Genre: Children's Literature
Setting: Camp Green Lake, a juvenile Detention Facility in Texas.
First Sentence: There is no lake at Camp Green Lake.
When Holes was published it won many awards for excellence in children's literature including the Newbery Award. A motion picture of the same name was made based on this novel.
Stanley Yelnats and his family are cursed. It's all the fault of Stanley's great-great-grandfather. So, when Stanley is at the wrong place at the wrong time, he is arrested and convicted for stealing the shoes of a famous baseball player.
Stanley is sent to Camp Green Lake. There is to lake there. And very little green. But there is plenty of dirt.
Each day every camper digs a hole that is five feet wide and five feet deep. the Warden says that digging holes builds character.
Exactly why the boys are digging holes is a mystery that the author slowly reveals to us. The solution includes a dry lake, canned peaches, smelly feet, onions, a kissing bandit, and a love story.
The beauty of this novel is how the author reveals seemingly unrelated details to weave a complex plot. Eventually, each piece of the puzzle fits together. In the end, we have a complete narrative with all of the plot lines resolved, and with no loose ends.
In my opinion, it does no matter weather you read the book first or see the movie first. You will find that there are very few differences between them.
I think that this novel is one of the best I have ever read.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Legacy Code by: Autumn Kalquist
Genre: Romantic Science Fiction
Setting: On a spaceship that is part of a colonization fleet that is orbiting a toxic planet.
First Sentence: Era huddled against the wall and pressed her hands to her ears, blocking out the piercing sirens.
This novel is part of a group of Kalquist's novels and short stories called the Fractured Era series.
The fleet has been traveling through space hundreds of years. They have been looking for an earth-like planet to settle on. Now, they are orbiting a toxic planet. It may be that the fleet has reached a dead end.
Our main character, Era, and her husband Dritan live on one of the ships in the fleet. It is a nervous time for them. They are expecting their first child.
It is a requirement that each pregnancy must be evaluated. Many fetuses carry the genetic marker for a genetic mutation called the Defect. Children born with the Defect do not live very long because their organs do not develop correctly. Fetuses that carry the marker are routinely aborted.
There are those in the fleet that believe that the Defect is not real. People who espouse this belief are quickly and permanently silenced.
What will happen to Era and Dritan? Will their child have the Defect? Is the Defect real?
I found that this novel was a very enjoyable read. I liked the way the author has seamlessly blended high tech into the narrative. She shows her characters using technology without long-winded explanations.
I also liked the fact that the main character is a believable, human female. She has been portrayed as a a young woman with normal emotional issues concerning love, friendship, and her unborn child. And she is also an expert with computer hardware and software.
For me, this novel was a break from my usual reading fare. I don't usually read novels in which love, relationships, and pregnancy are key parts of the plot.
I enjoyed this novel. For me it was a fun read.
Setting: On a spaceship that is part of a colonization fleet that is orbiting a toxic planet.
First Sentence: Era huddled against the wall and pressed her hands to her ears, blocking out the piercing sirens.
This novel is part of a group of Kalquist's novels and short stories called the Fractured Era series.
The fleet has been traveling through space hundreds of years. They have been looking for an earth-like planet to settle on. Now, they are orbiting a toxic planet. It may be that the fleet has reached a dead end.
Our main character, Era, and her husband Dritan live on one of the ships in the fleet. It is a nervous time for them. They are expecting their first child.
It is a requirement that each pregnancy must be evaluated. Many fetuses carry the genetic marker for a genetic mutation called the Defect. Children born with the Defect do not live very long because their organs do not develop correctly. Fetuses that carry the marker are routinely aborted.
There are those in the fleet that believe that the Defect is not real. People who espouse this belief are quickly and permanently silenced.
What will happen to Era and Dritan? Will their child have the Defect? Is the Defect real?
I found that this novel was a very enjoyable read. I liked the way the author has seamlessly blended high tech into the narrative. She shows her characters using technology without long-winded explanations.
I also liked the fact that the main character is a believable, human female. She has been portrayed as a a young woman with normal emotional issues concerning love, friendship, and her unborn child. And she is also an expert with computer hardware and software.
For me, this novel was a break from my usual reading fare. I don't usually read novels in which love, relationships, and pregnancy are key parts of the plot.
I enjoyed this novel. For me it was a fun read.
Monday, March 23, 2015
The Edge of Solace by Casey Calouette
Genre: Science Fiction, Military Science Fiction
Setting: In space on spaceships, on planets colonized by humans.
First Sentence: Major Archibald Theodore strutted down the narrow hallway.
This book is the second in Calouette's A Star Too Far series. The series extends to three books.
Earth and its colony planets have formed the United Colonies to foster peace and unity between the planets. Unfortunately, not all of the colonies live in peace. There is prejudice between the earth born and colony born citizens.
One group of colonies, the Sa'Ami, want to be independent of the rest of the United Colonies. To this end the Sa'Ami have used alien technology to create an interstellar barrior between the U.C. and Sa'Ami space.
