Title: Boone Barnaby
Author: Joe Cottonwood
Genre: Young Adult non-spec ficc
Released: 12 January 2009
Located: iTunes, Podiobooks
Formats Available: podcast
Rating: PG – For mild language and violence
Currently I’m listening to a number of podcasts. A good number. Not a single one had the decency to finish this week. So, as my deadline quickly approached, I pulled up Podiobooks.com and looked at authors I’ve enjoyed. I then realized there was one story by Joe Cottonwood I hadn’t heard yet. That’s all it took.
So, on to the review.
Synopsis: If you liked Clear Heart, I think you’ll like this one too. It’s got great characters, it’s down-to-earth, it’s fun. And better yet, this one’s friendly to children. Boone Barnaby is about three boys testing the limits of life in their scrappy little town. It’s about collecting garbage, climbing trees, catching a criminal, and talking to dragonflies.
Boone Barnaby lives in a small town full of large characters: San Puerco, California. There’s Boone’s father, who loves Studebakers and doo-wop, and who has a habit of walking around the dark streets of town late at night carrying a can of gasoline. There’s Boone’s friend Danny, who has nothing—sometimes not even a home—but who wants everything, even if he has to steal for it. There’s Boone’s other friend Babcock, who finds trilobites and organizes a picket line and looks like a wet coconut. There’s Walt, the soccer coach, who drives a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. And there’s Boone himself, who has a few problems: His soccer team is thrown out of the league. The dogcatcher is after Boone’s dog. The town hoodlum is throwing rocks. Boone’s father is arrested for burning down houses. The adult world doesn’t seem fair, but with the help of his friends—Danny and Babcock—Boone tries to make things right and maybe learn just who he is and what he stands for.
Boone Barnaby is Part One of the San Puerco Trilogy, three award-winning novels that have been loved by adults and children alike, about the adventures of three boys in a town of cranks and dreamers—and adventurous children. “This warmly engaging story is resplendent with humor, irony, thoughtful introspection, and well-paced plotting.” —School Library Journal.
Joe Cottonwood lives in the scrappy little town of La Honda, California, which has its own share of cranks and dreamers—and adventurous children. He has written four award-winning novels for children including the best-selling Quake!, four novels for adults including Famous Potatoes and Clear Heart, a book of poetry, and numerous songs. He has worked as a plumber, electrician, and carpenter and currently makes his living as a building contractor. He recently discovered that he has been writing podcasts all his life, though he didn’t know it until podcasts were finally invented. (Stolen from Podiobooks.com)
Production: Once again, Mr. Cottonwood keeps the production pretty straight forward with the story being read by a handful of people. Each episode contains two chapters opened and closed by a piece of music and a musical interlude between chapters. Uncomplicated and straightforward. And done very well.
Grade: A-
Cast: As mentioned previously, this is a group read. I won’t call it a full cast podcast, but it is far from a self read. If you’ve listened to any of Mr. Cottonwood’s other podcasts, one or two of the other voices will quite probably be familiar. This cast does a nice job of telling the story. Not perfect, but good.
Grade: B
Story: When I listened to Babcock, I had several people mention Boone Barnaby to me. However, no one mentioned to me that Boone Barnaby was an earlier story with many of the same characters that takes place in the same small California town of San Puerco. I hesitate in calling it a prequel, because in reality the stories are unrelated, however, the many of the characters are in both stories, and they are younger in Boone Barnaby.
Grade: A
Verdict: While I definitely enjoyed Babcock more, I still definitely enjoyed Boone Barnaby and have no problem recommending it. This story is more formulaic in several aspects, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. This story is easily suited for children of 10 and above. I believe most would enjoy it.
Disclosure: Mr. Cottonwood did leave a comment on this blog when I reviewed Babcock, but that is the only communication I’ve ever had with him. I was offered nothing in return for this review.
Title: Armand Ptolemy and the Golden Aleph
Author: Mark Jeffrey
Genre: Fantasy
Released: 4 December 2011 – 19 April 2012
Located: iTunes, Podiobooks
Formats Available: podcast, ebook
Rating: PG for violence
As most Podiobook listeners will know, Mr. Jeffrey is considered one of the founders of the current podiobook format. His young adult book Max Quick: The Pocket and the Pendant (reviewed previously) was one of the books that got this whole thing started. So when Mr. Jeffrey puts a new book up… well, I – for one – am going to check it out.
