Book Log 2/2010 - Patrick O'Brian: Master and Commander

Patrick O'Brian: Master and Commander

II must re-read some Hornblower. It's a long time since I waded my way through the whole collection, but I recall loving them. I was expecting to equally enjoy the O'Brian books and deeply disappointed when I didn't.

I know lots of people think Patrick O'Brian can do no wrong, but I just didn't like Aubrey and Maturin enough to overcome the boredom factor of a string of episodes with no overarching plot. I appreciate this is the first in a long line of highly recommended books and I'm sure things develop, but I won't be searching any of the others out.

Having said that, I appreciate that the research that's gone into recreating this world of Nelson's Navy is stellar. The detail is impeccable and the book is probably very realistic in terms of what a new captain in his first command might encounter if he was bold enough and hungry enough.

Unfortunately, for me, the episodic plot is limp and I found I was reading it only for the worldbuilding. I warmed to the Sophie (Aubrey's ship) more than to the human characters. I was determined to get to the end but it took me almost a month. From all the recommendations I've had over the years I know I'm in a minority.

Book Log 2/2010 - Patrick O'Brian: Master and Commander

Patrick O'Brian: Master and Commander

II must re-read some Hornblower. It's a long time since I waded my way through the whole collection, but I recall loving them. I was expecting to equally enjoy the O'Brian books and deeply disappointed when I didn't.

I know lots of people think Patrick O'Brian can do no wrong, but I just didn't like Aubrey and Maturin enough to overcome the boredom factor of a string of episodes with no overarching plot. I appreciate this is the first in a long line of highly recommended books and I'm sure things develop, but I won't be searching any of the others out.

Having said that, I appreciate that the research that's gone into recreating this world of Nelson's Navy is stellar. The detail is impeccable and the book is probably very realistic in terms of what a new captain in his first command might encounter if he was bold enough and hungry enough.

Unfortunately, for me, the episodic plot is limp and I found I was reading it only for the worldbuilding. I warmed to the Sophie (Aubrey's ship) more than to the human characters. I was determined to get to the end but it took me almost a month. From all the recommendations I've had over the years I know I'm in a minority.

Book Log 3/2010 - Patricia Briggs: Hunting Ground

Patricia Briggs: Hunting Ground

The second of Patricia Briggs' spin-off werewolf series which concentrates on Charles (a minor character in the Mercy Thompson books) and his new wife Anna – a very special werewolf with the ability to calm members of the pack when trouble is brewing. Charles is the son of the Marroc – the leader of North America's werewolf packs. He's his father's strong-arm man, troubleshooter and executioner, keeping the werewolves in line and disposing of any who threaten the secrecy of the packs, especially those who kill humans.

The Marroc has decided that – for various reasons – the werewolves should 'come out' and admit their existence as the fey have already done. He calls a meeting of his counterparts in Europe to discuss the implications and because of personality clashes, Charles is sent to the meeting instead of the Marroc going in person. Anna goes, too, of course. Her abused past was examined in the previous book Cry Wolf, but it's far from resolved yet. She's still trying to come to terms with her new status and still learning about her lupine abilities – specifically how to interact with other wolves. She brings out an overprotective streak in Charles which, given his temper and his history of violence (on behalf of the Marroc), makes him dangerous and unusually unpredictable – on four legs or two. His control is balanced on a knife-edge.

So when the leader of the French werewolves is killed after making a play for Anna, Charles is the obvious candidate for murderer. If Anna can't prove him innocent, pack justice will be swift and final, no matter whose son he is.

I've never met a Patricia Briggs book I didn't enjoy reading, but having said that I like the Mercy Thompson books more than the Charles and Anna books. Read this, but read the Mercy Thompsons first.

Book Log 3/2010 - Patricia Briggs: Hunting Ground

Patricia Briggs: Hunting Ground

The second of Patricia Briggs' spin-off werewolf series which concentrates on Charles (a minor character in the Mercy Thompson books) and his new wife Anna – a very special werewolf with the ability to calm members of the pack when trouble is brewing. Charles is the son of the Marroc – the leader of North America's werewolf packs. He's his father's strong-arm man, troubleshooter and executioner, keeping the werewolves in line and disposing of any who threaten the secrecy of the packs, especially those who kill humans.

