nanotechnology – Made by Mikal

Dust

Post author:mikal
Post published:May 8, 2024
Post category:Book

Hugh Howey is a master of suspense and as a result I found this book hard to read -- it's clear things are off the rails and characters I care about are going to get harmed (another Howey trademark it seems), but you just have to keep on marching through. As a result I found myself taking frequent breaks to think about what was happening, but finding myself having to pick the book up again. That is, this book is really really good, but Howey isn't afraid to have a character experience the consequences of their actions. That said, I don't really understand the purpose of the marriage sub-plot. I am sure its there for a reason, but it felt oddly out of place against the rest of the story arc.

Shift

Post author:mikal
Post published:March 11, 2024
Post category:Book

This is the second book in the Silo series, following on the Wool, which I recently read. I think to a certain extend this book is better than the first one -- I certainly found it compelling. An excellent read that explains how the universe described in Wool came to be, but yet also sets the scene for the third book in the trilogy.

East of the Sun, West of the Moon

Post author:mikal
Post published:March 18, 2011
Post category:Book

This book didn't review well, but I thought it was ok. Its not the best book in the Council Wars series, but it is readable and has an interesting story. It doesn't wrap up the story line completely though, so I guess I'll have to wait for the next one to be written. [isbn: 1416555188;9781416555186]

Against the Tide

Post author:mikal
Post published:March 10, 2011
Post category:Book

This is the third book in the Council Wars series. This book covers the long promised invasion by New Destiny forces, as well as Megan's continued life in the harem. This book has a theme of incompetence in command, which is quite similar to some of Ringo's other books, such as A Hymn Before Battle and Gust Front. It is not fine literature, but it is a fun read and the characters are likeable. [isbn: 1416520570;9781416520573]

Emerald Sea

Post author:mikal
Post published:March 1, 2011
Post category:Book

This book is really a book (Emerald Sea) and a novella (In a Time of Darkness) both of which follow on from There Will Be Dragons. Emerald Sea is more self-indulgent than the previous book, and isn't as strong as the first. It is still quite readable. In a Time of Darkness has a very awkward set of subject matter (the keeping of a harem girl against her will), which will make many readers uncomfortable, and isn't as strong a story as either of the first two stories in this series. [isbn: 1416509208;9781416509202]

There Will Be Dragons

Post author:mikal
Post published:February 7, 2011
Post category:Book

I bought this book randomly when I saw it at a charity book sale. While the title is kid of odd, its actually quite a good read. The book is sort of a science fiction fantasy novel, set in the far future with a reasonably plausible plot line. There are a few elements that I feel could be explained a bit better, but overall the book is quite good. I'll be buying the next one in the series. [isbn: 0743488598]