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Here are books I read some time ago. You may want to read them, too! You can easily purchase these books from Amazon.com.
(Note: The links provided will take you to the same version of the book that I own. This may be hardcover or softcover. The link may not take you to the least expensive version of the work available. When you purchase books from Amazon.com by means of these links, I receive a small commission through Amazon.com's Associates program. This does not increase the cost to you, the purchaser, in any way.)
Terry Goodkind
In any series, and fairly often in fantasy series, the point comes where the books settle down into a comfortable routine. In the Sword of Truth series, this point is the fifth book, Soul of the Fire.
There's nothing spectacular about this outing, but it's not necessary. Goodkind's writing is classic fantasy. The plot, while nothing startlingly new, moves the story along. Most importantly, the characterization is still a cut above other genre novels.
Where many fantasy novels have fairly static, one-dimensional characters, Goodkind breathes life into Richard, Kahlan, and the supporting cast. They speak within the reader's head clearly and distinctively. For this reason alone, Goodkind deserves the bestseller status that his books command.
As the fifth book in the series, this book will probably be confusing for those who have not read the others. Buy them all-the effort will not be wasted!
Click here to buy this book from Amazon.com.
Robert Jordan
In comparison to Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series, I found Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series to be overrated. The Path of Daggers is the latest installment in Jordan's epic, at one time considered likely to be the capstone to a octology. As it turns out, this book does not complete the set; there is more to come. In some ways, this is a bad thing.
Jordan writes well, but he writes too much. The book advances the tale well
enough, but one often gets the feeling that it could be done in fewer pages
without missing anything. There's a good bit of repetition, not only of things
from previous volumes, but of things mentioned earlier in this selfsame book.
It sometimes feels like a slight to the reader's intelligence.
The characters in Jordan's world are well-realized, but they lack the three-dimensional
life of Goodkind's characters. In comparison, Rand al'Thor and his friends seem
pre-programmed-you can usually predict what they will do well ahead of time,
sometimes to the exact words they will speak.
The book ends without resolving much of what the series has set forth to date,
which is disappointing as this was at one time to be the last book of the series.
It still feels as if there are several books left before things are wrapped
up. Jordan's publishing history shows that we're most likely in for another
two or three thousand pages yet. Better not start the Wheel of Time series
unless you're ready for the long haul.
Click here to buy this book from Amazon.com.
Greg Cox
This is the final book in the Q Continuum series that I began reading in the last entry.
A good ending to an above-average series.
Click here to buy this book from Amazon.com.
Tom Clancy
Clancy's latest hardcover contains exactly one mention of Jack Ryan by name. Fans of Mr. Clark will be happy, however, because he's the central character of the book, along with his partner Ding Chavez. Clark is tapped to head an international terrorist-response team named Rainbow. The suspense comes from the machinations of a group of well-funded, educated, and scientific eco-terrorists.
The plot is a bit reminiscent of Executive Orders, but in the post-Cold War era, there's relatively few untapped plotlines for Clancy's characters. The side plot of Clark and Chavez dealing with their increasing maturity (i.e., Clark becoming a "REMF" and a grandfather) sometimes slows down the action, but provides wonderful character development for a genre that often emphasizes equipment over people.
Clancy fans will like this book. Newcomers to Clancy would probably find his earlier books more engaging at first.
Click here to buy this book from Amazon.com.
Greg Cox
The first two of three books in a series, "Q-Space" and "Q-Zone" are part of a saga that details Q's past. They tie together several elements from the TV shows: how Q became so interested in testing humanity, why the Great Barrier surrounds the edge of the galaxy, and what happened with Q's domestic life after his last appearance on Voyager.
The books are well-written, with Q's mischievous nature captured by the author. At times, it can become a little annoying -- but that's Q for you, and not a failing of the writing. So far, the series is a definite improvement over recent Trek fare.
Click these links to buy Q-Space or Q-Zone from Amazon.com.
Dean Wesley Smith, editor
This trade-paperback anthology is the result of a writing contest for Star Trek short stories. Written by amateur authors, the stories in this collection are hands-down the most innovative and engaging Trek writing I've read in years. It's certainly the best thing to come out of John Ordover's editing reign. The short-story format is very well suited to Trek, and these authors have turned good ideas into well-written tales. The book proves that there are still good, unique stories to be told in Roddenberry's universe. Anyone who likes Star Trek should buy this book right now!
Click here to buy this book from Amazon.com.
Aaron Allston
There's not too much to say about this one: it's neither bad, nor excellent, but solid. The Wraith Squadron, introduced in Allston's last X-Wing book, go undercover as space pirates to defeat warlord Zsinj. It's pretty much more of the same.
Click here to buy this book from Amazon.com.
Larry Bond
I first read this book some years ago, and just finished re-reading it. Larry Bond was Tom Clancy's co-author on "Red Storm Rising," and this book makes it clear that Bond (and ghost-partner Patrick Larkin) can do quite well indeed without Clancy's involvement. Of the authors I've read in the genre, Bond comes the closest to Clancy's style; Clancy fans will probably enjoy Bond's books.
Red Phoenix is the story of the second Korean War. It shows the tension behind the Demilitarized Zone, and how an expansionist North Korean government might lead to a second war that would drag in the United States, the Soviet Union, and China. The characterizations are good, and the military details are top-notch. If you liked Red Storm Rising, this exciting book is a safe bet.
Click here to buy this book from Amazon.com.
Diane Carey
I just finished this one last night. The book is reasonably well-written for a recent-vintage Star Trek book. Ms. Carey is definitely growing as an author; her first attempts in the Trek genre were rather fannish, but this is a pretty solid novel. It's also a good value, being set in small type.
Click here to buy this book from Amazon.com.
Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch
I finished this one yesterday as well. Large type. Pretty formula; not much stands out about this one. Frankly, a lot of them are starting to run together in my mind...
Click here to buy this book from Amazon.com.
Tom Clancy
I just re-read this one. Like many of Clancy's books, it starts a little slow, but then really starts rolling. The basic idea of repopulating the U.S. Government with nonpoliticians is a fascinating one, and the book really makes you think about the political process. After reading this book, you'll take a much more critical view of political news coverage. Recommended.
Click here to buy this book from Amazon.com in softcover or hardcover.
Orson Scott Card
I'm not sure how I feel about this one. Ender's Game was excellent, but I'm not sure that the Worthing stories are all that different. There's a common theme here, and I'll have to read more of Card's books to see if he's a one-trick pony, or if I just picked the wrong book to follow the Ender series. Above average, nonetheless.
Click here to buy this book from Amazon.com.
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