Cartoons of World War 2 (Tony Husband)
I don't have much to say about this book; this is one of the ones you can judge from the cover. I liked it well enough, and I got my fill for the $8 I paid, but the book could stand to be a little bit bigger; it's more of a sampler than a thorough exploration of the material. Fun to flip through if someone leaves it out in the bathroom, but that's about as glowing as my recommendation gets.
Grade: B
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
"Star Trek: Destiny"
Star Trek: Destiny (David Mack)
Review by N. Web
As I said in my review of The Good that Men Do, one of my biggest
problems with the Star Trek literary universe is that its status as
canon is questionable at best. Perhaps this is either good or bad,
because having a bad, ridiculous story as part of official canon can
lead to serious problems. But, at the same time it can also lead to
authors not taking much of a risk for fear of disrupting established TV
and movie canon. Which, as "These are the Voyages..." shows, sometimes
probably deserves to be disrupted. Star Trek Destiny is a huge risk, as
far as I'm concerned. But one that ultimately succeeds.
Star Trek Destiny also tackles one of the biggest problems in the
established canon, that being the Borg. Much has been made over the
years of the "nerf"-ing of the Borg in Star Trek. It seems as though
the Borg were always meant to have been seen as indestructible, and
indeed in "The Best of Both Worlds", they were only defeated through a
fluke. Over the years in canon, the Borg seemed to lose their
unbeatable quality and in Star Trek Voyager pretty much became relegated
to Monster of the Week status. Even the crew of the NX-01 Enterprise
had a turn at the tee. So, how does an author manage to make the Borg
seem threatening again? This radical of a solution doesn't seem like it
could possibly work, but in the end I was ultimately left more satisfied
than I have been with any Borg story since at least "Endgame" (the
against-all-odds inexplicably good series finale to Voyager), and maybe
even since "The Best of Both Worlds." Massive spoilers to follow,
perhaps you don't want to read before finishing the book.
Verdict: Highly recommended.
*** spoiler space ***
For David Mack, it seems the solution to the problem of the Borg was to
ultimately get rid of them. But, it does make sense. In order to
prevent the perpetual nerfing of the Borg or the perpetual power creep
that the Federation would have to go through in order to constantly
defeat them; perhaps the best solution really is to just eliminate them
entirely to prevent not only over-use of the Borg, but further
degradation of the "canon." David Mack takes a gamble, and ultimately
wins, as far as I'm concerned. The send-off they get is equal parts
relieving and moving.
Mack manages to tie together all four post TOS Star Trek series and a
large amount of established literary universe into three novels that not
only give the Borg an origin story, but an end story that manages to be
quite thought-provoking and moving. Of course, the main stars are the
TNG cast, with almost everyone other than Ezri Dax relegated to small
parts and cameos, and the Enterprise crew is entirely off camera even
during the parts that take place during the 22nd century. Captain
Hernandez ultimately becomes quite interesting, and ended up once again
making me wish that Enterprise had continued past Season 4.
I found myself less interested in the characters that were created in
the literary universe, but as the story went on I grew more familiar
with them. The story is very evocative, and I found Mack manages to use
the prose to generate genuine dread, fear, creepiness and ultimately
relief throughout the tale. It's to his credit that when I was done I
immediately began looking into more Star Trek literary universe ebooks
on Amazon. David Mack's new series seems to be a three parter about
Geordi attempting to rebuild Data, and I'm already thinking of
purchasing it.
Stray observations:
This seems to be sticking with the "Bashir and Dax broke up post DS9"
book canon. Also very weird that Bashir, O'Brien, and Nog are not
appearing in this film at all. At least Garak shows up.
Speaking of, it would have been nice to see more of the Federation's
allies involved other than the brief cameos Garak and Martok and a lot
of generic ambassadors have.
Geordi doesn't have a lot to do, though a short romance is shoehorned in
for him, which I feel like he deserves at this point.
I like the idea of Worf as Picard's first officer, but isn't he supposed
to be the Ambassador to the Klingon Empire? Worf also gets a short
romance shoehorned in.
