East of the Sun West of the Moon by John Ringo

I was disappointed by the finish to this series. The story started right out, fast paced, there was a feeling of urgency, that important things were happening. And lots of stuff did happen and it was fun, but things were not resolved. It feels like there should be another book in this series. There were a lot of loose ends introduced in this and earlier books that were just left hanging. Very frustrating.

Rating: 3 stars

Recommendations: I do like John Ringo, this series was fun, just unfinished. But the first book is There Will be Dragons*. He also co wrote a series with David Weber (who is also awesome) the first one in that series is March Upcountry.

424 pages took me almost exactly 3 hours.

Emerald Sea by John Ringo

Once again a strong effort from John Ringo, I've liked everything of his so far. Like I said for Against the Tide*, I read this one and that one out of order. But it was fine. This one doesn't have the same battles and tactics and strategizing that the other two books had but I still liked it. I think that of the three books I've read in the series this one had the least action. There was a lot of training and figuring out doctrines in this one, which was interesting but not as exciting the other books. There didn't seem to be the same sense of urgency in this one as in the others.

Rating: 4 stars

Recommendations: The rest of the Council Wars series. Start with There Will be Dragons.

600 pages in about 5 hours

* denotes a book I have read and reviewed on this blog

Against the Tide by John Ringo

So I read this book out of order, I should have read Emerald Sea* first, this is actually book 3 of the series. But that being said, all of the books in this series can be read as stand alone novel. They are *better* in order, a little richer and deeper. I actually wondered when I started it why there was such a gap between this book and (what I thought was) the last one and why there were so many events that were referred to that we as readers hadn't hard about lol but once I went back and read Emerald Sea I was fine. I really enjoyed this book, but so far I have enjoyed all of Ringo's books. I tend to like the navy more than army type of military fiction. This one had plenty of action and good dialogue, and I really like all of the characters. But I would recommend that you read this one *third* in the series.

Rating: 4 stars

Recommendations: The first two books are There Will Be Dragons*, and Emerald Sea*, with East of the Sun West of the Moon finishing up the series. I'm also going to start the Posleen War series soon the first book on that one is A Hymn Before Battle.

550 pages in 4 hours

* denotes a book I have read and reviewed on this blog.

Out of the Dark by David Weber

I was really looking forward to this book, I like David Weber and enjoy some military sci-fi. This book started out great, Earth is attacked humanity courageously (and kind of futilely) fights back. Things go on, the aliens learn about our psychology and are dumbfounded. We keep fighting, things are not looking good. Then all of a sudden, mysteriously alien bases start being wiped out. I think, cool we have figured something effective out. The aliens think, the humans are getting help from another alien species. I wish the aliens had been right. Instead, in the last 3o or so pages.... Vampires show up. Yep, vampires... and not just any vampires, Dracula himself!! They kick the aliens ass, and some of them go off to attack their world. I couldn't believe it. Vampires???! I was thoroughly disgusted.

Rating: 1 star

Recommendations: Up till now, I would have said that anything by David Weber is good stuff. If you want some good stuff, read On Basilisk Station (book one of the Honor Harrington series) or Off Armageddon Reef (book one of the Safehold series).

381 pages 3 and a half hours.

By Heresies Distressed by David Weber

Well, another volume down. This one made up for the last with plenty of battles and momentous events. Still can't put these books down! I'm only sad that there is only one more published volume, I've got (and am about to start) volume 4, A Mighty Fortress. But volume 5 doesn't come out till September!! Sad day!

Rating: 5 stars again :)

Recommendations: The next book of course, but I'm on the look out for more David Weber stuff now. I'm intrigued by his book, Out of the Dark, I'll let you know what I think when I get a hold of a copy.

A short one! 496 pages, maybe 3 hours!

By Schism Rent Asunder by David Weber

Alright, this one picks up right where Off Armageddon Reef* left off. See that post for my ravings on how awesome these books are! I did have one complaint in this book, not a lot happened! Alright, that's not true but the things that happened were setting up for bigger things down the road. There weren't really any big battles fought in this book. But overall I still loved this book.

Rating: 5 stars

Recommendations: The next book is By Heresies Distressed. David Weber also co wrote (well, with a lot of people) but with John Ringo for a series, the first book is called March Up Country.

723 pages took about 4 hours I think.