The population of Earth far outnumbers the population of the Sa'Ami. In a war of attrition, the Sa'Ami cannot hope to win. Their strategy is to strike hard, without warning, and deploy their barrior technology.
The novel follows the exploits and battles of a group of U. C. Army, Navy and Marine Corps warriors. Battles in Calouette's novel occur on planets, within and between spaceships. There is no shortage of high tech weapons and shielding. Computers are fully integrated into all aspects of military action. And the use of nanites is ubiquitous. They are used to repair battle wounds, to construct space suits, as recreational drugs, and some are even weaponized.
Over all, for me, this was an interesting and fun read. If you like your Sci-Fi with lots of battles and tech, you'll enjoy this novel. I did. And now off to read book three.
Setting: In space on spaceships, on planets colonized by humans.
First Sentence: Major Archibald Theodore strutted down the narrow hallway.
This book is the second in Calouette's A Star Too Far series. The series extends to three books.
Earth and its colony planets have formed the United Colonies to foster peace and unity between the planets. Unfortunately, not all of the colonies live in peace. There is prejudice between the earth born and colony born citizens.
One group of colonies, the Sa'Ami, want to be independent of the rest of the United Colonies. To this end the Sa'Ami have used alien technology to create an interstellar barrior between the U.C. and Sa'Ami space.
The population of Earth far outnumbers the population of the Sa'Ami. In a war of attrition, the Sa'Ami cannot hope to win. Their strategy is to strike hard, without warning, and deploy their barrior technology.
The novel follows the exploits and battles of a group of U. C. Army, Navy and Marine Corps warriors. Battles in Calouette's novel occur on planets, within and between spaceships. There is no shortage of high tech weapons and shielding. Computers are fully integrated into all aspects of military action. And the use of nanites is ubiquitous. They are used to repair battle wounds, to construct space suits, as recreational drugs, and some are even weaponized.
Over all, for me, this was an interesting and fun read. If you like your Sci-Fi with lots of battles and tech, you'll enjoy this novel. I did. And now off to read book three.
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Trial by Ice by Casey Caloutte
Genre: Science Fiction, Military Science Fiction
Setting: In the future, on a distant planet, and on a spaceship.
First Sentence: William Grace woke up to a world of agony and ice.
This novel is the first in Caloutte's A Star too Far trilogy.
The mission was to blink in and drop off a contingent of diplomats and military personnel. Their job was to encourage the local planetary government to sign on to the United Colonies compact.
Instead, the space ship crashed. Midshipman William Grace awakes to discover that he is the ranking officer. The first job is to determine who survived the crash. Grace discovers that he is the leader of a ragtag group of military and civilian personnel.
The crash has deposited them in an extreme arctic type environment. Grace must organize his men (there is one very minor female character) to move to a more hospitable climate.
Finally, William and his team must attempt to fulfill the mission. This involves battling mercenary ground troops, taking control of an orbiting spaceship, and having a running battle with another space ship.
Along the way William learns how to be a leader.
I really liked this book. I think it is a fine example of no nonsense military science fiction. I found the description of the fight for survival in the extreme cold to very compelling. I also liked the descriptions of future tech.
For me, this was a great read. I already have the next book of the series loaded into my Kindle.
Setting: In the future, on a distant planet, and on a spaceship.
First Sentence: William Grace woke up to a world of agony and ice.
This novel is the first in Caloutte's A Star too Far trilogy.
The mission was to blink in and drop off a contingent of diplomats and military personnel. Their job was to encourage the local planetary government to sign on to the United Colonies compact.
Instead, the space ship crashed. Midshipman William Grace awakes to discover that he is the ranking officer. The first job is to determine who survived the crash. Grace discovers that he is the leader of a ragtag group of military and civilian personnel.
The crash has deposited them in an extreme arctic type environment. Grace must organize his men (there is one very minor female character) to move to a more hospitable climate.
Finally, William and his team must attempt to fulfill the mission. This involves battling mercenary ground troops, taking control of an orbiting spaceship, and having a running battle with another space ship.
Along the way William learns how to be a leader.
I really liked this book. I think it is a fine example of no nonsense military science fiction. I found the description of the fight for survival in the extreme cold to very compelling. I also liked the descriptions of future tech.
For me, this was a great read. I already have the next book of the series loaded into my Kindle.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Dark Space by Jasper T. Scott
Genre: Science Fiction
Setting: Aboard spaceships in outer space
First Sentence: A vast backdrop of stars sparkled all around Ethan's head, just on the other side of the nova interceptor's thin transpiranium cockpit canopy.
This novel is the first book in Scott's Dark Space series. The series currently runs to five books.
Our main character, Ethan, is on the run. He has escaped from a prison planet where hes was exiled for smuggling. Currently, he owes a great deal of money to a notorious crime boss who would rather see Ethan dead than collect his money.
Years ago humanity was almost exterminated during the war with an alien race known as the Sythians. Now what is left of humanity has retreated to a secluded area of space known as Dark Space.
It was during this war that Ethan lost track of his wife and son. Now, years later, Ethan travels through space looking for his family. He travels with his young, beautiful copilot Alara. She loves Ethan, but Ethan cannot return her love.
