Uprooted

Uprooted by Naomi NovikMy rating: 4 of 5 starsFinished! Solid 4 stars. Uprooted was an off-hand recommendation I was able to fish from a public forum, when asking for a solid STANDALONE fantasy book. I've noticed that I got pretty burnt out from the investment the typical fantasy multi-tome story lines require (usually north the …

Illuminae, The Illuminae Files #1

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay KristoffMy rating: 4 of 5 starsSeems like my interest in traditional science fiction tropes has multiplied since the turning of the year. I've missed several important titles in the last two decades, as traditional fantasy has stolen the spotlight within my fictional picks.Enter Illuminae.I read this one in hardback …

Кин-дза-дза! / Kin-dza-dza!

You probably haven't heard of this film. But it's great. Unknown gem from 1986, a production from the now defunct Soviet Union. Best if you go into it blind, so try to avoid spoilers or pages summarizing the plot (IMBD, Wikipedia, etc). The characters are great and coherent within their bizarre nature, the atmosphere and …

Sea of Rust

Sea of Rust by C. Robert CargillMy rating: 4 of 5 starsVery solid post-apocalyptic book, going into a lot of intricate themes like post-humanism, religion, AI, robotics, mortality, and the general (and not so bright) future of humankind.The novelty in Sea of Rust is that there isn't a single human being in the story, all …

Thorgal Integral #1

Thorgal Integral, Vol. 1 by Jean Van HammeMy rating: 5 of 5 starsI very rarely put comic books in here. But this Thorgal volume was a whopping 196 pages of full-color content, complimented with sketches and background history surrounding the inception of Thorgal by Van Hamme and Rosinski. Please, allow me the indulgence :)Unfamiliar with …

Sourcery (Discworld #5)

Sourcery by Terry PratchettMy rating: 2 of 5 starsFinal score: 2 starsMy 5th volume read of Pratchett's Discworld series, as I make my way in order through the series. And I have to say, this one left a very bitter taste in my mouth. As with other works in the series, there is good humor …

Half a War (Shattered Sea #3)

Half a War by Joe AbercrombieMy rating: 4 of 5 starsShattered Sea series concluded in record time!I really have to dig into why some books are labeled as YA by publishers, what comes into that decision making.Interesting the series is told from the point of view of three characters this time. This departs from the …

Half the World (Shattered Sea #2)

Half the World by Joe AbercrombieMy rating: 5 of 5 starsSecond book in the series. I again pummeled through it in record time, the audiobook version.There is a lot to like here. Yarvi, now a Minister, is a recurring character amongst many other known faces. But focus is here set on two new and young …

Half a King (Shattered Sea #1)

Half a King by Joe AbercrombieMy rating: 4 of 5 starsA very solid 4-star book by Abercrombie. Listened to this one in the audiobook format.The fantasy elements here are tucked down to almost non-existing. There is no magic present, fantasy or similar element. Elves are mentioned throughout as a (highly advanced and perished) ancient civilization. …

The Last Colony (Old Man’s War #3)

The Last Colony by John ScalziMy rating: 4 of 5 starsFinished! … this one a few days back, only now got to sit down and write my thoughts on it. The third book on Scalzi's "Old Man's War" series goes to some extra length to explain the life and politics behind colonies in the Colonial …