Cool pics and an Audio book Review

Though we wand through life much like the 2 pictures I will share with you some wonder from time to time how many myths, gods and unseen forces shape our paths.

American Gods by Neil Gaman does not need much of a review from me because it has enjoyed huge, decades long success in multiple forms.  Here I congratulate the work that is the 10th Anniversary full cast audio version for its quality and selection of cast members.  I recommend this version in combination with your imagination while listening to paint your impressions across the screens of your brain.  Five plus stars.

Life continues with bucks and a nuthatch frolicking in my AO.  Enjoy!

 

Audiobook Review: Koban now faces threat from the Thandol Empire

Koban: Conflict and Empire

Written by Stephen W. Bennett, narrated by Eric Michael Summerer.

Publisher’s Summary

The Galactic Federation is confronted by the vast and implacable Thandol Empire, which has coveted the former Krall region of space for eons, a region of space now occupied and claimed by the upstart Kobani. Outnumbered, they face an opponent who possesses new and deadly weapons. An enemy that had thousands of years to develop the means to take on the Krall Empire, and now present the supermen with a weapon that turns their greatest genetic asset into their greatest weakness. The new Federation must find a way to survive the most powerful threat yet to their existence. Once again, the Kobani are between a rock and a hard place, poised on the brink of death and destruction.

 

My Take

The Krall got their asses beat by the gene-modified humans of Koban while the Thandol Empire kept their heads down.  Now the Thandol Empire wants to take on the “Galactic Federation” which is composed of all the old Krall subjugated species.  Apparently they hadn’t paid close enough attention.  Frankly I found this one installment in the series to be a bit rushed and short changed but I still enjoyed it.  Four out of Five Space Opera geek points are thus awarded.

 

https://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/Koban-Audiobook/B01N8PQ6IJ

Audiobook Review: The Expeditionary Force Series

Expeditionary Force Books 1-3, Columbus Day, Spec. Ops and Paradise

Written by Craig Alanson and narrated by R. C. Bray.

 

Columbus Day

Publisher’s Summary

We were fighting on the wrong side of a war we couldn’t win. And that was the good news.

The Ruhar hit us on Columbus Day. There we were, innocently drifting along the cosmos on our little blue marble, like the Native Americans in 1492. Over the horizon came ships of a technologically advanced, aggressive culture, and BAM! There went the good old days, when humans got killed only by each other. So, Columbus Day. It fits.

When the morning sky twinkled again, this time with Kristang starships jumping in to hammer the Ruhar, we thought we were saved. The UN Expeditionary Force hitched a ride on Kristang ships to fight the Ruhar wherever our new allies thought we could be useful. So, I went from fighting with the US Army in Nigeria to fighting in space. It was lies, all of it. We shouldn’t even be fighting the Ruhar; they aren’t our enemy. Our allies are.

I’d better start at the beginning.

My Take:

I enjoyed the hell out of Joe Bishops antics and Skippy the inconceivably ancient and powerful…beer can.  Also converting a “Barney” themed ice cream truck into an improvised tactical vehicle is sheer genius.  The excellent story crafting and R. C. Brays delivery had me laughing out loud at stop lights and driving to and from work.  Five out of five enjoyment factor points are hereby awarded!!

 

Spec. Ops

 Publisher’s Summary

Colonel Joe Bishop made a promise, and he’s going to keep it: taking the captured alien starship Flying Dutchman back out. He doesn’t agree when the UN decides to send almost 70 elite Special Operations troops, hotshot pilots, and scientists with him; the mission is a fool’s errand he doesn’t expect to ever return from. At least this time, the Earth is safe, right?

Not so much.

My Take:

It’s hilarious how the picture of future Earth, post contact, still has us at each other’s throats and ripe for domination.  Joe is going to go back out on the Dutchman to fulfill his promise to Skippy but Earth thinks it is sending a team to figure out how to get the ship for Earth.  Skippy isn’t having any of that and I think this was the volume where I heard something immensely profound “Hold my beer, watch this!”

Excellent sequel to Columbus Day, five out of five again!

Paradise

Publisher’s Summary

While the crew of the starship Flying Dutchman have been trying to assure people that hostile aliens do not have access to Earth, the UN Expeditionary Force has been stranded on the planet they nicknamed “Paradise”. The Flying Dutchman is headed back out on another mission, and the UN wants the ship to find out the status of the humans on Paradise. But Colonel Joe Bishop warns that they might not like what they find, and they can’t do anything about it without endangering Earth.

