Title: Deathstalker
Series: Deathstalker, Book 1
Author: Simon R. Green
Genre: Science Fiction
What if someone had to start a rebellion rebellion against an interstellar empire from the ground up? That is supposedly the original question Simon R. Green posed to himself as the inspiration for this book (as well as the continuing series). Of course, having a Madness Maze to pass through to speed up your evolution might give you an edge.
There have been charges of inconsistent characters leveled against this series, but none emerge here. The action is over the top, and the violence sometimes more garish than real, but there is no questioning the pace of the book – wide open! Of course, if you’re expecting realism, this isn’t really the book for you, or the genre…
Green writes at a break-neck pace, weaving combat and political intrigue together. Though, by the end of the book, he has introduced so many characters and conflicts, that he really doesn’t resolve any of them at the end. In finishing the final pages of the book, you feel like you’ve just finished the first act in a play. So you might want to at least get your hands on Deathstalker Rebellion and Deathstalker War before starting this book.
If you’re one to enjoy science fiction of an epic scale, this is definitely for you. I do recommend it to all science fiction fans. This isn’t military science fiction or the type that explores the depths of human (or alien) nature – this is more just fun. But it is for mature readers. That said, grab yourself a copy and curl up to enjoy an epic space opera on a grand scale!
Worldview: secular
Age: highschool age, due to violence and some more mature sexual themes.
Title: The Devil’s Eye
Series: Alex Benedict
Author: Jack McDevitt
Genre: Science Fiction
I have loved the last few Alex Benedict novels I’ve gotten my hands on. McDevitt does an excellent job crafting a very intriguing mystery, as well as crafting a very captivating future history.
This story started off with just as much promise as the others, and while the story was just as intriguing, in the end it just wasn’t quite as good as the last few. McDevitt raises the stakes in this novel, as far as who is affected by the outcome of Alex and Chase’s investigation. I did enjoy the fact that Chase became something of a celebrity due to her role in the final outcome…(but I will say no more to avoid spoiling what happens).
You do not have to have read the other novels in this series to enjoy this one, though you will recognize some characters, and having read the other novels will help you with some deeper character development.
I guess overall it was good, but just not as good as other stuff by McDevitt.
Worldview: Secular
Age Recommendation: Most of the subject matter is appropriate for children as young as middle school, though there are a few themes which make me hesitant to recommend it for any age below high school.
Title: Handbook on the Prophets
Author: Robert B. Chisholm Jr.
Genre: Non-fiction, Bible Study
Chisolm has written a solid little textbook on the prophetic books in his Handbook on the Prophets. Each book is covered first by going over any information known about the author and the circumstances (and time) surrounding the writing of the book. Then it moves to a summarized walkthrough of each book, basically mentioning any pertinent historical or textual incidents which might be relevant to the passage at hand.
The one negative is that this ends up reading a little more like a commentary of the books. Different positions on controversial issues regarding the text, author, or date of the book are not really explored. Chisholm presents one perspective and runs with it.
That said, for someone who just wants to “dig a little deeper” into these books (without going the completely academic route), this might be a solid textbook for them to get their hands on. But, in the end, this is definitely not an in-depth or all-inclusive exploration of the books.
Title: Rogue Bolo
Author: Keith Laumer
Genre: Science Fiction
Well, I had read a ‘Bolo’ book when I was in my teens, and I remembered enjoying it decently. And I found this one in a freebie bin outside a used bookstore – just couldn’t refuse that! So my pile of unread fiction grew smaller and smaller, and so I finally picked this little book up. Interestingly enough, this is actually two different stories, both taking place in different times and places. The first, “Rogue Bolo”, is where the book gets its title and concerns the most advanced Bolo ever built, the second, “Final Mission”, is about an outdated, decommissioned Bolo who gets a second chance to live and fight like he was designed to.
The first book, “Rogue Bolo”, is written in a very interesting manner. Rather than go for straight narrative, Laumer strings together many different articles, briefings, overheard conversations, interviews, and even stream of conscious from the Bolo itself. Though the reading is slightly disjointed, it actually creates a slight sense of mystery, because you’re learning of the action and story second-hand. It was a little disconcerting at first, but after I got used to it, it was actually quite enjoyable.
In “Final Mission” the story is straight narrative, but just as engaging as the first. The setting is different, but Laumer manages to create pretty engaging characters.
Overall, both were not hard reads, and were quite enjoyable. I wouldn’t put this book at the top of my list of recommendations, but it’s an enjoyable read and I wouldn’t necessarily discourage anyone from reading it.
