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David McK (3369 KP) rated Thrawn Ascendancy Book II: Greater Good in Books
Sep 4, 2022
Timothy Zahn and Grand Admiral Thrawn go way back.
Back to the early 90s, when Zahn first introduced the character in Heir to the Empire, and 'kickstarted' the old Star Wars Expanded Universe (EU), now known as Star Wars: Legends.
Thrawn is one of the few characters (so far) mined from said EU and carried over the the Disney era of Star Wars, which is no surprise giving his popularity.
What may be slightly surprising, however, is (IMO) just how 'different' this version of the character feels: not better nor worse, just different. In the case of this novel (part 2 of a trilogy, after Chaos Rising but before Lesser Evil, what is also surprising is just how loosely connected to the rest of the Star Wars sandbox universe this is - I mean this as in there are no Jedi or Sith, no lightsabres, no Old Republic, no Seperatists, no Empire and no Rebellion.
Indeed, as before, the very opening sentence of the novel makes that clear: "A long time ago, beyond a galaxy far far away ..."
The Star Wars 'sandbox', of course, is more than big enough to accommodate such a departure, with those who have read part one of the trilogy knowing more of what to expect: Thrawn's tactical genius but political blindness, a few 'large scale' space battles and individuals in the Chiss family to which Thrawn belongs seeking to undermine him whilst other shadowy figures also have their own design for the Chiss Ascendency ...
Back to the early 90s, when Zahn first introduced the character in Heir to the Empire, and 'kickstarted' the old Star Wars Expanded Universe (EU), now known as Star Wars: Legends.
Thrawn is one of the few characters (so far) mined from said EU and carried over the the Disney era of Star Wars, which is no surprise giving his popularity.
What may be slightly surprising, however, is (IMO) just how 'different' this version of the character feels: not better nor worse, just different. In the case of this novel (part 2 of a trilogy, after Chaos Rising but before Lesser Evil, what is also surprising is just how loosely connected to the rest of the Star Wars sandbox universe this is - I mean this as in there are no Jedi or Sith, no lightsabres, no Old Republic, no Seperatists, no Empire and no Rebellion.
Indeed, as before, the very opening sentence of the novel makes that clear: "A long time ago, beyond a galaxy far far away ..."
The Star Wars 'sandbox', of course, is more than big enough to accommodate such a departure, with those who have read part one of the trilogy knowing more of what to expect: Thrawn's tactical genius but political blindness, a few 'large scale' space battles and individuals in the Chiss family to which Thrawn belongs seeking to undermine him whilst other shadowy figures also have their own design for the Chiss Ascendency ...
tonidavis (353 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017) in Movies
Dec 15, 2017
Leia (5 more)
Luke skywalker
Porgs
Rose
Finn
Rey
Full circle film
This installement of star wars is action packed and a fantastic film. The bittersweetness of getting to see Carrie Fisher one last time is something no star wars fan is going to be moved by.
The film itself to me reminds me of a full circle of the orginal trilogy which makes it absolutely fanatic to watch.
I'm impressed by the porg with so much porg merchandise that came out before the film I Did have a slight dear fear (not that it stopped me buying them before the film) that this would be overused commercial characters destined to be the next Jar Jar binks however this wasn't the case. THESE adorable creature are just that.
The film itself to me reminds me of a full circle of the orginal trilogy which makes it absolutely fanatic to watch.
I'm impressed by the porg with so much porg merchandise that came out before the film I Did have a slight dear fear (not that it stopped me buying them before the film) that this would be overused commercial characters destined to be the next Jar Jar binks however this wasn't the case. THESE adorable creature are just that.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated The First City in Books
Dec 19, 2017
A great final chapter
This is such a good final chapter in the Dominion trilogy. It’s such a rollercoaster ride throughout, I could barely put it down and it’s very well written. It almost had me in tears towards the end and there are some very good twists and surprises throughout.
My main issue is still with Zoey. She’s grown on me a little in this final book, but I still find her very frustrating at times, doing things that just don’t make sense. I’m also not entirely convinced about the ending of this book, it’s almost a little too happy and fairytale. Although this is just my opinion, as I tend to prefer depressing endings as opposed to happy ones...
My main issue is still with Zoey. She’s grown on me a little in this final book, but I still find her very frustrating at times, doing things that just don’t make sense. I’m also not entirely convinced about the ending of this book, it’s almost a little too happy and fairytale. Although this is just my opinion, as I tend to prefer depressing endings as opposed to happy ones...
JBrack (17 KP) rated The Name of the Wind in Books
May 17, 2017
This book drew me into the world of fantasy!!
This book tells the tale of a mans life, of his childhood and his manhood. He comes from a land where magic exists and there is an entire university dedicated to teaching it. The hero is mischievous and in and out of trouble throughout the book but in the ways most young men are. If you love books and have never read a fantasy novel before try this one, if you love fantasy it was my husbands classic "nerd" friends who forced this book on me (I'm using "nerd" as a loving descriptive term, like you'd call the guys of Big Bang theory "nerds").