My Take:

This third time Bishop, Skippy and the Dutchman go out with an Austrian Overseer appointed by the UN to try and keep Impulsive actions under control.  Oh he so doesn’t know what he’s in for in dealing with the Magnificent Skippy.  Also in this one is the flawless deployment of a joke related to suspense…  Three times enjoyed this series at a five out of five level, excellent work Mr.s Alanson and Bray.

http://www.audible.com/series?ref_=a_lib_l__vsml_1_1&asin=B01N9CUGHG

Audiobook Review: Feeling Cramped? Need More Space?

New Frontiers:  The Expansion Wars Trilogy Book 1

Written by Joshua Dalzelle.

Narrated by Mark Boyett.

 

Publisher’s Summary

The Phage War had been a devastating conflict for the Terran Confederacy. Even with the destruction of their terrifying, implacable foe, humanity is still reeling. Political alliances are crumbling, and their mighty fleet is in tatters. There is nothing to celebrate, even after such a complete victory.

They soon learn that there are other stellar neighbors – and they’ve been watching the conflict with great interest. One species comes with an offer of friendship and alliance, but humanity is weary and distrustful, their only interactions with aliens having resulted in the near eradication of their kind.

Before the ashes of war have been fully swept away, Captain Celesta Wright is dispatched to the Frontier with a small taskforce to investigate a mysterious signal while the Confederacy struggles to hold itself together. A partnership with this new species could help accelerate the recovery effort, but is the offer too good to be true? Can humanity risk another fight with an advanced alien species right on the heels of the bloodiest war that had ever been waged?

New Frontiers is the first book of the Expansion Wars Trilogy, an all-new adventure in the Black Fleet universe.

My Take:

 

This series follow on the heels of the Blackfleet Series which I will review later on.  Captain Wright had been tasked with trying to track down an elusive new enemy to humans that not only have a technological edge but also a vehement hatred of humans.

I found the writing of the characters extremely well done and the action did not lag in building detail.  Excellent book and a wonderful start to a new series.  Five out of five geek score points!

 

https://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/New-Frontiers-Audiobook/B06XR59MLQ

Audiobook Review: Last book of the Red Rising Trilogy

Morning Star: Book III of the Red Rising Trilogy

Written by Pierce Brown and narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds.

Publisher’s Summary

Darrow would have lived in peace, but his enemies brought him war. The Gold overlords demanded his obedience, hanged his wife, and enslaved his people. But Darrow is determined to fight back. Risking everything to transform himself and breach Gold society, Darrow has battled to survive the cutthroat rivalries that breed Society’s mightiest warriors, climbed the ranks, and waited patiently to unleash the revolution that will tear the hierarchy apart from within.

Finally, the time has come.

But devotion to honor and hunger for vengeance run deep on both sides. Darrow and his comrades-in-arms face powerful enemies without scruple or mercy. Among them are some Darrow once considered friends. To win, Darrow will need to inspire those shackled in darkness to break their chains, unmake the world their cruel masters have built, and claim a destiny too long denied – and too glorious to surrender.

 

My Take.

 

This is definitely the culmination of the story.  Darrow is sort of lost here and his friends have rescued him to assist in setting society to rights but there is a persistent problem.  The jackal and the Queen are insane.  That steerage coupled with the Moon-burning lords forces is going to lead to a lot of collateral damage but it can be done.

Absolutely enjoyed the series and I hope someday it comes to the screen.  Five out of five for writing and narration.

 

https://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/Morning-Star-Audiobook/B019NMZ6FE/ref=a_series_c2_3_saTtl?ie=UTF8&pf_rd_r=1DRC9Q3FF6PRQY0SS62Q&pf_rd_m=A2ZO8JX97D5MN9&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=series-detail&pf_rd_p=1374482202&pf_rd_s=center-2

E book review: Perhaps the first visiting ETs should not be referred to as Puppies…even if they resemble them.

No Price Too High (Warp Corps Marines)

Written by C. J. Carella.

 

Author Blurb:

 

The battle for humanity’s survival continues.

