Three New Book Reviews
Haven’t made much of a dent in the writing objectives this year. While the creative brain took a vacation most of the year I met and will surpass my goal of reading 24 books. It will be gangbusters on the writing front next year–stay tuned!
Gather the Sentient by Amalie Jahn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Another great read–the circle of light expands and more becomes known about the dark/evil ones. The great thing about this series is how the psychic powers are applied to current political and social events–focusing on greed vs things like healing and putting criminals behind bars. You need to read book one–don’t just jump into this one.
Outin by Brandt Legg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Keeps things moving along at a decent pace for the story line. The YA situation raises it’s head a little more with a challenge for the 16-17 year-old protagonist having in dealing with relationships between himself and two girls. If it weren’t for that and occasional age mentions, I’d overlook it and forget about it. That said, it’s a great read with all the extra-normal powers being developed continually and constantly dealing with the threats posed by the bad guys. For mystery lovers, there was some foreshadowing of an issue about who was leaking the info about where people were–but you’ll have to figure it out for yourself. By the time that was resolved, I’d forgotten about my early suspicion. Lots of action and suspense. If you liked the first book in the trilogy, you’ll like this one too. But you should read the first one before this; it won’t work well as a standalone.
Galápagos by Kurt Vonnegut
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
This could be perhaps more accurately be labeled satire, literary fiction or simply fiction–all with Vonnegut’s typical “humor.” I’d have to say he was running out of gas at this point in his life. It could reasonably be written in half the space it takes if 2/3 of the continual redundancies about “big brains” were eliminated. Likewise the asides about Trout’s ephemeral self-assessments. Most of all, the “development” of the characters. Just not that funny, too telegraphed and too despairing without a rational explanation about why the devolution of the human race happened. He told the reader it had happened within the first chapter and spends the rest of the novel somewhat fleshing out the characters that take us there. I’d really like to give it 1.5 stars, but that’s not an option. Disappointing from one of my favorite authors of long ago. I once wanted to write like him; but I don’t have that dark a view of humanity anymore so I can’t.
Thanks for the recommends. And man do I hear you on writer interruptus this past year. I did announce I wasn’t going to put a book this year, but even if I was, the distractions were too numerous – especially the orange ones, lol. 🙂
You speak the truth!
Lollllllllllllll.#Voteblue
Bahahaha