Tag: book review
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The Vor Game, by Lois McMaster Bujold
So much of this story I had forgotten! Gregor running away from home, Miles accidentally seeing through a tangled web of mercenary double-dipping and stopping a war. You know, as one does. “It’s going to get real crazy soon.” “With Mad Miles back in charge, how could it be otherwise?” And the parts I remember…
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Vision of the Future, by Timothy Zahn
I don’t know why I dragged my feet into this one. Once I started, it was fun. I think what bothered me was the premise carrying over from Specter of the Past that Thrawn was back. I just had a hard time buying that the characters would continue to buy that story. This installment, though, I felt…
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True Raiders, by Brad Ricca
A history in the vein of Laura Hillenbrand—told in a clear, living narrative with the texture of solidity that is present with solid research. I loved how the account shifted from character to character, creating connections with each person in the group and clear knowledge of their contribution to the team. And what a group!…
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The Lost Ark of the Covenant, by Tudor Parfitt
Parfitt cleverly recounts his 20-year process of pursuing the Ark of the Covenant in various forms, by telling it as a personal journey, backed by excellent research. Kind of like Graham Hancock. (Even though Parfitt rolls his eyes at Graham Hancock.) His story is really cool, beginning by studying a tribe in Africa who claims…
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Dune, by Frank Herbert
When Duke Leto moves his family across space to take charge of Arrakis, he knows he is walking into a trap. Paul knows it. Jessica knows it. Each of them must face down the danger to find the one slim thread of a path that can lead to a future of success—for their family and…
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Neverseen, by Shannon Messenger
Not going to lie–I am reading this series just because my daughters love it and keep wanting me to read it. I love my girls, so I am reading the series, but not with much investment on my part. Until this book. It started as I expected, picking up right where book 3 ended, with…
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Prelude to Foundation, by Isaac Asimov
Hari Seldon accidentally became the most sought-after person on Trantor when he delivered an academic paper on psychohistory. This takes him on the run for the next several months, since, in general, the people who seek him are seeking to imprison him and use his ideas for their gain. His attempts to find safety take…
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Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir
Space travel, science-y problems, fun first-person narration, potential galactic meltdown (OK, freeze-up), heart-wrenching plot twists, and . . . contact with aliens! And it wasn’t cheesy! It totally played. Simply excellent all-around! Anyone remotely interested in sci-fi should read this; there’s something for everyone. This is one of those reading journeys that I miss now…
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The Frugal Wizard’s Guide to Surviving Medieval England, by Brandon Sanderson
I always respect when an author goes for something new, and this is a completely different vibe for Sanderson. I’m not sure I would classify this as sci-fi; I would probably call it technologically-infused fantasy. Took me a while to get into it, but by the end I was really rooting for John to make…