tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55038945688506198492024-03-12T04:51:13.541+00:00Review Haven: Fantasy and Sci-FiAdam Bourkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14119033779409414955noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503894568850619849.post-13912870448575511502012-06-23T12:00:00.000+01:002013-11-24T15:26:52.662+00:00The Stone of Arveqtuit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://stonegiantpress.com/attachments/Image/Final_Front_cover_-_med.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://stonegiantpress.com/attachments/Image/Final_Front_cover_-_med.jpg" width="146"></a></div>
Title: The Stone of Arveqtuit<br>
Author: Thomas Albert<br>
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<b><u>Ratings</u></b><br>
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Score: 7/10<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/p/series-chart.html">Chart</a> Entry Point: 12<br>
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<b><u>Review</u></b><br>
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The Stone of Arveqtuit (pronounced Ar-vek-too-it) does not feel like your standard fantasy book. Indeed, when I first began reading the book I compared it in my mind as being somewhere between Indiana Jones and the Da Vinci Code. Although I could use those comparisons for almost the whole story, when I finished reading the book I couldn't compare it to anything I've read before...<br>
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<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/2012/06/stone-of-arveqtuit.html#more">Read more »</a>Adam Bourkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17806308502581989417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503894568850619849.post-27559743797540452562012-03-24T12:00:00.006+00:002012-03-24T12:00:10.375+00:00The Wizard of Crescent Moon Mountain (Book One)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1328216987l/12282481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1328216987l/12282481.jpg" width="203"></a></div>Title: The Wizard of Crescent Moon Mountain<br>
Author: Oldman Brook<br>
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Series:The Wizard of Crescent Moon Mountain (Book One)<br>
Succeeded By: ???<br>
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<b><u>Ratings</u></b><br>
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Score: 5/10<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/p/series-chart.html">Chart</a> Entry Point: 29<br>
How likely I am to read the next in the Series: I'd like to see where this goes...<br>
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<b><u>Review</u></b><br>
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I was a little confused when I first opened this book and saw how it was written. Instead of the normal past-tense narrative of most fantasy books, this was written in the present tense. As a well-practiced reader of this first-style, it took some getting used to, but after a while I found it almost as natural to read for the most part. <br>
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What was immediately clear when I was reading this book is the theme of brotherhood. The three dwarves are brothers, the two shapeshifters are brothers, the two elves are brothers - although they all seem to have a different relationship with their siblings.<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/2012/03/wizard-of-crescent-moon-mountain-book.html#more">Read more »</a>Adam Bourkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17806308502581989417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503894568850619849.post-24839353116937170342012-03-17T12:00:00.008+00:002012-03-17T12:00:07.555+00:00Sacrifice (Embraced by Darkness Book One)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1328946252l/13479647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1328946252l/13479647.jpg" width="211"></a></div>Title: Sacrifice<br>
Author: Tarah L. Wolff<br>
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Series: Embrace by Darkness (Book One)<br>
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Succeeded By: Stricken<br>
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<b><u>Ratings</u></b><br>
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Score: 1/10<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/p/series-chart.html">Chart</a> Entry Point: 48<br>
How likely I am to read the next in the Series: I won't be<br>
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<b><u>Review</u></b><br>
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<span style="font-family: times new roman,serif;">I started reading this book slightly apprehensively - the title was reminiscent of the vampire romance books that seem to be everywhere these days. But the blurb looked more interesting, and suggested that the book had potential, so I wasn't too worried.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: times new roman,serif;">Perhaps I should have been. </span><br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/2012/03/sacrifice-embraced-by-darkness-book-one.html#more">Read more »</a>Adam Bourkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17806308502581989417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503894568850619849.post-27145499667837622192012-03-10T12:00:00.002+00:002012-03-10T12:00:05.457+00:00The Hunting of the Bubblenuff<a href="http://booklog.eternalised.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/61IAplNAQ+L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://booklog.eternalised.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/61IAplNAQ+L.jpg" width="155"></a>Title: The Hunting of the Bubblenuff<br>
