Finished: Kirov by John Schettler
This book was slloooooowwww. So slow it nearly went the way of other books.. to the "do not read" pile. But I thought, no I will give it a go. The only negative reviews seemed to be from irate readers that couldn't hack the fact that it was a Russian ship being transported through time & thus the reader is given some Russian history & insight into the mind of Russians. For me it was refreshing that it was not from the viewpoint of the US or England. I think that would have made it too bog standard predictable.
The Kirov is one powerful Russian warship. It is transported through time to 1941, where they are faced with a dilemma. Do nothing (the Admiral) vs the kill all the americans & british (the captain). It makes for an interesting read & I think the author handled it extremely well. When we got there ofcourse. The first 70% of this book is scene setting. To the point of tedium. The last 30% of the book was excellent. And thankfully the second book seems to be keeping that pace.
Don't get me wrong, it is an excellently structured & well thought out book, I just think it could have done with some cutting down in the first half to make the prose tighter & more gripping.
There were a couple of questions left unanswered at the end of the book which I hope will be answered in the next book... particularly concerning the.. well I won't say as it would be a spoiler!
Started: Kirov II: Cauldron of Fire by John Schettler.
Wednesday, 27 March 2013
Monday, 25 March 2013
Book Bloggin' 25th March 2013
Still Reading: Kirov
Well.. I am plodding very slowly through this book. Very slowly. Partly because it is a heavy read, partly because I am just having a "no read" funk.
I'm really struggling with this one. Normally, a book takes me this long to get into (over half way through & still not really taken) I would be tossing it on the avoid pile. But part of me just wants to see where the author is taking it. I like that he is trying to balance the what if's of future tech interference, but yeah, still I am frustrated. It's like the Russians are just faffing around. Hmm.. oh well.. over half way there... surely something monumental will happen soon.. right?
Well.. I am plodding very slowly through this book. Very slowly. Partly because it is a heavy read, partly because I am just having a "no read" funk.
I'm really struggling with this one. Normally, a book takes me this long to get into (over half way through & still not really taken) I would be tossing it on the avoid pile. But part of me just wants to see where the author is taking it. I like that he is trying to balance the what if's of future tech interference, but yeah, still I am frustrated. It's like the Russians are just faffing around. Hmm.. oh well.. over half way there... surely something monumental will happen soon.. right?
Wednesday, 6 March 2013
Book Bloggin' 6th March 2013
Finished: Stalin's Hammer: Rome by John Birmingham
This was a relatively short novel by JB's standards. Especially for this series. This book takes up a few years after the end of the previous World War trilogy, following the exploits of Prince Harry who is no longer considered a member of the royal family or is in line for the throne because his gran [Queen Elizabeth II] never concieved his father in this timeline.. as Prince Harry so eloquently puts it "It's a complete mind-f*ck".
I was really just getting into this story when it was over. Which leaves me wanting the next installment. I found with this story I was a little disappointed. There was really none of the build up or the development of the plot I was familar with from the previous books in this series. Instead, I get the feeling that JB is instead dragging one great book out over a trilogy of shorter books. A concept I find rather disappointing. And just a little money grabbish.
Started: Kirov by John Schettler
This is a book much in the vein of the book I have just finished. But from what I understand from the blurbs of the books so far realeased.. the ship moves in time.. and continues to move in time. Apparently never staying very long in one place or period. So thus far it is a very dense read. The information comes at you fast & furious in the opening pages, with good character development at this early stage.
This was a relatively short novel by JB's standards. Especially for this series. This book takes up a few years after the end of the previous World War trilogy, following the exploits of Prince Harry who is no longer considered a member of the royal family or is in line for the throne because his gran [Queen Elizabeth II] never concieved his father in this timeline.. as Prince Harry so eloquently puts it "It's a complete mind-f*ck".
I was really just getting into this story when it was over. Which leaves me wanting the next installment. I found with this story I was a little disappointed. There was really none of the build up or the development of the plot I was familar with from the previous books in this series. Instead, I get the feeling that JB is instead dragging one great book out over a trilogy of shorter books. A concept I find rather disappointing. And just a little money grabbish.
Started: Kirov by John Schettler
This is a book much in the vein of the book I have just finished. But from what I understand from the blurbs of the books so far realeased.. the ship moves in time.. and continues to move in time. Apparently never staying very long in one place or period. So thus far it is a very dense read. The information comes at you fast & furious in the opening pages, with good character development at this early stage.
Tuesday, 5 March 2013
Book Bloggin' 4th March 2013
Finished: On the Map by Simon Garfield
I loved this book. It was a quirky look at how maps have shaped and continue to shape not only our views of the world, but how we see ourselves in it. It covers the development of maps from tyhe likely early beginnings to the current "e-map" age of satnav & google maps on phones.
As a kid I loved maps. I would stare at them for hours lost in the possibilities. And that's what this book is all about. The boundless possibilities that maps have provided through the ages. And the ways in which they continue to this day to provide possibilities, not only in the real world but also in the gaming world, where maps are often the key to victory. Did I mention I love this book? It has literally explained my obsessions with not only maps (no wonder I love being a cartographer!) but also games that involve maps like SimCity & Civilisation.
Not into maps? I bet you will still find this a fascinating read!
Started: Stalins Hammer: Rome by John Birmingam
I loved this book. It was a quirky look at how maps have shaped and continue to shape not only our views of the world, but how we see ourselves in it. It covers the development of maps from tyhe likely early beginnings to the current "e-map" age of satnav & google maps on phones.
