แสดงบทความที่มีป้ายกำกับ Review แสดงบทความทั้งหมด
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Randy Noble brings science fiction novelty into an epic mystery of evil alien encounters in his book, "Surviving The Theseus."
SOAD, an acronym for Search Out and Destroy, trains and equips officers licensed to kill as they police the distant future corridors of space, keeping law and order among travelers in various space vessels. Regina Valensky, a SOAD officer, is taking a vacation aboard a luxury space cruise ship called Pyramid One when she gets duped, drugged and drawn into a mystery of death beyond ordinary comprehension. She investigates a perplexing occurrence where the entire crew of a spaceship in route to an inhabitable moon sized planet simply disappeared, leaving only their clothing behind on the ship's decks -- as if they stripped and vanished. What has caused such odd forensic evidence? How can this have happened to the entire crew, gone without a trace? With her own crew of a dozen skilled pilots and professionals, Regina embarked on a SOAD ship designed with an invisible cloaking shield to unravel the facts of the strange occurrence, or likely die trying.
Granted any sci-fi enthusiast by now is familiar with scores of storyline scenarios involving space travel among distant moons and planets. However, just when you think you've seen everything technology can manifest, Randy Noble comes up with some clever "inventions." So clever that perhaps he should seek a patent for some of them!
For example, two technologies Gene Roddenberry brought to all of us, which were great for plot elements but contrary to Albert Einstein's theories are warp drive and teleporting (beaming). Randy Noble skillfully steers clear on going beyond ordinary physics by having his spacecraft travel fast but not faster than light. In this novel, the ships also need to stay within corridors of a matrix, or lanes in space designated by cleverly designed markers, "floating matchstick" type of devices. Only SOAD ships can take "shortcuts" through the grid of interplanetary travel. Other spacecraft attempting to go beyond the designated areas allowed for travel by the markers result in their engines becoming instantly inoperative, their vessels stranded, and forced to wait for law enforcement to come by to pick them up for prosecution.
Another technology I found fascinating was the "Magnetic tube" used to transport people from a ship in space to a planet's surface. Described by Randy Noble as a beam of energy, a tube is approximately like an elongated hula-hoop, extending from the ship to a precise distance of about 4 feet above the surface of the ground below. The magnetic tube extends from the ship with two cascading energy fields - the outer one moving in an opposite direction to the inner one. A person would enter the tube and like an elevator be carried to a portal to the end for exiting at a safe point onto the surface of the planet, or moon below. The two fields of energy would then reverse to provide a lift back to the ship. Although a bit challenging of a ride, it made for some compelling theoretical physics thinking, in my amateur scientific reasoning, about the possibilities of novel ways humans may solve problems which as yet do not exist.
Technology aside, "Surviving The Theseus" develops suspense while Regina's colleagues are picked off, one by one, by an alien force that only can be seen at times as an orange glow of light, not taking a form necessary to target and destroy. An alien killer without hesitation, the force is overwhelming all which come within its proximity; without even a chance of defending one's self. As the crew battles this epically evil enemy, the character development becomes such that you get to know them as down-to-earth-space-travelers. Each of them are written with many classical literary techniques, making this an engaging page-turner set in a futuristic fantasy world of credible scientific gadgetry; a truly classic sci-fi.
Although laced with some "R" rated words, the book would still be recommend for young adult reading, but not for children. As sci-fi fans of all ages can't get enough of new technology, Randy Noble certainly brings some original devices to mind, making reading this a must for those seeking a trip off earth and an engaging battle in the vacuum of space. An action packed encounter with what is defined in Greek mythology as a slayer; "Surviving The Theseus" will linger in your Idea
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วันอาทิตย์ที่ 12 ธันวาคม พ.ศ. 2553 § 0
This book has evolved, takes a closer look at changing the world of medieval siege. However, it is learned about what is seen is not subject to dry. This is a normal voice for the general reader is obviously. And it is about 50 paintings and surrounding pictures of the castle, siege machines are equipped with.
The title of this review is "Medieval Siege" is. It is painted color plates, written by Richard KurisutopagurabettoChrista Hook.
