Quatermass
I believe the appropriate phrase is, 'Boo-yah'.
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 Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 7:57 am Post subject: |
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| melbi wrote: | | Quatermass wrote: |
So, what's next in terms of books? I dunno. I have Blake's 7: Afterlife, Cordelia's Honour by Lois McMaster Bujold, and maybe The Machurian Candidate. |
ohohoh can i choose? please?
hmmm...hmmm...
Melbi says, Blake's 7: Afterlife |
No, you can't choose, but as it happens, Blake's 7: Afterlife is probably the one I will finish next anyway.
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Quatermass
I believe the appropriate phrase is, 'Boo-yah'.
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| Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:40 am Post subject: |
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Book 63...is not Blake's 7: Afterlife. But you don't have long to wait...
REVIEW: Hellsing Volume 10 by Kohta Hirano
A week ago today, I reviewed the penultimate volume of Hellsing, the ultraviolent horror action manga. Now, to kill a little time while I finish Blake's 7: Afterlife, I've decided to bite the bullet and finish Hellsing for once and for all.
As Alucard and Walter continue their battle, Seras and the werewolf Captain face off, with Seras being helped by the shade of the mercenary whose blood she drank, Pip Bernadotte. But as Integra Hellsing confronts the deranged Major behind this entire bloody war, the Major reveals that everything has gone according to plan. He intends to defeat Alucard. And he succeeds. Without Alucard to help them, can Integra and Seras defeat the madman Nazi?
I have already said what I don't like about Hellsing: its over the top violence and its thin storyline. And there's plenty of both. But we learn a little more about the rogue Nazis who decide to ignite one last war in the middle of London, like how exactly they managed to create vampires and how the Major managed to survive over half a century without aging or becoming a vampire. And the plan to defeat Alucard was an ingenious one, if a little farfetched.
Some of the best lines come during the admittedly anticlimactic confrontation between the Major and Integra. With Alucard out of the picture, it's down to a single gunfight between a young woman with glasses and a giggling rotund man with glasses. Although by this time, the outcome is pretty moot, the lines in this sequence are good, where the Major, despite appearances, claims not to be a monster but a human being, while Integra has a very short, sharp, and appropriate rebuttal.
Overall, Hellsing volume 10 is an appropriate end to a series which, while bloody and thin on plot, has its own strangely compelling charm. Not all questions are answered, but the ones that matter are.
7/10
First words: I can't stand up to this...
Last words: (Not recorded, due to spoilers)
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Yami: Wait, did you just summon a bunch of monsters in one turn?
Kaiba: Yeah, so?
Yami: That's against the rules!
Seto Kaiba: Screw the Rules, I Have Money!!
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Quatermass
I believe the appropriate phrase is, 'Boo-yah'.
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| Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 2:25 am Post subject: |
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Book 64....
REVIEW: Blake's 7: Afterlife by Tony Attwood
Before I begin the review proper, I know what you're going to say. No, this isn't Dr Tony Attwood. He didn't write Blake's 7: Afterlife. Rather, a different man by the same name, a British writer who also wrote the Doctor Who spin-off novel Turlough and the Earthlink Dilemma and academic, wrote this continuation of Blake's 7. Look up 'Tony Attwood' on Wikipedia, I'll wait. You'll find that there are two articles, although you'll be directed to 'our' Dr Attwood first.
In any case, given my interest in Blake's 7, I was curious to find out that there was actually two original novels based on the series. The first, and most famous (or rather, infamous) was Blake's 7: Afterlife, set after the end of the TV series, while the second, Avon: A Terrible Aspect, was a prequel written by Avon's actor, Paul Darrow. Afterlife itself has, reputedly, come in for a lot of flack from the fans, but even though I myself am a fan, I decided to approach Afterlife with an open mind. After reading, however, I have to conclude that, although not a really terrible book, the fans do have a point about Afterlife. Warning, there are spoilers for the end of Blake's 7.
Roj Blake is dead. Kerr Avon should know, he blew a hole in Blake's stomach with a blaster. But although apparently gunned down along with the rest of his comrades, in reality, Avon was left to rot in a prison on Gauda Prime, only to be rescued by cowardly thief Vila (who hit the deck when the firing really started) and the enigmatic woman Korell. After a confrontation with Servalan and the theft of ORAC, Avon, Vila, and Korell escape Gauda Prime, making preparations for a plan Avon refuses to let his erstwhile comrades in on. From Skat to Ghammar, Avon's obsession will lead them back to the planet Terminal, where his plans, those of the Federation's, of Servalan's, and that of an enemy (or ally?) who they don't even know the existence of yet, will come to fruition, with potentially dire consequences for the galaxy...
I'm sorry, Tony Attwood, but your novel is pretty hard to read and understand. It's hard to see where the plot points of your novel come together, and even after all the revelatory stuff at the end, it is still hard, in retrospect, to understand everything.