The Marroc has decided that – for various reasons – the werewolves should 'come out' and admit their existence as the fey have already done. He calls a meeting of his counterparts in Europe to discuss the implications and because of personality clashes, Charles is sent to the meeting instead of the Marroc going in person. Anna goes, too, of course. Her abused past was examined in the previous book Cry Wolf, but it's far from resolved yet. She's still trying to come to terms with her new status and still learning about her lupine abilities – specifically how to interact with other wolves. She brings out an overprotective streak in Charles which, given his temper and his history of violence (on behalf of the Marroc), makes him dangerous and unusually unpredictable – on four legs or two. His control is balanced on a knife-edge.

So when the leader of the French werewolves is killed after making a play for Anna, Charles is the obvious candidate for murderer. If Anna can't prove him innocent, pack justice will be swift and final, no matter whose son he is.

I've never met a Patricia Briggs book I didn't enjoy reading, but having said that I like the Mercy Thompson books more than the Charles and Anna books. Read this, but read the Mercy Thompsons first.

Book Log 4/2010 - Elsewhere Street

Anthology: Elsewhere Street

This is custom anthology from www.anthologybuilder.com, a very neat site that accepts speculative fiction short stories that have previously been published in magazines and anthologies. For writers it's an excellent way of keeping old stories in circulation, though pay will rarely amount to big bucks. The great thing for me is that not only are six of my stories available on there, but also stories by a load of my writer friends. I put together a custom selection of stories by writers I know - mostly from attending the Milford writers' weeks in the UK.

There are stories here by: Jaine Fenn, Julian Flood, Sue Thomason, Ian Creasey, Mike Lewis, David Redd, Kari Sperring, Heather Lindsley,Merrie Haskell, Colin P Davies, David Langford, Wenonah Lyon, Ruth Nestvold & Jay Lake, and Ben Jeapes. Not a one disappoints.

The anthology title is from Jaine Fenn's (that's maeve_the_red ) 'Death on Elsewhere Street' set in her 'Hidden Empire' universe, on the floating city of Khesh where the law is administered by Angel-assassins.

Book Log 4/2010 - Elsewhere Street

Anthology: Elsewhere Street

This is custom anthology from www.anthologybuilder.com, a very neat site that accepts speculative fiction short stories that have previously been published in magazines and anthologies. For writers it's an excellent way of keeping old stories in circulation, though pay will rarely amount to big bucks. The great thing for me is that not only are six of my stories available on there, but also stories by a load of my writer friends. I put together a custom selection of stories by writers I know - mostly from attending the Milford writers' weeks in the UK.

There are stories here by: Jaine Fenn, Julian Flood, Sue Thomason, Ian Creasey, Mike Lewis, David Redd, Kari Sperring, Heather Lindsley,Merrie Haskell, Colin P Davies, David Langford, Wenonah Lyon, Ruth Nestvold & Jay Lake, and Ben Jeapes. Not a one disappoints.

The anthology title is from Jaine Fenn's (that's maeve_the_red ) 'Death on Elsewhere Street' set in her 'Hidden Empire' universe, on the floating city of Khesh where the law is administered by Angel-assassins.

Book Log 5/2010 - Linnea Sinclair: Gabriel's Ghost

Linnea Sinclair: Gabriel's Ghost

A science fiction romance in which fleet Captain Chaz Bergren, framed and sent to an inhospitable prison planet for a military mistake she did not make, is rescued by Gabriel Sullivan, one time smuggler, drug dealer and terrorist, reported dead two years earlier. Sully has a problem. Someone is breeding vicious Jukors, deadly killers, long since outlawed, and it seems to be someone high up in the Empire's political system, or maybe even the military themselves. Chaz, raised on the military base Sully needs to infiltrate, is number one on Sully's recruitment list, but she doesn't trust him. It tuns out she's right not to. Sully has a secret that just might be more dangerous than the Jukors and their masters. Unfortunately by the time Chaz finds out it's too late, she's hooked.