Author: Joshua Goldfond<br>
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<b><u>Ratings</u></b><br>
Score: 6/10<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/p/series-chart.html">Chart</a> Entry Point: 32<br>
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<b><u>Review</u></b><br>
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The Hunting of the Bubblenuff was possibly the most inventive book that I've reviewed. It has a certain feel to it that lingers from reading the title to the final chapter, and one that suits it well. It's got a fairly frivolous plot, but some of the ideas in it are truly unique, and still remain interesting. I almost surprised creatures such as the Somnabulent Sheep don't exist in reality.<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/2012/03/hunting-of-bubblenuff.html#more">Read more »</a>Adam Bourkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17806308502581989417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503894568850619849.post-87148560102331595022012-01-07T12:00:00.004+00:002012-03-10T00:16:01.957+00:00Life Descending (Cry of Havoc Book One)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.johnhennessy.net/John_Hennessy/Books_files/CoverLifeDescending.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.johnhennessy.net/John_Hennessy/Books_files/CoverLifeDescending.jpg" width="204"></a></div>Title: Life Descending<br>
Author: John Hennessey<br>
Series: Cry of Havoc (Book 1)<br>
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<b><u>Ratings</u></b><br>
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Score: 4/10<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/p/series-chart.html">Chart</a> Entry Point: 43<br>
How likely I am to read the next in the Series: Unlikely<br>
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<b><u>Review</u></b><br>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"> I was looking forwards to reading this book when it was first given to me. The things that the blurb mentioned were all very interesting: the familiar idea of war in a different world, a man reborn into a new one, and a search for the unique sounding artifact known as the "Impermeable Suit". The blend of common and new aspects of the genre looked like the perfect read for a fantasy reader. I did however, have some problems with it. Beginning with the fact that all the interesting things I was looking forwards to finding out about were barely hinted at in the first half of the book...<br>
</div><a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/2012/01/life-descending-cry-of-havoc-book-one.html#more">Read more »</a>Adam Bourkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17806308502581989417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503894568850619849.post-26076677394917808842011-10-02T12:00:00.003+01:002012-03-10T00:16:01.962+00:00Conviction (Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi - Book Seven)<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=revie062-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0345509102&camp=217145&creative=399369" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1"><br>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345509102/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&tag=revie062-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0345509102" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0345509102&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=revie062-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" width="131"></a>Title: Conviction<br>
Author: Aaron Allston <br>
Score: 4/10<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/p/series-chart.html">Chart</a> Movement: 22 → 21 (Down 1)<br>
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<b><u>Review</u></b><br>
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This series seems to have it's ups and downs, and if I'm honest this is one of the downs. Not a lot happens, and the stuff that does is either completely new, unrelated, or almost contradictory to the previous books. Because the plot is what I'll be commenting on mainly, there are some quite major spoilers in this review, so if you hate that kind of thing, look away now!<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/2011/10/conviction-star-wars-fate-of-jedi-book.html#more">Read more »</a>Adam Bourkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17806308502581989417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503894568850619849.post-74745170307787164692011-09-24T12:00:00.002+01:002012-03-10T00:16:01.967+00:00King's Wrath (Valisar Trilogy Book Three)<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=revie062-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0061582700&camp=217145&creative=399377" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1"><br>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061582700/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&tag=revie062-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399377&creativeASIN=0061582700" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0061582700&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=revie062-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" width="123"></a>Title: King's Wrath<br>
Author: Fiona McIntosh<br>
Score: 8/10<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/p/series-chart.html">Chart</a> Entry Position: 19/45 <br>
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<b><u>Review</u></b><br>
