Mid - October - An Update

Well, it's that time of year when the weather is just cool enough that the fog has come in. It's not too bad right now, even a bit sunny, but it's still cool. Jo is working (volunteering) at the thrift shop, the Auxiliary Society for the Comox Valley today, so it's just the puppies and me. I'm watching Berlin Station as I write this and the puppies are sound asleep beside me. Clyde has his paw on Bonnie's shoulder... so cute.

I've completed 3 books since my last update. I'll provide my reviews of those books, the synopses of the next books I've started and also the synopses of any new books I've received.

Just Finished

1. Lore Olympus, Volume 3 by Rachel Smythe (Lore #3 / 2022). An interesting graphic novel series updating the Greek gods.

"Lore Olympus: Volume Three by Rachel  Smythe is the 3rd volume of the Lore graphic novel / webtoon series and consists of episodes 50 - 75. The series is Smythe's updated, modern twist on the Olympian gods and focuses on the romance between the King of the Underworld, Hades and Demeter's daughter, Persephone (also known as Kori).

In this volume, Persephone has begun her internship in Hades' Corp, a situation made awkward as both Hades and Persephone are trying to deny their feelings for each other. Hades' right-hand woman, Hecate (maybe my favorite character) isn't helping as she tries to force the two together. Persephone is having issues because of her bad encounter with Apollo in the previous issue, one she can't really talk about as she is dealing with issues of guilt. Hades is trying to hide his feelings by seemingly having a relationship with water nymph Minthe.

The story moves back and forth between the present and back stories and that does at times make it confusing. As well, I find it somewhat difficult at times to keep track of the characters. Their images change sometimes due to the emotions they are displaying, an interesting concept. I have to say it's a fascinating concept and the artwork is rich and detailed. There are many characters to like and savor. There is an especially emotional, touching conversation between Cupid and Persephone as he tries to comfort her when he realizes that the encounter with Apollo was not consensual. 

Interesting characters, great artwork, complex storyline and a neat, modern take on the Olympians. Vol 4 is on order. (3.5 stars)"

2. The City of Gold and Lead by John Christopher (Tripods #2 / 1967). Book 2 of the Tripod trilogy.

"The City of Gold and Lead is the 2nd book in the Tripods trilogy by Sci - Fi author, John Christopher. Basically as we learned in the first book, the Tripods are an alien race who have taken over the world. They control humanity by means of a mesh net that is placed on a humans skull when they reach the age of 13. It's not all inclusive. There are humans called Wanderers who travel the country and are sort of tolerated and given food and assistance.

Will Parker, a young English boy, and his cousin had travelled to the White Mountains (Switzerland) in the first book. They has avoided the mesh and are still free thinkers. On their way, they had even managed to destroy one of the Tripods. In the White Mountains is a freedom fighting force. They hope to take the Earth back from the Tripods.

In this second book, Will and two other boys, Beanpole, the French boy from Book 1 and Fritz, a young German boy, will travel to Northern Germany to take part in the games. The aim of the games are to choose other slaves to go live and work for the Tripods in their city. (the city of gold and lead). They hope that the boys will gather information on how to defeat the Tripods. Firstly they have to safely get to the place where the games take place, then take part in the games and win their events and then they will be taken to the city.

Only Will and Fritz make it through the games and the rest of the book is their life in this city working as slaves for the Masters. It's a dangerous but fascinating story and they have to survive and then somehow escape from the City to provide the information to the leaders of the revolution back at the White Mountains.

It's a bit of a slow build but as we get into the city the story picks up and the tension also ramps up. Will isn't a perfect kid, a bit to rash and needs to be goaded along by Fritz, who is more taciturn and thoughtful. But they are brave and intrepid and the story is a very interesting YA Sci - Fi tale. I've got #3 on my bookshelf and will be reading it right away to find out how these brave kids save their planet... if they can. (3.5 stars)"

3. Normandy Gold by Megan Abbott (2018). From the Hard Case Crime series I've been reading.

"Normandy Gold Vol. 1 is a noir / pulp graphic novel in the Hard Case Crime series. This one was written by Megan Abbott. Normandy Gold, named after the D-Day landings (at Normandy of course). She is a cop out west and her favorite weapon seems to be a Bowie knife. She receives a call from her younger sister, now a high cost call girl in Washington, DC. During the call, she is killed by her client.

