3.2⭐ Obviously taking on a very big subject, this guidebook manages to do a fair job. Apparently converted to ebook form, from print, which may explain3.2⭐ Obviously taking on a very big subject, this guidebook manages to do a fair job. Apparently converted to ebook form, from print, which may explain the not infrequent dropped words and other non sequiturs. The maps are not expandable and often hard to read. However it's a recent publication (2023) and all the links I tried, worked. The format is similar to many quides: an introductory section covering the basics in overview form; individual destinations including passages on attractions, accommodation, food and drink and a final section of short essays on Indian history, culture, wildlife, etc. The travelwalas who wrote this made a decent effort to cover a lot of ground and while I would not use it as my sole source for trip planning, I think it's a good introduction to the topic. Of course, being me I have a few quibbles. Like some other guides I've read it downplays the risks and obstacles travelers face, at least in it's introductory section. "...India is, on the whole, a safe country to travel"- until it isn't. In fact the body of the book contains many specific warnings about health and security issues but in an off-handed manner, spread throughout the text. It's fair to say it's philosophy is - Stay in heavily traveled tourist areas, unless you have a guide. Why not just say that off the top? Might depress sales, I suppose. The book is geared to what it calls the "independent" tourist, including the backpacker class and looks down it's nose at "coach" or "package" or "resort" travel, ignoring the fact that for some (seniors, people with disabilities) it can be the safest and most comfortable way to access the country. The large majority of the attractions it describes are temples, palaces, forts,etc from pre-colonial times, with a good sprinkling of museums, galleries and wildlife areas. It's generally discouraging of Indian zoos ( with one exception). What I would have liked to see more of are sites associated with modern India-science and technology for example, or with the independence movement ( there are a handful listed). There's also a fair bit of British slang and jargon, the meaning of which Is not always apparent. Quibbles complete. While it would never be my "bible" for travel in India, I'm glad I read it. However, the most memorable recently read travel advice on the topic came from the Canadian government advisory website- "Always exercise vigilance in the presence of monkeys. " Words to live by. -30-...more
3.5⭐ A nice little short story from the 15,000 hours when Murderbot was still passing as a normal, totally-not-hacked Sec Unit. He has to make a choice 3.5⭐ A nice little short story from the 15,000 hours when Murderbot was still passing as a normal, totally-not-hacked Sec Unit. He has to make a choice whether to save a stupid, annoying human, possibly blow his cover and get memory wiped and/or recycled. We all know what he does....more
3.4⭐ I came late (by 38 years) to the Vorkostigan saga, but I think I can see why it's so popular. It's a shrewd mash up of military (or as Bujold aptl3.4⭐ I came late (by 38 years) to the Vorkostigan saga, but I think I can see why it's so popular. It's a shrewd mash up of military (or as Bujold aptly puts it " militaresque") space opera and romance novel. I have noticed the similarities between these two genres before: both have formulas and tropes they tend to follow; strong heros tend to hook up with strong heroines, or visa versa- even if the strengths are sometimes hidden or underdeveloped; the more interesting of both types venture into social or moral issues. I found all of those characteristics in this book. First off, though, Bujold is a highly competent writer of adventure stories with excellent pacing and good plots (so far). True, her settings and characters all seem kind of familiar but she does interesting things with them (and to be fair, she was in the game early- before the market was saturated with series like this one). I liked this book a little better than " Shards Of Honor", which preceeded it. I found Bujold's dry humor a bit sharper, this outing. Can't get into details due to potential spoilers but she does do a number on patriarchies and militaristic societies throughout her book. She doesn't take herself too seriously though, her series ( so far) is clearly light entertainment. An example of her space opera/romance aggregate I liked was that, after a daring and desperate secret rescue mission ( the dramatic climax), she follows it up with a (semi) royal wedding, with descriptions of the dresses, ceremony, food etc. Classic stuff, and she pulls it off well. I will continue to follow this series, which is some 20 plus novels and shorter works, as far as I can. -30-...more
Yet another military space opera series I've begun; they are a particular guilty pleasure of mine. Bujold can write a decent enough sci-adventure 2.8⭐I
Yet another military space opera series I've begun; they are a particular guilty pleasure of mine. Bujold can write a decent enough sci-adventure tale. Her characters and settings are not especially original and her prose has a whiff of creative writing assignment about it but her pacing is good and the plot keeps you engaged all the way through. The story is about a spacewoman and spaceman from rival planets, who end up marooned on a hostile alien world together and whose fates are henceforth and forever intertwined, -30-...more
3.4⭐ The third installment of Martha Wells' Raksura saga and a good one, imho.
