Of Science Fiction

Robson, Butcher, Hanilton, Et Al

2010-04-25T00:50:00.002-05:00

Well, Ive read everything on my list except the one I probably should have read first (but my step-daughter is reading it -maybe she'll review it). And I can catch you up to my reading list quickly and efficiently by author/ In alphabetical order:

Butcher (The Harry Dresden Saga)-

I not only read the one on my list, but have read the next one as well. I don't know what it is about Dresden that always seems to evoke a response, but it does. This is not classic fantasy, heck its not classic anything, but its a good entertaining read. Harry always seems to have a price to pay for doing the right thing, and its amazing just who shows up to help him pick up the tab. If you haven't familiarized yourself with Harry Dresden - and you have an evening or two to devote to reading - you should. He's my favorite comic book character since Spider-Man, but much more accessible. Three Stars!

Hamilton (Merry Gentry Series)

Even the titles have become somewhat overly suggestive to the initiated. Frost is one of Merry's many elven lovers, so the title Licking Frost takes on the classic double entendre. Fortunately, while sex in semi-graphic detail is still a major component of the book, it is not the only component. Merry's story is advanced into yet another chapter of complication. Ms. Hamilton will have to work hard to keep all of Merry's lovers straight in the readers perceptions, much less all of the characters - of which there are more in this story. All in all, unless your into reading semi-soft porn, I'd give this one a bye. Ots not bad, but its slipping fast into one of the two traps of series writing - over-complication (the other being formulaic plots). Can the series be redeemed? Absolutely! And Ms. Hamilton is just the author to do it, but this isn't the book that will save the day. Two and a Half Stars

Robson (Quantum Gravity Series)

I finished the 4 book series with its unbelievable plot twists and devices. And most of it was pretty good. The ending sucked. Period. After all that build up and the potential of the main character, it was a total bust. Really an antithesis to the purpose of the main character and her travails. Sorry Ms. Robson. The first book was excellent, but you lost your way in the morass of settings and characters. One star.

Well, that's it until I can get the next couple of books back from my step-daughter. I am re-reading Paladin of Souls by one of my favorite authors who writes the best character driven books that I have read since Heinlein (And her characters are much, well, better). I'll keep reading. Anybody read any good books lately?

Rerun: Lord of Light

2009-10-29T04:32:00.003-06:00

"His followers called him Mahatmasaman and said he was a god. He preferred to drop the mahatma and the aman and just be called Sam. He never claimed to be a god. But then again, he never claimed not to be a god. Circumstances being what they were, neither admission could be of any benefit. Silence, though, could.

"Therefore, there was mystery about him."

- Opening papargraphs from Lord of Light

Its always tough to review a master and not sound like you're just one of the multitude that love his work. Guilty! That's me - I love Zelazny. I've never read a bad book or short story that he wrote. But even he had works that stood out from the bulk of his writing. Lord of Light is one of those works. It won the Hugo in 1968 (when even I was just a pup) and has stood the test of time as a classic. Its every bit as cogent and timely now as it was back then - heck, maybe more so.

Immortality has been granted to the elite, by - well - the elite. They also have unimaginable technologies at their command. And so they rule their new world as gods. With all their human frailties, egos and insecurities still intact. Not a good thing for those not of the inner circle...at least as far as Sam is concerned. But what's one guy supposed to do? Raise demons and attack heaven? Well, if that's what it takes...

This book is an incredible mixture of mythology, science, politics and foibles. As always, Zelazny captures the best and the worst of the human condition in characters that are, at the same time, both larger than life and easy to identify with. This one makes my top 25, and is only just barely out of my top 10. But them again, This Immortal is in my top 10. Nobody writes like Zelazny. Thank God! I couldn't afford the darned books if there was another one!

The Devil's Eye by Jack McDevitt

2009-10-29T03:58:00.006-06:00

I literally just put this one down.

I must admit that in the beginning I was somewhat bored with the book. Just another Alex Benedict novel of galactic treasure hunting with a twist ending and smug smiles from our hero.

Wrong! This one turns into a nail-biter and Alex isn't the hero. Chase Kolpath, trusty pilot and sidekick manages to steal the show and save the world (literally) from its own short-sightedness as well as a small matter of an imprnding gamma ray bombardment that will only last 3 days. Now if only the Confederacy and the Mutes can get along after only a couple of centuries of hostilities, maybe somebody can do something. But who and what? The answer is formulaic and profound, its almost Zen in its causal/reactionary unfolding.

This is the best McDevitt I've read since The Hercules Text and it is much more approachable emotionally than that great work. This is a great read...and after I panned Cauldron. My faith is restored and my cup runneth over. I give it 4-1/2 stars. Which ain't perfect, but as close as you can get without actually being there. Read this one.

Catching Up

2009-10-29T03:55:00.003-06:00

Its been awhile since I've posted anything and even longer since I've posted anything worthwhile. So, while I haven't been blogging, I have been reading. A lot. And I will be posting comments on what I've read over the next few days. Sorry it took so long, but I did warn you.

So between now and Thanksgiving, I'm gonna post reviews on all the books I've read while NOT blogging. And I'm gonna re-run a couple of my older reviews that never made it to my blog before. I may even polish 'em up a bit for new company (but probably not). Hope that keeps your juices flowing for awhile and gives you some ideas on what to read (and maybe what not to read).

The New Jack McDevitt...Isn't New

2009-07-16T03:42:00.002-05:00

Cauldron by Jack McDevitt is the latest installment (and it looks like he is truly trying to make it the last) in the on-going saga of Priscilla Hutchins and exploring inter-galactic space; finding new or ancient cultures and how we, as humans, handle (or mishandle) them.

While the story is entertaining, it is the same story told again but without the intrigue. The mysteries are not quite so mysterious and the characters we have all met before, only with diffrent names. I'm thinking this novel was one the publisher pretty much said had to be written if any more checks were going to be coming from them.

That being said, McDevitt is still the master of cultural collision. What do cultures do when they share no experiences, no language and no history? Easy, they hurt each other, intentionally or not. Cauldron is no exception to McDevitt's exploration of alien encounters. Its fascinating to see the possibilities and embarassing to realize our shortcomings.

This one is a good read, fairly short, and entertaining enough that I finished it. Is is also formulaic and been done before. Or maybe I've just read too many of McDevitt's books. Its not worth a five star rating, so I'm giving it 3.

Greg Bear Does It Again!

2009-04-19T20:36:00.004-05:00

If you've never read Greg Bear, you owe it to yourself to do so. I recommend that you give a bye to the sequels (i.e.; Darwin's Children), but his original stories are unbeatable for pure speculation that has the ring of truth to it. Quantico is no exception. It was chilling in its realism and its topic: Bio terrorism.

Quantico involves the FBI, and other federal agencies run amok in purely political power plays as partisan politics have stolen America's ability to protect itself. The agent primarily in charge of finding the source and offender(s) of 2001's "Amerithrax" incident is still looking for them 20 years later. But the circumstances surrounding this incident have become more complex than anyone can conceive and it almost impossible to tell the good guys from the bad guys. Bigots, agencies, presidents, militaries and terrorists around the world are played and playing in a game that can ultimately destroy humanity - but who wants it to happen and who wants to stop it?

The last 100 pages were not "put-downable" as the possibilities and probabilities reach their crescendo, the pace becomes break-neck and thrilling. I was too scared to put this down. It was THAT real. I haven't experienced this kind of heart-racing engagement in a novel since I read The Sum of All Fears 20 years ago. It should scare the haughtiness out of us and cause us to questions ourselves, our government and our goals as a society. This isn't an anti-war book - far from it. It IS an anti-hate book. Read this and do what I did...think about it.

Dresden - Wizard At Large

2009-01-09T22:16:00.004-06:00

Ok, so Jim Butcher's books are being released as hardbacks (well, they were in November). So what if I was given a $25 gift card from Ebay? Should I have ordered Dresden File books? Probably not. There's so much to read out there, so little time....

However, keeping with the surge of graphic media becoming vastly popular (has anybody not seen The Dark Knight?) I thought I would see of these books were any good. I got copies of the first three in this still on-going series. So far, I've read the first.

And....ok, I liked it. I'll read the rest of them just to see how Harry does what it is he does. Its a one evening read, its definitelt comic book, and its overly black and white. The thing is that Harry lives in shades of gray. He knows that evil is evil and that anything that isn't evil is NOT necessarily good. But he lives in a world with people who expect black and white results. What's a wizard to do?

That's why I keep reading. I relate to Harry. You probably will, too. I'm not gonna rant and rave about the cultural impact of Harry Dresden, but I am gonna read some more of them. They're quick, they're fun and they piqued my interest. And they're a good reset between one VLN and the next. Read it if you're into that, don't if you're not. I am...and you might be surprised at how much your boss resembles some members of the White Council....or NeverNetherLand.

Wow, I haven't posted in awhile....

2008-12-07T17:41:00.002-06:00

...but I've been reading.

Time has become the second most precious commodity in my life. There is just never enough to accomplish everything that simply must be done, much less those things that simply need to be done. I am afraid that this blog is way down my list of things that I can spend time on. And its going to get worse. I work retail, so an econmoc downturn means that staff is cut, but expectations are raised. In January, I will become a step-grandfather to a grandson that will live in my house with his mother. I am still married to my most understanding wife and I have two other step-children who must get to school. sporting events, private trumpet and dance lessons, work, etc.

All that just to say my posts may become even more sporadic. I will try to make up for like of quantity with quality. And the next two posts are actually about books! Enjoy and I'll post when I can.

Finished at Last!

2008-12-07T17:01:00.004-06:00

Ok, it took me the better part of a year, off and on, to read this. Its not particularly easy to read unless you have an interest in etymology. I have a newly expanded vocabulary and now know what words like clinquant mean.. (Look it up! I had to...) But after adding dictionary.com to my favorites (my collegiate dictionary didn't have the words I was looking for), I have fished the book.

And it was superb!!

This guy Donaldson, he can spin a grand and sweeping epic of a story. The Land is still wonderful with larger than life vistas and characters. Every emotion in the world is evoked in the reader. Revelstone, Andelain, The Staff of Law....they are still able to provoke visions of splendor and majesty. And the characters we love to hate and hate to love. This is a study in conflict and it involves the reader deeply.

The First and Second Chronicles were great, but the conflicts, while evident, were mostly expressed externally to Thomas Covenant. In the Last Chronicle, Linden's conflicts are expressed internally and evidenced externally. We see what she's feeling and how her decisions or lack thereof effect the other characters instead of how the characters decisions effect her. It is masterful story-telling by a master. It is, basically, a re-telling of the best anti-hero story ever told from an internal perspective, from the mind and priorities of the anti-hero.

At the end of the last book, Thomas Covenant had returned with Linden's adopted son and needed her help. In this book, we learn the true condition of her son, we find out who her friends are and who is not. There are the same old antagonists and some new ones. We meet the maker of the first Staff of Law, Beren One-Hand, in person. We are shown the limits of Law and why there is a need for wild magic.

Read This! Start now so you can finish by next Christmas!

Twilight - Ok, I Admit It...Its Good

2008-12-07T16:40:00.007-06:00

*sigh* Once again my kids have dragged me into reading a book, and once again, its not bad. Make no mistake, Stephanie Meyer is not going to be compared with Hermann Melville or Issaac Asimov, but then again, she's probably made more money than both of them combined. This is perfect for its target market: teenage girls.

