As part of the release of The Clockwork Alice author DeAnna Knippling provided me with an ecopy of her book for review.
It has been more years than I care to admit to since I have read the Alice in Wonderland stories. I do remember having varying reactions to the stories, from laughter to fear to just plain confusion. I had the same reactions to The Clockwork Alice, and I believe this was probably the intent of the author. Because in addition to those reactions was a feeling of nostalgia, kind of like visiting an old friend, recalling past adventures but seeing how their life has changed yet in some ways, stayed the same. She maintained the feel of the original beautifully. All the characters we remember are there.
A complex story, the original Alice... operated on many levels. Author Knippling has continued that complexity with her continuation of the story, both thematically and structurally. There is more than one Alice (SPOILER ALERT! AAARRGGH!) in this telling, exponentially increasing that complexity.
To the mundane nuts and bolts: There are a few typos/errors which need to be corrected. Things like of instead of off, off instead of of, and of instead of from, to name a few (they always seem to jump out at me).
The only other difficulty (minor) for me is that the segues from one Alice to another (remember, spoiler) was sometimes more abrupt and less clear than I would have liked. Although to be honest, as the story progressed I was better able to pick up the clues as to which was which.
The Clockwork Alice is a new visit with an old friend, at times bizarre and twisted. DeAnna Knippling has demonstrated (to me at least) an abundance of creativity and imagination. The Clockwork aspect of the story is truly mind-bending. I found the ending to be heart warming and simultaneously heart breaking yet overall comforting.
I don't necessarily recommend this Alice story for younger children. It's not a Disney version. There are themes and actions that would be hard for the younger reader/listener to completely understand.
Adults, if you read any of the Alice in Wonderland stories (and I know you have) you really should read The Clockwork Alice by DeAnna Knippling, you will be glad you did. Enjoy!
Mike
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Desert God
I won a print copy of Desert God by Wilbur Smith in a Goodreads Giveaway.
Probably not a whole lot more I can say that hasn't already been said about Desert God. But I'm going to anyway.
Desert God is the fifth entry in Wilbur Smith's The Egyptian Series. Our hero, Taita, is without doubt the most unique eunuch in history. In fact he is probably the most accomplished man in history period.
First, he is physically trim and athletic (an unusual state for a eunuch to my understanding). He is apparently nearing, if not already past, 100 years of age. Yet he is able to outperform men a quarter of his age (just ask him).
Second, he is one of the great military strategists the world has ever known (just ask him). He lays claim to, in addition to several other martial accomplishments, authoring The Art of War. Sun Tzu, were he available, may take issue with that claim.
Third, he possesses only the merest hint of an ego (just ask him).
In Desert God Taita relates the story of how he masterminded Egypt's war against the Hyksos while witnessing the destruction of the Minoan Culture (not his doing), and financed Pharaoh's Egypt.
It is an action packed, suspense filled, adventure of epic historic proportion. Love, honor, duty, romance, greed, treachery, and vengeance all intertwine in a truly entertaining story. Forbidden love (and sex) is aided and abetted by our hero. There are even interactions with, and interventions by, various gods of the time.
Desert God by Wilbur Smith is not a particularly quick read (583 pages), but it is an entertaining one. With so many plots and sub-plots, twists and turns, it is difficult in a short review to do justice to the intricacies of the whole story. For fans of Mr. Smith's work this comes as no surprise. To new readers: Hang on and enjoy the ride! As I always say: Enjoy!
Mike
Probably not a whole lot more I can say that hasn't already been said about Desert God. But I'm going to anyway.
Desert God is the fifth entry in Wilbur Smith's The Egyptian Series. Our hero, Taita, is without doubt the most unique eunuch in history. In fact he is probably the most accomplished man in history period.
First, he is physically trim and athletic (an unusual state for a eunuch to my understanding). He is apparently nearing, if not already past, 100 years of age. Yet he is able to outperform men a quarter of his age (just ask him).
Second, he is one of the great military strategists the world has ever known (just ask him). He lays claim to, in addition to several other martial accomplishments, authoring The Art of War. Sun Tzu, were he available, may take issue with that claim.
