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Zivan Locked account

zkrisher@bookwyrm.social

Joined 1 month ago

I mostly read Science Fiction and Fantasy AudioBooks

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Zivan's books

Currently Reading (View all 20)

reviewed Shadow Captain by Alastair Reynolds (Revenger, #2)

Alastair Reynolds: Shadow Captain (Paperback, 2019, Orbit)

Bosa Sennen was a scourge of merchants and traders alike. A pirate who struck from …

This is very much a second book in a trilogy

I had trouble with Fura in Revenger, So I was glad to see that Shadow Captain is lead by Adrana.

This is very much a second book in a trilogy and it takes allot of time going nowhere slowly.

I did enjoy it, but it's not what I would have wanted from such an interesting world.

It is about morality and not giving in to generational trauma. I would have liked it to be about exploring the Dyson Swarm.

We do get teased with the mystery of the swarm towards the end, so I hope for a more interesting third book.

Susanna Clarke: Piranesi (Paperback, 2021, Bloomsbury Publishing)

From the New York Times bestselling author of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, an …

Piranesi appealed to me on so many levels.

Piranesi appealed to me on so many levels.

He is a fish out of water, but he has adapted. The way he adapted, studying his environment with an innocent yet scientific eye, was the most appealing aspect for me. The descriptions of the statues; the meaning the myth and art embedded in them was a wonderful cherry on the cake.

The way Susana Clarke stuck the landing was also perfect.

What a wonderful experience.

Nalo Hopkinson: Blackheart Man (2024, Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers)

The magical island of Chynchin is facing conquerors from abroad and something sinister from within …

Myth, Magic and History blend on the island of Chynchin. Threatened by an imperial power it's population looks to its mythical past for solutions.

Myth, Magic and History blend on the island of Chynchin. Threatened by an imperial power it's population looks to its mythical past for solutions.

Veycosi, a local scoundrel and history student with the heart of an engineer, is tasked with studying the magical victory that earned Chynchin its independence.

This is not a simplistic story, with plucky egalitarian islanders as the good guys and the empire as the villains. The island is not perfect and has its share of sins.

Veycosi is very much a representation of the powers of ADHD and is constantly getting into trouble, weather by his own actions or due to the magical nature of Chynchin.

He reminded me of the Jewish story about the difference between a Shlumiel and a Shlimazel.

The Shlumiel when carrying a bowl of soup will inevitably drop it over someone.

The Shlimazel is the person that somehow manages to allways …

reviewed Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski (Fantasy Orbit)

Andrzej Sapkowski: Blood of Elves (Paperback, 2009, Orbit)

The New York Times bestselling series that inspired the international hit video game: The Witcher. …

I must say there isn't much here

I must say there isn't much here, it's mostly a training montage mixed with a political background montage.

If I wasn't already invested in the world and characters, I wouldn't have found much to like.

A very intermediary book.

China Miéville: Three moments of an explosion (2015)

A provocative new collection of short stories by the New York Times best-selling and Hugo …

A good way of getting back to some China Miéville

A short story collection was a good way of getting back to some China
Miéville without committing to one of his huge novels.

The collection is quite eclectic, I liked most of the stories, but had to skip a couple that were too graphic.

There were only a few stories that really stood out and they are mostly covered in the blurb.

I enjoyed the sprinkling of stories that are made up of vision boards for a very short film. I wonder if any of them have been produced.

reviewed Paladin's Faith by T. Kingfisher (The Saint of Steel, #4)

T. Kingfisher: Paladin's Faith (Red Wombat Studio)

Marguerite Florian has spent her life acquiring and selling information, using whatever means necessary. When …

A 'wonderful installment in the Saint of Steel series.

Wonderful characters, danger, romance and humor. This time it's more of a rescue mission.

The special bonus is that towards the end we get to learn a bit more about the nature of demons, gods and saints.

Adrian Tchaikovsky: Cage of Souls (2019, Head of Zeus)

One of Tchaikovsky's Best

I read Cage of Souls after reading Tchaikovsky's 2024 penal colony novel Alien Clay.