I had one small gripe in that Picard seems to have dropped back into his
jerk mode he was in for most of Star Trek First Contact. Which, I
thought the point of the movie is he gives up on the White Whale. Maybe
I missed some kind of a relapse he had in the literary universe, but I
couldn't get over his inability to function for 2.9 books because of the
Borg.
Review by N. Web
As I said in my review of The Good that Men Do, one of my biggest
problems with the Star Trek literary universe is that its status as
canon is questionable at best. Perhaps this is either good or bad,
because having a bad, ridiculous story as part of official canon can
lead to serious problems. But, at the same time it can also lead to
authors not taking much of a risk for fear of disrupting established TV
and movie canon. Which, as "These are the Voyages..." shows, sometimes
probably deserves to be disrupted. Star Trek Destiny is a huge risk, as
far as I'm concerned. But one that ultimately succeeds.
Star Trek Destiny also tackles one of the biggest problems in the
established canon, that being the Borg. Much has been made over the
years of the "nerf"-ing of the Borg in Star Trek. It seems as though
the Borg were always meant to have been seen as indestructible, and
indeed in "The Best of Both Worlds", they were only defeated through a
fluke. Over the years in canon, the Borg seemed to lose their
unbeatable quality and in Star Trek Voyager pretty much became relegated
to Monster of the Week status. Even the crew of the NX-01 Enterprise
had a turn at the tee. So, how does an author manage to make the Borg
seem threatening again? This radical of a solution doesn't seem like it
could possibly work, but in the end I was ultimately left more satisfied
than I have been with any Borg story since at least "Endgame" (the
against-all-odds inexplicably good series finale to Voyager), and maybe
even since "The Best of Both Worlds." Massive spoilers to follow,
perhaps you don't want to read before finishing the book.
Verdict: Highly recommended.
*** spoiler space ***
For David Mack, it seems the solution to the problem of the Borg was to
ultimately get rid of them. But, it does make sense. In order to
prevent the perpetual nerfing of the Borg or the perpetual power creep
that the Federation would have to go through in order to constantly
defeat them; perhaps the best solution really is to just eliminate them
entirely to prevent not only over-use of the Borg, but further
degradation of the "canon." David Mack takes a gamble, and ultimately
wins, as far as I'm concerned. The send-off they get is equal parts
relieving and moving.
Mack manages to tie together all four post TOS Star Trek series and a
large amount of established literary universe into three novels that not
only give the Borg an origin story, but an end story that manages to be
quite thought-provoking and moving. Of course, the main stars are the
TNG cast, with almost everyone other than Ezri Dax relegated to small
parts and cameos, and the Enterprise crew is entirely off camera even
during the parts that take place during the 22nd century. Captain
Hernandez ultimately becomes quite interesting, and ended up once again
making me wish that Enterprise had continued past Season 4.
I found myself less interested in the characters that were created in
the literary universe, but as the story went on I grew more familiar
with them. The story is very evocative, and I found Mack manages to use
the prose to generate genuine dread, fear, creepiness and ultimately
relief throughout the tale. It's to his credit that when I was done I
immediately began looking into more Star Trek literary universe ebooks
on Amazon. David Mack's new series seems to be a three parter about
Geordi attempting to rebuild Data, and I'm already thinking of
purchasing it.
Stray observations:
This seems to be sticking with the "Bashir and Dax broke up post DS9"
book canon. Also very weird that Bashir, O'Brien, and Nog are not
appearing in this film at all. At least Garak shows up.
Speaking of, it would have been nice to see more of the Federation's
allies involved other than the brief cameos Garak and Martok and a lot
of generic ambassadors have.
Geordi doesn't have a lot to do, though a short romance is shoehorned in
for him, which I feel like he deserves at this point.
I like the idea of Worf as Picard's first officer, but isn't he supposed
to be the Ambassador to the Klingon Empire? Worf also gets a short
romance shoehorned in.
