Reviews and Comments

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David Scrimshaw Locked account

DScrimshaw@bookwyrm.world

Joined 2 years, 1 month ago

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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reviewed Chasing the Phoenix by Michael Swanwick

Michael Swanwick: Chasing the Phoenix (2015, Tom Doherty Associates, LLC)

In the distant future, Surplus arrives in China dressed as a Mongolian shaman, leading a …

Review of 'Chasing the Phoenix' on 'Storygraph'

I love Darger and Surplus.

If you like a weird post-post-apocalyptic future like out Gene Wolfe's [b:The Shadow of the Torturer|60211|The Shadow of the Torturer (The Book of the New Sun, #1)|Gene Wolfe|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1329650008l/60211.SX50.jpg|762497], and you like lovable rogue conmen, you have to read Swanwick's Darger and Surplus stories.

reviewed Nobody Cries at Bingo by Dawn Dumont

Dawn Dumont: Nobody Cries at Bingo (2011, Thistledown Press, Limited)

Review of 'Nobody Cries at Bingo' on 'Storygraph'

This is apparently autobiography. So, we learn that Ms Dumont went to law school. I always feel sad when I learn that someone went to law school but didn't stay with the law.

But if they're going to write engaging books that let us learn about people we don't learn enough about, I'm just glad that their path took them to where they are.

And get this, she does standup comedy. There's an audio clip at:
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/laughoutloud/dawn-dumont-at-the-turtle-island-too-gala-a-celebration-of-aboriginal-comedy-1.1742517

reviewed Glass Beads by Dawn Dumont

Dawn Dumont: Glass Beads (2017, Thistledown Press, Limited)

Stories that interconnect four First Nations people, Everett Kaiswatim, Nellie Gordon, Julie Papequash, and Nathan …

Review of 'Glass Beads' on 'Storygraph'

An outstanding of collection of linked short stories.

These would appeal to anyone who has an interest in people surviving impossible childhoods and how all of it can wind up messing up a whole life.

The stories were often bleak, but still there's hope.

reviewed The Bone Ships by RJ Barker

RJ Barker: The Bone Ships (Paperback, Orbit)

Review of 'The Bone Ships' on 'Storygraph'

Gritty and grim. But not too much for me.

As a naval fiction buff, I particularly liked how this had a consistent naval tradition that didn't copy the ranks and rules of the 1800-era British navy.

reviewed The Quantum Garden by Derek Künsken

Derek Künsken: The Quantum Garden (2019, Solaris Books)

THE ULTIMATE CHASE

Days ago, Belisarius pulled off the most audacious con job in …

Review of 'The Quantum Garden' on 'Storygraph'

This second volume in the series has a good fast-moving story with big ideas and more depth on some of the characters from the first volume.

I'm looking forward to the next installment.

reviewed Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch (Rivers of London, #4)

Ben Aaronovitch: Broken Homes (2012, Gollancz)

A mutilated body in Crawley. A killer on the loose. The prime suspect is one …

Review of 'Broken Homes' on 'Storygraph'

Yup. I'm still liking this series that mashes together two of my favourite genres - police procedural and urban fantasy. Peter Grant, the protagonist and narrator, is fine fellow to spend time with.