Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey. 582 pages. Orbit Books. I was first attracted to this book when I heard that the SyFy Channel was coming up with a new series this year based on a book collection called “The Expanse.” Leviathan Wakes is the first book in that series. It’s classified as space opera, … More Review: “Leviathan Wakes” by James S.A. Corey
I am pretty active on the website Quora.com, where you can ask or answer questions. A few days ago, I was asked to answer the question: “What are some qualities a book should have to keep a reader engaged for hours?” I responded by quoting writing guru Robert McKee from his famous writing book, Story. … More Why Writers Need the Wow Factor
Let me begin with a disclaimer. Book reviews are a highly subjective thing. What strikes my fancy might not strike yours, and vice versa. With that said, I was introduced to Christopher Patterson by a fellow author who is also trying to find his path somewhere between sci-fi/fantasy and Christian fiction. Shadow’s Fire leads more … More Review: “Shadow’s Fire: A Chance Beginning” by Christopher Patterson
Here’s my review in a nutshell: More of the same. If you’re like me and like alternate history/military sci-fi stories, and if you happened to pick up Into the Storm, the first book in the Destroyermen series after my review, then the news that this is more of the same should be good news. Crusade … More Review: “Destroyermen: Crusade” by Taylor Anderson
“Storm Front” by Jim Butcher. Roc Books. 372 pages. I have a student named Andrew that is also a colleague in our student-led campus creative writing group, The Rough Writers. He has been going on and on about Jim Butcher and especially about the Dresden Files series. And so I got a good deal at … More Review: “Storm Front” by Jim Butcher
The Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi. Tor Books. 374 pages. I need to start off by explaining that this book is the sequel to Old Man’s War, a book I thoroughly enjoyed and have reviewed here. But as John Scalzi himself admits, writing a sequel is no easy thing. Being the author of a trilogy … More Review: “The Ghost Brigades” by John Scalzi
“The Martian” by Andy Weir. Crown Books. 369 pages. I’ve been sort of a fan of Michael Crichton for quite a while. I say “sort of” because I believe he has some great books, and others that are not-so-great. I long have wondered how you classify Crichton’s writing: it’s not really science fiction, but then … More Review: “The Martian” by Andy Weir
Destroyermen: Into the Storm by Taylor Anderson. Roc Books. 386 pages. I’m a big fan of alternate history stories. I am also a fan of military sci-fi. When I can find a book–better yet, a series–that combines these two, and does it well, I am in reader heaven. Years ago, I read The Lost Regiment … More Review: Destroyermen: Into the Storm by Taylor Anderson
Introducing…<ahem> for your reading pleasure…the book you’ve all been waiting for….CHOSEN. Seriously, tomorrow is the unveiling day, and many have decided to take me up on the offer of a free ebook copy simply by signing up for the monthly newsletter. It’s a great day, and it helps me two ways. It gives me permission … More Brand Spanking New
“Demon: A Memoir” by Tosca Lee. BH Publishing Group. 328 Pages. I generally use two criteria to determine if a book is great or merely good. One of those is if the book can surprise me. The other is if I end up thinking about the book a long time after finishing it. The first … More Review: “Demon: A Memoir” by Tosca Lee
The Great Adventure 