by Jane | Jun 23, 2014 | Write Here Write Now
The last 2012 Nebula nominee I am reviewing is also the winner: 2312 by Kim Stanley Robinson. This is the story of a future in which humans have moved out into the solar system, having terriformed, or at least tamed, other planets, moons, and asteroids. The main character is Swan Er Hong, a 100+-year-old resident of Mercury, who is mourning the recent loss of her grandmother Alex. But there is much more to the story than a personal loss. Alex had been involved in some controversial research, which she had decided not to share with her granddaughter, even after her death. The only thing Swan received from her was a mission to travel to Titan.
Swan meets two men, who knew Alex and were very familiar with Alex’s studies, Inspector Genette and Wahram. They believe there is some kind of conspiracy surrounding Alex’s death and involve Swan in the investigation, but only up to a point. Swan crisscrosses the galaxy, accompanied by Pauline, a tiny quantum computer called a qube, which is inserted in her head. She relies on Pauline, but finds that Genette and Wahram do not trust the qube. Could qubes be involved in the conspiracy somehow? That is left for Swan to discover.
I really enjoyed 2312. I don’t read a lot of science fiction these days, involving myself mostly in fantasy, but I loved it as a kid. I cut my scifi teeth on the greats, such as Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, Robert Heinlein, Robert Bloch, and remember them fondly. As a science fiction novel, 2312 did not in any way disappoint me, compared to these giants. As a matter of fact, I could see the influence of Clarke and Heinlein in its pages.
In addition to creating an involving story, Robinson also imparts some interesting ways of world-building in chapters entitled “Excerpts” and “Lists”. These chapters give us insight into some of the science and technology of 2312, as well as getting us more into the mind of Swan.
I liked diving into the universe Robinson creates, imagining traveling inside of an asteroid, riding an elevator from Earth’s surface into space or getting involved in the system-wide politics of the 24th century. It was definitely a good read, and I agree that it deserved the Nebula over the other books I reviewed here. Well worth a read.
by Jane | Jun 17, 2014 | Write Here Write Now
Recently, I decided to rewatch the last two Star Trek films made with the original cast (Star Trek V: The Final Frontier and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. I remembered the first four very well and had seen each of them multiple times, but not these two. My only conclusion was that I hadn’t liked them very much, or I would have seen them more than once (or at least remembered them.) However, I realized that I hadn’t liked the third movie the first time I had seen it either (The Search for Spock), but after a second viewing, I liked it much more.
So I decided to give V and VI another chance. Full of hope, I put Star Trek V in the DVD player and fired it up. As it turned out, I had no reason for any hope at all. It was bad, just bad. There were a few funny spots, but not enough to rescue the movie for me. And some of the attempts at humor were just wrong, like Scotty knocking himself unconscious by hitting his head on a beam on the Enterprise. The Enterprise! Scotty’s pride and joy, which he knew better than the back of his hand. I realize that was supposed to be part of the joke, but it just didn’t work. This was William Shatner’s first attempt at directing a Star Trek film, and thankfully, his last. Stick to acting, Mr. Shatner. We love you as Kirk.
Now on to Star Trek VI. After my experience with Star Trek V, I had no hope. Again, I was surprised, but this time, pleasantly. How could I have forgotten how good this movie was and let it gather dust in the back of my video cabinet? It was an excellent film, with tension from beginning to end and a lot of humor (good humor, this time) sprinkled throughout. Plus, Christopher Plummer was amazing as the Klingon villain, right up there with Khan.
But there was more. I truly believe that director Nicholas Myer captured the personalities and relationships of the crew, along with Gene Roddenbery’s original vision. Without question, this movie has moved up in my personal ranking to #3.
Frankly, I might have rated it even higher if it had not been pushed to the back of my mind all these years. Star Trek II: The Revenge of Khan is of course #1, as it is with most trekies because (a) it brought back a popular TOS villain and (b) had all the elements which had been lacking in Star Trek: The Motion Picture. It was like Universal Studios had redeemed itself in the eyes of Star Trek fans. Second is Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. This movie was enjoyed even by non-Trek fans for its humor and topical theme.
