en-US Thu, 25 Jul 2024 08:29:30 -0700 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg 10036592 282 Edgar Rice Burroughs V.A. 5 3.78 1991
author: Edgar Rice Burroughs
name: V.A.
average rating: 3.78
book published: 1991
rating: 5
read at: 2014/01/19
date added: 2024/07/25
shelves:
review:

]]> 4161697
After a violent civil war and the devastation wrought by the now-fallen Darth Caedus, the Galactic Alliance is in crisis–and in need. From all corners, politicians, power brokers, and military leaders converge on Coruscant for a crucial summit to restore order, negotiate differences, and determine the future of their unified worlds. But even more critical, and far more uncertain, is the future of the Jedi.

In a shocking move, Chief of State Natasi Daala orders the arrest of Luke Skywalker for failing to prevent Jacen Solo’s turn to the dark side and his subsequent reign of terror as a Sith Lord. But it’s only the first blow in an anti-Jedi backlash fueled by a hostile government and suspicious public. When Jedi Knight Valin Horn, scion of a politically influential family, suffers a mysterious psychotic break and becomes a dangerous fugitive, the Jedi become the target of a media-driven witch hunt. Facing conviction on the damning charges, Luke must strike a bargain with the calculating Daala: his freedom in exchange for his exile from Coruscant and from the Jedi Order.

Though forbidden to intervene in Jedi affairs, Luke is determined to keep history from being repeated. With his son, Ben, at his side, Luke sets out to unravel the shocking truth behind Jacen Solo’s corruption and downfall. But the secrets he uncovers among the enigmatic Force mystics of the distant world Dorin may bring his quest–and life as he knows it–to a sudden end. And all the while, another Jedi Knight, consumed by the same madness as Valin Horn, is headed for Coruscant on a fearsome mission that could doom the Jedi Order . . . and devastate the entire galaxy.]]> 318 Aaron Allston 0345509064 V.A. 4 3.90 2009
author: Aaron Allston
name: V.A.
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2009
rating: 4
read at: 2014/12/26
date added: 2014/12/26
shelves:
review:

]]> 7493770 bestselling author Sean Williams brings the world of the game to life in his latest novel, Star Wars: The Old Republic: Fatal Alliance.

Tassaa Bareesh, a matriarch in the Hutt crime cartel, is holding an auction that’s drawing attention from across the galaxy. Representatives of both the Republic and the Sith Empire are present, along with a Jedi Padawan sent to investigate, a disenfranchised trooper drummed out of the Republic’s elite  Blackstar Squad, and a mysterious Mandalorian with a private agenda. But the Republic’s envoy is not what he seems, the Empire’s delegate is a ruthless Sith apprentice, the Jedi Padawan is determined to do the right thing and terrified that he can’t, the trooper hopes to redeem her reputation, and the Mandalorian is somehow managing to keep one step ahead of everyone.
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
None of these guests—invited or uninvited—have any intention of participating in the auction. Instead they plan to steal the prize, which is locked inside an impregnable vault: two burned chunks of an exploded star cruiser, one of which may hold the key to the wealth of an entire world.

But the truth about the treasure is dangerous and deadly. And in the end, Sith and Jedi, Republic and Empire, must do something they’ve never done before, something that all the agents of good and evil could never make them do: join together to stop a powerful threat that could destroy the galaxy.]]> 417 Sean Williams 0345511328 V.A. 3 3.74 2010
author: Sean Williams
name: V.A.
average rating: 3.74
book published: 2010
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 2014/12/01
shelves:
review:

]]> 13533656
But Karrid’s ruthless determination is more than matched in the steely resolve of Theron Shan, whose unfinished business with the Empire could change the course of the war for good. Though the son of a Jedi master, Theron does not wield the Force—but like his renowned mother, the spirit of rebellion is in his blood. As a top covert agent for the Republic, he struck a crucial blow against the Empire by exposing and destroying a Sith superweapon arsenal—which makes him the ideal operative for a daring and dangerous mission to end Ascendant Spear’s reign of terror.

Joined by hot-headed smuggler Teff’ith, with whom he has an inexplicable bond, and wise Jedi warrior Gnost-Dural, Darth Karrid’s former master, Theron must match wits and weapons with a battle-tested crew of the most cold-blooded dark side disciples. But time is brutally short. And if they don’t seize their one chance to succeed, they will surely have countless opportunities to die.]]> 286 Drew Karpyshyn 0345529413 V.A. 5 3.95 2012
author: Drew Karpyshyn
name: V.A.
average rating: 3.95
book published: 2012
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2014/12/01
shelves:
review:

]]> 1535273
Imaro is heroic fantasy like it’s never been done before. Based on Africa, and African traditions and legends, Charles Saunders has created Nyumbani (which means “home� in Swahili), an amalgam of the real, the semi-real, and the unreal. Imaro is the name of the larger-than-life warrior, an outcast, who travels across Nyumbani, searching for a home.