I had one small gripe in that Picard seems to have dropped back into his
jerk mode he was in for most of Star Trek First Contact. Which, I
thought the point of the movie is he gives up on the White Whale. Maybe
I missed some kind of a relapse he had in the literary universe, but I
couldn't get over his inability to function for 2.9 books because of the
Borg.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
"Blood Angels Omnibus"
The Blood Angels Omnibus (James Swallow)
This omnibus collects two novels and a short story. Normally I'd review the novels separately, but they're basically two halves of the same tale, and if I had read the first novel by itself, I probably would have been pissed at the cliffhanger ending. (I also don't know that I have much to say without giving away the first book's story.)
Collected as a omnibus, the two novels work great; I have yet to read a bad James Swallow book, and the streak holds here. Swallow's villains are always more interesting than his heroes, and this omnibus stars a particularly loathsome piece of filth pitted against our (somewhat forgettable) heroes. I don't want to say much more except that this falls into solid good-not-great territory; it's a easy recommend for W40k fans, but if you're not familiar with the setting, I'd recommend Swallow's excellent Fear to Tread first, which covers the same chapter of Space Marines and serves as a very nice introduction.
Grade: B+
This omnibus collects two novels and a short story. Normally I'd review the novels separately, but they're basically two halves of the same tale, and if I had read the first novel by itself, I probably would have been pissed at the cliffhanger ending. (I also don't know that I have much to say without giving away the first book's story.)
Collected as a omnibus, the two novels work great; I have yet to read a bad James Swallow book, and the streak holds here. Swallow's villains are always more interesting than his heroes, and this omnibus stars a particularly loathsome piece of filth pitted against our (somewhat forgettable) heroes. I don't want to say much more except that this falls into solid good-not-great territory; it's a easy recommend for W40k fans, but if you're not familiar with the setting, I'd recommend Swallow's excellent Fear to Tread first, which covers the same chapter of Space Marines and serves as a very nice introduction.
Grade: B+
Friday, August 15, 2014
"The Cuckoo's Egg"
The Cuckoo's Egg: Tracking a Spy Through the Maze of Computer Espionage (Cliff Stoll)
This is a real-life detective story that I had a really hard time putting down. The book kicks off when the author notices a seventy-five cent billing discrepancy in his mainframe system (this is back in the 80's when people were paying for computer time), and a little digging ends up turning up, well, I'm not really sure I should say.
I can say that I really liked this book; it's mostly about computer crime, but I wouldn't worry about it being too esoteric (I mostly find it charming - the mainframes these guys are chasing each other through have a faction of the power of your phone.) I would recommend skipping the back cover, which gives away the mystery, but otherwise I have nothing but good things to say.
Grade: B+
This is a real-life detective story that I had a really hard time putting down. The book kicks off when the author notices a seventy-five cent billing discrepancy in his mainframe system (this is back in the 80's when people were paying for computer time), and a little digging ends up turning up, well, I'm not really sure I should say.
I can say that I really liked this book; it's mostly about computer crime, but I wouldn't worry about it being too esoteric (I mostly find it charming - the mainframes these guys are chasing each other through have a faction of the power of your phone.) I would recommend skipping the back cover, which gives away the mystery, but otherwise I have nothing but good things to say.
Grade: B+
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
"Honour Imperialis"
Honour Imperialis (Aaron Dembski-Bowden, Rob Sanders, Steve Lyons)
A W0K omnibus about the good ol' Imperial Guard. I'm going to review all of the novels one by one.
Dead Men Walking (ADB) - This is probably the worst ADB novel I've read yet, meaning it's just good and not great. Honestly, by the time I got to the end of the omnibus, I'd forgotten almost everything that happened in this novel; I do remember there were some great action scenes, and I was also kind of gobsmacked that the book contained literally zero female characters. (The Imperial Guard's omnisex - unlike the setting's popular stars, the Space Marines - so there's really no excuse.) That said, I don't want to be too tough on the book; it's exactly the kind of above-average but not spectacular book that fits perfectly in a omnibus like this.
