Lock In, by John Scalzi, 5*
published by Tor
Lock In is the end result of a new virus. 4% of victims suffer meningitis, 1% end up 'locked in'; aware, but unable to move or respond. But that 1% equals 1.7 million Americans so new laws, government research and support systems are instituted. Result: the sufferers can now 'live' in automaton bodies and lead 'normal' lives again.
Among the best known victim is a Senator's son, Chris Shane, afflicted when two years old and grown up as the poster boy for his kind. But Chris wants to do a real job and joins the FBI - facing this challenge just as it looks like the government is about to pull the plug on the funding that makes life 'livable' for his less-wealthy fellows.
This is a near future SF novel that manages to be credible, intricate and at times even humorous. As a fan of television's Almost Human I was probably the target audience, and this does seem to be the time for the concept to surface. Even so, the characters are strong, so is the plot, and the world building. Honestly, it was a clear 5 star rating from the first page.
My only gripe: I can't quite see how Scalzi could write a sequel - and I'd dearly love to meet these characters - all of them - again.
Gripping read.
Sunday, 22 February 2015
Saturday, 21 February 2015
review: Zac and Mia, by A J Betts 5* :-)
Zac and Mia, by A J Betts
pub Houghton Muffin Harcourt.
Teen Zac is in an isolation ward, again, enduring treatment for leukemia and ably supported, always enthusiastically, by his mother. The ward area is generally quiet, even hushed. mother and son play a humouring game, trying to stay cheerful. But when Mia arrives everyone knows it - music plays, full blast, on the other side of Zac's wall, there's shouting between Mia and her mother... and thus begins an unusual, unlikely and frankly unforgettable story.
Told in the two teen 'voices', this is a beautiful novel; well told, peppered with detail and with a slow-build climax well worth getting to.
I initially hesitated over whether to review this one or not.
Don't stop and think, just grab it and read. It's a winner .
pub Houghton Muffin Harcourt.
Teen Zac is in an isolation ward, again, enduring treatment for leukemia and ably supported, always enthusiastically, by his mother. The ward area is generally quiet, even hushed. mother and son play a humouring game, trying to stay cheerful. But when Mia arrives everyone knows it - music plays, full blast, on the other side of Zac's wall, there's shouting between Mia and her mother... and thus begins an unusual, unlikely and frankly unforgettable story.
Told in the two teen 'voices', this is a beautiful novel; well told, peppered with detail and with a slow-build climax well worth getting to.
I initially hesitated over whether to review this one or not.
Don't stop and think, just grab it and read. It's a winner .
Friday, 20 February 2015
Review: Cuckoo Song, Frances Hardinge, 5* :-)
"When Triss wakes after an accident she knows something is wrong. She is insatiably hungry; her sister seems scared of her, and her parents whisper a lot behind closed doors. She looks in her diary to try to remember, but the pages have been ripped out."
What should I say? I was hooked from page one. This one is magical, and a must-read for anyone who likes subtle dark fantasy - or possibly Stephen King?
It may be listed as a children's book but don't believe it. This is younger fiction meets horror, in the way some Victorian children's books managed. I could imagine sharp-beaked Arthur Rackham crows as illustrations much more than today's fluffy kittens.
Maybe not for the very young, but it isn't marketed for them. For teen to adult though, it's a beautifully written, imaginative tale. Well worth a look even if you don't normally try something a bit younger sounding.
What should I say? I was hooked from page one. This one is magical, and a must-read for anyone who likes subtle dark fantasy - or possibly Stephen King?
It may be listed as a children's book but don't believe it. This is younger fiction meets horror, in the way some Victorian children's books managed. I could imagine sharp-beaked Arthur Rackham crows as illustrations much more than today's fluffy kittens.
Maybe not for the very young, but it isn't marketed for them. For teen to adult though, it's a beautifully written, imaginative tale. Well worth a look even if you don't normally try something a bit younger sounding.
New Year, already? Ouch, my life is caught up but my book reviews are way behind.
