All Consuming : Bastique

A review of "Fifty Degrees Below"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bastique) — Fri, 02 Dec 2005 04:09:19 GMT

by Kim Stanley Robinson

Kim Stanley Robinson does it again with his sequel to the critically acclaimed Forty Signs of Rain. The climate worsens as Washington DC dips into Antarctic temperatures. The animals freed from the National Zoo during the summer’s storm have now gone feral. Homeless people struggle to survive. And secret wings of the government are implanting people they deem worth watching with tiny pieces of nanotechnology so they can track them at every step of the way. And Frank Vanderwal of the National Science Foundation has found himself homeless, living in a tree in Rock Creek Park, and relating to released primates. It gets cold in a big hurry!

Like all of Kim Stanley Robinson’s work, I found Fifty Degrees Below hugely plausible, yet the inside-the-beltway intrigues seem quite believable, including an insinuation that a senator from a southern state was defeated with assistance from secret algorithms written into the ballot machines.

Recommended reading for anyone with an interest in Tibetan Buddhism, global warming, and right-wing led conspiracies.

A story about "Anansi Boys: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bastique) — Tue, 11 Oct 2005 17:37:50 GMT

Anansi Boys: A Novel

by Neil Gaiman

A wonderful sequel to American Gods. I heartily recommend this.

A story about "Straken (High Druid of Shannara, Book 3)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bastique) — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 23:15:38 GMT

Straken (High Druid of Shannara, Book 3)

by Terry Brooks

The book was too short and ended too soon. I only hope this means that Terry Brooks is ready to write more!

A story about "Daughter of Ancients (The Bridge of D'Arnath, Book 4)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bastique) — Sun, 18 Sep 2005 21:39:57 GMT

Daughter of Ancients (The Bridge of D'Arnath, Book 4)

by Carol Berg

Ideal completion to the Bridge of D’Arnath series. Daughter of Ancients is a wonderful combination of Fantasy and mystery, and completes the series to satisfaction.

A story about "Drive to the East (Settling Accounts Trilogy, Book 2)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bastique) — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 00:34:11 GMT

Drive to the East (Settling Accounts Trilogy, Book 2)

by Harry Turtledove

Not exciting. Predictable. But I’m hooked on the series so I have to keep going. I’m looking forward to the next couple of books I’m getting from Amazon.com; Daughter of Ancients by Carol Berg and Straken by Teerry Brooks.

A story about "Fool's Errand (Tawny Man, Book 1)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bastique) — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 00:02:36 GMT

Fool's Errand (Tawny Man, Book 1)

by Robin Hobb

Excellent beginning to the trilogy. See my full review at Review of Fool’s Errand and Related Blithering

A story about "Fool's Fate (The Tawny Man, Book 3)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bastique) — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 00:02:35 GMT

Fool's Fate (The Tawny Man, Book 3)

by ROBIN HOBB

Excellent ending, and leaves just a few threads open for a possible continuation of FitzChivalry’s character. Read my full review at Fool’s Fate, by Robin Hobbs

A story about "Jovah's Angel (Samaria Trilogy, Book 2)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bastique) — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 00:02:35 GMT

Jovah's Angel (Samaria Trilogy, Book 2)

by Sharon Shinn

Romantic storytelling, fascinating world. No great ride. See my full review at Jovah’s Angel, by Sharon Shinn

A story about "The Glasswrights' Master (Rani Glasswright Series)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bastique) — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 00:02:35 GMT

The Glasswrights' Master (Rani Glasswright Series)

by Mindy L. Klasky

Mindy wraps up the Rani Trader/Ranita Glasswright series with a bang.

A story about "Forty Signs of Rain"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bastique) — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 00:02:34 GMT

Forty Signs of Rain

by Kim Stanley Robinson

Forty Signs of Rain is a learning experience and a novel well worth reading. Read my full review at: Bastique!

A story about "The Years of Rice and Salt"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bastique) — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 00:02:34 GMT

The Years of Rice and Salt

by Kim Stanley Robinson

I finished this book in about two weeks in 2003. Robinson weaved a master with this one. Possibly my favorite book of all time.

A story about "The Alleluia Files"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bastique) — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 00:02:19 GMT

The Alleluia Files

by Sharon Shinn

Finally got my copy. I look forward to beginning this one!

A story about "Remaking History and Other Stories"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bastique) — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 00:02:18 GMT

Remaking History and Other Stories

by Kim Stanley Robinson

A story before bed is usually just right, and this book was well worth the read. See my full review at Bastique!

A story about "Guardians Of The Keep (The Bridge of D'Arnath, Book 2)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bastique) — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 00:02:18 GMT

Guardians Of The Keep (The Bridge of D'Arnath, Book 2)

by Carol Berg

I’ve devoured this book.

A story about "Blind Lake"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bastique) — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 00:02:18 GMT

Blind Lake

by Robert Charles Wilson

See review at Bastique!

A story about "Witches' Brew (The Magic Kingdom of Landover, Book 5)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bastique) — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 00:02:17 GMT

Witches' Brew (The Magic Kingdom of Landover, Book 5)

by Terry Brooks

The book was fantastic, to say the least, a very lighthearted fantasy in keeping with the earlier books. See my full review at Bastique!

A story about "The Runes of the Earth (The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Book 1)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bastique) — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 00:02:17 GMT

The Runes of the Earth (The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Book 1)

by Stephen R. Donaldson

I loved it. See more at Bastique!

A story about "Allamanda"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bastique) — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 00:02:17 GMT

Allamanda

by Michael Leon Williams

See my review at Bastique.com

A story about "Golden Fool (The Tawny Man, Book 2)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bastique) — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 00:02:17 GMT

Golden Fool (The Tawny Man, Book 2)

by Robin Hobb

Very impressed with the continuation of the Tawny Man trilogy. A little slower than the first book, but still well written. See my fool review at Golden Fool by Robin Hobbs

A story about "Angelica: A Novel of Samaria"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bastique) — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 00:02:16 GMT

Angelica: A Novel of Samaria

by Sharon Shinn

Better than the last. See review at Bastique!

A story about "The Sword of Shannara Trilogy"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bastique) — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 00:02:16 GMT

The Sword of Shannara Trilogy

by Terry Brooks

Great story, finished Wishsong, doing review soon.