Like his contemporaries, Karl Edward Wagner (Kane) and Michael Moorcock (Elric), Charles Saunders brings something new to the traditional heroic fantasy tale. A broad knowledge of, and passion for, the history and myths of Africa led to the creation of a heroic fantasy character the likes of which the world has never seen. Imaro is no Tarzan� no Conan� Imaro is a warrior out of African legend.

Saunders' novel fuses the narrative style of fantasy fiction with a pre-colonial, alternate Africa. Inspired by and directly addresses the alienation of growing up an African American fan of Science Fiction and Fantasy, which to this day remains a very ethnically homogonous genre. It addresses this both structurally (via its unique setting) and thematically (via its alienated, tribeless hero-protagonist). The tribal tensions and histories presented in this fantasy novel reflect actual African tribal histories and tensions, and provide a unique perspective to current and recent conflicts in Africa, particularly the Rwandan genocide and the ongoing conflict in The Sudan.]]> 256 Charles R. Saunders 1597800368 V.A. 0 to-read 3.88 1981
author: Charles R. Saunders
name: V.A.
average rating: 3.88
book published: 1981
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2014/04/06
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 18819315 226 Edgar Rice Burroughs 146810148X V.A. 4
Carter and Tars Tarkas rescue Thuvia, a slave girl, and attempt to escape, capitalizing on the confusion caused by an attack by the Black Pirates of Barsoom upon the Therns. The black pirates are called the First Born, a black race of Barsoom who are a demi-godlike race and also the mortal enemies of the Therns. Interesting enough, both the black-skinned First Born and the white-skinned Therns worship the black skinned goddess Issus. During the attack, Tars Tarkas and Thuvia hijack a Black Pirate flier, while Carter fights his way aboard another, killing all but one of the Pirates, and rescuing a captive Thern princess. From the captured Pirate Xodar, Carter learns that the Black Pirates, accordingly, prey upon the Therns as they prey upon the Barsoomians outside of the Valley Dor; and additionally identifies the captive Thern as Phaidor, daughter of the "Holy Hekkador" (high priest) of the Therns. When their flier is recaptured by the First Born and taken to their realm of Omean, Carter is taken before Issus, the self-proclaimed goddess of Barsoom, who dictates to the Therns through secret communications which they mistake for divine revelation.

I won't go any further as it will give away too much of the story. Let is suffice to say that The Gods of Mars has even more blood-pumping action than the first book and I liked this story as well. In fact, I liked the entire series. Not only is it lots of rip-roaring good fun and action- adventure as Carter takes on the whole planet, one race at a time, but there is also a message to be made about false beliefs and superstition. While I suspect Burroughs did not like organized religion and had nothing positive to say on the matter and made this point known in his series by his storyline involving the goddess Issus, the Therns and the First Born I do not think his aim was casting aspersions on the idea of God at all. Organized religion, however was another matter and Burroughs did a good job of weaving this idea into a story that remained at its core entertaining, thrilling and an enjoyable read. Do I agree with his assessment of organized religion? No, but it did not get in the way of me enjoying the story. Phillip Pullman? You might want to take some notes on how to get your point across without interrupting someone's lunch with a tract. The Gods of Mars was another great read. I am very glad I chose to go the vintage science fiction route. For those that don't care for lots of action you may find this series tedious after the the first book but if you love action I recommend them. After a hundred years these stories still hold up well in my opinion.

I won't be reviewing the rest of the books in the series but I will be reading the rest. My next review will be of the original Star Wars films.]]> 4.00 1913
author: Edgar Rice Burroughs
name: V.A.
average rating: 4.00
book published: 1913
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2014/03/16
shelves:
review:
After reading A Princess of Mars I read The Gods of Mars - and also Warlord of Mars. The Gods of Mars pretty much picks up where the first book stops. John Carter goes back to Barsoom and finds he has entered not the dry, desert Martian landscape that he'd visited before but what seems a lush, verdant beautiful land - the heavenly paradise of the afterlife on Barsoom that the inhabitants believe in - where the gods reside. But what awaits them is horrible. After his arrival a boat of Green Martians on the River Iss which conducts those who go on the last pilgrimage to their death and afterlife are ambushed by the previously unknown Plant Men and the Great White Apes. The lone survivor of this brutal massacre is his friend Tars Tarkas, the Jeddak of Thark, who has taken the pilgrimage to the Valley Dor to find Carter. Having saved their own lives, Carter and Tars Tarkas discover that the Therns, a white-skinned race of self-proclaimed gods, have for eons deceived the Barsoomians elsewhere by disseminating that the pilgrimage to the Valley Dor is a journey to paradise. Most arrivals are killed by the beasts of the valley, and the survivors enslaved by Therns where other horrors eventually await them.

