Time’s Eye
Alternative history/parallel world book, first of a trilogy.
OK
Alternative History, B, Books, Fiction, Rated, Science Fiction
Alternative History, B, Books, Fiction, Rated, Science Fiction
13:18, May 29th 2010
Boneshaker
It’s got everything you’d ever want – a steampunk setting in Seattle, with zombies and airship pirates, oh and a kickass female protagonist who’s handy with a shotgun…
A, Alternative History, Books, Fiction, Rated, Science Fiction
A, Alternative History, Books, Fiction, Rated, Science Fiction
23:12, January 15th 2010
Nation
Latest YA book from the maestro isn’t perfect, but it is well worth your time
A-, Alternative History, Books, Junior Fiction, fantasy
A-, Alternative History, Books, Junior Fiction, fantasy
10:21, May 13th 2009
Nineteen Eighty-Four
Orwell’s masterpiece is a tale of revolt in a post revolutionary Britain, where the Party as personified by Big Brother rule with absolute control.
A+, Alternative History, Books, Fiction, Rated
A+, Alternative History, Books, Fiction, Rated
12:44, July 24th 2008
The Yiddish Policemen’s Union
Extraordinary alternative future noir.
A, A-, Alternative History, B, Books, Crime Fiction, Fiction, Rated, Science Fiction
A, A-, Alternative History, B, Books, Crime Fiction, Fiction, Rated, Science Fiction
17:08, June 2nd 2008
The Execution Channel
MacLeod tries something new with this near-future thriller. Set in a world with rampant terrorism (including nuclear attacks) and American offensives throughout Central Asia.
Principally told through the eyes of James Travis, a middle aged IT professional with incriminating links to a foreign power, and his daughter Roisin who’s a peace protester camped outside RAF Leuchars (now a USAF base in all but name).
Things kick off when Roisin photographs something unusual on the base just before an explosion wipes the base out. At the same time James’ cover is blown.
Everything gets murky and mucky from there on in as politics and power come to bear.
It’s a world where disinformation on the net is co-ordinated by governments, manipulating soldier’s blogs and feeding stories to bloggers with strong enough a reputation in order to manipulate public perception.
It is, to tell the truth, full of interesting ideas but ultimately falls of being an exceptional piece of work as the story never feels like it pulls together to give a really powerful payoff. Also the only character I thought was anywhere near nuanced enough to be interesting was the daughter and even she seemed a touch on the underwritten side at times.
I suppose I sound a bit disappointed with this, but please don’t get me wrong it’s a pretty strong read – it just could have been extraordinary.
Alternative History, B+, Fiction, Rated, Thriller
Alternative History, B+, Fiction, Rated, Thriller
09:07, May 13th 2008
The Dragon Waiting
Ford’s masterful alternative history retells the story of Richard III’s ascension in a world where the Byzantine Romans never fell, where Vampires, Wizards and Witches are real.
As hokey as that sounds the book feels grounded in truth, with impressively crafted characters and a beautifully layered and nuanced plot.
Reading it makes you miss Mr. Ford even more.
One of an unfortunately small number of writers who could really write that worked almost exclusively within the realms of fantasy and science fiction his death earlier this year is something that I could have done without.
Anyway I recommend this book without hesitation to anyone with an interest in Fantasy.
A, Alternative History, Books, Rated, fantasy
A, Alternative History, Books, Rated, fantasy
18:03, December 10th 2006
Watchmen
I normally don’t blog about comics since, strictly speaking, even in trade paperback form they’re not novels. Even the majestic Sandman series consists of short stories and novellas. Moore and Gibbon’s classic, however, is beyond all doubt a true graphic novel.
Watchmen is about a subtly different version of now, where ’superheroes’ or masked vigilantes really existed, and the consequences of their existence for every living person.
It’s a densely layered piece making the best of a medium that is both visual and written. The central narrative unwinds beautifully, the characters are exquisitely portrayed, and the questions asked resonate in your mind for years.
It’s a piece I have read many times, and yet I continue to find new details in it even today.
I recommend this book to anyone, with no hesitation.
A, Alternative History, Books, Comics, Crime Fiction, Fiction, Rated, Science Fiction
A, Alternative History, Books, Comics, Crime Fiction, Fiction, Rated, Science Fiction
17:56, August 5th 2006