The hero is a major, major hottie, he's the most dangerous thing on the planet, and he's willing to change for the girl he loves. O-M-G! He's perfect! He drives a great car, even! And he rescues her from the bad guys...it just keeps getting better and better for our heroine.

I can see how this caught on. And, on top of that, its a truly original story told pretty dad-gummed well. Will I sit on the edge of my seat for the next one? No. But I'm over 40 and male. I wouldn't have done it for Elvis, either. Will I read the next books? Probably. Its, to me, (pardon the phrase) bubble-gum. Its entertaining, it doesn't take a lot of talent or effort to consume, and it tastes pretty good. I like a good easy read now and then.

Do I recommend it? Tough call. Are you a die-hard SF fan? This is NOT for you. Are you 13-20 and female? You will sigh a lot. Are you open to a good story with original characters that aren't too deep and have very uncomplicated emotional histories? You could read this. Do you like comic books? This is for you. I liked it. I did not love it, but then I wasn't supposed to.

OK, Maybe I'm Not My Kids...

2008-09-28T12:59:00.003-05:00

As fate would have it, I got the books I ordered on Ebay. And they were so damaged and beat-up that I asked the seller if I could return them. She was nice enough and said yes - at my expense. *Sigh*

This, of course, means my kids think that now I should go back to Barnes and Noble and buy new books. I simply refuse to do that. I have a long and rewarding history on Ebay. I have bought and sold there for almost 10 years and this is my first negative experience. I will not pay retail, dammit!

And , of course, that earns me the coveted "Eye Roll" award from each of my three kids. Who could ask for more?

Living Vicariously

2008-09-05T21:29:00.003-05:00

Its happened. I have become my kids. Let me explain....

My stepson needed a Spanish dictionary for school, so off I trot to Barnes and Nobles to procure one (this, of course was after the stop at Best Buy to upgrade his computer's memory and get a wireless card). My stepdaughter has ridden along and we have no more than stepped in the door than the laws of physics shift. Gravity is now emanating from the Stephenie Meyer Twighlight series and they, being smaller (NOT!) and weaker (definitely NOT!) than me, are sucked into the black hole produced exclusively by these novels of all the novels in the store.

I, on the other hand, have been living in la-la land, because, while I had heard of them I had no idea what they were about other than they contained vampire stories. I was also stupid enough to say so in front of these gravity-riddled masters of Facebook. I was quickly and efficiently imbued with all the information my synapses could handle - and in stereo no less. Then came the "no's". "No. I am not buying four novels at Barnes and Nobles at $23 a pop." "No. I will not advance your allowance." "No. You can't ask your mom and if you do, she will say no, too (I hope)."

So, of course, I run straight home, find them on E-bay, put in a bid on a set ending in two hours, win the bid and in 2-9 days, I will be the proud owner of four Stephenie Meyer novels, which I have staked out to read first. I may rent them to the step children to re-coup the expense, but I'd just have to give it back as allowance.

Sigh!

And I'll probably love them and just have to have the 5th book (which has been delayed because a draft was leaked - where else? - on Facebook). Senility has set in. I regress to 19 years old. Think my hair will grow back?

Tune in again soon for reviews....

Wholly Good Book -Unholy Domain by Dan Ronco

2008-08-25T22:10:00.009-05:00

For the action adventure fan out there, this one's for you. Religious terrorists, power hungry and ruthless technocrats, post-apocolyptic culture and society - its all in there. This is Silence of the Lambs versus Jim Jones and everybody stands to lose if our mild-mannered hero doesn't save the day.
SPOILER!SPOILER!SPOILER!SPOILER!SPOILER!
DO NOT READ IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW!
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

My only problem with this book that at the height of the clash, it ended. No resolution, no idea of the fate of the characters, no justice meted out. Can you say "Sequel"? I have stated before that I generally loathe series work, and this is a classic example of why. This isn't a series of building climaxes and accompanying denouments, its one long story broken up into seperate books. Its a dad-gummed soap opera. I HATE that. Why would you do that to your readers? Its like selling somebody junk bonds and skipping out when the market goes bad. I shall have to write to the author and ask him when to expect the rest of the story.

Otherwise, it is a well-written, captivating story with shoot 'em ups, showdowns, intrigue, full-out combat, and a little romance thrown in to spice things up. The bad guys (and there's a bunch of 'em) hate each other more than they want to rule the world (rather one is in the way of the other) and the interplay there is fascinating. It reads almost like a Robert Ludlum novel, accept the hero is a true innocent but fully cognizant of his past and the players affecting his future. Its good reading - not great - but darned good.

I probably would have given this 4 stars, but that ending just ruined the 4 stars for me. Its still worth reading just for the authors take on future technology, but if you want the whole story, you're probably going to have to buy (borrow, steal) another book.

Gone Away World Isn't Gone - Its Soon To Be On Your Shelves!

2008-08-19T22:55:00.004-05:00

I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book at the author's behest. I warned him that I had a list of titles I was valiantly trying to read through and that it might be awhile before I got to it. He assured me that he was personally familiar with that phenomenon and that he was untroubled by my slow approach to his writings, he just would like for me to read it. That's it, just read it. No opinions, no posts, no obligation whatsoever were necessary. So, of course, I read it immediately.

Every once in a while, one reads a book that encompasses a vast emotional palette in the reader. It elicits stark laughter, desperate sadness, pathos you could spread like peanut butter, satisfaction and triumph that absolutely require that one pump one's fist repeated from the shoulder height in a rapidly downward motion while mouthing an incomprehensible "YES!". This book is one of those. It is a treatise on humanity from the weird ( not "weird " as in geas or testament, just "weird" as in strange, offbeat).

It is a tale as only the British author can tell it, since they alone of the authors in the world seem to have the ability to say upfront to the reader, "OK, so it rubbish and completely unbelievable. Its still right good!". And just to provoke discussion, they write a damn good story. The Lord of the Rings is the most improbable collection of creatures ever assembled, yet its story is enduring and, ultimately, uplifting. The Hitchhikers Guide was asinine, yet enduring and funny and read and enjoyed by millions. Gone Away World is not anything remotely like these, but its still a tale of perilous decisions made by ineffective people, resulting in the small and disparate powers for "good" facing the organized, overwhelming, and clear-sighted powers of "evil". In other words, its "Mom & Pop vs. Erich Von Walmart to determine the fate of the world". (And no, there is no mention of Walmart in the book).

There is no point at which one can take this book for granted. The surprises are boundless and wonderful. The last line at the end of the climatic battle scene will soon be sported on T-shirts. It is perfect and just off-beat enough that one must be "on the inside" to truly appreciate it. It is the next "grok". And getting to the point where the line is uttered by our hero is what makes the line so satisfying to the reader. The build up is as long as the whole book, its delivery brief, it effect - perfect. It is both simple in its scope, and so encompassing of the whole story that it simply feels good to read the words.

I guess I should point out that I loved this book. Its not quite out in America yet, but it will be soon. Don't wait. Pre-order yours now and get all the goodies that come with that pre-order, because you are going to be hearing about this book and it will end up on your shelves one way or another. It is a classic, or at least, it will be. I am dusting off my 5-star rating for this one. Get this book! Read it! Or else remain ever ignorant. Ignorance, in this instance, isn't bliss. It is a loss. Read it, read it, read it, then pass it on so that the Voiceless Dragon lives! (Cryptic enough for ya?)

From The Minds of the Masters

2008-07-31T12:28:00.002-05:00

I found this at another bloggers site and loved it. The great writers of the 50's and 60's that literally laid the foundations for today's modern speculative fiction tell us candidly their opinion of their own creations. Its very dry but informative.

Making it to The Bigs!

2008-07-31T08:37:00.006-05:00

Mr. David Anthony Durham dropped me a note about his new book, Acacia. It seems that relatively soon it might be possible for audiences to enjoy his work without having to read a word. Relativity Media has bought the production rights and hired a screenwriter to adapt his book to the big screen.

You can check it out here.

Congrats!

Deep Inside?

2008-07-27T00:17:00.004-05:00

Ok, maybe this one is just a little out of my league.

Ms. Frost very graciously asked me if I would read her book of erotica, supernatural erotica. She sent me a copy and I dutifully read it. It is a collection of short fiction meant to be highly erotic, she told me.

This is where it leaves my usual bailiwick. I HATE to pan books, really HATE it. But this one was not very erotic, and to my way of thinking, not even very good. While some of the stories were very romantic (not in the classic sense, more like some very twisted individuals highly romaticized), they weren't at all entertaining, nor erotic, nor even titillating. Erotica is NOT my thing, per ce, but I loved Poppy Z. Brite's Love In Vein. That one would raise the Titanic. It was incredibly hot.

Deep Inside made it much easire to read my next books. They are engaging, I identify with the characters, I can suspend disbelief and enjoy them, None of which happened while reading Deep Inside. My recommendation? Give it a bye.

Just a note

2008-05-17T23:09:00.002-05:00

I have done what every blogger does eventually. I have started a new blog that has absolutely nothing to do with specualtive fiction. Its mostly rants, but feel free to visit and rant at me. Its at htpp://thoughtspinning.blogspot.com and it is my sincere hope that what I say there makes you angry, sad, or satisfied. I just hope that it give you sufficient cause to think. Rant over. At least here....

A Bright Spot

2008-05-03T23:06:00.010-05:00

Kay Kenyon's Bright of The Sky is the first book in her new (and first) series, The Entire and The Rose. I've read and discussed Mrs. Kenyon's books before amd have been quite impressed. Its very hard to describe, so it might be easier to describe what it is not; it is not hard science fiction, it is not fantasy, and it is not a classical romantic adventure novel. Yet is has elements of all of these and much more. She is a exceptional character writer, which lends much needed help to the reader in the suspension of disbelief. Her premises are absolutely fantastic and fantastical. But her characters seem to see them as such and react to them in very believable and sometimes very profound ways.

In Bright of the Sky, Earth is ruled by corporate entities that scour the populous for intelligent, productive people and pay the rest to stay out of the way. One of the super intelligent elite spurns the status quo to be a pilot, navigating through the FTL tunnels that are corporately created and maintained. During one of his flights, the tunnel collapses supposedly killing him, his crew, his wife and his very young daughter. Weeks later, he turns up on a planet, delirious, spouting nonsense about an alternate universe where his family is stranded. He refuses to recant and is corporately ostracized. He is given retirement and paid to stay out of the limelight.

Then, an AI in charge of maintaining one of the tunnels, is fed a problem in quantum physics by a student. It goes bonkers, shutting down the tunnel and killing several people in the collapse. But the data that is retrieved shows that particles exist and are shooting through the tunnels. Particles that can only come from a quantifiable and therefore existing universe that is different from our own. It exists across a thin quantum barrier that FTL technology inadvertently penetrates. And it turns out that one human being has been there and come back to tell the tale.

Oh! The profit potential of taking shortcuts through our universe by going through another! Can it be done? Will the denizens of the alternate reality be friend or foe? Is it even possible? Or will there be conflict? (The answer to that last one? This IS a series...).

Mrs. Kenyon has again painted broad scenes of fantastic proportions and developed characters that are multi-dimensional (no pun intended). This was a great read. The only problem I have is that after reading the book, the story is just starting. I have the second book and will read it forthwith because, dammit, its a good story!

Finally! A Book Review!