Unfortunately, the crime boss nabs Ethan and Alara. He forces Ethan to sabotage a government spaceship. Ethan does not know that he is being used to commit the murder of an entire ship's crew. The crime boss's goal is to take complete control of the human government.
Will Ethan follow the crime boss's orders?
Will he find a way to save Alara?
Will Ethan fins his long lost wife and son?
This novel is an example of a pretty standard sci-fi novel: a flawed hero, who is an ace pilot, damaged by the war, and forced to work with criminals. Can he find a way to redeem himself and save humanity?
For me this was an OK book; not the best I've read, but certainly not the worst. The plot and characters were somewhat interesting. The battle sequences were a little confusing. Since this is the first book of a series, there was little plot resolution.
If you like sci-fi, you might like this book.
Setting: Aboard spaceships in outer space
First Sentence: A vast backdrop of stars sparkled all around Ethan's head, just on the other side of the nova interceptor's thin transpiranium cockpit canopy.
This novel is the first book in Scott's Dark Space series. The series currently runs to five books.
Our main character, Ethan, is on the run. He has escaped from a prison planet where hes was exiled for smuggling. Currently, he owes a great deal of money to a notorious crime boss who would rather see Ethan dead than collect his money.
Years ago humanity was almost exterminated during the war with an alien race known as the Sythians. Now what is left of humanity has retreated to a secluded area of space known as Dark Space.
It was during this war that Ethan lost track of his wife and son. Now, years later, Ethan travels through space looking for his family. He travels with his young, beautiful copilot Alara. She loves Ethan, but Ethan cannot return her love.
Unfortunately, the crime boss nabs Ethan and Alara. He forces Ethan to sabotage a government spaceship. Ethan does not know that he is being used to commit the murder of an entire ship's crew. The crime boss's goal is to take complete control of the human government.
Will Ethan follow the crime boss's orders?
Will he find a way to save Alara?
Will Ethan fins his long lost wife and son?
This novel is an example of a pretty standard sci-fi novel: a flawed hero, who is an ace pilot, damaged by the war, and forced to work with criminals. Can he find a way to redeem himself and save humanity?
For me this was an OK book; not the best I've read, but certainly not the worst. The plot and characters were somewhat interesting. The battle sequences were a little confusing. Since this is the first book of a series, there was little plot resolution.
If you like sci-fi, you might like this book.
Monday, March 2, 2015
The Amber Treasure by Richard Denning
Genre: Historical Fiction
Setting: Northern Britain, 597 AD
First sentence: Looking back from old age, when the faith of Christ has replaced the old religions of my fathers, I can recall many times when my friends and I appeared to be at the whim of powers beyond our understanding.
This book is the first novel in Denning's Northern Crown series. This series currently runs to three novels.
It is almost two hundred years since the Romans have left Britain. The Angles and the Welsh are battling for control of a corner of the land that would one day be united into the Kingdom of England.
Our main character, Cerdic, is the son of a local Angle lord. As the story begins, Cerdic is a youth. He dreams of a day when he is a warrior. He listens to the stories of great warriors and epic battles. He hopes that, one day, there would be songs about him.
Then when the men of the village are at a boar hunt, the Welsh attack. They take prisoners and hostages. They also steal an extremely valuable set of amber jewelry. When the men return, they decide to follow the Welsh to regain the kidnapped villagers, and the amber treasure.
Soon, Cerdic and the rest of the Angle warriors are embroiled in a great battle to stop the Welsh invasion.
Will Cerdic discover the glory that he dreamed of as a youth?
This book was a good start to a historical fiction series. We are introduced to the main characters, and to the main character's nemesis. Although, I felt that the plot moved a little slowly, I did enjoy the battle scenes.
For me, this was an enjoyable read.
Setting: Northern Britain, 597 AD
First sentence: Looking back from old age, when the faith of Christ has replaced the old religions of my fathers, I can recall many times when my friends and I appeared to be at the whim of powers beyond our understanding.
This book is the first novel in Denning's Northern Crown series. This series currently runs to three novels.
It is almost two hundred years since the Romans have left Britain. The Angles and the Welsh are battling for control of a corner of the land that would one day be united into the Kingdom of England.
Our main character, Cerdic, is the son of a local Angle lord. As the story begins, Cerdic is a youth. He dreams of a day when he is a warrior. He listens to the stories of great warriors and epic battles. He hopes that, one day, there would be songs about him.
Then when the men of the village are at a boar hunt, the Welsh attack. They take prisoners and hostages. They also steal an extremely valuable set of amber jewelry. When the men return, they decide to follow the Welsh to regain the kidnapped villagers, and the amber treasure.
Soon, Cerdic and the rest of the Angle warriors are embroiled in a great battle to stop the Welsh invasion.
Will Cerdic discover the glory that he dreamed of as a youth?
This book was a good start to a historical fiction series. We are introduced to the main characters, and to the main character's nemesis. Although, I felt that the plot moved a little slowly, I did enjoy the battle scenes.
For me, this was an enjoyable read.
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