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hawkwing_lbBooks 2008: 134-136
134. Sean McMullen, Souls in the Great Machine
Oh, my. This is a fascinating book. Oh, the writing is occasionally uneven, and at times the characterisation could be a little more consistent, but there is a whole damn lot of stuff packed in here. It's idea-heavy, but whoa, hell of a lot of cool shit, man.
Australia, two thousand years from now. No electricity, steam power is anathema to all major religions, librarians fight duels, people are subject to a mysterious 'Call' that leads them to their deaths... and Zarvora Cymbelline, ruthless librarian, mathematician, and political leader, is determined to preserve the world from a second 'Greatwinter' which she believes is coming.
None of the characters in this book are very pleasant people. It covers a long span of time, deals with many people, and much happens that is not reported on screen. It is, however, a very interesting read.
135. Ann Aguirre, Wanderlust
The sequel to Grimspace, I suspect it stands fairly well on its own. Sirantha Jax has just about survived the events of Grimspace. She's out of a job and out of funds due to being declared prematurely dead, so when the government asks her to head a diplomatic mission, she agrees.
Unfortuantely for Jax, man-eating aliens, unpleasant criminals, and a small planetary war stand in the way. Not to mention her own damaged body, and some serious problems with her pilot. A very decent, fast-paced book, with interesting and complex characters.
136. Marjorie M. Liu, The Iron Hunt
Definitely one of the better urban fantasies I've read in recent years. Good dark atmosphere, tight writing, and interpersonal relationships that do not revolve around a love triangle (or quadrangle, or, god help us, male harem).
That said, having practically every character turn out to be some kind of supernatural being became old quite fast. Otherwise very decent.
Every time I turn around and see![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
matociquala's All the Windwracked Stars on my shelf I get the most savoury feeling of anticipation. Alas, I must save it. It will be my reward to myself when all my essays are done and nothing remains to interrupt me.
So about mid-December, then.
Most unfortunate, the number of books I have on my shelves. The fictions are (mostly) all catalogued, but next time I have a month or two free, I should probably start on the others.
But now, to essay.
134. Sean McMullen, Souls in the Great Machine
Oh, my. This is a fascinating book. Oh, the writing is occasionally uneven, and at times the characterisation could be a little more consistent, but there is a whole damn lot of stuff packed in here. It's idea-heavy, but whoa, hell of a lot of cool shit, man.
Australia, two thousand years from now. No electricity, steam power is anathema to all major religions, librarians fight duels, people are subject to a mysterious 'Call' that leads them to their deaths... and Zarvora Cymbelline, ruthless librarian, mathematician, and political leader, is determined to preserve the world from a second 'Greatwinter' which she believes is coming.
None of the characters in this book are very pleasant people. It covers a long span of time, deals with many people, and much happens that is not reported on screen. It is, however, a very interesting read.
135. Ann Aguirre, Wanderlust
The sequel to Grimspace, I suspect it stands fairly well on its own. Sirantha Jax has just about survived the events of Grimspace. She's out of a job and out of funds due to being declared prematurely dead, so when the government asks her to head a diplomatic mission, she agrees.
Unfortuantely for Jax, man-eating aliens, unpleasant criminals, and a small planetary war stand in the way. Not to mention her own damaged body, and some serious problems with her pilot. A very decent, fast-paced book, with interesting and complex characters.
136. Marjorie M. Liu, The Iron Hunt
Definitely one of the better urban fantasies I've read in recent years. Good dark atmosphere, tight writing, and interpersonal relationships that do not revolve around a love triangle (or quadrangle, or, god help us, male harem).
That said, having practically every character turn out to be some kind of supernatural being became old quite fast. Otherwise very decent.
Every time I turn around and see
matociquala's All the Windwracked Stars on my shelf I get the most savoury feeling of anticipation. Alas, I must save it. It will be my reward to myself when all my essays are done and nothing remains to interrupt me.So about mid-December, then.
Most unfortunate, the number of books I have on my shelves. The fictions are (mostly) all catalogued, but next time I have a month or two free, I should probably start on the others.
But now, to essay.