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In my experience of reading McIntosh's previous books, the endings have been fairly weak and anticlimactic. If it wasn't for the fact that the first two and a half books of her trilogies are generally extremely good then she wouldn't be one of my favourite authors. This series however, and particularly this book, was the exception. The majority of the series was, while still well-written, loose and unfocused. But the ending was possibly the most exciting one that McIntosh has written.<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/2011/09/kings-wrath-valisar-trilogy-book-three.html#more">Read more »</a>Adam Bourkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17806308502581989417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503894568850619849.post-86132526353440090512011-09-17T12:00:00.002+01:002012-03-10T00:16:01.971+00:00Vortex (Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi - Book Six)<a href="http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100208125818/starwars/images/thumb/3/32/Vortex_cover.jpg/250px-Vortex_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100208125818/starwars/images/thumb/3/32/Vortex_cover.jpg/250px-Vortex_cover.jpg" width="130"></a>Title: Vortex<br>
Author: Troy Denning<br>
Superseries Star Wars <br>
Series: Fate of the Jedi <br>
Preceded By: <a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/search/label/Fate%20of%20the%20Jedi">Allies</a> (Christie Golden) <br>
Succeeded By: Conviction (Aaron Allston)<br>
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<b><u>Ratings</u></b><br>
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Score: 8/10<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/p/series-chart.html">Chart</a> Movement: 22 -> 21<br>
How likely I am to read the next in the Series: Definite.<br>
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<b><u>Review</u></b><br>
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I had no idea where this book was going to start. The last book, Allies, pretty much finished off every storyline except for the Trial of Tahiri Veila. With four more books to go, I began this one a little apprehensively. But that problem is quickly resolved. We found out pretty much straight away that Abeloth has a little trick up her sleeve that means that she could indeed be the main antagonist for the rest of the series, and we also see that the conflict between the Jedi and Admiral Daala is still going strong.<br>
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In short, there's plenty to read about in this book. But there was another reason that I was apprehensive. For me, Denning's contributions to the Legacy era books have been going downhill since his spectacular first entry in the legacy of the force series. But fortunately, while not matching the level of writing he had with Tempest, was considerably more engaging than in Abyss. He still used one or two awkward metaphors every now and again, but overall the writing was smooth, enjoyable, and most importantly, easy to read.<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/2011/09/vortex-star-wars-fate-of-jedi-book-six.html#more">Read more »</a>Adam Bourkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17806308502581989417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503894568850619849.post-9688877602831397832011-09-04T23:45:00.001+01:002011-09-11T02:04:23.048+01:00NEWS: Posting begins again next FridayHi,<br />
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Some of you will have noticed that the last couple of weeks, ever since my optimistic post about how I would be posting regularly, there has been no posts on the site. This is for personal reasons beyond my control, as well as several reasons partially in my control - the latter being Jury Duty, Moving House and returning to University all in the space of a month.<br />
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This message is to let people know what's going on, at least vaguely, and to assure everyone that I will continue to review books, and will resume posting reviews next Friday (17th) . However, because I will be back at university - studying, I will be reducing the post rate to one post a week.<br />
<br />
Unless I'm procrastinating.<br />
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Sorry for the lack of posts, and hope the future reviews are helpful to you.<br />
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Thanks for reading,<br />
<br />
Adam BourkeAdam Bourkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17806308502581989417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503894568850619849.post-29960989338852690442011-08-16T12:00:00.001+01:002012-03-10T00:16:01.976+00:00Tyrant's Blood (Valisar Trilogy Book Two)Title: Tyrant's Blood<br>
Author: Fiona McIntosh<br>
Series: Valisar Trilogy<br>
Preceded by: Royal Exile<br>
Succeeded by: King's Wrath<br>
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<u><b>Ratings:</b></u><br>
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Rating: 8/10<br>
How likely I am to read the next book: Very Likely<br>
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<u><b>Review</b></u><br>
<br>
Regular readers of this blog will realise that some stuff I normally put around this review is missing (such as a picture of the cover). This will be corrected later today. They may also notice that there was no posts last week.The reason for both is that I have been summoned to sit on a jury - while in the house moving process and don't have the time to read as much. But I expect to review regularly from now on, but it'll generally be on the bus - so less info for a week or two. Anyway - the book:<br>
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I was worried when I started reading this to be honest. It had been over a year since I read the fieat in the trilogy, and there was a curious message at the beginning almost apologising for the story, and that it was written without prior planning. But McIntosh is one of my favourite authors so I read one.<br>
