Seriously, I did (see title). I really, really wanted to like The Quantum Magician, by Derek Künsken. The book has a fantastic premise, a cool world, awe inspiring physics, and a story that I was genuinely invested in. Unfortunately, in addition to all of this it has one of the most unlikable protagonists I have…
Continue reading ➞ The Quantum Magician – Look, I Really Tried
I feel a bit weird having devoted three whole posts to a series of novella (first two can be found here and here), but Martha Wells is worth it. The Murderbot Diaries, of which All Systems Red just (deservedly) won the Hugo for best novella, comes to a close this year with Wells’ final installment,…
Continue reading ➞ Exit Strategy – A Temporary End To A Story That Shouldn’t Stop
V.E. Schwab’s A Darker Shade of Magic collects all the building blocks of a great fantasy novel, but mostly leaves them on a shaky foundation. At times, the pieces come together, teasing the reader with apparitions of a grand storytelling fortress built on strong characters and expert world-building. Instead, I left the book wondering whether…
Continue reading ➞ A Darker Shade Of Magic – The Brighter Side Of Just Okay
The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern, is a popular book that has sat on my to-do shelf for some time. I have a number of friends who have read it, and I found myself discouraged by their seemingly polarized reactions. Many thought it was one of the best books they have ever read, while a…
Continue reading ➞ The Night Circus – Precision And Beauty Like A Well Made Clock
Here we have the end of a trilogy with a lot of ups and down. Dragon Lords: Fool’s Gold, by Jon Hollins, was one of my bookclub books awhile back (reviewed here). It was a satirical take on quest fantasy that my club had a wide range of opinions on. Some thought it was incredibly…
Continue reading ➞ The Dragon Lords: Bad Faith – Trust Me On This One
We have been all about Adrian Tchaikovsky recently. If you missed our recent reviews of Redemption's Blade, which can be be found here, or Children of Time, which can be found here, you should check them out. Both of these books are worth your time and Adrian has about 20 others you can check out.…
Continue reading ➞ Redemption’s Blade And Children Of Time – An Interview With Adrian Tchaikovsky
I have a confession to make. Sometimes, I can get a little vain about my ability to think about books. I also have a penchant for wanting to discuss themes in books in a way that shows how smart I think I might be. It’s a frustrating vanity I can’t seem to rid myself of.…
Continue reading ➞ Children of Time – The Web Of Life Finds A Way
