Genre: Steampunk, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Setting: The American Western Frontier after the Civil War
First Sentence: Cedar Hunt stared down at his blood covered hands.
This novel is the second in Monk's The Age of Steam series. In this series Monk transports the Steampunk genre to the Old West. There are incredible machines. There are people with mystical abilities. A mysterious substance called Glim floats high above the Earth.
An evil power called the Strange in infiltrating the world. The Strange can turn the dead into unstoppable zombie-like killers. A device called the Holder can focus and control the Strange. The Holder is divided into seven parts. If all of the Holder's parts are assembled it would bestow upon its possessor terrible evil power.
Fortunately, there are those who are working to prevent the Holder from falling into the wrong hands. Cedar Hunt has been cursed with the power to sense the Holder. He strives to control a wolf-like power which threatens to control him. His brother Wil has been transformed into a wolf. When the moon is full, he returns to his human form. Captain Hink is a federal marshal who has been sent by the president to discover the whereabouts of the Holder. The Madder brothers, who can devise unique machines and weapons, search for the Holder, but they need Cedar Hunt's senses to find it.
Unfortunately, there are those who wish to control the Strange with the Holder. Mr. Shunt is one of these. Mr. Shunt is part human and part machine. Almost impossible to kill, he craves the Holder to maintain his evil existence.
Will Cedar Hunt, and his companions, find the Holder and prevent Mr. Shunt from controlling its power?
This novel was a slow read for me. The first half of the plot had many episodes which added characters but did not seem to advance the plot. When the crucial battles finally arrive, the pace picks up and the plot resolves in an entertaining manner.
It was an OK second book of a series, but not as good as the first. Hopefully, the next book will be better.
Tin Swift
Check out my new e-book!
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
Alexandria by Lindsey Davis
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: Egypt, 77 AD
First Sentence: They say that you can see the lighthouse from thirty miles away.
This novel is the nineteenth in Davis's Marcus Didius Falco mystery series.
Alexandria, Egypt was a popular tourist destination in 77AD. It was famous for its lighthouse, and for its Great Library. Nearby, were the pyramids. The library was part of a great center for learning. Students and teachers came from all parts of the Roman Empire to learn and teach in Alexandria.
Marcus Didius Falco and his family are in Alexandria on a sightseeing trip. His pregnant wife, Helena, wants to see the pyramids while she still can travel. They will be staying at the home of Falco's uncle. On their arrival, Falco's uncle throws a great banquet. The guest of honor is the Chief Librarian of the Great Library.
The very next day the Librarian is found dead in his office. Falco feels that he should investigate because the Librarian has died ingesting toxic oleander leaves. And the night before, Falco's family had given him a garland made of oleander blossoms.
During his investigation, Falco discovers that everyone seems to think that he is working for the Emperor. To be sure, Falco has worked for the Emperor in the past. And he is not above letting people believe that he is working for the Emperor now - even if it's not true.
Falco soon finds out the the library is a morass of double-dealing, back-stabbing, murder, and theft. No one will give him a straight answer. But Falco knows that something illegal is going on. To make matters worse, Falco's father shows up. Soon he and Falco's uncle become entangled in the dirty dealings.
Some of the clues that Falco uncovers could point back to Falco's father, uncle, or Falco himself.
Will Falco be able to unravel the complex knot of clues and find out what is really going on in the library?
The ancient city of Alexandria serves as an exotic background for this mystery novel. As Falco works gathering clues, we get a tour of the city and its grand edifices. Davis describes the beauty of the library, the temples, and the city itself.
The plot of the mystery is somewhat confusing with a long list of characters with exotic Roman, Greek, and Egyptian names.
Never the less, I always enjoy a visit with Falco and his unique family. And, Falco's wife Helena gets my vote for the most trusting, understanding, and supportive wife ever!
Alexandria
Check out my e-book!
Setting: Egypt, 77 AD
First Sentence: They say that you can see the lighthouse from thirty miles away.
This novel is the nineteenth in Davis's Marcus Didius Falco mystery series.
Alexandria, Egypt was a popular tourist destination in 77AD. It was famous for its lighthouse, and for its Great Library. Nearby, were the pyramids. The library was part of a great center for learning. Students and teachers came from all parts of the Roman Empire to learn and teach in Alexandria.
Marcus Didius Falco and his family are in Alexandria on a sightseeing trip. His pregnant wife, Helena, wants to see the pyramids while she still can travel. They will be staying at the home of Falco's uncle. On their arrival, Falco's uncle throws a great banquet. The guest of honor is the Chief Librarian of the Great Library.
