Monday 18 March 2024

The Gathering Edge / Sharon Lee & Steve Miller

 

4 out of 5 stars 

I was fussing around, trying to find something I was excited to read. Of course the books coming due at the library or my book club selection had little to no appeal. I grabbed the next Liaden book from my book cart and it was just the thing.

It is always a pleasure to spend time with Theo Waitley and her ship Bechimo. Bechimo is a sophisticated AI and thus a character in its own right. But this universe is hostile to artificial intelligence and the luck runs roughly around this pair. Theo has an excellent crew, tough, smart, and loyal. Bechimo has returned them to one of its favourite quiet places to regroup. Earlier, a ship registered to one of Theo's ancestors appeared in this location. It appears that this spot is the gathering edge of the universe, gathering items from elsewhere. They have secured the empty ship for transport, as it was devoid of crew, unless you count a tree very like the one which has grown to be a symbol of Clan Korval. Thus they acquire a giddy tree in their hydroponic bay.

Suddenly, another ancient ship in distress arrives from the old universe. The only survivors on board are two proto-Yxtrang and one ship's cat. Shortly, Theo has an extremely varied selection of beings under her care and command. The two refugee Yxtrang must learn to communicate in modern languages and make decisions about their future. They are understandably worried and uncertain of Theo's plans for them. She, however, is determined to treat them as guests, not prisoners, to their amazement.

Since the Department of the Interior seems to still be in pursuit of any member of Korval, Theo must plan next moves carefully. Theo, being the honourable person that she is, is unwilling to leave a friend in a bad place and must teach Bechimo to properly evaluate risk, something the ship is strongly averse to. But Theo is Korval—she is a talented pilot and not going to back down from challenges. Similar to good urban fantasy, Theo is assembling her crew, chosen family. Whether she realizes it or not, this is typical Korval behaviour.

These plot lines are much too numerous and complicated to be resolved in one book. I can hardly wait to read the next one!

Book number 515 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project



Sunday 17 March 2024

Big Meg / Tim Flannery & Emma Flannery

 

3.7 out of 5 stars 

Free Range Reading

I have developed many odd interests over the last 60 years. Paleontology has been a long lasting love. My father used to tell me that I knew the names of “all the dinosaurs" by the time I was three (an exaggeration I'm sure). In the last decade or so, I've also become fascinated with fossil fishes. Attendance at a lecture/slide show by the artist Ray Troll sparked my interest (check out his website for fabulous fin art).

Anyone who has read Peter Benchley's Jaws will understand the lure of the gigantic prehistoric shark Megalodon. Shark fossils are particularly scanty, as their skeletons are mostly cartilaginous rather than bone and cartilage doesn't preserve well in the fossil record. However it is amazing what scientists have been able to piece together from what there is available: range maps, possible birthing localities, diets, possible habits and causes of extinction (although the last two items seem rather more speculative).

The ocean is a mysterious place to most of us and its predators are a source of fascination. There is good reason that there are many shark gods envisioned by the people of Oceania. Our current world has an impoverished ocean, with sharks and other fish, whales, even corals and other small creatures in decline. Nevertheless, there are those who would like to believe that the Megalodon still lurks in the depths. I suppose anything is possible, but it seems to me that there just aren't enough food species left to maintain a sustainable population of this enormous shark. But I think it is natural, in a world where so many species teeter on the edge of extinction, to hope that this awesome predator is still out there.




I've read other books by Tim Flannery which I also found enjoyable. He provides accurate information (although paleontology is a science prone to revision as new specimens are studied) and he writes in a clear, accessible style. I get the impression that he truly loves sharing his knowledge. If you are particularly interested in fossil sharks, I would also recommend Resurrecting the Shark: A Scientific Obsession and the Mavericks Who Solved the Mystery of a 270-Million-Year-Old Fossil. If fossil fishes in general are your jam, The Rise of Fishes: 500 Million Years of Evolution might suit you. If you are intrigued by the connection between fish and land animals, Your Inner Fish: a Journey into the 3.5-Billion-Year History of the Human Body is a great choice.



Tuesday 12 March 2024

Find Me / Anne Frasiet

 

4 out of 5 stars 

2024 Re-read

I had forgotten that the main character, Reni Fisher, was so focused on birds, an obsession of mine over the years. I'm unsure why I felt the need to read this again, but it was a very strong urge and that may have been a factor. I am bumping the rating from 3 stars up to 4, reasoning that wanting to reread it and reading it just as quickly the second time indicates that I am really engaged with the work.

Reni is the daughter of serial killer Benjamin Fisher, used by him as a lure for his victims while she was a child. A heavy burden to bear and the major reason that she became an FBI agent. A mental episode where she mistakes her partner for her father leads her to retire from the Bureau and retreat to the desert. She is persuaded to assist Agent Daniel Ellis when her father seems willing to give up locations of his victims. Little does she know that Daniel has his own dark history.

If you are curious about nonfiction concerning the families of these murderers, I suggest looking for A Serial Killer's Daughter: My Story of Faith, Love, and Overcoming. Go into it aware, however, that it is truly about the daughter. (She makes it plain that far too many people are way too interested in her father and have completely ignored her.) Also interesting is The Phantom Prince: My Life with Ted Bundy, a memoir by a woman who was involved with that notorious man. These people are collateral damage in the killers' lives.

