Category: books

Caliban’s War by James S. A. Corey

On By Rick McIn books, TVLeave a comment

Caliban’s War is a 2012 science fiction novel by James S. A. Corey (pen name of Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck).

It is about a conflict in the solar system that involves Earth, Mars, and the Asteroid Belt (colonies of people living on asteroids, referred to as “Belters”). …

The series was adapted for television by the Syfy Network, also under the title of The Expanse.

This is the book where the crew surprisingly decides to help a botanist in the search for his young daughter.

Martian Marine Bobby surprisingly goes to work for a senior Earth leader.

I did enjoy the crew finding a super soldier stowaway.  And how they dealt with it.

All those themes of this book made it to the TV series adaptation.

I’m not sure how far I’ll get in the novels.

I have a library hold on book #3 but it will be an 18 week wait before I get it.

Caliban’s War is the second book in The Expanse series and is preceded by Leviathan Wakes.

1 Leviathan Wakes 20h 56m 2011-06-15
2 Caliban’s War 21h 2012-06-26
3 Abaddon’s Gate 19h 42m 2013-06-04
4 Cibola Burn 20h 7m 2014-06-17
5 Nemesis Games 16h 44m 2015-06-02
6 Babylon’s Ashes 19h 58m 2016-12-06
7 Persepolis Rising 20h 34m 2017-12-05
8 Tiamat’s Wrath 19h 8m 2019-03-26

The Singer’s Gun by Emily St. John Mandel

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Emily St. John Mandel is one of the best writers working today.

Singer’s Gun was her 2nd book (2010).

Though I enjoyed it while listening, for some reason this one did not stick with me in the way her other books have.

If you’ve not read her, I’d recommend you start with any other St. John Mandel.

Everyone Anton Waker grew up with is corrupt. His parents dealt in stolen goods, and he was a successful purveyor of forged documents until he abandoned it all in his early twenties, determined to live a normal life, complete with career, apartment, and a fiancée who knows nothing of his criminal beginnings. He’s on the verge of finally getting married when Aria—his cousin and former partner in crime—blackmails him into helping her with one last job.

Anton considers the task a small price for future freedom. But as he sets off for an Italian honeymoon, it soon becomes clear that the ghosts of his past can’t be left behind so easily, and that the task Aria requires will cost him more than he could ever imagine.

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#2 Hellhole Awakening, #3 Hellhole Inferno

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Sequels in the Hellhole trilogy by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.

Great plot.  But I find the pace too slow.  The themes too simplistic. Good and evil — nothing in-between.

Seems the target audience is a distracted 13-year-old boy.  Key points are repeated often, just in case the kids skimmed it the first time.

Normally the middle book of a trilogy is weakest.  That’s true in this case.

The audio books are read by Scott Brick, a reader I find unsubtle.  Overly emotional.

After declaring his independence from the corrupt Constellation, rebel General Adolphus knows the crackdown is coming. Now he needs to pull together the struggling Hellhole colony, the ever-expanding shadow-Xayan settlement, and his connections with the other Deep Zone worlds. Even then, he doubts his desperate measures will be enough.

Diadem Michella Duchenet has collected a huge space fleet led by Commodore Escobar Hallholme, son of the hero who originally defeated Adolphus. They expect resistance from the General’s rebels, but who could possibly stand up to such a mighty fleet? …

brianherbertnovels.com

Hellhole is no Dune.

But it’s still worth reading.

Dave feels Brian Herbert, son of Dune author Frank Herbert, became an even better author — but I’m still not convinced.

Cover art doesn’t have much to do with the second book, by the way.

The final book in the trilogy, Hellhole Inferno, is better.

There is an unexpected resolution.  And a happy ending.

Many of the interesting side stories are resolved.

Finishing this book I began book #2 in the The Expanse (novel series). James S. A. Corey is a much better writer.

The Expanse – season 4

On By Rick McIn books, TV1 Comment

Amazon picked up the series for a 4th season after it was to be dropped by Syfy.  And it’s renewed for season 5.

Hundreds of years in the future, the Solar System has been colonized by humanity.

The three largest powers are the United Nations of Earth and Luna, the Martian Congressional Republic on Mars, and the Outer Planets Alliance (OPA), a loose configuration of the asteroid belt and the moons of Jupiter and Saturn.

In season 4 there is a potential land rush to NEW habitable worlds.  Possibly.  If they can find a way through the Ring.

The 4th season is getting great reviews.

Personally I found it a bit slower than the previous three. Less action.

Wes Chatham as Amos Burton is my favourite character.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Thomas Jane as Joe Miller, a Belter detective is great, as well.  Actually, all the Belters are interesting.

Cas Anvar as pilot Alex Kamal is engaging.

Frankie Adams as Martian Marine Corps Bobbie Draper is true to the bad ass woman in the book.

I am getting sick of Chrisjen Avasarala, the United Nations Security Council boss.