Grade: C+
Cadian Blood (Rob Sanders) - This author wrote one of my all time favorite W40K novels in Atlas Infernal, and he's written probably the best novel in this omnibus. My big issue with Cadian Blood is the same problem I had with Atlas Infernal : The author keeps jumping around the chronology of the story, cutting between our heroes being interrogated in prison and earlier scenes running around fighting Orks. This is annoyingly confusing, all the more so as some characters are introduced in the flash-forwards before we meet them in the earlier parts, which make up the bulk of the book. Still, this is pretty good - it's not quite as bonkers as Atlas Infernal, but this novel is the star of the omnibus.
Grade: B
Redemption Corps (Steve Lyons) - Remember when I said that Cadian Blood was bonkers? This book has Imperial Guard guys charging Necrons on horses. I couldn't imagine this without laughing.
That's pretty much the high point. This is a good-not-great book, unfortunately weighed down by making the focal point of the beginning of the book a frankly boring romance between two goofs I was hard-pressed to care about. After this problem is disposed of, the novel falls into the W40k trap of having too many POV characters, although in fairness it's not nearly as bad as some other books (cough, cough). I'd recommend just skipping all the parts with the two lovers, at least until the second half of the book - once the Necrons warp in the book gets a lot more interesting.
Grade: B-
After the main attraction there's four short stories - one really good ADB one, one not so great Steve Lyons one, and two pretty good ones by (cough cough) and (mumble mumble). All in all, this is one of the stronger W40K omnibusses out there; there's not a single miss here, and while none of the novels themselves are superstars, all three of them for $9 is a great deal.
Total Grade: B+
A W0K omnibus about the good ol' Imperial Guard. I'm going to review all of the novels one by one.
Dead Men Walking (ADB) - This is probably the worst ADB novel I've read yet, meaning it's just good and not great. Honestly, by the time I got to the end of the omnibus, I'd forgotten almost everything that happened in this novel; I do remember there were some great action scenes, and I was also kind of gobsmacked that the book contained literally zero female characters. (The Imperial Guard's omnisex - unlike the setting's popular stars, the Space Marines - so there's really no excuse.) That said, I don't want to be too tough on the book; it's exactly the kind of above-average but not spectacular book that fits perfectly in a omnibus like this.
Grade: C+
Cadian Blood (Rob Sanders) - This author wrote one of my all time favorite W40K novels in Atlas Infernal, and he's written probably the best novel in this omnibus. My big issue with Cadian Blood is the same problem I had with Atlas Infernal : The author keeps jumping around the chronology of the story, cutting between our heroes being interrogated in prison and earlier scenes running around fighting Orks. This is annoyingly confusing, all the more so as some characters are introduced in the flash-forwards before we meet them in the earlier parts, which make up the bulk of the book. Still, this is pretty good - it's not quite as bonkers as Atlas Infernal, but this novel is the star of the omnibus.
Grade: B
Redemption Corps (Steve Lyons) - Remember when I said that Cadian Blood was bonkers? This book has Imperial Guard guys charging Necrons on horses. I couldn't imagine this without laughing.
That's pretty much the high point. This is a good-not-great book, unfortunately weighed down by making the focal point of the beginning of the book a frankly boring romance between two goofs I was hard-pressed to care about. After this problem is disposed of, the novel falls into the W40k trap of having too many POV characters, although in fairness it's not nearly as bad as some other books (cough, cough). I'd recommend just skipping all the parts with the two lovers, at least until the second half of the book - once the Necrons warp in the book gets a lot more interesting.
Grade: B-
After the main attraction there's four short stories - one really good ADB one, one not so great Steve Lyons one, and two pretty good ones by (cough cough) and (mumble mumble). All in all, this is one of the stronger W40K omnibusses out there; there's not a single miss here, and while none of the novels themselves are superstars, all three of them for $9 is a great deal.
Total Grade: B+
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
"A Natural History of Dragons"
A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent (Marie Brennan)
This book stumped both Hams to come up with a clever and witty opening, so I'll just recommend it from the both of us.
