Juliana's Updates

Juliana Rew wrote a blog post: Review - The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

Fri, 09 May 2025 03:27:04 -0700

"The Ministry of Time," the debut science fiction novel by British writer Kaliane Bradley, starts with a rollicking premise. New time-travel technology gives the opportunity to pluck people out of history. Only dying people are gathered, so the timeline is not affected. Or so it's believed. The unnamed protagonist is chosen to work with the Ministry to provide guidance for a year for one of the time "expats," an honor she relishes.As a huge fan of the Dan Simmons novel, "The Terror," recounting the history of the ill-fated Franklin polar expedition, I was happy to see that her charge was Graham Gore, one of the lesser known members of the 1840s expeditions. The period of "adjustment" to late twenty-first century Britain was great fun, as the Victorian explorer was caught off guard by the changes in mores.However, when she became infatuated, the explicit sex, racism, and colonization aspects of the book became heavy-handed, causing her to be regretful instead of hopeful. An odd conspiracy was introduced. The novel is a finalist for the 2024 Hugo Award, but its twist ending suffered from what I consider to be "Jumping the Shark," time-travel wise.

Juliana wants to read 'The Tainted Cup'

Thu, 08 May 2025 15:01:31 -0700

Juliana wants to read The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett

Juliana added 'The Ministry of Time'

Thu, 08 May 2025 13:57:54 -0700

Juliana gave 4 stars to The Ministry of Time (Hardcover) by Kaliane Bradley
"The Ministry of Time," the debut science fiction novel by British writer Kaliane Bradley, starts with a rollicking premise. New time-travel technology gives the opportunity to pluck people out of history. Only dying people are gathered, so the timeline is not affected. Or so it's believed. The unnamed protagonist is chosen to work with the Ministry to provide guidance for a year for one of the time "expats," an honor she relishes.

As a huge fan of the Dan Simmons novel, "The Terror," recounting the history of the ill-fated Franklin polar expedition, I was happy to see that her charge was Graham Gore, one of the lesser known members of the 1840s expeditions. The period of "adjustment" to late twenty-first century Britain was great fun, as the Victorian explorer was caught off guard by the changes in mores.

However, when she became infatuated, the explicit sex, racism, and colonization aspects of the book became heavy-handed, causing her to be regretful instead of hopeful. An odd conspiracy was introduced. The novel is a finalist for the 2024 Hugo Award, but its twist ending suffered from what I consider to be "jumping the Shark," time-travel wise.

Juliana added 'Orbital'

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 15:52:40 -0700

Juliana gave 4 stars to Orbital (Hardcover) by Samantha Harvey

Juliana is currently reading 'The Ministry of Time'

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 15:51:17 -0700

Juliana is currently reading The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

Juliana added 'Archangel'

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 15:00:27 -0700

Juliana gave 5 stars to Archangel (Samaria, #1) by Sharon Shinn
Just finished this remarkable fantasy. A premise is that there are many planets that have similar governance and religions to Earth's Israel, with real angels and all. We never find out who (or what--a AI?) God is, but we do know he exists.

Juliana is on page 100 of 207 of Orbital

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 12:57:27 -0800

Juliana Rew is on page 100 of 207 of Orbital.
Juliana wrote: Finding it hard to get into this one.

Juliana added 'The Shape-Changer's Wife'

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 12:52:44 -0800

Juliana gave 4 stars to The Shape-Changer's Wife (Paperback) by Sharon Shinn
bookshelves: colorado
Enjoyable fantasy, as a young wizard travels to a remote estate to study with a master. Lovely descriptions of the surrounding forest and hostile nearby townfolk, as the mystery of the elder wizard's enchanted wife slowly unravels.

Juliana added 'The Asylum of Dr. Caligari'

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 10:36:50 -0800

Juliana gave 5 stars to The Asylum of Dr. Caligari (Paperback) by James K. Morrow
As a big fan of stories about WW I, I loved this mashup of the "Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" and the events of the Great War. Reminiscent of another war magical fantasy, "Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell," this one takes us to an insane asylum in 1914, where the sorcerous Dr. Caligari is creating a gigantic painting that raises feelings of Kriegslust (war fervor) in those who view it. In an exciting and inspiring effort, the young American art therapy instructor and his students valiantly try to thwart the painting's dark purpose.

Juliana added 'Death Wind'

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 10:23:14 -0800

Juliana gave 4 stars to Death Wind (Paperback) by Travis Heermann
Harrowing horror novel set in the immediate aftermath of the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre of Indians in South Dakota. Don't get too attached to any of the characters. Took off a star due to the unremittingly bleak ending.