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Bowl of Heaven by Gregory Benford & Larry Niven

So the Bowl of Heaven. I took a chance on this one. I mainly pick out books by first their cover art and then the title. Then i look at the back or inside the jacket to see a little more about the story itself. This one the title seamed interesting. The back of the book got my attention i'll give it that. So i went ahead and bought it. I won't lie i enjoyed the book, but I think it was one of the longer stories I've read to date, not including The Order omnibus since that was three books in one.

I was very aggravated in the beginning. I was like, "Did i skip a chapter somewhere?????". However once I got passed the first parts where they are still on Earth, everything was good. So this book is basically about, from what i understood in the obscure beginning, we've outdone ourselves on turning back the clock on Earth. Pollution amounts and other bad things have been reduced to the point of matching centuries long gone. But the technology came too late (Lost in Space anyone, yes the remake). So the crew has this last hazzah on Earth the night before they are launched into space to head to a planet found light-years away. A planet that might mean humanity's salvation as they can no longer live on their original planet for generations to come. Tons of people are on this ship, but it is run on a skeleton crew (think Pandorum). But one of the main characters a biologist is revived from cryo because the current crew is stumped by a discovery deep in space. A structure the size of which everyone has trouble wrapping their head around. and with in this structure a star. But this star not only gives off light and heat, it is used as a propulsion system pushing this enormous entity (the size of galaxies) through the universe. So what do the humans do? Hey, lets board the dam thing thats large enough to fit millions of Earths within it's borders. Crazy humans... Anyhow a landing crew sets out to explore and of course, THINGS GO WRONG! But isn't that when the fun starts too? Of course there are tragedies along the way, you can't win all the time. So the landing crew gets visited by the, what we assume at the time is, indigenous inhabitants of this giant structure, and wouldn't you know it they are larger than humans! Part of the crew is in a tent of sorts attempting to gain access to the structure, the other part of the crew is milling about taking readings from outside and stuff. The crew outside gets scooped up by a strange tank/trash collector looking thing. Yes operated by this new alien species. The other half breaks through and gains access to the structure. They bolt past the large beings, who all happen to look like an evolved form of birds. This group, spends their time on the run learning the hard way about vegetation and creatures that live on this ginormous land. The crew that were kidnapped are taken to a holding area and a form of dialect is established between them and the new species. The humans are studied and shown things that are safe to eat. They are educated and shown off to on the marvels of these bird folk's technology and accomplishments. Not everything is shared. They aren't taught about how the bowl came to be or what their purpose is. I loved how this book had two story lines, the captives and the fugitives. The fugitives later hook up with a race of, i believe cats, that are inspired and start a small rebellion aligning themselves with the humans. The captured group eventually stages a jailbreak and goes on the run as well. but they are gifted with the knowledge that has been passed down to them by the aliens. This group eventually makes their way into one of the large cities and recons areas learning more about the bowl and about their captors. The book is really drawn out in the sense that it does not really skip time. Or at least it doesn't feel that way. A lot happen every day with one group or the other.  I will be buying the next book, because what Bowl of Heaven does so well is tick you off. It ends on... well.. you'll just have to read it to find out. Known as a "hard science" novel. It does that very well. I found myself at times feeling like an idiot unable to follow the "logic" in their calculations and estimates prior to boarding the bowl. All in all Gregory Benford and Larry Niven did an okay job in my opinion. I need to know what happens next.

Archon (The Book of Raziel #1) by Sabrina Benulis

Yes, this is an extremely short review.

I didn't finish reading Archon written by Sabrina Benulis. This was going to be my first urban fantasy, well probably dark urban fantasy. I read I don't' know how many pages, maybe a chapter... or three? The main character was too depressing to me. i couldn't bare to read another page. So i gave this book away to my cousin who i believe gave it to his ex-girlfriend who loves those types of books. But i'll be dam if i don't stare at a copy of the book at Half Price Books every time i swing by to see if there is anything i can't live without. Maybe someday I'll try branching out again and checking out this book. For now I'm sad to say I can't recommend this book.

Amped by Daniel H. Wilson

Before I start, let me say that I hate negative reviews and by negative I mean author bashing. So I won't ever do that, I hope. Especially Daniel H. Wilson. I love his Robopocalypse & Robogenesis books.