So, on to the review.
Synopsis: Synchronicity machines. Difference engines melded with the iChing. Geomancy: the art of making stone float with sound. The hacker collective ‘Anonymous’. Secret societies …
This is the world of ARMAND PTOLEMY, a new action-adventure hero. Facing an enemy armed with the Golden Aleph — a mystical device that allows its wielder to see holographically into every point in time and space, Ptolemy must use every trick of his Oxford-educated mind and circus-trained body to succeed.
But how do you fight an enemy that knows your every move … even before you do?
When Armand Ptolemy is called to investigate strange tremors plaguing an old wing of the New York public library, he finds himself enmeshed in a series of events that began in 1912. Yet Ptolemy himself is rumored to be from the past himself — and the world’s Elite lust after the secret of how he seemingly jumped forward over one hundred years in time. Most keenly interested in this secret is Octavio Veerspike, head of the Veerspike banking dynasty.
When the Commission — a secret society of the world’s most powerful people — suddenly call a conclave in the tropics, Ptolemy has to figure out what they’re up to, and fast.
But the Elites have other ideas. Putting into a motion the capstone of a hundred-years old plan, the Commission wants Ptolemy out of the way. And with the Golden Aleph giving them very potent powers of prediction, they just may succeed … (Stolen from Podiobooks.com)
Production: Ummm… after listening to the first couple of episodes of Armand Ptolemy and the Golden Aleph, I admit, I was asking myself, “What in the heck happened?!” I admit, it has been a while since I’ve listened to one of Mr. Jeffrey’s podcasts, but I seriously don’t remember them being this bad. Wait… bad? Yes. Bad. There are multiple instances of repeated lines, atmospheric noises (jets, dogs, page turns, etc) and just mediocre production. Armand Ptolemy and the Golden Aleph really has all the earmarks of a first production but without any of the excuses.
Grade: C-
Cast: Mr. Jeffrey does Armand Ptolemy and the Golden Aleph as a self read and for the most part does an excellent job. There was only one issue I had with the reading and that was the pronunciation of “Ptolemy”, which Mr. Jeffrey pronounced phonetically, while I’ve always heard it pronounced “t?l’?-m?”. A small thing, and something Mr. Jeffrey might have done purposefully, but still, it drew me out of the story every time I heard it.
Grade: B+
Story: I’m still not sure whether Mr. Jeffrey intends this Ptolemy from history, a descendent, or a non-relatitve. I’m not sure it matters, but if it is a non-relative, then it kind of confuses the issue. This is a story that does a lot of ground setting and introduces, what I assume, will be the major players in a larger story.
Grade: A
Verdict: I started this story prepared to enjoy it. After the first two episodes and quite possibly through at least three-quarters of the story, I was prepared to blast it. Then I came around and recognized it for what I feel it is: a free introduction to a larger story (that probably won’t be free). And you know what? I have no problem with that. So, listen to the first 4 eps. Listen for the story. Forget the (lack luster) production. Forget the confusion surrounding Mr. Ptolemy’s origins. Be aware that this story is a setup for a larger story, and yes, be prepared to be cliff-hangered.
Disclosure: This is the third time I’ve reviewed a book by Mr. Jeffrey. I still have not conversed with him in any form. I have not received anything in return for this review.
Title: House of Zeor
Author: Jacqueline Lichtenberg
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Release Date: 14 March 2012 (Audible)
Available Formats: Reviewing Audiobook version available through Audible.com
To be honest, I’d never heard of Jacqueline Lichtenberg or her Sime-Gen series until recently when Michael Spence asked me if I would be interested in reviewing a true audiobook. This was one of those perfect storm moments as I had just been considering opening this door because I had recently discovered a couple of audiobooks I was very interested in listening to.
On to the review.
Synopsis: The first published novel in this best-selling series asks the question: “What if the basic human nature suddenly changed?” Hugh Valleroy of the Gen Police undertakes a covert mission into Sime Territory to rescue the woman he loves from the Sime kidnappers who would use her to destroy his government. His protector and guide? A Sime who carefully and deliberately plans to kill him! (Stolen from Audible.com)
Setting: Future Earth where much of the current technology has been lost and the human race is divided into two separate mutations, the Simes and the Gens. The Gens look like the traditional human but synthesize a substance that the Simes, that have evolved into something a bit beyond human, need to survive. Thus, Gens have become a virtual food source for the Simes.
