The Belgariad

November 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment
The Belgariad, Volume One - David Eddings

Where Did I Get This Book?: The Belgariad is one of those sempiternal classics of fantasy, I have no idea when I first heard of the series, nor who suggested I buy it. I found the two-volume Omnibus edition about eight years ago, and I've read it about four times since, front to back of both books. Why Did I Choose This Book?: Eddings is widely accepted as a seminal fantasy author. The Belgariad raised a number of the walls that the House of Fantasy is built on, and for good reason; the story is classical in its construction, the narrative is clear, and the character archetypes are very … [Read more...]

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Altered Carbon

October 31, 2009 By 1 Comment
Altered Carbon - Richard K. Morgan

Where Did I Get This Book?: Found this one in a local book store looking for an excuse to buy a book. It had the shiniest cover. Why Did I Choose This Book?: First-person narrative is fairly rare - and well-done first person narrative is even less common; this, combined with the incredible setting and illustrative writing style makes it one of my favorites. The Story's Strengths: Morgan's devised somewhat of a less-well-known side of sci-fi here, a sci-fi noir. Altered Carbon is a detective novel, at its core, set against a technological background that actually doesn't interfere with … [Read more...]

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Frank Herbert's DUNE

October 23, 2009 By 1 Comment
Frank Herbert's Dune

Where Did I Get This Book?: I was given my first copy of Dune as a birthday gift a number of years ago - and delayed the reading of it for nearly two years. Why Did I Choose This Book?: If there's an epic in fiction that addresses a more broad view of the human experience in a setting created entirely around showcasing that esperience, I've yet to see it. The Story's Strengths: The narrative of Dune as a book is one of it's best points. There's a real sense of power in the story right from the first page. Paul Atreides is easily one of the most tragic characters I've read, aside from CS … [Read more...]

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Ender’s Game

October 16, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card

Where Did I Get This Book?: I was recommended Ender's Game by a fellow roleplayer way back when, a psychology major who went by BlackRainbow. I had heard of the book beforehand, naturally, but it was his blurb about it that convinced me it was worth a read. Why Did I Choose This Book?: Card's writing is very powerful. His characterisation of Ender and others in the book is so crisp that, even having had the book for the last ten years, I've read it just about once a year, and I always find something new in the reading of it. The Story's Strengths: Whether or not Card shares the … [Read more...]

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