Amped started out interesting. It was a sudden and new form of racism, in my opinion. I expected to be sucked in the way Robopocalypse swallowed me up whole. I was so ready for another book from this author, i raced to the book store and purchased a copy the day it was available. Owen Grey finds himself in the middle of a purge basically when "amplified" people, that is to say people that have had medical implants that improve their way of life, are no longer considered human beings, which means that are not subject to the same laws, but more importantly, they are not protected by them any longer. The implants may have started and been installed in the majority of people that needed them, but they soon became purchased by the wealthy as well. So anyhow, it throws you right into it basically. Owen goes for a check up and hears on the news how people were being evicted, beaten, shunned all kinds of nasty stuff. He has to flea. ends up on the run avoiding normal humans headed almost aimlessly. but his father told him there is someone he needed to find and a general area he could find them. So Owen heads there, a little community in almost the middle of no where. There he is found by people like him. People who actually make normal human beings fear amplified individuals. It is from them that Owen finds out, he doesn't have a run-of-the-mill implant. What he has is something more. Learning from this group of outlaws Owen discovers what his implant is capable of and what he is capable of. It all comes down to choices and Owen eventually needs to figure out what side he's going to be on.  All this was going good until we started reaching the end. Which to me felt rushed. I hate myself for not enjoying this book because the start of really made me feel like it was going for a whole freedom fighter vibe or at least a civil rights story. I really started to think it'd be a lot like Robert Sawyer's, "Mindscan", but with more action. however when Owen finally accessed the more interesting parts of his implant the book was already ending. the finally battle lasted only a couple of pages and left me wanting, not for a sequel, but for more substance in this story. Amped was not for me. Maybe there are other readers who will say this is their cup of tea. Having wrote this review late and just after finishing Robogenesis, I can tell you that Daniel H. Wilson has not lost the creativity, because Robogenesis ended up being my most favorite story to date. I tell anyone who likes to read and some that don't read about Robopocalypse and Robogenesis. They are wonderful books that I will never get rid of. I am sorry to say Amped does not fall into this category.

Harbinger (A Book Of The Order) by Philipa Ballantine

Harbinger, the fourth and final book in the Order Series. So happy to find out there was another book, so sad to learn it was the last (so far). The Order is on the brink, whats left at them, All seems like it will never be as it was, but is that necessarily a bad thing? Sorcha, once a brash loose cannon finds herself in a leadership role, Merrick starting out a timid young deacon fresh from training is stronger, wiser, but older and worn, Raed, losing almost all you can lose, surprisingly does not go mad. All dangers that have been floating to the surface now come to a head and the fight for this world starts and ends here. Who will be left standing and will we be better for it? I'm still trying to figure out how to write reviews, not that i'm looking at other websites and trying to copy their style. But I hope to start including more info. I just feel like i'm spoiling it for you all. I love the Order Series and if Ballatine would write more books I would by them as soon as they came out, this series is real good and i felt I was able to connect to each of the main characters in one way or another. The writer had a way of making you fall in love with them and I often found myself sadden by their pain and excited for their triumphs, fictional characters and I became so close to them. This is text book awesomeness, is that a thing?

The Order of Deacons by Philipa Ballantine

The Order of Deacons is actually three books in one. I purchased this from The Science Fiction Book Club as i was trying to get the most bang for my buck and the synopsis sounded cool. So the three books within this exclusive omnibus are Geist, Spectyr & Wrayth. Where to begin?