Plot: Regardless of the above provided summary, I would maintain that the main plot of book is the uneasy assimilation of the Gen Hugh Valleroy into Sime society and his decisions on whether to integrate into this society or not.
Characters: The main characters in House of Zeor are the aforementioned Hugh and the Sime leader Clyde. Hugh is the most emotionally volatile character I’ve read in a long time. I actually preferred Clyde, who’s Sime version of logic reminded me of Spock in several ways.
Odin’s recommendation: I liked the story here. House of Zeor was written in the 70′s, and to be honest, it “read” like it. It had the more clinical feel of Herbert, Zelazny and others. However, I still thought it was a story that was worth listening to/reading.
Audible.com has the unabridged version of the story that I listened to. Michael Spence does the narration for this story, and I have to admit, he blew me away. Mr. Spence nailed it. He has the perfect gravel on velvet voice for voiceover/narration work and I believe his reading added to the story.
If you’re looking for an alien/human story (although these are really both mutant humans) I do believe you’ll enjoy House of Zeor.
Tags:
Title: Betrayed – Book 2 of the Turner Chronicles
Author: Mark Eller
Genre: Fantasy/Alternate Universe
Released: 4 April 2012
Located: iTunes, Podiobooks
Formats Available: podcast, ebook
Rating: R for graphic violence and sexual situations
Many months ago and many podcast reviews ago, I reviewed Traitor by Mark Eller. I really enjoyed it. I eagerly awaited the sequel. And waited. And waited. Finally, the wait was over and Mr. Eller released Betrayed the second in the series. Now the only question was, was it worth the wait?
So, on to the review.
Synopsis: The War is over. Isabella has won, and the Talent Master is dead. Aaron Turner now lives in N’Ark, Isabella’s capital, where he mourns his murdered wife and son. All he wants is to tip a bottle, stare at walls, and recover.
But they won’t leave him alone.
The Isabellan government and slavers both want him dead. Savages look to him as their prophesied savior. His lawyer wants to control him. His neighbors and friends have been murdered, and a once dead shaman declares him a servant of her One God.
Aaron has to make things right. His honor demands it.
Dusting off his guns, he sets aside his grief, readies his Talent, and declares a one man war against a nation that has betrayed him, the Clan, and itself.(Stolen from Podiobooks.com)
Production: Mr. Eller does a proficient job with the production of Betrayed. There are instances of repeated lines, and I did notice a few places where atmospheric noises leaked in, but I doubt the average listener will have anything to complain about while listening to this story.
Grade: B+
Cast: Mr. Eller does quite a nice job reading his story and has that quality of many of the best narrators that while not overly inflecting his voice for different characters, still completely differentiates them by simply using his voice. I truly enjoyed listening to his reading of his story.
Grade: A
Story: This is a sequel. You really need to read/listen to Traitor, before listening to Betrayed. Don’t jump in on the second story. You’ll miss a lot and Betrayed will suffer for it. However, this is a extremely tight story and is done very well. Where Traitor happened on a very small scale, focusing on Aaron Turner and the small towns he lived in. Betrayed focuses on a larger stage, both in number of important characters and in the amount of traveling. Mr. Eller promises this will continue and the third book will happen on a world scale. The graphic violence and graphic imagery described did indeed make me squirm and I strongly encourage you to listen to this one out of the hearing of small children.
Grade: A
Verdict: Loved it. Much better progression of the story that I had anticipated and am greatly enjoying where this story is going. I encourage those of you that enjoy alternate universe stories to give this one a listen.
Disclosure: I’ve never met, talked or tweeted with Mr. Eller. Nothing was offered or accepted in return for this review.
Title: Interview with a Wizard
Author: J.A. Areces
Genre: Harry Potter alternate earth magical fantasy
Released: 17 December 2007 – 20 April 2008
Located: iTunes, Podiobooks
Formats Available: podcast, ebook
Rating: PG – 13 for violence
Like almost every other person on the planet, I was a big fan of the Harry Potter novels. I discovered them fairly early on with only the first book of the series in print and followed the adventures of Harry, Ron and Hermione as each new novel was released. When I stumbled across Interview with a Wizard on Podiobooks, I hoped it would have some of that magic and decided to give it a listen.