Our hero, the Raksura prince ( consort) Moon has a troubled past. Orphane3.4⭐ The third installment of Martha Wells' Raksura saga and a good one, imho.
Our hero, the Raksura prince ( consort) Moon has a troubled past. Orphaned and abandoned at young age, he's had to make his way in the violent and often chaotic Three Worlds without the knowledge of his people or his pedigree.
So when he finally reunites with the Raksura of Cloud Indigo Court he's seen as unusual, uncouth, " feral". The first two books detail his own gradual acceptance of what he is, and his acceptance by the other Raksura ( flying, shape shifting lizard people).
Suddenly, that's all undermined by the arrival of a messenger from the far off queen of another court who claims Moon as family.
So this book contains Moon's origin story, the usual high adventures in mysterious lands, the now mandatory Lost City, and the usual wranglings and schemings by the irascible Raksura.
Wells displays her usual skill with characters and settings (aka ' world-building'). It's a fun, fast story, best suited for those somewhat familiar with the series, though Wells tries hard to provide background and context and includes a number of helpful appendices ( a pro touch, that I wish more serial authors would consider these days)....more
DNF I wanted to give Terry Pratchett a try. So many people like his work I just could not get into this book, at all. The writing wasn't terrible, butDNF I wanted to give Terry Pratchett a try. So many people like his work I just could not get into this book, at all. The writing wasn't terrible, but nothing special. The story was uninspiring and unoriginal to my eye. It's really just a matter of taste, and it didn't suit mine. I might try another book, another time. .-30- . ....more
3.4⭐ A collection of short stories, mostly about the characters from the author's Raksura series but with one in the greater Three Worlds setting. All 3.4⭐ A collection of short stories, mostly about the characters from the author's Raksura series but with one in the greater Three Worlds setting. All of them are worth reading, with my favorites being The Dead City and The Dark Earth Below, both featuring Wells' grumpy, conflicted Raksura hero, Moon. Good for fans of the series but OK for new readers because Wells recaps the backstory and Includes appendices with background on the characters and setting. Well written fantasy that fans of Robert E Howard, Fritz Leiber etc. Will appreciate....more
3.4⭐ Another novella in Martha Wells' Raksura saga. Pretty good tale of a mysterious ruined city, dangerous enchantments and derring-do by our Raksura 3.4⭐ Another novella in Martha Wells' Raksura saga. Pretty good tale of a mysterious ruined city, dangerous enchantments and derring-do by our Raksura hero, Moon, and his gang. A quick read, with Wells' usual flair for character and setting. Decent, light fantasy entertainment....more
2.3 ⭐ I was confused by this book. I read the first two in the series and thought they were decent space opera, especially #2 Barrayar, which I quite l2.3 ⭐ I was confused by this book. I read the first two in the series and thought they were decent space opera, especially #2 Barrayar, which I quite liked. Then I read this one and it was as if Bujold had phoned it in. Tissue thin unlikable characters, lucky coincidences piled on top of each other, sappy dialogue. It wasn't until I read Bujold's helpful appendix on the chronology of her books that enlightenment occurred. Although this is chronologically #3 in the series , it was the second novel she wrote. Barrayar was her eighth book. She got better. Which gives me hope some of the later volumes will be readable. This one almost wasn't, imo. -30-...more
2.8⭐ The conclusion, so far, of Martha Wells' Raksura series. It's a decent adventure story with a "saving the world in the nick of time" ending. I like2.8⭐ The conclusion, so far, of Martha Wells' Raksura series. It's a decent adventure story with a "saving the world in the nick of time" ending. I like the author's fantasy tales, just fine, although admittedly not as much as her science fiction i.e. The Murderbot Diaries. Moon, Jade, Stone and the rest of her Raksura are fine characters but just not as well developed or nuanced as Murderbot, the cynical antihero we all need for the 2020's. I guess it's to Wells' credit as a writer that her flying, shape-shifting, lizard people are just a little less relatable and more alien than a killer cyborg with cloned human neural tissue. I liked the series, sad it's over (so far) and to answer Russell Crowe's question- "Yes, I was entertained." -30-...more