Worldview: secular
Age: This should be fine for any age, though I’d recommend not much younger than Middle School age just because of the scientific concepts
Title: The Mists of Everness
Series: The War of the Dreaming, Book 2
Author: John C. Wright
Genre: Fantasy
This concludes Wright’s War of the Dreaming saga. With Wendy in hiding, and the loose company of heroes scattered, things aren’t looking to good for the fate of the world as we know it. But Wright’s plotlines, which sometimes may appear rather convoluted on the surface, always weave towards an unexpected, though gratifying climax and conclusion.
In this novel the conflicts and obstacles facing our cast of heroes seem almost insurmountable, but there is a method the insanity Wright has woven therein. This book definitely picked up it’s pace very quickly and maintained that acceleration. And just when you think you have figured exactly where he’s going and what is going to happen, then something else does. It is quite a ride!
As I understand it, Wright actually wrote this story (contained in the two books) before any of his other ones, and after reading those other books I can definitely say there is a maturation of ability from this one to them. That said, his ability as a writer is very evident here as well.
Do I recommend the book? Absolutely – especially to those who enjoy fantasy or even mythology. I also think the book has enough “realworld” elements to be relevant to those who don’t read as much fantasy. An excellent book, with quite a bit of varying mythology woven throughout it as well. Imaginative and unique – quite a pleasure to read!
Worldview: Theistic, there is a vein of pantheism throughout, though a hint of monotheism in a place or two (kind of a “God to rule all gods” type of concept)
Age Recommendation: Definitely has a some rather descriptive violence, as well as some more sexual situations, which make me recommend this more for seniors in High School and up (though some Juniors may be mature enough to handle the material).
Title: The Last Guardian of Everness
Series: The War of the Dreaming
Author: John C. Wright
Genre: Fantasy
Okay, I absolutely love John C. Wright’s books. His Golden Age trilogy was a masterpiece of science fiction, and I found his Chronicles of Chaos completely captivated me. That said, I had pretty high expectations as I opened this book. In doing a little reading online, I did learn that Wright supposedly wrote the two books of this series before any of the others.
That latter fact may explain why I found the first portion of the book dragging for a little ways. It eventually picked up rather unrelentingly (in Wright’s usual fashion), but I was a little surprised at the slow start. By the end of the book, I was completely immersed in Wright’s world, and was very happy I had the second book (Mists of Everness) on hand when I finished reading this – the ending to this book resolves little and completely leaves you hanging.
Trying to summarize the gist of the story is hard. I realized I had actually read several different takes on it, each different, each wrongly focused in the end. There’s actually too much going on in these books to summarize one without the other, and there is not one or two main characters, but in the end it is more like an ensemble where a whole cast with different roles prove as important and essential as the others. The overarching conflict is that within the realm of dreaming there are those who desire to take over our world and there are certain guardians who have been given a task of alerting the enemies of these conquerors as soon as they begin to breach our world. That’s just the beginning. The relationship of our world and reality to that of the dream is not so simple as it sounds here.
What is at stake is the existence of life as we know it, and the resolution is not as simple as “beat the bad guys.” It’s much more complex and Wright doesn’t hesitate to get a little deep with the science or the mythology. You really can’t read any of his books without your thinking cap on because many of the concepts are just not simple.
This is definitely a solid contribution to the Fantasy genre, and it actually takes things in a different direction than most books of the same vein.
Worldview: More pan-theistic than pagan, though the latter is definitely true
Recommended Age: Due to material depth of concepts, definitely late High School to early college age.
Title: The engines of God
Author: Jack McDevitt
Genre: Science Fiction
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect as I opened this book. I had read somewhere that this was either a bestseller or award-winner at some time – but now I have no idea where I read that. I did know that I have greatly enjoyed some of McDevitt’s other books.
Unlike many other sci-fi writers, McDevitt doesn’t rely on great space armadas and battles with amazing weapons, soldiers led by incredibly talented and inspiring leaders, or some sort of political, social or military conflict. He utilizes the most basic of literary genres in the most imaginative way – the mystery.
The heart of this mystery is a an alien race that is long gone, who have left incredible (and mysterious) ‘monuments’ which mankind has discovered as he has begun to step out and explore the universe. A band of archeologists has uncovered some things which might be able to finally illuminate many of the mysteries of this long gone race.
For a book devoid of characters which might be associated with the stereotypical ‘action figures’ of science fiction, one might wonder how he manages to keep the pace moving. But McDevitt deftly weaves a very intriguing story, which kept me turning page after page – several nights keeping me up later than I really should have been…
Overall, a very well-written, well-paced book. McDevitt also writes very ‘cleanly’, so the book would also be appropriate for younger readers. Definitely recommend it!
Worldview: Secular
Age Recommendation: This would definitely be okay for high school age children, and at least older middle school age children. Though there are allusions to sexual situations, none are detailed or explicit, and the violence is rare and not extremely descriptive at that.
