David Scrimshaw reviewed The Catch by Mick Herron (Slow Horses, #6a)
John Bachelor is the saddest kind of spy: not a joe in the field, not …
A tasty bite
5 stars
Over too soon, but a pleasure to catch up with poor old John Bachelor.
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An avid sci-fi and fantasy reader who sometimes does historical fiction or even mainstream.
You might notice that most of my reviews are 5 stars. That's because if I start reading a book that doesn't engage me, I stop reading it. Life is too short. I've realized that it's not fair to review a book I haven't read and nobody really needs to hear why I didn't get into a book especially when they might like it.
My goals with reviews are to be brief and give other potential readers an idea of why they might like the book. I leave it to the marketing people and other reviewers to describe the plots.
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David Scrimshaw's books
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David Scrimshaw finished reading Saevus Corax Captures the Castle by K. J. Parker
Saevus Corax is a hero for all times
5 stars
I was really excited when this book came in for me, and it did not let me down.
I love a guy like Saevus who accomplishes his goals with minimal effort, but makes a big effort when that's what's needed.
I'm eager to read the next book in the Saevus Corax series. I also hope that someone out there puts something together to tell us how all of these K.J. Parker books fit together.
David Scrimshaw reviewed Menewood by Nicola Griffith (The Hild Sequence, #2)
In the much anticipated sequel to Hild, Nicola Griffith’s Menewood transports readers back to …
A worthy sequel
5 stars
The wait for this was worth it. It almost overwhelms me to think of the work Nicole Griffith must have done to create this huge story.
Reading Menewood made me feel like I was living in 632 AD.
In her endnotes, Griffith talked about how she dealt with the all the complicated and hard to pronounce names. She really did her best. What worked for me was to just let the names wash over me. The ones that mattered eventually stuck in my brain.
Watching Hild build up her community made me want to play one of those simulation games where you start with a hut and build it into a functional village.
One of my favourite reads of the pandemic
5 stars
Holy cow! This is good!
I've liked all the other Garth Nix books I've read, but this was definitely my favourite.
I don't know how Nix does it, but he has a way of making me love his characters in the first few paragraphs. Here he accomplished this even when the character was a magical puppet.
David Scrimshaw reviewed Real Tigers by Mick Herron
London’s Slough House is where disgraced MI5 operatives are reassigned to spend the rest of …
The fun continues
5 stars
As always with Mick Herron and the slow horses, a completely satisfying read.
David Scrimshaw finished reading Into the Windwracked Wilds by A. Deborah Baker (The Up-and-Under, #3)
Into the Windwracked Wilds by A. Deborah Baker (The Up-and-Under, #3)
When the improbable road leaves Avery and Zib in the land of Air and at the mercy of the Queen …
David Scrimshaw reviewed Into the Windwracked Wilds by A. Deborah Baker (The Up-and-Under, #3)
When the improbable road leaves Avery and Zib in the land of Air and at …
Seanan McGuire keeps it interesting
5 stars
I guess Seanan McGuire writes so much that someone thinks she needs more than one name.
I have to say I'm glad I found this one, because the Up-and-Under is a great series and #3 is a fine new volume.
David Scrimshaw finished reading Along the Saltwise Sea by A. Deborah Baker
Along the Saltwise Sea by A. Deborah Baker
After climbing Over the Woodward Wall and making their way across the forest, Avery and Zib found themselves acquiring some …
David Scrimshaw reviewed Along the Saltwise Sea by A. Deborah Baker
After climbing Over the Woodward Wall and making their way across the forest, Avery and …
Magic and pirates!
5 stars
A great #2 in a great series. And we get pirates in this one!
David Scrimshaw finished reading Over the Woodward Wall by A. Deborah Baker (The Up-and-Under, #1)
Over the Woodward Wall by A. Deborah Baker (The Up-and-Under, #1)
Avery is an exceptional child. Everything he does is precise, from the way he washes his face in the morning, …
David Scrimshaw reviewed Over the Woodward Wall by A. Deborah Baker (The Up-and-Under, #1)
Avery is an exceptional child. Everything he does is precise, from the way he washes …
A. Deboarah Baker = Seanan McGuire
5 stars
A fun new story - but no wonder when Seanan McGuire is actually the author.
McGuire has a real talent for crafting believable characters who don't think like each other.
The Improbable Road is a great invention and the friends our two Earth children meet are fascinating.
David Scrimshaw reviewed Destroyer of Worlds by Matt Ruff
In this thrilling adventure, a blend of enthralling historical fiction and fantastical horror, Matt Ruff …
I want more
5 stars
Solid fun. I hope there will be more. A quick scan of his blog and Wikipedia page gives no clue.
David Scrimshaw reviewed A man without a country by Kurt Vonnegut
A Man Without a Country is Kurt Vonnegut's hilariously funny and razor-sharp look at life …
It's Kurt Vonnegut!
5 stars
It's hard not to despair given that so much of what Vonnegut was concerned about in 2005 is as bad or worse today in 2024.
But at least he gives a model on how to live.
David Scrimshaw reviewed Escape from Yokai Land by Charles Stross
Regular readers of Charles Stross’s Laundry Files might have noticed Bob Howard’s absence from the …
It's always good to spend time with Bob Howard.
5 stars
Even though he does run into the most unpleasant circumstances.