Third, he possesses only the merest hint of an ego (just ask him).
In Desert God Taita relates the story of how he masterminded Egypt's war against the Hyksos while witnessing the destruction of the Minoan Culture (not his doing), and financed Pharaoh's Egypt.
It is an action packed, suspense filled, adventure of epic historic proportion. Love, honor, duty, romance, greed, treachery, and vengeance all intertwine in a truly entertaining story. Forbidden love (and sex) is aided and abetted by our hero. There are even interactions with, and interventions by, various gods of the time.
Desert God by Wilbur Smith is not a particularly quick read (583 pages), but it is an entertaining one. With so many plots and sub-plots, twists and turns, it is difficult in a short review to do justice to the intricacies of the whole story. For fans of Mr. Smith's work this comes as no surprise. To new readers: Hang on and enjoy the ride! As I always say: Enjoy!
Mike
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Ana's Trial
I won a print copy of Ana's Trial by Dan Thompson in a Goodreads Giveaway.
Ana's Trial is a very quick read, 23 pages. But author Dan Thompson tells a beautiful story in those few pages. Set in tribal Egypt (before the era of the Pharaoh) we read the tale of Ana confronting destiny and duty. Will she accept it? Read the book.
Thompson paints an incredible mind picture of a time and place long, long ago. We are immediately sympathetic to Ana and caught up in her story.
I do hope Dan Thompson expands her story for us, he laid the ground work for a longer telling of Ana's Life.
If you are in the mood for a good quick (23 pages, how long does that take?) read, Ana's Trial by Dan Thompson is a great one. Then you too can join with what I'm sure will be a mass of readers clamoring for more of Ana's story. Enjoy!
Mike
Ana's Trial is a very quick read, 23 pages. But author Dan Thompson tells a beautiful story in those few pages. Set in tribal Egypt (before the era of the Pharaoh) we read the tale of Ana confronting destiny and duty. Will she accept it? Read the book.
Thompson paints an incredible mind picture of a time and place long, long ago. We are immediately sympathetic to Ana and caught up in her story.
I do hope Dan Thompson expands her story for us, he laid the ground work for a longer telling of Ana's Life.
If you are in the mood for a good quick (23 pages, how long does that take?) read, Ana's Trial by Dan Thompson is a great one. Then you too can join with what I'm sure will be a mass of readers clamoring for more of Ana's story. Enjoy!
Mike
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Dahler & Nicholls Fight Crime! (Crime Wins)
The usual disclaimer (Like anyone cares); I received a print copy of Dahler & Nicholls Fight Crime! (Crime Wins) by Dixie J. Whitted for review.
Dahler & Nicholls Fight Crime! is a comic book, not in the graphic novel format, but rather the compilation of single page single scene comics. The recurring characters, Dahler and Nicholls are police detectives, inept and somewhat goofy detectives to be sure but not in a way that anyone would reasonably take offense to.
I read this book out of my usual sequence because I felt in need of a chuckle. Dahler & Nicholls Fight Crime! provides them. No heavy messages, no social commentary, just humorous peeks into a comic world.
Not much more to say really. You either like comics or you don't. If you do, Dahler & Nicholls Fight Crime! (Crime Wins) by Dixie J. Whitted will bring a smile. Enjoy!
Mike
Dahler & Nicholls Fight Crime! is a comic book, not in the graphic novel format, but rather the compilation of single page single scene comics. The recurring characters, Dahler and Nicholls are police detectives, inept and somewhat goofy detectives to be sure but not in a way that anyone would reasonably take offense to.
I read this book out of my usual sequence because I felt in need of a chuckle. Dahler & Nicholls Fight Crime! provides them. No heavy messages, no social commentary, just humorous peeks into a comic world.
Not much more to say really. You either like comics or you don't. If you do, Dahler & Nicholls Fight Crime! (Crime Wins) by Dixie J. Whitted will bring a smile. Enjoy!
Mike
A Sickness In Time
I was given a print copy of A Sickness In Time by M.F. Thomas and Nicholas Thurkettle (actually their publicist) for review.
To state right off; I like this book a lot.