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And if I'm honest, that directionless style is quite clear in the plot - but surpised me by being interesting. At the end of book one, the position was clear. King Leo wanted his throne back from the invader. But by the end of this one I'm losing track of who the bad guys are, and I have no idea what's going to happen in book three. However, there are a couple of downfalls of the aimlessness I think. One character from the previous book doesn't appear until near the end of the book, and happens to chance upon an event, taking something which makes half the planning in the book seem a bit pointless. But for the most part I enjoyed the story.<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/2011/08/traitors-blood-valisar-trilogy-book-two.html#more">Read more »</a>Adam Bourkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17806308502581989417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503894568850619849.post-24096770766833057232011-08-05T12:00:00.005+01:002012-03-10T00:16:01.980+00:00Transformation (Rai-Kirah Trilogy Book One)<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Transformation-Rai-Kirah-1-Carol-Berg/dp/184149044X?ie=UTF8&tag=widgetsamazon-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Transformation (Rai-Kirah 1)" height="200" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=184149044X&tag=widgetsamazon-20" width="120"></a>Title: Transformation<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=widgetsamazon-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=184149044X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1"><br>
Author: Carol Berg<br>
Series: Rai-Kirah Trilogy<br>
Succeeded By: Revelation<br>
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<b><u>Ratings</u></b><br>
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Score: 10/10<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/p/series-chart.html">Chart</a> Entry Point: 3<br>
How likely I am to read the next in the Series: Definite!<br>
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<b><u>Review</u></b><br>
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Transformation is a fairly old book by now, written at the turn of the millenium, but it's been amongst my favourites since I first read it shortly after it came out. This first book is an incredible story by itself, and the subsequent two books serve to add depth and an extra layer of complexity to the world that Berg creates.<br>
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There are two main characters in this book. Seyonne - the main character, and Aleksander, the initial antagonist. Seyonne is a highly secretive character, and so everything that we learn about him is an exciting moment. And since we learn a lot about him through his actions, we come to feel like we know him - a lot more than some books allow you to know their characters. By contrast, Aleksander seems like a less private person - yet his actions are often surprising. He can change moods almost instantly, and so while we find out more and more about him, it's often very difficult to predict his next move. The relationship between the two characters is perhaps the most interesting aspect of the two characters. It's constantly changing - one of the most dynamic relationships I've seen in a fantasy novel.<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/2011/08/transformation-rai-kirah-trilogy-book.html#more">Read more »</a>Adam Bourkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17806308502581989417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503894568850619849.post-15886177357527213912011-08-02T12:00:00.002+01:002012-03-10T00:16:01.985+00:00Code Lightfall and the Robot King<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lightfall-Robot-King-Daniel-Wilson/dp/1408814196?ie=UTF8&tag=revie062-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Code Lightfall and the Robot King. Daniel H. Wilson" height="200" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1408814196&tag=revie062-20" width="128"></a>Title: Code Lightfall and the Robot King<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=revie062-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1408814196" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1"><br>
Author: Daniel H.Wilson<br>
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<b><u>Ratings</u></b><br>
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Score: 5/10<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/p/series-chart.html">Chart</a> Entry Point: <br>
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<b><u>Review</u></b><br>
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I often say that books aimed primarily at younger readers can also be enjoyed by adults. Having read this one, I'm not so sure. The reason is simply because the story is childish. It's not a particularly simple story, and it does have an interesting twist at the end, but the plot has a lot of things that a child might find exciting, or realistic, that an Adult probably wouldn't. Of course, it's aimed at children - so if you're looking for a book for your kids, then this could be a good one for you.<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/2011/08/code-lightfall-and-robot-king.html#more">Read more »</a>Adam Bourkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17806308502581989417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503894568850619849.post-28002588551341064932011-07-31T12:00:00.002+01:002012-03-10T00:16:01.989+00:00Death Star (Star Wars)<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Death-Star-Wars-Michael-Reaves/dp/034547743X?ie=UTF8&tag=revie062-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Death Star (Star Wars)" height="200" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=034547743X&tag=revie062-20" width="121"></a>Title: Death Star<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=revie062-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=034547743X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1"><br>
