dresden learns about the astonishing variety of werewolves, is caught in the cross-fire between mobsters and FBI and, for good measure, his former ally, Lt. Karrin Murphy of the Chicago Police, arrests him for withholding information from her. He gets beaten up many times, but gets lucky only once.

Harry continues to be a chivalrous idiot, by being overprotective and refusing to share information with his allies. His "issues" with technology continue to be useful. He's an attractive and sympathetic character who plunges into a giddy romp with nightmare beasts. Call this a comedy wherein a lot of people get ripped to shreds...and I'm not kidding.

Editorial Review:

Could a werewolf be loose in Chicago? Common sense says no. The grisly evidence says yes. So does Harry Dresden. And with his weird connections, he should know....

Extras (Uglies)

Scott Westerfeld

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 51 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Fame

It's a few years after rebel Tally Youngblood took down the uglies/pretties/specials regime. Without those strict roles and rules, the world is in a complete cultural renaissance. "Tech-heads" flaunt their latest gadgets, "kickers" spread gossip and trends, and "surge monkeys" are hooked on extreme plastic surgery. And it's all monitored on a bazillion different cameras. The world is like a gigantic game of American Idol. Whoever is getting the most buzz gets the most votes. Popularity rules.

As if being fifteen doesn't suck enough, Aya Fuse's rank of 451,369 is so low, she's a total nobody. An extra. But Aya doesn't care; she just wants to lie low with her drone, Moggle. And maybe kick a good story for herself.

Then Aya meets a clique of girls who pull crazy tricks, yet are deeply secretive of it. Aya wants desperately to kick their story, to show everyone how intensely cool the Sly Girls are. But doing so would propel her out of extra-land and into the world of fame, celebrity...and extreme danger. A world she's not prepared for.

One Foot in the Grave (Night Huntress, Book 2)

Jeaniene Frost

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 55 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Excellent book! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This was a great read. Cat has grown as a person and has come to accept herself and Bones. I love the direction the book is taking. I liked this ending better than the ending in book one. I'm so glad the truth is revealed in regards to Cat's conception. Can't wait to see what the future holds for Bones and Cat.

Editorial Review:

You can run from the grave, but you can't hide . . .

Half-vampire Cat Crawfield is now Special Agent Cat Crawfield, working for the government to rid the world of the rogue undead. She's still using everything Bones, her sexy and dangerous ex, taught her, but when Cat is targeted for assassination, the only man who can help her is the vampire she left behind.

Being around him awakens all her emotions, from the adrenaline kick of slaying vamps side by side to the reckless passion that consumed them. But a price on her head—wanted: dead or half-alive—means her survival depends on teaming up with Bones. And no matter how hard she tries to keep things professional between them, she'll find that desire lasts forever . . . and that Bones won't let her get away again.

Fatal Revenant: The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant

Stephen R. Donaldson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 64 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Simply Engrossing 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

As other reviewers here have written, it would be difficult in the extreme to discuss aspects of this book, without giving away important plot and story concepts/secrets.
So, let's deal simply with it's strengths.
Like all good genre fantasy or science fiction, the first and foremost important feature of a well crafted book is its ability to draw you in and completely immerse you in an 'alternate' reality.
Stephen Donaldson has never failed to provide this visceral thrill. His 'Chronicles of Thomas Covenant' books have been a fan favorite since the late 70s and Fatal Revenant is no different.
There are some who will complain about his verbose writing style, while others revel in the sheer detail such density provides. My personal benchmark for whether or not a book is 'delivering on the goods', is whether or not the world it describes is at all times believable. If so, I usually cannot put the book down. That was the case here.
Every character unique and exquisitely fleshed out, plot twists that were at times somewhat predictable, were always well executed and the unenviable task of having your characters adventure across time with all the inevitable paradoxes that could ensue... being able to keep all those story elements in line, clear and concise for the reader? Not an easy task.
As a second installment of a trilogy... Revenant did exactly what it was designed to do, left you thirsting for more.
What exactly happens when you break all the laws of nature to bring back the 'Land's' greatest savior/threat?
I'm not sure... but can't wait to find out.

Editorial Review:

The instant New York Times bestseller, and the return of the Thomas Covenant series— “a landmark fantasy saga.”(Entertainment Weekly)

In the most eagerly-awaited literary sequel in years, Linden Avery, who loved Thomas Covenant and watched him die at the end of Book Six, has returned to the Land in search of her kidnapped son, Jeremiah. As Fatal Revenant begins, Linden watches from the battlements of Revelstone while the impossible happens—riding ahead of the hordes attacking Revelstone are Jeremiah and Covenant himself, apparently very much alive. But Covenant is strangely changed…