Tag Archives: #Consequences

Goyer, David S. & Cassutt, Michael: Heaven’s Shadow (2011)

2012-05-25 humanitysdarkerside Leave a comment

Heaven's Shadow (Heaven's Shadow, #1) So! What do you think the various world-leaders would do if a Near Earth Object (NEO) appeared in the sky? Heaven’s Shadow is about that. Not surprisingly, the appearance sparks a contest between the US and the rest of the world to get to the object first. Two space ships are sent to investigate and they discover more than they had bargained for. The NEO turns out to be alien and not necessarily friendly.

Paranoia, curiosity and courage are all displayed along with pretty natural, yet often unwise reactions. Our perspective is from the NASA spaceship’s crews – their actions and reactions.

This novel is a fun read. The way people act in it seems pretty realistic. The whole alien NEO thing not so much. But that’s what SciFi is, likely and unlikely thoughts about the future. What is likely is that at some point in the future an NEO could come close enough for us to visit. That’s what makes it so fun to read. Knowing part of the story could possibly happen given a certain set of circumstances.

Adventure, Fantasy

Aaron, Rachel: The Legend of Eli Monpress (2012)

2012-05-21 humanitysdarkerside 1 Comment

Eli Monpress – bounty, paid dead or alive,

20,000 Council Gold Standard Weights.

Wanted on 157 counts of grand larceny against a noble person,

3 counts of fraud,

1 charge of counterfeiting

and treason against the Rector Spiritualis

“The Legend of Eli Monpress” is an omnibus containing the books “The Spirit Thief“, “The Spirit Rebellion” and “The Spirit Eater“. They are, of course, about Eli Monpress, a charming thief whose only goal is to get his bounty as high as possible. The reason reveals itself. During his adventures he has his mates Nico (a demon carrier) and Joseph Liechten (the greatest swordsman ever).

In order to get his bounty higher and higher Eli steals stuff. Not necessarily things that will bring him a lot of money, but things that are “without price” – like King Heinrich.

Elis main opponent is Miranda, the spiritualist, who ends up helping him in order to serve the greater cause.

The magic used in these books is based on forcing or cooperating spirits (wind, water, earth, trees, etc.).

These are fun novels. Eli is a charming character and well-written. The interplay between and those he meets on his way is described in a manner that draws me as a reader in and makes me want to know more about the characters.

Reviews:

Vacuous Wastrel

Adventure, Fantasy, Young Adult

Lowe, Helen: The Gathering of the Lost (2012)

2012-05-11 humanitysdarkerside Leave a comment

“The Gathering of the Lost” is book no. 2 of “The Wall of Night” series. Helen Lowe has done an excellent job on the follow-up of the first book in the series “The Heir of Night“. She manages to draw the reader in and does not let go until the last page. As teen-lit this is really good. The story is fairly complex and surprising (perhaps) in its twists and turns.

Through various journeys, Lowe leads us to Malian and Kalan. We get to see where they stand in relationship to each other and to the quest they set out on 5 years previously. Saving the Derai (and perhaps the rest of the world) from the fierce Swarm will not be simple. Discovering where the lost clans are takes time, and time is precious.

As in The Heir of Night Malian’s choices will make the difference in the outcome of the coming battle.

Romance, Thriller, Young Adult

Marsden, John: Tomorrow, When the War Began (Tomorrow I) (1993)

2012-05-05 humanitysdarkerside Leave a comment

The Tomorrow series consists of seven books that should be read in order. The first book of the series is Tomorrow, When the War Began.

In the series we meet a group of young people who have gone camping to celebrate their last summer together. They are:

Ellie Linton: Our narrator. Ellie was born and raised on a cattle and sheep farm not far from the edge of the country town of Wirrawee.
Corrie Mackenzie: Ellie’s best friend.
Homer Yannos: Ellie’s neighbour and close friend.
Fiona Maxwell: Fi is more brains than brawn.
Lee Takkam: Lee is also more brains than brawn.
Robyn Mathers: The pacifist of the group.
Kevin Holmes: Corrie’s boyfriend.
Chris Lang: An introverted, but well liked boy.

All eight of them are regular teenagers getting ready to enter the world of adults. They are all filled with constructive and less constructive qualities and I can see why so many would identify with them. At the beginning of Tomorrow, When the War Began the gang feel so young to an old person like myself, but that does not last. They certainly retain their youthful optimism but gain some of our adult cynicism. I think another thing that might appeal to readers is John Marsden’s willingness to address difficult topics. One of these is death. Unfortunately death is one of the consequences of resistance in war and so it will be for this gang. And, finally, There is plenty of romance and action, both kept well within the young adult literature boundaries. The writing certainly kept me going and Marsden raised some interesting questions along the way.

In Tomorrow, When the War Began a group of friends (in their last year before college) go camping together. They’re all exited and have a wonderful week together. On their way back they find their homes empty of people and their animals suffering from neglect. It turns out all of their families have been collected at the showground by a foreign power trying to take Australia over. The teens have to decide whether to fight or surrender.

ISBN: 9781742612683
Binding: Paperback
Published: 2012-12-01
Subject: Children’s: General Fiction
Imprint: Pan Australia
Pages: 304 page/s

Winner, Australian Multicultural Children’s Book Award 1994
Winner, Fanfare Horn Book Best Book 1996
Winner, Children’s Yearly Best-Ever Reads (CYBER) Best Book for Older Readers 2000, 2001, 2002
Winner, KOALA (Kids Own Australian Literature Awards) 1995
Winner, YABBA (Young Australian Best Book Award) 1995
Winner, WAYRBA (West Australian Young Readers’ Books Award) 1995
Winner, BILBY Awards (Books I Love Best Yearly) 1998
Winner, New South Wales Talking Book Award
Nominated, South Carolina Book Award 1998