Genre: Historical fiction
This book is a standalone story in the Northlanders series. This book is set in Ireland in 1014 A.D. and set during the Viking occupation of that land.
The book focuses on 2 people, Magnus a Irishman who is going around killing Viking officials and settlers and Ragnar a Viking nobleman who is sent by his King to track down and bring Magnus to justice.
And thats it, the plot is simply Magnus going around killing folks and Ragnar and his men running after him. There is no story to speak off. There is a plot twist at the end that is simply lazy and uninspired. The dialogue ranges from serviceable to bad.
The art is average, with everybody grimacing.
Rating: 2 / 5, Below average, skip it unless you are a huge Northlanders fan.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Graphic novel review: The V.C.s - Back in action by Dan Abnett, Henry Flint and Anthony Williams
Genre: Sci fi action.
The V.C.s is a revival of a old series from the British publisher 2000 A.D. In the introduction the author Dan Abnett states that this is not a re imagining but rather a continuation of the lives of characters from the old series. I have not read any of the old V.C.s stories and I do not believe that there is a need to read them to enjoy this book.
The previous V.C.s dealt with a war between the humans and a alien species called Geeks. This graphic novel focuses on a veteran from that war - Smith. There has been peace between humans and Geeks for some 50 years now and Smith we are introduced to is a old washed up relic facing a bunch of issues due to his war experiences.
All this changes when the Geeks launch a surprise attack on the humans and the veterans are suddenly thrust into war again. Now Smith needs to get his squad of Rookies combat ready to take on the Geeks.
The books plot proceeds at what appears to be a predictable direction. However the author slowly inserts a few intrigues that look to make the story interesting. For eg. there is a collective of extremely powerful aliens called the Polity who seem to be observing the humans and Geeks. What is their agenda ? There are a couple of other intrigues which I would not like to spoil.
The writing and dialogues are above average in the book. The story does start slow but shows promise of being good. I feel the art ranges from functional to being above average. All in all this is a decent beginning for this series.
Rating: 3 / 5, Above average, the series has potential.
The V.C.s is a revival of a old series from the British publisher 2000 A.D. In the introduction the author Dan Abnett states that this is not a re imagining but rather a continuation of the lives of characters from the old series. I have not read any of the old V.C.s stories and I do not believe that there is a need to read them to enjoy this book.
The previous V.C.s dealt with a war between the humans and a alien species called Geeks. This graphic novel focuses on a veteran from that war - Smith. There has been peace between humans and Geeks for some 50 years now and Smith we are introduced to is a old washed up relic facing a bunch of issues due to his war experiences.
All this changes when the Geeks launch a surprise attack on the humans and the veterans are suddenly thrust into war again. Now Smith needs to get his squad of Rookies combat ready to take on the Geeks.
The books plot proceeds at what appears to be a predictable direction. However the author slowly inserts a few intrigues that look to make the story interesting. For eg. there is a collective of extremely powerful aliens called the Polity who seem to be observing the humans and Geeks. What is their agenda ? There are a couple of other intrigues which I would not like to spoil.
The writing and dialogues are above average in the book. The story does start slow but shows promise of being good. I feel the art ranges from functional to being above average. All in all this is a decent beginning for this series.
Rating: 3 / 5, Above average, the series has potential.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Graphic novel review: Strontium dog - The Kreeler conspiracy by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra
Genre: Sci fi / Adventure, British comic from publisher 2000 A.D.
This book collects 3 Strontium dog adventures from the 2000 A.D. comic series. The progs are 1174-1180, 1195-1199 (1999-2000). The subtitle of this collection, The Kreeler conspiracy is the first of three stories in the collection. The middle story is in black and white while the rest are colored.
The first story - The Kreeler conspiracy has a functional story, nothing innovative or new here. The art is above average.
The second story - Roadhouse has a pretty loopy story which I find is kind off a trade mark of 2000 A.D. stories. The story is again pretty average. I liked the black and white art in the story which I thought was excellent.
The third story - The tax dodge is again typically loopy and I think it is the best of this collection. It is not great but is above average. The art in this story is good.
All in all the collection is pretty average. If you are a Strontium dog fan, get it. For the rest of the folks I don't think its a good enough introduction to the Character.
Rating: 2.5 / 5, Average - Only fans of Strontium dog should consider getting it. Everyone else skip it.
This book collects 3 Strontium dog adventures from the 2000 A.D. comic series. The progs are 1174-1180, 1195-1199 (1999-2000). The subtitle of this collection, The Kreeler conspiracy is the first of three stories in the collection. The middle story is in black and white while the rest are colored.
The first story - The Kreeler conspiracy has a functional story, nothing innovative or new here. The art is above average.
The second story - Roadhouse has a pretty loopy story which I find is kind off a trade mark of 2000 A.D. stories. The story is again pretty average. I liked the black and white art in the story which I thought was excellent.
The third story - The tax dodge is again typically loopy and I think it is the best of this collection. It is not great but is above average. The art in this story is good.
All in all the collection is pretty average. If you are a Strontium dog fan, get it. For the rest of the folks I don't think its a good enough introduction to the Character.
Rating: 2.5 / 5, Average - Only fans of Strontium dog should consider getting it. Everyone else skip it.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Book review: Victoria Grandolet by Henry Bellamann
Genre: Period Drama set in the South of USA.
This book was originally published way back in 1943. The book is titled after one of the characters in the book Victoria Grandolet. The book starts with Victoria marrying into the Grandolet family and then explores her journey into this new experience.
