There is a little lighter than usual selection this time around. Doing a combined edition, since I don’t really feel like doing two separate posts for basically a handful of books.
Successfully Finished
Return (The Resistance Book 3), Nathan Hystad. Third volume of a trilogy. In the last post on completed books (here) I mentioned volume 1 of this series, Rift and subsequently downloaded volume 2, Revenge. The final volume resolves the epic struggle, while adding some depth and nuance to the characters. I also realized, following the evolution of ‘Ace’ that there is a distinctly PG-13 aspect to the series. It was a nice change from of the rest of what I’ve read. Decently written, pacing was good, not too much deus ex machina going on. Good clean fun. Read again factor: T For Teen
What is it with the super-cheesy covers? And the guy with the pistol did not look at all like that in my mind’s eye.
Eight Lamentations: Spear of Shadows, Josh Reynolds. Fantasy isn’t generally my cup of tea. The grim darkness of the far future is more my thing than that of the distant past when it comes to things Warhammer-related. So I was pleasantly surprised by this novel, which is the first in a sub-series of 8 stories embedded in a 55-volume set of Warhammer Fantasy. Reynolds does a really nice job of blending different factions, races and faiths. This has a layer of nuance and texture to it that’s too often missing in the genre, and reflects well on the author’s skill. It was a little slow to get going, but worthwhile. Read again factor: Category 5
Origins: Huli Intergalactic, Leah R. Cutter. This is the origin story for another series I haven’t read but which might be worth it. I loved the world Cutter sketches out, in which magic has replaced physics as the basis for space travel. There is interesting character development as well, in that not everyone is necessarily what they appear to be. All good! Read again factor: AA
The Empress of Salt and Fortune, Nghi Vo. I bought this based on a chapter or two excerpted in a Tor.com sampler in mid-May. At the time, I said “The world Vo evokes just right: enough detail to make sense, but still be a bit mysterious; enough detail in the characters to make them interesting, but not so much that there weren’t surprises.” The good news is, this all scales! And there’s a fantastic plot twist which is slowly revealed. At 112 pages it’s not the longest thing I’ve read recently, but it’s a strong candidate for the best. I pre-ordered the second in the series. (The Singing Hills Cycle #1). Vo is someone I’ll watch very closely in the future. Read again factor: **** (Four stars)
Reading Casualties
Explorations: War, Nathan Hystad, et al. I cannot remember where this came from, although at some point in 2017 I ordered the first three of what is now a four-book series. This is book 3. That’s probably why the first couple of stories seemed so completely disjointed. Doing this in the wrong order. Shot into the wormhole at 28%.
Dust and Kisses: A Seeders Universe Prequel Novel, Dean Wesley Smith. I’ve read other things by DWS, but my enjoyment of them has been uneven. So it is with this. It’s an interesting idea, but not good pandemic reading. Exiled to live alone in downtown Portland, Oregon at 10% done.
Children of Arkadia, M. Darusha Wehm. Loved the AI piece, didn’t mesh at all well with the actual humans inhabiting the space station. Really interesting ideas explored here, but I don’t see several hundred more pages of it. Given its own asteroid on which to form an autonomous collective at 12%.
[Edit: I noticed this is the second time I’ve said I stopped reading this! I was serious this time. Honest.]
On Probation
Inadequate Equilibria, Eliezer Yudowsky. I was drawn to this from a discussion related to something on the now apparently-defunct Slate Star Codex website. The premise--looking at how to do better than the status quo--greatly appeals. The writing, though...Taleb without the verve and sparkle? I feel like I should really this. Really. Tough going at 2% in.
The Warrior’s Meditation, Richard L. Haight. ”...the best-kept secret in self-improvement, cognitive development, and stress relief” is not improving well. As with the book above, I feel like I should like this more than I do. A bit over-the-top, but we’ll see. 17% down.