Oh, you wanted to know what it's about? FINE. This one you can judge from the cover; it's a natural history of dragons, written as part memoir, part natural history. Dragons are presented as being very real animals in a fictitious world that bears a strong resemblance to Victorian-era Earth with the names switched around. Here there are no talking dragons or majestic rideable dragons; these dragons are presented in a realistic fashion, and you'll probably find yourself both fearing them as they attack the main characters and fearing for them as in turn they're hunted by poachers and have their habitats invaded by smugglers.
This book is the first in a series, covering the main character's first interest in dragons up though the end of her first adventure (complete with sequel hook). Writing her memoir - the book in your hands - allows the author to drop in asides that both flesh out the setting and the main character herself, who is now a crotchety old woman who doesn't give a fig. Given the faux-Victorian setting, there is some anachronisms about women having a place in the home; beyond this I'm not sharing any more plot details (it's only $12 on Amazon or free at your local library).
Grade: B+
This book stumped both Hams to come up with a clever and witty opening, so I'll just recommend it from the both of us.
Oh, you wanted to know what it's about? FINE. This one you can judge from the cover; it's a natural history of dragons, written as part memoir, part natural history. Dragons are presented as being very real animals in a fictitious world that bears a strong resemblance to Victorian-era Earth with the names switched around. Here there are no talking dragons or majestic rideable dragons; these dragons are presented in a realistic fashion, and you'll probably find yourself both fearing them as they attack the main characters and fearing for them as in turn they're hunted by poachers and have their habitats invaded by smugglers.
This book is the first in a series, covering the main character's first interest in dragons up though the end of her first adventure (complete with sequel hook). Writing her memoir - the book in your hands - allows the author to drop in asides that both flesh out the setting and the main character herself, who is now a crotchety old woman who doesn't give a fig. Given the faux-Victorian setting, there is some anachronisms about women having a place in the home; beyond this I'm not sharing any more plot details (it's only $12 on Amazon or free at your local library).
Grade: B+
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Cat Person
Cat Person
by Seo Kim
I like to wander bookstores, looking for that title or cover that speaks to me from the shelf. Some of my favorite books were books I didn't know I wanted to read. Cat Person was one of those siren books, catching my eye on the overstuffed graphic novel shelf.
Seo Kim is a storyboarder for Adventure Time, one of my all-time favorite shows. Yes, it's really up there with Deep Space Nine and Xena: Warrior Princess. You can spot the similarities between some of her art and that of the Adventure Time style.
Okay, so what is the book? It's a collection of comics she drew, mostly about herself. She eats too much (like me!), loves her cat (like me!), and is kind of lazy (like me!). I found a kindred spirit in Seo Kim. I'd last felt this kinship with Julia Wertz (formerly of the awesomely named Fart Party comic but now she's just Julia) as we're both short weirdos with lupus but...I was always uncomfortable with her drinking, even before she received help. Gosh, this review is getting dark! Sorry! Back to Cat Person--it's a short read and I did lolz for real. Pick it up if you see it.
Grade: B
by Seo Kim
I like to wander bookstores, looking for that title or cover that speaks to me from the shelf. Some of my favorite books were books I didn't know I wanted to read. Cat Person was one of those siren books, catching my eye on the overstuffed graphic novel shelf.
Seo Kim is a storyboarder for Adventure Time, one of my all-time favorite shows. Yes, it's really up there with Deep Space Nine and Xena: Warrior Princess. You can spot the similarities between some of her art and that of the Adventure Time style.
Okay, so what is the book? It's a collection of comics she drew, mostly about herself. She eats too much (like me!), loves her cat (like me!), and is kind of lazy (like me!). I found a kindred spirit in Seo Kim. I'd last felt this kinship with Julia Wertz (formerly of the awesomely named Fart Party comic but now she's just Julia) as we're both short weirdos with lupus but...I was always uncomfortable with her drinking, even before she received help. Gosh, this review is getting dark! Sorry! Back to Cat Person--it's a short read and I did lolz for real. Pick it up if you see it.
Grade: B
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