2008-04-02T21:30:00.003-06:00

I had to wait to talk about this one until my step-daughter finished reading it. Ms. Harrison made a visit to my little piece of the world, so we visited her and had her personalize a copy to the step-daughter. While we were there, Ms. Harrison dropped a hint or two about Rachel's future: We will definitely find out who killed Kisten, and there are 4 more books in this series. But this step in the journey concerns The Outlaw Demon Wails....

If you've read my reviews, you realize that I pretty much detest series work, unless the are exemplararily written and that basically they are a single story told in several volumes. An incredibly good writer can write complete books that stand alone in and of themselves, and are integral parts of a much longer story. Lois McMaster Bujold is the past master of this as evidenced by the Miles Vorkosidan series. Watch out, Mrs. Bujold, here comes Kim Harrison.

In this installment, the tension between Rachel and Ivy is settled (pretty much), we find out much more about Trent, and the world of demons comes into a clearer focus. Are there still mysteries? You betcha, but the reader leaves satisfied that the characters have grown, that the present challenges have been well and truly met. There are the inevitable loose strings, but the strings are vague, and like the characters, the reader is completely happy to leave them for another day.

In possibly the best book of the series thus far, Ms. Harrison further develops her core characters, introducing only one new somewhat minor character (doubtless to be developed later). She does vastly develop characters that were minor in previous installments, but the reader is already familiar with them and has already formed attitudes about what to expect from these characters....most times even correctly.

Our: Story:

Rachel is heartbroken about Kisten and depressed. Ivy is still trying to find a bllod balance with her. A new man is introduced (more than one, actually, but see the last paragraph about correctness of readers' assumptions) for Rachel's love interest, but that's undeveloped in this story. Ceri, the elfin princess that was Al's familiar, is, as one would expect, the savior of the elfin race. But her partner is surprising in both his identity and his character developments in this tale. Jenks is Jenks. All in all, its damned hard to write this review without spoilers. The Hallows have become such a comfortable place to visit that one just wants to talk about their adventures there and show off the pictures taken while on sojourn there. Rachel must save the day, defeat the nefarious bastards that are trying to kill her, and keep her soul and personality intact at the same time....again. Its a familair plot line, but the characters make this a more personal story than just the kick butt, shoot 'em up that it looks to be on the surface. Each character has their vunerabilities and weaknesses, even Al.

If you want to learn more, you'll just have to read this one. When you do, let me know what you think.

Geez! I thought I had a pretty good vocabulary...

2008-03-08T23:34:00.004-06:00

Goodness gracious! I have been deperately trying to get through Fatal Revenant for over a month. Its not that its a bad book, it isn't. Its just very heavy reading. I have to stop about every 5 pages, grab a dictionary, and look up what Mr. Donaldson is trying to tell me. His words, once the definitions are clear, are spot on and very descriptive. But Dang! I'm only about 1/3 of the way through and I'm just now getting into the action.

I'm going to set it aside again and read some Kaye Kenyon, Kim Harrison's new book from her Rachel Morgan series, and then maybe I'll come back to this. Its just taking forever for me to read this, and I consider myself a pretty fast reader.

Of course, maybe my vocabulary isn't what I thought it was. Its truncated rather than expansive. My comprehension is less than proliferate, maybe even circumscribed. *Sigh*
Ain't that a downer! I was a-thinking my teachers had done learned me real good.

Sci-Fi Love - Ain't It Grand?

2008-02-29T01:19:00.006-06:00

I was, of course, sniping ideas from other blogs and one of my favorites had a list of her favorite love stories in science fiction. So, of course once again, I'm going to steal it. Here's my list:

Neo & Trinity - The Matrix

What is a good savior story without a love interest? Neo had to love Trinity to overcome his own shortcomings in a lot of ways. His miraculous "removal" of the virtual bullet that was killing her in RT was how he discovered how fully he could manipulate The Matrix. Of course her death in real time removed his last obstacle to giving himself to save Zion and the Machine World from total annihilation. There's nothing like a Christ story to get the blood pumping (Read Frank Herbert's The Jesus Incident if you want a hard science fiction look at Christian dogma from a skewed perspective). This is a recurring theme in SF/F. Jonathan Michael Valentine Smith, Neo, Thomas Covenant and the VR brain in Otherworld. Agape at its best.

Beren & Luthien - The Silmarillion

How else would one describe the first union between the Elves of Middle Earth and Men? One word - Epic! Luthien was the daughter of one of the most powerful elves of Middle Earth. He rules hidden Dorthonion, the last of the great eleven kingdoms to fall to Morgoth and to be ruined by the Silmarils. But before Darthonion fell, Beren met and fell in love with Luthien. Men and Elves were not so estranged as they later became and Beren's father and Beren himself served Thingol and Melian (she, as was Tolkien's habit, was actually the power in Dorthonion. She was one of the Maia, a lesser god. Thingol was an Elf that had never left Middle Earth to go to the West and had built Doriath and later, with Melians help, he built and she hid the city of Dorthonion there). Beren stumbled into forbidden Doriath after a battle and was sick and wounded. Luthien found him and healed him. Love grew between them and Beren sought Luthien's hand from her father. He did NOT aprove. Thingol sent Beren to fetch the Silmaril that Morgoth had set in his crown, despite the warnings from his wife that there was no outcome that was good in doing so.

Beren, being in love, sets off to fulfill this requirement. Luthien sneaks away and joins him. And despite overwhelming odds, they succeed. On the return trip to Doriath, Morgoth sets his dog, Carcharoth, on them. Attempting to use the Silmaril to ward off the dog, Beren held aloft the jewel in his right hand. The dog bit it off. The Silmaril killed the dog, eventually. Luthien once agin healed Beren, but could not restore his hand. They returned to Dorthonion and confronted Thingol. Thingol demanded the Silmaril. Beren, now called One-Hand, held up his stump and declared that, even now, the Silmaril was in his right hand. Then Beren and Luthien departed the sight of elves and men for the remainder of their lives. Luthien chose to fade rather than live without Beren. And they were never seen again. Thingol never saw his daughter again, because she never entered the Halls of Mandos.

But from Beren , son of Beor, and Luthien, daughter of Thingol and Melain, came the race of Kings of Numenor. But that's another story...

Miles & Ekatrin - The Vorkosigan Saga

What good is space opera without a good love story? I've made no secret that I think the Vorkosigan Saga is probably the best space opera ever written and thus, this is one of its best love stories. Is there anyone out there who deosn't know who Miles Vorkosigan is? (If you do not, do yourself a huge favor and investigate thoroughly immediately! E-mail me if you need help.) The last four books in this amazing story are about Miles falling in love with and winning the heart of Ekatrin Vorsoisson. She is independent, smart, loyal, and beautiful. Which scares Miles to death. But, being Miles, he comes up with a battle plan. Only problem is, winning a woman's heart isn't a battle..its war!

These are my top 3 love stories. If you haven't read them, perhaps you should. Then we can have an argument about which was best. Which is great! Then we can make up and that's always fun!

Once Bitten...Bite Me Again!

2008-02-16T20:31:00.004-06:00

Ok, I have a small confession to make. I started reading MARVEL comics when I was about 5 years old (one of my babt-sitters discovered it was a great way to keep me quiet and out of trouble--I was hooked!). I still love Spider-Man, Daredevil and the Fantastic Four. Now this may seem immaterial, but its not. Into this challenge to the suspension of disbelief slinks Jaz Parks, ex-vampire slayer turned CIA assassin.

She is the proto-typical comic book heroine with a cast right out of MARVEL comics (and to be fair, DC as well). She is tough, yet haunted and vunerable. She is loyal and thus inspires heroic loyalty among her peers and comrades. She's smart, strong, sassy and daddy's little girl, the girl-next-door all rolled into a fast action, rock 'em, sock 'em heroine against the "We're going to end the world so we can rule what's left" bad guys. Its classic!

Jaz is introduced mid-story, we get glimpses of prelude as we go through the current story, including a mysterious benefactor that grants certain "advantages" to Jaz in her quest to save life, liberty and the American way. She and her 300-year vampire partner are given an assignment to take out a terrorist. But as they investigate, we are introduced to what every comic book character needs: the arch-nemesis. In this case its someone you never see called The Raptor. He is the brains behind the scenes pulling the strings as his minions attempt to release a curse that will, quite literally, consume the planet.

Is this "fantasie-haute"? Definitely not. Is it a great, larger-than-life story that tells the reader than, somewhere, some how, they can be better? Yep. Its a quick read and Mrs. Rardin is whipping them out faster than I can read them (3 books in six months), But, the first one is definitely worth reading. Especially for all those super-hero/heroine fans out there. Fortunately, that includes me.

Selling Out by Justina Robson

2008-02-12T08:30:00.000-06:00

In yet another interminable series (that's right, there will be more), I must say that this one is pretty entertaining. The characters are multiplying like crazy, our heroine is even more insecure thatn the first novel, and there are plenty of unexplained phenomena to frustrate the reader. Having said that, Ms. Robson's blending of pretty hard sci fi with classic fantasy elements is flawless. Her characters are all flawed in very human ways and therefore approachable if not downright likeable. I really hate to admit it, but PYR has brought out yet another great speculative work that deserves to be read. (I HATE series!)

The drawbacks: It is incredibly necessary that you read the first book prior to this one, or you will be completely lost. It IS a series book, so the story is not complete. Characters and places are becoming numerous - very numerous, with independent story lines a-plenty. I find that while this adds depth to the major characters, it can (and in this case does) detract from the central story.

Lila Black is sent to Demonia to research a tourist book for Ootopians (read: humans). While there, she inevitably gets caught up in local politics which are particularly nasty as can only be expected from demons. Meanwhile, her elvin boyfriend gets caught in Thanatopia from which all things elemental flow, but which cannot sustain any other kind of life as we know it. Meanwhile, (see what I mean?) her fairy partner is sailing the depths of non-space looking for ghosts with a renegade research group. Meanwhile, ... you get the idea.

This is a good book and, so far, an enjoyable series. If you've read Keeping It Real and enjoyed it, then you will definitely enjoy this one. If not, I recommend that you start immediately.

Whew! February At Last!

2008-02-01T21:09:00.000-06:00

I don't know about anyone else, but January was a busy, hectic and generally unproductive month for my little piece of the world. February promises to be a bit different; my promotion at work has been finalized (no more 14 hour days!), Spring is just around the corner, and things are happening!

Now, unfortunately for blogging purposes, I am taking my first real vacation in about 15 years. My wife and I are going on a cruise in the Western Carribean and generally eat too much and over imbibe for days! I am packing up two or three books to take along, so when I get back maybe I can post more than one review.

Don't bet the farm on it.

I have three books going right now; Fatal Revenat, Once Bitten Twice Shy and Selling Out. Of the three, only Fatal Revenant promises to take a while to read. (Why does reading Stephen Donaldson always make me feel like I have an awful vocabulary?) SO buck up, dear readers! Reviews will be seen here once again!

Thanks for stopping in. I'll have something actually worth reading soon (at least I hope so - in both instances!)

Well...Posting To A Blog...Who'd a Thunk It Was Tuff?

2008-01-19T01:27:00.000-06:00

Here it is, more than half way through January and not a single post.

Huh....

Yassee, I'm being promoted at work and I'm in transistion between one position and another. I am taking on new responsibilities while still keeping up with the old ones. I have to train my replacement when he comes along. We've rolled out a new and extremely complicated tracking process for new orders that I had to go through training on, and then go back and train my people on it, then follow up and make sure that we placed it in effect and that we were doing it according to SOP, etc, etc, ad nauseum.