Author: Michael Reaves & Steve Perry<br>
Superseries: Star Wars<br>
Preceded By: The Force Unleashed II<br>
Succeeded By: A New Hope<br>
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<b><u>Ratings</u></b><br>
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Score: 8/10<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/p/series-chart.html">Chart</a> Entry Point: 9<br>
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<b><u>Review</u></b><br>
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This is unusual for a Star Wars book, or any book really, in that all of the characters are on the bad guys side. This is a book about people who work for the empire, and it gives us a unique insight into "the other side of the story".<br>
<br>
For a start, nearly all of the main characters are pretty good guys. One or two do a couple of illegal things, but then so did Han Solo. But apart from Grand Moff Tarkin and Darth Vader, all of the viewpoint characters are likeable. None of them really want to kill anyone either. Even the one who pulled the trigger on the big gun. It does give a new perspective to the Star Wars films. Many of the people on board the Death Star when the Rebels destroyed it were actually Civilians - running the cantinas and shops on the station. Which was designed in order to end all war...<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/2011/07/death-star-star-wars.html#more">Read more »</a>Adam Bourkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17806308502581989417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503894568850619849.post-34533731843466095782011-07-29T12:00:00.003+01:002012-03-10T00:16:01.994+00:00Nightwatch (Discworld Book Twenty Eight)<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Night-Watch-Terry-Pratchett/dp/0060013125?ie=UTF8&tag=revie062-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Night Watch" height="200" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0060013125&tag=revie062-20" width="105"></a>Title: Nightwatch<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=revie062-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0060013125" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1"><br>
Author: Terry Pratchett<br>
Superseries: Discworld<br>
Series: The Watch Books <br>
Preceded By: Thief of Tme<br>
Succeeded By: Monstrous Regiment<br>
<br>
<b><u>Ratings</u></b><br>
<br>
Score: 10/10<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/p/series-chart.html">Chart</a> Entry Point: 1<br>
How likely I am to read the next in the Series: Bought them on Pre-Order<br>
<br>
<b><u>Review</u></b><br>
<br>
A friend of mine was looking at my blog for the first time this week, and the first thing she said about it was "How come there's nothing by Terry Pratchett?". My first response was along the lines of "Surely everyone knows how good a writer he is..." but then I remembered a conversation a month or two ago with several people who hadn't heard of him. Hence this review. Nightwatch is not necessary my favourite of his books, but it's the one I know best. And it is a fantastic book...<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/2011/07/nightwatch-discworld.html#more">Read more »</a>Adam Bourkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17806308502581989417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503894568850619849.post-73455203968817949062011-07-26T12:00:00.008+01:002012-03-10T00:16:01.999+00:00Renaissance (Assasin's Creed Book One)<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Assassins-Creed-Renaissance-Unnumbered/dp/0441019293?ie=UTF8&tag=revie062-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Assassin's Creed: Renaissance (Assassin's Creed (Unnumbered))" height="200" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0441019293&tag=revie062-20" width="113"></a>Title: Renaissance<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=revie062-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0441019293" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1"><br>
Author: Oliver Bowden<br>
Superseries: Assassin's Creed<br>
Series: Ezio Trilogy (Book One)<br>
Preceded By: The Secret Crusade<br>
Succeeded By: Brotherhood<br>
<br>
<b><u>Ratings</u></b><br>
<br>
Score: 1/10<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/p/series-chart.html">Chart</a> Entry Point: 40/40<br>
How likely I am to read the next in the Series: Not at all<br>
<br>
<b><u>Review</u></b><br>
<br>
In these days of computer gaming, more and more books are being based on the computer games we can buy. I even saw an animated cartoon of Pacman the other day, in full HD on a 3DTV. Some of these books are quite good (See Force Unleashed II), and some of them are poor. Unfortunately, This is one of the latter.<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/2011/07/renaissance-assasins-creed-book-one.html#more">Read more »</a>Adam Bourkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17806308502581989417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503894568850619849.post-77455965108340189852011-07-24T10:00:00.003+01:002012-03-10T00:16:02.003+00:00Outbound Flight (Star Wars)<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Outbound-Flight-Star-Wars-Timothy/dp/034545684X?ie=UTF8&tag=revie062-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Outbound Flight (Star Wars)" height="200" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=034545684X&tag=revie062-20" width="121"></a>Title: Outbound Flight<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=revie062-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=034545684X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1"><br>