Peter Fromm: After barely surviving the Battle of Kirosha, Captain Fromm and the rest of the 101st Marine Expeditionary Unit are sent forth to defend a vital star system. While the US Navy battles a vast alien armada in the skies above Parthenon, the Devil Dogs must fight a formidable, well-equipped army on the ground. Retreat is not an option.

Lisbeth Zhang: The former naval officer, once a rising star, faces the end of her career. She reluctantly accepts a new, secret posting, one that will turn her into an experimental subject in a covert weapons project that may save humanity – or spell its doom.

Heather McClintock: Being a CIA operative in a hostile galaxy is never easy. Out in the cold, with no support but her wits and skills, can she make a difference in the battles to come or just become another casualty?

The sequel to Decisively Engaged, No Price Too High is a tale of heroism and desperate combat in a hostile universe.

Errata: I accidentally called the secret US program that produced the War Eagle after the USS Lexington instead of the actual first vessel of its kind, the Langley. I have corrected the error in the manuscript and hopefully previous purchasers will have their ebooks updated. My apologies.
– C.J. Carella

My Take:

I enjoyed this and the first book immensely.  The action stays moving, the discrepancy between older star-faring races tech and ours is believable and the idiotic politics of Earth trying to control colony worlds is nailed.  Five out of five for plot and pace.

Audiobook Review: Last Installment of The Sprawl Trilogy.

Mona Lisa Overdrive

Written by William Gibson.

Narrated by Jonathan Davis.

 

Publisher’s Summary:

 

The award-winning William Gibson goes beyond science fiction to the broader mainstream fiction audience. His unique world features multinational corporations and high-tech outlaws vying for power, traveling the computer-generated universe.

 

Plot summary from wikipedia:

Taking place eight years after the events of Count Zero and fifteen years after Neuromancer, the story is formed from several interconnecting plot threads, and also features characters from Gibson’s previous works (such as Molly Millions, the razor-fingered mercenary from Neuromancer).

One of the plot threads concerns Mona, a teen prostitute who has a more-than-passing resemblance to famed Simstim superstar Angie Mitchell. Mona is hired by shady individuals for a “gig” which later turns out to be part of a plot to abduct Angie.

The second story focuses on a young Japanese girl named Kumiko, daughter of a Yakuza boss sent to London to keep her safe while her father engages in a gang war with other top Yakuza leaders. In London she is cared for by one of her father’s retainers, who is also a powerful member of the London Mob. She meets Molly Millions (having altered her appearance and now calling herself “Sally Shears”, in order to conceal her identity from hostile parties who are implied to be pursuing her), who takes the girl under her wing.

The third story thread follows a reclusive artist named Slick Henry, who lives in a place named Factory in the Dog Solitude; a large, poisoned expanse of deserted factories and dumps, perhaps in New Jersey. Slick Henry is a convicted (and punished) car thief. As a result of the repetitive brainwashing nature of his punishment, he spends his days creating large robotic sculptures and periodically suffers episodes of time loss, returning to consciousness afterward with no memory of what he did during the blackout. He is hired by an acquaintance to look after the comatose “Count” (Bobby Newmark from the second novel, Count Zero, who has hooked himself into a super-capacity cyber-harddrive called an Aleph). A theoretical “Aleph” would have the RAM capacity to literally contain all of reality, enough that a memory construct of a person would contain the complete personality of the individual and allow it to learn, grow and act independently.

The final plot line follows Angela Mitchell, famous simstim star and the girl from the second Sprawl novel Count Zero. Angie, thanks to brain manipulations by her father when she was a child, has always had the ability to access cyberspace directly (without a cyberspace deck), but drugs provided by her production company Sense/Net have severely impeded this ability.

My Take:

 

Steppin’ Razor is back the final installment of the trilogy.  Molly Millions, Sally Shears, Misty Steel…along with a Yakuza Boss, A London mob Boss, an exceptional tech deck cowboy Bobby Newmark are being hunted and extorted by a ghost in the machine Three Jane.  As with all of Gibson’s works I am usually three chapters in before I have a clue what’s going on.  Excellent writing and the range of the narrator pulls off a stellar performance.  Five by five awesome cyberpunk nerdiness points.

 

 

 

The Series (The Complete Sprawl Trilogy):

http://www.audible.com/series?ref_=a_lib_l__vsml_1_1&asin=B006K1POZE

Audiobook Review: Book 2 of the Bobiverse.