The short tale is that I've been away from the computer in general, I haven't had a lot of time to read, and I've been playing with my Christmas present - an Ipod Touch. I've now just about filled my hard drive with videos of Farscape and Andromeda and I have 3 seasons of Andromeda left to watch.

I've finished about 6 chapters of Fatal Revenant and I just can't seem to stay with it. (Its a VERY heavy read).

Soooooo...

I'm going to chunk Revenant for awhile and read Jennifer Rardin's Once Bitten, Twice Shy and see how that goes. I'll let you know as soon as I can. I'm not quitting, I've just had other priorities temporarily. Things should calm down in February and I'll be boring you once again with my opinions.

Holidays Are Almost Over...Sequel Time!

2007-12-28T14:53:00.000-06:00

Let Me In - An Opinion

2007-12-07T22:21:00.000-06:00

SQT sent me this book because she was so overwhelmed with books to read, a move to complete, and a life to get back in order after moving. All I can say to that is "Thank God!" (You can catch her blog here)This is an excellent book by a new author. Dang, am I glad she was overwhelmed.

Let Me In is purportedly a vampire novel. And it centers around the life of an 11-year old, very human little boy who has no life, no friends, no hope. That is until a child vampire befriends him. Throughout the whole book, the reader is constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. The characters are self-centered, self-serving, are incapable of any type of lasting, loyal relationship. Those that are are trying to build relationships with those that aren't. Its a hopeless, bleak society in very modern Europe.

Into that comes a 200 year old vampire, and all that this condition entails, that inhabits the body of a 12-year old. The vampire has known loss, betrayal and must feed on human lives to survive. But the author conveys that this might be the only character worth surviving. I don't want to give away too many details, but the vampire and the little boy have the only redeeming relationship in the story. It pulls at the readers heart-strings that a little boy, who only wants to be loved and accepted has to work so hard to emotionally get by. There are tragic characters in abundnace in this story, but it ends on a note of hope and redemption.

My recommendation? Read this one. Its not the most descriptive of literary efforts, but the ideas come across and the caharacters are the people you live, work and play with everyday. It will definitely give you pause to think - my highest form of flattery to any story.

2007-11-23T16:13:00.000-06:00

Well, I finally managed to finish reading this incredibly complex tale. I am both floored by the sheer magnitude of this undertaking and a little weary. This turned out to be a LONG book. But don't let that stop you. It is the most imaginative and compelling fantasy I have read sense Tad Williams published Memory, Sorrow and Thorn. I regret that I cannot, in good conscience, give it an all out 5-star rating. But . for me, it lacked a certain joy in the reading that all my 5-star ratings give to me. I remained aloof from the characters, just not quite able to identify completely with any of them except perhaps the tragic father.

Acacia is a kingdom that has, for generations, ruled the Known World. They have subjugated, through combat. magic and treachery, all foes that they have ever come up against. But that was long ago and Acacia has devolved into an extremely corrupt bureaucracy with a weak and accepting monarch who is the current hereditary ruler. He lives with his 4 children and his memories and is ineffective as a ruler. Unfortunately, the conquered have not forgotten their subjugation and one peoples, up-rooted and disinherited after their defeat by the Acacians, have generations-long memories. Part of their defeat was a curse that doesn't let their dead leave the world. They remain conscious and able to communicate their dissatisfaction to their heirs forever. As you might imagine, the heirs find this highly motivating. These heirs form alliances and make deals that are even more heinous than the political expediencies the Acacians have used to hold on to their power over the years.

Oh my goodness, is there a list of intrigue here; Alliances and deals formed with never seen, but assumed evil foreigners; a trading monopoly with allegiance only to its own interests, and a promise of payment for a drug that keeps the populous unrebellious and working for its next fix...a payment in children; a mortal and deadly enemy with alliances with stronger, and more demanding cultures. All of the players have differing emotional baggage, and all have strong and strongly written characters. This is an epic fantasy novel that covers a broad and diverse history of a unique and vastly corrupt world.

My only problem is that there are no innocents, no nobility, no lifestyle worth sacrificing for. Frodo saved Middle Earth, but Frodo essentially did it to save the Shire and the Hobbit lifestyle. While the lifestyles in The Known World are diverse and fascinating, they are all corrupt and vain, except where they are pathetic and miserable. I found it hard to identify with any of the characters that survive long enough to make it to the end of this first piece of the story. All that noted, I still give this a very strong "Read" recommendation. This is only the first part of what promises to be an extremely well-written, well developed story. My feeling is that it is going to be "required" reading for the self-professed fantasy fan. And, at The End of this first book, there are still some fascinating stories that leave you wondering what is going to come next.

Arrrghh! Only 2500 Words and Writer's Block?

2007-11-03T14:23:00.000-06:00

Gosh, I'm barely through introducing my main characters and am trying to set up the background on which the story plays out, while building personlaity into the non-narrative characters...and BAM! I can't think of a word to say or rather type. I can go into rather boring detail on the world I am building, but that would actually detract from the story. I need to build indentifiability with one of the main characters - a females character - and I am just drawing a blank. I am going to try jumping ahead in the story and write later chapters - see if that works. Will keep you informed.

2007-11-01T23:02:00.001-06:00

I have joined in the race to see if I can write 50,000 words by the end of November. I proabably will win a Pulitzer for best novel, or a Pftui for best cat tray liner, but either way I'm going to write this month just for the pure pleasure of finding out if I can do it.

Its evidently quite the big deal (those in the know already know I'm a rookie - nonw of the proper in-speak patios is issuing from my fingertips), and it looks like the guys that do this go way out of their way to make it fun. Check it out: National Novel Writing Month.

I have posted the first few paragraphs of my epic on site. You can find me as - of course - Texasboyblue. Then you can read it and tell me it sucks...or not...depending on your perspective. I'll keep posting here and making the rounds of blogs, but if its a bit slower than normal, you'll know why.

A Rose by Any Other Name...

2007-11-01T13:46:00.000-06:00

I posted on another blog a few days ago in a thread about "Nerd Chic". (If you want to see the post, head on over to Fantasy and SciFi Lovin' Blog.)My user ID on the blog sever is "texasboyblue". One of the other posters asked where I got that moniker. He likened it to a porn star stage name. While I am flattered (sorta), as my grandfather used to say, "It just ain't so."

I am the rarest of American breeds. I am a native Texan having been born in Austin, Texas over 40 years ago. I have lived all my life in one Texas municipality or another and I am guilty of being as over-weeningly proud of these facts as any other native Texan you might meet. That at least explains the "texasboy" part of my ID...

Several (don't ask for a specific number) years ago, I began playing spades (the card game) at The Zone. It was a Microsoft site, so you had to have a Hotmail ID. At the time I was living in San Antonio, so my user ID was texasboy_sa. Years later, I was needing a new user name for a website I was playing with and darned if texasboy_sa wasn't already taken (by me). So, I came up with a variant: texasboyblue. It became, as these things do, my default username. I use it on all kinds of accounts.

So, when I signed up for Blogger.com, it was the handiest tag. Pretty mundane, I know. Maybe I'll tell everybody its my stage name in my next blog...

Bionic Woman Worth Watching...Sorta.

2007-10-26T09:58:00.000-05:00

I have DVR'd every episode of this new series (I work every Wednesday night) and loved the darker tenor of the remake. The pwers that be at NBC seem to be moving away from the internecine, internal struggles of the characters and into more "mainstream" drama. I liked it better when the bad guy might not be the bad guy and the good guys were definitely not so very nice sometimes. The last two episodes, there has been no such confusion presented to the audience.

But its a great action series, none the less. How do I know? Simple. My wife hates it. She says I just watch it to watch Michelle Ryan (Jaime Sommers) and Katee Sackhoff fight. While that does make good TV (ahem), I am afraid that I need at least a linear plot in order to stay interested. This one has some depth, with the potential for much more, if the producers will just use it. But, if its action-adventure and the wife hates it, then either its a T&A teaser (which I dislike almost as much as my wife) or else its got some real action to it that makes my wife uncomfartable (she really hates violence). This one is strictly PG, so it must be the latter.

I like it. Its not my favorite show this fall, but its good and I'm gonna keep DVR'ing it...for now.

Reaper Has Me Hooked

2007-10-24T13:37:00.000-05:00

I started off watching the premier and have watched it every since. Its hysterical! I hope you have a DVR, because I have learned to stop the action and read the signs in the background - a trick my wife taught me when we were watching "Chuck". We actually read the Buy More motto off the front door when Adam Baldwin walked by it. The hero in "Reaper" hasn't walked by the motto of the Work Bench yet, but some of the thing tacked up on the bulletin board are hysterically funny.

Now, to be truthful, it may be that I can relate to the hilarity at the job so well because I work in a box - the Orange Box - on which the Work Bench is probably conceptualized. It hits dead on excpt that these guys get away with WAY more than anybody where I work. But be that as it may, the real kickers are the tete-a tetes with Satan.

When our hero, whose parents sold his soul to the devil, gets his first vessel to recapture an escaped soul, the Devil offers him the casket with the words, "This was wrought in the bowels of Perdition by the vile and the iniquitous.", Follwed closely after a glance at our hero with, " Oh, that's right. You scored a 600 on your SAT, didn't ya?" And that just sets the mood. Each week, we learn more and more about our heros, his friends that are in on his secret (one of whom asks him "How come nothing cool like that ever happens to me?"), his girlfriend, his parents, and most importantly, The Devil. They give him all the funniest lines.

Kevin Smith is the director/producer (Silent Bob of Jay and Silent Bob fame)and his eye for the funny hasn't dimmed a bit. Ray Wise, who plays Satan, carries it off with impeccable timing and flippant jabs at virtually everybody.

Watch this one and see if its not the sitcom that you wish you could have seen when you were watching "All in The Family".

Wow! Another win of a book!

2007-10-23T14:40:00.001-05:00

Many, many thanks go to Tia at The Fantasy Debut for allowing me a chance to win The Book of Joby. Even better, thanks for letting me win! Anyone interested in what looms large on the horizon in terms of Fantasy books should add The Fantasy Debut to their favorites. October Rocks! And so does The Fantasy Debut!

October Brings Books and Beer!

2007-10-21T22:57:00.000-05:00

Gosh but I love October! I have managed to get my hands on a plethora of new books (well, new to me) and all of my favorite breweries are releasing their Oktoberfest beers. I can hardily recommend Keeping It Real by Justina Robson and Octoberfest Ale by Samuel Adams. They actually make a great combination when mixed with a some apple slices and some nice smoked Edam.

So here's what I'm going to be reading in the nearish future:

This one got good reviews at Fantasy Book Critic and I found it on Ebay for a good price. It looks really good and Ill be reading it as soon as I finish about 6 other books.

I ordered this one from Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore because Mr. Donanldson was there to sign his new book, So, I got a signed first edition. They were also kind enough to allow me to send my first edition copies of The Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant and Mr. Donaldson most graciously signed them as well. This is the second book in The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant and I am really looking forward to reading it. Mr. Donaldson is one of my favorite authors and I have read virtually everything he's written...except this.

Another one I am ashamed to admit I haven't read before. I have read Ms. Willis' short fiction rather extensively and found it to be excellent. But this one won the Hugo and the Nebula and I haven't cracked its cover. I found an Easton Press edition on Ebay for cheap, so its sitting on my bookshelf waiting its turn.