Geist starts out like a normal day on the job for Deacon Sorcha Faris. She is a member of the Order of the Eye and Fist. A group of Deacons who have taken on the task of defending the world of Arkaym from the evil powers of the supernatural. Not in the normal sense. Here annoying spirits, deadly demons and world shattering gods all battle terrorize and attack in hopes of breaking through to the land realm of the living once more and ruling over all. Sorcha's day is interrupted by the appearance of some geists. Her and her partner (and husband) find themselves in the middle of an attack in basically town square. Her partner Kolya is injured in the attack and must remain behind when she is suddenly sent on a mission to a small town named Ulrich. Since deacons always work in pairs, an Active (Sorcha) and a Sensitive (Kolya), Sorcha is forced to take on a new Sensitive fresh from his training. Before an Active and Sensitive can work together there is a ritual that must be performed that binds their powers to one another. Her new partner, Merrick Chambers soon proves that though he is fresh from training he is also a very powerful Sensitive, maybe the most powerful Sorcha has ever come across. The two make the dangerous trek to Ulrich, dispatching geists and other baddies along the way. They soon cross paths with another main character who is introduced in his own chapter, Raed Syndar Rossin, the pretender to the throne. Raed's family once ruled Arkaym but because of the deal they made with a Giestlord and the terrible curse that affects his family's bloodline they were soon kicked out of their kingdom and became fugitives. The group reaches Ulrich after many dangers and discovers a great battle (or rather massacre) took place their. Who could kill so many deacons. They are pushed to their limits and it becomes apparent that the pairing of these two deacons may be the most powerful force this world has ever known.

Spectyr, Good lord, Spectyr! As if what happen in Giest wasn't disturbing enough the three find themselves thown into a mysterious string of murders and visits from the past (the far past) and the truth about the past of one of the Deacons will come to light, things even they did not know. As they work to solve who is behind the murders in a far away land, one they've found themselves in after being assigned escorts to a envoy from the king. Sorcha & Merrick run into all kinds of trouble! Sorcha more than most after Raed appears in the city around the same time on a different path that none the less ends up crossing with the deacons once again. Raed has family issues, Merrick finds himself on his own and Sorcha, well Sorcha does what she does best, KICKS ARSE!!!!! I just hate not being able to go into full detail and tell you all how awesome these stories are, you're just going to have to purchase them and find out.

Wrayth, is nothing new, just another outstanding story by the writer of The Order books. Sorcha has seen better days, Raed is hunting and Merrick finds himself at court during both personal and professional time. having become close to the royal family in more ways than one and being asked to investigate a new face who has some people unnerved Merrick does what he can on his own. Deals are struck and long traditions are undone and one of the Order's most powerful deacons begins to remember what they are and where they come from. But the three find themselves once again side by side facing down the dangers of the demons from the other side. And an ancient power of another kind returns to do damage. Things look to be at an end, for everything! I thought it was the end and was so pleased to find out there was just one more book. But that is another review!

Please give this series a chance, it may be done and over with, but The Order is such a good series and deserves a shot to another who loves a good fantasy series with love, loss, growth, inner strength and a lot of dam demons!

Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson

I've heard the term, "Page Turner" and the phrase, "couldn't put it down". But always thought they were exaggerations. This book makes me freely admit I could not put this book down. If it wasn't for having a job I would have read it faster. I loved the individual accounts of separate groups that were all fighting for the same war but on different fronts, the sacrifices, the ideas, and most of all the ending. I did not expect the ending. It was simple and heartfelt, for a story that was so trying and dangerous.



Deep underground in the freezing planes of Alaska a man is creating something wondrous. That creation soon turns into the end of the world. Slowly, but surely humanities technology soon becomes its deadliest enemy. A system named R-14 (Archos). Becomes self aware and destroys its creator. from its little room it reaches out to the world. Taking control of every day bots and systems this artificial intelligence begins to turn machines against humans. the story takes places in many places with many main characters. I loved how the writer was able to incorporate each one into doing something that helped turn the tides in The New War. Humanity as a whole stops bickering and fighting with each other nations fall and petty differences are put a side to work together to survive against this new threat. As i said earlier this book covers multiple characters and instances. I could not get my mind off this book. I would sneak a couple of pages here and there at work or wherever I was. Characters like Cormac Wallace, Takeo Nomura, Lonnie Wayne and the brave young Mathilda Perez are just a few of the brave souls to rose up against the enemy known as Archos. Every story in the book no matter how small or large helped in bringing down humanity's threat. But not all allies were flesh and blood. Reprogrammed and repurposed machines captured by humans became instrumental in the turning of the tides. But there was another group, a new race born out of the song of Mikiko. This new race of robots designated Freeborn fought along side the humans and eventually it was a Freeborn by the name of Nine-Oh-Two that took down Archos. it's difficult to explain how this book was such a great read for me. I was captivated by the story of each characters. Their sacrifices, bravery, different experiences. how the most mundane turned out to be such important factors in deciding the outcome of The New War. If you haven't read Robopocalypse yet, I highly suggest you drop what you are doing. With the cover and name people will assume its a sciencey robot story, while that is true it is more, in my opinion, a story about humanity and how life always finds a way to survive. When you get down, you're going to want to read the recently released sequel Robogenesis.

