OK, this book rocks. Basically, 'cause I'm a sucker for a deftly crafted story where credible characters fall for each other in a finely built fictionOK, this book rocks. Basically, 'cause I'm a sucker for a deftly crafted story where credible characters fall for each other in a finely built fictional world and the hero and heroine manage to strike skin-tingly-emotional-sparks off of each other as they pick apart the Theory of Everything. Don't think Albert Einstein's musings can pump a fusion-reactor-full of hot, seething goodness into a YA SF-ish romantic adventure story? Then you gotta read Ingrid Jonach's When the World Was Flat (And We Were in Love). Talk about your Strange Attractors... the two love interests in this story come across like they're sitting next to you, living, breathing, squabbling, overcoming, illuminating, and basically spilling out their tale of damn-close to immortal, timeless love that kinda takes a fire axe to all their/our comfortable realities and ultimately reveals that they... OK, I'll quit now. Just pick up this novel. Dive in. And prep your demanding little word-neurons for a wild, laws-of-physics-busting roller coaster ride into a seriously immersive chronicle that'll put your brain in a very special dimension all its own....more
so far, so fascinating.... And now that I'm done: A deeply researched, lively and totally engaging summation of not only a fateful year in the life ofso far, so fascinating.... And now that I'm done: A deeply researched, lively and totally engaging summation of not only a fateful year in the life of England but a year or so of unparalleled creativity from Shakespeare - including his re-working/transformation of the existing story of Hamlet. Worth the read as both history and biographical snapshot. ...more
I gave it 5 stars? What a surprise. Here's what other authors have to say about Zenn Scarlett:
E.C. Myers, Andre Norton YA SF/F Award winning author of I gave it 5 stars? What a surprise. Here's what other authors have to say about Zenn Scarlett:
E.C. Myers, Andre Norton YA SF/F Award winning author of the FAIR COIN books, calls Zenn Scarlett "thrilling...refreshing…perfect for readers who think they've seen it all! It's refreshing to encounter an original young adult story that defies expectations... the breathtaking conclusion will leave you desperate for more!" Temple Grandin (ANIMALS IN TRANSLATION) says "All future vets will want to read Zenn Scarlett and her adventures with veterinary medicine on alien animals.” Melissa West, author of GRAVITY and HOVER: “Utterly imaginative, Zenn Scarlett is sci-fi at its best. Fantastic world-building. Deep characters. .. I couldn’t put it down!” Phoebe North (STARGLASS): "... a debut to remember. Highly recommended!" " And Mike Mullin (ASHFALL, ASHEN WINTER) finds it "...delightful, bizarre, and occasionally terrifying."
Well crafted overview of the (sadly underfunded) state of exoplanet research as currently conducted by the US and other nations. Has a few vaguely annWell crafted overview of the (sadly underfunded) state of exoplanet research as currently conducted by the US and other nations. Has a few vaguely annoying digressions into private lives that seem less than illuminating and unnecessary, but otherwise worth your time if you're fascinated by the hunt for earth-like worlds. ...more
Dr. Tattersall is curator of the Spitzer Hall of Human Origins at the Am. Mus. of Nat. History. This is a non-controversial generalized look at the emDr. Tattersall is curator of the Spitzer Hall of Human Origins at the Am. Mus. of Nat. History. This is a non-controversial generalized look at the emergence of modern humans and what evolutionary developments and social interactions came together to make us the intriguing and occasionally dangerous apes we are today. There are a few speculations and surprises, but it'll be familiar territory to anyone familiar w/ the subject. A good re-cap, tho, of discoveries and new digs of the past decade or so, some of which I wasn't aware of. Tattersall is well-known as an authority on Neanderthals, and he does make some interesting claims in the book for his fave sub-species... ...more
Well crafted pre-apocalypse who-done-it w/ police procedural overtones. The world is due to be annihilated by asteroid-strike in six months. Most peopWell crafted pre-apocalypse who-done-it w/ police procedural overtones. The world is due to be annihilated by asteroid-strike in six months. Most people are checking out, having their "bucket list" last-ditch flings, or going into fetal position in a corner and weeping to themselves. Not our police detective, a straight-arrow, get-it-done kinda guy. He's got a murder investigation to complete and, fiery end times or not, he's gonna get his perp. Great concept, nicely executed. A few odd editorial glitches here and there, but not enough to make you quit the story. Worth a look....more
Can I give it 6 stars out of 5? 7? This is the coolest, most immersive kind of fantasy/romance/adventure a reader is likely to fall headfirst into andCan I give it 6 stars out of 5? 7? This is the coolest, most immersive kind of fantasy/romance/adventure a reader is likely to fall headfirst into and never want to come back out of. All I can say is, you've never met a heroine like Cecile, a troll-prince like Tristan or entered a world as credible and gorgeously-constructed as Trollus. Other than that, I'd like to just reiterate all the kudos, high-fives, fluttering hearts and general book-hugs given in the MANY other 5-star reviews for Stolen Songbird. Danielle Jensen is a wonderful new voice in YA. Highest recommendation. ...more