Author: Timothy Zahn<br>
Superseries: Star Wars<br>
<br>
<b><u>Ratings</u></b><br>
<br>
Score: 10/10<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/p/series-chart.html">Chart</a> Entry Point: 7<br>
<br>
<b><u>Review</u></b><br>
<br>
Outbound Flight is a mission to explore the galaxies beyond the one Star wars is set in. It's the first book in the Star Wars chronology to include Thrawn - one of the most famous characters in the Extended Universe, and it's for this reason that I chose to read it. And it was a good decision...<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/2011/07/outbound-flight-star-wars.html#more">Read more »</a>Adam Bourkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17806308502581989417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503894568850619849.post-76753778118651519422011-07-22T12:00:00.008+01:002012-03-10T00:16:02.008+00:00Soul Born (Soul Born - Book One)<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Soul-Born-Kevin-James-Breaux/dp/0983099324?ie=UTF8&tag=revie062-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Soul Born" height="200" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0983099324&tag=revie062-20" width="135"></a>Title: Soul Born<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=revie062-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0983099324" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1"><br>
Author: Kevin James Breaux <br>
Series: Soul Born Saga<br>
<br>
Succeeded By: Blood Divided<br>
<br>
<b><u>Ratings</u></b><br>
<br>
Score: 3/10<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/p/series-chart.html">Chart</a> Entry Point:<i> </i>37<br>
How likely I am to read the next in the Series: <i>I won't be.</i><br>
<br>
<b><u>Review</u></b><br>
<br>
I was drawn into this book by the cover art. I found it to be quite stunning. In fact, it's one of the few books that have made me go to the artist's online Gallery. Or even glance at the name of the artist on the copyright page. I know there are some people who do this with every book, but I'm not one of them, so it means quite a lot. After half an hour looking at <a href="http://www.dandossantos.com/gallery.htm">Dan Dos Santos' Gallery</a>, I remembered I had a book to read.<br>
<br>
And I was disappointed. Especially for the first hundred and fifty pages or so. There are three major problems, which I will discuss separately below, but had I not being reviewing the book, I don't expect I would have finished it. I just couldn't see it going anywhere interesting. Which is where the first problem comes in...<br>
<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/2011/07/soul-born-soul-born-book-one.html#more">Read more »</a>Adam Bourkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17806308502581989417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503894568850619849.post-51546985100095162052011-07-18T10:00:00.020+01:002012-03-10T00:16:02.013+00:00The Last of the Sky Pirates (Edge Chronicles: Rook Trilogy - Book One)<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Edge-Chronicles-Last-Sky-Pirates/dp/0440421004?ie=UTF8&tag=revie062-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Edge Chronicles: The Last of the Sky Pirates (The Edge Chronicles)" height="200" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0440421004&tag=revie062-20" width="136"></a>Title: The Last of the Sky Pirates<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=revie062-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0440421004" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1"><br>
Author: Paul Stewart & Chris Riddell<br>
Superseries: Edge Chronicles (Book Seven)<br>
Series: Rook Trilogy (Book One)<br>
<br>
Succeeded By: Vox<br>
<br>
<b><u>Ratings</u></b><br>
<br>
Score: 10/10<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/p/series-chart.html">Chart</a> Entry Point: 5<br>
How likely I am to read the next in the Series: Definite<br>
<br>
<b><u>Review</u></b><br>
<br>
I've been a little busy this weekend, so rather than rush through a book and not give it a fair chance I decided to write a review of a book I'd already read. This is one that I particularly like, so I thought I'd share it. It's not the first in the Edge Chronicles, but is the first of the books following Rook Barkwater, and the first one I read.<br>
<br>
One of the main reasons that I like it so much is the complexity of the world it's set in - particularly with the breadth of life forms. Many fantasy books have two or three species other than humans, but this series has many more than that. From Waifs, little psychic elves, to Shyrkes and Banderbears. There are tens of different sentient species, and all of them are quite distinct. There are few other fantasy series that boast a culture as varied as this one. Not to mention the unique technology that they use - much of it based on flight. It's imaginitive and exciting...<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/2011/07/last-of-sky-pirates-edge-chronicles.html#more">Read more »</a>Adam Bourkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17806308502581989417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503894568850619849.post-23776506566531312692011-07-17T10:02:00.002+01:002011-07-17T10:02:00.099+01:00NEWS: Star Wars ReviewsSome of you may have noticed that there are quite a few star wars reviews on the site. In fact there is 18 as of a minute ago. There's a very good reason for this. I like them, find them easy to pick up and read, and there are a lot of them (around 160 I think - although I don't own them all. Yet.)<br>