White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo

On By Rick McIn books, ethics, government, human rights, things getting betterLeave a comment

Of many movies and books I’ve recently reviewed trying to become more aware of my white privilege, White Fragility is best.

That surprised me as the author is White writing for a White audience.  Writing for me, a privileged white male who believes he’s anti-racist.

Click PLAY or watch DiAngelo on YouTube.

White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism is a 2018 book written by Robin DiAngelo about race relations in the United States.

An academic with experience in diversity training, DiAngelo coined the term “white fragility” in 2011 to describe any defensive instincts or reactions that a white person experiences when questioned about race or made to consider their own race.

In White Fragility, DiAngelo views racism in the United States as systemic and often perpetuated unconsciously by individuals….

DiAngelo linked to a study pointing out that children aged 3 upwards believe it better to be White in the USA.

She points out that white, males avowing to be Christian and heterosexual are at consistent advantage.  Everyone else at a disadvantage, especially Black Americans.

That’s systemic racism.

The book is popular but has had a fair bit of criticism, as well.

Personally, I learned a lot.  On the other hand, it’s not well written: too academic, frequently repeating the same bullet points.

Also, I wouldn’t sign-up for one of DiAngelo‘s lectures nor diversity training workshops.  I find her arrogant and too defensive with those who challenge.

And here’s how comedian Ron Hart learned about his white privilege in 1994.  As the only White guy in a comedy club.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Peter Galloway #4 by Randy McCharles

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My brother Randy switched genres from Fantasy to Murder Mystery.

I just finished the 4th novel in his Peter Galloway, Private Investigator, series:

Murder on the Mall (short story)

  1. Murder in Wood Buffalo
  2. The Christmas Carol Murders
  3. Murder in Mazatlan

The Bridal Veil Murders

Book 4 is set in Niagara Falls.

Peter Galloway’s search for his mother’s killer takes him to scenic Niagara Falls, where he and Angela Ford pose as an engaged couple at an international bridal fair.

Things go from bad to worse when they discover murder at the fair, along with clues suggesting a runaway teen may be next.

Galloway and Ford find themselves pitting their wits against a gang of ruthless drug traffickers, only to discover the criminals are more than meets the eye.

In a House of Lies by Ian Rankin

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In a House of Lies (2018) is the 22nd instalment in the Inspector Rebus series written by Ian Rankin.

Some boys discover a car in a deep gully in some woodland. Inside is a handcuffed corpse; the ex-lover of the dead man was the son of a serving detective inspector in what was the old Lothian & Borders Police Force of Rebus’ day before it became Police Scotland. As ever, Rebus and also ‘Big Ger’ Cafferty, are connected to the case and end up featuring prominently in the investigation, in which Detective Inspector Siobhan Clarke is also a major player.

Barry Forshaw, writing in The Guardian:

 “How has Rankin kept the series fresh for 22 novels? Deft characterisation.

Readers must keep up with a lengthy dramatis personae, but there’s nothing wrong with making us work a little.”

Trunk Music by Michael Connelly

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As always, an excellent read.

Trunk Music is the 6th novel by American crime author Michael Connelly, and the fifth featuring the Los Angeles detective Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch.

A body found in the trunk of a Rolls Royce seems to have connections with the mob and leads Bosch and his investigation to Las Vegas. …

I keep track of Bosch books by his daughter’s age.  This is the book where he marries Eleanor Wish, the mother to be of his daughter.

 

 

 

 

The Ridge by Michael Koryta

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A classic ghost story, penned by a master. I couldn’t put it down.

– Stephen King
Many of the top writers working today admire Koryta.
The Ridge is one of his best books.

In an isolated stretch of eastern Kentucky, on a hilltop known as Blade Ridge, stands a lighthouse that illuminates nothing but the surrounding woods. One day its builder is found dead at the top of the light, and his belongings reveal a troubling local history.

For deputy sheriff Kevin Kimble, the lighthouse-keeper’s death is disturbing and personal. Years ago, Kimble was shot while on duty. Somehow the death suggests a connection between the lighthouse and the most terrifying moment of his life.

Audrey Clark is in the midst of moving her large-cat sanctuary onto land adjacent to the lighthouse. Sixty-seven tigers, lions, leopards, and one legendary black panther are about to have a new home there. Her husband, the sanctuary’s founder, died scouting the new property, and Audrey is determined to see his vision through.

 

The End of Her by Shari Lapena

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“In the world of Shari Lapena, everyone has a secret”.

Lapena’s 2020 book is good.  Perhaps slower than some of the rest.

Only one thing bothered me:  WHY would a wealthy couple not hire help with the  twins while so sleep deprived?

Stephanie and Patrick are adjusting to life with their colicky twin girls. The babies are a handful, but even as Stephanie struggles with the disorientation of sleep deprivation, there’s one thing she’s sure of: she has all she ever wanted.

Then Erica, a woman from Patrick’s past, appears and makes a disturbing accusation. Patrick had always said his first wife’s death was an accident, but now Erica claims it was murder.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.