I'm rounding this up to 4 stars. While there are a number of sub-plots that didn't interest me, the central struggle between Reath and Azlin more thanI'm rounding this up to 4 stars. While there are a number of sub-plots that didn't interest me, the central struggle between Reath and Azlin more than made up for lack of interest elsewhere in the novel. Overall, this felt far more satisfying to me than most of the recent High Republic books....more
It has a perfect depiction of the Voyager season 1-2 cast...but they're in a story that takes far too long to get going. A pity, as there are elementsIt has a perfect depiction of the Voyager season 1-2 cast...but they're in a story that takes far too long to get going. A pity, as there are elements of this story that become particularly poignant in the final act...I only wish the entire novel had been devoted to that story. It would have worked much better as a stand-alone story, and not part of the "Day of Honor" trilogy....more
Leaning again in the direction of 3.5 stars. A solid, entertaining Target adaptation worthy of Terrance Dicks, with a little extra spice in strategic Leaning again in the direction of 3.5 stars. A solid, entertaining Target adaptation worthy of Terrance Dicks, with a little extra spice in strategic areas to add background colour. Nothing groundbreaking, but wonderful comfort food....more
Let's call this a solid 3.5 stars. It works best when it's exploring the character and personal history of Engles, as well as his views of the people Let's call this a solid 3.5 stars. It works best when it's exploring the character and personal history of Engles, as well as his views of the people in his life (particularly Marx...Engles' view of Marx up close are the highlights of this work). But when it gets into the minutiae of theory and ideology, the storytelling bogs down -- you can't make theory and ideology great & enjoyable reading, no matter how hard you try. No wonder Socrates didn't write anything down. ...more
I might knock it down to 4.5 stars, for John Ibbitson's occasional passive-agressive swipe at the Liberals...but in the end, this is about as solid a I might knock it down to 4.5 stars, for John Ibbitson's occasional passive-agressive swipe at the Liberals...but in the end, this is about as solid a single-shot double bio of two people across the 20th century as you are likely to find. The Canada you read about in this book is so vastly different from the reality in the 21st century as to almost feel alien....more
We'll round this up to a solid 3.5 stars. If you want licentious, gossipy, smutty history told in a readable style, then this is your book.We'll round this up to a solid 3.5 stars. If you want licentious, gossipy, smutty history told in a readable style, then this is your book....more
Students of history will find much of this familiar, and the attempt at analysis feels perfunctory. But as an introduction to newbies, this is solid sStudents of history will find much of this familiar, and the attempt at analysis feels perfunctory. But as an introduction to newbies, this is solid stuff...especially the chapters on Haiti & Ethiopia....more
It's a well-written contemplation on living through an apocalypse in a most interesting location. I only wish it wasn't so short & clinical...I would It's a well-written contemplation on living through an apocalypse in a most interesting location. I only wish it wasn't so short & clinical...I would have preferred something a bit more emotionally draining...but that's just me....more
It reads like a better structured version of the 7th season "Voyager" episode "Shattered"...but it's not as interesting as I hoped it would be. There'It reads like a better structured version of the 7th season "Voyager" episode "Shattered"...but it's not as interesting as I hoped it would be. There's a bit too much info-dump-for-Star-Trek-beginners syndrome, and a bit too much slavish love for its central macguffin. It's very much a greatest hits package that pushes the re-visits to past adventures a bit too hard...although I did rather enjoy the prequel nature of the "Let This Be Your Last Battlefield" segment of the novel. It's a pleasant, enjoyable read, but I can't shake the feeling that it could have been so much more.