A Sickness In Time is one of those books that spans a few genres. Here we have; time travel, technology, and corporate greed as the most prevalent. We also have friendship, loyalty, redemption, parental love and some deep philosophical discussion.
Thomas and Thurkettle do an admirable job of combining these disparate themes into a coherent, readable, and entertaining (most important to me) adventure. The possible consequences of time travel for personal reasons, no matter how philanthropic are explored in depth by two of the central characters. I was at first concerned that these discussions would slow the story or worse, bore me as a reader. They didn't, although I will admit that they were not the high point of the book for me. Though they may well be for more cerebral readers than I.
I think identifying any character as the "main" character would not be correct here. A Sickness In Time reads as more of an ensemble cast, if that makes any sense (I guess you'll have to read it to decide for yourself). I enjoyed the interplay between the cast and the different places they filled in the overall story. We have the duty bound, the anti-social, the establishment, anti-establishment, socially delayed, and the altruistic. That is probably not all but you get the idea.
I did like the pace of the story, it kept my attention, and there were twists and turns enough to keep me from trying to predict the story as I read.
Techie fans, adventure fans, time travel fans, intrigue fans will all find in A Sickness In Time by M.F. Thomas and Nicholas Thurkettle, a highly entertaining read. I encourage any fans of those genres to check this book out. Enjoy!
Mike
To state right off; I like this book a lot.
A Sickness In Time is one of those books that spans a few genres. Here we have; time travel, technology, and corporate greed as the most prevalent. We also have friendship, loyalty, redemption, parental love and some deep philosophical discussion.
Thomas and Thurkettle do an admirable job of combining these disparate themes into a coherent, readable, and entertaining (most important to me) adventure. The possible consequences of time travel for personal reasons, no matter how philanthropic are explored in depth by two of the central characters. I was at first concerned that these discussions would slow the story or worse, bore me as a reader. They didn't, although I will admit that they were not the high point of the book for me. Though they may well be for more cerebral readers than I.
I think identifying any character as the "main" character would not be correct here. A Sickness In Time reads as more of an ensemble cast, if that makes any sense (I guess you'll have to read it to decide for yourself). I enjoyed the interplay between the cast and the different places they filled in the overall story. We have the duty bound, the anti-social, the establishment, anti-establishment, socially delayed, and the altruistic. That is probably not all but you get the idea.
I did like the pace of the story, it kept my attention, and there were twists and turns enough to keep me from trying to predict the story as I read.
Techie fans, adventure fans, time travel fans, intrigue fans will all find in A Sickness In Time by M.F. Thomas and Nicholas Thurkettle, a highly entertaining read. I encourage any fans of those genres to check this book out. Enjoy!
Mike
Monday, February 13, 2017
Fallback (Planetfall Book II)
I was given an e-copy of Fallback (Planetfall Book II) by author L. E. Howel for review.
You may have noticed my last review was on the first book in this series; Planetfall. Lucky me, I got to read both books back to back. To answer the question that I'm sure is foremost on your mind (why else would you be reading this review?), Fallback is as good as the first book.
The story picks up right where the first book ended and the action continues uninterrupted. Five characters are front and center for this installment. No spoiler here, they leave Earth and return to the colony they were supposed to have started.
What they find on the colonized planet is not what they expect, and therein lies the story. As in the first book, our heroic group does not particularly like each other or get along, but they do their jobs.
If anything, Fallback is even more action packed than Planetfall. Author Howel does not waste time on what would be slow passages in other books. He keeps us engaged the whole time.
Lots of graphic violence, no sex (how could there be, nobody likes anybody else) and more character development than I am used to in an action story.
The negative? There has to be something, right? The bane of my reading existence; the dreaded cliffhanger ending! AAAARRGGH! We have to wait until fall for the next book, but what you gonna do, a 1200 page book might be a bit intimidating, so breaking it into shorter books is probably a good thing.
I enjoyed the heck out of Fallback (Planetfall Book II) by author L. E. Howel, and if you are a fan of action/fantasy/sci-fi, I'm pretty sure you will too. I encourage you to give this series a look. I will try to be patient while waiting for the next book. Enjoy!