Carter and Tars Tarkas rescue Thuvia, a slave girl, and attempt to escape, capitalizing on the confusion caused by an attack by the Black Pirates of Barsoom upon the Therns. The black pirates are called the First Born, a black race of Barsoom who are a demi-godlike race and also the mortal enemies of the Therns. Interesting enough, both the black-skinned First Born and the white-skinned Therns worship the black skinned goddess Issus. During the attack, Tars Tarkas and Thuvia hijack a Black Pirate flier, while Carter fights his way aboard another, killing all but one of the Pirates, and rescuing a captive Thern princess. From the captured Pirate Xodar, Carter learns that the Black Pirates, accordingly, prey upon the Therns as they prey upon the Barsoomians outside of the Valley Dor; and additionally identifies the captive Thern as Phaidor, daughter of the "Holy Hekkador" (high priest) of the Therns. When their flier is recaptured by the First Born and taken to their realm of Omean, Carter is taken before Issus, the self-proclaimed goddess of Barsoom, who dictates to the Therns through secret communications which they mistake for divine revelation.

I won't go any further as it will give away too much of the story. Let is suffice to say that The Gods of Mars has even more blood-pumping action than the first book and I liked this story as well. In fact, I liked the entire series. Not only is it lots of rip-roaring good fun and action- adventure as Carter takes on the whole planet, one race at a time, but there is also a message to be made about false beliefs and superstition. While I suspect Burroughs did not like organized religion and had nothing positive to say on the matter and made this point known in his series by his storyline involving the goddess Issus, the Therns and the First Born I do not think his aim was casting aspersions on the idea of God at all. Organized religion, however was another matter and Burroughs did a good job of weaving this idea into a story that remained at its core entertaining, thrilling and an enjoyable read. Do I agree with his assessment of organized religion? No, but it did not get in the way of me enjoying the story. Phillip Pullman? You might want to take some notes on how to get your point across without interrupting someone's lunch with a tract. The Gods of Mars was another great read. I am very glad I chose to go the vintage science fiction route. For those that don't care for lots of action you may find this series tedious after the the first book but if you love action I recommend them. After a hundred years these stories still hold up well in my opinion.

I won't be reviewing the rest of the books in the series but I will be reading the rest. My next review will be of the original Star Wars films.
]]> 11099729 “Did you ever hear the Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise? It’s a Sith legend. Darth Plagueis was a Dark Lord of the Sith, so powerful and so wise that he could use the Force to influence the midi-chlorians to create life. He had such a knowledge of the dark side that he could even keep the ones he cared about from dying.�
—Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith

Darth Plagueis: one of the most brilliant Sith Lords who ever lived. Possessing power is all he desires. Losing it is the only thing he fears. As an apprentice, he embraces the ruthless ways of the Sith. And when the time is right, he destroys his Master--but vows never to suffer the same fate. For like no other disciple of the dark side, Darth Plagueis learns to command the ultimate power . . . over life and death.

Darth Sidious: Plagueis’s chosen apprentice. Under the guidance of his Master, he secretly studies the ways of the Sith, while publicly rising to power in the galactic government, first as Senator, then as Chancellor, and eventually as Emperor.

Darth Plagueis and Darth Sidious, Master and acolyte, target the galaxy for domination--and the Jedi Order for annihilation. But can they defy the merciless Sith tradition? Or will the desire of one to rule supreme, and the dream of the other to live forever, sow the seeds of their destruction?]]> 379 James Luceno 034551128X V.A. 5 4.19 2012
author: James Luceno
name: V.A.
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2012
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2014/02/17
shelves:
review:

]]> 787282 160 Edgar Rice Burroughs 0345331389 V.A. 4 3.72 1912
author: Edgar Rice Burroughs
name: V.A.
average rating: 3.72
book published: 1912
rating: 4
read at: 2014/01/01
date added: 2014/01/12
shelves:
review:

]]> 17236462
Suddenly, children targeted for murder are adopted, swordsmen turn into blacksmiths, and none are reliably who or what they seem. The four Divine Animals are afoot: Tortoise, Dragon, Unicorn, and Phoenix. Hold on tight.

