This is such an unusual book and not the kind that I normally choose to read. However, I had seen other people’s reactions and the central theme intriThis is such an unusual book and not the kind that I normally choose to read. However, I had seen other people’s reactions and the central theme intrigued me: a group of astronauts from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, living in the space station for a few months, orbiting the Earth.
I found that I learned so much from the book: how the orbit of the space station moves over different parts of the Earth (it took me quite a while to understand this), the beauty of the Earth’s natural and human made features, the background and interactions of the astronauts and how they manage to live together in such a confined place, and the effects of the whole mission on those people left behind.
I am so glad that I decided to read Orbital. I am left with the feeling that I experienced an amazing poem about the beauty of our home planet....more
What a terrific book! Such a difficult subject to write about but Jojo Moyes tackled it with wit, occasional and much needed humorous touches, and poiWhat a terrific book! Such a difficult subject to write about but Jojo Moyes tackled it with wit, occasional and much needed humorous touches, and poignancy. The characters were beautifully and subtly crafted (I really loved the heroine with her eccentric clothing and chaotic family) and the plot kept me interested. I don't know anything about what it must be like to live as a quadriplegic, I hope that I never have to know, but Moyes must have undertaken a great deal of research to write about this in such a realistic manner.
The subject matter of the book is almost unbearable, but Moyes’ writing lifts the gloom and gives the reader hope and a silver lining at the end....more
Well, I don’t think that this has ever happened to me before in all my decades of reading! To be honest, I very nearly gave up on this book when I wasWell, I don’t think that this has ever happened to me before in all my decades of reading! To be honest, I very nearly gave up on this book when I was about a third of the way through. In the end, having read a comment on here, I decided to persevere and was totally blown away by the time I finished the book.
The reason for this is that I simply misunderstood the structure of this book. That first third is necessary in that Williams spends that time building his amazing world with historical and geographical background, the differing intelligent beings, animals and nature, and towns and buildings. He also sets up the cast of characters, showing the reader how they are living, the relationships between them, their previous deeds and so on. Our hero, Simon, starts off as a gawky, naive, teenage boy with a lot to learn and experience.
After the reader has discovered all of this, the plot then begins to gain some pace. More adventures take place and the book becomes very exciting.
So, I could have made a mistake by putting this book aside at 30%, but I am so glad that I didn’t. And now I’m really looking forward to reading the next book in the trilogy!...more
Well, what can I say about this book? I am such a fan of LMB’s writing, but this was such a disappointment. Some aspects of the plot were good, mainlyWell, what can I say about this book? I am such a fan of LMB’s writing, but this was such a disappointment. Some aspects of the plot were good, mainly the first half. I mean killing monsters is usually pretty exciting stuff. However, the story then became a rather pedestrian romance with aspects of “will her family accept him?” (I expect “will his people accept her?” is the plot of the next book in the series).
But, the elephant in the room is the huge age difference between our two lovers. I mean, IMHO, ten years is acceptable, twenty is dodgy, but anything beyond that is a mixture of ridiculous, awful and possibly abusive. This spoiled the whole tale for me.
One other thing: what possessed LMB to name her hero “Dag”? ...more
This was a long book, but the strength of the writing and characters, the beautifully written setting and the obvious depth of research that must haveThis was a long book, but the strength of the writing and characters, the beautifully written setting and the obvious depth of research that must have gone into this book made the whole experience immersive and enjoyable.
I liked the way that the story was told by a woman in her nineties for a beloved grandson. Some parts were from the past, the early twentieth century, other sections were from the old lady’s life in the 1990s. I found the structure of the book interesting and it held my attention throughout.
The changing social attitudes and how they affect the characters were very important to the plot and reminded me of the TV series “Upstairs, Downstairs” and also “Downton Abbey”.
I noticed a couple of interesting hints towards the end, which tied up some loose ends - or did they? Anyway, the book is well worth reading....more
As a retired librarian I had to read this book! I really love the idea of getting the right book into the right hands. I tried to do this all of my caAs a retired librarian I had to read this book! I really love the idea of getting the right book into the right hands. I tried to do this all of my career and I feel so privileged that I was able to work as a librarian.
