chris

A fun ride, but didn't feel like a true Star Trek story

Revisado: 04-23-25

The story was definitely entertaining, and I had no difficulty finishing it quickly. It didn't quite live up to the other Star Trek Picard novels however. The best Star Trek stories have complicated scientific or moral dilemmas that the crewmembers think their way out of. This had cartoonish super villains And a lot of fire fights and other battle scenes. I'm definitely happy to have read it, but it won't stay with me like the best Star Trek stories do.

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Completely ruined a potentially good series

Revisado: 07-30-24

If you like lots of sex, and bad guys getting their brains beaten out, then read this book. Otherwise, there is not much else happening. The book barely even mentions the conspiracy about the habitable planet, which I thought was the point of the whole series. It's a shame, I really liked the first book, and thought the author had constructed a very interesting world. But this ruined it for me, and I will not read book number three.

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B level space opera 

Revisado: 03-22-24

Predictable, and ultimately forgettable. Doesn't really add anything new to the space opera genre. But if you like this genre as I do, you should still enjoy it. Worth buying if it comes on sale, but I wouldn't use a credit on it. 

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I'm a big baseball fan, but this falls flat

Revisado: 10-05-23

I love baseball, both the modern MLB game and the sports long and illustrious history. There are a lot of topics in this book that a fan of the current game should be able to get into. There's the underachieving team that figures out how to win, the tension between old school baseball and modern analytics, and a thought experiment on what MLB would do if pitchers became so good that scoring runs becomes almost impossible. But I'm about 60% through the book, and I haven't picked it up in a week

The characters in this book are too serious and underdeveloped to be likable. The players locker room is a sullen place, and bares no resemblance to quirky but fun scenes from ball four, or Bull Durham. We spend so much time mired in the inner thoughts of the main character Frank Ryder that the story drags in places. A couple of times, I skipped to the next chapter just to keep the story moving. Also weirdly, the author gives very detailed physical descriptions of minor female characters who have little relevance to the overall story. I'm sure things work out for our main boy Frank, but I just don't care about him enough to read on for another five hours. Time to start something new.

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the perfect pallet cleanser

Revisado: 04-24-23

The perfect light read between longer books. It had characters to root for, laugh out loud moments, and a satisfying resolution. As individuals, the family members had flaws and at times were borderline obnoxious. But the way the kids, despite constantly getting on each others nerves, discovered strength in each other and worked to solve a problem was pitch perfect. It showed how a family can be greater than the sum of it's parts, and left me with a warm, fuzzy feeling inside.

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Worth the time investment

Revisado: 04-24-23

A 30 hour book needs to not be just good but great to be worth the time. This one definitely was. I actually sped up the narration because I was so engaged and couldn't wait to see what happened next. The first couple of hours feel a little slow, but once Isaac and Mathew reach Fount Royal, the story takes off. It is a complicated mystery, layer upon layer, where one puzzle solved brings up two more. Sometimes with such intricate mysteries, the resolution feels like a let down, but I found the resolution very satisfying. One reviewer commented that the characters were very stereotypical, but I have not read enough books set in this time period to know. As a novice to colonial American fiction, I thought the characters were varied and quite well developed. The setting is vividly described, so that I truly felt I was in this town as I listened. One final point, the language of the characters was just right. Modern enough so that they are easily understandable, while still conveying their medieval way of thinking. I can't wait to start the second novel, even though it is a mear 20 hours.

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Fascinating read, and a hidden gem

Revisado: 11-01-22

I became aware of this book because our book club wanted to read an alternate history for our next read. We couldn't have picked a better sample of the genre, and I am surprised that more people haven't read this (26 reviews on audible at time of purchase). Without giving anything away, the alternate history was believable and well thought out. It's a very different world, but not necessarily a worse world, because Britain made peace with the NAZIs. Don't worry, the author is no fascist apologist, and he accurately portrays the brutality of that regime.
Also, don't worry about this turning into a dry University lecture. This is a story first, about two brothers during the war, with the history weaved into the background. The character development is quite strong, especially as the author explores the brothers' differing views on the war. The scene where Joe applies to be a conscientious objector stands out in my mind, but there were several poignant moments throughout the book. Just as captivating was the author's portrayal of the two historical figures who appear in the novel, Rudolph Hess and Winston Churchill.
But for me the best part was the novels uncertain ending. Some questions are not fully answered, and the two historical timelines blur somewhat so that the reader isn't quite sure of what reality is true. It doesn't leave you hanging and annoyed that there is no sequel, but it will leave you thinking and speculating on alternatives. I am very much looking forward to our next book club meeting.

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When life imitates fiction

Revisado: 10-25-22

I had initially given this book a pass but circled back to it in the wake of the recent media stories about hockey Canada, and how they have systematically covered up sexual abuse incidence over the years. Like the young people of this story, I grew up in a hocky obsessed culture, and Beartown could be any number of small semi-rural Canadian towns. In my view, this book shines a very accurate light on hockey culture, the positives as well as the negatives. There are overbearing hocky parents, dedicated coaches, bullying, young men discovering who they are, misogyny, equality, intolerance, teammates sticking together for better and worse, and yes, a massive cover-up attempt. On balance, the portrayal of hockey is more negative than positive and should be required reading for the execs at hockey Canada. The story does start slowly as we are introduced to each of the characters, but the plot does pick up after the first couple of hours so stick with it.

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Well worn dystopian theme made fresh with baseball

Revisado: 02-14-22

The dystopian themes this book explores, mainly the effects of climate change and dependence on smarter AI's, are certainly not new. Yet this book still manages to stand out from the crowd. I must admit that I am a baseball fan, which makes me biased in favour of the authors approach. But using a 19th century pastoral game was such a good contrast to a overly technological and crowded 21st century society. It kept the story feeling light hearted as it dealt with some heavy themes. I think this is why other reviewers have commented that it feels like a teen or YA novel. I do think this book would be a good introduction to dystopian fiction for a high school English class. I am 39 and long passed high school, but enjoyed it very much.

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Impressive accomplishment but a boring story

Revisado: 02-01-22

The story is well written and I believe would appeal to nature enthusiasts, avid hikers, and people with similar niche interests. I, however, am an urban dwelling, father of two small kids, who works a 9 to 5 job and haven't seen a canoe since high school. The author describes his trip in a systematic way, with detailed explanations of his preparation, the scenery, and various challenges on route. I admire the effort and accomplishment, but the retelling lacks any sort of variety or character development. My mind would wander after about ten minutes of listening. A typical day went canoe, portage, canoe, repeat, drink tea, sleep, for weeks on end. If you are going to read it, I recommend reading it slowly over a few weeks with another book on the go for some variety. That was the only way I could actually absorb the material, and I still only got 3/4 of the way through.

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