So, my ratings of the first six Star Trek films are as follows:
Star Trek II: The Revenge of Khan
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
Some fans may disagree with me and put Star Trek: The Motion Picture last because everyone remembers their disappointment with it. My word to them is to watch the first and fifth movies side by side. Disappointments aside, TMP wasn’t that bad a film. Star Trek V? Bad, bad, bad!
by Jane | May 30, 2014 | Write Here Write Now
Allegiant is the third book in The Divergent series by Veronica Roth. From the first page, I knew I was going to like it better than the second book Insurgent. It held my attention from the first word to the last. It was engaging partially because of the storyline, but also because Roth added Tobias as an additional perspective. I found it confusing at times, but liked it because it gave us more information about the quiet Four.
The story begins with Tris imprisoned by the factionless, Tobias having escaped by being the son of the factionless leader. The plot revolves around a group of people not only interested in restoring the factions but also wanting to understand and act upon Edith Prior’s message about life outside the city. Tris and Tobias leave the city with this group and learn the true story behind their ancestors and the factions. But that’s not all. Just when the reader believes Tris and Tobias are safe from any more conflict in their lives, the pair discovers yet another group eager for revolt
I loved this book. There is a lot of growth to both characters, and the plot kept me turning pages to learn what was going to happen. The ending, though possibly disturbing to some, was the only way it could have ended to maintain true to the characters. So, pick up Allegiant and learn what happens to Tris and Four. You won’t be sorry.
by Jane | May 23, 2014 | Write Here Write Now
Glamour in Glass by Mary Robinette Kowal is set in England and Belgium during the Napoleonic Wars, but it cannot be considered historical fiction because there is an element of magic. So instead, let’s call it magical realism. The magic is in the form of a talent shared by the protagonist Jane and her husband Vincent. It is called glamour and involves making intricate pictures out of something called ether. While their talent makes them very popular among English nobility, it gets them into trouble when they are on a working vacation in Belgium.
Once on vacation, Jane finds herself pregnant which restricts her ability to work in the family business of glamour. This leaves her alone with strangers much of the time her husband is off working, strangers she doesn’t quite trust. She begins to wonder if any of these strangers are spies for the Bonapartes and also has doubts about her own husband, thinking that he is lying to her.
Glamour in Glass was a fun book to read, but also quite important. It shows how a Victorian woman who finds herself alone in crisis rises to the challenge that no man will accept. After Napoleon escapes from Elba, everyone tells Jane to flee to England, but she remains behind to help her husband. The situation is difficult, almost impossible, but she rises to the occasion and shows just how strong a woman can be. An excellent read, especially for our daughters, nieces, and granddaughters.
by Jane | May 16, 2014 | Write Here Write Now
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas is the second book in The Throne of Glass series, and it is a delight. Too often the first sequel to a successful book is a disappointment, but that’s not the case here. Crown of Midnight more than holds its own.
When the book begins, Celeana has taken her appointment as the King’s Champion and has been sent on a series of assignments. This is a problem, however, since she disagrees with the king’s policies. But she has found a solution. Rather than kill her targets, she fakes their deaths and sends them away. This works until she is asked to kill Archer Finn, an old acquaintance of hers who the king believes is involved in a rebellion.
The situation is complicated by her growing relationship with Chaol, Captain of the Guard, and growing tensions with Princess Nehemia, who doesn’t know that Celeana has been faking her assignments. Not only is Nehemia mad with Celeana over serving as the King’s Champion, she feels that Celeana should be helping her in her fight against the king. And Prince Dorian is not happy at all.
Celeana is in turmoil, but when her dearest friends are put in danger, she has decisions to make which could change her life. As action-packed, thrilling, and unpredictable as the original, Crown of Midnight is well worth the read. Pick it up and enjoy.
