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Galactium's ReviewAstrid, the psychologically damaged protagonist of Resa Nelson's first novel The Dragonslayer's Sword has quite a bit of depth and is thankfully not a standard cardboard do-gooder, nor is she the cliché perfect beauty with super combat skills and unlimited self-confidence (i.e. Xena, Aeon Flux, Selene, Red Sonia, etc.). An interesting hero with realistic flaws is always refreshing. Also quite interesting is the way characters actually change in shape based on the situation and their reactions. It adds a whole new layer of expression. There's a little bit of trouble with the narrative of the book though. Events often transition from one to the next a bit too abruptly. The effect is that it felt a bit like I was reading a detailed outline rather than a completed novel. Two characters will be in a conversation one moment and few sentences later in the middle of combat with a dragon. Even the conversation sometimes felt a bit choppy.
Galactium's ReviewThe beginning was a bit slow, but the rest of the plot unfolds at a decent pace without revealing too much too soon. As a result the guilty party is not too easy to guess, i.e. it's a successful mystery. As a paranormal novel, it's nice to see a modern well kept house be the subject of a haunting rather than just the overused century old mansion formula. However, it would have been better if a bit more time was spent on character development and motivations. There is touch of romance to add flavor to the story, but it wasn't quite believable enough to add weight to the main character. All in all though a good afternoon diversion.
Galactium's ReviewFirst time novelist, David J. Williams, gives us a fast-paced cyberpunk/political thriller hybrid.The Mirrored Heavens follows the oft used formal of separate plot lines coming together in the end. It's a little bit of a literary cheat, turning four short stories into novel, but it works out okay in Williams' case. The result is a fast paced tale interweaving the stories of international intrigue, high tech warriors, and 21st century hackers. There is a very interesting convention that I have to give the author credit for. As there are three plotlines, there are three points of view. The nifty part is that each has its assigned icon to help the reader identify which POV they've just shifted to. The Mirrored Heavens is like a summer blockbuster, not profoundly original or deep, but durned good entertainment. And, of course, it promises a sequel.
Galactium's ReviewEscapement takes place in 1902 on earth, but it's not the same earth we all know, but rather a world that is part of a giant clockwork. The world is literally held in place by a giant brass ring and the movements of the planets are governed by giant gears. I couldn't help but think the whole time that the characters were actually germs inhabiting a 19th centry solar system model on my desk.The reader gets to experience this odd world through the eyes of three main characters: Paolina Barthes, a young genius trying to leave behind her culturally remote island,; Threadgill Angus al-Wazir, an English sailor; and Emily Childress a member of a secret order who gets abducted by the Chinese. For the most part, it is a good read, with a briskly paced plot. The obvious strong point is Lake's uniquely designed world, though at times, the world building threatened to overpower the plot. Also this ends on a cliff hanger - yuck. Otherwise though, I highly recommend it. |
Feedback Authors Database
8/26/2008 Added reviews for Resa Nelson's The Dragonslayer's Sword
7/18/2008 Added reviews for Margaret Lucke's House of Whispers
7/9/2008 Added reviews for David J. Williams's The Mirrored Heavens
6/18/2008 Added reviews for Jay Lake's Escapement