Bowl of Heaven by Gregory Benford and Larry Niven

 

In spite of the title, this is not a dish of death by chocolate ice cream.  In some what stereotypical Niven fashion,  a starship comes upon an immense artifact (ala Ringworld) on their way to explore a new planet.

The artifact is a shipstar, no typo, a ship being powered by a star full of new sights, strange creatures and great adventure.   In spite of the comparison to Ringworld, the book isn’t just Ringworld warmed over.   The premise is somewhat similar but it ends there.  

There are three groups of protagonists as the story plays out.   Each group has it’s own flavor and message.   The story stops somewhat abruptly and lets you know there is more to come. 

I enjoyed it.

I recommend it.    

Body of work of <a type="amzn" >Greg Beneford</a>

Body of work of <a type="amzn" >Larry Niven</a>

Web sites: http://www.gregorybenford.com/

http://www.larryniven.net/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

The Thirty Three Days of Christmas eBook GiveAway

The Thirty Three Days of Christmas eBook GiveAway 

Starting the day after Thanksgiving there are thirty three days until Christmas.  Each day I will give away three Kindle eBook for a total of ninety nine in thirty three days.  To win a copy all that is needed is to request a copy by email at wbentrim@hotmail.com or to comment on one of my blogs or website and mention the Big33 and which book you would like.  The daily winner will be chosen by time stamp as to who requested first.  If there are simultaneous time stamps, the winners will be chosen by a random number generator.   If you do win a copy if you would be so kind as to review the book on Amazon I would be appreciative.   Winners will be announced weekly.

The books are in .mobi or pdf, please note which format works for you.  

The  books I currently have on Kindle are:

Ø      The Christmas Knot

Ø      A Quirky Christmas

Ø      The Wicked Good Stepmother

Ø      Hardy Belch And The Bully

Ø      A Big Scare Turns Out Tiny

Ø      Short or Tall Doesn't Matter At All: Dealing With Bullies

Ø      Mommy's Black Eye

  

See details on books at www.bentrim.info

If reviewing a product, it may have been received free of charge. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

The Road of Danger by David Drake (A Daniel Leary Book)

This book is another in the continuing saga of Daniel Leary’s career in the Cinnabar space navy. I compare this series with that of the Horatio Hornblower series and perceive that as a compliment. I love both of the series, one as iron men in wooden ships and the other as the carbon fiber men in the composite beryllium ships. It is the men not the hardware that makes the series so enjoyable.

Men, in this case, not being gender specific. Adele Mundy is most definitely female and may be the most dangerous of the Leary crew. I enjoy the interplay between characters and the pragmatic approach Leary takes in meeting his goals. Note that they are his goals and not always that of his orders or superior officers. These books are a treat to read and I always enjoy them.

Once again the “Sissie” and her crew are put into untenable situations and extradite themselves brilliantly. Again, the loyalty, honor and camaraderie are what makes the books so engrossing and successful.

Body of work of David Drake </a>

Web Site: http://www.david-drake.com/

Culpa Innata by B. Barmanbek

This story is set in a future where the planet is dominated by the World Union.   The World Union was created to stabilize the planet after a devastating global depression.   Brave New World came to mind when reading the book.   Phoenix a new, young global police force agent is assigned a murder that is well beyond her experience.  What she uncovers may be the most potent threat to the World Union since it’s inception.

I saw part of this story as a coming of age for Phoenix.   Although very bright and loaded with talent she is unable to perceive her own abilities and strengths.   Her lack of self esteem is her biggest road block to success.

The World Union does not read like a fun place to live.   The author takes aberrant aspects of society and promotes them far beyond their Peter Principle.   The germs of origin make them recognizable but just barely.

This is a thought provoking book, more thought provoking than enjoyable for me.   I had trouble getting into it and difficulty staying with it. 

 

Body of  work of <a type="amzn" > B. Barmanbek </a>

Web Site:  None found

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Traitor Angel by H. David Blalock (Book 2 of the Angelkiller Triad)

This is a continuation of story of good versus evil started in Angelkiller. Angels and Demons so to speak are the main characters in this story. However they aren't the traditional Angels and Demons. It is the Army versus the Enemy with the Army being the good guys and the Enemy being the bad guys.   The world is being manipulated by the Enemy and it is up to the Army to stop them.

In some ways it would be nice to ascribe the troubles of the world to a mythical band of evil doers as the author does.   It is kind of sad that the messes we see today are self created.  However on to the story.  