Distractingly over-written, but an amazing story of personal sacrifice and heroism in WWII Poland. The main characters, husband & wife who ran a WarsaDistractingly over-written, but an amazing story of personal sacrifice and heroism in WWII Poland. The main characters, husband & wife who ran a Warsaw zoo on the eve of the war, are truly heroic in the most heroic sense of the word, as were literally hundreds of other Poles who hid Jewish refugees and others in their homes under the noses of the Nazi occupiers. If you can get past the florid, "damn but ain't I one seriously poetic author" language, it's a glimpse into some incredibly inspiring acts during a truly challenging period....more
Not impressed with the quality of the narrative/technique in this. Awfully breathless and over-wrought. Hard to believe the author is a journo, or thaNot impressed with the quality of the narrative/technique in this. Awfully breathless and over-wrought. Hard to believe the author is a journo, or that this won a Winship/PEN New England award, but that's what the blurb sez. Otherwise, a more-or-less interesting story, but not especially noteworthy on any level. ...more
T.L. Costa's Playing Tyler is a wickedly perceptive, powerhouse YA read from start to jacked-up-pulse-rate finish. Costa has gotten right on into the T.L. Costa's Playing Tyler is a wickedly perceptive, powerhouse YA read from start to jacked-up-pulse-rate finish. Costa has gotten right on into the heads of her two teen protagonists and proceeds to take us for a street-level thrill-ride through their world of high-tech intrigue, computer-gaming-savvy and dark military-industrial espionage and treachery. The characters are cool, engaging and richly authentic, the plot is a deftly routed maze where trust is a lethal luxury and the romance is a perfectly choreographed dance of approach-avoidance, fight-or-flight impulses. Yeah, I kinda liked it. Massively. So... sequel, please?
I'm a long-time McEwan fan. Enjoyed this quite a bit. I think I can safely say the reader will not foresee the twist ending, which is really fabulous I'm a long-time McEwan fan. Enjoyed this quite a bit. I think I can safely say the reader will not foresee the twist ending, which is really fabulous in its twistiness... and masterfully executed....more
Excellent overview of the period. Relies heavily on archaeological record to reveal the lives and physical culture of the layers of society that are oExcellent overview of the period. Relies heavily on archaeological record to reveal the lives and physical culture of the layers of society that are often difficult to reconstruct for us today; ie, rather than re-hashing the reigns of kings/queens and the political doings of aristocrats, we're given a comprehensive look into the world inhabited by the lower strata of early medieval Britain. ...more
Frazier's Nightwoods is a fairly conventional, if well-done, thriller. The guy knows character, and the city-feller returning to the backwood's burg oFrazier's Nightwoods is a fairly conventional, if well-done, thriller. The guy knows character, and the city-feller returning to the backwood's burg of his childhood is a likeable enough male side of the love/hate triangle at the center of the story. Female protag is expertly crafted and memorable in both her bleak past and single-minded day-to-day determination to survive in an unfriendly present. Overall tho, the novel seemed a slight endeavor for Frazier, light-weight, but I'd still rec reading it if you like his style. ...more
The two authors of this historical overview give you a hop-scotch approach to this period. Best for readers who already have the big picture on these The two authors of this historical overview give you a hop-scotch approach to this period. Best for readers who already have the big picture on these classical times/personalities, but a rewarding read for those who are up to speed. Especially enlightening re: its take on the central role of Troy in the narratives of the societies that would, eventually, lay the foundations of Western culture....more
Main draw here is the author's descriptions of his SEAL training, which lives up to its fabled... stringency.Main draw here is the author's descriptions of his SEAL training, which lives up to its fabled... stringency....more
A bit uneven, but worth wading thru for the gems if you're into cutting-edge, if sometimes diffuse, thinking about the sciences.A bit uneven, but worth wading thru for the gems if you're into cutting-edge, if sometimes diffuse, thinking about the sciences....more
Very good if not quite great read. Kinda like a prequel to The Road - things haven't quite degenerated to the epic grayed-out wasteland of Cormac's noVery good if not quite great read. Kinda like a prequel to The Road - things haven't quite degenerated to the epic grayed-out wasteland of Cormac's novel yet, but the world is def suffering from a variety of badness. ...more