<br>
But some people think I post too many Star Wars reviews. Fair enough, some people might not like Star Wars. But I've come up with what I feel to be a fair comprise...<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/2011/07/news-star-wars-reviews.html#more">Read more »</a>Adam Bourkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17806308502581989417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503894568850619849.post-74932629229513210572011-07-17T10:01:00.029+01:002012-03-10T00:16:02.018+00:00Allies (Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi - Book Five)<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Allies-Star-Wars-Fate-Jedi/dp/0345509145?ie=UTF8&tag=revie062-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Allies (Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi)" height="200" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0345509145&tag=revie062-20" width="131"></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=revie062-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0345509145" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1">Title: Allies<br>
Author: Christie Golden<br>
Superseries: Star Wars<br>
Series: Fate of the Jedi<br>
Preceded By: Backlash (by Aaron Allston)<br>
Succeeded By: Vortex (by Troy Denning)<br>
<br>
<b><u>Ratings</u></b><br>
<br>
Score: 7/10<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/p/series-chart.html">Chart</a> Movement: Remains at 17<br>
How likely I am to read the next in the Series: Probable <br>
<br>
<b><u>Review</u></b><br>
<br>
The first thing I can say about this fifth book is that it's a reassuring size. The last one by Golden was a bit thinner than the rest of the series, but this one isn't. As for the story, it's much better than the first three in the series.<br>
<br>
As I often do, I'll start by discussing the characters, and in particular with my favourite character - Vestara. Vestara is a Sith apprentice, a bad guy by definition, but I find that I can't help but like her, can't help but want her plans to succeed. As in the previous book, we don't see an awful lot of scenes from her point of view, but if anything this makes her character more interesting, and the rare chapter that is from her perspective an exciting glimpse into her life.<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/2011/07/allies-star-wars-fate-of-jedi-book-five.html#more">Read more »</a>Adam Bourkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17806308502581989417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503894568850619849.post-18394369084080646152011-07-17T10:00:00.000+01:002012-03-10T00:16:02.022+00:00Backlash (Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi - Book Four)<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Backlash-Star-Wars-Fate-Jedi/dp/0345509080?ie=UTF8&tag=revie062-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Backlash (Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi, Book 4)" height="200" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0345509080&tag=revie062-20" width="131"></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=revie062-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0345509080" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1">Title: Backlash<br>
Author: Aaron Allston<br>
Superseries: Star Wars<br>
Series: Fate of the Jedi<br>
Preceded By: Abyss<br>
Succeeded By: Allies<br>
<br>
<b><u>Ratings</u></b><br>
<br>
Score: 8/10<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/p/series-chart.html">Chart</a> Movement: 19 -> 17<br>
How likely I am to read the next in the Series: Definite<br>
<br>
<b><u>Review</u></b><br>
<br>
Finally! Something happens! The first three books of this series were really quite slow, but in this we finally see it going somewhere. This time, while still plenty of political manoeuvring, we get too see some action.<br>
<br>
This book follows quite nicely from the previous one - where the Sith Apprentice Vestara escapes from Luke and Ben Skywalker on Sinkhole Station. It actually starts with a Vestara viewpoint scene of her leaving. It's one of the few of these in the book - I was a little disappointed we didn't get to see more from her point of view, as she was with a more major character for most of the book. But she is a good character nonetheless, and brings some interesting aspects to the story.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/2011/07/backlash-star-wars-fate-of-jedi-book_17.html#more">Read more »</a>Adam Bourkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17806308502581989417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503894568850619849.post-28689389565097641862011-07-15T10:00:00.000+01:002012-03-10T00:16:02.027+00:00Painted Doll<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Painted-Doll-Erotists-M-Christian/dp/1590211251?ie=UTF8&tag=revie062-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Painted Doll: An Erotist's Tale" height="200" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1590211251&tag=revie062-20" width="130"></a>Title: Painted Doll <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=revie062-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1590211251" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1"><br>
Author: M. Christian<br>
<br>
<b><u>Ratings</u></b><br>
<br>
Score: 6/10<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/p/series-chart.html">Chart</a> Entry Point: 31<br>