Siege warfare is a fascinating topic because during the Middle Ages a real arms race was going on. It was the race between castle builders, weapon builders, and siege engineers. Technology and engineering changed dramatically during medieval times and castles had to change and adapt in order to cope with this growth and keep their inhabitants safe. Both siege engineers and castle builders used many ingenious means and devices to achieve their goals. This book takes a good These tactics and techniques, or how they have changed, please also evolved over several centuries.
Was more than just the art of scale siege catapult. It was in the science of the whole arsenal for offensive and defensive systems, or hut moat of biological weapons, and even take a good look at all these variations from the tunnel to the construction of foreign policy. And it is a real castle and photos, if they were solid examples of theirbuilt and attacked. It also has many DaVinci like drawings of siege weapons and tactics.
Some of the best parts of the book are the references to real sieges of real castles throughout history. It gives you short looks at how the sieges occurred and what happened. Some of the famous sieges covered are the first siege of Le Puiset in 1111, the sea-borne attack on Acre in 1189, and the siege of Chateau Gaillard in 1203.
This book is written for an audience of teens to adults and if You sieging subject of this medieval castle is perfect for any looking for a good introduction. There are too many photos and illustrations, educated or not, to fully introduce the whole subject area.
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วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 9 ธันวาคม พ.ศ. 2553 § 0
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Those pesky politically arranged marriages; they can be trouble. What may have started as a good idea to wed two governments together to ensure an era of blissful peace and cooperation can quickly turn sour.
One day, you're a princess, with a bee-hive hairdo and silky flowing garments, gallivanting like Snow White across a flowered meadow, a precious song in your heart, birds twittering on your shoulders; the next, you're married to some God King ruling a rival kingdom, serving as a noble vessel whose only purpose is to provide an heir, a royal Rent-A-Womb.
Soon you discover many in the government who despise your homeland, viewing your people as rebels in need of a good crushing; eager to convince the God King-your new husband-to go to war. A war you may be helpless to stop. A war you're not prepared to stop.
Because you were never meant to be in this position, never meant to marry the God King, never meant for the political wrangling, the behind-closed-doors negotiating, and court intrigue. Never meant to be important. That was supposed to be your older sister, the brilliant bulb in the family, the one with grace and poise, who'd been promised to the God King since birth, and prepared accordingly. Instead, she's back home, safe, for now, her entire life's purpose now yours.
Two sisters. Their places switched. Both struggling to prevent a bloody war that seems inevitable. Both struggling to save the other.
Let's get to the point quickly. Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson rocks. Rocks like Jimi Hendrix grooving on the San Andreas fault, guitar screaming to the rock-n-roll heavens, shifting tectonic plates supplying a throaty bass rumble. It's a teeth-rattling, Richter-scale busting seismic shock of a fantasy novel. It's intense, humorous and full of life. And one of the absolute best fantasy reading experiences of the year.
Successful world-building in fantasy often depends on the author's ability to bring alive four important aspects: politics, religion and mythology, history, and the physics of magic. Only in thoroughly detailing and exploring each area does the author give the reader a full and rich fantasy world. Sanderson excels at this, lovingly crafting each aspect, giving the reader some real tender meat on each of these four rib bones. Simply stated, the world-building in Warbreaker is fantastic; it's immersive, complex, and smart.
And while the world-building is sufficiently complex, I found Warbreaker to be one of the easiest and most accessible books. It's one of those rare novels where after only a few pages, you're hooked, caught in the flow; it's the best kind of magic. The kind where a spell's been cast over you, sucking you deeply into the world, submerging you. Taking your breath constantly away.
Political intrigue-with religious overtones-makes up the heart of the story. Warbreaker isn't about silly quests, fancy magical swords, or an all-singing all-dancing troupe of dwarf entertainers. It's about power, raw naked power. And the struggle for it. The plotting for it. The killing for it. It's about lies and deception, trust and sacrifice, and-maybe even-love. It's about people. Real people; not caricatures or clichés. And that's what makes it resonate.