I read the Golden Witchbreed books by Mary Gentle several years ago. They were very, very good science fiction. I found these as a matched set of ARCs on Ebay and snatched them up as the only bidder. I'll let you know how these read.

I fell in love with "Jasper Fforde" when I read Lost in A Good Book and started following the hijinks of Thursday Next. Now our favorite nom de plume has a new detective and new over done puns. The subtitle on this one is "Jack Spratt Investigates". I guess its up to me to get the skinny (UGH!) in this book. Piers Anthony fans should really appreciate Jasper Fforde. I picked up a signed first on Ebay.

I met Mrs. Kenyon at ArmadilloCon 2001 in Austin, Texas and attended a reading of what was, then, her upcoming book. She was nice enough to sign and give me the piece of her copied manuscript that she read from. I immediately went to the sales room and bought two of her books and since have acquired the one she read from. All feature remarkably different worlds that are full blown and believable. Her stories incorporate mystery and action against a backdrop of science fiction. I thoroughly enjoy it. This, if I am not mistaken, is her first hard cover release. I am looking forward to seeing what she's imagined now.

I just reviewed the first book in Ms. Robson's Quantum Gravity series and this is Book Two. I will mention again that this on was released on a new label: PYR, an imprint of Prometheus Books. I can't help but support smaller publishing houses that publish really good books - like Keeping It Real. You can find this one directly from the publisher, if you can't get it elsewhere.

Thanks to the fine man over at The Fantasy Review, I won a copy of this book which is the second book in this series. Now, I'll have to go out and find the first one. It looks really good. I'll let you know.

Once again, my lucky stars shine in October. Thank to Chris over at The Book Swede, I won copies of my first Forgotten Realms books. Thanks, Chris!

I've been watching out for a reasonable copy of this book since before it was released, I finally found a first edition on Ebay that was both signed and(relatively) inexpensive. This is the second book in the latest Tad William epic. The first one promises another great story from this author that proves that multi-book stories can be excellent!

So, I think I have enough to read to get me through Christmas. The challenge now is matching the proper beer and snacks with the proper book. With the holidyas coming up, I guess I'll be stocking up on amber ales, dark lagers and stouts. Partner a great book, a flavorful beer and some lovely smoked sausage and cheeses....I'm a happy boy! Good reading all. I'll see ya just as soon as I finish my current book, Acacia by David Anthony Durham.

Keeping It Real

2007-10-21T10:26:00.000-05:00

With apologies in advance, there is a special gift that English fantasy writers have to combine the mundane with the fantastic seamlessly. Jasper Fforde did it in his Thursday Next series with literary works and terminology which put everyone to sleep in Composition 101. Now, Ms. Robson combines fairly hard science fiction, traditional fantasy and feminine insecurity into a very good story in the first book of her Quantam Gravity series. This is not I, Robot meets Lord of the Rings in a London flat of a single secretary looking for love. But that's not too far off...

Lila was a minor attaché in a diplomatic mission to Alfheim, the world of the elves and elementals. This world was opened when the Quantum Bomb went off in Texas, along with the world of demons, the Dead, etc. She is also a spy sent to get magical secrets from the elves. She is discovered and punished as only Elves can punish a mortal. Nearly dead and her body damaged beyond recognition, she is rebuilt a la Bionic Woman with a nuclear power source, an on-board AI computer, a pharmacopia at her instant disposal, and more armament than a B1 bomber. Of course, somebody has to pay the bill and she gets her first assignment protecting an elf that has come to Earth and formed a rock band. The elves of his home world want him dead and will stop at nothing to make that happen. Lila finds herself in the middle of an internal political struggle amongst the elves that nearly got her killed the first time she encountered it. Now, she not only has to stay alive, she has to keep her client alive and get him to his concert on time. What's a girl to do?

Seamlessly meshing martial drama, political intrigue, magic, science and corporate politics with light fun-poking and flirting, this is an extremely entertaining book. This is not Ms. Robson's first foray into writing, but its the first one to fall squarely into my genre. And its well worth the read. I have acquired the second book and can only pray (and suggest) that this NOT become another interminable series. The characters deserve better and so does the reader.

This is a lighter, funny, exciting and engaging book. It is also the first big hit of a new publisher, PYR. Find it, buy it, read it. Support this author and the new label. And, enjoy a really good book in the process. Talk about win-win!

Will The Wonders Never Cease?

2007-10-14T21:28:00.000-05:00

Ok, my cup runneth over, already! When I started this bloggong thing, it was a lark. My forums on my website had quit drawing anything but porn links, and my wife suggested I blog. So, what the heck? In order to see how it was done, I googled blogs of my particular genre to see if anybody out there was interested. Boy! Were they! And some of them had such followings that they were able to give away books that they got from publishers. And, being the complete bibliophile that I am, I entered the drawings. And dang if I didn't win one!

But wait! There's more... I entered some more and won a second one thanks to The Book Swede and his blog. That's two! Please note that the previous blog title is, indeed, a hyperlink. Please use it soon and often! Chris at The Book Swede will appreciate it and so will I!

This blogging thing is the berries! I have won two books (three actually, since one is a pair in a series), met an author of great repute and discussed lofty (NOT) ideals with him, and I get to spout off whatever floats my boat! I just hope that someday, I can work my way up to having publishers send me books to review and pass on. I'll keep trying!

2007-10-08T00:29:00.000-05:00

I am ashamed to say that I had never read this book before. Me - the consummate Heinlein fan and I hadn't read one of his major classics. I will freely admit that the purported subject matter bothered me. You see, this is about racism. After having read that I can expand that statement and say that it is an unapologetic, unabashed look at racism and its social, moral, and personal effects on all parties involved in a racist relationship. Its deeply disturbing, as it should be, and deeply thought provoking. On top of that, its grade A science fiction and Heinlein at his best.

This book was published in 1964, and that was at the very height of a very paranoid Cold War. It was also the year the Civil Rights Act was passed by Congress and signed by President Johnson. "Integration" and "desegregation" were entering mainstream American vocabularies as words that carried scary and dark overtones. I'll go so far as to give away my age and admit that I remember 1964 fairly clearly and that race, Viet Nam and nuclear missiles were the center of existence in America that was substantially changing - at least socially. We were loosing the naivety of the 50's. Martin Luther King, The Chicago Seven, and "separate is inherently unequal" Supreme Court decisions were forcing the American middle class to re-think some things that they had taken for granted as social reality for generations. My grandfather was absolutely incapable of thinking of anyone black as anything other than a nigger and used that word freely when speaking of persons of Negro descent, even in their presence. His grandparents probably remembered the civil war. (My grandfather was born in 1898). There was one black student in my elementary school. One. In a town that was at least 30% African-American by census. During my elementary school years, there were 4 high schools in my town, one of which was "the black high school". That changed when I hit junior high (what is now referred to as "middle school"). The 5th Circuit Court dictated that each school would racially reflect the overall population and integration began. 40 years later, a well-known author and I can discuss racism in our respective blogs and not break a sweat. But back then, it was radical change in a society that had been brought up to protect the status quo on both sides of the racial lines. It was sometimes violent, always scary and it was as necessary as breathing to the survival of the American society. And yes, I watched violence occur. I knew people involved in race-related fights. It was and is sad that people allow race to affect their judgment of a person's worth, but back then, it was integral to the society that existed in America. Racism was as institutional as slavery had been 100 years earlier. The younger people reading this may have a hard time believing it (I hope so), but racism was part of the make-up of American society in the 50's and 60's. Into that culture, Heinlein put forth Farnham's Freehold.

Hugh Farnham and his family are enjoying dinner when WWIII happens, just as every American was afraid it would in the 60's. The Russians dropped atomic weapons on us. Farnham, being a properly Heinleinesque paranoid hero, had taken precautions and built a bomb shelter. With just a few minutes notice, he hustles his family and friends (and the family cat) into the shelter where they ride out two nuclear strikes in their immediate (relatively) vicinity. A third strike changes everything and they awake in a pristine world of two thousand years in the future. The war had destroyed pretty much the whole of the northern hemisphere. leaving Africa and India completely untouched. Whites are now slaves, referred to as servants, in huge households ruled by the Chosen. The Chosen are all of African and Hindi descent, usually mixed. Whites are considered lazy, stupid and congenitally incapable of higher thought. They are bred, like cattle, to be small and taught, painfully, how to obey and properly respect their "Charities" (read: Masters). All threatening whites are killed. To serve in the household, men are neutered. Women serve the purpose women have always served in repressive societies. In a word, this is the ultimate role reversal story.

Heinlein pulls no punches in his grisly tale. Whites have no access to education in a technologically advanced society. They are slaves with no hope of rebellion except from within the ruling caste itself. But the society is presented as stable, economically viable, and stagnant. Rebellion is a long way off if it is ever to happen. It almost exactly mirrors "The Peculiar Institution" in America, except that this is a technologically advanced and very old culture. Heinlein puts the heroes of the story totally at the mercy of a "benevolent" master. It cannot help but make any reader, no matter what race, think about the high cost of racism. When looking at the costs of racism, please keep in mind the economic thought of opportunity costs. Heinlein proposes that maybe the costs are too high to the masters. He states undeniably that they are too high for the slaves. I agree with him on both counts and I have my whole adult life. Some people share that belief with me and some people don't. Read the book and decide for yourself.

2007-10-03T00:08:00.000-05:00

I have just finished reading all three books of His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. And, for the first time in recent memory, I am at a loss for what to say if only for entirely personal reasons. Don't get me wrong, this is a great set of books. Its an epoch fantasy of incredible proportions. Its well told, its characters warm and believable, it runs the gamut of emotional responses it provokes in the reader. It speaks to the reader on many, many levels.

Lyra is a little girl, illegitimately conceived of extremely powerful parents in a society that is ruled by, what turns out to be, a tyrannical Authority. That rule is carried to myriad worlds by The Church which Pullman paints as the enemy of joy in life. Lyra, her friends, her parents and ultimately her soul mate all find themselves in a battle to the death with this Authority and, if they lose, then conscienceness and intelligence will fade from all the worlds, leaving nothing that can be recognized as life. On the other side is Dust, dark matter - a semi-conscience booster of imagination and curiosity - the earmarks of intelligence. Dust is powerless, but is drawn inexorably to conscienceness, resulting in intelligence and self-will. The Authority wishes to destroy Dust, The Rebels want to save it. Lyra just wants to save her friends from pain and she and Will, a boy from another world, end up as the center around which the battle rages. And rage it does, across endless worlds and peoples. As I said, this is an epoch.

On a deeper level, Pullman is condemning the Church and by extension God. God, in the story and as modern-day humans of this world understand Him, never existed. The first intelligence engendered by Dust is The Authority and is jealous of his position. He would deny it to any others and would use his knowledge and powers to insure his dominion of all the worlds. On a personal level, I find this disturbing. Intentionally or not, Pullman replaces his non-existent God with Dust, which is intelligent and can, under very special and difficult circumstances, communicate with other intelligences. Dust is the fount from which self-knowledge flows and therefore the ability to affect the world around one. Dust becomes the life giver, the creator. This would seem to be either a paradox, or else a very indirect slam at organized religion (the opiate of the masses - type slam).

