Fiction – Page 15 – transmission

screewee?

Posted on December 30, 2015January 2, 2016 by Greig

Only You Can Save Mankind

Terry Pratchett

This is the first of the Johnny Maxwell young adult series and the first of Terry Pratchett’s books I’ve been able to read since his death.
I stayed over at my parents on Christmas Eve and I woke up early on Christmas morning before dawn. As I sat, slightly cold, watching the sun rise over the Forth I borrowed this ebook from Edinburgh Overdrive.
I first read it a long time ago before this blog existed and never again since I started keeping a record of my reading.
This short book retains all of Pratchett’s humour, insight, and empathy while squarely viewing the world from a the perspective of a twelve year old boy.
I don’t want to spend a lot of time on the plot of this one – I just want to recommend it.
Everyone should read Terry Pratchett. If the fantasy trappings of Discworld are putting you off this is as good a place to start as any.

Rating: A-

sober?

Posted on December 30, 2015January 2, 2016 by Greig

What I Did For Love

Susan Elizabeth Phillips

This is an exemplary piece of Fake Marrieds romantic fiction. I read it last year during my great glut of romance reading but I didn’t give it more than a rating then.
This is the story of a former teen TV comedy star whose recent divorce from the biggest male star in Hollywood has caused the paparazzi to make her life hell. After a night out in Las Vegas she wakes up married to her hated (and washed up) former co-star. Despite their mutual loathing they stay together for the sake of her image and his bank balance. Of course real feelings turn up along the way.
This book coasts along brilliantly until the weird section with the quarantine lockdown. From there to the happy denouement there are some really ugly bits that very nearly spoil the book.
Still recommended if you, like me, have a thing for the Fake Married trope.

Rating: B-

icefalls?

Posted on December 30, 2015January 2, 2016 by Greig

Snow Crystal Trilogy

Sarah Morgan

This is a competent trilogy of romances set in remote ski resort, both in winter and summer. Individually they tell the story of the three brothers (two of whom are twins) who own the resort as they fall in love with various degrees of reluctance.
The best part about the books is the brothers’ crazy family.
The summer book is a bit weaker than the other two as it lacks a satisfying resolution to a key subplot. It gets and individual rating of C. The other two books share the collective rating of C+.

Rating: C+

Continue reading “icefalls?”

ambrose?

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Greig

The Nine Lives of Christmas

Sheila Roberts

I read this after watching the TV film based on it.
It’s got some differences to the film – particularly in the female lead (Merilee) and the extent to which the male lead’s cat plays a role in events.
It’s pretty enjoyable for a generic romance but I did prefer the version of Merilee they have in the film.

Rating: C

hungry?

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Greig

The Girl With All The Gifts

M.R. Carey

This is an extremely good post apocalyptic novel.
I don’t want to spoil the book in any way but I will say that it’s about a very gifted young girl, a teacher, a soldier and a scientist.
The world building is magnificent, the main characters are very well drawn and the plot is utterly involving.
It’s horror and it’s science fiction all at once.
I strongly recommend this book.

Rating: A

threep?

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Greig

Lock In

John Scalzi

Scalzi steps away from his Old Man’s War series and SF comedies to deliver a near future procedural.
In a world where a disease traps victims minds in their immobile bodies but government funded research allows the victims to communicate and work using telepresence robots or by piggy backing in the bodies of specially trained individuals a bizarre suicide is investigated by a rookie FBI agent.
I really enjoyed the world building in this one and as always Scalzi writes in a fast paced and entertaining fashion. Unfortunately when it gets to the meat of the investigation the mystery is way too predictable.
It’s still worth reading but don’t be surprised if you know what’s going to happen at the end by the halfway point of the book.

Rating: B+

sterling?

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Greig

First & Then

Emma Mills

The first novel by Emma Mills is a high school set tale of families, friendships, loves and finding yourself.
Ms Mills is better known to me as the vlogger elmify. Her videos are usually sweet, goofy but always underpinned by her enormous smarts.
The book also matches that pattern.
The book feels like it takes place in a recognizably real world filled with real people. Lead characters Devon and Foster are particularly well drawn.
However, there’s just something about this book that never quite sparks into life. For all their reality I never felt invested in the character’s lives.
It’s still worth reading and I expect better books to come from her over the years.

Rating: B

humdrum?

Posted on October 19, 2015 by Greig

Carry On

Rainbow Rowell

This is a super enjoyable piece of YA fantasy taking the fictional fantasy found in Rowell’s Fangirl and turning it into a real story.
Simon Snow is the chosen one. Destined to save the World of Mages he cannot control his massive magical power.
As the stakes are raised in both the magical civil war and the battle against the magic destroying Insidious Humdrum he starts his final year at magical school with his room mate and nemesis Basilton Pitch missing.
I really enjoyed this book. The only issue I have is the state of ignorance the heroes are left in at the end. The reader knows more than Simon at the end and I felt sad that he didn’t get to know some things revealed in other character’s perspectives.

Rating: A-

draconian?

Posted on October 19, 2015 by Greig

Nice Dragons Finish Last

Rachel Aaron

This is a fun piece of urban fantasy with an enjoyable setting and characters with loads of potential.
Julius is lacking the dragon instincts of his species. He’s trapped in human form and sent out into the world to prove he can be a credit to his clan or be eaten by his Mother.
In the course of events he meets up with a human Mage called Marci and the two help each other survive of draconic malice and the interventions of rival seers.
While this is a very solid book it’s the potential of the world Aaron’s built that has me most excited. In fact I’ve already bought the sequel.

Rating: B+

sol?

Posted on October 19, 2015October 19, 2015 by Greig

The Martian

Andy Weir

The hype finally got to me. I’ve been avoiding this book for a long time because my limited knowledge of the plot made it sound like another depressing space exploration book.
I finally get round to reading this to discover that it’s one of the most solidly written and life affirming pieces of traditional Science Fiction I’ve read in years.
I enjoyed so much I’m keen to see the film and might even download the audiobook.
Highly recommended if you have any interest in human space exploration.

Rating: A