The first of three novels I’m about to review from James S.A. Corey’s Expanse series I find hard to separate in terms of quality.  Every novel in the 9-book series is somewhere on the list.  Abaddon’s Gate is the third and while I don’t like it quite as much as the first two, it still is incredibly entertaining and really expands the scope for what is to come. 

The title is appropriate not just because this gate is at the center of this particular novel, but because this story is a gateway to the central thrust of the series (hell probably the reason for the series title as a whole) as gates to thousands of world are suddenly opened and the human race begins to expand to them.  Abaddon’s Gate combines the great action sequences and character development that is the staple of this series.  Every time I pick one of these up, I’m am thrilled to be hanging out with my friends again.

(Felan’s Rescue Available in all formats August 19, 2022. E-book Preorders Available now)

The second book in the Revelation Space trilogy was my favorite, an excellent read and a solid step up from the first book in the series. The idea of the inhibitors, introduced in the first book, is a fascinating and cool answer to a question so many have about life in the Universe.  (Basically, an answer to the Fermi Paradox) That idea was expanded on in interesting ways.  

More importantly, this book offered better character development, which to me, increased the stakes. This book blends cool ideas, interesting characters, and a dense, but interesting plot with deft precision. I highly recommend this series if you like dense, space opera. 

(Felan’s Rescue Available in all formats August 19, 2022. E-book Preorders Available now)

It’s the French Revolution with magic. And it works so well. You’ll find yourself wanting to review the history of the French Revolution as you’re reading but I recommend refraining until the end (the first thing I did after finishing was read up on Robespierre).

Commoners are not allowed to use magic but simultaneously people in England and France are trying to bring about reforms to change that. In England, those reforms are slow and done through the legislative process, but in France, they come from Revolution. At the same time reformers try to abolish slavery but the process is painfully slow. The weaving of historical figures into a story about magic works so well because Parry clearly cares about the history. But my favorite part is the relationship between some of these characters. The friendship between Pitt and Wilberforce really stands out. I highly recommend this book. 

(Felan’s Rescue Available in all formats August 19, 2022. E-book Preorders Available now)

It’s been 11 years (to the day) since this mammoth novel arrived right before my family vacation.  I was thrilled and plowed through it in no time.  Sadly, the series remains unfinished, and readers anxiously await its conclusion. 

There was a lot of disappointment in Martin’s 4th book, A Feast For Crows, which involved a ton of setup for what is to come (I still thought it was mostly excellent and has some truly standout scenes). A Dance With Dragons on the other hand was incredibly engaging throughout. At some level, much of Dance was also set up for the sheer awesomeness that I imagine awaits in the final two novels (whenever they arrive), but it was very good setup where a ton happened, much of which left me sitting there pondering “What the hell?”

A Dance with Dragons starts off dealing with the plots that were unaddressed during A Feast For Crows though eventually, those plots begin to merge. The chapters involving Dany were probably my favorite, but the ones at the Wall were great as well. I found Theon Greyjoy’s chapters more interesting in this book than in prior books (though in a very dark way).

When I reviewed this book on Goodreads years ago I concluded by saying:

“There are so many questions at this point and so many characters who we do not know exactly what is going on with and yet we know are in really interesting, crazy situations. I have no idea what to expect but I am thrilled to be going along for the ride. Just another fascinating read.” 

            Thanks to the tv show I have plenty of ideas on what to expect, and certain things I’m confident in, but there are plenty of plot threads the show never got to, that I hope to revisit in the not-so-distant future.  (Hey, I can dream)

(Felan’s Rescue Available in all formats August 19, 2022. E-book Preorders Available now)

We go from my favorite Science Fiction author right to my favorite fantasy author. 
Half a War is the final book in Abercrombie’s Shattered Sea YA series.  For me, it stood out above the other books (which are also good). This book centers around a few new point-of-view characters, though some of the main people from the prior books remain.

Princess Skara is probably the center of the story and her efforts to save her kingdom in a world at war with many competing interests to navigate. She is a great main protagonist (though I mean ‘protagonist’ in the Abercrombie sense). Koll’s story as Yarvi’s apprentice and Raith’s story of taking care of the queen while battling demons from his time before, make up the other main character arcs. All three are satisfying and reach appropriate, earned conclusions.

This being Abercrombie not everything is black and white, and the reader will surely be conflicted as to some of the decisions made by characters we would be unapologetically rooting for with a lesser writer. If you love Abercrombie read this series. If you like fantasy but haven’t read Abercrombie this series will be a nice entrance as the stories are less complex than his First Law novels (though I’d still recommend those first and foremost).