Sunday 10 March 2024

Cryoburn / Lois McMaster Bujold

 

4 out of 5 stars 

Another wild whirl with Miles Vorkosigan at its centre. He does surf the chaos with remarkable skill. As a reader, one sympathizes with Armsman Roic, who must try to protect the Lord Auditor. Miles has been sent to figure out what, if anything, is untoward about the cryogenic preservation business on Kibou-daini as it looks to expand to Barrayaran territory. A bit of an exploration of whether it is worthwhile or even moral to try to cheat death through this method, being frozen until there is a cure for whatever ailed you. And there is indeed something rotten in the state of Denmark (or Kibou-daini, as the case may be).

Miles, who seems to collect strays wherever he goes, soon acquires a young man whose mother seems likely to have the dirt that the investigation needs. Unfortunately the cryocorp goons seem to have reached her first and she is in cryogenic storage, quite literally on ice. In his usual inimitable fashion, Miles devises a plan to extract and revive her.

Rogue cryogenic facilities, a menagerie of animals, two children, a stunned planetary consul, an arson attempt, kidnapping, plus a business deal involving Lord Mark, this book has all that. It's the usual Vorkosigan experience. The epilogue, however, broke my heart. 💔

Book number 514 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project



Trade Secret / Sharon Lee & Steve Miller

 

4 out of 5 stars 

How did I miss the fourth book of this series? It was time to backtrack and patch this hole in my Liaden knowledge. I appreciate how Lee and Miller follow many characters, keeping their story telling fresh. This, then, is the second installment of the adventures of one Jethri Gobelyn ven'Deelin, raised on the Terran ship Gobelyn's Market (such a clever name) but adopted by the Liaden master trader van'Deelin.

Never before has a Terran been adopted and trained as a trader. As a result, there is resentment among certain Liaden clans, who feel that associating with humans is beneath their dignity. Surely Jethri cannot understand their complex system of melanti, Balance. Unfortunately for them, Jethri is quite competent in his understanding of most aspects of trade and of Liaden society. He has had exemplary education, after all.

However Jethri encountered resentment on the Terran family ship also. The current captain disliked him for quite unaccountable reasons, refusing him pilot training and forcing him off ship. Only by a stroke of good luck (or was it bad luck?) did he find his way to his new Liaden adoption. In this volume, he discovers that his biological father's work may account for this situation and he must set about recovering items inherited from that man. He also learns of his close relationship to that mysterious man known only as Uncle to most of the universe.

Jethri gets to grow up, learning about piloting, getting experience at trading, having confidence, not to mention how to conduct himself with young women. Like all the Liaden books that I have read, there is plenty of space travel, subterfuge, and action. I hope I will meet young Jethri again in the future.

Book number 513 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project



Saturday 9 March 2024

Twilight's Dawn / Anne Bishop

 

4 out of 5 stars 

I didn't realize when I started this book that it was a collection of four shorter works rather than one continuous story. But it features the same crowd and deals with issues following from the previous books, hooking my interest quite easily. I must say that I find this imaginative world to be a bit on the silly side, but the lives and loves of the characters keep me reading.

These four vignettes take us far into the future compared to the last book. It's like each section was an idea that the author needed to write, but none of them required a whole novel to explore. But it does act like stepping stones, transitioning us to a new generation, and giving her new scope for the subsequent books.

Get ready to say goodbye to a couple of longstanding characters while welcoming new children, who grow up to fill their parents' lives with excitement. Young Jaenelle Sadi in particular is going to lead her father Daemon a merry dance. And it's not just the genetic children—there are a number of strays who get folded into the family in these stories and who will feature in the next volume, according to my snooping ahead. After a long hiatus (2011-2020), Bishop has produced three more books centered on these youngsters. Their elders are too settled to provide the necessary drama!

Not to everyone's taste, but fun and fast. 

Book number 512 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project




Friday 8 March 2024

Mrs. McGinty's Dead / Agatha Christie

 

4 out of 5 stars 

”How do I know?“ said Mrs. Oliver crossly. “How do I know why I ever thought of the revolting man? I must have been mad! Why a Finn when I know nothing of Finland? Why a vegetarian? Why all the idiomatic mannerisms he's got? These things just happen. You try something—and people seem to like it—and then you go on—and before you know where you are, you've got someone like that maddening Sven Hjerson tied to you for life. And people even write and say how fond you must be of him. Fond of him? If I met that bony, gangling, vegetable-eating Finn in real life, I'd do a better murder than any I've ever invented.”

Ariadne Oliver, the mystery writer, is allowed to speak some home truths about being a well known author. Her bony, vegetarian Finn is the fictional stand in for one rotund gourmand Belgian! No wonder Hercule Poirot spends the first pages of this book wishing that he could somehow spend more time eating. Following which, he must stay in guest accommodation where his hostess not only is clueless about cooking, but positively reckless with food safety.

Mrs. Oliver is delightful, declaring trees to be preferable to people, much more restful. Poirot is his usual puffed up self, with irritating mannerisms that Christie seems to regret creating for him. She made a lot of cash from him though, so he was good for something. Honestly, this is the thirty-second installment featuring him, and I know there are more. Colonel Race, Inspector Battle and even Jane Marple would be within their rights to feel neglected.

I've met Mrs. Oliver before in Cards on the Table, but I liked her much more in this novel. I look forward to seeing her again in other titles. (And I could wish for more books that included her too!)