Yeah, so it's already well into February too. It's just taken me a while to catch up, that's all, and I'm sure anyone reading this has been busy too.
It appears, however, that I'm now officially a NetGalley Top Reviewer - who knew? I wouldn't have, except I suddenly noticed the logo on my NetGalley page a couple days ago. Made me feel quite proud. Though it's possible one or two people I've reviewed this year wouldn't agree. ;-)
It made me think though. For one thing, I'd got bogged down and hadn't passed on my reviews as much as I should have. For another, I know I'm now looking at finding out what people have to say about my own novel which will be available to review here and there any day. Ah well. People will love it or hate it, or possibly both at once. I'm reminding myself that a British publisher said the story would be "too difficult to market" - and trying not to expect too much.
If you do read it, please give me a comment, either way. I'd really like to hear them.
In the meantime I see I have a stack of 4 or 5 star books in my reviewed stack, so to make things up a bit I'm going to blog 5 5-star reviews over the next 5 days for anyone looking for a really good read.
It appears, however, that I'm now officially a NetGalley Top Reviewer - who knew? I wouldn't have, except I suddenly noticed the logo on my NetGalley page a couple days ago. Made me feel quite proud. Though it's possible one or two people I've reviewed this year wouldn't agree. ;-)
It made me think though. For one thing, I'd got bogged down and hadn't passed on my reviews as much as I should have. For another, I know I'm now looking at finding out what people have to say about my own novel which will be available to review here and there any day. Ah well. People will love it or hate it, or possibly both at once. I'm reminding myself that a British publisher said the story would be "too difficult to market" - and trying not to expect too much.
If you do read it, please give me a comment, either way. I'd really like to hear them.
In the meantime I see I have a stack of 4 or 5 star books in my reviewed stack, so to make things up a bit I'm going to blog 5 5-star reviews over the next 5 days for anyone looking for a really good read.
Tuesday, 4 November 2014
Talking of Pre-Ordering...
My pal Jacey Bedford's debut Sf novel, Empire of Dust, comes out today, from Daw.
Repeat: Empire of Dust. Jacey Bedford. From DAW?
If you haven't heard anything about it but you like fast action, far future soft - ie character-driven - SF and b***** good writing, then do check it out. The official blurb will be enough to make you look further.
There, now you have to check, don't you?
And yes, I did pre-order my copy, so as with Undercity I'm afraid I'm ahead of you again. :)
But you can easily catch up on this one.
Repeat: Empire of Dust. Jacey Bedford. From DAW?
If you haven't heard anything about it but you like fast action, far future soft - ie character-driven - SF and b***** good writing, then do check it out. The official blurb will be enough to make you look further.
There, now you have to check, don't you?
And yes, I did pre-order my copy, so as with Undercity I'm afraid I'm ahead of you again. :)
But you can easily catch up on this one.
Review: Undercity, by Catherine Asaro - 5* :)
Undercity, by Catherone Asaro, from Baen Books.
[Please note: This comes out Dec 2nd, so if it sounds like your sort of book - it was certainly mine - you might have to make a note on your calendar. Or pre-order?
Bhaajan, former major in the Skolian Space Command, is now a civilian, hard-bitten PI who has deliberately put her past behind her. but the kidnapping of a prince drags her back to the past - the undercity of her home planet. only there can she find the clues to solve this crime, and a lot more.
Despite her pedigree I'm embarrassed to own I didn't know this writer. Maybe the publishers should target the UK next? either way, I'm hooked, both on her writing and her Skolian universe.
Basically, this book had everything I wanted; strong characters, a new and unique world, and a plot that isn't as simple as it first appears.
Wish I'd written it. [Sigh.]
I read this book almost in one gulp and already have another loaded to read. What better compliment can one pay?
[Please note: This comes out Dec 2nd, so if it sounds like your sort of book - it was certainly mine - you might have to make a note on your calendar. Or pre-order?