(Felan’s Rescue Available in all formats August 19, 2022. E-book Preorders Available now)

Iain M. Banks is my favorite Science Fiction writer.  Sadly, this was Banks’ last culture novel (it won’t be the last on this list). It wasn’t his best and ultimately everything that happened didn’t seem to matter much but I think that was kind of Banks’ point.  

Banks still gives us plenty of cool ideas, new and interesting alien species, and some unique, exciting action sequences. I thought the idea of The Hydrogen Sonata and the 26 string for an instrument yet to be created was uniquely Banks.  Vyr Cossont was a very likable protagonist and I particularly found the digressions involving her mother to be funny.  Oh, and of course, the ship names continue to be tremendous.  My favorite was Just The Washing Instruction Chip In Life’s Rich Tapestry.  Rest in peace Iain M. Banks… you’ve given me plenty of entertainment. I’ve enjoyed everything you wrote.

PS- If you have not read Banks before I recommend reading the first 3 in publication order.  After that, read in whatever order you want.

(Felan’s Rescue Available in all formats August 19, 2022. E-book Preorders Available now)

John Scalzi is one of the authors I most consistently enjoy.  His books are all interesting, with a variety of characters and personalities, and plenty of fun futuristic ideas.  He doesn’t write the massive novels many of my other favorite authors write, which makes reading his novels a unique experience.  Frankly, his style is the one I most associate with what I am trying to do in the Galactic Civilizations series (not to compare myself to an accomplished writer like Scalzi). 

Initially, Old Man’s War reads as traditional military science fiction with the twist that the military takes old men (and women) to be new recruits. They join because they know the colonial fleet must have unknown technology and figure that they would not take old men into the military unless there was some way to make them younger again. Basically, it is seen as an opportunity to live another life after their term of service is up (the only requirement being you cannot go back to earth and instead must be a colonist).

This is the story of John Perry who lost his wife and joined the military. At seventy-five he began his term of service. Old Man’s War takes you through his indoctrination to the colonial fleet, his adjustments to his new abilities, and his loyalty to those people he serves with. It shows a universe where battles are constantly having to be fought between different alien races and a military system where all that seems to matter is serving with your fellow soldiers and finishing your objectives. The 300 pages fly by…it really is an easy read.

Old Man’s War is Scalzi’s most famous novel and a really fun novel, with a great, high-concept premise.  I enjoy it.  I enjoy much of his future work even more.  Old Man’s War is action set piece, after action set piece.  It’s military science fiction to the fullest.  I think Scalzi gets more interesting as he develops the universe and further explores the place of the human race in it. But there is no doubt that among Scalzi’s books, this is a great place to begin.  

The Well of Ascension is a worthy sequel to The Final Empire. I found it better in some ways and weaker in others but nonetheless a great reading experience. The novel doesn’t have the narrative focus or momentum of The Final Empire. It’s longer and meanders in ways its predecessor never did. However, it expands the mystery and scope of the novel in fascinating ways.

It’s clear Sanderson understands his universe and knows how to build with each novel (and each scene really). This novel adds new allomantic skills that make the action scenes even better.

Most of the story is centered around the political maneuvers to deal with 3 armies converging on Luthadel. Central to that is a new Mistborn and Vin’s complicated relationship with him. Vin deals with many insecurities. Many times, I was frustrated by her decision making but that was surely the point. The last 200 or so pages are a tour de force of action and discovery setting up the epic conclusion to the trilogy.

(Felan’s Rescue Available in all formats August 19, 2022. E-book Preorders Available now)

               The Wrinkle in Time series was the first series I really got into as a child, and this was the novel I liked best.  It’s probably because of how much I liked Charles Wallace.  While Meg Murry is the worthy star of the first two books in this series, Charles Wallace gets to shine in this one.  Journeying with Charles Wallace on a tour through time was a joy and we still had adult Meg helping as best she could, present in his mind.  I haven’t read this book in a long time, so details escape me, but it was one of my favorites and one that furthered my love of the Science Fiction and Fantasy genres.

(Felan’s Rescue Available in all formats August 19, 2022. E-book Preorders Available now)

The flaw in the Foundation series is that it is a series based around great ideas, but few intriguing characters. It’s for this reason that Foundation and Empire is the Foundation novel that holds up best.  It has the most story and the most interesting characters. 

The Mule was a great creation that threw some needed conflict into Asimov’s galaxy rebuild masterpiece.  The flaw of Psychohistory as we understand it, is that individuals cannot be predicted, only the actions of large populations.  With the addition of The Mule, Asimov found a way to make Seldon and his plan not seem so infallible, in a way Foundation never did.  For that reason, Foundation and Empire is the Foundation novel that most stays with me to this day. 

(Felan’s Rescue Available in all formats August 19, 2022. E-book Preorders Available now)