Aug 112011
 

Many readers hold the charming misconception that authors not only write their books, but are responsible for the size, shape, texture, flavour, and appearance of the finished physical object.

(We’re talking physical books here, not ebooks. That’s yet another opportunity for discourse that I’m going to eschew for now.)

Here’s the reality: as an author, I am required — per contract — to supply the publisher with a manuscript of approximately the correct length, on roughly the correct subject matter, that is substantially free from factual errors and libelous or criminal statements. I’m also required to participate in the editorial process. And I can suggest a title. That’s all.

Find out the truth of:

  • why Book Cover art can be so awful, or fantastic….
  • Who writes the Author’s bio
  • Who writes the Dust cover sleeves
  • Who writes the rear cover summary
All this, and more information, over at Charlie’s Diary.
Aug 032011
 


Ghost Story by Jim Butcher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow…. Jim Butcher has done it again.

We move from the Cliff-hanger of Changes, where Harry Dresden has been shot & presumably killed at the last page of the book, to his spirit roaming the streets… Well, not quite roaming, after all, he has been told that three of his friends will die, if his killer is not found, and what is a Private Investigator / Ghost suppose to do about it? Well, solve his own murder…

But, Harry is practically defenseless since he can’t use his magic while being a ghost…. So, who can he turn to?

Like the previous Dresden books, Ghost Story promises a lot, and it delivers. It’s a fast, but fun read, in its own way. Once again, we can Dresden wise-cracking and generally being himself…

The series reminds me of a blend of The Rockford Files and Mike Hammer who happens to be a wizard and deals with world threatening baddies.
At its core, is a basic good vs evil conflict and with dash of moral dilemmas added in for spice.

By now, you have probably heard that Changes & Ghost Story, shake up the Dresden series… And it’s true, in Changes Harry crosses “the line”, and does what no one else was able to do, and ends the Red Vampire War. In Ghost Story, we learn what the consequences of his actions were, and what Harry did to try to prevent them.

I do admit, I had figured out who shot him, within the first couple of chapters, but I didn’t know Who Killed Harry, until the end of the Book.

It is safe to say, that there will be more Dresden books in the future… Especially if Jim Butcher can continue to innovate like this…

Jul 182011
 

The Family Trade (The Merchant Princes, #1)The Family Trade by Charles Stross

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Family Trade (The Merchant Princes #1) is a fantastic read from Charles Stross. It is a great blend of fantasy, and some science fiction/fantasy elements blended it.

The basic premise is that an investigative reporter in our world, finds her heritage of being able to transport to other parallel worlds. For example, an early 1800′s colonial america…

It’s a great change from Accelerando…. My only complaint is that the novel doesn’t have a solid conclusion. It is an excellent start to the series, and I am already up to Book 3…

The scope of the series covers alternate history, economics, spy thriller, and drama… Maybe a small dose of romance as well.

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Jul 182011
 

The Atrocity Archives (The Laundry, #1)The Atrocity Archives by Charles Stross
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Atrocity Archives (The Laundry, #1)

Charles Stross is definitely on my “Read *mostly* everything from this author” list, well, except for his short-stories…

I have power read through the entire Laundry collection (The Atrocity Archives, Jennifer Morgue, and the Fuller Memorandium), and have liked every one of them.

The Atrocity Archives introduces us to Bob, one of the IT staff, in the Laundry. Due to his manager, and other events, he is thrust into field work, and becomes one of the more reliable field agents…

The series combines humor, Lovecraftian horror, and a dash of super secret agent, to make an excellent series.

Now so far, I haven’t been pleased with Charles Stross’s short story collections. I have read his Laundry Short stories and thought they were excellent… So far, I can certainly recommend the Laundry Series, along with the Merchant Prince Series…

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