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The Knife of Never Letting Go

Review: The Knife of Never Letting Go

By Jan
 on May 21, 2019

The Knife of Never Letting GoThe Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking Book 1)
Author: Patrick Ness,
Genre: Fantasy/Science-fiction/Thriller (yes, all those),
Format: Ebook,
Publisher: Candlewick Press (2010),
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (4 / 5).

This is one of those books when the protagonist goes through so many trials that I kept asking myself, “What, again?!” Just when things are looking up, here comes another downer. It’s certainly a roller-coaster-like ride from start to finish.

It’s an action-packed story of a young man whose world turns upside down within a single day. Easy-going farmers become threatening soldiers and his hometown turns out not to be so homey. The plot is intense.

All males in this world produce “noise,” an audible representation of their thoughts and feelings. This was described very well and even includes some hand-drawn images of what it’s like to hear everyone’s thoughts. Todd is running and hiding through a great deal of the book, and this involuntary noise is difficult to conceal or control.

The book is written in first-person, present tense from the POV of the main character, Todd, whose language is a country vernacular using phonetic spellings like “informayshun,” dialect with “cuz,” and “ain’t,” and lots of short sentences while things were happening fast. This didn’t slow my reading or comprehension down a bit, and it really added to the atmosphere of the book. See, Todd don’t read too good, and that has some important implications.

Characterizations were excellent, even of the animals (who also produce noise). Some characters change drastically based on Todd’s perceptions and his knowledge (or lack thereof) of the townsfolk, and this was handled very well. We learn slowly, as does Todd, why things happen the way they do. Chapters frequently end in cliff-hangers, and so did the book itself. However, you WILL want to get the second book as soon as you can.

Contains plenty of violence, some against children and animals; some foul language; themes of sexism, colonialism, racism, and several other isms. Not for tweens, but older YA readers and adult fans of dystopian fantasy will enjoy this.

Similar: “The Hunger Games,” “The Giver,” “The Scorpio Races,” and the Inheritance Cycle (Eragon, etc.)

In categories Book Review, Fantasy, Science-fiction Tagged with ,
Infinite cover

Review: Infinite

By Jan
 on February 10, 2019

Infinite

Infinite coverAuthor: Jeremy Robinson;
Genre: Science fiction;
Format: Audiobook;
Narrator: R.C. Bray;
Publisher: Breakneck Media (2017);
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (4 / 5).

An intriguing sci-fi story set in deep space and touching on themes of loneliness, time, and the meaning of reality. I really felt the vastness of space and the drag of endless time. Plot twists abound—expect some head games.

R.C. Bray did his usual spectacular job with the narration; even his female voices are good. He’s definitely in my top 5 list of narrators.

Very little foul language, applicable violence, some sexual references but nothing graphic.

In categories Audiobooks, Book Review, Science-fiction
You're Going to Mars cover

Review: You’re Going to Mars!

By Jan
 on November 24, 2018

You’re Going to Mars!
You're Going to Mars coverAuthor: Rob Dircks;
Genre: Fantasy/Science Fiction;
Format: Audiobook;
Narrator: Khristine Hvan;
Publisher: Audible Studios (2018);
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (4 / 5).

I’ve already read several of Rob Dirck’s books and loved them, so I jumped at the chance to read this one.

It’s a fun underdog story set in a future U.S. where a huge corporation has complete control over waste management. Our heroine, Paper (with sisters named Rock and Scissors), is a drudge in one of the very stinky trash cities. She has always dreamed of space travel and is smart as a whip, but her lowly position keeps her firmly on the terrestrial garbage heap. That is until a contest from the richest man on Earth gives her a chance to fulfill her destiny. Now she’s on her own and has to prove her mettle in a competition—called “You’re Going to Mars!”—for a seat to the red planet.

The book is a fantasy overall with some fun science fiction included for the geeks among us. The characters are unique and authentic and the dialog is realistic and funny, with lots of snarky remarks and sarcasm from Paper’s fellow candidates. Some of the humor was sophomoric but I laughed out loud several times. There’s also plenty of action throughout and an exciting finale.

The themes are a sort of combination of “Ready Player One” (integrity trumps environment) and “Red Rising” (if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em) with themes from “The Wizard of Oz” (there’s no place like home) and “The Hunger Games” (don’t trust your competitors) but the book is definitely for adults.

The audiobook production was excellent. As I’ve said many times, a narrator can make or break a story, and Khristine Hvam is absolutely brilliant in this one. Her pacing and attitude were perfect. The one little complaint I have is that her voice gets a little whiny at times, but it’s a small irritation compared to the whole.

Includes foul language in a modern context, no real sex, very little violence. Highly recommended in the audiobook format and for fans of Hugh Howey, Ernest Cline, Marko Kloos, Dennis E. Taylor, and John Scalzi.

Thanks to the author for offering a free copy of the audiobook, to Goodreads for the opportunity, and to Audible for the production.

Copyright 2018 © Jan McClintock
In categories Audiobooks, Book Review, Fantasy, Science-fiction
Artificial Condition cover

Review: Artificial Condition

By Jan
 on November 17, 2018

Artificial Condition (The Murderbot Diaries #2)

Artificial Condition coverAuthor: Martha Wells;
Genre: Science Fiction;
Format: Audiobook;
Narrator: Kevin R. Free;
Publisher: Recorded Books (2018);
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars (3 / 5).

This is the second in a series of award-winning sci-fi novellas from master storyteller Martha Wells. This one, like the first, “All Systems Red,” is relatively short, only 3 hours and 21 minutes long (the paperback is 160 pages). But the strong themes are wonderfully intertwined with the action.