At the end, Lyra and Will are elevated to sainthood, although its not called that, by their sacrifice. The logical inconsistencies I found disturbing and hard to understand. Maybe its just a personal philosophy being threatened, or maybe I found the inconsistencies damaging to the story. In either case, I found it made it harder, for me to buy in to the story. So after all is said and done, I liked the books, but love them, I did not. I have no logical problems with secular humanism or with a belief in a higher intelligence. The problem comes in when it can't be decided which one is a basic premise to the belief system of the story. No good story can change its basic values back and forth and expect to be embraced. Its part of what readers identify with, whether they agree or not. They understand a consistent set of beliefs, but inconsistencies are confusing even when the plot is linear and easy to follow. which, by the way, this one is not.

As I said, this may be a personal thing, so don't take my word for it. Read it yourself and make up your own mind, At the end of it all, this book did do that most magical of things. It made me think.

2007-09-23T15:31:00.000-05:00

Okay, this looks decent, but only time will tell. The cast is incredible though! Keep your fingers crossed!

OMG! I Won....

2007-09-22T16:20:00.000-05:00

Remy over at The Fantasy Review just e-mailed me to let me know that I had been the lucky winner of books 1 and 2 of The Lady Penitant series by Lisa Smedman. These are the first books I have won - ever. I feel like I won the lottery or something. Woo Hoo!

So, get your backsides on over to The Fantasy Review and read up on what's new and exciting in fantasy books. While you're there, you might sign up for a giveaway and - HEY - you might win.

Thanks Remy!

Star Wars vs. LOTR in Real Time

2007-09-15T11:00:00.003-05:00

Okay - This is pure laziness, but it Saturday; I should be mowing the lawn; and I have to go to work later and probably work until the wee hours of tomorrow morning. Besides, these are funny. I'm definitely in for watching at least a couple of episodes of "Chuck".

A Word On My Ratings System

2007-09-14T18:18:00.000-05:00

At the bottom of all my reviews, I give each book a "Star" rating. The more stars, the better the book, in my opinion anyway. The reason you need to know this is that I am now simultaneously posting my reviews on my website, and on my blog. That way, when you see a 5-star review you know I think you should hack your way through the Amazonian jungle to get a copy to read (pun intended). And if you see a 1-star rating, that I think you should donate your money to a political candidate prior to spending it on this book. At least your money will have some entertainment value that way.

Here they are:
No Stars: Run - Do Not Walk - away from this title. I'd say it sucked, but that would be too much praise.

It'll do until something good to read comes in the mail. This is excellent bathroom reading so that you don't have to read soap and shampoo bottle labels for entertainment.

Enjoyable or fun...or maybe both. Not mind-boggling but its mildly entertaining.

This is a good book. While you might not wanna shell out the moolah for the hard cover, if you find a paperback you won't be throwing your money away. Worth planning to read and then reading.

Now we're talking! This is a very good book. If you belong to a reading group or book club, this is one you could recommend to the group. Read this one!

OMG! You haven't read this yet? Get on-line and order it with expeditied shipping, or get to the nearest bookstore and get this one. NOW!

Enjoy! And comments are always welcome....

The Golden Compass

2007-09-14T18:07:00.000-05:00

The movie looked so good that I had to read the book before I went to see the movie. I'm really glad I did. The modern classic is one that I had missed, until now.

Lyra is a castoff child growing up surrounded by Scholars in an Oxford-like setting on a world that is similiar, yet different, than the one you and I live in. She's a healthy, inquisitive tomboy who has a wealthy uncle that she seldom sees and a great city-wide collection of friends. Then one of her friends disappears - a victim of the Gobblers. Lyra, being headstrong, decides to travel to where all the knowledge she can get her fairly devious hands on points to where all of the taken children are being transported to. They are in the Artic and terrible things are being done to them. She gets help from every unexpected point one can imagine. Her don gives her an aleithiometer, a truth machine that, when used properly can divulge the absolute truth about anyone or anything. Through her friends and the aliethiomter, she discovers that the 2 most powerful people of her world - her uncle and Mrs. Coulter - are her parents. And they are each following dangerous and incredibly destructive plans that each may destroy the Worlds. Through the Church, children are being experimented on in order to protect them from Dust. The Church has decided that these particles are the remnants of original sin, since children are immune to it, but adults absorb it constantly. Lyra's travels involve the Gyptians (a kind of sea-going gypsies), a Texan aeronaut, the witches and an armored bear. What can possibly be more adventuresome than that?

This is a good book. Its a little slow getting started, but once it gets going it races to the finish. Be warned - This is the first of a series of three books and it will hook you. Don't start it until you're ready to read all three (I'm almost finished with the second). But, whatever you do, read it. The heroes will surprise you, the villains are quite despicable but understandable - which makes it worse, really. While it falls just short of my Top Ten, its right up there.

Wow! Talk about a plug.....

2007-09-07T23:46:00.000-05:00

You can't read this genre for long without becoming aware of the works of George R. R. Martin. And, he actually reads and plugs blogs. He threw in a huge kudo for Pat's Fantasy Hotlist. Pat is a blogger from Canada that has earned his reputation. If you've never read his blog, there's a link just to the right ------>

Congrats, Pat, and I hope you do win that Hugo.

Heroes....Again! And with Veronica!

2007-09-05T23:29:00.000-05:00

New Fall Shows - Good Thing I Have a DVR

2007-09-01T23:09:00.001-05:00

What Do I Blog About Now?

2007-09-01T00:21:00.000-05:00

I've reached blogger's catharsis. The bright has worn off the penny, nobody reads this stuff, so what the heck -let's roll off a few opinions and see if I piss anybody off. Sounds like fun, no?

Opinion the first-

Why is everybody so upset about having an awful president? He is the pinnacle of the American political system, having survived the primaries, the actual nomination process, and actually becoming creative with the Electoral college. Who can ever forget the first President duly elected by the Supreme Court (although we must deduct points because his party did seat most of it). This guy is nothing if not inventive! And, I admit it, I voted for him and I still think he's better than the other guy, What's-his-name. Think how awful if I'm right and he actually is better. Phew! Did we dodge a bullet or what. Fortunately, the American system allows us to be manipulated all over again every 4 years, Thank God for small miracles. I think I'm voting for Obama as the only (relatively) sane candidate on the ballot. When is a woman going to run? Hillary doesn't count. She's a Democrat and is taking full advantage of the machine she and B-b-bill actually built in their basement in Arkansas, that is when Bill wasn't getting his cigar smoked by the secretarial pool.

Angry yet? Well, if not, there's always:

Opinion the Second-

Profit is good! But CEO's that suck the profit out of a company when it can least handle it should suffer the fate of The James Gang and be ridden down and shot like dogs. And the Boards of Directors that offer these contracts should be held personally liable to the share holders for being such magnanimous idiots. CEO: "Sure, I'll run your company. But if I screw up and the stock plummets like a cannonball dropped in the ocean on a sunny day, you have to pay me millions of dollars just to go away. OK?" Board: "Oh yes! And We'll double your salary if, while walking away, you mention that we tried to warn you not to piss off the retirement funds. Think you can do that?" Pfaw! Gelatinous spinal columns on them all! But profit is what drives men to risk everything on the chance that they will someday be on some Board of Directors! That's a good thing! Actually, profit is what provides jobs, a tax base for community services to be provided and teacher's salaries to be paid. No profit, no company, no consumtion or production, no pay, no money. Unemployment ensues and Recession eats everyone's children. This is bad. Just so you know.

Enough opinions for today. If you're still not pissed off, come back tomorrow.

Thomas Covenant Signed!

2007-08-30T22:39:00.000-05:00

Stephen Donaldson is signing Fatal Revenant at Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore on Oct.13th, These are first editions, signed by the author, and if you pre-order you don't have to stand in line (or maybe miss it - its a numbered event).

I'm ordering mine as soon as my next paycheck comes in, cash flow being a heartless and remorseless demon. I have a long and very enjoyable relationship with Mysterious Galaxy, including shipping books to them for a signing and having them ship them back (at my expense, of course). They are responsible for my signed first edition of The Magic of Recluce ny L. E. Modesitt, Jr. So don't hesistate to contact them about a book. They're wonderful, helpful folks. I should point out that they are in San Diego, CA. and I live in suburban Austin, Texas. I heartily recommend them.

I Got It! You Gotta Love Ebay.

2007-08-28T23:17:00.000-05:00

After trying to find David Anthony Durham's new book for weeks, I finally scored on Ebay. You see, I could of bought it at the book store or at Amazon (good sellers all) but I am a purist and, worse, a collector. I had to have a special book, even more so because the author has been so kind and thoughtful to me.

I'm so excited I can hardly sit still! This book has rave reviews and the author is a well-spoken gentlemen. I am gonna tear through this one even faster than Harry Potter 7. Then....

I'm going to review it myself. And, despite what you may think, nobody gets me 5-star rating without telling a great story. You can check my reviews, but only 5 authors have gotten my "buy this an read it or hang your head in sahme" rating; Bujold, Heinlein, Zelazny, Bear and Tad Williams. And not all of their books made it, either. Fair warning that, while I'm am definitely excited about reading Acacia, it doesn't mean I'm gonna rave about it.

But won't it be exciting to find out? I can't wait!

My Top Ten Speculative Fiction Books

2007-08-25T23:00:00.000-05:00

I think everybody that reads has those books that they read over and over because they enjoy them so much. This is my (very abbreviated) list of my favorites. I am more than happy to discuss them at just about any time and just about anywhere. What are yours?

1. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
2. Time Enough for Love by Robert A. Heinlein
3. Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny
4. The Element of Fire by Martha Wells
5. The Hallowed Hunt by Lois McMaster Bujold
6. Blood Music by Greg Bear
7. Memory, Sorrow & Thorn by Tad Williams
8. Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein
9. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
10. Stand on Zanzibar by John Brunner

Most of these books have sequels or other stories set in the same universe, some are actually more than one book (okay, I cheated), but all of them tell an absolutely captivating story. These are the classics of our genre (or they will be) and they have won awards, sold a gozillion copies, and are still excellent stories as much as 30 or 40 years after they were written. Is there one or two you haven't read? Or one or two you'd add to the list? Gosh, I hope so...drop a comment and tell me how your list differs from mine. I might just get a good idea, and so might you.

SPORTING CHANCE by Elizabeth Moon

2007-08-25T22:52:00.000-05:00

I am posting my latest book review here and on my website just to see how it works out and how much traffic I get. I hope you enjoy it!

The military and science fiction seem to be an inseparable pair. There is a huge tradition going back to Jules Verne of military-type organizations within the science fiction realm. Some are more about the military than the science and some are vice versa. Ms. Moon's book is neither - its about the characters. This is the first book in her now famous Serrano Legacy series which takes usually females military characters out of their military environment and plop them down in a conflict that is intense, somewhat personal to the heroine, and draws heavily on what they were taught in the military. They tend to be excellent reads, this is definitely space-opera at its best. And space-opera is exactly what this is.

Heris Serrano is the latest in a long family tradition of military officers, but she makes a mistake and shames her family (although the shame should be on her superior officers, military politics is what it is). She ends up out of the military and piloting a ship for a wealthy, well-connected patroness. Some of the patroness' progeny (her niece) becomes involved in a scheme to hunt humans (as the hunted) and Heris comes to the rescue using her ingrained military tactics, her native intelligence, and her high sense of moral duty. As in all good space-opera, the hero wins, the villains get their just deserts, and we move on to the next adventure. This isn't a new theme, but its told well and from a very different perspective.

