Books and travelling with Lynn

We can rebuild him…it….(#RRSciFiMonth)

Posted On 3 November 2015

Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Over the Effing Rainbow, Rinn Reads, Sci-fi Month 2015

People, we can rebuild it. We have the technology. We have the capability to make the world’s third bionic sci fi month. Rinn Reads and Over the Effing Rainbow will be your hosts, better, than they were before (is that even possible?), better…. stronger…faster…. (Okay, I’ll stop now)

This is a very quick post (mainly because, like the White Rabbit) I’m late about this month’s Sci-Fi Month 2015 event being hosted by Rinn Reads and Over the Effing Rainbow. Okay, late it may be, but because this is a sci fi event – I’ll just hop into my tardis and take a spin back in time – so actually, if you’re reading this post now – it’s really earlier than you think!!!! It could work! Yeah, my head hurts too.

Anyway, details here – go and sign up, only if you wish of course. Who am I kidding, everybody signed up a month ago right?, But, don’t forget that I have a tardis handy…which means, technically speaking, I will be first! Went there again..

So, to my plans, (wrings hands with glee):

I’m joining in the readalong hosted by the Lovely Lisa at OtER: The Long Way to a Small and Angry Planet by Becky Chambers, details here. I am so looking forward to this book!

I’m hoping to read:

Lock-in by John Scalzi
The Machinery by Gerrard Cowan

I won’t add more because November is already a bit pushed! And, if I do find a way of making time slow down, well, I can read more.

But – I think films are very possible too. Fancying rewatches of Blade Runner, Star Wars and Aliens – bring on the popcorn!

Tweet all about it here:;#RRSciFiMonth

That is all.

Join us.

“Live long and prosper.”

Made to Kill by Adam Christopher

Posted On 2 November 2015

Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Adam Christopher, Made to Kill

Comments Dropped 8 responses

I loved Made to Kill – it’s so completely different than anything I’ve read recently – I didn’t know what to expect and almost went into it negatively so it was a great surprise to enjoy it so much. Witty, well written and just downright good reading that made me laugh out loud. I’ve not read Adam Christopher before but I’ll certainly be taking a look back at his other work after this. My original review appears at The Speculative Herald.

Set in an alternative 60s universe Made to Kill revolves around one central character, who just so happens to be a robot. In this version of 60s Los Angeles the technology was slightly more advanced than our own of that period and the Government created a programme to roll out robots across the country to take up dangerous or menial tasks. Unfortunately it was not a success and people railed against their jobs being taken over by robots. As a result the programme was scrapped and all the robots destroyed. All but one. Raymond. Part of a slightly different programme, Raymond and his super computer Ada survived the destruction and as part of an alternative exercise set up their own PI agency. The Electromatic Detective Agency. Well, it was a detective agency, until Ada discovered there was more money in the assassin business.

I’m actually not going to talk about the plot at all. It starts out simple but pretty soon becomes anything but. It’s just a wonderful mash up that gets more bizarre as the story continues. A blend of noir detective, spies, sparkling Hollywood actors and actresses and twisted plots to take over the world.

So what did I enjoy about this? Well, I started reading and just couldn’t help having that voice in my head – the voice over that comes with your basic private detective film. The jaded PI, sarcastic and gritty. Put basically, Ray is a funny guy and a great character to read. He made the book for me personally and everything else was just icing and cherries, of which there was no shortage. I mean, you can’t help wondering how you’re going to feel about a robot character – how can you become attached. Well, Ray isn’t perfect. Given the technological capabilities of the time he has certain restrictions – like a short memory. Ray’s memory is stored on tape and he only has a 24 hour storage. On top of that, well, never forget that Ray is a robot and sometimes his actions can be very calculated. And yet, I did like him. It started off just enjoying his phrases or the way he describes his laugh and the feeling grew from there.

Ada is Ray’s computer and is a bit of a smart ass. She’s the constant voice in his head and to Ray she’s a wise cracking, chain smoking, feet on the desk reading a magazine type of gal! It’s funny to read Ray’s version of Ada. She’s sharp, and, let’s not forget, she’s running the show really.

Now, add to all this a crazy mixed up plot, a strange mash up of Marlowe meets Bond, glamorous extras, car chases and spies with nefarious plans. I don’t know what’s not to like really.

I really enjoyed this, the era, the play on that era, the slight difference in terms of technology, the different play on the old fashioned PI and the writing. All together, thoroughly enjoyable. Please go and give it a go.

I received a copy from the publisher courtesy of Netgalley for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

“Y’all come back now, ya hear?”

Posted On 2 November 2015

Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Debut Authors, The Broke and the Bookish, Top Ten Tuesday

Comments Dropped 23 responses

This week over at the Broke and Bookish the topic for Top Ten Tuesday is :

‘Top Ten Debut Authors’

To be honest I struggled with this a little because I don’t always realise I’m reading a debut. Here goes (some of these may have 2nd or third books already released but I’ve only read the first):

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams – it was his debut and it’s the only one I’ve read of his!
The Falconer by Elizabeth May
The Martian by Andy Weir
Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho
Updraft by Fran Wild
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Scourge of the Betrayer by Jeff Salyards – bit of a cheat as I haven’t read it yet – but I have it lined up!
Darkhaven by A F E Smith
The Grim Company by Luke Scull
Wake by Anna Hope

Fresh October brings the pheasant, then to gather nuts is pleasant.