In the book, however, these intrepid women were not in a (usually) warm, comfortable and well stocked library building, but battling through the countryside with rain, snow, floods and mud on horseback! They also had to contend with hostility, rejection and even violence from their potential “customers” and from some local townspeople. The bravery of women like this, working to bring a wonderful service to people scattered around in tiny settlements is awe inspiring.
The main characters were really interesting and there were well written interwoven storylines with definite romantic elements. The customs and traditions of the time and the ways that the plucky women dealt with them were gripping in parts. Plenty of heroines and heroes to cheer and villains to boo!
The book is based on real events in the USA in the 1930s and 1940s and I would love to know how widespread the service was and whether it continued in some areas....more
This final book in the series was my least favourite, but there were definitely good parts of the book:
* The Icefalcon’s character had not been very dThis final book in the series was my least favourite, but there were definitely good parts of the book:
* The Icefalcon’s character had not been very developed in the preceding books. We were told quite a lot about his appearance, skills and weapons, but he seemed to be quite distant and austere. In this book, he really grew as a person and it was really interesting to read about the changes.
* There were intriguing descriptions of magical technology that had been, apparently, hidden away for thousands of years of years, but were resurfacing for a variety of reasons.
* Many parts of the plot were exciting and well written as were the descriptions of the various settings.
* It was nice to encounter well-loved characters from the previous books now and then. I also enjoyed reading about Tir and how he was growing up.
However, some sections of the book did not work well for me. The “spirit walking” became irritating and there was a strange jump in the plot with the arrival of our hero-wizard. Also, everything was too rushed at the end to kind of round off the tale.
It is definitely worth reading this book if you have read the rest of the series first, but I wouldn’t recommend it as a standalone....more
I was so pleased when I found out that Hambly had written two more books in the Darwath series. As I had just been re-reading the first three after a I was so pleased when I found out that Hambly had written two more books in the Darwath series. As I had just been re-reading the first three after a break of many years, the discovery was like the cherry on top of the cake! Hambly has clearly developed as a writer over the intervening twenty years or so from the first book in the series to this one.
It was so nice to get re-acquainted with my favourite characters in a setting five years on from the original trilogy. They are facing new enemies and obstacles in this book. The plot is exciting and gripping, although I continue to wonder how Ingold Inglorion manages to survive, given the detailed descriptions of his numerous injuries at several points in the tale!
All in all, this was a really enjoyable read....more
I have give this incredible book four stars rather than the full five because I really struggled to read it. It is incredibly complex and the structurI have give this incredible book four stars rather than the full five because I really struggled to read it. It is incredibly complex and the structure was difficult for me. Although I once lived in Canterbury, I have never read the Tales. In Hyperion, Simmons uses the structure of Chaucer’s famous work, by having each main character tell a story, which eventually weave together.
The language and writing of the book is extraordinary. I can understand why it has become such a science fiction classic. I knew that it was written some years ago, but was surprised when I saw that it was first published in 1989. Simmons description of AI, future technology, political systems and the amazing complexity of life on the teaming worlds is just amazing.
There are several more books in the series, but I don’t know if my intellect is up to reading them. Perhaps I should have immersed myself in them a few years ago before I had the stroke!...more
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has mystery, danger, intrigue and romance all rolled into a gripping tale about how prejudice and fear of discoveryI thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has mystery, danger, intrigue and romance all rolled into a gripping tale about how prejudice and fear of discovery can whip up a community until the members are prepared to commit horrors upon the innocent. The author also writes an excellent and courageous heroine in this story.
The setting is a small town in Nebraska during WWII. The people live with a dark and evil secret that has been casting a dark cloud for many years. A German professor, Max, who has travelled to America to escape the war in his home country takes a job in the town. He is racked with guilt from past actions and the truth about these unfolds slowly. A range of despicable acts are committed in the town and Max is blamed for them. Only one person, Jenni, who is protecting her own secrets, believes in his innocence. All of these strands lead to an explosive conclusion.
I will definitely look out for this writer’s next book....more
Having read Paolini’s gargantuan book To Sleep in a Sea of Stars, I was pleased to come across another in the series. As this is a prequel I was interHaving read Paolini’s gargantuan book To Sleep in a Sea of Stars, I was pleased to come across another in the series. As this is a prequel I was interested to see what the author would do. Thankfully, this book is a lot shorter!
The plot is a classic travel story, but one set on a planet with an extremely hostile environment: a dry, rocky desert plain with a powerful headwind. A small group of astronauts attempt to walk, dragging their equipment, towards a gigantic alien created hole in the ground. The tension between the travellers, aggravated by accidents, mistakes, malfunctions and aggressive behaviour is very well written and builds steadily towards the final ending. The noise made by the hole punctuates the writing and the increasing volume suffered by the astronauts is shown by increasing the size of the font. I could easily imagine how dreadful something like that would feel!
There is some controversy about the cover (AI) which has affected some of the book’s ratings, which seems to me to be quite unfair to the author....more
Another terrific book in a terrific series! I love the relationship between the two main characters as it continues to develop. Their conversations arAnother terrific book in a terrific series! I love the relationship between the two main characters as it continues to develop. Their conversations are funny and very well written. The plot this time seemed to start quite slowly, but it developed into a tremendous crescendo of exciting twists and turns.
Sullivan is rapidly becoming one of my favourite authors for his ability to write such entertaining and exciting books that distract me from my day to day worries and concerns....more
I am in two minds about this book. In many ways it was an enjoyable and escapist fantasy adventure with some sex thrown in for entertainment value. InI am in two minds about this book. In many ways it was an enjoyable and escapist fantasy adventure with some sex thrown in for entertainment value. In others it was a collection of plagiarism from well known fantasy authors with a nasty theme of killing off expendable young people in fairly inventive ways.
There were very few original ideas in the book. I immediately thought of Anne McCaffrey’s Pern, although the female characters in this book had, thankfully, some more up-to-date views!
So, it was good for escapism, but very derivative and I won’t bother to read the sequels....more
This was an OK kind of read. I found the relationship between the main character and her sidekick irritating and the plot rather predictable. I don’t This was an OK kind of read. I found the relationship between the main character and her sidekick irritating and the plot rather predictable. I don’t think I will return to the series....more
This must be the first time that I have read a Fantasy/Science Fiction crossover. Friedman melds the two genres together in quite an interesting way, This must be the first time that I have read a Fantasy/Science Fiction crossover. Friedman melds the two genres together in quite an interesting way, especially in her scene setting. The descriptions of the planet where the story takes place are a novel mix with alien creatures as well as “fae” forces and powers which act upon the planet and its inhabitants.
Unfortunately, some of the characters are less well drawn and the plot often drags in places, which is why I put the book aside for a while. The last third, or thereabouts, was probably the best part, but I am not sure whether I will read the rest of the trilogy....more
I think this must be my favourite of the series so far, and I will definitely carry on reading. These books are a brilliant mix of terrific charactersI think this must be my favourite of the series so far, and I will definitely carry on reading. These books are a brilliant mix of terrific characters, an ingenious plot, dark humour and a little magic “something” that makes them gripping and unputdownable! Out two heroes become embroiled in a dark mystery with some new and interesting characters. Does everything turn out OK? Well, you would have to read these books yourself to find out!
Very poor writing about an interesting and heartbreaking (true?) story. I managed to finish, because I wanted to know how everything turned out, but iVery poor writing about an interesting and heartbreaking (true?) story. I managed to finish, because I wanted to know how everything turned out, but it was an effort to read the dry, stilted prose. It felt like reading a terribly bad translation.
There are so many better books about these horrific events and I definitely won’t stir myself to read her other books in the series....more
This was an enjoyable and satisfying read. I loved the developing relationship between the two main protagonists, Royce and Hadrian, which brings a toThis was an enjoyable and satisfying read. I loved the developing relationship between the two main protagonists, Royce and Hadrian, which brings a touch of humour. There were more POV characters who became a gripping part of the plot with a lot of plotting! All in all, I am starting to love these books as they are a great way to escape a difficult life.
I may take a break for a while, but will soon return to Sullivan’s brilliant books....more
I really enjoyed this book and am so pleased that I have found the author! It’s great when you come across a “new to you” writer who has created severI really enjoyed this book and am so pleased that I have found the author! It’s great when you come across a “new to you” writer who has created several well received and recommended series.
I loved the relationship between the two main male characters, the parallel plot with the female characters, the dark humour, the scene setting and the unexpected (by me) twists in the story. It is all very well done!
I am now really looking forward to reading more books set in this world!...more