It was interesting to view such similar premises that play out so differently.

An authoritarian regime that refuses to acknowledge scientific reality sends its dissidence to a deadly penal colony. The complexity of reality we discover along the way paves the way to a new future.

While Alien Clay is set in a universe where humans colonized space and are exporting their imperialist ideals. Cage of Souls is set at humanities twilight, after it failed to leave for the stars.

In Clay, the focus is on political dissent, dogma and science. In Souls, the dissidents are a mixed bag of the disenfranchised that have run afoul of the elite, each with their own agendas. More like in, City of Last Chances.

I really enjoyed the richness of the world, with such a deep past and present, …

A. Lee Martinez: The Automatic Detective (Paperback, 2008, Tor Books, Tor)

Even in Empire City, a town where weird science is the hope for tomorrow, it’s …

Futuristic Noir Satire.

A very American story about a corrupt city of the future that exploits the poor and disenfranchised

It takes a stubborn ex-military robot on a temporary visa to take on the hard boiled detective role and expose the festering boil at the top of the pyramid.

Gerhard Gehrke: Refuge (2018, Independently Published)

Sometime during their thousand-year voyage, the invaders perished. But their slaves, the minders, survived to …

This is the story of two underdogs, a girl in juvenile detention and an enslaved alien.

This is the story of two underdogs, a girl in juvenile detention and an enslaved alien.

It is the story of a biotech hive mind alien invasion.

As usual with Gehrke's work, it is both familiar and different. There are many familiar tropes but enough difference to keep you interested. It's a hive mind but with religious overtones. People are selfish but also kind and trusting. Being kind and trusting doesn't come with narrative armor. There are friendships and rivalries, but despite the teenage cast, there's no love interest.

It is also very much the first book in a trilogy. Sadly only Refuge is available in audio. At least the e-book is available as a box set.

Daryl Gregory: When We Were Real (2025, Simon & Schuster, Incorporated)

From multiple award-winning author Daryl Gregory comes a madcap adventure following two friends on a …

What a wonderfoul adventure

There is something very compelling about: When We Were Real.

Despite the almost contemporary world, the speculative nature of the setting permeates every aspect of the novel. It is not just a veneer.

Daryl Gregory also made me care about every character and their struggle, even the annoying ones.

reviewed The Simoqin Prophecies by Samit Basu (Gameworld, #1)

Samit Basu: The Simoqin Prophecies (2005, Penguin Global)

The Simoqin Prophecies, first published in 2003 in India, was critically acclaimed and an instant …

Why did I only hear of this gem 20 years after it was published.?

Self-aware and breaking the fourth wall, The Simoqin Prophecies makes fun of classic tropes from myth, fairy tale and fantasy. But it is not trying to be funny, it is deadly serious about its own high fantasy world.

While it is not perfect in all it's choices, as an experienced fantasy reader I enjoyed the references to classic tropes and their deconstruction. Satire can be better when it's not trying too hard to make you laugh.

I'm glad I found it through a Story Graph reading challenge prompt. Sometimes you find a book that was written for you 20 years after it was published and wonder where it's been all these years.

I love reading challenges with prompts that specify a type of book and let you choose the book you'll read for that prompt. You can also use these prompts to find novels other members think fit a prompt …

reviewed Dade County Death Cruise by Alexander C. Kane (Orlando People, #2)

Alexander C. Kane: Dade County Death Cruise (2021, Audible Studios)

Gretch Wolgast still can’t forgive Shaq for abandoning her beloved Orlando Magic, but she is …

I’m enjoying the Orlando People novels even more than Kane’s Andrea Vernon series.

I’m enjoying the Orlando People novels even more than Kane’s Andrea Vernon series.

They are, light comedy action. Great for when you need some escape from the bitter wartime news cycle.

And I love Gretch, she would be annoying as hell to be around but I enjoy reading about her antics.