So, on to the review.
Synopsis:
On Halloween night, the greatest vacation spot in the world is about to be scared to death. A dangerous and mad wizard has escaped from jail, and there is no one who can identify him. With only seven days left before Halloween, Jesse and wizard special agent Ch-U-Ch race to solve the mystery, but time is quickly running out. (Stolen from Podiobooks.com)
Production: Interview with a Wizard is mostly good production interrupted by moments (episodes) of truly miserable production. The music the author chose was fine, until he changed it. Then changed it back. Then played it through a large chunk of one episode.I didn’t find it irritating enough to quit listening to the story; however, if it had occurred in episode one, it might have been a different story. The only reason I don’t grade it lower is because it isn’t consistently bad. The times it is however, I believe earns it the grade given.
Grade: C-
Cast: Mr. Areces does Interview with a Wizard as a self read. Overall, he does a fine job. Some might have a bit of difficulty with his accent, but anyone that complains about accents needs to realize that not everyone sound like them. It is obvious English isn’t Mr. Areces first language. However, he does a commendable job with the language with both the writing and the reading.
Grade: A
Story: I had a hard time with Interview with a Wizard. In some aspects it seemed terribly derivative of Harry Potter and other fantasy novels. Yet in other aspects, it seemed more of an original story that is simultaneously providing tribute to those other stories we love so much. On that account, I’ll let others provide their thoughts.
Grade: B-
Verdict: I have a hard time here. I with good conscience really don’t know whether to recommend Interview with a Wizard or not. Some will find it derivative and irritating; some will find it a fun and original tribute. I admit, I found it both. In places. In other places I will also admit that I was yelling at the story because of a few production decisions. I guess my best advice here would be to give this one the 4 ep test if you find the synopsis interesting. Oh, and by the way, yes, this is young adult safe.
Disclosure: I’ve never met Mr. Areces and I was offered nothing in return for this review.
Title: The Janus Affair: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel
Author: Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Release Date: May 29, 2012 (Available for pre-order.)
Available Formats: Mass Market Paperback
About a week ago, maybe a bit more, The Janus Affair was made available in electronic ARC for review blogs. I signed up and was given permission and a link to download. I really enjoyed the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences maiden voyage, Pheonix Rising, and was really hoping that The Janus Affair wouldn’t suffer a type of sophomore curse.
On to the review.
Synopsis: Evildoers beware! Retribution is at hand, thanks to Britain’s best-kept secret agents!!
Certainly no strangers to peculiar occurrences, agents Wellington Books and Eliza Braun are nonetheless stunned to observe a fellow passenger aboard Britain’s latest hypersteam train suddenly vanish in a dazzling bolt of lightning. They soon discover this is not the only such disappearance . . . with each case going inexplicably unexamined by the Crown.
The fate of England is once again in the hands of an ingenious archivist paired with a beautiful, fearless lady of adventure. And though their foe be fiendishly clever, so then is Mr. Books . . . and Miss Braun still has a number of useful and unusual devices hidden beneath her petticoats. (Stolen from Amazon.com)
Setting: Victorian London. However, this is the Victorian London not seen by your ancestors. This is the Victorian London Verne and Wells would have chosen to live in if the choice had been available. The wonderfully infernal devices evidenced throughout The Janus Affair are much more blended into the story than almost any other steampunk story I’ve encountered. I’ve heard complaints about steampunk from two almost antithetical camps. The one seems to hate anything that is overly analyzed as most contraptions would be taken for granted. The other camp has severe issues whenever there are not enough steam powered devices in evidence. I am unsure whether Mr. Morris and Ms. Ballantine have heard these same complaints or if they just happen to walk the perfect middle: The Janus Affair is peppered on every page with plenty of gadgets and the only device that I remember being explained is a Victorian glowstick.
Plot: Ms. Braun has much cause for rejoicing as London’s suffrage movement, which is beginning to gain steam, is visited by her old mentor Kate Sheppard, the first lady of the New Zealand Suffrage Movement. However, suffragists from around London are disappearing and Books and Braun endeavor to make sure Kate isn’t next.