“Murderbot” is a rogue security unit—a SecUnit, half android/half human—who was manufactured by and works for The Company, the megacorporation that more-or-less runs the galaxy. He has modified his own programming after a mistake caused the deaths of previous clients, and he’s now trying to find the cause of the tragedy.

That’s the plot, but the theme is Identity, with a capital I.

Murderbot knows what he is. He has a strong urge to kill humans, but he knows he’s not supposed to. For that reason, he doesn’t interact with people well, and we can all relate to that. The character is not exactly likable, but his sense of morality keeps him from being an antagonist. The addition of an AI shipboard computer in this book is enjoyable and serves as a balance to the human characters.

Free does a fine, if a bit bland, job with the narration; his pacing, accents, and inflections are very good.

Highly recommended (in any format) to sci-fi readers. I can’t wait for the next adventure of Murderbot.

Amazon Kindle links: Condition Red, Artificial Condition

© Copyright 2018 Jan McClintock
In categories Audiobooks, Book Review, Science-fiction
Sea of Rust cover

Review: Sea of Rust

By Jan
 on July 10, 2018

Sea of Rust: A Novel

Sea of Rust coverAuthor: C. Robert Cargill;
Genre: Science Fiction;
Format: Audiobook;
Narrator: Eva Kaminsky;
Publisher: HarperAudio;
Rating:  4 out of 5 stars (4 / 5).

I really liked this sci-fi tale, written from the point of view of a robot who hunts other robots. On post-apocalyptic Earth, robots have taken control and have destroyed humans. Now they are becoming obsolete themselves, and some of them scour the wastelands, tracking older bots for parts to trade.

Meanwhile, the mainframes who control the processors of the majority of other robots (like the Borg on Star Trek) have been fighting each other for dominance, too, and their minions are terrorizing the free bots.

There was certainly enough tension to go around, and danger was everywhere; lots of chasing, firefights, and hiding throughout.

In addition to the action, however, death was a huge theme in this book. The prevalence of the characters’ thoughts about their “lives” ending was almost overwhelming. They also felt guilt over their actions against humans in the war, and that was a brilliant addition to the story, in my opinion.

Cargill infuses the bots with personalities and foibles, so readers might forget at times that they’re not reading about humans after all. Each major character had their own personality and was unique in some way, as ironic as that may seem. Great characterization throughout. I hope there’s a sequel (or two).

Lots of robot violence (mostly with guns), no sex, some foul language. Ms. Kaminsky did a very good job with the voices of the many characters and I enjoyed her narration.

In categories Audiobooks, Book Review, Science-fiction
Phule's Company cover

Review: Phule’s Company

By Jan
 on May 3, 2018

Phule's Company coverPhule’s Company (Phule’s Company #1);
Author: Robert Lynn Asprin;
Genre: Military Sci-Fi;
Format: Audiobook;
My rating: 3 of 5 stars.

The plot is a futuristic military unit of misfits and the officer who tries to whip them into shape. The different personalities were enjoyable and some were well-developed. The pacing was good and the story moved along well.

However, my reservations are these: 1) the plot device of the officer’s butler introducing the chapters was unnecessary; the POV could have been third-party and just as good, and 2) the constant use of wealth to solve problems was a cop out. I think that the legion commander was too much of a wise-acre and I began to dislike him. He never had a problem he couldn’t buy his way out of. That was unrealistic and disappointing.

The book includes very little violence or foul language, no sex.

I listened to the audiobook and the narration by Noah Michael Levine was very good. There are a lot of characters in this story and the group was multinational (and multi-species), and most of the voices were quite distinct.

In categories Audiobooks, Book Review, Science-fiction
Sands of Mars cover

Review: The Sands of Mars

By Jan
 on April 18, 2018

The Sands of Mars

Sands of Mars coverAuthor: Arthur C. Clarke;
Genre: Science-fiction;
Format: Audiobook;
Publisher: Audible Studios (2012).
Rating:  3 out of 5 stars (3 / 5)

This 1950s sci-fi was quite entertaining after a slow start. Obviously, the societal norms are a little aged but the concepts are fascinating. I listened to the audiobook and narrator Traber Burns did a fine job; fortunately (for me as a listener), there were very few women’s parts to voice. The story is that of a famous writer who is sent to a human colony on Mars, at least partly for publicity. Mixed with the travel and his adaptation to the red planet is a personal quandary and new friends and challenges. A satisfactory ending was a bonus.

In categories Audiobooks, Book Review, Science-fiction
Tales from the Rift cover

Review: Tales from the Rift

By Jan
 on April 14, 2018

Tales from the Rift

Tales from the Rift coverAuthor: Bruce Levine;
Genre: Science-Fiction;
Format: Kindle ebook.
Rating:  3 out of 5 stars (3 / 5)

A human who travels through space doing odd transport jobs (and conning others) makes a fateful stop at his favorite bar and has a chance to win a contest that would set him up for life. All he has to do is tell the best ghost story.

His seven competitors are diverse species from all over the galaxy, and each tells a story that includes their own society and vocabulary. The author cleverly uses this device to describe the different beings and their environments. This doesn’t always lead to easy reading, but I applaud Mr. Levine’s vivid imagination.

The story is filled with sarcasm and humor, poking fun at our own history and society. I enjoyed the story overall, but it has some serious shortcomings that keep it from being ready for publishing, especially at these pricepoints.

The Kindle version includes lots of inconsistencies in word use, punctuation, and grammar, missing words, and plenty of typos that should have been corrected by a copyeditor before publishing.

As for the formatting, there are plenty of text spacing issues and different sizes of text, too; these cause breaks in concentration and take the reader out of the story.

These issues are easily fixed by a professional, and I strongly suggest the author commit the time and money to have his work polished. His book is worth it.

In categories Book Review, Science-fiction
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