Book Reviews

Expedition (The Locus #2) by Ralph Kern

2017-10-30 I enjoyed Unfathomed, but as the story was quite self-contained I didn’t feel in any rush to read the sequel, especially because of the size of the TBR pile I have. However, after reading an advance copy, all I can say is: If you enjoyed Unfathomed you’ll love Expedition – Kern’s best novel yet. 🙂 Rating: 5/5 Continue reading

The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber

2017-10-06 This is a story that opens with no infodumps, no explanations – it’s a journey of discovery. To begin to recount any part of the plot effectively tells the story, and I wouldn’t want to spoil that for anyone. What I can perhaps say is that it’s a literary science fiction novel, about a Christian preacher who has to leave his beloved wife behind... Continue reading

Maximinus Thrax: Strongman Emperor of Rome by Paul N. Pearson

2017-09-11 A surprisingly interesting biography of one of the more easily over-looked Roman Emperor’s of the 3rd century BC. Actually, one of the more engaging explorations of the early 3rd century in general, as it follows Maximinus – who apparently had giganticism – moving up in the world from brawler, to imperial bodyguard, to leader of the ceremonial guard, to commander of Rome’s legions, and... Continue reading

Golden Son (Red Rising Saga, #2) by Pierce Brown

2017-09-07 Another book I’ve read recently where I wasn’t sure whether to rate it as a 3 or a 4, as it’s more of a 3.5. So I’ll round up again. 🙂 On the positive: his writing style is easy to read, it constantly pushes forward, and he never lets go of emotional engagement with the reader. There are plenty of twists, drama, and you’re... Continue reading

Twilight of the Gods by Thorolf Hillblad

2017-08-21 One of the most dramatic accounts of the WWII autobiographies I’ve read. Additionally, it allowed a real insight into the views of the German soldier of the time, instead of trying to whitewash it out with apologetics. The only negative is that it only really takes place over the last year of WWII, so it’s unfortunately limited and relatively short by comparison to some... Continue reading

Kingdom Asunder: Abridged Edition (The Bloody Crown Trilogy Book 1) by Thaddeus White

2017-08-20 It was pretty enjoyable – some wonderfully lush descriptions, good historical detail, and a complicated political plot to boot. The negative is that I never really saw a deeper motivation of the main characters – we’d see how they reacted to immediate situations, but not their deeper drives. I’m not sure if that’s because I read the abridged version of not – I’d certainly... Continue reading

All These Worlds (Bobiverse, #3) by Dennis E. Taylor

2017-08-20 Thoroughly enjoyed it. More of the same, which meant it took a little while to get acquainted with the different Bobs. Ended nicely enough, and I’m kind of hoping we might see some more books in this setting – certainly there’s plenty more he could write about that I’m sure we’d enjoy reading. 🙂 Rating: 5/5 Continue reading

Indo European Origins by William G. Davey

2017-07-30 A good introduction to a fascinating subject that I generally don’t see discussed in too much detail. It was also good to see the author put forward a few of their own theories, underlining the developing nature of this profound area of study. Rating: 4/5 Continue reading

Jack of Thorns (Inheritance, #1) by Amelia Faulkner

2017-07-30 One look at the cover and I’m thinking “teen urban fantasy” and “gay romance” – neither being genres I’d normally give a second glance. However, the first line of the description caught my attention: “Florist. Psychic. Addict.” And the opening sample hooked me with its smooth and fluid writing and immediate sense of tension. This was not the book I was expecting. It was... Continue reading