A Study in Silks (The Baskerville Affair #1) by Emma Jane Holloway

I must confess i did not read this book. It was an audio book downloaded from Audible The book was narrated by Angele Masters and she did a wonderful job with the voices and story.

Evelina Cooper a young woman who apparently licks to tinker with metal and clockwork. The book begins with her the attic of what we assume is her home. We soon learn that she is a guest in this home as it belongs to her best friend and school mate Imogene Roth. But there is one more big development. Not only is this a smart woman with a talent for the mechanical, she is also capable of magic. Oh and by the way she is the niece of the very famous Sherlock Holmes. So what better way to start out the story with suspicious activity and a murder. Evelina is soon thrown into danger as the house servants stumble upon a body in the closet. A young servant girl is dead and the police are baffled. Lord Bankroft, head of the household, is the very definition of a jerk. His son Tibias Roth is a rich little rebel who, like his father has a natural talent for making machines and along with his rich friends uses those talents to be immature pranksters rather than putting them to good use. Imogene is a sickly young woman who is always weak an illness that i forget the name of, but she always wants to be involved and know whats going on. Evalina under the guidance of her uncle, does her own detective work to solve the murder and uncover larger issues both in the Roth household and city. You'll read about betrayal, threats, magic, love, fights and oh yeah ballrooms and meeting the queen. Set in Victorian times this steampunk novel was very enjoyable and i cannot wait to get the next one. So pick up A Study In Silks first chance you have. If you like mysteries mixed with a little magic and a lot of danger, this is a book for you. Oh there is always that strong and smart female main character that is always nice to have as well.

The Warded Man (Demon Cycle # 1) By Peter V. Brett

Though this is not the first book I've ever read it is the one I will start with. Warning, possible spoilers ahead.

Arlen, Leesha & Rojer, three children separated by distance. These children have anything but the ideal life. As a matter of fact most of their young life is miserable. But each one finds in them the strength to keep going despite the tragedies they are forced to endure from a plague of death. But this plague of death comes not in the form of a sickness (though there is that too in the book) but in the forms of demons. Elemental Demons in my opinion. The first to strike are fire demons. You think okay demons fire sure that makes sense. but then you hear of a Rock Demon, Tree demons, Desert and Water Demons. These horrible and vicious creatures come out during the night destroying and murdering as humans have no choice but to hide behind the protection of magical wards etched and/or painted on everything important. These wards are unfortunately for defense only though i couldn't figure out why people didn't at least have some tattooed on them to protect them in emergencies. Arlen, through a personal tragedy survives early on through his almost bottomless well of anger. Leesha comes along and in a life of abuse and finds a mentor in her village that not only teaches her valuable skills but a little something about strength and confidence and a very large portion of wisdom. Rojer, the youngest of the group, does not remember very well the horror that set him on his current path, but from time to time he hears the screams and cries of loved ones long gone. It would seem the man who saved him is also slightly responsible for his lot in life. The book spends a few chapters on each character, jumping between them after two or three. But each one is, in my opinion, a great tale of loss, love, bravery, fear and growth. Near the end of the book the three have grown to about their early to mid twenties, meet through more tragedy and their paths become intertwined as they return to one of their childhood homes. The story had me pumping my fist in the air, shutting my eyes to look away and laughing, yes all at different times. If you love demon fighting, ancient societies, love, loss and a kick ass story, this book is for you. I had such a good time reading it and sneaked in a page every chance I had. I found my self having to know what happens next. There are a total of three books currently out: The Warded Man, The Desert Spear & The Daylight War. At least one more book is in the works, Skull Throne.

Pick up The Warded Man, hopefully new but I have seen copies at used book stores. Read the first chapter in the store and if you don't absolutely love it by then, walk away, but I was hooked from the first page.