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated The Body Electric in Books
Jan 12, 2018
[Beth Revis] does it again with [The Body Electric]. In this futuristic world things are not always what they may seem. Ella is miserable due to the death of her father and the impending death of her mother. She just wants to be happy and make her mother happy. Unfortunately there are dark secrets hidden that will turn her world upside down.
If you have been wise enough to read the [Across the Universe] trilogy (and if you haven't you should, NOW) you will recognize the wonderful writing style and storytelling as well as references to Godspeed. [Revis] imagines a dark yet hopeful future. She does a magnificent job of showing both the good and evil of the human spirit.
If you have been wise enough to read the [Across the Universe] trilogy (and if you haven't you should, NOW) you will recognize the wonderful writing style and storytelling as well as references to Godspeed. [Revis] imagines a dark yet hopeful future. She does a magnificent job of showing both the good and evil of the human spirit.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Forty Days at Kamas (Kamas Trilogy, #1) in Books
Jan 12, 2018
In the beginning [Forty Days at Kamas] it was a little difficult to follow. I understood that this was the United States in the future and a totalitarian government was in place that was persecuting people. The question was why? I don't think that was ever fully cleared up but the plot and the characters were strong enough to keep the story moving.
I think the confusion may have been intentional so the reader could feel what the characters were feeling. The parallel story lines of the characters worked well.
I bought this book since I had received [The Star Chamber Brotherhood] as by [Preston Fleming] and wanted to read the whole trilogy. I recommend it for a deeper read. It definitely is not a light read.
I think the confusion may have been intentional so the reader could feel what the characters were feeling. The parallel story lines of the characters worked well.
I bought this book since I had received [The Star Chamber Brotherhood] as by [Preston Fleming] and wanted to read the whole trilogy. I recommend it for a deeper read. It definitely is not a light read.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Star Chamber Brotherhood (Kamas Trilogy, #2) in Books
Jan 12, 2018
[Preston Fleming] continues his Kamas trilogy with [Star Chamber Brotherhood]. This one did not seem to have the confusion that the first one did which leads me to believe that was intentional in the first book. This book is about justice or revenge depending how you view it. The sense of responsibility the characters have to the idea of justice formed in the labor camps is very strong and carries the tone of the story.
I read the two books back to back and vaguely remembered the main character of Frank from the first book. I like how the story is consistent between the two books but [Fleming] uses a different character as the lead in book two. I am looking forward to reading the third book.
I read the two books back to back and vaguely remembered the main character of Frank from the first book. I like how the story is consistent between the two books but [Fleming] uses a different character as the lead in book two. I am looking forward to reading the third book.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Catching Fire in Books
Jan 15, 2018
All I can say about this book is what a cliffhanger!!! I am glad I have the 3rd book sitting here so I can find out what happens to Katniss.
I am officially hooked on this series. I wasn't sure about it at first, but I enjoyed this book more than the first. That might be attributed to the fact that it picks up where the first left off so there wasn't anything to really figure out this time around.
The characters are all unique & fascinating in their own ways. At the same time you can't help but to find a little of yourself in each & every one of them.
I look forward to finding out how this trilogy ends...
I am officially hooked on this series. I wasn't sure about it at first, but I enjoyed this book more than the first. That might be attributed to the fact that it picks up where the first left off so there wasn't anything to really figure out this time around.
The characters are all unique & fascinating in their own ways. At the same time you can't help but to find a little of yourself in each & every one of them.
I look forward to finding out how this trilogy ends...
Erika (17788 KP) rated Only Human (Themis Files #3) in Books
Feb 26, 2019
WOOF. I was so excited to read this book, after demolishing Waking Gods in one day. I'm glad this book was a little shorter than Waking Gods.
Honestly, not much happens during this novel. It goes back and forth with flashbacks to when the characters were on the other planet, and the modern world. I believe it was supposed to be a current sociopolitical situation; it was obvious and was definitely eye-roll inducing.
The actions of some of the characters made no logical sense. Eva was so annoying and childish, I really couldn't stand her and it damaged the book for me. While the last book ended on the cliffhanger, this book made me wish the trilogy was only a duology.
Honestly, not much happens during this novel. It goes back and forth with flashbacks to when the characters were on the other planet, and the modern world. I believe it was supposed to be a current sociopolitical situation; it was obvious and was definitely eye-roll inducing.
The actions of some of the characters made no logical sense. Eva was so annoying and childish, I really couldn't stand her and it damaged the book for me. While the last book ended on the cliffhanger, this book made me wish the trilogy was only a duology.
Dean (6925 KP) rated The A-Team (2010) in Movies
Feb 12, 2018
I have to say I expected the worst from this but was pleasantly surprised and pleased by the time the credits rolled. I saw most of the TV series as a young boy and this film does keep a lot true to the original TV series. Just given a modern update and treated like a modern day action film with big stunts and over the top action plans only the A Team could do. At times it felt like a mix of the Bourne Trilogy crossed with Ocean's 11 elaborate missions! There is plenty of humour and it doesn't take itself seriously, pity the critics who just didn't get it, fool's!! A pure popcorn action blast everyone in the right frame of mind should enjoy.