How likely I am to read the next in the Series:If there was one, I'd be interested.<br>
<br>
<b><u>Review</u></b><br>
<br>
I quite liked this story - but it's nothing like what I was expecting.<br>
<br>
The basic premise is that Domino is an "Erotist", someone that arouses clients not using their body, but using special "paints" to simulate them sexually and in other ways. You'll see when you read it. It's an interesting idea, I will say - and something I can see why people might want to try. The other main storyline is of why Claire and Flower are apart - which comes to a rather unexpected conclusion for those two - although I'm not really sure what happened to the antagonist (possibility for sequel?). <br>
<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/2011/07/painted-doll.html#more">Read more »</a>Adam Bourkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17806308502581989417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503894568850619849.post-81552686670450331212011-07-14T21:38:00.000+01:002011-07-14T21:38:25.175+01:00NEWS: Well, That's Different...You may have noticed that the site looks a little different. I decided that the site needed something more, something to make it stand out. A logo, a banner, a colour-scheme. Something. So this is it.<br>
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<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/2011/07/news-well-thats-different.html#more">Read more »</a>Adam Bourkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17806308502581989417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503894568850619849.post-26070064442659767162011-07-12T12:00:00.013+01:002012-03-10T00:16:02.032+00:00Running Black (Eshu International Book One)<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Running-Black-Patrick-Todoroff/dp/0578070715?ie=UTF8&tag=revie062-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Running Black" height="200" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0578070715&tag=revie062-20" width="133"></a>Title: Running Black<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=revie062-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0578070715" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1"><br>
Author: Patrick Todoroff<br>
Series: Eshu International<br>
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<b><u>Ratings</u></b><br>
<br>
Score: 4/10<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/p/series-chart.html">Chart</a> Entry Point: 35<br>
How likely I am to read the next in the Series: Unlikely<br>
<br>
<b><u>Review</u></b><br>
<br>
The story started promisingly. I liked chapter one quite a lot. But it turns out that it's not representative of the rest of the story. In fact, It's more of a prologue. Which is unfortunate.<br>
<br>
While I liked the story, and the idea of clones - if not the names of the first three - I found that the narrative was extremely difficult to read. And I'm not really sure why, if I'm honest. There is one thing that contributed I'll discuss in a moment, but other than that... I don't know. Maybe it was too jargon-y or something. I just found myself not actually understanding what was going on quite often.<br>
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<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/2011/07/running-black-eshu-international-book.html#more">Read more »</a>Adam Bourkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17806308502581989417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5503894568850619849.post-37484638700050311132011-07-08T12:00:00.016+01:002012-03-10T00:16:02.036+00:00Sleeping Beauty, Indeed<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sleeping-Beauty-Indeed-Lesbian-Fairytales/dp/1590212231?ie=UTF8&tag=revie062-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Sleeping Beauty, Indeed & Other Lesbian Fairytales" height="200" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1590212231&tag=revie062-20" width="125"></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=revie062-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1590212231" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1">Title: Sleeping Beauty, Indeed <span style="font-size: x-small;">(& Other Lesbian Fairytales)</span><br>
Editor: JoSelle Vanderhooft<br>
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<br>
Note: This is a collection of short stories - the individual authors are listed in the review itself.<br>
<br>
<br>
<b><u>Ratings</u></b><br>
<br>
Score: 6/10<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/p/series-chart.html">Chart</a> Entry Point: N/A<br>
<br>
<b><u>Review</u></b><br>
<br>
This is the first time that a collection of short stories has appeared on my blog, and so It's a new kind of review for me here. What I've decided to do is a quick review of each story, enclosed in an introduction and overall impression. I expect to follow this pattern in the future, although I have no plans to review short stories particularly often. So, the introduction:<br>
<br>
"Sleeping Beauty, Indeed" is a book of fairy tales, with the exception that the "Damsels in Distress" are into women rather than men. Some of them are original stories, and others are lesbian versions of traditional fairytales. The idea intrigued me, which is why I decided to read/review it, and I'm glad I did, as two of the stories really left an impression on me. Also, it had the rather pleasant mild scent of apples...<br>
<br>
<a href="http://sfandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/2011/07/sleeping-beauty-indeed.html#more">Read more »</a>Adam Bourkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17806308502581989417noreply@blogger.com0