And then there's the magical system Sanderson has created. It's the fantasy equivalent of comfort food, like the warm and gooey inside of a sweet chocolate chip cookie. In the novel, the magical coin of the realm is breath. The more you have, the greater your abilities. Give an object enough breath, and you can animate and control it. Along with breath, color plays an important role as the magical impetus. While breath may give the object life, color provides the spark which gets things started. It's fuel for the fire. Articles of clothing and non-animate objects can be drained of their color to imbue an object with life. While intricate at first, Sanderson's magical system eventually becomes wondrous and awe-inspiring, growing and evolving over the course of the novel. Finally becoming completely unforgettable.
There are books that you can heartily recommend, and then there are the kind of books you want to thrust upon everyone you meet, going so far as to lock them in a room, prying their eyelids open, and demanding they immediately read it. Warbreaker is that kind of book; one that must be immediately read. A novel that doesn't seek an audience, it demands one. Incredible and engaging world-building. Shrewd political intrigue. Awesome characters. Clever magic. And humor that's actually witty. It's all in here.
And it's that which makes Warbreaker rock. Rock on, baby. Rock on!
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This sequel to the prehistoric saga "Clan of the Cave Bear" continues to display author Jean M. Auel's genius at imagining the lives, challenges, and spirituality of our ancient ancestors near the close of an ice age.
In "Valley of the Horses" the story of Ayla continues immediately after her banishment from the Clan that concluded the first book. Now in her middle teenage years, Ayla must seek the Others because she is not of the same kind of people as the Clan that raised her Cave to save her from a lion at five. Ayla, a prominent brow, is a modern form of another person from a strong clan members short, the brain, even though there is a complex language of hand signs and body language they have different audio limits the space is configured. However, despite the guidance of the Acer family truly love, and her adoptive parents, are irrelevant. The dispute caused by the difference of the last cursed when she is forbidden to makeClan, her son and her exile, Durc includes the separation of pain from. Green Valley, occupied by herds of horses, after surviving for her extraordinary skill as a hunter and gatherer ice age trek across a desperate assurance, Ayla, you can find shelter. Winter is approaching, even though she found others like it, I decided to build a house of this valley. By itself, this place for many seasons, the habits and start a thriving non-rays banStifle creativity and innovation tribe's natural ability to her. But while the success of its growth, she was strongly expressed by the author cleverly left alone, she regrets the lost family in despair about the future.
Unlike the novel, the story of the first branch of the horse, "A new characters Auel Valley. The younger brother, Jondalar and Thonolan, they also began their journey home search. Through their storiesThey are prehistoric and across Europe, Auel, the rituals, customs and build incredibly detailed world filled with human skills. The study of the movement of people and the image is based on prehistoric provides insight into different cultures and later. Presentation of the original religion of Mother Earth with an emphasis on the power of women authors are very compelling. The world will be respected woman with her sexual freedom, then men, and enjoy the freedom that living withwas beautiful to behold and contemplate.
As the novel unfolds, it is readily apparent that Jondalar and Ayla are meant to find each other and become lovers, and my desire to see this happen kept me turning pages. About my only criticism of the novel is that it does drag sometimes as finely detailed descriptions of Stone Age technology are presented, but most of my impatience can be attributed to my longing for the eventual coupling of the hero and heroine. Auel teases her The number of episodes of sexual frustration and emotional highs and lows and the reader, the final victory of the novel rich in conflicts that are all easy to return. Sweeping conclusions entirely happy but nervous, romantic, happy in my page "on the left side of the Valley of Horses" and the crescendo ending of this exchange, the next series.
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วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 9 กันยายน พ.ศ. 2553 § 0
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I used to have one rule when it came to buying books. Don't buy self-published. There's usually something wrong with them that prevented agents and publishers from picking them up and I don't want to waste my hard earned cash on something that might not be worth it. Having said all of that, I have been finding myself increasingly disappointed with what's on offer at the big bookshops recently. I was telling a friend about how everyone wants to be the next Ben Elton, Paulo Coelho or Nick Hornby and about how there's so little truly original thinking on the bookshelves these days. My friend's face lit up and from beneath a pile of papers she produced a book. A new book.
The front cover was grey, the back was black and there were very few words on the exterior. There were no bullying press statements telling me that I had to read this book or I'd be killed. There was no long blurb ruining the story. It was just a book. Its name was End. and it was by an author of which I I do not know anything to go by the name of the person Jonashuton. And it is a self-published book that has not changed his opinion as well as ever, many other things to change the way I think.