Merged review:
It reads like a better structured version of the 7th season "Voyager" episode "Shattered"...but it's not as interesting as I hoped it would be. There's a bit too much info-dump-for-Star-Trek-beginners syndrome, and a bit too much slavish love for its central macguffin. It's very much a greatest hits package that pushes the re-visits to past adventures a bit too hard...although I did rather enjoy the prequel nature of the "Let This Be Your Last Battlefield" segment of the novel. It's a pleasant, enjoyable read, but I can't shake the feeling that it could have been so much more....more
I'm rounding this up from 4.5 stars, as I'm not a fan of all the personal story digressions. But set that aside and we have here the final word of tryI'm rounding this up from 4.5 stars, as I'm not a fan of all the personal story digressions. But set that aside and we have here the final word of trying to fit in all of Chinese history into one concise, readable package. It's an impressive achievement, and I've found very few works that manage to summarize so much so effectively, yet remain a condensed non-biblical package....more
It's very oddly constructed, as it goes from eager/positive hagiography to disappointed/lackluster irritation...but it's also unbalanced, as the firstIt's very oddly constructed, as it goes from eager/positive hagiography to disappointed/lackluster irritation...but it's also unbalanced, as the first two thirds go on forever, but his PM-ship of India doesn't receive as much focus. It's a solid primer on Nehru in general, but it offers a rather strange selection of points-of-focus....more
I just don't understand. These books have the right pedigree...but they seem like they come from a different universe entirely, compared to the YA LucI just don't understand. These books have the right pedigree...but they seem like they come from a different universe entirely, compared to the YA Lucasverse of the present day. There's just something so stilted about them...almost to a preposterous level, considering the co-author is the man who gave us novels such as "Darksaber". I don't find them engaging, no matter how much goodwill I offer on my part....more
Volume 2 gets a strong 4.5 stars. There is still some action writing that becomes a bit of a prose smear, but the epic nature of the conversations, thVolume 2 gets a strong 4.5 stars. There is still some action writing that becomes a bit of a prose smear, but the epic nature of the conversations, the power plays, and the desire for revenge decades in the making turn this into a Klingon epic worthy of their culture. Extra kudos for the characterization of Ezri Dax, who takes her place as a worthy yet different successor to Jadzia in her role inside the House of Martok. Excellent work....more
As a coffee-table history, it's perfectly fine for what it is...but Steve Cole is a workman-like writer, and his books have always been very...variablAs a coffee-table history, it's perfectly fine for what it is...but Steve Cole is a workman-like writer, and his books have always been very...variable. What this book needed was the imagination and the light, fairy-tale touch of a Steven Moffat or a Neil Gaiman or a Paul Cornell...it's just lacking in that special alchemical magic that surrounds the TARDIS. Interesting that it even ignores some of the things established in the series (eg. the TARDIS nickname for Rory with always be "Pretty"). It looks lovely, but there's a spark that is missing....more
There are things about this book that frustrate me, whether it be too much minutiae on less interesting items, or the sudden switch to thematic organiThere are things about this book that frustrate me, whether it be too much minutiae on less interesting items, or the sudden switch to thematic organization. The entire book ends with what feels like an anti-climax...and strangely enough, the opening chapters on the Shah's father, and the establishment of his short-lived dynasty, were far more interesting than what came after......more
This book is one of those comedy parodies that manages to attract your attention in the book store...and make everyone turn away from you in embarrassThis book is one of those comedy parodies that manages to attract your attention in the book store...and make everyone turn away from you in embarrassment as you laugh your butt off in public. Or is that just me?...more
Excellent, concise analysis of Orwell's writings...and not afraid to expose his blind spots, as well as his systemic bigotry and misogyny. Especially Excellent, concise analysis of Orwell's writings...and not afraid to expose his blind spots, as well as his systemic bigotry and misogyny. Especially interesting is the examination of the right has taken the framework of Orwell and twisted it to their own designs...cunning and disturbing....more
It doesn't quite end as effectively as it begins (is up-to-date Istanbul lacking?), but it's a unique look at a city I still have hopes of visiting. TIt doesn't quite end as effectively as it begins (is up-to-date Istanbul lacking?), but it's a unique look at a city I still have hopes of visiting. The clash of cultures, styles, expectations -- there's never been a mash-up like this one in one urban area, between the ancient and the modern...and it makes for great storytelling....more
Sometimes, it's a history book...then it's an urban design analysis...then it's a personal memoir...and often that can be frustrating. Luckily, it doeSometimes, it's a history book...then it's an urban design analysis...then it's a personal memoir...and often that can be frustrating. Luckily, it doesn't impact too much on its enjoyability, and it doesn't mitigate the sadness behind progress being another word for annihilation of the past. I would be willing to bet that most of what is presented in this book is, a decade plus since publication, all but extinct....more
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