Characters: Besides Wellington and Eliza, many of the cast from Pheonix Rising return and are fleshed out. Of particular note, the Ministry Seven have a much larger role in The Janus Affair, a fact that you’ll be quite happy about. All of the characters gel a bit more in the current story and each plays their part well.
Odin’s recommendation: I make no bones here; I’m going to gush. I truly and simply loved Pheonix Rising at the time I read it and stated that it was the best example of steampunk I’d read. I continued to feel that way until I read The Janus Affair. Simply stated, The Janus Affair is a substantially better story than Pheonix Rising. I’d have given Pheonix Rising an unreserved A rating. The Janus Affair one upped it and got a perfect score; then did the extra credit. In all honesty, I can’t think of a single scene I’d change.
If you’re a fan of good writing, you need to go ahead and pre-order The Janus Affair now. (Feel free to click the image on the carousel to the right.) If you’ve never read steampunk before, this would be a great introduction. If you’ve felt steampunk wasn’t for you, The Janus Affair will change your mind. If you’re tired of books that take themselves too seriously and forget to let the reader enjoy the story and characters, Ms. Ballantine and Mr. Morris had you in mind.
I truly believe with The Janus Affair: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel, this series will become a fan favorite and readers will demand to find out what happens when next Eliza and Welly suit up for their next adventure.
Title: Dark Currents
Author: Lindsay Buroker
Genre: Fantasy with Steampunk elements
Released: 21 March 2012
Located: Podiobooks, iTunes
Formats Available: podcast, ebook
Rating: PG – 13 for violence
Several months ago, many regular readers of the blog will remember that I found a new podcast novel written by Lindsay Buroker and read by Starla Huchton. You might also remember I greatly enjoyed it and had few complaints concerning it. Well, that book was The Emperor’s Edge, and now I’m here to review it’s sequel, Dark Currents.
So, on to the review.
Synopsis: It’s been three months since former enforcer Amaranthe Lokdon and the notorious assassin Sicarius thwarted kidnappers and saved the emperor’s life. The problem? Nobody knows they were responsible for this good deed. Worse, they’re being blamed for the entire scheme. With enforcers and bounty hunters stalking them, and the emperor nursing a personal hatred for Sicarius, it’s going to be hard to earn exoneration. (Stolen from Podiobooks.com)
Production: Dark Currents is produced by the same team that produced The Emperor’s Edge, Darkfire Productions. Many of the same superior production qualities that I enjoyed with The Emperor’s Edge are still present in Dark Currents. However, there are a few more background artifacts during the reading. This might have been something that was uncontrollable and impossible to remove. Regardless, they did catch my attention and momentarily pulled me out of the story. Also, in one ep the outro music appears several minutes early and leaves a gap at the end. This definitely messed up the ending of that ep, at least for me. Hopefully, this issue has been corrected.
Grade: B-
Cast: As with The Emperor’s Edge, Dark Currents is read by Starla Huchton. And once again, she does a superb job. Each of the characters retains their individual flavor from the original story and, remarkably, so do many of the periphery characters.
Grade: A
Story: You may remember that I stated during the review of The Emperor’s Edge that the steam elements seemed unnecessary. Well, in Dark Currents, Ms. Buroker has upped the steam and the need for it. This second story makes the steam elements more much necessary and common. This story takes place outside of the city for the most part. I found myself enjoying the story very much, but realized that the setting of the first book was one of the things I greatly enjoyed about it.
Grade: A
Verdict: I enjoyed Dark Currents. Immensley. I might have even enjoyed it more than the first. I love watching the relationships between the characters evolve. I hope to see the trend continue in the next several books. I heartily congratulate Ms. Buroker on the story and Ms. Huchton and the lads at Darkfire for bringing it to life.
Disclosure: I’ve never met Ms. Buroker. Since the review for EE, i have begun following her on Twitter (@goblinwriter). I was offered nothing in return for this review.
Title: Tales from the Archives
Author: Various
Producers: Imagine That Studios
Genre: Steampunk
Released: Ongoing
Located: Authors Site
Formats Available: Podcast only
Rating: R for violence and adult content
A week or so ago, Tee Morris offered me the chance to listen to a couple of eps of the new volume of Tales from the Archives, Volume 2, a podcast devoted to the world of Eliza Braun and Wellington Books from The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences. If you’re unfamiliar with the ministry, you might want to run to your local Barnes and Nobles or head on line to check out the first book in the series, Phoenix Rising written by Tee Morris and Pip Ballantine. Why hurry? Because the second book in the series, The Janus Affair, will be released in May, and believe me, you’re going to want to be ready for it.