I have to work one day with me on the train and took a thin book not expecting much from him to tell the truth. Many of these novel criteria, just flip through a short notice to work a little irregular structure, the usual cup of tea I can say it is not. IfIt was not the announcer on the train, I missed my stop. "Fascinating" is not the word.
The basic premise of the story is relatively simple, yet rare. When military officials acknowledge the existence of their own end of a series of meetings and airy, whether in the world, you have to choose whether or not continued. Ashton breathtaking style and write a wide range of uses literary tools to address this sad story and I think differentFear, loss, love and suffering.
Novel and rich theology and philosophical debate about the election, and characters that I have not seen Fitzgerald I believe that reading Faulkner for his readers the story of language and life do not overwhelm him the use of the beautiful. All the "examiner" (anonymous letter read) If you feel is too much, eventually you feel what you are left with a new interest in their beliefsknow.
The book has a couple of rough edges. It might be a little on the short side, but that only leaves you wanting more from this prodigious new talent. The style of writing is very raw, and though the conceptual parts of it are pulled off masterfully, there might be a little more characterisation needed to attract the trash-fiction readers of this world.
Quibbles and qualms aside, this book is intelligent and intriguing. It moves you, it scares you, and it makes you think about Relationship with God, and death in the world. The first novel, moves to the end. While something really special, I can not praise him enough. Well done to Mr Ashton. Well certainly is completed.
Jenny Charles Simpson
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วันพุธที่ 8 กันยายน พ.ศ. 2553 § 0
Jay Seaborg's sophomore project, "The Price of Magic" DOES NOT suffer from the "sophomore curse." While this volume is slightly trimmer in size than the first volume in the series, it is as well-crafted as the first, albeit a little slower in pacing.
Further development of characters introduced in the first book keeps things interesting and it's nice to see a male writer have female characters that are as complex and as important as the male ones. As before, the characters are believable and approachable. Characters squabble, get tired, pissy and cranky. They're not all goody-goody perfect and the bad guys aren't necesarily totally evil. Everyone one has tough choices to make and it doesn't always end easily or happily.
I found myself wanting more detailed visual descriptions of people 杰伊西博格 of how they want more force because of the vision and the place, but there is no real ideas, please read.
In short, the sound track for the first time. I would like to see her family Thexta a. =).
วันพุธที่ 25 สิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2553 § 0
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วันพุธที่ 18 สิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2553 § 0
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Wizard's First Rule is the first Terry Goodkind book in the Sword of Truth series which is also the basis for the ABC television series Legend of the Seeker. This is a review of this remarkable book.
This isn't your typical epic fantasy book. Yes, it has all of the normal trappings you would expect such as an epic sized quest, plenty of conflict, and of course a dragon or two. This book has all those things but it has significantly more. In Wizard's First Rule Goodkind shows us more than just an epic adventure story where our hero attempts to save the world from ruin.
Our hero is named Richard Cipher and we adventure with him on a journey to becoming a seeker. A seeker's role is to find the truth in things and a seeker's sword has the word "Truth" engraved on it. And it is in this journey to find truth that Goodkind takes this story from just a story to a real exploration of truth and the nature of good and evil. There are many conversations and situations that explore the bipolarity of good versus evil and the grey area that lies between the two. Doesn't it make sense that even the evilest of men believes that what he is doing is righteous? Yes it does and Goodkind takes a good hard look at this. He raises questions in your mind about the whole nature of truth and the real commitment it takes to find the real truth. This is an intelligently written book that gives you more than just a story. It gives you lots of food for thought.
Unique Twist on the story
A typical and effective tool that a writer will use is to put our hero on a time limit -as time counts down the tension builds. It is very effective writer's tool and in this novel Goodkind puts a nice spin on this. He puts the evil bad guy on a timer. Our protagonist (Darken Rahl) has a very specific time limit if he is to achieve his personal goals that will bring ruin down on the world. And our hero, along with a small group of companions can foil it all if they can just hold things off long enough for time to run out. It's a wonderful reversal of the usual time limit based story.
