Maybe there's an extra layer that I might've gotten if I were knowledgeable about either manga or Japanese history, but a thoroughly enjoyable tale noMaybe there's an extra layer that I might've gotten if I were knowledgeable about either manga or Japanese history, but a thoroughly enjoyable tale nonetheless. It unfolds in a really satisfying way, gradually revealing the connections between the characters, the way that time travel (yes, I enjoyed a time travel story!) plays out through the plot. Lots of emotional and plot tension, and of course lovely art, with expressive faces and delicate landscapes. Will definitely be getting book 2!...more
Picked it up on a bit of a whim because I wanted something to read on a hot day, it was in the new books section at the library, and I'd heard the namPicked it up on a bit of a whim because I wanted something to read on a hot day, it was in the new books section at the library, and I'd heard the name. This was an excellent choice. Moving and thought-provoking, with complicated and interesting characters. Couldn't put it down and finished in a single afternoon! Marked down a smidge because it was occasionally hard to follow the action, but definitely great. I'll be looking for others of this series!...more
Just when you thought it wasn't going to get any weirder, it DOES. There's so much fascinating bonkers stuff in this, I can't even. Just read it.Just when you thought it wasn't going to get any weirder, it DOES. There's so much fascinating bonkers stuff in this, I can't even. Just read it....more
I remember that there were some interesting twists in the final volume...but 6 months later, I don't remember what they were! But I do want to read itI remember that there were some interesting twists in the final volume...but 6 months later, I don't remember what they were! But I do want to read it again sometime....more
Don't esp remember reading, just moving to "read" so it's out of my way.Don't esp remember reading, just moving to "read" so it's out of my way....more
(Yet another overdue review in which I actually don't remember tons about the book. Sorry.)
Really enjoyable young adult book that I should really just(Yet another overdue review in which I actually don't remember tons about the book. Sorry.)
Really enjoyable young adult book that I should really just find a copy of. Great fantasy-ish setting. (Is it spoilery to note that a 40 year old book that's a trilogy starts out as fantasy and then turns out to be post-apocalyptic scifi?)...more
Don't remember much, since I'm writing this review 9 months after reading it -- but I do remember it was very engaging and CREEPY.Don't remember much, since I'm writing this review 9 months after reading it -- but I do remember it was very engaging and CREEPY....more
Somewhat slow to start, but an entertaining adventure book in the same vein as the previous. Brings back a lot of characters from the earlier books, wSomewhat slow to start, but an entertaining adventure book in the same vein as the previous. Brings back a lot of characters from the earlier books, which actually is a bit frustrating having been so long since I read them. (Especially the first one, and there's lots of characters and plot references from the first one.) All the dust-jacket descriptions focus on Purity Drake, but I actually identified with Molly as the central character. (Maybe because I vaguely remembered her role in the first book?) Great weird imagery....more
It took me a while to get into this one; I'm not sure how much was the break between volumes, how much was the feeling of resolution at the end of volIt took me a while to get into this one; I'm not sure how much was the break between volumes, how much was the feeling of resolution at the end of volume three, and how much was the sheer complicatedness of the story. But once I did get into it, I couldn't put it down! Compelling and complex story, with interesting growth in all the main characters. I would have wished for a bit more in our world, but other than that it was fantastic....more
This story continues along in its convoluted way, and I can't put it down. Lots of big crazy stuff happens in this one, but she manages to hold togethThis story continues along in its convoluted way, and I can't put it down. Lots of big crazy stuff happens in this one, but she manages to hold together a big cast of characters while keeping their personalities clear and distinct....more
Not going to be able to give a great review, since I mostly read it while I was sick, but damn enjoyable. Weird vivid setting and complex characters. Not going to be able to give a great review, since I mostly read it while I was sick, but damn enjoyable. Weird vivid setting and complex characters. Definitely looking forward to reading more....more
Thoroughly entertaining adventure story. (He tries to tackle gender & beauty issues in the interplay between a female viewpoint character and the otheThoroughly entertaining adventure story. (He tries to tackle gender & beauty issues in the interplay between a female viewpoint character and the other main female character, and it sorta works, although jeez, can the descriptions of OMG TEH HOTNESS of the secondary character. Passes the Bechtel test too, IIRC.) Looking forward to reading #2, which I suppose says something....more
Very short novel, more like a novella -- I read most of it during a lunch break. But clear, clever, delightful and thoughtful. The two protagonist devVery short novel, more like a novella -- I read most of it during a lunch break. But clear, clever, delightful and thoughtful. The two protagonist develop in somewhat different but parallel ways in their relationships with each other and with the digital creatures that they adopt. The whole thing feels very naturalistic and plausible. The illustrations and faux maps are a nice touch, too....more
Disappointed, actually. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Kage Baker, but this one didn't stand on its own as well as I would have liked. Great characterization & descDisappointed, actually. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Kage Baker, but this one didn't stand on its own as well as I would have liked. Great characterization & description, but very weak plot. Definitely side-story/back-story to the overall Company arc, where it seems like many of the other Company books stand entirely on their own....more
I read this one entirely online. (Yay for the Readability bookmarklet.) Found it immediately engrossing, loved the characters -- like Little Brother, I read this one entirely online. (Yay for the Readability bookmarklet.) Found it immediately engrossing, loved the characters -- like Little Brother, technologically-savvy but not always particularly aware teens for the most part. This one adds a couple of adults as secondary POV characters. There are a couple of lumps of info sections, mostly about economics, but I actually learned something reading them. (I swear, I actually understand inflation better now.) The politics are bracing in their forthrightness. But it also acknowledges, to some extent, the ambiguity of reality. Enjoyed a great deal, may buy a donation copy for a school....more
I saw a reference to this book when I was reading about Baker's recent death, and I didn't think I'd read it. Turns out, once I started on the storiesI saw a reference to this book when I was reading about Baker's recent death, and I didn't think I'd read it. Turns out, once I started on the stories, that I had, but it had been a long time, and I liked it enough to read it again.
Enjoyable collection of stories from Baker's "Company" setting, with a variety of settings (altho lots of California), characters, and time periods. If I remember correctly, this is the volume that introduced me to Alec.
As always, love her narrative style(s), although it's a little jouncy going from one tale to the next. Makes me want to go back and read all the Company novels over again!...more
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