Off Armageddon Reef by David Weber

So I have been composing this post in my head for the last week trying to figure out how to convey how *awesome* this book is! Take all the fun parts of our history throw in some aliens out to destroy the human race and mix with lots of sneaky intrigues and heroic battles, as well as some truly likable characters and you've got some idea what this book is like.
So here is the premise, in order to save ourselves from total annihilation we have sent the last remnants of humanity off to a *very* distant planet. On the way there the mission director "programs" all the colonists (with their permission) to have forgotten all about technology (so they can hide from the aliens). But the mission director gets some delusions of grandeur and sets himself and his cronies up as the next best thing to gods. Fast forward 1,000 years and you have world controlling Church, and the entire populace with no memory of humanity as it once was. The Church of course is corrupt... you see where this might lead??

Rating: 5 stars! I'd give it more stars if I could!!

Recommendations: The rest of the series obviously, the next book is By Schism Rent Asunder. I also really liked David Weber's Honor Harrington series as well. The first book in that series is On Basilisk Station.

800 pages only took me 4 or 5 hours, I could not put this book down!

The Magic of Recluse by L.E. Modesitt, Jr.

I read this years ago and realized that I missed a lot of things. So here I am re-reading it, I really enjoyed this book. The concept of magic in this series is interesting. The characters had some depth. The plot was fun. This book makes you think more than your average fantasy, I think. The author likes to imply things, and not outright say them, it makes for a more challenging read but enjoyable. I like that the author assumes that the reader is intelligent enough so everything doesn't have to be spelled out. I will definitely read more in this series.

Rating: 4 stars

Recommendations: So apparently the author says that the books should be read in the published order. But, if you want to follow this character, Lerris, the next book is Death of Chaos. This book apparently takes place very late in the chronology of Recluse, but it doesn't seem to matter too much. I just get attached to a character and want to stay with them.

501 pages took me about 4 hours I think (I was on vacation so I wasn't really paying attention!)

The Tower and the Hive by Anne McCaffrey

This was a really disappointing finish to this series. There wasn't much to the plot, characters were introducing and then seemingly forgotten about. Even the "romances" were tepid. And the so called "resolution" to the whole five book series was all wrapped up within the last 20 pages or so.... I had read this one when it came out, no wonder I didn't remember it! I was hugely disappointed. This is the sort of work that makes me not want to read any more of McCaffrey's books, and her early stuff is so great!! This was an easier read than usual, probably because there wasn't much going on! There was a whole terrorist plot that came to nothing!! It was introduced, the Talents said "oh yeah we know all about it" and then almost nothing came of it, this is something that would have been explored in earlier books. The Rowan had a lot of time devoted to psychological issues, and this time around there was almost nothing of that sort. That's one of the things that made The Rowan such a rich story, there was depth to it! *sigh* Very disappointing.

Rating: 2 stars

Recommendations: Read Ms. McCaffrey's earlier stuff!! The Crystal singer books, the early Dragonrider books... I have liked some of the stuff that she's co-written with other people too. Although I have not read any of the stuff she's co-written with her son... About 10 years ago or so I read a Pern short story that was sooo *bad* that I haven't been able to bring myself to read any Pern books since then. Although I have heard some good things about her son's work.

302 pages only took me about 2 hours to read, lots of blank and half pages with graphics, plus it just wasn't written very well!

Lyon's Pride by Anne McCaffrey

I think I liked this one almost as much as The Rowan. Although it is just a continuation of the Damia's Children* and they really should be read back to back. The were written in the same year so I think they were intended to be read that way. A bit more romance in this one, with the kids finding mates for themselves. More adventure as well, although this one didn't have the same urgency that some of the previous ones did.

Rating: 4 stars

Recommendations: The last book in this series is The Tower and The Hive. Also start with Dragonflight, in the Pern series!

Sorry guys I don't know how many pages this one was, took it back to the library too soon!

Damia's Children by Anne McCaffrey

I liked this one a lot more than I liked Damia*. I think it's mostly because I didn't care for Damia as a character. But this story is about her four oldest children. It definitely should be read back to back with the next volume, Lyon's Pride*. And really with the last book in the series, The Tower and the Hive. The book pretty much follows Laria, Thian, Rojer and Zara as they find their places in the Talent universe. There is not as much romance in this volume and a lot more adventure.