The settings and people in the book are laid out pretty well though it could get a bit ponderous from time to time. I did not find the narrative thread in the book to be interesting nor were the characters or their interactions anything to write home about.
All in all the book was pretty dull and the only reason to get this is if you are curious about the author.
Rating: 2 / 5, Below average. Not terrible but bland overall.
This book was originally published way back in 1943. The book is titled after one of the characters in the book Victoria Grandolet. The book starts with Victoria marrying into the Grandolet family and then explores her journey into this new experience.
The settings and people in the book are laid out pretty well though it could get a bit ponderous from time to time. I did not find the narrative thread in the book to be interesting nor were the characters or their interactions anything to write home about.
All in all the book was pretty dull and the only reason to get this is if you are curious about the author.
Rating: 2 / 5, Below average. Not terrible but bland overall.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Book review: The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon by David Grann
Genre: Non-fiction - Biographical, Adventure oriented.
This book came about from the authors obsession with a early 1900's British explorer - Percy Fawcett whom he stumbled upon while researching another story. Fawcett along with his son and his son's best friend disappeared into the Amazon while they were searching for a (perhaps mythical) City, Fawcett rather dramatically called Z.
To discover Fawcett's fate, Grann would himself have to sniff out the trail to Z. Grann estimates that around 100 people have already lost their lives searching for Fawcett and Z. Knowing this and despite being a self confessed city boy Grann decides to get on with the search.
The book in spite of the title is not purely focussed on the search for Fawcett and Z. The book also takes a biographical look at Fawcett's life. There are 2 main narrative threads here - first one is Fawcetts life and his exploration leading to his final expedition and the second one is Grann's pursuit of this story.
Besides the main narrative threads there are plenty of little stories, anecdotes and titbits that keep thing interesting and the book moving along at a nice pace.
I liked the writing style and pacing of the book, which combined with the shortish chapters and change in topics made this book a real page turner.
Rating: 5 / 5; Highly recommended.
This book came about from the authors obsession with a early 1900's British explorer - Percy Fawcett whom he stumbled upon while researching another story. Fawcett along with his son and his son's best friend disappeared into the Amazon while they were searching for a (perhaps mythical) City, Fawcett rather dramatically called Z.
To discover Fawcett's fate, Grann would himself have to sniff out the trail to Z. Grann estimates that around 100 people have already lost their lives searching for Fawcett and Z. Knowing this and despite being a self confessed city boy Grann decides to get on with the search.
The book in spite of the title is not purely focussed on the search for Fawcett and Z. The book also takes a biographical look at Fawcett's life. There are 2 main narrative threads here - first one is Fawcetts life and his exploration leading to his final expedition and the second one is Grann's pursuit of this story.
Besides the main narrative threads there are plenty of little stories, anecdotes and titbits that keep thing interesting and the book moving along at a nice pace.
I liked the writing style and pacing of the book, which combined with the shortish chapters and change in topics made this book a real page turner.
Rating: 5 / 5; Highly recommended.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Book review: Dinosaur planet by Anne McCaffrey
Genre: Science fiction.
Uninteresting characters, no real plot line whatsoever is how I would characterise this book. This book feels like it is a preview for the next book. There is very little story progression here and a bunch of mysteries are set up and none are resolved.
I never grew to like the characters mainly because everyone felt one dimensional. The characters motivation for doing good or bad are not explored. Anne McCaffrey's writing style itself is pretty good but that is the only redeeming point about this book.
Rating: 2/5, Below average, only reason to get this one is if you are a huge Anne McCaffrey fan.
The Amazon link is to this book and the sequel for this book. I have not read the sequel.
Uninteresting characters, no real plot line whatsoever is how I would characterise this book. This book feels like it is a preview for the next book. There is very little story progression here and a bunch of mysteries are set up and none are resolved.
I never grew to like the characters mainly because everyone felt one dimensional. The characters motivation for doing good or bad are not explored. Anne McCaffrey's writing style itself is pretty good but that is the only redeeming point about this book.
Rating: 2/5, Below average, only reason to get this one is if you are a huge Anne McCaffrey fan.
The Amazon link is to this book and the sequel for this book. I have not read the sequel.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Book review: The shadow at evening by Chris Walley
Genre: Christian science fiction.
The pacing of this starts slow as it gradually fills in the details of the world. The writing is decent, the plot is interesting. The issue for me here is this is a Christian book with no warning anywhere on the book that it is.
Initially I thought the author was setting the stage for a complex story where various viewpoints are explored with people who thought the world was black and white begin to see the shades of Gray.
However it seems the author believes things are black and white. So following rules without thinking about them is a good thing. Any genetic modification of humans is a bad thing. Technology needs to be controlled and so on and so forth.
All in all I won't bother with the sequel and regret the time I spent reading this.
Rating: Don't bother ... well unless you like Christian literature then this one is pretty good.
The pacing of this starts slow as it gradually fills in the details of the world. The writing is decent, the plot is interesting. The issue for me here is this is a Christian book with no warning anywhere on the book that it is.
Initially I thought the author was setting the stage for a complex story where various viewpoints are explored with people who thought the world was black and white begin to see the shades of Gray.
However it seems the author believes things are black and white. So following rules without thinking about them is a good thing. Any genetic modification of humans is a bad thing. Technology needs to be controlled and so on and so forth.
All in all I won't bother with the sequel and regret the time I spent reading this.
Rating: Don't bother ... well unless you like Christian literature then this one is pretty good.
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