I think that the story has a tendency to pull new things, plot-points, and characters out of its derriere. Even though the ending is foreshadowed, there are certain elements of it that confuse me, or just annoy me. Blake's extremism in the latter half of the second season is exaggerated, and the state he and Avon are in on Gauda Prime have fairly mundane explanations compared to the sinister conspiracy brought in.
That being said, Attwood has captured the feel of many of the characters, especially Avon and Vila, the two surviving members of the original Blake's 7, and he does succeed in making some elements of the day-to-day life of the Federation come to life. And Vila's attempts at trying to find out what goes on helps resolve some of the character derailment he underwent in some stories, and succeeds in capturing the soul of a man caught between a rock and a hard place.
Blake's 7: Afterlife is far from terrible, but it is not as good as I would have liked. It is passable, but, as far as I am concerned, non-canonical. I personally reckon I could write better continuations of Blake's 7, and perhaps one day, I will do so.
6.5/10
First words: In the beginning there were six men and women.
Last words: Slowly but inevitably it was turning into a long hard laugh.
What next? I have no idea...
_________________
Yami: Wait, did you just summon a bunch of monsters in one turn?
Kaiba: Yeah, so?
Yami: That's against the rules!
Seto Kaiba: Screw the Rules, I Have Money!!
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Quatermass
I believe the appropriate phrase is, 'Boo-yah'.
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| Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 3:13 am Post subject: |
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BTW, I have now done 64 books in 20 weeks. That is, on average, 3.2 books a week.
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Yami: Wait, did you just summon a bunch of monsters in one turn?
Kaiba: Yeah, so?
Yami: That's against the rules!
Seto Kaiba: Screw the Rules, I Have Money!!
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melbi
Phoenix
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Age: 25
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| Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 7:27 am Post subject: |
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by Tony Attwood????????????
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Quatermass
I believe the appropriate phrase is, 'Boo-yah'.
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| Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 8:33 am Post subject: |
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| melbi wrote: | | by Tony Attwood???????????? |
Read the review, it's not the one we know. Settle down. However, the one who wrote Blake's 7: Afterlife is an authority for dyscalculia and ADHD.
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Yami: Wait, did you just summon a bunch of monsters in one turn?
Kaiba: Yeah, so?
Yami: That's against the rules!
Seto Kaiba: Screw the Rules, I Have Money!!
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melbi
Phoenix
Joined: Apr 17, 2010
Age: 25
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| Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 8:38 am Post subject: |
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| Quatermass wrote: | | melbi wrote: | | by Tony Attwood???????????? |
Read the review, it's not the one we know. Settle down. However, the one who wrote Blake's 7: Afterlife is an authority for dyscalculia and ADHD. |
I read it already.
thought you were being ironic or sarcasitc or something LOL
what a coincident!!!'
by the way, I'm finding Avon hotter now as I look at him more....
but still think black Jack is better
Well, I think you should make yourself look like Avon if you like him so much
personally I think black jack has cooler hairstyle
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Quatermass
I believe the appropriate phrase is, 'Boo-yah'.
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| Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 7:04 pm Post subject: |
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The next book will probably be Cordelia's Honor, by Lois McMaster Bujold. That's the first book in the Vorkosigan Saga.
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Yami: Wait, did you just summon a bunch of monsters in one turn?
Kaiba: Yeah, so?
Yami: That's against the rules!
Seto Kaiba: Screw the Rules, I Have Money!!
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melbi
Phoenix
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| Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 9:03 pm Post subject: |
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I went to the best bookstore in world (or just in Taiwan) yesterday, and mum only let me stayed for 5 mins coz she wanted to do her shoe shopping  anyway, I spent half of the time looking for dog training book and the other half looking for the book "Making the Cut" but couldn't find it. anyway, I randomly grab a book at the end coz mum was getting cranky. I finished it at 2am last night. Quite disappointing  I'm gonna go again and get some decent books.
Anyway, the book is called...something like "Letter from Bake Street", I read the chinese translated version.
oh, found the book on the biggest online bookstore in Taiwan  I'll get dad to buy it for me 
http://www.books.com.tw/exep/prod/booksfile.php?item=F011747969
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Quatermass
I believe the appropriate phrase is, 'Boo-yah'.
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| Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:46 am Post subject: |
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Book 65...
REVIEW: Cordelia's Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold
Although I have heard of the Vorkosigan Saga before, it isn't until now that I have committed to trying it. Having been told it is best to start at the beginning, I chose to read the first Vorkosigan Saga book, set before the birth of main character Miles Vorkosigan, and which focuses on his parents...
