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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Fourteen-year-old Sofia Bottom lives in a small country that Europe has forgotten. But inside its …
This was not an easy read. And not for someone who wants to know exactly what is going on, but well worth the journey.
After touring the rural areas of Panga, Sibling Dex (a Tea Monk of some renown) …
I really enjoyed this tale.
At the moment when Voyager 1 is launched into space carrying its famous golden record, …
We may not have thought we were commissioned with reporting to aliens, but I suspect most of us can identify with aspects of Adina's experience of the world.
The first installment in Neal Stephenson’s Light cycle, Polostan follows the early life of the …
Dawn Rae's life is fascinating and just about believable. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next.
Giant turtles, impossible ships, and tidal rivers ridden by a Drowned girl in search of a family in the latest …
Giant turtles, impossible ships, and tidal rivers ridden by a Drowned girl in search of …
Nadya's story is heart breaking and in a different way from any of the other children's stories.
Similarly, Seanan McGuire has given us a compelling story that is different from all the other compelling stories she has given us.
After eighty years of fragile peace, the Architects are back, wreaking havoc as they consume …
It is great to be back with Idris and the others even though things are really not going so well.
Adrian Tchaikovsky has built well on the foundation he created in Shards of Earth.
A young girl discovers an infinite variety of worlds in this standalone tale in the …
A terrific, nuanced story and and essential reading for anyone who has enjoyed any of the Wayward Children books.
Slough House is Jackson Lamb's kingdom; a dumping ground for members of the intelligence service …
A friend told me that I'd like the TV series. But I wasn't ready to sign up for Apple+. So I borrowed the book from the library and WOW! I loved it.
This book delighted me as much as any work by Roz Chast. I'm not much of one for remembering dreams or interpreting them, but I found this collection to be informative, interesting and inspiring.
“I’m a piece of architecture, Detective. How should I know how humans are like to …
I very much appreciated the take on artificial intelligence. And the bleak but honest take on the direction our corporate overlords are taking law enforcement.
In Adrian Tchaikovsky's Elder Race, a junior anthropologist on a distant planet must help the …
Another delightful story in a completely different genre from anything Tchaikovsky has done before.
And I don't think that it's a spoiler that this one is not as dark or depressing as some of his works have been.
In Adrian Tchaikovsky's Elder Race, a junior anthropologist on a distant planet must help the locals he has sworn to …
All roads lead to Underhill, where it’s always winter, and never nice.
Harry Bodie has …
It seems that Adrian Tchaikovsky has a mission to tackle every fantasy and science fiction trope there is and do it brilliantly.
In this one, he has a whole new take on a Narnia-like world and it is a terrific addition to the genre.
A group of scientists and soldiers are hunted by mysterious enemies in a terrifying new …
Not a cheery read. And certainly inspired by Covid lockdowns. But another great read from this master.