This is straightforward romance with a soft-SF setting, but none the worse for that even though it's a predictable plot:  girl meets boy, girl is betrayed by boy, girl is reconciled to boy. On the plus side it's action packed, sexy, well-paced and a fast, engaging read with Sully's secret being teased out gradually until in the end he has to choose between losing Chaz or telling all, It looks like it's set up for a sequel and on checking I discover, 'Shades of Dark' was published in 2008. There are also at least two other associated novels in the same universe featuring characters coming to the fore from the periphery of this one.

Book Log 5/2010 - Linnea Sinclair: Gabriel's Ghost

Linnea Sinclair: Gabriel's Ghost

A science fiction romance in which fleet Captain Chaz Bergren, framed and sent to an inhospitable prison planet for a military mistake she did not make, is rescued by Gabriel Sullivan, one time smuggler, drug dealer and terrorist, reported dead two years earlier. Sully has a problem. Someone is breeding vicious Jukors, deadly killers, long since outlawed, and it seems to be someone high up in the Empire's political system, or maybe even the military themselves. Chaz, raised on the military base Sully needs to infiltrate, is number one on Sully's recruitment list, but she doesn't trust him. It tuns out she's right not to. Sully has a secret that just might be more dangerous than the Jukors and their masters. Unfortunately by the time Chaz finds out it's too late, she's hooked.

This is straightforward romance with a soft-SF setting, but none the worse for that even though it's a predictable plot:  girl meets boy, girl is betrayed by boy, girl is reconciled to boy. On the plus side it's action packed, sexy, well-paced and a fast, engaging read with Sully's secret being teased out gradually until in the end he has to choose between losing Chaz or telling all, It looks like it's set up for a sequel and on checking I discover, 'Shades of Dark' was published in 2008. There are also at least two other associated novels in the same universe featuring characters coming to the fore from the periphery of this one.

DVD Meme

Meme: Post a list of the TV series you have on DVD.

(In my own defence a few of these were recorded from the TV and archived to DVD (Like Robin the Hoodie and Heroes) and some were archived to DVD from bought VHS tapes (the first 4 seasons of Star Trek Next Gen f''rinstance) But I have to admit to buying a lot of them. It's only when I look at the list I wonder how much money I've spent over the years. Aargh. But to balance that I don't have pay-TV.)

Alias Smith and Jones - season 1 (just bought)
Andromeda  - seasons 1 - 2 + set 1 of season 3
Angel - 5 seasons complete
Babylon 5 - seasons 1 - 5 plus all the made for TV movies
Battlestar Galactica (new) complete
Beiderbeck Collection - complete
Blake's Seven - complete
Blood Ties - season 1
Bones - Season 1
Buffy the Vampire Slayer - 7 seasons complete
Cadfael - complete
Carnivale - both seasons
Charmed - seasons 1 - 5
Crusade (B5) - season 1
Dark Angel - both seasons
Deadwood - three seasons
Doctor Who - The Daemons
Doctor Who - Terror of the Autons
Doctor Who - Talons of Weng Chiang
Doctor Who - Pyramids of Mars
Doctor Who - Robot
Doctor Who - Image of the Fendahl
Doctor Who - Robots of Death
Doctor Who - Horror of Fang rock
Doctor Who - Black Orchid
Doctor Who - Genesis of the Daleks
Doctor Who - Warriors of the Deep
Doctor Who - Four to Doomsday
Doctor Who - New Beginings - boxed set
Doctor Who - Face of Evil (still on VHS)
Doctor Who - The TV movie
Doctor Who (New) - Seasons 1 - 4 + Specials (just arrived today)
Dresden Files - season 1
Due South - set 1 of season 1
Dune and Children of Dune (Mini Series)
Farscape - 5 seasons complete inc Peacekeeper Wars
Firefly - complete (2 copies, not sure why)
Friends - seasons 1 -2 selected episodes
Heroes 1 - 3
Hogfather
Hornblower (Ioan Gruffydd version) - complete
I Claudius
Life on Mars - season 1
Life on Mars - season 2
Lost - seasons 1 - 5 ongoing
Medium - season 1
Merlin - seasons 1 - 2 ongoing
Moonlight
NCIS - seasons 1 & 2
North and South
Our Friends in the North
Primeval - seasons 1 - 3
Robin of Sherwood - complete
Robin Hood (Robin the Hoodie) 1 - 2
Rome - seasons 1 - 2
Roswell - 3 seasons complete
Ruby In the Smoke and Shadow in the North
Sharpe's Rifles etc - complete
Smallville - seasons 1 - 6
Star Trek  Next Generation - seasons 1 - 7
Star Trek DS9 - seasons 1 - 3
Stargate SG-1 Seasons1, 9 & 10 (and 2 - 8 on old TV VHS tapes)
Stargate: The Arc of Truth
Stargate: Continuum
Starsky and Hutch - set 1 of season 1
Supernatural - season 1
Survivors (original) - complete
Survivors (new) - season 1
The 4400 - seasons 1 & 2
Torchwood - seasons 1 - 3
Ultraviolet
V - The Complete Series
Wallace and Gromit - complete