Cordelia Naismith is a woman in an officer's position in the Betan military whose expedition was fired upon by the militaristic Barrayans. Forced for survival's sake to team up with Barrayan commander Aral Vorkosigan, a man whose infamy as a war criminal is not what it seems, Cordelia must confront many preconceptions she had not only about her life on her homeworld, but about the Barrayans. Defecting to Barrayar, however, brings its own problems, especially when she and Aral Vorkosigan become embroiled in the intrigue surrounding the succession of the Emperor of Barrayar, and how it will affect the life of their unborn child...
Cordelia's Honor is actually an omnibus book comprised of two previous Vorkosigan Saga books, Shards of Honor, and Barrayar. Although these books were published separately, they tell two parts of the same story. Shards of Honour details how Cordelia Naismith met Aral Vorkosigan, as well as their 'courtship', such as it is, and her defection to Barrayar, while Barrayar details a story of political intrigue surrounding the death of Emperor Vorbarra, as well as the circumstances around Miles Vorkosigan's birth.
Coming into it without preconceptions, I found Cordelia's Honor a little long winded, but ultimately rewarding, as some of these books are. The first part of the book (Shards of Honor), while interesting in setting up the interstellar politics involved, pales into comparison to the wellspring of intrigue that exists in the second part of the book, Barrayar. The patriarchal and even misogynistic politics of Barrayar are a sight to behold, and the part Cordelia and Aral Vorkosigan play in trying to change things, albeit by steps, is enjoyable.
I have to say that it is clear that Shards of Honor was written well before Barrayar, as it seems less enjoyable to read. That being said, it is quite good at showing two nations (or rather star systems) at war, and the consequences, shown poignantly in a peripheral but important epilogue. But Barrayar is a masterpiece of political intrigue mixed in with family matters, and were it by itself, I would have given it a higher score. It even has a macabre but brilliant sardonic joke about Vor women and shopping at the end, which had me laughing, given the misogynistic attitudes of the majority of the Vor.
Science fiction fans, if you haven't started on the Vorkosigan Saga, then start with Cordelia's Honor. You'll enjoy it, I am sure. It takes a while to gain momentum, but once it gets going, it's hard to stop.
8.5/10
First words: A sea of mist drifted through the cloud forest: soft, grey, luminescent.
Last words: "I believe he'll soar high, dear Captain."
_________________
Yami: Wait, did you just summon a bunch of monsters in one turn?
Kaiba: Yeah, so?
Yami: That's against the rules!
Seto Kaiba: Screw the Rules, I Have Money!!
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Quatermass
I believe the appropriate phrase is, 'Boo-yah'.
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| Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:31 am Post subject: |
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The next book will, in all likelihood, be Hospital Station by James White. After that, it's anyone's guess.
_________________
Yami: Wait, did you just summon a bunch of monsters in one turn?
Kaiba: Yeah, so?
Yami: That's against the rules!
Seto Kaiba: Screw the Rules, I Have Money!!
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Quatermass
I believe the appropriate phrase is, 'Boo-yah'.
Joined: Apr 28, 2006
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Location: Right behind you...
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| Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2010 7:32 am Post subject: |
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Book 66...
REVIEW: Hospital Station by James White
Dramatic conflict is the essence of many a good work of fiction. Most science fiction stories use either warfare or political intrigue, but James White, who grew up during the troubles in Northern Ireland, takes an intriguing different route. Setting it in a hospital makes for both character conflict, as well as a type of war, against disease, in a manner that may make people think of a science fiction version of House or Black Jack...
The Sector General hospital is becoming the most noted hospital in the galaxy, made to cater for a wide variety of life-forms, whether they breathe oxygen or chlorine, come from low gravity or high gravity planets, or have psychic powers. Unfortunately, even this isn;t enough, and the doctors, from new human doctor Conway, to empathic insect Dr Prilicla, from caterpillar nurse Kursedd to acerbic, blunt, and no-nonsense psychologist O'Mara, as they struggle to diagnose some of the strangest and most exotic cases out there.
I have to admit, I have never watched much in the way of House. In any case, the nearest character to House himself in this series would be O'Mara, and he is not misanthropic, but rather blunt and intolerant of egotism. However, Hospital Station follows similar formulae to episodes of House: new patient comes in with a condition that baffles the doctors, at least at first, until a series of deductions based on observation lead them to a sometimes risky but ultimately beneficial solution.
It is partly because of this overtly formulaic format, as well as the rather old-fashioned style of writing, that Hospital Station didn't exactly grab me. It's a good book, but there was a certain amount of promise and potential that seems wasted here. And one thing that irritates me is that Dr Conway (with the exception of O'Mara in the first short story of this book) seems to always be the one who finds the solution. One can only hope that he has a great deal more fallibility in later books in this series, or the limelight is shared with other characters.
That being said, I did enjoy it. The sheer variety of aliens that James White imagined is mind-boggling, ranging from human-like creatures to amorphous blobs, from brontosaurs to a psychic 'raisin' called Arretapec who reminds me a little, for some reason, of ORAC from Blake's 7.