For We Are Many:  Bobiverse, Book 2

Written by Dennis E. Taylor.

Narrated by Ray Porter.

 

Publisher’s Summary:

The highly anticipated sequel to Audible’s Best of 2016 – Science Fiction winner, We Are Legion (We Are Bob); a book listeners are calling “so much fun”, “what science fiction was meant to be”, and what would happen if “Andy Weir and Ernest Cline had a lovechild”.

Bob Johansson didn’t believe in an afterlife, so waking up after being killed in a car accident was a shock. To add to the surprise, he is now a sentient computer and the controlling intelligence for a Von Neumann probe.

Bob and his copies have been spreading out from Earth for 40 years now, looking for habitable planets. But that’s the only part of the plan that’s still in one piece. A system-wide war has killed off 99.9 percent of the human race; nuclear winter is slowly making the Earth uninhabitable; a radical group wants to finish the job on the remnants of humanity; the Brazilian space probes are still out there, still trying to blow up the competition; and the Bobs have discovered a spacefaring species that sees all other life as food.

Bob left Earth anticipating a life of exploration and blissful solitude. Instead he’s become a sky god to a primitive native species, the only hope for getting humanity to a new home, and possibly the only thing that can prevent every living thing in the local sphere from ending up as dinner.

Listener favorite Ray Porter returns to narrate Bob – and his many incarnations – in all of their geeky glory.

My Take:

 

Humans are now spread to 2 systems and several Bob’s are running a shuttle service from Sol to Romulus and Remus.  Other Bobs continue to explore and are coming to the realization that Fermi’s paradox has an artificial answer…The Others.  This work is rich and humorous at times yet it manages to convey thoughtful entertainment in all of its storylines.  I really want more of the Bobiverse.

 

Five out of five entertainment laughing units for writing and narration.  Enjoy!

 

http://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/For-We-Are-Many-Audiobook/B01N17THEO

Comics Review: Don’t Steal from CISO

Captain Canuck:  The Money Run

Created by Richard Comely and Ron Leishman.

Captain Canuck has been working long hours on grueling cases with Keybec and he’s got a low tolerance for his boss right now.  The boss that has been keeping critical information regarding someone stealing from CISO.  That someone has to be a highly trained agent of a foreign power considering how much they’ve already stolen.

Canuck and Keybec spring a trap they didn’t even know they were setting for the guy and just manage to nab him before he hijacked a plane with a woman hostage.  Hmmm, 1980s but sounds like today.

 

I love this comic franchise.  It is the Great White North “Get out ya Hoser!” to Marvel Universe.

 

My favorite source for Canuck is:

https://www.chapterhouse.ca/

 

But in order to get retro volumes you might have to resort to Amazon searches for the best deals:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Captain-Canuck-Complete-Richard-Comely/dp/1613770812

Audiobook Review: The Perils of Starting a Solar System Civil War

Golden Son:  Book II of the Red Rising Trilogy (perhaps more)

Written by Pierce Brown.

Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds.

Publisher’s Summary:

 

With shades of The Hunger Games, Ender’s Game, and Game of Thrones, debut author Pierce Brown’s genre-defying epic Red Rising hit the ground running and wasted no time becoming a sensation. Golden Son continues the stunning saga of Darrow, a rebel forged by tragedy, battling to lead his oppressed people to freedom from the overlords of a brutal elitist future built on lies. Now fully embedded among the Gold ruling class, Darrow continues his work to bring down Society from within.

A life-or-death tale of vengeance with an unforgettable hero at its heart, Golden Son guarantees Pierce Brown’s continuing status as one of fiction’s most exciting new voices.

My Take:

 

Darrow Al Andromedaus, the Red Hell Diver, who was carved into a Gold in Red Rising is trying his damnedest to win the trust of his benefactor Nero Augustus, the Arch Governor of Mars.  The goal is to free the Reds and other low colors by breaking the Golds.  The ups and downs of Darrow’s fates are enough to give me whiplash in this installment but the action kept me into it.  A solar system Civil war is just the thing to…reach the goal?  The story and performance were excellent.  Five out of five entertainment units awarded and a laurel crown.

 

 

http://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/Golden-Son-Audiobook/B00R6S1RCY