Sad to see how many of these are 'complete' insofar as I bought all that was made - but the TV companies exed the series before the story had been fully told, Firefly being the most obvious.

DVD Meme

Meme: Post a list of the TV series you have on DVD.

(In my own defence a few of these were recorded from the TV and archived to DVD (Like Robin the Hoodie and Heroes) and some were archived to DVD from bought VHS tapes (the first 4 seasons of Star Trek Next Gen f''rinstance) But I have to admit to buying a lot of them. It's only when I look at the list I wonder how much money I've spent over the years. Aargh. But to balance that I don't have pay-TV.)

Alias Smith and Jones - season 1 (just bought)
Andromeda  - seasons 1 - 2 + set 1 of season 3
Angel - 5 seasons complete
Babylon 5 - seasons 1 - 5 plus all the made for TV movies
Battlestar Galactica (new) complete
Beiderbeck Collection - complete
Blake's Seven - complete
Blood Ties - season 1
Bones - Season 1
Buffy the Vampire Slayer - 7 seasons complete
Cadfael - complete
Carnivale - both seasons
Charmed - seasons 1 - 5
Crusade (B5) - season 1
Dark Angel - both seasons
Deadwood - three seasons
Doctor Who - The Daemons
Doctor Who - Terror of the Autons
Doctor Who - Talons of Weng Chiang
Doctor Who - Pyramids of Mars
Doctor Who - Robot
Doctor Who - Image of the Fendahl
Doctor Who - Robots of Death
Doctor Who - Horror of Fang rock
Doctor Who - Black Orchid
Doctor Who - Genesis of the Daleks
Doctor Who - Warriors of the Deep
Doctor Who - Four to Doomsday
Doctor Who - New Beginings - boxed set
Doctor Who - Face of Evil (still on VHS)
Doctor Who - The TV movie
Doctor Who (New) - Seasons 1 - 4 + Specials (just arrived today)
Dresden Files - season 1
Due South - set 1 of season 1
Dune and Children of Dune (Mini Series)
Farscape - 5 seasons complete inc Peacekeeper Wars
Firefly - complete (2 copies, not sure why)
Friends - seasons 1 -2 selected episodes
Heroes 1 - 3
Hogfather
Hornblower (Ioan Gruffydd version) - complete
I Claudius
Life on Mars - season 1
Life on Mars - season 2
Lost - seasons 1 - 5 ongoing
Medium - season 1
Merlin - seasons 1 - 2 ongoing
Moonlight
NCIS - seasons 1 & 2
North and South
Our Friends in the North
Primeval - seasons 1 - 3
Robin of Sherwood - complete
Robin Hood (Robin the Hoodie) 1 - 2
Rome - seasons 1 - 2
Roswell - 3 seasons complete
Ruby In the Smoke and Shadow in the North
Sharpe's Rifles etc - complete
Smallville - seasons 1 - 6
Star Trek  Next Generation - seasons 1 - 7
Star Trek DS9 - seasons 1 - 3
Stargate SG-1 Seasons1, 9 & 10 (and 2 - 8 on old TV VHS tapes)
Stargate: The Arc of Truth
Stargate: Continuum
Starsky and Hutch - set 1 of season 1
Supernatural - season 1
Survivors (original) - complete
Survivors (new) - season 1
The 4400 - seasons 1 & 2
Torchwood - seasons 1 - 3
Ultraviolet
V - The Complete Series
Wallace and Gromit - complete

Sad to see how many of these are 'complete' insofar as I bought all that was made - but the TV companies exed the series before the story had been fully told, Firefly being the most obvious.