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You Die When You Die
You Die When You Die
Angus Watson | 2017 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fantastic witty pre-historic Viking / Native American fantasy
This is the alternative-reality story of the Hardworkers, a small clan of Viking descendants in pre-Columbian North America. A mentally-damaged young boy in the clan has a premonition that the village will be attacked and they should head west. When the village is indeed attacked by natives (who themselves had a premonition of these Vikings ending the world), the clan quickly up-sticks and head off.
There follows a brilliant, exciting, funny story of this small clan with mixed abilities (some well trained warriors, some powerful yet cowardly warlocks, some useless wastes of space) travelling across North America, hunted by the magically-enhanced warriors sent to end them, and meeting numerous clans and tribes along the way.
The wonderful merging of plausible pre-history America and a more familiar fantasy setting (prophecies, evil empires, warriors) results in this superb story. The dialogue is witty and funny, the world is familiar yet strange enough to make you think, and the action sequences are fantastically narrated, often from different viewpoints.
The characters are all very well crafted and unique, and their interactions and conflicts really spur this story on.
I would urge anyone keen on fantasy to read this book. While the cover, and title, may suggest it is a brutal slobberknocker of a book, it is actually very clever, funny and thrilling.
I cannot wait to jump in to the next book in this trilogy. Wootah!!!
  
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Awix (3310 KP) rated Star Cops in TV

Jul 12, 2020 (Updated Jul 12, 2020)  
Star Cops
Star Cops
1987 | Crime, Sci-Fi
Underrated attempt at a proper science fiction series from the BBC. In the far-off year of 2027, British copper Nathan Spring takes command of the International Space Police Force, responsible for law and order on the Moon and aboard the various space stations. Psychological and political issues prove to be as tricky as the actual crimes, though...

Clearly made on a punishingly low budget, and the vision of the future is occasionally a bit wonky from a modern perspective, but the five episodes written by series creator Chris Boucher are some of the best, most intelligent, wittiest and most cynical SF ever broadcast by the BBC. The other episodes not so much: everything gets a bit campy and there are a lot of national stereotypes on display. (Plus, the theme tune has been called the worst in TV history, and most of the incidental music is rubbish too.) Even when it's not particularly good, it's always trying to do something a bit different, and David Calder is consistently excellent as Spring. Not the first nor the last SF or fantasy show to be cut loose by the BBC before it had a chance to realise its potential.
  
The Night House
The Night House
J.C. McKenzie | 2019 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE NIGHT HOUSE is a standalone post-apocalyptic fantasy romance that seamlessly blends medieval knights and sword-play from a different planet with current day earth.

This was a fantastic read, ticking most of my boxes. Thane and Taya have sparks flying aplenty when they are meet and these continue throughout the book. I loved not only Thane though, but his whole team. They were all strong characters with a strong sense of duty and loyalty. Once Taya was part of their team, that was it. No stupidity or senseless behaviour, just helping the newbie out where possible.

If I could give out half stars, this would be a four and a half! The reason for that half star being knocked off would be the ending. It felt very quick to me, almost as if the author was running out of available words in her word count. Big build-up followed by events happening very quickly and not taking up much page space. Still, I loved this book anyway, so perhaps that's why it seemed to end too quickly!

If you like fantasy and contemporary genres merged together, then I would definitely recommend this book!
  
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Cori June (3033 KP) rated Guards! Guards! Discworld Novel 8 in Books

Dec 3, 2018 (Updated Jun 16, 2021)  
Guards! Guards! Discworld Novel 8
Guards! Guards! Discworld Novel 8
Tony Robinson, Terry Pratchett, Ben Aaronovitch | 2012 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.4 (10 Ratings)
Book Rating
Sam Vines (2 more)
wit
L-space
can be a little slow (0 more)
I've reread the book, its been a couple of years. As an introduction to Discworld this is a good place to start. I really enjoy the fact that you don't have to read the Discworld series in order to grasp the main themes and ideas, most of the story arcs are self contained.
Samuel Vines is one of my favorite characters.
If you want a popular fantasy trope(s) flipped on its head this is a great series to read. Funny and surprisingly deep this story is an enjoyment for all. It's an adult book and it does deal with some dark things like alcoholism and other adult themes, but I'd let my nephews read it or I'd read it to them.