Mike
You may have noticed my last review was on the first book in this series; Planetfall. Lucky me, I got to read both books back to back. To answer the question that I'm sure is foremost on your mind (why else would you be reading this review?), Fallback is as good as the first book.
The story picks up right where the first book ended and the action continues uninterrupted. Five characters are front and center for this installment. No spoiler here, they leave Earth and return to the colony they were supposed to have started.
What they find on the colonized planet is not what they expect, and therein lies the story. As in the first book, our heroic group does not particularly like each other or get along, but they do their jobs.
If anything, Fallback is even more action packed than Planetfall. Author Howel does not waste time on what would be slow passages in other books. He keeps us engaged the whole time.
Lots of graphic violence, no sex (how could there be, nobody likes anybody else) and more character development than I am used to in an action story.
The negative? There has to be something, right? The bane of my reading existence; the dreaded cliffhanger ending! AAAARRGGH! We have to wait until fall for the next book, but what you gonna do, a 1200 page book might be a bit intimidating, so breaking it into shorter books is probably a good thing.
I enjoyed the heck out of Fallback (Planetfall Book II) by author L. E. Howel, and if you are a fan of action/fantasy/sci-fi, I'm pretty sure you will too. I encourage you to give this series a look. I will try to be patient while waiting for the next book. Enjoy!
Mike
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Planetfall
Author L. E. Howel sent me an e-copy of Planetfall some time ago for review. Due to a computer snafu I just now got to actually read it.
Planetfall had me from the very start. The story hooked me and held me til the end. The action, intrigue, relationships were spellbinding, I loved it.
The story begins in space and returns to Earth. An Earth that has changed into something the space travelers don't recognize. It is a very complex mix of themes and genres. We have space travel (of course) dystopian society, political intrigue, military action, science, pathos, regret and reinvention and even a manner of the quest. A lot to put into one book. Although to be accurate, author Howel has had to continue the story in a sequel, so maybe it was too much for one book. But I digress.
Planetfall plays the tension between characters very well. They are so well developed that they will at times make the reader crazy angry and at other times our hearts break for them. I think this is what I like best about the story. The characters are not two dimensional cartoons that are only good or bad, they move along the continuum of human behavior realistically.
There is action/adventure, graphic violence, interpersonal and intrapersonal conflict, technology, political conflict, mutant(?) vs normal(?) you'll have to make your own choice as to which is which.
As a series, not all the problems are solved in the first installment (and I don't know how many installments are to come), so the ending (non-ending) is not a cliffhanger exactly but does lead into the next book. Fortunately, I was sent both books and have already started the sequel, but that is for another review.
Not much in the way of sex, romance of a sort, a lot of personal introspection, and heroic actions by several characters. Planetfall by L. E. Howel is the complete package. Enjoy!
Mike
Planetfall had me from the very start. The story hooked me and held me til the end. The action, intrigue, relationships were spellbinding, I loved it.
The story begins in space and returns to Earth. An Earth that has changed into something the space travelers don't recognize. It is a very complex mix of themes and genres. We have space travel (of course) dystopian society, political intrigue, military action, science, pathos, regret and reinvention and even a manner of the quest. A lot to put into one book. Although to be accurate, author Howel has had to continue the story in a sequel, so maybe it was too much for one book. But I digress.
Planetfall plays the tension between characters very well. They are so well developed that they will at times make the reader crazy angry and at other times our hearts break for them. I think this is what I like best about the story. The characters are not two dimensional cartoons that are only good or bad, they move along the continuum of human behavior realistically.
There is action/adventure, graphic violence, interpersonal and intrapersonal conflict, technology, political conflict, mutant(?) vs normal(?) you'll have to make your own choice as to which is which.
As a series, not all the problems are solved in the first installment (and I don't know how many installments are to come), so the ending (non-ending) is not a cliffhanger exactly but does lead into the next book. Fortunately, I was sent both books and have already started the sequel, but that is for another review.
Not much in the way of sex, romance of a sort, a lot of personal introspection, and heroic actions by several characters. Planetfall by L. E. Howel is the complete package. Enjoy!
Mike
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