4.4⭐ Fabulous Jack Vance short story, featuring a society where people express their personalities through the masks they wear. An Earth representativ4.4⭐ Fabulous Jack Vance short story, featuring a society where people express their personalities through the masks they wear. An Earth representative, charged with apprehending a criminal, is thrust into this world unprepared. He struggles to achieve his task while avoiding cultural blunders. Funny and engaging....more
3.8⭐ A pretty good year. Completed the challenge ( by the skin of my teeth). Great interactions with friends, old and new. Discovered new favorite auth3.8⭐ A pretty good year. Completed the challenge ( by the skin of my teeth). Great interactions with friends, old and new. Discovered new favorite authors , or at least new to me. A resolution for 2024; "read harder"-more non-fiction, more literature, more classics( or to be precise, *any* classics). No doubt there'll still be plenty of sci-fi, mystery, thrillers, etc. I won't be going cold turkey, by a long shot. I would like to get more variety in my reading, however.
2023 Favorites ( in no particular order): The Night Market and Blood Relations by Jonathan Moore; System Collapse by Martha Wells; Liberation Day-Stories by George Saunders; The Dazzle Of Day by Molly Gloss; The Future is Female Lisa Yaszek (editor); In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez; There is Nothing For You Here by Fiona Hill; Red as Blood by Tanith Lee; A Man of Shadows and Creeping Jenny by Jeff Noon. Good Authors, New to Me: Molly Gloss, Tanith Lee, Jeff Noon, George Saunders, Jonathan Moore.
A strange personal observation/quirk: I regret the disappearing profiles as some friends chose to go private ( entirely their choice of course and likely for excellent reasons). It just makes it harder to follow their doings ( if you're using the app, anyway, which I do). A sign of the times for certain but it just makes GR seem less friendly, a bit. Still a small minority, fortunately.
Having said that however, GR clearly remains a welcoming, civilized place and the only form of social media I use in any regular way. Long may it remain so !!! Happy New Year to all and to all a good night! -30-...more
3.5 ⭐ Read this in the early 1970's. Pieces of it are still with me, so it made an impression. In a far future, Earth has achieved practical immortali3.5 ⭐ Read this in the early 1970's. Pieces of it are still with me, so it made an impression. In a far future, Earth has achieved practical immortality but it's rationed based on a person's achievements. So you register with the program and if you live a modest, non criminal life you get a certain amount of years added to your life span. The more you achieve, the longer you live. To make sure you don't die before your time everybody's backed up by clones, hidden away in secret locations. The protagonist is a guy who was killed 7 years earlier, just before attaining immortality. So his clone has to start from scratch. There are murders involved but that's about all I recall, except I thought it featured one of Vance's well drawn, decadent cultures. I'd forgotten all about this book until my GR buddy Rog jogged my memory. -30-...more
2.9⭐ Another decent fantasy adventure story about Martha Wells' shape-shifting/flying/ lizard people, the Raksura. This time our heroes Moon, Jade and 2.9⭐ Another decent fantasy adventure story about Martha Wells' shape-shifting/flying/ lizard people, the Raksura. This time our heroes Moon, Jade and their entire Cloud Indigo Court experience a horrifying shared dream that seems to predict all of their deaths. This leads them on a quest to an ancient, forgotten city but whether they will prevent the disastrous vision or cause it, they can't be sure.
