Happy New Year 2015

Larque on the Wing by Nancy Springer

 

This book is either a magic oriented self identity exploration or a mental illness fueled fantasy.   Larque is a young, middle age mother and wife who looks for her inner self and finds something.

There is a lot of social commentary regarding sexual identity and resultant societal dictated roles.   There is minimal action and maximum social spelunking.  Larque meets her long lost father, the perpetrator of said loss and the reader meets Larques family and their idiosyncrasies.

This book is probably used in someone's sociology classes or perhaps abberant psychology, hard t make a decision on that.

Web site: http://www.nancyspringer.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.

Worlds Book 1 by Joe Haldeman

The Worlds are the satellite homes of thousands who have left the confines of the planet Earth. Marianne O'Hara lives on New New York, the largest of the orbiting habitats.   She goes to Earth to further her education, meets a diverse cast of characters and grows intellectually and emotionally.

Haldeman postulates some interesting changes in societal structure.  In some ways his changes are a logical extension of some of the current political deficiencies. 

The story has political intrigue with conspiracies within conspiracies while general incompetence condemns mankind.  

There is action but the story is more focused on the societal changes and the development of Marianne.

I recommend the book.

Site:  http://www.joehaldeman.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.

Merry Christmas 2014

By The Blood Of Heroes by Joseph Nassise

This book is set in a World War I environment.   The forces of Germany have been multiplied by the addition of the undead.   The main protagonist is Manfred von Richthofen, the Red Baron who is a special breed of undead.   Facing off the Red Baron are "Madman" Burke and the American Ace, Major Jack Freeman.

Nassise sets the scene quite well with his depiction of a WWI battlefield and conditions.   His explanations for the undead are "reasonable" or at least as reasonable as most of the explanations in the Zombie books seem to be.  

There is plenty of action and heroics.   

The book is part one of a series and I intend to read them all.

I recommend the book.

Here are links to other reviews I have done on Joseph Nassise books.

King of the Dead

The Heretic

Eyes to See

Site:  http://josephnassise.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.

Mission of Honor by David Weber

 

This is number twelve of the Honor series.  Honor Harrington plays a bit part in the continuing saga of Manticore.   Haven and Manticore, Mesa and the Solarian League are all back.   As a side bar I heard from another Weber fan than he too was frustrated to discover that Hell's Gate and Hell Hath No Fury have not planned follow up.   It reinforce the fact that  I know I was not the only one disappointed when there was no follow up (and none planned) for Hell’s Gate and Hell Hath No Fury.

There was some deep background filled in with this book.   I would not consider this a good stand alone book.  If you are not a fan of the series, I suspect you would be thoroughly confused reading this book.    It is possible that Weber has always been this wordy.   I found myself powering through some chapters as the details became tedious.   I am still a fan and still enjoy the Manticore saga but the bloom may be off the rose.  With that said, I ordered the next volume, Rising Thunder, this afternoon.  

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.

Heart of stone by Debra Mullins.

This a romance novel with a fair amount of action. Faith and Darius are the main protagonist in this story. They are descendants of survivors of the destruction of Atlantis. The story is really about their love and how they establish it.

With the love story is the action and that is the war between the Seers and the Mendukati, two opposing groups from the survivors of Atlantis.  It's the story of love and treachery with quite a bit of action to keep you busy.

The steamy scenes put this book into the romantic category but the action and general story are certainly palatable to the male reader.  No, that is not a sexist remark, as I said about Prodigal Son that is an observation that most guys won't admit to reading any kind of romantic novel.  This book struck me more of a romantic novel than it's predecessor, Prodigal Son.  I do think it is still a good action/adventure/urban fantasy with romantic overtones. 

I recommend it.

Web site: http://www.debramullins.com/bookshelf/prodigalson.php

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 Colony by John M. Davis

 

This is a short story taking place sometime after interstellar colonization.   The colony distress beacon triggers and a squad of Earth Defense Marines is sent to investigate.

The characters are stereo typical Marines.   If you know anything about Marines is they have a "tude".   That "tude" serves them well as if you believe you are the ultimate fighting machine then you will strive to prove that fact.   The Marines in this story do just that.  They prove they are tough and they are courageous.

The emotions and philosophy of the story are laudable.   The characters are a bit thin on detail and depth.   The plot is action filled and the enemy is implacable and unresponsive to communication.

The story is short, it is action filled and it concludes with philosophic advice.

I enjoyed it.

Site:  http://johndavisbooks.wordpress.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.

The Clockwork Dagger by Beth Cato

This book might be characterized as a steampunk romance.  That should NOT deter manly readers but hopefully will encourage the fairer sex that seems to find it difficult to get into the genre.   The book has a strong female protagonist who is embroiled in an ethical dilemma.   Wanted dead and alive by opposing sides in a bitter war leads Octavia Leander down a narrow path fraught with danger.

I really liked this book.   Octavia, who often feels out of her comfort zone, does not kowtow to anyone, assassin, princess or villain.   As a protagonist she exhibits courage, resourcefulness and compassion.   All of this is tempered by a realistic look at life and her future and occasional bouts of self pity.  

Mz. Cato does a great job in her characterizations.  After reading about Mr. Drury, I wanted to grab my hand sanitizer.  He reeked of slimy!  The setting is interesting with the good guys being, at most, marginally good and the bad guys being even worse.  

Mz. Cato's website announces a sequel and I certainly plan on reading it. 

I highly recommend.  

Site:  http://www.bethcato.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.

Heritage of Cyador by L.E. Modesitt, jr

This is a continuation of the Recluce series, number eighteen to be exact.  Cyador's Heirs the previous book established Lerial as a major player in the saga.   Lerial takes his protection of Cigoerne to Afrit, the much larger neighboring nation in this book.   His defense of his homeland takes a surprising turn.

I have noted before in his other books, Modesitt 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. This book is no exception.  Mercantile distaste could be a subtitle.   Modesitt seems to have strong philosophic threads throughout his books.  

Again, probably repeating myself, the author takes a great deal of time building the scene before he introduces action.  In some ways that mirrors reality as constant action isn't even prevalent in a war zone.  

The common thread, as I stated in previous Modesitt reviews is the lone soul fighting for self identity in a harsh world.  Lerial finds a new friend and mentor as well as allies in surprising places.  

I highly recommend.  

Body of  work of <a type="amzn" >L.E. Modesitt</a>

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.