So, on to the review.
Synopsis: The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences has many forgotten stories in its Archives. Stories of madcap adventures in all corners of the Empire, dark doings in hidden places, and mysterious devices and artifacts that the everyday citizen should never become aware of for fear it would quite undo their minds. (Stolen from the authors’ site.)
Background: The Tales from the Archives series is a companion podcast to the aforementioned Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series. Several of the stories have been written by Mr. Morris and Ms. Ballantine, but most are written by authors that have chosen to submit a short story placed in this universe.
Production: The production of Tales is two fold. Each story is introduced and closed by Mr. Morris and Ms. Ballantine in the characters of Eliza and Wellington. This portion of the podcast always receives an A. The story itself is always a self read by the guest author with effects supplied by Imagine That Studios. The effects are always well done and have to date always added to the feel of the story. The reading itself however is a sliding scale as each author has a different background with the mic. With only the two stories I’ve heard of the current volume, I will allude to volume one in the grading of the production as well. Some of the readings are by authors that have podcast their own material and are podstars in their own rights. Others may never have been in front of a mic before and you can obviously hear the difference. However, the good news is, I don’t think any of the stories would receive below a C in the area of production (remember, I grade by my own scale, and give myself a C) and many are in the A range.
Grade: A-C
Cast: As mentioned above, each author does their own reading. The first story of the new volume is Tee Morris’s Sin’s of the Father. Tee, of course does a remarkable job and this episode was a lot of fun to listen too. The second story in Volume 2 is A Swan in Siam by P.J. Schnyder. Ms. Schnyder is unknown to me, but her reading of her story was well done and I had no issues with it.
Amalgam Grade: A-
Stories: Mr. Morris’ Sins of the Father, is (for lack of a better term) Wellington’s origin story – or at least the story of how he chose to join the ministry. This story surprised me and gives the reader a much better understanding of Wellington Books. I greatly enjoyed it and have found it to be a must listen before reading The Janus Affair. Ms. Schnyder’s A Swan in Siam, takes one of the characters introduced in Pheonix Rising, and places him in Siam where he meets a fascinating and incredible young lady in the court of the king. While not part of the main line of continuity in the series, it is an extremely enjoyable story and it left me hoping Eliza and Welly will eventually make their way to Siam to follow up where this story left off.
Grade: A
Verdict: Books are expensive. For some, book purchases might fall into the luxury category now. If you know of someone that is a book lover and hasn’t been able to purchase (or check out at their local library) a copy of Pheonix Rising, I definitely recommend that you introduce them to The Tales from the Archives. This podcast does more than simply introduce you to the characters in the book series, it goes beyond that series to flesh out a universe that is remarkable fleshed out. Furthermore, I will go on record as saying this is one of the few collections written in a shared universe that doesn’t feel like a loose collection. Instead if feels more like a patchwork quilt with each story forming a beautiful patch that compliments the whole. Listen. You’ll be glad you did.
Shameless plug: Don’t forget, if you send an audio comment to me at Odin1eye at viewfromvalhalla dot com, I’ll include it in the podcast version of this episode next weekend (or when I receive it). You can also leave voicemail, for this or any other story, at the Valhalla Hotline simply by calling 956-307-ODIN (6346)
Disclosure: Mr. Morris and Ms. Ballantine are both dear friends. I’ve followed both of their careers and have reviewed most of their works released under their own names. I have been provided with an ARC of The Janus Affair which will receive its own review in the upcoming days. However, none of this would “buy” them a positive review. I have reviewed this series as I would any other, of that you can be sure.
Title: Hunter and Fox
Author: Philippa Jane Ballantine
Publisher: PYR Books
Release Date: June 26, 2012 (Available for pre-order.)
Available Formats: PYR Trade Paper.
On a day not too long ago, I wandered out to the mailbox, like any other day, wondering what bills and junk mail awaited me. Upon opening the mailbox, I truthfully have no idea what else was was in there, because the mysteriously book shaped package grabbed my attention. I, like the impatient person I am, ripped the packaging to shreds and then did a little dance of joy right there in the street. I held in my hands, an Advanced Reader Copy of Philippa J. Ballantine’s PYR premiere book, Hunter and Fox. I had heard Ms. Ballantine tweet about this book off and on for several years, and heard Lou Anders, editor of PYR books provide a synopsis of it at Fencon earlier this year. I can honestly say, it is one of the books I’ve been most excited about in 2012. DId it live up to that build up?