Book 1: The Fall of Onagros
In the first book of the SAGE trilogy, a legacy is lost, a woman vanishes into thin air, wisdom is found in unexpected places, and a man hopes to defeat a tyrant with tall tales and gossip.]]> 227 Marian Allen V.A. 4
Excellent beginning and I am looking forward to the next book.]]> 4.11 2013
author: Marian Allen
name: V.A.
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2013
rating: 4
read at: 2014/01/03
date added: 2014/01/03
shelves:
review:
I received a copy of this book from a kickstarter campaign. I have to say that this author, whom I did not know before, George Martin and another new fantasy writer have helped draw me back into fantasy again after having lost interest in it for years. Yet Allen is as different from Martin as day is to night. Very well written and very intriguing with enigmatic, interesting characters. The prologue is very cryptic and short and had me guessing as to how it relates to the rest of the story. I liked it quite a bit and I suspect the meaning of the prologue will be woven into the story as time goes on as I see certain clues already after having only read book one. I won't give it away but the gist of this first book seems the fall of a certain house of royal family. Complex but not dark fantasy (which I've grown tired of. Martin is the exception only because he is such a superb writer) there is a fairy-tale quality to this story which I really enjoy. This kind of storytelling is not easy to do and seems a lost art these days. One of my favorite characters is the old woman (witch?) named Moder. One never really knows whether she is malevolent or beneficent. Or a little of both.

Excellent beginning and I am looking forward to the next book.
]]> 1531295
Through years of harsh training and iron discipline, the Thane of Hoorka Guild has molded a group of men and women without kinship, lassari outcasts, into a lethal force separate from the blood feuds and intricate alliances of other clans. The Alliance of Worlds has been watching the Hoorka closely with an eye to allowing them to operate offworld.

But now an important target has eluded the Hoorka's weapons--the leader of the opposition party. And the Rule of Neweden, maker of the contract, suspects them of treachery. Beset with suspicion and fear, and challenged by a young usurper within the Guild, the aging Thane faces a day of reckoning: He can abide by the code he created, or break it in the name of expediency. His fateful decision could mean a new future for the Hoorka--or its end for all time.]]> 165 Stephen Leigh 0747231133 V.A. 0 to-read 3.19 1981
author: Stephen Leigh
name: V.A.
average rating: 3.19
book published: 1981
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2013/11/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 18711860 560 Kylie Leane 0615871984 V.A. 5
The Zaprexes, the ancient fairy race to whom the advanced technology on the planet belongs once were able to prevent Livila's slow destruction by building massive machines - towers - that bind the continents together. They once shared their knowledge with the world; the Kelib, the humans and the once highly revered, powerful Starborns, a royal people who once ruled the land of Pennadot. Yet, by coming to the planet's rescue they awoke the Dragon, a parasitic evil creature who unleashed war and mass slaughter upon the peoples of the world on an unimaginable scale. Seeing that their technology was being used for evil the Zaprexes disable their gleaming towers and other machines and draw the evil Dragon to the Secondary Realm where his power is severely muted. The only thing left of their presence are the great towers, dotted throughout the landscape of Pennadot, now simply ancient ruins. The planet once again begins its long march towards disintegration. And the Dragon, though weakened, is craftily finding a way back into the world where he will rule and become all powerful and continue to wage chaos and he is gathering many people to him.

Shanty, a Kelib woman running from her cruel captors, Zinkx, a Warrior-Messenger who has a mysterious past and a small Zaprex child, Sam, find each other by accident and form a family bond, traveling together. Zinkx is on a mission laid upon him by his mentor, Denvy, a Dreamathic, one of the godlike beings of the Secondary Realm. Livila is dying and they have to find out why and how to save it. The clue is Sam. He may be able to wake the towers and make them work. The messenger himself has a secret that he himself must uncover about his past that may help save the world. The Zaprexes and the Starborns are linked by destiny but they must understand that destiny in order to find the key - the key that will save Livila and its people from the destruction of the Dragon.