The Story and Writing
The story and writing are superb. There are some interesting and surprising plot twists and things that happen. In other words you go along for quite a wild and exciting ride. And there are some unique fantasy themes and ideas like the Boxes of Orden and the Book of Counted Shadows which are both central to the story and quite unique.
Avoiding some of the Pitfalls of typical epic fantasy
One of the biggest problems I run across with epic fantasy series is the complexity they often contain. Many series of books have enormously complex worlds with a cast of characters that numbers in the scores if not hundreds. This complexity can get very confusing as various factions, lordships, families, and bloodlines partake in the story. In Wizards First Rule there is none of this. We are introduced to the central characters early in the book and as the story progresses we meet a small number of new characters that are central to the story. It all flows very smoothly and it all stays on target. You won't have to take any notes to keep track of all the characters.
Theme and Reading level
This book is not for children or for the faint of heart. There is some graphic violence and an extended torture scene that you will find unsettling. I found it uncomfortable to read and this is exactly the point that Goodkind was trying to make. If you want to carefully study the ethics and morals of the battle between good and evil you have to fully show both sides of this coin - both the good in all its goodness and the evil in all its dark and unsettling reality. The only real way to defeat evil is to first see it and acknowledge it.
Wizard's First Rule is an intelligently written and exciting epic fantasy story that goes beyond just a story. It is also an examination of ethics, values, morals, and the perpetual battle between good and evil. It will make you think about the nature of the struggle and the real purpose of the hero.
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วันศุกร์ที่ 13 สิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2553 § 0
This sequel to the prehistoric saga "Clan of the Cave Bear" continues to display author Jean M. Auel's genius at imagining the lives, challenges, and spirituality of our ancient ancestors near the close of an ice age.
In "Valley of the Horses" the story of Ayla continues immediately after her banishment from the Clan that concluded the first book. Now in her middle teenage years, Ayla must seek the Others because she is not of the same kind of people as the Clan that raised her since saving her from a cave lion at the age of five. Ayla is a modern form of human differing from the members of the Clan who are stronger, shorter, with prominent brows, differently organized brains, and limited capacity for speech although they possess a complex language of hand signs and body language. But Ayla never truly fit in despite the love and guidance of her adoptive Clan parents. And the conflicts that arose from her differences eventually caused her to be expelled and cursed by the Clan, and her exile included the painful separation from her young son, Durc. After trekking desperately across ice age steppes, surviving because of all her tremendous skills as a hunter and gatherer, Ayla finds refuge in a green valley occupied by a herd of horses. With winter looming, she decides to make this valley her home despite the fact that she has not found any other people like her. Alone in this place for many seasons, Ayla begins to flourish outside the customs and taboos of the Clan that stifled her natural creativity and ability to innovate. But amid her growing successes, she remains alone and her grief over her lost family and despair for the future are poignantly and skillfully expressed by the author.
Unlike the first novel, Auel branches out the narrative in "Valley of the Horses" to include new characters. The young brothers, Jondalar and Thonolan, are introduced as they begin a journey of exploration away from their home. Through their story as they cross prehistoric Europe, Auel builds a marvelously detailed world filled with rituals, customs, skills, and humanity. Her well-researched imagining of prehistoric peoples offers an insightful and moving contrast to later civilizations. The author's presentation of the original Mother Earth religion with its emphasis on female power is especially compelling. Entering her world in which women are respected, possess sexual freedom, and live alongside men who also enjoy their own freedoms was beautiful to behold and contemplate.
As the novel unfolds, it is readily apparent that Jondalar and Ayla are meant to find each other and become lovers, and my desire to see this happen kept me turning pages. About my only criticism of the novel is that it does drag sometimes as finely detailed descriptions of Stone Age technology are presented, but most of my impatience can be attributed to my longing for the eventual coupling of the hero and heroine. Auel teases her readers with many chapters of sexual frustration and emotional highs and lows, but all is amply alleviated in the novel's conclusion with utterly sweeping romantic joys. The last page of "Valley of the Horses" ends with a great crescendo that left me happy but nervous about the triumphs and conflicts that are certain to arise in subsequent books of the series.
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