On to the review.
Synopsis: In a world that is in constant shifting, where mountains can change to plainsand then to lakes, Talyn is the Hunter for the Caisah, and a wreck of a once-proud person. She has lost her people, the Vaerli, and her soul working for the man who destroyed her people. All unknowing, she carries within her a Kindred, a chaos creature from the center of the earth that wants to help bring the Vaerli back to power. However, she has lost the ability to communicate with it.
She must also deal with the machinations of Kelanim, the mistress of Caisah, who out of fear will do anything to bring Talyn down.
Little does the Hunter know that salvation is looking for her, and it wears the face of gentleness and strength. Finn is a teller of tales who carries his own dreadful secret. He sets out to find answers to his path but ends up in the city of Perilous and Fair where he meets Talyn. He knows the danger and yet is drawn to her. Their fates are bound together.
Meanwhile, the Hunter’s lost brother Byre is searching for his own solution to the terrible curse placed on the Vaerli. He sets forth on a treacherous journey of his own, which will intersect in the most unlikely place with that of Talyn and Finn.
The ramifications of this encounter will be felt by all the people in Conhaero, from the lost Vaerli to the Caisah on his throne.
(Stolen from pyrsf.com)
Setting: As the synopsis states, this story takes place on the world of Conhaero. Conhaero is a world that has many similarities and many differences from our own earth. The green horse thing on the cover of the book isn’t a mistake. Things are a bit different in Ms. Ballantine’s world. Things are always a bit different in Ms. Ballantine’s worlds.
Though this next point truly doesn’t belong in the setting, I am going to state it now. Ms. Ballantine does world building right. I love how she tells me things when I need to know them without bogging down the story with unnecessary details. I don’t feel the need for a lecture at the beginning of a book or scene explaining why things work the way they do, and obviously, neither does Ms. Ballantine. Ms. Ballantine never allows the evolution of the world we’re invited to visit to derail us from the plot of the story.
Plot: As I sat down with Hunter and Fox, the story began to unfold in a fairly linear manner. Talyn is a member of a once powerful and now subjugated race who works for the enslaver of her people in order to win back some of the powers her race once enjoyed. Straightforward and right to the point.
I think that fallacy lasted until the second or perhaps third chapter. The plot of Hunter and Fox is neither straightforward nor easy to restate. While the previous sentence is true, Hunter and Fox could also be classified as a story about a chance at redemption and the strange paths destiny might ask us to walk. The shades of gray become colorful in themselves and the tapestry that Ms. Ballantine weaves is rich with texture and color.
Characters: I know I’ve said this before, but it obviously needs restating: I find Ms. Ballantine characters to be some of the most believable, memorable, driven characters in fiction today. She is a harsh mistress and one should never become too attached to any of her creations as I personally believe that none of her characters are sacrosanct. Hunter and Fox is no different in this regard. Talyn and Finn and others you will meet between the covers experience more physical and psychological pain than most authors place in a ten novel series. Talyn is by far the darkest of Ms. Ballantine’s heroes to date, and truthfully, it made me love her all the more.
Odin’s recommendation: Pre-order this one now. If you have someone in the house that is also a fan of Ms. Ballantine’s work, buy multiple copies: you’re not going to want to wait your turn. Of course, you might also want to buy one for that person in your life that irritates you. Why? This is the first book of the Shifted World series. It does a simply wonderful job of setting up the characters and storyline for future volumes. Let me restate this: it does a great job of opening more doors than it closes. Which is wonderful because I was wholly unready for this story to end when i turned the last page.
If someone looks at the books of my personal library, most would look to be brand new. Never read and rarely touched. I like the look of new books and am a very gentle reader.
My copy of Hunter and Fox is beat up and abused. I took it with me everywhere squeezing in whatever time I could to get a little further along. I skipped lunch a couple of times because reading was more imperative.
With Hunter and Fox, I believe PYR has a solid hit on their hands and Ms. Ballantine has another outstanding series that will enthrall her current readers and be sure to add new fans.