Normandy heads to DC to try and either find Lila (alive or dead) or find her killer. She investigates very much on her own, but also has some involvement with police detective Sturges. The investigation gets her into the high class prostitution business and also high rollers in the political scene. A murder is covered up, by someone.... 

Like most of the hard case graphic novels, there is lots of violence and sex and nudity.. Woo hoo! Normandy is a bit of bull in a china shop but she knows how to investigate and to get results. Nothing deep, just action, political intrigue and criming. Entertaining at the very least. (3.0 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Look to Windward by Iain M. Banks (Culture #7 / 2000).

"It was one of the less glorious incidents of a long-ago war.

It led to the destruction of two suns and the billions of lives they supported.

Now, eight hundred years later, the light from the first of those ancient deaths has reached the Culture Orbital, Masaq'.

The light from the second might not."

2. The Pool of Fire by John Christopher (Tripods #3 / 1968). The final book in the trilogy.

"Will narrates further fight against alien Tripods. With taciturn Fritz, peddlers recruit more rebels. In four years, a spaceship will bring machines that poison Earth air for the Masters. Leader Julius sends Will, his cousin Henry, brilliant scientist 'Beanpole' Jean-Paul against the three Cities. Can they capture a subject for experiments and save the world?"

New Books

1. His Excellency, Governor Wallace by Alexander Wilson (Wallace #5 / 1936). The continuing adventures of Britain's spy chief.

"A full-blooded, stirring yarn, which grips the interest and carries the reader through a host of adventures to a breathless and highly exciting climax. This is a yarn told in the true Wallace tradition and Major Wilson is to be congratulated on maintaining the same atmosphere of quick-fire action."

2. Use of Weapons by Iain M. Banks (Culture #3 / 1990). Such a great Sci Fi series.

"Special Circumstances had always been the Contact section's moral espionage weapon, the very cutting edge of the Culture's interfering diplomatic policy, the élite of the élite in a society which abhorred élitism. The man known as Cheradenine Zakalwe was one of SC's foremost agents, changing the destiny of planets to suit the Culture through intrigue, dirty tricks or military action.

The woman known as Diziet Sma had plucked him from obscurity and pushed him towards his present eminence, but despite all their dealings she did not know him as well as she thought.

The drone known as Skaffen-Amtiskaw knew both of these people. It had once saved the woman's life by massacring her attackers in a particularly bloody manner. It believed the man to be a burnt-out case. But not even its machine intelligence could see the horrors in his past.

In this brilliant, multilayered book, Iain Banks explores once again the universe of the Culture, which he has previously visited in Consider Phlebas and The Player of Games. Ferociously intelligent, both witty and horrific, Use of Weapons leaves no doubt that Banks is now the outstanding writer of science fiction in Britain."

3. Saga Vol. 5 by Brian K. Vaughan (#5 / 2015).

"Multiple storylines collide in this cosmos-spanning new volume. While Gwendolyn and Lying Cat risk everything to find a cure for The Will, Marko makes an uneasy alliance with Prince Robot IV to find their missing children, who are trapped on a strange world with terrifying new enemies.

Collects: Saga #25-30."

Women Authors Whose Work I'm Enjoying - Julie Smith

Julie Smith

Julie Smith was born in Maryland in 1944. She is the author of 20 mystery novels, from various series; Skip Langdon, Rebecca Schwarz & Talba Wallis. I have tried all three series, didn't particularly enjoy the Talba Wallis books but the other two have been quite enjoyable. I've tried 8 of her books so far and have two more awaiting my attention.

1. Tourist Trap (Rebecca Schwarz #3 / 1986).

"The Edgar Award-winning author of New Orleans Mourning offers more of her bestselling series starring San Francisco lawyer/sleuth Rebecca Schwartz. Rebecca heads to an Easter morning sunrise service and gets the shock of her life: the body of a tourist has been nailed to the cross."

2. 82 Desire (Skip Langdon #8 / 1998).

"Councilwoman Bebe Fortier has misplaced her equally prominent husband. Across town, part-time detective-poet Talba Wallis has a simple wish--to find out what Russell Fortier's disappearance has to do with her. But the private investigator who hired Talba to spy on Fortier can't help her out. He's lying in his office with a bullet in his chest. At first, Police Detective Skip Langdon thinks it's just a small case with some big names--until she senses something huge starting to unfold. Something rooted in corruption, resulting in violence--and motivated by that old demon . . . desire."

The complete listing of Smith's books can be found at this link. Check her out.