The knights that appeared in the last story are still with us.   They are helping Mason’s cell of the Army.   Once again much of the action takes place in an advanced virtual reality.   This VR is so advanced that injuries sustained in the digital world can be inflicted on the physical body.  

The crew of good guys co-opt a Enemy mid-level manager and manage to inflict some damage on the Enemy.  One of their own is trapped in VR.  

The black hats versus the white hats is a common theme, less common is the reversal of roles.  Blalock does a nice job portraying a pantheon for both sides.   When you come right down to it, the series is a portrayal of the good guys against the bad.  I guess the third book will let us know who wins.  

I recommend the book.

Body of  work of <a type="amzn" > H. David Blalock </a>

Web Site:  http://www.thrankeep.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Move Forward--Embrace Bi-Partisanship!

WE ARE WATCHING!

I’m still in my pjs as I write this.   You seldom see me writing about politics or religion but frustration can motivate changes in behavior.   I’m annoyed and cranky!   The election is really not even over and already some &%$#@)(&**  politicians are stating there will be no compromise.  Frankly the Presidential election was moot.   Unless our do nothing Congress can start to compromise and cooperate, nothing will change. 

We are not red and blue, we are all red-white and blue.  Any idiot knows if we run a sack race, we tie two legs together and run in the same direction.  Apparently our Congressional leaders missed the memo, both runners have to go in the same direction or they go in circles and get no where.  

It is up to us, the voters, to get cranky and let our representatives know that doing nothing is not acceptable.  If we can’t break these bozos to the harness then we need a new team.   It doesn’t matter if you like the results of the election, we are all in the same boat and we must get Congress to start pulling the oars in the same direction.  

Bi-partisan should be a compliment not a curse word!

If reviewing a product, it may have been received free of charge. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Shadow Show edited by Sam Weller and Mort Castle

This is a collection of stories in celebration of Ray Bradbury.  

I’m never sure how to review a collection.  I liked most of the stories.  If you like Ray Bradbury, you will probably like this book. 

It includes works by:

Ray Bradbury - Second Homecoming
*Neil Gaiman - The Man Who Forgot Ray Bradbury
*Margaret Atwood - Headlife
Jay Bonansinga - Heavy
*Sam Weller - The Girl In The Funeral Parlor
David Morrell - The Companions
Thomas F. Monteleone - The Exchange
Lee Martin - Cat on a Bad Couch
*Joe Hill - By The Silver Water Of Lake Champlain
*Dan Chaon - Little America
John McNally - The Phone Call
Joe Meno - Young Pilgrims
Robert McCammon - Children Of The Bedtime Machine
*Ramsey Campbell - The Page
Mort Castle - Light
Alice Hoffman - Conjure
John Maclay - Max
Jacqueline Mitchard - Two Of A Kind
Gary Braunbeck - Fat Man And Little Boy
*Bonnie Jo Campbell - The Tattoo
Audrey Niffenegger - Backwards In Seville
* Charles Yu - Earth: (A Gift Shop)
Julia Keller - Hayleigh's Dad
Dave Eggers - Who Knocks?
Bayo Ojikutu - Reservation 2020
Kelly Link - Two Houses
Harlan Ellison – Weariness

Body of work of <a type="amzn"> Ray Bradbury </a>

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Midst Toil And Tribulation by David Weber

This is the sixth book in the Safehold series.  A planet lost from an alien intelligence that has wiped out mankind except for Safehold.  

The corrupt theocracy continues to fight to hold power.  Instigating civil war and denying all progress it still manages to trumpet it’s godliness.  

The breadth of this saga is amazing, roughly 3500 pages and more to come.   As Cayleb, Sharleyan and Merlin struggle to save enemies and friends alike, the church’s treachery goes on unabated. 

Weber’s characters are detailed and real.  He has the ability to make you loathe or love.   This ability means that you find yourself clenching your fist or wiping tears as you read his work.   My admiration is boundless for the talent needed to successfully provoke emotion. 

He does often beat the proverbial dead horse but if success is in the details then he is most successful.

I highly recommend the book .

Body of work of <a type="amzn"> David Weber </a>

Web Site: http://www.davidweber.net/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Another Exceptional Blog Banner

 In my continuing and often sporadic posting of great blog banners I present Shelly of Layersofthought's November banner:

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.