Forced Perspective by Tim Powers

This seems like it would be a good book, I just can't get into it since the plot seems to depend a great deal on the previous book, Alternate Routes.   For me, this doesn't stand alone well.   It appears like it would be really good if you read the first book, first.

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

Catalyst by Tracy Richardson

I’m not sure how to quantify this book.  It is, for sure, Young Adult.  It is a story of optimism in the face of pragmatism and greed.   It also is a mild diatribe on fracking.

The fracking part of this book will probably be upsetting to some people.   In areas were jobs were scarce, people looked at fracking as a life line.   There are a lot of open-ended questions as to the safety of the process.  That is something better pursued elsewhere.

The other worldly aspects of the books and the spiritual connections were tenuous.   I think in a book focused on an older audience there would have been a greater burden of proof.   The book could probably add a 100 pages or so and be better accepted by the adult reader. 

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

Quantum Shadows By L. E. Modesitt, Jr

Modesitt is a philosopher.  He likes to explore decision making and reality checks.   This book does a snapshot of the world’s religions and beliefs and suggests a solution for equilibrium.

I enjoy Modesitt’s work but I admit I read more for entertainment and enjoyment than enlightenment.  He frequently imbues his books with philosophic overtones but this was with a philosophic book with literary overtones.  

If you are a Modesitt fan, you should read this.  If you aren’t, this book won’t make you a fan unless you hold a degree in philosophy.

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

CHAOS REIGNING drops Today!

Jessie Mihalik took the sci-fi romance world by storm with her critically acclaimed Consortium Rebellion trilogy— called "enthralling and eminently satisfying” by the New York Times—capturing intergalactic hearts everywhere, taking readers on a clever ride of pure sexy space goodness spanning across planets.

The journey concludes with CHAOS REIGNING, out May 19, 2020 from Harper Voyager. This highly anticipated novel follows the youngest member of High House von Hasenberg, Catarina. In the grand tradition of Princess Leia and just like her sisters, the heroine of CHAOS REIGNING is a powerful young woman who creates her own destiny and faces the consequences of her actions without fear.

Cat’s overprotective older sister reluctantly agrees to let Cat spy on the enemy, but on one condition: Cat cannot go alone. Alexander Sterling, a quiet, gorgeous bodyguard, will accompany her, posing as her lover. After Cat tries, and fails, to ditch Alex, she grudgingly agrees, confident in her ability to manage him.  After all, she’s never found a person she can’t manipulate. Right?

 

I will be reviewing this and here are my reviews of the first two terrific books in the series.

Aurora Blazing review

Polaris Rising review

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

There Comes a Prophet by David Litwack

This is a dystopian novel of a future theocracy.   In a time of strife, the world’s churches set aside their difference and compromise on a unifying religion.  This religion ends up stifling all progress.   This is the setting for the quest of three young people to discover the truth about their world.

In a world with out war, why would you want to make any changes.   In a world without creativity why would you NOT want to make changes.   The characters in this book are young, naïve and romantic.   There lives are disrupted by the church and Nathaniel sacrifices himself for his undeclared love.  

The evil clerics are not wholly evil as their society is not wholly wrong.   There are enough arguments to provide food for thought.  

This was interesting, not captivating but worth reading.

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 Warehouse by Rob Hart

Hart postulates a future reseller who has changed the world.   In that future world the gap between haves and have nots has widen and employment is at a premium.   The utopia offered by Mother Cloud may not be what it seems.

Hart may not have written 1984 or Brave New World but there are distinct parallels to his work and social commentary.   His examples of small businesses being crushed by online retailing behemoths hits close to home having had two small businesses and finding those businesses dramatically impacted by goliaths unaware or uncaring about my very existence.  The book is thought provoking or muck raking depending on your perspective.

Is the potential good for a distant future reason enough to surrender current freedom?  Is a capitalistic dictatorship a better alternative than a corrupt democracy?  Hart provides fodder for thought.   If I was still teaching, I would assign this book and revel in the discussions that would ensue.

I recommend the book. 

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

Aurora Blazing by Jessie Mihalik

Polaris Rising was the first book in this trilogy.  The House von Hasenberg, is a major player in a society dominated by corporate rather than state control.  Bianca von Hasenberg finds herself leading a rescue mission for her kidnapped brother in the midst of a house to house war.  

Bianca and Ian are the main characters in this book.   The lady and the body guard could be a sub-title.  Ian is head of security for House von Hasenberg and headstrong Bianca is his most frustrating charge. 

The two of them are searching for Ferdinand, Bianca’s brother, who has been kidnapped.   The story is full of corporate and criminal intrigue as well as plenty of action.  

This book in the trilogy has some brief sexual vignettes that could have been eliminated.  They seemed more appropriate to a romance novel rather than scifi.  They weren’t raunchy but I felt the details were superfluous to the story.  That action could have been alluded to rather than detailed.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and the action and can’t wait to see how the author ties up all the loose ends. 

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

Monster Hunter Guardian by Larry Correia and Sarah A. Hoyt

Never, ever mess with somebody’s kid.  Julie Shackelford proves that point quite clearly.   Most of the hunters are on a hunt and Julie is holding the fort when some demented being snatches her kid.   Said being, is shown the error of its ways.

This whole series is nothing but entertaining.   The ability to rouse your feelings and get the old blood boiling is aptly demonstrated.   There are monsters galore, an abundance of gore and a surprising role reprised by an old one’s tool.

Immensely entertaining, I recommend the book. 

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