Destroyer of Worlds by Larry Niven and Edward M. Lerner

This book follows Fleet of Worlds but there may be books in between.   Sigmund Ausfaller appears again in this book.  He was a Puppeteer paranoid in earlier books.  He is yanked out of known space by Nessus as a buffer or "wild" human to protect the now separate colonists. The PAK are reintroduced to the story line and the focus of the story is the avoidance of the PAK.

This is a very similar cast to the Fleet of Worlds with the exception of the PAK and Sigmund who have populated previous Niven books.   The Gw'oth are a newly found, rapidly evolving species who play a large part in the changes that occur in this book. 

If recollection serves me, Sigmund was an implacable foe of the Puppeteers in earlier books but he is now tempered by a wife and children.   Lots of  action, scary foes and interesting technology.

I recommend the book. 

web site:          http://www.larryniven.net/

                        http://www.edwardmlerner.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.

Fleet of Worlds by Larry Niven and Edward M. Lerner

This story takes place 200 years before the Ringworld series.  There is conjecture as to whether this or the Integral Trees is the first book in the Known World collection.  They all seem to fit but in somewhat confusing order.   This books leads with humans being trained as scouts by the Citizens aka Puppeteers.

Considering I read some of the books relating to this over 40 years ago, I am astounded I remember as much as I did.  The humans (Colonists) in this book are the reconstructed remnant of a colonist ramscoop sent out by Earth.   They aren't aware of their origins or even that they are humans.   This is a coming of age story for a segment of humanity that was raised from a gene bank by the Puppeteers.  

The story is good as is the plot.   Kristen and Eric are protégés of Nessus, a Citizen.   They discover how they have been lied to and rebel.  

I recommend the book but you may want to check our a Niven book list and read others prior to this.

web site:          http://www.larryniven.net/

                        http://www.edwardmlerner.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.

Rosetta (Jim Meade: Martian P.I) [Kindle Edition] by R.J. Johnson

A hard boiled detective story set in space.   Jim Meade is a man who lives by the rules, his rules, not societies.   Jim finds himself trying to save the world when he thought he was just trying to solve a murder.

The characterizations are good.  You like Jim and his Leroy Jethro Gibbs type of rules.  He struggles to be a hard nosed, no nonsense tough guy but can't hide his innate goodness.

Emeline was a bit of a contradiction.   She was introduced as a major butt kicker but the author seems conflicted with that role.  Several times in the book, she squeals or cowers when her character seems more likely to knee someone in the groin.  

The concept and ensuing rendition were well done.   The plot moved quickly and there was plenty of action.   I am fond of this style and look forward to reading more by Johanson. 

I recommend the book.

Web Site:  I couldn't find one.

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

Romulus Buckle and the Engines of War by Richard Ellis Preston, Jr

This is a steam punk, post apocalypse tale of Zeppelineers and their inter-clan rivalries.  In this particular tale, the Founders declare war on the rest of the clans. 

Romulus is a headstrong hound dog!   The man seems to attract a wealth of beauties in spite of his impetuous nature.  Max, Sabrina and Valkyrie all are candidates for romance.   Meanwhile Romulus is as clueless as most of us guys usually are.    He reacts emotionally and honorably.

The setting provides some interest as well.   The Pneumatic Zeppelin, a hydrogen fueled zeppelin captained by Romulus Buckle of the Crankshaft clan, is the setting for much of the action.  However the world has been sectioned into Clan areas that have a vague ethnicity.    Attributes are ascribed to Clan members based on stereo types.  Gruff Russians, fragile and weird geeks and hard drinking Irish.   That area is a touch simplistic for my taste.

The story is good and moves at a respectable pace.   The Martian fauna add extra danger to an already somewhat bizarre environment.

I recommend the book.

  

Web Site:  http://richardellisprestonjr.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.

Rex Regis by L.E. Modesitt, jr

This is a continuation of the Imager Portfolio.   Quaeryt continues to discover that there are normally unforeseen results to every situation.   The war may be over but the battle for peace is just beginning.

Melding self awareness with the humbling recognition that your body, soul and talent are seen as a tool to preserve the status quo provides the mental angst typical of Modesitt’s work.   I still feel that the philosophic aspects of Modesitt's work are wrapped in the trappings of a good novel.   I was asked today if Modesitt is Science Fiction or Fantasy.  I have read his Science Fiction and books such as The Ecolitan Operation, The Ecologic Envoy,  The Elysium Commission and The Eternity Artifact are certainly Science Fiction.   I am comfortable ascribing his Recluse series as Fantasy.  The Imager portfolio is more in the vein of the Recluse series.  I guess Philosophic Military Fantasy is too much of a mouthful.   All I know is that I enjoy reading his work regardless of genre. 

Quaeryt finally makes progress on his own personal goals of increased tolerance for Imagers. 

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.   The aloneness is tempered by a supportive wife and extraordinarily loyal comrades.

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.

Equoid by Charles Stross

Stross provides a distinctly different look at some fantasy staples or stables as in this case.   The protagonist postulates a rather different Unicorn than that of the run of the mill fantasy portrayal.  This is part of the Laundry series and is a novella. 

The Laundry series seems to be written with the tongue in cheek, understated Brit or Dr. Who whimsy.   The secret division of government that is tasked with keeping the occult under control is referred to as the Laundry.  

Bob Howard is the understated protagonist.  He perceives himself as a hard working yeoman in a generally boring branch of government unless he is knee deep in critters trying to do him in!

The understated, low key and occassionally verbose style is entertaining.  It is reminiscent of the stereotypical "English Countryside" fiction.   The inclusion of manic unicorns and special ops teams provide an excellent counterpoint to the laid back style.

I particularly liked the methodology of bureaucratic nonsense bashing with the periodic government memos.    

It was suspenseful and entertaining, it was a good read.

I recommend the book.

Web Site: http://www.tor.com/bios/authors/charles-stross

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

Fate of the Red Lotus R.J. Sullivan

Sullivan has a good range in his work.  He can do horror, fantasy and scif and do it well.  That is not always easy, the do it well part anyway.   This book introduces an ambitious young lady who wants to prove to both herself and her family that she is a force to be reckoned with.

This book seems set a little further in the future than Virtual Blue.  This story has more in common with In the Blood.  Set in the probable future of asteroid mining, Sayuri Arai wants to make a name for herself without depending on her famous and wealthy family. 

It is a coming of age story set on a space station and mining vessel.   As most of RJ's book, the characters are the important part with the setting being secondary to the interaction of the protagonists.  

There is potential for a good series here, I am looking forward to seeing how the Red Lotus fares in her search for mineral wealth, fame and good fortune.

I recommend the book.

Web Site: http://rjsullivanfiction.com/virtual-blue/

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