This a very good space opera. Its entertaining and suspenseful. It is one of the only series of military fiction in this genre that has exclusively female protagonists who are strong, smart, honest and whoop the bad guys through ingenuity and intestinal fortitude. It heartily recommend it.

Wow! This Blogging Thing is Way Cool!

2007-08-21T21:02:00.000-05:00

I started out about a year and a half ago to put up a website that attracted people with whom I shared an abject adoration of science fiction in all of its various media. After all that time and the hours and money spent, it was a total washout. I had about 2 readers that hit my forums about once a year. So I started looking for options. My wife, being the more culturally savvy of our team, suggested I look into blogging. I did and after a few false starts, here it is.

In three months, I've gotten more feedback and had more conversations about ideas and literature than the year and a half I was actively marketing my site. I've talked with an author (to be fair, I did when I was putting up my site - but not THIS author.This one has actually got a following! To which he has most definitely added me). I've been a a host of other blogs and commented on what they've said. They reply! This is great!

And, here's the good part - They all LOVE science fiction and fantasy. Some in one form, some in all snd some more than others. But hitting the blog sites has kept me more informed with more enjoyment than I ever experienced on my site.

So, I trimmed back the site. I kept my book reviews and a link to this site. I am toying with the idea of doing my reviews on the blog. We'll see. In the meantime, I'm reading and talking more about science fiction, fantasy.... and life...than I ever have before.

God, I love the internet!

Does Anybody Read Book Reviews?

2007-08-20T23:24:00.000-05:00

Ok, I don't want to shock anyone. Some people may find this a little hard to believe, but I love to read. I read constantly. I read the backs of shampoo bottles in the restroom because that's all there is to read. I read a lot. My favorite form of reading entertainment is the novel followed closely by short stories. My favorite genre is science fiction with a barely perceptible preference for that over fantasy. I just don't know what I'd do if I couldn't read.

And, if what I read is good, I love to talk about it. I love to compare and contrast what really communicated itself to me in the story, which characters I identified with and why, why the central question is worth pondering or whay I have pondered it myself without prompting from the story. All in all, I love to talk about what made it a good story - or what it was missing in terms of my enjoyment.

And there's the crux of the matter. I've joined book clubs. All most all of which turned out to be mostly; a) new writers looking for free critiques from a semi-knowlegable pool, or b) wanna-be writers looking for free advice. It wasn't about the reading...except as it help one write. I read other people's critiques, but hesitate to argue with their honest opinions because their experience is most definitely different than my own, as it should be.

So, where does one go to discuss books? If you have an idea, please feel free to let me know. In the meantime, I'll keep looking.

My Personal Mecca...Or 'On First Meeting An Author Whose Books You Love'

2007-08-20T19:39:00.000-05:00

Many years ago, I picked up a book at the book store and it turned out to be an incredible story that was well recieved. And...the author was from Texas. We were definitely firing on all cylinders! The book was The Element of Fire by Martha Wells, I read it a few times and relegated it to its position of honor on my bookshelf.

The years went by and I got more involved in collecting books and I attended my first Con in Dallas. Lo and behold, Ms. Wells was also in attendance! I was like a kid preaparing for his first kiss. This was so exciting! She actually was going to read from her upcoming new book (which turned out to be Ships of Air). She was going to m ingle with the common folk...and even better....that included me! I was giggly with anticipation.

The day arrived! I went to Ms. Wells reading and it was wondrous! Afterward, she just talked to us mere mortals. And, guess what? She had feet of clay. She wasn't this ethereal intelligence. She was personable despite being almost painfully shy. She was neater than sneakers and oh-so-normal. I was so disappointed...

.. And absolutely elated! Gosh, these author folks were just like me. Not only that, but they were giggly with excitement that I really enjoyed their books. Ms. Wells signed my first edition (which now truly is one of the pearls of my collection. I dare ya, find a signed first edition of 'The Element of Fire'). And we went our seperate but satisfied ways.

Since then I have had conversations with authors, both established and hopeful, publishers, editors, and critics (more nicely referred to as reviewers). But all of those subsequent conversations have been flavored by that first experience. I now expect that we start from common ground and, so far, that's held true.

I jusy hope they never find out I have feet of clay...

I Just Like To Read

2007-08-20T00:36:00.000-05:00

I'm fast approaching middle age, I have a somewhat classical education (referred to in modern terms as 'liberal'), I am only marginally politically active (I vote and spend as much time as I can find in a vain attempt to do so from an informed stance), I have a marginal job in retail after chasing corporate success for 10 years only to find myself corporately unemployed at the end of it. (The headhunter calls come much more rapidly now than they did then I promise). I am happily married to my second wife, I have a dog and she has three, very marvelous children. I have been reading science fiction and fantasy for close to 30 years. I also read suspense thrillers, mysteries and satire. But mostly and by preference I read science fiction and fantasy.

As I got more involved in the joy of reading, I started collecting the books I was reading. I now have over 300 signed first editions. I have met a great number of authors, editors and publishers, but only in passing. And most of the other people I meet or talk to about science fiction and fantasy want to write.

I don't. Not that I think there's anything wrong with being a writer. Indeed, I am probably more in awe of the ability to write than I am of childbirth. I am unabashedly and proudly a reader. I am an avowed and unrepentant enjoyer of the writers art. To write would require large parts of my soul that, without casting aspersions, I simply cannot imagine myself being able to surrender. And that's the easy part. Then to take the hours of loving labor to a publisher and have them tell me that my blood, sweat and tears were - at best - sophomoric, well, I would be shattered. So out of laziness and fear, I read.

But having determined my proper place in the literary cycle. I then proceed to be the best damn reader that I can be. I am the worst nightmare and the best friend of the author. I aspire to be a critc (shudder!). I read incessantly and rapidly. I read the last Harry Potter in just over six hours. I then wrote a review. Its what I do.

I read. I love to read. I love what I read, even when I don't love it. I love the act of reading. I find it enlightening, educational, relaxing and expansive. I have read thousands of books. Most at least with some redeeming value as stories, some dogs and even fewer great works of literature. I have recognized some of the great literature before they hit the open market, I have also warned friends and neighbors off some awful works. Some great literature goes unrecognized. Some dreck is well recieved. But I've read it all.

And I love it!

OMG! My First Retraction!

2007-08-18T22:30:00.000-05:00

If you read my last post, you will now be aware on how I feel about racism, or at least have a peek at my attitudes. I think its a loss to all parties involved because its so limiting to the almost limitless possibilities of being human...'nuff said.

However, in making my comments, I addressed some of them to Mr Durham's post which, as he suggested very politely, I re-read. I completely mis-read some of his comments and compounded that mistake by making it seem that he and I disagreed on some of the sillier issues. He, again very politely (figured out yet that I'm embarassed?), pointed out that he and I were in complete agreement. And, of course, he is correct on all counts.

I can only offer my sincerest apologies and this correction to Mr. Durham. I will, I promise, read more carefully in the future. And try (note, I can but try) to limit my diatribe to factual ramblings instead of wishful license.

Dang if I'm not gonna have to read his book now. If it's written half as well and as thoughtfully as his posts, he cannot but be a pure pleasure to read. You should too, gentle reader. go here to get it: Acacia

My Belated Comments on The Lastest Blog Wave - Racism in Reading

2007-08-17T11:20:00.001-05:00

I read a lot of other blogs. Some of which I found because, when I started blogging, I wanted to be sure that I was following all the nettiquette and following the proper forms. So I googled sci-fi blogs. While reading through the incredible diversity out there, some stuck. These blogs recommended others and the usual chain occured.

The big craze right now is based on a post by David Anthony Durham on being "color-blind". I won't pretend to understand or grasp what it means to be a person of color in the U.S. So, while taking the grave risk of seeming or maybe even being somewhat racist, I'm going to post my honest opinion.

I am not, nor have I ever been color blind with regard to race. I don't believe that anyone can or should be. A white person brings with them certain cultural differences from someone that is chicano or black. A woman necessarily views the world differently than a man. I also firmly believe that racial backgrounds, while influential in character building, are not the definition of who people are. It is a small indication of some of the things we can and some of the things we cannot share as experiences. I will never know what it's like to grow up in a bi-lingual household. There's simply nothing I can do about that. It is what is. That doesn't mean that I can't learn about and appreciate the culture of those from south of Texas. It just means that there are cultural differences. I also didn't grow up in a house with a spiral staircase. I still know how to climb one and can appreciate its architectural beauty. I can't experience being from another culture. No one can. That doesn't mean that I can't observe and appreciate other cultures. Nor does it mean that someone from another culture cannot observe and appreciate mine.

While Mr. Durham is absolutely correct in his assertions on institutional racism, I would argue that there should not be an African American literature section. Those books belong on the shelf with every other book. There's not an African American section at Bookstop in order to sell to everyone. It's there to sell to the racially conscience buyer, be they black, white or polka-dot. Is that not, in itself, racism?
The reason that section exists is not because these books are seperated literarily, but racially. Why? Is the book more or less of a good book because of the author's race? I must answer a resounding 'no' and I guess face the consequences of expressing that opinion.

I would also tell you that my bookshelf is as culturally diverse as Mr. Durham's, but not because I sought to make it diverse in terms of culture. I sought to get the best written books I could. After I read Mr. Durham's post, I actually had to think about who had written my books and what their backgrounds were. I, too, have white, black, latin, male, female and gay authors on my shelf. The authors' cultures are not why I bought the books. I sought out some of the best science-fiction and fantasy books I could find, and in doing so, my collection became culturally diverse - as was inevitable.

True talent, no matter what the art form, knows no cultural boundaries. To be truly diverse, one merely needs to appreciate that talent. While race and gender may flavor the langauage and the setting of a story, the author is the one telling it. The reader should enjoy that story for itself without examining the author's cultural background. I believe that to do it any other way is racist. All things being equal, a great story is a great story, no matter who wrote it.

I am not a writer, but I would think that no true writer wants to be appreciated on a purely cultural basis. Other than monetarily, I cannot imagine there could be much satisfaction in creating literature that only a portion of the world could appreciate. I would imagine that writers want to write stories that touch people of all cultural backgrounds, as much as possible. That it is possible, that it has been done before and will be done again just goes to prove my point that culture is not as restrictive in defining who we are as some would have us believe. A great story touches people. All people. Period.

I freely admit that an author's culture cannot help but flavor their writing. After all, the story comes from who the author is, from his/her past experiences and imagination. I simply believe that that cultural flavor won't determine whether the story is good to people who may or may not share that cultural background. A good story touches on emotions that are inherent in the human animal and those emotions don't happen to limit themselves along cultural lines. Thank goodness!

Culture is where we come from. But it cannot and should not determine where we are going. And it won't as long as we don't let it. I appreciate cultural diversity. Its wonderful and spectacular and sometimes scary that people are different in so many, many ways. Its also absolutely breath-taking that people - all people - are so alike in the ways we are alike. And being alike deserves at least as much attention as being different, don't you think?

Mr. Durham is a man of color. I am White (please feel free to substitute whatever racial tag you prefer for either of the above terms). I'll bet you any amount of money that when he's angry or sad or elated that he feels pretty much the same way I do when i'm angry or sad or elated. And that pretty much the same things make us angry or sad or elated. With an admittedly different experiential path, we arrive at the same emotional situation.

Isn't that okay?

Stardust is Worth Seeing

2007-08-12T18:53:00.000-05:00

My wife actually suggested that we catch a matinee of Stardust at the theatre this morning. So, of course, we went. And am I glad we did. It is an excellent movie.