Bhaajan, former major in the Skolian Space Command, is now a civilian, hard-bitten PI who has deliberately put her past behind her. but the kidnapping of a prince drags her back to the past - the undercity of her home planet. only there can she find the clues to solve this crime, and a lot more.
Despite her pedigree I'm embarrassed to own I didn't know this writer. Maybe the publishers should target the UK next? either way, I'm hooked, both on her writing and her Skolian universe.
Basically, this book had everything I wanted; strong characters, a new and unique world, and a plot that isn't as simple as it first appears.
Wish I'd written it. [Sigh.]
I read this book almost in one gulp and already have another loaded to read. What better compliment can one pay?
Monday, 3 November 2014
Bristolcon 2014, Worth Going South For. :)
So, Bristolcon. Friends kept telling me it was good and I should try it, but for a couple of years things just got in the way, so it was part curiosity and maybe part guilt that got me there this time. I'm really glad I did.
The con is officially one day, Saturday, but a surprising number of people arrived Friday, as I did, so as not to miss anything, and there was a writers' equivalent of a folk evening that night in the bar - a very nice idea, though I could wish it had been in a separate room.
The day itself was busy and very well organised, even though I'm told one of the usual organisers had to be absent. The programme had three rooms almost constantly busy with panels, talks and workshops, plus a dealers' room, plus a con room. I managed to get invited onto three programme irems, which was a surprise; a panel on writing problems, moderating a talk on why YA fiction appeals, and running a writers' challenge, open to anyone who fancied having a go.
This was great fun, and especially pleasing, as some of us overran the time by half and I went a bit mad and read a short story that had grown out of such a workshop. It earned me some applause, and a big laugh at the end, which was reward enough, but then there was cake there for us as well - lots of cake - from the nice organisers, in case we needed extra inspiration!
What else? Well, I guess I should say that the hotel was a good choice, convenient from the train station with a big bar area plus a separate con room that even stocked free tea and coffee on a help yourself basis. And a dealer's room better than some I've seen, which hooked me into a bracelet, though I managed to resist more books because I somehow ended up with several freebies anyway and couldn't carry any more!
I met friends, as one does, but my overall impression was of how relaxed and successful everything was from start to finish - and the finish segued into what was promised to be a "truly terrible" film which con-goers had free entry to, so it was a very full use of that one day definition.
Me, I'll certainly be back for another go. This time I'll even remember to check the ticket in my programme to see if I win in the raffle . Definitely slipped up there, as one prize was a free next year's membership.
The con is officially one day, Saturday, but a surprising number of people arrived Friday, as I did, so as not to miss anything, and there was a writers' equivalent of a folk evening that night in the bar - a very nice idea, though I could wish it had been in a separate room.
The day itself was busy and very well organised, even though I'm told one of the usual organisers had to be absent. The programme had three rooms almost constantly busy with panels, talks and workshops, plus a dealers' room, plus a con room. I managed to get invited onto three programme irems, which was a surprise; a panel on writing problems, moderating a talk on why YA fiction appeals, and running a writers' challenge, open to anyone who fancied having a go.
This was great fun, and especially pleasing, as some of us overran the time by half and I went a bit mad and read a short story that had grown out of such a workshop. It earned me some applause, and a big laugh at the end, which was reward enough, but then there was cake there for us as well - lots of cake - from the nice organisers, in case we needed extra inspiration!
What else? Well, I guess I should say that the hotel was a good choice, convenient from the train station with a big bar area plus a separate con room that even stocked free tea and coffee on a help yourself basis. And a dealer's room better than some I've seen, which hooked me into a bracelet, though I managed to resist more books because I somehow ended up with several freebies anyway and couldn't carry any more!
I met friends, as one does, but my overall impression was of how relaxed and successful everything was from start to finish - and the finish segued into what was promised to be a "truly terrible" film which con-goers had free entry to, so it was a very full use of that one day definition.
Me, I'll certainly be back for another go. This time I'll even remember to check the ticket in my programme to see if I win in the raffle . Definitely slipped up there, as one prize was a free next year's membership.
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