As a kid I loved maps. I would stare at them for hours lost in the possibilities. And that's what this book is all about. The boundless possibilities that maps have provided through the ages. And the ways in which they continue to this day to provide possibilities, not only in the real world but also in the gaming world, where maps are often the key to victory. Did I mention I love this book? It has literally explained my obsessions with not only maps (no wonder I love being a cartographer!) but also games that involve maps like SimCity & Civilisation.
Not into maps? I bet you will still find this a fascinating read!
Started: Stalins Hammer: Rome by John Birmingam
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
Book Bloggin 19th February 2013
Finished: Sleepover by Alastair Reynolds
This was a short story from an anthology I already own. However it was a great read and is another slant on the ever popular end of the world fiction genre. I actually find the premise of the story quite compelling & would love to read more about the artilect wars & the Realm!
Started: On the Map by Simon Garfield
A look at the history of cartography & how it has shaped our world!
This was a short story from an anthology I already own. However it was a great read and is another slant on the ever popular end of the world fiction genre. I actually find the premise of the story quite compelling & would love to read more about the artilect wars & the Realm!
Started: On the Map by Simon Garfield
A look at the history of cartography & how it has shaped our world!
Friday, 15 February 2013
Book Bloggin' 15th Febuary 2013
Finished: A Captain of the Gate by John Birmingham
So this was only an early concept for a possible novel in the future. Result it was rather disjointed & confusing. Would probably make a good book but yes.. just a tad disappointed. Only took me an hour to read..
Started: Castro's Bomb by Robert Conroy
This book was written specifically for the ebook format. I would therefore expect better editing, especially from someone of Robert Conroy's standing & experience. There are ALOT of issues that you get with books which have been scanned into electronic format using word recognition - its particularly frustrating as it usually happens in a crucial scene & just disprupts the flow of the story.
So this was only an early concept for a possible novel in the future. Result it was rather disjointed & confusing. Would probably make a good book but yes.. just a tad disappointed. Only took me an hour to read..
Started: Castro's Bomb by Robert Conroy
This book was written specifically for the ebook format. I would therefore expect better editing, especially from someone of Robert Conroy's standing & experience. There are ALOT of issues that you get with books which have been scanned into electronic format using word recognition - its particularly frustrating as it usually happens in a crucial scene & just disprupts the flow of the story.
Wednesday, 6 February 2013
Book Bloggin' 6th Feb 2013
Finished: A Song of Ice & Fire by George RR Martin
I finished!! So I'm 2/5ths of the way through the thus far published saga. The plot continues to build towards the ultimate confrontation between the old ways - the Targaryens and the new - the Lannisters, the Starks and those of Westeros who fight for supremacy. I can't help feel that all of this though, is just the prelude to the real story which is the fight between those of the south of the wall & those of the north - the army led by Mance Rayder. At this point beyond the teasers involving Jon Snow, I can't guess at how that will tie in with the warring between the Seven Kindoms of Westeros.
GRRH writes massive tomes. They span but a short period of time in the history of Westeros, but the detail is just stunning. I do find it hard thought to follow all the little sub plots which may or may not affect the overall ending of this series so I am tending to try to just keep (or at least attempt to) the major plot straight while trying to figure out who fits where.
I should add I have started watching the series on DVD and am finding it useful to help build the associations and the character development as well as the plot development. The producers writers and actors have stayed true to the books I think in such a way as they compliment each other well. I can sense that the input of GRRH is quite strong which is helping to keep the TV series true to the books.
Started: A Captain of the Gate by John Birmingham
Can't remember what this is about but its only very short (324 locs vs over 81000 for the Song series!).
Should also mention while I had no Kindle & I was using my phone:
Started & Finished: Booker T: From Prison to Promise by Booker T Huffman
I found this a really interesting read. It's all about Book T Huffman wrestling superstar and his journey to the point at which he joined WWE (then WWF). His life could so easily have gone the other way, but instead, the voice of his mother helped him to change the direction of his life & turn his life into something so much more positive & inspiring. Well worth the read even if you aren't a wrestling fan.
I finished!! So I'm 2/5ths of the way through the thus far published saga. The plot continues to build towards the ultimate confrontation between the old ways - the Targaryens and the new - the Lannisters, the Starks and those of Westeros who fight for supremacy. I can't help feel that all of this though, is just the prelude to the real story which is the fight between those of the south of the wall & those of the north - the army led by Mance Rayder. At this point beyond the teasers involving Jon Snow, I can't guess at how that will tie in with the warring between the Seven Kindoms of Westeros.
GRRH writes massive tomes. They span but a short period of time in the history of Westeros, but the detail is just stunning. I do find it hard thought to follow all the little sub plots which may or may not affect the overall ending of this series so I am tending to try to just keep (or at least attempt to) the major plot straight while trying to figure out who fits where.
I should add I have started watching the series on DVD and am finding it useful to help build the associations and the character development as well as the plot development. The producers writers and actors have stayed true to the books I think in such a way as they compliment each other well. I can sense that the input of GRRH is quite strong which is helping to keep the TV series true to the books.
Started: A Captain of the Gate by John Birmingham
Can't remember what this is about but its only very short (324 locs vs over 81000 for the Song series!).
Should also mention while I had no Kindle & I was using my phone:
Started & Finished: Booker T: From Prison to Promise by Booker T Huffman
I found this a really interesting read. It's all about Book T Huffman wrestling superstar and his journey to the point at which he joined WWE (then WWF). His life could so easily have gone the other way, but instead, the voice of his mother helped him to change the direction of his life & turn his life into something so much more positive & inspiring. Well worth the read even if you aren't a wrestling fan.
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