This is the first part of a two book series within the Raksura saga. I look forward to the sequel, The Harbors of the Sun, which is also the last in the series ( so far). Wells' efforts now seem focused on her terrific Murderbot stories but who knows?
I also liked that this was a cliffhanger with an actual cliff (escarpment) but we're only left hanging metaphorically. Nice light entertainment....more
2.8 ⭐ A stand alone, prequel novella to Martha Wells' Raksura series. As usual Wells' delivers a well written story, though a bit slower paced and lig2.8 ⭐ A stand alone, prequel novella to Martha Wells' Raksura series. As usual Wells' delivers a well written story, though a bit slower paced and lighter on the action than normal. More to follow...
So this takes place decades ("many turns ") prior to the main series. There's a prince('consort') a princess ('sister queen') and a rescue. Interestingly, it's the princess that does the rescuing and they don't live happily ever after ( at least, at first) but instead they spark the Raksura equivalent of an international incident. The story is about the politics and diplomacy of dealing with the fallout. Not the usual plot for a fantasy tale but I thought it was a decent, quick story, happily rounded up to three stars. -30-...more
3.2⭐ The second book in Martha Wells' Raksura series about her sarcastic, carnivorous, shape-shifting, flying, lizard people. Yes, it's a guilty pleasu3.2⭐ The second book in Martha Wells' Raksura series about her sarcastic, carnivorous, shape-shifting, flying, lizard people. Yes, it's a guilty pleasure but a well written one. Our hero, Moon and his adopted family the Cloud Indigo Court of the Raksura, have made it back to an ancestral home, a giant Mountain Tree. But someone has stolen the tree's heart seed and Moon and his gang must engage in a quest to get it back. It's fast paced, with decent dialogue between the characters and some well staged action scenes. Wells might not be on the level of Tolkien or LeGuin but this is better than most of the other fantasy series I've tried. I will eventually read the complete series, no doubt. -30-...more
3.3⭐ A Hero's Journey-with wings! Moon is an orphaned prince of the Raksura ( flying/shape shifting/human-reptiles), who, after his family was killed, 3.3⭐ A Hero's Journey-with wings! Moon is an orphaned prince of the Raksura ( flying/shape shifting/human-reptiles), who, after his family was killed, is forced to live among the groundlings ( more or less humans but multi- hued, including blue). He's rescued by his mentor/father figure - Stone, meets his princess - Jade, more or less accepts his destiny and confronts his arch enemy- the evil Fell queen.
In the hands of a lesser writer this classic formula would likely be merely pedestrian. Martha Wells, however, brings her usual skill with characters and settings, infused with her trademark irony and sarcasm, to create an above average fantasy world.
While they're not on the top of the TBR pile, I suspect I'll be getting around to the other books in the series, eventually. -30-...more
3.2⭐ Another decent mystery/thriller from Jonathan Moore. San Francisco Police detective Inspector Gavin Cain is at the exhumation of a body, as part 3.2⭐ Another decent mystery/thriller from Jonathan Moore. San Francisco Police detective Inspector Gavin Cain is at the exhumation of a body, as part of a case he's working, when he's called away by his boss. The mayor is being blackmailed and Cain has to figure out who's doing it and why. As usual Moore has a nice touch with settings and characters and he makes the soggy, foggy streets of San Francisco come alive for us. He also ties together the apparent coincidences of his plot well, but subtley; the reader is credited with enough intelligence to have been paying attention throughout the story. The ending felt just a bit rushed to me but the whole book is very fast paced so Moore was just keeping up, I suppose. One of the things I like about this author is that he still writes stand-alone stories, that don't require you to be invested in a brand. That seems to be a vanishing art these days and I like the way it has allowed Moore's expansive imagination free reign to explore a range of locations and genres ( I've got nothing against interconnected series , I'm addicted to a number of them, but my hat's off to authors who create new worlds in each book). -30-...more
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