Hospital Station was a good, though not spectacular start to the Sector General series. It is still worth a look if you want something relatively different as far as science fiction is concerned.
7.5/10
First words: The alien occupying O'Mara's sleeping compartment weighed roughly half a ton, possessed six short, thick appendages which served both as arms or legs and had a hide like a flexible armour plate.
Last words: 'I'm hungry,' said the patient.
_________________
Yami: Wait, did you just summon a bunch of monsters in one turn?
Kaiba: Yeah, so?
Yami: That's against the rules!
Seto Kaiba: Screw the Rules, I Have Money!!
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Quatermass
I believe the appropriate phrase is, 'Boo-yah'.
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| Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 12:58 am Post subject: |
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I'm working on a few books at the moment. I haven't read Casino Royale all the way through, so I'll try that. I am also reading Doctor Who: The Myth Makers, The Looking-Glass Wars, and Young Miles. I might have to put The Manchurian Candidate on hold for a while.
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Yami: Wait, did you just summon a bunch of monsters in one turn?
Kaiba: Yeah, so?
Yami: That's against the rules!
Seto Kaiba: Screw the Rules, I Have Money!!
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Quatermass
I believe the appropriate phrase is, 'Boo-yah'.
Joined: Apr 28, 2006
Posts: 21100
Location: Right behind you...
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| Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 10:17 am Post subject: |
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Book 67...
REVIEW: Casino Royale by Ian Fleming
During World War II, a British Naval Intelligence officer and his superior took a trip to Lisbon. Supposedly, the naval officer was cleaned out at card games by German agents after hoping to make a dent in the funds of the Abwehr, although other recollections tell this differently, that they were just businessmen, and the spies part was part of the officer's fantasy. Years later, as part of a way of coping with his impending marriage, the former naval officer integrates his fantasy into a story which he claims would be the spy novel to end all spy novels. His name was Ian Fleming, and the book is the first James Bond book, Casino Royale.
When Communist treasurer Le Chiffre loses money in very poor investments, a mistake that will cost him his life, he desperately organises a baccarat game at Casino Royale at Royale-les-Eaux, before the Soviet counterintelligence and assassination organisation SMERSH can kill him. Double-0 agent James Bond, the best gambler in MI6, must team up with CIA agent Felix Leiter, Rene Mathis of the French Deuxieme Bureau, and Vesper Lynd, of Station S of MI6, in order to instigate an audacious plan to bankrupt Le Chiffre, and thus strike a blow at the Soviets. But things are not as they seem, and there is a traitor in the ranks...
Although I have read bits of this book, this is the first time I have read the whole thing, from beginning to end. Even before this, I was of the opinion that the recently released film of Casino Royale with Daniel Craig was one of the few movie adaptations that had ever surpassed the novel it was based on, and even now, I still hold that opinion.
The work is written, as Fleming himself noted, for what he called 'red-blooded heterosexuals', which seems to show as a patronising, somewhat misogynistic streak, and certainly a couple of racial issues (although these come into play more with the following book, Live and Let Die). That being said, this was a book of its time, especially when you consider other noteworthy adventure stories that preceded it like Bulldog Drummond, and Sax Rohmer's Fu Manchu books. The plot itself is rather simple and thin on the ground, and there is a vicious streak to the violence. Le Chiffre does not seem as well thought-out as later Bond villains, like Blofeld or Mr Big, despite the dossier on him at the start.
But that is not all. Fleming's writing, even today, has excitement seeping out of its pores, and the concept of beating spies through gambling was probably an original idea at the time, at least in fiction. And there is a surprisingly indepth discussion on the nature of good and evil between Bond and Mathis. And even after the main plot is over, there is still a surprisingly long coda that fits in.
Although the film is a far superior beast, you should not discount the original story. The one that started it all in the first place. Where James Bond and Le Chiffre faced off over a Baccarat game in a battle of wits and luck.
7.5/10
First words: The scent and smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at three in the morning.
Last words: (Not record due to spoilers)
_________________
Yami: Wait, did you just summon a bunch of monsters in one turn?
Kaiba: Yeah, so?
Yami: That's against the rules!
Seto Kaiba: Screw the Rules, I Have Money!!
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chapaqua
Emu Egg
Joined: Jul 12, 2010
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 12:36 am Post subject: Quatermass' Book Reading Blog...Round Two. |
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| At the moment? 'Dimiter' by William Peter Blatty, and 'Lake Effect' by Rich Cohen. The former is as unclassifiable as it it is startling. Also, can I recommend 'The Fourth K' by mario Puzo? Though written over twenty years ago. its plot is starting to come strangely prescient. Oh, and a very good biography of Nigel Kneale entitled ' Into the Unknown', by Andrew Murray? |
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