The very next day the Librarian is found dead in his office. Falco feels that he should investigate because the Librarian has died ingesting toxic oleander leaves. And the night before, Falco's family had given him a garland made of oleander blossoms.
During his investigation, Falco discovers that everyone seems to think that he is working for the Emperor. To be sure, Falco has worked for the Emperor in the past. And he is not above letting people believe that he is working for the Emperor now - even if it's not true.
Falco soon finds out the the library is a morass of double-dealing, back-stabbing, murder, and theft. No one will give him a straight answer. But Falco knows that something illegal is going on. To make matters worse, Falco's father shows up. Soon he and Falco's uncle become entangled in the dirty dealings.
Some of the clues that Falco uncovers could point back to Falco's father, uncle, or Falco himself.
Will Falco be able to unravel the complex knot of clues and find out what is really going on in the library?
The ancient city of Alexandria serves as an exotic background for this mystery novel. As Falco works gathering clues, we get a tour of the city and its grand edifices. Davis describes the beauty of the library, the temples, and the city itself.
The plot of the mystery is somewhat confusing with a long list of characters with exotic Roman, Greek, and Egyptian names.
Never the less, I always enjoy a visit with Falco and his unique family. And, Falco's wife Helena gets my vote for the most trusting, understanding, and supportive wife ever!
Alexandria
Check out my e-book!
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Mike Reads The 2012 Reviews by Me!
I just published a collection of my book reviews from last year on Kindle.
You can find it at http://tinyurl.com/a86hyer
Check it out! Only $ 0.99. Cheap!
You can find it at http://tinyurl.com/a86hyer
Check it out! Only $ 0.99. Cheap!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Sometimes You See It Coming by Kevin Baker
Genre: Sports Fiction
Setting: 20th century America
First Sentence: The only one who was there at the beginning, the only one who is always there in the middle of everything, was the Old Swizzlehead, aka Rapid Ricky Falls, who was the closest thing John Barr ever had to a friend.
A few weeks ago, I was prowling through my local used book store when I spotted Kevin Baker's books. All of them intrigued me, so I picked Sometimes You See It Coming because it is his first novel. And boy, was that a great choice. Normally, I don't read sports stories, but this novel was a page turner from the get go.
John Barr is one of the best players to ever play the game. He can hit for power and average. He is a gold glove in the field. He can throw runners out at home plate from the outfield.
Off the field, he is an enigma. He came out of nowhere. He has no friends. He doesn't drink. He doesn't date. and he lives alone. But no one cares, because with him on the team, they are pennant contenders every year.
Then came the horrible year. A new manager has messed up everyone on the team. Except John Barr. With his steady play, the team has fought its way back to the series.
Then a note found in John's deceased mother's papers throws John into a horrible slump.
It's up to a teammate and a reporter to find a way to get John out of his slump, and rescue the series.
I enjoyed how Baker organized this novel like a sports memoir. He skips from person to person as they relate stories from John Barr's life and career. The mystery of Barr's life is slowly revealed. For me, the last few chapters flew by as I read to discover the solution to the mystery, and the results of the the series.
This novel would make a great movie, and it was an entertaining read.
Sometimes You See It Coming
Setting: 20th century America
First Sentence: The only one who was there at the beginning, the only one who is always there in the middle of everything, was the Old Swizzlehead, aka Rapid Ricky Falls, who was the closest thing John Barr ever had to a friend.
A few weeks ago, I was prowling through my local used book store when I spotted Kevin Baker's books. All of them intrigued me, so I picked Sometimes You See It Coming because it is his first novel. And boy, was that a great choice. Normally, I don't read sports stories, but this novel was a page turner from the get go.
John Barr is one of the best players to ever play the game. He can hit for power and average. He is a gold glove in the field. He can throw runners out at home plate from the outfield.
Off the field, he is an enigma. He came out of nowhere. He has no friends. He doesn't drink. He doesn't date. and he lives alone. But no one cares, because with him on the team, they are pennant contenders every year.
Then came the horrible year. A new manager has messed up everyone on the team. Except John Barr. With his steady play, the team has fought its way back to the series.
Then a note found in John's deceased mother's papers throws John into a horrible slump.
It's up to a teammate and a reporter to find a way to get John out of his slump, and rescue the series.
I enjoyed how Baker organized this novel like a sports memoir. He skips from person to person as they relate stories from John Barr's life and career. The mystery of Barr's life is slowly revealed. For me, the last few chapters flew by as I read to discover the solution to the mystery, and the results of the the series.
This novel would make a great movie, and it was an entertaining read.
Sometimes You See It Coming
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