And I’m sure they’ll feel the same way I do: Curse you Philippa Jane Ballantine, write faster!
Tags:
Title: Self Made
Author: M. Darusha Wehm
Genre: Science Fiction
Released: 11 January 2010 – 3 April 2010
Located: iTunes, Podiobooks
Formats Available: Podcast, ebook and dead tree
Rating: R for language, violence and adult content
Once again my trolling through podiobooks brings me to a title and author I’ve yet to read/listen.
So, on to the review.
Synopsis: Ever wish things were different?
Ivy Velasquez did, so she became someone else. In the 3D virtual world Marionette City, you can be anything you want — but everyone still knows who you are. Driven by her desire for a new life, Ivy takes her future in her hands when she makes another identity for herself. A brilliant designer, Ivy works for one of the huge firms which control the online system the world relies upon for both business and pleasure. But one day, Ivy discovers that her alternate self, Reuben Cobalt, had been murdered.
Since alternate identities are forbidden by the firms which control access to the nets and to M City, Ivy has nowhere to turn — until she finds Andersson Dexter. Part private eye, part vigilante and part cop, Dex sets out to uncover Reuben’s killer. Since the firms control almost every aspect of life, including law and order, justice for average people comes only at the hands of the outlaw organization to which Dex belongs.
Self Made is a murder mystery set in a vision of a future that seems to lurk just over the horizon. But above all, it is a story of how people strive to control their own destinies, and how that desire affects them and the people around them in ways they could never imagine.
Production: The production of Self Made isn’t stellar. Neither is it horrid. It falls firmly in the category of “okay” and there is nothing here that would make it hard to listen to. At least nothing that I remember.
Grade: B/B-
Cast: Ms. Wehm does Self Made as a self read. Her reading voice is up to the task and none of the characters are remarkable due to the poor reading or voice usage. This book has long narrative passages and Ms. Wehm’s voice is up to the task.
Grade: A-
Story: Self Made is a story set in the undetermined future. Truthfully, I don’t remember if a year was mentioned or not, but it has that sense, like a William Gibson or Philip K Dick story, of indeterminate future age about it. Meatworld contact is now severely limited and most interaction occurs in cyberspace. The synopsis reminded me enough of the previously mentioned author that I was eager to give it a try. Throw in a murder mystery and I was confident this would be an enjoyable ride.
Grade: D+\C-
Verdict: I remember as a young lad, sitting in church and hearing the pastor preach on Revelation 3:16 – “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” At the time I really didn’t understand that. Now I do. This is one of the hardest reviews I’ve ever written. Why? Because I am so ambivalent about the work in general and the characters in specific. Ms. Wehm seems to have worked exhaustively to create a world with little emotion and succeeded only in creating a world that held no interest for this listener. Dex and the other characters felt lifeless and almost like watercolor portraits without any definition. I think the ending was supposed to have been happy. The best I can say is it didn’t have the opposite effect on me.
I also found the underlying meat world vs cyberspace issues to be almost nonsensical with the reasoning provided. (Possible spoiler alert) For example, people rarely talk to one another to the extent that a real bar is unusual and talking to someone in the meat world is extremely rare. However, people still commute to the day job in that same meat world even when everything they do is online. The explanation given was something like “so the system can keep track of your time”. I remember laughing about that at the time.
However, my biggest problem with this story is how little I remember about it after only one week. Most of this review was pulled from notes I took at the time. The poorly contrived story obviously made no impression on my long term memory. Perhaps that will be to Ms. Wehm’s advantage and I’ll completely forget about Self Made and try one of her several other books in the future.
Before ending this review, I will state that according to Ms. Wehm’s site, she has been nominated for more than one Parsec, so I quite likely am a minority in my opinion. Have you listened? Do you disagree? Let me know! (Well, you can do that even if you do agree.) Now, I need to go find my listerene.
Shameless plug: Don’t forget, if you send an audio comment to me at Odin1eye at viewfromvalhalla dot com, I’ll include it in the podcast version of this episode next weekend (or when I receive it). You can also leave voicemail, for this or any other story, at the Valhalla Hotline simply by calling 956-307-ODIN (6346)
Disclosure: I’ve never read or listened to anything by Ms. Wehm before. I was offered nothing in return for this review.
Title: Boone Barnaby