Posted On 1 November 2015

Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Monthly reviews

Comments Dropped 12 responses

My monthly round up – what I’ve read/plan to read, any events, etc:

Books read:

Owl and the City of Angels by Kristi Charish
An Apprentice to Elves by Sarah Monette and Elizabeth Bear
The Thief Who Pulled on Trouble’s Braids by Michael McClung
A Soul for Trouble by Crista McHugh
City of Burning Shadows by Barbara J Webb
The Geomancer by Clay and Susan Griffith
After Alice by Gregory Maguire
The Palace Job by Patrick Weekes
Made to Kill – review to follow
Seven Forges – Review to Follow

Backlist:

None – my bad

Unfinished series completed:

None – also bad

Books Bought: (whoops – went a bit silly this month! More badness)

Kushiel’s Avatar by Jacqueline Carey
Scourge of the Betrayer by Jeff Salyards
Veil of the Deserters by Jeff Salyards
Before They are Hanged by by Joe Abercrombie
Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie
the House of Shattered Wings by Aliette de Bodard
NOS4R2 by Joe Hill
White Lies by Zoe Markham (pre order)
The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

Review Books:

The Shards of Heaven by Michael Livingstone
Mind of the Phoenix by Jamie McLachlan
The Silver Tide by Jen Williams
Domnall and the Borrowed Child by Sylvia Spruck Wrigley
The Child Eater by Rachel Pollack
The Girl with Ghost Eyes by M H Boroson
Nelly Dean by Alison Case
Chains of the Heretic by Jeff Salyard
Grudging by Michelle Hauck

Cover Spotlight: (I love both of these)

UK or US cover:?? (UK for me with this one – but only by a hair’s breadth – they’re both very similar really, I prefer the font on the UK cover.)

Events:

Backlist Backburn is an end of month event organised by Lisa at Tenacious Reader. If you’ve caught up on any of your backlist then call over and link up. I find this a good incentive to dust off some of my books!

Top Ten Tuesday at The Broke and Bookish (every Tuesday).

Tough Travel by Nathan at the Fantasy Review Barn

Completed the readalong for Kushiel’s Chosen by Jacqueline Carey and started a readalong for Kushiel’s Avatar which is now in the fourth week and loving it.

Plus September saw the beginnings of a new blog called The Speculative Herald – I’m contributing a few reviews. Check it out here.

On top of that I’ve had an author interview which is here and a ‘lovely blog award’.

Kushiel’s Avatar by Jacqueline Carey, readalong week No.4

1 November 2015

Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Jacqueline Carey, Kushiel's Avatar, Readalong week No.4

5 responses

Welcome to week four of our readalong of Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel series. Kushiel’s Avatar is the third in the series and I am loving it so far. All free to join in, if you’ve already read this then please join in with the comments. The full schedule is here and this week Susan at Dab of Darkness is our lovely host. Before moving on: a word of warning – there will be spoilers lurking below.

So, moving swiftly on:

Chapters 38-49

1) What do you think of Phedre’s dealings with Naamah, Elua, and Kushiel in this section?

I’m not really sure what to make of it all – other than it really demonstrates that the red mote in Phedre’s eye really is Kushiel’s dart of course! In one respect I’ve been thinking that I didn’t really understand why Phedre chose this path. Hyacinth means a lot to her and yet she’s turned aside from her quest to save him to go and look for Imriel and in the process put both herself and Joscelin in danger. Plus, it feels like she’s put Melisande before Hyacinthe – but at the back of my mind I think there’s something much bigger going on here and it’s not really a question of either Melisande or Hyacinthe but actually something more fundamental about Phedre and her choices now and in the future.

2) We have met the Mahrkagir. Are we dealing with true madness? Does he still know right from wrong?

I think something is definitely missing in him! He has shown a slightly different side to Phedre – but it’s still only small change really and I can’t imagine how he’s going to react if he discovers her true purpose here. I think I’d prefer it if he was totally mad because I’d hate to think he could be so depraved and be sane as well. I guess part of me hopes that there is still a kernel of goodness in him but then on the other hand I think how could he ever change – or change and then live with himself! This really is a nasty place – it feels like Phedre has fallen into the pits of hell – in fact not fallen – but walked in there willingly.

3) The zenana is full of interesting new characters. Who has caught your interest so far? What do you think of Phedre’s first encounters with Imriel?

I’m not sure what to make of the characters yet to be honest. I like the doctor lady (whose name just escapes me – sorry!) I suppose Phedre’s first encounter with Imriel was what you would expect in a way. Imriel is not exactly going to welcome her when she’s become the favourite of something so despicable – although it does give them all a bit of a break I suppose. He’s strong willed which I like about him – especially after his ordeal. I’m kind of thinking that maybe the Mahrkagir is saving Imriel for a sacrifice and so in that respect is keeping his innocence intact?

4) Phedre has her first night with the Mahrkagir. Thoughts?

I have to be honest and say I really disliked everything about it. It’s just nasty. I don’t know what’s going to happen or how Phedre and Joscelin are ever going to get out of this situation because it really does feel darker than anything they’ve been through before. I hope that the God’s have given Phedre enough to cope with it all.

5) Who do you think is having a more difficult time, Joscelin or Phedre, and why?

I think Joscelin. I know he’s not having to put up with the special attentions of the Mahrkagir, but I kind of still think of Joscelin as a iittle bit innocent – which probably sounds daft given the battles and death they’ve both experienced. But, there’s something about him that still seems, I don’t know, clean, wholesome, or just good, and it feels like this whole encounter really is just one step too far to him. To have to stand and observe everything must be like its own kind of torture and it almost feels like he will be a little bit broken after it all. I hope not. I know that what we’re reading about Phedre enduring is absolutely awful – but, in a way, I feel like she’s stronger in that respect and will come through it.

The other participants: