Book Review: The Kraken Wakes by John Wyndham

Book Review: The Kraken Wakes by John Wyndham
Genre: Post Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Alien Invasion
Bob's Thoughts: "A Classic Old School Science Fiction Tale, with a twist."
Grade: A
Out of Print, Check Abebooks
100 Books 100 Posts (#7)








John Wyndham may just be the master of the Post Apocalyptic novel. His novel, The Day of the Triffids, is considered by myself, and many others to be one of the top Post Apocalyptic novels of all times. Ever since reading that, I have wanted to get my hands on his other Apocalyptic tale, which isn't easy since it is out of print. I finally scores a copy, and devoured it quickly.

The Kraken Wakes is a different type of alien invasion book. There aren't any lizard men approaching in Faster than Light Space Cruisers, shooting men with laser beams, and stealing out bodies for food. In fact, the invasion itself is murky at best, and the aliens themselves are never understood, which makes the tale even creepier, and more effective.

Wyndham tells the tale in three stages from the perceptive of Cold World era Britain. Wyndham uses cold war paranoia in a sardonic way, to add humor and perspective to the novel. It starts off with weird red spheres fallen from the sky into the deepest part of the oceans, which is blamed on the Russians. As more "spheres" fall, missions are sent out to examine what they may be. Many of these missions end up being destroyed mysteriously, of course, blamed on the Russians and their super secret mini-subs.

Wyndham doles out the action sporadically. We would have a few tragedies, which would get people up in arms, then a lull, which would settle people back down. The few scientist who postulate the possibility of unworldly origins to the terrors in the deep are scoffed at and blacklisted. That of course, is until weird sea tanks begin coming to land, and snatching people.

The Kraken Wakes was definitely ahead of it's time in the many issues it explored. The basic tale is about two vastly different, yet seemingly intelligent species vying for control of the planet, and the differing techniques they use. While the book doesn't give you a good glimpse of the invaders, it uses the invaders to give us a decent look at ourselves.

Friday Random 10 (10/19/07) "The Airwaves Were Full of the Obvious"

1. Hercules by Midnight Oil (The Best of Midnight Oil)

"You know that we can't see in the dark. We try and we try and we try..."


2. Bad Day by R.E.M. (In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988 - 2003)

"Those ants in pants glances."


3. Get Real Paid by Beck (Midnight Vultures)

"I want to know if I'm worth your time..."


4. Sometime by King's X (Ear Candy)

"Sometime, I want to believe"


5. Pain Lies on the Riverside by Live (Awake: The Best of Live)

"And the guilt that hangs around your neck has got me locked up in a cage..."


6. We Know too Much by Michael Been (Strong Hand of Love: A Tribute To Mark Heard)

"I looked at my own silhouette. It looked back with a bad attitude."


7. Light My Fuse by Mike Knott (Strip Cycle)

"Tried to own the world and got into owing the world a lot."


8. Bartholomew Higgins by Poor Old Lu (Star Studded Super Step)

"if you want to see what I am saying focus then, on our decisions..."


9. Runaway Train by Vigilantes of Love (Welcome to Struggleville)

"...only two tracks take you out of here baby, now one will make you crazy one will make you sane..."


10. Life In The Factory by Drive-By Truckers (Southern Rock Opera)


"Let me tell ya'll a story so far fetched it must be true..."

Book Review: Mysterium by Robert Charles Wilson

Book Review: Mysterium by Robert Charles Wilson
Genre: Science Fiction, Alternate History
Bob's Thoughts "Sometimes a book attempts to accomplish too much. Sometimes it's still a good read."
Grade: B-
Limited Availability, Check Local Library.
100 Books 100 Posts: #6







There's a lot of high concepts in this book. So many, it's a wonder not a single one of those concepts were fully explored in a 300 page book. Yet, while those issues are strained at best, what is left is an enjoyable tale of a displace community.

So, if you have read books like SM Stirling's Nantucket Series or Flint's 1632 series, you will recognize elements of the plot. Due to some tests at a secret government lab on a strange object, the town of Two Rivers, Michigan is somehow transplanted from our reality to an alternate history where a Gnosticism is the predominant religion. The universe they are transplanted in is highly authoritarian with religious Proctor's controlling everything in society. They are also much less developed, in both population and technology.

A group of people in the town must contend with the oppressive nature of the new society while trying to discover how they were sent to this world. Not shockingly, the phenomenon confuses the people of the new universe. Some see it as a gift needed to help fight the evil Spaniards. Other see it as a dangerous and unpredictable element that needs to be destroyed.

Mysterium would make an excellent part of a book. All the issues are only briefly flirted with. We don't really get a full glimpse of the town, the new universe, the physics involved in the transformation, the religious aspects nor many of the characters. You do get some fun action and some likeable, if underdeveloped characters. What you don't get is any sense of fulfillment, of understanding, in the story. In fact, by the end, you are left more confused than you started.

Bitterwood Giveaway!

Scifi Chick has and interesting interview with James Maxey posted on her blog. She also is having a contest giveaway for an autographed copy of Bitterwood.

Bitterwood has been one of my favorite reads of the year, so I recommend taking a shot at a free copy of the book.

You can check out my review of Bitterwood, for more info.

Book Review: The Snow by Adam Roberts

The Snow by Adam Roberts
Genre: Post Apocalyptic
Bob’s Thoughts: “A Unique Post Apocalyptic Tale with characters you just want to punch in the face.”
Grade: B-
Limited Availability
100 Books 100 Posts: #5









One day it started snowing. People were happy. Then it didn’t stop. People were no longer happy.

Sort of like JG Ballard’s work, the author starts with a simple premise, what if it didn’t stop snowing. What if it snowed so much that is covered the tops of buildings. How would people survive. What type of life would the survivor’s have. Using this premise, the first part of the book is excellent.

The tale starts out as a first person narrative of a Survivor, an Indian women named Tira. Yet, as the book expands it takes on a new life. Some of it works, some of it doesn’t. Roberts uses a lot of tricks in this book, that I enjoyed. Much of the story is told in edited documents released by the government. I actually liked it, and once you could get past the [Name Deleted], I thought is was a nice little change in the way stories were told.

I also like how Robert’s used the first person narrative. Most first person accounts come off as fake to me. Robert’s does well to make you understand that this story being told, is being told from a skewed perception. Just because our narrator says something is so, doesn’t make it gospel. She let’s you know that this is her account, with her misunderstandings and prejudices.

My main criticism of the tale is it gets hijacked about half way through for a while by one of the most unlikable, annoying characters I have ever read. Most of this is the ramblings of a self important, coke head writer that, I guess, is important to the story, but much of what he has to say isn’t. Despite her deficiencies (and she had many) Tira came off as an angelica princess, compared to this loser. His diatribes were hard to read, and his character had no redeeming qualities.

Eventually, the author pulls it all together well. The book is quite uneven at times, for my tastes, but all in all, Roberts has many interesting ideas that are explored here.

This is the first book I have read by this author, but, it was interesting enough that I will probably try another.

Friday Random 10 (10/12/07) "Lend Me Your Ear"

1. Occam's Razor by Adam Again (Homeboys)

"I will paint you in a corner in a room where the light is on..."

2. Dogman by King's X (Live All Over the Place)

"...remembering the times I pray to help me deal with me, to be the dogman."

3. Devil Inside by INXS (Kick)

"Makes you wonder how the other half die..."

4. Internalize by Galactic Cowboys (Let It Go)

"Sorrow needs a place to go..."

5. Tale O' Twister by Chagall Guevara (Pump Up The Volume Soundtrack)

"...she had the lips of Nixon, lips like Tricia Nixon..."

6. Glory Road by Daniel Amos (Songs From the Heart)

"Hey, let's go crazy and thicken the plot..."

7. Life on Other Planets by Bill Mallonee (Fetal Position)

"...all grown up, but I hardly saw it coming..."

8. American Girl by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (Anthology)

"God it's so painful when something that's so close is still so far out of reach..."

9. Useless Stuff by Cracker (The Golden Age)

"Now everybody wants to be our friend, so we act real Zen and hang around with movie stars..."

10. Silver and Gold by U2 (Rattle and Hum)

"Mister, I ain't got nothing but it's more than you got..."

Click on the links, because, every band has a myspace.

Book Review: Through Darkest America by Neil Barrett, Jr.

Through Darkest America by Neal Barrett, Jr.
Genre: Post Apocalyptic
Bob's Thoughts "A familiar story with an unfamiliar twist."
Grade: A-
Out of Print. Available through Abebooks.
100 Books 100 Posts #4












On the surface, Through Darkest America is a typical Post Apocalyptic tale of a world a few generations past a nuclear war, where society has regressed back to small towns, and farming communities. Yet, every once is a while an author with throw a twist into a story, that just by it's inclusion, twists and taints an entire story, forcing you to evaluate an entire story through the tinted glasses of the twist. Neil Barrett, Jr. does it here with winning results.

In Through Darkest America, the twist is that nuclear war has struck down the vast majority of animal life. The religion of the land morphed into the idea that "animal" flesh was unclean, and that the war was God's way of cleansing the land. Now, they get their meat from "stock" altered, feral human-like animals. Shocking as this may be, Barrett makes it more shocking by making it almost a side issue of the story. No one is outraged by it, protesting for the rights of the stock. There is no "voice of morality" telling us this is wrong. It is just accepted by everyone as a fact of life. Yet, for us, the observer, it colors the whole story with its understated presence.

That's what takes this story from the simple, to the complex, the moral struggles aren't the characters, but your own, to attempt to understand the status quo of the book, and that is the payoff.

Book Review: Some Will Not Die by Algis Budrys

Some Will Not Die by Algis Budrys
Genre: Post Apocalyptic Fiction
Bob's Thoughts "A Must read for hardcore Post Apocalyptic Fans like myself, for everyone else, well, expect a flawed, uneven read."
Grade: B+ for PA fans, C for everyone else.
Out of Print (Check Abebooks for used copies.)
100 Books 100 Posts #3





"Some Will Not Die" is an extended and revised version of Algis Budrys first novel "False Night, a familiar story about the aftermath of a plague that kills off 90% of the countries population.

I am going to have a hard time reviewing this book. For me, I loved every moment of it. It is the classic, old school post apocalyptic tale that I love so much. The story in a nutshell goes like, there's a lone man in a decimated, he meets a women, they start a family, they meet another family, starting a group of friends, they meet other groups of friends starting a community, they join up with other communities and start a city, which join up with other cities to start a country, henceforth, society has begun again.

Of course, this is an oversimplification of the story. There are wars, politics, backstabbing, which builds up to a society formed on the carcus of the old, and yet just as corrupt. Told as interconnected short stories, Buldrys gives us a look not only at the immediate aftermath, but the society that forms a few generations past. All in all it is a grim look at humankind.

I was very happy to find the Kelly Frea version of this book. Kelly Freas is one of my favorite genre illustrators. I love the artwork in this book. I miss the days of illustrations in science fiction and fantasy books, and the modern covers that are understated. I always think science fiction and fantasy covers should be gawdy and unapologetically hokey. I includes some scans of the artwork, inside, and scans of the front cover. The quality isn't great, but, I think you get the picture.

Click on the Thumbnails for larger images.

Friday Random 10 (10/5/07) I Feel Like A Winner When I Make A Mix Tape

1. Thick Skin by Daniel Amos (Mr. Buechner's Dream)

"How about a little wind In your perfect hair?"


2. Good Luck Charm by Vigilantes of Love (Audible Sigh)

"...you make your smile a different way to cry..."


3. Mrs. Dubose by Drive-By Truckers (Pizza Deliverance)

"She can't read between the lies anymore..."


4. Mr. Wrong (Live) by Cracker (Garage D'or)

"Well I was gonna bring you flowers, but I didn't. It's the thought that counts and I think I'm a bit too broke."


5. New Round by Beck (The Information)

"Lessons of the day on a blackboard night seem to be erased..."


6. I Can't Say Goodbye by The Lost Dogs (Scenic Routes)

"It seems like where you're goin' is half a world away..."



7. Math by Ookla the Mok (Poor Man's Copyright)

"How many roads must a man walk down before his journey is complete? Given: That he wants to walk twenty-seven miles and each road that he walks is 4000 feet. Please round your answer to the nearest tenth and show all your work on a separate sheet. The answer my friend is 17.4. The answer is 17.4 roads."



8. Miller's Angles by Counting Crows (Recovering the Satellites)

"They come out of the blue sky but you never know where they're gonna go..."


9. Flute Loop by Beastie Boys (Ill Communication)

"I Get Funky Like Diaper Rash..."


10. Bright Side of the Road by Van Morrison (Best of Van Morrison)

"Into this life were born, baby sometimes we don't know why..."

Book Review: Watch on the Rhine by John Ringo and Tom Kratman

Watch on the Rhine (Die Wacht am Rhein) by Tom Kratman and John Ringo
Genre: Military Science Fiction
Bob's Thoughts "A Spin off of Ringo's Posleen War Series meant to shock. Lot's of bloody, alien slaughtering action with moral and political overtones."
Grade: C
Available at your local bookseller
100 Books 100 Posts: #2 (2/98)

Get an overview, and sample chapters at John Ring's Website.

Watch on the Rhine is listed as the 7th book of the Posleen War Saga, or Legacy of Aldenata. I read Ringo's first four books of this series about an invasion of genetically altered aliens whose job it is basically eat up humanity, and the "help" we receive from manipulative members of a Galactic Federation who give us all this cool technology, as long as we are willing to die for them. The first four books were entertaining. This is the first of the co-authored books expanding the series I have read. While not up to the standards of the original, the books are decent enough, if you like shoot em' up military science fiction, complete with cunning yet outnumbered humans, and some upgraded hardware.

The twist in this novel, is that the humans that are cunningly attempting to save humanity are Nazis. You see, one of the little gifts we received from our manipulative alien allies is the ability to "rejuvenate" old soldiers. So, henceforth, Germany, with it's back to the wall, decided to take the controversial step of rejuvenation some of it's greatest military minds, living members of the Waffen SS, the elite Nazi military branch. While meant to shock us, the authors quickly remind us that most of those who were responsible for some of the greatest atrocities in human history, were dead.

So, what we are left with in the end, are a few flawed men, who were Nazi's and one despicable Nazi. One character (a rejuvenated Nazi) explains that there were 3 types of Germans, those who truly didn't know, and were innocent, those who actively involved in the slaughter and who were damned, and those who knew, weren't actively involved, but did nothing to stop it, who were even more damned then the second group.

If the authors intended to shock you, well, I don't think it worked very well. I can accept that there were some members of the Waffen SS who weren't totally evil. Yet, I have trouble thinking of them in any sympathetic light.

There has been lots of talk about how the author's extremely conservative political ideals taint their work. Personally, it never bothered me in Ringo's first four books, because it didn't bleed into the words. Here, Kratman's characters become cartoon liberals, including one environmentalist, political advisor who believed that the war was the perfect way to solve the human's overpopulation of this planet. The character was so patently stereotypically liberal, he seemed like a joke. If this book was a satire, then, it would have added a humorous element, but the cartoon caricatures didn't mesh well with the serious tones of the book.

All in all, I didn't hate the book. It's an OK, spinoff of the world. I even find the idea intriguing, but I think the execution of it needed some work.

Book Review: The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Genre: Fantasy
Bob's Thoughts: "An accessible Fantasy that embraces the clichés."
Grade: A-
Available at Your Local Booksellers or Library.
100 Books, 100 Posts: #1 (99 to Go!)

Read an Overview of the Book at Patrick Rothfuss' Website.



Fantasy is full of clichés. It's hard to find totally original fantasy books today. That's OK. Clichés are fine with me.

The thing is, I am very picky with the fantasy I read, so, when I hear people say, It's been done before, well, I tend to take their word. Yet, with Patrick Rotfuss's debut novel, "The Name of the Wind" none had to clue me in, because, well, Rothfuss doesn't try to hide it. In fact, he embraces the clichés.

Barebones, the story is about an orphaned boy, who grows up to be a legend. Hmmmm....

His family is slaughtered by an evil so great people tend to think of it only as a legend... Hmmmmm...

Eventually, he gains entrance into a school, that specializes in teaching a form of magic... Hmmmmm...

He gets into a series of adventures, that through mostly luck, but some skill as well, develops a reputation, and a few enemies... Hmmmmm...

So, yeah, barebones, this story shares a lot of similarities with many fantasy novels. Many readers compare this book to Harry Potter. This is both a fitting compliment, and a problem. The comparison fits, because, life the Harry Potter series, from Book 3 on, this is adult Fantasy, written in a manner both safe and accessible to younger audiences. It maintains an edginess, without being full of sex, profanity, and gratuitous violence (not that I don't enjoy the big 3, in its proper place). Yet, it is an adult book. While I think Potter fans would be pleased with this book, don't go in expecting it to be Potteresque. Enjoy it for its own world, its own creation.

All together, Rothfuss creates a beautiful new world, full of rich, interesting characters, and vile villains. It's is dark, when it needs to be dark, but full of brightness and humor. . Instead of running from the clichés, even so far as to have the main character/narrator make jokes of them as he tells the story, comparing what he did, with what those of stories have done.

The Name of the Wind is the first in a trilogy, titled The Kingkiller Chronicles, so don't expect closure at the end of the book. The story itself is satisfying, yet, leaves you hungry at the same time.

100 Books, 100 Posts

So, I have seen around various blogs something called, 52 Books, 52 Weeks. It is basically a blog meme, that promotes reading by having the bloggers track their reading, and trying to read a book a week, 52 books in a year.

So, it gave me an idea.

I know I read at least a book a week, usually more. This isn't me bragging. Things in my life give me the opportunity to read a lot, including a job that lets me read during the slow times. If it wasn't for the local library, and used book stores, I'd probably go spend half my spending money on books.

So, starting now, I am going to try and track my books, here, with the goal of reading 100 books (From October 2007, to October 2008), and posting about them here. That's the biggy. Actually sitting down to do the posting.

Basically, I will be posting the book, a rating, and a review. Maybe not a huge review, but something that tells you about what I though of the book, plus links to overviews.

So, what would 100 Books entail.

A Day: .27 Books.
A Week: 1.92 Books
A Month: 8.33 Books

Now, knowing my reading habits, well, it will be a bit of a challenge. Some books I can read in a day, while others take me a week. So, to give me a head start, I will be including a book a just finished the other day, even though it was technically September. So, basically, I am starting off by cheating. It was a big book though.

Anyone who wants to join in, go ahead. I will link you up here. And, don't feel obliged to go with 100. Know your reading habits, and set you goals. Then keep us updated.

Also, in book related news. I have been working on my top 100 Post Apocalyptic Books List. Being that that is my favorite sub-genre of books, I thought it would be time to put it together. Right now, because I have condensed series into one entry, I have about 92 spots filled. I currently have 3 books in my To Be Read Pile, that, depending on how I like them, may find a way onto the list. Once I get enough books to post the list, I will make a detailed feature out of it. If anyone has any Post Apocalyptic books suggestions (especially off the beaten path, or indie books) let me know.

Books:
1. The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicles) by Patrick Rothfuss.
2. Watch on the Rhine (Die Wacht am Rhein) by Tom Kratman and John Ringo

Friday Random 10 (9/28/07) "I Could Silently Scream"

1. "We Were Born to Be Loved" by King's X (Faith, Hope, Love)

"Happy endings are not just for TV"



I think this is a pretty cool video by some kids covering this song. Pretty impressive.

2. "The Southern Thing" by Drive-By Truckers (Southern Rock Opera)

"Hate's the only thing that my truck would want to drag"

3. "Songs of the New Golden West" by Camper Van Beethoven (New Roman Time)


4. "Elevator Music" by Beck (The Information)

"You drive your vehicle like you just didn't care"

5. "Smashing Young Man" by Collective Soul (Collective Soul)

"You preach synthetic-like"

6. "I Need to Know" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (Anthology)

"Who would've thought that you'd fall for his line"

7. "Perishable Goods" by Vigilantes of Love (To the Roof of the Sky)

"a car that's empty always overflows"

8. "Donna Nietche and Her Super Race of Kick Boxing Über Parrots" by Daniel Amos (Songs of the Heart)

"Anything that I can think of You'll find in here"

9. "Eyes Wide Open" by Over the Rhine ('Til We Have Faces)

"Impersonating the smallest shadow of my original self again"

10. "Can't You Feel the Chains" by Chagall Guevara (Chagall Guevara)

"will your bags remind you of home and who you've left in hell?"

Now Reading...

I've recently finished a bunch of new books, new as in, fresh off the shelves. I am surprised how much of my recent readings have been fantasies. I don't consider myself a huge fantasy fan, but have read a decent amount over the past few years. Lately, it seems the "must reads" have been more "fantasy/horror/sci-fi" type books. I will probably give longer reviews of some of the books I have read, but here are some quickies.



Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling: I though this was a good ending to the series. For me, definitely a more engaging book then Order of the Phoenix or The Half Blood Prince. The series if not without it's flaws, but I enjoyed it. What more can you ask for.

The Sunrise Lands by SM Stirling: The Book is the first in a series that ties up the "Dies the Fire: books with the Islander Books. I was skeptical at first. I like Post Apocalyptic Books, but usually, one you get into the second generation, it starts to lose it somewhat. Yet, I loved this book, probably more than the anybook in the loose series. Expanding past the Williamette Valley to give us more of a glimpse of the Country in whole breathed new life into the tale for me.

Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch: The Lies of Locke Lamora was probably my favorite "surprise" read of last year. The next book (in what seems like another Uber series) was not as great as the first, but, it was good. I enjoy the characters, and their eloborate schemes. I am anxiously awaiting the next in the series.

Dead Sea by Brian Keene: Yes, I am a zombie fan. Brian Keene is one of the premiere horror writers out there today. Dead Sea had more of a "Romero" feel to it. The Zombie animals are always a nice touch. I am not really a huge fan of gore, more of the survivalistic elements of the zombie subgenre. I think Brian does a good job of balancing the gore in his books. It's there, but it's not unbearable.

Eye of the Beholder by David Ellis: I was very disappointed in this novel. Ellis was one of my favorite "Legal/Crime" thriller writers, but this book was just disjointed. Way to many subplots that distracted from the overall flow of the story, plus a lot of poor editing mistakes (one characters age changes multiple times in the same paragraph)Yet, the ending was surprising, and the characters interesting, for the most part.

Hades by Russell Andrews: A fun crime thriller. I like Andrews work, but his last novel, Midas, was annoying full of political agendas and trick plotting. Here in Midas, I found the story much more intriguing. Still a bit far fetched ultra-comspiracy laden, but, the character of Justin Westwood really becomes much more interesting then in previous outings.

Right now I am reading "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss. I am only about 200 pages in of the nearly 900 page novel, but I am enjoying it immensely. By the time I finish that, I imagine we'll be getting close to the release of Fatal Revenant, the next book in the Thomas Covenant series, so it seems I will be stuck in the Fantasy world a bit more.

Friday Random 10 (9/21/07) "Put That Gadget in the Random Mode"

So, I haven't done this in a long time (Or at least haven't posted it here."

I actually really dig this list.

1. The River by Live (songs from Black Mountain)
2. Ain't that Strange by Cracker (Forever)
3. Come Down by Toad the Wet Sprocket (Coil)
4. High 5 (Rock the Catskills) by Beck (Odelay)
5. Mothers of the Disappeared by U2 (Joshua Tree)
6. Orphans of God by Buddy and Julie Miller (Strong Hand of Love)
7. Stone by Adam Again (Perfecta"
8. Sometimes by Midnight Oil (Scream in Blue Live)
9. Two Gunslingers by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (Anthology)
10. What I Know About Love by King's X (King's X)


Favorites
#2, #4, #7

Book Review: Bitterwood By James Maxey

Bitterwood by James Maxey
Genre: Post Apocalyptic Fantasy
Bob's Thoughts: "Dragon Fan or Not, You Must Read This Book!"
Grade: A
Available at Your Local Booksellers.












OK, all my comrades in the fantasy geekdom hold your ears for a moment....

I've never been much of a dragon fan. Typically, if I see a book is dragon-themed, I usually move right on by. I really don't know why, it's not the creatures themselves, I think, maybe just the way other characters respond to them. I've never been into the dragon as a metaphor, the good dragon vs. bad dragon dichotomy, or even dragons as the archetype of medieval fantasy. Honestly, if I look into it, I really think, for me, it's a response to the trauma of my nightmares after reading about Eustace cannibalizing another dragon in Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Of course, I was like 6 years old when I read that. I may have wet the bed that night.

So, I found myself looking for a good fantasy book to read. Outside of Harry Potter, I have mostly been reading Thrillers lately. But, I know there are some good fantasies coming out soon, particularly the new Locke Lamora and Thomas Covenant novels, and I really wanted to get into a fantasy state of mind. So, when I heard some people recommend this book Bitterwood, as a Post Apocalyptic Fantasy with Dragons, I put aside my childhood nightmares, and purchased the book.

On the surface, Bitterwood is a typical fantasy revenge thriller. Bitterwood, the main character, is on a mission to kill all the dragons in the world. The dragons rule the earth, and keep humans as slaves or pets. Plus, they killed his family, what kind of fantasy character would he be if he didn't vow to wipe them off the face of the earth. So, for years he carried out his revenge, until, the rumors say, he died with a band of rebels in the Southern Rebellion. Then, years later, during a competition to determine the next heir to the throne, the King's son is slaughtered, his dead body found riddled with Bitterwood's signature dragon feathered arrows.

That of course, pisses the King off. So, he decides the best way to deal with Bitterwood, and those who harbor him, is to wipe humanity off the map. While many dragons find his genocidal policy abhorrent, few are willing to stand up to the King.

Now, let me stop right there with the Plot description, because, honestly, you will find the much better descriptions elsewhere on the web. Also, a simple overview of the plot does a disservice to this book. Maxey piles layers and layers on top what seems like a typical fantasy story. He builds one of the most intriguing Post Apocalyptic worlds I have seen in a while, yet, doesn't dump it all on your head in one big scoop, but doses it out expertly, changing the story both subtly and drastically. By the time you reach the satisfying ending, you aren't reading the book that you thought you were, not anywhere close to any blurbed reviewer's description.

One thing that I found intriguing in this book is the dragon's portrayal. Not being a huge dragon fan, I had no biases or expectations on how dragons should act, yet, if I had to guess, it wouldn't have been like this. What struck me early was the Anthropomorphism. These dragons displayed some shockingly human traits and emotions that I wasn't sure how to react. Was this just bad writing? I highly doubted it, being the book was so well written. The dragon characters, no matter how human like, were well developed personas. If fact, their complexity, and political savvy rivaled many of the human characters that show up in the Big Fat Fantasies like Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire. Yet, as the world became more and more revealed, the dragons become more and more understandable, and by the end, these dragons were exactly what they should be in this tale. Don't make the mistake of comparing these dragons to what dragons should be. Their character is what is important, not being able to fit them into comfortable stereotypes.

Fans of Stephen King's The Dark Tower, and David Gemmell's Jerusalem man series should cheer this offering by James Maxey. He fills a much needed void in the world of Action Sci/Fi Fantasy. Every year, it seems, one book comes out unexpectedly out of nowhere and reminds me why I love to read. One book sucks me into a new world, which I don't want to leave. Last year, that was Scott Lynch's The Lies of Locke Lamora, the year before EE Knights Vampire Earth Series. This year it's Bitterwood. I'm glad I took the chance and read it.

Book Review: Valentine's Resolve

Valentine's Resolve by E. E. Knight
Genre: Post Apocalyptic Action Series
Bob's Thoughts:"The Perfect Next Chapter in the story of David Valentine"
Grade: A-
Available at your local bookseller.








Series frustrate me. Typically, when you get to the fifth or sixth installment of a series, you want to bang your head against the wall. Either, you're basically, going on the same trip, yet this time you're heading north instead of south, or your fighting an even "eviler" bad guy, the way you fought the less evil bad guy. Then there is the attempt to breathe new life into the series, basically, by throwing out everything fans loved about the series, and just writing a new book, which happens to take place in the same world, with a few cameo appearances from lesser known characters.

So, when I plunked down my 20 some odd dollars, and bought Valentine's Resolve, I was worried. Not only was this the sixth book in the series, but after the events, and excellent ending to Valentine's Exile, I was worried about the series and our main character. I mean, his best friend was missing, he's been kicked in the ass repeatedly by those who he was fighting for, and he now had a whole new added responsibility of having to care for a very strange child. This could be a recipe for disaster.

So, when I tore through the pages and got to the end, all I could think of was, "Thank God for Mr. Knight." Ok, maybe I am stretching it, but, Valentine's Resolve was, for me at least, the perfect next chapter in Valentine's saga. Instead of prettying out hero up, and glossing over all the ways our hero has been screwed with, Knight piles the bad times on. From the opening moments of the book, we see Val in a downward spiral, falling apart in many levels, fighting a campaign steeped in moral ambiguities, and when that is finished, we are left barely more than an empty shell. So, when someone was needed for what could very well be a suicide missions, well, Val's the man.

Once again having a mission, Val heads off, in search of earth's most important allies. Along the way, he meets people on the other side that remind him of what he is fighting for. A hero pilot, even if he is an enemy pilot, shows him there is courage on both sides, and also a devaluing of life. A sultry singer/hooker who may is an example of the untapped potential of devalued humanity. All this leads him to another resistance group, being leads by a man, whose own moral ambiguity shows that both sides of the good/evil of this series, has serious issues.

While Knight excels in the action sequences and dark moments of conflict, what I enjoy is the black comedy and frustrations of the political side to the series. Val trip to the isolated remnants of the American Government is a comic highpoint in the book, and compliments instead of distracts from the overall story.

With a lot of terrifying moments and a thrilling ending, Valentine's Resolve is a great action book. Yet, even more so, Valentine's Resolve shows is that the human spirit can not be restored through faith in institutions, but through the value of personal interactions. In this way, one person can make a difference.

Book Review: A Meeting at Covallis

A Meeting at Corvallis by S. M. Stirling
Published: 2006
Genre: Post Apocalyptic Fiction
Bob's Thoughts: The Trilogy that started with Dies the Fire concludes with it's best entry, in this fast paced and detailed novel of political intrigue and military manueverings in a Changed world.
Grade: A
Available at Your Local Bookstore.



They called it "The Change" and for good reason. Now, nine years (and two books) after the white flash and blinding pain that brought in a new age where electricity doesn't electrify and explosives don't go boom, we see a new world so different from the one we currently occupy that we wouldn't recognize it if we tried. At one point in A Meeting at Corvallis, a character postulates about the possibility that the change did not just change the physics of the natural world, but also changed the people in some fundamental way. Perhaps, but the mysteries of the why take a backseat to the here and now in this book.

The here and now is a grim look at the changed world concentrating on the free lands of the Willamette Valley against the Dictatorial Portland Protective Association, under the brutal control of the Lord Protector, Norman Arminger. The free societies consist mainly of Mike Navel's Bearkillers, Juniper MacKenzie's Dun MacKenzie, a Wicca collective, and Mount Angel, a pre-change Monastery, which is an oasis for the escapee's of the Protectorate. Along with theses three main groups are the Dunedain Rangers, and group of Tolkenesque Rangers who speak elfish and treat the change as if it was the fifth age of Middle Earth. These Groups meet at the former Oregon State University, at the city of Corvallis to try to persuade the group to form a treaty to stand against any aggression by any party.

OK, I know, it sounds a bit complex, and maybe a bit bizarre, but if you made it through the first two of this Post-Apocalyptic trilogy, you should have some idea of what I am talking about here. The Meeting at Corvallis indicated in the title, is just the prelim to what truly becomes the war between the Protector, and the combined forces that oppose him. This book starts with the political intrigue and maneuvering and moves into an all out Military tale with some of Stirling's strongest battle scenes since The General series.

For fans of the series, and writer, which I am, this is easily the strongest of the three books. With the characters developed and the conflict set up, it was time for action. Yet, Stirling takes it a bit further, giving us the best look at the "hated enemy" he has in either of the previous books. While the political and military details were detailed and intricate as you would expect, the sub plots dealing with the Tiphaine, Lady Arminger's bodyguard, give us a great insight into the complicated world of the PPA, and the complications of War. Here, Stirling really surprised me, giving greater depth, and providing a large chunk of the point of view to what seemed like a minor character in the earlier editions. Like with the Draka series, the first hand glimpse at the "evil" enemy doesn't really muddy the waters as much as make you step back and look at the conflict from new angles. Although, your gut reactions may not change much, the knee jerks become less jerky.

A Meeting at Corvallis was an exciting and excellent ending for a strong trilogy. The Change worked at an excellent devise, yet, by the third book, The Change becomes back story, and almost an annoyance to many of the characters. Unlike most Post-Apocalyptic books, the series quickly changes from looking to the past to living in the present. Many of the characters who were adults before the Change, may seem to be play-acting in their new psuedo-medieval roles, but those who came to age post-change, this is the real world. This change in philosophy does well to end this trilogy while setting up the next series well.

Nuts and bolts times. If you liked the first two books, you will love A Meeting at Corvallis. If you were one of those who groaned over all the 'Blessed Be's' and called The Protector's War the Wicca Left Behind, then you are entering safe territory. The beautiful old religion (or as one of the Father's in Mount Angel called it, the very young old religion) is still a significant aspect of the story, but doesn't dominate the pages to the degree it did in the first two books. Overall, this was easily one of my favorite reads of the year.

Friday Random 10 #13: Weirdness Ensues

Being that this has been the driving force of this journal for the past couple weeks, it's fiiting that this may be my most random random 10... So, let's spin the wheel... Big money, no whammies......STOP!!!

1. Monkey Grinder by Chagall Guevara (Click on song title for downloadable MP3)

"I can still feel those hairy little fingers pluck a nickle from my sweaty little palm... He scratched me!"

2. Wonderama Postlude by Randy Stonehill

3. Reason to Quit by Cracker (Live at the Back Porch) (Click on song title for downloadable MP3)

"Reasons to quit they have no rhyme or reason when you're high and the reasons to quit don't out number all the reasons why we keep smokin' and we keep drinkin'..."

4. Fall Down by Toad the Wet Sprocket (Dulcinea)

"When the good times never stay and the cheap thrills always seem to fade away.
When will we fall down?"

5. Knight Rider Theme Song (Click on song title for downloadable MP3)

6. God, Pt. 2 by U2 (Rattle and Hum)

"Don't believe in Goldman/His type like a curse/Instant karma's going to get him/If I don't get him first"

7. Money's Not An Issue by The Vandals (Hitler Bad, Vandals Good)

"I'm feeling like a hundredaire and baby I just don't care where we go or what we spend so grab your friends-cuz money's not a issue tonight..."

8. So Long by Adam Again (Live at Cornerstone 1997)

"I went too far/I went too far/I wanted to tell a joke/I wanted to tell a joke/Ha ha/I'm so funny/That joke that I told/Ha ha..."

9. Cigarrettes by King's X (Dogman)

"...is it june or late september? Is it 1993? Could you help me to remember, is this how I'm supposed to be?"


10. The Organ Bar by Daniel Amos (Songs of the Heart: The Story of Bud and Irma Akendorf)

"He says his dearest friend he calls "The Ghost" worked in a luggage factory. He was fired when they claimed his work was Oblique and unsatisfactory..."

"I'm successfully concealed behind my pork pie hat, fake beard, and dark sunglasses. Convinced them I've authored several supernatural thrillers and doing research for my latest book. And as the sun goes down, a shadow is cast across Bob's drawn and troubled face. He rubs his eyes, and I leave, but my shadow doesn't follow, it's fond of Bob's hot joe..."

This FRT's FAQ...

So, where the heck are the lyrics for #2 Bob?

Duh, it's an instrumental... and don't ask me for the lyrics to number #5.

Speaking of #5, The Knight Rider Theme Song?

Yeah, what of it. I downloaded a bunch of classic TV show theme songs for one of my guys at work... deal with it.

So, you got like a favorite song or something?

Tough choice. 1, 4, 6, 9, 10 are all my upper tier choices for this one. Lyrically, I would probably choose 10, for the whole package, well... don't make me choose. After the top tier, we have 7, which is a decent song, and 8, which is the weakest song on Dig, but still great.

What about a favorite album? I mean, come on, give me something...

Well, Chagall Guevara, Dogman, and Dulcinea are the cream of this crom, although not in that order.

Are you ever going to put other content on this journal?

Beware what you wish for.

Friday Random 10 #12: Better Late than Ever

To prove I am the essence of randomness, I am posting these on Saturday...

1. I Want to Hold Your Hand by The Beatles (Anthology)

“…And when I touch you, I feel happy inside. It's such a feeling that, my love, I can't hide…”

2. Surrender by U2 (War)

“…If I wanna live I gotta die to myself someday….”

3. My Path Belated by Camper Van Beethoven (Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart)

“And if you, o mother o mother of mine, have fallen in love with a man who imports cola, that would be fine…”

4. Beds are Burning by Midnight Oil (Diesel and Dust)

“Four wheels scare the cockatoos from Kintore East to Yuendemu. The western desert lives and breathes in forty five degrees.”

5. Stalls When It’s Not Warm by Lisa Cerbone (Mercy)

“Long ago, you would have gotten caught up in who was right and who was wrong, but right now you just can't wait to get home so you can be with your dog…”

6. Fingertips by Daniel Amos (Mr. Buechner’s Dream: And So It Goes…)

“Someone laughs and reaches down, cracks the plates and spins the world around on their fingertips…”

7. Wallflower by Buddy & Julie Miller (Buddy & Julie Miller)

“I have seen you standing in the smoky haze and I know that you're gonna be mine one of these days…”

8. Summerland by King’s X (Best of King’s X)

“not much time, there's much to do, look ahead and walk on through, no one's taking sides this time it's you…”

9. Sick of Goodbyes by Cracker (Kerosene Hat)

“When night comes crawling in on a horse. Soaking up my dreams through the pores. I'm so sick , I'm so sick of goodbyes, goodbyes…”

10. Galaxy by Vigilantes of Love (Summershine)

“She said I'll show you a room but I don't have the key but then I love traveling light
and if you let go your burdens and hold onto me, well, we're both gonna be alright…”