Title: Brisingr
Series: Inheritance, Book 3
Author: Christopher Paolini
Genre: Fantasy
Paolini continues his Inhertiance saga with Brisingr. Originally, I understand he intended it to just be a trilogy, but I think he’s been having so much fun developing his world and characters, as well as the story, that the story is just getting longer and longer. For some authors, that would be a bad thing, but for Paolini it is just giving him more room to develop and flex his fantastical and creative muscles.
This is definitely not the book to start the Inheritance books with, so if you haven’t read Eragon
and Eldest
, do yourself a favor and get your hands on them as well.
The book starts with a summary of the last two books, which you can definitely skip if you’ve recently finished reading the first two books of the series, but, if you’re like me and it had been a bit, the quick rehash was a nice reminder of what had gone on before. There are little to no gaps between the events in the books of the series, each one picking up very shortly (as in days after) the last events of the previous book. This book is no exception, and you are thrown headlong into Eragon and Roran’s fight to rescue Katrina, Roran’s betrothed.
To me the book kept a very lively pace. Paolini has become very adept at balancing the action with the more narrative sections of his stories. That said, when I came to the end, I really felt I had just read the next step in Eragon’s journey. Just as in Eldest, this book moves along through the story of Eragon, but it would have a hard time standing on its own – in fact, when removed from the series, it is rather anti-climatic. There is really only one conflict that is resolved in this book (revealed in its name), and that conflict seems almost secondary when compared against the other conflicts of the story.
In the end, I highly recommend the Inheritance saga to any and all fans of the fantasy genre. It is in the vein of Tolkien and maybe even Robert Jordan (the latter being one who has indulged in the epitomy of the unending saga). But don’t read this book without having first read Eragon and then Eldest, you would only be doing yourself a disservice.
Worldview: overall, secular, though slightly theistic in places, and pantheistic in others.
Age Recommendation: Fine for High School age children, and probably Middle School age as well – though the violence rather well-described.
Title: At All Costs
Series: Honor Harrington, Book 11
Author: David Weber
Genre: Science Fiction
It seems that Weber decided to stop playing around with these Honor Harrington books. Most of the other books in the series have weighed more towards politics or military action, and even in the more ‘action-oriented’ ones the narrative usually worked towards a primary climatic battle. While this one does work its way towards a climatic battle, the journey along the way is quite literally filled with engagement after engagement.
In the book there are also several less than minor changes which come about in Honor’s life as the narrative progresses. If you have, in any way, enjoyed the previous 10 Harrington novels, this one is definitely for you. Though it might stand decently on it’s own, it definitely is a culmination of the other novels.
Obviously, I greatly enjoyed this book. I would say, though, that while most anyone could pick up this book and enjoy it, those who have read through the rest of the series first will get much greater enjoyment from this than those who have not (so read the others first!).
Worldview: Secular
Age Recommendation: High School age – primarily due to the violence (described in pretty decent detail)
Title: Echoes of Honor
Series: Honor Harrington, Book 8
Author: David Weber
Genre: Science Fiction
An alternate title for this book could be “The Return of Honor”. Basically what this book covers is how, in the time that Honor Harrington has been away, the Peeps have finally begun to get their military organized. With the RMN (Royal Manticoran Navy) still trying to recover from their latest thrust into Peep territory, the PRH (People’s Republic of Haven) sets out on a mission to strike at the RMN where it is most vulnerable.
Honor and her other escapees, are stuck on a prison planet. They not only have to overthrow the SS goons (I mean guards…sorry) in charge, but then, to properly escape with all the other prisoners, they must capture, intact, several vessels capable of carrying near a quarter of a billion people.
The book is divided into alternating books, each covering either what Harrington and her fellow escapees are up to, or what is going on in the rest of the universe at large. Though this organization makes Weber’s normally shifting focal points a little more understandable, it limits the time spent on Honor – which, in my mind at least, is who is the central character of the book.
This organization also contributes to a “double climax” wherein the events in the universe at large come to a boiling point and finally erupt in several confrontations, and then climatic final fight for Harrington and all those following her. Even so, the ending of the book was actually very sudden. I would recommend having the next book of the series (Ashes of Honor) on hand, because it picks up within a month or so of the conclusion of this one.
The pace overall was very strong and steady, only lagging in a few places. The characters are pretty well done here as well, though I had enjoyed spending a more time with Harkness in the last book, and his character takes a little more backseat in this one.
In conclusion, this is yet another Harrington novel I recommend whole-heartedly. I would actually recommend this as the second part of a pair (Echoes of Honor coupled with Honor Among Enemies). Excellent science fiction as well as a strategic or military book.
Worldview: Secular
Age Recommendation: Mainly has violence and language, which make me hesitate to recommend this for anyone not in High School.
Title: Deathstalker