A theme I have noticed in this story - and there are several - are that there is more than one key and these keys must come together and work in concert to unlock the clues that will save the world. Nothing and no one stands alone. Everything is connected. With forests full of sky-towering trees where the sun's light does not penetrate and luminescent plants that glow in dawn, dusk and at night and many different races, both fleshly and incorporeal, a world ruled by two moons, cultures that revere the sun - this is a new, fun and immersive fantasy realm. The Key is an imaginative, original fantasy series with great characters interwoven throughout several story-lines . My favorite characters are Shanty, the Kelib who has escaped slavery and must find her own strength on the journey and her companion Zinkx, the warrior who rescues her must find out who he really is. I look forward to book two.]]> 4.28 2013
author: Kylie Leane
name: V.A.
average rating: 4.28
book published: 2013
rating: 5
read at: 2013/05/01
date added: 2013/11/13
shelves:
review:
In this new fantasy world, peoples, mystical creatures, magic, legends and science are blended seamlessly and technology and nature arise and are woven together so that both are natural parts of the world and its varied cultures. The planet is Livila. Livila is a unique place for it is a half-planet and yet it is two worlds; the physical one and the Secondary Realm, also known as the Data-Stream by the ancient, extinct fairy race, called the Zaprexes. The Secondary Realm is the realm of the elementals, some of whom are able to pass between worlds. Livila is also a dying planet. Its planetary rotation is slowly drawing to a stop. A mysterious and evil force called the Dragon is causing its slow demise.

The Zaprexes, the ancient fairy race to whom the advanced technology on the planet belongs once were able to prevent Livila's slow destruction by building massive machines - towers - that bind the continents together. They once shared their knowledge with the world; the Kelib, the humans and the once highly revered, powerful Starborns, a royal people who once ruled the land of Pennadot. Yet, by coming to the planet's rescue they awoke the Dragon, a parasitic evil creature who unleashed war and mass slaughter upon the peoples of the world on an unimaginable scale. Seeing that their technology was being used for evil the Zaprexes disable their gleaming towers and other machines and draw the evil Dragon to the Secondary Realm where his power is severely muted. The only thing left of their presence are the great towers, dotted throughout the landscape of Pennadot, now simply ancient ruins. The planet once again begins its long march towards disintegration. And the Dragon, though weakened, is craftily finding a way back into the world where he will rule and become all powerful and continue to wage chaos and he is gathering many people to him.

Shanty, a Kelib woman running from her cruel captors, Zinkx, a Warrior-Messenger who has a mysterious past and a small Zaprex child, Sam, find each other by accident and form a family bond, traveling together. Zinkx is on a mission laid upon him by his mentor, Denvy, a Dreamathic, one of the godlike beings of the Secondary Realm. Livila is dying and they have to find out why and how to save it. The clue is Sam. He may be able to wake the towers and make them work. The messenger himself has a secret that he himself must uncover about his past that may help save the world. The Zaprexes and the Starborns are linked by destiny but they must understand that destiny in order to find the key - the key that will save Livila and its people from the destruction of the Dragon.

A theme I have noticed in this story - and there are several - are that there is more than one key and these keys must come together and work in concert to unlock the clues that will save the world. Nothing and no one stands alone. Everything is connected. With forests full of sky-towering trees where the sun's light does not penetrate and luminescent plants that glow in dawn, dusk and at night and many different races, both fleshly and incorporeal, a world ruled by two moons, cultures that revere the sun - this is a new, fun and immersive fantasy realm. The Key is an imaginative, original fantasy series with great characters interwoven throughout several story-lines . My favorite characters are Shanty, the Kelib who has escaped slavery and must find her own strength on the journey and her companion Zinkx, the warrior who rescues her must find out who he really is. I look forward to book two.
]]> 18740114
But what happens when one who’s born to protect, hunts instead?

During a heated battle with a rogue Kember, Taylee’s forced to run and let her own Kember—the man who raised her—face him alone. With the announcement of her protector’s death, Taylee’s anger and obsession regarding the mysterious murderer take over. She’s hell-bent on bringing her guardian justice, even if it means walking into the enemy’s trap.]]> 291 Tiffany Evans 1301613541 V.A. 0 to-read 3.88 2013
author: Tiffany Evans
name: V.A.
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2013
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2013/10/31
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> 17900736
From the chivalrous royal court of the high king to the sacred forest enclave of Arlais, Connor must find his own part to play on the mummers' stage, just as Gawain, the duke's renegade bastard son, and Bronwen, the ambitious young queen, navigate their own ways through the tempest. With so much hanging by a thread, the stage is set for the final act of a dying age.

Conspiracy, adventure, magic, and romance abound in this first book in Risso's The Sundered Kingdoms Trilogy.]]> 370 Ethan Risso 0989260712 V.A. 0 to-read 4.08 2013
author: Ethan Risso
name: V.A.
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2013
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2013/09/22
shelves: to-read
review:

]]>