Rating: 4 stars

Recommendations: The rest of the series obviously. But my favorite McCaffrey books are the Dragonrider of Pern series. Which I will review as I get to them :)

272 pages only took me 2 hours.

* denotes books that I have read and reviewed.

Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffrey

Dragonsong, is the second book in the Harper trilogy. I love it almost as much as the first book, Dragonsinger*. While the first book in the series was about being an outcast, this one was about finding your place. I also loved this book because it had a lot of the Robinson character. I always loved him (and luckily there is a later novel all about him!). Not as many dragons in this one, but plenty of fire lizards! And it does help to have at least a passing knowledge of music.

Rating: 5 stars

Recommendations: Dragondrums is the last in the Harper Series. Also read Dragonflight.

192 pages took me about an hour and half.

Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey

So my volume includes; Dragonsong, Dragonsinger and Dragondrums. But I'm reviewing them seperately. :)
Dragonsong I think is my favorite of the three. This story is one of the very first sci-fi books I ever read, I was probably eight or nine. i used to stay up and read and re-read this book. This actually introduced me to Anne McCaffrey. Now I love this story for a couple of reasons. First the main character, Menolly. I empathized with her so much, she was an outcast. I often felt like one, not because of musical talents but I was too smart for my own good and didn't have any/many friends. I still love that aspect even though I don't feel the same way, the situation is presented in a very honest way and I can appreciate that now. Then there were dragons, and their smaller cousins, fire lizards, they were utterly charming creatures. I wanted more! And finally I love the idea of surviving on your own, not depending on anyone else for your survival. Just a wonderful book!

Rating: 5 stars, I have owned this book for over 20 years. Sadly it is starting to fall apart and one day soon I will have to replace it!

Recommendations: The rest of the Harper series obviously! And really any of the Pern books, although I haven't liked the later books near as much.

140 pages in an hour... although I've read this story so many times I almost don't have to read it all!

Damia by Anne McCaffrey

This is the second book in this series, after The Rowan. While the Rowan felt like a stand alone novel, this begins to feel like a series. I also think that this is where the series declines in quality. But, since I am a little compulsive, now that I've started I have to finish lol. I read the whole series years ago but I don't really remember the next few books, and I didn't remember this one very clearly either. It's not as crisp as The Rowan was, it's a little more sentimental. And while the title might be Damia, the story is as much about Afra as anyone. Over all though I liked this book.

Rating: 4 stars

Recommendations: The rest of this series, the next book is Damia's Children. And then there is the Dragonrider books, definitely want to read those!

336 pages took me about 3 hours

The Rowan by Anne McCaffrey

I have read this book many times and I still love it. It is the first book in the series, the next couple of books deals with Rowan's children and grand children. It's got a little of everything, psychics, romance, alien invasion, bureaucracy, even cats. This is not hard sci-fi, there are not a lot of technical details, but it's engaging and this universe is laid out in broad strokes. I love Anne McCaffrey, especially her earlier books. I'm sure I'll be re-reading and reviewing a bunch of her stuff. :) McCaffrey is one of the first scifi authors I ever read and is what firmly cemented my love of the genre.

Rating: 5 stars

Recommendations: The rest of the this series, the next book is Damia. And the series that McCaffrey is most famous for, the Dragonriders of Pern. I haven't read the most recent additions, specially the ones co-written with her son, but all the earlier stuff is great. Start with Dragonflight!

335 pages in 2 hours! McCaffrey is always a quick read for me, especially since I've read this before! :)

There Will Be Dragon by John Ringo

No despite the title this is not a fantasy novel! It's a sci-fi novel and an end of the world type at that (my favorite). In the very distant future people have virtually no wants or needs. Until the "Net" that provides everything for humans goes down (This is waaaay over simplifying things). Now the people best equipped to survive are the ones who studied or re enacted Roman, Renaissance, and modern (for us the reader) times. It is the first in a series and I'm a little worried that the story is going to get drug out too much... or else span multiple generations, neither of which I'd like.
Rating: I enjoyed this book. I'll give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Recommendations: I've only read a few things by Ringo, and that was in conjunction with another author David Weber (who I love). And that series was March Upcountry*, March to the Sea*, March to the Stars* and We Few*. I'll also finish this series, the next book is Against the Tide.
This one was about 600 pages and probably took me about 8 hours to read (in my defense I was sick)