A Fire Upon The Deep by Vernor Vinge

Vinge is a real world, honest to goodness Computer Science professor.  His books are accurately described as hard science fiction.  This story describes a later chapter in Pham Nuwen's life.  Pham was part of the space faring group of merchants, the Qeng Ho, benefiting from the time dilation effect of interstellar travel.   They did not know they were trapped in the Slowness, a part of the universe where true faster than light travel was impossible.  This story looks a a bigger slice of the universe where people can ascend or transcend to a higher plane where technology becomes synonymous with magic.  Keeping in mind Arthur C. Clark's admonishment that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic

Ravena Bergsndot is a librarian at Relay, a network node akin to DropBox on steroids.  A repository and clearing house of data.  Information is king and as a clearing house Relay is paramount in it's neighborhood.   A perversion arises that threatens the known universe.   Ravena  is partnered with Pham and they become shipmates of two plant people, Geenstalk and Blueshell.  

The shipmates dive into the deeps of the Slowness watching their technology degrade to find a weapon to battle the perversion and to incidentally rescue some children marooned there through no fault of their own.   Mixed into this mélange of aliens, the shipmates meet pack mind folks who have woes of their own.  

Vinge has captured multitasking in his story telling.   The stories culminate together and are tied up neatly.

I highly recommend it.

Fan Based web site:  http://mindstalk.net/vinge/ /This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Free: Victoria Simcox's The Warble 6/23/14 to 6/27/14

Free: Victoria Simcox's The Warble 6/23/14 to 6/27/14

A Great treat and it isn't even Halloween!

Get Victoria Simcox's delightful book, 

The Warble  FREE for a very limited time.

Get it for FREE HERE!

See my review HERE!

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

To Sail A Darkling Sea By John Ringo

Ringo brings his experienced voice to the Zombie genre.   I was a bit surprised as he is so well established and regarded I didn't think he would want to jump on the over worked Zombie genre.   Zombies have taken over everything but a few ships at sea.   A virus has created them and a few people seem to have natural immunity and some have been vaccinated.   This book is about Wolf Squadron, a family dominated militia type of navy that is attempting to rescue survivors and eventually re-take the world.

The Zombies are pretty typical mindless eating creatures.   Ringo does write a good story and populates it with very strong female protagonists.   I enjoyed the way he contrasted the militia type mentality with the professional military mind set.   His women kick butt.   The story has places where it flounders a bit but overall an entertaining and action packed read.

I recommend the book.

Web sites:        http://www.johnringo.net/Home.aspx

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

Fool's Assassin by Robin Hobb (a.k.a. Megan Lindholm)

This is the first  book in the Fitz and the Fool trilogy.   This follows the Farseer series.  FitzChivalry, the royal bastard/assassin is living the life of mellow, Tom Badgerlock.   That life of indolence changes dramatically as he is pulled back into the court intrigues and the prophecies of the Fool.

Mz. Hobb seems to specialize in self doubt.   Her characters seem to revel in questioning their own values.   My previous life as a guidance counselor was often spent in trying to get young people to develop self esteem.   Tom certainly could have used some counseling.   The references to his torture in previous books leads one to believe that the physical abuse is what initiated the self doubt.  If recollection serves me, FitzChivalry had a lot of self doubt in the Farseer series as well.

Bee, the surprise daughter, exhibits what I would consider normal self concern from a child.   She may have gifts from her father's heritage that are so far unexplored.

The wallowing introspection occasionally gets tedious but overall the pace is satisfactory.  Ms. Hobb develops her characters meticulously.   They are full fleshed and as real as fiction can be.

I enjoyed the book and will wait quite impatiently for the second in the series.

Web Site:  http://www.robinhobb.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.

Cyador's Heirs by L.E. Modesitt, jr

This is a continuation of the Recluce series, number seventeen to be exact.    Cyad, the capital of Cyador has been destroyed and the refugees have fled to Hamor establishing the Dukedom of Cigoerne.  

Lerial is a second son in Cigoerne's semi-feudal type of society where second son's are merely a back up or spare heir.   He has strained relationships with both his brother and his father and he is fraught with self doubt.   Modesitt's normal MO carries through in this book.   His protagonist's are constantly questioning their own capabilities and wondering if what their doing is going to have any bearing on the troubles their kingdom is experiencing.

Lerial is no exception.  It is a coming of age story for a young man who has to face many perils. 

As in his other books, Modesitt also infuses political commentary and philosophy as part of his story line.   Time Gods World, The Forever Hero and Order Master all illustrate philosophic musings.  There are times where the author seems to pontificate a bit but it always fits the story line. 

The common thread, as I stated in previous Modesitt reviews is the lone soul fighting for self identity in a harsh world.   A strong mentor helps Lerial find his direction.  

I highly recommend.  

Site:  http://www.lemodesittjr.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.

Jack's Diabetes Sale Continues at Amazon Kindle Until June 9, 2014

Celebrate Amazon Debut of Hardy Belch and the Predator: Addressing Internet Safety by buying Jack's Diabetes on SALE at Amazon!

(click here)

Sale from June 2nd to June 9th 2014

Jack's Diabetes

Diabetes is not just a word to 12-year-old Jack.   It has changed the way he lives his life.   Jack has learned not to just cope with a disease but he can live his life the way he wants while successfully treating his diabetes. 

This book’s goal is to help children realize that although the onset of diabetes can be frightening it does not mean the cessation of normal life.  This book provides a story that helps both the youthful diabetic and their peers to understand the impact of diabetes and one method of therapy.  It is not a recommendation for that therapy and all medical decisions should be discussed with your physician.

ISBN-13:978-1475268331 

ISBN-10:1475268335

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

Celebrate Amazon Debut of Hardy Belch and the Predator: Addressing Internet Safety by buying Jack's Diabetes on SALE at Amazon!

Celebrate Amazon Debut of Hardy Belch and the Predator: Addressing Internet Safety by buying Jack's Diabetes on SALE at Amazon!

(click here)

Sale from June 2nd to June 9th 2014

Jack's Diabetes

Diabetes is not just a word to 12-year-old Jack.   It has changed the way he lives his life.   Jack has learned not to just cope with a disease but he can live his life the way he wants while successfully treating his diabetes. 

This book’s goal is to help children realize that although the onset of diabetes can be frightening it does not mean the cessation of normal life.  This book provides a story that helps both the youthful diabetic and their peers to understand the impact of diabetes and one method of therapy.  It is not a recommendation for that therapy and all medical decisions should be discussed with your physician.

ISBN-13:978-1475268331 

ISBN-10:1475268335

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