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David Scrimshaw Locked account

DScrimshaw@bookwyrm.world

Joined 1 year, 4 months 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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David Scrimshaw's books

To Read (View all 328)

Pat Murphy: The Adventures of Mary Darling (Paperback, Tachyon Publications LLC)
Kevin Hearne: Candle and Crow (2024, Little, Brown Book Group Limited)
Austin Grossman: Fight Me (2024, Penguin Books, Limited)

Currently Reading

Lev Grossman: The magician king (2011, Viking)

Read (View all 959)

K. J. Parker: The Two of Swords: Volume One (Orbit)
Kate Heartfield: The Embroidered Book (AudiobookFormat, 2022, HarperCollins UK and Blackstone Publishing)
Steven Brust: Lyorn (EBook, 2024, Doherty Associates, LLC, Tom)

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reviewed The big bad fox by Benjamin Renner

No cover

Benjamin Renner: The big bad fox (2017, First Second Books)

The fox dreams of being the terror of the barnyard. But no one is intimidated …

Review of 'The big bad fox' on 'Storygraph'

I don't usually go for graphic novels, but this one completely worked for me.

Maybe because the drawings were simple.

Or more likely because all the characters are talking animals.

reviewed Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City

Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City (2019, Orbit)

Review of 'Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City' on 'Storygraph'

Not really as dark as some of K.J. Parker's other books. The narrator and main character was a delight.

It doesn't look like there will be a sequel, but I'd be up for it.

reviewed Ship of Smoke and Steel (The Wells of Sorcery Trilogy Book 1) by Django Wexler

Django Wexler: Ship of Smoke and Steel (The Wells of Sorcery Trilogy Book 1) (Tor Teen)

Review of 'Ship of Smoke and Steel (The Wells of Sorcery Trilogy Book 1)' on 'Storygraph'

This was pretty heavy for something that is apparently supposed to be "young adult". But it kept me going and I'm looking forward to the next installment.

reviewed Port of shadows by Glen Cook (A chronicle of the Black Company)

Glen Cook: Port of shadows (2018)

"The soldiers of the Black Company don't ask questions, they get paid. But being "The …

Review of 'Port of shadows' on 'Storygraph'

Gosh it was great to be back with the Croaker and the Black Company, especially in a time before everything was pathologically dark and horrible.

reviewed Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee

Yoon Ha Lee: Dragon Pearl (2019, Rick Riordan Presents)

Review of 'Dragon Pearl' on 'Storygraph'

This is very different from Yoon Ha Lee's Machineries of Empire series. Much lighter, and easier to follow.

But Yoon Ha Lee still shows an ability to create characters you want to follow.

reviewed Alice Payne Arrives by Kate Heartfield

No cover

Kate Heartfield: Alice Payne Arrives (2018, Doherty Associates, LLC, Tom)

"Alice Payne Arrives is the story of a time traveling thief turned reluctant hero in …

Review of 'Alice Payne Arrives' on 'Storygraph'

This story ends just as it gets going, but I guess that's the new style with novellas.

reviewed Whispers Under Ground by Ben Aaronovitch (Rivers of London, #3)

No cover

Ben Aaronovitch: Whispers Under Ground (2012, Orion Publishing Co)

Peter Grant is learning magic fast. And it's just as well - he's already had …

Review of 'Whispers Under Ground' on 'Storygraph'

I like police procedurals and I like urban fantasy and I like London.

Ben Aaronovitch does all three well. This volume in the series was as satisfying as the two previous volumes.

reviewed A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe by Alex White (The Salvagers, #1)

No cover

Alex White: A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe (Paperback, 2018, Orbit)

Boots Elsworth was a famous treasure hunter in another life, but now she's washed up. …

Review of 'A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe' on 'Storygraph'

A fine fast-moving romp. Scratched my space opera itch very well. I'm looking forward to the next volume in the series.

reviewed Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel (The Themis Files, #1)

Sylvain Neuvel, Sylvain Neuvel: Sleeping Giants (2016, Del Rey Books)

A girl named Rose is riding her new bike near her home in Deadwood, South …

Review of 'Sleeping Giants' on 'Storygraph'

This story is told as a series of interviews of the various characters. At first I didn't get into it, stopped reading and read other books. But then I started it again and found myself enjoying it.

I particularly grew to enjoy the emotionless interviewer.

I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.