Think of a cross between The Princess Bride and Pirates of the Carribean and you won't be far off of Stardust. It is worth seeing just to see Robert DeNiro's role. Let's just say its a unique and new challenge for him.

The wife gave it her ultimate compliment, stating with finality that there was another DVD we were going to have to buy. Higher praise is not to be had in this lifetime. Go see it. Its fun, its spectacular, and its one that you won't forget soon.

Hereditary Insanity?

2007-08-11T19:31:00.000-05:00

My oldest step-daughter just got bundled off to go off to her first year of college. As she was packing up all of the things that her mother just bought for her (can't go to college without the proper accessories!), she asked me if she could take along some of my books. I doubt that she will have time to read them, but it was very gratifying that she wanted to.

Now, admittedly, they were paperbacks. She probably doesn't realize it, but they are the first editions for those books. She took Kim Harrison's Rachael Morgan series off to escape from the pressures of higher learning and dorm life. I sincerely hope she enjoys them and gets hooked on the genre.

Only problem is, I doubt I'll ever see those books again...

Stardust trailer

2007-08-10T22:19:00.001-05:00

I Gotta see this!

Finally! Thomas Covenant Is Back Again!

2007-08-06T20:19:00.000-05:00

Stephen R. Donaldson has finished the second novel in the Last Chronicles of Thmas Covenant series. Its due out in October in the US and the UK. All of the big book sellers are accepting pre-orders. It looks like the first opportunity to get it signed will be at the World Fantasy Convention, so I expect about Mid-November that signed copies will be available on Ebay (and I'm guessing for a substantial chunk of change).

If you haven't read the 1st and 2nd Chronicles then you're in for a treat. For those that have, Runes of the Earth returned us to The Land with Linden Avery and a new adventure in the best anti-hero fantasy series of (probably) all time. Fatal Revenant is the next installment, and all of the usual noises are being made. (What's taking so long? I can't wait!!). I know I'm so excited that my wife is annoyed. That's usually a good sign that the book will be extraordinary.

I Can't Wait!

Moonlight - CBS Trailer

2007-08-06T01:32:00.001-05:00

This looks like it could be good. It could be pure schlock. Caught my interest because it stars Jason Dohring in a supporting role. You might remeber him from Veronica Mars... he was Veronica's on-again, off-again boyfriend with the homicidal father. If Moonlight is 10% as good as Veronica, then its a hit!

His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass - Sizzle Reel

2007-08-06T00:42:00.001-05:00

This looks to be excellent! I'm going to have to read the books, now!

Its The Dog Days...Time to Read

2007-08-05T10:00:00.000-05:00

As summer begins to get into the hot, muggy days of August demands at work has exploded (its been raining here for two months. Now its stopped.), The grass has quit growing so fast you could see it, and motivation to do anything remotely physical ebbs to an annual low. So what to do?

I read. I read a lot. In August, I subsume whole collections (one August I read the whole collection of Sherlock Holmes novels). My only problem is getting my hands on the books. While my need for reading material reached its pinnacle, my funds also reach an annual nadir - I'm broke.

So I re-read old favorites from the shelf, I pray that the library has added their annual addition of one new novel to the sci-fi/fantasy section and I cash in all my change from my change jar and haunt the appropriate aisle at Half-Price Books.

Usually, that works until the third or fourth week of August. This year, I'm in trouble already. Anybody got a book they've heard about that I can re-read for a review? I'll be very glad to do so. Right now, I'm re-reading Dreamweaver's Dilemma by Lois McMaster Bujold. Next is Blood Music by Greg Bear so I can do a review of it. Anything else spark anyone's interest? Help me out! I'm desperate.

What I'm Reading Now

2007-08-02T11:54:00.000-05:00

Here's the short list of books I have just finished, am currently reading, or have stacked on my "To Be Read" pile:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
The Sharing Knife, Vol. II
Ally (by Karen Traviss)
The Octagonal Raven
Magnificat

I am also going to re-read Blood Music so that I can write a decent review. Its been a couple of years since I read it, but as I recall it was a smasher. If you haven't read this one, you should.

What are you reading?

Well, color me stupid! They DO read!

2007-07-17T18:43:00.000-05:00

My family and I went to see Harry Potter over the weekend. I should, at this point, give a little family history. My family is new to me. My wife has 3 children by a previous marriage and they came for their summer visit. I am the very proud step-dad of 3 very intelligent, and therefore challenging, children. Ages are 18, 14 and 10.

It turns out that all of them are well read in Harry Potter mythology. The two oldest very graciuosly allowed me to copy their posts from a Harry Potter blog site onto my own site under "Movie Reviews". They both gave very pertinent and intelligent comments and comparisons between the movie and the book on which it was based. I somewhat lamely added my own comments and thanked them.

But, it was absolute music to my ears. Not only had they read Harry Potter, but they knew it so well that they were able to very cogently compare the movie to the pertinent book, and make references to previous movies and books. I am so proud, I could pop. And mine is only pride by marriage. Imagine how their mother must feel!

So take heart America! Out culture isn't crashing down around our ears, We're simply doing what we've always done historically -- we're borrowing it from England! And then, of course, we make it our own.

The Dilemma Of Sharing SF

2007-07-13T12:37:00.000-05:00

My step-son just finished reading Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game. I bought it for him so that he could read true science fiction and see if he enjoyed it. He'd already read all of the Harry Potter and Lemony Snickett books and he enjoyed those.

My oldest step-daughter just turned 18 and I haven't convinced her to read Ender's Game just yet. She's really, really, really into Harry Potter and is re-reading all of the previous books prior to the last book's release. So maybe later this summer, I'll finally convince her to give it a try. She has tapped my bookshelves for some of my more romatic (sigh) books and has enjoyed that.

So how does one share a love for science fiction? The answer I have discovered is-- you don't. You simply make it available and hope that eventually you find common ground. If you find a way, please let me know.

Ok, I'll Bite...

2007-07-12T13:10:00.000-05:00

This has got to be the best advertising campaign since Coca-Cola took "Coke" off the market for "New Coke". Or maybe even since "Paul McCartney is really dead"....

The new film by J.J. Abrams and Co. has a trailer floating around all the major blog sites with absolutely no explanation and only one character (Rob). Its a very convincing trailer with absolutely no explanation of what's going on, what the premise of the film is, or any relevant details at all. Things just start blowing up in New York. And then the trailer ends. There's not even a title for the film or the trailer.

Dang! These people are good at marketing! A viral ad campaign on blog sites! Genius!!!

See the trailer here.

Ramblings on new books, et al.

2007-07-01T09:32:00.000-05:00

Well, I have stocked up, once again, on new books (at least to me) and I am reading through them in my usually voracious manner. I am about to finish Matriarch, the latest in Karen Traviss' series. Then I have Lois McMaster Bujold's newest book; Legacy - The Sharing Knife Volume 2, and an oldie from John Brunner; The Crucible of Time.

I just wrote a review for Stranger in a Strange Land, which is one of my favorite books ever. I think I'm pretty much caught up on the site except for this blogging thing. All in all, I should have some time to surf more sites, catch up on what's new in sci-fi and fantasy books, and have a great summer. Here's hoping it works out tha way.

Wow! There's a lot of Science Fiction Fans Out There

2007-06-11T17:16:00.000-05:00

My wife tells me that the way to get comments on my blog is to post on EVERYONE else's (sigh). So being the dutiful man that I am, I google sci-fi blogs and SHAZAM!!! there are dozens of them in English alone. I find that amazing. Some of them are incredibly ingenious. I have posted a few links and intend to post more.

I still haven't found anybody (except one) that are as dedicated to books as I am, but TV, movies, comic books and graphic novels are covered up. I learned more about what's going on and what's going to go on in those media than I thought possible in an hour.

Does anybody out there still read? Did anybody besides me dislike the wild abandonment of the central plot in I, Robot offensive besides me? The Bicentennial Man was nothing as Asimov envisioned when Robin Williams took the part. Its strange how some movies just leave the central themes of some of these books behind. Oh well...I guess I read too much.

Lindsay Waggoner Was Never Like This!

2007-06-09T20:09:00.000-05:00

The new Bionic Woman looks to be totally kick-ass! Check out the preview video and see if the villian doesn't look a little familiar aroung the edges. This promises to be a very good show, if they don't skimp on charater development (and it looks like they don't) or decide the special effects are too expensive. Check it out!

Dang! I'm old....

2007-06-08T22:59:00.000-05:00

I was just sitting around thinking about blogging and I was looking over my books and reminiscing a bit...it occurred to me that I read my first science fiction novel in 6th grade when I was 12. I was hooked immediately. I burned through my elementary school's collection of sci-fi in about a week. (Which is no great feat. It only had about 5 or 6 books) That introduced me to Heinlein's young adult books. From there it was to the public library where I read Asimov, Doc Smith, and all that I could find or reserve. Then high school came along and with it came Heinlein's masterpieces and Tolkein's The Lord of the Rings.

So as of a few months ago, I have been reading science fiction and fantasy, in most of its forms, if not all, for 35 years, And I'm still doing it. I'm going to order Mrs. Bujold's newest book from Uncle Hugo's. I've already ordered a collector's edition of Harry Potter from Amazon. I've had the good fortune to meet some of the author's I enjoy and to enjoy some of the author's I've read ( a subtle but definite delineation).

And after all this time and energy (and money) spent, I can clearly state two things:

1) Science fiction is one of the best forms of entertainment there is. From Spiderman to Star Wars to Minority Report, it has captured and held the world's attention as well or better than any other genre, and,

2) I'm getting old....but I still ahve a long way to go to really absorb my chosen genre. Its always there to entertain, educate, ponder or confuse. I love science fiction and I probably will until I die....and if some of the books are right, even longer.

Future Books News

2007-06-08T09:32:00.001-05:00

For Lois McMaster Bujold fans, her newest book will be released on June 26th.
Uncle Hugo's Bookstore will be hosting a signing on release day. This is the second book in The Sharing Knife series; TheSharing Knife: Legacy. The third book in this series is in the can and should be released in a year or so. Mrs. Bujold is now working on a brand new Miles Vorkosigan novel!

And if there's anybody left that doesn't know, the final Harry Potter is being released on July 21st. All of the major bookstores and most of the independents are pre-selling. I'll be taking my family to the release party at Bookpeople. Look around your part of the world and let me know what's going to happen when the last Harry Potter is released there....

Jack McDevitt Takes Best Novel Nebula Award

2007-06-08T09:20:00.000-05:00

Mr. McDevitt came away from the Science Fiction Writers Assoc. Nebula Awards weekend carrying the award for Best Novel for Seeker. I did a review of it a while back. He richly deserves this award, although in my opinion, it should have been for The Hercules Text or A Talent For War. But, since he didn't get it for those prime examples of speculative fiction, he gets it for this one. I guess that kinda balances everything out.

Its an excellent book and well worth the cost of the paperback. For you collectors: Don't bother. A signed first edition just isn't available on the open market right now. I was lucky enough to obtain a signed first-edition before he won this award. But mine is not for sale.

Welcome

2007-06-08T08:53:00.000-05:00

Ok, here's the blog as promised. For those of you who saw the previous version, this version makes it easier to comment on my blog page and its much easier to link back to my home page. I will be adding posts every couple of days on science fiction subjects. Feel free to comment anytime.